..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Arsenal can still battle for title without competing financially

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side can still compete for the Premier League title despite not being able to match the financial exertions of its rivals.

The Gunners are currently experiencing a seven year drought following the 2005 FA Cup final win over Manchester United. The north London club has not experienced league success since 2004, a triumph which signified Wenger's seventh major honour since he joined the club in 1997.

However, since 2004 the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have benefited from huge foreign investment which has left the Frenchman's side struggling to compete. Nevertheless, the former Monaco coach believes that Arsenal can still battle for the title this season, and believes the club can be proud of the way it is run.

"Firstly, I must say that not being able to match the spending of the richest clubs does not mean that you can't compete with them on the pitch," he told Time Out Hong Kong. "When I first came to England, this question did not exist. Every club was run within its resources. The Chelseas and the Man Citys are new problems. But with this new financial environment, what has not changed at all is our policy that we will be as ambitious as ever and spend the money that we have available, if possible in an intelligent and wise way.

"We have always spent money because we are ambitious for top-class players and if you look at the history of our last 15 years, we have always had top-class players. It does not mean you can't win the title if you can't compete financially. To spend the money on a top player is defendable. But just to spend the money is like you are worried.

"Our fans can be proud of the way we run this club, of the quality of the players we have and of the financial situation that is existing at the club. Rather than convicting this club, they have more reason to be proud of the whole situation here. We have built a team and a stadium in such a short space of time, and have a strong financial situation - and we have always survived at the top level."

The 62-year-old feels the introduction of Financial Fair Play rules may be pivotal in the club's future success, believing that if they are implemented thoroughly they will be well placed to benefit from the regulations.

"We need first to see how effectively Financial Fair Play can be enforced before we can fully understand the impact but I believe it will make for a more exciting Premier League. If the rules are well introduced, it will be a massive advantage to Arsenal Football Club, of course, and we will be well positioned for that."

"I don't want to go into excuses but you want a business to be run properly and I believe that to lose £150 million a year, you don't deserve a lot of credit to win a competition. I think that it is right that you balance your books - to accept the one basic principle for every company - and that's that you can spend the money which you make. That principle just seems to be a common sense and logical one. When you look at the history of England, there are Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Derby County who have all won championships. If that is possible again it will be even more interesting."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan closes in on Sao Paulo's Bruno Uvini

AC Milan is the frontrunner in the race to sign Sao Paulo defender Bruno Uvini, Goal.com understands.

The 21-year-old stopper, who is part of Brazil's squad for the Olympic Games, has continuously been linked with a Serie A move in recent times, with AC Milan, Napoli and Roma all understood to be keeping tabs on him.

However, it is understood that Milan is now heading the queue for Uvini, which spent the second half of last season on loan at Tottenham.

Despite the fact that Uvini is widely regarded as one of the hottest South American prospects, new Spurs coach Andre Villas-Boas did not sanction a deal worth 3.7 million euros to sign the defender on a permanent deal.

Should Milan succeed in its effort to sign the Brazil international, it is believed they will ship the defender out on loan to Pescara to get more games under his belt before having his chance at San Siro.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hoilett signs with QPR

A report out of England suggests that David "Junior" Hoilett will join Premier League outfit QPR ahead of the upcoming 2012-13 campaign.

Sky Sports says Hoilett elected to stay in the EPL after flirting with clubs in Germany and Turkey. The 22-year-old was out of contract with his previous team Blackburn Rovers, and was said to be in favour of staying in a top-flight league rather than joining Blackburn in the second-tier Championship.

Hoilett had been in talks with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach, but those negotations sputtered amid rumours of high wage demands from the highly touted youngster.

A native of Brampton, Ontario, Hoilett has not yet declared internationally and is eligible to play for both Canada and his father's homeland Jamaica. He scored 12 goals in 81 appearances for Blackburn.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villarreal report Malaga to UEFA over missing Cazorla payments

Villarreal have reported Malaga to UEFA over €3.5 million in unpaid fees concerning the transfer of Santiago Cazorla, Goal.com understands.

The Spain international completed last summer a reported €20m transfer to the Andalusian club, who were in 2010 purchased by a member of the Qatari royal family.

