Frank Lampard signs new one-year contract at Chelsea

Frank Lampard has signed a new one-year contract with Chelsea.
After a season of uncertainty over the midfielder's future, the Blues confirmed on Thursday that the England midfielder will remain at Stamford Bridge next season.



Lampard joined from West Ham United in 2001 for £11m and has scored a club-record 203 goals in his 12 seasons in west London.
After months of speculation over whether he would stay or go, the deal for Lampard to continue at Chelsea for a 13th season was announced the morning after he captained the Blues in Wednesday night's Europa League final win over Benfica in Amsterdam.
Lampard, who will be 35 next month, said told Chelsea's website: "I'm absolutely delighted. Everybody knows I always maintained the dream was to stay at Chelsea.
"We've been talking for ages and even though it went on for quite a period it was always amicable. I want to thank Mr Abramovich [Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich] for everything he's done in making the dream a reality.
"I love this club, the staff, the players and especially the supporters, who have treated me fantastically since the day I arrived. The thought of helping the club to more success in the forthcoming years is all I ever wanted. I couldn't be happier."
It caps a stunning week for Lampard, who on Saturday scored twice in the Barclays Premier League win over Aston Villa to surpass Bobby Tambling's 43-year-old mark as Chelsea's record goalscorer.

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David Beckham Has Finally Retire from Football

After 21 years of playing football, David Beckham has announced his retirement at the age of 38. The footballer who is worth about $220million, captained 115 games for England, and played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG. He's the only English player to win a league title in four different countries. In a statement Beckham said:



"I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level. I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed. Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, however I feel like I'm starting a new adventure and I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

I'm fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it's my time to give back.'

He will now work as a sports ambassador.

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Man UTD Star Rooney wants Chelsea Move

Chelsea is the favoured destination for want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.



The Daily Mail says Rooney demanded a transfer in showdown talks with Ferguson just over two weeks ago and wants a summer move to Chelsea after nine years at United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed to worldwide television Rooney's transfer request yesterday.

Jose Mourinho, who is set to be the new Chelsea manager, is anxious to bring Rooney to Stamford Bridge and is willing to pay £25million for him.

Rooney, 27, who lost his guaranteed starting place when Robin van Persie arrived from Arsenal, wants to leave United after making just 22 starts in the league this season and playing in six different positions.

Source:- www.tribalfootball.com

Chelsea Fans, Would you Love to See Rooney on the Blue Jersey??

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Forum Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand retires from International Football

After 16 years of playing for England, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, has announced his retirement from International football to concentrate on his club career. Ferdinand started playing for England in 1997. The footballer explained why he quit England in a statement released today:



'After a great deal of thought, I have decided the time is right for me to retire from international football. At the age of 34, I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let the younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career.

'The team looks in great shape and there is an influx of young, talented players coming through the ranks which bodes well for the future.

'I regard it as a great honour and a privilege to have represented my country at every level from Under 17s upwards. I have always been very proud to play for England. I would like to wish Roy and the team all the best for future tournaments.

'A big thank you to all the fans, managers, coaching staff and players that I have worked alongside - the journey has been incredible.'

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Europa League final: Chelsea and Benfica go in search of continental crown

 

Chelsea will be looking to secure back-to-back continental crowns when they face Benfica in the Europa League final.

The Blues tasted UEFA Champions League glory in 2012 and had been hoping to mount a serious defence of that title in 2013.

They came up short in that quest, but can claim a prestigious consolation prize in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Rafa Benitez's side have been able to put themselves in a position where the Europa League has become their sole target, with a top-four finish already safely wrapped up in the Premier League.
They have overcome a crippling fixture list to maintain a European challenge, with FC Basel, Rubin Kazan, Steaua Bucharest and Sparta Prague disposed of along the way.
Benfica will, however, pose a sizeable threat to their ambitions on Dutch soil, with the Portuguese giants determined to land a first continental trophy in 51 years.
They have already dashed the dreams of one English side this season, in the form of Newcastle United at the quarter-final stage, and will believe that they are capable of claiming another Premier League scalp.
Jorge Jesus' side are also chasing a domestic and European double, with the success or failure of their season resting on their final two fixtures - against Chelsea in midweek and Moreirense on Sunday.

