All posts by h79snht.top

As nine-man Liverpool were brushed aside by an in-form Tottenham side yesterday, there was one man at the centre of the North London’s side performance who many Tottenham supporters may not have expected to be around after the transfer window shut.

Croatian international Luka Modric was caught up in a long-running transfer feud between Spurs and Chelsea throughout August, with the Blues even tabling a bid worth £40m, but to everyone’s surprise Spurs chairman Daniel Levy rejected any advances and Modric remained at White Hart Lane.

For most of the summer it had looked inevitable that Modric would be making his ‘dream move’ to join Chelsea, and it appeared that Levy was fighting a losing battle. However Levy did not once change his stance after insisting he would not sell the player, and as a result of his gamble Spurs are now reaping the rewards. Modric turned in a majestic display on Sunday in a game that could be vital at the end of the season.

Modric said after the Man City defeat that ‘he didn’t feel ready to play’ and was indeed invisible during the game – but on Sunday he returned to form with a magnificent performance, spraying passes around, linking up well with Scott Parker in the midfield and scoring a contender for goal of the season.

He was in splendid form, reducing Liverpool’s central midfield pairing of Charlie Adam and Lucas to committing fouls in order to break up play; the Reds pair chipped away at the ankles of their opponents which eventually led to Adam’s dismissal. Modric’s stunning strike after seven minutes to open the scoring set the tone for the performance of his side, and the celebration that followed suggests that his focus had once again firmly returned to life in north London.

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

Modric’s creative flair found its perfect partner in the combative Parker, making his home debut following his deadline day switch from West Ham. The Englishman created more space for Modric to exploit and gave Spurs far more options than Nico Kranjcar was offering alongside Modric.

Spurs surely have one of the most talented squads in the Barclays Premier League and having beaten off constant interest in star turn Modric, Redknapp has also strengthened in key areas. They now have a realistic chance of bringing UEFA Champions League football back to White Hart Lane next season and the dominant performance against one their rivals showed that they are well-equipped for the season ahead.

If they were able to secure the highest level of European football, there would even be a slim chance of keeping Modric at the club past this season. If Modric and the rest of the team can continue this fine form then there is every chance that there can become kings of North London for the first time in 21 years and achieve a top-four finish above rivals Arsenal.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Levy has faced some criticism for keeping an obviously unhappy player at Spurs against his will, when the club could have reinvested the money made on his transfer – but his display on Sunday showed why Levy was right to take this risk. A worthy gamble for the future of Tottenham Hotspur.

Did Sunday’s performance prove Levy was right to keep Modric or would Spurs have been better selling the Croatian? Let me know your thought below and follow me on twitter @aidanmccartney for more thoughts and views on the biggest issues in football

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’centre’]

Irish striker Kevin Doyle has put pen to paper on a new contract at Wolves, which will keep him at Molineux until 2015.

The attacker became the club’s record signing back in 2009 when he moved to the Midlands from Reading in a £6.5million deal, and has hit the net 18 times in his tenure at the Premier League side.

Doyle has quickly become a fans favourite, and is delighted to have agreed the new deal.

“I’m delighted to have signed the new contract,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s something we’ve talked about for a while and to be honest it’s been agreed for a while between myself and the manager and it was just a case of everything getting it all sorted.

“I don’t really think there was anything in the speculation this summer. I’d actually spoken to the gaffer on the very first day of pre-season when we talked about this contract and I was keen to get it done.

“I am very happy here and am just looking forward to carrying on with the season,” he concluded.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is ecstatic to have his forward commit to the team, and feels he will be important in the side’s continued growth in the top flight.

“It’s great news that Kevin has signed the new contract and his future is now secured for another four years. He has been a key player for us in maintaining our Premier League status over the last two seasons when he has made a major contribution.

“From day one when he arrived he settled at the club and has been the consummate professional in the way he plays and also conducts himself off the pitch.

“He remains a big part of what we are trying to achieve here, and we are delighted that he has agreed to extend his stay,” the coach stated.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Written By Gareth McKnight

[divider]

Free football App that pays you to view ads

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is on the verge of full fitness, and is widely expected to start for the Merseyside team in their clash with Manchester United on Saturday.

The England international suffered a groin injury back in March, and has been in recovery after undergoing surgery over the summer.

After making substitute appearances in the last three of Kenny Dalglish’s men’s fixtures, the veteran midfielder is ready to take his place in The Reds’ starting XI come the weekend.

With the international break resulting in the bulk of the Liverpool squad being absent from club training, Gerrard has been afforded extra time to work on his fitness.

