Future Stars - Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva

This is a player that we have been hearing a lot about recently, with the youngster seemingly being linked to every club in Europe never mind just the Premier League.  Lucas, or Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva to give him his full name, is no doubt an incredibly talented footballer which is emphasised by the huge price that is on his head.

Lucas started his career at Brazlian giants Corinthians, only managing three years in their youth set up however before an early move of clubs ensued.  Sao Paulo signed up the enigmatic midfielder, and he has since gone from strength to strength.

He stepped up to the first team in 2010 and made his debut in September of the same year, under the name 'Marcelinho.'  This was due to the fact he attended Marcelinho Carioca's football school, but he quickly went back on this and informed of his intention to be called Lucas.

Lucas (right) with fellow starlet Neymar

From an early age it was clear he was something special, especially when his club captain Rogerio Ceni announced his importance to the club.  In addition to stating the future impact that Lucas could have, Ceni also announced Lucas could possess such talent that he could be the best since Kaka to come through the ranks at Sao Paulo.

Last year the international scene beckoned, where he has now hit double figures in appearances and could be crucial to any future success.

It is not known what the future holds for Lucas, with Brazilian football going through somewhat of a renaissance at the moment.  Past greats are returning and young stars seem to want to stay, but Europe will surely be on the agenda at some point.

His club side, it is said, have placed a £70m price on his head, a figure that could perhaps be deterring sides at the moment.  Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been muted amongst others, and when the time does come he will surely move for big bucks but for a fee significantly less than that mentioned.

Lucas could become a crucial figure at any of the continents biggest clubs, whilst also being key to his nations World Cup hopes on home soil in 2014.

Spotlight on - Rapid Vienna

SK Rapid Wien, or Rapid Vienna as they are more commonly known, have a rich history that dates back over 100 years.  They are the most successful club in Austrian football history, and recovered from a nine year hiatus to get back to winning ways and claim a league title 2004/05.

Established:  September 1898
Home Stadium:  Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, 17,500
President:  Rudolf Edlinger
Manager:  Peter Schottel
Home Strip:  Green with white vertical striped shirt, green shorts and green with white hooped socks
Away Strip:  Red shirt with blue shorts and socks

History

The club was founded in 1898 under the name 'Erste Wiener Arbeiter Fußballklub' (First Workers' Football Club of Vienna), but were replaced in early January the following year by SK Rapid.  Foundations have always been built on success, with Rapid now being centurions in the top flight having plied their trade at the top table since 1911.  In addition they were first being forced to play on makeshift pitches, before moving into their 'Pfarrwiese' home in 1912 and staying their for over six decades.

1911 was a year which built the platform from which to move forward, as they won the first league title in that season.  Added to this feat is the fact they also became the same team to win the Austrian Cup in 1918/19, completing a double by adding to it their fifth domestic league title.  Success continued to come their way, until World War II struck and a feat within which the club still pride themselves.

After German invasion Austria was incorporated in the German Reich, and after winning the German Cup in 1938 added a German League title three years later.  Purple patches became a rare thing within the club through the 50s, 60s and 70s, so much so that the club had to move into it's new home in 1977.

The Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion, home of Rapid Vienna

The newly constructed and much larger Weststadion, which came to fruition thanks to a club legend.  Gerhard Hanappi, who made well over 300 appearances for the club and is considered one of the finest footballers produced by the country. turned architect on retirement and helped with the stadiums construction.  Following his death in 1981, the stadium was renamed the Gerhard Hanappi-Stadion.

It was the 80s however which proved to be the real 'golden era' within the clubs history, as they stormed to four League titles, four Cup triumphs and three Austrian Supercups between 1982-1988.  The 'Greens' also made the 1984/85 Cup Winners Cup final but lost out 3-1 to now Premier League side Everton, after dumping out Besiktas, Celtic, Dynamo Dresden and Dinamo Moscow.

Another amazing route to the final came to the forefront in 1996, but this time Paris Saint Germain proved too much and ran out 1-0 victors.  This was also a year in which started a long and arduous barren spell for the club, as little did they know the 1995/96 league title would be their last until 2004/05.

