THE TEVEZ INTERVIEW TRANSLATED
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/vir ... -interview
Marseille U19S 3 City Eds 0
The young Blues were dumped on the bottom of the NextGen Series Group One table after a difficult night in southern France.
After an encouraging performance in defeat at home to Barcelona last month, the Blues put on a brave show at the Stadium Marcel Cerdan.
They handed a debut to 15-year-old Angus Gunn, son of former Norwich keeper Bryan, as usual keeper Eirik Johansen was away on international duty with Norway Under-21.
Gunn made a bright start, denying the impressive Chris Gadi-N’Kiasala, but he was beaten on 18 minutes when Omaur Diop crossed and Wesley Jobello lifted his shot over the young stopper.
City were struggling to get into the game in the first half, but Andy Welsh’s pep talk at half-time saw a much better display after the break, with Spanish starlet Denis Suarez making his presence felt.
City pressed hard but could not find a way through, while Gunn had to be alert to deny Jobello with his feet.
Eight minutes from time Marseille sealed the win on the counter-attack, Diop racing down the City left and crossing for substitute Madjid Ammari to score.
The hosts gave the scoreline a more emphatic look deep in added time as Florian Mouet fired home from 18 yards.
The Blues now face Celtic, who have also lost their two opening games, at Ewen Fields on October 17, needing to win to stay in with a chance of qualifying for the next stage.
CITY: Gunn, Coulson, Plummer, Rekik, Meppen-Walter, Roman, Clowes (Evans), Huws, Henshall (Rubnak), Suarez, Bunn (Hiwula)
‘BLAME ROBERTO MANCINI FOR CARLOS TEVEZ BUST-UP’ zzzzzz
ROBERTO MANCINI has been blamed by Carlos Tevez’s agent for the bust-up which has led to the striker being banned by Manchester City.
Kia Joorabchian accused City manager Mancini of failing to handle the situation properly .
Joorabchian also claimed that Tevez had done no more than players such as Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Luka Modric, who he alleged had also refused to play for their clubs in recent months.
Mancini accused Tevez of refusing to go on as a substitute for the last 30 minutes as City were losing 2-0 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League last Tuesday.
After the game Mancini insisted that Tevez had defied his orders and would never play for the club again. His Argentina striker later claimed it was a misunderstanding and that he had simply said he did not need to warm-up again.
Tevez was banned by the club for two weeks and last night flew back to Buenos Aires with his family after attending a disciplinary hearing on Monday. His career as a City player is expected to be over. But Joorabchian insisted that managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger would have handled the situation differently.
Joorabchian said: “This is a personal relationship between two people.
“Throughout the summer we have seen Cesc Fabregas, Luka Modric, Samir Nasri – the list goes on, but all high profile names – handing in transfer requests, refusing to travel, refusing to play. It is a problem in general.
“Those players refused to play. But they refused to play in a different way. Those managers handled it very differently.
“Roberto has his style of management. He is very direct and totally different to Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger.
“Cesc had a big problem all summer. Modric handed a transfer request in. He didn’t play in Tottenham’s first Europa League game. It was reported that he did not want to play. Every manager handles those situations differently. Carlos and Roberto now have to live with the manner with which this has been handled.”
Joorabchian also blamed interpreter Pedro Marques for not translating correctly the questions Tevez was asked by Sky TV after the game in Munich, when the player said that he did not feel right to play.
Joorabchian said: “The events of Munich have been judged before the real outcome has emerged. We didn’t see what actually happened on the bench.
“I know Carlos in a different light than anyone in the world. You can criticise him for anything except his commitment on the pitch. You can never criticise him for not wanting to play.
“There have been several times in his City career where he has taken injections to play, played with swollen ankles, and instances when doctors have told him not to play. Carlos throughout his career has been the one who fights to play.”
Tevez is due to fly back early next week but Joorabchian said: “I cannot say what Carlos wants to do. He feels he has been judged and condemned before the case has been looked into.”
GAZ VIDEO BOLLOX
Gareth Barry speaks to BBC Sport ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Friday.
England will win Group G provided they do not lose to Montenegro, although a defeat could leave Fabio Capello's team facing a play-off.
Manchester City midfielder Barry is speaking at a cancer awareness promotion and the England squad are donating their match fees for Friday's game to Cancer Research UK.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15167527.stm
JAMES MILNER: IT’S MAKE AND BREAK TIME
JAMES MILNER starts a mini-break this weekend determined it won’t be as miserable as his summer holiday last year.
The 25-year-old England and Manchester City star admitted it was hard to relax in Spain after his country’s depressing exit in the World Cup to Germany.
He said he also felt extremely down going away back in 2004 after his hometown club Leeds were relegated after 14 years in the top flight.
So Milner is determined to help England get at least a draw in Montenegro to clinch qualification for Euro 2012.
A defeat would ensure a four-day wait to see if Montenegro pip them to top spot in Group G by winning in Switzerland.
He said: “The main thing is we go out there and get a positive result, then enjoy a few days. This summer wasn’t great after we drew with Switzerland at Wembley after the season had ended.
