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Monday Kickoff: Dempsey delays decision, Balotelli warned and more

Clint Dempsey 9 (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey is in no rush to make a decision over his future.

Fresh off a two-goal performance that raised his season total to 21 goals, Dempsey told reporters he will wait until the summer to decide on whether to accept a new deal from Fulham or not. Dempsey has one year left on his current contract, but he is attracting interest from bigger clubs with his goal-scoring ways.

The U.S. national team star has made no secret in the past of his desire to play for a team that participates in the Champions League, but he has also been openly fond of his time with the Cottagers.

Here are more stories to help get your Monday going:

MANCINI SAYS BALOTELLI'S FUTURE IN JEOPARDY

If you are to believe Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini, then Mario Balotelli may have played his last game for the club. Following City's 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday in which Balotelli was sent off late, Mancini told reporters that Balotelli will not play in any of the remaining six games this season and that the troubled striker is a risky player that continues to lose his quality. Balotelli's performance versus Arsenal was full of reckless challenges, including a studs-up, first-half tackle on Alex Song that did not warrant any punishment from the match official.

AMERICA TOPS CHIVAS IN MEXICAN SUPERCLASICO

Chivas de Guadalajara's chances of making the Mexican playoffs took a big hit on Sunday, as Club America defeated them in the Superclasico played in Guadalajara on Sunday. After 86 scoreless minutes, Paul Aguilar netted the winner when he controlled a pass and fired a shot from the right side of the penalty area that tucked inside the far post (and he followed it up with one of the weirdest dance celebrations you'll see.). The win now puts America on the brink of advancing to the playoffs.

BULGARIA NATIONAL TEAM DOCTOR BELIEVES CHERNOBYL GAVE PETROV ILLNESS

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, and his national team doctor believes the illness is a result of the disaster in Chernobyl. According to Bulgarian national team doctor Mihail Iliev, Petrov was affected by the toxins that came from the exploding Ukranian energy plant in 1986 when the Aston Villa captain was six-years-old. There is no history of this illness in Petrov's family.

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Hoping Dempsey stays at Fulham or moves to greener pastures? If you were a coach, would you take a chance on Balotelli? Ready to start practicing Aguilar's dance move?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. In theory, you have a solid argument and I agree there is always a risk when changing the teams. However, in reality, Fulham does not build their offense around Dempsey. Your assumption that Fulham just tries to get the ball to the MAN is incorrect – they play a balanced game. Dempsey is just one of the guys there (except he has higher quality), working his tails off defensively and doing all the small things, which makes his scoring achievements even more remarkable. It’s time for him to move to a stronger club to see what he can do more at a higher level such as Champions league. Of course, he’ll need to be careful in selecting the club. By the way, after scoring against Chelsea, he is in the 4th place among EPL scorers, behind only Van Persie, Rooney and Aguero. Things like this do get noticed and he’ll get plenty of interest this summer.

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