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Striker Aritz Aduriz believes Valencia can go to Schalke and win the second leg of their last 16 Champions League encounter.

The tie is finely poised after the sides drew 1-1 at the Mestalla on Tuesday, giving the Germans a slight advantage heading into the second leg.

But Aduriz believes Valencia are good enough to get a result away from home and earn their place in the last eight of the competition.

“It is an exciting game for ourselves and for everybody, as we have the chance to put ourselves among the top eight teams in Europe,” Aduriz said.

“We will try to keep on going. We have to go there (Veltins Arena) looking to score, and win the game. We will certainly do that.”

“I don’t know if I would call it the most important game of my life, but it is one of the better ties in my career. I hope to be lucky enough to play in more games like this.”

Roberto Soldado gave Valencia the lead after 17 minutes at the Mestalla on Tuesday, but a second-half strike from Spanish forward Raul gave Schalke a vital away goal.

But Aduriz said he thought the hosts deserved more from the match.

“They had chances and at times they were dangerous. We were superior for the most part,” Aduriz said.

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“We had more possession and more chances, although we lacked a cutting edge. In football, goals are what count. They make the difference, and they were what we were missing yesterday.”

“We always try to be consistent for the whole game, in terms of intensity and pace. When you come up against a tough opponent, this is more difficult.”

Part two of the Chelsea Football FanCast World Cup preview show and the boys take a look at all the latest Chelsea news, announce their World Cup show schedule and the nominations for the Chelsea Football FanCast awards.

Still recovering from the banter with wanna be WAG and Glamour Girl, Chenille Steele, in part two of the World Cup preview show, the FanCast boys take a look at the latest Chelsea news. Joe Cole’s contract is discussed whilst Essien’s contract signing is celebrated, along with McEachran and Chalobah’s recent performances in the U17 England cup winning campaign.

The Chelsea FanCast’s World Cup show schedule is announced, hopefully going all the way to the Final, like England! At long last and after much deliberation, the boys have finally declared their hand in the nominations for the Chelsea Football FanCast awards. The categories will be for Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Guinness Moment of the Season, Celery Moment of the Season and Chant of the Season. All the usual suspects are there, plus a few surprises of course. Get voting people!

Vote right now in the 2010 Chelsea Football FanCast Awards!

We also discuss some exciting news about the website including the forthcoming book and DVD review, and how to buy the boys a beer on-line! To complete the show, Dr Mart answers your Chelsea related questions in “Dear Mart” including what happened to the Peter Osgood statue, Chelsea own goals, players we should never have sold, and Chelsea players who we have met. Chidge then reads out the best posts on the website forum and Facebook group in “You’re on CFFC!”

The Chelsea Football FanCast: Come on England and Chelsea!

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The FA has confirmed that it would block any potential rule changes in regards to relegation and promotion, as some Premier League clubs are keen to abolish demotion from the top flight.

Richard Bevan, who is boss of the League Managers Association, stated earlier in the week that some top flight sides were interested in scrapping the relegation format, which is becoming more of a possibility given the foreign ownership of an increasing number of teams.

With the financial model of other, mostly American based sports in mind, it is thought that Premier League teams would look to protect their investment by doing away with relegation to The Championship.

Currently 10 out of the 20 teams in the top tier are run by non-British owners, with a vote from 14 of the 20 clubs needed to enforce a rule change in the division.

Despite this, the FA has the power to veto any potential ruling, and has confirmed that it would do so in the case of any relegation related decision.

“The FA’s share can be used so it has to approve any major rule change,” an FA spokesman told The Sun.

“This covers changes to promotion and relegation.”

The news will be welcomed by all teams currently competing in the lower leagues, who are constantly buoyed on by the chance to qualify of participation in the Premier League.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Another game tonight between two out form clubs at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton are without a win in their last five League games whilst Wolves have one of the worst away records in the division. Owen Coyle will welcome loan signing Daniel Sturridge into his squad to boost his team’s chances of scoring since Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies have hit a drought.

Wolves could give a debut to their new loan signing Jamie O’Hara who signed from Tottenham and could recall Kevin Doyle back into the squad after illness. Mick McCarthy will be hoping for a result tonight as his side look over their shoulders at the bottom of the table.

Bolton who made a great start to the season have dropped down from 4th to 11th place in the last 10 weeks but they are yet to lose to a side in the bottom half of the table this season. Also, the visitors have not won in their last seven visits to Bolton which should bode in favour of the Trotters.

Prediction: 2-0

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Once again rumours are rife that 29-year-old forward Jermaine Defoe wishes to leave White Hart Lane. He hopes to become first-choice striker at whichever club he joins.

Previous Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation that meant Defoe factored little in his plans. However, Defoe still bagged 17 goals last season coming off the bench – and we could be looking at a candidate for the golden boot if he moves to a club where he is the main-man up front. This may certainly be the case, as current manager Andre Villas-Boas’ favoured 4-3-3 system would mean another season of keeping the bench warm. Defoe told The Mirror “last season was heartbreaking for me in terms of putting my body on the line, being prepared to give everything for the club and not getting a game.”

With Harry Kane the only other out-and-out striker on Spurs’ books, it is unlikely Defoe will leave until at least one other striker is brought in. Emmanuel Adebayor is still demanding wages that Spurs are uncomfortable paying and Internacional have placed a £47m price-tag on Leandro Damiao. However, Defoe hasn’t ruled out staying at Tottenham, as he continues; “obviously I have to think seriously about my future. I will talk to the club and see what happens but right now all I want to do is what is best for Tottenham”.

Aston Villa and Sunderland were two clubs desperate for goals last season, and Defoe would solve that problem. After having a £12m bid for Wolves striker Steven Fletcher turned down, Sunderland will be eager to sign a reliable forward before the transfer window shuts in 15 days. QPR have been undergoing a squad overhaul during the summer, including the signings of forward Junior Hoilett and Andrew Johnson – and a move here would place Defoe’s desire to be the number one choice striker in some doubt.

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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has backed Fernando Torres to get over his open goal miss against Manchester United, and has stated his importance to the Stamford Bridge team.

Torres managed to score his first goal of the season in the 3-1 defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, but unexplainably could not capitalise on an open goal, and has received criticism in the media.

Despite this, Cech is focussing on the positives from the Spaniards performances, and believes Torres is improving.

“I keep saying the same thing – I can see every time the guy is improving,” the keeper stated.

“At Stoke he had a brilliant game, while against Leverkusen he didn’t score a goal but created both of them.

“On Sunday, he created a huge chance for Ramires or ­Daniel Sturridge. But it was a pity Ramires slid in as it was ­difficult for him to finish it and allowed the keeper to make a save, whereas Daniel would have just tapped it in. So it was unlucky.

“Then he scored a great goal, and got himself another ­opportunity. What everybody needs to remember is just how well he played for the whole game and the great goal he did score.

“He created a lot and his ­movement was there. You can see it. I’m not worried about it. He will score lots of goals,” the Czech Republic international continued.

Cech feels that the contribution to the team that Torres is making is very important, even if he has not been getting the goals.

“Everybody counts the goals a striker gets. It’s always like that.

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“But if you see, for example, Dimitar Berbatov got to United not only because he scores goals but because he created 30 every season for Tottenham.

“With Fernando it’s the same. He scores goals, as he showed, but he can create them as well. Ideally, of course, you want your strikers to score. But if they can create two goals every game, then who cares how many they score?” he concluded.

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Aston Villa’s new record signing, Darren Bent, became an instant hero as a goal on his debut was enough to see off Manchester City.

The 24-million-pound man was given a rapturous welcome by the Villa Park faithful beforehand, and he repaid them in the best possible way, with his 18th minute striking sealing a 1-0 result.

Of the early exchanges City looked more threatening, Aleksander Kolarov drilled over free kicks and corners but no one could get on the end to convert.

Villa weathered the early storm and Bent’s magic moment came when Gabby Agbonlahor played a ball through to Ashley Young. His curling effort was well saved by Joe Hart, but Bent was on hand to convert the rebound.

City were almost level four minutes later when Vincent Kompany’s header was expertly tipped over by Brad Friedel.

And ex-Villa man Gareth Barry went even closer, heading a Jerome Boateng cross inches wide.

Villa finished the first half stronger and Hart had to be alert to get behind efforts from Ashley Young and Stewart Downing.

And the City keeper was busy again in the 66th minute, diving low to palm away another long-range Young effort.

Manchester City stepped up the pressure, while Villa were content to sit deep and catch them on the break.

But it was certainly an off day for the visitors as, while they had plenty of possession, they were frustrated in front of goal.

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James Collins in particular was a rock in the Villa defence, making some outstanding goal-saving blocks, the best averting a Carlos Tevez volley from close range with 12 minutes to go.

Nigel de Jong looked to have rescued a point with seven minutes left, but his 20-yard drive took a lucky deflection off Ciaran Clark and then the post.

Seconds later Edin Dzeko headed a great chance wide from close range, and Kolarov saw another shot deflected wide before hitting another into the stand.

Liverpool are ready to sell fringe midfielder Alberto Aquilani to Fiorentina for £7 million, Mirror Football report.

The Italy international was signed as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, but has failed to make an impact at Anfield over the last number of seasons.

After struggling to fit into life in England Aquilani has spent the last two seasons on loan back in his homeland, as he played for AC Milan last season.

Despite Brendan Rodgers’ appointment and pledge to give the whole squad a chance to impress him, Aquilani is seen as surplus to requirements and will be allowed to leave the club.

Fiorentina are leading the chase for the midfielder, as the Viola are eager to replace Riccardo Montolivo, who left the Stadio Artemio Franchi this summer.

A fee of £7 million will help to fund a move for Swansea’s Joe Allen, who Rodgers feels will fit into the Reds’ style of play better.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Chelsea may only just have sneaked a victory at home against West Brom in the Premier League last weekend, but this Saturday they have the chance to turn on the style at Stamford Bridge against Norwich, and you could be there to see the Blues in action!

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We all know that Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers of his generation – what we were reminded of last week though is what a graceless man he can be too.

I am biased against him though, but he doesn’t make it difficult to hate him, not that any United fans will care, nor should they.

Darren Ferguson was sacked at the end of last week, a decision not that surprising considering their results and poor league position – the club itself is in a very poor financial position, making the need to avoid relegation almost their last chance of salvation, and the need for loan signings all the greater.

Alex Ferguson though was known to be furious at the sacking, as is his right – he will rightly be protective of his family.

But this does not make what he did next defensible – in fact it was beyond the pale. He immediately recalled 2 United players on loan at Preston, and a third player receiving treatment for an injury back in Manchester has clearly been advised not to return.

Why he has done this is clear – revenge. But taking him and the clubs out of this, the people who suffer most out of all of this is the players themselves. They wanted to stay – they want to develop and want time on the pitch to help do this – but they are being used as pawns in a petty argument. And it hardly helps United to have these players back at United playing in the reserves. No doubt they will soon be loaned out somewhere else, but there’s no guarantee they will play.

Defenders of Ferguson will point out the loans only happened as a favour to his son, so once he is not there, the favour is no longer needed – but I hardly see this as an excuse as it makes a mockery of the whole system – the system is not there for old pals’ networks and favours.

On the surface Tony Pulis’s decision to then recall two of his players from Preston reeks of one of Ferguson’s bunch of acolytes doing as he was told. Ferguson was busy yesterday criticising Arsene Wenger for criticising the style of play of Stoke while Pulis was keen to point out United would have first refusal on Shawcross. It seems however that Pulis had talked of recalling the players two weeks previously in a press conference, so fair enough. Don’t expect any of these players to appear near a Premiership football pitch anytime soon though.

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Ferguson protects his family – a Panorama programme questioning his agent son is the reason he still refuses to speak to the BBC. But perhaps for once he should put personal prejudices and nepotism to one side and do what’s best for his club and his players.

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