Todays News

john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

Txiki Begiristain has ruled out the prospect of Cesc Fabregas returning to Barcelona under the current regime.

Barca's sporting director revealed his displeasure at the midfielder's actions as a teenager, when he moved from the Nou Camp to Arsenal, and said it had cost him any chance of returning.

Fabregas has been strongly linked with a move back to Barca in the future, but Begiristain thinks he should never have left in the first place and points to Bojan - who snubbed a move to England as a youngster - and is now in the first team.

"There is always a risk when you decide to leave Barcelona and the fact is that he cannot return," he explained.

"He, as was hoped, would now be in the first team.

"Bojan is an example. He had faith and did not go to England."

Begiristain has also dismissed talk Frank Rijkaard is under pressure and could be replaced by Jose Mourinho in the summer.

"We like the image the the club has in the world. We continue to have faith in Rijkaard. We like his attitude," he continued.

"What we ask from a coach is responsibility and we think that he represents that.

"That was a consequence of what has been going on this year. Since pre-season there have been some very tense press conferences."

Asked about whether he had met Mourinho, the Barca director reiterated that no talks had ever taken place with the Portuguese coach and were not going to.

"It is not something that is worth speaking about. We only work with those that are at the club," Begiristain added.

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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

Hatem Ben Arfa is hoping to talk with Lyon about his future despite still having two years left on his contract.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move away along with team mate Karim Benzema - but he insists he is not looking to leave.

He said: "Until further notice, I am at Lyon until 2010. I should meet the chairman soon and we will see what happens.

"But I am fine here. As long as it is for my improvement, I am open to anything.

"I have been called into the French team while I was not in the Lyon starting XI yet.

"That was a big proof of trust from the national coach, and it was of big importance on a mental level to me. It also changed things at the club."

Ben Arfa did reveal that as a youngster United tried to lure him to Old Trafford - while he also confirmed the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona wanted him.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

Chelsea are to give trials to four Chinese youngsters after agreeing a partnership with a talent show in the People's Republic.

The Super Soccer Star programme will be broadcast in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong next month, and the lucky quartet who are judged to have the most promise will then visit Chelsea's academy at Cobham in Surrey and their Stamford Bridge ground.

The contest is open to players aged between 14 and 16 and is another component of Chelsea's bid to boost their profile and presence in the Far East.

They are already the official football development partner of the Asian Football Confederation's Vision China project, which aims to set up 10 city leagues in China.

Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "We are delighted to be involved in such an innovative project that helps us deliver on our continuing commitment to promote grass roots football amongst youngsters in China.

"The show complements our involvement in Vision China with the AFC as well as showcasing Chelsea to a large audience and we look forward to hosting the finalists of Super Soccer Star in England."
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

A Newcastle spokesman fears people have "jumped to the wrong conclusion" after Kevin Keegan met Mike Ashley following the Magpies' home defeat by Blackburn on Saturday.

Monday's back-page headlines are dominated by stories claiming Keegan was called in for 'crisis talks' in the wake of the last-minute defeat at St James' Park, which has left them just three points above the drop-zone.

And those reports claim Keegan was unable to give Magpies owner Ashley a guarantee of Premier League football for next season.

But while a club spokesman told The Times he "couldn't comment on what may or may not have been said in a private conversation", he added: "Mike always has a drink with the players and managers after the game and it sounds like someone has seen him talking to Kevin and jumped to the wrong conclusion."
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

Everton have defended Tim Cahill after his controversial goal celebration against Portsmouth.

The Australian midfielder crossed his wrists as though he had been handcuffed and later revealed he was dedicating the goal - Everton's second in a 3-1 win at Goodison Park - to his older brother Sean, who was jailed for six years in January for partially blinding a man.

It is the first time that Cahill, 28, has publicly acknowledged the sentence.

He told Sky Sports: "Basically, it's for my older brother. Everyone knows my situation and I am just proud that he is happy and I am happy and I'm thinking of him always.

"My family means a lot to me and so does this football club. It's been a bit emotional but it's good."

An Everton spokesman defended Cahill from criticism that the celebration might be seen as inappropriate.

Saying that he knew some would not "be in favour" of the celebration, he said: "Goal celebrations are a personal matter and up to the player to decide - no-one dictates what the player can do as long as he stays within the laws of the game, as long as it doesn't result in a caution.

"It clearly was a very personal thing for Tim Cahill.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

Portuguese club Montijo admit Bolton target Helio Vaz will leave at the end of the season.

The 17-year-old has spent the last week on trial at the Reebok Stadium and is understood to have impressed Bolton's coaching staff.

Benfica are also closely following Vaz, who looks set to leave Montijo.

"We know how good Helio Vaz is," said Montijo's vice-president Pedro Louro.

"A report went to Bolton and they showed an interest in seeing him and he spent that last week training with their first team.

"And from what we have heard he will be heading back to Bolton at the end of the season so they can see him again."

Despite Bolton's strong interest, Louro admitted he future was yet to be decided.

"It is inevitable that Montijo and Helio will part company at the end of the season, despite the fact we do not have an agreement with any club," he said.

"Benfica have also showed an interest and he will possibly go and train with them next week."
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is ready to take the blame if his side fail to qualify for Europe - and admits he has learned his lesson after failing to give his players a rest over the festive period.

City were unbeaten at home in the Premier League until Arsenal left Eastlands with a 2-0 victory at the beginning of February.

But the defeat to the current table-toppers was one of a number of poor results for City since Christmas as the Blues have secured just two wins in 11 games.

City, who sit eighth in the table, have also suffered three defeats in that time and Eriksson admits that his players could have benefited from a rest at Christmas as they continue their pursuit of a place in Europe.

Speaking in the wake of the 0-0 draw with Wigan, he told the Daily Star: "I think we felt after Christmas and New Year that we were a little bit low mentally, but that is maybe my fault.

"I should have given the players some days off now and then.

"We have had just two wins in 11 games in the league, but there have also only been three defeats in that run.

"There have been a lot of draws, though, so of course it would have been better to have more wins and fewer loses."

And Eriksson, who took up the reins at City at the beginning of the season, admits he will not make the same mistakes in the next campaign.

"As long as we don't give up, I still believe that Europe is quite possible for us," added the former England boss.

"We must go on fighting because we still have 10 games. I have now learned what to do next season at Christmas time."
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

An irate Martin O'Neill has accused Arsenal of "cornering the market" in pleading victimisation - and then, in an ironic mistake, criticised Arsene Wenger's mathematics by citing a botched set of statistics.

Taking umbrage with Wenger's complaint, made on the eve of Saturday's dramatic draw with Aston Villa, that the Gunners have suffered unfair treatment, O'Neill countered: "While Arsenal are a very good side, they can't just corner the market on being the only team which has to resist a challenge.

"They put in a few challenges themselves, so I don't agree with what Arsene Wenger said.

"I thought there was a challenge which [Mathieu] Flamini made which was pretty harsh and he has gone in two-footed off the ground and he got away with it. Nobody mentions it because nothing happened."

Nor was O'Neill impressed with the barrage of statistics that Wenger, who boasts a degree in Economics, provided in his press conference on Friday.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

Former Portsmouth and Coventry striker John Aloisi has signed for Sydney FC in a deal that reportedly makes him Australia's richest domestic footballer.

The 32-year-old has moved from Central Coast on a two-year deal thought to be worth $1.3million a year - well in excess of the $1million the club reportedly paid Dwight Yorke in its first season and Juninho for the last campaign.

Explaining his decision to move, Aloisi said: "It is a very ambitious club and very success orientated.

"I watched when they got 80,000 for the game against David Beckham and LA Galaxy then 35,000 for the match against Melbourne Victory near the end of the season."
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

Christos Karipidis has urged his Hearts team-mates to maintain the workrate that earned them a 3-0 win at Inverness as they strive to make the Clydesdale Bank Premier League top six.

With four matches until the division splits, the Jambos moved a point behind sixth-placed Falkirk thanks to Calum Elliot's double and Karipidis' first goal for the club.

The Greek defender revealed Hearts were determined to improve after their 4-0 midweek defeat by Rangers and believes they can make the top six if they keep the same attitude.

He told Hearts World: "This game was very important after the game against Rangers.

"After that game, we spoke all together. After a bad result, things are harder.

"That was a bad night but we played well, everybody was fantastic. We were very well organised and won 3-0.

"But we need to keep going, we need to keep working hard because we have our target, which is the top six."

Falkirk drew 0-0 at home to third-placed Motherwell, who could not capitalise on a dominant first-half showing.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sees no reason why Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner cannot put their differences aside to forge a formidable strike partnership.

The Gunners face AC Milan in the Champions League this week having salvaged a dramatic late point against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Bendtner's stoppage-time strike preserved the slenderest of advantages over Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League title race, but Wenger knows his men will have to end a four-match winless run sooner rather than later if they are to stay the course.

Adebayor and Bendtner had a high-profile bust-up during the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Tottenham in January.

Although the pair insist there is no problem with their relationship, Togo frontman Adebayor failed to pick out his strike partner when he was better placed in the game at Birmingham last weekend, which eventually ended 2-2, and did not celebrate with Bendtner after this time setting him up from close range with a knockdown against Villa.

Wenger, though, maintains there is no bad blood between the pair and expects them both to remain professional.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

Georgios Samaras pointed to Greece's shock Euro 2004 triumph as evidence Celtic can make it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League by overcoming Barcelona.

The Parkhead squad travelled to Spain on Sunday afternoon ahead of the second leg of their last-16 clash with the Catalan giants at the Nou Camp.

Frank Rijkaard's side looked impressive winning 3-2 at Celtic Park in the first leg and Hoops boss Gordon Strachan admitted he would not put his house on his side getting through to the last eight for the first time.

But 23-year-old Greece striker Samaras - on loan from Manchester City - believes his compatriots' achievement four years ago, which took the game by surprise, means nothing in football is impossible.

However, Samaras knows an away win - which Celtic have yet to achieve in the competition - will not be easy.

He said: "You have to believe in dreams, you have to believe in miracles.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

Steven Whittaker hailed Rangers' character after they came through one of their biggest challenges of the season to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Walter Smith's men found themselves in the unusual position of trailing at Ibrox when Steve Lovell grabbed the opening goal for Aberdeen on Saturday.

With Celtic keeping the pressure on with a 2-0 win over Hibernian earlier in the day, Rangers were forced to rise to the challenge and hit back through goals from Christian Dailly, Charlie Adam and Kris Boyd.

Whittaker knows the visit of the Dons represented a massive test - and insists Rangers passed with flying colours.

He said: "The team showed a lot of character to come back from a goal down and that should stand us in good stead in the future now that we know we can come back from a goal behind.
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john the tinca · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

Rafael Benitez knows Liverpool are right in the frame to clinch a Champions League place for next season.

Benitez's side followed up last weekend's Barclays Premier League win against Middlesbrough by beating Bolton 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium.

It was a sweet success for the Spanish coach, given the club's miserable record on the ground.

A bizarre own goal from Jussi Jaaskelainen after 11 minutes sent Liverpool on their way to an emphatic victory.

The Bolton goalkeeper turned a shot from Steven Gerrard into his own net with his face and his side never really recovered.

Ryan Babel and Fabio Aurelio extended their lead before Tamir Cohen, son of former Liverpool favourite Avi, pulled a goal back.

Liverpool now entertain West Ham on Wednesday in good heart after this comfortable victory.
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