Frank Lampard Speaks Out On Chelsea Transfer Ban

Frank Lampard is the first Chelsea player to speak out since the west London club was banned from any transfer activity until 2011 for inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens.

Defiant in the face of FIFA's staggering punishment, Lampard believes the ban will ultimately bring the existing players together.

“A lot of things have happened to me in my career with England and Chelsea and whenever it’s backs to the wall, for whatever reason that might be, it brings a togetherness and can be used as a positive," the former West Ham United trainee said in The Mirror.

“You certainly can’t let it be used as a negative. It’s something that is out of the players' control anyway so all we can do now is make it a positive.”

He strongly defended The Blues' transfer policies and asserts that in spite of Chelsea's lavish spending the club actually produces many talented English talents and have fewer foreign prospects under contract than the rest of the Big Four.

“It’s a general question that certainly shouldn’t just involve Chelsea. We all want to see good young English kids coming through," said Lampard.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again - I was very fortunate to come through a good academy at West Ham and was taught in the right way by the right people and that helped me play first-team football.

“They scoured Essex, up North and the Midlands for the best people and that’s how academies should be run.

“Now in the modern day the academies go out and look for players from abroad and again that’s the right thing to do as it is all to the benefit of the club.

“When young players come through fans obviously prefer a local boy to come through because they can relate to them.

“But they are not too bothered where they come from as long as they play well. It’s changed a bit since my day but we should always look for the best English players to develop.

“It’s great to see English kids at Chelsea. I relate to English boys and will also try and help them. It’s good to see.

“It’s not easy at Chelsea. I had it easy [at West Ham]. I played in the first team at 17, 18 but there was nowhere near the quality there is at Chelsea.

“So it’s not easy for the young lads. They have to keep their heads down for a longer period of time and be even more determined and work even harder to get where they want to be.”

Zlatan: Barcelona Will Beat Inter

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that the Catalan giants will beat Inter at the San Siro in next week's mouth-watering UEFA Champions League clash.

Ibrahimovic said that although he admires Inter, Barcelona are the stronger side.

"We have better players, we play a much more beautiful style of football, possessing the ball and we always play on the attack," stated the Swedish superstar.

"We practice a far more offensive game than Inter. That makes us better, and I have no doubt we will win. I know we will. We are stronger," he continued.

Despite these claims, Ibrahimovic also said that he is looking forward to returning to the San Siro for the first time with his new club.

"I cannot wait to return to my old stadium with a different shirt. It will be very exciting," he claimed, before admitting that he was relieved to score his first goal for the Blaugrana against Sporting Gijon last week.

"I can't deny that it has taken away some of the pressure, but I knew I would score some time," he added.

Zanetti Warns Barcelona To Be Ready

A week out from the Champions League opening round against Barcelona, Inter captain Javier Zanetti has already launched a challenge to the reigning champions, saying that his team are ready to show their potential.

The match will also be the first time that Samuel Eto'o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell will face off against their former sides.

"Zlatan took the decision to leave Barcelona and it will all go well, he is a good player. Eto'o came to us as a striker with great qualities, and he has proved this by scoring in big matches," Zanetti explained to Repubblica.it.

"We will help him because his attacking influence will help us greatly at Inter - he his one of the best strikers in Europe.

"It's always special playing against the champions of Europe, and I am sure that we will give it our all to obtain a good result.

"I have a lot of faith in my teammates."

For Zanetti, it will also be odd having Lionel Messi on the opposition, as both players are currently trying to get Argentina to qualify for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

He continued, "He is the best player in the world, and the things he can do with a ball is incredible.

"If there is a recipe to stop him that someone knows, please tell me.

"I am proud to have him as a national teammate, but we will be rivals for the moment. I hope in the Champions League, he doesn't suffer a lot."

Wenger - New formation can liberate Fabregas

Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal’s new formation can liberate the attacking potential of Cesc Fabregas.


The Spanish midfielder has revelled in his side’s 4-3-3 line-up this season. The 22-year-old collected two goals and three assists in his first three appearances before picking up a hamstring injury against Portsmouth on August 22.

His manager argues that, like Frank Lampard, Fabregas tries to be involved at the start and the end of most moves. This is easier with a couple of colleagues covering in central midfield.

“He likes to play deep when you have the ball first, and then join in later,” said Wenger, speaking earlier this season.

"He’s a bit like Lampard in that. He wants to structure the game.

"Cesc likes to be at the start of things and then get on the end of things. And he can push forward more this season because he has two players around him who can defend.”

Beckham hails strike force

David Beckham believes England boast enough quality in attack to be able to field any of their strikers and still beat Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.


Following his explosive start to the season many have called for Fabio Capello to start with Jermain Defoe instead of the effective Emile Heskey alongside Wayne Rooney.

However Beckham is confident the team can overcome Croatia whoever the Italian decides to select up front, with Carlton Cole also impressing in training.

The LA Galaxy midfielder did add that it was of huge benefit to have someone of Defoe's calibre waiting to be called upon when needed.

"He (Defoe) is always going to catch people's attention," Beckham said on Sky Sports News.

"Emile's playing well, Wayne's playing well, and Carlton Cole is playing well so there is always a chance that any of those players will step in and start or come in and take their chance like Jermain has done in the last couple of games and he will continue to do that. We're lucky to have that."

Beckham admitted that England were not at their best against Slovenia on Saturday but insisted that the main point was that the team won and everyone came through the test unscathed.

"That's what these games are for to lead up to the big game on Wednesday," he added.
"It was important we got the win. Just because you're playing in a friendly game you still want to win these games and perform in these games.

"There were times when we didn't play as well as we can, the players know that, but it was a good warm-up game and it was important that no-one got injured."

Contrary to what some squad players have said the 34-year-old was adamant that Wednesday's game would not be about gaining revenge for the 3-2 defeat against Croatia almost two years ago, a result which cost England a place at Euro 2008.

"We had negative thoughts back then and we had them for a few months after but that's not what this game on Wednesday is about," he declared.

"It's not about revenge, it's not about putting to rest what happened the last time we played Croatia (at Wembley). It was a tough time for the players, for everyone involved with the England national team and the fans.

"I'm sure the fans will want us to beat them on the revenge side but the most important thing for us is that if we win we are in the World Cup finals and trust me that's all the players and the management staff are thinking about."

Despite looking defensively frail against Holland at the start of the season and then again against Slovakia at the weekend Beckham stated that the squad could not be heading into the clash in better form.

"I think it's (the team) a lot more confident," he pointed out.

"Form wise we can't get any better with the way the players are playing for their clubs and the way they're training here so form wise we're at the top.

"But we still know there is a big job to be done. This is not going to be an easy game on Wednesday but we know that if we win we are through to the World Cup finals and that's the incentives for us as players."

UNITED WARN LE HAVRE

Manchester United have warned Le Havre they will take action against them unless they stop repeating claims that the Red Devils offered financial inducements to Paul Pogba's family in order to lure the teenager to Old Trafford.


United have grown angry at the sustained assault by Le Havre, which came in the wake of a transfer ban imposed on Chelsea last week.

Now Old Trafford officials have written to the French club, and made them aware in the strongest terms that they must either put up or shut up.

"In response to the wholly unfounded comments widely reported in the media of Le Havre AC President, Jean-Pierre Louvel, Manchester United wish to categorically confirm that as a matter of club policy and in accordance with the applicable football regulations, we do not offer inducements to the parents of players who sign for the club such as monetary payments or the purchase of houses," said United in a statement.

"Manchester United have today written to Le Havre AC to put it on notice that action will be taken if such allegations are repeated in relation to the transfer of Paul Pogba."

Le Havre had claimed the matter was being referred to FIFA for their investigation, although, as yet, the world governing body have not acknowledged receipt.

When the Pogba issue was first raised last week, United officials suggested that there was no contract for the 16-year-old to break, therefore the Red Devils could not be offering inducements to do so.

However, they have been annoyed by Le Havre's allegations of impropriety, which has prompted the stinging outburst.

