Bayern plan Ribery talks

January 18, 2010

Bayern München have decided to postpone the contract talks with Franck Ribery until March. The Bavarian giants want the France international to concentrate on football first before they talk about a new deal. “We won’t put him under pressure,” said director of sport Christian Nerlinger.

Ribery is contracted to Bayern until 2011 and has doubts over a longer stay at the Allianz Arena.

“Franck came to us once in the summer,” Nerlinger said on Bayern’s official website.

“He said he felt very much at home in Munich and was grateful to the club, but there was one alternative which he could imagine himself taking. We declined, and the matter was closed internally.

“Franck has always behaved correctly, and I won’t hear a word said against him in this respect.”

The 26-year-old winger is yet to make a decision on his future. “We’ll sit down with him and talk in early March.

“We’ll set out our position, and he’ll explain his, and we’ll see if we can agree. It matters a lot to me that the process is fair and respectful.”

Tags: allianz, allianz arena, bavarian, Bayern, Christian Nerlinger, contract talks, director, doubts, France, france international, Franck, giants, München, Munich, new deal, pressure, winger

Rangers urged to keep Boyd as Celtic challenge looms

January 3, 2010

Rangers midfielder Steven Davis has urged his club to ensure in-form striker Kris Boyd, in contract talks, remains at Ibrox beyond the January transfer window.

Boyd is on a hot streak having scored five goals in the midweek 7-1 crushing of Dundee United – a performance which saw him surpass former Celtic star Henrik Larsson as the all-time top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League.

Last year Boyd was set to join Birmingham and more recently he has been linked with Newcastle, Trabzonspor and Kayserspor in Turkey and French club Sochaux.

“From the players’ point of view we think it’s vital that we keep hold of him,” said Davis.

“I don’t think there are many players who can guarantee you 20 goals-plus a season and Boydy’s done that since I’ve been here.

“I think he’s probably one of the most lethal finishers around and obviously we’re desperate to keep him here.”

Rangers visit city rivals Celtic in this season’s second Old Firm derby at Parkhead on Sunday in a game Tony Mowbray’s side can’t afford to lose.

A win for Rangers would see them open a ten point lead over the Hoops at the top of the Scottish Premier League, albeit Celtic have played a game less, as the season reaches the half-way stage.

Boyd has netted just one goal against Celtic in his career so far but Davis added: “The way he’s playing, if we can create the chances for him then nine times out of 10 he’ll score. Hopefully, he can do that at Parkhead for us.”

But the Gers will be missing Boyd’s strike partner Kenny Miller after he lost his appeal Thursday against a straight red card on Wednesday.

“Kenny’s been playing magnificently for us and he’s been one of our best players on the run we’ve been on and managed to get amongst the goals as well,” said Davis.

“So he’ll be a big miss for us. It gives the manager a little headache. Somebody else will come in and hopefully do a job for us.”

Manager Walter Smith says that Boyd’s form means he is likely to start for the first time in a match at Parkhead since the former returned to the club two years ago.

“Right at the present moment, the team is doing extremely well and I don’t envisage a situation where you would go along there and play without him.”

Aiding Boyd’s case is the fact that Nacho Novo and Sasa Papac are suffering from a sickness bug and Madjid Bougherra is off to the African Nations Cup with Algeria, hence Rangers’ firepower is severely depleted.

While Rangers and Celtic – 43 and 36 points under their belts to date – face off, third-placed Hibernian, four points further back, host Edinburgh rivals Hearts in Sunday’s other game.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Sunday

Celtic v Rangers (1230), Hibernian v Hearts

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: algeria, Boyd, celtic star, city rivals, contract talks, Davis, Dundee, dundee united, Edinburgh, french club, Glasgow, Henrik Larsson, hoops, hot streak, Kenny, kenny miller, kris, Manager Walter Smith, NEWCASTLE, nine times, parkhead, point of view, premier league, rangers, Scottish Premier League, sochaux, Steven Davis, tony mowbray, trabzonspor, Turkey, walter smith

Werder remains calm over Ozil link

November 10, 2009

Werder Bremen insists they won’t panic after several reports linked Mesut Ozil with a move away from the club. Latest reports claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has targeted Ozil as one of his potential signings for the near future.

Ozil’s recent form has made him subject of speculation. The 21-year-old, who’s current deal with Werder is due to expire in 2011, already received offers from Spanish top flight clubs Sevilla and Valencia and the latest links have claimed Arsene Wenger is lining up a bid for the highly-rated midfielder. The French manager considers Ozil to be a possible replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who may leave Arsenal at the end of this season.

Meanwhile, Werder insists they are not worrying about this latest batch of speculation.

“We have to deal with all rumours regarding Mesut’s future,” Werder’s general manager Klaus Allofs told Bild.

“I am not annoyed by them, we keep being relaxed on it. I just hope Mesut and his agent keep cool, too.

“It would definitely be better, in fact, if his contract would be a longer one,” added Allofs.

“But up to now there are no further talks and also no agreement when to pick up contract talks between the club and Mesut Ozil.”

Paul Haring

Tags: arsenal boss arsene wenger, Arsene, boss arsene wenger, Bremen, contract talks, fabregas, klaus allofs, Paul Haring, rumours, SEVILLA, speculation, top flight, Valencia, werder bremen

Ancelotti admits Chelsea interest but denies talks

May 24, 2009

ROME (AFP) – AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday denied that he is in contract talks with Chelsea over a possible move to the Londoners next season, but admitted that he would like to go.

