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Paper Talk
Jose Mourinho has given up trying to persuade the Premier League to be more reasonable over fixture pile-ups. Chelsea face a Champion League clash with Maribor in Slovenia tonight and play Liverpool on Saturday - 64 hours later.
Journalist Simon Yeend has claimed Arsenal need a "warrior leader" after Arsenal have kept only five clean sheets so far this season - compared with 24 last season.
Sky pundit Paul Merson has branded Arsenal "clueless" after The Gunners let a 3-0 lead slip to a 3-3 draw in last night's Champions League tie with Anderlecht.
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has described people who racially abused him on social media "a disgrace".
Stoke chairman Peter Coates has accused referees of being biased against his team after defender Ryan Shawcross was deemed to have grappled Swansea striker Wilfried Bony to concede a penalty last month.
Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez is training again and wants to return to the club next month to plan his future after receiving the all-clear for testicular cancer.
Hull striker Nikica Jelavic is on course for an early comeback from a knee injury and is pencilled to return against Spurs on November 23.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettinho is ready to overhaul his strike force in January. Spurs are tracking River Plate's £6m-rated Teofilo Gutierrez, Southampton's Jay Rodriguez and Borussia Monchengladbach's Patrick Herrmann.
West Brom are looking to sign a new striker in January after record £10m signing Ideye Brown, who signed from Dinamo Kiev in July, has failed to hit the net in the Premier League and failed to make the bench for Saturday's win at Leicester.
Former England goalkeeper David James has been forced into auctioning shirts, shorts and matchballs after being declared bankrupt in May.
Qatar have told FIFA they will stage the 2022 World Cup whenever required - but are leaning towards a winter tournament preference to maximise tourism benefits.
West Ham striker Andy Carroll is set to make his return from injury today in a practice match against Southend at Upton Park. The England target man has not featured for The Hammers this season due to an ankle injury.
QPR defender Rio Ferdinand will not appeal his three-match ban and £25,000 fine for using a slang word for 'promiscuous female' on Twitter.
England striker Jermain Defoe is set to make an extraordinary return to the Premier League with QPR set to sign the 32-year-old on a three-year deal worth £90,000 a week from MLS side Toronto.
Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock will not be charged by the FA for his referee rant following Monday's defeat by Sunderland.
Former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies has claimed that if 'grappling' in the box had been outlawed he would have won an extra 50 penalties in his prime.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers last night hit back at Gary Lineker following criticism for picking a second XI against Real Madrid.
Manchester United could scrap their £44m move for loan star Radamel Falcao.
Angry Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal shot themselves in the foot at the Emirates last night.
Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed he has no desire to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is unconvinced whether striker Radamel Falcao is capable of sustained Premier League action and is considering not turning his loan move into a permanent one in the summer. United will try to land Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar for £6m in January to address their defensive crisis. The 29-year-old's current contract expires at the end of the season.
Michael Carrick is happy to solve Manchester United's injury crisis by playing at centre-back in the coming weeks.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said he was right to leave out key players at Real Madrid.
Billy Stark is set to step down as Scotland under 21s boss after almost seven years in the job.
BBC
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United are still debating whether to turn Colombia striker Radamel Falcao's loan move into a permanent deal. The Red Devils could sign the 28-year-old, who has scored one goal in five matches since arriving from Monaco, for £46m in the summer. (Sun - subscription required)
Meanwhile, the Old Trafford club are ready to pay midfielder Anderson £1.4m to terminate his contract if they are unable to find a new club for the 26-year-old Brazilian in January. (Daily Telegraph)
Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal wants to sign Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar, 29, in January to help solve his defensive problems. (Daily Mirror)
Southampton must pay more than their club-record £15m fee - spent on Italy striker Pablo Osvaldo in 2013 - if they want to sign Palermo's 20-year-old forward Paulo Dybala. (Daily Star)
West Ham fear defender Winston Reid, 26, may leave despite them preparing to offer him a new £23m contract. (Sun - subscription required)
Unsettled Toronto striker Jermain Defoe, 32, will join Queens Park Rangers in January as Harry Redknapp moves to sign the former Tottenham striker for the third time. (Daily Mail)
OTHER GOSSIP
Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, 27, admits he is surprised to be left out of Fifa's 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or - the annual award given to the world's best player. (Guardian)
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho concedes he may have been unfair when he criticised Blues fans for being too quiet at home matches. (Daily Star)
Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, 31, wants to return to the Premier League club next month to discuss his future. The Argentina international announced on Monday that he had received a 'medical discharge' after having treatment for testicular cancer. (Daily Mirror)
Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan has praised the club's board for standing by under-fire manager Alan Pardew when some fans were calling for his sacking. (Newcastle Chronicle)
QPR defender Rio Ferdinand, 35, has decided not to appeal against the three-match ban given to him by the Football Association for comments he made on Twitter. (Times - subscription required)
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, 29, insists his recent omission from the Blues team is not because he is struggling to put Brazil's World Cup nightmare behind him. (Daily Express)
Talks between Real Sociedad and David Moyes about the La Liga club's vacant coaching position have hit a snag, with the former Everton and Manchester United manager's wage demands considered too high. (Goal)
Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, 26, says he has realised a dream by joining Real Madrid and is determined to prove he deserves to stay at the Bernabeu when his season-long loan deal from Manchester United ends. (ESPN)
QPR boss Harry Redknapp says midfielder Joey Barton, 32, faces a fight to regain his place after being out with a hamstring injury since September. (Sun - subscription required)
Paris St-Germain did try to sign Angel Di Maria, 26, from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, despite the Argentina winger saying Manchester United were the only side to come in for him. (LeSport10 - in French)
BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, 25, was one of seven regulars 'rested' for the Champions League match at Real Madrid on Tuesday, much to the disappointment of one-year-old daughter Elena, who travelled to the Bernabeu to watch her dad.
