Archive for July, 2007
FREDDY ADU SIGNS
Freddy Adu has been catching the attention of the footballing World since emmerging as a great prospect at MLS side DC United at the age of 14. Both Manchester United and Chelsea appeared keen to sign him at various stages in his career, with the youngster attending a trial with the current Champions in Manchester last summer.
It has today been announced however that a deal has been agreed for him to join the Portugese side Benfica. The deal is reportedly worth just short of £1 million.
“It’s a done deal,” said a Benfica club official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to make an announcement
Read More >>Human Rights Abuser In Premiership
The former Thai president, Thaksin Shinawatra, finally completed a takeover of Manchester City this summer.
A spokesperson from Human Rights Watch (HRW) has today released a statement condemning Shinawatra.
“Under any definition, I don’t see how Thaksin can be fit and proper,” HRW’s Brad Adams said.
“I’ve written a letter to the Premier League asking what this test means.”
The allegations against Thaksin are that, during his time as Thai prime minister, he:
- Presided over extrajudicial killings during the notorious “war on drugs”. HRW says 2,500 people were killed during one three-month period at the start of 2003.
- Told the Thai military to employ any means to suppress an insurgency in the south of Thailand.
- Suppressed the Thai media.
Shinawatra’s lawyer rejects these claims however, saying, “The civil and human rights charges against him have never been proven.
“My client deserves to be treated as an innocent man, until proven guilty.
“So far there hasn’t been any solid evidence against him.”
Read More >>Airport Strop Delays Chelsea Deal
Chelsea are likely to settle a deal for Brazilian defender Alex over the next few weeks. However, the deal has hit a snag after the youngster threw a strop at Heathrow Airport, and flew to Brazil.
The defender was apparently annoyed at having to wait four hours for paperwork enquiries to be completed, and decided to fly back to Brazil when the issue was resolved, instead of meeting with Chelsea officials.
Chelsea released a statement explaining the situation. “Alex was due to arrive into England yesterday (Sunday) to discuss personal terms.
“Chelsea Football Club are in the process of applying for a work permit for the player in line with normal football and employment procedure.
“At airport immigration there was a request to clarify Alex’s current status. All of the paperwork for his entry was in order.
“After an initial delay, he was cleared to enter the country. He chose voluntarily to fly back but will return when necessary.”
If his work permit is validated, Chelsea will sign the player for just 50p, due to a clause they put in hi contract when they sold him to PSV.
Read More >>Juventus Come To Reds Rescue
Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze will be on the move this summer after his agent has sought a move away from the club. Despite the player claiming his life was “perfect” in Manchester, speculation of a transfer has mounted in recent weeks, with the player failing to deny his desire to leave.
Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to prefer to see fans’ favourite, Heinze, see out his two year contract without a game, than sell him to fierce rivals Liverpool, who have made several bids for the defender.
Fortunately for United, clubs across the continent have expressed their interest in the player, with Juventus being the most recent. General manager Jean-Claude Blanc has today confirmed the Serie A club are a possible destination for the Argentine.
“We’ll have to see if something can happen with Heinze,” Blanc said.
Read More >>Liverpool Spending Spree Not Over
Rafa Benitez has been busy in the transfer market this summer, spending around £50 million on bringing in new talent from England to across the continent.
Chief executive, Rick Parry, has today confirmed that there is still money left to be spent, and if a right player becomes available, they will spend it.
“A lot of clubs have spent significant amounts of money this summer, like Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea,” Parry said.
“Then there are a number of other clubs who have recently also had new investors, such as Newcastle, and there’s still a long way to go before the end of the transfer window.
“If a player becomes available and he’s the right player for this club then yes, we will be interested.”
Read More >>Chelsea Threat: Take £90k Or Go
Whilst there is no doubting his ability, there appears to be something lacking in both Arjen Robben’s fitness and attitude. The young player was absent for much of last season and there was continuous speculation of a rift betwee the manager and player.
Chelsea are currently trying to tie down the player to a contract extension which would see Robben earn £90,000 a week. However, the Dutch winger seems reluctant to put pen to paper, with Real Madrid confirming their interest in him.
After John Terry penned a new deal this week, Chelsea have lost their patience with Robben, and have told him to sign the new contract within the next week, or be sold. However, Chelsea may hit a stumbling block if they are to sell, with it being reported they want as much as £25 million for their player.
Read More >>Smith Set For Rivals Move…Again
When it was announced in 2004 that Alan Smith was on his way to Manchester United, football fans all over the country were quick to remember the incident which had occurred the last time he played against the reds. As a Leeds United fan and player, Smith kissed his Leeds’ badge in front of the Old Trafford crowd after scoring a goal there. Smith claimed he would never play for Manchester United, but when Leeds were relegated, he joined a club he once claimed to hate.
Alan Smith’s attitude has been impeccable in his time with Manchester United, giving his all to every game he plays, and winning a place in the hearts of the United faithful. However, whilst his attitude cannot be faltered, his performances can.
It has been rumoured today that Alan Smith could be on his way to Manchester City. The deal is expected to be worth £7 million, the figure United paid for him. After turning down Middlesbrough, Smith is needing to find another club, as United are likely to want to sell on when the Carlos Tevez deal finally goes through.
Read More >>Carragher’s Manchester United Dig
Despite Manchester United finishing six points clear of Chelsea at the top last season, Jamie Carragher has today said he still believes it is the blues who will be the team to beat.
Carragher believes the signing of Carlos Tevez could make the difference to United, who finished 21 points ahead of Liverpool, but essentially, Chelsea will be the stronger side.
“Manchester United are the champions, but Chelsea are the ones you have to see as the yardstick,” the Liverpool defender said.
“Petr Cech is back and he is a top goalkeeper. And John Terry fully fit and available will make a big difference.
“The team who finish above Chelsea will win it.
“United are a great side and have strengthened again.
“Carlos Tevez would make a big difference to their chances, so hopefully they don’t get him.”
Read More >>Lampard Shock Admission - There For The Money
A clause in Frank Lampard’s contract has just seen the Chelsea star awarded with a huge pay increase. Speculation surrounding his future has been rife after spending just almost a year re-negotiating a new contract with the club.
However, his agent today has strangely announced that it is this increased pay which will keep him at the club for the next two seasons.
“If Frank wanted to get away from Chelsea he could have easily done it by now - but of course he hasn’t,” his agent Steve Kutner said.
“He is very happy with his current contract and very relaxed in the on-going talks about a new long-term deal.
“As part of his existing contract he has just received a sizeable escalation in his salary - and that will be repeated on 1st July next year to keep him there, even if a new deal has still to be agreed.”
Read More >>Rooney Is Incredible
Manchester United have had a successful pre-season in Asia, with the usual suspects shining and scoring goals. Wayne Rooney has been amongst these players, and Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t speak more highly of him.
“He just loves football and loves training and he will be a big player next year, believe me,” Ferguson said.
“He will have a great season, because he’s had a proper pre-season for the first time with us. He will be fine.
“Nothing bothers Rooney. He is incredible, a very strong character.
“Wayne is exceptional. He gets up and is the first in the training ground every morning.
“We like the players to come in for breakfast and he is in at 8.45am, the first there. Unbelievable.”
