OFFICIAL BOLLOX
As the City squad prepare to face Chelsea in St Louis, transfer news from Spain is making the headlines at home.
First up, Blues starlet Denis Suarez is reportedly attracting the interest of a selection of La Liga sides.
The midfielder, who finished the season on a high for the EDS by scoring five goals in four games, was rewarded for his progress with a place in the starting line up to face Villa in the Carling Cup, and was on the bench against Arsenal in the Premier League.
But the Daily Express now report that interest is being shown in taking the Spain U20 international back to his homeland.
“Suarez's skill and vision have caught the eye of a number of clubs abroad,” writes Charles Perrin.
“Spanish paper Marca ascertains four clubs- Espanyol, Granada, Sevilla and Malaga have all expressed an interest in him.
“They also reveal that Espanyol could be the frontrunners to secure his services, as they have a collaboration agreement in place as well as already establishing early contact with the player's agent.”
Elsewhere, Roque Santa Cruz has hinted he would take a pay cut to remain at Malaga on a permanent basis once his loan deal expires in the summer.
The Paraguayan striker will become a free agent next month, and has been linked with Brazilian club Botafogo.
Website sportsmole.co.uk explains: “Santa Cruz says that his family are very settled in Spain and that he is keen to stay at the Estadio La Rosaleda on a permanent basis.
"I think that what is best is that [my family] have a bit of continuity and stay with what has been started here," he told reporters.
"The main thing is that the club keeps going and puts in place a long-term project. I think that they are working out what they will have to spend and, as a result, the majority of players will be asked if they will take a cut in order to stay and create a credible plan.
"Malaga have told me their intentions and that they want me to stay. They are trying to reorganise the deficit and have all the numbers in order."
Remember, we’ll be first with any official ins or outs at the club this summer on mcfc.co.uk!
City legend Mike Summerbee is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year at the National Football Museum.
His sensational career will be honoured at the official ceremony on 25 September.
Liv Lee writes in the Manchester Evening News: “Summerbee, who made more than 400 appearances for Manchester City between 1965-75 and is now an ambassador for the club, also described his induction as a major honour.
“‘The City side of 1968-70 is already in the Hall of Fame but it’s a privilege to be inducted as an individual player and join team mates Francis Lee and Colin Bell,’ said Buzzer.”
Claudio Reyna at home in new NYC FC gig
New York City FC introduced former United States international and Manchester City player Claudio Reyna as its first Director of Football.
Twenty-four hours in, and New York City FC has its employee number one. Enter Claudio Reyna, the club's freshly minted Director of Football, who was introduced this morning on stage at P.S. 72 in East Harlem.
Reyna was perched pensively at the end of a line of dignitaries that included MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. The former US Soccer Federation youth technical director sat, hands clasped tightly together, smiling uncomfortably as event emcee Michael Kay hailed him as "Captain America."
Soriano was more subtle in his introductions, offering a romantic recreation of the search process that culminated in Reyna's hiring. "The job is the most important person we need," he recounted telling his staff at their first meeting. "Go find me someone who is a New Yorker who has played in New York, who has played for U.S. national team and in Europe ... and my staff, they tell me this is impossible."
Reyna was one of a handful of men who would have fit the bill, but none could be more perfect. As the former captain of the U.S. national team and veteran of four World Cups, he joined Kevin Keegan's Manchester City in 2003 and spent four years in the club's midfield before returning to MLS and a stint with New York Red Bulls.
Now symbolically clad in a fresh-looking sky blue tie, Reyna stepped up to the podium. A modest figure, the new executive grew in confidence with every sentence of his opening remarks. "I can't think of a more tailor-made opportunity," he admitted. "In Manchester I experienced what this club is about -- a club whose heart and pulse is about the community. Now it's key we bring that over to New York from Manchester."
I caught up with Reyna on his first day in the job, as he began to oversee the club's launch in 2015. Our conversation contained a number of fascinating hints about the strategies he will use to build New York City FC. But first, I asked if the former player had ever dreamed as a kid growing up in Livingston, New Jersey, that one day he would become the executive of a New York professional soccer team co-owned by two powerhouse sporting brands.
A chuckling Reyna admitted, "Not in my wildest dreams. This is the area I grew up in but when I take a step back and remember where the sport was when I came of age when, frankly, it was not relevant at any level, and look where it is now -- big youth to pros for men and women -- I realize New York City FC is going to add one huge level onto all the work done by so many people over the past four decades."
Reyna was first approached about the job in January. "Ferran Soriano and (fellow executive) Brian Marwood told me about their plans and I had been clear with the US Soccer Federation that I was looking for further opportunities." Reyna had interviewed for a managerial position with team rival New York Red Bulls, but could not turn down the chance to become New York City FC's first employee. "The combination of the Man City connection and New York and the opportunity to be part of something from scratch made it a very easy decision."
The jump from being a creative midfielder for Manchester City to helping them build a club from scratch is a huge one that Reyna admits is "daunting."
"Though I am the first employee, I won't be the last," he promised. The first task is to bring in some hard-working, motivated people that love the game in the same way as Man City's leadership group do all the way from the top down. It may just be me today but we will be a big family before long with our big brother Manchester City over the water to help us."
Reyna's learning curve has been jump-started by the convenient presence of the entire Manchester City operation in New York City this week. "It is a great advantage for me to start with them here," the executive admits. "I can develop relationships with the first team and the backroom staff whose structure we will replicate over here and work out how we will fall into the global scouting department, the performance analysis team, and the academy piece."
I asked Reyna to compare his launch strategy with Manchester City's, a club which was re-energized with a massive cash infusion -- a strategy that will not fly in the single-entity salary cap, three "designated players" MLS. "We have to become creative as we need to play, and will play within the leagues rules. We will tap into the DPs and the young designated player rules." Reyna then hints at what he hopes may be some of New York FC's perceived advantages. "Every player I ever met during my career loves New York City. We hope we can attract non-Designated Players of quality who want to spend time in the city and in MLS and experience the growth of our club."
New York City FC's synergy offers it another, more technical advantage -- Manchester City's global scouting network, which dwarfs that of most of their MLS competitors. "That is one advantage which is within the rules for us to use," Reyna admits. "Getting to know the scouting network is a priority for me. I will be down in Brazil at the Confederations Cup and look forward to meeting the South American and Central America contingents."
Once I asked Reyna about his vision for the role of American players at the club, the former U.S. international almost becomes overwhelmed by enthusiasm. "The (board) clearly want this to be a destination for U.S. players. I am American and I know what this country gave me and I want this to be a place where American players succeed as players and experience success as a team." Then perhaps revealing another page from the club's playbook, he adds, "We will look at Americans playing abroad and see if they want to come back and play in New York City."
Before I could move on, Reyna took us back to the issue of setting out a bold vision as he sets out to build a powerhouse United States soccer club. "Let me make this clear," he declared. "We want our team to have players coming through to the U.S. national team, and we want to field the best American players in every position."
I asked Reyna whether he had any American soccer teams to support when he was a teen. "I did not," he admitted. "I had to look abroad and because my parents are Argentine I was a big River Plate fan, and due to Maradona, I followed Napoli too. Because of that, I want to build a team here in America that fans love. I want 5-year-olds wearing our jerseys with the players' names on them just like Manchester City fans have Kun Aguero on theirs. To me, that challenge is as exciting as building the first team."
Listing the tasks Reyna has covered -- hiring a staff, building a team, engaging a fan base -- I wonder if the club's launch date of 2015 seems close or far away. "It feels both close and far away," he replies. "I keep telling myself it is far away just so I can relax."
Monaco preparing €30m offer for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany
[youtube]BW40XG2FnM0[/youtube]
French newspaper L’Equipe claim today that wealthy French side Monaco, just promoted from Ligue 2, are planning a move for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
Monaco have already been heavily linked with Radamel Falcao and in recent hours it has been reported that they are closing in on a double deal for Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for a mammoth 70 million euro fee.
L’Equipe suggest that Victor Valdes, Lisandro Lopez and Vincent Kompany are the players Monaco are also looking at as they look to splash Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev’s cash.
Kompany has often been linked with Barcelona but the Manchester City defender has always stated his desire to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
The 27-year-old Belgian endured an injury hit campaign but still played 26 matches for Manchester City, scoring 1 goal in 2012/2013.
It would be a surprise were Kompany to leave Manchester City especially as likely incoming boss Manuel Pellegrini will be eager to build a defence around the imposing centre back.
Catalan press go nuts about Manchester City and €138m raid
We're well and truly in silly season but the claims being made by Catalan newspaper Sport today eclipse even the most ridiculous stories our own press manage to conjure up. Yes, even the story in an English tabloid today about a potential Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart swap.
Sport reckon that Manchester City are so desperate for global recognition and to get one over on Barcelona (which, as far as Sport are concerned, is the sole aim of all other clubs) that they have assembled a package worth a crazy €138m to try and get Neymar.
