Wednesday Football
05 December2007
by Jerrad Peters
LIVERPOOL's 8-0 destruction of Besiktas on 06 November can be attributed with reversing a string of disturbing results which, to that point, had threatened to derail the Reds' season. Even more disturbing, as it happens, are reports that UEFA is poised to conduct an investigation of the match. The German newspaper Sueddeutche Zeitung claims that unusually substantial wagers were placed on the probability of a high scoreline in the run-up to kick-off. UEFA, this morning, did not rule out the possibility of a probe; although the governing body seemed to have changed its tune, somewhat, by mid-afternoon -- effectively denying that any wrongdoing had occurred. Of concern are the rumors that a handful of Besiktas players were by approached by representatives of Asian gambling syndicates. The 8-0 Liverpool victory stands as the most lopsided result in Champions' League history.
05 December2007
by Jerrad Peters
LIVERPOOL's 8-0 destruction of Besiktas on 06 November can be attributed with reversing a string of disturbing results which, to that point, had threatened to derail the Reds' season. Even more disturbing, as it happens, are reports that UEFA is poised to conduct an investigation of the match. The German newspaper Sueddeutche Zeitung claims that unusually substantial wagers were placed on the probability of a high scoreline in the run-up to kick-off. UEFA, this morning, did not rule out the possibility of a probe; although the governing body seemed to have changed its tune, somewhat, by mid-afternoon -- effectively denying that any wrongdoing had occurred. Of concern are the rumors that a handful of Besiktas players were by approached by representatives of Asian gambling syndicates. The 8-0 Liverpool victory stands as the most lopsided result in Champions' League history.
Florent Malouda's recent, derogatory comments regarding Chelsea Football Club may have punched his ticket out of town. The 27-year-old winger arrived at Stamford Bridge from Lyon in the summer and has been vocal in his criticism of the club since the departure of Jose Mourinho in late September. Blues manager Avram Grant and sporting director Frank Arnesen are already hoping that bids will come in for the French international when the transfer window opens in January. And already, they are paving the way for a swap move for Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe. Having made eight appearances for the Meringues since making a 14M-pound move from Feyenoord in the off-season, the 20-year-old can play both left-back and left-wing. That Chelsea may come in for him looks to be due to the influence of former Ajax boss Henk ten Cate -- now on the Chelsea payroll. It is widely speculated that ten Cate may orchestrate something of a Dutch revolution at his new club. Ajax hitman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is also on the radar.
Rafael Benitez' inability to spend money may cost his club the services of Javier Mascherano. The Argentine defensive midfielder arrived at Liverpool in January from West Ham but has yet to finalize a permament deal at Anfield. With Reds' co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett seemingly reluctant to open the purse strings in the new year, Benitez may be forced to sell the 23-year-old. And while such a move would have been seen as a disaster for the club just six weeks ago, the emergence of Lucas alongside Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield has bolstered Liverpool's depth at the position. Sven-Goran Eriksson is already plotting a swoop for the Argentina international. Kia Joorabchian's Media Sports International (MSI) company continues to own Mascherano's playing rights and has valued the player at approximately 18M-pounds. The Manchester City boss would likely be able to meet Joorabchian's demands. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has promised the Swede a lucrative transfer kitty with which to buy new players after the new year.
Tottenham Hotspur are being linked to just about everyone in Spain at the moment. New manager Juande Ramos is, apparently, busily greasing the elbows of his ex-colleagues in La Liga. The newest name on Spurs' list is that of Adrien Silva. The Portuguese Under-19 captain is also being tracked by Liverpool and Sevilla and is valued at approximately 3M-pounds by his current side, Sporting Lisbon.
Hamit Altintop will miss four weeks of action after undergoing knee surgery, yesterday. The 24-year-old Bayern Munich and Turkey midfielder had been bothered by torn cartilage and went under the knife yesterday. He has scored three goals for Bayern since moving from Schalke 04 in the summer.
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