September 7th/8th 2008
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Capello defends Rooney record http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...114787,00.html
England boss unconcerned by striker's international form
England manager Fabio Capello insists Wayne Rooney is not becoming frustrated by his lack of international goals.
The Manchester United star has netted only five times for England since scoring twice against Croatia at Euro 2004.
Rooney endured another frustrating night as England opened their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with a victory over Andorra on Saturday.
But Capello insists Rooney is not fazed by critics of his international form, and is backing the 22-year-old to impress against Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday.
Perfect
"The game against Andorra was not the perfect game for Rooney," said Capello. "He tried to touch the ball a lot.
"He did one fantastic pass for the second goal and also one other in the first half for Theo Walcott.
"He needs space. Rooney needs space to work. I hope in the next game, he will find the space against a team who will not have nine players behind the ball for most of the game.
"Is Rooney getting frustrated? No. I believe that when you start the season, the biggest players need more time to find their form. He has to find the form.
Dangerous
"He plays well, but he is not fantastic, but, for me, it is important for the team, the movement he is trying."
Not so good news -TORRES BOOST FOR LIVERPOOL
He'll be fit to face Manchester United
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/article22440.ece
By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 07/09/2008
FERNANDO TORRES is on course for a shock return against Manchester United on Saturday.
The Liverpool striker limped off against Aston Villa last weekend with a tight hamstring but the injury is not as serious as first feared.
The Spaniard has already returned to training and club doctors are optimistic he will have recovered in time to face the champions.
Reds skipper Steven Gerrard is less likely to feature as the midfielder, 28, had a groin operation last week.
He is back in light training but the club is torn between having him available and bringing him back too early and aggravating the long- term injury.
United's Gill laughs off $250M offer for Ronaldo, but would entertain Ronaldo offer http://www.tsn.ca/ctvnews/?id=248807
Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill has laughed off claims that Manchester City are willing to spend nearly $250 million on Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sulaiman Al-Fahim, the billionaire businessman at the center of the Manchester City takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, said this week that he would be willing to spend the sum on landing the 23-year-old United star.
However, Gill told the BBC: "It was an interesting comment, I think it's a fan's-type comment.
"It's interesting that when Sir Alex Ferguson mentioned the Dimitar Berbatov signing in advance, complaints were made to the Premier League.
"He mentioned Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas in the same article so I think we'll treat that with a pinch of salt.
"I've never met the gentleman. That's a fantastic amount of money and would turn the industry upside down so I can't believe he's serious at those sorts of levels.
"Ultimately we'd discuss any offer with Alex and the owners, as that sort of money is very large for one person. But we aren't in the market to sell our best players."
Juve: City playing 'fantasy football' http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...114195,00.html
Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has laughed off reports of a possible bid for Gianluigi Buffon by mega-rich Manchester City.
City's new Abu Dhabi-based backers broke the British transfer record to sign Brazil playmaker Robinho from Real Madrid on Monday and it is likely more big names will follow when the transfer window re-opens in January, with Buffon one of the legion of names linked with the Eastlands club.
But Gigli insists no amount of money would prise Buffon away from the Stadio Olimpico.
"It's fantasy football," he told Sky Italia. "This summer there was another case of fantasy football, to be precise the story of David Trezeguet to Barcelona.
"That was fantasy football, and this is the same."
Buffon, who once again proved why he is rated as one of the world's best goalkeepers on Saturday as Italy beat Cyprus in World Cup qualifying, is reportedly a £56million target for City.
But Gigli insisted the 30-year-old remains a key figure at Juve.
He added: "Buffon's price doesn't interest me, what interests me is to have him with us as a man, as a sportsman and as a lynchpin at Juventus.
"And I am happy that he helped Italy beat Cyprus."
Robinho fires warning to Chelsea - and Micah dreams of Robinho
New Manchester City signing Robinho has vowed to make Chelsea pay following their failure to capture the Brazilian star this summer.
The 24-year-old has admitted it was his first intenion to join Chelsea after deciding to leave Real Madrid.
But the two clubs failed to agree a fee, leaving the door open for City to swoop on deadline day after a shock cash injection from the Abu Dubai United Group.
Robinho, who is currently on international duty with Brazil, slammed Chelsea for not sealing the deal and intends to show them exactly what they missed out on when he makes his City debut against Luiz Felipe Scolari's men next week.
"It is Real's fault that I did not sign for Chelsea but it is also Chelsea'a fault," Robinho told The People.
"I don't think they managed it very well. They waited until the last minute and it turned out badly for them.
"My head was at Chelsea but now that is forgotten. I know Scolari is upset with me but these things happen.
"When I play against them I will show that they were wrong not to raise their offer.
"City presented the offer five hours before the deadline and until then I had not been thinking about them at all."
New team-mate Micah Richards was equally surprised by City's late move for Robinho and is hoping the Blues can make a few more shock signings in January.
"I was glued to the TV last Monday listening to all these bids we were making for world-class players," he told the Sunday Mirror.
"In the end I fell asleep and just after midnight my best mate rang me and said, 'We've signed Robinho.'
"I thought I was still dreaming and said, 'Yeah, whatever.' But then I turned the TV back on and there it was.
"I mean, he's the kind of player you would usually only pick for City if you were playing a computer game.
"Hopefully it is a sign of things to come and City will be winning trophies and playing in the Champions League every year.
"If the things the new owner has said are true, this is City's chance to grab football by the scruff of the neck - and I can't wait."
Zidane: Don't Blame Mexes http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=853855
Former France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane has asked that defender Phillipe Mexes not be blamed for the World Cup qualifying defeat against Austria last Saturday.
The Roma defender certainly did not have a good game as France succumbed to a shock 3-1 defeat against Karel Bruckner's Austria.
Former Juventus and Real Madrid player Zidane spoke about Les Bleus’ poor performance, and in particular, Mexes after the loss.
"We must let the team work in peace," pleaded Zidane. "What happened last night was enough. With some work we can solve everything."
