..::Football II::..

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Kuyt: Sneijder is undisputed Netherlands captain

The Fenerbahce forward has made it clear the playmaker remains a key figure for Oranje, insisting his teammate "personifies" Dutch football.

Dirk Kuyt has insisted Wesley Sneijder remains Netherlands' undisputed skipper following the attacking midfielder's return to the Oranje squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Romania.

Sneijder has not featured for Holland since the 4-1 win over Hungary on Sept. 11 last year, with Kuyt and Kevin Strootman wearing the captain's armband during his absence.

Nevertheless, the Fenerbahce attacker has made it clear there is no doubt about Sneijder's position as first-choice skipper.

"Sneijder is our undisputed captain. I'm deputy skipper and Kevin Strootman is the third man in line," Kuyt told Goal.com. "Wesley has not been part of the team for a while, but he's back again now. Everybody can expect Wes to be wearing the armband in the months to come. The captain always plays, unless he's injured.

"He's a great player and personifies Dutch football. It's a shame that his time at Inter came to such an end, but he continues to be a fantastic player. We don't even have to discuss his football qualities. He's very valuable for the team both on and off the pitch. He's a real leader with a lot of experience, and has played at several major tournaments. He leads younger players the way and is very committed."

Sneijder has made 90 international appearances so far for Oranje, scoring 24 goals in the process.

 

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Michael Owen announces retirement at end of season
The 33-year-old former England international says that he will end his playing career at Stoke in the summer after spells at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Man. United.

Stoke City striker Michael Owen has declared that he will end his playing career when the season finishes.

The former England striker has struggled to make an impact for Tony Pulis's side in the Premier League this campaign, scoring one goal during just seven first-team appearances.

The 32-year-old had previously played for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle before joining the Potters on a one-year deal after leaving Manchester United last summer.

"It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from professional football at the end of this season," he wrote in a statement on his official website.

"I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey I could only have dreamed of."

An 18-year-old Owen burst on to the world stage with a memorable goal against Argentina for England at World Cup 1998 in France and has since gone on to win the Premier League, the FA Cup, three League Cups and the UEFA Cup.

The Stoke striker is also the most recent Englishman to win the European Footballer of the Year award in 2001, when he became the first Three Lions player since Kevin Keegan to receive the prestigious accolade.

Owen is England's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time and has totaled 220 goals in his club career to date.

 

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Patta set 1ka bro!

 

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Mourinho: Benitez tried to remove my photos at Inter

The 50-year-old built a close relationship with his players at San Siro and believes the Spaniard was envious of that connection during his tenure with the Nerazzurri
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on Rafa Benitez, accusing the Spaniard of attempting to remove any memory of his time at Inter.

The Portuguese led the Italian giants to Champions League glory in 2010 before being replaced by Benitez after his move to the Spanish capital.

However, the former Liverpool manager was dismissed from his post at San Siro after just six months and Mourinho believes the current Chelsea interim boss struggled to replicate the relationship he had developed with the Inter players.

He told RTP1: "Benitez wanted to remove my photos, but they came back once he was gone."

Mourinho was also keen to distance himself from comparisons with Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who served under the 50-year-old in his spells at Porto, Chelsea and Inter, although claimed to be aware of his success prompting youngsters in his native Portugal targeting coaching careers.

"I don't see anything of myself in Andre Villas-Boas. He has accessed places others couldn't. I follow his career regularly," Mourinho added.

"I know there is a Jose Mourinho effect in the young Portuguese. There is a lot of young people who dream about being a coach. Twenty years ago the youngsters wanted to be players, not coaches."

There has been much speculation regarding the Madrid boss' future, with rumors suggesting that a return to England could be on the horizon and Mourinho confirmed that he is unlikely to seek employment outside mainland Europe.

He said: "I don't see myself managing outside Spain, England, Italy or France."

