F O O T B A L L F A N C L U B

FIFA WORLD CUP - 2010

2010-05-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

2010-05-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Groups Of FIFA Wrold Cup - 2010

2010-05-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

The groups of FIFA World Cup - 2010, of 53 countries round the world. This FIFA World Cup - 2010will be hosted by South Africa.

Blacn To Take Les Bleus Post

2010-05-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

Laurent Blanc will take over as France coach following the World Cup after the French Football Federation reached an agreement with Bordeaux.

Blanc informed the Ligue 1 club earlier in the week that he was keen to accept the offer to coach the national side, but the deal was delayed while a compensation package was negotiated.

Chelsea vs Portsmouth 1 - 0

2010-05-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

Drogba's precise free-kick just before the hour mark was the decisive moment of an incident-packed FA Cup final in which Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half and both sides also missed from the penalty spot.

Chelsea - who become only the seventh club to win the coveted domestic Double - were again grateful to the prolific Drogba, who kept up his remarkable record of scoring in each of his six games at Wembley with his 37th goal of the season.

He scored only minutes after Pompey's Kevin-Prince Boateng saw his half-hit penalty saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech - and in that moment Pompey's chances of repeating their victory of two years ago effectively disappeared.

Chelsea were even able to survive a rare penalty miss by Frank Lampard in the closing minutes when he shot wide from the spot after he had been brought down by Michael Brown.

The margin of victory belied Chelsea's superiority, especially in a remarkable first half when Lampard, John Terry, Salomon Kalou and Drogba, on two occasions, all struck the frame of the goal.

Portsmouth bravely held on but wasted their own big chances in the shape of Boateng's penalty miss and a Frederic Piquionne effort from six yards that was scrambled away by Cech before the break.

It is a victory that caps a remarkable campaign for Ancelotti - and there was a personal honour for defender Ashley Cole, who became the most decorated player in FA Cup history by picking up his sixth winner's medal.

Pompey battled with the resolve that has taken them to Wembley against a background of financial meltdown and relegation to the Championship under manager Avram Grant.

But Chelsea had the extra weaponry when it mattered to deprive the Fratton Park club of any consolation at the end of a troubled campaign.

And Ancelotti, the modest and dignified Italian, took another step towards banishing the ghost of Jose Mourinho from Stamford Bridge by writing a new chapter in the club's record books.

Lampard was first to feel the woodwork frustration when, after shooting inches wide, he glanced the outside of the post with a swerving effort from 20 yards that left James helpless.

Pompey had performed with great heart throughout a Cup run that had salvaged something from the wreckage of their season and they should have gone ahead after 21 minutes.

Boateng volleyed Aruna Dindane's cross into the six-yard area and Piqiuonne's instinctive finish was met with equally sharp reflexes from Cech, who clawed away the ball.

The rest of the opening period was a tale of sustained Chelsea pressure, with Pompey hanging on via a mixture of brave defence and outrageous good fortune.

Kalou was guilty of a dreadful miss after 26 minutes, hitting the bar from almost on the line after Cole delivered a cross that seemed impossible to miss.

Chelsea captain Terry rose in towering fashion to head Florent Malouda's free-kick against the bar before Drogba then thought he had finally given Chelsea the lead.

The Ivorian's 30-yard free-kick took Portsmouth by surprise but James - the oldest goalkeeper to play in an FA Cup final at 39 years and 287 days - reacted to turn it on to the bar and down on to the goalline. The officials remained unmoved as Chelsea appealed for a goal but replays showed the ball did not fully cross the line.

There was still time for Drogba to hit the post again, this time from an acute angle, as Portsmouth somehow remained on terms at the interval.

And their spirits soared after 54 minutes when Juliano Belletti, on as a first-half substitute for Michael Ballack, who suffered an ankle injury, brought down Boateng as he raced into the area.

Referee Chris Foy had an easy decision to point to the spot - but Cech's save was just as easy from Boateng's woeful penalty.

And the dire consequences of the miss were emphasised five minutes later when Drogba ended the charmed life the Pompey goal had led. The positioning of keeper James may be questioned but Drogba's placement was perfect, scoring low in the corner via the upright.

