Friday's B*ll*x
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:51 amUnwanted and unhappy Robinho heads back to Manchester City from Santos
City refuse to extend £32.5m striker's loan deal with Santos - Brazilian faces collecting £160k-per-week salary from stands
Robinho had an impressive World Cup and is a favourite with the Santos crowd but has failed dismally at Eastlands.
Manchester City's talks with Santos about the future of Robinho have broken down and the player is preparing to return to England and the deeply unsatisfactory prospect of beginning the season at a club where he knows he is not wanted and is profoundly unhappy.
The man whose £32.5m signing from Real Madrid on the day of the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover was supposed to symbolise the club's new ambitions has been unable to secure a deal elsewhere, with City informing Santos they will not entertain the idea of extending his loan, which expires next Wednesday.
That has left Robinho in a state of limbo, with buyers put off by the high valuation City have attached to the 26-year-old after his illuminating performances for Brazil in the World Cup. Robinho has come to be regarded as a huge letdown by the men in power at Eastlands but they are determined not to lose face by allowing him to leave on the cheap and want in excess of £20m. As Robinho is discovering, that immediately rules out Santos, whereas the clubs in Europe with that spending power appear to have other targets.
Robinho may now have little option but to return to Manchester, a city he never embraced, and set about trying to rebuild his relationship with Roberto Mancini, someone he has accused of managing with a "lack of ability".
Whether the damage can be repaired remains to be seen and, if no buyer is found, it cannot be discounted that Mancini will exclude him when he submits his 25-man Premier League squad on 1 September, throwing up the extraordinary possibility of the most expensive player in English football collecting his £160,000-a-week salary from the stands, only a few months after establishing himself as one of the stars of the World Cup.
The situation is not ideal for either party and Robinho did not attempt to conceal his regret after his final match at Santos's Vila Belmiro stadium – a 2-0 win in the first leg of the Brazilian cup final against Vitória – ended with him being given a standing ovation.
"This display of affection from the fans really touches me because this is my home," he said. "I hope I can stay but it depends on Manchester City. I hope this is not my last game here but, for now, what I have been told is that they [the negotiations] are at a standstill and I have to go back to Manchester."
Santos claim City have asked for €40m (£33.5m), which seems to be an exaggeration, but the Brazilians would not be in a position to pay even half that amount.
Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, the club's president, said: "We are negotiating and we are hopeful, but Manchester City have made it clear to us they are not going to loan him again and that they just want to sell him. We can try a new loan in January. I think it would be easier then."
Evandro de Souza, Robinho's agent, said: "Unfortunately, this will probably be Robinho's last game at Vila Belmiro. Manchester City have already told me and Santos they want him back after the end of the [loan] contract."
Robinho's thoughts about returning to Manchester can be gauged by the fact that when he moved to Santos in January he arranged for all his belongings to be shipped to Brazil, put his UK-registered Lamborghini up for sale and informed his landlord he would not be returning to the house he had rented since the previous summer. The forward had strategically chosen to rent after moving out of his first house because of a dispute with neighbours about the noise level at which he was playing music.
As it stands, Robinho will be under orders to fly to England after Brazil's friendly against the USA on 10 August and could, in theory, be involved in City's opening league game at Tottenham Hotspur four days later. Mancini, however, has been planning without him, with David Silva signed from Valencia for £25m and Mario Balotelli on his way from Internazionale for a similar fee, both of whom can play in Robinho's preferred position on the left of attack. One of the people involved in the Balotelli talks indicated today the different parties were still "substantially apart" in terms of the fee and his salary, but it is still expected to be resolved.
"The situation is that Robinho will finish his contract with Santos," Mancini said. "He will stay in Brazil for another week, play for the national team and, after that, he will return to Manchester City."
Asked if he had any issues taking him back, Mancini said: "At this moment, no. But it depends on him."
Meanwhile, the Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, believes the talented Balotelli will enhance City's prospects of becoming a major force. "With him, Manchester City will challenge for the title, not just fourth place," said the former Milan coach. "The Premier League is the ideal place for him. Mario is a crazy talent."
New Fulham boss Mark Hughes targets Man City trio in squad shake up
Mark Hughes signed a two-year deal as Fulham boss last night – and will now have to work fast ahead of the transfer deadline.
Among his priorities will be moves for Manchester City pair Stephen Ireland and Craig Bellamy.
Ireland was outstanding at City for Hughes, while Bellamy has played some of his best football under his fellow Welshman – for City, Blackburn and Wales – but is also a target for Tottenham.
Both players are surplus to requirements at Eastlands, and Hughes could even move for City’s Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz, who impressed under the Welshman at Rovers.
Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, 27, agreed terms on a £2million move to Craven Cottage three weeks ago, pending a medical, and ‘Sparky’ must decide whether to go ahead with the deal.
And Villa team-mate Luke Young is holding out for a move to Fulham after rejecting Liverpool after the clubs had agreed a £2.5m fee.
Hughes will also have to ease uncertainty within the squad over the futures of NINE senior Fulham players with just a year left on their contracts.
They include 33-year-old skipper Danny Murphy and keeper Mark Schwarzer, who was the subject of a rejected £2m bid by Arsenal.
Hughes said: “I’m joining Fulham on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club’s history and that in itself brings with it the ch allenges of expectation and ambition.
“I’m confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward.”
City old-boy Hamann blasts big-spending policy and claims they have no chance of winning the title
Didi Hamann has launched a blistering attack on his old club Manchester City – insisting they have no chance of winning the title.
The former Eastlands midfielder even believes that despite massive sums being spent on new players by boss Roberto Mancini, the club’s fans and billionaire Arab owners could yet again miss out on the top four.
Hamann blasted: “They should have finished in the top four last season and they didn’t.
“There is every chance they will not finish there again because Liverpool will be better next season and Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton will also be up there.
“I don’t see City as title contenders. They need to bring some continuity to the club and stick with the players they have got.
“They have got to choose them carefully and buy the right ones. But if they keep doing what they are at the moment I don’t see them challenging Manchester United or Chelsea.
“They have a turnover of 10 to 15 players every season and if they keep doing this they are not going anywhere.
“You need consistency and continuity at a football club. I don’t agree with what they are doing now.
“City have got bundles to spend and they need to spend wisely. I am not sure if they are doing that. If you don’t do things right off the field it is hard to get them right on it. That transpires to the whole set-up including the backroom staff and doctors.
“The City fans will want to see new arrivals – but big names don’t win you games or win you titles.”
Hamann, 36, spent three years at Eastlands, but insists he has been left stunned by the constant changes at the club as they bid to reel in the big four.
City have already brought in Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Aleksander Kolarov – and are expected to finalise a deal for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli which will take their summer spending spree to more than £100million.
That comes just one year, after City snapped up Joleon Lescott for £22m, Kolo Toure (£16m), Emmanuel Adebayor (£25m), Gareth Barry (£12m) and Roque Santa Cruz (£17.5m).
And Hamann remains stunned by City’s decision to let former captain Richard Dunne leave the club a year ago.
Dunne was forced out by the arrivals of Toure and Lescott but went on to impress at Aston Villa.
The former Germany midfielder, now a player-coach at MK Dons, added: “If you look at the first XI on paper, the longest-serving player has only been there for two years. They missed a massive trick when Richard Dunne left.
“They have paid a lot of money for all the others and let him go. But I still think he is better than all the central defenders they have got at the club.”
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has hinted he is still tempted by a return to Barcelona, saying his last conversation over his future with Arsene Wenger was "one of the most difficult moments of my life."Independent
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says striker David Ngog, who scored twice against Rabotnick in a Europa League qualifier on Thursday, will stay at Anfield despite rumours that he could leave the club. Daily Mirror
Bolton are set to bring back Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic for a second spell at the club - but this time on a permanent rather than loan deal from Nantes. Daily Mirror
Queens Park Rangers have joined Coventry in the race to sign striker Marlon King, who was released from prison on Thursday after serving nine months for sexual assault. Daily Mirror
West Brom have joined Blackburn and Sheffield United in the chase for Stoke striker James Beattie by offering £1.5m for the 32-year-old striker. the Sun
Luke Young's proposed move from Aston Villa to Liverpool is off because he would have had to take a £10,000-a-week pay cut. Daily Star
Mark Hughes could make a move for West Ham's England keeper Robert Green if Arsenal make a move for Mark Schwarzer. Daily Mail
United States striker Landon Donovan says he would love to rejoin Everton from LA Galaxy following his successful loan spell at Goodison Park last season. Daily Telegraph
Champions League side Spartak Moscow are refusing to abandon their interest in Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who was left out of the Bhoys' side beaten by Braga in the Champions League qualifying round this week. Guardian
OTHER BOLLOX
Premier League referee Mark Halsey has been passed fit to return to action next season following treatment for throat cancer. (The Sun)
Five thousand unsold 24-carat gold limited edition Frank Lampard signature iPods are to be melted down and rebranded into ones featuring cartoon character Hello Kitty.the Sun
Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has moved in next door to England cricket hero Andrew Flintoff in Dubai. the Sun
Chelsea v Arsenal has been moved to Sunday 3 October for live television coverage - and will go out at the same time as the climax of golf's Ryder Cup. Daily Telegraph
City refuse to extend £32.5m striker's loan deal with Santos - Brazilian faces collecting £160k-per-week salary from stands
Robinho had an impressive World Cup and is a favourite with the Santos crowd but has failed dismally at Eastlands.
