Friday, May 24th, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I think that next season is going to be much better, I am convinced about that. It doesn’t mean we’re going to win one or two titles. But, in the grand scheme of things, if we look at the next five years and I could plan now, I would say I want to win five trophies in the next five years. That may mean we win no trophies one year and two in another but, on average, I want one trophy or title a year. That’s the Champions League, the Premier League or the FA Cup. I think it’s a realistic aim, yes. But I’m talking about five years. If next year we don’t win, but progress our football and get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, finish second in the Premier League and lose the FA Cup Final again, that will be fine. That’s because we will have progressed in the way our football develops.” – Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano.

Runner-up: “He is a decent man, a great manager, but believe me he can be tough. If you want to win something, to create a good team you have to be hard sometimes with the players  – football is like this. He can be scary. I remember when I was banned after the Stoke game, he gave everyone the day off – everyone: The players, the entire staff – but I came to the training camp to do a training session with him. It was just me and him, and it is not easy to go into the camp to face him like that. I understood, because I knew I had made a mistake, but you know it’s not easy when you know you have let him down. Just going in there knowing you have to look him in the eye was hard! He put me through a tough session… it was a full-on session, running, shooting, passing, everything and very intense, and afterwards I was upset. I said afterwards, ‘Arggh, this is bad’, but I am happy when he looked after me, so I understand. It was his way of telling me I had let the team down – it is how he is good manager, and he made sure I knew I had to face him. That way, I knew it was my mistake and I had to make up for it, to try hard to make it up to the team. It didn’t make the journey in to face him any easier though. He is a great manager – he knows when he has to be tough.” – Marouane Fellaini on David Moyes.

Asmir Begovic heading to Liverpool

Begovic: I’m off to the Kop (Graham Hill, Sun) Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic is set to follow boss Tony Pulis out of the club — and sign for Liverpool. The £15million-rated Begovic has been watched by a string of clubs all season with Arsenal and Manchester United also keen on the Bosnian. But now he looks set to be the long-term replacement for the Kop’s Spanish keeper Pepe Reina. Begovic, 25, gave an interview in Bosnia in which he claimed he would be joining Liverpool in July for pre-season training.

Napoli want AVB

Napoli have made approach for Spurs boss Villas-Boas, claims president De Laurentiis (David Kent, Daily Mail) Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, has confirmed the Italian club have made an approach for Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas. The Naples club, who were runners up in Serie A last season, are without a manage after Walter Mazzarri decided to walk away from the club just last week. In quotes attributed to Portuguese newspaper DN, De Laurentiis, when asked whether they had made an approach for the Spurs manager, said: ‘Yes. There is a very tempting argument to hire a young coach here.’ Earlier De Laurentiis had said he would be heading to London on Wednesday. ‘The new coach will come in a short time. The main feature of the new coach will be that he must have a deep love for the Neapolitan way, that is crucial,” he said during a lively press conference. ‘He must live in the area and also learn to speak the way of Naples. Tomorrow I will go to London, I’ll be back in Italy on June 16.

Chelsea chase Arda Turan

Chelsea rival Galatasaray for Atletico’s Turkish winger Turan (Simon Jones, Daily Mail) Chelsea are showing interest in Turkey winger Arda Turan, who is currently with Atletico Madrid. The 26-year-old has attracted interest from former club Galatasaray but their president Unai Aysal has revealed they face competition from Stamford Bridge. He said: ‘Chelsea are involved with Arda and we won’t be able to match what they are offering. ‘I met with the head of Atletico Madrid, he told me that there were three players the club definitely do not want to sell, one of them being Arda Turan.’

Lukaku in Dortmund plea

Rom likes Luk of Dortmund (Sun) Romelu Lukaku is keen on a loan move to Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund next season. Chelsea’s powerful striker has just completed a successful loan spell at West Brom where he scored 17 goals in 35 Premier League appearances. Swansea and West Ham are also interested in the 20-year-old Belgian, who knows his chances at Stamford Bridge could again be limited.

Roberto Martinez could stay at Wigan

Roberto Martinez ‘swinging towards’ staying as Wigan Athletic manager, says chairman Dave Whelan (Luke Edwards, Daily Telegraph) Although Whelan had expected Martinez to decide when he wanted to do when they met on Thursday, he has instead asked for budget assurances and confirmation the club will continue to invest heavily in the development of young players at its Academy. Whelan has asked to look at the figures over the weekend before making any promises to the Spaniard, who would be a leading candidate to replace Tony Pulis at Stoke City, as well as David Moyes at Everton. “He has postponed making a decision until Monday, but it was a very constructive meeting and he is asking all the right sort of questions,”said Whelan. “I think he is swinging towards staying at Wigan and I was encouraged by what he said. We chatted for an hour and I’m happy with the outcome. “He is interested to know how we are going to push the club forward, how we are going to continue to develop our own players and the progress in moving into our new training ground. “He wants me to make certain promises and I’ve told him I don’t want to make any promises I can’t keep, so I’ll have a look into things over the weekend and we’ll meet again on Monday.”

The Champions League final

Champions League final 2013: tension grows as Germany prepares for Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich (Ian Chadband, Daily Telegraph) One calls itself with no false modesty “a Club Less Ordinary”, the other just invites you to embrace its motto, “Real Love”. So, which of these two clubs, who grow less enamoured with each other by the day, do we wish to see lift the Champions League trophy? The strutting FC Hollywood burghers of Bayern Munich, who must win it for their sanity? Or Borussia Dortmund and their young working-class heroes, who just believe in fairytales? Germany, it seems, has made up its mind. Polls here show the vast majority plumping for Dortmund at Wembley, because there is something universally appealing about the resurrection from near-bankruptcy of the people’s club under a manager, Jürgen Klopp, who adds greatly to the gaiety of the footballing nation. Even their great Westphalian rivals at Schalke, according to their chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, are rooting for them.

Why are Germany so good at football?

How Germany went from bust to boom on the talent production line (Stuart James, Guardian) As for Saturday’s Champions League final at Wembley, the DFB proudly points out that 26 of the players Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund named in their Uefa squads this season are homegrown and eligible to play for Germany. More than half of those players came through the DFB’s talent development programme, which was introduced in 2003 with the aim of identifying promising youngsters and providing them with technical skills and tactical knowledge at an early age. Covering 366 areas of Germany, this impressive initiative caters for children aged 8 to 14 and is served by 1,000 part-time DFB coaches, all of whom must hold the Uefa B licence and are expected to scout as well as train the players. “We have 80 million people in Germany and I think before 2000 nobody noticed a lot of talent,” Dutt says. “Now we notice everyone.”

Europa League winners to go into Champions League

Uefa to offer Champions League place to Europa League winners (Owen Gibson, Guardian) Uefa is set to award a place in the Champions League to the winners of the Europa League from the 2014-15 season, in order to make the competition more attractive, with an announcement expected on Friday. Other plans being considered include whether to award a fifth Champions League place to clubs in the big European leagues and to expand the number of Europa League places on offer. Also teams who win the Champions League or Europa League but finish outside the qualifying places in their domestic campaign will no longer usurp one of their league rivals to take up their place the following season. That means the fate that befell Tottenham Hotspur in 2011-12, when they missed out on Europe despite finishing fourth because Chelsea won the Champions League and finished sixth, would not happen again. Instead, England would now have five representatives.

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He has had an exceptional season. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid. I am sure Madrid will not be the only team that want to sign him — but he is the right mould for us.” – Sergio Ramos.

Runner-up: ”It was obviously great to sign off with a great goal in the last minute, but circumstances made it hard to celebrate. We fought hard this season, the team and the manager have been great. We have got the record points for the club in the Premier League. That would normally be enough to qualify for the Champions League, but it’s not meant to be again. It’s disappointing, but we will pick ourselves up again. We will just have to regroup this season and give it another go.”  - Gareth Bale.

Arsenal To Axe Vermaelen

Arsenal ready to dump Mael (Charlie Wyett, Sun) Arsenal will listen to £5m bids for skipper Thomas Vermaelen… Vermaelen, 27, has been previously watched by both Barcelona and Manchester United but he is desperate to stay in North London. He only featured during Arsenal’s terrific run-in once Per Mertesacker was suspended — and then he returned immediately to the subs’ bench. German Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny are Wenger’s preferred pairing while Arsenal are also keen on Swansea’s £12m-rated Ashley Williams… Other players on their way from Arsenal will be Marouane Chamakh, Andrey Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, Park Chu-Young and Andre Santos.

Out-of-favour Vermaelen may quit Arsenal in search of playing time with Barca lurking (Simon Jones, Mail) Thomas Vermaelen fears he may have to leave Arsenal to keep alive hopes of playing in the World Cup for Belgium. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are Arsenal’s first-choice partnership and manager Arsene Wenger may sign Swansea defender Ashley Williams this summer. Barcelona are monitoring the situation.

Man United Eye Thiago, PSG Want Rooney

Tasty Thi for Moyes (Michael Morgan, Sun) David Moyes is weighing up a £15million bid for Barcelona midfielder Thiago. The new Manchester United boss sees the Spanish international, 22, as a possible replacement for the retired Paul Scholes. Thiago has two years to go on his £30,000-a-week Barca deal but is keen to quit after falling out of favour.

The £100million man! Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney being lined up for massive Paris Saint-Germain move (John Cross, Mail) Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to put together a staggering £100million deal to land Wayne Rooney. Manchester United striker Rooney has emerged as the French side’s No1 target this summer, and their mega-rich Middle Eastern owners are prepared to pay him a staggering £15m-a-year – after tax. That would put the England star, 27, on the same wages as PSG’s current star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is being tipped for a move back to Italy this summer just one season after moving from AC Milan.

PSG lure Wayne Rooney with promise to match Manchester United wages (Dominic Fifield, Guardian) Paris Saint-Germain have informed Wayne Rooney’s representatives that they would be willing to match his current wages as they seek to convince the unsettled England striker to leave Manchester United for Parc des Princes… The French champions, who are backed by the money-flushed Qatar Investment Authority, made their interest in securing the player known last week and have indicated they would be prepared to match his salary, which amounts to about £300,000 a week.

Mourinho’s £50m Chelsea Contract, Target Forwards

Jose Mourinho agrees 4-year Chelsea deal (David Woods, Star) Jose Mourinho will fly to London on June 2 – and sign a four-year contract at Chelsea worth £250,000 a week… That is a commitment of around £50m from owner Roman Abramovich for the second coming of The Special One.

Chelsea ask Galatasaray if Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz is for sale (Dominic Fifield, Guardian) Chelsea’s pursuit of a striker to add to their forward options has led the reigning European champions and Europa League winners to lodge an inquiry with Galatasaray about the availability of their Turkey international Burak Yilmaz.

Falcao, Hulk, Mangala, Isco, Fellaini? Jose Mourinho draws up Chelsea wishlist to sign SIX players this summer (Mirror) Mourinho, who will be free to join Chelsea on June 2, wants three defenders, two midfielders and a striker with Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao at the very top of his hit-list. Real Madrid boss Mourinho has already agreed a three-year contract worth £12m-a-year – and has had guarantees about the investment in the club. It is believed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will make the biggest investment in the squad since Mourinho left Stamford Bridge six years ago.

The City Clear-Out

Manuel Pellegrini faces Carlos Tevez call as Manchester City name starting date (Ian Herbert, Independent) Manuel Pellegrini is expected to meet his new Manchester City players a week on Monday, seven days after the club’s anticipated confirmation that he is to succeed Roberto Mancini and become first-team coach… The Chilean’s first tasks will involve which players should be awarded new contracts, with the futures of Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott up in the air.

Pellegrini set for talks with Tevez when he takes over at City (Ian Ladyman, Mail) Manchester City will appoint Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager by the start of June and he will immediately open face-to-face talks with Carlos Tevez about his future at the Etihad Stadium… With players such Tevez, Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry all entering the final years of their contracts at City, they have been told that no talks will take place about their futures until Roberto Mancini’s replacement starts work.

The Rest Of The Transfer Lies

Tottenham target Leandro Damião and Roberto Soldado for next season (Guardian) Tottenham Hotspur hope to demonstrate their ambition remains intact despite a failure to reach next season’s Champions League by renewing their efforts to sign the Brazil forward Leandro Damião and seeking to pair him with Valencia’s Spain international Roberto Soldado.

Villa will take a hit in selling £24million flop Bent as Lambert begins clear-out (Mail) Darren Bent has been told he is free to leave Aston Villa this summer as the Birmingham club prepares to take a huge hit on their investment in the England international.

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “There are certain managers you build relationships with and feel closer to. He’s [Benitez] not that kind of bloke. Other managers draw a bit of a line and keep it that way. Rafa’s more like that. He was not really the sort of manager you could sit and talk with. We had a couple of conversations about my future in which he was quite honest saying that he wasn’t really involved. So that’s where that conversation ends. He’s not a manager who goes round putting his arm around every player — and I’m not saying that’s wrong. There are a lot of managers like that, Fabio Capello was like that with England.” – Frank Lampard.

Runner-up: “Listen, every player has their price but there’s certainly no pressure for the club to sell him [Luis Suarez]. We’re trying to build that bit of quality so he’s not for sale. I don’t have any doubts there will be interest in him this summer, because he’s up there. There’s a small percentage of players who are world class and he’s in that bracket, so I don’t think it will be too dissimilar to when I first came in last summer, with clubs making their interest known. People will want to take him, but I think we all recognise how integral he is. The owners have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him.” – Brendan Rodgers.

Should Bale Dump Spurs?

Real Madrid Want Bale Now (Paul Brown, Star) Florentino Perez, who wants Bale NOW. He will offer him even more money to join the Spanish giants. There is a five-year deal on the table for Bale, which guarantees to match whatever wages he would earn at White Hart Lane. But it also includes a lucrative image rights deal which would earn him even more millions. However, Real insist they will not pay more than £43m, way below Tottenham’s valuation of the double Player of the Year. Madrid have offered Spurs four players as potential makeweights in the deal – Pepe, Marcello, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria.

Bale is a Champions League player in a Europa League team. He’s done all he can at Spurs and now is the time to get out (Neil Ashton, Mail) After Gareth Bale’s stunning strike at White Hart Lane on Sunday, it was confirmation the forward has outgrown this Tottenham team. He is a Champions League player in a Europa League team… He has spent six largely successful years at Tottenham, establishing himself in the team after a tough start and going on to become their biggest asset. Spurs know time is running out and all they can do after finishing fifth in the Premier League is to offer him more money.

Arsenal Close in On Jovetic

Arsenal balk at Jovetic’s £25m price tag as Fiorentina dig in their heels (Sami Mokbel, Mail) Arsenal have been told primary transfer target Stevan Jovetic will cost £25million… Arsenal are not willing to pay more than £20m for the 23-year-old who has been on the club’s radar since 2011. Though both clubs are keen to make a deal, Arsenal have also talked to Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain after the Spanish club stated they wanted to sell the 25-year-old Argentine.

Fiorentina warn Arsenal top target Stevan Jovetic will cost them £30million (John Cross, Mirror) The Florence-based side are determined to hold out for a huge price for Jovetic, as they know their Serie A rivals Juventus are also keen on him.

Moyes To Shaw Up United

New United manager set to fight Chelsea for Shaw (Neil Moxley, Mail) David Moyes will rival Chelsea in the battle to sign 17-year-old Luke Shaw this summer. The Southampton left back is on Moyes’s shortlist as the new Manchester United manager attempts to put his own stamp on the squad left by Sir Alex Ferguson. Shaw was scouted last season by Moyes, then Everton boss, who had earmarked him to provide competition for Leighton Baines. Shaw would then have taken the left back role if Baines moved to Old Trafford.

£15m: Carroll To West Ham 

West Ham agree £15m fee with Liverpool to sign Carroll on permanent deal (Dominic King, Mail) Andy Carroll is expected to join West Ham on a permanent deal after Liverpool agreed to take a £20million loss on the striker. While Carroll is yet to say yes to the move, West Ham have had a bid of £15m agreed in principle by Liverpool for a forward who cost a record £35m for a British player when he signed from Newcastle in January 2011. Carroll is believed to be keen on moving to Upton Park but the club want a definite answer from him by the end of next week.

West Ham have £15 milllion bid for Andy Carroll accepted but striker keen to make his mark with Liverpool (Chris Bascombe, Telegraph) Andy Carroll is stalling on a £15 million move to West Ham after Liverpool accepted a bid for the England striker. Carroll held talks with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in the last 24 hours when he was informed he could move to Upton Park on a permanent transfer. Instead, the former Newcastle United forward said he remained determined to prove himself at Anfield despite knowing he would be only a squad player.

Start the Car (Phil Thomas, Sun) West Ham have agreed a £16million fee with Liverpool to sign loan striker Andy Carroll… West Ham’s bid is an initial £12m plus an additional performance-related £4m.

Chelsea Shake-Up: Luiz Out?!

Luiz to be first Chelsea casualty of Mourinho’s second reign with Real and Barca waiting in the wings (Simon Jones, Mail) Real Madrid and Barcelona are considering a move for Chelsea defender David Luiz. The Brazilian could become an early casualty of incoming boss Jose Mourinho who has concerns about the 26-year-old’s defensive abilities. Luiz cost Chelsea £21million and they will look to make a profit on their 2011 outlay should the interest turn into hardened bids.

José Mourinho will face greater expectations at Chelsea this time round (Dominic FIfield, Guardian) This time round, the fans – so disenchanted by the treatment of Roberto Di Matteo and the willingness to turn to Benítez as a stop-gap replacement – expect their idol to have a similar effect again, completing the team’s transition in a blaze of glory reminiscent of those title successes in 2005 and 2006. Yet he will arrive at a club that has secured European trophies in the past two seasons, the margins for progress so much tighter than they were. Mourinho will be welcomed by those in the stands and will savour the task ahead, but this feels like a very different challenge.

Stoke: Life After Pulis

Tony Pulis is sacked by Stoke City after seven years as manager (John Percy, Telegraph) Tony Pulis’s seven-year reign at Stoke City came to a brutal end when he was sacked by chairman Peter Coates yesterday, even though his proud record of never being relegated as a manager remained intact… Stoke will now consider young and dynamic managers including Roberto Martínez, Gus Poyet, Neil Lennon and former defender Steve Bould as potential successors in a fresh approach spearheaded by the board and technical director Mark Cartwright, whose recent appointment has been a source of friction for Pulis. Phil Neville, the former England and Everton defender, is understood to be in the frame for a role as first-team coach.

Tony Pulis sacking was largely down to Stoke’s failure to raise the bar (Louise Taylor, Guardian) Statistics have not really been Pulis’s friend, with recent Opta figures highlighting the fact that the team complete fewer passes than almost any other Premier League side while invariably unleashing a higher percentage of long balls. They regularly record the fewest shots on target of any top division team.

Stoke want Rafa Benitez (Graeme Boyce, Sun) Stoke City will try to bring in Rafa Benitez as their new boss after ending Tony Pulis’ reign. Potters chiefs are ready to put their trust in Benitez with a bumper £3million-a-year deal on the table.

The Rest Of The Transfer Lies

Liverpool looking to German keeper Zieler to replace Reina (Graeme Yorke, Mail) Liverpool are keen on Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, 24, with Pepe Reina still a target for Barcelona.

Liverpool prepare £15m bid for Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke to replace Carragher (David Maddock, Mirror) Liverpool manager Rodgers has targeted highly-rated Greece international Kyriakos Papadopoulos, and will table a firm £13.5million offer for the centre-half. At just 21, Papadopoulos has the right age profile for a big Anfield signing but already has vast experience, having become the youngest-ever player in the Greek league at the age of 15 and won 14 caps.

Villa could offload N’Zogbia to Monaco as they look to rebuild (Simon Jones, Mail) Charles N’Zogbia is the latest Premier League player to be targeted by ambitious Monaco. The midfielder, 26, could be made available as Aston Villa will have to finance rebuilding from within. Darren Bent will be sold but Villa will have to drop their asking price, and midfielder Chris Herd is a target for Middlesbrough.

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I’m glad it’s over. It’s hard work. The reaction at West Brom was overwhelming. They were fantastic and gave me a brilliant send-off. I think Steve Clarke should have got the award – anyone who gets five against United deserves it but they will always remember that game.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Runner-up: “It’s a presence and an aura and a way with people. He galvanises people. His own self-confidence reflects back on his teams. He did that to me personally. Tactically he’s fantastic. He’s very astute. As a team he sets you up brilliantly. But what he does is he gets the best out of players and gets this togetherness that I’d never known until he came to the club and I haven’t seen it again since then. He might rub people up the wrong way. [But] as a manager, he’s brilliant with his team, tactically, he’s brilliant with individuals and I think he’s brilliant with the press. I know it creates a storm, but he does protect his players.” – Frank Lampard.

Bale bombshell

Bale Bombshell! Spurs face paying star £200k a week to stay (Charles Sale, Daily Mail) Tottenham’s failure to secure Champions League football is going to impact heavily on contract talks with their star performer Gareth Bale. The triple Footballer of the Year, who scored 26 goals for Spurs in a brilliant personal campaign, is expected to commit his future to White Hart Lane for at least one more season. But Tottenham are going to have to improve his salary to around the £200,000-a-week mark — putting him on a par with the best-paid players in the Premier League such as Yaya Toure, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie — to make up for his huge disappointment at not taking part in European club football’s flagship competition.

Why Spurs will break the bank to keep Gareth Bale this summer (Sam Wallace, Independent) For a player who has taken English football by storm in the last three years, the remarkable thing about Gareth Bale, according to those who work with him on a daily basis, is that he is so low-maintenance. He could be the most demanding player at the club if he so wished but most lunchtimes he can be found in the canteen at the training ground sitting with the backroom staff rather than acting the big star. There is no doubt, however, that a big star is what Bale has become – the first and possibly last man to persuade Tottenham Hotspur’s famously conservative chairman Daniel Levy to tear up his own pay structure more than once. Bale, at 23, is the ideal for any coach. He lives to play and his life is unaffected by any other distractions. His partner and young daughter are based mainly in Wales while he lives just a short distance from Spurs’ old Essex training ground.

Spurs clear-out

Special gone! Mourinho will leave Real Madrid on June 1, paving the way for Chelsea return with Spanish giants dropping £12m release fee (Neil Ashton, Daily Mail)  Jose Mourinho is free to return to Chelsea after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez last night waived the £12million compensation clause in his contract. Perez announced that Mourinho’s troubled and chaotic three-year stint at the Bernabeu will end next month after holding talks with the Portuguese coach over the weekend. Mourinho had four years left on his contract. He will take charge of Sunday’s clash at Real Sociedad and then bow out at home against Osasuna on June 1.

José Mourinho clear to rejoin Chelsea as Real Madrid confirm his exit (Sid Lowe & Dom Fifield, Guardian) Chelsea will not have to pay compensation for José Mourinho after Real Madrid confirmed that the Portuguese manager will leave the Bernabéu at the end of the season by mutual consent. Nothing now stands in the way of Chelsea and Mourinho formalising an agreement that was reached in principle months ago. The 50-year-old, whose position at Madrid had become untenable, has long been preparing for next season at Stamford Bridge – preparations that include contacting potential signings. Chelsea hope to confirm his reappointment in the middle of next month. Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, called a meeting with Mourinho at the club’s Valdebebas training ground on Monday morning during which the two agreed to bring an end to the coach’s contract, which was due to expire in 2016, after the final game of the season on 1 June. That decision was then ratified by the board in the afternoon and made public at a press conference at the Bernabéu at 8pm. Pérez said that no compensation would be payable either by coach or club.

Brave Blue world (Rob Beasley, Sun) The Champions League and Europa League holders want £50m flop Fernando Torres out in the summer to make way for a big-name replacement. They have been linked with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Robert Lewandowski, Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani. Ronaldo is a no-go for a variety of reasons — not least that the Madrid superstar and boss Mourinho have fallen out. The incoming Chelsea boss is also convinced the £80m world-record signing will stay at the Bernabeu for at least another season. Chelsea also believe Borussia Dortmund’s Lewandowski will sign for Bayern Munich after Saturday’s Champions League final and Rooney will stay at United. And they have also been told that Atletico Madrid’s Falcao has already agreed a deal elsewhere, with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain both keen. So Cavani is the one — but the Uruguayan will not be cheap and he will not be easy.

The Moyes-Rooney meeting

Moyes ready for Rooney D-day (Neil Custis, Sun) David Moyes will meet Wayne Rooney to demand 100 per cent commitment to Manchester United — or give the go-ahead for his exit. New boss Moyes does not want the uncertainty of a sideshow as he takes the huge job of succeeding Alex Ferguson. The 50-year-old will not officially start until July 1 — but Fergie gave him a tour of United’s Carrington training centre yesterday during which he met backroom staff. And with the Rooney problem top of his agenda, he aims to sort it out this week. England star Roo, 27, has asked to quit United for a second time, after first doing so in October 2010. He was subsequently left out of Ferguson’s final two squads.

Fergie wins award 

Alex Ferguson relieved retirement celebrations are over after winning LMA manager of the year award (Daily Telegraph) Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was relieved the celebrations to mark his retirement were over as he was named the League Managers Association’s manager of the year for an unprecedented fourth time. The outgoing Manchester United manager picked up the award at a dinner in London on Monday night and said that he was confident he was leaving the club in good shape. The farewell celebrations culminated in his last match in charge on Sunday – a 5-5 draw at West Brom. Ferguson, who also won the LMA’s Premier League manager of the year award, said: “It has been overwhelming. The club has been fantastic and congratulations to West Brom with the way they handled yesterday. “In a way I am glad it is all over now – because it has been hard work. “I think (West Brom manager) Steve Clarke should get an award because anyone who scores five against United deserves it.”

Arsenal’s £70m summer spree

Arsenal’s £70m summer spree: And that’s just what Arsene Wenger can spend on transfer fees (John Cross, Daily Mirror) Arsene Wenger will be given a huge budget to transform Arsenal back into genuine contenders next season by making summer signings. The Gunners’ chief executive Ivan Gazidis will back Wenger with a transfer war-chest, thanks to lucrative new commercial tie-ups with airline Emirates and sportswear giants Puma as well as the Premier League’s huge new TV deal that comes into effect in August. Wenger will be able to spend the £70million-plus windfall on fees, as a major summer clear-out could clear more than £350,000-a-week off the wage bill. Arsenal’s highest earner Andrey Arshavin, who was on £90,000-a-week, is leaving. Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, a return to his native Russia or a move the Middle East are options for the former Russia captain.

Arsenal consider record £19m bid for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain in summer transfer window (Jeremy Wilson, Daily Telegraph) With £70 million to spend, Arsenal are preparing for their most adventurous transfer window under Arsène Wenger and are conscious of the need to move quickly within a market that will become intense following all the major managerial changes. Wenger was interested in Higuaín before he even joined Real Madrid from River Plate in 2007 and there is a feeling that he could now be attainable for what would be a club-record transfer fee of £19 million. Arsenal have also watched Stevan Jovetic, the Montenegro and Fiorentina striker, but there are doubts over whether he will leave Italy. Wayne Rooney is another striker to have been considered, but he is unlikely to fit into Arsenal’s wage structure.

Liverpool close in on Kolo Toure

Liverpool close in on City’s Kolo Touré to shore up central defence (Andy Hunter, Guardian) Liverpool are close to making Kolo Touré their first summer signing as part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans to add experience to a central defence without Jamie Carragher. The 32-year-old is available on a free transfer when his four-year contract with Manchester City expires next month and he has not been offered an extension, having fallen down the pecking order under the former manager Roberto Mancini. Touré wants to stay in English football, ideally in the north-west where his children are settled at school, and has been offered the ideal solution by Rodgers. A deal is believed to have been agreed in principle with Touré, who is in the United States for City’s end-of-season tour and will undergo a medical on his return.

Napoli want Rafa

Benitez on brink of a Nap hand (Sun) Rafa Benitez has been offered a swift return to management by Napoli. The Spaniard is stepping down as Chelsea interim boss after leading the Blues to the Europa League title and third place in the Premier League. Napoli now want the 53-year-old to replace Walter Mazzarri, who has quit after four years in charge of the Serie A club. And Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has sent representatives to London to offer Benitez a contract.

QPR sign (Brooklyn) Beckham

Brooklyn picks up the Beckham baton after joining QPR’s academy side (Charles Sale, Daily Mail) David Beckham’s retirement doesn’t mean the end of his family’s playing involvement with a professional football club. His eldest son Brooklyn has just started with relegated Queens Park Rangers’ Under 14 academy side, who train near the Beckhams’ new family home in west London. Brooklyn, who was 14 in March, started playing at Spurs as a four-year-old and has had trials with Chelsea juniors. He was also on the Under 14 roster at LA Galaxy and would join his dad in training at Paris Saint-Germain.

