Rabu, 29 Agustus 2012

Rodgers: Gerrard future at Anfield

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has scoffed at suggestions by former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson that Steven Gerrard should leave Anfield to win a league title.



Gerrard, the influential Reds and England skipper, has claimed winners' medals in most of the major competitions open to Liverpool but the Barclays Premier League is a glaring exception.



With the Merseysiders finishing eighth last term and the team being rebuilt by Rodgers, Eriksson has suggested that, at 32, Gerrard is running out of time to fulfil his league dream.



But Rodgers said: "I think Steven, over the years, has had a number of chances to leave here.



"He has always felt this is the club where he could still win it and he has still got a number of years left in his career.



"We understand how difficult it is going to be but I think he will still feel the dream is here. I don't think he needs to move anywhere.



"Of course we will go through difficult moments - but his dream is to win the Barclays Premier League with Liverpool.



"I, along with everyone else and the supporters, will fight for our lives to try to make that possible.



"He is an iconic figure for this football club. His status and everything he has gained in the game has been through Liverpool Football Club.



"He has won every major honour you could possibly win at this club, but obviously there is one missing and he will want to fight for the rest of his career to win it here.



"Thankfully with Steven, he is realistic as well. He knows the reality. He is not misguided with anything.



"Sven obviously has his reasons for saying that but I have been delighted with Steven's contributions since I have been here.



"I have seen him from the outside but from the inside working with him as a man, as a player, he is a wonderful role model for everyone here.



"Let us see if we can fight to win it ourselves and hopefully he can stay here and be a real ambassador for the club."



Rodgers is considering making changes to his squad in the final two days before Friday's transfer deadline.



The club have been linked with a number of players in recent days, with Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott the latest high-profile example.



Rodgers, speaking at a press conference to preview his side's Europa League qualifying round play-off second leg against Hearts, was unwilling to comment on speculation.



He said: "There is nothing on any player. I will speak about a player after Friday if he is in the door.



"In these next 48 hours speculation and gossip will be rife, I could be here all day answering speculation. I have no need.



"We have got the end of the window coming up. I want to work with a tight-knit group between now and the end of January and then we can assess it from there."



There is also uncertainty over the futures of a number of the current Liverpool squad, including Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Joe Cole and Jay Spearing.



Rodgers said: "We have had a number of enquiries about some of our players.



"I have been open and up front with all the players. You can see from Sunday's game our spirit is very strong in the group, but the reality is players want to play.



"Everyone knows where they stand at this moment. One or two of them may have decisions to make as to whether they want to be a squad player or play regularly somewhere else."



After crashing 3-0 at West Brom in their Premier League opener, Rodgers hopes his side's pulsating 2-2 draw with champions Manchester City on Sunday will kickstart their season.



Their most immediate task is to claim a place in the Europa League group stages by completing the job against Hearts after claiming a 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg at Tynecastle last week.



The likes of Gerrard and Luis Suarez were rested for the trip to Edinburgh but could feature despite the proximity of Sunday's home clash with Arsenal.



Rodgers said: "It is easier when you have two home games. With the travel in that last week and the recovery process, it is easier to go Thursday-Sunday with a reasonably strong side.



"Tomorrow we'll be strong. We're looking to win the game and keep the momentum going.



"Our performance levels at the weekend were excellent and we want to just keep that going forward."

Bayern sign Javi Martinez

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Athletic Bilbao’s Spain midfielder Javi Martinez on a five-year contract, the Bundesliga side said on Wednesday.



Martinez, 23, had rescinded his contract with Bilbao and been given permission to join Bayern by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and the professional football league (LFP), Bayern said in a statement on their website.



He had passed a medical and was available to play immediately, the statement added.

“This was without question a complicated transfer so we are all the happier that Javi Martinez is finally with us,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of the deal, which has dragged on for several weeks.



Raised at Osasuna, Martinez was signed by Bilbao as a 17-year-old in 2006 and has played for Spain at all age levels.



He flourished last season under coach Marcelo Bielsa, helping his team reach the finals of the King’s Cup and the Europa League.



Bayern are desperate to win a title this season after finishing as runners-up in the Bundesliga and German Cup last term, beaten by Borussia Dortmund in both competitions.

Lucas out for three months

Liverpool midfielder Lucas has been ruled out for two to three months with a thigh injury, manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.



The Brazil international suffered the injury in the opening minutes of Sunday's Barclays Premier League draw with Manchester City at Anfield.



It is a fresh blow for the 25-year-old, who had won his place back in the side after missing most of last season following knee surgery.



Rodgers said: "It is very unfortunate. He has worked ever so hard to come back and he has been an outstanding player for me and person off the field as well.



"The indications are two to three months. It is quite a unique injury at the top of his right thigh.



"He has had a scan and we will see a specialist this evening. We'll see if it needs an operation or whether it is just recuperation."



Lucas lasted just four minutes of Sunday's 2-2 draw with the champions after first tweaking his thigh during the warm-up.



He had hoped to establish himself in Rodgers' new-look side after missing seven months of the last campaign with cruciate ligament damage.



The player himself tweeted: "No words describe my feelings at the moment. It is [sic] been hard to be positive but I am sure better days will come. YNWA."



Lucas' injury could allow an opportunity for new loan signing Nuri Sahin, brought in on a one-year deal from Real Madrid, to make his debut at Arsenal this weekend.

Dembele passes Spurs medical

Moussa Dembele is set to complete his move from Fulham to Tottenham after the forward passed his medical.



Both clubs confirmed they had reached an agreement over his transfer, with Fulham revealing he would sign at White Hart Lane for an undisclosed fee, which is believed to be around £15million.



And Dembele, who is viewed as a replacement for Luka Modric after his sale to Real Madrid, has now agreed personal terms with Spurs, although his contract length has not been revealed.



Tottenham on Wednesday said in a statement: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Fulham for the transfer of Moussa Dembele."



The 25-year-old's move is reported to be worth in the region of £15million and Fulham could likely look to reinvest the money before Friday's transfer deadline.



Dembele joined Fulham in the summer of 2010 in a £5million move from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar and has built a star reputation in that time.



Fulham said in a statement of their own: "The club can today confirm that it has reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of midfielder Moussa Dembele.



"The 25-year-old Belgian international has successfully completed a medical and will sign for an undisclosed fee.



"Following two full seasons at Craven Cottage, the club would like to thank Moussa for his contribution and wish him well throughout the rest of his career."

Man City agree Nastasic fee - report

Manchester City have agreed a fee with Fiorentina for defender Matija Nastasic.



A deal has been struck for a reported £12million and the transfer could see Stefan Savic move in the opposite direction after failing to fulfil expectations at the Etihad Stadium.



Nastasic, a Serbia international team-mate of Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic, has long been linked with City and they will now push for an agreement on personal terms and a medical before Friday's deadline.



The 19-year-old only joined Partisan Belgrade last summer but he has made 25 appearances for the Italian club as they finished 13th in the 2011/12 Serie A.



City boss Roberto Mancini will hope Nastasic will prove a suitable improvement on Savic, who has endured a difficult time since moving to England in July 2011.



A fee of £6m was paid to Partisan but the 21-year-old has made just five Premier League starts for England's reigning champions.

Falcao: Torres is one of the best strikers in the world

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has taken time to praise Chelsea attacker Fernando Torres ahead of Friday's European Super Cup in Monaco.



The Spain international has impressed in the opening stages of the 2012-13 campaign after a difficult first 18 months at Stamford Bridge, and the Colombian believes the former Atletico star is one of the very best in the game.



"Torres is a great striker, one of the best in the world. He has scored some fine goals in his most recent games," Falcao stated to EFE.



"I admire him for all that he has done for football. He is a player I have been keeping tabs on throughout my career."



The former Porto star then looked ahead to the clash with Chelsea, and stressed that Atletico do not fear their opponents.



"Chelsea are a great team and you have to respect them. However, we do not fear them. They have some excellent players who could make the difference, but we have to focus on our own performance.



"We have the quality to cause them all kinds of problems."

The top stories from papers and websites - 29 August 2012

Daily Mirror


  • Wayne Rooney fears Manchester United are preparing to offload him for £40million.

  • Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas wants to sign 25-year-old Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho from Porto and Russia striker Alan Dzagoev, 22, from CSKA Moscow, but could lose Jermain Defoe and Rafael van der Vaart.

  • Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has been warned to sign a new deal in the next 48 hours or be sold.

  • Manchester City have been told it will cost them £25m to sign Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia.

  • Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is in negotiations about a shock move to AC Milan.

  • Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is considering a move for 30-year-old Southampton striker Rickie Lambert.

  • Nuri Sahin has revealed how Xabi Alonso sold Anfield to him because "he is still in love with Liverpool".

  • Meanwhile, the Reds want to sign Wolves keeper Dorus de Vries to give Pepe Reina more competition.

  • Kieran Richardson is heading to Fulham after Sunderland accepted a £2.5m bid for the versatile midfielder.

The Sun

  • Manchester City hope to sign Arsenal winger Theo Walcott for £12m after he rejected a new deal with the Gunners.

  • Spurs are on the verge of signing Fulham star Moussa Dembele for £15m.

  • Dimitar Berbatov's agent is due in Florence to secure the 31-year-old Bulgarian's switch from Manchester United to Fiorentina.

  • QPR hope to complete the signing of Brazil keeper Julio Cesar, 32, from Inter Milan today.

  • Wayne Rooney has turned to Latin to tell the world he will overcome his horror injury.

  • Midfielder Jay Spearing is set to quit Liverpool and join Championship side Bolton.

  • Burnley are tracking Bristol City striker Brett Pitman who is valued at £800,000.

  • Frank Lampard has admitted for the first time that he wants to become Chelsea boss.

  • Chelsea's Michael Essien is being lined up for a £10million move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

  • Aaron Lennon could be the next victim of AVB’s dressing-room cull at Tottenham.

  • QPR and West Brom are on the trail of Argentina star Cristian Ansaldi. The Rubin Kazan full-back has been attracting attention from a host of top clubs, including Chelsea.

  • Aston Villa last night made a £2.5million bid for Middlesbrough’s Joe Bennett.

  • Swansea will bid £2million for Crewe captain Ashley Westwood.

Daily Star

  • Tottenham have made a bid of £20million for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho.

  • Manchester City are favourites to sign Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, with Liverpool also in the running.

  • Chelsea will make a final bid for Bayer Leverkusen striker Andre Schurrle before Friday's transfer deadline.

  • Aston Villa are ready to increase their bid for Genk striker Christian Benteke after having an offer of £5m rejected by the Belgian side.

Daily Mail

  • Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given Theo Walcott the next 48 hours to decide whether he wants to sign a new five-year contract worth £75,000 per week - or be sold.

  • Fenerbache are preparing an £8million bid for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.

  • German club Hamburg hope an offer of around £9m will be enough to tempt Tottenham to sell midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart.

  • Fulham have made a £6.5m bid for Lyon's 27-year-old striker Bafetimbi Gomis.

  • Aston Villa are ready to pay £2.75m to sign Middlesbrough's 22-year-old left-back Joe Bennett.

  • Swansea are to make a £2m bid for Crewe midfielder Ashley Westwood, 22.

  • West Ham and Bolton have enquired about Charlton right back Chris Solly, 21, who is rated at £2.5m.

  • Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay has an offer to join Tottenham on loan with view to a permanent deal. The 26-year-old is keen to move to London, but is interesting Schalke.

  • Fiorentina hope to finalise a £4.5million move for Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov.

  • Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson is on the brink of a £2million move to Fulham. The former Manchester United midfielder is in talks with Martin Jol.

  • Hamburg hope an offer of around £9million will be enough to tempt Tottenham to sell midfielder Rafael van der Vaart this week.

The Times

  • Arsenal were last night preparing the possible sale of Theo Walcott to Manchester City or Liverpool after he rejected the club's offer of a new contract.

  • Spurs are on the brink of signing playmaker Moussa Dembele from Fulham and keeper Hugo Lloris from Lyon.

  • Arsenal are tracking Manchester striker Edin Dzeko and Swansea right back Angel Rangel.

  • John Terry returned to training with Chelsea yesterday and has been given the go-ahead by the club's medical staff to report for duty with England next week.

Independent

  • Tottenham are hopeful that they will announce the signing of Fulham midfielder Mousa Dembele within the next 24 hours.

  • Newcastle will only accept offers for Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini, 30, Ivorian midfielder Cheick Tiote, 26, or French playmaker Yohan Cabaye, 26, if they are too good to turn down.

  • Tottenham have been warned they may miss out on Yann M'Vila as the Rennes manager says the player could stay put.

Daily Telegraph

  • Theo Walcott is increasingly likely to be sold by Arsenal this week after talks over a new proposed contract broke down yesterday.

  • Tottenham have been warned they may miss out on 22-year-old France international midfielder Yann M'Vila after having a £12m bid rejected earlier this summer.

  • Raheem Sterling's rapid Liverpool progress has major consequences for Stewart Downing's Anfield future as the England winger has been asked to reinvent himself as a left-back.

Daily Express

  • Arsenal have told Theo Walcott to sign a new deal in the next 48 hours or be sold.

  • Everton have distanced themselves from a move for striker Michael Owen.

  • Chelsea are set to test Bayer Leverkusen’s determination to hold on to Andre Schurrle by making a new £18million offer.

  • Everton have cooled their interest in former England striker Michael Owen.

The Guardian

  • Former Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba, 34, and Nicolas Anelka, 33, could be sold by Shanghai Shenhua because of an escalating row among the Chinese club's shareholders.

Daily Record

  • Celtic are eyeing a move for Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey who they hope to get for £200,000.