Manchester City multa a Tévez por u$ 1.600.000

25.10.2011 - Como caso testigo y precedente (en el país que más teme la “rebeldía”), la dirigencia del Manchester City hizo pública la sanción y multa por u$s 1.600.000 a Carlos Tévez a través de un comunicado en su página web en el que presenta cinco (redundantes) normas presuntamente violadas por el Apache.

“Manchester City Football Club puede confirmar que se ha concluido una audiencia disciplinaria en relación con la acusación de mala conducta por Carlos Tevez.

La acusación se refiere a los acontecimientos durante el partido de la Liga de Campeones contra el Bayern Munich el 27 de septiembre de 2011.

Tras una investigación detallada y la audición asociada, una comisión disciplinaria ha sostenido la acusación de mala conducta. Cinco infracciones por separado del contrato fue la base de la decisión.

Como resultado de ello Carlos Tevez ha sido multado con salarios de cuatro semanas, ha sido suspendido por un período de dos semanas (ya recibidas) y recibido una advertencia por escrito en cuanto a su conducta futura.

Las cinco obligaciones contractuales que la comisión disciplinaria encontró violadas son las siguientes:

1. La obligación de participar en un partido en el que se selecciona al jugador a jugar para el Club dirigido por un oficial del Club.

2. La obligación de realizar las demás funciones y participar en otras actividades que sean compatibles con el ejercicio de las funciones del jugador y que sean razonablemente necesarios de él.

3. La obligación de cumplir y actuar de acuerdo con todas las instrucciones legales de cualquier funcionario autorizado del club.

4. La obligación de observar los estatutos y reglamentos de la FIFA y la UEFA, el Reglamento de la FA, el Reglamento de la Liga, el Código de Prácticas y las reglas del club, incluyendo pero no limitado a la infracción de la Regla E3 (1) del Reglamento de la FA (obligación del jugador para actuar en el mejor interés del juego y no actuar de manera que es incorrecta o que trae desprestigio al juego).

5. La obligación de no hacer nada a sabiendas o por imprudencia, ni dejar de hacer algo que es probable que traiga descrédito al club o al juego de fútbol o (como se define en el contrato) causar daños en el Club.

Carlos Tevez tiene el derecho de apelar esta decisión ante la Junta Directiva del Club en el plazo de 14 días."

El Apache gana unas 250.000 libras semanales (285.000 euros o u$ 400.000), con lo cual estaría perdiendo u$ 1.600.000.

TEVEZ: BYE BYE MANCHESTER
TEVEZ PRENDIDO FUEGO EN MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER: TÉVEZ A LA BASURA
MANCHESTER CITY SUSPENDE A CARLOS TEVEZ 
FILIPPO, EL HIJO DE MANCINI SE NEGÓ A ENTRAR DESDE EL BANCO
TEVEZ EN CARICATURAS
TEVEZ MAXIMO GOLEADOR SUDAMERICANO DE LA PREMIER LEAGUE
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Lessons of a 1-6

A derby is not a normal game. A city or a region or even a country gets divided in two sides. Football gets more tribal than ever, it is you or the neighbor. The game crosses the usual lines of sport to become a social event, especially in the local derbies, where the rival neighbor lives next door. The fans of both teams get mixed in their work places, pubs or even in the same family in a more or less healthy banter. This is why yesterday was a terrible day to be a Manchester United fan. Manchester City, their eternal enemy, crushed them at home in a historical 1-6 and the Theater of Dreams was the one of nightmares... the worst nightmare.

This game was interesting to watch for several reasons. First of all, it was the derby of the city of Manchester and this is enough to know that we are talking about a different game. But this time we were in front the most attractive Manchester derby ever. Manchester City was the leader, two points ahead United, who played at home to assault the first position. We were talking about two giants. Manchester United has been the team of the Premiership in the last couple of decades. In this time, Alex Ferguson has built an empire and has written the most memorable era in the history of the club. On the other hand, Manchester City was (still is) a rising power. Since the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has the ownership of the club, he did not hesitate to spend whatever it takes to be the best team on Earth. They are still to prove that they can actually be the best, but things were working smoothly so far, since the team was leading the table of the Premier League with iron hand, not showing weaknesses in their football. All this mix made this game something really interesting.

Dzeko says six

What no one really expected was the 1-6 at the end of the match. Any victory (or defeat, it depends on your perspective) in a derby has a special effect. The winners get a dose of euphoria, while the losers get a painful slap in the face. But a beating of this kind crosses the usual lines, which are already exaggerated, of the usual feelings after a derby. This 1-6 will not be the result of one more derby, but a historical one, something that both sides will remember, each one in their own particular way. Alex Ferguson described the day as his "worst-ever day"... and Alex Ferguson is old enough to have lots of bad days, despite he has usually enjoyed more happy days. For the Manchester City fans, this result will be written in golden letters in their history, the chase of DVDs of the game has already started for sure and the years will pass and the City fans who watched this game will tell their children and grand-children about it: "The day we won 1-6 at Old Trafford".

Which kind of effect is supposed to have a 1-6? It is evident that this is the kind of result that has consequences. From the City point of view, it definitely is a turning point in their history. The petrol-money has given them the chance to build a super-team, but a collection of stars does not guarantee titles. In fact, they did not win a title yet, but this victory is so powerful, so noisy and so special that now they really have good reasons to believe that their dream is closer to be reality. It is evident that this result does not close the English league. There are lots of games to be played yet and the five point gap is not definitive. But something has changed. Until yesterday, Manchester City was one of the favorites to win the title. At this point, no one would hesistate to say that City is THE favorite to win the Premier League, not forgetting that the Champions League is a possibility too. This change is the minds of City fans and rivals is not irrelevant.

