England News July,
2005
Sunday,
31 July 2005 -
Michael
Owen is a £11 million target for
Manchester United, according to Sunday newspaper reports. [see Saturday,
30 July 2005 news item]. Owen's former club
Liverpool,
Arsenal and Newcastle United have also
been linked with the 25-year-old forward.
Real Madrid have reportedly allowed Owen to leave.
Saturday,
30 July 2005 -
Michael
Owen looks to be on his way out of
Real Madrid after only one season after the Spanish giants confirmed deals
for Robinho and Julio Baptista. The 25-year-old England striker had a successful
first season and Real, but spent many games on the bench. And he is
unlikely to accept a further drop down the pecking order.
Arsenal may be tempted to move for Owen
after seeing Baptista taken from under their noses by Real after coming close to
sealing a £14m move.
Alan Smith
has confirmed that he is ready to take on a midfield role next season for
Manchester United. Sir Alex
Ferguson revealed earlier this week that he was keen on trying Smith in a
holding midfield role and could even see him as a long-term replacement for
skipper Roy Keane. Smith starred in a pre-season friendly at Peterborough
United and now he is set to take on more of a deeper role, as opposed to his
usual forward one - despite the fact it could hamper his World Cup aspirations.
"Everybody has to realise Alan Smith getting to the World Cup comes second to
Manchester United trying to win The Premiership. The manager feels I can
play in that position and it is something I enjoy because I am always involved
in the game. As a centre-forward, sometimes you can get quite isolated and
frustrated but sometimes I do have to remind myself to get back when an attack
breaks down. And if I forget, I can usually rely on Rio Ferdinand to remind me."
Sven-Göran Eriksson
has warned his players to stay out of trouble before next year's World Cup
finals. The Swede pointed to unsavoury headlines on the front page of the
papers involving some of England stars last season. Eriksson has far from
been immune in being the subject of unwanted headlines during his time as Three
Lions boss and he stressed it will be important his players keep their focus on
the pitch this coming season. "We don't want front pages, we want back
pages. It is very easy for young boys, 18 or 19, to take a wrong step now
and again. You got away with that 20 years ago but not now - it's on the
front page. Coaching, education and the code of conduct are important now
and will become more and more important." Eriksson added that the role of
football agents has become even more crucial to the direction of a player's
career. "To be a big star you have to have everything," he added. "You
have to have technique, be tactically aware and mentally very strong. You
have to have a very good agent that gives you the right advice about money and
behaviour. The coach can't do everything now. He can't be the dad.
I was hearing 20 years ago that salaries were too high and must go down.
But now, they are 1,000 percent higher."
Friday, 29 July 2005 -
Steve Stone could miss the opening three months of the
season after undergoing surgery on his Achilles injury. Leeds United head
physio Dave Hancock told the Leeds website: "The op has removed the degenerative
part of the tear. It could be eight weeks or probably a bit longer than
that, but he can make a full recovery," added Hancock.
Lee Bowyer
has expressed his dismay at Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd. Shepherd
issued a joint statement with manager Graeme Souness describing the midfielder
as a "fantastic player" after looking to sell him this summer. "He was
trying to get rid of me asking other clubs to come in for me and that is never
nice for a footballer who gives his all in every game. To find that out
was disappointing and as long as I am here I will give my all. I want to
play for a team that wants me. There have been things said this summer and
I was not wanted. I come out to give my all wherever I play. It is not
about proving people wrong, though I have done that all my career - and I will
keep doing it."
Wayne
Bridge has started his first game since breaking his ankle in
February. The England left-back starred in
Chelsea's friendly win against DC United.
Joe Cole and
Shaun Wright-Phillips
also started.
Thursday, 28 July 2005 -
Gavin
McCann has signed an extended contract with Aston Villa, keeping him
at the club until 2008. The midfielder, 27, still had a year to run on his
current deal but boss David O'Leary was desperate to tie down the ex-Sunderland
player to a longer deal. O'Leary said: "Gavin is the kind of hero only
appreciated by players. You sometimes don't realise what he contributes until he
is missing." McCann also has the option of an additional year on his
current deal.
Paul
Robinson says he is confident of being fit in time for the start of
the new season. Robinson, 25, damaged his knee in the 5-1 victory over
Aston Villa in May and only returned to full training with the
Tottenham Hotspur squad
yesterday. He said: "I heard talk I might miss the first few games but
realistically I hope to be back by then. I've started training again and
I'm building up slowly. I'm being careful and gradually easing my way back
in. There's nothing I can't do at the moment and in the next couple of
weeks I'll be building up to full pace."
Andrew Johnson
is happy at Selhurst Park and committed to spearhead their campaign to regain
Premiership status, according to
Crystal Palace. Everton have
reportedly joined Tottenham Hotspur
in showing an interest in the £6m-rated 24-year-old. Palace's relegation
triggered a transfer request from Johnson, who won his first England cap last
season. But Palace assistant boss Neil McDonald said: "Andrew doesn't look
unhappy, I think he'll start the season with us."
Wednesday, 27 July 2005 -
Semi-final first leg: Deportivo La Coruna 2
Newcastle United 1 Lee Bowyer
levelled in spectacular style after half-time with a glorious volley into the
top corner.
Darius Vassell
has completed his £2m switch to Manchester
City from Aston Villa after
passing a medical.
Jonathan
Woodgate has allegedly suffered another setback in his attempted
comeback from injury, although Woodgate himself confesses that he is close to a
comeback. Woodgate has yet to play for
Real Madrid. The England
defender has been sidelined by persistent problems with his right femoral
muscles, which assist in helping the knee to bend. The 25-year-old
reportedly broke down while training alone with Real's medical staff.
Woodgate had travelled to Finland and America for expert treatment to try to
find a solution to the problem. The former Leeds United defender was
training alone with Real's staff while his team-mates are on a pre-season tour
of Japan. Back in June, Real director of football Arrigo Sacchi expected
Woodgate to be fit to play in Real's pre-season tour.
Tuesday, 26 July 2005 -
A hat-trick from Walsall's Matt Fryatt gave England a 3-1
win over Serbia and Montenegro in the semi-finals of the European Under-19
Championship. England's opponents in Friday's final will be France who
beat Germany 3-2 in the other semi-final at Ballymena.
Monday,
25 July 2005 -
Darius Vassell
is close to joining Manchester City.
It is believed a £2.5m transfer fee has been agreed between the clubs for the
25-year-old England international, who is undergoing a medical at City.
Vassell, who had one year left on his Villa contract, scored only three goals in
21 league games last season.
Sol Campbell will miss the start of Arsenal's Premiership
campaign. The England defender is still being troubled by the calf
complaint that dogged him towards the end of last season and has been unable to
play a full part in the club's pre-season. Campbell, 30, is on The
Gunners' pre-season tour of Austria but is currently confined to doing light gym
work. It is hugely frustrating for the England star who saw his campaign
disrupted by injury last time around. Arsenè Wenger concedes the stopper
will not be ready when Arsenal kick off their season against Newcastle United on
August 14, and he seems unlikely to feature in England's World Cup qualifiers
against Wales and Northern Ireland in September. "Sol is injured, simple
as that. It is difficult for him to miss pre-season because he had trouble
last year as well. He was never completely fit last season and for me it
is a big worry because it means he cannot have a normal preparation."
Saturday, 23 July 2005 -
Third
round second leg: Newcastle United 2 ZTS Dubnica 0 Alan Shearer grabs the
two goal to set United up for the fourth round.
Andrew Cole scored on his debut for
Manchester City as they beat
Everton 4-2 on penalties to clinch third
place in the Asia Cup. James
Beattie had equalised for Everton.
Matthew Upson has insisted that he is happy to stay at Birmingham
City and is not looking to leave St Andrews. The 26-year-old defender has
been linked with a move to Liverpool
all summer and his refusal to sign a new long-term deal has led to talk of him
leaving City. Upson still has three years left on his current contract,
and Blues boss Steve Bruce is determined to keep him at the club.
John
Terry has revealed how he played through the pain barrier to help
inspire Chelsea to Premiership glory.
Terry had surgery on his foot injury at the back end of last season which forced
him out of the final two games, but only after the title was firmly locked away
in the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet. The England star, who is now fully
fit, has admitted he needed pain killing injections almost every day of last
term in order to play. "It was like a bit of bone growing between two
toes. Every time I put my boot on and, because they are quite tight, bone
on bone were rubbing against each other, making it very painful. I had
surgery in the summer so I've had bits of bone shaved away. I've still got a
tiny bit of pain but I think that's just down to the surgery."
