Spanish press claim striker may not be back until December…
Diagnosis of Fernando Torres‘ recent trip to Spain, for a second opinion on his groin injury, proved fairly inconclusive in the English press this morning. The Spanish media, however, are confident the striker will be out until after Liverpool’s crucial Champions League clash with Debrecen.
According to AS, Torres hopped on a private jet to see Dr Ramon Cugat, a respected sports injury specialist, after medical staff at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground claimed surgery - which Benitez is desperate to avoid - was the only solution. Cugat is reported to have prescribed a ‘conservative treatment’ which will mean El Nino is laid up until the Reds’ game against Blackburn on December 5th.
Spoiler Bonus:El Mundo Deportivo are reporting a gentleman’s agreement is in place for Robinho to sign for Barcelona in the January transfer window now both the Man City chairman and Mark Hughes (who allegedly ‘has always been receptive to his departure’) are resigned to losing the Brazilian forward.
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Maicon to Manchester United / City
Expect a lot of these over the summer. As soon as United make a move for anyone at all, City will come barging in flashing cash, purely to antagonise their neighbours.
Thespoiler truth-ometer: Both clubs need a right full-back, and Maicon is probably the best in the world right now (sorry Glen.) Another season of European failure for Inter could see one of these deals happen.
Cesc Fabregas to Real Madrid
Seething from the defeat against Seville, Madrid supremo Florentino Perez has swiftly identified the problem, and the solution - another lightweight creative midfielder. The Daily Mail no less, reports that Madrid may even make a move in January, so as to get in ahead of Barca who are unlikely to do any business before the summer.
Thespoiler truth-ometer: Cesc is a proud Catalan, and unlikely to want to join their fiercest rivals. It is also questionable whether Madrid can find the room to squeeze him in, with Diarra and Alonso having started brightly in the centre of their midfield.
Nilton to Liverpool
Having yesterday highlighted the brilliance of the young Vasco striker (see here), thespoiler is proud that Rafa Benitez has picked up the hint, and according to the Daily Mirror, is keen to bring him to Anfield in January.
Thespoiler truth-ometer: Rafa’s transfer policy is never the easiest to predict. One week its Nilton, the next Peter Shilton, the next Paris Hilton. We’re staying non-committal on this one.
There are many things that tend to induce scorn across this small island nation of ours. Bankers, Harriet Harman, racism from participants of Strictly Come Dancing to name but three. New to that list are Manchester City, or at least Gareth Barry seems to think so. Barry, speaking ahead of England vs Belarus tomorrow evening said:
“The people outside of the club may look on us in a different way but it’s something the players, including myself, can deal with.
A lot of money has been ploughed into the club and people on the outside may enjoy seeing us fail rather than go on and achieve something this season. I’m sure that’s where the views are coming from but as a unit I’m sure that can help us and make us stronger.”
Indeed. But what isn’t to like about ostentatious displays of wealth, illegally unsettling players and a manager who defends slapping spectators, stamping on opposing player’s heads and inciting crowd riots?
Do you hate City like the Pussycat Dolls hate this part right here? Let us know below…
Its not just Manchester United who score late, by Danny Harris
Republic of Ireland were robbed of a credible draw at the weekend, after scoring late only to see their opponents Italy equalise with stunning impertinence.
After the jump, we choose our six favourite similarly chaotic upside-down closing stages:
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies…
Robinho and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona
Barcelona’s sporting director Txiki Beguiristain has revealed the Catalan giants are eyeing Robinho, with a potential January approach on the cards. The Brazilian of course has the advantage of being free to play in the Champions League. Cheeky Txiki also spoke of his desire to bring in Cesc Fabregas, brilliantly declaring that, “he was born suckling upon the teat of the football [we play] here.”
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Robinho would be tempted but how much would it take for moneybags City to agree to the deal? Fabregas could move next summer in what promises to be the most drawn-out transfer saga since Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
Emile Heskey to whoever will take him
Heskey has promised to readdress his current position at Villa as the England
“I’m desperate to play Champions League football and that’s why I have to leave Villa.”
Well September has come and gone, so even Gareth Barry must now realise that Manchester City are not actually in the Champions League this season, and as things stand, are only nestling in a UEFA Cup spot. Which makes his return to Villa Park all the more tricky tonight, in light of the above comments he made before being offered £110,000 per week.
Villa fan forums are split regarding the expected reaction from the Holte End. On the one hand, you have a man who was a great ambassador for the club, left them with 12 years of memories, and perhaps above all, a stellar campaign last season despite clearly wanting to be at Anfield.
The case for the booing is equally compelling. Three transfer requests in his last five years, a plethora of utterly anonymous performances before he needed to impress watching England managers and ultimately leaving Villa purely for cash.
Villa fans - click below the jump to have your say on your former captain.
If footballers kicking a ball with the top of their foot isn’t enough excitement for you, the last seven days has really been a treat, as a trend of using an alternative means of transport in getting ball to net has emerged. Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor started it off last Wednesday night against Cardiff, Andrei Arshavin continued on Tuesday but the Milan-Zurich game last night saw the phenomena reach its zenith, with one of the great back-heels from former West Ham defender Hannu Tihinen (he didn’t learn that from Steve Lomas down at the Boleyn), in addition to a similar goal from Porto’s Falcao.
The Spoiler’s six favourite back-footed compliments are after the jump.
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