The wonderkid was linked to Lyon and Bordeaux, but has opted to cross The Channel in order to hone his talents at Stamford Bridge.
Hillion has revealed that Boga’s father has been living in London for two years for professional reasons and this has had a bearing on his son’s move.
Arsenal are famous for their youth system, but it appears that their London rivals Chelsea have decided to emulate their recruitment strategy.
“That is not a transfer, as the rules forbid it,” Hillion told Les Dessous du Sport. “We couldn’t have signed Jeremy if Mr Boga hadn't been in London.
“Chelsea took him because he has the talent to play at the highest level. He’s an excellent number 10.”
The news has left a bitter taste in ASPTT Marseille’s mouth.
“We have had no news from the Boga family neither from Chelsea, this happened behind our back,” an ASPTT Marseille director declared.
Javier Chevanton selected in Uruguay squad @ 27-09-2008 02:40 Oscar Washington Tabarez, the coach of the Uruguayan national team, has reserved 24 players for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia...
The biggest surprise in Tabarez's squad was the inclusion of Sevilla striker Javier Chevanton, who will be part of the side for the first time during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
His recent good form with Sevilla didn't go unnoticed by Tabarez, and the fact that star striker Diego Forlan will miss both qualifiers because of an injury made his choice all the much easier.
Another addition to the squad is that of Palermo striker Edinson Cavani, who has been in top form with his Italian club so far this season. Banfield striker Sebastian Fernandez also made the team.
Otherwise the Uruguay squad is fairly similar to the one that faced Colombia and Ecuador last month. Uruguay beat Colombia 1-0 in Bogota, but then could only manage a goalless draw with Ecuador in Montevideo.
Uruguay Squad For Argentina, Bolivia Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Juan Castillo (Botafogo) and Fabian Carini (Real Murcia).
Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Martin Caceres (Barcelona), Jorge Fucile (FC Porto), Bruno Silva (Ajax Amsterdam), Carlos Valdez (Reggina), Andres Scotti (Argentinos Juniors) and Juan Manuel Diaz (Estudiantes de La Plata).
Midfielders: Diego Perez (Monaco), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica), Alvaro Gonzalez (Boca Juniors), Walter Gargano (Napoli), Sebastian Eguren (Villarreal), Cristian Rodriguez (FC Porto) and Ignacio Gonzalez (Newcastle United).
Strikers: Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Javier Chevanton (Sevilla), Luis Suarez (Ajax Amsterdam), Sebastian Abreu (River Plate), Vicente Sanchez (Schalke 04), Robert Flores (River Plate) and Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield).
Rossi back in, Altidore still out @ 26-09-2008 22:44 American-born Italian Giuseppe Rossi has returned to the Villarreal squad to face Sporting Gijón but fellow New Jersey man, Jozy Altidore has been omitted once again.
El Sumbarino coach, Manuel Pellegrini has called up his squad of 19 to travel to Gijón to face Sporting on Saturday for Round Five of La Liga.
The notable highlight was the inclusion of young forward, Giuseppe Rossi who has made a full recovery from an injury he picked up during the Olympics in Beijing. Although he is still lacking match fitness and sharpness, he could be given a run-out at some point to help get him back up to speed ahead.
Villarreal’s frontline is now finally back to full strength after Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci, who also sustained an injury during a summer tournament, Euro 2008, made his comeback last Wednesday against Racing Santander.
As such, young American striker Jozy Altidore has been omitted from the squad again. The 18 year old had been hoping to see some valuable match time whilst the aforementioned duo was out injured, but he was hardly given a chance and any first team opportunities now look dead and buried.
Also excluded from the squad for Saturday’s game were Pascal Cygan, Cani and Bruno.
Football's tragic list @ 23-09-2008 03:08 Deaths on the pitch are a rare occurrence in professional soccer, with only a handful of cases recorded around the world over many years.
Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe became one of the few players to die during or soon after a match when he collapsed with a suspected heart attack after 72 minutes of the Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia on Thursday. Playing in stifling heat in Lyon, the 28-year-old fell to the ground unchallenged in the centre circle. Despite the immediate attention of medical staff, he was pronounced dead 45 minutes later.
Trevor Brooking, a director at West Ham United, one of Foe's former clubs, said: "When you consider the rigorous medical checks players have to go through on a regular basis in the modern game, it's hard to understand how such a thing could happen."
Foe's death is similar to that of 24-year-old Nigerian international Samuel Okwaraji who collapsed 10 minutes from the end of a World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos in August 1989, and died from cardiac failure.
An autopsy found he had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure.
Most of the deaths of seemingly healthy players at matches have been either due to heart problems or lightning strikes.
HEART ATTACK Last October 28-year-old Brazilian striker Marcio Dos Santos died of a heart attack just hours after scoring a goal for Peruvian side Deportivo Wanka.
The only player in Britain to have died on the pitch during a professional match in the last 50 years was 25-year-old York City striker Dave Longhurst who collapsed in a league match against Lincoln City in September 1990.
An inquest revealed he had suffered from a rare heart condition. Porto player Fernando Pascoal das Neves, known as "Pavao", collapsed and died during a league match in December 1973 -- in the 13th minute of the 13th game of the season.
French international midfielder Emmanuel Petit's 20-year-old brother Oliver died during a match in 1987.
Since 1963, there have been a surprisingly high number of unexplained deaths among Romanian players. Constantin Tabarcea, who was 26 and played for Petrolul Ploiesti, died after collapsing during a first division match in 1963.
In 15 months between 1999 and 2001, four Romanian players died after collapsing. Astra Ploiesti's Stefan Vrabioru died on the way to hospital after a fall just minutes after being brought on for his first division debut against Rapid Bucharest.
LIGHTNING STRIKES Lightning can pose serious risks on the exposed pitches used for amateur football and can even strike with deadly results at the grounds of professional clubs.
In February 1967 one player died and four others were seriously injured when lightning struck during an English amateur Cup quarter-final between Highgate United and Enfield.
Goalkeeper Erik Jongbloed of DWS in the Netherlands was killed by lightning during a match in September 1984 -- in front of his father, the former national team goalie Jan Jongbloed.
In August 2001, two players were killed and 10 others severely burned when a bolt of lightning struck a stadium during a professional match in Chiquimulilla, in Guatemala.
A bolt of lightning crashed into a metal guard rail, creating a ring of electric charge on the field, burning players, coaches and referees.
Last October Colombian striker Geovanny Cordoba and former international player Hermann Gaviria died after being struck during a training session. One player was struck by lightning and died after a match in Ukraine last July.
Deaths from injuries suffered on the pitch are extremely rare - there is a record of only one in the professional game in more than 70 years.
In September 1931 in Glasgow, John Thompson, 23, the Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper, dived at the feet of Rangers forward Sam English and suffered a fractured skull. He died later in hospital without regaining consciousness.
One of the most infamous soccer deaths of recent years did not happen on the pitch -- but Andres Escobar of Colombia was murdered as a direct result of what happened on it.
He scored an own goal when Colombia lost 2-1 to the United States in the 1994 World Cup finals and was murdered soon after returning home to Colombia by a hitman.
Van Buyten leads Bayern to 1-0 win at Steaua @ 18-09-2008 07:01 An early goal from Daniel Van Buyten helped Bayern Munich to a 1-0 win at Steaua Bucharest in their Champions League Group F match on Wednesday.
Van Buyten headed home the winner in the 15th minute following a free-kick from Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Steaua's Colombian playmaker Dayro Moreno angled in a powerful 30-metre shot during the first half but visiting keeper Michael Rensing deflected the ball with his right foot.
Bayern responded with a close-range header by Luca Toni and a powerful volley by Ze Roberto from outside the area but were denied both times thanks to Steaua keeper Robinson Zapata's fine reflexes.
"We started the match too prudently and we got a goal from a dead ball," Steaua Bucharest coach Marius Lacatus said. "In the second half, we were unlucky in front of a very strong team."
Zapata skills in front of goal spared Steaua from suffering a heavier defeat as the Colombian pulled off at least four good saves.
In the second half, Bayern seemed more keen to protect their lead and waited fro Steaua to make a mistake.
The Romanian team piled on the pressure and Brazilian striker Arthur Bernhardt hit the post.
Bayern missed French international playmaker Franck Ribery, who was still recovering from an ankle problem, while Steaua Bucharest were without captain Mirel Radoi, who was injured during Romania's World Cup qualifier against Faroe Islands last week.
Juventus-Zenit St. Petersburg 1-0 (Video) @ 18-09-2008 02:31 With just over ten minutes to go, Alessandro Del Piero put Juve in front against Zenit St. Petersburg, the veteran smashed home a quality long-range free-kick.
Porto-Fenerbahce: 3-1 (Video-Champions League) @ 18-09-2008 02:27 Porto raced into a two-goal advantage within the first fifteen minutes of their match with Fenerbahce. Lisandro Lopez side-footed home the first and Lucho Gonzalez struck a fine volley for the second. Dani Guiza restored some hope for the Turkish side, firing home from a tight angle. Dorvalino Lino confirmed the win late on.
Top twenty transfers of the summer 2008 @ 02-09-2008 01:04 Every week until the end of the transfer window, Tootball :-) will list of the top twenty transfers of the summer. In this edition, we considered all moves officially concluded by the start of Monday, 1 September 2008...
The factors taken into account are
(a) form over the last 12 months, (b) potential, and (c) transfer fee involved.
The extension from ten to twenty was compiled by taking into account previous editions.
20. Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon to Marseille) Last Week: 19
Marseille have lost Samir Nasri to Arsenal, but have managed to land the perfect replacement in the man Arsene Wenger had his sights on to start with. What is more, they can keep him for a year or two, and make a cool 8-10 million profit.
