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Anzhi Makhachkala player-coach Roberto Carlos will not speak to the press again after the publication of interviews in which false quotes were attributed to him.

The former Real Madrid defender allegedly expressed his interest in signing players such as Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka and Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie.

Steven Gerrard, Neymar, Frank Lampard and Nene were all also linked with the Russian big-spenders but Carlos insists he never mentioned any names.

“Words are attributed to me about mythical new signings, whose names at times are a total surprise,” Roberto Carlos was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.

“Not in one interview did I utter any concrete names.

“From this moment, I am not giving any more interviews to allow me to concentrate completely on my work as a coach at Anzhi.”

Anzhi have made a name for themselves by attracting Carlos, Samuel Eto’o and Yuri Zhirkov to the Dagestan area on huge wages.

Billionaire businessman Suleyman Kerimov has bankrolled the transfers and despite Carlos claiming not have mentioned names it is clear they are in the market for more players.

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Anzhi Makhachkala are lining up swoops for Robin van Persie, Nicolas Anelka and Neymar, according to player-coach Roberto Carlos.

The Brazilian claims his club are also targeting Paris St Germain star Nene in a bid to eventually become as big as Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Carlos was the first major star to move to Anzhi following their takeover by billionaire businessman Suleyman Kerimov at the turn of the year.

The 38-year-old has since been joined in the volatile Dagestan region of Russia by Samuel Eto’o and Yuri Zhirkov.

Club captain Carlos now claims there are four more big names on the ambitious club’s wishlist.

“Anelka is not the only player,” he told French TV show Canal Football Club.

“Nene from PSG and Van Persie from Arsenal are players we are following. And Neymar? I talked to him.

“If Real, Barca or Manchester United cannot pay the transfer fee, we will pay it. Suleyman Kerimov can offer what he wants.”

Anzhi have also been linked with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, as well as Fabio Capello and Jose Mourinho on the management front.

“We want to make a club the calibre of Real or Barca,” Carlos added. ”We have the potential to have a strong team.

“We are already the best team in Russia and I am serious when I say that.”

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Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o will agree to sign for Anzhi Makhachkala this week ion a deal totalling £96.3million.

The transfer saga between the Italian giants and big-spending Russians will end with a £26.3million fee between the clubs.

The 30-year-old will sign a  £17.5million-a-season four-year contract making him the best paid player on the planet, pushing the total deal up towards the £100million mark.

The Cameroon international will undergo a medical at a clinic in Rome on Thursday with the official announcement of his signing set for Friday.

Eto’o, the most decorated player in African history having won the Champions League three times, insists the two clubs are thrashing out an agreement.

The four-time African player of the year also won three league titles with Barca and one with Inter while with Cameroon he has twice won the African Cup of Nations.

Anzhi have only had one full season back in the Russian top flight but are owned by Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, who has poured money into the club.

Despite the dangers in Dagestan, where a low-level Islamic insurgency has made the republic very unstable, Anzhi have already managed to attract the likes of Roberto Carlos and Yuri Zhirkov.

They play their home matches in Makhachkala but the players live and train in Moscow for security reasons.

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Anzhi Makhachkala:

Relatively unknown outside their native Russia, Anzhi Makhachkala have been attracting attention across Europe this summer with their audacious transfer plans. Here are five reasons to look out for Anzhi both this season and in the near future:

Financial Clout:

Purchased in January of this year by Russian Billionaire Sulyman Kerimov, Anzhi Makhachkala are making a real statement of intent in the Russian Premier League. Often referred to as the Russian Manchester City, Anzhi are not too dissimilar from the Premier League club in terms of their quick rise to genuine title contenders. Formed just 20 years ago (1991) Anzhi, have spent the vast majority of their time in Russia’s second tier, being promoted to the top flight, for the second time in their brief history, in 2009. Having secured their safety in the 2010 season, with an 11th placed finish, new owner Kerimov swooped to purchase the club with the aim of taking them to the summit world club football. Ranked at 118th on the Forbes’ list of World Billionaires, with a reported fortune of $7.8 billion, Kerimov made his fortune in the Mining industry, and undoubtedly has the financial clout to turn Anzhi into a real force.
Star Names:

The financial backing of the owner has allowed Anzhi to build a team that are a genuine force in the Russian Premier League. Top names such as ex-Chelsea star Yuri Zhirkov, Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos and Balazs Dzsudzsak, formerly the target of a host of top European clubs, have all been lured to the Dinamo Stadium. As well as these star names Anzhi have also built up a strong squad of South Americans (Diego Tardelli, Jucilei da Silva, Joao Carlos) and Eastern Block players (Odil Ahmedov, Aleksei Igonin, Shamil Lakhiyalov) putting themselves in a good position for a convincing league campaign and eventual Champions League qualification.

Future Signings:

Despite the vast majority of their squad being new signings, Anzhi are not yet content with their transfer dealings, and have set their sights on some of world football’s top talents. One man they have recently been linked with is Inter Milan’s Cameroonian star striker Samuel Eto’o, who is rumoured to be on the verge of penning a contract with the Makhachkala based side, which will net him wages in the region of £300,000-per-week. As well as Eto’o, it is believed that Anzhi are also in the running to sign £40 million rated Brazilian teenage sensation Neymar from Santos, although they face stiff competition from Chelsea, Manchester City and particularly Real Madrid. Although these players have been rumoured to be close to a move to the Dikaya Diviziya (Wild Division) a more realistic mooted target would be Schalke’s Raul, who at 34 years old may not have a long-term future in the Bundesliga.

Growing Profile of Russian Football:

With the recent successes of Russian clubs such as Zenit St. Petersburg (2008 UEFA Cup winners), Rubin Kazan and CSKA Moscow on the European front, football in Russia has seen its reputation and quality come on leaps and bounds. From producing many successful teams during the USSR era (Particularly Spartak Moscow), football in Russia stagnated somewhat during the break-up of the Soviet Union, but now with new investors, a new league format and the influx of talented foreign players, the Russian game in clearly on the up. This rise in quality, allied with an improved football infrastructure has led to Russia being named as the host country for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where their campaign secured them the showpiece tournament ahead of England. Although football in Europe’s largest country is on the up, it is not without it’s problems, particularly with racism, where a number of ethnic minority players have found themselves the subject of taunting from the stands. One player who suffered at the hands of the spectators was now West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie, who found himself the target of abuse upon his move away from Lokomotiv Moscow. But with increased level of FIFA scrutiny ahead of the World Cup, the issue is set to be addressed.

Experienced Manager:

With a squad of highly paid, talented star players and a wealthy owner, a strong manager is a necessity, and Anzhi may well have that man in the shape of 65-year-old coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev. The former Soviet Union and Russian assistant has a wealth of experience in the Russian game, enjoying spells as manager of teams such as Krylia Sovetov and FC Saturn Ramenskoye as well as spells with now amateur Makhachkala club Dinamo and time in the Japanese J. league with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Despite his experience, instant success is likely to be expected, due to the investment from the chairman, so it remains to be seen just how much time Gadzhiev will get at the helm, before he finds himself under pressure.

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Former Brazil fullback Roberto Carlos ended his contract with Corinthians by mutual agreement on Saturday and looked set to move to a Russian club.
The 37-year-old former Real Madrid defender was targeted by fans during violent protests against the team following their shock early exit from the Libertadores Cup last week.
“We gave him all our assurances (for his safety) here at Corinthians. He has his own motives,” Andres Sanches, president of the Brazilian club, said.
“He’s a guy of 37 already, he received a good offer from abroad and by mutual accord we decided to free him,” Sanches told reporters.
Brazilian media said Roberto Carlos would be joining Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia in a 5.0 million euros ($6.78 million) one-year deal.

SOURCE: Yahoo Eurosport

Roberto Carlos apparently still has plenty to offer, even at 37, and it seems a big money offer from Russia is too hard for him to turn down. Could a Premier League side come in with an offer for the former Real Madrid man?

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Manchester United has partnered with FC Twente. The English club is planning for South American talent to mature at the Eredivisie champions from Enschede.

The Mancunian have a football academy in Sao Paulo where players from all over South America develop. Because in England it is difficult for young players from outside the EU to obtain a work permit to be immediately eligible for Man Utd, they will go on loan to FC Twente upon turning eighteen.

The players will spend two to three years in Enschede in order to get first team football, while the English club decides their future. The Manchester club sees FC Twente as a club that is structurally sound and settled in the Dutch top flight, while Twente will receive commercial and logistical advice.

FC Twente will also benefit from Man Utd’s knowledge of the South American market. The Red Devils will also help the Enschede club open a football school in Peru, and hope for something similar in collaboration with Club Olimpia, the holders of a record 38 Paraguayan championships. (Voetball International)

Manchester United already have strong relationships with the likes of Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and Belgian team Royal Antwerp, and now are looking to branch out into the Netherlands with Dutch champions FC Twente.

