Man City close in on Vieira

January 6, 2010

Manchester City are edging closer to a shock swoop of Internazionale midfielder Patrick Vieira on loan, as Olympique Lyon’s interest wanes in the former Arsenal player.

Vieira, who has made 15 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side this season with most of them from the bench, is expected to move to the City of Manchester Stadium within the next week.

Ligue 1 giants Lyon, along with a host of other top clubs, have been linked with the France international and the club president’s special advisor, Bernard Lacombe, now believes it is unlikely he will return to Ligue 1.

“We’ve talked a lot about Patrick Vieira,” he told RTL.

“We’ve talked again about him with the coach these past few days, we’ve looked at videos, all this. At the moment we’re hesitating a bit.

“He’s an immense player, who we would have wished to have, but it’s a bit troublesome because first of all he can’t play in the Champions League and also we’re not the only one interested in him.

“There are other clubs, big clubs, although of course it’s true he needs to play at a club where he can play regularly in order to go to the World Cup. Also we have (Maxime) Gonalons who is steadily carving out a place for himself and we don’t want to close down his chances either.”

Lacombe revealed that Barcelona are also after Vieira but feels that is an unlikely move for him.

“Vieira could be the leader of our dressing room because he’s played at huge clubs,” continued Lacombe. “Moreover, when you come to the end of your career there’s only one or two great competitions left, there’s the World Cup coming up and Patrick Vieira really wants to play in it.

“So it’s obvious he would do better to come to our club because there are clubs like Barcelona who want to see him because they’re losing Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita (at the African Nations Cup) but what scares Patrick and what we’ve talked about is that these two lads will come back in February or mid-February and he’s scared of then not playing again.”

Jose Mourinho has confirmed the player is set to leave Inter.

When asked about the chance of Vieira staying with his club, Mourinho told a news conference: “Very little. But as long as he is with us, I trust his professionalism.”

Vieira is likely to be called into action at Chievo on Wednesday with Inter’s midfield hit by injuries and suspension while his imminent departure could prompt Inter to seek a replacement in the transfer window, Mourinho added.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would be “surprised” to see Patrick Vieira turn up at City, but has no doubts the former Gunners captain can still do a job in the Premier League.

“I will respect Patrick forever for what he has done and what he has achieved here,” Wenger said. “We have young players in his position and are not in a real need to bring players in this position.

“I was surprised it was Manchester City, because there were more talks about other clubs, but it is a good opportunity for him.

“I believe he will still be very effective in the Premier League because he has been injury free for three or four months and that is what he needed.”

Tags: african nations cup, arsenal player, Barcelona, bernard lacombe, city of manchester stadium, club president, dressing room, France, france international, internazionale, jose mourinho, keita, Lyon, man city, manchester city, Manchester Stadium, midfielder, olympique lyon, Patrick, patrick vieira, premier league, swoop, Toure, unlikely move

PSG: Coupet will return

December 1, 2009

Paris St Germain have insisted Gregory Coupet’s career will not be ended by his broken ankle. The 36-year-old goalkeeper broke his ankle when he wanted to kick a ball during the match against Auxerre (1-0 win), last Saturday. The goalie will be able to resume training within three months

Coupet’s leg buckled underneath him after he caught his studs in the turf while making an 82nd-minute clearance. Afterwards, PSG feared Coupet’s injury might force him to end his career but the former Olympique Lyon keeper thinks he will be able to return to the pitch in March.

“It was quite a clean break and he is predicting a return to the squad,” club president Robin Leproux told L’Equipe. “He will have to rest for six weeks and then begin his rehabilitation. Gregory has a smile on his lips, he knows the sequence that awaits him.”

Leproux also revealed the club will not look to sign a replacement keeper in the January transfer window and described Coupet’s likely deputy, Armenian Apoula Edel, as a “fantastic goalkeeper”. Coach Antoine Kombouare can also call on 34-year-old Willy Grondin, whom he raided former club Valenciennes to sign early in the season and has labelled “the best (goalkeeping) understudy in Ligue 1″.

Paul Haring

Tags: Antoine Kombouare, broken ankle, clean break, club president, edel, Germain, goalkeeper coach, Gregory, gregory coupet, grondin, last saturday, Ligue 1, Lyon, match, olympique lyon, PARIS, paris st germain, Paul Haring, psg, robin leproux, six weeks, studs, three months, understudy, Willy Grondin

Van Gaal faces Bayern axe

November 23, 2009

Louis van Gaal left the field under a chorus of whistles on Sunday. Bayern Munich were held to a draw by league leaders Bayer Leverkusen (1-1), a result that keeps the pressure on Van Gaal.

The Dutch tactician has been in the spotlight following Bayern’s poor form both domestically and in the Champions League, with progress to the knockout stages in severe doubt.

“I have to produce results,” said the Dutchman on Friday. “Because if I don’t, I’ll be fired. We have to win. The club needs success, but so does the coach.”

But Bayern failed to win, keeping their coach under fire. Van Gaal didn’t want to comment on a possible sack. “Our problem is that we saw a team which lacks confidence,” he said after the match against Leverkusen. “And I’m not the one who decides if I will be fired. I only have to focus on the squad.”

Club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that Van Gaal remains at the helm at the Allianz Arena. “We want to try to turn the tide with Van Gaal.”

Sunday’s draw was Bayern’s sixth of the season and the only positive was they moved above Wolfsburg into seventh spot.

Paul Haring

Tags: allianz, allianz arena, axe, bayer leverkusen, bayern munich, champions league, club president, confidence, dutchman, helm, karl heinz, knockout stages, league leaders, louis van gaal, match, spotlight, tactician, tide, whistles, Wolfsburg

Germany goalkeeper Enke commits suicide

November 11, 2009

German international goalkeeper Robert Enke has been killed after he threw himself under a train at a level crossing, police said on Tuesday.

“There has been fatality at a level crossing at Neustadt am Rubenberge,” police spokeswoman Martina Stern told AFP.

“He threw himself under a train and died of his injuries. It was definitely suicide,” she added.

Jorg Neblung, a close friend and advisor to the six-times capped goalkeeper, also confirmed it was suicide.

“I can confirm that it was suicide,” he said.

“Robert took his own life shortly before six o’clock (1700GMT).

“A press conference in Hannover on Wednesday will reveal more details,” he added.

The 32-year-old Germany and Hannover 96 goalkeeper – who leaves a widow and a daughter of eight months who they adopted in May three years after their two-year-old daughter died of a heart illness – had been suffering from an intestinal infection.

He pulled out of the Germany squad two days ahead of their 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Azerbaijan in early September.

However, recently he had professed himself delighted to have returned to training last month.

“It has been a long time, almost a quarter of the season. However, once I resumed training I felt really well,” said Enke, who played his last match for the club in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Hamburg.

His death left those closest to him both personally and professionally in total shock.

“We’re in shock. I don’t know what to say,” said national manager Oliver Bierhoff, who along with national coach Joachim Lowe informed his fellow international team-mates – who are preparing for a friendly with Chile this weekend, of the tragedy.

His club president Martin Kind was left stunned.

“It is a total catastrophe. I am finding it hard to understand,” said Kind.

Later around 300 of the club’s fans and several of his club-mates gathered outside the club’s offices as a mark of respect with some laying down bouquets of flowers and lighting candles.

Enke was understudy to then first-team ‘keeper Jens Lehmann during the 2008 European championships and had been in line to fill his boots before being taken ill in September and October.

During that time his rival Rene Adler increased his chances of taking over the role in the national team who have qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals.

Enke had also at one time been linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich where the former German Under-21 international Michael Rensing had not impressed in his first season between the posts.

However, Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s general manager, had made clear they were not interested in paying the 10million euros transfer fee.

Several people had advised Enke, who had previously had spells at Benfica, Barcelona and Tenerife, to leave Hannover for a more prestigious club and one that was playing in European club competition so he would improve his chances of becoming German number one.

HANOVER, Germany (AFP)

Tags: bouquets, club president, early september, eight months, Goalkeeper, hannover 96, intestinal infection, last match, lighting candles, national coach, o clock, oliver bierhoff, police spokeswoman, president martin, six times

Germany goalkeeper Enke commits suicide

November 11, 2009

German international goalkeeper Robert Enke has been killed after he threw himself under a train at a level crossing, police said on Tuesday.

“There has been fatality at a level crossing at Neustadt am Rubenberge,” police spokeswoman Martina Stern told AFP.

“He threw himself under a train and died of his injuries. It was definitely suicide,” she added.

Jorg Neblung, a close friend and advisor to the six-times capped goalkeeper, also confirmed it was suicide.

“I can confirm that it was suicide,” he said.

“Robert took his own life shortly before six o’clock (1700GMT).

“A press conference in Hannover on Wednesday will reveal more details,” he added.

He pulled out of the Germany squad two days ahead of their 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Azerbaijan in early September.

However, recently he had professed himself delighted to have returned to training last month.

His death left those closest to him both personally and professionally in total shock.

His club president Martin Kind was left stunned.

“It is a total catastrophe. I am finding it hard to understand,” said Kind.

