Didier Drogba learned a lot at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Thursday, having for the first time sampled the enthusiasm of almost 85,000 Chelsea supporters in Asia.
Our sell-out at Malaysia's national stadium sets a new record for a Chelsea friendly, with the noise inside the arena reaching previously unimagined levels. For Drogba, who missed our 2008 tour of the region, it was an unforgettable experience, demonstrated by his filming of the crowd on his phone prior to kick-off.
The support clearly had an effect, with the 33-year-old Ivorian creating the game's only goal, his venomous free-kick rebounding off the post and in off the Malaysian goalkeeper. 'The reception was amazing,' Drogba said afterwards. 'People used to tell me we have a lot of fans here in Asia and what we saw today was unbelievable, and the whole time we have been here, the passion really was special. 'It is good to travel and feel who our supporters are. Now we know when we are playing we are not only playing for our Chelsea fans in England, we are also playing for these people.'
The forward's free-kick was the standout moment in a game made difficult by energetic opposition and an awkward pitch, not to mention the hot and humid conditions.
'I think it was a good opportunity to try and score, I'm not sure if the ball crossed the line but the most important thing is the result,' Drogba said. 'It's good for the team to win, even if it was a friendly and the game was very difficult.
'Everything made it difficult, our opposition, the heat, the pitch. We have had around 14 days of training since we started, not a lot, and our fitness is difficult starting again here.
'The pitch was not easy and also the weather, the humidity, the heat, it is really difficult. I've said before it is similar to Ivory Coast, so I am a little bit used to it even though it is very difficult. I think it's difficult for both teams, even though they are from here it must be difficult for them as well. That's how it is, it's a bit crazy.'
'Crazy' would certainly describe the levels of support experienced so far. Now it is on to Thailand and the Rajamangala National Stadium, where we will meet a local Premier League All Stars XI, once more live on Chelsea TV.
Andre Villas-Boas admitted after the 1-0 win in Malaysia that his team lacked the efficiency in front of goal that would have given a scoreline more reflecting of the play, but he saw clear signs of progress with four pre-season games yet to play before the league season begins.
It took a rebound off a post and then off the keeper for an own-goal winner after a well-struck Didier Drogba free-kick late in the game, but the Blues dominated throughout against a young Malaysian select side, who were reduced to two genuine chances to score. Chelsea had more.
'We cannot forget the heat and the conditions, but it is clear that result in the end seems short because we had some good opportunities,' said Villas-Boas after the game.
'At the end we had a couple of good moments regarding what we are doing in training. Things are happening for us in terms of our objectives in transition and without the ball.
'Of course we could have scored more because we made a lot of opportunities which is a good sign for us, but the most important thing is that we continue to grow as a team leading up to the Stoke game. 'Also there was a major display by the Malaysian goalkeeper.'
The Portuguese manager was not able to comment on whether the ball had crossed the line, it was a tight decision by the linesman, but he declared he is not worrying over a lack of goals from his forward players at this stage of the summer, even if he recognises a need for improvement.
'Gaining confidence to find the back of the net comes with training and that comes with patience,' he said. 'At Chelsea we are prepared to give our forwards this kind of patience because the most important thing for us is to win collectively.
'I will just let things happen naturally. In Chelsea every player finds extreme competitiveness to be successful and the best players performing in training will go into the games and hopefully help the team to be successful.'
With the intensity of the training sessions that run for 90 minutes, often twice a day, and the heat in Asia, Villas-Boas continues to limit the players to 45 minutes match action at a time. He does not see any player given 90 minutes in the immediate future so performances from half-to-half are likely to vary.
'In the first half we played a lot horizontally from side to side and we could not find enough vertical passes forward,' he said of Thursday's game.
'In the second half we finally found more vertical passes, we changed the structure to 4-4-2 with a diamond by playing Nicolas Anelka behind Daniel Sturridge and Didier Drogba, and there was the space that we were looking to find. It is not his position but he has done it before in the past and we created another couple of chances.
'We are trying to build a new way of playing and things don't happen in three weeks. That is our target and that is our challenge and hopefully they will happen in the future.
'4-4-3 for us is a modern system and we are trying to link what we have with this system. It has been a lot of information for the players and the players are magnificent at absorbing so many new ideas in such a short period of time.'
Speaking of the future, Villas-Boas predicts a bright one for teenage centre-back Nathaniel Chalobah who contributed 45 minutes to the clean-sheet performance.
'Nathaniel is very young but already he is very impressive. At the moment he can build on to a very successful career but at 16 you never know what is going to happen when you are 25 or throughout your career. Hopefully things for him will work out.
'I think he has a place in Chelsea's future for sure because he has enough quality and he shows already enough maturity to be a great central defender.'
Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 victory over a Malaysia XI thanks to controversial Didier Drogba goal, but the game was marred by Yossi Benayoun suffering racial abuse.
The Blues struggled to break down their Asian opponents, selcted largely from the Olympic U23 team, unlike Arsenal and Liverpool who both thrashed the same team.
Lampard had the best chance of the game before half-time after Kalou sliced open the Malaysian defence with a wonderful pass but the veteran Chelsea midfielder failed to connect.
A Drogba free-kick won them the game but the ball did not cross the line at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur.
Replays of the 80th minute strike show the ball hit the post then and bounced off goalkeeper Mohamad Izham Tarmizia’s back, but did not hit the net.
Malaysia then could of equalised in the 85th minute, but A. Thamil Arasu shot wide after being put through with only the goalkeeper to beat.
But the sour point of the match was the constant booing of Benayoun – the first Israeli to play in Malaysia – in the first-half.
Muslim-majority Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Porto striker Falcao has agreed a new two-year deal with the club -seemingly ending any prospect of a move to Chelsea.
Falcao, who scored 38 goals last season as Porto won an eye-catching treble, was reportedly a target for new Blues boss Andre-Villas Boas, who himself made the switch from the Estadio do Dragao this summer.
A release clause of 30million euros had been in place - a figure that has now been raised to 45million euros, or nearly £40million.
The Colombian striker, who had also been linked with Atletico Madrid, is now contracted to the club until the end of the 2015 season.
Liverpool plan to continue to add to their Anfield squad and are preparing a bid for Barcelona attacker Jeffren.
The Merseyside club are believed to be set to complete the signing of Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing and have already snapped up Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam and Kenny Dalglish is thought to be keen to beef up his attacking options whilst planning for the future and sees the young Nou Camp youngster as an ideal signing.
Venezuelan born Jeffren is set to leave Barcelona just under five years since his debut for the Catalan club. The adaptable youngster has failed to win a regular spot in the club’s first team both under Frank Rijkaard and then Pep Guardiola.
Dalglish is looking to bring in extra attacking options to give his squad more strength in depth and given the fact that Frenchman David N’Gog has failed to make an impact and Dirk Kuyt has been converted into a wide player, the addition of another attacker makes a great deal of sense.
Barcelona are after a quick sale and some sources believes that means Pep Guardiola could accept as little as €7m (£6.1m) for the youngster. Though far from being a first team regular at the Nou Camp, Jeffren has found himself becoming more of a regular presence in Guardiola’s plans of late, making 31 apperances over the past two seasons across all competitions. Damien Comolli has done business with Barcelona before, helping bring Giovani dos Santos to Tottenham and whilst that move has not worked out all that well it was deemed something of a shock when it took place. This has led some to believe that Liverpool are leading the chase for Jeffren.
The speedy attacker also fits the criteria of Liverpool’s new owners who are willing to invest in youthful additions hence their forking out of funds to sign Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, all 23 years or age or under.
Jeffren has just returned from Spanish Under 21 duty where he helped his country to the European Championship title in Denmark.
Arsenal are lining up a bargain £5million move for FC Copenhagen defender Mathias Jorgensen.
The 21-year-old has only one-year left on his contract and the Gunners are hoping to take advantage of this and bring him to the Emirates.
The Denmark international has impressed many observers with his displays last year in the Champions League.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for a tall centre-back and has been left frustrated in his efforts to sign Gary Cahill from Bolton and Blackburn’s Christopher Samba.
The Frenchman will move for the player, nicknamed Zanka, to add more height to the Gunners backline which was left exposed last season.
Wenger ideally would like a defender with Premier League experience but will not pay over-the-odds for them.
Another possibility he is exploring is a swap deal involving Nicklas Bendtner for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.
The offer is likely to include the striker plus around £10million to get the highly-rated centre-back but Wenger faces a battle to make the Bundesliga champions sell their prized asset.
The Premier League champions will step up negotiations with the Dutch international's representatives as they seek a compromise over a fee of 35.2 million pounds, Goal.com learned
By Sergio Chesi and Wayne Veysey Jul 14, 2011 8:44:00 AM
Manchester United has agreed a club-record fee of 35.2 million pounds with Inter for the transfer of Wesley Sneijder, Goal.com can exclusively reveal.
But Sneijder's wage demands are currently holding up the deal from being close to completion. Sources have told Goal.com that the player's camp has indicated it wants around 200,000 pounds per week but United is reluctant to pay more than 170,000 pounds.
Nevertheless, the Premier League champions are hoping to reach a compromise over the 30,000-pounds-a-week difference as the prospect of a switch that would smash United's transfer record grows increasingly likely.
Senior officials from the two clubs are understood to have shaken hands on the terms of the deal after United chief executive David Gill made it clear Manchester United is willing to meet Inter's asking price in a series of meetings in recent days.
