Ashley Cole signs new Chelsea contract
September 2, 2009
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League club on Wednesday.
Cole is the second Chelsea star to commit his future to Carlo Ancelotti’s team recently after captain John Terry put pen to paper on an improved five-year deal on Monday.
England star Cole joined the Blues in a controversial move from London rivals Arsenal in 2006 and remains arguably the best full-back in the Premier League.
He has won the FA Cup twice and the League Cup once with Chelsea, as well as reaching the 2008 Champions League final.
“Chelsea FC is delighted to confirm that Ashley Cole has signed a new four-year contract,” a statement on Chelsea’s website confirmed.
LONDON (AFP)
Related posts
Pragmatic Ranieri vows to jolt Roma into action
September 2, 2009
New AS Roma coach Claudio Ranieri on Wednesday vowed to ditch the club’s attractive style of play for a more results-based system.
Ranieri was speaking at his official unveiling after replacing Luciano Spalletti, who resigned from his post on Tuesday.
Roma, who were known for their expansive and attractive style of play under Spalletti, lost their opening two matches of the season and Ranieri insists he will focus on winning games rather than weaving pretty patterns.
“Spalletti’s Roma had a sparkling style of play, my philosophy is a little different,” said the former Juventus and Chelsea coach.
“I will bring my pragmatism to the team. This team needs a jolt because it’s a team that needs to react straight away.
“Maybe the players have lost a bit of conviction. Over the last four years this team did some great things playing some of the most attractive football in Europe.
“As a Roman I was proud to watch them play. And I can tell you I’m going home with a great desire to do well.”
Ranieri is a local who used to stand on the terraces to watch Roma before beginning his playing career with the club in 1973.
Spalletti, 50, joined the club in 2005 from Udinese. His contract was due to expire in 2011.
He initially enjoyed success at the Stadio Olimpico, taking the side to second-placed league finishes in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and back-to-back triumphs in the Italian Cup in 2007 and 2008.
Roma also made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2007 and 2008, but they never recovered from a terrible start to last season and finished the campaign in a disappointing sixth place.
He favoured a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that earned many plaudits but broke down last season.
Ranieri admitted he is not sure what system he will use but said the team most needs to tighten up at the back.
“I don’t have any particular favourite (system), during my career I’ve often changed tactics,” said the coach known as the ‘Tinkerman’ during his Chelsea days.
“But one thing’s for sure, we need to concede fewer goals.”
Roma’s backline has been breached six times in two games already this season.
Ranieri, who was fired by Juventus two games before the end of last season after two years at the helm, said the team needs to get its confidence back.
“Fifteen months ago this team were a half hour away from winning the title. Roma have only lost confidence in themselves.
“A year ago this team was motivated and happy and believed in its project and we have to get back that conviction and strength.”
ROME (AFP)
Related posts
Alonso´s Liverpool departure planned for 12 months
September 2, 2009
Real Madrid midfielder Xavi Alonso has admitted he planned to quit Liverpool from the moment Anfield boss Rafa Benitez tried to sell him last year.
Benitez had wanted to off-load Alonso to Juventus in July 2008 to raise money to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.
Alonso was disappointed to hear that Benitez was willing to let him go and resolved to leave when the right opportunity arose.
That finally happened when he joined Real for 30 million pounds (38 million euros) in August after revealing to Benitez that he wanted to leave the Premier League club.
“It was a very difficult decision for me to make,” he told Sky Sports News. “After five years I have experienced wonderful nights at Anfield, to have experienced the support of probably the best fans in the world.
“That’s why I have always been very grateful and I will always have them in my mind and it has been a pleasure.
“Last year the club proposed me that I might have to be sold to find funds for new players.
“It was a difficult decision or difficult moment to accept that. I accepted that as a professional and that moment probably changed my mind and I thought that maybe from that moment that maybe it was time for a change.”
Alonso has since admitted that his relationship with Benitez deteriorated when he demanded to leave but the Spanish international reveals that their relationship was always a professional one.