“It’s such a long time before you get back into it. Even training – you can’t train and have a good training session to take your mind of it, so it’s frustrating.
“But that’s football and people always say it’s the bad results and the disappointing things that happen in your career that you remember more than times when you are successful. But it’s good that you try and improve and learn from what’s happened in the past.”
Asked to name the worst times when he had gone off on holiday feeling deflated, Milner said: “Obviously the World Cup was disappointing. Beyond that, Leeds’ relegation was the biggest one.
“But it’s how you channel that and learn from it and hopefully the next major tournament you get to, you can improve.”
Milner, who said he might book a short break in the sun having been given a few days off by City, added: “It’s early in the season and people might say you had a few weeks off in the summer, but the games have been coming thick and fast, and will do until Christmas.
“It’s important to get your rest. But first and foremost, we’ve got a massive game. If we get the right result in Montenegro, we can enjoy a few days.”
Jack Wilshere insists he will be fresh for Euro 2012 if England seal qualification. The Arsenal midfielder is recovering from ankle surgery.
He said: “Everyone says that the players always look dead for England in the summer but I should be fresh if I come back strongly and I get picked.”
City close in on 'best young player in the world'
Manchester City are ready to sign teen sensation Zakaria Bakkali in a big money deal with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
The 15-year-old striker – voted the best young player in the world at the recent Nike Cup – is tipped to make the move in the next window and go straight into City’s academy.
Bakkali – small and skillful on the ball – was born in Morocco, but settled in Europe as a kid and is a Belgium youth international.
Manchester City’s Micah Richards: United's Phil Jones is going to be England captain one day
The defender has earmarked the former Blackburn man to take the armband for his country in the future, saying he has "everything" and is at the right club to develop
Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes Phil Jones will go on to be England captain in the future, and is of the belief that Manchester United will nurture the 19-year-old's talent.
Jones moved to the Premier League champions from Blackburn Rovers this summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £18 million, and has impressed under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, earning himself a spot in Fabio Capello's England squad as a result.
Richards told The Guardian: "Phil Jones is going to be England captain one day. He could play in midfield. He's got everything: pace, reads the game well, is good on the ball."
Richards holds the record of being the youngest defender to earn an England cap, so he knows of the pressure to progress after showing early promise, and the City star feels Jones is in good hands at Old Trafford.
"He's at the right club as well because Sir Alex Ferguson promotes young players," he added.
[spoiler][youtube]vPHxU0BCBx8[/youtube][/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United look set to raid Portugal for another winger in the form of Benfica's Nico Gaitan. talkSHIT
United States club Chicago Fire have denied reports they are negotiating to sign Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand. Daily Mirror
Championship side Doncaster have launched a bid to sign midfielder Lassana Diarra on loan from Real Madrid. the Sun
Tottenham's hopes of signing Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo have been dashed after the 26-year-old signed a new two-year deal at the Spanish club. talkSHIT
Arsenal are believed to have joined the race to sign Everton's 17-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley. Caught Offside
Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be interested in signing Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh. talkSHIT
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Padova striker Ousmane Drame, according to his agent. Inside Futbol
Manchester United could be in the hunt to sign Sporting Lisbon and Netherlands international striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel next summer. Caught Offside
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written an open letter to the club's fans asking them to abide by away ground regulations to avoid reductions in their match-day ticket allocations. Guardian
Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has assured Arsenal fans he is not looking to leave. Daily Mirror
Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon has revealed that Chelsea tried and failed to sign him before he left Real Madrid on loan. talkSHIT
Birmingham face selling defender Liam Ridgewell, striker Nikola Zigic and winger Jean Beausejour amid fears over the club's latest accounts. Daily Mirror
England are reportedly lining up a glamour home friendly against world and European champions Spain for November, and hope to get Portugal to visit Wembley four days later. Daily Mirror
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says he would not swop Reds striker Luis Suarez for any other forward in the Premier League. talkSHIT
QPR manager Neil Warnock has revealed he will not punish striker Adel Taarabt for walking out of QPR at half-time during their 6-0 defeat by Fulham last weekend. the Sun
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has branded north London rivals Arsenal 'bad losers' after their claims that his goal in the recent derby should not have stood. Metro
Former England manager Kevin Keegan believes Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is the only English coach who could take over from Fabio Capello. talkSHIT
Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson feels the Football Association would be better off hiring Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rather than Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp as the next international boss. Metro
Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher has insisted that the next manager of England should be English - and believes that it is a form of cheating to have a foreign boss in charge. Daily Mirror
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard decided to take a few steps down the footballing pyramid, but thankfully for Liverpool fans it was just as a supporter, as the midfielder was spotted in the stands watching the Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash between Accrington and Tranmere. Metro
Brazilian Marcello Matrone has become a YouTube hit after donning a blonde wig, bandana and a mop to impersonate Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses for one of his goal celebrations. Metro
Manchester City special: Goalscoring greats B*ll*x
Manchester City are scoring goals for fun this season and boast arguably their strongest ever strike quartet - MuEN Sport's Stuart Brennan considers who is the greatest ever Blues goalscorer.
Check out the Blues contenders below.