Apoel Nicosia defender John Arne Riise, 34, has voiced his frustration on Instagram at having to miss the Champions League game against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday through injury.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, showcased his skills by posting a video on Twitter of him drumming along to the Foo Fighters' hit Walk.
Chat show host Piers Morgan pleaded with Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany, 28, to join his beloved Arsenal - if he pays him £70m, two Ferraris and the use of his Beverly Hills home whenever he likes.
AND FINALLY
Tottenham midfielder Nacer Chadli, 25, has posed naked for the December edition of Cosmopolitan, to help raise awareness of male cancer. (London Evening Standard )
Guardian Rumour Mill
Nick Ames
The Mill has become used to the existence of the transfer window in recent years. Outside of it, the gruel is not always as thick as it once was. We try out a faddy diet or two. Breathe deeply, lustily, fully. Because you never quite know what form your next hit of nourishment will take.
So excuse us if we pop out for a week’s supply of kale and book ourselves on to a spa retreat because we’re in a bit of a vacuum this morning. It’s not that there is nothing going on. There is a lot going on, or a lot of talking about things going on. It’s just that not much of it is particularly constructive.
Take Manchester United and Radamel Falcao. A big-name match made in heaven, you might say. A loan set to be consummated next summer, you could well believe. Positive stuff all round. But apparently not, because rumour has it that Louis van Gaal’s feet are getting a little cold. Falcao, who missed the Chelsea and Manchester City games through injury, has not convinced the manager that he can handle the Premier League’s physical demands and a situation appears to have arisen whereby he must Change Louis’ Mind. Any good news? Any exciting alternatives? None whatsoever.
There is more – or perhaps less. The Telegraph says that United are prepared to spend £1.4m to terminate the contract of Anderson if nobody will have the decency even to be linked with him.
The air is similarly stifling up at The Hawthorns. Brown Ideye joined West Bromwich Albion in the summer for what did seem at the time like a rather steep £10m, and it is no falsehood to state that things could have begun a little better for the Nigerian. He has scored just once in six appearances, three of those in the Capital One Cup, and cannot make the bench at the moment. And Alan Irvine is having none of it – much as you might think a little acclimatisation is required of a man most recently used to the rather mellower tempo of the Ukrainian league. According to the Mirror, Irvine wants to get shot in January and is casting around for a replacement. Who? No idea.
There isn’t much constructive news to report further south either. You might think Arsenal need a few new signings after last night’s merry old fiasco and nobody has felt like one more often than Abou Diaby in recent years. But the Mail says that he’s going to be someone else’s real new signing soon enough, with Arsène Wenger prepared to let him go when his contract finishes at the end of the season. Joking aside, it looks like a sad end for a player of extraordinary talent.
The best spin we can put on any of this is that all four will be like birds released into the wild. But for those who like their rumours bookended with origin A and destination B, there are still a few to keep us staggering through the day. United aren’t going to let this Falcao business stop them from trying to plug a defence hitherto neglected to the point of hilarity, and are making eyes at Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar. They also fancy a pop at the Benfica midfielder Enzo Pérez.
In perhaps the least surprising seemingly-done-deal of this transfer window, it seems that unknown Toronto FC forward Jermain Defoe could be rewarding an exhaustive stint of scouting by Harry Redknapp and pitching up at QPR before very long at all.
And how’s this for a late, desperate rumours binge? Spurs, say the Mirror again, are looking at no fewer than three new forwards. The Colombian Teófilo Gutiérrez is one; Southampton’s currently-crocked Jay Rodriguez is another, the Borussia Mönchengladbach winger Patrick Herrmann is the third. Much-needed succour for the Mill, this, but it feels rather like the trip to McDonald’s before the yoga class. So that will do for today; we’re off to Whole Foods.
