It's only a month from our season ended, but already our manager Spike has been active, tying up players contracts and trying to get some new faces in his squad. That said there's two 'old faces' coming on board, back-up goalkeeper 'Alice' Addis and former crowd favourite David Cushley. Spike's trying to sign Gary Thompson as well from the Whites and an unknown striker to replace the 'goal machine' Gary McCutcheon. The Sky Blue Sport team have been discussing the reasons Gary is quitting the Showgrounds to move to Seaview and we haven't come up with any. Is the fireplace in Gary's Stranraer home so bare (or trophy cabinet), that a league cup medal or a possible Setanta medal would take pride of place. We stick our necks out here and forecast that the Crues won't win a major trophy (the Irish cup and Premier league) in the next two seasons and the constant jarring of playing on a 3g pitch will shorten Gary's career we think, if not end prematurely .
Spike has released Alan D, obviously we can't afford him and Rory Carson, Rory being released according to Spike, was to free up money for a striker. The 'Sport team reckon the mystery striker will need all the help he can get and with Rory's release, we just lost our best corner-man. Ally Teggart is a gifted player, but his corners are tame affairs and as for the Cush we don't remember scoring from one of his corners when he was with us previously. Maybe Spike has some-one else in mind to be our dead ball specialist, we at 'Sport hope it's not Tony Kane or should we say the 'kick boxer'. Tony has scored a low number of goals for us (2 in 26 appearances), but when we get a free-kick situation he always volunteers, but is generally way off the mark, definitely not good enough. In a surprise move Spike signed Cookie Munster on a one year deal and with Denver fit, that means we'll have 5 players fighting over two positions, although the versatile Rodgers is at home at fullback as well as central defence.
With Gavin Taggart firmly ensconced in midfield alongside Jenks, its hard to see where Gary Thompson and Sparky are going to fit in, assuming that he's going to play two wingers, in Ally and Cush. We still have not heard of any relevant strikers arriving here soon and we may be forced to rely on Jordan '6 foot, two, eyes of blue' Baker and the comedian Jay (Elvis) Costello. If Jay can keep the Susan baps to a minimum and maybe concentrate on scoring goals, maybe we won't miss Cutch so much. If Jordan were to back him up, instead of going for the spectacular (who can forget his goal at D.Cs. Celtic park last August which gave us a victory we scarcely deserved). It's not that we don't appreciate a spectacular goal, but we much rather see some tap-ins as well. with one or more of our directors threatening to quit over the 'Sunday' issue maybe we will find it difficult to sign big money players, we await further developments!
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Premier League - Rodgers 'appointed Liverpool manager'
Liverpool have reportedly appointed Swansea City's Brendan Rodgers on a three-year deal.
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| Brendan Rodgers |
It is believed Rodgers met with Liverpool's owners on Wednesday and that a three-year deal has been agreed with the man who took Swansea to 11th place this season.
Though Wigan manager Roberto Martinez also held talks with Fenway Sports Group in Miami, Rodgers is now expected to replace Kenny Dalglish at Anfield.
The Northern Irishman led Swansea City to promotion last summer and the Welsh club thrived in the Premier League, winning a legion of admirers thanks to a fluid passing game that has drawn comparisons with Barcelona.
Rodgers initially turned down the chance to speak to Liverpool but has reconsidered following renewed interest from FSG and, reportedly, the club's decision to cool their interest in appointing Louis van Gaal as a director of football.
Liverpool are expected to formally confirm the identity of their new manager in the next 24 hours, as well as the management structure he will be working under.
Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and former England boss Fabio Capello had all been linked with the position.
Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC target Guardiola 'the best ever'
Pep Guardiola, who is wanted by Chelsea and Liverpool, is the greatest coach in Barcelona history, according to midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
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| Pep Guardiola |
Guardiola is known to be Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's top target to replace Andre Villas-Boas as the Blues' next full-time manager, but the Russian wants to appoint him now, rather than in a year's time.
Reports in recent days have claimed Liverpool are also keen on appointing the 41-year-old, who has won 13 titles in his four years in charge at Camp Nou.
But Guardiola insists he will take a year-long sabbatical when he leaves Barca after Friday's Copa del Rey final showdown with Athletic Bilbao, making a move to the Premier League this summer unlikely.
Spain international Fabregas believes his in-demand compatriot can go out on a high by winning his 14th title while in charge of the Catalans.
"If there is something extra about this final, it is the possibility of winning the title for our coach, the possibility of him winning yet another title and leaving with his head held high," Fabregas told reporters.
"He will do that anyway because he is the best coach this club have ever had, without a doubt. It is not something we have spoken about as a group but we all know we want to dedicate it to him."
Despite his sabbatical plans, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is still keen on making Guardiola his new manager in time for the 2012-13 campaign.
And according to The Times, the Russian is only willing to give current interim manager Roberto Di Matteo a year-long contract at Stamford Bridge in a move which would appear to suggest the Blues will try again for Guardiola in twelve months time should Abramovich be forced to admit defeat this summer.
Chelsea In Talks With FC Porto Star Hulk
Chelsea are holding talks with FC Porto and Brazil striker Hulk over a summer switch to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are looking to add a new face up front following the confirmation that Didier Drogba will not be with the club next season, and the European champions have reportedly made Hulk, born Givanildo Vieira de Souza, their number one target.
The giant 25-year-old forward, who can also play on the wing, has cemented his place among the best strikers in Europe by helping FC Porto to back-to-back Portuguese titles and Europa League glory in 2011.
Having netted 21 goals in 38 games last season many are expecting Hulk to make a move to of the continent’s bigger clubs, and it appears that Chelsea, who are yet to appoint a full-time manager, are leading the chase of his signature.
Hulk’s agent, Teodoro Fonseca, has told the Brazilian media: “There hasn't been an official proposal so far. There has been a lot of interest in him, but it has yet to go further than that.
“All that should change next week. Besides Chelsea, there are four more English clubs interested in him.
“Porto will not let him go easily. His release clause is £80m, but ultimately it is the player's wish to take on another challenge that will make the difference.
“Those are the words of Porto's directors. They have said as much, and will not stand in his way, so though it will not be easy for those English clubs financially, there is room for negotiation. We can sort everything out, I am sure.”
The possible arrival of Hulk would lead to further speculation about the Chelsea future of Fernando Torres, but he has confirmed he does want to remain with the Blues.
Torres, who has endured a difficult time since joining from Liverpool, told the club’s official website: “There were times where I lost hope and that has never happened to me before.
“It's the worst feeling in the world when you love your profession and I became the player I hate. Luckily it is part of the past.”
He added: “We've talked and now I have no doubt what they expect of Fernando Torres. I just want to start next season already.
“At Chelsea I am very happy and I never said the opposite. I still have a lot to do in this club.”
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Hazard tipped to be a success in England
Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard has been backed by his international team-mates to be a major hit in English football.
Hazard looks set to join Chelsea from French side Lille after he wrote on Twitter yesterday evening: "I'm signing for the champion's league winner".
There has been no official confirmation yet from either club about any deal, but reports have suggested the 21-year-old, who has been rated at £32million, has agreed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Despite his Twitter comments, Hazard - likely to feature for his country against England in Saturday's international friendly at Wembley - was giving nothing away to the cameras today at Belgium's training camp in Liege, responding to a question about Chelsea by saying: "I do not speak English".
Other members of the Belgium squad - and ones who already have Barclays Premier League experience under their belts - were more forthcoming on the matter, though, with Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen expressing his confidence that Hazard will become a big favourite of English football fans.
Vermaelen told Sky Sports News: "He is a great player with a lot of special qualities.
"I think he is a player people go to the stadiums for.
"People will love him and love watching him playing football, so I think he is a good player for the Premier League."
Asked whether Hazard had sought advice from him about a move, Vermaelen said: "He didn't come to me for any advice. I think he has a lot of people around him, so they can give him good advice about which club he should go to."
Fulham's Mousa Dembele, an attacker like Hazard, feels his compatriot has the attributes to thrive in the English top flight - and any other competition.
"It is a good competition for him," Dembele said.
"I think he can succeed in every team because he is a fantastic player and I think they will like him very much in England.
"He has quality that not a lot of other players have and I think in every competition he goes, he will play very well - including the Premier League, even if it is the best competition in the world."
Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who now faces the prospect of having to keep his fellow countryman at bay in the Premier League, admits Hazard will have a considerable weight of expectation to deal with, but expects to see him shine.
"I think Eden has the qualities and talent to play in England," Mignolet said.
"On his day, he can make the difference for his team.
"It is a big step from Lille to Chelsea and he is going to be under some pressure, especially with the money that has been spent, but I think he is a good player and if he is on his day, he can do a good job for Chelsea."
Hazard, who has been named Ligue 1's player of the year for the past two seasons, has become one of the most sought-after players in the game and has been linked with a host of European giants.
Manchester United and Manchester City looked to be favourites for his signature until Chelsea's surprise European Cup triumph last weekend.
ESPNSTAR
Liga - Paper Round: Drogba's Real deal
Didier Drogba will move to Real Madrid, according to a report in Tuesday's papers.
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| Didier Drogba |
The Daily Mail reports that the Ivory Coast striker, who has already confirmed that he is quitting Chelsea this summer, is in talks with former boss Jose Mourinho about a two-year deal to take him to the Bernabeu.
Drogba had been widely tipped to link up with former team-mate Nicolas Anelka in a big-money move to China, but internal strife atShanghai Shenhua (which looks likely to see Anelka fired) and Mourinho's recent empowerment over transfers at Real means the 34-year-old Drogba looks set to move to the Spanish champions.
Fernando Torres, by contrast, will be sticking around at Stamford Bridge according to a report in the Independent after Roman Abramovich interceded to persuade the unsettled striker to remain at the Blues.
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| Eden Hazard |
The Sun wins the battle of the headlines - at least for readers over the age of 30 - with its "Mancety Blank" headline, referring to a long-defunct gameshow hosted by Terry Wogan. The Daily Mirror is one of several papers to use an "Eden Project" headline, but it's their sub-head above chief football writer Martin Lipton's piece that caught our eye, both asking and answering its own question in one overblown swoop: "A swaggering prima donna at the age of 21... just why did Chelsea go so far to land the Belgium winger they are calling the heir to Messi and Ronaldo?"
Of the players heading out of Chelsea, on the other hand, Salomon Kalou is to sign for Schalke (according to the Daily Mirror) while Branislav Ivanovic is now being targeted by Barcelona as well as Real Madrid, the Daily Mail reports.
Barcelona's interest in Ivanovic comes as news emerges in the Daily Star that Vincent Kompany has rejected the chance to move to the Catalan club, the Manchester City captain instead pledging his long-term future to City.
Roberto Martinez will reject the chance to manage Liverpool, according to The Sun.
The Wigan manager will hold a press conference on Tuesday to reveal whether he will take Liverpool up on their offer to become first team coach - probably under the wing of former Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal - but The Sun reports that Martinez has made up his mind to stay at the DW Stadium.
Martinez's decision was apparently made on the back of promises from Wigan chief Dave Whelan to spend millions in the transfer market over the summer. With Martinez out of the equation, The Sun claims that Swansea's Brendan Rodgers or Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp will take the reins at Anfield.
Robin van Persie's future remains unclear as rumours of a move to Manchester City continue to circulate, but there is good news for Arsenal fans in The Sun: the player's mum has told him to stay put for the touchingly conservative reason that "they have no debts". Van Persie's wife, Bouchra, is also keen to stay, saying ,"our home life and our children are happy in London."
In other transfer news Manchester United are to make a £3m bid for Crewe's teenage play-off hero Nick Powell(Daily Star), Southampton are on the verge of signing Burnley's England U21 striker Jay Rodriguez for £6.5m (Daily Mirror), Blackburn's Yakubu is tipped to make a £1m move to Reading, Southampton or West Ham (Daily Mail),Jonathan Woodgate will get a new deal to stay at Stoke (Daily Mirror), Swansea are eyeing Tottenham's Mexican forward Giovani Dos Santos (Daily Mail) and Reading have made a £2m bid for Nottingham Forest defender Chris Gunter (Daily Mail).
Euro 2012 - Johnson, Welbeck make England squad
England have finalised their squad for Euro 2012 with injury doubts Glen Johnson and Danny Welbeck both included in the 23.
The two players were unable to feature in Saturday's 1-0 win over Norway due to fitness problems but manager Roy Hodgson will count on both men in Poland and Ukraine.
Johnson is expected to start the tournament as England's first-choice right-back while Danny Welbeck will compete with Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe for a place up front with Wayne Rooney suspended for the opening two games.
There were no surprises in the England squad, with Phil Jagielka formally confirmed as the replacement for Gareth Barry, who was forced out with a torn muscle in his lower abdomen on Monday.
England were also forced to replace third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy with Birmingham City's Jack Butland prior to the Norway victory after the Norwich star broke a finger in training.
Hodgson has confirmed the squad numbers England will wear at the Euro 2012 finals:
1 Joe Hart 2 Glen Johnson 3 Ashley Cole 4 Steven Gerrard 5 Gary Cahill 6 John Terry 7 Theo Walcott
8 Frank Lampard 9 Andy Carroll 10 Wayne Rooney 11 Ashley Young 12 Leighton Baines 13 Rob Green
14 Phil Jones 15 Joleon Lescott 16 James Milner 17 Scott Parker 18 Phil Jagielka 19 Stewart Downing
20 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 21 Jermain Defoe 22 Danny Welbeck 23 Jack Butland
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