Afternoon B*LL*X Round-up[youtube]1_LdSS345As[/youtube]
ADE AUDIOManchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor - who is on loan at Real Madrid - tells BBC Africa he would "love" to stay at the Spanish club.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13566950.stmBatista acknowledges he has issues with Tevez Argentina coach Sergio Batista has said for the first time that he has personal issues with Carlos Tevez, which are likely to keep the Manchester City striker off the team for the Copa America — the South American championship.
Speaking late Wednesday after Argentina's 4-2 victory over Paraguay in a friendly, Batista said Tevez's chances to be on the team were "small." Argentina is expected to name its Copa America squad next week.
Batista said that during a meeting in December with Argentina assistant coaches Carlos Brown and Alejandor Tocalli, Tevez said "a thing that today has kept him off the team." Batista did not elaborate.
Argentina opens the Copa America on July 1 in a match against Bolivia. The tournament ends July 24.
Richards out of England U21 squadMicah Richards has become the latest player to withdraw from the Under-21 England squad for the European Championship in Denmark.
The Manchester City defender will play no part in this summer's tournament after suffering a hamstring injury. England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce is set to name a replacement soon.
Pearce has suffered a number of setbacks already with his young squad, with a number of key players having pulled out through injury. Pearce has until June 1st to find replacements for the players he has lost and to name his 23 man squad.
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has been ruled out through injury, whilst it has been decided that Arsenal's teenage star Jack Wilshere will not be made to travel after fears of fatigue.
Jay Spearing of Liverpool is another player unavilable following an injury he suffered on the final day of the Premier League season.
Tottenham full-back Kyle Naughton looks like one of the contenders to replace Richards in the squad.
City striker set for Twente moveFC Twente claim that Manchester City striker John Guidetti will move to the Netherlands this summer on a Bosman free transfer.
It is understood that City made a last-ditch contract offer to the 19-year-old in a bid to convince him to stay at Eastlands.
But Twente say they have agreed a deal and it has been reported that Guidetti, who was frustrated at his lack of opportunities at City, will arrive on a four-year contract.
Twente chairman Joop Munsterman told De Telegraaf: "If you have the chance to sign a big talent on a Bosman, you have to take that chance.
"Guidetti does not want to be the sixth-choice striker at Manchester City and wait for a possible chance."
Sweden Under 21 international Guidetti made just one appearance for City this season when he started the Carling Cup defeat to West Brom.
He was loaned to Championship side Burnley for a month in November and played five matches, scoring in the win over Barnsley.
OTHER BOLLOXWarnock won't be sacked - Briatore FLAVIO Briatore insists Neil Warnock's job at QPR is safe.
Speculation surfaced this week that Carlo Ancelotti was being lined up for the Loftus Road hotseat after being axed by west London neighbours Chelsea at the weekend.
Warnock's position at Rangers was also reported to be under threat after the departures of Ishan Saksena and Amit Bhatia.
However, co-owner Briatore says there are no plans to replace the 62-year-old.
He said: "The aim is to make sure next season we are competitive, to keep all the good players we have in the squad at the moment.
"The coach now is looking to set up a fantastic club for next year.
"As for players, this is the coach's decision. We completely trust Neil, and we will try and help him put together the best squad for us to be competitive in the Premier League.
"Not for one minute do we have doubts about Neil. Zero."
Hiddink ignores Blues link.Guus Hiddink refused to get drawn into speculation linking him with the vacant manager’s position at Stamford Bridge, the Guardian report.
As soon as news broke that Carlo Ancelotti was to leave Chelsea, the attention immediately switched to Hiddink who had a highly successful stint as manager of the west-London club, two-years ago.
Whilst the Dutchman says he misses club football he refused to let his attention sway from his duties as the Turkish national coach: “I have told the players they must focus on Belgium and the same goes for me. I am fully focused on getting the team ready for next Friday.” He continued.
“I am not going into speculation, I am fully concentrated. I demand full commitment from myself so I will not go into speculation.”
Norwich are being linked with a summer swoop for Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard and Everton striker James Vaughan.
Highly-rated City manager Paul Lambert, who is set to sign a new long-term deal at Carrow Road, has been told he can spend the majority of the club’s TV cash as Norwich attempt to establish themselves as a top-flight team.
Lambert is reported to be looking for British players with Barclays Premier League experience given that most of his current squad have not played in the top tier.
Bullard, 32, enjoyed a successful loan spell at Ipswich last season, scoring five goals in 16 games, while 22-year-old Vaughan netted nine times in a temporary switch to Crystal Palace.
Ipswich were hoping to keep Bullard at Portman Road next season but a return to a Premier League club may appeal more.
Lambert also intends to keep faith with most of his existing squad who have secured back-to-back promotions.
Meanwhile, the Norwich squad has recently jetted home from an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas paid for by City chief Delia Smith as a reward for their success.