Official: Mellberg to Juve (June) p.22 (6 Viewers)
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ERIKSSON COMMENTS RILE O'NEILL
Martin O'Neill has hit back at comments from Sven-Goran Eriksson recommending that Juventus should sign Aston Villa central defender Olof Mellberg.
Eriksson made the suggestions in the Italian media, with the Manchester City manager claiming: "It would be a good idea for Juventus to sign Mellberg. He is a tough fighter, a winner and a leader."
Sweden defender Mellberg is out of contract at the end of next season and would be free to talk to foreign clubs when the January transfer window opens.
But O'Neill is still not happy that former England boss Eriksson is making suggestions regarding the future of one of his players, whom he wants to remain at Villa and sign a new deal.
The Northern Irishman told PA Sport: "I was really surprised with what Sven has said because it is out of character for Sven to be speaking like that.
"I am surprised if he has said it. I am not sure he should be saying things like that about a player unless he is aiming to take him himself!
"Recommending him to another club is surprising. Maybe I should recommend some of his Manchester City players to Manchester United.
"But am I going to phone Sven up about it, absolutely not."
Mellberg has been at Villa for more than six years but talks over a new deal between O'Neill and the ex-Racing Santander player have temporarily been put on ice.
Sporting Life
Martin O'Neill has hit back at comments from Sven-Goran Eriksson recommending that Juventus should sign Aston Villa central defender Olof Mellberg.
Eriksson made the suggestions in the Italian media, with the Manchester City manager claiming: "It would be a good idea for Juventus to sign Mellberg. He is a tough fighter, a winner and a leader."
Sweden defender Mellberg is out of contract at the end of next season and would be free to talk to foreign clubs when the January transfer window opens.
But O'Neill is still not happy that former England boss Eriksson is making suggestions regarding the future of one of his players, whom he wants to remain at Villa and sign a new deal.
The Northern Irishman told PA Sport: "I was really surprised with what Sven has said because it is out of character for Sven to be speaking like that.
"I am surprised if he has said it. I am not sure he should be saying things like that about a player unless he is aiming to take him himself!
"Recommending him to another club is surprising. Maybe I should recommend some of his Manchester City players to Manchester United.
"But am I going to phone Sven up about it, absolutely not."
Mellberg has been at Villa for more than six years but talks over a new deal between O'Neill and the ex-Racing Santander player have temporarily been put on ice.
Sporting Life
Funny thing is that most of you haven't seen enough of him to judge him, if you've ever even seen him. He's certainly better than Grygera, Boumsong and the current Criscito. That means that he's an upgrade and that he will come for free. He'll do no worse than Robert Kovac did for us as third choice.
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