United has confirmed that Gill was in Zurich on Wednesday, where an Inter delegation was also present, to attend a European Club Association meeting but an Inter source told Goal.com that he had been in Milan on Tuesday and early Wednesday to lead Sneijder negotiations with another Old Trafford director.
United's focus will now turn to agreeing personal terms with the Holland international, who is regarded by the club as a natural heir to the recently retired Paul Scholes. An official bid will follow if the 19-times English champions are confident they can meet the player's demands.
It is believed that the 2011 Champions League finalists could attempt to meet the shortfall in the two parties' positions with bonus-related payments or an enhanced image rights deal
Sneijder is currently at Inter's preseason training camp at Pinzolo in Italy. The deal will now depend on his desire to force through a move to Old Trafford, which offers him an excellent chance to add to an already impressive medal haul which includes domestic titles in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, in addition to the 2010 Champions League.
He has a contract at San Siro that expires in 2015 and would be content to see it out if a transfer fails to materialise this summer, hence his reluctance to agitate in public for a move.
New Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini has told the Inter hierarchy that he does not see the Holland star as indispensable as he prepares to field a new 3-4-3 formation next season.
Defender Jerome Boateng is to join Bayern Munich from Manchester City, the German club have confirmed.
Bayern have been pursuing the Germany international for some time and today announced they had agreed an undisclosed fee with City with the player having successfully negotiated a four-year deal at the Allianz Arena.
The 22-year-old joined City last summer from Hamburg but struggled to make an impact due to a succession of injuries.
The deal will be completed once Boateng has passed a medical in Bavaria.
A statement on the Bayern website read: "The board of Bayern Munich and the board of Manchester City have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jerome Boateng.
"Boateng, who is currently with City in Los Angeles, is expected in Munich in the next few days for a medical.
"Then he will sign a contract up to June 2015.
"The clubs have agreed not to disclose the transfer fee."
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was delighted to have finally landed Boateng.
"There have been some intense negotiations and we have come a long way to reach a satisfactory conclusion," he said on the club's official website, www.fcb.de.
"With Jerome Boateng we have got our preferred candidate to play in central defence for Bayern Munich."
Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger added: "Jerome Boateng is a young Germany international who fits perfectly into the philosophy of Bayern. He was also wanted by our coach Jupp Heynckes."
Berlin-born Boateng has made no secret of his desire to return to his homeland.
Just last month, speaking at a promotional event in Hamburg, he said: "I would like to go to Munich. On my side everything is clear.
"It is all about whether I am released (by City).
"Bayern are bigger than Manchester City, they are one of the top six teams in Europe. To play for them would be an honour for me."
Boateng believes he can further his international career at Bayern after expressing his displeasure at being played at right-back at Eastlands.
He added: "I told (City boss) Roberto Mancini that I want to play in central defence and not at full-back.
"Bayern have indicated I will play in the centre. To play there regularly is important for me because I will have a better chance of playing in the national team."
Arsenal 'set to boot out Denilson' after Malaysian friendly sub strop Arsenal midfielder Denilson could have played his last game for the club after being hauled off just 20 minutes after coming on as a sub during a pre-season friendly in Kuala Lumpur.
The Brazilian, who has already expressed his desire to quit the club, has been unable to find a team to take him on so far this summer, and as a result looked set to remain with the Gunners next season.
However, after being brought on at half-time during Arsenal’s 4-0 win over a Malaysian XI, the 23-year-old was replaced just 20 minutes later - prompting him to storm off down the tunnel.
It’s not thought the former Sao Paulo youngster was struggling with an injury.
And, if that’s the case, Arsene Wenger is unlikely to call on the midfielder again for the duration of the Far East tour.
Samir Nasri made an appearance off the bench and impressed for the Gunners, while Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Tomas Rosicky got on the scoresheet.
Liverpool will not be pressured into deciding on whether to redevelop Anfield or move to a new stadium, according to managing director Ian Ayre.
According to the Press Association, Ayre revealed on Sunday it was “increasingly unlikely” that the club would be able to redevelop 45,000-seat Anfield and instead suggested a move to a new stadium at nearby Stanley Park could be a more realistic option.
“No amount of pressure will force Liverpool Football Club to make a decision quickly for the wrong reasons,” he said. “With regards the refurbishment, the type of work that's been going on (in the last nine months) has been developing plans and drawings that look at what is possible with Anfield, and that has incorporated a study into the extension of the main stand and a study into the extension of the Anfield Road End.
“Both of these, if successful, could deliver a 60,000-plus seater, which would be great, but it comes with whole other challenges and whole other areas we have to investigate.”
Manchester United hope to complete the £35million transfer of Wesley Sneijder after agreeing terms of around £190,000 a week with the Inter Milan midfielder.
Sneijder was forced to compromise on his initial wage demands of £250,000-a-week, but an agreement has been struck and a deal is close to completion.
