INTERNATIONAL CLASS: David Silva
Hammer of the Scots David Silva is buzzing – and is ready to set about Aston Villa for Manchester City on Saturday.
The Blues midfielder scored twice and was outstanding as Spain maintained their 100 per cent record in the Euro 2012 qualifiers with a 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday night.
The first goal was the culmination of a 42-touch, 11-player move that summed up perfectly why Spain are the dominant force in world football.
Silva is now back in training with the Blues as they seek to continue their best start to a season since 1897.
He was in mercurial form for his country and now hopes to keep that going for the Blues as well.
He said: “I’m happy because we’ve completed a very good qualification phase, winning every game. They were two difficult games, against Czech Republic and Scotland, and they’ve come out very well. Personally I’m very happy with the two goals I’ve scored and because things are going well for me both at club level as well as the national team.
“I’m very happy about my game and I hope to carry on like this.”
Silva was one of several City stars who revved up for a crucial eight days in their season with some stellar performances for their countries.
Blues aces bagged eight goals in the European Championship qualifiers all told – and that was with main strikers Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli, as well as Carlos Tevez, all out of action.
City return to action after a fortnight’s interval with a sell-out crowd for the home game with Aston Villa on Saturday – followed by a must-win Champions League fixture against Villarreal and then the trip across town for the Manchester derby a week on Sunday.
And their key players sharpened up for an intense month of league and cup football with some stand-out displays in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Midfield maestro Silva led the way with two left-footed strikes. In the most tense match of the night, it was two City men who dominated in Paris as Edin Dzeko gave Bosnia-Herzegovina a shock lead with a terrific turn and curling shot from the edge of the box which threatened to knock France into the play-offs.
But Dzeko’s pal Samir Nasri clinched top spot for the French, enticing a penalty out of a beleaguered Bosnian defence and then confidently converting it himself – giving Roberto Mancini an obvious option to replace Tevez as penalty taker.
Dzeko had also scored in the win over Luxembourg on Friday to get the weekend off to a great start for City’s international brigade.
The Toure brothers weighed in with a goal apiece as the Ivory Coast completed their African Nations Cup qualification campaign with a 2-1 home win over Burundi.
Kolo rounded off an attack by Arsenal ace Gervinho to give his team the lead and after Burundi equalised, Yaya rose to head home a late corner and ensure the Ivorians ended with a perfect record of six wins from six.
Even Vincent Kompany was on the scoresheet on Friday, as Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1, volleying home after Igor de Camargo’s header had been parried by the goalkeeper.
But the week turned sour for City’s skipper as the Belgians lost in Germany on Tuesday to miss out on a play-off place.
City also took some benefit from the two-week break for internationals, as Yaya Toure only played one game, while Nigel de Jong was given additional time to recover from his recent foot injury by sitting on the bench for Holland’s two games.
Micah Richards also saw no action for England, while Gael Clichy and Joleon Lescott both had a break from football.
In another boost for the Blues, 19-year-old City midfielder Mohammed Abu – who is currently on loan at Norwegian side Stromsgodset – made his Ghana debut in the victory over Sudan
Aguero gives Manchester City a boost as striker looks set to face Villarreal in Champions League
Manchester City’s other Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero has given the club a boost as it emerged that he will be fit for next week’s crunch Champions League game against Villarreal.
It is understood that the groin injury Aguero suffered playing against Blackburn 12 days ago will keep him out of this weekend’s Barclays Premier League clash at home to Aston Villa.
Returning hero: Sergio Aguero is set to feature in City's must-win game against Villarreal
But City’s medical staff have examined the South American on his return after the international break and have told manager Roberto Mancini that his star striker will be ready for Villarreal and the Manchester derby that follows a week on Sunday.
City have just a point after two Champions League games and desperately need a win against the Spanish team at the Etihad Stadium if they are to have any hope of qualifying for the knock out stages of the competition.
City’s Italian striker Mario Balotelli will be fit for the weekend after suffering a back strain.
Adam Johnson accepts limited game time in Manchester City squad rotation
The England international has made just two appearances so far this season, but accepts that Roberto Mancini has too many quality players at his disposal for him to play every game
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson admits he is comfortable with being part of the squad rotation policy at the club, saying he would be happy playing every other game.
The England international scored a classy goal in City’s 4-0 demolition of Blackburn before the international break, having not been involved in the trip to Bayern Munich in midweek before that game.
“We know more than ever before that this is a squad game and you have to accept that you can’t play in every game,” Johnson told the club’s official website.
