City reject Corinthians £35m offer for Tevez July 12, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY have rejected a £35m offer from Corinthians for their Argentina striker Carlos Tevez. The former Manchester United player (right), who left Corinthians in 2006 for West Ham, is desperate to quit the Premier League in order to be closer to his young family who are based in his native Argentina. Tevez’s long-time advisor Kia Joorabchian, [...]
Wenger upbeat on Cesc and Nasri as Gervinho signs up July 11, 2011 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger remains hopeful that he’ll start the new Premier League season with both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas at the club. On the day that Wenger finally confirmed the £11.2m signing of Lille forward Gervinho (below) – “subject to a regulatory process” – the Frenchman was also positive about his chances of persuading [...]
I’ll let you decide my title, says Villas-Boas June 29, 2011 NEW Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas attempted to downplay comparisons with his mentor Jose Mourinho by declaring himself modestly as “The Group One”. The 33-year-old was officially unveiled yesterday but their was none of the bravado or showmanship that marked Mourinho’s introduction seven years ago. Villas-Boas, who like the now Real Madrid manager, quit Porto to take [...]
Chelsea enter five-way fight for Neymar June 28, 2011 CHELSEA are among a quintet of European heavyweights to have entered the race for Brazilian sensation Neymar. The 19-year-old Santos forward’s £40m release clause is believed to have has been met by Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester City, Spanish giants Real Madrid and ambitious oil rich Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. Neymar inspired Santos to victory [...]
Concerned Redknapp has to sell before he can buy June 26, 2011 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp admits his summer rebuilding can only commence once he has completed a significant clear-out. Redknapp commands one of the largest squads in the Premier League and has been told by the club’s board he must cut the playing staff before adding to it. Tottenham have already dismissed Chelsea’s bid of £22m [...]
THE HUMBLE ONE June 22, 2011 NEW CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas admits he will never be able to avoid comparisons with Jose Mourinho but insists his tenure will be underpinned by a focus on the team rather than self-promotion. The 33-year-old’s career has mirrored that of his mentor, who announced his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2004 by anointing himself as [...]
Bold choice demands a bold response June 22, 2011 IT GOES without saying that Chelsea have made an extremely bold decision in paying a world record sum to hire a 33-year-old with less than two years’ management experience. But what fascinates me about the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas is how bold he is going to be in putting his stamp on a Blues set-up [...]
FA make cup final pledge after agreeing £24m Budweiser deal June 16, 2011 FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION chiefs insist they are attempting to restore the FA Cup final’s status as a stand-alone event, amid fresh concerns it could be sidelined again for the next two seasons. Last month’s showpiece was moved forward and played on the same day as the penultimate round of Premier League fixtures, prompting leading figures in [...]
Birmingham set to report Villa over McLeish raid June 14, 2011 BIRMINGHAM CITY have accused Aston Villa of tapping up Alex McLeish as the second-city managerial tug of war intensifies. Villa announced last night their intention to interview the 52-year-old for their vacant post “imminently” after McLeish walked out on the Carling Cup holders last weekend. But the Birmingham, facing up to life in the Championship following [...]
United fans urge Glazers to favour London listing June 12, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED supporters have welcomed suggestions the club could be floated by its owners the Glazer family – but want any listing to take place in London rather than Hong Kong. Bankers are said to have told the Glazers that the Premier League champions could be valued at as much as £1.7bn if listed in [...]