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Berlusconi Reveals Shevchenko's Chelsea Desire

AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi stated this morning that super-striker Andriy Shevchenko wants to move to London.
“Shevchenko wants to go England ,” Berlusconi revealed to some young kids who asked him to say hi to the Ukraine super-striker.

It has been almost a year now that rumours have been linking Shevchenko to Chelsea , owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abrahmovic.

With Shevchenko now almost certainly a Chelsea player, AC Milan will probably concentrate all their efforts on signing Arsenal king Thierry Henry.

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Shevchenko Admits He's Considering Leaving Milan

AC Milan's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko has revealed he is considering leaving the Rossoneri this summer - for family reasons.

Shevchenko, 29, who has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, thi evening read out a statement confirming reports that he may leave the San Siro after a seven-year stay.

"It's pointless trying to hide things from the fans," he said.

"I'm thinking of leaving because of my family. I spoke to the president and we discussed the possibility. No definite decision has been made."

The Ukraine international said he would call another press conference when he decides where his future lies.

Earlier today, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi dropped a broad hint about Shevchenko's likely destination.

Speaking to a group of students in front of the prime minister's office, the former Italy president is reported by the website of Gazzetta dello Sport to have said: "Do you know that Shevchenko wants to leave? He wants to go to England."

And Chelsea are in the market for a world-class striker...

The former European Footballer of the Year joined Milan from Dynamo Kiev in 1999. He will captain Ukraine at the World Cup this summer in Germany.

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Ballack Expecting Chelsea Move

German playmaker Michael Ballack has as good as confirmed that he'll join Chelsea this summer.
The 29-year-old insisted it was time to leave Bayern Munich after four years at the club, but admitted nothing had yet been signed with the Premiership champions.

He told German TV channel Premiere: "The time has come for me to move.

"When I came to Bayern, general manager Uli Hoeness told me 'when you're 29, you can still move abroad'.

"I turned down an offer from Real Madrid at the time, which was very attractive."

He added that he had "no doubt" he will be playing at Stamford Bridge next year, but added "nothing has yet been signed."

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Lyon To Offer 45 Million For Drogba?

Lyon President Jean- Michel Aulas is reportedly ready to make a lunge for Chelsea’s questioned number 15 Didier Drogba. The Frenchman is expected to bid as high as 45 million Euros in an effort to bring the Ivory Coast ace to the flamboyant French champions.

“We’ve been following Drogba for a number of years now and are prepared to pay in the region of 40 million Euros to get him under contract with us” said Jean-Michel Aulas, desperate to bring another Mourinho offcut to Lyon after the Tiago deal worked well.

The initiative forms part of a concerted push out of France now that the Gallic league has become something off an easy target for the Lyonaise. Management and fans are focusing on capitalising on the excellent Champions League image to launch a realistic bid to win European silverware next season.

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Rui Costa Turns Down Qatar

AC Milan number 10 man Rui Costa has turned down a highly lucrative offer coming out of Qatar that would like to lure the Portuguese veteran off to the Arabian peninsula for six months – and a fairly tempting tax-free 5 million Euros.

Rui Costa has made it clear that family interests would take precedence over any financial attraction that a Qatari offer could provide; particularly his two children.

It’s also a poorly-kept secret that the playmaker would nostalgically give preference to a return to Florentina or Portugal’s Benfica.

The ball’s now in the AC Milan court, as Rui conditioned talks about any potential renewal to a lack of Rossoneri commitments in the Champions league.

“If Milan and I mutually agree that I’m in good enough shape to complete the year left on my contract; I’ll complete it. If not, then we’ll sit down and talk things over. Anything’s possible – a new career move or and end to it” the player said.

He’s never hidden his deep sympathies for Benfica, but original optimism from Lisbon has turned into scepticism that he’ll never be offered a tempting contract at Da Luz after four years of the same insistent rumour. Perhaps 2006-7 will finally be the season that sees his eclipsing star shine once more in Portugal.

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Sávio Plays Zaragoza Swansong

Veteran striker Sávio will put the finishing touch to three year with Real Zaragoza this weekend in Sunday’s La Liga last match against Mallorca. It’s likely that the Brazilian will also say ‘Adios’ – or ‘Hasta luego’ – to Spain after nine years spent mainly in Iberia with Real Madrid and Zaragoza, although not forgetting his stint with Bordeaux.

Sávio’s contract actually expires at the end of 2006, but the player has decided to return home for personal reasons, and that swayed the club into granting the player a shortening of his contractual obligations with no recourse to any fines. The player recently lost his father and feels the need to rediscover his roots.

“My father was a very special person for me. When he passed away I went over and spent some time in Brazil. After spending this time back home I realised just how much I needed to return to live there again. I talked to the Zaragoza management and they understood my situation”, explained the left-sided centre-forward.

Sávio has scored a total of 29 goals in a Zaragoza jersey that the Brazilian wore for 131 matches; most of which as part of the starting eleven. In his last home game for the Aragonese club he was given a standing ovation by fans and hoisted up on the shoulders of his team-mates in a palpable show of gratitude for the shy player’s services.

“I was really overwhelmed by that lap of honour that the lads gave me. I’ve been lucky enough to spend three very special years here at Zaragoza – everybody from the management, the ground staff, the players to the people in the street have been really great. The fans are also really special and I’ll always carry Zaragoza in my heart wherever I am”, he explained.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Sávio would like to play out his final years on a Carioca pitch, but will need to wait until the 3rd of August when the transfer window swings open again for the Brazilian league. “I’m going to enjoy my holidays in Rio and see what’s best for me and especially my family. To play once more at Maracanã, the stage I became famous on, would be amazing – and I hope to soon announce which great club I’ll be joining.”, ended an upbeat Sávio.

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Inter Offer 12 Million Euros For Jorge Andrade

Jorge Andrade could be on his way to join selecção tem-mate Luís Figo at Inter Milan next season, is reports emanating from Portugal are correct – and 12 million Euros is an acceptable price for Deportivo La Coruña’s Lendoiro.

The Portuguese international centre-back is currently still convalescing from the knee injury that saw him cut from Felipão’s list of Germany untouchables , and will see him making an expected return in September.

Deportivo’s emperor-like President Augusto César Lendoiro has previously denied that the player – one of Mourinho’s regular men at FC Porto – would be transferred out of Galicia for less than 20 million Euros, but the Nerazzuri are looking for a snip due to the player’s injury and collateral risk for the future. After Woodgate’s saga in Madrid, such an outcome is sadly not a remote possibility.

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Domi Joins Olympiacos

Olympiacos, who seem to be unstoppable so far in the Greek transfer market, having already signed four new players, have now announced their agreement with the French defender Didier Domi.

The 28-year-old left-footed player signed a four-year long contract with the newly-crowned Greek double winners. He leaves Spanish side Espanyol.

Domi started his career with Paris Saint Germain and has also played for Newcastle United and Leeds United in England.

An official statement from Olympiacos read:

OLYMPIACOS CFP hereby announces the agreement between the club and French football player Didier Domi for the next three years. Domi is expected in Athens on May 16, in order to be submitted to the necessary medical examinations.

“I want titles with my new team,” said Domi in his first statement after the deal, adding: “I’ll try for the best. I chose Olympiacos because they are like Barcelona. As Barcelona is the top team in Spain so is Olympiacos top club in Greece.”

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The Rumour Mill - 14th May

It's that time of year again. Newspapers are full of transfer speculation as players near the end of their contracts and managers assess their needs for next season and make decisions about their playing staffs.

A trawl through the press reveals the following 'stories,' which may be true or false, fanciful or possible.

Only time will tell, but here is a selection of what's being suggested:


- David Beckham is on the verge of signing a deal that will keep him at Real Madrid for life. (The People)

- Ruud van Nistelrooy could still be at Old Trafford next season if Manchester United don't receive an offer in excess of £12 million for him. (Daily Star)

- Manchester United's Giuseppe Rossi and Gerard Pique are the targets for a host of clubs wanting to take them on loan next season. (Daily Star)

- Chelsea will offer AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo as part of the bait to capture Andriy Shevchenko. (News of the World)

- Harry Redknapp might offer Everton's out-of-contract striker Duncan Ferguson a deal at Portsmouth. (News of the World)

- Andy Johnson of Crystal Palace is wanted by Everton, Liverpool and Wigan (Daily Express), but Arsenal are favourites to sign the striker - for £8 million. (Sunday Mirror)

- Chelsea will sign Feyenoord striker Salomon Kalou. (News of the World)

- But Blues' striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is wanted by Newcastle (The People), as is Blackburn's defender Lucas Neill (Daily Star).

- However, the Magpies will offload Jean-Alain Boumsong, Albert Luque, Lee Bowyer, Celestine Babayaro, Titus Bramble, Craig Moore and Nicky Butt. (News of the World)

- Hull City manager Peter Taylor will take over from Alan Curbishley as Charlton Athletic's boss, and appoint Ray Wilkins as his assistant. (News of the World)

- Paul Jewell wants to bring West Bromwich Albion striker Nathan Ellington back to Wigan. (The People)

- Spurs will increase their rejected offer of £3 million to Wigan for Pascal Chimbonda. (The People)

- Charlton's England full-back Luke Young is wanted by Bayern Munich, among other Bundesliga clubs. (Various)

- Birmingham will sell winger Jermaine Pennant for £5 million, with Liverpool among those interested. (News of the World)

- Middlesbrough striker Yakubu wants Martin O'Neill to become the new managaer at The Riverside. (Sunday Mirror)

- But sources at Crystal Palace reckon Eagles' boss Iain Dowie will take over at Middlesbrough. (Daily Star)

- Andriy Shevchenko will be part of a new strike partnership at Chelsea, along with Argentina's Carlos Tevez, who is close to signing from Corinthians. (The Sun)

- Craig Bellamy (Blackburn) and Darren Bent (Charlton) are heading for Liverpool, whose manager Rafael Benitez also wants Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea) and Ludovic Giuly (Barcelona). (Daily Express)

- Liverpool players Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Djimi Traore are likely to be released. (The Times)

- Manchester United will bid for Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra. Lyon will ask for £5 million plus Ruud van Nistelrooy. (Daily Star)

- Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires will leave if does not start the Champions League final on Wednesday. Villareal, Bolton and Blackburn are all ken on signing him. (The Times)

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Chelsea Will Unveil Ballack On Monday

Chelsea will unveil Michael Ballack as their first signing of the summer at a press conference on Monday.

The German star will become the highest paid footballer in World football when he joins the Premiership champions on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old is parting company with Bayern Munich after four years with the German giants and after a lengthy procedure has agreed to sign for Chelsea.

After sealing the signing of the playmaker Jose Mourinho will turn his attentions to landing Andriy Shevchenko.

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Official: Ballack Joins Chelsea

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Germany captain Michael Ballack on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

The 29-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Blues after rejecting the offer of a new contract at Bayern where his deal was set to expire in June.

Ballack was jeered by the fans as he made his last appearance against Boruissia Dortmund at the weekend.

The move will increase competition for places in an already packed Chelsea midfield.

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Liverpool After Benayoun

West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun is being linked with a £6 million move to Liverpool.

The Israeli star impressed in Saturday’s FA Cup final between the two sides and has generally been one of the club’s most consistent performers since his £2.5 million transfer from Racing Santander last summer.

The Hammers will be reluctant to let go of the 25-year-old but may find a big-money offer too tempting to turn down.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has reportedly been given a £20 million transfer kitty to reinforce the squad this summer.

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The Rumour Mill - 15th May

It's that time of year again. Newspapers are full of transfer speculation as players near the end of their contracts and managers assess their needs for next season and make decisions about their playing staffs.

A trawl through the press reveals the following 'stories,' which may be true or false, fanciful or possible.

Only time will tell, but here is a selection of what's being suggested:


- Barcelona's Giovanni van Bronckhorst tips his former Arsenal team-mate, Wednesday's Champions League opponent Thierry Henry, to join the Primera Liga title winners this summer. (Daily Express)

- Chelsea unveil Michael Ballack at Stamford Bridge today, on wages reputedly costing the club £130,000 a week. (Various)

- West Ham's Yossi Benayoun is set to join the team that beat the Hammers in the FA Cup final - Liverpool, whose manager Rafael Benitez has been monitoring his progress for some time. (Daily Mirror)

- Tottenham will make their third offer today for Wigan right-back Pascal Chimbonda after he was named in France's World Cup squad. Offers of £2 million and £3 million have already been rejected but Spurs are prepared to increase thir bid again. (The Times)

- Chelsea'sWilliams Gallas missed the Premiership champions' club's weekend parade, heightening speculation about his future. Gallas wants to leave Stamford Bridge, but manager Jose Mourinho says the defender is not for sale. (Daily Telegraph)

- Czech star Libor Sionko is due to fly into Glasgow today to sign for Rangers on a 'Bosman-free' from Austria Vienna. (Daily Record)

- Hearts' SFA Cup final goalscorer on Saturday, Rudi Skacel, will quit Tynecastle in the summer because he is still upset about George Burley being sacked earlier in the season. (Daily Record)

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Frey Is All For Fiorentina

Champions League bound Fiorentina have gained full ownership over French keeper Sebastian Frey.
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The purple outfit dished out 5 million Euros to Parma, who had loaned out the former Inter starlet to Fiorentina for this season.

Frey has not played since December, when he suffered a knee injury as a result of a clash with Juve striker Zalayeta in Italian Cup action.

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Liverpool Want Me, Says Alves

Sevilla defender Daniel Alves has claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing him this summer.

The Brazilian right-back, who has also been linked with a move to Barcelona, helped Sevilla to lift the Uefa Cup this season.

"Liverpool have a great team and a great manager. It makes me very proud that they are interested in me," Alves told the Liverpool Echo.

"Liverpool is an appetising option because of the Spanish coach they have and because of the players they have there because they are from Spain, too.

"They will help me adapt and that makes it easier. I now have to make a decision.

"It makes me very proud that some of Europe's big teams have shown an interest in me. For every player, playing at the highest level is an objective - and clubs like Liverpool are at the top now."

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Hopeful Wenger's Focus Turns To Henry

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hoping that club captain Thierry Henry will reject the overtures of Barcelona and othr potential suitors in Spain and Italy, and commit his future to the Gunners.

Henry, 28, is out of contract at the end of next season and could then leave Arsenal for nothing. So if he does not intend to stay it is in th London club's interests to sell him to the highest bidder - probably Barcelona - this summer.

Yet the prolific striker is such a talisman to Arsenal, and so central to Wenger's team, that keeping him at the club is the number one priority now after Barca ended Arsenal's Champions League hopes on Wednesday.

When asked if he thought Henry would leave the club, Wenger said: "I don't know. I don't think so."

