Happy Birthday Bollox
Leo Messi tells Barcelona to rekindle interest in Manchester City's Sergio Aguero
BARCELONA are ready to rekindle their interest in Manchester City's Sergio Aguero after being encouraged to pursue the striker by Argentina teammate Lionel Messi.
Reports in Spain suggest that Messi has implored Barca to unite him with Aguero, after the pair enjoyed success at international level at both the Under 20 World Cup in 2005 and the 2008 Olympics.
The Catalan club made enquiries about signing Aguero prior to signing Neymar last summer, and even held a series of "very serious" meetings with the 25-year-old's advisors.
The signing of Neymar has alleviated Barcelona's need for Aguero, but the club have reportedly left the door open to signing the player following Messi's intervention.
According to El 9 Esportiu, a source close to Aguero has said: "He's crazy about Barca."
Indeed, the publication reports that the former Atletico Madrid striker is keen on a change of scenery, misses Spain, and believes he would fit in "perfectly" at Barcelona.
Aguero almost made the move to Real Madrid from Atletico before moving to England with City, and although reports about a move to Real persist, it is thought that the player is still bitter over the collapsed move and no longer considers a move to the Bernabeu a viable option.
The biggest barrier to a move to Barcelona is City's insistence that Aguero is not for sale.
While the relationship between Citizens' general manager Fernando Soriano and Barcelona president Sandro Rosell are tense, the transfer of Dennis Suarez last summer shows the clubs are capable of doing business.
But City consider Aguero a "vital" part of their project and have no wish to strengthen a possible rival in the Champions League.
Furthermore, Bacelona manager Gerardo Martino is not thought to consider spending money on a new forward a priority given the frailty of his ageing defence.
Nevertheless, it seems that with Messi and Aguero both pushing for the move we may not have heard the end of this story yet.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 15 November 2006
David Silva makes his debut for Spain when he starts in a 1-0 home friendly defeat to Romania. He has since gone on to win the European Championship and the World Cup with Spain and following Patrick Vieira’s departure, he is one of the few members of the City squad who can boast a World Cup winner‘s medal. Silva has now made more than 70 appearances for Spain.
Arsenal ponder Edin Dzeko transfer from Manchester City to give Giroud a breather
The Gunners want to add a striker in January and the Blues' frustrated reserve wants more action in a World Cup year
The Manchester City striker, who a dmitted last week that he is unhappy at his lack of game-time this season, is seen as a player who can help ease the burden on Olivier Giroud.
We revealed this week that Arsenal have asked Real Madrid to keep them informed on Karim Benzema if they decide to sell the France hitman, whose contract is ticking down.
But the Gunners are also understood to be watching developments closely on Dzeko and, given any encouragement, they would move on him.
Italian heavyweights Inter Milan are also keen on the Blues' Bosnia & Herzegovina international, who wants game-time ahead of his homeland's World Cup finals debut in Brazil next summer.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is acutely aware of the strain being put on Giroud, who has been put on a special training programme to ensure he stays fit to lead the Gunners' title challenge.
Giroud, who has played 18 games already for Arsenal this season, has shown signs of tiredness after reporting up for France's World Cup play-off with Ukraine on Friday.
Arsenal's medical staff are planning sessions for the player carefully in a bid to prevent him suffering burn-out.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 15 November 1969
City move into fourth spot in Division One after beating Manchester United 4-0 at Maine Road in front of more than 63,000 fans. An own goal, a Neil Young strike and two from Colin Bell are enough to secure the bragging rights for the Blues, who only occasionally show flashes of brilliance during what proves to be a testing season. Curiously, it’s the fourth successive time City have won by a four-goal margin on this particular day in history having beaten Chelsea 5-1 on November 14 1959, Charlton Athletic 5-1 in 1952 and Charlton again, this time by a score-line of 4-0 in 1947.
Does Old Boy Marsh Have A Point?
Yaya Toure has rubbished suggestions that he is feeling unsettled at Manchester City.
Former City star Rodney Marsh has expressed concerns over Toure's body language.
Marsh claims Toure 'didn't look interested' during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland which left the Blues six points off the pace in the Premier League title race.
Rodney Marsh: "People close to Manchester City tell me Yaya Toure is not very happy and he's one of their great players.
"When you start to hear rumblings from within the camp, and you see the way Toure played last weekend, when he was strolling around and didn't look interested, I'm wondering now if it will all go a little bit the other way.
"It looks like they're throwing billions of pounds at players but keep coming up short. I think this season could end in tears at Man City."
Yaya Toure posted on Twitter: "Hey buddies, don't listen to the rumors [sic], I'm happy at city..the Toure brothers are in Casa and are missing Manchester."
City All-Star Internationals XI: Pick the team
We've put together every footballer from outside of the British Isles to have played for Manchester City - which of them would make your all-time Foreign XI?
Given that the Premier League has taken a break, Pick the Team has an international flavour to it this week.
We've put together a list of every foreign star to pull on the Blue shirt - either players that have been signed by the club (e.g. George Weah) or non-British players that have come up through the academy (e.g. Marcos Lopes) and want to know which would make it into your all-time City Internationals XI.
Formation doesn't matter too much. 4-3-3 is geared towards forwards, with the wide players you'd find in midfield positions with the other formations put in attacking roles. 4-5-1 obviously limits your options up front, so should be picked if you can't bear to pick any less than five midfielders.
But all the votes will be tallied so formation isn't everything! Pick your XI using the form below and we'll announce the most popular team soon.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... xi-6296594
GOLDEN BOLLOX 15 November 2006
Following Gary Neville’s withdrawal, Micah Richards makes his international debut in a friendly against Holland. At 18 years-old, Richards becomes the youngest defender to play for England at senior level. The City defender has made 13 international appearances, but has struggled to become a first-team regular for the Three Lions.
Ten intriguing facts about Manchester City so far…
Manchester City currently sit in 8th place in the Premier League table after eleven games played and 19 points taken from an available 33.
1) Possession
Manchester City have had more possession this term than any other team in the Premier League, averaging 60% of the possession per game.
2) Area
Manchester City have spent more time in the opposition half as the away team than any other side in the league – away from the Etihad, City have spent 32% of games in the home side’s defensive half.
3) Passing
Manchester City have completed more successful passes than any other team in the league with an 87.2% success rate overall.
Yaya Toure has made more passes than any other player in the league so far, averaging 82.6 successful passes per game with a total of 909.
4) Shots Conceded
Manchester City have conceded the fewest shots on goal out of all 20 teams in the league – 96 shots conceded in total, averaging just 8.7 per game.
5) Shots Conceded by Area
Manchester City have conceded the fewest shots from the left side of the pitch than any other team with just 11% of their shots conceded coming from the left this season.
6) Shots Taken by Area
Manchester City have taken the most shots from inside the 18-yard box than any other team with 59% of their shots this term being fired from inside.
Manchester City have taken the fewer shots from outside the 18-yard box than any other team with just 34% of their shots being struck from outside the penalty area.
7) Goals Scored
Manchester City have scored more goals from open play than any other team with 18 goals of their 28 goals scored coming from open play.
Manchester City have scored the fewest goals from a counter attack, having not yet scored a single goal from a counter attack.
8) Set-pieces
Manchester City have scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team with 7 in total.
Manchester City have scored fewest penalties – so far none.
9) Own Goals
Manchester City have scored the most own goals in the league – three in total.
10) Discipline
Manchester City have been carded for fouls at the Etihad more often than any other home side this term with 9 cards being shown to City players for fouls at home.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 15 November 2010
MCF.NET TRIBUTE THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=35196
City sign Jill Scott
City Ladies have announced the signing of England international Jill Scott on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old joins the club from Everton Ladies and hopes to achieve great things with the Sky Blues in their bid to contend in the FA Women’s Super League.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “For me, it’s a chance for a fresh start with a new challenge. It’s fantastic to be here and to see the plans that Manchester City Ladies have in place to compete in the first season of the FA WSL.
Scott began her career at her hometown club Sunderland Women before moving to Everton in 2006. After finding the net in her first appearance for the Toffees, she went on to score two hat-tricks in her debut season and quickly became a first-team regular. Earlier this year, she captained the side to a fifth-place finish in the 2013 Women’s Super League.
The central midfielder also brings with her a wealth of international experience, having made 74 appearances for England. Last year, she also represented Great Britain at the Olympics and hopes that her vast knowledge of the game can benefit her new teammates.
“I hope I can bring something to the team,” she said. “I’ve played over 70 times now for England and I’ve been at Everton for seven years, playing with some really good players. I hope that I can add some experience, maybe offer advice to the younger players and really feel part of the club.
“I just want to get my head down and work hard. I want to set myself new targets, do well and hopefully, I’ll still get picked for England. Club-wise, I’d like to win a few games and see where we end up.”
Scott’s new managerial team, Nick Cushing and Leigh Wood, were delighted to capture her signature, which will add an extra level of quality to their side.
“It’s a great signing for the club,” said Wood. “If you look back to a few years ago to where we are now – signing a player of Jill’s calibre – it’s fantastic and will ensure that we are able to compete in the coming season.”
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[/spoiler]AC Milan's 27-year-old Italy international right-back Ignazio Abate is also thought to be a target for Arsene Wenger. TalkSHIT
Hull will make a fresh £6.5m bid for West Brom striker Shane Long, 26, in January after they failed to sign him in the summer. Daily Mirror
Liverpool are lining up an approach for Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo, 26, after learning that the Germany international could be available for as little as £2.5m. Daily Express
Fulham will attempt to sign Manchester United duo Wilfried Zaha, 21, and Anderson, 25, on loan in January. Metro
Borussia Dortmund want Atletico Madrid striker and Liverpool target Diego Costa, 25, to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is widely expected to leave the club at the end of the season. DSSC
Chelsea striker Demba Ba, 28, is hoping to quit English football and move to a Turkish club in January after failing to make an impact since his £7.5m move from Newcastle. Evening Standard
Barcelona are close to offering midfielder Andres Iniesta, 29, a bumper new contract at the club in order to ward off interest from Manchester United. Metro
Manchester United are scouting 19-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Carolos Mane, who has a £1m buy-out clause in his contract. Daily Mirror
Manchester United plan to offer England striker Wayne Rooney, 28, a new four-year contract worth a reported £52m by the New Year. Sun
Crystal Palace hope to have their new manager in place by the weekend with former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu, now at Dynamo Moscow, the favourite. Evening Standard
As Sweden prepare to play Portugal in Friday's World Cup play-off, coach Erik Hamren says his striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 32, is better than Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. DSSC
England boss Roy Hodgson says Wigan midfielder Callum McManaman, 22, could still force his way into England's World Cup squad with some impressive performances in the remainder of the season. Sky Sports Understands
Ashley Cole, 32, has been warned by England boss Roy Hodgson that his place is under threat, and his battle for the left-back berth with Leighton Baines, 28, has been dubbed "Shoot-out." Daily Express
Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who scored a stunning goal on his England debut against Montenegro last month, says he has to score more goals to cement his place in the Spurs team, and thus increase his chances of a place at the World Cup. TalkSHIT
Townsend's Tottenham colleague, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 26, who will lead France in Friday's World Cup qualifying play-off in Ukraine, says he was fit to play for Spurs against Newcastle last weekend but medical staff told him not to. Daily Star
Lionel Messi's brother has taken it upon himself to campaign for the Barcelona forward to be awarded this year's Ballon d'Or by tweeting a picture of Messi's trophy haul since 2009 alongside a graphic of Real Madrid's' Ronaldo from the same time period. DCCS
