OFFICIAL BOLLOX ROUND-UP
There are reports this morning that City have attempted to hijack a deal that would see Brazilian Rom Taison sign for Chelsea.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Blues have thrown a spanner in the works by making a late enquiry about the 24-year-old Metalist Kharkiv midfielder.
“Taison, 24, believed he was on his way to Stamford Bridge after Metalist Kharkiv agreed a deal with Chelsea who have also settled on personal terms with the Brazilian midfielder,” writes John Cross.
“But Metalist are understood to have suddenly asked for more money after City, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk all made enquiries.
“Chelsea owner Abramovich is aware of the last minute change and is desperate for Taison not to join their Premier League title rivals.
“Despite being uncapped by Brazil, Taison is in big demand and Metalist have told Chelsea to sort it out in the next 24 hours - or they will go elsewhere.”
Meanwhile, there are more rumours where Mario’s concerned. This time Napoli are named as the club most interested in bringing the striker back to his native Italy.
“Mario Balotelli could be on his way out of Manchester City after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis appeared to open the door to the 22-year-old Italy striker moving to Italy,” reports ESPN.
“Balotelli's future has been cast under a cloud after his much-publicised training ground 'grapple' with manager Roberto Mancini last week, although Mancini insists the striker will be given "another 100 chances" by the club.
“But amid reports that both Chelsea and City are lining up mega-money bids for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, De Laurentiis reiterated his desire to keep the Uruguayan striker at the club, and said he would welcome Balotelli at Stadio San Paolo.”
Finally this morning, The Daily Mail claims City midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim is set to re-join Stromgodset on a six month loan deal.
“The Norway Under-21 international has been told he can leave the Etihad Stadium by Roberto Mancini,” Sami Mokbel reports.
“And Ibrahim will sign with the Norwegian side on a temporary basis until June 30.
“The 21-year-old recently returned from another loan spell with Stromgodset, where he scored three goals in 11 appearances.”
MANCHESTER CITY BOSS ROBERTO MANCINI CONCERNED OVER JACK RODWELL INJURY PROBLEMS
ROBERTO MANCINI is concerned by the recurring hamstring problems that are continuing to blight Jack Rodwell’s career.
The midfielder has suffered eight separate hamstring injuries in the past 14 months and Manchester City have been working on special strengthening techniques to avoid any further recurrences.
Rodwell, 22, has played only 980 minutes of club football since he tore his hamstring playing for England in their international friendly win over Sweden at Wembley in November 2011.
That injury restricted him to only five more appearances for Everton last season and since his £12million move to City in August he has made only five more, two starts and three as a substitute, the last of them in early October.
Rodwell suffered a hamstring injury on England Under-21 duty in October, which he then aggravated in training last month.
The added frustration for Rodwell and City is that with Yaya Toure away at the African Nations Cup – the midfielder was released from hospital in Abu Dhabi yesterday after being admitted with a heavy fever over the weekend – he is needed at a critical time of the season.
“I’m worried,” said Mancini, “because when we bought him we thought that he was a good player and then he has these problems with his hamstrings.
“We hope we can improve this situation for him because he’s young, he has quality, he has everything to have a good career.
“Jack’s getting better and we hope he can recover in two or three weeks. He needs to start to work with the squad but he didn’t do this until last Thursday.”
Everton sent Rodwell to see Germany’s renowned sports injuries expert Dr Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt at the end of last season in a bid to get to the bottom of his hamstring problems. And City have set him a programme of strengthening exercises in the gym to ensure he stays fit for the rest of the season.
Rodwell said: “It is down to strengthening now, so I’m doing a lot of work in the gym and am getting it right to prevent another injury. It has been a frustrating start to the season and to my City career, but I’m focused now and I’m ready to get back.” To add to Rodwell’s consternation, he was described as an Everton player yesterday on a list of players’ Twitter accounts published by City for their fans to follow.
We hope we can improve this situation for him because he’s young, he has quality, he has everything to have a good career
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini
Mario Balotelli, meanwhile, stepped up his fitness and sharpness by scoring twice in an appearance for City’s Under-21 elite development squad in a 4-0 win over Blackburn in a friendly yesterday.
Balotelli, watched by City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain and youth development executive Patrick Vieira, turned down the chance to complete a hat-trick by twice handing penalty kicks to team-mates.
