I don't want to drone on about Carlos Tevez too much but I think I could sort his head out. The solution? Lock him in a room for half an hour with Kevin Phillips – he'd soon sort out this childish strop. Ian Holloway
Man City fear AWOL striker Carlos Tevez won't return to club
MANCHESTER CITY believe Carlos Tevez, AWOL in Argentina, will never return to the club.
Sources say that the strikers head is in bits and that he will risk being sued by City rather than return to Manchester.
That opens the way for Italian giants Inter Milan to rescue Tevezs career Inter president Massimo Moratti will make formal contact with City this week to propose a s30million January move.
But City have had no direct contact with Tevez since he left the UK last week. He has been in dispute with manager Roberto Mancini since his alleged Munich mutiny and if he refuses to return this week the Premier League leaders have options to cancel his contract and sue.
City could withhold his registration and prevent him playing again although its more likely they will offload him to Inter, who have made a disastrous start to the Serie A season.
Tevezs advisors last night refused to comment on when the unsettled Argentinian would fly back to Manchester but it is clear that the stand-off between club and player has now reached a critical stage and the next few days will be crucial to his future.
Tevez was rated in the s60m bracket but his turmoil at the Etihad has prompted Inter to make a cut-price offer.
The Italian outfit lie fourth from bottom of Serie A with just eight points from nine games and Moratti is ready to strike a blow in the transfer market to revive his sides fortunes.
Moratti has already contacted Tevezs agent Kia Joorabchian and will now speak to City and Mancini, who has been in Abu Dhabi this week to discuss the Tevez turmoil with the clubs owners, after putting himself in sole charge of pulling off the deal.
City fined Tevez four weeks wages s1m after an internal inquiry found him guilty of refusing to play against Bayern Munich in the Champions League defeat in September. And the former City skipper now faces a {further fine of around the same amount after going AWOL last week.
City believe Tevez ignored instructions to remain in Manchester and instead flew to Argentina on Monday night
Prandelli: "Well done, Mancini
Balotelli dependent? Why not..."
The Italy manager speaking at La Borghesiana: "I'm pleased for Balotelli. After all the stick he's had in recent months it's only right that he should be able to enjoy the moment now, but he has to keep learning. I hope he's on the path towards maturity. I'm not someone who sorts out wayward talents. They sort themselves out." Super Mario expected to feature against Uruguay on Tuesday too.
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It's official: Balotelli fever has gripped the nation. As Cesare Prandelli spoke to the press at La Borghesiana in Rome about last night's win over Poland, almost all the questions were about man of the match Mario Balotelli. Balotelli this, Balotelli that, perhaps partly because the Man City striker didn't speak after the game. Cesare Prandelli, who stuck by Mario even when he was being attacked from all sides, can afford to joke about it now but he's understandably rather pleased that his gamble is paying off – that is, he's received the first instalment of a long-term bet, awaiting further results. But today, like yesterday, is Balotelli's day: everyone jumped on the bandwagon and the coach went along with it, speaking about the striker at length without talking about anyone's personal desire to prove people wrong because, as he explained, "this national team doesn't go out there to prove a point, they just go out there to enjoy themselves..."
Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, 54. Lapressebalotelli — ""After all the stick he's come if for in recent months it's only right that he should be able to enjoy the moment now. I'm happy to have him here because he's an important part of this team. Mario is capable of producing performances like that and his attitude was good for 90 minutes. Well done, both to him and to Roberto Mancini, who has been working with him on that at club level. Is this the turning point for Mario? I hope he's now on the path towards maturity. We're here to help him. I like the fact that my team is well organised and they can work their way into the final third. After that you need a bit of madness, a touch of quality and complete freedom. What sort of a player can Balotelli become? He's not your typical forward. He's a modern-day forward whose movement leaves the opposition no reference points. He can play as a centre forward or wide with good vision for the game. Would it be a problem if Italy became Balotelli dependent? Honestly, no."
more: http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/12- ... 3365.shtml
Real Madrid plan £20M bid for unsettled Man City midfielder Nigel de Jong
Real Madrid are chasing unsettled Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.
The Daily Star Sunday says De Jong has emerged as a shock £20million target for Real Madrid.
Real boss Jose Mourinho sent scouts to watch the Dutch midfield hardman in Manchester City’s recent Champions League game in Spain against Villarreal.
De Jong, 26, was disappointed when talks on a new contract at the Etihad Stadium stalled in the summer.
Negotiations on a new four-year deal are due to resume in the new year, with a view to De Jong signing an improved contract at the end of the season.
But Real are now watching De Jong, a £17m signing from Hamburg.
QPR skipper Barton: Mancini success down to Man City money
QPR skipper Joey Barton has taken a swipe at Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.
Barton feels Mancini's work at City is being over-hyped.
Asked what he made of Mancini’s reign, Barton said: “He’s done well – but I think you could have done that job with that amount of money!
“For me, the test of a manager is not managing Man City but managing a Birmingham or Nottingham Forest – a club that doesn’t have a great deal of finance, that doesn’t have big boardroom backing and maybe is in a bit of turmoil.
“That’s when you find out who the true managers really are.”
Barton did however last week give this assessment of Manchester football in the wake of the demolition derby on Twitter:
'Who from the United side would get into the City side? Maybe two or three of them...after what we've seen City do at Old Trafford, it would take a brave man to bet against City...I'm thinking the power has turned.'
