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Former Tottenham and England number one goalkeeper Paul Robinson has stated that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is one of the best players he has played with.

The former England number one was recently named as best team. This included a number of past and present players.

Among them was Tottenham defender Ledley King, who is now an ambassador at the London outfit. King had to retire very early from the game due to mounting injury problems.

Former Tottenham and England number one goalkeeper Paul Robinson has stated that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is one of the best players he has played with.

The former England number one was recently named as best team. This included a number of past and present players.

Among them was Tottenham defender Ledley King, who is now an ambassador at the London outfit. King had to retire very early from the game due to mounting injury problems.

Robinson, meanwhile, has been going on after a huge shaky period in his career. Robinson went from being the number one choice for club and country to becoming a Championship player in the space of a few years.
Robinson did not have the opportunity to play with some of the greatest players at club level, he was a teammate for the likes of Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, and Steven Gerrard. He has named this trio in his stellar 11. It was always going to be Ledley King in central defence due to his Tottenham connections, but Robinson has surprisingly picked former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand to play alongside him. Chelsea defender John Terry is a rather surprise omission. Some of the players like Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell were his teammates from his time at Leeds United.

“I toyed with the idea of putting Lucas Radebe in here because he wasn’t orthodox. The initial team I picked at home, I crossed him out and put this lad in (King). I played with him at Tottenham and so many players have said it: bar injuries, he would be the best and would have won a lot more England caps and a lot more club appearances as well,” said Robinson. The 34-year-old is currently without a club after being released by Blackburn at the end of last season.

Liverpool performed a major U-turn after offering defender Kolo Toure a one-year contract extension with just weeks left before his previous deal expired.

It was largely thought thatToure will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. Liverpool were already losing top names like Steven Gerrard through this way, butToure was considered expendable a few months ago. This appears to have changed immensely following a sharp upturn inform from the Ivory Coast international. The former Manchester City and Arsenal defender was expected to provide experience to the Liverpool team.

Liverpool performed a major U-turn after offering defender Kolo Toure a one-year contract extension with just weeks left before his previous deal expired.

It was largely thought thatToure will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. Liverpool were already losing top names like Steven Gerrard through this way, butToure was considered expendable a few months ago. This appears to have changed immensely following a sharp upturn inform from the Ivory Coast international. The former Manchester City and Arsenal defender was expected to provide experience to the Liverpool team.

He remains as one of the few players to have won the league title with two teams and would become the first to do so if he wins it with Liverpool. The prospects of the same look extremely tough next season, as Liverpool finished in a disappointing sixth spot. After being linked heavily with a move to Turkish football last summer,Toure ended up at Anfield. The 34-year-old made 15 appearances in all competitions. His importance of the club could improve next season if Martin Skrtel leaves the club. The Slovakian is reportedly unhappy at the wages being offered by Liverpool for his contract extension.

Touré, though, appears extremely happy to have extended his stay at a top club.“A surprise to some, yes, but it makes sense that Kolo Toure has been given a contract extension.Toure knows at this stage in his career he can only hope to be a fourth-choice centre-back and his first-team opportunities will be limited.But he is popular in the dressing room and has been around the block a few times.Given the relative lack of experience throughout the squad, such knowhow will prove useful in being passed on next season,” said club legend Mark Lawrenson about the decision by Liverpool.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is believed to be on the verge of an exit from the Premier League outfit after several clubs – especially from the MLS – have been in talks with him over the last few weeks.

The defender is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it is looking highly unlikely that Liverpool will offer him a new deal at this stage in his career. The 34-year-old has been a bit part player under Brendan Rodgers. He was signed on a free transfer from Manchester City and Liverpool will not be feeling any regrets about letting him leave in a similar fashion.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is believed to be on the verge of an exit from the Premier League outfit after several clubs – especially from the MLS – have been in talks with him over the last few weeks.

The defender is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it is looking highly unlikely that Liverpool will offer him a new deal at this stage in his career. The 34-year-old has been a bit part player under Brendan Rodgers. He was signed on a free transfer from Manchester City and Liverpool will not be feeling any regrets about letting him leave in a similar fashion.