Excellent Jurgen Klopp interview

Jürgen Klopp rallies neutrals to support ‘special’ Borussia Dortmund (Donald McRae, Guardian) Klopp has previously compared Bayern to a remorseless superpower like China but he waves away that reminder. “I was tired,” he smiles. “Bayern want a decade of success like Barça. That’s OK if you have the money because it increases the possibility of success. But it’s not guaranteed. We are not a supermarket but they want our players because they know we cannot pay them the same money. It could not be our way to do things like Real and Bayern and not think about taxes – and let the next generation pick up our problems. We need to work seriously and sensibly. We have this amount of money so we can pay that amount. But we lose players. Last year it was Shinji Kagawa.” He hits his head with his palm. “Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United – on the left wing! My heart breaks. Really, I have tears in my eyes. Central midfield is Shinji’s best role. He’s an offensive midfielder with one of the best noses for goal I ever saw. But for most Japanese people it means more to play for Man United than Dortmund. We cried for 20 minutes, in each others’ arms, when he left. One year before that Nuri Sahin went because Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. [Sahin is back at Dortmund after just four appearances for Madrid and an unhappy loan spell at Liverpool]. If players are patient enough we can develop the team into one of the biggest in the world.”

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Everyone ruled us out but we showed character and attitude to come back. We got 73 points and that’s three better than last season. Consistency is the most difficult thing in our sport and we knew we had to be resilient. We were this season up against very strong Tottenham and Everton teams, so it was really special to come back and get in front of them.” – Arsene Wenger.

Runner-up: “We have to keep our ambitions high and hold on to our best players. We finished on 72 points — our best-ever Premier League points tally. For us to make it better we need to keep hold of the best assets. It was another great moment of individual brilliance [from Gareth Bale]. It is very difficult to lure a player of this dimension away. We got so close but our rivals will do their job in the window. We will do our job the Tottenham way — scouting properly, looking for good grabs in the summer to make it a stronger squad. We have to continue to raise the bar.” – Andre Villas-Boas.

Arsenal Get Fourth

Koscielny’s Muller-lite strike keeps Gunners in the elite (Martin Samuel, Mail) To compete 16 consecutive seasons in the Champions League is a fantastic achievement, but Wenger will know it is not a trophy. This is the summer the spending policy is supposed to change at Arsenal, the summer when the numbers add up and UEFA’s financial fair play regulations start working in their favour. Wenger, we are told, has £70million to lavish on taking his team to the next level. If he is merely happy with fourth this time next season, then someone has messed up. Maybe him. Maybe them.

For all Arsenal’s dreams and prettiness there must be nagging sense of futility (James Lawton, Independent) What you had to believe Wenger achieved with the fourth qualifying place was one last chance to re-make a team that is now only a shadow of those created by his most brilliant work… Arsenal may believe they have earned the right to permanent membership of club football’s most lucrative competition but the big question could have hardly have been more pressing on Tyneside. When are they going to enter it as anything more than a sometimes decorative but ultimately disposable asset?

Arsene Wenger delivers again despite loss of Robin van Persie (Mark Lawrenson, Mirror) Arsenal had every right to be celebrating after clinching Champions League qualification. It might not to be a trophy they crave, but the importance of sealing this lucrative finish cannot be underestimated. Every year Arsenal appear to sell their best player but Arsene Wenger continues delivering a top-four spot. For the Gunners shareholders, they will be rubbing their hands with glee. You just hope they back Wenger up with some funds so they can add some real quality next season. I always thought they would pip Tottenham.

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott curbed but Laurent Koscielny finds vital space (Michael Cox, Guardian) n the end, Arsenal’s goal originated from a set piece – and it was fitting that Laurent Koscielny scored. His return to the side after their terrible defensive performance in the 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane was crucial to their end-of-season run to fourth. In the 10 games since, Arsenal have collected eight wins, two draws and five clean sheets, while this was their third consecutive 1-0 away win. When their attacking play has faltered, their defensive resilience has saved them. This was a perfect example.

Spurs: The Rebuild

Spurs should push the boat out for Bale (Jamie Redknapp, Mail) Spurs have to keep Gareth Bale. He’s scored 21 goals this season and nine from outside the box, the highest total of long range goals in Europe’s top leagues. He deserves Champions League football but I hope he is patient and that Tottenham push the boat out for him now.

Moutinho on AVB’s list (Mike McGarth, Sun) Joao Moutinho is the first target in Andre Villas-Boas’ summer revolution at Spurs. The Porto midfielder, 26, almost joined Tottenham at the start of the season before his move collapsed. Spurs boss AVB worked with Moutinho in Portugal and wants to make him a key player. But a deal would cost at least £30million and Monaco are also considering a bid.

AVB urges summer splurge or Tottenham will suffer heartbreak again (Darren Lewis, Mirror) Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor have managed just five Premier League goals between them since the turn of the year. And AVB wants Barcelona striker David Villa and Aston Villa marksman Christian Benteke as replacements.

Man City’s 2013-14

New City boss Pellegrini linked with £20m Real defender Pepe (Mail) Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been linked with Real Madrid defender Pepe, 30, but the Spaniards want £20m… Pelligrini faces losing one of his star men with Carlos Tevez admitting that he would be interested in a move to Paris St Germain.

City chaos hinders search for sponsor as financial giants pull plug on £125m shirt deal (Nick Harris, Mail) Industry sources say City’s hierarchy decided months ago to find a major sponsor to replace Etihad on City’s shirts, although Etihad will remain a major club sponsor… It is understood one potential shirt sponsor, an international financial services firm with their headquarters in the United States, were considering a five-year £25million-a-year deal but have dropped out of negotiations ‘because of uncertainties about where City are going, medium-term’.

Juventus chasing Manchester City star Carlos Tevez (Neil McLeman, Mirror) Carlos Tevez is a summer target for Scudetto winners Juventus. The Serie A champions have the Manchester City striker and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain on a shopping list to boost a Champions League bid next season.

David Moyes’ United

Sir Alex Ferguson’s parting gift to Manchester United manager David Moyes may have been a poisoned chalice (Alan Hansen, Telegraph) With Sir Alex Ferguson now the ex-Manchester United manager, the club will now witness the dawn of a new era and sustaining success at Old Trafford will be a really hard job for David Moyes… David is a top-class manager, one of the very best, and there is no way that anybody in his position would ever dream of turning down a six-year contract to manage Manchester United. But I believe he would have been better served had he taken the job on with a different United team to the one he inherits from Ferguson… I believe City and Chelsea have stronger starting line-ups than United and, if they kick on and add to their squads this summer, they will pose a much sterner test next season and make David Moyes’s first campaign as manager a much more difficult one.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit kicks off new reality for Manchester United players (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) There is a smoothness about the United operation that Moyes will do well to maintain in his first campaign. As the club glided towards their 20th English championship this year there was nothing to challenge, nothing to moan about, nothing to doubt. Ferguson’s authority was absolute. The board were still releasing funds to strengthen the squad (Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa). With stability from top to bottom United transcended the normal laws of football, which say that any manager is only five bad results from a crisis.

Carlo In, Jose Out

Real to seal Mourinho’s Madrid exit in urgent meeting as moves are made to bring in Ancelotti (who confirms plans to leave) (Neil Ashton, Mail) Jose Mourinho’s fate as Real Madrid coach will be sealed at a directors meeting scheduled for Monday evening. Real have already made their move to make Carlo Ancelotti their next boss after the Italian asked to quit French champions PSG on Sunday… Real president Florentino Perez wants compensation for Mourinho from Chelsea in order to use the cash to release Ancelotti from his contract at the Parc des Princes.

West Ham: Summer Signings

West Ham to complete signing of Shakhtar left back Rat and remain keen on Figueroa (Mail) Romania and Shakhtar Donetsk left back Razvan Rat will have a medical at West Ham today ahead of signing a three-year deal… West Ham are still keen on Maynor Figueroa, 30, of Wigan and Newcastle’s Danny Simpson, 26, as are Hull.

West Ham prioritise signing Andy Carroll from Liverpool (Express) Sam Allardyce has confirmed that West Ham’s move to permanently sign on-loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is the club’s ‘priority’ this summer.

Sunday, May 19th, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “We’ll see. There’s a plastic pitch next weekend. I ruptured my achilles a few years ago, so it’s not great for it. Like I said, tonight was very special. I’ll be part of the team next week. Whether I play or not, who knows? Tonight was a nice way to go out – in front of my own fans, in front of a capacity crowd that were excited because we’ve won the league. The celebrations have been incredible, so it’s a nice way to walk off the pitch. ‘To go out like I did tonight couldn’t have been any more perfect. That started my emotions kicking in earlier today, when the manager called me in and said “we’ve spoken to the players, it’s the players’ idea – we want to make you captain”. It’s really special for an Englishman to be captain of PSG – especially on a night that meant so much to the club and the players. It was an amazing gesture and one I’ll always be thankful for. It (the emotion) started 20 minutes before then. The emotions started kicking in. It was hard to run, let alone kick a ball. It was an emotional night. To see the reaction of the players, of the fans, when I came off was special. Physically, I feel great. I actually felt great tonight. Physically, I think I’ve made the decision knowing that I wanted to still feel good at the end of my career and I do feel good. But I know it’s the right time.” – David Beckham.

Runner-up: “I think the enormity of the club – he will soon realise that anyways. The global brand and number of sponsors we have here, he has to fit into that. I don’t think that’s an issue, though, and the most important thing is the team. He’s got a good squad of players and he will want to add to that, I’m sure, himself. He will have his own ideas and that’s good. He will be fine. The priority is the football team. Without the football team, they would not have all the sponsorships. The team is the priority – we all know that here. There is no doubt about that.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea tell United to name their price for Wayne Rooney

Wayne Blue-ney: Chelsea tell Manchester United to name their price for Rooney (Matt Law, Sunday Mirror) Roman Abramovich is prepared to pay over £30m for the wantaway striker who is also being chased by Paris St Germain. Chelsea want Manchester United to name their price for Wayne Rooney. Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal Chelsea are refusing to be put off by United’s public insistence Rooney will not be sold. Sources close to Chelsea claim Roman Abramovich would be prepared to splash out over £30million for Rooney and match his £250,000-a-week United salary. It is believed Abramovich is determined not to be outbid by Paris ­Saint-Germain for Rooney and will blow any interest from Arsenal out of the water. New United manager David Moyes has made Rooney’s future his top ­priority and will soon speak to the 27-year-old at Old Trafford.

Rooney to miss Ferguson’s final game as United manager… to meet new boss Moyes (Rob Draper & Bob Cass, Mail on Sunday) Wayne Rooney will not travel with the Manchester United squad for Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game — but he does so with the blessing of his retiring manager. Rooney was given permission to miss the trip to West Bromwich as wife Coleen, expecting their second child, went into labour late on Saturday night. The couple already have a three-year-old son, Kai. The player’s future at Old Trafford could become clearer in the coming days when it is expected he will meet new manager David Moyes to plan a way forward. Rooney had become disillusioned after believing that he was being marginalised by Sir Alex and asked for a transfer last month, having become resigned to the thought that his prospects at United were limited. The striker is understood to be keen to start afresh under Moyes, his former manager at Everton, and is seeking reassurance about his future.

Torres on his way out of the Bridge

You’re out Torres (Rob Beasley, Sunday Sun) Chelsea are set to take a £30MILLION hit and sell Fernando Torres this summer. The Blues want rid of their record £50m buy even though he has 22 goals this term, his best season at Stamford Bridge. Torres has netted just seven times in the Premier League, the last coming against Aston Villa in December. And that is why Chelsea hope today’s match against Everton will be his final one. Overall, Torres has 34 goals in 130 appearances since signing from Liverpool in January 2011. That equals more than £2m a goal when you add his £22m pay to the £50m transfer fee.

Have City bagged Falcao?

Totally Rad: Manchester City agree record £54m transfer fee for Radamel Falcao (Dave Kidd, People) Radamel Falcao will become Manchester City’s first signing of the Manuel Pellegrini era after the Etihad club agreed a British record transfer fee for the Atletico Madrid striker, writes the Sunday People. City have met the £54million buy-out clause in the Colombian’s Atletico contract – to snatch him away from incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Falcao, has long been one of hottest properties in world football and his signing by City will be a boost for the profile of the Premier League. The deal is also a major coup for Pellegrini, with 27-year-old Falcao keen to work for the Chilean, who is expected to sign a two-year deal at City within a fortnight. Mourinho and Falcao share an agent, Jorge Mendes, and the Special One was hoping Falcao would join him at Chelsea.

Arsenal to spend big on Jovetic & Higuain

Hello kitty! Arsenal will spend BIG in the summer even if they don’t make Champions League (Matt Law, Sunday Mirror)
Arsene Wenger has been promised his biggest-ever Arsenal transfer pot – ­regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League today. Wenger will not only be able to spend big on fees, but also has the freedom to increase the Gunners’ current wage ceiling and take a gamble in the market. That means Wenger can afford top targets Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic, but may also need Champions League football to lure them to the ­Emirates.

The chase for 4th

Arsenal expect to make Champions League while Tottenham fear more pain (Dom Fifield, Observer) The buildup to the final afternoon has exposed the lay of the land when it comes to the Premier League’s only lingering conundrum. Over in Enfield the talk revolved around the legend of the lasagne and a cruel miracle in Munich, Michael Dawson shuddering as he recalled the near-misses that have cast Tottenham Hotspur outside the Champions League places in the recent past. A little further round the M25, however, and the buzzwords offered up by Arsène Wenger were “strength” and “belief”, the focus on eye-catching recent progress. Arsenal spy an opportunity in the campaign’s finale. Bitter north London rivals career into contests with under-achieving, yet secure, opponents from the north-east with only a point between them and a place in Europe’s elite at stake. Spurs, unbeaten in seven matches, can muster a Premier League high of 72 points by beating Sunderland and still find themselves fifth, a place lower than last term. If Wenger’s side win at Newcastle, a top-four place is theirs for a 16th season in succession. The Frenchman has watched his team shed only four points from nine games since they succumbed at White Hart Lane. So much for the “negative spiral of results” André Villas-Boas believed was afflicting those across the capital divide at the time.

Missing out on Champions League spot left me feeling physically sick (Harry Redknapp, Sunday Sun) Today we effectively have a North London derby being played on a pitch 280 miles long. Tottenham and Arsenal’s head-to-head for fourth place — and the prize of Champions League football next season — is going to send both managers through the mill and this evening one will be in hell. I have a feeling Spurs are going to come out smiling. They will beat Sunderland, I don’t think there’s any question of that. But, of course, if Arsenal win at Newcastle it won’t make a bit of difference. So, at White Hart Lane this afternoon, the fans and the management of Tottenham will be glued to what’s going on way up at St James’ Park. They will be tuned in on radios, mobile phones and all the wizardry available for instant updates these days. The changing fortunes will then transmit in a split-second to the players and to the Tottenham coaching staff. But I think it will be Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who will be most nervous.

Alan Pardew on Newcastle’s French players

Alan Pardew orders Newcastle United French players to speak in English (Jason Mellor, Sunday Telegraph) The manager has scrapped the translators employed by the club to help the five Frenchmen who arrived in January, and whose integration into the squad has come under scrutiny in the wake of a struggle for Premier League survival that was only sealed with a nervy 2-1 victory at Queens Park Rangers last week. Total immersion in the language is seen as the best way forward. “Most of the French boys have picked up English pretty well,” said Pardew, who has 10 French players in his squad. Pardew’s players report back for training on July 4, ahead of the start of the new season, and he said: “The initial tactic of bringing in interpreters has gone.

Gary Neville on David Beckham

Gary Neville on his best friend: Playing football is Beckham’s only driving force (Mail on Sunday) When I went to Paris last week to interview David as he announced his retirement from football, there was much to talk about and memories such as that one. But what resonated with me was that when I asked him how he would like to be remembered, he replied: ‘As a hard-working footballer.’ Those words sum it up for me. When people think of David, they often focus on things  outside of the game. But in reality he was a footballer, and a brilliant hard-working one at that. In the years since David made his Manchester United debut, football’s popularity has exploded and the money involved increased exponentially. He has ridden that wave better than anyone and has become the most recognisable individual in football. However, we should not forget his sheer level of achievement. He played 115 times for England. He had long careers at United and Real Madrid, winning the leagues, cups and Champions League trophies. He won league titles in his late thirties at LA Galaxy and Paris St-Germain. He was twice runner-up in FIFA’s World Player of the Year, finishing behind Rivaldo and Luis Figo. That award was not voted for by fans. It was voted for by managers of national teams around the world.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game

Sir Alex Ferguson wise to the historic virtues of making a clean break (Paul Wilson, Observer) There is no need to spell out the danger to Ferguson. He is familiar enough with the story, and has said on a number of occasions that he would be wary of making the same mistake. On the occasion of his 1,500th and last pre-match press conference at the training ground, Ferguson graciously acknowledged that Busby was the imagination and driving force behind the club’s almost mythical ethos, but he needed only to look out of the window to take in the newly installed water feature and the expensive landscape gardening to be reassured that United have expanded massively in just about every direction since he took over at the somewhat unprepossessing Salford facility that was The Cliff. David Moyes is walking in at the top floor of one of the most sophisticated and successful football operations in Europe and, after Everton, he is bound to notice the difference. While there are no guarantees the transition will be risk-free, Ferguson and United have put a lot of thought into finding the right man to take the club forward.

Tears flowing freely in this season of ceremonial send-offs (Jim White, Sunday Telegraph) It was not just Moyes. Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham: they have all gone to the broadcasters’ sofa, or the training ground or the international lecture circuit with the cheers ringing in their ears. Some, admittedly, enjoyed grander departures than others. Ferguson and Beckham led the national news and prompted souvenir newspaper pull-outs as they were red-carpeted off the stage; even Neville got a guard of honour. And whatever his insistence that he does not do tears, there is unlikely to be a dry eye in Anfield when Carragher is serenaded off this afternoon. Scholes’s departure, on the other hand, was more self-effacing. All he got was an early substitution, albeit one that sparked a lengthy ovation for the English game’s finest talent in a generation. Football has always loved an anniversary, a staging post, a point in history to rally around. It allows the fans to wallow in their favourite condition: nostalgia. And this season’s departures have felt like something important.

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I probably knew when Messi was running past me in the home game, but I’m privileged to have won the trophies I have won. Over the years, when I’ve seen players retire, when you ask them about it, they always say you’ll know when you’re ready and I think I know when I’m ready. I think I’m ready. Obviously it’s a difficult decision because I still feel that I can play at the top level and still have done for the last six months. But I always secretly said to myself that I want to go out at the top. If you’d have said to me eight months ago I’d be playing in the French league — winning the French Cup, winning the league and finishing like this — I would have probably said “absolutely no chance” but I was given the opportunity to come to PSG and I just feel now is the right time.” – David Beckham.

Runner-up: “Our league consistency hasn’t been good enough these last two years. That’s something we must address this summer. City and United have raised the bar and we need to get back to that battering ram mentality we had before, winning games 1-0 even when we’re not at our best. We need to be able to close ranks and grind out results again as too many times in recent years we’ve had a bad month when everything has dropped away. When we won the title under Jose we were criticised for the fact we were so dogged but we certainly need to get some of that mentality back in our game. It doesn’t mean taking away the beautiful football entirely because we have to cater for the creative players we have and get them into our team. But there has to be a happy medium because challenging for the league again next season is a huge priority and if Jose does come back it will be a huge lift for this club. He’s the greatest manager in Chelsea’s history and changed the whole mentality of the place to turn us into a winning club. The fans idolise him and those players who haven’t worked with him before will soon understand that he’ll come in and give them the extra edge that will turn us back into a consistent force.” – Frank Lampard.

David Beckham tributes

Not bad for a clothes horse! Never mind the brand, Beckham was all about hard work and dedication (Martin Samuel, Daily Mail)
For a man who was only picked to sell shirts, it turned out quite a career. The only English footballer to win the league in four countries; England’s most capped outfield player; 59 of his 115 international appearances came as captain; more competitive starts than any England player. Sir Alex Ferguson rated him. So did Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti. He made the most of what he had; but anyone who says what he had was ordinary doesn’t know a player. David Beckham wasn’t Cristiano Ronaldo or Zinedine Zidane. It could even be argued that with the announcement made by Paul Scholes on Sunday, he wasn’t even the greatest Manchester United player to retire this week. But don’t let it be said that he wasn’t special. And not special in our modern media sense, either, a special brand, or a celebrity special. Beckham was special as a footballer.

Lionheart: Beckham’s refusal to admit his England days were over was not vanity or self-delusion, it was respect (Oliver Holt, Daily Mirror) Around 18 months ago, David Beckham sat in one of the empty stands at the Home Depot Center. It was a balmy autumn day in Los Angeles and Beckham, who will retire as a player later this month, looked a picture of contentment as he talked. Once, perhaps, he had been a divisive figure, someone who had been accused of caring more about style than substance. Some said he had been indulged because of his commercial worth – he had been bought to sell shirts. Critics saw him as a symbol of a game chasing the dollar. They overlooked the fact he was picked for England by seven different managers. That had all changed by the time he sat in the late morning sun that day in Carson, California. By late in his career, everybody loved Beckham.

David Beckham exits as gracefully as one of his arcing crosses (Daniel Taylor, Guardian) Over the coming days it is fair to say we should expect to see quite a few replays of the free-kick David Beckham famously speared into the net against Greece and that slightly unusual feeling – growing old, possibly – when so many people who have been a part of our football lives are politely showing themselves to the door. Never before can there have been a time in football when retirement has been so de rigeur among the A-listers. Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher have already called time on their own careers. Michael Owen’s announcement came in March and, in case you have not heard about it, a certain someone at Manchester United takes charge of his last match on Sunday. It makes you wonder who might be next. It also means there are only two players, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand, from that World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford in October 2001 who will be going in for the daily grind of training when pre-season starts in July. For Beckham, this must be the first time in his life when he has been following the trend rather than setting it.

David Beckham retires: the glory days are long gone but they must never be allowed to be forgotten (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph) David Beckham was a good footballer, very good at times, but he will not be remembered as a great footballer.
He was a midfielder of considerable strengths, a taker of sublime free-kicks, a global brand, a nice guy, a genuine role model, a petulant peacock at times but always a tireless worker for his teams. Beckham’s fame stretched beyond his footballing talent, a reflection of his love of the limelight but also of the cult of the personality in modern society. He was adored even by those with little affinity to football. It was the glamour, the lifestyle, the clothes, the premieres, the endorsements, the bling, the spreads in Vogue and a marriage that Hello! breathlessly hailed as “a match made in A-list heaven” that appealed to many. He wowed Japan, triggering so much frantic attention at the 2002 World Cup that Football Association security feared an impassioned local falling under the wheels of the England bus such was the frenzy to get close to “Beck-Ham, Beck-Ham”. When a Japanese frigate was stationed off England’s coastal training centre, headlines screamed “Nuclear Gun-boat Protects Becks”.

Manchester United players happy with Moyes

Manchester United players happy with David Moyes appointment (Jamie Jackson, Guardian) Manchester United’s players have welcomed the appointment of David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor. The majority are said to be happy he was chosen over José Mourinho, who they see as having a divisive nature, and there is also a sense that Moyes’s tenure at Everton where he has managed for 11 years better fits the model of managerial longevity preferred by United. Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach and former Chelsea manager, was considered the favourite to succeed Ferguson when he stepped down. But instead Ferguson recommended his fellow Scot, a decision that has gone down well with United’s squad.

Arsenal in for Rooney

Arsenal on red alert for Rooney with Wenger bolstered by £70m transfer kitty… but will Wayne’s wages scupper the move? (Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail) Arsenal have discussed a move for unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Less than 12 months after selling Robin van Persie to this season’s Premier League champions, the Gunners are plotting an equally dramatic move for his troubled team-mate. Sportsmail can reveal the club’s backroom team first raised the possibility of a move for the England striker at a scouting meeting in March, having been alerted to Rooney’s problems at Old Trafford. The Gunners are serious about trying to land Rooney this summer but know putting together a financial package to land him is the major obstacle to a deal. Lukas Podolski, Arsenal’s top earner, is on just over £100,000 a week compared to Rooney’s £250,000.

Bale set for new Spurs deal

‘Bale’s staying!’ Tottenham confident Gareth will agree £170k-a-week deal and snub Real Madrid and Man United (Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror) Tottenham are confident Gareth Bale will commit his future to the club next month – by signing a stunning new deal that will pay him £170,000-a-week. Bale, the £60million-rated new triple Player of the Year, remains in the sights of Real Madrid, while new Manchester United boss David Moyes is also tipped to enter the bidding this summer. But Bale, already under contract at the White Hart Lane club until 2016, is expected to add another year to that deal AND have his wages almost doubled by chairman Daniel Levy. Spurs’ hopes of competing in the Champions League next season will be decided on Sunday in the campaign’s final set of matches. They will finish in the top four if they beat visitors Sunderland and Arsenal fail to take all three points at Newcastle. Bale’s representatives are set to sit down with the club early next month, but envisage few problems.

Praising Rafa Benitez

Rafael Benítez finally earns grudging respect of Chelsea fans (Dom Fifield, Guardian) In the end it was as if exhaustion enveloped them all. Chelsea’s victorious players, the majority suited and booted but all with winners’ medals draped around their necks, piled on to Titan Airways flight ZT7412 from Schiphol and rather slumped into their seats, basking in the afterglow of success. Petr Cech raised a plastic thimble of a glass of Champagne. Frank Lampard and John Terry, just inside the door, each enjoyed a bottle of beer. All sported weary smiles as the hefty Europa League trophy was passed, row by row, down the plane. The contrast with Munich last May was stark, not least with the players travelling back immediately after their late win at the Amsterdam ArenA with a final league game still ahead, rather than enjoying an overnight celebration at their hotel before the victorious trip home. The mood reflected many things: relief that a slog of a season had finally yielded silverware; satisfaction at a second successive European title; fatigue as a campaign that has stretched to 68 fixtures is nearing a conclusion.

Manchester City chase Jesus Navas

Cit use Sat Nav (Martin Blackburn, Sun) Manchester City are plotting another raid on Spain to land Seville winger Jesus Navas. The Sky Blues hope to confirm Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini as their new boss in the next couple of weeks. And he may bring midfielder Isco with him.

Steve Harper on retirement

Harper’s Toon hell (Ian Gordon, Sun) Steve Harper has revealed how he was plunged into depression during his Newcastle United career. The veteran keeper, 38, is retiring after two decades with the Toon. But he admits spending so many years as No 2 to Shay Given took too much toll on his mental health. Harper plays his final game against Arsenal at St James’ Park on Sunday. He said: “We had a year or two with Shay when we were neck and neck — and then he kicked on and for three or four years I played about six matches. “Those were wilderness years. Some good people at the club helped me through it, but there were some dark times. “I probably was a bit depressed in that time.

Brighton suspend Poyet

Brighton & Hove Albion suspend manager Gus Poyet for an alleged breach of contract (John Percy, Daily Telegraph) Gus Poyet has been suspended by Brighton and Hove Albion and is facing legal action as his likely departure from the Amex Stadium becomes ever more acrimonious.  The Brighton manager was informed yesterday that he must stay away from the Npower Championship club as they conduct an internal investigation into an alleged breach of contract, with the club believed to be examining his outspoken comments after losing the play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace. The Uruguayan said that he was considering his future after the home defeat in the second leg on Monday and he told his players that he could offer no ­guarantee as to whether he would stay on next season but Brighton’s board have taken the extraordinary step of suspending him immediately.

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: ”I’m proud for all of them. I could see everyone was happy, so I was happy too. This was a reward for how hard we’ve been working all season. But I think it’s sad to think we are now ‘in success’ when we have been doing our jobs for six or seven months. It would have changed nothing if we’d won or lost this final in terms of what we have been trying to do. The job we did was hard work on the training ground, doing our jobs as professionals and, in the end, we have a trophy. We have scored 145 goals this season, a record in the history of the club, and not too many conceded. The players are growing, improving. If you have to win before people realise the job you are doing … But we did win, so hopefully people will say: ‘Yes, it’s not bad.’ If you analyze everything, we won the Europa League with just one striker available for every single game. We managed players with yellow cards, we did the same in the league, and if you put everything together you will realise how difficult it was with a That squad was not too big. We had 18 players today, with [Nathan] Ake on the bench.” – Rafa Benitez.

Runner-up: ”It’s a great feeling. This team deserved this, because we have had a very difficult season and a lot of games.” – Branislav Ivanovic.

Chelsea: Europa League Champions

Ivanovic rises high in injury time to seal dramatic Europa League success for Benitez’s Blues (Martin Samuel, Mail) So here we are again. Not quite as dramatic as Munich, maybe, but no less impressive for that. Not many teams can win the big matches in adversity like this. There is a special spirit within this team and it is being handed down, like folklore. Chelsea find a way to win. Chelsea refuse to lie down. Imagine what they would be like in a boxing ring… The mockers say Chelsea have no history, but that is a lie. Chelsea have some damn fine history and more was made on Wednesday night.

Terry strip show as Benitez’s battlers pull off a miracle (Steven Howard, Sun) They did it — but don’t ask anyone how. Chelsea fans won’t give a stuff anyway. All that matters is that yet another piece of silverware has ended up at Stamford Bridge and the boys had a couple of bloody good nights out in Amsterdam. A pat on the back for Rafa then, chaps? I don’t think so.

Why can’t we see Torres perform like that every week? (Jamie Redknapp, Mail) Fernando Torres’ goal was like a blast from the past. The strength he showed to get past Luisao was something we saw him do at Liverpool so many times. But it’s the first time I’ve seen him do that in a Chelsea shirt. Last night was the best I’ve seen him play for Chelsea. He worked hard, was aggressive and got his reward. That should be a given in every game, but it’s not always been the case.

Branislav Ivanovic wins Europa League Final with superb stoppage-time header (Martin Lipton, Mirror) A machine. A winning machine. An incredible, infeasible machine. The model of instability – everything a team, a club, is not supposed to be in the modern era. But resilient, remarkable, remorseless. A side that never knows when it is second best, that refuses to submit. A club that changes manager in panic moves in successive seasons, yet ends both campaigns with a European trophy. That turns every month, every week, into a soap opera, essential viewing, with fans who pay homage to one manager while finding reasons to condemn the incumbent. Yet one that wins, wins, and wins again. Finds a way to conquer. A way to claim silverware.

Frank’s staying! Chelsea veteran to sign new deal to remain at the Bridge… ahead of his reunion with old boss Mourinho (David Kent, Mail) Frank Lampard will sign a new one-year deal with Chelsea, ending speculation that the midfielder will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Rafa Benitez: Interim Manager

Rafa Benitez leaves perfect gift for Jose Mourinho (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) So there he was at the end with his trophy, his grin, his vindication. The Europa League pot is not the most glamorous prize in elite-club football but it shone for Rafa Benítez after a season of mockery and vilification at Chelsea.

Rafa deserves respect (Sachin Nakrani, Guardian) Chelsea Supporters May never like Rafael Benítez but after this triumph They Should at Least Respect HIM. As should fans from across England, many of whom formed a negative opinion of the Spaniard based on his time at Liverpool. He was deemed to be a money-wasting, self-obsessed failure. Yet on his return to the Premier League frontline Benítez has demonstrated admirable restraint in the face of hostility from the Stamford Bridge stands and, as well as all but securing Champions League football for Chelsea, has delivered the club the fifth European title in its history. Benítez’s tenure has not been perfect – as Chelsea’s failures in the Capital One Cup and World Club Championship demonstrate – but he will walk away on Sunday with his reputation enhanced.

All smiles for Benitez as much-maligned manager restores his reputation by rescuing Chelsea’s season (Neil Ashton, Mail) Even the Chelsea fans, some so vicious that they still sing ‘**** off Benitez we don’t want you here’, must have an ounce of respect for him now. They will never take to him, but at least he could celebrate in front of them without fear of another toxic attack on his name.

Chelsea’s Europa League win means Rafa Benitez bows out with respect he deserves (Ollie Holt, Mirror) Rafa Benitez and Chelsea was supposed to be the marriage made in hell, but it ended here in Amsterdam in a kind of forgiveness… But even on a night like this, there were still plenty of Chelsea supporters keen to fast-forward to a time when Benitez is no longer part of the club.

City Want Isco

Man City have Isco fever (Martin Blackburn, Sun) Manchester City are closing in on a double swoop on Malaga as they begin life after Roberto Mancini. The Spanish club have confirmed their coach Manuel Pellegrini will be free to leave in the summer — paving the way for him to move to the Etihad. But City are also making progress in their move for young midfield ace Isco — who has a £27million release clause in his contract at La Roseleda.

City move for Spain star Isco as incoming Pellegrini plans to bring Malaga’s key man to Manchester (Chris Wheeler, Mail) Manchester City have been given the green light by Malaga to appoint Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager and are now planning to secure the Spanish club’s star player, Isco, as well.

Manuel Pellegrini targets five for Manchester City (Paul Brown, Star) Pellegrini is also interested in Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria, plus Seville stars Jesus Navas and Geoffrey Kondogbia. Borussia Dortmund’s £32m-rated winger Marco Reus – who has helped his side reach the Champions League final this season – is also a target.

Tottenham Step Up Striker Search

Tottenham move for £5m Croatia U21 striker Rebic… and will move for Villa, Damiao or Benteke if Adebayor is sold (Richard Sharp, Mail) Tottenham have made a £5million offer for RNK Split striker Ante Rebic. The 19-year-old Croatia U21 international has attracted interest from Parma also but Tottenham are favourites with the player keen to come to England… Spurs are hoping to bring in another two strikers this summer with Barcelona’s David Villa, Internacional’s Leandro Damiao and Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke among their targets. Their spending, however, may depend on finding a suitable buyer for Emmanuel Adebayor. They also remain keen on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy but have yet to make a bid for the young Republic of Ireland international.

Replacing Carra

Liverpool set to sign £3.5m Ilori from Lisbon to replace retiring legend Carragher (Lee Bryan, Mail) Liverpool are closing in on a £3.5million deal for Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori… Valencia have also made enquiries but Liverpool hope their strong relationship with the Portuguese will help close the deal quickly.

Martinez To Malaga?

Malaga target Roberto Martinez as new boss following Wigan’s relegation (John Cross, Mirror) Roberto Martinez is on Malaga’s shortlist to replace Manuel Pellegrini… Paul Scharner will return to Hamburg following the end of his loan spell, while on-loan goalkeeper Joel Robles will go back to Atletico Madrid. Reserve striker Angelo Henriquez will also rejoin parent club Manchester United. Antolin Alcaraz, Maynor Figueroa, Franco Di Santo and Ronnie Stam and striker Franco Di Santo – all key players this season - are all out of contract, and the Latics have not agreed new deals with any of them.

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Quote of the day:  “It is not one of those moments to be too sad – it is the opposite. To have eight years at this level is incredible. We have beaten every top club and financially we are in a strong position. As a Wigan fan, it is a time to be proud of what we have achieved. The FA Cup is an achievement we will never lose as a club. It is our first silverware, but it is a real shame it happens in the same season as relegation. You don’t normally get teams good enough to win the cup going down – that is why it is difficult to take. When you walk into the dressing room after this match, it is heartbreaking. But we haven’t been good enough in the defensive area and that is why we have been relegated.” – Wigan manager Roberto Martinez

Runner-up: “In a way, we can always say we’d have liked to have had more stability, but we always seem to get a trophy. Our fans may say, ‘Yes, we’d like to see more stability, but we’d rather have the cups’. It’s very hard to choose. The ideal situation is the Manchester United scenario where you have the same manager and you win a large number of trophies. That is the ideal situation. But we seem to prove all these things wrong.” – Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech

Europa League Final: Chelsea v Benfica

Lampard: Cup win can define a troubled season (Daniel Taylor, The Guardian) The Europa League might seem like a downgrade on the trophy they won in Munich a year ago but it does represents a chance to end a chaotic season on a high and, even if it is only for 10 days, there is the opportunity to become the first team to hold both of Uefa’s biggest club prizes simultaneously.

Chelsea team Jose built yet to lose the winning habit (Sam Wallace, The Independent) Decadent? Wasteful? Profligate? Chelsea have been all of those things at times but, amid the sky-high compensation deals for sacked managers and the market-busting wages, they have undoubtedly built teams which are more than just a bunch of overpaid mercenaries. They have recovered from the sacking of a manager, or a dressing-room meltdown, too many times to be written off as a team with no soul.

FA Cup Champions Wigan Relegated 

Wigan’s belief fails to do the job – but there was still pride (Sachin Nakrani, The Guardian) Relegation has, in truth, seemed inevitable ever since their pre-Wembley capitulation against Swansea, and Roberto Martínez’s men arrived at a north London arena for the second time in four days, but this time requiring a victory to stand any realistic chance of surviving. They were defeated, however, and now head into Sunday’s match against Aston Villa, which had the potential to be a blockbuster of a last-day relegation battle, as unwanted history makers: the first FA Cup winners to lose their top-flight status in the same season.

Wigan Athletic’s spell on English football finally broken (Ben Rumsby, The Telegraph) Eight years of punching above their weight on and off the field, culminating in Saturday’s fairytale FA Cup triumph, finally caught up with the team Dave Whelan built on Tuesday night. And while few will mourn their relegation, the top flight lost something, something not even Cardiff, Hull, Watford or Crystal Palace can replace.

Bayern Nip Rooney Bid in the Bud

Bayern Munich: Wayne Rooney is of no interest to us (Barney Ronay, The Guardian) Whether there ever was any contact from Rooney’s side is also open to question. The suggestion is that his representatives may simply have made known his general availability to Europe’s top clubs. But it is still another avenue closed down among a shrinking roster of clubs with the fiscal muscle, let alone the willingness, to take on Rooney’s £250,000-a-week salary and £40m valuation: silly money, by any sensible measure, for a player who was dropped for United’s biggest game of the season against Real Madrid.

Rio Retires From Three Lions

Rio Ferdinand retires from international football (Nick Pearce, The Telegraph)

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I don’t think the other weekend results changed anything, other than possibly simplifying the situation. We know only two wins will be good enough. But we expected that, because in these situations you cannot rely on other teams to do you any favours. Yes, it would have been nice if there were more teams we could catch. But it is still in our hands. If we get all six points we are guaranteed to stay up and that is a great motivation. We go into every season knowing how difficult it will be to stay up. We were in the same position two seasons ago and got the six points we needed. Mentally we are in a good place after beating one of the top teams in Europe. But it’s true everything suggests we don’t have enough time to recover and go to the Emirates to get the points. But we’ve done it before and have the vision of our 1-0 win at the Emirates last year fixed in our minds. We’re excited about trying to do our own double!” – Roberto Martinez.

