..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku: I've told Chelsea I want to leave

Romelu Lukaku has told Chelsea that he wants to leave the club this summer.

The striker is yet to spend a full season at Stamford Bridge, despite joining from Anderlecht in 2011, and has enjoyed two prolific loan spells at West Brom and Everton.

Despite scoring 15 Premier League goals at Goodison Park this season, Chelsea are close to signing Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, which will push Lukaku further down the pecking order.

And the 21-year-old has now revealed that he will look to impress the “many clubs” who are interested in acquiring his signature by spearheading Belgium's campaign in Brazil.

“You know Chelsea, every year they buy a new top striker,” Lukaku told reporters.

“I remember me coming into the dressing room last year and seeing Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba and going, ‘Whoah! What’s happening here?’

“But no problem. Many clubs are interested in me. At this stage, I have to look to myself.

“I have to play a good World Cup. That’s very interesting for all the players looking for a transfer. And I must be one of them. Chelsea know my point of view.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku wa loan karapu 1kanam kohomath aparadayak

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona close in on €35 million Marquinhos deal

Barcelona are in final negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Brazil central defender Marquinhos - new coach Luis Enrique's priority signing for his first season in charge at Camp Nou.

Sources involved expect the transfer to be agreed by Monday, and the club could still move for another two defenders this summer after allowing Alex to join AC Milan earlier this week.

PSG are also in the market for another forward as a replacement for Ezequiel Lavezzi, who they are trying to sell, despite recent Financial Fair Play disciplinary action aimed at restricting their movement in the transfer market.

The Marquinhos' deal may yet see Dani Alves move to the French champions after he entered the final year of his €10 million contract at Barcelona.

The right-back has won four La Liga titles and the Champions League twice in six seasons at Camp Nou, but has yet to be told by the club whether he is wanted for another campaign. PSG, in contrast, have made their interest in Alves explicit, leading the player to describe them as a “real alternative for me”.

The Qatar-owned club initially refused to countenance selling Marquinhos just a season after acquiring the defender from Roma for a fee of over €30m, informing him that he would not be permitted to leave. Barca's persistence with the 20-year-old, however, coupled with PSG's €50m recruitment of David Luiz from Chelsea, subsequently led them to price the 20-year-old at €60m.

Barca are now negotiating that sum down to €35m, with PSG proposing that Alves be included in the final deal. If the Brazilian is allowed to move to join the club it is understood he will seek a three-year contract there.

Central defence has been an obvious problem area for Barcelona for several seasons after Carles Puyol's failing knee forced him into retirement, while the attempted conversion of Javier Mascherano and Alex Song into centre-backs failed to fill the gap. Ironically, the Catalans lost their preferred choice for the position, Thiago Silva, to PSG in a 2012 bidding war, and have been unable to extract him from the French capital since.

While Alves is a cornerstone of a Brazil defence that is considered fundamental to their efforts to reclaim the World Cup, Marquinhos is still waiting for a second full international appearance for his country. He was not called up by Luiz Felipe Scolari for the finals, but scored as Brazil's Under-20s won the Toulon Tournament on Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mascherano agrees contract extension with Barcelona

Barcelona have announced they have reached an agreement with Javier Mascherano to extend the player's contract until 2018.

The Argentina international had been the subject of transfer speculation in recent weeks, with Napoli confirming they were keen on securing a deal for the player, who turns 30 on Sunday.

However, Mascherano has now brought talk of a Camp Nou exit to an end by agreeing terms over an improved contract, which will keep him at the club until June 2018 and included a buyout clause of €100 million.

"FC Barcelona announces that it has reached an agreement with Javier Mascherano for the improvement and extension of his contract for the next four years, until 30 June 2018, plus an optional season. His buyout clause will be €100m," a statement released on the club's official website confirmed.

Mascherano, who joined Barcelona from 2010 in Liverpool, has made 184 appearances for the Blaugrana, including 44 in the 2013-14 campaign.

The Argentine, who is currently preparing for the World Cup finals, has won eight major honours with the Catalans, including two Liga titles and the 2011 Champions League.

Speculation had mounted that Mascherano could be offloaded this summer as part of the rebuilding work under new head coach Luis Enrique, who replaced Gerardo Martino at the end of the season.

Reports in Spain suggest Mascherano could be moved back into a midfield role under Luis Enrique next season, having been converted to a central defender by Pep Guardiola and used predominantly in that role by both Tito Vilanova and Martino.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stop Messi? I'll need a gun - Thiago Silva

Brazil defender Thiago Silva has joked he will need a gun to stop Lionel Messi if he faces the Argentina star at World Cup 2014.

