Ian Wright: Spurs loanee Emmanuel Adebayor can be a Premier League great

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR could become a true Premier League great — the only person stopping the guy is himself.

After a tough start, which included matches against both Manchester clubs, Tottenham's season is beginning to take shape and Adebayor is playing a central role.

Lots of people tipped Liverpool for fourth this season but I have yet to be completely convinced by them.

I still feel Arsenal will challenge too but, right now, Spurs seem to have the better squad.

On Sunday, it's the North London derby at White Hart Lane and you can bet Adebayor will have to take all sorts of stick from the away supporters.

It's written in the stars that Adebayor will score. While half of Arsenal fans hate him, I reckon the other half would have him back tomorrow.

I'd love to sit him down and have a serious chat.I'd ask: "What do you want to be remembered for?"

He can either be remembered as a terrific scorer of goals or a player who angered Arsenal fans with a goal celebration for Manchester City.

Adebayor, still only 27, has a simple choice. He could go down as a sensational player rather than a very good one. He's capable of scoring more than 20 goals every season.

Maybe Arsene Wenger lost patience with him but I certainly believe Harry Redknapp is the man to get the best out of him.

Even if Spurs are having to pay a loan fee of a few million, Adebayor is a very shrewd signing and I have no doubt Harry will pull out all the stops and try to sign him permanently.

Alongside players like Jermain Defoe and Rafa van der Vaart, he can only flourish. When you consider Tottenham also have players like Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, he will have plenty of ammunition.

This is why I think Spurs will do well and why many will make them favourites against Arsenal.

Adebayor and Scott Parker were the bargains of the January transfer window.

I watched Scott in seven or eight matches for West Ham last season and he was superb. I always felt he would do a great job. Parker would fit any team in the Premier League as there is no one better playing in that position at the moment.

People tell me he cost only £5million because of his age, yet Parker is 30 — not 34 — so I don't see the problem. Football is so short-term that two years' guaranteed service from a top player is worth the transfer fee, surely.

Providing Spurs can get as many games as possible out of the superb Ledley King, I think they will have a seriously good season.

In contrast, Liverpool have it all to do. They are still waiting for Andy Carroll to live up to his potential while they need Steven Gerrard to get fully fit. Maybe then, Kenny Dalglish's team will start to click but right now, they are behind Spurs.

As for Arsenal, tomorrow against Olympiakos is another important test for them before they can think about their local derby.

It is worrying Robin van Persie admits he does not intend on signing a new contract — for now at least.

But when you look at the Arsenal team, can you blame him? Of course you can't. Van Persie is understandably going to wait and see how this team progresses before making a decision on his future.

As I keep saying, bring back David Dein. His knowledge and experience could only benefit the Gunners.

CARLING CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW

Wolves v Man City
Cardiff v Burnley
Blackburn v Newcastle
Arsenal v Bolton
Stoke v Liverpool
Aldershot v Man Utd
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Everton v Chelsea
Ties to be played week commencing 24 October

Warnock: Barton is bringing out the best in his QPR team-mates

QPR boss Neil Warnock believes summer signing Joey Barton is bringing the best out of Adel Taarabt and the rest of his new team-mates.

After Barton arrived on a free transfer from Newcastle in August, Shaun Derry admitted he expected ‘fireworks’ between the controversial midfielder and the often temperamental Taarabt. But Warnock reckons the Moroccan playmaker has been inspired by his new team-mate, as well as the rest of the squad, and has hailed the impact Barton has made at Loftus Road.

“I think players play better when they have got something to prove and Joey’s no different to everyone else”Neil Warnock. "He’s brought the quality that I think we were missing," Warnock said, speaking ahead of the home clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.

 

"He’s got the experience but he’s still got so much to prove, as all the new lads have. "It is really pleasing for me to look at everyone that’s come in and know they’ve all got something to prove. I think players play better when they have got something to prove and Joey’s no different to everyone else.

 

"You look at people like Paddy Kenny, Shaun Derry and Ali Faurlin and they’ve all lifted their own games and whether you like it or not he has that influence around the place that if you're not a winner, you're not going to be around us very long.

"Adel Taarabt as well has responded really well to Joey. I thought they might clash and I'm sure they will at some stage but I think Adel has responded and gone the opposite. He's been delighted to get someone like that playing with him."

Benitez holding out for Premier League return

Rafael Benitez claims he has had job offers from England - and he's holding out for a return to the Premier League. The former Liverpool manager has been out of work since he was sacked by Inter Milan last year.
His sacking at the Serie A club followed his axe as Liverpool boss back in 2010 but Benitez is still in love with the English game.

Sir Alex Ferguson reignited his war with the Spaniard recently when he claimed Benitez was 'jobless and not my friend'. Benitez has been working on his new website, rafabenitez.com, but is desperate to return to football management.

He said: "I have had offers in Spain and England as well as other teams but I have always said my priority is the Premier League.

"There's several reasons why - the respect, the way of working and my family is settled England."
Benitez, 51, added: "I am young and want to continue to lead top-level teams. "I am a professional coach and my goal is to continue training and to win titles."

Premier League - Ferdinand set to return for United

 

 

Rio Ferdinand is likely to return for Manchester United at Stoke City on Saturday after manager Alex Ferguson said he needed experience against Tony Pulis's combative outfit.

The England centre-half has started only two of five Premier League matches for the leaders this term and missed last weekend's 3-1 win against Chelsea with a calf strain.

The emergence of young players Phil Jones and Chris Smalling has threatened his starting spot but with Smalling doubtful for the Saturday's clash with a groin problem, Ferdinand should step back in for the champions.

"I'm hoping Rio will be okay for Saturday," Ferguson told the club's official website. "When you go to Stoke you need a bit of experience." Defending champions United are top with a maximum 15 points, while rivals Manchester City are second on 13 points.

Hargreaves: I had to quit Man United

Owen Hargreaves has revealed he felt he had to quit Manchester United. The injury-plagued midfield star made a controversial move across Manchester in the summer to join City, and insists he had no option but to leave Old Trafford.

He told talkSPORT: “For them [United] and me it was probably necessary. I felt terrible I couldn’t help out in so many big games. I was hoping to be part of World Cups and Champions League finals but it just never materialised. It was essential to have a change of scenery.”

Hargreaves marked his debut for City with a 25-yard screamer in their 2-0 Carling Cup win over Birmingham, and is now hoping his fitness woes are behind him.

He added: “At times it was frustrating. Every time I looked like I was taking a step forward I’d take a couple of steps back. But I’ve been here three weeks and played two games in six days – one an in-house game - so all in all it’s been a pretty good three weeks.

“They’ve done a great job easing me in, but we have to be smart. We’ll just manage it. Whatever these guys [the City medical team] think is right going forward, we’ll have a dialogue. I think we’re on the right page.”

Coyle: 'Wenger is still one of the best managers in world football'

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has branded the recent criticism of Arsene Wenger as 'ridiculous'.
Wenger has come under intense pressure after Arsenal's stuttering start to the season, which has seen the Gunners win just one of their opening five Premier League games.

That has led some fans to call for the Frenchman's head and Coyle has now leapt to the defence of his managerial counterpart, ahead of his side's trip to the Emirates on Saturday.

“Arsene Wenger is one of the best managers in world football, and always will be”Owen Coyle

"It is absolutely ridiculous," he said." Arsene Wenger is one of the best managers in world football, and always will be. But we have to accept football is a game of opinions and criticism comes along the way.

"I feel he is the perfect fit for Arsenal, though, given their history and tradition and the way they have evolved over the years. Yes, they would like a trophy, but look at the players he has brought to the club. "Maybe if he had the same resources as other managers of the biggest clubs, you would see an Arsenal side with different personnel."

Coyle clashed with Wenger over Arsenal’s pursuit of Gary Cahill last month but the Reebok chief insists the matter is now forgotten. "I am a huge admirer of Arsene Wenger," added the Scot. "I have come up against him many times and there will be no tension."

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Asamoah Gyan could yet have a future at Sunderland after agreeing to pay a chunk of his £200k-a-week wages while on loan at United Arab Emirates club Al-Ain to the Black Cats' charity foundation.

Arsenal will re-enter the transfer window in January and are planning a cut-price double swoop for Bolton defender Gary Cahill and Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. 

Arsenal and Liverpool are monitoring the progress of 18-year-old Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha.

And the Gunners are also lining up a summer swoop for 24-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, according to reports in Spain.

Championship side Nottingham Forest look set to offer Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge a way out of the Etihad Stadium.

