England News August,
2005
Wednesday, 31 August 2005 -
Michael
Owen has revealed Alan Shearer played a major role in persuading him to
join the Magpies from Real Madrid. Owen, 25, who will be officially
unveiled by Newcastle United today, has agreed a four-year deal and is believed
to have cost a club record £17m. "Alan was a great help throughout and was
instrumental in my decision. He even offered to give up his number nine
shirt, but I've declined."
Transfer deadline day:- Jermaine Jenas
has completed an £7 million switch to Tottenham Hotspur,
after he underwent a medical today.
Francis Jeffers has joined
Glasgow Rangers on loan from
Charlton Athletic until January
2006. Michael Ball has left
Glasgow Rangers and signed a two
year contracy with PSV Eindhoven.
Sol Campbell played 90 minutes for
Arsenal's reserves against
Leicester City last night, in his first match since injuring his calf in
May. The England centre-back has not featured for the Gunners first team
since the 2-1 defeat to Birmingham
City on the final day of last season. But the 30-year-old came through
his comeback match without problems as the Highbury second string won 5-2.
Campbell's injury ruled him out of England's upcoming World Cup matches.
However, the defender has been assured he remains part of
national team boss Sven-Göran Eriksson's
plans.
Peter
Crouch returned from injury with a 25-minute run-out for
Liverpool against
West Bromwich Albion last night. The
summer signing from Southampton, who
has missed the start of the season with hamstring injury, came off the bench in
the Reds' 1-0 win.
Tuesday, 30 August 2005 -
Michael
Owen has agreed to sign for Newcastle United from
Real Madrid. The 25-year-old had a medical this afternoon before
signing a four-year deal.. The fee is believed to be a club record £17m
for the Magpies who have beaten off competition from Owen's former club
Liverpool from to land the forward.
John Terry will miss the World Cup qualifiers due
to a knee injury. Terry, who was in line to partner Rio Ferdinand in
defence, picked up the injury playing for Chelsea on Saturday.
Zat Knight has been drafted in as
cover. Terry's place
is likely to go to either Liverpool centre-half
Jamie Carragher or Birmingham's
Matthew Upson with Sol Campbell also out. Skipper David Beckham and
midfielder Steven Gerrard also missed Tuesday's training session.
Beckham has a sore foot which is not considered serious and
he is expected to join in training at Arsenal's London Colney headquarters on
Wednesday. Gerrard was not able to take part in the main session because
of his thigh injury, although he was receiving treatment from England
physiotherapist Gary Lewin. Gerrard is a doubt after missing the Super Cup
last Friday with a calf injury.
Monday,
29 August 2005 -
Michael
Owen has held talks with both
Liverpool and Newcastle United as he nears
a return to England from
Real Madrid. Owen had today his first meeting with
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez since
leaving Anfield, before meeting a Newcastle United delegation for more talks.
Owen favours a move to Liverpool, but the club only want to pay a similar fee to
the £8m Madrid paid for him. Newcastle United have already agreed a £17m
fee with Real, but a return to Anfield seems more likely in the next 24 hours.
Liverpool would offer Owen Champions League football in a
World Cup season, while United are second bottom of the Premiership and have yet
to score a goal in four games. Owen met Benitez for two-and-a-half hours
on Monday, after being left out of the Real side for their Primera Liga win at
Cadiz on Sunday.
David James will not quit
international football despite being dropped for England's World Cup qualifiers.
In his column in The Times, James, said: "If there is any chance of a
recall I will not give up hope. As long as I feel I am playing well for
Manchester City, then I will be available for selection."
Sven-Göran Eriksson was unhappy that James
admitted after the Copenhagen game that he had not prepared properly for coming
on as a substitute in the second half. But James insists he has no regrets
about going public with his thoughts and feels the criticism of his display
would have been stronger had he not been honest. He explained: "I was told
at lunchtime on the Wednesday that I would be coming on in the second half.
I have a lot of routines that I like to work on in the couple of days before a
match and by the time I knew I would be playing I had left some of it too late.
I could have said nothing, in which case some people would have waded in with
their own explanations, or I could have made up some excuses that I knew to be
false."
Stephen
Warnock says his shock England call-up is consolation for missing out
on a place in their Champions League-winning squad. The 23-year-old
defender was the surprise name in Sven-Göran Eriksson's squad for the World Cup
qualifiers. He said: "I can't quite believe it and am speechless, to be
honest. It's brilliant and certainly goes some way towards making up for
the disappointment of last season."
Sunday, 28 August 2005 -
Sven-Göran Eriksson has dropped David James from his
squad to face Wales and Northern Ireland in next month's World Cup qualifiers.
The Manchester City goalkeeper pays the price for his poor display in
England's 4-1 friendly defeat
by Denmark and is replaced by Chris
Kirkland. Chelsea defender
Glen Johnson has also been left out by Eriksson. But 23-year-old
Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock
receives his first international call-up.
Eriksson said: "I have spoken to David James and explained to
him that, on this occasion, I think it's best not to select him. He has
always been extremely professional for me and I have assured him that the door
is not closed, and that I will be monitoring his form at Manchester City very
closely. Chris Kirkland is a brilliant prospect who has suffered badly
with injuries, but he is now started playing regularly again, so I feel the time
is right to have a good look at him."
Charlton striker Darren Bent keeps
his place in the squad, and his Addicks team-mate
Luke Young is also included.
