SOCCER SHORTS: Transfer talkRussia's mega-rich club Anzhi Makhachkala would consider a bid for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, according to their team director former Real Madrid player Roberto Carlos.
Anzhi showed their spending power when they signed Samuel Eto’o last year.
Carlos said the club’s billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov wanted to sign the best players in the world.
Asked if Anzhi would consider an offer for Rooney, Carlos said: “Why not? He’s one of the best players in the world and any team would be happy to have him in their squad. He’s still a very young player.
“Of course I could not say when, and if, it will happen. It’s not only Anzhi who can want to buy him. There are plenty of teams . . . who are eager to have a player like Rooney.
“If the owner of Anzhi has a wish to buy somebody, he will go and do it. But we are trying to change the image of the club. It’s not just about money.
“Of course we are going to buy good players but not only international players. We want to sign good Russian players that are not that expensive.”
Sligo and St Pat’s dominate picks
PFAI AwardsSligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic dominated the PFAI's Premier Division Team of the Year as well as the union's nominations for best player. The league champions took five of the 11 places in the team, with the Dubliners on four. Ronan Finn (Shamrock Rovers) and Stephen McLaughlin (Derry City) completed the side.
Finn was also nominated for the main award along with Jason McGuinness and Mark Quigley of Sligo and St Patrick’s Athletic’s Sean O’Connor. Drogheda failed to gain any nominations despite having qualified for Europe and winning the League Cup.
PFAI PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS – Player of the Year: Finn (Shamrock Rovers), McGuinness (Sligo Rovers), O'Connor (St Patrick's Ath), Quigley (Sligo Rovers). Young player of the Year: D Cawley (Sligo Rovers), C Forrester (St Patrick's Ath) and S Maguire (Waterford Utd). Irish Overseas Player of the Year: Hoolahan (Norwich City), Long (West Brom), McClean (Sunderland). Referee of the year: N Doyle, A Kelly, P McLoughlin. Premier Division Team of the Year: Rogers (Sligo Rovers), O'Brien (St Patrick's Ath), McGuinness (Sligo Rovers), Peers (Sligo Rovers), Bermingham (St Patrick's Ath), O'Connor (St Patrick's Ath), Finn (Shamrock Rovers), Chambers (St Patrick's Ath), McLaughlin (Derry City), Quigley (Sligo Rovers), North (Sligo Rovers).
– EMMET MALONE
Roberts refuses to wear T-shirt again
RacismJason Roberts has again refused to wear a T-shirt in support of anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out this weekend but gave his tentative support to the PFA's six-point plan to eradicate the problem within the game.
Reading striker Roberts was one of a number of black players, which also included Anton and Rio Ferdinand, who boycotted the awareness campaign last weekend by opting not to wear the T-shirts in the warm-up before their respective Premier League matches. Roberts is a Kick It Out ambassador, but has become dismayed at what he sees as the football authorities’ perceived failure to come down hard on those found guilty of racism.
For that reason he will not wear the shirt again on Saturday before Reading host Fulham. “No, I won’t (wear the shirt) – that’s my own choice,” the 34-year-old said. “If it was a T-shirt from another organisation I wouldn’t have worn that either.
“This is not an attack on Kick It Out. I am passionate about the PFA and Kick It Out but they have to do better, we have to do better.”
Chelsea describe Terry to Valencia claims as “nonsense”
Transfer talkChelsea have branded claims they are negotiating the sale of John Terry to Valencia as "nonsense".
Spanish agent Francois Gallardo claimed yesterday morning that Terry was mulling over a move to Valencia after deciding to leave Stamford Bridge.
“Valencia are negotiating, and I am involved in person,” Gallardo told Radio Intereconomia. “The offer is on his table. The player is out of contract in June and will not renew there for several reasons at Chelsea and he wants to come to Spain.
“He asked to leave. It’s real. This has been going on for 15 days and two meetings have already took place. I think he will accept.”
The Blues were quick to rubbish the claims, however, with a club spokesman saying that the story was “nonsense”.
Terry, who has 18 months left on his deal at Stamford Bridge, is currently serving a four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
The former England skipper has played for the Blues for his entire professional career.
Nani puts his United future in the hands of God
Premier LeagueNani has admitted that he does not know if he has a future at Manchester United, claiming "only God knows what awaits me".
Nanis long-term future at Old Trafford has been the subject of speculation in recent months after slipping down the pecking order.
The Portugal international has started just five games so far this season with reports suggesting Juventus are leading the race to sign him in January.
The 25-year-old admits he is unsure of his future, insisting his fate is out of his hands.
He also rejected suggestions that his fitness is the reason for him losing his starting spot.
“I am in perfect condition – I am physically good and feeling confident. I am the same Nani as always,” he added.
