Tuesday's B*l**x (updated)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:57 amTHE BOLLOX
Aston Villa offer stunning fee for Man City outcast
31-year old Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has attracted interest from fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Ham, reports TalkSHIT. The former Everton defender has gone out of favour with City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who prefers the likes of Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichelis at the heart of his defence.
Lescott has just 6 months remaining on his contract with the Citizens and with the cash-rich club not willing to offer the England international a new contract at the Etihad, Aston Villa are looking to step in and seal a permanent deal for the defender.
City, who are also willing to offload the defender, are being asked to pay a part of Lescott’s hefty wages until the end of the summer though, in order to ease the financial burden on the Villans.
Aston Villa believe that Lescott still has quite a bit left in him to offer, while the defender is open to a move away from the Etihad in a bid to force his way back into the England team for the 2014 World Cup.
Lescott moved to City from Everton in 2009 for a hefty price of 27 million Euros and had been one of the main defenders at the Etihad for 4 seasons before this summer
Villa are reportedly ready to offer as much as 6 million pounds to land the player, an extravagant sum considering his contract situation at the club.
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Tottenham and Newcastle eye loan move for Man City’s Lescott
Tottenham are weighing up the possibility of making an offer to bring Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott to White Hart Lane on loan until the end of the season, writes the Daily Telegraph.
Lescott has been told he can look for a loan move away by Man City, despite the lack of central defenders available to Manuel Pellegrini, and Tottenham are vying for his services along with Newcastle United and French club Monaco.
Tottenham and Newcastle have both have injuries to contend with in central defence, with Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen having missed several games for Spurs, while Fabricio Coloccini recently joined Steven Taylor on the Newcastle injury list.
After Man City’s New Year’s Day win at Swansea City, Lescott held talks with Pellegrini, who told him that he can look for a loan move in order to give himself a better chance of securing a permanent move at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Lescott, who was brought the Etihad Stadium from Everton by Mark Hughes in 2009 for £22m, has only made 13 first-team appearances all season, often finding himself behind Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichelis in the pecking order.
Manchester City Join Race For Highly-Rated Swiss International
Manchester City have become the latest Premier League side to join the chase for in demand Fabian Schar, according to reports in Sports Direct News.
The 22-year-old has been the source of some heavy speculation ever since his starring role in the side’s Champions League campaign earlier on in the season that saw them vanquish Chelsea twice during the group stages.
In an ever expanding list that has already seen the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool connected with the stories concerning his future and it now appears that Manchester City are the latest name to be added to the list.
However, it is not just English sides who are taking an interest as Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are all pondering their own moves for him as well.
Pellegrini is known to be looking for new defensive cover as skipper Vincent Kompany has endured his fair share of injury concerns this season and the signing of Martin Demichelis has not worked out as well as he would have liked. And with the future of England international Joleon Lescott hanging in the balance then fresh legs at the back would be a welcome boost.
Manchester City v West Ham: Hosts will have too much in Capital One Cup semi-final
On Tuesday Sunderland host Manchester United in the first leg of their semi-final tie, before West Ham travel to Manchester City on Wednesday.
Can the Premier League basement boys upset City and United? Or will we be one step closer to an all-Manchester Wembley final?
Here, former Sunderland and Man City striker - and now Sky Sports pundit - Niall Quinn assesses the Etihad contest - and suspects the hosts will have too much for the struggling Londoners.
Manchester City v West Ham
What can Sam Allardyce do to arrest West Ham's alarming slide in form and can he turn around the humbling they receved at Nottingham Forest?
Well, on Wednesday they're playing against the most exciting team in the Premier League who score the most goals. It's a daunting task and if ever there was a case for playing six at the back then this is it!
Sam has said himself they are so close yet so far from the Capital One Cup final.
Premier League survival is of course key to him keeping his job and West Ham's future, with them moving to the Olympic Stadium - but they have to give this a good go.
Allardyce will pick a stronger team than he did against Forest because they are so much nearer to Wembley but, although I don't think it will be a walkover for Man City, you'd expect the home side to win the game and take a healthy lead to West Ham.
It will be interesting to see the response West Ham's senior players have got to the position they find themselves in, though. Sam is a great motivator and leader and in these situations he's pulled off results before.
However, his aim will be to stay alive in the tie so he can get a crack at them at Upton Park and he won't want to lose by anymore than two goals at the worst. Can he pick a team capable of doing that? That's the question.
For City, whoever they pick they'll have wave after wave of attack and whoever is in the West Ham goal will be very busy.
City have been phenomenal this season. They've got a wonderful flow about everything they do, they are easy on the eye and, although defensively I've questioned them this year, they're getting better in that department, too.
PREDICTION - CITY WIN: This is a task too far for West Ham. In truth, coming away with a reasonable chance of turning things around at West Ham is the most the visitors can hope for.
New Zealand midfielder Betsy Hassett signs for FAWSL side Manchester City
Manchester City have strengthened their squad further ahead of their first season in the FA Women's Super League by announcing the capture of New Zealand international Betsy Hassett.
The central midfielder joins City on a one-year contract, having previously plied her trade in America and Germany.
The 23-year-old, who has scored six goals in over 50 competitive appearances for New Zealand, revealed she cannot wait to get her career in England started with the FAWSL debutants.
"I'm a bit nervous about the move but extremely excited," she said. "It's the perfect opportunity for me to start somewhere new and create myself into the person and player I want to become.
"I'm really impressed with the club and its program. I like the idea of being part of a side that's entering the FA WSL for the first time.
