..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool chasing new centre-back

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed he is looking to sign a centre-back as Sebastian Coates has been ruled out for the majority of the season.

The 22-year-old damaged the anterior cruciate knee ligament in his right knee while on international duty with Uruguay and is now set to undergo surgery.

Rodgers has also confirmed he is willing to allow defender Andre Wisdom to move out on loan.

"We feel for big Seba because he's obviously played the latter part of the game," Rodgers told reporters.

"He's picked up a similar injury to what Martin Skrtel had last year, so it's probably going to rule him out for most of the season, which is disappointing for him because he's never given me a minute's problem since he's been here and this was probably the year where he needed to go out and play so unfortunately that put an end to that.

"It's something that we're looking at, a player to come in in that position. I really need to get young Andre Wisdom out on loan.

"It's one to strengthen the squad but it's also to allow some of our younger players to develop, for us to maximise Wisdom and his talent we need to get him some games and to get him out on loan, but I can only do that if somebody with a bit more experience can come in and support the ground. So it's two-fold really, but it's certainly a position that we're looking at."

Rodgers also denied reports suggesting that Liverpool had rejected a bid from Napoli for Martin Skrtel.

"I haven't been told anything about that whatsoever," he said.

"It was mentioned this morning but it was the first I'd heard of it. Ian Ayre does a terrific job and informs me straight away, but I haven't heard anything."

 

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Rummenigge: Gotze will be a world star

Mario Gotze's move to Bayern Munich will help him flourish into one of the world's best players, according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The Bayern CEO believes Gotze made the right choice in making the controversial €37 million summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, insisting the player is in the right surroundings to continue his development.

"He's on the way to world stardom and will make this step at Bayern," Rummenigge told reporters.

"He has the quality to continue to make us successful."

Gotze has yet to make his official Bayern debut as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but Rummenigge believes die Roten are well placed to replicate last season's historic success once the full squad is back to fitness.

"In addition to Gotze, we have Javi Martinez, Thiago and [Bastian] Schweinsteiger who are yet to reach their best condition, but when they do, Bayern will win with beautiful football," he said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Anelka to miss Everton clash on compassionate grounds

West Brom have confirmed Nicolas Anelka will miss the club's Premier League fixture against Everton on Saturday after the striker was given compassionate leave.

Earlier on Thursday reports circulated that Anelka had walked out of training after a conversation with sporting director Richard Garlick, and signalled his intention to retire from football.

But conflicting reports suggest the 34-year-old has been given time off to deal with the death of his agent, and that his future remains uncertain.

Anelka joined West Brom on a free transfer in the summer, having enjoyed short spells with Shanghai Shenhua and Juventus last season.

As recently as July the 34-year-old expressed his delight at reuniting with former Chelsea assistant Steve Clarke at the Hawthorns, and suggested he wanted to retire at the club.

 

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Xabi Alonso undergoes foot surgery

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has undergone successful surgery on a foot injury, the club have confirmed.

The Spain international sustained a fractured metatarsal during Wednesday morning's training session and could be out of action for an estimated three months due to the knock.

"Xabi Alonso today (Thursday) had an operation for a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot," a club statement announced.

The 31-year-old only recently returned to full match fitness after missing Spain's Confederations Cup campaign due to a groin problem.

The injury is a bitter blow to Carlo Ancelotti's plans as new signing Asier Illarramendi - dubbed the long-term replacement to Alonso at the heart of the Blancos midfield - is still short of match fitness following a muscular injury picked up in pre-season.

 

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Aubameyang agent to sue Dortmund

The agent involved in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's move to Borussia Dortmund is preparing to sue the Bundesliga club over alleged non-payments for his services.

Carlos Arino claims the German club owe him money for his role in securing the Gabonese striker’s transfer to Signal Iduna Park from Saint-Etienne this summer, with Umut Schleyer – a lawyer acting for Arino - confirming to Sport Bild: "I have been instructed to prepare an appropriate action."

According to claims made by Arino, he was involved in negotiations between Dortmund and Aubameyang as early as December, with an agreement in place entitling him to a consultancy fee.

