MCF.NET TRIBUTE THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=35196
Nigel de Jong ponders quitting Holland after Bert van Marwijk comments
Nigel de Jong stung by criticism of combative style• Midfielder dropped by Holland after Hatem Ben Arfa challenge
Nigel de Jong is contemplating turning his back on international football after being dropped from the Holland squad as punishment for the challenge that left Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa with a double break to his left leg.
De Jong missed the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Sweden and Moldova over the past week because the Holland coach, Bert van Marwijk, felt the Manchester City player had committed a "wild and unnecessary offence" during the 2-1 defeat of Newcastle two weekends ago.
Van Marwijk accused De Jong of playing with a combative style where he "needlessly looks to push the limit" and rang the midfielder to explain that he felt he had no alternative but to take a stand. De Jong was told he would be excluded for only two games but the 25-year-old feels so disillusioned he has not made up his mind whether he wants to return to the national team while Van Marwijk is in charge.
His belief is that Van Marwijk has used him to help deflect the criticism that was directed at the Dutch management for the team's abrasive style of play in the World Cup. De Jong maintains there was nothing wrong with a challenge over which Newcastle registered an official complaint with the Football Association, and he believes it was wrong in any case for the Dutch to take action against something that happened while he was playing for his club in England.
He has not aired his grievances publicly, largely because he is aware it would look insensitive at a time when Ben Arfa is facing such a long and distressing rehabilitation, but in private he has decided to see how things settle over the next few weeks before deciding whether he can work with Van Marwijk again. He has spent the international break training with the small group of City players not involved at that level and is described as surprised and disappointed about the level of criticism he has attracted, particularly in the Netherlands where it has dominated the news over the past 10 days.
De Jong's critics can cite the fact that he also broke the leg of the Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden during a friendly international earlier this year against the United States and was culpable of the now-infamous challenge in the World Cup final in which he planted his studs into the chest of the Spanish player Xabi Alonso.
Ben Arfa is on loan to Newcastle from Marseille and the French club have threatened to take legal action. As for Ben Arfa, City were told last week that he did not want De Jong to visit him in hospital. Ben Arfa has since said that De Jong had never offered anyway and there is a degree of anger in Newcastle that the City player has still not expressed any public sympathy. De Jong, however, insists this is the right action and will continue to say nothing.
Lazio are thought to be weighing up a move for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor as he looks to leave Eastlands.The Rome-based club have made a flying start to the Serie A season, topping the division after six games as they look to get the better of Juventus and the two Milan teams.
They are looking to take advantage of Adebayor's current unsettled state by signing the former Arsenal striker on loan in January, or on a permanent basis if they can match City's asking price.
Lazio chairman Claudio Lotito says he is willing to spend big in January if they can keep up their title push until then and is reportedly lining up Adebayor as the club's marque signing.
Lazio failed in their attempts to sign Roque Santa Cruz in the summer but might have more success with Adebayor as he is reportedly fed up of life at Eastlands.
MANCHESTER CITY: AGO-KNEE FOR CROCK MARIO BALOTELLI
MARIO BALOTELLI has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee operation.
The hot-headed Manchester City striker was hoping for a return to action before the end of this month.
Balotelli suffered knee damage on his City debut after climbing off the bench to score against Timisoara in the Europa League play-off.
The £24m signing went under the knife in Italy and has not been seen since after a setback early in his rehabilitation.
Now the former Inter Milan star has suffered another minor setback which will delay his comeback.
He is battling to be ready for the trip to West Brom on November 7, but a more realistic date could be the Manchester derby three days later.
It means the fiery hitman could make his Premier League debut in one of the season’s most volatile fixtures.
Balotelli has told City boss Roberto Mancini he is on a mission to be fit to face Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.
And if he recovers in time Mancini will be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to unleash Balotelli when emotions are guaranteed to be running high.
The warring neighbours are locked in a battle for the title and Mancini will be concerned about Balotelli losing his cool.
Mancini, meanwhile, has suffered a blow with the news that left-back Aleksandar Kolarov will miss Sunday’s trip to Blackpool.
Mancini hoped Kolarov would recover from his ankle problem for the Bloomfield Road clash.
He was keen to field his first-choice back four for the first time as City look to avoid an upset. But Kolarov’s progress has been slower than hoped for and the trip to Wolves on October 30 is a more likely return date for the Serbian full-back.
: Star
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Real Madrid will go to war with Manchester United to sign £75m-rated striker Wayne Rooney at the end of the season. Daily Star
But Real boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a bid for Rooney in the January transfer window. "We have an excellent squad with players who give me a lot of confidence and I don't want any players in the winter market," said Mourinho. Daily Mail
Man United have intensified their contract talks with Rooney's advisors, illustrating his important to Sir Alex Ferguson's plans. The Times
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has, for the umpteenth time, admitted it is his dream to play for boyhood heroes Barcelona. Daily Star
Fabregas, meanwhile, says Barca's Spanish rivals Real Madrid also tried to sign him in the summer. Daily Mirror
Liverpool and Tottenham are lining up a bid for Lyon's £14m-rated 27-year-old Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez. Daily Mirror
PSV Eindhoven's highly rated 24-year-old Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Affelay has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Man United and Liverpool. Daily Mirror
Tottenham will consider making a renewed offer for Anderlecht's teenage striker Romelu Lukaku after a £17.5m bid was rejected in the summer. Daily Mail
Everton could step up their interest in Newcastle defender Steven Taylor if Bayern Munich make a move for the Toffees' Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga.
Full story: Talksport
Heitinga says he would be interested in a move to Bayern. (Daily Mail)
But Magpies boss Chris Hughton insists he will not cash in on Taylor in January. Daily Mirror
Stoke are ready to compete with Werder Bremen for the signature of Fulham's Zoltan Gera. Daily Mail
New Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will sign Aston Villa's Curtis Davies on a one-month loan. Daily Mirror
Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, who was linked with Tottenham in the summer, says he will "seek a solution in January" if he does not get more first-team chances. Daily Mail
Spurs are also interested in Borussia Monchengladbach's 23-year-old Argentine striker Raul Marcelo Bobadilla, who could cost about £6m.TalkSport
Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid, 28, admits he may have to quit the club to relaunch his career.
Daily Mirror
Denmark international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard says he is "shocked" to have been linked with a move to Manchester United goal.com
Ipswich are set to take Sunderland utility man Jack Colback, 20, on loan again after a successful spell last season. Daily Mirror
OTHER BOLLOX
David Beckham's England career is almost certainly over after he formally refused boss Fabio Capello's offer of a farewell game. The Sun
Portsmouth could go bust by next Monday after the Football League stopped them from coming out of administration.Daily Star
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has questioned the way Fabio Capello manages the national side, claiming the Italian is too strict, stern and aloof. The Sun
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is set to miss another two weeks with his troublesome groin injury. Daily Mirror
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will grill England officials after striker Darren Bent picked up yet another injury on international duty. Daily Star
West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo insists he has not fallen out with Paul Scharner despite the midfielder's angry reaction to being substituted against Bolton. The Sun