The experienced campaigner has won numerous titles including the Premier League during his time with the likes of Arsenal Manchester City. His experience will be invaluable to teams from North America, who are still trying to establish themselves in the world stage. After attracting a lot of high profile players like Frank Lampard and Villa during the off-season, MLS will be hoping to bring in the name like Toure.It has been rumoured that New York Red Bulls, who recently lost a designated player in the form of Thierry Henry, are ready to offer him a new contract that will run until 2017.

“New York Red Bulls have made an approach for Kolo. Once the time comes, we will decide what is best for him,” said a source close to the player in an interview to a tabloid. Despite having come to Anfield in 2013, Kolo Toure has featured in less than 50 appearances in all competitions. Another Liverpool player Steven Gerrard has already decided to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season. There is a small chance ofToure staying at Anfield if he is offered a two-year contract rather than the one-year deal on his table.

Kolo Toure’s time at Liverpool may be coming to an end at the end of this campaign after the defender suggested that he could be looking at the managerial career in the near future.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender is out of contract at the end of the season. However, it is understood that he has been offered only a 12 month extension whereas the player is looking for a two year deal. Toure was on the verge of leaving for a Turkish club in the summer after falling out with Brendan Rodgers in the second half of last season.

Kolo Toure’s time at Liverpool may be coming to an end at the end of this campaign after the defender suggested that he could be looking at the managerial career in the near future.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender is out of contract at the end of the season. However, it is understood that he has been offered only a 12 month extension whereas the player is looking for a two year deal. Toure was on the verge of leaving for a Turkish club in the summer after falling out with Brendan Rodgers in the second half of last season.

The duo appeared to have patched up the differences, as Toure has found himself regularly called up for first-team action as a backup for the likes of Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren. A player of immense experience in the Premier League,Toure is looking forward to a coaching career. He has revealed that he has already begun work for getting the coaching badges. The 33-year-old only recently called time on his international career after managing to win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast. This was his first major honour with the international team in his long career. He may decide to end his club career at this stage as well.

“It is an ambition of mine to be a manager.I am doing my UEFA B badge right now but it takes time. I am focused on my game because I want to stay playing football for a few years.As an African, we need to have more African coaches because we need to take that responsibility.When you play at this level for big clubs you need to show that. Where? Maybe here, maybe back in Africa but I need to do something in football because that is what I love,” said Kolo Toure.

After a magical individual performance against Real Madrid, Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is hoping to achieve a positive result against Chelsea during the weekend.

Liverpool have now lost back-to-back matches in different competitions, but they go into the game against table leaders Chelsea with freshness across the pitch. Manager Brendan Rodgers to the strange decision of fielding a second string team against Madrid despite having a chance to qualify for the last 16 stage.

After a magical individual performance against Real Madrid, Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is hoping to achieve a positive result against Chelsea during the weekend.

Liverpool have now lost back-to-back matches in different competitions, but they go into the game against table leaders Chelsea with freshness across the pitch. Manager Brendan Rodgers to the strange decision of fielding a second string team against Madrid despite having a chance to qualify for the last 16 stage.

It seemed that his team selection was entirely focused on doing well against Chelsea. Touré, who has played only one minute of Premier League football this campaign, started against Madrid.

The Ivory Coast international, who lost his place in the second half of last season after several mistakes, had not been given much of a chance against the likes of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the 33-year-old performed admirably against Ronaldo, who is the favourite to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or award this year. Liverpool may have lost the match 1-0, but Toure was widely praised for his performance. This impeccable performance may result in Toure being recalled to the team. Liverpool will be going back to the horrific memories of the 2-0 defeat suffered in this fixture last season. It single-handedly resulted in the club losing the title.

“They cost us the league, and now we have the chance to beat them – I can’t wait for that, honestly.Is it a chance for payback? Definitely. It’s a very important game when you think what they did to us last season.’ When you play at home in a game like that it is going to be attacking teams. Chelsea attack and Liverpool attack as well. I think you are going to see a great game.This season they will attack, with the players they have they can’t defend (all the time).I think they will just try to score goals and we will try to score goals,” said Toure.

Liverpool were given no hope in their Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernebeu especially given that they had lost heavily to the same opponents a week ago.

