|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 13, 2007 19:13:53 GMT
Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has disclosed that City skipper Richard Dunne is on the brink of signing a fresh contract with the Citizens.
The 28-year old defender is nearing his 300 appearances for his Eriksson’s club, having severed them for the past seven years.
Discussions, regarding the new contract have been held and Eriksson is certain that the Irish international will sign on the dotted lines.
"I think it's ongoing and I know the club has spoken to his agent and I have spoken to his agent," Eriksson told the club's official website.
"I think it's not far away before he signs a new contract. He is very important for us and always plays very good football. He is very steady."
The former England manager also hailed Dunne’s leadership qualities and stated that the defender is an inspiration to his team-mates.
Eriksson added: "I think a captain doesn't need to speak very much. It's important that the players look up to him and listen when he speaks and I think Richard Dunne is one of those players. When he has something to say no players argue with that - that's leadership.”
"A captain is important. If I have any doubts and want to speak to anyone, I normally take the captain and ask his opinion, because he speaks for the players.”
"As a coach you have a little bit more contact with the captain than the other players.”
"If you take Richard Dunne, he sets a good example in the dressing room, the training field and the pitch on match days. He always gives everything, even today in training."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 17, 2007 11:20:56 GMT
Though Manchester City are said to have tied up a deal for Mexican forward Nery Castillo, Italian striker Rolando Bianchi has decided that he wants to stay at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Bianchi had struggled to force regular starting place in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side despite scoring in the opening game of the season, following his summer arrival from Reggina.
He had subsequently said that he will have to consider his options if he does not get his opportunities by Christmas. However, with goals in his last two Premiership games, Bianchi apparently has his confidence at an all time high and feels he can shine in the English game.
He told the Manchester Evening News: "I do not want to leave, I see a future for me here.
"Getting into the side and staying there is a challenge for me and I want to win that challenge.
"It was important for my confidence that I was able to come on at Spurs and score and then start the game against Bolton.
"Now I hope that goal will be the start of many. I have worked hard and aim to make the most of my chance."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 21, 2007 18:37:07 GMT
Mexican forward Nery Castillo is looking for a revenge on Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has joined Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk after having a poor spell in Ukraine following his summer move from Olympiacos.
Castillo’s grudge on Sir Alex Ferguson’s side dates seven years back as he had a trial to move to Old Trafford but could not get the work permit.
"I've still got photos of me with Sir Alex and all of the players,” Castillo is quoted as saying in the Mirror.
"Maybe now I can get my revenge on them with City. I can't wait to play in my first derby.”
City had beaten the Red Devils in the derby game at City of Manchester Stadium earlier in the season.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 21, 2007 18:37:45 GMT
Talented young attacker Kelvin Etuhu has signed a new contract at Manchester City after impressing boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The 19-year-old, who is a product of the famed City Academy, made his first-team debut this season and also scored his first goal for City in last Saturday’s 4-2 win over Bolton Wanderers.
Etuhu, who had a loan spell at Rochdale this year but returned home early due to a knee injury, is now tied up at the City of Manchester Stadium until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Eriksson said on the club’s official website: "Good news. Kelvin has signed a new contract – very good.
"We are very happy about that and it’s one more young, talented player and we’ll see how good he can be. We know he’s good already because he’s played in the first team and we are very pleased."
Etuhu said: "I’m very happy and happy to be at a club that’s going forward. I’m working under a very experienced manager and I’m very happy to be here.
"I was hoping that the new contract would come and I’ve been working hard to make it happen and I’m delighted it’s arrived."
He added: "I want to cement my place in the team and hopefully be successful with this Football Club."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 23, 2007 11:24:26 GMT
There are suggestions that Serie A giants Inter Milan are willing to pay Manchester City any price for their Brazilian star midfielder Elano Blumer when the transfer window opens in January.
The 26-year-old Brazilian playmaker – known simply as ‘Elano’ - has settled well at Manchester City since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer and Citizens manager Sven Goran Eriksson is determined to keep him at the club.
City may be swayed with a big money offer from the current Italian champions, with an Italian source revealing to the News of the World that: "Inter are in no mood to take no for an answer.
"They will ask City to name their price. They want a big-name signing to replace Luis Figo who retires at the end of the season and see Elano as a major addition."
Manchester City paid in the region of £8million (approx. €11million) for Elano in August 2007 and will be unwilling to release their star player without a substantial offer being tabled in the January transfer window.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 24, 2007 13:35:26 GMT
There are suggestions that Serie A giants Inter Milan are willing to pay Manchester City any price for their Brazilian star midfielder Elano Blumer when the transfer window opens in January.
The 26-year-old Brazilian playmaker – known simply as ‘Elano’ - has settled well at Manchester City since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer and Citizens manager Sven Goran Eriksson is determined to keep him at the club.
City may be swayed with a big money offer from the current Italian champions, with an Italian source revealing to the News of the World that: "Inter are in no mood to take no for an answer.
"They will ask City to name their price. They want a big-name signing to replace Luis Figo who retires at the end of the season and see Elano as a major addition."
Manchester City paid in the region of £8million (approx. €11million) for Elano in August 2007 and will be unwilling to release their star player without a substantial offer being tabled in the January transfer window.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 24, 2007 17:10:00 GMT
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has rubbished reports claiming Inter Milan are interested in Brazilian midfielder Elano.
Elano has been a key player in Eriksson’s City revolution after arriving in the summer from Shakhtar Donetsk.for £8million.
But Eriksson does not buy the suggestion that Inter coach Roberto Mancini is really looking to sign the 26-year-old.
"If Inter wanted one of our players, I am sure Roberto Mancini would have telephoned me straightaway," said the former England boss.
"I know him and we speak regularly with each other. He would be the first one to tell me if Inter wanted Elano. So I don't think they do."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 24, 2007 17:10:42 GMT
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed he is looking to sign ‘one or two’ players in the January transfer window.
The City boss has already managed to bring Mexican forward Nery Castillo on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Eriksson apparently is looking to bring in a top midfielder on priority at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Though City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has funds to back the Swede in the market, the former England boss has asserted he would not be making a lot of new signings, saying: "Hopefully, one or two more will arrive."
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will be back at City from his loan spell at Cardiff on January 2.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Dec 31, 2007 14:06:48 GMT
Manchester City and Liverpool were locked in a goalless draw in the thrilling Premiership clash at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.
City were largely pinned to their own half as the Reds came up with plenty of attacking moves particularly in the second period but found City captain Richard Dunne a mighty thorn in their flesh.
Today’s result meant, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side are still to lose a Premiership game at home this season, where they now have two draws and nine wins.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez will be disappointed not to have come out with full points as there was an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United, who both have dropped points earlier in the festive period.
The match began with the visitors, who had Alvaro Arbeloa in a makeshift central defensive partnership with Jamie Carragher in the absence of injured Sami Hyypia, had a few anxious moments in the first quarter of play as Darius Vassell, Dunne from a setpiece, and Elano had half-chances.
Liverpool had a decent share of possession but their first real attempt on the rival goal was in the 22nd minute when skipper Steven Gerrard’s shot from 20 yards missed the target by a long way after Harry Kewell and Yossi Benayoun had combined.
A couple of minutes later, City’s England defender Micah Richards put up a great block against a shot from Dirk Kuyt as the Reds hit on a counter with Kewell initiating the move from the left wing.
The Australian then had a low shot to bring up a save from Joe Hart, who briefly fumbled before gaining control.
At the other end, Carragher came up with a sliding block inside the penalty area as Stephen Ireland had laid up a nice pass for the attacking midfielder Elano.
The Reds gained control on the proceedings around the half-hour mark and saw Kuyt, Fabio Aurelio and Benayoun’s attempts missing the rival goal; and Benitez’s side finished opening period stronger of the two on show.
Liverpool came up with fine move at the start of the second half with Aurelio being the driving force from the left wing, and his pass inside the rival penalty area saw a clever dummy from Kuyt. However, Torres failed to connect properly his shot from a close range and Hart had an easy task of a save.
Soon after, Torres almost cashed in on a mistake by the City defence and then Gerrard’s free-kick was just wide of the target.
As the Reds pressed forward in search of a goal, City custodian Hart came up with a flying save, tipping a fierce shot from Benayoun from the edge of the box, over the crossbar around the hour mark.
City continued to defend well and Dunne came up with brilliant tackles to thwart Torres time and again.
