Manchester City want Arsenal star on free transfer
Manchester City are hoping to sign Arsenal winger Theo Walcott on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to the Daily Star.
The England international is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season, and negotiations have so far failed to reach an agreement between the two parties, leading to speculation Walcott could leave the club, with Manchester City reportedly interested.
Walcott is free to begin talks with other clubs when the January transfer window opens, as he will have just six months left on his Gunners contract.
And City's new sporting director Txiki Begiristain is keen to bring Walcott to the club. The report claims City are willing to make an offer to Arsenal, if the north London club want to recoup a fee for the 23-year-old, but they are also prepared to wait until the end of the season in an attempt to sign him for free.
In the past three seasons, the Premier League champions have convinced a number of Arsenal's first-team players to move to the Etihad Stadium, including Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Adebayor.
They reportedly attempted to persuade former-Arsenal club captain Robin Van Persie to sign for the club, only for the Dutchman to join rivals Manchester United in a £24m deal last August.
The report claims City are desperate to sign a winger, with Tottenham wide-man Aaron Lennon their first target. But Roberto Mancini's side are now reportedly set to turn to Walcott, who wants £100,000-a-week to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
The Daily Star also reports that Walcott is a target for Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Drogba is better than Balotelli, says Ambrosini
Both striker have been linked with moves to AC Milan in recent weeks, but the Rossoneri skipper is in no doubt as to which he would rather line up with
The Rossoneri have been linked with a move for both attackers in the January transfer window, and the veteran midfielder feels the Ivorian is the more complete player, thanks in part to is compatriot's temperament.
"I've always liked Drogba," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He is very professional and he is welcome at Milan. Mario's talent is not enough - it's wrong to justify his behaviour with his age."
Two attackers linked with a move away from San Siro are Robinho and Alexandre Pato, and although Ambrosini would like to see the Brazilian duo stay put, he accepts that they could leave.
"Robinho is important for us and he always has a good attitude," he continued.
"He must only stay is he wants to, and he has to be motivated to play for Milan. Pato must understand what's best for him."
Ambrosini also claimed that Juventus would retain their Serie A crown easily this season and that the best Massimiliano Allegri's side could hope for was second place.
"Juventus have no rivals in Serie A. We can fight for second place as we are at the same level as Napoli, Inter, Roma, Fiorentina and Lazio. We will understand our target only in February and March."
Milan have been drawn against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League, and Ambrosini concluded by saying that his side are among Europe's best eight teams.
"Milan would deserve a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions Leauge. Apart from Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, no one is better than us."
Looking ahead to Sunderland Bollox
Seb: We must play to 100% bollox
Seb Larsson says Sunderland will have to play to their maximum if they are to topple defending champions Manchester City on Boxing Day.
City head north for a traditional post-Christmas clash looking to close a four-point gap to leaders Manchester United.
Sunderland, meanwhile, bagged three festive points at Southampton last time out and Larsson feels they will need to build on that performance on Wednesday.
“We have to play as close to a perfect game as possible,” said Larsson, who scored twice against City last season.
“That’s what we need to do if we are to get anything. We did that last year, so it’s not impossible.
“We will have to be right up for the game otherwise it will be a tough afternoon.”
A big crowd is expected at the Stadium of Light with Boxing Day games traditionally proving to be a big draw.
And Larsson says the fans have a key role to play again after the Black Cats were backed by almost 2,000 fans on the south coast.
“The fans have really stuck by us this season,” Larsson explained.
“That makes a big difference, especially against the top teams where you really have to put a hard shift in and find that little bit of extra energy.
“They can really help us to do that.”
Pay on the day bollox
Cash turnstiles will be in open on Boxing Day.
Cash turnstiles will be available on Boxing Day as the Black Cats welcome reigning Barclays Premier League Champions Manchester City to the Stadium of Light.
The Stadium of Light ticket office will be open from 10am on the day for those supporters wishing to purchase tickets and collection points will also be open from 10am.
The club is advising supporters that the ticket office and ticket collection points are expected to be busy and they should arrive in sufficient time, where possible, to avoid potential queues and delays.