Kalou then dragged a finish wide from a good position, his final contribution as he was replaced by Joe Cole with 20 minutes left. Cole received a huge ovation from the Chelsea fans amid growing speculation this could be his final game for the club before quitting on a free transfer.

And he almost scored with his first touch after Drogba saw his shot saved by James at the near post. Drogba then teed up Cole - but he miscued his effort and the chance was gone.

Chelsea were given the opportunity to give the scoreline a more convincing appearance when Lampard was fouled inside the area by Brown but he contributed to the seemingly endless drama by kicking wide.

Pompey, however, were unable to profit from the reprieve and Chelsea added the FA Cup to the Premier League crown they clinched last Sunday.

Germany captain Michael Ballack ruled out of World Cup

2010-05-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

The 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder has made 98 appearances for his country and played in the last two World Cups.

A scan showed damage to two ligaments but it is expected to be eight weeks before he can resume training and Germany's first match is on 13 June.

"It's bitter to get a diagnosis like that before the World Cup," he said.

Ballack was injured after a challenge by Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Ironically, Boateng could be part of the Ghana squad that will face Germany in Group D at the finals in South Africa.

The former Tottenham player was born in Germany and represented German youth teams but chose to play for Ghana, his father's country of birth.

After Fifa removed the age limit for players who want to switch national allegiance, the 23-year-old was cleared to appear for Ghana in the finals and has been named in a provisional 30-man squad.

The Portsmouth midfielder's late tackle in the 35th minute of Chelsea's Cup final victory at Wembley led to Ballack limping off.

An early X-ray at the stadium showed no broken bones but a further scan in Germany on Monday highlighted the full extent of the problem.

The German Football Federation said Ballack's right ankle will be placed in a cast and he will have to wear a special shoe for two weeks after the cast is removed.

A Chelsea statement confirmed: "The German national team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, estimates the earliest possible return to training for the player is in eight weeks."

Ballack, who joined Chelsea in 2006 after four years with Bayern Munich, sustained a tear of one ankle ligament and a partial tear of another.

"There's naturally a lot of disappointment," he said. "But that's football. That happens. Life goes on."

Germany coach Joachim Loew said: "We were all naturally shocked this morning when we got the news. I talked to Michael. He's deeply disappointed. He put all his energy and power into playing in this World Cup.

"He's near his 100th cap. That would have been a match in Frankfurt against Bosnia.

"That's an immense disappointment for him to not be able to play in this World Cup."

Loew hopes the setback might galvanise his squad as the World Cup unfolds and added: "I called the team together and spoke with the team and passed along the information.

"It's very, very unfortunate for us. But it shows we have to pull all our strength together and look forward. We've got a lot of young players.

"We've now got to get to that point that our younger players get this self-confidence and can grew into the roles."

Boateng's half-brother Jerome, the Hamburg defender, is in the German provisional squad and the coach has requested that he is not targeted by fans and the media.

"I have spoken with Jerome Boateng," Loew explained. "I told him that we absolutely unreservedly stand by him. He is a member of the family.

"I ask everyone not to drag him into this."

Ballack impressed for Germany during the 2008 European Championship, when they were eventually beaten 1-0 in the final by Spain, and was considered a key figure for them again this summer.

Portsmouth offer new contracts to quartet

2010-05-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

"Preparations for Pompey's 2010/11 season are already under way," read a statement on Portsmouth website.

"The football club can confirm it has offered new contracts to James, Kanu, Hreidarsson and Rocha."

The FA Cup runners-up were relegated from the Premier League and are £138m in debt.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou said the club hoped to retain some of their first-team squad to give Pompey a "firm base" on which to build on during their new life in the Championship.

James, 40 in the summer, has yet to confirm his plans following the World Cup, while 35-year-old Hreidarsson missed the end of the season and the FA Cup final with an Achilles injury.

Keeping Rocha, 31, and Kanu, 33, would provide key experience to a squad hoping to return back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

On-loan players Jamie O'Hara and Aruna Dindane are set to return to their parent clubs Tottenham and Lens.