Balotelli, eccentric and brilliant

From the United point of view, this result is a shock. Manchester United is used to mistreat rivals, especially in recent times. During the last two decades, United is the owner of the Premier League and, even in the worst moments of this period, they have always been the reference, the rival to beat. But this time United was the mistreated team. When you are so used to win, a defeat is always painful... but this kind of beating is a torture. This result will have consequences. It does not matter how well United has been doing so far, this 1-6 sets a "before" and an "after". At this point, the United players, staff and fans will probably be wondering what has happened and how it actually happened. This result will mark the season of United or, at least, the following dates. This result will haunt them as a ghost during the entire year and it will not disappear. The following games will show us how Manchester United digested this terrible defeat. This digestion is a must, the result evidences a problem that requires solutions. It is impossible to know if the solutions are in hand or if they will have to be found at the end of the year. We are talking about the current winner of the competition and the runner-up of the Champions League.

In each case, the emotions must be focused in the right direction. The euphoria is dangerous for City. The title is not in hand, there are lots of games to be played, there are lots of moments of suffering to be suffered and, probably, lots of moments of joy to live too, but the league is only won when the maths say so. The 1-6 can only be good news, but Mancini's job is to put the team's feet on the ground. There are many precedents of failure celebrations.

Face-palm Rooney in the Theater of Nightmares

Depression is United's danger. The result is emotional, but Alex Ferguson must throw all the feelings to the garbage to build a bubble to isolate the team from the hostile environment. Emotions must turn into rationality. Nine matches have been played so far, so twenty-nine are yet to be played including one in City's home. United is only five point down, not an impossible distance to overcome in just a few weeks. And this is when history is a useful tool. Alex Ferguson and his boys must sit down, get calm and take a look to what they have done in recent years. It is not that we are talking about a veteran team without a future, but a collection of important players that are in their best age and their previous achievements are good and high enough to make a reference on the pride of the team. The 1-6 must be an accident, not a turning point, not the end of a cycle. As we said in a previous entry, if there is a word to define Alex Ferguson, that is competitiveness. Manchester United must use this game to learn. It is not time to regret, but time to compete, as their coach always did.

In one way or another, it has been the result of the weekend. A historical one in a year of historic results in the Premier League. This 1-6 is a result that has shocked the entire World, a memorable day for Manchester City and their fans, while the rest of the World look at them in a mix of envy, admiration and a certain dose of surprise. This result has made me turn my view to them. Until yesterday, a team that was a collection of individuals with an average coach, Roberto Mancini, and now a reference in Europe. Everyone will talk about them seriously now... but I also believe that, if there is a team and a coach that can actually turn a 1-6 into something positive that can only be Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson. We will see.

1-6, a historic result

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6

24.10.2011 - Las parcialidades de Manchester, unidas hace unos días bajo el unánime nombre de Carlos Tévez, volvieron a dividirse. Con goles de Balotelli (2), Aguero, Dzeko (2) y Silva, Manchester City humilló (1-6) al Manchester United en Old Trafford y se consolida en la punta de la Premier League. Los diablos rojos no recibían más de 5 goles en su estadio desde 1930 cuando el Huddersfield les ganó por 0-6 y el Newcastle por 4-7 en una misma semana.

"Fue el peor día de nuestra historia. Incluso como jugador, no creo que nunca perdiera por 1-6. No puedo creerme este marcador." (Alex Ferguson, Manchester United DT).

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Manchester: Tévez a la basura.

20.10.2011 - No satisfecha con la condena mediática a través de los diarios y portales y luego de ahorcar e incendiar su muñeco, la comunidad (entera) de Manchester, reunida entre las parcialidades del United y el City se ven aunadas (confabuladas) por la unánime razón: Tévez.

Quizá mirando el vídeo pueda denotarse la prolijidad de la (enésima) campaña en contra de Carlos Tévez. Acaso menos contra el jugador que contra la actitud de “rebeldía” o “resistencia a la autoridad” desmesuradamente denostada en un país conservador como Inglaterra.

Volvemos a marcar que la actitud de Tévez es muy difícil de defender. Si bien (a partir de sus deseos públicos de emigración) la dirigencia del club optó por castigarlo subrepticiamante (forrearlo), el Apache, como cualquier otro jugador de renombre, tiene distintas posibilidades (menú) como para aclarar los tantos.

No obstante, y volviendo al vídeo, no deja de asombrar cierta reiteración y acento en denostar la actitud de “rebeldía” (en este caso) personificada en Tévez. La edición de imágenes donde se suceden personajes urbanos comunes (ninguna autoridad de ningún tipo) pretendería marcar que la campaña viene de abajo hacia arriba (?).

Sin embargo, el gasto (y la organización) en la decoración de los camiones y “precisamente” la ausencia de voces y caras dirigenciales manifiesta todo lo contrario: en Inglaterra estos asuntos de provocar a la autoridad exceden por demás al mundo del fútbol.

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Steve Jobs en la Premier League

08.10.2011 - Murió Steve Jobs a los 56 años debido a un insalvable cáncer de páncreas. Fue el tema más tratado por los medios en estos días. Multitudes agradecen los iMac, iPad, iPhone e iPod Touch. Entre otros, Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) fue al punto (vía twitter): “Visionario. Creador. Empresario. Inventor. Revolucionario. #RIPSteveJobs, vaya hombre. El ipod+ipad son ahora objetos sin los que no dejo mi casa”.

Otros jugadores reconocidos también dieron el pésame mediático (twitter): Wesley Sneijder (Inter), “R.I.P. Steve Jobs”; Radamel Falcao (prendido en cuanta campaña marketinera existe), “Perdimos a un genio que impactó a nuestra generación. Steve Jobs” y también Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), que hizo referencia al memorable discurso del empresario (récord en You Tube), “Tu tiempo es limitado, de modo que no lo malgastes viviendo la vida de alguien distinto. No quedes atrapado en el dogma, que es vivir como otros piensan que deberías vivir. No dejes que los ruidos de las opiniones de los demás acallen tu propia voz interior.’ Steve Jobs 2005. Descansa en Paz”.