It is understood that Villarreal are still owed €3.5m in taxes from the transfer and that they have long threatened to report Malaga to UEFA.

Former Malaga director Fernando Hierro met with Villarreal on April 11, prior to the Liga match between the two clubs, and it was decided that the fee in question would be paid in two different installments: one in April and the other in May.

However, the Andalusian club have still not met their agreement, forcing the Yellow Submarine to report the case to the governing body for European football.

The news is the latest in a series of stories concerning Malaga's financial problems, and comes just days after the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) revealed that the club owe the players 40 per cent of their wages.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic subject to 75 percent tax on income in France

New Paris Saint-Germain signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be slapped with a 75 percent tax on his income, according to Bloomberg.

France president Francois Hollande, who was elected in May, had announced during his election campaign that he wanted the government to tax incomes of more than 1 million euros at a rate of 75 percent.


According to French sources, Ibrahimovic will earn approximately 13 million euros per year at the Parc des Princes, which sees him fall into the category of highest earners.

"These sums are astronomic and unreasonable," French sports minister, Valerie Fourneyron told journalists after a meeting of Hollande's cabinet in Paris. "They are among the things that we can deplore today in football, the complete lack of regulation."

Paris Saint-Germain has splashed out approximately 100 million euros this summer to sign Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva, Marco Verratti and Ibrahimovic, but sporting director Leonardo has stated that the club will not make any further purchases this transfer window.

It is believed that this new tax system will affect up to 150 football players in France.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thiago Silva: I did not want to leave AC Milan

Brazil international Thiago Silva has revealed that it was not wish to leave AC Milan for Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old stopper completed a 42 million euro move to Parc des Princes last week, despite extending his Rossoneri contract at the beginning of July.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic followed in Silva's footsteps on Wednesday and signed a three-year deal with the Ligue 1 giant, speaking of 'a dream move' at his official unveiling.

However, Silva does not share as the Sweden striker's sentiments and admitted to having mixed feelings about his new challenge.

"I was happy with the transfer and sad about my exit from Milan because I experienced were some strong emotions there," he told reporters at a news conference. "This is football: one day you are here, the next day you are somewhere else. I had signed a new deal with them a week before. People call me a mercenary, which leaves me upset. I am not making more money at PSG. This is not my fault, I would like to apologize to the fans.

"This was a difficult situation for me. I did not want to leave Milan, and neither did my family. But it was a positive thing because [PSG sporting director] Leonardo and Carlo Ancelotti called me. When I joined Milan, it had also been Leonardo to call me. I really like him. PSG are a dream club, like Ibrahimovic said."

The futures of Hulk, Oscar, Lucas and Leandro Damiao have been subject to conjecture over the summer, and the 27-year-old is worried that some Brazil players may not be completely focused on the Olympic Games in London.

"To be honest, transfer speculation sometimes is a negative thing," Silva added. "You are focused on a competition, and then some website says that this or that player could leave... It is hard for us.

"I had that recent transfer and it was hard for me while nothing was decided. It is important that these things are solved as quickly as possible."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mascherano: I would give the Ballon d'Or to Messi

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has declared that he would give the Ballon d'Or to teammate Lionel Messi.

The diminutive attacker is one of the favorites to win the prestigious accolade after scoring a whooping 73 goals in all competitions during the 2011-12 season.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is also well placed in the race for the award, but Mascherano puts three of his Blaugrana teammates ahead of the Portugal international.

"Messi? We are talking about a player who scored more than 80 goals [for Barca and Argentina], that is crazy," Mascherano told reporters at a press conference.

"If I had to vote for the Ballon d'Or, I would give it to Messi, then Xavi and Andres Iniesta."

Mascherano then admitted that he was thrilled to move to Camp Nou in 2010 after three years at Liverpool and confirmed that talks regarding a new contract are at an advanced stage.

"Coming to Barca was the best decision I have made in my life because I have accomplished so many things here," the 28-year-old said. "I hope that I will stay here for many years. If I sign a new contract, it will be until 2016, when I will be 32. My renewal is looking very good.

"If I feel fine, I would like to play some more years. But I am not thinking if I would like to retire at this club."

Quizzed on his opinion about Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez, who is on Barca's wishlist this summer, Mascherano said: "From what I have seen, he is a great player.

