Wednesday Football
14 November 2007
by Jerrad Peters
ENGLAND's hope of qualifying for the EURO 2008 finals has been dealt a further blow. Alexander Ubarov, the goalkeeping coach for the Israeli national squad, has stated his wish that Russia would advance from qualification Group E. "I would like Russia to qualify for the Euros,"he stated, today. "And for them that means winning in Israel." Ubarov also confirmed that Israel, having nothing to either lose or gain from Saturday's match against Russia, will field a young, inexperienced squad for the contest. "There will be new players in the team who will want to prove themselves," he said. Liverpool midfielder and Israel captain Yossi Benayoun will also miss the match through a groin strain. At the very least, England require an Israel-Russia draw in order to retain any hope ahead of their crucial encounter with Croatia on Wednesday at Wembley.
Barcelona, fresh off a 2-0 loss away to Getafe at the weekend, are thought to be readying an offer for Jose Mourinho. The former Porto and Chelsea boss has been out of work since exiting Stamford Bridge in September and will only accept a position at a club with significant stature. Having already ruled-out an immediate return to the Premier League, and with a change in management unlikely at either Real Madrid, Valencia, Inter Milan, or AC Milan, the Nou Camp remains the 44-year-old's likliest destination in the short-term. Current boss Frank Rijkaard, in the job since 2003, is rumored to have lost certain factions of the dressing room since last season. A row with striker Samuel Eto'o in February and the recent bit of controversy surrounding the future of Ronaldinho has only further clouded the Dutchman's security at the club. Barcelona president Juan Laporto is an admitted admirer of Mourinho; and the two-time Premier League winner would be one of the few managers who could handle and overshadow the various egos in the squad.
Chelsea will be without Ricardo Carvalho for two months. The 29-year-old defender will also miss Portugal's final EURO 2008 qualifiers against Armenia and Finland after breaking several small bones in his back on Sunday against Everton. He has been advised to refrain from any physical exertion for a month before returning to light training. The best-case scenario would see him return to the lineup shortly after the new year. Already, Chelsea are without goalkeeper Petr Cech, right-back Paolo Ferreira, and captain John Terry. Similar injuries to their backline last season caused them to fall nine points behind Manchester United -- a gap that proved insurmountable down the stretch.
Dave Whelan is desperately trying to hire a new manager to replace Chris Hutchings at Wigan. Currently enduring an eight-match tail-spin which has them in the relegation places, the club attempted to lure former boss Paul Jewell out of his self-imposed football exile before turning their attention to Paul Ince. The Guv'nor, as it happens, is quite content with his current gig at MK Dons and has no intention to leave the first-place League Two side anytime soon. "When I see the players performing the way they are," stated Ince, yesterday, "the spirit and the togetherness we've got at this club, the passion of the chairman and where we want to go -- why would you want to move?" As of Wednesday evening, Whelan had initiated discussions with Birmingham City manager Steven Bruce. Carson Yeung's pending takeover of City has left Bruce in the lurch; and the 46-year-old may desire a change of scenery and a shot of job security.
Celtic will try to snatch James McFadden when the transfer window opens in January. the 24-year-old Everton and Scotland forward has been monumental for the national side this autumn but has yet to establish himself as a regular selection in Toffees manager David Moyes' starting XI. A move back to Scotland, and to a big club, might prove irresistable for the former Motherwell striker. McFadden's sale on the open market would be sure to fetch Everton upwards of 6M-pounds.
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