Tuesday's B★ll★x (updated)
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:05 amMan City boss Roberto Mancini defends the club's finances
Mancini's side are unbeaten in the Premier League this season Roberto Mancini has hit back at Bayern Munich's criticism of Manchester City's spending ahead of Wednesday's must-win Champions League tie at Etihad Stadium.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Austrian media that City will face difficulties when the financial fair play takes effect from next season.
"I don't understand his behaviour," said City boss Mancini. "We're working hard with the financial rules.
"There are other clubs with financial fair play play problems not just City."
Rummenigge, 56, played for a decade at Bayern from 1974, winning 95 Germany caps.
With Uefa's financial fair play rules being implemented from next season, all clubs taking part in European competitions will have to break even by 2014.
And Mancini added: "I don't know why an important man like him, from a big club, and a great player, keeps talking about us.
"I want to ask him after the game.
"I think everybody is worried about Manchester City becoming one of the great clubs. But why is he always talking about us?"
City need to beat the Germans to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.
Bayern have already qualified for the knockout stages while City were leapfrogged into second by Napoli following their 2-1 defeat in Italy two weeks ago.
City now need to beat Bayern while hoping Spanish side Villarreal, who have lost all five of their group games so far, pick up at least a point at home to Napoli.
Meanwhile Mancini added that it would be best for the team and the player if Carlos Tevez is sold in the January transfer window.
Roberto Mancini can be Manchester City great - Colin Bell
Former Manchester City midfielder Colin Bell believes Roberto Mancini can emulate the success Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison brought to the club.
The 65-year-old won the league, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup during his time under those managers.
"He's another manager with a magic wand that whatever 11 he turns out the play for him, they perform and they get the result," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"It's absolutely brilliant and I just hope he stays forever and a day."
Bell joined City from Bury in 1966 for £45,000, and played for the club until 1979 when he was forced to retire due to a serious knee injury.
Recognised as one of their greatest ever players, Bell was so popular at Maine Road that, when the club moved into their new stadium at Eastlands, one of the stands was named The Colin Bell Stand.
The former England midfielder still attends matches and following the huge investment in the squad made by owner Sheikh Mansour, has particularly been enjoying his trips to the Etihad this season.
"I used to think years ago 'is it going to be a draw today?'" added Bell.
"I just think we're going to win at home every game and it's just a matter of how many we're going to win by, and it's down to him [Mancini].
"He certainly knows how the English game works, plus the fact that he's been fiddling with which is his best team for 12 months now, so he knows what to do and what not to do.
"When I'm at Eastlands on a match-day I don't even look at the team sheet as it doesn't even bother me. I know whichever 11 he turns out they're going to perform.
"The start couldn't have been better, absolutely brilliant. I'm expecting at the end of the season there is probably a couple of trophies added to what we've got already."
Colin Bell is 'In the Spotlight' on Thursday, 8 December talking on topics including how writing his autobiography saved his life and how he dealt with the injury that forced him to retire. If you miss the show you can listen again via the iPlayer or download the podcast
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16039635.stm
Man City star Nasri fires warning at England 'friends'
Manchester City star Samir Nasri says France will overcome England in their Euros group showdown.
England and France meet in the opening game of Group D with City’s Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, James Milner, Gareth Barry and Adam Johnson almost certain to be in Fabio Capello’s national squad.
With team-mate Micah Richards also staking his claim, Nasri, 24, knows he and fellow City Frenchman Gael Clichy will have to give as good as they get in the coming months.
Nasri revealed: “I’m expecting many months of jokes and bets with my mates, but I must warn them that, if I am selected against England, I will have no friends once we are on the field.
“Being drawn against England is good and bad news for France.
“They are always a hard rival but if we win the round then we will not have to meet them later on.
“It will be a battle on the pitch and I would have preferred not to play the first match against England, but the draw has set it up.
“I would love for France and England to qualify for the quarter-finals, but Ukraine are dangerous because they are playing at home and that will increase the number of problems they pose, and Sweden are a very physical team with
players who have plenty of experience.
“The group is difficult but it’s not impossible. The first success for France must be to qualify for the quarter-finals.”
Kolo attack! City pick on me because I play for my country, claims disgruntled Toure
Former captain Kolo Toure appears to have paved the way for a January exit from Manchester City after launching a stinging attack on the Barclays Premier League leaders.
The Ivory Coast defender has hardly played for City this season after missing the first part of the campaign through suspension.
Now Toure would appear to have burnt his bridges at the Etihad Stadium by claiming he is being left out for reasons nothing to do with football.
In an interview in France, Toure claimed he is still paying for missing Premier League games while at the Africa Cup of Nations two years ago and rubbished 20-year-old City defender Stefan Savic.
The comments are remarkable after City stood by him during his six-month drugs ban.
Toure said: ‘I know my qualities and I have got nothing to prove here in England. They know me here. When you look at the performance of Savic against QPR, excuse me but I am relaxed.
‘To compete in the Africa Cup of Nations is catastrophic for a player these days. Coaches no longer want to sign players because of it. I feel it’s going to be more difficult for the Africans in football in the future.
‘I’m convinced that, if I’m not playing for City, then it’s not only for football reasons. If it was only about that then I would be playing every week. I’m a victim of that and it has to be said.
‘When I was in Angola for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2010 the club hired a plane so that I could get back quickly to play in a game against Manchester United. I could not get back in time and we lost. I believe the club have not got past that and I’m paying for it now.’
Toure was a key signing for City in 2009 and was made captain by former manager Mark Hughes.
However, the former Arsenal defender lost his place last season and was then suspended for six months by the FA after failing a drugs test at the start of this year.
Toure has failed to re-establish himself in Roberto Mancini’s Premier League team because of the form of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott at the heart of the City defence. His appearances have been largely restricted to the Carling Cup and one Champions League game, a 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in September.
Toure believes African footballers in general are being discriminated against because of their obligations to the Africa Cup of Nations. Next year’s tournament takes place in January and will see Toure and brother Yaya leave City for three weeks after Christmas.
Kolo Toure added: ‘Clubs at this level always have big squads. It goes one way and then the other. I was captain here and so was Carlos Tevez. He is no longer here and who would have thought that would have happened? African players are the victim of discrimination.’
Toure has interested newly wealthy French club Paris Saint-Germain and may join them in the January transfer window.
These latest comments will not endear him to Mancini after the club stood by the player during his ban that came after he took a diet pill given to him by his wife.
viewtopic.php?f=119&t=41088
Another City defender, Aleksandar Kolarov, is expected to be out for four weeks with a groin problem.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have given AC Milan permission to speak to Carlos Tevez’s representative, according to the Italian club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani. The Serie A champions are interested in signing Tevez on loan in January.
Italian manager Roberto Mancini was left red faced when he tried to start a Manchester City Santa Stroll, but couldn’t work the air horn.
Mancini's Blues rarely starts off slowly these days, but it was a different story for the Italian who struggled to start a charity event.
The 47-year-old battled with an aerosol-powered starter horn for more than five minutes before a replacement was found, and the run could finally begin.
The event was a collaborative effort between Manchester United and City fans, with the fierce rivals putting aside their differences in aid of Sport Relief.
Sets of fans from both teams dressed as Santa and took part in special dash events at Old Trafford and the Ethiad Stadium, which included a 5km race.
Over 1,000 Father Christmases ran the SportCity route - all dressed in a blue Santa suits of course.
Similarly an army of red St Nicholas's ran the Manchester United course, which was being marshalled by Red Devils fan Eamonn Holmes.
Mancini was joined on stage by City's football development executive Patrick Vieira. But the French man couldn't save his old manager from the embarassment of a failing horn.
The Italian is known for being defensive, but next time maybe he should attack that horn more aggressively.
AC Milan green light for Carlos Tevez talks
MANCHESTER CITY have given AC Milan permission to speak with wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
The Italian champions are interested in signing Tevez but have not opened talks with City over the nature of the deal.
Milan chief Adriano Galliani said: "Tevez is a City player. The English club has authorised us to speak to his agent but we haven't spoken directly to City yet.
"We don't know what City want. I prefer not to speak too much about Tevez, otherwise his price will go up and this is not good."
Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian reportedly held talks with AC Milan last week in Italy.
The former West Ham and Manchester United forward looks set to leave the Blues in the new year after his latest fallout with the club.
Tevez returned to his homeland last month without City's permission and is yet to report back to training.
Milan are looking to reinforce their attacking options with Italy frontman Antonio Cassano ruled out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure.
When asked about Milan's winter transfer window activity, Galliani said: "If anyone arrives, it will be a striker as our aim is to cover the place of the injured Cassano."
Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has described the prospect of Tevez moving to the San Siro as "perfect".
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham are ready to make a late bid to prise England defender Gary Cahill from Bolton. Daily Mail
After seeing injuries decimate his back four, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is planning to sign Montpellier skipper Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and PSV Eindhoven defender Erik Pieters. Daily Mirror
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has drawn up an £80m wishlist, which includes Tottenham's Luka Modric, Barcelona playmaker Thiago Alcantara, FC Porto defender Rolando and Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira. Caughtoffside
Arsenal could be set to sign forward Salomon Kalou if Chelsea decide to cash in on their more experienced players. Metro
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger faces a major struggle to sign Borussia Dortmund's teenage sensation Mario Gotze after his close friend and fellow team-mate Kevin Grosskreutz revealed he will see out his contract until 2014. talkSHIT
Liverpool are leading the chase to sign Bologna striker Gaston Ramirez. The 21-year-old has already played for the Uruguayan national side. talkSHIT
Chelsea are looking to sign £10m Marseille winger Andre Ayew in the January transfer window. Footylatest
Striker Didier Drogba is adamant he will not be leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window and is committed to the club until the end of the season. Evening Standard
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has no plans to sell Peter Odemwingie in January. Express & Star
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has backed Jermain Defoe to replace Wayne Rooney up front for England at Euro 2012 if the Manchester United striker loses his appeal against a three-match ban. talkSHIT
Aston Villa midfielder Charles N'Zogbia is in contention to play against Bolton on Saturday after the Frenchman was omitted from Alex McLeish's squad for the weekend defeat by Manchester United on disciplinary grounds. the Guardian
Manchester United midfielder Anderson is being driven barking mad after buying two huge Bernese Mountain Dogs - and ending up with 10 after a pet shop mix-up. Metro
Newly-released Opta stats show that Aston Villa and England striker Darren Bent averages the fewest touches of any Premier League player - just 24 per match. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, the Italian has been showing his players who is 'boss' by wearing boots with the word written on them. Daily Mail
More bollox later/soon ...
Mancini's side are unbeaten in the Premier League this season Roberto Mancini has hit back at Bayern Munich's criticism of Manchester City's spending ahead of Wednesday's must-win Champions League tie at Etihad Stadium.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Austrian media that City will face difficulties when the financial fair play takes effect from next season.
"I don't understand his behaviour," said City boss Mancini. "We're working hard with the financial rules.
"There are other clubs with financial fair play play problems not just City."
Rummenigge, 56, played for a decade at Bayern from 1974, winning 95 Germany caps.
With Uefa's financial fair play rules being implemented from next season, all clubs taking part in European competitions will have to break even by 2014.
And Mancini added: "I don't know why an important man like him, from a big club, and a great player, keeps talking about us.
"I want to ask him after the game.
"I think everybody is worried about Manchester City becoming one of the great clubs. But why is he always talking about us?"
City need to beat the Germans to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.
Bayern have already qualified for the knockout stages while City were leapfrogged into second by Napoli following their 2-1 defeat in Italy two weeks ago.
City now need to beat Bayern while hoping Spanish side Villarreal, who have lost all five of their group games so far, pick up at least a point at home to Napoli.
Meanwhile Mancini added that it would be best for the team and the player if Carlos Tevez is sold in the January transfer window.
Roberto Mancini can be Manchester City great - Colin Bell
Former Manchester City midfielder Colin Bell believes Roberto Mancini can emulate the success Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison brought to the club.
The 65-year-old won the league, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup during his time under those managers.
"He's another manager with a magic wand that whatever 11 he turns out the play for him, they perform and they get the result," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
"It's absolutely brilliant and I just hope he stays forever and a day."
Bell joined City from Bury in 1966 for £45,000, and played for the club until 1979 when he was forced to retire due to a serious knee injury.
Recognised as one of their greatest ever players, Bell was so popular at Maine Road that, when the club moved into their new stadium at Eastlands, one of the stands was named The Colin Bell Stand.
The former England midfielder still attends matches and following the huge investment in the squad made by owner Sheikh Mansour, has particularly been enjoying his trips to the Etihad this season.
