Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is unconcerned that the club will struggle to keep hold of players at the end of the season.Redknapp steered Spurs to the quarter-final stage in Europe this season before being edged out by Barcelona and he is confident the club can build on that success rather than having players picked off by other clubs.
Although they have missed out on the top four finish they needed to qualify for the Champions League again, Redknapp’s men travel to fifth-placed Liverpool knowing a win could put them in line for a Europa League place next season.
“I don’t think it will be hard to keep hold of our players. We never had Champions League football before,” he said.
“Players have not signed for us because we’re in the Champions League. If people want to leave it’s up to them, we can find other players. There are plenty of other players about.”
“It has been a fantastic season, one of the best Tottenham seasons since I don’t know when.”
“We were in the last eight of the Champions League and were pushing to finish in the top four all year.”
“We have done better this year than last. We beat teams like Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Champions League. It has been a great run.”
“If we finish fifth, for me it would be a better season than last year. It’s tough to get into that top four and is getting tougher.”
“We need to improve a little bit again if we want to keep pushing and that’s the challenge for next season.”
Sunday’s hosts Liverpool have been resurgent since Kenny Dalglish took charge in February and Redknapp said they will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
“Kenny has done a great job since he’s taken over. He’s a top man, a different class, a proper legend of the game,” he said.
“Liverpool fans love him; he’s Liverpool through and through. It’s a great club with a great tradition and I’m very pleased to see Kenny back in charge there.”
“Next season Liverpool will be stronger again.”
“Suarez has done great and there’s Carroll up front too.”
“Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are the backbone of the team and they have a fantastic keeper. They have the nucleus of a very strong team.”
Liverpool will be without defender Fabio Aurelio (thigh), Daniel Agger (thigh), Gerrard (groin) and forward Milan Jovanovic (knee).
While Tom Cleverley is making a name for himself on the pitch, off it he isn’t doing too badly either having pulled himself a blonde model that is certainly up there in the current Wag Arena within the Premier League.
The Manchester United starlet is highly thought of at Old Trafford, with many suggesting he destined for the very top in the years to come. There’s nothing to suggest that Miss O’Hara will remain with Cleverley as he steps up week in, week out within the Premier League, however I am sure most United fans will agree that she represents a good place to start.
Click on image below to view our sexiest gallery yet
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Where does Ms O’Hara rank among the Manchester United WAGS – click here to find out
The world of football has perhaps the shortest of memories. New players seem to come and go every season, having either struggled to live up to expectations, found themselves unable to settle or simply moved on to bigger and better things.
Quite often these ‘stars’ fail to live up to the glories of their early careers, slumping down the league system or moving to far-flung areas of the globe in search of that final football fix. Hype, injuries and unfair expectations have claimed a fair few victims down the years, damaging the potential of a lot of players.
This list looks through some of the men who have graced the Premier League, before quietly slipping out of the back door and onto the footballing scrapheap. There will almost certainly be a few names that spring to mind, but here’s a list of ten, who have become forgotten men.
Click on Michael Bridges to unveil the top 10 forgotten Premier League players
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Last August a defiant Harry Redknapp told the Telegraph that he believed Tottenham could not only finish above arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premiership for the first time since 1995, but that his Spurs side were capable of mounting a serious title challenge. “We were behind Arsenal by miles for years and years and years but now we’ve got a chance to really push them and get above them,” enthused the former Portsmouth boss, before continuing: “That would be great for Tottenham fans and its possible we just need to improve that little bit now and if we could do that it could happen.”
Redknapp also predicted in last year’s interview that Craig Bellamy would join Fulham and that Liverpool would be challenging for honours, neither of which materialized. But his assertion that, “you have to push on; if you don’t and stand still then others will pass you,” did come to fruition, as perennial Champions’ League qualification rivals, Manchester City, replaced Spurs in the top 4, in fact finishing in third. Redknapp’s belief was echoed regularly throughout the season by his White Hart Lane charges, with Peter Crouch claiming in March: “Doing better than Arsenal really does mean something. It is great for the club because they [Arsenal] have been above us for a number of years and now it is so nice to go one step further.”
