David Beckham nearly joined Botafogo

Posted on November 9, 2012 by adminsports

Beckham wanted samba sabbatical at Botafogo, claims Alberto

UPDATED:

16:48 GMT, 9 November 2012

David Beckham came close to taking a year-long sabbatical from LA Galaxy to soak up the samba style with Brazilian club Botafogo.

Becks penned a two-year contract extension with the Galaxy in January, but it has now been revealed he was on the verge of jetting to Brazil for a season.

Botafogo landed their top transfer target Clarence Seedorf, but were also negotiating the signature of the former England international.

Samba beat: Beckham came close to moving to Brazil for a year

Carlos Alberto was in Holland while the Seedorf deal was being finalised, and details of Beck's interest in the Brazilian club was revealed.

'When the negotiation was about to close, I spoke with the president – he and I have a pretty cool relationship,' Carlos Alberto told ESPN Brasil.

'I was in Amsterdam in May and an influential businessman, a famous player, came to me at the hotel, saying there was a player interested in playing for a year in Brazil: David Beckham.

Clearance, Clarence: Seedorf did make the move to South America

'If it did not work with Seedorf, he had this player to come to Brazil.'

Botafogo president Mauricio Assumpcao later confirmed that Beckham was prepared to make the switch.

'That's exactly what happened, there really was this interest,' Assumpcao told Lancenet.

AC Milan keen on Andy Carroll loan move

Posted on July 9, 2012 by adminsports

Italian job: AC Milan line up move for Liverpool striker Carroll… but only on loan

UPDATED:

23:15 GMT, 8 July 2012

Italian giants AC Milan are weighing up a loan move for Liverpool’s Andy Carroll.

The strikers’ name came up when the two clubs were talking about midfielder Alberto Aquilani return to Merseyside following a year in Milan.

The son of Milan president and former Italian Prime Mininster Silvio Berlusconi – Pier Silvio – is understood to be a fan of the ex-Newcastle man following his performances at Euro 2012.

Loan move: Andy Carroll came on a substitute in England's Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat to Italy in Kiev

He is reported as saying in The Sun: 'This is a new era for Milan.

'We will continue to get younger while maintaining the culture.

'Milan still has its superstars but I’d like to have Carroll at Milan. I was impressed with his strength and his headed goal against Sweden.'

According to reports in Italy, Berlusconi is ‘seriously considering’ taking his son’s advice, especially as Carroll might not feature highly in new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers’ plans for this season.

However one story carried on the website of a TV channel owned by media tycoon Berlusconi Jnr hinted that Carroll’s 35million price-tag would make a permanent move unlikely at this stage.

Target man: AC Milan are interested in signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll

Swapping kits Carroll could play in the famous red and black next season

Due to the economic crisis it is thought that any deal would be a loan to begin with and then possibly a permanent one once the San Siro club can sell on Brazilian star Robinho.

The Rossoneri have lost a host of big names this summer with Filippo Inzaghi, 38, Clarence Seedorf, 36, Mark van Bommel, 35, and 34-year-old Gennaro Gattuso all leaving on free transfers.

Former England striker Mark Hateley, who played for Milan for 3 years in the mid-80s believes that a move to Italy would be perfect for Carroll.

‘It would be breath of fresh air for Andy Carroll,' he told talkSPORT recently.

‘It would be great to go away and test himself in a new environment, a new culture and a different way of living.

‘That was key for my development when I was so young.

'They teach you the game inside and out, that’s what they do in these countries, especially Italy. Big strikers have always been a handful. It would be great for Andy and…it’ll be great for England.

High jump: Carroll impressed for England against Sweden at Euro 2012

‘At his age you’re still very young and very raw. He’s got great strengths in his game already but he still has a lot of weaknesses.

‘They (Milan) can deconstruct his game and build it back up again to the way a European centre-forward should be.’

Andy Carroll wanted by AC Milan

Posted on July 4, 2012 by adminsports

Italian job for Liverpool striker Carroll as Serie A giants Milan declare: We want you!

UPDATED:

06:37 GMT, 4 July 2012

AC Milan could be set to launch a shock swoop for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll after the Italian giant's transfer consultant revealed their interest.

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi's son Pier Silvio – president of Mediaset, the holding company that owns the San Siro club – admitted he is a huge fan of the England international and wants to see him wearing the black and red Rossoneri colours in the future.