Manchester City's talks with Santos about the future of Robinho have broken down and the player is preparing to return to England and the deeply unsatisfactory prospect of beginning the season at a club where he knows he is not wanted and is profoundly unhappy.
The man whose £32.5m signing from Real Madrid on the day of the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover was supposed to symbolise the club's new ambitions has been unable to secure a deal elsewhere, with City informing Santos they will not entertain the idea of extending his loan, which expires next Wednesday.
That has left Robinho in a state of limbo, with buyers put off by the high valuation City have attached to the 26-year-old after his illuminating performances for Brazil in the World Cup. Robinho has come to be regarded as a huge letdown by the men in power at Eastlands but they are determined not to lose face by allowing him to leave on the cheap and want in excess of £20m. As Robinho is discovering, that immediately rules out Santos, whereas the clubs in Europe with that spending power appear to have other targets.
Robinho may now have little option but to return to Manchester, a city he never embraced, and set about trying to rebuild his relationship with Roberto Mancini, someone he has accused of managing with a "lack of ability".
Whether the damage can be repaired remains to be seen and, if no buyer is found, it cannot be discounted that Mancini will exclude him when he submits his 25-man Premier League squad on 1 September, throwing up the extraordinary possibility of the most expensive player in English football collecting his £160,000-a-week salary from the stands, only a few months after establishing himself as one of the stars of the World Cup.
The situation is not ideal for either party and Robinho did not attempt to conceal his regret after his final match at Santos's Vila Belmiro stadium – a 2-0 win in the first leg of the Brazilian cup final against Vitória – ended with him being given a standing ovation.
"This display of affection from the fans really touches me because this is my home," he said. "I hope I can stay but it depends on Manchester City. I hope this is not my last game here but, for now, what I have been told is that they [the negotiations] are at a standstill and I have to go back to Manchester."
Santos claim City have asked for €40m (£33.5m), which seems to be an exaggeration, but the Brazilians would not be in a position to pay even half that amount.
Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, the club's president, said: "We are negotiating and we are hopeful, but Manchester City have made it clear to us they are not going to loan him again and that they just want to sell him. We can try a new loan in January. I think it would be easier then."
Evandro de Souza, Robinho's agent, said: "Unfortunately, this will probably be Robinho's last game at Vila Belmiro. Manchester City have already told me and Santos they want him back after the end of the [loan] contract."
Robinho's thoughts about returning to Manchester can be gauged by the fact that when he moved to Santos in January he arranged for all his belongings to be shipped to Brazil, put his UK-registered Lamborghini up for sale and informed his landlord he would not be returning to the house he had rented since the previous summer. The forward had strategically chosen to rent after moving out of his first house because of a dispute with neighbours about the noise level at which he was playing music.
As it stands, Robinho will be under orders to fly to England after Brazil's friendly against the USA on 10 August and could, in theory, be involved in City's opening league game at Tottenham Hotspur four days later. Mancini, however, has been planning without him, with David Silva signed from Valencia for £25m and Mario Balotelli on his way from Internazionale for a similar fee, both of whom can play in Robinho's preferred position on the left of attack. One of the people involved in the Balotelli talks indicated today the different parties were still "substantially apart" in terms of the fee and his salary, but it is still expected to be resolved.
"The situation is that Robinho will finish his contract with Santos," Mancini said. "He will stay in Brazil for another week, play for the national team and, after that, he will return to Manchester City."
Asked if he had any issues taking him back, Mancini said: "At this moment, no. But it depends on him."
Meanwhile, the Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, believes the talented Balotelli will enhance City's prospects of becoming a major force. "With him, Manchester City will challenge for the title, not just fourth place," said the former Milan coach. "The Premier League is the ideal place for him. Mario is a crazy talent."
New Fulham boss Mark Hughes targets Man City trio in squad shake up
Mark Hughes signed a two-year deal as Fulham boss last night – and will now have to work fast ahead of the transfer deadline.
Among his priorities will be moves for Manchester City pair Stephen Ireland and Craig Bellamy.
Ireland was outstanding at City for Hughes, while Bellamy has played some of his best football under his fellow Welshman – for City, Blackburn and Wales – but is also a target for Tottenham.
Both players are surplus to requirements at Eastlands, and Hughes could even move for City’s Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz, who impressed under the Welshman at Rovers.
Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, 27, agreed terms on a £2million move to Craven Cottage three weeks ago, pending a medical, and ‘Sparky’ must decide whether to go ahead with the deal.
And Villa team-mate Luke Young is holding out for a move to Fulham after rejecting Liverpool after the clubs had agreed a £2.5m fee.
Hughes will also have to ease uncertainty within the squad over the futures of NINE senior Fulham players with just a year left on their contracts.
They include 33-year-old skipper Danny Murphy and keeper Mark Schwarzer, who was the subject of a rejected £2m bid by Arsenal.
Hughes said: “I’m joining Fulham on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club’s history and that in itself brings with it the ch allenges of expectation and ambition.
“I’m confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward.”
City old-boy Hamann blasts big-spending policy and claims they have no chance of winning the title
Didi Hamann has launched a blistering attack on his old club Manchester City – insisting they have no chance of winning the title.
The former Eastlands midfielder even believes that despite massive sums being spent on new players by boss Roberto Mancini, the club’s fans and billionaire Arab owners could yet again miss out on the top four.
Hamann blasted: “They should have finished in the top four last season and they didn’t.
“There is every chance they will not finish there again because Liverpool will be better next season and Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton will also be up there.
“I don’t see City as title contenders. They need to bring some continuity to the club and stick with the players they have got.
“They have got to choose them carefully and buy the right ones. But if they keep doing what they are at the moment I don’t see them challenging Manchester United or Chelsea.
“They have a turnover of 10 to 15 players every season and if they keep doing this they are not going anywhere.
“You need consistency and continuity at a football club. I don’t agree with what they are doing now.
“City have got bundles to spend and they need to spend wisely. I am not sure if they are doing that. If you don’t do things right off the field it is hard to get them right on it. That transpires to the whole set-up including the backroom staff and doctors.
“The City fans will want to see new arrivals – but big names don’t win you games or win you titles.”
Hamann, 36, spent three years at Eastlands, but insists he has been left stunned by the constant changes at the club as they bid to reel in the big four.
City have already brought in Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Aleksander Kolarov – and are expected to finalise a deal for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli which will take their summer spending spree to more than £100million.
That comes just one year, after City snapped up Joleon Lescott for £22m, Kolo Toure (£16m), Emmanuel Adebayor (£25m), Gareth Barry (£12m) and Roque Santa Cruz (£17.5m).
And Hamann remains stunned by City’s decision to let former captain Richard Dunne leave the club a year ago.
Dunne was forced out by the arrivals of Toure and Lescott but went on to impress at Aston Villa.
The former Germany midfielder, now a player-coach at MK Dons, added: “If you look at the first XI on paper, the longest-serving player has only been there for two years. They missed a massive trick when Richard Dunne left.
“They have paid a lot of money for all the others and let him go. But I still think he is better than all the central defenders they have got at the club.”
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has hinted he is still tempted by a return to Barcelona, saying his last conversation over his future with Arsene Wenger was "one of the most difficult moments of my life."Independent
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says striker David Ngog, who scored twice against Rabotnick in a Europa League qualifier on Thursday, will stay at Anfield despite rumours that he could leave the club. Daily Mirror
Bolton are set to bring back Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic for a second spell at the club - but this time on a permanent rather than loan deal from Nantes. Daily Mirror
Queens Park Rangers have joined Coventry in the race to sign striker Marlon King, who was released from prison on Thursday after serving nine months for sexual assault. Daily Mirror
West Brom have joined Blackburn and Sheffield United in the chase for Stoke striker James Beattie by offering £1.5m for the 32-year-old striker. the Sun
Luke Young's proposed move from Aston Villa to Liverpool is off because he would have had to take a £10,000-a-week pay cut. Daily Star
Mark Hughes could make a move for West Ham's England keeper Robert Green if Arsenal make a move for Mark Schwarzer. Daily Mail
United States striker Landon Donovan says he would love to rejoin Everton from LA Galaxy following his successful loan spell at Goodison Park last season. Daily Telegraph
Champions League side Spartak Moscow are refusing to abandon their interest in Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who was left out of the Bhoys' side beaten by Braga in the Champions League qualifying round this week. Guardian
OTHER BOLLOX
Premier League referee Mark Halsey has been passed fit to return to action next season following treatment for throat cancer. (The Sun)
Five thousand unsold 24-carat gold limited edition Frank Lampard signature iPods are to be melted down and rebranded into ones featuring cartoon character Hello Kitty.the Sun
Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has moved in next door to England cricket hero Andrew Flintoff in Dubai. the Sun
Chelsea v Arsenal has been moved to Sunday 3 October for live television coverage - and will go out at the same time as the climax of golf's Ryder Cup. Daily Telegraph