Archive for April, 2007
Eto’o To The Premiership
Rumours in Spain today have suggested that Barca striker, Samuel Eto’o, will be playing Premiership football next season.
Eto’o was part of a very public falling out with his coach, Frank Rijkaard, and team mate, Ronaldinho, back in February. Since then, speculation of a move away from the Nou Camp has been rife.
The latest rumours suggest that Eto’o will be joining Arsenal, to form a terrifying strike partnership with Henry. Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked to the player.
Eto’o has never tried to hide his admiration for the Premiership, but is contracted to to the club until 2010.
Will Eto’o be playing in the Premiership next season?
Read More >>Chelsea Star Drink Driving
It has been announced today that Chelsea star, Michael Essien, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Essien, whose injury time goal put Chelsea in to the semi-finals, is set to miss his team’s European clash against Liverpool due to suspension.
The arrest was made yesterday at 5.10 am, and it has been reported that Essien was driving a black Range Rover.
He has been bailed to July pending inquiries.
Read More >>Rafa: Jose Wants European Cup
Ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Chelsea in the Champions League, Rafa Benitez has responded to Mourinho’s comments regarding their chances of progressing to the final. Mourinho claimed that because his side were still in all competitions, Liverpool were to go in to the semi-final as favourites, with their squad not being spread as thinly as Jose’s.
Rafa has said that for Mourinho, Europe comes first, and will be focussing his attentions on that before any other trophy.
“I think their priority is the Champions League,” Benitez said. “They can talk about trophies right now and have a big squad to cope with problems at this stage of the season. The priority will be the Champions League.”
Read More >>Chelsea Blow It
After a surprising 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Boro yesterday, Chelsea had a perfect opportunity to close the gap to 1 point at St James Park today. Newcastle have won just 7 out of 17 home games this season, and with Chelsea going weeks without conceding, it seemed certain Mourinho would capatalise on the red’s mistake.
However, with not a single shot on target, Chelsea played out a dull 0-0 draw. Newcastle’s Kieran Dyer came the closest to scoring, forcing a great save by keeper Cech.
Manchester United have been handed a get out of jail free card, after surely feeling they had blown their chances yesterday. The difference in points is still the same as before the weekend, however now there is one less game to go.
Have Chelsea blown their chance to keep the title at Stamford Bridge?
Read More >>Gerrard: I Laugh At Chelsea
Ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea in the Champions League, Steven Gerrard has had a dig at his opponents. This is not the first time the two clubs have met in the semi finals of Europe, and last time, Liverpool were victorious through a Luis Garcia goal. Replays would suggest however that the ball did not cross the line.
“Chelsea moaned about it at the time. Mourinho still does. I laugh,” Gerrard said. “Chelsea’s complaints are ridiculous. If it wasn’t a goal, Petr Cech would have been red carded for bringing down Milan Baros. What would Chelsea have made of that? All this b*****ks about it not being a penalty, a sending off or a goal. Who cares? The ref gave it. End of story.”
Read More >>Alan Smith For England
Manchester United striker, Alan Smith, has had a good fornight after his brilliant display in his team’s 7-1 battering of Roma. The 26 year old, who played in the centre of midfield last season before breaking his leg in February, played with the same grit and determination in the following games against Watford in the FA Cup semi and Sheffield United in the league.
With England struggling for successful strikers, Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his player for an international recall. “It is obviously Steve McClaren’s decision, but I would endorse it without question,” Ferguson said. “He stuck at it and he enjoyed a cracking game against Roma. He deserves his rewards. His enthusiasm for the game is infectious. You can see it on the training ground as well as the pitch.”
What do you think? Should Alan Smith be the solution to some of England’s problems?
Read More >>Arsenal: We Will Resist Takeover
It has been an unsettling week for Arsenal fans, with David Dein, the man who brought Wenger to the club, leaving after a disagreement with the board.
Kroenke increased their stake in the club to 11%, and whilst Dein was in favour of this, it appears Peter Hill-Wood, the Arsenal chairman and the fellow directors disagreed.
Hill-Wood has today spoken out about the chance of a takeover. “I don’t know for certain if Kroenke will mount a hostile takeover, but we shall resist it with all our might,” he said. “I am not complacent at all, but we don’t need his money and I’ll tell you why. Everyone talks about our new stadium as a handicap to finance for new players, but the move to the Emirates is well-funded. Everyone thinks it has created a huge deficit but it hasn’t as we have a massive asset on a 25-year fixed-rate loan.”
Read More >>Lampard And Terry Disagreement
Just days ago, Chelsea skipper John Terry said rival Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player in the World, and deserved to be awarded with the PFA Player of the Year title.
However today, Frank Lampard has opted to stick with his own team mate, and said Drogba deserves the award.
“Didier’s goals record has been so prolific,” he said. “He’s scored crucial goals, he’s scored the easy goals, the little tap-ins, he’s scored great goals that have won us games. He’s been the best striker in the world this season and that’s a massive achievement.”
Who do you agree with? Lampard or Terry?
Read More >>Beckham Already Paid For
David Beckham sensationally agreed a 5 year deal to play in the States this year, meaning he would be earning a massive £10 million.
LA Galaxy, who faced criticism for the huge contract, have today announced that they have already made their money back.
Endorsement and sponsorship deals made on the back of Beckham’s signing have paid off what they will be spending on him.
“We were never worried about our financial commitment. We`ve already made our money back,” they confirmed.
Read More >>Keane Insulted By United Link
When Roy Keane took over as Sunderland’s manager this season, there will have been several Manchester United fans who looked on with excitement, already planning the reds legend to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keane has had a bright start to his managerial career, and looks set to bring Sunderland up to the Premiership next season. The club have already sold 20,000 season tickets for next season, which is more than several Premiership sides.
However, Keane has spoken out today, insisting he is not yet thinking of his future outside of Sunderland. “I don’t sit at home at night thinking that one day I want to manage Manchester United,” he said. “And it is wrong to suggest I see Sunderland as some sort of stepping-stone. I don’t think you can think that way. That would be an insult.”
Read More >>
