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Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says Charles N’Zogbia cannot talk to Aston Villa until the 10 million-pound asking price for the winger is met.Villa have had a nine million-pound offer turned down, and Whelan has told Wigan’s English Premier League rivals that he will not accept a penny less than what has been determined as the valuation for the Frenchman.

“It’s 10 million pounds or there is no deal,” said Whelan.

“They offered us nine million pounds and we refused it; firstly because we would like to keep Charles, and secondly because if he is to go, then we have to get the right price for him.”

“Charles has played fantastically well in the last year and, with his pace and penetration, there’s no doubt in my mind that he is the finest left-winger in the Premier League.”

N’Zogbia has 12 months left on his current deal and has refused to sign a new contract, meaning if Wigan do not sell the winger now they may lose him for nothing next year.

“If the right offer comes in, we would consider it, if it was in his best interests – but it has to be the right offer,” Whelan said.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal target Joel Campbell has told the club that he will not be making any decision on his future until after the Under-20 World Cup.

The 19-year-old Costa Rican international was believed to be close to joining the Gunners after Arsene Wenger’s side reportedly agreed a fee with the striker’s club Deportivo Saprissa.

But the teenager has now opted to postpone any transfer until after the tournament in Colombia finishes in August, with Manchester United also rumoured to be interested.

“We’ve decided we will not sign anything yet,” Campbell’s father Humberto told La Nacion.

“We have other offers on the table that are being analysed, but nothing’s done. Let’s negotiate after the World Cup.”

Deportivo Saprissa president Juan Carlos Rojas expressed his disappointment that the proposed deal with Arsenal is, for the moment, on hold.

“It’s disappointing for football, for Saprissa that these people have not taken Arsenal’s offer seriously,” Rojas stated.

“I assume the father thinks things will get better after the decision, but there’s always a risk.”

French club Rennes have announced the arrival of left-back Chris Mavinga from Liverpool.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has penned a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 club following two seasons at Anfield. Reds goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi has also left the club, but only on a season-long loan to Championship side Hull City.

Former Chelsea, Stoke City and Fulham forward Eidur Gudjohnsen has signed a two-year deal with Greek club AEK Athens, while freshly promoted Swansea have reportedly had a two million-pound bid for Newcastle United winger Wayne Routledge accepted.

In the Championship, Watford have signed veteran striker Chris Iwelumo from Burnley for 500,000 pounds, while Crystal Palace have landed Norway left-back Jonathan Parr.

In Italy, Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has insisted that he is extremely happy playing for Walter Mazzarri’s side.

The Slovakia international has been linked with a move to Italian champions AC Milan following a fruitful season helping Napoli finish third in Serie A and gaining automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League.

“I am happy to remain,” Hamsik said, according to ESPNSoccernet. “I am very happy at Napoli.”

Hamsik joined Napoli from Brescia in 2007 and has since established himself as one of the best attacking players in the Italian top flight.

Staying in Serie A, Amauri appears close to departing Juventus to return home to Brazilian club Flamengo, while Portugal international midfielder Tiago Mendes has left the club by mutual consent.

Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni could yet stay with the La Liga club, after talks over personal terms with AS Roma reportedly broke down.

Elsewhere in Spain, Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of striker Adrian from relegated outfit Deportivo La Coruna on a free transfer.

The 23-year-old was involved in a long-running contractual wrangle with the Galician outfit, beginning in January when Atleti had first set their eyes on the forward, whose contract was set to expire after the 2010/11 season.

The conflict finally ended Monday as Labour Law and Social Security professor Miguel Cardenal ruled in favour of the player, while opting to annul Deportivo’s decision to unilaterally renew his contract for a further season.

Subsequently, the former Spain Under-21 forward has signed a four-year deal with Atletico, tying him to the club until 2015.

Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has reportedly snubbed Manchester City’s interest in his services in favour of rivals United.The Dutch playmaker has been linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout the transfer window with the clubs reportedly set to agree to a 27.5 million euros fee.

But rivals Manchester City also enquired about the midfielder, only to be told he was more interested in joining English Premier League champions United.

“Sneijder wants to play for Manchester United because of their prestige and tradition, which meant City never really followed up their interest,” Goal.com were told on Saturday.

“City were also put off by Inter’s asking price, which is also a problem for United because of his salary expectations.”

“United have told Inter they will pay 27.5 million euros for Sneijder. Inter have said they want 40 million euros, although they could be willing to sell for 35 million euros.”

Talks have stalled between the parties but it is likely a deal will be reached with new Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini no longer considering Sneijder indispensable.

If Sneijder makes the move, Inter are likely to make a bid for want-away Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez.

