Hold The Back Page PODCAST: Robbie Keane / Andre Villa Boas / Ashley Young / Luka Modric / Cesc Fabregas / England U21's

Willie Gannon’s two part feature on Robbie Keane attracted a lot of attention on BackPage Football during the week and the lads chat about the pros and cons of Ireland’s record goalscorer. Keane has always divided opinions, and those of the podcast are no different!

In the second segment of this week’s show, there’s chat over Ashley Young’s move to Manchester United from Aston Villa, the appointment of Andre Villa Boas at Chelsea, and the latest from the ongoing Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona saga.

To round off this week there’s a look at the England under 21s and their dismal European Championship campaign and how it reflects the bigger picture of the nation’s international set up.

Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

Old Alex Ferguson to Sign Young as he Builds His Final Team at United

Ashley Young's long proposed transfer from Aston Villa to Manchester United has moved one step closer after the England international passed a medical at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The attack minded midfielder is already said to have agreed terms with the Red Devils and it is now only a matter of time before he is officially unveiled as a United player.

Robbie Keane Biography: 14 Years of a Legend Being Taken for Granted

To say that Robbie Keane is much maligned would be something of an understatement. The ex-Leeds, ex-Inter Milan, ex-Liverpool and quite possibly the soon to be ex-Spurs striker has had to suffer more than his fair share of "slings and arrows" during his 14 year career.

It is, however, more than worth noting though that Keane is his country's top scorer of all time with 51 goals in 108 games for Ireland.

He is also the ninth highest goal scorer in Tottenham Hotspur history with 121 goals from 291 matches and the 10th highest scorer of all time in the English Premier League with 123 strikes.

Keane is the 10th highest scoring European international footballer of all time, the 27th highest scoring international footballer of all time, and, probably, most importantly he is the most prolific international striker of all time from the British Isles.

Which isn’t bad for someone who many feel isn't exactly a great player.

Full List of 123 Players Released by Premier League Clubs Following 2010-11 Season

With the transfer window just open and with Liverpool and Manchester United having spent somewhere in the region of £40 million on two English U21 internationals. One could almost be forgiven for forgetting about the small number of players who have been released from the respective clubs on free transfers.

Each facing the very real prospect of never playing again.

Here is the full list of all 123 players released from duty by Premier League clubs following the 2010/'11 season.

Last Eight For UEFA U-19 European Championships Finalised

Last years runners up, Spain, and Turkey have won through their UEFA Elite Phase Groups to complete the last eight the UEFA U-19 European Championships.

They will join, hosts, Romania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Czech Republic and Ireland when the competition begins in earnest next July.

Madjid Bougherra to Expose Transfer Loophole and Leave Rangers Under FIFA's "Webster Ruling"

Five years after benefiting from the "Webster ruling," Rangers look set to lose out on one of their star players after Madjid Bougherra signalled that he wants to leave the SPL champions.

It is widely believed that the Algerian defender, a signing from Charlton in 2008 for £2.5 million, has told the club that he will not only will turn down their recent contract extension offer but that he will now most likely invoke Article 17 of the FIFA transfers and contracts rulebook if he is not sold. Under the ruling players over the age of 28 can buy out the remaining years of their contract, regardless of length.

Qatar 2022: Exclusive Interview with Bid Inspection Project Manager

 
FIFA awarding the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 has certainly caught the imagination of the footballing public. For the first time ever the competition will make its way to the Middle East, where a vast untapped footballing community awaits with baited breath.

Jon Sinigaglia was Project Director for the FIFA pre-qualification bid inspection of Qatar and was an integral member of their winning bid team.

Here he exclusively answers my questions about Qatar’s plans, ambitions, and ability to host such a prestigious tournament and about the legacy they wish to leave behind.

Mohamed Bin Hammam Resigns From Presidential Election On The Eve Of FIFA Ethics Questions

Mohamed Bin Hammam has sensationally pulled out of the race to become the next President of FIFA, leaving Sepp Blatter as the only candidate left in the field ahead of the June 1st election.

The withdrawl comes just hours before the 62-year-old was due to face the FIFA Ethics Committee over allegations of collusion between his bid team and members of CONCACAF ahead of the 2022 election.

Bin Hammam is the current head of the Asian Football Confederation and masterminded Qatar's bid for the 2022 World Cup.

Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United : Highlights From the 2011 Champions League Final

Barcelona, inspired by the magnificent Lionel Messi, has beaten Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League Final in Wembley tonight. But in truth, La Blaugrana destroyed the Premier League champions in one of the most one sided finals of all time.

The game saw four fantastic goals scored as Pedro and Wayne Rooneyexchanged efforts before Lionel Messi and an inspirational goal by David Villa gave Barca the trophy their dominance and play deserved.

Barcelona Are The Best Team We Have Ever Faced - Sir Alex Ferguson

In the aftermath of his teams destruction by Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League Final, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has declared Pep Guardiola's team as "the best team I have ever faced."


La Blaugrana beat the Red Devils in a one sided affair in 2009. Last night was more of the same as bar an opening ten minute salvo, Barca dominated the game from start to finish with a sublime showing of their footballing philosophy.

"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it," Ferguson said in reference to the difference between the two teams.