Vedran Corluka is arguably one of the most underrated players in the Premier League and if it wasn’t for the young talent that is Kyle Walker, the Croatian would find himself as a first team regular in the Tottenham team. The right back was growing frustrated at his lack of action in the starting line-up and has moved on loan to Bayer Leverkusen, in order to boost his international chances ahead of the Euros.
While things haven’t been good on the pitch for Vedran in North London, off the pitch it has been decidedly better as he has hooked up with the gorgeous model Vedrana Linardic. Their romance is certainly blossoming and judging by the pictures it is clear that Corluka is well and truly punching above his weight.
Click on Vedrana Linardic below to see her in all her glory
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Football fans are the heartbeat of professional football, without the hordes of supporters piling into stadiums all across the world where would the beautiful game be? The fans keep their clubs ticking over, whether it be buying the merchandise or stumping up the cash for match day and season tickets. Most are fanatical enough to pay whatever their clubs demand, however, this doesn’t mean they are happy about it. This month has seen the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all increase ticket prices by around 6%, with 2.5% of the increase a result in the VAT increase. So I want to explore two sides of the argument; firstly, was this inevitable, due to the current financial climate and just a reality we have to accept? Or is it a case of clubs holding the genuine football supporters to ransom with hiked up prices?
Prices are going up all the time in all areas of life, whether it be the price of petrol, alcohol or food and it would seem that football tickets are just another one to add to the list. There was a wide expectancy from supporters of Premier League and Championship clubs that there was going to be an increase in ticket prices for next season, but it’s not until it’s announced that it really hits home with the fans. This isan area where football clubs have complete power over fans, for if they want to watch their team, most fans will still hand the money over. At the end of the day a football club is a business and it needs to make a profit to survive, so increasing ticket prices is just one of the ways to do it.
From what I have read about the situation the three clubs I have mentioned above have genuinely increased their prices to cope with the VAT rise and have tried to be as reasonable as possible. In this extract from the BBC websiteKeith Jelley, of the Liverpool Supporters Club, said: It’ll be a disappointed reaction from fans but I think it is fair.” The match day tickets at Anfield have only increased by a pound for seats in the Kop and £2 everywhere else, which doesn’t seem a lot, but when added to a season ticket becomes a bigger deal. However, it’s not quite as reasonable at newly promoted QPR, they have increased season tickets at Loftus Road by 40%, a rise which has incensed many Rangers fans who think they are being exploited by their wealthy owners. In this instance I feel QPR are taking advantage of the nationwide ticket increase and are benefiting from their promotion financially at the fan’sexpense.
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The rise in ticket prices is a bitter pill for football fans to swallow but I can’t but help but lean towards the fact it’s something clubs have to do. This is something that was always going to happen, and it will happen again in the future. The increases vary from one club to another and can be scrutinised in different ways, I think QPR have taken it too far with their increase, but the bigger clubs have tried to be as fair as possible. Then again I suppose you could question whythe big clubs, who have just qualified for the Champions League and all its entailed riches, need to make the price increases for the forthcoming season?
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I wouldn’t put the increase in ticket prices solely down to the current financial climate but I do feel it has played a part. Most clubs do value their supporters and try to find a happy medium between prices that are fair for them and the club. It just shows that as much as football supporters wouldn’t be able to live without their beloved teams, the clubs need the fans and their money just as much.
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Internazionale's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder has ended speculation about his future by putting pen to paper on a contract extension to keep him at the San Siro until the summer of 2015.
The 26-year-old enjoyed an astonishing first season with the Nerazzurri, helping Inter to a treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia success, before playing a major role in the Netherlands' progress to the World Cup final.
However, the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with moves to try and prise Sneijder away from Milan, which have now seemingly been dashed.
Inter president Massimo Moratti told the club's official website:"The fans will be happy above all else because we have reached an agreement with Wesley Sneijder for a contract extension until 2015.
"Sneijder became a key player for Inter last season and will be this year and for many years to come.