They say that figure includes a compensation payment to Barcelona, which Sport reckon the club would be due if he joined Manchester City. For over a year now both Catalan newspapers have been running Neymar to Barcelona stories almost daily and today both Sport and Mundo Deportivo have him on the front page. The big development today being that Lionel Messi has said he wouldn't mind Neymar joining. If a player could ever be bigger than Barcelona then we may be seeing that start to happen, if Messi's approval on the deal is more important than the 'deposits' both newspapers repeatedly say Barcelona have placed on Neymar, then we're in new territory.
Sport say that Neymar is likely to turn down Manchester City's huge bid because he wants to play for Barcelona. Which gives them a way out of the story should it prove to be entirely fictional. Neymar and his current club Santos have both denied several times that any kind of deposit or pre-arrangement has been made with Barcelona. The newspaper go on to say that Manchester City's Neymar pursuit is the work of Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, both taken from Barcelona.
Whilst it's conceivable to think that Manchester City would be interested in Neymar, it's not conceivable to think they'd shell out €138m for him. The part of that which is compensation to Barcelona is €40m.
Cavani, Fernandinho & Isco head up Manchester City's €140m summer splurge
Manchester City are planning a €140 million summer splurgeThe Premier League runners-up are preparing for a post-season restructuring ahead of Manuel Pellegrini's arrival, which sources say will "stun English football"
That Roberto Mancini's name barely made mention as the Manchester City board met at the club's Knightsbridge hotel on the evening before the FA Cup final a fortnight ago said it all. With, or as we now know without, the Italian, those in charge - real charge - at the Etihad Stadium, have plans that extend far beyond the sacking of their beleaguered former boss over the coming months.
At the heart of those plans: a €140 million summer shopping spree that will "stun English football", say sources.
In fact, it is being described as "the biggest summer in City's recent history" by those in and around the club. From Abu Dhabi to Ardwick, City are set to enter a period of transformation that will change the footballing landscape far beyond Manchester forever.
Edinson Cavani, Fernandinho, Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Jesus Navas and Diego Novaretti make up City's stellar six-man shortlist drawn up in a series of meetings between director of football Txiki Begiristain, chief executive Ferran Soriano, football administration officer Brian Marwood and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who reports directly to Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi owners who have bankrolled the club into the upper echelons of the English game.
Yet the club's disastrous title defence this term, which saw them finish 11 points behind champions Manchester United and Roberto Mancini sacked within two days of their humbling FA Cup final defeat to Wigan, has accelerated work behind the scenes as the club prepare to face Chelsea in a St. Louis friendly in the early hours of Friday morning.
Manuel Pellegrini confirmed his departure from Malaga on Wednesday ahead of his expected move to City to replace Mancini, who sent flowers to City staff at the club's Carrington training ground this week and ensured his personal belongings and bicycle were removed from the complex.
Meanwhile, amid the farewells taking place in Manchester, the €63m-rated Cavani remains the club's number one target this summer. The striker has already been the subject of talks between City and the Uruguayan's club Napoli, which were confirmed by the Serie A side's owner Aurelio De Laurentiis on Tuesday.
The Italian club are keen to include Edin Dzeko - who City value at €26m - in any deal for Cavani but Goal understands that the Bosnian is likely to wait for confirmation of Robert Lewandowski's expected switch to Bayern Munich before committing to any move, as he is keen on a return to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.
Malaga attacker Isco has also told City that he will make the move to Manchester provided the almost inevitable completion of Pellegrini's switch to the Premier League outfit goes through in the coming weeks, with the 21-year-old Spaniard a long-term target despite his recent new contract almost doubling his previous release clause of €20m to €35m. Begiristain, although a fan of Isco, is unwilling to pay more than €26m for his services and reports surfaced late on Wednesday suggesting that Real Madrid were in advanced talks to sign the playmaker.
Yet such is the depth of City's planning that every targeted position has two or three names to cover any potential shortfall in the market this summer.
Isco's compatriot Jesus Navas has also hinted that he would be keen to link up with Pellegrini this summer and is seen as a suitable, if not like-for-like, replacement for Samir Nasri, who is being pursued informally by Paris Saint-Germain. However, much hinges on who replaces the outgoing Carlo Ancelotti in the French capital before the Qatar Investment Authority sanction a move for the former Arsenal star, whose publicly-strained relationship with Roberto Mancini came to the fore this term.
City, meanwhile, remain in deadlock with Shakhtar Donetsk, who want €48m for Brazilian star Fernandinho, who took to Twitter on Monday expressing his desire to join the Premier League runners-up. As with both Isco and Jesus Navas, club officials are reluctant to spend much over the €23m mark but expect that the box-to-box midfielder's attempts to manoeuvre an exit from the Ukrainian outfit could see them soften their stance over his departure.
A move for Thiago Alcantara is also being considered by the club, after Marwood met with the Barcelona starlet's father, Mazinho, in secret talks in Catalunya in 2012. They typically face stiff competition from neighbours United in the pursuit of his signature, however, with a fee of between €17.5m and €23m thought to be enough to convince the Spanish champions to sell their out-of-favour midfielder.
With concerns over Financial Fair Play regulations at the forefront of the minds of City's top brass, talks have also addressed recouping up to €47m this summer through player sales and salary savings to fund their transformative summer splurge, coupled with the €23m paid by AC Milan for Mario Balotelli in January still sitting in the club's coffers.
The most high-profile and lucrative departure alongside Dzeko and Nasri is Carlos Tevez, whose annual salary comes to approximately £6.5m. The controversial Argentine is a target for Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Monaco. Kolo Toure, who is nearing ever closer to a move to Liverpool, pockets £115,000-a-week at City and will likely be replaced by Mexican-based Argentine Diego Novaretti, while the club's contributions to the £90,000-a-week wages of Roque Santa Cruz and Wayne Bridge are also set to come to an end this summer.
Manchester City are 15/8 with William Hill to win the Premier League next season
The futures of Scott Sinclair, who is being monitored by Everton, Newcastle and Southampton, and Javi Garcia, who was the first player sold by Pellegrini on his arrival at Real Madrid in 2009, are also unclear. Both have been made available by City after failing to impress this term.
While Begiristain is at the forefront of the club's player recruitment drive and salary restructure, chief executive Soriano has been working closely with the club's swelling commercial department, which will hire a further 20 staff in an office in Mayfair over the next few months.
The announcement of City's partnership with the New York Yankees and subsequent move into MLS with New York City FC is, according to sources close to the club, simply the start of the club's efforts to spread their brand across Asia, the USA and South America as the club follow the lead of United in capitalising on the Premier League's vast global appeal.
Meanwhile, the club are continuing work on their vast Eastlands site, so large that it covers two postcodes in the Ardwick and Openshaw areas of Manchester. City's £100m Etihad Campus, which has been designed to attract and develop the best young talent on the planet, is a year from completion, while the club are in consultation with the local community regarding a 6,000 seat expansion of the Etihad Stadium's south stand ahead of the 2015-16 season.
Goal understands that the club are also considering undertaking further work on the north stand with a view to surpassing Arsenal's 60,361 capacity at the Emirates Stadium and becoming second only to Old Trafford as the largest club ground in the country. This summer will also see City continue to upgrade the middle tier of the stadium, improving seats and hospitality suites as the club look to attract a greater number of corporate clients to the club.
Quite simply, the pace with which City are operating this summer both on the pitch and off it speaks volumes for the club's desire to not only catch their city neighbours but ultimately surpass them and become a genuine major player among the world's more powerful clubs.
Al Mubarak, the most powerful man involved in the day-to-day running of the club, has even had to delay his annual message to the fans on the club's website, such is the volume of work being undertaken in preparation for the arrival of Pellegrini and the forthcoming transfer window.
At City, the work has only just begun.
Manuel Pellegrini 'could be great for Manchester City'
Pablo Zabaleta believes Manuel Pellegrini could be a great manager for Manchester City.
The City defender has long known of Pellegrini's reputation having been a junior at Argentinian club San Lorenzo when the Chilean was first-team boss.
Pellegrini is widely expected to be named as replacement for the sacked Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium after it was confirmed he is to leave Malaga at the end of the Spanish season.
Zabaleta, 28, speaking in New York on City's post-season tour, said: "I have never worked under Pellegrini before, when he was at San Lorenzo I was in the second team.
"I don't know him as a person but he did well at Real Madrid, Villarreal and Malaga.
"We will see if Pellegrini signs for Manchester City.
"His way to play football is great. Somebody told me he is a great manager so we will wait to see what happens.
"Hopefully if he comes to City he can just carry on with his football."
Pellegrini potentially moved a step closer to City when Malaga announced he would leave La Rosaleda after their final two Primera Division games.
The 59-year-old did have two years remaining on his contract but he and the club both cited "sporting reasons" for his departure.
Pellegrini added: "Everyone has the right and obligation to follow their chosen path, and Malaga must do the same.
"The club requires a realistic project next season.
"Malaga had a past without Manuel Pellegrini, and will also have a future without Manuel Pellegrini."
Pellegrini oversaw unprecedented success at Villarreal by guiding them to a Champions League semi-final in 2006 and second place in La Liga in 2008.
He then had a single season in charge at Real Madrid before taking over at Malaga, whom he steered to the last eight of the Champions League this year.
Pellegrini's European record would be an attraction to City, who conspicuously failed to achieve on that stage under Mancini.
Zabaleta believes he would also bring a positive style of play to the club.
He said: "He likes to play attractive football.
"What I saw with Malaga, whenever they played they played to win.
"This is something important for a top team. Wherever you go to play, you play to win."
Zabaleta also knows there will be an onus on the players to respond to the new man.
He said: "Whoever is the manager, players need to work hard.
"When a new manager comes in you need to show you want to keep your place in the team and I am sure we will do in the pre-season."
GOLDEN BOLLOX 23-5-2010
Man City want £25million for flop Robinho
Manchester City are hoping Robinho has an outstanding World Cup so they can finally ditch their temperamental £32.5million signing.
Robinho has again restated his intention not to return to City next season after being allowed to join former club Santos on loan in January.
And the Brazilian will be told that the feeling is mutual – but that City are unwilling to write off the British-record fee they paid Real Madrid to land him in August 2008.
City want to recoup at least £25million for Robinho after ruling out extending his loan at Santos unless the Sao Paulo club come up with a significant fee that will enable it to happen.
A City insider said: “If any club shows an interest in Robinho at the right price then he will be sold.
“He wants to leave and you can be sure that the club won’t stand in his way.
“But we did make a significant investment in the player two years ago and we would want a significant amount of money back.
“Our hope is that he puts himself in the shop window by having a good World Cup for Brazil.”
Richards off to Scouse 1 for £12mil
Rafa Benitez is looking to make a summer move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards. The Liverpool boss is hoping to bring in the 21 year old by offering him the carrot of regular first team football and a way back into the England set up.
The Anfield manager is hoping to get a cash injection this summer to help bring in new additions but given the precarious financial state the Merseyside club finds itself in Rafa may have to sell before he can buy. Micah Richards has found his first team chances limited of late and as a result has fallen down Fabio Capello’s pecking order.
Even though Liverpool did not manage to secure a Champions League spot the chance of a move to Anfield and the chance to re-ignite his career may tempt Richards who can usefully play effectively both at right back and in the centre of defence and for that reason Benitez considers him one of his top summer targets.
The likes of Albert Rieira, Philipp Degen and Yossi Benayoun may be offloaded in order to garner the funds for new signings such as Micah Richards.
Tevez talks top of Pellegrini agenda
Striker's future in doubt as City managerial target set for emotional farewell at Malaga
Manuel Pellegrini is expected to start work at Manchester City on June 3 and begin immediate talks to resolve the uncertain futures of Carlos Tévez and Gareth Barry after confirming his decision to resign as Malaga coach.
The Chilean could be announced as successor to the sacked Roberto Mancini as early as next week after agreeing a £3.4m-a-year deal to become the City manager. Pellegrini, whose work with Villarreal and Real Madrid has seen him identified by City sporting director Txiki Begiristain as the manager best-equipped to embrace the 'holistic' approach favoured the club's Abu Dhabi hierarchy, admitted in Spain yesterday that this Sunday's La Liga clash with Deportivo La Coruña would be his final home game in charge of Malaga.
And while he is expected to remain in charge for the season finale against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on June 1, Pellegrini is understood to be determined to speak to Tévez, Barry and Joleon Lescott – all of whom have just one year remaining on their contracts – in the first week of June in order to clarify their futures.
The prospect of playing for a Spanish-speaking coach could prove decisive in persuading Tévez to sign a one-year extension to his contract – a move which would enable the club to protect the forward's resale value – but the futures of Barry and Lescott remain unclear.
Despite a lack of confirmation from City that Pellegrini will take charge at the club, Pellegrini hinted at his determination to take on the challenge at the Etihad Stadium when announcing the reasons for departure from Malaga.
"Professionally, I am living my last hours in Malaga," Pellegrini said. "On Sunday, I will manage my last game as Malaga coach at La Rosaleda. It will be a very emotional occasion and we hope to leave with the club having qualified for Europe, with the mission completed.
"The agreement with the club has been gratifying and satisfactory. Everyone has the right to continue on their path. I am not looking for economic ambitions, but a sporting project that allows me to feel fulfilled."
Pellegrini's imminent appointment has been welcomed by City defender Pablo Zabaleta, who begin his career under the 59-year-old as a youngster with Argentinian club San Lorenzo.
Gareth Barry Talks to B/R About Manchester City, His Former Club and NYCFC
Bleacher Report: You and your Manchester City teammates are in New York City preparing for a friendly against Chelsea at Yankee Stadium. How has America treated you so far?
Gareth Barry: It's different for the players. Once the season is finished, it is usually time for holidays. The people in New York are so friendly and they have treated us so warm, we are looking to playing two good games here.
B/R: The match is being playing at Yankee Stadium, which is one of the hallowed grounds in American sports. Has it resonated in the City camp how historic the stadium is over here and can it compare to the likes of Old Trafford and Wembley Stadium in England.
GB: The players have spoke about it. It is going to be a big honor to play in a stadium as famous as Yankee Stadium.
B/R: What are your thoughts on the brand-new partnership between Manchester City and the Yankees in the formation of New York City FC?
GB: Everyone in England can see the progression that MLS is making. Every year it seems to get bigger and bigger. I think this next step is just another step to where it wants to be. It is a massive step for both teams.
B/R: Would you ever consider taking the David Beckham route to ending your career?
GB: Of course, you can never rule anything out. With the league getting bigger and bigger, it is something that is brought up in conversations across the Barclays Premier League. The players who have made the move seem to enjoy their football. Me personally, I would never rule it out. If the opportunity arose, it would be something that would definitely be considered.
B/R: Most people would consider finishing second place a success, but in Manchester City's case, it resulted in the sacking of Roberto Mancini. What was the mood like in the dressing room after the season ended?
GB: I think because of last season, the target was obviously to retain the EPL title. We were slightly disappointed to finish second. It shows where the club are at right now and the progression we have made. We want to be winning the league every year. Second is not that bad, but we want to get it back next season.
B/R: Is there something that the current crop of players would like to see in terms of a new manager and new players at the club this summer?
GB: I think anything that will make the team and the club go forward. If that means a new manager and new players coming into the club, then that's fantastic. To have success, you need competition.
B/R: You played with Aston Villa earlier in your career. Did you keep track of their relegation battle this season?
GB: Yeah, of course. I spent 12 years at Aston Villa. It was a big part of my life, a lot of my friends are still in Birmingham. Theirs is the first result I look at besides our own. It was pretty close, but they finished the season in great form and they deserved to stay up.
B/R: Manchester City and Chelsea both have a foreign presence on the roster. A lot has been made in recent years about the FA developing English talent. Is there something that you would want to help along the further development of English players so that they can break into the EPL?
GB: I think its something that could be looked at. For a young English player, it is harder than ever now to break into the Premier League and play for the top English clubs. A lot of foreign-born players have boosted the quality of the league, and it is a tough time for English players. Maybe some changes can be to help the national team itself.
B/R: From being a member of the England squad, what do you see the Three Lions doing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, have any expectations been set for Brazil at all?
GB: With England, our group is tough to qualify out of and that is the first goal before we go to Brazil. There are some big games ahead for England and it will be a tough battle to qualify.
B/R: With the Yankees partnership, it has been mentioned that the Yankees would play a match at the Etihad. How would a big team like the Yankees and the sport of baseball be received in Manchester if this were to happen?
GB: The Yankees are a massive brand all over the world. If something like that were to happen, it would be amazing. Nothing like that has ever happened before and I'm sure it would get a lot of attention.
Sinclair has to have rib REMOVED and faces three-month absence from training
Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair has had to have a rib removed and won't be able to train for at least three months.
The 24-year-old missed the end of the season with a blood-clot on his shoulder, and doctors have decided to remove his top rib as it was pushing on a vein, causing the clot.
The former Chelsea and Swansea player is now on blood-thinning drug warfarin, which means he is unable to play any contact football as the drug can cause excessive bleeding to an individual if cut.
City's medical team will reassess his situation in August with Sinclair only allowed back to full training if his blood clotting is back to normal levels, revealed the Daily Mirror.
Those close to Sinclair are confident the player, who has been missing since being taken ill in training on May 3, will make a full recover.
But it has come as a further blow to Sinclair after he made only two league starts for City and didn't get on the score sheet following his £6million move last summer.
He may well be loaned out, with Everton and Aston Villa two clubs who were showing an interest before this set back.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
GOLDEN BOLLOX 23-5-2011
Manchester City's fans prepare for FA Cup party City are celebrating winning the FA Cup and finishing third in the Premier League
Manchester is preparing for more than 100,000 people to line its streets to witness Manchester City's first victory parade in 35 years.
City are celebrating winning the FA Cup and finishing third in the Premier League.
Albert Square, where the team will begin their open-top bus tour at 1800 BST, will be closed from 1000 BST.
Other roads on the route to Eastlands will be closed later and Metrolink tram services will be partially suspended.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council and a City fan, said: "Today promises to be a fantastic day for City supporters and Manchester as a whole.
"It's right and proper that the council plays its part in marking City's FA Cup triumph."
City manager Roberto Mancini and some of the players will address crowds in front of Manchester Town hall in Albert Square.
The route (approximate times)
Albert Square: 1800 - 1815 BST
Princess St: 1815 - 1830 BST
Portland St: 1830 - 1900 BST
Newton St: 1900 - 1915 BST
Great Ancoats St: 1915 - 1930 BST
Every Street: 1930 - 1945 BST
Ashton New Rd: 1945 - 2030 BST
City of Manchester Stadium: finish
Princess Street will be closed from 1200 BST and Portland Street from 1600 BST, followed by Newton Street at 1800 BST.
Metrolink has announced that no trams will be running to or from Piccadilly or Piccadilly Gardens and St Peter's Square between 1700 BST and 1900 BST.
Bury and Altrincham tram services will operate direct and Eccles services will terminate at Victoria.
The parade will then travel along Princess Street, Portland Street and Newton Street, before heading east along Great Ancoats Street.
The bus will then turn up Every Street before beginning its final approach to the stadium where it is expected to arrive at 2030 BST for a ticketed sell-out firework party.
Roberto Mancini challenges Manchester City owners to keep spending to win Premier League
The 46-year-old manager believes momentum gained by FA Cup win and third-placed league finish will be lost if club's owners do not keep looking to improve the squad
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted the club's owners must keep spending if his side are to build on this season's success with a Premier League title challenge next season.
City finished the Premier League season on a high after their FA Cup final victory over Stoke at Wembley, beating Bolton 2-0 away from home on Sunday to secure third place in the table and automatic qualification for the group stage of the Champions League next term.
This success has come at huge expense to City's wealthy owners, who have invested over £400 million in the playing squad at Eastlands since taking over the club in 2008, and chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak had hinted the club may adopt a more thrifty approach to the transfer market this time around.
But Mancini insists further investment is required if City are to make the next step up and become a dominant force in England and Europe.
"We want to buy more players to improve because we need them,” the Italian told reporters.
“If you look at last year, we were fifth. This year we have bought good players, we are third and we have won the FA Cup.
“You can spend a lot of money, but you are not sure to win. But if you don’t spend, you won’t win.
“If you can buy good players and work hard, you can win."
When asked whether his side were capable of winning the Premier League next year, he replied: “It’s possible we can challenge for the title. Why not?”
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27, is reportedly being lined up for a £40m move to Paris St-Germain. Daily Mirror
Paris St-Germain are believed to have made direct contact with Rooney over a big-money summer move. L'Equipe
Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard, 34, has hinted he would like to extend his Stamford Bridge stay until 2016. London Evening Standard
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claims forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, could be heading to Chelsea. talkSHIT
Liverpool are believed to be refusing to loan 28-year-old winger Stewart Downing to Fulham but are prepared to sell him to the London club. Daily Mirror
Former England international striker Darren Bent, 29, has reportedly been told he is free to leave Aston Villa this summer. DSSC
West Ham say they are confident of being able to sign 20-year-old forward Romelu Lukaku from London rivals Chelsea. Metro
Montpellier have put a price tag of 100m euros (£85.4m) on 23-year-old midfielder Remy Cabella, a reported target for Arsenal. talkSHIT
Napoli are believed to want Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez and striker Fernando Torres. Daily Mirror
Hull City look set to launch bids to sign Wigan free agent Maynor Figueroa, Burnley's Charlie Austin and West Brom's Peter Odemwingie. DSSC
Tottenham are ready to launch a £36m double bid to sign 27-year-old Valencia striker Roberto Soldado and forward Leandro Damiao, 23, from Brazilian club Internacional. Daily Express
Everton and Inter Milan are interested in signing Espanyol's Ghanaian midfielder Wakaso Mubarak, 22. Marca
Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, has agreed in principle to join Juventus on a four-year deal worth £4m per season. The Argentine has also been targeted by Arsenal. La Repubblica
Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, has not ruled out a move away from the club in the summer. Aftonbladet
Brazilian side Santos say that "no interesting proposals" have yet been made for Neymar, 21. Barcelona have reportedly made two offers for the striker. Globo Esporte
Brazilian defender Adriano Correia, 28, has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2017, with a £76m buy-out clause. El Mundo
Roberto Martinez will decide on Thursday whether to continue as manager of Wigan, but he does not have another job lined up despite apparent interest from Stoke City, Everton and Malaga. The Times
Chelsea have lodged an inquiry with Galatasaray about £20m-rated Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz, 27. The Guardian
Goalkeeper Robert Green, 33, says he is happy to stay at relegated QPR and fight for a starting place. London Evening Standard
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested he would sell striker Luis Suarez, 26, "if the price was right". Metro
Andy Carroll's former club Newcastle United are not prepared to pay the £15m fee West Ham United have agreed with Liverpool for the 24-year-old striker. Daily Telegraph
Stunned Tony Pulis has been left feeling betrayed over his shock sacking as Stoke City manager. Daily Star
Arsenal will listen to £5m bids for Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, 27, even though the player is keen to remain with the Gunners. Sun
Whether you rate him or think he is a liability, David Luiz does make sure life is never boring. Just before jetting to the United States for an end-of-season tour, the Chelsea defender decided he fancied a spin at the Blues' training ground in Cobham and took Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres in the car with him. 606 newsletter
GOLDEN BOLLOX 23-5-2012
Manchester City boss Mancini to sign new contract this week
Former Inter Milan manager ready to put pen to paper on a deal worth £5 million a year which will tie him to the Premier League champions until 2015
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is expected to put pen to paper on a new contract worth £5 million a year after returning from talks with the club’s owners in Abu Dhabi.