In a rare City threat in the second half, substitute Rolando Bianchi had a good chance to go for a shot on goal when he was set up by Vedran Corluka, who played out of position in midfield, but the Italian was apparently in double mind and neither went for a shot nor could cross to Martin Petrov, who wanted the ball inside the Reds box.
Substitute Ryan Babel came up with a promising run from the left but Dunne and Nedum Onuoha slid to deny the Dutchman.
Dunne made a goalline clearance with four minutes remaining off Kuyt’s header from close range after Hart failed to collect the ball. Benayoun’s shot was then blocked by Dunne.
Teams:
Man City: Joe Hart, Michael Ball, Vedran Corluka, Richard Dunne, Nedum Onuoha, Micah Richards, Blumer Elano (Rolando Bianchi 70), Dietmar Hamann, Stephen Ireland (Fernandes Gelson 61), Martin Petrov, Darius Vassell (Deiberson Geovanni 75).
Substitutes not used: Andreas Isaksson, Javier Garrido.
Liverpool: Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan, Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard, Harry Kewell (Ryan Babel 75), Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres.
Substitutes not used: Charles Itandje, Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise, Andriy Voronin.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 4, 2008 13:43:08 GMT
30-year-old former England international moves to Pride Park from parent club Manchester City.
Jewell told the club's website: "Danny is joining us on loan until the end of the season and his experience and versatility will be invaluable to us.
"Danny has now been playing at the highest level for a long time now, including a World Cup for England, so nothing will faze him.
"He is a hardened battler and will be great in the dressing room."
The right-back has spent the last few months on loan at one of his former clubs Charlton.
However, the move ended on a sour note as Mills was sent off in a 1-1 draw with Hull at The Valley on December 22, incurring a three-match ban.
But with the suspension now served, Mills will be available for selection for Derby's FA Cup third-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park if the deal can be completed in time.
Agent Neil Featherby said: "It's a great chance for Danny to play in the Premier League again.
"Danny has always been the type of player who relishes a challenge. If anything, he thrives on it.
"With the position Derby are in it at the moment, and with Paul Jewell needing players who are prepared to roll their sleeves up and dig in, then they won't get anyone better than Danny."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 5, 2008 1:06:21 GMT
Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has cooled reports suggesting he will sign up to four new players during the transfer window. The former England coach signed seven new players in a whirlwind start to life at the City of Manchester Stadium following his appointment in the summer. Eriksson also agreed a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign Mexican forward Nery Castillo in the build-up to the January transfer window. However, despite being told that there is money available by owner Thaksin Shinawatra, Eriksson doesn't anticipate much transfer movement before the window closes at the end of the month. He told the club's official website: "We have been in touch with a lot of agents and from this week you can also speak to players. I don't want to make any comments, but we have three or four options. But we will not take four players - maybe one more after Castillo - maybe two."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 5, 2008 2:17:36 GMT
It seems unthinkable that Nery Castillo – the man known to the Mexican nation as El Diablo (the devil), who revealed his genius with the three exquisite left-foot touches which famously carved a goal out of the Brazilian defence in last summer's Copa America – could have experienced despair in his footballing life. But that, Sven Goran Eriksson observed yesterday, is precisely the emotion he discovered in the forward, who was bereft of football and spirit at Shakhtar Donetsk last month.
"Desperate," Eriksson observed, with a shake of his head. "He was desperate to come to us, desperate to come to England, desperate to come to the Premier League." So desperate to leave Donetsk, in fact, that when the Ukrainian side seemed to have scuppered the prospect of a loan deal to City with demands for a £3m payment, the Mexican stumped up half the fee himself. Eriksson has seen plenty in his time in football but a player paying out of his own pocket to move to a club? "No," he said. "I've never seen it before."
The frustrations have continued since Castillo – a source of even more excitement among City fans than that other recent Donetsk recruit, Elano Blumer – arrived in Manchester three weeks ago. Registration delays in London have stalled his City career until today, when he is widely expected to play from the start in the side's FA Cup tie at West Ham.
But Eriksson, whom sources suggest may have completed the signature of an additional big name striker by this time next week, clearly sees him as a fulcrum of what he described yesterday as his "project" at Eastlands. "A player like Castillo will help us now, but he is such a good player he will be important for us for our future," Eriksson said. "He's technically very good, he has a lot of pace and he's tactically very good as well. He's been playing second striker, he's been playing first striker, he's been playing right and left."
