..::Football II::..

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Wenger rules out Arsenal move for M'Vila

Arsenal manager http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/france/2843/arsene-wengerArsene Wenger has seemingly ruled out a possible move for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.

The Gunners have long been linked with a bid for the 22-year-old, although his club recently revealed that it has yet to receive any formal offers for the player.

Wenger has now moved to quash suggestions he will try to bring the France international to London, provided that Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere do not suffer any setbacks in their respective returns from injury.

"No. We wait for Diaby and Wilshere. When he is fit, Diaby is the first name on the French team sheet," the 62-year-old told reporters when asked whether he was still interested in M'Vila. “When you look we have Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Diaby, Wilshere and Mikel Arteta. We are not short if Diaby and Wilshere are coming back. If we have setbacks in preseason, it could be different."

Wenger was also coy on suggestions he could make a move for Malaga winger Santi Cazorla, who has been linked Tottenham.

"I don't know this guy," he quipped.

Arsenal is currently in Kuala Lumpur as the club begins it preseason preparations with a tour of the Far East.

 

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Carrick would consider England return

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has admitted that he would consider overturning his decision to rule himself out of consideration for the England team.

The 30-year-old rejected the chance to be part of Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad on the basis that he could not be guaranteed first-team action, but has now seemingly softened his stance.

"I've had no contact from Roy Hodgson, so it would be wrong of me at this stage to make a decision either way," Carrick told The Guardian. "But I would consider it, definitely."

Fabio Capello had included Carrick in his squad for the 2010 World Cup, but the midfielder barely featured in the tournament and Carrick insisted that he was only keen to avoid a similar situation, quashing rumors that he had fallen out with Hodgson in any way.

"I didn't kick the door down and say: 'You've got to play me or I'll leave,' it wasn't a case of that at all," he added. "It was more that, if I wasn't going to play, I'd rather not go.

"During the World Cup I never featured and I was never really close to playing. That was a hard time. I just thought if it was going to be the same scenario again, I'd rather let someone else go in my place."

Carrick had picked up 22 England caps before his withdrawal, since making his debut against Mexico in 2001.

 

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Chelsea would have been a very interesting option, says Schurrle

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Andre Schurrle has admitted that a transfer to Chelsea would have been "a very interesting option".

The Premier League side had a 25 million euro offer for the Germany international rejected by Bayer, but the 21-year-old feels the Champions League holders would have been a good option for him.

"Chelsea's interest was really concrete. They would have been a very interesting option for me," