Mancini Would Welcome Chelsea Job - Agent

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Roberto Mancini's agent Maurizio De Giorgis has revealed that there has been no contact from Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea, who have both been linked with the former Inter Milan boss in recent reports, but did admit that Mancini would welcome the opportunity to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

After a disastrous sequence of results that sees City just two-points off the drop-zone and knocked out of the FA Cup last week 3-0 by Championship club Nottingham Forest at the Eastlands Stadium. The ADUG are reportedly ready to axe Hughes and replace him with former Italian International Mancini after just 20 league games in charge of a Blues team, which has blown more cold than hot in recent weeks.

Chelsea have also been linked with Mancini, who has been staying in London to learn English, with the Italian open to managing in the Premier League. Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has come under fire at Stamford Bridge recently, with Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford fuelling speculation that the Brazilian like Hughes could be heading for an exit from the West London club in his first season in charge.

However, De Giorgis insists that, no approach, for Mancini has been made by either club and dismissed reports that the former San Siro chief had met with officials from City recently.

De Giorgis told Goal.com: “I would know everything and I can tell you with certainty no club has come forward for Mancini.

“We have not had any contact with Chelsea, Manchester City or any other English club for that matter.

“For now no one has been in touch and therefore all this news is unfounded.

“We were not in England last week. In the past we have been because Mancini has been studying English.

“I can tell you for sure Mancini is in Italy at the moment. He has been for quite some time.

“It's impossible he was seen in another place by other people. These reports are untrue.”

De Giorgis did concede that if Chelsea were to come calling then he would be more than happy to talk to the Premiership side.

“I certainly hope they [Chelsea] come forward but, like I said, nothing so far,” added De Giorgis.

“If they call, then we will answer them, obviously.”

44-year-old Mancini was sacked by Inter last summer and replaced with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, despite winning three consecutive Scudetti, with the Nerazzurri and the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2005 and 2006.

Chelsea Planning To Smash Transfer Record For Barca Star?

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Chelsea are understood to be considering making a world record bid for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, with Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari keen to lure the Spanish International away from the Nou Camp, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.

24-year-old Iniesta has been identified by the Premier League club as the player to turn around, what has been a disappointing first season in charge at Stamford Bridge for former Portugal and Brazil coach Scolari. Chelsea are 2nd in the Premiership, but have performed poorly against other teams of the ‘big four’, which was highlighted in their 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chelsea reportedly made an offer of £42million two-years ago to bring Iniesta to England and are now set to reignite their interest in the EURO 2008 winner in a bid to get their faltering season back on track.

Barca allowed Deco to leave the Blaugrana last summer for Chelsea, with Iniesta, who has been at Barca since 1996, proving a more than adequate replacement for the Portuguese International. Deco has struggled to regain his early season form at Stamford Bridge, which has led Scolari to Iniesta, with it remaining to be seen if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic will bankroll the purchase of Spaniard after refusing to go above a certain point with both Robinho and Dani Alves last summer.

Sport claims that Chelsea are preparing an offer for Iniesta, with it also understood that should Barcelona allow the midfielder to leave. They would expect a fee in excess of the £46million that Real Madrid paid for Zinedine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.

Ballack: Liverpool Main Title Threat Not United

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German International Michael Ballack has claimed that it is Liverpool and not Premier League Champions Manchester United, who pose the biggest threat to Chelsea’s title aspirations this season.

32-year-old Ballack had felt that the Red Devils were the main opposition to Chelsea bringing a 3rd Premiership title back to Stamford Bridge in five-years, but now believes that it is Rafa Benitez’s Reds side that will provide the main challenge to the Blues for the Premier League crown, come what May.

Ballack said: “A few weeks ago I was sure United were our strongest opponents.

“But now I think Liverpool are a major threat.

“They have shown in the past few games that they have the character to deal with being top of the league.

“They struggled in one or two games but even then we couldn’t get back on top.

“They deserve to be first and the teams behind have to wait for them to drop points or for teams in and around them to play each other. But they have shown they can handle pressure.”

Chelsea are just four-points clear of United and four behind leaders Liverpool as they face the European Champions at Old Trafford on Sunday, but United do have two games in hand.

Chelsea To Sell Alex To Milan To Fund Kleber Transfer?

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Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is weighing up the option of selling Brazilian International Alex to AC Milan in order to fund the purchase of Kleber from Brazilian side Santos, according to The Sun.

Milan have been heavily linked with a move for William Gallas at Arsenal as the Rossoneri look to shore up a defence at the San Siro that age has caught up with. Alessandro Nesta along with Milan legend Paolo Maldini are both coming to the end of distinguished careers with the Serie A giants, which means coach Carlo Ancelotti must bring in reinforcements this month.

However, at 26-years-old Alex is a more attractive proposition to Gallas, who is 5-years older than the Brazilian, with the Blues understood to be prepared to let Alex leave Stamford Bridge for around £10million as long as they can secure the services of left-back Kleber.



28-year-old Kleber has been at Santos since joining from FC Basel in 2005 and was handed his first cap for Brazil by Scolari in 2002. It is thought that a fee in the region of £2million could be enough to bring Kleber to the Premier League club, but Chelsea could face competition from Manchester City, who Kleber has been suggested to the board at the Eastlands Stadium as a possible target by British record signing Robinho.

“I had a year in Europe with Hannover and the experience was great,” said Kleber.

“Robinho told me he was going to suggest me to the Man City board. If he gets me to play in Manchester, I will be thankful for the rest of my life.

“It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’d say ‘yes’ straight away.”

Chelsea Still Want Slovakian International?

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Chelsea are still keen on Slovakian International Marek Hamsik at Serie A side Napoli, despite the midfielder reportedly signing a new deal at the Stadio San Paolo, which will tie him to the Azzurri until 2013.

The Blues along with a host of top European clubs are said to be in the hunt for Hamsik, with Chelsea also linked to the midfielder’s team mate Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi. Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is reportedly keen to bring Hamsik to the Premier League when the transfer window reopens next month, according to The news of the World.



However, Chelsea will have to wait until the end of the season before any move can be made to bring 21-year-old Hamsik to Stamford Bridge, with Napoli unlikely to part with one of their biggest stars halfway through the season and with the Slovakian’s agent Juray Venglos also insisting that Hamsik will remain in Italy until the end of the season.

“He will remain in Naples until at least the end of this season, the team are doing great things and he is happy to stay there,” Agi/Italpress quoted Venglos as saying.

Hamsik joined the Partenopei from Italian rivals Brescia in 2007 and has scored 16 goals in 52 appearances for the Azzurri since his arrival in Naples, with the Slovakian an integral part of the Napoli side that finished 8th in the Scudetto last season. Hamsik made his international debut in 2007 and already has 5 goals in 18 caps for his country.

Everton v Chelsea Premier League Preview: Can The Toffees Turn Around Poor Home Form Against The Blues 100% Away Record?

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Everton play Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Monday.

Toffees boss David Moyes will have cause for concern ahead of this clash with Chelsea, having seen his Everton side manage only one win at home in the Premiership this season in eight matches. The only team in the league with a worse home record is Blackburn Rovers and had it not been for the Merseyside clubs away form could easily have found them in a relegation battle instead of 7th in the Premier League. Everton’s only win at home came against Fulham at the beginning of November, which is something Moyes is hoping the Toffees can put right at Goodison on Monday.

Like Everton, Chelsea have also not been their best at Stamford Bridge this season, having lost twice after a four-and-a-half year unbeaten run that went back to 2004 and Claudio Ranieri and drawing four times. However, the Blues have also been superb away from home, winning all eight matches on their travels, scoring 21 goals and conceding just the once. Scolari must surely fancy Chelsea’s chances of extending this winning run. Given Everton’s poor form at Goodison as the Blues continue to push for the Premiership title in 2nd place, just a point behind leaders Liverpool.

As if Everton’s poor home record wasn’t enough to contend with ahead of the visit of Chelsea. Moyes also has no fully fit strikers available, with Victor Anichebe (back), Yakubu (calf) and James Vaughan (knee) all ruled out. In addition to this Louis Saha (hamstring) is also a doubt for the visit of the Blues, which might force Moyes to push Tim Cahill upfront as a makeshift striker or use 16-year-old Jose Baxter. Everton will also be missing defenders Lars Jacobsen (shoulder) and Nuno Valente (knee) for the clash on Monday.

Scolari has less injury worries, with defender Ricardo Carvalho (knee) still a week away from a return to action, while Florent Malouda (hamstring) is struggling to be fit in time to face Everton. Chelsea will also be without long-term injury Michael Essien (knee).

Everton: (from) Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Neville, Baines, Lescott, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Saha, Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar, Osman, Nash, Fellaini, Rodwell, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Irving, Kissock, Baxter

Chelsea: (from) Cech, A Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, J Cole, Ballack, Lampard, Mikel, Drogba, Kalou, Anelka, Cudicini, Bridge, Sinclair, Deco, Malouda, Di Santo, Ferreira, Mineiro, Belletti, Stoch, Woods

Ivanovic Wants To Quit Chelsea

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Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is reportedly set to hand in a transfer request at Stamford Bridge, with the Serbian International wanting to play in Serie A at Inter Milan, who are coached by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

24-year-old Ivanovic is understood to be frustrated at Chelsea after his January switch from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow. Ivanovic did not make a single appearance for the Premier League club for Avram Grant, who signed him and has had to wait until this season before being given a chance by Luiz Felipe Scolari. With the defender only getting his chance due to the injury of Ricardo Carvalho.

Carvalho is expected to return from injury in a week’s time with it widely expected that the Portuguese International will replace Ivanovic in the starting line-up. Should this happen reports claim that Ivanovic is ready to ask for a transfer from Chelsea, with the San Siro his favoured destination, where his close friend Dejan Stankovic is already a player at the Nerazzurri.

This will come as a shock for Scolari, who turned down an offer for Ivanovic from Juventus in the summer and is still reeling from Brazilian central defender Alex’s wish to leave the Premiership club. However, should Scolari decide to cash in on the unhappy defender, Chelsea would want to recoup the £9million they paid Lokomotiv for the Serbian only 11 months ago.

Chelsea Join United In Chase For Belgian Prodigy

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Chelsea are set to join Premier League Champions Manchester United in the race for Belgian starlet Axel Witsel, who plays for Standard Liege, according to reports.

Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to be a big admirer of 19-year-old midfielder Witsel and is reported as already having a £19million offer turned down for the Belgian International last month.



Now Chelsea are believed to have made enquiries about the Les Rouches player, who has already made 78 appearances, scoring 16 goals in the process since making his senior debut for Standard in 2006 after coming through the youth set-up at the Belgian club and was a pivotal figure in Standard winning their first league title in 25 years last season.

Standard Liege however, are in no hurry to let their prodigy leave the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, having already sold one of their stars Marouane Felliani to Premiership club Everton in the summer for £15million, with it unlikely that Wisel will be allowed to leave in January, while the Belgian side are still involved in the UEFA Cup.

This would mean Chelsea having to wait until next summer before starting a bidding war with the Red Devils for the signature of Witsel, with the Blues hoping to have sneaked in to do a deal for Witsel, while United were away at the World Club Championships in Japan.

City Will Have To Wait For £60million Villa

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Manchester City will have to wait until the end of the season if they wish to add EURO 2008 star David Villa at Valencia to the squad at the Eastlands Stadium, according to reports in Spain.

City are expected to be a major player in the January transfer market, with owner’s the ADUG keen to flex their financial muscle in order to turn the Premier League club into a real force in European football.

Blues manager Mark Hughes is eager to use some of that wealth to attract a striker of proven world-class quality to the Premiership side, with 27-year-old Villa being heavily linked with a world record transfer of £60million from the Mestalla to the Eastlands next month.

However, the Spanish media are reporting that Los Che, despite rumours of serious financial trouble at the La Liga club want to hold on to Villa until the end of the season. Meaning City would have to wait to sign the prolific striker, who was the top-scorer at EURO 2008 in the summer.

Spanish International Villa has been at Valencia since joining from Real Zaragoza in 2005 and has scored an impressive 82 goals in 146 appearances for Valencia, with the striker also finding the net 24 times in 41 caps for Spain. Making Villa one of the hottest properties in European football.

PSV Have Loan Move For Alex Rejected By Chelsea

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Dutch Eredivisie Champions PSV Eindhoven have confirmed that Premier League club Chelsea have rejected their request to take their former defender Alex back on loan to the Philips Stadion.

26-year-old Alex has become unsettled at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, with the Brazilian International handing in a shock transfer earlier in the week to Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Former Santos player Alex, who spent three seasons on loan at PSV from the Premiership club between 2004-2007, is unhappy at being left out by Scolari, with the Chelsea manager preferring Branislav Ivanovic in the absence of the injured Ricardo Carvalho.

PSV director Jan Reker has now revealed that the Dutch side did approach Chelsea about the possibility of taken Alex back on loan at PSV, but was tiold that the Brazilian will not be leavinf the Blues under any circumstances.

“We contacted Chelsea, but the answer was clear: they don't want to let him go under any circumstances,” Reker told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Alex has been at Chelsea since joining from Santos in 2004, but was immediately loaned out to PSV due to a joint contract with the Dutch club, with a clause that Chelsea could sign the Brazilian at any time for €1million. An option they took in 2007.

Chelsea v West Ham Premier League Preview: Can Zola Cause an Upset on His Return To Stamford Bridge?

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Chelsea play, Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Despite Chelsea going into this clash just a point off Liverpool at the top of the Premiership. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Blues side have looked vulnerable at home this season, with losses to Liverpool and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge already this season after a run of four and a half years without tasting defeat at home in the league. However, Chelsea’s away form this season has more than compensated, with the West London side winning all eight on the road in the Premier League this season and go into this clash with West Ham on the back of a 2-0 win against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium last weekend and a 2-1 win in the Champions league against Cluj, which sent them through to the knockout stages.

The Hammers go into this London derby with Chelsea, having only won once in the last ten Premier League games, which was the 1-0 win against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. West Ham have drawn three and lost six of the other nine games and lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park on Monday. This has seen the East London club slip down the table, with the Hammers in 16th place and just three points of the relegation spots.

Scolari will be without long-term injury Michael Essien (knee), while Franco Di Santo (hamstring), Juliano Belletti (ankle) and Ricardo Carvalho (knee) are all struggling to make it for the visit of West Ham. The Blues will have Didier Drogba available again though as the Ivory Coast International has completed his three-match ban for the coin throwing incident against Burnley in the Carling Cup.

West Ham seem to have gotten over the worst of their injury worries, with only striker Dean Ashton (os trigonum syndrome) and Daniel Gabbidon (groin) unavailable for the journey to Stamford Bridge. Former Blue Carlton Cole and Craig Bellamy are likely to start upfront for the Hammers.

Chelsea: (from) Cech, Terry, A Cole, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Ballack, Lampard, Mikel, Kalou, J Cole, Anelka, Drogba, Cudicini, Alex, Carvalho, Di Santo, Sinclair, Deco, Belletti, Malouda, Bridge, Ferreira, Mineiro, Stoch, Woods

West Ham United: (from) Green, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Dyer, Parker, Bellamy, Etherington, Cole, Boa Morte, Noble, Mullins, Spector, Collins, Faubert, Stokes, Lastuvka, Tristan, Davenport, Bowyer, Collison, Di Michele, Sears, Widdowson, Hines, Jefferey

Can Wigan Keep Hold Of Zaki In January?

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The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

With Real Madrid and Chelsea circling Wigan Athletic striker Amr Zaki. Can Latics boss Steve Bruce hold on to the Egyptian International in January if the big clubs come calling?

Since 25-year-old Zaki arrived at the JJB Stadium in the summer on a season-long loan. As a relative unknown from Egyptian side El Zamalek and took the Premier League by storm, with his all-action style and goals in the early part of the campaign. Speculation has grown that the former Lokomotiv Moscow forward will be snapped up by one of the big European sides next month.

While, Bruce insisted today that all the talk has become repetitive and boring and that Zaki belongs to Wigan for the season. Can he really do anything to stop it should Zamalek decide to sell the Egyptian from under his nose?

"It does become a bit repetitive and boring," Bruce said.

"It is Chelsea this week, Real Madrid last week, Liverpool the week before, Man City before that. I think the whole thing needs to be addressed really.

"He is ours for the rest of the season.”

After all Zamalek’s main purpose in loaning Zaki to Wigan and not sell him outright in the first place, was to raise both his profile and price tag. Which, has now happened. So should Los Merengues or the Blues, City or anyone else for that matter turn up at the door of the Egyptian club, with a wheelbarrow full of cash in January? How much thought will be given to the fact that they have an agreement with Wigan until the end of the season?

Yes, Wigan will be compensated in some sort of way, but Bruce didn’t even negotiate the option to be at the front of the queue to buy Zaki should he want him as a permanent fixture at the JJB come May next year.

