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Xabi Alonso believes his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard has the ability and technical skill to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona or even for Spain, according to Liverpoolfc.com.

Gerrard made his 600th appearance for Liverpool on Sunday against Newcastle, and played many of those games in a midfield partnership with the Spanish playmaker, who was at Anfield from 2004 to 2009. During that time, the Reds won the Champions League and the F.A. Cup.

Alonso used the landmark occasion to speak for his admiration for the England International on Real Madrid TV.

We are great friends and we still keep in touch,” said the Spaniard.

“He was a great influence to me. When I arrived at Liverpool I was 22 and he was the captain, he was the main man at the club. For me he was a reference, the way he behaved with his teammates and with the supporters as well. I learned a lot from him.

Alonso, aged 30, continued by discussing some of Gerrard’s on-pitch attributes.

“He could play in any national team in the world because he has so many great qualities. He is flexible. He can play at the English pace or he can associate with the ball very well.

“He is a very intelligent player, so he could play anywhere – not just any national team but any club in the world.

The Real Madrid midfielder believes that despite not winning international trophies, the England Captain will go down in history as one of Football’s greatest players.

“He’ll absolutely be remembered as one of the greats. For me he is already one of the greats.

“He has achieved great things and in very important moments he has been the man for Liverpool. We had great European nights and he was the main man. For me he’s a great player.

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“Hopefully he will reach 700 games” he added.

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The Wolves fans in the Transfer Tavern have been delighted with their club’s activity in the transfer market so far this summer, and recent reports regarding Adama Traore have given them further reason to be optimistic. 

The Breakdown

Nuno Espirito Santo has been busy in the transfer market this summer as he attempts to lay the foundations for a successful survival bid in the Premier League. With the signatures of three strikers and a winger already secured, it seems that Santo is adopting a wise strategy by placing extra emphasis on improving his attacking options.

But despite his initial movements in the market, Santo doesn’t appear to be finished bolstering his forward line just yet if reports in The Sun are anything to go by. According to the report, Wolves and Huddersfield are leading the race to sign Middlesbrough’s promising right-winger Adama Traore this summer.

The Spanish U21 international struggled to impress on his debut season for Middlesbrough as he failed to find the back of the net in 27 appearances and managed to provide just a solitary assist.

However, the Barcelona trainee began to deliver on his promise last season with some eye-catching displays for Middlesbrough during a Championship campaign in which he scored 5 goals and provided 10 assists from 34 appearances – clearly, a huge improvement on his previous effort.

At full flow, Traore (valued at £7.2 million by Transfermarkt) posed an extremely menacing prospect for defenders to deal with last season as he used his blistering pace and ability to either cut inside or run to the byline to devastating effect.

Consistency and decision-making are two qualities which have eluded Traore during his career so far, but his success last season suggests that he has turned a significant corner in his development and could be ready for the step up to the Premier League.

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The fact that Traore has only managed to prove himself for one season whilst playing at a level below the Premier League will certainly give Santo cause for concern regarding a potential deal, but if he is willing to adapt his system to suit the 22-year-old and trust in his ability, Wolves could pull off a masterstroke deal by bringing him to Molineux.

Wolves fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

The Football Association have fined Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez and warned the Spaniard as to his future conduct following the comments he made after his team's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in March.

An Independent Regulatory Commission found Martinez guilty and fined him £2,250 after taking into account his previous exemplary record.

The Latics boss was furious with referee Stuart Attwell who sent off defender Gary Caldwell during the match.

He said after his side's defeat:"We are all human and make mistakes but to give a decision after something you don't see is lying.

"You are making it up and that is hard to take. It's a real injustice. To give a red card, you have to be certain. Then you are looking at the replay. There is no way it is a red card offence.

"Gary said he went in really strong and got the ball. Carlos Tevez saw it and jumped off the ground. He's the one who left both feet. The referee said he saw Gary with both feet off the ground. But Gary only went in with one foot.

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"It was a key moment. Until then, we were coping. It really cost us and the game went away from us."

Martinez subsequently said he would not be appealing against the decision or Caldwell's three-match ban because Attwell's interpretation of the incident had changed.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Teenage Colombian goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla has claimed that he is set to leave Boyaca Chico to sign for Manchester City.

The 17-year-old Under-20 international says that he will be loaned out to a Spanish club straightaway to try and smooth his transition into European football.

Bonilla told Futbolred:"The only thing that is left to do are my medical tests and to sign the contract.

"Besides the fact that I may be loaned to another team, this is a very important door that gets opened for my career.

"This is a very important step forward in my career, everything has been arranged and according to what the president, Eduardo Pimental, has said to me the transfer has been confirmed."

Meanwhile, another teenager heading to England is Strasbourg striker Magaye Gueye, who says he is poised to link up with Everton.

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The 19-year-old France Under-21 international commented:"I was over the moon when I heard that Everton had agreed a fee with my club.

"I was so happy and I am looking forward to developing in the best league in the world."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Ledley King is available for selection on Sunday when England face Germany in a crucial World Cup last-16 encounter.

The Tottenham defender was able to play a full part in England training on Saturday after recovering from a groin injury.

England boss Fabio Capello confirmed that all 23 players trained in Rustenburg ahead of Sunday's clash in Bloemfontein.

Capello used John Terry and Matthew Upson as his centre-back pairing against Slovenia on Wednesday but could bring in King or Jamie Carragher, who is back from suspension.

Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon are both fit after recovering from ankle knocks.

King limped out of the 1-1 draw against against the US at half time and was replaced by Carragher for the second half with the Liverpool stalwart keeping his place for the dismal goalless stalemate with Algeria.

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However, a second yellow card in that game ruled him out of England's final group game against Slovenia.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

So finally the footballing world has got over World Cup fever and is about to get back down to the nitty gritty of week-in, week-out league football again. And as with any league season, there’s the perennial pre-season transfer market for us football fans to enjoy, berate and totally lose ourselves in. As with any summer transfer market, there’s always one signing that nobody sees coming, and the summer of 2010 has proved no different. So I ask; who the hell saw the Reds getting Cole? Seriously? Hands up…didn’t think I’d see any.

It just seems like such an odd move for Cole. No Champions League. There is certainly no realistic chance of getting the Premier League crown this season. So what motivated him? Well probably the usual, money; however it just seems like a step down for Cole.

So this begs the question, why didn’t Manchester United sign him? It’s not a step down that’s for sure, as everyone knows United will be challenging for the title this year as always. Also even with United’s huge debt, they could easily match the £90,000 a week that Liverpool has given him. And he’d get a game, that’s for sure.

But why should Man United sign him? Because Man United NEED a player like Cole. Why I here you ask? Because they were short last year in one key department – goals. Now I’m not saying Cole was going to be the new Ronaldo with 30 plus a season, but he could have been the man that created those goals. United cannot rely on Paul Scholes to be that man anymore, considering his age. And the small matter of him retiring at the end of the season. Another attribute that Joe Cole has on his side is age. Yes he’s pushing 30 but the key point is that he IS under 30. It’s something that United haven’t got right now in midfield, a player hitting his peak.

One argument that is being suggested for his move to the scouse part of the north-west is he wanted a long-term deal. It’s apparently why he turned down offers from Spurs and his old haunt at Upton Park. But surely United would have given him the same.

However the biggest thing that is puzzling most United fans is that Cole was free. United had nothing to lose in signing him. Sure, he gets injured quite a lot but so does Owen Hargreaves. So does Michael Owen, who Fergie signed under similar circumstances last year. And Cole is definitely a better asset to a team than Michael Owen.

So where do United go now for a new midfield dynamo? It’s looking increasingly likely that they’ll wait until next year, and hope that Giggs and Scholes can produce the goods just one final time for the red devils. As for Roy Hodgson and his men, they’ve taken the first positive step in the long rebuilding process for Liverpool football Club. Only time will tell to see if Man United were right in letting Cole slip away to their bitterest rivals.

