Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has signed a 5-year deal with the club. Arteta has been the subject of transfer rumors, which had many English and Spanish teams trying to pry the crafty playmaker away from Everton. This is great news for Everton fans, who hope to see their club build on last season's 8th place finish.
Here is Arteta's comments about his new deal with Everton (all quotes acquired from skysports.com): "What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me.
"The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 per cent and that makes me feel proud. We are all seeing the club and the future in the same way and that is special - something that you don't always find.
"I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have. Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
Here is Everton chairman Bill Kenwright on Arteta and the club in general: "Mikel Arteta is one of the finest players ever to wear an Everton shirt and over the past few weeks his pride in wearing that shirt has helped our conversations hugely. Alongside several others in the squad we are both passionate Evertonians.
"After already tying up the likes of Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman on long-term deals we have now agreed terms with one of the finest and most influential players in our recent history."
It is clear that Everton are determined to sustain their title as a top-10 mainstay in the Premiership.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Cesc Commits to Arsenal
Cesc Fabregas has committed to staying with Arsenal. Fabregas released a statement yesterday saying that he has finally made his decision to stay in North London. This is great news for Arsenal, but a big blow to Barcelona, who expected to see Cesc come back to Spain.
Here is a statement from Fabregas (all quotes and statements acquired from soccernet.espn.go.com): "Firstly I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment.
"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me.
"This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing. There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.
"I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal.
"I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me. I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.
"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100% focused on playing for Arsenal. I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about. I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."
It is clear that Fabregas has just made his decision, or else he would have come out with it sooner than a week before the league begins. I believe Arsene Wenger is the main reason he stayed. Wenger signs young players and turns them into stars. He owes a lot to the club, and I didn't believe he would abandon the team that gave him a chance right before the season begins.
Obviously this news is a huge relief for manager Arsene Wenger. Here is Wenger on Fabregas: "He is our captain, he is our leader.
"You could see in the training session how much a lift it is for everybody who loves Arsenal. When I was at the World Cup I met so many people in South Africa and the first thing I heard was 'Don't let Fabregas go'. That means it is a huge lift for everybody who loves the club.
"The situation is as it is. I believe it is important in my job that I do not come out with private conversations I have with the players. That would be unfair. But Cesc has come out to clear the air. It was very important for us that Cesc did that clearly and that we can move on from now. We are one week away from the start of the season so just we want to be focused and settled now.''
It is great news that this situation is finally resolved and the Premiership is stronger because of it. If Cesc left North London, there may be one less team competing for the top spot.
Here is a statement from Fabregas (all quotes and statements acquired from soccernet.espn.go.com): "Firstly I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment.
"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me.
"This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing. There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.
"I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal.
"I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me. I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.
"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100% focused on playing for Arsenal. I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about. I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."
It is clear that Fabregas has just made his decision, or else he would have come out with it sooner than a week before the league begins. I believe Arsene Wenger is the main reason he stayed. Wenger signs young players and turns them into stars. He owes a lot to the club, and I didn't believe he would abandon the team that gave him a chance right before the season begins.
Obviously this news is a huge relief for manager Arsene Wenger. Here is Wenger on Fabregas: "He is our captain, he is our leader.
"You could see in the training session how much a lift it is for everybody who loves Arsenal. When I was at the World Cup I met so many people in South Africa and the first thing I heard was 'Don't let Fabregas go'. That means it is a huge lift for everybody who loves the club.
"The situation is as it is. I believe it is important in my job that I do not come out with private conversations I have with the players. That would be unfair. But Cesc has come out to clear the air. It was very important for us that Cesc did that clearly and that we can move on from now. We are one week away from the start of the season so just we want to be focused and settled now.''
It is great news that this situation is finally resolved and the Premiership is stronger because of it. If Cesc left North London, there may be one less team competing for the top spot.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Chelsea Agree to Ramires Deal
Chelsea have agreed to pay €22 million for Brazilian Midfielder Ramires. The deal was announced in a Benfica statement. Ramires has made 16 appearances for Brazil in international competition. Chelsea have been looking to bolster their midfield and this may do the trick.
Here is the statement from Ramires' former club Benfica (acquired from skysports.com): "Benfica has reached agreement in principle with Chelsea for the transfer of Ramires for a fee of 22 million euros."
"The agreement will be finalised once the player undergoes medical examinations."
Once Ramires clears his medical examination he can join Chelsea, hopefully in time for Sunday's Community Shield match against Manchester United. Ramires will join Frank Lampard, Deco, Michael Essien, Youssi Benayoun, Florent Malouda, et al. in the Chelsea midfield. A pretty stacked midfield for the defending champions.
Here is the statement from Ramires' former club Benfica (acquired from skysports.com): "Benfica has reached agreement in principle with Chelsea for the transfer of Ramires for a fee of 22 million euros."
"The agreement will be finalised once the player undergoes medical examinations."
Once Ramires clears his medical examination he can join Chelsea, hopefully in time for Sunday's Community Shield match against Manchester United. Ramires will join Frank Lampard, Deco, Michael Essien, Youssi Benayoun, Florent Malouda, et al. in the Chelsea midfield. A pretty stacked midfield for the defending champions.
Canadian and Middle East Group Close to Buying Liverpool
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| Anfield (uploaded by comedy_nose on Flickr) |
A group of Canadian and Middle East businessmen headed by Yahya Kirdi are reportedly close to buying Liverpool from current owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Liverpool is in massive debt, owing the Royal Bank of Scotland around £237 million. Here is Kirdi on the negotiations (all quotes aquired from BBC.com):
"Agreement has been reached on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park.
"
A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation. With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, LFC will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come."
A change of ownership is imminent at Liverpool, not only because of the debt, but also because of the planning of a new stadium. Whoever takes over the team will more than likely pay off the debt and finance the new stadium, but how much will that leave them to pay their players as they try to recover from a disappointing campaign last year?
Fulham Boss Confident in Team
New Fulham manager Mark Hughes is confident that he can build on the team's success the last few years. Fulham finished 12th in the Premiere League last season under now Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson. Hughes believes he can make Fulham a top-10 team every year.
Hughes (all quotes acquired from BBC.com): "We want to make sure that Fulham is a top-10 club on a regular basis, which hasn't been the case in recent times."
"It's not my intention to allow the better players to leave. [However] I think it's fair to say that we need more attacking options. The way I set my team up, I think that will lend itself to the work Roy put in place."
It is clear that Hughes would like to bring a few attacking players to Craven Cottage. I would not be surprised to see Fulham make a move or two before the end of the transfer window.
Hughes (all quotes acquired from BBC.com): "We want to make sure that Fulham is a top-10 club on a regular basis, which hasn't been the case in recent times."
"It's not my intention to allow the better players to leave. [However] I think it's fair to say that we need more attacking options. The way I set my team up, I think that will lend itself to the work Roy put in place."
It is clear that Hughes would like to bring a few attacking players to Craven Cottage. I would not be surprised to see Fulham make a move or two before the end of the transfer window.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Torres Commits to Liverpool
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| Liverpool striker Fernando Torres (uploaded by Nigel Wilson on Flickr) |
After winning the world cup with Spain, albeit a disappointing performance personally, striker Fernando Torres has ended the rumors that he is unhappy at Anfield. Speculation arose about Torres after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and the departure of manager Rafa Benitez. Man City and Chelsea were linked with Torres, and maybe even move to Spain.
Today, Torres ended those rumors by saying he is happy at Liverpool and that they are the best team in the country. I don't know about that, but here is what Fernando had to say:
"This is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. Hopefully we can stay at our level. At Liverpool the aim is to fight for every title. It was difficult last season, but we are sure we can improve this season.
"I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed.
"I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."
Here is Torres on his new boss Roy Hodgson:
"I really appreciated the fact that Roy came out to see me while I was on my holidays. He told me about his plans for the club and what he wanted from me and I appreciated that.
"I hope he will be the right man to reach the targets of Liverpool Football Club and I am really looking forward to working with him. At the moment I am training just on my own but as soon as I can I will train with the team and with the new manager."
This is great news for all Liverpool supporters, as Torres will be a key player if they can break back in to the top three. It is great to see a fan favorite end transfer speculation so his team can focus in the little time left before the start of the season. It would be nice if a certain teammate on the World Cup-winning Spain team could do the same.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Latest on Fabregas
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has been linked with Barcelona since this transfer window opened. It seems likes the Spanish star would like to return to Barca, where he he progressed through the youth academy. Arsene Wenger wants Cesc to stay in North London and help the Gunners arise to the top of the table. Arsenal has turned down lucrative sums to keep Fabregas, but a decision must be made by the player himself.Wenger believes that Cesc will continue to play for Arsenal, but he believes Fabregas has to put an end to the Barca rumors. ''In the last six months, this story has made our lives difficult,'' Wenger said. ''At the moment, what is important is that when Cesc comes back, that he comes out. For me, I have nothing more to add.
"I cannot master what is written in the newspapers, I can only master our decisions. Cesc has five years to go [on his contract] and that's it. ''The speculation does not stop - who can stop the speculation? Only Cesc, that is how I feel. We cannot go into a season where every day you read about that. He has not played today, we have just played a football game and I sit here speaking about Fabregas.
"Barcelona have given up for a long time. I told you yesterday that what will happen is that Fabregas will stay here.''
Arsenal have already turned down 30£ million for Fabregas, and clearly Wenger is annoyed at his skipper for not finally denouncing these rumors and committing to Arsenal. If Fabregas chooses to force his way out of the club, the Gunners will be left with a huge hole to fill before the season begins.
Lionel Messi and Carlos Puyol, Barca players and teammates of Cesc on the Spanish national team, believe that Cesc will be playing in Camp Nou soon enough.
"I hope that the matter can be resolved soon," Messi said. "and I'm confident that in the end it will be resolved in the way that Cesc can be a Barcelona player."
While fellow Arsenal midfielder Denilson believes that ultimately Fabregas will decide to stay with the team. He believes that Cesc is happy in England, despite what those in Spain have said.
Denilson: "The problem is that because everyone [there] keeps saying, 'Oh, Cesc wants to go, Cesc wants to go', then everyone here also starts to think, 'Oh, Cesc wants to go'. I believe in Cesc Fabregas and this season he will be here to help us.
"We need him. He is our captain and he will help us a great amount this season. I haven't had a chance to catch up with him as he has been on his holidays, but we are expecting him this week and I will see him again in training."
Arsenal title hopes may reside with the decision Fabregas makes. He is the captain and key playmaker on the team. If he goes to Barca, Cesc will play but will have stiff competition in the stacked midfield. With less than two weeks until Arsenal open up against Liverpool, we will all await his decision.
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