Saturday's B*l**x (updated)
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:02 amRichards looking at speedy return and could be back in training by end of month
Micah Richards is ready to boost Manchester City's Champions League hopes by returning to training by the end of the month.
Roberto Mancini feared Richards would miss 10 weeks after suffering an ankle injury, as revealed by Sportsmail shitstirers.
But the versatile defender has earmarked a return to light training in two to three weeks.
The 24-year-old could be back in the first-team fold by mid-October - in time for the Champions League clashes against Ajax, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund - as long as his rehabilitation goes to plan.
However, he has a fight on his hands to win his right back berth back after being displaced by Pablo Zabaleta towards the end of last season and with the deadline-day addition of Maicon.
Europe's giants will be monitoring Richards's situation.
Juventus made overtures in the summer over a switch, while Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are known admirers.
Meanwhile, Aguero could return to action for Argentina against Peru on 11 September.
The striker suffered a knee injury on the opening day of the Premier League season against Southampton, with many fearing he could be set for a lengthy absence. However, the player has made a quick recovery and could play for his country next week.
FIORENTINA TELL JOVETIC: YOU CAN GO NEXT YEAR
Fiorentina managed to hang on to prize asset Stevan Jovetic despite strong interest from Manchester City in the final days of the transfer window.
But The Sweeper has learned that the Serie A club have come to an agreement with the striker that he can be sold next year.
Sources have said that senior Fiorentina officials feared a huge backlash from supporters if they sanctioned the sale of Jovetic last month.
City pursued the Montenegro international as part of a double swoop also including Serbian defender Matija Nastasic, who they secured on deadline day for £12 million.
The Premier League champions also indicated in discussions with Fiorentina that they were willing to meet their £24 million (€30m) valuation of Jovetic, only for the price tag to be increased to £28m (€35m) as the Italian club moved the goalposts.
"The fact that he has stayed is the most beautiful thing. He has remained and is also happy," Fiorentina general manager Sandro Mencucci said when the window shut. "Was he close to leaving? There were requests but it was very good of my president to convince him to stay."
It is understood that Jovetic agreed to remain in Florence for another season on the proviso that he can leave next year.
“Fiorentina have worked out a deal with him,” a well-placed source told Goal.com. “They said, ‘stay another year so we can plan for your departure at the end of the season’. They did the same thing with Luca Toni the year before he left.”
Coincidentally, Toni, 35, has returned to the club he left in 2007 after a goal-drenched two-year spell but he is behind star man Jovetic in the pecking order.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany opened the scoring with a header just before half time and Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen sealed the three points for the visitors with a powerful free-kick late in the second half.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtdzxs ... gium_sport
Sir Alex Ferguson will not be too pleased to hear one of his own players praising Man City
Manchester United goalkeeper has unexpectedly spoken highly of his clubs rivals Manchester City. The goalkeeper who has seen his place in United come under question as the teams first choice goalkeeper has said that Manchester City have enough quality to beat both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The statement made by David De Gea made its way into Marca newspaper with the player stating, “City are a great team. They are full of great players in all positions. The substitutes are also top-class. It will be really difficult for Real Madrid, both in the Bernabeu and in Manchester. You don’t get anything for free in the Champions League. City have a similar style to Real. They are quick to get the ball forward and look to directly attack.
The player who seemed over friendly towards his rival neighbors continued his praise for the club’s strikers.”The strike-force is deadly, as the club has an incredible group of strikers. But if you want to win the Champions League you’ve got to beat the best teams, and City are one of them.”
Not sure Alex Ferguson would be too happy with his goalkeeper openly praising a team which the Manchester United manager has openly criticized as having the wrong mentality when it comes to the way football is meant to be played and run. However there is no doubting the quality of players Manchester City currently have in their squad and David De Gea was quick to point that fact out.
“It’s ot about whether the City’s style of play will suit Real. The team is full of great players, who are very talented and can cause you damage at any moment. They are capable of beating anyone, whether that’s Real Madrid or Barcelona.
“David Silva is a vital player for them. City are a different team without him; they don’t play the same way. But it’s not just about Silva. Sergio Aguero is always up for it and he’ll be extra motivated against Real. He’s a great player and scores a lot of goals. It’s a joy to watch him play.”