But the club stated that they are hoping to retain the services of their young talent.

"A number of Pompey's rising stars have also been approached with new deals to keep them at Fratton Park," the statement continued.

Lennard Sowah, Matt Ritchie and Joel Ward have all been offered contracts, following their impressive breakthroughs at the end of the season.

"They are joined by fellow youngsters Marlon Pack and Tom Kilbey, along with reserve keeper Jon Stewart.

"Fratton favourite Linvoy Primus has also been offered a position at the club, following his retirement from football."And Pompey's coaching staff have identified a number of players in different positions that they would like to bring into the squad, with work ongoing in this area."

It added: "Angelos Basinas, Jamie Ashdown, Steve Finnan and OJ Koroma have all been released."

2010-05-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Chelsea's Deco Holds Talk With Fluminense

2010-05-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Chelsea midfielder Deco has held transfer talks with Fluminense and could return to his native Brazil next season.

Deco, who became a naturalized Portugal international in 2002, won the Premier League and FA Cup double with Chelsea this season but is weighing up his options with only one year remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.

"There's a strong possibility (of a move to Fluminense) but at the moment I can't confirm anything because I have a contract with Chelsea," Deco said. "I'm only going to decide after the World Cup."

Deco began his career with Sao Paulo club Corinthians but moved to Europe in 1997 with Benfica and made his debut for Portugal six years later after being awarded citizenship. He will join up with the Portugal squad on Wednesday for their World Cup preparations.

The 32-year-old, who won the Champions League with Portuguese Liga side Porto in 2004 and Spanish giants Barcelona in 2006, insisted a return to Brazil would not be a move into semi-retirement.

Deco said: "I'm not coming (to Brazil) to end my career. I'm coming to play. I believe I have a few more good years to play at a high level."

Former Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari brought Deco to Chelsea in an £8 million deal in 2008 but was sacked seven months later and Deco has struggled to secure regular first team football under a succession of managers.

Barcelona Hopfully signs Febregas & Villa

2010-05-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club have opened talks with Valencia over striker David Villa, while he also admitted that the Spanish champions will move for Cesc Fabregas if he wants to return to Camp Nou.

Both players have been heavily linked with a move this summer, though Arsenal have strenuously denied on several occasions that they are ready to let Fabregas leave the club.

Gunners captain Fabregas stoked the flames of speculation last week by claiming: "I think I would like to go to Barcelona, whether or not they want me is another thing."

And Laporta could not hide his delight at the revelation, though he insisted it is the transfer of Spain striker Villa that is the currently the club's main focus.

"It is remarkable that the player has said that," Laporta said. "If the technical secretary [Txiki Begiristain] believes we must make an effort, we will do and will talk to Arsenal."

"We are in the negotiating process [with Villa] and everything is going in the right direction," Laporta added. "We hope it is resolved soon. Everything is on track and hopefully we can reach an agreement."

Laporta added that Barca "have set a specific date and will do what is best for the club."

The arrival of Villa would seemingly indicate that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's days at Camp Nou are numbered, and when asked about the Swedish striker's future Laporta was far from enthusiastic, saying: "He has a contract with us. We are satisfied."

On Thierry Henry, who has been heavily linked with a move to MLS with New York Red Bulls, Laporta added: "It's something we are talking with him about. We are working on this and what we are doing is reconciling the interests of the club and the player."

Barca vice president Rafael Yuste also admitted that the club are hopeful of securing the services of both Fabregas and Villa.

"Negotiations are progressing well especially in the case of Villa," Yuste told Ona FM. "The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement. But what makes it easier is that both players want to come to Barca."

The claims were also backed up by Barca club director Joan Oliver, who also mentioned Fabregas and Villa by name, though he was a little more coy about the progress of the potential transfers.

"Our team is like a puzzle," Oliver was quoted as saying in AS. "One feature is that it has no specific objectives, but it is true that we are focusing on three specific positions. For us it is a compliment that players like Villa and Fabregas have expressed their desire to play with us.

"These players are clear that they are top professionals, but there is a long process between when they produce such a statement and when they can be here."