19. Alberto Gilardino (Milan to Fiorentina) Last Week: 18
On the face of it, it looks like the Viola have signed an unhappy, out-of-form striker. However, that was just what Adrian Mutu's move from Juventus looked like not so long ago. The fans will help him forget Milan in a hurry, and rediscover the striker that wowed Calcio when at Parma. The partnership with Mutu can be backed to produce some special moments in the Champions League.
18. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea to AC Milan) Last Week: 17
After two seasons of mediocrity at Chelsea, the Ukrainian is back at his spiritual home. Nonetheless this is a considerable gamble for the rossoneri: with a full complement of fit strikers, a Shevchenko who cannot hit form may warm the bench. On the other hand his return - even as a 30-year-old - could signal a goalscoring comeback unseen in Serie A since... well, since Andriy Shevchenko.
17. Julio Baptista (Real Madrid to AS Roma) Last Week: 16
The Beast, The Tank - you'd be as well calling him The Happy Wanderer, for the Brazilian has now experienced three countries in as many seasons. The 26-year-old has only seldom repeated the form that saw him shine at Sevilla four seasons ago, but he began the last campaign well enough with Madrid. Part of the problem is that he's been kept out of position for so long in order to accommodate more prestigious players: if Roma can build a system around him, instead of slotting him in wherever there happens to be a space, they could have a real superstar on their hands.
16. Seydou Keita (Sevilla to Barcelona) Last Week: 15
At the time of his arrival he was the best signing Barcelona had made this season, particularly in light of the way their soft underbelly was exposed on the road last year. With him partnering Yaya Touré in the middle, it will ensure that the likes of Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi do not get bullied, and also get the full license to thrill. 15 million euros worth their value.
15. Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander to Real Madrid) Last Week: 14
What a capture! Barcelona seemed to have him in the bag, but hesitated a little too much as they waited for Frank Rijkaard to leave and a new coach to take charge. Madrid managed to snatch Sergio Ramos a few years ago, and what a signing that has turned out to be. This one may be no different.
14. Deco (Barcelona to Chelsea) Last Week: 13
On the wrong side of 30, a first look suggests that he is past it, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is a fire that burns in him as we saw during Euro 2008, and he has a lot more to give to football. He is not what Frank Lampard is, as he will never score as many goals. But then, he is also everything Lampard is not. Superb creativity, a great eye for the game, and an ability to run the show that has seen him win the Champions League with two different clubs. Finally, Chelsea have a player who can orchestrate the pleasing football their owner wants. With Ballack and Essien set to play around him, it will be an ominous midfield.
13. Amantino Mancini (Roma to Inter) Last Week: 12
Jose Mourinho does not quite promote exciting football, but he does like a fast, aggressive winger forward at least on one flank. That is just what he has found in Mancini, who will be handed the license to thrill just as Arjen Robben was during the glory years at Chelsea. Tends to blow hot and cold, though, as Roma found out last season. Lack of consistency will not go down well with the 'Special One', so he does need to focus a lot more.
12. David Bentley (Blackburn to Tottenham) Last Week: 11
A great way for Spurs to show their ambition - by winning the race for the talented Blackburn winger, and in the process signing a former Arsenal youngster. Given what Juande Ramos did with Jesus Navas - a very similar player - this one has success written all over it. He has the potential form a formidable attacking midfield along with Giovani Dos Santos and Luka Modric.
11. Robbie Keane (Tottenham to Liverpool) Last Week:10
Make no mistake, I rate him very highly. That said, the Reds paid a few millions too many. He will still score the 15-20 goals needed to complement Fernando Torres' 25-30, so Rafa might just have splashed the extra cash with good reason. Their draw happy start to the season destroyed their title challenge last time around, so goals is what they need, and that is what they will get.
10. Amauri (Palermo to Juventus) Last Week: 9
The Brazilian-Italian striker made it to number three after earning himself a long overdue move to a top four club, but now slips down to nine. He has already shown his potential with Palermo, and the prospect of him getting some top quality service from the Juve midfield is simply mouth-watering. Champions League, here he comes.
9. Vincent Kompany (Hamburg SV to Manchester City) Last Week: 8
The former Hamburg man left Germany under something of a cloud in order to affect a very quick transfer to City, but for all the "shotgun wedding" nature of the move it seems to have been the Mancunians' best of the summer. Put it this way: just one game into his tenure he put in a confident, mature showing in what is thought to be the world's fastest and most furious league, then said afterwards with characteristic nonchalance that he learned his new teammates' names on the pitch. Imagine what he'll be like once he's settled in and has a bit more experience.
8. Daniel Alves (Sevilla to Barcelona) Last Week: 7
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United – these are just some of the clubs that have queued up for him over the last 18 months or so. However, it is Barcelona who land him after some difficult negotiations with Sevilla. Perhaps a touch overpriced at 30 million euros (he would have been number one on this list at 20m), but then again, he is the best attacking full-back this world has seen since Roberto Carlos.
