Israel coach Dror Kashtan has named a strong 21 man team to face Belarus in a friendly international in Minsk on August 22, their last preparation match before next month's Euro 2008 Group E qualifier in England.
Most of the players available in major European leagues were named, that included Chelsea central defender Tal Ben Haim, Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun, Deportivo Coruna goalie Dudu Aouate and forward Pini Balili of Turkey's Sivasspor.
However, Queens Park Rangers forward Ben Sahar, who is on loan from Chelsea, will miss the game and is also doubtful to face England at Wembley on September 8 following a recent appendix operation.
Maccabi Haifa midfielder Lior Refaelov, previously named in the team however still uncapped, has also been included.
Squad:
Goalkeepers, Dudu Aouate (Deportivo Coruna), Nir Davidovich (Maccabi Haifa)
Defenders, Tal Ben Haim (Chelsea), Yoav Ziv (Beitar Jerusalem), Dedi Ben Dayan (Maccabi Netanya), Shimon Gershon, Arik Benado (both Beitar Jerusalem), Yuval Shpungin (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Eyal Meshumar (Maccabi Haifa)
Midfielders, Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool), Walid Badir (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Gal Alberman (Beitar Jerusalem), Idan Tal (Beitar Jerusalem), Lior Refaelov (Maccabi Haifa), Salim Toema (Standard Liege)
Chelsea FC have completed the signing of Brazil defender Alex on a 3 year contract from PSV Eindhoven.
The 25 year old passed a medical at Stamford Bridge today before finalising his switch after 3 seasons with the Dutch giants.
He will provide competition for established Chelsea centre-backs John Terry, currently sidelined through injury, and Ricardo Carvalho, along with summer signing Tal Ben Haim.
"I hope to do a good position at this wonderful club," Alex said. "I am happy for the opportunity Chelsea have given me."
Alex started his career with Santos FC in his homeland and has played 14 times for his country, most recently with 6 appearances at the 2007 Copa America.
10 08 2007
Sammy Lee is calling on his Bolton side to prove the critics wrong and express themselves this season.
The former Liverpool coach says that the players were not given the respect they deserved during the Sam Allardyce era.
Allardyce had taken Bolton from the old 2nd division into Europe and a League Cup final during his 8 years in charge and, in a strange quirk of fate, returns to the club on Saturday in his 1st competitive match as Newcastle manager.
Following Allardyce's shock departure with 2 games to go last season, Lee steadied the ship and guided Bolton to a UEFA Cup place after stepping up as assistant boss.
He said, "Sam did not do it alone as there are lots of components to this club to make it the success it is. I do not think enough was made of the contribution the players have made over the years. There was a misconception about this club. There are lots of quality players here, not only one or two. We have strengthened the team and enhanced the backroom staff. We have got better people in. We will show the prophets of doom we are not going down and change their minds about us. There is a team of talented players here who were very focussed since I have taken over. They are passionate and committed. They would like to take the club forward and into Europe again."
Bolton will always be close to Allardyce's heart as he started out as an apprentice at the club and raised his family in the town.
And Lee says he deserves nothing less than a warm welcome on his return.
He said, "I hope the crowd's reaction will be positive and that they have given him a good reception. Sam is a massive part of what has happened here, as are the owner, chairman, players and supporters. He will have Newcastle well-organised and well-drilled. They have quality in all areas and it will be difficult for us."
Bolton manager Lee has kept the team intact, apart from losing Tal Ben Haim to Chelsea, and intends to play a more expansive game than Allardyce.
"I like my team to be adaptable," he added. "That way you are not so predictable. It will take time to stamp my mark on this club. I only hope people understand what we are attempting to do. I know I have a lot to prove as a manager however I have waited a long time for this and plan to enjoy it. I have had a lot of support from a number of people. However, the focus should be on the players, not me, due to the good position they do."
Former Fulham forward Heidar Helguson is in line to make his debut after recuperating from a knock sustained in the win against Colchester in a friendly.
Helguson would team up in attack with Nicolas Anelka following his £1 million move.
06 08 2007
Nemanja Vidic has rejected Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's claim that Man Utd are under more load than the Blues due to their summer spending.
Premier League champions United have spent in the region of £50m, whilst Chelsea have forked out £13 million.
