Demichelis gives Pellegrini first-team dilemma
Manchester City's first heavyweight showdown could come on the training ground rather than Wembley turf.
In the blue corner, the wily, gnarled veteran Martin Demichelis, and in the other blue corner, dashing, bright hopeful Eliaquim Mangala.
It could present manager Manuel Pellegrini with his first big selection problem of the season.
Not many new £30m players are left on the bench for their first game, but Demichelis’ stock has risen to such an extent that he will take some dislodging from the team. The Argentine stopper was undoubtedly City’s best defender in the closing months of the season.
Not only did he show all of his vast experience with a series of astute performances as City homed in on the title, but the strength of character he showed was exceptional after a rocky start to his City career.
That personality and prowess earned him a place in Alex Sabella’s squad just as the door to the World Cup was closing.
And when Argentina suffered with defensive difficulties, Sabella turned to Demichelis, with outstanding results.
He again helped to forge the back four into a formidable unit, one that held the rampant German goal machine for 113 minutes, while their forwards squandered the chance to win it at the other end.
Demichelis, at the age of 33, was one of the stand-out players in a World Cup final high on technical excellence, with perhaps only Javier Mascherano, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng his peers on the day.
So, the big question is whether Pellegrini can drop a man who has shown he remains one of the world’s best defenders, in favour of a man tipped to become one of the global elite.
Mangala is just 23, and he spent his World Cup watching from the bench as manager Didier Deschamps favoured Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho and Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane.
Of course, that contest still relies on Mangala signing on the dotted line to complete a £30m move from Porto.
That deal is inching closer, with just the detail to work through, although there is a rumour in Portugal that his girlfriend does not want to come to Manchester, and that could yet put the deal in jeopardy.
City, who have already agreed a price with Porto, are quietly confident they can work through any snags, although they are refusing to confirm anything until the contract is signed.
France’s advance to the quarter-finals means that Mangala, barring hitches, will not be reporting back until the week of the Community Shield, with Demichelis expected back at roughly the same time.
Of course, the fact that Demichelis is more than competent in midfield, a position he held down at Bayern Munich for several seasons, opens up other possibilities, and may have hastened the decision to make Javi Garcia available to prospective buyers.
The arrival of Fernando means the Blues have two out-and-out defensive midfielders, and with Demichelis, Fernandinho, Kompany and Yaya Toure all able to deputise, they feel that Garcia is the most expendable of their overseas players.
It opens up an intriguing prospect – could we even see Kompany, in certain matches, reprising his old role as a holding midfielder, with Demichelis and Mangala in central defence?
Demichelis played that role last season against Chelsea, but against the youthful legs of Eden Hazard, Willian and Ramires, he found it tough and City were on the backfoot in a defeat.
With three top-class centre halfs, the possibility of Kompany, at the peak of his athleticism, and a powerful figure when moving forward, could be used in midfield – with Demichelis and Mangala forming a strong central defensive partnership.
Negredo: I don't want to leave City
Spanish striker insists there's no truth in reports linking him with a move back to Spain this summer.
Alvaro Negredo has rubbished talk that he is keen to leave Manchester City this summer.
There has been speculation in Spain that the 28-year-old striker is ready to quit the Etihad Stadium after just one season.
Atletico Madrid, who have lost both Diego Costa and David Villa this summer, were touted as potential suitors for the forward.
And Negredo admits he endured a 'difficult' end to last season.
After scoring 23 goals in the first-half of the campaign, he failed to score again after suffering a shoulder injury in January and was left out of Spain's World Cup squad.
But the former Sevilla forward insists he's settled in the Premier League, assuring City fans he's not looking to leave.
Negredo said: "I don't want to leave City. I'm very happy and very settled here.
"I had a difficult end to the season and that's why there has been a lot of talking but I've been very happy here from the first day I arrived."
There have also been reports in Spain that Negredo is homesick.
Some went as far as suggesting Negredo has fallen out with manager Manuel Pellegrini over his omission from Vincente Del Bosque's squad for the World Cup.
And while the Spaniard hinted at missing his homeland, he insists it won't force him to pack his bags.
He added: "Maybe a bit more on the personal side than when we talk about football but I don't cry easily.
"I am sensible but I have to love that person a lot to be homesick."
CITY SNUB COUNT: 1
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Pellegrini turns down Brazil job - reports
Blues boss has rejected the opportunity to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari, according to reports emanating from his native Chile.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini has turned down the Brazil job, according to reports.
The 2014 World Cup hosts are searching for a new manager after Luiz Felipe Scolari resigned following a disappointing end to their tournament.
