The Big Interview – Didier Drogba on Ivory Coast presidency and Villas-Boas
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba talks to Football Focus about his Africa Cup of Nations heartache, life at Chelsea under Andre Villas-Boas and his Ivory Coast foundation.Magpies snap up Cisse
Newcastle have officially confirmed the signing of Papiss Cisse from German outfit Freiburg. Cisse, an international team mate of the Magpies’ prolific Senegalese striker Demba Ba, has been acquired for a fee rumoured to be around £10m. Cisse, who is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, has put pen to paper a five and a half year deal and will link up with his new team mates after the tournament.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew said that he had eyed Cisse to fill the boots left by Andy Carroll’s departure to Liverpool but money proved to be a stumbling block earlier.
Cisse is a proven marksman at Bundesliga level, netting 24 goals for Freiburg last season. He will wear the No.9 jersey at the Sports Direct Arena.
Burkina Faso include Chelsea teenager Bertrand Traore
Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte names 16-year-old Chelsea youth player Bertrand Traore in their final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.Villa join race for Bafana midfielder
Aston Villa have joined the race for Tottenham Hotspur’s South African star Steven Pienaar. The Bafana medio has found opportunities limited to come at White Hart Lane since his switch to the Lilywhites from Everton and is keen to get more regular football under his belt. With Spurs boasting of one of the best midfields in the league, Pienaar has been reduced to warming the bench under Harry Redknapp.
Villa must seek a permanent transfer for Pienaar because they already have Jermaine Jenas on loan from Spurs. Other interested clubs include Sunderland and Pienaar’s old club Everton, with the former looking more likely to secure his signature.
Pienaar will be available in January as South Africa did not qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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