The Argentine’s representative, Kia Joorabchian, was reportedly in Milan on Thursday to speak with Inter officials.

In Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain’s spending spree continues after Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini confirmed a deal to sell Javier Pastore to the French club for 43 million euros.

The Argentine playmaker, linked to clubs in England, Italy and Spain, will join PSG, who were recently taken over by the Qatari Investment Authority.

“(We) closed the deal last night (Friday) around midnight. Basically it’s the official transfer of Pastore to Paris Saint-Germain, based on a 43 million euros (fee),” director of sport Guglielmo Micciche told a French radio station.

The 22-year-old will join Blaise Matuidi, Jeremy Menez and Kevin Gameiro as new signings at the Parc des Princes.

Meanwhile, Juventus are on the verge of signing Roma’s Mirko Vucinic, with a deal in the region of 15 million euros set to be completed on Monday, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Tottenham go into their season opener with only Brad Friedel the new addition to Harry Redknapp’s squad.  The North Londoners have been linked to half of Europe this summer but have failed to make any significant breakthrough in strengthening their squad. Levy is renowned for leaving his transfer business right until the last minute and this window appears to be no different.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs that includes an Assou-Ekotto love affair; last minute dealings at Tottenham, while rumours causing more harm than good at WHL

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

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Harry – let’s look at the Tottenham team you could have had…

What to expect from Tottenham Hotspur

He must forever rue the day he first quit Tottenham

Assou-Ekotto and Tottenham: a slow burning love affair

Controversial transfer, but is he really the answer for Tottenham?

Last minute transfer dealings at White Hart Lane?

Transfer rumours cause more harm than good

The psychological enemy within Tottenham Hotspur?

Levy set to sanction funds for striker

£15m Brazilian keen on Tottenham and Arsenal move

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Best of WEB

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Fings ain’t what they used to be. –Spurs Musings From JimmyG2

The Tottenham Prophecy – Part Three – Dear Mr Levy

Redknapp Should Keep Quiet But That Won’t Mask the Problems – Tottenham On My Mind

Champions League? Overrated –Who Framed Ruel Fox?

Oh Do Shut Yer Cakehole… – Harry Hotspur

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Click on image below to see Carles’s latest lady

Alex Oxlade Chamberlian arrived this summer as little more than a confirmation of Arsene Wenger’s flawed transfer policy, a throwback to the past as it were – an obsession with focusing on the future when investment was required on the present. Now, after an impressive performance on his Champions League debut, he now represents optimistic Gunners fans’ hopes of the future. Having mirrored the move Theo Walcott made back in 2006, a player 4 years his senior, the parallels are there for all to see. While Walcott is still striving to prove himself, will Wenger be able to steer Oxlade-Chamberlain in the right direction at a quicker rate? That is the challenge the beleaguered Arsenal boss has now set himself.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was always destined to be compared to Walcott. They both play in the same position, they both come from the same club and they both cost a disproportionate amount of money considering their relative inexperience in the top flight. However, dig a little deeper, and it

is as close to the continual folly by which Andre Villas-Boas is often likened to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. The differences are most definitely there, if you’d only care to look beyond the headline.

Theo Walcott is most definitely a mixed bag. Alan Hansen once derided the player on the Match of the Day sofa for lacking that most crucial of tools at the highest level – ‘a footballing brain’. Trying to come to some sort of concrete opinion on Walcott is an extremely difficult task; just when you think he’s turned a corner in terms of his development, a frustrating spell of indifferent form follows or an injury threatens to curtail all of his progress. Or vice versa, just when he’s been written off for the umpteenth time, he delivers a crucial goal or assist in a match of season-defining

importance.

While the pros and cons of a player such as Walcott ensure that he’s forever likely to be a player that divides opinion, one judgement that will unite most fans is this – he’s simply not developed at a quick enough rate considering his potential.

Walcott is 22 years of age now and he boasts a wealth of Champions League, international and Premier League experience. While it’s worth remembering that his career is still in its relative infancy, the inconsistency that has marred his play has shown no signs of disappearing anytime soon.

What is quantifiable though is the increased end product of his endeavours. Last season Walcott achieved his most successful campaign yet in an Arsenal shirt, scoring 13 times and assisting 8 goals across all competitions. For a player that considers himself to be playing out of position, that’s a healthy return by anyone’s standards.

Returning to Oxlade-Chamberlain, after the Olympiakos win, assistant-manager Pat Rice lavished praise on his club’s latest new-fangled youngling stating: “He has a big, big challenge to now get in front of Theo. It all bodes well for England anyway. From Arsenal supporters’ point of view, they are going to be seeing a lot of this boy,” Rice added. I know that Theo is a very strong-willed guy as well and he won’t give in easy. Alex can go inside, he can go outside, he’s got that injection of pace and I think what he needs now is to be consistent in his play. I am sure that is something he will be working on because he’s certainly not a stupid boy.”

