QPR Sign Joey Barton From Newcastle United

Queens Park Rangers have today announced that they have signed Joey Barton from Newcastle United on a four-year deal, Barton was in London yesterday and after passing a medical with QPR and Barton announced earlier twitter page that he would make a decision today regarding his future.

Joey Barton said on twitter, “Going to have to make a decision today, it’s only fair to all parties.”

Barton has endured a turbulent time at St James’s Park recently, being fined for his outburst towards the clubs hierarchy and was forced to train with the club’s youth team.

Joey Barton has always maintained that he would of like to stay with Newcastle and has also said he loves the club, but it became hard for him to remain a player there after Newcastle owners we’re looking to off-load the former Manchester City midfielder.

Javier Hernandez Missed Out On Community Shield Encounter

Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez will miss this weekend’s Community Shield against neighbours Manchester City at Wembley, the Mexican has been able struggling with concussion which he received during United's pre-season tour of the USA.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t want to take any risk with striker and has opted to rest Hernandez for the game on Sunday, the Mexican had an explosive start to his Premier League career last season but Fergie feels Hernandez won’t be ready until the end of the month.

Ferguson said: "Chicharito won't be involved for maybe another two or three weeks - considering he had a concussion some years ago we are just playing safe with that but he should be back by the end of August."
Sunday's Community Shield sees United face City for only the second time, but Ferguson suggest he won’t get too carried away with the occasion.

He said: "I have always viewed the Community Shield as a stepping stone to the first game of the season.
"It's very easy to get emotional about this type of game but I don't think we will be changing our policy. There may be two or three players who need the game on Sunday."

Delon Armitage Looking To The Future

Delon Armitage has insisted that his bad boy days are behind him as he looks to cement his place in England’s World Cup squad, Armitage has been selected to play for England against Wales this weekend and the player would like to resurrect his career with England.

Armitage was banned twice last season, including an eight week suspension for shoving and abusing an anti-doping official which ruled him out of the RBS Six Nations, the player enjoyed a successful start to his England career in 2008-09 season and the England management kept faith in him.

Although the player was banned, the 27-year-old was allowed to train with the England squad and on Saturday will get his chance to start a Test for the first time in 17 months and press his claims for World Cup selection.

"It is no secret I have found it hard to manage by emotions," admitted Armitage.

"I play the game with passion and sometimes with a little bit too much. That is what I have been working on. I like playing on the edge; it just needs to be a little bit controlled sometimes.

"The last year didn't go as well as I wanted it to. I am just glad I am here with an opportunity to get back in the squad.

"I want to play for England and nothing is going to stop me getting where I want to get. It has been a long wait for me.

"What happened happened. I felt really bad about it but now I am back focused on playing well for England and trying to get into the World Cup squad."

Gavin Henson Eyes Return To Ospreys

Gavin Henson has admitted that his move to Saracens was a mistake and has confirmed that he would like to return to Osprey’s after the Rugby World Cup,  the Welshman took a 18-month break from Rugby before joining Saracens.

Henson has since struggled to settle with the English side and had moved onto French side Toulon, the Welshman stay in France was short-lived after some disciplinary problems and has now admitted he would like to return to Wales.

Gavin Henson has been included in the Welsh World Cup squad but will miss out on the friendly match against England this weekend, once the World Cup in New Zealand is over he says he would like to return to his former side Ospreys.

"Well I want to come back to Wales because of my kids," Henson told Blokely magazine.
"I'm just waiting to see what happens with the Welsh rugby, how I get on and whether I go to the World Cup or not and as soon as that comes to an end, whether that's soon or after the World Cup, I will get employment.

"Hopefully that will be the Ospreys if they will have me back but I will have to wait and see."
He added: "I think it probably wasn't a great decision going to Saracens. I don't want to be a part-time player.

So I didn't like the feel of it there and then suddenly I had an opportunity then to go to Toulon."
Speaking about his problems with Toulon, it was reported he was involved in a brawl and criticising Jonny Wilkinson.

"Jonny wasn't even out," he added. "So no, nothing to do with Jonny Wilkinson. No it was plain that this individual thought I'd said something about Joe Van Niekerk.

"Me and Joe Van Niekerk, from day one, since I had been there he was my closest friend at the club. We didn't do it in public, we went down the beach, we went down there together and we sorted it out man to man and that was the end of that really.

"We both went our separate ways but carried on and still had a good night but then it obviously got back to the club and the press managed to get hold of it and you know what the press are like. They blew it out of all proportion and then suddenly it was an issue for the club to deal with."

Source: http://blokely.com/sport/gavin-henson-interview/

Martin Kaymer Happy To See Tiger Woods Return

USPGA champion Martin Kaymer is the latest player to announce his delight at seeing Tiger Woods return to Golf, the former World no1 has been out of the game since May 12 because of a Knee and Achilles tendon injury.

Woods is set to make his comeback at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on the Firestone course in Akron, Ohio where he has won the title seven times.

Kaymer has expressed his delight at Woods return, he said; "I really hope that he will play well. We need him - we really need him,”

"Obviously what Rory did at the US Open was huge, but Tiger has been so successful over the years and it will be great if he comes back and shows us all or proves that he's the best player who ever played the game."
Tiger Woods himself suggest he hasn’t feel this great for years, "I'm excited - excited to compete, to play and hopefully win the golf tournament." He added.

Tiger has won 14 major titles, but he’s last major came 38 months ago and his last tournament win being 21 months ago.

The American will be keen to do well at WGC Bridgestone.

Joey Barton Threatens Newcastle United

Newcastle United contract rebel Joey Barton has threatened to run down his contract at St James’s Park, the board at Newcastle made Barton available on a free transfer on Monday and now the midfielder has suggested on his twitter page that may sit tight and let his contract run down.

Barton wrote on his twitter page: "Just because ur told to jump, it does not necessarily mean u have to. I may choose to stand perfectly still. It's my right...just a thought."

Barton was forced to train alone yesterday and there has been some strange going-ons at Newcastle recently, selling their best players.

Newcastle saw Andy Carroll sold to Liverpool last season for £35 million and Kevin Nolan joined West Ham in the Championship this summer.

It is also reported that Jose Enrique could be on his way to Liverpool, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and his board seem hell-bent on sending Newcastle down this coming season by off-loading their best players.

Barton, a former Manchester City player was voted Newcastle’s player of the season last year and to place him on a free transfer seems madness.

Arsenal, Celtic and Tottenham are all reportedly interested in securing the services of Joe Barton.

Barton was yesterday fined two-weeks wages for voicing his opinions on twitter at Newcastle owners.

You have to feel sorry for the Newcastle fans watching their club being ripped apart.

What could be next?

Sven-Goran Eriksson Urges FA To Consider Jose Mourinho

Sven-Goran Eriksson has urged the FA to approach Jose Mourinho as coach when Fabio Capello resigns. The national team’s coach is one the hardest jobs in football and one where many managers have failed to get the best out of the players.

The Swede insists the special one has more than the correct qualities to succeed as England Manager and would like to see the Portuguese man at the helm. Eriksson himself enjoyed a successful spell as England manager guiding the Three Lions to a quarter-final place in the World Cup where they lost to Brazil in 2002.

Jose Mourinho, who is now boss of Real Madrid, helped guide Chelsea in winning two Premier League titles and the FA Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Jose was a candidate for the England job, absolutely not," the Leicester boss was quoted as saying in several national newspapers.

"Do you think the discussion that you must be English to be the England manager is still going on? I don't think so.

"Nobody would complain if England were to take Mourinho. I think what he has done during the last 10 years makes him perhaps the best, or one of the best, managers around.

"When he's finished at Real he won't be short of offers, so why not? If you've tried English football, you love it, whether you are a player, coach or manager.

"If you've been working in football in England, then leave for another country, it's not the same. So, I understand Jose wants to come back."

Image Credit Flickr User Kate_Lokteva

Sergio Agüero Eyes Premier League Title

Manchester City new boy Sergio Agüero has set his sights on winning trophies at Eastlands. The Argentine striker has spoken of his delight at joining City and is keen to do well in first season.

Aguero signed for the blue side of Manchester from Atletico Madrid in a deal reportedly to be within the £35million mark. The City new boy has wasted no time in setting himself the target of helping the Eastlands outfit winning the Premier League crown.

"I was very interested in playing here as it's a growing club and I hope that we can grow together," he said.

"I think we have great players and a great team. I am playing at one of the best English teams at the moment and there are many things that can be achieved. We can win many titles and hopefully it will be a top year for us."

Speaking on national team-mate Carlos Tevez saga, Aguero said; "We are good friends and play together in the national team but whatever he does is up to him, I just want to concentrate on playing here.

"If he is here, then that is great. If not, then I will adapt without him. Who is here and who is not does not matter, what is important is that I become part of the team. It is easy to adapt these days."

Aston Villa Sign Charles N'Zogbia

Aston Villa have secured the services of Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia for £9.5 million , Villa have been the tracking the winger ever since Villa sold Stewart Downing to Liverpool earlier this month and after completing a medical on Friday N’Zogbia signed a five-year deal at Villa Park.

N’Zogbia only had a year left on his deal with Wigan and the Latics decided to cash in now rather than lose the player on a free next year when he would be out of contract, the Winger is delighted to be joining the Midlands outfit and could make his first start in next Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Derby County.

Speaking about his move to Villa, the Winger said on the club’s official website; "I am really happy and extremely excited to sign for Aston Villa,"

"It is a great club and it is a really big step for me in my career, so I am sure I will enjoy my football here.
"I think it is going to be a really good season and hopefully I'll do well here.

"I can't wait to meet my new team-mates, play with them and work together to do something special this season.

"Alex McLeish is a strong manager and I think he is going to build a really good team for this season."

Andre Villas-Boas Expects City To Challenge For Premier League Title

Image Credit Flickr User Gilyo

Andre Villa-Boas has said that he expects Manchester City to challenge for the Premier League title when the new season starts. City have been splashing the cash this summer and yesterday signed Argentine striker Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid in a deal reported to be around the £35 million mark.

The Chelsea boss insists that City will be looking to start the season strong as they aim to win the league, "I think it's pretty clear that they are building a squad to fight for the title," the 33-year-old said.

"It's for Mancini to say what his objectives are but my personal perspective is that they are making good signings and that they can threaten for the league."

The former Porto coach feels it be close race between a number of five clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

"I think Man United as the title holders will be a reference for everybody but you can see the amount of activity Manchester City have had in the market. It's pretty clear they have a title objective as well," he said.

"Liverpool did more or less the same, Tottenham want to get back into the top four so they'll be challenging and Arsenal are always a threat - we haven't seen the last of them in the transfer market - so everybody is strengthening and as long as everybody feels happy with what they have, everybody competes in a different way."

Chelsea have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far this summer, but Villas-Boas suggests he will add to squad is the right player becomes available.

"It all boils down to the evaluation period, there's still plenty of time for those decisions," added Villas-Boas.

"The players that we have shown interest in are young and looking to the future of the club, you might see similar moves in the future from us. It is one of the oldest squads in the Premier League, we respect them and we are happy enough with the quality that we have to challenge for the title but we are also looking into the future.

"We are so comfortable at the moment with what we are getting because of the young players we have. Things for the future are brighter for us in that respect."