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VIDEO: UNLUCKY MONTH BOLLOX
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says his side have been "very unlucky" in the last 40 days following Mario Balotelli's four-match ban, their exits from the Carling Cup and FA Cup plus the ongoing dispute with Carlos Tevez.
The City boss denies that he and Tevez are involved in a personal dispute, and insists there is no truth in the rumour the Argentine may go to Liverpool on loan.
Mancini adds that the Premier League is now a two-horse race, but isn't worried that Manchester United could be stronger title opponents following their FA Cup exit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16790351.stm
Roma star Pizarro is the target as City look to step up title fight
Roberto Mancini is battling it out with Juventus for the signature of Roma's attacking midfielder David Pizarro.
The 32-year old's agent, Giuseppe Bozzo, has booked a flight to London on Tuesday morning for talks with Manchester City officials, after Roma decided he could go out on loan for the rest of the season, with a view to a permanent near-£1million move.
Mancini, who coached Pizarro at Inter Milan, sees the Chilean's ability to play in central midfield or just behind the strikers as an ideal way of reinforcing City's title challenge.
Pizarro, who earns around £60,000 a week, is also wanted by Juve. Daily Mail
MCF.net Thread: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=41713
Andy Carroll determined to fight for his future as Liverpool FC dismiss reports of Carlos Tevez swap offer
ANDY CARROLL believes he’s ready to fulfil his potential at Anfield as Liverpool rubbished speculation that they are trying to offload their record signing.
Manchester City were reported to have rejected a proposal from the Reds to swap striker Carlos Tevez for the £35million frontman. However, Liverpool insist that is “fundamentally and categorically just not true”.
Carroll, who has struggled to impress since his dramatic switch from Newcastle United a year ago, retains the full backing of Kenny Dalglish. The manager’s faith was rewarded on Saturday as Carroll played a key role in the Reds’ 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup. Carroll has no intention of moving on.
The 23-year-old insists he’s settled and determined to be a success with Liverpool.
“I think I’m just getting into my stride now,” Carroll said. Liverpool Echo Cont. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpoo ... 0225208/2/
Man City outcast Bridge set to sign for Sunderland on loan to end of season
Wayne Bridge will end his Manchester City misery by signing for Sunderland on deadline day.
Martin O’Neill set up a deal for the former England left back to go on loan to the Stadium of Light until the end of the season. O’Neill could also go for former Sunderland midfielder Bolo Zenden, 35, who left the club last summer but has been unable to find a club since.
O’Neill was also linked with a move for Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell on Monday night. He signed the 29-year-old from Chelsea for Aston Villa four years ago.
Roberto Mancini slams player agents amid Carlos Tevez transfer fiasco .
Roberto Mancini has launched a blistering attack on the work of some agents as Manchester City faced the prospect of failing to sell Carlos Tevez before Tuesday’s transfer deadlineAlthough Mancini did not mention Kia Joorabchian by name, it did not take much to believe Tevez’s long-time advisor was the subject of his ire with City trying, without success, to get Tevez back from Argentina for nearly three months.
On Friday, Joorabchian claimed his client had always had a problem with Mancini, even though the Italian’s own experiences do not bear that out.
‘Sometimes it is difficult to understand why some players have certain agents,’ said the City manager.
‘If I was a player I would never take an agent like some who work here. First the agent should find the player work, after that they should help players in difficult situations; help them, not put them against the club or the manager or the other players.
‘Agents are important for doing this, not only for earning lots of money.’
Inter Milan, Milan and Paris St-Germain all appear out of the running for Tevez now and Mancini admits speculation about a swap for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is a non-starter.
‘Carroll is a good player. But at the moment? No,’ he added. ‘We don’t have any chance to talk about this with Liverpool.’
Ade buyout! Tottenham move to make loan deal permanent with £8m bid.
Tottenham have opened talks with Manchester City over a permanent move for loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Togo striker has been one of the star performers for Harry Redknapp’s side this season after joining on a season-long loan in the summer.
