by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz informed the side on Monday that he wants to continue his club career "at a bigger, more ambitious team."
Santa Cruz, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, told a Paraguayan radio stationthat he has informed the club of his decision and that he wants a move away from Ewood Park this summer.
The Paraguayan joined Blackburn in 2007 on a four-year deal from German giants Bayern Munich and exploded on the Premier League scene in his first year notching 19 goals while only scoring four this season.
Santa Cruz has been linked with numerous clubs over the past year including Manchester United and Manchester City.
Here are some other stories from Europe to help you get through the day:
Bellamy likely out for remainder of season
Manchester City has five games left to try and remain in the upper half of the Premier League but they will likely be without forward Craig Bellamy during that span.
The Wales international has been sidelined since aggravating a knee injury in the first-leg of Manchester City's quarterfinal series against Hamburg. The injury was initially thought of as one that Bellamy would quickly get over but it now appears that he will not play again for the blues this season.
Manager Mark Hughes said it is still possible that Bellamy could recover in time for the final couple games but that it is improbable.
AC Milan release Emerson
After less than two years with Italian heavyweights AC Milan, Brazilian midfielder Emerson has been let go by the Rossoneri. The move comes after Emerson had requested to have his contract cancelled due to personal reasons.
The 33-year-old, who was a former player for giants Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma, is now a free agent but it is unclear as to whether or not he wants to retire.
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What do you think of Santa Cruz wanting to leave Blackburn? Do you see Manchester United bidding for him again? Will Manchester City finish in the top ten without Bellamy? Would you like to see Emerson come to the MLS?
Share your thoughts below.
Harry, While you do have a point, there are 2 other minor issues to consider: 1) Chamberlain and “peace in our time” encouraged Hitler and helped get the war rolling (France contributed too by ignoring the remilitarization of the Ruhr), and 2) American aid to the UK was vital to your surviving those 2.5 years. Oh, Tom P, some of us DO read history.
Santa Cruz has had a terrible season for Blackburn, so I’m sure they won’t mind seeing him leave.
Harraby Harry -you are 100% right but do you really believe the people on these boards ever read a history book?
Besides Alex- Churchill may have not told FDR- if indeed he actually knew which has never been proven- but FDR was more then happy to finally have a reason to get in without the isolationists calling for his impeachment.
I’ll have you know the Brits fought the war for 2 & a half years before you Yanks got involved. If we had fallen, the war would have been over before the Yanks entered it.
You have no sense of history AND NO FOOTIE CULTURE!
I give it 24 hours until the rumormill starts about the LA Galaxy bringing in Emerson and Santa Cruz for an undisclosed sum. haha
Off topic but are the U17 world cup qualifiers going to be on tv? and if not what the hay is the point to the supposed soccer channels I subscribe to that do nothing to show us the games we want to watch, the south american qualifiers are on, and I could careless, I bet we’ll be forced to watch the european qualifiers too. This is the type of stuff that pains me when I think FSC is going to have another obligation like champions league it will be another reason for them to leave our guys off their telecasts.
The Brits stopped the nazi’s? who new I guess thats why churchill didn’t bother to tell the US about pearl harbor!! The game was invented on the island and perfected everywhere else, if you had an all british team vs the World EPL stars what would that look like!!
Arshavin scored 4goals against Liverpool. WTF
Torres and Benayoun both scored 2. Torres now has 13 in the league in 20appearances.
Jacob A. – here here! Classic game. I watched the last 10 minutes.
I hope MLS doesn’t bother with another 30+ player. With all the talk about how MLS needs to stray from NASL tactics, they are falling right in line with the past. Signing old expensive players, EXPANSION like crazy, money hungry Commish. Blah blah blah.
Bellamy is on roids, he looks like he benches houses for fun. I’ve enjoyed City’s terrible season after they tried to buy a trophy. I hope they become an example for other clubs *cough* Chelsea *cough*
Who was able to watch Real Madrid-Getafe?!?!?! Seriously, when you get home, set it on the dvr whenever they do the eventual late night replay! WHAT A GAME!!!!
alticooper +1
Don’t hate us because you are jealous.
We have the world the Bard, Footie & stopped the Nazis ! We gave the world the Magna Carta, the Small Faces, Fishcakes, bangers & mash!
You’re welcome!
Tootleoo!
Harry makes it so much easier to hate the British.
Harry…ha ha ha ha! I love it. The English game truly is superior but you have to admit, watching those Italians grease their hair back, talk with their hands, and flop everywhere–now that’s the beautiful game.
Santa Cruz to RSL. We need a DP.
yeah Ives! you really are covering the world of soccer with mostly EPL stories… I kid I Kid : )
Santa Cruz will end up an Man City.
Emerson will come to MLS during the summer.
ummm… didn’t the british empire control 60 percent of the world at one point?
Santa Cruz to celtic!!
English soccer is on top now, in the 90’s Italy was King.
Well Italy did rule a much larger area then Great Britain ever has.. matter of fact Italy ruled Britannia as well..
Yes, but it was the best world cup!
Besides, we won two World Wars! How has Italy fared in that department?
Tally Ho!
Forgive these folks Harry. They left their sarcasm detectors at home.
Harry your proper culture has netted one world cup victory. Hmm don’t the football culture lacking Azzuri have 4? Oh wait we can ignore that if you want
Cabanas is a beast.
But wouldn’t mind having Santa Cruz as a forward option in Toffee Blue.
dang AltiCooper, I thought I would be able to get it out first. oh well. Ya never know . . .
Harraby Harry, please dont bother trolling.
Why do you even bother to cover Serie A? It’s a terrible league. We English invented footie! The Italians have no football culture to speak of! And what do they know about food??? All they eat is sauce! Have they ever even tried Spotted Dick? Beans on toast? Marmite? Please!
Please keep your commentary to the English game. We did invent footie and right proper footie culture after all.
Cabanas > Santa Cruz
Emerson to the MLS!! ha sorry i wanted to be the first one to say it 🙂