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Bayer Leverkusen's Arturo Vidal weighs up Serie A switch as Bayern Munich move looks unlikely

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:04:44 +0100

Arturo Vidal has admitted that he is determined to leave Bayer Leverkusen, even if he is denied his wish for a reunion with Jupp Heynckes at Bayern Munich.

The 24-year-old, who has also been linked with Juventus and Napoli, is flattered by the interest shown in him by the Italian clubs, and does not rule out a move to Serie A.

"These two teams [Juventus and Napoli] are top European clubs," said Vidal in a interview with TZ.

On Monday the Chile international described a move to Juventus as an excellent opportunity, and although Bayern is his preferred destination, and exit from Leverkusen is his priority.

"There is an official offer from Bayern. There is also Jupp Heynckes, a coach who knows me, and who I know. This is important.

"Last year Leverkusen did not extend my contract. Therefore I would like to leave the club now," explained Vidal.

The player also hinted that he is going to discuss a transfer with sporting director Rudi Voller after the end of Copa America.

"I do not intend to cause trouble and controversy. Every issue over a move can be resolved in peace."

With Bayer Leverkusen determined to prevent an exit to a Bundesliga rival, a move abroad this summer seems to be on the cards for Vidal. A switch to Napoli seems unlikely following the arrival of Gokhan Inler, but Juventus are reportedly preparing a 21m bid to lure the midfielder to Stadio delle Alpi.

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Official: Stuttgart rescind Ciprian Marica's contract

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:04:14 +0100

Stuttgart announced on Tuesday on their official website that the club has terminated the contract of Romanian international Ciprian Marica.

The 25-year-old striker has been a persona-non-grata at the club for four months after a dispute with coach Bruno Labbadia, and is now a free agent.

"VfB Stuttgart have terminated Ciprian Marica's current contract, which runs until 30th June 2012, by mutual consent," read a statement on the club's official website.

"We wish Ciprian all the best in his future endeavors," said sports director Fredi Bobic.

The striker joined Stuttgart from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007, but never managed to nail down a regular place in the team, despite making 93 appearances for the club and scoring 19 goals.

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Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal's Samir Nasri still has a 'very good attitude' despite ...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:03:50 +0100

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has saluted Samir Nasri's attitude despite intense transfer speculation suggesting his future may lie away from the Emirates.

Nasri only has a year left on his contract at the club, prompting Manchester rivals City and United to show an interest in the Frenchman.

The 24-year-old has hinted that he may be interested in a move away from the Emirates to fulfil his ambition of winning some silverware, but played in the Gunners' 4-0 win over a Malaysia XI on Wednesday, with Wenger insisting that Nasri is still fully focused.

"He has always had a very good attitude," Wenger said.

"We are a big club with many good young players so we are confronted with many rumours and speculation. But it doesn't affect much what's happening inside the club. We have to live with that and you could see when he [Samir] played that he wasn't disturbed by that."

Despite the prospect of potentially losing one of his star players for nothing next summer, Wenger is also confident that the clubs board will back his decision to keep Nasri.

He added: "I think so, I believe that is no problem. It is a technical decision. On one hand people say I don't spend enough and when I spend people say I spend too much. It's very difficult to find the right medium.

"What is important is that the club has a good team and is in a strong financial situation. The decisions are dictated by financial restrictions but not only by that. The most important thing is that the team is right and our financial situation is right as well."

On Nasri, Wenger continued: "I believe that everybody who loves Arsenal wants all our strong players to stay at the club."

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Manchester United's Michael Owen admits playing at the top is more important than regular ...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:03:21 +0100

Manchester United forward Michael Owen has admitted the chance to stay at a successful club was a key factor in his decision on whether or not to sign a further one-year contract at Old Trafford.

The 31-year-old strikers two-year deal expired at the end of last season, and despite only making 17 appearances last term, the former Real Madrid and Liverpool man featured on the bench in absence of Dimitar Berbatov during the 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

Whilst he did not feature in the game, the episode was a catalyst towards a new deal at the club, and Owen has since suggested that he would prefer to remain with a top side rather than switch to a lesser team in order to gain first team action.

Speaking to the clubs official website, Owen said: "You want the best of every world as a footballer. You want to be playing at the best club - I'm at that - and you want to be training with the best players and under the best manager - I am certainly doing that.

"You want to play at the best stadiums and in big games and obviously it's near to where I live. There are lots of positives. The only slight negative is the amount I played last season.