"This way, we can start from scratch with a new style and I can play to my strengths rather than trying to adapt to an already existing and established environment.
"Women's football in England is getting stronger and stronger and I think more and more women will want to come and play here.
"The FA WSL offers players the chance to grow both on and off the field and this will keep pushing the league's competition level higher and higher."
The Kiwi is the latest high-profile recruit by City and will join England quartet Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley, Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton at the Etihad next season.
Hassett began playing football as a toddler in her hometown of Auckland before captaining her college team to a third-place finish at the National Schools Tournament.
She later played for the California Bears after moving to America on a scholarship at the University of Berkeley.
The midfielder represented New Zealand at the 2011 Women's World Cup as well as the 2012 Olympics. In London she was part of a squad that became the country's first to reach the second round of a major FIFA tournament.
City manager Nick Cushing is thrilled with the latest addition to the club's already-impressive side.
"We are delighted to have Betsy for next season," he said. "Her excellent domestic and international record adds the necessary experience and mentality that we are looking for.
"We look forward to her joining the rest of the squad for pre-season."
James Milner-England’s Most Under-Valued Player
The culture of English football does not see the value in Milner, that is a shame
At this present time English football can be seen to be in a pretty decent place. It appears that a new generation of young players are starting to rise and show their burgeoning quality and with qualification for the World Cup secured we can enter 2014 with something akin to optimism. However there is a case to say that we have a real gem of a player who is not being valued highly enough for his worth to England and the Premier League.
Right now we are seeing the growing talents of players like Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as well as Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse at Southampton. Wayne Rooney appears a newly revitalised man and we have also seen Daniel Sturridge shine throughout 2013.
Last season Michael Carrick was lauded as the best English player in the Premier League, finally achieving recognition for this talents and contribution. Yet there is a player who has arguably been one of the most consistent Englishman for the past several years; no not Frank Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard but James Milner. Yes that is right, the ‘work horse’, ‘Mr Versatility’ James Milner.
This blog previously wrote an article discussing why Michael Carrick was England’s most under-valued player, since then he has grown in value by the media and fans (correlation between that article and resulting appreciation?), which means he cannot really be regarded as under-valued anymore. Therefore James Milner takes this award. That is not meant as patronising or condescending, quite the opposite, to put it simply Milner’s class and quality is not appreciated enough in England.
Some my scoff at this, others may laugh, yet those who have a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the game will understand why Milner is under-valued.
So much so young
Now perhaps it is because Milner started his career so young at Leeds, he was the second youngest player to play in the Premier League at 16 years old and was at one stage the youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League also. His time at Leeds saw him play over 50 games yet because of the decline of Leeds at that time and he fact they were desperate for money meant he must leave and he was sold to Newcastle for £3.5m in 2004.
However Milner suffered at Newcastle due to a change of manager; Bobby Robson was replaced by Graeme Souness who did not value Milner as a player like Robson had and when Solano was bought from Villa Milner went the other way on a season long loan. He was reunited with David O’Leary and although he profited from the experience it was a disappointing season for the club.
Villa had changes of their own in the summer of 2006. Doug Ellis sold the club to Randy Lerner and hired Martin O’Neill to replace O’Leary. Before he left O’Leary had wanted to sign Milner on a permanent deal yet Glenn Roeder, Newcastle’s new manager stressed he wanted to keep Milner as part of his new project. O’Neill however was keen on bringing Milner to Villa and on the final day of the window in August 2006 it appeared a £4m move was all in place. However it was cancelled by Newcastle at the last-minute leaving Milner apparently distraught and in tears.
That season Milner was promised to be a starter for Newcastle and Roeder kept his word. Milner was praised for his attitude and work rate especially in training and was rewarded with a new four-year deal for his contribution. However a season later Milner would finally complete his deal to Aston Villa, this time for £12m and would join Martin O’Neill’s project.
A time of consistency and excellence
His time at Villa was where Milner really excelled and proved his quality. His time at Leeds and Newcastle had been when the clubs were in periods of difficulty and change, apparently before Villa he had played under thirteen managers and caretaker managers. For a young player it must have been difficult to find the consistency required to progress.
At Villa under O’Neill he was afforded this and thrived under it. Perhaps he was just at the right age, 22 years old to be a regular (amazing to think how long a career he had already had at such a young age) and thus the timing was perfect. It helped too that Villa were a side progressing with serious aspirations for Champions League football.
Initially Milner played on the right for Villa and did an excellent job both attacking and defending. Yet it was when he was moved centrally in his second season where he really excelled as a player. His reputation by many was that of a hard-working shuttler who possessed limited skill but plenty of ‘heart’. Those who watched him at Villa realised he was more than that, he possessed excellent technical ability, could drive with the ball, create and score goals. Centre midfield was where he was best.
And yet Villa would fail to reach the top four again and although they reached the League Cup final and FA Cup semi-final they would end the season without a trophy and that sought after Champions League.
Milner’s performances had earned him the PFA Young player of the year award and had attracted the eyes of the big sides. It was Manchester City who showed their intent to prise him way. After taking Gareth Barry the year before they now wanted Villa’s best player once again. O’Neill did not want to sell his now prized asset but a £28m plus Stephen Ireland exchange was too good for Villa’s owner. That deal effectively killed Villa’s progress and put the club in a period of decline, transition and near chaos. As for Milner, he was now playing for a side with serious ambitions and the means to achieve those aims.
Showing his class at the top
Since his move to City he has won the FA Cup and Premier League title yet in the eyes of many is still deemed a ‘squad’ player who offers the side only hard work and commitment. It appears that no matter what he does as a player there are those who fail to see his quality.
Now he may not be a prolific goalscorer and this is perhaps why he is not regarded so highly (something he does need to add to his game) however his contribution should not be regarded as being merely a hard worker.
For those who watched the game versus Bayern at the Allianz Milner was the stand out player for City and after the initial Bayern onslaught perhaps the game. He assisted, won the penalty and scored the winning goal. Yes he worked hard but there was and is more to his game than that.
Of course playing for such a rich and ambitious club makes it difficult for Milner to hold down a regular first team place, yet it is evident that he is enjoying playing under Pellegrini and evident that his coach values him highly. His ability to play in a multitude of positions effectively is great for a manager and of course this has meant different roles for Milner, something which should be commended and applauded yet which gives him the label of ‘Mr Versatile’, a term which often implies ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.
Yet this is not true for Milner and Roy Hodgson should be taking note. Milner is accomplished both left and right-wing yet his best position is centre midfield. For City he is third in line behind Toure and Fernandinho in the double pivot yet for England he must surely be regarded as the main option?
Another not suited to the culture?
You see because of this ‘Golden Generation’ issue players like Milner have not been transitioned into the squad effectively enough. The Lampard/Gerrard problem has not only restricted Carrick and Scholes but Milner too. With the new generation of youngsters coming through, especially in central areas, England no longer requires Lampard, Gerrard or even Carrick. They don’t need to because James Milner is the man who can take that mantle on and be England’s leading central midfielder.
Perhaps he was kept too long in the Under 21’s, 46 appearances is a record yet he was clearly a player who needed the opportunity to move upwards. Yet the real problem for Milner is how he is perceived.
The problem for Milner and his reputation is quite simple and is a damning indictment of English culture. James Milner is England’s most dedicated and committed professional. He doesn’t drink and by all accounts rarely goes out to clubs, he is a model professional and a person who should be admired and applauded, a role model for young players.
Instead what do the English media and fans say? That Milner is ‘boring’. Incredible. Our culture fails to appreciate a player who commits everything to his profession, who strives to improve constantly. For them this simply means he is just a ‘work-horse’. Apparently it is better to be drinking, partying, smoking and sleeping around than focusing on your job. The more headlines you grab the more your stock rises apparently.
Milner is under-valued because he does not conform to the English football culture, he actually cares about looking after himself. What a boring ‘work-horse’. If only we could appreciate a player like Milner more, a respectful, hard-working player who has earned and deserved his rise to the top of English football.
This is who should be leading our national team, he not only possesses the professionalism but the skill too. If Hodgson and the FA want a player who will represent what the future ‘DNA’ of English football is as well as a player who can lead the national team in the coming years then they would be wrong to choose anyone else but James Milner.
Perhaps this blog see’s cause to fight for the underdog or perhaps it see’s players who are not valued highly enough for their quality. Players like Carrick and Milner are great professionals who play for England’s best clubs deservedly. They have won trophies and proved capable of performing at the highest level. And yet fans and the media continue to ridicule and belittle these players contributions, it is laughable yet also concerning that too many don’t see the worth of these players.
Manchester City are profiting from their belief and trust in Milner, it is a shame England and the media cannot grasp this either. Will we see another talented player’s England career wasted because of our cultural values?
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Manchester United manager David Moyes will be given free reign in the January transfer market by the club's owners in a bid to ensure they qualify for next season's Champions League. Daily Telegraph
Moyes has given the club a list of targets that include 21-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, Borussia Dortmund duo Marco Reus, 24, and Ilkay Gundogan, 23, Porto's Eliaquim Mangala, 22, and 18-year-old Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, but they may not be available until the summer. Daily Express
But United are set to miss out on defender Fabio Coentrao, 25, for a second successive transfer window after Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted the club would not be doing any business this month. Metro
However, Portugal international Coentrao could be on his way to old Trafford with Real Madrid's stance more to do with the Spanish club trying to get a higher transfer fee. Times
Moyes has sent scouts to watch Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, 25, and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, 24. DSSC
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata is set to have talks about his Stamford Bridge future later this week - and a transfer to Atletico Madrid is still on the cards for the 25-year-old. Daily Mirror
Tottenham's record £30m signing Erik Lamela, 21, only signed for the club last summer but could be on the move with his agent speaking to Serie A sides Inter Milan and Lazio about taking the winger on loan for the rest of the season. Sun
Brondby striker Simon Makienok's agent says that Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen must map out the club's long-term Premier League future to convince the 23-year-old to move to Craven Cottage. Independent
Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis is planning on making a loan bid for Chelsea striker Demba Ba, 28. Daily Mirror
Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen insists it was a 'hard decision' to reject a new contract at the club amid reports the 21-year-old will join Barcelona at the end of the season. Sky Sports
Inter Milan have ruled out the sale of midfielder Fredy Guarin, 27, despite Premier League interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. Daily Express
Stoke and West Ham are battling to secure the signature of Olympiakos defender Claude Dielna, 26. TalkSHIT
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is the leading contender with bookmakers to take over as West Ham manager if the Upton Park club part company with current boss Sam Allardyce. Daily Express
Manchester United manager David Moyes has yet to earn the trust of his players, according to the Old Trafford club's former central defender Gary Pallister. Sun
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, 29, insists he will not quit Manchester United despite making just two appearances so far this season. Daily Star
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 24, is on course to make an early return from an ankle injury against Stoke in the Premier League on Sunday. DSSC
Norwich boss Chris Hughton has told twins Josh and Jacob Murphy to wear different coloured boots so that he can tell them apart. Daily Star
Brentford fans are being offered free chilli before their League One game against Port Vale on Saturday - as long as they buy a pint. DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX 7-1-2010
UWAFFER BOLLOX
Manchester City and Chelsea face being excluded from the Champions League unless they can work the huge losses both have announced over the past seven days down to break-even levels within four seasons. Uefa is working up formal regulations that will entrench Michel Platini's plan to ensure that clubs operate without making significant long-term losses. "If a club gets a lot of money or subsidies from a big backer and is still in deficit in two years then it is a problem and we don't want that," Platini said in August.
