Latest Premier League News

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Bentley in talks with Villa
Spurs set to make massive loss as midfielder nears exit


David Bentley has admitted that he is in talks with Aston Villa as he looks to end his nightmare spell at Tottenham.

The 24-year-old has been one of the flops of the season after signing for boyhood team Spurs for £16million from Blackburn last summer.

The former Arsenal youngster suffered more than most as a result of Spurs' dismal early season form but things failed to pick up when manager Harry Redknapp took over the reins in October.

Bentley's fall from grace has seen him lose his place in the England squad while his last Premier League start for Spurs came in January.

"I'm in talks with Villa at the moment," he told The Sun.

"I really don't want to say much more. But we'll see what happens. I'm hopeful of sorting it out as soon as possible."

The North London club are prepared to make a staggering loss on Bentley with Villa reportedly paying £7million for his services.

However, rumours have surfaced that Redknapp is willing to offer Villa Bentley and fellow midfielder Jermaine Jenas in exchange for Ashley Young.

 

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Bolton seal Robinson deal
Megson delighted to land top target

Bolton have confirmed the loan signing of West Brom defender Paul Robinson.

Bolton have been chasing the full-back all summer as Gary Megson looks to bolster his defence.

Robinson declared his intention to leave the Hawthorns following their relegation from the Premier League last season.

The two clubs had been at odds for weeks over the valuation of the 30-year-old left-back.

West Brom were believed to be holding out for £1million while Bolton were only prepared to offer half that amount but the player has now joined Wanderers on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent transfer.

Megson, who worked with Robinson during his time in charge of West Brom, was delighted to make the defender his second signing of the summer.

"I am delighted that we've managed to get him in," said Megson. "He's got a great deal of Premier League experience and is the type of player Wanderers supporters will like," said the Bolton boss.

"He has a wholehearted approach to the game, is desperate to win and will be good in the dressing room.

"I signed Robbo for West Brom from Watford a good few years ago and I know him really well. He'll bring some competition down the left."

 

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Rafa reveals Torres offers
Striker happy to stay at Anfield

Rafa Benitez has revealed Liverpool have rejected a number of offers for Reds ace Fernando Torres.

The likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all been linked with a big-money move for Torres, while team-mates Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano have also been in demand this summer.

Benitez is not surprised his players are in demand, but he always knew Torres was happy to stay at Anfield.

"We have had some very big offers for some of our key players this summer - and that includes Fernando Torres," said Benitez.

"Clubs wanted Fernando and we were contacted by agents working for those clubs

"But we always knew that when a bid came in we would say 'no'.

"The main thing was that Torres wanted to stay here. People knew the player wanted to stay, but it did not stop clubs trying.

"We wanted to send out a message that Liverpool are a strong team and that we want to improve. You don't improve by selling your best players."

 

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Rafa considered Owen signing
Reds boss opted not to sign striker as he wouldn't get in team

Rafa Benitez has revealed that he considered signing Michael Owen this summer but came to the conclusion that he would not command a regular first-team place.

The 29-year-old spent eight successful seasons at Anfield at the start of his career scoring 158 goals in all competitions.

However that has not stopped the striker from moving down the East Lancs Road to fiercest rivals Manchester United on a free transfer from Newcastle this summer.

Benitez admitted that he flirted with the idea of bringing the forward back to Liverpool but did not feel he would dislodge Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard up front.

"We had contact with different people and were analysing the situation," he told The People.

"But if you want to play Torres and Gerrard there is not always a lot of space for other players.

"When I brought back Robbie Fowler it was a different situation. We were looking for someone who could understand his role clearly and he was a good finisher.

"But we have a World Cup coming up and all the top players want to play. In his position it would be hard for Owen to play every week at Liverpool."
Replacements

The Spaniard is also confident he already has enough squad depth at his disposal to cope with any injuries to his preferred front pairing.

"We are confident in (Dirk) Kuyt, (Ryan) Babel, (David) Ngog and (Andriy) Voronin for next season. We have players with quality," he added.

"People say I might need another striker but I remember signing Robbie Keane and everyone was saying good things.

"Then after I sold Robbie people were saying I was short of strikers but we scored more goals than anyone in the Premier League."