Pero nada tiene que ver Steve Jobs con el mundo del fútbol. No obstante, no hace más de un año, una encuesta realizada por la agencia Lewis PR y transmitida por el programa IT Survey (que suele testear la cultura general inglesa) arrojó que el 20% de los encuestados relaciona su nombre con el de un jugador de la Premier League.

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Fernando Torres bites the dust

Fernando Torres is the most expensive Spanish player ever. 58 million euros paid Chelsea FC for him. A price that definitely shows the prestige of the player at the moment of the signing for the club of London. Since always a precocious kid, the flag of the clubs he played in. However, nowadays, he is probably living the worst moment of his professional career in Chelsea and the Spanish NT. Target of the attacks of the English tabloids, relegated to a secondary role in the Spanish NT, Torres' career walks on a thin line in this moment.

Fernando Torres was a star before he was a professional. After the historical error of Raúl, who left Atlético Madrid to join the eternal rival after Jesús Gil closed several youth teams, Fernando Torres was considered the diamond of the Atlético academy. Being 15 years old, Fernando Torres led Atlético to the Nike Cup, an Under-15 tournament, in the year 1998. At this point, Fernando Torres could hardly imagine that he was the one to carry a big club like Atlético Madrid on his shoulders in the worst moments of the history of the colchoneros.

In 1999, he signed his first professional contract and, only one year later, only being 17, he joined the first team. At that moment, Atlético had been relegated to Segunda División. "One year in hell", said the slogan of the commercial to attract ticket-holders. Sadly for him, an injury kept him out of the pitch during a long part of the season, although he could make his debut at the end of the season, scoring his first official goal with Atlético Madrid. Still, the year in hell was extended one more year, since Atlético failed to return to Primera División.

In Segunda

But the turning point for him was the summer of 2001. Fernando Torres was called by the Spanish NT to play the U-16 Euro in England. Fernando Torres led Spain to the victory in this tournament, scoring the only goal of the final against France and being chosen the best player of the tournament. His childish face made him get the nickname that made him famous: El Niño (The Kid).

Back in Madrid, Atlético and the fans put all the faith on him. With only 4 games with the first team, Fernando Torres, a 17 year old kid, was given the responsibility to drive Atlético to Primera División. He was the new hero, the hope of the future Atleti. Luis Aragonés, the fan hero returned to the club and did not hesistate one second: Torres had to play. He ended up scoring 6 goals in 36 appearances, perhaps not a great record, but his movements and personality already impressed. Atlético won the Segunda División title and returned to Primera. That was not enough and, as he had done the previous summer, Fernando Torres was called by the U-19 Spanish team for the Euro. Spain won the title and history repeated itself: Torres scored the only goal of the final against Germany and was chosen the best player of the tournament.

No one had any doubts in the Manzanares: Fernando Torres was the man. Fernando Torres was 18 years old and made his debut in Primera División in the 2002/2003 season in the Camp Nou against FC Barcelona. Fernando Torres started to show his value scoring 13 goals in his first season, not an easy year for an Atlético that was adapting to the top division after the years in hell. Fernando Torres did not fail to those who put the faith on him.

Captain

The 2003/2004 was special for Fernando Torres. El Niño was given the captain armband. 19 years old and captain of one of the biggest clubs of the continent. This fact did not have any effect on him, he wore it with pride and ended up scoring 19 goals in Primera División, only surpassed by Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF) and Julio Baptista (Sevilla FC). All these great performances gave him the chance to play for the Spanish NT for the first time, called by Iñaki Sáez, a man that had always put the trust on El Niño in the youth categories of the national team. During the summer, Atlético had to reject several offers from big clubs of England to retain their home star and local hero.

During the following two years, Fernando Torres did not stop growing. Despite the instability of the club, he always was the reference of the team and the top scorer. At the same time, the Spanish NT started a new era.  After the failure of the Spanish NT in the Portuguese Euro 2004, Fernando Torres started to be constantly called by the Spanish NT. A young and new generation of players started to appear made their way towards the World Cup 2006 at Germany. Players like Torres himself, Cesc Fàbregas, Iker Casillas, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta or Xabi Alonso, all of them under-25, were there. The Spanish NT impressed by their good football during the group stage, but failed against the first important rival: France. Luis Aragonés claimed that Spain had enough talent, but these young players needed to learn to compete.


Fernando Torres did not stop growing and the offers from important clubs were bigger and bigger. Fernando Torres was a sensation in Europe and Atlético Madrid failed to surround him with good players. While El Niño kept performing in a superior level, the club failed to give him a squad to fight for titles. In the spring of 2007, there was an eloquent picture, Atlético Madrid got a historical 0-6 beating by Barcelona at the Vicente Calderón. Everyone knew that Fernando Torres' heart was broken, it was a non-return moment. Barcelona trashed the team of his heart and his life and the image was Fernando Torres, alone in the middle of the pitch, looking at an uncertain point of the horizon and then falling on his knees grabbing his head. He had to leave in order to grow... and all the atléticos understood why. He had served like a good soldier, but he was too big for an Atlético that also needed the money to build a stronger squad.

0-6

This is how Fernando Torres ended up signing for Liverpool, convinced by Rafa Benítez, in the summer of 2007 for 36 million euros. Liverpool FC is one of the biggest teams of England and Europe, and the reds had played the Champions League final in May, 2 years after their last continental title. Fernando Torres was the star that had to complete a winning squad. Fernando Torres had a fantastic season, he scored in his debut at Anfield against Chelsea. Fernando Torres broke his personal record, scoring 24 goals during the season. Liverpool did not win any title, but the future looked bright. El Niño was part of the team of the season of the Premier League and one of the nominees for the PFA Players' player of the year, the PFA Young player of the year and, for the first time, for the FIFA World Player Award. But, despite the great season, he did not know that his moment was yet to arrive.

It was in Austria, in 2008. Fernando Torres and David Villa had the task to make people forget the Spanish ever top-scorer, Raúl. Luis Aragonés "killed" the national and, especially, madridista hero and, against the opinion of the press, put all the faith in the young pair of strikers. The early polemics were left behind when the ball started to roll. David Villa was the main reference and top scorer, but no one had doubts that Fernando Torres was the perfect partner. It was the team that broke the Spanish curse of the quarter finals, beating Italy in the penalties. Destiny gave Torres all the responsibility of the attack of Spain. David Villa got injured in the early minutes of the semifinal and Luis Aragonés did not give him a striker. On the other hand, Torres had to fight against the World, escorted by a brilliant generation of midfielders (Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Silva and Senna).  In the final, some expressed their doubts on Torres, since he had only scored one goal in the entire tournament. Villa was out of the team and Spain's number 9 was Fernando Torres... and it was the night of his life. It was the 33rd minute of the first half, Xavi raised his head to make a long pass for Fernando Torres' run, not very precise, to the space, but Fernando Torres used his speed and skill to beat the German fullback in the run to kick the ball, with a subtle touch, over Lehmann's body. The goal of the night, the goal of the final, the goal of the tournament... the most important goal of the Spanish NT history since Marcelino's in 1964.

The goal of his life

Fernando Torres was a global star, a World class player. In the 2008/2009 season, Liverpool really went for it. Despite Torres could not repeat the figures of the previous year, his contribution was important once more. In the first games of the season, Torres kept his good goal record, but several muscular injuries in games with the Spanish NT broke his season. Liverpool fought for the title in a tight run with the eternal rival, Manchester United. It was near, but not possible. In the Champions League, the historical 4-0 against Real Madrid did not pass from the anecdote after being defeated by Chelsea in the quarter finals. Despite the club failures, Torres was chosen the 3rd best player of the year only behind Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Besides, The Times chose him among the best 50 players in Liverpool's history.

Rafa Benítez surprised everyone with a revolution that ended up punishing his team. Liverpool sold important players like Xabi Alonso, Hyppia, Sissoko, Robbie Keane or Arbeloa and the reinforcements did not match the level of the players who had left the team. Fernando Torres was the main reference and big star of the team, but the muscular injuries that started to punish him the previous season, kept following him. Torres was able to score 18 goals in 22 Premier League games, but the team failed in the domestic league (ending up 7th, out of the Champions League spots) and out of the Champions League in the group stages. From a personal point of view, Torres' season was perfect until an injury punished him in the second half of the season. His team noticed his absence and, ironically, he missed the chance to help his team to face Atlético in the semifinals of the Europa League. The team of his life beated his Liverpool to get a ticket to a historical final for the atléticos, who won their first title since El Doblete of 1996.

But the injuries made the alarms ring. Fernando Torres' recovery was slow and the World Cup was in the horizon. The specific work helped him to reach the tournament of South Africa, where Spain was one of the main favorites to win the title. Despite his bad preparation, Del Bosque did not hesitate and Torres was in the initial lineup of the Spanish NT, but his bad performances and the lack of goals raised the doubts about him. Torres lost his position in favor of the blaugrana Pedro in the semifinals against Germany. For the first time in a long time, Torres was sent to a secondary role in the key moment of the competition. The historical victory of the Spanish NT hide the personal problems of Torres, who started to lose the favor of Del Bosque. Still, Fernando Torres was there in the highest moment of glory of the Spanish football. Five minutes before the end of the World Cup final, Navas connected with Iniesta and Cesc in midfield, the Sevilla player saw how Torres opened the field and gave him the ball. Fernando Torres was the one who took the decision to risk the ball looking for the winning goal. El Niño raised his head and looked for Iniesta, who was out of mark, the pass was too short, but created the chaos in the defense of Netherlands. Cesc took the lost ball and made a soft pass to the space where Iniesta appeared and prepared the ball to kick it with the heart of the whole country. Torres had reached the top and his teammate Pepe Reina, in the celebration of the World Cup title, said about him: "Everything started 2 years and 13 days ago, scoring the goal against Germany, he made us dream, he made us believe in it and this is why we just won this cup... Fernando Torres!".

He touched the top, but his hell started there too. Rafa Benítez, his protector at Liverpool, had left the club and, even though Roy Hodgson tried to convince him to stay, Torres thought that his stage at Liverpool was over too. He had left Atlético to triumph and he saw himself in the same vicious circle he had been in his last years with the club of his life. In the Winter of 2011, Chelsea completed the most expensive transfer involving a Spanish player. What it was a step forward for Torres became a nightmare in very few weeks. The biggest hope of Chelsea turned to be a failure. Torres never was comfortable with his team and only completed one goal in 17 games and he became a favorite of the English tabloids, who had no mercy with him.

The new season has just begun, but Fernando Torres keeps living the worst moment of his career. The lack of goals are punishing him, despite the new coach Villas-Boas clearly bets on him. However, his references about his teammates, calling them "too slow" earned him some enemies and some suggested a possible transfer. Besides, in the first games of the Spanish NT this season, Del Bosque who had been roaming the idea since the World Cup, left him in the standings, while Negredo took advantage of his chance to convince the coach with his goals. This weekend, Fernando Torres scored the only goal of Chelsea in the visit to Old Trafford, where the blues lost 3-1. It probably was the best game of Torres in a long time, but everyone will recall his huge error in front of the empty net in the last minutes of the game.

Fernando Torres is 27 years old. Since 10 years ago, he has hold important teams on his shoulders and it never was easy since his good personal performances were never backed by a winning squad, aside the international titles. El Niño looks sad and down, everything conspires against him... even himself and his words to the press. He feels in a hole, Chelsea has become a hostile place and the Spanish NT starts to make their way without him with an Euro in the horizon. But we are talking about Fernando Torres, the kid who was the captain of Atlético Madrid being 19, the man who made Liverpool dream in the Premier League for the first time in a long time, the striker who scored a goal that showed Spain the way to the victory. Fernando Torres has touched the bottom and has bitten the dust.

