Archive for July, 2008

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Scholes: “My days at Old Trafford are limited”

July 29th, 2008

Manchester United’s 33 year old star, Paul Scholes, is almost sure of terminating his relation with the club in another 2 years. Scholes has been a part of the club for his entire career and has never played for other clubs, even on getting better opportunities.

Paul Scholes has been a very important player for the team and Sir Alex Fergusson’s recipe of success in different tournaments always had Scholes as the main ingredient. Losing Scholes would be a huge setback for the club.

Scholes in an interview, today, said that he hopes to continue for a maximum of two more years at Old Trafford. He was confident of getting an extension of his contract too, as his present one ends at the end of this season.

According to him, he would be given a fresh contract, but he would only decide after deciding on his health and form. Scholes feels that his health and form should assure him two more years of quality football for the Current English and UEFA Champions.

On being asked about his future once he quits the Old Trafford Club, he said that he was open to many options. Playing for clubs of lower rank, so that he can increase his playing career for a few more years was one of the opportunities he was looking up to. He also seemed open to the coaching option.

Scholes stated that he was in no hurry to finish his career at Old Trafford, but wanted to finish the same in a proper manner. He added that after retiring from the game, he would miss the game and not the life of a footballer.

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Liverpool signs teenage striker Ngog

July 29th, 2008

Liverpool has signed 19 year old David Ngog from Paris st Germain with a four year contract. He is expected to go straight into their first squad.

The striker had a ‘not-so-good’ season at PSG, where he failed to impress with only one goal in 18 matches, and the club barely managing to avoid relegation and maintain their Ligue 1 status.

According to some, he is too unknown a player to be signed by such a team, but the question that has fueled all sorts of uncertainties is whether or not he will be able to show the cold blooded instinct required to score goals at the biggest league in the world.

On the other hand, the striker’s age underlines the fact that he still has a lot to learn and a lot to grow as a player, which cannot be provided well than a club like Liverpool provided the man in question has the focus to learn and grow. David is the cousin of Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Other additions to Anfield this season include Swiss right back Philipp Degen, Italian left back Andrea Dossena and Brazilian goalie Diego Cavalieri.

While Ngog is considered to be a replacement for striker Peter Crouch, who has left for Portsmouth, Dossena is a direct replacement for John Risse, who has gone to Roma. Twenty five year old goalkeeper Cavalieri has been bought as an understudy under Pepe Reina.

All that Liverpool have gone after in this transfer season seems to be depth and not quality, which of course, means that the results will surface with time.

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Posted in Liverpool, Premier League

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‘Pre-season’ mind games begin in Barclaycard Premier League!

July 25th, 2008

Even before the beginning of the Barclays Premier League 2008-09, the mind games have begun with Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, attacking London club, Chelsea. Stanford Bridge side was the only one that made life difficult for Manchester United in the previous season in all leagues.

He has straightaway said that the new manager, the world cup winning Brazilian coach Luiz Philipe Scolari, has no chance in bringing the level of success to Chelsea that was brought by previous coach Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed last November, much to the disappointment of many players, including striker Didier Drogba.

Ferguson has pointed that Chelsea have several players, who are at the wrong side of 30 years of age. In his opinion, due to the modern day fitness techniques, it is not a problem for older players to play but it is difficult to witness any ‘outstanding progress’ from an aging side.

However, he seemed kinder to other rivals, Arsenal and Liverpool, whom he expected to see in the top four this season.

United, who are right now on a pre season tour to South Africa, today defeated Orlando Pirates 1-0. Now, the Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs will play in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, and the winner will get another match with The Red Devils.

This match was special for center midfield Lee Martin, who scored the winner for the Red Devils. Goalkeeper Ben Foster’s spirited performance today made Ferguson to say that he could even be England’s first choice goalie for years to come.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Man U, Premier League

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Rumors are Kaka’s source of inspiration

July 25th, 2008

AC Milan’s 26 year old star, Kaka is not worried about speculations regarding his future. Of late, he has been linked with a change to Chelsea football club. However, the Brazilian playmaker seems to be home at AC Milan.

According to several club officials, Kaka, who is one of the most important members of the San Siro club, is not at all angry over the various rumors relating his move.

According to few close sources of Kaka, he is using those rumors for motivation, as he considers them to be positive signs about his game play giving him inspiration to improve his game even more.

Ronaldinho, who has recently moved to AC Milan from Barcelona, would improve clubs dominance in various tournaments. The Milan fans can be rest assured of an exciting prospect of watching the two Brazilian teammates at San Siro.

