Roshan's Blog-O-Matic: Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

May was a tough week to handle as the pressure is a lot for me. At the same time I feel good about certain things regarding the office & work. But there is a nagging feeling; like an itch that I just can't reach. I hope that things go my way and that everything settles down during the next two weeks.

Some soccer transfer news (it's getting very exciting now) : Patrick Kluivert has signed a three-year contract with Valencia after being released by Newcastle. The Dutch international wasn't kept on by the Magpies after a disappointing season in the Premiership. The 28-year-old now returns to Spain where he enjoyed success with Barcelona and joins Edu as Valencia's summer signings. "Valencia is an enormous team and therefore I am very excited about this agreement," Kluivert said. "I have good memories of Spain and therefore I’m glad to make my return, I’m looking forward to playing in the Primera Liga again." Scottish Premier League Champions Rangers have begun their summer clear-out, with Shota Arveladze looking set to join AZ Alkmaar, and Zurab Khizanishvili and Peter Lovenkrands likely to follow him out of Ibrox. Two German clubs, Hamburg and Schalke 04, have expressed interest in Georgia defender Khizanishvili, while Portsmouth are said to be keen to sign Danish winger Lovenkrands. Striker Arveladze, 32, is expected to sign a three-year contract with AZ on Tuesday, returning to the nation where he made his name. He joined Rangers from Ajax for £2 million in 2001 and scored two vital goals against Motherwell during the run-in to Rangers’ title win. In Germany Paraguyan striker Roque Santa Cruz is slated to move away from Bayern Munich and AS Roma is one of the clubs which could sign him. Roma's captain Francesco Totti is very impressed with Santa Cruz. AC Milan & Chelsea are trying to sign Parma's much coveted striker Alberto Gilardino. Parma are in the relegation playoff and could find themselves in Seria B next season. For his part, Gilardino says that would prefer to stay in Italy. With Luis Figo free to sign with anyone he chooses to, many clubs have shown interest, but Middlesboro are the only one to state that they aren't planning to sign him. Meanwhile Liverpool want to sign Villarreal's goalkeeper Jose Reina, who feels that if he joins the current European Champions he does not expect to automatically start. Reina says that he is willing to work hard for his place in the starting 11.

Arsenal's German goalie Jens Lehmann belives that despite his teammate Ashley Cole's recent tapping scandal, he is sure that the England left back will stay with the club. This comes after a comment made by Cole that the "French players" run the club. Also on the heels of this incident comes more bad news - midfielder Frederik Ljungberg says that he won't renew his contract unless Arsenal show more ambition in trying to win the Champions League. Also AC Milan have made their desire clear to sign the Swedish player, seen as the ideal right winger for the Rossoneri thanks to his speed and technical qualities. Manchester United have signed goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. The Dutch international, 34, has agreed a two-year contract with the Red Devils and will join the club on July 1st providing he passes a medical. United have been looking for a new keeper since releasing Roy Carroll last month. Spanish shot-stopper Ricardo will also be leaving Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires. Van der Sar joined Fulham from Juventus for £5m in 2001. He will presumably be United's first choice next season, ahead of American Tim Howard, who signed a new long-term contract last month. Spanish daily Marca are reporting that Deportivo La Coruna are on the verge of signing Milan duo Jon Dahl Tomasson and Vikash Dhorasoo. Paulo Futre, Milan’s representative in Spain, and Depor president Caesar Augusto Lendoiro have been working on the deals for weeks now and it seems that a solution has now almost been found. Deportivo are in dire need of squad reinforcements after a poor season in La Liga where they failed to qualify for Europe. Both Tomasson and Dhorasoo failed to hold down regular places in the Milan first-team this season and will welcome the chance of regular football. Milan's rivals Juventus might keep Alessandro Del Piero and are close to signing Bayern Munich defender Robert Kovac. The Croatian is available on a free transfer this summer as he is out of contract with the Bavarian giants.

Mike Ricci : Plays for the Phoenix Coyotes, DOB: Oct 27, 1971, Place of Birth: Scarborough, Ont., Canada, HT: 6-0 WT: 185, Shoots: Left,
NHL Seasons: 14, Drafted by Philadelphia in 1990 (1/4). Played in 1st career NHL game on Oct. 4, 1990 vs. Boston. . .Captained Canada's gold medal-winning 1990 World Junior Championship squad. . .Captain for Peterborough in juniors. . .Former 1st round draft choice (4th overall) by Philadelphia in 1990. . .Won Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year Award, Red Tilson Trophy and William Hanley Trophy in 1989-90. . .Named OHL All-Star 1st team in 1989-90 and 2nd team in 1988-89. Former Teams : San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanceh

Honours and Awards
1995-96 Stanley Cup (Colorado)
1989-90 CHL - Player of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
1989-90 OHL - Red Tilson Trophy (Most Oustanding Player)
1989-90 OHL - William Hanley Trophy (Most Gentlemanly Player )
1989-90 OHL - First All-Star Team
1988-89 OHL - Second All-Star Team

Personal: Nicknamed "Reech". . .During the past off-season, he participated in a practice session with the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. He was an avid soccer player while growing up in Canada. . .Through his "Ricci's Row" program, he donates 10 tickets to every Sharks home game to underserved youth. . .An avid fisherman, he caught an assortment of bass while fishing in the Toronto area during the off-season. . .Voted "Denver's Sexiest Athlete" by the fans in 1997. . . Likes listening to George Thorogood . . . Says he cuts his hair once a year . . . Married (Beth) with a daughter (Jade Lilly)..