OFFICIAL CLUB B*LL*X
Finally, three days into the transfer window, the rumour mill clunks into life as City are linked with a multitude of incomings and outgoings across today’s papers.
Let’s kick-off with our old tormentor from Napoli, Edinson Cavani, who is once again linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.
The Sun today report that the Uruguayan striker is seeking a move away from Naples, but may not make a switch until the summer.
His agent, Mino Raiola, said: “For now Cavani will stay but I wouldn’t be so sure about that once June arrives.
“I’m sure there are clubs ready to pay that. But only five clubs in the world can afford to do that — Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain....Mino Raiola (Edinson Cavani's agent)...
Maybe I'm missing something...
In other transfer news, Mario Balotelli and Didier Drogba are reportedly being lined up by AC Milan as the Rossoneri prepare for the exits of Alexandre Pato and former City star Robinho.
“Everything points towards Didier Drogba and Mario Balotelli,” writes Carlos Laudia for Gazzetta dello Sport.
“A possible change of club for both players will be the focus of attention over the next few days. Some new and very important developments will come from AC Milan tomorrow [today].”
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has paid tribute to Balotelli, stating his belief that the Italian striker could be the man to deliver a second successive title for the Blues.
“He is a special player and a special talent,” said the man who stuck four past England last year “When Mario plays like he can he will hurt any team in the world.
“Manchester City are already a way behind Manchester United in the Premier League – but if any player can retain the title for them it is Mario.
...Zlatan Ibrahimovic...
Praise, indeed….
In more transfer gossip, influential Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo believes that Real Madrid have joined the race for a pair of City's reported La Liga-based targets.
Mourinho is said be keen to bring Radamel Falcao and Isco to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Finally, City Academy graduate Daniel Sturridge completed a permanent move to Liverpool from Chelsea yesterday and it’s well documented that City have received a percentage of the reported £12m outlay.
There's quite a bit of conjecture around on how much of that amount City received but to paraphrase Cavani's enigmatic agent: "You are intelligent enough on your own to understand how much it was..."
Is Manchester City becoming the club that the rich and famous flock to?
The Blues have recently welcomed a host of celebrity fans
Manchester City has been flooded with funds since the takeover of the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008.
They had spent over £480million on transfer fees by 2012, allowing them to purchase international stars such as Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez.
But it seems as though the influx of money didn’t only have an impact on the calibre of players that the club has been able to attract, but also on watching celebrities.
Torn: David Hasselhoff attended Manchester City's clash with Stoke, but admitted that he hasn't decided whether he supports Manchester City or United yet
The glitz and glamour of Manchester City has drawn world-famous faces from across the globe to witness their Premier League battles, with David Hasselhoff making an appearance in the dressing room after their clash with Stoke on New Year's Day.
Not exactly what you would call an avid fan, the former Baywatch actor said that he is torn between the two Manchester clubs.
Before ‘The Hoff’ came Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall, who inexplicably attended last month’s Manchester derby. They had been encouraged to attend by David Beckham, a friend of Cruise, but again, a fierce sense of support was lacking.
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Of course, celebrity fans are nothing new to the club. The Gallagher brothers have both made their passion for Manchester City clear, with Liam getting himself into a few scrapes when his passion spilled over into bad behaviour.
In September last year he was escorted from the stadium after raising the hackles of Real Madrid fans during the Spanish club’s Champions League tie with Manchester City. Earlier in the year he gatecrashed a Manchester City press conference following their win in the Manchester derby.After offering his opinions on the game, he shook the hand of a bemused Vincent Kompany, proclaimed ‘Vive le Belgium’ and then sauntered backstage with the City captain.
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Some of the younger generation’s celebrities have also made their support for the club clear. Louis Tomlinson of One Direction turned up to the Manchester derby in April last year. In his usual boyband attire, and his hair perfectly styled, he looked a little out of place in the stands, but that didn’t seem to bother the young singer.
Bandmate Niall Horan was also supporting the Blues in the derby, tweeting: ‘if city play like everyone knows they can! and should of been playin over the last few months!! they will win tonight! 2-1 im goin for.’
On the same day singer Max George tweeted his support of the club. City are clearly becoming a favourite among the young and beautiful.
Fans: The Wanted's Max George and One Direction's Niall Horan have both tweeted their support for Manchester City
The previous generation of young celebs went in a different direction, with West Ham proving a popular choice for actors and singers. Keira Knightly is a well-known fan, as is Russell Brand. At one point Katy Perry joined the ranks, but mostly thanks to her allegiance to ex-husband Brand. Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl is another supporter.
Fulham is another club with a lot of celebrity attention. Actors Hugh Grant and Michael Caine are both fervent fans, along with singer Lilly Allen.
Grant and Allen were both seen looking devastated in the stands when Fulham crashed out of the Europa League in 2010 at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
Michael Jackson was also a famous fan of the Cottagers, hence the statue erected outside Craven Cottage by his friend Mohamed Al-Fayed
Arsenal has a more eclectic group of celebrity fans, having attracted a few of the older generation. Jackie Chan is thought to have previously followed the club, though he put his support firmly behind Manchester City when they visited Beijing last year.
The Queen is even rumoured to be a fan of the Gunners, but then again so was Osama Bin Laden…
All in all it looks as though the Etihad Stadium is the place to be for young celebs searching to a team to latch on to. DSSC
Cavani’s Edin ‘ere
EDINSON CAVANI has put Manchester City on alert after his agent revealed he is likely to quit Napoli in the summer.
Roberto Mancini is a long-term fan of the Uruguayan forward who shone against his team in the Champions League last season.
Cavani signed a new deal with the Serie A club at the start of the season but it is believed to include a £51million buy-out clause.
And his agent, Mino Raiola, said: “For now Cavani will stay but I wouldn’t be so sure about that once June arrives.
“I’m sure there are clubs ready to pay that. But only five clubs in the world can afford to do that — Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain.
“You are intelligent enough on your own to understand where Cavani will play his football next season.”
Mancini is likely to be told he must move one his current quartet of strikers out if he wants to buy another one during the close season SUN
Manchester City keeper Joe Hart stars in dodgy Head & Shoulders advert
You’d think one of the perks of being a multi-millionaire footballer is that you wouldn’t have to associate yourself with anything embarrassing in order to make a decent living. But England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart was more than happy to become the new face of dandruff.
Hart is the star of a new TV advert for anti-dandruff shampoo Head & Shoulders. He follows in the footsteps of such luminaries as David Ginola and Jason McAteer by featuring in a shampoo advert.
After rolling around the pitch for a while clutching his head, Hart receives treatment for his itchy scalp.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
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Why was Man City star Richards at Chelsea last night? Rafa won't rule out move for defender
Rafa Benitez added to the intrigue surrounding Micah Richards’ unexpected appearance at Stamford Bridge last night by refusing to rule out a move for the Manchester City defender.
Richards, who has been injured for most of the season, began the speculation when he appeared at the main entrance an hour before the game.
Benitez was given the chance after Chelsea’s shock 1-0 defeat by QPR to confirm that Richards was only in London to watch the game.
Instead, just as he responded to questions about his incoming signing Demba Ba, he simply replied: ‘We don’t discuss other teams’ players.’
It was a surprising response considering Richards’ status at Manchester City and the Barclays Premier League champions will be surprised that Benitez didn’t dismiss the prospect of a transfer out of hand.
Chelsea have relied on central defender Branislav Ivanovic to play at right back in the past, although Cesar Azpilicueta has played the last five games.DSSC
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=44905
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli now ready to come in from the cold
Mario Balotelli could start for City in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie with Watford
Mario Balotelli might have timed his comeback to perfection.
Missing since the December defeat to United through a combination of Roberto Mancini’s selection policy and then a virus, the 22-year-old striker is back on the training pitch.
And he’s arrived back at full health just in time to replace injury-stricken Sergio Aguero in the City squad.
Aguero is set to miss Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie with Watford after suffering a hamstring injury against Stoke on New Year’s Day.
He’s also a doubt for the trip to Arsenal a week later.
City have already been linked with big-name strikers David Villa and Radamel Falcao just three days into this month’s transfer window.
But they could have a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.
David Platt revealed he and Mancini would see how the Italian striker trained today and tomorrow before deciding whether to throw him back in.
“He has had two or three days training and will have another few days before the game at the weekend,” said Platt. “There is every chance he will be available for selection.”
