In light of Darren Bent’s transfer from Sunderland to Aston Villa for a fee of £18 million, possibly rising to a whopping £24 million, I thought it would be apt to have a look at the transfers that have shocked the football world over the years.
It is a rare occasion when a transfer makes you stand up and take notice these days given the amount of money that Premier League clubs spend every season, but it does happen every now and then and when it does it comes as even more of a shock.
There are occasions when players sign for one of their club’s fierce rivals, when great players go to so-called small clubs and when the game’s giants plump for a little-known player. All of these are featured in our list of the TOP TEN transfers that shocked football…
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After all the build up and optimism surrounding the clubs announcement that talks were talking place over investment in regards to the clubs long term future, Leeds fans have been left feeling frustrated once again with the lack of communication from the club.
If the rumours had been true, Leeds would have held a press conference almost every day last week and Neil Warnock would have walked out around fifteen times.
Luckily, Warnock is still very much the manager, although one of those press conferences wouldn’t have gone a miss.
They say that ‘no news is good news’ which is hopefully the case here, though it’s hard to imagine anything other than Ken Bates trying his hardest to ensure he squeezes every last penny out of the club before he makes way, assuming he does of course.
The latest rumour from a source apparently ‘in the know’ is that the investment will be secured by the end of play on Monday, with an announcement on Wednesday – the joys of Twitter!
This will be to confirm that a small investment has taken place for the time being, allowing Warnock to push through a few transfer deals. This will then lead us up to a full takeover at a later stage.
How credible this information proves to be is anyone’s guess, but until the club enlighten us with the latest developments we’re all sadly left refreshing twitter and the news pages looking for any scraps of information we can positively read in to.
One revelation this week came via the supporters trust, L.U.S.T, who had been contacted by several players who wanted to let the fans know that they are as disillusioned with the current board as everybody else. This came as quite a surprise, as in the past the players have seemingly preferred to keep quiet rather than speak out over the Bates regime.
The news was of course welcomed by all those looking for change at Leeds and it really could not have come at a better time. The pressure has been mounting on Bates for months now, so it is refreshing to see the players and the fans united.
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On the transfer front it would appear that the rumour creators have been busy elsewhere this week (probably informing us that Neil Warnock was set to walk out, again) with almost nobody at all linked to Elland Road.
Let’s hope the next week is a little more exciting than the last.
The saddest sight of the month had to be that of Owen Hargreaves trying to prove his fitness by posting videos of his training sessions on the internet. It was proof of what most footballers know – that the greatest asset they can possess is not pace, vision, skill or intelligence, but luck. You can have all of those other attributes but if you’re unlucky with injuries, they are worthless. Every time any footballer goes on to the pitch, he is rolling a dice and risking an injury which can cost him his career.
Hargreaves was at the peak of his powers when he joined Manchester United in 2007. Aged 26, he’d been England’s outstanding player at the 2006 World Cup and was one of the best holding midfield players in the world. Yet within months, a knee injury had wrecked his United and England careers.We would all love to see Hargreaves find a decent club and prove himself again as a first-team player, but the odds have to be against it and the best years of his career have been lost.
I was lucky with injuries on the whole – until it came to the 1966 World Cup. Seven months before the tournament, on Bonfire Night 1965, I started feeling ill and thought I had flu. The next day my mate came over with a couple of pints of medicinal Guinnesses, but this was the worst thing for me because I was soon diagnosed with hepatitis, meaning my liver was in a bad way. I was actually only out for six weeks or so, the longest lay-off of my professional career, but I experienced after effects all season and, in truth, I don’t think I was ever the same player again.
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Then, after the final group game of the World Cup against France, I came into the dressing room and found my left sock was full of blood and my shin badly gashed. I don’t know how the injury occurred. I didn’t even feel it happen, but I’ve still got the scar. I was ruled out of the quarter-final and semi-final, and then I missed the final, too. But despite such a huge blow, I have to say I was lucky compared to Hargreaves and many others.
Ken Shellito, who joined Chelsea the same day as me, had just made his England debut as an excellent attacking right-back when he suffered a serious knee injury that meant he ended up as a one-cap wonder. Brian Clough was only capped twice when his playing days were ended at the age of 27. His knee injury would not have been career-ending with the advances in medical science of a few decades later. But back in my playing days it was not rare at all for players to be finished at an early age.
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John Lyall and Malcolm Allison were two others I knew whose playing days were over by their early 20s – Big Mal contracted TB and had to have a lung removed. Going back a few more years, Derek Dooley, a centre-forward as strong as an ox, had to have an infected leg amputated at the age of 24. And, in more recent times, Steve Coppell, Kevin Beattie and Manchester City’s Paul Lake were among those who were cut off in their prime.
