The Sweeper

The Sweeper: Joe Lewis planning to sell Tottenham when new White Hart Lane stadium is complete

We reveal how Fabio Capello is cramping England's style, lift the lid on Aston Villa's commuters and expose a potential conflict of interest between the Premier League and QPR

10 Sep 2011 08:18:00

 

Edited By Wayne Veysey

THE

SWEEPER

TIDYING UP ALL THE LOOSE STORIES IN FOOTBALL THIS WEEK

Regular visitors to the Tottenham boardroom have noted that Joe Lewis, the billionaire who controls the club's owners ENIC International Limited, has been a more visible presence at White Hart Lane over the last 12 months.

In 2009-10, the Bahamas-based tycoon went to his first Spurs game in nine years and he is understood to have been at the club on a further four occasions over the last year.

Lewis' increasingly hands-on role is partly to push through the remodified plan, revealed byThe Sweeper last month, to redevelop White Hart Lane after losing out on the Olympic Stadium to West Ham.

But Lewis and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy have also been sounding out City interest in naming rights for the Northumberland Development Project (NDP) stadium, adjacent to White Hart Lane.

Sources have told The Sweeper that Lewis' long-term plan is to maximise Tottenham's market value over the next five years and then sell the club when the stadium is complete. There is no specific finishing date in mind but, as senior officials continue to chip away at local and central government chiefs for funding towards a project that will cost an estimated £460 million, few expect it to be built before 2016.

City figures believe Spurs could be worth £500m when the stadium is built, nearly three times more than the club's current value.

Although chairman Daniel Levy refuted claims by Tottenham MP David Lammy last year that he intended to sell the club to an Eastern European or Middle East investor if Spurs beat West Ham to the Olympic Stadium, rumours continue to circulate that ENIC, who own 85 per cent of the club's shares, will eventually cash in.

For now, momentum is gathering at White Hart Lane to redevelop the current stadium. Two senior club officials are working full time on NDP, while a committee of 15 are now meeting once a week to discuss the project.It is expected that the club, galvanised by the increasing political backing for NDP, will quietly drop the judicial review of the Olympic Stadium before the scheduled hearing later this month and focus all their attention on redeveloping White Hart Lane.

FABIO CRAMPING ENGLAND'S STYLE

Fabio Capello chose to highlight the mental rather than physical frailties of the England players after their underwhelming 1-0 win over Wales in midweek.

But it has not gone unnoticed by The Sweeper that the Wales players looked far sharper and fitter than Capello's team in the final 20 minutes.

A number of the England players suffered from cramp towards the end, including substituted pair Wayne Rooney and Stewart Downing, while Wales' two changes were made for purely tactical reasons.

Could this be anything to do with the training schedules of the two teams? Wales did not suffer a single injury during their 10-day training camp and the entire squad returned to their clubs fit and available to play this weekend. By contrast, four England players - Darren Bent, Micah Richards, Leighton Baines and Theo Walcott - missed the Wales match through injury. 

HOME SWEET HOME FOR VILLA

Aston Villa supporters were stunned last season when it emerged that three first-team players commuted every day to the club's Bodymoor Heath training HQ in Tamworth. Robert Pires was chauffeur-driven from his London home, Stephen Ireland made the journey from Cheshire and Stephen Warnock did the same from his base in the north-west.

Yet the extent of the squad's reluctance to live in the Midlands ran even deeper. Luke Young commuted all season from Wimbledon Village, while Ashley Young moved back to Stevenage in Hertfordshire in the final months of the campaign once it became clear he would not be signing a new contract with the club.

Not that new manager Alex McLeish can hand out too many lectures on the subject of long commutes. The Scot bought a house in Fulham 12 months ago and regularly travelled up and down the M40 between west London and Birmingham City's training base in south Birmingham.


PREMIER LEAGUE DENY QPR REF LINK 

Some eyebrows have been raised about the association between QPR and Premier League referees, who are sponsored by Tune Group, parent company of Tony Fernandes-owned AirAsia.

Tune Group are in the second year of a three-year, seven-figure contract with the Professional Game Match Officials that sees their brand emblazoned on the uniforms of match officials.

However, there is no discomfort at Premier League HQ about the potential conflict of interest following Fernandes' takeover of QPR last month.

Premier League sources have told The Sweeper that the sponsorship "literally amounts to the branding on the shirt" and that there is no direct contact between Tune and PGMO.

Should Fernandes' ownership of the London club extend beyond next season, it will be interesting to see whether the PGMO endorse a third contract for Tune Group, a hypothetical scenario that the authorities are unwilling to address at the moment.

WALES IN DRIVING SEAT

In an interview with Goal.com the week, Wales No.2 Raymond Verheijen explained how the players are hungry to play for the national team again following an overhaul of the set-up that has put far more emphasis on the collective than the individual.

These were not empty words. The Sweeper understands that Craig Bellamy and David Vaughan, who were suspended for the England match and had departed the squad last Saturday, both drove independently and of their own volition to Wembley on Tuesday night to watch their team's 1-0 defeat from the stands.

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How will Andre Villas-Boas fit Raul Meireles into his first team?

TEAM 1

TEAM 1

NEW MEN RULE ON THE RIGHT

Amar Singh | Deputy Editor

I believe Raul Meireles should go straight into the team as he has the pace and movement to trouble Sunderland and dovetail intelligently with the front three.

With John Obi Mikel sitting in front of the defence as he does, Meireles and Frank Lampard can have a crack at striking up an understanding in the middle of the park, as the Portuguese midfielder has the legs to make those late runs into the box which his English team-mate was once reknowned for.

Despite his lack of goals, Torres has looked sharper so far this season. He remains the owner's prize investment so Villas-Boas should stick with him as he seeks to reshape the Chelsea team, particularly with Mata's acquisition seemingly based around the ideal of the two striking up a fruitful relationship on the pitch.

Should Torres draw a blank again then Drogba is a formidable option to bring on from the bench, as is the exciting Lukaku.  

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How Arsene Wenger's new signings can save Arsenal's season

From Mikel Arteta to Andre Santos - how Arsene Wenger's new signings can save Arsenal's season

With only one point from a possible nine, the Gunners have endured their worst league start in two decades and the club are looking to new faces to reverse their fortunes

Getty Images

ANALYSIS
By Jonathan Birchall

The principles that Arsene Wenger has so steadfastly preserved in the past 15 years have helped take Arsenal from a sleeping giant to, at times, the brink of greatness.However, with memories of the Invincibles of 2004 fading and the club having gone six years without a trophy, the Frenchman’s doctrine, so revolutionary on its arrival in England, has grown ineffective. The Premier League’s great innovator has begun to look out of touch, his convictions obstinate.

For Wenger to have strayed so far from his own party line in the closing stages of the transfer window by bringing in five players aged 26 or over, suggests that even Le Professeur was beginning to doubt his own experiment. That is, of course, presuming that higher influences on the Arsenal board weren’t dictating proceedings as an act of desperation.
Rushed or not, the additions were necessary. Andre Santos, Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun stand out as replacements for summer departures Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, while central defender Per Mertesacker will take charge of an area in which Arsenal have been lacking since 2009 and the departure of Kolo Toure. Only the signing of South Korean attacker Park Chu-Young could be seen as non-essential.
The question that remains is whether these new faces have the ability to turn around the fortunes of a team that have one point from their opening three games and the worst goal difference in the division. Goal.com have taken a look at each of them to see what they can bring to the Emirates and judge whether it will be enough.

MIKEL ARTETA

It is not a slight on the midfielder's ability as a footballer to say that it is his Premier League experience that makes him such a potentially excellent signing.

With Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey clearly the future of Arsenal's midfield, it would've been foolhardy to rely on two players with a combined age of 39 as the sole providers of creativity in the middle.

The Spaniard will not only share the load but will be expected to take responsibility for it in a blend of youth and experience that is proving so lucrative at Manchester United.

The  29-year-old is no Cesc Fabregas, and cannot provide the same level of dynamism as the club's former skipper but his accuracy at dead-ball situations, when both providing and shooting, will bolster an area of the Gunners armoury that has certainly been lacking.

