..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Muamba confirms he is 'far away' from Bolton return

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has admitted that he still has a long way to go before he can return to playing football again.

The former Arsenal man suffered a cardiac arrest during the club's FA Cup tie against Tottenham back in March, with doctors claiming that his heart stopped for 78 minutes before managing to revive him.


Muamba received support from all around the football world for his amazing recovery and is now amidst a rehabilitation program, but the 24-year-old believes it will take some time before he is 100 percent fit.

After receiving an honorary doctorate from Bolton University, he said: "I'm getting stronger every day. [However] I'm far away from being back on the football pitch."

The likes of Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole, who played with Muamba, rushed to his bedside along with his wife and son.

But the speed and nature of Muamba's recovery stunned many doctors and football pundits, and the midfielder has conceded he is grateful to have survived.

"I really, really hope, by the grace of God, that I'll be back on the pitch but I'm just grateful to the university for this doctorate and I receive it on behalf of everybody who helped me to survive the cardiac arrest," Muamba said.

Muamba started his career at Arsenal after moving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and joined its academy as a young child, before moving to Birmingham in 2007 and finally joining the Trotters a year later for 5 million pounds.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan prepares move for Dzeko as Ibrahimovic nears San Siro exit

AC Milan has set its sights on Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko as it prepares for life after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Goal.com has learned.

The Sweden international is widely expected to leave the Rossoneri for Paris Saint-Germain, and coach Massimiliano Allegri sees the 26-year-old Dzeko as the ideal replacement.

Dzeko joined City from Wolfsburg in January 2011 for 32 million euros, but has never really been able to live up to the high expectations on his shoulders at the Premier League champions.
City manager Roberto Mancini is a big admirer of the Bosnian, both on and off the pitch, but would be willing to sacrifice the striker for a fee in the region of 35 million euros, in order to generate funds for new signings.

Dzeko is happy at the Etihad Stadium, but is also keen to get regular first-team action, and could therefore opt to move on in the summer transfer window.

The powerful attacker has been a Milan fan ever since his youth, and has a jersey of his idol and former Rossoneri star Andriy Shevchenko on the wall of his home in Bosnia.

Dzeko currently earns an annual wage of 8 million euros at City, while Ibrahimovic is on 12 million euros,a season at Milan.

Meanwhile, the Serie A giants are also closely monitoring the situation of Mattia Destro. The 21-year-old impressed on loan at Siena in the 2011-12 campaign, and his agent has already visited the Milan headquarters at Via Turati.

Nevertheless, the San Siro outfit faces stiff competition from clubs such as Inter, Juventus and Roma in the race for Destro's signature.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque: More to Spanish football than just Real Madrid and Barcelona

Vicente del Bosque has called for the controversy regarding the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) decision to revoke the suspensions incurred by Jose Mourinho and Tito Vilanova ahead of next month's Spanish Supercopa to stop.

The coaches were originally banned from the dugout for the curtain-raiser following their part in the fracas that ensued after Barcelona's victory over Real Madrid in last year's clash, which saw the Blancos boss gouge the eye of Pep Guardiola's former assistant.

Their suspensions have since been overturned by the Spanish governing body, but the news has been met with a mixed reaction, with the Barca camp, most notably, critical of the federation's decision, but the national team boss believes there is more to discuss in Spain than just the Clasico giants.

"Spanish football cannot be reduced only to Real Madrid and Barcelona," Del Bosque said at a press conference. "The pardon of the RFEF is a measure of grace in the face of Spanish football as a whole."

The first leg of the encounter will be played on August 21 at Camp Nou.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sir Alex Ferguson hails quality of new Manchester United signings Kagawa and Powell

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the club have done well to get both Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell into the club this summer, lauding their ability in the process.

The club unveiled their two new signings as they look to begin their preseason preparations ahead of the coming campaign, and Ferguson remained keen to state how closely both players had been followed before the club decided to make a move for them.

"First of all they're young and we've been scouting them both for quite a while now," Ferguson told reporters. “Shinji obviously has a higher profile than Nick, because [Borussia] Dortmund have had such a fantastic time in the last two years and he came to prominence through that."

