Tag Archives: cudicini

Heurelho Gomes begins his recovery from injury

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Water way to rehab: Spurs keeper Gomes starts injury recovery in swimming pool

By
Jon Harvey

PUBLISHED:

14:46 GMT, 18 April 2013

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UPDATED:

14:58 GMT, 18 April 2013

Tottenham's Heurelho Gomes has begun his recovery from the broken hand injury he picked up while on loan at German side Hoffenhiem.

The 32-year-old Brazilian underwent surgery to have four pins inserted into his broken left hand after a collision with Andreas Lambertz in Friday's win over Dusseldorf.

Gomes, who joined Spurs in 2008 from PSV, will be out for eight weeks and will remain at the Bundesliga side for his rehabilitation.

Rehab: Heurelho Gomes begins his recovery from a broken hand injury

Rehab: Heurelho Gomes begins his recovery from a broken hand injury

Gomes had impressed for the German club on a six-month loan deal in January before the injury, conceding nine goals in nine games.

He found his opportunities limited at White Hart Lane after being relegated relegated to fourth
choice thanks to the arrivals of Hugo Lloris and Brad Friedel over the
last two years.

Despite
the departure of Carlo Cudicini, Gomes is still unlikely to get any game
time at Spurs next season and he may leave the club in the summer.

Frozen out: Heurelho Gomes has found his first-team chances limited at Spurs

Frozen out: Heurelho Gomes has found his first-team chances limited at Spurs

His Spurs deal currently runs to 2014, but his former club PSV might ready to rescue him.

PSV director Marcel Brands said: 'Two years ago Tottenham wanted 8million. Maybe that’s changed.'

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Premier League players continue to choose the MLS over mid-ranking European careers

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Beckham sprinkled his stardust and more players are crossing the pond – so is the MLS booming or is the US just a place Premier League careers go to die

season – more than regularly pack in to watch Chelsea and not
far off the number who turn up at Anfield – you begin to
understand his excitement.

MLS crowds generally were up last
season. An average attendance of 18,807 made for the seventh-most
popular football league in the world in terms of bums on seats.

Biggest star in the Galaxy: Beckham moved to Los Angeles amid a blaze of publicity in 2007

Biggest star in the Galaxy: Beckham moved to Los Angeles amid a blaze of publicity in 2007

David Beckham

Hollywood ending: Beckham and his sons celebrate the MLS Cup win in his final game

Hollywood ending: Beckham and his sons celebrate the MLS Cup win in his final game

Paltry television viewing figures for MLS in the US remain a
cause for concern, however, as evidenced by a drop in the number who
watched the 2012 MLS Cup from the previous season’s final. Not even
David Beckham’s walk off into the sunset could save that one.

No talk of MLS progress is complete without referencing Beckham’s legacy of course. Having arrived at LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007, the world’s most bankable footballer played a defining role in building the profile of the league.

Even when things weren’t going right on the pitch, Beckham was still selling the Galaxy brand and putting MLS in places it had never before been able to reach.

Beckham made everything to come possible. Seven new MLS franchises launched during his five years in LA, and the increased profile he generated for the league has helped lure the likes of Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Carlo Cudicini and Alessandro Nesta to bring their considerable reputations in his wake.

Keane to raise the profile: The Ireland striker (left) has followed Beckham to America

Keane to raise the profile: The Ireland striker (left) has followed Beckham to America

Republic of Ireland striker Keane has
won two MLS Cups in two seasons at LA Galaxy and was named in the
league's best XI for 2012.

Among the other ex-Premier League players to
be found in the US include former West Brom midfielder Giles Barnes, now
plying his trade at Houston Dynamo, and Wales striker Robert
Earnshaw, who arrived at Toronto FC this season.

Former Arsenal and Manchester United full back Mikael Silvestre is another recent arrival. The Frenchman signed for Portland Timbers this season, whose goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts will also be a familiar name to those who follow the lower reaches of the English game. And then there's Tim Cahill, the Australian who left Everton to join Henry at New York Red Bulls in 2012.

