EPL/SERIE A NEWS
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ontd_football
MIKEL IN TROUBLE: Chelsea star charged by police over drink driving
John Mikel Obi has been charged with suspected drink-driving, hours before Chelsea's FA Cup match against Ipswich.
The Nigeria midfielder is in hot water.
The 21-year-old was stopped by police at 5.30am on Saturday, after being seen driving his Range Rover "erratically" near the club's ground in London's Fulham Road.
Later the same day, Chelsea beat Ipswich 3-1 in the fourth round - although Mikel was not part of the squad.
The Nigerian midfielder has since been charged and will appear in court on April 3.
He faces a year's driving ban or a jail term if the offence is deemed exceptionally serious.
A Chelsea spokesman told The Sun: "We are aware (Mikel) was arrested and charged. We want to establish the facts before we comment."
Meanwhile, Mikel's former Lyn-Oslo team-mate, Hoffenheim striker Chinedu Ogbuke has been linked with a move to four of the leading clubs in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old is reportedly being tracked by Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal and the news is likely to alert the Norwegian club as they are set to benefit from any sale.
Ogbuke scored 14 goals in 29 games for Lyn where he played alongside Mikel and the striker has continued his goal scoring form in Germany finding the net 18 times in 39 games, six of those coming this season.
"He is an attractive player for many clubs, Hoffenheim too," Lyn-Oslo director Erik Langerud told Aftenposten. "He might leave now, in the summer or next summer."
source.
TRANSFER NEWS: Spurs sign Cudicini, close in on Chimbonda deal
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer and are also close to wrapping up a deal for ex-Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda.
Cudicini, who is out of contract in the summer, had given serious thought to the move after Tottenham made an official approach and is believed to have been given the security of a contract of at least 18 months.
Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, is desperate for experienced goalkeeping cover after loaning out César Sánchez to Valencia and with doubts over the suitability of Ben Alnwick.
Meanwhile, Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda is on his way back to Tottenham after just six months on Wearside.
It is understood that the 29-year-old Frenchman is having a medical and holding talks with his former club on Monday after the Black Cats agreed to let him go.
Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia said: ''Since he came to the club, he has struggled to settle. We had the opportunity of maybe making things a little bit happier for him.
''He's down in London; he is having a medical down there. But if it doesn't work out, we will be pleased to see him back. He's a good player. He played extremely well on Saturday, and we knew they [Spurs] had a scout there.
''He's a good player but he just had issues with himself and he has struggled, really from day one, to get things going at the club. It was an opportunity for him and for the club, and we will wait and see what happens.''
A Chimbonda deal would be something of a strange move for Tottenham, having already recruited three right-backs at the cost of over £20m in Alan Hutton, Vedran Corluka and Chris Gunter.
The French defender had made just 16 appearances for Sunderland since his summer move from White Hart Lane, but has started the last four games. After a promising first few weeks at the Stadium of Light, he lost his place in the side under former boss Roy Keane amid rumours of disciplinary problems.
Chimbonda arrived on Wearside in July as part of the deal which also brought Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque to the club.
The fee for the three players remains undisclosed, but it is understood Sunderland will recoup their investment in the former Wigan full-back if the move goes through.
The development came as something of a surprise a day after Spurs boss Redknapp confirmed the club had made an offer for striker Kenwyne Jones.
Black Cats manager Ricky Sbragia has previously insisted none of his better players would be allowed to leave this month, although it remains to be seen whether or not that stance has changed amid suggestions that the Londoners have offered £6million plus Darren Bent in return.
source.
MAN CITY NEWS: Robinho: I did not ''run away'' from Man City
Manchester City striker Robinho has rubbished claims that he ran away from the Tenerife training camp and believes it would be unfair if he was fined.
The Brazilian reportedly left the week long training camp to sort out personal matters in Brazil, but manager Mark Hughes has said that the 24-year-old did not have his consent to go, something which Robinho strongly refutes.
The former Real Madrid star has now returned back to England and is expected to start against Newcastle regardless of the situation.
"I said goodbye to everyone before I went to the airport, they saw me with my suitcase," Robinho told The People. "I did not run away and I did not hide. The club knew. How can I be fined? I don't think that would be fair.
"I did not go back to Brazil to party but to sort out a personal problem and I would never have left if we'd had a game. I don't understand the controversy that this story has caused. I had to resolve an urgent personal issue, that's all there is to it.
"If we had a game this weekend this problem would have been resolved by another form and I would have stayed in Manchester."
The striker was defiant that he wanted to remain at City and re-iterated that he had no issues with Hughes.
"I have a contract at City and I am going to stay here. I want to triumph in England and fight to be top goalscorer," he added. "I repeat that I have no problems with Hughes, not before and not now. I did not come here just for the money but for the exciting sporting project where I am going to have an important role to play."
The reason behind the Brazilian international's trip back home was reportedly so he could sort out a passport out for his 13-month old son and not because he was in a strop over the Kaka saga.
"That is nonsense. I only found out he (Kaka) hadn't signed when I was halfway to Brazil," Robinho explained. "I am a friend of his and I tried to convince him to come , but it is difficult to change Kaka's mind once it is made up.
"I don't think he is convinced by the idea of playing in England. Without a doubt he would have been a great signing but Kaka has rejected the offer and there is nothing we can do.
"City can be one of the big clubs in England if things are done properly. If Kaka has not come then it is not the end of the world.
"Before everything I am a professional and I play with the team-mates that I have. We have to keep fighting for City and hope that next season other big stars arrive."
source.
JOSE HITS OUT: Mourinho launches attack on Italian referee
Jose Mourinho launched a bitter attack on referee Domenico Celi after being sent to the stands as Inter Milan struggled to a 1-0 win over Sampdoria.
The Portuguese was dismissed just minutes before Adriano grabbed the only goal as Inter regained a three-point lead over Juventus at the top of Serie A.
Mourinho confronted Celi after the official decided to book Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic for a late tackle.
The former Chelsea boss said: "I was sent off because I told the referee that he had fear. There had been so many players booked in the first half. Stankovic had made a perfect tackle.
"I would prefer not to say much about the referee although I think he had little experience and he feared someone.
"He is the first referee to have sent me off in Italy, hence, I will never forget him. What is his (referee's) name again?"
Mourinho was also irritated that Celi allowed six minutes of injury-time at the end of the game, and claimed it was because the home side were struggling to preserve their one-goal advantage.
He added: "Inter were struggling and this is the only reason that justifies the amount of added time. Had Sampdoria equalised before I don't think the added time would have been that much."
Despite his criticisms of the referee, Mourinho was delighted his team had bounced back from their 3-1 defeat at Atalanta last weekend.
"The team has shown a lot of mental strength," he added. "They have fought and they have answered all the criticisms that were thrown at them following last weekend's defeat."
Mourinho will have to watch Inter's game at Catania on Wednesday from the stands as he is set to be handed a one-match touchline ban.
source.
Gattuso: I'll Back For Milan In Three Months
Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is trying to speed up his recovery and he has set himself a three-month target to be back on the pitch.
The Italian international suffered from severed knee ligament damage on December 7 and he had to undergo surgery. Initial reports suggested a six month absence from the pitch.
However, Gattuso thinks he can slash that time as he eyes a return before the end of the season.
"I will be back in three months," Gattuso told Grazia magazine.
"The doctors think I am crazy, I am always trying to break the barrier and I exaggerate with the exercises, but I am made like this."
Gattuso has been keeping a close eye on affairs at the club, even though he has been absent. The midfielder is happy Brazilian team-mate Kaka stayed on after the Manchester City transfer saga.
"I am proud of his choice. It means that he is a champion who has values and recognizes the team," added Gattuso.
Gattuso is aiming to be back for the UEFA Cup final if Milan reach it.
In any case, he should return for Italy's involvement in the 2009 Confederations Cup tournament.
source.
Video: David Beckham scores his first goal for Milan, hints he will stay in Italy
England star David Beckham rounded off a 4-1 victory for Milan yesterday with a powerful strike that shouldn’t have beat the keeper at his near post. Things are going great for Mr B in Italy, and in news that won’t please fans of the second worst team in the MLS, the on loan player dropped more hints that he will be staying with the Rossoneri:
“I can’t say what will happen. Even if my contract says that I’ll be here until March, we’ll have to see.
“At the moment I’m enjoying this experience. I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world. And having won gives us confidence to continue.”
Will Beckham finally give up on his American dream? Will Darren “The legend from the Norfolk Team” Huckerby fulfill his potential as the greatest export to grace the continental United States? Stay tuned and find the answers on the next episode of The Spoiler! Probably.
source.
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Date: 2009-01-26 01:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 03:00 pm (UTC)carloooooo.... *tears*... who will all the chelsea boys fawn over now?!
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Date: 2009-01-26 03:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 02:00 pm (UTC)happy for iker too because italy is only a few hours away. ;)
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Date: 2009-01-26 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 03:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 04:58 pm (UTC)who do i need to shiv?
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Date: 2009-01-26 05:22 pm (UTC)I really wanted Carlo to stay. *sigh*
Robinho needs to grow up. This is just ridiculous now.
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Date: 2009-01-26 06:37 pm (UTC)I canna stop laughing.
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Date: 2009-01-26 09:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-27 01:31 am (UTC)I agree 100 percent.
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Date: 2009-01-26 06:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-26 07:07 pm (UTC)http://www.footyfilms.com/musicvideo.php?vid=04ac0f946
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Date: 2009-01-26 07:02 pm (UTC)And Carlo :( Why Spurs?
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Date: 2009-01-26 07:51 pm (UTC)