The Paris Saint-Germain captain has suffered at the hands of Messi on three separate occasions with both AC Milan and the Ligue 1 champions in the Champions League.

The pair could do battle yet again this summer, should Brazil and Argentina meet during the World Cup, and when asked how to stop the four-time Ballon d'Or winner, Silva admitted he may resort to special measures.

"How will I stop him? He can only be stopped with a gun," the 29-year-old said to BLOCK magazine.

"He's the player who keeps you awake upfront when the rest of the team is working the ball. When the game goes to one side of the field, he will be all alone on the other.

"Despite his injuries this last season he will be a big threat at the World Cup."

Brazil and Argentina have been tipped as two favourites to reach the final in what would be a mouth-watering coming together of South America's fiercest rivals.

Silva admits he would love to face the Alejandro Sabella's men but also welcomed the prospect of renewing rivalries with several other nations.

"(Argentina) would be a classic," he added.

"After that Germany would be a great game, a re-match of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup final, or Spain. They are also calling for revenge after we beat them in the Confederations Cup final.

"[Sergio] Ramos says it would be different at the World Cup."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal boosted by Ronaldo return

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return to training in a massive boost to Portugal's World Cup preparations.

The 29-year-old has missed both of Portugal's pre-finals friendlies so far - a 0-0 draw with Greece and Friday's 1-0 win over Mexico.Ronaldo has been struggling with persistent knee injuries ever since Real Madrid's Champions League final victory over Atletico at the end of May.

Fenerbahce's Raul Meireles will also make his comeback after at last overcoming a troublesome thigh problem.A statement on the Portuguese Football Federation's website on Saturday explained that both would return to training with the rest of the squad.

But, one worry for coach Paulo Bento is the fitness of central defender Pepe, who has been troubled by a calf injury and he will continue "individual rehabilitation and specific exercises".Portugal have one more friendly, against Republic of Ireland in New Jersey on Tuesday, before their World Cup campaign begins.

Following that game, Bento and his squad will fly out to Brazil and begin final preparations for their opening Group G fixture against Germany on June 16.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli must listen to Seedorf - Prandelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has urged Mario Balotelli not to waste his chance to shine on the big stage at the World Cup.

The Milan striker is expected to lead the line in Italy's Group D opener with England, a match that will mark his first appearance at the tournament if he gets the nod.

Balotelli showcased his talent at a major international tournament with three goals in Italy's run to the final of Uefa Euro 2012, but has been plagued by episodes of indiscipline throughout his career.

The 23-year-old scored 14 goals in 30 Serie A appearances last term, but was criticised as Milan endured a torrid season that saw them finish eighth.However, Prandelli believes the mercurial striker has the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters by starring in Brazil.

"Balotelli is an important player for the national team, like a lot of others," Prandelli said. "But he must come to the World Cup fully prepared."He would do well to listen to his Milan coach Clarence Seedorf and channel the emotions he is feeling into something positive on the pitch.

"He knows the World Cup can be the opportunity of a lifetime for a footballer."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea's Hazard rules out Paris Saint-Germain move

Chelsea starlet Eden Hazard has stated that he won't be joining Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The attacking midfielder, who played in France with Lille before switching to Stamford Bridge, is reportedly a target for the Ligue 1 champions.

When asked by L’Equipe if he likes being handed the number 10 shirt at Chelsea, Hazard replied: “Yes, I have always appreciated it.

"It's a nod of approval and it's nice. It's my favourite number, which I wore in Lille, then with the national team - it is the number of one of my idols, [Zinedine] Zidane."

Asked if he knew who PSG's number 10 is, the Belgian said: "I don't know. The place is not free. So I cannot go."

The 23-year-old has been involved in a number of regularly exchanged differences of opinion with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho since the Portuguese's return to England - specifically on Hazard's defensive work rate and the team's tactics.

However, last season's PFA Young Player of the Year insists he wants to remain at the club, adding his desire to focus on his country's World Cup campaign.

"For the moment, I just want to focus on the World Cup. For the moment I have a contract with Chelsea and I don't want to leave the club," he told reporters.

Hazard played 35 times for Chelsea in the Premier League last season, scoring 14 times, while netting three more in the Champions League and the Super Cup.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

We have agreed a deal with Diego - Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has announced that the club have reached a deal to sign Diego Ribas.

The Brazilian was expected to find a new team this summer after his contract with German side Wolfsburg was due to expire at the end of June.Diego, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, opened up talks with Fenerbahce last month.

The club's chairman Yildirim has now confirmed that the 29-year-old will join Fenerbahce's summer training camp in July, although the club will wait until a formal contract is signed before making an official announcement.

"We've reached an agreement with Diego Ribas. We didn't make the official statement because the signing process hasn't been done yet,” Yildirim said in Fenerbahce's financial meeting today.“Most probably he'll join the team in July. He will be our single transfer this summer. We won't sign any player except him."The Brazil playmaker fell down the pecking order at Atletico following his loan move from Germany in January.

Despite his lack of regular games for Los Rojiblancos, Diego scored one of Atletico’s most important goals of the season when he netted a 30-yard screamer during the club's Champions League quarterfinal tie against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.The star thanked the Atleti fans and staff in a farewell message on social media recently and stressed he would always remain a fan of the club.

The message read: "I'd like to thank the staff, my teammates and the wonderful fans for all the kindness and courtesy they always showed me.“It was an honour to be part of this club again, where I had the pleasure of experiencing even more special and unforgettable moments.

“I am leaving happy and safe in the knowledge that I once more gave absolutely everything to help the team. From today I am no longer an Atletico player, but I will always be a huge fan of this club!!!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Monaco sign France U20 keeper Paul Nardi

Monaco have completed the signing of France U-20 goalkeeper Paul Nardi from Nancy on a five-year contract.The Ligue 1 club announced the transfer of the highly-rated 20-year-old on their official website on Friday for a fee thought to be in the region of €3million.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev praised Nardi – who was recently voted the best goalkeeper of the Toulon Festival of Football – and confirmed that the stopper would be sent back to Nancy next season.

"Paul Nardi is one of the great hopes of French football. He enters our strategy to build with a long-term vision, we are delighted he has selected our project as we faced competition from other European clubs,” Vasilyev said.

“To allow him to continue his progression, Paul will be loaned [back] to Nancy next season.”Nardi has come through the youth ranks at the Stade Marcel Picot and established himself as a first-team regular, starting 33 games for the Ligue 2 club last term.

With his side narrowly missing out on promotion into France’s top flight last season, Nardi admitted he felt privileged to be taken on by Monaco."I am very happy to join this great club that has a great vision for the future. I am honoured and impressed to be part of Monaco today,” Nardi said.

Nardi’s signing comes just a day after Monaco unveiled Leonardo Jardim as their new head coach on a two-year deal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona will never find another Messi - Iniesta

Andres Iniesta says Barcelona will never find another player quite like Lionel Messi.

The 26-year-old endured a disappointing 2013/14 campaign by his own remarkably high standards, as Barca surrendered La Liga and were dumped out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid.

However, Messi still scored 28 times in 31 games, as well as creating a further 11 goals for his team-mates across the course of the season, and Iniesta believes his team-mate is a one-off.

He said: "Barcelona will never have another player like him ever again and he will never find another club like Barcelona.

"He is a unique talent, everyone knows what he is capable of."

Iniesta could well face Messi at the summer's World Cup, and the midfielder revealed his admiration for another Argentine, in the shape of former Barca star Juan Roman Riquelme.

"To share a changing room with Riquelme was just an absolute pleasure. You learned every day from playing alongside him," he added.

The 30-year-old is set to play a pivotal role for Spain at World Cup 2014 and signalled his intent with a goal in the 2-0 friendly win over Bolivia eight days ago.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pattama ICE watillak neh watenne​

 

[mikewashtm]

Bumping this up.

 

[unicornx]

Pattama ICE watillak neh watenne​

Snow

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France 8-0 Jamaica: Les Bleus make light of Ribery withdrawal by routing Reggae Boyz

Karim Benzema, Blaise Matuidi and Antoine Griezmann all starred as France ended their World Cup preparations by thumping Jamaica 8-0 at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Didier Deschamps' men produced a scintillating performance on Sunday, laying down a significant marker for the World Cup at the end of a week that saw Franck Ribery ruled out of the Brazil showpiece with a back injury.

In Ribery's absence, the trio of Benzema, Matuidi and Griezmann indicated that they will be key to France's hopes as all three scored braces.

Yohan Cabaye and Olivier Giroud also netted as France signed off in their final pre-tournament friendly in some style.

The only blot on a magnificent evening for the 1998 world champions came as defender Mathieu Debuchy was brought off at half-time with apparent injury concerns.

France will expect a more difficult test when they start their quest to regain the World Cup against Honduras next Sunday.

Jamaica made a promising start, but fell behind in the 17th minute when Cabaye finished off a well-worked move at the ground he used to play at with former club Lille.

The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker found the net with a half-volley at the near post after Giroud had nodded Mathieu Valbuena's exquisite lob into his path.

And France's lead was doubled just three minutes later, Cabaye's PSG team-mate Matuidi meeting Benzema's lay-off with a fierce left-footed strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

France were not able to craft too many clear-cut chances, but the ones they created they took, Benzema putting the game beyond doubt in the 37th minute with an excellent third.

The Real Madrid striker worked his way to edge of the area before curling past a helpless Jacomeno Barrett in the Jamaica goal.

Barrett was called into action almost immediately to prevent a fourth, the shot-stopper doing well to hold to a powerful low effort from Giroud.

Debuchy was replaced by Bacary Sagna at half-time, but that did not slow down France as they continued the onslaught.

Giroud did beat Barrett eight minutes into the second half as the Arsenal striker fired in off the post from Benzema's low left-wing cross.

Captain Patrice Evra and defender Raphael Varane then went close with headed efforts before a fifth goal arrived in the 63rd minute, Benzema getting his second in spectacular fashion by lashing into the top corner after the Jamaican defence had afforded him too much space in the box.

The gulf in class was evident throughout the contest and was illustrated again as five swiftly became six, Matuidi racing on to Evra's well-placed delivery to double his tally.

Benzema came close to securing his hat-trick as he hit the post with a bending effort in the 70th minute before Griezmann capitalised on more sloppy defending to slot into an empty net.

There was still time for the Real Sociedad winger to add further gloss to the scoreline, turning home Moussa Sissoko's near-post cross in the 89th minute with a clever backheel.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Trinidad and Tobago 0-2 Iran: Queiroz's men end four-game winless run

Iran will enter the World Cup in good spirits after a 2-0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago in Sao Paulo on Sunday.

Carlos Queiroz's men picked an ideal time to end a four-match winless streak as goals from Ehsan Haji Safi and Reza Ghoochannejad gave them victory.

Iran were held to goalless draws against Belarus and Iran last month before a 1-1 draw with Angola.

But they returned to winning ways thanks to an impressive performance that will give them hope ahead of their World Cup opener against Nigeria a week on Monday.

Iran started brightly and although Lester Peltier dragged a shot just wide at the other end, captain Javad Nekounam was a constant threat for the victors.

Nekounam first headed just wide in the 26th minute and - after a clash between Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams and Iran's Ashkan Dejagah that saw both players require treatment - he went close again.

This time Nekounam shot wide from a corner before Haji Safi gave Iran the lead in first-half stoppage time.
The Sepahan midfielder scored when, following a corner, he thrashed an effort into the top-right corner.

And Nekounam was denied by Williams two minutes into the second half as Iran looked to double their lead.

Iran won a penalty in the 50th minute after Dejagah was brought down in the area, but Nekounam could not convert the chance.

Nekounam's effort was saved by a diving Williams and the rebound grazed the upright before the goalkeeper required more treatment.

Iran did get their second goal, though, as Ghoochannejad ran on to a through-ball and fired past an advancing Williams in the 54th minute.

Karim Ansari Fard had a low shot saved with eight minutes left, but the second half, littered with substitutions, petered out after Ghoochannejad's strike.

It mattered little to Iran, though, who will be pleased to enter the Brazil showpiece on the back of a win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez: Uruguay must respect England's young guns

Luis Suarez believes that Uruguay must be careful when they take on England at the World Cup despite the Three Lions' inexperienced squad.

Suarez, who is recovering from a knee operation and is hopeful of playing a full part in Brazil, could come face-to-face with a number of his Premier League counterparts when Uruguay face Roy Hodgson's side in Sao Paulo on June 19.

And he feels that the youthful nature of Hodgson's squad will give them an extra edge during the tournament, though he still feels they have issues in defence.

"England have a nice mix of experience of youth this time. In previous years there were players who were maybe a bit past their best," he told The Guardian.

"Now there are players coming through with hunger to succeed. We have to be very careful.

"But, they do have weaknesses at the back and I know what they are. I won't be saying that in the paper but in the Uruguay squad I will."

Though the Liverpool striker believes there are issues in England's back line, he also feels that left-back Leighton Baines is one of the better players in Hodgson's squad.

The Everton defender has caught Suarez's eye and feels that he could prove a pivotal figure when the two sides meet.

"Baines is a player I like a lot. His focus is more defensive than attacking but he has got the best left foot in the Premier League.

"He's spectacular. He has a lot of quality, he strikes the ball very well and, with good players around him, England can benefit from that. We have to be very careful."

Suarez has also noted speculation surrounding the form of Wayne Rooney within the media, but he feels the Manchester United striker will be able to thrive with more responsibility on his shoulders.

"Rooney has that will to win and this is a good chance for him. I read Hodgson saying that people were piling responsibility onto him.

