Computer giant Microsoft has confirmed that it is in talks with Real Madrid over acquiring the naming rights for the Santiago Bernabeu.

The American computer company were first reported to be in preliminary talks with Los Blancos last month to sponsor the planned renovation of their stadium.

And the head of Microsoft’s Spanish division confirm that rumoured talks were underway.



However, Maria Gahan, head of Microsoft Spain, has now revealed that Madrid are keen to sell the naming rights for their home ground to the highest bidder.

"They have offered us, and other companies, the possibility of renaming the stadium,” she told Antena 3.

“We’re in talks, and that sums up where we are."

Emirates Airlines are also rumoured to be in negotiations with Real Madrid over naming rights for the Bernabeu.

SOURCE: http://futbolgist.com/2013/11/06/microsoft-santiago-bernabeu-microsoft-in-talks-with-madrid-over-stadium-naming-rights/

A collector’s item from John Obi Mikel helped Chelsea end a week of frustration by beating Fulham in the west London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel’s first Premier League goal combined with a scrappy Oscar effort saw the Blues take the three points from a tepid encounter.

All the talk pre-match was about Juan Mata, who was omitted from the squad amid criticism from Jose Mourinho, and the Spaniard’s creative talents were missed early on.

Chelsea entered the match without a victory in their last four matches in all competitions, and could have trailed in the early stages when Fulham striker Darren Bent was presented with a terrific chance.

Mourinho left out Mata and David Luiz, both of whom sat behind the bench having failed to satisfy their manager's tactical demands.

In the first half, it looked like Chelsea could have done with them, Mata for his guile and Luiz for his ability to play a defence-splitting pass.

Four changes were made following Wednesday's shock Champions League Group E loss to Basle, with John Terry, Mikel, Ramires and Andre Schurrle brought in.

Mikel Obi justified the coach's decision by playing brilliantly and capping it up with a goal.

It took Mikel 185 premier league games and seven years to get that goal and what a finish.



Mikel's previous goals were in successive FA Cup rounds in January 2007 against Macclesfield and Nottingham Forest and in the remaining minutes Mikel was urged to shoot by the Stamford Bridge faithful, even when in his more customary position protecting the back four.



http://futbolgist.com/2013/09/21/chelsea-2-fulham-0-mikel-obi-scores-his-first-ever-premier-league-goal/

Chelsea back to winning ways and Mikel contributed to that.

The Nigerian international Victor Moses has completed his loan move to Liverpool FC. Moses will spend the duration of the 2013-14 season at Anfield after passing a medical at Melwood on Monday.

After completing the move, Moses told Liverpoolfc.com: "First and foremost, I'm delighted to have made the loan from Chelsea to a big club like Liverpool.

"The most important thing is for me to be professional about it and I'm here to do a job for the club.

"The target is to get into the top four and for the club to compete in the Champions League - and I'm delighted to be here.

"The manager has done very well and the formation and players here will help me and I just want to gel in, get to know the players and play with them.

"There are a lot of quality players here - they're winning games and creating chances. It's a massive thing for me to be here."

Moses joined the London outfit in the summer of 2012 and made 42 appearances, scoring 10 goals, as Chelsea were crowned Europa League champions last season.

The 22-year-old is the Reds' eighth signing of the summer and the third deal to be concluded today, following the earlier announcements of defenders Tiago Ilori and Mamadou Sakho.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/09/02/victor-moses-completes-liverpool-loan-switch/

JOHN Terry ’ s dad was forced to represent himself in court over an alleged racist attack after claiming: “ I can ’ t afford a lawyer. ”

Ted Terry, whose mega-rich former England captain son rakes in £150,000-a-week at Chelsea couldn’t afford the £340 fee for a lawyer

Ted Terry stands accused of racially aggravated common assault near London’s Fenchurch Street station in March.

Chelsea defender John currently lives in a £10million Surrey mansion, and he himself was cleared of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in a match against QPR last July.

According to The Sun, Ted Terry spoke to police in the public gallery, saying: ‘I can’t afford a lawyer. It cost me £300 on Tuesday and they want to charge £340 today.’

The builder, who appeared in court in a polo shirt and khaki shorts, is alleged to have headbutted Amarjit Talafair.

City of London magistrates have said that he will face an Old Bailey trial along with two other men.
The 59-year-old admitted common assault last month, but denies it was racially aggravated.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/08/12/john-terry-earns-150000-a-week-but-dad-cant-afford-a-lawyer-in-court/

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has called time on his playing career.

The Frenchman took to his Twitter account on the occasion of his 35th birthday to announce the news.

Saha tweeted: Want to thks all managers,all staffs,all teammates,all opponents,all fans,for all support and love towards me during my football career.

I'm a proud man but without you all I won't be myself now. Thx for the challenges thx for the help thx for the memories thx for the passion.