Later around 300 of the club’s fans and several of his club-mates gathered outside the club’s offices as a mark of respect with some laying down bouquets of flowers and lighting candles.

Enke was understudy to then first-team ‘keeper Jens Lehmann during the 2008 European championships and had been in line to fill his boots before being taken ill in September and October.

During that time his rival Rene Adler increased his chances of taking over the role in the national team who have qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals.

However, Uli Hoeness, Bayern’s general manager, had made clear they were not interested in paying the 10million euros transfer fee.

HANOVER, Germany (AFP)

Tags: bouquets, club president, early september, eight months, fatality, germany squad, hannover 96, heart illness, intestinal infection, last match, lighting candles, o clock, oliver bierhoff, police spokeswoman, president martin, robert enke, six times, team mates

Moggi blasts Juve’s transfer policy

November 4, 2009

Former Juventus director took a shot at the club’s recent transfer policy. He also criticised club-president Jean-Claude Blanc for putting pressure on head coach Ciro Ferrara.

Moggi resigned from Juventus in 2006 after his involvement in the Calciopoli scandal emerged. He was banned from football for five years. In the Italian newspaper Libero he discussed the Bianconeri’s transfer policy.

“Marchionni and Zanetti went to reinforce Fiorentina for breadcrumbs.

“Felipe Melo arrived from Florence in exchange for nearly £25 million, a defensive midfielder who, if you look at his career, hasn’t actually won any titles playing in a team that simply has to win in Italy and abroad, where (Christian) Poulsen and (Mohamed) Sissoko already play. What’s the reasoning behind that decision?”

Moggi also questioned the way club-president Blanc treated Juve coach Ferrara. Blanc has hinted that Ferrara’s job was on the line.

“If Blanc wanted to show faith in Ferrara, he didn’t use the right words,” Moggi writes in the Libero newspaper.

“He vented his disappointment at the weakest target: the coach. That’s a familiar method for those who don’t know anything about football.”

Paul Haring

Tags: bianconeri, blasts, calciopoli scandal, Christian, club president, defensive midfielder, disappointment, faith, felipe melo, Florence, head coach, Italy, Jean-Claude, job, juventus, marchionni, moggi, mohamed, Paul Haring, target

Luisao extends Benfica stay

October 27, 2009

Brazilian international defender Anderson Luis da Silva, better known as Luisao, has agreed to extend his contract with Portuguese side Benfica until 2013, the club confirmed on Monday.

The 28-year-old Benfica captain has played at the club since 2003.

“Everything is agreed for Luisao for an additional two years on his contract,” club president Luis Filipe Vieira said.

LISBON (AFP)

Tags: benfica, club president, Lisbon, luis da silva, luis filipe, luisao, president luis, vieira

Luca Toni hints at Bayern exit

October 21, 2009

Unhappy Italy striker Luca Toni has hinted that he may leave Bayern Munich in the January transfer window despite assertions from club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that no strikers will be sold.

Toni has suffered a frustrating start to the season after injured and a spell with the reserves before finally being reintroduced to the first team last week.

In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, he suggested he sees his future away from Bavaria.

“I have had four terrible months, it was clear things weren’t going well with the coach and now I’m delighted to be back playing and to have been complimented by the club,” he said.

“That shows that I’ve worked calmly despite the problems. However I don’t feel like saying I’ll stay in the winter.

“It depends on the situation. Right now I’m just thinking about scoring and then we’ll think about the future.

“But it’s clear that I want to play because this is an important year.”

World Cup winner Toni has not been selected for Italy in recent games and is worried that a prolonged absence from the Bayern team could affect his chances of playing in South Africa next year.

However, should he choose to leave, he may find Rummenigge blocking his path.

“No strikers will be sold in January,” he said. “I’ve never considered letting Toni leave on loan and only on Monday (coach Luis) Van Gaal told me that he was happy with his rehabilitation.”

Toni, who struggled with an achilles tendon injury and missed pre-season training, is fighting for a place against Bayern’s rising star Thomas Mueller, Croatia’s Ivica Olic and Germany strikers Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: achilles tendon, achilles tendon injury, assertions, bavaria, Bayern, bayern munich, club president, croatia, gazzetta dello sport, Germany, Italy, ivica olic, karl heinz, karl heinz rummenigge, klose, luca toni, Luis, mario gomez, miroslav klose, olic, pre season training, recent games, rising star, ROME, South Africa, striker, strikers, thomas mueller, Van Gaal, world cup winner

Real look CR9 dependent as Sevilla heed cry for challengers

October 6, 2009

One swallow does not make a summer, but Sevilla’s bristling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday offers hope that the answer to the question posed in Thursday’s blog is ‘no’.