Two days after those comments, the European Club Association (ECA) approved Platini's proposals and Uefa privately confirmed yesterday that it is adding the "financial fair play" rules to its statutes in time for the 2013-14 season. The delay in the implementation was yesterday described as an effort to provide clubs a "soft landing", but Uefa firmly envisages that clubs who fail to meet the regulations will be prevented from taking part in its competitions.
Since the biggest clubs generate interest and revenue for the Champions League, the suspension of those such as Chelsea and City would be a test of resolve. But Uefa has been emboldened by the broad ECA support, and insiders at Uefa are bullish.
"There needs to be a business model for breaking even within three and a half years," a source said. "The deadline is what it is and we will stick to it; we have tremendous support from the clubs."
Between them City and Chelsea have declared losses in the year to June 2009 of more than £130m. Chelsea's chief executive, Ron Gourlay, has abandoned a specific target date for break-even, reassessing it as an aspiration.
City playing catch-up
Profits, and so a sustainable place in the Champions League, seem a long way off for Manchester City, even though – as revealed in this column last July – Sheikh Mansour's £305m of loans have been converted into equity.
Turning Chelsea into regular title challengers has cost Roman Abramovich £500m in cumulative losses. City have not shrunk from that target, spending £117.5m on transfer fees last summer and an estimated £30m a year in wages for Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Kolo Touré, Roque Santa Cruz and Joleon Lescott. But, crucially, Sheikh Mansour's club start from a weaker base.
When Abramovich bought Chelsea they were already in the Champions League and had a turnover of £153.6m, £66m – or 73% – more than City have. And City's prospects for raising extra revenues from ticket sales do not look great. Their attendances have risen more than 3,000 from their season average to 46,000, but, right up until its postponement, there were about 400 seats available on general sale for the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United: City's first last-four place since the 1981 FA Cup.
Financial thread: http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=29263
Legend in his own head Bollox
CHELSEA are bracing themselves for another big financial hit next week when a compensation fee for their signing of Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City will finally be settled.
London club Chelsea could end up forking out £8million for 20-year-old striker Sturridge, who was Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing after taking over as manager last summer.
Although the player was out of contract, having rejected an offer of a new deal worth £45,000 a week, City are entitled to claim “development costs” for a player who came through their academy.
And given Sturridge’s potential, City’s valuation is understood to be around £8m – four times more than the figure Chelsea are prepared to offer.
Six months after the transfer went through, the two clubs have still failed to reach an amicable agreement and will now put their cases to a FA-Premier League tribunal next Thursday.
But the delay in sorting out the wrangle appears to have worked in City’s favour. Sturridge, who became Britain’s best-paid teenage footballer when he signed a four-year deal worth £75,000 a week at Chelsea when he was still 19, has recently broken into Ancelotti’s first team.
He scored his first two senior goals for the club in the 5-0 FA Cup thrashing of Watford, and Ancelotti believes he is good enough to help ease the loss of Didier Drogba, who could be away for up to a month on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup.
City will point to Sturridge’s breakthrough at Chelsea as well as his potential to complete the full set of England honours – he has represented his country at every level up to Under-21 and is tipped to play for the senior team in the next couple of seasons. They regard Sturridge in the same bracket as Theo Walcott, who joined Arsenal from Southampton four years ago for a down payment of £5m rising to £12.5m.
And they will also point to the £6m fee Manchester United collected for striker Fraizer Campbell – a player of similar age and potential to Sturridge – when he moved to Sunderland in the summer.
Chelsea could be ordered to pay £5m immediately with another £3m based on appearances, honours won and senior international caps. Ironically, City had to pay compensation themselves after they “poached” him from Coventry’s academy when Birmingham-born Sturridge was only 13, although the figures were considerably lower than what they are now expecting.
An initial payment to Coventry of £30,000 was followed by a further payments up to £200,000 as Sturridge came through the ranks at City.
In 2007-08 he became the first player to score in the FA Youth Cup, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season. In fact, he helped City beat Chelsea to win the Youth Cup that season, scoring in the 1-1 first leg draw at Stamford Bridge.
Along with several other top clubs, Chelsea director of football Frank Arnesen had been monitoring Sturridge for years. Arnesen landed the player last summer after then City manager Mark Hughes had made repeated attempts to persuade him to sign a new contract throughout last season.
Sturridge’s father Michael played for Birmingham and his uncles, Dean and Simon, were also both professionals – Dean with Derby and Wolves and Simon for Birmingham.
He ended up making 12 first-team starts for City, plus 20 as a substitute, scoring six goals.Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is well used to compensation pay-outs. He has given around £40m to the four managers he has sacked – Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and Luiz Felipe Scolari. And he had to pay Leeds £5m in 2006 after Chelsea were accused of poaching two youngsters from them. While many Premier League clubs are counting the pennies, the Blues will be forced to splash the cash... ‘City are claiming development costs’
Aston Villa offer stunning fee for Man City outcast
31-year old Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has attracted interest from fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Ham, reports TalkSHIT. The former Everton defender has gone out of favour with City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who prefers the likes of Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichelis at the heart of his defence.