The City manager agreed an extension to his current deal - which expires in June 2013 - during face-to-face talks with owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak following the club’s Premier League triumph.
Both parties are believed to be happy with the agreement and all that remains is to sort out the minor details, which could be completed before Mancini heads to Sardinia for a family holiday on Friday.
Goal.com revealed earlier this month that City were planning to offer the Italian a three-year contract worth £15m, a considerable upgrade on his current deal worth £3.5m-a-year before bonuses.
In March, Goal.com reported that Mancini told City chiefs before Christmas he was willing to open talks over an extension to his contract but the Italian was instructed that negotiations would not begin until the summer.
After taking a calculated gamble by delaying talks with Mancini to protect themselves from having to pay a huge compensation fee were he to be dismissed, Sheikh Mansour and Al Mubarak decided to back the 47-year-old following the team’s dramatic title victory.
Mancini was in Abu Dhabi along with first-team coach David Platt, director of football administration Brian Marwood and acting chief executive John MacBeath.
It is believed that talks were also held over City’s targets for the summer transfer window, headed by Lille attacker Eden Hazard, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and Milan defender Thiago Silva.
It's time Toure told this agent where to go... not the other way round By Martin Samuel
The pop of the last champagne cork had barely finished echoing around the Manchester City dressing room when Dimitri Seluk, agent for the mighty Yaya Toure, took to the airwaves in Spain.
'Toure has done all he can at City and needs new motivations,' he gabbled. 'He would not cost much and would like a new challenge. He could sign for many big clubs, like Chelsea or Bayern Munich. We would like to see Barcelona join the race.'
Actually, if you want to play for Barcelona there are more obvious ways of doing so: like not allowing your agent to spend your last year there agitating for a transfer; but then Seluk would not have received his substantial cut of Toure’s move to City.
Why go anywhere? Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is a Premier League title winner
Do you ever wonder whose side agents are actually on? Not that of their clients, necessarily.
If Toure yearns for Barcelona, his last career choice hardly makes sense, but then neither does this one, if he is seriously contemplating leaving a club who have won the Premier League title, and may be embarking on a period of wider domination.
So who is in charge here: Seluk or Toure? And if the adviser is such a bright guy, why is he throwing a name like Bayern Munich into the mix, the club having come second in every tournament they have contested this season.
It is almost as if he looked at a fixture list, thought 'Who is in the Champions League final and might have a few quid?' and pulled two potential suitors from thin air. As for Chelsea, why would any agent pack a client off to a club that doesn’t have a manager? What sort of advice service is this?
A child of five could see through Seluk’s ploy.
No player in his right mind would wish to quit City right now, certainly not one in favour with manager Roberto Mancini. Yet Toure is only of worth to Seluk when in transit. The sweetener an agent receives for keeping a player loyal does not compare to the giant lump sum from a transfer. Toure is worth considerably more to Seluk unsettled than he is happy.
City, meanwhile, are nonplussed by Seluk's outburst. Toure earns in the region of £260,000 a week, has three years left on his contract and was last heard insisting that his ambition was to help the club win the Champions League. Suddenly, he was demotivated and in need of a new challenge.
That’s some post-party comedown.
Maybe it is Toure who needs to tell his agent where to go.