The Three Lions powerhouse was a British record transfer signing when the Reds snapped him up from Newcastle for 35million in January 2010.

Target man: AC Milan are interested in signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll

The 23-year-old has enjoyed mixed fortunes during his time at Anfield in which he struggled early on.

But he enjoyed an encouraging end to the season last term and won a place in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad.

Heading off: Milan were impressed with Carroll's thumping header against Sweden

Carroll, capped by his country seven times, scored a fabulous header in England's 3-2 group stage win over Sweden – a goal which has prompted Milan's surprise interest.

'As a future target I’d like Andy Carroll,' said Berlusconi.

'I must admit that for his body build, and after seeing his header in the Euros, I would like to have Carroll at Milan.'

Italian job: Carroll came on a substitute in England's Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat to Italy in Kiev

After waving farewell to a host of veteran club favourites this summer – including Rino Gattuso, Mark van Bommel and Clarence Seedorf – Milan are keen to usher in younger talent in their bid to wrest the Scudetto from last season's champions Juventus.

An audacious move for Carroll would certainly underline their intent and Berlusconi added: 'This is a new era for Milan.

'We will continue to get younger while maintaining the culture. Milan still has its superstars.'

Euro 2012: BBC beat ITV thanks to Gary Lineker: Brian Barwick

Posted on July 2, 2012 by adminsports

Brian Barwick: Euro triumph for BBC as Lineker's easy style wins out

UPDATED:

21:32 GMT, 1 July 2012

Two things happened at the quarter-final stage of this year’s European Championship – England went home after yet another penalty shootout nightmare – and ITV all but went home with them.

Both semi-finals were live only on BBC TV, whilst Sunday's final between Spain and Italy was shared by the two broadcasters.

For the BBC, this is always a nice way to finish a tournament – unlike England they always win it. Whatever the reason, whether it’s tradition, preference, personnel, absence of commercials or trust, ITV will have conceded another defeat to their rivals in this head-to-head.

Well oiled: BBC once more impressed, bettering the efforts of their rivals

And yet this time around, at Euro 2012, ITV put up a decent fight, certainly in the early stages of the competition.

I thought they had the better opening titles, theme music and studio set, critically based in Warsaw, and there was just a greater sense of confidence about their presentation and production than in recent times.

The BBC certainly picked up their own game after a sluggish start to Euro 2012 – not helped by initially presenting from the UK – and have subsequently finished strongly.

Gary Lineker began his broadcasting career with a short tense opening line in a highlights programme during Euro 96. He was nervous, and so was I, having helped him make some of the early steps in his post-football career.

Leading man: Gary Lineker

He is now completely at ease in his ‘second trade’ and seemed to enjoy the tournament. Presenters, like footballers, want to be involved in the biggest occasions – and Euro 2012 has allowed Lineker to do that.

I think he has been particularly at his strongest when coaxing answers and opinions out of studio guests like Harry Redknapp, David Moyes, Clarence Seedorf, Gianluca Vialli and Jurgen Klinsmann. With them, he was objective, sharp, inquisitive and inclusive.

In contrast, his exchanges with the two resident ‘Alans’ – Hansen and Shearer, can suffer sometimes from over-familiarity. Next stop for Lineker, a peak-time presentation slot on the Olympics. I wish him well.

Over on ITV, Adrian Chiles is an intriguing mix; a producer’s nightmare – ‘where’s he taking us now’ – but with an endearing manner that often involves asking the questions the fans at home want answered.

You sense that to Chiles, the programme’s running order is something to rest his coffee on – but in Chiles and Lineker, both good ‘live’ television exponents, you do have a choice of styles.

For all the hard work and hard cash put into recruiting the star studio guests, the viewer often spends more time in the company of the commentary teams as they describe the live action.

This time for me, BBC’s Guy Mowbray and Mark Lawrenson pick up the winners’ medals. They work well off each other and are at their best when they lay off the comedy, and concentrate on ‘who passed to who’ and why.

Mark the commentator beats Mark the comedian every time.

The size of the TV audiences for Euro 2012 have been remarkable, and not just for the England matches – they are always blockbusters and continue to re-write TV history. However, it was often an early group game between two less glamorous sides that turned in an audience figure that The Voice would have died for.

Putting up a good fight: ITV got more right than wrong at Euro 2012

For the BBC and ITV it has all added up to a bumper three weeks – with the Corporation also currently in the throes of an exciting Wimbledon and London 2012 less than a month away.

A few closing thoughts. Lee Dixon continues to impress as a pundit, Roy Keane produced some magical stares and stunning short responses. Loved Balotelli’s close-ups, UEFA should control the excessive pre-match stadium PA noise – listening to respected radio broadcasters like Mike Ingham and Alan Green struggling to hear and be heard is not on.

Well done Sky Sports News for their comprehensive event reports and plaudits to the match directors and production teams who have delivered consistently high standards of match coverage.

Roll on Brazil and the 2014 World Cup.

Clarence Seedorf snubs West Ham to join Botafogo

Posted on July 1, 2012 by adminsports

Hammer blow for West Ham as target Seedorf moves to Brazil in mega-bucks switch

UPDATED:

12:47 GMT, 1 July 2012

On the move: Seedorf will join Botafogo

Former Holland international Clarence Seedorf has joined Brazilian side Botafogo on a two-year-deal.

The Surinam-born 36-year-old, who ended a 10-year stint at AC Milan this summer and had been interesting West Ham, has been given what Botafogo claim is the most lucrative deal ever handed out to a foreign player in Brazil.

The club announced the deal in a statement which read: 'Botafogo have formalised a contract with the Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who is 36.

'Seedorf has signed a deal for two years with Botafogo.'

It went on: 'It is the biggest contract for a foreigner made by a Brazilian football club.'

Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo sit eighth in the Campeonato Brasileiro with three wins from six matches.

West Ham want William Gallas from Tottenham

Posted on June 29, 2012 by adminsports

Hammers target Spurs defender Gallas as Allardyce ramps up transfer plans

UPDATED:

07:49 GMT, 29 June 2012

West Ham are planning an audacious swoop for Tottenham defender William Gallas.

The French centre back could make the Upton Park side his fourth capital club after spells with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Gallas, 34, is available on a free transfer as Spurs look to strengthen their back four.

Wanted: William Gallas could be set for a move to newly-promoted West Ham

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is on the hunt for defensive reinforcements after his side's promotion to the Premier League, and sees Gallas as the perfect signing, according to The Sun.

He has released Abdoulaye Faye, 34, while
31-year-old Danny Collins has returned to Stoke following a loan spell.

West Ham's chances of signing Gallas would be boosted if Spurs can finally wrap up the signing of Ajax's Belgium international Jan Vertonghen.

Target: Clarence Seedorf (left) is also attracting attention from England

Another former international star on Allardyce's radar is Clarence Seedorf who has ironically also been linked with a move to Tottenham,

Brazil club Botafogo remain in the driving seat but the Dutch legend has expressed his desire to play in England.

Edge of the Box: BBC and ITV take pragmatic approach to England"s charge at Euro 2012

Posted on June 12, 2012 by adminsports

BBC and ITV take pragmatic approach to England's charge at Euro 2012

PUBLISHED:

23:07 GMT, 11 June 2012

UPDATED:

23:07 GMT, 11 June 2012

‘With expectation lower than ever, maybe we can win it’.

I know, me too. I’ve got goose bumps!
Who needs Churchill fighting them on the beaches, or Admiral Nelson
seeing no ships And you can forget crying havoc and letting slip the
dogs of war. Perhaps a couple of kittens

Them fighting words belong to Alan
Shearer from the BBC’s Friday opening night coverage of Euro 2012 and to
be fair to the buccaneering old centre forward, he was rather
reflecting the mood of the nation. It would seem the underdogs of war is
more the way we are viewing our brave lads as they go over the top in
Poland and Ukraine, and wise Al was just getting into the spirit of
that.

However, it did rather mirror the way
the Corporation has also approached the start of the tournament.
Cautiously, you might say. Low key.

Quip: Lineker

‘Welcome from the very west of Poland.
Or as well call it, Salford’, quipped Gary Lineker from the very
familiar surroundings of the Match of the Day studio and that is where
we were again on Saturday for the first double header of the tournament –
having just witnessed some rather dour opening titles that looked like a
sort of Lord Of the Rings animated sequence with lions and dragons
fighting over the precious ball across a barren landscape. The one
saving grace being, it’s surely considerably shorter than it might have
been had Peter Jackson made it.

