RANIERI WANTS ENGLAND STARS

The former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has said that he wants to bring David Beckham and Frank Lampard to the French club Monaco, who are currently playing in the second division of French football.

Despite playing in the second division, they are backed by the Russian billionaire who is prepared to spend a lot of money on players. This coupled with the tax-free heaven that is Monaco has meant that the club has become a great attraction to several players. David Beckham recently became a free agent after revealing that he will not be signing a new contract with LA Galaxy.

Meanwhile, the Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who was brought to the West London club back in 2001 by Claudio Ranieri, is also out of contract at the end of the season. The Italian has said that he is a very big fan of both these players and would like to have them at Monaco next season. The second division club are expected to be promoted to the French league in the season. They are currently second in the Ligue 2 table 3 points behind the leaders Nantes. Frank Lampard will bring his 11 year association with the West London outfit at the end of the season after the club has not yet offered him a new deal.

"Oh, it would be fantastic. He could perform well in Ligue 1 - why not? Frank could play in every country. Oh he is the same - he is a big champion. He would be a good professional player for us. I like all the champions and he is a champion. Look, I think that my chairman wants young people. Young players to develop that can get better together over time," said the former Chelsea manager in a recent interview given about his transfer targets.

TIRED OUT

The former England midfielder David Beckham has said that playing a lot of games in recent weeks for LA Galaxy has left himself extremely tired. LA Galaxy have played four games in the last 11 days, and the former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and AC Milan midfielder has admitted that age is finally catching up with him.

The 37-year-old has been extremely influential for LA Galaxy this season. He has not played for other teams on loan deals during the January transfer window, which have helped him keep in love football. However, he has admitted that it feels like having played 50 matches over the last few weeks.

David Beckham had to be substituted in the recent match between San Jose earthquakes and was seen with an ice pack later in the match. There have also been rumours that he is set to leave the club at the end of the season. He has signed a one-year rolling contract that will come to an end this season. There have been no indications that LA Galaxy are willing to offer him a new contract. The club are in a great position to lift the title once again this season, which would be a great way to leave the club for the 37-year-old.

"It feels like we've played about 50 games in the last two weeks. Who knows? I'm going to enjoy being in the play-offs... and then we'll see how this body feels. Even when I stop playing, I'll have a hunger to do something better and be the best," said David Beckham. Rumours have been intense that David Beckham will not only quit LA Galaxy, but also life in Los Angeles in order to move to New York. This would enable his wife to focus on her career in fashion.

GALAXY WIN 2-0

Los Angeles Galaxy has defeated Vancouver Whitecaps by 2-0 in MLS league at the Home Depot Center. The Galaxy team won the match without having much difficulty. Galaxy could have won the match by a much bigger margin, but, Robbie Keane’s goal in the 32nd minute was disqualified by the referee as Keane was found to be in an offside position while kicking the ball.

The whitecaps looked nervous right from the start and their shots were wayward. They gave too many opportunities to the Galaxy players who were quick to capitalize on those chances. The Galaxy team hasn’t been defeated in the last six games.

The Galaxy team came into the match in an aggressive mood and created some chances, but, the players were not able to convert those chances into goals in the first 40 minutes and it seemed that the first half would end goalless, but, the Brazilian international Juninho opened the scoring for Galaxy in the 41st minute by scoring a brilliant goal. He beat the Whitecaps goalkeeper, Brad Knighton, with a powerful flat shot from a distance of 35 yards. Knighton had absolutely no chance. Galaxy was ahead by 1-0 at the end of the first half.

The Whitecaps kept struggling in the second half as well. It proved to be very hard for them to go past the galaxy defenders. The English superstar, David Beckham, doubled the lead of Galaxy in the 79th minute by taking advantage of the free kick earned by the team. It was the sixth goal scored by Beckham in the last 8 matches.

After the match, Beckham said that it’s wonderful to score goals consistently. The boys performed brilliantly in the match and it was a team effort. As per Beckham, Juninho’s goal was fantastic. It’s not easy to put the ball into the goal post from such a long distance. But, Juninho was bang on target. Galaxy will play its next match against the Colorado Rapids on 14th of September at the Home Depot Center.