“Our scout in Germany was talking about him for a quite while, so we scouted him and decided he was the right type of player we needed at the club."

The 23-year-old Japanese international midfielder enjoyed a successful two-year stay at Borussia Dortmund, winning the league title in both seasons at the club, and Ferguson remains excited by what the player promises.

He added: "Shinji plays in behind the striker. He's very quick, has a good vision of the game and his goalscoring record over the last two or three years is very good for that position. It was good that he was with a successful team to help him adapt to European football."

"Now he is at that stage where he is a maturing player and over the next few years we will see that at United. It's a good time for him to come to us. We shouldn't be looking at one player changing the way we play, but he could make a difference. He can give us that bit extra in the final third of the field. If his goalscoring record continues he could be a very good player for us."

Ferguson was also quick to dismiss any suggestion that Kagawa may struggle to adapt to his new surroundings in England, stating that his new charge should have no trouble learning the language.

"He's going on tour to South Africa and China with us next week and that will give him an opportunity to get to know the other players and acclimatise to the way we are. There's also the issue of the language and I'm sure over the next few months he'll improve his English – or Scottish – whichever he finds easier.

"But he won't understand my Scottish when I lose my temper anyway so it doesn't matter! But there is a progress and procedure there which he has to adapt to in terms of the language. Having said that, I think he'll find English will be easier than German, which he speaks a little."

Alongside Kagawa, the club also presented 18 year-old former Crewe prodigy Nick Powell, who had a breakthrough year in League Two, finishing the league campaign with 14 goals, including a sensational volley in the playoff final.

Ferguson stated that the club had tracked Powell for some time, but decided to move for him shortly before the end of last season, stating that he sees his future in a more reserved midfield role.

"We were watching Nick from when he first came into the Crewe team last November and did very well," Ferguson added. "It got towards the tail-end of the season and we got more serious about him.

"We scouted him a few times and decided to do a deal before the playoffs, which proved the right thing to do. He's only 18, he is young, and although Crewe played him as a forward or in between the striker, we see him as a center midfield player and hopefully we see that progress."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moratti: Inter run the risk of losing Sneijder to Anzhi

Inter president Massimo Moratti has admitted that the club could lose Wesley Sneijder to Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer transfer window, even though he still sees the Dutchman as a key player for the Serie A side.

The Nerazzurri already sold Samuel Eto'o to the ambitious Russian side last year, and a number of recent reports suggest that the playmaker could follow in the footsteps of his former teammate this summer.

"Could Sneijder follow Eto'o's path? It's possible that there could be such a risk," the 67-year-old was quoted as saying on the club's official website. "As for me, I consider Sneijder to be quite a decisive player for Inter, beyond what can be the proper attention and willingness from other teams."

Inter is being heavily linked with a move for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura as a potential replacement for Sneijder, and Moratti has made it clear that Inter is slowly making inroads when it comes to a potential transfer of the Brazil international.

"The progress concerns finding out whether or not there is a chance. Now we have to see if we can manage to carry things out. These are things that have to take place by putting everything together, which also means taking a look at our revenue."

Lucas recently admitted that he would jump at the opportunity to join Inter.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona's Afellay offered to Arsenal and Inter

Ibrahim Afellay appears to be on his way out of Barcelona in the summer transfer window as the Catalans have told his agent Rob Jansen that the Netherlands international is no longer needed at the club, Goal.com can reveal.

The Blaugrana are keen to cash in on Afellay as they look to generate funds for the transfer of Athletic Bilbao star Javi Martinez, and Jansen has accordingly offered the 26-year-old to both Inter and Arsenal.

An offer in the region of 6 million euros would be enough to lure Afellay away from Barcelona, and Inter is seriously considering making a move for the former PSV star.

Arsenal was previously interested in signing the versatile midfielder in 2011, but was beaten to his signature by the Catalan club.

