Saturday's B*l**x (updated)

[Chinners]

Dzeko coy over City future
Enlarge Edin Dzeko has raised questions over his future by insisting he has done enough in his time at Manchester City to warrant a regular first-team place.
Dzeko was in and out of the Manchester City side as they won the Premier League title this season, but did grab 14 league goals, including the crucial equaliser against QPR on the final day of the campaign.
Although he has been linked with a move to Serie A champions Juventus, Dzeko has hinted he would be happy to stay and fight for his place at the Etihad Stadium.
He told Sky Sports: "[The competition for places is] not worrying me because I think I've shown that I can play at Man City and that I deserve to play. I've scored some very important goals. I'm still at Manchester City. For Man City I'm not thinking about my future. I'm just thinking about the games against Ireland and Mexico [for Bosnia].
"The coach decides who plays and I respect that. I always tried to do my best all season, even when I didn't play. At the end I scored a goal, maybe one of the most important goals in City's history, and I'm so proud of that." ESPN

Duo ready for Radu battle
Gunners & City eye Romanian stopper
Sky Sports understands Arsenal and Manchester City are set to do battle over Lazio skipper Stefan Radu.
Radu is one of the most highly-rated defenders in Italy, and has been labelled the new Cristian Chivu since an early age - as he can also play at left-back and centre-half.
The Romanian international signed a new long-term deal last summer, but Lazio could find it hard to resist a big-money offer which they now look set to receive from England.
The 25-year-old has now moved to the top of the radar of both Arsene Wenger and Roberto Mancini, who are clearly tempted by his ability to play in more than one position.
Both Arsenal and City lacked defensive numbers at various points during the season, and it is little surprise they have turned their attention towards a high-profile performer such as Radu.
Having been with Lazio since 2008, Sky Sports understands that Radu would welcome the chance to make his mark in England.

Eden Hazard Has Decided to Sign for Man United According to French Sources
Old Trafford side lead chase to sign Lille youngster.
Well respected French source Le10sport.com claims that much sought after Lille talent Eden Hazard will opt to join Manchester United when the transfer window re-opens next month.
The 21 year old Belgian international has already publicly stated his intention to leave his Ligue 1 side and that he has had discussions with a number of prospective suitors but this source states that the Old Trafford side are in pole position in the race to sign the young playmaker.
Hazard is now one of the most highly rated players in Europe following two stand out seasons at the Stade Metropole, during which time he has helped Lille to their first domestic title in over 50 years and then followed up that achievement by cementing Rudi Garcia’s sides place in the Champions League with a third place finish in the current campaign.
The attacking midfielder has notched up 34 goals and 26 assists over the last two seasons and has racked up a total of almost 200 appearances for Lille despite having only turned 21 earlier this year.
Sir Alex Ferguson could well do with adding more creativity to his midfield as his current central midfield options; Anderson, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley do not offer a great deal in the way of goals or assists. Hazard can play either in a wide role or in an advanced central position but given the number of wingers already at Man United it would appear that the Lille man would be of more use in a central, or floating, role.

Meanwhile Talkshit are also recomending that City should not be his destination ...
Eden Hazard may have started out playing in more of a wide position, but in his last season at Lille he excelled in a central role and he wants to keep playing in this 'No.10' position. City already have David Silva playing between the lines, drifting in from a nominal wide position, while Samir Nasri likes to do the same. Aguero and Tevez both excel playing 'in the hole', leaving Hazard with stiff competition for a starting place. Meanwhile, Milner and Adam Johnson are in the reckoning, too


ROBERTO MANCINI is ready to show his ruthless streak at Manchester City — by axing his 19-year-old son.
Andrea is on the list of free transfers sent to the Premier League by the champions.
He has only featured for City’s first team in pre-season since his release by Bologna in November 2010.
He was sent on loan to Oldham last November but played only one game.
Meanwhile, Mancini Snr has dismissed suggestions he could sign AC Milan defender Thiago Silva after meeting the club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani.
Mancini said: “I went and was congratulated for winning the title.”

OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, 31, is keen on a summer move to big-spending French side Paris Saint-Germain. the Sun

But United have failed in a bid of around £12.8m for Borussia Dortmund's Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 23. the Guardian

Sir Alex Ferguson is poised to move for £4m-rated Crewe talent Nick Powell, 18, after the Alex's League Two play-off final against Cheltenham. Daily Mail

Newly promoted West Ham have made a £7m offer for Heerenveen striker Bas Dost, 22, who has scored 32 goals in 34 league games for his club this season. the Sun

Everton have opened talks with Norwegian club Lillestrom to sign Icelandic striker Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson, 21, in a deal worth up to £3m. Liverpool Echo

Tony Pulis wants to sign Matt Jarvis, 26, although the Stoke boss rates the player at only half the £10m Wolves want for the winger. Daily Mirror

Clint Dempsey, 29, has cast doubt over his Fulham future by telling American magazine Sports Illustrated he wants to play in the Champions League. London Evening Standard

Huddersfield have warned clubs chasing prolific striker Jordan Rhodes, 22, including Fulham, Everton and Aston Villa, that he will only be allowed to leave for £8m. Daily Mail

DC United are weighing up whether to sign Tottenham defender Ryan Nelsen, 34, for a second time. Nelsen joined Blackburn after playing for the Major League Soccer club. talkShit

Newcastle are in a battle with Porto to sign £3m-rated FC Twente right-back Roberto Rosales, 23, according to the Venezuela international's agent. Newcastle Chronicle

Leicester are closing in on a swap deal for Celtic's English centre half Kelvin Wilson, 26, - with Matt Mills, 25, going the other way. Daily Mirror

Wigan will sound Steve Bruce out about returning to the DW Stadium for a third spell as manager if Roberto Martinez leaves this summer. Daily Mirror

England manager Roy Hodgson is prepared to gamble on the fitness of Danny Welbeck by taking him to the European Championship finals even if he is not 100% fit. The Manchester United striker will miss the friendly with Norway with an ankle injury and is not expected to be ready to train with his team-mates before next Tuesday, when Hodgson must submit his final 23-man squad for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Jordan Rhodes has represented Scotland at both under-21 and senior levels the Times

Jack Butland, 19, will not freeze if he is called upon to play for England at Euro 2012, according his Birmingham manager Chris Hughton. Butland spent the last three months of the season on loan at Cheltenham. Daily Telegraph

Sir Alex Ferguson's old friend Dave Whelan, the Wigan owner, has claimed the Manchester United manager, 70, will retire at the end of next season. Daily Mail

Serbian striker Nikola Zigic, 31, has put Birmingham's play-off disappointment behind him to declare he has no intentions of leaving St Andrew's. Birmingham Mail

Wolves have admitted some seats in the new £18m Stan Cullis Stand will be taken off sale because half the Molineux pitch cannot be seen from them. "It's happened because we haven't gone ahead with the Steve Bull Stand redevelopment, otherwise the roof would have continued round," said club spokesman Matt Grayson. Express & Star


MORE BOLLOX LATER

[DoomMerchant]

my only thought about hazard is that if he does sign for them it's because he thinks he can walk right into the side and play every match whereas the talent on offer at City would be much more competitive.

If that's the kind of pussy he truly is, then he should jog on to salford and play for them instead.

i hate this kid already. i hope nige and pablo break him in half if he's wearing a rag top next season. he better not sign for us now, or i'll look like a douchebag when i try and get excited. ;)

cheers

[mcfc1632]

I think he will sign for them becuase of this preference to play the number 10 role. This would not fit with CITY - and frankly I am thinking this guy is a bit (more than a bit) over-hyped. He was apparently pretty pony last night

We need width not another more competition for Silva, Nasri and Tevez

[Patrick]

ROBERTO MANCINI is ready to show his ruthless streak at Manchester City — by axing his 19-year-old son.
We won’t start a war with Man CityWe began second title plan instantlyBarton's 12-game ban for City rageCheats could cost a player his lifeSilva agent denies City talk Andrea is on the list of free transfers sent to the Premier League by the champions.
He has only featured for City’s first team in pre-season since his release by Bologna in November 2010.
He was sent on loan to Oldham last November but played only one game.
Meanwhile, Mancini Snr has dismissed suggestions he could sign AC Milan defender Thiago Silva after meeting the club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani.
Mancini said: “I went and was congratulated for winning the title.”

A new level of bollox bollox

[sheikh it all about]

The Hazard stuff is still pure conjecture. But how times have changed if a top player were to choose the rags because he's not good enough to nail down a place in our side. That would be a huge back-handed compliment.

[chips]

I should have sent Tevez off... ref admits mistake in Barton brawl

By Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 22:23, 25 May 2012 | UPDATED: 22:23, 25 May 2012


Referee Mike Dean has revealed he would have sent off Carlos Tevez if he had been afforded a full view of the clash between the Manchester City striker and QPR midfielder Joey Barton on the final day of the Premier League season.

Barton was on Wednesday handed a 12-match ban for his dismissal and violent reaction at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, when City beat QPR 3-2 to win their first league title for 44 years.

QPR have said that Barton, now the subject of an investigation by his club following the incident, would not appeal against that decision.

Later, the Football Association published the full report by the independent regulatory commission into the case, which revealed Barton's ban was divided into a four-match ban for the dismissal for elbowing Tevez, given it was his second red card of the season, a five-match punishment for kicking out at Sergio Aguero, and a three-match punishment for attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany.

Tevez appeared to strike out at Barton initially, and Dean, via video link, told the regulatory commission that it was a red-card offence which had gone unnoticed.

In the report, which is signed by commission chairman B.M Jones, it is stated that: 'Mr Dean was questioned about the "Tevez" incident for which Mr Barton was dismissed.It was confirmed that neither the referee nor the assistant saw the alleged incident of Mr Tevez striking Mr Barton although Mr Barton immediately made representations to Mr Dean that is what happened, and such comments by Mr Barton can be clearly seen in the video.

'The commission accept that Mr Barton was aggrieved by the action of Mr Tevez and Mr Dean confirmed that had the incident been seen by the officials as shown by the clip supplied by Mr Barton, it would have been an automatic red card.

'The commission find that this does not however excuse the subsequent action by Mr Barton in relation to Messrs Kompany or Aguero.'

[Dameerto]

I never knew Dzeko's first name was Enlarge.

[Crossie]

I should have sent Tevez off... ref admits mistake in Barton brawl

By Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 22:23, 25 May 2012 | UPDATED: 22:23, 25 May 2012


Referee Mike Dean has revealed he would have sent off Carlos Tevez if he had been afforded a full view of the clash between the Manchester City striker and QPR midfielder Joey Barton on the final day of the Premier League season.

Barton was on Wednesday handed a 12-match ban for his dismissal and violent reaction at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, when City beat QPR 3-2 to win their first league title for 44 years.

QPR have said that Barton, now the subject of an investigation by his club following the incident, would not appeal against that decision.

Later, the Football Association published the full report by the independent regulatory commission into the case, which revealed Barton's ban was divided into a four-match ban for the dismissal for elbowing Tevez, given it was his second red card of the season, a five-match punishment for kicking out at Sergio Aguero, and a three-match punishment for attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany.

Tevez appeared to strike out at Barton initially, and Dean, via video link, told the regulatory commission that it was a red-card offence which had gone unnoticed.

In the report, which is signed by commission chairman B.M Jones, it is stated that: 'Mr Dean was questioned about the "Tevez" incident for which Mr Barton was dismissed.It was confirmed that neither the referee nor the assistant saw the alleged incident of Mr Tevez striking Mr Barton although Mr Barton immediately made representations to Mr Dean that is what happened, and such comments by Mr Barton can be clearly seen in the video.

'The commission accept that Mr Barton was aggrieved by the action of Mr Tevez and Mr Dean confirmed that had the incident been seen by the officials as shown by the clip supplied by Mr Barton, it would have been an automatic red card.

'The commission find that this does not however excuse the subsequent action by Mr Barton in relation to Messrs Kompany or Aguero.'

hahahhahahahahahaha

fucking brilliant.

[Swales4ever]

now don't tell me this Clown ain't a disgraceful cunt...
just signed a new deal with one of the Football giant, but yet again cheating his Employer at the back for his marketing purposes...

Mourinho hints at England move
Portuguese coach enjoyed 'distinct' life in English
By Hayley Paterson. Last Updated: May 26, 2012 12:56pm

Jose Mourinho: Has again hinted that his future may lie in England despite his contract extension at Real Madrid


Real Madrid chief Jose Mourinho has again hinted he could return to England despite penning a new contract with the Spanish champions.

The former Chelsea boss has signed a deal with the Primera Division club until 2016 even though this season he has continued to flirt with the possibility of making a move back to the Premier League.

Speaking at a conference in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Mourinho - heavily linked with a move back to Chelsea - suggested that England would better suit his family life.
"I have signed until 2016, but in a club like Madrid if you lose two consecutive games they can cancel your contract," the Portuguese coach said.

"I hope to do as well as possible in these years as I am better than ever with 10 years of experience. In 2016 my daughter will be starting university and I would like to choose in which city she studies.

"London was distinct for me. I had a normal life there. In England the people are not interested in your personal life, but that is different in Spain and Italy. I need to protect my family."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... gland-move

[ashton287]

The media make me piss.

Shrek is the only asset they have at the swamp and hazard has absolutely no chance of the number 10 role. He will be on the wing.

Nice of them all to do their bit for taggarts cause though. Every little helps.