Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is ready to sell a number of his fringe players before the start of the season, The Sun report.
The Stamford Bridge side have been on a spending spree this summer, with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Marko Marin already joining and a number of other new faces expected.
However, the Italian manager has stated that Florent Malouda could well be heading out the door, as he looks to trim down his contingent.
“Florent is back with us now and I will have a talk with him this week,” Di Matteo confessed.
“We cannot name more than 25 players in the squad so we will have to make some decisions. Pre-season gives me a great opportunity to look at the new players and see how they develop.
“The final decision on who will go and who will stay will be made at the beginning of August,” he concluded.
Meanwhile it is believed that Yossi Benayoun and Gael Kakuta will also been shown the door from the west London club.
Young Belgian duo Romelu Lukaku and De Bruyne are also facing loan deals as first-team opportunities are expected to be limited.
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Italian press are reporting that Blackburn Rovers are in talks to bring Italian striker Vincenzo Laquinta to Ewood Park.
After having failed to convince Spanish legend Raul to join the club, rover’s manager Steve Keane has now turned his attention to the 31 year old world cup winning Italian. The striker currently plies his trade with Juventus and made 22 appearances last season scoring 6 goals, but he is now surplus to requirements at the Azzurri, former Blackburn favourite Santa Cruz was at loan with Blackburn last season, but he has now returned to Man City after an unsuccessful spell.
Rovers will have to act quickly, as they are facing competition from Spanish side Real Betis, the Blackburn Manager is already under pressure by the Rovers board with 2 games and 2 losses so far.
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Czech midfielder Rudi Skacel scored the only goal as Hearts beat St Johnstone at Tynecastle on Saturday.
The win enabled the Edinburgh side to close the gap on second-placed Rangers to two points and five behind leaders Celtic.
The home side were in front as early as the third minute after Skacel slid home at the end of a swift breakaway.
Suso Santana, Skacel and Stephen Elliott had chances to give Hearts a more commanding lead.
Steven May had a couple of efforts for St Johnstone, his second forcing a save from Marian Kello late on.
Hearts next face an away match with Rangers on Wednesday, with the Ibrox side having two games in hand over Jim Jefferies’ side.
The Tynecastle side were looking to bounce back from the midweek 4-0 defeat by Celtic and scored with their first attack after goalkeeper Kello collected a St Johnstone corner and released the ball upfield.
Gary Glen flicked the ball on to the overlapping Craig Thomson, who burst down the right flank and crossed low for Skacel to slide in and slam the ball into the net.
Hamilton and Kilmarnock shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
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Irish international Connor Sammon, the league’s leading goalscorer, gave the Killies the lead after 15 minutes with his 15th goal of the season.
But Kilmarnock’s win was soured by the sending-off of midfielder Jamie Hamill after 28 minutes for a foul on Flavio Paixao for a second bookable offence,
Mickael Antoine-Curier equalised for the home side in the 79th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Leadership skills are tough to acquire, especially within a group of peers. It comes naturally to the fortunate minority but for others, their voice can be lost in a cacophony of opinion that is just too strong to overcome.Andre Villas-Boas was just 33 when he took charge at Stamford Bridge last season, an unusual youthful exuberance that is so rarely associated with Premier League managers had befallen Chelsea when appointing the Portuguese prodigy. Coming off the back of one of the most successful single seasons ever witnessed by a relatively unknown manager, the Portuguese appointment at Chelsea was met with great expectation. However, less than impressive results combined with an apparent loss of respect within the changing room bought an end to his short tenure in London. His managerial style that combined statistical analysis with introducing younger players to the team did not go down as expected at Stamford Bridge, especially with the much admired senior members of the squad like Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. With the man they were taking orders from comparatively similar in age, it seemed as though AVB’s voice wandered the corridors at Cobham, failing to find an adhering ear.So what can be done to halt a similar situation unfolding at White Hart Lane, the location of the Portuguese new employers? Does AVB need to adapt his man management skills to the Premier League, where almost all 20 squads contain a healthy dose of egocentricity. Or will the Spurs dressing room be more forgiving of the unorthodox style of the young coaches managerial approach?One concern that may loom over Spurs if the imminent new season begins with disappointment is the absolute contrast of managerial style between Villas-Boas and his predecessor Harry Redknapp. The Englishman allowed the players a relatively free reign, with training ground discussions and match analysis taking a back seat behind player expression on the pitch. Believing that footballers should be treated as people not machine like commodities, Redknapp had very few members in his team of analysts. In stark contrast, new man Villas-Boas has a wealth of statisticians, nutritionists and psychologists who assist him and his team in preparation for match day. The 34-year old tends to shy away from tested training methods that promote technical repetition and instead focuses on situational aspects that have more relevance when in-game. This enormous transition may shake some players into realisation, with peak fitness levels a prerequisite for Villas-Boas’ system to work effectively. No longer will they have free reign on the pitch, the regimented new style that will become entrenched at White Hart Lane will see to that. They must adapt, and fast.What may prove a blessing for Spurs is the pace and style of play at the club has been very offensive-minded and exciting for a number of years, something that the new man prides himself on. Villas-Boas will not necessarily need to rip up the team sheet in order to apply his theories to the club. Spurs are blessed with pace out wide and in Gareth Bale, have one of the most exciting offensive players in Europe.Keeping hold of want away players may be the challenge for AVB. His time at Chelsea indicates that he may not have the dominating voice that is required to put a footballer in his place. If Luka Modric stated his desire to leave so fervently in Redknapp’s tenure, surely he will not be too concerned about any sharp words from a man who was seemingly second in command at his previous job. Still, lessons learnt from his time at Stamford Bridge may have sharpened the Portuguese man management skills and the baptism of fire that he received may have made him a wiser, stronger, more determined manager.There is little doubt that every club may have a fraction of egocentric players in the changing room and Spurs are no different. However, not all of the blame for Chelsea poor form whilst under Villas-Boas’ wing can fall at the players feet. Immature decisions made by the young manager, regardless of dressing room divide, condemned him early on. His refusal to bring on more experienced players when they were so vitally needed indicates an arrogance that was less Jose Mourinho and more Jacques Santini. He must find a healthy balance between demanding respect without disparaging a team that has seemed content for the last few years.AVB now knows that this test will make or break him. Capture the dressing room and excite the fans and he will flourish as he did when managing in his native country. However, a repeat of the fault lines that divided the Chelsea team under his tenure could consign the young Portuguese prodigy to an early exit and an irreparable relationship with the Premier League.[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]
Valencia midfielder Juan Mata’s chances of moving to Arsenal have hit a snag, after reports his 18 million-pound buyout clause expired.Spain international Mata, 23, had been linked with a move to the English Premier League outfit, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said to be keen on signing him as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas if he departs to Barcelona.
A release clause was in place stating that La Liga outfit Valencia must accept offers of 18 million pounds before Monday, which saw Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham, table a last-minute bid on Saturday.
Mata was not keen on a switch to Tottenham due to club not featuring in the Champions League, but was said to be interested in moving to the Gunners.
The clause has now reportedly gone up to a whopping 52 million pounds, although Arsenal are still hopeful they can land their man.
Fellow English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion have signed Zoltan Gera from Fulham on a free transfer, returning the 32-year-old Hungarian to his former club.
Gera made 136 Premier League appearance and scored 21 goals for West Brom from 2004 to 2008 before joining Fulham when his contract expired.
He signed a three-year deal with Fulham and starred under then-manager Roy Hodgson, who is now in charge at The Hawthorns.
In the Championship, Preston winger Keith Treacy join Burnley for an undisclosed fee while former Manchester United and West Ham utility Jonathan Spector has signed for Birmingham on a free transfer.
And Serie A club Roma have confirmed the signing of Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, with the 28-year-old Netherlands number one reportedly joining for a fee of 6.3 million euros.
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has voiced his support for new Reds boss Kenny Dalglish.
Benitez left Anfield in June and endured a tough six-month stint with Italian and European champions Inter Milan, who sacked him on December 23.
The man who replaced Benitez at Liverpool, Roy Hodgson, had a torrid time in his spell at the club – also dismissed after just six months in charge and replaced by Dalglish, who Benitez said is a perfect fit for the club.
“It will be much better with Kenny because he knows the club and what the fans want,” Benitez told the BBC.
“He can talk with the players and they will feel and understand what it means to be a Liverpool player.”
“I think that Kenny has been a very good appointment and, hopefully, it will be successful.”
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Dalglish is held in high esteem by the Liverpool faithful after winning eight top-flight titles there as a player and then manager from 1977 until 1991.
Franciszek Smuda admits his Poland side struggled to deal with the pressure of hosting the opening game of Euro 2012 but is hoping to build on their draw with a win over Group A leaders Russia.
Poland began the tournament on home soil with an enthralling 1-1 draw with Greece that saw both sides have a man sent off and head coach Smuda acknowledges his players were overawed by the occasion.
“The pressure for the opening game was really huge because we thought we had to win. We didn’t want to fail. We want to win but we don’t want to lose.” He said in his pre-match press conference.
“We know we have one point and because of this we will have a chance until the very end.
After watching the Russians trample over the Czech Republic, Smuda emphasised the need for his players to remain focused on the task in hand and ignore the other game in Group A.
We have to play our way but we have to be more organised in the event that we lose possession.
“We cannot worry about this (the other game). We can only think about our fixture. Any result is acceptable for us in this match – except a defeat.”