And these are only the ones we know about, because they had already made names for themselves or went on to be successful managers and coaches. There are hundreds who fall by the wayside because of injury, kids who could have been world-beaters but never got to play professionally. Kids who had it all, except for the phone number of Lady Luck.
The papers are reporting that Sam Allardyce is ready to quit his role as Blackburn manager should the club fail to provide him with the resources to pursue his two dream transfers. Allardyce has been keen to underline the importance of adding to The Riversider’s frontline, which hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders this season. Too many of Blackburn’s goals have come from midfield, and Sam is seeking to add balance to his squad.
Sam’s solution: moves for out of favour Man City striker Roque Santa Cruz and Spur’s forward Robbie Keane. Both players are seeking new clubs and may just be persuaded by the promise of first team football at Ewood Park.
Roque Santa Cruz was a Blackburn player before his move to Manchester City. Given that he’s hardly had a sniff of Premier League action in recent times; it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if he was interested in a move back to his old club.
Use your FREE £20 Bet – Blackburn are 11/4 to beat Bolton
Robbie Keane is an interesting case. He’s currently on loan at Celtic where he’s banging in the goals like there’s no tomorrow. Despite this, there’s genuinely no room for him in the Spur’s squad and he’s certainly seeking a move to another club. Just yesterday it was reported that Wolves were considering a move for the 30 year-old striker. However, if Blackburn can rustle up the funds, I’m sure Keane would be willing to make the move.
These transfers rest not upon the availability of the players themselves, but on Blackburn’s willingness to shell out the cash. Personally, I can see one of these transfers going through (probably Roque Santa Cruz) which should be enough to placate Allardyce for the time being. It’s highly unlikely that Sam will get both players, as he will face competition from a number of Premier League clubs.
What’s your take? Can Blackburn complete their double swoop?
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I sat in my seat with a hollow feeling the like of which I had never experienced before. This was worse than a derby defeat, this was worse than a relegation. Manchester City had managed to let me down again, they had managed to snatch away all my hope and expectancy, to leave me wondering for the millionth time why I put myself through this year after year. All the football insecurities I had carried around with me like a drenched duffel coat since David Pleat skipped across the Maine Road turf had returned. Why always me?
There was little anger around me in the ground, just shock and dejection. A stunned silence, haunted looks aplenty. The man in front of me stood throughout, but at times I didn’t even bother peering past him to watch the match, rooted in my seat as another aimless cross sailed behind the hoardings. THe clock sped towards 90, and it was all over, that much was clear. Then, a goal. A clenched fist, but it changed little. Maybe Sunderland could grab a late equalizer, and similarly, maybe Cameron Diaz would drop by the next day and ask me out on a date.
The final whistle was moments away. Almost time to slink home in silence, to sit alone with the television off and ponder how this day that I had built up to all my life could have ended like this. Then I’d have to wake up the next day and instantly be reminded that they were champions once more, and I would never be allowed to forget it.
And then…..the noise. Pandemonium. Unbridled joy, never before witnessed on quite this scale. Bouncing off endless people, hugging strangers, utter chaos, thanking a god I don’t believe in, shock, a few tears (high pollen count), and the greatest feeling of relief that I will experience in my time on this planet. Someone punched me in the mouth (accidentally I presume). A quick dental check, no blood. Suddenly, life seemed a whole lot better. Had this really happened? If so, how?
Only City would have done it this way, only they could have made life so ridiculously difficult when a routine victory was expected from the team with the best home record in the division against the team with the worst away record. But because this is how City tend to operate, it gave every City fan a moment that will never be forgotten, which will never be matched.
Moments like yesterday remind us why we love football. Could you imagine life without it? It has so much to answer for. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks, I have had bouts of nausea lasting days, and have thought of little else apart from a title race that I had given up for dead only a few weeks ago. Oh to be rubbish again.
Last season’s FA Cup triumph and this season’s title is payback for suffering spread over three decades, the moment I’ve waited for since 1982, but many fans never get the chance of such rewards, so I am grateful. However, a promotion, beating your bitter rivals or even a last-minute winner is often enough to keep our faith, to keep us believing. Popular belief over the past few years has led me to believe that City were a universally hated club now, the oil money having hoovered up a merry band of mercenaries in a vain attempt to buy the league. Imagine then my surprise at the many messages of congratulations that I received post-match from fans of all clubs. City won fans yesterday because the day presented football at its most compelling, it showed why it is the greatest sport, perhaps why the Premier League is the most entertaining league. Every neutral would have reacted to what happened in some form or other. And as for United, well we always like to see the most successful side knocked off its perch, it’s part of our national identity, and just means they have been rather successful in the past.
