Tuesday's B*ll*x (updated)

[Chinners]

Adam Johnson insists club should have gone close to winning Premier League title
Manchester City midfielder Adam Johnson has admitted the expensive Eastlands team should have mounted a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
City need just one win from their remaining four games to secure a place in next season’s Champions League and have the chance to win their first trophy for 35 years when they face Stoke in the FA Cup final on May 28.
But after spending more than £250 million in the transfer market, City owner Sheikh Mansour would have expected a more sustained bid for the title, and Johnson said: “I’m disappointed that we are not in there. Personally, I think we should be and a lot of neutral people think we should be with the squad we have. But there was a couple of iffy results which we should have won.”
Since a 3-0 drubbing by Liverpool at Anfield, City have won their last three games, the first of them the momentous FA Cup semi-final triumph over Manchester United. Sunday’s defeat of West Ham took them seven points clear of Tottenham in the battle for the final Champions League place.
“At the start of the season we wanted to be top two and having been in the top four all season we want to keep pushing,” Johnson said. “We might yet finish even higher than fourth. We’ve just got to keep going. But that result at Liverpool didn’t mean we thought Spurs could catch us. We knew we still had a few points on them and we’ve pushed that gap to seven, which is massive for us.”
Johnson, 23, grew up watching Newcastle’s European exploits, and cannot wait for a first taste of the Champions League.
“I remember Barcelona [when Newcastle won 3-2 in 1997] and those nights — Faustino Asprilla and people like that,” the winger said. “Those were the nights when I was growing up as a kid. Obviously, night matches were a bit special for me. I can’t remember if I was allowed to stay up, or maybe I was just in the bedroom with my door locked. I remember the 3-2 game, [Keith] Gillespie set a few up with crosses. At that time, [David] Ginola was my idol, I looked to him and [Ryan] Giggs. But that night, Gillespie stood out as a winger. As an Englishman growing up, watching English clubs in the Champions League was massive. It’s the biggest club competition in the world. That’s what you dream about when you’re growing up as a kid, playing in massive arenas in massive games. We’ve still got a bit of work to do but it is ours to lose.”
The futures of several City players are in doubt ahead of the summer transfer window, with the club vying with United to sign Udinese’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez, and Carlos Tévez looking likely to leave.
But Johnson insists there is harmony in the dressing room, despite some high-profile bust-ups.
“I think we had the belief we would do it,” he said. “It was just about going on the pitch and doing it. I think we always had that belief. A lot is made about us not being a close group but I’ve not been in a better dressing room for banter and the lads knitting as one.
“A lot has been made of it, but we’ve always had the belief and I think you could say it’s made us even stronger now, the way the results have gone. People say beating United was a turning point but hopefully there will be a lot of other big things in years to come. Hopefully, we’re going to make history and push on to win even more trophies.’

No Carlos Tevez talks at Internazionale, claims Massimo Moratti
27-year-old striker reportedly met Inter officials on trip to Italy• Argentinian has lengthy contract at City
Internazionale's president Massimo Moratti said his club have not held any talks about a move to sign the Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez this summer.
The Argentinian was reported to have met Inter officials during a recent trip to Italy but Moratti said there has been no contact between his club and the 27-year-old.
When asked about Tevez's recent trip to Milan, Moratti said: "I saw that on TV but there is no connection at all with us."
Tevez has three years remaining on his City contract but there is growing speculation he will leave this summer, having made a transfer request in December before later withdrawing it.

Lavezzi will not leave Napoli for Man City
Manchester City have been told top transfer target Ezequiel Lavezzi will not be leaving Napoli this summer.
The Argentina striker is one of the most sought after players in Europe after firing his club to third in Serie A and one win away from qualifying for the Champions League - with Roberto Mancini reportedly topping his list of admirers.
But the 25-year-old's representative, Alejandro Mazzoni, has revealed his client wants to remain in Naples and test himself against some of Europe's super-powers next season.
Mazzoni told Italian station Kiss Radio: "Lavezzi want to play in the Champions League with Napoli - his intention is to play against Barcelona and Lionel Messi.
"I have not received any calls from any club, but if I were to, there would be nothing to negotiate."talkSHYTE

