Test of enemies James tips fix backlash

JAMES ANDERSON expects a ferocious and heated battle with Pakistan next month as England attempt to confirm their world No 1 status.

The pace ace says the bitter rivalry means there will be no off-field fraternising or any pleasantries between the players.

Anderson insists the antagonism would have existed regardless of the spot-fixing scandal which led to three ex-Pakistan stars being jailed.

But there is no question the shame of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for their part in the no-ball outrage at Lord's last year has raised the temperature.

Anderson, 29, England's premier fast bowler, said: "It was quite a spicy affair when Pakistan came to England last year. There's definitely history there.

"I'm not sure that the spot-fixing business will make a difference — it would have been a battle anyway because of the rivalry.

"Test cricket is not very friendly these days, you don't have a beer at the end of the day.

"There will be tension but I don't think it will be caused by the spot-fixing. It will be just because we are two competitive sides.

"There will be a lot of talk about the court case before we leave so it will be up to us to ignore it as much as possible.

"But I think it was the right outcome to the spot-fixing trial. There's no place for anything like that in cricket.

"I'd like to think it is not rife within the sport and this is a one-off.

"But it would be very naive of me to say it has never happened before or will never happen again.

"I can safely say I've never been approached and none of the England lads have been.

"We never get involved in it and, because of that, we sometimes joke about it.

"For example, Australia getting bowled out for 47 against South Africa last month after being 21-9 might have caused a few jokey comments.

"Cricket is one of those games when ridiculous things can happen. That's the unfortunate thing — if an outsider watched that Australian innings they might ask 'Is that for real?' It's a shame."

England reached the pinnacle of Test cricket during their 4-0 home thrashing of India last summer and Andrew Strauss and his men intend staying at No 1.

But they face a tough examination against Pakistan's mystery spinners on surfaces in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that are sure to turn.

And it was only in October that England lost a one-day series 5-0 to India in similar conditions.

Anderson was rested for that tour and is in South Africa with Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett and part of England's development squad.

He added: "We want to stay No 1 for as long as possible. The way we do that is by winning series abroad. We seem to be a tough test at home but we really need to dominate away as well.

Becks lines up £12.5m PSG deal

DAVID BECKHAM will bag £12.5million by following Carlo Ancelotti into Paris St Germain.

The former England captain, 36, is on the verge of signing a £160,000-a- week deal for 18 months.

While former Chelsea boss Ancelotti put pen to paper after French league leaders PSG ditched Antoine Kombouare yesterday.

The Italian is expected to pick up £110,000 a week over 2½ years — a total of £14.3m — making him the highest paid boss in French football.

Both men's bumper pay packets will be paid by the Qatar Investment Authority who run PSG.

Ancelotti, 52, has been waiting for another top job in England after being axed by Chelsea in May.

He will forego five months' cash from the Blues to move to Paris.

Becks, whose five-year deal with LA Galaxy ends on Saturday, could be one of a number of signings.

Chelsea forward Florent Malouda and Real Madrid's Kaka are other targets.

Beckham's mega money has outraged French left-wing politicians.

The opposition Socialist Party have proposed a law that would put in place a maximum salary.

Cahill set for Chelsea move

CHELSEA have agreed a fee with Bolton for defender Gary Cahill.

Talks over a move for the England centre-back began last week with a £7million deal on the cards.

And Trotters boss Owen Coyle today confirmed Cahill, 26, is set for a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Scot said: "There has been a fee agreed between the clubs and we have now given Gary's representatives permission to speak to Chelsea. That is where we are with it.

"We obviously have a game tomorrow and I have said to Gary that he has to be focused on giving everything for Bolton Wanderers.

"He knows Bolton Wanderers have been terrific for him just as much as Gary has been for us.

"That is why they have representatives — to sort that out — and whatever January 1 brings, it will bring."

Bolton have been linked with New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream to replace Cahill.

The American recently spent some time training with the Trotters.

Coyle added: "There are a number of players out there who are of varying degrees of interest to us, and that is where we are.

"There are some good players and I think it is fair to say that we do want to add one or two to the group, but it would be remiss of me to start mentioning individual names.

"Those are players who belong to other teams and I have always tried to be very respectful of that."

Top 5 strikers of 2011

We pick out the five forwards who found the mark, again and again, for their respective sides in 2011.

You've got to love lists. They provide fodder for debate, discussion and a whole lot of pub conversations. We've brought you the top five footballers in 2011 in three categories including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and now it is time for the strikers.

After that - we'll go on to our 2011 Team of the Year.

Please take these lists in the spirit they are written in i.e. to have a bit of fun and cheer as we usher in the New Year

In no particular order, here are moretension.blogspot.com's top five strikers of 2011.

Robin van Persie (Arsenal, Holland)

Van Persie had been tipped for greatness ever since his arrival at Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004. Six frustrating, injury-laden years later, the Dutchman finally delivered on that early promise with 34 goals (and counting) in the Premier League this year.

In a year when Arsenal have been unsettled by high-profile departures and some shattering results, Van Persie has provided relief, joy and excitement to Gunners' fans - ensuring they'd have something to cheer about. 

If one were to pick the best out of his 34, it would have to be the volley against Everton where he allowed a chipped pass from Alex Song to drop over his right shoulder before smashing the ball off the post, into the net. Intelligence, technique, power, precision. Suitable adjectives for a world-class striker.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

Few players in world football divide opinion as fiercely as the man from Portugal. Some can't stand him for his showboating, perceived selfishness and tendency to go down whenever there's a strong gust of wind. Others swear by him for being the most complete player of his generation. 

Whichever camp one belongs to, it's difficult to argue with the numbers Ronaldo has piled up since his move to Real Madrid. He took the Pichichi Trophy for the 2010/11 season, and has continued to score by the bucketloads this season, having notched up 25 goals in 23 matches in all competitions. 

Love him or hate him, you simply cannot ignore him. If you haven't yet, check out Ronaldo - Tested to the Limit, to get an insight into the workings of this truly remarkable athlete.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)

La Liga is fortunate to have two of the best players on the planet. Ronaldo may be able to play with both feet, head the ball and take free-kicks, but a combination of supreme balance and perhaps the best left-foot in the history of football makes Messi equally good, if not better. 

The Argentinean was once again at the forefront of it all, as Barcelona won La Liga and the Champions League to continue their domestic and European domination. The only disappointment would have been the failure of the national side to win the Copa America. Despite that though, Messi wowed the world yet again with some breathtaking goals that had pundits, journalists and fans alike scurrying for the Thesaurus. 

Unfortunately, there are not enough words in the English language to describe the diminutive forward. Until someone comes up with more adjectives, genius will have to suffice.

Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich, Germany)

At first glance, his may be an underwhelming name. In a world dominated by the Ronaldos and the Messis, a striker from the Bundesliga, even though he may play for Bayern Munich, has to perform truly exceptionally to be noticed. In 2011, Gomez did just that. 

He finished the 2010/11 season as the top scorer in Germany, even edging out Miroslav Klose in the pecking order, and continued where he had left off in the new campaign. To date, he has smashed in 24 goals in all competitions for the Bavarian giants as they look to wrest back the title that was snatched from them by the young turks from Borussia Dortmund last season. 

A quintessential poacher, the 26-year-old is just about hitting the peak of his career; expect bigger and better things from him next year.

Edinson Cavani (Napoli, Uruguay)

In the space of a year, Cavani has made himself into one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe. With a dominating presence in the opposition penalty area, one that has earned him the moniker El Matador, the 24-year-old helped himself to 26 goals in the 2010-11 campaign, helping Napoli earn a third-place finish and a Champions League place. 

With four Champions League goals and nine Serie A strikes so far this season, the Cavani has been in great form yet again. There was also the small matter of a Copa America winners' medal in July - all of which points to a seminal year for the long-haired marksman from Urugua

Bigg Boss 5: 601-pound Japanese Sumo to enter house

The Sumo Wrestling Champion Yamamotoyama to make a guest entry for a few days

If Bigg Boss 5′s multiple entries have surprised you time and again, this time round you’re sure to be flabbergasted beyond words. Proving to the audiences that Bigg Boss 5 can never get predictable, the show will witness the grand entry of 601-pound Japanese Sumo Wrestling Champion Yamamotoyama aka Yama in the final week of the show. Given his weight and clocking in at a height of 6’4″, Yama is not only the largest Sumo wrestler ever, but he is actually the largest Japanese human ever as well.

After having been cooped up inside the house for weeks, the contestants will definitely breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing a new face. However, this relief will be shortlived, especially when they realize that the newest entrant has one major drawback – he doesn’t speak or understand English! The multiple-title winning sumo wrestler will spend a few days in the house and bring some much-needed comic relief to the currently temperamental housemates. To accommodate the needs of Yama during his stay in the Bigg Boss house, special arrangements have been made inside the house for him.

The dining area will be converted into a bedroom-cum-eating area for the sumo wrestler to give him the enough space for carrying out his day-to-day activities. Being of Japanese origin, Yama is used to eating while being seated on the floor, but it will be interesting to note if the housemates will be able to accompany him while he eats his fill. Also, because the sumo wrestler faces a language barrier, he will be given special placards with pictoral representations that will help him to communicate his needs to the housemates. And finally, to ensure that Yama remains entertained, special activities have been planned during his stay in the house that will help audiences to get some special insights into the life of a professional Japanese sumo wrestler.

Despite of the ensured fun element that Yama will bring to the Bigg Boss house, how the housemates will react to this interesting new addition so close to the end of their Bigg Boss journey remains to be seen. Will they be kind towards Yama or will they just piss him off with their constant bickering?

Pakistan to start afresh vs England

Pakistan and England will face-off for the first time since the spot-fixing scandal took place and interim coach Mohsin Khan is confident of a new beginning.

Mohsin took over the reins after Waqar Younis decided to relinquish the post for personal reasons in September. The ex-Pakistan player has been retained for next month's Test and one-day series against England in the United Arab Emirates. "We know the two teams will play for the first time since the spot-fixing scandal last year in England," Khan said.

"We have seen the negative comments in the British media. But we just want to focus on playing a positive and good series."

Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were earlier put into jail for their involvement in the spot-fixing case against England at Lord's in 2010. 

In 2006, Pakistan forfeited a Test at the Oval after umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove penalised them for ball-tampering, leading to tension between the two cricket boards. The ICC adjudicator later cleared Pakistan of the ball tampering charges but banned former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for misconduct.

Khan, who has led Pakistan to series wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in his temporary role, was confident relations between the players would remain cordial even if he believes strong officiating will be necessary. "The roles of the referee and umpires will be significant," he added. "Whatever has happened in the past is history. We are looking ahead now. For us it is a fresh start. We want to prove ourselves with our performances that is all. The rest is history."

Khan also defended the recall of left arm paceman Wahab Riaz, insisting all players considered for selection had been cleared to play by the Pakistan board. Wahab, whose name was mentioned in court during the spot-fixing trial in London but has never been charged with an offense, had not played international cricket for six months before his recall for the England series.

"We wanted Wahab because he exploits the old ball well and gets reverse swing," he said. "These will be important for us on the pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi."

Pakistan, who are unable to host international matches for security reasons, will play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty/20 matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from Jan. 17.

Top 5 midfielders of 2011

Five midfielders who ruled the roost for their respective sides in 2011.

We pay tribute to the men who made us 'ooh and ahh' throughout the year with their bone crushing tackling, sublime passing and, of course, eye for goal as well.

Please take these lists in the spirit they are written in i.e. to have a bit of fun and cheer as we usher in the New Year.

In no particular order, here are moretension.blogspot.com's top five midfielders of 2011.

Scott Parker (West Ham & Tottenham, England)

Every team needs a Scott Parker in their starting XI. We rightly marvel at the majestic midfield skills of Xavi for Barcelona but Parker is - in his own right - a world class midfielder all the same. Played just in front of the defence, there are few better defensive midfielders in world football at the moment than the Englishman.

Parker played the first half of 2011 with West Ham United but despite his best efforts - he was voted 'Footballer of the Year' by the Football Writers' Association - the club was relegated at the end of the 2010/11 season. Parker then moved to Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the current campaign and has been a vital addition to Harry Redknapp's side.

Parker may not score many goals or get you many assists but he does win you games with his ability to stifle the opponent's attack.

Xavi (Barcelona, Spain)

Xavi is the man who puts Barcelona's tiki-taka philosophy into practice on the pitch - and he has the medals and trophies to prove it works.

It was not surprising to see Xavi play an instrumental role in helping Barcelona to titles in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in 2011.

For so long in his career the midfield maestro never got the recognition he deserved but with Spain's continued dominance of the international game - in contrast to Argentina's failings despite having a certain Lionel Messi at their disposal - Xavi is finally being considered by some as the world's best player currently.

His passing is obviously excellent, but then many players are just as good at that as he is. What actually makes Xavi go a notch above his peers is his intelligence on the football pitch. His movement is second to none and he always gives his team-mates the right passing line - he is prone to making team-mates look better than they really are.

David Silva (Manchester City, Spain)

David Silva is a playmaker of the highest order and his performances for Manchester City in the 2010/11 season earned him high praise from then club captain Carlos Tevez who called the Spaniard "the best signing" the club had made.

Form is temporary and class is permanent, and Silva continued to inspire Roberto Mancini's men well into the current campaign and he is the favourite to land the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in 2012.

If Manchester City did nothing else right for the rest of the season, Silva would still be loved by the club's supporters in the years to come. This is because the midfielder orchestrated the single most significant league result in the club's recent history - a 6-1 derby demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford in October 2011.

What is it about Spanish football and world class midfielders?

Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

It's scary to think that Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze is only 19 years old. Far from being the finished midfield article, Gotze is already a champion in Germany after playing a pivotal role in Dortmund's run to the Bundesliga title last season.

Blessed with a combination of speed, technical ability and creativity, Gotze is on the watch list of practically every major club in European football. No wonder German legend Matthias Sammer called the attacking midfielder "one of the best talents Germany has ever seen".

Count on him to get even better in 2012.

Juan Mata (Valencia & Chelsea, Spain)

Juan Mata has been called many things - a midfield magician, a creative spark. Here's another description to ponder: Indispensable.

Former Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea are keen to bring the glory days back to Stamford Bridge but with many of the club's stars on the wane, Mata has emerged as the key man for the Blues' title bid.

Equally adept at operating on the flank as he is down the middle, Mata has equaled goals and assists for the Blues this season.

Ajay Devgn Versus Shah Rukh Khan

Come Diwali next year and there’s going to be war between two superstars – Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn. As announced a few months ago, Shah Rukh Khan’s next yet-untitled film being directed by Yash Chopra will release during Diwali 2013.

Now we hear that Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardar will also release during Diwali 2013. The film was earlier slated for a November 30 release but the producers – Ajay Devgn Productions and YRV Infra & Media Pvt Ltd – have decided to postpone the date.

Judwaa 2 On January 25, 2013

Rumour had it that Sajid Nadiadwala had been planning a sequel to his blockbuster Judwaa. There was no confirmation from the producer but now we hear that the project is indeed on. What’s more…The sequel will not feature Salman Khan in the lead but Saif Ali Khan.

Our source says that once Sajid Khan is done with Housefull 2, he will immediately start shooting Judwaa 2 so that the film is complete by the end of 2012. That’s because producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Sajid Khan want to release their Judwaa sequel on January 25, 2013.

Ekta Kapoor, Karan Johar to co-produce film

He is known for his candyfloss movies and designer dramas, and she excels at making experimental and real life-inspired stories. Together, Ekta Kapoor and Karan Johar, once rumoured to be a couple, are now ready to co-produce a movie.

“Ekta and I are super excited about the script we are producing together… will announce details as we cast the film and title it!!!” Johar posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.

According to reports, the film will be a “love story with a twist”, and it will be directed by Akshay Roy.

It will be interesting to see what Johar’s Dharma Productions and Ekta’s Balaji Motion Pictures will have to offer considering their different styles of filmmaking.

The rumour about Johar and Ekta’s romance had reached its peak when news of their wedding started doing the rounds three years ago.

But they have been good friends since childhood, and have been looking forward to working together for a long time.

Fernando Torres continues to baffle

Fernando Torres' continued failure to spark into life is one of the biggest mysteries in the Premier League at the moment.

Lay aside your club allegiances. Just for a few minutes. Forget that Fernando Torres plays for Chelsea. 

Forget that he may have scored against your club in the past, although that is unlikely to have happened recently.

Liverpool fans, forget even that he left the Kop for Stamford Bridge - a painful departure that still undoubtedly stings, given the glee with which every barren game for the Spaniard is treated on various football forums, including ESPNSTAR.com.

Just remember the Torres who had the entire Premier League in awe during his first couple of seasons after his arrival from Atletico Madrid. 

Compare and contrast that with the stuttering striker who approaches every defender doubtfully, unsure about whether he'll be able to get past or whether he'll be subject to more jeers after yet another failed attempt at finding that elusive entity - the back of the net.

Is it not a pity? Is it not frustrating that a player with the talent to make us repeatedly fall in love with the game has been reduced to a mere caricature? What makes the entire saga so baffling is that nearly all the excuses that are trotted out to shield a player who is not performing have been used and are no longer valid.

Chelsea have had their fair share of failed buys down the years - particularly in the Roman Abramovich era. Laws of probability dictate that's inevitable, given the number of players who have been brought to Stamford Bridge under the Russian's ownership. But in terms of huge transfers, the only Chelsea striker who can be compared to Torres in recent years is Andriy Shevchenko.

Comparisons - past and present

The Ukranian arrived from AC Milan for £30.8 million on the back of massive expectations. The Abramovich revolution had got underway with the club's first Premier League title in half a century the season before and Shevchenko was expected to lead the next Blues' wave. Three years later, he left London as a Chelsea flop with nine goals in 48 games.   

It is still easy to come up with credible hypotheses regarding Shevchenko's failure. Perhaps his game was never suited to the pace of the Premier League. Or perhaps he had arrived too late to make an impact.

Shevchenko was already pushing 30 by the time he signed for Chelsea - and while there are numerous instances of strikers flourishing well into their fourth decade, it is conceivable that the former Milan man's best days had been at the San Siro.

None of these applies to Torres. He has been there and done that - with Liverpool. He has just forgotten how to do it again. At 27-years-old, he should be raising his arms to take in all the adulation rather than thumping the ground in frustration time and again.

Then there is the other high-profile failure of the year - Andy Carroll. Purchased by Kenny Dalglish from Newcastle for £35 million, the pony-tail has been anything but divine. Carroll has looked out-of-sorts and has frankly given little indication that he belongs to a top club like Liverpool. Again it is conceivable that he is just not good enough.

And yet again, the same assumption cannot be applied to Torres. He used to tear apart top-level opposition defences for fun during his first two years in England. The sight of the long-haired striker running at defenders before leaving them for dead had few equals in terms of to the sheer excitement it injected into the game. So he is too not too old, is used to the pace of the game and has certainly shown that he has the quality to better the best.

Planning and Personnel

Maybe, then, it is the manager's tactics. Perhaps the way Andre Villas-Boas sets out his teams. But the Portuguese is one of the most attack-minded managers Chelsea have had in the past few years. Jose Mourinho would have sputtered in indignation at the high defensive line and the constant attacking emphasis that Villas-Boas prefers.

Granted that the Blues' manager has occasionally played Torres out of position, but there can be no doubt that if you're a Chelsea striker looking to end a barren run, you'd rather be in an AVB team rather than a Mourinho, or even an Ancelotti team. But an attacking philosophy means nothing if you're not getting good service. Is Torres suffering due to lack of quality providers? 

When he lined up against Manchester United at Old Trafford back in March 2009 - the game he is still remembered for - Torres had Javier Mascherano, a young Lucas and an in-form Steven Gerrard behind him. A high quality midfield, no doubt.

When he revisited Old Trafford with the Blues in October this year - another game he'll always be remembered for, albeit due to drastically different reasons, Torres had Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles and Ramires in midfield. An equally high-quality, if not better midfield. He also had countryman and one of the best players in England this season, Juan Mata, alongside him.

A perplexing problem

Having exhausted most footballing reasons, we descend into intangibles. Torres is certainly lacking in confidence, that most vital of elixirs for a footballer. But there have been enough instances, even in this fallow period, to tease watchers into thinking, justifiably so, that the confidence was back.

There was the stunning two-goal salvo against Chelsea just before his move. Then there was the recent goal against United in October - a beautifully clipped effort that hinted at better things to come.

Neither performance, however, resulted in a sustained run of form, and observers continue to scratch their heads at one of football's biggest current enigmas. 

Maybe it's the pressure of it all, the £50 million price-tag hanging like a millstone around his neck. But it has been nearly a year - a long time for a player who has been playing in the same glaring spotlight for more than four years. 

Injuries may have played a part as well, but having heard absolutely nothing on that score ever since his last serious knock, it would be safe to assume that there is nothing wrong, at least physically, with the beleaguered forward.

At the end of it all, we're left grasping at straws. Maybe it's a gypsy's curse - a gypsy who is a Liverpool fan. Maybe the stars are not aligning. Maybe Mars is in Pluto or whatever tosh astrologers use to explain the troughs in one's life.

Amidst all the general astonishment and inexplicability, only one thing is certain. English football is poorer for Torres' lack of form. There can be no doubt that El Nino destroying defences was one of the best things about the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. In his place now, we have player who thinks twice, even thrice before hesitatingly taking defenders on. 

Writing after Torres' sublime display against United in 2009, ESPNSTAR.com Senior Editor Ian Griffiths gushed: "The Spaniard's all-round performance must surely rate as one of the finest from a visiting player at the ‘Theatre of Dreams', a display so full of vitality, so packed to the rafters with guile and deadeye finishing, that Liverpool skipper Gerrard felt the urge to declare that Torres is currently "the best player in the world". He may be right.

"Time after time during a season that has been badly hampered by injury, Torres has proved the proverbial handful for those he has been pitted against. His goal tally - 11 so far - and ultra-solid displays typical of a man destined for greatness and a place in the Anfield Hall of Fame."

How thrilling it would be to see the same Torres again, rather than the hapless doppelganger that seems to have taken his place.

Iniesta wants Barca Ballon d'Or cheer

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is secretly hoping that club colleagues Lionel Messi or Xavi will pip club rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or honour.

The Catalan pair were shortlisted for the prestigious gong alongside Madrid wizard Ronaldo, with the winner set to be named at a special gala event in Zurich on January 9.

"The three that are there are the best three," admitted Iniesta.

"But I have two colleagues and I will be happy if the winner is one of them."

Iniesta himself was nominated for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or, when Messi was eventually crowned as the winner.

The 27-year-old, who memorably scored the winner for Spain in their World Cup final clash against Holland last July, was giving his views at the Albacete Sports Gala, where he was awarded for Sports Excellence.

"2012 will be an exciting year. Spain have a big challenge at Euro 2012, and Barcelona have a season that will also be exciting," Iniesta said.

Iniesta, who hailed from Albacete, also revealed that he wished his home-town outfit could have played at the Nou Camp this season.

"I've never hidden my love for Albacete, the city and its people," he added.

"The Copa del Rey clash they now have with Atletico Madrid is very important and exciting, but the league [Segunda Division B] is important above all else this season."

The Barcelona attacking schemer, who suffered a hamstring strain during their 9-0 thumping of L'Hospitalet in the Copa del Rey in their final match of 2011, is confident that he will shake off his minor niggle once Barcelona conclude their traditional winter break.

"I'm fine. I'm trying to enjoy the holidays with the family, turning off a bit," he said.

"I am also thinking a bit about my leg, although it is not important and I hope to be fit again very soon."

Recently crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions Barcelona will resume their domestic duties against Espanyol on January 8.

Top 5 goalkeepers of 2011

With the year coming to a close, moretension.blogspot.com takes a look at the goalkeepers that came to their teams' rescue time and time again over the last 12 months.




