Goal Zone

Thursday, April 02, 2015

Roy Hodgson: 'Harry Kane wants to represent England at U21 level this summer'

Roy Hodgson has revealed that Harry Kane wants to link up with England Under-21s for this summer's Euro 2015 in order to "finish the job" that he has started.

The 21-year-old was drafted into the senior Three Lions squad for games against Lithuania and Italy this week, where he made an instant impression by getting off the mark a little over a minute into his debut.

Young Lions boss Gareth Southgate remains confident that Kane will represent England at the U21 Euros later this year, despite fears from club side Tottenham Hotspur that their star man could face severe fatigue, and Hodgson says the striker will almost certainly feature in the tournament.

"Harry wants to go with the Under-21s," he told reporters. "He wants to finish the job that he has done. He's had to work his way into the team and in my conversations with him it has been pretty obvious to me he would like to play in this tournament.

"Harry can play an important part and maybe help them go far. That certainly won't hurt his chances in the first team and I am happy to back him."

Should Kane play for the Under-21s, he will miss out on the end-of-season fixtures against Republic of Ireland and Slovenia for the senior side.

Wayne Rooney: 'No time for Manchester United to dwell on victory over Liverpool'

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has stressed the importance of beating Aston Villa this weekend, claiming that the recent victory over Liverpool will 'mean nothing' should they fail to pick up three points once more.

The Red Devils prevailed 2-1 at Anfield a fortnight ago to end their arch-rivals' impressive unbeaten run, while also opening up a five-point gap in the race for a Champions League spot.

Despite the potentially decisive victory last time out in terms of their European hopes for next season, Rooney has warned that there is still a long way to go before anything is decided.

"It means nothing if we don't beat Aston Villa on Saturday," the Englishman is quoted as saying by ESPN. "Obviously Arsenal play Liverpool as well on Saturday, so if we can get the win against Villa that will be an even better result than Liverpool was for us.

"There are still eight games left. We are in a good position at the minute so it's in our own hands, so have to make sure we do it."

United are currently on a four-game winning run in the Premier League since losing 2-1 at Swansea City in February.

Harry Kane named PFA Fans' Player of the Month for March

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been named the PFA Fans' Player of the Month following a March in which he also made his England debut.

The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick against Leicester City and a brace at Queens Park Rangers to move to the top of the Premier League's goalscoring charts.

He ended March by scoring less than two minutes into his international bow as the Three Lions beat Lithuania 4-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying, and also completed 90 minutes in England's 1-1 draw with Italy on Tuesday.

Kane, who now has bagged 30 goals for club and country this season, saw off competition from Marouane Fellaini, Olivier Giroud, Eden Hazard and Jordan Henderson to land the award.

He will be hoping to add to his tally when Tottenham, who are six points adrift of the top four, travel to relegation-threatened Burnley on Sunday.

Radamel Falcao wanted by River Plate

River Plate vice-president Matias Patanian has admitted that the club would love to save Radamel Falcao from his Manchester United nightmare this summer.

The Colombian forward has struggled to make an impression during his season-long loan spell at Old Trafford, scoring just four goals to see any sort of permanent deal at the end of the campaign seemingly slip away with each passing game.

Having spent eight years with Los Millonarios earlier in his career, the Argentinian outfit are interested in bringing Monaco star Falcao back to the club once more.

During an interview with Esto es River, Patanian said: "We dream of Falcao Garcia. The doors are open."

Falcao may have failed to find his goalscoring touch at club level, but he netted three times for his country this week to equal the all-time goalscoring record for the South American nation.

Nuri Sahin: 'I almost joined Arsenal in 2005'

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin has revealed that he came close to signing for Arsenal 10 years ago.

Sahin returned to Dortmund on a permanent deal last summer after a frustrating three years at Real Madrid and a disappointing loan spell with Liverpool, but the Turkey international's career path could have been very different had he moved to North London.

"When I was in the Under-17s in 2005, Arsenal wanted to sign me with a great bid," the 26-year-old told Ntvspor. "My family didn't want me to go England.

"They knew that Dortmund would rise again. I'm grateful for this. After the bid, Dortmund realised that I'm valuable."

Injuries have limited Sahin to just nine appearances in all competitions this season.

Franck Ribery: 'Kevin de Bruyne wouldn't suit Bayern Munich'

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery believes that Kevin de Bruyne's playing style wouldn't suit the club.

The former Chelsea midfielder has impressed since moving to Wolfsburg in January 2014, and the Belgium international has been linked with a move to Bayern and Manchester City recently.

However, Ribery claimed that De Bruyne is better suited to a counter-attack style – a tactic that isn't usually favoured by the possession-based Bundesliga champions.

The Frenchman told Bild: "He is not a player who takes the ball and dribbles forward and likes to have the opponents in front of him.

"De Bruyne is great, when he fits the counter-attack. At Bayern, however, you usually only have three or four metres in front of you, not a lot of room. But he is a good player and he is still young, so he can still learn."

Wolfsburg are currently second behind Ribery's side in Germany's top division.

Southampton join race to sign Javier Hernandez

Southampton have reportedly joined the clubs interested in signing Manchester United outcast Javier Hernandez in the summer.

Hernandez is currently on a season-long loan at Real Madrid, but a lack of chances in the Spanish capital encouraged the Mexican to reveal his frustration earlier this week.

After allowing the striker to leave Old Trafford in August, it is unlikely that Louis van Gaal will be keen to keep the 26-year-old and The Mirror claims that Southampton are ready to enter the race for his services.

Adding a regular goalscorer to his squad is believed to be a priority for Ronald Koeman this summer, and the Saints will hope that earning a spot in Europe will improve their chances of persuading Hernandez to make the switch.

Reports on Wednesday suggested that Wolfsburg are hopeful of bringing the forward to Germany before next season.

Pavel Nedved: 'Juventus aware of Barcelona interest in Paul Pogba'

Pavel Nedved has admitted that Juventus are fully aware of Barcelona's interest in Paul Pogba.

The French midfielder has become a key player in Turin since leaving Manchester United in 2012, and his form this season has seen him linked with clubs in the Premier League, La Liga and French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Recent reports have suggested that Barcelona are considering launching a summer move for the 22-year-old, but Nedved has suggested that the Bianconeri are confident of keeping him at the club.

"We know that Barca and other big clubs want him," the Juventus director told Mundo Deportivo. "But he has a contract with us."

Pogba is currently out of action with a hamstring injury and he is not expected to play again until May.

Inter Milan want Stevan Jovetic loan

Inter Milan are reportedly keen to sign Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic on loan this summer.

The Montenegrin forward has cast doubt on his own future at the Etihad Stadium, following his omission from the Blues' Champions League squad for the knockout phase.

According to The Mirror, Nerazzurri boss Roberto Mancini wants to loan the ex-Fiorentina frontman, with a view to a permanent deal.

It is thought that Inter have been in negotiations with the Citizens since Jovetic's omission at the start of the year.

However, talks are believed to have reached a sticking point, as City are said to be seeking a sale for the forward this summer, rather than loan Jovetic out initially.

Eden Hazard selects Gervinho, Demba Ba in 'fantasy dream team'

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has admitted that it is a "pleasure" to play in the same side as Didier Drogba.

The Belgian international, who has arguably been the Blues' standout player this term, selected his club-mate as part of what he believes to be a dream five-a-side team.

Interestingly, Hazard also selected Arsenal flop Gervinho in his list, along with Demba Ba, Juan Mata, Thibaut Courtois and Drogba.

Explaining his selection, the 24-year-old is quoted by ESPN as saying: "I have a lot of respect for Didier. I saw a lot of his games before I came to Chelsea and he was one of the top players. It's a pleasure to be his teammate now.

"I know I don't have any defenders in my team, but when do you think the opponent will get the ball? They are not getting the ball, but even if they do then I have Thibaut there to stop them."

