Tuesday's B*ll*x (updated)
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:17 pmOkay, we all saw the recent video on the Official site ... yeah? I don't remember hardly any of this bollox ...
Edin Dzeko felt the pressure at Manchester City
EDIN DZEKO admits he struggled to deal with the hype surrounding his arrival at Manchester City.
Dzeko, 25, joined Manchester City in January for a whopping £27million after catching Roberto Mancini's eye while playing for Wolfsburg.
He netted just six goals in all competitions for City before the end of the season, leaving critics questioning whether the Bosnian warranted his massive transfer fee.
But Dzeko insists he will return to his prolific best now that he has settled in Manchester.
The striker said: "I was sick of all the talk about the transfer, it had got to my head a little bit.
"But still I think I had some good games and scored some important goals.
"I was new in the team and it was a hard season. It's always difficult to come to a new club midway through a hard season like that.
"But I know what I have done in the last six months. Now it's my second season and I want to do better.
"Manchester City didn't pay money for me because they saw me once on YouTube or something like that.
"They saw me scoring good goals. I haven't forgotten how to score goals and I will show that next season.
"Every player needs time to settle in and get used to things.
"But I've had a full pre-season with the team now, which I think is the most important thing for any player, and I'm working hard."
Manchester City set to land Sergio Aguero in £40m deal
Roberto Mancini is hoping to complete the £40m signing this week
City top target Sergio Aguero could be signed for £40m by the end of the week.
And he may even line up with Carlos Tevez in an all-Argentine strikeforce against United in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 7.
City boss Roberto Mancini now expects Tevez, who has a £50m price on his head and has been unable to fulfil his wish to quit the Blues, to report for new season training on August 4.
Mancini said: “Sergio played in the Copa America and if we close the deal I need to speak with him to know his opinions as he needs to recover.
“Carlos will be back and if his condition is good he has a chance to play as well.
“The last I heard the club were talking to Atletico Madrid but maybe in four or five days, before the next game. Maybe this week we can close the deal.”
Agero’s pending arrival will increase the pressure on Mario Balotelli, whose failed circus-trick antics in front of goal during City’s friendly with LA Galaxy in California clearly infuriated Mancini – although publicly he’s taken a sympathetic stance.
Balotelli, who continues to divide opinion among the City faithful, has gone out of his way to say he can take over the goal-scoring mantle from wantaway Tevez.
And he has been backed by Italian compatriot Mancini who said: “Mario is young and sometimes makes mistakes. He needs to play every game the same way he played against Stoke and Manchester United in the FA Cup.”
Balotelli, 20, had already put City ahead from the spot after Micah Richards had been fouled before the bizarre incident which involved him attempting to score with a complicated pivot, followed by a backheel which rolled wide.
Mancini, who was involved in a heated touchline row with the striker, said: “I hope this is a lesson for him. In football you always need to be professional, always serious and in this moment he wasn’t professional.
“If you are serious, you can play 90 minutes. If not, you can come and sit by me on the bench.
“He needs to understand his behaviour has to be good in every game – not just in a final or a semi-final but every game.
“He knows he made a mistake. Football should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score.”
Balotelli’s actions add to growing crime sheet since he joined City just 12 months ago, although Mancini was keen to draw a line under the incident.
“Mario is young, I want to help him and that is the end of it,” he added.
Asked what Balotelli had said to him, he replied: “It was in Italian. In English I would find it difficult to give you the translation. But Mario is streetwise, he knows he was not offside.”
Chelsea consider shock move for Man City star
Chelsea could be set for a shock swoop for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
New Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas is an admirer of the 24-year-old wide man and has been keeping tabs on him during pre-season. Johnson was not a first choice for City last season, amid suggestions that manager Roberto Mancini was not convinced about him and, although he featured in 31 Premier League games, he started 16 of those games from the subs' bench.
Mancini would be loathe to lose Johnson without having a replacement lined up, although both James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips would offer width in place of the England winger.
And with UEFA's financial fair play regulations set to come into place by the end of next year, City may need to trim their squad as they look to complete a mulit-million pound deal for Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are still seeking a way to get the best out of a strike partnership of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres and the addition of Johnson's natural width and pace would improve the Blues' supply line in the coming season. TalkSHIT
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has again told talkSHIT in his daily interview that he told Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri he must join him at Old Trafford and not move to Manchester City if he wants to win trophies in the future.
Manchester City team-mate Nigel de Jong warns Mario Balotelli to sort himself out or risk losing all
Mario Balotelli has been told to cut out his bizarre behaviour or risk ruining a brilliant career.
Manchester City team-mate Nigel de Jong did not mince words with the Italian, who was hauled off the pitch in disgrace by furious manager Roberto Mancini for attempting an outrageous trick shot against LA Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
De Jong, like a growing number of people around the club, appears to be growing tired of the kind of showboating and shenanigans that have become commonplace since the 20 year-old arrived for £24 million from Inter Milan a year ago.
“It is frustrating and he has to iron out those issues, otherwise it will be a waste of his talent,” said the Dutchman. “He has to realise that.”
Mancini, who had a touchline row with the striker — who appeared to deliver an insult towards him as he walked to the bench — described his actions against David Beckham’s side as unprofessional and warned him they will not be tolerated.
The manager insisted the matter is now finished but he, like so many around the player, must wonder if Balotelli will ever learn or whether the transgressions will continue.
He has created a catalogue of controversy that includes throwing darts at City’s youth players, training ground bust-ups and the needless red card against Dynamo Kiev last season that means he is suspended for City’s first three Champions League games.
There have been several more such acts from the enfant terrible of the Etihad Stadium and De Jong has tried some tough love to get the message through.
“Everybody is trying, but it is up to him to change himself,’’ said De Jong. ‘‘He has to realise it’s up to him.
‘‘It’s not up to anyone else any more. We’re his team-mates and we’re always trying to help him but he has to make the right decisions and get the focus for himself.
"He’s a very talented guy and he has all the right attributes to be a world-class player. Everyone is always talking about the negative things but, as a football player, he’s one of the biggest talents.”
De Jong is no stranger to trouble himself. He was dropped from the Dutch squad last season following a tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa that left the Newcastle player with a double fracture of the leg and he is infamous for his ninja-style kick on Xabi Alonso in last year’s World Cup final.
He appears, however, to be cleaning up his act. He recommends that Balotelli does the same, adding that he hopes that after he was replaced, the youngster calmed down and accepted he was in the wrong. .
“He must think like that,” he says. That’s the normal way, asking yourself: ‘Why did I do that?’ But that’s for him to learn and realise that something like this will not be accepted, either by the team or the staff.”
Beckham said: “Being on the field I was surprised at first, but I’ve watched it back a few times and I believe he thought he was offside, from his mannerisms. But what Mancini said was right – whether you think it was offside or not, score the goal.
“There are a lot of young kids watching and looking up to these teams, but Mario has been a great player for a few years but he’s still very young.”
Galaxy’s Mike Magee, who scored a spectacular equaliser in the 1-1 friendly that City won 7-6 on penalties to end their North American tour, did not approve of Balotelli’s action either.
“It seemed like he was having a bit of fun or messing around,” Magee said, “The way he finished it you can only hope he thought he was offside. If he didn’t, then it’s a bit much I think. Maybe in the beer league or something, things like that go on. Not in a game like this.”
De Jong, meanwhile, has stalled on a new deal, but he insists that he still sees his future at the club. “I’ve still got two years left and I’m happy with City,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m not worried about it so we will just have to be patient and see what happens.”
City line up surprise raid on Stoke
Manchester City are keeping an eye on keeper Thomas Sorensen’s situation at Stoke.
The big Dane - who played against City in the FA Cup Final in May - is likely to leave the Potters if he fails to reclaim the number one spot from Asmir Begovic.
Stoke, who aim to be playing in the Premier League and Europa League this season, are desperate for Sorensen to stay and have been in contract talks with him for the past six months.
But he is only going to sign if he feels there will be a fair fight for a first team spot.
City are looking for an experienced back-up to Joe Hart having sold Shay Given to Aston Villa last week.
Tevez brushes aside Fergie’s claim he’ll quit within four years
LONDON: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has slammed Alex Ferguson’s claim that he was not offered a new contract at Manchester United because he was planning to retire within four years.
Tevez quit United to sign for bitter rivals Manchester City in a controversial transfer in 2009 and Ferguson insisted during United’s current tour of America that the move was allowed to go through only because the Argentine told him he didn’t plan to stay in the game for long.
“He told us at the time of negotiations that he was only going to play for four more years, so if we had signed him on a five-year contract knowing that he was going to quit in four years’ time, there is no re-sale value for us,” said Ferguson.
The United manager’s comments have led to renewed speculation that Tevez may decide to retire rather than return to City if he doesn’t get his wish to leave Eastlands.
Tevez wants a transfer after growing unhappy following his family’s failure to settle in Manchester and their subsequent return to Argentina.
The 27-year-old has already seen a potential move to Brazilian club Corinthians come to nothing and few clubs seem willing to meet his huge wage demands.
However, Tevez has distanced himself from Ferguson’s claims and his spokesman suggested he will continue his career for another eight years.
“At no time did he discuss retiring with the Manchester United management and Mr Ferguson has not mentioned this at any time before,” a spokesman for Tevez said.
“In fact Carlos feels he is capable of playing for a further eight years and though he has been in the form of his life, he feels he is only going to get better in the coming years.” — AFP
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Valencia president Manuel Llorente insists Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City are wasting their time in pursuing midfielder Juan Mata, who they say is not for sale at any price. Metro
Stoke are poised to resurrect their interest in West Ham striker Carlton Cole. Last week, the Potters saw a deal for Cole break down after they failed to come to an agreement over wages. talkSHIT
Alternatively, Stoke could make a move for Tottenham forward Peter Crouch. Metro
Palermo are trying to kick-start an auction for £44m-rated playmaker Javier Pastore by warning Chelsea that Qatar-backed French club Paris St Germain want the midfielder too. Daily Mirror
Tottenham Hotspur are planning a £22m double raid on La Liga by looking to purchase 25-year-old striker Alvaro Negredo from Sevilla for £18m and Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay for a cut-price £4m.footybunker.com
Swansea have made an offer for Palermo's Brazilian goalkeeper Rubinho. talkSHIT
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is keen to sign Spurs defender Alan Hutton, but must fund the move by selling defenders Habib Beye, Luke Young and Carlos Cuellar. Daily Mirror
Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy is a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Metro
Bolton are close to signing Burnley duo Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears in a £2.75m joint deal, and free agent midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. They also want a striker, but Liverpool's £6m valuation of David Ngog could see them pursue Birmingham's Cameron Jerome instead. Daily Mirror
Leicester boss Sven Goran Eriksson is close to signing midfielder Gelson Fernandes, who played for the Swede when he was in charge at Manchester City. talkSPHIT
Blackpool are set to ask Manchester United if they can take young midfielders Daniel Drinkwater and Oliver Norwood on loan. talkSHIT
However, former United player Lou Macari is concerned the spate of retirements at Old Trafford will have a huge impact on the club next season. 'The new players coming in at Manchester United will be looked upon as filling the boots of Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville. Are they capable of doing that? It's a big ask to do that,' he said. talkSPORT
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is following the likes of Eric Cantona, Pele and Vinnie Jones from the football pitch into acting. Wright has a role in new British independent movie Gun Of The Black Sun. Daily Mirror
Edin Dzeko felt the pressure at Manchester City
EDIN DZEKO admits he struggled to deal with the hype surrounding his arrival at Manchester City.
Dzeko, 25, joined Manchester City in January for a whopping £27million after catching Roberto Mancini's eye while playing for Wolfsburg.
He netted just six goals in all competitions for City before the end of the season, leaving critics questioning whether the Bosnian warranted his massive transfer fee.
But Dzeko insists he will return to his prolific best now that he has settled in Manchester.
The striker said: "I was sick of all the talk about the transfer, it had got to my head a little bit.
"But still I think I had some good games and scored some important goals.
"I was new in the team and it was a hard season. It's always difficult to come to a new club midway through a hard season like that.
"But I know what I have done in the last six months. Now it's my second season and I want to do better.
"Manchester City didn't pay money for me because they saw me once on YouTube or something like that.
"They saw me scoring good goals. I haven't forgotten how to score goals and I will show that next season.
"Every player needs time to settle in and get used to things.
"But I've had a full pre-season with the team now, which I think is the most important thing for any player, and I'm working hard."
Manchester City set to land Sergio Aguero in £40m deal
Roberto Mancini is hoping to complete the £40m signing this week
City top target Sergio Aguero could be signed for £40m by the end of the week.
And he may even line up with Carlos Tevez in an all-Argentine strikeforce against United in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 7.
City boss Roberto Mancini now expects Tevez, who has a £50m price on his head and has been unable to fulfil his wish to quit the Blues, to report for new season training on August 4.
Mancini said: “Sergio played in the Copa America and if we close the deal I need to speak with him to know his opinions as he needs to recover.
“Carlos will be back and if his condition is good he has a chance to play as well.
“The last I heard the club were talking to Atletico Madrid but maybe in four or five days, before the next game. Maybe this week we can close the deal.”
Agero’s pending arrival will increase the pressure on Mario Balotelli, whose failed circus-trick antics in front of goal during City’s friendly with LA Galaxy in California clearly infuriated Mancini – although publicly he’s taken a sympathetic stance.
Balotelli, who continues to divide opinion among the City faithful, has gone out of his way to say he can take over the goal-scoring mantle from wantaway Tevez.
And he has been backed by Italian compatriot Mancini who said: “Mario is young and sometimes makes mistakes. He needs to play every game the same way he played against Stoke and Manchester United in the FA Cup.”
Balotelli, 20, had already put City ahead from the spot after Micah Richards had been fouled before the bizarre incident which involved him attempting to score with a complicated pivot, followed by a backheel which rolled wide.
Mancini, who was involved in a heated touchline row with the striker, said: “I hope this is a lesson for him. In football you always need to be professional, always serious and in this moment he wasn’t professional.
“If you are serious, you can play 90 minutes. If not, you can come and sit by me on the bench.
“He needs to understand his behaviour has to be good in every game – not just in a final or a semi-final but every game.
“He knows he made a mistake. Football should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score.”
Balotelli’s actions add to growing crime sheet since he joined City just 12 months ago, although Mancini was keen to draw a line under the incident.
“Mario is young, I want to help him and that is the end of it,” he added.
Asked what Balotelli had said to him, he replied: “It was in Italian. In English I would find it difficult to give you the translation. But Mario is streetwise, he knows he was not offside.”
Chelsea consider shock move for Man City star
Chelsea could be set for a shock swoop for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
New Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas is an admirer of the 24-year-old wide man and has been keeping tabs on him during pre-season. Johnson was not a first choice for City last season, amid suggestions that manager Roberto Mancini was not convinced about him and, although he featured in 31 Premier League games, he started 16 of those games from the subs' bench.
Mancini would be loathe to lose Johnson without having a replacement lined up, although both James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips would offer width in place of the England winger.
And with UEFA's financial fair play regulations set to come into place by the end of next year, City may need to trim their squad as they look to complete a mulit-million pound deal for Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are still seeking a way to get the best out of a strike partnership of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres and the addition of Johnson's natural width and pace would improve the Blues' supply line in the coming season. TalkSHIT
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has again told talkSHIT in his daily interview that he told Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri he must join him at Old Trafford and not move to Manchester City if he wants to win trophies in the future.
Manchester City team-mate Nigel de Jong warns Mario Balotelli to sort himself out or risk losing all
Mario Balotelli has been told to cut out his bizarre behaviour or risk ruining a brilliant career.
Manchester City team-mate Nigel de Jong did not mince words with the Italian, who was hauled off the pitch in disgrace by furious manager Roberto Mancini for attempting an outrageous trick shot against LA Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
De Jong, like a growing number of people around the club, appears to be growing tired of the kind of showboating and shenanigans that have become commonplace since the 20 year-old arrived for £24 million from Inter Milan a year ago.
“It is frustrating and he has to iron out those issues, otherwise it will be a waste of his talent,” said the Dutchman. “He has to realise that.”
Mancini, who had a touchline row with the striker — who appeared to deliver an insult towards him as he walked to the bench — described his actions against David Beckham’s side as unprofessional and warned him they will not be tolerated.
The manager insisted the matter is now finished but he, like so many around the player, must wonder if Balotelli will ever learn or whether the transgressions will continue.
He has created a catalogue of controversy that includes throwing darts at City’s youth players, training ground bust-ups and the needless red card against Dynamo Kiev last season that means he is suspended for City’s first three Champions League games.
There have been several more such acts from the enfant terrible of the Etihad Stadium and De Jong has tried some tough love to get the message through.
“Everybody is trying, but it is up to him to change himself,’’ said De Jong. ‘‘He has to realise it’s up to him.
‘‘It’s not up to anyone else any more. We’re his team-mates and we’re always trying to help him but he has to make the right decisions and get the focus for himself.
"He’s a very talented guy and he has all the right attributes to be a world-class player. Everyone is always talking about the negative things but, as a football player, he’s one of the biggest talents.”
De Jong is no stranger to trouble himself. He was dropped from the Dutch squad last season following a tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa that left the Newcastle player with a double fracture of the leg and he is infamous for his ninja-style kick on Xabi Alonso in last year’s World Cup final.
He appears, however, to be cleaning up his act. He recommends that Balotelli does the same, adding that he hopes that after he was replaced, the youngster calmed down and accepted he was in the wrong. .
“He must think like that,” he says. That’s the normal way, asking yourself: ‘Why did I do that?’ But that’s for him to learn and realise that something like this will not be accepted, either by the team or the staff.”
Beckham said: “Being on the field I was surprised at first, but I’ve watched it back a few times and I believe he thought he was offside, from his mannerisms. But what Mancini said was right – whether you think it was offside or not, score the goal.
“There are a lot of young kids watching and looking up to these teams, but Mario has been a great player for a few years but he’s still very young.”
