Chelsea cool Aguero interest
November 9, 2009
Chelsea have been quoted 45 million euros for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, who scored twice against Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Champions League this week, but may cool their interest due to financial concerns.
Aguero is one of world football’s brightest talents but his price tag could halt Chelsea’s pursuit as a slump in the value of the pound means that a transfer worth £32 million not so long ago is now in excess of £40 million.
Chelsea, as expected, had their transfer window ban lifted on Friday while the Court of Arbitration for Sport addresses the Gael Kakuta case, but that does not automatically mean they will recruit the players they want in January, as they may be forced to pay a premium price.
An agent with inside knowledge of the Chelsea link with Aguero told ESPN Soccernet: “Yes, Chelsea want him but they asked over 45 million euros in the summer, it was a problem then, and Atletico Madrid are not dropping their price so it will be a problem.
“Roman Abramovich has taken a much more hands-on approach now and he is no longer willing to spend silly money on players as he has a much better understanding of the transfer market.
“The player is just 21 and he is very good, but is he that good? So, on balance I would say unless Atletico drop their price considerably, there won’t be a deal.”
Atletico rejected a bid of £35 million from Chelsea in the summer; nearly £8 million short of the Argentina international’s valuation.
But the slightly-built son-in-law to Diego Maradona gave a first-hand indication of his worth to Chelsea boss Ancelotti on Tuesday night when he came off the bench to score twice against the Premier League club, the first with a sublime volley and the second with a curling free-kick.
With their ban lifted for now, Chelsea are expected to strengthen their squad in January, with the loss of players like Didier Drogba and Michael Essien to the African Nations Cup in mind – but they will struggle to sign the top-rated players unless they pay over the odds. Aguero is also ineligible to play in the Champions League for another team until the 2010-11 campaign.
“I know that people were saying they [Chelsea] wanted me during the summer and that there were several teams tracking me but nothing ever came to me and I am happy at Atletico,” Aguero told As this week. “It’s nice that people say I could play in a team like Chelsea, one of the best in the world.
“I like it [Chelsea's interest] and it makes me happy but I am the same person as ever and I think the same as before. I don’t really want to think about any other team. I want to fight with Atletico to the death. I almost feel like I was born here. It’s a club that has given me a lot, pleasure as well as pain, but it’s a place I feel very happy.”
Atletico coach Flores left to rue defensive mistakes
November 9, 2009
Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores lamented the “terrible errors” his side made as they suffered yet more home misery at the hands of bitter rivals Real.
After trailing 3-0 in the second half of their Primera Division clash, Atletico almost snatched an unlikely point by staging a late onslaught on the Real goal following the sending off of visiting defender Sergio Ramos.
Strike duo Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero both netted in quick succession to reduce the difference to one goal, and Atletico carved out at least two very good opportunities in the closing minute to salvage a draw.
However, they were unable to make a third breakthrough and Real, who have not lost a league game at the Vicente Calderon in a decade, recorded their seventh victory in their last eight visits to their rivals’ home ground.
Sanchez Flores praised his side for their late fightback, but admits the damage was done with defensive mistakes helping Real’s cause, most notably when Luis Perea was robbed of the ball on the edge of his own box by Gonzalo Higuain, who would subsequently but the visitors 3-0 up.
“We made big mistakes. The team’s reaction was good, but insufficient to make up for the terrible errors that we made. We weren’t very aggressive in our back line and that’s where we had problems,” said Sanchez Flores, a former Real player.
The defeat was the second setback in a matter of days for the struggling Rojiblancos after seeing their hopes of progressing further in the Champions League ended by their 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Atletico showed good battling qualities against the big-spending English side as well though, and Sanchez Flores insists it is not all doom and gloom.
“We know that there’s a lot of the league left and I’m not unhappy with the players’ response,” said Sanchez Flores, whose side stay in the relegation zone following the loss.
“It’s true that we were facing Real Madrid and Chelsea, two of the best football teams in Europe, but we have to keep working to get ourselves out of our current situation.
“The situation is what it is. We came into this match with the alarms on, but we’re in the battle, in the fight to try and get out of here.”
Reina: UCL exit would not be a disaster for Liverpool
November 9, 2009
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has said that he does not believe an early European exit for the club would be a complete disaster.
Reina knows that his side must win their two remaining games and hope already-qualified Lyon can do them a favour against Italian side Fiorentina, but maintains that the Reds’ rich European history makes up for this season’s woes.
“I do not accept that not going through will be a disaster for the club,” he said. “We have been in the Champions League now for several years, one failure is not a disaster.
“Not many teams have reached the semi-finals twice and two finals – including a title victory – in the last few seasons. It can happen again, we get closer to our real form with every game. Any team would miss the quality of the players who are injured at the moment, but we have others who can play and who can produce the right performances to get us out of this mess.”
Liverpool’s next game in the tournament is a must-win trip to Debrecen on November 24, and Reina believes his team have to dig deep if they are going to pick themselves up.
“We must show heart, passion and belief,” he added. “If anyone can do this, Liverpool can. But now it (qualification) is not in our own hands, it does not only depend on what we do.
“Now it is very, very difficult for us. But we must show strong character and fight right to the end. We know we have enough good players to sort this out.”
Benitez: Players ready to fight
November 9, 2009
Rafael Benitez believes his players are angry at the way Liverpool’s season has gone, and want to put things right.
Liverpool are desperately searching for a win to re-ignite their season after a spell of just one victory in eight matches in all competitions and will get a chance when they face Birmingham at Anfield in Monday’s crucial Premier League encounter.
And Benitez revealed he fully understands the frustrations expressed by Jose Reina after last week’s 1-1 draw in Lyon, when the Spanish shot-stopper said it was a disgrace the club were struggling to qualify for the Champions League last 16.
“Everyone here, every fan, every player, wants to see the team doing better,” Benitez said. “I have confidence we will improve. Winning a couple of games in a row will boost everyone’s confidence.
“Pepe Reina has been very disappointed with what has happened in the Champions League, and said so. But he has a very positive mentality, we both agree.
Benitez admitted a series of injury problems have meant his side have struggled to get out of their current rut but believes a return to fitness for some players has lifted the squad.
“We are not stupid, we know we can improve,” Benitez said. “But we have trained well since we returned from Lyon with Fabio Aurelio, Glen Johnson and Albert Riera all back and working. I could see the difference in the mood of the squad.”
“They want to play, to be ready and to help in the situation we are in. People have been angry, and they want to change our position. It is all about getting a good win. And when your backs are against the wall, you play better and fight better.
“We now must show confidence in our team, our staff, and work harder. The finances are being questioned. But I am assured that we did not budget for a last 16 place this season, only to reach the group stages.
“The problem will come next season if we cannot arrest this situation. But the commercial department is earning us more money and the position of the club is very healthy.
“But if we do get into the top four it will be easier. But we are not desperate, I can guarantee we are in a good position and will be in a better position.”
Injured Ronaldo included in Portugal squad
November 9, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the Portugal squad for their World Cup play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Real Madrid forward faces a race to be fit for the two games on November 14 and 18 as he has an ankle injury.
Medical reports from the Primera Division side yesterday confirmed he would be out of action for at least two more weeks.
Ronaldo has missed Madrid’s last eight matches after suffering an injury to his right ankle during the Champions League match with Marseille on September 30, and then aggravating it while playing for Portugal in their World Cup qualifier against Hungary on October 10.
The world’s most expensive player on Thursday met with Dutch specialist Professor Niek van Dijk in Amsterdam after tests conducted by Madrid on Wednesday revealed that no improvement had been made on Ronaldo’s injury since undergoing an MRI scan a week before.
Van Dijk, who operated on the 24-year-old’s right ankle in the summer of 2008, advised Ronaldo to continue his treatment before returning for a fresh evaluation in two weeks’ time.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz revealed yesterday, however, that the injury would not stop him from naming Ronaldo in his 23-man squad, so important is the former Manchester United man to his country.
Valencia full-back Miguel, Wolfsburg centre-back Ricardo Costa and Werder Bremen striker Hugo Almeida returned to the squad.
Portugal take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in Lisbon on Saturday with the return leg in Zenica four days later.
Mourinho lambasts Inter performance
November 9, 2009
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho was unimpressed with his team’s display in yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Roma in Serie A, with youngster Mario Balotelli singled out for criticism by the Nerazzurri boss. The result left Inter five points clear of second-placed Juventus, who beat Atalanta 5-2.
“It has been an awful game from everyone,” Mourinho said. “There was a team that was unable to win, another team that didn’t want to win and someone else (referee) who made too many calls.”
The Nerazzurri had gone into the game at the San Siro on the back of five consecutive victories but struggled to beat Roma’s well-placed defence. Mirko Vucinic put Roma ahead in the 13th minute but Samuel Eto’o earned Inter a point early in the second half.
Inter youngster Mario Balotelli, who replaced Patrick Vieira at half-time, was criticised by the coach.
“Balotelli? In my opinion he came close to a zero rating,” Mourinho said. “I didn’t like how he played. He is 19 but could have done much better.”
Mourinho did not believe the game had hurt his side in the title race, though.
“I didn’t like the game,” he said. “The only thing that I liked was the result. We took a point at home against a team that has quality like Roma and that is fine.”
In the next round of Serie A matches, Inter travel to Bologna while Juventus host Udinese.