"Manchester United is entirely satisfied that the transfer of Paul Pogba has been conducted in accordance with the regulations set down by the world governing body, FIFA," the statement added.

"Manchester United is ready to defend any claim brought against it by Le Havre at FIFA.

"It is to be noted that all contractual documentation relating to the player's registration with the club has already been fully ratified by the Football Association and the Premier League."

REVENGE NOT ON BECKHAM'S MIND

David Beckham will never forget the despair and desolation of two years ago - but he insists revenge is not the prime motivation for beating Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.


Beckham was introduced as a half-time substitute during that fateful Euro 2008 qualifier and thought he had inspired a revival as England clawed their way from two goals down to put themselves on track for a draw that would have booked their place in Austria and Switzerland.

Unforgivably, Steve McClaren's team were caught out on the counter-attack with 13 minutes to go, spawning the legend of 'Wally with the Brolly' and ensuring the former Middlesbrough coach's reign will be remembered as a total failure.

That same group of players could hardly have imagined less than two years later they would have a chance to exorcise those ghosts.

If they can manage to beat Croatia this time around, England will book their place at South Africa 2010 with two matches to spare.

And that is what matters to Beckham and the boys.

"Not qualifying for that competition was disastrous for us," he said.

"It was one of the most difficult times. When you don't win a game you should at Wembley and don't qualify it's hurtful.
"In the changing room afterwards, everyone was so upset. We were depressed for a few months and we need to put it right.

"But Wednesday is not about revenge or putting bad memories to rest. Our objective is to reach the World Cup."

If England can do that. And Beckham can retain his place when Capello announces his 23-man squad, the former Manchester United star would join a very exclusive club of players to have been to four World Cups. Appear a single minute and he would be the first man to play in four for the Three Lions.

As his international career seemed to be over in the wake of England's quarter-final defeat to Portugal in Gelsenkirchen three years ago, it is testament to Beckham's durability that not only did he prove impossible to replace for McClaren, he was also selected by Fabio Capello, a man who came close to booting him out of Real Madrid.

"I have had an incredible career so far," he reflected.

"I have had ups and downs, played in three World Cups, been captain of my country and played for some of the biggest clubs in the world.

"But if we reach another World Cup and I play some part, it will be up there with all the other achievements I've had in my career."

The common consensus has been that while Beckham cannot provide the pace of Theo Walcott, nor Shaun Wright-Phillips or Aaron Lennon, who will vie for the right-sided midfield berth this week, at 34 he retains enough craft and accuracy with his set-piece delivery that he will be essential to Capello in South Africa.

Nothing can be taken for granted though, especially as his short-term future beyond the current MLS season with Los Angeles Galaxy is still open to debate.

According to the complicated deal he worked out with the Galaxy, Beckham should be joining AC Milan on loan in January.

However, the former England skipper does have other alternatives, which include a return to the Premier League.

"Who knows what my future holds," he said.

"As everyone is aware, I will finish the MLS season with LA Galaxy - and things have been going pretty well there - after that I need to do what I can to be involved in the rest of the games and, if we qualify, hopefully into the manager's plans for next year."

According to Slaven Bilic, qualification itself is not certain because England are a "flawed" team.

Given they did win 4-1 in Zagreb last September, presumably the English flaws are not as deep-rooted as those afflicting a Croatian team that will be lacking Luka Modric through injury and Vedran Corluka because of the red card he received in Saturday's win over Belarus.

Not that Beckham is getting drawn into a war of words. He is far too experienced for anything like that.

"Bilic is a great manager who has done well with the Croatia team," he said.

"He is entitled to his opinion like everyone else.

"But this team is now together. There are some of the best players in the world in this squad.

"Of course, there are flaws in the team and mistakes that are made, but it's about correcting them and moving on."

I JUST KICKED A BOTTLE :SAYS WENGER:

Arsene Wenger has defended himself against the red card he received in the final seconds of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday evening.

Wenger was sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean after booting a water bottle down the touchline in frustration after Robin van Persie had a last-gasp equaliser disallowed for offside.