Lescott has just 6 months remaining on his contract with the Citizens and with the cash-rich club not willing to offer the England international a new contract at the Etihad, Aston Villa are looking to step in and seal a permanent deal for the defender.
City, who are also willing to offload the defender, are being asked to pay a part of Lescott’s hefty wages until the end of the summer though, in order to ease the financial burden on the Villans.
Aston Villa believe that Lescott still has quite a bit left in him to offer, while the defender is open to a move away from the Etihad in a bid to force his way back into the England team for the 2014 World Cup.
Lescott moved to City from Everton in 2009 for a hefty price of 27 million Euros and had been one of the main defenders at the Etihad for 4 seasons before this summer
Villa are reportedly ready to offer as much as 6 million pounds to land the player, an extravagant sum considering his contract situation at the club.
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Tottenham and Newcastle eye loan move for Man City’s Lescott
Tottenham are weighing up the possibility of making an offer to bring Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott to White Hart Lane on loan until the end of the season, writes the Daily Telegraph.
Lescott has been told he can look for a loan move away by Man City, despite the lack of central defenders available to Manuel Pellegrini, and Tottenham are vying for his services along with Newcastle United and French club Monaco.
Tottenham and Newcastle have both have injuries to contend with in central defence, with Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen having missed several games for Spurs, while Fabricio Coloccini recently joined Steven Taylor on the Newcastle injury list.
After Man City’s New Year’s Day win at Swansea City, Lescott held talks with Pellegrini, who told him that he can look for a loan move in order to give himself a better chance of securing a permanent move at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Lescott, who was brought the Etihad Stadium from Everton by Mark Hughes in 2009 for £22m, has only made 13 first-team appearances all season, often finding himself behind Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichelis in the pecking order.
Manchester City Join Race For Highly-Rated Swiss International
Manchester City have become the latest Premier League side to join the chase for in demand Fabian Schar, according to reports in Sports Direct News.
The 22-year-old has been the source of some heavy speculation ever since his starring role in the side’s Champions League campaign earlier on in the season that saw them vanquish Chelsea twice during the group stages.
In an ever expanding list that has already seen the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool connected with the stories concerning his future and it now appears that Manchester City are the latest name to be added to the list.
However, it is not just English sides who are taking an interest as Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are all pondering their own moves for him as well.
Pellegrini is known to be looking for new defensive cover as skipper Vincent Kompany has endured his fair share of injury concerns this season and the signing of Martin Demichelis has not worked out as well as he would have liked. And with the future of England international Joleon Lescott hanging in the balance then fresh legs at the back would be a welcome boost.
Manchester City v West Ham: Hosts will have too much in Capital One Cup semi-final
On Tuesday Sunderland host Manchester United in the first leg of their semi-final tie, before West Ham travel to Manchester City on Wednesday.
Can the Premier League basement boys upset City and United? Or will we be one step closer to an all-Manchester Wembley final?
Here, former Sunderland and Man City striker - and now Sky Sports pundit - Niall Quinn assesses the Etihad contest - and suspects the hosts will have too much for the struggling Londoners.
Manchester City v West Ham
What can Sam Allardyce do to arrest West Ham's alarming slide in form and can he turn around the humbling they receved at Nottingham Forest?
Well, on Wednesday they're playing against the most exciting team in the Premier League who score the most goals. It's a daunting task and if ever there was a case for playing six at the back then this is it!
Sam has said himself they are so close yet so far from the Capital One Cup final.
Premier League survival is of course key to him keeping his job and West Ham's future, with them moving to the Olympic Stadium - but they have to give this a good go.
Allardyce will pick a stronger team than he did against Forest because they are so much nearer to Wembley but, although I don't think it will be a walkover for Man City, you'd expect the home side to win the game and take a healthy lead to West Ham.
It will be interesting to see the response West Ham's senior players have got to the position they find themselves in, though. Sam is a great motivator and leader and in these situations he's pulled off results before.
However, his aim will be to stay alive in the tie so he can get a crack at them at Upton Park and he won't want to lose by anymore than two goals at the worst. Can he pick a team capable of doing that? That's the question.
For City, whoever they pick they'll have wave after wave of attack and whoever is in the West Ham goal will be very busy.
City have been phenomenal this season. They've got a wonderful flow about everything they do, they are easy on the eye and, although defensively I've questioned them this year, they're getting better in that department, too.
PREDICTION - CITY WIN: This is a task too far for West Ham. In truth, coming away with a reasonable chance of turning things around at West Ham is the most the visitors can hope for.
New Zealand midfielder Betsy Hassett signs for FAWSL side Manchester City
Manchester City have strengthened their squad further ahead of their first season in the FA Women's Super League by announcing the capture of New Zealand international Betsy Hassett.
The central midfielder joins City on a one-year contract, having previously plied her trade in America and Germany.
The 23-year-old, who has scored six goals in over 50 competitive appearances for New Zealand, revealed she cannot wait to get her career in England started with the FAWSL debutants.
"I'm a bit nervous about the move but extremely excited," she said. "It's the perfect opportunity for me to start somewhere new and create myself into the person and player I want to become.
"I'm really impressed with the club and its program. I like the idea of being part of a side that's entering the FA WSL for the first time.