Ask any goalkeeper and he will tell you standing between the sticks is a thankless task. The outfielders always get the credit when goals are scored, but the moment something goes awry at the back, fingers automatically point to the guy tending the goal.

As such, we try our best to recognise the best shot-stoppers in the world. Though they may get the least credit of all footballers, they are no less deserving of the praise and the accolades.

In no particular order, here are moretension.blogspot.com's five best keepers of 2011..


Manuel Neuer (Schalke & Bayern Munich, Germany)

The last twelve months have seen 25-year-old Manuel Neuer establish himself as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.

Fresh off his exploits at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Neuer was one of the few shining lights as Schalke endured a disappointing Bundesliga campaign. The German international provided a calming influence at the back, and singlehandedly dragged his club to the semi-finals of the Champions League, their best-ever showing in the competition.

His performances earned him a €22million move to Bayern Munich, where he has since proved a worthy acquisition, helping the Bavarian side finish the calendar year at the top of the Bundesliga.

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain)

Long regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, Casillas once again showed why he remains so important to Real, providing a formidable last line of defence that allows his side to play their trademark attacking brand of football.

While Real spend most of their matches dominating the opposition, Casillas' experience means he is always able to pull off stunning saves on the few occasions he is called into action. And his inspirational leadership saw him lead Real to their first trophy since 2008, when he guided them to a 1-0 Copa del Rey final win over arch-rivals Barcelona.

Joe Hart (Man City, England)

It is uncontestable that Manchester City are the rising force in English football.

While many have tried to play down City's achievements by pointing to the millions that have been spent to assemble the squad, Joe Hart, who cost them just £1.5million back in 2006, remains one of their most important players.

The likes of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli are the names on most fans' lips, but opposition players and managers will tell you that Hart remains the most important piece in Roberto Mancini's puzzle.

Only earlier this month, Hart proved the difference between four points and one, as his heroics helped City to a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, followed by a 1-0 win over Arsenal.

Hugo Lloris (Lyon, France)

Following seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles from 2001 to 2008, Lyon have now gone three seasons without a league victory, finishing third last season behind Lille and Marseille. However, that was by no means Lloris' fault as helped his side to the third-best defensive record in the league.

The 24-year-old also showed exemplary leadership qualities when he blasted his team-mates after they let a two-goal lead against Nice slip in injury time, in a game in which Lloris had already saved a penalty. The following week, Lyon played with renewed vigour and cruised to a 3-0 win over Lens.

Lloris was also a standout for France as they qualified for Euro 2012 by finishing top of qualifying Group D, ensuring his presence at next summer's championship.

Vyacheslav Malafeev (Zenit St Petersburg, Russia)

Malafeev looms as the selection which will raise the most eyebrows, but a closer look at his contributions this season tells the tale of a goalkeeper currently at the top of his game.

The year started in tragedy for the 32-year-old, as his wife was tragically killed in a car crash, but Malafeev showed great resilience in bouncing back from his loss to star for Zenit, who are currently leading the Russian Premier League, two points ahead of CSKA Moscow. His heroics also helped Zenit qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League, finishing second in Group G, ahead of Porto.

But it was on the international front where Malafeev arguably made the most impact. Long having had to settle for a place on the bench behind CSKA's talented shot-stopper Igor Akinfeev, Malafeev was called into action with Euro 2012 qualification on the line after an injury to his counterpart.

And the veteran kept four consecutive clean sheets as Russia sealed their place in next summer's European Championship, finishing top of qualifying Group B ahead of Republic of Ireland.

Top 5 defenders of 2011

With the year coming to a close, moretension.blogspot.com takes a look at the defenders who made a difference for their respective teams over the last twelve months.

Some say the best offense is having a good defence, and the five players below are a testament to that statement. 

Their infallibility at the back has provided their teams with the confidence to push forward in attack, safe in the knowledge that should they lose possession, there's someone at the back they can count on to repel opposition attacks.

Some are classy ball-playing defenders, while others hail from the old school of no-nonsense defending.

In no particular order, here are moretension.blogspot.com's top five defenders of 2011.

Nemanja Vidic (Man United, Serbia)

At times, the best way to gauge how important a player is to his side is to assess their performances when he isn't playing. And Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is an ideal case-study in that regard.

In his first season as club captain, Vidic led the Red Devils to a record 19th league title, before his start to the 2011/12 season was curtailed by injury - his absence most notable when United were humiliated in a 6-1 loss to arch-rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Following that abject display, the Serbian, who is now retired from international football, was hurried back into the starting lineup, and his return coincided with four wins and a draw in United's following five games, during which they conceded just once.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely he will be featuring in this list next year, after another injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Thiago Silva (AC Milan, Brazil)

In May, AC Milan claimed their first Serie A title since 2004, finishing six points ahead of city rivals Inter Milan. While they had the second-best strike rate in the land, scoring four goals less than the Nerazzurri, they had the best defensive record, conceding just 24 goals, fifteen less than Napoli and Lazio.

