Latest Premier League News

[sky star 2]

Robinho backs Terry pursuit
Brazilian feels defensive reinforcements are missing link

Manchester City forward Robinho has backed the club's pursuit of Chelsea captain John Terry.

Having landed Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor already this summer, City boss Mark Hughes is keen to bolster his defence.

England international Terry is a long-term target but Chelsea have made it clear that they have no intention of letting the centre-back leave.

Brazilian star Robinho, who joined City from Real Madrid for £32.5million, recognises the need for defensive reinforcements and feels Terry could make the club 'unbeatable'.

He said in the Sunday Mirror: "There is no longer a top four.
World-class

"We have made it a top five. From this season we have to go in with the mindset we're one of the very best clubs.

"I'm delighted we've signed Tevez. He is a world-class player and it would be fantastic for me to play alongside him.

"It was a shame the Samuel Eto'o deal couldn't happen for whatever reason, because he is another world-class player and the sort this club is looking to sign at the moment. But we have already signed Santa Cruz and now there is the possibility of Adebayor as well.

"While I've always urged the club to sign players like Tevez and Kaka when there has been a chance, I also know you have to build from the back.

"You can have the best attacking six players in the world, but unless the defence compliments it then you will not win anything.

"I don't know anything about the John Terry deal apart from what I have read, but he is the sort of world-class leader we need at the back.

Warning

"I have said before when you build a house you start from the bottom.

"If John does not happen then there are plenty of quality defenders in Europe.

"If the players we have signed and the players we may sign all work well together then on our day we can become unbeatable - and not just in England, but in Europe as well."

He added: "We will be looking to win all the competitions we are in and that means having a squad of world class players.

"All the top clubs have players competing for places, and we now have to look at ourselves as a top club.

"People will need to start taking us very seriously."

 

[sky star 2]

Becks backing Blues boss
LA Galaxy midfielder sure Ancelotti will prove a success

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham believes that new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti can bring the Premier League trophy back to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have not claimed glory in England's top flight since they were back-to-back champions under former manager Jose Mourinho in 2005 and 2006.

Ancelotti is the club's latest boss, following Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink's departures, having left AC Milan for the role.

England international Beckham worked under Ancelotti during a loan spell at the San Siro last season and is sure the Italian will be a success in the Premier League.

"Chelsea are so lucky because Carlo is a great man and a great manager," the former Manchester United player told the News of the World.
Loyalty

"He can definitely make Chelsea champions again. No doubt about it. And I say that even though everybody knows I have Manchester United in my heart.

"Yes, it will be difficult because the Premier League is totally different to Serie A but he has great experience and I am convinced he will be a great success in England, too.

"You don't do what he did at Milan and suddenly lose it overnight. So I say good luck to him, he deserves it."

He added: "The players can expect to work with the ultimate professional. He works so hard and is so organised and dedicated.

Love

"Carlo will be the first on the training pitch and the last off it because he just loves working with the players himself.

"That's his passion. You won't find him sitting in his office leaving it to someone else. He is very hands on.

"That's how he was at Milan and I'm sure that's how he will be at Chelsea, leading by example, leading the team.

"But while he is serious about his work and his football, he is also a lot of fun to work with. He is very relaxed, very down-to- earth and likes a joke. He is very approachable."

 

[sky star 2]

Lucas - Johnson is missing link
Midfielder feels new signing will prove key in title race

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva feels that new signing Glen Johnson could propel the club to their first league title since 1990.

England right-back Johnson joined the Reds from Portsmouth earlier this summer for a fee of £18million, as manager Rafa Benitez plans for the new season.

Last campaign the Anfield club demonstrated improvement in England's top flight and finished just four points behind champions Manchester United.

Lucas is eagerly anticipating the 2009/10 term and has warned Liverpool's title rivals that they will be stronger with Johnson in tow.

"We have not been surprised by how good he's looked in training because we already knew him as a player," he told the club's official website.

"He has played at left-back but still showed his quality.

"Hopefully he will be an important player for us and help us win the title - that's what we want.

"His pace will be important and he is strong. He likes to go forward and we've already seen he has a good delivery. These are the things a full-back has to have.

"Full-backs are important in modern football and especially with the way Liverpool play. To have an overlapping full-back allows us to find space."

 

[sky star 2]

Roque welcomes Ade arrival
City striker happy with latest attacking addition

Roque Santa Cruz has welcomed the signing of fellow striker Emmanuel Adebayor at Manchester City.

The Togo international sealed his transfer from Arsenal to Eastlands on Saturday for a reported fee of £25million.

Adebayor follows attackers Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez in signing for ambitious club City this summer.

City boss Mark Hughes now boasts a wealth of attacking talent as he looks to break up the so-called 'big four' in the new season.

Santa Cruz is unfazed by Adebayor's arrival, insisting that the competition for places will only benefit the side.

He told Sky Sports News: "Everybody was very excited about what has been happening with him because it was in the media for a few days.

"He is a great player and he has shown great quality at Arsenal. The strength that he will give to City is very welcome.

"It is always a challenge (when another striker arrives), you know that you will need to fight for your place.

"It will make people work hard and ensure they give their best in every session and every game."

 

[sky star 2]

Baines hails Lescott approach
Defender insists team-mate is unfazed by interest

Everton defender Leighton Baines has praised Joleon Lescott for keeping a level head as Manchester City continue to pursue his team-mate.

The Toffees turned down a £15million offer from big-spenders City for the England international on Friday as the Blues continue their quest to land the Premier League's biggest stars.

Fellow defender Baines was impressed with the club's immediate rejection of City's advances and was equally pleased with Lescott's performance in an Everton shirt just 24 hours later.

Everton romped to a 4-1 victory over League Two outfit Rochdale on Saturday in a pre-season friendly with the away fans chanting Lescott's name throughout the win.

Baines believes his team-mate proved he was unfazed by the speculation surrounding his future with his comfortable performance and admits he will be delighted if the club holds onto him.

"Absolutely we want Joleon to stay. I don't think anyone would want a player like Joleon to leave," Baines told the club's official website.

"The manager had said that and it's good to see the fans showing their appreciation for him as well because he's done so well for the club over the last few years.

"He showed with his performance today that his mind isn't elsewhere and he's fully focused on what he's doing here at Everton at the moment. That's great."

 

[sky star 2]

Owen - I can handle pressure
United new boy confident goals will prove his worth

Michael Owen is hoping to show he can handle the pressure at Manchester United by filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Owen was a shock capture for the Premier League champions on a free transfer after leaving relegated Newcastle United at the end of last season.

The 29-year-old striker opened his United scoring account on his debut against a Malaysia XI on Saturday.

Ronaldo, who has left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in an £80million switch, scored a remarkable 118 goals in 292 United appearances

Owen has been awarded Ronaldo's famous No.7 shirt, which was previously worn by David Beckham and George Best, and is confident he will step up in the new season and prove his quality.

He said in The Sun: "This is a big chance to show that I can do it again, to show that I can handle the pressure and the expectation.
Expectation

"I've handled the pressure and scrutiny before and all the managers I've played under will all say I can handle it."

He added: "That shirt has pressures of its own and some great players have worn it in the past, but I will do it justice.

"The manager asked me to wear the shirt. He said a player needs broad shoulders for it and he asked me if I felt I could handle it.

"I said 'yes' without hesitation. I know it represents so much. Two big players have left Manchester United in Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

"There were a lot of goals in Ronaldo and I'm here to hopefully fill that gap."

 

[sky star 2]

Schmid open to Montero exit
Striker linked with move to Fulham but no offers have been made

Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid would not stand in Fredy Montero's way should the striker have the chance of playing in the Premier League.

Reports have suggested Fulham hold an interest in the 21-year-old, who is on loan at MLS club Seattle Sounders from Deportivo Cali.

Colombia international Montero is highly-rated and Schmid expects the forward to one day seal a big-money move to one of Europe's major leagues.

He said on Sky Sports News: "Fredy Montero is with us right now. There are no official enquires that we are aware of at this stage.

"He is a very important player to our team, he is the second leading goalscorer in our league right now.

"I think he has a bright future. I am sure one day that opportunity (of a move), whether that is sooner or later, will come along.

"I think anytime a player gets the opportunity to play at a higher level and to move on, myself and the club are never going to stand in their way."

Meanwhile, reports suggest Fulham are poised to complete the signing of Norway international Bjorn Helge Riise from Lillestrom.

 

[sky star 2]

Bruce backs best of British
Sunderland boss wants more home-grown managers

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes British managers are not being given the opportunities they deserve in the Premier League.

Bruce claims that many clubs, particularly those established in the upper reaches of the table, are overlooking home-grown talent and favouring foreign appointments.

And he feels that emerging managers may be discouraged from continuing on their chosen career path if they feel the route to the very summit is blocked.

The former Manchester United defender has even suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson - who joined the Red Devils from Aberdeen over 20 years ago - would now not be considered for the Old Trafford post.
Trend

Bruce told the Sunday Mirror: "Most English managers must now bring a team into the Premier League to get a crack at the top flight.

"If their way is continuously blocked - the big clubs we're talking about - then what's the point? What's the point of going into it if all you can be is in the lower divisions.

"In that respect, it's changed from 20 years ago. The big one obviously is Fergie. Would he have got the United job from Aberdeen? I don't think so.

"I hope the British ones are given a chance, people like David Moyes. Harry Redknapp defied the trend by getting the Spurs job.

"I'm hoping that Sunderland's decision to appoint me keeps us going in that direction."

 

[sky star 2]

Carvalho - Future unclear
Blues defender fails to quell speculation that he could leave

Carvalho has been strongly linked with a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan, where former Chelsea and Porto boss Jose Mourinho currently manages.

However, Inter appear unwilling to match the Blues' asking price for a deal involving Carvalho and possibly playmaker Deco.

Carvalho, who is currently on Chelsea's pre-season tour of America, has conceded he has considered a move elsewhere.

He told Sky Sports News: "What I said before was that I have had four great seasons here and last season wasn't so good, so I wasn't happy and I don't think the club were happy because I didn't play.

"At that time I felt like maybe it was time to go. But now I have a contract and I have to be professional and get fit to help my team-mates.

"In the future you never know, but at this moment I am focused on getting fit."

 

[sky star 2]

O'Neill hails Downing capture
Villa boss believes winger will prove his worth

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has hailed the signing of Stewart Downing as a 'bargain' and expects the winger to be a great addition to his squad.

Downing became Villa's first signing of the summer when he joined from Middlesbrough last week and O'Neill is delighted to have landed the England international.

Villa paid Boro an initial £10million, with a further £2million due dependent on appearances, but O'Neill believes the 24-year-old will prove his worth when he is fully fit.

Downing is currently recovering from surgery on a broken foot and is not expected to feature until October.

"£10m is a bargain," he told the Sunday Mirror. "It's great value and he's a superb acquisition."

"He's got pace, although he admits he could add a few more goals to his game. I'm delighted to have him.

"He's had a nasty injury and won't be available for a considerable time, but he'll be sensational when he is."

Villa have also been linked with Leeds youngster Fabian Delph but O'Neill refused to comment on any of his transfer targets.

 

[sky star 2]

Bayern end Bosingwa hopes
Chairman claims Chelsea are reluctant to sell

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has admitted defeat in the club's pursuit of Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa.

The Bundesliga outfit are in the hunt for a new right-back and have been chasing the Portugal international for much of the summer.

However, despite ongoing talks reaching an advanced stage earlier this month, the German giants have terminated their interest and will turn their attentions elsewhere after failing to come to an agreement with the Londoners.

"We're not done yet on the transfer market, as we still want to add a right-back to our squad," Rummenigge told German newspaper Bild.

"However, Jose Bosingwa is no longer one of the candidates to join us. We were keen to sign him this summer, but Chelsea simply refuse to let go of him.

"Therefore, we have to accept that he stays at Chelsea and set our sights to another right-back."

The club are now expected to turn to Schalke's Brazilian Rafinha as an alternative to Bosingwa, with Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna also believed to be on their radar.

 

[sky star 2]

Zamora set for Tigers talks
Hull City boss Brown to meet with Fulham striker

Hull City manager Phil Brown has revealed he is to hold talks with Fulham striker Bobby Zamora at the beginning of next week.

The Tigers have seen a £5million bid accepted by their Premier League counterparts for the services of Zamora, who scored two league goals last season.

Brown is eager to bolster his frontline and feels the potential addition of Zamora would benefit his squad in the new season.

He told Sky Sports News: "We have tabled a bid and it has been accepted.

"Obviously people will question that Bobby is not prolific. But I think he is a very, very good holding player.
Talks

"I spoke to him at the weekend. Hopefully I will get together with him on Monday or Tuesday and show him around the place and hopefully he likes what he sees."

Hull have endured a difficult transfer window to date, having seen Fraizer Campbell and Marc-Antoine Fortune opt for switches to Sunderland and Celtic respectively.

An audacious attempt to sign Michael Owen also came to nothing, and Brown has admitted he is growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of new faces at the KC Stadium.

He said: "It is a frustrating time for me personally.

"I am trying to remain calm and patient because the transfer market is becoming frustrating and difficult to deal in.

Difficult

"Yes, we are a Premier League club but sometimes it is one of those where we have to crawl before we can walk, or walk before we can run.

