Wayne Rooney, Mario Balotelli and Rio Ferdinand to star in prank TV show
A new prime time TV prank show starring Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Mario Balotelli and a host of other Premier League stars is set to hit TV screens this summer.
Euro Wind-Ups will feature top football names playing jokes on their teammates and rivals alike, while hidden cameras capture the action for plenty of You've Been Framed-style hilarity.
According to the Sunday Mirror, the ITV1 programme will coincide with the 2012 European Championship, which is set to take place in Poland and the Ukraine from June.
Ferdinand, who already has form as a mischief-maker thanks to 2006's Rio's World Cup Wind-Ups, is expected to lead the team of pranksters.
'This has the potential to be absolutely massive,' an insider told the newspaper.
'A good prank is part of the dressing-room culture in the British game, so footballers are more than qualified to star in the show.'
While Ferdinand might have already been responsible for having his teammates caught on camera, Rooney could mount a good challenge for the title of chief trickster.
In the 2010 World Cup campaign, Steven Gerrard told reporters that Rooney was definitely 'the joker in the pack'.
City’s Bright idea for kid Razak
MANCHESTER CITY'S Abdul Razak will join Championship Brighton on loan when Yaya Toure returns from the African Nations Cup.
Midfielder Razak, 19, has made two appearances for City and has yet to score a goal.
Arsenal to Launch Summer Move for Man City Youngster
Arsene Wenger keen on Etihad Stadium striker.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly interested in young Man City striker John Guidetti, who has been in phenomenal form whilst out on loan in Holland with Feyenoord. The young Swedish Under 21 international has netted 17 goals in 15 Eredivisie matches but could still struggle to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium given the international stars ahead of him in Roberto Mancini’s pecking order.
19 year Guidetti moved to Man City in 2008 and after impressing in the reserves notched up his one and only first team appearance in a Carling Cup game with West Brom in September 2010 before being sent out on loan to Burnley. The Stockholm born teenager did well during a North American pre-season tour but was sent out to Feyenoord where he has been in sparkling form.
Mancini saw Daniel Sturridge push for a Man City exit after he similarly struggled to make an impact at the club, his move to Chelsea has proved most successful for the England international and Guidetti may well feel his future lies elsewhere.
With the likes of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli scoring with regularity, and perhaps more importantly all being under the age of 26, John Guidetti knows he has his work cut out trying to get noticed at Man City and given Arsene Wenger’s reputation for trusting to youth a move to the Emirates Stadium may prove very tempting.
Arsenal could well do with new attacking options as currently the North London club rely far too heavily on Robin Van Persie for firepower, with the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho struggling to regularly find the back of the net and South Korean international Park Chu-Young being trusted with just one sub appearances in the Premier League action since his move from Monaco.
Though Guidetti may well not be ready for a regular spot in the English top tier his performances in Holland have shown that the young Swede has a great deal of potential and Wenger is keen to see that potential fulfilled at the Emirates Stadium but it may prove tricky to persuade Mancini to sell to a Premier League rival.
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Bayern Munich keeping tabs on Manchester City wonderkid John Guidetti
The Citizens-owned Swedish youngster has been in impressive form on loan at Feyenoord, and his good performances have resulted in the interest of the Bundesliga giants
Manchester City attacker John Guidetti has caught the attention of Bayern Munich with his outstanding performances on loan at Feyenoord in the 2011-12 campaign, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports.
Bayern are in the market for attacking reinforcements because of the expected departure of Ivica Olic at the end of the season, and they see the 19-year-old Guidetti as the perfect addition to their front line.
The Bavarians reportedly sent a delegation to De Kuip on Sunday to see Guidetti in action in Feyenoord's Eredivisie match against Vitesse, and they were treated to the Sweden Under-21 star netting a hat-trick to help his side to a 3-1 victory.
Guidetti started his professional career at Brommapojkarna, and joined Manchester City in the summer of 2008.
The striker was farmed out on loan to Feyenoord at the start of the season in order to gain first team experience and has so far netted 17 times in 15 Eredivisie appearances.
The prolific hitman has a contract with City until the summer of 2014, and recently told Goal.com that he dreams of succeeding at the Citizens.
Pablo Zabaleta hints at way back for Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez
That was the view of his pal and countryman Pablo Zabaleta, who said the striker, still absent without leave in Argentina, could yet play a part in the destiny of the title.
The Blues regained top spot from United with a gritty 1-0 win at Aston Villa yesterday but Tevez continues to grab the attention.
His camp say that the player could return in the next day or two, although City have not been told of Tevez’s plans.
M.E.N. Sport also understands that, as far as City and manager Roberto Mancini are concerned, the situation remains that Tevez must apologise if he wants to be considered for selection.
Zabaleta said that if Tevez does return and thrash out an agreement with Mancini, he would be welcomed by the players, even if many fans are adamant he should never pull on a blue shirt again. But the Argentine defender also said that City must ensure that the issue does not distract from the job in hand.
“I miss Carlos and we haven’t seen him for a long time,” said Zabaleta. “In this situation we have to be very calm.
“People talk too much about it, for sure, about when he will be back, but we have to concentrate and be focused on what we are doing.
“This situation has been crazy for everybody, for the players, the club and especially for Carlos. If we see him coming back this week, it depends on the manager’s decision whether he is given another chance or not.
“As a player, if he comes back he will be another player in the squad. We know him but I think we have to be very strong in this moment, to be focused on what we are doing.”
Some City fans feel Tevez should not be allowed to play again on a point of principle but others are more pragmatic and feel that if he enhances their title chances, he should be used.
Zabaleta said: “He would be welcomed by the players, because it was a difficult situation for everybody. But most important is that we are doing well as a team.”
Mancini, tired of talking about the whole affair, hinted that he will still want an apology if Tevez is to re-join the first team squad, saying: “It’s up to him. Carlos knows everything. We are here, we didn’t change City in these three months.
“Carlos is a City player. I am there, Carlos knows. I spoke to him one week after Munich.
“I think it is a bad moment to talk about shaking hands but I forgive all the people all the time.”
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Luis Suarez is heading for the Liverpool exit this summer despite the Uruguay striker, 25, apologising for his behaviour in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa will make a £2.5m bid for Rangers' Scotland international left-back Lee Wallace, 24. Daily Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is interested in signing Ipswich's Cameroon-born Irish forward Carel Tiofack after watching the striker, 17, in a youth match. the Sun
Sunderland striker Stephane Sessegnon, 27, has played down interest from Arsenal and hinted he may return to his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the future. Talkshite
Wigan striker Rakish Bingham, 18, is being monitored by Manchester City, Newcastle and Fulham. the Sun
Bolton defender Paul Robinson, 33, is wanted by Championship clubs Southampton and Burnley after losing his place in Owen Coyle's side. Daily Mirror
Manchester United's tunnel melee with Liverpool at half-time at Old Trafford was sparked by a spitting incident. the Sun
Harry Redknapp would try to entice Paul Scholes, 37, out of international retirement if the Spurs boss were to land the England manager's job. Guardian
Manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted he will be sacked if Chelsea finish outside the Premier League's top four. Daily Star
Wigan will lose the services of winger Victor Moses, 21, if they do not remain in the Premier League, according to manager Roberto Martinez. Mail
Former England boss Fabio Capello could make a quick return to management if he is appointed manager of Anzhi Makhachkala. The Italian is in Russia for talks with the club. Talkshite
Portsmouth's players will pay for the shirts they gave to away fans after the 1-1 draw at Blackpool, despite not being paid since December. the Sun