"The option is there to go to a lesser club and play more often but I'd prefer to play in a top team with all the things that come with it."

The Chester-born player has also insisted he is firmly part of Sir Alex Fergusons plans for next season, despite an injury-plagued campaign last year which began with a hamstring injury in the Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa in February 2010, a game in which Owen scored.

"The first season was great and had some great moments - scoring in the cup final and the goal against Manchester City, hat-trick in Wolfsburg," Owen added.

"Last year wasn't quite so good, but the manager has spoken to me and said I'll be firmly in his plans this season.

"He expects me to play a lot more."

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Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo insists there is no rush to replace Michael Essien

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:02:54 +0100

Chelseas technical director Michael Emenalo has insisted that the club will not be rushed into finding a replacement for midfielder Michael Essien.

The Ghana international was ruled out of action for six months after suffering knee ligament damage, and West Hams Scott Parker who could be available on loan and Newcastles Cheik Tiote have been touted as possible replacements for the 28-year-old at Stamford Bridge.

Emenalo, however, has suggested that the west Londoners have no need to seek a replacement.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Emenalo said: "The squad is littered with world-class players and the idea of replacing someone or not replacing someone sounds a little bit ludicrous.

"We have enough in the tank to get the job done. He will be missed. Everyone knows he is an important part of Chelsea and a magnificent player in the side for the club and he still will be when he recovers but I don't think there is any panic or desperation to replace him.

"We will do just what a club of our ilk should do and find the right solution."

Emenalo also responded to any concerns over the age of newly appointed Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas, saying that despite the Portugueses youthful appearance, he already has a wealth of coaching experience.

"He has shown in his relatively young managerial career that he can do the job," Emenalo added.

"I try to remind people that even though he is 33, Andre has 17 years of experience because he started so young.

"He has an incredibly large amount of knowledge about the game and we have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that he is the right man for the job.

"He has already started putting his prints all over the place.

"There is a new atmosphere and dynamism within the club and a freshness that everyone is trying to feed off. We are all feeling very positive about the future."

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Panthers to get another look at Newton

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:07:30 +0100

By Pat YasinskasWe’ve got a list of notable pro day workouts around the country over on our NFL Nation blog.

But the day that jumps out most to me is Tuesday. That’s when Auburn has its pro day. Carolina coach Ron Rivera already has said he’ll be there and I’m sure he’s going to have a ton of company from his coaching staff and front office.

There’s a decent chance that Carolina could use the No. 1 overall pick on an Auburn player. Quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley are being mentioned as top-five candidates by a lot of draft gurus. The Panthers have been sending out some rumblings lately that they’re not necessarily locked into a defensive lineman.

That, of course, came after most early mock drafts had them taking either Fairley or Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers. Maybe the latest rumblings are a smoke screen to try to throw the rest of the league off or to try to get a team to trade up to the No. 1 pick. Or maybe the rumblings are true.

I know fans seem to be very divided on Newton and I agree that he’s got lots of upside and perhaps some downside. But it doesn’t matter what fans or draft experts think. All that really matters is what the Panthers ultimately decide.

There’s no question they’ll do something dramatic at quarterback this offseason. Maybe it will be the addition of a veteran through free agency or the draft. Or maybe it will be Newton or Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert.

Truth be told, I don’t think the Panthers have decided anything for certain yet. General manager Marty Hurney is a methodical guy, who likes to go through a process and wait for an answer to become apparent.

Newton’s workout will be one more step in that process.Share

Panthers put tag on center Kalil

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:05:43 +0100

By Pat YasinskasThe Carolina Panthers continue to be the only NFC South team making news so far Tuesday. Our John Clayton reports the Panthers have placed the franchise tag on center Ryan Kalil.

That move should lock Kalil in at a one-year salary of about $10.5 million unless he and the team can work a long-term deal. I wouldn’t read too much into the fact the Panthers put the tag on Kalil, instead of defensive end Charles Johnson or running back DeAngelo Williams. This isn’t necessarily about playing ability. It’s more about protecting who the Panthers want to keep.

The Panthers must feel pretty confident about their ability to re-sign Johnson, who had 11.5 sacks last season. I also expect them to at least make an effort to re-sign Williams when a new labor agreement is finalized. Even if the Panthers don't sign Johnson or Williams, they have some decent alternatives at their position.

But the Panthers avoided some very big danger by putting the tag on Kalil. He’s become a Pro Bowl regular and is just hitting his prime. If he had hit the open market, he could have set a new salary bar for centers. This move gives Carolina more time to work on a deal that will keep Kalil for the long term. Keeping Kalil also means Carolina's offensive line should be a strength. The Panthers don't have a legitimate replacement for Kalil. With him on a line with tackles Jeff Otah and Jordan Gross and guard Travelle Wharton, the Panthers should be set up front.Share

Panthers keeping options open at No. 1

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:43:09 +0100

By Pat YasinskasAP Photo/Chuck BurtonCarolina general manager Marty Hurney (left), with owner Jerry Richardson (center), and president Danny Morrison, are evaluating who the Panthers will chose with the No. 1 pick in the April draft.As he drove to work early Friday morning, Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said he knew exactly what the Panthers’ draft board looks like. As he closed his car door to begin the walk to his Bank of America Stadium office, Hurney said goodbye to a caller only after offering words of caution.

“That will probably change before the end of the day,’’ Hurney said with a laugh.

But he wasn’t really joking. He simply was referring to the fact there are more than two months until the college draft and there are hundreds of prospects, many of whose names will go up and down Carolina’s draft board many times over.

Let’s narrow the scope, though, and talk what everyone wants to talk about. The Panthers hold the No. 1 overall pick.

Is there someone currently atop Carolina’s board?

Absolutely, Hurney said. Of course, he’s not ready to divulge who that is and that’s largely because, just like the rest of the draft board, the No. 1 spot could change between now and the draft. It’s early in the process. Although Carolina has changed coaches, from John Fox to Ron Rivera, it hasn’t changed at general manager.

If you know anything about Hurney, you know that he’s as methodical as they come and isn’t prone to making split-second decisions. He believes all the scouts and coaches have a voice and he wants to hear every one of them before making any final choices.

Carolina’s had its board up since December. It was tweaked some after the college bowl games. It’s been tweaked some more after the college all-star games and those results are still coming in. This weekend might be as important as any in Carolina’s draft preparation.

All the scouts arrived in town Thursday night. They were meeting first with Hurney and will continue to meet with the coaching staff later Friday, Saturday and Sunday to go over the prospects who will be attending the combine, which starts Feb. 23.

The results of the combine and individual workouts will factor in to Carolina’s ultimate decision at No. 1. Even if there is a change at the top of Carolina’s current draft board, Hurney admitted the Panthers have a pretty good idea of who the top alternatives are.

“We’re constantly trying to keep an open mind,’’ Hurney said. “But, honestly, I’d say there are anywhere from five to eight players who could qualify at this point. We’ll narrow that down as we move forward.’’

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Dave MartinWith no real clear No. 1, Auburn's Nick Fairley (right) sits atop most mock drafts in Carolina's spot.When Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck decided to stay in college, that left the draft void of a consensus No. 1 pick. Most experts are ranking Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley and Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers as the top two prospects. Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green and Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller are among the players most experts have rated highly.

Like a lot of general managers, Hurney’s always been one to talk about taking the best available player, although his track record gives some pretty strong indications of times when he’s drafted for needs. But as he holds the No. 1 pick for the first time in his career, Hurney is talking a little differently and that might provide one of the few clues he’s offering at this point.

“With the first pick, it’s about impact players,’’ Hurney said. “But it’s also about impact positions. Certain positions take priority.’’

Take that for what it’s worth, but I’m taking it to mean that Green and Miller probably aren’t priorities. Assuming the Panthers keep what they have, they’ve got a strong group of linebackers. Assuming Steve Smith stays (he’s been told to think about his future and if he wants to stay in Carolina, but there is no indication he has asked out), the Panthers don’t have a huge need at receiver. They drafted three -- Brandon LaFell, David Gettis and Armanti Edwards -- last year. LaFell and Gettis each showed promise as rookies and there is hope Edwards will blossom as he enters his second year of transitioning from college quarterback to NFL receiver.

If you’re talking about impact positions, you have to talk about quarterback. Hurney’s not about to give away any secret plans, but he’s not denying that position is in the mix of what the Panthers are looking at with the No. 1 pick.

Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert is the highest-rated quarterback by most experts. Auburn’s Cam Newton has drawn mixed reviews, but some say he can be a franchise quarterback.

The Panthers have to do their homework on Gabbert and Newton because they’re coming off a season in which they had disastrous quarterback play from Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen. Moore’s not under contract for 2011. Clausen will be back and Hurney and others in the organization still have hope he can develop into a solid starter.

But they know nothing is definite with Clausen. If they don’t draft a quarterback with the first pick, they’ll have to go get one through free agency or in a trade, and that would mean they probably would draft Bowers or Fairley.

All around the world, the gurus are debating if there’s a clear-cut No. 1 pick and if there’s a true franchise quarterback in this draft.

Funny thing is, none of those opinions really matter. The only people who will make that call are the guys gathering in Bank of America Stadium this weekend. They’ll go through the combine and the private workouts and they’ll supply Hurney with lots of input and information.

He’ll process it all and consult closely with Rivera. In the end, though, there is guaranteed to be a clear-cut No. 1 pick.

That will be whatever player Hurney decides is the No. 1 pick.Share

Parcells, Bledsoe and the Hall of Fame

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:56:53 +0100

By Tim GrahamI once heard Tom Donahoe, the former Buffalo Bills president and general manager, call quarterback Drew Bledsoe a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Then again, Donahoe used to say a lot of things.

I was reminded of this when taking a glance at players who will make their first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot for 2012.

Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan, who's on the Hall of Fame selection committee and last weekend was elected president of the Pro Football Writers Association, blogged the top newcomers to consider the next few years.

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Ed ZurgaBill Parcells and his former quarterback Drew Bledsoe will be on the Hall of Fame ballot next year.The lists are helpful in speculating when fan favorites such as Andre Reed and Curtis Martin will get their Canton calls. They both were finalists this year -- Reed for the fifth time, Martin for the first -- but weren't added to the 2011 induction class Saturday.

Perhaps that development was fitting for Martin because his coach with the New England Patriots and New York Jets will be on the ballot again. They could get in together in 2012.

Bill Parcells has been a finalist twice, but not since 2002 because rules for coaches changed. They now must wait five years from their last game to be eligible for induction, and Parcells returned to the sidelines with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003.

Is Parcells a Hall of Famer? I know Miami Dolphins fans aren't too thrilled with him these days, but he did add to an already remarkable legacy -- two championships, different teams to the Super Bowl, a few organizational turnarounds -- by guiding the Dolphins from 1-15 to the AFC East title as their football operations boss.

Also on the ballot next year will be Bledsoe, running backs Corey Dillon and Tiki Barber, fullback Mike Alstott, guard Will Shields and coaches Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer.

Bledsoe had a fine career with the Patriots, Bills and Cowboys and ranks eighth all-time in passing yards. But he was a Pro Bowler only four times and never was first-team All-Pro. Bledsoe was helpful in getting the Patriots their first championship, so he does have a ring. But that was Tom Brady's team.

Dillon also was a four-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. He ranks 17th in rushing yards and never led the league in a major rushing category.

Schottenheimer played for the Bills and Patriots before winning 61 percent of his regular-season games as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers. His 200 victories rank sixth all-time, but his 5-23 playoff record will hurt.

That group of first-time candidates -- plus the newcomers for 2013 -- bodes well for Reed. There won't be any new receivers for him to box out. He already has jockeyed ahead of contemporaries Cris Carter and Tim Brown by making the cut from 15 to 10 in the selection process the past two years. Carter and Brown haven't.

Gaughan highlighted first-year players for next few classes.

2013: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde, offensive linemen Larry Allen and Jonathan Ogden, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, defensive end Michael Strahan.

2014: Running back Shaun Alexander, receiver Marvin Harrison, linebacker Derrick Brooks, safety Rodney Harrison and coaches Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren -- if they don't return to sideline work.

2015: Quarterback Kurt Warner, receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, tackles Orlando Pace and Walter Jones and linebacker Junior Seau.Share

Panthers to introduce Rivera at 5 p.m.

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:56:30 +0100

By Pat YasinskasThe Carolina Panthers just announced they’ll hold a 5 p.m. news conference Tuesday. They’re expected to announce Ron Rivera as their new head coach.

Rivera already has begun the process of seeking out assistant coaches to fill out his staff. He reportedly already is showing interest in hiring former University of Pittsburgh and NFL coach Dave Wannstedt as his assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. But Rivera may have some competition for Wannstedt. The San Diego Chargers are interested in Wannstedt to fill Rivera's old job as defensive coordinator.