| | | |
 With so many Italian players based in Britain and around the world, Football Italia updates you on the latest happenings |
|
| March 31, 2008 |
|
Empoli for Mosquito move?
Coventry City striker Michael Mifsud could be set for a £2m move to Empoli, according to English reports. Tuscan scouts have watched the Maltese forward, nicknamed “The Mosquito”, several times, including during Malta’s win over Liechtenstein last week when he scored five goals. The 26-year-old international is the Sky Blues’ top scorer this season and found the net in City’s 3-1 win over Plymouth on Saturday.
Lazio look to Albrechtsen
West Brom’s Danish defender Martin Albrechtsen is still holding out on signing a new deal, heightening speculation that he could join Lazio at the end of the season. With the Baggies not pushing the 27-year-old to sign, the Biancocelesti have reportedly started to prepare a bid, but his agent has played a move down. “We are still talking to West Brom, but we have not been offered anything serious yet,” said Michael Johansen. “There has not been any concrete interest from Lazio since January.”
Ranieri not keen on Kenyon
Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri has revealed he still feels angry over the way Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon treated him. The Italian tactician admits he is bitter as he felt he was the victim of discrimination. “When Kenyon came, I was frozen out,” he bewailed. “Kenyon was the new boss, and new bosses tend to want to bring in their own people and I was not one of his people. Am I bitter? Yes. Bitterness, rancour, hurt - call it what you like. Before Roman Abramovich came I was doing my job, I carried on doing it for him and I wanted to continue doing it. At the end, after the game against Leeds, I knew the players and the supporters were with me even if the club was not. They knew I had left my legacy with them.”
|
|
| March 28, 2008 |
|
Donati left for Wolfs?
Celtic's Milan old boy Massimo Donati is a target for German outfit Wolfsburg. The talented midfielder has not really settled in Glasgow since his £3m move last summer and the Bundesliga side are reportedly hoping to convince Celtic to cash in on the Italian star. Donati has scored just three goals in 20 appearances so far and the Hoops could be ready to sell the 27-year-old at the right price.
Martins rejects rumours
Former Inter striker Obafemi Martins has expressed shock at speculation linking him with a return to San Siro at the end of the season. Reports last week claimed the Nigerian international was tired of not being a regular starter at Newcastle and that he was looking to leave. “I was shocked to hear I was leaving again,” he said. “My adviser called me last Sunday when he saw the news - I never said such things. What people must understand is that I love the fans at Newcastle and I want to continue here.”
Valeri nears fitness
Ex-Fiorentina striker Valeri Bojinov feels he is getting nearer to being picked for Manchester City’s first team. The Bulgarian international has been out injured since August and is desperate to return to playing. “My recovery is going quite well and I feel great,” he revealed. “I don’t know whether I will play against Chelsea on April 5 or Middlesbrough in the last game of the season. I won’t be in perfect shape by the end of the season, but I just want to play. I’m hungry for football. The important thing for me is that I am close to it now.”
|
|
| March 27, 2008 |
|
Lazio reject Rozehnal
Lazio are reportedly ready to allow on-loan Newcastle defender David Rozehnal to return to St James’ Park at the end of the season. The Czech Republic international has made little impression on Biancocelesti boss Delio Rossi and has played in just three games since his move in the January transfer window. The defender only signed for Newcastle last summer and cost the Premiership club £3m from Paris St Germain.
Rooney’s keen on Capello
Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has nothing but praise for new England Coach Fabio Capello. The United star is enjoying training under the Italian tactician and believes the Milan legend can improve his game. “He’s brilliant. You can see he’s strong-minded and wants to win every game,” he revealed. “In training if you’re not doing it right he’ll step in and tell you and try to help you improve. He’s passionate, really passionate about winning, so I think he’s a good man. It’s exactly what England need at this moment and with a bit more work between him and the players we can go forward as a team. When we first met him he got his point across straight away about what he expected from us.”
Zola’s Chelsea dream
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has reiterated that he would like to return to the club in the future to work in either a coaching or managerial capacity. The Magic Box was a highly popular player at Stamford Bridge before he left in 2003, after seven years in England. “Will I come back to Chelsea? We’ll see,” he said. “I think so. I think sooner or later I’ll have a go. But at the moment it is important to get the knowledge. Playing football is one thing, but coaching is another. Chelsea is where I had the best satisfaction of all, where I was treated the best. It is a special place. I care about Chelsea very much and when I do come back I want to do something very valuable.” |
|
| March 26, 2008 |
|
Mellberg in the middle
Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg hopes he will be given a centre-back role for Juventus instead of the right-back position he currently occupies at Villa Park. The Swedish international will join the Italian giants this summer and is looking forward to being in the heart of the action. “They consider me as a central defender, which is what Martin O’Neill used to see me as,” he said. “I don’t feel uncomfortable when I get to play in the middle. It will be different in Italy. Actually, it’s the first time that I will be joining a real top club who can and want to fight for titles. With all due respect to Aston Villa they have never had the possibility to challenge in that way.”
Inter deny Hleb drama
Inter have hit back at claims from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that they made an illegal approach for Gunners midfielder Alexander Hleb. Reports claimed that Arsenal were going to file a complaint with UEFA following accusations that an agent close to the Serie A champions made an approach for Hleb. However, Inter have rejected these claims and have declared publicly that they had no meeting whatsoever with the Belarus international and have had no complaints from the Premier League outfit. “With regard to reports in La Stampa and in the British Press, carried also by Italian news agencies, Inter deny having met with Hleb and have received no letter of complaint from Arsenal,” read an official statement.
Gunners line up Viola ace
Fiorentina’s Serbian midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic is close to signing for Arsenal, according to English reports. The young star has been monitored by Celtic and Palermo recently, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger appears to be leading the pack of clubs chasing the international ace. He signed for the Tuscan giants from Swiss side Basle in January 2006 for £2m and has been a first team regular this season. The youngster was born in Switzerland and subsequently holds a Swiss Passport despite playing for Serbia. Arsenal representatives are understood to have flown out already to meet officials of the Italian club to thrash out a deal.
|
|
| March 25, 2008 |
|
Gunners ponder Palla
Juventus striker Raffaele Palladino has once again been linked with a move to Arsenal. According to Italian reports, the 23-year-old former Livorno starlet has complained about his lack of first-team action after starting just 12 of Juve’s 30 League games. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger tried to buy the Italian international last summer, but is reportedly more confident of his chances this summer.
Ramos wants Berba stay
Tottenham boss Juan Ramos has replied to Dimitar Berbatov’s agent Emil Dantchev’s claims that the Bulgarian striker could be on his way to Milan this summer. Last month Dantchev implied that Berbatov would seriously consider a San Siro switch, despite Spurs’ desire to retain their prized asset. Ramos, however, is taking Dantchev’s words with a pinch of salt. “It is the obligation of the agent to try to sell their client so they can get paid as much as possible,” he said. “Berbatov is a great player and it is only natural that clubs are interested in him. It is normal for an agent to try and do business in the transfer market, but Tottenham are very happy to have him and he is very happy here.”
Martins’ unhappy Toon
Former Inter striker Obafemi Martins could rock Newcastle with a sensational transfer demand at the end of the season if things do not improve for him. The Nigerian international is tired of playing second fiddle to Michael Owen and wants to know where he stands under new boss Kevin Keegan. “I am not the kind of player that will stay at a club sitting on the bench - I want to play,” he said. “I really, really want to help the team by scoring goals, so if I am not playing it’s a little difficult for me.” Reports claim that Oba fancies a return to San Siro, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also said to be a long-term admirer.
|
|
| March 21, 2008 |
|
Chelsea monitor Mario
Chelsea are on red alert following Mario Balotelli’s admission that he could leave Inter. The teenage sensation has been watched several times by Chelsea scouts and Balotelli’s brother Corrado has revealed the 17 year-old could be on the move. Chelsea have strong links in Italy, as demonstrated by their controversial swoop for Reggina young gun Vincenzo Camilleri last month.
Zola praises Jose
Former Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola insists that you need more than money to enjoy the sort of success former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho enjoyed at Stamford Bridge. “People say they bought the Premiership title, but a few years ago in Italy Inter were spending double or treble, what other teams spent every year,” said the “Magic Box”. “They couldn’t win anything. That tells you that money is not everything. A winning team must have quality, but it means nothing if the players are not connected to each other. Mr Abramovich came in with huge resources and did it another way. What I can say is that having a lot of money doesn’t make a winning team. It’s not easy to make big players bond together. That’s why Mourinho did a great job.”
Spurs watch Dossena
Former Inter striker Obafemi Martins could rock Newcastle with a sensational transfer demand at the end of the season if things do not improve for him. The Nigerian international is tired of playing second fiddle to Michael Owen and wants to know where he stands under new boss Kevin Keegan. “I am not the kind of player that will stay at a club sitting on the bench - I want to play,” he said. “I really, really want to help the team by scoring goals, so if I am not playing it’s a little difficult for me.” Reports claim that Oba fancies a return to San Siro, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also said to be a long-term admirer.
|
|
| March 20, 2008 |
|
Oba’s Toon tears
Former Inter striker Obafemi Martins has revealed that Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan made him cry when he was substituted during Monday night’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham City. The Nigerian international admitted he did not want to come off and was very emotional at the time. “I was upset when I had to come off,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave the pitch because I wanted to help the team. I wanted to help us try to win the game. I felt we were going to get the winner and I was frustrated when I saw that I wouldn’t be able to. There were a few tears because I was frustrated and emotional - nobody likes to be replaced and I’m no different.”
Naka’s Celtic doubts
Celtic ace Shunsuke Nakamura has admitted that he is not sure whether his future lies at Parkhead. The former Reggina playmaker revealed he was unsure if Celtic wanted to exercise the one-year option on his contract, which ends this summer. “I will be here until chief executive Peter Lawwell says he doesn’t need me,” said the Japanese star. “My contract finishes in the summer and the club has the option of keeping me for another year. I’m not sure if they will.” Despite Hoops’ boss Strachan describing him as the most gifted player he has ever worked with, Celtic have yet to trigger the extension clause in his current deal. Reports suggest that his hometown club Yokohama Marinos are keen to sign him.
Vogel relishes Prem chance
Ex-Milan defender Johann Vogel joined Blackburn earlier this week on a free transfer after impressing during a trial period at Ewood Park and is relishing the chance to play in England. “I played for many years in the Netherlands, in Serie A and the Primera Liga in Spain and now for me it is a great opportunity for me to play in the Premier League,” the Swiss international said. “It is one of the three Leagues that has always been an objective of mine to play in, I can’t wait to get started.”
|
|
| March 19, 2008 |
|
Wenger considers Inter complaint
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has sensationally claimed that Inter have tried to “tap up” his midfield star Alexander Hleb. According to reports in the Mirror, Hleb travelled to the Nerazzurri’s offices on Via Durini with agent Claudio Vigorelli after the Gunners’ game against Milan. Vigorelli is an associate of Vincenzo Morabito, a leading international agent. However, Morabito denied there had been a meeting with Inter, but conceded that Vigorelli and Hleb had shared a taxi from the hotel, where Arsenal were staying, and that Wenger had made a complaint. “It’s true that Hleb saw Vigorelli and they left the Melia Felix but it's not true that they went to talk to Inter,” he stated. “They went for an ice cream. We are sorry that Mr Wenger took it badly and complained because we have a good relationship with him.” Inter have been linked with Hleb since the close of the January market.
Vogel joins Blackburn
Former Milan midfielder Johann Vogel has signed for Blackburn after he impressed on a trial. The highly experienced Swiss international has also played for Real Betis and PSV Eindhoven. Still only 31-years-old, the defensive midfielder, who captained Switzerland at the 2006 World Cup, became a free agent following his release by Spanish outfit Betis due to his legal dispute with the club. Vogel has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further year.
Diaby on Italian path
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is ready to make a move to Italy, according to his agent Roger Boli. Both Juventus and Inter have reportedly admired the youngster for a long time and Boli has revealed that his client is already learning Italian. “He’s a super player,” he declared. “For now he is learning under Arsene Wenger, but in two years he can make the leap to a major Italian team. He’s a complete player and has great tactical intelligence.” |
|
| March 18, 2008 |
|
Kev marvels at Martins
Former Inter striker Obafemi Martins has made a big impression on Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan. The ex-England manager rates the Nigerian international as his star man and is happy to see him back playing. “He excites me very much as a player,” he said. “He is very, very different to anything that not only have we got at this football club, but probably in the Premier League. He has got a lot of things going for him that you do not see every day on a training ground. I am delighted to have him back and delighted that he is fit again.”
De Canio’s transfer truths
Queens Park Rangers boss Luigi De Canio has revealed the truth over the rumours of Marco Di Vaio and Francesco Coco’s links with the Championship club. Both players were reported to be ready to join the former Reggina boss at the Championship side, but De Canio says he knows little about either player. “All I can say about Di Vaio is that I have not ever talked about him,” he admitted. “It was just one report in the Press. Regarding Coco, we gave him the opportunity to train with us, knowing that it was a long time since he had played and that he needed new horizons. Then, after a day he was gone, I was expecting him at the training camp, but he was already in Italy.”
Figo denies QPR link
Inter’s Portuguese star Luis Figo has refuted suggestions that he is considering signing for Queens Park Rangers. Reports in the Italian Press stated that the international star had been in talks with the Super Hoops, but Figo is adamant that no negotiations took place. “There are no talks with Queens Park Rangers at the moment,” the former Barcelona man stressed. “I am with Inter and I want to finish the season as well as possible – that is my only thought.” |
|
| March 17, 2008 |
|
Hammers need Nani
West Ham are set to confirm the appointment of Brescia sporting director Gianluca Nani as their technical director. Nani is highly respected in Italy and was instrumental in the sensational signings of Roberto Baggio and Pepe Guardiola for the Rondinelle. "I am excited about the experience,” he stated. “It is very different and I am proud to be working in England. From June I will take over my new position. I conducted the negotiations in person, but in the full co-operation of Brescia chairman Luigi Corioni, who I must thank along with his family. I have learnt so much in these years with the club and for that opportunity I am grateful.”
QPR in for Figo?
Championship side Queens Park Rangers are sensationally closing in on a deal with Inter’s Portuguese ace Luis Figo, according to several English reports. The London club’s owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal reportedly feel that the 35-year-old midfielder can inspire the club to promotion next season under Italian Coach Luigi De Canio. Talks between the Super Hoops and Figo’s agents have allegedly reached a point where only a few minor details need to be organised before the former Real Madrid player can move to Loftus Road at the end of this season a free transfer.
Lippi thinks of England
Marcello Lippi has revealed that he would love to work in the Premier League. Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning coach has been out of work since lifting football’s greatest prize in Germany and admits he would welcome an approach. “Working in the Premier League could be an interesting experience,” said the Viareggio born tactician. “If a club were to come to me, we could talk. I’m ready to return to management this summer. I still see my future on a football pitch for a few years yet as soon as there’s a solution which I like, one that interests me.”
|
|
| |
