Ribery claims Blues interest

March 8, 2010

Bayern München’s star winger Franck Ribery has confirmed that Premier League side Chelsea are competing with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona for his services.

While being pursued by a host of clubs, the French playmaker insists that he may not leave Bavarian giants this summer.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at the Allianz Arena next year and Bayern are looking for him to sign an extension.

Ribery has now confirmed that his future is likely to be resolved by the end of this month.

“When will I decide my future? In two or three weeks,” he told French television show Telefoot.

“I am not 100 per cent sure I am going to go to Real Madrid.

“Barca is also attracted, and there is Chelsea. But that doesn’t necessarily mean I will leave Bayern.”

Manchester United were strongly linked with Ribery last summer following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, but they now appear to be exploring other options.

Tags: allianz, allianz arena, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern münchen, CHELSEA, franck ribery, french television, giants, MADRID, madrid barca, Manchester, manchester united, playmaker, premier league, real madrid, ronaldo, television show, winger

Barcelona braced for Valencia, Real without Ronaldo

October 17, 2009

Barcelona’s perfect record of 18 points from six Spanish League matches comes under threat on Saturday when the champions travel to Valencia in arguably their most difficult fixture so far.

Real Madrid have an easier task with a home game against Valladolid but must again do without Cristiano Ronaldo whose ankle injury flared up on international duty with Portugal.

Valencia are likely to be without star striker David Villa – who Barcelona tried to capture for a reported 40 million euros in the summer – due to a thigh injury but still have the firepower to hurt Barcelona in Spanish internationals Juan Mata and David Silva.

“We may have to bring in some back-up players to cover injuries but we can’t start moaning about injuries to Villa, (Carlos) Marchena or anyone else,” said veteran midfielder Ruben Baraja.

Barcelona equalled their best ever league start with six wins and hope to set a new club record by notching a seventh successive win at the Mestalla Stadium.

Madrid, who welcome Valladolid, fell to their first defeat of the season – a 2-1 loss at Sevilla – last time out and the sometimes dramatic local media decided to attribute the defeat to the absence of Ronaldo claiming Real suffered from ‘Ronaldo dependency’.

Ronaldo has scored nine goals in seven games for Real but will again be missing after aggravating his ankle injury in a brief appearance for Portugal.

“I am not some kind of saviour but after the Sevilla defeat I wanted to help my teammates win the upcoming matches,” explained Ronaldo. “I am sad because I was on a good run and getting injured again is a blow.”

Sevilla outclassed Real to suggest they could disrupt the Madrid-Barca title monopoly, but need to build on that win at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Deportivo have had a great start to the season lying fourth in the standings after three straight wins while Sevilla are on a run of five consecutive victories.

It is a great time for Sevilla new boy Alvaro Negredo who helped defeat old club Real last time out, made his Spain debut against Armenia on Saturday and scored his first international goals against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

“I left Madrid because I wanted to play football and I am very happy with my choice to join Sevilla,” said Negredo.

“It was a unique opportunity for me (to play for Spain) and I wanted to take advantage of the door that Vicente del Bosque (Spain national coach) opened for me to go to the World Cup.”

Elsewhere only two teams have yet to win a league match with six games gone and they meet on Sunday when promoted Xerez host Villarreal.

Xerez were expected to struggle but Villarreal?s stuttering start has come as a surprise with coach Ernesto Valverde longing for his maiden win.

Three points from six games sees Villarreal languish second from bottom a point above basement boys Xerez.

“The international break has been good for us as it helps take our minds off our situation and prepare for our forthcoming matches,” said Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires.

“We cannot let our heads go down because we have sufficient quality to get back on track soon.”

Fixtures

Saturday

Deportivo La Coruna v Sevilla 1600 GMT, Real Madrid v Valladolid (1800 GMT), Valencia v Barcelona (2000 GMT)

Sunday (all 1500 GMT unless stated)

Xerez v Villarreal, Espanyol v Tenerife, Real Zaragoza v Racing Santander, Malaga v Almeria, Real Mallorca v Getafe, Athletic Bilbao v Sporting Gijon (1700 GMT), Osasuna v Atletico Madrid (1900 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: ankle injury, Barcelona, Bilbao, carlos marchena, consecutive victories, David Silva, deportivo la coruna, ernesto valverde, firepower, home game, internationals, Juan, juan mata, la coruna, MADRID, madrid barca, Mestalla Stadium, portugal, real madrid, robert pires, ronaldo, ruben baraja, seven games, Spain, spanish league, star striker, Tenerife, thigh injury, valladolid, vicente del bosque

Want-away Ribery ´dangerous´ for Bayern, says Kahn

June 5, 2009

BERLIN (AFP) – Franck Ribery could pose more a problem than a solution for his club Bayern Munich with his want-away attitude, according to former team-mate Oliver Kahn.

“Ribery is not without danger for the club,” the former Germany goalkeeper told the tz daily newspaper.

“A player who constantly plays with the idea of leaving for Real Madrid, Barca or elsewhere, always makes things more nervous.

“You have to seriously consider this issue, otherwise a player becomes more a problem than a solution for a club.”

Kahn, who played with Ribery during his final season as a player in 2007-8, said the former Marseille striker, a potential target of Real, Barca and Manchester United, must change his behaviour.

“Bayern have given him the chance by recruiting him to become one of the best players in Europe.”

Ribery is under contract with Bayern until 2011, and the club’s management have been keen to stress that he is not for sale.