The Sick Puppies™: March 2011

McEachran shows his skill vs Iceland U21

Chelsea youngster, Josh McEachran played in England's Under-21 loss to Iceland on Monday....with good reason by the look of things.

Lucas signs long-term Liverpool deal

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

"We are delighted," manager Kenny Dalglish told the club's website.

"Certainly since I came in (in January) he has been a great asset to the team and has done tremendously well.

He's happy to be here and play for the club and he's getting everything he deserves at the moment."

Liverpool star tries to pull Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend

Liverpool striker David N’Gog allegedly tried to pull Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend last weekend

The Reds youngster attended JLS star Marvin Humes’ birthday bash at Soho club Alto, where he spent the majority of the evening chatting up Saturday’s singer Frankie Sandford.

A source told The Sun: “She thought he was just being friendly.

“Even when he tried to explain who he played for it drew a blank.

“David offered her his phone so she could punch in her number. But she thought he was asking for a picture and posed up with him, at which point everyone started laughing because it was obvious what he had been trying to do.

“He sloped off afterwards. It was really embarrassing and awkward for him.”

Scolari: I tried to swap Didier Drogba for Adriano

"It was my fault that I could not control the locker room in different situations,” he told Arena Sportv.

“I tried to do something about that and I tried to sign Robinho, because I wanted someone who could improvise. In England, you need someone like that.

“I also tried a switch to release Drogba for Adriano, because Adriano was having some problems at Inter. I told the directors that I could manage his behaviour problems."

She was spotted being whisked away to his house in the small hours of the morning, but her identity remained a mystery.

But today it was revealed by the Daily Mail and The Sun that Ashley Cole's new girlfriend is actress Annie Cooper, who is about to join the cast of Hollyoaks.

Annie, 27, was snapped in the back of a car with the Chelsea footballer's publicist Jade Reuben, who tried to block the cameras taking her picture with her hand.

A source told the paper: 'Ashley was enjoying being single but was taken by Annie after a friend introduced them.

'He didn't want it all coming out as it's early days. He wanted to be confident Annie could handle the attention.'

Balotelli throws darts at youth team players

Manchester City are set to discuss Mario Balotelli's disciplinary issues after the striker was reportedly caught throwing darts from a first floor window.

The People claims that Balotelli lobbed the missiles in the direction of youth team players because he was "bored".

The incident occurred at City's Carrington training complex, and the club said nobody was injured.

However, the volatile striker could still face a fine for his actions, and a club spokesman said: "The matter will be dealt with internally."

Memories: Rafa Benitez's Interview (16/01/2010)

A typical Rafa Benitez interview were he kept referring to the "27,000" people to stay diplomatic, while trying to hide his upset at a referee's decision.

Heitinga wants Champions League football

Heitinga pointed out to the Sunday Mirror: "Distin and Jagielka are big guys, almost half a head bigger than me.

"The manager prefers power in central defense. But I am convinced I can supply that power too. I am not 6 feet 6inches tall, but I don't lose any headers. I proved that against many top class strikers.

"When I watch the Champions League on tv, my stomach turns. I used to hear the hymn of the Champions League as an Ajax player in the stadium. Now I am lying on a couch in front of the telly here in England on such nights.

"I want to be in Europe again. I want to get there with Everton, but it is a big fight. We have a lot of competition.''

Van Nistelrooy wants Premier League return

Ruud van Nistelrooy has declared that he is ready to return to the Premier League in the summer.

Van Nistelrooy said: “I am thinking about a nice club in England after this season.
“Or a club in Spain, but I don’t think Real Madrid will come again after their efforts to bring me back in the January transfer window.”

Van Nistelrooy went on: “I have decided that if a really big European club does approach me, I will accept a role as reserve striker.

“I would have accepted that too if the deal with Real Madrid had come off in January.

“They knew I was ready to step in when needed.’’