The 6ft 7in striker was speaking not long after the Gunners’ elimination from the Champions’ League by this weekend’s finalists, Barcelona, and Spurs’ unexpected progression to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 aggregate win against AC Milan. Since then, neither club were able to maintain the momentum gathered from their early season form, with Arsenal eventually finishing fourth in League, and requiring a two-legged qualification tie to progress to the group stages of next season’s Champions’ League, and Spurs ending up behind City with the consolation of Europa League football next campaign.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
But what now for the eternal north London rivals? A busy summer is inevitably in store for Redknapp and Arsene Wenger as both managers seek to improve on relative disappointments this campaign, but can Spurs pip Arsenal in the League next season for the first time in seventeen years? Personally I think next year will come too soon for Redknapp’s players, and it is unlikely they will be able to attract the likes of Sergio Aguero – who Spurs unsuccessfully bid around £38million for in January – without the allure of Champions League football. The Argentine has actually announced his intention to leave current club Atletico Madrid this summer, but will probably move to a club considered amongst the more esteemed on the continent, rather than a team with only a Europa League offering.
It could be argued that Spurs’ star asset this term, £8million signing Rafael van der Vaart, wouldn’t have considered joining a club of Tottenham’s stature had the club failed to reach the top 4 the previous season. In this regard, it would be difficult to imagine Redknapp convincing players of the Dutchman’s calibre to relinquish at least one year outside of European football’s top table. Conversely, should Arsenal’s leader finally decide to invest considerably in new playing staff, the Frenchman will likely be able to entice players of a standard which could improve the team’s performance; much like van der Vaart has done with Spurs this season.
All of these questions remain to be answered, but seeing as the Gunners’ propensity for late-season disappointments has continued for a sixth consecutive year, surely now is the time Wenger will negate his miserly economic principles in order to push Arsenal back to the summit of the Premier League table. For now we will have to wait and see, but it is likely that the elusive fourth position, which Spurs deservedly achieved last year, will impact significantly on both clubs’ attempts to improve on faltering finishes to the recently completed season.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Do you think Spurs can overtake Arsenal next year? Have your say on Twitter
[divider]
Imogen Thomas Joins Paddy Power For a Champion Offer! They will refund losing Champions League Final bets if Man United lose the match Make your bets now!
Former Liverpool star Kenny Dalglish is hoping the coming week will prove to be the start of a prosperous new future at Anfield.
The under-achieving Premier League side have failed to reach the heights expected of them this term and, with New England Sports Ventures seeking to oust current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Dalglish is pinning his hopes on the group to turn their fortunes around.
"These have been depressing times at Anfield," he said.
"It is never nice when your football club are making as many headlines on the front pages as the back.
"This week looks set to be huge for Liverpool but there is still a feeling of uncertainty because nobody can guarantee what is going to happen next.
"I feel particularly for the fans, who must find it difficult to know which way to turn. I am sure the majority of them are quite happy that the club might be sold but what they really want is to see Liverpool move onwards and upwards from here.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"Let's hope we can and that things work out. Liverpool is usually a glass half-full kind of city, and The Kop are renowned throughout the world for their humour and spirit."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Six days ago Liverpool supporters were celebrating after watching their side triumph over Cardiff City in an enthralling Carling Cup final and pick up their first piece of silverware in six-years.
Kenny Dalglish’s Anfield project fully kicked into gear after penalties victory last week but that all came crashing down to earth on Saturday as their hopes of Champions League football took a huge hit. A home defeat at the hands of fourth placed Arsenal left them 10 points behind adrift of the Gunners. Despite their cup win ensuring Europa League football next season Dalglish was keen to lead the Reds into battle with Europe’s elite teams but that dream is all but dashed.
