John Barnes would welcome AVB at Anfield

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Andre Villas-Boas would be a "fantastic" replacement for Kenny Dalglish, and thinks that whoever becomes the next Reds manager will be helped by the foundations built by the outgoing Reds boss.

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Man City tracking Parma’s Giovinco, says agent

Manchester City are one of a number of clubs to have made enquiries over Parma striker Sebastian Giovinco, according to his agent Claudio Pasqualin.

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Across the Academy – May 17

Across the Academy is a weekly summary of news related to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, highlighting Academy clubs, current and former players, youth national team activity and media coverage of the Academy. Across the Academy will be available for the duration of the 2011-12 season.

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Italy’s Soccer Future

Italy’s Soccer Future

Marcelo Lippi’s current Italian squad has been criticised by several soccer pundits as being too old.  The team is very likely to be fairly new by the Brazilian World Cup, when athletes such as 32 year-old Gianluigi Buffon, 36 year-old Fabio Cannavaro, 32 year-old Gennaro Gattuso, and other players like Andrea Pirlo (31), Gianluca Zambrotta (33), Vincenzo Iaquinta (30), Mauro Camoranesi (33), and Antonio Di Natale (32) are sure to be gone from the team.  Who will Lippi or his successor choose to replace the team?

Lorenzo De Silvestri    Defender     (Fiorentina)    Aged 22
De Silvestri, who stands at just over six feet tall, comes from Lazio, where he recently served as fullback.  After a 2009 move to Fiorentina, De Silvestri has exemplified the form that set him apart whilst playing for Italy’s U16 and U21 teams. With such a solid basis in the skills necessary to become a good fullback, De Silvestri might end up replacing Gianluca Zambrotta for the national team.

Davide Santon        Defender    (Inter)        Aged 19
Santon, who played for Inter in 28 games and Azzuri in five, has set himself apart as an excellent defender with an ability to play either flank with ease. Santon’s energy is boundless; his energy on the pitch has earned him a comparison to Paolo Maldini by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi. Technically sound too, Santon, barring injury and a dramatic loss of form, should be a member of the next few Italian squads at major finals events.

Mario Balotelli        (Striker)    (Inter)        Aged 19
Inter’s hot headed and often temperamental striker can play anywhere in attack or as a winger and has been heralded as one of the brightest hopes wearing the official italy soccer jersey for a generation.  Despite his tender years and numerous run ins with fans and management at Inter, Balotelli has scored an impressive 20 goals in 59 games and has notched 6 in 16 for the Italian U21 side. We can expect to see Batelli at the 2012 Euro qualifiers because Italy is going to need a brand new look strike force.

Federico Macheda    (Striker)    (Man Utd)    Aged 18
Despite Macheda’s failure to make first team at Old Trafford, soccer pundits agree that Man United’s striker could make a name for himself in the 2010-2011 season, and even gain the attention of Azzuri management. Macheda’s strength as a striker coupled with his intelligence gives him a boost in scoring goals. His particular talent is scoring with his back to the goal, and he has been capped at U21 for Italy; if Macheda makes a difference in the first team for United, he should end up with a spot on the Italian national squad.

Antonio Candreva    (Midfielder)    Udinese    Aged 23
Candreva just may be the only replacement for Italy’s great Andrea Pirlo. The Udinese midfielder follows in the footsteps of Pirlo’s creative play, owning any position on the midfield.

soccer

Carragher sad to see Dalglish go

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has labelled Kenny Dalglish's sacking as a "sad day" but is refusing to dwell on the Scot's departure.

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Uruguay’s Cavani voices Olympic ambition

Napoli forward Edinson Cavani has reiterated his desire to represent Uruguay at the Olympic games.

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Initial Arsenal talks with RVP end in deadlock

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger failed to come to a resolution with striker Robin van Persie about his future after face-to-face talks on Wednesday, according to widespread reports in the English media.

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Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere to have knee surgery

Arsenal have announced that midfielder Jack Wilshere will undergo minor surgery to cure a long-standing knee problem.

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Milan announce Montolivo and Traore signings

AC Milan have confirmed the signings of Riccardo Montolivo and Bakaye Traore.

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Hertha Berlin appeal against relegation

Hertha Berlin have made an official appeal after losing their play-off to Fortuna Dusseldorf on Tuesday.

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Samir Nasri swayed by Man City’s hunger

Samir Nasri has revealed he agonised over whether to join Manchester United or Manchester City and was swayed by Roberto Mancini's greater desire.

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Hodgson reveals Parker may miss Euros

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed Scott Parker could miss out on Euro 2012.

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