Archive for August, 2007
Bent To Lactics On Loan
Marcus Bent has agreed terms with Wigan to complete the deal for a season-long loan today. The striker had a difficult season at The Valley following his £2.5 million move from Everton, scoring just 5 goals in 52 games.
New Wigan boss, Chris Hutchings has spoken out on his delight of signing the striker, saying, “It’s a great deal. We’ve got him on loan, which is a convenient arrangement for us.
“Marcus has played the majority of his career in the top flight, he’s been there and done it, and knows how to look after himself at this level.
“He is a clever player who can fulfil a number of roles and whose game is far more than just about scoring.
“He’s lively and brings others into play. He’s a streetwise sort of player, who never gives any less than 100% and is one of those lads you want on your side.
“I’ve always said that I’ll only bring in players who I think will add a new dimension to the squad and I think Marcus fits the bill.”
Read More >>Chelsea Make Loss On Johnson
Glen Johnson has today made a move on the deadline day for transfers from Chelsea to Portsmouth.
Johnson was one of the first buys in the Abramovich era, making the move as a youngster from West Ham to Chelsea for £6 million.
He has failed to break in to the first team since then, spending stints out on loan.
Johnson has spoken out on his reasons for moving, saying “I just want to play as many games as I can here and see what happens.”
“It’s a fantastic move for me. “Portsmouth’s a fantastic club with a lot of nice people. I learnt that when I was here last season.
“So it was an easy decision to make. It feels like I’ve never been away.
“The fact that I played here last season was a massive factor in my decision – I knew what the club was like.
“Harry Redknapp was a massive factor, too.
“I had to think about the move a bit, it’s nice to have interest from other clubs.
“But deep down I knew where I wanted to go, especially after the success we had last season, when I enjoyed it here.”
Read More >>Cole To Return To Hammers?
It has been rumoured today that Joe Cole is on his way out of Stamford Bridge after questioning his role in the team.
Out of the four games played this season, Cole has managed to pick up less than half an hour of Premiership football. He was left on the bench for the opening two games of the season, handed less than fifteen minutes against Liverpool, and fifteen minutes against Portsmouth.
The Daily Mail reports that Joe Cole has asked Mourinho where he stands, to which the manager has simply replied that Cole has not done enough to merit first team football.
According to the Mail, ‘sources at the club’ claim their relationship is ‘strange’, and that Cole is unsure about his role, if any, in the side.
West Ham have been spending big this summer, and are one of the few teams who could meet the midfielder’s wage demands. Cole has never kept quiet the affection he has for his former club, and could return there to win back his starring role.
Read More >>Anelka Decides On Club
After months of speculation and rumours, most of which initiated by the non-committal stance of Anelka, the Bolton striker has finally confirmed that he will be staying with the North West club.
The player, who just a few months ago said he was keen to move to a club playing in Europe, has today announced that he has signed a deal which spans until 2011.
“I seem to have been linked with every club in the country of late but my heart is with Bolton,” Anelka said.
“I am very happy with my form, the club and the manager so signing a new contract was not a difficult decision.
“Hopefully we will prosper together because I would not have remained at Bolton if I had thought we could not win trophies.”
Read More >>Samaras On The Move
It has been announced today that Manchester City forward Georgios Samaras could be on his way out. He has yet to feature for the blues this season, and it is believed Eriksson does not see a future for the player at the club. Paul Koutsoliakos, who represents Samaras, has today confirmed that Middlesbrough could be the player’s next destination.
“It is a possibility that Georgios could leave Manchester City before Friday,” Koutsoliakos said.
“We are still in negotiations to try and sort something out.
“There is interest from all over Europe in Georgios, but he wants to stay in England.”
“Middlesbrough is a big club and we will wait and see what happens.”
Read More >>Background Information On Everton’s New Signing
Yakubu was granted permission to move to Everton for £11.25 million today. Eight years ago, the striker was sold for a meagre £300,000.
Follow Yakubu’s career so far below.
1982: Born November 22, in Benin City, Nigeria.
1998: Began his career with Okomo Oil team.
1999: Joins Julius Berger for the 1999 season and finishes top scorer in the Nigerian league.
1999: Joins Israeli side Maccabi Haifa in deal worth approximately £300,000. Loaned out to Hapoel Kfar-Saba who are relegated at end of 1999-2000 season, despite Yakubu’s six goals.
2000: Makes Nigeria debut aged 17 in World Cup qualifier against Eritrea. Played for Nigeria at the Sydney Olympics.
2001: Scores 13 goals in 22 league games for Maccabi Haifa during the 2001-02 season.
2002: Scores five Champions League goals for Haifa, including winner against Manchester United.
2003: January – Moves to Portsmouth on loan.
May – Portsmouth are promoted to the Premiership and Yakubu signs a permanent contract for an undisclosed fee.
2004: January – Sent home from the African Nations Cup for allegedly breaking a curfew along with two team-mates. Nigeria invite him back, but Yakubu declines the offer. Refuses to play for Nigeria again in May, after being asked to take part in friendly matches against the Republic of Ireland and Jamaica.
August – Agrees to resume his international career and accepts invitation to face Zimbabwe.
2005: May – Moves to Middlesbrough for £7.5million.
2006: May – Part of the Middlesbrough team beaten by Sevilla in the UEFA Cup final.
2007: June – Admits he would consider a move away from the Riverside for a top club, saying: “If a big club comes with a very big amount of money, anything is possible.”
Aug 22 – Middlesbrough confirm they have agreed a fee with Everton for the striker. The deal initially stalls when the player is denied a work permit by the Home Office.
Aug 29 – Everton complete the signing of Yakubu for £11.25million after the Home Office granted the Nigerian a work permit on appeal.
Read More >>Chelsea Bidding For Ronaldinho
The top rumour of the day is that Chelsea are planning to lure Ronaldinho away from Barcelona for a whopping £65 million.
The Daily Mail has reported that Roman Abramovich has been in talks over the weekend with the Brazilian’s brother and advisor with the hope of signing the 27 year old before the transfer window ends.
Abramovich is keen to see his side play with more flair, like rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, and believes signing Ronaldinho is the way to do this.
Ronaldinho has a buy out clause of a massive £85 million, but Abramovich hopes to land the midfielder for less than that.
Read More >>Defiant Ferguson: Ref Was Right
Manchester United achieved their first win of their season this afternoon at Old Trafford against Tottenham Hotspur. Following a disappointing performance from the Champions, an incredible goal by new signing Nani wrapped up the three points.
However, Spurs fans are outraged about their team’s failed penalty appeal. The ball appeared to strike Wes Brown on the arm after Dimitar Berbatov shot for goal. Referee Howard Webb did not award the penalty, to the disbelief of the Tottenham striker and his team mates.
After viewing the replay, Sir Alex Ferguson claims the referee made the right decision.
“At the time they protested so much I thought it must have been a penalty,” he said.
“When I see it clearly, and Wes said it himself, it hits him in the chest. As you see it hit him in the chest, his arm comes up and you almost think it’s his hand.
“But it hit his chest, I’m sure of that.”
Read More >>Liverpool Star Has Collapsed Lung
Liverpool walked away with three points on Saturday against Sunderland, however the price to pay was Carragher’s fitness.
Jamie Carragher was filling in for Steven Gerrard as captain, but with fifteen minutes left to play, sustained an injury which broke his rib and left him with a collapsed lung.
There is no treatment on offer for the defender, and he has been ruled out for their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.
A Liverpool spokesman said, “Jamie underwent a series of investigations on Sunday morning which confirmed he has a broken rib and has also developed a pneumothorax.
“He will continue to be monitored on Sunday but at this stage no further treatment will be required.”
Read More >>Tevez At Wembley With Haircut
Manchester United are set to make Carlos Tevez officially one of their players next week. In the meantime, he has been invited as a guest to watch his future club in the Community Shield agaist Chelsea today.
Sir Alex Ferguson was clear that once a United player, Tevez would have to cut his hair, an order which the Argentine striker has adheared to.
This is not the first demand he has made of one of his new players, after telling Nani to stop his over the top goal celebration.
Tevez will be given a spot in United’s executive area of Wembley stadium.
Read More >>