Now, every monkey has been removed from City’s once-massive back. The first Premiership title is always the hardest to win, just like the first trophy was so hard to achieve before last season. In one respect the pressure is lifted slightly now, but it will be just as hard to retain the title now, and Mancini will be expected to make an impact in Europe too.
The celebrating went on late into the night. Heaving, clammy bars were stripped dry, songs were sung throughout, and the fans staggered home content and exhausted in the pouring rain, for this is Manchester. The neighbours were very nosiy indeed.
I woke up today with a sunburnt forehead and a bruise on my shin the size of a melon. I watched Match of the Day three times, I watched Aguero’s goal at least ten times (with commentary in three different languages). I bought every newspaper. I devoured Twitter and Facebook, and the football message boards. I laughed at Paul Merson’s meltdown on Soccer Sunday, and, because football is a cruel world sometimes, took a guilty pleasure in watching the United fans at Sunderland react to our winning goal. I watched Sky sports, I watched Match of the Day again, I wrote this blog.
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The smile will remain for days, even a six-hour training course tomorrow can’t stop that, but the smile is mostly for others too – the great friends that any football fan gets to share such days with, and the lasting memories that go with that. It’s for the great ambassadors at the club who have truly earned this trophy, such as Mancini, Silva, Aguero, Richards and Aguero, and the backroom staff too, like Life President Bernard Halford, who has served the club for over 50 years.
The sun is shining once more, and it’s time to go into the centre of Manchester and watch the best City team I’ve had the pleasure to follow parade the Premiership trophy round the streets of the city. Manchester City, 2011/12 Premier League Champions. Blimey. This is how it feels to be City.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has maintained that he will spend the club owner’s money sensibly and not break the bank chasing transfer targets.
The Merseyside club have had a busy summer so far, with the additions of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam expected to be complemented by Roma goalkeeper Doni in the near future. Despite this, the Scotsman has told Anfield fans not to expect the side to land all the players they are linked with in the transfer window.
“We won’t get everyone we are after this summer but other clubs won’t always get who they have enquired about,” the 60-year-old told Sky Sports.
“That’s just the way it is. We’ve done some business already and we’ll continue to do what we are doing in a responsible manner. The owners know what they are doing and we have had great support from them. They know not to bankrupt the club and are running Liverpool in the right way.
“John (Henry) and Tom (Werner) will give us whatever they can afford. We have to use that responsibly,” he concluded.
The Reds are hot on the heels of Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, but are believed to have been put off by the Birmingham outfit’s £20 million valuation of the England international.
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There is one match in the Premier League this weekend that will be grabbing the most attention: The North London Derby on Saturday as Arsenal host Tottenham at The Emirates. However, there is also a full Premiership fixture programme for you to enjoy, which will see Chelsea trying to stop the rot at St Andrew’s against Birmingham and Robert Pires return to the Premier League as he makes his Aston Villa debut against Blackburn at Ewood Park. Fantasy Football players – will Pires be a player you’re looking to sign? Maybe you should wait until the Premier League’s weekend fixtures have been played out to make your decision. You can see this week’s Premiership predictions in full here.
Shaun Custis:
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Martin Lipton:
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Do you agree with the Premier League predictions made this week?
Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 15
Overall standings
1. Steve Bates – 61 (4)
2. Martin Lipton – 61 (5)
3. Shaun Custis – 60 (6)
4. Andy Dunn – 60 (6)
5. Danny Fullbrook – 59 (5)
6. Des Kelly – 59 (1)
7. Glenn Moore – 55 (3)
8. Patrick Barclay -50 (3)
–
November standings:
1. Shaun Custis – 6
2. Andy Dunn – 6
3. Danny Fullbrook – 5
4. Martin Lipton – 5
5. Steve Bates – 4
6. Patrick Barclay – 3
7. Glenn Moore – 3
8. Des Kelly – 1
–
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
D
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
H
Blackpool
V
Wolves
H
Bolton
V
Newcastle
H
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
D
Liverpool
V
West Ham
H
Fulham
V
Man City
H
Sunderland
V
Everton
H
Hull
V
Ipswich
H
Birmingham vs Chelsea: London Blues to stop the rot – just.
