Monday's B****x
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:13 amTHE BOLLOX
Getting serious now, isn’t it? A new Premier League season is upon us, and no doubt the media machine will be overflowing with City-related news and gossip in the coming days ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield before the Blues get down to business proper at St. James Park on Sunday the 17th.
Samir Nasri has welcomed the arrival of Frank Lampard – the 36 year-old midfielder will commence his six-month loan by training with the City squad at Carrington for the first time on Wednesday. Nasri reckons the Chelsea legend’s wealth of experience will be a huge asset to the Blues, particularly in Europe. The Express’ Steve Brenner quotes the French star in his report:
“”(Lampard is) a great player and any team will benefit from his experience. We'll particularly benefit from having him in the Champions League because that's where we need to improve this year.
“"He has won it and I think he can help us. It's good that he's an English player too and we've had a little problem with that."
“Nasri, meanwhile, is set to announce his international retirement at the age of just 27.
“He reacted furiously to being axed by Didier Deschamps this summer and is ready to concentrate on his club career.
“He said: "Yes, I've made the decision. I took it a while ago but I'll say it when the time is right.
“"Yes maybe City will benefit - during the international breaks I can stay and work a little bit more.
“"All the players who played the World Cup and have lots of games during the season with their national teams can get tired, pick up injuries, that kind of stuff. So I think I will be fresh.
“"Even before the summer, during Euro 2012, I had a lot going on. Personally it doesn't affect me but it affects my family. They live in France, they read the press stuff like that.
“"I live in England I'm fine with everything they said and I'm used to it. But for my parents it's really hard. I want to make them happy and the national team doesn't make me happy."
“"I'm excited about the new season. The Premier League will be really hard, every team has bought quality players. So it's really exciting and we are looking forward to the start of the season."
“"It's always good to have a long summer break but you have to find a good balance - too long is not good. When I came back I suffered a little injury but I'm quite fresh and I just need more games to be ready for the start of the new season."
“"It's not (international retirement) something you can just announce on Twitter. I've to sit down do a full interview and just say it. i'm just 27 I've got time to play. I will do it when the time is right.
“"With the national team I didn't win anything with them.
“"So it's more easy to take this decision than if we'd just won something. And like you say, when you play for a big club, and you play lots of games it's easy to come to this decision."”
A snippet of transfer news in the Mail courtesy of Simon Jones who reckons that Frank Lampard’s loan to City could send another English midfielder towards the Etihad exit door.
“Sunderland are hoping the arrival of Frank Lampard at Manchester City can push Jack Rodwell towards them.
“Manager Gus Poyet has been keen to sign the 23-year-old Rodwell all summer but faces competition from West Brom and Southampton among others.
“Rodwell is keen to leave City and play more regularly having played just 10 games last season.”
City will finally complete the signing of Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala in the coming days, if Goal.com are to be believed:
“The Premier League champions are hopeful Mangala will land in the north west of England to put pen to paper on Monday, with Porto ready to announce the move to the stock exchange.
“As revealed by Goal, the France international had been in Manchester on July 12 to complete his medical and finalise the transfer, but no announcements have since been made by either club.
“But with Mangala now back from his post-World Cup holiday, the club are hopeful they can finally make the signature official and complete their final major piece of transfer business this summer.”
City World Cup stars return - and could be joined by Mangala
Blues are close to sealing a £32m move for the French defender as preparations for the new Premier League season begin to step up.
Six City World Cup stars return to training at Carrington today - and they could be joined by centre defender Eliaquim Mangala.
The 23-year-old ace is expected to be unveiled as the club's marquee summer signing in a deal worth around £32m.
His switch from Porto is seen as the last piece of the City jigsaw, shoring up a back-line that has relied too heavily on skipper and Belgium star Vincent Kompany.
With Mangala in place, City feel they have a squad powerful enough to win the Champions League and compete strongly on four fronts.
The other returning players are Kompany, Fernandinho, new signing Bacary Sagna and Argentinian trio Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis.
New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard is set to link up with the squad on Wednesday.
In his final US tour press conference, Pellegrini spoke of mixed feelings of the trip, with satisfaction at the performance of his squad mixed with inevitable weariness after two weeks on the road.
At least the Blues avoided injury on the temporary pitch laid down for the Olypiacos match at the TCF Bank Stadium.
He said: "I said it was a high risk but they worked hard on it to improve it and fortunately nothing happened.
"It's been extremely useful, the team have been professional. We've played some great performances - but the pitch condition has hindered us.
