Carlo Ancelotti: Unlike Joe Cole, Former Liverpool Star Yossi Benayoun Actually Listens To Me

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists that new signingYossi Benayoun understands his tactics more than former Blues star Joe Cole.

The Italian let the England international midfielder go on a free transfer to Liverpool this summer, replacing him with Benayoun, who cost the Blues £6 million.

Despite many saying that Chelsea should have kept Cole at Stamford Bridge, Ancelotti believes that the Israel international could be more effective than the Englishman was with the Blues.

"Joe Cole is quicker than Benayoun but Yossi is better tactically. He understands what I tell him,” Ancelotti toldThe Sun.

"Yossi is a very intelligent player. He knows everything about the game.

"Cole and Benayoun are different players and everyone has their own opinion, but we are happy to have Yossi here at Chelsea."

Benayoun, who came to the Blues from Liverpool this summer, is set to make his first appearance for Chelsea in Sunday’s Community Shield match against Manchester United.

DISCUSSIONS START

Liverpool have edged closer to a change of ownership following an opening of discussions with the Premier League, according to The Telegraph.

The discussions comply with new regulations stating the Premier League should be given 10 days notice of any proposed change of ownership for thorough assessment of any proposal.

Liverpool have been approached by Chinese businessman Kenneth Huang, QSJ Sports chairman, to take full control of the club, and the Premier League will need to be provided with proof of Huang’s financial backing and capabilities before any sale can be made official.

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton is thought to be keen to finalise a deal before the ending to this summer’s transfer window, but Huang’s offer is some way off the valuation set by Liverpool’s current owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

However, the Liverpool board are within their right to overrule the possible rejection of Huang’s purchase by the current owners, a reported approach worth £300 million, should they deem the sale as appropriate for Liverpool’s immediate future.

VIOLA FAIL TO SIGN INSUA

Fiorentina director Pantaleo Corvino has confirmed their bid to sign Liverpool defenderEmiliano Insua has collapsed.

Liverpool earlier said that a deal to sell Insua, 21, had been agreed, but Fiorentina had revealed the move was in jeopardy due to the player's wage demands.

"We're giving up on Emiliano Insua," Corvino told Sky Sport Italia. "He asked for wages we cannot possibly provide.

"Last night I had dinner with the director of sport at Liverpool until 2am. The player will remain in England. He is owed money by the club and he asked for wages we cannot possibly provide.

"Therefore we're giving up on Insua. He will not be coming to Fiorentina. Because of this, the squad at Sinisa Mihajlovic's disposal will remain what it is now, unless there is a shock bargain available."

Liverpool have already moved to provide cover at left back by re-signing Fabio Aureliofollowing his release earlier in the summer.

LIVERPOOL AIM TO BECOME WORLD'S RICHEST CLUB

Liverpool stand to become the most powerful club in world football if the takeover deal with a Far East Sovereign Wealth fund is completed.

The deal currently being negotiated by Kenny Huang, and his Far East partner has already laid the blueprint to make Liverpool the wealthiest club on the planet.

A Soccernet source has been given an insight into the ambitious plans to launch Liverpool in China, with internet, sponsorship and promotions aimed to push Liverpool beyond the means of even the richest clubs.

The source describes the plans as taking Liverpool to a scale as yet unseen in English football by tapping into the Chinese markets.

As the Far East group aims to wrest control from American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, the source believes US companies from Walmart to Apple could seek to work with Liverpool to make enormous inroads within the Chinese markets. That would eventually enable Liverpool to compete to buy the world's best players in every position.

While it has been suggested that there are alternative bidders, Hicks and Gillett would like the banks and the Anfield board to push up the price to include cash for the two shareholders, but the hedge fund backing this bid is in no mood to be stampeded into paying more for control.

The Far East Sovereign Wealth fund knows it is offering Liverpool their greatest opportunity to compete on a world stage with the financial big hitters, a chance that might not materialise again.

The new investors from the Far East believe that the shares are not worth more than the debt, and are therefore worthless, and they have no intention of paying Gillett and Hicks the premium price they have been demanding.

The Americans valued Liverpool at £800 million, but have since dropped their valuation to £600 million. The offer on the table, though, is to cover the debts of £350 million, notably paying off the Royal Bank of Scotland's near-£240 million debt.

That is where Hicks and Gillett's Achilles heel lies, and the RBS is keen for this deal to proceed.

TORRES: "I'M AT THE BEST CLUB"

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield by insisting he is extremely happy to be at "the best club in the country".

Torres, who returned to training on Monday after winning the World Cup with Spain, has been the subject of persistent transfer rumours after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League and manager Rafa Benitez left the club.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City had both been touted as potential suitors but Torres, 26, has moved to quash suggestions he is ready to move on.

"My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead," Torres said. "I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates.

"This is the best club in the country so the targets and expectations are always high. At Liverpool the aim is to fight for every title. It was difficult last season, but we are sure we can improve this season."

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson always maintained that he wanted to keep the Reds' record-signing at the club and Torres said he was impressed to have been paid a personal visit.

"I really appreciated the fact that Roy came out to see me while I was on my holidays," Torres said. "He told me about his plans for the club and what he wanted from me and I appreciated that.

"I hope he will be the right man to reach the targets of Liverpool Football Club and I am really looking forward to working with him. At the moment I am training just on my own but as soon as I can I will train with the team and with the new manager."

Torres' commitment to remain with Liverpool follows that of skipper Steven Gerrard, who made a similar pledge when he returned after the World Cup.

The only one of Liverpool's senior stars who does not want to stay on Merseyside is Javier Mascherano, who asked Hodgson to allow him to leave when he came back to Melwood a week ago.

Argentina's captain is looking for a reunion with Benitez at Inter Milan but Hodgson will not allow the midfielder unless the club recieves an offer in excess of £25 million.

AMANI NA UPENDO

CCM Zanzibar committee to screen presidential aspirants on July 3

ISSA YUSUF in Zanzibar
THE Special Committee of CCM for Zanzibar will screen all presidential aspirants for the islands on July 3.

“All 80 members of the committee meet to screen the aspirants and present its recommendations to CCM top organs,” said Mr Vuai Ali Vuai, the secretary of the committee.

He said three names would then be presented to NEC to choose the final candidate for Zanzibar, he said, adding that the Central Committee and NEC meetings are scheduled for July 6 and 9.

Meanwhile, three CCM members who picked nomination forms to run for Zanzibar presidency on the party’s ticket in the forthcoming general elections, separately vowed to give more attention to the welfare of all Zanzibaris, if elected.

Mr Mohamed Raza Dharamshi, Mr Haroun Ali Suleiman and Mr Mohamed Yussuf Mshamba went to the CCM sub-head office at Kisiwandui in Zanzibar on Thursday to collect the nomination forms and later addressed supporters and journalists at different venues.

“I will leave my business to concentrate on leadership with a vision to change people’s living conditions, since it is possible for all one million Zanzibaris to lead descent life.

“Among areas that I will give more attention is to resolve administrative problems in the union,” Raza said.

Mr Raza told a news conference at Zanzibar Ocean View Hotel that he had experience in sports and business leadership.

He said he would construct maternal clinics and computer centres in all constituencies of Zanzibar.

Mr Haroun told a gathering at Tembo Hotel in Zanzibar Stone Town that his ambition and preparation to become Zanzibar president started several years ago and “now I have decided to join the race believing that CCM will pick me.”

He said he had done a lot in developing education in Zanzibar and that his work could be easily seen.

At a meeting attended by elders, teachers and staff from his ministry, Mr Haroun said he had plans that would advance Zanzibar economically, politically and socially, as well as foster peace and stability.

Mr Mshamba, who has been keeping a low profile in Zanzibar politics, vowed to improve social services including health, water and education, saying that it was possible to change Zanzibar if the islands got a serious leader like him.

“I will make sure that there is rule of law including resolving land grabbing and accountability in public offices,” said Mr Mshamba.

CCM members who have picked up forms so far reached 11 by Wednesday.

Others are Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, Mr Ali Juma Shamuhuna, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilali, Mr Hamad Bakar Mshindo, Mr Mohamed Aboud Mohamed, Mr Omar Sheha Mussa, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and Ambassador Ali Abeid Karume.

The Special Committee of CCM National Executive Committee (NEC) for Zanzibar is scheduled to start meeting later next week, to screen the aspirants and make its recommendations to the party’s top organs.