New York Red Bulls team-mates: Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, respectively once of Arsenal and Everton

New York Red Bulls team-mates: Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, respectively once of Arsenal and Everton

Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill

It’s not just the quality of players
arriving in the MLS that we should be looking as testament to progress.
There’s also the evidence supplied by MLS graduates able to adjust to
supposedly superior leagues when they leave.

Carlos Bocanegra, Clint
Dempsey and Michael Bradley are shining examples. Brek Shea is early in
his career at Stoke but already being talked about as a potential
Premier League game-changer. Meanwhile, American goalkeepers are
everywhere.

Could the
Premier League one day have enough faith in the MLS to use it as a
feeder league It may be a natural next step, especially when you
consider the desire of English clubs to market themselves aggressively
in the US market.

Premier League exports: Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and Mikael Silvestre

Premier League exports: Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and Mikael Silvestre

Everywhere you look there are signs the MLS is building slowly on its foundation — one laid on the back of the US hosting the 1994 World Cup.

We shouldn’t expect a league to compare with the best in Europe any time soon, but well-planned growth is pointing towards a product that will only get better in time.

Perhaps the biggest achievement of Beckham’s time in American will be seen if the MLS continues to grow without him.

Robert Earnshaw

Giles Barnes

In a land far, far away: Robert Earnshaw and Giles Barnes are both plying their trade in MLS

Friedel to fight Lloris at Tottenham after signing new deal to 2014

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Friedel chooses fight over flight after signing to stay at Tottenham until 2014

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UPDATED:

09:44 GMT, 26 December 2012

Brad Friedel has signed a new contract to extend his stay with Tottenham until 2014.

The United States goalkeeper had been linked with a return to Blackburn after being deposed as first-choice by summer signing Hugo Lloris but now appears set to fight for his place.

Friedel, the only player in Premier League history to have made over 300 consecutive league starts, arrived at Spurs from Aston Villa in 2011.

Commited: Despite interest from former club Blackburn, Friedel wants to stay at White Hart Lane

Commited: Despite interest from former club Blackburn, Friedel wants to stay at White Hart Lane

His commitment to the club leaves manager Andre Villas-Boas with four goalkeepers – the other two, Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini, are both big earners and could be set for exits

Lloris, meanwhile, says he cannot wait to have his first taste of Boxing Day tension, even though it has meant sacrificing his usual extravagant dining.

The France captain is preparing for their visit to Villa today but admits he usually “feasts” over Christmas and is not used to showing restraint from gorging on fine food.

Down but not out: Lloris' arrival has not convinced Friedel he needs to leave the club

Down but not out: Lloris' arrival has not convinced Friedel he needs to leave the club

Players in Ligue 1 are handed a two-week break from football over the festive period, before the campaign resumes on Friday, January 11.

‘Usually it was a period where I lay around, enjoying many feasts,’ he told L’Equipe.

‘I heard someone shout from the stands, “these aren’t holidays, so watch your line”.’

Safe hands: Lloris is looking forward to facing Aston Villa

Safe hands: Lloris is looking forward to facing Aston Villa

Taking it in good humour, the former Lyonnais stopper admits to having chuckled at this, but knows the importance of staying focused.

‘It is a family event and it shows all the passion of football in England. I can’t wait to see it for myself.’

Andre Villas-Boas rules out January transfer spending

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AVB: I won't splash cash! Spurs boss rules out January move for Moutinho, Willian or Remy

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UPDATED:

15:12 GMT, 23 December 2012

Andre Villas-Boas insists he still has no plans to enter the transfer market next month despite seeing his team fail to break down a stubborn Stoke side at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham could have moved third in the table yesterday with a win over the Potters, but they had to settle for a 0-0 draw thanks to a frustrating rearguard action from the visitors.

Despite having fit-again Gareth Bale back in the side, Villas-Boas' team rarely threatened the away goal, and Asmir Begovic's only important save came in injury time when substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson tested him with a close-range header.

