Marseille boss Didier Deschamps paid tribute to his players’ fighting spirit after they became the first side to win the Coupe de la Ligue two years running.Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo scored the only goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining in an often spiteful match at the Stade de France to give Marseille a 1-0 victory.

Deschamps said he was delighted with the win, adding that his players had shown tremendous character to emerge victorious.

“It was a complicated, well-contested match,” Deschamps said. “It was a heated match. We created many chances and my players showed character.”

“There was lots of character and courage. It’s great that the players are rewarded, and also all our supporters.”

“A lot of people will be delighted in Marseille tonight.”

Montpellier manager Rene Girard said he was proud of the efforts of his men but rued some sloppy defending that allowed Taiwo to score.

“We were made to pay for a lapse,” Girard said. “They scored from a set-piece and we knew it would make the difference tonight.”

“I’m a bit disappointed but I’m proud of the boys, they gave all they had.”

The Express and Star has reported that Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster, who has recently made himself unavailable for international fooball, is wanted by Tottenham Hostspur. The North London outfit are also said to be willing to offer Roman Pavlyuchenko in cash plus player deal but Birmingham are said to be keener on Jermaine Defoe.

Redknapp is believed to have run out of patience with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, after recent high profile gaffes against Chelsea and Blackpool. The Spurs manager is has been a long term admirer of the former Manchester United goalkeeper, who has enjoyed an impressive season with the Carling Cup winners, playing in all 36 Premier League games so far, making 157 saves in the process.

The one sticking point for the former Portsmouth manager is Foster’s reluctance leave after finally securing regular first team football after years behind Edwin Van Der Sar at Old Trafford.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

While the FIFA disputes continue to rumble on in the background, the attention now moves on to Wembley’s showpiece between Barcelona and Manchester United. UEFA believe it will be the most watched game of all time as arguably the two biggest teams in Europe go head to head for the biggest prize in club football.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Bin Hammam goes on the defensive; Stuart Pearce hits out at Wenger over Wilshere, while Billy Davies moves into the frame to takeover at West Ham United.

*

‘If I’m guilty, so is Blatter,’ declares Bin Hammam – Guardian

Arnesen’s legacy at Chelsea open to debate – Daily Telegraph

England Under 21 manager Pearce hits out at Wenger over Wilshere U-turn – Daily Mail

Graphic: Ferguson’s Plan B – Daily Telegraph

FA hands Touré six-month suspension – Guardian

Billy Davies in frame for West Ham job – Mirror

Ray: I’ll never go back to Chelsea – Sun

It’s a Downing dilemma as Arsenal urge contract rebel Nasri to decide on future – Daily Mail

Valenica: The boss saved me – Sun

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Falcao linked with Arsenal and Spurs – Guardian

Adam set to leave Blackpool so Scot can stay in the Premier League – Daily Mail

United-Barca will be most-watched club game ever say UEFA – Mirror

[divider]

Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!

Sepp Blatter has outlined reforms to be implemented if he is re-elected as FIFA President, while also revealing he once rejected a bribe.Blatter, 75, is campaigning for re-election to his post as head of world football’s governing body, a role he has held since 1998.

The Swiss is up against Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed Bin Hammam, with the election set to take place on June 1.

The issue of alleged corruption within FIFA has dominated the election agenda.

In response, Blatter has proposed changes to the process of selecting the chairman on three key committees.

“Handling the past will be presented to the Congress,” Blatter said.

“We have to make sure that immediately after the election that we rebuild the image of FIFA.”

“We need to reinforce the judicial bodies and we shall find a solution how to handle the past in order that we can stop forever in the future all these damaging things about corruption.”

“These bodies should be more independent and this is a question I will bring to the Congress, that the Congress should elect the members of these committees or at least the chairmen of the three committees – the ethics, disciplinary and appeal committees.”

Blatter also revealed that was given cash in an envelope – an attempted bribe – during his time as FIFA General Secretary, a role he held between 1981 and 1998.

He did not reveal who tried to bribe him.

“I received once an envelope, when I was secretary general and in this envelope there was an amount of money,” Blatter said.

“I couldn’t refuse because he put it in my pocket.”

“I came home here to FIFA and gave it to the finance director and he put this money on the account of the Swiss Bank Corporation at that time, and informed the guy ‘the money you gave to the secretary general is in that bank’ and a few days later he reclaimed it.”

