Trapattoni Refuses To Rule Out Ireland Return For Manchester City Midfielder
The Republic of Ireland coach hasn't ruled out a return to the emerald green for the mercurial midfielder, but the Manchester City man must also prove his commitment to the cause.
Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed that a return to the international fold with the Republic of Ireland is a definite possibility for Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, but he must show that he is truly committed to the national side before any comeback can be seriously considered.
Ireland, always a player of huge potential whose well-publicised off-field issues out his international career on hold back in 2007, has been one of Manchester City's most consistent performers this season, after a summer spent working intensively on his fitness has paid off.
Many have discussed a potential return to the Republic's World Cup qualifying campaign, but both sides in the equation have been cautious when discussing such a move so far.
However, Trapattoni today told Setanta Sports that there would definitely be a role for the Cobh-born playmaker, who was also eligible for international recognition with England or Italy before opting to represent his homeland at senior level.
"Absolutely," said Trapattoni earlier. "I discussed this with him when I met him. Where does he play with Manchester City? In midfield, behind the strikers, but after a chance at goal, he comes back in here [midfield]."
However, before the player's supporters become too excited, Trapattoni is elsewhere reported as expressing slightly greater reservations about recalling Ireland to the national squad.
"Maybe we will take Ireland into consideration but, if we qualify with this squad, he cannot say, 'I am available'," Sky Sports quotes Trapattoni as telling reporters.
"That's not for him, it's about the fans. He has to show Irishness and a willingness to play for Ireland."
The Republic added some momentum to their qualifying campaign this week, by coming from behind to beat Georgia 2-1 thanks to a brace from Tottenham Hotpsur striker Robbie Keane, and Trapttoni remains optimistic about their prospects of reaching South Africa in 2010.
He added, "There is still a long way to go in the campaign but even while we wait we have a good situation to go away in the qualifiers."
Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed that a return to the international fold with the Republic of Ireland is a definite possibility for Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, but he must show that he is truly committed to the national side before any comeback can be seriously considered.
Ireland, always a player of huge potential whose well-publicised off-field issues out his international career on hold back in 2007, has been one of Manchester City's most consistent performers this season, after a summer spent working intensively on his fitness has paid off.
Many have discussed a potential return to the Republic's World Cup qualifying campaign, but both sides in the equation have been cautious when discussing such a move so far.
However, Trapattoni today told Setanta Sports that there would definitely be a role for the Cobh-born playmaker, who was also eligible for international recognition with England or Italy before opting to represent his homeland at senior level.
"Absolutely," said Trapattoni earlier. "I discussed this with him when I met him. Where does he play with Manchester City? In midfield, behind the strikers, but after a chance at goal, he comes back in here [midfield]."
However, before the player's supporters become too excited, Trapattoni is elsewhere reported as expressing slightly greater reservations about recalling Ireland to the national squad.
"Maybe we will take Ireland into consideration but, if we qualify with this squad, he cannot say, 'I am available'," Sky Sports quotes Trapattoni as telling reporters.
"That's not for him, it's about the fans. He has to show Irishness and a willingness to play for Ireland."
The Republic added some momentum to their qualifying campaign this week, by coming from behind to beat Georgia 2-1 thanks to a brace from Tottenham Hotpsur striker Robbie Keane, and Trapttoni remains optimistic about their prospects of reaching South Africa in 2010.
He added, "There is still a long way to go in the campaign but even while we wait we have a good situation to go away in the qualifiers."
Everton Ready To Buy Jo
The Toffees are desperate for their winter recruit to stick around for good after an impressive opening to his spell on Merseyside...
UK tabloid The Sun claims that Everton are eager to hammer out a permanent deal for Jo, who they landed on loan from Manchester City last month.
The Brazilian prospect arrived at Eastlands last summer in deal worth over €21 million, a fee that reflected his superb goalscoring record at CSKA Moscow (44 strikes in 77 league games).
However, the 21-year-old has failed to make any sort of impact in Manchester, struggling to hold down a place in the squad despite the Sky Blues' desperate need of a genuine centre-forward.
Thus, Mark Hughes shipped out the troublesome target-man at the first opportunity, and the early signs suggest that he is well on the way to resurrecting his career at Goodison Park.
On his Everton debut, Jo scored twice and won a penalty to steer his new side to a 3-0 bashing of Bolton Wanderers, and manager David Moyes is already hatching a plan to buy him outright.
The Toffees were among those chasing the sometime Selecao star during the off-season, but financial restrictions - combined with City's comparitive lack thereof - forced them to drop out.
However, with the Citizens' Arab owners looking to upgrade their struggling squad significantly at the end of the campaign, Jo could be available for a cut-price deal.
UK tabloid The Sun claims that Everton are eager to hammer out a permanent deal for Jo, who they landed on loan from Manchester City last month.
The Brazilian prospect arrived at Eastlands last summer in deal worth over €21 million, a fee that reflected his superb goalscoring record at CSKA Moscow (44 strikes in 77 league games).
However, the 21-year-old has failed to make any sort of impact in Manchester, struggling to hold down a place in the squad despite the Sky Blues' desperate need of a genuine centre-forward.
Thus, Mark Hughes shipped out the troublesome target-man at the first opportunity, and the early signs suggest that he is well on the way to resurrecting his career at Goodison Park.
On his Everton debut, Jo scored twice and won a penalty to steer his new side to a 3-0 bashing of Bolton Wanderers, and manager David Moyes is already hatching a plan to buy him outright.
The Toffees were among those chasing the sometime Selecao star during the off-season, but financial restrictions - combined with City's comparitive lack thereof - forced them to drop out.
However, with the Citizens' Arab owners looking to upgrade their struggling squad significantly at the end of the campaign, Jo could be available for a cut-price deal.
Manchester City To Make Daniel Sturridge
The Citizens are ready to tie down their striking starlet to record dealAccording to The Sun, Manchester City forward Daniel Sturridge is on the verge of penning a £45,000-per-week contract that will make him the highest-paid teenager in English football.
The England Under-19 star's current deal at Eastlands expires in the summer, and manager Mark Hughes is determined to keep hold of one of the club's brightest youth products.
However, talks came dangerously close to collapsing recently when Sturridge reportedly demanded an astonishing £75,000 a week - a proposal that was flatly refused by City.
It is thought that the pacey youngster and his representatives had hoped to force the club's hand amid interest from Aston Villa and Chelsea, but now a compromise seems to have been reached.
The new deal is expected to be signed and sealed within the next two weeks.
Manchester City Open Talks To Sign Kaka
Manchester City have begun talks with Milan to sign Kaka, according to reports.Garry Cook, City's chief executive, was in Milan today to open discussions with the Rossoneri about the possibility of prising their superstar forward away from San Siro, according to Sky Sports News.
It is understood that at the moment, the Citizens are merely making an enquiry into the possibility of signing the man that has in the past been courted relentlessly by Real Madrid and then Chelsea.
Kaka himself has always underlined his eagerness to stay with the the Diavoli and the club have long said that they are unwilling to sell the Brazilian ace. The one question mark over his future comes due to Milan's waning financial power; the potential sale of Kaka would allow them to re-strengthen an aging squad and begin competing financially with the Premier League big boys, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
La Gazzetta dello Sport speculate that City are set to offer an incredible, world record-breaking €100 million for Kaka, who relinquished his FIFA World Player of the Year title to Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday evening.
City may be hesistant to sign the the megastar in January, as he would not be eligible to play in the UEFA Cup, and for Milan to relinquish their star performer mid-season seems even less probableMilan vice president Adriano Galliani was said to have been told this afternoon by Cook that in addition to the transfer fee that almost doubles the current world record, Kaka would be earning €221,000 per week - over €10m per season - which would make him by far the highest paid player in world football.
This latest development bears some resemblance to City's move for Robinho on deadline day, which came just after Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover and rocked the world of football.
The once modest Eastlands club now have the financial clout to eclipse any other club in the world, and though no bid has been made yet, no statement has been released by Milan rebuffing the deal, beyond president Silvio Berlusconi's earlier statement, in which he declared he knows of no offer, but hopes that Kaka will stay at the club
Andrei Arshavin, to Manchester City Or Arsenal
Manchester City are reportedly set to beat Arsenal in the race for Zenit St Petersburg striker Andrei Arshavin, according to the Sunday Mirror.Zenit have previously admitted they have been in discussions with the Gunners over a proposed transfer for Arshavin and it had been reported that the Russian side rejected Arsenal’s initial bid.
Whilst the Gunners are believed to have returned with an improved offer, they still appear to have fallen short of Zenit’s asking price with the striker’s wage demands also a potential problem.
However, City, who appear to have limitless financial resources following their takeover, are reportedly ready to hijack the deal and bring Arshavin to Eastlands.
The Sunday Mirror reports that the Sky Blues have agreed an £18 million deal with Zenit and that club official’s have also met with the striker and agreed to meet his wage demands.
Should the report prove to be correct it would undoubtedly be a huge blow to Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger, who appeared to have made Arshavin their primary transfer target.City, meanwhile, have already added Wayne Bridge to their ranks from Chelsea, yet have been frustrated so far in their attempts to add further players to their squad.
A bid for Blackburn Rovers’ striker Roque Santa Cruz has been rejected by Sam Allardyce's men and the Sky Blues have also so far failed in their attempts to sign West Ham United pair Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy
