Barcelona coach Vilanova has no fear of Guardiola comparisons

Sat, 06/16/2012

Tito Vilanova has no fears of emerging from Pep Guardiola's shadow at Barcelona.

The 42-year-old Vilanova knows comparisons between himself and his former colleague are inevitable as he embarks on his first post as a first-team coach, but he is not letting that bother him.

"I'm not scared of there being comparisons between his Barca and mine. I'm going to lose all of those comparisons, I know that. But I've not come here to be compared to him, I've come here to do my job," Vilanova said.

"I've been very fortunate to have won all those titles in four years. We're going to have the opportunity to repeat that, but it's going to be very difficult.

"We know the difficulty that we have, but we want to win every game.

"We will not give any game or any title up for lost. We will try to win everything."

In appointing Vilanova rather than looking outside the club for a new coach, Barca are aiming to remain faithful to the style of play that has served them so well in recent years.

On what is likely to change under his tenure, Vilanova said: "Pep and I worked closely together and we made many of the decisions together. Therefore, I'm not now going to try and change just to differentiate myself."

Barcelona to include Keita in bid for AC Milan defender Thiago Silva

Mon, 05/21/2012


Barcelona will seek to open talks with AC Milan this week for Thiago Silva.

Sport says Barca have their offer ready and intend to deliver it in the coming days to Milan.

Barca rate Thiago Silva at €25 million and will offer €20 million cash plus a player - likely to be Seydou Keita - in exchange for the Brazilian.

Thiago Silva expressed an ambition to play for Barca last season, though Milan insist they do not want to sell.

PSG in Barcelona contact for Daniel Alves price

Mon, 05/21/2012

PSG have made an approach to Barcelona for fullback Daniel Alves.

Sport says PSG have registered their interest with Barca for the Brazil international.

Alves' future at Barca is under a cloud after disappointing management with his behaviour this past season.

Barcelona plan swap offer for Malaga star Isco

Mon, 05/21/2012

Barcelona are eyeing Malaga star Isco.

The young Spaniard has made a big splash at Malaga this season and also attracting interest fromArsenal and Manchester City.

El Mundo Deportivo says Barca could buy back Sporting Gijon defender Albert Botia and include him in an offer for Isco.

Juventus rival Barcelona for Santos star Neymar

Mon, 05/21/2012

Juventus are joining the battle for Santos star Neymar.

Tuttosport says Santos have confirmed Juve's interest after denying reports of a pre-contract withBarcelona.

Neymar isn't expected to leave Santos until after the 2014 World Cup, but with €40 million to spend on a new attacking signing this summer, Juve could tempt the Brazilians into parting with their superstar.

Barcelona see Man City fullback Zabaleta as Daniel Alves replacement

Mon, 05/21/2012

Barcelona want to bring Manchester City fullback Pablo Zabaleta back to the city this summer.

El Mundo Deportivo says Barca have identified the Argentine as the man to replace Daniel Alves should they sell the Brazilian this summer.

Zabaleta was signed by City from Espanyol almost four years ago and has a good relationship with Barca pair Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano.

In Barca's favour is City's need to sell this summer to comply to UEFA president Michel Platini's finance laws.

Barcelona, Real Madrid waiting for Spurs green light over Bale

Mon, 05/21/2012


Barcelona are expected to now turn up on the heat on Tottenham over their pursuit of Gareth Bale.

El Mundo Deportivo says Spurs recently wrote to Barca informing them that that they weren't interested in negotiating the sale of Bale. However, with Chelsea winning the Champions League, so condemning Spurs to the Europa League next season, all bets are off.

Bale is Barca sports chief Andoni Zubizarreta's top choice for wing-back this summer, but will face competition from Real Madrid should Spurs relent and invite an auction for the Welsh ace.

Chelsea defender Cahill amazed by his Cup Double

Mon, 05/21/2012

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is amazed he's won two major trophies in less than six months as a Blue.

Cahill was outstanding in Chelsea's Champions League final triumph.

He admitted: "If you told me at the start of the season I would win the Champions League, I would've thought you were joking.

"I came here and signed for five and a half years and I wanted to win trophies. That's why I came here.

"But to win two in six months is what dreams are made of."

The other trophy was the FA Cup a fortnight earlier, which Chelsea secured while Cahill was recovering from a hamstring injury that threatened to shatter his Champions League dream.

The 26-year-old, who limped off in the semi-final triumph against Barcelona, was joined on the sidelines by centre-back partner David Luiz, with both only returning to training last week.

"When I picked up the injury against Barcelona, I feared I wouldn't make the game but I am thankful to the staff that got David and me back," Cahill said.

"Absolutely amazing night and highlight of my career so far."

Granada hope Man Utd, Barcelona come in for Siqueira

Mon, 05/21/2012

Granada are hoping to kickoff an auction for fullback Guilherme Siqueira.

Siqueira was watched several times by Manchester United chief scout Martin Ferguson last season as they consider the Brazilian a long-term successor for Patrice Evra, 31.

Valencia are keen on Siqueira and Granada are now hoping United and Barcelona come in for him to spark an auction.

Chelsea defender Cahill says he'll be fit for Munich

Wed, 05/16/2012

Gary Cahill says he'll be fit for Chelsea's Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Cahill completed his first full training session for three weeks ahead of Chelsea's Champions League final and declared: "I will be fit."

Cahill and David Luiz both appeared to come through unscathed.

Cahill, who suffered his injury during last month's epic semi-final second leg at Barcelona, said: "I'm just happy that it's healed quickly.

"We've worked really hard, all day, afternoons, and I'm fortunate enough to be back.

"Hopefully, I'll be fit, I will be fit, and hopefully I'll be out there if selected."

He added: "First full session with the boys today after my injury, so nice to get back out there and get running around and kicking a ball about.

"There's some work to be done in two or three days now leading up to the game for me to get back into it.

"And if I need to do a little bit of other training, I'll do that.

"But, touch wood, there's no reaction from today and I felt fine out there."

Tottenham face Barcelona pressure over Vertonghen

Wed, 05/16/2012

Tottenham face pressure from Barcelona in their bid to close a deal for Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen.

The London Evening Standard says the Belgian is believed to have watched Spurs’s 2-0 win overFulham on Sunday and the club hope to conclude a deal for close to £10m.

Barcelona are also thought to be interested.

Barcelona players desperate to win Copa for Guardiola

Wed, 05/16/2012

Barcelona players are desperate to send off Pep Guardiola a winner, says midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Barca can still win silverware this season with victory in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

Busquets aid: “We won our first final with him against Athletic and he’s leaving after the same fixture four years later, having won lots of titles and created a whole new playing philosophy. It’s been one of the best periods in our history and it’s the end of the era of a very special manager, the best there is.”

Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez cools Barcelona rumours

Wed, 05/16/2012

Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez has cooled talk of a move to Barcelona.

The youngster has been linked with Barca this week.

But Martinez says he wants to continue in San Sebastian "for many years".

Ex-Barcelona president Laporta: Vilanova a panic appointment

Wed, 05/16/2012

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has slammed the appointment of Tito Vilanova as new coach.

Laporta feels it's a "panic" decision after Pep Guardiola's departure.

"Guardiola was destined to be the coach for many years and I do not think they (the Board) created the ideal environment for him to continue," he said.

"The club is in a cycle and Guardiola decided to leave because he did not have enough support from the Board."

Chelsea icon Drogba approaches Barcelona about shock move

Wed, 05/16/2012

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba wants to hear from Barcelona.

Todomercadoweb says Drogba instructed his agent, Francois Gallardo, to make contact with Barca about a free transfer to the Nou Camp.

Drogba's current deal expires next month and he has decided his future now lies away from Chelsea.

Gallardo says he has several offers on the table and now Barca are being sounded out about their interest.

Barcelona chiefs have two defensive transfer options lined up

Wed, 05/16/2012

Barcelona will use the first-half of the summer market to make two new defensive signings.

El Mundo Deportivo says Barca chiefs Andoni Zubizarreta and Albert Valentin are working on two options involving Tottenham star Gareth Bale and AC Milan defender Thiago Silva.

If they can reach agreement with Milan for Thiago Silva, the remainder of their budget will be spent on left-back Jordi Alba of Valencia.

However, if Spurs agree to negotiate terms over Bale, then for their centre-half signing, Barca will turn to Real Sociedad youngster Inigo Martinez.

Barcelona seriously considering move for Chelsea freebie Drogba

Wed, 05/16/2012

Barcelona are seriously considering a shock move for Chelsea icon Didier Drogba.

Though a move to Shanghai Shenhua could be far more lucrative, the lure of playing alongsideLionel Messi and Co could prove irresistible for the Ivory Coast star.

A Barcelona source confirmed to The Sun: “What the team needs is an attacking player who has the presence and strength to trouble defenders.

“Drogba has that profile and is one of the players the club are looking at.”

Roma eager to send Bojan Krkic back to reluctant Barcelona

07 May 2012






AS Roma are set to send Bojan Krkic back to Barcelona.

RMC says Roma want to cut loose Krkic early from his two-year loan after a disappointing season.

Any such decision will leave Barca with a dilemma, as Krkic is not in the plans of new coach Tito Vilanova.

Agent: No Man Utd contact for Barcelona's Seydou Keita

07 May 2012






The agent of Seydou Keita has cooled talk of a move to Manchester United for the Barcelonamidfielder.

United are the latest European heavyweight to be linked with the Mali international.

Agent Pascal Boisseau said: "Seydou has a future at Barca at the moment. We will talk before the Copa del Rey with the Board of Barca. And after this meeting we will discuss its future.

"For now, we have not discussed anything with anyone: neither AC Milan nor Roma, nor with United.

"He wants to talk to the new coach Tito (Vilanova) and then consider everything calmly."

Laporta ponders shock Barcelona return

07 May 2012






Joan Laporta has raised the prospect of a shock return to the Barcelona presidency.

After seeing Barca surrender the Liga title back to Real Madrid and bundled out of the Champions League, Laporta has taken aim at the current board.

He told Canal+: "I had not thought of going back, but seeing that in a year and a half those running things now are breaking up what we had built with so much effort, dedication and enthusiasm, there may still be a possibility."