Man City Prepared to Sell £58m England International Trio
Set them three? Milner, Barry and Lescott sweating on their City futures
All three players have entered the final two years of their contracts, but with new signings arriving there is no guarantee they will stay at Eastlands
Manchester City are still to decide whether to offer new contracts to £58m trio James Milner, Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott.
All three players have entered the final two years of their current deals – which is when City usually open talks about contract extensions – but so far there has been no contact from the club about extending their stays at the Etihad.
All three England internationals named may well fear for their futures, especially given the players Roberto Mancini brought in over the summer.
The Italian is well known for re-shuffling his pack and could feel that he can improve on the positions this trio fill in his Man City squad.
The arrivals of Javi Garcia and Jack Rodwell will certainly worry Gareth Barry who is working his way back from a hernia operation but the former Aston Villa man may well find himself warming the bench for some time and could well have to consider his options.
James Milner is an adaptable talent who has most often been used out in a wide midfield role but the signing of Scott Sinclair may see the England man struggle for first team action. Indeed the 26 year old has started just one of Man City’s four Premier League matches this term.
Of the trio Joleon Lescott is perhaps the player with the least to fear. The former Everton man forged an excellent centre back partnership with Vincent Kompany, forcing Kolo Toure out of the picture, and young Serbian signing Matija Nastasic may still be some way off a first team starting role for the Premier League title holders. Caughtlyingoffside via the Mirror
Jose taunts Mancini
JOSE MOURINHO’S hair may have turned fifty shades of grey but there are no grey areas at all when it comes to discussing Real Madrid.
It is simple. The best boss in the world is at the best club in the world and it is not a matter that’s open for debate.
Yes, the Special One accepts that this week’s Champions League clash with Manchester City here in Madrid is a rather special one.
The football equivalent of the brash, nouveau riche up against the old money of the Establishment.
But Mourinho says moneybags City simply cannot compare with the might and glory of the greatest football club on the planet.
The Bernabeu boss declared: “Real Madrid is Real Madrid, it’s the real thing. A club no football result, no cup competition, no coach, no player can ever change.
“Quite simply Real Madrid is a club like no other. It’s incomparable with any other club in the world.
“There is no team anywhere that can be compared with Real Madrid. None.
“Remember I was in Portugal, in England and in Italy before coming here to Madrid, so I know what I am saying. There are great clubs but the pressure and the expectation is the greatest here at Real Madrid.
“It is huge but it is an enjoyable pressure, not a suffocating one.”
A look at Madrid’s awesome 110-year history powerfully reinforces 49-year-old Mourinho’s words.
When the Whites kick off against City in the Bernabeu on Tuesday they will be seeking to become European champions for the TENTH time.
Their current haul of nine is already a record. In stark contrast City will be striving for their first.
It is a similarly one-sided list when it comes to winning the league with Real having amassed an amazing 32 La Liga titles to City’s three.
No wonder Madrid were handed the ‘Best Club of the 20th Century’ award by FIFA.
And no wonder Mourinho quipped: “There are some things that money can’t buy — trophies and history.”
The Portuguese coach also has the edge over rival boss Roberto Mancini, the man he replaced at Inter and went on to win an historic treble in 2010 — the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup.
Mourinho has also triumphed in Portugal, England and Spain. He becomes only the fourth man to win four titles in four countries along with Giovanni Trapattoni, Ernst Happel and Tomislav Ivic.
And one of only three bosses to win the Champions League with two different clubs — Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld the others.Now he is aiming to become “the only one” to win it with a third club and move out on his own — where he loves to be.
He added: “A lot of top managers and clubs have never won a Champions League. So if I have won it twice and Real have won it a record nine times... well we should say ‘Thanks to God’.
“And if a third comes for me and a 10th title comes for Real Madrid this season — amazing.
“We will accept it all with a smile. But there is no pressure on us. There is no obsession to win it here.”
That could be perceived as a veiled dig at City, whose incredible spending in recent years has so far brought FA Cup and Premier League success but which Mourinho feels is ultimately aimed at dominating Europe. He added: “This is a team being created to lift the Champions League, that’s their aim.”
Which is why Mourinho is taking the threat of City very seriously.
He explained: “I went over to see City play because I want my job to be done as close to perfection as possible. I wanted to analyse our opponents not just by video or stats but to see them first hand.
“OK a match against QPR is not a good game to make a direct transfer to a match in the Bernabeu. But it was good enough to see some aspects of the City team.
“And what I do know is they have very good players — and are a powerful side.”
Mourinho only singled out two City stars. He said: “I don’t like to speak about opponents individually but it’s no problem to say that we respect Carlos Tevez a lot.
“I also know Mario Balotelli and the player he is because we were together at Inter for two years and so he certainly has nothing to prove to me.”
And with that he was gone — just like in the book a man in total control, a man who knows exactly what he wants.
But the final chapter will not be written until Tuesday evening when we learn whether sexy City do submit to Mourinho’s insatiable desire for domination. Sun
Real Madrid v Man City
What sort of form are Man City in?
STEADY but unspectacular start to title defence. Have yet to recapture levels they reached at the end of last season. Must raise it considerably at the Bernabeu.
Have the champions got any injury worries?
A BIG one — last season’s title hero Sergio Aguero, who has been out with knee problem. But Mario Balotelli and Gareth Barry returned from lay-offs here.
What can we expect from Real Madrid?
THEY have not started brilliantly either but there’s no doubting their quality or European pedigree. Home fans will expect relative rookies City to be pushed aside.
WHAT a night it promises to be. Even a draw would be a superb start. However it is likely to prove beyond City against such a European heavyweight. A narrow defeat.
