Filed: Monday, 23rd July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
FIFA have confimed that a decision over Carlos Tevez's future will not be
made today. Eggert Magnusson confirmed that a ruling had been delayed when
asked about the possibility of Tevez remaining at West Ham United next
season in today's press conference at the Boleyn ground. "I've heard nothing
but the FA and the Premier League have met today at FIFA headquarters," he
said. "I think FIFA have to decide if they have jurisdiction over the matter
- and I hope so because everybody concerned wants it to go that way. And
when pressed as to whether a decision would be reached by the start of the
new season, which kicks off on August 11th, he added: "The sooner the better
for everybody involved."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs on Fred - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 23rd July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Alan Curbishley has explained why he decided to splash the cash on Swedish
winger Freddie Ljungberg. Curbishley completed the £3million capture of the
former Arsenal star yesterday, and introduced his latest recruit to the
press in a packed conference at The Boleyn Ground this afternoon. Ljungberg
- who presently captains his country - becomes the SIXTH captain (for either
club or country) signed by Curbishley since January, following on from Lucas
Neill, Luis Boa Morte, Scott Parker, Matthew Upson and Craig Bellamy. And it
is that leadership experience - which was clearly lacking from the United
squad last season - that Curbishley revealed was a swinger for him when
mulling over a move for the 30-year-old former Highbury favourite. "Freddie
brings a few things into the equation," said Curbs. "Obviously the
experience - Champions League experience, being top of leagues, captain of
Sweden. "Plus he's versatile - he can play in several different positions.
And we've noticed there's a hunger there." Ljungberg is understood to have
signed a three-year deal which keeps him tied to the Hammers until the age
of 33.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The decline of Ljungberg - Sky
By Duncan Alexander - Created on 23 Jul 2007
The news that long-serving Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has left the
club to move to West Ham United was not unexpected but it will be a sad day
nonetheless for many Gunners fans. The Swedish international had racked up
nine seasons under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger but leaves just a year
before he would have been due a testimonial. But perhaps it was the perfect
time for Ljungberg to depart, before his reputation at the North London club
had became permanently sullied, for the past two campaigns have rarely seen
him hit the heights that were once his trademark.
1998-99 1999-00* 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Appearances 16 26 30 25 20 30 26
25 18
Goals 1 6 6 12 6 4 10
1 0
Goals/game 0.06 0.23 0.20 0.48 0.30 0.13 0.38
0.04 0.00
Shooting Accuracy 53% 63% 55% 57% 67% 51% 70%
54% 50%
Goal Assists 0 2 6 4 1 5 8
3 0
Indeed, in his final two terms at Arsenal, Ljungberg scored only one goal, a
paltry return from a player who twice racked double figures in a single
season.
Interestingly, Ljungberg's shooting accuracy never fell below 50% in his
time at Arsenal but the goals simply dried up in his latter years. 2006-07
also saw him fail to create a Premiership goal for the first time since his
debut campaign. Ljungberg also managed a mere 18 games last season, only
one more than Thierry Henry, another Gunners deserter this summer. And while
Henry will plan to add to his glittering reputation at Barcelona, the
feeling persists that Ljungberg has used his fabled sense of timing to make
his move at exactly the right moment.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Freddie: Henry leaving helped decision to quit - Soccernet
West Ham have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.
The Sweden international, 30, had been the Gunners' longest serving player
after costing Arsene Wenger's side £3million in 1998 from Halmstads.
Ljungberg joins long time team-mate and star striker Thierry Henry, who
signed for Barcelona in June, in leaving the club this summer. The
midfielder played 325 times for Arsenal, scoring 72 goals, but lost his grip
on a starting spot last season. He now joins Julien Faubert, Scott Parker,
Craig Bellamy and Richard Wright in moving to Upton Park since the Hammers'
dramatic last-day survival last season. Ljungberg said he left Arsenal
because he felt like 'it was the end' for the club as he knew it following
Henry's move. 'Two years ago when I signed my last contract we talked a lot
about the future and about bringing great players to the club. Despite
building the new stadium we wanted to stay top in England and do well in
Europe. 'For me that didn't really happen. 'I stayed because I wanted to
stay loyal to Arsenal. But when Henry left this summer it felt like the end
for me unfortunately. 'I felt like all the unbeaten players (from Arsenal's
`invincibles' of 2003/04) had left. I wanted to be loyal but I felt like it
was the right time. But Ljungberg also insisted there were positive reasons
behind his decision and insisted he shared owner Eggert Magnusson's vision.
