Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

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Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Chinners » Fri Sep 22, 2017 6:39 am

THE BOLLOX
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Arsenal accused of 'tapping up' over pursuit of Man City forward Raheem Sterling
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Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was the subject of interest from Arsenal in the summer and Arsene Wenger has come under fire.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been accused of "tapping up" Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling by TalkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil.
The former Manchester United and Scotland striker has been unimpressed with Arsenal over recent reports that they remain in pursuit of Sterling - despite the transfer window closing more than three weeks' ago.
Sterling was the subject of interest from Arsenal in the summer, and the London club tried to include him in a deal for Alexis Sanchez.
City refused to include the former Liverpool forward who has scored three goals in six games so far this term but that has not put an end to the speculation and Brazil has suggested that it's inappropriate for the stories to be surfacing at this time of year.
Brazil said: "Is that not tapping up?
“The window’s shut now so we shouldn’t be talking about this until January, should we? And Arsene Wenger’s always winging about tapping up.
Man City striker Sergio Aguero challenged to break another record
“You know it’s illegal, it’s a joke. You should just get on with it. If you’re Sterling, how do you feel if you’re Sterling?”
Pep Guardiola made it clear when asked about the possibility earlier this month that there was never any chance of Sterling heading for the Etihad Stadium exit this summer.
The City manager said: "[Sterling] didn't call me because it wasn't an issue. Never.
"I think I tried to help him since I arrived, his mood when I arrived was not at the top and last season he played really good.
"It was not debatable among the important people at the club - Txiki, Ferran, many people - it was never considered that we would swap him. That was not an option."

Ilkay Gundogan could return for Manchester City against Chelsea
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Ilkay Gundogan has been cleared of serious injury following tests on his left knee and could return for Manchester City to face Chelsea.
The midfielder, on his first start of 2017 following surgery on a serious knee injury, was forced off during City's League Cup victory over West Brom.
Gundogan was examined by club medical staff on Thursday and no significant damage was revealed with a diagnosis of a sprain.
A report on the club's website read: "It is too early at this stage to give an exact time-frame on his absence but he is expected to be back on the training field in the coming days."
The player himself tweeted: "Hi all, thank you for all your messages! I'm happy to tell you my injury is nothing serious and I hope to be back soon on the pitch!"
Gundogan will probably not be available for Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace, or even Tuesday's Champions League visit of Shakhtar Donetsk, but the September 30 trip to Chelsea could be a realistic comeback target.
Manager Pep Guardiola had said after the game that he did not think the problem would be serious.
Gundogan, who had returned to action as a substitute in the 6-0 win at Watford last weekend, was hurt in a challenge from Claudio Yacob.
"I think it's not serious, it's not eight months, but a little injury," Guardiola said. "Unfortunately the action is tough. He will be back soon, hopefully."

Manchester City fear losing Arsenal ace Alexis Sanchez to PSG after huge wage offer
City are afraid they have been leapfrogged in attempts to sign the wantaway Chilean superstar
The Chilean ace wants to leave the Emirates and is free to speak to European clubs in January as he is out-of-contract next summer.
Pep Guardiola was confident the 28-year-old wanted to join City, despite a failed £60m pursuit in the previous transfer window.
But Paris Saint-Germain are ramping up their interest and want him to partner Neymar and Kylian Mbappe upfront.
Sanchez met with PSG chiefs in the French capital this summer, where they discussed a potential transfer.
He demanded a staggering £400,000-a-week, which the Ligue 1 side admitted they could not afford to pay.
But Unai Emery’s team did tell him they would hand him a hefty signing on fee and top City’s offer of £275,000-a-week.
It is understood PSG will offload Edinson Cavani, who recently had a bust-up with Neymar over a free-kick to make way for Sanchez.

Man City coach Pep Guardiola confirms Yaya Toure plans for the season
Pep Guardiola has indicated Yaya Toure is back in favour at Manchester City after playing him in the Carabao Cup.
The Ivorian was left on the bench for the first three games of the season before being omitted from matchday squads altogether for an unspecified "sporting decision".
Having exiled him until November last season after the decision to leave the player out of City's Champions League squad brought an outburst from agent Dmitri Seluk, Guardiola has again shown willing to progress without the veteran midfielder.
But a recent change of heart saw Toure back into the side for the Carabao Cup game at West Brom, captaining the team as they won 2-1 to book a fourth round clash with Wolves.
Speaking after the game, the manager made no reference to the reasons that had previously led him to exclude Toure this season as he explained what the future holds.
"We need him and of course it's not easy for the players who didn't play in the last games," he said.
"But he showed his personality because it's not easy for him to play in these type of games but he did it well and that's why we're happy for him to come back.
"And we are going to use him. Everybody is going to play. We have a lot of games. Three days later we have a game, then three days later after Stamford Bridge we have the Champions League."

