Lampard Can't Wait To Sample NY Life

Frank Lampard can't wait to start his new life in New York after ending his glittering Premier League career in typically stylish fashion.

Lampard said farewell to English football with the opening goal for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Southampton at Eastlands on Sunday before his departure was acknowledged with a presentation after the match.

It was Lampard's 259th goal in 882 club matches and the perfect send-off as the former Chelsea and England midfielder prepares to join Major League Soccer outfit New York City.

"It was emotional but I am very proud," said 36-year-old Lampard, whose contribution to English football was acknowledged with a presentation after the game.

"There were loads of emotions - a tiny bit of sadness to finish but much more of a good feel.

"The game went well, I scored a goal and what the club did for me at the end and the way the fans reacted - I couldn't have asked for much more.

"I can go away saying it was an absolute pleasure. I still feel fit and I feel like I can play for a couple more years. Maybe I could have done that in the Premier League, my choice is to play in America.

"That is my new challenge now. I feel fit and ready to go for it. I don't want to go and make up the numbers. I want to go there and carry on and do something good."

Lampard, who was released by Chelsea last year, joined City as a stop-gap before planning to move to New York for the start of the 2015 MLS season.

But the move proved unexpectedly fruitful and City reached agreement with their sister US club to retain him until the end of their 2014-15 campaign.

Lampard admits there was frustration after that extension was agreed as City manager Manuel Pellegrini then stopped playing him regularly.

It proved a critical period of the season as City fell behind eventual champions Chelsea in the title race.

"The only difficult period for me was when we went into the new year level-pegging with Chelsea at the top," Lampard said.

"I felt I was really contributing to the team but then I had a few months where I hardly started any of the games and that was difficult.

"It was a frustrating couple of months but I kept a level head about it because I was just very happy to be here."

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Tuesday, May 26

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Tuesday's newspapers...

Radamel Falcao is willing to take a massive pay cut to join Chelsea. The Colombian’s representatives have already sounded out Chelsea after Manchester United decided not to take up the option to sign him permanently. They have made it clear they are willing to scale back his huge £265,000-a-week wages from his parent club Monaco if it makes a deal happen. (Daily Mirror)

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has ruled out a move to Tottenham and paved the way for a summer switch to north London neighbours Arsenal. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have been handed a big boost in their pursuit of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi after the Argentine star’s agent, Eugenio Lopez, claimed the 27-year-old is desperate to leave this summer. (The Sun)

Real Madrid will not sign Javier Hernandez on a permanent deal from Manchester United. (Daily Express)

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to beat Liverpool to the £3.5m signing of Burnley defender Kieran Trippier. The former England U-21 right-back will leave Turf Moor this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League and Spurs have moved ahead of Liverpool and newly-promoted Bournemouth in the race to sign the 24-year-old. (Daily Telegraph)

Didier Drogba has set his sights on the MLS after revealing he could never play for another English club. Chelsea legend Drogba, 37, a target for New York City, is leaving Stamford Bridgeafter getting a hero’s send-off following their title triumph. (Daily Mirror)

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi wants to keep on-loan Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel for another season. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace are set to listen to offers for captain Mile Jedinak this summer. West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis is a huge fan of the 30-year-old and will be tempted to move for the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

Dwight Gayle could also be on the move, with Bournemouth interested in the Crystal Palace striker. (Daily Mail)

Drogba May Join Lampard, Gerrard In US

Didier Drogba will not play for another English team when he leaves Chelsea and may follow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard by ending his career in the United States.

The 37-year-old former Ivory Coast forward played his final game for Chelsea when the Premier League champions beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"There are some really fantastic teams in the Premier League but my love for this club...I can't share it with another English team," he told the Daily Telegraph on Monday.

"Since I put the news I am leaving Chelsea on social media, I was in the dressing-room and I was receiving some calls from teams which is really unusual.

"It showed that maybe I can still bring something to a team. Of course I'm interested in the USA," added Drogba. "Now I'm going to have a few days and weeks to think about what is good for me next but all I want is to play."

His former Chelsea teammate Lampard, who was on loan with Manchester City this season, is about to start a new career with New York City FC.

Gerrard, who used to patrol England's midfield alongside Lampard, played his last game for Liverpool on Sunday before joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Drogba re-signed for Chelsea last year after leaving in 2012 following a highly successful eight-year spell with the London club.

The Ivorian has won four Premier League titles with Chelsea, three League Cups, four FA Cups and the Champions League.

Drogba was voted the club's greatest-ever player by supporters in 2012.

