Sulley Muntari has spoken of his delight about joining Italian champions Inter Milan, describing it as a “dream move”.
The 23-year-old Ghanaian completed his transfer to the Nerazzurri from Portsmouth for a fee of around €16m, signing a four-year contract at San Siro.
“First of all, I want to thank Inter who believed in me. I am very happy to be here,” said Muntari as he was unveiled to the press today.
“It was my dream to play for a big team like Inter. I want to win a lot with this team.
“I played against Jose Mourinho once and I saw how they played. We lost 1-0 and Chelsea were very good, so it is a pleasure to have him as Coach.”
It is a return to Serie A for Muntari, who played for Udinese between 2002 and 2007 before signing for Portsmouth last year.
“In the Premier League they play a different kind of football to the style in Italy, but during the last year I have matured as a player and as a man,” he explained.
“When I was playing for Udinese, I was very young and I did not have enough experience, this is why I received many cards.
“But now I have grown older and I have learned how to manage certain situations. The coach must not worry.”
Finally Muntari spoke about his Ghanaian national team-mate, and good friend, Michael Essien, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea.
“We are very close, almost brothers, and we have the same skin colour,” said Muntari.
“He is a strong player and he worked a lot with Mourinho. We have different skills and the coach knows it: he has a good right foot, I am lefty.
“Essien is a very good player and I cannot say to be better than him. The field will decide how important I will be for Inter. My goal is to help the team win, not to be stronger than someone else.”
Monday, July 28, 2008
Muntarti Delighted With Inter Move
Inter Give Mixed Messages Over Lampard
New Internazionale coach José Mourinho seems set to give up the chase for Frank Lampard, but the nerazzurri club hierarchy apparently have different ideas as they continue to show an interest in the Chelsea man...
The long-running saga linking the England international with a switch to San Siro seemed set to end after Mourinho all but admitted defeat in the race to land his former protégé.
The Portuguese manager told The Sun, "I’m not disappointed by Lampard.
"The important thing for a player is to do what makes him happy. If his decision is to stay at Chelsea I accept that."
Furthermore, sporting director Gabriele Oriali said, "[Sulley] Muntari is the last buy.
"Now we will work on trimming the squad because Mourinho wants 22 players and three goalkeepers. There will be some painful goodbyes."
Nonetheless there could be some hope that Frank is Italy-bound after chief executive Ernesto Paolillo failed to formally rule out further expenditure.
He said to Sky Italia, "We have the chance to sign players right up until August 31st, so anything can happen.
"I hope that technical director Marco Branca would be open to signing new players."
However, he further added that neither Lampard nor fellow target Quaresma are 'mission-critical'.
"They aren't essential to our project," he admitted.
"I think we have a strong squad right now, but we'll see.
"Mourinho likes Lampard, having known him so long, but he's pleased with the squad he has.
"If they sign that's obviously good, but if they don't the squad is already strong enough."
Readmore »»
The long-running saga linking the England international with a switch to San Siro seemed set to end after Mourinho all but admitted defeat in the race to land his former protégé.
The Portuguese manager told The Sun, "I’m not disappointed by Lampard.
"The important thing for a player is to do what makes him happy. If his decision is to stay at Chelsea I accept that."
Furthermore, sporting director Gabriele Oriali said, "[Sulley] Muntari is the last buy.
"Now we will work on trimming the squad because Mourinho wants 22 players and three goalkeepers. There will be some painful goodbyes."
Nonetheless there could be some hope that Frank is Italy-bound after chief executive Ernesto Paolillo failed to formally rule out further expenditure.
He said to Sky Italia, "We have the chance to sign players right up until August 31st, so anything can happen.
"I hope that technical director Marco Branca would be open to signing new players."
However, he further added that neither Lampard nor fellow target Quaresma are 'mission-critical'.
"They aren't essential to our project," he admitted.
"I think we have a strong squad right now, but we'll see.
"Mourinho likes Lampard, having known him so long, but he's pleased with the squad he has.
"If they sign that's obviously good, but if they don't the squad is already strong enough."
Calcio Debate: Who Should Be Milan’s No.1?
Milan have three experienced goalkeepers in their squad for the coming season, in the form of Zeljko Kalac, Christian Abbiati and Nelson Dida, but neither of them particularly stand out as a cut above the rest. So who deserves to be Milan’s No.1?
For all the world class players that have worn the Milan shirt during the Silvio Berlsuconi-era, very few, if any, of these have been goalkeepers. While Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard, Baresi, Donadoni and Maldini led the Rossoneri to European and World domination in the late 1980s and early 90s, Giovanni Galli and then Sebastiano Rossi were the regulars between the sticks.
Galli is regarded by some as the worst goalkeeper ever to go to a World Cup as Italy’s No.1, which he did at Mexico ’86, while Rossi, who often excelled in a Milan shirt during 12 years at the club, never even played for the Azzurri. During the last 20 years, Milan have had their fair share of goalkeeping disasters, most notably Jens Lehmann, who was involved in an infamous game against Cagliari in 1998 when he was substituted in the first half after gifting the Sardinians a goal and conceding a penalty.
In the last couple of seasons the goalkeeping position has been regarded as something of a weak point for Milan. Midway through last season the blundering long-term No.1 Nelson Dida lost his first team place to veteran Australian Zeljko Kalac.
Adriano Galliani has confirmed that Kalac will start the new season as Milan’s No.1, ahead of Dida and Christian Abbiati, who has returned from a loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
"The hierarchy of the goalkeepers has been decided by Carlo Ancelotti," said Galliani.
"I think that at this point we can say that we start with Kalac, then comes Abbiati, and we are waiting to verify the conditions of Dida, who is following a recovery program."
Is this the right decision though? Well let’s weigh up the three options that Milan have at their disposal.
1) Kalac
Until displacing Dida in January of last season, Kalac was regarded as something of a joke in Italy. The giant 35-year-old, who signed on a free transfer in 2005, had never played for a big club, and was seen as something of a liability, as exemplified by his horrific error for Australia against Croatia in the 2006 World Cup.
However, ‘Spider’ largely did well in the final five months of last term, and pulled of a contender for save of the season during the 1-0 win over Fiorentina. Kalac will feel that he deserves his chance to start the new season as the No.1, although doubters will point to his failure to stop a harmless Cesc Fabregas long-shot, during the Champions League exit to Arsenal, as proof that he cannot be trusted.
2) Abbiati
The 31-year-old can be compared to England’s David James in that he has the technical and physical skills to be a great goalkeeper, but perhaps does not possess the tactical and mental attributes that are just as vital for this role. Abbiati has never won over Carlo Ancelotti, and has spent most of the coach’s time at the club either as backup to Dida, or out on loan, which he has done for the last three seasons at Juventus, Torino and Atletico Madrid respectively.
At Juve, Abbiati filled in admirably while Gianluigi Buffon was injured, displaying all of his undoubted ability. However, he has not completely inspired confidence with the Granata and Atletico. Nevertheless, many would argue that he is the best of Milan’s three options.
3) Dida
Back in 2000, Dida cost my father thousands of pounds on the football pools when he dropped a harmless 89th minute shot from Leeds United’s Lee Bowyer into his own net, causing Milan to lose the match 1-0. Fast forward five years and Dida cost my father, and myself (as I gave the tip), an even bigger fortune. It was the Champions League final, and having correctly predicted, at ridiculous odds, Paolo Maldini to score the first goal in a Milan win, and with virtually every scoreline covered, it seemed impossible to lose with Liverpool 3-0 down at half time. Dida then produced another blunder from Vladimir Smicer to make it 3-2 and the Merseysiders then came back for a seemingly impossible victory.
On a more positive note, between 2002 and 2004, Dida was, on form alone, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but since being infamously struck by a firework during a 2005 Champions League Milan derby, a month before the Liverpool final, Dida has been a constant liability. Last year he made a long-line of blunders, lost his place to Kalac, and indeed it a surprise to many that he is still at the club. Should he be offered another chance as Milan's No.1? I know what my father would say, and it begins with the letter 'F'.
Readmore »»
For all the world class players that have worn the Milan shirt during the Silvio Berlsuconi-era, very few, if any, of these have been goalkeepers. While Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard, Baresi, Donadoni and Maldini led the Rossoneri to European and World domination in the late 1980s and early 90s, Giovanni Galli and then Sebastiano Rossi were the regulars between the sticks.