Touching the bottom

This is a key moment of his career. His first real chance in a club that can actually win titles. The maturity of his football. Maybe the chance of his life in the club level, never forgetting the challenge of the Spanish NT, where he just lost his place. Now that he knows the loneliness and darkness of the hole, it is his time to prove what Fernando Torres really is. This season will be all or none for the kid that once left Fuenlabrada, a town near Madrid, to be a goalkeeper in a school team and ended up scoring the goal that made Spain be a winner team. This is his challenge: to convince all the ones who doubt about him... like me. But let me tell you, Fernando Torres always had the ability to close the mouth of those who ever had doubts about... like mine.

The Premier League 2011/2012 season by the fans

There is no need to say that the English Premier League is the most important, prestigious and popular league of the World in this moment. The Premier League enjoys some of the richest clubs of the World and, as a consequence, the level of competitiveness is huge. If there is an unpredictable league at this point, it has to be the Premier League.

Manchester United defends the title. Sir Alex Ferguson extended his already huge collection of titles with another title last year. It was the last year of legendary players like Edwin Van der Sar, Phil Neville and, especially, Paul Scholes, being all of them part of the history of the Red Devils. Now they added important players like Phil Jones, David De Gea or Ashley Young to an already poweful team. Chelsea FC has been and will probably be the main rival of the Mancunians. The club of London starts a new project based on the signing of the young but prestigious Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas. The core of the team is practically the same of the veteran team that ended up being the runner-up in the previous season, along with young players like the star signings Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku, among other young additions that set the base of the future Chelsea. The rising power can only be Manchester City, who will definitely present a super-team to fight for every single title they are in. Another summer and Manchester City did not hesitate to keep spending their infinite budget and signed Kun Agüero in one of the most important transfers of the season. There are no excuses for the team of Roberto Mancini.

Aside the 3 main favorites on paper, it is impossible to forget Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. The departure of their leader and captain Cesc Fàbregas and the possible exit of Samir Nasri makes the challenge more difficult than ever. Aside the usual arrival of young players to reinforce the squad, Arsenal can still make their last movements before the end of August. The collection of important favorites is closed by Liverpool FC. The club of Anfield want to finish the transition from the Rafa Benítez era to become a power again. Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, José Enrique and Stewart Downing join Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll in this new project led by the legend Kenny Daglish.

In order to help us analyze the new season, we count on the help of several members of the prestigious xtratime.org forum who will give us their opinion:

What do you expect from your club for the Premier League season that started a few weeks ago?

Gabriel "Vidic15" (Manchester United FC) - Judging by the first 3 games I can expect youth, pace, one touch football of the highest order and some. The transition to the last Fergie team is in its final stages and it really is exciting to watch. He is a remarkable man. There will be tough times, no doubt. Especially for the new goalkeeper De Gea, impossible to expect a 20 year old lad who is still developing to fit in seamlessly into a club like United and English football. Doesn't even speak English yet but he should be ok long term. Think it was positive for him to make a mistake or two in games the team still ended up winning.

Think the 0-2 to 3-2 turnaround vs Man City will sum up our season. We've got great depth in every position other than central midfield and the best manager in the business. It says it all that these young players have already been part of a trophy success by coming back from a difficult position. A new generation of last minute winning games, winning games you don't deserve to win etc

It's extraordinary really, Ferguson is into his 25th year of doing this. Best manager ever.

CityBlue (Manchester City FC) - With the talent we have brought to our club, I expect us to win the title, there are no excuses.

Alec Cobas (Chelsea FC) -  Enter the Champions League. Nothing more.

Zhuge Liang (Arsenal FC) - Actually I don’t really have high expectation of how far Arsenal can go this season. After the departure of our two most important players, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Wenger have two big tasks in front of him : First, to qualify for CL group stage, which is successful. Second, to reorganize and reinforce his team to add depth and quality that lost. The later one looks easy, but in reality Arsenal always keep their transfer expense low no matter what. Right now, the area that urgently needs strengthening is our defensive area, especially the left flank since both our main LB and his back-up are still young players and one is currently injured. So far we have filled Nasri’s usual role with Gervinho, who is natural wing attacker and it turns out good. For Cesc, I think for time being , it’ll be rotated between Ramsey and Rosicky, while Wilshere still plays his usual 'Iniesta' role in current formation.

So I think the best Arsenal can achieve for this new season is 4th position. It’s the most realistic target considering our team state and our injury records.If we lucky maybe we can try to get a shot at Carling Cup or FA Cup again, we got quite promising youngsters to play there.

Ryfa (Liverpool FC) - As a Liverpool fan, my minimum expectations for this season is finishing within the top 4. It will be difficult as we'll be challenging Arsenal and Spurs for that position but we've spent a decent amount of money in the transfer window, buying the likes of Enrique, Downing Henderson and Adam. Not world class players but they all fill a hole in the squad. Liverpool have needed a reliable leftback and decent winger for years and finally we've got them. I expect them all (except Henderson) to make a mark this season. With Dalglish as our manager, who has shown some excellent tactical nous, his great man management skills and the excellent Luis Suarez, Liverpool should have enough to consolidate 4th spot.

Would also like/expect Liverpool to win a domestic cup. It will be 6 years without a trophy for Liverpool if we don't and i believe that will be the longest we've gone without winning one for over 40 years. Liverpool have no European football which will be an advantage over the other top 5 clubs, and we also have pretty big squad to utilise so can't see why winning a trophy isn't possible.

Who do you consider is the main favorite to win the title?

Gabriel "Vidic15" (Manchester United FC) - United for the league. Flawless home record for many years now which has been the bedrock of all their title challenges, as proven by last season when we were horrific away from home but were saved by 18 wins at home out of 19. We surely won't be that bad again away and I expect us to keep up a similar home record so that is pushing the 90 point barrier which will be enough to win the league this season.

Chelsea and City to follow behind United, in no particular order. Have to admit Chelsea will go serioulsy close if they do land Modric, the best central midfielder in Europe outside of the Barca bunch. Fantastic talent.

Alec Cobas (Chelsea FC) -Manchester United

CityBlue (Manchester City FC) - The main favorites for the title I think are Man City and Chelsea (if they buy Modric, if not than Man Utd.).

