News of this is just breaking but US striker Charlie Davies is currently in surgery at a Washington hospital following a car accident. While Davis injuries are not life threatening a fatality did occur in the accident. Just an awful piece of a news heading into the match with Costa Rica tomorrow.
The link to the news piece can be found below. That car in the picture does not look good.
France midfielder Patrick Vieira has confirmed he will leave Inter Milan at the end of the season. Arsenal have been linked with a move for their former skipper, while Paris St Germain are also thought to be interested.
Wenger has never been the type to bring back a former player despite having the opportunity too. Don’t see that changing even if Arsenal loves a bargain.
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James may be a target for Premier League champions Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Express
If James wishes to be England’s number one next summer it doesn’t make much sense for him to be Edwin van der sar backup at United.
Liverpool are considering making a cut-price £1.5m bid for Aston Villa’s Emile Heskey in January. The striker revealed at the weekend he was considering leaving the Midlands club to get first-team football, thereby boosting his chances of landing a place in England’s squad for the 2010 World Cup finals. Daily Star
The reason Heskey was sold on the cheap last season was because his contract with Wigan was running out. With Heskey now having a long term contract it’s doubtful Villa will let him go at such a cut rate price.
Manchester City are lining up a £20m swoop for Brazil and Inter Milan full-back Maicon in January and will target Benfica midfielder Ramires if they fail with a £65m bid for Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery. The Sun
£20 million wouldn’t buy Maicon’s left foot and brilliant move by Benfica signing Ramires a year before he is about to feature heavily in Brazil’s World Cup hopes.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will issue a second apology to referee Alan Wiley over his suggestion that the official is not fit enough to do his job. The Independent
I’m ready for Sir Alex latest bit of gamesmanship to be over with. Give him the usual 1-2 game touchline ban and be done with it.
Chelsea defender Alex, who has attracted the interest of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, is poised to sign a new long-term contract with the London club. (Daily Express)
Alex featured heavily last season due to injuries but he did play well. With him now falling behind Branislav Ivanović in the Chelsea back line it’s curious why he would reup for another two years.
I Forced Myself To Play For Portugal – Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Los Blancos are not happy about their player’s appearance at the weekend, but he has admitted he thought he was ready. Despite the setback, the Ballon d’Or winner sees no long-term problems…
Could understand why Real Madrid is upset but what else was Ronaldo to do? If he doesn’t play against Hungry, Portugal loses and then he plays for Real Madrid a week later he’d be ripped a new by his entire country. He got Portugal’s first goal and now if they don’t take care of Malta few would blame him cause it’s a team even the back ups should beat. Still not confident about the game however.
Winning The League Is The Toughest Challenge – Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa
Europe may be hard, but nine months of the Primera Division is harder, according to the former Liverpool man…
Alvaro Arbeloa believes that Real Madrid’s attempt to dethrone rivals Barcelona from their position as Spanish champions will be their sternest challenge this season.
One could be a cynic and say Arbeloa doesn’t know much about winning either league for him to judge which one is hardest.
Denmark Midfielder Jakob Poulsen Delighted With Goal Against Sweden
The midfielder has expressed his delight with scoring the match winner on Saturday…
Denmark secured qualification for the 2010 World Cup on Saturday by beating arch rivals Sweden 1-0. Holding midfielder Jakob Poulsen was the hero with a successful long range strike after 78 minutes, much to his own delight.
You are a good man Jakob Poulsen. Happy Thanksgiving or whatever holiday you may have in Denmark.
Galliani: David Beckham’s Milan return “very probable”
It is “very probable” that David Beckham will be returning to AC Milan at the start of the January transfer window, according to Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani.
Beckham should play the field here or at least take a wait and see approach. Playing for A.C Milan right now must be depressing with poor play and rumours of a possible sale. If they don’t advance in the Champions League besides staying fit what other reason would Beckham have to play there?
Yossi Benayoun’s agent maintains the midfielder is happy at Liverpool and not planning a summer exit to Manchester City. “It is a great compliment that there is interest from high level teams across Europe, but Yossi is very happy at Liverpool and only in the summer agreed a new four-year contract,” said Ronen Kastav. Virgin Media
Considering Benayoun’s transfer originally from West Ham didn’t make many headlines the player has done well for himself with the opportunities given to him at Liverpool.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is once again preparing to raid former club Portsmouth to sign England keeper David James for £1m in January. Since taking over at Spurs, Redknapp has signed Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar from Pompey. The Sun
I’d love to know why this didn’t happen in the summer transfer window as it made perfect sense at the time.
European champions Barcelona are closing in on a January swoop for Manchester City forward Robinho, with sporting director Txiki Begiristain saying that the Brazilian is “a very interesting footballer and could play for us in the Champions League”. Daily Mirror
The real question is who will Manchester City bring in, if they sell Robinho who has the same marquee value. The only way Manchester City sells Robinho is if they can find another high profile player.
Striker Emile Heskey concedes he may have to leave Aston Villa – for whom he has started only one Premier League game this season – in January to keep alive his hopes of a place in England boss Fabio Capello’s squad for the 2010 World Cup finals. The Sun
With this being the case why did he leave Wigan last year then? It’s not like Aston Villa brought a ton of strikers in the summer. Heskey knew what kind of strikers Villa have when he arrived.
Hong Kong tycoon Carson Yeung’s new Birmingham regime begins today following his takeover at St Andrews and the new ownership team will sit down with Blues manager Alex McLeish this week to discuss their working relationship and potential transfer targets. Daily Mirror
When you are a coach of a team whose owner did not hire you it’s a tough place to be in. I’d be shocked if this working relationship lasts another year before Yeung installs his own man in charge.
England striker Wayne Rooney will be “not bothered” if former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo does not qualify for the 2010 World Cup with Portugal. Daily Mirror
It would bug me that’s for sure but can’t really blame Rooney he is wishes to avoid the country who knocked England out in their last two major competitions.
Former Portsmouth boss Tony Adams insists the return of Avram Grant as the south coast outfit’s director of football is good for the club. (Daily Express)
Avram Grant is in a no lose spot here. It wouldn’t be his fault if Portsmouth go down since it wasn’t his fault Pompey every quality player. If he keeps Portsmouth up he’ll be considering a miracle worker.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admits he needs to improve after a start to the season which has seen some of his performances criticised. Guardian
Don’t think many people will be asking Carragher to come back for the National team like they did leading up to Euro 2008 qualifying.
England centre-back Gary Cahill diplomatically said “everybody makes mistakes” referring to Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill’s decision to offload him to Bolton for £5m in January 2008. Independent
Most likely Cahill wouldn’t be the player he is today if he stayed at Aston Villa but I’m sure Martin O’Neill wouldn’t of sold him given another chance.
Coach Fabio Capello has invited striker Michael Owen – and every other player selected by him during his time in charge of England – to Wembley for the World Cup qualifier against Belarus next Wednesday. Guardian
Almost like inviting your ex girlfriend to your wedding.
Anytime I’m able to talk about Porto’s Hulk seems like a good enough reason to make a post. Here at the top ten release clauses in Portuguese football. With Hulk having a €100 million buyout clauses which ensures Porto holds the hammer when it’s time for the player to be sold. Of course most of these players will one day be sold for far less but it’s still interesting to see. Must admit it gave me a laugh seeing Ariza Makukula with a 40 million buy out clause. Don’t expect to see anyone trigger that anytime soon.
1. Hulk (Brazil / 2014) – Porto – €100m
2. Oscar Cardozo (Paraguay / 2014 ) – Benfica – €60m
3. David Luiz (Brazil / 2013) – Benfica – €50m
4. Angel Di Maria (Argentina / 2015) – Benfica – €40m
5. Ariza Makukula (Portugal / 2012) – Benfica – €40m
6. Javi Garcia (Spain / 2014) – Benfica – €30m
7. Javier Saviola (Argentina / 2012) – Benfica – €30m
8. Ramires (Brazil / 2014) – Benfica – €30m
9. Belluschi (Argentina / 2013) – Porto – €30m
10. Bruno Alves (Portugal / 2012) – Porto – €30m
Fabio Cannavaro Tests Positive For Doping Substance After Taking Medication
The player reportedly took medication as a reaction to a wasp sting…
Juventus defender and Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has tested positive during an anti-doping test, according to La Repubblica and Sky Sport 24.
It is believed that he tested positive after taking an anti-allergen in order to prevent an anaphylatic shock from a wasp sting – a potentially fatal reaction if left untreated.
Take the World Cup away, those cheaters. I’m only joking besides France being champions would equally bug me. Being ignorant is no excuse here. Either the player who is paid millions of dollars should know what is going into his body or the medical team over seeing Cannavaro should. Either way one of the two messed up and should be given at the very least a slap in the wrist for Cannavaro’s actions.
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Manchester City forward Robinho are the two main targets for European champions Barcelona this summer. Fabregas, though, has refused to respond to recent Spanish media rumours about a potential move. Daily Mail
Like how the Spanish already dubbed this CR10 after the players first names and year. It’s safe to say 95% of rumours started in October don’t happen in the summer. Robinho to Barcelona would make sense if they push Henry to a lesser role. Manchester City selling the centre piece of this revolution even if he isn’t one of their best players at the moment is doubtful however.
The agent of VVV Venlo’s Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda – a reported target of Liverpool and Everton – has admitted the player would be interested in a move to the Premier League. Sky Sports
Shocking that a player would be willing to trade the Dutch Eredivisie for the Premier League. Be it PSV or Liverpool it does appear Honda will be on the move at some point.
Arsenal and Manchester City are ready to do battle for the signature of Barcelona’s veteran defender Carles Puyol, according to reports in Spain. Daily Mail
Won’t be Arsenal this much I could feel certain about. Puyol would be foolish to leave Barcelona but maybe he is curious to try football in another country and at his age this would really be his last shot to do so for a high level club.
Roman Pavlyuchenko’s agent expects to reopen negotiations over the Tottenham Hotspur striker’s proposed moved to Zenit St Petersburg this January. Daily Mail
Shocked Pavlyuchenko didn’t pull a Darren Bent this summer and publicly forced Tottenham to move him.
Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko, now with Dinamo Kiev has launched an attack on his former boss at Chelsea Jose Mourinho, saying that the now Inter Milan boss rarely spoke to him during his time at Stamford Bridge. Daily Mirror
This would be due to rarely playing for Chelsea. Mourinho had no time for a player he didn’t want to begin with. It will be interesting to see Kiev match up against Inter in the Champions League.
Everton striker Louis Saha has admitted he almost quit football after being driven to the depths of despair by an injury jinx that wrecked his Manchester United career. Daily Mail
What rarely is mentioned because Michael Owen is compared to Carlos Tevez but if you compare Owen and Saha right now which one would you rather have? I’d pretty much lean to Saha who United basically gave away.
Barcelona Give Ultimatum To Carles Puyol & Rafael Marquez Over New Contracts – Report
The defensive duo may find themselves surplus to requirements at Barca if they don’t sign new contracts by mid-December. Both players’ deals expire in June 2010…
Must admit I find it strange Carles Puyol hasn’t put pen to paper on a new contract yet. Here you have a player who is the rock of his club and still plays an important role. Can’t see another option that would be better suited for Puyol than to play for the best club in the world.
Given slams FIFA’s decision to seed play-offs
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has slammed FIFA’s decision to protect the tradtional bigger nations by seeding the European World Cup play-offs as “disgusting”.
FIFA announced last week that there would not be an “open draw” between the eight nations which make it through to November’s two-legged knockout ties. It means that there is no chance of Germany and France playing each other for a place on the plane to South Africa should they both end up in second place in their group.
Read this yesterday but still wanted to make mention of it. Given has a right to be made about this change considering the draw is merely weeks away. Considering FIFA is slow moving to everything this decision reeks of favoritism. A move like this should of been put in place before the World Cup qualifiers began.
Julio Cesar dismisses United link
Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar has denied speculation he is set for talks with Manchester United over a move to the Barclays Premier League.
Julio Cesar is widely regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers and reports suggest United will do their utmost to prise him away from the San Siro in January to replace the ageing Edwin van der Sar, following a number of poor performances from Ben Foster.
Players with the talent of Julio Cesar don’t get sold within the January transfer window. No amount of money is gong to get Inter to do away with the rest of their season and sell Cesar. United should of made this move in the summer and if they are really serious then make a move next summer.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has urged Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti to sign French midfielder Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan in January. Full story: The Sun
Chelsea could of had Vieira for a song during the summer and didn’t exactly jump at that chance. Still have to deal with that little transfer ban thing they have hanging over their heads.
Another Inter player in demand is midfielder Sulley Muntari, who is being tracked by Tottenham. The Sun
Just because Muntari was booed by the Inter supporters before being subbed off last weekend doesn’t mean Inter is going to ship him off to London.
European champions Barcelona are believed to be weighing up a January move for Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue. The Sun
With the way Seydou Keita has played this year Barcelona would have no need for Eboue. Just a weird transfer rumour considering Eboue isn’t playing badly this year but isn’t turning heads either.
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster and manager Sir Alex Ferguson were involved in a dressing-room bust-up after the draw with Sunderland, after the Scot pointed the finger at the England man for his part in Kenwyne Jones’s goal for the Black Cats.
Daily Star
Foster was to blame for Jones goal. He was weak in coming out of the ball. Never a good career move to cross your boss.
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is facing the axe, as new owner Ali Al Faraj is keen on installing a bigger name in charge at Fratton Park. Daily Mirror.
Welcome back Avram Grant who returns as the director of football. Football jobs are like buses. Sometimes they come two or three at a time or none at all. With Grant’s phone not ringing off the hook it made sense to take this Portsmouth job.
Benitez will be given a £12m transfer kitty this January by his American bosses in an attempt to salvage the club’s title bid.
Daily Mail
Despite the money it’s very hard to buy a player of true quality during the January transfer window.
Manchester City forward Robinho, who broke a bone in his ankle six weeks ago on international duty, is targeting a return to action against Fulham on 25 October, a month ahead of schedule. The Sun
Can’t really say Manchester City has missed Robinho but I’m sure they will be happy to have him back.
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has finally admitted he was wrong to stamp on Robin van Persie. Daily Mirror
Only took a couple of weeks but I’m sure Adebayor knew he was wrong from the start just didn’t want to say so while their was an FA case going on.