Young will be in contention to start at right-back as first-choice Gary Neville
is out with a thigh strain. Eriksson added: "Right-back is an issue. I
know Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville don't play for their clubs but they can do
the job. Luke Young is also doing very well at the moment. I am going to
take Stephen Warnock. We don't have that many left-backs and Wayne Bridge has
still to come back."
Crystal Palace frontman Andy Johnson
is recalled but Alan Smith misses
out. Smith rejected a late call-up for the Denmark game, saying he wanted
to improve his match-fitness by playing for Manchester United's reserves
instead. Eriksson had insisted that Smith's absence would not count
against him, and says he is still under consideration. "Alan Smith is
always in my thoughts. I know Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to make him a
holding midfielder and that won't happen overnight. I hope that for him
and England he will be successful. You have to consider him a
centre-forward but also a midfielder."
John Terry, along with that of
Steven Gerrard and
Shaun Wright-Phillips,
will be monitored when the squad meets up on Tuesday. Michael Owen is in
the squad although he is suspended for the game against Wales at the Millennium
Stadium in Cardiff on 3 September. Owen will be eligible to play against
Northern Ireland on 7 September.
Michael
Owen called Sven-Göran Eriksson
for advice about his club future amid worries about his World Cup place.
Owen is unlikely to start many games for
Real Madrid and may have to move to either
Liverpool or Newcastle United.
"His worry was that if he played like he did last season, would I pick him or
not?. I told him that if he plays as many games as last season, I will
pick him. If he never plays, then it's tricky."
Saturday, 27 August 2005 -
John
Terry is a doubt for England's World Cup qualifier against Wales next
weekend in Cardiff. Terry injured his knee in Chelsea's 2-0 win at
Tottenham and boss Jose Mourinho said: "I don't know about England. They
have two matches. Maybe he can't play the first one, but can play the
second one. It's a decision for them. I support every decision they make.
Another player, more sensitive, without his mind to play through pain, would
have been off."
Even if he is ruled out of the Cardiff game, Terry could be
fit to face Northern Ireland in Belfast four days later.
Third weekend of the Premiership campaign:-
Emile Heskey scores two as
Birmingham City beat
West Bromwich Albion. Andrew Cole
scores Manchester City against
Portsmouth. Teddy Sheringham
becomes the oldest ever Premiership scorer again after scoring a consolation
goal for West Ham United against Bolton
Wanderers. Phil Neville is sent off as
Everton lose at
Fulham.
Andy Johnson scores twice for
Crystal Palace against
Stoke City. David Unsworth
scores a last minute penalty winner for
Sheffield United against Coventry City.
Jonathan
Woodgate is a surprise inclusion in Real Madrid's 20-man squad for
their opening Primera Liga fixture in Cadiz on Sunday. It is the first
time the 25-year-old England defender has been included for a competitive
fixture since his £13.4m move from Newcastle United a year ago. He has
suffered with a thigh injury, but has completed practice matches. Woodgate
told Spanish newspaper Marca: "I still have to show everything. I have
still not done anything yet. It is important that I have made my debut in
the Bernabeu, but I have to keep on working so I can play the full 90 minutes
and to help the team achieve its objectives."
Friday, 26 August 2005 -
Jamie Carragher led
his Liverpool side to European Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow.
Thursday, 25 August 2005 -
Steven Gerrard has been
voted the best player in Europe at Uefa's annual awards ceremony.
Gerrard was voted last season's most valuable player by a panel of coaches, with
Chelsea's John Terry named best keeper and defender. "I'm shocked, looking
at the players that have won this award in the past and some of the unbelievable
players involved last year," said Gerrard. "It is a great honour and I am
really lucky to be receiving it."
Wednesday, 24 August 2005 -
Gary Neville has been ruled out for up to five
weeks. Neville, 30, tore a groin muscle during
Manchester United's Champions League
qualifier against Debrecen tonight. "He will be out for four to five
weeks," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "It was a typical groin injury you
suffer on pitches like that. The soft surface, unusual for this time of year,
contributed to it." Kieran
Richardson also limped off after scoring.
Midweek Premiership games:- Frank Lampard scored twice and Joe Cole added
another as Chelsea beat
West Bromwich Albion 4-0 to reclaim the
Premiership summit.
Michael
Owen wants to return to Liverpool
but is prepared to spend this season on loan at Newcastle United if a move to
Anfield cannot be agreed.
Real Madrid have promised to help the 25-year-old England forward return
home to boost his World Cup hopes. "I said that my ideal situation was to
start the season in the Real Madrid team and if not I would prefer to return to
Liverpool," Owen said. "If the transfer cannot be finalised in time I have
agreed to go to Newcastle." In the meantime, a Newcastle United
statement said: "Newcastle United have met Real Madrid's asking price and
conditions." United are now waiting to hear from Owen's advisers.
Owen was thought to be available for about £12m, but the
statement added: "The agreed fee will be a record transfer fee for Newcastle
United. It is now up to the player and his adviser." The fee is
thought to be around £18 million, and United are not interested in taking Owen
on loan.
Nigel
Martyn is refusing to rule out a return to the international scene.
The 39-year-old's last England call-up came in 2002 - and Martyn has opted to
concentrate on his club form since joining
Everton in 2003. But David James'
errors against Denmark have increased calls for Martyn to become
Paul Robinson's understudy and
he says he would consider a comeback. Martyn said: "It is a World Cup year
and you don't rule anything out."
