Summer Transfers

stefan9 said:
You guys sure the club confirmed the mascherano signing in january?? Most of the italian and german site have him as a signing for this mercato.
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Signed in Febuary according to wiki
 
im confused? How can he have been signed outside the transfer window??is that even possible?
Ag never mind. guess the list is correct then.
 
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His contract was not tied to any club, he was bought from a company hence they didnt have to be in the transfer window to do the purchase.
 
McCarthy Blasts Ince For 'Problems' At Blackburn​

Benni McCarthy, in South Africa ahead of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on Saturday, has said he does not expect to be a key part of Blackburn's Premier League campaign this season.

Expressing frustration about his lack of opportunities so far, and suggestions that he is unfit, McCarthy has blamed Blackburn manager Paul Ince for his situation.

He told the Sowetan newspaper in South Africa: "We have played three games and I featured in only two as a substitute. It does not look like I will play much this season.

"My problems at the club started when Paul Ince walked in."

However, the club have explained that McCarthy has not yet started a match this season because of concerns about his level of fitness.

A spokesman for Rovers said McCarthy is overweight and not match-fit, "and that is basically why he has not been in the Premiership line-ups this season."

In response to that, McCarthy, who is South Africa's leading goal scorer, retorted: "There is no such thing as being overweight, people must just come and watch me play against Nigeria on Saturday if I'm selected to play."

South Africa’s team manager, Joel Santana, is expected to pick McCarthy to spearhead his attack against Nigeria on Saturday.
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Gerrard Sick Of Swapping Positions​

Speaking to the Sunday Times, the England midfielder admitted that the constant swapping of roles was hurting his game. He said: “I'll work hard, do my bit defensively and help the team. That's why managers do it to me, but it is affecting me.”

The Liverpool captain, who is currently recuperating after surgery on a groin injury, also revealed that he felt his best position was as a central midfielder and he wanted to be given the opportunity to prove he was the best in that position. He explained: “My game suffers when my position is changed. I'm a central midfielder and in the big games I want to play in the middle and show that I'm one of the very best in that position.”

Whilst Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has frequently played Gerrard in several different positions, England managers including Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello, have also followed suit, much to the Liverpool skipper’s frustration.

“I've played in my favourite position for England five times in 68 games. What can you do? I go into training with England and try to prove myself every day,” admitted the midfielder before adding, “Every England manager I've worked under knows where I want to play, but they pick the formations and I play where I'm told.”

Gerrard also bemoaned his own talent and insisted that it was precisely the fact that his game was so versatile that was causing him problems.

“I've paid the price for being able to do a decent job in other positions,” he explained before continuing, “Other players don't get shunted around because they can't do it. I can't go and play on the right or the left and become ***a or Robinho, I just go out there, give 100% and do a steady job.”

The Anfield man missed England’s 2-0 victory over Andorra yesterday and will also be missing for their next game against Croatia in midweek, however he did indicate he was close to a return to action.

“I've a decent chance for the Champions League game in Marseille [September 16],” he revealed before concluding, “I've spoken to the manager and told him I'd like to do a certain amount of training before I come back. I don't want to go into a big game only having had one session with the boys.”
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Zola favourite for West Ham post​


Gianfranco Zola is the clear favourite to become the next West Ham manager and is set for more talks with the Hammers on Tuesday, BBC Sport understands.

Former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni also impressed West Ham's board during his interview, but Zola's Premier League experience has given him the edge.

The former Chelsea star could be unveiled at a Thursday news conference.

However Zola, assistant coach of Italy's Under-21s, will be involved for their game against Croatia on Tuesday.

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic was one of the leading contenders but he has been ruled out the running by the Upton Park outfit.

Bilic is believed to have wanted to combine managing West Ham and his country's national team until the end of the year.

The Hammers hierarchy met on Monday to discuss the prospective candidates for the post and although Zola was deemed the leading figure, Donadoni was not far behind.

Donadoni was manager of the Italian national team before leaving the post after their quarter-final exit to Spain at Euro 2008.

But he has no experience of the English top flight and Zola's stint of almost seven years as a player at Chelsea is believed to have worked in his favour.

Michael Laudrup was also in the frame to succeed Alan Curbishley, who resigned on 3 September, but he has agreed to take over at Spartak Moscow.
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City Won't Move For Ronaldo​

The 31-year-old forward confirmed yesterday that he was considering moving to City, but the club today pointed out that that particular ship had already sailed.

Speaking to The Telegraph, a City spokesperson said, "We had shown a past interest in bringing the player to the football club in the right circumstances and spoke to him and his representatives.

"However, we have chosen not to pursue the matter."

Whether this was a financial or directorial decision, or one made by first team coach Mark Hughes, is not yet fully known.

However, some say that Hughes' desire to only bring in 'impact' players - and not those on the downswing of their career - would render Ronaldo unsuitable for his vision.

Alternatively it may be the case that the money-men at Eastlands have their eyes on different targets, rendering their own previous interest in Ronaldo irrelevant.
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Madrid Confirm Agger Interest​

Reports have emerged over the last few days that los Merengues are looking to increase the depth of their defence as they seek to retain their La Liga title and reclaim their Champions League crown.

On the surface, the Bernabeu has no dearth of options at the back; Fabio Cannavaro, Christoph Metzelder, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Ramos and Pepe are all highly regarded defenders.

But Metzelder has struggled to settle in Madrid, Pepe has suffered series of injuries and Ramos is preferred at right-back. Combine that with Cannavaro's advancing years and Garay's relative lack of experience, and the need for reinforcement becomes apparent.

Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker was mentioned as a potential target in the Spanish press this week, but Agger is the clear favourite to fill the void in Bernd Schuster's squad.

Rift

The Danish international is one of the most promising defenders in Europe, and yet he has struggled to get on the pitch this season with Liverpool.

After making his mark during the previous campaign, the 23-year-old missed almost the entire 2007-08 season due to a metatarsal problem. He has since returned to fitness but has failed to dislodge Martin Skrtel, the Slovakian star who has become a Kop favourite since arriving from Zenit St. Petersburg in January.

Rumours have arisen of an ever-widening rift between Agger and Rafael Benitez, although the manager has fervently denied such claims and insisted that the club are hoping to extend the player's contract.

The Merseyside giants will have to act fast, however, as los Blancos confirmed yesterday that their sights have been set on the former Brondby man for quite some time.

Top of the List

Real vice-president Jose Angel Sanchez said in The Sun: “Agger’s a player we have been looking at for a long time and it’s likely we will bid for him in January.

“He’s a world-class player and would fit into our system without a doubt. We need a defender and a striker — and Agger tops our list.”

It turns out that Madrid had initially planned to purchase Agger during the summer, along with Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, the tedious saga surrounding Ronaldo and the complicated nature of Robinho's deadline-day departure for Manchester City meant no deal was reached with either of England's North-West giants.

“We already had plans about buying Agger this summer, along with some other players,” Sanchez continued.

“But the Robinho situation took so much attention and demanded so many resources from the club that we had to drop the plans for putting in a bid for him and the others we had in mind.”

Liverpool will be highly reluctant to sell given Sami Hyypia, the ageing Finn who was omitted from the Champions League roster, is realistically their only remaining option in central defence.
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Very bad news. Why the hell didn't Rafa pick Agger for the PSV game FFS :mad:. It's as if he's trying to unsettle Agger.

Then again this is the manager who claimed to want keep Crouch even offering him a new contract while dropping entirely for the last few meaningless games of last season after he'd been scoring against the likes of Arsenal away :rolleyes:
 
Dont think he will go, as he has had a good start to the season at Barca.

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City Back In For Henry​

According to the Daily Mail, City manager Mark Hughes has highlighted Henry as the answer to his team's consistency problems in the final third.

The Sky Blues fell victim to a legendary Liverpool comeback at the weekend, losing 3-2 to Rafael Benitez's side after holding a two-goal advantage at half-time.

Fernando Torres was the key in the Reds' resurgence, netting twice in the second half and sending in the shot that resulted in Dirk Kuyt scoring the injury-time winner.

The Spanish striker has often been compared to Henry since arriving in England last year, and it has been rumoured that City's new owners had made him one of their top targets.

But with Torres and Liverpool highly unlikely to part company in the foreseeable future, Hughes and co now seem to have set their sights on a certain Frenchman who scored 174 goals during his seven-season spell at Arsenal.

Henry left the Gunners for Barca in 2007, but he has failed to settle at Camp Nou. While his performances haven't exactly been poor - he has racked up 22 goals and 12 assists in just over a season, after all - he is unhappy with his role on the wing and has been missing his daughter, Tea, who lives in London with her mother.

City were among the front-runners for Henry's signature early in the summer, but no move eventuated as then-owner Thaksin Shinawatra was more concerned with trying to lure Ronaldinho to Eastlands.

But with the Citizens' striking options looking somewhat lean given Valeri Bojinov's injury problems and Jo's inexperience, Hughes is desperate to sign a proven goalscorer who will complement the squad's considerable creative options.

While Henry may be 30 years of age, there is little doubt that a pairing of he and Robinho would strike fear into the hearts of most defenders.

And with the backing of Abu Dhabi United Group, City will have no problem affording whatever price-tag Barca might place upon the former Juventus player.

Hughes is also thought to be after a goalkeeper, as current back-up Kasper Schmeichel is likely to leave in January.
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aaaaaaah i dont know hey. He still didnt have a GREAT start. Every match Barca play the commentator almost always says how Henry might be looking to move on in January.

We got a long way till January, so im hoping he will start scoring more than he is now so when January comes he will want to stay.
 
Saw this in this mornings paper:

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Fabregas admits Barca 'dream'​

Cesc Fabregas has told Spanish radio that he will assess his future at the end of the season.

The Spanish star has also admitted that a return to Barcelona would be a 'dream come true'.

Fabregas admitted he opted to stay at Emirates over the summer following his success at Euro 2008 with Spain.

The midfield schemer claims he stayed for the sole reason to try and win trophies at Arsenal, as so far during his five-year Gunners career he has picked up just one medal after lifting the FA Cup in 2005.

Now he is determined to pick up some silverware this term, but admits he will then look at his options.

"Right now I'm fine at Arsenal but I cannot deny that to return and play for Barca would be a dream come true," he told Catalan based station RAC 1.

"I chose to stay at the club last summer and right now I'm totally focused on the reason for that decision which was to try and win trophies.

"We'll see how things have gone by the end of the season.

"The fact is that Barca are playing cinematic football right now and it's fantastic to see that the other day when they beat Atletico Madrid 6-1 they had seven or eight guys who, like me, came through the club's youth system."

Messi praise
Fabregas, who left Barca for Arsenal as a 16-year-old, admits he still loves to watch his former team-mate Lionel Messi.

"Messi is the best player in the world and he has been for a long time, never mind what people used to think about Ronaldinho in his prime," he said.

"During Messi's football life I've seen him do incredible things on a football pitch, as a kid or now as a leader of the Barca team."

Fabregas also admitted that he is missing playing alongside midfielder Alex Hleb - who moved to Camp Nou last summer.

"Every week I chat to Alex Hleb on the phone because he's the guy I most miss at Arsenal. He's a friend and I also loved playing with him," he added.

"He always looks for you with a pass and if you give him the ball you can always count on getting it back at the right time."
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lol
Another star looking to leave the gunners.
Is it the lack of thropies or is the salary that makes all of them want to leave?
 
Could be the whining Frenchman gets a bit much after a while

:D
 
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ooooooooooooh

How i would love this to happen. Cesc can one day be the replacement for the legend Xavi
 
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