Ramos: Bale would suit us

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes Gareth Bale is "in the right mould" to be a star player at the Bernabeu should he ever sign for the Spanish giants.



There has been considerable speculation about the future of the Wales international after Tottenham failed to qualify for the Champions League, with Madrid the most likely destination.



Quoted in The Sun, Ramos said:

"Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He has had an exceptional season. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid.



"I am sure Madrid will not be the only team that want to sign him - but he is the right mould for us."



"We fought hard this season, the team and the manager have been great," he said.



"We have got the record points for the club in the Premier League.



"That would normally be enough to qualify for the Champions League, but it's not meant to be again.



"It's disappointing, but we will pick ourselves up again.



"We will just have to regroup this season and give it another go."

Bale rounded off a remarkable year on Sunday by scoring his 26th goal of the season, but his wonder winner against Sunderland was not enough to earn the club Champions League qualification.



The club are understandably keen to hold on to their star man and manager Andre Villas-Boas recently called on the forward to end speculation about his future by signing a new deal at White Hart Lane.



For now, the signs look promising for Tottenham fans. From his comments in the immediate aftermath of the victory over Sunderland, he seemed in no mood to abandon ship and head to Madrid.

Damiao deal talks held

Internacional president Giovanni Luigi claims Tottenham Hotspur have re-opened transfer talks regarding Leandro Damiao.

Spurs came close to bringing the Brazil international on board in January, but failed with a deadline day approach.

Officials at White Hart Lane have continued to monitor Damiao since that point, with reports suggesting that they would return to the negotiating table at some stage.

Luigi says further discussions have been held, ahead of the summer window, and he has hinted that the 23-year-old forward will be plying his trade in the Premier League next season - rather than in his homeland or in Serie A.

He told Tutto Mercato: "If a club want a player, they must talk to the president of the club at which that particular player plays, and not just deal with the agent - that is not correct behaviour.

"Recently we talked with Tottenham, Leandro is very likely to play games in England in the coming year. On the other hand, we can exclude Napoli."


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Villas-Boas wants Huddlestone to stay at Tottenham

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has urged midfielder Tom Huddlestone not to quit the club despite a lack of first-team action.



The 26-year-old midfielder has made only seven starts this season and with Sandro, Scott Parker, Moussa Dembele, Thomas Carroll and Jake Livermore all fighting for a midfield place Huddlestone has suggested that he may be forced to leave White Hart Lane to get regular football.



Huddlestone was given a rare start in the 2-2 draw with Wigan and it was his low free-kick that led to the equaliser in the closing seconds.



Villas-Boas insisted Huddlestone would get his chance if he maintained his performance levels.

"It is difficult [for him] to break into the team," the Tottenham boss said.



"But with performances like this he is able to get more chances, definitely."

Huddlestone has two years left on his contract and although Villas-Boas acknowledged the player's desire to play regular football he urged him to stay and fight for his place.

"The words are understandable from a player who has not been involved as much as he wanted," he continued.



"I think we have seen lots of players in midfield this season raise a level. From the moment Sandro got injured, he was the number-one recoverer of the ball and Mousa was also in the top 10.



"So it was very difficult for him to get into the team and when the chance happened it opened up for Scotty [Parker]."

Bale scoops PFA awards double

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale has rounded off a remarkable season by becoming the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to do the double at the PFA Player of the Year awards.



Bale beat off competition from Luis Suarez, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Michael Carrick to win the senior gong for the 2012-13 season.



The Welshman also took home the Young Player of the Year award, making him only the third player in history to receive both prizes in the same season.

"It's a massive honour," the Welshman said.



"To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It's great to win it and I am delighted."

Ronaldo scooped both the young player and the main award in 2007, some 30 years after Andy Gray become the first professional to do so.



Bale won the senior award two seasons ago when he shot to fame with a series of scintillating displays domestically and in the Champions League.



But he has gone on to become an even better player since, transforming himself in to a goal scoring machine that has found the net 29 times for club and country so far this season.



The Welshman, whose latest goal came yesterday in Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Wigan, dedicated the prize to his team-mates and manager Andre Villas-Boas.

"When you look at the list there are some massive names on it and the other nominees have been unbelievable this year, but I couldn't have done it without the team," Bale said.



