..::Football II::..

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson very happy with Kagawa

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that he is happy with how new signing Shinji Kagawa is settling in at the club after making his first appearance in a cameo role in the opening game of preseason.

The Japan international, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer, has drawn comparisons from some to the recently departed Ji-Sung Park, and the Scottish coach admits that they are similar players.

"There are similarities to Ji-Sung Park," Sir Alex said at a press conference. "They're both disciplined, they work hard.

"[Kagawa] has been outstanding. His training performances have been very good. He was three or four days behind, but he'll play tomorrow [Saturday, vs Ajax Cape Town].

"We're very pleased. Those qualities that you can compare him with Ji, they're very much the same. They're good professionals, excellent to work with. There will be no problems with him settling into the club.

"What we identified about Kagawa is exactly what I'm seeing now. The difference now is that our players are realizing his qualities. He's got quick feet, both footed and had a good goal ratio at Dortmund. He's doing very well and I'm happy."

United continues its preseason against Ajax Cape Town after a 1-0 win over AmaZulu, and Ferguson says it will begin with a strong team in their second game of the tour of South Africa.

"We'll play our strongest side to begin with tomorrow and introduce some young players later on," he added. "We've brought more than 20 players with us. We want to get them all game-time. We always hope we can finish the tour without any injuries, otherwise it's an issue."

 

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Menez: Star signings underline Paris Saint-Germain's ambition

Jeremy Menez believes that Paris Saint-Germain's owners have underlined their ambition with the signing of AC Milan duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, and argues that the pair's arrival at the Parc des Princes is a good thing for French soccer as a whole.

Menez, who joined PSG from Roma last summer, believes that club owners Qatar Investment Authority have made a real statement of intent in the transfer window by prizing two genuine superstars away from traditional European powerhouse Milan.

"These arrivals indeed show the ambition of the club, something that the leaders have spoken about from the beginning," the winger mused. "The club's objectives have now been clearly displayed, and I also think that it's great for Ligue 1 as it will push a French team to go as far as possible in the Champions League, as well as raise the level of the [domestic] championship."

Menez admitted that he is particularly excited about lining up in the same attack as former Inter forward Ibrahimovic, who was top scorer in Serie A with the Rossoneri last season.

"We played against each other for three years while I was in Italy with Roma," the France international pointed out. "We all know that a great player is joining the team. He will help a lot to make Paris Saint-Germain reach the top - as will Thiago Silva for that matter."

 

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Chelsea storms into U.S. tour reloaded and demanding respect

SEATTLE – There was a moment midway through the first half of Wednesday night's friendly between Chelsea and the Seattle Sounders when the hometown fans smelled blood.

Chelsea, with its defense and offense simultaneously in disarray, was looking less like a team that had just won the Champions League two months prior and more like one that was struggling to keep up with a middle-of-the-pack team in a second-tier league.

The Sounders had started to gain the momentum after forward Fredy Montero scored back-to-back goals that knotted the match at two apiece. The crowd of 53,309 at CenturyLink Field - much of which was decked out in Sounder Blue and Rave Green – was feeding off the team’s play, jumping and cheering at Boeing decibel levels.

A few hecklers in particular that were situated in the team's main supporters' group, known as the Emerald City Supporters, repeatedly belted out "overrated" to seemingly unfazed members of the Blues on the field.

Granted, Chelsea was playing its first game of its U.S. exhibition tour without several of its key players such as John Terry, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Raul Meireles and Ashley Cole. And granted, the team swiftly regained control of the game and cruised to a 4-2 victory over Seattle.
But the sentiment that Chelsea is overrated goes beyond cliché taunting from a few intoxicated locals. Many soccer fans and sports writers globally would tend to agree.

Despite a magical run to win the FA Cup and the Champions League, Chelsea finished just sixth in the Premier League last year. And the combination of an aging roster, Terry’s off-field problems, the underachieving Torres, an inexperienced coach and the departure of striker Didier Drogba has not made the Blues a popular choice to repeat.

This is why a preseason trip to America is just what Chelsea needs.

Not only does the roster briefly escape the intense media bubble in the United Kingdom, but it’s also a chance for manager Roberto Di Matteo to develop team chemistry. Remember, this will be Di Matteo’s first full season as manager after he took over for Andre Villas Boas late last season and essentially rescued the Blues from an almost lost season.

These friendlies also serve as an opportunity for Di Matteo to assess the club’s new additions and younger talent. Critics say this team's old guard is aging fast and needs to reload.

"We were looking to (have) a good workout, good possession, some good combination play and slowly integrate new players," Di Matteo said after the Sounders game. The former Italian international said he wants to "also see some of our younger talents that we have in the club that will hopefully be the future of the club."

One player who took advantage of the extended minutes was 19-year-old Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. Blessed with a unique combination of strength and size (he's listed at 6-foot-3, 210 lbs), the second-year player displayed his ability to slide past defenders with crafty dribbling as well as finish plays in transition. He ended the match with two goals.

"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."

Fans will see a more complete Chelsea roster as the team embarks on the East Coast leg of the tour. Terry, the controversial but talented center back who has recently been acquitted of a racism charge, is expected to join Chelsea this weekend in New York against Paris Saint-Germain at Yankee Stadium. Torres, Mata, Malouda and Cole will join the team later in the four-game tour which also stops in Philadelphia and Miami.

This season is crucial for Torres. Arguably the best forward in the world two years ago, he has been widely viewed as a disappointment since he signed for a reported 50 million pounds in 2011. Although he won the Golden Boot at Euro 2012 and iced the semifinal upset victory over Barcelona in the Champions League with a late goal, he has been the subject of intense media scrutiny for disappearing in games and underachieving. All eyes will be on the Spanish star as he tries to use these exhibitions to set the tone for a breakout season.

Even his coach wouldn't sugar coat the pressure.

"I expect him next season to be a fantastic player with us," Di Matteo told the British press earlier this month.

Because a breakout season is really what Chelsea needs. Not just from Torres, but from many of their players, ranging from old hands like Cole and Michael Essien to new additions like Eden Hazard and Marko Marin.

With a weaker squad last season, the west London club snuck up on a lot of teams during the Champions League. But now the target is on its back. Clubs within England and Europe will be strapped to the tube this week, seeing if Chelsea has the potential to repeat or is just an overpriced/overhyped franchise.

 

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Team GB 0-2 Brazil: Sandro and Neymar on target

Team GB was given a soccer lesson by Brazil in its Olympic Games warmup match at the Riverside Stadium as it was comfortably beaten 2-0.

A first half header from Tottenham’s Sandro gave Brazil the lead, and with 10 minutes of the half remaining Neymar added a second from the penalty spot after Micah Richards had brought down Hulk.

The South Americans were unable to extend their lead in a much more even second half, but they continued to dominate possession and control the game through the impressive Oscar and Romulo.

The first chance of the game came to Brazil in the sixth minute but Neymar was unable to test Luke Steele in the GB goal. A long ball from goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was flicked on by Leandro Damiao for the Santos striker. He raced away from Tomkins towards goal put skied his effort over the bar.

The deadlock was broken six minutes later as the visitors were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position 30 yards from goal. GB prepared for a Hulk thunderbolt but it was actually Neymar who took the set piece. He flicked a cross into the penalty area and Sandro arrived at the back post to head into the far corner.

Just past the half hour mark Brazil doubled its lead through Neymar after a poor challenge from Richards on Hulk inside the area. The Porto striker outpaced Richards on the right hand side and used his strength to stay in front of him and encouraged the Manchester City man to make a challenge. The tackle was mistimed and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Neymar, after a quick kiss for the ball, calmly stroked Brazil into a 2-0 lead with an excellent low penalty that was out of Steele’s reach.

Changes to both sides meant a much more disjointed second half but there were definite improvements from Pearce’s side as it kept possession better and created some better openings in front of goal. Brazil introduced Alexandre Pato, Ganso and Lucas Moura with 20 minutes to play and although they slotted in perfectly they were unable to find a third goal for the visitors.

Neymar had a final sight of goal in the closing minutes but his low effort from the edge of the penalty area was excellently saved from Butland, the Birmingham City keeper diving low to his right to deny the Santos man.

 

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Chelsea target Oscar to decide future after Olympics

Chelsea target Oscar revealed that he has undergone a medical with the club, but will wait until after the Olympics to decide his future.

The 20-year-old playmaker has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the summer, and there had been speculation that he had gone to the club to have a medical after arriving in London for the Olympics with Brazil. He confirmed this after the 2-0 win over Team GB in Middlesbrough, but added that he has not signed any contracts yet and will make a decision on his future after the Games.

"I only had a meeting with the doctor, nothing else," Oscar told reporters via an interpreter. "I didn't sign any contract yet and I will wait until the end of the Olympic games to decide my future.

"All Brazilian players have this dream. I have, like everybody, the dream to play in Europe and the Premier League."

Oscar, who had previously told reporters that he wanted to stay at Internacional, also hopes to impress fans in Britain with his performances at the tournament.

"It's like a dream for me, participating in the Olympics, it's so important for my career and I hope to win the gold medal here," he added. "It was a good result tonight but we have to improve and grow during the competition to reach the final.

"I am enjoying, it is not a pressure, I am focused on the Olympics but want to show the British fans that I can play well here."

 

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Thiago Silva: Neymar gets nothing from referees

Thiago Silva is concerned that Neymar has developed an unwarranted reputation for going to ground too easily, claiming that his Brazil teammate is now being denied clear free-kicks and penalties.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender felt that the 20-year-old forward was denied a stonewall penalty during the country's Olympic warmup clash with Team GB at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night and suspects that the Santos starlet's reputation is now going before him.

"That is my concern," Thiago Silva is quoted as saying by Globoespote. "He suffers a foul but does not get the decision.

"The crowd even got irritated with Neymar over that fall in the area. I was far away but it seemed like the guy pulled his neck."

Brazil did earn a penalty during their 2-0 win in Middlesbrough, with Neymar converting from the spot after Hulk had been felled by Micah Richards. Mano Menezes' side had earlier opened the scoring with a header from Sandro.

 

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Botafogo signs Nicolas Lodeiro from Ajax

Botafogo has announced on its official website that it has signed Ajax midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old Uruguayan, who is part of his country's Olympic squad, has signed a four-year contract with the Rio de Janeiro-based club.

Lodeiro joined Ajax in January 2010 after impressing at Nacional but failed to make his mark at the Eredivisie champion, featuring just 19 times for the club.

Lodeiro, who was also part of the Uruguay's title-winning squad at the Copa America, will join up with the rest of the Fogao team after the Olympic Games, where La Celeste will tackle United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Senegal.

 

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Allegri: Milan is at year zero after mass exodus

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri feels that the club have traveled back to "year zero" following the loss of "12 champions" since the end of last season.

Following the expected departure of a number of Rossoneri legends, including Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzhaghi and Gennaro Gattuso, the San Siro giants have now lost star duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain.

Allegri can appreciate why cash-strapped Milan had to offload their two most prized assets, given the money on offer, but he points out that that will not make the rebuilding job any easier.

"Ibra and Thiago Silva? I'm not the one who hires and fires, but we could not say no to PSG," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

He added, "But we are at year zero. Twelve champions have left, most due to their age but two because of choices made by the club.

"Even if there are many others who have remained, we must now work from scratch."

However, Allegri is at least buoyed by the fact that Milan still have time to replace those who have moved on.

"There is a month left until the close of the transfer market," he added. "I remember the arrival of Robinho two days before the end of a previous window that changed the face of the team."

Allegri led Milan to the title in his first year at San Siro but the Rossoneri were dethroned by Juventus in 2011-12.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Willian wants Blues move

Willian wants Blues move

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian hopes he can still secure a move to Chelsea despite fellow Brazilian star Oscar undergoing a medical at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have long been linked with a move for Willian, 23, but Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu recently said that a €34 million (£26.5 million) bid had been turned down.

"I don't know what the coach said, but the correct value is €25 million (£19.5 million)," Willian told Globo Esporte. "Regardless of the price, it is clear that the desire is great to play at a club like Chelsea, the champion of the Champions League.

