Chelsea and Arsenal target Luke Shaw signs new five year deal at Southampton

Posted on January 10, 2013 by adminsports

Teenage star Shaw snubs and Chelsea and Arsenal to sign five-year deal at Southampton

By
Simon Peach, Press Association

PUBLISHED:

10:14 GMT, 10 January 2013

UPDATED:

11:17 GMT, 10 January 2013

Chelsea and Arsenal target Luke Shaw will sign a five-year deal at Southampton on his 18th birthday.

The highly rated 17-year-old left back has been attracting admiring glances from a number of the Barclays Premier League’s elite.

However, the latest talent off Southampton's production line has ended any speculation over his future by today committing his long-term future to the club.

Saint Luke: Shaw (right) will sign a five-year deal at Southampton

He cannot sign a senior contract yet but it is believed Shaw will be seal a five-year deal when he does turn 18 on July 12, 2013.

'I have spoken with the chairman about a long-term plan for me at the club,' the defender said.

'To put an end to all the speculation, I will be committing my future to Southampton. I’m not going anywhere.

'I think Southampton is the place to be for young kids like me.

'I’m playing in the Premier League for the first team and that is all anyone wants to be doing, so I just want to carry on.

'I have been at Southampton since a very young age so I’ve been here a long time now.

Making his mark: Shaw has impressed in the Premier League this season

'I think they are happy with me here, and this club is great for young players like us.

'If you look back over the years, Adam (Lallana) has come through the youth system and now he is the captain of the first team, and Prowsey (James Ward-Prowse) has just signed a five-year deal – and that is what I want to be doing.

'We have a lot of trust in our youth and there are more players coming through next year, so hopefully we will just carry on going.'

Shaw’s commitment to Southampton follows on from fellow academy graduate Ward-Prowse, who signed his five-year deal at in November.

Full back Shaw has become an integral part of Nigel Adkins’ side in recent months, having started every match since his full Premier League debut against Swansea in November.

Southampton 1 Swansea 1: match report Morgan Schneiderlin Nathan Dyer score

Posted on November 10, 2012 by adminsports

Southampton 1 Swansea 1: Saints off the bottom but Dyer haunts former club

UPDATED:

17:21 GMT, 10 November 2012

Southampton's under-fire manager Nigel Adkins was denied a much-need victory by Swansea today as another former academy graduate returned to haunt their former club.

Two weeks ago Gareth Bale helped Tottenham to a 2-1 victory at St Mary's, and this afternoon Nathan Dyer came off the bench to deny the south coast club all three points.

Saints came into the game under no illusions of how important it was to pick up a victory, as speculation mounted over the future of manager Adkins.

Comeback kid: Swansea's Nathan Dyer returned to haunt his former club with a second-half equaliser for Swansea

MATCH FACTS

Southampton: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Yoshida, Fonte, Shaw (Fox 74), Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Lambert, Ramirez. Subs not used: Kelvin Davis, Hooiveld, Steven Davis, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Mayuka.

Booked: Schneiderlin, Lallana.

Goals: Schneiderlin 64.

Swansea: Tremmel, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Davies, Ki, Britton (Shechter 66), De Guzman (Agustien 86), Hernandez, Michu, Routledge (Dyer 56). Subs not used: Cornell, Tate, Moore, Tiendalli.

Booked: Williams, Agustien.

Goals: Dyer 73.

Att: 30,501.

Ref: Andre Marriner.

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The hosts responded in the ideal
manner and, having dominated the first half, continued well after the
break and took a deserved lead through Morgan Schneiderlin.

But, like so many times before this
season, Saints' defence proved their undoing as Maya Yoshida failed to
control a pass from goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, with Dyer nipping in to
collect the ball and fire home to secure a point for the Welsh side.

Adkins named 17-year-old Luke Shaw in
his team for today's game, which saw the left-back become the youngest
ever player to start a Premier League match for Saints.

His appearance came in a match of
grave importance for the hosts, whose fans chanted 'one Nigel Adkins'
from the outset in support of their manager.

The hosts started well and, soon
after Ashley Williams cleared a threatening corner, Schneiderlin blazed
over from the edge of the box.

Saints captain Adam Lallana forced
Gerhard Tremmel into action with a quick turn and strike, before Gaston
Ramirez curled a left-footed effort just wide of the German's right-hand
post from 25 yards.

First up: Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin turns to celebrates after scoring the first goal at St Mary's

It was an opening brimming with
confidence that belied Southampton's lowly position, although their
defensive weaknesses were soon being exposed.

Only the fine reactions of goalkeeper
Gazzaniga stopped Ki Sung-yeung breaking the deadlock 20 minutes in,
but Garry Monk did well at the other end to stop Puncheon getting a shot
away on the counter.

Under pressure: Southampton manager Nigel Adkins went into the came with his side at the foot of the table

Saints were looking the better of the two sides and Ramirez did well to jink into space and fire just wide in the 26th minute.

Schneiderlin and Williams were booked as the match continued, with the latter penalised for clattering in-flight Ramirez.

On the move: Southampton's Jason Puncheon looks to go past Swansea's Ben Davies

The Uruguay international took the
resulting free-kick, which caught the Swansea defence on the hop as he
floated the ball wide to the unmarked Jose Fonte, whose cutback and shot
were both blocked.

Lallana claimed a penalty against Angel Rangel and then scooped a curled right-foot effort as half-time approached.

Hold up: Southampton striker Rickie Lambert (L) vies with Swansea defender Angel Rangel (R)

The Swansea right-back saw a shot
deflected behind off Yoshida when play resumed for the second half,
before Shaw was caught out for the first time.

The teenager was impressing for Saints but Pablo Hernandez got behind him and cut back, only for Wayne Routledge to place over.

Head boys: Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin (L) loses out to Swansea's Jonathan De Guzman

The latter was replaced by former Southampton winger Dyer moments later, before Ramirez twice had shots blocked.

The home side were dominating play but dawdling too often in possession in the final third.
Ramirez failed with an attempted scissor kick and then Lallana was
booked for diving when he went down under pressure from Williams.

No way through: Nathaniel Clyne (L) and Jason Puncheon (R) charge down Swansea winger Wayne Routledge

The home side's intense pressure soon
told, though, as Lallana swung a ball in from the left and Rickie
Lambert's cushion header was controlled by Schneiderlin.

The French midfielder took the ball
on the run and continued to head past Tremmel to give Adkins' side a
deserved 64th-minute lead.

Making a point: Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup barks out his orders from the touchline

Clyne saw a low cross cleared as Southampton pushed for a second, before defensive frailties again cost Adkins' side.

Gazzaniga played the ball out to
Yoshida but the Japan international miscontrolled and Dyer latched on to
the loose ball and fired home off the post.

Stuck in: Adam Lallana gets tangled up in a challenge with Swansea's Angel Rangel

The 73rd-minute leveller was met by a
muted celebration by the substitute in respect to his former club, who
returned the attack desperate for a winner.

Lambert nodded agonisingly wide
shortly afterwards and Cork flashed a strike over, before Tremmel caught
a tame header by the former.

Referee Andre Marriner waved away
Lallana's strong penalty appeals in the 85th minute after going down
under pressure from Monk, before Ki saw a shot blocked at the other end
and Yoshida cleared a cross with a last-ditch challenge.

Manchester City taught a lesson by Ajax academy stars – Neil Ashton

Posted on October 25, 2012 by adminsports

Neil Ashton: City stars taught a harsh lesson from the Amsterdam academy

UPDATED:

23:31 GMT, 24 October 2012

The iconic red and white shirts are instantly recognisable and so is the specific playing style.

With seven homespun players twisting and turning on the field, it is a firm nod in the direction of Ajax’s glorious past.

They still rely on graduates from their fabled Toekomst training academy on the outskirts of Amsterdam to push for places in Frank de Boer’s first team.

Conductor: Frank De Boer's largely home-grown team helped dismantle City

Ajax

There is much to be admired about the policy of promoting young players, but Manchester City are in a hurry to make their move on the rest of Europe.

It is a clash of cultures and cash, a collision of philosophies that could ultimately still end in elimination from Group D for both of these teams.

Micah Richards was the sole academy graduate in City’s team, making the initial run that led to Samir Nasri’s first goal in the Champions League since he quit Arsenal. There will be more like Richards in the future when City’s new academy beds in, although the appearance of Cheadle-born George Evans on the substitutes’ bench is progress of sorts.

The 17-year-old midfielder, son of former City player and physio Ron Evans, was an unexpected selection by Roberto Mancini.

At Ajax this is normal, nothing out of the ordinary for a team that has appointed 12 successive managers born in Holland.

What’s new is old at Ajax and the angled balls played by Ricardo van Rhijn, Daley Blind and goalscorers Siem de Jong, Christian Eriksen and Niklas Moisander are a throwback to the Champions League winning team of 1995.

Back then they fielded nine players from the Ajax academy for the final against Milan in Vienna, but reaching the latter stages is now a far-and-away dream for City.

Last season Mancini’s team equalled a record when they failed to qualify for the second round of the Champions League after collecting 10 points.

After three games, that is now the maximum return for a team that has been in rude health in the Barclays Premier League.

In Europe, it is time for a radical rethink.

Throwback: Cristian Eriksen is reminiscent of Ajax players of old

Jem Karacan signs new Reading deal

Posted on September 20, 2012 by adminsports

Karacan extends Reading stay after signing new three-year deal with Royals

UPDATED:

22:59 GMT, 19 September 2012

Reading midfielder Jem Karacan has penned a new deal with the club which runs until 2015.

The 23-year-old academy graduate is in his ninth year with the Royals and has made 136 appearances to date.

Karacan made 37 of them last season as Reading won the npower Championship and has now extended his stay at the Madejski Stadium.

Staying put: Jem Karacan has extended his deal with Reading

Liverpool to fund Clint Dempsey bid with sales of Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing

Posted on August 23, 2012 by adminsports

Liverpool looking to offload midfielders Adam and Spearing to fund 7.5m Dempsey bid

UPDATED:

06:35 GMT, 23 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Liverpool are desperately trying to raise money to fund a 7.5million bid for wantaway Fulham star Clint Dempsey.

New Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has been tracking the American international all summer, but after already spending 25m on Fabio Borini and Joe Allen he needs to sell before he can buy again.

With an Andy Carroll departure from Anfield looking less likely by the day, Rodgers is now looking to offload midfielders Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing, according to the Daily Mirror.

Wantaway: Dempsey was left out of Fulham's opening day win over Norwich

Both Adam and Spearing were favourites of former Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish, but Rodgers sees neither as playing a part in his first team plans with Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Allen his preferred midfield trio.

Adam, 26, has been offered to Fulham as a 2.5m makeweight as part of the Dempsey deal, although it is thought the Scot is not keen on a move to London.

Merseyside rivals Everton are interested in Adam, but manager David Moyes is prepared to play a waiting game to get the former Blackpool man for as cheap as possible.

Up for sale: Adam (left) and Spearing (right) are set to leave Liverpool

With Jordan Henderson and Jonjo Shelvey also in contention for a starting spot at Anfield, academy graduate Spearing looks certain to move on before the transfer window closes next week, with Bolton showing an interest in 23-year-old.

Unsettled Dempsey, 29, was left out of Fulham's opening day win over Norwich with his future remaining unclear.

Sid Waddell funeral: Voice of Darts remembered

Posted on August 22, 2012 by adminsports

The 'Voice of Darts' remembered: Stars turn out for Sid Waddell's funeral service

UPDATED:

15:46 GMT, 22 August 2012

Sports stars including Andrew Flintoff and Eric Bristow gathered for the funeral of the 'voice of darts', Sid Waddell.

Flintoff and Bristow arrived together at the service in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday.

They were followed into the Parish Church by Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling and the chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation, Barry Hearn.

Paying respects: Eric Bristow (left) and Andrew Flintoff

Football commentator John Helm said as
he arrived: 'If we'd had an Olympic games for commentators he would
have won the gold medal so many times.

'He was top of the tree.

'We are here to pay tribute to a colossus of his trade.

'Every time I was with Sid he always made me laugh.

'He was a man with so much eloquence he could stop the world with his commentaries.'

Keith Deller

Jeff Stelling

Friends: Keith Deller and Jeff Stelling and Barry Hearn (below, right)

Order of service

Barry Hearn

Waddell died earlier this month at the age of 72, following a battle against bowel cancer.

He was one of the most recognisable
figures in the sport, famed for his unique one-liners delivered in his
trademark North East accent.

Northumberland-born and a Cambridge graduate, Waddell was a central part of Sky Sports' coverage of PDC darts events since 1994.

He was known for his colourful and
excitable commentary style, with his best-known lines including 'There's
only one word for it – 'magic darts'.'

He also noted, while watching Bristow
become world champion: 'When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried
salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer … Bristow's
only 27.'

The church was packed for the
hour-long service which featured tributes from Hearn, Sky Sports
commentator Dave Lanning and Waddell's son Dan.

There was no coffin brought in as Waddell was cremated at a private service earlier today.

Family: Dan Waddell, left, Sid's son leaves Pusdey Parish Church with Sid's wife Irene

In his eulogy, Hearn talked about the commentator's 'frenetic, Geordie frenzy' style.

He said: 'We wouldn't be where we are
today without his service to the sport. Painting those pictures, those
Picassos, Sid took a pub game and made it a global phenomenon.'

Hearn told the congregation how a new trophy named after Waddell would be presented at the PDC World Championships.

In his tribute, Dan Waddell said: 'To
me he was more like a mate. We could speak about sport. We could speak
about books. We could speak about anything.

'I'll miss those chats. I'll miss my mate.'

Outside there were more tributes to Waddell.

Flintoff described the fun he had joining his friend in the TV commentary box.

He said: 'At home we'd spend hours
watching him entertaining us on TV as well. He was a great man and it
was a fitting tribute today when the theme of the service was all about
his character and how much fun he was. He was just great to be around.

'There's not too many people who can make people smile instantly and spread happiness almost. He'll be sadly missed.'

Voice of darts: The legendary commentator will be remembered

Speaking outside, Hearn said: 'He was a very smart guy, a very bright man, but he never lost his love for working-class people.

'He hated snobbery of any type, and darts, to him, was a proper game, a proper sport.

'Who else can call Cliff Lazarenko and Jocky Wilson athletes

'He believed it with a passion and it was his passion that came through.'

He added: 'He was a total one-off and
in the world of sport the word 'legend' is often over-used, but in Sid
Waddell it's an understatement.'

Insight: Waddell offered superb knowledge of darts and spoke with humour

Toon: Geordie Waddell was a Newcastle fan

Waddell conducting an interview

Keith Deller, who won the World
Championship in 1983, said Waddell projected darts worldwide as a sport
in the 1980s when many commentators wrote it off as a game for fat beer
drinkers.

'He was a very intelligent man,' Deller said.

'I think he was a lot more intelligent than the people who were writing against us. He really did give us a lot of credibility.

'He had so much enthusiasm for every game.'

Darts veteran Cliff Lazarenko said: 'I don't think, unfortunately, there'll be anyone else to replace Sid.

'He was, once and for all, one of the greatest commentators for our sport.

'And he was a good friend of the darts players. If he didn't have something kind to say, he didn't say it.

'Sid was Sid and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.'

Broad palate: As well as commentating, Waddell also wrote books

FC Toronto 1 Liverpool 1: Adam Morgan rescues Reds

Posted on July 22, 2012 by adminsports

FC Toronto 1 Liverpool 1: Reds youngster Morgan rescues Rodgers in first game

UPDATED:

23:05 GMT, 21 July 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Brendan Rodgers first game in charge of Liverpool ended in stalemate as a goal from England youth striker Adam Morgan rescued a draw here in Toronto.

Magnificently billed as a decider in the World Football Challenge, the grandiose title did not reflect the status of the game and Rodgers made no secret that his first 90 minutes in charge was simply a fact-finding mission.

Still, no manager enjoys losing and it need a poacher’s goal from Morgan, an Academy graduate who has enjoyed a prolific strike rate at age-group levels, to cancel out Quincy Amarikwa’s opener and ensure that Rodgers’ big day was not spoiled.

My ball: Liverpool's Suso, left, skips past Toronto FC's Matt Stinson and Aaron Maund

MATCH FACTS

Liverpool (first half 4-3-3): Jones: Wisdom, Sama, Carragher, Enrique: Aquilani, Spearing, Adam: Ibe, Ecclestone, Pacheco.

Liverpool (second half 4-3-3): Gulacsi: Flanagan, Skrtel, Wilson, Robinson: Adorjan (Lucas 74mins), Shelvey, Suso: Cole, Morgan, Sterling.

Subs: Lucas, Smith, Ward, McLaughlin

Goal: Morgan (69)

The first half, in terms of action, was instantly forgettable. Eager to give a good account of themselves, Toronto were all hustle and bustle, keeping their shape and harrying their more exalted opponents whenever they lost possession.

Sitting on Liverpool’s bench with his arms casually resting behind him, Rodgers was simply happy to soak up the action that was unfolding in front of him; only rarely did he feel compelled to leap from his pew to exhort some orders or bark his displeasure when a move broke down.

Quite frankly, the result did not matter a great deal. What Rodgers was most concerned about was seeing how players such as Charlie Adam and Alberto Aquilani fitted into his system or how young talents like Jordan Ibe, Andre Wisdom and Dani Pacheco would fare.

Of all the midfielders Liverpool possess, it would seem that Adam’s position is vulnerable and few would dispute that he will struggle to hold down a regular spot going forward. Though he showed some nice passes, more will be required in the coming weeks to impress Rodgers.

Midfield battle: Charle Adam is tackled by Toronto FC's Doniel Henry

For Aquilani – who conjured up Liverpool’s first shot on target after 44 minutes – there is also an element of doubt about whether he will be around for when Barclays Premier League business resumes and if an offer were to arrive from Italy, Liverpool would certainly consider it.

Yet the feeling persists that there is a top class player waiting to come out of Aquilani. He looks the part; he can pass and score goals when in the mood and has the elegance to slot in to the stylish way Rodgers wants to play. Seeing how he progresses these next few weeks will be intriguing.

A sentiment, of course, which applies to Liverpool as a collective. They created the best chances of the opening 45 minutes but the closest they came to poking their noses in front was a blocked shot from Pachecho and a header from Nathan Ecclestone, which sailed wide.

First one out of the way: Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans as he walks off

Rodgers made wholesale changes after the break – he fielded a completely new and largely youthful 11, with Joe Cole and Martin Skrtel the only recognised ‘seniors’ – but shuffling the pack did not bring about instant dividends.

In fact, the opposite was true. Toronto took the lead after 58 minutes when Amarikwa pounced after goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi has failed to hold on to a stinging drive from Sergio Camargo. As Amarikwa ostentatiously celebrated, a shake of the head from Rodgers confirmed it was a poor goal to concede.

Parity, however, was restored within 10 minutes. Raheem Sterling, the young winger for whom Liverpool have such high hopes, darted into the area and his cross-cum-shot was gobbled up by the 18-year-old Morgan from close range.

No spare seats: Liverpool and Toronto play in the World Football Challenge at the Rogers Centre

With obtaining fitness the overriding priority, Rodgers took the opportunity to give Brazilian midfielder Lucas his first run out since last November and the Brazilian was given a warm ovation from the crowd. His introduction was significant as he will play a big role for Rodgers.

What Lucas could not do, however, was inspire a winning goal. The game petered out tamely and now it is on to Boston for Rodgers and Company, where they face AS Roma on Wednesday night before finishing their tour in Baltimore next Saturday against Tottenham.

Southampton sign Nathaniel Clyne

Posted on July 18, 2012 by adminsports

New boys Southampton swoop for young Palace star Clyne after United shun move

UPDATED:

16:43 GMT, 18 July 2012

Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne has completed his move to Southampton.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has long been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with Manchester United, West Ham and Newcastle amongst those interested in the right-back.

However, Clyne has opted to join newly-promoted Southampton, penning a four-year deal at St Mary's.

Going up: Southampton shave signed Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne

Clyne broke into the Palace first-team at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, making his debut in a 3-0 home win over Barnsley. He signed a three-year deal soon after and grew to become one of the Eagles' key players.

Clyne won the club's player of the year award for the 2010/11 season and last term was included in the Championship team of the year.

The defender is out of contract at Palace, who will be due compensation for the academy graduate as he is under the age of 24. If a fee cannot be agreed between the clubs, it would go to a tribunal.

London Olympics 2012 Lynsey Sharp out to emulate her father Cameron

Posted on June 27, 2012 by adminsports

Sharp Lynsey out to emulate her father Cameron as Olympic dream draws closer

UPDATED:

23:11 GMT, 26 June 2012

Twenty-nine years after her father last competed in the famous Olympic Stadium here in Helsinki, Lynsey Sharp will try this week at the European Championships to follow in his footsteps by becoming an Olympian.

Cameron Sharp, a Commonwealth champion who raced in the 100 and 200 metres at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, sprinted here at the first World Championships in 1983 against the likes of Carl Lewis and narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

Fractions may also come into it for 800m runner Lynsey, 21, a graduate in law last week from Edinburgh’s Napier University. She has to beat 1min 59.60sec to confirm an Olympic place partially earned when she won last weekend’s GB trials race. But there is more in it than time.

On track: Law graduate Sharp is hoping for selection

There are three blondes in the same British boat here. She must also beat world bronze medallist Jenny Meadows and four-time British champion Jemma Simpson — a scenario common throughout a British team more concerned with Olympic places than European medals.

In a team of 80, Mo Farah is the only Briton exclusively concerned with winning a medal. He defends his 5,000m title today as part of a competitive programme to prepare him for London. In every other event in which Britain is represented, the priority is the competition for places in the team being chosen next Monday.

However, none among the women’s events is quite like the 800m. Another blonde, Emma Jackson, has the selection A standard but broke a rib two weeks ago and, on painkillers, finished nowhere in the trials and is unable to run here.

On target: Sharp wins the 800m in Birmingham

But if there is a private story guaranteed to win the sympathy vote it belongs to Sharp, whose father was physically and mentally disabled by a car crash in 1991 and, with the help of Lynsey’s mother Carol, another international runner, had to learn to walk and talk again.

Lynsey is sponsored by the Edinburgh solicitors who won her father 1.5million in damages from the hospital that treated him. If she wins her Olympic place she plans to make as big an effort to get her dad the disabled pass he will need to watch her run in London.

Wise words: Dad Cameron

His word to her about the Olympics was simple: ‘It’s like no other competition.’

But Lynsey said: ‘I am trying not to think about it and put pressure on myself. If somebody had told me a year ago that I would win the Olympic trials I would have laughed. I’m telling myself that I am still young. If it was my last chance at the end of my career I might be chasing the time more but I’m still young. There will be other Olympics…’

Not for Meadows, who spent two months in a special boot to recuperate from an achilles tendon tear. She is running her first race of the year in Thursday’s heats.

Just two weeks ago she had not run 800m in spikes even in training this year.

She comes with the good wishes of Sir Alex Ferguson, who allowed her to use an underwater treadmill at Manchester United’s training ground for rehabilitation.

Owen Hargreaves released by Manchester City

Posted on May 22, 2012 by adminsports

Hargreaves hunting for new club after Man City release midfielder

UPDATED:

16:54 GMT, 22 May 2012

Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City after his short-term deal expired.

The former England international, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, joined Roberto Mancini's side last August after leaving Manchester rivals United.

Scroll down for that training video

Etihad exit: Owen Hargreaves (right) has been released by Manchester City

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However, he played just four times – but only once in the Barclays Premier League with a 13-minute appearance in October – and scored a screamer against Birmingham in the Carling Cup.

The 31-year-old's last outing came in the 3-2 FA Cup third-round defeat to United on January 8 when he played the final eight minutes.

Hargreaves spent most of last summer trying to convince prospective clubs he was fully fit after having operations on both knees in 2008 and 2009 during his injury-hit spell at Manchester United, and he even resorted to posting videos on YouTube showing him training.

Rare sighting: Hargreaves scored a cracker against Birmingham

Mancini offered the former Bayern Munich star a chance after the player resisted interest from West Brom, but he was not included in the club's Champions League squad and started only two games, both in the Carling Cup, in his four appearances.

That quartet of games was as many as he had managed in the previous three seasons, however.

City have also released Israeli midfielder Gai Assulin, Ahmed Benali and fellow academy graduate Sean Tse while a number of scholars have also been let go.

What next Hargreaves' future is uncertain after leaving City

Meanwhile, on-loan City striker Roque Santa Cruz admits he would like to sign permanently for Real Betis but knows much depends on how his parent club approach negotiations.

'I'm fine here and I want to stay and there will be talks, hopefully in the coming weeks, with my agent,' said the Paraguay international, speaking at a club sponsorship event.

'It is important to see them (City) face negotiations with a smile on their face.

'The club has made a major investment in me and is entitled to see something in exchange.

'They do not want to give away players, many players are in a situation like mine.

'But Betis have my word that I will do everything possible to stay, although it depends on City.'

VIDEO: Will we see Hargreaves make another one of these..

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Tag Archives: graduate

Chelsea and Arsenal target Luke Shaw signs new five year deal at Southampton

Southampton 1 Swansea 1: match report Morgan Schneiderlin Nathan Dyer score

Manchester City taught a lesson by Ajax academy stars – Neil Ashton

Jem Karacan signs new Reading deal

Liverpool to fund Clint Dempsey bid with sales of Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing

Sid Waddell funeral: Voice of Darts remembered

FC Toronto 1 Liverpool 1: Adam Morgan rescues Reds

Southampton sign Nathaniel Clyne

London Olympics 2012 Lynsey Sharp out to emulate her father Cameron

Owen Hargreaves released by Manchester City