Agüero eyes Eric Brook’s City record
On the verge of becoming Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer, Sergio Agüero has won over Pep Guardiola to re-establish himself as one of the world’s most feared strikers.
Just seven months ago, Agüero’s Eastlands future appeared bleak after he lost the trust of City manager Guardiola.
Agüero’s goal-scoring heroics may have made him a huge favourite of City fans, but he found it much harder to convince Guardiola of his worth in the Spaniard’s first season in charge.
Guardiola wanted a more mobile forward capable of contributing to his possession-based philosophy and he was quick to deploy Gabriel Jesus as City’s central striker once the Brazilian sensation signed in January.
By the time Guardiola left out Agüero for a clash with Swansea in February — the fifth time he had been dropped that season — there seemed no way back for the Argentine.
Yet, aside from his prolific penalty box exploits, Agüero’s most crucial characteristic might well be a bloody-minded determination to bend any narrative to his favour.
That tenacious attitude brings back memories of Eric Brook, whose City goal record Agüero is about to eclipse.
Brook was a blunt Yorkshireman who was so committed to the City cause he didn’t miss a game for 11 seasons after joining from Barnsley in 1928.
It took a car crash that left him with a fractured skull to bring a premature end to the England international’s career — but not before he helped City to win the title in a triumph that carries echoes of Agüero’s story.
On their way to being champions, City won 5-0 at Liverpool, with Brook claiming a hat-trick.
It was a scoreline City wouldn’t repeat against Liverpool for nearly eight decades — until Agüero started their demolition of the Reds earlier this month.
Having earned his way back into Guardiola’s good graces by refusing to complain publicly about his treatment last term, Agüero has made himself indispensable with a barrage of goals.
Showing he can thrive alongside Jesus or as the sole fulcrum of Guardiola’s attack, Agüero’s goal against Liverpool earlier this month made him the highest-scoring non-European in the history of England’s top flight.
Not content with that landmark, Agüero hit his 10th City hat-trick in a 6-0 rout of Watford last weekend.
If he scores twice against Crystal Palace this Saturday, Agüero would equal Brook’s 78-year-old City scoring record of 177 goals in 494 appearances.
Agüero’s tally of 175 has taken only 259 games.
Netting just once against lowly Palace would also give Agüero 300 career club goals.
Given Agüero’s current form — five goals in his last three games — both those milestones should fall sooner rather than later.
That will cap a remarkable renaissance from a player who hasn’t been deterred by any challenge that has come his way.
“He’s a legend, and it’s a part of history in the club,” Guardiola said.
“Agüero’s numbers speak for themselves; he is amazing.”
Signed from Atletico Madrid for £38-million (R685.5‑million) by then City boss Roberto Mancini in 2011, Agüero wasted little time announcing his arrival on the Premier League stage.
He marked his City debut with two goals in a 30-minute substitute appearance against Swansea.
By the time City reached the final game of the season, Agüero had scored 29 times to leave his club on the brink of becoming champions for the first time in 44 years.
Fittingly, it was Agüero who produced one of the Premier League’s most iconic moments.
He fired home in the closing seconds against QPR to clinch a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 win that ensured City took the title at the expense of archrivals Manchester United.
Agüero’s goals were a key element of his side’s second Premier League triumph two years later.
He has also won the League Cup twice and finished as the Premier League’s top scorer in the 2014-2015 season.
Incredibly, Agüero has never been included in the PFA Team of the Year voted for by his fellow professionals.
But, like Guardiola, Agüero’s peers should be revising their opinions of his unique qualities now. —

