Category: Football

Manchester City and Everton are weighing up whether to bid for out-of-favour Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The England international has failed to hold down a regular place under three different managers at Stamford Bridge and has now been told his first-team chances are limited under current boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Although Wright-Phillips has always stressed his preference to stay with Chelsea, at 26 he realises his chances of fulfilling his potential – and forcing his way back into the England reckoning – require him to move on.

In theory, a move back to City, where Wright-Phillips first made his name before a £21million transfer to Chelsea, would be ideal.

However, Wright-Phillips is known to have reservations about rejoining the Blues, where he came through their highly-rated academy system.

Former City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson failed in an attempt to get Wright-Phillips back to Eastlands on loan last summer but now it seems the Swede’s replacement Mark Hughes is ready to try again.

However, Everton are also interested, with David Moyes realising he needs to bolster his squad if the Toffeemen are to stand any chance of matching last term’s fifth-placed finish.

Everton can offer a guaranteed place in Europe, something City are unable to do at present given they will start the away leg of their UEFA Cup qualifier with FC Midtjylland one goal down on Thursday.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the Spanish champions will be a force to be reckoned with next season regardless of whether they sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Manchester United winger has been tracked by the Primera Liga champions all summer, with the player himself fuelling speculation by refusing to commit his future to the English club.

United coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who met Ronaldo for clear-the-air talks last week, is adamant there is no chance of the Portugal international quitting United for Spain.

But Calderon insists, even without the Portuguese, Real will go into the new campaign with a “complete” squad.

“We can’t talk about footballers who aren’t ours,” he told Spanish television channel Atena 3.

“I’ve already said several times that we have a very complete squad, who have just won the Primera Liga.

“We built a great team last year. If we finally make some signings, they would be few but very good.”

The Real chief claimed the Spanish side are mere spectators in the transfer saga which has dominated the summer.

“We don’t have anything to say about that issue,” he said. “We are only spectators, a passive observer in this whole story.

“It is the player and the club who are talking about a possible problem, we are unconnected to all that.”

Calderon also poured scorn on suggestions unsettled Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o could return to Madrid.

Eto’o has been told he can leave the Nou Camp this summer, and although he is reportedly the subject of interest from Real, it would be a controversial move for the player who left the Bernabeu on a sour note in 2000.

And Calderon has laughed off suggestions that the striker could move back to Barca’s bitter rivals.

Manchester United defender John O’Shea insists his side can head back into Barclays Premier League action at Middlesbrough on Sunday bursting with pride after their midweek Champions League exploits.

United eased past Roma 2-0 in Italy to put themselves in pole position for a place in the semi-finals and give them a major boost ahead of the crucial clash against Gareth Southgate’s men.

O’Shea, who replaced injury victim Nemanja Vidic after 33 minutes, said: “We can be very proud of the performance because Roma are a very good team.

“I thought it was very impressive. To come away in the Champions League at any stage, but especially in the quarter finals, Roma were so familiar to us as well.

“When the back four and Edwin (van der Sar) are playing so well and all the experience they have, it is easy to slot in to the confidence of the team.

“We have been keeping clean sheets all season and we just had to do that again.”

O’Shea is expected to figure from the start in the north-east with Vidic ruled out for three weeks. Nani remains a doubt after missing the trip to Italy with a thigh strain.

Mikael Silvestre should figure after shaking off a knee injury while Gary Neville is edging closer to full fitness. Darren Fletcher (knee) and Louis Saha (hamstring) are both still out.

But O’Shea went on to warn his United team-mates not to take their first-leg result for granted with Roma expected to come to Old Trafford and throw everything at the United defence.

Fabio Capello is convinced his England team are on the right track despite suffering the first defeat of his 10-week reign against France.

The England boss saw goalkeeper David James bring down Nicolas Anelka in the first half at the Stade de France to allow Franck Ribery to score the only goal of a match in which David Beckham won his 100th cap.

It was a carbon copy of the penalty given away by James the last time England played France at Euro 2004, except that time it was Thierry Henry who was upended.

Capello, however, was upbeat.

He said: “I saw some very good things against a top-level team. That showed me what our worth is.”

The 61-year-old Italian insisted the display, even in defeat, was superior to the one which beat Switzerland 2-1 in his first game in charge at Wembley last month.

And he maintained he was delighted with the performance of Beckham, who was replaced by David Bentley after 63 minutes and received a standing ovation from the entire stadium.

Capello has said he believes 32-year-old Beckham can play for his country right through to the World Cup finals in 2010 and he praised him for a performance which saw him join an exclusive club which also comprises Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton.

Beckham played from the start and received a yellow card in the first half for tugging the shirt of Ribery after the Bayern Munich star had raced away from him.

He might have scored when he failed to connect with an Ashley Cole cross after just 14 minutes and he also played the pass of the match, a raking 50-yarder straight to the feet of Steven Gerrard.

Capello said he substituted Beckham only so that he could take a look at Bentley against top-rated opposition.

Fabio Capello insists his most important challenge is to restore pride to England.

The England manager, who took over in December after Steve McClaren’s sacking, has guaranteed David Beckham his 100th cap against France at the Stade de France and handed Rio Ferdinand the captain’s armband.

But the Italian spelled out what matters most from his second friendly in charge, following on from England’s 2-1 win against Switzerland at Wembley last month.

Capello said: “We’re all on trial, not just the players.

“We need to get back to being a great team that plays openly against any opponent. It’s not about being on trial, but about the pride of wearing the shirt.”

Beckham will become the fifth England player to reach the century mark when he takes the field, most likely as an impact substitute in place of Blackburn’s in-form wide man, David Bentley.

And Capello believes Beckham can go on to pass Bobby Moore’s record of 108 caps for an outfield player by making it all the way to the World Cup in 2010.

Capello, who managed Beckham at Real Madrid, said: “The David Beckham I know can certainly get to 2010 if he carries on training and working hard.

“I know what he can give me and I think he can make the difference in some respects. As for the future, we will have to see. Nobody knows what the future holds.

“But I’ve managed him previously and he’s always been a very good professional. Only people who are so professional can last and be at the top for so long.”

The international future for Michael Owen does not appear so rosy, despite his recent goalscoring form for Newcastle.

Owen was left on the bench against Switzerland and with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney expected once again to fill the primary striking role against France, Capello was coy on whether the Newcastle striker would be given a chance to impress this time.

Brazil boss Dunga has dismissed the idea there is a gulf in class between his own side and England.

Brazil take on Sweden in a friendly at London’s Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as they prepare for the resumption of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Currently third in the South American group, Brazil have matches against Paraguay and Argentina in June to ponder.

England, meanwhile, will be watching on when Euro 2008 gets under way the same month, having failed to qualify under former boss Steve McClaren.

Even without injured trio Kaka, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, Dunga has a wealth of talent at his disposal, with Robinho and Luis Fabiano among the star names on show.

But the former Brazil captain believes new England coach Fabio Capello has no cause for envy.

“England have excellent players,” he said.

“The only difference is that Brazil has won the World Cup five times and England one time.

“But at any time there are quality players in the England team and we don’t always have top players to put in the team.”

One of England’s top-rated players is Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who has been named by Capello as captain to face France tonight.

The move surprised many but Dunga believes people should trust Capello on his choice.

He said: “The coach who’s working with him every day knows his characteristics and will know what his capabilities are.”

Stephen McManus admits he cannot quite believe how far he has come over the last few years as he prepares to lead Scotland into Wednesday’s friendly against Croatia.

McManus, 25, was thrilled when he replaced Neil Lennon as Celtic skipper last summer and says he will be just as honoured to perform the captain’s duties at Hampden Park in the absence of the injured Barry Ferguson.

The defender battled his way through the youth ranks at Celtic and is finally earning his rewards for years of hard work.

“I’m pinching myself,” he said.

“I’ve now played a lot of football in the last three years but I’m not one for talking things up, I’d never do that.

“Let’s just say I’ve worked hard and it has gone all right so far. I’ve been fortunate that my career has gone in the right direction, but you can never get too ahead of yourself.

“I still look at myself as being the same guy I was five years ago when I wasn’t getting a game.

“I go into work every day trying to make myself a better player, and every season I try to improve.”

Speaking of those early years at Parkhead, McManus added: “I was in a really good reserve side at Celtic and the club at that time were a top, top side.

“We had guys like Henrik Larsson in the team, guys who were at the peak of their careers.

“At the time I just wanted to play. It wasn’t about money or fame – it was about becoming the best player that you can be.

“I felt that maybe my future lay elsewhere, just so that I could play in someone’s first team.

“But, thankfully, I stayed at Celtic and it has turned out not too bad.

“At the time I decided to talk to a few people who were a lot more knowledgeable than me, to people who had been there and done it.

“And the advice I got was to stick at it with Celtic because you never know what’s round the corner.”

George Burley insists Darren Fletcher will be an integral part of his Scotland team even though the midfielder cannot find a regular spot at Manchester United.Burley’s first squad has been hit by the withdrawal of seven players ahead of his first match as national team boss against Croatia at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

However, Fletcher, 24, shrugged off the virus which kept him out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans for the 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Liverpool on Sunday to travel up to Glasgow for the friendly.

“A big bonus for us was Darren Fletcher trained with us with no problems,” Burley said.

“He had a virus and had to go home before United’s game at the weekend but he has had a good night’s kip and trained so will certainly come into my plans.

“There’s no doubt if he were in any other Premier League team he would be a a regular choice.

“Alex thinks the world of him but because of the competition at Manchester United he doesn’t play every week.

“There are lots who would like to take him in the English Premier League and for me he’s a top-class international.

“But he’ll get his fair share of games (at United) and I think he’s a terrific player.

“He’s got great energy, he’s enthusiastic and tenacious. He gets forward and will score you a goal.

“He has a good range of passing and I think that’s why Alex wants to keep him badly.

“Darren has shown a clear example.

“When he first arrived he said to one of the coaching staff, ‘Has the gaffer picked the team yet?’

John Toshack will send out a makeshift Wales team against Luxembourg imploring his fringe players to make an impact at international level.

Manager Toshack is without 14 of his best players for the friendly, with skipper Simon Davies due to win his 50th cap.

Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and Stockport defender Ashley Williams are expected to make their debuts, and Toshack said: “The most important thing is that we don’t treat this game lightly. We mustn’t end up blaming the fact that we are without so many players.

“It is not important who you are playing against, it is important who you are playing for.

“You are playing for your country, be it against Luxembourg or Germany. We are playing for Wales and everyone must realise we are here for a reason.

“Our attitude will be what is expected. We need to put in a good shift for this one.

“It will be a tough game – Luxembourg have beaten Belarus recently so we know what they are capable of.”

Toshack praised Davies’ contribution to his country.

He said: “Simon has been very good for us. He has led by example and I am pleased with him, and he can be delighted with 50 caps.

“He has had a rough time at Fulham this season as they fight to avoid relegation, but he is committed to Wales and should be very proud of his achievement.

“Simon is a model pro and a great example. He’s our most experienced player now, a super example for others.

“He was a bit down a year or so ago, he had a shin problem he couldn’t get rid of and he wasn’t playing as often as he would have liked at Everton.

“He got his move back to London and he is more settled now. He is a very, very good player and he is well rated in the game.”

William Gallas maintains France are treating the match against England as more than just a friendly.

The clash at the Stade de France will be Les Bleus’ last before coach Raymond Domenech names his 23-man squad for this summer’s European Championships.

They will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Spain last month, but there will be added spice due to the fact so many of the French squad play – or have played – in the Barclays Premier League.

Arsenal skipper Gallas is one of those and he said: “We know it is always a bit more tense between the English and the French.

“We appreciate each other, but we always want to show that we are better than them.

“The stakes will be high, the stadium will be full. And in our heads, we can’t just consider this as simply a friendly.

“For players who have played in England or who are still there, it is always an added motivation.”

Other current Premier League players set to take some part in the match include Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda, Patrice Evra, Nicolas Anelka and Mathieu Flamini.

Anelka, who plays for Chelsea, could be partnered up front by David Trezeguet.

The last time the pair played together was last September, in France’s famous 1-0 defeat to Scotland at the Parc des Princes.

Trezeguet has not featured for his country since, but gets another chance seven months on thanks to injuries to Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema.

The Juventus striker has dismissed the theory his chances of making France’s Euro 2008 squad are entirely dependent on his display against England.