Everton manager David Moyes confirmed yesterday the club has accepted an offer from Chelsea for unsettled South African international forward Steven Pienaar.
Speaking after Everton’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, Moyes said the club had granted permission for Pienaar’s representatives to enter into talks with Chelsea but had rebuffed a bid from Tottenham.
“We have accepted an offer from Chelsea. Steven has not agreed terms with Chelsea,” Moyes said.
“We’ve given his representatives a chance to talk to Chelsea but they’ve not got permission to talk to Tottenham because they’ve not offered the same money.”
Rovers owners to stand by Kean
The Indian owners of Blackburn Rovers have said they expect manager Steve Kean to remain in charge for at least the duration of his two-and-a-half-year contract.
Anuradha Desai, head of Indian firm Venky’s which now owns Rovers, said there were no plans to replace Kean, who took over following the shock dismissal of manager Sam Allardyce last month.
“Steve Kean will be safe in his job for the duration of that contract, whatever happens,” Desai said.
“I guarantee that. Without stability you cannot have success, and this provides stability. It’s the way we work.”
Ribery injury not serious
Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery admitted yesterday he was relieved his knee injury is only expected to keep him out of training for five days.
The Frenchman was helped off the pitch after 25 minutes of Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
Bayern’s team doctor has said Ribery only needs to miss training for the next five days.
“There is some luck in the misfortune,” Ribery said. “I am naturally disappointed on the one hand that I am now injured again.
“On the other hand, I am to some extent relieved that it did not turn out to be a serious injury.”
Hutchinson on target for Mariners
Central Coast Mariners moved into second spot behind tearaway Australian A-League leaders Brisbane Roar with a 2-0 away win over the Newcastle Jets yesterday.
Goals from Matt Simon and Malta midfielder John Hutchinson, who came on as a substitute, secured the win in the derby for the Mariners to edge Adelaide United out of second spot on goal difference.
Roar lead the Mariners and Adelaide by 10 points, despite having their home match with Wellington Phoenix postponed because of Brisbane’s floods crisis.
Mourinho praise for Leonardo
Jose Mourinho has showered praised on Leonardo who has enjoyed a great start as Inter coach after replacing Rafael Benitez.
“The team is happy, there is empathy and I think Inter will win the scudetto again,” Mourinho, who led Inter to a league, cup and Champions League treble last season, said.
“Above all, Leonardo is the manager of a club that holds a space in my heart. My heart has a little space for Chelsea, a lot for Vitoria Setubal and all of it for Inter. Whether their coach is Leonardo, Benitez or anyone else, it’s the same for me.
“I always cheer on Inter, suffer when they suffer and want the Inter fans to be happy. I am very pleased for Leonardo and the lads, as it looks like the story will have the usual ending: the scudetto.”
I deserve England call-up – Barton
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton believes his form this season has warranted an England call-up and insists his absence from the national team set-up must be for non-football reasons.
“I don’t think anyone’s playing better than me in the country. That’s an honest answer, not a big-headed answer,” Barton said.
“I’m a keen football fan and there are probably six or seven midfielders getting in the squad for an England game and I certainly don’t think there are two players playing better than me at the minute.
“But obviously with me it’s not all about football, is it? When Fabio Capello came in he said he was going to pick form players and I don’t think he’s done that.”
Fiorentina poised to seal Behrami deal
Valon Behrami is set to complete his transfer from West Ham to Fiorentina today, according to reports in Italy.
Il Corriere dello Sport claimed that Fiorentina are ahead of Roma and Juventus in the race to sign the Swiss international.
Fiorentina have reportedly offered €3.5 million for Behrami who is valued at €5 million by West Ham.
Fiorentina are also said to be interested in Rangers striker Kenny Miller, who is ready to leave Scotland at the age of 31.
The latest reports suggest that Brescia have also stepped up their efforts to sign Miller.