The Frenchman initially headed for the seats behind the dugout, only to find there weren't any, and was eventually ushered towards the tunnel as his side suffered a defeat which was very hard to take.

"I just kicked a bottle of water," claimed Wenger.

"I did it because I was disappointed, not because I thought it wasn't offside.

"The fourth official called the referee over and he sent me off. I don't know what to say. There were 30 seconds to go and I didn't know where to go.

"I didn't know you were not allowed to kick a water bottle, although it was a good kick."

Wenger described the eventual outcome as "unbelievable" - a word which could have summed up the contest as a whole or half a dozen individual parts.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson claimed it was not a penalty when Darren Fletcher chopped down Andrey Arshavin with the scores still goalless, he was in a very small minority.

Thankfully for Arsenal, Arshavin scored himself shortly afterwards, rocketing a shot past a startled Ben Foster.

Alternatively, Wenger might have been describing Foster's feet-first save to deny Robin van Persie at the start of the second-half.

In addition there was the penalty that was given for United when Manuel Almunia slid into Wayne Rooney which provided the equaliser; Rooney getting to his feet to send the Arsenal keeper the wrong way, and Abou Diaby's own goal shortly afterwards that ultimately proved to be the matchwinner.

"We were the better team but we lost the game," groaned Wenger. "It is very difficult to swallow."

In an effort to follow the FA's instruction not to attack referees, Wenger attempted to bite his tongue.

"It was an Old Trafford dish," was his reaction to Rooney's penalty, adding that he felt the Arshavin incident was a penalty, while admitting he was not the most objective observer.

The Rooney incident did raise inevitable questions about the incident involving Eduardo against Celtic in midweek that seems certain to land the Croat with a two-game ban for "deceiving the referee".

"I hope UEFA were watching last night (Super Cup tie between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk) because they will be charging Lionel Messi for headbutting," he observed.

"I can guarantee over the weekend I will be able to find 50 similar situations where UEFA must take action or they will have singled out Eduardo as a victim.

"There is no logic to what they have done. We have clear evidence he was touched."

The same was undoubtedly true of Rooney, Dean's decision ultimately proving pivotal as United fought their way to a famous win.

"Coming back from 1-0 down against Arsenal was a hard task," said Ferguson.

"But we got a bit of a break with the own goal and I am delighted with the win."

Rooney has now scored five goals in five games this season, although Ferguson feels he should hand over his man-of-the-match champagne to Fletcher who, his one indiscretion apart, was superb.

"Darren was the outstanding player on the field," said Ferguson.

"It was a marvellous performance. He always does well on the big occasion. If I had been choosing the man-of-the-match, I would have given it to Darren."

Meanwhile Rooney said he was happy to take over penalty duties at Old Trafford.

He said: "No-one really knew who was our penalty taker. Then we got one at Burnley but Michael Carrick unfortunately missed it so from then on I said I'd take them - and thankfully I scored today."

On the match, he continued on Sky Sports News: "It was a good game.

"I thought we were much better in the second half. Arsenal had a lot of possession in the first half but didn't really hurt us - apart from the goal.

"The second half we knew we had to be better and thankfully we were. I tried getting on the end of the ball and I've done so and the goalkeeper took my legs from me - so I've had no option.

"Last season our record against the big teams wasn't great and Arsenal have started the season well, so we needed to win today.

"Forwards, if they score goals, tend to get man of the match awards - but I think Darren Fletcher was head and shoulders over anyone on the pitch today."

BARCA SEE FAB AS SPECIAL CASE

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has identified his club's pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas as a "special case".

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been unimpressed by the Catalan side's attempts to sign his captain this summer.

And Laporta said: "I apologise if I bothered Mr Wenger, because I respect him very highly and the job he is doing.

"But he knows perfectly that the case of Cesc Fabregas is special.

"He is a Catalan player from our youth team and it is not a secret that we love this player."

Fabregas missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United because of a hamstring injury.

WENGER TO RECEIVE APOLOGY

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can expect an apology from Premier League referees chief Keith Hackett following his dismissal in the closing seconds of yesterday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has spoken to Hackett about the Old Trafford incident which saw Wenger sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean on the advice of fourth official Lee Probert.