Galaxy’s Mike Magee, who scored a spectacular equaliser in the 1-1 friendly that City won 7-6 on penalties to end their North American tour, did not approve of Balotelli’s action either.
“It seemed like he was having a bit of fun or messing around,” Magee said, “The way he finished it you can only hope he thought he was offside. If he didn’t, then it’s a bit much I think. Maybe in the beer league or something, things like that go on. Not in a game like this.”
De Jong, meanwhile, has stalled on a new deal, but he insists that he still sees his future at the club. “I’ve still got two years left and I’m happy with City,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m not worried about it so we will just have to be patient and see what happens.”
City line up surprise raid on Stoke
Manchester City are keeping an eye on keeper Thomas Sorensen’s situation at Stoke.
The big Dane - who played against City in the FA Cup Final in May - is likely to leave the Potters if he fails to reclaim the number one spot from Asmir Begovic.
Stoke, who aim to be playing in the Premier League and Europa League this season, are desperate for Sorensen to stay and have been in contract talks with him for the past six months.
But he is only going to sign if he feels there will be a fair fight for a first team spot.
City are looking for an experienced back-up to Joe Hart having sold Shay Given to Aston Villa last week.
Tevez brushes aside Fergie’s claim he’ll quit within four years
LONDON: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has slammed Alex Ferguson’s claim that he was not offered a new contract at Manchester United because he was planning to retire within four years.
Tevez quit United to sign for bitter rivals Manchester City in a controversial transfer in 2009 and Ferguson insisted during United’s current tour of America that the move was allowed to go through only because the Argentine told him he didn’t plan to stay in the game for long.
“He told us at the time of negotiations that he was only going to play for four more years, so if we had signed him on a five-year contract knowing that he was going to quit in four years’ time, there is no re-sale value for us,” said Ferguson.
The United manager’s comments have led to renewed speculation that Tevez may decide to retire rather than return to City if he doesn’t get his wish to leave Eastlands.
Tevez wants a transfer after growing unhappy following his family’s failure to settle in Manchester and their subsequent return to Argentina.
The 27-year-old has already seen a potential move to Brazilian club Corinthians come to nothing and few clubs seem willing to meet his huge wage demands.
However, Tevez has distanced himself from Ferguson’s claims and his spokesman suggested he will continue his career for another eight years.
“At no time did he discuss retiring with the Manchester United management and Mr Ferguson has not mentioned this at any time before,” a spokesman for Tevez said.
“In fact Carlos feels he is capable of playing for a further eight years and though he has been in the form of his life, he feels he is only going to get better in the coming years.” — AFP
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Valencia president Manuel Llorente insists Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City are wasting their time in pursuing midfielder Juan Mata, who they say is not for sale at any price. Metro
Stoke are poised to resurrect their interest in West Ham striker Carlton Cole. Last week, the Potters saw a deal for Cole break down after they failed to come to an agreement over wages. talkSHIT
Alternatively, Stoke could make a move for Tottenham forward Peter Crouch. Metro
Palermo are trying to kick-start an auction for £44m-rated playmaker Javier Pastore by warning Chelsea that Qatar-backed French club Paris St Germain want the midfielder too. Daily Mirror
Tottenham Hotspur are planning a £22m double raid on La Liga by looking to purchase 25-year-old striker Alvaro Negredo from Sevilla for £18m and Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay for a cut-price £4m.footybunker.com
Swansea have made an offer for Palermo's Brazilian goalkeeper Rubinho. talkSHIT
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is keen to sign Spurs defender Alan Hutton, but must fund the move by selling defenders Habib Beye, Luke Young and Carlos Cuellar. Daily Mirror
Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy is a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Metro
Bolton are close to signing Burnley duo Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears in a £2.75m joint deal, and free agent midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. They also want a striker, but Liverpool's £6m valuation of David Ngog could see them pursue Birmingham's Cameron Jerome instead. Daily Mirror
Leicester boss Sven Goran Eriksson is close to signing midfielder Gelson Fernandes, who played for the Swede when he was in charge at Manchester City. talkSPHIT
Blackpool are set to ask Manchester United if they can take young midfielders Daniel Drinkwater and Oliver Norwood on loan. talkSHIT
However, former United player Lou Macari is concerned the spate of retirements at Old Trafford will have a huge impact on the club next season. 'The new players coming in at Manchester United will be looked upon as filling the boots of Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville. Are they capable of doing that? It's a big ask to do that,' he said. talkSPORT
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is following the likes of Eric Cantona, Pele and Vinnie Jones from the football pitch into acting. Wright has a role in new British independent movie Gun Of The Black Sun. Daily Mirror
