Inter striker Samuel Eto'o looks destined for a move to Anzhi Makhachkala, with his agent Claudio Vigorelli admitting they have "almost reached an agreement".
Goal.com exclusively revealed earlier today that the eastern European side had offered a €35m transfer fee, with the player himself being approached with a €20m per annum four-year package.
And Vigorelli has confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that a transfer is almost complete.
"We have almost reached an agreement with Anzhi. Now we hope that the clubs agree," said the player's representative.
Vigorelli's words come hot on the heels of confirmation from Inter president Massimo Moratti that the club are in talks with Anzhi over the Cameroonian's transfer.
"The offer is not indecent but it is not up to me to evaluate it," said the club patron. "In fact it is intelligent, interesting and fair. Now it is up to us and Eto'o to evaluate it."
Eto'o was the Italian club's top scorer last season with 37 goals in all competitions, and will be seen as a big loss to the 2009-10 Champions League winners, whose other major asset Wesley Sneijder, who has been linked with a switch to Manchester United, also recently hinted that he could leave San Siro.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Chelsea Fanview: 'Our £50m striker Fernando Torres must deliver - but needs to play in a system that suits him'
CHELSEA
FAN: Roy Ekengbuda
WEBSITE: Chelsea FanCast
The target: All four major trophies
According to Andre Villas-Boas (and probably Roman Abramovich) all four major trophies! In reality, the Premier League and the ever elusive Champions League of course. For most older Chelsea supporters, whilst we’d like to win as much as possible, we are a bit more realistic and I would see the priority as rebuilding the squad so that we can continue to challenge for trophies over the next few years and have some stability on the management and player front. I’d love to see us win the Champions League and get that monkey off our back, and of course the Premier League is always a priority for any fan.
My thoughts on the gaffer...
Well he looks and sounds impressive and if you’re good enough you’re old enough. He knows the club, set-up and players well, speaks excellent English and is incredibly detailed and thorough in his approach. I hope he doesn’t get over-burdened by unrealistic expectations from Roman and too many of the fans. I’m not expecting miracles in his first season, and I hope he gets time to settle and stay for a long and successful time.
Our key man this season
John Terry pure and simple. He may be getting on a bit now, and the body has taken a battering over the years, but quite simply he is still Mr Chelsea – on and off the pitch. His role is vital in rallying both the players and fans to the cause, and it is imperative that he and Villas-Boas get on and buy in to the same objectives.
Youngster to watch
We have so many talented youngsters on the verge of breaking in to the side and too many on loan elsewhere. However, Josh McEachran has to be the one to watch not least as he is likely to feature in the side more than others such as Patrick van Aanholt. I saw him play a lot last season and he is very, very talented, so I hope this is his breakthrough season.
A player who must deliver
Does that really need answering?! Got to be Fernando Torres, hasn’t it? It was typical of Chelsea supporters to stick by him last season, and I hope he can get back to the form he showed for Liverpool and Spain. At £50 million he really needs to deliver, but my worry is that he needs to be played in the system that suits him best, and I wonder whether that will happen under Villas-Boas. My other concern is that he may have lost half a yard of pace after that injury – crucial for a forward at this level. Fingers and toes are crossed, but we’ll back him all the way.
Our Achilles' heel
Right-back, missing a creative midfielder and a lack of pace throughout the side. We need a world-class right-back to match Ashley Cole on the left, as attacking down both flanks is important to the tactics of the team. We’ve never replaced Gianfranco Zola as a player who can provide that bit of magic and break down and unlock increasingly stubborn defences. The biggest problem last season was the lack of pace in terms of how fast we moved the ball – that might have been a tactical flaw from Ancelotti, but I hope we attack and counterattack with far more urgency this season otherwise we’ll run into bus after bus after bus!
Fixture I am looking forward to the most...
In terms of the title challenge it has to be Manchester United, since if we finish above them, we’ll no doubt win the title. Always a crunch match with plenty of atmosphere and much at stake. However, the return of QPhahahaha will be high up on most Chelsea fans list for a bit of a laugh at our insignificant neighbours. And did I mention Spurs?
Our toughest opponents will be...
Manchester United again – as I said before if we finish above them I suspect we’ll win the title so the matches against them will be key and tough. The matches against City will also be tough as they’ve proved a bit of a bogey side for us over the last few seasons and I expect them to be challenging for the title more seriously this year after all the money they’ve spent strengthening their squad, and after winning the Cup last year they will be more confident. Hopefully the Champions League might distract them!
Player we love to hate
Wayne Rooney for his obnoxiousness, brilliance and arrogance. Carlos Tevez because he’s so ugly and he scores against us too regularly!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Ghana-Nigeria friendly in Watford called off due to London riots
A statement released by Hertfordshire police read:
“The planned friendly between Nigeria and Ghana at
Watford FC tonight (August 9) has been cancelled as a
precaution due to potential demands on Hertfordshire
Constabulary as a result of what is happening in
London.
“The decision was not taken lightly and was done in
full consultation with the club. We hope those fans who
had been due to attend the game will understand the
reasons why. Any fans who had been planning to
travel are being asked not to come to Watford.
“In relation to tickets, please visit the Watford FC
website where details will be announced in due
course.”
It is not yet known if the game between the Super
Eagles and the Black Stars will be scheduled for a later
date, as has already been suggested for the England v
Netherlands match.
“The planned friendly between Nigeria and Ghana at
Watford FC tonight (August 9) has been cancelled as a
precaution due to potential demands on Hertfordshire
Constabulary as a result of what is happening in
London.
“The decision was not taken lightly and was done in
full consultation with the club. We hope those fans who
had been due to attend the game will understand the
reasons why. Any fans who had been planning to
travel are being asked not to come to Watford.
“In relation to tickets, please visit the Watford FC
website where details will be announced in due
course.”
It is not yet known if the game between the Super
Eagles and the Black Stars will be scheduled for a later
date, as has already been suggested for the England v
Netherlands match.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
U20 world cup round up so far...
Sunday 7 August 2011
THE DAY REPLAYED – The final day of group action at
the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 featured the full
gambit of footballing emotions and, now that the
competition’s first 36 matches are done and dusted, the
full line-up for the Round of 16 has been confirmed.
The matchday included further success for Spain and
Nigeria, who made in three wins from three in Groups C
and D respectively, while Guatemala bounced back from
two emphatic opening defeats to beat Croatia and seal a
surprise spot in the last 16. It was also a good day for
CONMEBOL, with Ecuador’s win over Costa Rica - who
also progressed - putting four of the region’s
representatives in the first round of the knockout stages
for the sixth FIFA U-20 World Cup in a row.
Results
Group C
Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica
Australia 1-5 Spain
Group D
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Nigeria
Croatia 0-1 Guatemala
Goal of the day
Croatia-Guatemala, Marvin Ceballos 81’
Guatemala’s first ever goal in the history of the
competition could scarcely have come at a better time.
Comunicaciones striker Ceb allos gambled on a long
clearance from keeper Roberto Padilla and, when the
Croatian backline failed to clear, got beyond the last
defender to knock the ball first-time right-footed into the
net for the winner. The Guatemalans thus become the
first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA
U-20 World Cup with a goal difference of -10.
Memorable moments
Alex makes his bow
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui knows full well how it feels
to sit out games on the bench, having been La Rojita’s
reserve keeper for all his side’s matches at the USSR
1985 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Perhaps that
was partly why the supremo decided to bring on third-
choice custodian Alex for Fernando Pacheco at half-time
against Australia. “If something happens to Pacheco in
the Round of 16, if he gets a red card for example, it’s
better if Alex is ready and has had some match time,”
said the coach toFIFA.com. Zaragoza man Alex pulled
off three fine saves to repay his coach’s faith and soften
the blow of the ruling out through injury of Aitor, between
the sticks for Spain’s opener against Costa Rica.
Quick off the mark
Another young Spanish starlet, Alvaro Vazquez, has
proved here at Colombia 2011 that he needs very little
time to make an impact. Scorer of his side’s second
against Ecuador within 14 minutes of coming off the
bench, against the Aussies in his first start of the
competition the striker struck three goals in a devastating
12-minute burst. It was the third-fastest hat-trick in FIFA
U-20 World Cup history behind his countryman Adrian
Lopez (nine minutes, Canada 2007) and the Brazilian
Adailton (five minutes, Malaysia 1997). In the process,
Vazquez also shot to the top of the tournament's scorers’
charts.
Worth the pain
So thrilled was Guatemala’s goalscoring hero Ceballos
with his decisive late strike, and so exuberant were his
celebrations, the forward needed treatment after taking a
knock to the head. His subsequent return to the fray,
featuring a tear-stained face and a heavily bandaged
forehead, added even more drama to Los
Guatemaltecos’ shock progress to the next round.
Who dares wins
In his determination to avoid a Round of 16 meeting with
South American superpowers Brazil, Nigeria coach John
Obuh sent out a side featuring two attacking midfielders
and a four-man frontline of Omoh Ojabu, Abdul Ajagun,
Uche Nwofor and Ahmed Musa against Saudi Arabia. His
daring was rewarded by Musa grabbing the opening goal,
while Ojabu’s replacement Olarenwaju Kayode scored
the second in a 2-0 success.
The stat
58 –The number of seconds Spain’s Sergi Roberto
required to score against Australia in the fastest goal of
Colombia 2011 thus far. His pinpoint right-foot strike also
went down as the sixth fastest in FIFA U-20 World Cup
history.
Up next – Round of 16 line-up
Tuesday 9 August
Cameroon-Mexico
Portugal-Guatemala
Colombia-Costa Rica
Argentina-Egypt
Wednesday 10 August
Nigeria-England
Spain- Korea Republic
Brazil-Saudi Arabia
France-Ecuador
THE DAY REPLAYED – The final day of group action at
the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 featured the full
gambit of footballing emotions and, now that the
competition’s first 36 matches are done and dusted, the
full line-up for the Round of 16 has been confirmed.
The matchday included further success for Spain and
Nigeria, who made in three wins from three in Groups C
and D respectively, while Guatemala bounced back from
two emphatic opening defeats to beat Croatia and seal a
surprise spot in the last 16. It was also a good day for
CONMEBOL, with Ecuador’s win over Costa Rica - who
also progressed - putting four of the region’s
representatives in the first round of the knockout stages
for the sixth FIFA U-20 World Cup in a row.
Results
Group C
Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica
Australia 1-5 Spain
Group D
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Nigeria
Croatia 0-1 Guatemala
Goal of the day
Croatia-Guatemala, Marvin Ceballos 81’
Guatemala’s first ever goal in the history of the
competition could scarcely have come at a better time.
Comunicaciones striker Ceb allos gambled on a long
clearance from keeper Roberto Padilla and, when the
Croatian backline failed to clear, got beyond the last
defender to knock the ball first-time right-footed into the
net for the winner. The Guatemalans thus become the
first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA
U-20 World Cup with a goal difference of -10.
Memorable moments
Alex makes his bow
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui knows full well how it feels
to sit out games on the bench, having been La Rojita’s
reserve keeper for all his side’s matches at the USSR
1985 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Perhaps that
was partly why the supremo decided to bring on third-
choice custodian Alex for Fernando Pacheco at half-time
against Australia. “If something happens to Pacheco in
the Round of 16, if he gets a red card for example, it’s
better if Alex is ready and has had some match time,”
said the coach toFIFA.com. Zaragoza man Alex pulled
off three fine saves to repay his coach’s faith and soften
the blow of the ruling out through injury of Aitor, between
the sticks for Spain’s opener against Costa Rica.
Quick off the mark
Another young Spanish starlet, Alvaro Vazquez, has
proved here at Colombia 2011 that he needs very little
time to make an impact. Scorer of his side’s second
against Ecuador within 14 minutes of coming off the
bench, against the Aussies in his first start of the
competition the striker struck three goals in a devastating
12-minute burst. It was the third-fastest hat-trick in FIFA
U-20 World Cup history behind his countryman Adrian
Lopez (nine minutes, Canada 2007) and the Brazilian
Adailton (five minutes, Malaysia 1997). In the process,
Vazquez also shot to the top of the tournament's scorers’
charts.
Worth the pain
So thrilled was Guatemala’s goalscoring hero Ceballos
with his decisive late strike, and so exuberant were his
celebrations, the forward needed treatment after taking a
knock to the head. His subsequent return to the fray,
featuring a tear-stained face and a heavily bandaged
forehead, added even more drama to Los
Guatemaltecos’ shock progress to the next round.
Who dares wins
In his determination to avoid a Round of 16 meeting with
South American superpowers Brazil, Nigeria coach John
Obuh sent out a side featuring two attacking midfielders
and a four-man frontline of Omoh Ojabu, Abdul Ajagun,
Uche Nwofor and Ahmed Musa against Saudi Arabia. His
daring was rewarded by Musa grabbing the opening goal,
while Ojabu’s replacement Olarenwaju Kayode scored
the second in a 2-0 success.
The stat
58 –The number of seconds Spain’s Sergi Roberto
required to score against Australia in the fastest goal of
Colombia 2011 thus far. His pinpoint right-foot strike also
went down as the sixth fastest in FIFA U-20 World Cup
history.
Up next – Round of 16 line-up
Tuesday 9 August
Cameroon-Mexico
Portugal-Guatemala
Colombia-Costa Rica
Argentina-Egypt
Wednesday 10 August
Nigeria-England
Spain- Korea Republic
Brazil-Saudi Arabia
France-Ecuador
Thursday, December 10, 2009
BROWSING CHEATS!!!
Unlike d formal opera 5, this one came with-Multi tab: 4 accesin different sites d same time-Downld manager: 4 downldin, pausing and resuming downldsand many oda featurezThe handler version is not yet out. Just modded d original version 2 work wit mtn & zainhere is d downld LINK:Opera 5beta 2 with MTNhttp://www.wapshare.us/16899use withip: 94.246.126.253port: 80Opera 5beta 2 with ZAINhttp://www.wapshare.us/16900use withip: 195.189.142.132port: 80remembr, no opera cheat requird, and it might take up to 5mins to installs40/ java userz, get d prov files of d ip above 2 use d new opera 5beta 2........................CHECK DAILY 4 MORE UPDATES
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The 2010 World Cup Group of Death
The draw for the world cup has been made and it's looking good for England. They've been drawn in what's considered an easy group so hopefully it will be an easy route through to the knockout stages. England may have an easy group, but the 5 time world cup winners Brazil don't have such an easy ride. Brazil are drawn in group G with Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea.
Ivory Coast, they have only qualified for the World Cup once before in 2006 so though they are relative new boys to the competition they aren't to be underestimated. The team has a number of Premier Leagues stars, including Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou and the brilliant Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. They are known as being a tough team to beat and Brazil won't be underestimating them.
Portugal who only qualified through the plays offs so were un-seeded. However they are still considered one of the strongest teams in Europe and have a host of top class players including Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 World Player of the year and the most expensive player ever bought when Real Madrid paid £80million for him in the summer of 2009. The Portugal team still include players from the 2006 team which made it to the World Cup semi finals, with Brazilian Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
North Korea will be considered the easiest team to beat as they have less stars than the others, with pretty much their whole team plying their trade in Korea. It's only the second time North Korea have qualified for the world cup with the first time being the world cup in England in 1966. They did cause an upset in the tournament by beating Italy 1-0.
Though Brazil have been given a tough draw it's still a group they should easily qualify, being the number 1 seeded country in the world. This Brazil team may not have the flair that you expect from a Brazilian team but they still enough world class stars to rival any team. The player Brazil really will be relying on to produce the class is former world player of the year, Kaka. From his midfield position Kaka can boss the whole game and produces moments of genius every time he plays. He's not the only star of the team though, adding some flair to the team is Robinho of Manchester City, Dani Alves, the attacking full back from Barcelona and Ronaldinho who on the top of his game is unbeatable. The difference with this Brazilian team is as well as the flamboyant players they have a core of solid reliable players and this has made the 2009 team the strongest Brazilian team defensively for some time.