"I'm really upset with the board for not letting me leave. It would be good for me and also for the club. I'd be in a big city and have the chance to grow professionally. This is not a message to anyone - everyone knows I want to leave."

With the news that Internacional midfielder Oscar has undergone medical checks with the Blues, it may seem that they have switched their attentions from Willian, but he remains hopeful.

"I'm sure it will not matter, because the way we play is different," he said. "It is a matter of waiting. The hope is the last to die and a lot can happen there."Willian said that, if he were to make the move, he would relish the chance to face former club Corinthians at the Club World Cup in December.

"It would be an extra special moment for me," he said. "I was raised in Corinthians and to be there in the shirt of Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, would be priceless."I was with David Luiz and Ramires in the Selecao. If this actually happens, it will be great."

 

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Small headache

Small headache

Manchester United have suffered a major pre-season injury blow after England defender Chris Smalling was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a broken metatarsal.Smalling had been training at United’s Carrington HQ after recovering from a thigh injury that ended his hopes of appearing at Euro 2012.

However, it has now been confirmed the 22-year-old has suffered a new setback.

 

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Man Persie

Man Persie

ROBIN VAN PERSIE is caught up in a huge bidding war between Manchester United and Manchester City.

City offered Arsenal around £15million yesterday and United boss Alex Ferguson also confirmed a bid, understood to be about £13m. The Gunners want at least £20m for the striker. Ferguson said: “Obviously, Arsenal have given out the fact we’ve made a bid for him.

“There’s no point talking about something that might not happen.
“There are other clubs interested in the player. We’ve shown an interest and that is where we are at the moment.” Juventus are also in the running and have said they will pay £8m for the Arsenal skipper.

The Londoners are resigned to losing last season’s Premier League top-scorer but told him yesterday in talks they will hold out for the full amount.
Van Persie will not travel with his team-mates today for a pre-season trip to the Far East.

But England stars Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be on the trip, even though they did not return to the club until Thursday. Arsene Wenger and his tour party will fly to Kuala Lumpur for the start of the three-game jaunt, which also includes a friendly with Manchester City in China on Friday.
Van Persie, 28, has one year left on his current contract and insists he will not sign a new one.

The Dutchman hit 44 goals in 57 games for club and country last season but suffered a disappointing Euro 2012. Van Persie returned to training on Monday and then told boss Wenger he wanted a move.

He will now remain in London with new signing Lukas Podolski.
Apart from the tour to Asia, Arsenal have just one other pre-season game against Cologne.

 

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Oscar: I’ll make Chelsea wait

Oscar: I’ll make Chelsea wait

OSCAR says he will make Chelsea sweat until after the Olympics before confirming his £25million move.

But the Internacional playmaker has passed a medical with the Blues and dreams of playing "in Europe and the Premier League". Oscar, 20, helped destroy Team GB last night in a London 2012 warm-up game.

And he said: "I am focused on the Olympics but want to show the British fans that I can play well here.” Of Chelsea's interest, Oscar added, “I only had a meeting with the doctor, nothing else.

"I didn’t sign any contract yet and I will wait until the end of the Olympic games to decide my future. “All Brazilian players have this dream. I have, like everybody, the dream to play in Europe and the Premier League.”
Oscar, though, claimed the Olympics are just as important.

He said: He added: “It is like a dream for me, participating in the Olympics.
"It’s so important for my career and I hope to win the gold medal here. “We also have to improve and grow during the competition to reach the final.
“I am enjoying it - it is not a pressure."

 

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Team GB 0-2 Brazil: Sandro and Neymar on target

Team GB was given a soccer lesson by Brazil in its Olympic Games warmup match at the Riverside Stadium as it was comfortably beaten 2-0.

A first half header from Tottenham’s Sandro gave Brazil the lead, and with 10 minutes of the half remaining Neymar added a second from the penalty spot after Micah Richards had brought down Hulk.

The South Americans were unable to extend their lead in a much more even second half, but they continued to dominate possession and control the game through the impressive Oscar and Romulo.

