Andre Villas-Boas was set to decide whether John Terry is in the right frame of mind to lead Chelsea out in their crucial London derby against Arsenal.

All the signs are Blues boss Villas-Boas will recall his captain for the crunch Barclays Premier League clash, despite the racism inquiry that hangs over the 30-year-old.

Terry sat out Wednesday night’s Carling Cup win at Everton, the defender left in London largely because he was one booking away from a suspension and played 90 minutes at QPR on Sunday, where Chelsea spent most of the game with nine men.

Villas-Boas tends to decide on his line-up 24 hours before a game and it is likely the first question he will be asked in Friday afternoon’s pre-match press conference will relate to Terry’s involvement against Arsenal.

Whether Villas-Boas actually confirms his skipper will play remains to be seen, but leaving him out on Saturday would be a major surprise.

The Portuguese gave Terry his full backing earlier this week after the England captain categorically denied racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road.

However, that was before Rangers asked the Football Association to investigate the allegations against Terry, who could be forgiven for having his mind elsewhere during Saturday’s match.

The FA inquiry could see other QPR and Chelsea players called as witnesses and the Professional Footballers’ Association yesterday pledged to assist the game’s governing body.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor offered his help in the Patrice Evra-Luiz Suarez race row two weeks ago and his organisation made it clear they would be prepared to do the same in the Terry-Ferdinand saga.

The PFA said in a statement: “There is a proper process to be followed for such serious issues which is governed by The Football Association, as the game’s regulator.

“We will assist and adhere to that process in any way which is considered appropriate, mindful that all the players are our members and as such we expect the process to be fair and transparent in establishing the facts in each case.”

Reacting to recent race rows, Premier League managers gave their take on whether it was a problem in English football.

Fulham’s Dutch boss Martin Jol, who was also a player at West Brom and Coventry in the 1980s, said: “We do not like it in my country and it has been an issue over the past five or six years across Europe.

“I don’t know the ins and outs from Terry case but I feel at this club, particularly at this club, we do everything to stand up to racism.”

He added: “There is no racism here and, in England, I felt when I played here it was the same – everybody was against it.”

Blackburn’s Steve Kean was taken aback by the Terry allegations.

“I was surprised because of all the campaigns and I’m sure everybody is behind making sure it doesn’t creep back into the game at any level,” he said.

“I’m not aware of if it has come back in but if it has then it has to be stamped out immediately.”

Source: www.sporting-life.com

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and one of urinating in a public place.

The 30-year-old, who was arrested on September 28, will appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on November 10.

His lawyer Phil Smith, from London-based Tuckers Solicitors, said: “My client vehemently denies these charges and will be vigorously contesting them.”

source:www.sporting-life.com

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has promised to “make an announcement regarding my future” on social networking site Twitter this afternoon.

The Liverpudlian Tweeted a series of cryptic messages hinting at problems behind the scenes at St James’ Park before revealing he will make a more clear cut statement at 4pm today.

Barton initially said on Sunday: “If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place.”

He referred to team-mate Jose Enrique’s recent fine for critical Tweeting after the Spaniard accused the club of lacking ambition when he added: “If it wouldn’t effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose’s comments would be the tip of the iceberg…..

“And again it would be left to those magnificent fans to pick up the remnants of their once great football club. £hadenoughofcertainpeople

“If I wanted to leave, I’d just come out and say ‘I want to leave’. Things need addressing as am not prepared to go through a relegation again.”

This afternoon he added: “I wont be commenting on situation at Newcastle again, as I feel it helps nobody and serves no purpose. Hope u all understand,” only to add barely 30 minutes later: “I will be making an announcement regarding my future, on here at 4pm today……..”

Barton has just a year left on his Newcastle contract but claimed recently he had no interest in a move elsewhere.

The Magpies lost 3-2 to Leeds in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.

source: http://www.sporting-life.com

Antonio Valencia has signed a new four-year deal with Manchester United.

The Ecuador winger, 25, is now tied to the Barclays Premier League champions until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Valencia joined United two years ago from Wigan and has gone on to make 69 appearances, scoring 10 goals.

Valencia’s progress last season was stalled by an ankle injury that sidelined him for five months but, he made a successful return to Sir Alex Ferguson’s first team.

He was a stand-out performer as United overturned Schalke in the Champions League semi-final and was part of the side defeated by Barcelona in the final.

Competition for places has been increased by the signing of Ashley Young from Aston Villa, but Ferguson was delighted to agree terms with Valencia on a new deal.

“Antonio has made a fantastic contribution since his arrival. His speed, crossing ability and versatility have been a big asset for us,” Ferguson told manutd.com.

“He has a quiet, unassuming way of going about his business, which is underlined by great strength of character – as his recovery from such a bad injury last season proves.”

Valencia added: “I am delighted to stay at United. Since my first day at Carrington, I have been happy here. I hope that I can continue to develop as a player.

“I am looking forward to making my contribution to helping this squad compete for more trophies.”

source: http://www.sporting-life.com

Tottenham could sell Luka Modric if the club’s valuation of him is met, assistant manager Kevin Bond admitted on Monday.

Chelsea are weighing up whether to make a third bid for Spurs playmaker Modric, having already seen two offers rejected this summer.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has insisted the 25-year-old is not for sale “at any price” but that was contradicted by Bond, who told talkSPORT: “We desperately don’t want to lose him, but everyone has a price.

“If somebody came along and the money turns your head and he did go – although the chairman is adamant he doesn’t want to sell him – then we’d have to get on with it.”

That price is likely to be well in excess of the reported £22million and £27million reportedly offered by Chelsea in recent weeks.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp branded the Blues’ first bid as “ridiculous” and also gave short shrift to the second.

Modric still has five years remaining on the long-term contract he signed last summer.

However, the Croatia star wants to leave, reportedly handing in a transfer request after accusing Levy of reneging on a gentleman’s agreement to sell him this summer if a club like Chelsea made a bid.

Bond added: “Transfers are part and parcel of the game but you don’t want to lose your best players and he certainly is one of our best players.”

Bond said “Harry would have to deal elsewhere in market” if Modric was sold but Redknapp himself has admitted Tottenham would struggle to compete for top players because they could not match the salaries on offer at the likes of Manchester City.

“Imagine what their wages will be,” he told several newspapers.

“It’s incredible. They are all on 100 grand a week-plus. Wages have gone crazy.

“It’s gone beyond belief and made it really hard to compete for top players. If you want to be a top-four side, it’s difficult because we can’t pay those kind of wages.

“Our chairman Daniel Levy runs the club well, we get 36,000 fans, you’re not going to put the club in hock.

“How do you compete with the Man Citys of this world?”

Spurs have been linked with Valencia star Juan Mata.

Redknapp said: “Mata is one we have looked at but there are other clubs, including, Arsenal who also like him.

“I saw him play for Spain Under-21s against England and he was fantastic. But the chairman is dealing with it.”

Redknapp led Spurs to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League just over a year ago but admitted they might even struggle to break the top five this season.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently singled out City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool as his side’s big rivals.

Redknapp said: “Fergie didn’t mention us. He stuck Liverpool in there this year and probably with what they have brought in, it’s looking that way.”

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Jack Wilshere insists Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title this season if they sign “a few more players” before the transfer window closes.

The 19-year-old midfielder was part of the Gunners team that was booed from the pitch in Sunday’s pre-season friendly draw with New York Red Bulls.

Arsenal’s lack of business in the transfer market no doubt fuelled the frustration of the Emirates crowd, with various deficiencies in Arsene Wenger’s squad yet to be addressed.

Key players such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are not guaranteed to stay in North London this summer, while Wenger’s only signings so far have been young centre-back Carl Jenkinson and forward Gervinho.

England international Wilshere knows the heat is on his side to break their six-year silverware drought this season, and he believes a couple of new faces could prove the difference.

He told the Daily Mail: “We are not a spending club but we still managed to stay up there with the top teams. And we have to win things this year.

“Maybe if we had a few more faces we could really push on. If we get a few more players we can really challenge for the title.

“Around March and April we have to stay really strong. We are confident we can be up and around it then so we have to remain strong at that crucial time.”

Wilshere limped out of Sunday’s friendly with an ankle injury that could rule him out of England’s opening game of the new campaign, a friendly against Holland on August 10.

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BALOTELLI DOESN’T LIKE MANCHESTER

Mario Balotelli has admitted he does not enjoy life in Manchester

The Italian striker is tied to Manchester City until 2015 after joining the club in a big-money deal from Inter Milan last summer.

Speculation over his future continued throughout Balotelli’s first season in the Premier League and he has now admitted that he still suffers from homesickness.

While the 20-year-old maintains that he has no problem with manager Roberto Mancini or his team-mates, it is living in Manchester that he does not enjoy.

“I am not well in Manchester, I don’t like the city,” Balotelli told Sky Sport Italia.

“I’m happy with the coach and within the team, but you can’t have everything in life.

“I don’t miss Milan, I miss Brescia, my home. I miss my family and my friends, but I think this experience in England will help me grow as an individual.”

Balotelli is refusing to make any guarantees about how long he will remain at the Etihad Stadium and admits he would consider joining Inter’s rivals AC Milan at some point in the future.

“I don’t know if I will stay until the end of my contract,” he added. “I’m here for now and then we’ll see.”

“AC Milan? It’s a great club, one day it could happen.”

source: http://www.sporting-life.com

VILLAS-BOAS HAS LAMPARD’S RESPECT

Frank Lampard has dismissed claims Andre Villas-Boas will not have the full support of the Chelsea dressing room.

Lampard, at 33, is just a few months younger than Villas-Boas, but maintains that he is fully behind the Portuguese tactician.

“I read that he has to gain our respect instantly, and it’s never like that at football clubs,” said the midfielder.

“It certainly isn’t for me personally, and it wouldn’t be for John Terry.

“You want to impress. I want to impress him now at the age of 33 just the same as I did when I was 22. Simple as that.

“We are here to impress as individuals, and we want to make the group successful. We will always respect the manager, and that applies with any manager we get.

Lampard added on Villas-Boas: “He is really mature for his age.

“He doesn’t really come across as the same age as me, I am probably more immature than him in a way, but he certainly has a great maturity about him. He sort of hides his years really.

“I’m 33 and I’m the same. I feel good, I feel experienced, I feel as hungry, I feel like I missed most of last season really with the injuries I never had before, so there is a desire to get going again.”

Chelsea have made an encouraging start to life under Villas-Boas with some fine pre-season performances and Lampard is confident they will hit the ground running against Stoke on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.

“We’ve improved, I think every game has been a general improvement, we have got together with the new staff and manager, and the assistants and I just think that we have improved,” he said after helping the Blues win the Asia Trophy in Hong Kong.

“There is more work to do between now and the start of the season, but I think it has been a very positive trip.

“It’s been a two way thing, he has been assessing players, that’s why everyone has got a lot of minutes, from young players all the way through, and I just think we have been getting used to the manager and his style.

“A lot of that is done through the training and the ideas that he wants to get across in training, and I think you can see the benefits of that.

“I wouldn’t say there is a new trend in the way of giving us more freedom. I think the manager is trying to liberate, but players have been given the freedom to liberate themselves for quite a long time at Chelsea.”

Lampard hopes Chelsea will bolster their squad before the transfer window closes but insists there is already a positive mood around the camp.

He explained: “I think there is a nice freshness about the team and the squad and the players who maybe were not sure they were going to stay, or players that were on loan, or young players that have come through and are getting a sniff now.

“I think we have got a strong squad, and if the manager adds to it and it makes us stronger then we will all be happy, I certainly will be. It remains to be seen in the time to the end of the window.”

Young midfielder Josh McEachran, 18, has caught the eye during pre-season and is likely to be granted more regular opportunities under Villas-Boas, but Lampard is ready for the challenge from a player he holds in high regard.

“I think Josh does give us something different. He gives us something in the middle of the park, a great elegance in the way he plays.

“He receives the ball really well, he can play a killer pass, he’s stronger than he looks with his frame. He’s going to be a top player.

“There will be a position for him, he’s not going to play 50 games this season, but you can see from pre-season already that he is going to be involved a lot more, and that’s great for him.

“No, people are not afraid to give him the ball, because we have trained with him for a couple of years now, and from the moment he stepped into training with us we could see he had that ability.”

source: http://www.sporting-life.com

NANI TARGETS ‘NEXT LEVEL’ atMan Utd

Manchester United winger Nani has vowed to up his game and feature regularly in Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans this season.

The return of Antonio Valencia from injury last term meant Nani took a backseat for some encounters, most notably the Champions League final against Barcelona in May.

The Portuguese had to settle for a late cameo from the bench in that clash as the Spanish giants eased to a 3-1 victory.

The arrival of England winger Ashley Young at Old Trafford this summer could mean Nani will face an even tougher task holding onto his spot in Ferguson’s first team.

But the 24-year-old is certain he can do just that when the new campaign gets underway.

He said: "I am always very confident. I didn’t lose my place to Valencia. The last two or three games the manager made his decisions and, of course, you have to respect this.

"But now I am feeling confident for the new season and I hope to do my best and help the team win trophies.

"I will try to take my game to the next level. I will try to do my best. I want to do much better than last season and now we must wait to see how that happens."

The winger played a starring role in United’s 2-1 friendly win over Barca in Washington on Saturday, scoring the opening goal.

Pep Guardiola fielded a side missing several key players such as Lionel Messi and Dani Alves, but Nani was nevertheless buoyed by both his individual display and the end result.

He said: "It’s a different game, but I’m obviously very happy because I did well and the team is playing very good football in pre-season.

"Our fitness is getting better and it’s good to feel this way."

source: http://www.sporting-life.com