Written By Michael Glover

Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer

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Manchester United's Serbia international central defender Nemanja Vidic has dismissed talk of him having considered quitting Old Trafford earlier this summer.

The 28-year-old was heavily linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, before signing a new long-term contract, a move which abruptly ended the unwanted speculation.

Vidic commented:"I don't know why people think it was a difficult decision. I always said I am happy here.

"I never spoke about my future. I know there was all this speculation but I never said I wanted to go.

"There was nothing new and I am very happy to be here."

Meanwhile, United strike ace Wayne Rooney has admitted that winning the Premier League title is getting harder every year.

He told the Premier League Season Review:"Since I signed for United I think the Premier League has got progressively harder to win.

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"I know it's a cliche, but there are no easy games in the Premier League. In previous seasons you might have had straightforward games where the top clubs could afford to rest players, but that's not the case anymore.

"Nowadays it's hard to leave players out because every game is competitive and difficult."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

As a fresh-faced 17-year-old at Selhurst Park, Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge had the world at his feet. After breaking into the Crystal Palace first-team at the tender age of 16 in 2001, Sidcup-born Routledge went onto score within a minute of his full debut the following season.

Routledge’s reputation continued to grow at Palace throughout the early stages of his career and he went onto make over 100 appearances for The Eagles in just over three seasons in South London. After helping Palace win promotion from The Championship in 2003, the former fan favourite impressed in his debut Premier League season.

Tottenham Hotspur were huge admirers of Routledge’s talents and brought him to White Hart Lane in 2005.  Tipped as a future England star, Routledge was expected to develop and fulfil his undoubted potential under Martin Jol at Spurs following an impressive pre-season campaign. While Routledge couldn’t have wished for a better start at Palace, his opening game for the North Londoners was something of a nightmare. In what set the tone for the rest of his spell at Spurs, the winger cruelly broke his foot, keeping him out of action for five months.

Routledge never got his career back on track at Tottenham and was loaned out to several clubs including Portsmouth and Fulham before finally moving to QPR in 2009 albeit via Aston Villa and Cardiff. Routledge eventually signed for Newcastle in January 2010 where he has been given the confidence and time to flourish under manager Chris Houghton and start to fulfil his undoubted potential.

Newcastle is already the midfielder’s EIGHTH club in ten years and the 26-year-old fully intends to make it his last. Routledge is tired of moving around and may have finally found a place to call home at St James’ Park, revealing:

“I know I have had a lot of clubs but it’s not like I have not been trying to settle over the last few years,” Routledge said.

“I’ve reached a point where I don’t want to be moving around the whole time, I want to be able to concentrate fully on my football and to do that I need to build a career at one club.

“Hopefully that will bring out the best in me when I’m out on the pitch knowing I’m settled in my life. Newcastle is the perfect place for me to do that.”

Routledge certainly has all the attributes to be a hit in the Premier League, starring in Newcastle’s 6-0 romp over Aston Villa last Sunday. His pace, vision and trickery make him a handful for any defender, while the width he provides Newcastle on the right in invaluable. The flying winger has started his club’s opening two Premier League games this season and a regular run in the side will benefit him greatly after a stop-start career to date.

A rejuvenated Routledge is a major bonus for The Magpies and could be key to the club’s chances on their return to the Premier League. Routledge and Newcastle could well be the perfect combination on the road to redemption.

If you like this article then you can read more of Mr Molloy’s blogs HERE

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Click on image below to see the gallery of Mario Balotelli’s stunning girlfriend

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It is a shame that former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will not be around to reap the benefits of the radical and wholesale changes he made to the club’s youth and reserve set-up during his six-year tenure at Anfield.

When Benitez arrived from Valencia in 2004, the club’s bright young hopes for the future read- Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread, Robbie Foy and David Raven. Captain Steven Gerrard and club stalwart Jamie Carragher remain the last major successes to rise through the club’s youth and reserve sides, nearly 15 years ago. A statistic which remains a major concern for Liverpool fans.