The former Leeds United and
Crystal Palace shot-stopper feels
his form has benefited from his time in international retirement. He
explained: "I think it is not being away with those squads and having days to
rest. That enabled me to prolong my career because those trips are hard,
you are training constantly."
Jonathan
Woodgate made his first appearance since joining
Real Madrid a year ago when he played in a 5-0 win over a Major League
select XI. The 25-year-old came on as a substitute five minutes from time
at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. He only touched the ball three times but
was given a rousing reception. Woodgate said: "It has been a very hard
year for me but finally I have made my debut so I am delighted. I need to
play a lot more with my team mates but right now I am really pleased. I
have got to give a big thank you to the fans because I felt the reception they
gave me in my heart."
Tuesday, 23 August 2005 -
Midweek Premiership games:-
Darius Vassell and Trevor
Sinclair goals put Manchester City
top of the table after beating Sunderland
2-1.
Michael
Owen has turned down the chance to join Champions' League hopefuls,
Everton. The
Real Madrid forward, 25, looks likely to leave the Bernabeu and has been
linked with a return to Liverpool as
well as a move to Manchester United.
Manager David Moyes said: "We have been in contact with Michael and his
advisers. Unfortunately he does not see Everton as a team he would choose
at this present time."
Monday, 22 August 2005 -
England could be without
Steven Gerrard for their two
World Cup qualification matches in a fortnight. Gerrard limped out of
Liverpool's 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday with a calf injury that has
ruled him out of the club's UEFA Champions League qualifier against CSKA Sofia
on Tuesday. Reds boss Rafa Benitez has now said that Gerrard will struggle
to make their European Super Cup clash against CSKA Moscow in Monaco in Friday.
Benitez says that if Gerrard is not fit for Friday then he will not be able to
line up for England the following week. "If he is not fit for Friday's
match it will be dangerous to play for England," said Benitez. "If he has not
played games before the internationals it will be dangerous for him to play for
England. I would need to talk to the doctor after the Sofia game, and then
about Monaco for the Super Cup. If he is not fit in two or three days, for him
to play a week later would be dangerous, I will talk with the England manager if
it is necessary."
Jonathan
Woodgate has been included in the
Real Madrid squad to face the Major League Soccer All-Stars in the Santiago
Bernabeu Trophy on Tuesday. The 25-year-old returned from a 16-month
injury lay-off last week when he played for Real's youth team. "At the
moment the plan is for Woodgate to play a game on Wednesday," said Real coach
Wanderley Luxemburgo. "I have not decided whether he will play on Tuesday
or not."
Darren Anderton has signed on a free transfer for
Wolverhampton Wanderers from
Birmingham City. Anderton, 33, has signed a one-year deal at Molineux
and joins up with his ex-England and Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle. "I'm
delighted to have Darren on board. He's a great footballer and he can do really
well for Wolves," said Hoddle. "I'm excited at the prospect of him playing
for us, he has great vision. I know him inside out and I believe he will be a
major asset to the squad."
Sunday, 21 August 2005 -
David James is urging England coach
Sven-Göran Eriksson to give him the
opportunity to make up for his nightmare showing against Denmark. The
Manchester City goalkeeper admitted to
be under-prepared after the 4-1 defeat in Copenhagen on Wednesday. "I just want
to be able to have the chance to put it straight. I'm looking forward to
having another go and making sure everything I do next time is 100 per cent
spot-on. It's a learning curve for me at 35." James accepted his share of
the blame but was subsequently pilloried for admitting he had not prepared
properly for the friendly international. "I spoke the truth which
obviously wasn't taken the right way on one occasion or wasn't necessarily
interpreted the right way in another. That's not my problem. But I'm a
stickler for doing things right - that's why I've got a psychologist on board -
and for once I didn't. The performance showed that. As a professional, for
me that's not acceptable. I rant and rave at youngsters to do things right
and I didn't do it myself. The one thing I must say is that at no stage
did I belittle it because it was a friendly. It was just fortunate it was a
friendly and not a qualifying game. Will it wreck my World Cup hopes? I've
been honest. It's up to people what they want to make of it - but it will never
happen again. I'll play my games for Manchester City. We've got two more
before the squad is announced and my preparation process will be the same, to
win games, play well and, if selected, ready to go. Representing your
country is the highest honour you can have and if given the opportunity again,
there is no way I won't be right or ready."
Saturday, 20 August 2005 -
Second weekend of the Premiership campaign:- Nicky Butt and Andrew Cole
score on opposing sides as Manchester City
beat Birmingham City 2-1.
Darren Bent scores his third of
the season as
Charlton Athletic beat Wigan
Athletic by a single goal.
Paul Konchesky is sent-off for West Ham United in the goalless draw against
Newcastle United. Jermain Defoe
scored Tottenham Hotspur's
first goal in the win over Middlesbrough.
Steven Gerrard will miss
the
Liverpool's midweek UEFA Champions League tie with CSKA Sofia. The England
international was substituted during the 1-0 win over Sunderland and, with the
Merseysiders 3-1 up from the first leg in Bulgaria, he will not be risked on
Tuesday. "He had a problem in the calf," Benitez reported. "We need to see it,
just in case. For me, I feel he cannot play in the Champions League
against CSKA Sofia but hopefully he will be fit for the next game [against CSKA
Moscow in the Super Cup]."
