Malouda Left out From Chelsea Squad:
Florent Malouda today revealed he had been banished from training with the Chelsea first team for what remained of his Stamford Bridge career.Winger Malouda took to Twitter to announce he was to keep fit with the club's youth side, posting a picture of the headquarters of their under-21 squad, along with the message:It is claimed the 32 year-old, who is in the final year of his contract, was segregated from the first team after failing to secure a move away this summer.His banishment evoked memories of those of Nicolas Anelka and Alex by former boss Andre Villas-Boas last season, a move which reportedly did not go down well with their team-mates Malouda's circumstances are slightly different and it is understood Chelsea were willing to sell or loan him out during the transfer window - he was even linked with a return to former club Lyon ahead of last night's midnight transfer deadline in France.The midfielder has not featured at all in any of the Blues' matchday squads this term and was yesterday left off the roster for their Champions League group-stage campaign - although he was named in their selection for the first half of the Barclays Premier League season.A transfer to Brazilian giants Santos reportedly collapsed earlier this summer due to the wage demands of the France winger, who has been with Chelsea for five years but has become increasingly peripheral.He will doubtless be on good money and may have been reluctant to join a club where he would earn less, preferring to see out his current deal and move as a free agent at the end of the season.It remained to be seen today whether Malouda would be punished for revealing his banishment on Twitter, with team-mate David Luiz rebuked two weeks ago after posting that he would miss Chelsea's match with Reading through injury.Malouda's news ironically co-incided with that of the man who has effectively replaced him in the Blues squad, Ryan Bertrand.Chelsea confirmed this morning that Bertrand had penned a new five-year contract - barely a year after agreeing a four-year deal following his remarkable progress in recent months.The 23-year-old became the first man ever to make his Champions League debut in the final itself in May when he was selected ahead of Malouda.He also made his England debut in last month's friendly win over Italy and kept his place in the squad for Friday's opening World Cup qualifier in Moldova.Reacting to the news today, Chelsea and England team-mate Gary Cahill said: "I think people are just starting to sit up and realise how good a player he is from the couple of spells he had at the end of last year and to be thrown into the Champions League final and start."He has got a great reputation, especially at our club, and is going to have a massive future, that's for sure."Prior to Roberto Di Matteo's appointment as Blues boss in March, Bertrand barely figured for his parent club since making a controversial move from Gillingham seven years ago and spent most of the time out on loan.He did not make his Chelsea debut until April last year and there had been speculation he may be forced to leave in search of regular first-team football.But he is now very much seen as the heir apparent to left-back Ashley Cole, whose own contract expires next summer.He could also succeed Cole in the England set-up but will probably play second fiddle to Leighton Baines in Friday's opening World Cup qualifier in Moldova Cole has been ruled out of that match through injury.Bertrand's performances for Great Britain at the Olympics impressed England boss Roy Hodgson and Cahill added: "It only benefits him coming here with England and seeing the likes of Bainsey and obviously training with Ashley."Reports suggest Bertrand, who has been deployed in midfield much of the time by Di Matteo, has earned a pay rise to £35,000 a week.
Ryan Bertrand Pens 5 Years Deal With Chelsea:
Full-back Bertrand was only a year into a four-year deal agreed last summer but has been rewarded for his remarkable progress in recent months.The 23 year-old became the first man ever to make his Champions League debut in the final itself in May and made his England debut in last month's friendly win over Italy.He has also started two of Chelsea's three Premier League games this season.Prior to Roberto Di Matteo's appointment as manager in March, he barely figured for his parent club since making a controversial move from Gillingham seven years ago.Ashley Cole's arrival as Chelsea's undisputed first-choice left-back saw Bertrand spend much of his early Stamford Bridge career out on loan.He did not make his debut until April last year and there had been speculation he may be forced to leave in search of regular first-team football.But he is now very much seen as the heir apparent to Cole, whose own contract expires next summer.He could also succeed Cole in the England set-up but will probably play second fiddle to Leighton Baines in Friday's opening World Cup qualifier in Moldova Cole has been ruled out of that match through injury.Former England Under-21 star Bertrand's elevation to the senior squad by manager Roy Hodgson is a reward both for his Chelsea displays and those for Great Britain at the Olympics.Reports suggest Bertrand, who has been deployed in midfield much of the time by Di Matteo, has earned a pay rise to £35,000 a week.
Living legend Alessandro Del Piero had been linked with several clubs throughout the summer, including Major League Soccer sides New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy. The loudest and most recent rumors regarding the player were proven to be true on Wednesday, and Del Piero will now be spending his time in a league that is largely ignored by fans in the United States.The official A-League website has confirmed that Del Piero has inked a two-year deal with Sydney FC. According to reports, Del Piero will make $2 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in the history of Australian football. The contract also includes an option for a third season.Del Piero offered the following comments regarding his A-League switch: "This is a very big moment for me because I want to continue my career in a new part of the world where I can make a major contribution and help grow the game I love. The most important thing for me has always been the football and I want to help Sydney FC be successful. This is an exciting journey for me and I look forward to joining my new teammates in Sydney shortly."Serie A, Champions League and World Cup; the 37-year old Del Piero has done it all. He struggled to find playing time during the first half of the 2011-12 Serie A campaign while with Juve, but he then played second-half savior multiple times during the 2012 portion of the season. Del Piero netted his last goal while wearing a Juve shirt in the team's final game of the season, a victory over Atalanta.Multiple stories surfaced early last spring that Del Piero wanted to end his professional career playing in MLS. According to those reports, Del Piero only wanted to play for either the defending league champs LA Galaxy or the New York Red Bulls. The problem was that neither team were in for Del Piero, and the Red Bulls ultimately went a different route when they acquired Tim Cahill in late July. Several European teams, including Liverpool, Southampton and Celtic, were reportedly interested in snatching Del Piero ahead of Sydney in the final hour. In the end, however, Del Piero decided that Australia would be his new home.Sydney could certainly use the boost. They finished the 2011-12 regular season fifth in the league table, and they were eliminated from the Finals Series, the A-League's playoff format, in the first round. It's also worth noting that both Sydney and the A-League need the positive press as the league is seeking to secure a new TV deal ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, which is set to begin next month.Whenever a veteran star at the twilight of his career joins the A-League, MLS or other such league, fans can't help but wonder if that player is simply looking to earn one final payday before he calls it a career. That shouldn't be a concern with Del Piero. The former Juve forward, like current RBNY captain Thierry Henry, is a true competitor, one who won't be satisfied with merely jogging about the pitch on A-League weekends. Max Bretos of ESPN had the following to say about the signing on Wednesday morning ET: "A League missed out on Tim Cahill, made up for it, & then some by adding Alessandro Del Piero. That is a Beckham like signing for Sydney FC.
Manchester United have completed the signing of Angelo Henriquez and the Chile Under-23 striker has now joined from Universidad de Chile for an undisclosed fee.The 18 year-old underwent a medical with United last month and was granted a work permit."Angelo has made a tremendous impact on the game in his short career so far," manager Sir Alex Ferguson told manutd.com."His pace is a great asset and he reads the game really well for someone of such a young age."We have a proud record of developing young talent and Angelo fits the profile of a United player - skilful, attacking and someone who plays the game with real flair."The player admits he is honoured to be moving to Old Trafford."I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. Manchester United is a great team and has a great manager," he said."To be able to be part of that is a huge honour and I can't wait to get started."I hope I can be part of many successful years with United."
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