Guardiola's jar of players bordering on empty

 

There must be another attacker in there somewhere... somewhere... 

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola might have scooped up the Coach of the Year award at the 2011 Fifa Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich last week, but the Catalan trainer has little reason for optimism at the moment.

After previous injuries to Ibrahim Afellay and David Villa, the Blaugrana also lost Pedro and Andreu Fontas due to various physical problems last week.

Additionally, Brazilian full-back Maxwell left the club for Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the week, while Seydou Keita has been included in Mali's 2012 Afcon squad.

This has left Guardiola with selection problems ahead of Sunday's away game against Betis and the 40-year-old has to dig deep to find 11 players... 

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Di Stefano leads Cristiano Ronaldo boo brigade

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Barbara sticks with Pato & boots Tevez

 

It seemed like the transfer saga that would never end. 

Will Carlos Tevez finally get his wish and swap Manchester City for AC Milan? Will Paris Saint-Germain get their trophy-signing and bring Alexandre Pato to Parc des Princes?

It appeared salvation had finally arrived on Thursday. 

Reports emerged that PSG had agreed a fee for Pato and the Italian champions had already lined up a ready-made replacement in the form of Tevez.

But then it all fell apart. Pato announced that he had no intention of leaving his 'home' in Milan, and any move Massimiliano Allegri would make for Tevez had stalled.

The powers that be stepped in. Barbara Berlusconi, AC Milan board member and the daughter of Italy's mercurial politician, put the kibosh on any deal, unwilling to lose her boyfriend to Tevez, a less aesthetically pleasing alternative.

I guess we have her to blame for an inevitable 18 further days of speculation ... 
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A Tweet

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The Samba star Redknapp wants

 

Never 'eard of 'im, never 'eard of 'im, don't know him, Samba? We'll 'av 'im

With Tottenham's search for a defender well-documented, it seems Harry Redknapp has met his match in the most ironic of circumstances.

Fresh from his insightful analysis of Santos and Brazil midfielder Ganso, where he claimed to have never heard of the young star, his knowledge of Samba footballers seems to have redeemed itself.

However, it is the signature of Blackburn and Congo defender Christopher Samba that has now stirred his imagination. The burly stopper has long been linked with moves away from Ewood Park after forging a hugely successful career so far in the Premier League.

But despite there being no question of his ability in bolstering the Lilywhite's rearguard, or his name, he maybe doesn't have the guile or flair of his fellow contemporaries as such ...  
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Milanese tug-of-war

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Balotelli and the Mirror

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A Messi vision of the future for Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo

        On Monday evening, Barcelona star Lionel Messi once again stole the show as he was voted the best player in the world for the third year in succession during the annual Fifa Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich.

The Argentina international thus followed in the footsteps of former France star Michel Platini to become only the second player in history to win the award three years in a row.

Two of the main personalities of the football world who weren't present at the ceremony at the Kongresshaus were Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, nominated for the Coach of the Year and Player of the Year awards respectively.

The duo opted not to attend as they prepare for Tuesday's Copa del Rey away match against Malaga, and was possibly watching the event unfold on television.

Neither of the two won in their respective categories, but perhaps they will have better luck in the next few years ...

 

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Maxi Lopez story with AC Milan

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Cantona, Sir Bobby follow Scholes out of retirement?

Fergie: Don't worry Paul - you won't be the oldest in my team by February!

 Hours before the weekend's Mancunian derby, Manchester United dropped a bombshell by revealing that manager Sir Alex Ferguson had dragged Paul Scholes out of retirement to aid his midfield crisis.

Despite a couple of shaky moments, the 37-year-old debutant looked good on the ball, and showcased the same tenacity that defined his career during his first stint.

Apparently fed up with his youthful side's anaemic performances, Ferguson is looking to bring club legends Eric Cantona and Sir Bobby Charlton's back to Old Trafford.

With Wayne Rooney's form waxing and waning with every passing game, Charlton and Cantona's eyes for goal could come in useful - they netted over 300 goals for the club between them.

Let's just hope the duo aren't suffering from persistent hip problems.

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