..::Football III::..

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Balotelli returns for Argentina clash

Cesare Prandelli has announced his squad for Italy’s friendly with Argentina in Rome on Wednesday, with Mario Balotelli set to return having missed the knock-out stages of the Confederations Cup with a strained thigh.

Also returning to the team is Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo, who was left out of Prandelli’s Confederations Cup squad after failing to show up to the awards ceremony for the Coppa Italia final.

Of the 27 players named in the team, all but three play domestically, with Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and mifielder Marco Verratti, and Sunderland winger Emanuele Giaccherini the exceptions.

Included into the team are four members of this summer’s European Under-21 Championship squad - Doriano De Silvestri, Alessandro Florenzi, Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Verratti.

Juventus have the most players selected with six, while Milan and Roma are behind them with three each.

 

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Capoue set to join Tottenham, says Mackay

Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue is set to join Tottenham, according to Cardiff boss Malky Mackay.

The Bluebirds were thought to have been favourites to win the signature of the France international after agreeing a fee for the 25-year-old in July and entering negotiations for personal terms.

However, Toulouse president Olivier Sadran revealed on Wednesday that the player will join Spurs and Mackay confirmed the news when asked about the deal to sign the midfielder.

"We had a bid accepted but it looks as if he has decided, as far as I am aware, to go to Tottenham. It looks like it will go that way," Mackay told reporters.

Capoue looks set to join the likes of Nacer Chadli and Robeto Soldado to have arrived at White Hart Lane this summer.

 

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Pirlo pledges future to Juventus

Andrea Pirlo has pledged his future to Juventus, stating he hopes to play in Turin for the remainder of his career.

On Thursday, the Italy midfielder hinted at a possible exit from the club, saying it is far from a certainty that he will remain with the club when his contract expires in June 2014 and that he will only do so if he still feels like a valuable member of the squad.

Pirlo went back on those statements on Friday, however, saying his ambitions are clear and they all revolve around his future with the Bianconeri.

"There is only one objective, to win, and to do so we will have to give our all," the 34-year-old told the team’s official website.

"We’re working really hard to be fully fit and raring to go for the start of the new season.

"Only once, during the 1930s, have Juventus ever won three Scudetto titles in a row, and so that opportunity to make history is an even greater incentive for us to do our best.

"The club are very ambitious and I hope to see out my career here. This team are my priority."

The former AC Milan star joined Juventus in July 2011 and has since won consecutive Serie A titles, a trend he hopes to continue in the years to come.

Pirlo added: "With Napoli, Milan, Inter, Roma, and Fiorentina there is going to be a lot of good football played this year and it’s going to be hard work for us.

"Those teams have invested well in some great champions and I believe that that’s a sign of a renaissance for Italian football: it’s returning to its past glory.

"When you don’t win it’s normal that people might be concerned, but we’re confident that we’re training well and doing all that we can to reach full fitness.

"When you lift two consecutive league trophies, people might think it’s going to be easy to do it again a third time. In fact, it requires even more concentration, because everyone will want to beat Juventus."

 

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Suarez should show Liverpool loyalty & stay - Souness

Liverpool’s want-away striker Luis Suarez owes the club and should stay at Anfield for another season, according to former player and manager Graeme Souness.

Suarez has been the subject of two bids from rivals Arsenal over the summer but owner John W. Henry reiterated the stance that the Uruguay striker is not for sale on Friday.

The 26-year-old claims he was promised he could depart for a Champions League club but Souness believes he should show loyalty after the club defended him during incidents that put the club's reputation into disrepute.

"I think he does [owe Liverpool] and everyone in their correct mind would see it like that," Souness told Sky Sports News.

"I think back to the t-shirts at Wigan when he got himself in real bother and the [Branislav] Ivanovic situation last season - the board have stood by him, the club have stood by him and the manager has stood by him.

"You would like to think a bit of common sense and loyalty would prevail but that doesn't appear to be the case."

Souness agrees with the sentiments of Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor that the sale of the player is near impossible due to the task of replacing him.