This week on FFC discussion has surrounded whether Liverpool’s Carling Cup win can propel them onto better things and Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita admits he’d be open to moving to Merseyside.
[divider]
Best of FFC
Liverpool’s transfer priority this summer?
Reasons for optimism at Liverpool?
Mixed bag of results has become a recurring theme at Anfield
Barca ace talks up Liverpool move
Transfers would provide a real statement of intent for Liverpool
Simply the catalyst Liverpool needed?
Let me not go to Anfield in peace! – ‘The Football Coffee Break Episode 5′
Caption Competition: Family love on show at Wembley
[divider]
Best of WEB
[divider]
1 win in 7 games, 4th place gone…but it’s okay we won the Carling Cup – Liverpool Kop
Captain fantastic or selfish scouser? – Live4Liverpool
Dirk Kuyt – Working Class Hero – This is Anfield
Cup Success: Cheers and Caveats – The Tomkins Times
Is Carragher finished? Try telling him that – Live4Liverpool
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Quote of the week
[divider]
“Every member of the squad has contributed to this and worked really hard to get here. Now we need to see if we can kick on from here. I think this will inspire the players. I don’t think anyone has ever won a trophy at Wembley, the Millennium [Stadium] or Europe and not come away without enjoying it. It must give you a taste for more. That doesn’t mean to say it’s going to happen but it can have an impact.” Kenny Dalglish following Liverpool’s Carling Cup triumph
A Liverpool master-class, capped by Maxi Rodriguez’s second hat-trick in three games, helped Kenny Dalglish’s side to a 5-2 win over Fulham.It took just 26 seconds for Liverpool to open the scoring in the English Premier League encounter at Craven Cottage on Monday.
Aaron Hughes strode confidently out of the Fulham defence only to see his pass intercepted by Dirk Kuyt, who released Luis Suarez down the left flank.
His cross almost resulted in an own goal by Carlos Salcido but Mark Schwarzer came to the rescue, only to see Maxi pounce and fire the ball past the outstretched Australian keeper.
The visitors lead was doubled after just six minutes when England right-back Glen Johnson was allowed to surge down the right, reaching Fulham’s goal line and sending a perfectly-weighted ball to the back post.
Chris Baird lost sight of Maxi and the Argentine angled home with his left foot.
The third Liverpool goal came on 15 minutes and just seconds after Fulham had their first shot of the game, albeit a miscued one.
Kuyt received the ball on the corner of Fulham’s 18-yard box and struck a tame looking drive at Schwarzer’s near post.
The goalkeeper seemed set to comfortably collect the ball but, in a momentary loss of concentration, palmed it into his own net.
Liverpool spent the remainder of the half playing exhibition football.
Assured in defence and inventive in attack, they were showing the sort of form that should guarantee Dalglish the manager’s job on a permanent and long-term deal.
Fulham were playing like their summer holiday started three games too soon.
The home side did look a new team in the second half, however, thanks largely to the introduction of Bobby Zamora from the substitutes bench.
The forward helped them pull a goal back 10 minutes after the interval, holding the ball up well before setting up Moussa Dembele to curl a shot past Pepe Reina.
But Maxi popped up to complete his hat-trick just four minutes after Fulham were given the faintest glimmer of hope, and it was the Argentine’s his most spectacular of the evening.
Brede Hangeland was caught in possession by the attacker, who took one touch with his white boots and rifled the ball beyond Fulham’s stranded keeper from 25 yards.
Suraez must have felt upstaged by his treble-scoring team-mate because, just five minutes after Maxi completed his hat-trick, the Uruguayan popped up with a goal of his own.
Jonjo Shelvey cut an already shredded Fulham defence apart with a single pass to release Suarez, who slotted calmly past Schwarzer.
Steve Sidwell managed to reduce the deficit with five minutes remaining with an expert finish from outside the Liverpool area, but it did little to reduce the feeling of disappointment surrounding the west London side.
