The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Anderson ain’t going nowhere
Yesterday, the hills were alive with the sound of the Brazilian’s bad attitude and reported transfer request, but he has spoken out against these rumours, insisting he is happy to stay at Utd and he respects the team selection choices of Sir Alex.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Perhaps Anderson is simply biting his tongue, but we expect he will stay at Old Trafford all the same.
Pascal Chimbonda to Blackburn
The Daily Mirror believe Sam Allardyce is to make a ’shock’ move for the unsettled Frenchman, thus opening the door for Stephen Warnock’s departure. The Spoiler truth-o-meter: There doesn’t seem
Steven Taylor to Everton The Daily Star believe Mr Newcastle could be on his way to Goodison, thus clearing the way for Joleon Lescott’s departure. The fee is said to be £8m.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Taylor will almost certainly welcome a move back to the Premiership, but that’s not necessarily an indication that David Moyes has given up on keeping Lecott.
Michel Salgado to Blackburn
After being released by Madrid, the 33-year-old Champions League-winning right back is currently without employment. The Mirror say Sam Allardyce is about to come to the rescue, provided he can overcome an internal finance issue at Ewood Park. The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Salgado agreed to join
Matthew Upson to Manchester City
While David Moyes continues to bear hug Joleon Lescott, growling at anyone who comes near him, the Citizens will instead look to the West Ham defender, say The Guardian.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Mark Hughes has also reportedly identified Sylvian Distin as a potential replacement for Richard Dunne. He may not have enjoyed the best of form last season, but shouldn’t they just stick with their captain and four-time player of the year?
Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona The Times believe the Catalan giants have turned their attentions back to the young Spaniard after failing to secure the services of Javier Mascherano. Apparently, an offer of £25m will be offered. Mathematicians will note that this is nowhere near the £40m rumoured to have been offered a few months ago.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: We are willing to bet a Penguin bar and half a jar of crunhcy peanut butter that Fabregas will
Blackburn gaffer shows his sensitive side to Aussie musicians
There are only two things in this world that can reduce Sam Allardyce to tears: Rafa Benitez’s mean gestures, and the new single by Australian indie rockers The Panics.
Singer Jae Laffer said: “People at our label are friendly with Sam and invited him to hear us. It went well - he even shed a tear.”
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Joey Barton to Blackburn
Following his suspension, Newcastle are said to be “gathering evidence” against the violent moronic thug, suggesting his contract may be terminated. The Independent claim Sam Allardyce - who originally brought Barton to Newcastle - could give him his 4,056th second chance at Blackburn.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: We are stunned that anyone wants to employ such a waste of blood and organs, but Blackburn did bring in the Premiership’s second most vile player, El-Hadji Diouf.
Aly Cissokho to Tottenham
The talented 21-year-old Porto left-back is under contract until 2012, but
Sir Alex Ferguson has found a new reason to criticise Benitez
Video Credit: 101GG (watch from 33secs onwards)
The war of words between Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez was reignited today when the Manchester United boss accused Rafa of showing “contempt” to Sam Allardyce because of a gesture he made after Liverpool scored their second in the 4-0 win over Blackburn last week.
Allardyce has also criticised Benitez’s actions, saying: “I think they are disrespectful and quite humiliating. I waited to have a word with Rafa Benitez in his room after the game but as usual, and unfortunately, he didn’t turn up.”
Based on those comments, The Spoiler was expecting to see Benitez
Frenchman thanks Big Sam for the “best times of his career”
Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka is quite the journeyman: the Frenchman has played for no less than five English clubs, and has also made time for two stints at Paris St-Germain, a season in Turkey and a Champions League-winning spell at Real Madrid.
Anelka has served under plenty of managers, but reserves the greatest amount of praise for Sam Allardyce. In the latest issue of ICON magazine, Nico explains why he was persuaded to join Bolton in 2006:
I met Sam Allardyce and I really liked him. He had a lot of confidence in me. I’d been told how things worked under him and when I met him I could see he was a good coach.
He’s tough, but at the same time, he’s funny. He was very honest. And he’s the best coach