Lampard hints at Chelsea exit as deal talks stall

LONDON (AFP) - Frank Lampard has urged Chelsea to speed up negotiations over a new contract as rumours of an impending bid from Barcelona intensify.

The Catalan giants are reported to be planning a 30-million-euro offer to tempt Lampard away from Stamford Bridge after learning that talks between the player and Chelsea have so far come to nothing.

Lampard, who has only two years of his current contract remaining, made it clear after the FA Cup Final in May that he was happy to stay in London - and he expected those comments to elicit an instant response from the club.

Instead, however, he has been greeted by silence and now the 29-year-old admits the situation is becoming uncomfortable.

He said: "It feels kind of strange. It's something I am trying to put my mind off a little bit.

"When you've had a long season the last thing you want to do is go away for a month and wreck your missus' and kids' holiday by stressing over other things.

"In an ideal world I would like it to be sorted before the season starts. In an ideal world I would have done it three weeks ago. But it's not an ideal world is it? That's life.

"Right now my mind is on going back to pre-season training with Chelsea. Of course I said after the Cup Final that I wanted to stay but nothing has moved on from there. That's probably what leaves me in the situation I'm in."

Lampard has refused to criticise Chelsea for dragging their feet but hints he is upset the club has not been more proactive in offering a deal that himself and agent Steve Kutner can be happy with.

"You get on with it," he said. "I'm not surprised. In football nothing surprises you. I have two years left on my contract at Chelsea and that's the way it is.

"They haven't had the necessity to come and offer me anything so I just carry on and get on with it - as you have to do as a player."

Lampard's words will give encouragement to Barcelona who have already pulled off the transfer coup of the summer by signing Thierry Henry from Arsenal for 24 million euros.

They have been tracking Lampard for some time and hope the fact his Spanish partner Elen is a Barcelona fan will help swing the deal.

Lampard has made no secret of his love for Spain or Spanish football and having only just returned from a holiday in Ibiza he plans yet another visit to the country next week.

He has also been taking Spanish lessons for more than two years but has always insisted it has nothing to do with his footballing future and has never wavered from his claim that he intends to stay in London next season.

That intention will be tested to the full if Chelsea, who return to training on Monday week before heading to America for a pre-season tour, don't step up contract talks soon.

Written by: AFP

USA the winner of Gold Cup

CHICAGO (AFP) - The United States rallied with a pair of second-half goals to beat rival Mexico 2-1 on Sunday in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup regional football tournament.

Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute and Benny Feilhaber scored the game winner 11 minutes later as the United States erased a 1-0 deficit. Andreas Guardado scored the lone Mexico tally in the 44th minute.

Since 2000, the United States have won nine and lost only twice with one draw against Mexico. Eight of those victories have come on home soil.
Written by: AFP
see : www.soccerway.com

Henry arrived in Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - French striker Thierry Henry arrived in Spain on Sunday to finalise his transfer to Barcelona from Premiership side Arsenal.

"It is an honour to be here and I am sure I will represent FC Barcelona the best I can," the 29-year-old told the club's television station.

"It means a lot to come here and play with some of the best players in the world. It is incredible and I am looking forward to playing in the Nou Camp and helping the team in every way I can," he added.

The player, wearing a grey sweater and black tie, arrived in Barcelona on a private flight from London. He was greeted at the airport by Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano who immediately whisked him to the Nou Camp.

Henry will undergo a medical on Monday before he is formally presented to the public in Barca's dark blue and red jersey.

The four-year deal, believed to be worth 24 million euros (32 million dollars), is however still subject to the results of the medical and the completion of formalities.

"Certain details remain to be finalised between the three parties involved, that is to say Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Thierry Henry," Barcelona said on their internet site.

Barcelona, completed the La Liga and Champions League double in 2006, but finished runners-up in the Spanish league this season behind Real Madrid.

Henry is Arsenal's leading all-time scorer with 226 goals in 369 games since moving to Highbury from Juventus eight years ago.

Currently sidelined with a leg injury, Henry said that he hoped to resume full training in two weeks and be ready for Barcelona's start to their preparations for the new season on July 20.

He also said he hoped to continue to play a full part in France's campaign to reach the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland. Henry has played 92 times for his country and scored 39 goals.
Written by: AFP
see : www.soccerway.com

Kaka open to Real Madrid , said spokesman

Written by: AFP
MADRID (AFP) - AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka has not ruled out a transfer to Span giants Real Madrid, the player's spokesman said in comments published on Wednesday inish sports daily AS.

"Kaka does not rule out a transfer to Madrid and I don't rule out that he will play there this year. He will be very happy either at Madrid or Milan," Diogo Kotscho told the newspaper.

Kotscho said talks between the two clubs would be very difficult but claimed that Real Madrid, who won their 30th Spanish title on Sunday, had "already made an offer that you don't refuse".

He gave no financial details, saying only it would be "the most expensive transfer in the history of football", topping the roughly 75 million euros Real paid Juventus to sign Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon vowed to sign Kaka, who is under contract with Milan until 2011, as part of his campaign for the presidency of the club last year.

Spanish media have reported that Calderon is willing to pay 80 million euros for the Brazilian international, who scored 10 goals for AC Milan during the Champions League last season, the most of any player in the tournament.

"We've been working on new signings for the last three months," he told AS on Tuesday.

Real had signed German international Christoph Metzelder from Borussia Dortmund and "there are three more who are almost done", he added.

Thierry Henry Exit From Arsenal

Written by: AFP
LONDON (AFP) - Speculation that Theirry Henry could leave Arsenal this summer has mounted after Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o was quoted as saying his friend would soon be joining him at the Nou Camp.

"He is a great mate of mine and we will play all together," Eto'o was quoted as saying by British newspapers, before playing down suggestions he could be offered to Arsenal in a swap deal for Henry. "There is room for everybody."

Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira meanwhile warned that the London club must splash out on some big name players if they want to keep Henry.

Vieira told BBC Radio: "Thierry wants Arsenal to show they want to stay at the top of English football and European football.

"If they bring in two or three big names it will show they want to compete against the best.

"If that is not the case Thierry will have to ask himself what is the best for him and in the end decide what is best.

"Of course all of Arsenal will hope he will stay at Arsenal but the basic decision he will make himself."

Vieira left Arsenal for Juventus in 2005 before moving on to Inter Milan, with whom he won last year's Italian Serie A title.

The France international believes that manager Arsene Wenger could also be set for a departure from the Gunners following the shock exit of vice-chairman David Dein.

Dein made a sudden departure in April because of "irreconcilable differences" with the rest of the Gunners board, meaning Wenger lost his closest ally at the club.

Vieira believes this could herald Wenger's departure, saying: "I think it would be difficult to stay with what he had done with David Dein.

"Without David Dein I don't think it would be the same for him.

"(Because) they started together and it will be strange for him to stay but you never know."

Wenger last week refused to commit his long-term future to the club, which has failed to win silverware since winning the FA Cup in 2005.

"I've a contract for one more year here and I'll complete that contract," Wenger said. "I've never broken a contract in my entire career and next summer I will sit down with the board and see."

Dudek gets Real Madrid call

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, who has come to the end of his contract with English Premiership side Liverpool, said Friday that he has been contacted by Spanish giants Real Madrid.

"I have to admit that I've received an offer from one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the biggest," Dudek, 34, told the Liverpool Echo.

"This offer is an honour. I'm seriously considering it."

Dudek arrived in Liverpool in 2001 and was the hero of their Champions League final victory in 2005, when they beat AC Milan on penalties.

But this season his relationship with coach Rafael Benitez has been strained as he has found himself second in the pecking order behind Spaniard Pepe Reina.

Written by: AFP

Nakata,Reunification Cup in Hongkong

Written by: AFP

HONG KONG Hidetoshi Nakata will lead a distinguished group of veterans at next month's Reunification Cup, organisers said on Tuesday.Nakata and French World Cup-winner Christian Karembeu will both play for the FIFA World Stars in the July 1 exhibition tournament celebrating 10 years since Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule.Former German 'keeper Oliver Kahn will travel with Bayern Munich along with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski.However, reports that Chelsea's Michael Essien and new Bayern signings Luca Toni and Franck Ribery would travel were not confirmed.Sao Paulo will bring striker Marcel, Brazilian international Junior and centre-back Edcarlos, organisers said.Twenty-times German champions Bayern will play Sao Paulo, while the World All-Stars will play a China team including Hong Kong players in the event, at Hong Kong Stadium.

Australia´s Melbourne sign Costa Rican Hernandez

Written by: AFP

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Australian A-League champions Melbourne Victory signed Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez Tuesday, saying they had beaten several European clubs chasing the midfielder's services.Victory coach Ernie Merrick said it was a coup for Australian football to sign an up-and-coming player who has scored six goals in 17 appearances for Costa Rica.Merrick said Hernandez, 25, was instrumental in Costa Rica's qualification for last year's World CUp finals in Germany."What we're dealing with here is a player of enormous pedigree who is still yet to reach his prime," he said."For Carlos to choose Melbourne Victory over a number of established clubs in Europe is quite a feather in the cap of the A-League."The attacking midfielder was signed on a two-year loan deal from Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense to directly fill the gap left by Brazilian Fred, who left at the end of last season for US Major League Soccer side DC United.Melbourne Victory also announced it would play the Chinese national side on July 4 as part of a pre-season tour that also includes a July 7 match against Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda.

Drogba considers quitting Chelsea

Written by: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba admitted Tuesday that he was tempted by a move to either Spain or Italy."Spain and Italy attract me a lot and, although I am a long way from saying farewell to Chelsea, you never know what can happen," Drogba told The Sun newspaper."I'm at the last big turning point of my career."It's time for one final big choice 'should I stay or should I go?' I am tempted to discover another world and to see what footballing life is like outside England."It would be a big disappointment if I never manage to play for teams that I dream of playing for. That would be terribly frustrating."Drogba has concerns over the club's ambition following rows between owner Roman Abramovich and boss Jose Mourinho. He added: "If I think the club lacks ambition, then it is sure I will not stay too long. I'm 29 and I don't have much time to lose."I believed in being loyal to a stable club. But it is clear that, in such matters, players dont control anything."Drogba extended his contract with the Premiership runners-up last November until 2010.

Flashback World Cup

Although some here at sportasylum enjoy the misery of others, the better natured among us have decided to bring salvation to our football-starved readers. Everywhere we have sensed mourning. The Premiership is over and there is no World Cup substitute. Or is there? The world needed football back - so that's just what we've done. Genius.Over the next six weeks we will take you on a magical mystery tour through the best moments in World Cup history. Here at sportasylum we breathe history from every pore - so prepare to be sucked right in. We will look back to the 'Ticker Tape Finals' in 1978, a tournament that John Barnes told us probably will never be beaten. We delve into more 'Argy Bargy' in 1986 when that cheeky Maradona played his hand in another England defeat. Our favourite England manager, Sir Bobby Robson, takes us through the rounds of Italia '90- a tournament that brought England agonisingly close to glory. Another Robson, this time Bryan, will tell us about the highs and lows he's experienced at the world's greatest tournament. This is just a taste of things to come. You'll have to come back to find out what else lies in store.
And if you do - we'll be asking you about your very own World Cup experiences. Where have you been? Do you remember the 1938 finals? If you do you must be very old!! If you don't, what do you remember? A goal, a game, a Brazilian beauty - anything goes!! Send us your pictures, match programmes, football chants. Start a debate, argue with our legends or tell us we've made a mistake. Whatever you do, just get involved. It all kicks off on 9th June with the opening ceremony - a joint celebration of both our mission to feed the football starved and to commemorate the first game of the 2006 World Cup.

Kaka Vs Pele

The AC Milan playmaker's rise to fame has been momentous, culminating in his side's Champions League win against Liverpool.
Indeed, Kaka may well be the best player in the world right now. His 10 goals in Europe last season almost demand that accolade.
But just how good is he compared with Pele? Is it fair to put the attacking midfielder in the same bracket as one of the undisputed masters of the game?
George Cohen, who won the World Cup with England in 1966, is in no doubt that the young pretender is nowhere near the class of his predecessor.
"Pele did things that nobody had even seen before, and you can't say that about Kaka," he told Sportasylum.
"He needs to do a lot more in the game before he's considered one of the all-time great players.
"Pele was a genius at 17. He could produce a huge amount of power, had a very quick brain, had lots of time on the ball and always made things happen.
"Kaka, while he has obviously got a hell of a lot of ability, has got a long, long way to go before he gets anywhere near Pele.
"Many of the players today, including Kaka, need a team around them. But Brazil back then needed Pele. It wasn't the other way round.
"Kaka comes into the game in flashes, but he doesn't control the game in the way that Pele did. There really isn't much of a comparison between them quite frankly."
John Barnes, who scored one of England best-ever goals against Brazil at the Maracana in 1984, is in agreement with Cohen.
"Judging them by the impact they've had it's difficult to compare because Pele was by far and away the best player in the world throughout his career," he said.
"Whereas these days, we don't have any one player who dominates world football in the way Pele did."
It is hard to argue with the stats. Pele's record, both domestically and internationally, was incredible.
In 92 games for his country, he scored 77 goals. And while Kaka has made a supreme start to his career at the highest level by scoring 31 times in 50 appearances, he has a long way to go.
"Kaka might be the best player in the world right now," Barnes added.
"But he's not head and shoulders above everybody else and you need to have that dominance in order to have the same impact Pele had.
"Comparisons between the two are inevitable because when you're the best player in the world, it's natural to look back at the best players in the past and think 'is he as good as him?'
"And with Kaka also being Brazilian, I think this kind of comparison is even more likely to happen. But Pele was the best player in the world by some distance and Kaka is not."
see : www.sportasylum.com