'Barcelona approach' is the only way to stop Manchester City, says Steve Staunton
STEVE Staunton believes Manchester City’s millions have made it virtually impossible for Villa to return to their previous heights.
The former Villa defender came within a whisker of winning the Premier League during his first spell in the Midlands when Ron Atkinson’s side were pipped to the title by Manchester United in 1993.
Villa have failed to improve on that impressive season ever since as money slowly started to dictate the game and Staunton now feels the chances of his former club, or any other competitor, taking on the wealth of City are slim.
“At the moment you’d have to say Manchester City have brought it all onto a new playing field,” he said.
“I don’t see anyone coming up to where they are at this moment in time.
“They can go out in January and spend another couple of hundred of million if they want. Who can do that nowadays?
“The only way you can do that is if you do a Barcelona – start afresh, go and get players in and teach them how to play football from a young age.
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Lampard wanted to replace Beckham in the USA
LA Galaxy are lining up a shock move for Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard as the perfect choice to replace David Beckham.
It would need a considerable offer to prise Lampard, 33, from Stamford Bridge, especially since his sparkling form has silenced doubts over his future under new manager Andre Villas-Boas.
But Galaxy need to find someone close to Beckham's profile if speculation about him leaving the Home Depot Center after next Sunday's sell-out MLS Cup final against Dynamo Houston turns out to be well founded.
Beckham is undecided about whether to stay with Galaxy or take up one of the options available to him in England and Italy, while the offer to join Paris Saint-Germain, backed by Qatar's billions and led by director of football Leonardo, his former colleague at AC Milan, is proving difficult to resist.
He intends to explore every avenue before making his choice.
more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z1dXwDVOZU
Toon chief blasts heroes Shearer and Keegan in foul-mouthed rant
Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias stunned Toon Army fans by unleashing an astonising, foul-mouthed rant in public on Geordie icons Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan.
The former casino boss — who virtually never gives media interviews — delivered a withering condemnation on the managerial abilities of the Magpies legends in front of startled onlookers in a Newcastle gastro bar.
Llambias, who along with Toon owner Mike Ashley has enraged Toon fans by re-branding historic St. James’ Park as the Sports Direct Arena, blamed Shearer for Newcastle’s 2009 relegation and claimed there “will never be a right time” for the former England skipper in management.
And in a blistering broadside aimed at Keegan, the Magpies MD claimed the former England boss is unable to cope with the stresses and strains of management.
He also made a shocking claim in a meeting with fans last month that Keegan’s second coming as Newcastle manager in 2008 came about because he was the preferred choice of potential Arab buyers. He revealed: “Mike (Ashley) was selling to the Arabs and they wanted Kevin Keegan.
“The Arabs wanted him, the fans wanted him — perfect!”
more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ne ... 29807.html
Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan are all hoping to lure Portuguese winger Nani away from Old Trafford in the summer. Daily Mirror
Leeds United captain Jonny Howson will sign a new contract with his hometown club after turning his back on a move to the Premier League with Bolton. Daily Mirror
Arsenal's Alex Song is a January transfer target for Inter Milan, whose manager Claudio Ranieri is a big fan of the Cameroon international. Metro
Athletic Bilbao and Spain striker Fernando Llorente is being watched by Chelsea, as they prepare for the possible loss of both Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba in January. Metro
Nigel Pearson is set to be installed as Leicester City's new manager inside the next 48 hours after a compensation package was agreed with Hull.Daily Mirror
Qatar has signed up former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry to help cope with security issues at the 2022 World Cup. Daily Mail
Former England goalkeeper David James warns Jack Rodwell and Daniel Sturridge that, while winning your first cap is every player's dream, it comes with potential pitfalls. Observer
Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner has hinted he will not remain at the Stadium of Light once his loan spell from Arsenal ends, as he wants to play Champions League football. Metro
Robin van Persie has joined the list of absentees from the Netherlands squad to face Germany on Tuesday after a personal plea from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is worried he could be worn out by excessive international commitments. Metro
West Brom are set to hold contract talks with coach Roy Hodgson in the new year.
People
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has had a cheeky dig at former team-mate Cesc Fabregas, who has let his hair grow long since he left the Emirates. The Poland international tweeted: "Well done England for beating Spain but someone has to tell Cesc to sort out his hair!"The Sun
COMING SOON - BINGO BOLLOX
I was just wondering if this site could possibly organise a 6 a side team for the 20th november? it is an event to basically get me and diana married ASAP. it will be entry by sponsor money, obviously as much or little as you can make, its for a good cause! minimum entry of £5 per player.
if you can enter more than one team then do that, you're not limited. however many people are interested i'll give you the sponsor forms for them.
as said, its on the 20th november at Hurst Cross Stadium in Ashton Under Lyne, and starts at 1pm. depending on how many show interest etc will decide how long it lasts. 9 players per team entered.
this is just to get me and diana married, so all funds will be going to us, as i'm sure you're aware of our situation. this is going to cover reception, transport, church, flowers etc
there is also stuff going on for kids like a bouncy castle, face painting etc
i'm also going to invite members of bluemoon down to it, plus others friends / family / aquaintances, so it should be a good day.
Let us know how many teams you are entering, whether its one or two, and then i can get planning the tourney.
thanks,
Danny
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