According to Ancelotti with Ronaldinho’s arrival, the Milan camp has started brimming with energy and has become very enthusiastic. The club officials are looking forward for a great display of football from both Ronaldinho and Kaka upfront. They are also confident that both the players would benefit from each others game that would help the club in getting success.

Kaka, who recently underwent a knee operation, has recovered well from the operation. He has even started pre-season training quite a few days back, as he will not be competing for Brazil at the Olympics.

According to Ancelotti, Kaka is training with the group and looks perfectly recovered from the operation that took place in the end of last season.

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Posted in AC Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Premier League

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White Hart Lane waits for the verdict as the Premiership Season draws closer

July 25th, 2008

Things at London club Tottenham Hotspur have took the club to a stand still about what the near future holds for them and some of the other Premiership’s clubs.

Starting with the transfer speculation about their strikers Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, their ‘official’ complaint to the Barclays Premier League last week, and a possible transfer of Anderi Arshavin from Russian Champions Zenit St. Petersburg, everything at White Hart Lane seems to have stood still for the time being.

Starting with the two strikers, Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy has made it clear that they are not willing to sell either Keane or Berbatov. Talking of the fuss that was created last week by a statement from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Levy said that the club is waiting eagerly to see the verdict in response of their complaint.

The club is also reportedly angered by Liverpool F.C. after they were prey to several comments by Manager Rafael Benitez.

Whatever the decisions may say, Spurs manager Juande Ramos has made it clear that both his lead strikers are unsettled and that they are currently willing to leave White Hart Lane.

Talking of Anderi Arshavin, the Russian playmaker is expected by Zenit to bring home at least US $ 44 million. However, Spurs might bid a lot lower, according to Zenit sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya, who confirmed that he was in regular contact with them.

Rumour has it that Arshavin said in the start of the season that he would prefer Barcelona over any other club, a move which seems next to impossible in the present set of circumstances.

If it goes according to manager Ramos, we may see a new Spurs squad and two punished Premier League clubs, who are currently accusing Tottenham of being arrogant and hypocritical!

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Posted in Premier League, Tottenham

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Ferguson: Ron move to Bernbeau might work against him

July 25th, 2008

July 22 2008. One thing that has been recently topping the news in the world of football is the rumor, which stated that Christiano Ronaldo desiring to leave Manchester United for joining the Spanish giants Real Madrid. There have even been reports of a possible spat between the young Portuguese player and Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United.

Ronaldo, who had a wonderful stint with the club last season with a tally of 42 goals, has been conveying his desires of moving to Bernabeu. The 23-year old winger is considered to be an asset for the Old Trafford Club and hence, the Scot has shown his desires to keep the player with the club.

When enquired about his views on the rumor, Sir Alex said that he always has wished success for the player. The coach said that he looked upon all his players, as his sons and it was the reason for his concern for any wrong decision about their career. According to him, Ronaldo’s future was most bright with his current club rather any other.

While speaking to reporters, Manchester United Manager revealed that Ronaldo had signed a five year contract with Manchester United last year and has still to play for another four years till he can opt for renegotiations.

With this entire debacle going around him, Ronaldo is currently resting for three months after having undergone an ankle operation.

After the Saturday’s draw against the Kaizer Chiefs, Ferguson is expecting another testing encounter in the ongoing Vodacom Challenge against the Pirates, who they last played 2 years ago.

The coach is happy with the current lot at the club. With all the players playing as a single unit and Ronaldo’s fiasco almost in his favor, the Scot might have another wonderful season ahead.

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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‘More’ is what Wenger wants from Walcott

July 24th, 2008

Arsene Wenger, the manager of the Arsenal Football club, has made it clear that the team desires more from striker Theo Walcott. Walcott is believed to be of very high potential and his skills are believed to be at par with the best footballers of the world.

Arsene Wenger was quoted saying that he would like to see Walcott more in the starting line-up of Arsenal. According to Arsenal manager, the player, who has been very impressive with his football for the past 2 years of his career with The Gunners, should improve for giving the club chance in this year’s title race.

Wenger also agreed upon the fact that Walcott was improving consistently. His last season performance was better than the previous one.

Arsenal plans to use the player to the utmost limit this season, as he is improving each day and is only 19.

The coach said that Arsenal is looking for a player, who can support Walcott’s game as he generally makes his own run. So, they are looking for the right combination for the team upfront.

According to Wenger, Walcott, whose target was to represent Arsenal in about 15 matches last season, should try to be a regular in the line-up.

When asked about Walcott’s chances to make a cut in the English national side, the manager was very hopeful and said with age on his side, he can improve. He told the reporters that he would like to see the young player’s game improve each day. This would not only help the London Club, but also help the player to see himself in the national colors one day.

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Posted in Arsenal, General

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Kaka move to Chelsea gets thumbs down

July 24th, 2008

AC Milan has finally sealed all the news regarding a Kaka transfer, at least for now. The club was reportedly offered a huge amount of money by Chelsea. However, they have refused, bringing all the speculation and wild guesswork to an end.

Looking at the condition Chelsea are already in, this try to get Kaka is no more than another ‘business minded’ plan by the Russian owner Roman Abramovich, since the club has already three attacking midfielders in Englishman Frank Lampard, German Michael Ballack and the newly acquired Brazil-born Portuguese international Deco.

However, this may seem to be a great investment for the ‘not-so-near’ future, since both Lampard and Ballack have said that they are in no great hurry to sign contract extensions at Stamford Bridge. With their contracts left for only a year each, it can be a dangerous position for the Blues.

Chelsea, during this transfer season lost some key players in Hernan Crespo and Mekalele, and potentially good youngster Steve Sidwell.

Still, according to executive Peter Kenyon, the London Club is not interested in pursuing this deal as they know the Italian side is not interested.

In an English transfer season which seems to be plagued by ‘refusals’ rather than transfers and ‘complaints’ by managers for conduct, which they too are later accused of, it is not a rare thing to see. Much of the transfers are hyped more than required, just to be refused in the coming days.

Whether or not this seemingly cancelled deal is bagged by Chelsea, they have a great side and seem to be in great shape in their pre-season in China. Premiership teams – Beware!

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, General

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Ronaldo thinks it’s normal to be hunted by clubs

July 21st, 2008

Christiano Ronaldo, the Winger from Portugal who has been in the news during this transfer period has said that it is normal for him to be hunted by clubs with lucrative offers. He felt that all great players continuously keep on getting offers from clubs, other then for whom they play.

The midfielder, often called ‘twinkle toes’, thanks to his dribbling skills has said that not only this year, but attempts to make him join various clubs have been done all the time. He added that he cannot say anything about the present condition, only God can.

Ronaldo is currently on a holiday to Los Angeles, since his surgically repaired ankle will take at least three months to be fully fit.

Talking of things at Manchester United, the club is presently at a pre-season tour of Africa. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is optimistically adamant on keeping Ronaldo in the team and chief executive David Gill has said that the star will not get any pay rise at Old Trafford.

On the other hand, Real Madrid has reportedly offered the winger a very high amount of money, which most sources claim to be ‘hard-to-refuse’!

Considering what effect this transfer saga had on the Devils dressing room, vice-captain Rio Ferdinand has said that surely this has soured the fun of European Double, but the dressing room is still very much in the right spirits and if Ronaldo stays, he will not be a disturbance there and neither be treated differently.

Ronaldo feels that he is recovering very well and all he has to do is to keep improving irrespective of where he stays!

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, General, Man U, Premiership

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AC Milan: Kaka Not for Sale

July 21st, 2008

Brazilian star Kaka, who also represents AC Milan, is said to have received a huge bid for his transfer to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea has had an eye on this 26 year old for quite sometime now and are pressing hard to sign him for this season.

AC Milan’s vice-president though dismissed the talks of any transfer and claimed that Kaka is and will be a part of plans for AC Milan the coming season. Galliani, the vice-president did agree of receiving bids for the playmaker from English clubs, but maintained his stand and assured Milan fans of having Kaka the next season too, as they are not ready for any transfer.

Kaka’s manager claimed that the player himself was looking for a move to the west London club, Chelsea. He claimed that though Milan refused a high bid for Kaka last season from Real Madrid, but this time the transfer to Chelsea may go through, as it might help the club in many ways and the player too.

It would increase Kaka’s salary immensely and would also make him richer by about US$24 Million, which is a part of the transfer fees. Kaka’s manager also stated that the player himself was keen on playing for the team, as the Blues are the team to be in, as they are improving to win everything.

Though sources in his present club dismissed any talks about Kaka’s transfer to any club, they also claimed that the bidding amount has been too huge to resist.

Kaka is the most coveted player for the AC Milan and the player has a contract till 2012-2013, so San Siro Club would hardly let him go.

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Posted in AC Milan, Chelsea FC, Football Transfer Market, General

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