Monday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Ryan Giggs deny's getting 'The Fear'
Ryan Giggs anticipates a strong challenge from Manchester City next season but believes United still have the players to be the city's dominant force.
Ryan Giggs says Manchester United are unperturbed by the latest influx of expensive signings at Manchester City and that the pressure is on their rivals to at least qualify for the Champions League next season.
While City are on course to break the £100m spending barrier on transfers for the second successive summer under the Abu Dhabi United Group – their tally will reach £77m should Aleksandar Kolarov agree to a £17m move from Lazio – United's outlay has been modest by comparison.
Sir Alex Ferguson has signed Chris Smalling and Javier Hernández for £12m from Fulham and £7m from Guadalajara respectively, and is banking on the club's latest batch of young players to improve a team who finished two points behind Chelsea last season.
Giggs believes the disappointment of relinquishing the title and the emergence of young talent will inspire a stronger challenge next term. Although he anticipates increased competition for the four Champions League places, the 36-year-old thinks City have still to discover the consistency required to advance under Roberto Mancini.
"Until we play them I don't take any notice of what City are doing, like any other team really," said Giggs, who has extended his Old Trafford contract until the end of this coming season. "If they get a run together, if they get the consistency, they'll be a force, and no one knows if they're going to do that.
"It's a similar scenario to last season really. They've got so many talented players that, if they gel as a team, they'll be a force. If they don't then obviously it could be a frustrating season for them and they'll probably get a little bit of stick. But, if they gel as a team, like they proved in games last year, they can beat anyone."
Giggs also agreed that City's owners view a top‑four finish as a minimum return for their investment. "I think with the players they've acquired over the last two years, that is probably the case."
As for United's prospects next season, the Welshman insists there is added motivation inside Old Trafford after Chelsea prevented them winning a fourth successive title. "There is that added hunger when you haven't won the league the previous season. It's difficult when you're defending the title because you're champions and everyone wants to beat you. But there's also that determination when you don't win it, to get it back, which is what we want to do."
Giggs has echoed Ferguson's belief that this can be the campaign when United's new generation imposes itself, adding that there are similarities with the famed group that emerged at Old Trafford in the mid-90s. "Last season we saw a lot of the young players featuring in the first team. Nani had a good season, Antonio [Valencia] had a fantastic debut campaign, Kiko Macheda had a frustrating season with injuries, Chris [Smalling] has come into the squad; so there are a lot of young players who experienced some first-team action last season.
"Hopefully their determination and hunger will see them kick on this season and do even better, because we're going to need them. The injuries we had in defence last season were unbelievable. We've strengthened with the arrival of Chris, and hopefully Rafael and Fabio [da Silva] can get through the season without the niggly injuries they've had. Hopefully these young players will get better and better, and I'm sure they will. I see their determination on the training ground. They want to do well, they want to learn, they want to play for United, get in the team and stay in the team. That's what we were like when we were younger and I see the same desire in these young players."
United have played only one friendly so far, a 3-1 victory over Celtic in Toronto on Friday, but Dimitar Berbatov's impressive display has also encouraged Giggs to believe the Bulgarian could finally begin to justify his £30.75m price-tag and reputation next season.
"I thought he was brilliant against Celtic, running the channels, always available. He was by far and away the best player on the pitch," Giggs said. "That's what he needed, to get off to a good start, and hopefully he can continue. Sometimes players bed in quicker than others, and he has started the season well."


New Dundee United signing Filip Mentel admits he had little chance of a future at former club Manchester City.
The 20-year-old moved to the UK four years ago after catching the eye of City's scouts as a kid with Inter Bratislava.
But he knew the writing was on the wall for his career at the Manchester giants when money men from the Middle East took over and started splashing the cash.
Mentel said: "Everything changed at the club when the cash rolled in and Mark Hughes became manager.
"Sometimes you know that spells the end of things. Mark brought in his own staff and players but that's the way it goes in football.
"It was great to be part of the academy. The scale of the changes was absolutely massive at City. Everything happened almost overnight.
"It is history for me and I just want to concentrate on playing for United."

