Getting transferred to a big club doesn’t always be the ultimate choice for you talented footballers as many would still choose to play in a lesser team as long as they get regular playing time and one of that players are Fiorentina’s starlet, Stevan Jovetic. The young playmaker, who has been regarded as one of the emerging talents in today’s football world, has recently told the press that he would reject the chance to play for Barcelona and opted to stay in Firenze instead.

The 20-years-old player who has been linked with the Catalan club recently, stated that although Pep Guardiola’s side is a big and successful team, he feels that at the moment he needs more playing time more than anything that’s why he would rather stay in Fiorentina rather than moving somewhere else. The fact that he can play much more regular football with the Viola in a tough environment such as serie A would surely helps his development rather than sitting on the bench for most of the season because failing to compete with the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa, Andres Iniesta, etc.

“Barca are the biggest club in the world, but they have a team that is already complete to which they have added David Villa. It would be difficult to play when I want to play. And I can do that here so I can improve even more,” Jovetic said to the press. “I’m absolutely pumped to be a regular in Serie A. I feel good and this confidence around me makes me feel good: I know that I must do everything better and this expectation fires me also because if something someone expects something of me it means something good and I can give it. “

Jovetic’s statement is surely something refreshing not only for Fiorentina but also serie A in general as the competition still need talented players like him to keep the league much more attractive and exciting. With many stars could be leaving the competition, a committed young talent is one of the aspect that can keep the Italian league alive and still attract many football fans in the future.

Not to mention with the poor economic condition that most Italian teams are having, the only appealing thing is having talented youngsters such as Jo-Jo or Pato showing their potential and grow into great players in serie A. Now, Fiorentina surely need to do their best in keeping their talented starlet in Firenze for at least few more seasons until he grows into an influential player that is ready to face bigger challenge.

photo credit: acaaron816

Despite the confident words of their new coach, Sinijsa Mihaljovic, who insisted that his team, Fiorentina, could be challenging for the Champions League spot next season, the fans might still have something to worry about as the Florence based club might still lose some of their best players next season including Alberto Gilardino. The possibilities of losing the prolific striker, was mentioned by the club’s sporting director, Pantaleo Corvino, who stated that should Gilardino wants to leave and there’s a reasonable offer, he won’t be held hostage at Firenze.

“I cannot really say that Gila is not for sale. Of course we won’t go around offering his services to other clubs,” Corvino said to the press. “But really it is up to him. If he is happy in Florence then no problem, otherwise we will see.”

The media stated that Gilardino didn’t feel like Fiorentina’s current plan of filling the rooster with talented young players isn’t something on track with what the former Ac Milan striker had in mind. According to past rumors the 28-years-old player wanted the team to have more ambition in winning titles rather than just promoting young players and challenge for European spot each season.

Moreover, with the departure of the Viola’s previous coach, Cesare Prandelli, who has been elected as the Italian national team boss, it seems Gilardino’s doubt over the team’s future gets higher as he probably isn’t certain he can play as good as his seasons under Prandelli. As many Italian football expert known, one of the reason the striker opted to move to Fiorentina from Milan was the presence of the former Parma coach, who seems capable in enhancing the Italian international striker’s career.

Should Gilardino decide to leave, it looks  like the striker won’t be having difficulties in finding a new club as rumors claim that he is being wanted by some teams including French champion, Marseille. The club’s coach, Didier Deschamps, looks to be a keen admired of Gila’s ability and with his club’s ambition in getting titles next season, the Ligue 1 club might be an interesting option for the 28-years-old player.

Aside from Marseille, another team that could have a chance in acquiring Gilardino’s signature is Italian giant, Juventus, which reportedly still looking for some re-enforcement in the strikers department. Should the Bianconeri made an offer for the ex-Milan bomber, it would be an opportunity he won’t missed as the striker is known as a Juve fan.

photo credit: GoLd***

Despite being rumored to be loosing some of their important players next summer, Fiorentina still manage to please their fans by acquiring an interesting player for the squad as the La Viola announced the capturing of a new keeper, Artur Boruc. The former Glasgow Celtic player reportedly will soon sign a contract with the Viola after finishing his medical test with the Serie A team, which has been left by their coach Cesare Prandeli.

Reports from Italian media suggested that Polish international goalie was bought by the Florence club for an amount of 2,5 million Euro, which can be considered a reasonable cheap considering Boruc’s experience. Moreover, the news also claimed that the keeper is set to spend two exciting Serie A experience with the Viola deputizing the club’s number one choice, Sebastian Frey.

However, it’s actually a pretty interesting set up made by Fiorentina with this deal as they would have two pretty good goal keeper in their squad which is a bit luxurious considering they won’t be enjoying European action next season. That’s why there are some rumors stating that the Viola might be releasing Frey this summer to give space for Boruc, as the French International keeper does have many admirers in and outside of Italy.

Still is at the moment there are no clear indications about Boruc and Frey’s status next season as Fiorentina themselves will have a new coach, Sinijsa Mihaljovic, who will surely has the last word on the two keepers future with the club. Boruc himself was actually a pretty highly rated keeper a few seasons back, having many big clubs such as Ac Milan, Manchester United, were gunning to sign his signature. Despite a dip of performance lately with a considerable young age for a keeper, the 30-years-old player could still make a great impact in Serie A.

photo credit: GoLd***

Two years ago, a report published by an independent news agency mentioned Keirrison as one of five local based Brazilian stars to watch. The other four were Neymar, Dentinho,Lulinha, Walter and Douglas Costa. Not only was that report right, but it was also the launching pad for the very talented Neymar who although erroneously omitted from Brazil’s World Cup squad, the Santos star remains a much loved figure in Brazil.

Keirrison joined Fiorentina on loan from Barcelona in January in a two-year agreement and was expected to see out the initial deal, however, the Viola cut short his loan. Ever since this report came out, i have been keeping tabs on Keirrison. As a die hard fan of Brazilian football and their players, i have made it my personal duty to ‘scout’ for the next Pele.

Now, Keirrison might be highly talented however, he is far from being the next Pele. That said, Fiorentina will definitely struggle without him in the new season. Scoring 2 goals in 7 appearances, Fiorentina in my opinion failed to give Keirrison enough time prove his worth, much like Milan want do with Huntelaar.

A background check on Keirrison confirms that he is all if not more than the 14 million Euros Barca paid to Palmeiras to acquire his services. Ironically, Keirrison never played a game for Barcelona as he was immediately loaned ou Benfica before joining Fiorentina this year.

A statement on the club’s official website reads:

“ACF Fiorentina communicates to have reached an agreement with Barcelona for the mutual resolution of the loan agreement with Keirrison De Souza Carneiro.

“The club would like to thank the player for his last four months in the league in which he wore the jersey for 285 minutes, scoring two goals, against Lazio and Inter.

“We wish him a career full of goals.”

With nowhere to go, Keirrison will most probably return to his native Brazil with Santos being his most definite destination.

Photo credit: from LuciFerAngel

For the past two years, Fiorentina have been a dominant team in the Serie A and this is mainly because of the former coach Cesare Prandelli. Anyone who watched their European campaign last season knows just how lethal the squad is.

With the likes of Gilardino, Montolivo, Vargas and Jovetic in their ranks, the Viola surprised many early on in the season when their impressive play provided them with the rare pleasure of dominating the Serie A in the early days of the 09/2010 season. However, somewhere along the way, it all went wrong for Fiorentina.

Finishing the season in 11th place and missing out on the chance of some European action, Fiorentina were again dealt a hard blow when they learned that their coach Cesare Prandelli would be leaving them at the end of the season to replace Marcello Lippi as the Italy national team coach.

During his tenure as Fiorentina coach, Prandelli was named the Serie A coach of the year in the 07/08 season after he led the Viola to the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup where they lost to Scottish side Rangers.

Prandelli is also credited for ensuring a sixth place finish for Fiorentina in the 06/07 season despite them starting the season with a 15 point deduction for their participation in the infamous 2006 match fixing scandal.The following season, he led Fiorentina to the Champions League after they finished 4th in the Serie A.

Their 2009/2010 European season remains as one of their most successful ever after they reached the knock-out stages of the Champions League. It is this record which many are hoping will restore Italy as one of the big footballing nations.

A number of players and fans alike have expressed their satisfaction with the FIGC (Italian Fa’s) choice. Former Italy international Gianfranco Zola backed Prandelli for the job saying that he is the right man.

“I definitely like him,”. “He is a young manager with ideas and energy and I think it is the perfect assignment. I think he will bring the fresh air of youth to the team and that is a good thing, something we have to work on.”

If reports doing the rounds are true, then Zola should have his wish as Balotelli and Cassano have already been identified as possible inclusions in his squad.

That said, it remains to be seen just how effective Prandelli will be.

Photo credit: from Misko Lacarak

A failed drug test in 2004 cost Adrian Mutu has career at Chelsea and it now going to cost him £14 Million

The Swiss Federal Court confirmed this morning that they have upheld the decision made by FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, ending a legal battle that has lasted five years.

Chelsea signed Muti in August 2003 from Parma for 22.5million euros, but just over a year later they sacked him for testing positive for cocaine.

In an unusual case, Chelsea them sued Mutu for the money that they had already paid him. FIFA ruled that Chelsea could recoup the money from Mutu and Mutu’s appeal to the CAS failed.

The Swiss Court statement said:

“In a ruling on June 10, 2010, the Swiss Federal Court rejected the appeal formed by Adrian Mutu against the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS ordered the Romanian professional footballer to pay a sum superior to 17million euros to his former employer, Chelsea Football Club Limited (Chelsea).”

Now this might be a hollow victory for Chelsea as I am sure that there is no way that Mutu has £14 Million. The Romania star is currently serving a nine-month ban after testing positive for anti-obesity drug sibutramine in January while playing for Fiorentina. Mutu can return to Fiorentina on October 29.

Disgraced Fiorentina player Adrian Mutu is a man in trouble. The Romanian international lost his appeal against a Swiss court today in a ruling that will now see him pay his former club Chelsea more than 17 million Euros.

As we all know, Mutu is currently serving a one year ban for failing a doping test twice (yes you read that right) earlier in the year and it seems like Mutu did not learn much from his Chelsea sacking back in 2004. In my opinion, Mutu got off with just a slap on his hand and is lucky to be out for only a year.

Mutu’s case has dragged on for a good 5 years at the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) and the Romanian was hoping for a favourable decision when the final ruling was made. That however, will not be happening.

Now Mutu must pay Chelsea 17,173,990 Euros in addition to a 5 per cent interest incurred since 2008. Legal fees during the entire period will set him back a further 104,000 Euros.

Mutu appealed to the CAS against FIFA’s decision ordering him to pay Chelsea because he claims he was in breach of contract when he was sacked by the London outfit.

CAS upheld FIFA’s decision last year leaving Mutu with the option of seeking solace in the Swiss judicial system. A simple statement from the Swiss court this morning however put Mutu’s fate beyond doubt. The statement read:

“It reached the conclusion that this was not the case and the Romanian footballer’s appeal was unfounded.”

In addition to serving out his one-year ban, Mutu will now have to pull his resources together and scrape whatever ‘little’ he has and pay his former employer. This might be football’s first story of riches to rags.

Photo credit: from Alexander Zetlitz

Is one year really enough? I mean how do you fail a doping test twice in ten days. Maybe he really is in the wrong profession. The Italian Olympic Committee has now asked that the Fiorentina forward be banned for a year.

One year however to me is just but a drop in the ocean. Its players like Mutu who give football a bad name. Mutu should be banned for life to send out a clear warning to others that drugs do not pay.

“The antidoping office has referred the Fiorentina player Adrian Mutu to the national anti doping tribunal of the CONI in relation to the violation of Article 2.1 of the WADA’s code following the presence of the substance Subitramine during controls in relation to Fiorentina-Bari and Fiorentina Lazio, consequently with the application of a one year ban according to Article 10.4 of the WADA.” This statement appeared on CONI’s official website.

I have to admit though that Mutu’s failed doping test is funny. Apparently Adrian Mutu failed two doping tests between the 10th and 20th of January this year. Now if that does not tickle your funny bone you definitely must not have a sense of humour.

That said, I appreciate and respect his talent. Its only a shame that Fiorentina will miss his services and possibly a champions league spot in these last games of the season.

Photo credit: Alexander Zetlitz

Romania international striker Adrian Mutu has tested positive for a banned substance, according to the Italian Olympic Committee.

The IOC said that they found traces of anti-obesity drug sibutramine in Mutu’s urine after the match between Fiorentina and Bari on 10 January. Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant drug used for obese people, although it was recently banned in the UK amid fears over the increased risks of heart attacks and strokes. Why Mutu was taking an appetite suppressant drug is a mystery.

This is the second time that Mutu has failed a drug test. In 2001 he positive for cocaine while at Chelsea. For that offence he was banned for seven months by the Football Association and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that he had to pay Chelsea 17m Euros (£14.62m) for breach of contract.

Because he is a repeat offender, Mutu could now face a four-year ban, which would in essence end his career.

Photo Credit: “il Carca”

It was inevitable that all the 3 Italian representatives in the Champions League would be handed tough opponents when the draw for the knock-out stages was held on Friday. However, the fixture that really caught my eye was the Bayern Munich vs Fiorentina match-up.

Apart from the Inter Miln -Chelsea fixture and AC Milan-Manchester united fixture, i believe this is the one fixture that is bound to have all football lovers anxiously  anticipating February 2010. I say this because Fiorentina and Bayern Munich have never met in this prestigious tournament and also because both these two teams are doing well in their leagues.

Fixtures like these are had to predict and they usually arouse a passion that is comparable to none. There is no previous history of these two clubs meeting and thus there is no criteria that analysts, pundits and fans can use to establish the stronger of the two.

Bayern Munich who of late have been steadily improving in their league will want to put their disastrous start to the season behind them when they face the Viola in the two legged home and away fixture. The Bavarians are currently in position 3 in the Bundesliga just 2 points off the pace set by the much unfancied Bayer Leverkusen.

Fiorentina on the other hand have started to decline after starting the season strongly. They currently lie in 9th position in the Serie A and with a killer game against Milan that is still yet to be played, the Viola could very well find themselves in the wrong end of the table going into the winter break.

What i really like about this fixture is its unpredictability. Both these sides have good players who play good ball. What we are in for is some really entertaining football that will surely set the pace for the entire year.