How a Classic Two up Top is Allowing Man City to Reach ‘Peak Pep’
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Manchester City’s formation and application on a murky Wednesday night in Rotterdam and a breezy afternoon at Vicarage Road in front of Elton John saw the team reach what could well be seen as ‘Peak Pep’
Although if you counted the number of players per position on the pitch in both games you would see a rather classic English 4-4-2 formation. However, the one below shows the shape City move into when on the ball. It is accurately represented as a 3-5-2, with Fernandinho roaming between the lines of defence without the ball and midfield with it, almost like a number 10 would in an attacking sense, but at the opposite end of the field.
The big switch in tactical formation which has enabled the change in playing style from last season to this is the commitment to a front-footed pressing style, along with the addition of Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker, who both have the ability to boss their flanks single-handedly.
This has facilitated Pep’s choice to focus more of the play centrally, and most importantly, have two of the best strikers in the league on the pitch together, bouncing off each other.
Clubs make formational shifts for a multitude of reasons; sometimes to mirror opponents, to fit in different players, to add more defensive stability, etc. In the case of City, it’s certainly the latter, although it’s not as straight forward as chucking another big centre back in the back line and hoping it’ll result in more tackles, blocks and clearances through a sheer increase in man power.
Some would have you believe that Pep Guardiola doesn’t teach defensive football; he certainly is not drilling a team to sit two banks of four behind the ball in an old school English fashion.
However, defending is a core staple of the Guardiola/Cruyff philosophy, only in this case, you defend by having control of the game in midfield, having attacking options to keep the opponents guessing and on the back foot, and most importantly, by operating an aggressive early press from the front to the back of the side to exert dominance on an opponent.
Furthermore, it’s the three aforementioned principles that a Guardiola positional play system lives or dies by, and the switch to three at the back is in place to enhance it. By operating with two strikers that are supported by a five-man midfield behind them, it allows Aguero and Jesus to both press a defender at a time relentlessly, making it much harder for the opposition to create build-up play.
The five-man midfield also step forward onto their opponents, adding pressure to force a loose touch and win the ball back swiftly. This happened time and again during the 15-0 aggregate victories over Liverpool, Feyenoord and Watford over an eight day period.
This quick dispossession of the ball from the opposition allows Pep’s side to smother the opponent into submission. When City have the ball – with technicians such as David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva on the pitch – they can retain possession in attacking areas and wear down opposition sides.
This echelon of ‘Peak Pep’ can be displayed in the passing and possession stats, as well as the dominant score lines. Over the three games, City completed an average of 694 passes and possession figures of 68.5%, levels of controls rarely seen in away performances in Europe and the hectic Premier League, especially within a two-day turnaround. The statistics from the game against Feyenoord were the highest of this round of Champions League games.
As well as giving City a numerical presence up top when most major sides play with only one recognised striker, this change in shape has facilitated an increased responsibility and maturity from two particular players: Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones.
The pair are charged with being the metronomes of the side, dictating the play from deep. These two players, at the ages of 26 and 23 respectively, are going to be key to City winning silverware over the coming seasons.
For City to dominate the league and match the potential they’re displaying, they need this generation to take a leading role, as the side steps out of the shadows of the former glories of the old guard, such as Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.
There was a period last year where City tried and failed to effectively implement a 3-5-2 system using wingers in Sterling and San instead of natural full backs. This came to a head in a calamitous 4-2 away defeat at a Leicester side who were then in freefall.
The defensive frailties shown in that period have not been seen so far, with City now employing top quality wing backs in Mendy and Walker. The use of these two players could be seen as a move of pragmatism from Guardiola after twelve months of getting his fingers burnt by trying to go too gung-ho against Premier League opposition
Of course, these are early days in the season, and there will be much tougher tests to come from real quality opposition, but the signs of life from City so far are showing green shoots of real Guardiola football, which should be a joy to watch from a footballing perspective.
Whether that can be turned into trophies? We will have to wait and see.