HOILETT FOLLOWS IN BECKHAMS FOOTSTEPS

No one would dispute the status of the English Premier League as one of the most cosmopolitan in the world – indeed the matter has caused all manner of hand wringing from many, concerned that the steady influx of playing talent from other countries is stifling the chances of young English players.

Nonetheless the varied nationalities of the players is a major reason for the global appeal of the Premier League – from the games to the spin-off activities such as computer games and those at online casino sites. One of the countries which is not quite so heavily represented in the Premiership’s league of nations is Canada, but the league has uncovered at least one rising Canadian star in the last year.

David ‘Junior’ Hoilett, a winger who currently plays for Blackburn Rovers made a real name for himself last season, despite the dismal campaign Blackburn experienced as a club. Indeed Hoilett’s performances and goals represented probably the only bright spot of an otherwise unrelentingly miserable season for fans of the Ewood Park club; and it is testament to the impression he made that, following their relegation from the league, he was the first player tipped to move to another Premier League club during the summer. So far this has not happened, but few observers expect Hoilett to be playing football for Blackburn in the Championship next season.

Hoilett was born in Ontario and is actually a product of the Blackburn youth system, having been a member of their academy since 2003 – when he was just 13. He spent his formative years being loaned by the club to a variety of teams in the German leagues, in order to gain experience of first team football, before making his debut for Rovers in 2009. In the subsequent three years he has played 81 times for the club, scoring 12 goals, but it was really last season that he caught the eye, with a number of outstanding performances. With the likes of Manchester United now interested in him, he appears set to be one of Canada’s Premier League stars for some time to come.

NO HARD FEELINGS

LA Galaxy's star midfielder David Beckham has said that he has no hard feelings about the suspension he has received following his yellow card in recent match. The 37-year-old defender was also found to be guilty of breaking the code of conduct by the disciplinary committee. He was suspended for one match.

He was found guilty of breaking the record of contact in the match against San Jose earthquakes. He was also fined by the MLS, but is now eligible to play once again for LA Galaxy. Speaking ahead of his return, the former Manchester United star has said that he is happy to return to first-team action once again and has no regrets about having missed the previous match.

One of the reasons for David Beckham saying in such a manner is that he has learnt in his extensive and successful career that he should not regret anything that has happened in life. Even though the former Real Madrid star has said that he did deserve the first yellow card, the second yellow card is a matter of debate. David Beckham recently was not given the opportunity to represent Team GB in the London Olympics by the manager Stuart Pearce.

“I think you got to ask the people that decide these decisions, because they seem to miss everything else aside from the main talking point. They miss everything else going on around them. I think Bruce [Arena, head coach] has said it already about the referee not having control of the game. Did I deserve a yellow card? Yeah, I probably did deserve a yellow card. Because of my reaction. But did I deserve the second game? That's for other people to talk about, and other people talk about it very well, by the way," said David Beckham ahead of the match with Portland Timbers.

BECKHAM WANTS TEAM GB ROLE

Former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and AC Milan midfielder David Beckham has said that he is extremely confident of representing Team GB at the London Olympics 2012.

The Olympics will be held in London this time around. David Beckham has been one of the names being mentioned for this competition as part of the three overage players, who can take part in the football squad. His former teammate Ryan Giggs has also expressed his desire to play for Team GB at the London Olympics. It is expected that manager Stuart Pearce will take three experienced players in his quota.

The 37-year-old midfielder also has said that he does not intend to retire from football as of yet. He recently signed a two-year contract with his current club LA Galaxy after coming extremely close to leaving the MLS side after five years. It is unlikely that David Beckham will be returning to Europe after the end of his two-year deal, when he will be almost 40 years old. David Beckham was linked with a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti, who was his manager during his loan spells at AC Milan, but the move to PSG fell through in the last moment.

"I think I've got a good chance. Being involved in the Olympics and being part of the team would be huge. You don't play for a Manchester United team managed by Sir Alex Ferguson or an England or Real Madrid team managed by Fabio Capello and get picked on sentiment. I've been picked to play in many games over my career because of what I've achieved on the field and that doesn't change. I'm in good form, I've scored a couple of goals lately and I'm feeling fit and working hard," said David Beckham when asked about the possibility of representing and captaining Team GB.