Since breaking the hoodoo and getting back to winning ways the club has gone from strength to strength.  Another league title was added three years later, while attendances have continued to rise.  While on occasion some of the bigger matches have been moved to the Ernst Happel Stadion, which boasts a 50,000 capacity.

Managers

Rapid Vienna have not been shy when it comes to managers, when the list just seeming to go on and on.  Added to the clubs huge trophy haul, it is clear to see that a whole host of managers have had some exciting times at the club.

As previously mentioned it is perhaps the 1980s that proved to be the glory years for Rapid.  So it is perhaps Otto Baric (1982-85 and 1986-89) who deserves the most plaudits, instilling a winning mentality and bulking up the trophy cabinet considerably.

Peter Pacult in the dug out during his time as manager

Ernst Dokupil is also held in high regard, continuing the good times in the early 1990s before what could be considered a barren spell hit.  Peter Pacult, who had played for the club, had some winning over to do after also turning out for fierce rivals Austria Wien (Vienna), but sill holds a whole host of credit amongst green fans.  This is because after the huge gulf between league title triumphs, it is Pacult who brought the good times back to Rapid.

Players

There are a whole host of players from the rich history of this club who are held in high regard, as all cannot possibly be mentioned a few will be pointed out. Josef Uridil enjoyed two spells at the club, 1914-25 and 1926-27, winning five Australian Bundeliga titles and two Austrian Cups while finishing top scorer on two occasions.

Another high achiever, who was with the club during the war, is Franz Binder who held a phenominal scoring record for the club.  His average of 1.33 goals per game is an unofficial world record, while he was also the first European player to reach the 1,000 goals barrier.  Amongst his achievements while at Rapid are four League titles, a German and Austrian cup and multiple indiviual scoring records.

A man whose name now adorns the stadium in which the national team ply their trade is surely considered a huge legend, and Ernst Happel is precisely that.  The Defender came through the youth ranks at Rapid and enjoyed a long and successful career with the club, 1942-1954 and 1956-1959, with a brief spell at RC Paris the only thing to take him away.  In addition to just over a half century of caps for his country, he was also manager from 1991-1992.  Happel's honours list is quite some haul, both as player and manager.

Herzog during his playing days

Hans Krankl loved this club so much he just kept being drawn back.  The striker had an enviable record during two spells at the club, 1970-78 and 1981-86, he event went back to manage the side between 1989-92, whilst also managing the Austrian national team from 2002-2005.  Two Bundesliga titles, four Austrian Cups and a Cup Winners Cup were won during his two spells at the club, which came either side of a spell at Barcelona.

Peter Schottel has spent nearly all his footballing life at one club.  After coming through the ranks at Rapid the defender enjoyed a 16 year playing career, notching up three League title and two Cup triumphs.  Following a two year management spell at SC Wiener Neustadt, 2009-2011, fate has taken him back to the club where his heart lies.

More modern, and Andreas Herzog is as big a legend as you can get.  After spending the first six years of his career at Rapid, he moved abroad and spent nine years in Germany before returning for another year, 2002-03 back in Austria.  Since retirement from playing he has fulfilled various roles within the national set up.

Honours

Austrian league titles
1912, 1913, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1948, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1996, 2005, 2008

German league title 
1941

Austrian Cups
1919, 1920, 1927, 1946, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1995

German Cup
1938

Austrian Supercups
1986, 1987, 1988

Mitroipacups
1930, 1951

Intertoto Cup
1992, 1993

All change in England squad

England interim Head Coach Stuart Lancaster

With one squad selection the ghost of World Cup past has been shed, and a new era has been ushered in to the world of English Rugby Union.  New Zealand is to be ushered out, highlighted at this weeks press conference within which the elite squad was announced with the word barely mentioned..  The 32 men selected are to lead their country into this years six nations, defending the crown Martin Johnson led his side to last year despite a last game loss in Ireland. 

A lot was made of the benefits of selecting an interim coach, could a big impact seriously be made or would it just paper over cracks on the short term.  Only for them to be highlighted once again once the tournament gets underway next month.

One thing is for certain, with this selection Stuart Lancaster has selected what will hopefully form the basis of the squad for the next World Cup to be held on these shores.  When he stated "this is a new era for England," he clearly showed this is a building job with 2015 the ultimate target.

A new younger breed has been brought in, while the old guard have been shown the door.  Jonny Wilkinson, Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson, all former World Cup winners, retired following last years New Zealand showpiece.  While Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto, Nick Easter, Shontayne Hape and Riki Flutey have all failed to make the grade.

Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes are all on the short term injury list, but more crucially Andrew Sheridan, Louis Deacon and Richard Wigglesworth will miss the entire tournament.

Saracens new star Owen Farrell

Amongst the new breed it is Owen Farrell who has hit the head lines after a string of stellar performances, being one of nine uncapped players to be selected.  His Saracens midfield team mate Brad Barritt is also included, while a partnership with team mate Charlie Hodgson could also be on the cards with Flood set to miss the first two encounters.

Dave Atwood, Geoff Parling, Alex Goode and Henry Trinder, the last three all uncapped, are also included after gaining promotion from the Saxons to cover for some of those on the treatment table.  Scarlets number eight Ben Morgan earns a place after declaring his allegiance to his country of birth and not Wales for whom he qualifyed under a three year residency rule, with Northampton Saints back row Calum Clark perhaps the boldest selection.

It is not yet known who will the captain the side with Tom Wood and Chris Robshaw though to be front runners although it is believed Lancaster wants a host of other names to step up, he said:  "The most important thing is to get the leadership group right. We need to develop a new group of leaders. From there, natural leaders will emerge."

Tom Palmer proves an exception to the Rugby Football Unions now overseas player rule, stepping in for James Haskell who is in Japan on sabbatical.  On the largely youthful side selected, Lancaster added:  "We've picked a side which is exciting, talented and committed to get us back to where we want to be, at the top of the game.
"I've spoken to those not selected and told them the door is not closed.
"But I want to use this Six Nations as an opportunity to develop the next players in those positions and develop a leadership group that is strong and wants to be the best.
"We think it's a tremendous opportunity to build a squad that has potential for now and for the future.
"We trust the players we have selected, a lot have been involved for a while and have been to the World Cup.
"They have been on the cusp of it for a while. Now they deserve their chance after proving themselves in big games for their clubs."

The England squad in full is as follows:


Forwards:  Props: A Corbisiero (London Irish), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), J Marler (Harlequins), M Stevens (Saracens), D Wilson (Bath Rugby); Hookers: D Hartley (Northampton Saints), L Mears (Bath Rugby), R Webber (London Wasps); Locks: M Botha (Saracens), L Deacon (Leicester Tigers), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), T Palmer (Stade Francais); Back-rows: C Clark (Northampton Saints), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), P Dowson (Northampton Saints), B Morgan (Scarlets), C Robshaw (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton Saints).

Backs:  Full-backs: M Brown (Harlequins), B Foden (Northampton Saints); Wings: C Ashton (Northampton Saints), C Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), D Strettle (Saracens); Centres: B Barritt (Saracens), O Farrell (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins); Fly-halves: T Flood (Leicester Tigers), C Hodgson (Saracens); Scrum-halves: L Dickson (Northampton Saints), J Simpson (London Wasps), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Henry the returning hero

Henry netting last night winner against Leeds United

If the excitement surrounding the return of a hero hadn't already been stirred up enough, the antics of last night have certainly whipped a furore around the Emirates.  The sight of Thierry Henry netting a 78th minute winner just ten minutes after taking to the field has captured the imagination of football fans worldwide.  Well, all except a small pocket of Yorkshire where thousands thought their team were to gain a reply aginst Arsenal for the second season running.

Already immortalised outside the stadium of his beloved club, the Frenchman's celebration exuded the sheer delight of scoring on his second debut.  Arsene Wenger summed up the situation saying:  "He is a special player, he was already a legend here and he just added a bit more to the whole story."

While Henry himself remarked:  "I came back from holiday 15 days ago. I never thought I was going to play for Arsenal again or score a winner. "I don't know what to say. I love the club and I hope I can do more.
"I hope it won't be the last one. The feeling I had when I scored was amazing.
"I rejoined the club as a fan; before I wasn't. 
"Scoring a goal when you support the team, now I know how some of the guys who played for Liverpool or Man United or Chelsea felt when they scored a goal for the club they support."

Celebrating for New York Red Bulls

Doubts were raised when the news inevitably broke.  Weren't their more appropraite younger options available who would be a benefit for the longer term, and how would so many of the squad cope playing with someone they openly admit is a hero.  All that though has already been dispelled, and Simon Garyson's remark that it was "written in the stars" for Henry to grab the winner summing up the occasion.

The way in which he left in 2007 is now well and truly forgotten, when rumors of squad fall outs led to his desire to move on to Barcelona.  His 227th goal in 371 appearances, including 12 in 12 against Leeds, is surely going to be added to during his two month loan spell from New York Red Bulls.

Whatever rollercoaster is ahead during this stint, it will be a pleasure to watch a master at work at a club which will forever be in his heart.

Transfer flops - Jonathan Woodgate

Sports Portal hopes all it's readers had a lovely festive season, and apologises for the lack of posts.  You see, we like to gorge ourselves too.  But we are back and ready to crack on, with another in our transfer flops series.

When Real Madrid decided to splash out on English centre back Jonathan Woodgate, it kick started a chain of events that swayed the fine line between horrendously tragic and outright hilarious.  After possibly the worst debut one could imagine things didn't exactly get better, double figures of appearances was just reached, injuries reared their ugly head and an unwanted award was attained.  However before we delve deeper, let's see how his career went before the big move to La Liga.

After beginning his career at hometown club Middlesbrough, a teenage Woodgate was quickly on the move to Yorkshire and Leeds United in 1996 after disagreements between his family and the club.  Here it took two years to crack into the first team, where it really began to take off.  During his five years at the club he became a mainstay of the defence, being described as the 'jewel in the crown.'  But as the clubs terrible financial predicament came to light Peter Risdale cashed in, much to the dismay of the fans who also saw Terry Venebles follow out of the exit door.

Being paraded by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu

Newcastle United was his next destination, where a series of stunning displays established Woodgate as a firm favourite amongst the Toon Army.  However this is where the start of the problems began, with a serious injury ending his 2003/04 Premier League season early.

This is where the foray onto the continent materialised, with Real Madrid spending over £13m for a player that was injured.  Woodgate spent his entire first season at the Bernabeu sidelined, and had to wait until September 2005 to finally take to the pitch in the resplendent white synonymous of the club.  Though it didn't exactly go to plan, with an own goal followed by a sending off.  After briefly, and I mean briefly, flirting with success it was soon snatched away with another injury.  Since his departure, users of Spanish daily Marca voted him the worst football signing ever with 37.11% going to the Englishman.

It was back home in the truest sense of the word for Woodgate, where a successful year long loan at Middlesbrough was turned into a £7m move ahead of the 2007/08 Premiership season.  During the season though more injury troubles reared their head, with David Wheater taking his place and retaining it, meaning no way back.  Due to this it meant another move was on the cards, this time to White Hart Lane.

Woodgate upon signing for Stoke City

Initially life at Tottenham Hotspur seemed to suit Woodgate, where he settled in and was even handed the captaincy a few months after signing.  But once again injuries took their toll, and his appearances dwindled due to a virtual standstill.  After a lot of persistence Harry Redknapp decided to cut the clubs losses, after the player apparently rejected a pay as you play deal, and he was released.

All was not lost for Woodgate though, and Tony Pulis gave the defender another chance in the Premier League at Stoke City.  This time the pay as you play deal was accepted, and after a stellar start to life at The Brittania Stadium his level of performances have since fallen.  What could possibly happen next in the topsy turvy career of Jonathan Woodgate?