"He is going through the same thing that has happened to me: his coach has deployed him in a different position and he has been playing at a great level.

"He is an international for Spain and he has all the qualities to play at a big club like Athletic and Barca. No one has doubts about his quality and what he can give to a team."

The Argentina international was also asked to revisit his side's Champions League semifinal defeat against Chelsea, who would go on to win the tournament.

"We were superior to Chelsea during that tie, but that is football," Mascherano said. "In La Liga, Madrid deserved to beat us at the Camp Nou, there is nothing else to say. I do not want to say that Chelsea did not deserve to win the Champions League, but we deserved more than what we got from the matches against them."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku just wants to play

SEATTLE -- For at least a night, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku was the star of a Champions League-winning club after scoring a pair of goals in a 4-2 win over the Seattle Sounders Wednesday at CenturyLink Field.

After signing with Chelsea last summer, Lukaku has found himself on the outside looking in as the Premier League squad defeated Barcelona and Bayern en route to winning the world’s premier club competition. But against the MLS club, he was able to tally his first goals with the Blues.

“Even if it’s a friendly, it’s good for my confidence,” Lukaku said. “And we were able to win our first game as European champions, so it’s good.”

Chelsea is currently on a U.S. tour that includes matchups against PSG at Yankee Stadium this weekend and the MLS All-Stars next week in Chester, Pa. The friendlies provide Lukaku with a chance to prove himself to coach Roberto Di Matteo, who is entering his first full season with Chelsea.

Di Matteo wants to take a further look at Lukaku before deciding whether to let the 19-year-old leaves on loan. Fulham and Stoke City are among the teams to have express interest in the youngster, who appears open to a move if he is not guaranteed playing time at the London-based club.

“I just want the best for myself and for the club,” Lukaku said. “If I can stay here at Chelsea and be part of the starting 11 and score a lot of goals for the club and make my team win, that’s good for me and for the club as well. If I go on loan on another team and score goals and make an impact, that will be good as well.”

Lukaku has stiff competition for a striker spot in Di Matteo’s lineup with Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge currently ahead of him on the depth chart. Di Matteo revealed that he’s had talks with Lukaku at the beginning of preseason and that he is “keen to see him perform” for Chelsea.

“He is a danger and scores goals. That’s what a striker has to do in the team and it was interesting seeing him perform for the team,” Di Matteo said.

“We still have Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge to come back, so we have options and we can’t forget he [Lukaku] is a young boy. But I have been pleased and he is an interesting player for us.”

Lukaku made only 12 first-team appearances last season, starting his first league match against Blackburn during the last month of the campaign.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic will not debut for Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea

Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not make his bow for Paris Saint Germain against Chelsea this weekend.

The former AC Milan striker completed his move to Carlo Ancelotti's big-spending Parisians on Wednesday for a fee believed to be in the region of 23 million euros to join fellow newcomers Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva and Marco Verratti.


According to France Football, the Ligue 1 runner-up leave on Thursday for a preseason tour of the Unite States; however, Ibrahimovic will only join up with the squad next week and is likely to make his first appearance for the club in its friendly against DC United on July 28. Should he also miss that game, the 30-year-old could debut for PSG against former club Barcelona on August 4.

The Parc des Princes outfit kick off its 2012-13 Ligue 1 campaign on home soil against Lorient on August 11.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham defender Ledley King announces retirement

Tottenham defender Ledley King has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 31-year-old center back is widely regarded as one of England's finest defenders since the turn of the millennium but has endured a career plagued by injuries.

King lifted the League Cup in 2008 and helped Spurs achieve Champions League qualification for the first time in their history in the 2009-10 season.

Capped 21 times by his country, King suffered from a chronic knee injury and rarely trained fully with the first team squad.

"I have been here since I was a boy, I have always considered it my club and have always found it hard to imagine wearing the shirt of another team," Ledley told Tottenham's official website. "I know that being a one-club man is a rarity these days, but I have always enjoyed being part of the set-up here and the challenge of putting this club up with the elite where it should be.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone at the club and to the fans. I have missed a lot of football over the years, but the Spurs fans have always been patient and incredibly supportive with me during difficult periods. Sadly my injuries and inability to train have now finally brought an end to my career."

Chairman Daniel Levy paid tribute to the impact King has made at White Hart Lane and announced that he would continue in a role behind the scenes.

"Ledley has made a magnificent contribution to this club - as a wonderful player, captain and ambassador," Levy said.

"It has been well documented how he has battled against injury over the years and it is testament to the character of the man how he managed to sustain such high standards of performance on the pitch, while providing such fine leadership.

"It is in an ambassadorial capacity that Ledley will continue, playing a crucial role in supporting the club's work in the community and the ongoing regeneration of the Tottenham area, whilst also being a hugely positive role model for our younger players."

King expressed his happiness at being able to continue to work with Spurs and is looking forward to being heavily involved within the community.
"I pleased that I can continue to work within the club and for the local community, especially after the devastation caused by the riots last year," he added.
"I am already heavily involved with the work of Spurs Foundation and the new stadium scheme will be a major factor in the regeneration of the area, so I am delighted that I shall be part of that."

 

[rcccc]

Ibrahimovic subject to 75 percent tax on income in France

New Paris Saint-Germain signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be slapped with a 75 percent tax on his income, according to Bloomberg.

France president Francois Hollande, who was elected in May, had announced during his election campaign that he wanted the government to tax incomes of more than 1 million euros at a rate of 75 percent.


According to French sources, Ibrahimovic will earn approximately 13 million euros per year at the Parc des Princes, which sees him fall into the category of highest earners.

"These sums are astronomic and unreasonable," French sports minister, Valerie Fourneyron told journalists after a meeting of Hollande's cabinet in Paris. "They are among the things that we can deplore today in football, the complete lack of regulation."

Paris Saint-Germain has splashed out approximately 100 million euros this summer to sign Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva, Marco Verratti and Ibrahimovic, but sporting director Leonardo has stated that the club will not make any further purchases this transfer window.

It is believed that this new tax system will affect up to 150 football players in France.

ammata hudu 75% tax

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moratta: Van Persie signing is a Juventus fan's dream

Juventus general director Guiseppe Marrota has claimed his club is still chasing Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.

Having told the Gunners that he will not be signing a new contract, the Dutchman has alerted many potential suitors wanting to acquire his services and Marrota says Juventus are still chasing the forward.

"[Robin] van Persie is a fan's dream," Marotta told reporters. "Everyone has dreams but then you have to confront this with the reality.

"We know what we have to do, and that is the important thing."
Juventus will face stiff competition to land last season's Premier League top goalscorer who hit 44 goals for club and country last season, with Manchester City also heavily linked with the Netherlands international.
It also faces a battle convincing Arsenal to sell its key man as the Gunners are set to tell Van Persie that he will not be allowed to leave this summer, as exclusively revealed by Goal.com.
However, the Turin club is keen to strengthen as they look to retain the Scudetto and replace club legend Alessandro Del Piero.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AVB - Modric won't go on cheap

AVB - Modric won't go on cheap

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has made it clear to clubs chasing Luka Modric that Spurs will only let the playmaker leave for the right price.

The Portuguese boss has previously confirmed Modric wants to depart White Hart Lane this summer and speculation over the future of the Croatian remains rife.

Primera Liga champions Real Madrid are believed to be frontrunners for the 26-year-old's signature, while Manchester United and Paris St Germain have also been linked.Villas-Boas, who replaced Harry Redknapp as manager earlier in the summer, says three clubs are interested in Modric but insists he will not be sold until Spurs' asking price, thought to be around £35million, is met.

Price

Speaking after Tottenham's friendly win over Stevenage on Wednesday night, the boss said: "It's exactly as we stand."There has been continuous interest from three different clubs and I think it's important for Tottenham to hold on to their rights."I have spoken openly about Luka's situation and the situation will continue exactly as it is until the chairman feels that the price is right."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy stood firm to keep the Croatian at the club 12 months ago when he had set his sights on a switch to Chelsea.The Croatian has been a star player for the North Londoners in recent seasons after joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blues close on younger Hazard

Blues close on younger Hazard

Lens sporting director Antoine Sibierski claims a deal to take Thorgan Hazard to Chelsea should be wrapped up in the next 24 hours.The 19-year-old playmaker is set to follow in the footsteps of his more celebrated elder brother Eden in making a move to Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard linked up with the Blues in a big-money deal earlier this summer, and Roberto Di Matteo is closing on another member of a talented footballing family.