Plenty of credit has to go to Thiago Silva, who formed an outstanding partnership with veteran Alessandro Nesta at the heart of the Rossoneri defence. The Brazilian was strong in the air, sharp in the tackle and hardly afforded his opponents a yard of space. Furthermore, Silva was extremely inventive from the back, regularly initiating Milan attacks from their own half.

With Barcelona reportedly keen on signing him, the Rossoneri face a tough fight keeping him at the San Siro.

Vincent Kompany (Man City, Belgium)

2011 will forever be remembered as the year Manchester City established themselves as a dominant force in European football. But while the Citizens' highlight reel over the last twelve months will mainly feature the likes of David Silva, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, all their good attacking work would be for naught if not for a solid defence.

And for that, we give credit to Vincent Kompany, who has been an absolute rock at the back for Roberto Mancini's side. However, it is his leadership qualities that truly make him stand out from the rest, standing in for the injured Tevez early on in the year, helping City to the FA Cup, before taking over on a permanent basis following the Argentinean's indiscretions.

Kompany has led his charges by example, even remonstrating with his team-mates on a number of occasions when they are out of line (like chastising Mario Balotelli after a provocative goal celebration against Villarreal). Still only 25, there's plenty more to come from the towering Belgian centre-back.

Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan, Japan)

At the start of 2011, hardly anyone would have heard of a pint-sized Japanese fullback by the name of Yuto Nagatomo. Then at Cesena, the 25-year-old was still trying to make a name for himself in Italy, having joined from FC Tokyo in the summer of 2010.

However, he impressed Inter scouts sufficiently in his sixteen Serie A appearances for the Nerazzurri to sign him on loan for the rest of the 2010/11 season, sending Davide Santon in the other direction.

And the dynamic defender slotted in seamlessly into Leonardo's starting eleven, scoring two goals in 19 appearances and convincing the Inter hierarchy to sign him on a permanent deal. Since then, he has featured prominently under both Gian Piero Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri.

Nagatomo not only tasted success with Inter, being part of the Coppa Italia-winning squad, but also on the international front, when he helped Japan to the Asian Cup in January, despite missing a penalty in the semi-final shootout victory over Korea Republic.

Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, Germany)

The first half of 2011 was a forgettable few months for Bayern, as they were bundled out of the Champions League in the first knockout round by Inter Milan, and finished third in the Bundesliga - embarrassing by their lofty standards.

Throughout that torrid spell, Lahm was a constant shining light for the Bavarian outfit, leading his charges by example and putting in accomplished displays despite regularly being switched between the two flanks.

Six months on, and Lahm's proficient displays and leadership has helped Bayern to the top of the Bundesliga, where they currently lead Borussia Dortmund and Schalke by three points. In addition, Bayern made light work of being drawn in the Champions League's "Group of Death", finishing ahead of Napoli, City and Villarreal.

On the international front, Lahm was part of the Germany side that qualified for Euro 2012 by finishing top of Group A with ten wins from ten, scoring 34 goals in the process and conceding just seven.

Wenger considering Henry loan move

Arsene Wenger will spend the rest of the festive season mulling over whether to make an extraordinary bid to bring Thierry Henry back to Arsenal on loan.

Henry is regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever pulled on an Arsenal shirt, winning two league titles and three FA Cups during a hugely successful eight-year spell at the club.

The Frenchman, who is the club's record all-time scorer, left Arsenal in 2007 for Barcelona before moving to the United States where he currently plays for the New York Bulls.

The 34-year-old has been training with the Londoners since the close of the MLS season in November and recently had a statue of him unveiled at the Emirates Stadium to underline his legendary status at the club.

Henry will not be required back in the United States until March and Wenger will lose Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh for up to a month at the end of January due to the African Nations Cup, leaving him short of strikers.

For that reason, Wenger is considering the possibility of a potential two-month loan deal for the star.

"I have to think about that," Wenger said. "Short term is ideal for us, but I haven't made any enquiry yet. Thierry is not here at the moment. It has never come up in conversation.

"January 1 is the vital date for us. We have seven days to make decisions and I will make a decision in the next seven days on players."

Robin van Persie equalled Henry's club record of 34 league goals in a calendar year at Aston Villa on Wednesday as the Gunners returned to winning ways with victory over Alex McLeish's side.

The Dutchman now has two more games to see if he can pass Alan Shearer's Premier League record of 36 goals in a year, which was set in 1995.

Wolves and QPR are Arsenal's next two opponents, and in his current form few would bet against the 28-year-old reaching his target.

Wenger, however, played down the significance of the record, arguing that six more points are more important than personal accolades.

"The individual records are not vital for me, they are just a sign that the team scores," Wenger said.

"He is an exceptional player, but what is important is that we win our games this Christmas."

Wenger's team host Wolves on Tuesday after having the fixture put back 24 hours due to a tube strike in the capital.

The Gunners boss, already shorn of four of his first-team defenders, announced yet more bad news from the treatment room.

Wenger confirmed that Kieran Gibbs will be out for a month after having to undergo surgery for the second time this season on his troublesome stomach injury.

The 22-year-old's latest setback is bad timing for Wenger, who is already without full-backs Andre Santos, Bacary Sagna and backup defenders Johan Djourou and Carl Jenkinson.

Gibbs' injury means Arsenal are likely to delve in to the loan market, but Wenger denied reports he has already lined up a move for Manchester City's out-of-favour full-back Wayne Bridge.

"I haven't made any inquiry yet for Wayne Bridge or anyone else," Wenger said.

"It is of course something we will look at but it depends on how long you have to take them.

"I have to see what is available - if I have a good opportunity then why not? They have a big impact on your wages.

"If you have to sign a player for three or four years and then you have three or four left-backs, only one can play, so they are not happy.

"It can only be a short-term solution for us because we have bought Santos, we have Gibbs, we have Vermaelen who can play there (left-back), so we do not need a long-term solution."

Wenger still thinks youngster Gibbs, who was called up for the England squad earlier this season, can make Fabio Capello's Euro 2012 squad despite the injury.

"He is incredibly unlucky, but he still can play in the Euros, because they are in June and we are in December," Wenger said.

"Normally this injury would keep him out for four weeks, so there is still a good opportunity."

Top 10 Henry Goals for Arsenal

Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal (21/02/06) 

It was fitting that in the grandiose arena of the Bernabeu Henry produced one of his finest goals in an Arsenal shirt. After receiving the ball in the centre circle, Henry breezed past four Real Madrid players before producing a cool left-footed finish past Iker Casillas to give Arsenal a 1-0 first-leg victory.

Sparta Prague 0-2 Arsenal (18/10/05) 

Henry equalled Ian Wright's Arsenal goalscoring record of 185 goals with a superb effort against Sparta Prague. After showing superb control to bring the ball down on the edge of the area, Henry sent a magnificent curling half-volley with the outside of his right foot past the helpless Sparta keeper.

Arsenal 4-0 Charlton (02/10/04) 

With Arsenal 1-0 up at the start of the second half, Henry produced yet another bit of magic. Receiving a pass on the edge of the six-yard box with his back to goal, the Frenchman shielded the ball before producing a magnificent back flick into the far corner.

Arsenal 4-2 Liverpool (09/04/04) 

Having been beaten in the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League quarter-finals in the same week, Arsenal were in danger of slipping against Liverpool. With the game finely poised at 2-2, Henry picked the ball up just inside the Liverpool half and breezed past Dietmar Hamann and ghosted past Jamie Carragher before sliding the ball beyond Jerzy Dudek.

Arsenal 1-1 Man United (28/03/04) 

Arsenal were looking to kill off Manchester United's title challenge at Highbury and once again it was Henry who produced a spectacular strike. Following good work by Reyes, Henry took the ball 35 yards out and fired a powerful swerving strike past Roy Carroll.

Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal (25/11/03) 

Arsenal needed a win in the San Siro in a crucial Champions League group game. And it was Henry once more who was their inspiration on one of the Gunners' greatest European nights. With the score finely poised at 2-1 with five minutes remaining, Arsenal broke and the ball came to Henry in his own half. The Frenchman set off on one of his trademark sprints into the box and teased one of the world's best defenders, Javier Zanetti, before firing an angled left-foot drive across Francesco Toldo.

Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham (16/11/02) 

Arguably his greatest goal in an Arsenal shirt and a particular favourite among Gunners fans, Henry scored a quite magnificent solo effort against north London rivals Spurs. After a Tottenham throw had been headed clear of the Arsenal area, Henry controlled the ball deep inside his own half before sprinting to the other end, dummying past two Spurs defenders and smashing a low left-foot shot past Kasey Keller.

West Ham 2-2 Arsenal (24/08/02) 

Arsenal were 2-0 down at Upton Park before Henry brought them back into the game in spectacular fashion. Patrick Vieira passed to Henry some 40 yards from goal and the Frenchman flicked the ball around a West Ham defender, brought it down with his chest and struck a vicious half-volley into the top left-hand corner.

Arsenal 1-0 Man United (01/10/00) 

Possibly the goal which really announced Henry's arrival in the Premier League. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, with his back to goal and being closely marked by Denis Irwin, Henry flicked the ball up with his right foot and in the same movement turned and sent a spectacular volley over Fabian Barthez.

Southampton 0-1 Arsenal (18/09/99) 

With a £10.5million price tag and no goals after his first eight Arsenal games, Henry was under pressure to deliver. And deliver he did, taking a pass from Arsenal captain Tony Adams, cutting inside on to his right foot and curling a delightful effort from 25 yards for his first Arsenal goal.