Hazard has appeared for Chelsea 43 times this season, scoring 16 goals to help the club on their way to the Premier League summit.

Raheem Sterling: 'I'll take time over new Liverpool contract'

Raheem Sterling has said that he will "take the time" to think about his future before signing a new contract with Liverpool.

The midfielder has confirmed that he turned down a contract extension with the club worth £100,000 per week, and will not re-open negotiations with the Anfield side until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old told BBC Sport: "It's never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That's all I talk about. I don't talk about how many cars I'm going to drive, how many houses I've got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.

"I just want to take the time to think about what I've achieved in my career so far, where I need to go and what I need to do to get better as a player.

"If, [while Liverpool were in the Premier League title race last season], I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now. I just think the timing was a bit off."

Sterling, who still has two full seasons remaining on his current deal, has said that he does not want to be seen as a "money-grabbing 20-year-old" despite his contract situation.

Raheem Sterling: Arsenal link is "flattering"

Raheem Sterling has said that it is "flattering" to be linked with a move to Arsenal during this summer's transfer window.

The Liverpool midfielder has confirmed reports that he turned down a £100,000-per-week contract extension with the club earlier this season, and says that he will wait until the end of the current campaign before considering his future.

The 20-year-old told BBC Sport: "Yeah definitely it's quite flattering [to be linked], but I try to just block everything out in my head and just keep playing football and doing well in my next game.

"My next game is against Arsenal and I'll be trying to my best against them, I won't hide anything about that. I'm just happy to be playing football and want to do my best for Liverpool."

Sterling scored in England's 4-0 win over Lithuania last week before withdrawing from the national side ahead of their friendly against Italy.

Liverpool interested in Gonzalo Higuain

Liverpool have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain during this summer's transfer window.

The Argentina international is thought to be keen to remain with the Serie A side beyond the end of the current season, with his father, who also acts as his agent, expected to meet the club to discuss a new deal in the coming weeks.

However, The Express reports that Brendan Rodgers's side will be ready to move in if the forward fails to agree terms with the Italian side.

The 27-year-old has scored 22 goals in 41 appearances for Napoli this season.

Paul Scholes: 'James Wilson must do more at Manchester United'

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has challenged James Wilson to do more on the field in order to make himself 'undroppable' under Louis van Gaal.

The 19-year-old has been given a further chance to shine at senior level this term following his goalscoring double against Hull City on his debut at the end of last season.

Despite featuring 19 times this campaign, Wilson has struggled to find the net on a consistent basis, with just two goals to his name in all competitions.

"That difficult moment when you have to move from being a kid with potential to a consistent first-team regular who is one of the mainstays of the team is hard for young players," Scholes wrote in his weekly column for The Independent.

"Many don't get the opportunity in the first place, or if they do they get only a brief one. At Manchester United, for example, the striker James Wilson has been given a number of chances this season and although he has done well, at no point has he made it impossible for Louis van Gaal to leave him out.

"Our modern coaching culture is not to put too much pressure on any one performance, to let an individual flourish over time. But when it comes down to it you do have to accept that you can't keep putting the moment off. At some point a young player has to grasp the opportunity and make himself undroppable."

Wilson, who was reportedly the subject of numerous Championship loan bids in March, made his last appearance for the Red Devils back on February 11 in a 3-1 win against Burnley.

Tottenham Hotspur 'to subsidise Emmanuel Adebayor wages'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to fund part of Emmanuel Adebayor's wages if order to offload the forward at the end of the season.

The Togolese striker was believed to be moving to West Ham United towards the end of the January transfer window before the Lilywhites pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute.

While Spurs are since thought to have become more relaxed about Adebayor moving to their local rivals, the Daily Mail claims that the White Hart Lane outfit will look to pay a portion of his salary to try and facilitate a move.

Chairman Daniel Levy is normally reluctant to loan out players, but it is reported that he is willing to make an exception for the ex-Arsenal frontman.

Furthermore, such a move may benefit Adebayor, who is available on a free-transfer at the end of next season and could therefore pick up a substantial signing-on fee.