I will stop to be call a professionnel footballer and wish many young talent to enjoy as much as me my football. Love you and thx again.

Saha began his professional career at French club Metz in 1997, moving to the Premier League in 1999 in a loan deal at Newcastle.

The following year Fulham snapped him up for £2.1million, and it was at Craven Cottage where Saha earned a reputation as an explosive and pacy attacker, netting 64 times in 144 games.

Manchester United came calling in January 2004 – to the tune of £12.8m – and while Saha was mainly a squad player in four-and-a-half years at Old Trafford he still chipped in with 42 goals in 124 appearances.


After United, he played for Everton, Tottenham, Sunderland and, finally, Lazio, at the end of last season.

He won 20 caps for France, scoring four times.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/08/08/former-manchester-united-striker-louis-saha-retires/

nerodenero: What he needs is playing time and if Liverpool will give him the opportunity to actualising playing time, I think he should go.

After passing a medical examination with flying colors, it is now done and dusted that Nigeria international Kenneth Omeruo will be on the books of Europa League champions Chelsea in the 2013-2014 season.

Liverpool are showing interest in taking young Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo on loan. Swansea and West Bromwich Albion have also expressed an interest in the Nigeria international.

Omeruo, 19, has been granted a five year work permit by the Home Office but Chelsea want to loan him out so he can develop. The Nigeria centre-back can also play right-back.

Chelsea had farmed out the 19 - year - old central defender to Dutch club ADO Den Haag to gain regular first team action.

'Kenneth Omeruo is delighted with his return to Chelsea. The main squad is in the United States.

'For now, he has to train with the Under 21 team until they get back. And he took part in training on Saturday morning.



Kenneth Omeruo has been handed the number 51 jersey by the Londoners.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/08/05/liverpool-hoping-to-bring-in-chelsea-defender-omeruo-on-loan/

Manchester City take on Bayern Munich in the final of the Audi Cup at the Allianz Arena and you can follow all the action right here.

After beating AC Milan 5-3 in an entertaining semi-final, which saw all eight goals scored in a frantic first half, Manuel Pellegrini's side take on the hosts and European champions in the final, Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich.

Bayern were as efficient as ever in seeing off Brazilian side Sao Paulo 2-0 in their semi-final on Wednesday and will provide City with a stern test in the latest of their pre-season fixtures.

Watch live here: http://futbolgist.com/2013/08/01/audi-cup-2013-bayern-munich-vs-manchester-city-live/

Ecuador international Christian Benitez passed away on Monday age 27, his club El Jaish have confirmed.

The former Birmingham, Santos Laguna and Club America striker, nicknamed Chucho, who just completed a move to the Qatari outfit from Club America passed away before making his debut, though there are conflicting reports as to how he died.

El Jaish released a statement confirming the news. It said: 'The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player.

'Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday's match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.

'His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character.'



Ecuadorian team-mate Antonio Valencia of Manchester United expressed his condolences having been informed of Benitez's death.

"You'll always be my brother. This pain is hard, my brother, but we love you," the winger, who also played alongside the 27-year-old at El Nacional, posted on Twitter.

Cleber Chala, another former team-mate of Benitez's at El Nacional, tweeted: "You will live in our hearts forever, Chucho."

The ex-Santos Laguna and Birmingham City forward appeared 58 times for Ecuador during his career, scoring 24 goals.

The Doha-based club are yet to confirm the cause of Benitez's death.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/07/29/former-birmingham-striker-dies-at-27/

With the on-going Luis Suarez saga and the much rumoured second bid of £40m which enables the gunners to begin talks with player, I ask will this signing suddenly make Arsenal a title contender?

The troubled but talented striker will definitely bring some bite to Arsenal’s front-line.

Suarez is an elite player in Europe who will make any club better. We’ve seen his contributions to Liverpool in recent seasons, as well as what he offered to a near-lifeless Uruguay at the Olympics last summer. Real Madrid’s public interest in the player wasn’t simply because he represents a marquee signing – Suarez is very much known to back up his lofty status as a footballer.

Stylistically, Suarez is an ideal fit at Arsenal with their playmakers. In terms of generating waves this summer, the capture of Suarez would do a lot for Arsenal’s image and ambitions ahead of next season. The whole of Europe is well aware of what the striker can offer, but going into the Champions League, there would be an added sense of fear in opponents as to what Suarez is capable of on the pitch – and that’s speaking strictly in sporting terms.

That considered, it’s very difficult to see this as a story with legs. Yes, Suarez will turn Arsenal into title contenders, but the cons heavily outweigh the pros.

