A number of managers have been released from their clubs following the end of their contracts. The most notable two names are those of Ashley Davies of Udinese and Walter Hsu of Birmingham.
Rob O'Brien addressed the Italian Media as the new Manager of Inter Milan
Media: Congratulations on your appointment as the new manager of Inter Milan, what are your plans for this historic club.
Rob: Thank you I'm very proud to be appointed as the new Milan Manager, and believe I have what it takes to bring this sleeping Giant back to life
Media: You have a very young squad, do you think you have any chance of silverware this season?
Rob: well as someone once said (Alan Hansen) you can't win anything with Kids, and we all know what happened there!!!!. It is a young squad i've taken over and rather than flooding the team with ageing stars we here are Inter are going to develop these youngsters into a championship challenging team. They are young and have no fear I plan to nurture this and play attractive attacking football that thes Fans will enjoy, and in return, we hope this will produce the Siverware that his great club deserves.
Media: Are we going to see any new face's at the club before the start of the season?
Rob:Yes... I have already signed Stevan Jovetic from my old club Fiorentina who himself is only 20, and I plan to build a team around him that will grow together for many years to come. I also plan to put a better youth ifostructure in place so we can develop our own youngsters into star players of the future.
Media:Were you dissapointed to leave Fiorentina?
Rob: Very much so I was trying to develop a team and a style of play at Fiorentina, but with our chairman leaving us in the lerch, I had no choice to leave when Inter came knocking, with a very lucritive offer. My thoughts are with the fans of Fiorentina, but I am the Man at Milan now and plan to bring the good times back to the fans of this great historic club, and with the excellent backing Ive recieved fom the board we plan to build a Giant again not just on the pitch but by developing our ground our youth academy and Inter Milan as a brand.
With that Rob took his young squad of too Japan to begin there pre-season train camp
With the season drawing closer, and fans across the land eagerly anticipating the big kick off, football academys leading publication The Weekender published a special report taking a look at some of the emerging talent hoping to make an impression in their first year as a pro. The Weekender canvassed the best scouting networks across Europe to gather facts, figures and opinion on what these new rising stars could be capable of.
Kieran Gibbs
Club: Arsenal
Nationality: English
Position: Left Back
Biography: Kieran Gibbs is the latest off the Emirates stadium production line, and represents one of a number of promising English home-grown talents at the London club. He is rated extremely highly by the Arsenal coaching staff, who watched him score the winning goal in the FA Youth Cup semi final along the path to the Gunners victory in the competition. Already capped numerous times for England throughout the age grades many believe Gibbs to be Ashley Coles heir apparent.
What the scout says: An attacking left-back with blistering pace, he also boasts the technical ability you would associate with a player graduating from the Arsenal academy. Needs to work on his defensive game, which is often the case with young full backs of his type.
The boys a bit special rating: **** (4 STARS)
Adam Hammill
Club: Liverpool
Nationality: English
Position: Right Midfield
Biography: Although Adam has taken his time to break through at the Merseyside club he has had a good deal of experience around on loan, which makes him a welcomed addition to the Anfield squad. Adam spent time away in Scotland, on loan to First Division outfit Dunfermiline where he played 13 times, scoring one goal. Further temporary spells out on loan at Blackpool and Barnsley have earnt him effusive praise for his direct and committed displays.
What the scout says: A late developer Adam is a quick and direct winger who gives 100%. At his age he needs to hit the ground running to make it at the very top of the game but has the will and desire to do just that!
The boys a bit special rating: *** (3 STARS)
Miles Addison
Club: Derby County
Nationality: English
Position: Centre Back
Biography: Although Miles was born in London his family made the move to Nottingham when he was just three years of age. He was spotted at just 8 years of age playing for his local team and drafted into the Derby academy.At 6ft 2 and just under 15 stone he is a commanding figure in the back four and has already turned heads of many scouts up and down England. Likened to a young Sol Campbell he will be hoping for a successful season in his first senior year.
What the scout says: A typically physical English centre back, Miles is also fantastically agile and looks classy on the ball. Expect a big impact in the English lower leaguesif Derby can keep him!
The boys a bit special rating: *** (3 STARS)
Michail Antonio
Club: Reading
Nationality: English
Position: Right Midfield
Biography: Michail took the unorthodox route through football development, at first choosing to play competitively for English non-league outfit Tooting and Mitcham rather than join a clubs academy. That outlook didnt last too long after he notched 6 goals in as many games for the amateur outfit as Reading offered lucrative terms for Antonio to continue his education with them. He has good pace, and promising delivery which looks to make him well-suited for the English game.
What the scout says: If he can get games under his belt he could be a promising youngster. Reading seems the ideal place for his development right now so perhaps he would be better sitting tight and being patient before coveting a bigger move.
The boys a bit special rating: *** (3 STARS)
Angelo Ogbonna
Club: Torino
Nationality: Italian
Position: Centre Back
Biography: Of Nigerian descent Angelo is everything you would assume from combining a physical African approach with an Italian defensive philosophy. Those ingredients have made him popular in the Torino dressing room and academy bosses are tipping their new star for an explosive start to his professional career. Rumours of an agreement with Italian Champions Juventus for his services have been strenuously denied by Torino, but whether they will be able to hang on to their new asset could be debatable.
What the scout says: A strong and commanding centre back who has shown fantastic leadership qualities for his academy side. Talked of as potentially Italys first black captain he could be set for a big move quickly unless Torino can convince him of their ambition.
The boys a bit special rating: *** (3 STARS)
Maxim Alexandru
Club: Espanyol
Nationality: Romanian
Position: Centre Midfield
Biography: There is always a sense of inevitable comparison when a Romanian central midfielder break onto the scene, with memories of the great Georghi Hagi still fresh in the memory. If academy bosses at Barcelona based Espanyol are to be believed though, maybe this latest comparison may be closer than most. Born in the Romanian town of Piatra Nemt Maxim (as he is commonly known) was spotted playing in the Romanian Under 14s squad which competed in a tournament in Barcelona. Maxim turned down overtures from various European giants for the promise of swift progression into the Espanyol first team, and has spent time developing in the academy grade ever since. That original promise appears to have been kept however, with Maxim signing pro-terms and hoping to make his debut in the next few weeks.
What the scout says: A typically technically proficient Romanian who has the ability to pull the strings in midfield. His slight frame does mean he often needs protection in the middle of the park but he is gradually learning how to cope with the physicality of the elite level.
The boys a bit special rating: **** (4 STARS)
Imanol Agirretxe
Club: Real Sociedad
Nationality: Spain
Position: Striker
Biography: Basque-born Agirretxe has taken his time in forcing his way into the Sociedad first team, but has shown his potential in the clubs B team. He scored an incredible 32 goals in Spanish B grade competition last season, and earnt the tag El predador (The predator) along the way. A typically rounded Spanish product, he doesnt boast blistering pace, or incredibly trickeryhowever his eye for goal has already alerted Europe of his potential and he could be a real asset for the Basque outfit.
What the scout says: He is similar to Raul in the way that there is no obvious reason he should score so many goals. He never stops trying however, and rarely fails to find the net given the chance.
The boys a bit special rating: *** (3 STARS)
Diego Costa
Club: Real Valladolid
Nationality: Spain
Position: Striker
Biography: Born in Legato in Brazil, Diego Costa now qualifies through residency for Spain. He dual eligibility may well be tested if he continues to develop as anticipated by his delighted academy bosses. A pacey but powerful striker Diego began his football education at Barcelona Sao Paolo, where he scored over 20 goals in the clubs Under-18 sideat just 15. He was invited for a trial at Valladolid and impressed instantly. Simon Jenkins looks set to have another young gem on his hands!
What the scout says: Typically Brazilian in his style, but with an abrasive approach and frame to support his physicality. Always looked suited for the European game and it is of no surprise that he is now looking to break into the elite level.
The boys a bit special rating: **** (4 STARS)
-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Monday 4th of April 2011 01:35:36 PM
-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Monday 4th of April 2011 01:39:02 PM
Following a succesful domestic cup run in Season 8 when Napoli were beaten in the semi finals and a challenging league campaign that saw the club promoted through the play offs, the board have announced a £5.9million rise in profits over the previous seasons £1.9m.
Investment in the clubs infrastructure and stadium has meant more fans can now follow their dream and watch Napoli in Serie A this season.
This profit along with a current balance of last year and the chairmans development fund will mean that the club can continue to invest in youth.
Manager Andy Fletcher said, "Its always tempting to spend the money on the immediate things that need addressing but I wont be blowing £15m on any player, the club has discussed its plan with the chairman and an announcement will be made in the next few weeks on our plans."
"Of course we will need to strengthen to survive this season but we have some talented youngsters and once again we will stick to the blueprint."
-- Edited by Fletch on Monday 4th of April 2011 02:10:37 PM
-- Edited by Fletch on Monday 4th of April 2011 02:11:17 PM
-- Edited by Fletch on Monday 4th of April 2011 02:11:43 PM