The Glazer family, who own United, have sanctioned the fee for the 27-year-old Holland star as a replacement for Paul Scholes, who retired at the end of last season.
Chief executive David Gill met his Inter counterparts in Zurich yesterday at a meeting of the European Club Association.
It is understood Gill made clear United's willingness to pay £35m, with an official bid expected to be lodged before the weekend. Although Inter are reluctant to sell, they accept they cannot turn down such a lucrative bid.
Gill hopes to have the deal wrapped up before he flies to the US tomorrow.
Liverpool have agreed a fee for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, the Anfield club revealed on Wednesday.
Downing, 26, has reportedly been a target of two previous bids from Liverpool during the English Premier League off-season, and it now appears that the Reds are close to landing the England midfielder.
A statement on Liverpool’s website announced a bid had been accepted for Downing, with Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner telling The Guardian that Downing had handed in a transfer request to help push through the move.
“I can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer received earlier today and the submission of a formal transfer request by Stewart Downing, and have subsequently given them permission to speak with the player,” he said.
“We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad ahead of the coming season, and we are in discussions as such. We are also working hard to conclude a deal for a goalkeeper, who we believe can also strengthen the side.”
Downing joined Villa in 2009 in a package worth 12 million pounds from boyhood club Middlesbrough.
His arrival at Liverpool would be the latest big-money buy for manager Kenny Dalglish.
Strike duo Andy Carroll (35 million pounds) and Luis Suarez (22.8 million) joined in January, while midfielders Jordan Henderson (16 million) and Charlie Adam (seven million) have been off-season arrivals.
Sergio Aguero has reaffirmed his desire to quit Atletico Madrid.
The Argentine starlet revealed earlier this summer that he wanted to leave Vicente Calderon, and he has been strongly linked with Real Madrid, as well as Chelsea and Manchester City. However, his father was quoted earlier this week suggesting that his son could yet remain.
But speaking from his homeland, where he is taking part in the Copa America, Aguero underlined his desire to find a new club.
"I will not return to Atletico, it is clear," he told ESPN.
"I talked to the club, gave a statement, now my representatives are negotiating my departure from the club.
"I don't know when the agreement will be, but I will know when the Copa America is finished."
Man United are ready to make a swift bid for Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik if they fail to complete moves to sign either Wesley Sneijder or Samir Nasri from Inter Milan or Arsenal respectively.
Hamsik has long been a target for Sir Alex Ferguson and the Slovakian international has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Napoli this summer and AC Milan have shown a great deal of interest in the 23 year old who has been a huge success in Serie A.
The former Brescia man has progressed year on year during his seven seasons in Italy and is now considered one of the best foreign players on show in the Italian top tier but the talented goal scoring attacking midfielder has stated that if an offer from a ‘big club’ was forthcoming then he, and Napoli, would consider it.
Indeed the Naples side have placed a €40m (£35.1m) valuation on Hamsik and reportedly that is a fee that AC Milan are reticent to fork out but Ferguson may well be ready to pay the price if they fail in their pursuit of the aforementioned targets.
The Old Trafford boss sees the capture of a goal scoring midfield threat as the final piece of his summer signing puzzle and is ideally looking for a player that fulfill the kind of role Paul Scholes filled during his Man United pomp. Ferguson’s current central midfield options offer different attributes but the likes of Michael Carrick, Anderson, and Darren Fletcher are not hugely creative hence the Man United manager’s very public interest in Sneijder and Nasri.
Hamsik has scored 47 goals in four seasons at the Stadio San Paolo and has been an invaluable link between midfield and attack, helping Walter Mazzarri’s side clinch a Champions League spot for the coming season.
Man United have already spent over £50m to bring Phil Jones, David de Gea and Ashley Young from Blackburn Rovers, Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa respectively and Ferguson wishes to make one more ‘marquee’ signing as a further statement of intent to their Premier and Champions League rivals.
Having already sold Wes Brown and John O’Shea to Sunderland there is every chance that further Man United players on the periphery of the first team squad will be sacrificed to make room for additions and to help balance the books.
Everton and QPR target Sergio Canales is edging towards a move to Roma, according to reports in Italy.
David Moyes has been linked with a loan move for the young midfielder, who was once hailed as the next big thing in Spanish football, while QPR were keen on a similar deal for Canales as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
The 20-year-old looks set to leave Real Madrid this summer after being left out of the side's pre-season trip to America.
But it is understood that the club are reluctant to lose him permanently because he is still rated as a star of the future.
Now reports in Italy have claimed that Roma are in the driving seat to sign him on loan this season. New manager Luis Enrique knows all about Canales following his time in Spain and thinks the playmaker would be a useful addition to his new-look squad.
And the speculation linking him with a move to the Italian capital intensified when Canales took a holiday to Rome, where he tweeted a picture of himself in front of the city's historic Trevi Fountain.