Manchester title race: +1pt, +2gd
Twatter Bollox
Ferdinand, Kompany & more: Twitter reacts to Man City, Man Utd results
Vincent Kompany admitted Manchester City had chances to claim three points after the Premier League champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on Manchester United’s new signings Alexander Büttner and Nick Powell net in a 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, while Luis Suárez backed Liverpool to improve following a draw at Sunderland.
Here is the selection of the best Tweets from a busy Saturday in the English top-flight.
City captain Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) is pleased with City’s 1-1 draw at Stoke: “We played well as a team and had many opportunities to win the game. A strong defensive performance from Stoke. On to the next one. #MCFC”
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) felt City deserved the three points: “The Britannia is always difficult, although we deserved better luck. Now to focus on Real Madrid. What a nice match on Tuesday, right?”
City playmaker David Silva (@21LVA) is relishing their midweek Champions League game against Real Madrid: “Today we got a point out of a difficult ground. Now to start focusing on the big match on Tuesday – the Champions League. #DS”
Patrick Vieira (@OfficialVieira) congratulates Javi Garcia: “Stoke away has always been a difficult fixture… It was a well-earned point today. Congratulations to @javigarcia06 on his debut goal for City.”
Stoke’s new signing Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) is delighted to make his debut: “Great to make my debut today, albeit only for three minutes! Massive thanks to the Stoke fans, can’t believe the reception I received. Decent point gained in the end. The lads worked their socks off. Our run of games doesn’t get any easier – Chelsea away next!”
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) is delighted to see Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell score in a 4-0 win: “Great to see our two new players get on the score sheet! What a strike from Nick Powell!! The run Alex went on was nuts! Happy for both!”
Queens Park Rangers striker Djibril Cissé (@DjibrilCisse) is thrilled to hold Chelsea to a goalless draw: “Hi guys a really good game today and a really good point we are progressing well.”
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour (@RealRomfordPele) was impressed by Santi Cazorla in Arsenal’s 6-1 win over Southampton: “Santi Cazorla is quality! Been Brilliant in the first four games.”
West Ham United winger Matt Jarvis (@MrMattJarvis) heaps praise on his former Wolves team-mate Steven Fletcher, who scored in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool: “Goal scoring machine @stevenfletch10 – love that Fletch! Hope not for next week though! Hah”
Former Reds captain Phil Thompson (@Phil_Thompson4) praises Raheem Sterling for creating Liverpool’s equaliser: “Great skill Raheem -nice assist!”
Sunderland defender Craig Gardner (@CraigGards8) praises the supporters at the Stadium of Light: “Fans were class today again. Good point in the end, lads worked there socks off again, well done boys.”
Liverpool left-back José Enrique (@jose3enrique3) is disappointed: “Not really a good result today but we have to keep working. This club deserve to be in much better position. #JFT96”
Goal scorer Luis Suárez (@luis16suarez) agrees: “We don’t have any other way but to keep on working. I really trust on this team and I know we’ll get good results!!!!!”
Former Everton captain Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) shows a touch of class: “Hillsborough victims finally get the justice they deserve #96”
And fittingly, Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) has the final say on the biggest story in football this week: “Fantastic support from the footballing world for the 96. The majority would love to see LFC lose their matches, but not their loved ones.”
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are keeping an eye on Marouane Fellaini's situation at Everton after the Belgian midfielder, 24, was quoted as saying that he would spend just another year at Goodison.
Fellaini joined Everton in 2008 from Belgian side Standard Liege for a reported £15m fee. Sunday Mirror
However, Chelsea are set to test Everton's resolve over hanging on to Fellaini with a £30m bid for the player.
Various
Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 20, says the club's players were disappointed that no-one was brought in to replace striker Andy Carroll, who moved to West Ham on loan, before the end of the summer transfer window. talkSPORT
Everton manager David Moyes has revealed he wanted Demba Ba, 27, last summer before the striker joined Newcastle. Daily Star Sunday
Striker Didier Drogba, 34, says he blacked out in the immediate aftermath of sealing Chelsea's Champions League win on penalties in May. the Sun
Michael Owen could make a return for England if the 32-year-old striker can start finding the net for new club Stoke. Sunday Express
Anton Ferdinand is considering taking a civil action against John Terry should the Chelsea defender escape serious punishment from the forthcoming FA inquiry into his alleged racial abuse. Sunday Telegraph
Everton defender Leighton Baines, 27, will remember the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster when he features for the Toffees against Newcastle on Monday evening. Sunday Times
Jobi McAnuff made his first appearance in the Premier League this season
Midfielder Xabi Alonso, 30, says Real Madrid must end their 10-year wait for a Champions League title this season. Sunday Telegraph
Reading skipper Jobi McAnuff, 30, has called for football's top stars to have their wages capped, saying that huge salaries are contributing to families being priced out of watching football and youngsters becoming money-obsessed. Sunday Mirror
Reading manager Brian McDermott is not interested in personal acclaim despite his good work with the Premier League side. The Observer
Benfica defender Luisao could yet still play against Celtic in their Champions League group opener in Glasgow as the Portuguese could appeal against a two-month ban for pushing a referee in a pre-season friendly. The Sun
Scotland coach Craig Levein has repeated his view that Jordan Rhodes is not yet ready to start at international level, despite the striker's double in Blackburn Rovers' 5-3 win over Bristol City.
Various
Rangers manager and former Scotland striker Ally McCoist thinks Craig Levein is right to introduce Jordan Rhodes gradually into the Scotland starting line-up. The Sun
Craig Levein says his wife, Carol, cannot eat or sleep properly because of the pain she feels at the flak he receives as Scotland coach.
Various
A Truro City supporter discovered the extent of his club's financial woes when he was begged to return a goalkeeper's shirt so that they would not have to buy a new one. Metro
more bollox shortly ...