To some, Castillo might look a touch on the slight side for the physical challenge of the Premier League ("no problem; he's very fit," Eriksson insists), but ask around the staff who have seen him training at City's Carrington base this week and they will tell you that it is his pace which is most thrilling. The fans have seen much the same through watching his exploits in the No 21 jersey for Mexico.
For a player who had trials at Manchester United a few years ago – and has pictures of himself with Sir Alex Ferguson to prove it – his choice of clubs to date has been curious. Castillo's nationality is complex. He was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, moved to his father's native Uruguay, but was tempted to play for El Tri in an inspired move by Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez. But few expected him to become the first – and only – Mexican to play professionally in Greece, where a close friendship with City's Georgios Samaras was cemented, then leave Olympiacos for a Ukrainian club even further removed from his roots.
Life has not been easy at either place. In his seven-season stint at Olympiacos he scored 30 goals in just over 100 games, but with Rivaldo joining the club, found first-team chances limited before reclaiming a place last season and scoring 12 in 25 games. Elano left Shakhtar on the day Castillo walked in, telling the Mexican that life in the freezing Ukraine would not be easy. "You'll never last here. Wait until the weather gets bad," he said. But nobody could have predicted what was to follow for the £10m signing. He had struggled for game time when, in only his eighth match, he fell out spectacularly with coach Mircea Lucescu by refusing to hand over the ball to regular penalty-taker Cristiano Lucarelli after Donetsk were awarded a spot-kick during a league game. Badly wanting to break his duck after seven blanks, Castillo took the penalty himself, missed, was immediately substituted and never played for the club again.
As only the second Mexican player to sign for a Premier League team – his predecessor Jared Borgetti hardly set the world alight at Bolton – Castillo has something to prove.
Yesterday Eriksson did not dismiss out of hand suggestions that he might also try to bring Roque Santa Cruz to Eastlands. He has also sent Danny Mills out on loan to Derby and told Andreas Isaksson – who may be beaten to a place on the bench by Kasper Schmeichel, who has returned from a successful loan spell at Cardiff, today – that he is free to leave City.
Eriksson also reflected on the greater prospect of FA Cup success which he believes Castillo can help bring him.
"It is beautiful and to sit in on the bench at Wembley in your suit with a rose in the lapel," he said. "It would be very nice."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 7, 2008 12:48:07 GMT
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that striker Valeri Bojinov is about two weeks away from making a return to full training.
The 21-year-old Bulgaria international ruptured knee ligaments very early in the season following his summer move to the City of Manchester Stadium from Fiorentina.
Bojinov, who has made three appearances for Eriksson’s side, is like a new signing of the ongoing window, if he returns to match fitness at the start of the next month, even as Eriksson is being linked with a host of top strikers in the world at the moment.
Eriksson said: "He is taking part in training but cannot have the contact yet. He will be able to join in full training about January 20 - and that is one month ahead of what we thought.
"It is like having a new signing. He is quick, very strong, explosive with good technique and I can promise you a very hungry footballer.
"He wants to be successful at Manchester City. He has been working very hard to get back."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 9, 2008 19:03:02 GMT
The Sweden international's club claim there is interest for the 26-year-old, who helped the French side qualify for a Champions League qualifier this season.
"Besides Real Madrid, Premier League clubs Manchester City and Tottenham have already expressed interest," a Toulouse spokesperson told Swedish newspaper Expressen.
Spurs have ended their interest Rangers full-back Alan Hutton, while Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson is set to stay in Holland.
There are still expected to be some new faces at White Hart Lane in January, the first transfer window for new head coach Juande Ramos, and Jermain Defoe has been told he can go.
Ramos has been linked with a move for Espanyol defender Daniel Jarque as he looks to tighten up Spurs at the back, with Chris Gunter already signed from Cardiff.
So far, Ramos' changes has been mainly behind the scenes, with an emphasis on fitness and the diets of players.
"We saw in the first week that the meals were not right," said fitness coach Marcos Alvarez in the London Evening Standard.
"It was mostly English food and it wasn't healthy. We needed to change the diet because food is very important, it is the fuel for the players.