YOSSI BENAYOUN

At 31, concerns over the Israeli's ability to transform Arsenal's attacking options are somewhat justified.
However, as an experienced player with guile and touch of class mirroring that of Wenger's side, the loan capture could yet prove to be a fantastic bit of business.
If Wenger's men still feel they can push toward the 60-games-a-season mark, then Benayoun's versatility in either the central midfield roles or, more likely, out wide supporting Robin van Persie, will be essential.
The former Liverpool man has never scored over 10 goals in a season during his six years in England but as a creative altruist, there are few better.

PER MERTESACKER

The former Werder Bremen defender is extremely experienced despite being just 26 years old, but whether he is the right man for Wenger is still highly debatable.

On his best form, and in the right context, Mertesacker is a top-class defender: he anticipates danger well, and when near an opponent, is a very skilled ball winner.

Without the right midfield in front of him and partner in defence, however, he is too slow and too hesitant to be a hit.

Werder conceded 61 goals in 34 Bundesliga games last year, in a time in which fellow centre-back Naldo was missing due to injury, and midfield anchor Torsten Frings was unable to keep up with the pace of previous years.

In any case, Metersacker is an exceptionally clean defender, having earned just one yellow card in 90 Bundesliga appearances since 2008-09, and his height alone will be a big benefit from set pieces. But Wenger has taken a big risk in signing a player who is notoriously hit-or-miss.

Clark Whitney, German Football Editor

PARK CHU-YOUNG

During his time in France, the South Korean proved himself as a very versatile attacker, both in terms of his skill set and in the positions in which he can be used.
Though he was often able to play as a central striker due to his speed and surprisingly strong ability in the air, he is also technical and clever enough to play in behind a main forward.
Indeed, this may be the best position for the 26-year-old, who possesses a powerful shot but who can lack composure when placed directly in front of goal.
Equally, he’s skilfull enough to be used in the wide areas, though this is probably not his preferred role in the team.
Robin Bairner, French Football Editor

ANDRE SANTOS

The former Fenerbahce man will bolster Arsenal’s ailing left flank, which has been severely hit by the departure of Clichy, their main source of width, plus an alarming dip in the form of Andrey Arshavin and Van Persie’s forced redeployment as a central striker.
Although he can play as a left winger, Santos will be utilised to fill the gap in defence, seamlessly slotting into their 4-3-3 setup, and he will help cushion the blow by giving the side those similar cutting-edge qualities to the Frenchman, with an impressive, all-round attacking game, offering genuine width and support with his pace.
Defensively, he has also proved in various Champions League and Confederations Cup matches that he may prove to be an equally efficient stopper too, and he definitely has what it takes to flourish in the Premier League.
Livio Caferoglu, Brazil expert

POSSIBLE ARSENAL LINE-UP vs SWANSEA CITY

The fluid 4-3-3 system that Wenger deploys is unlikely to change as a result of the five signings, and this weekend's clash against Swansea will offer some indication as to who the Frenchman expects to have immediate impact.

The fixture at the Emirates will also highlight why such radical action was taken with the transfer deadline looming, with a number of players out through both injuries and suspensions.

Thomas Vermaelen looks set to be sidelined for at least a month after undergoing ankle surgery in Stockholm and will therefore miss out on the side's opening two Champions League group games against Borussia Dortmund and Olympiakos. The north London derby against Tottenham on October 2 will possibly be his target return date. Mertesacker, you would therefore expect, will be thrown straight into the side.

Wilshere is also suffering from ankle trouble and will be out for even longer than the Belgian, with a prognosis of two months on the sidelines almost certainly ensuring Arteta a starting berth.

Further injuries to Theo Walcott, Sebastien Squillaci, Kieran Gibbs and Abou Diaby are also being monitored at the Emirates but their return is thought to be imminent.

Carl Jenkinson is suspended for the clash with Brendan Rogers' side after picking up a red in his side's humiliating 8-2 defeat to Manchester United while Gervinho and Alex Song still have one more game in the stands for misdemeanours on the opening day of the campaign away to Newcastle.

