..::Football III::..

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Ronaldo not as talented as 'freak' Messi - Henry

Thierry Henry believes that his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is untouchable in terms of pure talent, even from Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Camp Nou star was unseated as Ballon d'Or holder earlier this year by the Real Madrid forward, but he starred in the World Cup as Argentina reached the final and won the tournament's Golden Ball for his efforts.

Henry, who played with Messi at Barca before joining New York Red Bulls in 2010, stressed that he rates Ronaldo but just does not think that the Portugal international - or anyone else in the world - can match Messi toe-to-toe for talent.

"Lionel Messi is the best player in the world but I respect the amount of work Cristiano Ronaldo has put into the game," Henry told BBC in a chat with ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

"But Messi is just a freak. It is nice for kids to watch as they can see one guy who was given a gift and the other guy who does it through hard work.

"Louis Saha used to tell me Ronaldo was the hardest worker at Manchester United. I am not saying Messi does not work hard - but it is more natural.

"Ronaldo had to work really hard to reach the top. They have the same mentality but that's the difference."

Arsenal legend Henry also weighed in on the future on Luis Suarez, who has joined Luis Enrique's side this summer for €88 million, and suggested that the Uruguayan would be a massive hit in La Liga.

"He has everything. He's in your face, he's arrogant in a good way, he can volley it, he can score headers," the Frenchman added.

"He has that vicious side to his game - I will not call it cheating. He knows how to score goals. We have seen it against England. They gave him two chances and he scored two goals."

 

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Morata is one of the world's best talents, says Marotta

Alvaro Morata is one of the best young talents in world football, according to Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta.

The Italian champions announced on Saturday that the 21-year-old had completed his €20 million move from Real Madrid after weeks of protracted negotiations, with Morata signing a five-year contract.

Although he acknowledged it was a battle to convince Madrid to part with the Spain youth international - as well as fend off interest from other clubs - Marotta believes the lengthy pursuit of the player will pay dividends for the club in the coming seasons.

"He is 21, comes from Real Madrid and is one of the best young talents in European football and the world," Marotta told reporters at Morata's unveiling.

"He won two titles with the Spain Under-19s and U21s, and won the Golden Boot for those tournaments [the 2011 U19 European Championship and 2013 U21 European Championship]. He took part in Real Madrid's recent Champions League victory.

"He's played six seasons with the Merengues, so he has tasted all the success of the team and found a winning mentality. All of this led us to choose him.

"Negotiations have been difficult, Real Madrid wanted to hold him back and there was competition from other clubs. If Alvaro is here today it is because he wanted to wear this glorious shirt.

"Real have the right to a repurchase, but the player is here and will have a great experience with us. We hope he can stay here, hence the five-year contract."

 

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Brazil to announce Scolari successor on Tuesday

Brazil will name the successor to former head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Tuesday.

Scolari stepped down from his role after the Selecao's dismal end to the World Cup this summer, where they were thrashed 7-1 in the semi-final by Germany before losing 3-0 in the third-place playoff to Netherlands.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have now released a statement via their official website to confirm that they will hold a press conference at 17:00CET on July 22 in which they will reveal Scolari's replacement.

CBF president Jose Maria Marin will host the press conference at the organisation's headquarters in Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janerio.

Former Brazil midfielder Dunga, who coached the team at the finals of the World Cup in 2010, is one of the favourites to land the role, especially due to the strong relationship he has with Gilmar Rinaldi, the newly-appointed general manager of Brazil's national teams.

Sao Paulo head coach Muricy Ramalho and former Corinthians boss Tite were the early frontrunners for the post according to Brazilian media, with the CBF having already confirmed they will not appoint a foreigner to the position.

 

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Remy agrees £8m Liverpool move

Loic Remy has agreed an £8 million move to Liverpool.

The French striker is set to sign for the Merseysiders next week after finalising terms with the club.

Liverpool have spoken to Queens Park Rangers and will pay the £8m release clause in his contract that applies to Champions League clubs.

The arrival of Remy, 27, will lift Liverpool's spending this summer to nearly £70m (€88m), just short of the club-record fee received from Barcelona for Luis Suarez.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has already brought former Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, winger Lazar Markovic and midfielder Emre Can to Anfield.

Belgian teenager Divock Origi, who is also a striker, will return to Lille on loan after completing his €12m switch.

Liverpool had emerged as favourites to sign Remy on Friday after Tottenham pulled out of the race to capture the forward, who scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League appearances during a productive loan spell at Newcastle United last season.

