Winter 2022 World Cup is 'nigh-on impossible', says Scudamore

The chances of a summer 2022 tournament in Qatar are looking increasingly unlikely, but the FA chief has warned of clashing with domestic football

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore believes moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is "nigh-on impossible".

Concerns have been raised about the temperatures in the Middle East country June and July, with speculation the tournament could be moved to cooler months despite clashing with domestic football calendars in many countries.

Scudamore insisted this would cause too much disruption around the world and called on Fifa to consult with all parties before making any decision.

"It's extremely difficult [to move it], nigh-on impossible in our view," he told Sky Sports News. "Where they award the World Cup to is entirely the Fifa executive committee's decision, entirely their decision, not our business.

"The international football calendar is one that has to be consulted though; it is not something Fifa can just decide because the whole of world football has an interest in that.

"There is a whole series of complications around that and that consultation process has to be a separate consultation process with leagues and associations on a global basis, not just the Premier League and European Leagues, to make sure it works for everybody."

Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 tournament in 2010, beating USA, South Korea, Japan and Australia in the voting process.

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With or without Bale, this is the year Villas-Boas must prove himself at Tottenham

The 35-year-old had a free pass for much of last season as he was left hamstrung by poor transfer window dealings, but more is expected of him with a squad carrying his hallmark


It is unusual to see Tottenham approach a new season as one of the most settled teams in the Premier League, but with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea welcoming new management, Spurs are nearing their weekend opener at Crystal Palace with a sense of calm.

Even with the future of star forward Gareth Bale up in the air, the overhaul of the first-team squad has provided welcome relief as deadwood is finally cast out to sea and significant upgrades have arrived at a steady rate.

Tottenham have spent wisely and plentifully, but the spotlight will focus not on their band of new recruits but the furrowed brow of Andre Villas-Boas. The 35-year-old may not have achieved a top-four finish in his maiden campaign at White Hart Lane, but he went a long way to extinguishing the lingering doubts a combustible time at Chelsea fostered.

Still, the progress Spurs made - a record points haul evidence of that - was largely attributed to Bale's brilliance, rather than Villas-Boas' tactical acumen. Tottenham were regularly referred to as a one-man team in 2012-13. Bale won 47 per cent of Spurs’ Premier League points (34 of 72) with his 21 goals and nine assists as the double Player of the Year winner ascended to superstar territory.

Accusations that Bale's form catapulted Spurs into top-four contention pricked the Portuguese's pride. It clearly irritated the former Porto man that many of the positives he brought to White Hart Lane were overlooked on account of Bale’s match-winning capabilities.

This, then, becomes the narrative for the new season. Daniel Levy has finally relented - in part thanks to the appointment of technical director Franco Baldini - and lavished funds this summer on Paulinho (€20 million), Nacer Chadli (€8m), Etienne Capoue (€11m) and Roberto Soldado (€30m). The north Londoners have broken their transfer record twice this summer - a sure sign that Villas-Boas is receiving proper financial backing.

The transfer acquisition team at Tottenham looks far healthier after Baldini joined Tim Sherwood, Levy, Darren Eales and Villas-Boas to form a diverse committee. It was little surprise to see Soldado sign after Baldini was pictured in Valencia a few days previously - he carries significant influence.

Villas-Boas operated under a similar set-up at Porto and clearly a man of Baldini’s experience offers a more sure-footed approach to the transfer game than bracing for the whims of Levy, a Cambridge educated land economics graduate.

Genuine planning and consideration has gone into the four signings this summer and Villas-Boas will begin to look at this Tottenham squad as one that bears his hallmark. Spurs will move to 4-3-3  formation if and when Bale departs and the midfield trio of Sandro, Paulinho and Mousa Dembele will provide a powerful foundation home or away.

As Newfromfootball revealed on Wednesday, Erik Lamela has emerged as the club’s priority signing and Baldini’s pulling power over his former employers may help Spurs land one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

Suddenly, by drawing up blueprints, Tottenham have reached a stage where they can justifiably confident, no matter Bale's decision. If the 24-year-old moves to Real Madrid it seems unlikely that the full transfer fee will be reinvested - indeed the cash spent on Soldado and Chadli may well have been taken from the future fee Levy expects to extract from los Blancos. 
But there will be enough in the coffers to continue spending, even if this occurs after the Premier League kicks off. The difference now is Villas-Boas is not scurrying about desperately shoehorning the likes of Clint Dempsey into a style and formation not matched to a player he never asked for.