Balotelli has been linked with a move to AC Milan – who are set to sell either Robinho or Alexandre Pato – despite Mancini’s insistence that no-one will be allowed to leave in the January window.
And Platt insists that stance extends to Joleon Lescott as well, after he was linked with a move back to former club Everton.
Lescott, who will have one eye on the England squad for the friendly against Brazil at Wembley on February 6, made his first start in a month against Stoke on New Year’s Day after losing his place to 19-year-old Matija Nastasic.
With Kolo Toure set to miss up to five Premier League games at the Africa Cup of Nations, Lescott is in line to play a more central role in the coming weeks.
And Platt hit back at the suggestion Lescott might be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium this month while insisting his selection against Stoke was nothing more than squad rotation during the busy Christmas fixture period.
But he did heap praise on the 30-year-old after he helped the Blues keep Stoke’s physical front line of Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters and Cameron Jerome under wraps.
“Joleon has got a contract here at Manchester City,” said Platt after being asked if the defender was on his way out this month. “Until something changes, I can’t see what the point is in that question.
“We have got a squad of players and we will pick 11 from them. Matija is 19 years of age and has played a lot of games. Joleon, we know what he can do and what he is capable of doing. It was nothing more than that. The team selection was what it was.
“It was a good performance against Stoke, not just the fact we created chances and scored goals. We have got to give credit to the midfield and back four because we never allowed Stoke any platform whatsoever.
“When they won the ball and tried to get forward, Joleon and Vinny were excellent in marshalling that. We sustained our attacks because they were very good at doing that. Tactically, the team performed very well, as well as creating chances and playing good football.”
GOLDEN BOLLOX 3-1-2011
Manchester City bring in Brazil youth keeper Luis Guilherme to link up with old Arsenal mates Toure and Adebayor
Manchester City have invited Brazil youth international goalkeeper Luis Guilherme to train with them.
The 18-year-old made a similar move to Arsenal when he was just 15 but returned home to sign a professional contract until 2015 with Botafogo.
Guilherme will work with City’s youth team and insists his focus is on improving rather than attracting a transfer bid, but there is no date set for his recall.
‘I want to make the most of it,’ he said. ‘If there is the possibility of a transfer, I’ll be happy. I want this to be a new chance to gain experience at another football school and experience a different culture.’
The 6ft 1in keeper, who has represented Brazil up to Under-17 level, believes he will have no problems fitting in at Carrington after his experience with the Gunners.
He will be helped by Corinthians striker Jo and hopes to again meet two players who looked after him in London: Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure.
‘There is a lot of integration between the youth teams and first team (in England),’ he said. ‘That was the case at Arsenal where I was with Adebayor and Toure a lot. Now I will find them again.’
Carlos Tevez scored 26 Premier League goals in 2010, more than any other player. He failed to get this year off to a good start, however – including his miss from the penalty spot, he had nine attempts on goal in the game against Blackpool, failing to get on the scoresheet. That's a joint record number of shots without scoring in a game this season, along with Didier Drogba against Birmingham and Clint Dempsey versus Sunderland.
Arsenal’s Antithesis – The Problem With Manchester City
On Wednesday we entertain the Mancunian lottery winners in a second-v-third clash which could play a major part in deciding the destiny of the title.
It should also have everyone who loves football praying for an Arsenal win.
Simply put, Manchester City represent everything that’s wrong with the game in England.
They were acquired like a shiny bauble by a rich Sheikh from the United Arab Emirates who had no connection with English football, with Manchester or with the club itself.
Since then they have, in Arsène Wenger’s memorable phrase, indulged in ‘financial doping’ on an obscene scale and in a manner which few sports would allow.
Sheikh Mansour has already sunk more than £500m into the club and that’s before taking into account this year’s operating loss of £121m.
This kind of spending, dished out almost at random (Mansour could as easily have bought Leeds or Sheffield Wednesday or Everton) is a perversion of natural justice in football.
Sure, some clubs have always been richer than others (Manchester United and Arsenal being two obvious examples) but that’s because of the support they have managed to generate. Their wealth has grown organically over decades, not been imposed from above in a moment.
And what have City done with all that newly-acquired money? Have they tried to start a world class academy of football? Have they set up talent-spotting and hot-housing bases in Africa and South America? Have they created state-of-the-art training facilities to bring through the best youth in the country? Have they hell.
Instant money demands instant results, so the once charmingly unfashionable Citizens have gone all out to buy whatever talent they can for whatever money was demanded, skewing the transfer market in the process.
Now they have the most expensive squad in the EPL with the highest wage bill. If they were a normal business they would be bust a hundred times over.
What’s worse, their once-lovable supporters, whose sang-froid in the face of all manner of adversity made them among the most loyal and entertaining in the English top flight, have also been corrupted by the Sheikh’s billions.
They have taken to booing their own team despite having on-field success the like of which they haven’t seen for decades; whenever they play Arsenal they come on our blog sites and spout the sort of vile, jealous, acrimonious garbage you normally only hear from Spud saddoes; in short, they have gone from reaching for the moon to demanding the earth. From enfeeblement to entitlement in the space of a few, short, oil-rich months.
The club is being wrenched away from its own proud roots and history, but the supporters are jumping on for the ride. Don’t they realise that when the the train hits the buffers – when the Sheikh gets bored and decides to move into Formula 1 or the NFL – they’ll be in a far worse position than they were before the Arabs arrived?
Then there’s the squad. A rag-tag band of mercenaries whose attitude is best epitomised by a certain Emmanuel Adebayor – a man who spent most of his Arsenal career in the offside position and who, since his departure, has displayed as much class as a drug-addled hooker trying to score the next fix.
The gracelessness of the recent comments by Mario Balotelli on receiving the Golden Boy award sums up the arrogance of the entire club. On being asked about the runner-up in the awards (for Europe’s best young player) he said he had never heard of Jack Wilshere but next time he played against Arsenal he would show Jack his award to remind him who was the better player.
I would bet £1,000 right now that Balotelli’s career will be one of stop-starts, bust-ups with managers, irregular international appearances for Italy and multiple club changes, while Wilshere will go on to captain England and Arsenal and will remain a one club man for his entire career.
In summary, Citeh have followed the disgusting, money-is-the-answer-to-everything approach pioneered by Abramovich at Chelsea and taken it to a new level.
Much as I loathe ManUre and the Spuds, at least they have real history and they have developed (more or less) organically with rich owners who have also been fans (the Glazers aside).
Citeh’s template is no way to run our national sport. The new financial fair play rules being brought in by UEFA will attempt to address this but, to me at least, they seem so full of loopholes that nothing will really change.
On Wednesday we have the chance to give Manchester City a second helping of what money can’t buy: teamwork, integrity and strength, leading to a convincing Arsenal win.
When we put them to the sword, as I believe we will, it will be a victory for the best values of English football against the worst evils of the modern game.
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is facing a driving ban after a series of motoring offences.
The Argentine international was due to be sentenced for TWO offences by Manchester magistrates yesterday.
He is facing a rap for driving his Porsche without a full UK licence and failing to disclose who was behind the wheel of his Hummer when it was snapped speeding in Morecambe.
But the court agreed to delay proceedings after finding out that Tevez has just been sentenced for a THIRD offence by magistrates in Crewe.
He was last month fined £1,500 and given six points after being caught speeding in his Hummer – this time in Cheshire.
His defence have now asked for that punishment to be scrapped, and for Tevez to be sentenced for all three offences at the same time.
And they’ve admitted the 28-year-old, who is reportedly on £200,000 a week, is now looking at a driving ban.
Nick Terry, from Burton Copeland solicitors, told Manchester magistrates: "It has emerged that a separate offence has been dealt with in Crewe and we would ask for an adjournment so that the sentence can be set aside and that the offence can be amalgamated with these two and one sentence be given here.
"There are a number of matters against Mr Tevez and he will be disqualified under totting up provisions."
Tevez’s Porsche Panamera was impounded after he was stopped on Palatine Road in Didsbury on November 15 and he was unable to produce a full UK licence.
Just two days later, he mimicked driving a car during a goal celebration against Aston Villa.
Also in November he was given an interim ban for failing to provide information when his Hummer was clocked speeding in Morecambe, on the day of a City reserve-team match in the Lancashire seaside resort.
Sentencing for the ‘no licence’ case was adjourned and the case was brought before Manchester magistrates yesterday.
