[RedForceRising]

JULY 27th 2008
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SIR ALEX FERGUSON INTERVIEW - United have sent a chaperone to watch over Cristiano Ronaldo!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle4407241.ece

You've never rested on laurels but after conquering England and Europe last season, what are the goals for 2008-09?

Well, it’s straightforward for me. I’m thinking always of what I can say to the players in that first team meeting of the season. This time it was “what do you want your-selves?” I think it was summed up perfectly by Ryan Giggs at the dinner after the Champions League final. He made a speech, ‘I’ve had to wait nine years to win this trophy again’. Nine years is a long time and hopefully that registers with the players. They’ ve got a chance to win it again this season. That’s my immediate thought.

Having won in Moscow with a youngish team, we could do it again. The league will always be important because of the tribalism in your country and we start off with Newcastle – you know what the Geordies are like, fantastic atmosphere – then go to Portsmouth, Liverpool and London. Chel-sea, they’ll be wanting to confound my comments about them being an old team (mischievous laugh).

But if this team can win another European Cup it puts them on a different platform to any other United team in history. AC Milan have won the trophy seven times, Liverpool five, Bayern Munich and Ajax four, and we should really be in that frame. Europe is our priority in the sense it’s the big challenge for us, to get on to the level at least of the Liverpools and Bayerns.

How will you manage Ronaldo when he returns?

The boy loves to play football. He loves training. He’s always last off the field and that won’t change. The injury? Right now he can’t do any fitness work because he’s got the crutches, you see. He’s out of plaster in eight days’ time. At that point he will return to us to start rehabilitation.

It’s okay that he’s in LA?

There’s no harm in him going there. He’s gone to do a commercial thing. I think he’s signed up with a new commercial company, an LA-based company.

There are photographs of him in nightclubs . . .

Listen, I’ve got someone with him there. It's a load of rubbish. He’s not drinking for a start. They (newspapers) had him drinking vodka and that. I said to myself: “Drinking vodka?” I phoned my friend who’s with him and he says: “Boss, there’s no truth in that.” Ronaldo doesn’t drink, we know he doesn’t drink. Stories about some of the other stuff he’s doing are rubbish too.

You sent a club employee with Ronaldo?

We (United) have got someone, aye.

You mentioned Ronaldo’s dedication yet he’s being portrayed as a glamour boy. Are you confident he hasn’t changed?

Any young player who’s had that type of success is going to get attention. The important thing is how they handle it. We know success changes people but the change you like to see is when there’s an elevation in the player’s own esteem which helps them become better. That’s the case with him. At 23 he is reaching the stage where his maturity, his personality and the presence he has on the world stage should help him.

Is there any similarity with Beckham in that he’s no longer being seen as just a footballer?

No. I don’t want to go into it (the differences between Ronaldo and Beckham) but it’s obvious.

How does losing Carlos Queiroz as your number two disrupt plans?

We’re not in a hurry to find a replacement, though we’re looking. When you lose a good man you take your time before filling the position. But with our experience, hopefully it’s not too big a loss. Carlos did some great work but Mike Phelan has been with me 10 years, Les Kershaw, Jim Ryan nearly 20 years. And there’s Rene Meulensteen. They’re all good coaches.

Nonetheless, it puts an extra burden on you – and you’re 67 inDecember.

Naw. Naw. I was going to maybe take a week off now and then, but that’s that ******ed. But, really, the only time I’ll have to do a lot extra is if we pick a new assistant, because you have to bed them in.

You’ll miss Queiroz’s language skills?

Without question. We’re going to have to work hard with our language teachers, with the players who are still adjusting to the English language, such as Nani, Carlos Tevez and Anderson.

So the new No 2 won’t necessarily be British?

He could easily come from abroad because that would give me an advantage in terms of language, but I’m open-minded.

Would you manage a GB team at the 2012 Olympics?

Seb Coe did have a meeting with me. I said: “2012, that’s a long way off and I don’t know my retirement plans.” But I told him I would give it consideration, because I may have retired by then and want to accept those kinds of challenges that come up on a short-term basis.

If Scotland boycotted the team?

Well, obviously that would make things difficult.

You made Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reserve team manager, a rapid pro-motion for a coach in his first year. Could he be a top manager?

He’s taking his badges and he’s got a lot of qualities, a good manner with the players and a different way of getting things out of them, because he has a quiet-spoken nature. He’s improved his voice levels, which is important in coaching, but I don’t know his ambitions. Coaching’s always the best thing. Anyone who wants to take the next step into that unknown valley of snakes and rats and all the rest of it . . .

You’re surely not talking about the press?

Exactly! That’s where the valley is.



Milan Choose First Choice Keeper
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has appointed Zeljko Kalac as the first choice goalkeeper for next season.



Christian Abbiati, Nelson Dida, Zeljko Kalac: those are the three goalkeepers currently under contract at Milan, and all three, for better or worse, could potentially be the first choice for next season. But it seems coach Carlo Ancelotti has picked his starting goalkeeper now.

"The hierarchy of the goalkeepers has been decided by Carlo Ancelotti," announced vice-president Adriano Galliani. "I think that at this point we can say that we start with Kalac, then comes Abbiati, and we are waiting to verify the conditions of Dida, who is following a recovery program."

Galliani then talked about Alessandro Nesta's conditions: "It's nothing serious. He does have this problem to his back. We had him checked by some specialists and they said an operation isn't necessary. He should recover soon enough."

Last season Dida started in goal for Milan, but a series of blunders saw him drop out of the team and replaced by Kalac, who become the new first choice, after Christmas.

Danilo Pochini


Messi hat-trick sinks Dundee Utd
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...td/7527242.stm

Lionel Messi was the star of the show as Barcelona completed their Scottish tour with a 5-1 win at Dundee United.

The Argentine winger came on after the interval and bagged a smart hat-trick, adding to goals from Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o.

United had the cheek to score first, with Prince Buaben nodding in a cross from Warren Feeney on 25 minutes.

