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Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris acknowledges his 'risky game' The Frenchman is noted for his speed off his line but has come unstuck on a couple of occasions and was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a challenge on Ashley Young
Vidic unlikely to extend Manchester United deal, says agent The 32-year-old's contract is to set to expire at the end of the season, but the defender's representative says he is unwilling to pen new terms with clubs ready to swoop
Manchester City boss Pellegrini: Aguero nearing return The Argentine, who has 19 goals in 20 competitive games this season, has been out since December 14 with a calf problem while James Milner is also endorsed for England
Mourinho mentality rubbing off on Chelsea squad - Mikel The Nigerian praised the recent performances of fellow midfielders Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian as the club look to keep pace with their title rivals after a slow start
Redknapp warns Newcastle: Buy Remy now or risk missing out The striker has impressed while on loan at St James' Park, scoring 10 goals in 19 appearances, and is expected to attract interest from elsewhere in the summer
Pulis: Zaha not keen on Crystal Palace return The 21-year-old appears set for a temporary move away from Old Trafford having made just two Premier League appearances, but does not want to come back to London
Inter 'happy to keep' Chelsea target Guarin The Blues have held extensive talks with the Serie A giants in Milan and London over the Colombian, but the club's sporting director Piero Ausilio insists he will stay
Lindegaard happy to play second fiddle to De Gea at Manchester United The Dane admits he would rather be playing every game for his boyhood club but insists he appreciates the need to see things from David Moyes' point of view
Cruel Walcott blow won't ruin Arsenal's title chances The Gunners have shown they are a more resilient outfit than that of 2008, when Eduardo's gruesome injury caused implosion
Moyes: Every game is a must-win for Manchester United The Scottish boss is treating Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final against Sunderland just like any other match, and is keen to progress to the final and challenge for silverware
Gignac rejects move to unnamed Premier League club The Frenchman has opted against a big-money move to England, having reportedly been on West Ham's transfer wishlist as they continue to struggle in the absence of Andy Carroll
Walcott injury could cost Arsenal the title - Nicholas The former Gunners striker does not believe that Arsene Wenger's other attacking options are as good, nor are they capable of replicating his goal threat
Poyet: Sunderland do not fear Man Utd The Black Cats boss is not worried about facing the English champions on Tuesday night and sees the Capital One Cup as a welcome league distraction
Bosnich urges Man Utd to spend big in January The ex-Red Devils shot-stopper has recommended that the club's owners should give David Moyes as much money as he needs to save the faltering season
Arsenal's Gnabry determined to kick on The German teenager was praised by manager Arsene Wenger for his display against Tottenham, but the 18-year-old is keen to build on his performance
Why Chelsea need a striker & midfielder in January
Jan 7, 2014 8:30:00 AM
The Blues' misfiring frontline have notched just seven league goals this season, underlining the need for more firepower, while Xabi Alonso could be the perfect partner for Ramires
ANALYSIS
By Ewan Roberts
This January, most of the sides fighting for the Premier League title will go into the winter transfer window looking to make only minor tweaks to already cohesive teams - but not Chelsea.
While other clubs have minor deficiencies, the Blues need major surgery on an imbalanced squad and no side possesses an Achilles heel quite so great as the west Londoners' absentee strikeforce.
Samuel Eto'o, a last-minute panic buy in the summer, Fernando Torres, a player doomed to remain plagued by a record transfer fee he has no hope of ever repaying, and Demba Ba, a cut-price stop-gap. These three, combined, have netted just seven league goals this season – just over a third as many as Luis Suarez – and none have earned the faith or support of increasingly beleaguered manager Jose Mourinho.
“The strikers try the best they can so I don't know what to do,” bemoaned the downbeat Portuguese. “It is one thing to improve a player who is 20-years-old, which you can. If you can tell me, can I improve Eden Hazard? Yes, I can. Can I improve a player who is 30-years-old? How?
“If we had eight, 10, 12 goals [from the strikers] we would be top of the league. That's a reality, but my strikers give everything and the team works hard. To criticise does not help me. What do I win by criticising my players? I win nothing.”
Whether Mourinho criticises his strikers or not, the likelihood is he will win nothing without a new forward. In the Premier League era, the title-winning side's strikeforce has, on average, scored 43.2 goals and contributed to 54.6 per cent of the team's total goals. Since Mourinho last won the Premier League that figure is even higher, with title-winning sides' strikers averaging 50.2 league goals, while the club who has topped the table come May has been able to call upon the division's top scorer in four of the last six seasons.
Chelsea's strikers, though, are on course to score a modest 13.3 league goals this season, and have netted just 18.42% of the side's total goals. It is a weakness that has the potential to derail their title charge.
When they have scored, it has often been thanks to opposition errors – Matija Nastasic's ill-judged back-pass to let Torres in against Manchester City, or Liam Ridgewell dallying on the ball to allow Eto'o's tackle-cum-shot find the bottom corner. They have scored too infrequently away from home, not notching an away goal throughout 2013, while the last time a Chelsea striker netted an away goal against a top-eight side was in October 2012 – and it was a player, Daniel Sturridge, who is no longer at the club.
Despite Mourinho's protestations to the contrary, Chelsea are very much in the market for a frontman. They had several bids for Wayne Rooney rejected by Manchester United during the summer, are monitoring the situation of AC Milan's Mario Balotelli and must surely be aware of Diego Costa's €42 million release clause – though whether they could lure him away from Atletico Madrid is another matter.
All would be a far better fit for a Chelsea attack that is missing a rather large piece of the puzzle. So often the club's current trio of strikers have been on the periphery of matches, with Torres the most involved with a measly 16.1 passes per game. Yet Costa, more than just a goalscoring battering ram, has managed 23.2 passes per game (in addition to his 19 goals), while Rooney tops the lot with 46.9.
Chelsea's strikers are less clinical too, boasting a far poorer shooting accuracy – Torres' 35.7% looks positively dreadful compared to Costa's 61.4% - and requiring more shots on target per goal scored.
A misfiring frontline is not Chelsea's only problem, though, with the midfield in desperate need of reinforcement. The Stamford Bridge outfit average only the ninth most possession in the Premier League, and have just the seventh best pass success in the division. While Ramires, a blend of energy and power, fits the dynamic mould of player Mourinho requires as one of the holding midfielders in his preferred 4-2-3-1, John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard do not.
The Brazilian is the side's best passing midfielder, averaging 51.3 successful passes per game (a figure dwarfed by the league's most prolific passer, Yaya Toure, who has made 75.1 passes per game), while he has more tackles than the other two combined. He is the quickest distributor, the most athletic and the best on transition, but he needs a partner in crime.
That could be Xabi Alonso, a rare ally for Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu and a player who could be available with his current contract at Real Madrid set to expire at the end of the season. The Spaniard knows Mourinho's methods and playing style, offloading the ball to the attackers ahead of him at much slicker pace and bringing a far greater degree of possession control.
Alonso averaged 78 completed passes per game in the 2010/11 campaign, and 68 throughout his three seasons under Mourinho, while he passes forward more frequently too (73.1% of the time). He also created 189 chances under Mourinho.
Unlike, say, Mikel, who sits back in front of the defence and reacts to danger, Alonso is a front-foot, proactive player. He was wrongly seen as the luxury player in his partnership with Sami Khedira, the German usually adjudged to provide the work rate and bite in midfield, but Alonso was Madrid's top tackler under Mourinho and, in three seasons, recovered possession (from tackles/interceptions) on 536 occasions (5.5 per game compared to Khedira's 3.3).
Chelsea's leaky back-line is also an issue, with Mourinho joking that the training-ground dummies could score against his side, but not one that requires immediate attention. When the side need to shut up shop, they can (conceding just two goals in matches against Manchester United, City, Arsenal and Liverpool), and a new midfielder would bring more solidity and control to a side that can look a little open.
A new striker, likewise, would help kill off sides and alter the mentality of a team that has been forced to over-commit in a bid to compensate for a toothless strikeforce. If Mourinho does not bring in a new forward, though, he could always consider fielding one of the training dummies up front as a last resort instead.
Latest United defeat piles pressure on Moyes as he accuses referees
By: All Blue Daze 08 Jan 2014 09:15
David Moyes risked getting himself into hot water with the FA after the game against Sunderland after he declared in an interview with SkySports that “We're having to play them [referees] as well as the opposition at the moment." He also went on to say that “It's really terrible. We're actually beginning to laugh at them."
The statements come on top an incident last month where Moyes described a refereeing decision as ‘scandalous’ when Manchester United were denied a late penalty following a Hugo Lloris challenge on Ashley Young.
Moyes was irritated by decisions leading to both of Sunderland’s goals. The first goal followed a free-kick being played back across goal from Wes Brown, before Ryan Giggs diverted the ball into his own net. Moyes however was less than happy about the award of the free kick in the first place. He said that he couldn’t see how it was an offence, but conceded that in any case it certainly didn’t excuse United’s poor defending for the goal.
It was however the second goal, scored by Borini from the penalty spot that particularly drew the Scot’s wrath. Substitute Adam Johnson went to ground under a clumsy challenge from Tom Cleverley for the offence, and the decision appeared to be awarded on the advice of the linesman.
Of the incident, Moyes declared "How could the linesman give that [the penalty]? The ref was looking straight at it but the linesman would have to have seen straight through Patrice Evra to give it.” Clearly, the linesman didn’t give the penalty, the referee did. A linesman can only advise, all decisions are the referees, but the anger at the perceived injustice clearly burnt bright. Moyes went on to say that “We had a player booked for a similar thing that they got a penalty for the other day.” Although not saying it overtly, it was a clear reference to the booking of Januzaj for perceived simulation recently.
Non-Manchester United fans will probably feel little sympathy for Moyes or Manchester United. Outside of the Old Trafford faithful, there’s a widely held belief – be it valid or not – that United always seemed often get the rub of the green on refereeing decisions, the incident however probably reflects the increasing pressure that Moyes is under as United suffered their third defeat in a row for the first time in over a dozen years. Way back in 2001, when it last occurred the club were playing out end of season fixtures with the title already secured so this situation could be argued to be far worse.
Many United fans have probably wished that Moyes would be more like Ferguson, and Sir Alex was always keen on a bit of ‘referee’ talk where he thought it would benefit the club, this may however e an entirely different situation. Moyes is clearly feeling beleaguered and whether his complaints are justified or not, the danger is always that blaming officials is often interpreted as a way of avoiding a mea culpa situation.
Stoke loanee Assaidi rues missing Liverpool clash The in-form Moroccan is unable to face his parent club due to the terms of the deal that brought him to the Britannia, but insists he will be cheering on the Potters
Liverpool defender Agger suffers calf strain The Dane limped out of the Reds' FA Cup win over Oldham Athletic on Sunday and will now undergo further assessment by the club's medical staff in the coming days
Rosicky bullish over Arsenal title hopes The Gunners remain top of the pile thanks to an impressive opening to their campaign and the Czech Republic playmaker feels the squad can go all the way
Ozil returns to Arsenal training after Morocco mini-break The Gunners' record signing was given permission to have a three-day holiday in the sunshine before the club's league campaign kicks back into gear next Monday
Manchester United boss Moyes investigated by FA for referee comments The Red Devils manager, furious at Andre Marriner's decisions during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, suggested that his side were "having to play the officials"
Manchester United not harmed by Ferguson attending games, insists Moyes The Red Devils manager's legendary predecessor has been a regular spectator in their difficult first season since his retirement but the new boss says that he is "terrific"
'Right decision' to drop Hart - Pellegrini The Chilean believes that his omission of the England international goalkeeper has been vindicated, with the 26-year-old coming back into form to recapture his first-team place
Napoli line up move for Tottenham midfielder Capoue The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and Rafael Benitez could test Spurs' resolve with a bid as he looks to bolster his squad in the January window
Rio Ferdinand back in Manchester United training but faces fortnight out The 35-year-old took part in a light fitness session at Carrington on Tuesday after scans showed that his knee injury, picked up against Swansea City, is not as bad as first feared
Giggs bemoans 'laughable' decisions in Sunderland loss The veteran midfielder feels that Manchester United were unlucky to be penalised in the build-up to the Black Cats' opener but is eager to atone for defeat at Old Trafford
Man Utd laughing at 'terrible' refereeing, says Moyes The Scot was furious with the award of a free kick in the build-up to Sunderland's first goal but says he is looking forward to the second leg at Old Trafford
Chelsea youngster Omeruo joins Middlesbrough on loan The Nigeria international will spend the rest of the season at the Riverside Stadium working under Aitor Karanka, Jose Mourinho's former assistant at Real Madrid
The Manchester United playmaker arrived at Old Trafford in 2012 and has struggled to win a place in the starting XI, netting just six goals in his 40 appearances for the Red Devils
Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa has bemoaned his goalscoring form at Old Trafford, insisting he must improve.
Since joining the club in 2012 the Japan international has failed to make a lasting impression at United, appearing irregularly in the starting XI and notching just six goals for the first team.
It is in stark contrast to his form at Borussia Dortmund, where he was a key member of Jurgen Klopp's side and Kagawa believes he must rediscover that level of performance at Old Trafford.
He told reporters: "I've never had so much trouble not being able to score goals. Right now it's just trial and error.
"The season's still continuing, so I just have to find a way to recover my form. This is my big challenge."
Kagawa was one of many underwhelming performances in United's 2-1 home defeat to Swansea in the FA Cup third round, but could have the opportunity to make amends on Tuesday at Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg.
Moyes unlikely to suffer McGuinness's fate, despite results
BY MIKE COLLETT
LONDON Wed Jan 8, 2014 5:01pm GMT
Manchester United manager David Moyes attends their English FA Cup soccer match against Swansea City at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England January 5, 2014. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
(Reuters) - Manchester United manager David Moyes is no modern-day Wilf McGuinness but unless he pulls United out of their slump soon, comparisons with the former ill-fated boss will continue to haunt him.
Images of Alex Ferguson, who in May retired after 26 trophy-laden seasons in charge, staring down as United's players trudged off after Tuesday's Capital One League Cup defeat at Sunderland, evoked memories of Matt Busby peering from the stands at McGuinness as results went against him.
What is extremely unlikely is that Ferguson, 72, will come out of retirement to take the reins back from Moyes, which is the fate that befell McGuinness on Boxing Day 1970 when he was sacked as manager with Busby, who had led the club through their glorious period of the late 1960s, taking his old job back.
Moyes said after Tuesday's defeat that Ferguson had been "nothing but supportive" of him since he took over and was a "a terrific sounding board" with support also coming from former club captain Bryan Robson on the training ground.
The common thread linking both Moyes and McGuinness is that Busby remained "upstairs" at United in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the same way that Ferguson has done today with both witnessing at close quarters their successors' early struggles in the job.
As a result, speculation has begun that Moyes' future at Old Trafford is already under threat, something Sean Bones, the vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, thinks is highly improbable.
"The main problem is not the choice of manager but the lack of investment in the side," Bones told Reuters on Wednesday.
"If you look at Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, they are supporter-owned clubs whose revenues are pumped back on to the field to improve the team and ensure deep squads full of good players.
"But until the owners of Manchester United, the Glazer family, relinquish control of the club, this will be a continuing problem for us.
"At the moment we have become an ordinary team with ordinary results, and while people don't like that, most don't think the manager is in danger."
"I don't think there is any risk at all that Moyes is under the same kind of pressure from Ferguson that Wilf McGuinness was from Sir Matt."
EXTRA-ORDINARY SUCCESS
Manchester United enjoyed extraordinary success under Ferguson who arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 and has said he relished the advice that Busby gave him in his early days.
Busby died aged 84 in January 1994 having lived long enough to see Ferguson end their 26-year wait for the title in 1993, the first since Busby's last championship in 1967.
Ferguson, who broke the Celtic/Rangers stranglehold in Scotland with Aberdeen before coming to United, was never overawed by Busby's achievements but it was a different story a quarter of a century earlier when McGuinness, who was 31, was appointed Busby's successor following his retirement at the end of the 1968-69 season after 24 years as the helm.
An England schoolboy international, he was a member of the Busby Babes team of the mid-1950s and had played twice for England before a broken leg ended his career at 22 in 1960.
He stayed at United and was reserve team coach when Busby decided he was the right man to replace him.
Eighteen months later, his hair having turned white and fallen out in clumps, he was sacked despite taking United to three cup semi-finals and an eighth place finish in the old First Division in his one full season in charge.
