Tuesday's B*l**x
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:45 am
THE BOLLOX
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Newcastle United, West Ham in fight to sign Manchester City's Micah Richards?
Newcastle United and West Ham United are reportedly both in pursuit of Manchester City full-back Micah Richards.
Questions over the 25-year-old's future at the Etihad Stadium have been rumbling for some time.
Due to numerous injuries and failure to cement a regular spot in manager Manuel Pellegrini's team, there have been suggestions that Richards's City career could be coming to an end.
According to the Manchester United Evening News, Richards could leave the club for as little as £4m as both Newcastle and West Ham keep track of the full-back's situation.
Richards's contract expires next summer.
Inter To Offload Keeper To City To Fund Martinez Move
Inter Milan could sell goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to Manchester City so they can retrieve the funds for Jackson Martinez.
The Italian side are desperate to land a new striker in the summer but have ruled out a move for Fernando Torres leaving Martinez as their first choice centre forward.
The 27-year-old has attracted the interests of Arsenal following another impressive goalscoring season at Porto but Inter are ready to make a £25million offer.
But according to the Express, new owner Erik Thohir wants to sell a number of players before making big money signings and reports in Italy suggest that Handanovic could make way.
It is thought that Manuel Pellegrini is looking out for a new number one having dropped Joe Hart earlier in the season.
But it remains to be seen whether Pellegrini eyes the Slovenian international as the right man to replace Hart and if they are willing to match their asking price.
Some at Everton want to LOSE to City to stop Liverpool winning the league... Distin reveals Toffees' ultimate dilemma
Sylvain Distin has revealed there are some Evertonians who’d rather they lose their crunch clash with Manchester City and damage their top four hopes if it helped stop Liverpool winning the Barclays Premier League title.
The Toffees' bitter rivals sit in the Premier League's top spot, and Everton taking points against City on May 3 would be a huge boost to Liverpool's title hopes.
Everton themselves are on the brink of Champions League qualification, Sunday's 3-0 demolition of Arsenal putting them just one point behind the Gunners with a game in hand.
Distin said: 'We’ve spoken about it with some of the staff and said, “What if we have to beat City to be in the Champions League but by doing that Liverpool win the league?”
'The funny thing is some people would rather we don’t get Champions League football here as long as they don’t win the league. It’s mad!
'Personally I’d rather be in the Champions League. You can’t miss a chance for that.
'It would be amazing for the city if both clubs made it. I think deep down both sets of fans would like it if both clubs were in it.'
Young Blues on course despite loss
City's youngsters fell to a 4-3 defeat against Arsenal in an entertaining game but are still on track for a treble.
Manchester City missed the chance to move into the Under-21 Premier League play-off places by losing a seven-goal cracker at Meadow Park.
But Patrick Vieira’s youngsters remain on course for a treble, as they are still well-placed, needing five points from their last three matches to reach the top four.
They face Reading at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of the Under-21 League Cup final on Thursday night, and will take on United in the Manchester Senior Cup final.
The Blues attacked from the off but found Arsenal keeper Matt Macey in inspired form as he kept out a Seko Fofana piledriver and George Glendon free-kick. Then the Gunners’ Spanish duo Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin scored twice in the space of three minutes to give the home side a comfortable half-time lead.
City right-back Adam Drury fired home shortly into the second half to spark another spell of pressure, but Macey pulled off a remarkable close-range stop to deny Devante Cole.
Arsenal soaked up the pressure and seemed to have wrapped up the points when Stefan O’Connor made it 3-1 after springing the offside trap.
Still City piled forward and with a minute of normal time left Cole turned in Sinan Bytyqi’s low cross to bring hope.
In a crazy ending to the game, Arsenal went up the other end and Toral carved his way inside two defenders before firing under Ian Lawlor, only for sub Greg Leigh to head home from a corner deep in stoppage time.
CITY Under-21: Lawlor, Drury, Facey, Denayer, Angelino (Leigh 79), Glendon (Cole 46), Fofana, Ntcham, Lopes, Bytyqi, Hiwula
Man City To Play At The Etihad
On Sunday May 4th, Manchester City Women will play at the Etihad Stadium for the very first time.
The day after the men's first-team lock horns with Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League, MCWFC face the Toffees' female counterparts in the Continental Cup.
The clash also presents a defining moment in MCFC history as it will be the first time a City women's team will have graced the Etihad Stadium pitch.
Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday 4 May, with tickets priced at £6 for adults and £4 for under-16s. Discounted tickets for Concessions are also available, with admission for 16-21 year-olds, over 65s and disabled supporters priced at £5.
Alternatively, seasontickets are also available at the cost of £48 for adults, £30 for under-16s and £4- for Concessions.
Manchester City pen training equipment deal
Premier League title chasers Manchester City have formalised a partnership with training equipment company TRX.
The partnership, announced on Monday, will see City’s senior and academy players continue to use TRX equipment as part of their fitness regimes and tailored training programmes.
In addition to supplying the gym at the club’s new academy, which is set to open later this year, TRX will also collaborate with City on a series of strength conditioning publication pieces.
City players will also feature in a TRX promotional video as part of a digital and social marketing campaign.
“Strength and conditioning forms an important part of our training programmes for all our squads,” said Dr Sam Erith, City’s head of sports science.
“Players will work daily on individualised programmes with the goals of making key athletic movements more efficient and the body more resilient to the risk of injury.”
Manchester City are widely considered favourites to claim this year’s Premier League title. They currently sit third in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool but with two games in hand.
[spoiler][/spoiler]
Manchester United have suffered a setback in their bid to sign Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos, 24, after Real Madrid declared an interest in the midfielder. TalkSHIT
However, Kroos has told Bayern and Germany team-mates that he is determined to join the Old Trafford club in a £40m deal. Daily Mirror
Manchester United's Portuguese winger Nani, 27, is likely to leave Old Trafford this summer according to his agent. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are considering a £17m summer move for Paris St-Germain striker Marco Verratti, 21, despite the fact the Italian has not scored in 50 appearances since signing for the French club in 2012. Metro
The Gunners are interested in Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun, 19, but face competition from AC Milan. Daily Star
Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, 25, currently on loan at Sunderland, will be welcomed back to the Liberty Stadium if Garry Monk is still in charge next season. South Wales Evening Post
Newcastle will offload winger Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, as well as midfielders Sylvain Marveaux, 27, and 25-year-old Gabriel Obertan during the summer. Sun
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood will be sacked by the club at the end of the season and replaced by outgoing Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal. DSSC
But Spurs could turn to Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino in their search for a new manager. Daily Telegraph
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 23, will return to Belgium for an operation on a ruptured Achilles that has ended his World Cup hopes. Birmingham Mail
Manchester United are to make the north-east quadrant of Old Trafford a permanent singing section after two successful trials this season. Manchester Evening News
Alan Pardew has been told his position as Newcastle manager is safe despite 10 defeats in 15 games and a seven-match suspension for butting Hull's David Meyler. Daily Telegraph
Everton defender Sylvain Distin does not share the view of some Toffees fans in not wanting the club to qualify for the Champions League as long as Merseyside rivals Liverpool do not win the league. Daily Star
Manchester United striker James Wilson, 18, who was on the bench for the first time for Saturday's 4-0 win at Newcastle, scored a stunning 25-yard goal for the Old Trafford club's under-21s against Aston Villa on Monday. DSSC
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says West Ham "tried everything" to unsettle his side before their win over the Hammers last Sunday. The Reds had to deal with a "hot dressing room, a dry pitch and the bus had to park a mile away" from the ground. Liverpool Echo
Liverpool's 23-goal striker Daniel Sturridge, 24, has visited a local primary school to teach the pupils the secrets of his goal celebration. London Evening Standard
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Newcastle United, West Ham in fight to sign Manchester City's Micah Richards?
