Football news

Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua said yesterday they were in talks to bring Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to China, less than a month after signing his former team-mate Nicolas Anelka.

Last month Shenhua announced the signing of French striker Anelka, in the most high-profile deal yet for the scandal-plagued Chinese league.

“We have been talking with Drogba,” a Shenhua spokesman told AFP.

“But the situation is more complex than that of Anelka. We cannot say we are sure to sign Drogba.”

Pepe apologises for stamp on Messi

Real Madrid defender Pepe last night apologised for stamping on Barcelona striker Leo Messi’s hand in their cup clash and said it was “unintentional”.

“It was an unintentional act. All the same, if Messi was offended then I apologise to him,” Pepe said in a statement.

Pepe’s stamp on Messi in the Spanish Cup quarter-final clash at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, where the home team fell to a 2-1 loss, was splashed across the front pages of the sporting press.

“All I mean to do is defend my team and my institution. I give myself to it body and soul. It never crossed my mind to hurt a fellow professional,” Pepe added.

Warrior replace adidas at ’Pool

Liverpool have struck a six-year deal with Warrior Sports that will see the American company replace adidas as the club’s official kit supplier.

Owned by New Balance, Warrior will produce Liverpool’s home, away and third kits and the team’s training wear in a deal that comes into force on June 1, 2012.

Warrior have traditionally been associated with ice hockey and lacrosse in the United States but general manager Richard Wright said: “We are here to shake up the world of football”.

The deal has been reported as being worth £25m a year to Liverpool.

Bale lone Brit in uefa.com team

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale has been named in uefa.com users’ team of the year for 2011 alongside eight Spain-based players.

The 22-year-old Wales international was the only Premier League representative in the XI.

Five players from Barcelona – Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi – made the line-up along with Real Madrid trio Iker Casillas, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bayern Munich’s Dutch forward Arjen Robben and Milan’s Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva completed the team, chosen by 380,000 uefa.com users, with Barca coach Pep Guardiola selected on the bench.

Cahill keen on Champions League

England defender Gary Cahill (picture) has said he was very much looking forward to the challenge of playing Champions League football for his new club Chelsea.

The 26-year-old signed from Bolton for £7 million on Monday and told Chelsea TV that it was the prospect of stepping up to another level that had been the great attraction of joining the Blues.

“That’s the whole reason you want to move,” said Cahill. “You want to play at the top level and the Champions League (Chelsea play Napoli in the Last 16) is the top level.

“It’ll be a new experience for myself, and I’m looking forward to pitting my wits against the top players in the world.”

Lindegaard up for no.1 battle

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard believes team-mate David de Gea will definitely be the number one at Old Trafford one day – but has warned the Spaniard he could face a long wait.

Asked if he thought De Gea could one day be the best in the world, Lindegaard said: “Of course I do. He has extraordinary attributes, extremely explosive and powerful.

“He is only 21. His potential is massive and there is no doubt he will be United’s best goalkeeper at some point.

“My job is to make sure it is not until I have retired. Which is in 10 years.”

Ferrara urges clubs to invest in youth

Italy U-21 coach Ciro Ferrara has again urged Italian clubs to give more opportunities to youth players after spending a few days working with his squad this week.

At the end of the mini-training camp, the Azzurrini played a friendly against Serie D side Ischia, winning 3-0.

“Often in Italy, clubs have favoured foreigners over Italian players, even if they have been players that we could have done without,” Ferrara said.

“Unfortunately our country’s clubs lack the courage to play youngsters in the first team. However, I must admit to being reasonably happy because many of these guys are still finding space, if not in Serie A.”