Forgotten four to star
A SIGN of how Roman Abramovich stockpiles players can be seen in the fact that four of his Chelsea signings are involved in World Cup squads without having played a single game for the club.
The quartet are: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria), who spent the last six months at Middlesbrough, Christian Atsu (Ghana) who played last season for Vitesse Arnhem, and Eden Hazard’s younger brother, Thorgan, who is on standby for Belgium after impressing on loan for Waregem.
ITALY’S manager, Cesare Prandelli, has relented on a Twitter ban for his players — but he has warned them to be responsible about using social media. Italy used to be notorious for the draconian measures they imposed on their players but Prandelli will even allow the squad’s wives and families to stay in the same hotel complex as the team in Brazil — albeit in a different part.
UNITED STATES coach Jurgen Klinsmann (right) did not dare to tip off senior players that he was leaving the country’s mostcapped player, Landon Donovan, out of his final 23man World Cup squad.
Many of Donovan’s teammates, including Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, are close to the winger, who has won 156 caps.
Klinsmann admitted: ‘You don’t want them (the players) to be involved in personnel decisions. As coaches, we are the only ones who see all the players perform week-in, week-out. Our picture is different from the one players have of their own team-mates.’
RONALDINHO has come up with a nice little earner after being omitted from the Brazil squad — by renting out his luxury pad in Rio. Fans wanting to rent the former Barcelona forward’s five-bedroom property will need deep pockets. It’s on the market at £9,120 a night.