Sunday's B*l**x
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:26 amMagpies face fight to keep skipper
Manchester City are reportedly set to swoop on Newcastle with a £10million bid for central defender Fabricio Coloccini.
City boss Roberto Mancini is looking to bolster his defensive options this summer in preparation for a defence of their Premier League title while also looking to make a bigger impact in the Champions League next term.
Kolo Toure has been linked with a move out of the Etihad Stadium, while Stefan Savic struggled when given a first-team opportunity in the past season.
Therefore 30-year-old Coloccini seems to be on Mancini's wanted list as he looks for some quality competition for his first-choice central defensive pairing of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott.
Toon chief Alan Pardew would be loathe to lose his skipper as he is also looking to strengthen his defence following an impressive fifth-placed Premier League finish.
But, with the offer of Champions League football and an opportunity to link up with fellow Argentinians Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta, Coloccini could be tempted to push for a move if City up their interest.
City on the spend: £25million bid for Martinez
Blues ready to make their first transfer splash of the summer as they wait on RvP
Manchester City will begin their summer spending with a £25million offer for Athletic Bilbao defender Javier Martinez.
After missing out on Chelsea-bound £32m Belgian winger Eden Hazard, the Premier League champions are resolved not to lose the race for Martinez.
The 23-year-old excelled as Athletic reached the Europa League Final last season and will be part of the Spain squad defending their European crown.
Manchester United and Barcelona have also been tracking Martinez, but Roberto Mancini wants a top-class defensive recruit after being priced out of a move for AC Milan’s Thiago Silva.
Mancini was told it would cost City £25m plus Pablo Zabaleta to prise the Brazilian away from the Italians when he visited the Milan training ground last week.
That was too expensive even for City, who have now set their sights on Martinez. City’s hopes of completing the deal before Euro 2012 kicks off on Friday is optimistic, although they did sign David Silva two years ago during Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
The Blues will also have to be patient in their bid to land Robin van Persie as the Arsenal ace will not decide about his future until after the Euros.
MANCHESTER CITY READY IF DANIEL STURRIDGE QUITS CHELSEA
DANIEL STURRIDGE’S future at Chelsea is in increasing doubt as a result of the European champions’ early transfer business.
Sturridge, 22 lost his place in the starting line-up last season and his chances of regaining it have not been helped by the signings of German ace Marko Marin and now Belgium star Eden Hazard.
As he also failed to make England’s squad for Euro 2012, it’s believed that Sturridge is considering his options.
Marin, 23, is arriving at Stamford Bridge in a £6million deal from Werder Bremen and is confident that he will force his way into the side.
And at £30m, Hazard certainly can expect plenty of starts after Chelsea won their battle with the Manchester clubs for Lille’s wonder boy.
Given that Chelsea also have Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Ramires, Florent Malouda and Romelu Lukaku fighting for the attacking positions – and Brazil’s Hulk could be on the way, too – Sturridge looks unlikely to get as many games as he would like.
If Sturridge decides he has to move on, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will sit up and take note.
As reported previously in this column, the Italian coach was dismayed that Sturridge was allowed to leave City for Chelsea before his arrival at the club.
The Stamford Bridge club won the battle for Hazard, 21, not only because they captured the Champions League and the underlying appeal that created but for financial reasons, too.
Hazard’s £8m-a-year wages weren’t a problem and Chelsea also struck a deal with his agent, John Bico.
He wanted £6m for his part in the switch and Chelsea reached a compromise agreement, whereas City and United felt they were paying enough with the fee and Hazard’s wages.
Hart won't add to United heartbreak
Joe Hart is still trying to get his head around Manchester City's last-gasp title triumph - something he knows is no laughing matter for some of his England team-mates.
Roberto Mancini's side looked set to let slip a first title in 44 years on the final day of the season, with bitter rivals Manchester United on course for a record 20th crown as City struggled against embattled QPR.
However, things at the Etihad Stadium are never straightforward and late goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero helped turn round a 2-1 deficit to rescue City - much to Hart's relief. He said: "I was a lost soul at 2-1. I totally didn't know what to do. I was on the pitch, but I had no input whatsoever over what was going on."
He added: "I was trying to get myself up front. It's a good job I stayed out the way because I would have probably got in the way.
"When Edin scored I thought we might get one chance, but the way things had gone I thought 'so what? Someone will block it or something'.