Afellay moved to the Camp Nou from the Dutch club in January 2011, and made 28 appearances in all competitions during his first six months at the Liga giants. However, a knee injury kept him sidelined for most of the 2011-12 campaign, and players such as Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello have since broken into the first team, significantly increasing the competition for places in Afellay's positions.

Afellay said earlier this summer that he is keen to prove his worth at Barcelona, but a summer exit seems inevitable as new head coach Tito Vilanova does not have room for the attacking midfielder in his plans, and both Inter and Arsenal are ready to pounce.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van der Vaart: I will probably stay at Tottenham

Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has ruled out speculation linking him a move away from White Hart Lane this summer.

With reports circling for some time that the Dutch international is seeking to move closer to his wife, who works in Europe, both Schalke and Hamburg are thought to have been in the running for his signature. However, with nothing concrete yet on the table, it looks as if he's been priced out of a move and is set to stay.

"It's unbelievable how my name is speculated around Europe," Van der Vaart told Bild. "I can only say these are only speculations. I will probably stay at Tottenham."

With former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas now at the helm, a number of first-team regulars futures are up in the air in what promises to be a summer of high turnover and transition at Tottenham. After enjoying a fruitful three-year spell with Hamburg from 2005-08, the 29-year-old has refused to rule out a return to Germany in the future, though.

He continued: "Maybe it will happen anytime in the future."

Van der Vaart moved to England in 2010 after being frozen out of the side at Real Madrid, and has since gone on to score 24 league goals in 61 games under Harry Redknapp's tenure.

 

[-Nipuna1989-]

Mage asama kridaawa tama Football Menna Euro Cup eke Goals set tika

Xavi - spain

Andres-Iniesta - spain

C.Ronaldo - Portugal

Larsson Ibrahimovic - Sweden

( niyama goal eka )

​

 

[-Nipuna1989-]

Euro 2012 All 76 Goals

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mage asama kridaawa tama Football Menna Euro Cup eke Goals set tika​

Xavi - spain

Andres-Iniesta - spain

C.Ronaldo - Portugal

Larsson Ibrahimovic - Sweden

( niyama goal eka )​

Euro 2012 All 76 Goals

Patta!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Drog: Move not about money

Didier Drogba has insisted his move to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua was not motivated by money.

Drogba, 34, brought an end to his eight years at Chelsea after he opted not to renew his contract with the Champions League winners at the end of last season.

Instead, the Ivorian forward signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Shanghai Shenhua, where his former Blues team-mate Nicolas Anelka also plies his trade.It has been reported that Drogba's contract with his new club is worth in the region of £200,000 a week, yet the striker has been keen to stress he is in China for a new challenge.

Speaking at his first press conference as a Shanghai Shenhua player, he said: "I decided to come here because when the club and the president approached me, I looked at the project and it came with ambitious ideas. He wants to help football develop in China.

"I know China is a great sports country so for me it was also a big challenge because it could have been easy for me to stay in Europe and go to another team, another big team."Really, I didn't come here with the idea of making a lot of money. I come here because it is a completely different challenge from what I have seen in Europe before.

"And that's the idea, there are many challenges but this one is a big one. With my team mates, we are going to perform as much as we can. And I came here to win the league, I am not coming here as the beginning of the retirement or something like this."I want people to make sure and to understand that I am here to win. I am not here to sit and relax."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arshavin makes Capello claim

Andrey Arshavin has claimed Fabio Capello has been appointed the new manager of Russia.

Capello, 66, has been in talks with the Russian Football Union (RFU), with the nation's footballing body seeking a new head coach after Dick Advocaat left the role following Euro 2012.

The former England boss was named on a 13-man shortlist made public by the RFU, which also included Harry Redknapp, Rafael Benitez, and Pep Guardiola.Capello has been mooted as the favourite for the post, and Arshavin wrote on his personal website on Saturday: "Russia's national coach has been appointed - he is Fabio Capello. We wish him success in his new job.

The RFU has, however, indicated that discussions with Capello will continue next week, and reports in Russia claim those talks will be held on Tuesday, suggesting Arshavin has perhaps been hasty with his announcement.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sao Paulo stand firm on Lucas

Sao Paulo have insisted they are prepared to 'take the risk' of not selling highly-rated midfielder Lucas Moura. The 19-year-old Brazil international is understood to be a target for several European clubs after emerging as one of the most exciting young talents in South American football.