"They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager.



"I couldn't have won it without them so I would like to give them all a big thank you as well."



"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season" - Gareth Bale

Bale had previously spent most of his career deployed on the left wing, but this term he has played more centrally, which he thinks is the reason why he has scored so many times.

"I have been shooting a lot more, and I have been coming inside a lot more too," he said.



"There are a few goals which I enjoyed. The one against Norwich was one of my favourites, and the West Ham one.



"Those two are my favourites from this season.



"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season."

Bale's talents on the pitch are worthy of praise, and his attitude off it has also been complimented.



While Suarez, who was also on the Player of the Year shortlist, has got himself into trouble of late by biting Branislav Ivanovic's arm, PFA chief Gordon Taylor thinks Bale is a good role model to the youth of today.



He said:

"Everyone knows Suarez is a great footballer, I just wish at times he could fall in to line because footballers are role models and Gareth and Robin van Persie are really good examples for the younger generation."

Taylor also is in no doubt about the talents Bale has displayed on the pitch this term.

"Gareth has had a tremendous season, he has had the same impact on Welsh football as Ryan Giggs did. He is part of the Southampton success story."

The Merit award went to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the class of '92 and their coach at the time Eric Harrison.



Arsenal Ladies midfielder Kim Little won the inaugural Women's Player of the Year award.



Little, 22, has been a regular at Arsenal since she joined from Hibernian at the age of 16 and last summer was a part of the British Olympic team at London 2012.



This is the first time that the PFA have handed out a women's award as next year will be the first season that females are allowed to join the organisation.



Little was delighted to be involved in the occasion. The Scot said: "It is a great night for me.

"For various years I have watched this event on television so to come here and win the first award is fantastic."

Spurs boss reacts to quit rumours

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has dismissed rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid.



The Spurs manager has become one of the favourites to succeed Jose Mourinho at Los Blancos, however, Villas-Boas has stated that he wants his future to be in London.



Focused



The Daily Mirror reports how AVB is determined to stay at a club for more than one year, and he joked: “At the moment, I am very, very focused on trying to get another year at one club. The same club!”



Before getting employed as Tottenham manager, Villas-Boas had an inauspicious reign as Chelsea boss, getting sacked 10 months into the job.



He started his management career with Portuguese outfit Academica Coimbra, leaving them after a season to join Porto where he achieved his most success, lifting the Portuguese title and the Europa League, before moving on to Chelsea.



However, AVB has stated that he is completely focused on trying to gain Champions League qualification with Tottenham and believes Arsenal will not be adversely affected by the three-match suspension of Olivier Giroud.



He added: “Giroud is key, but I think they have the option of Gervinho, who has finished his last few fixtures very well. Lukas Podolski also offers that.”



Game in hand



Tottenham are currently sitting two points behind their fierce rivals, however, they have a game in hand.



If they are to win their remaining games they will reach their goal of Champions League qualification, with their away game to fellow Champions League qualification chasers Chelsea being the toughest of their remaining five fixtures.

Spurs salvage Everton draw

Gylfi Sigurdsson's late goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for Tottenham Hotspur against Everton after a topsy-turvy encounter at White Hart Lane.

Emmanuel Adebayor broke the deadlock after just 34 seconds for Spurs but Everton quickly levelled thanks to Phil Jagielka's header.

Kevin Mirallas made it 2-1 to the visitors with a wonderful solo effort for the second time in as many weeks, but Sigurdsson snatched a point for Tottenham three minutes from time.

Tottenham may have been without talisman Gareth Bale due to an ankle injury, but they made an ideal start as Adebayor tucked away a delightful left-wing cross from Jan Vertonghen inside the opening minute after Sylvain Distin had missed the interception.

Everton responded strongly and equalised in the 15th minute when Jagielka climbed above Vertonghen and powered a header through the legs of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Spurs finished the first half on top and felt they should have had a penalty when Clint Dempsey's cross crashed into Darron Gibson, who had his arms raised above his head, but the officials waved play on and replays suggested the ball had hit his chest or shoulder.

Everton went in front in the 53d minute when Mirallas, who scored a wonderful winner against Stoke last weekend, worked his magic again, weaving one way and then the other past a couple of defenders before firing a terrific low finish through the legs of Steven Caulker and past Lloris.

