Carrick To Take Ronaldo's Penalty Duties? http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=775360
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has admitted we would relish the chance to become the club’s spot-kick specialist should Cristiano Ronaldo depart…
Carrick opened the scoring in United’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen at the weekend, stroking home from 12 yards after Wayne Rooney was hauled down in the area.
Ronaldo is usually the designated penalty taker, but the Portuguese winger was absent after recently undergoing surgery on a foot problem that troubled him throughout EURO 2008.
The position may soon be up for grabs full-time, however, should Ronaldo fulfil his childhood dream of moving to Real Madrid, who have been relentless in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
And Carrick insisted he would be thrilled to take the reins as United’s spot-kick king: “It’s always nice to score and get off the mark and I’m more than happy to get on the penalties. I’ll take a few more of them if they become available!”
The England international is not renowned for his contribution on the score-sheet but has nonetheless become a vital cog in the United machine over the past two seasons.
Although oft maligned by press and public alike, the former Tottenham man has forged a highly effective partnership with Paul Scholes in central midfield despite strong competition from Owen Hargreaves and Anderson.
Now with three medals under his belt since moving to Old Trafford, the 26-year-old is eager to begin the new campaign after an unusually lengthy off-season.
“The season seems to have come around pretty quick but it’s the longest break I have had for a number of years,” Carrick said in The Sun. “So it’s nice to come back and start all over again.
“We have to earn it all again and we know it’s going to be a long, hard season, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
Mike Maguire
Newcastle: Poached Italian Youngster Tipped For Greatness http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=775664
Newcastle United teenager Fabio Zamblera has been tipped for greatness by Italy and Fiorentina legend Giancarlo Antognoni.
Zamblera is widely regarded as one of Italy’s most exciting young prospects, and he was expected to soon make the step up from Atalanta’s youth team into the senior side.
However, the 17-year-old, who was still too young to sign a professional contract with the Nerazzurri, was ‘poached’ by Newcastle United in January of this year, with the Bergamo-based outfit receiving just a miserly £300,000 in compensation.
Atalanta’s loss could be Newcastle’s gain, as Zamblera has been tipped for great things by none other than Fiorentina and Italy legend Giancarlo Antognoni, who is currently Italy U19 assistant manager.
"Zamblera is an important player for us,” said the 1982 World Cup hero ahead of the U19 European Championships, in which Zamblera will be taking part.
"I obviously cannot reveal if he will be in the starting XI yet but he is very talented.
"He is one of our best players and can be a star for Newcastle."
Anthony Sormani
FERDINAND LIKELY TO ESCAPE SANCTION http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...817335,00.html
Rio Ferdinand seems certain to escape any formal sanction over his part in last season's fracas that followed Manchester United's clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.
Reports have emerged of a possible four-match ban for the Manchester United defender - which could rule him out of England's friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20 and scupper his chances of being appointed as Fabio Capello's new captain.
Given Ferdinand has already suffered the misery of serving an eight-month ban for a missed drugs test in 2004, it would be the worst kind of news possible for the 29-year-old Londoner and somewhat bizarre given it was United's complaints about the treatment of their players that led to the inquiry in the first place.
Ferdinand apologised after accidentally kicking a female steward in frustration following his side's defeat.
However, sources close to the investigation into events that took place at Chelsea immediately after the key showdown, which finished in acrimony as the home side won thanks to a hotly disputed late penalty, have been left bemused by the speculation surrounding Ferdinand.
For, while the official report is still being compiled, there has been no suggestion Ferdinand will face any penalty, let alone miss the opening four matches of the season.
And, although such a move would be bad news for United, who are already without Cristiano Ronaldo for an extended period following the winger's recent ankle operation, even in the unlikely event of Ferdinand being punished, it would not affect his availability for England.
It has been pointed out that Alan Smith, Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Ferdinand's major rival for the captaincy, John Terry, have been deliberately overlooked for selection by England in recent times.
However, in those instances, it was a policy decision taken by the FA until police or court action against the individuals concerned had been concluded.
Similarly, there is no link with Ferdinand's own lengthy ban because it covered all football, both for club and country.
It means that whatever the outcome of the FA's investigation Ferdinand will be available for the Czech Republic game, before which Capello intends to name his new skipper, having tried out four men for the post.
The FA meanwhile are continuing their own investigations into the Stamford Bridge clash, although as yet, no timescale for a definitive decision has been reached.
WINTERBURN HANDED ROVERS ROLE
Nigel Winterburn is to join Paul Ince's backroom team at Blackburn to work as defensive coach.
The former Arsenal full-back will travel with the team to their pre-season training camp in Germany on Wednesday.
Rovers chairman John Williams said: "Pulling together a new backroom team with the right balance of skills, experience and ideas across sports science, recruitment and coaching is clearly important and we are nearly there now."
MOYES CONFIRMS CONTRACT TALKS
Everton boss David Moyes has started talks over a new long-term contract at Goodison Park.
Moyes' future has been the subject of constant speculation with the Scot having just over a year to run on his current deal.
Everton are keen to tie down Moyes to a lengthy new contract as they look for the former Preston chief to continue his impressive work at Goodison Park.
Moyes held talks with Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright over the weekend and the boss is hopeful a deal will be concluded quickly.
"We've started talks and we're hoping things will be wrapped up quickly," Moyes told The Liverpool Echo.
Drogba campaign amuses Marseille http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ca/7505202.stm
Marseille president Pape Diouf claims to be "amused" by an appeal launched by his club's fans.
They are aiming to raise the 44 million US dollars they believe necessary to buy Chelsea star Didier Drogba.
New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari claims Drogba, 30, is still "200% in his plans" but the striker is said to be headed for the Stamford Bridge exit.
Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all reported to be interested in the Ivory Coast international.
But Marseille fans have launched an audacious bid to bring the striker back to the club he left four years ago.
Despite suffering a setback when their website crashed, the new appeal reached 1.5 million US dollars on Sunday.
The fans behind the initiative admitted that it would be impossible to raise the money to buy Drogba, instead insisting that the point of the project was to alert Diouf to the fans' wishes.
"I'm surprised and amused. It shows the true passion of our supporters," Diouf told regional newspaper La Provence.
However, he joked that even if the fans could raise the money for the transfer, that alone would not be enough.
He added: "I know what Drogba earns at Chelsea!"
Other juicy slivers of gossip courtesy of the beeb's grapevine
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Old Trafford has been thrown into further doubt after Manchester United fans demonstrated against the Portugal winger at a reserve friendly match against Burscough at the weekend. (Daily Mirror)
Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has told Ronaldo he should honour his contract and stay at United. (Daily Star)
Portsmouth fans have handed in a 2,000-name petition to 10 Downing Street calling for manager Harry Redknapp to be awarded a knighthood. (Various)
Everton will hope for good news on their plans to move to a 55,000-seat stadium in Kirkby this week when they will discover whether or not the £400m project will be called in for a public inquiry. (The Times)
And finally... England defender Micah Richards has been banned from having a girlfriend by his mum as she thinks that wannabe WAGs are just after the Manchester City player's money. (Daily Star) 