Express
Man United and Arsenal on ALERT as Winston Reid stalls on new West Ham deal
WINSTON REID is stalling on a new contract at West Ham putting Manchester United and Arsenal on alert as the January transfer window approaches.
By: Bruce Archer
The 26-year-old New Zealand centre back has been in fine form for Sam Allardyce's Hammers this season as they sit fifth after ten games.
Reid has played in each fixture and been a bedrock for Allardyce to build on.
But his current contract runs out at the end of the season and, according to the Sun, the club fear he will leave as the vultures begin to circle.
Man United and Arsenal are both short defensively and are looking to strengthen in January.
United, following Chris Smalling's sending off and Marcos Rojo's shoulder injury, on Sunday have just Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair available for this weekend's tie against Crystal Palace, although Michael Carrick is expected to play at the back.
While Arsenal have been forced to play Nacho Monreal, normally a left back, in central defence alongside Per Mertesacker due to Laurent Koscielny's and Mathieu Debuchy's injury.
Both clubs would be interested in a player with Premier League experience, particularly for a cut-price fee in January.
It is understood West Ham are prepared to offer Reid a six-year deal on around £75,000-a-week and are desperate for him to sign it before January when he will be allowed to speak to potential suitors.
HITC
West Ham ace set to snub reported Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United interest
West Ham United's in-demand centre-back Winston Reid is on the verge of signing a new deal at the club, according to reports.
Freddie Shires
Winston Reid is set to end speculation surrounding his West Ham United future and sign a new deal until 2019, according to a report from the Daily Star.
Reid, 26, had entered the final season of his contract at Upton Park, and the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United were all understood to be keeping tabs on the situation, in preparation for a potential approach in the coming transfer window.
The Gunners were even said to have made a late bid for the New Zealand captain at the summer deadline, and West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admitted only last month that he wasn’t sure whether the club would be able to keep hold of their star centre-back.
‘It is not only a concern for me, but it is a concern for the owners,’ he said.
‘There's been talk about Winston and his contract for a pretty long period now.
‘It's not that he doesn't want to stay. It's about the financial remuneration and whether they can come to the right level, give or take or negotiation that gets us to a point where he will say, “yes”.
‘That's always the hard bit. It's always a difficult negotiation. If we could tie him up tomorrow then I think the owners particularly and myself would like that and not have it lingering.
‘Hopefully sooner rather than later that will come to a conclusion and a positive one. I can only hope that is going to be a positive result in the end.’
Reid has played 115 games for West Ham since arriving from Danish club FC Midtjylland in August 2010, following an impressive World Cup campaign, and was named Hammer of the Year for the 2012-13 season after helping the side to a 10th-place finish in their top-flight return.
With Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all needing help at the back, he could have proven an excellent low-cost addition, but it now looks like the three will have to look elsewhere for reinforcements.
Will potential suitors regret missing out on Reid?
C&H
Reid: The real truth on 'talks'
Speculation that Winston Reid is set to sign a new Hammers deal is false as things stand at the moment.
Tabloid newspapers have been "revealing" the player has made up his mind to sign a new deal at around £75k a week.
But ClaretandHugh has learned that whilst talks are continuing with the player's agent, declarations of the player's intentions are "entirely premature."
We were told last evening the central defender had been encouraged by the club's ambitions this season which is entirely the case but at this stage he continues to study all his options.
The board still have had no reaction from the player's agent on the offer made several weeks ago and we were told this morning: "We will continue to strive to get a deal but newspaper speculation is well wide of the mark.
"To suggest the club are offering £75k a week is just wrong - it's not that high."
West Ham prepared to top the charts with Song permanently
Hammers reported to be lining up bid to sign Cameroon international on from Barcelona in £15m swoop
Rumours are circulating that West Ham are prepared to equal their transfer record to tie down loan signing Alex Song on a £15m deal as soon as January.
Described by Sam Allardyce as West Ham’s answer to Yaya Toure, Song has been an influential member of the Hammers midfield both going forward and in his defensive responsibilities.
The regard in which he is held at the Boleyn was obvious when he was handed the captain’s armband against QPR on just his fourth appearance for the club.
But it hasn’t been just when he has had the armband that he has led by example.
Allardyce expressed how his influence has been integral to the club’s current successes after West Ham’s shock victory over Manchester City: “When you have got quality players, quality players look forward to the big games. Alex Song led us as a team and the rest of the lads responded.”
According to WhoScored.com, the Cameroon international has made more dribbles than any of his team-mates, and has only been out-tackled by Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate. Coupled with an 80% pass completion rate, and he could be just the man the Hammers need in the centre of the park long-term.
The 27-year-old moved to east London in August on a season-long loan from Barcelona, and is reportedly delighted to be back in the capital.
To secure his signature on a permanent basis may require David Gold and David Sullivan to dig deep, with the Catalan giants looking to recoup at least the £15m they paid Arsenal for Song two years ago.
