Iker Casillas or David de Gea? Real Madrid goalkeeper under pressure

As Real Madrid continue to be linked with a summer move for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, the pressure builds on club captain Iker Casillas ahead of the latest Madrid derby…

David de Gea called Iker Casillas “the best keeper in the world” in 2011. The respect was mutual. “He will soon be fighting for my place,” said Casillas at the time. “He's a great keeper. We have to take care of him because he is the future. He will pension us all off.” Four years on and it seems the Real Madrid and Spain No.1 was more right than he knew.

The reports of Real’s interest in bringing De Gea back to the Spanish capital simply won’t go away. Spanish journalist Josep Pedrerol even told TV channel La Sexta that a summer move had been agreed for the Manchester United goalkeeper whose contract has a little over a year left to run. “David de Gea is clear,” said Pedrerol. “He wants to be the Real Madrid goalkeeper.”

It’s just the latest issue that Casillas has had to deal with in what’s been a turbulent few years for the 33-year-old. The midweek Madrid derby against Atletico puts him back in the spotlight after being booed by the Bernabeu crowd on his previous Champions League appearance in the stadium against Schalke. It’s become a familiar phenomenon for the erstwhile ‘Saint Iker’.

When Jose Mourinho first dropped Casillas in December 2012 it was initially seen as Jose Mourinho playing politics, but when Diego Lopez established himself for an extended period of time the water was muddied. “He had nothing against Iker,” Lopez told Canal+ recently. “I wasn't his nanny boy. If my form dropped, so would I be.”

Crisis of confidence

The experience could have spurred Casillas on but instead the doubts about his waning form have remained, mushrooming into a full-blown crisis of confidence. The player even admitted in a FIFA interviewed that he “cried, suffered, felt bad and had nights where I slept little, if at all” during his absence from the starting line-up.

Carlo Ancelotti retained Lopez as his La Liga goalkeeper last season and, while Casillas did get the glory of La Decima, his performances were not wholly convincing. Indeed, he was fortunate to escape the blame in the Lisbon final when at fault for Diego Godin’s opener – a goal only cancelled out in the dying moments of normal time – and followed up with a dismal World Cup showing.

Error prone?

Iker Casillas is the only goalkeeper remaining in this year’s Champions League who has made an error leading to a goal in the competition this season.

According to Opta, Casillas is the only goalkeeper remaining in this year’s Champions League who has made an error leading to a goal. The comparison with De Gea is not favourable. In fact, Casillas has made more errors leading to shots in the last two Champions League seasons (20 games in total) than De Gea has made in his last 89 Premier League appearances dating back to 2012.

Reactive goalkeeper

It’s not all damning for Casillas. He actually boasts a superior save percentage to De Gea inside the box in those same competitions. “Casillas is at the moment and what he has perhaps always been: a very good reactive goalkeeper but not so good proactively,” Guillem Balague told Sky Sports earlier this season. It’s De Gea who has worked hard to turn himself into the more commanding keeper.

Casillas is at the moment and what he has perhaps always been: a very good reactive goalkeeper but not so good proactively.

Iker Casillas and David de Gea have been sharing goalkeeping duties for Spain

It all makes Casillas’s position in the Real Madrid goalmouth increasingly precarious. “There are no reasons to leave Real Madrid,” he told Marca in December. “I still want to win many titles with this jersey.” But with United boss Louis van Gaal refusing to rule out De Gea’s departure – “in football, everything is possible” – Casillas’s hopes could yet prove forlorn.

With Lopez having departed for Milan, Casillas is now battling against Keylor Navas, the man who beat Thibaut Courtois to last season’s La Liga goalkeeper of the year award. While Casillas recently went six weeks without a win, Navas played in the only victory that interspersed that sequence and following it up with another against Eibar earlier this month, keeping clean sheets on both occasions.

If that challenge is winnable, the threat of De Gea has the air of inevitability first forecast by Casillas all those years ago. Perhaps the template comes from the national team. Casillas’s misjudgement of a free-kick against Slovakia in October contributed to Spain’s first qualifying defeat in eight years and saw him dropped in favour of De ea – a move backed by 86 per cent of voters in a Marca poll.