Spurs eye bargain deal for Bellamy, as hopes over Joe Cole fade
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants to do a bargain deal for Manchester City's Craig Bellamy - after backing out of the Joe Cole chase.
Redknapp is keen to land long-term target Bellamy and hopes City will let him go on the cheap, possibly as little as £3 million, after replacing him with Spanish star David Silva.
Canny Redknapp thinks Bellamy would be perfect for his squad as he chases glory on the domestic and Champions League front - and he would ideally like him signed in time for the qualifiers for Europe.
Bellamy would have a better chance of a regular game at White Hart Lane as City boss Roberto Mancini seems set to pick Silva ahead of him - a squad rotation open that the Welshman may not fancy.
Redknapp has been a fan of Bellamy for some time, but missed out on him when he left West Ham 18 months ago. Now as his valuation drops the time is right to close the deal.
The Spurs chief is focusing on Bellamy as Chelsea free agent Cole opens talks with Liverpool and tries to sort out a deal with them on around £90,000-a-week. Spurs are resigned to Cole picking Anfield ahead of them.


TRANSFER BOLLOX
Liverpool are hopeful their £90,000-a-week offer to England midfielder Joe Cole will be enough to persuade him to turn down rival suitors Tottenham. Cole has been released by Chelsea. the Guardian

The Reds want a decision from Cole this week, amid concerns at Anfield that Tottenham or Arsenal could improve their bids. the Sun

Cole is expected to make a decision on where he will resume his club career in the next 48 hours, while his former manager at Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti, claims the reason for his Stamford Bridge departure this summer was "economic". Daily Mail

European champions Inter Milan are considering a move for Everton's South African midfielder Steven Pienaar. Daily Mail

Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk are closing in on a £6m deal for Arsenal's Croatian striker Eduardo. Daily Mail

Arsenal are ready to offer £18m to sign Everton defender Phil Jagielka. Daily Star

Former Arsenal and Everton forward Francis Jeffers will have a trial with Premier League newcomers Blackpool this week after being released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season. Daily Mail

Birmingham defender Roger Johnson insists his side still need another six signings before the transfer window shuts. the Sun

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez wants to take Chelsea's Argentine striker Franco Di Santo on loan for the season. Daily Mirror

Another Chelsea youngster who could be heading out on a season-long loan deal is defender Jeffrey Bruma, who is ready to sign for ex-England boss Steve McClaren's German side Wolfsburg. Daily Mirror

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is ready make his first major signing for the Premier League newcomers with a club record £1m deal for Derby striker Rob Hulse. Daily Mirror

Striker Marlon Harewood - a free agent following his release by Aston Villa - is considering accepting a two-year contract to join Dubai club Al Ahli, who are managed by former Leeds boss David O'Leary. Daily Mirror

OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the Blues will retain the Premier League title next season, even without released midfielder Joe Cole and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres - a reported target. the Sun

However, Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs believes the Old Trafford outfit can reclaim the crown with a new generation of young players. the Sun

Spanish World Cup winner Carles Puyol has called on Arsenal to show midfielder Cesc Fabregas some respect by allowing him to join him at Barcelona. "I have just spent six weeks with him and there is only one club he wants to be at," said Puyol. the Sun

Puyol's Spain and Barca team-mate Gerard Pique believes his former Old Trafford team-mate Wayne Rooney will bounce back from his disappointing World Cup with England by inspiring Manchester United to the Premier League title next year. Daily Star

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson could be given a final chance to save his Gunners' career this week if the 21-year-old is included in the club's pre-season tour to Austria. Daily Mirror

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is planning to take over the fashion world with his own clothing range. the Sun

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was booed by crowds when he arrived at the wedding of his former Arsenal and England team-mate Sol Campbell on Saturday. the Sun

Irish football fans in New York are being urged to boycott the city's Red Bulls team after they signed striker Thierry Henry, whose handball led to the winning goal in France's World Cup qualification play-off victory over Ireland. Daily Star

[french_tony]

£3M??!?!? who makes this shit up

[dazby]

Barcelona are being soooooo disrespectful to Arsenal. I hope he stays just to piss them off. They don't have a divine right to sign anyone.

[Blue in the face]

£3M??!?!? who makes this shit up

Bloody right. Twitchy can go and get stuffed. Nobody wants Bellers to go. I hope he doesn't want to go either.

Does anybody know if Mancio is keen to get rid of him?

[BlueMoonAwoken]

Barcelona are being soooooo disrespectful to Arsenal. I hope he stays just to piss them off. They don't have a divine right to sign anyone.

I dont think barca want him badly enough! And if i was cesc id stay at arsenal. If barca wanted him they would pay for him but with xavi and iniesta they dont want to replace them.

[SilvaKrAzY]

I can't believe rag fans are buzzing cos Berbaflop had one good game. One minute he's the worst player in world to them the next minute he is their equivalent to Jesus. Watch when he gets back to the prem, back to his good old ways...