The 49-year-old coach also revealed that not only is he learning English but that he has met with Blues owner Roman Abramovich too.

Ancelotti is widely expected to leave Milan at the end of the season with the Gazzetta dello Sport even claiming he was 90 percent sure of joining Chelsea.

But while the coach himself denied being in talks, he did not rule out a move to the English Premier League at some point.

“For me everything is very clear with the club,” he said. “When the season is over we’ll find the right solution.

“I haven’t had any discussion with (Milan president Silvio) Berlusconi but I don’t think he’s annoyed that I spoke with Abramovich.

“Right now I’m not involved in contract talks with Chelsea, we will have (talks) after the season and if there is a solution to be found we’ll find it.

“Right now I have a contract (with Milan for another year) and I value that. But I’m ready for anything.

“I like to coach, it’s a passion rather than work and of course if you asked me if I would like to coach Chelsea, I’d say yes.”

However, Ancelotti then added somewhat confusingly that he was sure he’d stay with Milan.

“If I had to express myself in terms of a percentage, I’d say 100 percent I’ll stay at Milan next season as well.

“There has been a great feeling between myself and the team over the last eight years and here we’re still talking, especially with the club.

“If that wasn’t the case, a coach wouldn’t survive for so long in Italy.”

Ancelotti joined Milan as coach from Juventus in 2001 and has led them to two Champions League crowns and a Serie A title.

Tags: ac milan, carlo ancelotti, champions league, CHELSEA, coach, contract talks, crowns, English Premier League, gazzetta dello sport, Italy, juventus, Milan, passion, right solution, ROME, Serie A, Silvio

Schwarzer in contract talks with Fulham

May 21, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Mark Schwarzer’s outstanding form for Fulham this season has been rewarded by the club opening talks on a new contract that will extend his stay at Craven Cottage beyond next year.

Schwarzer, who has another season left on his current deal, revealed that preliminary discussions have already taken place ahead of Sunday’s final game of the season, against Everton, which could see Roy Hodgson’s side clinch a place in Europe for next season.

“There’s been a few discussions,” the 36-year-old Australian said.

“And I feel as good, if not better, than when I first signed for Fulham. At this stage in my career, if the manager backs you and you continue to play week in, week out, then why not continue to play for as long as possible?”

Schwarzer was recruited as a free transfer from Middlesbrough last summer and puts the club’s consistency down to the steadying influence of the much-travelled Hodgson.

“He’s calm and modest, and that filters down to the players, but he makes us conscious about keeping our heads down and concentrating right to the end of every game,” Schwarzer said.

Given their goal difference, Fulham realistically only need a point against Everton on Sunday to qualify for the Europa League, which is to replace the current UEFA Cup.

“A lot has been said about Everton taking it easy before they play the FA Cup final the following week but the flip side is they want to finish fifth,” Schwarzer said.

“They’ve been fighting for that place and there are financial rewards both for the club and players personally – so they’re not going to give us an easy game.”

Tags: consistency, contract talks, craven cottage, English Premier League, Europe, everton, fa cup final, final game, financial rewards, flip side, fulham, goal difference, london, mark schwarzer, middlesbrough, new contract, roy hodgson, uefa, UEFA Cup

Liverpool´s Agger faces uncertain future

April 12, 2009

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) – Liverpool defender Daniel Agger admits he may have to quit the Premier League club for the sake of his career.

Danish defender Agger has endured a frustrating season at Anfield as injuries and the impressive form of Martin Skrtel have kept him out of the team for long periods.

The 24-year-old marked his return to the side with a superb long-range goal in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Blackburn, but is likely to be back on the bench for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Chelsea.

Agger is out of contract at the end of next season and, although he is in talks with boss Rafael Benitez over a new deal, he admits the outcome is uncertain due to his lack of playing time.

“I am at the stage of my career where I need to play, and want to play, but that situation has nothing to do with the contract talks,” he said.

“It is nice to hear the manager wants to keep me, but the most important thing is what he tells me when I look him in the eyes.

“It’s not what he says in the papers, it is what he says behind closed doors. I keep talks with the club confidential, so I cannot tell you what has been said.

“I don’t know when things will be decided. I don’t have a clue. In my heart, I hope I will be here next season.”

Tags: anfield, bench, blackburn, boss, champions league, CHELSEA, closed doors, clue, contract talks, daniel agger, England, English Premier League, Liverpool, liverpool england, long periods, martin skrtel, new deal, playing time, premier league, rafael benitez, range goal, uncertain future

Scolari keen to keep Tottenham target Cole

January 10, 2009

COBHAM, England (AFP) – Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insists he has no intention of selling England midfielder Joe Cole to London rivals Tottenham.

Cole is unhappy that Scolari keeps substituting him and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who gave the star his professional debut at West Ham, reportedly wants a reunion at White Hart Lane.

The 27-year-old was replaced for the 12th consecutive game during Saturday’s FA Cup draw against Southend and is thought be concerned about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

Although Cole has 18 months left on his current contract, talks about an extension were put on hold earlier this season, fuelling speculation that he could ask to leave during the January transfer window.

Scolari knows has to sell before he can bring in new players and the Brazilian has already offloaded Wayne Bridge to Manchester City, but he is determined to keep hold of Cole.

"Yes I see his future here. He is a fantastic player and important for the club and for me," Scolari said on Friday. He scores many goals and has some good characteristics.

Written by: AFP