Nicki Minaj Snubs Mario Balotelli for Manchester Nando's
Mario Balotelli is a man who usually does what he wants and gets what he wants. What a refreshing surprise then when the Manchester City striker was snubbed by rapper Nicki Minaj after a show at the MEN Arena this week - the U.S. superstar instead choosing to sample one of the city's eateries.
Picture the scene if you will: Balotelli waiting backstage along with several of his City teammates after scheduling a meet-and-greet with the 'Super Bass' singer. Now imagine Mario's face when told Minaj was too tired to see him and wanted to try some Nandos chicken instead. A source told The Sun newspaper: "Mario was gutted. He's a big fan and turned up with gifts along with his other Man City team-mates.But Nicki was too tired after the gig and feasted on a massive Nando's order instead - so he went home disappointed. He'd even bought a camera especially."
Minaj, 21, had reportedly suffered a wardrobe malfunction during the Manchester show, so probably wanted to kick back with some chicken and chill. We don't blame her. Sorry, Mario.
JOLEON LESCOTT DEFIES MANCHESTER CITY BOSS ROBERTO MANCINI OVER KICK IT OUT CAMPAIGN
JOLEON LESCOTT has defied Roberto Mancini and vowed never to support the Kick It Out campaign again.
The England and Manchester City defender has boycotted the campaign ever since evidence he gave against former Newcastle star Emre in 2007 was ignored at an FA hearing.
Emre was cleared of racially abusing Lescott’s then team-mate, Everton defender Joseph Yobo.
Starsport understands a compromise has been reached between Lescott and Mancini that will see the star pose with the rest of the team for Kick It Out photographs – but refuse to smile!
A club spokesman insisted Mancini was happy to let Lescott make his own decisions when it came to the campaign and would back him either way. He said: “The manager hasn’t asked Joleon to change his mind about this issue. He realises it’s the individual’s choice, there is no problem whatsoever.”
Word play is right up Lescott’s street
PRE-MATCH preparations vary from footballer to footballer, but it appears Joleon Lescott likes to flex his grey matter with a game of Scrabble.
Aboard a flight to Holland for Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Ajax, Lescott locked horns with fellow defender Micah Richards on his iPad.
But it appears the popular word game is not taken too seriously by the City duo, with their best efforts resulting in a couple of five-letter efforts.
In fairness, their contest was in its early stages when England centre-back Lescott tweeted a picture to his followers.
And before anybody asks, a POON is any large Indo-Malayan evergreen tree of the genus Calophyllum — just in case you had any funny ideas.
Roberto Mancini's hairdryer treatment: Manchester City boss has Babyliss blow-dryer installed at Etihad stadium
Exclusive by Mike Keegan @ the non bias MuEN
Alex Ferguson may be famed for his metaphorical hairdryer treatments – but in the City dressing room Roberto Mancini uses a real one.
The United manager's infamous outbursts over the years have been dubbed ‘hairdryers’ thanks to the ferocity with which he is said to deliver them and the air that explodes Red as he does so.
But the term has taken on a new meaning at their cross town rivals.
Because the M.E.N. can reveal that the Blues’ boss has had a high-powered Babyliss model installed in the Etihad Stadium inner sanctum.
However, it is unlikely that the stylish Italian uses the device as a weapon to rally his troops.
A Blues source said that the hairdryer is in place to enable him to look at his best on the touchline and on TV after matches in a bid to protect him from the notoriously damp Manchester climate.
This exclusive picture shows the device – which is attached to the wall to make sure it never goes missing should some of Mancini’s charges fancy emulating the gaffer.
It is tucked away in the non-playing staff section of the dressing room next to a mirror.
Mancini is known to be very proud of his flowing locks and smart appearance and will often head for his nook to ensure the wet look does not get on camera.
It is also understood that he takes a hairdryer on away trips to ensure that appearances are kept up on the road.
And it looked like he needed a blow-dry yesterday as he headed to Holland for the Champions League tie with Ajax with a slightly unkempt look.
The squad – including Balotelli sporting Pink Beats by Dr Dre headphones – flew out of Manchester Airport yesterday morning.
The news of his hairdryer will presumably not come as a surprise to eagle-eyed Blues fanatics.
After they secured the title with a last-gasp win against QPR in May cameras spotted Mancini attempting to run away from Edin Dzeko.
The Bosnian forward, armed with a bottle of champagne, eventually caught up with his manager and gave him a soaking.
However, despite wanting to look at his best at all times, Mancini does have his own version of Fergie’s ‘hairdryer’ treatment.
Since being in the hot seat he has been involved in stand-up rows with opposing managers David Moyes, Kenny Dalglish, Paul Lambert – and Sir Alex.
And last month new signing Maicon, who also played under Mancini at Inter Milan, revealed he sometimes gets angry and reminds players of the standards required.
Ajax star Christian Eriksen 'turned down Man City in ten seconds'
Ajax star Christian Eriksen took just ten seconds to consider an offer from Manchester City and then turned it down, according to his agent.
Christian Eriksen reportedly turned down an offer from Manchester City in ten seconds (Picture: EPA).
The 20-year-old was reportedly being tracked by City and a number of other teams in summer 2011 and was even 'asked' to meet Blues manager Roberto Mancini.
But the player's agent Martin Schoot revealed the creative midfielder rejected the opportunity to move to the Premier League, instead choosing to develop his talent in Holland.
'He's not interested in money,' Schoot told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
'He chose to stay for his development and because of that he's at Ajax.
'He's got an excellent relationship with Frank de Boer (Ajax manager) and he's enjoying himself in Amsterdam.
'Christian didn't think about it (the proposal from Man City) for longer than 10 seconds.'
The Dane joined Ajax when he was just 16-years-old and will face the team he 'snubbed' on Wednesday in the Champions League at the Amsterdam Arena.
AUDIO: 2 Joe's - Corrigan on Hart
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/richar ... ces-183733
Speaking of Joe's .... some clasic stuff from the righteous one ...
'You're a fat, festering old king!' Barton launches stunning attack on PFA chief Taylor over racism revamp
Joey Barton has launched an astonishing attack on Gordon Taylor over the Professional Footballers’ Association’s response to tackling racism in the sport.
Barton, on loan at Marseille from QPR, branded Taylor ‘fat and greedy’, compared the PFA to ‘a rotting corpse of maggots’ and called for the chief executive to be removed from his post following the formation of plans for a breakaway ‘Black Players’ Association’.
The PFA had announced on Wednesday a six-point action plan to deal with racism in a bid to halt the breakaway group headed by Rio Ferdinand, as revealed by Sportsmail earlier this week.
Taylor said the union wants tougher penalties for racist abuse. There has been a big backlash after John Terry was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 for racially abusing Rio’s brother Anton Ferdinand.
Its plan includes making racism a sackable offence and introducing a form of the ‘Rooney rule’ to boost the number of black managers.
But Barton took to Twitter to air his grievances against both the idea of a‘Black Players’ Association’ and also how Taylor was managing the PFA’s stance on racism.
Speaking about the planned breakaway group, Barton said: ‘My gut feeling is that it’s an opportunistic move by some with hidden agendas to seize control for their own gains.’
The former England midfielder then went on to say in a series of tweets: ‘Gordon Taylor, the or one of the highest paid union bosses in the world, has got it too easy. I concur it’s time for him to go.
‘Maybe the Union leader should be democratically voted for every few years by the union members?
‘Anything’s better than breaking away. That should only be the final resort in my opinion.
‘Taylor’s got too fat and greedy. And protects his cushy position but there are some good people within the PFA. Think?
‘Taylor’s like a fat, festering old king. Too drunk on power or wine to notice that his meal is a rotting corpse of maggots. Time to go GT!’
The PFA action plan and Barton’s reaction come as the FA joined Government ministers and senior football figures in urging black players to get behind the Kick It Out campaign and abandon plans for a breakaway union.
Taylor outlined the PFA’s action plan in a statement, calling for:
Speeding up the process of dealing with reported racist abuse with close monitoring of any incidents.
Consideration of stiffer penalties for racist abuse and to include an equality awareness programme for culprits and clubs involved.
An English form of the ‘Rooney rule’ - introduced by the NFL in America in 2003 - to make sure qualified black coaches are on interview lists for job vacancies.
The proportion of black coaches and managers to be monitored and any inequality or progress highlighted.
Racial abuse to be considered gross misconduct in player and coach contracts (and therefore potentially a sackable offence).
To not lose sight of other equality issues such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and Asians in football.
English Clubs in Transfer Race for 16 Year Old Dutch Star
Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in 16 year old Dutch youngster Riechedly Bazoer. The centre back is presently considering a three year professional contract from his club, PSV Eindhoven, but the club's sporting director, Marcel Brands, is concerned his player's head may be turned by the money on offer in the Premier League. There is also interest from clubs in Spain and Italy.
"We have offered him a professional contract now he has turned 16. I speak with the family, the boy and his agents. We hope we will get an answer soon," Brands explained to Goal.com, adding, "What is his intention? Is it to develop or go for bigger money in England? You have to ask him and his agent which clubs are interested in him. I don't know and it doesn't matter."
Bazoer has been identified as one of the biggest prospects for both club and country in a long time and despite his age, has already been singled out as the future lynchpin of his club's defensive structure. The teenager made his debut for the Dutch U17 side last year and was an impressive performer in the squad that won the UEFA European Under-17 Championships this year. He presently plays with the club's A1 youth team.