And the former midfielder - whose seven-year spell at Anfield included five league championships, three European Cups and four League Cups - now believes the club should tell him to stay for another season.

He continued: "If Henry really believes what he is saying [that Suarez will not be sold] then maybe he could say to him: 'Give me another year,' like Sir Alex Ferguson did with Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is all too late for Liverpool now as they would have to pay a premium on players to replace him and get taken to the cleaners - and there are no obvious replacements."

 

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Chelsea youngster Lucas Piazon joins Vitesse on season-long loan

Chelsea have confirmed that Lucas Piazon has joined Dutch club Vitesse on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old was brought to the club as a youth player two years ago from Brazilian side Sao Paulo and made his debut last season before going on to make a further two appearances in all competitions.

He gained his first taste of regular first-team football on loan to Spanish side Malaga during the second half of last season and will now continue his development with a move to the Eredivisie.

Piazon will join a strong contingent of Chelsea youngsters at the club and, linking up with fellow team-mates Patrick van Aanholt, Cristián Cuevas and Gael Kakuta.

The Brazil winger will be hoping to add to the 13 appearances he made during his stint in Spain last season, which included two appearances in the Champions League as Malagareached the quarter-finals.

Piazon is Vitesse's the sixth new signing under new manager Peter Bosz, with the Eredivisie side having opened their league campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Heracles Almelo last Sunday.

 

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Robson: Chelsea's latest Rooney bid is an 'insult'

Chelsea's latest bid for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is "an insult" according to former club captain, Bryan Robson.

The Blues - who have already seen two bids for the striker rejected this summer - are keen to continue their pursuit of their number one transfer target, with manager Jose Mourinho admitting they will chase him until the final day of the transfer window.

However, Robson - a current club ambassador with the Red Devils since 2008 - believes the most recent offer from the London club is an insult to a player he sees as one of the top six strikers in the world.

"The thing that makes me laugh is I've been told it [the latest bid] is £25million to £30million. For Wayne Rooney? A 27-year-old who is probably in the top six strikers in the world?" Robson told talkSPORT.

"What are United going to have to pay to replace him? I'm amazed at that. I think it is an insult to Wayne Rooney."

Goal exclusively revealed on Thursday that the England international was banished to train with the club's reserves but Robson believes the England striker can still be part of the team next season.

He continued: "I don't know what's in the head of Wayne and his agent - why he wants to leave. I know he had loggerheads with Sir Alex [Ferguson] but David Moyes is the manager now.

"To me it is so important for him to concentrate on his football this season. I don't know what he sees - the grass is greener on the other side.

"The fans love him, the players love him so I don't see what the unsettlement is. Everyone would like to see Wayne Rooney settle down and be part of the team to try to retain the title."

 

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Roma line up Nani bid

Roma are lining up a move for Manchester United winger Nani, Goal understands.

Rudi Garcia has asked the Giallorossi to make the Portugal star his 14th signing of the summer ahead of the new season, although they may face competition from Monaco should Claudio Ranieri's side reconsider - having previously stated they would not be moving for the 26-year-old.

Nani has been used sparingly in pre-season, scoring twice for a Manchester United XI against Crewe and starting the fixture against AIK before being taken off with injury.

Galatasaray were another team keen on striking a deal for the Portugal international, although they gave up their pursuit after United rejected a €7m offer.

Goal exclusively revealed back in July that David Moyes considered the winger a part of his first-team plans and was even considering a contract extension for the former Sporting Lisbon star.

But having made just 17 appearances for the Red Devils last season, Nani could be tempted by a move to Italy and a fresh start in a foreign league having spent six years at Old Trafford.

The addition of Wilfried Zaha in the summer, as well as competition from Antonio Valencia and the fit again Ashley Young, mean Nani will not be guaranteed regular first-team football under Moyes.

In Rome, he would vie for a place against the likes of Erik Lamela, Francesco Totti and new acquisition Gervinho this coming season, although United are not keen on doing business unless they receive a suitable offer.