Hazard's current employers have conceded that a transfer is now inevitable and have revealed that negotiations could be completed on Friday.

"It should be official tomorrow," Sibierski told Lens' official website."(When I arrived) there was no intention of letting him go and I met him very quickly after my arrival to show my confidence in him.

Understand

"He still had one year left and it was proposed he extended it but he told me eye to eye that did not interest him and he wanted to leave Lens."I realised 48 hours later why, when I learned Chelsea wanted him. I understand."Lens coach Jean-Luis Garcia also accepts that keeping Hazard was always going to be tough.

He added: "He is a boy of 19, his elder brother signs for Chelsea and he is urged to do so by the same club, who won the Champions League."Congratulations to Thorgan. Unfortunately we cannot go against such an opportunity. Good luck to him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mekath Patta neh!Eden Hazard & Thorgan Hazard

 

[charitha chandi]

Blues close on younger Hazard

sahoth a wagami neh...!

 

[charitha chandi]

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku just wants to play

Lokuwak kiyana kiyala hithanna epa.. did you guys see the way Marin, Harard and Lukaku play .. guys that was Chelsea.. that is my club Chelsea guys..! i think marin is better than Hazrad ..! mata pre season match ekakin issarahata monawa wawida kiyanna amarui .. eth ma waga attacking ekka ona team ekakata amaru wawi..

and i have no doubt , Lukaku will be the next drogba , look at his strength,power and finishing , he shouldn't be loaned out..! next season eka patan ganna thuru iwasillka na mata..!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lokuwak kiyana kiyala hithanna epa.. did you guys see the way Marin, Harard and Lukaku play .. guys that was Chelsea.. that is my club Chelsea guys..! i think marin is better than Hazrad ..! mata pre season match ekakin issarahata monawa wawida kiyanna amarui .. eth ma waga attacking ekka ona team ekakata amaru wawi..

and i have no doubt , Lukaku will be the next drogba , look at his strength,power and finishing , he shouldn't be loaned out..! next season eka patan ganna thuru iwasillka na mata..!

100% Agreed Aiya!mamath asama Playersla dennek thama Hazard & MarinDennama elata Play karanawaHoda Pair 1kakLukaku tath Hoda Future 1kak have But Chelsea la this Season 1keth Lukakuwa Loan walata yawwoth nam Aparadayak

 

[King-Rawana]

100% Agreed Aiya!mamath asama Playersla dennek thama Hazard & MarinDennama elata Play karanawaHoda Pair 1kakLukaku tath Hoda Future 1kak have But Chelsea la this Season 1keth Lukakuwa Loan walata yawwoth nam Aparadayak

mona oi tho football gana danne?????? HAZARD and MARIN hodai????????? eeya oi u monunda, david vila,xavi ne oi players la..tho boru daanne nathiwa hitapan

 

[Wolverine GTR]

United's Lucas bid rejected

United's Lucas bid rejected

Sao Paulo insist that they have turned down an offer from Manchester United for Lucas Moura.The midfield ace, who is currently in England with Brazil's Olympic squad, was reportedly the subject of a €35million (£27million) offer from the Red Devils.

The Premier League giants are reported to have dispatched a delegation to Sao Paulo last week, led by chief scout Jim Lawlor, to try and broker a deal.An offer is reported to have been made, but the Brazilian outfit say it is not enough, having already shunned approaches from Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Director Marco Aurelio Cunha explained that they consider only Neymar would be worth more in Brazil, and with his valuation over £50millon it shows how highly Lucas is regarded by Sao Paulo.

Important offer

"Manchester United made a very important offer of €35million but they would need to produce a little more," Cunha was quoted as saying by TMW."For us there is only Neymar worth more, after him is Lucas and we would not want to sell for less than this sort of value.

"For us it is still better to have a good player than lots of money in the bank."
Reports in Brazil suggested that Lawlor's delegation, as well as Sao Paulo, met Lucas' father with the permission of the club.United, who are currently on tour in Africa, have not yet commented on the Lucas situation, either to confirm or deny an interest.