"We are not ready for the new season yet - because the rest of our squad are only coming back on Monday.
"The positive of these few games has been the quality of the games and the levels my players reached. The negative will be the travelling distances."
With City's incoming transfer business done, focus will switch to players going the other way. Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards look set to go while Javi Garcia, John Guidetti and Matija Nastasic could also find themselves surplus to requirements.
Arsene Wenger queries Man City Frank Lampard deal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned Manchester City's signing of Frank Lampard.
Midfielder Lampard, 36, will join City on a six-month loan deal from Major League Soccer franchise New York City - one of three clubs affiliated to the Premier League champions.
Last season, City received sanctions on their squad after breaching Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations.
"Is it a way to get around the fair play? I don't know," said Wenger.
"It looks like all of these 'City' clubs will feed the main club Manchester City - I heard they want to buy five clubs all over the world.
"I don't know the rules well enough, but they bought a franchise for £59.4m to play in the States next season."
City have been restricted to a 21-man Champions League squad this year - with eight home-grown players required in their Premier League squad.
"At the moment the players they sign cannot play until next year so they will register them in the other clubs and can get out on loan," added Wenger, who ruled out Arsenal employing similar methods in the future.
"We are happy to dedicate the money to just run our club - there is not a lot of surplus to run other clubs, " he said.
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=48831
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli joining the Merseyside club after being linked with the 23-year-old Italy international. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are close to agreeing a £17m deal for 23-year-old Villarreal and Argentina centre-back Mateo Musacchio. Times
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is willing to use 25-year-old Belgian winger Nacer Chadli in his attempt to convince former club Southampton to sell £20m-rated French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 24. Sun (subscription required)
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keen to take Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, 21, to Upton Park. DSSC
The Hammers also want Stoke striker Peter Crouch, 33, as a replacement for injured 25-year-old forward Andy Carroll. Daily Express
Sunderland forward Connor Wickham, 21, is another option for Allardyce, with Carroll out for four months. Daily Telegraph
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is keen to sign Manchester United's 17-year-old English winger Demetri Mitchell on loan. Daily Mirror
AC Milan are interested in signing Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina but the 31-year-old's wage demands may scupper the deal. DSSC
Swansea are considering making a £2m bid for 22-year-old Celtic defender Adam Matthews. Daily Express
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis could return to former club Stoke to sign 26-year-old defender Marc Wilson. Daily Star
Newcastle are hoping to sign Nottingham Forest centre-back Jamaal Lascelles, 20, for £3m. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are lining up 33-year-old Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o, who is a free agent after leaving Chelsea. Tuttosport
Liverpool are on the verge of signing Alberto Moreno after striking a £16m deal with Sevilla for the 22 year-old Spanish defender. AS.com
Midfielder Marco Reus, 25, who had been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, will remain at Borussia Dortmund for another season. L'Equipe
The £60m deal between Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain for 26-year-old Argentina winger Angel Di Maria could be made official in the next two days. Marca
Brazilian defender Miranda, 29, has rejected offers from Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea and decided to stay on at Atletico Madrid for the next season. Marca
Liverpool have offered £5m to Real Madrid for their 31-year-old defender Dani Alves, and Paris-St Germain no longer want the Brazil international. Mundodeportivo
Wolfsburg are looking at Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, 30, as a possible transfer target after failing to recruit Romelu Lukaku, 21, who joined Everton for £28m. Bild
Real Madrid will look to make a move for Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo, 27, in case Sami Khedira decides to leave the club. Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have shown an interest in Germany midfielder Khedira, also 27. Bild (in German)
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim says Radamel Falcao is "transferable", but maintains the 28 year-old Colombian forward is essential for the club's success. L 'Equipe
Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls have denied making any contact with Atletico Mineiro midfielder Ronaldinho, 34, over a possible transfer. Le Figaro
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, 30, believes the winning mentality has returned to the Red Devils. Guardian
Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers stopped plans for new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to become sporting director at Anfield in 2012. Liverpool Echo
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino says an offer to buy the club's Elland Road ground has been made and he wants to complete the deal by November before the rent is raised. Guardian
Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Neymar may be recovering from a back injury suffered at the World Cup, but i t has not stopped him enjoying a night out. The 22-year-old posted a picture of him and Paris Hilton on his Instagram account.
An Everton fan has come up with an ingenious way to get 10 of his favourite players' names on a new shirt - by using a crossword puzzle. Metro.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, 25, has taken a new approach to speaking to the media, by holding a news conference 11,000ft up on an aeroplane. Bild
MORE BOLLOX SHORTLY
Getting serious now, isn’t it? A new Premier League season is upon us, and no doubt the media machine will be overflowing with City-related news and gossip in the coming days ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield before the Blues get down to business proper at St. James Park on Sunday the 17th.