Teams in Spain have the advantage that their ‘B’ teams are able to play competitive matches in the second tier of Spanish football. Their prospects receive training from the coaches already at the club, meaning when they are ready to play for the first team, they are ready to play in the team’s style.

This is particularly evident at Barcelona, where the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets excel, and their youth academy continues to prosper. However, the Catalan side invests more than anyone in South American scouting – around double globally each year than that of famed youth developers Arsenal – and every other side in the world is playing catch up.

South American footballers have been at the forefront of the European game for a great many years – winning five of the last ten World Player Of The Year awards – and if Manchester United can acquire some young players able to emulate the great Brazilians Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos, or today’s star player Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina, they will only increase their status globally.

Sir Alex Ferguson is clearly planning a legacy for after his retirement, and though that thought remains far from his mind at the moment, when the day does come he will have made sure that Manchester United will continue to prosper.

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A Different League

Sol Campbell has revealed the reasons behind his decision to quit Notts County just one game into a five-year contract.

The experienced centre-half stunned the football world this summer when he opted to move to Meadow Lane as a free agent.

The former Arsenal, Tottenham and Portsmouth ace insisted he was happy to make the step down to League Two, claiming he was excited to be part of the ambitious plans at County.

However, having initially struggled for fitness, he dramatically walked out on the Magpies last week after making just one first-team appearance – in a 2-1 defeat against Morecambe.

Campbell had lasted just 29 days on the banks of the River Trent, making a mockery of the big-money contract he penned upon his arrival.

The England international claims he had to leave in order to keep his World Cup ambitions alive, but his decision has been widely condemned by the football fraternity.

The 35-year-old claims he never set out to court controversy, and insists he took the decision to quit County after several promises made to him when he joined were broken by the club’s new owners.

Campbell told the News of the World: “I knew I would be the club’s first big signing but was told I would be the first of many.

“Names like Roberto Carlos and Benjani were mentioned. But nothing materialised.

“And you know when people have money because things happen quickly.

“The only thing I’m guilty of is taking people at their word.” (Sky Sports)

Now that is funny. The reason he has left Notts County in the lurch less than a month after signing a five year deal is…wait for it…because the club didn’t sign World Cup Winner Roberto Carlos. The former Real Madrid man has not only won just about every major honour on planet earth, he is also currently plying his trade at Fenerbahce, who sit atop of the Turkish league with seven wins from seven and are also playing in the Europa League.

Frankly if Sol Campbell genuinely believed the three time Champions League winner was going to make the move to Meadow Lane then he needs his head examined…twice!

If he wanted to come up with a convincing reason for bailing out on the League Two club then this was not it. He could have stated, with more chance of anyone believing him, that he was considering becoming the first professional footballer to walk on the moon or even just admitted it was a mistake to make the move in the first place. It seems quite likely that he may have heard of a better offer, perhaps even one back in the Premier League, Hull City have been mentioned by some reports, anything else other than the “Roberto Carlos” defence would have sufficed.

Note to Phil Brown or any other potential new boss, do not tell Mr. Campbell that you have managed to convince Pele to come out of retirement!

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With Fabio Aurelio still out injured and Emiliano Insua a little raw for a long sting in the first team and the jury well and truly still out on Andrea Dossena, would a move for Roberto Carlos be a wise one?

Yes he’s 36 but he is super fit and has a wealth of experience and is available, perhaps most crucially given the financial state we are in, for free. Obviously this is only a short term solution but one that could well work wonders. It would be unfortunately too late for the Brazilian to be drafted into the Champions League, at least not the group stage but he could come in very handy for the long haul for a season that will hopefully stretch to 50+ games it would be a wise investment.

The former Real Madrid man is a three time Champions League winner and the holder of a World Cup Winners medal but hasn’t had a stint in the Premier League and I am sure he would jump at the chance. He could also be on hand to help build up the talents of the likes of Insua and the absence of a fee would make it viable to pay what would probably be a hefty salary.

Our 20 year old Argentine left back has displayed great potential when called upon but it would be unwise to burn him out too soon and even though Aurelio is soon to make a comeback a move for someone in the caliber of Roberto Carlos on a one year deal would still make sense.

The likes of Notts County are sniffing around but I don’t see the left sided player sinking that low and could fancy the chance of one last spell in the limelight. This is a player who competed in last seasons Champions League and took part in over 50 games last term of Fenerbache so is clearly still able to perform at a very high level.

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