THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=45099&start=275
NEVER MIND MARIO ... ITS JUST ...
Mario Balotelli AC Milan move marred by scuffles
AC Milan football fans have clashed with Italian police as they celebrated a proposed transfer of Mario Balotelli to their club from Manchester City.
The police used tear gas as the fans let off flares and threw bottles outside a restaurant in Milan where the Italy striker was having a dinner.
One policeman was taken to hospital with head injuries, reports say.
Balotelli is in Milan for a medical before a proposed transfer for an initial fee of 22m euros (£19m).
Balotelli said earlier he had no hesitation about deciding to move from England to the seven-time European champions.
"I'd wanted to play for Milan for such a long time," said the 22-year-old.
"Obviously I played for other teams and couldn't come. But when there was the chance, I ran."
City signed Balotelli from Inter Milan - AC Milan's arch-rivals - for £24m in 2010 and he scored 30 goals in 80 appearances for the club.
He helped City to the Premier League title last season, but has managed only three strikes in 20 matches this time round.
Milan reached an agreement with City on Tuesday, and Balotelli is expected to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract, subject to passing his medical.
Balotelli's departure follows a training ground altercation with City manager Roberto Mancini on 3 January - the latest in a series of controversies during his time at the club.
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +7 GD +2
With Italy move, Mario Balotelli’s can prove again he’s a soccer player, not a clown
.“A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma:” Winston Churchill’s famous description of Russia easily could be applied to Mario Balotelli.
With one important difference: Hidden inside the jumble of myths, stories and questions that Balotelli lugs around is a fabulous soccer player. Is, not was. It will be great for him and for soccer if he now gets to prove that again at AC Milan
When headline-hungry tabloids were picking over his off-field life in England and toward the end of his stint with Manchester City, when he wasn’t playing or contributing as much to the team, it became easy to forget just how thrilling Balotelli can be with a ball at his feet, a player who not only can make fans stomp in delight but also scratch their heads and laugh in disbelief.
Against Norwich City, remember that goal he scored with his shoulder? Other forwards would have headed in the ball. Balotelli, just to be safe, probably should have, too.
Safe? How boring. Balotelli nudged it in with right shoulder, cool as you like. Brilliant. Many goals are forgettable. That one will live long in the memory. Balotelli’s unpredictability, his downright craziness at times, makes him an entertaining if not always reliable footballer and that is no bad thing.
As former Oasis star Noel Gallagher, a fan of the Italian, said in one of Balotelli’s rare interviews in England: “Footballers in general in this country, they’re quite boring and dull and I love you because you’re Balotelli and you make me smile.”
Standing out also has worked against Balotelli. In Manchester, photographers kept their lenses trained on him because there was always the chance that he would do something silly, perhaps fight with a teammate or manager Roberto Mancini. But when Balotelli was just doing mundane things — stroking a cat, climbing into his car with its custom camouflage exterior — photos of him still helped pay the bills.
Balotelli courted attention. Allowing friends to let off fireworks in his house and set fire to the toilet curtains in October 2011 was a gift to newspaper headline writers. Doubly so because this was before City’s astounding 6-1 defeat of crosstown rival Manchester United, an epic match where Balotelli scored twice.
But he was a victim of attention, too. The goldfish bowl of the media spotlight isn’t an easy place for a 22-year-old to thrive. Some of the stories about him were true. He is, for example, allergic to dry grass and he really did come back with a trampoline when his mother sent him out to buy an ironing board.
But he told Gallagher that many of the stories about him weren’t true, that he didn’t once give 1,000 pounds to a homeless man, drive around Manchester as Santa Claus or pay for everyone else’s fuel as well as his own when he filled his car.
Balotelli, the soccer player, got lost in this maelstrom of stories. That was a shame.
Without Balotelli, City likely wouldn’t have won the Premier League last year, “the miracle of Manchester” wouldn’t have happened. In the waning seconds of the season, with City locked at 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers and needing another goal to take the title away from Manchester United, it was Balotelli who collected the ball in front of QPR’s goal from Sergio Aguero.
Because of his strength, Balotelli he was able to hold off a tackle. He started to fall the ground but still was lucid and quick enough to swivel and flick the ball back to Aguero, into the path of his teammate as he sprinted into space. Aguero scored. The blue side of Manchester went delirious.
In the blue of Italy, Balotelli was also impressive at the European Championship last year. He was earnest when he had to be. He scored both Italian goals in a 2-1 semifinal victory over Germany. After the second goal, he stripped off his jersey to show off his tattooed, muscular body.
“If anyone is angry for my celebration, it’s because they saw my physique and they’re jealous,” he said.
That was Balotelli at his best.
