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Drogba would welcome Torres

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has stated that he would love to play alongside Fernando Torres for the Blues next season (Chelsea 13/8 with totesport to win the 2010/2011 Premier League outright), as speculation continues over the Spaniard’s future.

Drogba netted 29 goals for Chelsea this season after enjoying a flourishing partnership with French international Nicolas Anelka, but the former Marseille man has said that he would welcome a move this summer for the Spanish striker.

The Golden Boot winner stated: “I have heard the talk about Torres maybe coming in and I would welcome it, of course. Every time there is a new player coming here it’s making the club bigger and giving us a lot of strength.

“If there is a chance for him to come he will be welcome, because any help is welcome, he added.

With reports claiming that Liverpool’s debts are in the region of £351.4m and having missed out on Champions League football for next season, talk continues to mount over the possible sale of  star players with Torres their prized asset.

Along with Chelsea, Manchester City have also been linked with the former Ateltico Madrid star and they could lead the chase with their financial backing.  The Blues have not spent the kind of money that the Eastlands club have splashed out in recent seasons, although Chelsea’s continued success may prove a more tempting offer for a player who is yet to win anything during his time at Anfield.

Drogba, the Premier League’s top goalscorer his season, was part of a Chelsea side that scored more than 100 Premier League goals and have not found the back of the net hard to come by.

However, the Ivory Coast striker believes that the club can always improve as they go into their FA Cup final clash with Portsmouth on Saturday (Chelsea 1/5, draw 11/2, Portsmouth 12/1).

The Blues are going for the first League and FA Cup double in their 105-year history and Drogba feels that it would great to win for everyone at the club.

He said: “I want to finish the job this year with the FA Cup final. To win the double would mean a lot to the club and to us as players.”

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Ferdinand fit for World Cup

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Captain Rio Ferdinand claims he is over his recent spate of injuries and should be capable of leading England (6/1 to win World Cup) when they head to South Africa next month.

The 31-year-old made only 24 appearances for club and country this season having been troubled by back and leg problems throughout the campaign.

There had been suggestions England coach Fabio Capello could leave Ferdinand at home should he fail to prove his fitness before the end of the domestic campaign.

However, the Italian has backtracked on his previous promise of only taking fit players to South Africa and has now stated that some players were too important to leave behind.

Ferdinand appears to fall into that bracket having been in and out of the Manchester United side as the season came to a conclusion.

The former Leeds and West Ham defender has said he went to see a back specialist two weeks ago to discover whether he would be hampered by the long-standing problem when he went away on England (13/5 to be the Top European team) duty.

Ferdinand now believes his injury problems are behind him and is looking forward to leading his country for the first time at an international tournament.

“It has been a frustrating time but you’ve got to get on with it,” said the Three Lions skipper.

“Hopefully now I’m coming out the back end of it and, fingers crossed, I will not get any more injuries.”

Capello’s 30-man squad will head to a training camp in Austria in four days time to begin their preparations for the World Cup before they face Mexico and Japan in two pre-tournament friendly matches.

England then play their first group match against the USA (5/1 to beat England – 90 minutes market) on June 12 and Ferdinand says it will be a dream to come true to lead his nation out at a World Cup.

“It’s every kid’s dream (to be captain). It’s an incredible honour and I think it will only sink in when the time comes.”

Ferdinand’s statement comes a day after an injury scare involving his central defensive partner John Terry, reports emerging on Wednesday the Chelsea star had broken a metatarsal in training.

However, the 29-year-old has undergone a scan which gave him the all clear and is now back training with the Blues ahead of their FA Cup final against Portsmouth on Saturday.

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England boss targets final

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England manager Fabio Capello has stated that he will consider the World Cup a failure if his side not make it to the final in South Africa (England 6/1 to win the World Cup outright).

Capello has already picked his 30-man squad which will be whittled down to 23 on June 1 after friendlies against Mexico and Japan and a training camp in Austria (England 1/3 to win Group C).

The England boss has stated that it will be hard to choose which unfortunate seven will not go to the World Cup, but he will be telling them personally when he has made his decision.

Capello’s final squad are aiming to go all the way in this year’s tournament and the manager has said that the English media has affected how he coaches the side.

He said: “Every day the media here comes up with something new and the media has a lot of clout, they really influence public opinion.

“But you have to recognise that, at the same time, they have the pulse of English society. It’s part of the job and that’s why I’m here. If we don’t at least reach the final, we will have failed,” he added.

Capello has also revealed his opinions on the state of the England squad before he took over from former manager Steve McClaren.

He said: “When I arrived, I saw players who were switched off, scared, without a sense of belonging. I was surprised.

“So I tightened the screws, I demanded professionalism and this cemented our team,” he added.

Capello wants his side to focus fully on their task at the World Cup and not let distractions of potential summer transfers take precedence.

Speculation on the future of some of the England players have been in the media recently with Steven Gerrard’s position at Liverpool in question after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The England manager said: “I hope the players do not change their team or have negotiations,” he remarked. “It disturbs the players all the time.”

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Hobbs ready to go all out

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Leicester City defender Jack Hobbs has promised that his side will be throwing caution to the wind when they visit Cardiff City in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals on Wednesday night (Cardiff evens Draw 23/10 Leicester 11/4).

Cardiff hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Walkers Stadium, after Peter Whittingham scored his 24th goal of the season to give the Bluebirds a vital away win.

Yet the former Liverpool defender Hobbs believes that Leicester can still reach the play-off final: “We will go there with all guns blazing and come flying out of the traps, create as many chances as we can and, hopefully, take them.

“They will have a problem because they have a one-goal lead, so do they sit back or do they come at us? We know we have to come out all guns firing, hopefully get an early goal and then go from there.”

Leicester must overcome the odds to beat a Cardiff side that are unbeaten in their last seven home games at the Cardiff City Stadium, in a run which included a 2-1 win over the Foxes. Cardiff also beat Leicester at home in the FA Cup this season.

History shows that winning promotion might now prove tough for Leicester. No team has overcome a first-leg semi-final deficit and then went on to win the play-offs, since Bolton Wanderers won promotion in 1995 (Cardiff 11/10 to be promoted, Leicester 6/1).

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson’s options may be boosted if defender Wayne Brown and on-loan Everton striker James Vaughan pass late fitness tests, while Steve Howard is available again having served a suspension. Chris Burke and Anthony Gerrard are both doubtful to play for Cardiff.

The winners will face Blackpool in the play-off final at Wembley, after Ian Holloway’s team came from behind twice, to eventually beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 at the City Ground, giving the Seasiders a 6-4 aggregate victory.

Blackpool were not fancied against a Forest side that were unbeaten in their last 20 home games and had not conceded a goal at the City Ground in more than 12 hours. A second half hat-trick from striker DJ Campbell, gave Blackpool an unexpected victory and a shot at their first promotion to the top flight since 1970.

A delighted Ian Holloway said after the match: “I said it would have to be the best we have ever played if we were to do it – and I think it was the best we have ever played.”

“We are still learning and still evolving but we have achieved something mega.

“We are within 90 minutes of playing in the Premier League and that is unbelievable.”

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Vieira upset by Domenech snub

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Former France (16/1 to win the 2010 World Cup) captain Patrick Vieira has been left disillusioned by his failure to make the World Cup squad.

The 1998 World Cup winner, capped 107 times in an outstanding career, was left off coach Raymond Domenech’s provisional 30-man squad for South Africa.

He was one of three high-profile omissions from the squad, along with Arsenal’s Sami Nasri and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid.

And while he took the decision on the chin, he was not happy about the manner in which it was conducted.

“His (Domenech) choice I do accept,” said Vieira, who won the Euro 2000 title with France and played in the final four years ago which Les Bleus lost to Italy.

“The only problem is with regard to our personal relations. I was expecting more openness, more contact on his behalf.
“With Raymond I enjoyed healthy relations. But to learn of my non-selection like that, well that is lacking intact, class. It saddens me.

“There are coaches who know how to handle these things, and others who don’t.”

Vieira was referring to the fact that Domenech had not telephoned him to inform him of his decision, leaving the player to find out live on TV.

“I have not had him on the phone for the past six months,” said Vieira. “I always had good relations with him even when he was in difficulties. What I really would have appreciated, given the number of caps I won for my country, was that he had called me and said ‘Listen, I believe that you no longer have the necessary qualities for international football.

“I would have understood and accepted that, though I still believe that I am capable of playing at that level.”

Vieira, who moved from Inter Milan to Manchester City in the January transfer window and has played 14 times for the Premier League club, accepts that his international career is now over. But he insists he will continue playing at the top level in his club career.

“It is over. I will not have another chance to play in a big tournament,” said Vieira.
“For me, the French chapter is finished. That does not mean it erases all the great years I spent donning the blue shirt of France.

“On the club side, no is the answer to whether I will retire from that as well. I will, for sure, be carrying on at club level.”

Vieira’s omission from the squad leaves Thierry Henry as the sole survivor of France’s 1998 triumph over Brazil.

Benzema has had an inconsistent season with Madrid, though a pole taken shortly after the squad decision was announced suggested that more fans were upset with him being left out than Vieira’s axing.

Nasri’s Arsenal teammates Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna are included.

Three members of Marseille’s Ligue 1-winning squad – goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and forward Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Valbuena – are named, as are two Chelsea stars, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.

France (evens to qualify from Group A) will play in Group A of the tournament, alongside hosts South Africa (6/1), Mexico (3/1) and Uruguay (7/2), who will be their opponents in their first game in Cape Town on June 11.

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Terry injury fears allayed

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England and Chelsea are awaiting the results of a scan on John Terry’s foot injury but fears the defender may may miss the World Cup have been allayed and he now says he hopes to play in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth on Saturday (Chelsea 1/5 Draw 11/2 Portsmouth 12/1).

There were fears the key defender had broken his metatarsal while training with Chelsea ahead of the Pompey clash but it appears the knock is not anywhere near as bad as was first feared and he was sent for a scan merely as a precaution.

Terry issued a statement saying he hopes to play at Wembley this weekend.

“I took a slight knock in training but with such an important match on Saturday the right course of action was to put a protective boot on my right foot and have a CT scan,” he said.

“The scan has shown there is no break and I am hoping to train tomorrow if not Friday and of course play in the FA Cup final on Saturday.”

That is great news for both Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and England chief Fabio Capello, who will have been concerned earlier on Wednesday that the former skipper could have been a major doubt for the World Cup (England 6/1 to win the World Cup).

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Verbeek wants teenage kicks

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Coach Pim Verbeek doesn’t want Australia (23/10 to qualify from Group D) fans to get too carried away with the selection of teenager Tommy Oar in the provisional squad of 31.

At 18, Oar is the youngest member of the party and has only one cap to his name. But he has been receiving rave reviews in the media for his performances in his domestic competition and in Holland.

Oar, who starred with Brisbane Roar in the A-League in his native country, recently joined FC Utrecht in the Netherlands and had been regarded as an outsider to make the provisional squad.

But he has drawn favourable comparisons with the young Harry Kewell, who rose to prominence with Leeds United in the Premier League.

Oar signed a five-year deal with Utrecht to move during the summer transfer window, the left winger having played 26 games and scoring twice for Brisbane as well as playing 16 games for the Australian under-20 side.

In March, he was awarded the Rising Star for the best young player of the season, and named to the bench of the A-League Team of the Year. He was invited for a trial at Utrecht, where he impressed the coaching staff enough to be offered a contract.

Internationally, he was called up by the Socceroos for a 2011 Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait without getting any game time. He made his full debut in Australia’s 1-0 win against Indonesia in the final Asian Cup qualifier.

Verbeek said Oar’s emergence was a very promising sign for the national team, although he said Oar was not guaranteed a trip to South Africa.

“It’s great for Australian football we have a player like him, just 18 years old, who made a big impression in a few weeks playing in the Netherlands.

“We can all remember the game against Indonesia, but still he has to show that he is not only a talent but also a great player.”

Much depends on whether Oar will be involved in Australia’s next friendly match against New Zealand on May 24.

Verbeek is likely to use that game to give as many of his contenders some game time as possible, and will make his final decision about his 23-man World Cup squad soon after the fixture.

The final squad of 23 has to be submitted to FIFA by June 1, which potentially gives the national team coach one more chance of looking at those who are on the fringes of the squad, as Australia will face Denmark in South Africa on that date.

Australia face Germany (7/2 to be eliminated at the group stages) in their opening group stage match of the World Cup in Durban on June 13, before taking on Ghana in Rustenburg and Serbia in Nelspruit.

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Inter deny Benitez ‘contact’

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Internazionale officials have issued a statement denying any interest in Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as the under-fire Spaniard’s future remains shrouded in doubt at Anfield (1/12 Internazionale – Serie A outright).

Why the Italian giants would want to swap the self-titled ‘Special One’ for Benitez remains to be seen, but the Italian media have claimed a deal could be on the cards if Jose Mourinho decides to move on.

Real Madrid are said to be sniffing around and should Mourinho fancy a new challenge then Inter could turn to Benitez, who may be ready to walk away from Anfield following a shocking season.

Seventh in the Premier League is nowhere near good enough for the Reds and Benitez may decide to head for the continent rather than wait to be sacked. Juventus are also keen and it looks as though Benitez does have plenty of admirers abroad.

Inter are playing down the rumours though. They are busy preparing for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich (8/15 – Champions League outright) later this month and clearly do not want any distractions.

A statement from Inter read: “With regards to what has been reported by several Italian media, FC Internazionale underlines that absolutely no contact has been made with coaches – of other clubs or national teams – given that the club has a contract with Jose Mourinho until 2012, and that everybody is focused exclusively on the team’s important upcoming commitments.”

Inter are closing in on another Serie A title with just one game remaining and if he does leave the San Siro then there are doubts over whether Benitez can fill his boots.

Punters are not fancying Liverpool one bit again next season and the Reds are 10/1 to win the Premier League title, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all fancied more.

Benitez could be on the move in the summer but his chances of landing the Inter job if it becomes available are surely slim.

Juve may be more appropriate and would give him the chance to get away from England where his time appears to be up.

Even the Liverpool fans are starting to turn on him and how they would love to send him packing to Italy in exchange for Mourinho, who would be the man to bring the glory days back to Anfield.

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Wenger told he can spend

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Arsenal are ready to back manager Arsene Wenger in the transfer market in the hope he will be able to bring some silverware to the Emirates Stadium next season (6/1 Arsenal – Premier League outright).

The Gunners have seen another season pass by without a trophy and it will be just as difficult next year following the emergence of Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

All three clubs, along with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, are expected to spend big again in the summer and Wenger needs to be given the cash to compete with them.

The Frenchman is said to be closing in on the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh who is set to arrive on a free transfer, but it will take more than that to strike fear into their rivals.

Serious money needs to be spent and although chief executive Ivan Gazidis says Wenger will be backed in the transfer market, but the chances are the Frenchman will once again have to be shrewd.

“Arsenal have not had access to the deep pockets of a wealthy investor and we have focused on a path of independence underpinned by a sustainable business model for long-term success,” he revealed.

“With Highbury Square coming to completion and some of our other property developments bearing fruit, we’re now coming to a period where the financial health of the club is secure. That does not mean we have unlimited resources but it does mean we have sufficient funds to invest.”

Scoring goals is not a problem but defence is an area that definitely needs work with William Gallas set to leave on a free transfer, while Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell could also be on the way out.

Wenger wants Bolton defender Gary Cahill but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to stump up the £17m that Bolton will be asking for, while Manchester United and Chelsea are also said to be keen.

A new goalkeeper could also be on the agenda as Manuel Almunia has struggled this season while there appears to be no real back up with Lukasz Fabianski blowing every opportunity he gets.

Next season is huge for Arsenal. Star man Cesc Fabregas will only hang around for so long and if the Gunners cannot mount a serious push for domestic and European glory then he is sure to consider his future.

Wenger may struggle to keep hold of him this summer but he will be fighting a losing battle in 12 months time unless the Gunners win some silverware and fast.

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Hammers axe Zola

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West Ham have announced manager Gianfranco Zola has been sacked following a meeting with the owners and board earlier today, Tuesday (Check out the latest football betting markets).

A statement from West Ham read: “West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola.

“The board of directors would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future.

“The club will now be focusing its efforts on seeking a replacement. The club will be making no further comment on this matter.”

The former Chelsea star, known as ‘Magic Box’ in his days as a player, had been at the club for less than two years having taken over from Alan Curbishley in September 2008.

West Ham was Zola’’s first managerial role but his position quickly came under scrutiny following the takeover by former Birmingham owners David Sullivan and David Gold in January 2010.

Sullivan in particular has been heavily critical of the team’s performances in the latter half of the season, at one point he branded the Hammers ‘pathetic’ following defeat by Wolves.  However, despite the off-field tensions Zola successfully helped West Ham avoid relegation from the Premier League after a difficult campaign for the east London side.

Speculation increased that Zola was set to depart West Ham following their final day of the season draw with Manchester City at Upton Park.  The 43-year-old’’s match programme notes seemed to suggest he was saying his goodbyes to the Hammers faithful, who enjoyed a good relationship with Zola, although Sullivan’s comments were perhaps more telling.

“The current management and team know that what they have delivered was below the expectations at the start of the season and we simply have to do better next season,” wrote Sullivan in what was hardly a ringing endorsement of Zola at a time when speculation surrounding his position had intensified.

As the season drew to a close a number of names were linked with the manager’’s job at Upton Park and speculation is bound to increase now Zola has been axed.  Portsmouth boss Avram Grant and former Hammers boss Curbishley have been mooted as possible replacements for Zola, while Croatia boss Slaven Bilic, a former West Ham player, has also emerged as a contender to take over.

Grant is the early favourite, although the Pompey boss will not make any decision before Portsmouth’’s FA Cup final date with Chelsea on Saturday.

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