"I do not think so," United defender Vidic informed BBC Sport when asked about Mourinho's suggestion.
"Chelsea have also brought in players, along with Liverpool and everyone else. It does not mean anything."
United sign 20 year old winger Nani and Brazilian midfielder Anderson, 19, along with experienced England international Owen Hargreaves and keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Argentine forward Carlos Tevez, 23, is also expects to complete his transfer to Old Trafford from West Ham.
Chelsea could not have spent as big as United in the transfer window so far however they have drafted in defender Tal Ben Haim, forward Claudio Pizarro and midfielder Steve Sidwell on free transfers.
And Mourinho recently said, "Man Utd's spending is something that we do not control, we do not want to control, we do not comment, we do not want to comment. However, when we spent some millions, everybody pointed at us as the team with more responsibility to win."
However, the 25 year old Vidic said, "We have bought young players for the future. I remember when I came to England, I needed a few months to get used to the league."
Serbian international Vidic was one of the main reasons his side claimed the Premier League title last season as his central defensive performances earned him a lot of plaudits.
He knows the size of the task facing United as they bid to regain the title and go for Champions League glory however thinks the new transfers have made the Old Trafford team even better.
"We have bought more players and I think the team is stronger than last season," he said.
"We have also had one more season together. We need to improve everywhere. If you would like to win the league and go to the final of the Champions League you need to improve everybody and that includes me. We need to take one step more to be better this season If we stay the same as last season that is not good."
He added, "Last season was my 1st full season and I learnt a lot. Now I know where I need to improve, where my weaknesses are and my strengths. All the time players can improve and you need to work."
Vidic mentioned that it is imperative to start the season well in a title race which lots of expect to be more open this season.
"Teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and, especially Liverpool, have bought new players," mentioned Vidic.
"They would like to improve. Last season we won the championship however we know Chelsea are desperate to win and also Liverpool. We need to improve and play better to win again this season because I am sure it will be hard."
28 07 2007
Nacho Novo and Filip Sebo hit late goals to sink Chelsea and set up Rangers perfectly for their Champions League 2nd round qualifier against FK Zeta.
Novo opened the scoring after 86 minutes however it was Sebo's strike 60 seconds later which captured the imagine of the home fans, who hope he is in the end ready the shed the joke figure image he acquired during his debut season at Ibrox.
Rangers will no doubt take a lot of positives from the display against the Barclays Premier League giants, with their European campaign about to start in earnest.
The trip to Glasgow marked the penultimate game in Chelsea's own pre season preparations. They face Denmark's Brondby Tuesday before tackling Man Utd, the team who denied them the English title, in the Community Shield on August 5.
John Terry, new from signing a new 5 year deal which supposedly makes him England's highest-paid player on £130,000 a week, recovered from a toe injury in time to lead out the Stamford Bridge side at Ibrox. Summer transfers Florent Malouda, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim were also named in the starting line-up.
Arjen Robben's absence from the team was the due to a knee injury rather than speculation of an instant transfer to Real Madrid for the Dutch winger.
The 11 players named by Walter Smith were identical to the line up selected by the Rangers manager for Tuesday's friendly against Ajax, saying he has now settled on the team likely to start the new Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign which gets under way in Inverness a week today. Before then, Rangers take on Zeta Tuesday.
Apparently, no-one was willing to take their place in Smith's plans for granted though and Rangers hassled and harried their glamorous visitors from the 1st whistle.
Jean-Claude Darcheville, the man dubbed 'The Rocket', left Terry in his wake when he exploded down the flank and left the side-netting shuddering from the impact of his right footed effort.
Sasa Papac then sliced a diagonal ball into the path of Kris Boyd however the move was easily read by Petr Cech, the Chelsea goalie racing off his line to smother before the forward had the chance to pull the trigger.
'Jose, thanks for Seville' proclaimed a banner among the near-capacity crowd, referencing Mourinho's triumph as Porto manager over Rangers' bitter rivals Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup final. But, on the pitch at least, the love in was about to come to an end.
A cynical Barry Ferguson foul on Malouda earned the Rangers captain a quiet word in his ear from referee Stuart Dougal, as well as a sneaky push from Didier Drogba. Malouda then made a scything tackle on Ferguson minutes later.