Ivory Coast, they have only qualified for the World Cup once before in 2006 so though they are relative new boys to the competition they aren't to be underestimated. The team has a number of Premier Leagues stars, including Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou and the brilliant Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. They are known as being a tough team to beat and Brazil won't be underestimating them.
Portugal who only qualified through the plays offs so were un-seeded. However they are still considered one of the strongest teams in Europe and have a host of top class players including Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 World Player of the year and the most expensive player ever bought when Real Madrid paid £80million for him in the summer of 2009. The Portugal team still include players from the 2006 team which made it to the World Cup semi finals, with Brazilian Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
North Korea will be considered the easiest team to beat as they have less stars than the others, with pretty much their whole team plying their trade in Korea. It's only the second time North Korea have qualified for the world cup with the first time being the world cup in England in 1966. They did cause an upset in the tournament by beating Italy 1-0.
Though Brazil have been given a tough draw it's still a group they should easily qualify, being the number 1 seeded country in the world. This Brazil team may not have the flair that you expect from a Brazilian team but they still enough world class stars to rival any team. The player Brazil really will be relying on to produce the class is former world player of the year, Kaka. From his midfield position Kaka can boss the whole game and produces moments of genius every time he plays. He's not the only star of the team though, adding some flair to the team is Robinho of Manchester City, Dani Alves, the attacking full back from Barcelona and Ronaldinho who on the top of his game is unbeatable. The difference with this Brazilian team is as well as the flamboyant players they have a core of solid reliable players and this has made the 2009 team the strongest Brazilian team defensively for some time.
Is Barcelona the Greatest Football Team of This Generation?
The short answer is 'yes'. They are undoubtedly the greatest team that I have ever had the pleasure of viewing (as someone who is in his mid 20's). Their demolition of Manchester United in last year's Champion's League final was the icing on the cake for their perfect season, in which they won the treble (the Spanish La Liga, the Spanish Cup and the Champion's League). Not only did they achieve this, but they did so in such a magnificent way, with their three main forwards (Messi, Henry and Eto'o) scoring over 100 goals between them.
Barcelona have always been known for their slick passing football and their good use of the ball since Johan Cruyff came to the club over 20 years ago, and this new-look Barcelona team is certainly carrying on the same traditions and bringing Cruyff's 'Total Football' philosophy into the modern era.
If they add the likes of Javier Mascherano in January the will be truly unstoppable. The Argentine captain and current Liverpool FC player has declared his interest in joining the club and it seems that a £30m move might be on the cards.
You certainly can't blame Mascherano for wanting to leave - I mean what player wouldn't want to play every week at the Nou Camp stadium? The 100,000 seat arena is truly the coliseum of football, at it is the biggest and best arena to prove yourself in as a player. With Mascherano in the team the other players (such as Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves) would have more of a license to roam forward and attack as they'd know they've got the best defensive midfielder in the world to bail them out should they lose the ball.
Barcelona have always been known for their slick passing football and their good use of the ball since Johan Cruyff came to the club over 20 years ago, and this new-look Barcelona team is certainly carrying on the same traditions and bringing Cruyff's 'Total Football' philosophy into the modern era.
If they add the likes of Javier Mascherano in January the will be truly unstoppable. The Argentine captain and current Liverpool FC player has declared his interest in joining the club and it seems that a £30m move might be on the cards.
You certainly can't blame Mascherano for wanting to leave - I mean what player wouldn't want to play every week at the Nou Camp stadium? The 100,000 seat arena is truly the coliseum of football, at it is the biggest and best arena to prove yourself in as a player. With Mascherano in the team the other players (such as Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves) would have more of a license to roam forward and attack as they'd know they've got the best defensive midfielder in the world to bail them out should they lose the ball.
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