And he has been told that Wenger will receive an apology from the Premier Game Match Officials Board which appoints officials to top-flight games in England.

The Gunners boss caught Probert's attention when he kicked an empty water bottle down the touchline following a disallowed goal for Arsenal.

There was then confusion as Wenger seemed unaware of where he was supposed to go - moving first to the back of Arsenal dugout then starting to walk down the touchline as the whistle was blown.

On the decision to penalise Wenger, Bevan said: "Although correct in 'law', it was completely out of context in the game and it was followed by the nonsense which followed over where Arsene Wenger should sit."

He added: "I've spoken to Keith Hackett and he fully recognises the situation was an error and an apology will follow to Arsene Wenger.

"Lee Probert totally failed to manage the situation and created a needless pressure point taking the focus away from the pitch in a big event with only a minute to go."

ENGLAND DILLEMA:CAPELLO TO SOLVE

England midfielder Frank Lampard has backed manager Fabio Capello to make the right choice between starting Jermain Defoe or Emile Heskey in the World Cup qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

Defoe came off the bench to score what proved to be the winner as England warmed up for the Croatia clash with a 2-1 home win in a friendly with Slovenia on Saturday.

Defoe's scoring record has led to calls for him to start the Croatia game but Lampard, who opened the scoring against Solvenia from the penalty spot, has backed Capello to make the right call.

"The question of starting is obviously the manager's decision," Lampard said.

"He has shown in his career he makes the right decision more often that not."

Lampard praised both Defoe and Heskey for the different qualities they bring to the England set-up

"Jermain is making headlines as he's scoring goals," said Lampard.

"Emile has made a great case because of the way he has played for England for a long time."

Lampard admitted the penalty he scored against Slovenia, awarded when Wayne Rooney clashed with defender Bostjan Cesar, probably should not have been given.

The England midfielder defended Rooney who had been accused by some of diving to earn the spot kick.

Lampard said: "I think maybe it wasn't a penalty. I think it was clearly not a dive but probably not a penalty."

Lampard feels the memories of England's 3-2 loss to Croatia at Wembley which saw them miss out on Euro 2008 will motivate the players.

"It was a very low point for all of us, individually and as a group. We won't forget that and will use it as a positive," he said.

"We need to keep cool heads, keep calm, but also show passion and desire to win the game. There certainly won't be tackles anyone is pulling out of."

England have won all seven of their qualifiers going into Wednesday's clash, but a place in South Africa next summer is not yet assured.

"It's been fantastic how we've gone about it so far, the results we've got home and away," Lampard added. "We need to finish the job, the sooner the better.

"The aim is to qualify - simple as that. If it doesn't happen on Wednesday night we have to make it happen the next time."

The Chelsea midfielder also believes there is no reason to worry too much about England's defence.

"I think in qualifying the defending has been pretty good. We've gone to Croatia and Belarus and done pretty well," he said.

Croatia will be missing midfielder Luka Modric through injury and defender Vedran Corluka through suspension against England, but Lampard believes Slaven Bilic's men will still be a force to be reckoned with.

"I think they're two very good players," he said. "Modric particularly is the playmaker if the team. I know what a good player he is from playing against him against Croatia and Tottenham. Croatia will miss them, but Slaven Bilic has said he has worked on the strength of the team."

ROBINHO TARGETING TITLE

Manchester City ace Robinho sees no reason why Mark Hughes' side cannot challenge for the title this season.


The Brazil, who has been linked with a January move to Barcelona, thinks they have made good signings during the close season.
With a host of world-class additions on board during the transfer window the ex-Real Madrid man believes they have the talent to succeed.

The 25-year-old thinks that would a little extra mental strength they can finish top of the Premier League ladder come the end of the season.

"The club have set their sights high this year and backed that up in the transfer market," said Robinho.

"There have been great addition - now we need to under we must be stronger mentally.

"We can be like that this season and have what it takes to go for the title.
"The more I think about it, the more I think this year must be our year."