Three teams can challenge for the La Liga title this year.

Manolo Jimenez’s side inflicted a first defeat on Real with a vibrant, attacking display that was reminiscent of their performances under Juande Ramos when they won back-to-back UEFA Cups.

Sevilla are now level on 15 points with Real, though third due to their inferior goal difference. Barcelona are top with 18 points from six games.

Wingers Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti did the damage at the Sanchez Pizjuan, truly testing Real Madrid’s defence for the first time this season, but it was a strong all-round team performance.

They have strength in depth, are solid at the back and club president Jose Maria del Nido boasts: “the best strike force in Europe” with Frederic Kanoute, Luis Fabiano and Alvaro Negredo. They have now won seven on the trot in all competitions.

Real were without top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo due to an ankle strain, but it was the absence of first choice left back Alvaro Arbeloa that may have been more telling as Navas made a fool of his replacement Marcelo.

Once again, Real lacked fluidity in their play and it was the familiar figure of Iker Casillas who was their outstanding player, pulling off a couple of magnificent saves.

“Real reveal their shortcomings in the first serious test of the year. They have CR9 dependency. They continue to rely excessively on their stars,” Marca wrote on Monday.

Barcelona remain unbeaten after shaking off Almeria 1-0, but the Andalucians made life extremely difficult for them at the Nou Camp with their man-marking of midfield creators Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

“It wasn’t marking, it was an obsession,” Xavi said of Almeria midfielder Chico’s work on Saturday. “All he did was watch me. I felt very important. I told him ‘Why don’t you go and mark Messi?’”

It may not be pretty but it was effective, and as Espanyol and Chelsea showed last year an asphyxiating pressure on the midfield can throw Barca off their game.

“I hope it is a blueprint for a way to play against a team as powerful as Barcelona. I hope they respect my patent,” Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez said.

After six rounds of matches, La Liga could be about to get a bit more interesting with both Real and Barca showing chinks in their armour. Maybe it won’t be the most boring league in Europe after all…

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Kaka (top) falls over Sevilla’s Didier Zokora during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville October 4, 2009. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Source

Tags: Andres Iniesta, ankle strain, arbeloa, Barcelona, Casillas, Chico, club president, Diego Perotti, Europe, fluidity, frederic kanoute, goal difference, Hugo Sanchez, Jesus, jesus navas, Jose Maria, juande ramos, luis fabiano, nou camp, perotti, Ramon Sanchez, real madrid, ronaldo, six games, team performance, top scorer, uefa cups, wingers, xavi

Mutu’s agent calls on Juve support

September 8, 2009

Former Chelsea player Adrian Mutu’s agent believes Turin based giants Juventus should pay a substantial portion of his client’s compensation fine.

The Fiorentina striker has been ordered to pay former employers Chelsea £14.6million by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for breach of contract.

And Mutu has admitted that he is unable to generate such funding by himself and is looking to find a compromise.

With Juve having acquired his services as a free agent following his sacking by Chelsea in 2004, after he tested positive for cocaine, the Romanian is hoping they may agree to carry some of the financial burden.

Mutu’s representative, Giovanni Becali, hopes that will prove to be the case, with his client prepared to reimburse the Blues for the money he earned while in West London.

“I believe Mutu has to give back the money he earned at Chelsea,” Becali told calciomercato.com.

“But the rest should be paid by Juventus, Livorno and the Moggi family (Mutu’s former agent Alessandro Moggi).”

He added: “We will put Juventus and those that are responsible for this situation in a difficult position.

“He has been abandoned by everyone, including those that made a fortune in his transfer to Juventus as a free agent.

“No-one at Juve has come out and said anything, nor the executives or his former team-mates.

“Mutu already paid a price with a seven-month ban and without pay. He is ready to give back what he earned. I will fight until death so that Mutu gets justice.”

It had been suggested that Mutu could secure a lucrative move to Russia in order to help resolve his problematic situation, with Terek Grozny said to be keen, but Becali has strenuously denied that such a switch is on the cards.

He said: Grozny? Let’s not joke about it. Grozny is a team that is in the middle of the table in the Russian top league, where there are three Romanians playing.

“They can afford him as the club president is friends with (Russian Prime Minister Vladimir) Putin. But Terek is Terek and Mutu is Mutu and we have not received any offers.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Mutu is set for 10 days on the sidelines with a thigh injury picked up on international duty – ruling him out of a Serie A clash with Cagliari this weekend and a UEFA Champions League date with Lyon next Wednesday.

Abhimanyu Rajput