"I used to think years ago 'is it going to be a draw today?'" added Bell.
"I just think we're going to win at home every game and it's just a matter of how many we're going to win by, and it's down to him [Mancini].
"He certainly knows how the English game works, plus the fact that he's been fiddling with which is his best team for 12 months now, so he knows what to do and what not to do.
"When I'm at Eastlands on a match-day I don't even look at the team sheet as it doesn't even bother me. I know whichever 11 he turns out they're going to perform.
"The start couldn't have been better, absolutely brilliant. I'm expecting at the end of the season there is probably a couple of trophies added to what we've got already."
Colin Bell is 'In the Spotlight' on Thursday, 8 December talking on topics including how writing his autobiography saved his life and how he dealt with the injury that forced him to retire. If you miss the show you can listen again via the iPlayer or download the podcast
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16039635.stm
Man City star Nasri fires warning at England 'friends'
Manchester City star Samir Nasri says France will overcome England in their Euros group showdown.
England and France meet in the opening game of Group D with City’s Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, James Milner, Gareth Barry and Adam Johnson almost certain to be in Fabio Capello’s national squad.
With team-mate Micah Richards also staking his claim, Nasri, 24, knows he and fellow City Frenchman Gael Clichy will have to give as good as they get in the coming months.
Nasri revealed: “I’m expecting many months of jokes and bets with my mates, but I must warn them that, if I am selected against England, I will have no friends once we are on the field.
“Being drawn against England is good and bad news for France.
“They are always a hard rival but if we win the round then we will not have to meet them later on.
“It will be a battle on the pitch and I would have preferred not to play the first match against England, but the draw has set it up.
“I would love for France and England to qualify for the quarter-finals, but Ukraine are dangerous because they are playing at home and that will increase the number of problems they pose, and Sweden are a very physical team with
players who have plenty of experience.
“The group is difficult but it’s not impossible. The first success for France must be to qualify for the quarter-finals.”
Kolo attack! City pick on me because I play for my country, claims disgruntled Toure
Former captain Kolo Toure appears to have paved the way for a January exit from Manchester City after launching a stinging attack on the Barclays Premier League leaders.
The Ivory Coast defender has hardly played for City this season after missing the first part of the campaign through suspension.
Now Toure would appear to have burnt his bridges at the Etihad Stadium by claiming he is being left out for reasons nothing to do with football.
In an interview in France, Toure claimed he is still paying for missing Premier League games while at the Africa Cup of Nations two years ago and rubbished 20-year-old City defender Stefan Savic.
The comments are remarkable after City stood by him during his six-month drugs ban.
Toure said: ‘I know my qualities and I have got nothing to prove here in England. They know me here. When you look at the performance of Savic against QPR, excuse me but I am relaxed.
‘To compete in the Africa Cup of Nations is catastrophic for a player these days. Coaches no longer want to sign players because of it. I feel it’s going to be more difficult for the Africans in football in the future.
‘I’m convinced that, if I’m not playing for City, then it’s not only for football reasons. If it was only about that then I would be playing every week. I’m a victim of that and it has to be said.
‘When I was in Angola for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2010 the club hired a plane so that I could get back quickly to play in a game against Manchester United. I could not get back in time and we lost. I believe the club have not got past that and I’m paying for it now.’
Toure was a key signing for City in 2009 and was made captain by former manager Mark Hughes.
However, the former Arsenal defender lost his place last season and was then suspended for six months by the FA after failing a drugs test at the start of this year.
Toure has failed to re-establish himself in Roberto Mancini’s Premier League team because of the form of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott at the heart of the City defence. His appearances have been largely restricted to the Carling Cup and one Champions League game, a 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in September.
Toure believes African footballers in general are being discriminated against because of their obligations to the Africa Cup of Nations. Next year’s tournament takes place in January and will see Toure and brother Yaya leave City for three weeks after Christmas.
Kolo Toure added: ‘Clubs at this level always have big squads. It goes one way and then the other. I was captain here and so was Carlos Tevez. He is no longer here and who would have thought that would have happened? African players are the victim of discrimination.’
Toure has interested newly wealthy French club Paris Saint-Germain and may join them in the January transfer window.