Arino also suggests he was cut out of discussions between the parties in April before before the deal was completed – with the agent’s fee ultimately going to Aubameyang’s father.

BVB general manager Michael Zorc has branded the legal proceedings "irrelevant" and insists there has been no wrongdoing on the part of the club.

“We do not consider this demand justified and consider it irrelevant. We look at this case in a very relaxed way. Of course it is their right to try a legal process," he said.

 

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Tests confirm thigh bruise for Messi

Barcelona have confirmed that Lionel Messi has suffered bruising to his left thigh, leaving him doubtful for Sunday's La Liga meeting with Malaga.

The Argentine star was withdrawn at half-time in Wednesday's Supercopa first leg with Atletico Madrid after complaining of discomfort during the opening 45 minutes.

Tests conducted by the club's medical staff have since confirmed a hematoma affecting Messi's left thigh muscle, with the Catalans confirming via their official website that the 26-year-old is a doubt for this weekend's clash with Bernd Schuster's side.

The news marred a spirited fightback from Barcelona in Wednesday's game at Vicente Calderon, in which Neymar headed home his first competitive goal for Gerardo Martino's side.

Martino has already made it clear that Messi will need to be rested at specific points during the 2013-14 campaign in order to avoid a repeat of the leg injury which blighted the end of last season for the Argentina international.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham are not title contenders yet, warns Villas-Boas

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas claims that his team are not yet in the Premier League title race, despite spending over €100 million this summer.

Having already broken their transfer record twice with the signings of Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, the club were willing to break it for a third time with a €70m swoop for Brazilian attacker Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala and Roma star Erik Lamela.

However, despite the expenditure, the former Porto coach does not think that things are sufficiently settled at White Hart Lane to target Premier League glory.

"I don't agree that we can be title contenders for this season because everything is happening, everything is changing," Villas-Boas told reporters.

"We have to create a team from all these new players that we have bought. We haven't had lots of time to work with them.

"I believe that, in the future, we can definitely achieve it."

During his time at Porto, Villas-Boas won four trophies in one season – including the Europa League – and hopes to repeat his success with Tottenham.

"It is extremely difficult," he acknowledged. "Only a treble has been achieved in English football - Manchester United [in 1999]. A quadruple has never happened. It's very difficult because of the demands of the Premier League along with the strong competitions such as the Europa League or Champions League.

"It is something that can happen in the future. It could only be a dream to achieve it with Tottenham.

"What we are building is a very, very strong side for the future, alongside massive investment in the structures of the club so that dream can hopefully happen in a couple of years."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chamakh: I stayed at Arsenal too long

Crystal Palace striker Marouane Chamakh has admitted that he stayed at Arsenal too long.

The 29-year-old moved to the Emirates on a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in 2010 but struggled to dislodge Robin van Persie in the Gunners team.

Injuries and the signing of Olivier Giroud as Van Persie's replacement further hindered his cause for a first-team place at the Emirates Stadium but, although the Morocco international is disappointed about his game-time with the Gunners, he is sure that he made the right choice.

"I have regrets. I wish I had more time to play Arsenal," Chamakh told L'Equipe.

"I respect the decisions of the coach but I did not always have a chance. But I do not regret coming to England.

"At Arsenal, the first season was very good. Then I played a lot less. It was difficult because Van Persie was on fire. Until we changed system, there was no discussion between him and me.

"When he left, I thought there was a chance but, with the arrival of Giroud, I realised that I had no place out there."

A loan move to West Ham last season failed to work out for Chamakh but the Moroccan has been handed a lifeline by Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway and he warned Premier League defences that he will make his mark.

"West Ham was a bad choice. It did not go well at all," the forward admitted. "The manager promised me that, [due to] the injury to [Andy] Carroll, I would get playing time. Alou Diarra had warned me.

"I know I'll have plenty of time here [at Palace]. I'm going to get chances and find the net."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5 Tottenham: Townsend shines in Georgian rout

Andros Townsend stole the show as Tottenham thrashed Dinamo Tbilisi 5-0 at the Boris Paichadzis Erovnuli Stadion on Thursday.


