centre-half

• “Ferguson has to see Rio Ferdinand as more of a squad player and Phil Jones, despite all the interest taken in him, is a youngster still to learn the trade of centre-half, which is why Ferguson is inclined to play safe and put him elsewhere in the lineup so that any gaucheness or mistakes are more likely to be covered by team-mates.”

  The Guardian: Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson has more to focus on than Barça | Kevin McCarra

• “Where is the new robust centre-half, the experienced left-back to replace Gaël Clichy, the alternative to Alex Song in defensive midfield and the goalkeeper to prevent any more sightings of Almunia if injury strikes again?”

  The Guardian: Premier League preview No1: Arsenal | Amy Lawrence

• “Chelsea are to re-apply for a work permit for the Serbian centre-half Slobodan Rajkovic, impressive in Asia but who is not permitted to play in public for the club in the United Kingdom.”

  The Guardian: Chelsea expected to make fresh move for Luka Modric

• “Trapattoni suggested that the Leeds United centre-half Darren O'Dea would deputise for the suspended Sean St Ledger as his players considered the prospect of the Luzhniki's surface.”

  The Guardian: Giovanni Trapattoni confident of an Ireland win against Russia

• “Dean Richards, a fine centre-half who distinguished himself with Wolves, Spurs and other clubs before being forced into premature retirement for health reasons, died on Saturday morning at the age of 36.”

  The Guardian: Six Nations 2011: Jonny Wilkinson is still a real hero for England | Richard Williams

• “One potential target, the Germany international centre-half Per Mertesacker, has committed his future to Werder Bremen despite interest from Arsenal and Paris St Germain.”

  The Guardian: Arsenal ready to cup-tie Samir Nasri for Champions League at Udinese

• “The striker could be joined at Anfield by Coates, the 20-year-old centre-half who was named best young player at this summer's Copa América where his performances for the tournament winners Uruguay – in the same team as Liverpool's Luis Suárez – increased interest from several Premier League clubs.”

  The Guardian: Liverpool plan shock return for Craig Bellamy and eye Sebastián Coates

• “By the same token Darren Fletcher sat so deep that he could have been applying for the post of centre-half.”

  The Guardian: Manchester United's caution pays off in win at Everton

• “Similarly, with Alex having failed to convince and David Luiz prone to meander upfield, the management might seek to add more steel to the ranks at centre-half in January – or at least players who are more familiar to the demands now being placed on them.”

  The Guardian: Chelsea on message but André Villas-Boas needs to work on method

• “No player in the league has made more defensive blocks than the 25-year-old centre-half, who can have only enhanced his England prospects here.”

  The Guardian: Manchester United lose killer instinct while Dimitar Berbatov waits

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