This time, it’s all on Villas-Boas. He has his dynamic midfield trio - plus able options in Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lewis Holtby, Tom Carroll and he has variety up front. Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor did not perform anywhere near expectations last year and as a consequence they will now have to prove their worth again. This is a positive.

Out wide, Aaron Lennon, Chadli and Andros Townsend all offer something different, while Lamela or Willian would provide the spark of magic that Bale infused last campaign.

Villas-Boas rarely searched for excuses as he bedded in at Spurs, wary of the walls he surrounded himself with during the dark days at Chelsea, and he was given something of a free pass last year after such transfer window turmoil. There will be even less space for excuses this year but this offers Villas-Boas a prime opportunity to show why Roman Abramovich prised him from Porto for £13.3m [€15m] two years ago.

Tottenham amassed 72 points last year, evidence that they can still hang with the elite clubs in England. This season is the chance to show that they can push on again and oust a traditional top four heavyweight, with or without Bale. Achieve that and we’ll know for certain whether Villas-Boas is the real deal.

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Mazzarri: I don't regret joining Inter

The 51-year-old still feels he made the right decision to join the Nerazzurri and is keen to help them back to the top again

Walter Mazzarri has insisted that he has no regrets over his decision to leave Napoli earlier this summer in order to take charge of Inter.

The Nerazzurri have been struggling during pre-season, while their delicate financial situation has prevented them from making any high-profile signings, yet Mazzarri, 51, remains adamant that he made the right choice in moving to San Siro.

"Of course I would make the same decision again if given the chance to go back in time," Mazzarri told Corriere dello Sport.

"There's no reason why I would not join Inter. The president's words made the difference for me. What he said to me made me decide to come here.

"We had a great discussion and he ignited a fire in me that's really motivated me. We understood each other right away.

"I was told that we can start from zero I will get the chance to build a team for the future. We might need some time, though. I want to take Inter back to where they belong."

Inter had to settle for ninth spot in the Serie A table last term.

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Rooney out of sorts on return to the spotlight

The wantaway Manchester United striker's lack of pre-season action showed as he toiled against Scotland in England's 3-2 victory at Wembley on Wednesday night

Based on last night's performance alone, David Moyes may want to revise his ‘not for sale’ stance on Wayne Rooney's future. After all the conjecture, debate and posturing, the England striker failed to live up to top billing.

Rooney has barely kicked a ball in pre-season and has been training with the United second string as he recovers from a shoulder injury, but he looked miles off the pace at Wembley on Wednesday night.

This was the golden opportunity to send a message to his suitors and his doubters. A chance he missed.

ROONEY ON THE WANE

PLAYER RATING VS SCOTLAND Looked short of fitness, over-hitting passes, miscontrolling the ball and trudging around the pitch at walking pace. Dropped far too deep in search of the ball and never looked like scoring. Subbed off after an ineffective outing.

His first involvement of the game - a wild swing at a cross - set the tone for a performance in which he seemed to be two yards off the pace of everyone else on the pitch.

And this was against Scotland, placed 50th in the Fifa rankings and playing with a centre-back pairing of Russell Martin and Grant Hanley.

Hardly formidable, but you would have been forgiven for thinking Rooney was up against Franco Baresi given the nature of his performance.

Rooney is far too good and has been far too successful to be judged on his 67-minute appearance in the 3-2 win over Scotland, but his lack of pre-season action told.

As if to prove the point, his replacement Rickie Lambert was bursting the net less than three minutes after arriving to make his England debut. Rooney had not even managed a shot on target.

Rooney wants to join Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, the Blues manager, envisages the 27-year-old playing as the focal point of the Londoners’ attack.

But playing in that very role here, Rooney constantly dropped deep in search of the ball, disrupting any attacking rhythm England managed to generate.

Rooney was certainly lacking confidence, his first touch unpredictable as he lost possession early on and gave the ball away with sloppy passes.

His only real action of note was a low shot from 25 yards in the first-half that skidded well wide of the Scotland goal.

After the game, Hodgson admitted Rooney was a little off the pace of the game but said he was pleased with the forward’s contribution.

“We all knew before the game that this was his first actual competitive game of the season,” said Hodgson. “You wouldn’t expect that in normal circumstances, it wasn’t an ideal situation.

“David Moyes and the people at Manchester United have been fantastic, they welcomed the fact that he wanted to play and I wanted to play him.”

