Kevin Phillips joins Blackpool on free transfer

Striker Kevin Phillips has joined Blackpool on a free transfer after being released by Birmingham City. The 37-year-old has agreed a one-year-deal with the Seasiders with an option for a further 12 months. Phillips has scored 254 goals in 561 career appearances for seven different clubs and won eight England caps. "I've scored many goals in my career and I still believe I've got many in me," Phillips told the official Blackpool website. KEVIN PHILLIPS' CAREER Continue reading the main story Started his career as a right-back in Southampton's youth team Released by the Saints, he converts to a striker at non-league Baldock Town Joins Watford for £10,000 in 1994 Scores 24 league goals for the Hornets before joining Sunderland for...

Read more »

Arsenal duo Manuel Almunia & Nicklas Bendtner in move talks

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and striker Nicklas Bendtner are in talks with unnamed clubs over moves away from the Emirates. Bendtner, 23, and Almunia, 34, were left out a 23-man squad that will travel to Asia for a pre-season tour. An Arsenal spokesman confirmed this was so the pair could undertake negotiations over potential transfers. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expected to clarify details over the impending moves at a press conference on Monday. Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who has been strongly linked with a move to former club Barcelona this summer, will also miss the tour in order to receive treatment on a muscle injury. The other notable absentee is defender Emmanuel Eboue, who is nursing a calf strain. However,...

Read more »

Chelsea suffer Michael Essien injury blow

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has sustained a knee injury in training. A statement from the club said: "Michael suffered an injury to his right knee during training this week. "He will undergo tests over the next few days to determine the extent of that injury. Until we have the full results of those tests we will not be commenting further." The 28-year-old Ghanaian was ruled out for more than six months in 2008 when he sustained cruciate ligament damage. Essien also missed the 2010 World Cup because of a knee problem, and the midfielder's latest setback is a blow to new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, who is preparing his squad for their trip to the Far East, where they will compete in the Asia Cup. ESSIEN'S KNEE TROUBLES Continue...

Read more »

Tottenham broke agreement, claims Modric

Tottenham will stand firm on their refusal to sell Luka Modric - even after his claim that chairman Daniel Levy reneged on an agreement by rejecting a £22m bid from Chelsea.BBC Sport understands Spurs will insist there was no agreement made between Modric and Levy.Modric said: "Last summer [Levy] said we would find a satisfactory agreement if a club like Chelsea came in."I hope eventually we go our separate ways in an appropriate manner."Modric's representative told BBC Sport on Thursday that he would not ask for a transfer, but the 25-year-old made his discontent clear in an interview with Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.Chelsea retain an interest in Modric and their need for increased midfield reinforcements is now more urgent after Michael...

Read more »