<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=mourinho lampard&amp;iid=8265635" target="_blank"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></div>
<p>Inter Milan skipper Jose Mourinho, expected by many to leave Serie A and head to Real Madrid this summer, has already started scouting some new team members. According to the Daily Mail, Mourinho is looking to woo Chelsea legend Frank Lampard on a £30 million deal.</p>
<p>Mourinho and Lampard spent three years together when the&nbsp;Portuguese&nbsp;managed Chelsea from 2004-2007. Current Real Madrid skipper Manuel Pellegrini is all but fired following a Round-Of-16 Champions League defeat to Lyon. Mourhino’s last game with Inter Milan will probably be, ironically, the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich at the Bernabéu (Real Madrid’s stadium).</p>
<p>“Mourhino has always loved Frank, who would have to think long and hard if he was asked to sign for him at Real Madrid,” a source The Daily Mail described as “close to the deal” said.</p>
<p>Lampard is on a scoring tear in the EPL this season with 21 goals. With Mourhino still at Inter Milan and Lampard becoming Mr. Chelsea for many supporters following John Terry’s fall from grace it’s difficult to see this materializing just yet.</p>
<p><strong>Hodgson Denies Liverpool Link</strong></p>
<p>Fulham’s dream run through the Europa League this year has raised the profile of manager Roy Hodgson. Liverpool, who are looking to move on now that Rafa Benitez is all but gone, have reportedly approached Hodgson as Benitez’s replacement.&nbsp; But the English manager denies any interest in leaving Craven Cottage.</p>
<p>“I am happy here at Fulham,” he said. “I have  got a contract here at Fulham. I am happy with the job I am doing.” Fulham are playing in their first cup final in a European tournament when they take on Athletico Madrid on May 12.</p>
<p><strong>Given Hopes To Return By Next Season</strong></p>
<p>Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given has had succesful surgery on his dislocated surgery and hopes to be back for Manchester City before the start of next season. “I just have to get back fit again for the  start of the season. I know it will be tight but I will do everything I  can to get back in time and hopefully I will do it,” said Given.</p>
<p>The goalkeeper said that his arm remained out of socket for nearly an hour in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.</p>
<p>Given has been stellar for Manchester City this season and will also be anxious to return for Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign which kicks off September 7 against Andorra.</p>
<p><strong>Sheffield Wednesday Relegated To First Division</strong></p>
<p>Crystal Palace ensured their spot in the Championship next season while simultaneously sending Sheffield Wednesday down to League One with a 2-2 draw in front of a sold-out crowd Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p>The crucial point was a rare bright spot for a Palace club who is entering Administration and face serious doubts about their future. A testy moment came at the end of the game when several dozen supporters from opposing sides clashed on the field. No one was arrested and police quelled the situation quickly.</p>

Daily Ticker: Mourinho Eyeing Lampard, Hodgson Denies Liverpool Rumors, More - World Soccer Talk

