Football News 24 Hours

2013/12/27

Male players deserve more recognition than women, says Ibrahimovic

Players in the men's soccer team deserve to get more recognition than their female counterparts in Sweden and people should stop whipping up a gender storm about it, striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said

The Sweden captain spoke out after his country's FA was slammed for presenting midfielder Anders Svensson with a new Volvo for breaking Thomas Ravelli's record of 143 international caps.

However, when women's midfielder Therese Sjogran failed to get similar recognition at the same soccer gala despite earning a record 187 caps, the move was widely criticised.

"With all respect for what the ladies have done, and they've done it fantastically well, you can't compare men's and women's football. Give it up, it's not even funny," the Paris Saint Germain striker said in an interview with the Expressen newspaper published on Wednesday.

"When I come out in Europe they compare me to (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo. When I come home they compare me to a female player.

"With all respect for the ladies, they should be rewarded in relation to what they generate (financially).

"I was asked (by Swedish media) in the summer who was the better player, me or (Sweden striker) Lotta Schelin.

"You're joking with me, right? When I've broken all these records, this goal record, the goals in the national team, who shall I compare it to? Shall I compare it to whoever has the record, or the ladies?"

Suarez is best player in world, says Gerrard

England captain Steven Gerrard has acclaimed Liverpool team mate Luis Suarez as the best player in the world on current form.

In 12 appearances this season the red-hot Uruguay striker has scored 19 goals to fire Liverpool to the top of the Premier League. That is six more than his nearest rival, Argentina and Manchester City forward Sergio Augero.

Suarez's prolific streak has earned him a new long-term contract at Anfield where he has overcome widespread misgivings after several controversial incidents including one last season when he bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

"On current form he's the best player in the world," Gerrard said of Suarez.

"Lionel Messi's out injured and Cristiano Ronaldo's had a bit of an injury of late," the Liverpool skipper told Sky Sports television, referring to the number one players at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

"He (Suarez) is certainly the best striker out there. He's proving that with his minutes-to-goals ratio."

The Ivanovic incident resulted in a 10-match domestic suspension that meant the Liverpool striker missed the start of this season.

The 27-year-old Suarez has this season become the first Liverpool player to score at least twice in five consecutive home matches.

He is on course to surpass the Premier League record of 34 goals shared by former England strikers Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

Cole achieved his haul with Newcastle United in 1993-94. Shearer's was with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95.

"He will certainly push it close," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers after Suarez bagged two goals in a 3-1 win over Cardiff CityHe looks like he can score a hat-trick in every game.".

Valencia hire Pizzi as coach to replace sacked Djukic

Valencia have completed the appointment of Argentina-born coach Juan Antonio Pizzi to

replace the sacked Miroslav Djukic, the La Liga club said on Thursday.

Djukic was dismissed last week after Valencia's erratic form left them in danger of missing out on a qualification place for European competition for next season.

Pizzi would be joined by physio Alejandro Richino and assistant Manuel Suarez, Valencia said in a statement on their website (www.valenciacf.com).

The 45-year-old arrives in Spain fresh from leading San Lorenzo to the Argentine championship.

He spent the better part of his playing career in La Liga, where he was a striker for Valencia, Tenerife and Barcelona.

Spain became his adopted country and he represented them at international level 22 times, scoring eight goals.

Pizzi decided at first against taking the Valencia job but was persuaded to reconsider by the club's new sporting director, former Argentina captain Roberto Ayala.

Valencia are 11th in La Liga with just under half the season played and are through to the last 32 of the Europa League, Europe's second-tier club competition, where they will play Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev.

BVB Said reus = £40million.

Manchester United have been warned that David Moyes’s main transfer target Marco Reus will cost up to £40million.

Midfielder Reus had a £29.4m buy-out clause in his contract at Borussia Dortmund

But it is understood the situation has changed since Bayern Munich activated a similar clause to snatch Mario Gotze last summer.
The Barclays Premier League champions will now have to
break their transfer record to sign the 24-year-old.

United scouts have been asking for 'world class players for every position'.

Although midfield remains their priority, they are also keenly looking for attacking players, a left-back and centre-back with the futures of Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand coming into question at the end of the season.

The Premier League champions have the funds, they were prepared to outbid Real Madrid on all fronts in their attempt to sign Gareth Bale in the summer but the Welshman was intent on a move to Spain.

The main trouble lies with value for money in January and the fact most of the players they want are tied up with Champions League clubs who are reluctant to sell their prized assets.

Michy Batshuayi: The Standard Liege striker is on Arsenal's radar

Arsenal are hoping to bring in reinforcements up front this January
and Arsene Wenger has two names in his sights.
The Gunners are Looking at Standard liege hot-shot michy batshuayi, 20, who could be
available for around £8m.
They are stepping up their scouting work on him and doing checks as they look to bolster their squad with a January swoop.
Tottenham have enquired about Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Morata
for a loan deal but fear he is going to Arsenal.
Gunners fans will be hoping Wenger can bring in at least one front man as they continue their quest to end their trophy drought with stretches back to the FA Cup in 2005.