Des Kelly (Daily Mail)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
D
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
D
Blackpool
V
Wolves
H
Bolton
V
Newcastle
H
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
D
Liverpool
V
West Ham
H
Fulham
V
Man City
D
Sunderland
V
Everton
A
Hull
V
Ipswich
A
Blackburn v Villa: This is possibly the most unpredictable game of the day. Blackburn have no discernible form at home, having won two, lost two and drawn two so far this season. Villa are weak away, which is strange for a counter attacking team. They will both be happy with a point.
Shaun Custis (The Sun)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
A
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
D
Blackpool
V
Wolves
A
Bolton
V
Newcastle
D
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
West Ham
H
Fulham
V
Man City
D
Sunderland
V
Everton
D
Hull
V
Ipswich
H
Blackpool v Wolves: Wolves have been playing a lot better than their League position suggests and its time they were rewarded with an away win by the seaside.
Head to the next page for more football predictions…
Andy Dunn (News of the World)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
H
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
H
Blackpool
V
Wolves
A
Bolton
V
Newcastle
H
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
A
Liverpool
V
West Ham
D
Fulham
V
Man City
D
Sunderland
V
Everton
D
Hull
V
Ipswich
A
Bolton v Newcastle: Owen Coyle’s team have been operating under the radar this season but have to be one of the most improved teams in the Barclays Premer League. Too strong at home for an inconsistent Newcastle
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Martin Lipton (The Mirror)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
D
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
D
Blackpool
V
Wolves
A
Bolton
V
Newcastle
H
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
West Ham
H
Fulham
V
Man City
D
Sunderland
V
Everton
H
Hull
V
Ipswich
A
Man United v Wigan: Even in the season of shocks there can’t be one at Old Trafford, surely? United to win it, by three.
Steve Bates (The People)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
A
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
H
Blackpool
V
Wolves
H
Bolton
V
Newcastle
D
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
West Ham
H
Fulham
V
Man City
D
Sunderland
V
Everton
D
Hull
V
Ipswich
A
West Brom v Stoke: Stoke have only won once away in the Barclay’s Premier League this season and I don’t see that record changing for the better at The Hawthorns against Roberto Di Matteo’s stars.
Danny Fulbrook (Daily Star)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
A
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
A
Blackpool
V
Wolves
D
Bolton
V
Newcastle
A
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
West Ham
D
Fulham
V
Man City
D
Sunderland
V
Everton
A
Hull
V
Ipswich
D
Liverpool v West Ham: this is such an important game for both sides on recent results but likely to be a draw
Glenn Moore (The Independent)
Home Team
Away Team
Birmingham
V
Chelsea
D
Blackburn
V
Aston Villa
D
Blackpool
V
Wolves
H
Bolton
V
Newcastle
H
Man United
V
Wigan
H
West Brom
V
Stoke
H
Liverpool
V
West Ham
D
Fulham
V
Man City
H
Sunderland
V
Everton
H
Hull
V
Ipswich
H
Fulham v Man City: Mark Hughes will relish the opportunity to put one over his old club but with both teams struggling to score a goalless draw is on the offing.
So we have finally guaranteed our league status for next season and I honestly thought that this one point we needed was going to the wire.
We had the chance to do the safety thing at Crawley on our last outing but a totally inept first half performance cost us dear, conceding three goals with no reply thanks to a poor defensive display which was summed up by Crawley’s third goal, an own goal scored by unlucky keeper Neil Kitson.
So Northampton fans headed to Edgar Street, Hereford to play a team who were bottom of the football league scrapping for their lives. It was rather in hope than expectation of getting that solitary point we needed for survival as being a Northampton fan you always know that we don’t like to do things easy and this game proved to be another nail biting 90 minutes.
So the game started and as expected Hereford were throwing everything at us with Kitson making up for Tuesday night by tipping over a shot from Barkhuizen. Thoughts of the game at Sixfields earlier in the season began to cross my mind as Hereford were beginning to become one of these teams we always seem to struggle against, they beat us easily at Sixfields 3-1 and dare I even mention the season before at Sixfields we were cruising against them 3-0 up at half time we stood off in the second half and ended up losing 4-3, these were definitely a side I was going to be concerned about.
As the game went on we tried to get a foothold on the game and we managed to create a few chances of our own. Big Bayo hit the post with a neat shot just inside the area, Guttridge then fired over and Tozer headed wide but it was definitely beginning to have the feel of one of those games that we were not going to score no matter what we tried.
Then in the closing 10 minutes of the first half Hereford had the ball in the back of the net but fortunately the ref had his arm in the air and the goal had been disallowed for an apparent push by the goalscorer, I thought maybe our luck was on the turn.