As a child, I can still distinctly remember being told by my dad about a young Northern Ireland midfielder named Paul McVeigh. Apparently, the young prodigy was mustard, and reminiscent of his countryman the late great George Best (sans the whisky). He could beat people for fun, me’old Dad told said, and was going to be a star! Unfortunately, this didn’t quite turn out to be the case…
Ever since, like many Tottenham fans, I am cynical whenever I hear about a youngster Tottenham are about to sign, or is emerging from the youth team, as it’s fair to say, over the years, there have been one too many Paul McVeighs…
So here they are in all their glory, the Tottenham wonder kids that never were, or as I like to call them, latter day John Bostocks…
Steffen Iversen
Iversen served the club well between 1996 and 2003, winning the League Cup with Tottenham in 1999, and was by no means a poor player. However, when Iversen signed for Spurs, it was viewed as a real coup. Iversen had scored 18 goals in 50 appearances for Rosenborg BK, and his contribution to their success led Spurs to spend £2.7m on the striker, with clubs all over Europe looking at the player. Despite a promising first season, where he scored six goals including a hat-trick against Sunderland at Roker Park, Iversen never became the goal scorer fans hoped. Injuries halted his progress, and Iversen failed to live up to the hype.
Jonathan Blondel
Blondel signed for Tottenham in August 2002, with Glenn Hoddle and David Pleat confirming they had convinced the young Belgian to sign for Spurs over Manchester United. Blondel’s signature was thus celebrated in North London as a major coup at the time. In hindsight, Blondel had only played 18 times for his club Royal Excelsior Mouscron, and despite his reputation and fee (Spurs had spent £800k on the youngster), he had only been playing in the Belgium league. Blondel was hyped as a skilful attacking midfielder that would soon be challenging the likes of Freund, Poyet and Anderton for places. In actual fact, Blondel would make just two substitute appearances, before being shipped off to Club Bruges. Spending £800k on a player, playing him twice, then allowing him to leave on a free two seasons later, may not make sense to most, but is classic Tottenham.
Helder Postiga
After José Mourinho took over the reigns as Porto manager, Postiga soon exploded onto the scene in Portugal. He scored 13 goals in their 2002–03 campaign, and before his twenty-first birthday had become a star in Portugal, earning a permanent slot in the Portuguese under-21 side. This prompted Glenn Hoddle to part with £6.25m to bring Helder to White Hart Lane, with much expected from the Portuguese. Hoddle told the official Spurs website:
“He is a player who will add definite striking quality to our squad and is a young player of proven ability… I’m sure our supporters will enjoy watching him over the coming seasons.”
Actually, Postiga would make only 12 full appearances and score just 2 goals with Spurs.
Well done Glenn.
Continued on Page TWO
Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington
Davies and Etherington are perhaps unfairly placed on this list, as it was not their fault that Championship Manager 1999/2000 had rendered the pair famous. On ‘Champ’, the Peterborough duo were awesome, (although Davies was always the better player for me), but hopefully, that’s not why George Graham departed with £700k to bring them to the club in December 1999.
The dreaded words ‘Manchester United’ and ‘trial’ can also be attributed here, as the pair were both given the once over (not like that, grow up) by Alex Ferguson. However, the boys ended up at White Hart Lane, and it was only a matter of time before they brought the title with them…
Unfortunately, Etherington turned out to have an inability to cross the ball, whilst Simon Davies could be blown away with a gust of wind. In the end the only thing that developed whilst the pair were at the Lane, was Etherington’s penchant for a flutter.
In fairness, both presently have careers with Premier League clubs, and Etherington is now cured of his afflictions after attending Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance Clinic. However, they remain yet two more examples of Tottenham wonder kids that never were…
Wayne Routledge
At the time most Spurs fans were probably thinking “Wow, if Simon Jordan is this hacked off about losing Routledge, he must simply be a super football player!” Now plying his trade with Premier League chasing Newcastle United, it is clear that Routledge didn’t quite live up to the hype.