With a deleterious month behind them, the season starts on Saturday for Arsenal and a home clash with a promoted side could prove to be the perfect opportunity to accommodate the Emirates' new faces. Anything less than a win would lead to further serious questions and take the Gunners to even lower depths. A poor showing would be simply unacceptable; the Wenger experiment must start yielding results.

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Mancini strips Tevez of Captiancy

Roberto Mancini confirms Vincent Kompany will permanently take over Manchester City captaincy from Carlos Tevez

The Argentine's desire to leave the Etihad Stadium during the summer prompted Mancini's decision, although the Belgian centre-back has worn the armband for City's last three games

By Chris Davie of Goal.com

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MORE ON :  Manchester City, Vincent Kompany,Carlos Tevez, Vincent Kompany, Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini has confirmed Carlos Tevez is no longer Manchester City captain.

The Argentine publicly reiterated his desire to leave City this summer but was unable to seal a move away before the close of the transfer window.
While the striker could make his first start this season against Wigan Athletic on Saturday after returning to fitness, his position as captain has been passed to defender Vincent Kompany, who has worn the armband for City's opening three games, because of his request to leave the club.

“The captain now is Vinnie Kompany,” Mancini told reporters.

“The reasons are simple. Carlos wanted to leave the club in the summer for family reasons.

“I respected his opinion about wanting to leave, but Carlos is still here because we didn’t find a solution for him.

“He’s a fantastic player for us, someone who can score 20 goals a season, but I decided in the summer that Vinnie was the captain.”

Mancini insists Tevez accepted the decision to hand over the armband to the Belgium international and expects the 27-year-old to continue with his industrious work ethic.

“Carlos is a clever man. He trains very well, Carlos works very well. Sometimes maybe, like all the other players, it's impossible that all the players train very well every day," said Mancini.

“Maybe if a player plays the night before he doesn’t sleep very well, and that’s a problem for every player. But Carlos works very well, and when he plays the games he’s an incredible player.”

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SoccerBible Play Test - Mizuno Morelia Ultra Light Hulk

They've already been crafted into a pair of gold boots, and are currently being worn by a player called Hulk. So we thought it was about time we put the Mizuno Morelia Ultra Light football boots through a SoccerBible Play Test.

They've already been crafted into a pair of gold boots, and are currently being worn by a player called Hulk. So we thought it was about time we put the Mizuno Morelia Ultra Light football boots through a SoccerBible Play Test.

When we looked through our Play Test history, we were shocked to realise we hadn't tested a Mizuno Morelia. In our opinion, that's a sin in the football boots world as the Morelia is one of those classic boots that seems to have been around your whole life, and there's a good reason for that.These Ultra Light Hulk versions are the latest edition of the Morelia, which remain true to the form of quality leather craftsmanship, but at a reduced weight. We popped them on the scales and they came in at 250g, now we're aware that may not stun you in an era of sub-200 gram speed boots. But when you consider a Superfly weighs over 200g, we think Mizuno are doing well to craft a lightweight quality leather football boot.

When we looked through our Play Test history, we were shocked to realise we hadn't tested a Mizuno Morelia. In our opinion, that's a sin in the football boots world as the Morelia is one of those classic boots that seems to have been around your whole life, and there's a good reason for that.




These Ultra Light Hulk versions are the latest edition of the Morelia, which remain true to the form of quality leather craftsmanship, but at a reduced weight. We popped them on the scales and they came in at 250g, now we're aware that may not stun you in an era of sub-200 gram speed boots. But when you consider a Superfly weighs over 200g, we think Mizun

o are doing well to craft a lightweight quality leather football boot.






With the boots out of the box, the first thing to say is they are bright! But we love that after the Morelia's resounding success in South America, they've acknowledged this with a colourway inspired by Brazil, and we just love the flag stitched into the heel. 

