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Ballack aiming high

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Germany (11/1 to win the World Cup)  midfielder Michael Ballack is setting his sights high for Bayer Leverkusen, after his move back to his home country was confirmed.

Ballack was unable to secure a new deal with Premier League champions Chelsea and moved to his former club in the Bundesliga.

The 33-year-old is still ambitious about his future and is looking to bring success to Leverkusen as they look to challenge for the league title.

He said: “We want to win the league in the near future.

“My ambitions are still very high. I have always been playing to win trophies over the last decade and we can do that with Bayer too.

“Of course Bayern are the top favourites, but there is such great potential here in Leverkusen and we should also go a long way in Europe,” he added.

Ballack stated that he was shocked not to be offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 13/8 to win the Premier League next season) after he helped the west London side secure their first domestic double in their 105 year history.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder would be captaining Germany at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa but for an ankle injury he picked up in the final game of the season for Chelsea in their win against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

Ballack is still a key player for the national side and is determined to continue his career at that level after he recovers from injury.

He said: “Of course I still want to play for the national team and I have my eyes on Euro 2012.

“I will be 35 then and we will have to see nearer the time what happens (with a new contract). My health also plays a very big role.

Ballack will regain his favoured number 13 shirt when he plays for Leverkusen and could feature as the captain next season however the player is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “That is up to the coach,” he said. “I don’t have to be the captain to assume responsibility.

“Simon Rolfes is a great captain and has filled the position well and I think that it will remain that way.”

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Del Bosque reveals Torres hook

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Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has given striker Fernando Torres a clean bill of health following his substitution on the hour mark during the 2-1 win over Chile (Spain 5/6, draw 9/4, Portugal 10/3 – match betting).

The Liverpool ace has struggled with groin and knee problems over recent months which hampered his progress with the Reds last term.

The former Atletico Madrid hitman has looked a poor imitation of himself at the World Cup so far, with strike partner David Villa taking centre stage with three goals including the opener against the Chileans (Villa 15/8 to win the Golden Boot).

But Torres, according to del Bosque, only came off as a precaution with a muscle strain.

The 59-year-old said: “He felt a spot of muscular bother, nothing to do with his knee injury.”

Spain now move on to the knockout stage where Portugal lie in wait, with a quarter-final against either Paraguay or Japan the reward for the winners (Portugal 22/1 World Cup Outright).

However, del Bosque, who saw his side get off to a losing start in South Africa against Switzerland, is refusing to get carried away as he looks to add the world title to Spain’s European Championship success of two years ago.

Del Bosque said: “There’s a lot of pressure in the World Cup.

“We know what people expect in Spain and we’re trying to give our all. Let’s see what we achieve.

“We have reacted to a very difficult situation and have done well.

“We know there are no easy games. We want to do well.”

Portugal sealed their passage into the last 16 with a draw against tournament favourites Brazil on Friday afternoon and defender Ricardo Carvalho is delighted to have progressed from the so-called ‘Group of Death’ ahead of Ivory Coast.

The Chelsea star said: “We knew it’d be a tight match, without many chances.

“It was a very tense match and that didn’t really surprise us, because Brazil and Portugal play in a very similar way and have a lot in common.

“We tried to attack them when we could but, at the end of the day, it?s a good result.”

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Marseille reveal firm DD stance

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Marseille have issued a firm hands-off warning to Liverpool over their interest in boss Didier Deschamps as the Reds look to replace Rafa Benitez (Liverpool 10/1 – Premier League Outright).

Benitez left Anfield earlier in the summer after a poor campaign which saw the Merseysiders fail to produce a strong challenge in either the Premier League or Champions League.

As a result, Liverpool need to appoint a new man with Fulham chief Roy Hodgson heavily linked with the hot seat.

However, Reds executive director Christian Purslow is now examining further options and Deschamps is on his radar.

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier told L’Equipe: “I was expecting his call because I had heard of Liverpool’s interest in Didier.

“He asked me if I would allow him to meet Didier and (agent) Jean-Pierre Bernes.

“I replied that I would never forbid anyone from meeting whoever.

“I also kindly indicated to him that there wasn’t the slightest chance for him to pinch our coach. Even in his dreams.”

Deschamps has experience of the Premier League after spending a season with Chelsea following five years with Juventus.

He also led France to a World Cup win in 1998 on home soil and the European Championships title two years later during an international career which earned him 103 caps.

The 41-year-old is the latest in a long line of names linked with Liverpool, with the aforementioned Hodgson said to be in the running along with the likes of Martin O’Neill, Guus Hiddink, Slaven Bilic and Mark Hughes.

Whoever gets the nod will have the double task of reviving Liverpool’s fortunes while also convincing the club’s star players like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano that there futures lie in the famous red shirt.

The Reds failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Premier League while the club’s American co-owners are also looking to sell up as well.

It all points to a crunch season at Liverpool who start their season with a home clash against Arsenal.

The Gunners kicked off last season on Merseyside and promptly hammered Everton 6-1 (Liverpool v Arsenal 8/1 – Opening Day Fixtures – Game With Most Goals).

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Kuyt waits on Reds future

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Dirk Kuyt says he is focused on winning the World Cup with Holland (4/9 to beat Slovakia) and will sort out his future with Liverpool once the tournament is over.

Liverpool are on the look out for a new manager following the departure of Rafa Benitez with Roy Hodgson the 3/10 favourite to take charge, but in the meantime speculation is rife that a host of players could be on the move.

Star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have been strongly linked with the exit door but a number of others including Kuyt are said to be considering their future.

Liverpool need to get a new manager on board as soon as possible if they want to keep the squad together but Kuyt says he will not be making any decision until after the World Cup and would be happy to stay at Anfield nonetheless.

“We have to see what happens,” he revealed. “I also have a great time at Liverpool and I still have a two-year contract. My focus is on the World Cup but I’m still happy to play at Liverpool.

“But who knows what happens in the future? We have to see. If the possibility is there, we have to see what happens with the new manager at Liverpool. Hopefully we’ll get new players but we’ll see what the future is for me.”

It seems as though Liverpool’s big names will want assurances over which players will be brought in over the summer before committing their futures, but they need a new boss first.

The fact that Liverpool are not in the Champions League next season will make things even harder but Torres and the rest may be willing to stay on if they believe they have a serious chance of challenging for the title.

For that to happen serious money will have to be spent but with the ownership of the club still up in the air the manager will not have any guarantees and that could lead to an exodus on Merseyside.

Liverpool are 10/1 to win the title but with no manager in place, players considering their futures and boardroom wranglings, it looks a tall order.

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Frei confident Swiss can grab goals

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Switzerland striker Alexander FreiStriker Alexander Frei believes Switzerland are capable of meeting their goals target to qualify for the next phase of the World Cup (Switzerland 8/15, Honduras 11/2, draw 3/1).

The Swiss captain said his team, who need to win by two clear goals to make it through to the last 16, were focusing on that target.

A draw might even be enough for the Swiss, depending on the result of the game between Chile and Spain, and Frei – the country’s record goalscorer – said he was 100 per cent fit and looking forward to the final Group H match.

He said: “We practice very hard. We score goals in our training units as well. We scored two goals against Greece both in the home match and in the away match [in qualifying] so I think we have got a very good argument for scoring two goals.”

“Over the past qualification round we conceded very few goals,” he added, acknowledging the strength of the team’s defence but saying: “We can also score lots of goals. We just have to make sure we do score and we feel comfortable about that.

“All the players are hot. They want to get the second victory. They want to give a sensational performance tomorrow in order to reach the round of 16 with glory,” added Frei, who has netted 40 international goals.

Frei said it would be foolish to underestimate Spain regardless of their defeat to the Swiss.

“It would be disastrous not to look at Spain as a favourite. Just take a look at the players they have. Take a look at the football they play. I’m sure they are going to put their foot down.”

Defender Steve Von Bergen believes Switzerland can bounce back following the 1-0 defeat by Chile in Group H.

Von Bergen said: “We are angry at the moment but we are still in with a great chance, provided we beat Honduras.

“We were completely thrown by the red card against Chile. We let ourselves be pressed too far back at the start, although we went out there intending to attack. It is hard work with 10 men.”

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said he intends to monitor the clash between leaders Chile and European champions Spain.

Hitzfeld said: “I will be well informed about what is happening in Pretoria. It could be that I will modify my tactics depending on the score. I feel that anything can happen in that game.”

Honduras have lost both matches and Hitzfeld said: “They have moments of confusion in defence and we have to take advantage of that.”

Switzerland opened with a victory against Spain only to lose to Chile after Valon Behrami’s red card.

