Tag Archives: wants

Mancini wants trophies at City

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Roberto Mancini is expecting his Manchester City (5/1 to win Premier League title) side to be a real success and win trophies this season after his summer spending spree.

Twelve months ago, his predecessor Mark Hughes had spent huge sums of money bringing the likes of Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Joleon Lescott to the club.

City were expected to battle for the title but a few months on Hughes was sacked, Mancini brought in and the club ended the season outside the Premier League top four.

After a long battle they were pipped to fourth spot and Champions League qualification by Spurs (33/1 to win the Premier League) though the club’s fans can take solace in the fact they lost the same amount of games as their rivals Manchester United throughout the season and it was too many draws which led to their downfall.

This summer, Mancini has already spent around £60 million bringing in Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure and David Silva and claims all three are “good players” and a real “investment for the club”.

The Italian manager knows his side will battle both domestically and in the Europa League next season and he has issued a rallying cry by declaring he wants his players to bring silverware back to Eastlands next season.

“I think it will be a good season for us. I think we have a squad for success, and our supporters deserve this,” said Mancini.

“Up to now we have got Boateng, Yaya Toure and David Silva, all three of them good players. And Yaya has fantastic experience with Barcelona, where he won a lot of trophies.

“We need to have the players if we want to reduce the gap with the other teams. We need to bring in players with good quality. Now it is time that some trophies came to this club.”

Mancini has been linked with a number of players this summer and it looks like his spending may not end anytime soon.

One of his reported targets is Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov, also a player known to be admired by Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, however the Italian club’s president has said he wants £18.7 million for the Serbia international.

Another player strongly linked with City is Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who Mancini managed during his time at the San Siro.

City and also neighbours Manchester United (12/5 to win Premier League title) are interested in the 19-year-old, but if it came to a bidding war between the two rivals it is likely that Mancini would win the day.

Whatever happens, it seems City are prepared to spend big to go for the Premier League title, which could see a lot of their rivals nervously looking at Eastlands come the start of the season.

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Fabergas wants semi-final start

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Arsenal captain Cesc Fabergas has called on coach Vicente de Bosque to give him more game time at the World Cup ahead of Spain’s semi-final with Germany (2/1 outright World Cup winners).

The 23-year-old has yet to start a game for the current European Champions, playing a bit part in their progression to the last four.

Fabregas’ omission from the Spain starting eleven is a clear indication of the talent Del Bosque has at his disposal.

Despite enjoying another good season with Arsenal, Fabregas has found himself behind the likes of Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, David Silva and Xabi Alonso in being given a start.

However, Fabregas did impress when coming off the bench to help Spain (8/5 to beat Germany) beat Paraguay in the quarter-finals and there had been suggestions that he may start ahead of Fernando Torres.

Torres has been struggling in South Africa after another season blighted by injuries and del Bosque is thought to be considering whether to start him against Germany or give Fabregas a chance.

The Barcelona target impressed when asked to play behind the striker in Euro 2008, filling in for the injured David Villa in the final as Spain overcame Germany.

It could be that he is asked to play that role again against Germany should del Bosque decide to keep Torres on the bench.

Fabregas admits he is struggling to enjoy the World Cup from the dugout and says it won’t matter where he starts as he long as he gets to play more.

“All I want is to play football. It’s the semi-final of the biggest tournament in the world and I just want to play. I want to enjoy things and do well for the team and show everyone how I can play,” said Fabregas.

Coming into the tournament Fabregas was struggling to overcome a cracked fibula he suffered in March and his lack of fitness probably cost him the chance to start in the early stages.

However, the Arsenal midfielder says he is now fully fit and is desperate to get out on the pitch and show what he can do.

“When I come on I don’t think about that. I feel good. I feel motivated,” he added.

“Of course when you are not playing you have to give even more to get yourself in the team. I needed games. I needed minutes on the pitch. You can train as much as you like, but if you don’t play, then you never get your fitness back.

“Hopefully in the next two games I will feel better. Everyone is really proud of what we have achieved so far, but our aim is obviously to win it.”

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Grant wants good times back at West Ham

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New West Ham boss Avram GrantNewly appointed West Ham boss Avram Grant is hoping to bring the good times back to Upton Park and is looking forward to the challenge of next season.

The Hammers struggled last season under the leadership of Gianfranco Zola and only managed to secure their place in the Premier League with a couple of games to spare.

Zola was axed by co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan as soon as the season was over and it soon became clear that Grant was the man they wanted.