Darren Anderton is wanted by
Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Birmingham City are thought to be willing to let Anderton leave as he is
well down the pecking order at St Andrews. Wolves boss
Glenn Hoddle is a big admirer of
Anderton having worked with him while in charge at Tottenham Hotspur and
England. Hoddle is hopeful of completing a deal for Anderton in the next
few days. "We are a bit disappointed that this one got out into the open
but yes Anderton is a player we are interested in. We have spoken to his
representatives and to Birmingham about a (free) transfer and we hope it will go
through in the next couple of days. I won't deny our interest but let's talk
about Anderton if and when we sign him."
Paul Gascoigne could be close to a
return to the football world - as owner of Peterborough United. Gascoigne
has struggled to find a way into management since hanging up his boots in 2004.
The 38-year-old has turned his attentions to club ownership, after current
Peterborough owner Barry Fry confirmed that the two parties had held a
discussion. Gascoigne's former England team-mate Mark Wright is the
current manager of The Posh, and it is unclear as to whether Gascoigne would
stick with the former Liverpool man, or take a hands-on role himself.
Imraan Ladak, Head of the Consortium looking to buy Peterborough, has confirmed
that Gascoigne is part of the consortium.
Friday, 19 August 2005 -
England will play Argentina in a friendly on 12 November
if they have already qualified for the World Cup. Argentina have secured
their path to the 2006 finals in Germany and England will book their place if
they finish top of Group Six. If England finish second they will have to
qualify via a two-legged play-off an the Argentina game will be abandoned.
Thursday, 18 August 2005 -
Michael Owen is set for a return to
Liverpool, according to reports. Owen, 25, has been linked with a move
to
Manchester United and Newcastle United
while Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has insisted he is not after a striker.
But forwards Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse may leave Anfield and pave the way
for an Owen comeback.
David
James has admitted that he failed to prepare properly for his second-half
outing against Denmark. The Manchester
City keeper conceded all four goals in England's 4-1 humbling in Copenhagen
on Wednesday, although he was not at fault for all of them. James, 35,
said: "Because I knew I wasn't going to start I did not do my starting
preparations - but you should always prepare to play. I did not adhere to
that and everyone saw the results."
James did nothing to dispel the 'calamity James' tag that has
haunted him, with a rash error of judgement for Denmark's first goal.
Sven-Göran Eriksson
laid into this players after Denmark scored four second-half goals to condemn
them to their worst defeat in 25 years. "I'm very sorry for the fans and
I'm disappointed. I'm angry about the second-half - it was a disaster how
we played football. I told the players that if we play football like that
we can forget about the World Cup. We were not helping each other and were
all over the place. We did nothing right in the second 45 minutes. I am
upset about that. I was happy with the first half, I think we did well. I
can't defend it or explain why we didn't do that in the second half."
Wednesday, 17 August 2005 -
Denmark 4 England 1
Denmark scored three goals in seven second-half minutes as England were
humiliated in their final game before their World Cup qualifier in Wales.
Charlton Athletic's Dennis Rommedahl scored from two yards after goalkeeper
David James had rashly rushed from his goal. Rommedahl passed for Jon Dahl
Tomasson to score, while Michael Gravgaard headed a corner against Steven
Gerrard and into the England net. Wayne Rooney scored a late consolation
before Soren Larsen made it 4-1.
England climb one place in the August Rankings.
Wayne Rooney
has vowed to improve his disciplinary record this season for
Manchester United. Ahead of
Wednesday's friendly with Denmark, he said: "Moving to United was always going
to benefit me, working with the manager and the players there. I have
learnt a lot and I have matured a lot, both on and off the field. I want
to make sure I don't get booked for dissent. Every player does it but it gets
highlighted a lot more because of who I am. I'm looking to cut out the
silly bookings." Rooney, who turns 20 in October, is adamant he made the
right move in going to Old Trafford despite ending his first season there
trophyless.
Seth Johnson has
rejoined Derby County on a one-year
deal. The 26-year-old has spent the past week training with the Rams and
proved his fitness to boss Phil Brown on Tuesday in a behind-closed-doors
friendly.
Sven-Göran Eriksson
says injury-plagued defender Sol Campbell can still regain his place in
the squad before next summer's World Cup. Campbell is out of the squad for
the friendly with Denmark and has seen his England place taken by John Terry.
"Three years ago in Japan, he was selected as the best defender in the world.
"He is not yet 31 and is just as good. It is just for him to get fit, play some
football and he will be selected."
Tuesday, 16 August 2005 -
Shaun
Wright-Phillips has pulled out of the England squad to play Denmark
because of a knee injury. "Shaun is not here; he is in England as he has a
swollen knee," said national team coach Sven-Göran Eriksson.
The Swede revealed Jermain Defoe
will start in preparation for September's World Cup qualifying double-header.
Brian Barwick says that England may bid to host the
2018 World Cup after the success of the 2012 Olympics campaign. The FA
Chief Executive said: "It's right and proper for the London Olympics bid to take
precedence but why wouldn't we go for it? I think we would bid further
down the line. The next time that it should come to Europe is probably 2018 and
we have got enough time to get organised." The FA, who missed out in the
2006 bid, have yet to make any firm decisions.
Next summer's World Cup will be staged in Germany and is not
expected to return to Europe for another 12 years.
Barwick, meanwhile, is hopeful that England will win next summer's World Cup.
"I see 2006 as a big year for the Football Association. Hopefully we will
qualify for the World Cup and give it a real go. If and when we qualify,
we would go into the World Cup as one of the teams that can win it. It's in the
right climate and the right time-zone. We have a very good team and are
making impressions on European club football too. I think we've made
progress as an international footballing nation and can be expected to do well.
This country will come to a halt if we do."
Alan Smith's self-exclusion
from the England squad has angered Brian Barwick, warning the
Manchester United striker that his
England career could be in jeopardy. Smith, 24, rejected a late call-up
for England's friendly against Denmark, opting instead to play for United's
reserves on Monday, in which he scored. "Alan Smith was given an
opportunity to play for England and chose to play elsewhere. It is
probably not the cleverest thing he has done."
Regarding coach Sven-Göran Eriksson,
Barwick said: "Sven's contract goes on until 2008 and that is what we are
working to. I would expect him to still be in there then. I like Sven, I
knew him before I took the job and I think that he has proved in his competitive
record that he is an extremely good England coach." Barwick also expressed
hopes that England's next manager will be home-grown. "We might not have
to make that decision for some time. When it comes around, we have to get the
best man for the job. If that man's an Englishman, then so much the
better. I think there are a number of English managers at the moment who
could be potentially shortlisted for an England job as and when it is needed."
James Beattie will be out
of action for Everton for a few weeks
after injuring his foot in the opening-day Premiership defeat by
Manchester United. A scan
revealed that the 27-year-old striker's foot is not broken, as was first feared,
but serious bruising will prevent him playing for some time. Everton
physio Mick Rathbone told the club's website: "James has badly sprained his toe
joint. We anticipate it could be some weeks before he is fit to play
again."
Robbie
Fowler is some way off a return to action, Manchester City manager Stuart
Pearce has revealed. The 30-year-old missed the pre-season campaign with a
back injury and Pearce said: "He has not trained with the first team yet.
We are a number of weeks away. How many weeks that will be, I do not know. It
certainly will not be in the next one or two weeks, I suspect. He must
have at least a week with us to get his fitness and sharpness."
Monday, 15 August 2005 -
Jermain Defoe wants to stake his claim for a regular England
starting place with an impressive display in the friendly against Denmark .
Michael Owen is suspended for England's World Cup qualifier against Wales next
month so Defoe is in line to partner Wayne Rooney in both matches. "This
is a massive opportunity for me and I've got to grab it with both hands. I
feel sharp and fit and I'm looking forward to the games."
Steven Gerrard has
admitted that he would love to see Michael Owen return to
Liverpool. Newcastle United have
been keen to set up a deal for the Real
Madrid striker, but Owen has also been linked with a loan move back to
Liverpool. "It goes without saying I would love Michael back here and I
think everyone at the club would love him back. Obviously it's up to Real
Madrid. He's their player and they will decide. But when I see Michael in
the England squad I won't even have to ask him where he'd like to be in a few
weeks."
Jermaine Jenas'
red card in Newcastle United's 2-0 loss at
Arsenal has been downgraded to a yellow
by referee Steve Bennett. Jenas faced a three-game ban after his challenge
on Gilberto Silva but he will not now be suspended. "Steve Bennett has
been in touch via letter to apologise for his error of judgement during Sunday's
game. He has requested that the Football Association downgrade the
dismissal and this has been confirmed by the FA."
Sunday, 14 August 2005 -
Sven-Göran
Eriksson has replaced the injured Andy
Johnson with Charlton Athletic's
Darren Bent. "Andy is
injured, we got a late phone call that he has a hamstring injury, so Darren Bent
is in." Eriksson revealed
Manchester United's
Alan Smith asked not to be
included so he could play for the club's reserves. Eriksson added: "Alan
has had such little football he said he would rather get 90 minutes under his
belt on Tuesday for United's reserves."
Jermaine Jenas
is sent off for Newcastle United in their 2-0 defeat at
Arsenal.
Michael
Owen was on target as Real
Madrid enjoyed a 3-1 friendly win against a Puskas XI in Budapest. The out-of-favour England striker hit Real's third
goal in the 84th minute.
Saturday, 13 August 2005 -
Sven-Göran
Eriksson has been included
Crystal Palace striker Andy
Johnson in his England squad for the friendly against Denmark on 17 August
in Copenhagen. Johnson has expressed fears that staying at relegated
Palace would endanger his England chances. But there was no place for
Manchester United striker
Alan Smith.
Birmingham City's
Matthew Upson is called up with
Sol Campbell, Ledley King and
Wayne Bridge all injured, while
Norwich City goalkeeper
Robert Green is included.
Injury means Liverpool's
Peter Crouch and Newcastle
United's Kieron Dyer are both absent but
Jermain Defoe is called up.
Michael Carrick, who also
performed well in the US, retains his spot among the midfielders.
Opening day of the Premiership campaign:-
Manchester United's
Wayne Rooney becomes the first
Englishman to score as he brandishes his former club,
Everton, to a 2-0 defeat.
Kevin Phillips scores the
first of two goals for his club, Aston
Villa, as they draw 2-2 with Bolton
Wanderers. Jermain Defoe
scored Tottenham Hotspur's
second goal in the win over Portsmouth.
Danny Murphy helped
Charlton Athletic secure a 3-1
win against Sunderland. 39 year
old Teddy Sheringham scored West Ham United's first of 3 against
Blackburn Rovers. Ugo
Ehiogu was sent off for Middlesbrough
against Liverpool.
Andy Johnson scores for
Crystal Palace against
Norwich City.