 

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Wilshere unavailable for England Under-21s at Euro 2013, Pearce confirms

The Young Lions coach admits the Arsenal starlet is too important to the senior side to be considered at youth level, but hopes the tournament can boost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will not be available for England Under-21s' Euro 2013 campaign, Stuart Pearce has confirmed.

Goal.com revealed this week that the 21-year-old is likely to sit out much of the season's remaining weeks after picking up a recurrence of the ankle injury that forced him out of the entirety of last season.

Reports had suggested that Wilshere could feature in this summer's tournament in Israel, but the former Three Lions left back has admitted he is too important to Roy Hodgson's senior squad.

“Roy will be the one that guides it, full stop,” Pearce told reporters. “It will be his call on who he thinks needs that tournament experience at this level. Wilshere and [Danny] Welbeck are so important to the seniors that they’ll go with them, but there’s a point where we have to see the emergence of young talent.

“You’ve only got to look at, say, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. A year ago, everything was on an upward spiral and he was playing regularly.

“Now he’s not appearing for Arsenal as much as we’d like. We have to make sure he’s not just sitting in stands and on benches, but is experiencing 90 minutes of football as much as he possibly can.

“He’s got a long career in front of him, but come international games, every time our top talent is not playing, I think to myself we missed a trick there.”

The former Three Lions left back believes that the senior national side will only be successful in tournament football if a culture of winning is instilled by youth teams also winning trophies.

“I’ve got my own mentality on what I think it would take for our senior team to win World Cups and European Championships,” Pearce added. “I believe the key to our senior team being successful lies in what goes on from the age of 21 downwards, what experience of tournaments and winning they’re getting.

“Then they know what it’s like to win together and they take that with them into the seniors. I think we’re missing a bit of a trick by not doing it. In my mind, that’s what’s going to unlock us being successful at the top end.”

 

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Niang: I want to be better than Henry

The French youngster has admitted his fondness for Paris Saint-Germain but dismissed any notion of wanting to leave AC Milan in the foreseeable future.
M'Baye Niang has revealed his aim is to be better than France striking legend Thierry Henry.

The AC Milan starlet is predominantly a winger but has played in a central role too, and some have suggested he could eventually mirror the Arsenal and Barcelona icon's switch from the flank to the middle.

The 18-year-old refused to be compared with Henry so soon in his fledgling career, however, but said that someday he would like to exceed his compatriot's achievements.

"No, I am a long way off him yet," he said to Milan's official website. "He achieved so much and I have to work hard, but my objective is to become better than Henry."

Niang joined the Serie A club last summer from Caen and, although he took a few months to break into the first team, he has become a regular starter under Massimiliano Allegri in 2013.

"There is only Milan for me," he said, dismissing speculation he might move away from San Siro in the near future. "Yes, I was born in Paris and I like Paris Saint-Germain, but I want to win everything here, starting with the Champions League.

"At the start I struggled because Italian football is very tactical and physical, but everything is fine now. Milan are a great club and I love many things about them. Everyone here helps you out. I need to learn a lot from the coach and his staff.

"When I played for Caen, my objective was to join a big club. Today I am at Milan and hope to stay as long as possible."

Niang had a golden opportunity to score an away goal in the last-16 clash with Barcelona which instead struck the woodwork, but he insists that the 4-0 Camp Nou defeat is history in his mind and wants to focus on the league.

"I was unlucky in Barcelona, but I am still young and can make up for it in another game at that level," he added. "The Barcelona game is in the past and I don’t think about it anymore.

"As for in Serie A, I really don’t want to lose against Inter, even if truth be told I want to win against everyone we face."

 

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Newcastle defender Haidara set for further scan after McManaman horror tackle

The French defender only arrived in the Premier League from Nancy in January but is set for a spell on the sidelines, though the club is unsure about the extent of his situation Newcastle fullback Massadio Haidara is set for further scans next week to reveal the seriousness of his injury, club managing director Derek Llambias revealed.

The 20-year-old is a recent acquisition after signing from French side Nancy in January, but the majority of his early Newcastle career so far has been restricted to playing Europa League football.