"And then it went in and I don't really know what happened. I had to look back. I was just a fan on the pitch willing the ball to go in the goal and when it did all hell broke loose.
"Football-wise it was the worst and best that can happen to anybody, definitely. I was lost. I didn't think we had lost, but, personally, I was lost because I didn't really have any direction or input in the game. Luckily the boys pulled through and it just felt - well, I don't really know what it felt like."
England team-mates from the red side of Manchester are also probably still trying to get their heads around the season's finale. Hart revealed he has spoken about it with England team-mate Wayne Rooney, but will not be aiming any playful jibes at the striker or any other of his United team-mates.
"I've watched it a couple of times since because I wanted to know what happened," he said. "I didn't know. Apparently we won. I haven't watched it with Wayne - that wouldn't go down too well!
"It's not something you banter about. I wouldn't want it bantered about to me. We talk about it, but no, no banter. It means the world to them, just as it does to me so it's not a nice finish for them."
OTHER BOLLOX
Alex Ferguson has been told that Manchester United will have to pay a combined £72m to land his top targets - but he will not splash out that amount on the three players. They are Tottenham's Luka Modric, 26, Everton's Leighton Baines, 27, and Newcastle's Cheick Tiote, 25. Mail on Sunday
Manchester United are aiming to sign Valencia's Jordi Alba, 23, with a cash-plus-player deal involving their Brazilian midfielder Anderson. Caught Offside
The exit of Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, 31, could be as part of a swap deal with Fiorentina for £12m-rated wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas, 28. Metro
New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed his intention to make Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, his first Anfield signing after the midfielder's £6.8m move to Swansea stalled. Sunday Telegraph
Liverpool are also rumoured to be chasing Fulham's Clint Dempsey. Daily Star Sunday
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis will meet 300 fans on Wednesday to explain the club's transfer policy. Daily Star Sunday
QPR are set to offer Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, 31, the chance to resurrect his career by making the switch to Loftus Road. Metro
Arsenal are interested in signing Crewe's £10m-rated, 18-year-old striker Nick Powell. Sunday Mirror
Southampton are plotting a £2m raid for Millwall's 23-year-old midfielder Liam Trotter, who has also been linked with Fulham and Sunderland. Sun on Sunday
ENGLAND BOLLOX
Milner - We're still learningI
mprovement will come with time, claims England midfielder
.ames Milner insists there is more to come from Roy Hodgson's England at Euro 2012 after another hard-fought friendly win.
England beat Belgium 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday after also securing a one-goal victory in Oslo against Norway the previous weekend.
Hodgson appears set to make England hard to beat ahead of their clash with France at the European Championship on June 11th in Ukraine.
Milner has been a big part of that as the only player to play every minute of the new England manager's first two games in charge.
But the 26-year-old Manchester City midfielder is not taking his place against France for granted.
"That's the manager's decision and hopefully I'm in the team," said Milner, who also shrugged off suggestions that the manner of the team's win was less than convincing.
"We haven't been together for too long with the new manager, so we're still working on things in training.
"We're all learning the way that the manager wants us to play, and the more we play together and train together over these next days before that first game, the better we'll get and the more compact we'll be, and we'll put the ideas of the manager into practice.
"We can improve with the ball but I think that'll come with time together.
"So, I think it's a positive start to get two wins from two tough games going into the tournament and we'll go into the first game against a strong team in confident mood."
England may be confident but players continue to suffer injury problems in an awkward build-up to the Euros.
With John Ruddy, Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard already having withdrawn from the squad, there could be more problems for Hodgson as Gary Cahill and John Terry emerged as doubts.
Cahill was forced to undergo an x-ray on a facial injury after Dries Mertens' unnecessary push saw him collide with Joe Hart at the weekend, while Terry suffered a hamstring strain.
"We've had a few niggles and it just seems to be that bad luck that we're having at the moment," added Milner.
"The disappointing one was Gaz Cahill.
"The lad pushed him, didn't really need to do it. I don't think he meant to injure him.
"I think he was going for the ball and just tried to maybe get away with one and nick a goal and gave him a little shove."
Roy Hodgson may have a 100% England record but his team look unlikely to strike the fear of God into their main Euro 2012 rivals. Sun on Sunday
England were often careless in possession and their best department was the game's least beautiful, defending. But, for a second match under Hodgson, England wore down more expressive opponents and won 1-0. If they keep it going, they could make an impact at Euro 2012. Sunday Times
The real tests await Hodgson's England far away in the east of Europe but they will travel with a measure of serenity. At this stage, and with this team, it is the most we can reasonably expect. Mail on Sunday
Hodgson has two wins from two and while there is a lot of work to do, England have at least a solid platform to work from. Sunday Telegraph
Wembley paid homage to their heroes - it is just a pity they were Sir Bobby Charlton, Peter Shilton and David Beckham. Sunday Express
The Manchester United boys appear to be taking out their title frustration on England's opponents. For now, England will settle for a winning - if largely unimpressive - send-off to Euro 2012. Daily Star Sunday
This was hardly a performance to return all the public confidence that has eroded in the preceding months and, at times, it was galling once again to see the absence of care that was applied to the ball, the lack of movement in advanced positions and the shortage of activity in the opposition penalty area. the Observer
Lee Clark was sacked as Huddersfield Town manager in February, leaving the Terrriers fourth in League One
Maybe, just maybe, there is life for England without Wayne Rooney for the first two matches of Euro 2012. Sunday Mirror
Patrice Evra claims the best thing about facing England in France's opening Euro 2012 game is the absence of his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney. Sun on Sunday
England's players stand to earn more than £100,000 each if they manage to pull off an unlikely championship win at Euro 2012. Mail on Sunday
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane says England cannot win Euro 2012. Sun on Sunday [/scroll]Former Huddersfield manager Lee Clark, 39, is on the Norwich shortlist to replace Paul Lambert, who has taken over at Aston Villa, at Carrow Road. Sunday Mirror
But Cardiff manager Malky Mackay, 40, and Birmingham's Chris Hughton, 53, were installed as favourites for the Norwich vacancy. the Observer
Managerless Swansea will move for Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, 49, if Wigan number two Graeme Jones opts to stay at the DW Stadium. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is stalling over a new deal for manager Harry Redknapp, 65, who wants a new three-year contract including a significant pay increase. Sun on Sunday
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, 38, has set his sights on the Tottenham job as Redknapp tries to sort out his White Hart Lane future. Sunday Mirror
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, 30, has received the all-clear to rejoin full training at the start of next month. Sun on Sunday
TIME magazine has done little to raise England fans' hopes for Euro 2012 after dubbing the national side "the world's most disappointing team". Metro
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...
Manchester City are reportedly set to swoop on Newcastle with a £10million bid for central defender Fabricio Coloccini.
City boss Roberto Mancini is looking to bolster his defensive options this summer in preparation for a defence of their Premier League title while also looking to make a bigger impact in the Champions League next term.
Kolo Toure has been linked with a move out of the Etihad Stadium, while Stefan Savic struggled when given a first-team opportunity in the past season.
Therefore 30-year-old Coloccini seems to be on Mancini's wanted list as he looks for some quality competition for his first-choice central defensive pairing of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott.
Toon chief Alan Pardew would be loathe to lose his skipper as he is also looking to strengthen his defence following an impressive fifth-placed Premier League finish.
But, with the offer of Champions League football and an opportunity to link up with fellow Argentinians Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta, Coloccini could be tempted to push for a move if City up their interest.
City on the spend: £25million bid for Martinez
Blues ready to make their first transfer splash of the summer as they wait on RvP
Manchester City will begin their summer spending with a £25million offer for Athletic Bilbao defender Javier Martinez.
After missing out on Chelsea-bound £32m Belgian winger Eden Hazard, the Premier League champions are resolved not to lose the race for Martinez.
The 23-year-old excelled as Athletic reached the Europa League Final last season and will be part of the Spain squad defending their European crown.
Manchester United and Barcelona have also been tracking Martinez, but Roberto Mancini wants a top-class defensive recruit after being priced out of a move for AC Milan’s Thiago Silva.
Mancini was told it would cost City £25m plus Pablo Zabaleta to prise the Brazilian away from the Italians when he visited the Milan training ground last week.
That was too expensive even for City, who have now set their sights on Martinez. City’s hopes of completing the deal before Euro 2012 kicks off on Friday is optimistic, although they did sign David Silva two years ago during Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
The Blues will also have to be patient in their bid to land Robin van Persie as the Arsenal ace will not decide about his future until after the Euros.
MANCHESTER CITY READY IF DANIEL STURRIDGE QUITS CHELSEA
DANIEL STURRIDGE’S future at Chelsea is in increasing doubt as a result of the European champions’ early transfer business.
Sturridge, 22 lost his place in the starting line-up last season and his chances of regaining it have not been helped by the signings of German ace Marko Marin and now Belgium star Eden Hazard.
As he also failed to make England’s squad for Euro 2012, it’s believed that Sturridge is considering his options.
Marin, 23, is arriving at Stamford Bridge in a £6million deal from Werder Bremen and is confident that he will force his way into the side.
And at £30m, Hazard certainly can expect plenty of starts after Chelsea won their battle with the Manchester clubs for Lille’s wonder boy.
Given that Chelsea also have Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Ramires, Florent Malouda and Romelu Lukaku fighting for the attacking positions – and Brazil’s Hulk could be on the way, too – Sturridge looks unlikely to get as many games as he would like.
If Sturridge decides he has to move on, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will sit up and take note.
As reported previously in this column, the Italian coach was dismayed that Sturridge was allowed to leave City for Chelsea before his arrival at the club.
The Stamford Bridge club won the battle for Hazard, 21, not only because they captured the Champions League and the underlying appeal that created but for financial reasons, too.
Hazard’s £8m-a-year wages weren’t a problem and Chelsea also struck a deal with his agent, John Bico.
He wanted £6m for his part in the switch and Chelsea reached a compromise agreement, whereas City and United felt they were paying enough with the fee and Hazard’s wages.
Hart won't add to United heartbreak
Joe Hart is still trying to get his head around Manchester City's last-gasp title triumph - something he knows is no laughing matter for some of his England team-mates.
Roberto Mancini's side looked set to let slip a first title in 44 years on the final day of the season, with bitter rivals Manchester United on course for a record 20th crown as City struggled against embattled QPR.
However, things at the Etihad Stadium are never straightforward and late goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero helped turn round a 2-1 deficit to rescue City - much to Hart's relief. He said: "I was a lost soul at 2-1. I totally didn't know what to do. I was on the pitch, but I had no input whatsoever over what was going on."
He added: "I was trying to get myself up front. It's a good job I stayed out the way because I would have probably got in the way.
"When Edin scored I thought we might get one chance, but the way things had gone I thought 'so what? Someone will block it or something'.
"And then it went in and I don't really know what happened. I had to look back. I was just a fan on the pitch willing the ball to go in the goal and when it did all hell broke loose.
"Football-wise it was the worst and best that can happen to anybody, definitely. I was lost. I didn't think we had lost, but, personally, I was lost because I didn't really have any direction or input in the game. Luckily the boys pulled through and it just felt - well, I don't really know what it felt like."
England team-mates from the red side of Manchester are also probably still trying to get their heads around the season's finale. Hart revealed he has spoken about it with England team-mate Wayne Rooney, but will not be aiming any playful jibes at the striker or any other of his United team-mates.
"I've watched it a couple of times since because I wanted to know what happened," he said. "I didn't know. Apparently we won. I haven't watched it with Wayne - that wouldn't go down too well!
"It's not something you banter about. I wouldn't want it bantered about to me. We talk about it, but no, no banter. It means the world to them, just as it does to me so it's not a nice finish for them."
OTHER BOLLOX
Alex Ferguson has been told that Manchester United will have to pay a combined £72m to land his top targets - but he will not splash out that amount on the three players. They are Tottenham's Luka Modric, 26, Everton's Leighton Baines, 27, and Newcastle's Cheick Tiote, 25. Mail on Sunday
Manchester United are aiming to sign Valencia's Jordi Alba, 23, with a cash-plus-player deal involving their Brazilian midfielder Anderson. Caught Offside
The exit of Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, 31, could be as part of a swap deal with Fiorentina for £12m-rated wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas, 28. Metro
New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed his intention to make Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, his first Anfield signing after the midfielder's £6.8m move to Swansea stalled. Sunday Telegraph
Liverpool are also rumoured to be chasing Fulham's Clint Dempsey. Daily Star Sunday
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis will meet 300 fans on Wednesday to explain the club's transfer policy. Daily Star Sunday
QPR are set to offer Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, 31, the chance to resurrect his career by making the switch to Loftus Road. Metro
Arsenal are interested in signing Crewe's £10m-rated, 18-year-old striker Nick Powell. Sunday Mirror
Southampton are plotting a £2m raid for Millwall's 23-year-old midfielder Liam Trotter, who has also been linked with Fulham and Sunderland. Sun on Sunday
ENGLAND BOLLOX
Milner - We're still learningI
mprovement will come with time, claims England midfielder
.ames Milner insists there is more to come from Roy Hodgson's England at Euro 2012 after another hard-fought friendly win.
England beat Belgium 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday after also securing a one-goal victory in Oslo against Norway the previous weekend.
Hodgson appears set to make England hard to beat ahead of their clash with France at the European Championship on June 11th in Ukraine.
Milner has been a big part of that as the only player to play every minute of the new England manager's first two games in charge.
But the 26-year-old Manchester City midfielder is not taking his place against France for granted.
"That's the manager's decision and hopefully I'm in the team," said Milner, who also shrugged off suggestions that the manner of the team's win was less than convincing.
"We haven't been together for too long with the new manager, so we're still working on things in training.
"We're all learning the way that the manager wants us to play, and the more we play together and train together over these next days before that first game, the better we'll get and the more compact we'll be, and we'll put the ideas of the manager into practice.
"We can improve with the ball but I think that'll come with time together.
"So, I think it's a positive start to get two wins from two tough games going into the tournament and we'll go into the first game against a strong team in confident mood."
England may be confident but players continue to suffer injury problems in an awkward build-up to the Euros.
With John Ruddy, Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard already having withdrawn from the squad, there could be more problems for Hodgson as Gary Cahill and John Terry emerged as doubts.
Cahill was forced to undergo an x-ray on a facial injury after Dries Mertens' unnecessary push saw him collide with Joe Hart at the weekend, while Terry suffered a hamstring strain.
"We've had a few niggles and it just seems to be that bad luck that we're having at the moment," added Milner.
"The disappointing one was Gaz Cahill.
"The lad pushed him, didn't really need to do it. I don't think he meant to injure him.
"I think he was going for the ball and just tried to maybe get away with one and nick a goal and gave him a little shove."
Roy Hodgson may have a 100% England record but his team look unlikely to strike the fear of God into their main Euro 2012 rivals. Sun on Sunday
England were often careless in possession and their best department was the game's least beautiful, defending. But, for a second match under Hodgson, England wore down more expressive opponents and won 1-0. If they keep it going, they could make an impact at Euro 2012. Sunday Times
The real tests await Hodgson's England far away in the east of Europe but they will travel with a measure of serenity. At this stage, and with this team, it is the most we can reasonably expect. Mail on Sunday
Hodgson has two wins from two and while there is a lot of work to do, England have at least a solid platform to work from. Sunday Telegraph
Wembley paid homage to their heroes - it is just a pity they were Sir Bobby Charlton, Peter Shilton and David Beckham. Sunday Express
The Manchester United boys appear to be taking out their title frustration on England's opponents. For now, England will settle for a winning - if largely unimpressive - send-off to Euro 2012. Daily Star Sunday
This was hardly a performance to return all the public confidence that has eroded in the preceding months and, at times, it was galling once again to see the absence of care that was applied to the ball, the lack of movement in advanced positions and the shortage of activity in the opposition penalty area. the Observer
Lee Clark was sacked as Huddersfield Town manager in February, leaving the Terrriers fourth in League One
Maybe, just maybe, there is life for England without Wayne Rooney for the first two matches of Euro 2012. Sunday Mirror
Patrice Evra claims the best thing about facing England in France's opening Euro 2012 game is the absence of his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney. Sun on Sunday
England's players stand to earn more than £100,000 each if they manage to pull off an unlikely championship win at Euro 2012. Mail on Sunday
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane says England cannot win Euro 2012. Sun on Sunday [/scroll]Former Huddersfield manager Lee Clark, 39, is on the Norwich shortlist to replace Paul Lambert, who has taken over at Aston Villa, at Carrow Road. Sunday Mirror
But Cardiff manager Malky Mackay, 40, and Birmingham's Chris Hughton, 53, were installed as favourites for the Norwich vacancy. the Observer
Managerless Swansea will move for Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, 49, if Wigan number two Graeme Jones opts to stay at the DW Stadium. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is stalling over a new deal for manager Harry Redknapp, 65, who wants a new three-year contract including a significant pay increase. Sun on Sunday
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, 38, has set his sights on the Tottenham job as Redknapp tries to sort out his White Hart Lane future. Sunday Mirror
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, 30, has received the all-clear to rejoin full training at the start of next month. Sun on Sunday
TIME magazine has done little to raise England fans' hopes for Euro 2012 after dubbing the national side "the world's most disappointing team". Metro
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...