De Boer open to Swansea job

Swansea City could pry Frank de Boer away from Ajax if they can paint the club in a "pretty picture", according to the Dutchman.

Ajax coach Frank de Boer said he has had no contact from Swansea City over the vacant managerial position at the club, but hinted he would be interested if the right offer came along. 

The Dutchman has been heavily linked to the Welsh club since the sacking of Garry Monk in December.

Alan Curtis took over as interim manager and Swansea are taking their time to find the right man for the job.

And De Boer, who has more than a year left on his contract at Ajax, said he could be tempted away from the Eredivisie leaders. 

"First you have to see what the plan is at a club and what I and the people I would take with me could add to it," the 45-year-old said.

"The last club I was linked with was Swansea City. I have had no contact with them at this time.

"But what if these people paint me a pretty picture that they are in that category of clubs with which I could do something beautiful? Like clubs such as Tottenham and Liverpool.

"Those are the sort of clubs with which you would want to work. But the most important thing would be the feeling I get."

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We want stability at Madrid - Ramos

Sergio Ramos has been plagued by injuries this season and is hoping for a better 2016.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is hoping for more balance and stability at the club in 2016. 

The Spanish giants endured a difficult time in 2015, with Rafael Benitez coming in to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti.

Benitez is the eighth Madrid coach in 10 years, while rivals Barcelona have only changed trainer five times in the same period. 

Ramos, who has struggled with niggling injuries in 2015-16, is hoping the New Year is a more prosperous one for Madrid and himself.

"At a personal level, first I hope injuries treat me well and it's a year with a good level of football," he said.

"At a professional level, I hope 2016 is a successful one, that we can finally reach a regularity, a balance and a stability.

"And that we find the best way to play, keep that going and get to the end of the season the strongest possible to win titles and celebrate with our fans."

Madrid are third in La Liga going into the New Year and were drawn against Roma in the Champions League round of 16. 

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Flores: Linesmen must be more focused

Newly promoted Watford sit ninth in the Premier League at the half-way stage of the season.

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores believes his side's defensive work is being undone by poor offside decisions from assistant referees. 

Flores' men were on a run of four successive wins in the Premier League before a 2-2 draw against Chelsea last week. 

Watford then suffered a last-gasp defeat against Tottenham, which has seen them slip down to ninth in the table.

However, Watford conceded goals in both of those games with clear offsides in the lead-up play, and Flores has called on the assistant referees to be more focused. 

"The only thing I am a little worried about is we are working very well with our defensive line," Flores said ahead of the side's clash with Manchester City on Saturday. 

"It is always compact and we keep the line well. But in the last two matches there have been little problems with the goals we conceded.

"The defensive lined worked very well for the second goal at Chelsea and the second goal against Tottenham.

"But we need the linesman to be completely focused because otherwise our work is not valid.

"We work very hard on the line only for players who are offside to get a goal. That is difficult for us.

"So I am very happy with the work of the referee and the linesman but they must know how we work. If they get it wrong then for us it is a disaster."

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Flores: Linesmen must be more focused

Newly promoted Watford sit ninth in the Premier League at the half-way stage of the season.

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores believes his side's defensive work is being undone by poor offside decisions from assistant referees. 

Flores' men were on a run of four successive wins in the Premier League before a 2-2 draw against Chelsea last week. 

Watford then suffered a last-gasp defeat against Tottenham, which has seen them slip down to ninth in the table.

However, Watford conceded goals in both of those games with clear offsides in the lead-up play, and Flores has called on the assistant referees to be more focused. 

"The only thing I am a little worried about is we are working very well with our defensive line," Flores said ahead of the side's clash with Manchester City on Saturday. 

"It is always compact and we keep the line well. But in the last two matches there have been little problems with the goals we conceded.

"The defensive lined worked very well for the second goal at Chelsea and the second goal against Tottenham.

"But we need the linesman to be completely focused because otherwise our work is not valid.

"We work very hard on the line only for players who are offside to get a goal. That is difficult for us.

"So I am very happy with the work of the referee and the linesman but they must know how we work. If they get it wrong then for us it is a disaster."

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Flores: Linesmen must be more focused

Newly promoted Watford sit ninth in the Premier League at the half-way stage of the season.

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores believes his side's defensive work is being undone by poor offside decisions from assistant referees. 

Flores' men were on a run of four successive wins in the Premier League before a 2-2 draw against Chelsea last week. 

Watford then suffered a last-gasp defeat against Tottenham, which has seen them slip down to ninth in the table.

However, Watford conceded goals in both of those games with clear offsides in the lead-up play, and Flores has called on the assistant referees to be more focused. 

"The only thing I am a little worried about is we are working very well with our defensive line," Flores said ahead of the side's clash with Manchester City on Saturday. 

"It is always compact and we keep the line well. But in the last two matches there have been little problems with the goals we conceded.

"The defensive lined worked very well for the second goal at Chelsea and the second goal against Tottenham.

"But we need the linesman to be completely focused because otherwise our work is not valid.

