..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Maxi Lopez set to join Sampdoria

Sampdoria has reached an agreement with Catania over the signing of forward Maxi Lopez on a season-long loan.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, but could not convince the Rossoneri to keep him on a permanent basis at the end of the campaign.

He had been linked with the likes of Parma and Napoli in recent weeks, but it is the newly promoted Serie A side which has won the race for Lopez's signature.

"Catania would like to announce that an agreement has been reached with Sampdoria for the loan transfer of Maximiliano Gaston Lopez, with the option to buy him outright," a club statement read.

"The transfer is dependent upon the completion of the medical exams."

Lopez joined Catania from FC Moscow in 2010 after a stint with Brazilian club Gremio, but fell out of favor towards the end of his spell in Sicily.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Piero receives Thai offer

Former Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero has received an offer from Thai club Muangthong United, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 37-year-old is currently on the lookout for a new club after the Old Lady decided against offering the legendary attacker a new contract.

A move to Major League Soccer has been suggested as a possibility for Del Piero, but it is understood that a Muangthong delegate will land in Turin on Tuesday evening to convince him to further his career in Asia.

The Thai outfit, which is currently leading the country's Premier League, will reportedly meet with Del Piero's agent and brother, Stefano, before the end of the day to let him know that it is willing to put together a two-year contract worth 10 million euros for the former Italy international.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea captain Terry denies affair taunts caused him to 'snap'

Chelsea captain John Terry has denied “snapping” at QPR defender Anton Ferdinand after two years of taunting over an alleged affair as his trial over a racially-aggravated public order offense continues.

The 31-year-old is being tried over comments that he is alleged to have made last October during the Blues' 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road, a charge which he denies.

“You're not a racist, are you? But you used racist language because you snapped and it was instinctive. You were fed up with people abusing you over the issue with your wife,” a prosecutor leveled at the center-back when he took the stand.

But Terry argued: “It was almost two years on and I had heard it a million times before. If I was going to snap, I would have snapped long before.”

The Chelsea man insisted that he had been repeating the alleged insult in incredulity as he had thought that Ferdinand had been accusing him of racial abuse, and agreed with the suggestion that he had been “stitched up right and proper” by the allegations.Terry’s defense had previously moved to have the case thrown out, but the magistrate ruled otherwise.

Earlier on Tuesday, the court heard an interview which was recorded a week after the match between the former England skipper and FA investigator Jennifer Kennedy.

"I have been called a lot of things in my football career on and off the pitch, but being called a racist I am not prepared to take," Terry had said on tape. "That's why I came out and made my statement immediately.

"I am not having Anton thinking that about me or anyone else. That's not my character at all."
The decision to prosecute Terry came about because the police received a complaint from an off-duty police officer watching the west London derby match on television.

Ferdinand has told the court he had not originally believed Terry had said anything racially abusive, but that his girlfriend showed him a video uploaded onto YouTube of the Chelsea defender mid-game which changed his mind.Terry denies any guilt of the summary offense, but if convicted would face a maximum punishment of a 2,500 pound fine.

The trial continues, with the center back set to return to the witness stand on Wednesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea defender Van Aanholt to remain on loan at Vitesse for 2012-13 season

Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt has re-joined Vitesse on loan for the 2012-13 season.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season at the Eredivisie side, making nine league appearances.

Van Aanholt was one of three Chelsea players to join the Dutch club on a temporary basis during the last campaign, with fellow defender Tomas Kalas and attacking midfielder Ulises Davila also making the switch.

The Netherlands U-21 international joined the club back in 2007 from PSV Eindhoven but has struggled to force his way in to the first-team fold, making just two Premier League appearances.

As well as his time at Vitesse, he has also temporarily joined Coventry City, Newcastle United, Leicester City and Wigan.

Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo has been busy reshaping his squad since winning the FA Cup and Champions League last season, bringing in Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa left the club following the end of their contracts.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Al Wasl sacks Maradona

Al Wasl announced via its official Twitter account that the club has parted company with coach Diego Maradona.

Reports in the UAE had long been suggesting that the 51-year-old could be axed by the club after a disappointing first season in charge at the Zabeel Stadium.

The Emirati club's new board of directors refuted such stories only last month, but Maradona has now been informed that his contract has been terminated one year before it was due to expire.

A club spokesman told Sport 360: "Following a meeting by the Board of Directors of Al Wasl Football Company on Tuesday evening to evaluate the technical staff of the Al Wasl football team under the leadership of Diego Maradona and after thorough evaluation of the coach and his staff it, has been decided to terminate the services of Diego Maradona and his technical staff."

Al Wasl finished in eighth position in the league, while losing the Gulf Clubs Championship final on penalties and crashing out of the President's and Emirates Cups, both at the quarterfinal stage.

Maradona returned to management in 2008 to guide the Argentine national team, before being sacked two years later following the Albiceleste's last-eight exit at the World Cup in South Africa.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool boss Rodgers: Sigurdsson wage demands too much

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has dismissed claims that the club is unable to compete with the top Premier League sides on a financial level and remains confident that it can still attract top-class talent.



Gylfi Sigurdsson recently opted to join Tottenham over the Reds and the manager under whom he played during a six-month loan spell at Swansea City last season.Rodgers has confirmed that he refused to give in to the Iceland international’s wage demands after being privy to the lesser terms accepted when his initial move to the Swans was close to completion.

"We didn't lose out [on Sigurdsson] because of not wanting to spend the money, we lost out because the manager was not prepared to move," the Reds boss told reporters. "There is no doubt there will be other targets and people we want to bring in but we won't lose out on wages.

"If we feel there is a player out there in the market whose value and worth can add value to what we are doing here then we will do everything we can to bring them in - no question."

Rodgers went on to explain that Liverpool is still looking to add players that can add value into the future.

"There are many components you look at before you bring in a player - first and foremost in terms of his technical and tactical qualities," he added. "But you are also looking at whether they can add value for many years, is he someone who is going to be short term?

"Ultimately he has to have the personality - we've seen many good players come here and haven't been able to work here but leave and become very good players again."

The manager also says that dealing with the pressure of playing for Liverpool can be hard on players, and that he's looking for solid professionals in the transfer market.

"To play for Liverpool you have to be able to deal with the pressure of a worldwide institution and that you have to do your homework on," he said. "You have to ensure those players have the capacity and capabilities to achieve that and that is something which is a part of our recruitment strategy in relation to bringing a player in.

"When you are a player at Liverpool you are also a role model in every way. I like my players to be professional on and off the field."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool boss Rodgers: Sigurdsson wage demands too much

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has dismissed claims that the club is unable to compete with the top Premier League sides on a financial level and remains confident that it can still attract top-class talent.



Gylfi Sigurdsson recently opted to join Tottenham over the Reds and the manager under whom he played during a six-month loan spell at Swansea City last season.Rodgers has confirmed that he refused to give in to the Iceland international’s wage demands after being privy to the lesser terms accepted when his initial move to the Swans was close to completion.

"We didn't lose out [on Sigurdsson] because of not wanting to spend the money, we lost out because the manager was not prepared to move," the Reds boss told reporters. "There is no doubt there will be other targets and people we want to bring in but we won't lose out on wages.

"If we feel there is a player out there in the market whose value and worth can add value to what we are doing here then we will do everything we can to bring them in - no question."

Rodgers went on to explain that Liverpool is still looking to add players that can add value into the future.

"There are many components you look at before you bring in a player - first and foremost in terms of his technical and tactical qualities," he added. "But you are also looking at whether they can add value for many years, is he someone who is going to be short term?

"Ultimately he has to have the personality - we've seen many good players come here and haven't been able to work here but leave and become very good players again."

The manager also says that dealing with the pressure of playing for Liverpool can be hard on players, and that he's looking for solid professionals in the transfer market.

"To play for Liverpool you have to be able to deal with the pressure of a worldwide institution and that you have to do your homework on," he said. "You have to ensure those players have the capacity and capabilities to achieve that and that is something which is a part of our recruitment strategy in relation to bringing a player in.

"When you are a player at Liverpool you are also a role model in every way. I like my players to be professional on and off the field."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Valencia is interested in signing Strootman

Kevin Strootman could be on his way out of PSV this summer as Valencia is keen to secure the services of the versatile midfielder, the player's agent has revealed.

The Primera Division side are hoping to add some fresh blood to its squad ahead of the new season, and it supposedly sees the 22-year-old as a valuable addition to its squad.

"It's correct that Valencia have asked me information about him," agent Chiel Dekker stated to Eindhovens Dagblad.

Los Che face stiff competition in the race for Strootman's signature, though, as many clubs have inquired about the midfielder's availability.

"More clubs have been in touch to ask about his situation," added Dekker.

Strootman has previously been linked with Manchester United, AC Milan and Inter. He has a contract with PSV that runs until the summer of 2016.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea captain Terry 'not prepared to be called a racist'

Chelsea captain John Terry has refuted claims that he is in any way racist as the trial over whether or not he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand continues.


The 31-year-old is being tried over comments he is alleged to have made last October during the Blues' 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road, though Terry denies the racially-aggravated public order offense.The court heard an interview which was recorded a week after the match, between the former England skipper and FA investigator Jennifer Kennedy, on Tuesday.

"I have been called a lot of things in my football career on and off the pitch, but being called a racist I am not prepared to take," Terry had said on tape. "That's why I came out and made my statement immediately."

He added, "I am not having Anton thinking that about me or anyone else. That's not my character at all."

The decision to prosecute Terry came about because the police received a complaint from a member of the public after the west London derby match.

Ferdinand has told the court he had not originally believed Terry had said anything racially abusive, but that his girlfriend showed him a video uploaded onto YouTube of the Chelsea defender midgame which changed his mind.

Terry denies any guilt of the summary offense, but if convicted would face a maximum punishment of a 2,500 pounds fine.
The trial continues.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona vs Real Madrid on October 7: 2012-13 La Liga fixtures revealed

Barcelona vs Real Madrid on October 7: 2012-13 La Liga fixtures revealed

The fixtures for the 2012-13 La Liga season have been revealed, revealing the dates for the two derby clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Blaugrana will entertain Los Blancos in the league season's first Clasico at home on October 7, with the return fixture taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 3.

The competition will commence on August 18 and will run through to June 1, with just the penultimate jornada of the scheduled 38 to take place during midweek.

The final dates of the tournament may of course be altered should Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or Malaga reach the latter stages of the Champions League.

Reigning champions Madrid begins its campaign at home to Valencia while Barcelona will entertain Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Matchday One:

Barcelona-Real Sociedad
Real Madrid-Valencia
Athletic Bilbao-Real Betis
Atletico Madrid-Levante
Real Zaragoza-Valladolid
Sevilla-Getafe
Celta Vigo-Malaga
Rayo Vallecano-Granada
Deportivo La Coruna-Osasuna
Mallorca-Espanyol

 

[Wolverine GTR]

No agreement with Chelsea or any other club, asserts Hulk

Porto striker Hulk has insisted that he has not agreed a summer transfer to Chelsea.

The Champions League holders have persistently been linked with the Brazil international, who has refused to commit his future to the Dragao, in recent weeks.

A move to the Premier League has been approved by Hulk's agent, but the 25-year-old is not desperate to know his where his future lies, as he prepares to play for his country at the Olympics.

"There is no deal with Chelsea or any other club," Hulk told Lancenet. "I have four years left on my contract with Porto and I am focused on the national team. I have not spoken with anyone.

"As everyone knows, I do not want to get involved in such affairs because that removes your focus. My agent handles such things."

Meanwhile, Lucas spoke about his situation at Sao Paulo, amidst reports that Inter are keeping tabs on him.

"There is nothing concrete that I know," the starlet added. "There is only speculation, but I am happy that a big club like Inter are after me.

"My [€25 million] price-tag? I am not the one who set that figure, but my club. I am only interested in playing football."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

adow muth enawada? pissu hadai..! ma sara maru gamak di matteo gahanna yanna..! they say oscar will be the next KAKA...! mama danna wediyata Chelsea thama hodama singing tika ma wenakota kera gena thiyanna.! individually baluwoth okkoma players la superb ..! team work eka hada ganna thama ona..! ehem wunoth api ma parath champions league eka ussanwa lowth, aniwa...!

Mamath agreed Aiya 1katanamHazard,Marin & Oscar

Pattama Signings tika

Apeth Kagawa witharaiBut want more & Arsenal GiroudAiya Hulk ganath Interest 1kak thiyanawa neh Chelsea lage,but thama agreement 1kak naha kiyala thamai kiyanneSo Hulk wath gatthoth thawath Stronge

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Modric out, Moutinho in at Spurs?

Modric out, Moutinho in at Spurs?

Tottenham are in talks with "various clubs" over the transfer of Luka Modric, Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed - but he said that did not mean the Croatia playmaker would definitely leave White Hart Lane.

Modric has said he wants to move, and Spurs are reported to be ready to sell for around £40 million. Le Parisien has said that Paris St Germain are interested in signing him and would be willing to meet Tottenham's valuation.

"Luka respects the fact that he is an important player for the club and can help us move forward," Villas-Boas said. "Ongoing discussions with these various clubs will continue until we reach an agreement which is sensible for each party."

The coach said a player of Modric's importance was "not easy to part company with", but stressed: "The chairman respects the values of the football club, and only with the right offer will we take that step."

He also confirmed that Spurs were interested in signing Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho, saying: "He was one of the most important players at Euro 2012, he had a fantastic tournament, and he's an important player for Porto.

"It doesn't mean that it's the only target, but if something happened of course he's a player we look on with some interest."Villas-Boas, 34, said his challenge was to get Spurs back to winning trophies rather than to restore his reputation as he looked ahead to the new season at White Hart Lane.

He suffered a torrid time in charge of Chelsea last season, being sacked in March with the Blues struggling for form. He said he had been "meticulous" in considering his next move after leaving Stamford Bridge, and was confident that, in Tottenham, he had come to the right club with the right people and offered stability.

"It's not a mission of restoring my reputation, it's a mission to put Tottenham back on track with titles," he said. "Since 2008 we haven't won anything, and what we want to achieve is to take this club forward... with titles and success.

"You always learn from experience. The Chelsea experience was maybe not so gratifying in terms of success, but it was very, very gratifying professionally for me."
He said he had "learned a couple of things that I maybe did wrong" and that, at a
club, it was important to "trust the right people at the right time".

Meanwhile, Spurs have confirmed that their former midfielder Steffan Freund has been appointed as the club's assistant head coach.Freund moved to White Hart Lane from Borussia Dortmund in 1998, making 120 appearances for Tottenham and helping the club win the 1999 League Cup.

His appointment completes Villas-Boas' coaching team of Luis Martins (first team coach), Jose Mario Rocha (first team fitness coach), Tony Parks (goalkeeping coach) and Daniel Sousa (head of scouting).

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Modric yana nisa Tottenham la Moutinho wa ganna Try karai wage

 

[charitha chandi]

Mamath agreed Aiya 1katanamHazard,Marin & Oscar

Pattama Signings tika

Apeth Kagawa witharaiBut want more & Arsenal GiroudAiya Hulk ganath Interest 1kak thiyanawa neh Chelsea lage,but thama agreement 1kak naha kiyala thamai kiyanneSo Hulk wath gatthoth thawath Stronge

Hulk ge price eka wadi kiyala thama hamoma kiyanna..! di matteo hulk signings interest eka adui, poraga style eka Hulk na waga, arath Toress wa feed keranna honda Midfielders la tiaka innawa..! eth Toress injured wunoth nathnum low form ekakadi sub keranna hari honda striker kenek ganna wenawama thami..! Drgoba wanuwata ganna puluwan hondama player thama zlatan ibrahimovic, but eka keranna nathi wadak, possible signings are Hulk,Cavani, Pato..!

 

[charitha chandi]

Modric yana nisa Tottenham la Moutinho wa ganna Try karai wage

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I was not forced out of Real Madrid, insists Raul

Raul has dismissed claims he was forced out of Real Madrid two years ago after reiterating that it was his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 35-year-old quit the Spanish capital in 2010 after securing iconic status at the club to further his career at Schalke, where he spent two years before signing for Qatari club Al Sadd earlier in the summer.

His last campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu was marred by fitness problems, but the former Spain international was quick to quash the idea that he left Los Blancos on bad terms.

"I spent the best years of my life there and I was lucky enough to be part of a great generation of players and to win the biggest titles," he told Al Sadd's official website. "My departure from Madrid was my own choice. I had one year left on my contract, but I decided to go for a new professional experience, so I joined Schalke.

"I have no problem with the club and our rapport is good."

After an impressive 2011-12 at Schalke, Raul was tipped to replace the injured David Villa in Spain's 23-man party for Euro 2012, but was subsequently left out of the squad by coach Vicente del Bosque.

"I would have liked to take part, but that is life," he added. "Now I am spending more time my family and I am happy with what my team did. [Spain] is considered the best team in the world - after all, it won."

Questioned about the inevitable comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Raul said: "Messi has a unique talent, he plays alongside quality players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Cristiano is also a great player."

Raul also listed Jorge Valdano, Fabio Capello and Del Bosque as the most important coaches in his career and named his strike against Vasco da Gama in the 1998 Intercontinental Cup as his best goal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Maradona: I want to stay at Al Wasl

Diego Maradona has declared that he hopes to continue his work at Al Wasl despite being fired by the Emirati club earlier in the week.

The 51-year-old Argentine was given his marching orders on Tuesday after a disappointing first season at the Zabeel Stadium, in which it failed to secure a title. However, Maradona claims he has not been officially informed by Al Wasl of the decision and noted he will soon sit down with the club's board to mull over their progress.

"I would like to say that it has always been my wish to remain in this wonderful country which has always received me very well, and I am completely grateful to the Sheik for receiving me and giving me the opportunity to coach an Emirati club," a statement released by Maradona reads. "The fact is that in the last days, we had been talking to try to come to an agreement regarding the purchase of new players, which is a requirement to be able to win the league with great results.

"I will always be grateful to him and I would like to make it clear that I was always happy at the club and happy with their support. Regrettably, the club issued a statement that I do not support because my wish was and is to coach Al Wasl.

"If it is impossible for the club to buy new players because they lack the funds to do it, there will always be the possibility to discuss this together with the board to try to find solutions. I hope that I will soon have a meeting with them to address these matters. I am sure they are willing to discuss them and that we will reach an amicable agreement."

Maradona was appointed Al Wasl coach last summer, one year after being sacked by Argentina following the Albiceleste's disappointing campaign at World Cup 2010.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pereira hints Moutinho could leave Porto

Vitor Pereira has admitted that Joao Moutinho could leave Porto this summer, amid reports the 25-year-old is being tracked by Tottenham.

The midfielder has been earmarked as a priority for new Spurs coach Andre Villas-Boas in the event star player Luka Modric departs White Hart Lane before Aug. 31. And though Pereira acknowleged the importance Moutinho bears to his squad, he appeared resigned to losing the Portugal international if the English club make a move.

"I have not spoken with Villas-Boas, but it is natural that he likes Moutinho," he told reporters. "I like him, too.

"Clubs cannot just not sell. We really want him to stay, but this is soccer and there are release clauses. The only thing we can do is achieve results with what we have got."

Moutinho, who joined Porto from Sporting Lisbon in 2010 in an 11 million euro deal, has a 40 million euro release clause attached to his contract with the Portuguese champion.

He played an important role in Villas-Boas' Porto squad, which secured four titles in 2010-11, including the Europa League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas will 'never accept' Abramovich's decision to sack him at Chelsea

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he will "never accept" Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's decision to sack him after only nine months in charge at Stamford Bridge last season.

The Portuguese manager arrived at the Blues with a promising reputation built at Porto but failed to gain control of a Chelsea squad including several senior players.

The recently appointed manager at White Hart Lane spoke for the first time about the confrontation with Abramovich after which he was forced out of the club.

"I respect the decision of the owner of Chelsea but I will never accept it," Villas-Boas told The Guardian.

"I told him that for me, it was him quitting on me when he had been so much involved at the beginning in bringing me in [from Porto] and he was also [the one] who was not putting up to the things that he promised.

"What reason did he give to me? I'm not sure if I can make it public but the reasons don't go along or can't be applied to the fact that I was dismissed."

Roberto Di Matteo took over as interim manager following Villas-Boas' departure and went on to win the FA Cup and Champions League and, while not taking credit for the successes, Villas-Boas felt he was denied the opportunity to see out what he started but felt the decision to sack him also liberated the players.

"The decision to terminate what was going on at Chelsea was not mine, it was the owner's," he continued.

"It is all very well that you cut the project short and Chelsea go on to win two trophies and [you] say how wonderful the squad was, but at the beginning nobody believed in that squad when we put it together."On the day of my dismissal, I told Roman that eventually, you can win these two trophies because the emotional impact is extremely strong."

Villas-Boas also revealed that he felt his professionalism and footballing principles were never properly appreciated in England.

"I am always a person who defends certain principles that were never understood in England and it requires much more adaptability from myself," he said.

"I am a person who always puts the team in front and I do it publicly. I'm not a guy who is able to criticise anyone in public but I am not a guy who promotes individuals in public."