Eurosport - Wed, 13 May 10:50:00 2009
The problem with managers who leave a club where they were held in high regard is that they invariably come back to haunt their former employers at one time or another.
Take Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho as a case in point. The Portuguese tactician was loved in the Chelsea dressing room during a successful (on the pitch) and entertaining (off it) spell at Stamford Bridge.
So much so that several of his former charges would be willing to once again link up with him, given half a chance.
At least the ever-egotistical Mourinho thinks so, and we've already seen him linked with moves for the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba.
Of course, none of the above have been tempted by a move to Italy - although Drogba reportedly flew to Milan at the weekend, for a dinner date according to his people - but the latest name to be thrown into the hat could well be set for a reunion with his former mentor this summer.
The player? John Obi Mikel. The Nigeria international has been targeted by Inter to breathe life into their ageing midfield, with £15 million lined up to lure him to the San Siro district of Milan at the end of the season.
Mikel is far from a favourite with Blues fans and with funds needed to be found from somewhere if Chelsea are to invest in their own squad, £15m could be enough to tempt Guus Hiddink to sanction his departure.
One man who won't be leaving West London this summer though is Nicolas Anelka.
The France striker has been linked with a summer move - his 10th of a nomadic career - but his agent has poured water on the fires of speculation by insisting Anelka will not be moving anywhere.
Over to one of Anelka's former clubs, Arsenal, where the inquest into their disappointing campaign has begun in earnest, even before the season is over.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on who Arsene Wenger needs to bring in if the Gunners are to arrest their worryingly long run of trophyless years.
Gossip Shop believes a defender and a striker are priorities, and there can't be many out there who disagree.
Certainly the Daily Mail recognises the need for a top-class stopper, with a hit list of four stoppers put forward for consideration.
So, how about Everton's Joleon Lescott (£15m) or Lucio of Bayern Munich (£12m)? Or Paris St Germain's Mamadou Sakho (£12m) and Cristian Zapata of Udinese (£12m)?
The Star offers another suggestion in the shape of Gary Cahill . But considering the £20m price tag slapped on his head by current employers Bolton - not to mention Arsenal's thriftiness in the transfer market - a move for that kind of money seems unlikely. He's no Andrei Arshavin, after all.
In other tittle-tattle, Martin O'Neill has been suitably impressed by West Brom striker Marc-Antoine Fortune and the Aston Villa boss is currently leading the race to sign the on-loan Nancy ace.
Indeed, anyone who is any good at West Brom will be fair game if, as expected, the Baggies go down this season. And fitting neatly into that category is winger Chris Brunt, who Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is ready to splash £3m on.
And finally, it would be remiss of Gossip Shop not to mention Carlos Tevez today, despite most people having become terribly bored by the uncertainty over his future, such has been the saturation coverage since his revelations to the Sunday newspapers
The question of where the Manchester United striker will end up next season is already threatening to become this summer's biggest transfer saga, and with two further possible destinations suggested in today's papers, the story is not going to disappear anytime soon.
The Sun reports - although there are no quotes to back the claim up, not even a made-up one from a 'close friend' - that Tevez will go back on his promise to United fans not to join bitter rivals Liverpool by actually heading down the M62 and signing a deal at Anfield.
And the Star claims Milan have offered £20m for the Argentine's services, with a further £20m set aside for his wages over four years.
So that's who Kia Joorabchian was talking to on the phone during Sunday's Manchester derby.
Comment 1 - 16 of 56
scott s tevez will stay at united if we can sort a deal with his owners he is pissed off which i can understand and wants it sorting but i think he is on his way would you have him in your team plus who would you pair him with as i think you should ditch drogba what do you think
ITS FUNNY WHEN THE MEDIA ALWAYS LINK CERTAIN PLAYERS TO THE MILAN CLUBS AT RIDICULOUS PRICES.WHO DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT CASH PROBLEMS FACING THOSE CLUBS OR THEY HAVE UNLIMITED CASH TO BURN.TEVEZ TO MILAN FOR 40m?MIKEL FOR 15m? YOU MUST BE JOKING.
This column has always got itself into a logjam because it focuses upon gossip on the newspapers. The problem is that, while it is easy, it is vulnerable to becoming stale and suggesting as much by covering upon oft-repeated rumours.
would it be possible to simply extend the coverage a little by covering gossip from other websites including football365 when the mill runs dry?
Brunt won't leave and I hope Foortune satys permanently
It's not up to united. They only have him on loan so unless they stump up the cash to sign him permenantly he is free to go anywhere that can afford him.
put your hands down from Obi Mikel
its really telling stupidity on Roman's army if we go ahead to sell one of the best holding midfielders we have in Chelsea. Its obvious Mikel will deputise for Ballack in 1 or 2 more seasons. We can maybe sell Drogba, Anelka or Deco instead. These guys are dead and gone as far as I'm concerned
TEVEZ is a good player but not worth 30m. SAF knows what he is doing.
I can't see him allowing Tevez to go to LFC - Torres, Tevez and Gerrard - pretty frightening for any defence.
the thing people are fogetting about tevez is that he has said he doesnt want to stay on at utd.
Oh whats that, benitez trying to out n steal players and only wanting players other teams are after? he has to try copy utd and chelsea all the time because he doesnt know how to suceed himself. I hate the guy. he's useless.
I wouldnt sell mikel, Im a chelsea fan and I like him. he was our most consistant performer earlier in season and now with no players actually playing a completely sitting role(yes you need to have 1 of your centre mids more defensive but noone is completely sitting back the whole game) his game can improve to his strengths. plus he's 1 of our young players.
Anelka staying could be good but we still need 1 world class younger striker and we need to start player a partnership up front. that would give young di santo a chance and let kalou play in a striker position.
Im confussed on what chelsea need to do with their squad as when used propoerly it is great but it is ageing, yet I think the older players have proven they are fit enough.
Has anyone considered this scenario:
Man U have an option for Tevez.
They dicide not to exercise that option.
But they invite Mr Jorbachian to come back with another option, that they may consider.
Then when Mr Jorbachian tries to sell Tevez, Man U can then decide to match any offer or pull out.
It makes no difference to Carlos.
All he has to do is to keep his mouth shut.
This is between Mr Greed and Mr Glazer!
dapfash, please pay more attention in future. they clearly highlight that he was only entertaining OFF the pitch, but on the pitch, the play was extrememly boring
Im putting my money on Tevez staying at united - Im sure fergie has something up his sleeve.
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Gossip shop, you now refer to JOSE time as entertaining, when all your song then was boring boring. Short memory. Who will pay £15m for Lescot?
CARLOS TEVES TO LIVERPOOL, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE......
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