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 With so many Italian players based in Britain and around the world, Football Italia updates you on the latest happenings |
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| February 29, 2008 |
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Martins happy with Toon
Former Inter striker Obafemi Martins has told his current club Newcastle that he will sign a new five-year contract worth £26m. “It should be sorted out in the next two weeks,” said the Nigerian international. “I want to stay here because I love the fans and they love me. I can imagine playing for Newcastle for many, many years. I have settled in well, the area is cool and I’m happy. But right now the most important thing is for us to get a win.”
Crespo eyes Inter stay
Former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has revealed that he doesn’t want to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of May. The Inter hitman claims that the Premier League giants want him to come back but he is happy with the Nerazzurri. “Chelsea have until May 31 to call me back, otherwise my contract with Inter will automatically be renewed,” said the Argentine. “The less that is said about it all, the better it is for me! Chelsea are thinking about the Champions League and, with their League commitments as well, maybe they will forget about me. I remember the day that Roman Abramovich wanted me to renew my contract. He did not want to let me go but in the end he agreed. I know that they would like me to return but it is a question of what motivates me the most.” |
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| February 28, 2008 |
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Carlo explains Chelsea stay
Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini claims that it was the club’s fans that convinced him to stay at Stamford Bridge this season. The former Castel Di Sangro custodian has been at Chelsea for almost a decade, but has dropped down the pecking order with Petr Cech seen as No 1 for the last three years. “The supporters are probably one of the biggest reasons I stayed,” said the Italian. “Of course it was difficult at first to sit on the bench every game but when I had the chance, the supporters gave me great confidence and help. Still now, after nine years, when I play and hear them behind me, chanting my name, I feel shivers and it’s a great feeling.”
Juve line up Flamini?
Arsenal ace Mathieu Flamini has been targeted by Juventus, according to English reports. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger reportedly feels that the player is close to signing for the Serie A giants, while other sources claim he has already signed for the Old Lady. Flamini has turned down a five-year deal and can leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer on a free transfer. The French international has been a key player for Arsenal, but Wenger allegedly fears he could follow in the footsteps of Patrick Vieira and move to Italy.
Adebayor sees Gunners glory
Emmanuel Adebayor is confident that his Arsenal side will beat Milan in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash at San Siro next week. The Togo international has admitted the Rossoneri are a very experienced team but he feels his side will be looking to grab any opportunity. “We know that beating Milan is something that will be important for us, our families and the fans, so of course our confidence will be very high,” said the striker. “It is going to be my first time at San Siro so hopefully we can make history there. They have the intelligence and the experience but I feel there will be more goals in this next game and we will have more chances to score.”
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| February 27, 2008 |
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Kapo’s injury blues
Former Juventus midfielder Olivier Kapo suffered a hamstring injury in Birmingham's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Saturday. The French international who had only just returned from suspension could be out for up to a month, according to City boss Alex McLeish. “Kapo is out for four weeks with a hamstring injury," he said. "I think playing with 10 men put an extra strain on all of the players. Kapo was key for us in the first half because he provided a great outlet for Maik Taylor and he also won an awful lot of balls in the air for us and kept the ball alive for us in the first half.”
Toure expects San Siro success
Arsenal’s Kolo Toure is hopeful that he will shake off a calf injury in time for the Gunners' Champions League clash with Milan. The North London side travel to San Siro for the last 16 second leg next week and he feels they have a good chance of winning in Italy. “I hope I will be fine against Milan, fingers crossed, I will be ready,” said the Ivory Coast international. “We are going there to qualify, but Milan will be favourites in their stadium. However, we have already won there heavily so they will be ready for us. We beat Inter 5-1 at San Siro so we can do it to their fierce rivals.”
Muntari’s European focus
Former Udinese striker Sulley Muntari has forgotten the African Cup of Nations and is only concentrating on securing European football with Portsmouth. Muntari has just returned from the tournament, where his Ghana team reached the semi-finals. “I’m completely focused here again,” said the 23-year-old. “The Nations Cup has gone now and I think the Ghanaian people were happy enough with our performance in the end, even though I don’t think many realise just what pressure there is being the host country. We knew everything was up to us to bring them success, but I just wanted to go to the Final and win the Cup for Ghana and now that’s how I feel about getting into Europe with Portsmouth.” |
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| February 26, 2008 |
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Zola’s Blue dream
Gianfranco Zola wants to work at Chelsea next season when his contract as assistant to Italian Under-21 boss Pierluigi Casiraghi runs out. Reports have suggested that the former Blues hero is interested in a coaching role at Stamford Bridge and he has confirmed that it is one of his dreams. “Everybody was talking about me working with Fabio Capello, but I was never contacted about it,” he said. “Going back to Chelsea is one of the things I want to do one day.” The Magic Box has also been linked with a scouting role for Newcastle, where former Chelsea teammate Dennis Wise is executive director.
Crouch sees past Inter
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch believes his team can knock Inter out to secure a place in the last eight of the Champions League, but he knows it won’t be easy. The Premier League outfit won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield, but the England hitman is aware that the Nerazzurri will go all out for an early goal. “We have got the team that can go to the San Siro and get a result,” he said. “We know that they are going to throw everything at us early on and try and get an early goal but we will be ready for them.”
Mido back for Boro
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate thinks that former Roma striker Mido is getting back to full fitness and is making good progress. The Egyptian international has scored just twice this season, following a lengthy spell out injured, but Southgate feels he is progressing and ready to deliver goals. “He is continuing to get up to full fitness,” he said. “He is aware of what we expect and what is needed, so he has shown a great willingness to embrace that, both in training and away from the training ground. He has made a lot of strides over the last few weeks. The important thing is that he is back and he adds a physical presence to the side.” |
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| February 25, 2008 |
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Milan eye Adebayor
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has reportedly become Milan’s main transfer target this summer. Following the 0-0 draw with the Gunners in last week’s Champions League clash, Rossoneri captain Paolo Maldini praised the Togo international and Milan director Leonardo also told the striker he was highly impressed by his performance. Italian reports suggest that Adebayor has now displaced Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as Milan’s major transfer objective.
Neville fears Florence
Everton captain Phil Neville has urged his teammates to be wary of a ‘hostile’ reception waiting for them at Fiorentina’s Stadio Franchi. The Toffees face the Viola in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and Neville feels they will have to be on top form to go through. “Fiorentina will be our biggest test,” he insisted. “It is a big European night for us and when we go to Italy it will be a backs-to-the-wall game. We will have to be really on our mettle as it is a hostile environment there. I have played there before and you need real character and temperament to handle that kind of atmosphere. But we are looking forward to it.”
Donati misses Italy
Celtic winger Massimo Donati has revealed that he would like to return to Italy. The former Milan ace says he misses Serie A football and would consider any offers that came from the peninsula. “I would be a hypocrite if I said I am not thinking about Italy,” he said. “I miss our style of football. And if offers come in for me from Serie A, it would only be fair for me to consider them. I am ruling nothing out. We will have to wait and see what happens. But for now I am happy and honoured to wear the Celtic shirt.” |
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| February 22, 2008 |
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Cesc fears San Siro
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas knows the Gunners have a tough task on their hands when they travel to Milan in two weeks. “We can’t forget that we didn’t play against an average team,” said the Spanish international. “We played against a top side like Milan and even then we played well. We had more opportunities. We played better and had more possession. We did everything right. Unfortunately, sometimes in football the difference is you don’t put the ball into the back of the net and we didn’t do that.”
Toni’s Spurs denial
Former Fiorentina striker Luca Toni insists that he knows nothing about a move to Tottenham in the summer. The Bayern Munich hitman has been linked with a £7m move to Spurs or Milan at the end of the season, but the Italian international, who joined the German side last summer, says that he is happy in Munich. “I know nothing about it and I’m not interested in the stories,” he said. “I feel very much at home here and I am here to help Bayern win trophies.”
Fabio issues Pool warning
England Coach Fabio Capello insists that Inter will be much more forceful at San Siro and Liverpool cannot take anything for granted. Many in Liverpool feel confident that they have sewn up qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals after the 2-0 defeat of Inter on Tuesday, but the ex-Juventus boss warns against complacency. “Liverpool must be very careful at the San Siro,” he said. “Inter are really strong at home. Even at Anfield they defended with order after Marco Materazzi’s sending off, conceding only a couple of chances. They can reverse the result, although it shouldn’t be forgotten that Liverpool haven't reached two finals in three years by chance.”
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| February 21, 2008 |
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Wenger sees Gunners triumph
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is convinced his side will beat Milan at San Siro and go through to the Champions League quarter-finals. Following last night’s stalemate, Wenger admits the Rossoneri will be favourites, but he is convinced the Gunners will triumph. “It promises to be a very interesting second leg,” he said. “They will start favourites but we can cope with that. They didn’t create much last night but they will have to come out and attack us in the second leg. I’m convinced that we can progress because we can play at a high tempo again for 90 minutes but, unfortunately, we can’t take our pitch with us to Milan. I hope their pitch is of the same quality.”
Valeri ready to shine
Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov is hoping that he can finally show the City fans what he is capable of following his return from a long injury spell last week. It was feared that the former Fiorentina forward could be out for the whole season but he is glad to be back and thanked the club’s medical team. “I’m very happy because after five months out since my injury, my first game went well,” said the Bulgarian international. “The physios have made me work very hard for the last few months, but I thank them for helping me so much because I know how important it was to get me fit enough before I could play again. This has been my first serious injury, but I knew soon after it happened that I could return and be a better player as well.”
Dejan calls Gerrard
Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic has told his club’s President Massimo Moratti to go out on a limb to sign Liverpool midfield ace Steven Gerrard. The Nerazzurri have been linked with both Gerrard and his England teammate Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard but Stankovic insists that the Liverpool star is the player who is best suited for San Siro. “Our midfield only lacks a player like Gerrard,” he said. “The Reds’ leader is a better player than Lampard and would really help us.” |
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| February 20, 2008 |
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Lippi plans English lessons
Former Azzurri Coach Marcello Lippi has admitted he would love to manage in the Premier League and has revealed his plan to study English. The World Cup winning boss has been linked with several British vacancies recently, including the England manager’s job. “Speaking English is one of my biggest desires,” said the Viareggio-born tactician. “I want to learn how to speak English and that could push me towards accepting a job on the continent. I always tell my friend Sir Alex Ferguson that he is lucky that the whole world understands him when he talks. Fabio Capello at England and Giovanni Trapattoni at Ireland are flying the flag for our reputation and I must admit I am interested as well.”
Mancio in Welsh quip
Inter Coach Roberto Mancini has revealed that he feels left out with two Italians running foreign national teams. With Fabio Capello now managing England and Giovanni Trapattoni accepting the Republic of Ireland post, the Nerazzurri boss joked that he should be considered as the next manager of Wales. Asked why the Italians produce such good Coaches, Mancio replied, “We have a fine structure to teach our people to Coach at a high level. Capello and Trapattoni will do very well with their new countries, so maybe I should be appointed as the next manager of Wales!”
Damiani’s Sheva doubts
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko is not the player for Milan, according to agent Oscar Damiani. The Italian also believes that the Rossoneri should move for Chelsea’s Didier Drogba rather than Ronaldinho. “A return to Milan for Shevchenko would be difficult because he is a non-EU citizen,” he said. “Sheva is over 30, so I think Milan should invest in new reinforcements. Ronaldinho and Drogba? It’s difficult to see the former arriving in Italy and moreover he is in a declining phase, but the latter is certainly a good player.”
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| February 19, 2008 |
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Donati’s Barça respect
Celtic winger Massimo Donati believes that their Champions League opponents Barcelona are stronger than his old club Milan. “We have beaten Milan at home this season, but at this moment I think Barcelona are better than them,” said the Italian midfielder. “They are the best team in Europe right now. It will be tough. Sure, Barcelona have a few injury problems to deal with, but what is important for us is that we concentrate on playing well ourselves. That is what we have done at home in the three other games we have played in the Champions League this season and we have won all of them.”
Kaka admires Arsenal
Milan ace Kaka thinks that their Champions League opponents Arsenal play the most beautiful brand of football in England. The Brazilian claims that he will enjoy playing against the Gunners, who he feels are more entertaining to watch than Manchester United and less direct than Liverpool or Chelsea. “Arsenal play football the way we like to see it in Brazil,” said the Rossoneri midfielder. “They play with style, changing position, moving the ball quickly. If you say Arsenal, that’s what we think of. It is different to the normal English style. Manchester United are similar but Liverpool are very English, direct and more tactical with the defence closing down quickly. This tie against Arsenal will be more open and interesting than one against Liverpool or Chelsea. This is a game we can enjoy. It can be beautiful.”
Jamie’s impressed by Inter
Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher feels his defence will be severely tested when the Reds face Inter tonight. The former England defender insists that Inter not only have a top class strike force, but they are strong in defence as well. “The two games with Inter will be massive,” he said. “I have been watching Inter when possible since we knew we would be playing them and they are an excellent team. One of their strengths is the fact that they don’t give many goals away at the back. Don’t get me wrong they’ve got great players in midfield and attack too. People like Luis Figo, Luis Jimenez, Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will always cause you problems. We will have to play a lot better than we have been and be at our very best to get through.”
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| February 18, 2008 |
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Arsene’s French fancy
Milan midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has been targeted by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is reported to be ready to pay up to £12m for ‘Le Petit Zidane’. The French Under-21 international has claimed that he is unhappy with the lack of first-team football under Carlo Ancelotti after making just four starts so far this season. Reports in Italy suggest that the 21-year-old has told Milan he wants to leave in the summer, sparking speculation he could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium.
Amelia’s Tottenham temptation
Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia has confirmed that he has had talks with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur over a move in the summer. Press reports state that the 25-year-old was ready to move during the January transfer window, but time ran out. “I have an interesting offer from Tottenham,” said the Italian international. “It is a move that appeals to me and is something I am seriously considering at the end of the season.”
Wenger’s Kaka caution
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that the absence of Ronaldo isn’t a major factor in this week’s Champions League encounter with Milan. The French tactician feels that the Brazilian is no longer a foundation block for the Rossoneri and is more worried about his compatriot Kaka. “Ronaldo is out, but I don’t feel that he was hyper-competitive,” Wenger stated. “Of course he could still have come on, but he was already past his best. Kaka is the guy who can dominate a game and in 10 seconds get to the other side of the pitch and score a goal. Because of him we need to be more cautious in the centre than we usually are. He’s especially dangerous at counter-attacking.”
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