Milan Consider Swapping Pirlo For Chelsea's Essien - Report

Il Diavolo are thinking about a swap deal which will see both men change places, but the move depends on Ancelotti's future...

Milan have been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien in a deal which would see Andrea Pirlo move in the other direction, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport.

The report suggests current coach Carlo Ancelotti will take the Italian midfielder to Chelsea at the end of the season if he joins the club, which, according to Italian press, looks likely to happen. Neither club have made an official announcement on that, but there is widespread belief that Pirlo will follow the Italian to Stamford Bridge.

Milan are preparing themselves for the possible change and they will attempt to swap Pirlo for Chelsea's Ghana international. Leonardo is being tipped to take the reins at Milanello, and voices suggest the Brazilian is keen on Essien who would be comfortable playing in any position around the middle of the park. In addition, the Chelsea man can play in front of the defence, giving the team extra options tactically.

The Rossoneri are expected to make an official announcement regarding Ancelotti's future on Monday, where they will have a clearer idea of possible transfer movements for the summer.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/...s-essien-report

Berlusconi trying to ban villa photos
AFP


Berlusconi trying to ban villa photos AFP/File – Italian prosecutors ordered the seizure of several hundred photographs, whose publication Prime Minister …


Sat May 30, 7:12 am ET

ROME (AFP) – Italian prosecutors Saturday ordered the seizure of several hundred photographs, whose publication Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is trying to block, taken at his Sardinia villa and reportedly featuring topless young women.

The move came after Berlusconi's lawyer Niccolo Ghedini filed a complaint against a photographer who took some 700 snaps of private parties at the Italian leader's home, the domestic ANSA news agency reported.

The photographer, Antonello Zappadu, will also be charged in a separate case of fraud for trying to sell the snaps, which Berlusconi says violate his privacy, to two celebrity magazines.

Berlusconi wrote three days ago to the Italian data protection agency asking it to stop publication of the photos taken at the Villa de Porto Rotondo, the newspapers La Stampa and Il Corriere della Serra said.

There are said to be around 700 photos in all, taken by a Sardinian photographer, some of which depict what Il Corriere described as "bikini-clad or topless girls" lounging in the gardens or taking showers.

Other images show Berlusconi, 72, with clad women on guest-house patios, added the newspaper, which carried what it called the full text of the prime minister's letter to the Garante della Privacy agency.

Berlusconi, who hosts a G8 summit in July, is under pressure to explain his relationship with Noemi Letizia, 18, who is at the centre of a highly public row between him and second wife Veronica Lario, who has filed for divorce.

On Thursday the media tycoon turned politician denied ever having a "spicy" relationship with an underage girl, and vowed to resign if rumours about his ties to aspiring model Letizia proved true.

A notorious New Year's Eve party at the villa attended by Letizia, who was a minor at the time, is said to be among the Sardinia photos that Berlusconi wants banned, Il Corriere said.

In his letter to the data protection agency, which oversees Italian privacy laws, Berlusconi said his villa guests had been photographers in an "intrusive" manner during "private moments" insides premises extended to them.

But the photographer, Zappadu, in a letter published by Il Corriere, said the pictures were taken "in several outdoor locations that cannot be regarded as a private dwelling".

Two years ago Zappadu sold pictures to the gossip magazine Oggi showing Berlusconi in the same villa with five young women, some of them sitting on his knees or walking hand-in-hand with him.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has finally confirmed that he will be leaving the club this summer after he mutually agreed to terminate his contract with them a year early.

The coach has been hounding by constant press speculation linking him with the Chelsea hot seat. But, before Chelsea fans get carried away, the Italian has revealed that he has not found another club yet.

"Its simply that I had an agreement with the club, and we decided to anticipate the times and agree to end my contract, and thus my time with Milan finishes a year before 2010," Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

"It finishes with happiness as we have reached our objective and I would like to thank the club and all the players as well as the president and all the staff and fans.

"I think my time has ended in the right way and I think it's the best for both parties.

"These eight years have been a beautiful adventure for me."

The coach has stressed that he has no agreement with other clubs including Chelsea.

"I cannot officialise my future because there is nothing official," added the coach. I have not made any agreement with any club, and thus there is nothing.

"London? There are no certainties."

Asked who he will take from Milan when he eventually does join a team, Ancelotti responded with Paolo Maldini.

"Would I take a player with me? There is one [Maldini], but I don't think I will be able to convince him." concluded the coach.

Maldini has retired from football, making his final appearance during today's 2-0 win over Fiorentina.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com