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There are two things to extrapolate from a statement such as this. The first being that Oxlade-Chamberlain has certainly arrived and will become much more heavily involved as the season progresses. The second, to my mind at least, is that it may hint at a switch inside for Walcott to a more central role. The long-term planning must be to have Chamberlain on the right and Walcott in his preferred central striking position, otherwise spending such a hefty sum of money on a position that simply didn’t require reinvestment is nothing short of daft.

There are subtle differences between both the players game’s already too. Walcott appears to be the quicker of the two and while Oxlade-Chamberlain is no slouch, he doesn’t quite have the England midfielder’s devastating injection of pace. Oxlade-Chamberlain appears to have a wiser head on his shoulders to with concerns to positional play. He may have left Sagna exposed on occasion, but no more so than Walcott has been doing in the past couple of years. He looks calmer and more composed on the ball and if rumours at to be believed, has a better delivery on him too.

To put it simply, he looks more advanced at the same age than Walcott was. But herein lays the problem with comparing two players such as this. They are both young and will both develop in different ways. Walcott can infuriate and inspire in equal measure – an inconsistent, game-changing player he will always remain no matter how much coaching you give him. He’s more instinctive whereas Oxlade-Chamberlain looks tailor-made to be taught.

Walcott finally appears to be delivering on his potential to an extent. However, he can still cut a peripheral figure on the side-lines at times, seemingly lacking the predisposed nature to get himself involved in better positions in tight games. The frustration with Walcott appears to reside in the fact that he’s simply not going to turn out to be the world-beater we all hoped he would be after he first burst onto the scene. Instead, he’s destined to be a flawed, speedy and potentially match-winning winger – a precious commodity all the same.

With Oxlade-Chamberlain though, the benefits of having a full season under his belt in a competitive league such as League One already appear to be bearing fruit. Wenger won’t rush him, he’s far too sensible for that, but unlike with the Walcott acquisition, because he looks a more rounded player, he may be able to blood him quicker which can only be to the player’s

future benefit.

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The proposition of the two dovetailing in Arsenal’s attack in the years to come is an exciting prospect for Arsenal and England fans. But this idealised prospect comes with a caveat of sorts – just don’t expect them to be the same player, for the subtle differences in their games are only likely to grow further as Wenger gets his professorial clutches into his latest protégé.

You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1

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Fernando Torres went from hero to zero in an enthralling encounter at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish striker, who came in for much stick following his horror miss last weekend, immediately made an amends with a fabulous strike to give Chelsea the lead. Torres appeared to be on fire this afternoon and some intricate footwork help lay on the second goal for Ramires.

Just as Chelsea looked to run riot with Torres leading the charge an uncharacteristic lunge at Mark Gower saw Mike Reed show him an instant red card. While the Spaniard pleaded his innocence, the replays showed it was an ugly challenge that could have caused some injury had full contact been made.

Swansea to be fair were a lot better than the scoreline suggested but for all their efforts and endeavours were unable to convert anything in the final third. Ramires got his second of the game midway through the second half and although Williams got a late reply for Brendan Rogers’ side, the returning Didier Drogba completed the rout in the final seconds of the game.

A good win for Andre Villas-Boas, although I am sure he will be the first to appreciate the spirited performance of Swansea City.

Are you in the money tonight? Have you become a millionaire? The Results are in…

2 – 21 – 28 – 31 – 32 – 41

Liverpool welcome in-form Norwich to Anfield for Saturday’s tea-time fixture with the intention of taking all three points after being pegged back by Manchester United last week.

Javier Hernandez’s late header for the Red Devils snatched a point for United nine minutes from time after Steven Gerrard’s free kick on his return to the starting eleven looked to have handed the Reds victory. It was a blow to manager Kenny Dalglish who has got Liverpool playing more like a top-four side every week. The additions of Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam in midfield has given the side an extra dash of pace and creativity whilst Luis Suarez continues to excite up front with his blockbuster displays. Captain Gerrard’s return from a groin injury is massive and his inspiration and drive will be huge to the clubs chances of bringing European football back to Anfield. The 31-year-old was dynamic last week tearing around the pitch like a man 10 years his junior and his link up with Suarez could prove dangerous for Premier League defences. Last week’s draw put to end a run of three wins on the bounce and gave fans reason to send the defeats to Stoke and Tottenham to their back of their minds. Should fourth place Newcastle lose victory over the plucky Canaries could see Liverpool rise into fourth place and a few points behind Chelsea. Is it too early for Dalglish to consider a title challenge? One thing that needs sorting out is the defence with only two clean sheets in the last 10 league and cup games not the record of a team challenging at Premier League summit. They shouldn’t worry though as Norwich haven’t won at Anfield since 1994.