Friday, 22 July 2005 -
Peter Crouch
will miss the first two league games of the new season for Liverpool
as he finishes a suspension held over from last term. The 24-year-old was
given a three-match ban after he was sent off in
Southampton's game at
Crystal Palace. He served
one game, and will now sit out Liverpool's
visit to Middlesbrough and the home game against Sunderland. If Liverpool
progress in the Champions League, Crouch's league debut is now likely to be at
Tottenham Hotspur on 10 September.
Five bids have been submitted to host the European
Championships in 2012. Joint bids from Croatia/Hungary and Poland/Ukraine
have been made to Uefa, with Greece, Italy and Turkey also launching individual
campaigns. Croatia/Hungary are the early favourites - Hungary narrowly
lost to Austria/Switzerland to host in 2008. Uefa's executive committee
will reduce the number of candidates to three on 7 November 2005 and then make a
final decision in December 2006.
Lee
Bowyer has insisted that he does not want to leave Newcastle United -
despite holding talks with other clubs this summer. The midfielder was
embroiled in an on-pitch clash with
Kieron Dyer that soured his relationship with the hierarchy of the club,
culminating in their decision to allow him to hold talks with
Birmingham City and
Charlton Athletic over a move.
However, the former Leeds United star has told the club's official website that
he is desperate to remain a part of the Newcastle squad and will battle to win
back the respect of all at the club.
Wednesday, 20 July 2005 -
Peter Crouch
has completed his £7m move from
Southampton to Liverpool after passing a
medical. The 24-year-old has signed a four-year deal and will join his new
team-mates on tour in Switzerland. "I am thrilled to be joining a club as
prestigious and successful as Liverpool. Once I heard of their interest in
me it was hard not to think about what it would be like to pull on the famous
red shirt and play in front of the Kop."
Wayne Rooney
has denied reports that he went against
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson by travelling back from a friendly
in Clyde separately. It was reported that Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and
Rio Ferdinand refused to get on the team bus after the game on Saturday and took
a car instead. But a spokesman for Rooney said: "Wayne did obtain the
permission of Manchester United's manager to return separately. Any other
suggestion is wrong and damaging to the player's reputation." It is
claimed the players were upset at having to make the 440-mile round trip by
coach rather than plane. The newspaper alleged the trio decided to rent a
car and driver to get them back to Manchester quickly, but failed to ask
Ferguson's permission.
Tuesday, 19 July 2005 -
Total Network Solutions, Wales 0 Liverpool 3
:
Steven Gerrard scores another
two goals from the bench as Liverpool progress to the second round.
Peter Crouch
will complete a £7m move to Liverpool on Wednesday, subject to a medical.
The Reds have been keen on signing the 24-year-old with Middlesbrough, Charlton
and West Ham also reportedly joining the chase for his services. But
Crouch is believed to have favoured a move to Anfield and has got his wish after
Liverpool outbid their rivals.
Andrew Cole has completed his medical at Manchester
City and will join his new team-mates in Thailand. The 33-year-old is now
set to finalise a free transfer back to the north and could make his debut in
Saturday's FA Premiership League Asia Trophy. Cole is expected to agree a
one-year deal. City boss Stuart Pearce says he expects supporters to give
their backing to Cole, despite his time with rivals Manchester United.
"The past is irrelevant. If the fans see you put the shirt on and you play with
pride and passion, they'll buy in to what you are trying to do," he said.
Monday, 18 July 2005 -
Shaun
Wright-Phillips has signed for
Chelsea, putting pen to paper on a five
year deal. The 23-year-old winger's transfer from Manchester City will
cost
Chelsea £21m. The England
international will fly with
Chelsea on Tuesday for their pre-season
tour of the US as José Mourinho's side as they prepare for the new campaign.
Wright-Phillips spent most of today at Stamford Bridge - accompanied by his
father Ian Wright - finalising personal terms and completing a medical.
After completing the deal and being handed Chelsea's number 24 shirt,
Wright-Phillips said he was ready to fight for his place along. He
said: "I never expected to be in anywhere and walk into any team to be honest
with you. Competition is just healthy really and will help make me a
better player. I just want to try and get some medals and be a regular
part of the team. I want to play well for myself and for the fans, and for the
coaching staff".
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon
said: "We're delighted that Shaun has joined us. He'll be a fantastic asset to
the team and squad. This carries on the
Chelsea policy of investing in young,
top English talent."
Ashley Cole has signed a
one-year extension to his Arsenal
contract - completing a U-turn after claiming he was being forced out of the
club. Cole was found guilty at a Premier League inquiry of attending a
meeting with
Chelsea without Arsenal's consent.
He blamed vice-chairman David Dein for letting the situation reach that stage.
But Cole said: "I am now looking forward to another successful season. We are
all determined to regain the Premiership. I can't wait for the season to
start now." Cole had two years left on his previous deal and the new
contract will now run until 2008.
Owen
Hargreaves has turned down a summer move to
Middlesbrough. Boro boss
Steve McClaren was understood to have offered to match the 24-year-old's wage at
Bayern Munich and guarantee him a
first-team place. However, Hargreaves' agent Roman Gill told German
newspaper Bild: "There has been an offer, but Owen refused." McClaren
wanted Hargreaves as a replacement for midfielder Boudewijn Zenden, who has
joined Liverpool. But Bayern
boss Felix Magath is delighted the England international has decided to stay
with the German club. "Bayern is the better club for his international
ambitions than playing in the Premiership. If he plays in the Champions
League with us, his chances will be much better."
Sunday, 17 July 2005 -
Shaun
Wright-Phillips looks set to join
Chelsea from Manchester City after the
two teams reached an agreement over a £21 million transfer fee. City have
also given the England international permission to open personal talks with the
title holders. "As a result of Shaun's request to speak to Chelsea we have
conducted a series of complex negotiations with Chelsea," said a City spokesman.
Third
round first leg: ZTS Dubnica 1 Newcastle United 3 Alan Shearer grabs the
second goal to set United up for the second leg.
Ashley Cole's agent has
hinted that the England defender could choose to stay with
Arsenal. The 24-year-old's future
at Highbury was in doubt after the club took him to a Premier League inquiry for
meeting with Chelsea over a possible move. Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett
said: "I am pleased to say amicable discussions have taken place in the
aftermath of a very difficult situation. Both sides are close to an
agreement that could see him remain at Highbury."
Andrew
Cole could be on his way to back to the north-west. Manchester City
hope to sign the Fulham striker before
they fly out to Bangkok to begin their FA Premier League Asia Trophy campaign on
Sunday. Cole, whose contract at Craven Cottage runs until summer 2006, is
believed to want a move to the north-west and has been linked with a return to
Blackburn. However, City expect to conclude the first permanent signing of
boss Stuart Pearce's reign before leaving for Asia. The parties are close
to agreement and Cole is due to undergo a medical.
Michael Dawson could face
a race against time to be fit for the start of the new season after breaking his
nose. The England Under-21 international sustained the injury in
Tottenham Hotspur's 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors in the Peace Cup.
Dawson has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament and faces a couple of
weeks on the sidelines.
Saturday, 16 July 2005 -
Friendlies round-up:
Francis Jeffers scored two as
Charlton Athletic beat
Bournemouth 5-2. Rio Ferdinand was repeatedly jeered in
Manchester United's 5-1 friendly win
with Clyde, yet to sign a new contract, Ferdinand was subjected to jeers of
"greedy" from United's travelling supporters, one of United's five goals was
provided by Paul Scholes.
Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 with Argentine side Boca Juniors in their opening
Peace Cup game in Suwon, South Korea,
Jermain Defoe scoring the Spurs' equalizer.
Shaun
Wright-Phillips withdrew from the Manchester City team that played
Macclesfield in a friendly today. It has fuelled speculation of a second
Chelsea bid, and it prompted
Wright-Phillips to confirm his desire to speak to the reigning Premiership
Champions. Manager Stuart Pearce said: "The bottom line is we want the
going rate for a player of Shaun Wright-Phillips' ability. His advisers
need to be acutely aware we need to get our valuation for him."
Chelsea will want to wrap up any deal
before they fly out to the US on Tuesday to continue their pre-season
preparations. City will now decide whether to hold out for a bigger fee
from
Chelsea before allowing Wright-Phillips
to speak with the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Friday, 15 July 2005 -
Shaun
Wright-Phillips is subject to a bidding battle today after
Manchester City confirmed they had rejected a bid from
Chelsea.