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham have turned their attention to Brazil midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, 22, who could be available for around £8m from Santos, after missing out on Portugal's Joao Moutinho. Daily Mirror
Stoke want to cut their wage bill after signing Michael Owen and are preparing to loan out Michael Tonge, 29, Diego Arismendi, 24, Danny Higginbotham, 33, Mamady Sidibe, 32, Wilson Palacios, 28, and Kenwyne Jones, 27. Sun
Bordeaux midfielder Yoan Gouffran, 26, is available for a cut-price £3m in January and could be a target for Fulham, Everton and Aston Villa. Daily Mirror
Senegal defender Cheikhou Kouyate, 22, has revealed that he had contact with Arsenal during the summer before deciding to stay at Anderlecht. SkySports
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 34, rejected a deadline day offer from Italian club Juventus, worth more than £4m a year, to stay in China with Shanghai Shenhua. London Evening Standard
REACTION TO MOLDOVA 0-5 ENGLAND
Playing with welcome pace and fluidity, England secured their biggest away win in 19 years, dating back to their 7-1 victory over San Marino. Tom Cleverley was neat and nimble, always a positive presence around the Moldova box as England began qualifying for Brazil 2014 in style. Daily Telegraph
This first of the Three Lions' 2014 World Cup qualifiers was as comfortable as it gets. Despite all the calls for England to go with youth in every department, [Roy] Hodgson has faith in the ageing combination of skipper Steven Gerrard, 32, and [Frank] Lampard - who is two years older - in central midfield. Sun
Sporting convention has it that, from the boxing ring to the tennis court, you can only beat what is in front of you. England did more than beat Moldova. They terrorised them. The Times (subscription required)
As England flew out of tumbledown Chisinau, three points safely tucked away with the minimum of fuss and comfortably exceeding what Glenn Hoddle's side did here 16 years ago, the prevailing thought was a simple one. Maybe Uncle Roy does know what he is talking about, after all.
Midfielder Tom Cleverley was making his first competitive start for England against Moldova Daily Mirror
Something miraculous may well be required in Rio, as Steven Gerrard has suggested, but a stroll was more than good enough in Moldova. Guardian
Trouble usually transpires upon England's arrival at a tournament, of course, but any lingering concerns the trip to Chisinau could be something of a banana skin upon which [Roy] Hodgson could only slip, were quickly massaged away.
Daily Express
Defender Alan Hutton, 27, says he is training alone after being frozen out at Aston Villa by manager Paul Lambert. Sun
Chile's under-23 coach Fernando Carvallo says 18-year-old striker Angelo Henriquez has made a big mistake signing for Manchester United. Metro
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his relationship with the club's owners remains strong as he urges everyone to move on from their transfer deadline day disappointment. Liverpool Echo
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he sees a future for Nicklas Bendtner, 24, despite sending the Denmark striker on loan to Juventus after spending a season with Sunderland. Guardian
The relationship of midfielder Florent Malouda, 32, and defender Paulo Ferreira, 33, with Chelsea is at breaking point after the pair were ordered to play for the reserves in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Cent Reporter
Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones, 20, could be set for a lengthy injury lay-off after injuring his right leg after only just returning to training following back spasms. Cent Reporter
Tottenham midfielder Clint Dempsey, 29, says his departure from Fulham left him close to tears. Sports Illustrated
A meditation and relaxation class to help Liverpool players "deal with the stresses of club football" is one of the new methods introduced by manager Brendan Rodgers, a new fly-on-the-wall documentary capturing life behind the scenes at Anfield has revealed. Daily Telegraph
Uruguay were going to play a World Cup qualifier against Colombia in local second division side Solo Junior's away strip until their kit arrived an hour before kick-off in Barranquilla. Metro
TWITCHY BOLLOX
Harry Redknapp returns to Bournemouth in advisory role
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has returned to League One club Bournemouth in an advisory capacity.
The 65-year-old, who managed the Cherries for nine years from 1983 to 1992, has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in the summer.
Chairman Eddie Mitchell told the club website: "We met and he offered to come in on a voluntary basis.
"He still has a passion for the club and for football, and he's got a lot to offer for us."
Redknapp, who was heavily linked with the England manager's role before Roy Hodgson's appointment, will travel with the squad to Yeovil for Saturday's league match.
Mitchell insisted that Redknapp's presence will not compromise the positions of manager Paul Groves or his assistant Shaun Brooks.
"Paul and Shaun will still have the final say on all football matters, there's no doubt about that. They're very astute people and they're not above listening to anyone, and I'm sure they can learn from him," he said.
"They have both worked with him before and I think there's only person who would be able to get on that coach tomorrow without Paul and Shaun rejecting the idea, and that one person is Harry."
Having left the Cherries in June 1992 Redknapp went on to manage West Ham for seven seasons before two spells with Portsmouth and a brief stint at Southampton.
He joined Spurs in October 2008 and guided them to a top-four finish in 2009-10 before repeating the feat last season only for Chelsea's victory in the Champions League to consign the White Hart Lane side to the Europa League. Mr Redknapp has yet to decide which dog to name his new account after.