Daily Ticker: Mourinho Eyeing Lampard, Hodgson Denies Liverpool Rumors, More

<div id="attachment_803" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/04/Sheffield-Wednesday-vs-Crystal-Palace.jpg"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-803" class="wp-caption-text">One of the biggest relegation battles ever...</p></div>
<p>Football can be cruel some times and that will be all the more apparent this Sunday when one of the biggest and most important last day games in English football history takes place as, Sheffield Wednesday take on Crystal Palace with both teams needing to gain some form of points to stay in the Championship. Despite the fact Wednesday have the home advantage playing at Hillsborough, Crystal Palace may well be considered favourites due to their position which means a draw may be all that is necessary in order to condemn the owls to league 1, yet even then you’d be a brave man to bet high stakes on this game. Wednesday have won once in the last ten games whereas Palace have two precious wins and currently stand two points above their relegations rivals. Palace could have sealed their safety in the dying minutes of their game against West Brom on Monday, although when looking back on the match as a whole it would be hard to argue that West Brom didn’t deserve to score at least a second.</p>
<p>I cannot remember (apologies if there was one) in my lifetime as a football supporter there being a fixture quite like this one. It’s effectively a play off game and even though both teams have terrible form, you’d have to think that both sets of players would be fired up for this game and will be ready to give it their all to keep their club in this division. <a href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11706_6119082,00.html">Confidence has been expressed</a> by both the Sheffield Wednesday chairman and the Palace player Johannes Ertl has claimed that he<a href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11706_6123403,00.html"> cannot wait for Sunday’s game</a>. Take what you want from this, but even the best of players would be feeling the nerves before a game like this, we can definitely expect a tense opening ten minutes and it will ultimately end up with one of these two teams throwing the proverbial kitchen sink in before the final whistle is blown.</p>
<p>But let us remember how horrible relegation is. Both of these teams have had a difficult season, Palace were one of the latest clubs to take a ten point penalty for <a href="http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/8481549.stm">going into administration</a> and Wednesday had some success under Brian Laws last season, but have never really gotten it together and failed to appease their massive support. Relegation will spell disaster for both these clubs, as Wednesday know all too well the league 1 surroundings and for Palace, they will see this as another financial set-back and may become one of the football league clubs in favour of the <a href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6123490,00.html">controversial new parachute payment proposal</a>.</p>
<p>Palace’s relegation also raises an interesting point about teams that go into administration, and Wednesday chairman Lee Strafford has complained that Palace should automatically be relegated for <a href="http:\/\/www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/28/crystal-palace-sheffield-wednesday-relegation">spending outside their means</a>. Strafford is one of the voices in favour of bigger punishments for teams that build up heavy debt and has claimed that administration is ‘the escape route out’. Crystal Palace have built up their debt over the years after promotion to the Premiership saw them spend it big, and the club have attempted to re-create this success ever since relegation from the top tier. It’s an issue that is starting to become more noticed in football ever since the recent issues with Portsmouth in the Premiership and it’s hard not to agree with Strafford in saying that it is somewhat of an escape route for teams who build up high risk. The future for Palace seems shady, but will become a more violent and ugly one if the club is playing in league 1 next season (although they will get a chance to revisit rivals Brighton).</p>
<p>The Sheffield Wednesday servers crashed on Tuesday, as people raced to get the final tickets for what is now a sell-out so if you’re like me you’ll be watching this one on the box. Ticket prices dropped to a mere £10 for adults, with cheaper options for concessions, OAP’s and students, which is a wonderful thing to see in English football considering some of the ridiculous pricing that now exists at particular stadiums. Wednesday will also unveil their new shirt, which will <a href="http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7880470.stm">sport a local children’s hospital</a> as its logo, following the same route the likes of Barcelona and Aston Villa have gone down in recent seasons and it is nice to see a football team support such a cause.</p>
<p>So here is a game that has a lot riding on it and for the neutral it is a must see match this weekend. The horrors of relegation loom for both sides and the tension may be unbearable at times; whoever goes down has my utmost sympathy as Palace and Wednesday are two great teams with a large support and it will be a shame that I won’t be able to write about one of them as a Championship side next season. Although I have that ‘I can’t wait feeling’ it’s marred by a certain empathetic feeling towards both sets of supporters and I know that while one will be partying into the night, the other will be down on their luck and in a world of hurt. Good luck boys.</p>


Wednesday And Palace Set For Big Relegation Showdown - A Must See - World Soccer Talk

Wednesday And Palace Set For Big Relegation Showdown – A Must See

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<p>Don’t panic, I’m not going to go all Oprah on you all, but I’ve got a confession to make that a man of my age can’t hide. Every 4 years, the World Cup comes around and over here in Europe we’ve a company called Panini who make sticker books for most major tournaments and leagues. Since the 1980’s I used to collect them until about 1988 until the surly teenager in me decided I was far too mature to muck about with such childish entertainment. No more swapping&nbsp; Ian Rush for Gary Lineker in the school yard, oh no. I’d got beer, music and girls to keep me interested instead.</p>
<p>I know in the States that the big thing for junior sports fans is trading cards, which have only recently taken off here in the UK, so I’m unsure as to what anyone based in North America will make of them or even know what they are, but in Europe they’re big business. Yet, since the 1998 World Cup, I’ve always bought a Panini World Cup sticker book. I can’t help myself and I got the latest one last week. No really, I did.</p>
<p></p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20100429_WST_18908_gary-megson-panini.webp&amp;width=292&amp;height=467" alt="" width="292" height="467"></figure></div>
<p>Of course these days, the Internet is here and I can trawl through cyberspace laughing away at some of the ridiculous haircuts, mustaches and kits of yesteryear. There is such a wave of nostalgia for these sticker books that I’ve even seen articles from Germany discussing the way players used to look, which you can read at Bild’s website <a href="http:\/\/www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/bundesliga/2008/09/24/the-best-german-football-haircuts-from/panini-stickers-of-80s-and-90s.html" target="_blank">here </a>and see if you recognise any of the names mentioned!!</p>
<p>It’s just weird that here I am with all the modern entertainment I have at my disposal, from my X-Box, to Digital TV, DVD’s and my I-pod that something so basic, so simple should still have such an emotional attachment to me. On the Guardian website the other week, someone sent in a link to this <a href="http:\/\/www.footballspotter.com/complete-panini-italia-90-collection/" target="_blank">fantastic site </a>which has scanned the entire Italia 90 sticker book online! A virtual reality treasure trove of memories, both good and bad of such an amazing tournament.Have a scroll through it, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20100429_WST_18908_90.webp&amp;width=275&amp;height=320" alt="" width="275" height="320"></figure></div>
<p>That was probably the catalyst for me to delve back in to trying, once again to complete the album, which I know now I won’t do, even though I tell myself I shall. It’s amazing that something so trivial can transport you back to a more innocent time and looking back you can see so many names that have drifted away in to the depths of time.</p>
<p>Grown men all over the UK have started to secretly pretend they’ve got kids now to try and cover up their sticker based addictions, as this current thread on a <a href="http:\/\/www.cpfc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=195171" target="_blank">Crystal Palace message board proves</a>. I am not alone in my addiction, though I doubt I can seek counseling over such vices but it’s nice to know I’m not the saddest man out there. After purchasing my latest sticker book, I was disappointed to only get 2 England players out of 70 stickers which means of course that’ll keep buying them! The seminal British magazine When Saturday Comes has also seen some of its contributors weigh in with some memories of those days too. An amusing discussion is still trundling along <a href="http:\/\/www.wsc.co.uk/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,73/func,view/catid,27/id,363320/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20100429_WST_18908_panini-mike-werner-10318406-hoch,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,height=349.webp&amp;width=262&amp;height=349" alt="" width="262" height="349"></figure></div>
<p>For me, it’s a fundamental part of the World Cup experience for fans over here young and old and even now, nearly 30 years on from my first sticker book, Espana 1982, it’s heartwarming to see the Panini World Cup sticker book on the shelves in stores. It’s one of those things that sets the clock ticking down towards the kick off to the tournament and with it, a little bit of me thinks back to those faraway days of swapping stickers with school friends.</p>