"We work very hard on the line only for players who are offside to get a goal. That is difficult for us.

"So I am very happy with the work of the referee and the linesman but they must know how we work. If they get it wrong then for us it is a disaster."

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Flores: Linesmen must be more focused

Newly promoted Watford sit ninth in the Premier League at the half-way stage of the season.

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores believes his side's defensive work is being undone by poor offside decisions from assistant referees. 

Flores' men were on a run of four successive wins in the Premier League before a 2-2 draw against Chelsea last week. 

Watford then suffered a last-gasp defeat against Tottenham, which has seen them slip down to ninth in the table.

However, Watford conceded goals in both of those games with clear offsides in the lead-up play, and Flores has called on the assistant referees to be more focused. 

"The only thing I am a little worried about is we are working very well with our defensive line," Flores said ahead of the side's clash with Manchester City on Saturday. 

"It is always compact and we keep the line well. But in the last two matches there have been little problems with the goals we conceded.

"The defensive lined worked very well for the second goal at Chelsea and the second goal against Tottenham.

"But we need the linesman to be completely focused because otherwise our work is not valid.

"We work very hard on the line only for players who are offside to get a goal. That is difficult for us.

"So I am very happy with the work of the referee and the linesman but they must know how we work. If they get it wrong then for us it is a disaster."

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Hiddink hopeful over Cahill fitness

Gary Cahill has a good chance of being passed fit to play in-form Crystal Palace, according to Guus Hiddink.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is hopeful defender Gary Cahill will be fit to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Cahill is suffering with an ankle problem, but Hiddink is optimistic he will recover in time to take on Alan Pardew's side, who are fifth in the table and 11 points better off than Chelsea.

"Gary Cahill didn't train on Wednesday, which means he has a little problem," said Hiddink, who expects Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian to play after picking up knocks.

"He has an ankle injury - some ligaments are a bit tight - but we have several days to go, so I am not negative about him.

"We had two tough games against Watford and Manchester United. The physical intensity was high in both games, but we didn't have big damage.

"Oscar was a bit hurt after a challenge. Willian got some tackles, so did Eden. There was intensity in these games, but they have been recovering so they are okay."

Chelsea have drawn their first two matches under Hiddink, who has been handed a deal until the end of the season.

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Hiddink hopeful over Cahill fitness

Gary Cahill has a good chance of being passed fit to play in-form Crystal Palace, according to Guus Hiddink.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is hopeful defender Gary Cahill will be fit to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Cahill is suffering with an ankle problem, but Hiddink is optimistic he will recover in time to take on Alan Pardew's side, who are fifth in the table and 11 points better off than Chelsea.

"Gary Cahill didn't train on Wednesday, which means he has a little problem," said Hiddink, who expects Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian to play after picking up knocks.

"He has an ankle injury - some ligaments are a bit tight - but we have several days to go, so I am not negative about him.

"We had two tough games against Watford and Manchester United. The physical intensity was high in both games, but we didn't have big damage.

"Oscar was a bit hurt after a challenge. Willian got some tackles, so did Eden. There was intensity in these games, but they have been recovering so they are okay."

Chelsea have drawn their first two matches under Hiddink, who has been handed a deal until the end of the season.

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West Ham still thinking like a smaller club - Bilic

West Ham are still not thinking like a big club, but they are making good progress in the eyes of Slaven Bilic.

Slaven Bilic believes West Ham are progressing well, but says it will still take time for them to start thinking like a big club.

The Hammers are enjoying a strong season in the Premier League, sitting eighth after losing only four times in 19 matches ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium for next season.

Bilic sees signs of progress on and off the pitch, but feels it will be a while until West Ham have a similar mind-set to top clubs like Saturday's opponents Liverpool.

"It is all psychological," he said. "We have got used to Liverpool being there – that is normal, that is the mentality, the structure of the club and that takes time to change.

"When you are trying to become a big club you need years of what Liverpool has – tradition, history. 

"That reflects on your daily work. No matter who the coach is, whether the team is great. It is the jersey, the club.

"So when the smaller clubs like us are trying to move forward of course we want to do it as quick as possible but of course it doesn't go like that. It takes time to change.

"We are talking about moving forward our mentality. It is not enough to change the stadium even though this is a great move for us – brilliant.

"It is a step we have to take if we want to become bigger, but you are not only becoming bigger by moving stadiums.

"But we are not only moving stadiums, I think we have done a lot. We showed that when we have a full team that we are good, we improved a lot and showed the club is moving forward."

West Ham are one point behind Liverpool going into the match at Upton Park.

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Stoke do not want to sell Crouch, insists Hughes

Former England striker Peter Crouch is still in Stoke City's plans for this season, according to Mark Hughes.

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes insists he does not want to sell out-of-favour striker Peter Crouch in the January transfer window.

The 34-year-old has been at the Britannia Stadium since 2011, but has not started a single Premier League match this season.

Crouch has only made three substitute appearances in the league, totalling 44 minutes on the pitch, but Hughes still wants to have the experienced forward in reserve in case of injuries.