"To eat healthy means there is no fried food, fatty food, no sauce on the dishes. Spanish people can eat the same kind of food, too, but if you a sportsman you have to take care of yourself better.
"Now there are salads and fruit, while fish and meat is grilled rather than fried."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 10, 2008 19:47:43 GMT
The England Under-21 international has been out for a month after suffering a recurrence of the abdominal problem which forced him to have surgery in November.
Eriksson had thought the latest injury would be short-term. But while it has dragged on longer than the Swede anticipated, Johnson has now started running again and he should return before the end of the month.
"Michael has started running outside again, so hopefully, he will be ready in a couple of weeks," said Eriksson. "Of course, it was a concern because he was operated on and then three games later, the injury came back.
"But the situation looks better than it did one or two weeks ago but we expect him to be okay soon."
Johnson is expected to be the only injury absentee for City's trip to Everton on Saturday.
Brazilian playmaker Elano is expected to return at Goodison Park after being rested for the FA Cup draw with West Ham at the weekend, with new arrival Nery Castillo likely to stand down.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 11, 2008 19:44:07 GMT
Iraq midfielder Nashat Akram claims he has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has been training with City this week, said he will join Sven-Goran Eriksson's side after finalising terms with previous club Al Ain in Abu Dhabi and when a work permit is issued.
"I've signed a contract with Manchester City for two years and a half after finishing the medical tests," Akram told Middle Eastern television channel MBC.
"The financial terms are good although I don't prefer to talk in such matters.
"The negotiations with Manchester City started long time ago and these negotiations were enclosed until we had a successful agreement."
Eriksson told the club's website: "He is a very good football player, he will need to get used to the style of English football but he's a very elegant player and in the Asian Cup he was one of the very best in the tournament.
"He reminds me a bit of Michael Johnson, in that he can do a little bit of everything in both attack and defence.
"I think he is one for the future, I'm not sure if he's ready to play this season but I've seen him train and he's good. He's a technically correct player."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 12, 2008 13:22:25 GMT
Since the end of September, 20-year-old Hart has been an almost permanent fixture in the Blues line-up as well.
The former Shrewsbury starlet has seen off Sweden's World Cup keeper Andreas Isaksson and Kasper Schmeichel in the battle to be installed City's number one. And Eriksson can see Hart resurrecting the tradition of great English goalkeepers if his present improvement continues.
"England is famous for having great goalkeepers but since David Seaman retired, maybe you have not had that big name," reflected Eriksson.
"Hopefully, Joe Hart will be the next Seaman. Since he started with us, he has been absolutely perfect and I strongly believe he will get better.
"He is the complete keeper. Mentally, he is very strong. He is brave. He is quick on the line, good on crosses and has good feet.
"You could not say he is weak on anything apart from experience - and he has to play to get that."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 14, 2008 13:45:16 GMT
Micah Richards is yet to sign a new deal but Manchester City are confident that the influential defender will do it in the near future.
The 19-year-old England international has drawn attention of a lot of clubs with his strong performances for his club and country.
However, City have no immediate worries over his future as Richards is currently tied up at the City of Manchester Stadium until 2010.
According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, City have put together a new deal that has his wages more than doubled to around £50,000 per week.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:32:13 GMT
Sven-Goran Eriksson apparently is looking to bring in a striker to sharpen Manchester City attack, which has looked blunt with the goals drying up of late.
The City boss, who saw his side go down 1-0 against Everton yesterday, has already brought in Mexican attacker Nery Castillo on a year’s loan. And he has suggested, he is looking for a top target-man before the January transfer window ends.
Asked whether he is looking to add a striker to his side this month to end their woes in front of the rival goal, the Swede said on the club’s official website: “I wished it was that simple. We are working on things and hopefully something will happen. But it must happen soon because January is soon over.”
City are linked with a host of top strikers in the world including Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:33:06 GMT
Micah Richards is yet to sign a new deal but Manchester City are confident that the influential defender will do it in the near future.
The 19-year-old England international has drawn attention of a lot of clubs with his strong performances for his club and country.
However, City have no immediate worries over his future as Richards is currently tied up at the City of Manchester Stadium until 2010.
According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, City have put together a new deal that has his wages more than doubled to around £50,000 per week.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:33:57 GMT
Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne supports his City team-mate Michael Ball for a return to the England squad.