Chelsea had been expected
to move for the England international, 23, and are believed to have tabled a
£20m bid. But in a statement City - understood to have debts of about £60m
- said they immediately rejected
Chelsea's offer. "We do not encourage any
bids for Shaun and both the club and the player remain firmly focused on our
preparations for the new season," said the statement. Wright-Phillips
signed a new four-year contract in August 2004 and has said he is not looking
for a move. City's statement added: "We have always stressed that we want
Shaun to stay at Manchester City and Shaun himself has always been adamant that
he is happy here as the club continue to build on the excellent progress made
under the leadership of Stuart Pearce."
Jermaine Jenas
has been linked with a move to Arsenal as a replacement for Patrick Vieira, who
has moved to Juventus for £13.75m. Newcastle United boss Graeme Souness
has told Arsenal they would have to pay £20m to take the England midfielder to
Highbury. Souness, who has secured the signings of two midfielders this
summer, said: "We are not a selling club." But when pressed, he said: "For
£20m, the chairman might be tempted."
Thursday, 14 July 2005 -
Ian Walker
has signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer in time for the club's
pre-season trip to Thailand. The 33-year-old, who was released by
Leicester City this summer, has
agreed a 12-month contract. "I am delighted that we have acquired a
goalkeeper of Ian Walker's ability," Allardyce said. "The goalkeeping area
did concern me but we now have three quality keepers that will match any other
team."
Paul Gascoigne has agreed to coach Portugal side Algarve
United, according to the club's owner Corrado Correggi. "Gascoigne said he
wants to be the main coach of our club. He wants to clear his name, erase
his faults and teach young talent how to be good professionals and not commit
the same mistakes which he did." Correggi appears to have big plans for
his club and wants Gascoigne, 38, to help lead them into the First Division.
Wednesday, 13 July 2005 -
Liverpool 3 Total
Network Solutions, Wales 0:
Steven Gerrard scored a
hat-trick as the Anfield club began the defence of their Champions League crown
with a comfortable win.
Kieron Dyer
has agreed a new four-year deal with the club, chairman Freddy Shepherd has
claimed. The 26-year-old midfielder's future at St James Park was in doubt
after his infamous on-field bust-up with Lee Bowyer on 5 April this year.
But Shepherd told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle newspaper: "Dyer's contract is
all agreed. "Both we and the player are happy. Now it is just a matter of
checking legal and tax details before it is signed."
Tuesday, 12 July 2005 -
Alan Smith believes
bringing success to Manchester United
is more important than sealing a spot in England's squad, if they qualify for
the World Cup. "If I play every game for United, we win the big trophies
and I don't get in the England squad, it won't bother me. This season is
not about whether Alan Smith gets to the World Cup, it's about United and how we
perform as a team. If England come along then great but United is all I
have on my mind."
Monday, 11 July 2005 -
Chris Powell
has rejoined Charlton Athletic
on a years contract. Powell, 35, left the Addicks last summer to join West
Ham United, who he helped to promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.
Powell made 200 League appearances for Charlton in his first stint and joined
them from Derby County in June 1998. When leaving Charlton, Powell said:
"I always felt I would finish my career at Charlton but I had a decision to make
and West Ham offered regular football." The left-back initially joined the
Hammers on loan before completing a free transfer to Upton Park in December
2004.
Jonathan
Woodgate has been left out of Real Madrid's 24-man squad to tour the
US and Asia. The 25-year-old will remain in Spain as he continues his
recovery from a long-term thigh injury. David Beckham and Michael Owen are
included in the tour party by coach Wanderley Luxemburgo. The pre-season
schedule includes games against Guadalajara and LA Galaxy in America before Real
play Beijing Gouan in China and Tokyo Verdy and Jubilo Iwata in Japan. The
tour ends with a trip to Thailand to play Bangkok.
Scott Parker
will not take part in the Newcastle United's Intertoto Cup games as he continues
to recover from a broken foot. The Magpies face Slovakian side
Dubnica on Sunday as they try to secure a place in next season's Uefa Cup.
"Scott won't be available. I've decided to give him as much time as possible to
recover. The most important thing for us is the Premiership this year."
said Graeme Souness.
Saturday, 9 July 2005 -
Michael
Owen
has been told he should leave Real Madrid if he cannot accept being a squad
player at the Bernabeu. The 25-year-old England striker was unhappy at his
lack of first-team action last season and has been linked with a return to the
Premiership. And Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo said: "You can't have the
attitude that you will only stay if you are playing. Those who want to be
here just to play are better off going. If you are here it is to be a member of
the squad."
Friday, 8 July 2005 -
Stewart Downing
is to sign a new five-year deal that will keep him at Middlesbrough
until 2010. The agent of the 20-year-old, who has interested Premiership
rivals
Tottenham Hotspur, met with
Boro officials and agreed in principle to a new contract. "We met with
Stewart's agent and agreed in principle a new five-year contract," said
Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb. "Stewart will sign on his return
from Portugal next week."
Rio Ferdinand's agent has admitted the England defender's contract talks
with Manchester United are deadlocked.
The 26-year-old had been discussing a new deal at Old Trafford before the end of
last season, but United were frustrated as discussions stalled. Agent Pini
Zahavi told The Independent: "No-one is having talks. There is no need to
speak. He has two years. There was at some stage an idea for a new contract but
we could not reach an agreement."
Jonathan
Woodgate has started full training with
Real Madrid as the Spanish side begin
pre-season. The 25-year-old did not play a single game for Madrid last
season after signing from Newcastle United for £13.4m. Woodgate suffered a
recurrence of a torn thigh muscle that eventually ruled him out for the entire
campaign.
Thursday, 7 July 2005 -
Jamie Carragher is to
sign a new four-year contract with Liverpool
by the end of the week. The 27-year-old is expected to pen a two-year
extension to his current deal, which has two years remaining on it. The
news will delight Reds fans, coming the day after skipper
Steven Gerrard decided to
commit to the club. "We have been talking with Jamie Carragher and we
expect the contract to be signed before the end of the week," said chief
executive Rick Parry. "He was outstanding for us last season and is
clearly a big part of our plans."
Paul
Robinson will sign a new seven-year contract with
Tottenham Hotspur
today. The 25-year-old will commit himself to the club on a long-term
basis after an impressive first season. Robinson, who cost £1.5m when he
arrived from Leeds United, had been the subject of reported interest from clubs
at home and abroad. But he said: "There has never been any doubt on my
part that this is where I want to be." Robinson has subsequently become
England's first-choice keeper. He added: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my
first year here and the chairman showed his commitment to me by signing me in
the first place and by signing this new deal. I'm repaying that faith."
Wednesday, 6 July 2005 -
Steven Gerrard has had a
dramatic change of heart and decided to stay at Anfield. The 25-year-old
told Liverpool he wanted to leave
after contract negotiations broke down. Chelsea looked set to land Gerrard
after having an initial £32m bid rejected by Liverpool. But Gerrard
has had another change of heart after talks with chief executive Rick Parry, who
said: "He realises how much the club means to him." Gerrard is now
expected to sign the new contract on offer worth £100,000-a-week, a deal he
initially snubbed. Parry had admitted defeat in the battle to keep Gerrard
at Liverpool on Tuesday, but emerged on Wednesday morning to reveal the
sensational twist. He said: "Stevie's decided to stay. It's a little bit
like last year, only even more dramatic. In the language he used to us, he
never said he wanted to go. He never said 'I wanted to go'. I think in the
last 24 hours he has reflected on it, he's thought it through and he wants to
stay. There were lots of late-night phone calls and early morning phone
calls. I couldn't be more delighted. It is what we wanted all along." And
he added he expected no problems over the new contract, saying: "I think that's
already hammered out. I don't think there is an issue with that any more."
Gerrard's discontent is believed to have sprung from a feeling that he was not
wanted at Liverpool because of delays over agreeing a new contract.
Shaun
Wright-Phillips is now on Chelsea's wanted list after failing to land
Gerrard. Although no official bid has been received from Manchester City.
Manager José Mourinho is back from a break and wants the deal done quickly for
the 23-year-old England star. Chelsea are likely to bid around £18m, but
that will not be enough and City will demand at least £22m. City are also
in no hurry to part with Wright-Phillips, despite reported debts of around £60m.
And they also know the player is happy at the club and in no hurry to leave - a
state of affairs certain to strengthen their bargaining position.
Wright-Phillips only signed a new contract last season and has said he is not
looking for a move, stressing his contentment.
The FA is hopeful that a Great Britain men's and
women's football team will be able to take part at the 2012 London Olympics.
Britain do not currently enter a team, fearing it would damage the independent
status of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland unions. But FA
executive director David Davies hopes a solution can be found. "We will
now look with urgency at how the home nations could take part in the football
tournaments," said Davies.
Lee Bowyer
is poised to join former club
Charlton Athletic form Newcastle United for £1.5 million. Bowyer is
currently in pre-season training with Newcastle as they prepare for the new
Premiership season. But his future in the north east has been in doubt
since his on-the-field bust-up with team-mate Kieron Dyer during a match last
season.
Tuesday, 5 July 2005 -
Steven Gerrard has told
Liverpool he wants to leave Anfield after turning down a new £100,000-a-week
contract. The 25-year-old captain made his move after
Liverpool rejected a
£32m bid from Premiership champions Chelsea. "Steven has told us he will
not accept our offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to
leave," a Liverpool club statement read. Gerrard also issued a statement which
said: "This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make."
Paul
Konchesky has made a £1.5 million switch to West Ham United from
Charlton Athletic.
Monday, 4 July 2005 -
Steven Gerrard may have
played his last game for the Champions League winners following allegations of a
training-ground row. Newspaper reports have claimed that the England
midfielder, 25, had an angry exchange with boss Rafael Benitez. He has two
years of his current deal to run but it has been rumoured that he is unhappy
because the Reds did not open talks as quickly as he had hoped. However,
Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: "We want Gerrard to stay." But
Gerrard has received no improved pay offer from Liverpool and no more talks are
planned. Reports suggest Gerrard has broken off all contract talks and will make
a £35m exit after an "angry exchange" between the player and his manager at Melwood training ground.
Sunday,
3 July 2005 -
Stewart Downing's
agent has criticised Middlesbrough's contract offer as they seek to extend the
youngster's current deal beyond 2008. "The offer is not right," agent Ian
Elliott said. "Stewart just wants to be paid accordingly but all we hear
is how old he is. That doesn't wash. His age shouldn't matter." Downing
broke into the Boro side last season and made such an impact he was nominated
for the PFA's Young Player of the Year Award. He was also capped by
England, coming on in the second half of February's friendly against the
Netherlands at Villa Park. He made 49 appearances for Boro last term,
scoring six goals in the process. "The last word from the club was the
offer would not be improved," added Elliott.
Wayne Rooney
is not for sale. Manchester United
chief executive David Gill has insisted that the club's new owners, the Glazer
family, will not be tempted to sell striker Wayne Rooney. Gill said that
meetings with the Glazer family had allayed fears that any debts would lead to
the sale of star players. He said: "The Glazer family have experience in
sports ownership and realise that success on the pitch drives what happens off
it. I think I can say that Wayne Rooney will definitely not be sold."
Friday,
1 July 2005 -
Stewart Downing
is unhappy at the 'impasse' that has been reached in his current contract talks
with Middlesbrough. Downing's future at Boro has come under the spotlight
after Tottenham Hotspur had a £6 million bid rejected by the Teessiders
today. The England winger, 20, still has three years left on his current
contract, but that deal was penned before his first full season in The
Premiership and his subsequent international honours. The
Middlesbrough-born star is now seeking a wage level that is representative of
his current status within the Middlesbrough squad.
Alan Smith
has been a target for Graeme Souness. The Newcastle United chief is
desperate to increase his attacking options but made fruitless approaches for
the Manchester United attackers.
Ian Walker could be on his way to Bolton Wanderers.
The 33-year-old has been looking for pastures new after being released by
Leicester City at the end of last
season. Premiership side Birmingham City and Championship club Southampton
have also been linked with the former England custodian, but Bolton seem keen to
add Walker to their ranks for the new season. It is thought that Walker
will have until the end of next week to decide on the offer to join Sam
Allardyce's side, as he looks to add cover for the goalkeeper jersey. It
remains to be seen if the prospect of Premiership and Uefa Cup football will
entice Walker in moving to the Lancashire outfit.
Joe Royle's application to appeal the
latest High Court ruling over his dismissal from Manchester City has been
rejected by the House of Lords. The current Ipswich Town boss saw an
original court ruling that rewarded him over £422,000 in compensation overturned
on appeal earlier in the year, with City being awarded costs. The former
Oldham Athletic and Everton chief then took his case to the House of Lords, but
they have denied Royle the chance to appeal the latest ruling. The dispute
goes back to when Royle was sacked as City manager following the club's
relegation from The Premiership at the end of the 2000/01 season. Royle
claimed he was entitled to compensation and initially won a cash settlement in
the courts before City successfully appealed against the original decision.
This latest news may bring an end to the dispute between Royle and the Eastlands
club.
___________________
CG
England Football Online