With the boots out of the box, the first thing to say is they are bright! But we love that after the Morelia's resounding success in South America, they've acknowledged this with a colourway inspired by Brazil, and we just love the flag stitched into the heel. When you first put the boots on you will be impressed. After lacing the boots up and going for a jog, it almost seems a crime that you should have to break a boot in, because there is no need for this with the Morelia Ultra Lights. They are instantly comfortable with no breaking in period needed, they feel like a boot you've been wearing for a long time, and actually made our play testers realise their current boots (we won't mention names!) aren't as comfortable as they might have thought! When you first put the boots on you will be impressed. After lacing the boots up and going for a jog, it almost seems a crime that you should have to break a boot in, because there is no need for this with the Morelia Ultra Lights. They are instantly comfortable with no breaking in period needed, they feel like a boot you've been wearing for a long time, and actually made our play testers realise their current boots (we won't mention names!) aren't as comfortable as they might have thought! But obviously we're not after a pair of slippers, we want a performance football boot, so how does the Morelia Ultra Light fair. Well, to us the most important thing apart from comfort over the course of 90 minutes, is touch and feel for the ball. The leather upper is soft, it's really soft, and your toes and feet like they have complete freedom, so when you receive and control the ball it feels completely natural to just touch it off and pass to a team-mate. It makes you realise how in some modern speed boots your toes feel quite constricted.  As much as any footballer enjoys the ball at his feet, much to the belligerence of our play testers it was time for some runs, sprints and drills. Mizuno have gone with an almost standard conical stud sole-plate, a tried and tested formula. Now if you feel comfortable in your footwear you can account for slight slippage under the foot, to be able to almost skid when turning, however it's fair to say that with no shaped studs to act as anchor points you don't quite get the immediate acceleration, which is also noticeable in turns.Another downside of the Morelia Ultra Light is that without any padding the tongue does seem to have a mind of it's own, and slip to one side. Now this might sound like a petty quibble (and perhaps that's a good reflection of the boot), but one nice feature of the Wave Ignitus boots is the comfortable tongue! However, a benefit of the thinner tongue is that it does bring you into closer contact with the ball, and our play testers faces turned to glee when we told them it was time for shooting practice.

When you first put the boots on you will be impressed. After lacing the boots up and going for a jog, it almost seems a crime that you should have to break a boot in, because there is no need for this with the Morelia Ultra Lights. They are instantly comfortable with no breaking in period needed, they feel like a boot you've been wearing for a long time, and actually made our play testers realise their current boots (we won't mention names!) aren't as comfortable as they might have thought! 

But obviously we're not after a pair of slippers, we want a performance football boot, so how does the Morelia Ultra Light fair. Well, to us the most important thing apart from comfort over the course of 90 minutes, is touch and feel for the ball. The leather upper is soft, it's r

eally soft, and your toes and feet like they have complete freedom, so when you receive and control the ball it feels completely natural to just touch it off and pass to a team-mate. It makes you realise how in some modern speed boots your toes feel quite constricted. 





As much as any footballer enjoys the ball at his feet, much to the belligerence of our play testers it was time for some runs, sprints and drills. Mizuno have gone with an almost standa

rd conical stud sole-plate, a tried and tested formula. Now if you feel comfortable in your footwear you can account for slight slippage under the foot, to be able to almost skid when turning, however it's fair to say that with no shaped studs to act as anchor points you don't quite get the immediate acceleration, which is also noticeable in turns.





Another downside of the Morelia Ultra Light is that without any padding the tongue does seem to have a mind of it's own, and slip to one side. Now this might sound like a petty quibble (and perhap

The Morelia Ultra Light gives you a clean strike of ball when shooting, this is where the soft leather and lightweight(ness!) complement each other, as the boot is responsive to allow you to burst into the box but still generate power in the way a typical leather boot will. There's no additional technology, this boot isn't designed that way, but make a true connection with the ball and it's going were you want it. Also, strike a good ball or hit a cross field pass and there won't be any after affects on your feet, as the slight padded nature of the upper means your feet aren't taking the brunt of the power and strike. 

s that's a good reflection of the boot), but one nice feature of the Wave Ignitus boots is the comfortable tongue! However, a benefit of the thinner tongue is that it does bring you into closer contact with the ball, and our play testers faces turned to glee when we told them it was time for shooting practice.





The Morelia Ultra Light gives you a clean strike of ball when shooting, this is where the soft leather and lightweight(ness!) complement each other, as the boot is responsive to allow you to burst into the box but still generate power in the way a typical leather boot will. There's no additional technology, this boot isn't designed that way, but make a true connection with the ball and it's going were you want it. Also, strike a good ball or hit a cross field pass and there won't be any after affects on your feet, as the slight padded nature of the upper means your feet aren't taking the brunt of the power and strike. 

Another plus point of the Morelia Ultra Light is that without being a trimmed down speed boot, you have every confidence going into a challenge that you will come out on top. With the added bonus that your footwear is light, and you'll also be the first away!So, how can we summarise, well to be honest the Mizuno Morelia Ultra Light football didn't surprise us. A top quality leather football boot will give you comfort over 90 minutes, so you don't even think twice about your footwear, and rightly so. Also, your touch and feel for the ball feels second nature as the boot is completely responsive. This is all with the added bonus that the boots do feel lighter on your feet, so it seems to be a win-win situation.

Another plus point of the Morelia Ultra Light is that without being a trimmed down speed boot, you have every confidence going into a challenge that you will come out on top. With the added bonus that your footwear is light, and you'll also be the first away!

So, how can we summarise, well to be honest the Mizuno Morelia Ultra Light football didn't surprise us. A top quality leather football boot will give you comfort over 90 minutes, so you don't even think twice about your footwear, and rightly so. Also, your touch and feel for the ball feels second nature as the boot is completely responsive. This is all with the added bonus that the boots do f

eel lighter on your feet, so it seems to be a win-win situation.

Adidas Predator AdiPower – Champions League Edition

Every season, Adidas releases a boot that captures the spirit of the Champions League. This year, Adidas will release a special AdiPower to commemorate the start of the UEFA Champions League for the 2011-2012 season.
Most of the time, the special Adidas Champions League boot normally has three stars somewhere on the boot, the iconic symbol for the Champions League. But it’s fair to say that it would be pretty difficult to get the three stars onto the new AdiPower, so Adidas have ditched the traditional symbol for the latest AdiPower boot coming out of the German company.

It’s certainly a unique colour scheme for the new White/Purple/Yellow AdiPower. Most AdiPowers are bright and stand out on the pitch. Yet the new Champions League edition is quite suave and polished in what is a change of stance from Adidas. Not only that, the boots would match perfectly with the new Champions League ball for the 2011-2012 season!
Constructed from durable, abrasion resistant Taurus full grain calf leather for a glove-like fit these AdiPower Predator football boots absorb very little water so they remain light and comfortable for the duration of your  game.
Now split into 2 performance zones, the re-engineered  silicon rubber adiPower Predator element on the instep of these Adidas football boots provides ultimate swerve and ball control.

Incorporating the 3 stripes, the power zone is an aggressive, structured surface with 3D fins that rebound on impact with the ball giving the AdiPower Predator awesome additional shooting power.
An even and soft surface, the swerve zone gives the AdiPower Predator a greater contact area with the ball so in these Adidas football boots you can generate more friction and more swerve.

With asymmetric lacing, thinner Taperlace flat laces, an independent tongue for a better, easily  adjustable fit and an EVA sock liner with anti-slip inserts these Adidas football boots are all comfortable.
Built on the same last as  their flagship speed football boots, the AdiPower benefits from a wider forefoot, sleeker midfoot and wider heel plus a honeycombed anti-slip collar lining and nubuck touch heel lining making them arguably the most wearable Predator yet.
Lightweight yet stable, the AdiPower Predator now features a Sprint Frame outsole, the lightest football outsole on the planet making these the fastest Predators ever.

Energy-returning Adidas POWERSPINE technology, embedded in the Sprint Frame outsole of the adipower predator provides greater shooting power by minimizing energy loss.
By transferring the extra energy away from the fragile metatarsal area directly to the ball these football boots help reduce the risk of injury.
The lightweight dual density Traxion TPU soleplate with fixed traxion studs provides these adidas AdiPower Predator football boots with maximum grip and optimum pressure distribution on firm ground.

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