 

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Pellegrini hopeful over Alonso
Real manager knows signing Reds ace will not be easy


Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini has not given up hope of finally signing Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Argentine coach has been somewhat silent over the summer as the Madrid club try and spend their way to success.

The extravagant arrivals of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul Albiol and Karim Benzema for a total close to £200million this summer has many believing the club's spending spree is finally over.

But their continuous chasing of Alonso suggests otherwise despite Reds manager Rafa Benitez stating the player is not for sale.

"It's not a mystery that Real Madrid are interested in signing him (Alonso) but it won't be easy," he said.

"We are looking at alternatives for some positions. The attack is complete and perhaps a central midfielder or full-back is still missing but the rest of the positions are covered."
Departures

With more new arrivals expected at the Bernabeu in the coming weeks many expect a whole host of Real players to be heading for the exit this summer.

Dutch quartet Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Rafael Van der Vaart have all been linked with moves away from the Spanish capital but Pellegrini insists that is not the case.

"When there is some news the club will announce it," he added.

"But it's not true that all the Dutch players are going to leave as has been reported in the media."

 

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Cech - Chelsea will spend
Goalkeeper expects summer transfer activity

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech expects transfer activity at Stamford Bridge this summer and believes competition for places will benefit the club.

The Blues have been relatively quiet in the market as only ex-Middlesbrough shot-stopper Ross Turnbull, who will rival Cech for a place in the first XI, Daniel Sturridge and Yuri Zhirkov have arrived in West London.

But chairman Bruce Buck recently announced the club were still looking for a 'marquee' signing, with Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic emerging as a leading candidate.

Cech is confident there will be arrivals, and departures, once new boss Carlo Ancelotti has assessed the requirements of last season's FA Cup winners.

"The squad always needs one, two or three new players," the Czech Republic international told Sport.cz.
Ancelotti's ideas

"But a lot depends on the coach's ideas. We have a new coach who will want to learn about the team before looking for some new signings.

"I think it is too early for new signings. Now we are going to spend one week training in London and then we leave for the United States on a 10-day tour.

"So there is still plenty of time and space for new signings to be made. I am sure new faces will emerge as well as some leaving the club. Chelsea will do business."

Cech has also confirmed he will continue to wear his protective headgear next season.

"There has been no progress and the doctors recommend that I use it. So I will be playing with it in the new season," he said.

 

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Bruce back in for Cattermole
Black Cats boss determined to land Wigan midfielder

Steve Bruce has highlighted his intent to bring Lee Cattermole to Sunderland after he upped his bid for the midfielder, according to Sky Sports News sources.

The Black Cats boss was rebuffed in his efforts to sign the Wigan ace last week but has now tested the Latics' resolve once more with a bid believed to be in the region of £6million.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is keen to hold on to the 21-year-old, especially after he excelled in the European Under-21 Championship for England this summer.

It is no secret that Bruce is a big fan of the former Middlesbrough ace after he brought the youngster to Wigan for £3.5million in summer 2008.

Cattermole made himself a firm favourite with the Latics faithful in his first season at the club, making 33 appearances in the Premier League.

 

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Zlatan agent denies United bid
No offer has been lodged for Swedish striker

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent has denied reports that Manchester United have made a bid for the Inter Milan hit-man.

Reports last week suggested United were lining up a move for the Sweden international as they look to bolster their attacking options following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Ibrahimovic's future at Inter has been the subject of constant speculation all summer, with the player hinting he could be ready for a new challenge having claimed interest from Chelsea on Sunday.

The 27-year-old recently spoke of his happiness at Inter and Ibrahimovic's representative Mino Raiola insists there has been no interest from United.

"There is absolutely no truth that Manchester United have bid for Zlatan," Raiola told skysports.com.

"If they did bid they did without me knowing and without Inter knowing.

"Zlatan is calm, he has a four-year contract at Inter. He is happy at Inter and is not thinking of moving."

 

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Lampard - Rooney is the best
Chelsea star hails United rival as greatest team-mate

Frank Lampard believes Wayne Rooney is a bigger talent than his former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola.

Lampard, 31, has played with a number of top-class stars for West Ham, Chelsea and England and admits Zola stands out among the greats.

