Football News

Alex Ferguson's comments about Carlos Tevez's decisive impact on West Ham's Premier League survival mission last season, have not gone down well with Alan Curbishley.

West Ham and Manchester United are at loggerheads over the controversial transfer of the Argentine forward.

"I was a bit disappointed with Alex's comments about Tevez keeping us up," Curbishley told the Sunday Express. "There were ten other players out there and a lot of them were big performers for us.

"I expect we are going to Austria and he is not going to be with us. But please don't keep talking to me about Tevez because there is nothing I can do about it," Curbishley added.

Wenger wanted Henry to stay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he did not want striker Thierry Henry to leave for Barcelona this summer.

The France international joined the Spanish giants last month following a successful eight-year spell with the London club.

"Of course you don't want to lose a world-class player without having thought about it," he said. "At the end of the day, it was his decision.

"It's not my decision. He wanted to make the move. He's nearly 30. Maybe he didn't have the patience anymore to let the young team develop. You can understand that. It was a tough decision."

Keane unfazed by pressure

Roy Keane has waved away concerns that pressure could be an issue for the budding Sunderland boss in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United captain has less than a year of managerial experience under his belt having guided Sunderland back into England's top flight inside 12 months.

"Maybe I am missing something but I don't feel pressure at all," he told the Sunday Mirror. "The only pressure I felt as a player was from myself. I am the same as a manager.

"You have to enjoy what you do. There are millions of people who don't enjoy their jobs. This is possibly the calmest period of my football career."

Aurelio to miss start of season

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says Brazilian left-back Fabio Aurelio will not be fit for the start of the season. The 27-year-old ruptured his Achilles tendon during a Champions League tie against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in April and is still recovering.

Benitez told the club's website: "Fabio isn't fit. It could be another month before he recovers. We knew it would be a long time when he got injured.

"He is improving, but it is not easy when you have this kind of injury."

Man. City sign Swiss U-21 captain

Manchester City have signed Switzerland Under-21 captain Gelson Fernandes from FC Sion for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old midfielder is Sven-Goran Eriksson's second signing since taking over as Manchester City manager following Italian forward Rolando Bianchi.

"He's the best young player in Switzerland," said Eriksson. "We have signed two young players and I hope the supporters are happy. That is the way we need to go because young players are the future of the club."

Mutu backs Pazzini to shine

Romanian forward Adrian Mutu is aware that the departure of Luca Toni will force Fiorentina into a change of style, but is confident Giampaolo Pazzini can make the grade.

"It will be more difficult for us, as Luca was a focal point and not just a hitman," Mutu said referring to the Italy striker who joined Bayern Munich.

"Now we will wait to get the best out of Pazzini, as he has already proved his quality. He is an excellent striker and this season will allow him to make the decisive step to stardom."

Viola put Bojinov up for sale

Fiorentina have confirmed Valeri Bojinov is for sale after he refused to pen a new contract and could be exchanged for Roma's Mirko Vucinic.

The Bulgarian spent last season on loan at Juventus, but has failed to make an impact and was jeered by the club fans as he arrived for training with Fiorentina.

"Every club must defend itself and we have two young players, Giampaolo Pazzini and Bojinov, whose contracts expire in 2009," explained director of sport Pantaleo Corvino.

"Pazzini is open to a new contract and wants to stay, but Bojinov did not welcome this idea."

Cannavaro not in Schuster's plans

News that Fabio Cannavaro does not form part of new Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster's plans, has alerted Juventus and Chelsea to prepare a bid for the experienced Italy defender.

Fabio Capello took last year's European Player of the Year at the Bernabeu but following the Italian coach's dismissal last month, doubts have been raised on the future of Cannavaro.

Reports in Spain claim that Schuster is prepared to let go the Italian defender after the arrival of Christoph Metzelder and Pepe.

Record signing for Werder

Werder Bremen have signed midfielder Carlos Alberto in a 7.8 million euros transfer deal, the most expensive in the German club's history. He last played at Fluminense in Brazil on loan from Corinthians.

"I'm here to win titles with Werder," the 22-year-old said after his first training session with his new club. "I like Bremen and would only have wanted to come here." Alberto won the Champions League in 2004 with Portuguese club Porto.