However, Henry made sure the half-time score was level when he shot home at the second attempt 26 seconds later.

United can be happy with their first half performance as they competed well, pressing and harrying to good effect, but they paid dearly for repeatedly surrendering possession after the break.

Barcelona, who hammered Hibs 6-0 at Murrayfield on Thursday, stepped up a gear in the second period and the introduction of Messi made a huge difference.

"Overall, I thought we did well - a lot better than the scoreline suggests," said United manager Craig Levein.

"But when you make mistakes against top class opposition, you get punished.

"And, of course, there was the small matter of Lionel Messi, who is just a delight to watch."

The home crowd were given an unexpected boost when Feeney's good delivery from the left set up Buaben to direct a firm header past Victor Valdes.

But the celebrations were short-lived as Darren Dods failed to clear his lines and a Daniel Alves cross found Henry, who saw his first attempt blocked by Lukasz Zaluska before converting the rebound.

Henry then fluffed a shot in front of goal and Bojan Krkic was denied by an excellent save from Zaluska at the near post before Eidur Gudjohnsen hit the post with a close-range header.

The visitors made eight changes at the interval, while United only switched goalkeepers, with Michael McGovern getting a taste of the action.

The former Celtic reserve was soon plucking the ball out of the net when Messi pounced on an Eto'o through-ball and sent a delightful angled drive home.

Eto'o then drilled a shot beyond McGovern after he was set up by a poor back-pass from United substitute Andis Shala.

The fourth goal arrived with 14 minutes to go with Eto'o and Messi exchanging a one-two before the winger produced an acrobatic finish from close range.

The Messi hat-trick was complete two minutes later when the rebound from a blocked Eto'o effort landed at his feet and he slipped a shot beyond defender Lee Wilkie, who was guarding the goal-line.

[RedForceRising]

Laporta In Eto'o U-turn?
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=792906

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, was impressed with Samuel Eto’o’s attitude during the friendly game against Dundee United and his words seem to indicate the player may remain at the club.



It seems as if Laporta has made a U-turn on the Cameroon international who was impressive during the Blaugrana’s 5-1 demolition of the Scottish side on Saturday night.

The striker has been linked with moves to almost every major European side but the chief’s words have led to speculation the player’s future may lie at Camp Nou after all.

“I am delighted with Eto’o’s attitude,” said Laporta after the game.

“I agree that Samuel is a great player just like the others in our team.”

Journalists then began to ask the chief to elaborate on Eto’o’s future but, like the Cameroonian on the night, Laporta skipped past the challenges and raced away in a huff.

Eto'o's future is still in doubt and, although many clubs are interested in his services, his high price tag and mega wage demands seem to have the undesired effects as teams pull out of any potential deal when they hear the figures.

Salvatore Landolina


Bouma dislocates ankle as Friedel joins Villa
http://football.uk.reuters.com/uk/ne...p?refresh=true

LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - Aston Villa's Dutch international defender Wilfred Bouma will miss the start of the Premier League season after dislocating his right ankle in Saturday's Intertoto Cup win over OB Odense of Denmark.

The 30-year-old Bouma sustained his injury the same day as goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who has won 82 caps for United States, joined Villa from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

Former Liverpool keeper Friedel, 37, put pen to paper on a three-year contract, Villa said on their official website (www.avfc.co.uk).

Martin O'Neill's side beat Odense 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from winger Ashley Young, putting them through to the UEFA Cup second qualifying round 3-2 on aggregate, but the manager described Bouma's injury as a major setback.

"It's obviously a serious injury to a player who has been playing exceptionally well," O'Neill told the club's website.

"He had a great season last year and will be missed. The injury is a big blow to us."

Villa launch their league campaign at home to Manchester City on Aug. 16.

Bouma also seems likely to miss the start of his country's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, a trip to Macedonia in September.


- I wish Bouma a speedy recovery and that he can recover and play at the same level. He might not be the most gifted footballer, but he works hard and is consistent. Villa will miss him.


Hughes Chases Goalkeeper
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=792652

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is set to enter the transfer market for an experienced goalkeeper after losing Andreas Isaksson.

The Sweden international left the City of Manchester stadium for PSV Eindhoven after a season at the club, leaving Hughes with youngsters Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks.

While both were impressive last term, with Hart in particular catching the eye as he broke into the senior England squad, the City boss is keen to bring in another stopper to bolster his side.

"We have lost an experienced keeper,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

"If we can get the right quality then we'll be looking to add some know-how in that department.”

Hughes had been tipped to make a late bid to sign former colleague Brad Friedel, who had made public his intention to leave Ewood Park, but the former USA international completed a £2.5 million move to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Willd Wood


Sunderland move for forward Diouf
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...nd/7527361.stm

El-Hadji Diouf is on the verge of a £2.5m move to Sunderland as the Black Cats continue their rebuilding plans ahead of the new Premier League season.



The Senegal international, 27, had one season left on his Bolton contract but had expressed his desire to leave.

Diouf, who can play as a striker or on the wing, spent four seasons at the Reebok Stadium after initially joining the club on loan from Liverpool.

The player is due to have a medical at the Stadium of Light later on Sunday.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has been busy in the transfer market in recent days, signing Tottenham duo Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda.

He is also interested in signing two more Spurs players, Steed Malbranque and Younes Kabul, as he looks to strengthen his squad.

Rooney Is United’s Dalglish, Claims Rush
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=793454

Former Liverpool legend has likened Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney to Kenny Dalglish and claimed he would have loved to have played alongside the striker.



According to the Daily Star Sunday, Ian Rush admitted he would have enjoyed partnering Rooney up front due to the amount of goals the striker could have provided for him.

“I would liked to have played alongside Rooney,” he said before adding, “He’s not the quickest, like a Fernando Torres or a Cristiano Ronaldo, but he creates a lot of goals.”

Ian Rush is Liverpool’s all time record goalscorer and partnered Dalglish in attack for the Reds in a deadly partnership which saw Rush claim five league titles and one European cup.