Making Sense Of Keshi's Latest Nigeria Squad Including His Mikel Omission

Stephen Keshi ’s stint with the Super Eagles has frequently lurched from absurd to inspired, and back again. It therefore is no surprise to see the composition of the maiden squad of his second coming – the foreign-based contingent that is.

This list of 15 was revealed on Sunday evening, and will join up with their Nigeria Professional Football League counterparts in camping for the Afcon 2017 Qualifier against Chad.

There is a lot to be gleaned from this list, especially considering (seemingly) arbitrary personnel decisions were the bane of his first stint in charge. For every Michael Babatunde and Sunday Mba, there was a Michael Uchebo, a Nosa Igiebor, a Ramon Azeez; this lent an air of potluck to Keshi’s successes – if you have enough knives in your hand, you are bound to cut something.

On the evidence of this list though, very little has changed.

The most high-profile omission is of Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, only this last weekend won another Premier League title. There really is not much to carp about on that front: Mikel has struggled for both form and fitness this year, and is hardly the sort of consistent performer on the international stage for whom an exception can be made.

The question then is: if this is the criterion on which Mikel has been left out, how is a player like Ogenyi Onazi included?

The Lazio man has made 18 appearances (nine as starts) for Lazio this term, but has served the Rome club better by staying out of the way mostly. He has also lost his place as the go-to option in the event of injury or suspension, usurped by 20-year-old prospect Danilo Cataldi. His form with the national side has also suffered – Onazi has looked half the player since Blaise Matuidi ended his World Cup in Brazil.

For that matter, how to justify the central defensive pairing of Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo? Since the Big Boss stumbled upon the pairing in the second game of the 2013 Afcon, these two have been virtually undroppable.

While the virtue of familiarity in defence is clear, neither of these two have played a good game for the national team in ages. Both are also bench players in such 'elite' clubs as Caykur Rizespor and Middlesbrough.

Some have argued the pickings are slim in Europe for Nigerian centre-backs; I say why pick for the sake of it then? This list is intended to augment the home-based call-ups, which includes the NPFL’s best defenders. In terms of form and fitness, they are clearly ahead, so play them.

This lack of coherence is also evident in the omissions as well. Aaron Samuel has quickly endeared himself to the public for his knack of the impact goal while not playing especially well. If his limitations could be overlooked on the grounds of lack of alternatives then, what about now with Emem Eduok and Osaguona Ighodaro in sparkling form in North Africa? The former in particular is a superb footballer, and would be an upgrade on the China-based blunt instrument. Ighodaro struck five times in six games in the CAF Champions League until his Raja Casablanca side were eliminated from the competition.

Most surprising is the call-up of Rabiu Ibrahim. The former U-17 world champion, whose style and ability evoked comparisons with wizard midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha, has struggled to fulfil his immense promise due to a spate of unfortunate injuries. After failed stints at former European champions Celtic and PSV Eindhoven, it is at Slovakian club Trencin that he has found a home.

After a relatively injury-free season, his first in a long while, he has been rewarded with an invitation to the Super Eagles. Whichever way you look at it, it feels wrong. Rabiu has hardly stood out - four goals and one assist in 17 appearances, and only thrice has he completed 90 minutes - instead it seems he is in the squad on the basis of that spark back in 2007 under the tutelage of the late Yemi Tella.

If his reputation precedes him, it is perhaps because it is easy for great players to make themselves the template, even for future generations. Okocha was a stellar footballer, but getting caught up trying to replace him ignores the fact that the national team predated him, and as such is perfectly capable of functioning without him or a plaster-cast clone.

The issue of creativity from midfield is one that has raged on for years, and which Keshi was unable to address in his first stint. If his genius solution this time around is to try to resurrect an eight-year ghost in a player only just piecing his career together after much heartache, then the next two years of his contract will be exceeding long indeed.

'I'm Going To Juventus' - Dybala

Palermo starlet Paulo Dybala has confirmed that he will sign for Juventus this summer.

The Argentine striker has been the breakout star of the Serie A season, netting 13 times in 34 appearances, and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain over the course of the 2014-15 campaign.

However, Juventus emerged as the frontrunners and last week Palermo claimed an agreement was in place to take the in-demand 21-year-old to Turin.

Dybala himself has now confirmed that he is bound for the Champions League finalists and is confident that he can justify the Bianconeri's reported outlay of €40 million.

"Juventus are the team that wanted me most," the forward told Sky Sport Italia.

"They made a great effort to sign me and I have chosen them for this reason.

"I've grown a lot in these last few years at Palermo and I think that I can grow even more at Juventus. I can still improve so much.

"I will give my all to show that Juve have done right spending all of this money on me.

"When I arrived at Palermo, they said that they spent too much on me. However, with time I replicated what I had done in Argentine.

"Now, it will be same."