My Guilty World Cup Secret - World Soccer Talk

My Guilty World Cup Secret

<div id="attachment_783" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/04/1192104398_spt_ai_palace_warnock_091.jpg"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-783" class="wp-caption-text">Warnock: A Former Palace Favourite</p></div>
<p>By 5pm on Saturday we may have a clearer view of the Championship relegation battle as Watford battle Plymouth and Crystal Palace welcome (i use the term loosely) Queens Park Rangers to Selhurst Park. It’s one of those interesting matches that football often throws up, a series of events that cumulate in a heated affair when two sides meet, as any person that follows this league will be aware that if this match had been played a few months prior, Neil Warnock would be giving his pre-match team talk in the home dressing room as opposed to the away one. Warnock left in what some football fans would consider understandable circumstances: Palace entering administration, struggling to fill their bench every week and the club facing the prospect of relegation after a mandatory point’s deduction. But you try telling that to a Palace fan, as they’ll probably feel that Warnock is nothing but a money grabbing so-and-so, who’s left Palace to join a club in almost an identical situation, bar financial difficulties. You wouldn’t blame Warnock for <a href="http:\/\/www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11706_6082294,00.html">feeling the nerves</a> before his return…</p>
<p>But who could blame a Palace fan? Warnock left for the pure reason of money, the power that controls all football today, and to them it feels like Warnock just left the club to sort out its own problems; wiping his hands clean. Warnocck is an unbearable character at the best of times for most English football fans – constantly ranting on about how “I’ve always had to struggle – I’ve never had it easy” and all that lark. It must give Palace fans a great deal of pleasure to see when he did attempt to take the easy way out through buying into the bizarre QPR regime, which has involved 12 managers taking the helm in the past four years (five of them controlling the club this season), that he ultimately struggled for results and is currently battling relegation much like their own club – some would say it’s still not easy for Warnock. The original investment into Rangers promised that they would be the new Chelsea of world football and could reach the top half of Premier League in no time, yet <a href="http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8260661.stm">questionable ownership</a> and a bunch of dodgy decisions has instead left many football fans questioning how legitimate these claims were.</p>
<p>You can throw on top of the fire current Eagles manager Paul Hart being <a href="http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1243353/Manager-Paul-Hart-axed-QPR-just-games.html">one of those five men to manage </a>QPR this season and only last a mere five games before his reign was over and he will no doubt be desperate for the win over his former employers. Warnock, unlike his predecessors, will be given until the end of the season due to his experience in the league as the board aren’t that short sighted to realise that he is a good manager and that he faces the problem of a poor squad created due to a lack of stability. It is a shame for the long suffering QPR fans that initially were given the promise of top flight football and a world class side and instead have to watch the inner turmoil of their club as the prawn sandwich eating board squabble over club matters like babies who can’t share their toys.</p>
<p>This game could arguably not come at a worse time for Rangers either, who have not won in their last seven games and now face a Palace side who have not only points to play for but a universal point to prove as well. In a mental edge perspective too, if Palace pick up the three points they will climb over QPR in the table and will feel more in control of their fate. However, with four games to go after this for Rangers, they can send a rival further away from themselves and show bouncebackabillity that could see them rejuvenated for their final run in. This basically the pundits definition of the proverbial “six pointer” and is one game you’d be cautious about putting on your accumulator this weekend.</p>
<p>Interestingly, Radek Cerny, who has been out of the first team since January is set to start for Rangers, a gamble that Warnock is forced to take due to Carl Ikeme’s loan spell ending. Place could be without Danny Butterfield, but Lee Hills returns from suspension, allowing Clint Hill to return to his more natural position of centre -back.</p>
<p>Overall this is the game of the weekend for the football league; it has a script like a Hollywood drama. Both teams will be desperate for a win and I’d be surprised, particularly being a London derby, if the game isn’t a sell out, as Palace fans will be desperate to get one over Warnock, whereas QPR supporters will travel in the hope of seeing their team turn things around and get one step closer to safety. Eyes will be on what sort of reception Palace fans give Warnock, as it is expected to be a chorus of booing and jeering, yet some have suggested that the fans may put the fiasco aside and <a href="http:\/\/www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8090454.HAVE_YOUR_SAY__Sport_Rant___does_Warnock_warrant_warm_welcome_/">remember Warnock</a> for all the good he did for the team. Putting feelings aside, the most important thing is what happens when the final whistle has gone and what the result is. Both teams need it bad in what is expected to be a cagey and heated affair.</p>


When The Former King Returns To The Palace: Warnock Set For Hostile Reception - World Soccer Talk

When The Former King Returns To The Palace: Warnock Set For Hostile Reception

<p></p><div><figure class="image"></figure></div>Andy Johnson is on the brink of joining Fulham from Everton. The clubs have already agreed a £10.5 million transfer fee, so all that’s left is for Johnson to agree personal terms. Unless another club steps in with a higher offer in the next 48 hours, Johnson will be wearing the white shirt of Fulham very shortly.<p></p>
<p>Personally, I feel that £10.5 million is too much for Johnson. The player was at the top of his game when he played for Crystal Palace although many of his goals came from penalties. At Everton, he never really lived up to his potential and there were so many matches where he came agonizingly close to scoring but just couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net. Still, while at Everton, he scored 17 goals in 61 appearances.</p>
<p>The 27-year old striker has seen the best of his days. It’s possible he may shine at Fulham, especially as he slots in to fill the striker role vacated by Brian McBride. But I don’t see it and I don’t hold out much hope for his future success. Johnson has lost most of his speed and isn’t as razor-sharp in front of goal as he used to be.</p>
<p>For Fulham, £10.5 million is a massive amount of money for the club to spend. Let’s hope that Roy Hodgson has made a wise decision.</p>


Where&#039;s The Wisdom In Andy Johnson&#039;s Move From Everton To Fulham? - World Soccer Talk

Where's The Wisdom In Andy Johnson's Move From Everton To Fulham?

<p></p><div><figure class="image"></figure></div>Tottenham Hotspur has <a href="http:\/\/www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/bostockjoinsclub.html" target="_blank">announced</a> the signing of John Bostock from Crystal Palace. The 16-year-old attacking midfielder made his debut for Palace in October 2007 and is a highly regarded player.<p></p>
<p>Both Chelsea and Barcelona were rumored to be trying to sign Bostock, so this is a excellent coup by Spurs. Bostock made four appearances for Crystal Palace and has made appearances in the England u-16 team and has captained the u-17 team. In his first game for Palace against Cardiff in October, Bostock made history by becoming the youngest player ever to play for Crystal Palace, aged 15.</p>
<p>Over the past 30 days, Tottenham has been the leaders in the transfer market. In late April they signed Croatian midfielder <a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/luka-modric-signs-for-spurs/1918">Luka Modric</a>. And, according to <a href="http:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1225370.ece#OTC-RSS&amp;ATTR=Football" target="_blank">The Sun newspaper</a>, the club has signed Giovani Dos Santos from Barcelona.</p>


ALL POSTS TAGGED "crystal palace" - Page 9

General

Daily Ticker: Mourinho Eyeing Lampard, Hodgson Denies Liverpool Rumors, More

Leagues: Championship

Wednesday And Palace Set For Big Relegation Showdown – A Must See

General

My Guilty World Cup Secret

Leagues: Championship

When The Former King Returns To The Palace: Warnock Set For Hostile Reception

General

Where's The Wisdom In Andy Johnson's Move From Everton To Fulham?

General

Tottenham Hotspur Signs John Bostock From Palace