Dalglish has been vocal in his attempts not to rush Gerrard’s return, but is glad to have his talisman fit and ready to play.

“A fit Steven Gerrard strengthens this football club, no question. If you have Steven in your squad, it’s going to raise the profile and standard,” he told Sky Sports.

“We want to have a really strong squad – and him being in it makes it that much stronger.”

The game will be an acid test for a new look Liverpool, with the Premier League champions in excellent form so far this campaign.

By Gareth McKnight

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Win VIP tickets to the titanic clash at Anfield

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is rumoured to be in negotiations with a wealthy Indian company to end the club’s financial woes.

The Merseyside outfit have had well documented financial problems, with manager David Moyes given no money to strengthen his squad over the summer, and being forced to sell Mikel Arteta to Arsenal for £10 million.

Kenwright has been open in his search for a financial backer, as the Goodison Park club risk being left behind by the fiscal strength of some of their Premier League rivals.

Mirror Football indicate that The Toffees are in talks with The Jain Group regarding a possible investment in the club.

The conglomerate are a huge player in their homeland, and have a raft of energy and property businesses; they are now looking to branch out and expand their investment portfolio.

The newspaper also indicate that the Asian company would be willing to bankroll plans for a new stadium, but for the moment the negotiations are in early stages.

Meanwhile, Mirror Football state that Everton are weighing up a move for former player Steven Pienaar come January.

The South Africa international left Goodison to join Tottenham less than a year ago, but has found first team opportunities hard to come by in a frustrating period at White Hart Lane.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Any potential investment would fund a move for Pienaar, who is currently a fringe player in North London.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

For a player who is now the wrong side of thirty, it is strange that only now Scott Parker is really being noticed and picking up the accolades he deserves. Whilst it may be normal in Serie A for players to only reach their peak in their latter years, in England being over thirty means you are officially past it – just ask Frank Lampard, after a couple of bad games the media were treating him like a dead man walking – yet Parker has only now blossomed into a top class player – or so it would seem.

Whilst it cannot be denied that Parker is in brilliant form, and has been for the last couple of seasons, he has not gone from being a mediocre player to a winner of the player of the year award over-night. At Charlton the midfielder was hailed as one of the best prospects in English football and enjoyed a good spell at the club, making a name for himself before an ill-fated transfer across London to Chelsea.

This move is something that can be attributed as a key factor in Parker’s career stalling and was a classic example of one step forward two steps back. At Chelsea Parker lost none of his ability, yet struggled to find a way into a team who had the best midfield in Europe at the time. No matter who you are, it would have been nigh on impossible to replace either Makelele or Lampard in the heart of Chelsea’s team, thus Parker’s opportunities were limited.

Despite winning the young player of the year award in 2003-2004, Parker struggled at the West London club, and this compounded with a metatarsal injury met he dropped off the radar for most people. It was after his transfer to Newcastle that Parker really started to rebuild his career, and having lost none of his talent he easily became a vital player for Newcastle, and showed he was captain material to boot.

Media and pundit attention was slowly falling back onto Parker, and he was beginning to get the respect he deserved, yet it took another couple of seasons before people really sat up and took notice of the player when he was the shining light in an otherwise awful season for West Ham. Much like Joe Cole, the skipper led by example both on and off the field, and could not have done more or played better than he did during their final season in the Premier League before relegation.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Not only is Parker a lion on the field, he is also widely acknowledged as being a superb motivator in the dressing room, with both John Terry and Carlton Cole saying his team talks were inspirational – Lampard called Parker’s pre match talk the best he had ever witnessed. Parker also displays a consistency that is lacking from a great number of players in the modern game, and is a consummate professional, so it seems strange that it is only now he has received the recognition and awards many may feel he deserved earlier in his career.

Of course, a mixture of injuries and lack of opportunities did make it hard for Parker, and it is always easier for people to give the so called ‘flare players’ praise, yet how much do Manchester United lack a player like Parker? It is players in his mould that are vital to the success of clubs, and how Redknapp will be thanking his wheeler dealer stars that he pushed for Parker to sign for Spurs.

It is this move which has brought further attention for the player – it stands to reason that the bigger the club the more attention individual players will attract, and Parker is finally getting the respect he deserves.

From an international perspective, the central midfielder has often been overlooked, unfairly, and has been yet another casualty of the Lampard – Gerrard problem – playing one and Parker alongside them could have been a clear option for England, yet this was an option that was never really explored. Not only does Parker have the ability to play for England, his attitude is something that our national team is in dire need of.

