Transfers - Gossip Shop: Toffees go east?

Eurosport - Tue, 30 Sep 19:27:00 2008

It's difficult what to make of the Daily Mirror's reports that Anil Ambani - the sixth richest man in the world - wants to buy up Everton.

FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Premiership Everton Goodison Park - 0

Following the painfully predictable "Everton's Indian Takeaway" headline, details are sketchy, but we are told that the mega-rich financier has made enquiries through a third party and talks have opened, albeit slowly.

Bill Kenwright has been admirably candid about his wishes to sell the club he loves, saying: "I do not want to be here next year.

"I don't want to be standing in front of you saying 'It's been another tough season' and 'I don't know where the money is'. I would sell tomorrow."

Another slice of Toffees-based news is that they want Tottenham's midfield big man Tom Huddlestone in January, and are prepared to fork out £6 million for him to come and beef up their midfield.

The Sun have laid out the statistics regarding Tottenham's managers since Daniel Levy became club chairman in 2001, concluding that Spurs managers last an average of just 11 months and 12 days in the White Hart Lane hot seat.

There is a slight massaging of figures here, as the list includes two stints as caretaker from David Pleat and one from Clive Allen - the latter lasting three days - as well as George Graham being booted out just 15 days after Levy took over in order to facilitate the crowd-pleasing appointment of Glenn Hoddle, who lasted two-and-a-half years in the job.

So while it's fair to say that the Spurs chairman is not afraid to wield the axe, he doesn't quite warrant the moniker 'Deadly Dan' quite yet. Of course, we may have to reassess the situation in a couple of weeks' time.

After the brief diversion that came in the form of Tottenham's slide towards future away trips to Kit Kat Crescent, the focus is back on their neighbours Arsenal as they prepare for their Champions League match against Porto, and a striker known as Hulk.

Three days after Hull's surprise victory at the Emirates, the shockwaves are still being felt around London N5.

If Daniel Cousin's header proving to be the winner for the Tigers was unexpected, then legendary goal-getter turned pro-noisemaker Ian Wright actually talking sense for once is a mind-blowing revelation.

Wrighty slammed Arsenal's fairweather fans in his column in The Sun by saying: "I could not believe the amount of empty seats for the remaining five minutes of Arsenal v Hull on Saturday. They were trailing 2-1 and battering their opponents in what proved to be a fruitless attempt for a late equaliser. Football does not get a lot more exciting than this. The match was a cracker.

"Yet for many locals, getting an early tube or train was the priority. Surely, this was the moment Arsenal's players needed their fans the most. One day after 85 minutes, I'd like to see the Emirates more than two-thirds full."

Strong words indeed, Wrighty, but the early en masse exit can be easily explained. With all the travelling Hull fans unable to contain their excitement after taking the lead, they must have made quite a noise, something regular visitors to the Emirates simply aren't used to. Faced with something approaching an atmosphere, many simply panicked and fled.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 15 of 15

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  1. Top article on the new library there! Very Good!

    From Joseph, on Tue 30 Sep 6:19PM

  2. Mascherano... Yes, no doubt. Alonso... Hmmm. Babel,­ Agger, Reira, Reina... Are they really the best players­ in the world at what they do ?? Are they the best­ players in our league at what they do ?? As for Robbie­ Fowler, excellent in his heyday, but when you re-signed­ him ??

    From bigs, on Tue 30 Sep 5:13PM

  3. alonso, babel, agger, reira, mascha, reina and of­ course Mr robbie fowler

    From nick, on Tue 30 Sep 4:51PM

  4. Interesting rumour from the East. There is no doubt­ that if Everton want to compete then we need­ substantial finance. I hope that Mr Moyes will be­ around and that the move to a larger ground will go­ ahead.

    From WILLIAM, on Tue 30 Sep 4:48PM

  5. bigs.
    Andriy Voronin
    =D

    From Alex M, on Tue 30 Sep 4:01PM

  6. carlking1. Other than Torres, name 3 'best players­ in the world' that have signed for Liverpool in the­ last 5 seasons. Gerrard doesn't count, that'd­ be a re-sign.

    From bigs, on Tue 30 Sep 3:13PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Good news Cahill loses appeal Hahaha hahaha

    From John, on Tue 30 Sep 3:04PM

  8. if this @#$% keeps up ill b turnin my back on english­ football,what happend to playin for pride,not a bigger­ gaff and a bird with bigger tits.

    From sirkeithbrennan, on Tue 30 Sep 3:03PM

  9. 'Faced with something approaching an atmosphere,­ many simply panicked and fled.' Classic

    From RK, on Tue 30 Sep 2:59PM

  10. Harsh words, Mr Mabert. Harsh, but fair, as frequently­ the only thing approaching atmosphere is created by­ away fans. It's sad, but true.

    From adam c, on Tue 30 Sep 2:09PM

  11. Fingers crossed!!

    From Nick, on Tue 30 Sep 1:58PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    it doesn't matter how much money clubs like­ Everton, Newcastle and Man City have the best players­ in the world still wont go there, the only ones they­ will get are the ones coming to the end of their­ careers and are just after the money.

    LFC for the­ title and CL

    From CARL, on Tue 30 Sep 1:47PM

  13. This once great club is decsending into the same depths­ as Newcastle United. Managers staying on averege less­ than a year. Doesn't the board vet them to make­ sure they're suitable and, if not, then is it not­ the board's fault that they appoint the wrong­ man?
    The present team is run like a carnival. The­ manager can't speak English despite having lived­ here for 10 months, team talks are through three­ interpreters and none of this is any use when it comes­ to motivation. I predict that there will be a change of­ manager before the end of the season and Spurs will­ once again be relegated.

    From quatt47, on Tue 30 Sep 1:37PM

  14. 1st poster is 9@y

    From tuu222, on Tue 30 Sep 1:08PM

  15. Whoop

    From Paul, on Tue 30 Sep 12:58PM
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