Leaked: Chelsea Home Shirt for 2011-2012 Season

A photo has been leaked on the Internet showing what looks like Chelsea’s new jersey for the 2011-2012 season. We’ll have to wait and see whether this is the actual one when we get official confirmation in the coming months.

The design features a classic Adidas template with the blue shirt and white trim, and white piping down the side of the shirt.

David Luiz makes Chelsea Champions League vow

David Luiz says Chelsea can win the Champions League without him, and he will share his team-mates’ joy even though he cannot play alongside them.

He said: "I can’t play, but I am with the team. Now in this phase of the Champions League it is difficult to choose who you want to play. Every team is difficult."

He denied frustrations at having to sit out the tie, saying: "The happiness of my team-mates will be my own happiness."

41-year-old Lehmann recently came out of retirement to serve as an emergency goalkeeper for the Gunners as they fight for the Premier League title and retired Bayern Munich and Germany legend Oliver Kahn has made a jibe against his old rival Jens Lehmann.

"We can see how difficult it is for many to find a fulfilling, meaningful job after leaving professional sports," Kahn told Bild. However, he added: "From a sporting perspective, he can certainly help out for some games. The whole situation is further evidence of the goalkeeper malaise in England."

“Ancelotti will definitely leave Chelsea this summer” - Frank Leboeuf

In a remarkable interview with Talksport the ex-Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf has admitted that Carlo Ancelotti will definitely be leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.

Leboeuf was asked if he thought that Ancelotti would be leaving at the end of the season and he seemed certain of the fact when he replied: “Definitely, I’ve heard some names already and I’m pretty sure there is going to be a change.

“It’s a pity in a way because Ancelotti could be a good manager but seeing the results, the atmosphere and the form right now it could be useful to change managers, but I think we will have to change some players to stop the problem coming back again.”

“Chelsea is a big club but the players are the bosses and they decide to do what they want.

“When a coach comes to Chelsea he doesn’t really see himself as King of the club. When you play for Manchester United you have Sir Ferguson as a leader and when you play for Arsenal you have Mr Wenger as a leader.”

Roman continues to shake things up

It's being reported today following Frank Arnesen's decision to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, that head of Senior Scouting, Lee Congerton has been placed on gardening leave at the club after he has agreed to join Arnesen in Hamburg as Technical Director.

Abramovich is reported to have told Congerton not to come back to Chelsea and has been placed on gardening leave which to me seems like a good move as Chelsea plan for the summer.

Exclusive: Agent admits Aguero could leave Atletico

According to Sport.co.uk, Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero will decide on his future in the summer with Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester City the frontrunners for the wonderkid’s signature who is rumored to be leaving the Vicente Calderon at the end of the season.

The website spoke exclusively with the player’s representative who denied that the player was in talks, or had been offered to any club’s, but did confirm a decision would be reached in the summer regarding his client’s future.

Santos president Luiz Alvaro de Oliveira admits he expects to cash in on Ganso during 2011.

"I spoke with the player and he said he wanted to try a new experiences abroad," revealed Oliveira. "Until now, the chances that Ganso would leave Santos were zero. After the Copa Libertadores it could be 15%, 50% at year's end.

"We will battle to the end so the price for him runs in our favor. "

No Blues talks for Borini

Fabio Borini's agent claims Chelsea are yet to offer his client a new deal, paving the way for a summer exit.

"Fabio is fine, he has recovered from injury and is available again," Marco De Marchi told Itasportpress.it.

"He has been playing in Chelsea's reserve team and doing well.

"His contract will expire on 30th June and I don't know anything about a possible renewal. I have not spoken to anyone at Chelsea.

"Negotiations about a move to Parma? In January the two clubs couldn't reach an agreement, but Parma are still interested. Talks could resume in the summer.

"He is a striker that is tempting many clubs because managers appreciate not only his physical attributes, but also his character.

"There are many clubs interested in him - in Italy, England and all over the world.

"At the moment it is too early to say what will happen. We will have to wait and see what happens over the coming months."

Chelsea snap up Piazon

Breaking news in Brazil this evening suggests that long-term youth target Lucas Piazon has agreed to join Chelsea from Sao Paulo when he turns 18, for a reported fee of €10m.

The news has been confirmed by Sao Paulo themselves.

Touted as ‘the new Kaka’, Piazon was initially linked with a move to West London two years ago as a fifteen year-old, and has since gone on to impress in Sao Paulo’s youth teams.

He is set to travel to England at the end of the current international tournament for medical tests and to sign paperwork, before arriving at the end of the year after turning 18, in line with FIFA laws.

Tottenham's new shirts to show how tired players are

Tottenham Hotspur shirts could contain a “computer” that relays players’ biometric signals such as heart rate and temperature to coaching staff and even broadcasters from the start of the 2012-13 season.

Last week, the club signed a five-year kit deal with American sports clothing manufacturer Under Armour, and the company has confirmed that it is planning to include its “E39” technology in the shirts.

It is comprised of sensors that send second-by-second updates on everything from a player’s heart rate to core body temperature, breathing rate and acceleration.

Smartphones and laptops receive the data so that coaching staff can monitor players’ fitness and performance during training and matches.

He told Matchday Live: “He’s a great leader. He’s skippered Chelsea to many trophies and he’s led Chelsea along the way.

“But I look at the situation and there’s an argument to say is he going to play? Because there are a lot of good centre halves coming through now.

“Is he good enough to still be in the England side? I think he is at the moment and I’ve got no problems at all with him being skipper.

“He’s been there, he knows how to be a skipper. He’s made a mistake but he’s learnt from that and every time he’s gone out he’s given 110% when he’s put an England shirt on so why shouldn’t he be skipper.”

Torres: I wouldn't have joined Man Utd

He said: "This club and this city offer me all I need to achieve my dream. When I left Spain for Liverpool I thought it was the definitive move in my life but that turned out not to be the case. I've maybe got five and a half more top-class years in my career and you have to do everything in your power to achieve your dreams, which is why Chelsea is ideal.

"I wouldn't have joined Manchester United out of respect for the Liverpool fans, I wouldn't sign for Real Madrid because of my support for Atlético. Barcelona don't need my type of player and Italy doesn't attract me, which meant it had to be Chelsea.

"They were the only ones where I could go and also improve myself. I'd started to take the decision to leave when the stream of sales started with Crouch and Arbeloa then Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano were all sold."

Michael Essien's father to sue his own son!

The Sun says James Essien says he has instructed a lawyer in Ghana to take the case on against Chelsea midfielder Michael, who he has not spoken to for 10 years.

Essien Snr claims Michael's mother is lying by telling people he never took care of his son when he was a small child.

He said: "I will take Michael to court to get him to stop using the Essien name. I have a lawyer who wants to help me achieve this aim.

"If we achieve my aim then everyone will know he is no longer my son.

"The name has blessings on it and that's why he has been a great player."

Shocking: 13-year-old sues football club over shirt sale

Lots of fans have been there, buying your clubs replica shirt with the name and number of a player applied at the back and then witnessing the departure of the player from the club, and thus rendering the shirt as somehow 'useless'

Some decide to save it, some throw it aside, others just put it in the trash can; but we've found a young gentlemen who has solved the problem in a unique manner.

Thirteen year old Reading fan, Jon McGhee, paid £42 for a Reading shirt and had the name of his hero, Gylfi Sigurdsson, printed at the back of it.

Rumors about Ajax teenage sensation Christian Eriksen moving to Liverpool have grown after Liverpool assistant manager Samy Lee was spotted monitoring the progress of the young midfielder.

However the Dane revealed he would reject a move to the English side under current circumstances.

"If I got an offer from Liverpool right now, I believe I would reject it,” he told the Danish media.

"Ajax is a good club for me at the moment and I believe it will be that for a couple of years.

"If I did move, it would have to be to FC Barcelona."

Views: Is Tottenham's £160M “Impossible Dream” a joke?

In the aftermath of a great night for Tottenham, where the English club managed to hold on to a goalless home draw against AC Milan and eventually reach the last eight of the Champions League, manager Harry Redknapp claimed Tottenham were living the “impossible dream”

However, looking at the numbers, we at Sick Puppies are rather surprised by the comments.

Having spent about £160m on transfers over the last three seasons excluding wages, reaching the later stages of the Champions League should surely be their ambition rather than an 'impossible dream'.

We share the numbers with you and let you make up your mind:

Van Persie was scathing about Swiss referee Massimo Busacca questioning why was he even officiating the match after a second booking in the second-half for shooting after the whistle had gone saw him sent off.

"My sending off was hugely influential on the outcome of the match," Van Persie told Sky Sports.

"It was a total joke. How can I hear the whistle when there are 95,000 fans jumping up and making noise.

"He's (Busacca) been bad all evening and I don't know why he's here.

"They are unbelievable these people."

Chelsea legend linked with shock return to management

Former Chelsea chief Gianluca Vialli is in the frame for a shock return to management as caretaker boss at Serie A outfit Juventus, as current coach Gigi Del Neri is facing the boot.

It has been nearly nine years since Vialli was in his last managerial post at Watford, but Tuttosport have reported that the Italian is the perfect man to replace Del Neri, at least in the short term, as the Vecchia Signora are currently sitting in 7th place in the league and struggling to cement European football for next season.

Vialli enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge winning the 1997 FA Cup as a player, but also impressed there in his first ever managerial post.

Manchester United winger Nani could be facing a lengthy lay-off after suffering a deep gash in his leg during the 3-1 Premier League defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

Nani, United's most creative player this season, was caught on the shin by a dangerous tackle from Jamie Carragher shortly before half-time and was taken off on a stretcher.

Redknapp: Bale deserves award

Harry Redknapp believes that Gareth Bale deserves to be crowned the PFA Player of the Year.

“I can’t think who else should beat him,” the Spurs boss said.

“I think over the season he deserves it, and I’m not saying that because he has played here.

“He has been out for a few weeks but I don’t think anyone else could beat him. (Samir) Nasri has had a good season but he has not played so well recently.”

Mourinho escapes 'knife attack'

After arriving at La Coruna airport last Friday, before Madrid’s goalless draw at Deportivo, Mourinho was signing autographs when a man attempted to attack him.

Not realising the assailant was armed, a member of the club’s security staff intervened, receiving a small stab wound that went un-noticed until he was on the team bus.

It was reported that the guard initially thought he had only been punched. The attack was caught on CCTV cameras and police are hunting for the suspect.

Despite the incident having occurred a week previously, Madrid sought to keep the incident quiet until radio station Cadena Ser reported the attack.

Cadena Ser quoted a club source saying there will be increased security for the game against Racing Santander this weekend.

Video: David Luiz Punks Di Maria

David Luiz plays a prank on Di Maria in Lisbon, when they were playing at Benfica.

Chris Smalling banned by hotel after partying following Chelsea loss

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling banned by hotel after partying following his team's loss against Chelsea.

Reports suggest that Smalling partied in his suite until 04:30 after the defeat to Chelsea, which caused the hotel authorities to ban him from staying there again.

According to The Sun, the 21-year-old and his friends managed to damage a wardrobe and cause disturbance to other people staying at the hotel.

Kolo Toure fails drugs test

City confirmed in a statement that Toure had been suspended after testing positive for a specified substance "pending the outcome of the legal process".

The City statement added: "There will be no further comment from the football club at this stage."

LEAKED: Arsenal Home Shirt for 2011-12

The shirt ought to be primarily red with sleeves. Arsenal will be celebrating their 125th anniversary this year and this is reflected around their crest which displays the words ’125th anniversary’ surrounded by gold wreath.

The picture most probably shows a fake shirt made from the designs of the actual kit, but nevertheless gives us a great idea about what to expect The Gunners to be wearing next year.

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