"We had a difficult season last year. We survived it. Maybe our targets are a little further away from us than we think.

"They are realistic targets in my opinion. Progress is so important. We have got to strengthen the squad with better quality players."

Brown also reiterated Hull have no plans to sign Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton, adding: "That's not one that we are chasing. I think we are fairly strong in the centre of midfield."

 

[sky star 2]

Carlo hails 'great man' Terry
Blues boss reiterates captain's worth to side amid City interest

New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti feels that John Terry is the 'symbol' of the Premier League club.

England captain Terry is a transfer target of cash-rich Manchester City, who have seen two bids for the defender rejected by the Blues.

Italian coach Ancelotti stated on Saturday that he is "100 per cent" convinced his skipper will stay at Stamford Bridge.

City boss Mark Hughes has since reiterated his interest in Terry but admitted his side could be forced to look elsewhere if Chelsea's stance remains the same.

And, speaking after his side defeated Seattle Sounders 2-0 in his first game in charge, Ancelotti has hailed Terry for his commitment to the West London outfit.
Symbol

The former AC Milan coach said: "John Terry is a great man, a quiet man and he is a symbol of this team.

"There is no pressure on him to play. He is a very, very good man."

Goals from new signing Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Frank Lampard secured the success, and Ancelotti was pleased with his team's performance.

"I learned that on one hand we have a very good team that works very well," Ancelotti said. "Sometimes we can make a mistake but not all the time. The players were concentrated.

Joy

"I like this because normally in the first game we can't make a mistake, it is important to work hard and want to improve. We want to improve and we will improve for the next game. For the first game I am happy."

Goalscorer Lampard added: "The game was pretty even really, except for the two goals we scored, which might be the slight difference in quality from the Premier League to here.

"Seattle tried to play good football and created some good chances. They were unlucky not to score."

 

[sky star 2]

IWELUMO UPBEAT AFTER SURGERY

Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo has set his sights on a swift return to action after undergoing surgery on his broken metatarsal.

The Scot suffered the injury in a pre-season friendly against Perth Glory earlier this month and looks set to be sidelined until around October.

But he is maintaining a positive attitude following a successful operation and is now looking forward to stepping up his rehabilitation.

"The operation went well and I'm now just getting ready for rehab," he told the club's official website.

"It's just a case of making sure there's no reaction but then once I'm off the crutches I'll be straight into it.

"They're saying it's about three months so we'll just get on with it and see how it goes.

"Maybe it's a slight consolation that by the time the season starts I'll be a good few weeks into the recovery but obviously I was hoping to be involved.

"It's just a case of trying to get myself back and fit and trying to make an impact when I am."

Iwelumo is confident that his team-mates will acquit themselves in the Premier League after winning promotion at the end of last term.

He said: "We have made some great signings of not only good players but also good lads who have really settled in well with the rest of the squad.

"Everyone is already looking fitter than we were last year which was already a pretty high standard to reach, and hopefully we can pick up where we left off last season."

 

[sky star 2]

RANGEL FOCUSED ON SWANS

Swansea defender Angel Rangel insists he is focused on the new season despite attracting attention from a host of clubs.

The likes of Wigan, Hull and Celtic have all been strongly linked with the highly-rated full-back this summer.

Rangel has established himself as one of the best attacking defenders outside the top flight after impressing at Swansea since his arrival in 2007.

The 26-year-old, who struggled with a niggling heel injury last season, says he is fully fit and happy to stay at Swansea.

"I still think I will be a Swansea player next season," Rangel told Wales Online. "I spoke to the gaffer and he said he wanted me here and I said that I wanted to be here.

"There have been so many rumours over the last few weeks. But, as I have always said, they are only rumours and my mind is fully focused on Swansea.

"I have been training really hard and I haven't spoken to any other clubs. So, hopefully, I will be here and fit for the start of the season."

 

[sky star 2]

CLOUGH HOPEFULL ON RANDALL

Swansea defender Angel Rangel insists he is focused on the new season despite attracting attention from a host of clubs.

The likes of Wigan, Hull and Celtic have all been strongly linked with the highly-rated full-back this summer.

Rangel has established himself as one of the best attacking defenders outside the top flight after impressing at Swansea since his arrival in 2007.

The 26-year-old, who struggled with a niggling heel injury last season, says he is fully fit and happy to stay at Swansea.

"I still think I will be a Swansea player next season," Rangel told Wales Online. "I spoke to the gaffer and he said he wanted me here and I said that I wanted to be here.

"There have been so many rumours over the last few weeks. But, as I have always said, they are only rumours and my mind is fully focused on Swansea.

"I have been training really hard and I haven't spoken to any other clubs. So, hopefully, I will be here and fit for the start of the season."

 

[sky star 2]

ROONEY BACKS OWEN TO SHINE

Wayne Rooney is predicting Michael Owen's move to Manchester United will give the England sharp-shooter a new lease of life.

Owen's career appeared to be heading for the buffers until Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in with the offer of a two-year contract which could turn out to be one of the Scot's masterstrokes.

Nothing too much will be read into Owen's goal at the Bukit Jalil Stadium that gave United a 3-2 win over a Malaysian Select XI they will also face in the same stadium later on Monday.

However, Rooney can sense his old international colleague is ready to explode again.

"Over the last couple of years Michael has had some criticism but it would have been difficult for any player to score in the Newcastle team he was in last season," said Rooney.

"He looked really sharp in training. He is working very hard and you could see by the way all the lads celebrated with him how pleased they were for him when he scored.

"This move will give him a new lease of life."

The same could also be said for Rooney, who opened United's account with a tap-in on Saturday and then set Nani up for their second.

For if one man is going to profit from Cristiano Ronaldo's world record £80million exit, it is surely Rooney given he can now abandon his station on the wing and resume a forward role in which Fabio Capello feels he has few peers in the world game.

"We haven't spoken about it but I am sure that is where I'll play," he said.

"Everyone knows it's my best position. I enjoy it more than being out on the flanks - it's less work and you get more chances to score. As a forward that's what you want."

Like Owen, Rooney knows it will take a collective effort to cover the 67 goals from the last two seasons Ronaldo left as his legacy before moving to Real Madrid.

The pair might have had their differences on the international field, but Rooney's respect for the Portugal superstar's abilities is immense.

"I have spoken to Cristiano since he left and wished him well," he said.

"He was a great player for Manchester United but it was his wish to go and I think the club have respected that.

"Both for the club and Cristiano himself it was a good deal. The money we got for him was unbelievable.

"We don't feel let down by him. We always knew he was going to go sometime."

 

[sky star 2]

NO ROVERS HOFFER FOR AUSTRIAN

Erwin Hoffer's agent has rejected speculation linking the Austrian with a move to Blackburn.

Press reports have suggested Rovers are lining up a move for the Rapid Vienna hit man as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz.

The 22-year-old has caught the eye at Rapid, scoring 27 goals in 34 games last season, but the player's representative, Rupert Marko, insists he has not had any contact with Blackburn over Hoffer.

"English newspapers are writing a whole lot of stuff, all I can say at this point is neither I nor the player has been in touch with anyone concerning a transfer thus far," Marko told Kurier newspaper.

"I do not believe in a transfer this summer. Normally defensive-minded players are more wanted in the transfer market and this summer there are only those mega transfers that happen.

"There is no real action regarding the player."

 

[sky star 2]

ELANO IN DARK OVER SANTOS

Manchester City midfielder Elano insists he has not been contacted by former club Santos over a possible return to Brazil.

The talented playmaker was not a regular under Mark Hughes last season having been signed from Shakhtar Donetsk by former boss Sven-Goran Eriksson in August 2007.

With Hughes embarking on a summer spending spree which has seen several star names arrive at the City of Manchester Stadium, there are expected to be departures from the north west club's bulging squad.

Reports in the Brazilian press have claimed that Santos, where Elano spent the early stages of his career, were planning a bid for the 28-year-old.

But the Brazil international claims he has not yet been approached and may not even be tempted by an imminent return to his homeland.

Elano said: "I do not have any news, I have not received any offers.

"Santos is a club which is in my heart but it is not easy to decide to return to Brazil."

 

[sky star 2]

BELLAMY TO FIGHT FOR PLACE

Craig Bellamy has insisted he is determined to fight Manchester City's summer signings for a starting spot.

City boss Mark Hughes has been busy adding to his attacking options by signing Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor.

The new arrivals have prompted speculation that Bellamy could be moved on just six months after joining City from West Ham

However Bellamy is not fazed by the big-money signings and was always aware that the ambitious club would again be active in the transfer market.

The Wales international, who is fit again after a knee injury, is now determined to prove his worth to Hughes during City's pre-season friendly campaign.

"That (the new signings) was the reason I joined the club," said Bellamy in the Daily Mirror. "I knew this was going to happen.

"This is my last chance to have a right good end to my career.

"If I am fit, I am more than able to fight for my place and that is what I am concentrating on."