The Spoiler

Xavi changes his mind about “uncontrollable” Ronaldo


The Barcelona star never wanted C-Ron at the Nou Camp, honest

Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi battle for the ball

The Barcelona party line is that they’re not ruffled by Real Madrid’s ridiculous summer spending spree. After all, it allows them to claim the moral high ground for “doing things the right way.”

However, Xavi broke rank today by launching a scathing attack on Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming that he wouldn’t have been welcome at the Nou Camp:

“I wouldn’t want him here. At Barca, we do not have room for players who fill gossip magazines.

“We are hard workers and sportsmen but he, on the other hand, is uncontrollable.

“We have a lot of desire to continue winning. The best player in the world is Lionel Messi and there’s no chance he will switch allegiance.”

The Spoiler found those unsporting comments very interesting, especially as Xavi had this to say about the world’s most expensive player last April:

“He could be a much better player if he was here, playing with us. I have a soft spot for him. I would love him to join us.

“Along with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is the best player in the world. In fact he is in front of Leo in terms of influence in a game. The kid has everything.”

While the change in outlook might not be very subtle, The Spoiler almost admires the fact Xavi is so blinded by loyalty to Barcelona that someone he had “a soft spot for” became a lost cause the second he joined Real Madrid.

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Posted: June 29th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn

Spurs linked with another summer spending spree, Tony Mowbray is refusing to give up


Transfer rumours and quotes that are doing the rounds today

Harry Redknapp with Robbie Keane after resigning him during the winter transfer window
Photo Credit: Ian Nicholson/PA Wire

Spurs start planning for the summer
The Spoiler thinks Tottenham would be wise to make only minimal changes to their squad during pre-season. The chaos of last summer’s revolving door policy led to Spurs making their worst ever start to a season and recent results - they have lost just one league game since the January transfer window closed - suggest that the current squad doesn’t need to be drastically altered. Harry Redknapp may view things differently though and this afternoon alone the club have been linked with Brazilian defender Joao Miranda de Souza, Gabriel Heinze and Djibril Cisse.

Optimist of the day
Tony Mowbray’s glass appears to be not so much half-full as overflowing. The West Brom manager is refusing to throw in the towel

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Posted: April 23rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn