.James Robson: At least United don't have to play City
The Reds suffered a disappointing Capital One Cup defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday, but there are some positives to take...
If there was one glimmer of light on a miserable night at Old Trafford it was that United will not have to face a rampant City at Wembley.
On this evidence David Moyes’ side have avoided what could have been a humbling afternoon in the Capital One Cup final in March
There is more speculation today that City may yet enter the market for a defender, but with only just over a week to go, time is running out.
Since day one of the January window and several weeks before it opened, the Blues have been linked with some of the most talented defenders in the world, but will any potential move happen this month?
Stuart Brennan in the MEN believes it is unlikely, writing: “The likelihood remains that City will not do any major business during this window, after being quoted a ludicrous £40million price for Porto's France international Eliaquim Mangala.
“The Blues retain an interest in the 22-year-old, 6'2" Mangala but, unless his Portuguese club knock down the price significantly, they will shelve their interest, and possibly go back for him in the summer.
“City have also been looking at Bayern Munich defender Dante – also said to be a target for neighbours United – and have run the rule over St Etienne's 19-year-old starlet Kurt Zouma, for whom Chelsea are the favourites.”
Sports Direct News also continue to link Mangala with City. Mark Brus reports: “City are seemingly leading the likes of Chelsea and Monaco in the race to sign Eliaquim Mangala, according to Le10Sport.
“Manuel Pellegrini has been in the market for a new defender for some time now, with Mangala up there with his top targets during the summer transfer window.
“It was believed that City could reignite their interest in the Frenchman this January, though it now seems as though they will wait until the summer before agreeing a deal with his current club Porto.”
On the same site, Richard Flynn throws another hat into the ring – a player who has been linked on and off with the Blues for the past three years or so.
He writes: “Manchester City are keeping tabs on defender Giorgio Chiellini’s contract situation at Juventus, Sports Direct News understands.
“It is believed that the 29-year-old is ready for a new challenge following a trophy-laden nine-year spell with the Serie A leaders, and a move abroad is more likely than a switch to one of the champions’ rivals.”
Finally, one rumour City fans won’t welcome is Yaya Toure to PSG – but don’t worry too much – it is more about Yaya paying respect to the French side if you read between the lines – not that it will stop a raft of predictable headlines!
Many media outlets have picked up on comments he allegedly made on a French radio station, though the Daily Express’ Ben Jefferson is one of few reporters to play down the quotes rather than sensationalize.
He reports: ”Toure is having an exceptional season with the Citizens and admits that he is enjoying his time with City more than he did at Barcelona, but admits the PSG 'project' is one he finds intriguing.
“Speaking to French radio station RMC, Toure revealed that he is 'scared' that City could be drawn against the Paris side in the Champion League.
“And when asked about a possible move to the Ligue 1 champions one day, he said: ‘Anything is possible. Why not? In life you never know. Everything is going well right now at City, but you never know.
'When you have a great team like them, where there are already great players, it obviously draws your attention, but being part of an adventure like this (at City), a group like this, it is exceptional.'”
Yaya Toure admits he could leave Manchester City and join PSG
Manchester City star Yaya Toure has put PSG on red alert after refusing to rule out a move to the French giants.
Toure, who is enjoying another superb season in the City engine room, is said to be a dream signing for PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
And although the Ivorian appeared to put an end to transfer speculation by signing a new deal at the Etihad Stadium last April, he now admits that he could join PSG in the future.
‘Would I sign for PSG? Why not,’ Toure told RMC.
City have built their team around Toure this term (Picture: Getty)
‘I have great respect for them. In life you never know what will happen.’
The comments will likely concern City boss Manuel Pellegrini, who has built his side around Toure this term.
The 30-year-old, often criticised for his lack of defensive awareness, has flourished in an attack minded role, scoring a career-best 14 goals already.
Mangala and Dante top City's defensive wishlist
The Blues are keen to bring in reinforcements and will allow Joleon Lescott to leave, but only if the price is right
City are still hoping to bring in another central defender before the transfer window closes, to reinforce their four-pronged push for honours.
And if the Blues do land someone, it would spark the departure of Joleon Lescott to another Premier League club, with West Ham favourites to land the big Brummie.
The likelihood remains that City will not do any major business during this window, after being quoted a ludicrous £40million price for Porto's France international Eliaquim Mangala.
The Blues retain an interest in the 22-year-old, 6'2" Mangala but, unless his Portuguese club knock down the price significantly, they will shelve their interest, and possibly go back for him in the summer.
City have also been looking at Bayern Munich defender Dante – also said to be a target for neighbours United – and have run the rule over St Etienne's 19-year-old starlet Kurt Zouma, for whom Chelsea are the favourites.
But, unless something changes quickly, the Blues are set to enter the run-in with the same squad.
Until the Blues can bring someone in, they will not countenance the departure of Lescott, who some felt may have played his last game for the club when he captained them to a 3-0 Capital One Cup semi-final win at West Ham on Tuesday night.
Indeed, the Hammers are leading the chase for Lescott should he be freed to leave, after falling behind Martin Demichelis and Matija Nastasic in the competition to partner Vincent Kompany at the heart of the defence.
There were some reports, accompanied by false quotes, claiming that Lescott wanted to join Turkish outfit Besiktas, but the player wants to stay in the Premier League, and has also been linked with Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton and Spurs.
In other news, Alvaro Negredo is likely to miss Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Watford after having a scan on the shoulder he injured in Tuesday's win over West Ham. The injury is not expected to be serious, and the Spanish striker is likely to return for next week's league game at Spurs.
Alvaro Negredo 'fit for Manchester City's clashes against Tottenham, Chelsea'
Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo is reportedly expected to be fit for his side's Premier League battles against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Doubts over Negredo's fitness emerged when he was spotted leaving Bridewater Hospital in the North-West city with a protective sling over his right arm this week.
The Spaniard suffered a shoulder injury during City's 3-0 win over West Ham United, which secured their place in the Capital One Cup final.
However, it is understood that the sling is a precaution and Negredo will be available for next Wednesday's clash against Spurs at White Hart Lane and their home match against Chelsea on February 3, according to the Daily Mail.
The 28-year-old is expected to be rested for City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Watford this weekend.
Manchester City have complete takeover of A-League team Melbourne Heart.
City have acquired a majority stake in the Australian outfit, with the owners of rugby league team Melbourne Storm of the NRL also holding a 20 per cent share in their neighbours.
The takeover of Heart follows City's establishment of New York City Football Club in the United States last year, with the team entering Major League Soccer in 2015.
"We are excited about the opportunity to make Melbourne Heart one of the most successful football clubs in Australia and throughout the region," City CEO Ferran Soriano said in a statement on the club's official website.
"We believe the strong sports culture of Melbourne combined with the football and commercial expertise within our consortium will make for a powerful combination both on and off the pitch.
"The first thing we must do is take the time to listen and learn and then to develop our strategy for strengthening the club over time."
Heart currently sit bottom of the A-League with just one league win all season and boast former Leeds forward Harry Kewell and ex-Coventry and Barnsley striker Michael Mifsud amongst their ranks.
Bart Campbell, who is chairman of the Storm and the Heart Consortium Group said: "Partnering with City to co-invest in Melbourne Heart will further strengthen the sporting landscape in one of the world's greatest cities and bring a range of new capabilities to AAMI Park.
"We are excited to be a part of this unique project. It is our shared ambition to replicate the model that City created with the New York Yankees around New York City FC and for both organisations to benefit as a result."
The A-League has attracted the likes of former Italy international Alessandro Del Piero and ex-England striker Emile Heskey to ply their trade Down Under in recent years, and Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop believes City's involvement can only mean bigger and better things for Australian football.
"Football has moved into the mainstream of Australian sport and is ideally placed to benefit from the boom in football across Asia," he said.
"Manchester City and their Australian partners have made a strategic investment and I welcome them to our growing competition. It's another sign that the world is taking notice of Australian football.
"Manchester City and their partners will bring a high level of expertise in football and sports business matters and that can only strengthen the Melbourne Heart and the Hyundai A-League as a whole."
MCF.net THREAD: http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=47600
Nolan asked Lescott to join West Ham
Kevin Nolan has admitted he tried to persuade Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott to sign for West Ham during Tuesday night's Capital One Cup semi-final clash at Upton Park.
Lescott played a key part in Manchester City's title-winning side two years ago, but he has struggled to gain a regular first-team spot ever since.
The 31-year-old has started just seven Premier League matches this term and, as a result, has not made one England squad throughout the current campaign.
Lescott is not the only one who knows he must start playing regular first-team football before the end of the season if he is to have a chance of making Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.
While Mohamed Diame was receiving treatment on an injury during City's 3-0 win at West Ham on Tuesday, Nolan -- along with teammate Carlton Cole -- exchanged banter with Lescott and the West Ham skipper revealed exactly what he was up to after the match.
"I was trying to tell him to come and help us out," Nolan said about the friendly exchange, which was picked up by the television cameras.
"I saw Joleon and I know he has been heavily linked with us and I was trying to persuade him [to come to West Ham] because he is a top-quality player. That would only make us stronger."
It remains to be seen whether Lescott, who is out of contract this summer, would be interested in a move from a title contender to Upton Park, though. Nolan jested that the initial signs were not good.
"When I said that to him, he laughed and said: 'You're joking aren't you?''' the former Bolton midfielder said.
"I'm only winding you up,'' he added. "He didn't really say that, but we did have a little bit of laughter and a giggle."
Everton defender Johnny Heitinga rejected a move to West Ham earlier this month. This week Monaco striker Lacina Traore chose Everton over West Ham, while the East London club also missed out on target Ishak Belfodil from AC Milan.
Nolan is not bothered about missing out on those signings, however, and he insists anyone who comes in over the next fortnight must be fully committed to dragging West Ham out of the relegation zone.
"We don't want those players [who turned us down], simple as,'' he said. "I don't want to play with a player who gets his head turned easily or doesn't fancy the challenge.
"We only want players who are going to go out there and put their hand on their heart and say: 'I am here for the club'. We want them to be here. If you don't want to be here then don't bother."
Why a Joleon Lescott transfer from Man City to West Ham or Fulham is wrong – for everyone
As expected, Manchester City eased to a comfortable victory at Upton Park against West Ham to book their place in the Capital One Cup final.
The faintest of faint hopes was extinguished barely two minutes into the game when Alvaro Negredo headed home from Marcos Lopes’s cross to put City ahead on the night. It was the Portuguese youngster Lopes who took most of the plaudits – and the man of the match award – but amongst the wholesale changes it was Joleon Lescott who was perhaps most impressive.
Lescott had gone into the game amid reports City would be willing to sell him, should a suitable replacement be found prior to the end of the January window, and in his post-match interview the defender was extremely guarded regarding his future (playing such a straight bat that he may soon receive a call up the England cricket side).
Lescott has previously been linked with West Ham and both he and City find themselves in a tricky situation.
His contract is winding down and expires at the end of the season, with little prospect of it being renewed – certainly on the current terms which were above market value at the time he joined. And with the signing of Martin Demichelis at the end of the last window, Lescott finds himself the de facto fourth choice centre-back in a World Cup year.
A move away, whilst looking attractive from the outside, could in all likelihood backfire for both parties
Tempting it may be, then, to cash in on him, even for a nominal fee. Yet City will be reluctant to do this given the problems they suffered with defence depth at the start of the season when both Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic were injured and Demichelis was still finding his feet.
City dropped a number of points due to their defensive instability when even Javi Garcia was used as a makeshift defender.
There may now be a clean bill of health in the defensive ranks but Manuel Pellegrini should guard against jettisoning a familiar face, comfortable with the system and players, even if an alternative is brought in.
After all, as seen with Demichelis, it takes time and patience with most new signings – something City may not be able to afford if injuries suddenly strike.
The issue is clouded though with Brazil 2014 on the horizon. Lescott is most definitely on the outside looking in after being an ever present at Euro 2012 and, realistically, this is his last shot at a major tournament.
He won’t get regular minutes at City, but a move to West Ham or Fulham is itself a danger as being part of the defence of a relegation-threatened side does not often stand out on ones CV.
A move away, whilst looking attractive from the outside, could in all likelihood backfire for both parties.
Arsenal & Man City to miss out on ‘keeper
Arsenal and Manchester City look set to miss out on securing the signature of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas after he stated he intended to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
During a press conference the 32-year-old stated: "of course I'm going to stay here next year.
"Please let's stop talking about my situation because even I'm bored of it." Casillas quipped after the 1-0 cup win away at Espanyol. "The coach makes the decisions and people should enjoy watching whoever he picks”.
The Spain international then stressed that he was staying with Los Blancos, at least for the next season. Asked the direct question whether or not he intended to stay at Real, he said: "Of course. All I have to think about at the moment is that we're in three competitions and that last year we had a really rough time, while this year we're doing really well".
The comments will come as a blow to both Arsenal and Manchester City as both clubs had sounded out his willingness to move after Casillas, who has spent his entire career with the club, lost his regular first team place. It was believed Casillas was initially tempted by a move as he was concerned over losing his place in Spain’s World Cup squad.
FINANCIAL BOLLOX
Deloitte Football Money League report: Manchester City's Financial Fair Play hopes lifted by revenue hike
Increase to £40m should be enough to pass Uefa's test - and avoid a Champions League ban
Manchester City appear set to pass Uefa's Financial Fair Play test – and avoid a Champions League ban – having increased revenues by £40m, according to figures released today in the Deloitte Football Money League report.
The European football world has been waiting to discover if City's results for 2012-13 – which the club are yet to disclose – reveal a big enough reduction in losses to see them comply with FFP.
The financial information published in the report today creates the first real picture of how the club has fared. It reveals City's revenues are up to £271m, enough to keep expected losses around the £60m mark, though financial experts were last night baffled by a key component of the claimed extra revenue.
The Deloitte breakdown shows City's commercial income at £143m and media revenues at £88.4m – both in line with expectations and equivalent to the previous year. It suggests a £40m increase on commercial revenue on the previous year and matchday income has increased by 12 per cent to £39.6m. City's overall revenue figure sees them virtually over the line in passing FFP.
FFP rules state clubs must keep losses to an aggregate of €45m (£37.2m) across the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons – and, having recorded pre-tax losses for 2011-12 of £98.7m last December, the club have had their work cut out, although Uefa is open to accepting a club's "direction of travel" as demonstrating an intent to meet FFP regulations. But since they have only marginally passed the test, accountancy practice means they might need to issue their financial results with some form of warning that Uefa may invoke some kind of punishment for non-compliance.
Some observers question whether City's Etihad sponsorship deal, worth around £400m over 10 years, is a means of the club's Abu Dhabi owners artificially injecting cash to reduce losses, but the club deny that and insist the deal is in line with market rates.
Man Utd pushed out of football rich list top three
Manchester United has dropped out of the top three in Deloitte's football rich list for the first time.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were in the first three places in Deloitte's list, which is based on revenues in the 2012-13 season.
Real Madrid, with revenues of 518.9m euros (£444.7m), topped the list for the ninth year in a row, breaking a record previously held by Man Utd.
French champions Paris Saint Germain took fifth spot in the table.
Despite falling down the pecking order, United's revenues increased from 395.9m euros to 423.8m euros.
The total combined revenue for the top 20 richest clubs rose 8% to 5.4bn euros, the report found. The list only looks at revenues accrued and does not take into account club debts.
Dan Jones, partner in Deloitte's sports business group told the BBC that the increase in revenues was due largely to commercial sources, such as "sponsorships, shirts - everything that isn't tickets and TV."
Other findings included:
Treble-winning Bayern Munich saw revenues rise by 62.8m euros (17%) to 431.2m euros
Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe claimed places in the top 20
All clubs in the top 30 now generate over 100m euros in revenue each, whereas in the first list, compiled in 1996-97, only Manchester United topped this figure
Although Liverpool's revenues grew by 9%, the club fell out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999-2000
"Whilst Manchester United drop one place in the Money League, a number of the club's recent commercial deals will boost revenue in 2013-14, so this fall to fourth place may only be temporary," said Deloitte's Austin Houlihan.
"These deals, combined with the impact of the improved three-year Premier League broadcast deals from 2013-14, mean they are likely to get close to the 500m-euro revenue mark in next year's Money League.
"Beyond 2013-14, consistent qualification for the Champions League is key in United challenging to regain top spot in the Money League, a position it last held in 2003-04."
The Old Trafford club currently sits seventh in the Premier League, outside the Champions League qualification spots.
Deloitte Football Money League
1. Real Madrid: 518.9m euros
2. Barcelona: 482.6m euros
3. Bayern Munich: 431.2m euros
4. Man Utd: 423.8m euros
5. Paris Saint Germain; 398.8m euros
6. Manchester City: 316.2m euros
7. Chelsea: 303.4m euros
8. Arsenal: 284.3m euros
9. Juventus: 272.4m euros
10. AC Milan: 263.5m euros
Source: Deloitte, Revenues in 2012-13 season
Other English clubs in the top 20 places were Manchester City (6th), Chelsea (7th), Arsenal (8th), Liverpool (12th) and Tottenham Hotspur (14th).
Paris Saint Germain has seen its revenues almost quadruple to 398.8m euros since 2010-11, and that figure includes commercial revenues of 254.7m euros.
Dan Jones from Deloitte said the strong rate of revenue growth for top European clubs showed "the enduring appetite for the world's most popular sport on the global stage".
The top 10 spots were completed by Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan.
Once again, the list was dominated by clubs from the so-called "Big Five" leagues; England's Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A, Spain's La Liga, and France's Ligue 1.
However, as well as the two Turkish teams, Brazilian club Corinthians also made it into the top 30.
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Chelsea's decision to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United is part of a plan to land Everton's 20-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley. Daily Telegraph
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 28, also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, wants to stay at Old Trafford and the club are set to discuss a new contract with the England international once the Mata move is finalised. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal look set to be frustrated in their pursuit of Jackson Martinez, 27, as the striker will sign a new deal at Porto. Daily Star
Mourinho is said to want to use some of the funds from the sale of Mata to bring in Real Madrid's France Under-21s wide midfielder Antoine Griezmann, 22. Sun
Manchester United are monitoring Inter's Colombia international midfielder Fredy Guarin, 27, after his swap deal with Juventus's Mirko Vucinic fell through. Inter are thought to be interested in taking United striker Javier Hernandez, 25, in exchange. Independent
Arsenal will make a last-ditch effort to buy Schalke's 20-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler now rather than risk getting caught up in a summer bidding war. Daily Mirror
Everton's loan move for striker Lacina Traore, 23, could be in jeopardy after his Monaco team-mate Radamel Falcao suffered a knee injury. Daily Express
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of 21-year-old Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah after agreeing a £10m fee with Basel for the player. Daily Express
French side Evian have emerged as contenders to sign Fulham's 30-year-old midfielder Derek Boateng. Sky Sports Talkshit
Mirko Vucinic's move to Inter Milan could fall through, prompting Arsenal to ask Juventus to keep them informed of the 30-year-old striker's availability. Evening Standard
Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 27, is a £3.5m target for Italian side AC Milan. Daily Mirror
Argentine club Independiente have told Sunderland manager Gus Poyet to end his interest in striker Facundo Parra, 28, during the summer transfer window. Sky Sports Talkshit
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, 20, could be asked to stand down as an ambassador for anti-racism group Kick It Out after he said Nicolas Anelka should not receive a ban for using a 'quenelle' gesture. Daily Telegraph
Belgium manager Marc Wilmots watched Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj, 18, at Old Trafford on Wednesday and still hopes to persuade the winger to represent his team at international level. DSSC
Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, says Barcelona team-mate Neymar, 21, reminds him of the legendary Johan Cruyff. Marca
Former Blackpool defender Ian Evatt, 32, has sparked controversy after tweeting his delight following Paul Ince's sacking as the club's manager. Metro
more bollox soon