The 2nd half began and Hereford dominated long periods of it, Clarke Carlisle clearing off the line like the great captain he has been at the club since he signed on loan from Burnley. Hereford had another chance but Kitson foiled them again with a save from close range I started to feel any minute they were going to score as they were definitely fighting for their lives.
Stoppage time arrived before we knew it and the Bulls were throwing it all at us, they really should have scored again with a header but lucky for us it was headed straight at Kitson. Then came the point in the game I knew lady luck was shining upon us as Featherstone hit a shot from 25 yards, it beat Kitson but the ball hit the inside of the post and bounced away to safety, that was it full time and our league status was secure for another season.
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I have never felt such relief in my life as I really thought we were going to end up taking it to the last day of the season. I know a lot of people will say yeah but you were 8 points ahead of the relegation zone but as a Northampton fan you never take anything like that for granted.
So we go into the final two games of the season with the pressure off our backs and now any pressure is shifted onto the players whose contracts run out during the summer as they try to save their Cobblers future. I now trust Aidy Boothroyd to make the right decisions on the future of the club. Roll on next season when we will be full of optimism once more.
The top four over the last few seasons has come under intense pressure from the ‘lesser’ teams; firstly there was Aston Villa attempting to ruin the party, then eventually Tottenham Hotspur ousted Liverpool and got a taste of Champions League football and this season the Lilywhites missed out to Manchester City. Already, speculation has begun on who will be next season’s top four, especially as Arsenal appear to be getting weaker with each season that passes. This season, I think the Gunners became the first team ever to finish fourth in a two horse race! Liverpool’s new found resurgence saw them very nearly break back into the top four, after a horrendous beginning to this season under Roy Hodgson. Everything is in place at Anfield for a very successful 2011/12 season, starting with reclaiming their Champions League berth from Arsenal, and this is why (in this humble writer’s opinion).
Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri want to leave, and both players are exceptional talents, with Nasri taking the Spaniard’s mantle as Arsenal’s main star whilst the Spaniard sent flirty text messages to Pique from the treatment room. Both players’ decisions to openly state that they would happily leave Arsenal shows how little faith they have in the Gunners ability to challenge for the major honours; losing two influential players will rock Arsenal and no wonder kid signing from France can help fill the void or maintain their Champions League status. Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson and, erm, Carl Jenkinson: not hard to work out who Arsenal signed is it? As Liverpool continue splashing the cash despite spending nearly £60 million on two signings in January, Arsene Wenger maintains his usual transfer policy despite all his promises that Arsenal will spend big in the transfer market. With very little happening at the Emirates and everything happening on Merseyside, Liverpool are very much a team preparing for Champions League qualification next season. Belief is a huge part of achieving success in football and no matter what Liverpool and their fans have always believed, their club can achieve greatness and reclaim the glory days of the ’80s. Nothing has changed this season, and next season the belief will no doubt get stronger. It’s a different story over in North London; with players clearly displaying lack of belief on the pitch, the fans are quite rightly loathing their team’s performances and now many are questioning Arsene Wenger, Le Professeur, himself. Arsenal are a team heading for turmoil if they aren’t careful; missing out on Champions League football could be the least of their worries. Arsenal shareholder Stan Kroenke has recently improved his stake in the club and has announced he intends to invest in the club, yet the Gunners’ board over the past few seasons has yet to show any signs of following this kind of ethos, and the fans will of course be reluctant to naïvely swallow this up. Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, on the other hand, have already invested heavily in the squad and the club set-up. But this is not all about financial investment, the American group has had great success with their innovation in sports management and was recently named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company, a renowned American journalism group.
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Let me know if you think I’m a Spurs fan, a Liverpool sycophant or just an honest Arsenal fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102
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Arsene Wenger has admitted he is under pressure to end Arsenal's long wait for a trophy.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup last 16 trip to Newcastle United, Wenger has conceded that the near five-year wait for silverware is too long for a club of their stature.
Arsenal's last success was the 2005 FA Cup Final which they won on penalties against Manchester United.
Asked whether the lack of recent success was leading to pressure, Wenger replied:"Yes. There is as well a lot of demands from people who know you are at the top and they try always to find your weakness.
"You can see what we have done is quite remarkable but we want more. I can understand that people want more and we want to give them more.
"You can only show attitude, commitment and we have talent so let's go step by step and try and win the game and keep that urgency and that attitude until the end of the season.
"That's what we want to do and we want to achieve. We want to respond with the maximum commitment to the demands of people. We want to go as high as we can.
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"People forget that we have been at the top every year but we want to add what people want from us and we want as well.
"It is very difficult to respond to that, the only thing I can promise is that we will try to give our best in every competition."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email