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"The negotiations started despite the fact he had a long time to go on his old deal, but with mutual satisfaction they were completed this morning."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Torino’s attacking midfielder Alen Stevanovic is being watched by a number of Premier League teams, according to the Daily Mail.
The £6m rated 21 year old has recently been linked with a move to Manchester United and with Alex Ferguson in need of a creative midfielder, Stevanovic could well prove to be the answer.
During his development period at Serie A team Inter Milan, Premier League scouts had already likened him to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Loan spells to FC Toronto have nurtured the Switzerland born midfielder into an outstanding player, which has raised eyebrows in and around Europe. His ever impressive form has inevitably moved him a step closer to an international call up for Serbia, which can only be good for his confidence.
The Serie A team are reportedly willing to sell the young Serbian for £6million and with Manchester United and other top Premier League teams interested, a move away from Italy looks ever more likely.
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Brazil club Santos and Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield both advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.Santos advanced to the last four 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw against Colombia’s Once Caldas, while Maximiliano Moralez was on target twice as Velez beat Paraguay’s Libertad 4-2 for a 7-2 aggregate victory.
Just three days after helping Santos clinch the Campeonato Paulista, Brazilian rising star Neymar was at it again against Once Caldas with a 12th-minute goal to give his side a 2-0 advantage over the two legs.
Once Caldas gave Santos a few anxious moments when Wason Renteria scored on the half-hour mark but the Brazilian club held on to advance.
Velez went into the other quarter-final with a 3-0 lead and they were never threatened as Moralez netted twice and Guillermo Franco and Augusto Fernandez both added goals in the last 30 minutes to secure the victory.
Rodrigo Rojas and Manuel Maciel scored for Libertad.
Santos will face either Mexico’s Chiapas or Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno in the semis, while Velez will take on the winner of Uruguay’s Penarol and Chile’s Universidad Catolica.
Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric has admitted to being below-par during the opening weeks of the season.
The Croatia international has scored one goal in six appearances this season but is unhappy with his form in Spurs' first ever campaign in the Champions League.
"For me, I'm a little out of rhythm," he told the club's official website.
"I've had a couple of injuries this season and I'm not yet back into my rhythm but in a couple of games I'll settle down and play better.
"I just need to be fitter. It's been hard for me because I've had a couple of injures but in a couple of matches I'll be back into full shape."
Meanwhile, Modric has welcomed the arrival of Rafael van der Vaart at White Hart Lane.
The Netherlands international has taken the plaudits after bagging four goals in his six appearances since joining from Real Madrid in August.
"Rafa is an exceptional player and he's showed that since he came to the club," continued Modric.
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"He's a great signing. He's played at great clubs, Ajax, Hamburg, Real Madrid and I think he can give more quality to the team."
"It's not hard to play well with that kind of player and I'm happy he's here with us."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
West Bromwich Albion should consider taking a chance on Tottenham Hotspur winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.
What’s the word?
In order to cope with a gruelling Championship season, the Baggies need strength in depth.
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Darren Moore’s main, and probably only, objective will be to secure promotion to the Premier League following last season’s relegation.
The team are in need of some added zip in attacking areas, and there is one man at Tottenham who could potentially provide that.
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N’Koudou, who is valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, has struggled to get his chance at the North London outfit, but he possesses pace on the wing and he will have something to prove.
Is West Brom a good fit?
Since moving to Tottenham from Marseille in 2016, the Frenchman has failed to earn a regular spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
N’Koudou was sent out on loan to Burnley for the second half of last season, but he struggled to impress.
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Even though his recent history is not ideal from the Baggies’ point of view, the winger does provide different options as he can play on the left or the right.
In addition, due to the fact that he has been given very little game time so far, N’Koudou may be determined to prove himself at a new club.
Plus, the attack-minded player is likely to be used regularly by the Midlands outfit, which can only bode well for his career.
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been making headlines of late, but it has not been for the right reasons.
Questions have been asked about the way in which manager Jose Mourinho utilises him in the squad.
Many fans and pundits alike have claimed that the Portuguese coach is not getting the best out of Pogba when he is part of a two-man midfield.
Pogba’s best performances in his career have been when he is given freedom to create higher up the pitch, rather than deep, where he has been positioned on occasion at United.
A recent report in The Sun claimed that Real Madrid are considering a summer move for the midfielder, who is rumoured to be unhappy with the current situation.
There are no indications that Pogba wants to quit United, but things are far from rosy as he has failed to complete a full game in his last three outings.
On Saturday, the £89m man was left out of the squad that earned a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
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Mourinho confirmed prior to the game that the Frenchman would not feature at the John Smith’s Stadium due to illness.
Rival fans took this opportunity to poke fun at United.
When the Luis Suarez deal to Barcelona is confirmed, there should be little doubt left about Alexis Sanchez’s availability to Arsenal, with the club reportedly ready to pay £25 million for the Chilean international.
Liverpool understandably wanted Alexis as part of the deal that would send Suarez to Catalonia, but the player is said to favour a move to north London with Arsenal. The 25-year-old would very much be considered Arsene Wenger’s marquee forward signing of the summer.
In addition, the club are looking to tie up a deal for Newcastle’s Mathieu Debuchy as Bacary Sagna’s replacement at right-back.
The former Lille full-back has performed well since moving to the Premier League and has been France’s first choice at this World Cup.
Following Alexis and Debuchy’s signings at the Emirates, here are six players who could follow them to north London.
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Click on Sami Khedira to start the gallery
Football – Germany v Portugal – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil – 16/6/14Germany’s Sami Khedira in action with Portugal’s Raul Meireles (R)Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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Loic Remy
Football – Newcastle United v Cardiff City – Barclays Premier League – St James’ Park – 13/14 – 3/5/14Loic Remy – Newcastle United Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee SmithEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
It always looked to be either Carlos Vela or Loic Remy, and now with Arsenal having wiped their hands with the Mexican, Remy looks to be at the head of the list to join Arsenal later this summer.
The French international was heavily linked with a move to north London prior to the World Cup, and while talk hasn’t been as feverish as it once was, there haven’t been too many denials from the club or player, if any.
Remy, reportedly available for just under £10 million, would be a fine addition for Arsenal, though only if he is supported by another forward like Alexis Sanchez. In tandem, Remy and Alexis would considerably boost Arsenal’s chances at landing the Premier League title in the near future.
Sami Khedira
Football – Germany v Portugal – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil – 16/6/14Germany’s Sami Khedira in action with Portugal’s Raul Meireles (R)Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
If Toni Kroos ends up at Real Madrid this summer, Sami Khedira will almost certainly be considered surplus to requirements. The German international has one year remaining on his current contract with the Spanish side and was previously said to be available for around £16 million.
Khedira’s all-action style makes him an interesting target for Arsenal, who need someone to help protect the back four. Khedira has generally excelled playing alongside Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu, while his lengthy injury layoff last season hasn’t altered opinion of the German – he’s still considered hugely important by national team coach Joachim Low.
Khedira may not be the out-and-out defensive midfielder that Arsenal need, but he’d nevertheless be a big help to the team. And for a fee that could very well be less than £20 million, it’s something the club should seriously consider this summer.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Football – Southampton v Norwich City – Barclays Premier League – St Mary’s Stadium – 13/14 – 15/3/14Morgan Schneiderlin – Southampton Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Morgan Schneiderlin is one of a small handful of defensive midfielders Arsenal are looking at, and possibly the easiest to land this summer.
If reports are to be believed, Southampton are holding out for a fee of £20 million. For a 24-year-old full international who knows the Premier League well, Schneiderlin would easily justify that sum.
He’s been deemed the missing piece of the puzzle at Arsenal, who have suffered from a lack of defensive quality in midfield with heavy losses away to title rivals last season. Schneiderlin may not be enough to prevent defeats on his own, but he should put a stop to such damaging scorelines.
Victor Valdes
Football – Manchester City v FC Barcelona – UEFA Champions League Second Round First Leg – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England – 13/14 – 18/2/14Victor Valdes – FC Barcelona Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
The future looks extremely uncertain for Victor Valdes. The former Barcelona goalkeeper looked to be on his way to Monaco this summer after running down his contract at the Camp Nou, but the injury he suffered towards the end of last season has seen the Ligue 1 giants rescind their offer for the Spanish international.
Valdes certainly won’t be fit for the start of next season, such is the severity of his knee injury. But despite what some may think of him – that he had an easy ride as goalkeeper of one of the game’s most dominant teams – he’s a world-class ‘keeper that would immeasurably improve any side.
Arsenal may not want to disrupt the further development of Wojciech Szczesny, but the Polish international will benefit greatly from Valdes’ presence.
The Spanish international would come at a large price wage-wise, but he’d be a very good investment, and certain to be an incredible asset both on and off the pitch.
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Antoine Griezmann
Football – Ecuador v France – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group E – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 25/6/14France’s Antoine Griezmann (L) in action against Ecuador’s Frickson ErazoMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Antoine Griezmann has been in and out of the French side at the World Cup, often rotating with Olivier Giroud for a place on the left of the team’s attack. But Griezmann, following on from another good season with Real Sociedad, has played well whenever given time on the pitch in Brazil.
What has struck many is the forward’s ability in the air, despite being of stature that wouldn’t suggest he’d be comfortable with aerial duels. His scoring record in Spain last season, 16 goals, would make him a fine addition to the Arsenal team next term. He’s very much the natural winger the club are in need of.
Arturo Vidal
Football – Juventus v SL Benfica – UEFA Europa League Semi Final Second Leg – Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy – 13/14 – 1/5/14 Juventus’ Arturo Vidal (L) and Benfica’s Nicholas Gaitan in actionMandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter CziborraEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Arturo Vidal has emerged as recent surprise target for Arsenal, with the club likely wanting to use the potential Alexis Sanchez deal to entice Vidal to north London.
It’s easy to see why the club would want to move for the Juventus midfielder: he’s one of Europe’s absolute best and can occupy a number of roles. The question is whether he and Aaron Ramsey are too similar? Both defensively very good and vital to their teams’ attacks.
It’s not to say Vidal wouldn’t be a sensational signing for Arsenal and a real signal of intent, but perhaps someone who is a specialist at defensive midfielder foremost would be a better target.
Steve Clarke has defended his decision to play Romelu Lukaku instead of Shane Long in West Brom’s defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.
Long, who has scored three goals in the Premier League for the Baggies so far this season, was left on the bench, much to the surprise of some onlookers.
This questioning of Clarke’s decision was heightened as Lukaku, who is playing for the club on loan from Chelsea, missed a host of chances before scoring West Brom’s only goal of the game.
In response, Clarke admitted that the Long did not deserve to get put on the bench, but reiterated that he has many good strikers at the club and thought it was the right time for a change.
“Romelu hasn’t played from the start for a number of weeks. I have a fantastic replacement in Shane Long. Shane has been fantastic for us and didn’t really deserve to be on the bench, but sometimes when you have so many good strikers, you have to make decisions,” he said.
“I thought it was the right change. We were the best team going forward, and we only lost because of a late deflection. We didn’t deserve it. If he’d scored the other two, he’d have put me even more right.”
“When you have a squad of players you can’t keep disappointing them all of the time. Romelu has been a good sub for us, and every now and again, he’ll get a chance to play. Yesterday he got that chance. Shane usually gets the nod and he’s normally the one coming off – because playing as a lone striker is a difficult shift – but I felt yesterday I wanted to reverse it.”
Clarke says that he thought that how the side played and the team’s performance was positive adding, “Because of the result it’ll be looked at as a negative, but I thought in terms of the performance and the way we played it was a positive.”
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