And with Financial Fair Play rearing its head, the Londoners may have to lose one or two players from their books to afford such a deal. There are a few candidates to go, with Ravel Morrison seemingly finding it difficult to break into the first team on a regular basis, and Ricardo Vaz Te and Carlton Cole set to have an even bigger fight to feature with Andy Carroll’s imminent return.
But it’s not just this news that will provide encouragement to Hammers fans this week.
The ongoing saga regarding Winston Reid’s expiring contract has apparently taken a turn for the good for the claret and blues.
The Daily Star are reporting that Reid’s agent has claimed that the New Zealand international is days away from signing on at the club until 2019.
Should the Kiwi sign on the dotted line, West Ham fans can continue to look forward to what promises to be a bright future for the Hammers.
OS
The Big Interview - Steve Potts
West Ham United U18s manager assesses his side's season so far
Steve Potts' West Ham United U18s have made a fantastic start to their league season having taken 19 points from their first eleven games. This impressive vein of form coincided with a eight-game unbeaten run at the start of the season.
As a West Ham player Potts made 506 first team appearances, and he currently holds the Club's record of Premier League appearances.
As the U18s approach the half way point of their league season, we caught up with the two time Hammer of the Year winner.
Steve, your U18s got back to winning ways against Norwich City with a 1-0 victory on Saturday. What did you make of the game?
SP "I thought we played very well, we controlled a lot of the game better than we had been doing earlier in the season. Even though we were winning games I still I wasn't happy enough, but on Saturday we got a lot of the ball and moved it around well.
"We created a number of chances and their keeper had a fantastic game. I thought we weren't going to get anything out of it but thankfully at the end we got the three point and not just the one."
You have had a number of injuries to deal with, but Jerry Amoo came in and scored his first goal of the season, which must be very pleasing?
SP "Yeah, he's been unlucky with injuries, he's missed a large part of the season. He's come back and he's still regaining fitness really. With his goal it was good to see him hit it first time with his left foot rather than take a touch. He put it away well."
We are halfway through the Barclays U18 Premier League with eleven games played, so how do you assess the team's progress?
SP "We've progressed OK, we had a very good start but we're always hoping for more. We had a little hiccup results wise at Fulham but otherwise our performance was good. Against Aston Villa [the previous week, when we lost 3-1] we didn't get a performance or a result we were looking for. But to get the result against Norwich last Saturday shows we learnt the lessons from that match so it's good."
You are currently joint-top on 19 points. Does that haul exceed pre-season expectations?
SP "I didn't really think about any targets before the season. What we look at is the performances and the efforts the boys are putting in. We have to look at whether the boys are improving, individually and as a team.
"We also have to consider if they're giving it their best shot which is what we insist on. If they're not you have to question whether it's worth them being here. I know that sounds harsh but there are thousands of boys who would like to be in their position and they've got to make the best of the opportunity they've got. We've learnt quite a lot about the players this season, good and bad."
The FA Youth Cup is not far away from getting started, so are you excited for that?
SP "It's a different competition and opportunity for the boys, they got the chance to play in the stadium in front of a crowd so it's a good experience. It's a very tough competition, with the league programme the boys get moved up and down between the age groups but with the Youth Cup you tend to find every club puts their best team out so it's a very tough cup to win."
A number of the U18s have moved up into the Development Squad. How do you think they have coped?
SP "I think they've done OK. It's a big ask to play a few years up but in reality that's what they need to be doing. They need to prove themselves at that level before they can go any further."
They have also faced some tough opposition in a strong Manchester United side and Bilbao Athletic in the Premier League International Cup?
SP "Exactly, and that can only be a good thing for them. Manchester United are near the top of the division as well as having a number of players with first team experience in that side. At the other end if you don't put the ball in the back of the net you're going to pay the price."
A number of players have been awarded their first professional contracts. That must be testament to their hard work and the good work going on at the Academy?
SP "It's pleasing. It's another step on the ladder for them really. I think contracts take care of themselves really. In terms of how well they do in the future I don't think they need to worry about that too much. At their age they just need to concentrate on their football and let their performances do the talking."
Hong Kong Standard
Coaches Out The Boot Into Cancer
Football coaches in Hong Kong will this month be remembering a star footballer claimed by testicular cancer.
Dylan Tombides, who died in April aged 20, played for English Premier League team West Ham United and represented Australia.
He honed his skills locally with Asia Pacific Soccer Schools and, for this month of "Movember", coaches will be growing moustaches to raise awareness of men's health. Donations may be made at http://moteam.co.asia-pacific-soccer-schools to help fight the disease.
APSS will also be supporting a charitable foundation to be launched by the player's parents in February.
The London club retired Tombides' No. 38 shirt on his death, with only England's World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore receiving the same honour.
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