Micah Richards is ready to boost Manchester City's Champions League hopes by returning to training by the end of the month.
Roberto Mancini feared Richards would miss 10 weeks after suffering an ankle injury, as revealed by Sportsmail shitstirers.
But the versatile defender has earmarked a return to light training in two to three weeks.
The 24-year-old could be back in the first-team fold by mid-October - in time for the Champions League clashes against Ajax, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund - as long as his rehabilitation goes to plan.
However, he has a fight on his hands to win his right back berth back after being displaced by Pablo Zabaleta towards the end of last season and with the deadline-day addition of Maicon.
Europe's giants will be monitoring Richards's situation.
Juventus made overtures in the summer over a switch, while Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are known admirers.
Meanwhile, Aguero could return to action for Argentina against Peru on 11 September.
The striker suffered a knee injury on the opening day of the Premier League season against Southampton, with many fearing he could be set for a lengthy absence. However, the player has made a quick recovery and could play for his country next week.
FIORENTINA TELL JOVETIC: YOU CAN GO NEXT YEAR
Fiorentina managed to hang on to prize asset Stevan Jovetic despite strong interest from Manchester City in the final days of the transfer window.
But The Sweeper has learned that the Serie A club have come to an agreement with the striker that he can be sold next year.
Sources have said that senior Fiorentina officials feared a huge backlash from supporters if they sanctioned the sale of Jovetic last month.
City pursued the Montenegro international as part of a double swoop also including Serbian defender Matija Nastasic, who they secured on deadline day for £12 million.
The Premier League champions also indicated in discussions with Fiorentina that they were willing to meet their £24 million (€30m) valuation of Jovetic, only for the price tag to be increased to £28m (€35m) as the Italian club moved the goalposts.
"The fact that he has stayed is the most beautiful thing. He has remained and is also happy," Fiorentina general manager Sandro Mencucci said when the window shut. "Was he close to leaving? There were requests but it was very good of my president to convince him to stay."
It is understood that Jovetic agreed to remain in Florence for another season on the proviso that he can leave next year.
“Fiorentina have worked out a deal with him,” a well-placed source told Goal.com. “They said, ‘stay another year so we can plan for your departure at the end of the season’. They did the same thing with Luca Toni the year before he left.”
Coincidentally, Toni, 35, has returned to the club he left in 2007 after a goal-drenched two-year spell but he is behind star man Jovetic in the pecking order.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany opened the scoring with a header just before half time and Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen sealed the three points for the visitors with a powerful free-kick late in the second half.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtdzxs ... gium_sport
Sir Alex Ferguson will not be too pleased to hear one of his own players praising Man City
Manchester United goalkeeper has unexpectedly spoken highly of his clubs rivals Manchester City. The goalkeeper who has seen his place in United come under question as the teams first choice goalkeeper has said that Manchester City have enough quality to beat both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The statement made by David De Gea made its way into Marca newspaper with the player stating, “City are a great team. They are full of great players in all positions. The substitutes are also top-class. It will be really difficult for Real Madrid, both in the Bernabeu and in Manchester. You don’t get anything for free in the Champions League. City have a similar style to Real. They are quick to get the ball forward and look to directly attack.
The player who seemed over friendly towards his rival neighbors continued his praise for the club’s strikers.”The strike-force is deadly, as the club has an incredible group of strikers. But if you want to win the Champions League you’ve got to beat the best teams, and City are one of them.”
Not sure Alex Ferguson would be too happy with his goalkeeper openly praising a team which the Manchester United manager has openly criticized as having the wrong mentality when it comes to the way football is meant to be played and run. However there is no doubting the quality of players Manchester City currently have in their squad and David De Gea was quick to point that fact out.
“It’s ot about whether the City’s style of play will suit Real. The team is full of great players, who are very talented and can cause you damage at any moment. They are capable of beating anyone, whether that’s Real Madrid or Barcelona.
“David Silva is a vital player for them. City are a different team without him; they don’t play the same way. But it’s not just about Silva. Sergio Aguero is always up for it and he’ll be extra motivated against Real. He’s a great player and scores a lot of goals. It’s a joy to watch him play.”