However, he believes international team-mate Rooney has the edge due to his power and awareness.

"Wazza is the best," he said in the Daily Mail.

"When he exploded onto the England scene at 17 and played at Euro 2004 with me, I'd never seen anything like him for his power and all the other attributes he has that stand out.

"As a midfielder, as soon as I get on the ball, I want to play it in behind the other team's midfield or defence.

"I need someone to be ahead of that action, already getting into a good position.

"As you learn to play with Wayne, you realise that his awareness is exceptional. It's his key strength - his game awareness.

"Franco Zola is top-class - as a player, a man and evidently, too, as a coach.

"He is still way up there, but the football Wayne is producing for England makes him a very, very special player."

 

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Ballack expects title charge
German midfielder backing Blues to end United's reign

Michael Ballack is tipping Chelsea to wrestle the Premier League title away from Manchester United this season.

The Blues have seen the Red Devils take the crown on three consecutive occasions since they lasted tasted domestic glory back in 2006.

Much has changed at Stamford Bridge since those heady days under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, with Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti set to make his bow in English management this term following a period of serious instability in west London.

Few fresh faces have been added to a playing staff which could only muster a third place finish last season, with Yuri Zhirkov, Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge the only new arrivals.

Worryingly for Chelsea it is the future of their skipper John Terry which continues to dominate the headlines, with Manchester City keen on the England international.

However, midfield powerhouse Ballack is confident the club have the squad to challenge for honours next term and is backing the Blues to end United's reign at the summit in 2010.
Target

"It is our target every year to win the league and we are confident about winning the title," said Ballack, quoted in the London Evening Standard following his appearance at a Chelsea charity event, Right to Play, in Wentworth.

"I think we had a good season last year, but United have played at a really high level the last few years.

"They made it really difficult for us to win the League in 2007 and 2008, but we were really close behind and last season we also finished behind Liverpool, who had a strong season.

"There are a few moments which decide every championship but we are confident it will be different next time. We have a very experienced squad."

Ballack added: "We haven't added a lot of new players, so we don't need much time to get into our rhythm."

 

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Shawcross unfazed by rumours
Potters centre-back 'not fussed' by Spurs link

Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross is 'not fussed' about rumours linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The centre-back is said to be a target of Spurs, but Potters manager Tony Pulis recently played down speculation that a bid had been made by their Premier League rivals.

Shawcross, who enjoyed a fine campaign last season, is unfazed by the conjecture surrounding his future and has insisted he remains focused on preparing for the forthcoming term at Stoke.

"I'm not really fussed about the rumours," said the 21-year-old stopper.

"I'm a Stoke player, and until someone tells me otherwise, I'll still be a Stoke player,"

Shawcross signed permanently at the Britannia Stadium from Manchester United in January 2008 after impressing during a loan spell.

 

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Pulis has faith in Kitson
Potters boss hopeful striker can kick-start career

Tony Pulis is hoping Dave Kitson's first goal for Stoke City in over a year can kick-start his career.

Stoke snapped up Kitson from Reading for £5million last summer, but he finished the season back on loan with the Royals.

Kitson found the back of the net in Friday's 3-1 pre-season defeat to St Pauli and Pulis is taking positives from the result.

The Potters boss still has faith in Kitson's ability and is crossing his fingers that with a bit of confidence behind him he can recapture his old form.

"You just hope Dave puts it all together," he told the Sentinel.
Very good player

"I still think he's a very good player, he just had a bad time because he never scored goals.

"If he did and got his confidence back, he would show what a good player he is."

Meanwhile, Pulis does not believe the knock suffered by long-throw specialist Rory Delap is serious.

"It's a little niggle," he continued. "It wasn't a sharp pain, so hopefully it's not too drastic."

 

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Martinez hands youngster trial
Latics boss taking closer look at former City defender

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed youngster Curtis Obeng is currently on trial at the Premier League side.

The 20-year-old full-back is without a club after he was released by Manchester City at the end of last season.

Obeng played 45 minutes of Thursday's 1-0 friendly defeat at Crewe, but Martinez has yet to make a decision on whether to offer him a Latics contract.

"Curtis has been on trial with us for a couple of days, and it was a very good opportunity to watch him in an 11 on 11 situation," he told the Wigan Evening Post.

"It was a good exercise for him, but it's too early to say whether he will come out to Austria with us.

"We'll have to have a chat and assess the situation and we'll see how it goes from there."

 

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United rule out Oz trip
Red Devils will not head Down Under

Manchester United will not be replacing their cancelled tour game in Indonesia with a fixture offered to be hosted by Australia.

The Red Devils' plans to travel to Jakarta were scrapped in the wake of two terrorist bomb blasts, one of which was in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where they were due to be staying.

United officials are currently considering options for a revised schedule, which could see the Indonesian Select side they were due to face on Monday flying out to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

However, the Football Federation of Australia made enquiries to see whether Sir Alex Ferguson's side would have been interested in tackling either Sydney FC or Melbourne Victory instead.

However, the extra travel - it would have meant a nine-hour flight to Sydney and then 11 hours up to Seoul, where United are set to play on Friday - made it a non-starter given they are heading back to Europe straight after a game on the Sunday in China.

"We were planning to pull out all the stops to make it happen," admitted FFA director of communications Bonita Mersiades.

"However, their commitments meant the game could only be played on Monday, which we were willing to organise, but there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing on their side, so unfortunately it wasn't possible."
No going back

Ferguson has been quick to rule out any possibility the Old Trafford outfit might change their minds over the cancelled game even if fresh assurances were received from the Indonesian authorities.

"We have made our decision," he said. "We are terribly disappointed because we know how much work has gone into Manchester United going to Indonesia.

"We are well aware of the fan base we have there.

"I have been to Asia with Manchester United for 21 years and I have always admired the support and fan base that we have. Going to Indonesia for the first time was a prospect we were looking forward to.

"Unfortunately we can't. Maybe it will happen another time but there is no going back on this occasion."

 

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Owen opens United account
Striker steps off bench to sink Malaysia XI

Michael Owen opened his account with the winning goal on his debut as Manchester United defeated a Malaysia XI 3-2.

The England striker, picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson on a free transfer after his contract with Newcastle expired, stepped off the bench to spare the Red Devils' blushes in the opening game of their Far East tour.

United looked to be cruising to a routine victory as they eased into a 2-0 lead in front of almost 100,000 fans in Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Jalil Stadium, only to allow their hosts to draw level.

Owen started among the substitutes as Ferguson began life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez by pairing Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in attack.

And the duo combined to open the scoring in the eighth minute as Rooney lifted the ball into the roof of the net from close range after the Bulgaria international had been denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Farizal Marlias.

Rooney then turned provider midway through the first half as he threaded an expert ball through the Malaysian defence which Nani slotted home.

But their lead was halved moments before the interval when Mohammed Amri Yahyah fired home a stunning long-range effort from outside the box which left stranded goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar floundering.

Fergsuon's men were rocked at the start of the second period when an error by substitute goalkeeper Ben Foster allowed Amri Yahyah to roll the ball into an empty net and bring the scores level.

And it was left to Owen to emerge as the hero on his debut as he calmly slotted home from the edge of the box with time running out after Darron Gibson's through-ball had initially been cut out by Marlias.

 

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Duo expect Terry to stay
Cech and Deco hope team-mate snubs City

Chelsea duo Petr Cech and Deco are confident Manchester City target John Terry will remain at the club.

Terry's future at Stamford Bridge has been the main focus surrounding the club in the last few weeks after big-spending City declared their intentions to sign the England captain.

City have already had two bids turned down for Terry, but the cash-rich outfit are refusing to give up on their pursuit of the central defender.

Terry is currently with Chelsea on their tour of America and Cech says the Blues skipper has not been affected by all the rumours.

"He is here with us so it means he is still a Chelsea player, he wants to be a Chelsea player that is why he is here," said Cech.

"I think he is one of the key players for us.

"From his mood, I would say nothing has changed. He is training, he is always with us, he is the same captain as he was three months ago, five months ago, one year ago, five years ago, so I don't see any difference in his behaviour."
Difficult

Deco, who himself has been linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer, admits Terry has a tough decision to make, but he believes the 28-year-old wants to stay in West London.

