Wednesday's B*l**x
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:15 amTHE BOLLOX
Kompany concern as City skipper could be out for three more games after setback
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is still training alone after suffering a setback in his recovery from a groin injury and is certain to miss at least the club’s next two games and in all likelihood next week’s Champions League game with CSKA Moscow.
Kompany has not played since suffering the latest in a series of worrying muscle injuries in a Barclays Premier League win over Everton on October 5.
The Belgian defender was expected to be back in action by now, having initially been pencilled in for last week’s Champions League win in Moscow.
But it is understood that Kompany suffered some pain when City’s medical staff upped his training intensity last week and that has put back his expected return date until at least next week.
City travel to Newcastle tonight to play in the Capital One Cup and then host Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday.
It is understood that Kompany will not play in either of those two fixtures and will only be considered for next Tuesday’s European game if he has rejoined the main training group by the start of the week.
City have certainly missed their captain this season and have so far fielded six different central defensive partnerships in a season that has seen them suffer some disappointing defeats away from home.
In the longer term, there remains a concern for Kompany who has suffered a recurrence of groin and hamstring problems over the last two years.
10 more years: Micah Richards eyes another decade at City
Defender Micah Richards has "seen it all" in over 10 years at Manchester City - but he's determined to complete another decade with the Blues.
BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH: Micah Richards tussles with Wigan's Juan Carlos Garcia in a Capital One Cup game
He is only 25 but Micah Richards could write a book. An upbringing on one of Leeds’ toughest estates, a Premier League debut at 17, England bow at 18 and 11 years strapped into the City roller coaster.
That’s before you mention a catalogue of injuries and an excruciating eight-month spell on the sidelines.
But the Blues stalwart has no intention of following Sir Alex’s lead – not yet anyway.
“When I finish my career,” he said at an event to reward well-behaved pupils at Openshaw Community School.
“And hopefully that’ll be in another 10 years when I’m 35.”
When that day finally comes it sounds like it will be one worth reading.
Richards has more than a decade at City – signing as a 14-year-old in 2001.
Seven managers, more than £600m spent on players and the transition from yo-yoing scrap-sniffers to top-table diners have all taken place under his watchful gaze.
“I’ve seen it all now,” he said.
“Some amazing players have come and gone – there’s been some good quality gone out of the window and in 10 years it would be good to tell the fans what I’ve seen.”
Richards is affable, outgoing and with a genuine concern for others.
He gives the impression he misses some former team-mates who have gone through the revolving doors.
“It’s different managers like differing things,” he said.
“It’s sort of weird but it happens in football, I suppose. You just have to get on with it and concentrate on your own performance.”
It is an attitude he will need this season after coming back from knee and hamstring injuries.
For many footballers, coping with life when fit, with endless afternoons off, is hard enough.
But when you withdraw training sessions and matches from the equation it almost becomes Mission Impossible.
For Richards, a crystal-meth dealing cancer sufferer and the trials and tribulations of a group of California teenagers kept his mind occupied after disaster struck against Swansea City this time last year.
“Box sets got me through,” he said.
“I was watching Breaking Bad – I’ve just finished the fifth season – and it was quality.
“The OC too. I started that and didn’t get chance to finish it. It was pretty cool.
The Urmston-based physio spent hours with Richards working not only on his physical state but on his mental well-being.
“Paul was with me throughout,” he said.
“It was hard. You go to the games and when you’re not playing it lets you know how much you miss it.
“Some days I’d come in and I was just not up for it mentally but Paul was there for me. I owe a lot to him.”
Richards has made three appearances for the Blues this season and will need many more if he is to force his way onto the plane for the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
“I am back fit now and I believe when I am playing fit I am as good as anyone in the division playing that role,” he said.
“It’s about keeping fit and getting some games in. I felt I played well in the three games.
“Brazil would be nice. I’ve never been.
“I was supposed to go to a tournament when I was a younger but didn’t make it.”
Whatever his international ambitions, City is where he will remain – meaning Oldham’s chances of pocketing a 20 per cent sell-on clause, inserted into his contract when he was prised away from Latics’ centre of excellence all those years ago, are slim.
“I’m not leaving City it’s my club and I love it here. Ten more years – that’s my aim,” he said.
It would appear that, if Richards has his way, the second half of the book is going to be another rhapsody in blue.
Real Madrid are plotting a January move for striker Luis Suarez, 26, by offering Liverpool £20m plus fellow forward Karim Benzema, 25. Daily Star
AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, could be reunited with his former Inter boss Jose Mourinho in a shock move to Chelsea. Daily Express
Chelsea are believed to be targeting a move for Real Madrid's former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, when he becomes available for a free transfer next year. Metro
Celtic and Everton are on alert after Spartak Moscow revealed they will listen to offers for Irish winger Aiden McGeady, 27. Daily Star
Toronto manager Ryan Nelsen, who spent a short spell at Tottenham in the latter stages of his career, has confirmed his interest in taking Spurs striker Jermain Defoe, 31, to the MLS.
Full story: Sky Sports
Southampton are ready to keep it in the family by snapping up Victor Wanyama's brother - Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga, 26, in January. Daily Mirror
Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs has indicated he would welcome the chance to sign Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 24, and Chelsea attacker Kevin De Bruyne, 22. Sky Sports
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are in the running for Basel winger Mohamed Salah, 21, but the Swiss club are likely to demand £15m for him in January. DSSC
Eriksen was one of seven leading players signed by Spurs during the close season following Gareth Bale's departure
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, 28, insists he has no plans to leave Anfield despite telling a television channel in his native Denmark he would consider an exit if he does not play. ESPN
QPR boss Harry Redknapp says he is undecided about signing former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, 33, who had been scheduled to have a trial at Loftus Road. Fulham Chronicle
Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen, 21, says they have a genuine chance to win the Premier League for the first time this season. London Evening Standard
But Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted the club's £30m record signing Erik Lamela is struggling to settle into English football. ESPN
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward admits he is disappointed with the club's summer shopping, and wants to help manager David Moyes bring in more top players. Metro
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, 21, is set to be warned over his future conduct after appearing to claim that his omission from Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie against Chelsea was because he is black. London Evening Standard
Celtic and England goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 25, has been backed to make the grade at Barcelona by midfield maestro Xavi. Metro
Wales coach Chris Coleman has emerged as a contender to be the new manager of Crystal Palace, for whom played nearly 200 games in the 1990s, after the Londoners went cool on initial first choice Tony Pulis. Daily Mirror
Former Stoke boss Pulis is demanding a £1.5m salary from Palace to replace Ian Holloway as manager. Stoke Sentinel
England full-back Ashley Cole, 32, has told Chelsea that he wants to sign a new contract and extend his career at Stamford Bridge. London Evening Standard
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says the club were correct to ban three local newspapers - the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun. Newcastle Chronicle
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says his club will be signing two to three players in the January transfer window and Lyon's France midfielder Maxime Gonalons, 24, could be one of them. L'Equipe
English clubs Tottenham and Arsenal are "engaged in a battle" to buy 24 year-old Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato for next season. La Stampa
Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says 25-year-old forward Diego Costa's decision to play for Spain has shattered the "dreams of millions". Mundo Deportivo
Bayern Munich's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 27, says it is easier for him to play under Pep Guardiola than previous manager Jupp Heynckes. Bild
Everton keeper Tim Howard credits his penalty save against Aston Villa to... his bushy beard. Daily Mirror
Kompany concern as City skipper could be out for three more games after setback
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is still training alone after suffering a setback in his recovery from a groin injury and is certain to miss at least the club’s next two games and in all likelihood next week’s Champions League game with CSKA Moscow.
Kompany has not played since suffering the latest in a series of worrying muscle injuries in a Barclays Premier League win over Everton on October 5.
The Belgian defender was expected to be back in action by now, having initially been pencilled in for last week’s Champions League win in Moscow.
But it is understood that Kompany suffered some pain when City’s medical staff upped his training intensity last week and that has put back his expected return date until at least next week.
City travel to Newcastle tonight to play in the Capital One Cup and then host Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday.
It is understood that Kompany will not play in either of those two fixtures and will only be considered for next Tuesday’s European game if he has rejoined the main training group by the start of the week.
City have certainly missed their captain this season and have so far fielded six different central defensive partnerships in a season that has seen them suffer some disappointing defeats away from home.
In the longer term, there remains a concern for Kompany who has suffered a recurrence of groin and hamstring problems over the last two years.
10 more years: Micah Richards eyes another decade at City
Defender Micah Richards has "seen it all" in over 10 years at Manchester City - but he's determined to complete another decade with the Blues.
BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH: Micah Richards tussles with Wigan's Juan Carlos Garcia in a Capital One Cup game
He is only 25 but Micah Richards could write a book. An upbringing on one of Leeds’ toughest estates, a Premier League debut at 17, England bow at 18 and 11 years strapped into the City roller coaster.
That’s before you mention a catalogue of injuries and an excruciating eight-month spell on the sidelines.
But the Blues stalwart has no intention of following Sir Alex’s lead – not yet anyway.
“When I finish my career,” he said at an event to reward well-behaved pupils at Openshaw Community School.
“And hopefully that’ll be in another 10 years when I’m 35.”
When that day finally comes it sounds like it will be one worth reading.
Richards has more than a decade at City – signing as a 14-year-old in 2001.
Seven managers, more than £600m spent on players and the transition from yo-yoing scrap-sniffers to top-table diners have all taken place under his watchful gaze.
“I’ve seen it all now,” he said.
“Some amazing players have come and gone – there’s been some good quality gone out of the window and in 10 years it would be good to tell the fans what I’ve seen.”
Richards is affable, outgoing and with a genuine concern for others.
He gives the impression he misses some former team-mates who have gone through the revolving doors.
“It’s different managers like differing things,” he said.