An injury to Mathieu Debuchy in the weekend clash with Wigan saw the defender enter the field after just 14 minutes, but he was soon forced off with an injury following a wild tackle from Callum McManaman, and he is set to undergo more scans on the affected area.

Llambias told Sky Sports News: "He [Haidara] is at home recovering. He was here earlier so hopefully we will have some news next week.

"He has had one scan and he is going to have another scan next week. It is too soon to say [what the extent of the injury is]."

 

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Busquets: I would sign Ramos for Barcelona

The Blaugrana midfielder praised his Real Madrid opponent and Spain teammate, while Javi Garcia hopes Xavi can be fit for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has indicated that he would sign Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid, if given the opportunity.

The two defensive-minded players are included in Spain’s squad for World Cup qualifiers in the coming week against Finland and France, and Busquets thanked his Liga counterpart for saying he would like to bring the Blaugrana star to the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I am happy about this compliment and it means even more coming from someone like Sergio,” Busquets told reporters on Wednesday. “He is a great player and I would sign him too if I could."Spain tops Group I on goal difference ahead of France, and Busquets insisted that it is essential for it to win Friday night’s “decisive” clash with Finland.

"We expect a game that is not going to be easy,” the Roja star continued. “We know how they play and they are a team that have plenty of good players. We will try to take advantage and win the game as it is one of the most decisive games [in qualification].

“There are still more games that we should win, but in football anything could happen. We're here to talk about the games and for us it's all good. [Our position] is well deserved, we do not want controversy.“We're all in the same boat and we all fight for the same national team. We are partners and we don’t differentiate whether there’s a club rivalry or not.”

Following a clash with Finland, Spain will travel to France to play what could be a deciding game in Group I, although Busquets was keen to alleviate pressure on la Roja by hinting that the winner will not necessarily qualify top of the table."I don't know if it will be like a final against France, but it will certainly be a key game," he told a press conference on Wednesday.

"The team that gets the three points from that game will be very well positioned.
"We know that the game against Finland will not be easy. We have seen videos of them and they are a hard team. We hope to win so we have it all to play for against France."

 

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Hart will not give up England No.1 jersey without a fight

The Manchester City shot-stopper has praised the competition for places between the sticks, but is adamant that he wants to hang onto his starting spot in Roy Hodgson’s side Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has welcomed the return of Ben Foster to the England fold, but is determined to fight off competition from the West Brom keeper.

Foster spent two years on a break from the national team but was persuaded to re-join the Three Lions squad by former club boss Roy Hodgson.

Hart is delighted that the England goalkeeping ranks – which also includes Celtic keeper Fraser Forster – are so well stocked with talent and believes they can push him to be a better goalkeeper.

"It's great to see Ben. He is a consistent performer, someone I get on well with, when we train and to play against," Hart told reporters.

"It's good to have keepers like that around. There are three top quality keepers here plus Jack Butland and Jon Ruddy, and everywhere you look there is good talent.

"Is Foster good enough to push me? Yes, but I've felt that every time I've come away with England.

But with so much added competition, Hart knows he has to fight to keep his starting spot and the 25-year-old is eager to go to Brazil in 2014 as England’s first choice.

"I'm in that privileged spot at the moment," Hart continued. "I didn't dream of this spot because I didn't think it would happen.

"I'm doing what I've always wanted to do, I love it, I'll keep working and training hard if there are no keepers or 1,000 keepers.

"That No.1 spot is one I want to keep and last summer [Euro 2012] was a real high point in my career."

 

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Hart ta Ben Foster 1kka thamai competition 1ka thiyenne

 

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Mourinho: Benitez tried to remove my photos at Inter

The 50-year-old built a close relationship with his players at San Siro and believes the Spaniard was envious of that connection during his tenure with the Nerazzurri
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on Rafa Benitez, accusing the Spaniard of attempting to remove any memory of his time at Inter.

The Portuguese led the Italian giants to Champions League glory in 2010 before being replaced by Benitez after his move to the Spanish capital.