The former Lyon man then turned his focus back to the football, flighting a cross onto the head of Drogba, whose header flashed across the face of goal and past the upright. Malouda also tried his luck before the break, his long-range strike whistling past the static Allan McGregor and harmlessly wide.
Half time prompted a flood of substitutions, Chelsea making 4 changes and Rangers making six, handing a home debut to former Man Utd and The Hammers goalie Roy Carroll.
Chelsea's Ashley Cole then made his 1st appearance since undergoing an ankle operation in the summer when he replaced Glen Johnson early in the 2nd half.
Terry picked up the 1st booking of the game for tangling with Sebo before the striker, famous for his failings at Rangers last season, somehow managed to mis-kick in front of goal from 8 yards after being released by Nacho Novo.
At the other end, Carlos Cuellar was in the right place at the right time to block a point-blank shot from Claudio Pizarro on the line before the new Chelsea recruit tested Carroll with a stinging effort seconds later.
It was Rangers who found the back of the net as the game raced towards its conclusion. A surging Chris Burke run preceded Novo's strike, which he smashed home off the inside of the post, before Sebo sent Ibrox into raptures a minute later with a thunderous effort, albeit one which had taken a big deflection.
The flashes of brilliance widely expects from Chelsea's superstars failed to illuminate the match as much as the luminous yellow strips they wore.
It was hard to think anything other than they were biding their time until it really matters. As for Rangers, the hard work starts now.
22 07 2007
Alex Ferguson is expecting a pulsating 4 way clash for the Premier League title this season.
Man Utd start the defence of their crown against Reading on August 12 knowing Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have all strengthened in the hope of denying the Red Devils a tenth title under Ferguson's charge.
Of the trio, Chelsea have actually spent the least amount of money, even though in Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim they have picked up 2 of the best Bosman transfers available.
Most pundits expect another two-horse race between United and Chelsea. However, Ferguson is wary of the threat coming from down the East Lancs Road at Liverpool.
And, having already declared Arsenal to be a better side without departed hero Thierry Henry, the United manager realises it will not be easy for his team this season, even if they do manage to add Carlos Tevez to other new arrivals Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani.
"There is no gap between the top 4 teams," mentioned Ferguson
"We are happy with the transfers we have made and we have a good chance however there is no complacency in terms of the challenge we will face from other clubs. Liverpool have bought 5 players, Arsenal have 2 or 3 and whilst Chelsea have only actually bought one, they have added several others. It only tells you what a good wish there is amongst us all to win the Premier League."
After losing too much ground in the opening stages of the last 2 title battles, Ferguson's side started impressively 12 months ago, matching Chelsea stride for stride before easing into a lead early in the New Year which they never looked like losing.
Given this year's champions will almost certainly need to amass a minimum 90 points from their 38 games, Ferguson is understandably hoping to start the campaign in winning form.
"I felt confident about last season however I also felt we needed to make a good start to show we would live with Chelsea," he said.
"That was the big test because Chelsea had set the benchmark by getting off to a good start, then maintaining it for the whole season. To achieve that helped us enormously and from about 30 weeks into the season, we held on to the number one spot which, with a young team, is not particularly easy."
06 07 2007
Chelsea chief exec Peter Kenyon has confidence of signing midfielder Florent Malouda from Lyon.
The 2 clubs have yet to agree a fee for the 27 year old, with the French club wanting at least £13.5 million.
Malouda's agent Phillipe Flavier informed BBC Sport, "At this moment everybody is waiting."
And Kenyon informed BBC 5 Live, "We have been in dialogue with Lyon and it could be nice to conclude deal that before going to L.A next week."
Kenyon is adamant that the arrival of Malouda would not result in other players leaving the club.
Arjen Robben was strongly linked with Real Madrid however Kenyon added, "We should not read anything into that. Malouda's a different type of player. I am very optimistic Malouda will be joining us at some point out in LA."
Lyon claim that Chelsea have yet to meet their asking price, however BBC Sport understands further talks will take place later this week.
"The club recalls that they had taken the request of the player to look at opportunities to move, declaring from the start that the transfer fee should be between 20 and 25 million euro (£13.5-£16.8m)," mentioned a Lyon statement.
"At the moment, no offer at this level was made to Lyon. Nevertheless, the club stay loyal to the promise made to the player and are therefore prepared to look at all offers that were made."
Malouda left Lyon's pre season training camp Wednesday.
Chelsea start their pre season preparations on 10 July in L.A, and Malouda is keen to be a Blues player by then.
Flavier added, "I think the 2 clubs will find an agreement however I do not know when. The player expects it will be as soon as possible."
If he does transfer to Chelsea, Malouda will link up again with Didier Drogba, with whom he enjoyed success at Guingamp in 2002-03, and Michael Essien.
Chelsea sign Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim so far in the summer, all on free transfers.
05 07 2007
Chelsea have no intention of allowing John Terry and Frank Lampard to slip through their grasp, as stated by chief exec Peter Kenyon.
Contract negotiations with the Blues captain and vice-captain stalled at the end of last season and it is understood the parties have yet to re-open talks.
However, Kenyon says there is 'no crisis' over the pair and that Chelsea have received no offers for either player.
'I can confirm we have had no offers and, if we have had offers, we would not accept them,' Kenyon mentioned on Sky Sports News. 'They are a core part of our team.'
Both players have 2 years remaining on their current deals and both would like to be the top earners at Stamford Bridge.
Terry, 26, was seeking a massive 9 year contract however it is understood has so far only be offered a 5 year deal.
Lampard, 28, who was linked with a transfer to FC Barcelona, is thought to have been offered 5 years.
Kenyon has also discarded rumours owner Roman Abramovich has tightened the purse strings, having not spent a penny so far in the transfer market.
Summer transfers Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim were all free transfers, with PSV Eindhoven defender Alex expects to follow.
Kenyon said, 'It is not because there is no money. It is not because we chose to put a freeze on transfer money. It is about saying `what have we got, what do we need?' We have got 3 absolutely top players who will be joining us and making us stronger next season.'
Kenyon thinks Chelsea's long term future would lie with homegrown players following the completion of the club's new training headquarters in Surrey.
The facilities in Cobham are described by the club as a 'multi million pound' investment from owner Roman Abramovich and is part of the plan for Chelsea to in the end become self-sustaining.
Kenyon said, 'We are very nearer to the culmination of lots of years hard work to find and build a facility that is key to the future of the club and will be one of the leading centres in the world. Developing homegrown players is a vitally important goal for Chelsea. Cobham gives us the perfect platform for that. Our young players, academy and community coaches will be working closely with the 1st team, this is very much part of our club philosophy. To achieve this, Roman invested in the land, the infrastructure and the latest training, medical and other technology to give us the best chance of meeting those goals.'
03 07 2007
Frank Lampard's agent mentioned the Chelsea midfielder has not discarded a new contract and would like to remain at Stamford Bridge for the rest of his career.
The England midfielder was thought to have turned down a contract extension that could have made him Chelsea's highest earner on a weekly wage of £131,000. However, his agent, Steve Kutner, mentioned no talks have taken place because Lampard and the club's chief exec Peter Kenyon have not been free to set up a meeting since the end of last season.
Lampard was linked with FC Barcelona and Juve however Kutner said, "He will join Chelsea's tour next week and will be as committed as ever. Nothing can get sorted out until he gets back, however there is no rush."
Lampard's situation is unlikely to be sorted out until next month as, after their American tour, Chelsea have friendlies at Feyenoord, Rangers and Brondby.
The was bad news concerning Michael Ballack yesterday, with the Chelsea midfielder due to undergo another ankle operation in Germany today. Surgery is needed after he developed complications from a previous operation in May.
Chelsea are on the brink of selling defender Geremi to Newcastle for £2m, however are attempting to persuade winger Arjen Robben to sign a long term contract extension. Real Madrid continue to show interest however Robbenhas mentioned he would like to stay.
Chelsea sign 3 on free transfers in the summer, Steve Sidwell, Tal Ben Haim and Claudio Pizarro, however manager Jose Mourinho denies he was informed he has no money.
"Nobody from the board said, 'Jose you must only bring in players on a Bosman because we have no money to spend'," he said.
"It is bad business if you only bring in players under Bosman and they are not good enough. If the only reason you are bringing them in is because they are free, they become expensive."