“That’s what successful sides do and we’re no different. You just have to make sure that when you are selected, you give it your best shot.
“The manager wanted to freshen things up after the Bayern Munich game by bringing some of the lads who didn’t play in that game so it’s up to the likes of me to stake a claim when I play.
“We are aware that there are plenty of games coming up and we want to win every competition we’re in, so there will be a lot of chopping and changing as the season goes on, that’s only to be expected.
“If there are two games a week and you play in one of those games, I think you have to be happy with that - it’s the price of playing at such a big club.
“You physically can’t play in every single game and if you want to win trophies and be successful, you have to play your part and give everything when called upon.”
The 24-year-old also stated that the heavy victory at Ewood Park was a sign of the club’s strength in depth.
“It showed at Blackburn that we can bring in five or six different players after a Champions League game and we are still just as strong because not many teams will go to Ewood Park and win 4-0,” he concluded.
Johnson has featured just twice for the Citizens in the Premier League so far this season.
Balotelli earns Zoff praise
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli backed to deliver the goods
Italian World Cup winner Dino Zoff has lavished praise on Mario Balotelli, claiming the Manchester City man can prove a valuable asset to his country during next summer European Championships.
The City forward has seen a tempestuous relationship with club manager Roberto Mancini mare the first 12 months of his City career.
Under Cesare Prandelli, Italy comfortably qualified for Euro 2012, and Zoff expects Balotelli to be the country's wide-card come the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
“Prandelli has done an excellent job,” Zoff said. “However, it was hard to believe that the side wouldn’t pick themselves up after their horrible World Cup.
“It’s true that there are a lot of foreigners playing over here, but the Italian championship always offers good solutions.”
Zoff added: “Mario Balotelli has notable potential and he could be an added value to this team.
“But the need for a powerful striker depends on how the team moves and what the smaller attacking players can offer with their class and speed.
“The important thing is to have attackers in your squad who know where the goal is.”
Despite turning in match winning performances against the likes of Everton and Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks, the attitude of the 21-year-old has often led to fracas with Mancini, or on the pitch.
In his first three months at City, Balottelli was sent off twice, against West Bromwich Albion and Dynamo Kiev, raising questions over whether the forward has the temperament to cut it in the Barclays Premier League.
Juventus cool Tevez talk
Juventus are not in negotiations with Manchester City about a possible deal for Carlos Tevez, sporting director Beppe Marotta has revealed.
Following the news that fellow Italian giants Inter Milan are set to end their pursuit of the want-away Argentinean, who was suspended by City for allegedly refusing to play against Bayern Munich, Juve have now insisted Tevez is not their primary target.
The Serie A giants were understood to be one of the main contenders to land Tevez, who is highly likely to leave after manager Roberto Mancini said he will never play for the club again under his tenure.
But, although he refused to rule out a future move for Tevez, Marotta says he has not spoken to City about a potential January move.
"It's normal that [manager] Antonio Conte wants to strengthen the team to challenge with the best," he said. "But we have a squad that presently meets our needs, then with each passing Sunday we'll evaluate things.
"Conte gave us some names and a list of positions he would like to see improved and we will look into the market and see if from now until January we can find an interesting deal.
"It is clear that Tevez is a great player and we are a great club so the link is normal, but to go from that to say that we are in talks for him is misleading. At the moment we are not in negotiations with Manchester City."
Mascherano slams 'ugly' City
Carlos Tevez and Manchester City remain at loggerheads and the player has found an ally in his Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano who has called the club's treatment of the forward "ugly".
Tevez has been suspended and fined, with further punishment seemingly on the way, after failing to go on as a substitute against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Tevez claimed he merely refused to warm up for a second time but City are backing manager Roberto Mancini's version of events.
The forward flew back to England this week for more talks with City and he has been backed by his national colleague.
"Carlitos has done so much for Man City that I think it is so ugly what they are doing to him now," Barcelona midfielder Mascherano is quoted as saying in The Sun. "I can't believe what is going on.
"Everyone attacks him even when he can't defend himself. It is so unfair.
"But England is a complicated place because when something like this happens everyone attacks you."
Former Manchester City man Jeff Whitley opens up about drug addiction
Former Manchester City midfielder Jeff Whitley has opened up about the cocaine addiction which blighted the latter years of his career.
The 32-year-old, who won 20 caps for Northern Ireland, was sent home from a squad in 2005 after breaking a curfew ahead of games against Azerbaijan and England to go drinking with team-mate Phil Mulryne.
But it was after moving from Sunderland to Cardiff in 2005 that he began to use class A drugs.
"I'd been on humongous benders. It wasn't just alcohol, it was cocaine and a mixture of other drugs," he told BBC Radio Manchester in an interview to be broadcast today.
"The cocaine just enabled me to drink more. From being so drunk, to then having some cocaine, and then being able to go another two or three days.
"I remember Dave Jones (Cardiff manager at the time) at one point said to me 'Jeff, don't come in but we'll still pay you' (because of his drinking).
"I never took any other drug apart from alcohol and cigarettes when I was playing at the time. When Dave Jones said that to me I thought 'I've never tried cocaine, I'd give it a blast' and when I did I thought 'wow, this is what I'm missing'.
"I was hooked that quick. If you're an addict you can get hooked on computer games, texting, eating... it doesn't matter what it is.
"When it comes to class A drugs then you're in trouble."
Whitley, who also represented Wrexham, Notts County, Stoke, Woodley Sports and Northwich in a 13-year career, has confronted his demons during a spell in the Sporting Chance Clinic and is now sober.
Manchester City cool on Liverpool TV plea
Manchester City have distanced themselves from Liverpool's demand for more cash from television rights.
And Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes giving the Premier League's bigger clubs extra money from overseas TV deals will ‘kill the heart and soul’ of English football.
Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre said the top teams, as Real Madrid and Barcelona do in Spain, should get a greater share of the £1.4bn cash generated from overseas TV deals, which is currently shared equally between all 20 clubs.
But City and United, along with Arsenal and Chelsea, are all against a change from the current scheme.
“The subject has never been up for debate inside the club or externally,” said a City statement. “We are well aware of the benefits of the collective selling of Premier League TV rights.”
United have always been a supporter of the current scheme and chief executive David Gill told a Parliamentary committee earlier this year: “The collective selling of the television rights has clearly been a success and it has made things more competitive.”
With a two-thirds majority needed from the clubs to change the current deal, it is unlikely Ayre will get his wish.
But Whelan is outraged he even mentioned it. “I find the comments diabolical,” he said.
“They are thinking: ‘How can we get more money?’ You won't get more money by killing the heart and soul of the Premier League.
“We will finish up like the Spanish league with just two teams in it, no competition, no heart and soul in the league.
“What we have is the finest league in the whole world and what Liverpool are calling for would absolutely wreck it.
“The likes of Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves and Newcastle couldn't compete.”
Bolton were singled out by Ayre as one of the teams which causes viewers to switch off. Ironically, four Wanderers matches have already been shown live this season
[spoiler]Martina Colombari. Italian glamour model and WAG of former Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta.
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal are looking to sign £6.5m-rated Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia in the January transfer window. TalkShit
Villarreal have warned off Manchester United from making a bid for highly-rated midfielder Bruno Soriano after the Red Devils sent scouts to watch him in action. Metro
QPR are planning to sign Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong in January, who they almost signed in the summer only for the move to fall apart when Spurs failed to talk Bolton into selling them England centre-back Gary Cahill. Daily Mirror
Celtic are close to signing free agent James McFadden, who has been out of contract since leaving Birmingham at the end of last season. (Daily Record)
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has been handed a new five-year contract to stay at Old Trafford. Daily Mail
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand is being lined up to be new face of Major League Soccer if David Beckham leaves LA Galaxy. Daily Mirror
Beckham has fuelled speculation that he could retire in November after admitting he'd love to take up a Zinedine Zidane-like director of football role at Manchester United. Metro
Liverpool owner John Henry has admitted that he knew "virtually nothing" about the club before taking it over a year ago - but "certainly knew about Manchester United." The Guardian
QPR manager Neil Warnock says he could do the England job "no problem" but he would change the side's style of play. "Taking 25 passes to get to the halfway line is not exciting," he said. Daily Mail
Former Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson says he is living off a £250 a week allowance as he battles to pay off his gambling debts - which once reached £300,000. The Sun
Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller claims he turned down a move to Chelsea after helping Germany to the World Cup semi-finals in 2010. Daily Mail
Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin admits he has failed to live up to expectations this season. the Sun
Wayne Rooney has revealed how facing Liverpool used to make him feel sick. Rooney will lead Manchester United's attack at Anfield on Saturday, but recalled how - as a young Everton fan - the thought of losing to Liverpool turned his stomach. Daily Mirror
Several female supporters of Polish football team Hutnik Krakow have stripped off and posed for a calendar in order to raise money for the struggling club. Metro
