Drogba might be first casualty of AVB reign

Marseille president Vincent Labrune has suggested finances could dictate whether the club try to re-sign Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed a glittering career in the Premier League since joining Chelsea in 2004 after just one season at Marseille.

Drogba has previously refused to rule out a return to Stade Velodrome towards the end of his career and he has just one year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Reports suggest his future at Chelsea next season is uncertain as new manager Andre Villa-Boas looks to put his own stamp on the squad after replacing Carlo Ancelotti.

L’OM would be keen to have Drogba back at the club, but Labrune admits players would have to be sold in order to accommodate the Ivory Coast forward.

“The question is whether in terms of salary, I do not mean the transfer, Marseille have the means for four years to pay Didier Drogba,” Labrune told La Provence.

“I answer ‘yes’. But we cannot afford 11 Didier Drogbas.

“So is it possible? Yes, but in the case of departures.”

Siasia to inspire Falcons ahead of Germany tie

Samson Siasia will travel to Germany to inspire the Super Falcons ahead of their second group match in the ongoing Fifa Womens World Cup against the hosts.

Nigeria must avoid defeat at all cost to keep their hopes of progression in the tournament alive following their 1-0 loss to France in their opening game.

The Super Eagles’ coach has been on a short vacation in the United States, but will head to Europe rather than back home to Nigeria.

“The (NFF) President has asked me to come to Germany to support the players and officials ahead of their match against Germany,” Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com.

Siasia is expected to arrive in Germany on Wednesday, and is scheduled to meet with team officials, and then the players before their game.

The Eagles coach will make a brief stopover in England before heading for Germany for the duration of the Falcons’ remaining matches.

Demel in action for Hamburg

Hamburg defender Guy Demel has tasked his agent to get him a deal which returns him to the English Premiership.

The Ivory Coast international spent some time at Arsenal as a teenager before moving on to Germany where he made 21 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season. He now believes it is time to return to England to play first-team football.

“My wish is to go back to England and I would like to play in the Premier League,” Demel told skysports.

“I have instructed my agent Willie McKay to find me a club in England and I know he is speaking to some interested clubs.

“I used to play at Arsenal but that was a long time ago and I am ready to go back. I am more experienced now and my desire is to return to England.”

One aspect in the 30-year-old’s favour is that he reportedly available on a free transfer, if he is able to find a Premier League club willing to take him on.

“I have played six years at Hamburg and had a good time there but I feel the time is right for a new challenge,” he said.

“Every player would like the opportunity to play in the Premier League where every weekend you play against top players and top teams and this is what I want.

“A lot of my Ivory Coast team-mates tell me how good it is play in the Premier League and it would be nice to play alongside them or against them.”

Annan in training at Schalke

Midfielder Anthony Annan is on the hunt for a new club after being told by his current employers, Schalke he has no future at the club.

The German club on a house-cleaning mission have released 11 of its players and are looking to release three more of which the Ghana international is part of.

Annan joined Schalke in the January transfer window from Norwegian side Rosenborg but has failed to impress since his move.

Veteran Gerald Asamoah, Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan and ex-Lille centre-half Nicolas Plestan are all set to leave the club soon.

“We are on a good path, but we are not finished yet. The next to depart could be Plestan, Annan and Asamoah,” Schalke sporting director Hosrt Heldt said to Bild.

Annan has also struggled recently in the Ghana national team as a toe injury has put Agyemang Badu ahead of him in the pecking order.

He could return to Norway but could also find suitors in France where Lyon had been interested in him in the past.

Jon Obi Mikel

Midfielder Jon Obi Mikel is poised to claim a regular starting role at Chelsea under new boss Andres Villas-Boas.

The Nigeria international started last campaign’s as a definite option but gradually faded onto the substitute bench due to injury and loss of form under Carlo Ancelotti.

He has since been widely linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea reorganise for the coming season.

“I hope to enjoy regular playing time under him (new coach). I will definitely do my best to impress him and let him see reason why I should be playing regularly for the team,” Mikel told Nigerian newspaper National Life.

“He has worked with us in the past and I think he shares so many things in common with our former manager, Jose Mourinho.

“I hope we win many trophies under his tenure.”

Mikel further said he was relieved that the search for a new Chelsea boss has ended with the appointment of the former FC Porto coach.

“The search for a replacement for (Carlo) Ancelotti is over now and I can’t wait to start working with the new man,” he said.

