Joe Cole for Benayoun Replacement?

(posted by Roku)

Roy Hodgson, the new Liverpool boss, hoping to bring Joe Cole to Liverpool. He is finally decide that Joe Cole is the ideal replacement for Yossi Benayoun.The 28-year-old recently parted ways with Chelsea after his contract at Stamford Bridge came to an end, and he is now free to talk to any club he chooses.

After previously linked to move away from England and been denied by his agent. Cole has reported to agreed in principle with Gunners despite to Tottenham. 

Gerrard Promises He Will Not Quit International Football

(posted by Roku)

Liverpool skipper insisted that he will not giving up his place despite the disappointment performance in South Africa. England exited from the Word Cup after losing badly to The Young Germany 4-1.

 

Fabio Capello has suggested a new era of England to give a chance to the youngster. Gerrard once again remains to keen to add his 84 caps. Unlike his teammate, Jamie Carragher who once again decided to retired from international football.

"There is no way I want the disappointment of the Germany game to be my last for England," Gerrard told his club's official website. "It was such a low and I am determined to do as much as I can to make amends for what happened. "I expect there to be a lot of changes to the squad and it is up to the manager whether I am selected, but I am going to continue to make myself available for my country."

Hodgson Needs Gervinho and More Brits

(posted by Roku)

New Liverpool boss, Roy Hodgson is targeting the Ivory Coast star, Gervinho to add his attacking option. This Lille forward, spent just only one season, scored 13 goals on his debut season. Lille, wants £10 million for Gervinho. But as report has said, Hodgson would not be willing to pay more than £8 million to secure his services. Arsenal has also linked with Gervinho following his good perfomance in South Africa. 

Meanwhile, Hodgson stated that he needs more British player to meet the new regulation of Premier League. From this season, every Premier League squad will have to name a 25-man squad at the end of each transfer window, with a minimum of eight home-grown players included. This includes players who have played for an English or Welsh team for at least three seasons between the ages of 16 and 21.

For next season, Liverpool has already welcomed Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling from Charlton and Queens Park Ranger. But Hodgson insist his squad isn't strong enough. "I think the club have been trying to do that already with younger players like Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling but it takes time for them to come through so we might have to go into the transfer market. We would be foolish not to be aware of the importance of home-grown players with the way UEFA and Premier League rules are going, otherwise we're going to struggle to get our squad numbers together."

Liverpool now linked with Ashley Young and the Newcastle captain, Steven Taylor.

Roy Hodgson Will Make Steven Taylor as His First Signing

 

(posted by Roku)

According to Sunday Mirror, Hodgson will attempt to make a bid for Steven Taylor. An early bid are already thought to have taken place between Reds and Taylor representatives. 

Newcastle United having gained a promotion this season.  Taylor is believed to be waiting to hear future plans from the Toon hierarchy before making a decision on his future. But Newcastle has already stated that they will not spend much amount of money this season. Something that Taylor concerned about by their lack of ambition. 

It's thought the 24-year-old defender would favour a move to Liverpool, despite interest from several Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Aston Villa. Taylor has just one year left on his current deal and Newcastle may be forced to listen to offers to avoid losing him for nothing next summer.  

Chelsea Sign Benayoun

 

(posted by Roku)

Chelsea have announced the capture of Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be between £5 million and £6 million.

The 30-year old has been linked with a switch to the Premier League champions all summer as a replacement for the out of contract Joe Cole and will join his new team-mates for pre-season training on July 5. The move brings to an end the Israel international's three year stay on Merseyside, where he grabbed 18 goals in 92 appearances. Speaking to the Blues' official website, Benayoun said: "I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player. Hopefully we will be successful."
Manager Carlo Ancelotti added: "We are happy to have this new player. Yossi has a lot of quality in midfield and can play in lots of positions. I like his behaviour on the pitch and he will do a great job for us next season." A spokesman on Liverpool's official website wished Benayoun all the best for the future. They said: "Yossi's departure was agreed between the player and Rafael Benitez a number of weeks ago. Everybody at Liverpool FC wishes him well for the future." 

The Israeli international will link up with his new team-mates on Monday when pre-season training gets underway and he admits he can't wait.

"Everything looks lovely. It is a great training ground and you can see it is one of the best clubs in the world from the way the people here treat you," he told Chelsea's official website.
"I met a few of the staff and the players I know a little bit from playing. It is a good challenge for me and I am ready for it.

"There are a lot of good players, big players. For me it is the beginning and I have to work hard and prove I can bring something to this club.

"The only thing I can promise is I will work hard and do my best, and hopefully it will be good enough."

Benayoun's last appearance for Liverpool at Anfield was against Chelsea in May where the Blues won 2-0, something which lingers in his memory.

"The last home game I knew it would be my last for Liverpool," Benayoun added.

"I tried to do my best but Chelsea were strong. All the years here in England, five years, Chelsea were always a difficult side to play against with big players and that's why they are always there at the top, fighting for trophies - that's why I am glad to be a part of it now."

The Israeli conceded that there were many offers for him on the table to consider, but his choice was straightforward and he is happy to have signed a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

"I had offers from a few teams, but when Chelsea came in for me it was the obvious and only thing to think about, and I am glad it came out in the end," he added.

"I leave a great club at Liverpool and I had a great time there, so I am very grateful for them also."

 

Chairman : Why We Chose Roy ?

(taken from LFC.tv)

Martin Broughton today explained why Roy Hodgson was the number one choice to become Liverpool Football Club's 18th manager.

The Chairman lifted the lid on a rigorous interview process during which Hodgson was grilled by Christian Purslow, Kenny Dalglish and Broughton himself.

In the end the board decided the former Fulham boss met every requirement outlined after Rafael Benitez's departure at the start of June.

Broughton told reporters at Hodgson's Anfield unveiling: "You take the League Managers' Association's Manager of the Year - that shows the respect his peers have for him. It's a respect that's been earned not only over the last year, which was outstanding, but over a long period of time.

"Roy brings precisely the sort of experience we were looking for. He's been around and dealt with lots of different international players.

"He's English but he's cosmopolitan. He wasn't chosen because he was English - he was chosen because he was the best man for the job.

"We need someone to steady the ship at this stage and I think Roy has got all of the talents we were looking for."

Broughton added: "Can I just express on behalf of the club our appreciation to Mohammed Al Fayed and the Fulham team for allowing Roy to talk to us and for being so good about the whole process."

Hodgson was quickly installed as the bookies' favourite once the Anfield hotseat became vacant - but Broughton revealed the board started their search with an open mind.

He said: "We didn't start off with a first choice. We wanted to have a proper and professional process. We didn't say A was favourite or B was favourite. We talked to quite a lot of people.

"There were a lot of applicants and we approached some others. There were a number of telephone interviews to get a shortlist. Then there were a number of face-to-face interviews which Christian Purslow and Kenny Dalglish carried out.

"They put their conclusions to the board and the board agreed it would be a good idea for me and Christian to meet the last two. That was last weekend and Roy was our choice."

Roy Hodgson Shortlist

Hodgson is believed to be targeted Brede Hangeland, Danny Murphy, Gilberto Silva, and Rafael van der Vaart once he's been appointed as Reds manager.

The former Inter Milan manager had done a very great job with Fulham last season. England's failure in the 2010 World Cup had seen him linked with a potential move to take over the reins of the national team, but recent reports point towards the gaffer being unveiled as the latest to take to the helm at Anfield.

Daily Mail reported that he will be given £15 million for transfer kitty. And could be boost by the sale of Mascherano (£25 million) and Yossi Benayoun (£6 million). It is also said that he will look towards to bring the Panathaikos veteran midfielder, Gilberto Silva. The former Reds midfielder, Danny Murphy also reported to be under consideration.

Additionally, to strengthen a Reds that looked shaky on more than a few occasions last season, the 62-year-old is believed to have cast his eye on raiding his former club for Brede Hangeland. It has been speculated that the success achieved under Hodgson will be convincing enough for the Norway international to switch allegiances and move to Merseyside. Hodgson is also reportedly interested in bringing in Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart to Anfield, amidst claims that the now manager of the Spanish club, Jose Mourinho, will let go of the player. 

(posted by Roku)