Football News: Terry Wanted In China, Totti Sent Home From Roma Training, Chelsea To Ban Coin Throwers For Life, Cup Draws And More

Image from: london24.com

1. Chinese clubs want Terry says Sven
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, now managing in the Chinese Super League with Shanghai SIPG, has said Chinese Super League sides are chasing the signature of Chelsea captain John Terry. Terry is out of contract in the summer and has said that Chelsea are not offering him a new deal. Eriksson said: "There is a lot of talk about John Terry in China. He has been one of the greatest defenders in the world for the last 15 years. He is still doing very well and has a lot to offer. He is one of the most recognisable players in world football. Chinese teams are looking for these big players. Great teams need great leaders. They do not come much better than John Terry. With his skill, his experience, he would be great in China, I have no doubt about that."

2. Thiago Silva wants Zlatan to stay
Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, and the 34 year old looks set to move on, but PSG defender Thiago Silva is hopeful he can be persuaded to stay. "What can we say about Zlatan? He is an amazing player who does some amazing things," Silva told reporters after the win. "I think he'll continue like this until the end of the season. In my opinion he can renew his contract, but I'm not the person who decides."

3. Zenga sacked
Arabian Gulf League side Al Shaab have sacked their manager, Italian Walter Zenga, after just three months in charge. Zenga replaced Tarek Al Ashry in November, taking charge of 11 games from which Al Shaab picked up just 4 points. After their ninth loss of his reign, a 2-0 defeat to Sharjah, left the strugglers bottom of the table with just seven more matches to play in the season. A statement from Al Shaab said: "The temporary committee of the club has terminated coach Walter Zenga's contract by mutual consent. The committee would like to thank the coach for his efforts. Zenga also thanked the interim committee for their co-operation, and wished the club well in building a professional system to achieve its ambitions."

4. Totti hits out at Spalletti and is sent home from training
Francesco Totti is a legend in Rome, club captain and icon of AS Roma, but that is not enough to get him much in the way of first team football this season. The 39 year old has made just 5 Serie A appearances, and managed just four minutes of Champions League action, as head coach Luciano Spalletti looks to use other players. Clearly the situation is frustrating Totti as this outburst shows: "I still feel like a player who is physically in good shape and I want to play," Totti declared, speaking to TG1 . "The injury is behind me now and if I don't play it is purely down to a tactical decision. I can't stay at Roma if things are like this. It hurts to be on the bench. I understand at my age that I play less, but ending my career like this is bad for me as a man and what I've given to Roma. I demand more respect for all I've done here." Demand more respect? At 39 years old you are better put remembering that you are only there out of respect, or you would not still have a highly paid contract. That is what respect earnt you. Totti went on to say more regarding Spalletti: "What is my rapport like with Spalletti? We say 'good morning' and 'good evening.' That's it. I want things cleared up with Spalletti, because I'd rather he tell me certain things to my face than me reading them in the paper. I respect him as a coach and think he has what it takes to remain at Roma. My contract expires in June, I await news from (President James) Pallotta and will evaluate the situation. I expect the fairness of people telling me the reality of the situation and how things really are."

5. Sheer 'genius' free kick from Cheltenham Town

I wonder how long they spent in training coming up with that and practising it? Might be better spent training on how to kick the ball....

6. Chelsea vow to ban coin throwers for life
Chelsea ran out easy winners against a youthful Manchester City side in the FA Cup, but the match will be mostly remembered for an incident involving Chelsea fans throwing coins as the City youngsters celebrated an equaliser at 1-1. Referee Andre Marriner was seen collecting three objects from the side of the pitch, at least one appeared to be a coin. A Chelsea spokesperson condemned the actions of the fans and said any fan found responsible for throwing objects would be banned for life.

7. Pardew backs Zaha for England's Euro squad
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has claimed Wilfried Zaha should be in the running to make England's Euro 2016 squad in the summer. Zaha, who has 2 England caps from 2012, starred in yesterday's FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur, setting up Martin Kelly for the winning goal. "I said to Wilf that he needed to be the main man while [Bolasie] was out and he's done that," said Pardew. "His defensive work has come on so much. Wilf must have a chance of going [to Euro 2016]. He's one of the best in the country at beating his man and opening a defence."

8. Lovely hit

9. FA Cup Quarter-Final draw
Reading v Crystal Palace
Everton v Chelsea
Arsenal or Hull City v Watford
Shrewsbury Town or Manchester United v West Ham United

10. Copa America Draw
Group A
United States
Colombia
Costa Rica
Paraguay

Group B
Brazil
Ecuador
Haiti
Peru

Group C
Mexico
Uruguay
Jamaica
Venezuela

Group D
Argentina
Chile
Panama
Bolivia

Written by Tris Burke February 22 2016 04:10:34