"It is good that he has the responsibility but not pressure. He has a lot of good players around him."

The World Cup offers Suarez the chance to come face-to-face with a number of his team-mates from Anfield, with Rickie Lambert's transfer to the Merseyside outfit meaning there are now six representatives from Brendan Rodgers' side in the England squad.

And the 27-year-old admits he was pleased to see his club-mates gain recognition for their fine showings in the Premier League.

"A World Cup is always different but my team-mates are playing very well and they could play a similar role for England as they have for Liverpool.

"I was particularly pleased when I heard that Raheem [Sterling] and Jordan [Henderson] were in the squad.

"A year ago there were some people who didn't rate them and now, because they played so well this season, they've been called up."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Johnson: Sterling can be England's secret weapon at the World Cup

Glen Johnson believes Raheem Sterling can be England's surprise package at the World Cup.

The 19-year-old failed to start any of England's three warm-up fixtures after being red carded against Ecuador, though Roy Hodgson admitted that he would have made the starting XI against Honduras had he not been suspended.

And though his lack of minutes could mean he misses out against Italy on June 14, Johnson believes he has all the attributes to shock the world's best sides.

"Hopefully he can [surprise other teams]. That would be ideal if people don’t know what he is capable of and people underestimate him a bit," he told reporters.

"That would definitely work in our favour. Hopefully people will underestimate him and then he can prove them wrong.

"I think he has looked good all year. He is a young kid who is willing to learn about the game and he should just get better."

Former Chelsea defender Johnson is one of the more experienced players in Hodgson's youthful squad, and was part of the side that were knocked out of Euro 2012 on penalties by Italy the last time the two met.

But the 29-year-old believes the attacking players that have been added to the England side since then should provide more of a threat against the Azzurri in Manaus on Saturday.

"I think we had a good team when we played Italy last time, but now we have more players who can hurt them attacking-wise.

"We have a bit more pace in the squad as well so hopefully we will get further on.

"I don’t think Italy will have met an England team like this before. The team we had before was a good side but maybe it was slightly defensive.

"If we can defend well now and use some of the pace and ability we have going forward we can cause problems."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Uruguay star Suarez: I won't miss World Cup

Uruguay star Luis Suarez says there is no chance of him missing this summer's World Cup through injury.

The Liverpool forward was forced to undergo surgery on the meniscus in his left knee at the tail end of last month, sparking fears that the 27-year-old might be ruled out of the showpiece event in Brazil.

However, Suarez has revealed that at no point was there a chance of him sitting out the tournament.

“Emotionally, I’ve felt fine [throughout the recovery period]," the Reds attacker told the Guardian. "Psychologically, I’ve been spectacular.

"At no time did I feel pressured. At no time have I felt sad because at no point did I think there was a chance of me missing the World Cup. The thought never went through my mind.

"I could have really cried [in pain] because of this injury but I didn’t because I knew. I knew.

"When the doctor first spoke to me three little tears fell but no more. My wife said: ‘I can’t believe how strong you’re being.' But I knew I’d make it."

However, Suarez refused to be drawn on whether he feels he will be fit for Uruguay's tournament opener against Costa Rica in Fortaleza on June 14.

“What you don’t know is how the knee will react,” he says. “Today, I could say to you: ‘Yeah, I’ll make it to the first game’. Or: ‘No, I prefer to wait for the second or the third’.

“But you only know for sure as you progress and you see how the knee reacts."

After facing Costa Rica in the first game in Group D, Uruguay must then tackle England in Sao Paulo on June 19 before meeting Italy in Belo Horizonte on June 24.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Deschamps: Debuchy not out of World Cup

France coach Didier Deschamps has played down the severity of the injury that forced Mathieu Debuchy off in Sunday's friendly against Jamaica.

The Newcastle United defender was replaced by Bacary Sagna at half-time and there were immediate reports that the full-back had fractured a bone in his foot, thus ruling him out of the World Cup.

However, Deschamps quickly dispelled those rumours, insisting that Debuchy's problem is a minor one.

"He feels a little discomfort when he runs," the Bleus coach told TF1. "But he must go have it checked."

France ran riot in their final warm-up clash, winning 8-0 courtesy of doubles from Karim Benzema, Blaise Matuidi and Antoine Griezmann, and one goal apiece from Yohan Cabaye and Olivier Giroud.

"It was [a performance] full of confidence," Deschamps enthused. "But it does not give us any insurance for the first game of the World Cup.

"I know what you [the press] are going to say: we met with a team of tourists. But I prefer to think of the performance of my players.

"But a completely different match awaits us on June 15 [against Honduras]."