Why Manchester City have more than a passing interest in Girona v Barcelona
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Girona are enjoying their first season in La Liga - with five points from their opening five games
This weekend Girona will play by far the biggest game in their history - their first league derby against mighty neighbours Barcelona.
Girona, a small but attractive medieval city located an hour's drive north of Barcelona, have reached incredible heights.
But Saturday's match is much more than a Catalan affair and will also be followed very closely in an industrial corner of north-western England by the team that has just invested in them - Manchester City.
Last month, it was announced that Girona have become the latest members of the City Football Group, who are now co-owners of the Catalan club alongside the Girona Football Group (more of whom later).
City's decision to invest in Spain has strong footballing foundations, rooted in the club's and manager Pep Guardiola's intense frustrations with the way young players are developed in England.
By buying a stake in Girona, City believe they can overcome a serious structural problem in English football by providing a missing link for promising youngsters who are ready to move beyond youth football but not yet ready for the first team.
And following his time at this weekend's visitors to Girona, having that kind of finishing school is something Guardiola knows all about.
Why have Man City invested in Girona?
It's well-known that the likes of Guardiola, Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta all rose through Barcelona's youth system before progressing into the first team squad and global fame.
Something very important but less commonly understood, however, is that all those players did not actually gain their first regular taste of senior football in the glamorous confines of the Nou Camp, but in the Mini Estadi (literally 'mini stadium') across the road, playing for the club's reserve team, Barcelona B.
Messi, for example, played 22 games for Barca B, scoring six goals, before being permanently promoted by Frank Rijkaard. Xavi surpassed half a century of B team appearances, while Guardiola himself also gained his first managerial experience with the B team in the 2007-8 season.
The City boss, then, knows from first-hand experience the importance of having a developmental bridge between youth football and senior football. In England the Under-23 development league is supposed to help with that process but in Spain, that bridge is highly competitive because reserve teams are allowed to participate in fully-fledged professional leagues.
This season, for instance, Barca B are in the Segunda Division (the equivalent of the Championship) against historically important and well-supported clubs such as Sporting Gijon, Real Oviedo and Real Zaragoza, allowing their youngsters to cut their teeth in a serious and high quality competition against established senior pros.
That kind of system just does not exist in England, where promising young players are forced to make the jump straight from youth games into senior football.
Guardiola is not at all happy about that, publicly stating on several occasions his dissatisfaction with the lack of competitive reserve team football in England.
In January he told a news conference: "The reserve league for young players is not good enough. In Spain, the second teams of Barcelona and Real Madrid play in front of 40,000-45,000 people. Here they play with no spectators.
"It's not strong enough and that's why it's so difficult for the English players sometimes. I think it's a real problem for English football."
Other members of City's hierarchy - including chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain, who were also previously at Barcelona - share their manager's convictions and, with no realistic hopes of being able to field a reserve team in the Championship, they took a straightforward decision: if City can't have a B team in England, they'll just invest in one in Spain.
A good deal for both clubs?
Manchester City lost 1-0 to Girona in a pre-season friendly in August
To an extent, the purchase of Girona is a continuation of a long-standing policy which has seen City invest in several overseas clubs: New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Yokohama Marinos and Club Atletico Torque (Uruguay) are also owned by the City Football Group.
But the case of Girona is different.
The other members of City's stable serve to a significant extent as branding exercises - an attempt to boost City's profile in the key markets of North America, Australia, Japan and South America. Of course there are also strong sporting connections and City would be delighted if Atletico Torque unearth the next Luis Suarez, but that's not the only purpose of those deals.
In Girona, however, branding opportunities are essentially insignificant and, instead, it's all about football.
Specifically, it's all about giving City's most promising young players the chance to gain developmental experiences they simply could not have in England, and to that end City have loaned no less than five players to Girona this season with the hope they will improve sufficiently in La Liga to force themselves into Guardiola's squad next season, although it is worth noting the Spanish club are paying the full wages of the loanees.
Of course, it's also a positive relationship for Girona, who benefit from receiving a group of highly rated youngsters along with other free perks such as the use of City's training facilities during their pre-season tour to England this summer, and their fans are happy with the arrangement as the club embarks upon its first top-flight campaign.
One fan, Jaume Boix, summed up the positive feelings of fans as he reflected: "It brings more money into the club to consolidate our position in the top division and sign better players."
Is there a conflict of interests?
Not everyone is happy with City's latest move, however, with serious concern sparked by the fact that Girona Football Group - the co-owners of Girona alongside City Football Group - is headed by none other than Pere Guardiola, Pep's younger brother and agent.
There are obvious ethical concerns about that scenario, and however untrue they might be, City will always be forced to endure suspicions that their deal with Girona is a dubious case of nepotism as the manager of one club helps his brother run another.
It's also easy to imagine how alarm bells would ring if, for example, Girona follow in the footsteps of another small-town team, Villarreal, and end up qualifying for the Champions League, where they could be drawn to play against their owners.
And although they are happy enough for now, Girona fans might not be quite so comfortable if suspicions ever arise that City's loanees are being given preferential treatment, or if key decisions about tactics and the recruitment of players and coaches are being taken in Manchester rather than Girona.
City are aware of these objections and relaxed about them, insisting the long-term vision is bigger than the personalities involved and emphasising they will not be exerting any direct influence over footballing decisions at Girona, despite co-owning the club.
According to City, the fact that Pep and Pere Guardiola are brothers comes a long way secondary to the fact that they - and other key management personnel at both clubs - share complementary ideas about how football clubs should be run and how football teams should play
City also believe their alliance with Girona is nothing out of the ordinary, with other English clubs already enjoying close relationships with teams in other countries such as Chelsea's partnership with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem - although the fact that City actually own Girona, with the assistance of their manager's brother, obviously takes their arrangement to a much higher level of commitment.
A new derby for La Liga
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After scoring nine goals in the season's opening five games, Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mates will attempt to maintain their 100% record at the top of La Liga this weekend with a brand new local derby.
Until now, the city of Girona and its provinces has been Barca 'territory', with most locals supporting the Blaugrana and heading down to the Nou Camp in their thousands every other week.
The local team barely got a look-in, with Girona struggling to attract more than two or three thousand fans even during last season's promotion campaign.
But now that is changing. More and more Girona natives are starting to support the city's team, and capacity at their quaint Montilivi stadium has been increased to 13,000 with the addition of temporary stands.
And they have made a bright start to the season, taking a 2-0 lead over Atletico Madrid on the opening day before being pegged back for a 2-2 draw, and then beating Malaga to claim their first top flight victory.
Led by experienced manager Pablo Machin, who is in his fourth full season with the club, Girona employ a Guardiola-esque passing game, using wingbacks to stretch the width of the pitch while local boys turned good Alex Granell and Pere Pons control the centre.
They are enjoyable to watch, and with the support of their quintet of City loanees they should have every chance of extending their stay in the top flight beyond one season.
Beyond that, there's no saying how far their alliance with City will take them. And if it proves successful, maybe more Premier League clubs will be tempted to follow the same model.
Reserve teams overseas? It might just catch on.
The Man City players at Girona
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Douglas Luiz: City have high hopes for this 19 year-old striker, who was signed from Vasco da Gama in his native Brazil this summer and immediately loaned to Girona. He has made just three brief substitute appearances from the bench so far in Spain.
Marlos Moreno: 20 year-old Colombian international forward who joined City for £5m from Atletico Nacional in 2016 and spent last season with an injury-disrupted loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna. Has not yet made his Girona debut
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Striker Marlos Moreno failed to score a single goal in 19 games for Deportivo La Coruna last season
Larry Kayode: Another striker, the Nigerian international was snapped up from Austria Vienna in the summer and, like Luiz, sent straight to Girona on loan. The 24 year-old has appeared in every Girona game so far this season, including one start, but his biggest contribution so far was a fairly spectacular dive to win a penalty in the last minute of last weekend's meeting with Sevilla. But skipper Alex Granell missed the spot kick and Sevilla won 1-0.
Pablo Maffeo: Barcelona-born full-back who started out at Espanyol before moving to City two years ago. This is his third season on loan with Girona after making 14 appearances during last year's promotion campaign, and he started the first four games of the new La Liga season, delivering some bright displays from his raiding wing-back position.
Aleix Garcia: A midfielder who has been capped at every youth international level, the 20 year-old started out with Villarreal before joining City in 2015. He made his City debut under Manuel Pellegrini and played a handful of games last season before heading to Girona, where he made his debut as a substitute in last weekend's meeting with Sevilla, nearly scoring with a long-range strike.

