Atletico & Simeone offer Torres a Chelsea escape

 

For one reason or another, it just hasn't worked for Fernando Torres at Chelsea.

But the Spaniard could still be salvaged after Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone hinted that the striker could make a return to Spain.

"Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job," Simeone told Onda Cero.

"Fernando knows about the club's history, what it means to play here and I don't need to speak about his ability.

"We were team-mates [from 2003 until 2005]. I know how important he can be." 
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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 
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Neymar left in Balotelli’s shadow

 

It may have only been a friendly but Italy’s clash with Brazil saw a number of heavyweights go head-to-head as the two countries played out a 2-2 draw in Geneva.

The Brazilians roared into a two-goal lead with Fred opening the scoring before Neymar set up Oscar to double their lead with a neat finish past Gianluigi Buffon.

However, Italy came roaring back after the break with Daniel De Rossi halving the deficit before Mario Balotelli stole the show with a curling long-range strike to ensure honours ended even.

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Szczesny senior fumes at Wenger over son's poor progress

 

Wojciech Szczesny has found himself out of the Arsenal reckoning in recent weeks, with Arsene Wenger citing his mental state as the key factor.

But the keeper's father, who himself represented Poland during his playing career, has laid the blame squarely at the Frenchman's door.

The younger Pole, according to Szczesny senior, was made to play through a series of injuries by his manager and is now suffering the consequences.

Whatever the reasons, Maciej is certain that it is the master, not the pupil, who is at fault. 

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Pulis muscles in on Owen retirement

 

The circumstances which led Michael Owen to retire at Stoke City are a stark contrast to the blistering way the forward entered world football.

At 17 years of age, Owen burst onto the Premier League scene already armed with the ability to scare seasoned defenders with his searing pace and a sharp eye for goal. Just one year later, Owen was replicating his prowess on a global stage, and it's difficult to envisage another England youngster having an impact at a World Cup in the same way the Liverpool forward took France '98 by storm.

A persistent hamstring injury has blighted Owen's career since his time at Anfield, and at 33, with no Premier League starts this season, it's a low-key ending to a career that has been rich with high points - but Tony Pulis doesn't want Stoke to be airbrushed from his history. 
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No time for England in Rio's busy schedule

 

Rio Ferdinand turned down Roy Hodgson's call-up to the England squad because it interferes with his "intricate pre-planned programme" of fitness, put in place to prolong the 34-year-old's Old Trafford career.

The Manchester United defender himself was snubbed by the England manager in his squad selection for Euro 2012 because of "footballing reasons". His displays so far this season, though, have prompted the former West Brom boss to have a change of heart.

One minute he was in the squad, and the next he was out. The debacle once again highlights a lack of communication from Roy Hodgson with his players. The only winners out of this embarassing turn of events are Manchester United, and perhaps Rio's travel agent. 

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Villas-Boas at a loss as wheels come off Spurs bandwagon

 

It couldn't happen again, could it? Tottenham's bid for a Champions League place is threatening to unravel for a second successive season after the club slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Fulham on Sunday.

Alarm bells may be starting to ring for Tottenham fans who, under Harry Redknapp last year, saw their side secure just six points from a possible 27 between February 25 and April 21 and squander their hopes of sealing qualification for the Champions League.

It is now back-to-back losses for Andre Villas-Boas, a record which the 35-year-old has not experienced since November, and with Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton all winning over the weekend, Spurs need to pick up their form in order to avoid a repeat of last season. 
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