WF Quotes of the Week: Sol Campbell, England's Captain That Never Was

This week saw a double bout of domestic games punctuated by another batch of Champions League matches.

Away from the action, there was a flurry of international selections as well as the aftermath of the Euro 2016 qualifying draw.

With such a crammed week on the world football schedule, several individuals found their quotes plastered all over the headlines.

Alan Pardew and Sol Campbell lead the way in this week's look back at the best quotes of the past seven days.

Campbell: 'If I Was White I Would've Been England Captain for 10 Years'

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Sol Campbell grabbed the headlines over the weekend with quotes taken from a new authorised biography, serialised in The Sunday Times (subscription required). 

The former Arsenal defender accused the FA of being "institutionally racist" for never appointing him as captain.

His comments include the following:

"

I believe if I was white I would've been England captain for more than 10 years. It's as simple as that. I think the FA wished I was white.

I had the credibility, performance-wise, to be captain. I was consistently in the heart of the defence and I was a club captain early on in my career.

I don't think [the attitude] will change because they don't want it to, and probably the majority of them don't want it, either.

It's all right to have black captains and mixed-race in the under-18s and under-21s, but not for the full national side.

There is a ceiling and although no one has ever said it, I believe it's made of glass.

"

The defender's remarks have caused quite a stir in the media and have been published in most outlets over the weekend.

There's nothing to suggest Campbell wouldn't have made an excellent captain but most of his England career was served under the leadership of David Beckham and John Terry.

Picking either above Campbell is hardly the most controversial call.

Pardew: 'I Tried to Push Him Away with My Head'

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Premier League stories centred on Alan Pardew's extraordinary actions during Newcastle's win over Hull City.

The Magpies' manager was so incensed after a collision with David Meyler that he headbutted the Tigers' midfielder, before being promptly sent to the stands. 

His post-match interview was essential viewing. He apologised profusely, although amusingly denied it was a headbutt, as covered by BBC Sport:

"

I did not mean any damage to the guy but I have moved my head forward. I tried to push him away with my head.

I apologise to everyone. I should not have got involved in it. I don't think it was a headbutt. It wasn't a motion that was quick.

"

Newcastle have since issued a formal warning to their manager and fined him £100,000.

Taarabt: 'I Want to Become the Messi of Milan'

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Never one to play down his ability on a football pitch, Adel Taarabt has declared his intention to become "the Messi of Milan."

The on-loan midfielder revealed his ambition to La Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by The Daily Mail's John Drayton:

"

I am not surprised with my performances at Milan so far. I know what I can do and I feel like an important player at Milan.

I want to become the Messi of Milan. Players like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are an inspiration. I am not at their level yet, but it's my objective to get there.

I still have to prove myself, but I believe in my own qualities.

When Milan signed me, I told myself that I have to grab this opportunity with both hands.

I have already thrown away four years and cannot afford to waste any more time.

"

What adds to his modest views is the fact he's still owned by QPR yet willing to describe his past four years as "thrown away."

Halilovic: 'Now Is Time to Move on to Barcelona'

Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

Away from the more amusing, radical comments, one of Europe's best prospects informed the world of his transfer to Barcelona this week.

Dinamo Zagreb's Alen Halilovic wrote the following on his Instagram account, as covered by the Mail Online's Rik Sharma:

"

Thanks Dinamo Zagreb for everything!! My first club and biggest love!! Now is time to move on to Barcelona.

"

Any transfer by one of Europe's major powers is newsworthy. The young Croatian will move to the Nou Camp in the summer, initially starting in the B team.

Mourinho: 'I Didn't Say a Word'

Uncredited/Associated Press

Jose Mourinho was so disgusted with his side's first-half showing against Fulham that he didn't say a word to his team at the interval.

The Guardian's Dominic Fifield reveals the Special One's take on his team-talk:

"

I didn't say a word at half-time, I was silent. Normally I give them two or three minutes, for them to clean or change boots or shirts, and then after that they know I'll start talking.

They were there, ready for me, but I was not ready for them. I decided not to speak because, if I started to speak about the first half, I'd need more than the 10 minutes of half-time. I was so disappointed.

That was the first time I've done that, at Chelsea for sure, and also perhaps in my career.

But I haven't had many first halves like this one. It was very bad, so I decided not to speak and went outside, did nothing, just waited for the second half.

The players showed they were very intelligent. Without words, they understood the first half was really poor and they transformed it into a fantastic second half.

"

It seems the Premier League's master of mind games has once again found a way of coaxing a win from his squad.

Van Persie: 'My Team-Mates Are Often in the Area Where I Want to Play'

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Robin van Persie added to the drama at Old Trafford by seemingly voicing discontent towards David Moyes' tactics.

Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, as reported by The Telegraph, the striker reflected on United's defeat to Olympiakos:

"

It was quite difficult because my team-mates are often in the area where I want to play. 

That's why I have to change my tactics. Unfortunately, they are often in my area.

It was much too slow today and we only had one shot on target in the whole match against Olympiakos, which is far too little. 

Everyone is very disappointed.

"

Van Persie has reportedly denied the comments were a dig at his team-mates but has added to a difficult week at Old Trafford.

Keane: 'Privately David Moyes Will Be Shocked at the Quality He Is Working With'

Getty Images/Getty Images

Roy Keane provided a typically fiery take on Manchester United's loss to Olympiakos, branding the performance as "flat."

The former United captain also provided interesting views on the Premier League, as reported by The Telegraph's Mark Ogden:

"

Nobody predicted that. Criticise United all you want but Olympiakos were good, they were on the front foot and technically better.

There is a lack of confidence and there are some players who just don’t have the quality. 

We've been brainwashed that the Premier League is the best in the world—nonsense.

It’s the best brand in the world but they have fallen behind, United more than most. They need six or seven players to rebuild the club. 

Privately David Moyes will be shocked at the quality he is working with.

"

Given English clubs' current struggles in Europe, Keane's views on the Premier League seem especially accurate at present.

Klopp: 'This Guy Has Never Seen a Champions League Match in His Life'

To finish on a lighter note, here's a look at Jurgen Klopp's amusing exchange ahead of his side's tie with Zenit St Petersburg.

The Borussia Dortmund manager toyed with a Russian translator who struggled to convey his words to the press.

As the above video shows, via CaughtOffside.com, Klopp finished by saying: 

"

I hope even half of the stuff I talk arrives to you in an understandable way.

Obviously this guy has never seen a Champions League match in his life.

"

To which the translator added, “Well, you're right!”