There was almost a leveller for Tottenham moments later as Mousa Dembele's shot from 20 yards took a deflection which could have easily wrong-footed Tim Howard, but the keeper managed to get something on it and parry the ball onto the crossbar.

Spurs kept pressing but were becoming frustrated by Everton's resilient defending and were restricted to long-range strikes from distance as Adebayor, Dempsey and Kyle Walker all tried their luck.

Eventually the hosts were rewarded in the 87th minute as Walker darted down the right wing and cut the ball back for Adebayor, whose shot hit the post but fell kindly for Sigurdsson to score.



The result keeps Spurs six points clear of sixth-placed Everton, having played a game more, as the race for UEFA Champions League qualification goes down to the wire.

Bale injury blow for Tottenham

Tottenham star Gareth Bale was stretchered off during Thursday's Europa League tie with FC Basel at White Hart Lane.



The Welsh winger fell heavily on his right ankle after a challenge from David Degen and was taken straight down the tunnel in agony, with his head in his hands.



The North London outfit face crucial clashes with Everton and Manchester City in their quest to finish in the Premier League's top four, either side of the return leg against Basel, having drawn 2-2 with the Swiss side on Thursday.



The absence of Bale is sure to be sorely felt by Andre Villas Boas and his side, with the injury compounding a miserable evening for Spurs who also lost Aaron Lennon and William Gallas to injury and conceded two away goals.

Villas-Boas confident of Champions League

Andre Villas-Boas remains confident of guiding Tottenham to Champions League qualification despite yesterday's damaging 1-0 defeat to Fulham.

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The Portuguese claims that so long as Spurs pick up good results against rivals Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton in the run-in, then they will qualify for Europe's top club competition.



"The situation has shifted, it has become difficult," the Tottenham manager said.



"We have the direct games against Arsenal and Chelsea which can enable us to get back to third hopefully, or bring Man City closer to us.

"The margin over Arsenal is what we want to build and we have to get the most amount of points from the next games.

"After the international break we have to get back to business and do our job against Swansea and try to collect the points there to put us in a more comfortable position by the time we play Man City."

Tottenham offered little yesterday to suggest Villas-Boas would be right. Their passing was sloppy, their defence shaky, and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was only called into action late in the second half.

Fulham manager Martin Jol, who tasted victory at White Hart Lane for the first time since he was sacked from the north London club in 2007, hailed Berbatov after the game.

The Bulgarian has now racked up 10 goals this season, and he was so confident that he would secure a shock victory for the west London club that he told his manager he would do so before the match.

Jol said: "Before the game you hope for a point... but Berbatov came to me and promised me... He said: 'you have to trust me'.

"I thought he was joking. But he said it before the match against Stoke (where he scored the winner) and he is a wonderful player. It was one of the best wins ever."

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale, meanwhile, took a knock to his right ankle but should be fit for international duty with Wales this week.



Villas-Boas has ruled Aaron Lennon (groin and hamstring) and Michael Dawson (hamstring) out of England's double-header with San Marino and Montenegro, though.

Liverpool vs. Tottenham | Preview

Luis Suarez Vs. Gareth Bale

• The key protagonists in the latest encounter will almost certainly be Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale. The latter has 14 goals in his last 14 games for Tottenham, the same as Liverpool's Uruguayan over the same period.

• Luis Suarez is the third different player to have scored at least 20 Premier League goals for Liverpool, following in the footsteps of Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.

• Gareth Bale has scored seven times in Tottenham's last five league games.

• If the Welshman scores against Liverpool he will become the first Spurs player to net in six consecutive Premier League matches. The last Spurs player to manage that feat in the top flight was Garth Crooks between December 1984 and January 1985.

Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Team News:

- Liverpool pair Daniel Sturridge and Martin Skrtel are available to face Tottenham after recovering from injury.



- Sturridge has overcome a thigh problem and could make his first appearance since 17 February, while Skrtel is likely to be a substitute.



- Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon is doubtful after suffering a hamstring injury against Inter Milan.



- Emmanuel Adebayor returns to the squad after missing Thursday's game because of a knee problem.



- Tom Huddlestone and Clint Dempsey are doubts with respective knee and calf injuries.