"He is one of the talented players in our youth academy. He is a central defender, although not a typical central defender. He is not tall and plays football like the way we do in Holland. He is very comfortable on the ball and reads the game well," Brands, who played with RKC Waalwijk for seven years, said.
Tug of War
If this battle over Bazoer is to be determined by money, then City have as good as won their man already. Certainly the Magpies do not have the resources to match the Premier League giants and even if the Gunners do, there is little chance Arsene Wegner will authorise the spending.
Should the youngster opt to move for footballing reasons though, he may do well to consider Arsenal his first choice club. Accusations of hoarding transfer funds aside, Wenger remains unparalleled, in the contemporary game, in developing young talent. The only issue for the 63 year old Frenchman to consider is the possibility that six or seven years from now, Bazoer may leave the Emirates, a fully developed world-class talent, as so many others have before him... unless Wenger fixes that leak with prudent but unafraid financial spending.
The Gunners' defensive problems are perhaps not as pronounced as rivals Manchester United (who, with young Englishmen Chris Smalling and Phil Jones already at the club, have not, yet anyway, been linked to Bazoer) but the over-riding importance of Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen and the lack of cover for the 26 year old captain is cause for concern. Then again, can a 16 year old inexperienced Bazoer fill in for the Belgian? Unlikely. A move to the Emirates will probably see the Dutch youngster drop to the reserves side, at least until he can prove himself to Wenger.
Newcastle United are not quite as glamorous an option as either City or Arsenal but the no-frills, hard-working atmosphere at St James' Park and the chance to learn from Premier League veteran Fabricio Coloccini may be a good choice. Again, though, he is unlikely to see regular first team action.
Finally, Roberto Mancini's City will certainly give Bazoer the biggest pay cheque but, equally certainly, the least amount of playing time. With Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lecott, Micah Richards and probably even Serbian Matija Nastasic ahead of him in the order, Bazoer will struggle for game time and that could severely hamper his development.
All in all then, Brands insistence his youngster spend at least another three years at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven seems a prudent one.
"It is his choice and the agent will do their best for the player. The only thing we can do is offer him good possibilities in terms of coaching and prospects," he concluded, warning player and agent, "It's difficult in England to reach the first team of the big clubs after joining out of the youth academy. A lot of young players from Holland went to England and have not yet played in the first team. Many of them ended up being loaned out to other clubs."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Juventus are set to beat Arsenal to the signature of Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Llorente, 27, and then try to sign Gunners forward Theo Walcott, 23. Daily Mirror
Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda, 32, could be set for a January move to Brazilian club Santos after being told to train with the youth team. Daily Mirror
Manchester United have been told by Kevin Strootman's agent they can make a move to sign the PSV Eindhoven midfielder, 22, in the summer. talkSHIT
West Brom are already setting out transfer targets for next summer, according to sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth. Birmingham Mail
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is bombarding Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Willian, 24, with messages after his two failed bids to buy the Brazilian. Sun
Birmingham City are speaking to fellow Championship club Blackpool over a loan deal for midfielder Barry Ferguson, 34. DSSC
Reading striker Jason Roberts reveals he was forced not to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt at the weekend because the Professional Footballers' Association has ignored a charter for change he has put to them seven times in the past year. The Independent
Bayern Munich and Netherlands winger Arjen Robben, 28, admits a succession of injuries has led him to consider retirement. The Times
Manchester United will be looking to negotiate sports merchandising giants Nike's biggest-ever sponsorship deal when they begin renewal talks over kit supply in February. DSSC
Manchester United have revealed that discussions are under way over who will eventually replace Slur Alex Ferguson as manager. The Sun
Arsenal are planning to put winger Serge Gnabry, 17, into the first-team set-up should midfielder Theo Walcott, 23, leave the club in January. London Evening Standard
Wigan coach Graeme Jones has turned down an interview for the managerial vacancy at Burnley. Daily Mirror
Everton remain hopeful Marouane Fellaini will recover from a knee injury in time to bolster their midfield for Sunday's Merseyside derby with Liverpool. Daily Express
Blackburn have decided against pursuing Fulham first-team coach Billy McKinlay as their new manager following protests from Rovers fans. DSSC
Bolton caretaker manager Jimmy Phillips believes he will still be in charge of the Trotters for their weekend clash with Middlesbrough despite Crystal Palace claiming Dougie Freedman has taken over. Bolton News
Rio Ferdinand could refuse to shake Ashley Cole's hand before Sunday's Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea following Cole's backing of Terry in his racism trial. DSSC
Willie Miller, captain of Aberdeen when they won the Cup Winner's Cup in 1983, says no Scottish side will ever win a European trophy again. Daily Record
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has had to defend the club after the Gunners were criticised by green-friendly groups for flying to Norwich last weekend. the Metro
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