Wednesday's B*l**x
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:24 am[youtube]uqSZ9rcvfAY[/youtube]
WHY ALL ...
Bye-bye Mario! Buy-buy Villa! City are in for Barca's David to replace Balotelli
Premier League champions have already approached Spanish giants as they prepare to sell controversy-magnet striker to AC Milan in £19.5m deal
Manchester City have finally offloaded maverick striker Mario Balotelli - and set their sights on David Villa to replace him.
Balotelli will undergo a medical at AC Milan on Wednesday after City agreed to sell him for £17million, with the fee potentially rising to £19.5m depending on add-ons.
And City are set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Barcelona’s £15m-rated forward Villa, after Arsenal were forced to give up their pursuit of him.
The Mirror has learned that City have already made an enquiry about Villa, with a view to rushing through a deal before Thursday night’s transfer deadline.
City boss Roberto Mancini wants to bring his quota of senior strikers back to four after finally getting rid of Balotelli and sees Villa as the ideal recruit.
Ex-Barca officials Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, now City's chief executive and sporting director respectively, could use their contacts at their former club to help seal a deal.
Although Barca do not want to sell Villa, Eastlands bosses are hoping an offer of £15m could tempt them to part with the 31-year-old, who has a poor injury record.
Villa has struggled to re-establish himself as a regular at Barca after missing virtually the entire 2011-12 season with a broken leg suffered early in the campaign.
City may also explore the possibility of taking Villa on loan for the rest of the season, before moving Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain - their top transfer target - next summer.
Balotelli’s turbulent two-and-a-half year spell at City finally came to an end after Milan finally agreed to pay £17m for the controversial 22-year-old forward.
City paid Inter Milan £22m for the Italian in August 2010 and were determined to hold out for the price they wanted, despite the player’s stock having fallen this season.
Balotelli scored just one Premier League goal this season and a training-ground bust-up with Mancini earlier this month was the final straw for the club, who decided to get rid of the player.
In total, Balotelli made 75 appearances for City, scoring 30 goals.
Roberto Mancini: Man City unlikely to replace Mario Balotelli
Roberto Mancini does not expect to replace Mario Balotelli before the end of the transfer window on Thursday.
The Italian striker, 22, is due to finalise a move to AC Milan on Wednesday for an initial fee believed to be 22m euros (£19m).
It leaves Mancini with only three recognised strikers but the manager doubts he will sign a replacement.
"We only have two days and it is difficult to buy a good player in this moment," said Mancini.
City have been linked with big-money moves for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani and Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao in the January transfer window, despite Mancini's insistence that he will not be able to replace Balotelli before the deadline.
However the manager admits that the loss of Balotelli, who signed for City for £24m in 2010, lessens his options as City look to close the four-point gap on leaders Manchester United, who also have a game in hand.
“Good luck, Mario! You won't be forgotten around here. All the best on this new era for you!”
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on Twitter
"It is difficult because I lost one important striker and that could be important in the next 14 games," Mancini said.
"But it is important for Mario - to be back in Italy, back with his family and to play for Milan."
The 2011-12 season was arguably Balotelli's most productive as he netted 20 goals in 40 appearances and provided the crucial assist for Sergio Aguero to score the title-clinching goal against QPR in May last year.
He has not featured as much this season, with Mancini preferring to play Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko, and he was involved in a training ground altercation with his manager at the beginning of the month.
However, Mancini says the two have parted on good terms and said he hopes to see the player realise his potential in Serie A.
"We are sorry because we love him like a guy and like a player," said Mancini. "We did well with him - we won the FA Cup, Premier League and Community Shield, and it's clear we are sad at the moment.
Mancini on Mario
•30 March 2012: "No, I don't trust Mario. No-one trusts Mario."
•6 April: "I told him, if you played with me 10 years ago I would give you every day maybe one punch in your head. If Mario is not one of the best players in the world it will be his fault, because he has everything."
•20 November: "He has everything to be one of the best players in the world. He could be like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi if he understands that to be like this you should work hard. Sometimes he doesn't understand how his job is important for his life but I hope he can understand this quickly."
"I hope Mario can improve and can show he is ready because if he works hard he can continue his growing and can become one of the best players in Europe."
Balotelli's time in Manchester has been dominated by constant headlines, with the striker struggling with his discipline on the pitch.
In his first season at Manchester City he scored 10 goals in 28 appearances, but was also sent off twice - against West Bromwich Albion and Dynamo Kiev.
He had similar problems last season, picking up 11 yellow cards and being sent off in Premier League games against Liverpool and Arsenal - the latter prompting Mancini to suggest he would be willing to sell the striker.
And Mancini, speaking after his side's 0-0 draw with bottom club Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday, joked that journalists will be sad to see the player leave the Premier League
When asked if he will miss Balotelli, Mancini said: "Yes. I think that he will miss me and all the journalists. For you [journalists], he was very important."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Dzeko Will Have To Accept A Pay Cut To Join Dortmund, Insists Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has told Edin Dzeko that he will have to take a pay cut if he wants to join the Bundesliga champions.
Dortmund were double winners last season and Klopp has said that they would not sign anybody who would not fit into their strict wage budget.
"Falcao for example is great as well. One thing we can say about these names, but also about others: At Borussia Dortmund, everything was made regarding our conditions and salary structures. We won't cancel this for any player in the world.
"That is what he has to do by himself. If and when Robert [Lewandowski] leaves, a new forward has to accept our conditions. Then he is interesting.
"If anybody wants to come to us, he has to adapt financially. Then he can have real fun, probably more than at his old club."
Augero is off as well ...
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/01/30/ ... tch/78246/
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +5 GD +1
TWITCH OF THE DAY
QPR manager Harry Redknapp claimed his side’s goalless draw against Manchester City comes as a bonus point as the reigning Premier League champions failed to move to within two points of leaders Manchester United.
Rangers remain bottom of the table despite taking points from Chelsea, Tottenham and now Man City in recent weeks and Redknapp’s hard-work ethos appears to be keeping the west London club in the survival picture.
Pablo Zabaleta hit the bar for City as they toiled at a wet and windy Loftus Road whilst QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar made a handful of excellent saves to keep the scores level.
Adel Taarabt and Loic Remy had mere glimpses of the City goal throughout the game but Redknapp was pleased to secure a much-needed point.
“Of course it is a bonus point, it is a great point,” he said. “It is a fantastic result. I wouldn’t say it is the end (of the title race) – it is a good result for Fergie (Alex Ferguson) tonight for sure, but it is still open.”
Ruing his side’s missed opportunity to put pressure on United, City boss Roberto Mancini said: “We lost two points, this is sure.
“But the season is long and I think I can say nothing because we played well, we had the chances but didn’t score – that is all it is.”
SNUB COUNT 299
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is to make one final attempt to sign David Villa after transfer talks with Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis. DSSC
Norwich are hoping to seal the £8m signing of Celtic striker Gary Hooper and Leeds hitman Luciano Becchio. Sun
West Ham are eyeing a move for 31-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk left-back Razvan Rat. Sky Sports
QPR boss Harry Redknapp and his Stoke counterpart Tony Pulis are arranging a swap deal involving strikers Peter Crouch, 31, and Jamie Mackie, 27. The Mirror
Redknapp also wants to sign 28-year-old Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar for a third time, having managed him at Portsmouth and Tottenham. Metro
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker is also a key target for Redknapp. The Independent
Fulham are in talks to sign AC Milan's 26-year-old Dutch midfielder Urby Emanuelson on loan. DSSC
Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of 31-year-old Millwall striker Darius Henderson. talkShit
Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland has rejected the chance to join Chelsea, after his club accepted a £3m offer. DSSC
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing one final attempt to sign 23-year-old striker Leandro Damiao from Internacional before the transfer window closes on Thursday. The Daily Telegraph
Former Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko, 28, is expected to leave Paris St-Germain for Fiorentina. L'Equipe
Lille have confirmed the signing of Florian Thauvin, 20, from SC Bastia. The Frenchman had been a target of both Newcastle and Arsenal. Sport24.com
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell has said the "door is still open" for goalkeeper Victor Valdes to sign a new contract. Marca
Italian international Mattia Cassani, 29, has been loaned to Genoa from Fiorentina after struggling to secure his place in the starting line-up. La Gazzetta dello Sport
Lazio have announced the loan of Argentine international Lionel Scaloni, 34, to Atalanta until the end of the season. Forza Italian Football
New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen was given a guard of honour and fans chanted his name as he walked off the pitch following his final game for QPR against Manchester City. He is set to become the manager of Toronto FC in Canada. The New Zealand Herald
Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry insists docking teams points rather than handing out a fine is the only way to stop racism in football. talkShit
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli has been blasted by former manager Joe Royle
MARIO Balotelli quit Manchester City for AC Milan last night and was told: goodbye and good riddance.
Former City player and manager Joe Royle summed up the feelings of many at the Etihad Stadium when he said: “He won’t be a loss.”
Balotelli agreed a £1million-a-year pay cut to enable the deal to go through. Milan will pay £17.5m up front with add-ons making the deal worth £22m – allowing City to recoup the fee they paid Inter Milan in 2010.
There were few tears shed at his departure, with Royle believing City are better off without the controversial Italy international striker. He said: “I’ll only remember him as a great penalty-taker. Apart from that, I have never understand what all the fuss is about.
“He has got no work-rate. I have never seen a player walk as much as he does on the pitch. He doesn’t score enough goals and there are too many headlines off the pitch, what with the parking fines, fireworks and silly T-shirts.
“If you look back at City’s run-in last season, when they won the Premier League, he was a nightmare. It would be no loss if he left.”
Balotelli pulled out of City’s squad to face QPR at Loftus Road to fly back to Italy last night. He will have a medical in Milan today before signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes Balotelli will be making the right move but warned him he now needs to start fulfilling his potential by producing some consistent performances.
Prandelli said: “Now a lot depends on him. He has everything he needs to show his true worth.
“It’s what Mario was looking for. He has gone to a club which knows how to work with young players, including all the aspects off the pitch. Now it’s up to him.”
City boss Roberto Mancini was reluctant to sell but realised if he blocked the move he was in danger of getting nothing out of an unreliable Balotelli for the rest of the season. It is highly unlikely he will buy a replacement before the window closes tomorrow, preferring to wait until the summer when he will try to buy Falcao or Edinson Cavani.
He will instead promote Swedish striker John Guidetti, 20, to his senior squad. Guidetti scored 21 goals in a loan spell with Feyenoord last season and he is fit again after injury.
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
WHY ALL ...
Bye-bye Mario! Buy-buy Villa! City are in for Barca's David to replace Balotelli
Premier League champions have already approached Spanish giants as they prepare to sell controversy-magnet striker to AC Milan in £19.5m deal
Manchester City have finally offloaded maverick striker Mario Balotelli - and set their sights on David Villa to replace him.
Balotelli will undergo a medical at AC Milan on Wednesday after City agreed to sell him for £17million, with the fee potentially rising to £19.5m depending on add-ons.
And City are set to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Barcelona’s £15m-rated forward Villa, after Arsenal were forced to give up their pursuit of him.
The Mirror has learned that City have already made an enquiry about Villa, with a view to rushing through a deal before Thursday night’s transfer deadline.
City boss Roberto Mancini wants to bring his quota of senior strikers back to four after finally getting rid of Balotelli and sees Villa as the ideal recruit.
Ex-Barca officials Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, now City's chief executive and sporting director respectively, could use their contacts at their former club to help seal a deal.
Although Barca do not want to sell Villa, Eastlands bosses are hoping an offer of £15m could tempt them to part with the 31-year-old, who has a poor injury record.
Villa has struggled to re-establish himself as a regular at Barca after missing virtually the entire 2011-12 season with a broken leg suffered early in the campaign.
City may also explore the possibility of taking Villa on loan for the rest of the season, before moving Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain - their top transfer target - next summer.
Balotelli’s turbulent two-and-a-half year spell at City finally came to an end after Milan finally agreed to pay £17m for the controversial 22-year-old forward.
City paid Inter Milan £22m for the Italian in August 2010 and were determined to hold out for the price they wanted, despite the player’s stock having fallen this season.
Balotelli scored just one Premier League goal this season and a training-ground bust-up with Mancini earlier this month was the final straw for the club, who decided to get rid of the player.
In total, Balotelli made 75 appearances for City, scoring 30 goals.
Roberto Mancini: Man City unlikely to replace Mario Balotelli
Roberto Mancini does not expect to replace Mario Balotelli before the end of the transfer window on Thursday.
The Italian striker, 22, is due to finalise a move to AC Milan on Wednesday for an initial fee believed to be 22m euros (£19m).
It leaves Mancini with only three recognised strikers but the manager doubts he will sign a replacement.
"We only have two days and it is difficult to buy a good player in this moment," said Mancini.
City have been linked with big-money moves for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani and Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao in the January transfer window, despite Mancini's insistence that he will not be able to replace Balotelli before the deadline.
However the manager admits that the loss of Balotelli, who signed for City for £24m in 2010, lessens his options as City look to close the four-point gap on leaders Manchester United, who also have a game in hand.
“Good luck, Mario! You won't be forgotten around here. All the best on this new era for you!”
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero on Twitter
"It is difficult because I lost one important striker and that could be important in the next 14 games," Mancini said.
"But it is important for Mario - to be back in Italy, back with his family and to play for Milan."
The 2011-12 season was arguably Balotelli's most productive as he netted 20 goals in 40 appearances and provided the crucial assist for Sergio Aguero to score the title-clinching goal against QPR in May last year.
He has not featured as much this season, with Mancini preferring to play Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko, and he was involved in a training ground altercation with his manager at the beginning of the month.
However, Mancini says the two have parted on good terms and said he hopes to see the player realise his potential in Serie A.
"We are sorry because we love him like a guy and like a player," said Mancini. "We did well with him - we won the FA Cup, Premier League and Community Shield, and it's clear we are sad at the moment.
Mancini on Mario
•30 March 2012: "No, I don't trust Mario. No-one trusts Mario."
•6 April: "I told him, if you played with me 10 years ago I would give you every day maybe one punch in your head. If Mario is not one of the best players in the world it will be his fault, because he has everything."
•20 November: "He has everything to be one of the best players in the world. He could be like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi if he understands that to be like this you should work hard. Sometimes he doesn't understand how his job is important for his life but I hope he can understand this quickly."
"I hope Mario can improve and can show he is ready because if he works hard he can continue his growing and can become one of the best players in Europe."
Balotelli's time in Manchester has been dominated by constant headlines, with the striker struggling with his discipline on the pitch.
In his first season at Manchester City he scored 10 goals in 28 appearances, but was also sent off twice - against West Bromwich Albion and Dynamo Kiev.
He had similar problems last season, picking up 11 yellow cards and being sent off in Premier League games against Liverpool and Arsenal - the latter prompting Mancini to suggest he would be willing to sell the striker.
And Mancini, speaking after his side's 0-0 draw with bottom club Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday, joked that journalists will be sad to see the player leave the Premier League
When asked if he will miss Balotelli, Mancini said: "Yes. I think that he will miss me and all the journalists. For you [journalists], he was very important."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Dzeko Will Have To Accept A Pay Cut To Join Dortmund, Insists Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has told Edin Dzeko that he will have to take a pay cut if he wants to join the Bundesliga champions.
Dortmund were double winners last season and Klopp has said that they would not sign anybody who would not fit into their strict wage budget.
"Falcao for example is great as well. One thing we can say about these names, but also about others: At Borussia Dortmund, everything was made regarding our conditions and salary structures. We won't cancel this for any player in the world.
"That is what he has to do by himself. If and when Robert [Lewandowski] leaves, a new forward has to accept our conditions. Then he is interesting.
"If anybody wants to come to us, he has to adapt financially. Then he can have real fun, probably more than at his old club."
Augero is off as well ...
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/01/30/ ... tch/78246/
MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +5 GD +1
TWITCH OF THE DAY
QPR manager Harry Redknapp claimed his side’s goalless draw against Manchester City comes as a bonus point as the reigning Premier League champions failed to move to within two points of leaders Manchester United.
Rangers remain bottom of the table despite taking points from Chelsea, Tottenham and now Man City in recent weeks and Redknapp’s hard-work ethos appears to be keeping the west London club in the survival picture.
Pablo Zabaleta hit the bar for City as they toiled at a wet and windy Loftus Road whilst QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar made a handful of excellent saves to keep the scores level.
Adel Taarabt and Loic Remy had mere glimpses of the City goal throughout the game but Redknapp was pleased to secure a much-needed point.
“Of course it is a bonus point, it is a great point,” he said. “It is a fantastic result. I wouldn’t say it is the end (of the title race) – it is a good result for Fergie (Alex Ferguson) tonight for sure, but it is still open.”
Ruing his side’s missed opportunity to put pressure on United, City boss Roberto Mancini said: “We lost two points, this is sure.
“But the season is long and I think I can say nothing because we played well, we had the chances but didn’t score – that is all it is.”
SNUB COUNT 299
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is to make one final attempt to sign David Villa after transfer talks with Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis. DSSC
Norwich are hoping to seal the £8m signing of Celtic striker Gary Hooper and Leeds hitman Luciano Becchio. Sun
West Ham are eyeing a move for 31-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk left-back Razvan Rat. Sky Sports
QPR boss Harry Redknapp and his Stoke counterpart Tony Pulis are arranging a swap deal involving strikers Peter Crouch, 31, and Jamie Mackie, 27. The Mirror
Redknapp also wants to sign 28-year-old Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar for a third time, having managed him at Portsmouth and Tottenham. Metro
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker is also a key target for Redknapp. The Independent
Fulham are in talks to sign AC Milan's 26-year-old Dutch midfielder Urby Emanuelson on loan. DSSC
Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of 31-year-old Millwall striker Darius Henderson. talkShit
Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland has rejected the chance to join Chelsea, after his club accepted a £3m offer. DSSC
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing one final attempt to sign 23-year-old striker Leandro Damiao from Internacional before the transfer window closes on Thursday. The Daily Telegraph
Former Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko, 28, is expected to leave Paris St-Germain for Fiorentina. L'Equipe
Lille have confirmed the signing of Florian Thauvin, 20, from SC Bastia. The Frenchman had been a target of both Newcastle and Arsenal. Sport24.com
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell has said the "door is still open" for goalkeeper Victor Valdes to sign a new contract. Marca
Italian international Mattia Cassani, 29, has been loaned to Genoa from Fiorentina after struggling to secure his place in the starting line-up. La Gazzetta dello Sport
Lazio have announced the loan of Argentine international Lionel Scaloni, 34, to Atalanta until the end of the season. Forza Italian Football
New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen was given a guard of honour and fans chanted his name as he walked off the pitch following his final game for QPR against Manchester City. He is set to become the manager of Toronto FC in Canada. The New Zealand Herald
Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry insists docking teams points rather than handing out a fine is the only way to stop racism in football. talkShit
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli has been blasted by former manager Joe Royle
MARIO Balotelli quit Manchester City for AC Milan last night and was told: goodbye and good riddance.
Former City player and manager Joe Royle summed up the feelings of many at the Etihad Stadium when he said: “He won’t be a loss.”
Balotelli agreed a £1million-a-year pay cut to enable the deal to go through. Milan will pay £17.5m up front with add-ons making the deal worth £22m – allowing City to recoup the fee they paid Inter Milan in 2010.
There were few tears shed at his departure, with Royle believing City are better off without the controversial Italy international striker. He said: “I’ll only remember him as a great penalty-taker. Apart from that, I have never understand what all the fuss is about.
“He has got no work-rate. I have never seen a player walk as much as he does on the pitch. He doesn’t score enough goals and there are too many headlines off the pitch, what with the parking fines, fireworks and silly T-shirts.
“If you look back at City’s run-in last season, when they won the Premier League, he was a nightmare. It would be no loss if he left.”
Balotelli pulled out of City’s squad to face QPR at Loftus Road to fly back to Italy last night. He will have a medical in Milan today before signing a four-and-a-half-year contract. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes Balotelli will be making the right move but warned him he now needs to start fulfilling his potential by producing some consistent performances.
Prandelli said: “Now a lot depends on him. He has everything he needs to show his true worth.
“It’s what Mario was looking for. He has gone to a club which knows how to work with young players, including all the aspects off the pitch. Now it’s up to him.”
City boss Roberto Mancini was reluctant to sell but realised if he blocked the move he was in danger of getting nothing out of an unreliable Balotelli for the rest of the season. It is highly unlikely he will buy a replacement before the window closes tomorrow, preferring to wait until the summer when he will try to buy Falcao or Edinson Cavani.
He will instead promote Swedish striker John Guidetti, 20, to his senior squad. Guidetti scored 21 goals in a loan spell with Feyenoord last season and he is fit again after injury.
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