He briefly went back to his old job as reserve team coach, then left to manage Aris Salonika in Greece.
Busby, then 61, returned to his old job and stayed for another 18 months, but within six years of that European triumph, the club were relegated to the second tier.
PLAYING CAREER
Unlike McGuinness, Moyes had a long playing career which included a Scottish title at Celtic and spells at, among others, Bristol City, Shrewsbury Town, Dunfermline Athletic and Preston North End where he became manager in 1998.
After revitalising Preston's fortunes he became Everton's manager in 2002 and although he did not win any trophies in his 11 years at Goodison Park, they qualified for the Champions League in 2005 and were FA Cup runners-up in 2009.
Ferguson knew Moyes as a child, having played in the same Glasgow youth team with his father as teenagers and keeping a friendship later in life with the family.
Long before Ferguson retired he had identified Moyes as his successor. Their families are still close today.
Handed a six-year contract when he became boss, it is virtually inconceivable that Moyes will be replaced by anyone else as United's boss despite the team losing three successive matches for the first time since 2001 and facing the real prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Apart from the troubles surrounding the end of the Busby era, United have a reputation for being a stable, patient club.
Busby advised the United board to keep their faith with Ferguson despite him failing to win a trophy in his early years.
It would defy logic if Ferguson was not saying similar things today.
(Refiles fixing typo in third paragraph)
(Reporting by Mike Collett; editing by Martyn Herman)
Norwegian Magnus Wolff Eikrem of Manchester United walks on the pitch before their Champions League soccer match against Buraspor at Ataturk stadium in Bursa, western Turkey, November 2, 2010. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
(Reuters) - Cardiff City's new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Heerenveen midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem his first signing for the Welsh side, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Norwegian, who played under Solskjaer at Molde and was sold by the former Manchester United striker to the Dutch club, has joined Cardiff for an undisclosed fee although British media said they had paid about two million pounds.
"I've known Magnus for many years, having worked with him at Manchester United and then signing him for Molde," Solskjaer told the club website (www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk).
"While I was there I had to sell him as he was our best player - and now I feel lucky to get to sign him again for Cardiff City for a reasonable price. I see this as money well spent," he added.
"He's a playmaker, a quarterback if you will, someone who likes to get on the ball and can see a pass. He's technically very good, including set pieces and has great vision.
"Magnus will add a lot to Cardiff City and will blend in very well with the midfielders in the squad."
Eikrem, who never made a first-team appearance at Manchester United after playing for the youth team, has joined Cardiff in time for the league match at home to fellow strugglers West Ham United on Saturday.
City are one place above the drop zone with 18 points from 18 matches, three points in front of the Londoners who are second-bottom.
Solskjaer took over as Cardiff manager at the start of the month as replacement for sacked Malky Mackay who led them up to the top flight last term after an absence of 51 years.
Mackay departed after falling out with billionaire Malaysian owner Tan in a series of public squabbles and despite being acclaimed by fans as the club's best ever manager.
Alvaro Negredo scored a hat-trick as the Hammers conceded six in their Capital One Cup semi-final first leg, with the manager highlighting the difference in class between the sides
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was not surprised by his side's 6-0 defeat to Manchester City due to the quality of their opponents.
Just three days after being dumped out of the FA Cup with a 5-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, West Ham shipped six at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The result leaves the Hammers needing a miracle to reach the final at Wembley, but Allardyce claimed there was little his side could do against the talent that City have in their ranks.
"We knew that they had to have an off night and we had to have a really good night from our point of view," he told Sky Sports.
"Manchester City's finishing was just outstanding - never mind the build-up play - and [we have] got a struggling defensive unit at the moment, because of our injuries.
"We're in a bit of a hole at the moment and we have to dig ourselves out.
"It's not like they haven't done it to anyone else. We tried our best but it wasn't good enough against a side that have outstanding players because they spend outstanding money."
Allardyce, who received a vote of confidence from his co-chairmen following the defeat to Championship outfit Forest, is without the likes of Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins due to injury.
And with such absences, Allardyce said he had little choice but to "take it on the chin".
"Lads who are free transfers were playing against lads who have been paid hundreds of hundreds of millions [in transfer fees] and hundreds of hundreds in wages," he added.
"Sometimes you've got to take it on the chin. Face the facts - they have got a miles better squad than us. We want our best team out on the field but we haven't got that at the moment."
The Reds boss will now be fined for questioning the wisdom of appointing the Bolton-born official as referee for a match in Manchester
Brendan Rodgers has accepted a Football Association charge over comments he made about referee Lee Mason following Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City.
Rodgers was disappointed by an offside call which incorrectly ruled out a clear chance for Raheem Sterling in the first half, as well as a failed Luis Suarez penalty appeal in the closing stages.
After the match, the Northern Irishman labelled the officials' performance "horrendous" and suggested that Bolton-born Mason was an inappropriate choice of referee for a game in Manchester.
Rodgers told reporters: "I was very proud of the players, I thought they were absolutely outstanding, but they had no help whatsoever from the officials.
"I never go on about officials, but today I thought they were horrendous in terms of performance. Nothing went our way at all.
"I thought the linesman on the [Sterling] offside, he wasn't even on the same cut of grass and if you're working on this level you have to get it right.
"It's not even a difficult one and these are the things we work on and talk about. We're asking the lad to get across and break their line, it's a perfectly timed run and he's given offside when he's through one-on-one.
"They're big moments in big games. There's another incident in the second half where Luis doesn't get a free-kick on the edge of the box where Joleon Lescott comes right through him and was waved play on.
"Arguably it's a penalty at the end because Luis Suarez can't jump where he's got a hold of his shirt. But I thought it was throughout the evening as well. Hopefully we don't have a Great Manchester official again with a Liverpool-Manchester game.
"I was surprised that we're playing in Manchester and they have a referee from Greater Manchester. I'm sure we won't get someone Liverpool v Man City from the Wirral."
Rodgers will now receive a fine, with the precise amount to be determined at an FA hearing which he will not attend.
Arsenal unlikely to sign new striker in January transfer window
Arsène Wenger's plans for the January transfer window have not been radically altered due to a lack of available strikers for sale.
Staying put: Arsenal have made enquiries about Alvaro Morata but Real Madrid want to keep hold of him unitl the summer Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Jeremy Wilson
7:06PM GMT 08 Jan 2014
Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker has been made more difficult this month due to the release clauses of several major targets only applying at the end of the season.
Arsène Wenger has been actively scouting the market for a centre forward during the past year and, despite an inquiry about taking Alvaro Morata on loan from Real Madrid, the expectation is that the striker search will now wait until the summer.
Although the injury to Theo Walcott has limited Wenger’s backup options, he has seldom actually played as a central striker throughout his Arsenal career.
In terms of covering Walcott’s position on the right, Serge Gnabry, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are all viable options. It all means that, while deeply disappointed to lose Walcott, Wenger does not feel panicked by the situation and his plans for this January transfer window have not been radically altered.
An inquiry was made for Morata but the repeated message from Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid is that no one will be allowed to leave this month. Wenger will explore other short-term deals but the wider narrative is of Arsenal positioning themselves for the summer.
Atlètico Madrid’s Diego Costa and Porto’s Jackson Martinez have been closely watched but it is understood that their release clauses are not automatically activated midseason.
The market for buyers, then, is virtually non-existent this January and the main transfer work is being done ahead of the summer, when Arsenal may well find themselves going head-to-head with Chelsea for a top striker.
Arsenal should, in theory, be better positioned that at any time over the last few years to land their targets and, even if Manchester City or Paris St Germain get involved, will be helped in any bidding war by the release clauses.
Costa’s release clause is €38 million (£31.4 million) and Martinez’s is €40 million (£33 million).
Walcott injury increases my desire to sign cover, admits Wenger The England international has been ruled out for at least six months after requiring knee surgery which has left the Arsenal manager stepping up his plans in the transfer window
Rooney calls for patience from Manchester United fans Defeat to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup was David Moyes' third in a row at the start of 2014 but the England striker is convinced the Red Devils will get back to winning ways
Arsenal target Morata open to Real Madrid exit The highly-rated 21-year-old has featured just four times for Los Blancos this season and concedes that he might be forced to leave in order to secure regular game time
Liverpool boss Rodgers fined for referee comments The Northern Irishman confirmed he would not appeal the FA misconduct charge, and has subsequently been reprimanded for remarks that "question the integrity of the referee"
Arsenal boosted by return of Ozil & Giroud for Villa clash The key duo are primed to face the Villans, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should also feature, but Nicklas Bendtner is still three weeks away from full fitness
Everton boss Martinez refuses to confirm McGeady medical The Spartak Moscow winger's contract is set to expire at the end of the season but the Spaniard is coy when asked to comment on reports that he is due for a Toffees medical
Agger rules out Liverpool exit The Dane has started just nine Premier League games under Brendan Rodgers this season and is rumoured to be wanted by Napoli - but he says he is happy at Anfield
Van Persie returns to Manchester United & targets comeback at Chelsea The forward has returned to the UK after completing two weeks of specialist fitness work in Holland and is targeting the trip to Stamford Bridge as his next match
Negredo enjoying Manchester City partnership with Dzeko The Spaniard scored his second hat-trick of the season, while the Bosnian netted twice, in Wednesday's 6-0 hammering of West Ham in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final
Smalling apologises for 'insensitive' fancy dress The England international was pictured in the British press wearing a costume appearing to imitate a suicide bomber and accepts that the outfit was "ill thought-out"
Tottenham rule out Lamela loan move The winger has been linked with Inter & Juventus and is desperate for first-team football to boost his World Cup ambitions after a disappointing start at Spurs since his €36m move
Yaya Toure to have scan on injured ankle The Ivorian, who went down in the first half with a nasty-looking injury before returning to the field and scoring, was in pain following the final whistle
Moyes plight mirrors Ferguson's early woes David Moyes has endured a tough first half of the season in charge at Old Trafford and his early struggles are similar to that of his predecessor
'Not good enough' - Welbeck urges Manchester United to improve The England international says he understands the fans' current concerns but is at a loss to explain why the reigning champions are struggling for form this season
Defoe set to join Toronto for MLS record fee The England striker is expected to be unveiled on Monday and sign a four-year deal following a disappointing season at Tottenham
Moyes nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month
By Liam Twomey58
Jan 9, 2014 5:31:00 PM
The Scot's side have begun 2014 with three consecutive defeats but claimed four wins and a draw in December, though Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini are also nominated
Under-fire Manchester United boss David Moyes has been nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Month award for December.
The Scot's side have lost all three of their matches in all competitions in 2014 but claimed four wins and a draw from five league matches to end 2013.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also nominated having led his side to five wins from seven matches, drawing away to Arsenal and losing just once.
Manuel Pellegrini is also in contention after Manchester City claimed six victories and a draw from their seven matches in the month while continuing their blistering scoring form.
The final contender is Everton boss Roberto Martinez, who has overseen four wins from six matches, with a home defeat to Sunderland the only stain on their 2013 home league record.
Luis Suarez is the front-runner for the Player of the Month award, with Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Alvaro Negredo, Ross Barkley and Theo Walcott also in contention.
Pellegrini 'not worried' about Manchester United
The Chilean's free-scoring City side are currently second in the Premier League, 10 points above the Red Devils, but the 60-year-old is not concerned by their current woes
Arsenal weigh up January move for Draxler
Arsene Wenger is keen to bolster his attack after injury to Theo Walcott and believes the German, who has a €48 million release clause, could be developed into a centre-forward
Ferguson not to blame for Moyes struggles
The former Old Trafford boss has been criticised for attending matches but has been far less involved in his successor's business as has been suggested
Mourinho: 'No chance' Hazard will be sold
The Belgian wideman has been strongly linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain but the Chelsea manager has reiterated his desire to keep him no matter what the offer
Hull agree Jelavic fee
The Croatian has rarely featured for Everton since Roberto Martinez took the reins in the summer, prompting the Tigers to attempt to boost their goalscoring options
Moyes attacks Fergie critics
The Scot defended the role of the Red Devils legend, maintaining that his presence at games does not have a detrimental effect on the team
Rotariu claims talks with Manchester United
The Dinamo Bucharest starlet, who has scored five goals in 17 league appearances this season, says he has been monitored by the Red Devils' scouts
Anelka faces wait over 'quenelle' gesture verdict
The Football Association has announced it is working with an "expert" in relation to the gesture and will not announce a decision until January 20 at the earliest
Sturridge could be fit for Stoke clash, says Rodgers
The Reds boss maintains the forward will not be rushed back and believes the 24-year-old will play an important part in the club's bid to secure Champions League football
Toronto welcome 'global superstar' Defoe
The England striker will cost the Canadian side £6 million (€7.2m), an MLS record, and will be joined by United States midfielder Michael Bradley, after he was recruited from Roma
Sherwood rules out Lamela exit
The winger has been linked with a loan move to Inter but the Spurs boss believes the 21-year-old needs more time to adapt to the Premier League
Pellegrini still wary of Manchester United title challenge
The Chilean believes the Red Devils will keep fighting to the end, and has also suggested that Liverpool and Everton will be in the mix at the end of the season
Mourinho confirms bids for De Bruyne
The Belgium international, who has started just twice in the Premier League for Chelsea this season, has been targeted by Wolfsburg
Chelsea boss Mourinho refuses to address Rooney speculation
The Portuguese did not elaborate on the Blues' pursuit of the England international and believes the Red Devils will improve under David Moyes' guidance
Manchester United will pull through their ‘test of character’, insists Giggs
The 40-year-old says the club's current run of three straight defeats "hurts" and has urged the senior members of the squad to aid the younger players
Wenger: Rosicky will extend Arsenal contract
The Czech Republic international's current deal expires at the end of the season but the Gunners manager says the midfielder will still be at the Emirates next season
Moyes charged by FA for referee comments after Sunderland defeat
The under-pressure manager claimed his side were "playing against officials as well as the opposition" and said decisions given against his team were "laughable"
Manchester City sign wonderkid Iheanacho on pre-contract
The Under-17 World Cup star will complete full terms with the Premier League side when he turns 18 in October
Cole's Chelsea future in doubt as contract talks drag on
The 33-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season and the Stamford Bridge club want the left-back to accept a reduction on a salary worth in excess of £150,000-a-week
Manchester City striker Negredo rejected move to Moyes' Everton
The Spain striker was aware of interest from the Toffees in the 2013 winter transfer window but wanted to focus on finishing the Primera Division season with Sevilla
David Moyes and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney (Reuters file)
There's no immediate risk to David Moyes' job at Manchester United. As for the manager's reputation? That seems to be sinking by the match.
Alex Ferguson's successor has presided over a hat trick of losses at the start of 2014, a miserable sequence not witnessed at United since the tail end of the 2000-2001 season. And, at that stage, Ferguson's side had already won the Premier League.
That piece of silverware is unlikely to be won this year. A side that won the league by 11 points under Ferguson last season is now 11 points behind table topper Arsenal in seventh.
The Red Devils host Swansea on Saturday, less than a week after being knocked out of the FA Cup by the south Wales side. Here are five things to know about the weekend's Premier League matches:
NO HOME COMFORTS
Old Trafford is proving to be no fortress for United, with five losses coming on home soil in all competitions this season.
"Being a Manchester lad and being a United fan, there is extra passion inside me and it does hurt me when I see the team losing," striker Danny Welbeck said. "I can understand why fans are concerned."
The losses at the start of 2014 have looked very similar:
- 2-1 to Tottenham in the Premier League.
- 2-1 to Swansea in the third round of the FA Cup.
- 2-1 to Sunderland in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals.
It's the wrong kind of consistency for Moyes' team.
"We know that the consistency in our game has not been good enough," Welbeck said. "It is a new experience for us all."
And the players are trying to show they are working hard to recover their form going into the Swansea match.
"We frequently stay after training to practice crossing and finishing," goalkeeper David de Gea said. "We do it especially when there are no matches in the following days and I think the extra training helps me and the other players to improve."
INJURY WOES
Robin van Persie was the signing whose goals powered United to the Premier League title last season before Ferguson retired. But Moyes' options have been curtailed by injuries to both Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
There's no certainty when the strike duo will be fit again, having only managed eight starts together this season. Although Rooney has only been sidelined for two matches with a groin strain, Van Persie has been out since Dec. 10 with a thigh injury.