The 22-year-old finished the match with a goal and two assists, as Spurs left themselves in a strong position to qualify for the Europa League group stages with a commanding display.

Townsend opened the scoring with a fine solo goal before providing a pin-point cross for Paulinho to make it 2-0 before half-time.

And Spurs pressed home their dominance after the break as Roberto Soldado netted either side of a fine Danny Rose effort.

Andre Villas-Boas handed a full debut to Etienne Capoue, while fellow signings Paulinho and Soldado were named in a strong starting XI.

Tbilisi featured former Valencia and Levante winger Xisco Munoz in their line-up.

The Georgian outfit looked to make home advantage count in the early stages and they had the ball in the back of net in the sixth minute but were denied as Xisco had strayed offside on the left flank.

As Tottenham began to settle they started to enjoy the majority of possession and the away side took the lead with a fine counter-attacking move.

A Tbilisi corner was cleared by Gylfi Sigurdsson before Townsend took ownership in midfield. He sprinted from inside his own half before striking hard into the bottom right-hand corner from 25-yards.

Tottenham continued to press but they had Hugo Lloris to thank for keeping the scores level on 25 minutes. Davit Kvirkvelia crossed from the left and Jaba Dvali diverted the header goalwards but the Frenchman got a strong hand to the effort to send the ball out for a corner.

Xisco was withdrawn for Tbilisi with what looked like a hamstring injury, and their situation worsened when Tottenham made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

Townsend made progress down the right before cutting onto his favoured left foot and hanging his cross in the air where Paulinho had timed his run well to head beyond Giorgi Loria from eight yards out.

After a slow start to the second half Townsend once again lit up the tie by grabbing another assist in the 58th minute.

The winger showed electric pace to burst down the right-hand side to leave Oleg Gvelesiani trailing in his wake. He got to the byeline before laying the perfect pass to Soldado who coolly slotted home the third.

Two goals in as many minutes followed to leave the home side reeling.

First Nacer Chadli laid the ball into the patch of Rose who curled a stunning left-footed strike into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.

And Chadli was involved again in the 67th minute when he crossed into the six-yard box for Soldado to tap home his second of the night.

Soldado was replaced by Harry Kane with 20 minutes remaining and the youngster almost grabbed a sixth when he headed against the post from Chadli's centre.

Villas-Boas may now take the opportunity to utilise the depth of his squad when they host the return leg at White Hart Lane on Thursday August 29.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

moyes tai wenger tai mata saha loka wasi football pissanta kiyanna thiyena ekama deya...

Patta talk 1ka

 

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No improved Cabaye offer from Arsenal, says Pardew

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew insists Arsenal have not submitted an improved offer for Yohan Cabaye.

It emerged on Monday that Arsenal had a £10 million bid for the France international rejected as part of a triple swoop which included moves for Schalke right-back Atsuto Uchida and Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Cabaye was not named in Newcastle's squad for their 4-0 defeat against Manchester City on Monday, and Pardew has since criticised the timing of Arsenal's offer for the 27-year-old.

"I think the situation with Yohan is an ongoing situation and we will take each day as it comes," Pardew told reporters.

"There's been one bid and I've turned that down, and that's really all I'm going to say on that."

Pardew has also met with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley this week to discuss potential transfer targets and has revealed the club are planning to secure deals in the final stages of the summer window.

"I was there to get together with the owner and get ourselves a game-plan going towards the final week of the window, and that's what we did," said Pardew.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dear Moyes & Wenger,what you guys doing.we are into the last 10 days of the transfer window & still no signs.enough with this waiting game​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Grasshoppers 1-2 Fiorentina: Gomez opens his Viola account

Fiorentina have every chance of qualifying for the Europa League following a 2-1 victory over Grasshoppers in Zurich, but coach Vincenzo Montella insists the tie is not over.

Juan Cuadardo fired them in front after 13 minutes with a stunning drive from an acute angle which gave goalkeeper Roman Burki no chance and the hosts were two down shortly after the break when Mario Gomez grabbed his first goal for his new employers in the opening leg of the play-off tie.

