Harry Redknapp has delved into the transfer market to sign long term target 20 year old Brazilian midfielder Sandro Ranieri.
The Spurs boss has been tracking the movements of the young holding midfielder for some time following a failed 14 million pound transfer bid last summer. Sandro, whose full name is Sandro Ranieri Guimarães Cordeiro, will add some resolve to a Spurs midfield that is largely built upon its attacking merits, and fill the void of left by the departure of Dider Zokora. Sandro made his full international debut for ten man Brazil in September 2009, coming off the bench to to replace Julio Baptista in a 4-2 World Cup Qualification win over Chile.
Whilst primarily a defensive player, the six foot one Internacional player harbours many of the ball-playing skills that we have come to expect from Brazilian footballers. His finishing appears decent too, as demonstrated in this video of his goal against Sporting Recife:
Prior to his move to north London, Sandro had been linked with moves to many of Europe's top clubs. It was rumoured that both the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona were interested in the young midfielder, whilst the main Italian interest appeared to be Fiorentina. However, it is the persistance of Spurs that has led to something of a coup for Redknapp's side.
It would be understandable for Spurs fans to have reservations, however. The last time their side splashed out on a Brazilian, they ended up with the mercurial 'keeper Heurelho Gomes. But early indications are promising on the prospects of the internationally decorated Sandro. Harry Redknapp has a strong pedigree in the transfer market, and doesn't often make mistakes, particularly when large fees are involved.
The Brazilian will join up with Spurs at the conclusion of this year's Copa Libertodores in July, subject to a medical, for a fee believed to be around £10 million.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Sunday 21 March 2010
Sunday Round-Up
The Premiership:
Manchester United moved back to the top of the Premier League after a cagey 2-1 over arch-rivals Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a familiar first XI for a game of this magnitude, handing starts to the combative Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park. And it was United's two big-game players who linked up to supply the Champions with a valuable win at a boisterous Old Trafford. Fletcher's pinpoint cross on the hour-mark saw Park win a brave header, before being struck on the head by Glen Johnson's boot in a despairing attempt at clearing his lines.
Liverpool's Fernando Torres had handed the visitors a surprise lead after just 5 minutes, when the Spaniard intercepted Dirk Kuyt's centre with a powerful header. This early goal contributed to a lively opening to the fixture, with both sides committing men forward. It was during one of the home-side's attacking forays that Javier Mascherano once again proved to be the villain for Liverpool against United.
"Mascherano once again proved to be
the villain for Liverpool against United"
Mascherano cynically tugged on the arm of Antonio Valencia, who had eluded him, but appeared to have been fouled outside of the penalty area. Referee Howard Webb interpreted the offence as a penalty, and subsequently showed the Argentine midfielder the yellow card. the villain for Liverpool against United"
England's hero in-waiting Wayne Rooney stepped up confidently, but saw Liverpool 'keeper Reina make a commanding save away to his left. If you could level any criticism at Reina, it was the he had dived too far, and could only bunt the ball back to a relieved Wayne Rooney for simple tap-in.
The result moved gave United a 2 point lead at the top of the table, following Chelsea's lacklustre 1-1 draw away at Blackburn.
Events from Ewood Park will have frustrated Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who saw his side start strong, and take the lead as his two front-men combined for Didier Drogba's 28th goal of the season. Supplying the assist was Nicolas Anelka, who has shared a prolific partnership with Drogba under the stewardship of Chelsea's Italian manager. Anelka showed pace and power as he surged down the right hand flank before pulling a smart ball back for the Ivorian striker to slot home with his left.
"Anelka has shared a prolific partnership with
Drogba under the stewardship of Ancelotti"
Drogba under the stewardship of Ancelotti"
Carlo Ancelotti will have been looking for a response from his side, following their Champions League exit in mid-week. The Chelsea boss witnessed his side allow Blackburn to re-establish a foothold in the fixture, and, as the hosts built a head of steam the equaliser seemed inevitable. Michel Salgado rolled back the years as he exposed the counter attacking Chelsea, flying down the right wing before delivering a centre for El-Hadji Diouf who out-leapt Paulo Ferreira to pull the home side level on 70 minutes.
Sam Allardyce's Blackburn showed great character in grinding out the result, withstanding increasing Chelsea pressure as the match drew to a close. No player typified the performance more than 18-year old debutant Phil Jones. The young centre back was handed the man of the match award for his lion-hearted display at the back, and showed all the qualities that Allardyce expects from one of his sides.
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a confident 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Roberto Mancini's side started well with Santa Cruz following-up Craig Bellamy's 7th minute effort, which rebounded off the woodwork. And Tevez doubled City's lead ten minutes before half time from close range.
Gareth Barry handed the home side an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 75 minutes. The former Aston Villa man handled the ball, allowing Danny Murphy to convert from twelve yards.
But City held on to a 2-1 win against a Fulham team who appeared to show some weariness following their mid-week heroics in the Europa League. For City, the win moved them up into 5th ahead of the earlier-vanquished Liverpool and demonstrated their Champions League qualification credentials.
Sam Allardyce's Blackburn showed great character in grinding out the result, withstanding increasing Chelsea pressure as the match drew to a close. No player typified the performance more than 18-year old debutant Phil Jones. The young centre back was handed the man of the match award for his lion-hearted display at the back, and showed all the qualities that Allardyce expects from one of his sides.
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a confident 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Roberto Mancini's side started well with Santa Cruz following-up Craig Bellamy's 7th minute effort, which rebounded off the woodwork. And Tevez doubled City's lead ten minutes before half time from close range.
Gareth Barry handed the home side an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 75 minutes. The former Aston Villa man handled the ball, allowing Danny Murphy to convert from twelve yards.
But City held on to a 2-1 win against a Fulham team who appeared to show some weariness following their mid-week heroics in the Europa League. For City, the win moved them up into 5th ahead of the earlier-vanquished Liverpool and demonstrated their Champions League qualification credentials.
Saturday 20 March 2010
News from the late kick off
Ten-man Arsenal moved to the summit of the Premier League with a 2-0 home win over West Ham.
Denilson handed Arsenal the lead within five minutes, before Belgian centre half Thomas Vermaelen conceded a penalty and was subsequently given his marching orders on the stroke of half time. Manuel Almunia saved Diamanti's spot-kick to preserve the north London side's lead. Captain Cesc Fabregas settled the tie on 82 minutes from the penalty mark after Matthew Upson was adjudged to have handled the ball.
The win moves Arsenal a point clear at the top of The Premiership with Man United and Chelsea in action tomorrow afternoon. United host rivals Liverpool at 13:30 whilst Chelsea travel to Blackburn's Ewood Park in the 16:00 kick off. West Ham, however, failed to capitalise on defeats to relegation rivals Hull and Burnley, whilst seeing the two sides above them take positive results. West Ham's cushion between themselves and the drop zone remains at three.
Denilson handed Arsenal the lead within five minutes, before Belgian centre half Thomas Vermaelen conceded a penalty and was subsequently given his marching orders on the stroke of half time. Manuel Almunia saved Diamanti's spot-kick to preserve the north London side's lead. Captain Cesc Fabregas settled the tie on 82 minutes from the penalty mark after Matthew Upson was adjudged to have handled the ball.
The win moves Arsenal a point clear at the top of The Premiership with Man United and Chelsea in action tomorrow afternoon. United host rivals Liverpool at 13:30 whilst Chelsea travel to Blackburn's Ewood Park in the 16:00 kick off. West Ham, however, failed to capitalise on defeats to relegation rivals Hull and Burnley, whilst seeing the two sides above them take positive results. West Ham's cushion between themselves and the drop zone remains at three.
Saturday Afternoon Round-Up
The Premiership:
Harry Redknapp's Spurs earned a hard-fought away win at The Brittania Stadium after Niko Kranjcar's late goal seized the initative in the race for fourth. The north London side will have been buoyed by their 2-1 victory following a 2-2 draw in the early kick off for Aston Villa in an entertaining derby match with Midlands rivals Wolves. Villa boss Martin O' Neil will have been frustrated by his side's inability to overcome Wolves, and it took a late, and questionably offside equaliser from John Carew to secure a point for the Champions League chasing side. Elsewhere in the race for fourth spot, Everton did their prospects no harm with a professional 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Bolton at Goodison Park. Everton took the lead on 72 minutes shortly after the dismissal of the away side's Gretar Steinsson. The red card seemed to change the game, with Everton having being frustrated by the visitors to that point.
In this season's tense relegation scrap both Burnley and Hull conceded at the death to succumb to defeat. Iain Dowie's first game in charge of strugglers Hull seemed set to end in a priceless away win, until late goals from Jamie O' Hara and Nwankwo Kanu in the final two minutes snatched a 3-2 win for the doomed south coast team. Meanwhile, Hugo Rodallega's last minute goal over Brian Laws' Burnley will be considered by many as the goal that consigns Burnley to relegation in a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat.
At The Stadium of Light a goalkeeping masterclass from Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon saw the Black Cats safely through to a 3-1 win over stuttering Birmingham. Two early goals from Darren Bent saw the home side make an imperious start to the match, before Cameron Jerome pulled a goal back on 60 minutes to set up a tense finale. But Frazer Campbell's 88th minute goal settled the tie and brought Steve Bruce's side a welcome win over his former club to take Sunderland away from the relegation pack.
Harry Redknapp's Spurs earned a hard-fought away win at The Brittania Stadium after Niko Kranjcar's late goal seized the initative in the race for fourth. The north London side will have been buoyed by their 2-1 victory following a 2-2 draw in the early kick off for Aston Villa in an entertaining derby match with Midlands rivals Wolves. Villa boss Martin O' Neil will have been frustrated by his side's inability to overcome Wolves, and it took a late, and questionably offside equaliser from John Carew to secure a point for the Champions League chasing side. Elsewhere in the race for fourth spot, Everton did their prospects no harm with a professional 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Bolton at Goodison Park. Everton took the lead on 72 minutes shortly after the dismissal of the away side's Gretar Steinsson. The red card seemed to change the game, with Everton having being frustrated by the visitors to that point.
In this season's tense relegation scrap both Burnley and Hull conceded at the death to succumb to defeat. Iain Dowie's first game in charge of strugglers Hull seemed set to end in a priceless away win, until late goals from Jamie O' Hara and Nwankwo Kanu in the final two minutes snatched a 3-2 win for the doomed south coast team. Meanwhile, Hugo Rodallega's last minute goal over Brian Laws' Burnley will be considered by many as the goal that consigns Burnley to relegation in a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat.
At The Stadium of Light a goalkeeping masterclass from Sunderland stopper Craig Gordon saw the Black Cats safely through to a 3-1 win over stuttering Birmingham. Two early goals from Darren Bent saw the home side make an imperious start to the match, before Cameron Jerome pulled a goal back on 60 minutes to set up a tense finale. But Frazer Campbell's 88th minute goal settled the tie and brought Steve Bruce's side a welcome win over his former club to take Sunderland away from the relegation pack.
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