BECKHAM BACKS NEVILLE

Former England midfielder David Beckham has said that he is extremely happy with the appointment of Manchester United defender Gary Neville as part of the coaching staff at the Euro 2012 with the England squad.

Manchester United defender Gary Neville recently announced his retirement from the game and has been doing punditry work since then. The coaching role within the England setup is the first major job he has taken up and David Beckham has said that he is extremely happy for his former teammate. The LA Galaxy star has also said that it is an intelligent decision by England manager Roy Hodgson.

Roy Hodgson has created a storm in England after leaving out Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. Even though many suspect that it is due to the John Terry issue, Roy Hodgson has played down such suggestions. Former United defender Gary Neville, though, has been included as a coaching staff.

This is a very intelligent decision according to David Beckham, who has seen no one of the ability of Gary Neville to replace him in the England setup. Ever since Neville's retirement, the right back position has been occupied by the likes of Glen Johnson and Micah Richards with no particular dominance from either of them.

"I think it's great. Gary has knowledge throughout the game. He's been in big tournaments, he's played for England for many years. It's a very clever thing but it's also great for the players and the manager. To have someone with his knowledge as well as Roy's knowledge. It's a very clever thing to do. I wish Gary the best of luck. Gary's always been very vocal about many things. Let's hope we go out there and we're successful. It's a new team, young players,” said Beckham after the decision on Gary Neville.

BECKHAM SUBBED OFF EARLY

LA Galaxy star David Beckham was substituted at the break in a recent match for the club, which ended in a shock defeat. The former England captain recently extended his stay with the MLS side after signing a two-year deal.

His contract came to an end following the end of the last MLS season, but the England star has decided to stay with the American club for two more years. However, he would have not envisaged the substitution coming in the match against New England Revolution. The former England midfielder was substituted at half-time after a poor performance, which has raised doubts over his future.

The 36-year-old midfielder was substituted for 22-year-old Michael Stephens by the manager Bruce Arena, and it left David Beckham extremely unhappy. He was seen leaving the stadium without any comments being given to the reporters waiting for his reaction. LA Galaxy were defeated 3-1 in the match against New England Revolution.

Beckham was linked with a move to French club PSG during the January transfer window, and became extremely close to moving to France. However, the finer details on the contract meant that PSG were unable to secure the signing. Since then, he has committed his future to LA Galaxy, while sources close to him also said that he is very much interested in buying an MLS franchise once he hangs up his boots.

"I’m sure he is not pleased about it. But that’s not the issue in the game. The issue in the game was that 11 players from New England soundly outplayed 11 players from the Galaxy. I don’t [know] of any players that would be happy about coming out at half-time. I just felt we needed a little bit more. I can’t give you all the answers right now, that’s for sure. It wasn’t good," Arena said after the match.

BECKHAM TIPPED FOR PSG MOVE

English football icon David Beckham is almost certain to join big spending French giants Paris St Germain after it was revealed by the insiders at the club that a deal to bring the iconic footballer to the capital club was almost 95% complete.

Beckham is currently a free agent after his contract with Major League Soccer side the Los Angeles Galaxy got over after the MLS Cup, and he has had plenty of offers to sign from clubs from all over the world, including PSG, English Premier League clubs Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur and clubs from Dubai as well.

But Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp and QPR manager Neil Warnock have already made clear that they will not be signing the former England captain during the winter transfer window leaving PSG as the only credible option for him. David Beckham also had the opportunity of extending his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy but it seems highly unlikely that he will want to spend the last couple of years of his career playing in the United States of America, having played there for 5 seasons.

Although the former stalwart of Manchester United, AC Milan and Real Madrid has maintained silence on his next destination, it seems that he is more than ready to accept a fresh challenge at PSG, which is in the process of rebuilding the side after being taken over by a group from Qatar. It is understood that PSG are ready to offer Beckham an 18 month rolling contract that will fetch him £ 12 million, a deal that even a superstar of the stature of David Beckham will find very hard to turn down. But nothing can be said in a concrete manner until and unless Beckham signs on the dotted line with PSG and till then, his future is still uncertain.

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