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Mikel and Moses in 25-man Nigeria squad to face Mexico on May 31

 

The Chelsea duo will lead the Super Eagles to Houston for their international friendly against Tri Colore in the United States later this month

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has announced his 25-man team for the international match against the Mexican national team on Friday, May 31 (8:00 p.m. CT) at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Nigeria, the current African champions, are preparing for two 2014 Fifa World Cup Qualifying matches in June before travelling to Brazil to participate in the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup. The Super Eagles will count on its English Premier League stars to lead the way, including Chelsea midfielders John Obi Mikel, and Victor Moses, one of the top wingers in European soccer.
The duo will lead a contingent of nine players from the Nigeria Professional Football League called up for the game. Three of the players are picked from Sunshine Stars.
In addition, Keshi called in two players based in the German Bundesliga, two from Serie A in Italy, two from the Scottish Premier League and two from the Portuguese Liga. Mexico is expected to release its roster in the coming days.
Mexico and Nigeria have met three times with a 1-0-2 record in favor of Mexico. The two teams last met in October of 2007 in an international friendly, with the match ending in a 2-2 tie at the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves/NGA), Austin Ejide (Hapoel/ISR), Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv/ISR)
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves/NGA), Efe Ambrose (Celtic/SCO), Elderson Echiéjilé (Sporting de Braga/POR), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag/NED), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars/NGA), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars/NGA), Francis Benjamin (Heartland F.C./NGA), Odunlami Kunle (Sunshine Stars FC/NGA)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Victor Moses (Chelsea/ENG), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio/ITA), John Ogu (Academia de Coimbra/POR), Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland/NGA), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers/NGA), Michael Babatunde (Kryvbas Kryvyi/UKR), Reuben Gabriel (Kilmarnock/SCO)
Forwards: Joseph Akpala (SV Werder Bremen/GER), Brown Ideye (FC Dynamo Kyiv/UKR), Anthony Ujah (FC Koln/GER), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese/ITA), Kalu Uche (Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü /TUR), Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars F.C./NGA)

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Roberto Mancini Has Been Sacked From Manchester City

It is with regret that Manchester City Football Club announces that Roberto Mancini has been relieved of his duties as Manchester City Manager.



This has been a difficult decision for the owner, Chairman and Board to make and it is the outcome of a planned end of season review process that has been brought forward in light of recent speculation and out of respect for Roberto and his extensive contributions to the Football Club.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, the Club has failed to achieve any of its stated targets this year, with the exception of qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. This, combined with an identified need to develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football at the Club, has meant that the decision has been taken to find a new manager for the 2013/14 season and beyond.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Roberto’s record speaks for itself and he has the respect and gratitude of Sheikh Mansour, myself and the Board for all of his hard work and commitment over the last three and a half years. He has clearly also secured the love and respect of our fans. He has done as he promised and delivered silverware and success, breaking the Club’s 35-year trophy drought and securing the title in 2012. I would like to personally and publicly thank him for his dedication to the progress that he has overseen and for his support and continued friendship."

Assistant Manager Brian Kidd will take interim responsibility for the remaining two games of the season and the post-season tour to the United States.

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes confirms his retirement

The former England international initially quit in 2011 to take up a position on United's coaching staff, only to return in January 2012 after admitting he had missed playing.



But the 38-year-old will follow manager Sir Alex Ferguson out of the Old Trafford door at the end of this season.

"Yes I am finally hanging up my boots for good," Scholes said.

"Playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United, under the greatest manager of all time, has been an honour."

Injuries have hampered the veteran this season but he is set to make his 498th Premier League appearance for United against Swansea on Sunday when Old Trafford's trophy presentation party will double up as a bumper retirement bash, ahead of a final-day trip to West Brom.

Scholes has so far made 716 appearances for the Red Devils and scored the last of his 155 goals against Wigan last September.

"Paul is a truly unbelievable player," said Ferguson.

"He has always been fully committed to this club and it has been a real privilege to work with him for so many years.

"Paul will play at Old Trafford on Sunday against Swansea and will collect an unbelievable but well-deserved 11th Premier League medal."

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Man UTD eye's Real Madrid's Karim Benzema [Transfer Case]

  

Manchester United have identifiedReal Madrid's Karim Benzema as the ideal man to replace unsettled forward Wayne Rooney.

United are willing to consider offers in the region of £25m for Rooney, which they may then use to part-fund a £30m bid for Benzema.

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Jose Mourinho could stay at Real Madrid if Chelsea can't Pay €20M

Jose Mourinho insisted that he is contemplating staying at Real Madrid but the message was delivered as a threat, not a promise, as he continues to prepare the ground for his departure from the club and possible return to Chelsea.



He also said that he will not demand that his contract is paid up in full but will charge only the days he has worked at Madrid "and not a euro more". That still leaves the question of a penalty clause for unilaterally breaking the contract before its official end in 2016.

The Real Madrid manager knows that he will have to negotiate his exit from the Bernabéu at the end of the season and he took advantage of his appearance before the media ahead of the visit of Málaga on Wednesday night to strengthen his hand and issue a warning: if Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, does not agree a settlement that suits both parties he could yet torpedo the club's plans by announcing that he is staying after all. Madrid intend to replace Mourinho with Carlo Ancelotti.

Mourinho's contract includes a clause that lays down a penalty in the event of the contract being broken unilaterally by either party. Although the figure is not public, it is believed to be in the region of €20m (£16.9m). Should Mourinho walk away, the club that sign him must pay Madrid that indemnity; should Madrid sack him, that fee would be due to Mourinho.

Both Pérez and Mourinho now know that the coach's departure is virtually inevitable and indeed desirable but it is in their interests for it to be the other side that formally ends the relationship and publicly carries the blame. A negotiated settlement in which manager and club waive any fee continues to be the most logical outcome but is not yet guaranteed. And it is in that context that Mourinho's remarks make sense.

A return to Stamford Bridge now looks inevitable, especially with the interim manager, Rafael Benítez, on Tuesday giving the strongest hint yet that it would be Mourinho who replaces him in the summer. "You know that next year another manager will be here," he said. "I think everybody knows who will be here. I have to concentrate on my job, it's not my concern."

Following Mourinho's explosive press conference on Friday in which he pointed the finger of blame at the media and at Iker Casillas, polls showed that significant numbers of supporters believe he may be trying to provoke Madrid into sacking him. There is a familiarity about what sometimes appears a scorched earth policy.

He was whistled by fans on Saturday evening at the Bernabéu and after the match, which Madrid won 4-3 against Valladolid, the central defender Pepe, always seen as close to his coach, distanced himself from Mourinho.

The following day Madrid's president called for unity, saying that the players would come together in what remains of the season. Pérez did not mention Mourinho, despite having been quick to defend him in public over the past three years.

Asked here if he had considered resigning, Mourinho replied: "I have considered continuing." He was then asked if he was trying to force his own sacking, to which he responded: "People believe what you lot write. I will work until my last day. And I will be paid up to the last day I work, not a euro more."

He claimed that he did not feel isolated at the club, with a response that may have been aimed at Pérez, who Mourinho had always insisted on calling not just his president but also his friend. "I feel normal," he said. "In fact, I understand perfectly that the world is going in directions that I do not share and that football is no different. It's normal for the world to be what it is: hypocritical."

Mourinho also responded to Pepe, who had accused his coach of showing a lack of respect to Casillas, the captain, last Friday, describing his words as "inappropriate" and for the first time gave a footballing explanation was to why he plays Diego López ahead of Casillas.

The Portuguese called the defender "frustrated" and noted sharply: "Pepe's problem is easy to analyse: it's called Varane. It's hard to be a 31 year old and be steamrollered by a 19-year-old kid [Raphaël Varane] but that's the law of life. There must be very few people who don't think the future is [Sergio] Ramos and Varane.

"I have to have the legitimacy to decide: I am a football manager. I prefer López to Casillas. I like a goalkeeper who is good with his feet, who comes for crosses, who dominates his area. You all question me and I accept that but you have to accept that I am the coach, it is simple."

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Sir Alex Ferguson considering retiring as Manchester United manager before end of the week

Sir Alex Ferguson considering retiring as Manchester United manager before end of the week

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United future was shrouded in doubt on Tuesday night with the Scot understood to be giving serious consideration to ending his 26-year reign as manager.

As rumours of the 71-year-old’s imminent retirement swept Manchester, senior figures at the club failed to respond to repeated attempts to confirm or deny the story, which emerged following United’s player versus coaches golf day at Dunham Massey on Tuesday afternoon.

With United now forced to adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in terms of the release of significant information relating to the running of the club following last August’s partial flotation, any change of management would fall within those requirements.

As of Tuesday night, no statement over Ferguson’s future had been issued by United.

However, with sources close to the players confirming that the squad’s golf day had been overshadowed by suggestions that the Scot would be making an announcement ahead of Sunday’s clash with Swansea at Old Trafford, any ongoing uncertainty is unlikely to be allowed to continue to the point where it would affect the confidence of investors and, in turn, United’s New York share price.

When United’s owners, the Glazer family, issued its prospectus for the club’s £500m bond issue in January 2010, the prospect of Ferguson leaving the club and potentially jeopardising future success was raised by the Americans as one of the risk factors attached to investing in the club.

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Super Eagles’ star, Ayila, may be jailed in Ukraine

Super Eagles’ former defensive midfielder, Yusuf Ayila, may be jailed in Ukraine for his refusal to obey court summons in Ukraine. According to a story published in a Ukraine newspaper, made available to futaa.com, the Dynamo’s former Kiev midfielder defied a court summon to a hearing on allegations that he abandoned his wife and children in the former Soviet country.

Ayila, who is now on loan at Turkish side, Orduspor, was accused of dumping his wife Aishat Gbemisola and daughters Aliyat and Sefinat Yussuf in Kiev since October 2011. And despite being served two summons, the Super Eagle ace did not appear before a Ukrainian court on both occasions in Kiev.
Ayila, who is said to have since married another woman, Ololade Aderogba, in his native Nigeria, has allegedly stopped paying rent, their children upkeep or contacting his first wife. The former wife, Gbemisola, and the midfielder are said to have been together since August 1998.

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Nigerian Striker’s Teammate Found Dead In Sweden

Nigerian striker, Kennedy Igboananike has been hit with the news that his teammate and Swedish football club AIK’s Croatian goalkeeper, Ivan Turina, was found dead in his northern Stockholm apartment.

According to local media reports on Thursday, the police in Stockholm have ruled out foul play in the goal keeper’s death. He was said to have slept and failed to wake up.
“I can confirm that Ivan Turina is dead but there are no suspicions of crime,” police spokesman, Patrik Nuss, was quoted as saying. Police said they were called to Turina’s apartment early on Thursday morning.
Mr. Igboananike was last in action together with the deceased goalkeeper barely a week ago on April 26, when AIK got an away 2-1 victory over Gefle in a League game in which the Nigerian striker got the winning goal.
In a statement, the club said: “It’s with great sadness and shock that AIK Football can confirm that goalkeeper Ivan Turina died overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
Ivan died suddenly in his sleep and there are no suspicions of a crime at this point in time.” The 32-year-old late Croatian goalkeeper signed for AIK in 2010 and played 65 league games for the Solna club. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

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