Zhuge Liang (Arsenal FC) - Manchester United. It’s simply because they have the biggest mentality to win things. The morale is sky high and their players have very good link and understanding to each others which is important.

Ryfa (Liverpool FC) - Manchester City, are my outright favourites. Great squad with no obvious weaknesses and they've finally got a winning mentality which is the most important thing. Mancini is often accused of being negative but City have played some great attacking football in the two games played so far. Remains to be seen if this is just fluke.

Manchester United will also be up there who you can never right them off, especially with Ferguson as manager.

Among the favorites, who do you consider is going to struggle or fail?

Gabriel "Vidic15" (Manchester United FC) - Arsenal aren't really favourites anymore but my god what a mess they are. And it's all Wenger's fault.

He has known for months that both Cesc and Nasri were adamant they would leave, yet he kept ignoring the situation until the start of the season leaving Arsenal in serious disarray as they get more and more injuries.... If he had just sold the players when they made it clear they wanted to leave they would have had plenty of time to sign new players and no doubt be more prepared for this injury crisis they are suffering.

The Cesc and Nasri stubborness also led to them missing out on a cut price Mata who would have been a excellent Nasri replacement. He now will ply his trade just a short train ride away over in West London instead. Classic Wenger.

He should be sacked. Crazy that it's come to that, but that is how much he has regressed.

Alec Cobas (Chelsea FC) - Chelsea and Arsenal. I don't consider Liverpool as favorites.

CityBlue (Manchester City FC) - I think United is going to fail because they still haven't bought a proper playmaker, the luck from last year is going to run out.

Zhuge Liang (Arsenal FC) - I think all top clubs in Premiership try their best to improve themselves. For Arsenal, I don’t think we are title contender this season. We don’t have enough depth or quality to go all the way going through all the competitions. I think the title race will be between Man Utd and Chelsea again with Man City comes close.

Ryfa (Liverpool FC) - Chelsea over the past few years have been constant challengers for the title. Provided that their current squad remains as it is and Fernando Torres continues to struggle, i feel they willll struggle to match City and Utd's quality. Lampard is aging and if he's not chipping in with the goals from midfield, there is no one that can fill in for him. They are however linked to Modric and Mata and if they pull of those two transfers, it will be a three way battle for the title.

I'd normally mention Arsenal amongst the title favourites but i think currently they're in a hole so deep that even with a few new buys, they won't be capable of challenging for the title. Their lack of a winning mentality plus the need for the squad to gel in Cesc's departure means that they will need time to get back to the highest level.

About the European competitions, who is your favorite to win the UEFA Champions League?

Gabriel "Vidic15" (Manchester United FC) - Barcelona. Not much else to say really. Just to confirm further they are an era defining team by being the first team to retain the CL since that amazing AC Milan team of 20 odd years ago.

Alec Cobas (Chelsea FC) - Barcelona

CityBlue (Manchester City FC) - Barcelona will be big favorite for CL, but i can see City maybe challenging them?

Zhuge Liang (Arsenal FC) - Other than Barcelona, I see no other club has good chance winning it. It will be either Man Utd or Real Madrid as Barcelona’s opponent in this season CL final.

Ryfa (Liverpool FC) - Three favourites in my opinion, Barca, Real Madrid and City with Barca having the edge.

No team since the CL began has retained the CL so history doesn't favour Barca here but then again this is a legendary Barca team, and if any team can retain the CL it will be Barca.

Real Madrid with Mourinho at the helm will always be a massive threat. He's the man that can get under the skin of Barca (the ultimate favourites for the competition) and has done so in the past. He has a quality team under him, one that will have another year to gel, improve, become even more Mourinho-nised. Ultimately though, the only team capable of stopping Real Madrid is Barca. Somehow avoid Barca during the CL and they can win the CL.

Manchester City are the wildcard. They've never played in the CL, they've got Mancini as a manager who got sacked by Inter for not succeeding in the CL so really not much should be expected of them. But it also can't be ignored they've got a pretty brilliant squad. Quality GK, solid defence (not world class though), strong midfield and a harem of world class strikers. On paper, they're strong enough to challenge for the CL. In reality though, they have too much going against them.

And your favorites for La Liga and the Serie A?

Gabriel "Vidic15" (Manchester United FC) - Barcelona are clear favourites for the Primera, the best team in the world have added Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, both are hard working, explosive youngsters who will add much quality to your first XI and squad. Madrid seriously missed out on Aguero and also failed to strengthen what I consider a seriously average defense (Pepe, Ramos).

Oh and Mourinho is a complete arsehole by the way.

Don't watch Serie A as much as I used to but Inter's decline since winning the CL is something I couldn't avoid. Eto'o gone, Sneijder likely to go, Maicon, Lucio and Samuel all declining/legs going.

All the top teams look poor there at the moment, says a lot when the serie a winners Ac Milan get beaten with such comfort by the 5th placed team in England Spurs in the cl last season.

Gonna tip Roma off purely for their new project with Luis Enrique. They've bought well this summer(Lamela, Osvaldo, Stekelenburg, Bojan etc) No reason why they can't win the scudetto, even for a casual watcher like me it's pretty clear there is no stand out team at the moment and the league is only now gonna really the pain of the Calciopoli. Though if other clubs get foreign investment like Roma, that'll change quickly.

Alec Cobas (Chelsea FC) - Barcelona and Milan

CityBlue (Manchester City FC) - In La Liga, Barça is going to be champions, and in Seria A, I would say AC Milan.

Zhuge Liang (Arsenal FC) - I think Barcelona still has too much quality to continue their domination in La Liga. However, Mourinho will try his best to fix his record in La Liga for sure. As much as I hate him, I have to admit Mourinho is borned a winner. He will try his best to find a way to defeat Barcelona. Real Madrid didn’t sign any well-known big star player this season. But I see he has made some positive adjustments like making Benzema his primary striker. The only concerns for Barcelona is their backline in case there’s injury. Mascherano seems to be more active as defensive back-up rather than his natural position.

