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San Jose's Wondolowski: "If it wasn't for the fans, I'd already be gone"

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October 13, 20182:15PM EDT

Even in the toughest of times, Chris Wondolowski has been the model of consistency for the San Jose Earthquakes.

While the team is set to miss out on the postseason, Wondolowski’s well-documented chase of the all-time MLS scoring record is reaching its final stage, and he recently extended an MLS record by recording a ninth consecutive season with double-digit goals, despite making the playoffs in only three of those seasons.

It’s impossible to argue the Bay Area native’s dedication to the cause, though in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle‘s Ann Killion he opened up about some of the difficulties he and the team have faced in the last few years, most notably the team’s coaching turnover. The Quakes on Monday hired Matias Almeyda, who will be their fourth coach (including interim Steve Ralston) since they parted ways with Dominic Kinnear in June 2017

“I had three coaches for my first 12 years,” Wondolowski said, “so this is extremely different. My three coaches were all from the same coaching tree, with similarities. These have been guys I don’t know. I have to go out and prove myself each day.

“Hopefully, I do.”

Wondolowski, who also spoke to MLSsoccer.com recently about his pursuit of the all-time scoring record, revealed that with all the difficulties the team has faced, he would’ve asked for a trade if not for a crucial connection to his hometown club.

“I love it here but, to be frank, if it wasn’t for these loyal fans, I’d already be gone,” he said. “I love playing in front of the ones who stuck with us through thick and thin. I don’t know how.”

For more from Wondolowski, including how he’d like to score his record-setting goal and his reflections on his career with the US national team, be sure to head over to the San Francisco Chronicle.

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San Jose's Wondolowski: “If it wasn't for the fans, I'd already be gone” was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

'I feel like I'd have to get my leg broken for anyone to get sent off' - Zaha

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Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha says he feels like he will “have to get my leg broken” before an opponent is sent off for fouling him.

The Ivorian, 25, reacted after being pulled to the ground by Mathias Jorgensen during Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Huddersfield.

Jorgensen was booked, but Zaha says he is badly treated “every week”.

“I have tried to speak to referees,” said Zaha, who scored Palace’s winner. “There’s nothing I can do any more.”

Zaha, who has previously claimed opponents try to get him banned for diving,[1] has been fouled 11 times this season. Only Leicester’s James Maddison, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Will Hughes of Watford have been fouled more frequently.

Two minutes after being brought down by Jorgensen, Zaha fouled Florent Hadergjonaj and was shown a yellow card of his own.

“I feel like before anyone gets a red I’d have to get my leg broken or something. That’s why I lose my head,” he said.

“Why am I getting different treatment from other players?

“It makes you not want to go on a run because someone will come through the back of you, and it doesn’t allow you to express yourself.

“At the same time, I have to let my feet do the talking which I did today.”

References

^ for diving, (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

'I feel like I'd have to get my leg broken for anyone to get sent off' – Zaha was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

'There's no league that I'd say no to' - Hart wants permanent move

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart says his next move needs to be “permanent” rather than another loan.

The 31-year-old has made only one appearance for City since Pep Guardiola became manager in 2016, and had loan spells at Torino and West Ham.

He was not in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2018 World Cup.

“I did what I did in the previous two seasons because I needed to play to be involved in the World Cup,” said Hart. “And look where that got me.”

‘Nobody can doubt Joe’s quality’ – Guardiola

Hart, who has one year left on his contract, added: “I’m experienced, I’ve played at the highest level for a long time, and done a lot of things in the game.

“I need to be an important player at that club and I think that can only happen with a permanent move.”

Guardiola has said City will try to “find a solution” for Hart, and is prepared for him to “stay here” if no acceptable offer materialises.

“I need to do what’s right for me and my family and that’s the decision I’ll be making,” said Hart. “It’s a tough one, but it’s a situation which will be resolved.”

‘There’s no league I’d say no to’

Hart is on City’s pre-season tour of the United States, and played the second half of their 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in Chicago on Friday.

However, he is third choice behind Ederson and Claudio Bravo, with little chance of him playing for the Premier League champions.

“I love all the leagues. I’ve shown that. I went out to Serie A and I loved Serie A. Leagues are there to be played in,” said Hart.

“There’s no league that I’d say no to. I’m open, but I want to do what’s right for me at this point of my career and I want to give all of myself to the right cause.”

‘I have to change opinions’

Hart has 75 England caps and was first-choice goalkeeper at the 2012 and 2016 European Championships, and 2014 World Cup.

Southgate left him out of his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia, during which Everton keeper Jordan Pickford impressed as number one.

Asked if he still had ambitions to be involved for England, Hart said: “Of course. I’m 31, I’m young, I’m fit, I’m fresh.

“I know I’ve got an awful lot to give in the game. At the same time, I’m realistic about what’s gone on and what the people who count think of me and I have to change those opinions.”

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'There's no league that I'd say no to' – Hart wants permanent move was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

I'd give all my possessions for Chelsea glory - Sarri

Maurizio Sarri says he would ‘give all his possessions to win something’ with Chelsea after replacing Antonio Conte as their manager.[1]

The Italian is the ninth man to be appointed the Blues’ full-time boss since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

His first game in charge is next week’s pre-season friendly with Perth Glory.

“With one or two adjustments we can try to play my football,” Sarri told the club’s official website.

“I hope that fans can enjoy the team.

“Chelsea is one of the most important clubs in the most important championships in Europe. The problem is that in England there are another five, six very good teams.

Who is the new Chelsea manager and what is his football history?[2]

Why did Antonio Conte’s Chelsea reign turn sour?[3]

Conte was sacked just 55 days after guiding Chelsea to FA Cup glory at Wembley and a year after winning the Premier League.

But Sarri hopes to compete with some of football’s most respected managers when he goes up against Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.

“In the Premier League there are all the most important coaches in Europe, maybe in the world,” said Sarri.

“For me it will be very exciting to play against Guardiola, Pochettino, Mourinho, Klopp and the others.

“I am here for football. I am here for Chelsea. I want to play at Stamford Bridge. For me it’s a dream. London is a wonderful city, but I’m here for Chelsea.”

Chelsea finished fifth in the league last season and missed out on qualification for the Champions League – something Sarri will be expected to achieve in his first season in charge.

References

^ replacing Antonio Conte as their manager. (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Who is the new Chelsea manager and what is his football history? (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Why did Antonio Conte’s Chelsea reign turn sour? (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

I'd give all my possessions for Chelsea glory – Sarri was originally published on 365 Football

[365footballorg-blog]

FA People's Cup: 'If I didn't have football? If not in prison, I'd probably be dead'

Before the FA People’s Cup first round, BBC Get Inspired’s Cel Spellman met up with Bolton Burnden FC, a team who use football as a way to help them recover from drug or alcohol addiction.

READ: More than 50,000 kick off FA People’s Cup[1]

You can see more of the action and the people playing in the FA People’s Cup first-round highlights programme on the Red Button/online on Saturday, 3 March (12:55-14:00 GMT and 22:00-23:00 GMT).

References

^ More than 50,000 kick off FA People’s Cup (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

FA People's Cup: 'If I didn't have football? If not in prison, I'd probably be dead' was originally published on 365 Football