Paul Lamberts side go into the game on the back of a superb win over fellow promoted side Swansea at Carrow Road last Saturday. The Canaries have been a surprise package this campaign lying ninth in the table with a healthy return of 11 points from eight games. Credit must go to Lambert for his transfer dealings in the summer with lower league players Anthony Pilkinton, Elliott Bennett, Steve Morison and Bradley Johnson all stepping up their game to top-flight standards. Pilkington in particular has been very impressive with his energy and skill from midfield making him a real threat. He scored two quality goals last week and should have bagged at least one against Man United at Old Trafford three weeks ago. They also pushed Chelsea to their limits earlier in the season with the dismissal of goalkeeper John Ruddy the only thing that stopped them from taking something away from Stamford Bridge. They’ll need to start defending better though having conceded a goal in every league game this season with their last clean sheet in the Premier League coming in a 1-0 over Birmingham on 7 May 2005. Their last win at Anfield in ’94 was a similar scoreline with the only goal scored by club legend Jeremy Goss.

Key Players

Steven Gerrard – The captain is back and slowly beginning to return to this best. A dynamic display against United last week was just what the doctor ordered and Liverpool looked a more complete side with Gerrard in the heart of the midfield. His driving runs and sheer level of inspiration will serve the club well in their hunt for silverware as long as he can remain fit.

Anthony Pilkington – Two goals last week added to another enterprising performance from the former Huddersfield winger who is rapidly becoming a key figure for Norwich. His energy and artistry down the wings have been vital to the Canaries strong start and he’ll be hoping to hand out some nightmare treatment to Jose Enrique on Saturday night.

Prediction: 3-1

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Talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard made his first start in six months following a groin operation and responded by covering more ground than anyone on the pitch with 12.976km, contributing to an overall distance covered of 121.091km by Liverpool Jose Enrique is Liverpool’s top ranked player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in 24th place. The full back has put in 18 crosses and won 83% of tackles entered into this season Norwich remain the hardest working team in the Premier League after covering 142.522km in the game Pilkington has scored 3 goals this season from 6 attempts at goal while also putting in 12 crosses and competing 13 dribbles and 66 passes in his opponents half in 7 appearances

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Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a move for Thierry Henry in the January window. The Arsenal boss has been impressed with the Frenchman’s sharpness in training and is open to the possibility of taking him on a short term loan, providing they can agree a deal with the New York Red Bulls.

Elsewhere in the news Ferguson accuses Liverpool of ignoring the FA’s advice; Blackburn face financial fiasco, while Villas-Boas claims he would pay £50m for Fernando Torres.

Manchester City reveal biggest ever loss in English football – Guardian

Redknapp: Blatter’s comments were idiotic – Daily Telegraph

I’d pay £50m for Torres today, says Villas-Boas – Independent

Re-sign Thierry? I wouldn’t rule it out, says Arsenal boss Wenger – Daily Mail

Ferguson: Liverpool ignored FA advice – Guardian

Blackburn face financial fiasco – Daily Telegraph

Hamburg ready to pounce for Pogba – TalkSport

Villa manager McLeish reads the riot act to wayward Bannan – Daily Mail

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Richards must wise up to play for England says Mancini – Mirror

Warnock: players’ boycott could force Blatter out – Guardian

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It may only be ‘just a game’ but let’s face facts, to many of us, football plays a massive role in our day to day lives. Over the course of a season it can take us from euphoric highs to shattering lows.

This weekly torture, in knowing that our mood will be defined by the weekend’s results, is something that we football fans strangely seem to thrive on.

While considering myself a patriotic Englishman, the international break did not quite have the same effect. Yes, I wanted England to do well. Yes, I was pleased with the back to back victories. However, did the results define my mood? No, international friendlies just don’t quite do it in the manner that club football does.

The point behind this article is that from the heart, I am passionate about English football. It may have been just two weeks without the bread and butter that is league football, but I have missed it. Now, taking that into consideration, you can see that I love our game in its current format.

When the eradication of promotion and relegation from the Premier League was mooted a few weeks ago I was horror-struck by the prospect. My view being, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.

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I was once again dismayed this week, this time by a suggestion from Barcelona president Sandro Rosell. The 47 year old Spaniard put forth the idea that the Premier League, as well as Europe’s other top leagues, reduce the number of clubs involved.

