A round-up of today's soccer news in brief
Eriksson may join County
SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON could be set for an amazing return to English football with League Two side Notts County.
The former England manager has been in talks about taking a senior role at the club
The club were taken over by a Middle Eastern group, Munto Finance, last month and the talks with Eriksson are a sign of their ambition. It is not thought Eriksson’s appointment would affect the position of current manager Ian McParland.
McCarthy completes move
WIGAN yesterday completed the signing of James McCarthy, the 18-year-old Republic of Ireland under-21 international, from Hamilton on a five-year deal.
Midfielder McCarthy is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in British football and new Latics boss Roberto Martinez is pleased to have snapped him up for an undisclosed fee.
“There were several clubs chasing James,” said Martinez. “It is fantastic he has chosen Wigan.
“He had a very difficult decision to make and, fair play to him, he took his time to weigh up all his options, take advice and make his mind up.
“That shows a huge amount of maturity for a boy of his age, but then maturity is probably the one word I would use above all others to describe him. He has the ability to become a big player in the future and it is great to have him on board.” McCarthy made his debut for Hamilton aged just 15 and has gone on to make almost 100 league appearances.
Malouda signs new three-year deal
CHELSEA midfielder Florent Malouda signed his new three-year deal yesterday and then declared: “This is just the beginning of the story”.
Malouda, who had one year remaining on his current contract, is excited about the prospect of developing his game under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. The France international played on the left side of a midfield diamond during Chelsea’s recent pre-season friendly against Seattle.
“I was really happy when I heard it was Carlo Ancelotti because I have a lot of respect for him. At my former club Lyon I played many times against Milan. For me it is a really good choice and I believe in him,” said Malouda. “This year he wants to try the new system with a diamond so I have to adapt myself and that is why we are training really hard to do what the manager wants. It is a different role for me but that is part of my game, I can play in many positions.”
Inter confident of doing swap deal for Eto’o
INTER MILAN president Massimo Moratti remains confident he can tie up a deal for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o.
Inter are negotiating with Eto’o and his agent with a view to bringing him to the San Siro in a swap deal which would see Zlatan Ibrahimovic move the opposite way. Inter will also receive €45 million and Alexander Hleb on a season-long loan.
Moratti told the club’s official website, www.inter.it: “Until things are wrapped up, there’s nothing to say but I am confident.
“Eto’o is one of the most important players on the market.
“Along with Ibra, he’s one of the most wanted. It’s a good chance for us to have another champion.” Moratti had nothing but praise for Ibrahimovic, who was the top scorer in Serie A last season.
“He’s a very serious professional. He has always behaved well with us,” he said.
“He helped us win the championship and he was top scorer last year.”
Ireland secures victory for City
MANCHESTER CITY handed a debut to new signing Gareth Barry but it was an Eastlands old boy who clinched the winner as the Blues posted a hard-fought victory in the second match of their South African tour last night. Watched by new signing Emmanuel Adebayor, City recovered from their weekend loss to Orlando Pirates with a 1-0 triumph against Kaizer Chiefs, with Stephen Ireland hitting the winner on the stroke of half-time at the ABSA Stadium in Durban. Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz were again left to watch from the sidelines as City manager Mark Hughes continued to exercise patience with his summer signings.
Arsenal bounced back from conceding the opener against Austrian amateur side SC Columbia to win 7-1 in Vienna.
Crouch says no to Sunderland
SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce was yesterday turning his attention to other targets after admitting defeat in his efforts to land England striker Peter Crouch.
Bruce’s worst fears over the 28-year-old Portsmouth striker’s willingness to relocate to the north-east of England were realised when he informed the Black Cats he would prefer to stay in the south. With Fulham and Tottenham also having made no secret of their interest in the player, he could well get his wish.
The news came as a blow to Bruce, who had included Crouch among a list of six key targets when he presented his wish-list to chairman Niall Quinn. Sunderland had agreed a €13.5 million fee with Pompey and personal terms with the player – his agent Jonathan Barnett had earlier rubbished claims he was looking for €104,000 a week – but could not seal a move.