Brazil were thrashed 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in the semi-finals, before losing 3-0 to Netherlands in the third-place play-off.
Scolari subsequently resigned from his post on Monday, bringing an end to his second spell in charge of A Seleção .
And Chilean outlet El Mercurio believe Pellegrini was one of the managers under consideration as a potential successor.
However, they report that the Blues manager is not interested in leaving the Etihad Stadium and intends to honour his contract.
Everton are hopeful of completing a £4m deal for Bosnia World Cup star Muhamed Besic, 21, after a breakthrough in talks with Hungary side Ferencvaros. Liverpool Echo
Monaco striker Emmanuel Riviere, 24, has arrived on Tyneside hoping to wrap up a £6m move to Newcastle United. Newcastle Chronicle
Manchester United's swoop for £35m midfielder Arturo Vidal has caused a walk-out by furious Juventus boss Antonio Conte. The Sun
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure, 33, is wanted by Turkish side Trabzonspor. Daily Mail
Besiktas want Chelsea striker Demba Ba, 29, on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal next summer but the Blues would prefer to sell the Senegal striker now. Daily Mirror
Swansea City have rejected Liverpool's £8m offer for Wales defender Ben Davies, 21. Daily Telegraph
West Brom have turned down a £1.5m bid from Burnley for Craig Dawson, 24, with Baggies' manager Alan Irvine saying that he wants the defender to stay at The Hawthorns. Birmingham Mail
AC Milan have made an approach to sign Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani, 27. Football Italia
Manchester United have taken highly rated Benfica youngsters Joao Filipe, 15, who has been dubbed 'the new Cristiano Ronaldo', and goalkeeper Joao Virginia, also 15, on trial. Skysports.com
Aston Villa's hopes of signing midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, 25, hang in the balance with Swansea eager to hand him a new deal. Express
Uruguay are in line to host the World Cup before England even come under consideration. DSSC
England's Jack Wilshere, 22, has been urged to get his act together by former Arsenal boss George Graham after the midfielder was pictured with a cigarette in his hand. Daily Mirror
Hull City boss Steve Bruce accepts he has been forced to pay a premium in the transfer market this summer by choosing to pursue young British players. Hull DSSC
Luis Suarez will still be playing in red next season despite his imminent transfer from Liverpool after Barcelona unveiled a new crimson away shirt. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile Suarez, 27, nearly left Liverpool 12 months ago to join Real Madrid. Daily Star
Southampton have offered Jay Rodriguez a bumper new five-year contract to fend off interest from Liverpool and Tottenham. The Sun
Germany's World Cup winning star and Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze, 22, almost joined Arsenal in 2011. Daily Express
Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool have acquired one of Europe's most exciting young talents in new £20m signing Lazar Markovic, 20, from Benfica. Liverpool Echo
Chelsea's £32m new striker Diego Costa, 25, saying he is relishing the fight with Fernando Torres to become the club's number one striker. Express
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster compared his kit to Barney the purple dinosaur after Celtic's Champions League win over KR Reykjavik.
Rio Ferdinand has been busy in the house following his return from Brazil, tweeting: "Just finished a massive clear out....some horrific garments being thrown out".
Hull City captain Curtis Davies posted a picture of swimming legend Michael Phelps to celebrate winning silver in a relay race at Hull Swimming Club.
Newcastle youngster Adam Campbell tweeted 'What a start for the big man!" in reference to Siem de Jong's goalscoring debut for the Magpies in their 2-1 pre-season friendly at Oldham Athletic.
Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer tweeted a picture from his holiday in Curacao after helping the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup.
Manchester United stars had better think twice before they ask for any time off this season, with new manager Louis van Gaal saying: "Holidays are for wimps." Daily Mirror
Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard, 34, put a stressful couple of months behind him as he chilled out on the beach in Ibiza with wife Alex, 31, and their three girls. Daily Mirror
Former BBC Sport football analyst Alan Hansen says the biggest mistake of his media career was suggesting that Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott did not have a "football brain". Daily Telegraph
Lukas Podolski shouted out 'Arsenal' when Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, 27, was asked which club he would play for next season at a public reception for Germany's World Cup win. Daily Mirror
Pop star Nicole Scherzinger changed the lyrics of the Pussycat Dolls' hit single "Don't' Cha", to praise Manchester United striker Robin van Persie. Daily Star
GOLDEN BOLLOX 16-7-2014
Eager Joe Hart flies to Manchester City's pre-season US tour a week early to stake No 1 claim
Joe Hart has cut short his holiday as he begins his bid to become first choice keeper for Manchester City and England.
Hart has chosen to fly out to join Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the US a week ahead of schedule.
City told Hart and England teammate Gareth Barry they did not have to return until the New York leg of the tour next weekend.
But Hart is desperate to prove himself to Roberto Mancini and with Shay Given set to miss the start of the season through injury, the 23-year-old is heading for Portland, where City play a practice match this weekend.
Putting in the hard graft: Hart has cut his holidays short
City sent Hart on loan to Birmingham last season where he enjoyed an outstanding season.
He was part of the England squad for the World Cup Finals in South Africa but was the only one of Fabio Capello’s three goalkeepers not to play during the tournament.
But the Italian is a huge admirer of Hart and plans to give him the chance to establish himself as England’s undisputed first choice.
Robinho fits the bill for Shakhtar Donetsk as billionaire Ukrainians line up £20m bid for Manchester City flop
Shakhtar Donetsk's billionaire owner has confirmed he is keen on Manchester City outcast Robinho.
Sportsmail revealed the Ukrainian giants were considering a £20million bid for the Brazilian in an attempt to build a side competitive enough for the Champions League.
The club are also tracking Ajax hot shot Luis Suarez and Benfica's Oscar Cardozo, though convincing any of the World Cup stars to industrial Donetsk will be difficult.
World Cup star: Robinho looked rejuvenated for Brazil at South Africa 2010
Goodbye? Robinho is not expected to wear a City shirt again
However, Shakhtar chairman Rinat Akhmetov said: 'I do not eliminate the possibility of an acquisition. There is a discussion between me and Mircea (Lucescu, the coach) on how to strengthen the squad.
'But if we rose to the level when our fans were discussing the possibility of acquisition such players as Suarez or Robinho - our supporters have a perfect football taste, I should say. I like them both.
'We need a help now, in the Champions League. That is why I will respect Mircea Lucescu’s opinion. I myself would probably buy some of strong forwards. But if he says we do not need them, I will consider his opinion. I would prefer to create a sound competition in attack.'
Shakhtar believe Paraguay striker Cardozo would be the most achievable signing and would command just a third of the £100,000 a week after-tax wages demanded by Robinho.
The City forward would prefer to extend his loan at Santos and has already been lukewarm about a bid from Besiktas, while interest from AC Milan and Barcelona has failed to materialise into a formal offer.
Aleksandar Kolarov seals £17m Manchester City switch as Real Madrid stalk Nemanja VidicManchester City’s amazing summer spree continued last night when they had a £17million bid accepted for Lazio left back Aleksandar Kolarov.
The Serbia defender is set to become Roberto Mancini’s fourth signing of the close
season and take City’s outlay so far to £75m, following the arrivals of David Silva (£24m), Yaya Toure (£24m) and Jerome Boateng (£10m).
On the move: Aleksandar Kolarov (right) tussles with Thomas Muller during Serbia's 1-0 victory over Germany
And while City carry on spending, their fiercest rivals Manchester United could be in danger of losing Kolarov's Serbian team-mate
Vidic has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford since last year after reports emerged that his wife was unhappy living in Manchester, and new Real boss Jose Mourinho is said to have put the 28-year-old at the top of his list as he aims to add some defensive steel to his collection of Galacticos at the Bernabeu.
Iron man: Nemanja Vidic is wanted at the Bernabeu to shore up a defence that conceded 35 league goals last season
Vidic's agent Paolo Fabbri has refused to confirm that the defender will definitely be at United next season, and suggested only last month that a transfer might take place once the World Cup had finished.
'We have requested some time from Manchester United to think about things,' said Fabbri. 'Nemanja does not want to look at things now. Any eventual transfer will only take place after the World Cup.'
Jumping ship: Ashley Cole unleashed a foul mouthed-rant about his hatred for England before the World Cup - could Kolarov's transfer hasten a move to Spain?
Another knock-on effect from City's latest deal could be the transfer of Ashley Cole to Real Madrid.
The Spaniards had previously been linked with Kolarov and may now step up their efforts to prise England star Cole from Chelsea.
Kolarov impressed at the World Cup this summer, even though Serbia finished bottom of their group behind Germany, Ghana and Australia.
The tall, powerful defender can also play in midfield and is renowned for his long distance shooting and willingness to attack.
Nicknamed the Serbian Roberto Carlos due to his fondness for spectacular strikes,
Kolarov came to prominence as part of the Serbia team that reached the European
Under 21 Championship final in 2007.
His stunning long-range winner in the semi-final against Belgium helped win him a move to Serie A, where he earned hero status among Lazio fans.
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