'I'm coming here because I want to build a great team. 'And why I want to
join is because of Magnusson. He wants to bring them forward to be top of
the country. 'He's willing to go to the transfer market to buy top players
and mix them with youth players. West Ham have a great academy. 'He wants to
help take the club up and take them to the top in England. It's a big
challenge for me.'
Ljungberg claimed it had been a real wrench to leave Arsenal and that
manager Arsene Wenger had tried to convince him to stay. 'I've been there
for nine years, almost 10 years,' he said. 'It's a big thing for and I feel
it in my heart a little bit. 'When I spoke to the boss, he wanted me to
stay. 'But at the same time, I feel it had to be something very, very
special for me to leave. 'I want to go forward and, with the people I have
around me, I think it's going to be really good.'
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley believes Ljungberg was lured after seeing the
other moves the club have made in the transfer market this summer. 'We spoke
to Freddie over the last week and we tried to sell him the club and what
we're about,' Curbishley said. 'He's seen players come in a and push us
forward.' As for Ljungberg's own qualities, Curbishley added: 'He brings a
few things, Champions League experience, captain of Sweden, he's versatile.
'There's a hunger there. He wants to come and push West Ham on and be partly
responsible for that. 'He's joining another terrific club and that's the way
he's got to see it.
'He understands the passion of the club and the passion of the fans and I'm
sure he'll be a big hit here.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Freddie Ljungberg fires a parting shot - Telegraph
By Marc Isaacs
Last Updated: 1:15am BST 24/07/2007
Freddie Ljungberg questioned Arsenal's ambition yesterday after agreeing a
£2 million move to West Ham which ends his nine-year association with the
north London club, insisting he was given no choice but to leave the
Emirates Stadium after Thierry Henry went earlier in the summer. Arsene
Wenger, the Arsenal manager, did his best to persuade the Swedish
international to stay, according to Ljungberg, who revealed that he was
unhappy the club had failed to sign any "big players" in recent years. With
the uncertainty surrounding Wenger's long-term future at Arsenal, and
Henry's departure to Barcelona, Ljungberg felt that he had to leave as well.
He is now hoping he can help West Ham challenge for major honours in the
future. "There were a lot of reasons why I wanted to leave Arsenal. Two
years ago, when I signed my last contract, we talked a lot about the future
and how they were going to bring in big players despite building a new
stadium," Ljungberg said. advertisement"We were hoping to stay one of the
big clubs in England and Europe, but for me that didn't really happen. Clubs
have always wanted to buy me during the summer but I have always stayed
loyal because I wanted to stay at Arsenal. "I spoke to the boss and he
wanted me to stay, but when Henry left this summer, it unfortunately felt
like the end and time for me to do something different. It made me a bit sad
because all the players who had been in the unbeaten side [2003-04] had left
the club. "I had been there for almost 10 years and it's a big thing for me.
I won almost everything there is to win and I look back with great memories.
"But this is a great challenge for me and Mr Magnusson [the West Ham owner]
wants to bring West Ham to the top of the table. He is willing to go into
the market and buy great players and to mix them with the young players who
have come through the academy. "He wants me to help take this club up and
make them one of the top sides in England. It feels like a big challenge and
I'm really happy with that."
Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, said that he believes Ljungberg can
help transform the club this season and that his experience will be crucial
in helping them challenge for a top-10 finish. "Whenever he got the ball at
Arsenal, he used to scare the life out of me. There's a hunger there. He
wants to come and push West Ham on and be partly responsible for that,"
Curbishley said. "He understands the passion of the club and the passion of
the fans."
Six transfers from Arsenal to West Ham
Nigel Winterburn June 2000 - free transfer
Davor Suker June 2000 - free transfer
Ian Wright July 1998 - £500,000
John Hartson February 1997 - £3.3 million
Stewart Robson January 1987 - £650,000
John Radford December 1976 - £80,000
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League to abide by Tevez ruling - TeamTalk
Richard Scudamore has confirmed the Premier League will abide by any ruling
FIFA make should they step in to rule on the Carlos Tevez affair. FIFA are
still considering their response following a high-level meeting of officials
from the Premier League, FA, West Ham and Manchester United yesterday but it
appears increasingly likely they will make the final decision on the status
of Tevez's relationship with West Ham. Certainly, with the Premier League
forcing the Hammers to adhere to undertakings made when they ripped up a
third-party agreement with Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian to allow the
23-year-old to play in the final three games of the season, there appears no
way the impasse can be ended without FIFA's involvement. And, even if FIFA
eventually clear Tevez to make his £30million move to Manchester United as
most pundits predict, Scudamore would be satisfied with the outcome. "A
third party, quite frankly, as far removed from this as possible needs to
sort it out," Scudamore said. "That is why it is better for FIFA to
determine it. Hopefully, they can adjudicate and they can do it quickly."
Scudamore insists the Premier League are not absolving themselves of any
responsibility for the matter. Having set up an initial inquiry to hear the
case against West Ham, then an arbitration panel in response to Sheffield
United's claim the Upton Park outfit should have had points deducted,
Scudamore believes the Premier League have acted in accordance with their
rules. However, he does accept the Premier League are now so heavily
involved in the matter, it would be wrong for them to make the final
decision. "It is not a question of FIFA stepping in," he said. "The fact is
there has to be a point of determination. Given we have been working with
West Ham throughout this process, holding them to account for undertakings
they made to us, it would be wrong to get into a determination issue between
Carlos Tevez and West Ham."
While much of the blame for the Tevez issue has been planted firmly at the
Premier League's door, Scudamore does not see how the organisation could
have acted any differently. It is fair to wonder what chaos would have
ensued had the original hearing deducted points from the Hammers, a move
that would almost certainly have triggered an appeals process that might
still have been ongoing now, less than three weeks before the opening day of
the season. Ultimately, Scudamore believes the Premier League have acted as
responsibly and equitably as possible given the dire situation West Ham's
former administration put them in. "The league as an entity only works when
people are straight with you," he said. "Yes, this is a high intensity
business but when you strip it all down the Premier League is a club
comprising 20 football clubs. The whole thing can collapse quite easily if
you are led astray by an act of bad faith. "For eight months now, we have
been trying to resolve this issue as well as keeping the rule book in tact.
It is quite difficult. "While there has been pressure of sorts, you just
have to do what you think is right given you are starting off from a very
bad position where you have been a victim of an act of bad faith."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thierry sparked Ljung goodbye - The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
July 24, 2007
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG claims he had to quit Arsenal when they sold Thierry
Henry. The Swedish midfielder ended nine years with the Gunners by signing
for West Ham in a £3million deal. And he reckons Henry's £16m move to
Barcelona this summer was the final straw in Arsenal's decline. Ljungberg
said: "When Thierry left I felt it was time for me to go as well. "Arsenal
have let a lot of players leave over the past couple of years and what has
been going on recently has not been easy. "David Dein leaving was a big
thing. Now Arsene Wenger has been left with a lot of hard work to do."
Ljungberg, 30, has signed a three-year deal worth £60,000-a-week at West Ham
with the option of a further 12 months. He was Arsenal's longest-serving
player and his departure means Jens Lehmann and Kolo Toure are the only
survivors from Arsenal's Invincibles who won the Premier League without
losing a single game three years ago. He became the Hammers' 10th signing
of the year and added: "I needed to go somewhere with a new challenge."
Wenger hailed the role Ljungberg played in the Gunners' successes and said:
"Freddie's contribution to Arsenal was absolutely outstanding. "His
performances over the past nine seasons have been a major part of our
successes during this time, especially in our 2002 Double year when he
scored and created so many goals from midfield. "Freddie is a winner and
always gave absolutely everything when he played for this club. "He is an
intelligent player and we wish him well for the future."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ljungberg leaves with Gun rap - The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
July 24, 2007
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG has revealed he quit Arsenal because of broken promises.
The Swedish midfielder moved to West Ham in a deal that could cost around
£3million insisting the balance of power in London is shifting. Ljungberg
left the Gunners with two years of his contract to run even though boss
Arsene Wenger tried to persuade him to stay. He revealed: "Two years ago
when I signed my last contract at Arsenal we spoke about the future and I
was told they would be bringing in a lot of big players. I was told the aim
was to stay top in England and Europe. But it never really happened. "When I
spoke to Arsene Wenger he wanted me to stay. I felt it had to be something
really special to get me to leave — West Ham are special. "Eggert Magnusson,
the chairman here, is very willing to make this club very big at the top of
the table."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley said: "The timing is right for Freddie to take
on a new challenge — he is getting that here. "I want goals out of Freddie,
I want him to make goals as well but especially to enjoy himself here. "This
is another adventure for him and when he gets in front of the Upton Park
crowd he will know he really is a West Ham player. "This is all about
Freddie joing West Ham — not about him leaving Arsenal."
Ljungberg's arrival takes West Ham's summer spending to £23.5million
following the earlier signings of Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy, Julien
Faubert and Richard Wright. The Swedish skipper, 30, rejected moves to
Fiorentina and Manchester City and added: "West Ham are only my third club.