On this evidence it will take Rooney several weeks, perhaps even months, to find the form and fitness that will make him a key player in a title challenging team this season - whether that’s Chelsea or United.

Rooney appeared in good spirits after the game, smiling and affable even with journalists in the post-match mixed zone.

But with no resolution imminent between United and Chelsea - the latest bid of around £30m was flatly rejected - Rooney’s mental state is likely to be tested in the remainder of the transfer window.

He needs to make sure that the summer’s disruption does not have too much of a negative impact on his game, particularly in a World Cup year.

For now, he needs to forget about his future, focus on his match sharpness and play for Manchester United. Training with the rest of the first-team might be a start.

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Leeds United-Sheffield Wednesday Betting Preview: Expect United to claim Yorkshire bragging rights

There's Championship action on Saturday lunchtime, as two of Yorkshire’s heavyweights meet at Elland Road and Hugh Wilson is backing the Whites to come out on top

Sheffield Wednesday travel 30 miles north to face Yorkshire rivals Leeds United this weekend.

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with the Owls yet to win a game, but with a full house expected at Elland Road, it should be a tasty atmosphere which could lead to a fiery encounter.

Leeds come into this match unbeaten so far this season. Brian McDermott’s men have had a good start to the campaign, winning one and drawing one in the league, and progressing through the first round of the League Cup.

A late Luke Murphy strike on the opening day of the season saw United beat Brighton, with McDermott’s men then drawing 0-0 with Leicester last weekend. BetVictor price them as favourites at 11/10 (2.10) to take all three points.

Conversely, Wednesday have had a shocking start to the season, losing their opening three games 2-1. Dave Jones’ side started well on the opening weekend against QPR, but lost the match after conceding two late first-half goals.

The Owls were then beaten in the League Cup by rivals Rotherham, with Burnley inflicting another defeat last weekend. BetVictor price the Owls at 11/4 (3.75) to take all three points at Leeds. The same firm prices the draw at 5/2 (3.50).

Backing both teams to score in this fixture at 17/20 (1.85) is certainly worth investing in. This bet would have paid out in Wednesday's three fixtures so far, as well as two of Leeds’ last three.

For those looking for more value, the correct score to be 2-1 to Leeds at 17/2 (9.50) with BetVictor seems like a fantastic price.

In both home games this season for McDermott’s men they have won 2-1. When you consider that all of Wednesday's matches this season have ended in 2-1 defeats, its tough to ignore this price.

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I don't fear Gotze competition, says Robben

The winger is keen to play alongside the former Dortmund star and thinks Franck Ribery deserves to win Uefa's Best Player in Europe award

Arjen Robben has insisted that he does not fear competition from Mario Gotze following the midfielder's arrival at Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The Germany international, 21, recently made his Bayern debut after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury and Robben is looking forward to teaming up with the former BVB star.

"Gotze's arrival? You have to believe in yourself and don't fear competition for places. I am really looking forward to playing alongside Mario," the 29-year-old was quoted as saying by Bild.

"He is a great player. One of our biggest strengths last year was that the absence of a key player didn't really weaken us.

"And it can be a positive thing as well when you occasionally miss a game in a season followed by a World Cup."

The Dutchman then went on to discuss Franck Ribery's nomination for Uefa's Best Player in Europe award and stated that his team-mate is more deserving of the award than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I would totally understand it if Ribery wins it. He deserves it. It would also be recognition for the team. It's the team that allows individuals to shine.

"Messi and Ronaldo are extraordinary, but Franck and Bayern won the treble." 

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Villas-Boas reveals Bale to miss Tottenham opener at Crystal Palace

The Real Madrid target has not featured for Spurs since a pre-season friendly against Swindon on July 16 and will miss the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Gareth Bale will miss the club's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, and potentially further fixtures because of an injury-hit pre-season.

The 24-year-old has not featured since scoring against Swindon on July 16 with a foot injury, with his future at White Hart Lane in doubt following talks between Spurs and Real Madrid talking place over a potential £100 million deal.

Bale was called up to the Wales squad to face Republic of Ireland, but coach Chris Coleman admitted his star player was not physically or mentally ready to play - and Villas-Boas has ruled him out of the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

"No, because he's been out injured for most of pre-season," Villas-Boas told reporters.

"He was involved in the games against Brentford and Swindon but not any others, for different reasons; pulled a muscle in his gluteus that prevented him from being involved for two weeks and he's been complaining of pain in the foot.

"I think the most natural thing is to see him not involved against Palace."

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