Football: BATTLE FOR HITZ SET TO HOT UP; 3.Byline: GRAHAM HILL Parameter not given Error... ''Template needs its first parameter as beg[in], mid[dle], or end. Parameter not given Error... VILLA will have to face up to the fact that Thomas Hitzlsperger is emerging as one of Europe's hottest properties when they resume talks over a new contract for the German international midfielder
In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). . Hitzlsperger, whose contract runs out at the end of this season, is being watched by clubs in Spain Spain, Span. España (āspä`nyä), officially Kingdom of Spain, constitutional monarchy (2005 est. pop. 40,341,000), 194,884 sq mi (504,750 sq km), including the Balearic and Canary islands, SW Europe. , Italy Italy (ĭt`əlē), Ital. Italia, officially Italian Republic, republic (2005 est. pop. 58,103,000), 116,303 sq mi (301,225 sq km), S Europe. and his homeland - as well as TWO Premiership teams - as the possibility of the 22-year-old leaving on a free transfer grows ever greater. Villa this week opened talks with Hitzlsperger's representatives over a new deal for the player who last year won his first Germany cap and played a full game against Argentina earlier this month. It is believed that a number of foreign scouts have been to Villa Park Villa Park, village (1990 pop. 22,253), Du Page co., NE Ill.; inc. 1914. It is a residential suburb W of Chicago. this season to watch Hitzlsperger, knowing that players of that age and ability on free transfers are hard to come by. Hitzlsperger has NOT ruled out staying at Villa next season, but he knows that any new deal has to be right for him at this stage of his career. Whatever happens, Hitzlsperger is in a strong position as he appears to be able to choose between a number of clubs if no offer is agreeable to himVilla boss David O'Leary has made it clear that he wants the Munich-born player to stay with the club. He feels it would be in the player's best interests to remain settled in the year leading up to the World Cup finals, which are being held in Germany. The club are ready to offer Hitzlsperger a contract for the next two seasons with the provision of a major wage rise should he star for his country at the World Cup - or he could be allowed to leave for a big fee if an offer comes in. As things stand, Villa would receive only a fraction of the true value for a player whose reputation is growing on the Continent. But Hitzlsperger's representatives are still in talks with Villa, a club the man nicknamed 'Der Hammer' has a huge affinity with. And O'Leary expects a response to Villa's latest offer early this week. Hitzlsperger is settled in the area and has even acquired a Brummie accent since coming to the Midlands. RIDGEWELL'S AIM - PAGES 14/15 |
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