Back home in Italy, when he is closer to his family, it would be gratifying if he can become that good again. Milan director Umberto Gandini said the club’s agreement with City is dependent on Balotelli passing a medical.
That Balotelli likes to clown around doesn’t make him a clown. Now is his chance to have the last laugh. Washington Post
John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org or follow him at http://twitter.com/johnleicester
Coventry linked with Manchester City's Alex Henshall
Sky Sports understands Coventry City are considering a loan move for Manchester City teenager Alex Henshall.
The winger joined City from Swindon Town in the summer of 2010, but has yet to make the breakthrough into the Premier League champions' first-team set-up.
He could now be given the opportunity to gain experience back in the Football League, with Coventry boss Mark Robins acknowledging a loan signing from the top flight is an option.
"I may have a look at a youngster from a Premier League side," Robins told the club's official website. "That might be after the transfer window has closed though, we'll have to see.
"There are one or two players I wouldn't mind. They are on our radar but it just remains whether I will be able to anything or not."
Meanwhile, Robins is taking a look at Danny Philliskirk after the striker was released by League One rivals Sheffield United last week.
Philliskirk played for the Under 21s against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday and Robins said: "I am just having a look at him. He is here for a week or so and we just want to see if he can offer anything to the side.
"He played well in the game but for now, we just want to see how he gets on having just left Sheffield United."
TWITCH OF THE DAY
Sergio Aguero has issued a ‘come get me plea’ to Real Madrid
MANCHESTER CITY forward Sergio Aguero has issued a ‘come get me plea’ to Real Madrid.
The Argentine talisman has been slightly subdued this term following his blistering debut season in the Premier League for the Citizens.
Although Aguero is still one of the main focal points of City’s attack, the goals haven’t flowed as regularly this season.
And with Real Madrid sniffing around, this wouldn’t sit down too well with bitter rivals Atletico, whose fans worshipped Aguero.
According to Spanish paper El Confidencial, Aguero is going through some tough times in his personal life and he would welcome the chance to be reunited with his friends in Madrid.
They also suggest that Aguero is unhappy with City’s form in the Europe where they have been eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages for the past two seasons.
Aguero has netted eight times in the Premier League this season.
SNUB COUNT 332
GOLDEN BOLLOX - 31 Jan 2010
MIDDLESBROUGH are bracing themselves for a second, take-it-or- leave-it £7 million bid from Manchester City for Adam Johnson.
The 22-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and free now to talk to interested clubs.
City offered £5 million for the England Under-21 star last week, when Johnson requested permission to talk to the Eastlands outfit.
But the Teessiders blocked any attempt at talks and are keen to hang onto their star player until the end of the season.
Then, though Johnson could leave the Riverside on a free transfer, Boro would be entitled to compensation because the winger is under 24 and has been brought through the club’s ranks.
However, that figure is unlikely to be substantial, and City are hopeful that a renewed bid before the transfer window shuts tomorrow will tempt Boro to sell.
[youtube]bnpt11SqXxM[/youtube]
Anzhi Makhachkala defender Christopher Samba, 28, is set for a staggering £100,000-a-week wage at QPR if a deal goes through. Independent
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has made a shock swoop for David Bentley, 28, with Tottenham midfielders Jermaine Jenas, 29, and Andros Townsend, 21, also in his radar. Sun
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is prepared to send defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 28, to Inter Milan in a swap deal which would take his former Porto defender Alvaro Pereira, 27, to White Hart Lane. Metro
However, Villas-Boas has admitted that the club is unlikely to buy a striker before the transfer window closes. Sky Sports
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is mulling over a move for Kenwyne Jones, 28, after the Stoke striker priced himself out of a move Daily Mirror
Wigan Athletic, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion are ready to offer full-back Danny Simpson, 26, an escape route from Newcastle United. DSSC
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is ready to pull off a transfer coup by signing Republic of Ireland and Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady, 26, for £5m. Daily Mirror
Tottenham have made an inquiry for Lyon forward Bafetimbi Gomis, 27. Daily Telegraph
Sunderland will complete the £5.5m transfer of striker Danny Graham, 27, from Swansea on Thursday. DSSC
Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson, 20 is reportedly set for a surprise loan move to Stoke. Metro
Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone is in talks with Fulham over a £5m switch to Craven Cottage. Daily Express
QPR, Everton and West Ham have received a transfer blow after Toulouse ruled out selling midfielder Etienne Capoue, 24, during the current window. talkShit
Newcastle are lining up a bid for Standard Liege midfielder William Vanqueur, 24. Sun
Toulouse coach Alain Casanova has denied that Etienne Capoue, 24, will leave the club, despite reports that the midfielder is keen to move on. QPR and Tottenham have shown interest. L'Equipe
French-Moroccan midfielder Adil Hermach has been loaned to Toulouse from Saudi side Al-Hilal Riyadh until the end of the season. Sport24
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Europe's top leagues are considering changing the calendar so clubs can play in the summer.
Roy Hodgson wants Raheem Sterling to play in this summer's European Under-21 Championship. South China Morning Post
England manager Roy Hodgson has decided Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, 18, should play in this summer's European Under-21s Championship in June but wants to keep Jack Wilshere, 21, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, with the senior team as he prepares for the next World Cup. Guardian
Bookmakers Coral suspended betting on Brighton's Gus Poyet becoming the next Chelsea manager yesterday after an avalanche of online bets cut his odds from 25-1 to 3-1. Sun
Midfielder Lewis Holtby, 22, believes his decision to join Tottenham six months ahead of schedule will make it easier for him to reach his peak next season. London's Evening Standard
Former Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp is set for a sensational return to the Gunners as Liam Brady's replacement as head of the club's youth academy. Guardian
[spoiler]
SWAMP BOLLOX
Younger readers wishing to learn a bit about certain references made by our club (and others) supporters to a ground are now in for an update ...
Bacon admits title-chasing United left stuck with dodgy pitchBy Ian Ladyman
Manchester United are stuck with their deteriorating Old Trafford pitch until the end of the season after the club decided not to rip it up before the summer.
United’s playing surface has been in a mess since the wet Manchester weather before Christmas and now represents something of a rutted sandpit after being dried out by a period of frost and cold weather.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was damning in his criticism of the pitch after his team struggled to beat Southampton 2-1 in the Barclays Premier League on Wednesday night but it is understood that the club’s ground staff have advised there is no way it can be replaced mid-season.
They've got their work cut out: Manchester United's pitch has been left a mess by the winter weather
Ferguson said after the match: 'We found the pitch difficult to play on. Southampton won a lot of 50-50 balls as our players looked to take a touch.
'We watered the pitch before the game but once it dried out in the second half it became difficult.
'We couldn’t play our normal game on it and its really becoming a problem for us.'
With United looking to cement their position at the top of the Premier League in coming weeks and due to face Real Madrid at Old Trafford in the Champions League on March 5, Ferguson would certainly like his team to have a better surface to play on and it is not unknown for clubs to relay surfaces during a season.
It seems, however, that United will have to make the best of things until the summer.
GOLDEN WAG & BOLLOX - 31st Jan 2012
[spoiler][youtube]3YRdkkf3Npc[/youtube][/spoiler]
'MANCHESTER CITY ARE JEALOUS OF US' - ARSENAL CHIEF’S AMAZING CLAIM
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has claimed that Manchester City should be jealous
ARSENAL chief executive Ivan Gazidis has made the ridiculous claim that Manchester City should be jealous of their achievements this season.
Despite the fact City are 18 points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and have beaten them twice this term, Gazidis has tried desperately to point to the fact Arsene Wenger’s men are still in the Champions League and FA Cup.
And Gazidis has tried to justify Arsenal’s disastrous transfer policy by claiming their refusal to buy star players and instead gamble on youth is an inspiration to people all over the world. During this month’s transfer window, Arsenal have re-signed 34-year-old Thierry Henry on a short-term loan and are set to land little known German teenager Thomas Eisfeld for £600,000.
Having watched Arsenal lose three successive Premier League games and squeeze past Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Gazidis said: “We’re in three competitions this year. Manchester City would love to be in three competitions. They’re not. So money is not everything in this game.
We’re in three competitions this year. Manchester City would love to be in three competitions. They’re not. So money is not everything in this game.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis
“I don’t disagree that it’s important. But we do things based on a value system. We’re about creating star players, not about buying them.
“We’re about what happens in a team, between players, not individual superstars. And that’s an inspiration to people around the world. We can’t afford to compete with oil money and we can’t afford to compete with super-wealthy individuals from Russia.
“But the more important thing about our model is that it’s sustainable. Our business model means we can continue to do what we’re doing for ever.
“We’re proud of the way we do things and we’re proud of the results that we’re able to produce from that.”
Gazidis described Wenger as one of the best managers in the world but hinted his position could be threatened if the club’s six-year trophy drought continues.
“Nobody has a job for life,” said Gazidis.
Robin van Persie has escaped any FA punishment for an alleged elbow on Aston Villa’s Carlos Cuellar after referee Michael Jones confirmed he saw the incident and took no action.
LAHAD'S LICK BINGO OUT BOLLOX
A perfect place to honour the Fez & Nipple Tassel wearing one ....
So what should go on Bingo's plaque? .... You decide ...
viewtopic.php?f=121&t=45089