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OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool are plotting a move for 18-year-old Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano. (Bild)

Manchester United are considering a move for 27-year-old Santos midfielder Lucas Lima, who is out of contract at the start of this year. (Talkshyte)

Juventus chief Beppe Marotta says the Italian club will be powerless to prevent forward Paulo Dybala leaving for Barcelona if the 23-year-old wants the move. (Sun)

Arsenal have made an approach to sign 19-year-old Marseille defender Christopher Rocchia (Foot Mercato)

However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger says the club are no longer interested in signing West Brom's 29-year-old centre-back Jonny Evans, who was linked with them this summer. (Daily Star)

Aston Villa are one of five Championship clubs reported to be keeping tabs on Rangers' Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos, 21, following a goal-laden beginning in Scotland that has seen him score eight times in 10 games. (Birmingham Mail)

Wayne Rooney has hired an ex-Manchester United bodyguard known as 'Big Ginge', who has been driving him to Everton training after his two-year driving ban. (Daily Mail)

Midfielder Paul Pogba, 24, has being ordered to take a 10-day holiday by Manchester United ahead of his rehab for a hamstring injury. (Sun)

Antoine Griezmann utilised the lyrics to Three Lions on Twitter to welcome striker Diego Costa back to Atletico Madrid, after it was announced he would be returning to the Spanish club from Chelsea. "Is coming hooome, is coming hooome," wrote the French forward.

Chelsea's sale of Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid means the club have made nearly £500m by selling players they no longer need since January 2014. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 23, crashed his car on his way home from training - but escaped serious injury. (Sun)

Before he left for Chelsea, striker Alvaro Morata, 24, warned Real Madrid president Florentino Perez that manager Zinedine Zidane's preferential treatment of players would hinder the La Liga champions this season. (Don Balo)

Former England manager Steve McClaren is one of the favourites to succeed Harry Redknapp as the new Birmingham City boss. (Birmingham Mail)

Arsene Wenger admits he was keen on bringing Gareth Barry to Arsenal back in 2009, but the now 36-year-old midfielder opted to move to Manchester City from Aston Villa instead. (Metro)

GOLDEN BOLLOX
On this day in 2014

Liverpool poised to make Joe Hart move with goalkeeper fearing for his Manchester City future
Liverpool have emerged as potential suitors for goalkeeper Joe Hart with the England international reportedly fearing for his Manchester City future after revealing that the club have not spoken to him about a new deal.
As an important player with under two years left on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium outfit, Hart would have expected to have entered into contract negotiations by now, and is worried about the reasons behind the lack of activity, according to the Daily Mail.
The 27-year-old has conceded that he has heard nothing about a new contract, and is unaware of what the club’s intentions are.
‘Anything about a new contract is news to me,’ Hart said.
‘I’ve heard nothing. I’ve got a year, nearly two years, left on my deal. That is all I am aware of.’
There wouldn’t be a shortage of suitors should Hart become sufficiently unsettled at City, and interest from Liverpool would certainly make sense after some unconvincing performances from Simon Mignolet have already seen the Reds pursue a back-up goalkeeper in the form of Victor Valdes.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, 29, tweeted to apologise to fans after his sending-off for two yellow cards against Chelsea, but also posted a picture of Diego Costa grabbing him around the neck to express his disbelief at how the Spanish striker avoided a red card.

