Wednesday's gossip B*ll*x

[Chinners]

CITY BOLLOX

JUVENTUS are lining up a £6million January raid for Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta.
The Argentine defender - a £6m capture from Espanyol last summer - has been out in the cold at Eastlands and was sent off during his last start at Wigan earlier this month. With Micah Richards firmly re-established as first-choice right-back?, Zabaleta wants a move and Juve are ready to pounce.The Sun

Hughes defends Joleon Lescott's form
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... -form.html

Scunthorpe looking to KO heavyweights Manchester City in Carling Cup http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... g-Cup.html

Shay Given interview on Football Focus
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 299955.stm

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United are edging closer to signing Valencia forwards David Villa and David Silva, with the Spanish club willing to listen to offers. With winger Cristiano Ronaldo offloaded in the summer, Sir Alex Ferguson has cash to spare and the United manager is willing to pay £40m for the duo.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Liverpool are keen on securing the services of Sampdoria midfielder Koman Vladimir. The Hungarian star is currently on loan at Bari and is valued at £4m.Daily Mirror

Birmingham City are favourites to sign Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Star)

Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric has told free agent Edgar Davids he has 24 hours to decide on joining. The Dutch midfielder recently held talks with the Championship side over a possible move.Daily Mirror

Bolton and Celtic are considering a swoop for FC Utrecht's Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel. (The Sun)

QPR are targeting 22-year-old Gillingham's £1m-rated striker Simeon Jackson. (Daily Star)

UWAFFER 1978 V MILLAN BOLLOX
Away leg
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Home leg
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OTHER BOLLOX
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has suggested that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has too much power and leads a number of Premier League bosses in ganging up on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. The Sun

Argentina boss Diego Maradona has tipped Angel Di Maria to be the country's next footballing hero. The 21-year-old Benfica striker was watched recently by Chelsea scouts and Maradona said: "Angel has the quality to be a worldwide superstar."Daily Mirror

Tottenham defender Ledley King is hoping to open up talks on extending his deal at White Hart Lane. The club captain's contract expires at the end of the season and Spurs have an option of a one-year extension. (The Sun)

Hull manager Phil Brown is mulling over selecting striker Jozy Altidore after the 19-year-old American was fined for revealing on social networking site Twitter that he was dropped for the match against Portsmouth for being late. (The Sun)

Former Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is targeting a return to management and is one of 50 applicants attempting to land the post at League Two outfit Aldershot.Daily Mirror

Former England under-21 boss Peter Taylor is close to linking up with Roy Keane at Ipswich as first-team coach. Taylor, who recently left his post as Wycombe manager, has been recruited by the Tractors boss to improve on their winless start to the season.
Daily Mail

WAG OF THE DAY
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2 ... a-karembeu

AND FINALLY
Manuel Pellegrini's role as Real Madrid coach is under threat after a 4-0 defeat in the fourth round, first leg of the Copa del Rey to Alcorcón from regional Second Division B, Group II. Pellegrini said: "There are no explanations. Alcorcón played very well. We hope our fans can forgive us after this defeat."
Full story: The Guardian

[craigmcfc]

Manuel Pellegrini's role as Real Madrid coach is under threat after a 4-0 defeat in the fourth round, first leg of the Copa del Rey to Alcorcón from regional Second Division B, Group II. Pellegrini said: "There are no explanations. Alcorcón played very well. We hope our fans can forgive us after this defeat."

It'd be typical of them to win the home leg by half a dozen though and then all will be forgotten

Top Top WAG

[BmoreBlue]

not sure i'd say zabs has been "out in the cold" - he's started several matches, and has probably overtaken richards as first choice when both are fit.

[Florida Blue]

Manchester U***d are edging closer to signing Valencia forwards David Villa and David Silva, with the Spanish club willing to listen to offers.

Does anyone else see the irony in this? Baconface blasts us for having "10 strikers" and then he will go out and do the same?

I have heard some of the best ideas are borrowed from those before you. Looks like those in the swamp are learning and/or in fear of City. Gotta love it!!

[Crossie]

Zabs has also been suspended?!?!?

[sky_blue_stew]

The figures quoted for Villa and Silva are clearly rubbish, you'd be lucky to get Villa alone for £40m in the present climate, but I can see why the rags might be interested. Some number crunching on this football article on Premier League goal scoring shows that they've really struggled to compensate for the lack of Ronaldo, especially at home, where they haven't won by more than 2 goals all seasons. This compares very poorly with their title winning campaigns of the past - a good sign!

[ronk]

Exceptional WAG.