Dalglish meanwhile is still hailed as ‘the King’ at Anfield and is widely thought of as the club’s greatest ever player, helping to bring three European cups back to Anfield.

Rush was quick to hail Dalglish and the contribution the Scot made to his game. He confessed: “I really loved playing with Kenny Dalglish because he always knew when to feed the ball to me.”

Although Rooney has a long way to go before he can compare his medal haul with that of Rush and Dalglish, he does already possess two league titles and a Champions League winner’s medal at the tender age of 22.

Yet Rush went on to admit that he was impressed by Rooney, and that he saw a lot of Dalglish in the striker’s play. Comparing him to his former team mate, Rush revealed: “Rooney has got similar attributes of knowing when to hold up the ball and when to put it through at the right time.”

Despite the bitter rivalry that exists between the two clubs, the former Liverpool striker confessed he was a big fan of the Manchester United man. Rush admitted: “I’m a big admirer of Rooney. Wayne is the perfect foil for Ronaldo.”

Gill Clark

[RedForceRising]

JULY 29th 2008
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BUMPER EDITION

Keane starts 'new chapter' with Reds

Robbie Keane has denied claims that he 'let down' Tottenham after being unveiled as a new signing at Liverpool, the club he always supported.



The Republic of Ireland international striker has completed a £20.3million move from White Hart Lane to Anfield, having been a Red all his life.

Keane, whose move has been heavily criticised by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, will now make his debut on Wednesday in a friendly away to Villarreal.

Keane, 28, said: "I do not think I let Spurs down. I had six fantastic seasons there and gave them everything. Since day one.

"I always give everything, and that will never change. The Spurs fans were always magnificent to me and I will always have a place in my heart for them.

"But this is a new chapter in my life and one that I am looking forward to. I had six great years at Spurs and thank them for that.

"There are players leaving Spurs, but there are also good players coming in. I can only focus on Robbie Keane and what is good for me."

Keane will now wear the number seven shirt at Liverpool made famous by legends like Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.

Keane said: "To wear that shirt is an honour, and something I truly understand. If I can have half as much success in it as Keegan and Dalglish did, I will be a happy man."

He added: "I've been waiting for this day since I was a kid. Everyone knows I am a massive Liverpool fan, so to be sitting here today in a Liverpool tracksuit is a dream come true.

"I always wanted to be a footballer as a kid, but also to play for Liverpool.

"Maybe you never feel it is going to happen. I could have come here as a teenager, but chose Wolves because I felt there would be more chance of immediate first team football, and that proved to be the case.

"Now I am enjoying every minute and I can't wait to pull on that red shirt.

"This is a massive club and want to do everything I can to make them even more successful.

"The reasons I left Spurs are that I am a huge Liverpool fan and the chance to play for them may never come around again.

"This opportunity is something I couldn't let go. I am at an age now when I believe I am at my peak, and aim to kick on.

"This is a great opportunity now for me, the whole package that Liverpool has to offer really inspires me.

"I am just grateful to be here. I love the club and this is the one dream I had still achieve."

Torres is my dream partner - Keane

Robbie Keane is relishing the prospect of teaming up with Fernando Torres after completing his £20.3million move from Tottenham to Liverpool.

Keane, the 28-year-old Republic of Ireland captain, agreed a four-year deal at Anfield after undergoing a medical at Liverpool's Melwood training ground and could now establish a mouth-watering partnership in attack with Spain striker Torres.

The pair could become one of the deadliest strike combinations in the Premier League, and Keane is a big fan of his new team-mate.

"He has been a revelation since he came to the Premier League. He was absolutely outstanding last year and also in the Euros with Spain," Keane told Liverpool's official website.

"It is hard to leave Tottenham with some of the players they had - like Dimitar Berbatov, who I had a great relationship with - but Torres is probably the best striker in the world right now. Hopefully we can play a lot of games together and do well."

Keane should play just off Torres in the Liverpool formation, and hopes to bridge the gap between midfield and Torres.

"I see myself as a second striker," he said.

"I can play off the shoulder, link things up and play in the hole. You are always judged on scoring goals as a striker and I have always scored a lot of goals. Hopefully I can continue that here at Liverpool."

The new Reds frontman turned down Liverpool as a 14-year-old in favour of joining Wolves, and is relieved the opportunity to join the club he supports came up again.

"The last four years have been great for me and I believe I am at my peak," he said.

"I am at a good age and if I didn't come to Liverpool now, maybe the opportunity wouldn't come again. It has worked out perfectly for me and, hopefully, for Liverpool Football Club as well."

Keane is set to be handed the number seven shirt, famously worn by Anfield legends including Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez revealed: "We were talking about the number, and the big names that have had this number, so it will be inspirational for him to have it too."

Benitez expects Keane, who has also played for Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds, to strike up a fearsome partnership with Torres.

"We were looking for a player with game intelligence and good movement who could play alongside Torres," Benitez told the Reds' official website.

"He can play with Torres up front and also on the right.

"He is a player who can give to us a lot of goals - normally he gets about 15 each year. We were looking for the workrate he can give to us, the game intelligence and also the goals."


Red Devils chasing Eric?
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6614874

Fergie plays hardball with Ince
Sir Alex Ferguson has given old boy Paul Ince a brutal welcome to the dog-eat-dog world of the Premier League by stealing his goalkeeping coach. The United manager has lined up a swoop for Eric Steele, who joined Ince at Blackburn only 19 days ago after being shown the door by Mark Hughes at Manchester City. Steele is wanted to replace Tony Coton who was forced to retire last season because of a long-standing knee injury. Ferguson confirmed recently he had his target in mind saying: “We have approached someone for the job and we’re waiting the clearance to employ him by the beginning of August.” Although having only just joined Rovers, Steele views the chance to work with the Premier and Champions League winners – and keepers of the calibre of Edwin van der Sar, Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak – too good to turn down.
Richard Tanner, Daily Express


Kenyon tells chasing pack to catch up

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insists clubs outside the Premier League's big four must "get their houses in order" for them to compete.