January sales AVB has ruled out Spurs making moves in the transfer window

January sales AVB has ruled out Spurs making moves in the transfer window

Villas-Boas said earlier this week that there was only a slim chance that he would make new additions to his squad in the January window, and he now appears to have ruled out signing anybody despite yesterday's stalemate.

Although he has been linked with the likes of Joao Moutinho, Loic Remy and Willian, the Spurs boss says the options he has in reserve are good enough to see his team through the rest of the season.

'I don't think we need to do anything,' said the Portuguese, who was missing Clint Dempsey yesterday due to a groin injury.

'We have Clint out. He is a massive player for us. He has had a big impact. He scored 17 goals last season so we have to count on him.

'He plays striker, plays wings and plays through the middle so he gives us that option.

'(Andros) Townsend the other day had a good game. Today we had opted for Sigurdsson coming in but I think we have options.'

Villas-Boas is keen to offload some of his fringe players next month, with Carlo Cudicini, Heurelho Gomes, David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Danny Rose all potentially heading for the exit.

Wanted men: Spurs have been linked with Moutinho (left) and Remy (right)

Wanted men: Spurs have been linked with Moutinho (left) and Remy (right)

Wanted men: Spurs have been linked with Moutinho (left) and Remy (right)

Another player who may be on the move is Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The 41-year-old, who has been displaced by Hugo Lloris as Spurs' number one in recent weeks, has been linked with a return to former club Blackburn.

He tweeted this afternoon: 'I know there has been quite a but of speculation regarding my future. All will be revealed in next couple of days:). Happy Holidays!!!'

Lloris has a relatively easy afternoon yesterday, with Stoke rarely threatening the home goal.

Tottenham threw everything at the visitors in the final stages, but Stoke lived up to their billing as one of the best defences around by shutting out Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe.

Shut out: Spurs failed to find a way through the Stoke defence

Shut out: Spurs failed to find a way through the Stoke defence

Shut out: Spurs failed to find a way through the Stoke defence

'Stoke have one of the best defences in Europe and they are very well organised. They don't make it easy for anyone,' Villas-Boas said.

'We gave them a run for their money and our players tried very hard. Sometimes you try everything and the ball doesn't go in the back of the net. We had a go and I'm very pleased with the players.'

Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini set for LA Galaxy

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Yanks for the memories! Cudicini set for Spurs exit as stopper closes in on LA Galaxy deal

PUBLISHED:

22:15 GMT, 20 December 2012

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UPDATED:

22:15 GMT, 20 December 2012

Carlo Cudicini is close to agreeing a two-year deal to join MLS side LA Galaxy.

Sportsmail revealed the interest last month and talks are at an advanced stage for the 39-year-old.

Moving on: Goalkeeper Cudicini is poised to leave Tottenham next month

Moving on: Goalkeeper Cudicini is poised to leave Tottenham next month

Cudicini is eager to play after falling behind Brad Friedel and Hugo Lloris.

Although 41-year-old Friedel is set
to join Blackburn in January, Cudicini is interested in the idea of
going to Los Angeles and following former teammate Robbie Keane.

Tottenham Hotspur celebrate after Swansea win with a team gingerbread house challenge

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Come dine with AVB! Spurs stars compete in Christmas-themed gingerbread challenge

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UPDATED:

16:05 GMT, 18 December 2012

The Spurs boys were in good spirits after their 1-0 win over Swansea on Sunday, with Jan Vertoghen scoring his first Premier League goal.

But they faced a different challenge when they were instructed to build gingerbread houses for Christmas, and artistically-speaking they found themselves slightly out of their depth.

Some took the challenge more seriously than others, particularly Team Two which comprised Michael Dawson, Brad Friedel and Carlo Cudicini.

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Michael Dawson, Brad Friedel and Carlo Cudicini were determined to win Tottenham's gingerbread challenge

Michael Dawson, Brad Friedel and Carlo Cudicini were determined to win Tottenham's gingerbread challenge

There were some less than perfect
efforts, but they all seemed pleased with their creations anyway, with a
few of the lads getting distracted by the sugary treats.