Talk of an offer from Inter Milan was recently played down, while the player has insisted he is remaining calm over his future.

Fresh reports have suggested that Manchester United have tabled a bid in the region of £26million, but Sao Paulo have no intention of cashing in on the youngster."It is a risk not selling Lucas, but we are going to take it," president Juvenal Juvencio is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated on Thursday that he was looking to bring in at least one more player this summer, while Chelsea and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Lucas.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Onna owwa Thamai ithin iwasanna bariShik

 

[rcccc]

Tevez dismisses AC Milan talk after claiming he is 'settled' at Manchester City

Carlos Tevez has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to AC Milan and insists he is now settled at Manchester City under Roberto Mancini.

The striker came under fire from both fans and the Etihad Stadium hierarchy after seemingly refusing to come as a substitute during the club's 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in September last year, and looked destined for the exit door following strong interest from the Serie A side in January.

But, after receiving a fine of six weeks' wages and apologizing to boss Mancini for the incident, Tevez played a key role in helping City claim its first league title for 44 years.

Reports have again linked the 28-year-old with a move to AC Milan this summer, but the striker has moved to quash the rumours, telling the club’s official website: "I have lots of different targets. I think that now I feel settled at the club and feel good in myself and am working hard.

“The main aim of every one of the players is to have as good a league campaign as possible and try to be champions again and also to get as far as we can in the Champions League."

However, AC Milan is thought to have made Tevez its top target after agreeing to sell talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and center back Thiago Silva to Paris St. Germain in a deal worth a reported 47 million pounds.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG sign Thiago Silva

PSG sign Thiago Silva

Paris St Germain have confirmed their capture of Brazilian defender Thiago Silva on a five-year contract from AC Milan.

Reports suggest that the deal is worth around £33million.AC Milan announced earlier in the week that fees had been agreed with PSG for Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Silva's agent indicated on Saturday that a deal for his client was 'far from' complete, but PSG have announced that a transfer has been finalised.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Thiago Silva, 27 years old, Brazilian international, from AC Milan, has this Saturday signed with Paris Saint-Germain for five seasons."

Talks

A deal for Ibrahimovic is yet to be completed.Talks are understood to still be ongoing, as personal terms are thrashed out, and the Sweden international striker is yet to travel to France for a medical.

"He is not in Paris to pass his medical," said Ibrahimovic's representative Mino Raiola.
"We will continue to work and give a press conference when everything is settled."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations & Good Luck Thiago Silva!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto hint over Moutinho

Porto hint over Moutinho

Porto coach Vitor Pereira has suggested that any club wanting Joao Moutinho would need to meet his release clause.

The 25-year-old was one of the stars of Euro 2012 and he has been strongly linked with a move to England with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur credited with an interest.

Porto have always insisted they are not looking to sell - but coach Pereira admits that if somebody wants to pay Moutinho's buy-out clause of just over £30million, there is nothing they can do.

"We very much want him to stay and we are not looking to sell," he told Abola."But this is football and you have termination clauses, for us he has been great and helped us achieve the results we have."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Common SAF!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mascherano set to sign new Barcelona deal

Javier Mascherano is close to signing a new contract with Barcelona, Sport claims.

The Argentina international has developed into an important first-team player at Camp Nou since his 22 million euro transfer from Liverpool in the summer of 2010, where he was originally drafted in as a midfield reinforcement following Yaya Toure's exit.

However, he was frequently deployed as a center back in his second season at Barca, and it is now understood that he will commit his future to the club once he returns from holiday, having recently stated his willingness to extend his stay in Catalunya.

The 28-year-old's agent, Walter Tamer, reportedly received positive signs from sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta during a first meeting in May, and was told that everything would be sorted out before the start of the new campaign.

According to the publication, Mascherano will add two years onto his contract with the Blaugrana, which presently expires in 2014.