Archive | July 2015

Chelsea agree Falcao loan….

Radamel Falcao

Chelsea have confirmed they have agreed a season-long loan deal for Monaco’s Radamel Falcao. The Colombia striker spent last season at Manchester United, where he made 29 appearances, scoring four goals. He said: “I am very happy to be joining Chelsea and can’t wait to start training and help with our aim of retaining the league title and being successful in Europe.”

Here is Falcao’s career goal stats:

  • River Plate (2004-09) – 90 games, 34 goals
  • Porto (2009-11) – 72 games, 62 goals
  • Atletico Madrid (2011-13) – 86 games, 68 goals
  • Monaco (2013-14) – 20 games, 11 goals
  • Manchester United (2014-15) – 29 games, four goals

West Brom set for takeover….

West Brom's Hawthorns ground

West Brom hope to have new owners by the end of the month after the granting of exclusive negotiations to an unnamed bidder. Exclusivity grants a bidder sole rights to deal with Baggies owner Jeremy Peace for up to six weeks. Peace, who owns 88% of the club, has been chairman for 13 years, and said in February he would be willing to sell “if it was right for the club”. West Brom finished 12th last season under Tony Pulis. Exclusivity allows only the bidding party to submit a formal bid after due diligence. If Peace is happy with the amount offered, then the bidder has up to six weeks to complete the deal. Until that six-week period is over, no other interested party can get involved. It means the club could be sold before the start of the new Premier League season. West Brom stressed in their statement  that the club’s summer transfer business would be unaffected by the negotiations. Since Peace became chairman in 2003 the Baggies have spent only four years outside the top flight. The club reported pre-tax profits of £14.7m on an income of £86.8m for the year ending 30 June 2014.

Manchester City’s FFP restrictions eased….

Manchester City in Europe

Manchester City have had their restrictions on transfer spending and Champions League squad size lifted after meeting their financial fair play target, say UEFA. City had their Champions League squad capped at 21 players last year and their spending on new signings last summer restricted to £49m as punishment for breaching FFP rules. UEFA said in a statement: “The UEFA CFCB [club financial control body] has lifted a number of restrictions on Manchester City after the club reached certain targets towards break-even compliance as part of the ongoing monitoring of their settlement agreement. “The club remains under strict monitoring and has still to meet break-even targets and is therefore subject to some limitations in 2016.”

Nani to have Fenerbahce medical….

Nani (left) and Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal

Manchester United winger Nani is to have a medical at Turkish side Fenerbahce after the clubs agreed a 6m Euro fee. The 28-year-old Portugal international moved to Old Trafford in 2007 from Sporting Lisbon. He spent last season back on loan with the Portuguese side, scoring 11 goals. Fenerbahce said  negotiations to “transfer the player” were under way and that “Nani will be in Istanbul on Sunday for medical check up”. Nani has won four Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time with Manchester United. He signed a five-year deal with the club in September 2013.

Odemwingie given new one-year deal….

Peter Odemwingie

Stoke striker Peter Odemwingie has been given a new one-year contract extension. The Nigeria international will remain at the Britannia Stadium until the end of the 2015-16 campaign but there is the option of a further 12 months. Odemwingie, who joined the Potters in January 2014, recovered from a serious knee injury which sidelined him for eight months to return to action in April.

Lahm denies international return rumours….

Philipp Lahm

Former Germany defender Philipp Lahm has denied reports he is set to come out of international retirement, insisting his decision to quit following the 2014 World Cup was final. German newspaper Bild reported that both Lahm and Per Mertesacker were considering returning to the international team after the pair ended their association following the World Cup in Brazil. But 31-year-old Lahm, who plays for Bayern Munich, told France Football: “I will not go back. Those who know me know that when I make a decision, it is final.”

Sepp has a clean conscience….

FIFA President Sepp Blatter tells German magazine Bunte: “I am a religious person and pray, too. I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis. I believe I will go to heaven one day. But I believe there is no hell. I disagree with the Pope on that.” Blatter adds: “I have a clean conscience. If somebody accuses me of being corrupt, I ask him whether he knows the meaning of that word. Whoever calls me corrupt will have to prove it, but nobody can prove that because I am not corrupt.”

Assou-Ekotto signs for St Etienne….

Cameroon's Benoit Assou-Ekotto

Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has signed a one-year deal with French Ligue 1 side St Etienne. The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent nine years. He did not play at all for Tottenham in the 2014-15 season and spent the previous season on loan with Queens Park Rangers. “Officially at St Etienne so happy – back in football,” he wrote on Twitter. Assou-Ekotto has not played for Cameroon since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when he was involved in an argument with his team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo and even appeared to headbutt him.

Sunday Mba moves to Turkey….

Nigeria's Sunday Mba

Nigeria’s Sunday Mba has moved to Turkish second-tier side Yeni Malatyaspor from CA Bastia in France. Yeni Malatyaspor won the third division last season to earn promotion. The 26-year-old moved to French side CA Bastia in January 2014 after Nigerian club Warri Wolves rejected an offer for him six months earlier. His career has stalled since scoring the winning goal for Nigeria in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. CA Bastia played in the third tier of French last season and Mba has not been a regular for the Super Eagles since 2013 and missed out on last year’s World Cup in Brazil.

USA makes FIFA extradition request….

The United States has asked Switzerland to extradite seven FIFA officials arrested on corruption charges in May, the Swiss authorities say. Formal extradition requests were submitted on Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) said. The seven top FIFA executives arrested in Zurich are among 14 FIFA officials indicted on charges of “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” corruption. The charges follow a major inquiry by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FOJ said Zurich police, acting on its behalf, would give the seven FIFA officials a hearing over the extradition requests. The officials and their lawyers would have 14 days to respond to the request, which could be extended “if sufficient grounds exist”, the FOJ statement said. After that, the FOJ would give its decision “within a few weeks”, but that warned any ruling could be challenged in both the federal criminal court and the federal supreme court.

Nigeria Premier League results….

Wednesday 1 July 2015:

Wikki Tourists 1 – 1 Giwa

El-Kanemi 1 – 0 Dolphins

Enugu Rangers 2 – 1 Kano Pillars

Abia Warriors 3 – 1 Bayelsa

Kwara United 2 – 3 Enyimba

Nasarawa  2 – 0 Taraba

Shooting Stars 1 – 0 Sharks

Heartland 1 – 0 Ifeanyi Uba

Warri Wolves 1 – 0 Lobi Stars

Sunshine Stars 3 – 1 Akwa United

Danny Blind is the new Coach for the Netherlands….

Danny Blind was Guus Hiddink's assistant

Danny Blind has been appointed as the new Netherlands head coach. The 53-year old succeeds Guus Hiddink, who left his position on Monday after just 10 months in charge. Blind, who was Hiddink’s assistant, won 42 caps during a 20-year playing career with Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam, and also managed Ajax. Hiddink, 68, lost five and won four of his 10 matches during his second spell in charge, with the Dutch third in their Euro 2016 qualifying group. His son, Daley Blind plays for Netherlands and Manchester United.

Stoke agree Shaqiri deal….

g

Stoke City have agreed a fee in the region of £12m with Inter Milan for the transfer of Switzerland international winger Xherdan Shaqiri. The 23-year-old only moved to the San Siro from Bayern Munich in January but could now move to the Potters – breaking their club-record transfer fee – if he agrees personal terms. Shaqiri, who typically operates as an attacking midfielder, struck a hat-trick in last summer’s World Cup as Switzerland defeated Honduras and has 17 goals in 46 full caps for his country.

Leaving Chelsea was tough for Cech….

getty

Petr Cech says leaving Chelsea was the hardest decision of his career. After helping Chelsea win several major trophies during an 11-year stay, Cech moved to Arsenal for £10m. “I’m far from being finished and being happy to sit on the bench,” the 33-year-old said. “Arsenal came and put on the table by far the best deal and are a club that matches my personal ambitions to win more trophies. To stay in the Premier League was another key factor.”

Diaby among five players leaving Arsenal….

g

Abou Diaby, together with academy players Jack Jebb, Austin Lipman, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill and Josh Vickers, are leaving Arsenal, having reached the end of their contracts. Diaby leaves the club after 10 years in which he made 180 first-team appearances, scoring 19 goals. A hugely talented midfielder, unfortunately his time at the club was interrupted by a number of serious injuries. Diaby has also represented France on 16 occasions. Midfielder Jebb, forward Lipman, full-back Ormonde-Ottewill and goalkeeper Vickers came through the Gunners’ Hale End academy together, and went on to represent the club at under-21 level. Jebb, Lipman and Ormonde-Ottewill have all played for England at youth level.

 

Liverpool seal Clyne deal….

Nathaniel Clyne

Liverpool have complete the signing of Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £12.5m, on a “long-term” contract, thought to be five years. Clyne, 24, who made 94 Premier League appearances for Southampton, said: “I’m delighted and it’s a dream move for me to come here and play for such a big club like Liverpool with all of its history.”

Eto’o heads to Turkey….

g

Three-time Champions League winner Samuel Eto’o has joined promoted Turkish top-flight side Antalyaspor, who are reported to be close to signing World Cup winner Ronaldinho. The ambitious club also stated they would recruit another “big name” and “set the world on fire”. “I have signed a three-year contract,” said former Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton striker Eto’o, 34. The Cameroonian enjoyed much of his success at Barca from 2004 to 2009.