Arsenal had also been strongly linked with the Frenchman but it is understood that he was never seriously considered as an option by Arsene Wenger.

Remy is likely to join Lambert in providing back-up to Rodgers' first-choice spearhead Daniel Sturridge next season.

Liverpool have also explored the possibility of signing Wilfried Bony but have been put off by Swansea City's asking price for the Cote d'Ivoire striker.

 

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Suarez needs a psychiatrist, not Fifa sanctions - Uruguay president

Uruguay president Jose Mujica has slammed Fifa for their treatment of Luis Suarez, claiming he needs help from a psychiatrist rather than a ban from football.
Suarez received a nine-game international suspension and a four-month ban from all football-related activity - along with a fine - after being found guilty of biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay's 1-0 win on June 24 in the group stages of the World Cup.

President Mujica was scathing in his assessment of Fifa in the immediate aftermath of the punishment, calling football administrators "a bunch of old sons of b******," and has now added that the new Barcelona signing would be far better off with psychiatric help, rather than a widespread ban.

"He comes from a poor background and his main intelligence is in his feet," the Uruguayan leader said in an interview with Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo."It's better to take him to hospital and once there, see a psychiatrist.

"I'm not disputing the sporting sanctions, they're fine. What I'm disputing is that there are certain things that shouldn't have anything to do with the ban."The fact he can't go on any football pitch, that he can't be with any of his team-mates in the national team, he can't go to a football stadium or even support a charity event linked with football.

"It's crazy! Not even a government can prohibit someone from entering a football stadium, without the signature of a judge. Then Fifa come along and say he can't do that for four months… without even a legal tribunal."

Mujica, once dubbed 'the world's poorest president' due to his austere lifestyle, added that Fifa has displayed an old-fashioned attitude over the course of the affair as the world waits to see Suarez play for Barcelona following his €88 million move from Liverpool.

"I believe Fifa have a mentality of old people," the 79-year-old added.
"They want to appear as though they're learning from their mistakes, but never do. The only thing they generate is hatred and resentment. What this lad needs is someone to give him a helping hand.

"Now we'll get to see [Suarez] playing alongside Neymar and [Lionel] Messi. We don't know when that will be, though."

 

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Wenger wants talks with Wilshere over Las Vegas smoking

Arsene Wenger insists that he is "not deeply concerned" after Jack Wilshere was pictured smoking but says that he will speak to the midfielder about the incident.

The 22-year-old was photographed smoking a cigarette while on holiday in Las Vegas earlier in July, behaviour for which he had already been criticised by the Arsenal manager following a similar incident last season.

Wilshere has returned to pre-season training following England's World Cup campaign but did not feature in the Gunners' 2-0 win over Boreham Wood on Saturday afternoon.

"I haven't spoken to him so it's very difficult for me to make any statement," Wenger told reporters.

"I know what you can make of pictures. I have to speak to him to see what really happened before coming out publicly.

"I'm not deeply concerned by it but I just want to know what happened but, before I know what happened, I don't want to talk too much about it."

When asked how important the new season is to Wilshere's development, Wenger replied: "Well, he's at an age where you want him to [move] forward. He has the potential.

"I believe for him the most important now is to have a good preparation. Focus on getting really fit.

"Jack is a great player, he has a football brain, he is ambitious. I'm sure, injury-free, he can have a great season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Dortmund win like torture

Jurgen Klopp described Borussia Dortmund's exhilarating 4-3 victory over Heidenheim as "torture" as his team adjust to being back from holidays.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Joseph-Claude Gyau scored four goals between them to see off the threat from the 2.Bundesliga club.

Klopp was pleased with their attacking threat and, despite slamming Dortmund's silly errors, stressed that his side's opponents had been preparing for competitive matches for longer than his own team have been.

"In one form or another, today was real torture, but it was just so everyone can get back into it," he is quoted by Ruhr Nachtrichten as saying after the game. "We have created great goals, but also made stupid mistakes.

"It has to be noted, though, that Heidenheim start their league season in two weeks while we are five weeks off."

BVB defender Neven Subotic made his return from injury against Heidenheim after a gruellling eight months on the sidelines and he conceded that being back on the pitch was a tricky prospect at times due to the length of time he has been off it.

"I knew that this moment will eventually come," he said. "It felt like a small child learning to ride a bike for the second time.