If, for example, the Premier League was reduced from its current 20 team format to 16 teams, each side would have 8 fewer games per season. This, as Rosell went on to state, would allow European fixtures to be played at the weekend, ‘We could perhaps play Barcelona versus Manchester United on Saturdays.’

Indeed, Rosell said that the free fixture dates ‘are for the clubs to organise friendly games or to increase the European competitions.’

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a massive fan of European football. The Champions League and the Europa League make the gap between domestic football that little bit easier. Yet, the very thought of watching Barcelona versus Manchester United on a Saturday night at the expense of a Premier League fixture, no, it’s not for me. By all means, back in May, in the Champions League final, it worked for me. Yet midseason, instead of Manchester United versus Swansea? I’m actually quite content to keep things how they are.

Thankfully, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore calmed me down on Thursday night, as it seems he too, is happy with the game as it is.

Scudamore stated that, ‘Our clubs have no view whatsoever to be playing European football on a weekend. European football is a midweek competition, and domestic football is a weekend competition.’

In 2014 the ECA (European Club Association) and UEFA will have to negotiate a new deal to govern the structure of European football. Already the prospect of a breakaway European Super League has been mooted. Money talks and the top clubs may just be tempted when offered increased revenues?

I for one am fearful of a change, for me the current system works perfectly and European football is a healthy entity. I only hope that in a few years time I will still spend my Saturday’s watching the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa play each other than Bayern Munich and Barca.

Do you share my fears for the future of English football? Will a European Super League be formed in 2014? Comment and follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries

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Manchester City surrendered their lead at the top of the Premier League as they failed to score for the first time this season after being held to a goalless draw by West Brom.

Roberto Mancini’s millionaires failed to break down a resolute Baggies side at the Hawthorns and now only sit above rivals United at the top of the table on goal difference. Despite dominating possession for large majority of the game City just couldn’t find a way past the home side’s defence as Albion kept up their impressive recent form. Roy Hodgson had already masterminded away wins at Blackburn and Newcastle and his players made it seven points from the last nine to consolidate their position in the top half of the table going into 2012. The last 12 months have been a fairytale for the Citizens with Mancini guiding them to an FA Cup win in May whilst they are leading England’s top division at christmas for the first time since 1929.

It was no surprise that they swaggered into the Midlands expecting to travel home with another three points under their belts although they didn’t get exactly what they wished for. The Baggies consigned City to shooting from distance for much of the first half with Mario Balotelli and Samir Nasri both trying their luck but failing to beat Ben Foster. Even the usually impeccable David Silva was having an off day in front of goal side footing over the cross bar from 15-yards after being picked out by Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian was then guilty of spurning a golden chance allowing Gareth McAuley to make a last ditch challenge after breaking the offside trap with James Milner then heading wide from close range. The hosts seemed happy to sit back and soak up the pressure rarely venturing forward although when they did Christ Brunt flashing an effort past the post before Paul Scharner decided to try his luck from 30-yards forcing Joe Hart into a save.

More openings appeared in the second half as City became frustrated with Albions commitment levels continuing to rise after the break with Shane Long almost breaking the deadlock but couldn’t manage to direct his header from Jermaine Thomas’ cross towards goal. Brunt then fired a free kick wide of Hart’s goal before Thomas drove a 25-yard strike off the foot of the post as the pendulum swung in favour of the home side. The visitors weren’t out of it yet and continued to push for a winner but it wasn’t forthcoming and Mancini’s men will now head into the New Year with United breathing heavily down their necks

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Arsenal are believed to be weighing up a loan move for former striker Thierry Henry, who is on a break from his MLS duties.

With the top flight competition in the United States not restarting to March, the veteran French attacker has been training with the North London outfit in a bid to maintain fitness.

However, Sky Sports indicate that Arsene Wenger has made a loan bid to the New York Red Bulls for Henry, which would see him eligible to play for The Gunners over the next two months.

Henry is the club’s all-time top goalscorer and is adored by Arsenal fans for his performances over eight seasons in England.

The Gunners will be without Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho come mid-January, as both will be on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, and this may force Wenger’s hand to make a temporary move for Henry.

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker feels that Henry still has the quality to play in the Premier League, after facing the speedy attacker in training.

“I am very happy to play against him in training and it is a great experience,” the Germany international told The Guardian.

“He is playing very, very good. He is a great opportunity for us but I’m not the manager. I couldn’t make a decision on what is possible for him or for us. In training, he shows his class and to have him with us is great because he shows his attitude, his experience.

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“He still has the same attitude he showed in a lot of games at Arsenal,” Mertesacker concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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