Roberto Mancini sacked

Mancini sacked! A year after winning the title City fire Italian boss with £7m pay-off… but Barca emerge as rivals for Pellegrini (Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail) Roberto Mancini’s reign as Manchester City manager was ended in  brutal fashion last night as he was labelled a failure and sacked a year to the day after he won the Barclays Premier League title. The Italian, who is expected to net a £7million pay-off, was told he was no longer wanted just hours after taking training for City’s match at Reading tonight. City, whose statement bizarrely addressed the need for the club to develop a ‘holistic approach’, have yet to seal the finer points of a deal for Malaga’s Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini. Mancini’s assistant Brian Kidd has been put in charge for the last two games of the season.

You failure: Manchester City sacked Roberto Mancini because he didn’t achieve their targets (David McDonell, Daily Mirror) Roberto Mancini has been sacked and branded a failure by Manchester City – a year to the day after he led them to Premier League glory. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak confirmed Mancini had been dismissed because he hadn’t achieve the targets demanded of him this season. The Italian had been told to retain the Premier League title and make it to the latter stages of the Champions League, but did not manage either one. Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is poised to succeed Mancini, whose assistant boss Brian Kidd takes charge for City’s final two games of the season. Mancini’s three-and-a-half year reign finally came to an end at 10:30pm on Monday night, just over 48 hours after City’s abject FA Cup Final defeat to Wigan  – but he was on his way even before the Wembley debacle.

Roberto Mancini will pay ultimate price for failing to build on Manchester City’s title success (Alan Hansen, Daily Telegraph) Roberto Mancini had a golden opportunity to blow Manchester United out of the water and dominate the Premier League for years and years – but has not done it, and that is why he will be out of a job this week. After winning the league last year it was all there for Mancini to take Manchester City to the next level but he had his chance and, sadly, his dismissal was inevitable when United regained the title. I am a big fan of giving managers a chance and have never advocated sackings but if you are pumping that sort of money into a club, as City have done over the years, you should undoubtedly be going forward. Mancini could have taken it on and on but the way big clubs are run now, if you do not do it the paymasters will not take any prisoners, regardless of what you have achieved in the past.

What will Manuel Pellegrini bring to City?

What Manuel Pellegrini would bring to Manchester City (Michael Cox, Guardian) Manuel Pellegrini is not a system-based manager who sticks to a rigid formation – he’s flexible with his shape, building a side that suits his best attacking talents. At Villarreal he moved between a fluid 4-4-2 and a more dangerous 4-3-1-2 that allowed Juan Román Riquelme to play in his favoured role behind the strikers; at Real Madrid it was either a midfield diamond or a 4-2-3-1; at Málaga his favoured 4-2-3-1 has occasionally given way to more of a 4-4-2. The task at Manchester City is supposedly to build a side in a 4-3-3 in line with the wishes of the sporting director, Txiki Begiristain. Pellegrini has limited experience with that formation, but his flexibility suggests it would not be a problem from his point of view. Instead, the issue would be with the squad, as Roberto Mancini has built a side based around packing the centre of the pitch – the Italian has always harboured a distrust of wingers, and City’s narrowness was obvious in the 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Wigan on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini must shed scars of Real Madrid failure if he is to succeed at Manchester City (Pete Jenson, Daily Telegraph)  Pellegrini said on Sunday: “I deny here and now being the new coach of Manchester City, I haven’t signed any agreement with anybody. I’ve been fortunate enough, and very proud, that every year the big clubs have shown an interest in me. “I have an agreement with Malaga not to talk to anyone and nothing has been agreed with any other club. I hope in the coming weeks that things will become a little clearer what is going to be the future here at this club.” That picture should become clearer in days rather than weeks.

Manchester City are making the right move replacing Roberto Mancini with Manuel Pellegrini (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph) Mancini has been fortunate that two of the players he has treated unfairly, Joe Hart through nit-picking word and Joleon Lescott through team-picking deed, are too professional to make a public fuss. They accepted their manager’s comments and decisions and stayed focused. Of Pellegrini’s assorted strengths is an ability to unite a squad, to communicate. City fans should thank Mancini for the memories and trophies and then give Pellegrini a chance.

The Moyes-Rooney showdown

‘World’s best’ Rooney heads for showdown with new boss as Moyes says he’s matured since dealing with Gazza (Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail) Wayne Rooney is expected to meet David Moyes for talks over his future as early as next week — and last night Manchester United’s new manager described the striker as ‘one of the best players in the world’. Rooney’s Old Trafford career is up in the air after he told Sir Alex Ferguson two weeks ago that he would like to leave Old Trafford. Ferguson did not even include Rooney in his squad for Sunday’s victory over Swansea and there had been no thaw in relations yesterday judging by the body language at the open-top bus parade to celebrate United’s championship success.

David Moyes hints ‘world-class’ Wayne Rooney has Manchester United future (Jamie Jackson, Guardian) David Moyes gave the first indication on Monday night that he may like to keep Wayne Rooney at Manchester United when he described the striker as “one of the best players in the world”. Moyes, addressing the subject for the first time since he agreed to take over as manager at Old Trafford, is expected to meet Rooney next week for discussions that may lead to the England international staying at the club. Rooney, who was again booed by some fans during Monday’s trophy parade, has been locked in a stalemate with United since, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, he asked for a transfer last month.

David Moyes offers unsettled striker Wayne Rooney way back at Manchester United following transfer request (Daily Telegraph) New Manchester United manager David Moyes has extended the olive branch to unsettled striker Wayne Rooney by lavishing praise on his former Everton player, describing him as “an exceptional talent” and “the last of the classic street footballers”.
The England international handed in a transfer request earlier this month over what appeared to be a deteriorating relationship with outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But since Ferguson made the surprise decision last week to stand down from his post when the season ends next Sunday, Rooney is now said to be open-minded about staying at the club. On Monday the indications were that Moyes is ready to talk him around. Moyes is likely to meet Rooney at some stage next week in order to clarify the player’s position and that of the club.

Manchester United target Phil Jagielka

Jagielka is a £10m target for Man Utd (Andre Dillon, Sun) Phil Jagielka is a £10million target for new Manchester United boss David Moyes. The England centre-half is the THIRD Everton player on Moyes’ wishlist, along with Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines. Moyes, who will leave Everton for Old Trafford at the end of the season, signed Jagielka for £4m from Sheffield United six years ago. An Everton insider said: “David loves Jags from top to bottom. He describes him as ‘absolute class’.

Wilshere set for another operation

Pins and needles: Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere needs new ankle operation and may not play again until next season (John Cross, Daily Mirror) Arsene Wenger has confirmed Jack Wilshere needs ANOTHER operation at the end of the season. Arsenal playmaker Wilshere has been taking pain-killers to help him get through games and Wenger will only use him in the final two games if it is really necessary, even as the Gunners battle arch-rivals Tottenham for a Champions League place. Wilshere is likely to only be on the bench against Wigan on Tuesday night, and is set to miss England’s end-of-season friendlies against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley and Brazil. That will be a major blow for England boss Roy Hodgson, who names his squad on Thursday and wanted Wilshere to be involved. Wilshere will go under the knife to remove a metal pin used to provide support to his right foot after a stress-fracture injury kept him out for 17 months and threatened his career.

Arsenal bag La Liga bonus

It’s Ars£n£ Wonga (Charlie Wyett, Sun) Arsenal have pocketed a £3million-plus bonus for Barcelona winning the Spanish title and Hull getting promoted. And tonight, Arsene Wenger’s side bid to take a massive step towards another season of Champions League riches by relegating Wigan. Barca will pay an extra £3m as part of the deals which took Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song to the Nou Camp in 2011 and 2012. Promotion to the Premier League will see Hull shell out £250,000 due to a clause in a deal that took Jay Simpson to the KC Stadium in 2010. And reaching the Champions League again will add at least another £10m to the coffers — with even more for making the knockout stages.

PSG reject Real Madrid bid for Carlo Ancelotti

PSG reject approach from Real Madrid for Carlo Ancelotti (Reuters) Paris Saint-Germain have rejected an approach from Real Madrid for their coach Carlo Ancelotti, the club president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, said on Monday. “They [Madrid] came and I discussed it with them,” Khelaifi said. “He’s got a contract with us for one more year … for me, he’s here next year. He’s a fantastic guy and I’m sure he’ll respect his contract.” Ancelotti refused to confirm he would stay at PSG on Sunday after they secured their first Ligue 1 title since 1994. “We are going to talk with the club,” said the Italian, who joined the team in December 2011.

Borussia Dortmund want Benteke

Borussia-bound Benteke? Dortmund line up Villa striker as Lewandowski replacement (Simon Jones, Mail on Sunday) Christian Benteke has emerged as Borussia Dortmund’s top target to replace Robert Lewandowski, in a shock development that will cast a shadow over Aston Villa’s Barclays Premier League survival bid. Sportsmail can reveal that Dortmund’s chief transfer negotiator made a personal check on Benteke against Chelsea and returned to Germany convinced the 22-year old has what it takes to lead their attack next season. Benteke was sent off in Chelsea’s 2-1 win, but Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc was more interested in the way he gave Villa an early lead.

Frank Lampard set to start v Benfica

Up for the cup: Chelsea injuries mean Frank Lampard is to start Europa League Final after all (Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror) Chelsea hero Frank Lampard is set for a Europa League Final reprieve. Less than a week after the Blues’ manager Rafa Benitez hinted he was planning to leave both Lampard and fellow icon John Terry out of the side to play Benfica in Amsterdam, the Spaniard has been forced into a change of heart. Benitez is set to confirm that neither Eden Hazard nor Terry will be fit to take on the Portuguese giants after picking up injuries in Saturday’s win at Aston Villa. With John Obi Mikel still not fit enough to start after missing the last six games, Lampard is now poised to lead the Blues into battle from the heart of the midfield. Benitez is concerned over the form of Gary Cahill and is understood to be planning to drop David Luiz back into the centre of the defence alongside Branislav Ivanovic. That will leave a huge hole in the centre of the pitch, and while playing Ramires on the right of the trio behind striker Fernando Torres has been considered, the Brazilian – sent off at Villa – has been pencilled in to his more normal role.