"I joined one team, Halmstad, when I was five and stayed there until I moved
to Arsenal — so you can see that I like to stay loyal. "I stayed loyal to
Arsenal because I wanted to win trophies with them. But this summer it felt
like the end for me. I felt it was time to go and now I want to help build a
great team here at West Ham."
Ljungberg believes the move to the Emirates Stadium has affected team
building at Arsenal and is confident West Ham can leapfrog them. He said:
"That's the way I see it. The chairman here is very willing to take them to
the top and that is the reason why I wanted to join."
Ljungberg was hit by injuries last season and was played all over the park
by ex-boss Wenger — including as an emergency centreforward against West
Ham.
But he insisted: "I'm 30 but I still have lots of ambition. "There are some
great players here already and of course there is the Academy which has
produced lots of stars. "I hope I am over the injuries. I have done my
recovery and been training hard to make sure I am OK. "I've not met the
other guys but I have looked at the players they have here and the players
they have bought and I want to be part of it."
p.sheehan@the-sun.co.uk
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifa hold fire over Carlos Tevez - Telegraph
By Martin Smith
Last Updated: 1:15am BST 24/07/2007
Fifa are considering whether they should get involved in the thorny dispute
over the proposed transfer of the Argentine Carlos Tevez to Manchester
United from West Ham. The world's governing body met officials from the
Football Association and the Premier League in Zurich yesterday to discuss
the impasse, and whether they had the authority to settle the matter.
Tevez's move has stalled over who should be paid the transfer fee of around
£30 million: West Ham say they own the player's registration but Kia
Joorabchian, Tevez's agent, says he owns the economic rights and is entitled
to whatever fee is agreed. The Premier League, who fined West Ham £5.5
million for breaking rules forbidding third-party ownership of players,
insist that any deal should be between the two clubs. West Ham had told them
after the hearing in April that they had torn up their original agreement
with Joorabchian, thereby enabling Tevez to continue to play for them.
advertisementAn FA spokesman said last night: "The decision was left with
Fifa as to whether they would take on this case themselves or, if not, what
the right process would be to resolve it."
Eggert Magnusson, the West Ham chairman who has become resigned to losing
the player, said he hoped the matter could be resolved "the sooner, for
everybody, the better". Neither side want the dispute to linger past the
transfer window deadline of Aug 31 as that would prevent Tevez joining
United before the window reopens in January. If any of the parties are
unhappy with Fifa's decision, however, they can go to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport to appeal, lengthening the process even further.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ljungberg picks 'right time' to leave Arsenal - The Independent
By James Mariner
Published: 24 July 2007
Freddie Ljungberg joined West Ham United yesterday claiming the sale of
Thierry Henry to Barcelona represented the "end of an era" at Arsenal. The
Swedish international spent nine years with the North London side and felt
the Frenchman's departure last month, coupled with the exit of vice-chairman
David Dein, was reason enough to make the move.
"When Thierry left it felt like the end," he said. "I felt it was the right
time to go. When I signed my last contract two years ago we talked about the
future, building a top stadium and bringing in top players, but it didn't
really happen."
Ljungberg, 30, joined Arsenal from Halmstad in 1998, making an immediate
impact with a goal on his debut against Manchester United. He went on to
score 72 goals in 328 appearances and played a starring role in the side
that went a season unbeaten in 2004.
"The decision [to leave] tugged at my heart strings because I had been at
Arsenal almost 10 years," he said. "[Arsène Wenger] wanted me to stay and I
had some great memories there. It had to be something special for me to
leave, but this move is. I am leaving one terrific club and joining
another."
The midfielder has signed on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee -
although it is thought it could rise to £3m - and anticipates a European
challenge from his new club this season, but admitted it wouldn't be easy.
"We need experience as the Premiership is the most difficult league in
Europe. We need a good calm start," he said, referring to the controversial
transfers of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez that disrupted the Upton
Park club last season.
His new manager Alan Curbishley spoke about his team's need for leaders. "We
have Lucas Neill [Australia] and Craig Bellamy [Wales], who are both
captains of their national team, and now Freddie. They are all leaders and
bring experience to the team."
Ljungberg is expected to make his debut either in tonight's friendly at
Leyton Orient or at MK Dons tomorrow.
Arsenal's biggest shareholder Danny Fiszman yesterdayagain insisted he has
"no intention" of selling his stake in the club. With speculation mounting
that billionaire businessman Stan Kroenke is set to launch a takeover bid,
Fiszman issued a statement committing himself to hanging on to his 24.11 per
cent share. The diamond dealer joined his fellow board members in April in
entering into an agreement not to dispose of their shares for at least a
year.