Samir Nasri has welcomed the arrival of Frank Lampard – the 36 year-old midfielder will commence his six-month loan by training with the City squad at Carrington for the first time on Wednesday. Nasri reckons the Chelsea legend’s wealth of experience will be a huge asset to the Blues, particularly in Europe. The Express’ Steve Brenner quotes the French star in his report:
“”(Lampard is) a great player and any team will benefit from his experience. We'll particularly benefit from having him in the Champions League because that's where we need to improve this year.
“"He has won it and I think he can help us. It's good that he's an English player too and we've had a little problem with that."
“Nasri, meanwhile, is set to announce his international retirement at the age of just 27.
“He reacted furiously to being axed by Didier Deschamps this summer and is ready to concentrate on his club career.
“He said: "Yes, I've made the decision. I took it a while ago but I'll say it when the time is right.
“"Yes maybe City will benefit - during the international breaks I can stay and work a little bit more.
“"All the players who played the World Cup and have lots of games during the season with their national teams can get tired, pick up injuries, that kind of stuff. So I think I will be fresh.
“"Even before the summer, during Euro 2012, I had a lot going on. Personally it doesn't affect me but it affects my family. They live in France, they read the press stuff like that.
“"I live in England I'm fine with everything they said and I'm used to it. But for my parents it's really hard. I want to make them happy and the national team doesn't make me happy."
“"I'm excited about the new season. The Premier League will be really hard, every team has bought quality players. So it's really exciting and we are looking forward to the start of the season."
“"It's always good to have a long summer break but you have to find a good balance - too long is not good. When I came back I suffered a little injury but I'm quite fresh and I just need more games to be ready for the start of the new season."
“"It's not (international retirement) something you can just announce on Twitter. I've to sit down do a full interview and just say it. i'm just 27 I've got time to play. I will do it when the time is right.
“"With the national team I didn't win anything with them.
“"So it's more easy to take this decision than if we'd just won something. And like you say, when you play for a big club, and you play lots of games it's easy to come to this decision."”
A snippet of transfer news in the Mail courtesy of Simon Jones who reckons that Frank Lampard’s loan to City could send another English midfielder towards the Etihad exit door.
“Sunderland are hoping the arrival of Frank Lampard at Manchester City can push Jack Rodwell towards them.
“Manager Gus Poyet has been keen to sign the 23-year-old Rodwell all summer but faces competition from West Brom and Southampton among others.
“Rodwell is keen to leave City and play more regularly having played just 10 games last season.”
City will finally complete the signing of Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala in the coming days, if Goal.com are to be believed:
“The Premier League champions are hopeful Mangala will land in the north west of England to put pen to paper on Monday, with Porto ready to announce the move to the stock exchange.
“As revealed by Goal, the France international had been in Manchester on July 12 to complete his medical and finalise the transfer, but no announcements have since been made by either club.
“But with Mangala now back from his post-World Cup holiday, the club are hopeful they can finally make the signature official and complete their final major piece of transfer business this summer.”
City World Cup stars return - and could be joined by Mangala
Blues are close to sealing a £32m move for the French defender as preparations for the new Premier League season begin to step up.
Six City World Cup stars return to training at Carrington today - and they could be joined by centre defender Eliaquim Mangala.
The 23-year-old ace is expected to be unveiled as the club's marquee summer signing in a deal worth around £32m.
His switch from Porto is seen as the last piece of the City jigsaw, shoring up a back-line that has relied too heavily on skipper and Belgium star Vincent Kompany.
With Mangala in place, City feel they have a squad powerful enough to win the Champions League and compete strongly on four fronts.
The other returning players are Kompany, Fernandinho, new signing Bacary Sagna and Argentinian trio Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis.
New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard is set to link up with the squad on Wednesday.
In his final US tour press conference, Pellegrini spoke of mixed feelings of the trip, with satisfaction at the performance of his squad mixed with inevitable weariness after two weeks on the road.
At least the Blues avoided injury on the temporary pitch laid down for the Olypiacos match at the TCF Bank Stadium.
He said: "I said it was a high risk but they worked hard on it to improve it and fortunately nothing happened.
"It's been extremely useful, the team have been professional. We've played some great performances - but the pitch condition has hindered us.
"We are not ready for the new season yet - because the rest of our squad are only coming back on Monday.