The Blues, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have filled the competition's top four places in each of the past three seasons.

Ideas to try to level the playing field, including placing a limit on the number of foreign players, have been mooted in some quarters but Kenyon does not back such proposals.

Kenyon said: "Other teams in England should be knocking on our door; teams like Tottenham, Newcastle, Villa, Everton.

"It's more about them getting their houses in order rather than us coming down to their level.

"If you look across Europe, other major leagues are dominated by one, two or three teams, so it's too easy to say this is a Premier League issue.

"What's important is the way we distribute our TV revenues, which is very equitable."

Kenyon has also reiterated the club's willingness to discuss the league's controversial proposal for all sides to play a 39th match at a foreign venue.

The idea met with much opposition when first aired last season but it will again be discussed at the next shareholder meeting in September.

Kenyon said: "We are supportive of evaluating the proposal. We have to recognise it's probably the global league in football. We have to be open-minded."

[RedForceRising]

Friendlies round Up

Life continues for Spurs after Keane exit....

Bent bags four as Canaries collapse

Four goals from Darren Bent helped ease the pain of Robbie Keane's exit as Tottenham cruised to a 5-1 friendly victory at Norwich on Monday.



An own goal from Dejan Stefanovic put the visitors ahead before Jamie Cureton levelled the scores, but the Premier League side showed their class as Bent restored Tottenham's lead before bagging a second-half hat-trick.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos used Bent as a lone striker and Giovani dos Santos and in a supporting role with Dimitar Berbatov left out due to a slight calf strain and Keane now a Liverpool player.

The visitors, who also handed a debut to Luka Modric, went ahead in the 10th minute when dos Santos tricked his way into the box from the right wing and fired in a low cross, which was deflected past goalkeeper David Marshall by Stefanovic, on his first appearance for the Canaries.

The Championship side started to come into the game after the opener and were rewarded for their efforts in the 16th minute when another defensive error, this time from Spurs captain Ledley King, allowed Cureton to run through and slot home.

The visitors suffered a further blow shortly after when Michael Dawson was forced off following a clash of heads.

But Spurs restored their lead two minutes shortly before the break with Jamie O'Hara setting up Bent to fire home from inside the area.

The Premier League side gained a firm grip on the game after half-time and doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Bent latched onto a cross from substitute Benoit Assou-Ekotto with a diving header.

Bent completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute when he was first to dos Santos' saved shot - and he added a fourth in the 75th minute, also from close range, following Chris Gunter's cross.


Cats cruise to friendly win in Cork

Goals from Irish trio Anthony Stokes (2), Daryl Murphy and Roy O'Donovan gave Sunderland a 4-0 friendly win at Cobh Ramblers on Monday night.



Murphy gave Sunderland the lead when he cut inside and finished low into the far corner, before Stokes doubled the score in the 52nd minute with a shot which deceived Cobh goalkeeper James McCarthy.

Roy Keane - back at his first club - gave new midfield signing Teemu Tainio his first 45 minutes of action, with the Finn seeing plenty of the ball before the break in a role just in front of the Sunderland defence.

David Meyler, a recent signing from Cork, came on for his debut before Darren Ward saved a 66th-minute penalty from Max Cream, after the Sunderland goalkeeper had been adjudged to have brought down his fellow substitute.

Stokes made it 3-0 in the 78th minute when he tapped in from close range following good work on the left by youngster Nathan Luscombe, before another former Cork player - second-half substitute Roy O'Donovan - netted the game's final goal in the 89th minute.


Perfect 10 for Gunners in Austria
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...879704,00.html

Arsenal ran riot against a Burgenland XI in Austria on Monday night, winning 10-2 in their third pre-season game of the summer.



Nicklas Bendtner helped himself to four goals, while Carlos Vela grabbed his first goals for the club by netting an impressive hat-trick.

Highly-rated youngster Jack Wilshire also netted his first two goals for the club and Theo Walcott got his name on the scoresheet in the rout.

The Gunners showed no mercy to the Austrian minnows and they came flying out of the traps with Wilshire opening the scoring in the very first minute with a deflected effort.

Danish striker Bendtner doubled the lead on 15 minutes and he added his second five minutes later after being set up by Wilshere.

Vela scored his first goal for Arsenal on 25 minutes with a fine individual effort before Bendtner grabbed his hat-trick five minutes later.

Bendtner turned provider three minutes later when he crossed for Vela to make it 6-0 to Arsenal and the Dane notched his fourth of an impressive evening's work on 38 minutes.

The one-way trafffic continued in the second half and Vela sealed his hat-trick on 53 minutes.

The impressive Wilshere won and converted a penalty on 65 minutes to record his second goal of the contest.

Walcott made it the perfect ten for Arsenal on 69 minutes before Burgenland grabbed two late consolation goals through Peter Artner (73) and Martin Streyrer (90)

Arsenal face Stuttgart in their next pre-season outing and they are sure to face a stiffer challenge against the German side.

[RedForceRising]

DEFOE BAFFLED BY SPURS SALES
http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...881403,00.html



Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe is baffled why former club Spurs are cashing in on their biggest assets this summer.

It has been a summer of change for the White Hart Lane outfit with the likes of Giovani Dos Santos and Luka Modric arriving, while Robbie Keane has joined Pascal Chimbonda and Paul Robinson out of the exit door.

Defoe was forced to leave Spurs after failing to break up the partnership between Dimitar Berbatov and Keane up front - and cannot understand why the club are now opting to cash in on their star players.

Asked if there are tough times ahead for Spurs, Defoe said: "I think so. It's strange because obviously I have left the club and if they want to get rid of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, then it's going to be difficult for the club.

"I feel sorry for the fans because I can't understand why a club will get rid of their best players. That's football and I suppose there are times when players have got the opportunity to move to a bigger club.

"It's obviously a tough time for Spurs. It's a good club and I still speak to a lot of the players there. They are all my friends.

"I enjoyed my time there but you know for each player there is a time when you need to move on. I was there for three-and-a-half years.

"I enjoyed my time, I scored a lot of goals and the fans were good to me. No matter what, I will still have a piece of that club inside me."


Valencia chief fires parting shot

Valencia president Juan Soler severed all ties with the Primera Liga outfit on Tuesday - and left with a parting shot at Juan Villalonga.

Vicente Soriano has already been named as the new president, but Soler moved to clarify matters after reports that the club's former financial consultant Villalonga, who Soler sacked, could still buy his shares.

On Monday Villalonga revealed he had raised the 76.7million euros needed to buy Soler out, but the former president has rejected any notion of the businessman buying into the club.

"It is false that Villalonga has any purchase option either written or verbal in regards to my share packet," read Soler's official statement. "It doesn't make sense that he says he is going to make an offer for my shares.

"With the sale already closed, it is unviable to hear other offers and even less that of Villalonga."

Soler brought the former Telefonica chief into the club as Valencia's financial problems threatened to spiral out of control, with reports suggesting Villalonga also had an agreement to buy the president out if he could raise the necessary funds.

But, following criticism of him and the club's debts of around 400million euros, Soler, who was also the maximum shareholder, fired Villalonga and now claims he never had any right to buy his shares.

"On three separate occasions, Villalonga denied having an interest in buying the shares of Valencia," continued the statement.

"We only agreed to transfer a few shares into his name so that he could enter the council as an advisor. But he did not own the shares nor did he have any interest in acquiring them.

"Soriano is the only one that holds the entitlement to the political rights of the shares of Juan Soler and the only one who has a signed contractual agreement to exercise a purchase option on them, having already paid an amount upfront, which guarantees him the rights to the final purchase."


City make Johnson offer
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...881597,00.html

Hughes looks to keep starlet

Michael Johnson has been offered a new five-year contract by Manchester City, skysports.com understands.



The England Under 21 international has been holding talks with the club, despite having three-years left on his current deal.

New City boss Mark Hughes is desperate to keep hold of Johnson, who has emerged in recent seasons as one of the finest prospects in English football.

Johnson's progress has not gone unnoticed elsewhere and a host of top clubs are understood to be keeping tabs on the 20-year-old midfielder.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton are all thought to be keen on taking the Manchester-born starlet.

However, City are hopeful that Johnson will soon put pen-to-paper on the new deal as talks continue with his representatives.


Knight recoiled from 'horror' injury
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...881083,00.html

Aston Villa defender Zat Knight admitted his "stomach was turned" after he witnessed a sickening injury to a team-mate for the second time.



Knight saw at close range the horrific knee injury suffered by his then Fulham team-mate Jimmy Bullard against Newcastle in September 2006 which kept him out of action for more than a year.

Then on Saturday he watched Villa defender Wilfred Bouma dislocate an ankle in the Intertoto Cup tie with Odense which will result in up to six months on the sidelines for the Dutch international.

Knight said: "To see that happen to any player, never mind your own team-mate, is horrible. I turned around and I had to look the other way.

"I just couldn't look anymore. That is the second horror injury I have seen on a football pitch.

"I saw Jimmy Bullard a couple of seasons ago when I was at Fulham and it kind of turns your stomach. Sadly it is just one of those things and you just have to get on with it.

"In the end I hope we went out there and got a bit of justice for Freddy (Bouma). I think it did make us strive to go on and do the business for him.

"We didn't dwell on it. It was something really we didn't want to talk about.

"We just wanted to come out and do well for him and that happened. We just had to keep our concentration on the game."

Want-away skipper Gareth Barry slotted in effectively as a replacement for Bouma - and Knight is hoping he may after all stay at Villa rather than make the switch to Liverpool.

He said: "We are lucky Gareth Barry has not gone (to Liverpool) because he can drop in there (at left-back) and he did a great job for us.

"We have got some more big games now starting next Saturday against Reading (friendly) in the build-up to the season and and hopefully we can do a job again.

"The crowd gave Gareth a great reception and hopefully we can keep him here. He is a quality player. As a player you just want to keep the best players around you. "


Tevez hails 'El Colorado'
http://www.4thegame.com/club/manches..._colorado.html

Manchester United's Carlos Tevez has given his big thumbs-up to team 'veterans' Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs rather than the two R's Ronaldo and Rooney.

"Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are just amazing," he tells FourFourTwo magazine.

"They are the two players that just blew me away. Most people are dazzled by Ronaldo and Rooney and that's understandable, but on a day to day level I have to say that El Colorado (the Spanish word for 'ginger') and Giggsy are just incredible.

"When it comes to big matches, they play just like they do in training sessions or like kids playing the streets."

Tevez says his best friends at Old Trafford are Patrice Evra and Ji-Sung Park but he has a 'good relationship with everybody at the club."

[RedForceRising]

JULY 30th 2008
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Wyness leaves Everton
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...885462,00.html

Chief executive quits Goodison Park

Everton have announced that chief executive Keith Wyness has resigned.

The departure of Wyness, who has been the driving force behind the club's plans for a new stadium, has come as a surprise to the Merseyside outfit.

Everton issued a short one-sentence statement to confirm the shock exit of Wyness on their official website.

It read: "Everton Football Club wishes to announce that Keith Wyness has resigned his position as chief executive officer and director of the club."

Reports are suggesting that Wyness could be set for a similar role at Primera Liga club Real Mallorca.

Wyness' resignation will not help Everton's plans to relocate to a new 50,000-capacity stadium in Kirby.

Planning consent has been received, but a government decision on whether or not to 'call in' the project is expected this week.


Ancelotti Gives Juve Fans The Finger!
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=797280

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti could be in hot water after making an obscene gesture to the Juventus fans at last night’s Trofeo TIM.

The Rossoneri were taking part in the annual three-way competition in Turin with Juventus and Inter when Ancelotti reacted angrily to verbal abuse from sections of the home crowd by raising his middle finger.

This obscene gesture could put Ancelotti in trouble with the footballing authorities, and he has already moved to apologise for his actions.

“Yes I did raise my little finger and it was my response to the ignorant people,” explained Carletto, who coached Juventus from 1999 to 2001.

“With hindsight I think that I would do the same thing. There’s no need to look for video evidence because I’m not scared to admit what I did.

“It’s the first time that I have reacted like that and perhaps the last but I couldn’t accept those insults.

“Luckily it was a little isolated group who would have been better off at home. They also had abuse for Jose Mourinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Marco Materazzi and Dejan Stankovic.”

Milan won the Trofeo Tim after defeating both Juventus and Inter on penalties, and Ancelotti was pleased with what he saw from his side.

“I was happy with our performances this evening, even if we gave away goals a little too easily,” he stated.

“Abbiati had a great evening and I am happy for him. It will be a good battle for the No 1 shirt.”

Goalkeeper Abbiati was the hero of the shoot-out win against Inter, saving three spot-kicks, as well as making a wonder-stop from Olivier Dacourt during normal time.

Roberto Rossi


The blind leading the blind...
Wenger trust in Gallas

Arsenal boss hints defender will maintain captain's armband

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted he will continue to name William Gallas as his captain next season.



Gallas, who was handed the skipper's armband last summer, came in for heavy criticism following his reaction to the Gunners' 2-2 draw against Birmingham City in February.

And speculation has suggested that star midfielder Cesc Fabregas could instead be given the responsibility of leading Arsenal out after Gallas admitted he made mistakes.

However, Wenger believes that former Chelsea defender Gallas coped well with the pressure last term.

"I think he (Gallas has done quite well last year for the biggest part of the season and a lot of responsibility has been given to him when it was right," Wenger said in the Daily Mail.


Nike give Magpie Barton the boot
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...885597,00.html

Sportswear giant Nike have terminated their contract with Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton as they "cannot condone or accept what he did".



The Magpies have publicly backed the player since his release from prison earlier this week but Nike ended a £40,000 annual boot sponsorship deal following his conviction for assault and affray in May.

A spokesman said: "We have provision in all our sponsorship contracts that take into account any actions by an athlete that bring the brand into disrepute.

"While Joey is a talented footballer, we cannot condone or accept what he did.

"Back in May when he was found guilty, we immediately terminated his contract.

"We certainly have no plans to re-sign him now that he has been released."

Barton served 74 days of a six-month sentence after being jailed following an incident in Liverpool city centre last year.

He was also given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training session last year.

Newcastle have said the 25-year-old will be given the chance to rebuild his football career at St James' Park.

A statement released on Tuesday read: "Newcastle United officials can confirm they have met with Joey Barton, following which it has been agreed by everyone involved that Joey will remain with the club.

"The club will not be making any further comment at this time."


RONALDO CHASE `TIRES` PEPE
http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...885654,00.html



Real Madrid defender Pepe admits he is growing increasingly frustrated by the ongoing Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga.

The Spanish champions have conducted a summer-long pursuit of Ronaldo as they attempt to prise the Portugal international from Manchester United.

But a move has yet to materialise - much to the frustration of Real president Ramon Calderon.

Bernabeu boss Bernd Schuster has sounded his concerns over his club's "obsession" with Ronaldo and Pepe - an international colleague of the United star - has echoed the sentiments of his manager.

"There is a bit of a lack of respect because a team is not made of one player - however good he is," said Pepe.

"Pele and Maradona won games but they had the help of their team-mates.

"We are a bit tired with this issue but we know that if Cristiano comes he will help us and we will help him to adapt into the dressing room."

Real have been linked with moves for Valencia and Spain striker David Villa or Hamburg playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, if they miss out on Ronaldo.

[RedForceRising]

Relegation To Be Forced On Debt Ridden Spanish Clubs
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=797250

Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad and Levante are among six clubs that could be automatically relegated to a lower division unless they can sort out their debts by the end of this week.

The Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) met with a commission from the Spanish Football League (LFP) in a bid to try and resolve the problems that now exist.

Players have been unpaid and companies are owed money by the clubs which forced the two bodies to hold meetings which helped resolve the positions of Granada 74, Alavés and Valladolid.

Now though, Celta, Real Sociedad, Levante, Elche, Hércules and Granada 74 are all to be asked to prove that they have the capability to continue operating normally while controlling their debts.

If not, then they will be automatically relegated by at least one division, a move that could see any of the clubs struggle to turn their situations around.

Levante's players went unpaid for months last season and were talked out of going on strike on various occasions before an agreement was reached to ease the problem.

Los Granotes are the worst off with debts of around €17m, according to Marca, while Real Sociedad are €2.8m in the red and Xerez are €2m away from breaking even.

So bad has the situation become at Xerez that the president, Joaquín Morales, has seen the stadium, his son's business and his car attacked by disgruntled fans who are afraid the club will go under.

Before the first round of meetings between the LFP and the AFE, six first division teams, 16 sides from the second tier and an incredible 91 clubs from la Segunda B and la Tercera were all called upon to sort out their debts.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com


GRANT: SCOLARI CAN DELIVER TITLE
http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...885550,00.html



Former boss Avram Grant believes Chelsea are now a stronger side than when he was at the club and has backed successor Luiz Felipe Scolari to bring the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge.

The Israeli was dismissed by the Blues in May, three days after the Champions League final defeat on penalties to Manchester United in Moscow.

World Cup-winning boss Scolari took charge on July 1 and has stabilised the squad after Grant's ill-fated and much-criticised eight-month reign.

Grant now expects the former Portugal and Brazil manager to bring success to Chelsea.

"In the last few months, there have been big changes at Chelsea," said Grant in the Bangkok Post after giving a lecture to Thailand Premier League representatives in the Thai capital.

"I think they are now better than Manchester United or Arsenal. Scolari is a good coach and can bring success to Chelsea.

"Chelsea have a good chance of winning the Premier League."

Grant led Chelsea to two finals after succeeding Jose Mourinho in September - the Blues lost to Tottenham in the Carling Cup and Manchester United in the European showcase.

Chelsea also finished runners-up to United in the league and Grant remains steadfast in his belief that he is a good manager.

"When I took over Chelsea after Jose Mourinho was fired, the English press and some Chelsea players did not believe in my ability," he said.

"But I proved that to them in the last two or three months when Chelsea nearly won three competitions."

The 53-year-old, who worked as technical director at Portsmouth before moving to Chelsea as director of football and later becoming manager, also revealed he has received a number of job offers but from across Europe, but he is enjoying a break from the game.


Scolari To Grant: You Wasted Malouda
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=797125

New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is confident that he can get the best out of Florent Malouda this season.



The ex Lyon standout failed to come anywhere close to justifying the €20m Chelsea paid to bring him to Stamford Bridge last summer, but Scolari his suggested that his predecessor Avram Grant has to accept at least some responsibility for that.

"I want to know if he stays with us, what is his best position," said Scolari over the player that Roma have proven so keen to attract.

"Last season he played in a different position than he did at Lyon. I want him to play on the wing like he did in Lyon. He was wasted last season."

"I have the players for exciting football and I have the players for us to be champions," Big Phil added after the 2-0 win against a Malaysian Select XI last night

"Deco has his style and that style improves other players, so he can make everyone better, but there were chances for [Andriy] Shevchenko and Malouda tonight.

"Now it's a time for me to test the players. I'm seeing if we should play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, or which position is best for each player, or whether some players would do better in some games or others," he added.

"These are practice games but the players are trying their best for Chelsea and also for themselves. After that I'll decide."


Other succulent morsels of gossip...

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is set to sign a new £80,000-a-week deal with the club after impressing new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari. (The Sun)

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant has settled his differences with owner Roman Abramovich after accepting a £3.5m pay-off. (Daily Mail)

New Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson says it is a relief to have left Tottenham. (Various)

Paul Gascoigne is said to be considering a coaching job with Newcastle. (The Sun)

AND FINALLY

The Euro 2008 tournament made a record net profit of £197m (Daily Star)

Forfar have been fined £3,000 by the Scottish Football Association for their poor disciplinary record after receiving 11 red cards and 82 yellows last season. (Daily Record)

[RedForceRising]

JULY 31st 2008
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Scum don't get to pick Barry

BARRY STAYING AT VILLA
http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...887679,00.html

Aston Villa have announced that Liverpool target Gareth Barry will be staying with the club.

The England midfielder had set his heart on making the move to Anfield and linking up with his close friend Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield.

But Villa have announced the 27-year-old will be remaining after Liverpool failed to reach a deadline to meet their £18million valuation of the player.

Villa said in a statement: "This evening, Aston Villa can announce that Gareth Barry will be staying with the club following the interest from Liverpool over recent months.

"During discussions in the past few days, a final deadline to conclude this episode was set that all parties were aware of and agreed to. This deadline has now passed and so Gareth will remain with Villa."

Barry was desperate to experience playing Champions League football with the Reds after a decade at Villa.

Now O'Neill will hope the player will buckle down and attempt to achieve that dream at Villa, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made it clear in May that Barry was one of his prime transfer targets for the 2008-09 campaign.

O'Neill was upset at him making details of his interest public and a war of words raged between the duo for much of the early part of the summer.

Liverpool made four separate bids to sign Barry but none of them matched O'Neill's valuation of the player.

He made it clear a couple of weeks ago that the current situation could not continue indefinitely as he made his own plans for the new campaign not knowing whether or not Barry would be part of them.

Now O'Neill appears to have taken the situation by the scruff of the neck after Liverpool were unable to conclude the deal by the deadline agreed by all parties.

There has been constant speculation that Benitez, who this week signed Tottenham striker Robbie Keane for £20million, would have to sell to finance the Barry deal.

Barry's outburst against O'Neill in a Sunday newspaper appeared to signal the end of any chance of him remaining at Villa.

He accused O'Neill of finding time to be a pundit at Euro 2008 but not to speak to him about his future and was disciplined and told to stay away from Bodymoor Heath.

Then Barry was booed by Villa fans when he appeared in a pre-season friendly at Walsall last week.

But that mood had mellowed when Barry appeared as a substitute in Saturday's Intertoto Cup tie with Odense BK at Villa Park.

GARETH BARRY FACTFILE

1981: Born, Hastings, February 23

1997: Joins Aston Villa as a trainee from Brighton for £50,000.

1998: February 23 - Signs first professional contract at Villa.

May 2 - Makes debut as substitute in 3-1 Premier League win at Sheffield Wednesday.

May 10 - Starts first game for club in 1-0 home win over Arsenal.

November 17 - Makes England Under-21 debut in friendly against Czech Republic at Portman Road. Goes on to earn 27 caps, sharing the all-time record with Jamie Carragher.

1999: April 24 - Scores first Villa goal in 2-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest.

2000: May 31 - Makes senior England debut as a substitute in 2-0 friendly win over Ukraine at Wembley.

June: Called up to England's European Championship squad following an injury to Jason Wilcox. Does not feature during the tournament.

September 2 - Starts first senior England game in 1-1 draw with France in Paris.

2003: June 3 - Earns his eighth England cap as a substitute in 2-1 friendly win over Serbia and Montenegro at the Walkers Stadium.

August 16 - Sent-off for the first time in Villa career in 2-1 Premier League defeat at Portsmouth on the opening day of the season.

2004: November 22 - Makes a quicker-than-expected return from a serious knee injury suffered the previous month.

2006: August 19 - Awarded Villa captaincy for opening Premier League game of the season at Arsenal and retains the armband on a permanent basis.

August 27 - Ends speculation about his future by signing a new four-year contract at Villa Park.

2007: February 2 - Earns recall to England squad for friendly against Spain.

October 28 - Becomes youngest player to make 300 Premier League appearances (aged 26 years and 247 days), beating Frank Lampard's record.

2008: May 1 - Liverpool launch their bid to buy Barry.

May 2 - Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirms Liverpool's bid, which was thought to be £10million, but which O'Neill decries as "a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges". O'Neill also criticises Liverpool for making their interest public.

May 7 - O'Neill reveals he will hold talks with Barry after the final game of the season in a bid to persuade him to stay.

June 1 - Barry scores first international goal in England's 3-0 friendly win in Trinidad and Tobago. Barry also captains his country for the first time in second half on the game.

Describes Liverpool's interest in him as "flattering".

June 12 - Villa confirm they have rejected an improved offer from Liverpool for Barry.

June 29 - Barry reveals he wants to join Liverpool and blasts O'Neill for not making enough effort to keep him at Villa Park.

June 30 - O'Neill hits back, claiming Barry is free to leave at the right price.

July 2 - Barry is fined two weeks' wages and ordered not to return for pre-season training for his criticism of O'Neill. Villa reveal they have rejected another improved offer from Liverpool.

July 16 - Barry is permitted to return to training.

July 22 - Plays for Villa in a friendly at Walsall and is booed by the travelling Villa support.

July 25 - O'Neill reveals he will set Liverpool a deadline to sign Barry or call off the deal.

July 26 - Barry comes on as a substitute in the Intertoto Cup clash with Odense and is cheered.

July 30 - After the deadline is not met, Villa confirm Barry will stay.



Gers in danger after Ibrox stalemate
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...888573,00.html

Rangers' Champions League hopes are in the balance following a 0-0 draw with FBK Kaunas in the second qualifying round first leg at Ibrox.

Walter Smith's men now face a tense 90 minutes next Tuesday when they travel to Lithuania knowing they have to find the net to take another step closer to joining rivals Celtic in the lucrative group stages.


Barcelona Teach Fiorentina A Lesson
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=798247

Fiorentina 1-3 Barcelona

Barcelona's fine pre-season form continued as the blaugrana stolled to a 3-1 win against Fiorentina in Florence...

Barcelona came to Firenze with their eye on a third successive pre-season victory, and they duly got it after fine work in both halves against the Viola, who must improve ahead of their Champions League qualifier.

Guardiola's side lined up 4-4-2 against Prandelli's men, who had the likes of Felipe Melo in the side for invention.


ACF Fiorentina 1-3 FC Barcelona
0-1 Puyol 29'
0-2 Jeffren 47'
1-2 Pazzini 69'
1-3 Bojan 72'


Keane debut ends in stalemate
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...888681,00.html

Robbie Keane made his Liverpool debut and missed the best chance of the evening as the Reds were held to a 0-0 draw by Villarreal in Spain.

Keane played the first half of the friendly in Castellon where his appearance was upstaged by the heroes' reception for the members of the Euro 2008 winners.



- Check out that monstrosity of a jersey. It is really butt-ugly and nothing less than the bin-dippers deserve.


Borriello Out For Two Months
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=798252

Milan striker Marco Borriello will be out of action for at least two months after tests revealed he has damaged his meniscus ligament.

Milan striker Marco Borriello will be out of action for at least two months after checks revealed he has damaged his meniscus ligament. The injury was sustained during training last week and subsequently he checked into an Antwerp medical center for a consultation with professor Marc Martens, who has often treated Milan players in the past.

The tests confirmed the external ligament of his right knee's meniscus was damaged, and will require surgery, which will be performed tomorrow. This will rule the striker out until the end of September, but it's unlikely that the club will go back on the transfer market for a new forward.

The Rossoneri have already confirmed they want to keep hold of 18-year-old youth product Alberto Paloschi instead of loaning him out to another club. Torino were known to be interested.

Currently he is the only striker Milan have available, with Pippo Inzaghi and Borriello both injured, and Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato both currently preparing for the Olympics with the Brazilian national team.

Danilo Pochini


Young Guns on target at Stuttgart
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...888464,00.html

Samir Nasri made his Arsenal bow as goals from substitutes Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshire earned them a 3-1 win at Stuttgart.



Wenger - who on Wednesday further strengthened his squad with the signing of Portugal Under-21 midfielder Amaury Bischoff - had named a strong starting XI, but it was his young substitutes who would prove the match winners at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

[RedForceRising]

Moratti To Go For Carvalho After Materazzi Injury?
After Marco Materazzi's injury yesterday in the Tim Trophy tournament, president Massimo Moratti may be forced to go back on the transfer market...

A first-degree strain of a muscle in his left thigh. That was the result of the check made to Inter defender Marco Materazzi the day after the Tim Trophy friendly tournament, during which he had to be replaced by coach Jose Mourinho a few minutes into the team's first match against Juventus. From tomorrow, the player, who turns 35 on 19 August, will follow a specific recovery program.

Certainly this news will not have pleased Mourinho. In this pre-season, the coach will not only have to do without the Italian defender, but also long-time injury sufferer Christian Chivu, who won't be back until October, Nicolas Burdisso, who will participate in the Olympics, and Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba, who were both operated to the knee at the start of the year and won't find their best condition until September.

It's certainly an emergency situation in Inter's defensive department, which might force president Massimo Moratti to get back on the transfer market for a defender instead of a midfielder, which was the original plan.

A player who has been frequently linked with Inter since Mourinho joined is Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, who worked with the Portuguese coach both at Stamford Bridge and Porto. Obviously he would be the ideal solution, but will Moratti be able to convince Chelsea to let the player go after failing to sign Frank Lampard?

Danilo Pochini

- The important thing to note about the last piece of enws is not the fact that Inter have a lot of injuries and that Mourinho will turn to Carvallho, but that the ugly SOB Putarazzi is injured and not playing football!

[RedForceRising]

August 1st 2008
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O'Neill wants to take Silvestre to Villa on a year's loan
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ears-loan.html

Martin O'Neill wants to take Mikael Silvestre on a year's loan from Manchester United.

Aston Villa's boss is desperately short of cover at left-back