Monthly Archives: October 2010

Young reveals Villa deal delay

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England midfielder Ashley Young appears to be keeping his options open after shelving new contract talks at Aston Villa until the summer (Villa 12/1 – Top Four Finish).

The pacey forward has less than two years left on his deal having arrived at Villa Park from Watford for big money back in 2007.

Signed by former boss Martin O’Neill, Young has gone on to establish himself as a key first-team player for the Villans while he has also won 10 caps for the Three Lions.

The 25-year-old insists he is happy at Villa but says he is determined to concentrate on matters on the pitch rather than get distracted by contract talks.

Young told The Sun: “I’ve told the people at Villa that I won’t be signing a new contract at the moment.

“I know they want to get it done now but my current deal still has a year to run after this season and I feel there is plenty of time to talk next summer.

“I want to stress that I have no problem with Aston Villa. I love the fans and I’m very much enjoying my football.

“I want to concentrate on what’s happening on the field and don’t want to get distracted.

“It’s a big season for me and I’m hopeful there are good times ahead under the new manager.”

Villa (9/5 – 90 minutes betting) take on Sunderland (11/8) at the Stadium of Light as they look to better their current position of eighth in the Premier League after eight games of the season.

Last weekend the Villans held leaders Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Villa Park but it is away from home where Gerard Houllier’s men have struggled, with three defeats on the road already.

Villa are boosted by the return of striker Emile Heskey (back) and midfielder Marc Albrighton (illness) while centre-half Richard Dunne is also available despite being forced off with a gashed ankle last time out (Heskey 8/1 – Enhanced First Goalscorer).

Houllier is still without forward Gabriel Agbonlahor and full-back Luke Young because of groin and hamstring problems respectively.

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Rooney performs United U-turn

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney (12/1 Premier League top goalscorer) has signed a new five-year contract to put to an end a week of intense speculation surrounding his future.

The news will come as a huge relief to the United faithful who had resigned themselves to losing the England international after a statement on Wednesday said he would not be signing his new deal.

With his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2012, speculation he could leave Old Trafford was rampant in the media as they began to link the forward with the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

While no club came forward with an actual offer there would have been no shortage of takers had the 24-year-old stuck to his word and left United.

A statement on Wednesday had indicated Rooney’s time at the club was up, with Ferguson revealing he had been told the striker wanted to leave at a press conference that night.

The United boss spent Thursday afternoon in a meeting with United chief executive David Gill in a bid to rectify the situation.

While no official statement was released by the club on Thursday night Gill did tell United fans to be patient.

Those who did keep the faith will have been rewarded by Friday’s news that Rooney has agreed a new five year contract which will keep him at the club until 2015.

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.  I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay,” Ferguson told United’s official website.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.  I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.”

Ferguson’s comments come after a difficult week for the United (4/1 Premier League outright) manager, whose own future was questioned as part of the saga.

Reports had indicated that Rooney and Ferguson had fallen out over the striker’s phantom ankle injury, with the player having denied he ever had such a problem.

However, things appear to have been patched up with Rooney claiming Ferguson had played a big part in helping him to commit his future to United.

“I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. I’ve spoken to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this where I belong,” said Rooney.

“I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.”

Rooney went on to apologise to the United supporters for what had happened over the last week.

Some members of the Old Trafford faithful had shown their unhappiness at Rooney’s apparent decision to leave by protesting outside his home on Thursday night.

However, they will hope all the drama is behind Rooney and United now as they look to get their title challenge back on track.

There was no word as to whether Rooney would feature in United’s Premier League game at Stoke (4/1 – 90 minutes betting) having missed Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Bursaspor with an ankle injury.

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Pompey staring into the abyss

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Bet on the ChampionshipPortsmouth’s game against Hull City on Saturday will go ahead despite the South Coast side being on the brink of liquidation (Hull 13/10, draw 23/10, Portsmouth 21/10 – Match Betting).

On Friday evening, Pompey released a statement saying that they faced going out of business unless they could strike a deal with major creditor and former owner Alexandre Gaydamak. This was described by the football club as “impossible” due to an upfront cash payment that was being demanded by Gaydamak. This was described by Portsmouth as a “ransom payment” as it would secure Pompey’s exit from administration.

The news will come as a bitter blow to Portsmouth fans at a time when things were looking up for the club. Results on the pitch have improved after a poor start to the campaign whilst the club admits that “extensive efforts” had been made to try and resolve the situation behind the scenes.

Explaining the position, Portsmouth say these efforts have “now been undermined by the self-interested actions of one individual. Mr Gaydamak has provided confirmation several times that terms were agreed. However, he has continually changed his position in an attempt to exploit the goodwill of the other parties to the transaction.

“By now doing this he has shown complete disregard for the supporters, the club and the City of Portsmouth, who had granted him freedom of the city in 2008.

“His earlier comments when the club went into administration about doing everything possible to save the club’s future do not appear to reflect his current actions.”

Despite the grim news, things took another dramatic twist when Portsmouth’s administrator, Andrew Andronikou, admitted he was still hopeful that the club could exit administration and that talks over the weekend could reach a “satisfactory conclusion”.

He expressed his disappointment that Portsmouth had released a statement so quickly and stressed that “within the next 24 hours we can get the parties around the table and we can renegotiate to everyone’s satisfaction.”

He went on to admit: “We are as close to coming out of administration as going into
liquidation. It is a fine balance and I want to say as little as possible at the moment.”

If Portsmouth does cease to exist, it will have significant ramifications for British football, particularly this season’s Championship. However, there have been so many twists and turns in this saga, it is difficult to predict what will happen next.

Uncertainty reigns this evening but the game at the KC Stadium could well be the last in Pompey’s illustrious history.

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Anelka reveals Chelsea aim

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Bet on the Premier LeagueChelsea striker Nicolas Anelka – 33/1 to finish as the top scorer in the Premier League this season – wants to sign a deal to effectively end his career at Stamford Bridge.

The 31-year-old, who won the Golden Boot for the 2008/09 season, has enjoyed a nomadic existence during his 13-year career to date, with spells at clubs including Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton.

Anelka has been at Chelsea since January 2008 and scored his 50th club goal in midweek as the Blues secured a 2-0 win at Spartak Moscow – and now he is hoping to bag many more providing the club wants to keep him.

Out of contract at the end of next season, the former France international still has a lot to offer and he hopes it is in the blue of Chelsea.

“When I first signed here I knew I had arrived at a big club and I wanted to stay as long as possible,” Anelka revealed.

“I don’t know what will happen in the future. After this season I have one more year on my current deal and I will see what will happen because you never know.

“But I am very happy here and I would be glad to sign for more years.

“I am just very satisfied to achieve two landmarks with Chelsea in goals scored and how long I have spent here, it has just been special to score goals for Chelsea.”

Anelka has helped himself to just two goals in the Premier League so far this term – four fewer than club-mates Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda – so he will be hoping to add to his tally when Chelsea (1/7 to win the game) entertain Wolves (14/1) on Saturday afternoon.

Carlo Ancelotti is boosted by the return of Drogba after illness but he still has injury problems to contend with for the clash.

Striker Daniel Sturridge is struggling with an ankle problem and could join Frank Lampard (groin), Alex (thigh), Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) and Ramires (ankle) on the sidelines.

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Adebayor could face Arsenal

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Emmanuel Adebayor is in line to start for Manchester City (13/10 – 90 minutes) against Arsenal at the weekend after his Europa League heroics, according to manager Roberto Mancini.

The Togo striker bagged a hat-trick at Eastlands to secure a 3-1 win over Lech Poznan in the Europa League. It was the first-ever European hat-trick by a City player and the first time he had found the back of the net so far this season.

Adebayor, who joined City from Arsenal (2/1 to win, draw 11/5 – 90 minutes) in the summer of 2009, is now set to start against his former club on Sunday, according to Mancini.

It was around 12 months ago that Adebayor angered Arsenal fans at Eastlands as City ran out 4-2 winners, back in Mark Hughes’ time as manager. He raked his boot down Robin van Persie’s face and also ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Gunners fans after scoring.

The striker got a three match-suspension for the stamp on van Persie and was given a £25,000 fine and suspended two-match ban for after the Football Association cited “extremely provocative abuse” as a key factor in his controversial celebration.

After breaking his goal duck against the Polish side, Adebayor (5/1 – first goal scorer) now looks likely to be handed a starting spot when the teams meet again on Sunday.

Mancini said: “It is possible he could play against Arsenal.

“For a striker it is important to play well and his performance was excellent. But it is very important for them to score.

“Now he has a good chance to play against Arsenal.”

It looks a certainty that Carlos Tevez (Evens – to score anytime), City’s top scorer this season with seven goals, will come back into the team for the highly-anticipated Premier League clash with the Gunners, but Mancini is confident the duo can play together on Sunday.

“It is not a problem,” he added.

“They played together against Blackpool. It is normal for my teams to play with two strikers. That is what I usually like to do.”

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas recently stoked the fires ahead of the game by claiming it is not possible for a team to just “buy the spirit” of champions with cold, hard cash (City 11/2 – Premier League outright, Arsenal 15/2).

The Spaniard knows City sit only two points behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League but yet he has said it is impossible for a team to be put together “in one season or two” and it will take a long time to make the club serious title contenders.

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Wenger focused for Shakhtar test

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Arsenal (4/6 favourites in the match betting) boss Arsene Wenger believes Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk (4/1 to win, 14/5 the draw) will decide which side will top the group.

Both sides have won their opening two fixtures in Group H (Arsenal 1/4 to win the group, Shakhtar Donetsk 5/2) but the Gunners currently sit at the top of the standings as they have a superior goal difference.

However, Shakhtar have taken their six points without conceding a goal and have also won 15 of their 17 games domestically to give the players confidence going into the match.

Wenger is fully aware of the threat posed by the Ukrainians and insists that only a ‘great’ performance will earn his side the key win.

“In this group until now you had 12 points at stake – six went to Shakhtar, six went to Arsenal. That means what is at stake is the qualifying and also the top of the group, which is why it is a very important game,” he said.

“It is a key game because it gives us an opportunity to basically think we have qualified.

“Shakhtar are on a good winning run, they are dominating their league, they have just won 3-0 at Braga.

“We are on our toes. We know that only a great performance will win us the game.”

Laurent Koscielny, Robin van Persie, Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen and Aaron Ramsey are all absent for the Gunners but captain Cesc Fabregas has recovered from his hamstring problem and may make his return to the line-up.

Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott have also recovered from their respective groin and ankle problems, while Manuel Almunia and Kieran Gibbs are close to full fitness.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu insists that his side will be able to cause plenty of problems at the Emirates and will not just be making up the numbers.

“We have two games, one here and another in two weeks. We know they’re very powerful at home but can have difficulties away,” Lucescu said.

“Shakhtar are also a very good team and we are here to get a result.

“They will control the game for sure, it’s normal because they’re at home and they have many creative players. We have to be organised and cause them difficulties on the counter-attack.

“It’s difficult to say we’re here to play an attacking game because it depends on Arsenal, what with them being at home, but we can create big problems for them.”

Shakhtar will definitely be without Brazilian playmaker Fernandinho, who is out long-term after suffering a broken leg.

However, Ukraine defenders Dmytro Chygrynskiy (hamstring) and Yaroslav Rakytskiy (knee) returned for Friday’s 2-0 win at Metalurh Donetsk, while attacking midfielder Douglas Costa has also been included in the squad.

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Chelsea call for Rooney

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Chelsea captain John Terry and striker Nicolas Anelka have both called for Manchester United’s want-away star Wayne Rooney to join the ranks at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 4/1 to be Wayne Rooney’s next club).

Rooney has told United he wants to leave Old Trafford, citing the club’s lack of ambition to secure the world’s top players as the reason behind his decision to call time on his stay with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Chelsea are one of a small group of clubs who could afford to capture the England international and Terry is keen to link up with Rooney at club level having been an international team-mate for a number of years.

“Wayne is one of the best young players in the world,” said Terry. “I am no different to any other player in saying that.

“You obviously have to respect Manchester United and Wayne, but who knows what’s going to happen.

“We’ve got a great squad of players and he would add to that and strengthen the squad. He is the best player in the world for me.”

If Chelsea decide to move for the former Everton striker he will compete with the likes of Didier Drogba and Anelka for a place in the starting eleven. Anelka insists he would love to partner Rooney in attack and the Frenchman remains hopeful Chelsea will try and convince Rooney to move to London.

“Rooney is a good player, everybody knows his quality,” Anelka explained.

“If he wants to come to Chelsea then he is welcome, but I am not the owner.”

If Chelsea do move for Rooney they are likely to face competition from at home and abroad, with Manchester City the current favourites to prise the 24-year-old away from United (City 7/4f to sign Wayne Rooney).  Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he would welcome Rooney at the Bernabeu, although he expects him to stick with United, while Spanish champions Barcelona are also believed to be keen.

Chelsea face Wolves on Saturday after seeing off Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday, with both Terry and Anelka expected to feature in the tie with the Premier League strugglers (Match Betting – Chelsea 1/7, draw 6/1, Wolves 14/1).

Manchester United travel to Stoke on Sunday but Rooney will play no part as he is suffering from an ankle problem and it remains to be seen whether he will feature again for United after expressing his desire to quit the Premier League heavyweights (Match Betting – Stoke 4/1, draw 5/2, United 4/6).

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Kompany plays down Rooney talk

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Vincent Kompany insists that Manchester City’s Europa League clash against Lech Poznan (City 2/9, Lech 12/1, Draw 5/1 90 Minutes) at Eastlands on Thursday is the side’s priority and not whether Wayne Rooney could be set to join them in the future.

The Belgium international defender chose to play down the prospect of Rooney making the short move across Manchester from United to City, although he did admit that he would relish the prospect of playing alongside such a quality player.

Instead Kompany chose to look at more imminent tasks as opposed to the possibility of City swooping to take Rooney, who cited a lack of ambition and assurances about United’s plans for the future as his reasons for snubbing a new deal offer and wanting to quit Old Trafford.

The City ace was more interested in looking ahead to the side’s mission to secure some silverware this season.

He said: “It is not for me to say. Obviously the focus is on what we are doing right now.

“I am sure in January there will a lot of discussion about players but now it does not seem to be a priority.

“He (Rooney) is a great player but am I saying anything surprising? I love playing against him as I love playing against great players.

“He gives you a difficult game but he makes you play better as well when you defend against him.”

Kompany feels Lech Poznan could pose a real threat to City and he urged his team-mates not to be complacent given that not won anything yet for the club.

He added: “This one is very important. The FA Cup (City 13/2 Outright) will be very important to us just as much as the league.

“Any trophy would be very welcome. The level in the Europa League (City 5/1 Outright) is very high. Any games in Europe gives you experience.”

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Defender eyes Gunners Euro prize

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Johan Djourou thinks Arsenal are strong enough to win the Champions League this season and feels the Gunners (10/1 in Outright Winners market) are in ‘good shape’.

Arsene Wenger’s men highlighted their European credentials with a 5-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Gunners made light work of the 2009 UEFA Cup winners, with Marouane Chamakh (12/1 Champions League Top Scorer 2010/11), Jack Wilshere, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song on the scoresheet.

The result leaves Arsenal top of Group H, with three wins out of three and a three-point advantage over second-placed Shakhtar (1/5 to qualify from Group H).

Europe’s top club prize has eluded Wenger to date, with the nearest he has come to lifting the trophy coming back in 2006, when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the final.

But Djourou, who was handed a start on Tuesday in the absence of Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen, feels their time may have come.

The Swiss international said: “I think the result shows that Arsenal is ready to go as far as possible in the Champions League.

“It’s early but it shows people that we can do well in the competition. We are more or less qualified even though there are still three games left.”

Arsenal (1/8 to win Group H) can move a step closer to qualification for the knockout stages with victory in the Ukraine on November 3.

But the Gunners turn their attentions to important domestic matters this weekend, when they face Manchester City at Eastlands (Man City 13/10, Draw 11/5, Arsenal 2/1 – Match Betting) on Sunday.

Having already lost to West Brom and Chelsea, Lukasz Fabianski has targeted the clash with Roberto Mancini’s men as a must-win game.

The goalkeeper added: “It’s a massive game for us because we want to be in the title race. We want to go there for sure to win the game. We have to win it.”

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Mancini reveals Rooney thinking

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Manchester City (11/2 Premier League Outright) boss Robert Mancini says he thinks Wayne Rooney will end up staying at Manchester United (4/1) after denying any contact with the striker’s agent.

England ace Rooney has informed the Red Devils that he does not want to sign a new deal, with strong speculation claiming City are ready to step in and offer the 24-year-old an escape route to Eastlands.

The former Everton youngster has been frozen out of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting plans as a result – the Scot has been sitting on the news since August – and he is certain to have no shortage of admirers despite a slump in form.

Mancini, however, has played a straight bat to questions over a swoop for Rooney although he did make sure the player would be left in no doubt over the Italian’s admiration.

Mancini said: “Rooney is a great player but I think he’ll stay at United. He’s a good player, he’s an important player for United.

“He is a United player. It’s not correct to speak about that situation. I have respect for him, for Ferguson, for United. I want to speak only about my players.

“It’s not my problem. I’m City manager. I have a lot of problems with my players. It’s important for me to focus on Thursday’s game (against Lech Poznan in the Europa League). He is a strong player like (Fernando) Torres, like (Lionel) Messi, like Carlos Tevez, like (Mario) Balotelli. This is my opinion.”

If Rooney does end up at City he will form part of a squad that has still to reach its potential, according to summer signing James Milner.

The England midfielder left Aston Villa for City in the summer but he was just one of a number of big-name arrivals alongside the likes of David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.

City have since gone on to secure second place in the Premier League behind Chelsea and Milner is confident things will get even better over the coming weeks and months once they hit their straps.

He said in the Daily Mirror: “The best is to come but it’s the sign of a good team when you can win and not play your best football. Obviously it takes time for a side with so many new faces to become a unit.

“We have a lot of very good players here, players who are determined to succeed. Hopefully we can keep improving as a team, keep moving forward and hopefully you’ll see the best of us soon.”

City are 2/9 to beat Lech Poznan (12/1) at Eastlands on Thursday night.

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