Galli is regarded by some as the worst goalkeeper ever to go to a World Cup as Italy’s No.1, which he did at Mexico ’86, while Rossi, who often excelled in a Milan shirt during 12 years at the club, never even played for the Azzurri. During the last 20 years, Milan have had their fair share of goalkeeping disasters, most notably Jens Lehmann, who was involved in an infamous game against Cagliari in 1998 when he was substituted in the first half after gifting the Sardinians a goal and conceding a penalty.
In the last couple of seasons the goalkeeping position has been regarded as something of a weak point for Milan. Midway through last season the blundering long-term No.1 Nelson Dida lost his first team place to veteran Australian Zeljko Kalac.
Adriano Galliani has confirmed that Kalac will start the new season as Milan’s No.1, ahead of Dida and Christian Abbiati, who has returned from a loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
"The hierarchy of the goalkeepers has been decided by Carlo Ancelotti," said Galliani.
"I think that at this point we can say that we start with Kalac, then comes Abbiati, and we are waiting to verify the conditions of Dida, who is following a recovery program."
Is this the right decision though? Well let’s weigh up the three options that Milan have at their disposal.
1) Kalac
Until displacing Dida in January of last season, Kalac was regarded as something of a joke in Italy. The giant 35-year-old, who signed on a free transfer in 2005, had never played for a big club, and was seen as something of a liability, as exemplified by his horrific error for Australia against Croatia in the 2006 World Cup.
However, ‘Spider’ largely did well in the final five months of last term, and pulled of a contender for save of the season during the 1-0 win over Fiorentina. Kalac will feel that he deserves his chance to start the new season as the No.1, although doubters will point to his failure to stop a harmless Cesc Fabregas long-shot, during the Champions League exit to Arsenal, as proof that he cannot be trusted.
2) Abbiati
The 31-year-old can be compared to England’s David James in that he has the technical and physical skills to be a great goalkeeper, but perhaps does not possess the tactical and mental attributes that are just as vital for this role. Abbiati has never won over Carlo Ancelotti, and has spent most of the coach’s time at the club either as backup to Dida, or out on loan, which he has done for the last three seasons at Juventus, Torino and Atletico Madrid respectively.
At Juve, Abbiati filled in admirably while Gianluigi Buffon was injured, displaying all of his undoubted ability. However, he has not completely inspired confidence with the Granata and Atletico. Nevertheless, many would argue that he is the best of Milan’s three options.
3) Dida
Back in 2000, Dida cost my father thousands of pounds on the football pools when he dropped a harmless 89th minute shot from Leeds United’s Lee Bowyer into his own net, causing Milan to lose the match 1-0. Fast forward five years and Dida cost my father, and myself (as I gave the tip), an even bigger fortune. It was the Champions League final, and having correctly predicted, at ridiculous odds, Paolo Maldini to score the first goal in a Milan win, and with virtually every scoreline covered, it seemed impossible to lose with Liverpool 3-0 down at half time. Dida then produced another blunder from Vladimir Smicer to make it 3-2 and the Merseysiders then came back for a seemingly impossible victory.
On a more positive note, between 2002 and 2004, Dida was, on form alone, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but since being infamously struck by a firework during a 2005 Champions League Milan derby, a month before the Liverpool final, Dida has been a constant liability. Last year he made a long-line of blunders, lost his place to Kalac, and indeed it a surprise to many that he is still at the club. Should he be offered another chance as Milan's No.1? I know what my father would say, and it begins with the letter 'F'.
Real Go Quiet Over Van Der Vaart
The transfer saga regarding Hamburg’s Rafael van der Vaart has gone a little quiet with Real Madrid having not made a new offer for the Dutch midfielder.
The Spanish giants tabled an official did for the player last week of €6 million which was instantly rejected by the Bundesliga club and no improved offer has been made.
“The fact is that we have not heard from Real Madrid since last Thursday” explained club spokesman Jörn Wolf on the HSV website.
“The offer that Real Madrid made for Rafael van der Vaart was turned down. The Spanish declared the matter closed and since then haven’t made an improved offer” he added.
Media reports had claimed that the Spanish champions had raised their offer to €12 million, but this has now been denied by Hamburg; however the two clubs will come face to face next weekend at the Emirates tournament in London.
Van der Vaart is contracted to Hamburg until 2010, but has a clause in his current deal which would allow him to leave for €1.5 million next summer.
Readmore »»
The Spanish giants tabled an official did for the player last week of €6 million which was instantly rejected by the Bundesliga club and no improved offer has been made.
“The fact is that we have not heard from Real Madrid since last Thursday” explained club spokesman Jörn Wolf on the HSV website.
“The offer that Real Madrid made for Rafael van der Vaart was turned down. The Spanish declared the matter closed and since then haven’t made an improved offer” he added.
Media reports had claimed that the Spanish champions had raised their offer to €12 million, but this has now been denied by Hamburg; however the two clubs will come face to face next weekend at the Emirates tournament in London.
Van der Vaart is contracted to Hamburg until 2010, but has a clause in his current deal which would allow him to leave for €1.5 million next summer.
Iniesta Enjoying Barcelona Changes
Andrés Iniesta has said that he is enjoying the new emphasis on hard work that Pep Guardiola has introduced before stating that he would like Samuel Eto'o to stay.
The Barça midfielder joined the Blaugrana squad in Scotland after being an extended holiday and he has been pleasantly surprised by the new way of doing things.
Following Frank Rijkaard's idea to place technique over physical fitness, the Barça squad are now doing their toughest pre-season regime for some years, according to reports.
"When things go badly it is necessary to change them. I am sure they will now improve if we continue with the way that we have started," Iniesta said.
"If things are not going well then there must be a reason. We have a culture of hard work and since the first day of pre-season the changes have been in place and the work is hard, but good."
Iniesta then reflected on reports that Eto'o could be leaving the club this summer and does not think that it would be a wise move to let the striker go.
"He is one of the best three players in his position in the world. As a friend and a team-mate I always want him to play alongside me," the 24-year-old said.
"I hope that he stays with us, although that is beyond out control. I do not know what he is thinking. I would like him to be here, but I am sure that whatever happens it will be for the best."
Finally, Iniesta was asked about the Lionel Messi controversy and whether he should stay with Barcelona or join the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games in the summer.
"It is not something we can do anything about and I do not know what will happen in the end. Speaking from a personal point of view I would like him to stay, but there are rules and regulations to sort all this out," he added.
Readmore »»
The Barça midfielder joined the Blaugrana squad in Scotland after being an extended holiday and he has been pleasantly surprised by the new way of doing things.
Following Frank Rijkaard's idea to place technique over physical fitness, the Barça squad are now doing their toughest pre-season regime for some years, according to reports.
"When things go badly it is necessary to change them. I am sure they will now improve if we continue with the way that we have started," Iniesta said.
"If things are not going well then there must be a reason. We have a culture of hard work and since the first day of pre-season the changes have been in place and the work is hard, but good."
Iniesta then reflected on reports that Eto'o could be leaving the club this summer and does not think that it would be a wise move to let the striker go.
"He is one of the best three players in his position in the world. As a friend and a team-mate I always want him to play alongside me," the 24-year-old said.
"I hope that he stays with us, although that is beyond out control. I do not know what he is thinking. I would like him to be here, but I am sure that whatever happens it will be for the best."
Finally, Iniesta was asked about the Lionel Messi controversy and whether he should stay with Barcelona or join the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games in the summer.
"It is not something we can do anything about and I do not know what will happen in the end. Speaking from a personal point of view I would like him to stay, but there are rules and regulations to sort all this out," he added.
Gunner Djourou Wants Fresh Start
Johan Djourou is keen to kick-start his Arsenal career having enjoyed a loan spell at Birmingham last term...
He may be a tall, athletic Arsenal midfielder with a defence-minded approach, but it remains unclear whether Johan Djourou can become the Gunners' new Patrick Viera.
The 21-year-old has failed to make a significant breakthrough thus far in his career. The Swiss his early days with Etoile Carouge before impressing scouts and moving to London as part of the Arsenal academy.
Used sparingly by Arsene Wenger in terms of the first team, he was farmed out on loan to Birmingham last term, making 13 top-flight appearances for the doomed Blues.
A couple of blunders and injury niggles ended his run in Alex McLeish's starting XI, but he showed enough promise at St Andrew's to convince Wenger that he could provide solid cover whilst several Gunners departed for the African Cup of Nations.
Now, Djourou is ready to prove his worth after a couple of fine displays at the tail end of last season.
Happy
An unused substitute during co-hosting Switzerland's Euro 2008 campaign, the versatile player is keen to start over as the new season looms large.
Asked if pre-season represented a fresh start, he told Arsenal TV: “It think so, it's true.
“I had a spell at Birmingham, but before I had that I had a season [for Arsenal] where I played 30 games. Now I want to start again fresh and see how it goes.
“Last season was tough for me. The spell at Birmingham was good and I could play a lot. Unfortunately, I got an injury that was there for a little while.
“That was frustrating because I want to come back and play. I feel good now and I am happy about that because I want to get started again.”
Djourou is one of the fringe players hoping to be involved against Burgenland XI in Monday's pre-season friendly.
Readmore »»
He may be a tall, athletic Arsenal midfielder with a defence-minded approach, but it remains unclear whether Johan Djourou can become the Gunners' new Patrick Viera.
The 21-year-old has failed to make a significant breakthrough thus far in his career. The Swiss his early days with Etoile Carouge before impressing scouts and moving to London as part of the Arsenal academy.
Used sparingly by Arsene Wenger in terms of the first team, he was farmed out on loan to Birmingham last term, making 13 top-flight appearances for the doomed Blues.
A couple of blunders and injury niggles ended his run in Alex McLeish's starting XI, but he showed enough promise at St Andrew's to convince Wenger that he could provide solid cover whilst several Gunners departed for the African Cup of Nations.
Now, Djourou is ready to prove his worth after a couple of fine displays at the tail end of last season.
Happy
An unused substitute during co-hosting Switzerland's Euro 2008 campaign, the versatile player is keen to start over as the new season looms large.
Asked if pre-season represented a fresh start, he told Arsenal TV: “It think so, it's true.
“I had a spell at Birmingham, but before I had that I had a season [for Arsenal] where I played 30 games. Now I want to start again fresh and see how it goes.
“Last season was tough for me. The spell at Birmingham was good and I could play a lot. Unfortunately, I got an injury that was there for a little while.
“That was frustrating because I want to come back and play. I feel good now and I am happy about that because I want to get started again.”
Djourou is one of the fringe players hoping to be involved against Burgenland XI in Monday's pre-season friendly.
Newcastle Make Offer For Burdisso
Newcastle United are allegedly about to make an offer for Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso, who might not be in coach Jose Mourinho's plans.
According to British newspaper Sunday Star, Newcastle have made an offer to Inter for Argentinean defender Nicolas Burdisso. Their initial offer is of 5 million euros, but they are allegedly willing to splash out at least 6.5 million for the player.
In Italy, it's well known that Fiorentina are interested in the versatile defender, who can play both in the center and on the wing. However, the player has already declared he does not intend to leave the Nerazzurri, despite the fact that Inter have not given him any guarantees or declared him unsellable.
Even though he always starts every season as a reserve player, he has always been used frequently by former coach Roberto Mancini, even managing to score some important goals.
It remains to be seen if, with such an abundance of central defenders (Inter also have Marco Materazzi, Ivan Cordoba, Walter Samuel, Christian Chivu, Nelson Rivas for that role), new coach Jose Mourinho will also find space for him during the course of next season.
Readmore »»
According to British newspaper Sunday Star, Newcastle have made an offer to Inter for Argentinean defender Nicolas Burdisso. Their initial offer is of 5 million euros, but they are allegedly willing to splash out at least 6.5 million for the player.
In Italy, it's well known that Fiorentina are interested in the versatile defender, who can play both in the center and on the wing. However, the player has already declared he does not intend to leave the Nerazzurri, despite the fact that Inter have not given him any guarantees or declared him unsellable.
Even though he always starts every season as a reserve player, he has always been used frequently by former coach Roberto Mancini, even managing to score some important goals.
It remains to be seen if, with such an abundance of central defenders (Inter also have Marco Materazzi, Ivan Cordoba, Walter Samuel, Christian Chivu, Nelson Rivas for that role), new coach Jose Mourinho will also find space for him during the course of next season.
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