“No, because the problem was economic,” said the Italian. “It was a problem between the club and Joe Cole, not me.

- www.skysports.com

Financial reason is not an issue for cole to move to Anfield. It is all about the Prospect of playing. Joe Cole completed his free transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool and risked upsetting his former employer by povocatively claiming he had joined “the biggest club in the country”. The England international, who has signed a four-year contract,claims that money was not the motivation for moving to Liverpool and insisted that swapping Stamford Bridge for Anfield was purely a football decision.Joe Cole’s decision to sign for Liverpool for £90,000 a week a slap in the face for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, or a blessing in disguise?

“I thought about the Champions League semi in 2005 when I ran on to the field and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up,” said the ex-Chelsea star.
“I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every week and that swung it for me,” added the England midfielder, 28, who has signed a four-year deal.
“I tried to take the finances and location out and think about football.”

- news.bbc.co.uk

Cole’s future was a subject of much discussion as the 2009/10 campaign drew to a close, with the majority of Blues supporters keen for him to pen a new deal.

‘We still have a good team,’ said Henry. ‘I think the guys that are going to stay, they still are great players. If you see the guys playing individually in their (club) team, they’re always doing great.
‘But as you know, in a team sport, it’s always a matter of having a great team. It’s not only about individuals, and I think Laurent Blanc can do this.’
Still, Henry doesn’t think this year’s World Cup was the lowest point in his career.
‘Going to the World Cup in South Korea (and Japan) in 2002 was, I will say, my worst experience ever as a player,’ he said. ‘As a group, we didn’t even score one goal and we were the reigning world champion.
‘And we bounced back, and we went to the final of the World Cup in 2006. Obviously we didn’t win it. It still hurts.’

Source dailymail

Wayne Rooney Set To Receive New Five-Year Deal From Manchester United Worth £35 Million

Source : goal.com

The new Manchester United home kit, featuring a white collar and the logo of new sponsors the Aon Corporation, was revealed on Wednesday at Niketown in Chicago.
The four-year sponsorship deal with the insurance firm was launched on June 1. No official figures have been made available for the deal but it is understood to be worth between US$120 million and US$130 million. As part of the deal, insurance brokerage company Aon’s 36,000 employees will receive a free shirt.

United striker Wayne Rooney has predictably given the kit the thumbs up, telling the Sun: “It’s a good colour and a nice fit. It’s not as tight around the neck which gives you a bit more freedom and I really like the fact it has a collar.”

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He may have looked the part during the World Cup in his tailored M&S suit but David Beckham has revealed he has no intention of becoming a manager.
Speaking in a Yahoo! webchat yesterday, the 35-year-old said he would instead be focusing on his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury.
Dressed casually in a grey blazer, open-necked shirt, jeans and trainers, ‘Yahoo!’s global football ambassador’ told presenter Gabby Logan: ‘I must admit it’s something I’ve never been interested in.’It’s not a passion of mine to be a manager of a football team.
‘I’m passionate about the game and being there and obviously I was wearing the suit so people have looked and thought I could be going into that.’
Speaking live before a global audience, he added: ‘I spoke to all the players. If there’s anything that needed saying from the manager of the players, that was kind of my role.

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Being an Italian, Carlo Ancelotti demands his side do everything with a sense of style.
Chelsea irresistibly strutted their way to a historic Premier League and FA Cup double last season – smashing home 120 goals in the process.
Ancelotti will again hope his side are the talk among fashionistas on the Kings Road next season after the Stamford Bridge club unveiled their brand new away kit.

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Liverpool have received welcoming news ahead of the upcoming 2010-11 campaign as it’s been confirmed that Fernando Torres will be able to play after three to four weeks.

The Spain international suffered a groin injury during his side’s World Cup win against the Netherlands in the final on Sunday night. Initial reports suggested that the 26-year-old could be in for a lengthy lay-off, but it’s now been confirmed by the Premier League side that the former Atletico Madrid forward will be back in action sooner than expected.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv on board Liverpool’s flight to their training camp in Switzerland on Wednesday afternoon, the Reds’ new Head of Sports Science and Medicine Peter Brukner said, “The initial assessment was he had a mild abductor tear and the Spanish medial staff didn’t consider it to be too serious at the time.

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Speaking to USA Today, Giggs stated his belief that, at 36, he would be too old to make an impression in America when his United contract finishes at the end of next season.

“Being in America you have a great lifestyle, good for raising a family,” Giggs said.

“The play is getting better. I still have a year left with Manchester United. After that maybe, maybe I will be too old.”

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“I didn’t have a doubt in my mind. It’s good to get it out of the way so I can focus on the new season, but it was never an issue.

“This is a massive season. I’m 19 so I’m still young, but my main aim is to get in the team and hold down a regular place.

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