Cardiff City sign Burgstaller from Rapid Vienna

The midfielder scored 12 goals this season, impressing Ole Gunnar

Burgstaller arrives at the Championship-bound club for an undisclosed fee, having impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with 12 goals from midfield this season in all competitions. The move to Wales ends a three-year spell in the Austrian capital for Burgstaller, where he has experienced Europa League football, challenged for the league title and earned his first international call-up. And the 25-year-old cannot wait to get started at Cardiff, who finished bottom of the Premier League this season. "My decision to join Cardiff City was never in question when the club first contacted me," he told the club's official website. "It has always been a dream for me to play in this country.

Manchester United Manager Louis Van Gaal To Swoop For Dutch Duo

Manchester United’s new manager Louis van Gaal has lined up moves for Dutch full-backs Daryl Janmaat and Bruno Martins Indi as potential defensive cover for the Red Devils, the Daily Mail reports. The 62-year old Dutch boss wants to bolster United’s defensive reserves and has been scouting a number of targets recently. Janmaat is an emerging right-back from Feyenoord, whilst Bruno Martins Indi is a versatile defender capable of slotting in at centre-back or left-back. United need to replace the veteran central defensive duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, along with veteran left-back Patrice Evra. The club are already said to be closing in on a massive £30m deal for Luke Shaw, who is widely being regarded as the ideal long term option for Evra at left-back, given his stellar displays for Southampton over the last couple of seasons. Van Gaal has a tough job on his hands to identify and land the right targets though, and the fact that he is away on national team duty with the Netherlands only makes his job harder.

Manchester United Eye Shock Move For Everton Midfielder

Manchester United are ready to turn their attentions to Everton midfielder James McCarthy after Louis van Gaal has opted against signing Toni Kroos. The former Wigan midfielder has impressed in his debut season at Goodison Park since his £13.5million move last summer and played a big contribution in Everton’s fifth place finish. According to Sky Sources, Van Gaal has been impressed with the 23-year-old and has emerged as a surprise candidate to slot into the midfield next season. Manchester United have been linked with an array of foreign talent including Bayern Munich’s Kroos but reports claim that the new United boss has given up on his chase for the German international and will move for the Republic of Ireland international. Everton remain keen on extending McCarthy’s contract but they may need to move quickly with United lurking.

GOV FASHOLA ORDERS RE-OPENING OF EX-GOV ORJI UZOR KALU'S IKOYI HOME

Gov Fashola orders re-opening of Ex-Gov Orji Uzor Kalu's Ikoyi home Press release from the Lagos State Government The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to a misleading claim by a businessman, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu that his Ikoyi home has been sealed off following a threat to sue the Lagos State Government over an unrelated matter. We wish to state, for the avoidance of doubt, that nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is that Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s property in Park View Estate, Ikoyi was distrained pursuant to Section 40 of the Revenue Administration Law of Lagos State for failure to pay the statutory annual land use charge despite three separate notices delivered to the said property. As a government driven by law and process, the Lagos State Government will ordinarily expect all law abiding residents to discharge their responsibilities to the state. If, in spite of failing to do so, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu wants to give ethnic colouration to a routine performance of its duties by an agency of the state government, which in this case is the Land Use Charge Office, under the Ministry of Finance, he is welcome to do so. However it should be noted that when the issue was brought to the attention of the Governor, Tuesday evening, he directed the agency to unseal the property and that an additional 14 days grace period be given to Mr. Kalu to pay the said charge. It should be emphasised that notices like these are served on defaulting property owners on a regular basis who either comply or contact the Agency to raise any objections they might have to such notice. Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu, like every other citizen, must fulfil his obligation to the State. Signed: Aderemi Ibirogba HON. COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY Posted by Linda Ikeji

INJURY MARRS BIG WIN FOR CHALOBAH

INJURY MARRS BIG WIN FOR CHALOBAH Posted on: Wed 14 Aug 2013 Nathaniel Chalobah was was taken off injured as England's Under-21 side beat their Scotland counterparts 6-0 in Sheffield. The Three Lions, under the guidance of senior manager Roy Hodgson, were already 2-0 up courtesy of strikes from Nathan Redmond and Raheem Sterling when the Chelsea midfielder went down under a fierce challenge by Tony Watt just before half-time. Chalobah received treatment for a few moments before it became apparent he would be unable to continue, and the youngster was then stretchered off. Second-half goals from Ross Barkley, Connor Wickham, Jonjo Shelvey and Thomas Carroll compounded the visitors' misery. Islam Feruz started the game for Scotland, while Todd Kane, currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers from the Blues, was an unused substitute for England.