7. Quaresma (FC Porto to Inter) New Entry
The only transfer saga of the summer more long-running (and some would say more boring) than that of Amauri, it seems as though Ricardo Quaresma has finally made his move from Porto to Inter. A class act at domestic level for years, the Portuguese international still has much to prove in Europe, particularly in light of the fact that his time with FC Barcelona was deemed a failure. Nonetheless he brings with him considerable talent and pedigree. His price tag - €30.6m - is on the high side, but he is nonetheless a fine acquisition for José Mourinho's side. Remember - he's still only 24.
6. Samir Nasri (Marseille to Arsenal) Last Week: 6
The highly rated French international is the latest to join the clan of young Gunners. Many view him as a replacement for Aliaksandr Hleb, while others go a step further and call him the next Zidane. He has had some problems with injuries, but let's hope those were exceptions as opposed to the rule. The prodigous playmaker is at number five.
5. Ronaldinho (Barcelona to Milan) Last Week: 5
A gamble? Yes. But given the chance, would you sign one of the all time greats of football for a third of his market price last summer? You bet you would. At 28, he is far from over. Some diet planning and some tough training, and he will give at least three or four good years to the Rossoneri. A gamble nonetheless, or he would definitely have been number one. Number four for the Gaucho.
4. Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham) Last Week: 4
The hottest young Croatian was snapped up by Spurs despite the interest of clubs such as Barcelona and Chelsea, and what a signing it has already turned out to be. Looks set to become the jewel in Juande Ramos' midfield next season. He remains at the sharp end of our list.
3. Aliaksandr Hleb (Arsenal to Barcelona) Last Week: 3
A very shrewd buy, and what could very well turn out to be a stroke of genius from Barcelona. With Lionel Messi expected to run the show, what they needed was not a Ronaldinho, but a tireless, no-nosense attacking midfielder to offer support from the other flank - without hogging possession or the limelight. And they got him on the cheap too. A true critics' player in that while fans rave about others, he runs away with the technical plaudits.
2. Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal to Milan) Last Week: 2
The underrated Frenchman was one of Arsenal's best players last season, and Milan's signing was nothing less than a coup. That it was a free transfer makes it even better. Has been the smartest transfer this summer for a while, now, but drops down to number two, finally.
1. Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg to Real Madrid) Last Week: 1
A lifelong Barcelona fan and one of the best playmakers in the world today, how Madrid managed to sign him for nine million euros I don't know. What is even more baffling is how Hamburg let him go at that price (even if clauses could raise it to 13m). I would probably have put him up here even if he had cost 15 million. A downright steal, and just the kind of person who will add to Bernd Schuster's team without destroying it (get the hint?).
Inter Milan keep Mirel Radoi waiting @ 06-08-2008 17:09 Inter Milan will delay their move for Steaua Bucharest defender Mirel Radoi until the final week of the summer market.
Gazzetta dello Sport says despite complaints from coach Jose Mourinho, Inter directors are reluctant to move too quickly for Radoi as they wait for Marco Materazzi to recover from his injury.
If Materazzi fails to make the Super Coppa later this month, then Inter will push through a deal for Romania international Radoi.
Silva's agent held talks for two hours with Valencia chiefs yesterday and while a new contract offer was tabled, the terms fell well short of what the midfielder is seeking, says Sport.
"We are where we are," said Julio Llorente, Silva's agent. "Neither closer nor further away."
Meanwhile, Barca are ready to pounce. Coach Pep Guardiola sees the Spain international as his ideal solution for the left-side of midfield and sports chief Txiki Begiristain confirmed their interest yesterday.
Real Madrid agree Van der Vaart fee with Hamburg @ 04-08-2008 22:39 Real Madrid have officially announced that they have reached an agreement with Hamburger SV for Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. Tomorrow the former Ajax man will pen a five-year contract at the Bernabéu...
The blancos revealed on their official website that the 25-year-old is set to seal his deal in person tomorrow. No fee has been mentioned but it is thought to be a €9m deal.
A statement from the club ran: "Real Madrid C.F. and Hamburg SV have reached an agreement for the 5-season transfer of Dutch player Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart to the former club. The agreement is subject to the player's medical examination and his signing of a federation contract.
Van der Vaart will be officially presented on Tuesday 5 August at 13:00 CET in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium."
The Netherlands international had earlier told the official HSV website that he was set to move on after an accord between the two clubs was met on Sunday night.
Ready To Move Anticipating his switch to Spain, he said, "Very late [Sunday] night it was agreed. It took a long time and for a long while it was uncertain, but now everything is clear.
"I'm glad, but also a little sad. I had a good time here... I'm also hurt to leave. People here always supported me, even in difficult times, such as during the Valencia incident (a failed transfer).
"I had goosebumps every time I played in Hamburg. It's clichéd to say that HSV will always remain in my heart, but this really is the case and it should remain so."
Rich Pedigree Rafael brings with him to Madrid a considerable goalscoring record for a midfielder, having netted 29 Bundesliga goals in 74 appearances for the Hanseaten.
With Ajax his finest campaign was perhaps 2002-03, wherein he managed almost a goal a game for the Dutch capital side. However his later days in Amsterdam were to be fraught with controversy as he was stripped of the captaincy and even dropped for a time.
Nonetheless he remained, and remains, a Dutch international of some repute, having taken part in Euro 2008 this summer for his country.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns for Inter @ 02-08-2008 19:47 Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to training on Saturday morning and now the race is on to get him fully fit ahead of Inter's Italian Super Cup date with Roma in three weeks.
The big hit-man has been out with injury and he has not been able to take part in full pre-season. He has now recovered and returned to training where he took part in mini matches.
Ibra managed to impress Jose Mourinho as he got on the scoresheet and he also took part in the coach's special tactical exercises.
Inter's first real competitive game is in 22 days where they will clash with Roma in the Super Cup. All eyes will be on Ibrahimovic to get back to his best as Inter may risk starting the new season with just two fit strikers, Mario Balotelli and Adriano.
Julio Cruz is injured and both David Suazo and Hernan Crespo may be leaving the Giuseppe Meazza soon as the 'Special One' cuts his squad down.
The former Juventus man is likely to be ready for the Roma clash but he may not feature as Inter wouldn't want to risk him ahead of the new Serie A campaign.
Inter face a tough opening game at Sampdoria in September and they would need all their best players back if they are to begin where they left off.
A friendly against Sporting Lisbon is planned for mid-August and this will give Mourinho a chance to experiment as he prepares his side for glory next term.
Ramos has intervened personally to persuade Arshavin that a move to Tottenham would see the Zenit St Petersburg star become a key member of his starting line-up.
Despite reports last night that Spurs were distancing themselves from the deal because Zenit were holding out for £20million - some ?4m above Tottenham's valuation - Ramos is desperate to reinvest the money from the sale of Robbie Keane to Liverpool and Dimitar Berbatov's expected departure to Manchester United.
"Ramos called Andrei and explained his vision of football and the future of Andrei in his team," said agent Dennis Lachter. "He told him he would be a key player and that he is very interested in signing him."
According to the agent, Ramos is so determined to land Arshavin that he has persuaded Spurs to smash their £60,000-a-week wage ceiling to help convince him that his future lies at White Hart Lane.
With Arshavin eager to earn in the region of £80,000-a-week, Lachter claimed Spurs "are the only team that have accepted his wage conditions".
Lachter is confident Ramos will finally get his man, adding: "Spurs are ready to pay nearly all the money Zenit are asking for."
Galatasaray SK sign Morgan de Sanctis @ 30-07-2008 17:50 Italian keeper Morgan De Sanctis left FC Sevilla after reaching an agreement with Turkey's Galatasaray SK, according to local paper Sabah.
Italian keeper Morgan De Sanctis, who had been talking to FC Sevilla officials about a move for the last weeks since Andres Palop's stay was confirmed, will arrive in Galatasaray soon.
According to paper Sabah, the team's sports director Adnan Sezgin had negotiations with Sevilla board and the keeper himself.
Even though the paper didn't confirm the amount paid for the transfer, De Sanctis will earn €1.5 million per season and the Spanish team will collect €1 million.
De Sanctis, 31, made his debut at Pescara Calcio, and was the second keeper at FC Juventus before joining Udinese Calcio in 1999; there, he played eight years.
He arrived in FC Sevilla last season, but he was a starter just eight games.
Guti: Ronaldinho signing welcome at Real Madrid @ 10-12-2007 22:13 Guti has contradicted Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic, insisting Ronaldinho would be welcome at the Primera Liga leaders.
Mijatovic declared last week that they wouldn't be interested in signing the Barcelona star if he became available, but Guti said last night: "With respect to Ronaldinho, any club in the world would like sign him.
Ghanaian youngster John Cofie has joined up with Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United after completing a move from near-neighbours Burnley.
The Championship outfit were essentially forced to sell up after the 15 year old declared that he wished to move on and, with Manchester United interested, club and player alike have opted for the Red Devils.
Clarets director Brendan Flood remarked, "The player was unwilling to come back to Burnley so we didn't have a choice in keeping him here.
"He was going to go to one of the clubs chasing his signature and in the end, we all felt that Manchester United was the right option.
"He has a good future ahead of him and hopefully we can try and keep youngsters of John's quality at the club in future."
While losing a player of such stature is a massive blow to the Turf Moor outfit, their losses may be stemmed somewhat by the rumoured 25% sell-on clause that accompanied the player's transfer.
What's more, the deal also includes first refusal on any future loan move from Old Trafford, as well as a guaranteed, lucrative friendly with the northern giants.
Cofie arrived at Burnley last summer after impressing scouts at a youth tournament in Germany, with the Clarets turning down an approach from Liverpool thought to be in the region of 350,000 euros shortly afterwards.
