The Spoiler

The Spoiler’s Premier League XI v La Liga XI: which is best?


Which division would triumph in an MLS All-Stars style match?

The Spoiler’s Premier League XI
———————————————————————————————————————-The Spoiler’s La Liga XI

The Spoiler was surprised by the results of yesterday’s poll, where 76% of you disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim that La Liga was stronger than the Premier League.

That poll took into account a number of factors: for example the difference between the best and worst teams, entertainment value and European success. Today, we want to focus on which is the better league in terms of galacticos.

Let us know which of the two teams we’ve created to represent each league is stronger - and if you disagree with our line-ups tell us who you would pick instead - with a vote and comment below:

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Posted: July 7th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn

Manchester United and City chase La Liga strikers, Stoke look at Championship hitman


The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

David Villa

David Villa to Manchester United
The Daily Mirror are reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson wants Valencia striker David Villa “above all other options” to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and claim that he is willing to match whatever Barcelona offer for the Spanish international.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Villa is reluctant to test himself abroad and said recently: ”Next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me. I will not go abroad.” If he leaves the Mestalla this summer, it will almost certainly be for either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Samuel Eto’o to Manchester City
Barcelona’s attempts to sign Villa are good news for Manchester City, with the Telegraph claiming that Pep Guardiola will let Samuel Eto’o go if the Spain

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Posted: June 26th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn

Chelsea’s summer of snubs looks set to continue


The bookmakers expect the Blues to miss out on Carlos Tevez

Glen Johnson has already snubbed Chelsea and Carlos Tevez is expected to follow suit

This is a huge transfer window for Chelsea - their chance to build on a strong end to the season by bringing in players who can freshen up the squad and thrust them back into title contention - but it hasn’t gone to plan so far.

With Manchester United losing two of their “Fab Four”, the Blues have a real chance to close the gap but they have already been snubbed by Glen Johnson, while Ricardo Carvalho wants to leave and Michael Essien’s agent has made noises about his client moving to Spain.

Whereas a few weeks ago they were linked with Franck Ribery, Sergio Aguero and David Villa, this morning it’s Charlton youngster Jonjo Shelvey and Ross

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Posted: June 26th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn

Manchester Utd target £45m Argentinean striker, Adebayor offered to AC and Inter


The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero to Manchester Utd

The man who is boffing Maradona’s daughter (and possibly a few more ladies) is a £45m target of the Red Devils, according to The Daily Star. Fergie has turned his attention to the Atletico Madrid striker after giving up on Madrid-bound David Villa.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter:
Even though Chelsea were put off by Aguero’s £200k-per-week wage demands, Utd are apparently hoping they can secure his services for a modest £120k-per-week. It could happen, but we think the £45m valuation is a little high.

Emmanuel Adebayor to a club in Milan
The Mirror exclusively reveal that the Togolese hitman will be offered to both Milan clubs, in a bid to keep him from joining Chelsea. They have hired agents to bring in £25m for the man who fought Nicklas Bendtner for the coveted “most stick from home fans at the Emirates” award last season.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Surely there is only

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Posted: June 24th, 2009 by Ryan Bailey

Sara Carbonero is our new favourite sports presenter


Football journalism just got a little bit sexier

Sara Carbonero

Georgie Thompson, Millie Clode and Charlotte Jackson have all curried favour in The Spoiler’s court of spectacularly attractive sports TV presenters, but a new contender to the sexy throne has emerged.

Say hola to Sara Carbonero.

Sara started her TV presenting career on appropriately named Spanish network La Sexta, but has since joined the Tele 5 team. Currently, she is in South Africa reporting on the Confederations Cup, where her superior journalism skills have made her the only journalist to have secured an interview with transfer headline-maker David Villa during the tournament.

Sara Carbonero

Twenty-five-year-old Sara earned a degree in journalism at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and earned her first paycheque at Marca’s radio station. It soon became clear, however, that her talents were being wasted on an audio format.

Check out more pictures and video of Sara after the jump…

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Posted: June 23rd, 2009 by Ryan Bailey

Valencia have decided not to sell David Villa after all


Real Madrid are going to have to spend their millions elsewhere

Valencia striker David Villa

Valencia have had a change of heart and told Real Madrid that they won’t be selling David Villa, according to reports in Spain.

Marca claim that Valencia president Manuel Llorente met with the Spain striker’s agent Jose Luis Tamargo this morning to tell him that Villa would be staying at the Mestalla and a statement is expected later today confirming this.

If the reports are accurate it could have massive implications on the transfer market. Cash-strapped Valencia may be forced to sell Liverpool target David Silva instead while Real Madrid will have to shop elsewhere for a striker.

UPDATE: Setanta are carrying quotes from Tamargo confirming the “very sad” news that Villa is no longer on the market.

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Posted: June 19th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn

David Villa snubs Chelsea and Man Utd for Real Madrid


Spanish striker will not be coming to the Premiership

Following the well-reported cash flow problems at Valencia, Euro 2008 sensation David Villa has been linked a whole host of English clubs in recent weeks.

Yesterday, the soul-patch sporting Spaniard cryptically told the press he had “made a decision” on his future. According to Sky Sports this morning, he has followed this up by telling his club he wishes to move to Real Madrid and nowhere else.

Although the notoriously private striker has remained tight-lipped over his future, it didn’t exactly take Sherlock Holmes to figure out his intentions when he signed a Real Madrid shirt a few days ago.

[Video: Dirty Tackle]

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Posted: June 18th, 2009 by Ryan Bailey

City target Carlos Tevez is ‘fed up’ with Utd, Cesc Fabregas declares love for Barcelona


The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez to Manchester City
The Guardian claim that the wet dog-alike is ‘fed up’ with Utd, and has no intention of returning, despite the pleas of Sir Alex. The blue side of Manchester have reportedly offered wages of £140,000-a-week (a hefty 75 per cent increase) and the promise of regular first-team football.

The Spoiler
truth-o-meter:
Liverpool are still said to have an interest, but City’s ability to pay for things using money will be a distinct advantage.

Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona

Speaking at the extremely prestigious Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa, the Spaniard pledged his future to the Gunners, then immediately said he would love to head to Barcelona:

“I am happy at Arsenal and I want to win titles there.

“If Guardiola called me it would be different. I would be delighted to go.”

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Posted: June 15th, 2009 by Ryan Bailey