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F??bregas and Nasri move closer towards ??55m Arsenal exit

??? Barcelona and Manchester City confident of deals??? Both players to miss Saturday's visit to NewcastleBarcelona are increasingly confident that they will finally secure the Arsenal midfielder Cesc F??bregas before the weekend as negotiations with the London club over a fee edge closer towards...

Tottenham face tough task to land Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente

??? Basque club unwilling to accept offer under ???36m??? Spurs may take another look at Villarreal's Giuseppe RossiTottenham Hotspur face an uphill task if they are to sign the Spain forward Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao, with his club unwilling to accept an offer that does not trigger...

Opta users now more likely to wear a manager's jacket than an anorak

Premier League clubs are increasingly relying on statistics to shape their transfer policyHere is something you probably did not know: only 13 players across Europe's top five divisions created more goal-scoring chances last season than Chris Brunt, with the West Bromwich Albion midfielder's tally...

England's youth offers bright horizon after series of false dawns | Richard Williams

The emergence of Tom Cleverley and Jack Wilshere, among others, means the next England manager will have a wealth of talent at his disposalFalse dawns are a speciality of English football. The so-called golden generation gave us three of them, at successive World Cups. Four, if you count...

Premier League yet to make decision

??? Riot fears continue to stretch British police force??? London due to stage eight games at weekendPolice forces across the country are waiting to see if there are any further outbreaks of public disorder before deciding whether the Premier League season can start as planned this weekend.The...

Dalglish plea to Sunderland fans over Henderson

??? Liverpool manager says Henderson should not be heckled??? Luis Su??rez has returned to training following Copa Am??ricaThe Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, insists Sunderland fans should not give Jordan Henderson a rough ride in Liverpool's opening Premier League fixture this weekend. The...

Louis Saha tips Ross Barkley for a big future with Everton and England

??? Barkley cannot fail, says former France striker??? 'He's got all the ability to be a great player'Louis Saha has tipped his team???mate Ross Barkley for a big future with Everton and England and has backed him to make an impact in the Premier League this season.The 17-year-old, who has been...

Sunderland's Steve Bruce has to prove he is not a cowboy builder

The Sunderland manager has recruited 28 senior players since 2009 and needs this season's vintage to get them in contention for a European place or face the wrath of the club's ownersSteve Bruce is football's version of the next-door neighbour who seems to be continually renovating his house or...