And the Spurs boss wants the club to pursue a permanent deal to keep Adebayor at White Hart Lane. Tottenham officials have held discussions with their City counterparts with a view to securing a move for the ex-Arsenal striker ahead of next season.
The North Londoners’ would look to pay in the region of £8million for Adebayor, who cost City £25million in 2009.
However, Tottenham could be persuaded to push the boat out even more given Redknapp’s determination to keep Adebayor on a long-term basis.
Adebayor has shown a willingness to turn his loan deal permanent, though his wages would prove a stumbling block.
The 27-year-old, who has scored nine goals for Spurs, earns £170,000-per-week on his Manchester City contract.
Spurs pay around 50 per cent of his City salary, while the Etihad Stadium club pick up the rest of the bill.
And Adebayor would be required to take a hefty pay-cut to secure a permanent move to White Hart Lane.
The club’s current wage ceiling is set at around £75,000-per-week, however Tottenham would smash through that to land Adebayor.
Chairman Daniel Levy has offered influential midfielder Luka Modric a new contract worth £100,000-per-week - and Tottenham would look to offer Adebayor a similar package.
Meanwhile, Joe Jordan has challenged Tottenham to prove their doubters wrong.
The dramatic 3-2 defeat at Manchester City left Spurs eight points behind Roberto Mancini’s men at the top of the Premier League table.
Jordan spoke to Redknapp last night after the manager’s latest day in court and, together with assistant manager Kevin Bond, will discuss plans for tonight’s clash against Wigan over a pre-match meal.
And Jordan has called on Tottenham to prove their worth as serious title contenders after saying: ‘You’ve got to accept people will doubt us.
‘But we are actually being spoken about whereas before we’ve not been discussed. Other clubs have to accept it too so we’re not on our own.
‘Hopefully the doubt will continue because it means we are there or thereabouts. I don’t think you can just be a good team. I think you have to be a winning team.’
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'MANCHESTER CITY ARE JEALOUS OF US' - ARSENAL CHIEF’S AMAZING CLAIM
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has claimed that Manchester City should be jealous
Tuesday January 31,2012
By Matt Law Have your say(0)
ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis has made the ridiculous claim that Manchester City should be jealous of their achievements this season.
Despite the fact City are 18 points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and have beaten them twice this term, Gazidis has tried desperately to point to the fact Arsene Wenger’s men are still in the Champions League and FA Cup.
And Gazidis has tried to justify Arsenal’s disastrous transfer policy by claiming their refusal to buy star players and instead gamble on youth is an inspiration to people all over the world. During this month’s transfer window, Arsenal have re-signed 34-year-old Thierry Henry on a short-term loan and are set to land little known German teenager Thomas Eisfeld for £600,000.
Having watched Arsenal lose three successive Premier League games and squeeze past Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Gazidis said: “We’re in three competitions this year. Manchester City would love to be in three competitions. They’re not. So money is not everything in this game.
We’re in three competitions this year. Manchester City would love to be in three competitions. They’re not. So money is not everything in this game.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis
“I don’t disagree that it’s important. But we do things based on a value system. We’re about creating star players, not about buying them.
“We’re about what happens in a team, between players, not individual superstars. And that’s an inspiration to people around the world. We can’t afford to compete with oil money and we can’t afford to compete with super-wealthy individuals from Russia.
“But the more important thing about our model is that it’s sustainable. Our business model means we can continue to do what we’re doing for ever.
“We’re proud of the way we do things and we’re proud of the results that we’re able to produce from that.”
Gazidis described Wenger as one of the best managers in the world but hinted his position could be threatened if the club’s six-year trophy drought continues.
“Nobody has a job for life,” said Gazidis.
Robin van Persie has escaped any FA punishment for an alleged elbow on Aston Villa’s Carlos Cuellar after referee Michael Jones confirmed he saw the incident and took no action.
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool apologise after website video shows alleged racist gesture
Evra was back at Anfield for the first time since the incident involving Suarez Liverpool have apologised after video footage of an alleged racist gesture by a fan was shown on their website.
Highlights of Saturday's FA Cup tie against Manchester United, featuring the incident, were still available to view more than 48 hours after the game.
A spokesman for Liverpool FC told BBC Sport: "We can confirm that footage was mistakenly included in the highlights package that appeared on the website.
"It should not have been included and we are sorry it happened."
The spokesman added: "It was removed immediately when it was brought to our attention."
Saturday's FA Cup match was the first time that the two teams had met since the clash between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez at Anfield in October. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16798167.stm
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is refusing to give up on his chase for Bolton skipper Kevin Davies. The Sunderland boss is poised to make a seven-figure offer for the 34-year-old striker despite being told he was not for sale last week. Bolton News
The story gets even more coverage in the North East with Sunderland reported to have had a £1.5m bid for Davies turned down, although Bolton boss Owen Coyle has denied that. Newcastle Chronicle
According to media reports in Germany, 27-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios looks set to move to Fulham in a deal believed to be worth around £8.35m. Der Spiegel
Meanwhile, the Cottagers are also believed to be in talks to sign 28-year-old Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak. London Evening Standard
Liverpool have told out-of-favour forward Dirk Kuyt, 31, he will not be allowed to quit the club after the Dutchman bagged a late winner in the FA Cup. Metro
West Bromwich Albion have made a new bid for 27-year-old Birmingham City defender Liam Ridgewell to see off interest from Stoke. Daily Mirror
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will decide over the next 24 hours whether to sign 28-year-old free agent Mark Fotheringham.Birmingham Mail
Martin Olsson's identical twin, Marcus, has emerged as a surprise Blackburn transfer target. The 23-year-old Swedish international, an attacking left winger, is a free agent having left Halmstads late last year. Lancashire Telegraph
Ipswich target Keith Andrews, 31, has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Blackburn. The Republic of Ireland international midfielder spent the first half of the season on loan at the Blues, scoring nine goals and captaining the side for a spell. East Anglian Daily Times
Arsenal are closing in on the £400,000 signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Thomas Eisfeld after holding talks in London. The 19-year-old could complete a move to London in the next 24 hours. Goal.com
The Gunners are also believed to be ready to make a bid for 25-year-old Watford defender Adrian Mariappa. the Sun
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly in talks with Tottenham to sign 25-year-old defender Vedran Corluka. Sky Sports
Sweden international goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, 22, claims he is on the verge of a move to Liverpool. talkSHITE
Sheffield Wednesday look likely to have won the race to sign 20-year-old Tottenham midfielder John Bostock on loan. Daily Express
Chelsea are believed to be ready to offer striker Fernando Torres, 27, a chance to return to his former club Atletico Madrid as boss Andre Villas-Boas looks to lure his former Porto striker Radamel Falcao, 25, to Stamford Bridge. Caught Offside
Arsenal could make a last-gasp effort to bring 26-year-old striker Lukas Podolski from Cologne to Emirates Stadium. Footybunker
Manchester United's 18-year-old midfielder Ravel Morrison is reportedly joining West Ham after being told he is not getting another contract at Old Trafford. Guardian
Joey James Iversen, the son of former Spurs striker Steffen, has been invited to train with the club despite being only six years old. "Joey's tall for his age and muscular," says his mother Anna. "He has the same powerful legs as his father." Joey will have to wait until he is nine before he can join Spurs' academy. Aftenbladet
Midfielder Darren Pratley, 26, has insisted that he could not celebrate scoring for Bolton against Swansea last Saturday - because he still has so much love for his former club. South Wales Evening Post
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy, 32, has revealed that he will probably only play once more for Wales, in memory of close friend Gary Speed. Daily Mirror
Three-time Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi looks set to be the first footballer to have the cover of Time magazine devoted to his picture. 'King Leo' will adorn the covers of the Asian, European and Oceanic editions, although the US version of the prestigious magazine may elude him. De Morgen
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler and former Arsenal favourite Tony Adams are to make shock returns to Premier League football - in India. Metro
More B*ll*x later ...
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