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Midday Ticker: Mourinho blasts Benitez; Tottenham eyes ‘Chicharito’; and more

JoseMourinhoPSG (Getty)

 

BY COLE KELLOGG

Jose Mourinho took Rafa Benitez’s wife to task after her recent comments criticizing the Chelsea manager.

The Special One put Benitez on full blast after her critique. “I think she needs to occupy her time, and if she takes care of her husband’s diet she will have less time to speak about me,” said Mourinho. “The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time.”

Benitez has chosen to not add more fuel to this fire, not engaging reporters when asked about the comments while in China for Real Madrid’s preseason tour.

Benitez’s wife sparked this battle of words in her interview with Spanish newspaper La Region. “We tidy up his messes,” said Maria Benitez on the phenomenon.

The Chelsea manager is known for his ability to work the media, and this outburst is just the latest in a long line of fiery comments made against his opposing managers in world football.

Here are some more news and notes from this Wednesday afternoon:

TOTTENHAM HAS ITS EYES ON MEXICAN STAR ‘CHICHARITO’

While Tottenham is focused on beating out the MLS All-Stars Wednesday evening, its eyes are also narrowing in on a Mexican national team forward that has been linked with Orlando City SC.

According to Mirror, Tottenham is close to seeing forward Emmanuel Adebayor leave on loan to Aston Villa, and the English club is looking at Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez as his replacement.

Orlando City confirmed its interest in the striker in July, with OCSC majority owner Flavio Augusto da Silva saying: “Chicharito would bring to us not only a good player but a guy who’s connected to a Mexican community. There are a lot of clubs working to that, MLS is interested to that [Chicharito]. The less we talk is better for us.”

However, a chance to remain in the English Premier League and play with a attack-minded squad may lure the El Tri international to stay overseas.

BOLOGNA CONFIRMS INTEREST IN BALOTELLI

Liverpool journeyman striker Mario Balotelli may have a chance to move to Bologna.

The newly promoted Serie A side is interested in securing the talents of the Italian striker, who only managed to score one English Premier League goal at Liverpool last season.

Pantaleo Corvino, Bolgona’s director of sport, spoke about the possibility of getting the big man on loan.

“I would take him, he would be highly motivated here,” said Corvino. “Of course, Bologna have to respect certain financial parameters, but for the right price I would even look at the possibility of buying him outright.”

Balotelli has previously played in the Italian top flight with both Inter Milan and AC Milan, finding the net 46 times between the two sides.

SZCZESNY TO ROMA ON LOAN CONFIRMED

After news has circulated over the past few days, it has been officially revealed that Wojciech Szczesny will join Roma on loan.

The goalkeeper will temporarily join the Serie A runner-ups after Arsenal completed the signing of Petr Cech at the beginning of the summer. The Polish international has been with his English club since 2006, making 180 appearances in all competitions.

Arsene Wenger has continued to voice his belief in the shot-stopper’s future at Arsenal, despite the loan move.

“I personally rate him highly,” said Wenger. “I believe Roma is a big club and they play in the Champions League, play in a very different championship as well and that is a big experience for him and he is 25 years old.”

LOW ATTENDANCE ON LIVERPOOL TOUR BLAMED ON SUMMER EXITS

Liverpool has seen a drop in attendance over past preseason tours of Malaysia.

Andrew Doh, a marketing executive at one of the tours’ promoters, has come out to say that the exits of high-profile squad members played a factor in the attendance drop.

“Based on the feedback we received, last season’s performance also contributed,” said Doh. “If they can get some big names in, some players who are more prominent, they will become more popular again.”

But Syafiq Acan, a member of a Malaysian Liverpool fan group, cited poor organization of the tour as a reason for lower attendance. “Liverpool fans are annoyed…the fans could not even meet the players,” said Acan.

At the first game of the tour in Bangkok, Rajamangala Stadium was only half-full.

QUICK KICKS

Everton has turned down yet another Chelsea bid for John Stones. (REPORT)

Prince Ali has claimed that Michel Platini does not offer change from the current FIFA regime. (REPORT)

Turkish club Besiktas is in talks with Florentina striker Mario Gomez over a move to the Super Lig. (REPORT)

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What do you think about the exchange of words between Mourinho and Benitez’s wife? Do you think ‘Chicharito’ will sign with Tottenham? Will Szczesny ever be Arsenal’s top goalkeeper again?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Did a child write this? Stop snipping quotes mid sentence while giving minimal context. You could have included and presented much more. Thankfully, more thorough and precise sources exist

    Reply

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