Posts Tagged ‘England Captain’

Terry excited by draw

Today in Sport: Debate the day’s big issues

Have your say on all of the day’s big stories, send us your favourite links and follow us on Twitter

7.25am: Good morning and welcome to our daily sports news blog. You’re probably familiar with the concept now, but if not, the idea is this: throughout the day we will update this page with news, links, and what’s expected to happen in the hours ahead. Time permitting, we’ll also try to wade in below the line, answering your questions and comments. However we’d like your input as much as possible – please send us your favourite links to stories/clips on YouTube etc and we’ll flag up the best above the line. JS

7.47am: So Mike Ashley’s here to stay. After a fruitless year of trying to sell Newcastle, with various suitors coming and going, everyone’s favourite owner finally took the club off the market last night. The last man to try to take it off Ashley’s hands was Barry Moat, but the pair couldn’t come to an agreement. Not only is there the prospect of stability behind the scenes now but on the pitch too; Chris Hughton has been given the manager’s job on a permanent basis after guiding Newcastle to the top of the Championship. What do Newcastle fans make of all this? At least it’s never dull.

Meanwhile not such great news elsewhere in the north-east – Hull’s accountants, Deloitte, have warned of a financial struggle after the club lost £10m in the year ending 2008. JS

7.50am: Some early morning blogs for you to get your teeth into: David Hopps on why the prospect of Alistair Cook as England captain leaves him cold; and Robert Kitson on why Warren Gatland’s criticism of the Premiership may have a galvanising effect on the English. JS

7.58am: Louis Theroux should have just interviewed Andre Agassi. The eight-time grand slam champion has admitted taking crystal meth while he was a player in 1997. He tested positive for drugs, but claims he lied to the ATP, who have accepted his version of events, saying he took the drugs by accident. Does this revelation put a blemish on one of the greatest players of the modern era? JS

8.21am: Fancy a laugh? Real Madrid oblige. JS

8.40am: wutangwordstyle brings up an important point below – Newcastle may also sell naming rights for St James’ Park. What would you like to see their ground called from now on? The best suggestion wins my eternal respect. JS

9.06am: More reaction from Real Madrid’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to lowly Alcorcón in the Copa del Rey. Raúl has insisted the side can recover in the second leg, but the pressure, however ridiculous it is, is already beginning to mount on Manuel Pellegrini after a few disappointing results.

Elsewhere Richard Scudamore has insisted the Premier League will never allow Celtic and Rangers to join. Thoughts? JS

9.43am: Today’s Rumour Mill, penned by Sean Ingle’s fair hand. JS

10.15am: OK, morning meeting update:

• We’ll be keeping an eye on any updates from Hull, following the news of their precarious financial situation, plus the latest from Newcastle, where fans are understandably not going to be in the best of moods today.

• There’s likely to be a response from Manchester United in the wake of the crowd trouble at Oakwell last night.

• As already mentioned: Real Madrid, eh? And far from the worst Real Madrid line-up you’re ever likely to see as well. Manuel Pellegrini now faces two crunch games, first at home to Getafe on Saturday and then on the road at Milan in midweek.

• Andre Agassi, crystal meth and the apparent sweeping of the entire issue under the carpet by tennis’s administrators. Steve Bierley will be following this up during the day.

• To go with blogs already from David Hopps on Alastair Cook and Robert Kitson on Warren Gatland’s outburst, we’ll also have Dileep Premachandran blogging on India’s ODI series with Australia, plus Paul Wilson’s weekly football blog.

Feel free to post your views below the line, plus any of your favourite links from the wide world of sport. JD

10.40am: Think you can knock down the man many believe to be the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter? Then there’s $1,000 from Freddie Roach in it for you, after Manny Pacquiao’s trainer made the open offer to any potential sparring partners. It also seems an incredibly mean offer: surely, if you can floor the Pac-Man, you should be fighting him? And getting much more than $1,000 for your trouble? JD

11.25am: The Premier League has revealed there is an embargo on Portsmouth registering any new players. Their season becomes ever more farcical. We’ll have more on this news shortly.

Meanwhile it has been confirmed that the former Test umpire David Shepherd has passed away after a long battle with cancer. JS

11.50am: The Football Association has confirmed it is investigating the crowd disturbances during last night’s Carling Cup tie between Barnsley and Manchester United at Oakwell.

“There is no place for anti-social or violent behaviour in our game,” said a FA spokesperson. “Any culprit found to be involved in these disturbances and identified as such by either the police or clubs should be subject to a lengthy ban from attending football matches.”

As you can see from this image, the food areas took quite the battering. JD

12.20pm: More cash woes to report: the Premier League has placed a transfer embargo on Portsmouth until further notice over outstanding debts to other clubs. Last night’s bright spot didn’t last long … JD

12.45pm: How did the Spanish press respond to Madrid’s humbling last night? With typical understatement:

• Marca: “Go now!”
• AS: “Ridicule of the century”
• Sport: “This is the beginning of the end for Pellegrini”

The return leg is in Madrid in two weeks and Alcorcón coach Juan Antonio Anquela – who is now being dubbed ‘Anqueloti’ in the media – is trying to retain perspective. “We haven’t achieved anything yet. Real are capable of putting five past anyone,” he said. JD

1.20pm: David Foot provides the obituary for David Shepherd, who has sadly passed away. JD

1.50pm: Steve Bierley’s blog on Andre Agassi’s admission over taking crystal meth is here and damns the ATP for the cover-up.

“The most shocking aspect of the revelation is that the ATP covered up the whole matter completely.”

Thanks to kennedyfactor on that blog for linking to this interesting article, seven reasons why Agassi’s career should not be overshadowed by these revelations. JS

2.43pm: Real Madrid’s huge spending hasn’t exactly won them many admirers in Spain, so last night’s thrashing at the hands of lowly Alcoron is being treated with understandable glee. Jose Luis Rodrigo Zapatero, the Spanish president, told Sport that “it is good when the smaller teams win.” But just to avoid any accusations of political bias, he went on to say that he wouldn’t mind if his team, Barcelona, were to lose to Cultural Leonesa tonight. JS

3.15pm: Quotes of the day from Shakhtar Donetsk top dog Rinat Akhmetov, who has delivered a warning to referees in Ukraine after Igor Kolomoisky, the owner of Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, burst into the officials’ changing room after the recent 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv:

“Let me advise the referees I am a former professional boxer. Let them keep in mind if I do come, it will end badly. I hope it will not come to that. I will try to control my emotions but if they suddenly drive me up the wall I cannot say how I will behave, whether I will be quick tempered, whether I will throw a series [of punches] or not. If I do, it will end badly for them. So let them be careful, professional and honest.”

And the referees in England think someone’s got it in for them … JD

4.16pm: Two months after Calum Davenport was stabbed in both legs at his home, police have today charged the West Ham defender with assaulting a woman during the same incident. Davenport has had this to say in a statement:

“I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision that has been made to charge me with assault,” said Davenport in a statement. “I deny any wrongdoing and will plead not guilty. For legal reasons I am unable to discuss the matter further at this time.”

KM

5.15pm: OK, time on the blog for today. Thanks for all your posts below the line. This evening, we’ll have Rob Smyth’s minute-by-minute report on Arsenal v Liverpool and be sure to follow the rest of the night’s action with our live scoreboard. And Sid Lowe’s blog on Manuel Pellegrini and the Real Madrid shambles is now also live. Cheers. JD

Ronaldo heads list of Ballon d’Or nominees

• Ronaldo joined by team-mates Kaká, Benzema and Casillas
• Premier League nominees include Terry, Gerrard, Giggs

Cristiano Ronaldo leads a list of 30 nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or that does not include a single player from the current world champions Italy.

Real Madrid’s Ronaldo, 24, won the prestigious award last year and will be one of the favourite’s for this year’s title after his stunning start to his career at the Bernabéu. The Portuguese striker has scored nine goals in seven games since joining the Spanish giants for a world record £80m from Manchester United in the summer.

Ronaldo, who is currently sidelined by an ankle injury, headed Madrid’s significant summer spending which also saw them sign Kaká and Karim Benzema – who were both also included in the list. There was, however, no room for any Italy players. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Luca Toni were the Azzurri’s only nominees last year.

The European champions Spain are the best represented nation with six players listed, while the Primera Liga boasts the most players from a single league with 12. The Premier League is next best with 10 players while Serie A has just four.

The Champions League and La Liga winners Barcelona top the list in terms of club representation with six players – Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Yaya Touré and Xavi. Chelsea and Manchester United both had three players selected on the list. The Blues’ nominees are the England captain John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba while United’s selection affords another accolade to the 35-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs, as well as Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic.

The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the European footballer of the year, and is voted for by journalists and organised by France Football magazine. The winner will be announced on 1 December.

Ballon d’Or nominees:

Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Samuel Eto’o (Internazionale), Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Diego Forlán (Atletico Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Júlio César (Internazionale), Kaká (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Internazionale), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Luís Fabiano (Seville), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), David Villa (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Yaya Touré (Barcelona).

Ronaldo heads Ballon d’Or nominees list

• Ronaldo joined by team-mates Kaká, Benzema and Casillas
• Premier League nominees include Terry, Gerrard, Giggs

Cristiano Ronaldo leads a list of 30 nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or that does not include a single player from the current world champions Italy.

Real Madrid’s Ronaldo, 24, won the prestigious award last year and will be one of the favourite for this year’s title after his stunning start to his career at the Bernabéu. The Portuguese striker has scored nine goals in seven games since joining the Spanish giants for a world record £80m from Manchester United in the summer.

Ronaldo, who is currently sidelined by an ankle injury, headed Madrid’s significant summer spending which also saw them sign Kaká and Karim Benzema – who were both also included in the list. There was, however, no room for any Italy players. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Luca Toni were the Azzurri’s only nominees last year.

The European champions Spain are the best represented nation with six players listed, while the Primera Liga boasts the most players from a single league with 12. The Premier League is next best with 10 players while Serie A has just four.

The Champions League and La Liga winners Barcelona top the list in terms of club representation with six players – Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Yaya Touré and Xavi. Chelsea and Manchester United both had three players selected on the list. The Blues’ nominees are the England captain John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba while United’s selection affords another accolade to the 35-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs, as well as Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic.

The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the world footballer of the year, and is voted for by journalists and organised by France Football magazine. The winner will be announced on 1 December.

Ballon d’Or nominees: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg), Samuel Eto’o (Internazionale), Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Diego Forlán (Atletico Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Júlio César (Internazionale), Kaká (Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Maicon (Internazionale), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Luís Fabiano (Seville), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), David Villa (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona), Yaya Touré (Barcelona).

Ancelotti claims Terry can play at 40

• Milan Lab techniques can help captain emulate Maldini
• Holistic approach solved David Beckham’s long-term injury

Carlo Ancelotti believes the scientific techniques developed at the celebrated Milan Lab, aimed at preventing injury and prolonging players’ careers, and since introduced at Chelsea will allow his captain, John Terry, to emulate Paolo Maldini by playing until he is “39 or 40″.

Terry has been hampered by back problems in recent seasons but is now benefiting from the input of Ancelotti’s assistant first-team coach, Bruno Demichelis, at Stamford Bridge. The 61-year-old spent 22 years at Milan where he was the visionary behind the Milan Lab concept, a proactive, holistic approach to work on injury prevention, which cured David Beckham of a back problem through dentistrywork and extended the careers of Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta until they were 41.

Ancelotti this week compared Terry to Maldini – a veteran of five European Cups, seven Serie A titles and 126 Italy caps – and is hopeful that the England captain will benefit from similar longevity. “He can continue until he is 39 or 40 years old,” said Ancelotti. “He has no physical problems, and a lot of passion, those are the most important things that allow you to continue. The careers of Maldini and Terry are very similar, not just in terms of their play but in terms of their professionalism.

“These days, with the preparation and the physical training we put in, and the work we have done on prevention [of injuries], the age players can play to will go up. When I played, 33 or 34 [was the end]. Now players can play at 36 or 37 without a problem.

“Maldini used his body very well. He was a very quick player, strong also but very quick. And I don’t see a big difference between him and John Terry. Like Maldini at Milan, Terry was born in this club. Like Maldini, he came through the academy first and he has a very good feeling for this club, which is so important.”

Chelsea have a relatively ageing squad – Ancelotti welcomed confirmation that the Brazilian centre-half Alex had signed a contract this week at the age of 27 by saying he was a “young player” – with Demichelis’s input and influence likely to be key, particularly if Fifa’s ban on incoming transfers until 2011 is upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Chelsea will be without one of their many thirtysomethings, Michael Ballack, against Aston Villa at Villa Park this afternoon after the German returned from international duty with a calf problem, though Yuri Zhirkov and Joe Cole, both of whom have been reduced to bit-part roles due to injury so far this season, are in the Premier League leaders’ squad. Zhirkov played for Russia against Germany on Saturday but not in the final fixture away to Azerbaijan.