He will now be sentenced for all three offences in two weeks.
As an Argentinian driving licence holder Tevez, who lives in Prestbury, Cheshire, is permitted to drive in Britain for the first 12 months of his stay in the country but is then required to apply for a provisional licence and pass the UK driving theory and practical test.
He joined West Ham United in 2006 before moving to Manchester United the following season and switching to City in 2009.
[spoiler]Keeping with todays celeb fans theme ....
[/spoiler]MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +7 GD +4
SNUB COUNT 3
Harry Redknapp is hoping Lyon's France international right-back Anthony Reveillere, 33, will sign for Queens Park Rangers. Daily Telegraph
Wigan are close to completing the loan signing of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Joel, 22. DSSC
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Joel has been reportedly targeted by Wigan
Tottenham are close to signing Schalke's Germany international midfielder Lewis Holtby, 22, on a pre-contract deal. Metro
Fulham are waiting on the results of a medical as they ponder giving Ghana international midfielder Derek Boateng, 29, a deal at Craven Cottage. DSSC
Midfielder Jermaine Jenas, 29, is heading back to Tottenham after making one start in three months during a loan stint at Nottingham Forest. Daily Mirror
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reigniting his interest in Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, 22, with hopes of making him his first signing of the transfer window. Caughtoffside.com
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is targeting Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau, 28, after he was told he can leave in January. Daily Mirror
West Ham are willing to let 25-year-old striker Modibo Maiga leave the club for Newcastle. The Mali international failed a medical with the Magpies last year but he is on their shortlist if a bid for Marseille striker Loic Remy, 26, fails. Sun
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans has been told he can look for a new club during the January transfer window. Independent
Chelsea are willing to part with around £24m for Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, of Real Madrid, according to AS.
Former Sunderland player John Mensah, 30, will join French side Stade Rennes. The Ghanaian defender has been without a club since his contract with Lyon ended in June. L'Equipe
Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder did not participate in the team's first training session of the year. The Dutch international, 28, is said to be unhappy at the club and looking to move elsewhere. Tuttosport
Sean O'Driscoll, who was sacked as Nottingham Forest manager last week, will be on the Wolves shortlist if the club lose patience with current boss Stale Solbakken. DSSC
Blackburn's bid to bring in Peter Taylor as their next manager has hit a snag - because of a tax problem. Daily Mirror
A new survey has revealed that more than three-quarters of professional players in England and Scotland say depression is a problem for footballers. Daily Record
Defender Rio Ferdinand, 34, says if Manchester United keep their "house in order", the Premier League leaders can ignore rivals Manchester City's title challenge. Daily Telegraph
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has boosted Manchester United's hopes of re-signing him by admitting he still "loves" the club that gave him the platform to become one of the world's best players. Daily Express
Bury manager Kevin Blackwell is believed to be among the candidates to take over as Barnsley boss after they sacked Keith Hill. Manchester Evening News
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, 49, could one day manage in the United Arab Emirates, according to his friend and Al Ahli manager Quique Sanchez Flores.
[strike]TWEET[/strike] TWAT OF THE DAY
Rio Ferdinand reveals confrontation with hooded fans eight years ago
• Hooded group congregated outside Ferdinand's house
• Fans demanded Manchester United defender sign his contract
Rio Ferdinand has revealed he was confronted by a gang of hooded fans during his contract talks with the club eight years ago. The group calling themselves the "United boys" turned up outside the player's house to demand that he signed a new deal.
The Manchester United defender's future had been the subject of speculation at the time after he had been photographed with the former Chelsea chief executive, Peter Kenyon, in a restaurant, but that had been a chance encounter. Ferdinand was asked to come to the door but could not see anyone on his security monitors.
The 34-year-old told Four Four Two magazine: "So I go to the side door and grab a big bit of wood, jump on the side of the wall and I'm just about to scream 'raaaah!' when I see there's a massive group of people, with hoodies and caps covering their faces. "I just thought, 'I'm going to get served up in a moment, so go bananas and they'll think you're a nutter!'
"Then one of them said, 'We're the United boys, fucking sign your contract,' and I was like, 'What you talking about? I've only just started negotiating two months ago, what you worrying about?"'
Explaining the background, he added: "Basically I went to see my agent for half an hour and Kenyon was with him. Someone's taken a picture and made out like we're having a bloody meal together. So I'm saying to these guys, 'If I'm going to do a deal with another club, do you think I'd be doing it in broad daylight?'
"One of the neighbours had called the police by then and they got off when they heard the sirens."
Ferdinand, in a question and answer section with fans, also spoke of the lowest point of his career, when he was banned for eight months after failing to attend a drugs test in 2003. He said: "If that sort of thing can't make you more responsible, then I don't know what can.
"People assume I must have had something to hide but I did all the tests that were asked in the end and the judge said I had proved beyond any doubt I had nothing in my system - those tests trace stuff from months back.
"So I never had any doubt in my mind, it was just irresponsible of me not to go to the test at the time and I got punished severely for it.
"Eight months of my career just gone, just like that. It was easily the lowest point of my career, especially as I knew people were trying to tarnish my name by saying I was into drugs.
"That's the most disappointing thing for me, that people assumed I was involved in drugs or had something to hide."
GOLDEN BOLLOX 3-1-2010
Fernando Torres will become the world's most expensive footballer if he leaves Liverpool in the summer.
Manchester City and Chelsea have made Torres their number one target but would have to splash out more than £140m in transfer fees and wages to land the Spanish superstar.
Not only has Torres' value eclipsed the £80m Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo, he can anticipate a salary offer of around £15m a year given the current inflated levels for the most wanted players.
It would require the biggest financial package in football history to secure a deal
City offered Brazilian Kaka a staggering £280k a week in their ill-fated bid a year ago, and Torres would comfortably match that.
Liverpool have made it clear they won't listen to any offers for their star striker and manager Rafa Benitez recently insisted he'd resign if the player was sold against his will.
But Liverpool also know matters will be out of their hands unless the club attracts investment and finish in the top four.
After years fighting against the financial troubles caused by the American ownership, the next six months will finally bring matters to a head at Anfield one way or the other. If Liverpool don't sort themselves out off the pitch, their rivals intend to capitalise and are now openly targeting their most prized assets. New City boss Roberto Mancini was appointed partly because his Arab owners believe he can assist in luring the top names to Eastlands. They didn't believe Mark Hughes had the same clout when it came to attracting a player of Torres' calibre.
They think the Italian has the aura required to tempt such a player, but realise only by ousting Liverpool from the top four will they have any hope of doing business. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has also been pursing Torres for the last two seasons and believes Liverpool will be more vulnerable than ever unless Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr get out of the Merseyside club.
Torres became the quickest Liverpool player to reach 50 goals earlier this week as he kick-started his club's bid to retain its Champions League status. Sport of the World revealed last weekend how the striker's ongoing commitment to the Merseyside giants is conditional on the club proving it can continue to match his ambitions. Kop fans have been reassured by the Spaniard's determination to help Liverpool recover their position and make interest in him irrelevant. But the only way they can do that longer-term is by securing massive investment to ensure next season the target is winning the Premier League rather than 'managing the debt,' as Benitez recently suggested. Benitez has 'guaranteed' Liverpool will finish in the top four. His confidence is geared at reassuring his star striker that this season's onfield problems are a one-off and warning Manchester City and Chelsea to keep their hands in their pockets.
Roberto Mancini has been urged by a Manchester City insider to sign Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross.
The Italian manager has drawn up a list of potential targets to reinforce his depleted defensive options.
They include Inter Milan’s Ivan Cordoba, Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini and West Ham’s Matthew Upson.
With Joleon Lescott injured and Kolo Toure on African Cup of Nations duty, Mancini could even bring in Sol Campbell as a short-term solution.The former England man is now a free agent and available after his ill-fated stint at Notts County.
However, a City insider believes the club need a no-nonsense defender for the long haul and reckons Manchester United discard Shawcross, 22, fits the bill.The insider said: “We’ve been linked with several players, but we should be looking for somebody who can defend and get his head on the ball.“Ryan Shawcross is that type of player.”Shawcross was the shock selection when he was named in the Sunday Mirror Team of the Year by former West Ham star Tony Gale.
Gale said: “Ryan’s a revelation. He’s quick and reads the game extremely well.”
MORE BOLLOX LATER