However, the former Liverpool manager was dismissed from his post at San Siro after just six months and Mourinho believes the current Chelsea interim boss struggled to replicate the relationship he had developed with the Inter players.

He told RTP1: "Benitez wanted to remove my photos, but they came back once he was gone."

Mourinho was also keen to distance himself from comparisons with Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who served under the 50-year-old in his spells at Porto, Chelsea and Inter, although claimed to be aware of his success prompting youngsters in his native Portugal targeting coaching careers.

"I don't see anything of myself in Andre Villas-Boas. He has accessed places others couldn't. I follow his career regularly," Mourinho added.

"I know there is a Jose Mourinho effect in the young Portuguese. There is a lot of young people who dream about being a coach. Twenty years ago the youngsters wanted to be players, not coaches."

There has been much speculation regarding the Madrid boss' future, with rumors suggesting that a return to England could be on the horizon and Mourinho confirmed that he is unlikely to seek employment outside mainland Europe.

He said: "I don't see myself managing outside Spain, England, Italy or France."

 

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My season with Manchester City has not been brilliant, admits Hart

With the reigning Premier League champion trailing Manchester United by 15 points, the goalkeeper is keen for him and the squad to improve during the end-of-season run-in Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart admits his season "has not been brilliant" and concedes it has been a tough campaign for the Premier League champions.

With just nine games left to play, Roberto Mancini's side trails rival Manchester United by 15 points in its quest to retain the league title.

Hart has not given up hope of securing success this term with City still in the FA Cup but the England international insists his side must continue to challenge in every competition.

"With City, it's not been last year that's for sure. It's been tough," Hart told reporters. "We are not in the position we want to be in. We remain focused and hard on the case of what we need to do. We are still in one cup, a little further away than we would like to be in terms of the league.

"But we need to nail down that second spot and in doing that it will push us to really go for the title as well. You can't not go for it. It's a long way off but we've got an awful lot to fight for and it's a big couple of months for us."

Hart has boasted the highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League for the past two seasons, however, his performances have come under fire from Mancini this term.

"My season has not been brilliant," Hart said. "It's had its good times but it's football. It's what I love doing. I've enjoyed it, it's been tough, things haven't always gone my way. I'm enjoying the fight and getting back in there.

"Sometimes you take knocks, that's football, you take opinions, but you've got to be strong. I feel strong, good, that I'm doing the right things and hopefully I can have a good end to the season.

"I understand you have your great nights and sometimes things don't go the way you want. That's the way it is. I'm my strongest critic but I would never bury myself. It's pretty obvious when you make a mistake as a keeper, you don't need to dwell on it too long. It's out there."

 

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Suarez open to Liverpool exit

The Uruguayan confessed that he would talk to rivals with greater prospects of competing in European competition than the Reds Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has admitted that he could leave Anfield and would talk to any interested clubs, even though he is "very happy" on Merseyside.

The Uruguayan, who tops the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals, confessed that he could be lured away from Liverpool by the prospect of Champions League football.

Brendan Rodgers’ side crashed out of the Europa League in the last 32 against Zenit St Petersburg and hasn’t taken part in Europe’s premier club competition since the 2008-09 season.

“You never know in football,” Suarez told AFP when asked if he could be on the move. “A player’s ambition is always there, the ambition of wanting to play in elite teams is always there.

“I’m in a world-class team, an elite team like Liverpool. And if another team comes around with more prospects of competing in international club competitions games, which is willing to have [me], they are welcome.

“We would talk to the club, we would see if I want to go, if I don’t want to go.”

 

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'I'm very happy in Manchester' - De Gea dismisses United exit rumors

The 22-year-old has ruled out leaving Old Trafford, but admits that he could return "home" to Madrid in the future Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has reaffirmed his commitment to the Red Devils despite speculation linking him with a move back to Spain.

The 22-year-old endured a torrid start to life in England and struggled to hold down a regular starting place after a number of errors, but has since become the undisputed first-choice shot-stopper at Old Trafford.

His fine form has seen him linked with a return to La Liga, with rumors suggesting he could replace Victor Valdes at Barcelona, but De Gea has dismissed such speculation by insisting he is "very happy" playing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

“For the time being it's Victor, and it will be difficult that he leaves," De Gea told Onda Cero. "I am very happy in Manchester and it will be my club for many years.”

The Madrid-born goalkeeper came through the academy at Atletico Madrid and admitted he would like to return to the club sometime in the future - though his sole focus for now is playing well for United.

"I'm very happy in Manchester and I have a contract," De Gea continued.

"But with the passage of time returning home is nice. I would always like to return because the love that they gave me there was special."

De Gea is currently on international duty with Spain, which plays against Finland on Friday night, and would make his debut for La Roja if he is picked ahead of Valdes and Pepe Reina.

 

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Chiellini ruled out of Brazil game

The Juventus defender will not have recovered from his ankle injury in time to take part in Thursday's friendly encounter.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has received some disappointing news on the injury front ahead of Thursday's international friendly at home against Brazil as he will have to make do without the services of Giorgio Chiellini due to injury.

The Juventus defender picked up an ankle knock in his side's 2-0 win over Bologna at the weekend, and will not be recovered in time for the game versus the 2014 World Cup host.

"We conducted new tests on Chiellini's condition this morning and, although recent therapy has improved his condition, I can say with certainty he will not be available for the Brazil game," national team doctor Enrico Castellacci told the official FIGC website.

"The player is also in doubt for the Malta game."

Italy takes on Brazil in Geneva on Thursday, before the World Cup qualifier against Malta on March 26.

 

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Man United revive interest in £36m Porto youngster Rodriguez with Anderson a willing makeweight

Porto's Colombian winger James Rodriguez is back at the top of Manchester United's wanted list and are willing to get rid of one of their most expensive signings to land him.
Sportsmail revealed last year how the 21-year old's release clause had shot up from £24million to £36m.
But United still have room for manoeuvre, with Nani and Anderson both likely to be available at the end of the season and candidates for a part-exchange deal.

Anderson, bought by United for around £20m in 2007, admitted a return to the Estadio do Dragao could be on the cards, saying: 'Porto are the one club I would consider moving back to Portugal for.
'My past is there. It is where I put down my roots in Portuguese football.'
His likely to head back to Portugal in the summer after failing to earn a regular starting berth at United.


| DailyMail

 

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Man United revive interest in £36m Porto youngster Rodriguez with Anderson a willing makeweight

Porto's Colombian winger James Rodriguez is back at the top of Manchester United's wanted list and are willing to get rid of one of their most expensive signings to land him.
Sportsmail revealed last year how the 21-year old's release clause had shot up from £24million to £36m.
But United still have room for manoeuvre, with Nani and Anderson both likely to be available at the end of the season and candidates for a part-exchange deal.

Anderson, bought by United for around £20m in 2007, admitted a return to the Estadio do Dragao could be on the cards, saying: 'Porto are the one club I would consider moving back to Portugal for.
'My past is there. It is where I put down my roots in Portuguese football.'
His likely to head back to Portugal in the summer after failing to earn a regular starting berth at United.


| DailyMail

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man United revive interest in £36m Porto youngster Rodriguez with Anderson a willing makeweight

Porto's Colombian winger James Rodriguez is back at the top of Manchester United's wanted list and are willing to get rid of one of their most expensive signings to land him.
Sportsmail revealed last year how the 21-year old's release clause had shot up from £24million to £36m.
But United still have room for manoeuvre, with Nani and Anderson both likely to be available at the end of the season and candidates for a part-exchange deal.

Anderson, bought by United for around £20m in 2007, admitted a return to the
Estadio do Dragao could be on the cards, saying: 'Porto are the one club I would consider moving back to Portugal for.
'My past is there. It is where I put down my roots in Portuguese football.'
His likely to head back to Portugal in the summer after failing to earn a regular starting berth at United.

| DailyMail

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