The lad joined the Spurs from Crystal Palace for an ‘undisclosed fee’ in August 2005. However, the fee was supposedly just over £1m, and seeing as though Routledge helped Spurs win the Peace Cup pre-season, where the prize money was around £1m, technically he paid for himself.
Routledge was just 20 when he came to Spurs, and after creating 8 assists for Palace the season before, it was believed he would be just what Tottenham needed on the wing. After impressing in pre-season however, Routledge suffered a bad injury on the opening day of the season. A certain 17 year old Aaron Lennon came in to replace him, and Routledge never won his place back…
After a succession of loans at the likes of Portsmouth and Fulham, Routledge eventually left Spurs for Aston Villa in January 2008. After all the effort Tottenham had gone to, the wonder kid inside never materialized… perhaps Simon Jordan was right after all.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Bobby Zamora
Zamora joined Glenn Hoddle’s Tottenham revolution in 2003 for a fee of £1.5m. Zamora had an excellent record in the lower leagues, his 70 goals in 119 league games helping Brighton and Hove Albion win back to back promotions to the Championship, or First Division as it was then.
Predictably, the Tottenham faithful didn’t take to the clumsy looking Zamora, and the fact that he had been highly rated before joining only added to the disappointment when he left the club, deemed failure.
This season has seen Zamora score goals in the Premier League, with an England call-up supposedly a possibility also, so Zamora is clearly not a bad player. However, at Tottenham, like so many before him, he failed to produce the goods.
Zamora left the club just 6 months after joining in January 2004, with Jermain Defoe coming the other way in an player-exchange plus cash deal with West Ham. Zamora managed just 16 league appearances, and managed just one goal… sighs.
Well, there you have it, a team of wonder kids who never quite did it for the super Spurs. With the likes of John Bostock doing their best to go the same way, there might well be more inclusions to add in a few years time. However, for now let’s push the doom and gloom out of our minds and believe that somewhere out there, the next Helder Postiga is ready and waiting to heed the Tottenham call…
You can find me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mark0turner
Relax, the crisis is over, for now. Manchester City won a football game, and everything’s now ok, until they next fail to win a game, and then the vultures will circle once more. There will be talk of the manager moaning, of him cracking up on the touchline, manically waving imaginary yellow cards around, greying by the day, inching closer and closer to his own Kevin Keegan moment when he will stare wild-eyed into the camera as a terrified Geoff Shreeves looks on in the background, ranting “Is football, we played well, but is difficult, is long season, is red card, is need for players, and I tell you what, I would amore eet, amore eet, to get more players.”
Leading up to the Wigan game, the press told us City were in a slump, going through a rocky spell, the season was threatening to unwind. One goal later, and the form table for the last six league games shows the top team, with 13 points, to be – Manchester City. They are three points clear at the top of the table (the gap has never been greater than five), are still in the Carling Cup (though with a tough task ahead), so the crisis basically amounted to exiting the FA Cup having played 80 minutes with 10 men. Is football.
As Joleon Lescott commented only yesterday:”It has been funny, None of the boys thought we were cracking or something was going wrong. Then suddenly a big thing is made of it in the media. It was crazy. We sat there and thought: ‘Wow, we must have arrived’. People were saying we weren’t going to win the league and we are thinking: ‘Hold on a minute, we have lost two cup games’. I don’t think we are doing too badly.”
Now the press can concentrate on Arsenal instead. Perhaps Darlington fans should stop moaning – after all, Arsenal’s situation is far worse if some of what I have read recently is to be believed.