Man City offer Bellamy and Boyata as bait in attempt to land Cahill
Manchester City are prepared to offer Craig Bellamy and Dedryck Boyata plus cash to Bolton this summer in an attempt to land £22million-rated England defender Gary Cahill.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle is understood to be an admirer of both Wales striker Bellamy, who has spent this season on loan at his hometown club Cardiff City, and central defender Boyata, 20, who made his Belgium debut last October.
Coyle may have trouble persuading Bellamy to move to Bolton, with wages also an issue given that he is paid £80,000 a week at City.

Bayern eye £15m move for City's injury plagued defender Jerome Boateng
Bayern Munich are ready to follow up their interest in Manchester City's Jerome Boateng with a £15million offer for the Germany defender.
Sportsmail revealed Bayern's interest earlier this year but Boateng's agent Jorg Neubauer insisted only last week that no deal had been discussed.
However, Bayern are drawing up transfer plans to bring in top German talent alongside goalkeeeper Manuel Neuer from Schalke and want Boateng - instead of former target Gregory van der Wiel of Ajax - to cover at right back and play centre half.
Boateng, 22, arrived at City with a big reputation but has struggled with niggling injuries.
Meanwhile, City's hopes of signing 22-year-old Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez were dented further yesterday as his representatives held talks with Real Madrid. Manchester United are also keen on the £30m-rated Chile player but the lure of playing in Madrid could threaten both Manchester clubs' chances.
And City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, currently on loan at Real, is wanted by Fenerbahce. The Turkish side were interested in the 27-year-old Togo player back in January. Mail

OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to spend up to £80m to add flair to the team. The likes of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Tottenham winger Gareth Bale are on his wanted list. the Sun

Blackburn have made a move for £13m-rated striker Papiss Cisse, who plays for German club Freiburg. the Sun

Birmingham keeper Ben Foster insists he does not want to leave the club despite interest from Tottenham and Arsenal. the Sun

Tottenham are chasing Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique Casimiro, who plays for Sao Paulo and is valued by the club at £5m. the Sun

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp went to watch Espanyol's Dani Osvaldo on Monday, and could be set to make a move for the £12m-rated forward. Daily Mail

Lazio, Roma and Juventus are all interested in signing Tottenham forward Niko Kranjcar, according to the player's agent. the Sun

Aston Villa have lost out to Real Madrid in the race to sign Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin. Daily Mail

Sunderland will send on-loan midfielder Sulley Muntari back to Inter Milan at the end of the season as they are unwilling to pay £8m to sign him permanently. the Sun

Stoke, West Brom and Sunderland are locked in a battle to sign Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan. the Sun

Newcastle and Rangers will fight it out for the signature of Southampton winger Jason Puncheon. Daily Mirror

QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt, the Championship's player of the year, has questioned whether he will be with the club next season. Daily Express

QPR boss Neil Warnock is eager to capture Watford's £3m-rated striker Danny Graham. (The Sun)

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is lining up a £2m bid for Bristol City midfielder Marvin Elliott. Express

Birmingham are lining up a move for Rangers left-back Sasa Papac. Daily Mail

Arsenal have held talks with Anderlecht's 14-year-old attacking midfielder Charly Musonda. The youngster was at the Emirates on Sunday to see the Gunners beat Manchester United.Daily Mail

Accrington midfielder Jimmy Ryan is in line for a dream move from the League Two club to Spanish side Real Zaragoza. (The Sun)

The Football Association is to scrutinise comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson about the refereeing decisions in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates. the Guardian

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny says it is "ridiculous" that some of the club's fans would like to see manager Arsene Wenger replaced following the Gunners' sixth year without a trophy. the Sun

But ex-Arsenal manager George Graham says he would have been sacked from the job had he gone as long without winning a trophy. Daily Express

West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan has admitted he prefers to watch the club's away matches on TV than travel to see them because of their appalling form on the road. the Sun

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra believes his side's Premier League title hopes will be wrecked on Sunday if they lose to second-placed Chelsea, who are three points behind but have an identical goal difference. Daily Mirror

Bayer Leverkusen defender and former Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 37. Daily Express

Former England captain and current LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham believes he can play on until his 39th birthday - another three years from now. the Sun

[mr_nool]

City need just one win from their remaining four games to secure a place in next season’s Champions League and have the chance to win their first trophy for 35 years when they face Stoke in the FA Cup final on May 28.

I don't really get the maths behind this statement. Spurs have still 4 games to play as well, and can end up at 67 points. We're sitting at 62 points, which would mean that we need two wins to be safe (as long as the goal difference stays roughly the same).

[gilford]

and the Final is on the 14th isn't it :-/

[Esky]

Nuri Sahin went to Real for 8m!? Would've been a perfect signing for us. Not sure who he'll displace in Madrid.

[Chinners]

Thats the Telegraph for you fella's

[Fesan]

Im sure they mean one win IF that win is vs spurs putting them at maximum 64 and us at 65:-)

[Goaters 103]

City need just one win from their remaining four games to secure a place in next season’s Champions League and have the chance to win their first trophy for 35 years when they face Stoke in the FA Cup final on May 28.

I don't really get the maths behind this statement. Spurs have still 4 games to play as well, and can end up at 67 points. We're sitting at 62 points, which would mean that we need two wins to be safe (as long as the goal difference stays roughly the same).

Draw with Spurs and one other win, and we cant be caught. Do not lose the Spurs home game is the easiest way to ensure we will be fine.

Lets be honest, anything we get ar Everton will be a bonus. Id snap your hands off at a draw.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

If Chelski spend £80m on Bale and Fabregas, since January they will have doled out in the region of £150m on four players (Bale, Fabregas, Luiz and Torres).

This figure is roughly the same amount Roberto Mancini has spent to (partly) assemble his own team and a figure the media are always quick to quote as a criticism against us (Alan Shearer last did it - in a feigned and mockingly surprised voice - on Match of the Day this weekend).

I just wonder how the media will play this; will it be used as a stick to rap Chelsea's knuckles, or will it be largely ignored ??

Furthermore, I don't know how such budget busting summer spending will fit in with the FFP regulations and Chelea's supposed, wholehearted endorsement of them.

[DoomMerchant]

If Chelski spend £80m on Bale and Fabregas, since January they will have doled out in the region of £150m on four players (Bale, Fabregas, Luiz and Torres).

This figure is roughly the same amount Roberto Mancini has spent to (partly) assemble his own team and a figure the media are always quick to quote as a criticism against us (Alan Shearer last did it - in a feigned and mockingly surprised voice - on Match of the Day this weekend).

I just wonder how the media will play this; will it be used as a stick to rap Chelsea's knuckles, or will it be largely ignored ??

Furthermore, I don't know how such budget busting summer spending will fit in with the FFP regulations and Chelea's supposed, wholehearted endorsement of them.

i believe that the media will not vilify Chelsea for the spend...it's seen as what's required to keep them at the top and he'll be praised mildly even in some circles for continuing to invest and showing his dedication to the project and the league.

it's a double standard that we can only cure by winning. Once we win, then all the money talk just goes away. Winning cures everything.

cheers

[avoidconfusion]

I would rather keep Boyata than give him (and Bellamy) away to get Cahill....

[Blue Since 76]

pretty sure liverpool will beat spurs, or at least not lose, so one win will be enough, but, at the moment, we mathematically need 6 points, or at least 5 and hope spurs don't batter someone.
No one will mention how much Chelsea spend, as they're a big club who deserve to be in the CL. For the semi, they showed a graphic for both balotelli and berbatov - guess which one showed the price? Guess which one was the most expensive?

[ant london]

I would rather keep Boyata than give him (and Bellamy) away to get Cahill....

I'd imagine that the Boyata "bait" would be a season loan rather than a sale. It's clear that Mancini rates him even if he recognises how young/raw he is. I cannot remotely see him wanting to flog Dedryk

In terms of our defence I'd say that the following are nailed on "keepers" in the squad next year:

Kompany
Lescott
Zabaleta
Richards

Boateng and Kolarov I can't see us selling and think Mancini will persevere with both BUT I think he will be looking for at least one new centre half as proper front line competition for Lescott and Vincent, maybe two new centre backs if Toure gets a long ban.

Bridge will be sold or re-loaned, as will Onuoha. I think McGivern will (or should) be going, as should Ben Mee and the likes of Vidal, Logan and Trippier (if one of them hasn't actually gone already). We need to clear the "not quite good enoughs" out this summer and leave some room for younger (and hopefully more talented) lads to come through.

Wabara and Boyata look to be the youngsters who Mancini sees most in, I think they will either stay around the squad or one (or both) out on loan.

In addition to the centre back(s) to come in I think we'll see a new left back to compete with/replace Kolarov as first choice

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I would rather keep Boyata than give him (and Bellamy) away to get Cahill....

I'd imagine that the Boyata "bait" would be a season loan rather than a sale. It's clear that Mancini rates him even if he recognises how young/raw he is. I cannot remotely see him wanting to flog Dedryk

In terms of our defence I'd say that the following are nailed on "keepers" in the squad next year:

Kompany
Lescott
Zabaleta
Richards

Boateng and Kolarov I can't see us selling and think Mancini will persevere with both BUT I think he will be looking for at least one new centre half as proper front line competition for Lescott and Vincent, maybe two new centre backs if Toure gets a long ban.

Bridge will be sold or re-loaned, as will Onuoha. I think McGivern will (or should) be going, as should Ben Mee and the likes of Vidal, Logan and Trippier (if one of them hasn't actually gone already). We need to clear the "not quite good enoughs" out this summer and leave some room for younger (and hopefully more talented) lads to come through.

Wabara and Boyata look to be the youngsters who Mancini sees most in, I think they will either stay around the squad or one (or both) out on loan.

In addition to the centre back(s) to come in I think we'll see a new left back to compete with/replace Kolarov as first choice

Whilst Boyata isn't the finished product I just don't see Cahill as any better.Of course he is a good centre half but not good enough imo.
Wabara does seem to be coming on and catching the manager's eye.Word I have heard is that he might well end up as a right back.

[london blue 2]

I would rather keep Boyata than give him (and Bellamy) away to get Cahill....

In terms of our defence I'd say that the following are nailed on "keepers" in the squad next year:

Kompany
Lescott
Zabaleta
Richards

I would NOT play any of the above in goal, surely it has to be Hart and A.N.Other

[Chinners]

ha ha

[ant london]

haha....I feel mocked!?!

[Mikhail Chigorin]

haha....I feel mocked!?!

I read your post and totally missed the humorous riposte as well, so I suppose on that basis I'm also 'mocked by association'.

Good innit ??!!

[Chinners]

I always thought Given was our back up keeper, when did we sign A.N.OTHER

[bobby brows]

Man City offer Bellamy and Boyata as bait in attempt to land Cahill
Manchester City are prepared to offer Craig Bellamy and Dedryck Boyata plus cash to Bolton this summer in an attempt to land £22million-rated England defender Gary Cahill.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle is understood to be an admirer of both Wales striker Bellamy, who has spent this season on loan at his hometown club Cardiff City, and central defender Boyata, 20, who made his Belgium debut last October.
Coyle may have trouble persuading Bellamy to move to Bolton, with wages also an issue given that he is paid £80,000 a week at City.

I've seen Cahill 3 times in the last week and I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole let alone sell of one of the most promising players to come through the academy!

Wanna see Bellamy fight for his place back too!

I would consider Cahill for a straight swap for Jo though?

I think if we offload all the other stiffs there could be a place for Neddy next year! Spoke to Marwood a few weeks ago at a Didsbury Blues meeting and asked him about Neddy...I'm not confident!

[Foreverinbluedreams]

In regards to the "150 million" it's worth noting that Spurs spent this amount over three transfer windows summer 2008 to summer 2009 when Commoli was calling the shots. This is the squad that Twitchy has done such a triffic job with yet the money spent is not acknowledged.