 

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Nani wa sell karala baha

 

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Thiago and Isco named in youthful Spain squad

Thiago Alcantara is one of five Under-21 internationals named in Spain's squad to face Ecuador on Wednesday.The Bayern Munich man is joined by Inigo Martinez, Koke, Isco and Cristian Tello in the senior setup - with the quintet all part of the side who were victorious at the recent Under-21 European Championship.

Ecuador are Spain's first opponents since losing the final of the Confederations Cup to Brazil in June and Vicente del Bosque has decided to use the opportunity to have a look at his future options.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, Real Sociedad's Martinez and Barcelona's Tello will all meet up with the national team for the first time, while Isco and Thiago will collect their second and fourth caps respectively if selected.Tello signed an extended contract at Camp Nou last week and was delighted to be selected.

He told Sport : "I'm the happiest man in the world. Not only I have renewed (with Barca), but I have also been summoned to the (Spain) senior team. For me it is a dream come true. I've been my whole life waiting for this moment."I've heard while on my way to training through the Twitter of the Spanish Federation. It has been a great surprise."

There is no place in the squad for Manchester United's David de Gea, Barcelona midfielder Xavi or Atletico Madrid striker David Villa.

 

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Liverpool winger Sterling pleads not guilty to assault charges

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault following an incident on Merseyside on Thursday night.

The 18-year-old spent the night in police custody as a result of his arrest at around 10:30pm after the emergency services were alerted to an incident involving his partner, Shana Halliday.

And police have now confirmed that Sterling was subsequently charged with common assault when he made his appearance at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Friday morning.

"Merseyside Police can confirm an 18-year-old man was arrested and subsequently charged with assault following an incident last night in Page Moss," a Merseyside Police spokesperson said.

"Raheem Sterling, 18, of Woolton was charged with Section 39 Common Assault. Sterling was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today."

The England international will now face trial in September.

 

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Blanc admits PSG interest in Cabaye

Laurent Blanc has revealed Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in signing Newcastle United star Yohan Cabaye.The Ligue 1 champions have already broken their transfer record this summer with the €64 million capture of Edinson Cavani from Napoli, as well as recruiting defender Marquinhos from Roma and Lille's Lucas Digne.

But Blanc's recruitment drive shows no signs of slowing just yet and a bid for Cabaye could be imminent after he revealed his desire to acquire his services before the end of the current transfer window."He is a very good player," Blanc told Le Parisien. "I have not changed my mind."For now, he is at Newcastle, I also read that Tottenham were interested.

"Newcastle, Tottenham or Paris; I hope that he will be at a big club in September."
Cabaye left Lille to join Newcastle in 2011, but reports have linked him with a move back to his homeland as well as Premier League champions Manchester United.The 27-year-old has made 60 appearances for the Magpies in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals, with that form helping him to become a firm fixture for France at international level.

PSG kick off the defence of their Ligue 1 title with a trip to Montpellier on Friday evening.

 

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Reus dismisses Dortmund exit talk

Marco Reus has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Borussia Dortmund as he is happy with life at the Bundesliga giants.

The Germany international joined Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2012 and immediately became a key player at BVB, reportedly attracting the interest of the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona in the process.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old intends to respect his contract with Dortmund, which runs until June 2017.

"BVB have absolutely no reason to worry about me leaving the club. I am feeling very well at Dortmund," Reus was quoted as saying by Bild.

The versatile attacker then went on to discuss Dortmund's Champions League chances and believes they can make it to the final again this season.

"I don't think making the final last season was a sensation. We simply played our own game and our opponents couldn't cope with it," he explained.

"We are well prepared for the new season and are brimming with confidence. We also gained experience, so why wouldn't we be able to make it to the final again?"

Dortmund are currently preparing for their Bundesliga opener away against Augsburg on Saturday.

 

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Barcelona 'wasting their time' with David Luiz pursuit, says Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has warned Barcelona that David Luiz will not be sold and any pursuit of the Brazilian is a waste of time.

The Liga champions are believed to have lodged a €25 million bid for the 26-year-old on Wednesday in a bid to solve their defensive problems after missing out on Marquinhos and thwarted in their attempts to sign Thiago Silva.

But Mourinho has insisted all summer that Luiz will not be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea boss has reaffirmed that position.

"If [Barcelona] need a central defender my advice is that they have to go to the second name they have in the list because they are wasting their time," Mourinho told the club's official website. "No chance."

Luiz and Juan Mata, who has also been linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer, both sat out the 3-1 pre-season defeat to Real Madrid in Miami on Wednesday through injury, and Mourinho feels their absence was missed.

"They are important players," he added. "The team with David Luiz and Mata is a better team. But we don't risk players in pre-season.

"Mata had a little thing, no risk, David has something from the past, an injury he had before the Champions League final, so we stop, we are not here to risk. But the team with them is a better team."

 

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Pirlo hints at Juventus exit

Andrea Pirlo has admitted that he could leave Juventus at the end of the 2013-14 campaign if he no longer feels important to the team.

The 34-year-old, who joined Juve from AC Milan in the summer of 2011, has a contract with the Old Lady until June 2014, but has stressed it is by no means a certainty that he will ink a new deal with his current club.

"I’ll certainly play on, we’ll just have to see where," Pirlo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I’ve already spoken to the club and we’ll meet again at the end of the season. Juve are my priority, but I don’t want to be a weight for anybody. The years go by, but it is not written that I have to stay here just because I am called Pirlo.

"I want to feel important and a part of the side’s success, otherwise I’ll leave. If I had to change, perhaps I’ll go abroad. I’ll certainly continue playing for a high-level team."

The Italy international then revealed that he is in regular touch with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, but added that he has not received an offer from the Spanish giants."I’ve spoken with my agent and with Ancelotti, someone who I regularly talk to, but nobody has offered me the chance to join Real."

Pirlo made 32 Serie A starts for the Italian champions last season as they secured back-to-back Scudetto titles under Antonio Conte.

 

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Sneijder omitted from Netherlands squad

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has opted to leave Wesley Sneijder out of his final 22-man squad for this month's international friendly against Portugal.

The Galatasaray playmaker was already stripped of the captain's armband for Oranje's Asian tour earlier this summer and has now been dropped from the team entirely.

Other notable absentees are Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Everton defender John Heitinga, while Tim Krul has been left out due to fitness issues.

Ricardo van Rhijn, Adam Maher, Tonny Vilhena, Adam Maher, Siem de Jong and Ricky van Wolfswinkel all made the provisional squad, but eventually didn't make the final list, while PSV duo Stijn Schaars and Georginio Wijnaldum have been added to the team after initially missing out.

Augsburg defender Paul Verhaegh has made the Netherlands squad for the first time and could make his Oranje debut on August 14.

 

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Milito: Inter are on the rise again

Diego Milito is pleased with the progress Inter have made during pre-season and is confident that they will enjoy a strong Serie A campaign.

The Nerrazzurri were beaten 4-0 by Valencia earlier this month, but then held reigning Serie A champions Juventus to a 1-1 draw in friendly clashes in America and Milito sees plenty of reasons for optimism in 2013-14 under new boss Walter Mazzarri.

"We're working very well and the team is on the up. We lacked a bit of flair in the early matches but that's natural in pre-season. We've definitely moved forward from a tactical perspective though," the Argentine striker told the Inter website.

"Right from day one the coach asked even us guys who are coming back from injury to follow his tactical instructions and this is very useful for us. Things are going well and we hope this continues.

"We'll go far, as high up the table as possible. I'm confident, when you play for Inter you always need to aim for the top."

Inter begin their Scudetto campaign against Genoa on August 25.

 

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Cissokho agrees terms with Liverpool

Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho has revealed that he has reached an agreement with Liverpool and that it is now up to the clubs to negotiate a deal to take him to Anfield.

The Premier League side have been busy in the transfer market with four signings to date - Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto - but are light on full-backs following the retirement of Jamie Carragher and Jack Robinson's loan move to Blackpool.

And Cissokho has now claimed he is close to joining Liverpool, but states the two club are at loggerheads over the structure of the deal with Valencia after a sale and the Reds keen on a loan-to-buy option.