‘I think it’s an abstract interpretation of our art,’ said Clint Dempsey of Team Three’s more original construction.

‘We take it to the next level. Anyone can follow directions but you’ve got to think outside the box.’

Mousa Dembele, Clint Dempsey and Jan Vertoghen teamed up for Tottenham's gingerbread challenge

Mousa Dembele, Clint Dempsey and Jan Vertoghen teamed up for Tottenham's gingerbread challenge

Mousa Dembele, Clint Dempsey and Jan Vertoghen teamed up but their artistic capability left a lot to be desired

Emmanuel Adebayor and his teammates in Tottenham's gingerbread challenge

Emmanuel Adebayor and his teammates took the challenge less seriously

Team One, led by Emmanuel Adebayor,
resorted to the dirty tactic of switching their own dilapidated house
for the expertly created house that they were all supposed to be
copying.

But in the end it was Team Two that triumphed, with a beautifully crafted and solidly built house that the Spurs catering staff picked as their favourite.

The winning house was taken to a hospital in Harlow, along with some presents for the kids.

LA Galaxy interested in Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini

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Spurs stopper Cudicini wanted by LA Galaxy after seeing first-team chances slip

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UPDATED:

22:45 GMT, 11 December 2012

LA Galaxy are showing interest in Tottenham's other veteran goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

The 39-year-old is eager to play after falling behind Brad Friedel and Hugo Lloris.

Although 41-year-old Friedel is set to join Blackburn in January, Cudicini is interested in the idea of going to Los Angeles and following former teammate Robbie Keane.

United he stands: Carlo Cudicini could be on his way to LA Galaxy

United he stands: Carlo Cudicini could be on his way to LA Galaxy

Tottenham's other experienced keeper Heurelho Gomes is attrcating interest from Brazil but his wages and expected 3.5million transfer fee are so far proving too exspensive.

Spurs, meanwhile, have again been linked with a move for Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

However, the 28-year-old's high wages would provide a major obstacle to any permanent deal for the Dutch international, who has not played at Inter since September.

Brad Friedel denies rumours of Blackburn return

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I'm staying at Spurs, insists Friedel as he denies rumours of Blackburn return

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UPDATED:

22:53 GMT, 7 December 2012

Staying put: Friedel

Staying put: Friedel

Brad Friedel has dismissed reports he was close to joining Blackburn Rovers last month and stressed he is enjoying competing for the Spurs No 1 jersey with Hugo Lloris.

Henning Berg was keen to bring the 41-year-old back to Ewood Park in a player-coach role but Andre Villas-Boas blocked the move.

Lloris was expected to be Tottenham’s undisputed goalkeeper after signing for 8million this summer but the Portuguese manager appears undecided between the two.

Friedel, who played in the Europa League on Thursday but is likely to return to the bench for the visit to Everton, said: ‘Apparently when I was contemplating having a medical I was at home having Thanksgiving dinner with my family. What happens between club and club a lot of players don’t know.

‘I’m contracted to Tottenham and I’m concentrating on Tottenham. Whatever role they throw at me I’ll do it to the best of my capabilities.

‘There’s no rivalry with Hugo. At every club, for 21 seasons, there’s competition for places. As I said before when I signed the two-year contract I figured I would play last year, this year was an unknown.

Competition: Lloris (above) and Friedel have shared No 1 duties

Competition: Lloris (above) and Friedel have shared No 1 duties

‘The club have been on the look-out for a long term goalkeeper for a couple of years. We also have two other outstanding goalkeepers at the club in Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.

‘So competition for places Yes. But the club is going to be around a lot longer than any of us. They want to be in the Champions League and they want to try to win trophies so they continuously have to buy good players in every position.

‘Do I thrive on competition Absolutely. Or else I wouldn’t be playing football, and definitely not at the age of 41.’