Carlo Ancelotti should play Pepe in central midfield against Atletico Madrid, says Revista panel

The Madrid manager has some tactical decisions to make ahead of the game after both Gareth Bale and Luka Modric limped out of their 3-1 win against Malaga on Saturday.

To add to Ancelotti's worries, Karim Benzema is also a major doubt for Wednesday's match that is locked at 0-0 after the first-leg.

Javier Hernandez is expected to replace Benzema up front but the central midfield position alongside Toni Kroos is up for grabs with Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira, who have been used sparingly by Ancelotti this season, the obvious like-for-like replacements for Modric.

However, Balague thinks that Ancelotti will bring defender Pepe into midfield for the game to give more licence for Kroos, James and Isco to push forward. 

“Pepe played in central midfield against Barcelona in 2011 and they managed to draw the game when Jose Mourinho was playing three strong midfielders," he toldRevista de la Liga. 

"Carlo Ancelotti would like to play Sami Khedira but he has his mind on next season and not at Real Madrid. He doesn’t like Asier Illarramendi.

"What is the biggest danger provided from Atletico Madrid? Set-pieces. If you play Raphael Varane, who was brilliant last week, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, who sometimes plays in that position for Portugal, you have a solution.

“It would allow Kroos to play in his natural position and you finally have the chance to play a defensive midfielder with a defensive mentality – something that Kroos doesn’t have. You also have the ability to attack with James on the right, Isco on the left and Chicarito and Ronaldo up front.”

Graham Hunter was in agreement with Balague regarding the thought process behind playing Pepe, pointing to a previous example of when Ancelotti decided to play a defensive-minded player in midfield in an important game. 

He added: “The last time Real Madrid dominated Atletico was last season in the cup when Pepe, OK, played as a defender. But he came forward, scored goals and mixed in the midfield. Ancelotti also started Ramos in midfield last season in El Clasico – it’s within his repertoire.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's best quotes on Barcelona ahead of PSG visit

When former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a goal-scoring return to the Nou Camp earlier this season he was asked whether he still had friends at his old club. “Yes, 90,000 and 22 on the field,” he said.

The PSG ace scored 21 goals in 41 games for Barcelona during the 2009/10 season before moving back to Italy with AC Milan but, since his departure, the Swede has had plenty to say about his short stay in Catalonia.

Ahead of PSG’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg trip to Spain on Tuesday, here is a selection of his best quotes on Barcelona…

“I had a dream to come to Barcelona. But afterwards I am thinking that maybe you should keep your dreams, instead of making it come true,”that was Ibrahimovic’s view, when asked about Gareth Bale’s big-money move to Real Madrid.

“It started well but then [Lionel] Messi started to talk. He wanted to play in the middle, not on the wing, so the system changed from 4-3-3 to 4-5-1. I was sacrificed and no longer had the freedom on the pitch I need to succeed.” Ibrahimovic pinpoints the moment his Barcelona career turned, in his autobiography ‘I am Zlatan’.

“You bought a Ferrari, but you drive it like a Fiat.” Pep Guardiola’s man management of the striker didn’t go down well with Ibrahimovic. But it wouldn’t be the only time he had strong words for the Barca boss…

“I yelled: 'You haven't got any b****!' and worse than that I added: 'You can go to hell!' I completely lost it, and you might have expected Guardiola to say a few words in response, but he's a spineless coward. He just [...] left, never to mention it again, not a word.” Ibrahimovic recalls a heated exchange with Guardiola after Barcelona’s exit in the Champions League to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in 2010.

“I'd already got the impression that Barcelona was a little like being back at Ajax, it was like being back at school. None of the lads acted like superstars, which was strange. Messi, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, the whole gang – they were like schoolboys. The best footballers in the world stood there with their heads bowed, and I didn't understand any of it. It was ridiculous.