"The first quarter of an hour felt like two minutes, but it was nevertheless worthwhile. Training cannot replicate matchday situations."

 

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Seattle Sounders 3-3 Tottenham: Holtby, Soldado & Falque on target in thrilling draw

Tottenham played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Seattle Sounders in the opening fixture of their pre-season tour of the United States.

The hosts started on the front foot with Marco Pappa placing his effort wide from close range but Lewis Holtby got the scoring underway after 12 minutes with a well-guided header from Harry Kane’s cross.

Despite taking the lead, Spurs were unable to press for a second and Seattle created several chances which included Clint Dempsey going close against his former club, while Obafemi Martins had a shot fly over the bar from distance.

The hosts pulled level in the 34th minute after Michael Dawson fouled Chad Marshall inside the box and Gonzalo Pineda stepped up with a Panenka-style penalty to beat Brad Friedel.

Seattle had the opportunity to head into half-time with a lead but Dempsey, who combined well with Martins, saw his effort beat Friedel but cleared off the line by Danny Rose.

Seattle pulled ahead four minutes after the break following a sublime long-range strike from Osvaldo Alonso, although Roberto Soldado was quick to level the score with a penalty after the Spaniard was brought down by Marshall.

The hosts took the lead once again as Tristan Bowen netted from close range with 11 minutes remaining but Tottenham were awarded their second penalty of the match following DeAndre Yedlin’s handball and Iago Falque was on hand to secure a draw for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Tottenham take on Toronto FC in their next fixture on July 23 before facing Chicago Fire on July 26.

 

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Luis Enrique: Far too early to judge Barcelona

Luis Enrique insists that his Barcelona team cannot be judged after one pre-season game following their 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva.

The 44-year-old, who took over from Gerardo Martino after the end of last season, took charge of his first match as Camp Nou coach on Saturday and a rebound effort from Joan Roman was enough to give them a slender victory.

"All of Barcelona's B team and the first team were taking the game seriously," Luis Enrique told the club's official website afterwards. "No conclusions can be drawn, however, as it's far too soon.

"The players will be evaluated for their performances in the minutes they played, but they should not be singled out [for praise or criticism] as that would be wrong at this stage. What interested me was the physical aspect.

"This is a good result to start pre-season with."

Ibrahim Afellay, 28, has been heavily linked with a move away from Catalunya and, after he put in a decent performance in the Colombino trophy friendly clash, Luis Enrique conceded that the Dutch winger is in a unique position due to transfer talk.

"His situation is different from the rest of my squad," he added. "I like that he can get involved in several positions. He may yet fall within our plans or he may go. He is a player liked by the staff ."

Barcelona are next in action against Nice on August 2 ahead of the start of La Liga's new season on the weekend of August 23.

 

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Pochettino rules out summer spending spree at Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino is not anticipating many big changes at Tottenham as he prepares his new team for the Premier League season.

A spending spree saw Tottenham bring in seven players last summer, but the club failed to break into the top four as they ended a season that saw Tim Sherwood replace Andre Villas-Boas sixth in the league.

Pochettino took charge from Sherwood following the latter's departure in May, but has yet to make a signing since and is pleased with the squad at his disposal as he looks to implement his philosophy.

"We have a very good, big squad, always we're looking to improve the squad but no big changes, it's possible that we will improve our squad, but not many changes," Pochettino told reporters.

"The last summer, the club made a big effort in the window in the summer. I believe in these players I think we're always looking to improve but we don't expect big changes.

"Our target for the moment is to provide the team with our philosophy, to develop and improve our style, we have an unbelievable squad with unbelievable players and we need to work to get ready for the start of the pre-season.

"We want to provide the team with our philosophy, this is our target for the moment but after we know Tottenham is a big club, always you need to show to play well, and after to need a win because the result is important because it's a big club.

"But after, during the season the target is coming, but we need to get to the start of the season in good condition."

 

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Blind to Barcelona rumours may become a reality - agent

World Cup star Daley Blind could be on his way to Barcelona this summer, according to the Netherlands defender's agent.

Blind was crucial for Ajax in 2013-14 as the club lifted the Eredivisie and subsequently starred for his national team as they reached the semi-finals in Brazil, even scoring as they defeated hosts Brazil 3-0 in the third-place play-off.

New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal - who guided Netherlands to the last four before linking up with the Premier League club - had been reported to be keen on bringing Blind to Old Trafford, but in recent weeks Barca have emerged as a possible destination for the 24-year-old.

