Chelsea and Drogba set for talks

Chelsea have revealed they will sit down with Didier Drogba to sort out the striker’s future at the club.

Drogba, who was sent off in extra time of Wednesday’s Champions League final, has been linked with a summer move to several clubs including AC Milan.

“Didier is a superb player generally,” admitted chairman Bruce Buck.

“Now that the season is over we have to sit down with him and see what the story is and what his future is. He is a great player, I hope he stays.”

Buck added: “But that is a decision the club and Didier will have to make collectively.

“There have been some comments reported to be made by Didier over that last year that maybe he would like to leave Chelsea. On most occasions he has said that he has been misquoted.”

Drogba suffered a number of injuries last season that affected his performances, but the Ivory Coast striker was also reportedly unhappy at the departure of former manager Jose Mourinho.

Celtic fined as Dida receives ban

Celtic have been fined £25,000 and AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has been banned for two matches following trouble at the recent Champions League game. However, the European champions intend to appeal against the penalty imposed on the 34-year-old Brazilian.

Dida collapsed dramatically after a fan appeared to strike him near the end of AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat on 3 October.

Celtic were found guilty of a lack of organisation and improper conduct of supporters at the Celtic Park match.

The Scottish champions will pay half of the fine now, while the rest is deferred over a two-year probationary period.

Ballack eager to stay at Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has reiterated his desire to stay at the club in the wake of Avram Grant replacing Jose Mourinho as manager. Ballack, 31, is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

But he told German TV: “I feel very happy here and would like to end my career here.

“Although, if I am still fit when my contract runs out [in 2010], why should I not play on for another two years?”

The exit of Mourinho also saw striker Didier Drogba’s future at Chelsea questioned with rumours he could move to AC Milan.

But he followed Ballack’s lead by dispelling any rumours of a possible departure from Stamford Bridge.

“Chelsea is my destiny today,” he said. “I do not want the adventure to change.

“Milan? What a good club. But I have spoken to nobody.”

source:bbcsports

England quartet up for Fifa award

Four England internationals have made the shortlist for the Fifa world player of the year award. Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are among the 30 players in the running.

From that list national team coaches and captains will vote for their top three players, to be revealed at Fifa’s world player gala on 17 December.

AC Milan’s Kaka is the favourite to win the award for the first time, ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Chelsea have five nominees for the Fifa award, behind only Barcelona who have seven.

There are five Italian players in the final 30, including current world player of the year Fabio Cannavaro.

Brazil star Kaka, 25, is the current FIFPro world player of the year - an award voted for by 45,000 members of the players’ union.

Kaka wins world players’ accolade

AC Milan forward Kaka has been named FIFPro world player of the year. The 25-year-old Brazilian claimed the accolade after 45,000 members of the players’ union voted in the awards, which are in their third year.

He said: “I am humbled to receive such an honour. To follow my good friend and such a great player as Ronaldinho makes this a very special award.”

England’s John Terry and Steven Gerrard, were in the World XI with Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kaka was instrumental in Milan’s Champions League triumph, sealed with a victory over Liverpool in Athens in May, ending as top scorer with 10 goals including three in the semi-final win over Manchester United.

Milan beat Sevilla in Super Cup

AC Milan beat an emotional Sevilla side in the Super Cup in Monaco. A Renato header put Sevilla ahead and all their players hugged and pointed to the sky in memory of former team-mate Antonio Puerta, who died on Tuesday.

Champions League winners Milan equalised when Filippo Inzaghi nodded in at the far post.

Marek Jankulovski put Milan ahead and Kaka had a late penalty saved but headed in the rebound before pointing to Puerta’s name on his shirt.

source:bbcsports

Clubs learn Champions League fate

Celtic face a difficult task in the Champions League after the draw for the group stage paired them with holders AC Milan, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk. Rangers also face a tough task, against Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart.

Chelsea have been drawn with Valencia, whom they defeated at the quarter-final stage of last season’s competition.

Liverpool take on Porto, Marseille and Besiktas, while Manchester United face a rematch with Roma and Arsenal play four teams they have not met before.

Milan brush aside Genoa

Inter Milan began their Serie A title defence with a 1-1 home draw with Udinese on Sunday after an Ivan Cordoba own goal in injury time, while AC Milan won 3-0 at promoted Genoa helped by Kaka’s brace.

Inter took an early lead through midfielder Dejan Stankovic after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s clever pass but goalkeeper Julio Cesar was sent off for handball outside the box on 57 minutes and the champions were unable to hold out.

Milan taught Genoa a lesson on their return to the top flight after a 12-year absence with Massimo Ambrosini’s powerful header and Kaka’s cool finish and penalty giving the European champions an easy victory.

Fiorentina had an equally comfortable 3-1 home win over Tuscan rivals Empoli to show they could still be a force this term despite striker Luca Toni leaving for Bayern Munich.

Ronaldo slims down, weight problems down to illness

Ronaldo’s weight problems in recent years were caused by hypothyroidism, but pills and a new training regime have made the Brazil striker much fitter, his club AC Milan have said.

Ronaldo was ridiculed by fans and the press during his time at Real Madrid when his weight ballooned and he became known as “el gordo” (the fat one).

He moved to AC Milan in January in a bid to rebuild his career and has since lost 5.5 kgs.

The weight loss programme, coupled with a hamstring injury, means he will not be fit for Sunday’s Serie A kick-off at Genoa but he is expected to be back in three weeks.