Aston Villa striker Darren Bent not surprised at Manchester United and Liverpool hunt to recruit Ashley Young

Former Sunderland striker reveals more international time is improving his game and felt that England were good value for their win over Wales in Euro 2012 qualifier.

By Laurie Bonne

Only 15 months before his contract expires, Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is reportedly on Manchester United’s and Liverpool’s wish list for the summer transfer window and team-mate Darren Bent thinks it is no surprise that the starlet is so coveted by the big names in the Premier League.

Young’s talent has been evident throughout his remarkable performances both with the England national team and at Villa, where Bent is a team-mate after the 25-year-old moved to Villa Park in January on a £24million fee.

It was thanks to the former Watford player that the Three Lions were awarded a penalty for the opening goal against Wales on Saturday for the Euro 2012 qualifier.

He then went on to serve the ball to Bent to score the second goal in Cardiff.

"Ashley has been playing really, really well this season and being linked to top, top sides,” Bent told The Mirror.

"It's because of the form he is showing like against Wales that all these clubs are after him.

"He was fantastic and it helps me that he is also in the Villa side.

"The main thing is we can keep going, hang onto him for as long as possible and keep creating the chances for Villa and scoring goals."

The 27-year-old also admits that he is still adjusting to the international scene and feels more at ease to give his best as Capello gives him more time on the pitch.

Bent has scored three times in the last three international games and is in pole position to be at
the head of England’s defensive line.

He said: "It's always hard when you've had 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there but when you get a run in the side, you take great confidence from that.

"I'd love to be the number nine for as long as possible but there are a lot of top strikers about.

"If Fabio keeps picking me, hopefully I'll keep producing the goods. Scoring at this level gives me a lot of confidence.

"International football is a step up from the Premier League and to show you can score goals at international level has always been the hardest thing.

"To be fair, for me the most difficult one was getting the first one but hopefully now, if I can stay in the side, and keep playing well, there will be many more goals for me.

"I feel as if I belong at this level, definitely. I always believed in that even when at first the goals weren't going in.

"I always believed that I was good enough to score goals at this level and hopefully it is showing now."

England now stands at the top of Group G with 10 points after their win at the Millennium Stadium and Bent believes the Three Lions fully deserved the win.

"These games can always be difficult because derbies are always difficult games to play in,” he added.

"But for us to go 2-0 up in the first 15 minutes made it a lot more comfortable than maybe it could have been then if it had stayed 0-0 for a while.

"The manager was happy. There is always room for improvement and in the second half we took our foot off the gas and let them back into it.

"But we were definitely the better team over 90 minutes."

 

Ashley Young number 7

via LiverpoolNews

An Exciting Portuguese Star to Solve the Reds’ Left Back Woes?

     Fábio Coentrão’s name has appeared in the papers and on the relevant sites a number of times over the last couple of weeks, mostly in conjunction with Liverpool who are looking for a summer fix to their left-back problem. It’s a little surprising then, to learn that it may be Chelsea who are favourites to earn the Portuguese winger’s services. According to reports, Benfica are expecting a number of bids for the 23 year-old during the summer transfer window and Chelsea will be first and foremost amongst those who are seeking his services.

    Yet, the Portuguese winger (who can also play as a left-back) has been quoted in the French press as having a ‘love’ for Liverpool. Given that Liverpool are currently struggling in the left-back position, it’s likely that they too are keeping tabs on Coentrão (as has been widely reported). Neither Fabio Aurelio nor Paul Konchesky have been able to hold down the left-back position, forcing Kenny Dalglish to shift right-back Glen Johnson over to the left. It’s not an ideal situation and Dalglish will be looking for a solution this season.

Of the wingers/full-backs linked with Liverpool, Coentrão’s name seems to me to be the most exciting (expect perhaps Alexis Sanchez, who is a Manchester United fan). Given that Liverpool have been linked with Taye Taiwo (who has recently announced his desire to play for AC Milan), Jose Enrique, Oscar Wendt and Gael Clichy (not going to happen) that’s pretty high praise.

     He mostly operates as a left-back for Benfica, where his energetic, bounding bursts forward in combination with pinpoint accurate quick crossing have earned him a good number of plaudits. He’s masterful with the ball at his feet has a great reading of the game and is always quick to get back and put in a decent tackle. What’s most impressive about Coentrão is just how well-rounded his game is – something that was on evidence at the 2010 World Cup in which he was one of few Portugal players to leave the tournament with any credit.

Fabio Coentrao

 via LiverpoolNews

Liverpool and Arsenal keen on Madrid midfielder

            It has been reported in the Spanish papers that the Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish made a bid for the Real Madrid attacking midfielder Sergio Canales in January, but he turned down a move to Anfield, but other reports are saying that it was Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal who are the most keen to take him to the Premier League.

                The Gunners have been linked with Canales since last summer, but today’s Mirror says that Liverpool are planning a new move for the 20 year-old in June, with the players father (and agent), Angel Canales, saying recently: “Sergio wants to play for Madrid but in June we will speak with the club and find the best solution.”

                Canales was signed from Santander last summer, but having only appeared seven times for the Spanish giants it is no wonder that he may consider moving. Sergio himself admitted that he had the chance to move to England in January. He said: “During January I had options to move to England, but I want to repay Mourinho and the club’s trust in me.

                “I don’t regret moving to Real Madrid and I knew that this first year would be tough. It’s not great when I’m not in the squad but I want to show what I can do on the pitch.”

With the superstars already in the Madrid midfield, it is looking likely that he will be leaving the Spanish capital this summer, but will he move to Arsenal or Liverpool?

Sergio Canales

via LiverpoolNews

Liverpool & Atletico Madrid are interested in Rubin Kazan's Cristian Ansaldi - agent

 27 Mar 2011 13:08:00

Argentine defender is on the radar of the Reds and Atleti, says his representative, who feels playing in Russia has hampered the 24-year-old's international prospects

English giants Liverpool and last year's Europa League winners Atletico Madrid have both expressed their interest in Rubin Kazan defender Cristian Ansaldi, according to the player's agent.

The Argentina international joined the former Russian champions in 2008 and has a contract that runs until 2012. The 24-year-old full-back has been in impressive form in the Russian Premier League and has attracted the attention of some of Europe's bigger clubs.

Ansaldi's agent Pedro Aldave has now revealed that the former Newell's Old Boys player is ready for an adventure in England, Spain or Italy, and told Calciomercatoweb.it: "There has been some informal market interest from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

"I think he pays for the fact he plays in Russia, otherwise he would be in the national team. His contract with Rubin Kazan expires in December 2012 and he has no buy-out clause. Cristian wants to go away. He would love to play in England, Italy or Spain." 

Aldave also disclosed a previous interest in his client from England, stating: "Last summer there was a deal with Manchester City and also some contact with Chelsea, but it all stopped because of a work permit. Now he has Italian citizenship and this could make things easier."

via LiverpoolNews

Man Utd to rival Liverpool and Spurs for Charlie Adam

            It is a well-documented fact that the Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish tried hard to get his fellow Scotsman Charlie Adam to Anfield in January, and also the Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp made a last minute bid to nab the Blackpool captain. The Seasiders managed to repel both Liverpool and Spurs in January, but there is little doubt that Adam will be leaving Bloomfield Road this summer and both clubs are expecting to return with new bids.

            But today the Mirror is reporting that the Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson, who famously said that Charlie Adam’s corners were worth £10m, is also going to be joining in the bidding.

It seems that Ferguson has been talking to Adam’s old boss Walter Smith, who has recommended the Scottish International as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes at Old Trafford, and is hoping that the lure of guaranteed Champions League football may give Man Utd the edge over the Liverpool and Tottenham offers.

   

via LiverpoolNews

Liverpool better off with Suarez and Carroll - Gerrard

Sun, 27 Mar 13:25:22 2011

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool are better off having sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea and brought in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Many felt the Reds had got the raw end of the deal when Torres joined the Blues in a £50million deal on transfer deadline day, while Kenny Dalglish moved to bring in Suarez from Ajax and Carroll from Newcastle for a British record fee of £35million.

But Torres has yet to score for Chelsea since his big money move, while Suarez and Carroll have made promising starts to life at Anfield, with the former turning in an outstanding performance in the 3-1 win over Manchester United.

And Gerrard told Sky Sports 1: "Suarez has only played a few games but we know he will be a top player. Training and playing with him in his first few games he has been strong and technically good, but Fernando in his first year with us was frightening as well.

"But I think Liverpool are in a better position having two top forwards instead of one. I enjoyed playing behind Fernando but if you said I could have Fernando on form or Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez on form, I would take the two over one."

 

via LiverpoolNews