Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that he would relish a return to management in England with the big clubs in England. The Italian suggested that Wenger is up against it Arsenal, while claiming that with Capello set to be replaced by an Englishmen for the national team there is likely to be a vacancy to fill at the end of the season (Tottenham job anyone?)
Elsewhere in the news today Everton pledge action on unruly fans; Maiga wants Newcastle move, while Chelsea toy with Stadium move.
Capello wants a win in Montenegro
Ancelotti wants management role in England
Chelsea toying with Stadium move
Revenge on Scholes’ mind
Everton pledge action on unruly fans
Wenger gives up on title ambitions
Niall Quinn moves roles at Sunderland
Maiga wants Newcastle move
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Spain striker Fernando Torres has been told by international manager Vicente Del Bosque that unless he starts scoring for Chelsea, he will not feature for the world champions.
El Nino was not even named on the bench for the Spaniards 6-0 win over Liechtenstein on Tuesday, with the European side having an embarrassment of riches in attack, and was forced to watch the game from the stands.
Del Bosque has explained his selection process, and urged Torres to start finding the net for his club if he wants to feature in Euro 2012.
“Torres is an important player, but those who stand out with their clubs will get the call to the national team, not the other way around,” the former Real Madrid boss told the Spanish press.
Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo started the match on Tuesday, scoring two goals, and reveals that Torres congratulated him on this feat.
“He came down to the locker room after the game and congratulated me. I’m not going to get into whether he was upset or not. I would understand it if he were, because it is not pleasant to come and then not play a minute. But he is still a great team-mate and one of the national team’s captains,” the forward stated.
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Torres has had an ill-fated time at Stamford Bridge following his £50million move from Liverpool in January, and will find the competition for first team places even more intense this season with the summer additions of Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea look set to beat rivals Arsenal and Tottenham in the race for Bolton defender Gary Cahill when the transfer window opens in January the Metro understands.
Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas is keen to strengthen his back line and it’s now being reported that the Blues have an agreement in place to sign Cahill.
The 25-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal and Tottenham in the summer with both clubs failing with late bids for the player who’s form over the last 18 months has seen him become a regular in the England setup.
Valued at around £15 million by the Trotters boss Owen Coyle described the offers from North London as ‘derisory’ but with Cahill’s contract expiring at the end of the season his price will be significantly reduced come January.
It’s likely the centre back will look to leave the Reebok Stadium at the start of next year with Bolton currently rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.
With Cahill looking to maintain his place in the England squad a move to Chelsea will appeal to him as they can offer Champions League football as well as a chance to challenge for the league.
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The Premier League has a full complement of fixtures again this weekend as eight clubs return to action. As the season comes ever closer to its climax, it’s time to pick out the players who in fine form going into this weekend’s round of games.
Captaincy Debate
Having been harangued by many earlier in the season, Theo Walcott’s recent surge has silenced his doubters. His acceleration can prove too much for defenders at times as shown by the three goals and one assist he has in his last five games. This weekend, Walcott comes up against Chelsea, a team the Gunners beat 5-3 earlier in the season. Under Roberto Di Matteo, fortunes have been revived at Stamford Bridge. It’ll be interesting to see then whether Walcott can break down the Blues defence which held firm against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Walcott was part of the Arsenal side to beat Manchester City just under two weeks ago. Since then, Roberto Mancini’s men have produced two terrific performances against West Brom and Norwich, scoring ten goals in the process. Sergio Aguero played a part in six of those, netting four and laying on two. If City could have handpicked their opponents for this weekend, they would have probably chosen Wolves who have been dismal. Don’t be too surprised if Aguero is on the score sheet again this weekend at Molineux
The only side not to score at Wolves this season are Fulham but attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey has helped to push the Cottagers into the top half recently. The American is the top scoring midfielder in the Premier League with 16 goals. A quarter of those have come in his last three games, along with an assist for good measure. Dempsey plays Wigan Athletic on Saturday and the Latics will be confident after their magnificent result at the Emirates on Monday. Whilst Fulham’s No.23 won’t have an easy time against Wigan though, he remains likely to make a mark at Craven Cottage.