These latest comments will not endear him to Mancini after the club stood by the player during his ban that came after he took a diet pill given to him by his wife.
viewtopic.php?f=119&t=41088
Another City defender, Aleksandar Kolarov, is expected to be out for four weeks with a groin problem.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have given AC Milan permission to speak to Carlos Tevez’s representative, according to the Italian club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani. The Serie A champions are interested in signing Tevez on loan in January.
Italian manager Roberto Mancini was left red faced when he tried to start a Manchester City Santa Stroll, but couldn’t work the air horn.
Mancini's Blues rarely starts off slowly these days, but it was a different story for the Italian who struggled to start a charity event.
The 47-year-old battled with an aerosol-powered starter horn for more than five minutes before a replacement was found, and the run could finally begin.
The event was a collaborative effort between Manchester United and City fans, with the fierce rivals putting aside their differences in aid of Sport Relief.
Sets of fans from both teams dressed as Santa and took part in special dash events at Old Trafford and the Ethiad Stadium, which included a 5km race.
Over 1,000 Father Christmases ran the SportCity route - all dressed in a blue Santa suits of course.
Similarly an army of red St Nicholas's ran the Manchester United course, which was being marshalled by Red Devils fan Eamonn Holmes.
Mancini was joined on stage by City's football development executive Patrick Vieira. But the French man couldn't save his old manager from the embarassment of a failing horn.
The Italian is known for being defensive, but next time maybe he should attack that horn more aggressively.
AC Milan green light for Carlos Tevez talks
MANCHESTER CITY have given AC Milan permission to speak with wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
The Italian champions are interested in signing Tevez but have not opened talks with City over the nature of the deal.
Milan chief Adriano Galliani said: "Tevez is a City player. The English club has authorised us to speak to his agent but we haven't spoken directly to City yet.
"We don't know what City want. I prefer not to speak too much about Tevez, otherwise his price will go up and this is not good."
Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian reportedly held talks with AC Milan last week in Italy.
The former West Ham and Manchester United forward looks set to leave the Blues in the new year after his latest fallout with the club.
Tevez returned to his homeland last month without City's permission and is yet to report back to training.
Milan are looking to reinforce their attacking options with Italy frontman Antonio Cassano ruled out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure.
When asked about Milan's winter transfer window activity, Galliani said: "If anyone arrives, it will be a striker as our aim is to cover the place of the injured Cassano."
Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has described the prospect of Tevez moving to the San Siro as "perfect".
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham are ready to make a late bid to prise England defender Gary Cahill from Bolton. Daily Mail
After seeing injuries decimate his back four, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is planning to sign Montpellier skipper Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and PSV Eindhoven defender Erik Pieters. Daily Mirror
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has drawn up an £80m wishlist, which includes Tottenham's Luka Modric, Barcelona playmaker Thiago Alcantara, FC Porto defender Rolando and Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira. Caughtoffside
Arsenal could be set to sign forward Salomon Kalou if Chelsea decide to cash in on their more experienced players. Metro
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger faces a major struggle to sign Borussia Dortmund's teenage sensation Mario Gotze after his close friend and fellow team-mate Kevin Grosskreutz revealed he will see out his contract until 2014. talkSHIT
Liverpool are leading the chase to sign Bologna striker Gaston Ramirez. The 21-year-old has already played for the Uruguayan national side. talkSHIT
Chelsea are looking to sign £10m Marseille winger Andre Ayew in the January transfer window. Footylatest
Striker Didier Drogba is adamant he will not be leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window and is committed to the club until the end of the season. Evening Standard
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has no plans to sell Peter Odemwingie in January. Express & Star
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has backed Jermain Defoe to replace Wayne Rooney up front for England at Euro 2012 if the Manchester United striker loses his appeal against a three-match ban. talkSHIT
Aston Villa midfielder Charles N'Zogbia is in contention to play against Bolton on Saturday after the Frenchman was omitted from Alex McLeish's squad for the weekend defeat by Manchester United on disciplinary grounds. the Guardian
Manchester United midfielder Anderson is being driven barking mad after buying two huge Bernese Mountain Dogs - and ending up with 10 after a pet shop mix-up. Metro
Newly-released Opta stats show that Aston Villa and England striker Darren Bent averages the fewest touches of any Premier League player - just 24 per match. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, the Italian has been showing his players who is 'boss' by wearing boots with the word written on them. Daily Mail
More bollox later/soon ...