"The positive of these few games has been the quality of the games and the levels my players reached. The negative will be the travelling distances."
With City's incoming transfer business done, focus will switch to players going the other way. Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Micah Richards look set to go while Javi Garcia, John Guidetti and Matija Nastasic could also find themselves surplus to requirements.
Arsene Wenger queries Man City Frank Lampard deal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has questioned Manchester City's signing of Frank Lampard.
Midfielder Lampard, 36, will join City on a six-month loan deal from Major League Soccer franchise New York City - one of three clubs affiliated to the Premier League champions.
Last season, City received sanctions on their squad after breaching Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations.
"Is it a way to get around the fair play? I don't know," said Wenger.
"It looks like all of these 'City' clubs will feed the main club Manchester City - I heard they want to buy five clubs all over the world.
"I don't know the rules well enough, but they bought a franchise for £59.4m to play in the States next season."
City have been restricted to a 21-man Champions League squad this year - with eight home-grown players required in their Premier League squad.
"At the moment the players they sign cannot play until next year so they will register them in the other clubs and can get out on loan," added Wenger, who ruled out Arsenal employing similar methods in the future.
"We are happy to dedicate the money to just run our club - there is not a lot of surplus to run other clubs, " he said.
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=48831
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli joining the Merseyside club after being linked with the 23-year-old Italy international. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are close to agreeing a £17m deal for 23-year-old Villarreal and Argentina centre-back Mateo Musacchio. Times
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is willing to use 25-year-old Belgian winger Nacer Chadli in his attempt to convince former club Southampton to sell £20m-rated French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 24. Sun (subscription required)
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is keen to take Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, 21, to Upton Park. DSSC
The Hammers also want Stoke striker Peter Crouch, 33, as a replacement for injured 25-year-old forward Andy Carroll. Daily Express
Sunderland forward Connor Wickham, 21, is another option for Allardyce, with Carroll out for four months. Daily Telegraph
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is keen to sign Manchester United's 17-year-old English winger Demetri Mitchell on loan. Daily Mirror
AC Milan are interested in signing Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina but the 31-year-old's wage demands may scupper the deal. DSSC
Swansea are considering making a £2m bid for 22-year-old Celtic defender Adam Matthews. Daily Express
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis could return to former club Stoke to sign 26-year-old defender Marc Wilson. Daily Star
Newcastle are hoping to sign Nottingham Forest centre-back Jamaal Lascelles, 20, for £3m. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are lining up 33-year-old Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o, who is a free agent after leaving Chelsea. Tuttosport
Liverpool are on the verge of signing Alberto Moreno after striking a £16m deal with Sevilla for the 22 year-old Spanish defender. AS.com
Midfielder Marco Reus, 25, who had been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, will remain at Borussia Dortmund for another season. L'Equipe
The £60m deal between Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain for 26-year-old Argentina winger Angel Di Maria could be made official in the next two days. Marca
Brazilian defender Miranda, 29, has rejected offers from Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea and decided to stay on at Atletico Madrid for the next season. Marca
Liverpool have offered £5m to Real Madrid for their 31-year-old defender Dani Alves, and Paris-St Germain no longer want the Brazil international. Mundodeportivo
Wolfsburg are looking at Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, 30, as a possible transfer target after failing to recruit Romelu Lukaku, 21, who joined Everton for £28m. Bild
Real Madrid will look to make a move for Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo, 27, in case Sami Khedira decides to leave the club. Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have shown an interest in Germany midfielder Khedira, also 27. Bild (in German)
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim says Radamel Falcao is "transferable", but maintains the 28 year-old Colombian forward is essential for the club's success. L 'Equipe
Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls have denied making any contact with Atletico Mineiro midfielder Ronaldinho, 34, over a possible transfer. Le Figaro
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, 30, believes the winning mentality has returned to the Red Devils. Guardian
Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers stopped plans for new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to become sporting director at Anfield in 2012. Liverpool Echo
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino says an offer to buy the club's Elland Road ground has been made and he wants to complete the deal by November before the rent is raised. Guardian
Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Neymar may be recovering from a back injury suffered at the World Cup, but i t has not stopped him enjoying a night out. The 22-year-old posted a picture of him and Paris Hilton on his Instagram account.
An Everton fan has come up with an ingenious way to get 10 of his favourite players' names on a new shirt - by using a crossword puzzle. Metro.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, 25, has taken a new approach to speaking to the media, by holding a news conference 11,000ft up on an aeroplane. Bild
MORE BOLLOX SHORTLY