"Peter has been unfortunate that he has had a couple of injuries – he is just coming back now," said the manager.

"He has had a week's training and was not ready to be involved over the weekend [against Everton], but he is a big part of what we do here. 

"He is going to get game time at some point. We are going to need everybody so he is very much in my thoughts.

"There is a little bit of speculation about players going out. I am not encouraging it, to be perfectly honest.

"We have got a big period, which we are right in the middle of now, where we have got a lot of significant games and we are going to need everybody.

"We know, unfortunately, that things change very quickly. You can get two or three injuries in the same position and you become a little bit stretched."

Hughes did suggest that his stance on allowing some of his fringe players to leave may change - but only much later in the month.

He added: "If, towards the end of the window, we think we can get game time into some of the players who have not had much, then we might consider it.

"As always, I like the options within the squad, and if you start sending people out too early in a key period, I don't think that is the right or logical thing to do."

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I’m in touch with Oliseh’s doctors – Pinnick

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has
said he is in constant touch with doctors treating ailing Super
Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday on Channels Television
programme, Sports This Morning, the NFF boss said, “Oliseh
is getting better. He is human and anybody can break down any
time.”

Pinnick assured that the coach would soon return to his duty
post as he has shown a lot of passion for the job.

“I speak directly with the doctors and we are confident he will be
back soon as he is still undergoing therapy. All he needs is a
good rest,” Pinnick said. Oliseh has been away for treatment in
Belgium since leading the home Eagles to a 2-0 win over Chad
in Port Harcourt in CHAN qualifier.

He couldn’t lead the team to N’Djamena for the second leg as he
was flown to Belgium for treatment.  From all indications, Oliseh
could be in the dugout when the Super Eagles face Niger at the
2016 African Nations Championship on January 18. NFF
supremo Amaju Pinnick expects Sunday Oliseh to get well
before then.

The Super Eagles have started preparations for the tournament
in Rwanda, with the team expected to jet out to South Africa
tomorrow for a training camp in the coming days without Oliseh.

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Nigerians should expect better results in 2016 — Pinnick

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has expressed confidence that
the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of
Nations and the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

The qualification series for the 2017 Cup of Nations (to be
hosted by Gabon) will be concluded in September 2016, but
the Eagles have what is seen as a group-decider, double-
dose against the Pharaohs of Egypt in March, while the
qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, to be staged in
Russia, begin in October 2016.

“I make bold to say that year 2016 will be even better. We
are looking to see the Eagles B win the African Nations
Championship, the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2017
Africa Cup of Nations and starting the race to Russia 2018 on
a sound footing, and also planning for the women teams to
excel at their various international championships.”

The Super Falcons expect to qualify for the African Women
Championship in Cameroon, while the U-20 girls have
already qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in
Papua New Guinea and the U-17 girls are looking to reach
the U-17 World Cup in Jordan.

“I also want to add that going forward, the best option will be
for us to have Clubs that are independent of government
control; Clubs that are owned by communities and
individuals. We will inter-face with the Governors’ Forum to
kick-start this process.

“We know it will not happen in a month or two, or even in a
year. But our objective is to have Clubs that are properly run,
and stadia that are so friendly that whole families can go and
watch football matches without any anxiety.”

On Wednesday, Pinnick stated that the plethora of awards
being bestowed on his person and the NFF in general is
testimony that the present administration is steering the
Nigeria game in the right direction.

The Edo State Football Association honoured him as the
‘Football Personality of the Year’ at their Awards Nite that
took place in Benin City same day. It would be recalled that
leading national newspapers, The SUN and VANGUARD, have
differently announced Amaju Pinnick as their ‘Sports
Personality of the Year,’ at award ceremonies to take place in
the new year.

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Ikhana set for Nasarawa United return

Coach Kadiri Ikhana could make a sensational return to

Nasarawa United after Premier League champions Enyimba

failed to extend his contract, according to AfricanFootball.com.

Ikhana ensured Nasarawa stayed up in the Nigeria Premier

League three seasons ago.

The Solid Miners will in the new year feature in the CAF

Confederation Cup after they finished third in the league and the

international experience of Ikhana could come in handy, sources

close to the Lafia club have suggested.

Nasarawa were guided by former ABS FC coach Kabiru

Suleiman Dogo after Mohammed Babaganaru returned to Kano

Pillars in mid-season.

Meanwhile, Chisom Chikatara has said he decided to join Kano

Pillars because they can help him realise his dreams of winning

titles.

The Super Eagles forward was Abia Warriors top scorer last

season.

“Yes, I have negotiated with Kano Pillars but yet to collect my

clearance from Abia Warriors,” Supersport quoted him as saying.

“I think the urge to win trophy and continental participation is

the driving force behind the move in addition to the quest for

new challenges.

“The two seasons I spent at Abia Warriors did not help me

achieve my dream of winning any league trophy or a ticket to

Africa.”

Pillars were dethroned as champions by Enyimba at the end of

the out gone league season finishing a distance eight on 55

points while Abia Warriors ended their campaign on the 10th

position on 53 points.

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