“Everyone did as they were told. I didn't fit in, not at all. I thought, just enjoy the opportunity, don't confirm their prejudices. So I started to adapt and blend in. I became way too nice. I said what I thought people wanted me to say. It was completely messed up. I drove the club's Audi and stood there and nodded my head. I hardly even yelled at my team-mates any more. I was boring. Zlatan was no longer Zlatan.” Ibrahimovic revealed in his autobiography that he struggled to fit into the Barcelona culture…

…And wasn’t afraid to rebel: “When I realised I would be on the bench for a game against Almeria, I remembered that line: ‘Here in Barcelona we don’t turn up to training sessions in Porsches or Ferraris.’ What kind of nonsense was that, anyway? I’ll take whatever car I want, at least if I can wind up idiots. I jumped in my Enzo [Ferrari], put my foot down on the gas and parked up right in front of the door to the training facility.”

However, when asked to recall his time with Barcelona he said: “About Camp Nou, it's fantastic. I had one year there, a great experience, a fantastic year. I learned a lot – outside the pitch, inside the pitch – and for me it is an amazing club and I have only positive things to say.”

Jordan Henderson set to sign five-year Liverpool contract

Jordan Henderson is close to signing a new five-year contract with Liverpool, according to Sky sources.

After a difficult first season following his £20m transfer from Sunderland in 2011, the England midfielder has become a key player for the Reds and has captained the team in the absence of Steven Gerrard this season

Gerrard is set to depart for Major League Soccer this summer and Henderson has been tipped to take the armband on a permanent basis after being appointed vice-captain by Brendan Rodgers last summer.

The 24-year-old has established himself in Roy Hodgson's England team during his time at Anfield and has 20 international caps to his name including two starts at the 2014 World Cup.

Henderson, who has played in 30 of Liverpool's 31 Premier League games this season, has one year left on his current contract but the new deal will see him stay at the club beyond 2020.

The former Sunderland midfielder has remained tightlipped over reports about his future while Raheem Sterling's situation has attracted numerous headlines.

Liverpool are looking to tie-up the futures of several key players with Phillipe Coutinho signing a new deal to 2020 in February and Daniel Sturridge pledging his future to the club until 2019 with a new contract in October.

Pep Guardiola under pressure as Bayern Munich prepare for Porto

Bayern Munich must turn around a 3-1 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Porto. The pressure will be on in front of their own fans and that means more scrutiny on Pep Guardiola after a difficult week…

Tuesday’s game will see Pep Guardiola bring up 100 games in charge of Bayern Munich. The celebrated coach has seldom found himself under such scrutiny. With Bayern needing to haul back a two-goal deficit from the first leg against Porto, the pressure is on and the intensity has only been exacerbated by the untimely departure of long-time club doctor Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt.

The 72-year-old, an iconic figure in sports medicine, released a statement on Thursday claiming that the “relationship of trust has been damaged” and withdrawing the services of his medical team. Reports suggesting Guardiola had blamed them for the defeat to Porto, given the club’s injury situation, amounted to a public relations nightmare despite his attempts to play down the situation since.

Jurgen Klopp is perfect for Arsenal but the club should give Arsene Wenger two more years, says former legend Nigel Winterburn

Jurgen Klopp will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season 

Arsene Wenger's contract at Arsenal has two more years to run until 2017

Jurgen Klopp would be perfect for Arsenal but the club should keep faith with Arsene Wenger, according to Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn. 

Klopp is on the radar of a number of top clubs after announcing that he will leave Dortmund at the end of the season.

The 47-year-old has long been linked with taking over from Wenger, but the Frenchman has two years left on his contract.  

'If Arsene Wenger decides to step down or move upstairs, then obviously he’s a manager with the credentials, the way his teams play, I think a lot of people would think it’s a perfect fit,' 

'I would like Arsene Wenger to see out the next two years, and see where we are then, but obviously, with Klopp leaving Dortmund, it sort of puts the conundrum in because he’s been linked with Arsenal before, particularly when Arsenal were struggling. 

'This year we've just had, in terms of the spending power and the players coming in, and the next two, where we'll see the vision of where Arsenal are going to go and where they'll be after that.' 

Wenger was coming under severe pressure, so I understand where it’s coming from but I would be surprised if there was a change this summer.

