Manchester United (manutd.com)
Boss welcomes European draw
Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted with United's Champions League group stage draw, a mix of classic, fairly familiar and brand new opponents.
Benfica barely need any introduction after being on the wrong end of the Reds' first final victory in 1968, the epic 4-1 victory at Wembley. Prior to that, the Portuguese giants famously lost 5-1 at home to United on a night in 1966 when George Best was on brilliant form. More recently, during Sir Alex's reign, Benfica knocked the Reds out at the group stage in 2005/06 but then lost both meetings in the following term, 2006/07.
United have only placed Basel twice before, winning 3-1 away and drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford in 2002/03 - the latter match being the senior debut of Darren Fletcher. The final opponents in the group stage, Otelul Galati, are however an unknown quantity after winning the Romanian title for the first time in their 47-year history.
"It's an interesting draw with no real travel difficulties. We're looking forward to the games," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com.
"Obviously we've played Benfica in the past. They're always great games. Obviously there's great history between the two clubs. Basel are a Swiss team who are doing really well. Swiss teams tend to bring lots of young players through their system which is great. We have played them before, in 2002/03, in the group stage. We don't really know much about Otelul Galati but that's the beauty of the Champions League, you get fresh teams to play against. They obviously deserve to be in the competition. It's great for them."
Chelsea (chelseafc.com)
VILLAS-BOAS: MATA AVAILABLE, DAVID LUIZ OUT
Posted on: Thu 25 Aug 2011
Andre Villas-Boas has spoken for the first time ahead of this weekend's game against Norwich, also discussing the arrival of Juan Mata and one or two other transfer stories...
Squad news
The manager has Juan Mata available to face Norwich City but will be withoutDavid Luiz who only returned to full training this morning.
It is expected that new signing Mata, who arrived yesterday from Valencia, will be on the bench with Saturday coming a little too soon to ingratiate himself fully into the squad.
'It is too early. This league is very specific in terms of intensity and emotionally and culturally,' Villas-Boas said. 'It doesn't mean he is not threatening the starting 11 but two training sessions is short for playing and creating new relationships with the players, so we will assess tomorrow.
'Tomorrow is the decisive day for the strategic part of our game and we will decide tomorrow.
'David Luiz is coming back to full training, today he had a full intensity training. It will be too early for him but he is selected for Brazil and I am going to let him go to add a couple of minutes.
'On other fronts there is nothing special. Petr has made a tremendous recovery and is looking good for after the international break, and Essien is long-term.
'Everybody is up for selection. At the moment the funny thing is we are on full weeks running into a game, then when the transfer window finishes we have two games a week. It seems now we went into a pattern of the 18 and 11 but it doesn't mean changes won't happen after.'
Villas-Boas also went into more detail on Mata, 23, and what he expected the player would bring to his squad.
'He can play right, left and through the middle,' said the Portuguese. 'He has been tested as well in 4-4-2, not just 4-3-3 so it gives us flexibility in formation as well.
'He has an eye for goal and a magnificent record for assists throughout his career. Now comes one of the biggest challenges for his career now in the Premiership and he has made public his comments on that, it is a step up for his career and we hope he can add to the quality of our squad.
'We were looking for a player that would give us creativity in the final third, not that we don't have it, but we want always to add when you can find talent of this nature.
'We thought the price was reasonable for what Mata's qualities and his demonstrations in the Spanish league and Champions League so we decided to bring him in. It's a big addition everybody was looking for, speculation was coming from all fronts, and criticism for a lack of market activity, so we can feel laid off now!'
On facing Norwich City
New to England, Villas-Boas was modest in discussing his knowledge of Norwich, but is more than familiar with Canaries manager Paul Lambert, a European champion during his playing days.
'I cannot go in depth on Norwich last season but I know they had a fantastic season, an incredible amount of goals scored last season and the season before, coming up twice,' said the 33-year-old.
'Paul Lambert likes to organise his teams and play good attacking football, that's why they were the highest scoring team last year.
It is twice making promotion and this is a high value because you know how tight the Championship is.
'I can only assess what has been happening in pre-season and their first three games and there were some changes Paul made to his team. It leaves us a little bit trying to assess what he is going to do, it seems his principles are well established but to get the starting 11 right will be difficult for us because he changed dramatically his team in the last three games.
'In two difficult games coming out with a draw, almost a win against Stoke, means Norwich is here to play a part and I look forward to playing against him. I think Paul was influenced throughout his career on his influences in European football, and maybe why he uses a mixture of European flair with the attacking British game.'
Other news
With the closing of the transfer window now less than a week away, there was plenty of discussion on transfer targets, and while he did not want to discuss Tottenham's Luka Modric, he did confirm a bid has been placed for Porto's Uruguayan international, Alvaro Pereira.
'I can confirm that we have made a bid for him but we are very far apart in terms of numbers,' reported the manager. 'It's a big, big difference. I am not very confident.
'Not only in Porto, he has a tremendous influence in the Uruguayan national team and played an important part in the Copa America.
'He plays regularly, I think he beat the record for games played in Porto, and gives consistency. He has versatility as well, he can play in side in midfield, on the wing and left-back, so he can add to any squad in the world.'
With Pereira a possible addition to Mata's arrival, it was reported in today's newspapers that Florent Malouda could be leaving the club, but Villas-Boas was quick to dismiss these claims about a player with 43 goals from 189 games.
'Speaking about the number of goals and assists we can speak about the number of goals and assists Malouda has for Chelsea,' he said. 'This is the kind of importance this player has for us, he is an excellent professional, very driven and determined throughout his career, so we can't let ourselves sell talents of this quality.
'As you know I have no problems whatsoever with the average age of the squad because I believe in their competence and I believe in Malouda's competence.'
Manchester City (mcfc.co.uk)
Manchester City FC is delighted to announce the signing of Samir Nasri, who has become Roberto Mancini's fourth signing of the summer.
The French international joins the Club from Arsenal on a four-year deal and will meet his new team-mates on Thursday. He will wear the number 19 shirt. Stayed tuned for an exclusive citytv interview with Samir!
Nasri follows in the footsteps of Sergio Aguero and Stefan Savic as well as fellow former Gunner Gael Clichy in making the switch to the Etihad Stadium.
The 24-year-old, adept in both wide and central roles, arrives in time to merit consideration for Sunday's game at White Hart Lane against Tottenham, his former club Arsenal's fierce rivals.
Born and brought up in Marseille, Nasri joined his hometown team at the age of nine and rose through their youth system before making his senior debut aged 17.
He was named Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year for 2006/07, and made his senior international debut in March 2007. He joined Arsenal in the summer of 2008 after theEuropean Championships.
Nasri began his Gunners career in fine style, scoring on his Barclays Premier League debut against West Brom in Arsenal’s opening game of the 2008/09 season.
His first year in England brought 44 appearances and seven goals. A broken leg in pre-season interrupted his progress but he bounced back to fitness and goalscoring form.
Named French player of the year for 2010 and was short-listed for the 2011 PFA PLayer of the Year alongside Carlos Tevez.
Nasri scored 15 goals in all competitions last season and will wear the No.19 shirt for the Blues.
Arsenal (arsenal.com)
Van Persie - We have surprised a few people
By Chris HarrisRobin van Persie wants Arsenal to use their Champions League play-off victory as a launchpad for a successful season.
Arsène Wenger's side advanced to the group stage for the 14th consecutive year on Wednesday night after coming from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 in Italy and win 3-1 on aggregate.
Van Persie scored the all-important equaliser on the night before Wojciech Szczesny's penalty save and Theo Walcott's goal sealed victory. Now the captain has challenged his team-mates to produce the goods every time they take to the field.
"It has been a hard week with Cesc leaving and Samir leaving and we have been in the papers for the wrong reasons sometimes but I think that we played well and that is a positive sign," said Van Persie.
"Now we have to show it every few days because that's football, we can't live off this night for the rest of the month or the rest of the year. Now I'm looking forward to Manchester United.
"It was tough against Udinese, we had to dig deep, but we can be proud of ourselves because we had a really good performance," he added.
"We were a bit shaky in the first half, especially when they had chances and they scored. But we came back really well. Our first goal finished them off a bit mentally, it was tough for them to regroup after that.
"I think we surprised a few people and hopefully we can do that more often."
Arsène Wenger's side advanced to the group stage for the 14th consecutive year on Wednesday night after coming from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 in Italy and win 3-1 on aggregate.
Van Persie scored the all-important equaliser on the night before Wojciech Szczesny's penalty save and Theo Walcott's goal sealed victory. Now the captain has challenged his team-mates to produce the goods every time they take to the field.
"It has been a hard week with Cesc leaving and Samir leaving and we have been in the papers for the wrong reasons sometimes but I think that we played well and that is a positive sign," said Van Persie.
"Now we have to show it every few days because that's football, we can't live off this night for the rest of the month or the rest of the year. Now I'm looking forward to Manchester United.
"It was tough against Udinese, we had to dig deep, but we can be proud of ourselves because we had a really good performance," he added.
"We were a bit shaky in the first half, especially when they had chances and they scored. But we came back really well. Our first goal finished them off a bit mentally, it was tough for them to regroup after that.
"I think we surprised a few people and hopefully we can do that more often."
Tottenham Hotspur
Emmanuel Adebayor has joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the rest of the season.
The striker, signed from Arsenal in the summer of 2009, will not be eligible under Premier League rules to play against City when the teams meet at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Adebayor, who scored a Europa League hat-trick last season against Lech Poznan, started only two League games, scoring a penalty at Wolves. He also enjoyed a successful loan at Real Madrid.
Liverpool (liverpoolfc.tv)
Reds agree Aquilani deal
Liverpool FC have reached an agreement, subject to a medical, for Alberto Aquilani to join AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the current season. The deal includes an option to make the move a permanent one.
Director of Football Damien Comolli said: "I want to pay tribute to the way Alberto has conducted himself during these discussions.
"Throughout the entire process, his only desire has been to play football and he has put this ahead of any other considerations and at personal cost to himself. We wish him well for the season ahead."
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