Supporters are also reminded that concession tickets can only be purchased from the ticket office (proof of age required) and are not available at the turnstiles.
Turnstile numbers 13 and 14 will be open from 1:30pm for cash sales on the day.
Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Stadium of Light ticket office, online by clicking here or by calling 0871 911 1973.
All tickets are sold subject to ground regulations.
Matchday programme bollox
Boxing Day’s programme v Manchester City features chief executive Margaret Byrne talking about the club’s strategy going into the January transfer window, plus Martin O’Neill reflecting on Saturday’s match at Southampton.
Simon Mignolet is the subject of the in-depth ‘Limelight’ feature while Fraizer Campbell talks scoring at Old Trafford and his hopes of being involved over the Christmas period. Former Manchester City star Adam Johnson looks forward to the game and there’s a pull out poster of the England winger too.
In a very special Red and White interview we talk to City’s legendary German keeper Bert Trautmann. Now in his nineties, Trautmann famously broke his neck in the 1956 FA Cup final and stayed on but it is memories of facing three penalties at Roker Park that he recalls.
Coming right up to date, the match programme has also caught up with City’s former ‘High Street Honey’ Nat Pike who reveals all from her position as the club’s TV presenter, while this issue’s ‘Looking for the Lads’ catches up with former Sunderland and City player Craig Russell.
The essential matchday companion, don’t miss Red and White – it’s all you need to know to be in the know!
Copies available for just £3 around the ground on Boxing Day.
Video: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says there'll be plenty more from Karim Rekik in the New Year after handing the young defender his debut against Reading on Saturday.
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/ ... -by-rekik/
GOLDEN XMAS EVE BOLLOX PART 1 - 2009
Joe Corrigan was well up the record appearance list for Manchester City when he called time on his illustrious career.
Including domestic cup and European games he clocked up over 600 appearances for the club, and only Alan Oakes, from the same era during the great days of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison at the old Maine Road ground, had more outings for the Blues.
Q: In an era in English football when Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence reigned supreme, you had some great trophy winning times with City. Were you always destined to make a career in football?
A: By no means. In fact the start of my sporting life was playing rugby at Sale Grammer School. But I always wanted to be a football 'keeper, and I started playing local League football in goal at the age of 14, and never looked back or held a rugby ball again.
I had trials for Ipswich Town, but Maine Road scout Harry Godwin spotted me, and I achieved my ambition when he "sold" my potential as a keeper to the club that was to be my life.
On his recommendation Joe Mercer gave me my chance at Maine Road, and I was lucky enough to go on and earn regular First Division status eventually and was in the team that won the Community Shield, the League Cup, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup as well as the First Division championship.
Q: Was there any particular moment in your career that brought tears to your eyes?A: There were a lot of emotional moments in those great years with City, but particularly special on a personal level was when I was named in the Hall of Fame at Maine Road and the great Bert Trautmann, who headed three keepers on the "Fame list" came to me and said: ‘this club will always know how much they relied through their history on three people: Frank Swift, Bert Trautmann and Joe Corrigan’.
It was the thrill of my life to be named by a truly great world class sporting personality like Bert alongside himself and Frank Swift, and memory of the thrill of that moment will never leave me.
Q: Were there any moments to match that?
A Yes, and this time it was an opponent, Jack Charlton, who after a City game against Leeds United, then one of England's most consistently successful clubs, said of me (only 20 year old at the time) after one match: "I've not been beaten in the air so easily for a long time as I was by young Corrigan today."
He added: "It was frustrating for me how this boy just took the high balls off my head as though he was picking cherries. Normally I can put any 'keeper off, but I simply did not worry him."
To hear the great World Cup winner Jack Charlton, who was built like a giraffe, and was an awesome opponent, was an incredible boost and thrill for me at the time.
Q: At the age of 60 you are stilll heavily involved as a scout for the Football Association after a fantastic playing career and a high profile spell as goalkeeper coach at Leeds, Middlesbrough, Barnsley, Aberdeen and for ten years at Liverpool among other clubs?
A: Yes, the coaching and scouting gives me great satisfaction. I cover the North West of England for the FA in terms of scouting, Ray Clemence does the south, and is a key part of the England team manager's backroom team, Simon Smith looks after the North East, and Martin Thomas the Midlands.