"Liverpool have made me an offer and it is true that I have reached an agreement with them," he told Le 10 Sport. "It is now up to the clubs to agree terms. I expect to know more later this week.

"If nothing happens this week, it probably means that I will not be going to Liverpool.

"The conditions of the transfer are the problem. Liverpool prefer a loan deal with an option to buy, while Valencia want to sell straight away. If the transfer doesn't take place, it's not a problem either. I am feeling well at Valencia."

Cissokho made 20 appearances for Valencia last term after joining from Lyon on a four-year deal.

 

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Bayern are ready for everything, says Favre

Borussia Monchengladbach coach Lucian Favre is eagerly anticipating Friday's Bundesliga opener against Bayern Munich but admits his side will find it tough to find a way to breach the Bavarians' armour.

Gladbach were beaten 5-1 by Bayern in a friendly earlier this summer and, although Favre acknowledges a competitive fixture is a very different proposition, he has warned the rest of Germany's top flight that Pep Guardiola's side are ready to cope with any threat this season.

"Let's not forget it was only a friendly, but hurting Bayern will be tough, not only for us, for every team. You can certainly come up with good ideas, but Bayern are ready for everything," Favre was quoted as saying on the official Bayern website.

"I look forward to every Bundesliga match. It's a fantastic league. You play top teams every weekend and the stadiums are always full. But it's very special to be starting against Bayern. We know all about it – it was the same two years ago."

The Gladbach boss went on to discuss the arrival of Guardiola at Bayern and had nothing but praise for the Spaniard.

"A coach of this calibre coming to Germany is very special indeed. By signing him, Bayern have pulled off a real coup," he said. "It's fantastic and significant for the Bundesliga to have a man like Pep Guardiola coaching here. The whole world is watching. It's good for everyone."

 

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Barcelona risk ruining Neymar, says Ramalho

Former Santos coach Muricy Ramalho has hit out at Barcelona over their plans for Neymar to gain weight to boost his physical prowess.

Barca doctor Ricard Pruna said earlier this summer that the 21-year-old must gain weight in order to reach his peak physical condition, after the Brazilian was diagnosed with anaemia following his €57 million switch to Camp Nou.

Ramalho, however, believes the Blaugrana are risking damaging Neymar's long-term effectiveness, claiming it could lead to a serious injury like that suffered by compatriot and former Barcelona star Ronaldo.

"If Neymar puts on weight, they’re going to take away everything that’s best about him," Ramalho told Jovem Pam.

"They’re going to take away his speed. With small players such as Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Lionel] Messi at Barca, I never imagined that they would do this.

"If he puts on weight he could suffer a knee injury, like what happened to Ronaldo. It’s a dangerous business."

Neymar scored his first goal for Barcelona earlier this week in the 7-1 friendly win over Thailand.

 

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Liverpool owner Henry: Suarez is going nowhere

Liverpool owner John W Henry has insisted that striker Luis Suarez is going nowhere this summer.

Arsenal have seen two bids for the Uruguayan rejected - the latest being £40,000,001 in an attempt to trigger a supposed release clause - but the Reds chief has described the prospect of selling their star man as "ludicrous".

Brendan Rogers, who has consistently backed Suarez despite a string of controversies, has now accused the player of "total disrespect" and ordered him to train away from the first-team squad - a decision backed by Henry after criticising the club in an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday.

"We are not going to sell Luis," Henry told reporters.

"For all the top clubs it's extremely important [not to sell to a rival] but especially for Liverpool because we're not in Europe this year and have not been in the Champions League for a while.

"To sell to a rival for those positions, or one of them, would be ludicrous. Liverpool needs to be playing in Europe, it needs to be playing in the Champions League, that's what Liverpool football club is about.

"I'm unequivocal that we won't sell to Arsenal, whatever the bid is. I have not said it to Stan [Kroenke, Arsenal's majority shareholder] but I had a personal conversation with others at Arsenal and told [chief executive Ivan Gazidis] we would not sell to Arsenal.

"He won't be sold even if a foreign club comes in because we do not have time to sign a suitable replacement.