At a time when the captain of the national team is being investigated for racially abusing a fellow player and our star striker clearly has anger management issues when things are going awry off the field, a player like Parker would not go amiss.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It seems funny that the media are so quick to build up payers after a couple of good games, yet a player who has been a consummate professional throughout his career is only receiving the level of appreciation he deserves now. Of course stories on how well Parker performs are not nearly as interesting as the off the field antics of certain players – Mad Mario anyone – or speculation on who is next in line on the managerial chopping block. Yet Parker has been too good to ignore in the last couple of years, and not only does he deserve all the praise he is receiving, a place in the England starting line-up is something that would not be undeserved either.

[divider]

FREE football app that pays you CASH

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

The January transfer window is edging ever nearer and all 20 top-flight teams will be looking to hit the January sales and find themselves that special player who will be able to push them up the table. Strikers were top of the list twelve months ago, with over £100 million being splashed out on them with varying levels of success.

Merseyside was the focal point for comings and goings as they snapped up Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, with the Geordie failing to make an impact so far while the Uruguayan has been a sensation since his arrival. Going the opposite direction was former Kop favourite Fernando Torres, who stole the headlines when he moved for £50 million but since then the headlines haven’t been quite so positive.

Elsewhere, the top New Year signing was Daniel Sturridge who moved on loan to Bolton Wanderers, scored 8 goals in 12 games to steer them clear of the relegation dogfight and has since become an important cog in the Chelsea wheel.

These players can make or break a title push or a battle to avoid the drop and in order to buy the right player obscene amounts of money can be spent. But one player that all the top teams should be looking at is Steven Fletcher.

The 24-year-old has scored six goals from twelve appearances this season and five of them in his last eight games to help Wolverhampton Wanderers stay out of the drop zone. Since he moved to Molineux for £6.5 million he hasn’t always been in favour with Mick McCarthy but he has repeatedly made an impact when given the chance. He has a great eye for goal and is as equally potent with the ball at his feet or tussling in the air. This season he has more goals than Suarez, Torres, Carroll and Gervinho who all cost more than the Scottish international and deserves more plaudits than he has received.

His goals have come at important times for Wolves, scoring on the opening day in their win over Blackburn and more recently bagging a double to complete a dramatic late turnaround against Sunderland, earning a 2-1 victory. Without those three points Wolves would be in the relegation zone and it is moments like that which will make great differences this term. His other goals have come against Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool, and while they were scored in games that they lost, it proves that he can be a dangerous player when he faces the best sides in the country.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Fletcher’s workman-like style means that he is able to defend from the front and can contribute more than just goals to a side. He will keep running throughout the match and has a good footballing brain which helps him find the spaces that will get him on the score sheet. During Tuesday’s game against Norwich he looked a threat and although he was offside when put through to win the game in stoppage time, his movement off the back of the Canaries’ defender was clever and having blindsided his marker he produced a fantastic finish, only to have misjudged the timing of his run.

He may not be the most stylish centre-forward in the Premier League but his ability in front of goal is likely to have caught the eye of potential suitors and is more than worth a punt for Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool on the fringes of the top four. Taking Fletcher to the Emirates would ease the pressure on Robin van Persie to bag the goals and give them the opportunity to rest the Dutchman and vary their play. The Scot thrives on crosses, scoring 60% of his goals last campaign with his head and two-thirds of them the same with the season, so with Walcott now capable of swinging the ball in and Mikel Arteta in midfield, creating chances should be easy. After RVP the strikers around him are not top four quality so a brave buy from Wenger could well prove the antidote when he inevitably gets injured.

Meanwhile, at Stamford Bridge they could well be facing a striker crisis in a few weeks time. With Nicolas Anelka heading to China while Didier Drogba and Saloman Kalou head to the African Cup of Nations it will leave them with Daniel Sturridge and Fernando Torres as their two forwards and with Torres’ pitiful goalscoring record at the Blues, it could see them slipping out of the race for the Champions League places. At the same time, Drogba, Kalou and Torres could all leave Stamford Bridge before next season so a move for Fletcher would not be too far wide of the mark. At 24 it would also continue AVB’s plans to create a youthful side.

However, the best place for him would be on Merseyside. This season Liverpool’s chance conversion rate is one of the worst in the Premier League, scoring from less than 10% of their attempts on goal whereas Fletcher rarely wastes an opportunity to find the net. In partnership with Suarez there would be a frontline that compliments each other and is prepared to track back. His working mentality means he would suit Kenny Dalglish’s side and because the club has recognised wingers like Stewart Downing there would be crosses coming in every game for the 24-year-old to feast on.