“There has been a lot of rumours but I have always said that it has been simply a professional relationship,” he said.
“I have always tried to do what he asked to do. What he asked of me on the pitch to do the talking on the pitch and that’s that as far as that.”
LONDON (AFP)
Related posts
No World Cup role for ´Klinsi´, insists Bierhoff
September 2, 2009
Ex-coach Jurgen Klinsmann is still a source of advice for the German team, but manager Oliver Bierhoff on Wednesday downplayed speculation ‘Klinsi’ is set for an official role at the next World Cup.
With Germany set to face 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa in Leverkusen on Saturday, team manager Bierhoff said Klinsmann still has regular contact with the national team and head coach Joachim Loew.
Germany are top of Group Four and set to guarantee themselves a place at next summer’s World Cup if they beat Azerbaijan in Hanover on September 9 and then group-rivals Russia in Moscow on October 10.
But while Bierhoff says Klinsmann’s opinion is still highly regarded, the team manager brushed off any speculation the former national coach could be involved again in an official capacity.
“We still have very, very close links with Jurgen. We are always pleased to hear his views and use his footballing experience,” revealed Bierhoff.
“Jurgen is not tied to any club at the moment and therefore he can judge things more objectively.
“Just like in previous times, he is still an important contact and someone for us to bounce ideas off.
“(But any speculation) is a dead duck. We will have no official co-operation with Jurgen Klinsmann.
“We don’t think there is a way of merging him with the national team or giving him a coaching role.”
Klinsmann was head coach of the Germany team in 2006 with current trainer Joachim Loew as his assistant and Bierhoff as team manager when the side finished third.
And German Football Federation (DFB) president Theo Zwanziger also put the brakes on any speculation Klinsmann could return in an official role.
“The opinion of Jurgen Klinsmann was and still is important to us,” said Zwanziger.
“He showed he is able to forge and motivate a successful side and he is still highly appreciated here by the DFB.
“But Joachim Loew is the coach of the national side and he is the boss.
“The coach of the national team does not need an advisor.”
Klinsmann has recently moved his family back from the United States to Munich with his children set to start the new school year this month.
The 45-year-old was sacked as Bayern Munich coach in April after a poor run of results in his first role as a domestic coach after just ten months in charge of the German giants.
BERLIN (AFP)
Related posts
Dunne deal for Aston Villa
September 2, 2009
Aston Villa finally completed the signing of Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City on Wednesday.
Villa were unable to announce the Dunne deal before the transfer window closed on Tuesday as the Premier League asked for more time to ratify the paperwork which only came through at the last minute.
But Martin O’Neill’s team were always confident Dunne would become their player after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
The Football Association were also satisfied with the documents presented by Villa and Premier League on Wedneday allowed the deal to go through after the window shut.
“City said farewell to one of the club?s most resolute and enduring defenders in Republic of Ireland star Richard Dunne, who has signed for Aston Villa,” a statement on Manchester City’s website confirmed.
“The player’s departure, confirmed on Wednesday after the Football Association checked the paperwork, signals the end of an era and Richard goes to the Midlands with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone at Manchester City.”
Dunne, who cost Villa a reported six million pound (6.8 million euros) becomes O’Neill’s second defensive signing after Wales international James Collins signed from West Ham for five million pounds (5.8 million euros) on Tuesday.
O’Neill had been desperate to bolster his back four after skipper Martin Laursen retired and Zat Knight was sold to Bolton.
Dunne’s nine-year stay at City was in doubt after the club signed Kolo Toure from Arsenal and then Joleon Lescott from Everton.
“It would have been difficult for Dunney to stay given his standing at the club and I understand that,” City boss Mark Hughes said.
“I wasn’t going to stand in his way. I could have tried to stop him going and said I wanted him as a squad player but out of respect for what he has done for City I wasn’t going to do that.”
BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)
Related posts
Danielle Bux & Gary Lineker Marry in Secret Wedding
September 2, 2009
This is not what we were expecting at all, but it seems Danielle Bux and Gary Lineker have tied the knot in a small ceremony costing just £400.
According to The Daily Mail the couple had just two witnesses at the ceremony in Italy.
And the intimate wedding took place at the town hall in Ravello, on Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast.
Danielle and hubby Gary are apparently planning a big party for family and friends to celebrate their nuptials.
This is not the sort of wedding I was expecting from the lavish couple, we like their style though, shows they really care for each other.
Congrats to the happy couple!
Related posts
Is Eduardo’s two-match ban too harsh?
September 2, 2009
UEFA’s decision to hand Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva a two-match ban for diving has infuriated the Croatian media, many fans and national team coach Slaven Bilic.
“It is a shameful decision, especially in view of the fact that Eduardo personifies everything that’s decent in professional sport,” Bilic told Zagreb daily Vecernji List after learning the verdict.
Fans and media have gone to even greater length in defending the Brazilian-born Croatia striker, who has won the hearts and sympathy of his adopted country after recovering from a horrific leg break he suffered in Arsenal’s Premier League match at Birmingham in February 2008.
The sense of injustice in Croatia wasn’t helped by last weekend’s injury suffered by Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric, who faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a league match with Birmingham (again).
Croatia’s leading sports website, www.sportnet.hr, had harsh words.
“Eduardo has been punished in a most detestable manner, supposedly so that justice is done, while justice was deaf, dumb and blind only 18 months earlier when he was in bed with his ankle shattered and his career hanging by a thread,” the website said.
Is Eduardo a victim of double standards, or simply his own ill-judged decision to go down rather easily after minimum or no contact with the goalkeeper?
PHOTO: Croatia manager Slaven Bilic speaks with Luka Modric (L) and Eduardo Da Silva (R) during a training session at Poljud stadium in Split, February 5, 2008. Reuters stringer photo.
Related posts
No Ribery deal with Real, insists Bayern boss
September 2, 2009
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted Wednesday there is no deal with Spanish giants Real Madrid to sign French midfielder Franck Ribery for next season.
Throughout the summer, transfer speculation constantly linked the 26-year-old Ribery to a multi-million euros switch to Real and, as the transfer window closed on Monday, Rummenigge says no agreement is in place for the future.
“We do not have an agreement to sell Franck for next season to Real Madrid – that is a fact,” Rummenigge told the Munich newspaper AZ despite claims in the German media a deal has been arranged for next summer.
Relations became strained between the two European super clubs during the summer while the Ribery saga rumbled on, but Rummenigge insists the signing of Arjen Robben from Real last week improved relations between the sides.
“Real were very helpful and supported us a lot. Our relationship is once again very relaxed and friendly,” Rummenigge said.
Ribery came off the bench last Saturday to set up Robben for both of his second-half goals, but relations between him and Bayern are becoming increasingly strained.
On Tuesday, Ribery said he has yet to forge any kind of personal relationship with Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, who took over in July.
Ribery said he much preferred former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and has made no secret of his desire to leave the German giants.
“It’s the first time that I haven’t really felt close to a coach. There’s not much feeling between us at all,” Ribery told L’Equipe.
He added in France football: “Our relationship is professional. It was totally different with Ottmar Hitzfeld, for example. He was a real joy to work with and the best coach I’ve known at Bayern.”
Hitzfeld departed Bayern in May 2008 after helping the Bavarian side to the league and Cup double, but his replacement Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked after just ten months in charge following some poor results.
Van Gaal arrived in July and picked up his first league win in charge when defending champions Wolfsburg were routed 3-0 on Saturday a match in which Ribery made his first significant contribution of the new season.
BERLIN (AFP)
Related posts
Premier League spending drops as clubs tighten belts
September 2, 2009
Premier League clubs’ spending on new players dropped by 10 percent to 450 million pounds (511 million pounds) during the close-season transfer window which shut on Tuesday.