If you were hoping for more of an
in-your-face statement, then you needed to look no further than guest
pundit Harry Redknapp. Seemingly unfazed in the company of the more
youthful Clarence Seedorf and Lee Dixon, Harry had rocked up (I believe
that is the appropriate phrase) in a black Vivienne Westwood shirt, no
less. And you thought it was Stuart Pearce with the punk attitude in
football. As Jimmy Pursey once sang, ‘’urry up ‘arry, c’mon!’.

However, perhaps even stranger than
Harry in a bit of Viv was the sight of Alan Shearer pitchside with Jake
Humphrey. Possibly aware that he may have came across rather downbeat on
Friday, it had clearly been decided that he should now relax, and show
us his lighter side. So whenever young Humphrey was talking to camera,
Shearer also stood square onto it, grinning just that little bit too
manically, from ear to ear. It was just so ‘not’ him.

Tottenham want Clarence Seedorf

Posted on June 8, 2012 by adminsports

Spurs ponder shock free move for Seedorf after veteran's AC Milan exit

UPDATED:

08:56 GMT, 8 June 2012

Tottenham have been linked with a surprise move for Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf.

The 36-year-old is leaving AC Milan on a free transfer this summer and has six offers from across the football world.

Sources close to the player claim at least one English club are keen to sign him, with reports in Brazil naming Tottenham as making an approach.

Respect: Clarence Seedorf (left) with Pierluigi Collina in Warsaw this week

Sportsmail revealed last year that Manchester City were keen to sign the midfielder, but he opted to stay at the San Siro for another season. The former Ajax man also has offers from USA’s MLS, the United Arab Emirates, China and Brazil.

One of the offers from Asia is believed to be worth a whopping 20million over three years, but Seedorf’s representative Deborah Martin has insisted that money alone is not decisive.

End of an era: Seedorf is leaving Milan

She has been in Rio de Janeiro for talks with Botafogo, who are increasingly confident that they can secure his signature.

Seedorf, who was born in the South American country Suriname, has previously spoken of his desire to play in Brazil and is exploring how to a move to Botafogo could incorporate social and business projects in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup.

But his advisers have expressed concern at the case of Ronaldinho, who rescinded his contract with Flamengo after allegedly going unpaid millions of pounds over many months.

AC Milan old boys bow out in tears

Posted on May 14, 2012 by adminsports

AC Milan begin new era as club legends Gattuso, Seedorf, Inzaghi and Nesta bow out in tears

UPDATED:

01:06 GMT, 14 May 2012

The end of an era at AC Milan was greeted with tears from the players who will no longer wear the famous black and red shirt.

A host of established stars will move on from the club since summer after years of loyal service, with one such individual Filippo Inzaghi bowing out the match-winning goal in a 2-1 over Novara.

Gennaro Gattuso

Alessandro Nesta

Mark van Bommel

Dry your eyes, mate: Gianluca Zambrotta was one of several players to break down as he saluted the fans on his final game for AC Milan

Perfect send off: Filippo Inzaghi scored the winner as a substitute late on

The 38-year-old, who has played 11 seasons at the San Siro, is yet to decide on his future and leaves with the likes of Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Mark van Bommel and Gianluca Zambrotta.

Nearly of those who are waving goodbye to Milan, especially tough-tackling Gattuso who departs after 13 seasons, left the San Siro pitch in tears.

Milan, who won the title last year, finished second and four points behind unbeaten Juventus.

Thanks for the memories: Clarence Seedorf is also set to leave the club

Elsewhere in Italy, Udinese clinched third place and a spot in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League, the same stage they reached last year where they were beaten by Arsenal.

Lazio took fourth despite going behind to Inter when Diego Milito scored from a penalty, the Argentine's 24th Serie A goal of the season, on the stroke of half-time.

AC Milan 0 Barcelona 0

Posted on March 29, 2012 by adminsports

AC Milan 0 Barcelona 0: Defending champions frustrated in goalless first leg

UPDATED:

21:03 GMT, 28 March 2012

AC Milan survived a prolonged Barcelona onslaught to hold their illustrious visitors goalless, but will be left wondering how they fluffed some golden chances to take a first-leg lead in the Champions League quarter-final.

A series of sublime Barca attacks produced no end product, while Milan had, but wasted, by far the better openings in the match.

The hosts managed to shut out Lionel Messi in red-hot form, though, to give themselves hope for the second leg at the Nou Camp.

Happy camper: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was happy with AC Milan's draw with Barcelona

MATCH FACTS:

AC Milan: Abbiati, Bonera, Nesta (Mesbah 74),Mexes, Antonini, Nocerino, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Boateng (Emanuelson 67), Robinho (El Shaarawi 52), Ibrahimovic.

Subs Not Used: Amelia, Aquilani, Maxi Lopez, Yepes.

Booked: Seedorf, Nesta, Ambrosini.

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol, Iniesta (Tello 65), Busquets, Xavi, Keita, Messi,Sanchez (Pedro 76).

Subs Not Used: Pinto, Fabregas, Thiago, Muniesa, Montoya.

Booked: Keita.

Att: 70,628

Ref: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden).

Milan squandered their first opening in only the third minute. Space opened up for Kevin Prince-Boateng on the edge of the area, but he hesitated for a split-second and Gerard Pique charged down the shot.

The ball was then headed back in to give Robinho an even better chance unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, but he skied the ball horribly over the crossbar when it looked a certain goal.

Lionel Messi, one goal shy of 50 in the competition, gained some unwanted attention from a laser pen as he lined up a free-kick on the edge of the area, but could only blame the turf as he slipped while taking it, with Seydou Keita was offside as he tried to head in the unintended cross.

Messi then saw Christian Abbiati spill one of his shots, but the ball somehow evaded the advancing Daniel Alves as Milan survived.

Barca, though, should have had a penalty moments later when Alexis Sanchez fell over Abbiati after beautiful play from Xavi and Sergio Busquets, but the Chilean perhaps went over too easily and was told to get up.

Barca were passing the ball about at speed and forcing passes through seemingly impossible gaps, but they continued to stutter when it mattered, with Messi offside as he tapped in an Alves cross, while Abbiati denied Xavi.

Amid it all, a first-time ball from Clarence Seedorf put Zlatan Ibrahimovic clean through, but goalkeeper Victor Valdez raced out to make a fine save at point-blank range.

Frustrated: Lionel Messi (left) was unable to replicate his recent red-hot form

Denied: Ibrahimovic missed the best chance of the game as Milan came close to stunning the holders

Sanchez then looked to have broken clear, but Luca Antonini did not give it up and made a brilliant recovering tackle to prevent the shot.

The second half failed to capture the imagination in quite the same way.

Andres Iniesta cut in from the left to send an early shot wide, but it was hardly a sign of things to come as the game became scrappy thanks to a series of fouls and some unnecessary falls.
Milan lost Robinho to an injury amid the tumbles, but at least cut down the number of direct threats on their goal.

Tumble and fall: The second half was a scrappy affair as neither side could make the breakthrough

They should have been attacking themselves in the 67th minute when Urby Emanuelson came on to be handed the chance of an instant impact, only to scuff his first touch when a long ball put him clean through.

Barca began to threaten again going into the final 15 minutes. Substitute Cristian Tello fired high into the side-netting from a tight angle and then Messi saw a shot charged down and deflected wide.
From the resulting corner, Carles Puyol's diving header across goal went narrowly wide.

Shot: Alexis Sanchez tries his luck as Barcelona struggle to break down the Milan defence

Their best chance of the half came right at the end when Messi stayed on his feet as Milan defenders fell about him, firing in a powerful shot which Abbiati could only parry across goal.

It rolled teasingly towards Tello as he raced in, but cover arrived in the nick of time for Milan.

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Tag Archives: seedorf

David Beckham nearly joined Botafogo

AC Milan keen on Andy Carroll loan move

Andy Carroll wanted by AC Milan

Euro 2012: BBC beat ITV thanks to Gary Lineker: Brian Barwick

Clarence Seedorf snubs West Ham to join Botafogo

West Ham want William Gallas from Tottenham

Edge of the Box: BBC and ITV take pragmatic approach to England"s charge at Euro 2012

Tottenham want Clarence Seedorf

AC Milan old boys bow out in tears

AC Milan 0 Barcelona 0