Several other Milan players have gone on record as saying that they would welcome the Chelsea flop back to the club with open arms, in the face of increasing rumours tipping the deeply unsettled striker for a sentimental return. “If the club wanted to sign Shevchenko, he would be a good addition,” said Gattuso. “He hasn’t succeeded to play at the top of his abilities in England, but if he returned he would have such a great hunger and would be good for the atmosphere. “I have heard that Sheva doesn’t want to return, but the important thing is that we bring in a top striker and other champions. “Didier Drogba is the kind of man who can make the difference and Luca Toni is also a match-winner,” Gattuso added, before sharing his thoughts on the potentially career ending injury of Ronaldo. “It has upset me to see him out of action,” the World Cup winner continued. “He is football and he shouldn’t have to be reduced to watching. “His future? I can’t make judgements but I’m sure that he will only sign a renewal to his contract if he manages to recover.”
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
Kamis, 13 Maret 2008
Gattuso Joins The Sheva Brigade
Henry Demands 4-4-2 At Barça
Marca contend that Thierry Henry's angry exit from Camp Nou after Sunday's defeat to Villarreal wasn't only down to his substitution, but also unhappiness with the team's style of play.
Coach Frank Rijkaard is an advocate of Barcelona's 4-3-3 style of play, with Henry at odds with this choice.
The forward apparently feels himself more suited to a 4-4-2 with an imbalanced forward line, similar to that which he did so well in at Arsenal.
At the Emirates he found himself supported by the likes of Dennis Bergkamp or Robin Van Persie, with four midfielders behind. This gave him the freedom in which to manouevre, and saw him establish himself as the Gunners' top scorer.
Steve Michaels, Goal.com
Drogba, Lampard To Follow Mourinho
The media has gone into overdrive regarding the situation at Inter, following Roberto Mancini’s sensational 24-hour u-turn decision not to stand down as coach. Many of the morning’s newspapers firmly believe that Mancini will still leave in June, and will be replaced by Jose Mourinho. Following the Portuguese tactician could be two of his key men from his time at Chelsea; Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. Drogba seems certain to quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, as he wants a new challenge, and he has stated in the past that he will either end up in Milan or Barcelona. Meanwhile Lampard’s future in West London is also in doubt after the midfielder was quoted as saying that he was frustrated by the club’s stance over a new contract. “I've been approached a few times by the club saying they are going to come to me with something and they haven't,” he told the Daily Mail. "That means they're saying they will have to wait until the summer and I don't really know what that means. It's dragged on this season and that's not ideal for me.” Lampard scored four goals last night as Chelsea thrashed sorry Derby 6-1 in the English Premiership.
Anthony Sormani
Selasa, 11 Maret 2008
Football News: Robben Aiming For Early Return
The Dutchman was stunned by the latest setback and is said to have asked medical staff why they think he is susceptible to knocks and blows. "I do not understand why I have such bad luck," Robben said. "But I am going to double my work rate and be back within two weeks." A hard tackle from Quique Álvarez in Madrid's win at Recreativo saw Robben pick up an ankle injury that was predicted to keep him sidelined for between four and six weeks. But he now hopes to halve that highest estimation and return to playing again in time to appear against Valencia and the physiotherapists and club doctors have been impressed with his effort. Coach Bernd Schuster makes daily check-ups on the former Chelsea winger to see how his recovery is coming along and has also been delighted that he is putting in double shifts in the gym.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
Senin, 10 Maret 2008
Football Zone: Madrid Contact Mourinho - Report
The German trainer is under increasing pressure and Marca believe that the sudden downturn in fortunes on the pitch has been compounded by his behaviour off it. Schuster arrived at the Bernabéu last summer and promised attractive football, but his show of disgust at the press earned him an early rebuke from the board. While the club were still in every competition, Madrid thought that they had the right man but defeat in both legs against Roma have made them question that. Mourinho is reported to have been asked if he would consider the post if it were available and Marca state that the Portuguese would jump at the chance. According to the Madrid-biased paper, the trainer stated in 2007: "I would love to coach Real Madrid." While the former Chelsea boss has been linked to AC Milan, Inter and even Barcelona, the chance to take over Los Merengues could prove to be the biggest attraction. President Ramón Calderón gave Schuster the dreaded vote of confidence recently as he claimed that the board still had faith in the coach. But after a lavish spending spree last summer, the trainer's statement that injuries were partly to blame for the Champions League exit did not go down well. Mourinho has been very vocal this week and stated that his next job would certainly be in Spain or Italy, before he heads back to England and then takes over as coach of Portugal.
Ian Dixon, Goal.com
Kaka: Season Not Good Enough
The Rossoneri’s chances of picking up any major silverware from now until the end of the season is over after they were dumped out of the Champions League last week by Arsenal. They are also struggling domestically, and are a massive 18 points behind league-leaders Inter, in fifth place. "We cannot consider our season as being successful, we can only say it's been good,” said Kaka. “The triumphs of Yokohama [Club World Cup] and Monte Carlo [European Super Cup] were linked to the previous Champions League success, while this season our goals were to be different. "First there was the Champions League, the second was we had to be involved in the championship race. A distant third was to finish in the Champions League places." Yesterday afternoon Milan picked up a crucial 3-1 win at Empoli to close to within one point of Fiorentina in the fourth and final Champions League position. Kaka created the second for Massimo Ambrosini, while he added the third himself in the penultimate minute of the game. "The goal I scored was important both for the team and for me personally because it had been a while since I had scored,” the Brazilian stated. “Being decisive, whether with a goal or an assist as I was for the second goal, is very important to me. “We managed to win and get three very important points for our position in the league. The run-in has started, we had 12 finals to play, now we have only 11 because one has already been won."
Roberto Rossi
Maldini & Ambrosini Want Sheva
Shevchenko had seven glorious years with Milan, until he moved to Chelsea for €45m in 2006. The move has not worked out well, and the Ukrainian has struggled badly to adapt to Premiership football. Last week Milan President Silvio Berlusconi admitted that Sheva could return to Milan in the summer. “I regularly hear from Andriy,” the former Italian prime minister revealed. “And I believe that Roman Abramovich will have no difficulties letting him go. “The fans should understand that it would be the right choice. Andriy is a personable player and represents the best solution for us.” Both Maldini and Ambrosini have admitted that they would welcome the 31-year-old back at San Siro. “At Milan there is always room for those who have done a lot,” explained Maldini. “There is always space for those who have left a mark on the history of the club.” “We cannot decide these things,” added Ambrosini. “I can only say that Sheva is a friend and that we will welcome him with enthusiasm if he were to leave London.”
Roberto Rossi