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has publicly pleaded with the defender to stay at the Eredivisie champions for another season, but the player's representative hinted that interest in Blind might be too great for the Dutch giants to ignore.

"At the moment there is nothing concrete," Rob Jansen replied to Voetbal International when asked specifically about Barca rumours. "But the rumours of today could very well be tomorrow's reality.

"There are many clubs interested in Daley. We'll have to wait and see what happens when the transfer market shakes up."

Blind's contract with Ajax - whom he has been with since joining as a youngster in 1998 - runs until 2016.

 

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Fiorentina warn Barcelona: We'll cling on to Cuadrado

Fiorentina co-owner Andrea Della Valle has warned Barcelona that he will do everything possible to keep hold off star winger Juan Cuadrado.

The Colombian, 26, helped Fiorentina to a fourth-place Serie A finish last season then starred as his national team reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Barcelona have been rumoured to be desperate to sign him as Dani Alves' successor, but the Italian club chief is holding on to the slender hope that Cuadrado can be convinced to stay at the Artemio Franchi.

"When Cuadrado returns we want to see if he shows us the desire to stay at Fiorentina," Della Valle told Radio Blu. "If he really does want to remain then we will talk to him and be honest about resolving the situation.

"It’s complicated, but not impossible. I’ll do everything I can to keep him, even if requires making sacrifices elsewhere, but if Cuadrado is no longer motivated to stay here then we can only accept that and move on.

"However, at the moment I don’t get that vibe from him."

Cuadrado has been with Fiorentina since 2012 but was co-owned with Udinese until last month when the Viola paid €15 million to fully secure his playing rights, adding to the €6m they are estimated to have already paid over the past two years.

 

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Wenger promises new Arsenal goalkeeper

Arsene Wenger says he will definitely sign a goalkeeper this summer as the Arsenal manager continues to bolster his squad.

Wojciech Szczesny is the only senior goalkeeper at the club, with Lukasz Fabianski having joined Swansea City, and the Frenchman admits that the position is in need of strengthening ahead of the new season.

Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy have already arrived at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners are closing in on a move for Nice keeper David Ospina, along with a loan move for Atletico Madrid right-back Javi Manquillo.

And Wenger has confirmed that he is not finished in the transfer market, having seen his side defeat Boreham Wood 2-0 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

"I'm very happy with what I could do until now, it's not over, there's still a long way to go," he told reporters after the victory.

"I can't give you any names because you're never sure you can do what you want but we are still out there to strengthen our squad. I will bring in a goalkeeper for sure."

Wenger would not elaborate further on his plans but says Arsenal will continue to be active in the market, with the club also retaining an interest in Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

"Sometimes the players you want are available very late," he added.

"You maybe refer to the Mesut Ozil case but at the same period last year, Ozil was not available. He became available very late. You do the deals that are possible when it's possible.

"This time we could do it early."

 

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Iker Casillas Free transfer 1kak widiyata Arsenal join wenna kamathi kiyala mama dakka news 1kak thiyanawa​

 

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Juventus fall outs forced Conte out - Nedved

Pavel Nedved has explained Antonio Conte left Juventus because he was fed up of constant fall outs behind the scenes with management.

The 44-year-old surprised the football world when it was announced last Tuesday that he had left his post with the Bianconeri by mutual consent, despite winning three Serie A titles in a row.

However, Nedved - who is on the Turin club's board of directors - insisted that there was not one dramatic bust-up that prompted Conte to leave the Turin outfit and claims he had initially been talked out of resigning at the end of 2013-14.

"Antonio has resigned because he did not have the energy to continue disagreements with management," the 41-year-old Czech told reporters in Italy.

"He already wanted to resign in May, but we talked and I convinced him to think about during the holidays. When he came back he decided he did not want to continue."

Nedved, who made 315 appearance for Juventus over his career as he won two Serie A titles with the club, added that the Bianconeri had not been radically destabilised by the departure and would continue to build for next season.

"None of what the media have said about his resignation is exact," the former Lazio winger added. "Conte was just tired. His decision surprised us, even if at the end of the season we had already talked about it.

"The market and the strategies do not changewithout Conte - we do not intend to sell any major players."

Star midfielders Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal have been linked with departures to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively.

 

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Ter Stegen: I enjoy the Barcelona way

Marc-Andre ter Stegen admits he enjoys playing "the Barcelona way" after making his debut in the 1-0 friendly win over Recreativo Huelva on Saturday.

Blaugrana boss Luis Enrique began his tenure at the club with a low-key pre-season victory in Andalusia, with Joan Roman scoring the only goal of the game.

Ter Stegen, who arrived at Camp Nou from Borussia Monchengladbach for a reported €12 million fee, expressed his delight at making his first appearance and stressed that the win represented a positive step in preparing for next season.

"It's been nice to play," the 22-year-old told a press conference.

"I like to play the Barcelona way - I hope it stays that way in the future. "This game for me was more about passing the ball than stopping it, but that's important for the game and I think we did a good job. It was the first match. It was fine."


The young German, who made 127 appearances for Gladbach after being made first-choice keeper during the 2010-11 season, admitted that he needed to acclimatise to one or two differences after leaving the Bundesliga."Training sessions are different to my old club," he added.


"But I think this is my way of playing football, so I like it. It's easy to play here."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lambert: Wearing the No.9 shirt for Liverpool is special

Rickie Lambert has admitted he is overjoyed at being handed the No. 9 shirt for Liverpool after making his debut in a pre-season friendly win at Preston North End.

The 32-year-old striker follows in the footsteps of the likes of Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres and Ian Rush in wearing the iconic shirt and, as a boyhood fans, says he would have been happy with any number after joining the club from Southampton."I've always seen myself as a No.9 as it's the type of player I am, and to get it at Liverpool is unbelievable," the close-season signing told Liverpool's official website.



"I would have been happy with any number because as long as that badge is on the front I would have been happy with any shirt, but to get No.9 is special for me."


Goals from Suso and Kristoffer Peterson in the space of three second-half minutes changed for the game for Liverpool at Deepdale following Josh Brownhill's opener. Lambert played the first half in his first game since representing England at the World Cup and admitted it was an emotional experience.


"It was special," he added. "I had to get a few moments in check at the beginning, but it was special."Obviously I'm professional, I'm 32 now and I'm able to get my emotions in check, and now it's all about my fitness.



"That's all I was concentrating on, trying my best and trying to get a goal. I was a little bit disappointed not to get a goal but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"I was nervous before kick-off and I probably haven't been that nervous for a while.



"I've played in a lot of big games in my career and that's the most nervous I've been before a game for a while, but it was a special moment for me and one I'll remember."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku set to stay at Chelsea, says Steve Holland

Chelsea assistant first-team coach Steve Holland has denied reports that striker Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of leaving the club.

The Belgium forward spent last season on loan at Everton - where he scored 15 goals in 31 Premier League appearances - following a successful spell at West Brom the previous campaign.

Lukaku has been linked with a return to Goodison Park, while Tottenham and Bundesliga club Wolfsburg are also said to be eager to sign the 21-year-old.

Holland does not expect the former Anderlecht man to be on the move in the near future, though.

"The plan is that he will join up with us at some stage during the second [pre-season] week when we are in Holland," he told reporters.

When pressed as to whether Lukaku will not be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge before he is due to head to Netherlands on tour, Holland stated: "That's the situation as I understand it.”

Marco van Ginkel took another step closer to a return to full fitness by playing in a 3-2 friendly win over AFC Wimbledon on Saturday and Holland has welcomed the return of the midfielder, who missed most of last season due to a cruciate ligament injury.

He said: "Marco has worked fantastically hard to come back from an awful injury and has had a long road back but he has done magnificently well, well enough to be involved in the Dutch squad's training just before the World Cup.

"He is accumulating games and he is looking stronger every game, and it is really important he gets a good pre-season."

 

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'High bid' would force Juventus to consider Vidal or Pogba sales, says Nedved

Juventus director Pavel Nedved admits that a "high bid" for the likes of Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba would force them to consider a sale.

The Italian champions saw coach Antonio Conte resign on Tuesday, to be replaced by Massimiliano Allegri, with some reports claiming that the outgoing boss was unhappy with the club's transfer policy this summer.

Goal understands that Manchester United remain interested in signing Vidal despite the huge funds likely to be necessary, while Chelsea have been circling Pogba despite being put off by his price tag, but Nedved is adamant that the Bianconeri want to keep their stars.

"Our strategy is clear; we want to keep all our best players, including Vidal and Pogba," he told Tuttosport. "We don't want to sell anyone, especially Vidal.

"Certainly, if there were a high bid for them, we'd have to think about it but we don't want to sell our champions.

"We want to be competitive in the Champions League and the only sales to be players who are not part of our plans."