PAT NEVIN: BLOSSOMING BLUES

PAT NEVIN: BLOSSOMING BLUES Posted on: Wed 14 Aug 2013 Another Chelsea legend returns this week as Pat Nevin files his first column of what he anticipates to be a hugely exciting campaign... Jeepers, I remember the days when pre-season friendlies were roughing it down at Aberystwyth in Wales or a little jaunt out to Brentford to get the old muscles moving. Going west now means a rather longer trip, especially as it started out in the Far East for the current squad. All in all it was a pretty successful build-up to the season, though the cliché still holds that the results in these games stand for little or nothing once the season really gets started. The fact that Jose got to test his team against the likes of Roma, AC Milan, Inter and Real Madrid will give him a real feel for who he thinks is best suited for the season's attack on a variety of trophies. With the return of De Bruyne and Lukaku suitably improved and experienced alongside the additions of Michael Essien, Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer, there appears to be something approaching an embarrassment of riches to choose from. There may of course be the odd extra player to come in but for me that looks awfully like a squad that is capable of slugging it out with the very best anywhere in world football. Last season was one I thoroughly enjoyed but I suspect, like many others, this could be one of the most interesting and entertaining seasons in Premier League history. Clearly Man City and United are going to be up there again, but I have to say I will be surprised if Chelsea find themselves off the pace this time around. Maybe even more importantly I suspect this group will only get better as the likes of Mata, Hazard and Oscar are only likely to become even more influential as time goes by. It is the beginning of the season so there is always hope, but I suspect the clichés will be rolled out about taking every game as it comes. That being the case the fixture computer has once again been kind to Chelsea at the start. A couple of home games that are eminently winnable against Hull and Villa could really allow the team to settle very quickly. That is not to say they will be easy, Aston Villa in particular appear to have acquired intelligently over the summer, but with the right attitude it could be an early boost and hopefully six points out of six. Anyone who has been watching Chelsea TV and enjoying the pre-season games will possibly be none the wiser about who will be in the starting line-up come Sunday afternoon. This is often portrayed as a negative by some, who question whether or not the manager actually knows what his strongest team is, but I do not think that is the case with Jose at all. He has chopped and changed to such an extent that very few players will be comfortable that their names will be among the first 11 at the weekend and that will quite simply keep them on their toes and keep them voraciously hungry. If you get the nod in the first game you know fine well that you will have to be at something approaching your very best if you want to stand a decent chance of staying in the team. From the others point of view, if you are not starting then you will be bursting for your chance, even if it is as a substitute. Coming on as a sub for the last half-hour in this team will need an explosion of energy and skill to get the approval of the boss. Any player under Jose Mourinho who does not have the right attitude and displays a 'petted lip' if he isn't a regular, might as well pack his boots and get out. I suspect there will be no divine right to a game for anyone at all and I suspect the players know that already. It really is one of the top benefits of having a great squad and a great manager. Among the most common questions I am asked these days in the media, okay, the most common question by miles, is who I think will win the Premier League. With all respect to the likes of Spurs and Arsenal I really do think it is a three-horse race and it is impossible to predict, certainly I don't think it would be wise to do so anyway at least until the transfer window closes. One extra player can make a difference, just think back to the Robin van Persie effect last season. I would however predict one thing; no one will run away with the title with the quality that is around in the upper echelons of the league. Another hot topic is who is going to be the premier Leagues star individual performer this this time round. Last season's candidates such as Benteke, Bale ( if he is still around) and Van Persie will of course be in the running, but Chelsea have any number that could step up to the plate. Would you be surprised if Mata, Oscar or David Luiz was in the running for Premier League Player of the Year come next May? I wouldn't and I would be even less surprised if Eden Hazard was in that elite clutch by the end of the campaign. Maybe this more than anything else is why I am so up about the season to come. How many other teams, including United and City, have so many players who have the chance of blossoming into the league's brightest star? So with the best manager still in the business at the helm, who is famed for building teams from great individual players, not always the easiest skill, I am not saying Chelsea are going to win the league, but I certainly wouldn't bet against us. Relax, sit back and enjoy the show, I know I am going to. PS The quiz will be back next week with the usual prizes I am glad to say. Is there no end to the things you can look forward to! Source: Chelseafc.com

INSPRIRATIONAL FRIDAY

A MUST READ! EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary. All lines are open to heaven 24 hours a day. When you are in danger, call Psalm 46. When God seems far away, call Psalm 139. For peace and rest, call Matthew 11:25-30. For keeping things in perspective, call Psalm 91. When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90. For Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30. When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121. When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67. If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126. When someone fails you, call Psalm 27. When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1. How to get along with others, call Romans 12. If you are depressed, call Psalm 27. If people seem unkind, call John 15. For assurance of salvation, call Romans 10:13. When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11. When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23. When you feel condemned, call John 3:16 - 17. When you grow bitter and critical, call Corinthians 13. For the secret to happiness, call Colossians 3:12-17. Who has a friend with whom to share, Has double cheer and one- half care. For a Best Friend, call Psalm 9. When in sorrow, call John 14. When you have sinned, call Psalm 51. When you worry, call Matthew 6:10-34. If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37. This are the phone numbers to call God. Brethren, Please I beg of you, pass this message round. Copy and paste it, share it, call, email and text it.. Have done my part, it's now your turn to spread the Gospel. God is waiting for your call. Let this Gospel reach million people by pressing "LIKE" and writing,"AMEN"