The 24-year-old midfielder joined ‘The Blues’ in 2006 after a much-publicised row involving Manchester United.

He has thus far made over 158 appearances for Chelsea, winning the EPL title two seasons ago as well as three FA Cup and a League Cup winners’ medal.

Tsepo Masilela

Defender Tsepo Masilela has joined English Championship side Leicester City on loan.

The 26-year-old only signed a new two year contract with Maccabi Haifa last week but has been allowed out on loan with view to a permanent deal.

Leicester are also keen on Fulham‘s Andy Johnson and former Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate.

Drogba could be headed for Turkey

Galatasaray has offered Arda Turan to Chelsea for £7m in exchange for Didier Drogba according to the English press.

Turan, a Chelsea target is valued at about £18m and while the Ivory Coast striker is pegged at £11m - a meagre offer likely to be rebuffed by Chelsea.

New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas could be persuaded to let Drogba, 33, leave for the right price, and the Ivory Coast international will wait to see if Chelsea splash out on another forward before making a decision on his future.

With Villas-Boas intent on bringing Colombia striker Falcao with him from Porto and Chelsea also showing interest in Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez, Drogba’s competition will not just be limited to £50m striker Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka.

It had been widely assumed Drogba would leave Stamford Bridge this summer with Real Madrid initially very keen, but Villas-Boas will not make any hasty decisions on the playing squad he has inherited.

Coulibally races to jubilate goal

Striker Soulemane Coulibally put in yet another superlative performance as he helped Cote d” Ivoire book a place in the next round of the ongoing U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

The rising star hit a hat-trick as the Africans drew 3-3 with Brazil in Guadalajara on Sunday with both teams progressing from Group F. It now takes his tally to to eight in three matches.

The South Americans however finished as group winners amassing 7 points with Ivory Coast placing second on 4 points.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s faint hopes of qualifying for the second round were extinguished on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat by Ecuador.

The reigning Africans champions were outplayed by their more purposeful opponents who booked their passage to the round of 16.

The first half of this Group E match also played in Guadalajara produced very little in terms of entertainment value and no goals for the sparse crowd.

But a pair of second-half goals from Jose Cevallos and Kevin Mercado put paid to Burkina Faso’s hopes of prolonging their stay in Mexico.

Cevallos breached the Burkinabe defence after 75 minutes when he placed his free kick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Seni Ouedraogo.

Two minutes later, Kevin Mercado put the issue beyond doubt when he poked the ball into the back of the net from close range.

The second goal effectively killed the match as a contest as Burkinabe heads dropped and Ecuador played with increasing confidence.

French striker Delie cooly slotting home winner

Nigeria lost their opening game of the Fifa Womens World Cup in Germany to France on Sunday by a lone goal.

Striker Maurie-Lhaure Delie punished the Nigerian defence’s inability to effectively clear their lines as she controlled and coolly slotted home in the 18-yard box on 56 minutes.

The Super Falcons tried as they may, failed to pull even despite creating some descent opportunities but the French generally held control of the game.

The result inevitably makes qualification into the next round for the Africans even more difficult as they are yet to beat any of their Group A opponents.

Essien celebrates goal with Drogba

bMichael Essien and Didier Drogba are among five Chelsea targets drawn up by AC Milan to sign this summer.

According to the report by UK radio station Talk Sport, the Chelsea stars dominate an eight-strong list of targets drawn up by AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani.

In an attempt at a major squad overhaul, Milan are eager to land a whole host of stars and Chelsea strikeforce Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka head the list.

The duo’s future are under threat at Stamford Bridge, with new manager Andre Villas-Boas keen on Porto striker Radamel Falaco, who is keen to be reunited with his old Porto boss.

Drogba and Anelka may not feature in Villas-Boas’ plans and Milan are ready to test the water with a bid for the pair, according to sources in Italy.

Galliani has publicly claimed that signing Drogba may prove difficult but sources in Italy suggest snaring strike partner Anelka would be possible.

Villas-Boas has Roman Abramovich’s extreme wealth at his disposal and does not need to rely on player sales to sign his targets but the Chelsea manager must trim his bloated squad this summer.

And more Chelsea stars are on Galliani’s radar – Michael Essien, Alex and Salomon Kalou are also wanted, along with Real Madrid’s Kaka and Bayern Munich duo Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben.

Galliani is eager to keep Milan as Italy’s best club and although there is no indication he is capable of landing all eight of his targets, the fact he has drawn up a Chelsea-dominated list of players shows he means business.