Young warns Villa over future

Ashely Young warned Aston Villa that they will have to match his ambition and sign some top players in the summer if they are to hang on to him.A report in the Guardian claims that the England international is concerned at the club's direction in the wake of Martin Laurensen's and Garreth Barry's decision to join Manchester City; amid interest in his services from Chelsea and Tottenham.

Despite having been turned away by Watford's Academy after an unsuccessful spell, Young endeavoured to improve himself as a player and was eventually offered a professional deal by the club. at the age of 18.He achieved five substitute appearances in 2003 season, scoring three goals, and made his first start for the club in the League Cup.Young came to prominence in the 2004-2005 season, playing a part in 34 of Watford's league matches as they struggled to survive in the Championship. Although he failed to find the net, he supplied several assists. His performance during this season earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award. Young began Watford's 2006/2007 Premier League season well, scoring 3 times, including a last minute, long-range strike against Fulham. In the January 2007 transfer window, three clubs made £5 million offers for the Under-21 International. Watford rejected these approaches, as well as (as of 12 January 2007) an offer of £7 million, again from an unnamed club. He rejected a move to West Ham and waited for further offers in which relegationw as not an issue. On 18 January 2007, Aston Villa had an £8 million offer (rising to £9.75 million with add-ons), accepted — the club's record transfer fee.Two days later O'Neill confirmed the player had agreed to join the club. Young underwent a medical on 21 January and the signing was confirmed on 23 January 2007.
The player signed a lucrative four-year deal last November that ties him to the club until 2012, but he is understood to be worried that Villa will be able to maintain the level of performance they enjoyed for the first half of last season without significant investment.
Manager Martin O'Neill himself acknowledged on Thursday: "We're on the lookout. We want to strengthen the side. We have lost Gareth but we are hoping to be in a position to replace him.

Kilby: Coyle is clever with money

The club is preparing for life in the Premier League for the first time after securing promotion through the Championship play-offs.Manager Coyle, who has been rewarded with a two-year extension to his contract, is now in the process of trying to strengthen his squad for the forthcoming campaign. Kilby trusts the judgement of the Glasgow-born Coyle, who moved to Turf Moor from St Johnstone in 2007.He said: "Owen was used to working with a limited budget and had operated in the lower divisions in Scotland.Coyle, who guided the Clarets into the Premier League through the play-offs last month, had been linked with the Celtic vacancy following Gordon Strachan's recent departure but made his commitment to Burnley clear from the start.Clarets operational director Brendan Flood expects Coyle to continue moulding a team committed to playing "attractive football''.

"So he knew what he was coming to at Burnley and that was a big factor when we appointed him the first place.

"Owen came in from left field when he joined the club but he has proved his worth. I am delighted we have a man of his potential. He is a brilliant character, his optimism, the way he has picked us up, is what we wanted. He was not the favourite to get the job but he impressed us and taken us forward."

Operational director Brendan Flood says players are queuing up to join the smallest town in the Premier League.

"The number of people knocking on our door is a very long list and I do not think you have pay silly money to get good players, " he said.

"There are a lot of players who want the chance to play in the Premier League and are probably twice as hungry as some on generous contracts.

"They have got to be the right people, talented but hard working. We now have more appeal to players, it is becoming interesting for them to come to us.

"The fans have great expectations and there is a huge tradition at the club. Now it is all about making new traditions."

Man City agree Santa Cruz fee

Manchester City have agreed a fee of £18m with Blackburn Rovers to sign striker Roque Santa Cruz, according to reports.City manager Mark Hughes brought the Paraguay international to Rovers for just £3.8m from Bayern Munich two years ago and is expected to sign him again on Monday.The 27-year-old, who enjoyed a tremendous first season in the Premier League but struggled for form and fitness following Hughes' move from Blackburn to City, is due to undergo a medical while on holiday this weekend.Santa Cruz would be City's second signing, following the £12m capture of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, of a summer in which they are in the hunt for "four to six players" to "set the tone very clearly" for the club's pursuit of silverware.
Santa Cruz joined Olympia Asuscion youth division at the age of nine, where he became the top scorer during several seasons until the head coach of Olimpia's first team, Luis Cubilla, invited Santa Cruz to practice with the first team squad at the age of fifteen. Santa Cruz's club performance led Olimpia Asunción to a Paraguayan championship in 1998 and 1999, and the winning of the Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award,so then got noticed by Bayern which they eventually signed him in the second half of 1999. Santa Cruz was unexceptional at Bayern Munich — although he scored five goals in his first season with the club, a series of injuries and heavy competition between forwards for the German giants limited his impact.Then being noticed by Mark Hughes who was instrumental in recognizing the talent at rovers, now he has a second chance to get back with his former manager.

Chelsea match Liverpool's £17.5m bid for Johnson

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie has confirmed Chelsea have matched Liverpool's £17.5m bid for England defender Glen Johnson.Pompey accepted a bid from Liverpool earlier this week and the 24-year-old looked set to seal a move to Anfield. However, Storrie has confirmed the Fratton Park club have also now agreed terms with Chelsea - Johnson's former club.The in-demand full-back now has a decision to make, with both sides keen to tie up a deal this week. Storrie admits that Johnson needs to be playing Champions League football next season in order to secure his place in Fabio Capello's starting XI - with the World Cup finals now less than 12 months away.Though both the teams are equally rated with respect to strength it looks like Johnson will be heading towards Chelsea.

Tevez parts company with United

Manchester United have confirmed that Carlos Tevez has decided to leave Old Trafford, despite being offering a deal which would have made him one of the highest paid players at Old Trafford.United chief executive David Gill had been in discussions with Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian, with the aim of keeping the popular Argentina star.
But, despite the offer of a lucrative five-year contract, the South American has decided to move on.Tevez, 25, spent much of the 2008-09 season on the bench. His last appearance was as a substitute in the Champions League final against Barcelona in May which United lost 2-0. A statement on the club website (www.manutd.com) said United had agreed a price of 25.5 million pounds and offered a five-year contract which would have made him one of the club's highest paid players.
The news will be greeted with dismay by United fans, who have warmed to Tevez's all-action style during a two-year 'loan' spell that has included successive Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.Tevez is certainly not short of options, with new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti keen to lure the former Boca Juniors star to Stamford Bridge.Yet Manchester City are the favourites to confirm Tevez's capture, having made Joorabchian an offer said to be well in excess of United's.
Tevez made 97 appearances and scored 34 goals after arriving from West Ham United in August 2007.

Arsenal sign Ajax defender Vermaelen

Arsenal is a team that is known to produce the most technical football in the Premier League. But off late it has been there to see that they have failed to capitalize on their previous glories. Not ot mention the unbeaten 49 game record which started and ended with their arch rivals Manchester United. What has been the main reason for the sudden slump?? Attractive offers for players from other clubs and the stubborn attitude of Arsene Wenger to buy and nurture young talents. Though a couple of established players like Andrie Arshavin and Samir Nasri arrived last season, the young Arsenal squad were not good enough to fight against the top clubs. They were mere spectators whole of the season of 2008-2009. With his reverence to players from France and Africa wenger may have made a mistake fo buying Silvestre from Manchester United to bolster his defence. But several injuries to key players did not help Wenger much during the 09 campaign. There have always been rumours linking many players to Arsenal. And now Wenger may have taken one of his best decisions in recent times. Buying of the Ajax defender Vermaelen.
Vermaelen started his career in his home country at Germinal Ekeren.In 2000 he joined the academy of Dutch side Ajax. He made his professional debut in a 2-0 away win over FC Volendam. His consistent performance with Ajax helped him to get a call from the Belgian National side.During his 143 appearances with the Amsterdam side, Thomas, who is predominantly a central defender, gained experience in both the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League including two appearances against Arsenal in the 2005/06 Champions League Group Stages. He has made 21 appearances for Belgium, now being a regular in his country’s set-up since making his full international debut in March 2006.Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he’s multi-functional and can also play at left back. He is strong technically.
Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us. Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team."
Whatever you say Mr. Wnger, it is high time you start signing more players like these. We would like to see an Arsenal side equivavlent to the late 90's. We definitely do not want a side riding on its past glories.

Sale of Cristiano Ronaldo By Manchester United!!!

One of the most controversial topics for the last two seasons has been the sale of Ronaldo. He has been undoubtedly one of the most terrific players that Sir Alex could have discovered and nurtured. Ronaldo began his career as a youth player at CD National and his successes with the team led to a move to Sporting Clube De Portugal two seasons afterwards. His two-footedness and ability to play on either wing or as a support striker made him the ideal candidate for Sir Alex. The United boss had been eyeing the player for a year but his hand was forced by interest from other leading European clubs, including Real Madrid and Juventus, and Ferguson used United's close relationship with Sporting and splashed out £12.24m. A debacle in the world cup and an important part in getting Wayne Rooney sent off Ronaldo has had his share of controversies.
Ronaldo has been known very popularly as a selfish player but has remained a firm favourite amongst the fans of manchester united based on his performance and achievments. He could single handedly break down any team with his grace, ability and control of the ball. After scoring close to 40 goals in the season of 2007-2008 Ronaldo like other famous players of manchester united came under the scanner of great teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona. Though Real Madrid was one team that Ronaldo has always wanted to be in; He never helped Sir Alex by his comments off the field about not knowing where his future lied. By keeping hold of Ronaldo it was purely delaying the inevitable, but Sir Alex could claim a huge moral victory over Real and their transfer market tactics by keeping him for an extra season.
Finally the saga has ended.Before the season of 2009-10 United have announced that they have accepted a deal. Though there are rumours that there may have been an agreement last season between the two giants of football, the old trafford squad deny any such agreements. Now Manchester United have a great deal of 80 million pounds.While that is an enormous amount of money, the gap Ronaldo will leave in the United forward line will be just as big after he scored 117 goals in 290 games for United, 242 of them starts.