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham have turned their attention to Brazil midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, 22, who could be available for around £8m from Santos, after missing out on Portugal's Joao Moutinho. Daily Mirror
Stoke want to cut their wage bill after signing Michael Owen and are preparing to loan out Michael Tonge, 29, Diego Arismendi, 24, Danny Higginbotham, 33, Mamady Sidibe, 32, Wilson Palacios, 28, and Kenwyne Jones, 27. Sun
Bordeaux midfielder Yoan Gouffran, 26, is available for a cut-price £3m in January and could be a target for Fulham, Everton and Aston Villa. Daily Mirror
Senegal defender Cheikhou Kouyate, 22, has revealed that he had contact with Arsenal during the summer before deciding to stay at Anderlecht. SkySports
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 34, rejected a deadline day offer from Italian club Juventus, worth more than £4m a year, to stay in China with Shanghai Shenhua. London Evening Standard
REACTION TO MOLDOVA 0-5 ENGLAND
Playing with welcome pace and fluidity, England secured their biggest away win in 19 years, dating back to their 7-1 victory over San Marino. Tom Cleverley was neat and nimble, always a positive presence around the Moldova box as England began qualifying for Brazil 2014 in style. Daily Telegraph
This first of the Three Lions' 2014 World Cup qualifiers was as comfortable as it gets. Despite all the calls for England to go with youth in every department, [Roy] Hodgson has faith in the ageing combination of skipper Steven Gerrard, 32, and [Frank] Lampard - who is two years older - in central midfield. Sun
Sporting convention has it that, from the boxing ring to the tennis court, you can only beat what is in front of you. England did more than beat Moldova. They terrorised them. The Times (subscription required)
As England flew out of tumbledown Chisinau, three points safely tucked away with the minimum of fuss and comfortably exceeding what Glenn Hoddle's side did here 16 years ago, the prevailing thought was a simple one. Maybe Uncle Roy does know what he is talking about, after all.
Midfielder Tom Cleverley was making his first competitive start for England against Moldova Daily Mirror
Something miraculous may well be required in Rio, as Steven Gerrard has suggested, but a stroll was more than good enough in Moldova. Guardian
Trouble usually transpires upon England's arrival at a tournament, of course, but any lingering concerns the trip to Chisinau could be something of a banana skin upon which [Roy] Hodgson could only slip, were quickly massaged away.
Daily Express
Defender Alan Hutton, 27, says he is training alone after being frozen out at Aston Villa by manager Paul Lambert. Sun
Chile's under-23 coach Fernando Carvallo says 18-year-old striker Angelo Henriquez has made a big mistake signing for Manchester United. Metro
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his relationship with the club's owners remains strong as he urges everyone to move on from their transfer deadline day disappointment. Liverpool Echo
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he sees a future for Nicklas Bendtner, 24, despite sending the Denmark striker on loan to Juventus after spending a season with Sunderland. Guardian
The relationship of midfielder Florent Malouda, 32, and defender Paulo Ferreira, 33, with Chelsea is at breaking point after the pair were ordered to play for the reserves in a behind-closed-doors friendly. Cent Reporter
Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones, 20, could be set for a lengthy injury lay-off after injuring his right leg after only just returning to training following back spasms. Cent Reporter
Tottenham midfielder Clint Dempsey, 29, says his departure from Fulham left him close to tears. Sports Illustrated
A meditation and relaxation class to help Liverpool players "deal with the stresses of club football" is one of the new methods introduced by manager Brendan Rodgers, a new fly-on-the-wall documentary capturing life behind the scenes at Anfield has revealed. Daily Telegraph
Uruguay were going to play a World Cup qualifier against Colombia in local second division side Solo Junior's away strip until their kit arrived an hour before kick-off in Barranquilla. Metro
TWITCHY BOLLOX
Harry Redknapp returns to Bournemouth in advisory role
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has returned to League One club Bournemouth in an advisory capacity.
The 65-year-old, who managed the Cherries for nine years from 1983 to 1992, has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in the summer.
Chairman Eddie Mitchell told the club website: "We met and he offered to come in on a voluntary basis.
"He still has a passion for the club and for football, and he's got a lot to offer for us."
Redknapp, who was heavily linked with the England manager's role before Roy Hodgson's appointment, will travel with the squad to Yeovil for Saturday's league match.
Mitchell insisted that Redknapp's presence will not compromise the positions of manager Paul Groves or his assistant Shaun Brooks.
"Paul and Shaun will still have the final say on all football matters, there's no doubt about that. They're very astute people and they're not above listening to anyone, and I'm sure they can learn from him," he said.
"They have both worked with him before and I think there's only person who would be able to get on that coach tomorrow without Paul and Shaun rejecting the idea, and that one person is Harry."
Having left the Cherries in June 1992 Redknapp went on to manage West Ham for seven seasons before two spells with Portsmouth and a brief stint at Southampton.
He joined Spurs in October 2008 and guided them to a top-four finish in 2009-10 before repeating the feat last season only for Chelsea's victory in the Champions League to consign the White Hart Lane side to the Europa League. Mr Redknapp has yet to decide which dog to name his new account after.