The player himself has repeatedly stressed that he will decide on his club future before leaving for World Cup duty with France.

Wenger added: "There's not long to wait now and I will try to talk to him because we have to prepare for next season.

"We have many young players in our team. We have a big future as a big team but we need Thierry Henry to achieve that.

"He has such an influence on our side and can help us become a major force in the world."

Henry would not be drawn into revealing his intentions in the imediate aftermath of Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Barca at the Stade de France in his home city, Paris.

However, he did drop a hint when he said: "We must pick ourselves up and make sure we come back stronger next year".

Meanwhile, Henry's former international team-mate, Laurent Blanc, said the time had come for Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer - with 214 goals - to pledge his future to the North London club.

"After seven years at Arsenal, Thierry doesn't have too many options after losing this final," Blanc told the Daily Express newspaper.

"I thought before the final that an Arsenal victory would complete the job for him. He has won Premierships and the FA Cup, so the Champions League would have meant there was nothing left.

"But losing means Thierry has unfinished business and is likely to stay with Arsene Wenger."

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Ferguson Pursuing The 'New Ronaldinho'

Manchester United are reportedly close to agreeing a £6 million deal for Cruzeiro's Kerlon Moura Souza - an 18-year-old Brazilian star hailed as the 'New Ronaldinho.'

According to The Times newspaper, a Manchester United delegation flew to Brazil this week to meet officials from Cruzeiro, and are hoping to sign the youngster in the next few days.

United have also inquired about signing Edu Dracena, the 24-year-old Cruzeiro captain and central defender.

"We are always ready to listen to offers for Kerlon," Zezé Perrella, the Cruzeiro vice-president, told The Times.

"We have had a lot of interest in him and we have been in close contact with an English team, but right now we are not there on the money."

Kerlon apparently impressed United manager Sir Alex Ferguson while playing for Brazil in the South American Under-17 Championship in Venezuela last year.

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Totti’s Wish List

The Roma captain indicated his preferred transfer market targets for this summer.
Francesco Totti has revealed who are on top of his wish list to partner him in attack next season: Thierry Henry and Filippo Inzaghi.

These two players are obviously very difficult targets for Roma, but Totti would see them as his ideal shoulder for a phenomenal attack.

However, it is highly unlikely that the Giallorossi can manage to clinch any of these two players, due to the club’s current financial situation.

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Larsson Has No Regrets At Leaving

A key figure in the Champions League final, Barcelona's Henrik Larsson does not regret his decision to leave the Catalan giants at the end of the season.

Larsson set up both goals in the 2-1 win aginst in Paris after coming on as a 61st minute substitute.

But he turned down the offer of a new contract at Barca in order to sign an 18-month contract with his home-town club, Helsingborg.

"I'm almost 35 years old," he told BBC Sport. "I've got kids and they need to understand how we live in Sweden.

"My house there is finished and we need to go back there."

The former Celtic striker also admitted that lack of first-team opportunities at Camp Nou had influenced his decision.

"I want to play football. I feel I haven't played as much as I would love to because of the great players we have at Barcelona," he said.

"I maybe have one or two more years playing at a decent level and I want to do that playing for 90 minutes."

After setting up both Barca goals at the Stade de France, playing in Samuel Eto'o for the equaliser and then passing to fellow substitute Juliano Belletti for the winner, Larsson explained:

"My job was to come on and try and move and open up the defence.

"Frank Rijkaard's instructions were to stay central and move and try to win it."

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Petit Prepared For Manchester United

Benfica and Portugal midfielder Petit, 29, has confirmed recent embryonic rumours that Manchester United are interested in taking the ‘pit bull’ up from Da Luz to Old Trafford. After the exit of Tiago, Petit has proved his worth as a midfield regular with the Encarnados.


“Yes, it’s true that there’s interest being shown by Manchester United” the player told Portuguese radio station ‘Renacença’, “as well as from other teams, but I’m really trying to concentrate on the Selecção. If a mutually interesting offer is made then we’ll all sit down to talk it over”.

“I’m ready to play wherever my work is appreciated, but as the President [Vieira] said to me recently, the club [Benfica] is still counting on my services. Any player would relish the chance to play for Manchester, but my future, for now, is contractually with Benfica” added the player.

Fact File

Name: Armando G. Teixeira
Nickname: Petit / 'Petit Bull'
Nationality: Portuguese
DOB 25/09/1976 (29 y.o.)
Born: Strasburg - France
Position: Midfielder
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 71 kg

Previous Clubs: Boavista, Gil Vicente, Esposende, União Lamas, Gondomar, Esposende, Boavista (juniors), Bom Pastor (juniors)

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WE HAVE THIERY HENRY
HES STAYING PUT
WE`VE GOT THIERRY HENRY

Pires Set To Stay After Henry Plea

Following Thierry Henry's commitment to another four years with Arsenal, Robert Pires is also expected to stay at the North London Club. Henry requested that his 32-year-old friend and compatriot be offered the two-year contract he is seeking.