Champions League Matchday 4: Eight is Enough @ 07-11-2007 03:10 Liverpool was putting such a hurting on Besitkas on Tuesday in the Champions League that some of their players decided that it would only be fair if they played with another player on their back. It was do or die time for some of the teams in the competition. Some did, some died and some still have work left ahead of them. Here’s a down and dirty recap of what happened and what it all means.
Group A It was a must win situation for Liverpool and win they did. The poor Besiktas keeper Hakan Amkan might have permanent damage from the whiplash he suffered letting in eight goals, a record in the Champions League. It will still be a must win situation for Liverpool the next matchday when they host group leaders Porto, who leapfrogged Marseille with a 2-1 home win. After starting off with a pair of wins and on top of the group, suddenly Marseille look like they are the ones who might be caught by Liverpool in the end.
Porto 8 pts, Marseille 7, Liverpool 5, Besitkas 3
Group B Rosenborg? Really? For the second straight match the team from Norway took it to Valencia. With the victory, they remain in second place just a point behind Chelsea. The Blues picked up a hard fought point on the road against a disappointing Schalke. They’ll be on the road again next matchday to take on Rosenborg in what could be a match that determines the group winner. Valencia are toast. Hard to believe.
Chelsea 8 pts, Rosenborg 7, Schalke 4, Valencia 3
Group C Playing at home after a pair of draws and a loss, Lazio were in desperate need of three points against Werder Bremen. They got it. With the victory they are right back in the thick of things tied with Olympiacos for second in the group. The Greek side appears to have had their bubble burst after blowing an away lead last matchday against Real Madrid. Today they could only muster a 0-0 draw at home. Bremen somehow are still alive despite playing poorly in this competition.
Real Madrid 8, Olympiacos 5, Lazio, 5, Bremen 3
Group D The sound you just heard was everyone jumping off of the Shakhtar bandwagon. After winning their first two games, the Ukrainian club has been spanked by AC Milan twice. It was the Champions League killer combo of Inzaghi and Kaka that lifted Milan and pretty much assured they’ll be on to the next round. Meanwhile, Celtic grinded out a 1-0 home win against Benfica. The Scottish club still has their work cut out for them with a critical home match against Shakhtar before closing things out in Milan.
AC Milan 9, Shakhtar 6, Celtic 6, Benfica 3
Sheffield United-Arsenal: 0-3 (Video) @ 01-11-2007 03:17 Talk of a potential banana-skin tie proved misguided as Arsenal’s youngsters comprehensively dismantled a disappointing Sheffield United side at Bramall Lane.
Arsenal eased into the quarter finals of the Carling Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over a disappointing Sheffield United side.
Rarely troubled by the hosts, Wenger’s men took the lead early on through Eduardo. The Croatian doubled his tally for the night shortly after half-time, before a deflected shot from Denilson 20 minutes before full time sealed Arsenal’s spot in the quarter-finals.
First Half
Sheffield United made seven changes from the side that drew with Hull on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Bryan Robson’s side were quick out of the blocks and enjoyed their first chance on four minutes as Arsenal’s young defence failed to clear a high ball, Sharp toe-poking towards the advancing Fabianski.
But the home side’s superiority was extremely short-lived – Niklas Bendtner seized the ball from a docile Sheffield United midfield before threading a brilliant cross-field ball through to Eduardo on the left flank.
The Croat thundered the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out, leaving Blades keeper Bennett with no chance.
The Gunners didn’t look content with just the one goal: Denilson skyed the ball into the Kop, while on 20 minutes Walcott danced his way through the Blades’ defence, eventually being fouled on the edge of the ‘D’. Eduardo disappointingly fired the free-kick right into the red-and-white wall.
As Chris Armstrong struggled to deal with Walcott’s pace on the right-wing, the midfield the vision of Denilson caused the home side’s defence several headaches.
Bendtner looking menacing each time he received the ball, revelling in the time and space the Blades afforded him. Arsenal pressed constantly, playing their usual possession passing game despite the heavily sanded pitch.
It was only on rare occasions that United managed to get forward. Carney launched a speculative daisy-cutter wide of goal, then in the 27th minute Lucketti sneaked behind the Gunners’ defence. Unfortunately he could only head the high free-kick back across goal and into the hands of the waiting Fabianski.
Within a minute the hosts could have been two down, a risky back-pass from Armstrong almost going straight to the feet of the lurking Eduardo.
38 minutes into the match Walcott had a decent chance to double the visitors’ advantage. Diaby’s strong run through the midfield found the English youngster in space on the wing, but his shot sailed comfortably wide.
Arsenal were occasionally sloppy though: Diaby needlessly gave the ball away just before half-time but – despite from clever trickery from Carney – the rushed ball into the box flew into a groaning crowd.
Second Half
Blades boss Bryan Robson will have tried to rally his troops during the interval, but must have despaired at the ease with which the Gunners stretched shortly after the re-start. A through ball from left-back Gibbs comfortably – almost embarrassingly – split Sheffield United’s defence apart. One-on-one with the keeper, Eduardo kept his cool, calmly slotting into the bottom left-hand corner for Arsenal’s – and his – second of the match.
Sheffield United tried to hit Arsenal on the break but it was always a case of the final ball into the box ruining the move. In contrast to this fixture in last season’s Premier League, Arsenal showed an ability to hustle for the ball when required, the Gunners’ midfield and defence often out-muscling as well as out-playing their opponents. Diarra’s thunderous challenge abruptly halted a move where United had found space on the left of the pitch just past the hour.
The home side made a double change but to no avail. Bendtner’s exquisite chip was knocked goalwards by Chris Armstrong, whom the lurking Theo Walcott beat for pace before crashing a shot against Bennett’s left-hand post.
It should have been 3-0, but moments later it was: thirty yards out, Denilson wasn’t challenged by a now bedraggled looking United defence. The Brazilian edged forward before unleashing a cracking right-foot shot. A faint deflection off Blade’s captain Chris Morgan sufficed in sending the ball high into the net beyond the outstretched Bennett.
‘Cheerio’, sang the Arsenal fans to the handful of Blades supporters making their way to the exits after the third goal. But those who stayed almost saw their side grab an immediate consolation. Gilberto, denied the captain’s armband in favour of Lukasz Fabianski, spared his keeper’s blushes as he cleared Lucketti’s shot off the line following Michael Tonge’s free kick.
Arsenal had plenty more chances as the game went on. Diaby found Eduardo on the edge of the box, but the Croatian – on a hat-trick – saw his effort deflected behind for the corner. Diaby himself curled one just over the bar after Bendtner’s mazy run had been thwarted, while Denilson’s run and diagonal shot went narrowly wide of the upright.
It was a thoroughly comfortable win for Arsène Wenger’s side. The gulf in class between the two sides was apparent from the start, and the visitors’ superior fitness levels allowed for an almost carnival atmosphere by the end, complete with chants of ‘olé’ from the travelling fans as the Gunners put together pass after pass.
Line-ups:
Sheffield United (4-4-2): Bennett, Bromby, Morgan, Armstrong, Lucketti, Carney, Montgomery, Tonge (Gillespie, 74mins), S Quinn (Webber, 63mins), Sharp, Stead (A Quinn, 63mins)
Sheffield United 0-1 Arsenal - Eduardo, 8mins (assist by Bendtner)
Sheffield United 0-2 Arsenal - Eduardo, 50mins (Gibbs)
Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal - Denilson, 70mins (unassisted)
Attendance: 16,971
AS Roma 3-2 SS Lazio: (Video) @ 01-11-2007 03:05 Roma managed to hold their nerves during the final twenty minutes to eke out a 3-2 win over Lazio in a pulsating Rome derby at the Stadio Olimpico.
A cracking game it was always going to be, and it got off to a cracking start as Rocchi fired Lazio ahead in the 11th minute, controlling a long ball superbly before slotting low into the corner with his left foot.
Roma were stung, but responded after just seven minutes, Mirko Vucinic grabbing his third in three games, combining well with Amantino Mancini before squeezing the ball 'through' Ballotta's hands.
That set up the game beautifully as the two sides wen hammer and tongs at each other, the crowd responding by raising the pitch a few notches.
After plenty of attempts from both sides, it was Roma who broke through just before half time, Mancini striking the ball sweetly into the top left corner after a neat one-two with Philippe Mexes.
That gave the Giallorossi plenty to build upon, and they did just that as the game resumed after the break, grabbing their third ten minutes in.
De Rossi's ball met Tonetto, who crossed into the area, found Vucinc, who found Perrotta after having drawn the Lazio defenders towards him, leaving the midfielder with a tap in.
It seemed to have taken the wind out of Lazio's sails, and looked like a comfortable win for Roma.
However, with 20 minutes left on the clock, Cristian Ledesma decided to fire in a scorching free-kick off the underside of the bar to give some meaning to the final minutes.
Lazio had smelled blood, and threw almost everything forward. However, the goal and Luciano Spalletti had ensured that the Roma defence has been woken up, and they saw out the remaining time - not without a few flutters - to pick up an absolutely massive win.
Early Aaron Mokoena signs promising, says doctor @ 31-10-2007 02:54 Blackburn's club doctor has played down fears that Aaron Mokoena may have broken his leg in tonight's Carling Cup victory against Portsmouth.
The South African was stretchered off after 25 minutes and manager Mark Hughes was concerned that he had suffered a serious injury, but initial x-yays suggeste this is not the case.
Club doctor Phil Batty said: "Aaron went to hospital where he had an X-ray and the results appear to be okay. "But we will need to evaluate things further over the next few days."
Manager Mark Hughes had earlier said: "It looks like something gave way in his leg and we're worried that it is a bad injury. "We are having to wait until he's assessed to see how serious it is but it doesn't look good.
"When he first walked off for treatment it looked like just a bang but he's had a broken leg before."
It was a cracking draw in Moscow as visitors Fenerbahce went ahead, then behind thanks to a CSKA comeback and two big mistakes from Edu, before Deivid rescued them with a late drive that somehow managed to find it's way under Veniamin Mandrykin.
Fenerbahce grabbed a late 2-2 draw in Moscow in what a free-spirited and flowing game of football that had a little bit of everything.
An opportunistic finish from a poor header, a back pass that misfired, a silly hack to concede a penalty, and a goalkeeper letting the ball slip under him were all on offer in this comedy of errors.
CSKA MOSCOW: Mandrykin, Semberas, Ignashevich, A.Berezutski, I.Berezutski, Zhirkov, Dudu, Krasic, Rahimic, Jo, Love
GOALS: 9 Alex De Souza, 85 Deivid (Fenerbahce SK) 50 Krasic, Vagner Love (Cska Moscow)
CSKA were perhaps the better team for much of the game, but credit is due to Fenerbahce for mounting a comeback after falling 2-1 behind away from home, and refusing to throw in the towel.
In the end, it was a deserved point for both sides, though the home side will feel aggrieved.
Fenerbahçe took an early lead through their Champions League hero Alex, the Brazilian adding to his two against Inter by latching ont a poor clearance from Aleksei Berezutski after Mehmet Aurelio slipped as he prepared to strike.
CSKA were stunned, but proceeded to find their rhythm and run the show with the backing of the home fans.
They got a much deserved lead through the superb Krasic, who hassled Edu into a poor back pass, and latched onto it to finish in two attempts.
The Russians then got their second, with Edu once again guilty, this time of a clumsy challenge on Vagner Love. The Brazilian picked himself up and tucked away the penalty to put his side ahead, and get the usually serious Gazzaev jumping in delight on the touchline.
It was to be Fenerbahces turn to raise their game, and they crowded the CSKA goal as the game headed into its final minutes. They got their reward in fortunate circumstances, with Deivid's 25-yard drive squeezing under Veniamin Mandrykin.
Fenerbahce have four points from two games, while CSKA have just the one.
Alisher Usmanov admits: I do want Arsenal - But I'll wait @ 02-10-2007 17:41 Russian-based Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has said for the first time that he does have long-term ambitions to buy Arsenal, but insists he has no immediate plans to takeover the club. He adds, however, that: "This is business life and things can change."
Billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov recently raised his stake in Arsenal Football Club to 23 per cent but indicated that he had no plans for a takeover. Now the 54-year-old has revealed that while nothing would happen in the immediate future, he does have long-term ambitions to buy the Gunners.
"We don't have the capacity today, but this is business and life is changing," he said. "Something that you can't do today, maybe you can do tomorrow."
The BBC's Moscow correspondent said Usmanov had been smitten by Arsenal when Arsene Wenger took over as manager in the mid-1990s.
Usmanov described his stake in the club as a "good portfolio investment", but said if other major shareholders agreed to sell out, he would buy their shares if the price was right.
Usmanov holds his stake through Red and White Holdings Limited (RAWHL), the comapany he set up with business partner Farhad Moshiri. It makes him the club's second largest shareholder after Danny Fiszman, who owns just over 24 per cent.
Fiszman and fellow board members Peter Hill-Wood (the club chairman), Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr have agreed not to sell their shares until April 2008 at the earliest.
Between them those four directors currently account for 45 per cent of the club's shares. Therefore their agreement is pivotal to any takeover bid Usmanov might launch.
Usmanov and Moshiri are hopeful the stance of the four directors will soften in the future.
"If a significant shareholder sells, the whole dynamic changes," said Moshiri.
"But it depends on the price. If the lock-down agreement [by the directors not to sell] is not renewed, then it is a new environment."
Usmanov's comments come a week after Arsenal published their annual financial results to 31 May 2007, which showed income had soared 46 per cent to £200.8 million, up from £137.2 million a year earlier.
Usmanov also told the London Evening Standard: "We want to have a large stake in Arsenal. Up to now we have acquired 23 percent, maybe we will have to increase that to 25 percent." At thast level he would have a blocking vote that would allow him to veto certain decisions.
Usmanov told the newspaper that he was not out to make a quick profit from the £120million he has already spent on his Arsenal shares.
He said: "I do not want to set any intentions other than those set by the shareholders.
"I do not want to buy to sell. I want to be a shareholder in Arsenal.
"I have always been a fan of the club and I could see that as well as getting immense pleasure from the investment, it could also be a useful addition to my portfolio."
Meanwhile, Usmanov has had to contend allegations about his past, and Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood last week described his business background as "murky."
Usmanov retorted: "It is beyond my dignity to respond to the allegations. My father worked hard in the Uzbek judicial system and my mother was a wonderful human being.
"These people could not have brought up what one European politician called a gangster and racketeer. I will leave that one to his conscience."