The first chance of the game came to Brazil in the sixth minute but Neymar was unable to test Luke Steele in the GB goal. A long ball from goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was flicked on by Leandro Damiao for the Santos striker. He raced away from Tomkins towards goal put skied his effort over the bar.

The deadlock was broken six minutes later as the visitors were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position 30 yards from goal. GB prepared for a Hulk thunderbolt but it was actually Neymar who took the set piece. He flicked a cross into the penalty area and Sandro arrived at the back post to head into the far corner.

Just past the half hour mark Brazil doubled its lead through Neymar after a poor challenge from Richards on Hulk inside the area. The Porto striker outpaced Richards on the right hand side and used his strength to stay in front of him and encouraged the Manchester City man to make a challenge. The tackle was mistimed and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Neymar, after a quick kiss for the ball, calmly stroked Brazil into a 2-0 lead with an excellent low penalty that was out of Steele’s reach.

Changes to both sides meant a much more disjointed second half but there were definite improvements from Pearce’s side as it kept possession better and created some better openings in front of goal. Brazil introduced Alexandre Pato, Ganso and Lucas Moura with 20 minutes to play and although they slotted in perfectly they were unable to find a third goal for the visitors.

Neymar had a final sight of goal in the closing minutes but his low effort from the edge of the penalty area was excellently saved from Butland, the Birmingham City keeper diving low to his right to deny the Santos man.

 

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Genoa: Juventus offered Destro more money than Roma

Genoa CEO Pietro Lo Monaco has claimed that Mattia Destro's proposed move to Roma has collapsed because the forward has had his head turned by the bigger wage on offer at Juventus.

The 21-year-old forward, who is co-owned by Siena, was expected to seal a switch to the Stadio Olimpico this weekend but he failed to agree personal terms with the Giallorossi, much to the fury of Rossoblu president Enrico Preziosi. Lo Monaco has now admitted that he is just as bewildered by the current situation.

"I do not know how this matter will end up," he told reporters at a press conference on Saturday.

"Roma were definitely the team that over time had expressed the greatest interest Destro, but one knows that in life money is the most important thing and Juventus offered him a greater wage."

Destro hit 12 goals in Serie A during his loan spell at Siena last season and his impressive form earned him inclusion in Italy's preliminary squad for Euro 2012.

 

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Willian insists Chelsea move can still happen despite Oscar interest

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian has revealed that he is still hopeful of a move to Chelsea, suggesting the Premier League side's pursuit of Oscar does not mean his own potential move is now off.

The 23-year-old has been linked with the west London outfit throughout the summer, with the Blues already adding to their squad with the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, while reportedly being on the verge of landing the Internacional playmaker as well.

There has also been some confusion over the amount at which the Brazilian attacker would be available from his Ukrainian club, with Shakhtar's manager, Mircea Lucescu, previously claiming a bid of 33 million euros had been rejected.
"I don't know what the coach said, but the correct value was 25 million euros," he told Globo Esporte.

"But regardless of the value, of course I really wanted to play for a club like Chelsea, a club that won the Champions League.”
Willian indicated that the offer from Roberto Di Matteo's side was slightly lower than that but, regardless of the fee, admitted his disappointment at not being allowed to discuss terms of a move to Stamford Bridge and reiterated his desire to push through a transfer.

"I'm really annoyed that the board didn't let me go. It would have been good for me and for the club too," he said.

"I'd play in a big league and would be able to grow as a player. This is not a message to anyone, everyone knows I want to leave."

Reports have now emerged that fellow Brazilian midfielder Oscar, who featured in the Olympic squad's friendly against Team GB on Friday evening, underwent a medical at Chelsea earlier in the week.

And Willian suggested that, despite Chelsea's interest in his fellow countryman, a deal for himself can still happen, insisting that he offers different attributes to the Internacional man.

He added: "Chelsea had already reached an agreement regarding Oscar when they made that last offer to sign me.

"I'm sure it won't be a problem as we are different kinds of players. He is more like a playmaker and I am more like an attacking midfielder.

"But it's a matter of waiting. A lot can still happen."