Asked if he might move in the January transfer window he said: ‘That’s all hypothetical. I’m at Tottenham and I’m very happy here.’

Spurs wizard Gareth Bale shows off his new trick shot – video

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Spurs wizard Bale shows off his new trick shot… on the golf course

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UPDATED:

12:53 GMT, 5 December 2012

Spurs winger Gareth Bale is revered for his deft touch, mazy dribbles and silky skills – and his ball juggling on the golf course is not bad either.

The Welsh wizard, who shares 11 as his squad number and golf handicap, is regular on the golf course with team-mates Michael Dawson, Carlo Cudicini and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

And Bale finished off a recent session at the driving range with a trick shot.

Watch the video

Bale mimicked Tiger Woods famous Nike advert by juggling the ball on an iron before smashing it down the range on the half volley.

But he may need a little bit more practice before he is really a match for Tiger.

Watch the video

Carlo Cudicini: England can be "role model" to Italian hooligans

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England can be a 'role model' to Italian hooligans, claims Spurs stopper Cudicini

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UPDATED:

13:31 GMT, 23 November 2012

Carlo Cudicini has urged Italian football to follow England's lead in tackling the issue of hooliganism as the former Lazio goalkeeper expressed his shock at Thursday's attack on Tottenham fans in Rome.

A group of up to 50 masked thugs injured nine Spurs fans and three tourists in a horrifying attack in the Italian capital during the early hours of Thursday.

One Spurs fan was taken to hospital after being stabbed in the head and leg while others in the Drunken Ship pub were attacked with wooden planks, chair legs and knuckle-dusters.

Carnage: Tottenham supporters were ambushed whilst drinking in the Drunken Ship

Carnage: Tottenham supporters were ambushed whilst drinking in the Drunken Ship

Police said that two Roma fans have been charged with attempted murder following the incident, but the fact that the attackers targeted football fans suggests the incident could be related to the intense rivalry between English and Italian fans that has boiled over in the past.

Italian police have been criticised for their failure to stop fans of Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Liverpool being attacked in the Eternal City in the last 11 years.

Hooliganism was rife in England during the 1970s and 1980s, but the authorities have now clamped down on the troublemakers and mass arrests are rare.

Stalemate: Tottenham saw out a goalless draw with Lazio on Thursday

Stalemate: Tottenham saw out a goalless draw with Lazio on Thursday

Spurs goalkeeper Cudicini, who spent eight years playing in Italy before moving to London, thinks his native country should take a leaf out of England's book if they want to stamp out the problem.

'I think England can become a role model for all nations on this,' said the goalkeeper, who was on the Tottenham bench for last night's 0-0 draw against Lazio.

'It's a country that should be looked at, in terms of how we look to solve the hooligan problems.

Flying the flag: Cudicini believes Italy should take a left out of England's book

Flying the flag: Cudicini believes Italy should take a left out of England's book

'I remember when I was playing in Italy we were looking at England like it was a very dangerous place to go and so I found it quite strange that now it's the opposite.

'There are not a lot of incidents in England and the English stadiums have places for families to go and for children to come and watch matches.'

Cudicini was stunned to hear the extent of the violence that preceded yesterday's Europa League game at the Stadio Olimpico, and called on UEFA to take action.

'Free Palestine': The flag unveiled by a section of the Lazio support on Thursday night

'Free Palestine': The flag unveiled by a section of the Lazio support on Thursday night

'I read it on the internet and I was shocked,' the 39-year-old said.

'I can imagine people travelling to Rome to have a look at the city and watch the game but then suddenly find out there are other people out there trying to almost kill you.

'I wouldn't want to see that (kind of incident). If this keeps happening then UEFA has to do something, because I can't think about Italy as a dangerous place to come. If this keeps happening then something has to be done.'

During last night's game a section of the home crowd in the Curva Nord section of the Stadio Olimpico unfurled a 'Free Palestine' banner and allegedly chanted “Juden Tottenham” in an apparent anti-Semitic jibe at the supporters of the club, who have a strong connection with the Jewish community in London.