London has been an unhappy hunting ground for Newcastle this season, with the Toon taking only a point from their four games in the capital. Perhaps it’s no coincidence though as one man was absent from all those matches – Papiss Demba Cissé. Newcastle’s January signing is the Premier League’s form player with eight goals in his last five games. What’s more he became the second quickest man to reach ten goals in Premier League history after netting against Bolton. Stoke are the visitors to Tyneside on Saturday and the Potters have been limp on the road of late. They’ll be very wary of Cissé who will no doubt be a danger throughout.
The Captain: Papiss Demba Cissé – Can anyone stop the sharpest Senegalese shooter? (Sorry Demba Ba…)
The Vice Captain: Sergio Aguero – Combining Wolves shaky defence with the deadly finishing of Aguero means the Argentinian is a great option to have in your team this weekend.
For more on the Premier League, follow @archiert1 on Twitter
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Chelsea have boasted some great British talent since they were founded in 1905 even though they are not always recognised for it, especially during the 1990s when the club had many foreign players treading the turf at Stamford Bridge.
In this article I will highlight who I think is Chelsea’s greatest British XI of all time and I have decided to opt for a 4-3-3 formation:
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Goalkeeper: Peter Bonetti
Bonetti, nicknamed ‘The Cat’ because of his quick reflexes, agility and grace is Chelsea’s second highest appearance maker of all time playing 729 times for the club. The former England goalkeeper will be best remembered by Chelsea fans for his part in the FA Cup run in 1970 which saw the Blues win England’s most prestigious domestic cup for the first time against Leeds United. He also played between the sticks when the Stamford Bridge club beat Real Madrid, Europe’s most decorated club, in the 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup after a replay at the Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens.
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Left Back: Eddie McCreadie
The Scot became a crucial part of the Chelsea defence for over a decade at the club and was blessed with great timing and pace. One of his most memorable moments would have been his goal in the 1965 League Cup final when he dribbled 80 yards and finished by slotting the ball past Leicester City’s Gordon Banks, who was probably the best goalkeeper in the world at the time. His goal proved vital as it proved to be the winner after the two legs were played out. McCreadie was also part of the 1970 FA Cup winning side and later managed Chelsea after his retirement.
Centre Back: John Terry
The former England skipper currently wears the armband for the Blues and his their most successful captain ever after lifting three Premier League titles, three FA Cups as captain (four in total), twice winner of the league cup and has also won the FA Community Shield on two occasions. Affectionately known as ‘JT’ he first moved to Stamford Bridge at the age of 14 and is that last major talent that has come through the Blues’ ranks to make it in the first XI. Terry represents the final bastion of the old English centre-half and often fearlessly puts his head where most wouldn’t dare, but that’s his game and the reason why there is a banner draped over a hoarding at the Matthew Harding stand which reads ‘JT. Captain. Leader. Legend.’
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Centre Back: Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris
Chelsea’s record appearance maker with 795 games certainly lived up to his nickname during his career at the club in the 1960s and 1970s. Chopper was one of the toughest defenders of his day and as Blues’ skipper became the youngest captain at 22-years-old to lead a side out into an FA Cup final (1967), a competition he eventually won just three years later. He would never get away with his unforgiving physical style today, but his hard challenge on Eddie Gray eight minutes into the FA Cup final in 1970 left the Leeds man as a passenger for the rest of the game, which proved vital as he was one of their biggest threats.
Right Back: Steve Clarke
Most of Chelsea’s younger fans would mostly recognise Steve Clarke for his work as Jose Mourinho’s and Avram Grant’s assistant manager, but to most he will always go down as one of the best right-backs the club have had and was voted as the best Chelsea player to occupy that position in the club’s centernary XI. Clarke made 421 appearances in a Chelsea shirt and had won a few honours during his time at the club including the Full Members Cup (1990), FA Cup (1997), League cup (1998), with his final performance for the club coming in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1998 against Stuttgart. Clarke was always reliable, even at a time when the team were struggling in the league during the early days of Glenn Hoddle’s tenure which is just one of the reasons he deserves to be in this list.
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Midfield: Charlie Cooke
The skilful left-winger was signed from Dundee FC by Tommy Docherty for £72,000 in 1966 as part of the restructuring of the Chelsea side replacing Terry Venables, who moved to London rivals Tottenham. Cooke was a star in a flamboyant but unpredictable Chelsea side and became a bane for many defenders, including England World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore who Cooke waltzed past on his league debut against West Ham before scoring Chelsea’s winner. In his two spells at Stamford Bridge Cooke made 373 appearances and scored 30 goals for the club.
Midfield: Dennis Wise
If Cooke represents the flamboyant and skilful aspect to this Chelsea British XI, then Wisey definitely represents the aggressive and competitive aspect which is important to many teams. Wise was the club’s most successful captain before JT came along winning two FA Cups (1997 and 2000), FA Charity Shield (2000), League Cup (1998), UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1998) and the UEFA Super Cup (1998). Wise made 445 appearances for Chelsea and scored 76 goals, the most famous being at the San Siro against AC Milan with 10 minutes to go during a Champions League fixture in 1999. Wise’s famous goal is still sung about at Stamford Bridge to this day.
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Midfield: Frank Lampard
Many thought after Roman Abramovich took over the Stamford Bridge club in June 2003 players like Lampard would fade into the distance as the club spent vast fortunes on new players. But Lampard has grown as a player since then and 157 goals for Chelsea from midfield during the club’s most successful period in its history easily makes him an absolute shoo-in for this list. The England midfielder is currently third a list of the Blues all-time goal scorers and has also laid on 94 assists for team-mates during his time at the club. Lampard has been The Blues’ Mr Consistent for the club scoring 20+ goals a season five consecutive years and played a record 164 consecutive Premier League appearances.
Forward: Kerry Dixon
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Dixon was blessed with great aerial ability as well as being able to use both feet, which is why he was so successful at Chelsea and scored a fantastic 193 goals for Chelsea making him their second highest goal scorer of all time, as well as being 7th in their all-time appearance list. Whilst at Stamford Bridge the forward enjoyed a good relationship with fellow striker David Speedie (despite an initial personality clash) and winger Pat Nevin, the trio scored over 200 hundred goals between them (1983-1986).
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Forward: Peter Osgood
The late Chelsea striker will always be a legend amongst the Stamford Bridge faithful who sign “Osgood, Osgood. Osgood, Osgood, always the king of Stamford Bridge.” Osgood made 150 appearances for the Blues in 380 appearances and famously scored in every round of the 1970 FA Cup run, as well as one in each of the games against Real Madrid European Cup Winners’ Cup final in 1971. Ossie was arguably the biggest celebrity during his time at Chelsea when the club were not the most successful, but he epitomised England’s most fashionable and glamorous outfit. “Osgood is good,” as the fans on the Stamford Bridge terraces used to chant during his days there and that makes him an obvious choice for this list.
Forward: Bobby Tambling
Couldn’t really do a Chelsea’s all-time British XI without putting their record ever goal scorer in the team, could I? After the departure of one prolific forward in Jimmy Greaves, for AC Milan the Sussex-born Tambling became Chelsea’s primary goal threat and scored 202 goals in the club’s colours. Despite scoring so many goals for the club it is a shame that he only managed to win one trophy during his time at the club, the League Cup in 1965, but it was an exciting season as Chelsea were challenging for a domestic treble.
These lists are obviously always open for debate, so who do you think should make Chelsea’s all-time British XI?
Manchester United were, once again, less than convincing at Southampton in the FA Cup. It was a familiar story as they under-performed in the first half, and then relied on the quality of the old guard to push them over the line. But as we continue to be unimpressed by performance, yet overwhelmed by the ongoing unbeaten streak, is it now time for the fringe players to move aside for a new generation to come through at Old Trafford?