For Serie A, I think Milan still has biggest chance to win the title followed closely by Inter.

Ryfa (Liverpool FC) - There are only ever two favourites for La Liga, Barca and Real Madrid.

Barca will naturally be favourites although it must be said Real Madrid are now closing the gap. I expect Real Madrid to actually put a challenge in and make the title race last until May. Barca will ultimately win though.

Malaga have spent a quite a bit this summer, but they're still a while off from challenging. Atletico, are Atletico. Valencia, no chance now they've sold Mata.

Serie A, I admit to not really watching much of or even keeping up with the latest news from that league. Milan won it last season, Inter for the last half a decade have been challenging and winning the league, so i'll just sit on the fence and say it will be between the two of them.

All these interviews were done during last week (before the games of this weekend). I would like to thank them for their contribution and I hope to see them here more times in the future.

Bobby Charlton bailando.

17.08.2011 - Leyenda viva del Manchester United y caballero del imperio británico, (Sir) Bobby Charlton baila al ritmo de Beyoncé junto a Michael Vaughan (jugador de cricket) en el marco de un acto benéfico en la ciudad de Manchester.

Visto en Bardeportes

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El debut de Aguero en Manchester City.

15.08.2011 - Finalmente, después de dudas y reuniones, se largó la Premier League, goleó (4-0) el Manchester City (en el Ethiad Stadium vs Swanseay) y debutó el Kun Aguero.

Entró en el minuto 57 (por DeJong) y a los 10 minutos hizo el primero (2-0). Tres minutos después asistió a David Silva para el 3-0 (´70). Y antes de irse a las duchas (90+2) embocó su bombazo (4-0).

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La Premier League en duda.

11.08.2011 - Hoy está prevista una reunión de la FA para decidir si se juegan (o no) los partidos programados para este fin de semana en Inglaterra.

A la suspensión del amistoso entre Inglaterra y Holanda (que iba a jugarse en Wembley) ya se sumaron las cancelaciones de cuatro encuentros de la Carling Cup y se estudian más.

Mientras Bernie Ecclestone, propietario del Queens Park Rangers, defiende la continuidad del fútbol "(Posponer los partidos) enviaría un mensaje terrible al resto del mundo"), los disturbios se siguen diversificando por Inglaterra y ya llegaron a Manchester.

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Wayne Rooney: "Fuck off".

03.04.2011 - Dos penales (convertidos por Mark Noble ´11 y ´25) le daban la victoria a West Ham (2-0) sobre Manchester United… hasta que apareció Rooney.

Su hat trick (´65 ´73 y ´79 penal) puso al United 2-3 y su cara (en primer plano) frente a las cámaras. Allí (furioso) espetó un "Fuck off!, what? Fuck off!"

"Quiero pedir perdón si he ofendido con la celebración de mi gol, especialmente a los padres y a los niños que estaban viendo el partido. Había mucha emoción. No me dirigía a nadie en particular", explicó Rooney después de enterarse de que la “correcta” Federación inglesa estudia una sanción.

WEST HAM 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 (GOLES)
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La pierna de Nanni después de Carragher.

06.03.2011 - Liverpool venció (3-1) a Manchester United y, mientras tanto, Carragher (L) atendía así a Nanni (MU).

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Premier League: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1.

06.03.2011 - Con un hattrick de Dirk Kuyt y un excelente partido del uruguayo Luis Suárez, Liverpool venció al puntero Manchester United (3-1) (Hernández) en Anfield Road y anima la Premier League.

El United suma 60 puntos (29 partidos), Arsenal lo sigue con 57 (28 partidos)y Manchester City aparece tercero con 53 (29 partidos).

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El gol de chilena de Wayne Rooney.

12.02.2011 - Fue victoria (2-1) del Manchester United sobre el City (27º jornada de Premier League). Abrió el marcador Nani (MU ´41), empató David Silva (MC) y cuando mejor jugaba el City, llegó esta genialidad de Rooney para ganar el partido.  Manchester United llegó a los 57 puntos y le sacó 8 de ventaja al City, que marcha tercero.


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Tévez hat trick.

05.02.2011 - Carlos Tévez celebró sus 27 años anotando los tres goles con que Manchester City venció (3-0) a West Bromwich Albion en la Premier League.

Carlitos pegó un remate en el poste a los tres minutos pero a los 16 se dio el gusto de abrir el marcador de penal, por infracción de Steven Reid sobre Aleksandar Kolarov, cinco minutos después aumentó a dos tras una combinación de pases con su compañero David Silva y después que Kolarov estrelló una pelota en el travesaño, completó su trío de goles a los 35 minutos con otro penal por mano de Jerome Thomas para llegar a 20 goles en la tabla de goleadores.

El líder, Manchester United, perdió hoy por primera vez en el torneo (2-1)  frente al último, el Wolverhampton, que se repuso, incluso, al temprano gol del portugués Nani (m.3) y el Arsenal, (segundo) que ganaba 0-4 al Newcastle terminó empatando 4-4.

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Jugadores ingleses siguen evadiendo impuestos.

16.01.2011 - El reciente fallecimiento de María Elena Walsh (81) reflotó, a manera de reconocimiento, las notas y reportajes menos antiguos a los que la escritora accedió antes de recluirse en su enfermedad. En uno de tantos (2008), ella sostuvo que “soy muy pudorosa, muy inglesa…” en referencia a los asuntos de su vida privada.

A esa cáscara de fragancia inglesa que implica pudor, corrección, puntualidad y caballerosidad en inversión al real espíritu británico, nos referimos en esta nota desprendida del Sunday Times, que publica sobre la evasión fiscal de jugadores de la Liga inglesa.

Entre otros, el golpeado Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd. € 690.000 en dos años), Gareth Barry (Manchester City € 155.000 en dos años), Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand y Michael Owen evaden al fisco en complicidad con sus clubes mediante un sistema que les permite pagar un mínimo porcentaje de algunos de sus ingresos.