Q: You were one of the Maine Road heroes for a long time. Who were your heroes as a young man making his way towards fame?
A: Well, like every supporter who had the privilege of seeing Frank Swift and Bert Trautmann, they are the first two names for me to mention. But Liverpool's Ray Clemence was one of the top England keepers, and I was a great fan of his.
He just seemed to continue forever in his marathon playing career. He was so consistent, making outstanding saves after outstanding saves.
And he was a great example to young 'keepers, while at different times keepers like the great Gordon Banks and later Shilton, Parks, Stepney, Coton, and of course one of Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest signings Peter Schmeichel, all set wonderful standards for youngsters looking for a role model.
Q: As a coach and a scout as well as a former England star do you have any fears about the present trends in English football, and do you have any worries about England's goalkeeper position as the final months tick down to the World Cup?A: Yes. I don't think, as South Africa approaches, that we have a firm enough idea about who is our Number One 'keeper.
We've had Green, Kirkland, Hart, Robinson, Foster and one or two other promising 'keepers treading on David James' heels, but they have not had enough experience, which was the same problem in Bobby Robson’s reign when there was nobody ready to fill in for Shilton or Clemence because all the up and coming 'keepers got was few minutes as sub, and hardly ever had a full 90 minute stint.
I think this is a key problem that we have to get right before the team travels to South Africa.
Kolo Toure: Manchester City have winning mentality of Arsenal's Invincibles
The centre-back saw his side struggle to break down Reading before Gareth Barry's 92nd minute header claimed all three points, and maintained the importance of not giving up
City dominated Saturday’s match against Reading at the Etihad, but were unable to break the deadlock until Gareth Bale beat Nicky Shorey at the far post to head home the only goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
And Toure has drawn comparisons with the current City mentality and that of Arsenal’s nine years ago.
We just knew when we were losing or drawing, we could get the crucial goal," the Ivory Coast international told the Daily Mirror.
"It was the same at Arsenal, that team who were the Invincibles. We have the same winning mentality here. We never accept drawing or losing a game."
Following Manchester United’s 1-1 with Swansea City on Sunday, the Blues managed to cut their six-point deficit to their rivals to just four points with the win over Brian McDermott’s struggling side.
Toure believes his team-mates’ calm approach aided their late showing, insisting that frantic attacks will not aid the team.
"It’s really important to be calm because we know we can score at any time," he continued.
"We have so many attacking players who are capable of scoring. This time it was a midfielder who scored.
"We just keep believing we will score. The belief comes from the quality players we have. Last season we know about the crucial goals we got late on and this time, Gareth Barry came and did the same.
"Teams coming here know we can score a goal at any time. We’ve got that in our minds and the teams we play against know that as well."
And goalscorer Gareth Barry also heralded his side’s confidence to claim the win despite the game entering the final minutes.
He added: "You have to believe. We scored so many goals late on last season and again this year. They can be so important at the end of the season. Hopefully that’s another one.
"It was very important when there’s a little gap that you don’t slip away too much further.
"We need to keep chipping away and hopefully be there at the end of the season. Turning one point into three can be vital."
City plan clearout of players
Manchester City are planning to restructure their player recruitment policy with a summer clearout of players. Their wage bill has risen above £200m and threatens their ability to comply with Uefa's financial fair play rules.
Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, City's recently appointed chief executive and director of football, want to cut the number of players on the books. City have over 50 professionals and the former Barcelona executives calculate that more than half of those need to be moved. Many of the players City have under contract are judged not to be capable of playing for the first team.
Soriano and Begiristain want to abandon City's transfer strategy of recruiting the world's best player in a given position. Instead they envisage a squad composed of five or six elite individuals backed up by a group of well-scouted 'mid-tier' footballers capable of developing into world class performers. http://www.footballeconomy.com
City cut in on Daniel deal
MANCHESTER CITY will receive a £1.7million cheque from Chelsea when Daniel Sturridge completes his £12million move to Liverpool next week.
The former City trainee had a medical on Merseyside yesterday after terms were agreed with Chelsea for the England striker, 23.
The tribunal which ruled on Sturridge’s 2009 move to Chelsea ordered them to pay City 15 per cent of any future transfer profit.Sun
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE BOLLOX
PTS +4 GD 0
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LEGENDS LOUNGE UPDATE
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GOLDEN XMAS EVE BOLLOX - PART 2 - 2010
Balotelli’s Xmas sack
MARIO BALOTELLI has been axed by Roberto Mancini for being lazy and miserable.
The Italian striker turned in an awful display for Manchester City in Monday's home defeat by Everton.
And Mancini said: "If Mario deserves to play he will play. If he doesn't deserve to play he doesn't play. If Mario doesn't work, he doesn't play.
"It's not important Mario has a good technique and is a good player. If we want to improve we need everybody giving 200 per cent.
"Mario is a special player but you have to put strength and heart into your performances."
Balotelli, 20, has started five of City's last six games but will be on the bench for their Boxing Day trip to Newcastle.
He has bagged five goals in nine games so far, but has also been red-carded and turned in some shockers while never looking like he is enjoying a minute.
Mancini believes Balotelli can be the best player in the world, but right now he has run out of patience with him.
The Eastlands boss added: "He must improve his situation and smile. I do not know why he does not look happy.
"Manchester is not like Milan but he has to accept it."
Mancini bought Balotelli from Inter Milan for £24million in the summer having worked with him at the San Siro.
And he said: "We do have a good relationship but he must play well, must work hard every day, like the other players."
Mancini has hinted captain Carlos Tevez should apologise to fans to help restore his standing with the City faithful.
Tevez withdrew a transfer request on Monday after a week-long wrangle.
Mancini said: "I don't know. Maybe he should apologise.
"It is now important Carlos plays well and scores goals. But the fans still love him."
Liverpool Plan £8m Move for Manchester City Midfielder
Roy Hodgson hopes to bring Eastlands youngster to Anfield.
Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson. The Eastlands midfielder has spent the best part of two seasons out injured or off form and it appears that Roberto Mancini sees the youngster as very surplus to requirements and Roy Hodgson is interested in bringing the former Everton youth team player back to Merseyside.
Johnson has not started a Premier League match since August 2008 but the Anfield boss believes the former England Under 21 has enough potential to forge a top tier career and hopes to persuade Man City to sell the player to Liverpool.
Roy Hodgson is under instructions to bring in additions that have suit the club’s long term plans and with the help of Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli Liverpool have begun constructing a list of preferred targets and Michael Johnson is a player that reportedly interests both parties.
A move for the 22 year old midfielder would cost around £8m and given that Mancini has been told to cut back on unneccesary costs the Eastlands club may well listen to offers for a player who appears to be very low down the Man City pecking order.
Fulham boss Martin Jol has moved to reinforce his defence by agreeing a cut-price £800,000 deal for Standard Liege's Turkey keeper Sinan Bolat, 24. Het Nieuwsblad
Southampton boss Nigel Adkins is lining up a January move for Brighton winger Will Buckley, 24. Daily Mirror
On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, 19, says he wants to stay at West Bromwich Albion at least until the end of the season. Daily Express
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert wants to sign Welsh striker Steve Morison, 29, from his former club Norwich. Daily Mirror
Brazilian midfielder Denilson, 24, has said he does not know what his future holds at Arsenal once his loan deal with Sao Paulo expires at the end of the season. Globo Esporte
Tottenham will offer American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, 41, a new contract to stop him returning to Blackburn Rovers. Daily Mirror
Veteran striker Kevin Phillips, 39, has told his Blackpool team-mate Tom Ince, 20, to wait before making a transfer back to the Premier League as he must not risk missing out on playing regular first team football. The England under-21 international winger has been linked with a £4m return to Liverpool. Blackpool Gazette
Celtic will battle with Premier League duo West Ham United and Norwich City to sign Kilmarnock's 22-year-old midfielder Liam Kelly. DSSC
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has banned full-contact training at West Ham over Christmas to try and avoid any more injuries at the club. DSSC
Reading's Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, 29, looks set for talks with the club's owners to discuss his future. Daily Star
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to offer his captain Steven Gerrard, 32, a new contract. The Times
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol says England winger Stewart Downing, 28, is not good to enough for Liverpool despite scoring his first goal for the club against Fulham. talkSHIT
Chelsea will give striker Daniel Sturridge a generous £1.5m cut of the £12m transfer fee agreed with Liverpool to ensure the 23-year-old makes the move to Anfield after he hinted he would be happy to stay and let his contract run down. DSSC
A number of injuries to senior players has seen Sunderland recall midfielder David Meyler, 23, from his loan spell at Championship club Hull. The Journal
There was embarrassment for a Southampton fan dressed as Santa as his pants split during a half time relay at St Mary's. Metro
Burnley fans can expect to find a claret coloured 'onesie' in their Christmas stocking after the club shop sold out of the all-in-one romper style suits in record time. Lancashire Telegraph
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GOLDEN XMAS EVE BOLLOX - PART 3 - 2011
ROBERTO MANCINI HEAPS PRAISE ON MANCHESTER CITY'S SERGIO AGUERO
MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini reckons Sergio Aguero can reach the 30-goal milestone this season.
Signed last summer for a club record £38million Aguero has taken to Premier League life like a duck to water.
The Argentinian bagged another brace of goals during City's Wednesday night win over Stoke to take his season's tally to 15.
But Mancini doesn't want the striker to take his foot off the gas.
With only two points separating Manchester City from second place Manchester United heading into the rivals' Christmas fixtures, Mancini wants the young star to lead the club to even greater results.
"I hope Sergio can score 30 goals," said the Blues boss.
"It is the same for Edin (Dzeko) and Mario (Balotelli). If they scored 50 goals between them it would be good for us."
While Aguero was recognised as an exceptional talent prior to his City arrival, it is rare for any player to make such a blistering start to their debut Premier League season.
Following Argentina's arduous and unsuccessful Copa America campaign over the summer, it would not have been surprising if Aguero had been fatigued and underprepared, having gone without a full pre-season training programme.
But he seems to have avoided both problems.
"Sergio is very strong physically," said Mancini.
"He is not tall but his strength is amazing.
"Also, he has always scored goals in every championship. For this reason I don't think he has had any problems.
"He is still only young and maybe now his value is even more because he has scored 15 goals in three or four months.
"He has the confidence to score even more but what is important at the moment is that he has improved our team."
Manchester City’s Adam Johnson desperate for more playing time
Adam Johnson voices his frustration at a lack of playing time at Eastlands and fears his Euro 2012 hopes could be under threat
Adam Johnson has admitted his frustration at the lack of first-team opportunities at Manchester City this season.
The 24-year-old has started just five Premier League games, despite scoring five goals and helping Roberto Mancini’s side set-up a Carling Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool.
Johnson’s strike against Stoke City on Wednesday helped the Eastlands outfit stay top of the table after the winger completed a full league game for the first time in two months – but the England international admits he is desperate to secure more playing time.
“I’ve been awfully disappointed that I haven’t played as many games,” he said. “Everyone wants to play in all the games and I was thinking about speaking to the manager because I hadn’t started since the Carling Cup.
“It plays on my mind a bit. I don’t mind the rotation system as long as it’s fair. Hopefully that’s going to continue now. I’ve scored five goals in five starts. That’s all I can keep doing.”
Johnson made his England debut during a 3-1 victory over Mexico at Wembley last year and has since earned a further eight caps with the national side.
However, Johnson believes his chances of being part of Fabio Capello’s 23-man squad for next summer’s European Championship will remain in doubt while he continues to struggle to break into City’s first-team.
“I was speaking to my dad about that,” he continued. “It is in the back of my mind because I know Fabio Capello likes players to be playing every week. It’s a major thing for me, to try to go there, having missed out on the World Cup.
“I want to play in these major tournaments. I don’t think I’ve missed a squad under Capello, apart from when I was injured, so I would be gutted to miss out after playing quite a big part in the campaign.
“Obviously there’s a lot of competition, so I want to try to play week in and week out and definitely have a place on that plane.”