Russia boss Dick Advocaat is hoping his side can build on their comprehensive 4-1 triumph over the Czech’s on Friday and book an early spot in the quarter finals.
He’s likely to start with Aleksandr Kerzhakov in attack on Tuesday despite the striker setting a new European Championship record after wasting seven opportunities in their opening game.
The 29-year-old Zenit St Petersburg forward dismissed rumours that he would be dropped in favour of Roman Pavlyuchenko and challenged his teammates to provide that all important second win that will keep them in pole position.
“If we keep on winning, I don’t care how many goals I score, or if I even score at all. It will be a tough encounter because Poland will be at home,” Kerzhakov said.
“They drew their opening match against Greece and I am sure they were after a better result, so in order to qualify for the knockout stages, they need to win and will be doing everything to do that.”
Team News
Wojciech Szczesny is banned after being sent off against Greece but apart from that Smuda has a fully fit squad to choose from with Przemyslaw Tyton likely to start after saving the penalty conceded by his teammate.
Aleksandr Anyukov should be fit to take his place in the starting lineup after coming through training unscathed.
Key Players
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Robert Lewandowski
All eyes were on the Borussia Dortmund striker after an impressive season in Germany and he didn’t disappoint scoring the first goal of the tournament with a superb header. His approach play and unselfish work as the lone striker gives Poland a real threat in attack but he’ll need to be at his best to get the better of a stern Russian rearguard.
Alan Dzagoev
Tipped as one of Europe’s up and coming young stars the 21-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder was terrific against the Czech Republic scoring twice and running the show from midfield. His clever passing and driving runs from midfield provide a real goal threat and Russia will be expecting him to build on a superb first game.
Marseille edged out Lille 5-4 in a controversial French Super Cup clash at Stade de Tanger, Morocco, on Wednesday.Florent Balmont scored the only goal of the first half, netting in the ninth minute for Lille following an Eden Hazard free-kick, but the second stanza turned into a goal frenzy late on.
Belgian midfielder Hazard doubled Lille’s lead on 57 minutes, before Andre Ayew scored the first of his hat-trick in the 71st minute to put Marseille on the board.
Moussa Sow replied one minute later, getting on the end of a Ludovic Obraniak pass, to reinstall Lille’s two-goal buffer, which looked to have sealed more silverware for last season’s Ligue 1 champions.
But Marseille – who finished runner-up last season, eight points in arrears of Rudi Garcia’s men – fought back in memorable fashion, scoring twice in two minutes via Jeremy Morel’s low strike and Loic Remy’s header.
Didier Deschamps’ side then took the lead when Ayew scored his second goal on 90 minutes from the penalty spot, with Lille’s Aurelien Chedjou was sent off for a second yellow for conceding the spot kick.
But there was another twist in the tale as Lille squared proceedings after a final thrust forward, with Montenegro defender Marko Basa’s scoring with a header in the second minute of injury time to make it 4-4.
But Ayew stole the limelight once more, stepping up to seal his hat-trick with another penalty, this time in the fifth minute of injury time to win it for Marseille.
The final goal was clouded in controversy, as it seemed Jordan Ayew – brother of hat-trick hero Andre – dived to earn the spot-kick.
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, and the deal could be sealed by the end of the week, according to reports.
The Wolfsburg striker has been the subject of a lot of speculation recently with Tottenham and Manchester United both rumored to be interested, but it is City who appear to have stolen a march on their rivals by signing the much sort after player.
Dzeko has been in fine form again this season with ten goals in 17 games, and while Wolfsburg will be reluctant to let their star man leave, City’s offer of around £30 million will be too good for the German side to turn down.
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Should Dzeko arrive at Eastlands the likes of Jo and Emmanuel Adebayor are likely to be shown the door to make way for the new signing. It is thought that Spurs could rekindle their interest in Adebayor in the window while Everton could retake Jo on loan.
Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has stated that he has no intention of leaving the club, amid rumours that he is set for a move this summer.
The Swiss defender played a bit-part role for the Gunners in 2011-12, and as such has been linked with a switch to Italian team Napoli during the transfer window.
However, Djourou has revealed that he has no plans to leave the Emirates Stadium despite not being guaranteed regular first-team football.
“I just want to deny what has been in the press about my transfer. It isn’t true at all,” Mirror Football report the versatile defender as saying.
“I have been at Arsenal for 10 years now and I am always committed.”
Meanwhile, the north London club are thought to be closing in on the capture of Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud.
The France international has been in Arsene Wenger’s gaze, and as such the Emirates club are believed to have met the player’s release clause.
With speculation of an impending move, the Ligue 1 champions’ coach Rene Girard has confirmed that a move could well be on the cards.
“Arsenal are very interested and Giroud wants to play in England.
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“If Arsene Wenger agrees with the president Louis Nicollin, he will sign for them.”