He may not be getting the starts he hoped, but our new(ish) Brazilian appears to be impressed with what he has seen so far:

"I would definitely like to remain longer, the project to make this club one of the best in Europe and the world cannot be completed in six months or a year and I would like to be part of it for as long as possible.

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With a history of recent slip ups to lower league opposition, there is a tendancy to view fixtures such as last nights with a degree of trepidation, and when we gifted Scunthorpe an equaliser after going ahead so early, there could well have been a sense of foreboding around the stadium.
This season though there has been the first suggestions that the old mentality is being cast aside and rather than Scunthorpe's goal spelling disaster, the exact opposite was true as we went on the front foot and sealed our progression through to the quarter-finals in convincing fashion. Click to continue reading...

Mark Hughes mused today on the possibility that Robinho could see a return to action in next weeks Carling Cup tie at home to Scunthorpe:

"There is a possibility that Robi will be on the bench for Scunthorpe, but it might be a bit soon and I don't like to throw players in before they've had games in training or in the reserves.

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A quick opportunity then to put the derby defeat behind us and get back on track.
There has been a huge media focus on us in recent times, mainly for non-footballing issues it has to be said, so it would be nice to focus solely on on-pitch matters and this competition does offer us the best opportunity to land a trophy. Click to continue reading...

With the war of words/name calling/mind-games that have been prevalent the past forty-eight hours or so, it is a signal that the derby is now very much upon us - and the media has taken an even greater interest in this game than usual.
We have had plenty of comments so far, with particular contributions from Ferguson, Hughes, Toure, de Jong, Ireland and Sylvinho to stoke up the flames ahead of the weekend. Click to continue reading...

The Game

Having lost 2-1 away at Manchester United, Arsenal face the other side of Manchester, Mark Hughes' team who according to many, may as well fight for one of the top four Premiership positions.

As for the line-ups, contrary to false rumours, captain Cesc Fabregas is fit to start but Tomas Rosicky is only the bench for the Arsenal, joined by Eduardo.

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It's been like two days since the international break kicked off, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has wasted no time in going and getting his hair cut. Normally we really don't like it when players spring new haircuts on us, because more often than not they are horrific (think Pique). But, we are quite liking this look on Zla. Click to continue reading...

- Xavi gets grabbing as he holds up Leo, who, while thus supported, is able to kind of match up to Zlatan's height and hug him. Priceless.
- What would happen if the Barca boys were to meet in a chatroom? This is quite possibly the most ingenius thing we've ever read... oh Dani-boy.
- Looks like Barca keeper Jorquera has officially signed for Girona of the Spanish second division; while Sylvinho is off to Manchester City. Click to continue reading...

Via mcfc.co.uk:

"It's great news for me that I'm back in the Premier League. Every player likes to play in this league, this is my second chance and I'm very proud to have been asked to come back over here.

"This club is changing a lot, but they have a great mentality and they want to make this club even bigger.

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Lescott: Hey, friend. Just sign the confession so we can all go home to our families. You're doing the right thing, you know. And I'm going to make sure your girl and your baby are safe.

Sylvinho: I will jam you up so hard, you'll be tasting Brylcreem for a week.

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With the signing of Joleon Lescott yesterday for for £24million, Manchester City have now spent £216.5m in transfer fees in the last 12 months.

Mark Hughes' incredible spree on 13 new players, plus Stuart Taylor and Sylvinho on frees, has rocked English soccer and newspaper reports say that City's Arab owners have pledged even more if boss Sparky can identify anyone else he wants before the deadline, plus another £100m in January!

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�

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO�

The battle for defender� Joleon Lescott has come to a close, and Manchester City is claimining victory.

Lescott is close to finalizing a deal from Everton to� Manchester City, a deal worth a reported £24 million ($34.

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�

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO�

The battle for defender� Joleon Lescott has come to a close, and Manchester City is claimining victory.

Lescott is close to finalizing a deal from Everton to� Manchester City, a deal worth a reported £24 million ($34.

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From the official site:

City are delighted to announce that Brazilian left back Sylvinho has joined the club on a year-long contract.

The highly experienced, highly-rated 35-year-old international defender was released at the end of last season by the European Champions.

He has plenty of Premier League experience having made 55 appearances for Arsenal during a two-year stint at Highbury from 1999-2001.

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X Joleon Lescott X Manchester City X Barcelona X Sylvinho X West Ham X Marouane Chamkh X Bordeaux X Portsmouth X Aruna Didane X Fulham X RC Lens X Tottenham X Osman Chavez Click to continue reading...

This morning sees Sky Sports suggesting that we could be close to adding former Arsenal and Barca full-back Sylvinho to the ranks:

"There was contact with Manchester City a while ago and that has been renewed recently," Lamberz told skysports.com.

"Sylvinho is a free agent and he is in no rush to sign anywhere as he can join a club outside the transfer window.

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Hughes to spend nothing on a player, now that's a novelty!

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has made his most surprising move of the summer to try and snap up Brazilian left back Sylvinho on a free transfer.

Big-spending Hughes, set to complete a £22m deal for Everton's Joleon Lescott this week, met with former Arsenal full-back Sylvinho when City played their prestigious friendly at Barcelona's Nou Camp last week.

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AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

On Friday fans at the Camp Nou got their first glimpse at the teams first new signing of the summer. The defender Maxwell from Inter Milan signed a four year contract with the blaugrana with the option for a fifth.

When addressing the media regarding his signing Maxwell commented, "today is a very special and happy day for me.

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Ante la salida de Sylvinho del Barcelona, la directiva del equipo puso la mirada en un lateral izquierdo, todo parecía indicar que Luis Filipe del Deportivo la Coruña iba a ocupar ese puesto, pero las altas pretensiones de la institución "gallega" hicieron que los "catalanes" buscaran en otros equipos y finalmente se encontró un relevo, se trata del también brasileño, Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade, quien militaba en el Inter de Milán.

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Scherrer Cabelino Maxwell Andrade, aka "Maxwell" signed a contract to become the replacement for recently departed Sylvinho at the Camp Nou. Maxwell has been at Inter Milan for three years, last year appearing in a total of 33 matches. The soon to be 28 year old Brazilian has played many other position other than left back in his career, making him a great pickup who can step up when needed.

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REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

Scherrer Cabelino Maxwell Andrade, aka "Maxwell" signed a contract to become the replacement for recently departed Sylvinho at the Camp Nou. Maxwell has been at Inter Milan for three years, last year appearing in a total of 33 matches. The soon to be 28 year old Brazilian has played many other position other than left back in his career, making him a great pickup who can step up when needed.

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A brief thank you & goodbye from SFS to 35 year old FC BARCELONABrazilian defender Sylvio Mendes Campos – SYLVINHO – who leavesBarça & possibly Spanish Football.(photo: mundodeportivo.es)The defender leaves with 3 "Ligas", 2 Champions, 1 Spanish Cup& 2 Spanish "SuperCups" under his belt. Sylvinho has been anexample of professionalism personified & a true team player, plusan excellent Click to continue reading...

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Today FC Barcelona and Sylvio Mendes Campos affectionately known to the blaugrana faithful as "Sylvinho" has been released by the team after five years of service. The news comes as no surprise as the team had announced earlier in the season that the 35 year old Brazilian's contact would not be extended when it expires on June 30.

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The team's celebration in Rome stretched on till morning, three o'clock in fact for most of the players, and Messi, Puyol, Pique, Bojan, Botia and Muniesa partying on until five.
The team was on their flight back to Barcelona the next day, where they landed at the El Pratt airport in Barcelona at five in the afternoon following the Champions League victory. Click to continue reading...

After narrowly missing out on both the FA Cup and Champions League finals, Arsenal fans have been left to question 'what could have been' — at least until pre-season begins in late July. We witnessed two ex-players in Sylvinho and Thierry Henry winning the Champions League on Wednesday, but a former Gunner in Ashley [. Click to continue reading...

I don't know about you but I'm still bathing in a lovely warm vat of schadenfraude after <?xml:namespace prefix = st1> Barcelona's demolition of Manchester United in the Stadio Olimpico in Romeon Wednesday night. Of course, I would have so, so much have preferred to have been there myself with the rest of the Gooner Nation following Arsenal.

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Barcelona

Victor Valdés: Although he spilled Ronaldo's free kick early on, but after that didn't have much to do for the rest of the game.� 6

Carles Puyol: Age was not a factor in this game as Puyol had got the better of Wayne Rooney.

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Ya esta todo listo en la capital de Italia, Roma, para que se lleve a cabo la gran final de la UEFA Champions League entre el actual campeón de la Liga Española y Copa de Rey, Barcelona, y el campeón defensor de este torneo que va en búsqueda del bicampeonato, el Manchester United.

Ambos equipos llegan como los grandes amos y señores de sus respectivas Ligas, pero todo este dominio quedaría a un lado para aquel cuadro que no logre conquistar la Champions.

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I suppose you want to know who's going to win the Champions League final, or at least who I think it going to win (those two answers may not always match, of course)? Well come on in...
Man Utd will win 1-0 with a headed goal by Cristiano Ronaldo. There, my work is done.
Flippancy aside, that is my actual prediction for tonight's final in Rome. Click to continue reading...

The moment draws ever closer... just about twenty four hours separate us from the kickoff of this match of matches, the final of finals, Roma 2009... Barca heads out to face Manchester United, the team that has been, along with Barcelona of course, the best in Europe this season. We're nervous, excited, jittery, anxious, totally psyched and near to a panic attack waiting for this one. Click to continue reading...

AP Photo/Sang Tan

Both Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry completed their first day of training today ahead of the team traveling to Rome for the Champions League Final against Manchester United. The completion of training for both marks the first time that the pair have done so since go down with injuries.

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FC Barcelona - 0, Osasuna - 1
A second consecutive defeat and a red card to debutant Muniesa spoiled the night in which Fc Barcelona was handed the La Liga Trophy. The Red Card more than the defeat spoiled the mood as a defeat was expected with team Guardiola lined up. In my preview to the match, I emphasised on the importance of having some of our main players on the pitch, especially the defense. Click to continue reading...

Real Mallorca - 2, Barca - 1
Guardiola decided to rest majority of first team players against Real Mallorca. The makeshift side had three Barca B team members - Xavi Torres, Oier Olazabal and Pedro. Barca went ahead with a goal from Eto in the tenth minute but wasted a flurry of chances to end the game, especially Eto. Click to continue reading...

Real Mallorca vs Barca Preview
FC Barcelona finally became the Champions. As Eto said last week, we didn't have to play again win the title. Real Madrid's last night 3-2 defeat to Villareal means we will have two weeks ahead to focus clearly on Champions League final in Rome. Manchester United, Barca's rival in Rome also grabbed their title last night with a draw against Arsenal. Click to continue reading...

That's exactly what we're going to have for the match in Rome. There has not been a match as important as this one all season, it's the friggin Champions League final here, and we must play it without both our fullbacks.
.Why? Becuase the UEFA have again refused to admit the protests against the respective cards shown to Dani Alves and Abidal, saying that the protests were submitted not on time and with no real grounds for contesting the referee's decisions. Click to continue reading...