“It’s sort of weird but it happens in football, I suppose. You just have to get on with it and concentrate on your own performance.”
It is an attitude he will need this season after coming back from knee and hamstring injuries.
For many footballers, coping with life when fit, with endless afternoons off, is hard enough.
But when you withdraw training sessions and matches from the equation it almost becomes Mission Impossible.
For Richards, a crystal-meth dealing cancer sufferer and the trials and tribulations of a group of California teenagers kept his mind occupied after disaster struck against Swansea City this time last year.
“Box sets got me through,” he said.
“I was watching Breaking Bad – I’ve just finished the fifth season – and it was quality.
“The OC too. I started that and didn’t get chance to finish it. It was pretty cool.
The Urmston-based physio spent hours with Richards working not only on his physical state but on his mental well-being.
“Paul was with me throughout,” he said.
“It was hard. You go to the games and when you’re not playing it lets you know how much you miss it.
“Some days I’d come in and I was just not up for it mentally but Paul was there for me. I owe a lot to him.”
Richards has made three appearances for the Blues this season and will need many more if he is to force his way onto the plane for the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
“I am back fit now and I believe when I am playing fit I am as good as anyone in the division playing that role,” he said.
“It’s about keeping fit and getting some games in. I felt I played well in the three games.
“Brazil would be nice. I’ve never been.
“I was supposed to go to a tournament when I was a younger but didn’t make it.”
Whatever his international ambitions, City is where he will remain – meaning Oldham’s chances of pocketing a 20 per cent sell-on clause, inserted into his contract when he was prised away from Latics’ centre of excellence all those years ago, are slim.
“I’m not leaving City it’s my club and I love it here. Ten more years – that’s my aim,” he said.
It would appear that, if Richards has his way, the second half of the book is going to be another rhapsody in blue.
Real Madrid are plotting a January move for striker Luis Suarez, 26, by offering Liverpool £20m plus fellow forward Karim Benzema, 25. Daily Star
AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, could be reunited with his former Inter boss Jose Mourinho in a shock move to Chelsea. Daily Express
Chelsea are believed to be targeting a move for Real Madrid's former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, when he becomes available for a free transfer next year. Metro
Celtic and Everton are on alert after Spartak Moscow revealed they will listen to offers for Irish winger Aiden McGeady, 27. Daily Star
Toronto manager Ryan Nelsen, who spent a short spell at Tottenham in the latter stages of his career, has confirmed his interest in taking Spurs striker Jermain Defoe, 31, to the MLS.
Full story: Sky Sports
Southampton are ready to keep it in the family by snapping up Victor Wanyama's brother - Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga, 26, in January. Daily Mirror
Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs has indicated he would welcome the chance to sign Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 24, and Chelsea attacker Kevin De Bruyne, 22. Sky Sports
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are in the running for Basel winger Mohamed Salah, 21, but the Swiss club are likely to demand £15m for him in January. DSSC
Eriksen was one of seven leading players signed by Spurs during the close season following Gareth Bale's departure
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, 28, insists he has no plans to leave Anfield despite telling a television channel in his native Denmark he would consider an exit if he does not play. ESPN
QPR boss Harry Redknapp says he is undecided about signing former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, 33, who had been scheduled to have a trial at Loftus Road. Fulham Chronicle
Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen, 21, says they have a genuine chance to win the Premier League for the first time this season. London Evening Standard
But Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted the club's £30m record signing Erik Lamela is struggling to settle into English football. ESPN
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward admits he is disappointed with the club's summer shopping, and wants to help manager David Moyes bring in more top players. Metro
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, 21, is set to be warned over his future conduct after appearing to claim that his omission from Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie against Chelsea was because he is black. London Evening Standard
Celtic and England goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 25, has been backed to make the grade at Barcelona by midfield maestro Xavi. Metro
Wales coach Chris Coleman has emerged as a contender to be the new manager of Crystal Palace, for whom played nearly 200 games in the 1990s, after the Londoners went cool on initial first choice Tony Pulis. Daily Mirror
Former Stoke boss Pulis is demanding a £1.5m salary from Palace to replace Ian Holloway as manager. Stoke Sentinel
England full-back Ashley Cole, 32, has told Chelsea that he wants to sign a new contract and extend his career at Stamford Bridge. London Evening Standard
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says the club were correct to ban three local newspapers - the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun. Newcastle Chronicle
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says his club will be signing two to three players in the January transfer window and Lyon's France midfielder Maxime Gonalons, 24, could be one of them. L'Equipe
English clubs Tottenham and Arsenal are "engaged in a battle" to buy 24 year-old Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato for next season. La Stampa
Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says 25-year-old forward Diego Costa's decision to play for Spain has shattered the "dreams of millions". Mundo Deportivo
Bayern Munich's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 27, says it is easier for him to play under Pep Guardiola than previous manager Jupp Heynckes. Bild
Everton keeper Tim Howard credits his penalty save against Aston Villa to... his bushy beard. Daily Mirror