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Hitzfeld full of confidence

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Switzerland coach Ottmar HitzfeldSwitzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld says he side go into their final group match against Honduras full of confidence that they will qualify for the last 16 of the competition (8/15 to win).

The Swiss go into the match knowing that they can still win the group but there is also a possibility they will finish bottom if results do not go their way. They currently sit third in Group H, level on points with Spain but the Spaniards have a superior goal difference. However, the coach is confident in his players and knows that if they beat Honduras by two or more goals, they will qualify for the next round.

Switzerland caused a major shock in their first match by beating one of the favourites Spain but struggled in their second game against Chile after being reduced to ten men. In both games the side relied on their solid defensive base. However, against Honduras, Hitzfeld’s side will be forced to set the agenda and will go into the game with a more attacking mindset as “everybody expects Switzerland to win easily.”

“Against Spain we were the underdogs and concentrated on defending and hoping for a successful counterattack,” Hitzfeld said. “Against Chile, we were forced to defend after our player (Valon) Behrami had been sent off.

“Against Honduras we must win with a two-goal difference to make sure we reach the second stage of the World Cup, and I am very positive that we are going to do it.”

Switzerland’s target is clear but goal scoring has been a major problem for them in the last few years and they have only scored three times in their last seven games, raising questions about their ability to score twice against what will be a hardworking and stubborn Honduran side.

However, star striker Alexander Frei has brushed off these concerns and is confident that his side can score the two goals they need to ensure qualification (Switzerland 1/2 to qualify). Frei, who missed the Spain match and only played 42 minutes before injury forced him off against Chile, told reporters:

“Our defensive play is very strong, but we can score lots of goals.

“We’ve got many players, very skilled players as far as set pieces are concerned, but also from normal play.

“Who is going to score a goal – that I don’t know. We just have to make sure that we do score, and we feel comfortable about that.”

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Inter turn attention to Melo

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Brazil star Felipe MeloInter Milan president Massimo Moratti has indicated that the Italian giants will be turning their attention away from Argentine (Argentina 1/2, draw 3/1, Mexico 6/1) Javier Mascherano to the Brazilian Felipe Melo.

Mascherano has said that he would relish the chance to follow new Inter boss Rafa Benitez out of Liverpool to the San Siro, stating that he was already learning Italian.

However, his potential plans to move to Serie A could be scuppered as Moratti has stated that a number of issues stand in the way of the move.

“Mascherano is a strong player, but it is unlikely that he will arrive,” Moratti said.

“He simply costs too much and it is not certain that Liverpool will sell.”

Brazilian midfielder Melo has now caught the eye of the Inter president who believes the player would be an “intriguing” prospect if he could be tempted to come to the San Siro.

Melo is currently at Serie A rivals Juventus and Moratti has revealed that his club are looking to bring the player to Inter.

As for players leaving the San Siro, former Inter boss Jose Mourinho has declared his interest in bringing wing-back Maicon to his new side at Real Madrid.

It could be possible that the former Chelsea (13/8 to win the Premier League) manager could attempt to bring Argentina striker Diego Milito and Mario Balotelli to the Santiago Bernabeu but the Inter president is keen to keep hold of his top players as they look to retain the Italian league title.

“Balotelli is our future and Milito won’t move,” Moratti added. “Maicon? We’ll have to wait and see about him.

“We want to start the new season again as we ended the last one. We want to win everything possible next term.

“I’m convinced that we can win the Scudetto for the next two years, but in order to stay in contention in the Champions League then we’ll need a real top signing,” he added.

It seems that Mascherano may still be at Anfield next season as Liverpool look to regain their top four status.

The 26-year-old is currently with the Argentina World Cup squad in South Africa as they prepare for their knockout game against Mexico on June 26.

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James totally focused on Germany

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England goalkeeper David JamesEngland goalkeeper David James says his side will be treating their last-16 tie against Germany just like any other game (England 6/4 to win).

The two sides face each other in Bloemfontein on Sunday with a place in the quarter finals up for grabs. Much has been spoken about in the press regarding the two sides’ previous meetings in major competitions but James says the squad are paying little attention to what’s being said in the media and focusing solely on the job at hand.

The goalkeeper told reporters: “It’s another football match, obviously there’ll be a lot of external references and whatever else, historical references. But for us it’s a game against a decent outfit – one we have to win to progress.”

England were disappointing in the group stages, drawing with both the USA and Algeria, but qualified for the last 16 thanks to a 1-0 victory against Slovenia and James is keen for the side to carry their form on.

“We can’t do anything about what happened,” he said. “We look back at the America game and the performance of Tim Howard which prevented a win.

“Algeria are very difficult to score against, and then we did what we needed to against Slovenia on Wednesday.”

However, the Three Lions were forced into second place in the group after Landon Donovon scored to fire the USA through as winners of Group C, leaving England to face Germany in what is possibly the pick of the second round ties. If England win the match they will go on to face a possibly even tougher test against the winner of the Argentina vs. Mexico match meaning they will have to win the tournament the hard way if they’re to lift their first trophy since 1966 (England 9/1 to win outright).

James started the World Cup as England’s second choice goalkeeper, despite being handed the number one shirt for the tournament,  but was given his chance after Robert Green’s blunder in the opening match against USA. James has looked solid on his return to the side and is keen to make the most of his opportunity after finally being given his chance at his third World Cup finals. James was an unused substitute in both Korea/ Japan 2002 and Germany 2006 and is yet to concede a goal during this tournament.

“When the squad was announced and the numbers issued it was more of a numerical thing than a suggestion of the first XI,” said the 39-year-old, the oldest player at the finals.

“True to Mr Capello’s previous selection process, he must have gauged something in training and felt Robert was the right goalkeeper to start with. I’m happy with that. I’m part of a squad. This World Cup isn’t about David James – it’s about England being successful. I trained as well as I could, got the chance to go back in and I’m happy.”

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Argyle turn to Reid

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New Plymouth manager Peter ReidPlymouth Argyle have appointed Peter Reid as their new boss and believe he is the man to guide them to  the League One title next season.

Argyle parted company with Paul Mariner after he failed to keep them in the Championship last season and Reid’s first job will be to get the Pilgrims back up as soon as possible.

Reid had been working as Tony Pulis’ number two at Stoke but has now taken the helm at Home Park after Argyle chairman Sir Roy Gardner made him his number one choice.

“We said all along that we were seeking a man with proven experience who could help us realise our aspirations and ambitions,” Gardner revealed.

“We want to get back to the Championship and after that, move on. Peter fits that criteria perfectly.”

Reid has gained bad press since his ill-fated spell at Leeds United but there is no doubt that he did a tremendous job at both Manchester City and Sunderland.

At City, Reid guided them to fifth place in successive seasons but in the first season of the Premier League in 1992 they slipped into ninth place and the season after he was sacked following a poor start to the season.

Reid also did well at Sunderland and after getting them promoted from the Championship they finished seventh for two seasons running but after slipping down the table his eight-year spell as manager came to an end in October 2002.

Plymouth will now be hoping that Reid can work such wonders at Home Park but it will be a difficult task trying to get them out of League One as Charlton, Southampton, Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday are also fighting to get out of the division.

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Chelsea attempt Silva hijack

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Valencia winger David SilvaValencia winger David Silva could be on his way to London according to his agent as Chelsea (13/8 to win the Premier League) and Manchester City battle for the player’s signature.

Silva is looking for a move to the Premier League as Valencia are struggling financially and will look to cash in on the player.

Negotiations between City and the Spanish club were thought to be ongoing with a potential £28m move on the cards.

However, Premier League champions Chelsea could hijack the move as they look for a replacement for Joe Cole who will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Silva’s agent Julio Llorente has stated that the west London club have declared their interest in the winger.

He said: “We’re weighing up offers from three clubs and one is Chelsea.

“If Silva doesn’t want to go to City, the transfer isn’t possible,” he added.

Valencia’s deputy chairman Javier Gomez has stated that the Eastlands club were talking with the winger but that no firm deal had been made.

He said: “As has been said, there is interest from Manchester City and we have permitted them to talk to the player, but we have reached no agreement and we have not talked about a fee.”

Silva is currently with the Spanish World Cup squad as they prepare for their final Group H game against Chile on Friday.

The 24-year-old featured in the pre-tournament favourite’s first game – a shock defeat against Switzerland, a match in which they dominated.

However, Silva did not play against Honduras and will now be battling with the likes of club team-mate Juan Manuel Mata who came on and impressed in Spain’s (11/2 to win the World Cup) second group game.

Mata has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Valencia look likely to sell as the cash strapped club look to lower their wage bill.

If this move goes through it will be the second deal between the two clubs in a month after fellow Spaniard David Villa (7/2 to be top goalscorer at the World Cup) moved to the Catalan giants.

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