COPING WITHOUT WALCOTT
When Arsenal faces Aston Villa on Monday it will provide a reminder about how quickly fortunes can be transformed in football. Rewind to the opening day of the season, and Arsenal's 3-1 loss to Villa sparked dire warnings for the team's prospects.
What an over-reaction that seems now, with the team top of the league.
A sour note, though, is the left knee ligament injury that has ended Theo Walcott's season, denying Arsene Wenger an attacking threat on the wing or through the center.
LETHAL CITY
Manchester City's strike force appears to be unstoppable, despite having been without Sergio Aguero for almost a month because of a calf injury. The 2012 champions travel to Newcastle on Sunday just a point behind leader Arsenal having scored 57 goals in 20 league games.
City is scoring so freely that not even striker Edin Dzeko could keep up in the 6-0 rout of West Ham on Wednesday in the first leg of their League Cup semifinal.
"It's not easy to win 5-0 at home against another Premier League team," Dzeko said.
FINAL ROLL OF THE ALLARDYCE?
Cardiff was the last topflight team to fire its manager. Could West Ham be the next? The struggling teams meet on Saturday.
Sam Allardyce's West Ham hasn't won in the league since November, and has lost its last two matches: in the FA Cup - 5-0 to Nottingham Forest - and in the League Cup - 6-0 to Manchester City.
"You either come out fighting or you sink and die," Allardyce said. "I come out fighting as a manager and my staff and players are the same.
"We've got to get out there, face the music and use it to anger us, if you like, make us mad, prove them wrong and win football matches."
Cardiff's decision to replace Malky Mackay with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already seen the team advance in the FA Cup with a win at Newcastle last weekend.
David Moyes claimed people who believe Sir Alex Ferguson is a burden to his chances of success as Manchester United manager do not know what they are talking about.
Saturday 11th January 2014
Ferguson has been a regular presence at United matches since recovering from his summer hip operation.
It has led to questions about his involvement, with some critics wondering why the 72-year-old cannot distance himself from life at Old Trafford and get on with his retirement, as he intended.
Ferguson sat alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and former skipper Bryan Robson at Sunderland on Tuesday as United slumped to a Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg defeat.
Yet Moyes is adamant he has no issue with the situation, and those who offer a counter-argument have no idea what the reality is.
"It tells you that people don't know me and don't know Sir Alex," Moyes told MUTV.
"People are saying it because they have no idea about how it works.
"Sir Alex has been fantastic. He has been incredibly supportive and is only there to help me.
"I have a conversation with him when I need it and I tend to see him for a minute or two after the games.
"I have found him great and it has been the same with Sir Bobby and Bryan Robson.
"All the people around the club have been great as have all the former players, in the main.
"But there are a lot of people out there who are trying to twist the words or make out it is a problem. I have no problem with it at all."
Fergie motivated Solskjaer to take up coaching
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed how his coaching career started in the car park of Manchester United's Carrington training ground.
Saturday 11th January 2014
The Norwegian, just over a week into his new role as Cardiff manager, is set to make his managerial debut in the Premier League, having graced the top-flight during his playing days with United.
The opponents will be West Ham, the same side he faced when making his final top-flight appearance as a player back in 2007.
A knee injury would end his playing career in the summer of that year, but the next chapter of his football life was about to begin.
He said: "My last Premier League game was against West Ham at home and we lost 1-0, Carlos Tevez scored.
"It was the following season when I got hurt and drove into the training ground and I was dreading my chat with the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson).
"He came out when I parked and he asked me how my injury was, he said, 'how are you doing son?'
"I said 'not too good, I need another operation'.
"We had a brief two-minute chat and I had a new job as a forwards coach."
Cardiff, just one place and one point above the relegation zone, face a West Ham side who are 19th in the table and reeling after shipping 11 goals in cup defeats to Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
A win would give Cardiff some valuable breathing space, and Solskjaer felt last week's comeback win at Newcastle in the FA Cup suggests his side are ready to start moving in the right direction.
He said: "I thought the Newcastle game showed me some great signs, the way we came back from a goal down.
"We finished the game strongly compared to the other league games before, Sunderland and Arsenal, where we were hanging on for a result.
"We showed we could turn a game round we were 2-1 up, but we did not just hang on to the result we played and kept the ball and that's very important in the last 15 minutes of a game. If you are winning you get the ball and get it moving.
"As coaches we have tried to implement our ideas. It is not a be all and end all game against West Ham but it is an important game.
"If we focus on ourselves, our performance, the results will come.
"Too many people are too focused on results but when the last game of the season comes and you need those points to stay up, that's a must-win. Now it's about developing the team the way you want and getting the performance."
Pardew left seething by Tiote offside call 'injustice' The Toon boss apologised for foul-mouthed rant aimed at Manuel Pellegrini but admitted he still can't fathom the officials' decision to chalk off his team's first-half strike
Messi will always be better than Ronaldo - Aguero The Argentina striker says his compatriot is unrivalled in the modern game and backed him to be crowned the best player in the world again
Stoke City 3-5 Liverpool: Sturridge and Suarez combine to seal Reds’ return to top four The Uruguayan's two goals - along with a Ryan Shawcross own goal, Steven Gerrard penalty and Daniel Sturridge strike - did the damage as the Reds triumphed in a eight-goal thrille
Nasri suffers knee ligament damage Manuel Pellegrini has described the midfielder's injury as "very serious" and claimed Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa should have been sent off for the challenge
Kagawa the difference against Swansea - Welbeck The Japan international orchestrated an improved second-half showing from David Moyes' men when he was switched to the No.10 position after the interval
Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City: Pellegrini’s table toppers survive Tiote controversy Edin Dzeko turned in Aleksandar Kolarov's cross to give his team a hard-fought victory overshadowed by Cheikh Tiote's disallowed goal and a serious injury to Samir Nasri
Moyes at Cagliari-Juventus to scout Marchisio & Astori The Manchester United boss will be disappointed to see the Italy midfielder named on the substitutes' bench, while Fiorentina have confirmed their interest in Anderson
Wolfsburg confident of signing De Bruyne from Chelsea The out-of-favour playmaker looks to be on the verge of a return to the Bundesliga on loan with a view to a permanent deal
Sherwood hails Bentaleb impact at Tottenham The 19-year-old made his debut in November and completed a full 90 minutes for the first time against Crystal Palace, with the new boss delighted with his first-team transition
Arsenal defender Gibbs demands title focus The Gunners travel to Villa Park on Monday looking to avenge their opening-day defeat and regain top spot in the table following Chelsea's win over Hull City on Saturday
Martinez eyeing strong Everton run-in The Toffees traditionally performed much better from January onwards under David Moyes, and their new manager is looking for more of the same in the search for a top-four finish
Oxlade-Chamberlain can emulate Gerrard, says Wenger The youngster is set to return to the Arsenal squad after five months out, and his boss feels his continued progression will see him take a role similar to the England captain
Moyes given stunning €180m Manchester United transfer war chest The Old Trafford boss will be backed significantly in the market over the next two windows, with sources confident that the club can manage a season away from the Champions League
Moyes denies claims of lengthy Van Persie injury A number of reports had suggested the Dutchman will be out of action from anywhere between four to six weeks, but the manager says that is simply "wrong information"
Wenger: Sir Alex Ferguson not to blame for Manchester United's poor form The Arsenal boss says the Scot's presence in the stands at Old Trafford is "not a problem" and feels that the players must take responsibility for the club's poor form this season
Laudrup rues timing of Manchester United opener The Swansea boss believes his side controlled the first half against the reigning Premier League champions and says the opening goal just after half-time "really hurt"
Sherwood hails Defoe impact The MLS-bound striker came off the bench to score in Spurs' win and his current boss was keen to praise the finishing ability on show, despite the side's abject first half display
Manchester City close in on 'Nigerian Neymar' Yahaya The attacking midfielder would be the third Nigeria Under-17 international to sign on at the Etihad Stadium following the African nation's success at the World Cup
Moyes: Januzaj up there with the best The teenager inspired Manchester United to their first victory of 2014 at Old Trafford on Saturday and his manager could not hide his delight at his contribution
Manchester United’s ‘break-the-bank’ target victim of €150,000 robbery - report
Juventus 2bianconero
Vincent Ralph
Reports in Spain claim reported Manchester United target Arturo Vidal has been the victim of a burglary.
On the opening day of the January transfer window, the Mirror ran a report claiming Manchester United were ready to break the bank for a midfielder who would transform their side.
That man was Juventus player Arturo Vidal, a 26-year-old with so much talent he is hailed in some quarters as the best midfielder currently playing the game.
The Chilean international is believed to have no inclination to leave Turin, but the report claimed a lucrative deal could help change his mind.
Given Juventus’s resurgence and United’s apparent freefall, it appeared to be a move that was more fantasy than reality, and with a market value of around £40million, he would not come cheap – hence the bank-breaking analogy.
It is no surprise Vidal is on David Moyes’ radar when his stats show a player who has scored five goals in just six Champions League matches, and scored eight goals and provided four assists in 18 Serie A games.
But the most recent headlines surrounding Vidal have nothing to do with football.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo has run a story on apparent reports in Italy that claim Vidal has been the victim of a burglary.
According to the report, the burglary happened yesterday evening, with the thieves said to have taken advantage of Vidal’s absence.
The report also claims the thieves managed to break into a safe and take €60,000 in cash and jewellery worth €90,000.
Carlo Ancelotti admits mistake in selling Ozil to Arsenal
Kyle Bonn Jan 12, 2014, 2:51 PM EST
Real Madrid have finally admitted their mistake after almost a four month holdout.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted to Gulf News that the club may have erred in selling world-class playmaker Mesut Özil to the Gunners.
“I think we made a mistake when we gave him the possibility to leave the club,” said Ancelotti. “However, we have fantastic strikers and don’t need a back-up after Higuain’s departure.”
Since moving to the Emirates for a reported £41.5 million ($68.3 million), the 25-year-old German has been brilliant for Arsenal, scoring four goals and assisting eight more in the Number 10 position.
Without Ozil, Isco has gotten much of the playing time in the attacking midfield. And while the Spaniard has bagged six goals and four assists this season in La Liga play, few would claim the 21-year-old is on the same level as the man he replaced.
Luca Modric has occasionally advanced forward into the attacking midfield role, and 20-year-old Jese has found some time there as well.
The German has his new club in a position of control at the top of the Premier League table, and deep in the Champions League and FA Cup competitions. The club is searching for their first trophy since 2005.
Ozil told the Daily Star today that his move has gone just about as well as possible. “I feel comfortable here,” the German said. “You can see on the pitch when we play together that we have a very good understanding. The team is great and for me it has been very easy to settle – the German players have helped me to establish myself quicker than I perhaps would have done if they were not here.”
The midfielder said the fan support has been a big factor in his ability to settle in London. “We can show our thanks by playing successful and attractive football and getting good results,” he said. “The team deserve to win a trophy