Friday, 12 August 2005 -
Jermain Defoe
will start England's
forthcoming friendly against Denmark ahead of Michael Owen. Owen will
be suspended for England's
next World Cup qualifier, the away clash with Wales in September. As a
result Eriksson will give Defoe the chance to strike up a partnership with Wayne
Rooney next Wednesday. However, Owen will still be in the squad for that
game and is expected to get a run-out in the second half. "My intention is
to pick Michael Owen even if he can't play against Wales. He can play
against Northern Ireland a few days later and I want to see him training with
us. Almost for sure I won't start him, though, so that makes Defoe rather
interesting. It's a good opportunity for him to show that he's the right
man to start against Wales."
Kieron Dyer
has signed a new four-year deal to keep him at the club until 2009. "The
club wanted me to stay and I wanted to stay. It didn't take long for my
agent and the club to agree it all. This is a really important season for
the club and for me. We have to improve on last year and I'm sure we
will."
Paul Scholes has signed a new two-year extension
to his Manchester United contract.
Scholes, 30, has spent his entire career at the club and his current deal will
take him up until June 2009. "Paul has given us 16 great years of
service," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We hope his next four years is as
good as his last four years."
Alan Shearer has revealed he will be using his final
season as a player to prepare for an eventual career in management.
Shearer is expected to start his last campaign against
Arsenal on Sunday. He said: "I
wouldn't have continued unless I was confident of still competing at the highest
level. But when I accepted the offer from the manager and chairman to
extend my deal I did so on the understanding they would want me to do more than
play. I have made no secret that one day - well into the future - I would
like to manage this club, and, to do that, I need to develop my coaching
experience and qualifications and also to learn management skills at close
hand."
Phil Neville will become the Everton captain in the not too distant
future, according to boss David Moyes. Neville joined The Toffees earlier
in the month bringing to an end his 12-year association with Manchester United.
The 28-year-old moved on in a bid to secure guaranteed first-team football and
made his Everton bow in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Villarreal.
Although Everton were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline, manager Moyes was
hugely impressed by Neville's contribution and believes he demonstrated he could
take on the role of skipper at Goodison Park. "Phil was pushing and
pulling people about and is someone who can lead. He has the capabilities
of a captain. But for the meantime he will just want to get himself
settled in here."
Danny Mills has hit out at
former Manchester City manager
Kevin Keegan insisting the club is in
better shape under Stuart Pearce. Mills believes the club has improved
greatly since Pearce took over from Keegan last March. The former Leeds
United man has slammed the management style of Keegan feeling it was not up to
standard. "I felt training under Kevin wasn't up to the standard it should
have been. The quality was poor. There were lots of little things I felt
needed to be put right. Discipline could also be a bit lax. But that's in
the past. The new gaffer has come in and put things right. The players are
happier and working harder. We are trying to build for the future."
Peter
Crouch and
Andrew Johnson have been
assured they are very much part of England's plans as the new season gets
underway. Liverpool striker
Crouch has been ruled out of next week's friendly in Denmark because of injury,
while Johnson is hoping relegation with
Crystal Palace has not put an end
to his international dream. Now
Sven-Göran Eriksson
has outlined his plans for the duo and admits both have chances to be selected
in future.
He said: "For me, Crouch is very interesting. Obviously, if we have Defoe,
Rooney and Owen, then he can complement those three very well. If he's
good enough, he's very interesting because of his height and he wins everything
up there, but he also has good feet. It will be very interesting to see what he
does this season at Liverpool. That was a big step for him. As for
Johnson, I went to see him in a friendly against West Ham and Tord went to see
them against Luton. We will send people there regularly. I don't know yet how
many times I will go there, but we will look at him, as much as we look at other
players."
Thursday,
11 August 2005 -
Ray Wilkins has been named as assistant coach to the
England Under-21 side. The former England captain will take up the role
alongside Peter Taylor on a part-time basis. Wilkins has a wealth of
coaching experience having managed both Queens Park Rangers and Fulham before
undertaking coaching roles at Chelsea, Watford and Millwall. The
48-year-old will undertake his new role for the first time for the friendly with
Denmark on August 16.
Meanwhile, Kieran Richardson,
Stewart Downing and
Scott Carson have been included
in the Under-21 squad for the clash with Denmark. They drop down from the
senior squad which was named for the summer tour of America.
Ledley
King will miss the start of Tottenham Hotspur's Premiership campaign,
as well as England's friendly against Denmark, after failing to recover from a
groin strain. The young stopper suffered from the problem last season,
although Spurs boss Martin Jol does not believe that surgery will be required as
he lets his young charge rest as a precaution.
Wednesday, 10 August 2005 -
Michael
Owen is still wanted by Real
Madrid. Owen appears to be Real's fifth-choice striker behind Raul,
Ronaldo and summer signings Robinho and Julio Baptista. But the club's
sporting director, Arrigo Sacchi, said: "I hope he stays here - he'll have the
respect of the whole club. He's a fantastic person. On Sunday I
congratulated him on his professionalism."
Sacchi has also given hope to former Newcastle United defender
Jonathan Woodgate, who is
close to completing his recovery from the thigh strain that sidelined him for a
year. "He has been unlucky but now he has returned. He is one of the
best defenders I have seen in my life. We have a lot of confidence in all
the players that we have. For us, Woodgate is like our top signing for central
defence this year."
Jermaine Jenas
is a target for Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs are remaining tight-lipped on reports they are favourites to land the
Newcastle United midfielder. Talks are reported to be on-going between the
clubs for the unsettled 22-year-old England international. Spurs have had
two bids rejected by United, who are believed to have dropped their original
£20m asking price to £13m. A Tottenham Hotspur spokesman said: "We're
aware of the reports but we have no comment to make on them."
Tuesday, 9 August 2005 -
Everton 1 Villarreal 2
James Beattie scores Everton's
first European goal in a decade.
Manchester United 3
Debrecen 0 Wayne Rooney
set the Reds on their way to victory.
Monday,
8 August 2005 -
David
Beckham's spokesman says the "signs are good" that the England
captain will open talks soon on a new contract at
Real Madrid. Beckham
wants to end his career at Real but spokesman Simon Oliveira denied reports that
a deal had been struck. Oliveira said: "We are due to sit down before the
end of the year but to suggest we have done a deal is wide of the mark.
But when there is goodwill on both sides things tend to move quickly."
Beckham's current deal with the Spanish giants ends at the end of the 2006-2007
season and the England captain would be free to talk to other clubs from 1
January 2007 if no agreement is reached before then.
Alan Shearer may miss Newcastle United's opener at
Arsenal on Sunday. Shearer, still struggling with a calf injury that
sidelined him last weekend, is not going to Dublin for Tuesday's friendly
against Bray Wanderers. The forward, 35 on Saturday, will remain on
Tyneside for more treatment. "At this moment in time he is a slight doubt
for the game at Arsenal," boss Graeme Souness said.
Monday,
8 August 2005 -
Rio Ferdinand has signed a four-year deal which will keep him at
Manchester United until June 2009.
The 26-year-old England defender has ended speculation about his future
following protracted contract talks. Ferdinand was booed by some fans
during pre-season as he failed to sign a deal reportedly worth £100,000 per
week. Fans were angry at the player's stance after United stood by him
during his eight-month ban from football for missing a drugs test.
Michael
Owen says he is "mentally prepared" to stay at
Real Madrid for another season.
The unsettled England star, 25, says he has had talks with Premiership clubs,
with Newcastle United,
Manchester United and
Liverpool apparently leading the chase. "Mentally, I am preparing for
another season with Real. If I do find myself on the bench at the start of
the season, I will do everything possible to force my way into the starting XI."
Although Newcastle United have confirmed they have contacted Real with a view to
signing the striker. Chairman Freddy Shepherd says initial talks have
taken place. "We've had a discussion with Madrid but we won't be
commenting further on any speculation,"
Jermaine Jenas
is being mooted by Arsenal boss Arsenè
Wenger. The Gunners manager has not ruled out a move for the midfielder,
but is put off by the price. The Magpies initially demanded £20m for
the England international, but that figure has now dropped to £15m.
Wenger said: "I like Jenas but I'm not intent on any player at the moment.
When I heard Graeme Souness' statement a few weeks ago, it was discouraging. He
spoke in the region of £20m - we are not interested at that price."
Sunday,
7 August 2005 -
Alan Shearer has admitted Newcastle United want to sign
Michael Owen but believes there is strong competition to sign the
Real Madrid striker. "Any team
looking to score goals need not look further than Michael Owen. I know our
manager Graeme Souness would love him here and he'd be a great asset - but he
will have a few options. I think there will be quite a few clubs after his
signature despite one or two denying they are after him."
Jermaine Jenas
will not leave Newcastle United for anything less than £15m. Souness
is keen to keep Jenas, 22, at St James' Park, despite admitting the midfielder
is unsettled on Tyneside. "We want to keep him. He's a valuable
member of the squad and we're looking to build things here. If we were
offered £15m for JJ I think that would get the chairman thinking, but that's not
the case so that's not an issue."
Friday,
5 August 2005 -
Jermaine Jenas
is allegedly set to hand in a transfer request to Newcastle United. The
22-year-old has been at the centre of speculation about his future throughout
the summer. And if he demands to quit Tyneside,
Tottenham Hotspur and
Arsenal are expected to lead the race
for the £10m-rated star. Arsenal
boss Arsenè Wenger has made no secret of his admiration for Jenas.
Manchester United have also been
linked with Jenas, while Middlesbrough are also
reported to be keen. Newcastle initially placed a restrictive £20m price
tag on Jenas, who has won 12 England caps, but may accept half that figure.
Thursday, 4 August 2005 -
Phil Neville has joined
Everton. The Toffees had opened
talks with
Manchester United about a £3.5m move for versatile star. The
28-year-old has undergone his medical before joining David Moyes' side on a
five-year contract. "We are absolutely delighted to have concluded a deal
with a player of Phil's calibre and vast experience. Primarily I see him
as a holding midfielder but he gives us several additional options."
Neville only started 12 games last season, but is under contract at Old Trafford
until the summer of 2009. Neville, who has won 52 England caps, has been
told he can leave by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - although he has insisted he
will stay and fight for his place.
Seth Johnson
is to leave Leeds United after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
Johnson, who had another 11 months to run on his contract, joined Leeds from
Derby in October 2001 in a £7.75m move.
Michael
Owen may still play for his beloved
Liverpool. The reds may launch a shock move to bring the former
striker back to Anfield after he admitted interest from Premiership clubs.
Liverpool had been eliminated from the race for the 25-year-old after paying £7m
to sign Peter Crouch.
Liverpool have not ruled out a deal
that would see Owen return after a year in Spain. It had been thought boss
Rafael Benitez had been reluctant to bring Owen back to Anfield, only 12 months
after he left in an £8m transfer before playing a competitive game for the
Spaniard.
Wednesday, 3 August 2005 -
Peter Crouch
has been ruled out for two to three weeks of the season after pulling his right
hamstring on Tuesday. He underwent a scan at the Melwood training ground
after picking up the injury in the
Liverpool win over FBK Kaunas.
Rio Ferdinand was roundly jeered by his own fans during
Manchester United's emphatic pre-season win at Antwerp. United ran out
6-1 winners but the 26-year-old was continually booed amid ongoing uncertainty
over his future. Supporters are upset by the England international's
failure to sign a new deal worth a reported £100,000-a-week.
The Football Association of Wales is locked in a row with the Millennium
Stadium over £250,000 in unpaid bills. But the stadium manager has said
Wales's World Cup qualifier against England next month is unlikely to be
affected. Paul Sergeant has requested the Football Association of Wales (FAW)
pay the costs and warned future matches could be moved unless the cash is paid.
The Wales v England World Cup qualifier on 3 September is a sell-out at the
74,000-capacity Millennium Stadium with 6,800 tickets already allocated to
travelling English supporters. Mr Sergeant acknowledged that the
upcoming Wales v England game would almost certainly not be affected, but told
BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday: "We've written on a private basis to the FAW and
it is an issue which should be easily resolved before the end of the week.
We hope we don't have to move [the England match]. Everyone's looking
forward to it and it is going to be a monumental occasion for the whole of Wales
and I'm sure by the end of the week it will all be resolved." Meanwhile,
the English FA has admitted contingency plans are being put in place to stage
the 2006 FA Cup final at a different venue from Wembley should problems occur in
meeting the deadline in the new stadium's construction. FA officials have
been told that work at Wembley is on schedule, which would mean a return to
London for the cup final for the first time since 2000.
Jonathan
Woodgate will take part in
Real Madrid's pre-season tour to Austria, raising hopes that he may soon be
ready for his debut for the club. Woodgate, 25, signed for Madrid in
August 2004 for £13.4m, but is yet to play because of a thigh injury. "I
have complete confidence in my body, my leg and myself. I will play again," he
told Spanish sports daily Marca. "We are optimistic that Woodgate will be
our new signing," Madrid president Florentino Perez told Marca.
Nicky
Butt
has signed for Birmingham City on
a season-long loan from Newcastle United. The 30-year-old former
Manchester United player could sign permanently, having struggled since
arriving at St James' Park last summer. His position was further
threatened by the summer signings of
Scott Parker from Chelsea and Inter
Milan's Emre. At Birmingham City,
Butt will link up again with former Old Trafford team-mate Steve Bruce, who is
the manager there.
Michael
Owen has confirmed he has had "brief dialogue with three or four
Premiership clubs". The
Real Madrid striker has been tipped to return to England after the arrival
of Brazilian attacking duo Julio Baptista and Robinho at the Bernabeu.
Kieran Richardson has
opted not to return to West Bromwich Albion,
saying he wants to fight for a first-team spot at
Manchester United. The England man had a successful loan spell at The
Hawthorns last season, and Baggies boss Bryan Robson was hopeful the 20-year-old
would return. "I owe Bryan Robson a lot because he took a gamble on me
when I didn't have a great deal of experience. I know he wanted me to go
back but I want to make it at
Manchester United."
Tuesday,
2 August 2005 -
Liverpool 2 FBK Kaunas
0
(Liverpool win 5-1 on aggregate) Substitute
Steven Gerrard struck late on
as
Liverpool cruised into the Champions
League third qualifying round.
Michael
Owen is a target for Newcastle United. The Magpies are emerging as
dark horses to sign Owen if he makes his expected Premiership return after being
frozen out at
Real Madrid. Graeme Souness has admitted the 25-year-old England
striker is a player he would like to bring to Tyneside.
Manchester United have been touted as favourites to land Owen, but
they have not made a move.
Arsenal and
Liverpool have ruled out a deal,
leaving Newcastle United as the only club who want Owen and could pay £11m.
Souness wants to sign four more players and a new striker is his number one
priority.
Andy Johnson has signed a
new five-year contract with Crystal
Palace. The 24-year-old England player had been linked with a move
away from Selhurst Park after handing in a transfer request following their
relegation.
Kieran Richardson
could return to West Bromwich Albion on loan
for this coming season. Manager Bryan Robson says it is "50-50" whether
the Manchester United midfielder will
return. Richardson, 20, had a productive spell with the Baggies last
season and Robson is keen to tie up a season-long deal. "Kieran will talk
with his father and Sir Alex Ferguson and decide whether it is better to come to
us or stay at United. I've spoken to him and said I think he will be
better served with us." Richardson is keen to try and make the grade at
Old Trafford this season after breaking into the England squad at the end of
last term. But he would face severe competition for a first-team place and
Robson believes his hopes of going to the 2006 World Cup would improve if he
went back to West Bromwich Albion.
Monday,
1 August 2005 -
Paul Ince, the Wolverhampton Wanderers stalwart, says he will retire at the end of the coming season. Ince,
37, played for West Ham United, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool and
Middlesbrough, and won 53 caps in a glittering career. "I'll be 38 in
October and it'll be a good time to call it a day at the end of the season.
If the team go up then I'll be too old to play in the Premiership. With my
role, you can't do that forever."
___________________
CG
England Football Online