Rabu, 31 Desember 2008
Valencia’s Miguel linked to AS Roma
Serie A side AS Roma are reportedly interested in signing Valencia’s Miguel, as Cicinho might be on his way out at the Giallorossi.
Sky Sport reports that Roma manager Luciano Spalletti aims to strengthen his defender by attracting a new right back to replace Cicinho. The Brazilian has never managed to live up to expectations since joining the side in 2007.
Miguel, born in 1980 in Portugal’s capital city Lisbon, spent five years of his career at Benfica before joining Valencia in 2005. So far, he played 99 games for the Spanish side and scored twice.
The player, whose full name is Luis Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro, traditionally plays as right defender but also has attacking abilities.
Depor Confirm Novo Interest
Deportivo La Coruna are considering a bid to sign Rangers striker Nacho Novo in January.
The Spanish frontman is out of contract at the end of the season and has also been linked with a move to Barclays Premier League side Hull.
However, the Spaniard played for a Galician select team against Iran in La Coruna over the weekend and scored twice in the game.
His display impressed the watching Deportivo president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro, who will now discuss a possible offer for Novo with the club's staff.
"Nacho Novo is a player who is attractive to Deportivo because of his Galician background and also because of his contractual situation in Glasgow," Lendoiro told the Daily Record.
"We know he is out of contract at the end of this season, so we would not be talking about a big fee.
"But nothing is decided yet. These are the kind of things we have to discuss internally as we make our plans for January.
"But there will be official talks in the next few days and Nacho Novo is a name that will come up."
Novo has spent four-and-a-half years at Ibrox, but has struggled to command a starting spot this season with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench.
The worst week of my life, Berbatov
In an interview after last night’s Premier League encounter against Middlesbrough, Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov outlined how this week has been the worst week of his life.
The Bulgarian striker explained how he was forced to miss his club’s success in the FIFA Club World Cup success after a virus had struck him down.
However, as he stated, everything appears to be coming back together with his winning goal against Middlesbrough in their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Berbatov also said that the title chase for United lay exclusively in their own hands and if they can gain maximum six points with their two games in hand, they should be right there in May.
Zambrano wants to leave Schalke
Peruvian Carlos Zambrano no longer wants to stay at Bundesliga side Schalke 04. The defender revealed this in an interview with German newspaper Bild.
The talented 19-year-old came to Europe to join Schalke 04’s youth team from Academica Deportivo Cantalao in 2006 and conquered a spot in the first team two years later. Uptil now though, he hasn’t been given a chance to show his skills.
“I don’t feel good at Schalke. The trainer should know why I don’t play,” the Peruvian said, referring to manager Fred Rutten. “I lost desire in the last few months.”
Bild goes on to report that a large amount of clubs may be interested in signing the player, including Borussia Dortmund, River Plate and Alianza Lima.
Sir Alex Ferguson praises Jonny Evans
Jonathan Grant (Jonny) Evans, the Northern Ireland central defender, has come in for the highest praise from his boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Not quite twenty-one years old, Evans has already had a lengthy career.
He began his career at Greenisland FC where he was spotted by United scouts from where he joined the Manchester United Academy.
To gain further experience, Ferguson sent him in loan to Royal Antwerp and Sunderland.
He returned from loan for the 2007/8 season and played for United in the League Cup and UEFA Champions League.
However, in January of this year, he was sent back to Sunderland on loan until the end of the season to gain further experience.
At the end of last night’s fixture against Middlesbrough where the Red Devils won 1-0, Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for his twenty-year old defender.
Evans has come in for the injured Rio Ferdinand and has shown maturity beyond his years, said Sir Alex.
Jonny Evans turns twenty-one on Friday 2 January.
Selasa, 30 Desember 2008
“Portsmouth want Real Madrid’s Drenthe”
Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is interested in signing Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, currently under contract at Real Madrid. This was reported by British newspaper News of the World.
The 21-year-old, who plays both as left back and left winger, joined Real Madrid in June 2007 but hasn’t been able to break through and doesn’t seem to be in the plans of new manager Juande Ramos.
Portsmouth first-team coach Johnny Metgod, who worked with Drenthe when the two were active at Feyenoord Rotterdam, reportedly recommended the player for Adams to sign during the winter transfer window.
Drenthe, who began his career in 2005, left a good impression during the European U-21 Championships of 2007, won by the Netherlands. Drenthe was voted best player of that tournament.
Today’s Manchester City rumour
The Manchester City rumours continue to come thick and fast but today’s Daily Mail suggests that the sights of the club may have been lowered.
They claim that City have made West Ham a combined offer of £15 million to try to sign striker Craig Bellamy and midfielder Scott Parker.
They are both decent players but they are hardly David Villa and Kaka are they? Are they two players that would take Manchester City towards the Champions League qualification that the club owners so obviously crave?
Hunelaar Hoping For Euro Nod
Striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar is determined to play for Real Madrid in this season's Champions League.
UEFA rules mean Madrid are likely to have to choose between their two big winter signings, Huntelaar from Ajax and Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth, with only one allowed to play in Europe.
And Huntelaar said: "They can only register one player and I have to do everything possible so that player is me.
"I hope to be chosen. It's up to me."
Huntelaar confirmed he had not discussed the issue with the club, saying: "I've heard about it from the press."
Huntelaar, who moved to the Bernabeu for an initial 20million euros, is still taking in his big-money move, which was announced at the start of December.
"I'm on a cloud," he was quoted as saying in Marca. "Everything is great and the good thing is that on January 4 I can play."
He added: "I appreciate the support and affection that I have been given [at Ajax].
"My dream now is to win in Madrid.
"Ajax will always be one of my teams, it is in my heart, but now I hope to do big things with Real Madrid. I want to succeed at this club."
Langgan:
Entri (Atom)