And in a statement he said: "I have no intention of selling my shares in
Arsenal for the foreseeable future. There are exciting times ahead with the
team showing so much promise. I hope now that my position is absolutely
clear."
The Football Association and the Premier League were last night waiting to
hear whether Fifa will arbitrate on the Tevez affair. A meeting of the three
organisations' legal teams broke up in Zurich yesterday without a decision
being announced. "We are waiting to see what they consider is the most
appropriate way forward," said an FA spokesman.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ljungberg admits Dein exit influenced West Ham move
tribalfooball.com - July 23, 2007
West Ham United have clinched the signing of Arsenal midfield ace Freddie
Ljungberg for a fee rising to £3 million. The Sweden captain has signed a
four-year deal at Upton Park after passing a medical and is ending a
nine-year association with the club he joined from Halmstads for the same
fee in 1998. Ljungberg follows long-time team-mate and star striker Thierry
Henry, who signed for Barcelona in June, in leaving the Gunners this summer.
He declared: "When Thierry left it felt like the end. I had a lot of clubs
in for me in the summer but always stayed loyal. "But I felt it was the
right time to go. When I signed my last contract two years ago we talked
about the future, building a new stadium and bringing in top players, but it
didn't really happen. "Of course the decision tugged at my heart strings
because I had been at Arsenal almost 10 years. It was a big thing for me. "I
felt Arsenal had let a lot of players go. When Thierry left I felt it was
time for me to do something different and challenging." But Ljungberg also
claimed the uncertainty left hanging over the club by the departure of
vice-chairman David Dein also made it an anxious time for all the players at
Arsenal. Ljungberg added: "Of course it is a big thing in Arsenal and in the
last couple of months with David Dein leaving, it's not been easy as a
player. "Maybe Arsene Wenger will have to do a lot more work because David
Dein has left."
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was delighted with his latest acquisition who
follows Craig Bellamy from Liverpool, Scott Parker from Newcastle and the
now-injured Julien Faubert from Bordeaux. Curbishley declared: "It's the
right time for Freddie to come here. He's been at Arsenal for almost 10
years - it's a long while. He needs a challenge and I think we are the right
club for him. "We spoke to Freddie over the last week and we tried to sell
him the club and what we're about. He's seen players come in and push us
forward. "He brings a few things, Champions League experience, captain of
Sweden, he's versatile.
"There's a hunger there. He wants to come and push West Ham on and be partly
responsible for that. "He's joining another terrific club and that's the way
he's got to see it. "He understands the passion of the club and the passion
of the fans and I'm sure he'll be a big hit here."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham chairman: More signings will follow Ljungberg
tribalfooball.com - July 23, 2007
West Ham United chairman Eggert Magnusson was delighted to unveil former
Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as their latest big-name recruit
yesterday.
Magnusson said: "He is a great player and not only that but captain of
Sweden. He is a player we are very excited to have in West Ham's colours."
Magnusson also refused to rule out more players joining the Upton Park
revolution as Curbishley looks to strengthen his squad further. Magnusson
declared: "If great players are available, we are always looking to make our
team better. "We have an open wallet if there are great players around."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hargreaves can understand Tevez's Man Utd frustration
tribalfooball.com - July 23, 2007
Owen Hargreaves admits he feels for Carlos Tevez as the West Ham striker
sweats on his move to Manchester United. "Sometimes these things are
difficult," Hargreaves told PA Sport. "We are all aware Carlos Tevez is a
fantastic player who is obviously wanted by the club. It is tough to say
what the situation is at the moment but once it is sorted out, I am sure he
will be eager to come here. "When a team like Manchester United express
their interest it is hard to say no, especially for someone like myself - I
dreamt of having an opportunity like this my whole life. "Every player
would love the opportunity to come and play here and I am sure he is exactly
the same."
The England midfielder also remarked: "Manchester United is used to signing
new players and having new faces come in. The atmosphere in the dressing
room is fantastic and everyone seems to get on. It is a very loose, fun
atmosphere. "We can be very pleased with the squad we have. "We have great
options. Each player is very different and very unique. We are all pieces of
a puzzle and you can put that puzzle together in many different ways. The
important thing is that Manchester United is successful. "Michael Carrick
said not every player is going to play in every game. That is a fact. If, at
the end of the season, we have a couple of titles in our hands, everyone
will be very happy."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham move for Derby starlet Barnes
tribalfooball.com - July 23, 2007
West Ham United are keen on Derby County midfielder Giles Barnes. The Times
says the Hammers have expressed an interest in Barnes, who was close to
joining Tottenham Hotspur in January.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment