Mirror Football is reporting that Chelsea is set for a summer clearout in order to get the best out of Fernando Torres and no longer build the squad around Didier Drogba. This squad changes are expected to be made irrespective of the identity of the Chelsea coach next season. Carlo Ancelotti is still waiting official confirmation on whetever he will be sacked or will be allowed to see out the final year of his contract.
Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka look set to head the exit the door – but defenders Paulo Ferreira, Jose Bosingwa and Yuri Zhirkov also look set for the cull. The future of Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba remains unclear.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction the next stage of the re-building plans, after Chelsea lost out in the title race due to their ageing players and lack of squad depth. Malouda has been criticised for going missing for significant periods this season and Anelka had a very poor game against Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final.
New signings have been earmarked in the shape of Spurs winger Gareth Bale and Ajax right-back Gregory Van Der Wiel and a central midfield playmaker is also being targeted. The summer recruitment policy will be that to bring in players between the ages of 21 and 28 – that will be established internationals.
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Sandro, the 22 year-old Brazilian midfielder, scored his first goal in England last weekend, a 30-yard belter at Stamford Bridge, the opener in Tottenham’s eventual 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. His manager, Harry Redknapp, reserved praise for his young talent until Spurs’ disappointment was completed, having remonstrated with the goal-scorer immediately after he had given his side the lead. Redknapp was frustrated that Sandro was allowing Frank Lampard too much freedom in the middle of the park, but the Brazilian neglected Lampard to foray forward and lash an unstoppable shot past Petr Cech, an incident that Redknapp was unable to appreciate at the time.
“It was a fantastic goal, a great strike,” Redknapp told the club’s official website following the game. “He really covered some ground at Chelsea, he worked his socks off for us in there.” Sandro, whose protracted transfer to White Hart Lane was eventually completed last August, was purchased as a defensive midfielder with a commanding presence and robust approach, rather than for his goal scoring proficiency. He has was selected as one of 7 reserves for Dunga’s World Cup squad last summer, and follows Brazil’s former manager in a long line of Brazilian defensive midfielders who break the common perception of South American flair.
Gilberto Silva announced himself on a universal stage some nine years ago at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan and forged a successful career in the Premier League with Arsenal, winning the league once and the FA Cup twice. The World Cup winner is no longer available for his country, and Felipe Melo and Ramires have failed to perform anywhere near the standard set by Gilberto, so Sandro may provide the defensive cover Brazil have required in every recent team. This role is not necessarily a new phenomenon but the South American country appear to value its worth highly, and have exported a number of players in this mould, particularly to the Premiership, in recent seasons.
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Although Lucas Leiva failed to fulfil his early promise, having signed for Liverpool as Brazil under-20s captain, he has proved a dependable member of the Reds first team and developed effectively over the past 18 months. Ramires similarly found it difficult adapting to life at the summit of the Premier League having signed for Chelsea last summer, but this is his first season in England, and he has shown flashes of quality which will encourage Carlo Ancelotti moving in to the next campaign. Denilson was branded with similar expectations when he signed for Arsenal in 2006 and has also struggled to break in to the Gunners’ first team regularly, but has performed acceptably over the course of his 151 games in English football.
The perception of Brazilian football on the continent is changing, and the five-time World Cup winning nation are producing more defensive-minded players in order to maintain pace with the changing nature of the sport. David Luiz has proved an inspired signing at Stamford Bridge having joined from Benfica in January and epitomises both a solid physical presence and technical ability on the ball. Sandro is beginning to acclimatise to the rigours of the Premiership well, and if he forces his way in to Harry Redknapp’s first-team thoughts for next season, we may be witnessing a Gilberto pretender that can actually deliver.
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Brazil club Santos and Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield both advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.Santos advanced to the last four 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw against Colombia’s Once Caldas, while Maximiliano Moralez was on target twice as Velez beat Paraguay’s Libertad 4-2 for a 7-2 aggregate victory.
Just three days after helping Santos clinch the Campeonato Paulista, Brazilian rising star Neymar was at it again against Once Caldas with a 12th-minute goal to give his side a 2-0 advantage over the two legs.
Once Caldas gave Santos a few anxious moments when Wason Renteria scored on the half-hour mark but the Brazilian club held on to advance.
Velez went into the other quarter-final with a 3-0 lead and they were never threatened as Moralez netted twice and Guillermo Franco and Augusto Fernandez both added goals in the last 30 minutes to secure the victory.
Rodrigo Rojas and Manuel Maciel scored for Libertad.
Santos will face either Mexico’s Chiapas or Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno in the semis, while Velez will take on the winner of Uruguay’s Penarol and Chile’s Universidad Catolica.
Football fans are the heartbeat of professional football, without the hordes of supporters piling into stadiums all across the world where would the beautiful game be? The fans keep their clubs ticking over, whether it be buying the merchandise or stumping up the cash for match day and season tickets. Most are fanatical enough to pay whatever their clubs demand, however, this doesn’t mean they are happy about it. This month has seen the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all increase ticket prices by around 6%, with 2.5% of the increase a result in the VAT increase. So I want to explore two sides of the argument; firstly, was this inevitable, due to the current financial climate and just a reality we have to accept? Or is it a case of clubs holding the genuine football supporters to ransom with hiked up prices?
Prices are going up all the time in all areas of life, whether it be the price of petrol, alcohol or food and it would seem that football tickets are just another one to add to the list. There was a wide expectancy from supporters of Premier League and Championship clubs that there was going to be an increase in ticket prices for next season, but it’s not until it’s announced that it really hits home with the fans. This isan area where football clubs have complete power over fans, for if they want to watch their team, most fans will still hand the money over. At the end of the day a football club is a business and it needs to make a profit to survive, so increasing ticket prices is just one of the ways to do it.
From what I have read about the situation the three clubs I have mentioned above have genuinely increased their prices to cope with the VAT rise and have tried to be as reasonable as possible. In this extract from the BBC websiteKeith Jelley, of the Liverpool Supporters Club, said: It’ll be a disappointed reaction from fans but I think it is fair.” The match day tickets at Anfield have only increased by a pound for seats in the Kop and £2 everywhere else, which doesn’t seem a lot, but when added to a season ticket becomes a bigger deal. However, it’s not quite as reasonable at newly promoted QPR, they have increased season tickets at Loftus Road by 40%, a rise which has incensed many Rangers fans who think they are being exploited by their wealthy owners. In this instance I feel QPR are taking advantage of the nationwide ticket increase and are benefiting from their promotion financially at the fan’sexpense.
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The rise in ticket prices is a bitter pill for football fans to swallow but I can’t but help but lean towards the fact it’s something clubs have to do. This is something that was always going to happen, and it will happen again in the future. The increases vary from one club to another and can be scrutinised in different ways, I think QPR have taken it too far with their increase, but the bigger clubs have tried to be as fair as possible. Then again I suppose you could question whythe big clubs, who have just qualified for the Champions League and all its entailed riches, need to make the price increases for the forthcoming season?
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I wouldn’t put the increase in ticket prices solely down to the current financial climate but I do feel it has played a part. Most clubs do value their supporters and try to find a happy medium between prices that are fair for them and the club. It just shows that as much as football supporters wouldn’t be able to live without their beloved teams, the clubs need the fans and their money just as much.
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Ligue 1 club Valenciennes have prised Daniel Sanchez from French second-tier side Tours, to replace Philippe Montanier as head coach.Montanier took over Valenciennes in 2009, guiding the team to 12th place in the table last season before agreeing to join La Liga club Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Sanchez, 57, takes over after spending four seasons in charge of Tours, who finished 12th in the 2010-11 Ligue 2 season.
“I’m happy to be back (in the top flight) as a coach,” Sanchez said.
”Valenciennes is the place to come in Ligue 1. It is a thriving club.”
“We will stick to the spirit of the game and what has been done by my predecessors.”
“By playing well, we will get more chances to win and I want to see attacking football.”
Sanchez was reportedly in consideration for the Valenciennes job two years ago, when the club opted for Montanier to succeed Antoine Kombouare.
A striker with Nice, Paris Saint-Germain and St Etienne in his playing days, Sanchez previously coached Nagoya Grampus Eight in the Japan’s J-League.
He also worked as an assistant manager at Bordeaux, St Etienne and Nice.
Losing three key players in one summer would be a blow for most teams but the possible departures of Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from Arsenal could be seen as a disaster for Arsene Wenger. But Wenger could use these departures (and the reasonable sums of money from them) to his advantage and finally address some of Arsenal’s long-standing problems.
Clichy and Nasri look to be heading to title rivals Manchester City (with Chelsea and Manchester United still in the hunt for Nasri) whilst Fabregas’ long-winded transfer saga to Barca looks like it could finally be coming to an end. Whilst losing at least these three would be a blow, it would allow Wenger freedom and enough cash in the transfer market to bring in experienced Premier League stars that he so desperately needs.
Instead of investing in replacements with the years ahead in mind, Wenger needs to re-shape his team and add experience and leadership to a small squad.
The likes of Leighton Baines, Scott Parker, Joey Barton, Chris Samba and Charlie Adam are less-exciting names on paper than Nasri or Fabregas but they would offer players with Premier League experience and leadership figures on the pitch.
If key players were too leave then you would hope that Wenger would have sizeable funds to re-invest and with the exception of Baines (with Everton likely to demand a big fee if he were to go), the likes of Barton, Adam, Samba and Parker would present good value for money.
On the pitch they would also address key problems that Wenger has faced in recent years. Too many of Arsenal’s current squad (including Clichy, Nasri and Fabregas) go missing in action when times get tough and some of names mentioned above know how to fight and scrap for points (albeit the likes of Parker, Adam and Samba were fighting at the other end of the table last year). They all also offer potential leaders on and off the pitch, strong characters who can drive and unite a young Arsenal team forward.
Scott Parker for example won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and arguably outperformed most Arsenal players over the whole season, making 40+ appearances for the Hammers. West Ham may have been relegated but the leadership and battling skills that Parker showed over the campaign could be invaluable for Wenger. The only doubt over Parker would be his failure to perform for a previous top club Chelsea.
The signings of youngsters Hector Bellerin and Carl Jenkinson, and the possible deals for Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin are all promising purchases but none offer Premier League experience and can’t be expected to replace Nasri, Fabregas and co if they do depart. Gervinho is the oldest of the four at 24 and his possible arrival is still a risky move from Wenger with his only experience coming in France and Belgium (Marouane Chamakh is an unfortunate Arsenal example).
Wenger’s direction in the transfer market over the next few months will depend on who jumps ship in search of silverware but also whether he is willing to change a transfer policy that has left the Gunners trophy-less for years.
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For Arsenal fans and Arsene Wenger the summer ahead looks to be another of transition but if the Gunners can get their transfer dealings right, it might not be as bad as all the transfer rumours make it out to be.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed the club have agreed to a fee with Corinthians for the sale of Carlos Tevez.Speaking in Vancouver during City’s pre-season tour of the United States, Mancini would not confirm the size of the deal, but it is believed to be in excess of 40 million pounds.
Tevez has been pushing hard for a move away from the English Premier League since City’s FA Cup final victory over Stoke on May 14, citing a desire to be close to his daughters, who live with their mother in Argentina.
The striker’s former club Corinthians, where he played between 2004 and 2006, had their initial offer rejected last week, but the Brazilian outfit are now believed to have reached an agreement with City.
“We have an agreement with Corinthians but Carlos now is still a City player,” Mancini said.
Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero is believed to City’s first choice to replace his Tevez, who finished last season as the club’s top scorer.
Inter Milan boss Gian Piero Gasperini says Wesley Sneijder will play in the Italian Super Cup on Saturday.Sneijder has been linked with a big-money move to English Premier League champions Manchester United, but his new manager insists the Dutch midfielder will be in action when Inter battle with city rivals AC Milan at the Olympic Stadium in Beijing.
“He’s playing for us, training with us and he’ll play on Saturday,” Gasperini told reporters on Tuesday.
“There is no Sneijder problem.”
Gasperini also spoke of his move to Inter Milan, describing the his appointment to the Serie A giants as an ‘honour’.
Gasperini had been out of a job since leaving Serie A rivals Genoa in November 2010, and jumped at the opportunity when Inter came calling in June after the departure of Leonardo.
“The biggest difference between Genoa and Inter Milan is the latter has much bigger influence,” he said.
“For me, it is a huge step forward to coach Inter Milan, a team with huge influence. I think this is a great honour in my career.”
Inter will be without the likes of Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso for the match, but new capture Ricardo Alvarez is likely to feature.
The Argentine attacking midfielder – signed from Argentine Primera Division 2011 Clausura champions Velez Sarsfield – said he could not wait to be involved with his new teammates.
“I am very happy to be here in China for the game,” Alvarez said.
“I am pleased to be playing with my new teammates. This is a very important match for me and I hope we can win the title.”
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham admitted playing against his former side Manchester United on Wednesday was difficult.Beckham spent 10 years with the Old Trafford outfit and was an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 Champions League winning side, before leaving England for stints at Real Madrid, AC Milan and now Los Angeles.
Beckham played for the MLS All Stars side which was thrashed 4-0 by United in a friendly on Wednesday, the first time he has played against his former side.
“It’s always going to be emotional coming up against Manchester United,” Beckham said. “It’s always difficult as well.”
“So obviously to play against Manchester United still with Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, still with some of the players that I played with and the fans I played in front of for many years – it’s emotional.”
Beckham also made special mention of Ferguson, singing the praises of the man who was so influential over the early years of his career.
“I had many years and many successful years playing for Manchester United and playing under Sir Alex Ferguson,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for him because he gave me a chance when I was 16, 17-years-old and he had the faith to give youngsters a chance so I owe him a lot.”
After Manchester United set down a huge marker against Arsenal in their recent 8-2 victory, questions are being asked whether this new generation at Old Trafford now has the ability to go on and conquer Europe and win the Champions League?
There is little doubt that this is an impressive set of young players who have a bright future ahead of them and they certainly have the ability to claim United’s 20th league title this season, although their City rivals may have something to say on the matter.
What has impressed me most so far this season is this the strength of the squad Ferguson has built. In their recent trashing of Arsenal the side were missing the main defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic, there was no place for Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Park or Valencia in the midfield and upfront, the superb Hernandez and last season’s top scorer Berbatov were left on the bench. With an average age of just 23 it is obvious that Ferguson has done a marvelous job putting together a new team but are they ready to challenge Barcelona for the Champions League this year?
This new crop of young footballers mixed with experienced players should help United progress to the final stages of the Champions League once again, but I just cannot see the current side getting past Barcelona unless Ferguson finds a way of competing against them.
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Ferguson’s new generation at Old Trafford is made up of recent young signings and players brought through their impressive youth system who have gained experience on loan at other Premier League clubs.
This youth mixed with experience has worked well for Ferguson in the past and he is obviously hoping that this team will be just as successful.
Why can’t United win the Champions League then? Well the same reason they didn’t last year, standing in their way are one of the greatest clubs sides ever to have existed in Barcelona. The bad news for United is that the Catalan side look an even better outfit this year after the summer arrivals of Fabregas, Sanchez and the emergence of Thiago adding to an already powerful team.
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In the final last year United were the better team for the first 20 minutes, hassling and chasing everything and making it difficult for Barca to play their game but then the Spanish champions took hold of the game and I think United lacked the sort of midfielder who could break up their play and then keep the ball. It was really disappointing to see a relatively inexperienced Barcelona defence untested, one shot on target all game says a lot. Unless Ferguson can find someone who can break up Barca’s majestic play it is unlikely they will be able to beat them again this year.
The Champions League looks a tougher prospect this year for all the teams involved as along with the usual challengers I think Manchester City will be a force in this season’s competition with the undoubted class they possess in their squad and it will be interesting to see how they get on in their debut campaign.
I believe that United will once again challenge for the top European honours this season but I think they will come up short as it will be difficult to topple such a strong Barcelona side that has only been improved this summer. The future may look very bright at Old Trafford but it could be one without the top European trophy with the Juggernaut that is Barcelona standing in their way.