"This way, we can start from scratch with a new style and I can play to my strengths rather than trying to adapt to an already existing and established environment.
"Women's football in England is getting stronger and stronger and I think more and more women will want to come and play here.
"The FA WSL offers players the chance to grow both on and off the field and this will keep pushing the league's competition level higher and higher."
The Kiwi is the latest high-profile recruit by City and will join England quartet Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley, Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton at the Etihad next season.
Hassett began playing football as a toddler in her hometown of Auckland before captaining her college team to a third-place finish at the National Schools Tournament.
She later played for the California Bears after moving to America on a scholarship at the University of Berkeley.
The midfielder represented New Zealand at the 2011 Women's World Cup as well as the 2012 Olympics. In London she was part of a squad that became the country's first to reach the second round of a major FIFA tournament.
City manager Nick Cushing is thrilled with the latest addition to the club's already-impressive side.
"We are delighted to have Betsy for next season," he said. "Her excellent domestic and international record adds the necessary experience and mentality that we are looking for.
"We look forward to her joining the rest of the squad for pre-season."
James Milner-England’s Most Under-Valued Player
The culture of English football does not see the value in Milner, that is a shame
At this present time English football can be seen to be in a pretty decent place. It appears that a new generation of young players are starting to rise and show their burgeoning quality and with qualification for the World Cup secured we can enter 2014 with something akin to optimism. However there is a case to say that we have a real gem of a player who is not being valued highly enough for his worth to England and the Premier League.
Right now we are seeing the growing talents of players like Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as well as Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse at Southampton. Wayne Rooney appears a newly revitalised man and we have also seen Daniel Sturridge shine throughout 2013.
Last season Michael Carrick was lauded as the best English player in the Premier League, finally achieving recognition for this talents and contribution. Yet there is a player who has arguably been one of the most consistent Englishman for the past several years; no not Frank Lampard, Rooney or Gerrard but James Milner. Yes that is right, the ‘work horse’, ‘Mr Versatility’ James Milner.
This blog previously wrote an article discussing why Michael Carrick was England’s most under-valued player, since then he has grown in value by the media and fans (correlation between that article and resulting appreciation?), which means he cannot really be regarded as under-valued anymore. Therefore James Milner takes this award. That is not meant as patronising or condescending, quite the opposite, to put it simply Milner’s class and quality is not appreciated enough in England.
Some my scoff at this, others may laugh, yet those who have a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the game will understand why Milner is under-valued.
So much so young
Now perhaps it is because Milner started his career so young at Leeds, he was the second youngest player to play in the Premier League at 16 years old and was at one stage the youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League also. His time at Leeds saw him play over 50 games yet because of the decline of Leeds at that time and he fact they were desperate for money meant he must leave and he was sold to Newcastle for £3.5m in 2004.
However Milner suffered at Newcastle due to a change of manager; Bobby Robson was replaced by Graeme Souness who did not value Milner as a player like Robson had and when Solano was bought from Villa Milner went the other way on a season long loan. He was reunited with David O’Leary and although he profited from the experience it was a disappointing season for the club.
Villa had changes of their own in the summer of 2006. Doug Ellis sold the club to Randy Lerner and hired Martin O’Neill to replace O’Leary. Before he left O’Leary had wanted to sign Milner on a permanent deal yet Glenn Roeder, Newcastle’s new manager stressed he wanted to keep Milner as part of his new project. O’Neill however was keen on bringing Milner to Villa and on the final day of the window in August 2006 it appeared a £4m move was all in place. However it was cancelled by Newcastle at the last-minute leaving Milner apparently distraught and in tears.
That season Milner was promised to be a starter for Newcastle and Roeder kept his word. Milner was praised for his attitude and work rate especially in training and was rewarded with a new four-year deal for his contribution. However a season later Milner would finally complete his deal to Aston Villa, this time for £12m and would join Martin O’Neill’s project.
A time of consistency and excellence
His time at Villa was where Milner really excelled and proved his quality. His time at Leeds and Newcastle had been when the clubs were in periods of difficulty and change, apparently before Villa he had played under thirteen managers and caretaker managers. For a young player it must have been difficult to find the consistency required to progress.
At Villa under O’Neill he was afforded this and thrived under it. Perhaps he was just at the right age, 22 years old to be a regular (amazing to think how long a career he had already had at such a young age) and thus the timing was perfect. It helped too that Villa were a side progressing with serious aspirations for Champions League football.
Initially Milner played on the right for Villa and did an excellent job both attacking and defending. Yet it was when he was moved centrally in his second season where he really excelled as a player. His reputation by many was that of a hard-working shuttler who possessed limited skill but plenty of ‘heart’. Those who watched him at Villa realised he was more than that, he possessed excellent technical ability, could drive with the ball, create and score goals. Centre midfield was where he was best.
And yet Villa would fail to reach the top four again and although they reached the League Cup final and FA Cup semi-final they would end the season without a trophy and that sought after Champions League.
Milner’s performances had earned him the PFA Young player of the year award and had attracted the eyes of the big sides. It was Manchester City who showed their intent to prise him way. After taking Gareth Barry the year before they now wanted Villa’s best player once again. O’Neill did not want to sell his now prized asset but a £28m plus Stephen Ireland exchange was too good for Villa’s owner. That deal effectively killed Villa’s progress and put the club in a period of decline, transition and near chaos. As for Milner, he was now playing for a side with serious ambitions and the means to achieve those aims.
Showing his class at the top
Since his move to City he has won the FA Cup and Premier League title yet in the eyes of many is still deemed a ‘squad’ player who offers the side only hard work and commitment. It appears that no matter what he does as a player there are those who fail to see his quality.
Now he may not be a prolific goalscorer and this is perhaps why he is not regarded so highly (something he does need to add to his game) however his contribution should not be regarded as being merely a hard worker.
For those who watched the game versus Bayern at the Allianz Milner was the stand out player for City and after the initial Bayern onslaught perhaps the game. He assisted, won the penalty and scored the winning goal. Yes he worked hard but there was and is more to his game than that.
Of course playing for such a rich and ambitious club makes it difficult for Milner to hold down a regular first team place, yet it is evident that he is enjoying playing under Pellegrini and evident that his coach values him highly. His ability to play in a multitude of positions effectively is great for a manager and of course this has meant different roles for Milner, something which should be commended and applauded yet which gives him the label of ‘Mr Versatile’, a term which often implies ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.
Yet this is not true for Milner and Roy Hodgson should be taking note. Milner is accomplished both left and right-wing yet his best position is centre midfield. For City he is third in line behind Toure and Fernandinho in the double pivot yet for England he must surely be regarded as the main option?
Another not suited to the culture?
You see because of this ‘Golden Generation’ issue players like Milner have not been transitioned into the squad effectively enough. The Lampard/Gerrard problem has not only restricted Carrick and Scholes but Milner too. With the new generation of youngsters coming through, especially in central areas, England no longer requires Lampard, Gerrard or even Carrick. They don’t need to because James Milner is the man who can take that mantle on and be England’s leading central midfielder.
Perhaps he was kept too long in the Under 21’s, 46 appearances is a record yet he was clearly a player who needed the opportunity to move upwards. Yet the real problem for Milner is how he is perceived.
The problem for Milner and his reputation is quite simple and is a damning indictment of English culture. James Milner is England’s most dedicated and committed professional. He doesn’t drink and by all accounts rarely goes out to clubs, he is a model professional and a person who should be admired and applauded, a role model for young players.
Instead what do the English media and fans say? That Milner is ‘boring’. Incredible. Our culture fails to appreciate a player who commits everything to his profession, who strives to improve constantly. For them this simply means he is just a ‘work-horse’. Apparently it is better to be drinking, partying, smoking and sleeping around than focusing on your job. The more headlines you grab the more your stock rises apparently.
Milner is under-valued because he does not conform to the English football culture, he actually cares about looking after himself. What a boring ‘work-horse’. If only we could appreciate a player like Milner more, a respectful, hard-working player who has earned and deserved his rise to the top of English football.
This is who should be leading our national team, he not only possesses the professionalism but the skill too. If Hodgson and the FA want a player who will represent what the future ‘DNA’ of English football is as well as a player who can lead the national team in the coming years then they would be wrong to choose anyone else but James Milner.
Perhaps this blog see’s cause to fight for the underdog or perhaps it see’s players who are not valued highly enough for their quality. Players like Carrick and Milner are great professionals who play for England’s best clubs deservedly. They have won trophies and proved capable of performing at the highest level. And yet fans and the media continue to ridicule and belittle these players contributions, it is laughable yet also concerning that too many don’t see the worth of these players.
Manchester City are profiting from their belief and trust in Milner, it is a shame England and the media cannot grasp this either. Will we see another talented player’s England career wasted because of our cultural values?
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Manchester United manager David Moyes will be given free reign in the January transfer market by the club's owners in a bid to ensure they qualify for next season's Champions League. Daily Telegraph
Moyes has given the club a list of targets that include 21-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, Borussia Dortmund duo Marco Reus, 24, and Ilkay Gundogan, 23, Porto's Eliaquim Mangala, 22, and 18-year-old Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, but they may not be available until the summer. Daily Express
But United are set to miss out on defender Fabio Coentrao, 25, for a second successive transfer window after Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted the club would not be doing any business this month. Metro
However, Portugal international Coentrao could be on his way to old Trafford with Real Madrid's stance more to do with the Spanish club trying to get a higher transfer fee. Times
Moyes has sent scouts to watch Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, 25, and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, 24. DSSC
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata is set to have talks about his Stamford Bridge future later this week - and a transfer to Atletico Madrid is still on the cards for the 25-year-old. Daily Mirror
Tottenham's record £30m signing Erik Lamela, 21, only signed for the club last summer but could be on the move with his agent speaking to Serie A sides Inter Milan and Lazio about taking the winger on loan for the rest of the season. Sun
Brondby striker Simon Makienok's agent says that Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen must map out the club's long-term Premier League future to convince the 23-year-old to move to Craven Cottage. Independent
Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis is planning on making a loan bid for Chelsea striker Demba Ba, 28. Daily Mirror
Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen insists it was a 'hard decision' to reject a new contract at the club amid reports the 21-year-old will join Barcelona at the end of the season. Sky Sports
Inter Milan have ruled out the sale of midfielder Fredy Guarin, 27, despite Premier League interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. Daily Express
Stoke and West Ham are battling to secure the signature of Olympiakos defender Claude Dielna, 26. TalkSHIT
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is the leading contender with bookmakers to take over as West Ham manager if the Upton Park club part company with current boss Sam Allardyce. Daily Express
Manchester United manager David Moyes has yet to earn the trust of his players, according to the Old Trafford club's former central defender Gary Pallister. Sun
Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, 29, insists he will not quit Manchester United despite making just two appearances so far this season. Daily Star
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 24, is on course to make an early return from an ankle injury against Stoke in the Premier League on Sunday. DSSC
Norwich boss Chris Hughton has told twins Josh and Jacob Murphy to wear different coloured boots so that he can tell them apart. Daily Star
Brentford fans are being offered free chilli before their League One game against Port Vale on Saturday - as long as they buy a pint. DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX 7-1-2010
UWAFFER BOLLOX
Manchester City and Chelsea face being excluded from the Champions League unless they can work the huge losses both have announced over the past seven days down to break-even levels within four seasons. Uefa is working up formal regulations that will entrench Michel Platini's plan to ensure that clubs operate without making significant long-term losses. "If a club gets a lot of money or subsidies from a big backer and is still in deficit in two years then it is a problem and we don't want that," Platini said in August.
Two days after those comments, the European Club Association (ECA) approved Platini's proposals and Uefa privately confirmed yesterday that it is adding the "financial fair play" rules to its statutes in time for the 2013-14 season. The delay in the implementation was yesterday described as an effort to provide clubs a "soft landing", but Uefa firmly envisages that clubs who fail to meet the regulations will be prevented from taking part in its competitions.
Since the biggest clubs generate interest and revenue for the Champions League, the suspension of those such as Chelsea and City would be a test of resolve. But Uefa has been emboldened by the broad ECA support, and insiders at Uefa are bullish.
"There needs to be a business model for breaking even within three and a half years," a source said. "The deadline is what it is and we will stick to it; we have tremendous support from the clubs."
Between them City and Chelsea have declared losses in the year to June 2009 of more than £130m. Chelsea's chief executive, Ron Gourlay, has abandoned a specific target date for break-even, reassessing it as an aspiration.
City playing catch-up
Profits, and so a sustainable place in the Champions League, seem a long way off for Manchester City, even though – as revealed in this column last July – Sheikh Mansour's £305m of loans have been converted into equity.
Turning Chelsea into regular title challengers has cost Roman Abramovich £500m in cumulative losses. City have not shrunk from that target, spending £117.5m on transfer fees last summer and an estimated £30m a year in wages for Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Kolo Touré, Roque Santa Cruz and Joleon Lescott. But, crucially, Sheikh Mansour's club start from a weaker base.
When Abramovich bought Chelsea they were already in the Champions League and had a turnover of £153.6m, £66m – or 73% – more than City have. And City's prospects for raising extra revenues from ticket sales do not look great. Their attendances have risen more than 3,000 from their season average to 46,000, but, right up until its postponement, there were about 400 seats available on general sale for the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United: City's first last-four place since the 1981 FA Cup.
Financial thread: http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=29263
Legend in his own head Bollox
CHELSEA are bracing themselves for another big financial hit next week when a compensation fee for their signing of Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City will finally be settled.
London club Chelsea could end up forking out £8million for 20-year-old striker Sturridge, who was Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing after taking over as manager last summer.
Although the player was out of contract, having rejected an offer of a new deal worth £45,000 a week, City are entitled to claim “development costs” for a player who came through their academy.
And given Sturridge’s potential, City’s valuation is understood to be around £8m – four times more than the figure Chelsea are prepared to offer.
Six months after the transfer went through, the two clubs have still failed to reach an amicable agreement and will now put their cases to a FA-Premier League tribunal next Thursday.
But the delay in sorting out the wrangle appears to have worked in City’s favour. Sturridge, who became Britain’s best-paid teenage footballer when he signed a four-year deal worth £75,000 a week at Chelsea when he was still 19, has recently broken into Ancelotti’s first team.
He scored his first two senior goals for the club in the 5-0 FA Cup thrashing of Watford, and Ancelotti believes he is good enough to help ease the loss of Didier Drogba, who could be away for up to a month on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup.
City will point to Sturridge’s breakthrough at Chelsea as well as his potential to complete the full set of England honours – he has represented his country at every level up to Under-21 and is tipped to play for the senior team in the next couple of seasons. They regard Sturridge in the same bracket as Theo Walcott, who joined Arsenal from Southampton four years ago for a down payment of £5m rising to £12.5m.
And they will also point to the £6m fee Manchester United collected for striker Fraizer Campbell – a player of similar age and potential to Sturridge – when he moved to Sunderland in the summer.
Chelsea could be ordered to pay £5m immediately with another £3m based on appearances, honours won and senior international caps. Ironically, City had to pay compensation themselves after they “poached” him from Coventry’s academy when Birmingham-born Sturridge was only 13, although the figures were considerably lower than what they are now expecting.
An initial payment to Coventry of £30,000 was followed by a further payments up to £200,000 as Sturridge came through the ranks at City.
In 2007-08 he became the first player to score in the FA Youth Cup, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season. In fact, he helped City beat Chelsea to win the Youth Cup that season, scoring in the 1-1 first leg draw at Stamford Bridge.
Along with several other top clubs, Chelsea director of football Frank Arnesen had been monitoring Sturridge for years. Arnesen landed the player last summer after then City manager Mark Hughes had made repeated attempts to persuade him to sign a new contract throughout last season.
Sturridge’s father Michael played for Birmingham and his uncles, Dean and Simon, were also both professionals – Dean with Derby and Wolves and Simon for Birmingham.
He ended up making 12 first-team starts for City, plus 20 as a substitute, scoring six goals.Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is well used to compensation pay-outs. He has given around £40m to the four managers he has sacked – Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and Luiz Felipe Scolari. And he had to pay Leeds £5m in 2006 after Chelsea were accused of poaching two youngsters from them. While many Premier League clubs are counting the pennies, the Blues will be forced to splash the cash... ‘City are claiming development costs’