Arsenal are in a financial position this summer where they have a wide market of strikers available to them. Despite not seriously being in the hunt for Robert Lewandowski or Edinson Cavani, there’s no reason why Arsenal couldn’t afford either striker. It would be foolish on the club’s part to limit themselves to Suarez and offer up the financial package that would secure his signature when there are many alternatives available who are just as capable.

I propose the signature of 2 other signings with Luis Suarez that will turn Arsenal to genuine title contenders.


1. Luiz Gustavo



Wenger should be looking to replace Alex Song rather than just draft Mikel Arteta to that role. I believe that Luiz Gustavo will help turn them to title contenders.

Luiz Gustavo played an integral part in Bayern Munich’s 2011/12 campaign, which culminated in them reaching the Champions League final, the Brazilian holding midfielder largely lost his place to Javi Martinez last season.

Nevertheless, Gustavo is an enforcer of real quality and would be perfect to add some much-needed steel to the Gunners’ midfield, where Mikel Arteta was forced to play out of position last season.

Gustavo would be the perfect fit, as his recent commanding displays in the Confederations Cup for Brazil proved.

2. Ashley Williams



Ashley Williams has solid experience over the last two Premier League seasons, including this one, which means he could fit straight into the Arsenal side immediately. With the injury to Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen, the gunners are short in that department.

Ashley Williams missed only one game during the 2011/2012 season and has started every single game he’s been selected for in the current campaign. That level of reliability and consistency is exactly what Arsenal should be looking for.

He’s quite an imposing physical figure which would have a subliminal effect on the opposition before a match has even begun. He’s an authoritative defender, a bully and he’s not afraid to impose himself over the opposition something that Arsenal lacks.

He’s also a quicker defender than most strikers will give him credit for, which means if they underestimate him, he has the complete all round authority in his game to make the Arsenal defence comfortable for an entire match.

He is a real leader as a defender and he shows the sort of entrenched determination which can rub off on other players. He not only expects the best from himself, he expects the best from his teammates and if they make mistakes, he will not hold back from criticising them to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Add these three players, then Arsenal are title contenders.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/07/23/will-luis-suarez-turn-arsenal-into-title-contenders/

Tolexander: and what will my optimism do about the project?

Give who the credit for motivation?

Guess you've forgotten the presidency is not a ceremonial post. But a post of constitutional duty!

Am not a slave!

Bursaspor have announced on their official website that they have secured the services of Taye Taiwo from AC Milan for an undisclosed fee.

The Nigeria international was surplus to requirements at the Serie A giants and after joining them from Olympique de Marseille with a lot of promise. It was thought that he will solved the aging defence of Milan, but it never materialize.

He will now continue his career in Turkey after signing a three-year deal with his new club.

He was loaned to QPR only six months after his arrival, before leaving Milan for Dynamo Kiev on a one-year loan deal in the summer of 2012.

The 28-year-old returned to Milan ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, but was quickly told that he was no longer needed and has now left the club on a permanent basis.

He has lost his place in the Super Eagles to Elderson Echiejile, I hope this move will get him his place for the world cup.

The new boss at Old Trafford has been speaking at a press conference and claims the wantaway England international will be staying at the club

David Moyes has insisted striker Wayne Rooney is not for sale and will remain a Manchester United player.

Moyes said: "Wayne is not for sale. He's a Manchester United player. I've had several meetings with him. He's training brilliantly well. As far as I'm concerned, the way he's working,"

"I'm more than happy to work with him. We're trying everything we can to make sure he's up to the right level."



He went on to add that "I see a glint in his eye, he looks happy. I've been impressed with how he's done. He's a terrific player. I reiterate - he won't be for sale."

The media tried to get a definitive answer on Wayne Rooney's own intentions. Moyes said " I don't know what Wayne and Sir Alex said to each other. That conversation was private. I want to get him to the levels I know he's capable of.

I can tell you categorically tell you that he's training well these last couple of days - that's all I'll categorically tell you!"

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he misses Manchester United and English football but insists he is happy with life at Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old Portugal captain has been strenuously linked with a return to Old Trafford this summer where he spent six-years before moving to the Berbabeu for a world record £80 million in 2009.

"I miss English football," said Ronaldo.

"For me, it was one of the best years in my career when I was there in Manchester United. Everyone knows that it is a club that is still in my heart and I really, really miss.

"But now my life is in Spain. I am enjoying playing there too.

"Part of my life is there, but in the future we never know. I am really, really happy in the Spanish league."

I don't see Ronaldo leaving Madrid nwo, he will enjoy his time with Carlo Ancelotti and withIsco, I see Madrid dethroning Barcelona.

SOURCE: http://futbolgist.com/2013/07/03/i-miss-english-football-cr7/

Real Madrid have confirmed that Malaga star Francisco Román Alarcón Suárez, commonly known as Isco has signed for the club, pending the successful completion of a medical.

Manuel Pellegrini was keen to boost the Manchester city midfield even further by bringing in Spanish sensation Isco, who flourished under him at Malaga last season.

But his outstanding performances in Spain’s Euro Under-21 triumph caught Madrid’s attention.

And the 21-year-old whizkid has told Pellegrini — who he describes as his ‘footballing father’ — he could not resist a move to the Bernabeu.

Florentino Perez the club’s president has now confirmed the move.

"Isco is signed (from Malaga) and must pass his medical examination”, he told Radio Nacional's Radio 5.

This is very good buy for Madrid. Madrid are blessed with an array of talented midfielders, its left to see how Isco will fit in.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/06/26/madrid-sign-isco/

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez looks set to join Juventus after the two clubs agreed a £10million fee.

Officials of the Serie A champions flew into the UK last night to thrash out a deal for the Argentina forward with City.

Tevez had previously pushed for a move away from City, and it appears he will leave the Etihad for good once personal terms are settled upon.

The hand writting has been on the wall since the break down in relationship with Roberto Macini and eventual arrival of fellow countryman Sergio 'Kun' Agüero. Manchester city will miss a hard worker in Tevez, his energy is second to none, his goals not so much.

The 29-year-old had one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad and could have walked away from the North West for free next summer.

Tevez is set to travel to Turin to complete a medical and finalise the deal on Wednesday.

This move is a statement of intent from Manuel Pellegrini, who wants to build his own dynasty. I hope he succeeds. Pellegrini ordeal at Madrid hasn't done him any favours,spending over 200 million pounds winning nothing.

Only time will tell if selling Tevez is a good move for both city and Tevez himself.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/06/25/tevez-off-to-juve/

CATCHYBLOGGER: Having seen the 'prowess' of Gambo, Yakubu Aiyegbeni can now be considered for presidential pardon.

Coldplayz2: Yeah did you get my mail??....still waiting 4 ur reply

Coldplayz2:

@futbolman can you give me your email, we could do business 2geda bro

Imagine there was a player whose name was Yakubu Gambo, that is a perfect recipe for disaster.

The YAK missed an open net against the South Korean at the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Africa.

His unbelievable miss was described as normal by the player. Who does that?

Yakubu says ‘its normal’ to miss goals in matches. What is normal about that?

Its like a child coming last in the class and his only excuse is 'someone has to fail, it just happened to be me.'

Yakubu retorted: “It’s normal when you play for the national team as a football player. You get chances and miss some.

You get criticism both from your teammates at your club and at the national team. It’s normal,” Yakubu explained.

You dashed the hopes of millions of Nigerians and refer to it as normal, such arrogance.

Now the YAK has just been re-created. Meet the new Yakubu Gambo.

The Kano Pillars striker Mohammed Gambo missed a chance to scored against the <strong>WORLD CHAMPIONS</strong>, well it is normal. lol

From my point of view, he got the ball and was star struck by Shakira, <em>[clears throat]</em> Pique. I am sure he asked for his jersey after the match, hoping to get a ticket her next show and the autograph .

Someone should tell this guy that not club on earth will ever buy him.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/06/24/meet-nigerias-deadly-striker-yakubu-gambo/

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Bayern Munich's rich history and the quality of their current squad were the main reasons for him accepting the Bavarians' offer.

The 42-year-old signed a three-year deal with Bayern back in January as he replaces Jupp Heynckes at the helm starting this summer and he's keen to replicate last season's results - which saw the club win an historic treble - in the years to come.

During his unveiling today, the Spaniard said: "I decided to join Bayern because of the players and the club's history. They're one of the best teams in the world,".

"I am ready to return to football. This is a new challenge for me. My time at Barcelona was wonderful, but I needed a new challenge. Bayern Munich have given me that opportunity.

"I have to accept that people will make comparisons [to 2012-13]. A coach is always under a lot of pressure at a big team. I realise that's the case here as well, but I'm happy to take on that responsibility.

"I take charge of a team that's had an amazing season. They won four titles, the treble and the German supercup against Borussia Dortmund."

"I must accept the comparison," Guardiola, dressed in a dapper three-piece grey suit and burgundy tie, told an overflowing news conference at the club's Allianz Arena.

"I have to be able to live with that. I am under pressure, of course, but I know this and I accept this challenge without fear and that is why I am the coach," he said.

"Guardiola says his German teacher could not accompany him to presentation because she is a Dortmund fan."

When quizzed about the Barcelona v Bayern match in the semis of the Champions Leageue last season, he said "That was not the real difference between the two teams." Common Pep, even a blind could see the difference. Your loyalty to Barcelona shouldn't make you not objective.

Bayern's first Bundesliga game with Guardiola at the helm will be the match against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 10.

http://futbolgist.com/2013/06/24/pep-guardiola-unveiled-as-bayern-munich-coach/