Benitez was fully committed to revolutionising the club’s youth and reserve sides and named it as one of the key terms in his contract negotiations in March 2009. Former Barcelona man Jose Segura was brought in two months later to oversee operations at the club’s Kirkby Academy and was very much Benitez’s man. Benitez also gradually raised the standard of personnel at the club, who are now aiming to become the next generation of first-team Liverpool players.

Despite the positives, Benitez ultimately failed to develop a young player good enough to become a Liverpool regular during his time at Anfield. However, such fundamental core changes to the youth set-up and player recruitment structure could not be made overnight and Benitez’s legacy could yet be the players he signed for the club’s future. These players may or may not make the break through, however I do think this latest crop of youngsters are the best the club has seen in years. It is now increasingly difficult to develop local players and the Reds have now altered their strategy to attract the best talent in England and abroad from an early age.

In reserve, Liverpool now have fresh, young and exciting talent banging at manager Roy Hodgson’s door, desperate for some first-team action. Players such as Spanish starlets Daniel Pacheco & Suso are a testament to Benitez’s efforts, while youngsters JonJo Shelvey, Jack Robinson and Michael Ngoo have all been tipped to have massive futures in the game. One other notable player to look out for is 15-year-old Raheem Sterling.

The attacking midfielder was signed from QPR for an initial £300,000 and the fee could rise to £5m should the player become a regular at Liverpool. England youth international Sterling saw his reputation soar after breaking into the national u-16 side at the tender age of 14 and has both pace and trickery in abundance.

Liverpool beat off competition from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea to land Sterling, considered to be as good as England star Wayne Rooney during his Everton youth days.

Sterling has been in impressive form for the Rodolfo Borrell’s unbeaten U-18 side so far this season and bagged two goals against Leeds United last Saturday. The winger also became one of the youngest ever players to make an appearance for The Reds in a pre-season game against Borussia Monchengladbach this summer. Academy Director Frank McParland certainly has high hopes for Sterling, revealing:

“The boy is only 15 so it was great that he could play 10 minutes or so. Everyone at the Academy was delighted about that. He is probably the youngest ever player to get near the first team and it was good that the manager showed his trust in our judgment.

“He’s still getting to know everything about the club and we are looking forward to working with him more and more in the weeks ahead.”

His former coach at QPR, Steve Gallen, also revealed: “(Sterling) has loads of natural ability. This boy can pass, shoot, head it, score goals, tackle, defend, anything.”

Sterling certainly has a long way to go before he lives up to his tag as ‘the next Theo Walcott’, but the early signs certainly look promising. Liverpool showed that they are now starting to compete with Arsenal and United with the signing of Sterling and The Reds will hope they are rewarded for their efforts in the future.

Have you seen Sterling in action? Leave your comments below. You can read more of my blogs HERE or follow me on Twitter.

Liverpool old boy taking the Championship by storm

TOP TEN: Upsets

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TOP TEN comebacks of all-time

A look into the future of the Premier League

Watch the youngster in action below:

[youtube lZaVwstMNC0]

Wigan Athletic will be without loanee Tom Cleverley for the next month after the 21-year-old damaged knee ligaments during training.

The Manchester United starlet is set to miss Wigan's next three matches after being a late withdrawal for Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City.

He is not expected to return to action until the meeting with Newcastle United in mid-October.

"Tom will probably be out for at least the next two weeks," Latics boss Roberto Martinez told the Evening Post.

"He has a little problem with the medial ligament in his knee. But he is a very strong, fit boy and we hope he'll be able to heal quicker than is expected.

"In training, as you can imagine, it's very competitive with all the talent we have in the squad.

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"Tom got a challenge and unfortunately he opened his knee a little bit. It's not great timing, because he had a real impact when he came on against Sunderland.

"He didn't need any settling in period at all and that's the sign of an excellent player. The good news is it's not going to be a long lay-off, but it's frustrating nonetheless."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email