 

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Real Madrid slaps 31 million pound release clause on Jese Rodriguez

Real Madrid has slapped a 40 million euro release clause on its promising young striker Jese Rodriguez, amid frenzied interest from European clubs.

The 19-year-old scored the winner in Spain's UEFA Under-19 European Championship final against Greece last Sunday, also taking the top scorer award.

With increased interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Benfica, Jese's agent, Gines Carvajal has sought to cool interest in the Madrid protege.

"Jese last year signed a contract until 2014 and a buyout clause of 40 million euros. In addition, Madrid does not intend to sell him. He is untouchable." Carvajal was quoted as saying by AS.

The report in AS states that Jese will continue featuring for Real Madrid Castilla for the time being, eventually being developed for a first-team place later in the season.

Jese returns to training on July 25 in the Spanish capital, but it remains to be seen whether he will participate in the club's US tour.

 

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NBA stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant: Messi is the best in the world

NBA stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have praised Barcelona forward Lionel Messi calling him the best footballer in the world.

The United States basketball stars are in Europe for the London Olympic Games, and were full of superlatives when asked to describe the Argentina international.

"Messi is the best player in the world. And, if he is not already, he will be the best player of all time,” James said in an interview with EFE.

"Messi is the best ... the best!” Bryant agreed. “Once I had the opportunity to see a Barcelona training session and I really enjoyed it.”

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award three times in a row, and is widely expected to be a front-runner again for 2012.

 

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Ajax wants Arsenal's Miyaichi on loan

Ajax is ready to make a move to sign Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi on loan for the 2012-13 season, De Telegraaf reports.

The Japan international spent the second half of last term in a loan stint at Bolton, with opportunities in Arsene Wenger's first team limited.

Ajax coach Frank de Boer is thought to be in the market for a new wide-man and missed out on Luciano Narsingh, who recently moved to rivals PSV from Heerenveen.

With Miyaichi having acquired the experience of playing in the Eredivise after a temporary spell at Feyenoord in 2011, the Amsterdam giant is weighing up a move for the 19-year-old Japanese.

The decision is believed to be in the hands of Wenger, who will choose whether to keep him in north London or send him to Netherlands to earn more playing time in the first team.

 

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Pinto: I will try to beat Victor Valdes and become Barcelona's number one

Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto has expressed his desire to try and unseat Victor Valdes as the club's number one.

Pinto, who joined the Blaugrana from Celta Vigo in 2008, has only made 48 appearances in four seasons, with the bulk of his playing time coming from Copa del Rey encounters.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old, who enters the final year on his Barcelona contract. has spoken of his disillusionment of just featuring in cup games, and hopes to usurp Valdes' position as the main goalkeeper.

"Tito [Vilanova] will make the decision he feels is best for the team." the goalkeeper said in a press conference.

"[Whether] he thinks it is best I play in the cup or La Liga or whatever, I will continue working, because I am competitive and ambitious and I will try to get Victor's job."

Pinto also spoke of the club's preparations ahead of the first preseason friendly against Hamburg on Tuesday.

"I think it has been typical, we're adapting, doing physical work and the moment everything goes smoothly, players have been eager," Pinto stated.

Barcelona kickoff its close-season preparations at the Imtech Arena on Tuesday, ahead of the Supercopa double against Real Madrid next month.

 

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AC Milan and Inter look to China and Middle East for investors

AC Milan and Inter have started to explore options in China and the Middle East for financial backing, Tuttosport reports.

The two San Siro clubs have had well-documented financial issues in recent times, and their transfer strategies have been affected as a result.

The Rossoneri had to offload star duo Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, whilst the Nerazzurri sold Samuel Eto’o and Thiago Motta over the last 12 months to balance the books.

With both sides adopting a cautious approach in terms of purchasing new players in the transfer window so far, extra avenues to bring in money are being explored.

It is thought that Inter supremo Massimo Moratti is looking to China for potential investors, whilst Milan's Silvio Berlusconi is gauging opportunities in the Middle East.

Both clubs have fallen behind Juventus on and off the pitch, with Antonio Conte’s side winning the Scudetto last season and showcasing its financially might in the transfer market this summer following attempts to sign high-profile players such as Robin van Persie, Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain.