Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba returned from international duty yesterday and into a row at his Shanghai Shenhua squad that has seen team-mates reportedly refuse to train over unpaid wages.
Shenhua players were said by Chinese media to have protested on Monday over the pay dispute, turning up late for practice at the club’s training ground and taking a leisurely stroll around a running track. Reports have said payments to some players were skipped.
However, the team will play its next game tomorrow as scheduled, club and league officials said, in comments suggesting the dispute had been laid to rest.
Guidetti signs three-year deal
Highly-rated Swedish striker John Guidetti has signed a new three-year contract with Manchester City.
The 20-year-old is yet to feature in the Premier League but enhanced his reputation with a prolific loan spell at Feyenoord last season, scoring 20 goals in 23 appearances.
Guidetti, who joined City as a 16-year-old, told the club’s website: “I feel really happy of course, it’s a fantastic club and to sign a new deal is really, really good.
“I’ve been here for a long time and Manchester City are the ones who have helped me grow and develop to the player I am today.”
SFA to discuss Levein future
There will be no knee-jerk reaction from the Scottish Football Association over Craig Levein’s position as Scotland manager, according to chief executive Stewart Regan.
Pressure has intensified on the national team boss after a 2-0 defeat to Belgium left the Scots bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.
Regan told BBC Scotland: “Now is not the time to be making announcements and decisions. That’s something that’ll happen over the course of the next few days.
“It’s important that we actually sit down, look at the facts and then decide on the next steps.”
Neymar gem
Santos striker Neymar, playing only one day after scoring twice for Brazil against Japan in Poland, shrugged off jet leg to score a stunning individual goal in a 2-2 draw with Atletico Mineiro.
Neymar needed only 12 minutes to make an impact against Ronaldinho’s Mineiro.
The 20-year-old received the ball with his back to goal just inside the Mineiro half, flicked it around the outside of one marker and immediately slipped it past a second to leave both players sprawling on the ground.
He then carried the ball into the penalty area, cut inside another defender and fired a low shot into the corner of the goal to put his side 2-0 ahead.
Mazzarri ready to take break
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has revealed that he could take a break from football at the end of the season.
Mazzarri, whose contract runs out in June 2013, told La Repubblica that he may leave his Napoli post in the summer.
“I live one day at a time,” Mazzarri said.
“On occasions, I hear and see things that make me want to quit, to just give up.
“After the Italian Super Cup loss to Juventus in Beijing, I had a desire, a real desire, to resign.
“Could I stop at the end of the season?
“Yes, that is possible…”
Inter still on Paulinho’s trail
Inter are still keen to sign Paulinho but the Corinthians star’s transfer tag has doubled since last summer.
The Brazilian midfielder had reportedly reached a pre-liminary agreement to join the Nerazzurri worth €8m in the close season only to renew his contract with Corinthians after changing his mind.
“He does represent one of the most interesting Brazilian midfielders,” Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni told Tuttosport.
“He is a central midfielder who can play in a two or three-man line.
“He is capable of scoring goals, is particularly dangerous with runs forward and combines quality with ball-winning skills.”
Barca slam City over Busquets
Barcelona have hit out at Manchester City, accusing them of trying to unsettle their players after they were linked with a move for Sergio Busquets.
Reports have claimed City are preparing a big-money bid for Spain international Busquets as they look to strengthen their midfield options.
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said: “Manchester City want to take our players and want to destabilise us.
“It also happens with Arsenal, who come knocking for youth football players and offer them a lot of money.
“Now City have joined in. We are the enemy to beat.
“There are a lot of people who don’t want us to win.”