Even Manchester City’s 120 million pounds (136 million euros) spree failed to see the top flight match the record sum of 500 million pounds (568 million euros) spent a year ago.
Football finance experts believe the high rate of the euro and 50 percent tax rate for the very high-earners has contributed to the drop, particularly in terms of players coming from the continent.
Paul Rawnsley, director of Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said the figures were no surprise – and net spending has dropped from 200 million pounds (227 million euros) to 80 million pounds (90 million euros) as clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool resisted spending all their earnings from transfer income from Cristiano Ronaldo, Emmanuel Adebayor and Xabi Alonso.
Rawnsley said: “Despite the significant spending by Manchester City, Premier League clubs’ transfer spending has dropped.
“There are a number of contributory factors – the exchange rate, the tax regime in Spain being more favourable to players and clubs, and perhaps clubs thinking there is less of a risk in buying established Premier League players than from overseas.”
Rawnsley does not expect the picture to alter next year either even if, as expected, the top flight benefits from a big rise in the value of overseas TV rights.
He added: “Economic conditions may improve in 2010 and the Premier League is expected to secure enhanced values for international media rights generating higher revenue for Premier League clubs.
“However, without further significant capital injections from owners, transfer spending is unlikely to exceed the record level achieved in 2008.”
Deloitte’s analysis shows Manchester City’s spending has been around 120 million pounds (136 million euros) representing 27 percent of the total spent, while Aston Villa, Liverpool, Sunderland and Tottenham have each spent more than 25 million pounds (28 million euros) on new players.
Rawnsley said the necessity of the owners of Manchester United and Liverpool to make big interest payments on loans taken out to buy the club have also had an impact.
He said: “Having to pay interest can have a bearing on transfer budgets but that is not necessarily why United have spent more of the Ronaldo money.
“Some clubs may well have felt that thanks to the spending of Real Madrid and others such as Manchester City the transfer market has been too inflated.”
LONDON (AFP)
Related posts
Carragher unconcerned by Liverpool´s slow start
September 2, 2009
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists his side’s slow start to the season won’t affect their Premier League title challenge.
Rafael Benitez’s team lost two of their opening three league games and only narrowly claimed a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Bolton on Saturday.
But Carragher, 31, believes that hard-fought success at the Reebok Stadium typifies the team’s character.
The Reds made a habit of recovering going a goal down to win last season and Carragher expects more of the same this year.
“We have taken a bit of criticism and rightly so, because we haven’t made the best of starts,” Carragher told The Sun.
“But no-one can ever write us off. Ourselves and Manchester United, not just in this league but probably anywhere in the world, are the best at coming back from deficits and winning games.
“At Bolton, the lads showed what great character we have. It was so important to get those three points, especially with the international break coming up.”
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
Related posts
Calendar
Related Sites
- AFP
- e-soccertips
- Free Themes All - Blogger, Wordpress, Joomla themes
- Soccer Results
- soccerway
- WAGS
- WAGS Blog
Categories
- 1 League
- A PFG
- A-League
- African
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Brasil
- Bundesliga
- CAF Champions League
- Club Friendlies
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup
- Cup
- English Championship
- English Premier League
- Eredivisie
- European Championships
- FA Cup
- FIFA
- Franch
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Jupiler League
- LA Liga
- LigaBwin
- Ligue 1
- MLS
- netherlands
- Olympics
- Olympics Women
- Photo
- portugal
- premier league
- Primera Division
- Rusia Premier League
- scotland
- Scottish Premier League
- Serie A
- Super Copa
- Super League
- Sweden
- Turkcell Süper Lig
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Cup
- Umaglesi Liga
- Uncategorized
- United States
- Video
- Vietnam
- Wag Watch
- WAGS
- WC Qualifying Asia
- WC Qualifying Concacaf
- WC Qualifying Europe
- WC Qualifying South-Africa
- WC Qualifying South-America
- World Cup