I take nothing away from their season so far. How can you when United sit comfortably top of the Premier League table? My point is, with all the talk of United becoming the new ‘invincible’ side, how long can they really remain unbeaten playing the way they are, especially away from home? The first half performances at Blackpool and then St. Mary’s was nothing short of shocking. In both games, Ferguson had to throw on the likes of Ryan Giggs, Nani and Javier Hernandez to restore normality. Sooner or later though, a game is going to be beyond even their capabilities of rescuing. Giggs is a football marvel at 37-years-young, but he’s no superhero.
I watched Paul Scholes cut a frustrating figure against Southampton at the weekend, and I put a lot of it down to the fact that his centre midfield partner, Darron Gibson, gave the ball away far too often. And what about the stand-in-skipper for the day, John O’Shea? Don’t get me wrong, he has been a loyal servant to Ferguson, but he was about as threatening as a puppy going forward from right back.
These players are supposed to be good enough for the manager to rotate his squad to handle the congested fixture list United face. But when the likes of Gibson, O’Shea and even Jonny Evans take to the field from the start, it no longer fills you with the greatest of confidence. Against stronger opposition, United’s week could have looked a lot different: three points lighter in the Premier League and out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage thanks to League One opposition.
This dilemma obviously brings us to question who Fergie is to play instead. But looking at the bench at the weekend, I would have much preferred Wes Brown on the field to O’Shea. Fabio is a prospect, and I like how positive he is from full-back – at least he doesn’t get a nose bleed every time he enters the oppositions half like O’Shea. As far as Gibson is concerned, again, he has potential. But with players like Tom Cleverley doing so well out on loan, he has to pick up his performances if he is to avoid being cast aside. He cannot survive off potential alone.
Ferguson puts a lot of faith into his youth set-up so I can’t see him selling off some of his under-performing players quite so hastily. Loyalty is something the 69-year-old Scot holds in high regard, so you could potentially see players like John O’Shea staying as long as Ferguson himself does. But forget all the emotional attachments, you have to ask whether the Irishman is actually good enough to be part of the set-up at Old Trafford or whether it is time United looked to bring though another crop of hopeful youngsters looking to become the next Manchester United generation.
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Like what I write? Follow me on Twitter @Joino
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England national team head coach Fabio Capello hinted that he will make changes for the crucial World Cup Group C showdown with Slovenia, after seeing his side labour to a 0-0 draw with Algeria.
Capello's side gave an insipid display in Cape Town, leaving them needing a win on Wednesday to ensure a place in the knockout stages in South Africa.
The Italian commented:"We still have to play another game and we hope that will be happier.
"I don't know if it's pressure or we're not in a good moment. We lost too many balls, it's not the same team I know.
"We played a good team, but we played too slowly. The players play well during the training – I don't know why it is.
"I want to see the spirit of the team and I didn't see it this evening. I said to the players it wasn't a good performance, but we are really lucky because we can play another game and I'm always confident in my team."
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"I don't like to speak about individual players. When you don't play well it's because of the team.
"I can change the tactics, I will try to do something different. It won't be difficult to lift them before Slovenia – they know what they have to do."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Marseille moved to second in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 triumph over Saint-Etienne at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.The match was poised as a battle between fourth and sixth prior to kick-off, with Marseille leading Saint-Etienne by four points as both sides search for a Champions League berth for next season.After a goalless opening hour, Marseille broke the deadlock in the 68th minute through Lucho Gonzalez, who found the back of the net after Andre-Pierre Gignac had cut the ball back into his path.Striker Loic Remy doubled the hosts’ advantage 11 minutes later when he tapped in a partially-blocked shot, before Christophe Landrin pulled a goal back late for the visitors.Valenciennes produced a late fightback to secure a 2-2 draw away to Caen.Benjamin Nivet and Sambou Yatabare put Caen two up at the Stade Michel d’Ornano, and they were on track for a vital victory to lift them above Valenciennes on the table.But Gregory Pujol set up a dramatic finish with an 80th-minute goal, before Steven Langil broke Caen hearts when he equalised in the 88th minute for the visitors.Brest ensured Monaco would remain in the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.The home side went ahead in the 14th minute through Jonathan Ayite, and the striker netted his second late on after Monaco’s Adriano Pereira was dismissed in the 89th minute.Sochaux shot back to form with a 3-2 away win over Lens, turning around a run of one win in seven league games.Both sides played more than half the match with 10 men, but it was all Sochaux early as Nicolas Maurice-Belay and Modibo Maiga netted in the opening half-hour.Lens pulled a goal back in the 36th minute via Issam Jemaa, before Sochaux’s Kevin Anin and Lens’ Toifilou Maoulida were sent off in the 42nd minute.Alaeddine Yahia put Lens back on level terms in the 59th minute, as they looked for a point that would have moved them above 18th-placed Monaco.But Ryad Boudebouz produced the winner for Sochaux in the 66th minute.Auxerre and Arles drew 1-1, a result that helps neither side in their respective relegation battles, with Arles still rooted to the bottom of the table 14 points behind 19th-placed Lens.In the later game, Lorient bounced Bordeaux 5-1 in an incident-packed encounter – headlined by a Kevin Gameiro hat-rick – that sends the winners to seventh on the table.Midfielder Morgan Amalfitano put Lorient ahead in the 14th minute, with fringe France striker Gameiro putting his side 3-0 up with a three-minute salvo not long after.Brazilian Fernando Menegazzo pulled a goal back five minutes later, and Bordeaux were offered further momentum to draw back into the game when Lorient defender Franco Sosa was shown a second yellow card.The dismissal only seemed to galvanise Lorient, who extended their lead once more through a penalty from former Portsmouth midfielder Arnold Mvuemba on 61 minutes before Gameiro’s hat-trick-sealing goal in the shadows of full time wrapped up the 5-1 win.More salt was rubbed into Bordeaux’s wounds when goalkeeper Cedric Carasso was sent off in the 90th minute.
Manchester City have started their pre-season with a tour of the USA as they target success in the Premier League and Europe next season.The FA Cup winners play Mexican side Club America on Saturday before a clash with MLS newcomers Vancouver Whitecaps two days later.
The players got the chance to relax and visited the home of the LA Dodgers baseball team, where goalkeeper Joe Hart threw the first pitch in the Dodgers’ MLB match with the San Diego Padres.
With the start of the new season approaching, City and the other top clubs are strengthening, and defender Vincent Kompany believes it will make the Premier League a more exciting competition.
“That’s a good thing and a good thing for the league and I think it’s not something that’s going to affect us too much,” the Belgian international said.
“We are getting stronger as well. One thing we are gaining and we are still going to gain in the future is that we know each other more and more, we’ve played a little bit longer with each other, it’s a different story for us now.”
“And with winning something last season, we have confidence so that’s an advantage we might have on certain clubs who didn’t win anything last season.”
Roberto Mancini’s side have brought in two players so far during the close-season transfer window in Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic.
And Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong believes the team have the right balance to challenge for major honours this term.
“The belief is the main thing,” De Jong said. “The belief has always got to be there. That’s the main thing the focus and the belief. I think this group is a year older again.”
“Most of the group still stay together and we are getting better and better by the day and we also know each other better.”
“Even the new signings can adapt really easily because the group is not so difficult. Everybody is always happy and smiling, so we hope this can be a big part for City and the success we get over the future.”
City kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to promoted Swansea City on August 15.
Benfica and Brazil midfielder Ramires has urged his current club's supporters to understand why he has chosen to leave Lisbon to join Chelsea.
The 23-year-old is poised to complete a big-money switch to Stamford Bridge, with a fee of around £18million having been agreed between the two clubs.
Ramires told A Bola after opting to leave the Portuguese champions:"I hope everyone understands this decision. This is football and this outcome is good for the club and for me.
"I love this club. I took Benfica into my heart. I am very happy. I will never forget how I got here, where I was a champion, where I improved and I was very happy. It was a wonderful year.
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"I hope that everyone understands that it was a very good opportunity for me on a personal, sporting and financial level."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email