We have come across this leaked image of the new Chelsea 3rd shirt to be worn during the 2011/12 English Premier League season.
Chelsea’s football kits are currently designed and manufactured by Adidas.
The shirt has a has colour of white but features a dark blue polo neck collar. Beneath the collar is a thick dark blue horizontal stripe that runs across the top of the chest, whilst a thick yellow stripe appears below this across the middle of the chest. The Chelsea badge and the Adidas logo both appear on this yellow stripe.
We’ll add more images when the Chelsea Third kit is officially unvielled.
Thanks to our friends at Football-Shirts.co.uk for the images.
Last year FA Premier League side Tottenham released a special ‘Cup’ shirt for their debut season in the UEFA Champions League, here we have an image of the new Spurs Cup Kit.
This will be Puma’s last season designing and manufacturing the Spurs Football Kits, Under Armour will take over at the end of the 2011/12 season.
Tottenham’s Special Edition Cup shirt is has a base colour of white, whilst the Puma cat logos, Spurs badge and official cup shirt sponsors Investec have their name in navy blue.
The kit will be completed with white shorts and white socks.
Tottenham will be using this strip in all cup competitions including the Europa League, League Cup and the FA Cup.
Anfield club will sign defender instead of Emirates.
Liverpool are ready sign Lyon defender Aly Cissokho in a £10million deal, after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ruled themselves out of the running.
The Reds are in the hunt for a left-back and the 23-year-old ticks all the Anfield boxes and are keen to wrap a deal soon.
The France international was on the radar of Arsenal following the sale of Gael Clichy to Manchester City, but Wenger has ruled out any move.
“I already have Thomas Vermaelen, Armand Traore and Kieran Gibbs in the squad. There is no need to buy a left-back at this time,” said Wenger.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will now swoop on Cissokho an offer £10million for a player who has three years left on his contract.
Dalglish has been left frustrated in his attempts to fill the problem position, after missing out on Clichy and Newcastle refusing to lower their £15million valuation of Jose Enrique.
Cissokho is keen on a move away from France after a series of run-ins with supporters and Lyon are happy to sell to generate their own transfer funds.
Liverpool director of football, Damien Comolli, is a fan of Cissokho’s and will use his contacts at Lyon to push the deal through.
Skysports.com understands West Ham are poised to sign experienced striker Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The Iceland international, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Fulham, is a free agent after his one-year deal with Stoke expired.
The former Bolton, Chelsea and Barcelona player struggled to make any impact at the Britannia Stadium and failed to find the net during 10 appearances with the Cottagers.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is keen to link up with Gudjohnsen again having worked with the forward during their time together at the Reebok Stadium.
The 32-year-old is due to undergo a medical at Upton Park on Thursday and could then put pen to paper on a one-year deal.
Allardyce is eager to bolster his striking options ahead of the new Championship season, particularly with Carlton Cole expected to depart for pastures new.
Gudjohnsen came close to joining the East London club in January last year, but instead elected to spend a spell on loan with Tottenham from Monaco.
Liverpool are ready to make a £7million offer for Brest striker Nolan Roux after Schalke had a second bid rejected by the French side.
Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has been to watch the 23-year-old play, on the advice of director of football, Damien Comolli, and was suitably impressed. Initial enquiries were made but it was believed German side, Schalke, were favourites to sign the former France U21 international.
But Brest have rejected two bids from the Bundesliga giants of £3.5million and another offer of £5.8million, according to Fanatix.
The Ligue 1 have made it clear that they are prepared to hold out for £7.1m and will not be lowering that valuation.
Liverpool could now renew their interest as they look to provide cover for star strikers Andy Carroll and Luiz Suarez.
Brest chairman Michel Guyot believes Schalke are delaying a deal on purpose, with it their intention to snap up Roux once he has completed a pre-season programme in France.
He told L’Equipe: “It is not sale season at Brest.
“I am not keen to sell Nolan Roux and we will only consider bids which match the valuation. There is no need for me to comment on an offer of 6million.
“Schalke are taking their time with Nolan as they want him to prepare for the season here and then be ready for the start of their campaign.”
By Ian Herbert, Northern Football Correspondent Tuesday, 12 July
Paul Scholes has suggested that last season's Manchester United Youth Cup winning side looks the most promising since the fabled group of the early 1990s and can deliver three players to the first team within a year, with Ravel Morrison the lead contender for the leap which so many 18-year-olds fail to make.
Morrison has created far more of a stir outside of football than within, with a judge in Salford last week reactivating a referral order for the teenager which he had lifted in error, and Scholes' belief that Sir Alex Ferguson might take the teenager in the United party which departed on tour to the United States yesterday has not come to pass.
But Scholes, who will begin a United coaching role in September and predicted last July that Javier Hernandez would immediately score heavily for the club, revealed that Morrison has already started training with the first team and is surprised by the physical strength which he allies to his talent. "We've trained with Ravel and we know what talent he has got – hopefully," the 36-year-old said.
Scholes believes the tenacious Ryan Tunnicliffe, a player in his own mould who has been sent on loan to Darren Ferguson's Peterborough, and the young French midfielder Paul Pogba might also make the first team in the next two years. He sees United's tenth FA Youth Cup final win, over Sheffield United earlier this summer, as potentially the most significant since the 1992 win over Crystal Palace which delivered a generation that underpinned the club's domestic dominance.
United have won the FA Youth Cup only once since the Neville/Butt/Beckham generation clinched it in 1992 and 1995 and none of the 2003 side, who triumphed over Middlesbrough, made it at the club. "We have struggled a bit in the Youth Cup [since 1992] haven't we? But this group look like they're ready to go into a first team now because they are big, strong, powerful lads and they have got the skill to go with it. They like to work hard as well, which they are going to need. I thought they were brilliant and they looked like men already. They didn't really look like kids because they are built so well. They are strong physically and have got the talent to go with it."
Morrison's latest court appearance last week revealed more signs that his behaviour might finally be coming under control. He was before District Judge Jonathan Finestein, whose earlier decision effectively to remove a 12-month referral order in Morrison's case was challenged by the family of a youth whom earlier in the year he was convicted of intimidating.
The judge's decision to reinstate the referral order meant that he had to lift a £600 fine imposed on Morrison for criminal damage, arising from a row between the player and his girlfriend. But Morrison declined to accept the money and instead asked for it to be donated to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
The judge said he had been handed a "glowing" report from the youth offending team explaining that the footballer was making progress with "anger management" and "maturity" problems. The judge concluded that "everyone was in agreement that the referral order was working. This young man does have difficulties. He needs support with anger management and maturity."
The latest court outcome will come as a relief to United and the Football Association, for whom Morrison is potentially an important part of the future England set-up. Morrison had been told in January by another district judge, Wendy Lloyd, that following the witness intimidation case he would be locked up for a year if he was convicted of another offence before the end of 2011.
Scholes pointed out that it was harder making the first team these days than the early 1990s, though. "The difficulty for them these days is that squads are so big aren't they – 22, 23, 24 in a squad and it is difficult. When we were coming you had only 16, 17, 18 and it is more difficult but if they are good enough there's no doubt the manager will use them," he said.
But Ferguson suggested in Boston last night that the next Scholes may come from the youth ranks.
"It is impossible to get another Paul Scholes," he said. "But if we get a player along similar lines in terms of the quality of his passing and vision, we would have to do something. The difficulty is, if you picked the best four midfield players in the world, Scholes would be there with Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Then you could take a pick from somewhere else. It is a loss. How do we overcome it? The next few weeks could help us in that respect. Someone could emerge out of the youth team and we carry on."
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Samir Nasri has decided to leave Arsenal, but the France midfielder will not be joining Manchester United.
Nasri, 24, has one year left on his contract and is reportedly reluctant to sign a new deal with the north London club.
He had been linked with a move to join English Premier League champions United, but Ferguson – speaking on arrival at his team’s pre-season tour of the USA – indicated that Nasri would not be arriving at Old Trafford.
“I don’t think he is coming to United,” Ferguson said.
“That is all I can tell you. I think that he has agreed to go somewhere else.”
Nasri has also been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City.
Another possibility is that Wenger may opt not to sell Nasri, allowing him to leave for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
If so, they would receive no return on a player who cost a reported fee of 12 million pounds in July 2008.
Ferguson agreed that it was a course of action open to Wenger, but said it would be unlikely to please the Arsenal hierarchy.
“That is his decision,” Ferguson.
“He is the manager. If he stands by that decision, it is a brave one.”
“I don’t know if the (Arsenal) directors will enjoy that one, but it is possible. Maybe he (Nasri) will have to stay.”
• The Dutch midfielder had been a target for Sir Alex Ferguson • 'I love Inter, the Italian fans and Italy,' Sneijder says
Wesley Sneijder joined Internazionale from Real Madrid in 2009. Photograph: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
Press Association guardian.co.uk, Mon 11 Jul 2011 21.12 BST
Wesley Sneijder has warned his potential suitors that he will only leave Internazionale this summer if the club decide to sell him.
The Holland international is valued at £35m and has been strongly linked with a move away from San Siro, with Manchester United and the La Liga side Malaga leading the chase to acquire his services.
"I would like to remain," Sneijder said in an interview in July's Italian issue of Vanity Fair magazine. "I have marvellous team-mates. My wife Yolanthe and I love Inter, the Italian fans and Italy.
"Of course, if the club decided to sell me, I will go wherever they tell me to go. But I would be disappointed. We have felt so good here that I would miss the city of Milan and Inter. But football is like that. When I was sold from Real Madrid to Inter, I would have preferred to have remained in Spain. Whatever will be, will be."
Sneijder joined Inter from Real Madrid in 2009 and helped the club win the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in his first season in Milan. His second season was more difficult and the former Ajax midfielder was limited by injuries and scored just four goals in 25 league appearances for Inter last season as they finished runners-up in Serie A but won the Coppa Italia.
The new Inter coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, who replaced Leonardo earlier this month, revealed that he is keen to hold on to the 27-year-old.
"Sneijder is a great player, a top player," Gasperini said. "His approach has been more than positive. He is here and he wants to remain with us."
Meanwhile, Inter are on the verge of signing the Brazilian full-back Jonathan from Santos. The 25-year-old is under contract with the South American side for a further three seasons but has a release clause set at €15m (£13.2m).He is considered a potential successor for the Inter defender Maicon, who has been linked in recent months with a move to Real Madrid.
Sky Sports sources understand Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni will undergo a medical at Liverpool on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old's agent said last week that a deal was imminent following several weeks of negotiations.
An initial move broke down earlier in the summer after Doni failed to agree personal terms with Liverpool.
But the Brazilian could complete his move to Anfield this week after an agreement was reached with Roma.
Doni would only provide back-up to Kenny Dalglish's first choice, Jose Reina, but would offer an experienced deputy.
Liverpool on Sunday departed for a pre-season tour of the Far East, but members of the medical staff will still be available to oversee Doni's medical.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis today offered Jonathan Woodgate the chance to resurrect his football career but admitted he was taking a chance in signing the injury-plagued defender.
Woodgate has penned a one-year contract at the Britannia Stadium after his deal at Tottenham expired.
The 31-year-old has undoubted talent but his career has been decimated by injury to the extent that he was able to make just four appearances in the last two seasons at White Hart Lane due to a groin problem.
Pulis conceded his fitness issues are a worry but is confident it is a risk worth taking.
He told the club's official website, www.stokecityfc.com: "The lad is a top-class player and it's been well documented that he has had his injury troubles, but we believe that if his fitness is managed properly, he will play games for us.
"We know that other Premier League clubs were keen on signing Jonathan, so we are delighted he has chosen us. It's a chance we are taking, but one we were keen to take because of the stature and quality of the player."
He added: "We've effectively taken him on a pay-as-you-play deal which just shows how desperate the lad is to get his career back on the right track."
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: "There is no doubt that we have acquired a player with outstanding quality and experience but he is one who has clearly struggled with injuries over the past two years.
"However, sometimes a fresh start can trigger a change of fortunes. Jonathan has been working very hard throughout the summer on his fitness so he is desperate to make the most of this opportunity and to play in the Premier League."
Woodgate will not fly out to the team's pre-season training camp and will instead meet his new team-mates later this week when they return from Austria.
Woodgate started out at Leeds before spells with Newcastle, Real Madrid and Middlesbrough.
He joined Spurs for £8million in January 2008 but only made 49 league appearances.
He has also won eight England caps, the last of which came in August 2008 against the Czech Republic at Wembley.
The centre-back was delighted to be handed an opportunity with the Potters and is ready to prove he can still cut it in the Barclays Premier League.
"It was important for me to work hard on my fitness during the summer because I wasn't sure where I would be playing and I knew that would decide my future," Woodgate said.
"So hopefully I can stay fit now because I feel I still have a lot to offer at this level.
"With the back-up from the medical and sports science department which they have here at Stoke, that can only help my prospects of doing that."
He added: "I was thrilled when Tony Pulis asked me to come and join the club.
"I'd spoken to him a couple of times about the progress that Stoke have made over the past three seasons and his plans for the future in aiming to build on that success."
Fulham have confirmed that Hungarian keeper Csaba Somogyi has joined the club on a one-year deal.
The 26-year-old revealed last week that he had spent time on trial with the Cottagers and had been offered a permanent deal.
Fulham boss Martin Jol opted to bring Somogyi over to England after being impressed with him during his time in charge at Ajax.
He becomes the Dutchman's first signing of the summer and will add to the impressive keeping ranks at Craven Cottage.
Somogyi previously turned out for Hungarian side Rakospalotai EAC and arrives in the Premier League eager to make his mark in a major European league. Confirming the signing on the club's official website, a statement from Fulham read: "Following a successful trial period at Fulham last week, the six-foot-three inch keeper put pen-to-paper on a deal as a free agent with Fulham on Monday morning.
"The club has the option to extend Somogyi's deal at the Cottage by a further year until 2013."
Chelsea are close to finalising a deal for Genk's teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The 19-year-old is very highly rated and helped Genk to win the Belgian championship last season.
The Premier League giants have been tracking him for a number of months, and despite reported interest from Atletico Madrid, a deal looks set to be concluded.
Courtois' father and agent Thierry confirmed a deal was close and he expected it to go through on Tuesday.
"He [Thibault] was in in Chelsea last week," he revealed to Het Belang Van Limberg.
"I think Chelsea and Genk have reached an agreement. Tuesday we will come and talk about the transfer."
Chelsea are reportedly happy to let Courtois return to Genk on loan, and his father admitted this was an option but he rubbished any claims he could sign a new deal with the Belgian club.
"Maybe Chelsea will lend Thibaut to Genk, but a contract extension does not interest us anymore," he added.
Talks
Chelsea are still understood to be keen on making a double swoop on Genk, as talks over midfielder Kevin de Bruyne also continue.
The Blues had hoped to send De Bruyne back on loan to Belgium, but to Genk's rivals Anderlecht, which would also have helped their continued pursuit of Romelu Lukaku.
However, Genk have insisted they will not allow De Bruyne to be loaned to any other Belgian club should he be sold.
Regarding Lukaku, he admits he is more than happy to stay at Anderlecht, should his move to Chelsea fail to materialise.
"Occasionally you might yearn for something new, but for now I sit here very well. We'll see where it goes," he said after returning for pre-season training, where he was joined in the first team by his young brother Jordan.
But he still admits a move to England is his dream, adding: "I would really like a top transfer and I have always wanted to go to England."
Bolton Wanderers are reported to be considering a move for German defender Tobias Levels.
Levels started 23 league games for Borussia Monchengladbach last term, but is believed to have been told by boss Lucien Favre that he can look for a new club.
The 24-year-old, who has two years left on his current deal, is now reportedly attracting attention from England.
Levels, who can play full-back or in central defence, revealed that Bolton have been tracking him for some time.
"It was not the first contact with the club [Bolton], they have known about me for some time," he told Kicker.
"The Premier League fascinates me and to play there would be a great challenge.
"I have always said that England interests me."
Levels is reported to have already shunned interest from Ukraine's Dnipro and Neuchatel Xamax of Switzerland.
Manchester United defender John O'Shea has put pen to paper on a four-year deal to join Wes Brown at Sunderland.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international travelled to Wearside for a medical this morning and wasted little time in becoming Steve Bruce's eighth summer signing.
Like Brown, he has joined for an undisclosed fee after United last month accepted a joint offer of more than £12million for the pair and midfielder Darron Gibson.
O'Shea said: "Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about, it was the only place I was going to come to."
Manager Steve Bruce added: "John has been a solid, consistent part of Manchester United's squad for well over a decade, which goes to show the fantastic pedigree of player we have signed.
"He is a wonderful professional both on and off the field and his wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes for us.
"I'm delighted with the players we have been able to secure ahead of the new season."
O'Shea boasts five Barclays Premier League titles, an FA Cup winners' medal, three League Cup successes and a Champions League triumph among his list of achievements at Old Trafford.
He is also a stalwart of Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland team and like Brown, will bring experience and a winning mentality to the Stadium of Light.
He made almost 400 appearances for the Red Devils during his 12 years with the club and it was initially thought he would take some persuading to leave.
However, despite having to delay talks earlier this week as his wife gave birth, he managed to tie up his move swiftly today.
Meanwhile, the Black Cats were tonight also closing in on a free transfer move for Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan, who is understood to have travelled across the Pennines earlier today with the intention of sealing his own switch.
In a busy day for the Wearside club, legal director Margaret Byrne was appointed new chief executive and Bryan "Pop" Robson returned as chief scout.
Chelsea's hopes of signing Santos sensation Neymar are all but over with Spain's two super clubs set to battle it out for his signature.
The Brazilian teenager has been on the agenda of a number of Europe's top clubs this summer after Chelsea had a bid for the 19-year-old rejected last year.
But the west London club look to be out of the running now as race for the signature of one of the world's hottest properties is whittled down to two.
Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar's agent, said: "Real Madrid and Barcelona have no no problem in paying Santos.
"The two have made their proposals and the numbers are good, but the decision is not mine or Santos', the decision is Neymar's.
"But we will not review the proposals until the end of the Copa America Cup. It is not the time for the kid worry about this. He will analyse everything after the competition and tell us what he wants."
• Doni's agent expects deal to be completed soon • 'Only concrete offer is from Liverpool,' agent says
The Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni is expected to complete a move to Liverpool before Friday, according to his agent.
The 31-year-old rejected the initial terms for a move to Anfield but appears to have accepted an improved offer. "We should close the deal by the end of the day [Thursday]," his agent, Ovidio Colucci, told Impero Romanista.
"Of course, anything could happen before the signatures are added to the contracts but I can confirm that there is only Liverpool for Doni.
"The only concrete offer has come from Liverpool and we hope to wrap everything up by this evening."