Liverpool set for summer overhaul with TEN Kop stars on the way out of Anfield... but at least Jordan Henderson is staying

Liverpool face a major rebuilding job this summer following a mass exit from Anfield.

Manager Brendan Rodgers, who has suffered another trophyless season after the shock FA Cup semi-final defeat by Aston Villa, could see up to 10 of his stars leave.

Captain Steven Gerrard has already agreed to join MLS side LA Galaxy, while defender Glen Johnson is out of contract and set to go on a free transfer. Kolo Toure is also out of contract and considering whether to accept the offer of a new deal. 

Raheem Sterling is embroiled in a contract stand-off with Manchester City certain to make an offer and Juventus the latest big European club linked with him.

Defender Martin Skrtel’s future is also unclear as he is yet to agree a new contract with Wolfsburg planning a move for him.

Right-back Javi Manquillo is set to return to Spain after failing to make an impact while Mario Balotelli’s £16million switch from AC Milan has been a disaster. Liverpool will listen to offers for him, although getting rid of a man on £90,000 per week will be easier said than done.

Balotelli’s fellow strikers Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert could also depart.

Finally, Liverpool are looking for a goalkeeper to replace or put pressure on Simon Mignolet, meaning Brad Jones is the tenth name who would be surplus to requirements.

There was one good piece of news for Liverpool fans on Monday night when Jordan Henderson agreed a new £100,000-a-week deal until 2020.

Henderson, 24, is the third player in the squad to agree a contract extension, following Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.

Amir Khan is hoping to fight Manny Pacquiao in Abu Dhabi later this year, whether he beats Floyd Mayweather or not next month.

Khan has turned    his attention to a clash with the Filipino great after becoming frustrated in his efforts for a Vegas fight with Mayweather, a meeting he has been hankering for over the last two years.

The Bolton welterweight takes on Chris Algieri in Brooklyn on May 29 and, providing he comes through that fight, his next outing could be against a man he once enjoyed sparring with.

Khan said: "I want this fight. I would love to box Manny. We’ve been looking at an event in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is only a short drive away. It’s a dream of mine to fight in that part of the world."

One possible stumbling block could be the potential for a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch, but 'PacMan' would prefer a later date for his second fight of the year and Mayweather's six-fight Showtime deal expires in Spetember.

Khan prefers to fight later in the year as well, with any September outings ruled out because his strict observance of Ramadan would end in a rushed preparation.

'Assault'

He suspects Pacquiao will be beaten in Las Vegas on May 2, a fight he will watch from ringside, and defeat would make a 2015 meeting between the two more likely.

"I actually think that once Mayweather gets through Manny’s assault in the first few rounds it will become an easy win for him," Khan said.

"Manny has speed and power but Floyd has the defensive skill to avoid him and the brain and accuracy to keep picking him off as he comes in.

"The longer it goes the harder it will get for Manny and if he is to win he will have to keep up the pace through every minute of every round.

"I’ll just watch it with a professional eye. And there is a chance that if Floyd’s legs really are slowing down that Manny will catch up with him - and he can punch.

"I’ve wasted the best part of a couple of years waiting for Floyd because I would love to be the man who beat the man considered the best pound-for-pound in the world. Now I have to make the most of every day because soon it may be too late.

"Floyd and Manny are getting closer to retirement and if I don’t fight one of them soon it may never happen."

'IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE TROPHY'

Mathieu Debuchy spoke to the media after Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final victory against Reading on Saturday. This is what he had to say:

on how he feels…

I’m so happy because it’s so important to be back on the pitch. It was a good team performance. It was hard for me after my second surgery this year but now it’s behind me and I’m so happy to play for Arsenal.

on how difficult it’s been…

It’s been difficult for me. Two surgeries in the same season is difficult but now I’m okay and I want to play a lot. I want to help the team and I am focused on the end of the season.

on whether he is 100 per cent…

No. I need to work hard again but I hope to be ready and 100 per cent soon.

on whether he knew he would return before the end of the season…

I need to play some games. I hope to play for the rest of the season. I need to try again, again and again.