Now I may be wrong here, but I can’t find anything in the rules, which prevents Zamalek recalling Zaki and selling him to another club. After all Zamalek are the club that own his registration and not Wigan. So from where I’m standing Bruce can huff and puff all he likes, but the fact remains that Zaki is not his player and by the looks of it never will be. Which means that by not having that first option to buy Zaki, Bruce saw the move as taking a punt. Something, that is now surely going to backfire on him.

From Russia With Love For Chelsea?

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Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari could make a January move for compatriot Vagner Love after the Brazilian striker, who currently plays for Russian side CSKA Moscow revealed that it was time to move on from CSKA, with the Premier League his favoured destination.

24-year-old Love had reportedly been on the verge of a season-long loan move to Chelsea’s Premiership rivals Everton in the summer. However, this did not materialise, with Love staying in Moscow, where the diminutive forward was the top-scorer in the Russian Premier League in 2008.

Now Love (left) has declared his intention to leave the Russian capital, with the former Palmeiras player dropping a huge hint that Stamford Bridge was his favoured destination. Saying he was his own player and not a replacement for Robinho, who the Blues lost out on to Manchester City in the summer.

“It is my aim to go to England,” Love told the Daily Express.

“I have given my best years to CSKA and it's time to move. But I'm not a replacement for Robinho - I am my own player.”

Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon announced recently that there would be no new signings at Chelsea in January, but with a growing list of injuries, Scolari has told the board at the West London club that he needs one more player. Felipão confirmed he was an admirer of Love, but was coy as to whether he would be trying to sign the Brazilian in January.

“Now, because I have many injuries, I say to the board that I maybe need one player,” Scolari said.

“I know that it's a different time now for Chelsea. But, if I have any more injuries, they understand that I'll need one or two players to replace some players.

“I think it's maximum one player they'll replace because we need one player more.

“He is a very good player - now he's in Russia playing very well, but I'm not thinking about A, B or C.”

Bolton v Chelsea Premier League Preview: Can The In-Form Trotters End The Blues 100% Away Record?

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Bolton Wanderers play, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea in the Premier League at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Gary Megson’s Trotters will go into this clash with Chelsea full of confidence on the back of two successive away wins, with Bolton beating Middlesbrough 3-1 at the Riverside Stadium and following that up with a 4-1 against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Bolton, have won four of their last five games in the Premiership, with a defeat against Liverpool at the Reebok the only blemish in recent times after a poor run of form before, which the Trotters only won one of nine matches. Bolton, are 9th in the Premier League, but have been better away from home so far this season.

Despite losing at Stamford Bridge for the second time this season against Arsenal last week, Scolari’s Blues have a 100% away record this season, winning all seven matches in the Premiership so far this season on their travels. Chelsea have only conceded one goal away from home this season and are still just a point behind Liverpool in the Premier League occupying 2nd place and have a far superior goal difference to the Merseyside club.

Bolton are unable to call on Ricardo Vaz Te, who is out for another seven months with a knee injury, while Megson will give Joey O’Brien a late fitness test on a thigh muscle strain ahead of the clash with the Blues. Other than that Bolton have a full compliment of players to choose from.

Didier Drogba will miss the trip to the Reebok as the Ivory Coast International is serving the last game of a three-match suspension. Joe Cole along with defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Juliano Belletti could be available for Scolari if they shake off injuries in time, while long-term injury Michael Essien is out of the clash with the Trotters along Franco Di Santo, who has a hamstring injury.

Bolton Wanderers: (from) Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Samuel, Nolan, Cahill, Muamba, J O’Brien, Taylor, Elmander, Smolarek, Gardner, Walker, Davies, Steinsson, Riga, McCann, Shittu, Bogdan, Cohen, Al Habsi, Sinclair, Fojut, Harsanyi, A O’Brien, Sissons

Chelsea: (from) Cech, A Cole, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Bosingwa, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Malouda, J Cole, Anelka, Cudicini, Alex, Kalou, Ferreira, Bridge, Mineiro, Deco, Sinclair, Belletti, Hilario, Stoch, Woods

Man City v Man United Premiership Preview: Robinho & Berbatov In Race To Be Fit For Their First Manchester Derby

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Manchester City play, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Premier League at the Eastlands Stadium on Sunday.

Mark Hughes will be pitting his wits against former boss Ferguson in his first Manchester Derby as a manager, with the City manager keen to put one over on his old mentor. The Blues go into this game on the back of an excellent 3-0 win against Arsenal last weekend and an impressive victory over Bundesliga side Schalke 04 in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. However, while City have been scoring quite freely this season they are also prone to concede goals, with Hughes aware that any defensive frailties will be exposed by the Premier League Champions on Sunday. Man City, are yet to draw a game in the Premiership at the Eastlands and are 11th in the table.

Ferguson takes the Red Devils into this derby on a run of indifferent form, with the European Champions failing to score in their last two outings against Aston Villa in the Premiership last weekend and Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, with the talent at his disposal at Old Trafford, Ferguson will be confident that United can collect all three points at the Eastlands and keep touch with Premier League pacesetters, Chelsea and Liverpool, who are the only teams above United in the table.

Hughes will hope to have British record signing Robinho back for this derby clash, who missed the UEFA Cup tie with Schalke on Thursday with an ankle injury. City are unable to call on Valeri Bojinov (calf), Michael Johnson (groin) and Martin Petrov (knee). The Blues will give late fitness tests to Pablo Zabaleta (thigh) and Gelson Fernandes (hamstring) along with Robinho. Elano should feature for City after missing the European tie due to his wife giving birth on Wednesday.

United are unable to call on Paul Scholes (knee), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Wes Brown (ankle) for the short trip across Manchester, but could welcome back summer signing from Tottenham Hotspur Dimitar Berbatov and defender Gary Neville if they can shake off injuries in time to take their place against their local rivals at the Eastlands. Edwin van der Sar should be back to replace Tomas Kuszczak in goal after missing the clash with Villarreal.

Manchester City: (from) Hart, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Kompany, Elano, Ireland, Hamann, Robinho, Wright-Phillips, Jo, Vassell, Onuoha, Ball, Schmeichel, Mills, Zabaleta, Fernandes, Calcedo, Evans, Castillo, Ben Haim, Benjani, Sturridge, Etuhu, Logan, Glauber

Manchester United: van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Anderson, Berbatov, Rooney, Giggs, Foster, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Welbeck, Fabio, Rafael, O’Shea, Evans, Fletcher, Manucho, Kuszczak, Tevez, Possebon, Gray

Richards: Players Fear January Clearout At Man City

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Manchester City defender Micah Richards has revealed that there is concern amongst the players at the Eastlands Stadium, with a transfer spree anticipated by City in January that could see some of the senior players leave the Premier League club.

Following the summer takeover at Man City by the wealthy ADUG, City have been linked with a host of top European stars, with reports linking a new name daily. This has unsettled the players at City, who Richards has revealed are worried what will happen in January.

“If I said the players weren't worried about what will happen in January, then I'd be lying,” Richards told the Daily Express.

20-year-old Richards is even fearful for his own future at the Blues, with the England International sure City manager Mark Hughes will sign one or two defenders to shore up a back line that has already conceded 22 goals in the Premiership.

“Every one of us knows the manager wants to make the team stronger and with the team conceding a lot of goals he is definitely going to sign defenders. So that is something that we have to face up to.”

Chelsea v Newcastle Premiership Preview: Drogba Starts Ban For Blues – Taylor & Xisco In Contention For Magpies

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Chelsea play, Joe Kinnear’s Newcastle United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Blues go into the clash with Necastle on the back of four straight wins in the Premiership, which sees Chelsea at the top of the Premier League on goal difference over nearest rivals Liverpool. Scolari will be looking for his Chelsea side to take all three points against the Magpies as the West London club chase their first title under Scolari.

Newcastle will hope to take something from their trip to Stamford Bridge, but are yet to win on their travels away from St James’ Park this season. The Magpies are just above the relegation zone on goal difference and need to start picking up results quickly on the road if they are to climb to safety in the league.

Scolari is unable to call on long-term injury Michael Essien (knee) along with Franco Di Santo (hamstring) and Alex (thigh) for the visit of Newcastle. Frank Lampard is also a doubt after missing the England clash with Germany with a rib injury, while Ashley Cole, Petr Cech, Joe Cole and defender’s Ricardo Carvalho and Juliano Belletti could be in contention for Chelsea if they can shake off their respective injuries in time. Striker Didier Drogba starts his three-match ban for the coin-throwing incident against Burnley in the Carling Cup.

The Magpies are still without Mark Viduka ,Alan Smith and Ignacio Gonzalez, who all have achilles problems, while Kinnear will also not have Joey Barton (knee) available for the trip to Chelsea. Late fitness tests will be given to defender Steven Taylor and Xisco, who are both expected to recover from groin strins in time for Saturday’s game.

Chelsea: (from) Cech, Ivanovic, A Cole, Cavarlho, Lampard, J Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Sinclair, Bosingwa, Bridge, Ferreira, Deco, Kalou, Cudicini, Terry, Mineiro, Belletti, Anelka, Stoch, Woods

Newcastle United: (from) Given, Coloccini, Enrique, Cacapa, Guthrie, Martins, Owen, Duff, Bassong, Harper, N’Zogbia, Gutierrez, Xisco, Geremi, Beye, Taylor, Kadar, Edgar, Forster, Tozer, Carroll, LuaLua

Arsenal & Chelsea Set To Miss Out On Hazard?

Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea look set to miss out on Belgian starlet Eden Hazard after the midfielder decided to sign his first professional contract at Ligue 1 club Lille.

Both the Gunners and the Blues have sent scouts to watch 17-year-old Hazard for Belgium against Luxembourg on Wednesday, where the highly rated youngster is expected to make his debut for Belgium.

However, this could prove to be a wasted journey, with Hazard signing his first professional contract with Lille, which will tie him to the Stadium Lille-Metropole until 2012. This will be a blow to the Premiership sides, with Hazard regarded as one of the brightest prospects in European football.

Hazard first came to prominence during last summers Under-17 European Championships, which is when the youngster caught the eye of Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen along with Steve Rowley, who is the chief scout at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal & Chelsea Tracking Belgian Starlet

Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly tracking Belgian starlet Eden Hazard of Ligue 1 side Lille in France.

Both the Blues and the Gunners are understood to be sending scouts to watch the 17-year-old midfielder, who is expected to make his International debut for Belgium against Luxembourg on Wednesday.

Hazard first came to prominence during last summers Under-17 European Championships, which is when the youngster caught the eye of Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen along with Steve Rowley, who is the chief scout at the Emirates Stadium.

Should Rowley and Arnesen decide that Hazard possesses the qualities to succeed in the Premiership then a tug-of-war for the attacking-midfielder could happen in January, with both clubs eager to snap up Hazard, who is regarded as on of Europe’s finest young prospects.

Hull v Man City Premiership Preview: Geovanni Set To Face Former Club For Tigers – Dunne & Fernandes Suspended For City

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Hull City, play Mark Hughes’ Manchester City at the KC Stadium on Sunday in the Premier League.

Tigers boss Phil Brown will be hoping his Hull side can get back to winning ways after losing their last three Premier League matches to Chelsea, Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers. However, Hull are still 6th in the Premiership and are still the surprise package of the season, with Brown hoping his Tigers can collect all three points against a City side that are poor away from the Eastlands.

Mark Hughes’ team have only won once on their travels this campaign a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland in August and go into this clash with Premier League debutantes Hull on the back of a home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. City’s in and out form has seen them slip to 13th in the Premiership, with Hughes hoping his side can start to pick up points on the road to realise a lofty aim of a top-four finish this term.

The Tigers will be without Craig Fagan (broken leg) and Anthony Gardner (thigh) for the visit of City, with Brazilian Geovanni, Marlon King and Daniel Cousin expected to spearhead a three-pronged attack for the Tigers.

Man City are without Martin Petrov (knee), Valeri Bojinov (calf) and Michael Johnson (groin) for the trip to the KC Stadium. While, Richard Dunne and Gelson Fernandes will miss the clash through suspension after being sent off against Spurs.

Hull City: (from) Myhill, Doyle, Dawson, Ahsbee, Turner, Barmby, Windass, Geovanni, Hughes, Duke, France, Garcia, Mendy, Halmosi, McShane, Folan, Boateng, Marney, King, Zayatte, Cousin, Warner, Featherstone, Atkinson, Stelios

Manchester City: (from) Hart, Richards, Ball, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Elano, Vassell, Jo, Garrido, Schmeichel, Mills, Calcedo, Hamann, Evans, Castillo, Ben Haim, Benjani, Sturridge, Etuhu, Logan, Kompany, Glauber