“Then it was specifically known that please don’t try to give money to somebody who’s in the FIFA.”

We have all heard many times the famous ‘where did it all go wrong?’ anecdote about George Best in the 70s and have no doubt afforded ourselves a wry smile at the tale.  It makes you wonder if such an incident occurred in the modern day as to whether the story would have been appreciated in the same way; given the way that footballers are chastised for the slightest misdemeanour these days.

I know I risk the wrath of some by seemingly trivialising some of the footballer’s extra marital activities, but I ask the question as to whether it has anything to do with those who condemn it. I am sure Ryan Giggs is in a very dark place at the moment and why it is unforgiveable what he did to his wife and brother; it is his problem to sort out, not for the whole world to pass judgment on.  I am sure there are many Premier League footballers out there have got up to no good off the field, but it appears Giggs is getting destroyed just because he looked to spend thousands of pounds attempting to keep his private life, well private.

I have a great amount of sympathy for Ryan Giggs and what will be his legacy within the game. If rumours in the papers are true and United are concerned that Giggs may turn his back on football in light of the last few weeks then I think it will be a terrible shame that the most decorated footballer in England of all time will bow out this way. Giggs is the finest player of his generation and deserves to be remembered so, not that person who struggled to keep his pants on. Show disgust for his off-field actions, but let’s not let it tarnish the excellent contributions he has made on it. George Best was let off for similar misdemeanours in the eyes of the public, largely down to his footballing abilities – I only hope Giggs is viewed upon in the same way in time, given the outstanding contributions he has made to the English game.

Liverpool have seemingly been linked with every winger in Europe in the past week as the media try to second guess Kenny Dalglish. A deal for Downing is looking most likely; especially with reports suggesting that the winger is set to put a transfer request in so to force a summer move.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include why Charlie Adam would be a good signing; the pros and cons of Stewart Downing, while rival managers cannot second guess Kenny Dalglish.

We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.

*

Time for Liverpool to get their finger out in the transfer market?

The pros and cons of a Liverpool deal

To those who think Liverpool shouldn’t sign him, think again

Liverpool’s transfer activity and player development (Hybrid Moneyball)

Time to give Liverpool newbie a break

The seven signings by Kenny Dalglish this summer?

Trying to decipher Kenny’s transfer plans at Liverpool

Udinese star set to snub Arsenal for Liverpool

*Best of WEB*

Why Managers will find it hard to second guess King Kenny – Live4Liverpool

Time is a luxury Liverpool do not have – Our Kop

Why I Fear For Jordan Henderson – The Tomkins Times

Damien Comolli can work successfully with Kenny Dalglish despite previous problems with Martin Jol – Anfield Opinion

Why FSG are wise to invest in the future, but should never overlook quick success – This is Anfield

How the Reds maybe able to get £20M MORE to spend – Live4Liverpool

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Click on Mikel Arteta’s lady to unveil our WAG XI of the season

Manchester United is a team in transition. The summer arrivals of David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones indicate a real shift in focus from Sir Alex Ferguson. But whilst the United ship is firmly set on course for a new era under Fergie, one player is getting left behind.

Defender Jonny Evans has made 84 appearances for United since his debut in September 2007 and the 23-year-old was long seen as the successor to the established pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The departures of fellow defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown to Sunderland may have given some hope to Evans but unfortunately the capture of Jones and tying Chris Smalling to a new five-year deal seems to have pushed Evans back down the pecking order once again.

The defender has said this week he is happy to fight for his place at United despite the intense competition for places. Ferguson is also an obvious admirer of Evans’ talents as he has worked his way up the youth ranks at Old Trafford and may want him to stay as he can act as cover across the back four but Evans must now look elsewhere to establish himself as a formidable Premier League defender.

Evans didn’t enjoy the most successful of campaigns last season. Despite picking up another league winners medal, Evans struggled for form and missed out on a place in United’s Champions League final squad. He made 13 league appearances for United but his season was slightly soured when he was also involved in a bad (but completely unintentional) challenge with Stuart Holden that earned Evans a straight red card and left Bolton’s Holden out for six months.

The £16 million deal to bring relatively inexperienced Jones to Old Trafford and Smalling’s new contract seem to line up the pair as the replacements for the current partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand. Hopefully Evans wasn’t watching the U21 European Championships this summer where despite England’s failure, Jones and Smalling shone as a partnership at the back. And despite the pair being lined up as replacements in the long term, Ferdinand and Vidic still look a way off both leaving United after another successful league winning campaign. This is all good news for Fergie and United but not Evans.

A possible move away from Old Trafford may still be on the cards for Evans and if he does leave, there could be plenty of suitors for the defender. Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham are all rumoured to have shown an interest though Wolves and Sunderland have already purchased defensive cover this summer. As an agile and calm defender Evans definitely possess the skills to ply his trade in the Premier League.

Despite enjoying a mixed season and not being a first-choice starter Evans still managed 21 appearances for United last year, a stat that might give him hope that his future could still be in Manchester. At 23 he is nowhere past his best and should have many more years in football ahead of him. But Evans must now decide whether he is happy as a squad player at United or ready to break in the starting eleven elsewhere.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

If you want to read more of my bite size, 160 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Wesley Sneijder’s move to Manchester United is back on according to The Mirror if the player will accept a restructured pay-deal.

The Dutchman has been linked with a move to Old Trafford all summer, as Sir Alex Ferguson wants him to replace retired star Paul Scholes.

Inter Milan have now paved the way for Sneijder to swap Serie A for the Premier League after accepting, in principle, a £30 million-plus offer made at the weekend.

It’s understood that Sneijder has been given permission by Inter to talk to United officials although a stumbling block could be the players wages.

Given the tax favourable status in Italy the Dutchman isn’t keen on taking a pay cut although he would still earn around £190,000-a-week, which stretches out of United’s pay structure.

It is thought compromise could be reached with the English Champions prepared to offer a large wage supplemented by bonuses and signing-on-fees that would spread over the length of the contract.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Talks between Ferguson and chief executive David Gill have taken place regarding the salary package that wouldn’t go beyond United’s structure.

Sneijder’s agent is set to fly into London before the weekend to discuss the transfer and if all goes to plan the club are hoping to have him training with the squad before the new season kicks off.

Chelsea are trailing AC Milan’s Alexandre Pato according to the Mirror with a cash-plus-player deal being mooted.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas is set to try and persuade Blues owner Roman Abramovich to try and sign the Brazilian forward.

A £30 million-player-plus-cash deal is in the pipeline for the player who has been tracked by Chelsea for the last three years.

Villas-Boas see’s the striker as the perfect foil for Fernando Torres and believes their partnership could fire the club to Champions League success.

Chelsea are understood to be willing to offer £20 million plus either Nicolas Anelka or Salomon Kalou in exchange for Pato’s services.

It’s thought that Milan are prepared to let the Brazilian go if they can secure the signature of Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli.

However they may ask Chelsea for more money if they do go ahead with a move for Balotelli who has admitted he wants a move away from City.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Pato scored 14 goals in 25 appearances last season at the San Siro despite being afflicted by minor injures all year losing his place in the national team to Neymar in the process.

However the 21-year-old has plenty of Champions League experience for a player of his age and fits the profile of the type of player Villas-Boas wants at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal fans have warned to be careful for what they wish for in light of the criticism directed towards Arsene Wenger. Sir Alex believes that the Frenchman deserves a huge amount of respect, given the giant strides he has made at the football club during his tenure.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Gunners blogs that include Arsenal’s spending gets a boost, Frimpong provides an edge, while Paquet rules out Gunners move.

We also look at the best Arsenal articles around the web this week.

Caption Competition: Arsenal’s formula for success?

‘Six of the Best’ – Manchester v Arsenal clashes of recent times

Arsenal’s chances of spending big are boosted

Risking the short term future of Arsenal for the sake of long term stability?

Just the ‘edge’ that Arsenal are lacking

A tale of two football managers…

Blankety Blank – Arsene Wenger

Cearly one rule for Arsenal and one for everyone else

Paquet rules out Arsenal deal

Kenny looking to pip Arsene to £11m deal

Best of WEB

Was Nasri’s parting shot really necessary? – Gunnersphere

Ugly, Let’s get Ugly!! – Highbury House

United Keeper key to win tomorrow | #Muppet | Madrid Midfielder anyone? – Le Grove

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The end or the beginning? – Online Gooner

One Of Us Speaks: Snow, Royal Weddings & Udinese – A Cultured Left Foot

[divider]

Click on image below to take a closer look at Cristina