EPL Gossip Friday February 5th
Aston Villa are to hold talks in the summer with midfielder James Milner regarding a new contract. He signed a four-year deal when he became Villa’s record signing in a £12m switch from Newcastle 18 months ago and is under contract until June 2012. Wolverhampton Express & Star
James Milner’s agent must be happy hearing this news. Between Milner and Ashley Young you have to edge the edge to Milner being Villa best midfielder this season.
Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, is being chased by Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona – according to his dad. The Sun
Key part of his rumour “according to his DAD.” According to my dad I could be playing for Benfica if I had applied myself. According to reality I had no pace and no right foot.
City also want to bring Lazio striker Mauro Zarate back to England to replace Robinho – the Argentine previously had a spell at Birmingham. Goal.com
It’s not like Zarate is leading Lazio to new heights. He is a good player but it would be foolish spending lavish amounts of money for a player who won’t play week in and week out.
Manchester United are resigned to losing Nemanja Vidic in the summer, with AC Milan ready to rival Real Madrid’s £20m attempt to prise him away. Daily Mirror
You knew once Manchester United bought Chris Smalling from Fulham rumours of Vidic’s exit would heat up. Don’t image United buying Smalling so he can be a 4th central defender.
The Gunners boss has also apparently stepped up the chase for £14m France striker Loic Remy, dubbed the ‘new Thierry Henry’. The Sun
Ryan Babel was once dubbed the Dutch Thierry Henry, that hasn’t gone according to plan.
Manchester City have offered first-team regulars at Eastlands a bonus of £1m each to take the club into the Champions League and win the FA Cup. Daily Express
What do they mean by first team regulars? Manchester City do play a lot of different players. Would Rogue Santa Cruz be listed as a first team regular and if not what motivation does he have then? This offer should be for the entire team in order to make it mean something.
Aston Villa have banned youth defender Nathan Baker from this month’s League Cup final after the 18-year-old was caught selling his ticket allocation for the game on social networking site Facebook. (Various)
The kid is 18, it was dumb and he’ll learn from it. Image he’ll be getting more friend request in the coming days.
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is looking into selling his company’s NHL ice hockey team the Dallas Stars. The Guardian
Tom Hicks would sell you the shirt off his back if you came up with enough cash.
Five Portsmouth fans will walk into the Premier League’s luxurious offices in London on Friday looking for answers as to why their club has become football’s financial basket case. The Times
Really are those fans dumb? Fratton Park only holds 20k with no luxury boxes. Toronto FC make more on game day than Portsmouth does. Toronto FC hasn’t paid over 50 million in transfer fees nor have players making serveral million dollars on the books. The Premier League’s TV money can only take you so far.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
My dad thought the same. I should be playing for a team in France and possibly the national team had I focused on soccer alone. However, I too had no pace and no left foot. I do like Zidan but often wonder how he would do outside if the Bundesliga. Time will tell I guess.