Tevez should make way for RVP

Manchester City legend and former director Dennis Tueart believes City need to sell Carlos Tevez in order to make room for Robin van Persie.

PA PhotosCarlos Tevez could see his place under threat from Robin Van Persie

But Tueart said he felt City boss Roberto Mancini would be better off buying defender Daniel Agger and midfielder Daniele De Rossi than adding another striker to his ranks.
He said: "From my observations of City, they need to buy two players who complement the team ethic and will give the team balance and shape, rather than just individuals, and that is always the biggest challenge.
"I felt that City's big problem was that last season they didn't have two strikers who could be a pairing. Instead, they were all single frontmen.
"Aguero was a fantastic acquisition, one of the best players in the Premier League, and if you do bring in Van Persie, then for me Tevez would be the one to go - and because of his personality, you might always end up with trouble with him.
"But I am not sure Van Persie would resolve the pairing issue, and at the age of 29 and for his games per season ratio - which is poor, apart from last season - I am not sure he represents value for money. I think Arsene Wenger won't be unhappy if he keeps Van Persie, and the Arsenal system suits him.
"City need De Rossi in midfield and a top left-sided central defender, because Kompany was fantastic, Lescott was very good and it was then the best of the rest - so a top-quality player in that position would be the priority for me, as well as left-sided midfield."
Tueart said he believed City would "have a great chance again this season", but warned that much would depend on who they were able to buy.
He said: "It is a frustrating time for Roberto Mancini because he cannot get the players he wants, as all mangers want to do at this time of the season to bed them down before the kick-off.
"So it's frustrating - but it is the next month that counts, as I discovered when I was a club director. It's the time when the big clubs finally get the players they want.
"At the moment the agents are holding back to get the players the moves they want. They all know there are only three or four major clubs able to afford the very best players, as Sir Alex, Arsene Wenger and AVB know as they work to bring in their star signings."
Manchester City legend and former director Dennis Tueart believes City need to sell Carlos Tevez in order to make room for Robin van Persie.

PA PhotosCarlos Tevez could see his place under threat from Robin Van Persie

But Tueart said he felt City boss Roberto Mancini would be better off buying defender Daniel Agger and midfielder Daniele De Rossi than adding another striker to his ranks.
He said: "From my observations of City, they need to buy two players who complement the team ethic and will give the team balance and shape, rather than just individuals, and that is always the biggest challenge.
"I felt that City's big problem was that last season they didn't have two strikers who could be a pairing. Instead, they were all single frontmen.
"Aguero was a fantastic acquisition, one of the best players in the Premier League, and if you do bring in Van Persie, then for me Tevez would be the one to go - and because of his personality, you might always end up with trouble with him.
"But I am not sure Van Persie would resolve the pairing issue, and at the age of 29 and for his games per season ratio - which is poor, apart from last season - I am not sure he represents value for money. I think Arsene Wenger won't be unhappy if he keeps Van Persie, and the Arsenal system suits him.
"City need De Rossi in midfield and a top left-sided central defender, because Kompany was fantastic, Lescott was very good and it was then the best of the rest - so a top-quality player in that position would be the priority for me, as well as left-sided midfield."
Tueart said he believed City would "have a great chance again this season", but warned that much would depend on who they were able to buy.
He said: "It is a frustrating time for Roberto Mancini because he cannot get the players he wants, as all mangers want to do at this time of the season to bed them down before the kick-off.
"So it's frustrating - but it is the next month that counts, as I discovered when I was a club director. It's the time when the big clubs finally get the players they want.
"At the moment the agents are holding back to get the players the moves they want. They all know there are only three or four major clubs able to afford the very best players, as Sir Alex, Arsene Wenger and AVB know as they work to bring in their star signings."
Via OnlineNigeria

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OLYMPIC 2012 | Confident Croatia overcome Serbia

Croatia put one foot into the quarter-finals of the men's Handball competition after a comfortable 31-23 victory over eastern European neighbours Serbia in the Copper Box this afternoon.

Zlatko Horvat of Croatia shoots

Zlatko Horvat of Croatia shoots during the men's Handball match against Serbia on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Having won their first Group B encounter against South Korea on Sunday, Slavko Goluza's side began with confidence and set themselves up for victory with four successive goals to lead 5-2 after 12 minutes.
Serbia, who were beaten by Spain in their opening game, were never able to claw back the deficit and trailed 13-9 at the break.
Two-time gold medallists Croatia, enjoyed the best of it in the second half as well and made the most of some excellent defending to score an impressive nine fast breaks.
Ivan Cupic inspired the win, repeating his tally of eight goals from the opening match, while Marko Vujin was Serbia's most prolific player with six goals.
Croatia move onto four points to top Group B, while Serbia are yet to register a point.
VIA LONDON2012

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OLYMPIC 2012: Netherlands make Eights final

The Netherlands won a thrilling women's Eight repechage at Eton Dorney today to qualify for the Olympic final, while the men's Four final line-up was also decided.

They held off a strong challenge from Romania to take the win as Australia came in third.
Great Britain finished fourth, a length behind Australia, to claim the last available place in Thursday's final.
The Great Britain men's Lightweight Four underlined their Olympic gold medal potential with a commanding semi-final victory.
They unleashed a powerful sprint for the line to surge clear of Switzerland in the final 500m.
The British crew won in 5:59.68 seconds, just quicker than the time posted by chief gold medal rivals Denmark in winning the second semi-final.
Elsewhere, the men's Double Scull of Bill Lucas and Sam Townsend finished third in their semi-final behind the Slovenian crew, who were Olympic champions 12 years ago, and Lithuania.
There was a shock in the first heat with reigning Olympic champions Australia and world silver medallists Germany failing to qualify.