Newcastle United and West Ham United are reportedly both in pursuit of Manchester City full-back Micah Richards.
Questions over the 25-year-old's future at the Etihad Stadium have been rumbling for some time.
Due to numerous injuries and failure to cement a regular spot in manager Manuel Pellegrini's team, there have been suggestions that Richards's City career could be coming to an end.
According to the Manchester United Evening News, Richards could leave the club for as little as £4m as both Newcastle and West Ham keep track of the full-back's situation.
Richards's contract expires next summer.
Inter To Offload Keeper To City To Fund Martinez Move
Inter Milan could sell goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to Manchester City so they can retrieve the funds for Jackson Martinez.
The Italian side are desperate to land a new striker in the summer but have ruled out a move for Fernando Torres leaving Martinez as their first choice centre forward.
The 27-year-old has attracted the interests of Arsenal following another impressive goalscoring season at Porto but Inter are ready to make a £25million offer.
But according to the Express, new owner Erik Thohir wants to sell a number of players before making big money signings and reports in Italy suggest that Handanovic could make way.
It is thought that Manuel Pellegrini is looking out for a new number one having dropped Joe Hart earlier in the season.
But it remains to be seen whether Pellegrini eyes the Slovenian international as the right man to replace Hart and if they are willing to match their asking price.
Some at Everton want to LOSE to City to stop Liverpool winning the league... Distin reveals Toffees' ultimate dilemma
Sylvain Distin has revealed there are some Evertonians who’d rather they lose their crunch clash with Manchester City and damage their top four hopes if it helped stop Liverpool winning the Barclays Premier League title.
The Toffees' bitter rivals sit in the Premier League's top spot, and Everton taking points against City on May 3 would be a huge boost to Liverpool's title hopes.
Everton themselves are on the brink of Champions League qualification, Sunday's 3-0 demolition of Arsenal putting them just one point behind the Gunners with a game in hand.
Distin said: 'We’ve spoken about it with some of the staff and said, “What if we have to beat City to be in the Champions League but by doing that Liverpool win the league?”
'The funny thing is some people would rather we don’t get Champions League football here as long as they don’t win the league. It’s mad!
'Personally I’d rather be in the Champions League. You can’t miss a chance for that.
'It would be amazing for the city if both clubs made it. I think deep down both sets of fans would like it if both clubs were in it.'
Young Blues on course despite loss
City's youngsters fell to a 4-3 defeat against Arsenal in an entertaining game but are still on track for a treble.
Manchester City missed the chance to move into the Under-21 Premier League play-off places by losing a seven-goal cracker at Meadow Park.
But Patrick Vieira’s youngsters remain on course for a treble, as they are still well-placed, needing five points from their last three matches to reach the top four.
They face Reading at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of the Under-21 League Cup final on Thursday night, and will take on United in the Manchester Senior Cup final.
The Blues attacked from the off but found Arsenal keeper Matt Macey in inspired form as he kept out a Seko Fofana piledriver and George Glendon free-kick. Then the Gunners’ Spanish duo Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin scored twice in the space of three minutes to give the home side a comfortable half-time lead.
City right-back Adam Drury fired home shortly into the second half to spark another spell of pressure, but Macey pulled off a remarkable close-range stop to deny Devante Cole.
Arsenal soaked up the pressure and seemed to have wrapped up the points when Stefan O’Connor made it 3-1 after springing the offside trap.
Still City piled forward and with a minute of normal time left Cole turned in Sinan Bytyqi’s low cross to bring hope.
In a crazy ending to the game, Arsenal went up the other end and Toral carved his way inside two defenders before firing under Ian Lawlor, only for sub Greg Leigh to head home from a corner deep in stoppage time.
CITY Under-21: Lawlor, Drury, Facey, Denayer, Angelino (Leigh 79), Glendon (Cole 46), Fofana, Ntcham, Lopes, Bytyqi, Hiwula
Man City To Play At The Etihad
On Sunday May 4th, Manchester City Women will play at the Etihad Stadium for the very first time.
The day after the men's first-team lock horns with Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League, MCWFC face the Toffees' female counterparts in the Continental Cup.
The clash also presents a defining moment in MCFC history as it will be the first time a City women's team will have graced the Etihad Stadium pitch.
Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday 4 May, with tickets priced at £6 for adults and £4 for under-16s. Discounted tickets for Concessions are also available, with admission for 16-21 year-olds, over 65s and disabled supporters priced at £5.
Alternatively, seasontickets are also available at the cost of £48 for adults, £30 for under-16s and £4- for Concessions.
Manchester City pen training equipment deal
Premier League title chasers Manchester City have formalised a partnership with training equipment company TRX.
The partnership, announced on Monday, will see City’s senior and academy players continue to use TRX equipment as part of their fitness regimes and tailored training programmes.
In addition to supplying the gym at the club’s new academy, which is set to open later this year, TRX will also collaborate with City on a series of strength conditioning publication pieces.
City players will also feature in a TRX promotional video as part of a digital and social marketing campaign.
“Strength and conditioning forms an important part of our training programmes for all our squads,” said Dr Sam Erith, City’s head of sports science.
“Players will work daily on individualised programmes with the goals of making key athletic movements more efficient and the body more resilient to the risk of injury.”
Manchester City are widely considered favourites to claim this year’s Premier League title. They currently sit third in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool but with two games in hand.
[spoiler][/spoiler]
Manchester United have suffered a setback in their bid to sign Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos, 24, after Real Madrid declared an interest in the midfielder. TalkSHIT
However, Kroos has told Bayern and Germany team-mates that he is determined to join the Old Trafford club in a £40m deal. Daily Mirror
Manchester United's Portuguese winger Nani, 27, is likely to leave Old Trafford this summer according to his agent. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are considering a £17m summer move for Paris St-Germain striker Marco Verratti, 21, despite the fact the Italian has not scored in 50 appearances since signing for the French club in 2012. Metro
The Gunners are interested in Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun, 19, but face competition from AC Milan. Daily Star
Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, 25, currently on loan at Sunderland, will be welcomed back to the Liberty Stadium if Garry Monk is still in charge next season. South Wales Evening Post
Newcastle will offload winger Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, as well as midfielders Sylvain Marveaux, 27, and 25-year-old Gabriel Obertan during the summer. Sun
Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood will be sacked by the club at the end of the season and replaced by outgoing Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal. DSSC
But Spurs could turn to Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino in their search for a new manager. Daily Telegraph
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 23, will return to Belgium for an operation on a ruptured Achilles that has ended his World Cup hopes. Birmingham Mail
Manchester United are to make the north-east quadrant of Old Trafford a permanent singing section after two successful trials this season. Manchester Evening News
Alan Pardew has been told his position as Newcastle manager is safe despite 10 defeats in 15 games and a seven-match suspension for butting Hull's David Meyler. Daily Telegraph
Everton defender Sylvain Distin does not share the view of some Toffees fans in not wanting the club to qualify for the Champions League as long as Merseyside rivals Liverpool do not win the league. Daily Star
Manchester United striker James Wilson, 18, who was on the bench for the first time for Saturday's 4-0 win at Newcastle, scored a stunning 25-yard goal for the Old Trafford club's under-21s against Aston Villa on Monday. DSSC
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says West Ham "tried everything" to unsettle his side before their win over the Hammers last Sunday. The Reds had to deal with a "hot dressing room, a dry pitch and the bus had to park a mile away" from the ground. Liverpool Echo
Liverpool's 23-goal striker Daniel Sturridge, 24, has visited a local primary school to teach the pupils the secrets of his goal celebration. London Evening Standard
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