The only stumbling block would be the transfer fee. Unlike a post-Christmas trip to the shops, prices will be higher next month because sellers know that they can hold their rivals to ransom. Having cost Wolves £6.5 million 18 months ago, Mick McCarthy will expect in excess of £10 million for his top scorer. For a Liverpool side that has routinely emptied its wallet under King Kenny another outlay may not be on the cards but if they want to take their place back in the top four there are more overrated, expensive transfer targets around.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Should the big clubs take a chance on Fletcher in January?

[divider]

FREE football app that pays you CASH

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

Manchester United kept up the heat on rivals City at the top of the Premier League after producing a dominate performance to thrash Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were irresistible on the Thames scoring five without reply sending a clear warning to the blue side of Manchester in the process. Danny Wellbeck, Nani and Ryan Giggs gave United a three goal lead before the half time whistle before Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov scored twice in the final two minutes to put the gloss on a commanding display. Martin Jol’s men never recovered from going behind after five minutes and just couldn’t cope with the visitors pace and intelligence as they lost for the third time at home this season.

It was always going to be difficult for the Cottagers to force themselves into the game once Wellbeck had put United in front with just five minutes on the clock with the England striker cooly slotting home Nani’s cross after the winger was allowed to carry the ball 50-yards unchallenged. More slack defending would cost the home side as the Red Devil’s doubled their lead just before the half hour mark with Nani heading home Ryan Gigg’s cross following a short corner routine with Antonio Valencia. The Welsh veteran would get on the scoresheet himself just before half time seeing his strike from the edge of the area loop over Mark Schwarzer after Nani was once again given time and space to pick out a pass. The goal was Giggs’ first of the season and ensured he’s scored in each Premier League campaign since it’s inception in 1992.

The second half was a mirror image of the first although United failed to increase their lead until the 88th minute. Fulham were slightly better after the break and did create a few chances but failed to fully test Anders Lindegaard who is yet to concede a goal in the top-flight. The Dane was rarely tested and his only real contribution of the second half was to save a Clint Dempsey header as the home side looked for an avenue back into the game. Moussa Dembele curled an effort wide from range and John Arne Riise clipped the post with a fierce free kick before United scored twice late on. Rooney stepped up first lashing a magnificent 30-yard effort past Schwarzer before substitute Berbatov cheekily back heeled the ball home from close range to score his 50th goal for the club.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]

Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond has stated that the club’s routine has continued as normal this week, despite not having Harry Redknapp as part of everyday affairs.

The Spurs boss is currently under trial after being charged with two counts of cheating the public revenue, with evidence being presented that the manager received unaccounted money into a foreign bank account.

With the north London club preparing to take on Watford in the FA Cup, Bond has maintained that the side will be equally as focussed despite Redknapp’s absence.

“Clearly the manager is not here, but very little has changed really,” the assistant stated in a press conference, which was documented in The Telegraph.

”The training carries on pretty much as normal and everybody has been getting on with things as normal so there’s not really a lot of difference except obviously Harry is not here during the day.

“We had a similar scenario a few weeks ago when Harry had a small (heart) procedure done and he wasn’t here for a week or so leading up to the Fulham game,” he concluded.

Spurs have a number of injury concerns ahead of their trip to Vicarage Road, as Scott Parker is nursing a hamstring injury, Gareth Bale has a sore thigh and Younes Kaboul has a groin ailment.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

This type of season-defining game is all too familiar for Arsenal. We saw it last year when they lost in the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham. It was quite plain to see when the side drew 2-2 with Barcelona at the Emirates two seasons ago. And Birmingham again played another significant hand in the crumbling of Arsenal’s season on that horrific day at St. Andrews where Martin Taylor snapped Eduardo’s leg in two. The truth is, Arsene Wenger has seen too many of these days in the time since Arsenal have moved into the Emirates. They are, without doubt, the catalyst for Arsenal’s downfall each season, and worryingly, it is difficult to foresee a positive next few weeks for Arsene Wenger’s side. By the time the side gather themselves, it could be too late.

Last night’s game at the San Siro highlighted everything that is wrong with Arsenal at the moment, and not just from those on the pitch: it brought to light the mistakes made over the past summer, it raised questions about the value of the current backroom and coaching staff, and, most of all, the lack of urgency from the highest point of the club came screaming to the fore. This was a performance devoid of any pride for a football club, and possibly a greater indication of where the club of heading, rather than the hugely lifting 7-1 win over Blackburn a couple of weeks ago.

The fallout from the Carling Cup defeat last season has, predictably, spilt over into this season. Whatever happened that day and subsequently for the remainder of the season has not been laid to rest. There has been no leadership from the club telling the players and fans that there were going to be genuinely positive steps to make sure a desperate situation like that never occurs again. What is most worry, though, is that the club have shaken up the personnel in the dressing room; new players have arrived, albeit not as good as some of the significant departures in the summer, but there has also been a clearout of some of the deadwood, and yet the defeatist mentality and fragility remains. This is not a negative attribute of a few players with an overwhelmingly inability to help the club win and, in turn, drag the better players down, it is an attribute of this football club as a whole. The whole mentality of the club is wrong; from the lack of investment in the transfer window, to the little pressure placed on Arsene Wenger’s shoulders to do better, down to the ridiculous idea for a manager to pick his own boss in Ivan Gazidis.

The Barcelona draw at the Emirates two seasons ago where Zlatan Ibrahimovic put the visitors ahead after a heroic first half defensive performance was a good result on it’s own. It showcased Theo Walcott’s greatest asset and proved that there was some fight in the Gunners. But in all too familiar fashion, the fallout was immense. Arsenal had lost Cesc Fabregas for the rest of the season after the midfielder had to continue the remainder of the game on a badly injured leg so as not to put his side at a numerical disadvantage. Andrey Arshavin was taken off just before the half-hour and went straight down the tunnel for further treatment, and the gamble to re-introduce William Gallas early from injury did not pay off. Of those three, only Arshavin made another appearance in the league through substitutions in the final two games of the season. Arsenal went on a horrible run of games, winning just once at home to Wolves through a 90th minute winner from Nicklas Bendtner, but losing as only this team know how in humiliating fashion away to Wigan and Blackburn. Two wins from seven following the first-leg game to Barcelona all but spelt the end of any title challenge for the Gunners, not including the 4-1 defeat at the Nou Camp.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Too often are players like Johan Djourou, who have no place in a team of Arsenal’s stature, sent to give rousing speeches following a humiliating loss. In these instances it is these players who continue to perform well below par and yet are the ones to talk about players needing to learn from the mistakes and wanting to give something back to the fans. Well it’s simply not good enough. There’s no sense of responsibility, and those who are in a position to give a little clarity on the current situation seem more inclined to palm off that responsibility to someone else.

The game at the San Siro has raised a number of questions, notably how should Arsenal line-up in the second leg at the Emirates. Well for a start why risk Robin van Persie in a game that Wenger has already described as near impossible to win. We’ve seen it before: Andre Santos missing for much of the season for being played in a meaningless Champions League game against Olympiacos. It’s written in Arsenal’s luck to see another unfortunate injury like that, and this time it could be van Persie. Of course, the paying fans should be given a team capable of at least regaining some pride for the club when they face Milan, but sadly this club do not have that luxury, such has been the poor acquisitions in recent summers that the club cannot afford to give the highest paying supporters in the country a strong enough squad for a glamour tie.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The club’s worst night in the Champions League is a sad indictment of where this club are and what can be expected on a year-on-year basis. The team is not good enough for four competitions, and it is the gambles we have seen in the past that has reduced the club to these ground-breaking matches.

[ffcvideo file=”tfcbtitle3″ type=”mp4″ image_type=”jpg”]

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has talked up his sides chances, as the Stamford Bridge club fight for recognition in three tournaments.

The Blues will face either Tottenham or Bolton in the FA Cup semi-finals, travel to take on Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Tuesday and are still battling for a top four place in the Premier League.

Despite drawing 0-0 with rivals Spurs on Saturday, the England international still believes that his men can finish in the top four.

“We have to be confident. Our form of late has been good,” he confessed to Sky Sports.

“Obviously, we’ve got to win basically the majority of the games we’ve got left and we’ve got some tough games coming up. That’s our target, that’s what we’re aiming for.

“Everyone was saying how bad a season it was. But we we’re in a quarter-final, we’re in a semi-final and we’ve still got a chance to push for that fourth spot.

“So, it’s going to be a massively important period coming up for us, the end of the season,” he stated.

Cahill moved to West London from Bolton in January, and has also stated that he is enjoying life at his new club.

“I’m happy with how things are going at the minute.

“To try to settle in and play straight away to the standards that I expect from myself is tough and it took me a couple of weeks.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“But now, the last few weeks – as hopefully you’ve seen – I’m back to where I should be and I need to maintain that,” he admitted.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]