El porcentaje pagado por algunos ingresos que reciben fue, en algunos casos, del 2%  (algo menos del correspondiente 50%). La firma de dos contratos diferenciados con sus clubes, uno como deportista que recibe un salario y otro por "derechos de imagen" (ingresos procedentes de la venta de camisetas con su nombre) es la raíz de la ingeniería evasora. Los ingresos por "derechos de imagen" se depositan en una compañía de propiedad del jugador sujeta a un impuesto corporativo del 28%.

Un verdadero atentado contra la honorabilidad inglesa que tanta tinta costó a su construcción.

SOBRE LOS DERECHOS DE IMAGEN DEL FUTBOLISTA

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Manchester City 4 Wolverhampton 3: Tévez x 2.

15.01.2011 - Dos de Yaya Toure y dos de Carlos Tévez para la victoria del Manchester City (4-3) sobre el Wolverhampton en uno de los adelantos de la fecha 23ª de la Premier League.

A los 49´, después de apilar a 4 rivales y a los 66´ de cabeza (era el 4-1) el Apache sumó dos goles más a su cuenta personal que lo ponen, junto al búlagro Dimitar Bervatov (Manchester United), al tope de la tabla de goleadores de la Liga (14 goles).

Manchester City queda (provisoriamente) puntero con 45 puntos, uno más que el United que tiene tres partidos menos.

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Volvió Carlos Tévez.

27.12.2010 - Si bien la credibilidad discursiva de Carlitos Tévez está en picada, su fútbol puede hablar por él sin "very difficult".

Después de sus entredichos con el técnico Roberto Mancini y de una novela que fue creciendo en personajes y partenaires, el Apache, que había amagado con irse de Manchester, volvió al ruedo futbolístico (que mejor le queda) para hacer un doblete y asisitir a Gareth Barry en el 1-3 del Manchester City visitando a Newcastle en el abominable Boxing Day inglés (19º fecha Premier League).

El conflicto de Tévez con el club encontró “solución de continuidad” el pasado lunes 20 de diciembre, cuando un comunicado oficial lo anunció públicamente. Entonces la derrota ante Everton (que imposibilitó puntear la Premier al City) y su pálida actuación dejaron sensaciones en la afición.

Ayer Carlitos se recompuso y volvió a su nivel conocido para llegar a 12 goles en la tabla de goleadores (a 1 de Berbatov) y poner al City a dos puntos del United.

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La nieve paraliza la Premier League.

18.12.2010 - La intensa nevada que cae sobre Europa provoca muertes más severas interrupciones en el tráfico aéreo y terrestre. Inglaterra, Alemania, Francia, Holanda y Dinamarca demoran y cancelan vuelos. Los trenes sufren grandes retrasos y en algunos lugares no pueden circular los autos.

Los dos principales aeropuertos de la ciudad de Londres (Heathrow y Gatwick), cierran pistas este fin de semana (navideño) y London City, Exeter, Cardiff y Aberdeen suspenden actividades.

Como el año pasado (foto 1), el frío y la nieve colapsan Inglaterra. Cientos de automovilistas pasaron buena parte de la noche encerrados en sus autos sobre la ruta M6 (zona del gran Manchester) como consecuencia del accidente de un camión, que se quedó cruzado.

La Policía advierte a los ciudadanos que no viajen a ninguna parte a menos que sea absolutamente necesario.

La suspensión del fútbol es inevitable, al menos por este fin de semana. La Premier League anuncia que pospone cinco partidos de la 18º jornada. Chelsea–Manchester Utd. (en Stamford Bridge), Arsenal-Stoke City, Birmingham-Newcastle, Wigan-Aston Villa y Liverpool-Fulham, son reprogramados.

Si bien los campos de juego se mantienen en condiciones (calefacción bajo césped), los diez centímetros de nieve caída sobre Inglaterra produce riesgos de movilización, salud y seguridad tanto en las rutas como en los alrededores de los estadios.

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Tévez en problemas.

12.12.2010 - No es la primera vez. A sus (varias) declaraciones de "cansado" e intenciones de "dejar el fútbol" más discusiones con su entrenador, Roberto Mancini, la web oficial del Manchester City suma su confirmación:

"Es con decepción que confirmemos a nuestros seguidores que Carlos Tévez ha presentado una solicitud de transferencia por escrito. El Club también puede confirmar que la solicitud ha sido rechazada.

Roberto Mancini, y todos en el club han mostrado, y siguen mostrando, la sensibilidad a las circunstancias personales de Carlos, incluida la cuestión de su familia vive en el extranjero. De hecho después de su suspensión como resultado del partido contra el Bolton, Carlos pidió, y recibió, dispensa especial por el Administrador de tomar vacaciones en el extranjero.

Es significativo que en los últimos meses, el Club también ha recibido numerosas peticiones de representante de Carlos de renegociar y mejorar su contrato de juego, así como, más recientemente, una solicitud de prórroga de dicho contrato por un año más.

Sin embargo, en consonancia con la política del club de no negociar los contratos de jugar a mitad de temporada no ha sido concedida. El actual contrato de Carlos es de cinco años, tiene tres años y medio para vencer y es el jugador mejor pagado en el Manchester City Football Club.

La puerta sigue abierta para Carlos de ser seleccionado para jugar."

Carlitos, uno de los diez jugadores mejores pagos del mundo, se separó hace unos meses y no sobrelleva la distancia de (sus hijas) Florencia y Katia.

“Extraño a mi familia como cualquier otra persona en el mundo, pero estoy feliz aquí en Manchester”, le dijo el Apache al Daily Mail.  "No es fácil pensar todo el día en jugar, teniendo a mis hijas tan lejos. Llevo varios meses sin poder ver a mis hijas. Se hace difícil. No es fácil para uno estar todo el día pendiente del fútbol.”

RELACIONADO: TEVEZ MAXIMO GOLEADOR SUDAMERICANO DE LA PREMIER LEAGUE

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