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Frank Lampard close to tears and lost for words after scoring the equaliser he didn't expect for Manchester City against Chelsea
Chelsea old boy Frank Lampard admitted he was almost speechless after coming off the bench to deny former boss Jose Mourinho victory at Manchester City.
The 36-year-old midfielder, who was serenaded by the visiting fans at the Etihad Stadium, struck five minutes from time after being picked out by James Milner to cancel out Andre Schurrle's 71st-minute opener.
Lampard told Sky Sports: 'It's a really difficult one. I'd be unprofessional if I didn't come on and do my job, so I was trying to get into the box and it was a great ball back from Milly.
'It's a tough one for me. I had 13 amazing years with the Chelsea fans, so I am mixed with it. I am obviously pleased the team I play for got a draw.
'I am a little lost for words. I didn't expect to come on and score like that. I came on and the Chelsea fans were singing, and that's emotional. Then I am playing for this club, who have taken me in brilliantly as well, so I am really stuck in the middle here.'
Delighted City boss Manuel Pellegrini insisted he had no qualms about using Lampard after speaking to him before the game, during which City defender Pablo Zabaleta was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
He said: 'I asked him if he wanted to be involved, and of course he wanted to be involved. That shows how great a professional Lampard is.
'I am sure he was not happy to score against such an important team in his career, but he's a good professional, he is a very good player.'
Opposite number Jose Mourinho, for whom Lampard was such a key figure during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, was pragmatic about the former England midfielder's contribution.
Mourinho said: 'He is a Man City player. I don't believe in these histories of passion and heart, I don't believe in these. Maybe I am too pragmatic in football.
'When he decided to come to Man City, a direct competitor of Chelsea, love stories are over. He did his job as the super professional he is, and he did well.'

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Manuel Pellegrini criticises 'small team' Chelsea after draw
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said Chelsea played like a "small team" during Sunday's 1-1 draw and criticised their defensive style.
Andre Schurrle put Chelsea ahead before Frank Lampard levelled for 10-man City.
Pellegrini, 61, said: "I think we played 90 minutes against a small team trying to defend.
"I would not be happy to play that way. Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continued to defend until the end."
Pellegrini likened Chelsea's style to that of Stoke's, who beat the Premier League champions 1-0 at the Etihad in August.
"I think we played against exactly the same team we played against Stoke here," he added. "It was very difficult for us to score but finally we did. The result is not what both teams did during 90 minutes.
"I don't want to analyse Chelsea. What the other teams do, it is not my duty to analyse."
City battled back into contention following the second-half sending off of Pablo Zabaleta after the Argentina defender was involved in a tussle with Chelsea's in-form striker Diego Costa.
"I am happy because our team played in one way, we continued playing with 11 players, trying to score, and with one player less trying not to have another counter attack and concede a goal," said Pellegrini.
"We continue with the same ambition, teams will find it hard to beat us. The team performance was very good."
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.Man City 1-1 Chelsea: Premier League is crazy, says Mourinho
Responding to Pellegrini's criticisms, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said: "Many times he says he doesn't speak about me or my team but he continues to do so. Don't ask me about these words."
It was left to former Stamford Bridge midfielder Lampard, on loan at City from New York City FC until January, to secure the point which ensures City remain five adrift of league leaders Chelsea.
Pellegrini said he knew the former England international, who scored 211 goals in 648 appearances for the London club, would have an impact against his long-time team-mates.
"I was sure that if Frank Lampard plays he will score, things like that happen in football," he said.
Lampard was applauded by the fans of both Manchester City and Chelsea
"He will be a very important player for us. From the beginning he has been involved 100% in every day.
"I think that maybe he was not happy to score against such an important team for him, but he is very professional."

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Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, in the January transfer window for £11m. (Caughtoffside.com)

Manchester United will tear up their loan deal for Radamel Falcao and send the 28-year-old Colombia striker back to Monaco if he suffers a recurrence of his knee problems. (Daily Express)

QPR boss Harry Redknapp wanted to sign Stoke striker Peter Crouch, 33, for a fifth time on transfer deadline day but Potters boss Mark Hughes vetoed the move. (Guardian)

Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United could be set for a transfer battle as they are all monitoring Fulham forward Patrick Roberts, 17. (Daily Mirror)

Leicester City midfielder and big summer signing Esteban Cambiasso says he used to hide before football training as a youngster - because he wanted to become a basketball player . (Daily Mirror)

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticised Manchester United for not signing a top defender in the transfer window after watching their 5-3 defeat by Leicester City on Sunday. (DSSC)

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan will step up moves to secure Russell Slade as the club's new manager while Chris Hughton and Steve Clarke are also leading candidates. (Western Mail)

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has criticised current boss Ronny Deila for questioning the fitness of the team he left behind. (Daily Record)

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has promised to give Alan Pardew time to turn the club's fortunes around. (Sun )

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino accused his players of showing "a lack of passion" during their 1-0 Premier League defeat by West Bromwich Albion. (Daily Express)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged striker Danny Welbeck, 23, to use former Gunners forward Thierry Henry as his inspiration to succeed at the club. (Daily Telegraph)

Leicester City supporters were equally as stunned by the manner of their 5-3 win over Manchester United on Sunday as they were by left-back Paul Konchesky, 33, no longer having a shaved head. Many fans took to Twitter to debate what he now looks like.
Last edited by Chinners on Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby london blue 2 » Fri Sep 22, 2017 6:51 am

How do Chelsea keep demanding these fees for their cast offs. Impressive negotiations.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby PeterParker » Fri Sep 22, 2017 7:05 am

I am really tired of this Sanchez saga. Fuck him.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby Hutch's Shoulder » Fri Sep 22, 2017 7:22 am

Thanks Chinners! Some more substantial articles today, on tactics and Girona. I have a colleague from Girona, but he is a convinced Barca fan and knows little about what City are doing there.

I'm a bit surprised PSG didn't include Raheem in their offer for Sanchez :D

Pity the Birmingham fans if they go from 'Arry to Wally.

Big Ginge sound like one of Rooney's 'dates' :lol:
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby BlueinBosnia » Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:51 am

On the subject of Girona and conflict of interests, with the upcoming Catalan referendum, any future independence would see them as a shoe-in for European competitions in the future, considering there's only them, Barcelona, Espanyol (who'd probably change their name, come to think of it) and Tarragona who've played in the top flight in recent history. Barca's strength (providing it continued under such a scenario) would probably give the league a 2nd CL place on coefficient points, entering them into the 3rd qualifying round for the league route, which would quite realistically see them reaching the group stages on occasion.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby Foreverinbluedreams » Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:57 am

BlueinBosnia wrote:On the subject of Girona and conflict of interests, with the upcoming Catalan referendum, any future independence would see them as a shoe-in for European competitions in the future, considering there's only them, Barcelona, Espanyol (who'd probably change their name, come to think of it) and Tarragona who've played in the top flight in recent history. Barca's strength (providing it continued under such a scenario) would probably give the league a 2nd CL place on coefficient points, entering them into the 3rd qualifying round for the league route, which would quite realistically see them reaching the group stages on occasion.


Our involvement would hardly be worthwhile if they were playing in a Catalan league, the plug would be pulled if that were the case.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby fangsanalsatan » Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:13 am

Even in a hypothetical scenario of a Catalan independence, surely the affected clubs would still continue playing in the Spanish league system, at least in the top flights, akin to Swansea, Cardiff, Monaco and the likes.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby BlueinBosnia » Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:28 am

fangsanalsatan wrote:Even in a hypothetical scenario of a Catalan independence, surely the affected clubs would still continue playing in the Spanish league system, at least in the top flights, akin to Swansea, Cardiff, Monaco and the likes.

The Spanish league have ruled that out. Monaco and Wales are different scenarios, though, as their agreements predate current rules on this. In ex-Yugoslavia, although a few clubs played in other countries' leagues for a short period, it's only Trepca that I know of that plays outside its own league system, and they're in Serbia's 4th league. I suppose Vaduz from Liechtenstein would be comparable, though.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby fangsanalsatan » Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:25 am

BlueinBosnia wrote:
fangsanalsatan wrote:Even in a hypothetical scenario of a Catalan independence, surely the affected clubs would still continue playing in the Spanish league system, at least in the top flights, akin to Swansea, Cardiff, Monaco and the likes.

The Spanish league have ruled that out.

That could be just posturing by Tebas for now.

I'm not very versed on this topic, but are there specific rules in place to prevent this or would it not be possible to create exceptions again? The LFP has an exception in place for FC Andorra, so could do the same for certain Catalan clubs, if they wanted.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Foreverinbluedreams » Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:34 am

The Spanish League have ruled it out in theory BiB, let's see what happens when/if they're faced with the reality of it.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby BlueinBosnia » Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:45 am

fangsanalsatan wrote:
BlueinBosnia wrote:
fangsanalsatan wrote:Even in a hypothetical scenario of a Catalan independence, surely the affected clubs would still continue playing in the Spanish league system, at least in the top flights, akin to Swansea, Cardiff, Monaco and the likes.

The Spanish league have ruled that out.

That could be just posturing by Tebas for now.

I'm not very versed on this topic, but are there specific rules in place to prevent this or would it not be possible to create exceptions again? The LFP has an exception in place for FC Andorra, so could do the same for certain Catalan clubs, if they wanted.


From what I understand, it would depend upon whether the team was 'integral' to the league, or merely a 'guest'. My guess is that the Spanish FA needs Barcelona to maintain the La Liga 'brand', and so (were this just to be hot air from Tebas) they'd be invited to be an 'integral' member, allowing them to represent Spain in European Competitions. However, there could be all kinds of barriers thrown up to prevent this happening (from both Spain and Catalonia's sides, as well as uncountable third parties). The default situation would be, however, from UEFA's point of view, that different country = different league.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Dwaring » Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:57 am

I have a feeling if faced with the reality of no longer profiting off Barca, they might ease their stance. Money talks.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Swales4ever » Fri Sep 22, 2017 11:18 am

Peaks... :? :?: :arrow: :idea: :idea: :idea: just when anyone thought a new Chinners' peak was hit [yesterday], here come such a Luxury, Royal I'd say, issue of the B*ll*x (tm) ... look better than the Great Bull down then in the 60s.

Can't just tell how jubilant am on seeing that, finally a logo, so inspiringly matching the trademark, has been found. :D :D :D

Such an inspirational outbreak looks like You've just went through one of those glittering, flamboyant Loony pre-ballot winning parties, Your Chinshood. ;)

Indeed, today's edition is so loaded, it would be a shame to single out just one of the topics.

And what about the WAGing?
I never felt sentimental ties with my sofas or other furniture tbh, but that pair of birds reeeeally reminded me how lovely was being in my 30s. on my best bragging effort, I just can expect to go toe to toe with the golden one... :( :o :twisted: :roll:

1. "unintelligible language"
2. "ACID QUEEN"
3. "never once fails to turn a football thread into a himseelf thread"
4. "thumbs stalker often resulting in repetitive thumb strain"
5. ignore the cunt. he's on permantent wum mission. only TIDs may know City

You'd need to make a very good psychiatrist in order to guess what next in a eight yrs long line of hatred...


In Roger Ailes/Donnie Drumpf's words: "don't know it for a fact, but many people say so..."
there must be some truth, then!
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Wonderwall » Fri Sep 22, 2017 12:38 pm

BlueinBosnia wrote:
fangsanalsatan wrote:
BlueinBosnia wrote:
fangsanalsatan wrote:Even in a hypothetical scenario of a Catalan independence, surely the affected clubs would still continue playing in the Spanish league system, at least in the top flights, akin to Swansea, Cardiff, Monaco and the likes.

The Spanish league have ruled that out.

That could be just posturing by Tebas for now.

I'm not very versed on this topic, but are there specific rules in place to prevent this or would it not be possible to create exceptions again? The LFP has an exception in place for FC Andorra, so could do the same for certain Catalan clubs, if they wanted.


From what I understand, it would depend upon whether the team was 'integral' to the league, or merely a 'guest'. My guess is that the Spanish FA needs Barcelona to maintain the La Liga 'brand', and so (were this just to be hot air from Tebas) they'd be invited to be an 'integral' member, allowing them to represent Spain in European Competitions. However, there could be all kinds of barriers thrown up to prevent this happening (from both Spain and Catalonia's sides, as well as uncountable third parties). The default situation would be, however, from UEFA's point of view, that different country = different league.


They could use our league as an example (Swansea & Cardiff) as to how they could remain in La Liga. Also they wouldnt just lose Barca, they would lose Espanyol and Girona too.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Mikhail Chigorin » Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:18 pm

Serious question but has this 'Big Ginge' bodyguard character been parachuted in to protect Scum reject Shrek, from revengeful actions by Mrs Shrek ??

Does anyone know how she's taken his latest amorous escapade, or have all the cracks now been happily papered over ??
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby CrownPointBlue » Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:30 am

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Serious question but has this 'Big Ginge' bodyguard character been parachuted in to protect Scum reject Shrek, from revengeful actions by Mrs Shrek ??

Does anyone know how she's taken his latest amorous escapade, or have all the cracks now been happily papered over ??


Who the hell gives a flying fig ??

This forum is about CITY & footballl.

We are playing some of the best stuff in the world & peeps are interested in two scroate scousers with no morals and too much money !!!

Stick to the footie.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Chinners » Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:41 am

Wrong side of the bed this morning?

I will take your advice to my honourable friend MC and edit out all non footie-type bollox, WAGS etc in future .... maybe
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Swales4ever » Sun Sep 24, 2017 1:09 pm

Chinners wrote:Wrong side of the bed this morning?

I will take your advice to my honourable friend MC and edit out all non footie-type bollox, WAGS etc in future .... maybe

Fuck sake!
don't even try You sod Loon! work the WAGs out as much as You please, but don't even dare to move the bulls off their B*llo*x!
I'll have all the Animalists' Causes ramping up to your feeble ass.

Seriously, I thought I was the only freak fool enough to have a slight dig at the highly reverred character of our gentle Chessmaster.... but ehy, mom of the freaks is always pregnant, or sth to the same effect...

1. "unintelligible language"
2. "ACID QUEEN"
3. "never once fails to turn a football thread into a himseelf thread"
4. "thumbs stalker often resulting in repetitive thumb strain"
5. ignore the cunt. he's on permantent wum mission. only TIDs may know City

You'd need to make a very good psychiatrist in order to guess what next in a eight yrs long line of hatred...


In Roger Ailes/Donnie Drumpf's words: "don't know it for a fact, but many people say so..."
there must be some truth, then!
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x (unpdated)

Postby Mikhail Chigorin » Sun Sep 24, 2017 3:33 pm

CrownPointBlue wrote:
Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Serious question but has this 'Big Ginge' bodyguard character been parachuted in to protect Scum reject Shrek, from revengeful actions by Mrs Shrek ??

Does anyone know how she's taken his latest amorous escapade, or have all the cracks now been happily papered over ??


Who the hell gives a flying fig ??

This forum is about CITY & footballl.

We are playing some of the best stuff in the world & peeps are interested in two scroate scousers with no morals and too much money !!!

Stick to the footie.


I stand chastised and suitably admonished SS Obergruppenfuhrer. ;)
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