The 28-year-old left-back featured just once for the Three Lions back in February 2001. It was Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first game as England manager and they won 3-0 against Spain.
Ball has got himself back into the Citizens’ playing eleven, recently and centre-back Dunne, who has played with him from the time they were at Everton, feels that the Englishman should be in the new manager Fabio Capello’s first squad.
“The way Michael’s going at the moment, and if everyone is starting with a clean slate as far as Fabio Capello is concerned, he has to be in with a great shout of getting back in the England squad," said Dunne.
“A lot of people around the country will not have seen him with him playing for Rangers and with PSV in Holland, but every day in training he’s a top player, you cannot get around him. He’s a typical, strong defender but he is also very comfortable on the ball."
“I think that a few people who knew Bally & myself when we were younger would be surprised at what we are doing now. He’s been a brilliant defender ever since I have known him, when we were about 15 or so.”
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 16, 2008 12:46:31 GMT
According to latest reports, Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is keen to sign Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich.
The Citizens are believed to be looking to bring in a top striker to sharpen their attack and have been linked with several players including the Germany international, who is reportedly unsettled with the Bundesliga giants.
According to Sport Bild magazine, the City boss has discussed the terms over a potential move with Podolski’s agent and the Eastlands outfit is planning to make an offer.
The 22-year-old Podolski is however thought to be in double mind after his former Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann has been named as Bayern manager effective from the summer.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 25, 2008 17:38:20 GMT
Rolando Bianchi has joined Lazio on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move.
The 24-year-old Italian striker only joined City from Reggina in the summer but has struggled to make an impact, despite scoring in the opening-day victory at West Ham.
City confirmed the move tonight on their website, indicating the forward will be available to the Roman club for this weekend's Serie A fixture against Torino.
Bianchi signed for City for £8.8million but has not settled at Eastlands, scoring four goals in 19 league appearances and often finding himself behind Emile Mpenza in the pecking order at Eastlands.
Lazio spokesman Giacomo Mazzocchi earlier told said: 'There are still all the practicalities left to sort out, such as the medical and signing the contract, but the deal should be completed today or tomorrow.'
Lazio are 14th in Italy's top flight, two points clear of the drop zone.
Bianchi told the Italian club's official website: 'I had a couple of other very interesting offers but I chose Lazio for my future and because I wanted to be valued in a very great team.
'It was a choice that I thought about and thought about again so now I am sure that it is the right one and the future will prove it.
'First I will have the opportunity to play and, moreover, I will be happy.
'I was pleased to meet the other Lazio players. I have the impression that they're a very united group, which is right when you want to build something solid for the present and the future.'
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 26, 2008 13:43:49 GMT
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson displayed an understanding with Rolando Bianchi, allowing the young striker to leave for Lazio on loan until the end of the season despite the Citizens facing a shortage in the attack.
The 24-year-old, who had joined the Citizens from Reggina in the summer, struggled to make a regular place for himself at Eriksson’s side. And as such, was eager to be playing regularly to strengthen his chances of getting into the Italy national team set-up in view of next summer’s Euro Championships.
Lazio can however make the move permanent at the end of the season for a “certain figure”, revealed Eriksson.
The Swede said: "We bought eight players in the summer and seven of them settled in very, very well. Bianchi had more difficulties, mainly because of the way we play.
"He wanted to play football and to do that we have allowed him to go back to Italy for the rest of the season.
"I understand him because before he arrived here he was a step away from being in the national team.
"His dream is to be involved with Italy in the European Championship finals this summer and to do that he has to play.
"With the agreement with Lazio, they have the right to buy him at the end of the season for a certain figure. That's the Italian way.
"They would never take a player on loan if they didn't have the right to buy him at the end of the season."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 28, 2008 11:35:20 GMT
Under-fire Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson conjured arguably one of the sweetest results of his career as the Blades took a second Premier League scalp in this season's FA Cup.
Former Manchester United captain Robson saw his side clinch a place in the fifth-round with a 2-1 win over Manchester City after holding onto a first-half lead courtesy of goals from Luton Shelton and Jon Stead.
Rising teenage star Daniel Sturridge gave City hope with a stunning volley three minutes after his arrival as a half-time substitute, but United were barely troubled beyond that.
• Robson: We owed Blades fans
For Robson, the victory will have come as a major relief as there had been rumours this week his job was on the line following last weekend's 2-0 derby defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
But if there was any suggestion his team did not want to play for him, that was by blown away by this performance, and the first half in particular.
It will have had most United fans wondering just why their team has performed so miserably on occasions in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.
But after the opening 45 minutes Robson's side were rewarded with a rousing reception as they left the pitch as they led 2-0 against a strong City side flying high in the Premier League.
Even Robson must have chuckled to himself, though, at the comical nature of his side's first goal inside 12 minutes.
A swift break down the left wing resulted in Lee Martin - on loan from Manchester United - delivering a low, piercing cross into the heart of the area.
The ball initially took a slight deflection off the leg of City captain Richard Dunne, and then onto one of the myriad of blue balloons floating around the area courtesy of the 6,000 City fans behind Hart's goal.
Michael Ball was clearly confused as he completely missed his attempt at a clearance, while Shelton was almost also deceived.
But the Jamaica international managed to steady himself and slip a simple six-yard shot past Hart for only his third goal for the club following a £1.85million move from Helsingborgs a year ago.
Emile Mpenza planted a free header over the crossbar from eight yards for City, then Elano struck the left-hand post with a right-foot shot from 20 yards, and followed up shortly after with a curling free-kick that kicked up off the turf, only for Paddy Kenny to pull off a sensational one-handed save.
Against the run of play, the Blades made it 2-0 to the unbridled joy of Robson on the touchline.
This time the goal stemmed from the right wing and a cross from Derek Geary the City defence struggled to clear, with the loose ball falling for Stead to drive home from 12 yards.
United managed to see out the remainder of the half without too much threat from their opponents, only to be caught out by a slice of magic from City's up-and-coming striker Sturridge.
The 18-year-old replaced Elano at half-time and within three minutes of his first appearance of the season he was on the scoresheet.
Eriksson raved about the youngster - nephew of former Derby and Wolves striker Dean - in Friday's pre-match press conference, and it was easy to see why.
Sturridge, who scored a hat-trick in City's 3-1 FA Youth Cup win over Reading on Wednesday, was in the right place to take a ball that had skimmed off the head of a falling Dunne from a Corluka corner.
Showing the composure of a veteran, he then knocked the ball up with his right knee before volleying home from 15 yards with his left foot.
That should have been the cue for City to mount a comeback, but not once did they lamentably manage to test Kenny again, allowing United to take their place in the last 16 with ease.
Robson: We owed Blades fans
Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson believes the 2-1 victory over Premier League high-flyers Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Bramall Lane was the ideal tonic after a derby defeat at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
'I thought we were terrific and we owed the fans that one,' Robson said.
'We have been missing far too many chances but today they went in for us.
'I thought we matched them in every department and that is what the lads are capable of.'
Robson admitted their first goal had a touch of luck about it but was happy to accept it.
'There was a bit of fortune about it. Today we did ride our luck at certain times but our counter-attack play was very good,' he told Sky Sports.
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson blamed referee Alan Wiley for not preventing the circumstances which led to the opening goal.
'It is a very strange goal because the ball changed direction. Two balloons made a one-two with Michael Ball. I have never seen a goal like that,' he said.
'We asked the fourth official twice in the first half to tell the ref to stop it (the match) and clear it.
'I think the ref told Joe Hart (City's goalkeeper) that when the ball is in the other half of the pitch he should clear it but I think that is not right - you should not ask a player when the ball is live to clear the pitch.
'But it would be stupid of us to say it (the defeat) was because of the balloons.'
Eriksson was also critical of his players for lacking the stomach for a battle.
'I think we were not happy to take the fight as we should have done. We lost too many balls in midfield and up front,' he said.
'It is the beauty of the cup which hit us today. If you are not prepared to battle, as well as play good football, you know a team from a lower division will fight well. 'We should do better. It is our fault in the first half, although second half we did well.'
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 29, 2008 14:34:24 GMT
Teenage Manchester City striker Danny Sturridge is not yet ready for the week in and week out rigours of the Premiership and does not expect to be picked regularly, but is determined to get there and says “it will be better for me to take things slowly.”
The 18-year-old scored a fantastic goal in Sunday's FA Cup defeat at Sheffield United, within three minutes of coming on as a halftime substitute. And credit to his sheer hard work for getting his fitness back, his debut FA Cup match came after spending six months out from hip operation.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is delighted with the quality of the City academy product but is not willing to expect too much from the teenager in terms of shouldering the attack burden in the remainder of the season, hence looking to sign a striker in the transfer market.
Sturridge said on the club’s official website: "The fact that Sven picked me to be on the bench at the first opportunity he had was a great boost to my confidence and I hope I can go on and make the most of any opportunity that comes my way.”
"I feel the cup appearance was a bonus and people shouldn't expect the manager to pick me every week. I am still learning and getting fit. It will be better for me to take things slowly."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Jan 30, 2008 14:13:46 GMT
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson laments the unavailability of right players for his lack of signings in the ongoing transfer window, but he is banking on the likes of talented teenage striker Daniel Sturridge; Valeri Bojinov & Michael Johnson – both currently close to recovering from the injury problems – to make up the numbers in the attack, if he fails to get a striker in the remainder of the transfer window, which shuts Thursday midnight.
City have just brought in Mexican forward Nery Castillo on loan this month but unfortunately for them, he has suffered a shoulder injury and is out for five-six weeks.
On the other hand, unsettled City strikers Georgios Samaras and Rolando Bianchi have both gone on loan, thereby leaving Eriksson looking to bring in a striker but the former England boss is not desperate to make signings for the sake of it.
"It's a question of where the men I want play their football," he said in the Manchester Evening News.
"Big clubs do not want to let big players go at this time of the year. We are still trying but if we are not successful we will try to do the deals in the summer.
"I don't think we will run out of players because we have Daniel Sturridge now, Bojinov will be back soon and so will Michael Johnson."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Feb 4, 2008 9:49:35 GMT
Manchester City Boss Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed that he is planning to arrange new contracts which will keep defenders Richard Dunne and Micah Richards tied up to the club for the long-term.
Now that the transfer window has closed City manager is hoping that his defenders will agree to a new deal so as to secure their future at the club.
"It's important that we work on that now and get them both to sign new contracts," Eriksson told the club's official website.
"There are a lot of other things to work on here in the club as well, as now we have the time to do them."
The former England manager has admitted he is fully aware of what his club requires so as to improve their performance at the end of the season.
He added: "This summer will be very different for me as I will be fully involved here, I arrived late and did not know about the club or the players. Now I do, and we have a lot of time to know what we want.
"I can tell you that already we know, more or less, what we want this summer because we have plenty of time to work on it.
"Clubs don't want to release their players in January, and it would be the same here if someone wanted to sign one of our best players, it would not leave us with enough time to bring someone new in."
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Feb 5, 2008 13:59:01 GMT
Manchester City have reportedly completed a bargain-price signing of Benjani Mwaruwari from Portsmouth last night after the striker came through successfully from a day-long medical.
The transfer did not go through on the final day of January transfer window apparently as City’s paperwork was not completed by the mid-night deadline. However, the move was alive as Premier League reviewed the situation and found that the paperwork done was enough to sanction the move.
The 29-year-old Zimbabwe international has reportedly signed a two-and-a-half year contract, which needs the official ratification by the Premier League and FA, and City just had to pay Pompey £3.87m - half the original asking price!, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Nevertheless, City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson had maintained all along that he was hopeful of completing the signing for the in-form hit-man as the Eastlands outfit have been lacklustre up front. As such, Benjani is expected to make his debut in the Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
|
|
|
Post by Bismarck on Feb 8, 2008 18:18:11 GMT
Manchester City have confirmed that defender Micah Richards has signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal.
The 19-year-old England international is now tied up at the City of Manchester Stadium until at least June 2013.
City Chief Executive Alistair Mackintosh said on the club’s official website: "It’s absolutely tremendous news for the football club as we announce that Micah Richards has signed a new five and a half year deal.
"It’s the longest deal, certainly in my memory, of the club’s history. The manager’s delighted, Dr Thaksin’s delighted and I’m personally delighted.
"We’ve worked well with Micah and his father in putting together an appropriate deal. It’s always been my goal to sign our young players up on long term contracts to provide a solid foundation, going forward, as we continue to invest in the team."
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson added: "This is fantastic news, it shows we are building for the future by securing one of our most talented players on the longest term contract."
|
|