Pires made a sorrowful exit from Wednesday's Champions League final as the outfield player sacrificed when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off. It was widely regarded to be his last game for the Gunners, and the attacking midfielder was expected to head for Villarreal in Spain's Primera Liga.

However, thanks to the plea frm club captain Henry, Arsenal are now believed to have tabled the offer that will see Pires remain in North London beyond the expiry of his current contract in six weeks' time.

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Rui Costa Rescinds Milan Contract

The Rossoneri number 10 jersey has just become available as Portuguese veteran Rui Costa (ex-Fiorentina / Benfica) and AC Milan have mutually brought the link between player and club to an end.

After spending a few days in Portugal with friends and family, Rui headed back to Milan and a meeting with the AC management that ended with the contract that was due to expire in June 2007 being cut short.

Geovanni Branchini, the player’s agent, actively sought out the AC Milan execs to express Rui Costa’s feeling that he’d prefer to be cut loose if next season was going to be a repeat ordeal of the 2005-6 season where the playmaker was used sparingly by Ancelotti.

Rui Costa is now much closer to making the Benfica return that many Encarnados have yearned for as the rescission of the existing contract means that the Lisbon giants won’t have to fork out any troublesome penalty clause.

When asked how he felt after both Nuno Gomes and Simão had heaped praise on the number 10, Rui responded “Coming from friends like that in a club that I’ve played for means a lot. I feel homesick for Portugal, for Benfica – for all of the things that link me to my land.”

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Player Turnover At Stamford Bridge?

Transfer speculation is rife at Chelsea, with a number of players being linked with moves in or out of the Premiership champions this summer.

While Maniche has been released and Michael Ballack has already signed from Bayern Munich, the London club are trying to persuade AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko to join, and Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, currently with Brazilian club Corinthians, is another target.

Meanwhile Brazil's left-back Roberto Carlos has revealed that he has been offered a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge, but is still hoping to negotiate a new contract at Real Madrid. It is not clear, however, that the 33-year-old is still wanted at Real, a club in a state of upheaval with presidential elections looming.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has indicated that Eidur Gudjohnsen, Glen Johnson, Carlton Cole, Robert Huth, Hernan Crespo and Asier del Horno can leave.

But Didier Drogba, like Wayne Bridge and William Gallas (who remains hopeful his wish will be granted) now wants to go as well.

"I want to move on and avoid all the pressure and scandals," Drogba said on Friday. "Those things hurt my feelings."

However, Mourinho reacted by insisting that Drogba - who interests Lyon and Roma - was not for sale. "He is one of the players we consider not negotiable," he said. "He has no chance to leave and he has to play for Chelsea. If he plays with happiness, fantastic. We get the best of him. If he doesn't play with happiness, he doesn't play. So it's his problem."

Drogba, 28, signed for Chelsea two years ago for £24 million from Marseilles, but apparently believes that some stars at Stamford Bridge only play for themselves, raising questions about harmony within the squad.

The Ivory Coast striker has scored 32 goals in 59 games for the Blues, but is said to be unhappy with Chelsea's style of play and to have become disenchanted with being a lone striker. He reportedly wants a change in tactics.

He feels he takes too much of the criticism on his own shoulders and is unhappy with the fans' reaction to him, especially over claims that he is a diver.

Drogba was especially disappointed by the lack of support he felt he received after a TV interview in the wake of the 2-0 victory over Manchester City when he scored both goals but handled the ball for the first and then appeared to suggest that he did sometimes dive.

He later claimed he didn't understand the interviewer's question and feels he was not helped by anyone at Chelsea.

So the Ivorian would like to leave but is understood to accept that the chances of his being allowed to go are slim. Instead he is hoping that the atmosphere at the club improves and that the team starts playing in a more expansive way.

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Maniche Leaves Chelsea

Portuguese midfielder Maniche has left Chelsea, the club have announced.

The 28-year-old, a loan signing from Dynamo Moscow in January, only started five matches for the Blues.

Maniche, who is in Portugal's World Cup squad, played under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Benfica and Porto, with whom he won the 2004 Champions League.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "He certainly contributed to the team. We make a big thank you for that and wish him all the best."

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Milan Or Chelsea? Shevchenko Will Say Next Week

Chelsea's chances of signing Ukraine captain Andrei Shevchenko from AC Milan remain in the balance.

The odds may have swung back in Milan's favour after the Rossoneri offered their star striker a two-year contract extension which would secure his services until 2011 and, significantly, deliver a substantial pay increase taking his salary to €6m (£4.1m) a year after tax.

On the other hand, Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich is conducting negotiations directly with the Ukrainian, whose American wife - the model Kirsten Pazik - is keen to move to London.

Shevchenko, 30 this year, only signed a new contract last year after a previous Chelsea approach. That does not expire until June 2009, but he is reported to have told Abramovich personally that he will leave Milan this time. A possible deal was given impetus when Milan initially failed to make a counter-offer - but that has now arrived.

"Shevchenko's future is at the heart of every Milan fan," read a statement on the club's website. "In practice, another five years would mean he would end his career in the Rossoneri colours."

Now Shevchenko himself has promised to announce his decision next week.

Asked if he was heading for England, Shevchenko told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm considering it and you will know my decision on the 24th or 25th May.

"I never said I had made my mind up to go to Chelsea. I just said that I was thinking about it for family reasons."

Earlier this month he insisted that a move to England would not be for financial reasons.

"When you play for a successful club, it is not easy to find the time to learn another language," he said.

"I don't speak the language of my wife and my son."

While Abramovich works on Shevchenko behind the scenes, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon have confirmed their interest in signing the former European Footballer of the Year. And Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has hinted that Shevchenko may end up playing in England.

He joined Milan from Dynamo Kiev in 1999 and been a prolific scorer in Serie A. He will captain Ukraine at the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.

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Viduka Contemplates His Future

Australia's captain and top striker Mark Viduka says he is uncertain about his club future beyond the end of this year.

Viduka is entering the final year of his existing contract with English Premier League side Middlesbrough.

The 30-year-old could sign a pre-contract for another club during the January transfer window, leaving Boro – who paid Leeds around $11 million for his signature in 2004 – for free at the end of the 2006-07 season.

The departure of Boro manager Steve McClaren to take on the England job is another factor in the scenario for Viduka.

"I have a contract there for one more year, and in football terms, a year is not a long time," Viduka told the Australan media.

"It's going to be either a time when I change clubs or stay again because in six months' time I could sign for anybody for free."

The identity of the next Middlesbrough manager could be key to Viduka's future.

However, if the current speculation linking Terry Venables with the job at The Riverside becomes reality, Viduka is likely to stay on Teesside.

The Aussie striker is a big Venables fan, having worked with him when he coached the Socceroos in 1998, and again at Leeds United.

Furthermore, Viduka says he is enjoying playing for Boro, for whom he scored 16 goals in 32 games this season.

Longer term though, Viduka would like to return to Australia to play in the A-League – probably for his home-town club Melbourne Victory.

"In my career, however long I've got left I want to enjoy it. Go out in every game and play like when I was a little kid – enjoy every single moment.

"Whether that's for two years, three years, five years, whether that's here [in Australia] or somewhere else. But eventually I'd like to come back here and give it a go."

The Socceroos are assembling in Melbourne for a four-day training camp ahead of Thursday's friendly against Greece at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

They then head to the Netherlands for another training camp and another World Cup warm-up friendly against Holland on June 4.

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FC Porto: Diego To Werder Bremen

The unhappy marriage between ex-Santos playmaker Diego and FC Porto has come to an end with the young Brazilian packing his bags and leaving for the Bundesliga after being unable to convince Co Adriaanse that he deserves more chances with the Dragões.

The Adeus/ Auf Wiedersehen is till yet to be officially announced, although the Portuguese sports papers all carry stories to the same effect in today’s editions. The player is expected to fly out to Frankfurt to go through the pertinent medical tests before signing on with the Germans until 2010.

“Everything’s sorted out. There’re just a few loose ends to be tied up, but all three parties have reached a satisfactory arrangement” explained Diego’s father and agent Djair Ribas. Diego was the first departure from the 2004 Brasileirão-winning Santos, arriving in Porto for 7 million Euros.

The youngster had been expected to be the new Kaká with the Dragões, but Dutch Coach Adriaanse was never satisfied with the youngster’s game and the recent signing of Grêmio hotshot Anderson was a clear message that Diego didn’t have a place in Adriaanse’s Porto.

The Porto hierarchy must be praying that this isn’t going to be a repeat of the Luis Fabiano case – the Brazilian centre-forward crashing out of Portugal to resurrect his career in Sevilla with a UEFA Cup. Werder Bremen fans could be in for a treat

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Benfica: Miccoli Future Linked To Juve Crisis

‘Atom Ant’ Fabrizio Miccoli is in limbo as far as the slippery striker’s future is concerned. The recent crisis that has flared up in the Juventus boardroom – and the consequent fear of a punishment that includes a Série B relegation – is delaying an announcement on whether the player is to stay in Portugal or return to Italy.


The player’s agent, Francesco Caliandro, is cautious but alert to the possible winds of change that might sweep the Vecchia’s Signora’s skirts up and over her face. “Right now Miccoli’s future is in the air. What I can say is that if Juventus are relegated to Serie B, the player’s free to rescind his own contract with the club.”

Fabio Capello, who’s already shown his solidarity with the besieged Old Lady of Italian football by confirming that he’ll continue at Delle Alpi even in Série B, isn’t interested in the return of Miccoli pointing towards a sale being the best for both sides.

For now Miccoli seems set to continue warming hearts at the Da Luz stadium as Águias fans have really taken the spirited speed merchant under their wing, and the player’s differences with the Juve hierarchy are well-known. Even if the new management is more sympathetic to the player’s pleas for playing time, a Lisbon stay is on the cards for Fabrizio.

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Jancker Set For Shanghai Debut

New Shanghai Shenhua striker Carsten Jancker is ready to make his Chinese Super League debut on Sunday against Dalian Shide.

"Hopefully, he should be able to play on Sunday at Dalian Shide ... We definitely need new blood in our attacking force," Shenhua coach Wu Jingui told the Shanghai Daily after he witnessed the former German international put pen to paper and added: "He is a finisher and will intimidate any defender in the league."

The 31 year-old former Bayern Munich and Udinese star spent much of the last season on the bench at Kaiserslautern and despite some last minute hitches in during contract negotiations, both sides are looking forward to a fruitful partnership.

Shenhua, who used to be coached by Howard Wilkinson, have disappointed after being tipped for the title and have collected just 17 points from 13 games and see the striker, who scored ten goals in 33 appearances for the German national team, as the answer.

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Mallorca Release Nine Players

Real Mallorca have released nine players as they begin their summer rebuilding plans at the end of a season that saw them avoid relegation with a week to go.

Coach Gregorio Manzano has decided to let Alesandro Potenza, Javier Farinós, Eduardo Tuzzio, Alejandro Campano, Borja, Braulio, Yordi, Francisco Maciel and Yoshito Okubo all go.

Club president, Vicente Grande, said this week that the club are set to announce an annual deficit of around €8million.

He also stated that every member of the squad is available at the right price as Mallorca look to ease their financial problems.

After taking over from Héctor Cúper in February, Manzano has decided to mould the squad with his own players and plans to bring in several new players before the start of pre-season.

Last summer, after another successful battle to maintain their top flight status, the Balearic Islanders were involved in more than 30 transfers, both in and out of the club.

Now they look set for another busy off-season after the announcement that the nine playes would be released, while another three are negotiating one-year deals.

While Braulio only joined from Atlético Madrid in the January transfer window, several of the ousted players only joined 12 months ago and will once agian be looking for new employers.

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Laporta Understands Henry Decision

Joan Laporta praised Thierry Henry for his honesty and his loyalty to Arsenal after the French striker signed a new deal with the Premiership club.

Barcelona were hoping to tempt the Gunners' star to the Catalan capital and reports were rife that he would make the switch in the summer.

Instead, Henry opted to stay with the club that he has graced for seven seasons for another four years and end his career in England.

The former Monaco and Juventus forward admitted that he did consider moving to Camp Nou and Laporta revealed that he too knew that he was keen at one stage.

"He is free to decide what he wants to do, and his decision says a lot about him as a person," Laporta stated.

"He was excited about the idea of coming here but he feels he owes something to the Arsenal fans.

"He could be an example for every player.

"I heard about his final decision at the same time as everyone else. He has to be respected for his choice."

Henry's announcement that he has signed a new contract with Arsenal puts an end to months of speculation that took over the football media after the player refused to commmit himself mid-season.

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Drogba Can't Leave Chelsea, Says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has put an end to Didier Drogba's hopes of leaving Chelsea this summer by insisting that the striker is staying at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast striker revealed this week that he'd had enough of English football and wanted a move away from the Premiership champions.

However, his manager has responded by saying: "Didier has two more years on his contract and he is one of the players I consider not negotiable.

"He has no possibility to leave. "A lot of teams would like Drogba but they can't have him. That is the power of the club."

However, fellow striker Carlton Cole could be set to leave the Bridge as Mourinho has admited he will reluctantly let the player move on in a bid to secure regular first team action.

"Carlton is one of the players we are open for negotiations,'' Mourinho added.

"I am not saying I do not want him here, because that is not true. I'm not saying I want to push him away from Chelsea, because it is not true.

"But I am saying that with a player like Drogba and another striker that we will buy for sure, his opportunities are not very good here."

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Official: Henry Swears Allegiance To Gunnersp

Thierry Henry has put a bolt-gun to the head of mounting speculation about his 2006-7 whereabouts by promising his four more years to Champions League vice-champions Arsenal...

Thierry Henry has ended months of media speculation about his future by signing a new four-year deal with Arsenal.

The 28-year-old Frenchman has decided to reject the siren calls of Barcelona and other suitors in order stay and lead the Gunners from the front as they start life next season in their new stadium.

"At one point it crossed my mind to leave," he told a news conference on Friday, two days after Arsenal lost the Champions League final to Barca.

"But I think with my heart and my heart told me to stay."

Henry said Arsenal's performance in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona had been key to his decision to extend his current deal, which runs out at the end of next season.

"The team showed me we had nothing to fear from Barcelona," he said.

"It showed me one thing I wanted to know and that's how far I can go with this team. They showed me they are a team with heart and lots of quality."

"In the past year the fans have been more than amazing and after the way we lost on Wednesday, I couldn't let them down.

"It was another thing to add and a positive thing to make me stay."

He added: "I've never played in Spain and never will. This is my last contract.

"This is the best country to play football. It's the passion I like. Here you can do your job in the right way - people here respect the players."

Henry joined Arsenal for £10.5 million from Juventus in August 1999 and has become the club's record goalscorer. His current tally stands at 214 goals in seven seasons (that's 343 appearances, including 30 as a substitute).

He was recently voted Football Writers' Association player of the year for a record third time.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expressed his delight that a big week for Arsenal had ended on a positive note.

"I had two aims at the start of the week: to win the European Cup and then to make Thierry stay," said Wenger.

"I only managed one of those but, for the future of the club, that's certainly the best one."

Wenger added that Henry's decision boosted his confidence about Arsenal's future.

"We are the only club in the world with three teenagers at the World Cup - Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and Johan Djorou.

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Bayern Munich: Zé Roberto On Way Out

The Bayern Munich site has formally announced that Parreira’s first-choice Canarinha Zé Roberto won’t be playing for the Bavarian giants next season. "Unfortunately the negotiations with Zé Roberto didn’t bear the fruit that we were hoping for", explained Bayern exec Uli Hoeness.

Zé Roberto’s current contract expires on the 30th of June and both parties appear to have stuck to their guns up to the bitter end: the Brazilian wanting a bonus and a longer contract; the Germans only offering a token raise and a shorter contract to the 31 year old who turns 32 in July.

This makes a second hole in what was the Bavarians midfield after Michael Ballack signed for Chelsea. Zé Roberto played a total of 169 games for Bayern, scoring ten goals and helping to haul in no less than 7 trophies in four successful years that include three Bundesliga conquests.

The ex-Portuguesa / Real Madrid / Bayer Leverkeusen and now Bayern Munich man has yet to announce his future destination for next season, but there are bound to be many clubs eager for a free transfer of one of a first-choice international polyvalent midfielder. We may have to wait until after the Cup to find out who bags Zé.

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Ajax Confirm Capture Of Barcelona's Ten Cate

Ajax have confirmed reports that Rijkaard's number two is taking over as their head coach.

Rijkaard's assistant will take over from Danny Blind, who was sacked by the Amsterdam giants recently.

According to Ajax, he moves there after signing a two year contract, until June 2008.

Ten Cate, 51, had been rumoured to have agreed a verbal deal with Ajax - after turning down PSV - earlier this month, but under the condition that Ajax would confirm it only if Barcelona won the Champions League.

He was widely considered Rijkaard's tactical advisor, and is very highly regarded at the Nou Camp, but has chosen to get back in the hot seat after three years as number two.

He has already coached NAC Breda in the Netherlands before, guiding them into Europe, and Sparta Rotterdam, whom he guided to the Cup final. His Champions League experience with Barcelona will also come in handy, with Ajax having qualified for next season's edition.

Ten Cate has also been in charge of MTK Budapest, and won the Hungarian Cup them in 2000.

The big question, however, is how this will affect Rijkaard's setup at the Nou Camp, if at all. The Dutchman - having known for a while - seems to have lined up a couple of replacements. An announcement will be made soon.

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Pires: I Haven't Joined Villarreal

Arsenal's Robert Pires has dampened speculation that he has agreed to sign for Villarreal.

The 33-year-old French winger has revealed that he is considering three offers, and could yet decide to stay with the Gunners.

Spain's Yellow Submarine are thought to be favourites for his signature after offering him a two-year deal. Arsenal's policy is to offer players over the age of 30 only a 12-month contract. Jens Lehmann is on a yearly contract, as Dennis Bergkamp has been for the last few seasons.

Pires said: "I will make a decision next week but I am not yet a Villarreal player - that's for sure."

Earlier this week Villarreal president Fernando Roig had said: "Pires is a player who is going to play in the Champions League final and when that game is over, he will be freed from his obligations and he will be able to come for his presentation at Villarreal."

Those comments seemed to confirm Arsenal fears that Pires, signed from Marseille for £6 million in 2000, had played his last game for the club.

If he has, it was an unhappy experience for the attacking midfielder, who has scored 84 goals for the Gunners in 284 appearances (46 as substitute) - and not just because came from behind to win. He was the outfield player to be sacrificed when goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off after just 18 minutes, and Manuel Almunia had to come on.

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Sicilian Future For Koller?

Serie A outfit Palermo are closely tracking Czech star Jan Koller.

Palermo director Rino Foschi went to Prague yesterday to hold direct talks with Koller and his agent.

The tall striker's contract with his current club Borussia Dortmund expires at the end of June.

The main issue holding back Koller from penning the Sicilian deal is the amount of euros he will earn if he joins the Rosanero. Palermo wouldn’t want to offer more than 1 million Euros, however Koller wants at least 1.5 mil per season.

Koller, who will return to action after an 8 month injury-layoff at the German World Cup, is also being tracked by several other European clubs.

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Roma Offer Trial To Agathe

The former Celtic defender is looking forward to a move to Italy.

Didier Agathe declared that he is set to join Roma on a trial and hopefully he will be taken aboard the Giallorossi’s team.

“I’m waiting to go to Rome, Sensi wants to see me play,” stated the free agent player.

Roma will have to look out from the competition of various English clubs which are also interested in the services of the French defender.

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