But there always has to be a “big” club in crisis – it’s pathetic, and unnecessary, but it seems an integral part of the footballing world. Arsenal are already in their second crisis of the season, Liverpool have had a few, City stagger from one crisis to another, and Manchester United and Chelsea have had a fair few too. And it only seems to be big teams too – a crisis seems to equate to not winning all your games and being in dange rof missing out on the cash-cow that is the Champions League.
City could still win a treble this season. They probably won’t, but the fact is it’s possible. But lose on Sunday to Spurs and they will be back in the mire despite being assured of top spot as their two closest challengers head into a tough spell of fixtures. As for Alex Ferguson, he’s been reported as coming to the end of his reign for a decade now, the United team written off more times than you could mention. Crisis after crisis, but they struggle on. Such troopers.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]
It’s been said by me before, but it’s all a result of the exhaustive coverage the sport now gets, the need not only to report news but create news too. To exaggerate, to speculate, to sensationalise. And there’s clearly a market for it. Coverage is everywhere, 24 hours a day, on the television, online, even lonely men in their bedrooms can write endlessly on the topic (oh, hang on…). There’s not enough to talk about, so let’s make mountains out of molehills, and create a storm.
And then there’s the pressure on teams and managers, the lack of time to get results, to build a club up slowly. Instant results are demanded by fans, the media, and by impatient fans. No wonder a bad result is painted as a low ebb in the club’s history, the manager was a disgrace, the left-back isn’t good enough, change is needed, the club’s a laughing stock.
A crisis is the real possibility of the club you support and your father and grandfather supported going out of business, out of existence. Crisis is your team’s players not being paid, the administrators being called in, relegation, point deductions, a future with no hope. A big team having a bad month is not a crisis. They can change the manager, spend some more of the Premiership millions and try again. Or they can have a disappointing season and try again the following year. But as Darlington head towards oblivion, Talksport is dedicating a phone-in to Roberto Mancini’s actions on the touchline, and the world of football has officially got its priorities all wrong.
It’s part of how those who cover our beautiful game see everything along two distinctive lines. Everything is black and white, either brilliant or terrible. Players are world class or rubbish. There’s no such thing as an average run of results, you’re either doing well or in crisis. No one cares about the real crises though – the really big problems that are affecting clubs, players or managers. The Premiership is king, and two defeats on the bounce in the “EPL” is akin to anything Wimbledon fans had to endure.
So just remember, the next time your team has a defensive crisis, or a striker crisis, or a mascot crisis, a catering crisis, or the board are having crisis talks, or your club as a whole is in crisis – just keep calm and trust your manager. Give it a week and they’ll be challenging for the title.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Attacker Alexander Hleb has revealed he would fancy a return to Arsenal when his loan spell at Birmingham City expires at the end of the season.The Belarusian, who is owned by European champions Barcelona, left the English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal in 2008 but has found opportunities at Spain limited, and he admitted his desire to return to London.
“I love Arsenal. It is always in my heart but now is too early to speak about a new club,” he said. “I want to give my best for Birmingham but if I have chance to go back (to Arsenal).”
“Everything is possible but I am just saying if I get this chance, of course I’d come, but it’s too early to speak about this.”
Hleb cited problems with adapting to Alex McLeish’s quintessentially British approach to football as a key reason for his decision not to remain at St Andrews.
“Before, I think teams like Birmingham were easy to play with but it is difficult when you play in such teams, not like Arsenal or Barcelona.”
“Here you need to just fight and run, not too much passing, and this for me is something new.”
“I have enjoyed it in a way because it is something new. This is a different experience although I prefer to play and to enjoy football.”
“But I will give 100 per cent for this club every weekend.”
And given Pep Guardiola’s preference for local talent, a return to Camp Nou is unlikely for Hleb.
“Barcelona is the biggest club in the world but it is difficult when you are not from Spain,” the 29-year-old said.
“It has happened with everybody, with Henry, everyone (as) Josep Guardiola picks the Spanish players.”
“I’ve not had a lot of chances to play there. (But) I prefer to stay in the Premier League.”