I feel in very good form, but I've got to keep a lid on it, I don't want to get too over excited or anything else

Alan Campbell

Alan Campbell moved smoothly into the semi-finals of the Single Sculls with a length victory over Germany's Marcel Hacker to underline further Great Britain podium credentials.
He said: 'I feel in very good form, but I've got to keep a lid on it, I don't want to get too over excited or anything else and when it comes to the final the gloves are off and we'll go out fighting.'
New Zealand's Mahe Drysdale remains the favourite to add Olympic gold to his five world titles and he won the first heat, ahead of Belgium's Tim Maeyens.
Lassi Karonen of Sweden is hitting form at the right time and he won the third quarter-final, while Ondrej Synek won his heat with reigning Olympic champion Olaf Tufte scraping through in third place.

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OLYMPIC 2012 | GOLDEN DAY FOR MANESA

Maiya Maneza turned the women's 63kg into a personal pursuit for Olympic and world records after clinching Weightlifting gold for Kazakhstan.

Maiya Maneza of Kazakhstan

Weightlifter Maiya Maneza celebrates on the podium with her gold medal on Day 4 of London 2012.

All the talk going into the competition was of a duel between Maneza and Russia's Svetlana Tsarukaeva, with the two lifters going head-to-head for the previous three world championships.
Tsarukaeva led at the interval after a snatch of 112kg compared to Maneza's 110kg, but the Russian's clean and jerk predictably let her down and 125kg (total 237kg) was only enough for silver.
Maneza clinched gold with her first clean and jerk attempt at 135kg - equalling the Olympic record - before she set about trying to take her own world record of 143kg.
Two failed lifts at 144kg meant it was not to be, but a 245kg total was enough for another Olympic record.
Canada's Christine Girard (236kg) edged bronze ahead of Turkey's Sibel Simsek, making up for her agonising fourth place at the 2008 Beijing Games.
via London2012

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OLYMPIC 2012 | China claim another Diving gold

Chen Ruolin and Wang Hao claimed China's third gold medal in as many Diving events at the Aquatics Centre as they prevailed in the women's Synchronised 10m Platform final.

Olympics Day 4 - Diving

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31: (L-R) Gold Medallists Chen Roulin and Wang Hao of China pose on the podium during the Victory Ceremony for the women's Synchronised 10m Platform Diving on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre

Mexico's Alejandra Orozco Loza and Paolo Espinosa Sanchez claimed silver, with Canadian duo Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion finishing in the bronze medal position.
Great Britian duo Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow, the European champions, finished in fifth place.
via london2012

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Germany Bag Team Eventing gold

Great Britain won the silver medal and New Zealand clinched bronze.
The British medal is their 18th Olympic post-war Eventing medal and was secured by Tina Cook's Jumping round in which she had just one time fault.

The Germans were led by world champion Michael Jung,  who admitted: 'I was quite nervous. It is a long way from the warm-up area to the ring, and the nearer you get to the ring the more nervous you become. But once I am in there, I am focused.'

Team-mate Ingrid Klimke added: 'I am so proud, but most of all I am proud of my horse (Butts Abraxas).
'He showed all his qualities here in London and to have just two fences down was not too bad.
'Jumping is not his strongest phase and it wasn't a catastrophe.'
via London2012 

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TAYE TAIWO ON THE MOVE

Taye Taiwo: The Nigerian deadball specialist could be on his way back to France where he is a cult hero at Marseille

Taye Taiwo could be on his way to France after not being given a squad number at AC Milan for this season.

The defender has found his chances limited to just an handful of appearances since signing from Marseille last summer and ended the season on-loan at QPR.
But despite helping the west London side avoid the drop he was unable to play his way to a permanent deal.
The Nigerian full-back could now be on his way back to the French side he joined from Lobi Stars in January 2005 where he is still a crowd favourite.
"I have a contract with Milan unless they want to let me go for free," he told Sky Sports. "I am relaxed.
"Knowing the qualities I have there will be many teams interested in me. I never had the chance to show what I am capable of doing for a great time but that is life."
Via Skysport

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SPORT | Juventus cool RVP interest

Robin van Persie: Juventus claim to have cooled their interest in the Arsenal man

Juventus have played down their interest in Arsenal captain Robin van Persie because of the Gunners' demands.

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The Serie A champions have been widely reported to be among the favourites to sign the 28-year-old forward after he declared his intention not to sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
But Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia he did not see great value in the proposed deal.
"A top player is not only judged by how much he costs," said Marotta.
"It can also mean a player who costs less but on the pitch shows an absolute value.
"Van Persie is a great player but Arsenal do not intend to lose him. And you cannot indulge in a player if the owners don't want (to sell).
"Talk of our real interest in him seems excessive to me."
One Premier League player who is heading for Turin is Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
Marotta added: "Pogba? He arrives tonight and he will quickly take his medical, then we will sort out the details of his contract."
The 19-year-old Frenchman was accused of showing no respect to United after refusing to sign a new deal and opting to join Juve instead.
via Skysport

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