The run-out with the kids was not a punishment following his training-ground bust-up with Mancini, acccording to club sources. City need Balotelli, who was out for a month with a virus, to regain fitness and form after Sergio Aguero’s hamstring injury, suffered on New Year’s Day against Stoke, was revealed to be more serious than expected.
Aguero, who went to Italy to have the problem assessed, is now expected to be out for a month.
He is also having to cope with the split from his long-term partner Gianni, daughter of Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who has returned to Buenos Aires with their son Ben.
He said: “I’m trying to adapt myself to my new situation after my break-up. That’s hard for me because Ben is in Argentina and I’m here. I try so that it doesn’t influence my performances.”
Garcia's way out?
Manchester City are to give unsettled midfielder Javi Garcia a way out of Eastlands by offering him in a player plus cash deal for Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye in the summer.
It is believed that a £10m bid plus Javi Garcia would bring Cabaye to the Etihad Stadium. Garcia, 25, has been in and out of the City team this season, making eight appearances since signing from Benfica in a £16m deal.
It has been reported that Garcia is struggling to deal with the squad rotation policy at City and wants to move away at the end of the season. City boss Roberto Mancini is attempting to maintain his team’s morale after the damaging training ground incident with Mario Balotelli and the move for Garcia could improve team momentum. Garcia is viewed by many in City circles as a squad player who provides competition for Gareth Barry and Jack Rodwell but it seems that he wants to be a key man for City or else will seek a move away from the Premier League champions.
Boss Alan Pardew is desperately trying to improve his team’s confidence after dealing with players speaking out about his ‘negative tactics.’
Key Newcastle players such as Demba Ba have criticised the clubs playing style in an interview with L’Equipe claiming the team’s ‘long-ball football’ had damaged the team. Ba forced a £7.5m move to Chelsea shortly after his comments which escaped a fine.
The departure of Cabaye will not go down well with the Newcastle hierarchy who regard the player as a creative lynch-pin and indispensable member of the squad. The midfielder has been linked with moves to Man City, Man Utd and Barcelona in recent months but City are ready to hand Javi Garcia as a ‘sweetener.’ Garcia is desperate for first-team football ahead of Brazil 2014 where he aims to be a part of the defending Spanish champions.
Beleaguered Newcastle fans, who have seen their team win just twice in their last 16 games, do have a small piece of good news with the Frenchman beginning light-training following a groin injury. He could be back in the first team fold by mid-January- earlier than the expected February date.
<IRONY ALERT> Balotelli is a "rotten apple" says Milan president Berlusconi
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has killed off talk that the Italian club are interested in signing Mario Balotelli, describing the Manchester City forward as a "rotten apple".
Balotelli has been linked with a move to Milan as a possible replacement for the already-departured Pato and Robinho, who is expected to leave during the current transfer window, but Berlusconi has ruled the move out.
The Rossoneri president said: "The name of Balotelli never came into my thoughts, he is a rotten apple and could infect every group where he goes, even Milan.
"I'm sorry to say this, but in Milan is very important to the human aspect. If you put a rotten apple in the locker room can infect all the others."
Italy international Balotelli has been out of favour at the Etihad following his lacklustre display in the Manchester derby against Manchester United and was recently pictured confronting manager Roberto Mancini during a training session.
Tai takeway? Chelsea in danger of losing Taison after Man City make late enquiry
Blues had agreed an £11m fee and personal terms with the Brazilian before City, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk joined the chase
Roman Abramovich could lose out on £11m target Taison after Manchester City tried to hijack the deal at the last minute.
Taison, 24, believed he was on his way to Stamford Bridge after Metalist Kharkiv agreed a deal with Chelsea who have also settled on personal terms with the Brazilian midfielder.
But Metalist are understood to have suddenly asked for more money after City, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk all made enquiries.
Chelsea owner Abramovich is aware of the last minute change and is desperate for Taison not to join their Premier League title rivals.
Despite being uncapped by Brazil, Taison is in big demand and Metalist have told Chelsea to sort it out in the next 24 hours - or they will go elsewhere.
Metalist are believed to now want £13m and are determined to get tough even though Taison was allowed to go to Chelsea’s Champions League victory over Nordjaelland in December.
The Ukrainian club now believe Chelsea are dragging their heels and, because of strong interest from other clubs, they have a lever to turn up the heat to get the deal done.
Shakhtar already have a host of Brazilian stars - including Willian - while Benfica have also made enquiries.
Taison was fully expecting to join Chelsea and has already taken legal steps to get a work permit which may have been an issue as he is not a full international.
But this latest development will test Chelsea as to how much they want to sign him and they will certainly be determined to fend off City’s interest.
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez last night claimed the Chelsea board accept this is a "transition" season at Stamford Bridge and that he will be judged on what he does in the three remaining cup competitions.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 8-1-2010
Manchester City make £4m bid for Argentina left back Cristian Ansaldi
Manchester City are on the verge of a deal to sign Cristian Ansaldi, 23, for £4 million from Rubin Kazan. The Argentina left back has helped his team to win consecutive Russian titles since moving from Newell’s Old Boys two years ago and played in the 2-1 victory away to Barcelona in the Champions League in October.
He would become the third left back the club have signed in the past year. Sylvinho, 35, who joined last summer, has been deputising in that position recently because Wayne Bridge has been out with a knee injury and may not return for another month.
Scouts from Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City will make their latest checks on Victor Moses this weekend as the battle to sign the Crystal Palace youngster hots up.
The cash-strapped Championship Eagles have put striker Moses, 19, up for sale to raise funds.
And the Selhurst Park club are desperate to offload the starlet as they have had problems meeting their wage bill.
Moses, who has five goals this season, is valued at around £3.5million by Palace.
But Palace are willing to loan him out for the rest of the season in return for around £1.5m.
Representatives from Premier League clubs, including Man City’s football administration officer Brian Marwood, are due to watch Moses against Bristol City tomorrow
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +7 GD +4
Luka Modric has alerted Chelsea and Manchester City to a potential January transfer after the 27-year-old Real Madrid midfielder admitted he is unsettled in Spain. Metro
Chelsea have identified 25-year-old Marouane Fellaini as their preferred replacement for Frank Lampard, 34, and are planning to trigger a £22m buyout clause in the Everton midfielder's contract at the end of the season. Times
Give us a break! Aguero feels City are not treated with respect because of their money
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero believes his club are not given the credit they deserve because people are too concerned by their wealth.
The Argentine is angry that rival supporters seem to overlook the fact they are Barclays Premier League champions instead always bringing up Sheikh Mansour’s millions.
He believes that every top team in the world have been assembled with big money, except for Barcelona.
Aguero told the Daily Mirror: ‘Some people say this team was built only through money, as if other clubs weren’t.
‘I want to be clear, only Barcelona have footballers from their youth system. The rest of the clubs, including us, don’t.’
‘Sometimes I think people don’t value what we have done,’ he said. ‘We are the Premier League champions.
‘We won the title even when Man United were ahead of us by lots of points. We didn’t give up and we fought until the end. We were definitely the best team.’
Aguero also revealed it is his dream one day to win the Ballon d’Or like his good friend and Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi.
‘I know that if i work hard, maybe some day I will win it. I hope so. Every footballer dreams of being the best in the world.’DSSC
SNUB COUNT 27
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is lining up a summer move for England international Lampard. Daily Telegraph
The Old Trafford club expect to beat Premier League rivals Tottenham to the signature of Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, 20. DSSC
QPR are set to be beaten to the signing of Marseille striker Loic Remy by Newcastle, despite tabling the 26-year-old better terms and offering the French club Shaun Wright-Phillips, 31, as part of the deal. Daily Mirror
But Remy could decide against a move to either English club, in favour of a switch to Italian side Inter Milan. DSSC
Arsenal have Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, 26, in their sights, with the Argentina international valued at around £8m. Independent
Liverpool could be ready to offload on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin to German club Borussia Dortmund, where the 24-year-old had a successful stint before his move to the Bernabeu. DSSC
Sunderland are plotting to make a bid for Swansea striker Danny Graham, 27, as boss Martin O'Neill seeks to give forward Steve Fletcher more support. Daily Telegraph
Blackburn defender Martin Olsson is eager for the Ewood Park club to accept West Ham's £2m bid for him. DSSC
AC Milan are considering an offer for Paris St. Germain midfielder Momo Sissoko. The former Liverpool man, who has been plagued by injury since his move to the French capital, is worth between £1.6m and £2.4m. Gazetta dello Sport
Turkish side Fenerbahce may make an offer on Younes Belhanda of Montpellier. The Moroccan playmaker has previously been linked with a move to Tottenham. Sport24
Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola admits he is eager to get back into football. The 41-year-old has at least eight offers but insists he has not yet decided where his next job will be. Daily Star
MLS side Toronto FC will announce at a media conference on Tuesday that Paul Mariner his been sacked as coach and replaced by 35-year-old QPR defender Ryan Nelsen. CBC Sports
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, 23, is poised to sign a new contract with the club this week, keeping him at Emirates Stadium until 2017 and increasing his salary from £60,000 to £90,000-a-week. Goal.com
Mansfield chairman John Radford claims Liverpool directors were "embarrassed" by Reds striker Luis Suarez's handball when the 25-year-old Uruguayan scored in the FA Cup tie against the non-league side. Independent
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo, 36, is preparing for a move to England after enrolling as an advertising student. Daily Star
GOLDEN BOLLOX 8-1-2011
Chelsea eye £20m Richards swoop
Chelsea are ready to make a £20million move for Micah Richards – after the unsettled Manchester City defender demanded showdown talks with Roberto Mancini.
The faltering champions believe they can prise the England defender away from Eastlands following comments from Richards that he would rather leave the club than be reduced to a squad player under Mancini.
Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal that Richards met with the City manager on Thursday to tell him that he was unhappy with his role – less than 24 hours after playing in the goalless draw at Arsenal.
He was followed into the manager’s office by Joleon Lescott, who asked for assurances about his future after being left on the bench at the Emirates.
Mancini told both players that they were part of his plans and will not be allowed to leave.
But Chelsea have been long-term admirers of 22-year-old Richards.
If their advances are rebuffed this time then they will be back in the summer, with Roman Abramovich now forced to accept that he has to invest in the club’s ageing squad.
City, though, are in no mood to sell Richards – particularly to a club they view as rivals for the title.
But Mancini will not stand in the way of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge or Shaun Wright-Phillips who are all likely to leave on loan deals.
Monaco, Aston Villa and Fulham are interested in Adebayor and Santa Cruz’s likely destination is Lazio or Blackburn.
West Ham are set to beat Villa to a loan deal for defender Bridge and Liverpool were interested in winger Wright-Phillips although that deal is uncertain after Roy Hodgson’s departure from Liverpool. Sunday Mirror
Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira confirms that he could retire at the end of the season
Frenchman reckons there is a '50 per cent chance'
Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has admitted that he is entertaining thoughts about retiring at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old spent some of his best years bossing Arsenal's engine room, and eventually left the north London club in 2005. And after spells at Juventus and Inter in the Serie A, the Frenchman chose to return to the Premier League and reunite with former boss Roberto Mancini at the Eastlands outfit.
But the ageing midfielder has made only two league starts for the club this season, and is now considering the prospect of calling time on his career.
"There is a 50 per cent chance [that I quit at the end of the season]," Vieira told L'Equipe.
"I think Manchester City will be my last challenge. Calling it quits in June would not bother me. It will be an easy decision."
Vieira's contract with City expires during the summer, and the midfielder conceded that he is happy to have had a career filled with several winners' medals including the 1998 World Cup.
"I accept the fact that it is almost the end... There is a past, wonderful memories, but it was before,' he said.
"If I had to do it again, I would not change anything. Sunday Mirror
LAHAD'S BINGO CIRCLE OF BOLLOX
Back in December we broke the news that the club plans to build a brand new iconic landmark around the circumference of the Etihad Stadium. Inspired by and dedicated to City fans, City Circle, as it will be known, is set to transform the home of the blues with thousands of supporter messages in the shape of personalised ‘Bluemoon discs’ spelling out the lyrics of the fans’ favourite Club anthem, Blue Moon.
The new tribute will see all four versus of the terrace classic written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart recreated from approximately 40,000 circular disks and is set become the UK’s largest permanent fan tribute. Each letter will span more than two metres in height. Blues fans can take their pick from a range of styles and prices starting from stainless steel, costing £60, coloured glass at £95, and a limited edition of hand cast bronze discs for £395.
Needless to say this would be a perfect place to honour the Fez & Nipple Tassel wearing one ....
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=121&t=44934