Celtic striker Islam Feruz, 16, dubbed the 'Scottish Wayne Rooney' is set to join Chelsea.

Serie A giants Juventus are hoping to tempt Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov back to Italy in January.

Arsenal failed in a deadline day swoop for Fiorentina striker and Chelsea target Stefan Jovetic. The 21-year-old joined Fiorentina in 2008 for around £7m from Partizan Belgrade.
 
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero's father-in-law, Argentina legend Diego Maradona, says the former Atletico Madrid frontman made the correct decision in signing for the club.

French side Paris Saint Germain are rumoured to be interested in both Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for the managerial post at the Parc des Princes.

Manchester City are eyeing a £35m bid for Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, 23, when the transfer window opens in January.

Bolton and England defender Gary Cahill has emerged as a possible target for Italian club Juventus.

Former Liverpool frontman Ryan Babel has blamed the Anfield club's training regime for his poor form in England. The 24-year-old scored just 12 goals in his four years with the Reds and was sold to Hoffenheim in January.
 
Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles says he was surprised when former club Liverpool wanted to sell him.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is happy for the cash-strapped club to stay out of the transfer market if it secures their long-term future.

 
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe believes the club's battle to keep hold of midfielder Luka Modric is not over.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed why he broke his self-imposed rule against signing any player taller than he is.

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe has enlisted a 70-year-old French fitness expert who once worked with Arsenal - and was recommended by Ian Wright - in his efforts to revive his career with club and country.

Tottenham's Rafael Van der Vaart annoyed by Europa League omission

 

Van der Vaart was Tottenham's top goal-scorer last season with 13 goals

Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart has said he is annoyed at being left out of the club's Europa League squad.

The 28-year-old hobbled off during Spurs' 5-1 defeat to Manchester City and had originally expected to be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
But, despite now expecting to be fit for the Liverpool match next week, the omission means the playmaker will miss Spurs' six Europa group matches.
"Spurs could at least have consulted me," he told his official website.

"Anyway, it's up to the point of no return. I will be focusing on the game against Liverpool.

"I'm pretty convinced I will be fit by then."
The former Real Madrid player missed Holland's Euro 2012 qualifiers and was also sidelined as Harry Redknapp's team secured their first win of the season against Wolves on Saturday.

English Premier League summer spending hits £485m

English Premier League clubs spent £485m in the summer transfer window, business analysts Deloitte have said.

Spending by the 20 English top-flight clubs was up £120m, or 33%, on last summer's outlay, Deloitte added.

Deadline-day signings included Mikel Arteta joining Arsenal from Everton and Raul Meireles leaving Liverpool for Chelsea - both for more than £10m.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United each topped £50m of transfer spending this summer.

'Top end'

In total these five clubs have committed to about 66% of Premier League clubs' transfer fees in the summer transfer window.

The transfer window closed at 23:00 BST on Wednesday.

Deloitte's Dan Jones said the "significant" increase meant clubs were spending again at the level seen between 2007 and 2009.

"This summer's spending is largely focussed amongst the top end Premier League clubs most strongly competing for domestic and European success and the consequent financial rewards," said Mr Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte.

Other significant transfers included Scott Parker moving from West Ham to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £6m, while Stoke City broke their transfer record to bring Peter Crouch from Spurs for £10m.

'Home grown'

Transfer fees to overseas clubs were about £205m, 25% down on the level in summer 2010.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

The resurgence of transfer spending is also apparent in other top European leagues”

Dan JonesDeloitte

• Meireles and Arteta in late moves
• Transfers - August 2011

This outlay to foreign clubs represents 42% of total transfer fees committed by Premier League clubs, compared to an unusually high figure of 75% in 2010.

Meanwhile, clubs spent about £165m on English players, being about 34% of their total spending of £485m ($788m).

Mr Jones added: "The football authorities' encouragement for home grown players has contributed towards the increased scale of fees for the transfer of young English talent this summer.

"The resurgence of transfer spending is also apparent in other top European leagues.

"Despite domestic difficulties delaying the start of their seasons, transfer spending is considerably up amongst clubs in Serie A and La Liga."

Meanwhile, Deloitte says that clubs in the Football League have reportedly spent around £30m in summer 2011.

"Net of amounts received from Premier League and overseas clubs, the Football League clubs benefit from a net inflow of around £60m this summer; significantly up on summer 2010 (£25m)," the Deloitte report said.