on the injury sustained against Stoke…

It’s football. I know Marco Arnautovic and it’s just football. I’m okay.

on whether he had any low moments…

It was hard. It was three months after three months. I am strong in my head now and I’m happy to do my best now.

on whether he thought the season was finished…

I always knew I would come back.

on playing in the FA Cup final…

It was so important to reach the final. We did and now we are focused on the final. We want to win the final like last year. It’s important for us to keep the trophy and for the club.

on Jack Wilshere…

We spoke together. It’s hard for him as well to have surgery for four months. It’s hard for him but he’s a good player and he’s strong as well.

on Hector Bellerin…

Hector played very well. He’s a very good player and I’m so happy for him. It’s so important that we have two or three players in each position.

Is Rodgers the right man to carry on spending? Here's our verdict on the 22 players who have cost £216m in three years at Liverpool

After spending more than £200million since taking charge at Liverpool in June 2012, there is only so long the owners and fans will keep patient in their desire for dividends. Twitching times can develop when the top clubs go through barren spells - and Rodgers' is beginning to enter such a period. During Rodgers' time in charge, Manchester United and Chelsea had spent more than their Merseyside rivals - so too have City by a fraction - but each of those have brought home something. United and City have won two trophies - including the Premier League title - while Chelsea have one and are sure to add the league title to that soon.

Another trophy slipped through Brendan Rodgers’ grip when they lost to Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday. 

That elusive first piece of silverware is proving hard to attain and an itch is developing which is in dire need of being scratched.

After spending more than £200million since taking charge at Liverpool in June 2012, there is only so long the owners and fans will keep patient in their desire for dividends.

Twitching times can develop when the top clubs go through barren spells - and Rodgers’ is beginning to enter such a period.

During Rodgers’ time in charge, Manchester United and Chelsea had spent more than their Merseyside rivals - so too have City by a fraction - but each of those have brought home something. United and City have won two trophies - including the Premier League title - while Chelsea have one and are sure to add the league title to that soon.

Arsene Wenger has spent £183m, comparatively little, but MANAGED to win two trophies over the past two seasons. That is less than rivals Tottenham, who have spent just under £200m and, like Liverpool, have won nothing.

While the country’s best teams are filling their trophy cabinets, Rodgers’ remains bare.

The Red half of Merseyside expect success and landed the League Cup under Kenny Dalglish just before Rodgers took to the helm.

Analysis by Sportsmail indicates that he has signed 22 players during his tenure, but only seven of those can be considered a success at this current time.

His top signings have been Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Simon Mignolet, but the poor transfers outweigh the successful ones.

Rogers has gone for top young talent, ranging from 18 to 21 when he signs them. There is still time for some of those players - the likes of Joao Teixeira and Divock Origi - to prove their worth. But there will be only so much time.

Many of his big-money failures came last summer, when he tried to spend the money accrued from selling Luis Suarez to Barcelona for £75m. Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Dejan Lovren and Mario Balotelli have all disappointed this term.

Like the younger potentials, each of those could still make their mark, but the question is if it does not come together next season - and they remain trophyless again - will Rogers still be in charge to reap any of the rewards? 

The greatest Premier League team of all time... here's the XI with biggest number of team of the year appearances

It's the ultimate compliment for any player to have their talent recognised by their fellow professionals. So to settle the argument of which is the greatest Premier League XI since it started in 1992-93, Sportsmail has studied every PFA Premier League team of the year to find out which players are most highly-regarded by their peers.

The results are fascinating – and surprising in some cases too.

Legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was selected in only one PL all-star team (1993), as was Dennis Bergkamp (1998) and therefore are well short of being considered for the greatest XI.

Eric Cantona and Paul Scholes weren't voted for often enough either while Gianfranco Zola – regarded as one of the best players in Chelsea's history – was never picked in a PFA side.

Roy Keane and Frank Lampard were picked on fewer occasions than central midfield rivals Steven Gerrard and Patrick Vieira.

Likewise, stars like Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale performed too briefly on the Premier League stage to be chosen as often as other players.

Based on the number of times they were voted by their fellow professionals in the PFA Premier team of the season, here is the best Premier League XI over the last 23 years. And for Gerrard, heavily criticised after his red card against Manchester United on Sunday, there is some good news – nobody has been picked more often.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE ALL TIME XI

EDWIN VAN DER SAR (PFA Team 2007, 2009, 2011)

Played in Premier League for: Fulham, Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson compared the Dutchman's influence to Peter Schmeichel's after he helped Manchester United return to the top following a period of dominance by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. Van der Sar was 34 when he joined United from Fulham but it proved to be a master signing, and one that Ferguson admitted he wished he'd made earlier. Van der Sar won three league titles in a row and was the hero of United's penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final, making the match-winning save from Nicolas Anelka.

GARY NEVILLE (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007)

Played for: Manchester United

The heart of Manchester United's team that dominated English football for two decades and part of the 1999 treble-winning side. Neville was United's effective leader and club captain off the field well before he eventually wore the armband on it. The right-back for United and England was the most voiceferous member of the club's famed Class of 92 and since retirement has become a hugely influential figure both as a television pundit and England coach

RIO FERDINAND (2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013)

Played for: West Ham, Leeds, Manchester United, QPR

A skilful centre-half in the Continental mould, Ferdinand started at West Ham but was first voted into the Premier League team in 2002 after an excellent season at Leeds United. After impressing at that summer's World Cup, Manchester United paid a £29million transfer fee for Ferdinand, a British transfer record that stood for four years. He became an integral part of Manchester United's success in the 2000s culminating in their Premier League-Champions League double in 2008. Now plays for QPR but is expected to retire at the end of the season

NEMANJA VIDIC (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)

Played for: Manchester United

United's hard-man captain who formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Ferdinand. The Serbian international endured a poor first six months at Old Trafford after arriving from Russian football but went on to become a huge fans favourite. One of the bravest players seen at Old Trafford, Vidic put his head and body in where others feared to, leading to a number of injuries. When Sir Alex Ferguson left, Vidic signed for Inter Milan, and the incoming manager David Moyes missed his presence.

ASHLEY COLE (2003, 2004, 2005, 2011)

Played for: Arsenal, Chelsea

Considered by many the greatest English left-back of all time with more than 100 caps, Cole won the Premier League title with both Arsenal and Chelsea with Gunners fans not forgiving him for moving to Stamford Bridge. Cole was quick, mobile and had the ability to defend and attack. The controversial decision by Roy Hodgson to leave him out of England's World Cup squad backfired and Cole decided to move abroad where he now plays in Serie A for Roma. One of the few defenders who could get the better of Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime.

CRISTIANO RONALDO (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Played for: Manchester United

Hard to believe he was only in the Premier League for six years such was the impact he made. He was voted into the PFA team for four seasons in a row before he signed for Real Madrid for a world record fee of £80million. There were eyebrows raised when Sir Alex Ferguson sold David Beckham and unveiled an unknown Portuguese teenager. Ronaldo treated Old Trafford to a series of stepovers on his debut and by 2008 was voted World Player of the Year, only time that honour has gone to someone in the Premier League after Michael Owen in 2001. He has subsequently gone on to scale even greater heights at Real Madrid.

STEVEN GERRARD (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014)

Played for: Liverpool

Indisputably the best player of the Premier League era not to have won the championship, Gerrard is nonetheless regarded as the greatest player in Liverpool's history alongside Kenny Dalglish and was man-of-the-match when he led their comeback in Istanbul to win a fifth European Cup for the club in 2005. Gerrard in his prime was the ultimate box-to-box midfielder, stopping goals, creating goals and scoring goals, often spectacular ones. Will leave Liverpool this summer to join Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS.

PATRICK VIEIRA (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Played for: Arsenal, Manchester City

Was voted into the PFA team for six consecutive years between 1999 and 2004, an unprecedented spell of dominance in the Premier League era. Vieira was Arsene Wenger's first signing – actually arriving at Highbury shortly before the manager who was tied up with contractual issues in Japan – and was the blueprint for a new Arsenal team who set new standards for the whole country. A tall, quick and powerful midfielder, Vieira helped Arsenal with the Double and then succeeded Tony Adams as captain, and led the 2004 Ivincibles side that went through an entire season unbeaten.

RYAN GIGGS (1993, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2009)

Played for: Manchester United

Statistically the greatest player in the Premier League, with a record number of titles (13) and appearances (632), Giggs was named six times in the PFA team spanning a period of 16 years. He was a flying 19-year-old winger who had led Manchester United to their first championship for 26 years when he was named in the 1993 all-star side, and a clever 35-year-old central midfield playmaker when he was chosen in 2009. Now assistant-manager to Louis van Gaal at United having been interim manager at the end of last season.

ALAN SHEARER (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003)

Played for: Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United

The Premier League's record goalscorer with 260 – more than 70 goals ahead of anyone else, Shearer won the championship with Blackburn Rovers and became the only Premier League player to also be the world's most expensive player when he signed for hometown club Newcastle United for £15million having just finished as leading goalscorer at Euro 96 for England. Shearer could score all types of goals, rocket shots, tap-ins and headers, and following a brief spell as Newcastle's interim manager, is a respected TV pundit.

THIERRY HENRY (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) 

Played for: Arsenal

Added Va-Va-Voom to the English game after Arsene Wenger signed him from Juventus and turned an inconsistent winger into the most lethal centre-forward in Europe. Like Vieira, Henry was picked for six consecutive PFA teams and won the Golden Boot for being the leading goalscorer in the league on four occasions. Rivals Cristiano Ronaldo as being the best Premier League import ever seen and after spells with Barcelona and New York Red Bulls is back in this country, offering his views on the game with Sky Sports.

..and an unlikely all-star XI. These players all made the Premier League team of the season on one occasion:

Tim Flowers; David Bardsley, Ugo Ehiogu, Thomas Vermaelen, Stig Inge Bjornebye; Nani, Scott Parker, Tim Sherwood, Harry Kewell; Emmanuel Adebayor, Chris Sutton

Gareth Bale is not fazed by Real Madrid criticism, says Wales team-mate Joe Allen

Gareth Bale swapped the atmosphere of hate at Real Madrid for the warm embrace of Wales on Wednesday, with his team-mates all agreeing that the world’s most expensive player is unaffected by criticism of his form.

Bale wore a smile during training that suggested he was looking forward to performing for his country in a key Euro 2016 qualifier.

An army of 30 camera crews and photographers lined the pitches at the Vale Resort in Cardiff as Chris Coleman took his squad through their paces, with all lenses trained on Bale. 

But in contrast to the scrutiny he has faced in Spain, where Real fans attacked his white Bentley in the early hours of Monday, Bale looked relaxed among friends in a serene atmosphere.

Joe Allen confirmed as much. ‘He’s the same as usual,’ said the Liverpool midfielder. ‘I don’t get the impression that he is someone who is fazed by these sorts of things. It comes with the territory at a club like that. I doubt it has too much influence on him.

‘He’s a world-class player who shows that in every minute in every session. It is great to have him here. I doubt the Israelis will be looking forward to facing him at the weekend.’

Saturday’s Group B qualifier at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa offers Bale another chance to show off the talent that has been questioned in Madrid both from the stands and the media.

Spanish newspaper Marca gave him a zero rating after Real’s 2-1 loss in Barcelona last Sunday.

Swansea defender Neil Taylor, a Welsh team-mate of Bale’s for five years, said the 25-year-old takes such brutal assessments in his stride. ‘He’s become acclimatised to how his life is now with stuff like that,’ he said. ‘Gareth isn’t going to care what I think about how he’s playing, the same way he isn’t going to care what some reporters write. If you read what everyone’s opinion is of you, your confidence will be shot.’

Bale has been accused of selfishness this season, but Burnley striker Sam Vokes, back in the squad for the first time since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament a year ago, is eager for the chance to link up with him again. ‘As a striker my last few goals for Wales have come off the back of him putting crosses into the box and getting down the line,’ he said.

Vokes said Bale has grown as a leader among the group, the result of experience gained from sustained exposure to elite competition. ‘We were doing some tactical work and you could see he brings a lot to it,’ he said. ‘He is very well spoken.’

Bale will be most eager to do his talking on the pitch.

In team news, Swansea full back Jazz Richards, who has a calf strain, has been replaced in the squad by Cardiff’s Declan John.

Gareth Bale won't leave Real Madrid this summer despite interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea

Gareth Bale is prepared to resist all offers of a return to the Barclays Premier League and stay at Real Madrid.

Bale has a £75million buyout clause in his six-year contract but that has not deterred Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea from checking on his availability. The 25-year-old cost Madrid £86m when he joined from Tottenham and he rejected United in the process. 

However, the Wales winger has come in for heavy criticism for his recent Real performances and perceived selfishness during games.

Disgruntled fans have attacked his car while Spanish newspaper Marca refused to give him a rating for his display in the defeat by Barcelona.

United and Chelsea have sensed a deal could be done but the reply has been unequivocal; Bale is determined to stay, win over the fans and convince the world he can become one of Real Madrid’s greats.

Any transfer to the Premier League would cause Financial Fair Play problems but United have room for manoeuvre in that regard, as do Chelsea. City would have to sell if they were to pursue a deal.

Gareth Bale has been disappointing for Real Madrid this season

Top Premier League clubs are prepared to meet his £75m release clause

But Bale is determined to stay in Madrid and improve his fortunes

West Ham reluctant to sign Alex Song on permanent deal from Barcelona with reservations held over his dip in form

Alex Song faces an uncertain future after it emerged that West Ham have huge reservations over a permanent deal to sign the midfielder. 

Song has spent the season on loan at Upton Park from Barcelona, but his form has dramatically dipped in the second half of the season. The former Arsenal midfielder, who has a contract at the Nou Camp until 2017, earns £80,000-a-week.

West Ham, who were impressed with his early performances for the club, are reluctant to sign him permanently when his loan spell ends because of his wages.

Despite a promising start under Sam Allardyce, his recent performances have come under increased scrutiny in the West Ham boardroom.

He was substituted in the defeat against Crystal Palace earlier this month and also taken off during the 4-0 crushing by West Brom in the FA Cup tie at the Hawthorns in February.

Song, 27, played the full 90 minutes of West Ham’s 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, but the Hammers are preparing to send him back to the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

Germany 2-2 Australia: Lukas Podolski and Andre Schurrle combine from the bench for late equaliser to save World Cup champions from another home defeat by the Germany-2-2-Australia-Lukas-Podolski-Andre-Schurrle-combine-bench-late-equaliser.

A late Lukas Podolski strike from an Andre Schurrle cross saved Germany from back-to-back home defeats by Australia at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Kaiserslautern.

Podolski rescued the World Cup champions nine minutes from time with his 48th goal for his country as he combined with his fellow substitute and former Premier League outcast.

The Socceroos' last visit to Germany in 2011 ended in a 2-1 shock loss for the hosts in Monchengladbach and it looked to be going that way again for much of the second half when captain Mile Jedinak gave his side the lead with a sensational curling free-kick. 

Marco Reus gave Germany the lead in the 17th minute when he met the Sami Khedira cross zipped across the face of goal. James Troisi hit back for the recently crowned Asian Cup champions with a header from Nathan Burns' pinpoint cross. 

Then, five minutes into the second half, Crystal Palace stalwart and Socceroos captain nailed a perfect curling free-kick that left German keeper Ron-Robert Zieler flailing and in the back of his own net with the ball.

History was on the visitors' side at this stadium. It was here that Australia made history with their first goal and first win in a World Cup when they beat Japan 3-1 in 2006.  

Their star striker Tim Cahill, who scored a double that night, was out injured here after being instrumental in delivering Australia's first major trophy win after beating South Korea in extra-time in January. 

Before kick-off, Real Madrid's Toni Kroos was given the 2014 Germany Player of the Year award but he wasn't required off the bench where at full time he had some star-studded company among the unused subs in Jerome Boateng, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels.