Ferdinand´s England captaincy ´will boost United´

February 7, 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United can benefit from Fabio Capello’s decision to make Rio Ferdinand the new England captain.

Ferdinand served the second game of his four-match suspension as United returned to the top of the table with a 5-0 victory over Portsmouth.

The defender, 31, was watching from the stands just 24 hours after taking the England skipper’s armband from John Terry, who was stripped of the captaincy by Capello on Friday following allegations about his private life.

Ferguson admits he is proud that a United player will captain England at the World Cup in South Africa later this year and hopes the accolade has a positive effect on Ferdinand’s performances during the Premier League title run-in.

He said: “We’re pleased for him and it’s great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining his country.

“Over the years we’ve had Gary, Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we?re very proud of that.”

Ferguson was happy with the patient display of his team against Avram Grant’s strugglers.

United took until the 40th minute to make the breakthrough but Ferguson thinks that his team, who have dropped just two points against bottom-half teams, were rewarded for their calm approach.

He added: “We had a lot of pressure and possession of the ball but we were patient enough and that?s important when teams come and sit in the way they did here.

“Portsmouth were there to make it difficult but we got the goal just before half time and it was a bit fortunate with the second one but that opened the game for us in the second half and it was a good performance.”

Ferguson admits he is willing Arsenal to take points off Chelsea when the two London teams meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The United manager added: “I don’t know if I’ll watch it or not because I’m going up to Glasgow but I’ll be thinking about it.”

Grant insists that Portsmouth, who face a winding up order, will continue to fight despite their position looking more and more dangerous.

The club are working under their fourth set of owners of the season and are seven points from safety at the bottom of the Premier League.

But the former Chelsea manager is hoping that the Fratton Park club have turned a corner.

He said: “We need to do our job even if it feels like it is going against us.

“I hope that the club will be more stable now. It was almost impossible in the last matches with all the mess around the club and uncertainty.

“I hope now it will be more stable and it’s important for the club. It’s a unique club the whole city is behind the club.

“On the pitch we are doing very well and when you look back over the years, the team at the bottom you see a lot of difference from them to other teams but there’s not a lot of difference between us and tenth place.

“All we want is stability at the club because it will be very difficult to continue like this.

“Positive thinking is always better than negative thinking and as long as we have the chance we will fight.”

United took the lead when Wayne Rooney scored his 23rd goal of the season and Anthony Vanden Borre’s own goal gave the champions a two-goal half-time lead.

Just before the hour, Michael Carrick’s shot looped in off the bar off Richard Hughes and Dimitar Berbatov added a fourth with a fine solo goal.

Portsmouth’s embarrassment was complete when Marc Wilson volleyed into his own net from Patrice Evra’s cross.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: accolade, alex ferguson believes manchester united, Anthony Vanden, avram grant, bobby charlton, bryan robson, calm approach, captain England, captain. Ferdinand, CHELSEA, England, england captain, england skipper, fabio capello, Gary, john terry, Manchester, odd games, patrice evra, Portsmouth, private life, richard hughes, rio ferdinand, second game, sir alex ferguson, South Africa, stamford bridge, wayne rooney, winding up order

Terry dropped as England captain

February 6, 2010

John Terry was Friday stripped of the England captaincy following reports of an extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge, the Football Association (FA) confirmed.

The move followed a meeting between Terry and England’s head coach, Fabio Capello, at FA headquarters at Wembley.

In a statement, Capello said: “After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

“As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

“What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.” Profile: John Terry

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: coach fabio capello, England, england captain, england squad, england team, ex girlfriend, extra marital affair, fabio capello, football association, head coach, john terry, John Terry LONDON, london, team mate, Terry, wayne bridge, Wembley

Ancelotti admits set pieces troubling Chelsea

February 3, 2010

The storm centred on John Terry’s future as England captain is not the only headache that Carlo Ancelotti has to deal with at the moment.

The Chelsea boss is also grappling with his team’s tendency to leak goals from set pieces amid fears it could cost them dear at the business end of the season.

The depth of Chelsea’s squad has seen them installed as favourites to reclaim the Premier League title from Manchester United.

But with United starting to hit form, Chelsea’s problems in defending corners and free-kicks have once again been put in the spotlight by the ease with which Steven Mouyokolo headed Hull into the lead in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Didier Drogba cancelled out Mouyokolo’s strike but Hull might easily have claimed all three points if Anthony Gardner had not missed an excellent chance from Tom Cairney’s free-kick.

“I know very well how many goals we have conceded from set pieces,” said Ancelotti. “Every team here in England has a very good jumper and a very good striker and it can happen that you concede a goal.

“How we score, sometimes we can concede. I think we did our best but it was a tough game and Hull played well and put a lot of pressure on us.”

Hull boss Phil Brown admitted he had identified Chelsea’s weakness on set pieces as a potential key to the outcome of the match.

“It’s my job to investigate how to score goals against Chelsea and they’ve conceded something like nine out of 10 of their goals, or something like that, from set pieces,” Brown said.

“If that’s the Achilles heel for Chelsea then we have to exploit it.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: achilles heel, Anthony Gardner, Brown, business end, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, didier, England, england captain, fears, free kick, free kicks, headache, HULL, john terry, jumper, kc stadium, london, Manchester, match, phil brown, premier league, Steven Mouyokolo, striker, tendency, Tom Cairney

Ancelotti may give Terry a break

February 3, 2010

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti may give skipper John Terry a holiday. The Blues boss might resort to giving Terry a break in order to deal with the much-publicized issues in his private life.

Terry’s affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge has been put forth for the public eye, something which has led many to question Terry’s position as Chelsea and England captain.

England manager Fabio Capello is set to meet Terry on Thursday evening or Friday morning to address the situation. Meanwhile Ancelotti will allow his captain to miss the game against Cardiff on February 13 to spend Valentine’s Day with his wife.

Ancelotti said after Chelsea’s draw at Hull, “If he needs a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn’t need a holiday then he will play against Cardiff.

“It is an issue for me and John Terry, it is not your problem I think.”

The Italian claims he has not spoken with Terry about the issue.

He said, “No. I have never had a discussion. I like to speak to my players (but) I don’t like to speak about this. It is not a question I want to speak about here.

“For him nothing has changed. He has played a very good game and every game he is leading very well. He is doing his best every game.

And Ancelotti has firmly denied that the saga had a negative effect on the morale of his squad.

“The atmosphere in the team is the same. No change.”

Ancelotti also vowed that the interest in Terry would not derail the Blues’ Premier League title bid, despite failing to take advantage of the game in hand at Hull.

“Nothing can disturb our concentration in this competition,” he said.

“I think that Chelsea are focused for every game.

“Sometimes we play good football and sometimes we have more difficulty but the concentration is always on top.”

Tags: captain England, cardiff, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, concentration, England, england captain, england manager, england team, fabio capello, friday morning, good game, HULL, john terry, premier league, private life, public eye, saga, skipper, Terry, valentine s day, wayne bridge

FA say TerryÂ´s England captaincy in CapelloÂ´s hands

February 2, 2010

England manager Fabio Capello alone will make a decision on John Terry’s future as England captain, the Football Association (FA) said on Monday.

The 29-year-old Chelsea defender’s position has been called into question following reports the married father of twins had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

There are now concerns the issue could have a damaging effect on England’s bid to win the World Cup in South Africa later this year but the FA were adamant they would leave the matter to Capello.

“Fabio Capello alone will make the decision about John Terry’s position,” said an FA spokesman.

“Fabio is fully up to speed with developments regarding John Terry.

“He spoke with our chairman Lord (David) Triesman and chief executive Ian Watmore today (Monday), who both backed him to make the best decision for England on footballing grounds.

“Fabio is dealing with the matter in his own way using his extensive experience as a football manager.”

Capello is due to return to England later this week and will travel to Warsaw for the Euro 2012 qualifying competition draw this weekend.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: chief executive, david triesman, england captain, euro 2012, fabio capello, football association, football manager, former team, john terry, South Africa, spokesman, team mate, twins, warsaw, World Cup

Terry´s England captaincy questioned after ´affair´

January 30, 2010

John Terry’s future as England captain was called into question on Saturday when British newspapers responded to reports about his infidelity by demanding he be stripped of the role.

But despite the controversy surrounding his alleged extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of a former Chelsea team-mate, the Premier League leaders insisted they had no qualms about selecting him to play against Burnley on Saturday.

“John has got his football head on,” Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins told ESPN shortly before kick-off at Turf Moor.

“He is a fantastic professional as far as the footballing side of his life is concerned,” former England midfielder Wilkins added.

“He has done so wonderfully well for us and he will play today with no problem whatsoever.”

Earlier, Terry briefly signed autographs as Chelsea left their team hotel but refused to comment about the allegations.

Terry, 29, who was voted Britain’s Dad of the Year last year in a sponsored survey, has two children with his wife Toni.

The central defender was named on Friday as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life.

A judge at London’s High Court subsequently lifted the order and Saturday’s papers alleged Terry had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel.

Bridge, in a statement issued through his lawyer, said Saturday: “I have read the press reporting in the last two days. The reports deal with matters which are of a deeply personal and private nature.

“My primary concern is the welfare of my son. Therefore, I intend to make no comment whatsoever either now or in the future about these reports and ask that my privacy is respected,” added Bridge, who now plays for Manchester City.

The Daily Telegraph’s chief football writer Henry Winter, a prominent member of the England press pack, led the calls for Terry to hand in the captain’s armband.

“I like Terry, the one natural leader in the England dressing room, a player so passionately committed to the cause of St George that he willingly endures jabs just to get his stiff back through games, but this really is an embarrassment too far. It’s time for him to stand down,” Winter wrote.

Bridge played with Terry for six years during his time at Chelsea before leaving to join Manchester City in January 2009.

The left-back is widely expected to be called into Fabio Capello’s squad for this year’s World Cup in South Africa as cover for Terry’s Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole.

Terry was named England captain by former England coach Steve McClaren in August 2006 and Capello confirmed he would continue in the role shortly after the Italian took charge in August 2008.

Vice-captain Rio Ferdinand and his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney have been touted as the favourites to replace Terry as skipper if Capello, a renowned disciplinarian, decides to strip him of the captaincy.

England begin their World Cup campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: british newspapers, central defender, CHELSEA, Cole, daily telegraph, England, england captain, espn, extra marital affair, fabio capello, football head, football writer, henry winter, John, john terry, league leaders, london, Manchester, manchester city, natural leader, premier league, private nature, ray wilkins, South Africa, st george, Steve McClaren, team hotel, team mate, Toni, turf moor, vanessa perroncel, wayne bridge, wayne rooney, wife toni

Terry could lose England role over affair

January 30, 2010

John Terry’s future as England captain was called into question on Saturday when British newspapers responded to reports about his infidelity by demanding for him to be stripped of the captaincy.

The centre-back, who also captains Chelsea, was named on Friday as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life.

A judge at London’s High Court subsequently lifted the order and Saturday’s papers were full of accounts alleging that Terry had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel.

The Daily Telegraph’s chief football writer Henry Winter, a prominent member of the England press pack, led the calls for Terry to hand in the captain’s armband.

His words were echoed by The Independent’s chief sports writer James Lawton, who said Terry’s misdemeanours would not be taken lightly by England coach Fabio Capello.

“Capello is the most strenuous of disciplinarians, a fanatic for professional rigour in all matters,” he said.

“Claims of carrying on an affair with a team-mate’s girlfriend is surely not Capello’s idea of the self-control and example and heightened sense of camaraderie implicit in the assignment.”

The Sun, the United Kingdom’s most popular daily, claimed that Bridge was so distraught by news of the affair that he was contemplating retiring from England duty.

“… Bridge told pals he did not even want to be picked for England’s next friendly match (against Egypt) in March,” read The Sun’s article on the affair.

“The Sun understands that not only is Terry’s betrayed best mate refusing to talk to the Three Lions skipper any more — but he is considering quitting international football entirely.”

Bridge played with Terry for six years during his time at Chelsea before leaving to join Manchester City in January 2009.

The left-back is widely expected to be called into Capello’s World Cup squad as cover for Terry’s Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole.

Speaking at the time of Bridge’s departure from Chelsea, Terry said: “He’ll be missed. It’s a shame to see one of the lads go who you have grown up with and been with for a long time.”

Terry was named England captain by former England coach Steve McClaren in August 2006 and Capello confirmed he would continue in the role shortly after the Italian took charge in August 2008.

Current vice-captain Rio Ferdinand and his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney have been touted as the favourites to replace Terry as skipper if Capello, a renowned disciplinarian, decides to strip him of the captaincy.

England begin their World Cup campaign against the United States in Rustenburg, South Africa on June 12.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: british newspapers, coach fabio capello, Cole, daily telegraph, Egypt, England, england captain, england coach, fabio capello, football writer, friendly match, henry winter, international football, james lawton, john terry, london, Manchester, natural leader, rigour, South Africa, Steve McClaren, stiff back, team mate, Terry, three lions, United Kingdom, United States, vanessa perroncel, wayne bridge, wayne rooney

Beckham to play on beyond 2010

January 17, 2010

David Beckham is expected to play on after this summer’s World Cup despite claims to the contrary which suggest he is ready to retire.

The former England captain will turn 35 next month, and has spoken of his desire to continue playing for his country beyond South Africa 2010.

The reports have suggested Beckham wants to come back to the United Kingdom and spend more time with wife Victoria and children Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, having achieved everything he wants to in the game.

But the source close to Beckham said: “It is nonsense.”

Beckham, who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, is currently two games into another short loan period at AC Milan and is due to face Siena tomorrow.

Already, the midfielder has made such a positive impression that Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has claimed he would offer another invitation next year.

The present deal is aimed at giving Beckham the best possible chance of staying in Fabio Capello’s squad, and becoming the first England player to appear at four World Cups.

Whether he makes it or not, Beckham will then have a short break from the game before returning to the LA Galaxy, where his present deal still has two seasons to run.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani insists Beckham will always be welcomed to the club with open arms.

And Galliani has sounded out the 34-year-old for another stint at the San Siro beyond the current campaign, claiming the former Manchester United and Real Madrid performer has licence to return Serie A giants in the future.

“Milan’s doors will always be open for him, in July, next January or whenever he wants,” the Milan chief said of the LA Galaxy midfielder.

“He’s the man I court most. He’s a fantastic footballer. You should see how he trains.”

Tags: ac milan, adriano galliani, best possible chance, brooklyn, Cruz, David Beckham, England, england captain, england player, fabio capello, la galaxy, loan period, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, MADRID, Major League Soccer, Manchester, manchester united, midfielder, Milan, real madrid, romeo, san siro, short break, South Africa, south africa 2010, United Kingdom, Victoria, wife victoria, world cups

Milan´s title chances on brink ahead of break

December 19, 2009

AC Milan face a tough trip away to fellow Champions League second round qualifiers Fiorentina on Saturday as they bid to keep pace with leaders Inter Milan ahead of the Christmas break in Serie A.

Inter, who host struggling Lazio on Sunday, lead Milan by five points with Juventus a further point back in third.

But following last week’s shock 2-0 defeat at home to Palermo, the pressure is on Milan to avoid a morale-sapping gap opening up ahead of the New Year.

Following this week’s games, Serie A takes a two and a half week break, by which time the January transfer window will be open.

Former England captain David Beckham will rejoin Milan in January but if the club find themselves eight points adrift at that stage — which could happen if they lose in Florence — any hopes of a first title since 2004 would be looking remote.

Fiorentina are themselves in a tight battle for fourth spot and Champions League football next season and will be just as desperate as Milan to make amends for their 2-1 defeat at Chievo last week.

Chievo, alongside Fiorentina, are one of nine teams separated by just two points from fifth down to 13th.

A defeat for Milan could even see them dragged down into that dogfight for European football next season and boss Leonardo will be hoping that his three-pronged strikeforce can rediscover it’s goalscoring touch on Saturday.

Ronaldinho is sure he will be able to repay his coach’s faith.

The Brazilian has enjoyed a return to form this season — even if his once effective burst of acceleration is gone — after two difficult campaigns.

“I have the backing of the coach and I’m playing the same game I did when I was at Barcelona,” he claimed.

“Both the club and the fans are behind me and that’s making things easier. This is a perfect moment for me, I feel good physically and mentally.”

A week ago things looked good for Milan. They were on a five-match winning streak and had qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages.

And with Inter dropping two points away to Atalanta, it should have been the opportunity to close the gap at the top to two points.

Inter host Lazio, who sit just three points above the relegation zone, with coach Jose Mourinho already thinking ahead to the African Cup of Nations when he will lose Samuel Eto’o and Sulley Muntari.

Mourinho would like to bring in reinforcements up front but admits it is unlikely.

“I’ll still have (Ricardo) Quaresma, who although not a striker is an option in attack,” he said.

“But I’m ready to plough on without any new signings. The club put in a lot of effort in the summer (buying five players) and I can’t ask for any more.”

Juventus face rock-bottom Catania on Sunday but goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is out after surgery on his knee and winger Mauro Camoranesi faces two months out with a thigh problem.

Fourth-placed Parma travel to fifth-placed AS Roma in a battle for Champions League qualification while second-from-bottom Siena could move out of the relegation zone if they record a third straight win away to Palermo.

Saturday

Bologna v Atalanta, Fiorentina v AC Milan

Sunday

Genoa v Bari, Inter Milan v Lazio, Juventus v Catania, Livorno v Sampdoria, Napoli v Chievo, Palermo v Siena, AS Roma v Parma, Udinese v Cagliari

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, acceleration, captain david, champions league football, David Beckham, dogfight, england captain, fiorentina, five points, inter milan, knock out, lazio, Palermo, perfect moment, ronaldinho, s games, same game, strikeforce, tight battle, winning streak

Unhappy Gattuso drops exit hint

November 27, 2009

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso dropped a clear hint on Thursday that he will be looking for a transfer during the January window.

Gattuso is unhappy at no longer being an automatic first choice in the Milan team after 11 seasons at the club.

“I’m Rino Gattuso and I shouldn’t have to wait until someone is injured to be able to play,” he told reporters.

“I still feel strong and I’m disappointed to not be showing that but I won’t accept the thought that I am no longer indispensible.

“Will I go? There’s still five or six matches to go before the Christmas break, I have to talk to the club and with (vice-president Adriano) Galliani because it’s not nice after 11 years to play only occasionally.”

Gattuso has made only seven starts in Milan’s 20 matches this season and has played only 37 minutes of their five Champions League matches, although he has had some small injuries and a suspension.

In coach Leonardo’s preferred 4-4-3 formation he has been competing with club captain Massimo Ambrosini and Mathieu Flamini for the third midfield spot alongside Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf.

And with former England captain David Beckham due to arrive in the new year, midfield competition is set to get even tougher for the former Rangers player.

ROME (AFP)