Spurs boss Harry in shock swoop to lure retired Figo July 5, 2009 TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp has made an audacious swoop to lure veteran midfielder Luis Figo out of retirement to serve his twilight years at White Hart Lane. The 36-year-old decided to hang up his boots at the end of last season after helping Inter Milan to the Serie A title. But Spurs boss Redknapp has [...]
Beating the Aussies again would be even more satisfying than in 2005 July 1, 2009 BACK in 2005, Andrew Flintoff was at the absolute peak of his powers. Named Man-of-the-Series in that unforgettable Ashes victory over Australia on home soil, it wasn’t long before the powerful Lancashire all-rounder was being recognised as the leading player in the world by top cricketing almanac, Wisden. Now, four years on, Flintoff is still [...]
PREMIER TAX EXPERT STILL IN THE LEAGUE July 1, 2009 IT WAS au revoir (but not goodbye) last night at a leaving party at City restaurant Manicomio for PricewaterhouseCoopers’ John Whiting, the popular tax adviser who’s often been dubbed “Britain’s most quoted accountant”. Whiting – who’s known as “Mr T” on his regular stints on the BBC 2 Working Lunch sofa – has already started [...]
United land 16m Valencia now Benzema’s on the radar June 30, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED last night clinched the signing of Antonio Valencia – and then set their sights on completing a £51m double raid to add Karim Benzema. Ecuador winger Valencia made the switch from Wigan after putting pen-to-paper on a four-year deal believed to be worth around £16m. Now, with £80m at his disposal following the [...]
World record wages entice Eto’o to City June 28, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY are on the brink of signing striker Samuel Eto’o in a blockbusting £25m deal after Barcelona admitted being unable to compete with the Premier League club’s gargantuan spending power. City are willing to make Eto’o, 28, the highest paid player on the planet in order to pull off the grandest in a series [...]
Rebel trio got me sacked, says Scolari June 28, 2009 FORMER Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has accused senior Blues trio Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech of getting him sacked.Scolari, a World Cup winner with Brazil, was axed in February just seven months into a lucrative three-year deal at Stamford Bridge. The 60-year-old, now coaching in Uzbekistan, says striker Drogba, midfielder Ballack and [...]
Real steal march on Arsenal and United in Benzema war June 28, 2009 THE TRANSFER battle for Arsenal and Manchester United target Karim Benzema has intensified after Real Madrid opened the bidding with a £27m offer. The Lyon and France striker, 21, is a long-standing target of United’s while the Gunners emerged as rivals for his signature at the weekend. But free-spending Real have stolen a march on [...]
FOOTBALL IN BRIEF June 25, 2009 United Costa trial bid rejectedMANCHESTER UNITED’S search for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo hit another hitch yesterday when they were refused permission to take Brazilian starlet Douglas Costa on trial. United wanted to see the 18-year-old attacking midfielder train in England for 20 days but his club Gremio rejected the proposal. President Duda Kroeff said: [...]
Football Association touting rights after Setanta’s demise June 24, 2009 THE FOOTBALL Association (FA) and the owners of other sports rights previously held by Setanta are desperately searching for new buyers to fill the payment void left by the collapse of the Irish pay-TV broadcaster. Setanta held the rights to the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, Premier Rugby, PGA golf, FA Cup and England football [...]
Chelsea’s Essien lured by La Liga but Sturridge set to sign June 23, 2009 CHELSEA’S ambitious summer rebuilding plans were dealt another blow yesterday when it emerged midfielder Michael Essien is considering leaving Stamford Bridge. The Blues have already received high-profile snubs in the transfer market this month, with top targets preferring to join Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Essien, a key part of Chelsea’s first team, is [...]