BILLY MEREDITH
(394 apps, 151 goals)
Football’s first true star, and a man who was loved by both City and United fans during his appearances for both clubs. The Welshman cut a fine figure, a dashing footballer who often played with a toothpick in his mouth, and who was instrumental in the formation of the Players’ Union. Later caught up in a match-fixing scandal which tainted his 30-year career, Meredith ended up with two league titles, two FA Cups and legendary status in Manchester........................... 10
TOMMY JOHNSON
(354 apps, 166 goals)
The second-highest goalscorer in City’s history, and a major reason why the Blues established themselves as the major football force in Manchester in the 1920s, and the country’s best-supported club. Johnson set a club record by netting 38 goals in 39 league games in the 1928-29 season, a challenge which remains for today’s superstars to try to beat! After being sold by City to Everton for a huge fee of £6,000, he came back to haunt the club, scoring against them in the 1933 FA Cup final...................... 8
ERIC BROOK
(494 apps, 178 goals)
The club’s record goalscorer, a record which seems likely to stand for eternity now we are in an era of fly-by-night footballers. Brook escaped the clutches of neighbours United and went on to become fourth in the list of appearances for City. His goals helped City to their 1934 FA Cup triumph, and in 1937 he scored 20 in 42 games as they lifted the league title for the first time................. 7
JOE HAYES
(363 games, 152 goals)
The scourge of United in the 1950s, when he rattled in 10 goals in 17 derbies against the Red neighbours, a record he shares with Francis Lee. But the former cotton mill worker from Kearsley achieved much more than that – he set City on their way to triumph in the 1956 FA Cup final. When the Blues’ great '50s team broke up, Hayes remained, and continued to score in a team which was very much on the wane............. 7
DENIS LAW
(79 apps, 37 goals)
Only Billy Meredith could challenge Law’s tag as the greatest player to turn out for both Manchester clubs. Unfortunately for City, his stay with the Blues was all too short, although fans were thrilled by his gymnastic abilities, bravery and lethal finishing before signing for Torino for a British record £110,000. Of course he returned to City after his later successes at United, and scored the famous backheel goal which underlined United’s relegation misery in 1974............................10
NEIL YOUNG
(412 apps, 107 goals)
The death of the City icon earlier this year proved to be a poignant moment in, and an inspiration for, the Blues’ FA Cup triumph in May. Young, from Fallowfield, was an elegant, cultured forward with a knack of grabbing important goals, not least his 1969 FA Cup final winner and the opener in the 1970 European Cup Winners’ Cup final. He was also leading scorer in the second division title triumph of 1966 and the league championship victory of 1968............................ 7
FRANCIS LEE
(321 apps, 143 goals)
Lee has gone down in history as a maker and taker of penalties, but that is an unfair pigeon-holing of a fine player. When he arrived from Bolton in 1967, he was seen as the last piece in City’s title jigsaw, and so it proved, as he scored 17 goals in his debut season as the Blues pipped United. A tenacious and brave player around the penalty box, Lee scored 10 goals for England in 27 appearances, and later became City
chairman..................................... 8
DENNIS TUEART
(269 apps, 107 goals)
Tueart provided one of the iconic moments in City’s history, with his stunning overhead winning goal in the 1976 League Cup final against Newcastle. But the stylish Tueart contributed so much more, and was a key member of the mid-70s side which had crowds flocking back to Maine Road until he disappointed thousands by leaving to join New York Cosmos. He returned for a second spell under Malcolm Allison in 1979, but never quite hit the heights of those entertaining mid ’70s days............................................... 7
GEORGI KINKLADZE
(121 apps, 22 goals)
The dazzling little Georgian was a shooting star who lit up City’s skies during one of the most humdrum periods of their existence. His pacy, surging runs, often concluded by breathtaking finishes, made him the outstanding City player of his era – in a better side, his goals tally would have been far greater. City fans pleaded with Kinkladze to stay when the Blues were relegated in 1998, but he moved on to Ajax for £5m............................................... 8
CARLOS TEVEZ
(84 apps, 52 goals)
Sure to be an unpopular choice, given Tevez’s current suspension for apparently refusing to play as substitute at Bayern Munich last week. But it cannot be ignored that at a time of transition, Tevez has been the goalscoring prop of an upwardly-mobile City team, as well as its talisman and captain. Until last week, his off-field moans and groans had not affected his on-field excellence, and his contribution to the City cause should not be airbrushed
out................................................. 8
THOSE WHO MISSED OUT
The current crop of striker are clearly, in terms of talent, among the best in City’s history, and in two years’ time it is likely that Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli will figure highly on any such list – but they need to score over a sustained period of time to be included in the goalscoring hall of fame. There are also many more important figures in City’s history who it pains you to leave out, not least Shaun Goater, a great example of “cometh the hour, cometh the man”, and Blues legends Uwe Rosler and Paul Dickov. Other cult heroes such as Rodney Marsh, Trevor Francis and Clive Allen were all too fleeting. Nineties City fans might also include towering Niall Quinn, while 1920 star Horace Barnes is worthy of a mention with his 125 goals.
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