However, the Swiss side reduced the deficit through Anat Ngamukol and Montella admits, despite a satisfying performance from the Italians, that goal has given Grasshoppers a lifeline heading into the second leg.

“I had no doubts that this team would be ready with the right approach for a game like this,” Montella told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was unthinkable that we could all be at peak fitness right now and we could’ve finished the game off earlier, but the 2-1 result is good."

The Serie A season kicks off this weekend with Fiorentina hosting Catania on Monday. It was Montella's men's first taste of competitive football this season, having played a flurry of friendlies.

Fiorentina face the Zurich side next Thursday and the Italian knows they will have to shed their rustiness from pre-season if they want to reach the group stages.

“Grasshopper are dangerous on the counter-attack and it’s all still open, so we are not qualified yet. We did well and are satisfied with the performance," he added.

“This team can still improve and many of the lads have to grow, both in terms of fitness levels and their integration into the squad. For example, Cuadrado is very good, but I want him to be perfect.

“Giuseppe Rossi did well in attack and Gomez is always present in the box, though he can still do better. We are on the right path.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Swansea 5-1 Petrolul Ploiesti: Routledge at the double in Europa League cruise

A dominant Swansea City cruised to a 5-1 win over Petrolul Ploiesti in the first leg of their Europa League play-off on Wednesday.

The Premier League outfit all-but sealed their place in the group stages of the competition with an excellent performance at The Liberty Stadium.

Wayne Routledge scored twice in the first 25 minutes for the home side and his strikes were sandwiched by a Michu effort, putting the result beyond doubt in the early stages.

And Wilfried Bony and Alejandro Pozuelo rubbed further salt into Petrolul’s wounds in the second half as the Welsh side completed a one-sided victory in style, before Gheorghe Grozav grabbed a stunning consolation in the closing stages.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup made three changes from the side that lost 4-1 to Manchester United on Saturday, including Bony, Pablo Hernandez and Neil Taylor in his starting XI.

They replaced trio Nathan Dyer, Ben Davies and Jose Canas while Petrolul manager Cosmin Contra - who played under Laudrup at Getafe - made five changes, including the recall of star striker Grozav, who has already netted five goals in the qualifying stages of the tournament.

Petrolul had lost just two of their last 28 competitive matches in all competitions but were immediately on the back foot as Swansea made a bright start, with Jonjo Shelvey and Routledge particularly threatening.

Laudrup’s men ventured forward with increasing regularity in the early stages, and eventually got their reward in the 14th minute when Routledge opened his account.

Petrolul were caught napping after Shelvey took a free-kick, and Michu allowed the ball to run to the back post where Routledge was on hand to curl his shot in, via a deflection from Ovidiu Hoban.

Michu then doubled Swansea's lead eight minutes later when he quickly reacted to the rebound after Hernandez had an effort at the far post saved by Petrolul goalkeeper Pecanha.

And the result was sealed just moments later when a superb team move saw Routledge nod in Swansea's third.

Michu started the move with an excellent tackle in midfield before Leon Britton picked up the scraps and delivered a defence-splitting pass to Hernandez down the right.

The Spaniard simply stood the ball up at the back post for Routledge to head in, and he could have completed a hat-trick before the break only to shoot over when put through on goal by Michu.

Bony turned a late effort wide as a completely dominant Swansea went into the break with a 3-0 lead, and their advantage was quickly extended once play resumed.

Ivory Coast international Bony initially hit the bar two minutes into the second half after showing excellent strength and control, and Hernandez curled an effort just wide moments later.

A rare Petrolul attack saw half-time substitute Abel Camara shoot wide from distance and Michu had an effort deflected over before the fourth goal came thanks to Bony.

The 24-year-old benefited from an excellent Michu cut-back and although his shot was saved, the ball eventually rolled in off Pecanha.

And Pozuelo added a fifth with an exquisite chip with 20 minutes remaining.

Grozav scored a late consolation for the losers, with an outrageous overhead kick, but it mattered little as Swansea took all the momentum into the second leg, to be played in Romania next week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Raul scores on Real Madrid return

Real Madrid legend Raul scored in front of a packed stadium as los Blancos won 5-0 in an emphatic victory over Al Sadd in the annual Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu.

The 36-year-old rather appropriately started off the party, demonstrating his touch and technique had not deserted him by bringing down the ball expertly from an Angel Di Maria pass before firing a low shot into the back of the net.

It was the sort of goal the club's supporters had come to expect from their greatest-ever goalscorer but they still showed their appreciation and awe at his ability. Minutes later, he hit the post but the crowd erupted, shouting for their hero to be given a national call-up.

Iker Casillas gave him the armband while Cristano Ronaldo gave the striker his No.7 shirt in the first half as part of a fitting tribute for the all-time leading Champions League goalscorer before he switched teams at half-time to play for his current employers.

Further goals were to come for Carlo Ancelotti's men as Isco, who scored against Betis on the opening day, once again found the net before Karim Benzema made it three.

Jese, whose future at the club looks uncertain with the imminent arrival of Tottenham's Gareth Bale, did his best to put himself in his coach's thoughts as he grabbed a double before the end and Madrid eventually declared on five.

Meanwhile, the continued debate about who should be No.1 goalkeeper between Diego Lopez and Casillas was once again played out in public as supporters highlighted the split in opinion amongst some, with a chorus of boos and cheers reverberating around the ground for each of the keepers.

But it certainly did not take the gloss off a wonderful night for an emotional Raul as he said farewell to the Bernabeu faithful in style.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas unaware of Chelsea's pursuit of Willian

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he is unaware of Chelsea's late swoop for Anzhi Makhachkala attacker Willian.

The Brazil international underwent a medical at the White Hart Lane club on Wednesday ahead of €35 million transfer only for their London rivals to lodged an improved offer of €37m on Thursday.

However, Villas-Boas said he had no knowledge of any potential offer from Chelsea, insisting his sole focus was on Tottenham's 5-0 win over Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League.

"We were just involved in a game so unfortunately I can't give you further information," the Portuguese told reporters.

"I confirmed our interest in the player. Everything is possible, but I'm not aware of the circumstances because of our involvement in the game.

"I don't want it to be a distraction over what we achieved here tonight."

The 35-year-old also refused to answer questions on the future of Gareth Bale.

The Welshman is said to be on the verge of signing for Real Madrid in a world-record deal.

"On Gareth I am not able to comment on anything that has been my tone since the start of the season and I will not come out of it," Villas-Boas added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Raul-The Returning King

Raul-The Returning King 2013.08.22

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Raul Gonzales Give T-shirt to Cristiano Ronaldo

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[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United keen on Mata

Manchester United have made an informal inquiry to Chelsea about the possibility of bringing Juan Mata to Old Trafford this transfer window, sources from both clubs have told ESPN.

It is unknown at this point whether the contact has been part of the ongoing Wayne Rooney saga, or whether the English champions would be open to a long-mooted straight swap between the players, just that their interest has been piqued and they believe a deal could be possible.Word from Chelsea throughout the summer has been that Mata is simply not for sale, and he is understood to be one of owner Roman Abramovich's three favourite players at Stamford Bridge.

An undercurrent of the summer, however, has been that manager Jose Mourinho is not as keen on the Spanish playmaker. Although the Portuguese boss is fully prepared to use him as one of the primary attacking players in his first-choice XI, Mourinho is said to think that off-loading Mata may not be the worst decision if it ensured strengthening elsewhere - especially up front.

Chelsea’s reported interest in Anzhi Makhachkala's Willian has only added to the uncertainty.It is also understood that Romelu Lukaku had been broached as a potential makeweight in any deal for Rooney, but his exit from Chelsea seems exceptionally unlikely. Similarly, United's stance remains the same: Rooney is not for sale.

The Old Trafford club remain relaxed about eventually bringing in Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines from Everton before the end of window, but their pursuit of Luka Modric has stalled. Carlo Ancelotti sees the midfielder as a key player for Real Madrid this season, with that only accentuated by Xabi Alonso's metatarsal injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thawath boru wadak mata hithenneLast season 1ke Chelsea squad 1ken elatama play karapu player kenekmata mathaka hatiyata Chelsea player of the year.So ahema kenekwa Chelsea sell karaida?