Argies at Corinthians
RIO DE JANEIRO: The problems at Brazilian champions Corinthians deepened on Tuesday after Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano followed the example of compatriot Carlos Tevez and skipped training.
Tevez returned to Buenos Aires last week without permission and has not been seen at the club since playing in the 1-0 win over Botafogo on Aug 22.
Mascherano was sent off in Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by Gremio but was still expected to turn up for Tuesday morning’s practice.
“I began the practice at 8.30am and there was no sign of Mascherano,” coach Emerson Leao said. “I haven’t received any official message from him and the case has been passed to the directors.”
Both Tevez and Mascherano have been picked for Argentina’s friendly against Brazil in London on Sept 3.
But relegation-threatened Corinthians, who play Ponte Preta on the same day in the Brazilian championship, have refused to release them.
The Argentine pair, who cost US$33mil between them, were signed under the controversial partnership between Corinthians and London-based Media Sports Investments. Both have been the subject of speculation over moves to Europe since the World Cup.
This increased after Leao, who has a long and well-documented rivalry with Argentine players, took over earlier this month to become the club’s fourth coach of the year.
Two weeks ago, Leao stripped Tevez of the captaincy, complaining that nobody could understand what he was saying.
Brazilian media have speculated that Mascherano deliberately got himself sent off against Gremio so that he would miss the Ponte Preta match through suspension and could play for Argentina.
Leao would not directly comment on the suggestion but said: “The sending-off was extremely unpleasant.” – Reuters
And from the Irish Examiner today: "Former Boca Juniors sensation Tevez has been linked with a number of clubs but Arsenal are now leading the chase for the powerful forward. Defensive midfielder Mascherano appears to be the subject of a tussle between Manchester United and Chelsea, with Alex Ferguson turning his attention to new targets after seemingly missing out on Owen Hargreaves."posted by TheBusbyBoy at
8/30/2006 10:38:00 PM
9 Comments:
If Mascherano signs for Chelsea, with their current array of midfielders, the world has officially gone nuts.
By
TheBusbyBoy, at 10:57 PM
What the hell? Wast Ham! Not convinced by this yet until I see it confirmed but it seems to be legit.
By
TheBusbyBoy, at 10:47 AM
O'Toole's verdict: Chelsea are all over this. I bet they have an agreement with the players agency (which Abramovich allegedly also has a 15% stake in) to sign both players permanently at the end of the season. Makalele will probably be done in a year and Macherano is a ready-made replacement. This way Chelsea get to sign players who have a years experience playing in England and living in London. West Ham get to have two class players for a year. The two players get a year to adapt to English football in a lower-pressure environment like West Ham.
By
TheBusbyBoy, at 11:20 AM
Ya, the next theory must be that this MSI crowd must be about to take over West Ham very soon and made sure that its two star clients are already there when it does. (if for no other reason that they can sell both to Chelsea next season for maybe 60 million combined)
By
TheBusbyBoy, at 2:10 PM
As we sit in 9th in the EPL, I can only imagine that Mr. Beasley will help the City cause. I have always supported him...unlike others...on the USA squad. Maybe Arsenal (17th in the table) should sign some big names to help their cause, too. Now, if Pearce can only bench Reyna for life.
By
GAC, at 3:28 PM
John O' sussed it.
By
Chris P, at 5:38 PM
Does anyone else think that Ashley Cole is tremendously over-rated??? I think Arsenal got the better end of the deal with Gallas.
By
GAC, at 7:42 AM
Yes, I actually do.
I think Arsenal have done some good business this Summer - two spoiled brats out in Cole and Reyna with Rosicky, Gallas(+5 million) and Baptista in.
Certainly better than United who lied all off-season about what they are going to do. (act before World Cup, wait until Italian affair sorted etc)
By
TheBusbyBoy, at 3:33 AM
Christ I go away for a week and all hell breaks loose. This West Ham stuff is ridiculous and no way above board. Tevez and Mascherano aer clearly well above West Ham's level though I did laugh. Sadly this is Chelsea to me as well - if they do do well, Chelsea wont get them and they have thwarted United and Arsenal in getting them.
Arsenal and Ashley... hmm, i think we didnt quite get enough, Gallas plus 5 mill - Gallas is 4 years older.. Still, i hate Ashley and we had to be rid of him and i do like Gallas a lot.
By
WhatsupWheaton Simon, at 10:26 AM
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