Dybala also revealed that he would like to see Carlos Tevez, who has one year left on his Juve contract, extend his spell with the Italian champions.

"For me, it would be better if he says," the youngster added. "With him by my side, it would be easier to learn."

Berlusconi: I Don't Want To Sell My Milan

Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that he will not relinquish control of AC Milan, explaining that he is simply seeking outside investment from interested parties in order to restore the club to its former glory.

The Rossoneri are one of the traditional superpowers of world football, having won the European Cup on seven occasions, but have fallen on hard times since claiming their last Serie A title in 2011.

Berlusconi has previously confessed that he can no longer pump the same kind of money into the club that saw the best players in the game regularly arrive at San Siro from the late 1980s to the mid-noughties.

The former Italian Prime Minister had looked set to sell the Rossoneri to Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol earlier this month but that deal has now stalled, with Berlusconi revealing that he is not seeking a successor but a partner.

"I don't want to sell my Milan," the 78-year-old media tycoon told Rai Tre.

"Indeed, I'm looking for someone that wants to fund it with me in order to make the club a leader in world football again.

"Football has changed since the arrival of petro-dollars. Just think that Qatar puts nearly €250 million into the PSG coffers every year.

"One family alone can no longer manage to contribute in this way."

Milan have endured a turbulent campaign under rookie coach Filippo Inzaghi, with the club currently 10th in the Serie A standings with just one round of the season to go.

Speculation is now rife that Berlusconi will attempt to rehire Carlo Ancelotti, who is set to part company with current employers Real Madrid this week.

Ancelotti won two Champions Leagues and one Serie A title during his previous spell as coach at the Giuseppe Meazza between 2001 and 2009.

Balogun Promoted To The Bundesliga

Nigeria international Leon Balogun ended a memorable season with Darmstadt as they earned promotion to the Bundesliga.

Balogun joined his teammates and their fans in the wild celebrations following the final whistle and could be seen waving the Nigerian flag.

An elated Balogun told supersport.com that he "was grateful to God for the achievement", and proudly waved the Nigerian flag as the team made their lap of honour around the pitch."

Darmstadt finished second ahead of Karlsruhe when they defeated St Pauli 1-0 to complete a remarkable double promotion having been promoted this time last year from the third division.

Balogun joined Darmstadt at the start of the season after Fortuna Dusseldorf refused to renew his contract following an injury incurred when he made his debut for Nigeria in Atlantic against Mexico in March 2014.

The defender had told supersport.com before the game that "we know the pressure ahead of this game and also know St Pauli need to win to avoid relegation but we will keep our focus and get the desired result.

"We would have done this already last week but we lost, otherwise we would have been promoted along with Ingolstadt but we are happy to achieve this."

Mourinho Eyes 'Fresh Blood' To Motivate Chelsea

Despite winning the Premier League title after occupying top spot for a record 274 days, the manager is wary of letting his squad rest on their laurels next season

Jose Mourinho says he will strengthen his Chelsea side to put pressure on his title-winning players next season.

The Blues rounded off the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland before lifting the trophy for a fourth time, having occupied top spot in the Premier League for a record 274 days.

With Didier Drogba confirming his departure ahead of the game and the likes of Petr Cech possibily leaving, Mourinho knows there is space available to his squad to improve the compeition for a first-team place.

"I know that our rivals are not going to accept this title and they are going to fight and there are three or four teams that will be aiming for us," he told reporters. "We have to be better - me, the players and our squad.

"Maybe they need some fresh blood to keep them under pressure. They know me they know that they are not going to keep their positions on the basis of this year."

Mourinho also hit back at claims during the season that Chelsea were not entertaining to watch, labelling his side a "complete" team, before admitting his return to Stamford Bridge two years ago was a risk.

He added: "I think we have everything. Can anybody say we don't play fantastic football? No. Well, they can, but it's not true.

"We have art in our game but we also have fantastic spirit, organisation and pragmatism. We are a complete team and that is why we are champions.

"It was a bit of a risk to come here for a second time but with a new team a new generation we are champions again, and as a Chelsea supporter I feel it a double way."

Van Gaal: I Know Who I'll Buy And Sell

Louis van Gaal says he already knows which players he must buy and sell in a potentially busy summer at Manchester United.

The Red Devils, who had already sealed a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, concluded the 2014-15 campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Hull City on Sunday.

United have already signed rising Netherlands star Memphis Depay from PSV and are expected to be active once again in the transfer market this summer as they look to mount a genuine title challenge next term.

And Van Gaal says he has already formulated plans to bolster his options for next season - as well as trim some of the dead wood from his squad.

"I have calls with every player I think I have to talk to, but the transfer period is a process," he told reporters at the KC Stadium. "I know which players have to go and which players have to come but you never know if they go or if they come because it is dependent on a lot of aspects."

Radamel Falcao was ruled out of the draw with Hull after picking up a knock in training this week but Van Gaal refused to be drawn on the Colombian's future beyond this term.

"Today we have to concentrate on this match and analysis of this match and not about decisions that we have made," he said. "You shall hear it at the proper time when Manchester United has to say something."

Hull failed to find a way past stand-in goalkeeper Victor Valdes on Sunday - despite Marouane Fellaini's red card for a shocking lunge on Paul McShane in the second half - and were relegated as a result of the draw.

And Van Gaal admits he is sad to see Steve Bruce's men drop into the Championship, while he branded Fellaini's challenge as "stupid".

"Very sad that a club like Hull City is relegated," he said. "I think everybody had seen it already before, this match was after all not so important but for us to play against a team that is fighting to the end, that is difficult.

"We are fighting for a dream, thery are fighting for a rescue, and that you see. They were a little bit unlucky and also [Victor] Valdes has saved us with remarkable saves. A clean sheet, a lot of clean sheets we have achieved this season.

"Fellaini doesn't want to do that. For him, it is unbelievably stupid. Next season he starts on the tribune and also in preparation you start more or less as a substitute, so it is not so good for him personally.

"But I don't know if that is a red card. I cannot see that from the bench but when I see it takes seven minutes, I believe, the player was not capable of standing up, it was a worst tackle.

"I'm ready [for the holidays], I go immediately. Last summer I didn't have any holidays, I go straight from Manchester, I am happy the holidays are starting for me."

Van Gaal added that Angel Di Maria will undergo tests on a hamstring problem which forced him off in the first half, though he believes the problem to be a minor one.

Mourinho Hails Departing Legend Drogba

Jose Mourinho believes Didier Drogba's influence will continue to be felt at Chelsea even though the Ivory Coast forward has called time on his second spell with the Premier League champions.

Drogba announced his intention to leave Stamford Bridge before the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday that ensured Mourinho's side ended their title-winning campaign in fitting style before being presented with the trophy after the final whistle.

The 37-year-old is keen to play on for one more year, but will have to look elsewhere for more regular first team action.

Drogba was named captain but played only 28 minutes before being chaired from the pitch by his teammates as he was replaced by Diego Costa.

And Blues boss Mourinho insists the veteran's legacy will continue to be felt because of his impact on the development of the club's younger players.

"The substitution was decided because he had a problem with his knee and, in normal conditions, he could not play for long. We left him on for half an hour," Mourinho said.

"The captaincy was John Terry's desire, to give him the armband. The players to bring him off the pitch? I think that was decided between them because they like him a lot.

"I'm really happy because he was part of the other team, but he belongs also to this new Chelsea.

"For these players to know him, train with him, live with him, play with him, share with him is fantastic.

"He was very, very good for these young people: Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar. They learnt from a good example. His was a fantastic contribution this season."

YOUNG LEGEND

Petr Cech also started on what could be his last appearance for the club.

The Chelsea goalkeeper, 33, is keen to move in search of more regular first team football and has been strongly linked with Arsenal, but Mourinho has not given up hope of keeping Cech.

"I keep saying the same. He's a legend of this club, but he's a legend at 33. Thirty-three for a goalkeeper is a very young legend," Mourinho said.

"One of our strengths this season was to have the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. When Thibaut Courtois was injured, Petr made decisive saves in matches for us.

"I'm not sure if Petr was not here in these seven matches if we could be champions, so his contribution was decisive.

"But we also have to be fair, and not emotional with our analysis, and say that Thibaut is an amazing goalkeeper who had a fantastic season for us. He's a big champion."

Members of Chelsea's 2005 title-winning team were reunited before kick off and Mourinho said: "For me, to have here today the champions of 2004-05 and the champions of 2014-15 is an amazing feeling because I feel as if I belong to both.

"I belong to two generations. To be back for the end of my team was hard. To see Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba leave is very hard.

"But my job is Chelsea's future and Chelsea's future is this team that we've been working with in the last few years.

"It would be a dream to be here in 2025 and be with the champions of 2005, 2015 and 2025."

Sunderland arrived at Stamford Bridge having already secured their Premier League status and boss Dick Advocaat, who masterminded their escape after arriving on a short-term deal in March, insisted he would make a decision on his own future soon.

"Wait and see. It's not up to me, because they offered me already two or three years. But I have to be honest to myself and to everybody what I will do for the future," Advocaat said.

"It will be as quick as possible, because the club must know.

"Let's wait till next week and then I'll make the decision."