Liverpool were given no hope in their Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernebeu especially given that they had lost heavily to the same opponents a week ago.

This combined with a weakened starting line-up from Brendan Rodgers appeared to destroy any hopes for the few travelling Liverpool supporters. The match finished as a 1-0 defeat for the Reds. A number of players who are not regularly part of the first team like Kolo Toure and Fabio Borini started the match. Touré has not started a league match this season, but he managed to put in a fine performance against an impressive attacking line-up.

Possessing some of the best place in the world like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Real Madrid threatened to comfortably outscore their opponents. This never happened after Touré managed to contain Ronaldo using all his experience. The 33-year-old said after the match that he is extremely proud of the performance from his teammates. Despite being given no hope by many just ahead of the match, they came close to getting the point. It remains to be seen if Touré will be able to keep his place, after this great performance, for the weekend’s match against Chelsea.

It has been regarded that Rodgers named a weakened line-up due to the Chelsea match in mind. “I know we lost but I am very happy because we played a really good game.At end of the day everyone worked hard and showed so much determination.We had a lot of players out there who haven’t played many games this season but we showed what a good squad we have.It doesn’t matter what players play here, they will give 100%. You have to be ready and we showed that,” said the defender. Touré is widely expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Kolo Toure has confirmed that he is set to stay at Liverpool in the coming campaign after rejecting the offer of joining Turkish club Trabzonspor. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender is one of the experienced players in the squad. He has also lifted the league title with two different teams. Despite this, there have been transfer rumours linking Toure with a move away from Anfield. The 33-year-old came to Anfield only last summer on a free transfer from City. He almost became the first player to win the Premier league with three different teams, as Liverpool finished second.

Kolo Toure has confirmed that he is set to stay at Liverpool in the coming campaign after rejecting the offer of joining Turkish club Trabzonspor. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender is one of the experienced players in the squad. He has also lifted the league title with two different teams. Despite this, there have been transfer rumours linking Toure with a move away from Anfield. The 33-year-old came to Anfield only last summer on a free transfer from City. He almost became the first player to win the Premier league with three different teams, as Liverpool finished second.

However, Toure found first-team opportunities hard to come by in the second half of the season. Brendan Rodgers struck with the Toure and Martin Skrtel partnership in the first half of the season, but several mistakes committed by the Ivory Coast international meant that he lost his place. Toure never returned back to being a first-team regular, which was the primary reason behind transfer rumours linking him with an exit. The 33-year-old only has 12 months of his contract, but this is unlikely to worry Liverpool much given that he was a free transfer in the first place.

Trabzonspor officials recently said that Liverpool had agreed to sell the defender for £ 1.5 million, but Toure has rejected the opportunity.

“Trabzonspor are interested in me but I have expressed my pleasure at being a Liverpool player. Yes, it is always a possibility to join a lower league for more playing time but I am a competitor and I decided to stay at Liverpool. The season is full of matches in the league and Champions League and I know I have time to prove I’m still hungry but I know I will not play every game, that’s for sure,” said the defender.

The Leeds United squad would make its way to Italy for playing the pre season games without two of the prominent players i.e. Scott Wootton and Alex Mowatt. The manager of the team, David Hockaday, made that announcement yesterday.

The Whites are supposed to play a couple of matches in Italy.

Talking to the reporters a day before taking the flight to Italy, Hockaday said, “Almost, the entire squad is going to go except the two blokes who have minor fitness issues. I expect them to be alright in a few days’ time.”

The Leeds United squad would make its way to Italy for playing the pre season games without two of the prominent players i.e. Scott Wootton and Alex Mowatt. The manager of the team, David Hockaday, made that announcement yesterday.

The Whites are supposed to play a couple of matches in Italy.

Talking to the reporters a day before taking the flight to Italy, Hockaday said, “Almost, the entire squad is going to go except the two blokes who have minor fitness issues. I expect them to be alright in a few days’ time.”

“There is no point rushing injured players especially when they are vital parts of your team.”

Wootton had not made too many appearances for Leeds in the last season. He had played just 11 games. Mowatt, on the other hand, had featured 31 times scoring 1 goal.

Both these players had been signed by the club last summer only.

Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty over the future of the Leeds skipper Ross McCormack.

There has been no official statement made by the Leeds officials yet on the rumours that the Scotland international has requested for transfer.

A couple of clubs which suffered relegation from the English top tier last season are believed to be interested to have the services of McCormack. Fulham was even reported to have placed a bid to Leeds, but, that got rejected.

McCormack was actually not seen in the training camp of the Whites a few days ago and thereafter, the rumours began getting spread.

The 27-year old winger has spent 4 years at Eland Road playing close to 140 Championship games. He has more than 50 goals under his belt for Leeds.

Hockaday would surely not want to lose a wily, old customer like him this summer.

Preparations for Ivory Coast’s upcoming match against Greece where it by the news that Yaya Touré and Kolo Toure have lost their younger brother Ibrahim Toure at the age of 28. Both the Touré brothers are influential to the Ivory Coast team, but this news has left the preparations in tatters. It is understood that Ibrahim was suffering from cancer for a few years. He was also a footballer, but played in lesser-known leagues. It was not known whether Kolo Toure and Yaya Touré will be departing the World Cup 2014 in order to participate in the final duties.

Preparations for Ivory Coast’s upcoming match against Greece where it by the news that Yaya Touré and Kolo Toure have lost their younger brother Ibrahim Toure at the age of 28. Both the Touré brothers are influential to the Ivory Coast team, but this news has left the preparations in tatters. It is understood that Ibrahim was suffering from cancer for a few years. He was also a footballer, but played in lesser-known leagues. It was not known whether Kolo Toure and Yaya Touré will be departing the World Cup 2014 in order to participate in the final duties.

However, Ivory Coast football Federation has confirmed that both players have decided to stay with the national team. A lot of support has been coming in from various quarters including Fifa president Sepp Blatter. Ibrahim was a regular presence of the Manchester City training ground in order to support his bigger brother Yaya Touré. The Premier league outfit have also sent their condolences to the duo. For long periods, the participation of Kolo Toure was in doubt after he suffered a bout of malaria just before the tournament.

The news came after Ivory Coast’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Colombia, which has put them on the brink of exit from the competition.

“A tough day for the Touré brothers. Just hours after the match Colombia v Côte d’Ivoire (2-1), Kolo and Yaya have learned of the death of their younger brother Touré Oyala Ibrahim. The entire Ivorian delegation to Brazil supports them in this painful circumstance. The president of the Ivorian Football Federation [FIF] and the Executive Committee are to inform the family of Ivorian football, the death of Ibrahim Touré occurred on Thursday June 19 in Manchester,” said a statement on the Ivory Coast football Federation a few hours after the news.

Kolo Toure failure to create history by becoming the first player to win the Premier league title with three different teams after his Liverpool lost out to Manchester City in this year’s competition. Toure went into the final game of the season against Newcastle with an opportunity to win the league title with Liverpool. He has already lifted the league title with Arsenal and Manchester city in the past. After having joined Liverpool only in the summer on a free transfer, the title would have been a crowning glory to the season.

Kolo Toure failure to create history by becoming the first player to win the Premier league title with three different teams after his Liverpool lost out to Manchester City in this year’s competition. Toure went into the final game of the season against Newcastle with an opportunity to win the league title with Liverpool. He has already lifted the league title with Arsenal and Manchester city in the past. After having joined Liverpool only in the summer on a free transfer, the title would have been a crowning glory to the season.

As it is, City are now the champions after they managed to finish two points above Liverpool, who practically threw away the title in the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace. Despite this disappointment, the defender has stated that he is confident that the club will learn from their mistakes this season and comeback stronger next season. Despite missing out on the title, Liverpool can revel in the fact that they have made a return to the Champions League group stages as result of the second place finish. More importantly, they need not have to go through the play-offs in order to get to the stage.

Liverpool managed a spectacular run of 13 victories since the start of the New Year.

“I think we did everything we could and at the end City won it. The most important thing was that we have been fighting until the end. We will learn from the mistakes we made and next year we will be better. Nobody expected us to be where we are, but we lacked a little bit of experience and that is why I think we will gain experience. We will gain experience by making those mistakes and losing the title like we did,” said the former Arsenal defender.