Slaven Bilic, Sam Allardyce and Ian Holloway had all been linked with the job but Grant was always hot favourite to take the job as soon as his duties with Portsmouth came to an end.

The Israeli worked wonders under very difficult circumstances at Fratton Park and even though they were relegated after being deducted nine points for going into administration, he still managed to guide them to the FA Cup final before losing to Chelsea.

Grant admitted that leaving Pompey was always going to be tough after building up a great relationship with the fans and he will be looking to do that again at Upton Park with the Hammers faithful.

“I’m proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It’s an exciting challenge and I’m ready to do my best,” Grant told the club’s official website.

“West Ham is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I’m already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season.”

Grant now has the job of making sure the Hammers are nowhere near the drop zone next season and if he gets the backing of the board, he should be able to get the club moving in the right direction.

The former Chelsea boss inherits a squad of talented players that boasts the likes of Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker and he will be hoping to keep hold of his star trio before adding to his ranks.

The board have said everyone apart from Scott Parker is up for grabs but Grant will want to keep his key men if he is to get the Hammers pushing for the top 10.

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Messi wants Rooney showdown

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Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi (Argentina 13/2 to win the World Cup) has revealed that he wants to go toe to toe with England’s Wayne Rooney in the final of the World Cup.

The World Player of the Year would relish the chance to play the Three Lions key player on the biggest stage.

Messi has had an excellent season with Barca, scoring 47 goals in 53 appearances, and wants to transfer his good form to the international scene.

England are high up on the list of teams the 22-year-old would like to face at this summer’s tournament in South Africa and Rooney is the type of player he wants compete against.

He said: “It would be great to play against Rooney, although I don’t think I would see much of him because we mostly play at opposite ends of the pitch.

“For me, England have a good balance. They look very dangerous when Peter Crouch  plays with Rooney up front. I like Steven Gerrard  and Frank Lampard,  too, but Rooney will be the key.

“It would be good to play against him in South Africa  – preferably in the final, if that is possible,” he added.

Messi is currently preparing for the World Cup with the Argentina squad before their first match of the competition against Nigeria on June 12, the same day England face the USA (England 4/9, draw 3/1, USA 6/1).

The last time Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy was in Mexico in 1986 when they beat England in the quarter-finals thanks to the infamous ‘hand of God’ goal by Diego Maradona.

Messi has been referred to as the next Maradona and will be hoping to beat the English, like his predecessor, if the teams play.

The playmaker has revealed his admiration for the England players and the Premier League.

He said:  “I know there is a lot of history between England and Argentina, but I also know our players admire the English game.

“Mentally they are strong, and they have good quality players. Capello has made them strong, I have seen them play many times on TV and I have been impressed with England.

Messi also believes that Spain, Brazil and Italy all have good chances of winning the final which takes place in Johannesburg on July 11.

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Monty wants Woods Cup role

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Colin Montgomerie says he wants Tiger Woods to be part of this year’s Ryder Cup (Europe 4/6 with totesport to win back the trophy) at Celtic Manor, claiming his presence will make it a bigger event.

The world number one is facing another enforced break due to a neck injury, which he suffered in The Players Championship at Sawgrass, a tournament he couldn’t complete.

Due to his off-the-course personal problems, Woods’ schedule is unclear with the only tournaments he is expected to play in being the US Open (5/1f to win at Pebble Beach) and July’s Open Championship.

Much of the media doubt whether the 14-time major winner will travel to Wales in October, as the US look to retain the trophy they won in 2008 in Valhalla.

European captain Montgomerie says Woods’ availability for the team event is an ‘unanswerable question at this stage’, but is hoping that he does make himself available.

The Scot told Sky Sports: “I’d like him to be in the Ryder Cup to be honest, I think any golf tournament with the world’s number one player in it is a bigger event, and if we happen to win the Ryder Cup with him playing I think it’s a better win for us.”

Woods’ Ryder Cup record is not that impressive for a player commonly regarded as one of, if not the best player to have played the sport.

The 34-year-old has played in five USA v Europe meetings, teeing it up in 25 matches, winning 10, losing 13 and halving two, and claiming just 11 points from a possible 25.

The US team have won the cup on just one occasion when Woods has been part of the team, at Brookline in 1999, although he will undoubtedly strengthen Corey Pavin’s team.

Meanwhile, Monty says he ‘very happy’ with how his team is shaping up with just over four months until the event begins.

With Europe having eight players in the top twenty of the world rankings, the captain is understandably upbeat about the team’s prospects of winning back the cup.

Montgomerie added: “I must be the happiest captain in many, many years to see what’s been happening. We might go there as favourites, I’m not denying that, we just have to play and prove ourselves the way we can.”

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Ferguson wants to end on a high

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Sir Alex FergusonManchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he would not leave the club if the side were struggling (Manchester United 11/5 to win the 2010/2011 Premier League outright).

The 68-year old has denied speculation that he will be retiring at the end of next season and has recently stated that his health is the only factor that would see him leave Old Trafford.

Ferguson saw his side win the League Cup this season and run Chelsea close for the Premier League title.

The Scotsman, who has been at the club since 1986, would only leave the club if they were in a ‘good, healthy’ position.

He said: “If we hit a bad spell, it would not be the right time to go.

“I would not want to put the new manager into a situation where he was taking over a bad team,” he added.

The United boss is already looking to next season as he hopes to regain the Premier League title from Chelsea.

Ferguson said: “It’s a challenge. A few years ago it was Arsenal,  then it was Chelsea, and each time we’ve managed to raise the bar at our football club – and that is exactly what we are going to do next year.”

The manager was close to retiring from football back in 2002 but changed his mind after he saw his team suffer a poor run of form.

Ferguson also revealed that his wife Cathy had a big influence on his decision after he felt that 60 was a good age to retire.

United’s chief executive David Gill has stated that the manager will have a substantial transfer budget to buy players this summer.

The Old Trafford club have been linked with a number of players including Aston Villa midfielder James Milner and Joe Cole, whose contract at Chelsea ends this summer.

New signings may be coming to the club in the next few weeks as transfers get rushed through before the World Cup in South Africa starts, which will increase the cost for potential targets.

United have already made two signings in the form of defender Chris Smalling and striker Javier Hernandez and will be hoping to make a few more additions to the squad in an attempt to bring the Premier League title back to Manchester.

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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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Mancini wants the goals to rain

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Roberto ManciniRoberto Mancini has urged his free-scoring side to continue slamming in the goals, believing that the number of goals scored could be crucial in the race for fourth place. City are currently 4/9 favourites to finish fourth.

City face Manchester United at Eastlands on Saturday with both sides looking for the points for different reasons. City are hoping to consolidate their current standing of fourth in the League whilst United will be hoping to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table.

United will be hoping to bounce back against their local rivals after picking up a disappointing point in a goalless draw at Blackburn last Sunday. This has seen United’s title odds lengthen to 13/2 after Chelsea posted a 1-0 success against Bolton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening. The Blues are now 1/8 to secure their first League title since 2006 as they are now four points ahead of United at the top of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur kept up the pressure on City in the race for fourth by beating local rivals Arsenal in the North London derby on Wednesday evening. Their 2-1 success propelled them to fifth in the table, one point and one place behind City.  In the process, they severely dented Arsenal’s title hopes as the Gunners now lie six points behind Chelsea. They are 20/1 outsiders to win the League.

Many see the race for fourth being between City and Spurs, with some citing the clash at Eastlands between the two sides on May 5 as being pivotal in the battle for the final Champions League spot. However, both City and Spurs face tough run-ins, meaning that Liverpool and Aston Villa could mount a late surge if they can improve their consistency. Those two sides are 20/1 and 25/1 to finish fourth respectively. Meanwhile, Spurs are 2/1 second favourites to secure Champions League football for next season, with City 4/9 favourites.

City have scored 14 goals in the last three games and Roberto Mancini feels that goal difference could be crucial in the final reckoning. City have a current goal difference of 28, whilst Spurs have 27, and Mancini is hoping to retain this advantage.

Speaking to the Manchester City website, Mancini stated; “We know that it is vital we have a good goal difference because that could possibly decide who finishes in fourth place.

“We have been scoring a few goals in recent weeks, which is good. There is no reason we cannot continue to keep scoring if we play in the manner we have been of late, no matter the opposition.”

The big news ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby is the potential return of Wayne Bridge. The left-back has missed the last five matches after undergoing a hernia operation and could bolster City’s back line. Meanwhile, England fans will be waiting to see if Wayne Rooney is on the team sheet after missing the last few games with an ankle injury.

Manchester City are 17/10 to get the win they need to consolidate fourth place whilst United are 11/8 to increase the pressure on Chelsea with a three point display. The draw is 12/5.

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