"It is difficult to decide, but I think he knows how important he is to Chelsea," said Deco. "He is a legend, a symbol of the team.

"I know it is difficult but it his decision, but of course if he stays he will be important to Chelsea

Asked if he thought Terry would stay, Deco said: "I think so, I don't know.

"Of course we want JT to stay, but it is his decision."

 

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Chamakh seeks Prem switch
Arsenal, Sunderland and Blackburn chase striker

Marouane Chamakh is determined to leave Bordeaux for a move to the Premier League.

The Morroco international striker has been linked with a possible switch to Arsenal as a potential replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor.

Reports have suggested the Ligue 1 club want Gunners defender Mikael Silvestre in any deal for Chamakh.

However, Sunderland and Blackburn are also believed to be interested and the striker admits he would be open to any of the English trio.

"I will go, that is for sure even if the manager and the club officials want me to stay," Chamakh told Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France.

"Today Sunderland and Blackburn want me, where I could have signed because I have an agreement on all things with them, even if [Bordeaux president] Mr Triaud asks what I am going there for.

"I am thinking at the moment and I will take my time and decide."

"With Arsenal, it is not advanced enough the talks. If the deal happens with them my dream will be realised, but it does not bother me to play with Sunderland or Blackburn.

"My wish is that Bordeaux do not ask for silly money or ask for a player in the transaction."

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc admits he is surprised by all the rumours claiming there have been no offers for Chamakh.

"I am reading a lot of things which are surprising me," said Blanc.

"What I can say is that, at this moment, no offer has come to Bordeaux.

"I hope his case will be sorted out before our departure for Montreal (on July 23, when Bordeaux travel to take part in the Trophee des Champions against Guingamp)."

 

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United agree to rematch
United reorganise plans for second match

Manchester United have revealed they will play a second match against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

The terrorist attack in Jakarta on Friday forced United to postpone a planned trip to Indonesia and, although efforts were made to relocate that fixture, ultimately it has proved impossible.

United ruled out a posible trip to Australia to play a game, but they reorganised another fixture against the opponents they defeated 3-2 on Saturday.

United chief executive David Gill confirmed a request had been made by the Indonesian government for United to fulfil Monday's fixture despite the bomb blasts that killed eight people and left at least 50 injured but this was rejected.

"The presidential office made a plea for us to go but, after discussions with the tour organisers and the Foreign Office, we decided it was not appropriate," said Gill.

"We had to make a decision very quickly and it wasn't easy but we feel this was the right one.

"We have a lot of talented footballers at Manchester United and we have to make sure they are safe, but that goes for everyone associated with the club.

"These situations are not easy but I am sure people will understand and one day we hope to go back."

 

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Villa brush aside Posh
O'Neill's side comfortable at London Road

Aston Villa continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Peterborough United.

Andreas Weimann, Curtis Davies and Steve Sidwell were all on target for Martin O'Neill's men at London Road.

Austrian forward Weimann opened the scoring with a neat header midway through the first half from Marc Albrighton's cross.

Curtis Davies provided the highlight of the match with the second goal eight minutes after the interval, the defender coolly slotting past James McKeown following a slick one-two with Marlon Harewood.

Midfielder Steve Sidwell blasted home to complete the scoring 19 minutes from time as Villa boosted confidence ahead of the new campaign.

 

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Faubert unsure of future
Winger happy to be back at Upton Park

West Ham winger Julien Faubert is pleased to be back at Upton Park, but admits he is unsure of his future.

The France international spent the second half of last season with Real Madrid, although his tenure proved less than successful.

Faubert has admitted he is now happy to be back in East London, however, he remains non-committal on his long-term future.
Happy

He said: "I'm happy to be back at West Ham. Madrid was a good experience, a big club and the training was very good like it is here.

"But I am happy to come back to West Ham. It is my third year and maybe I will stay, maybe I won't.

"I will try to do my best and we'll see what happens."

Faubert has admitted he is lacking a little bit on the fitness front, although he is ready to work to be ready for the start of the new season.

"I am ready to play but I am a little bit tired and we train another two times on Friday," he said.

"But pre-season is like this, we have to work and to push the level very high to get ready for the Premier League."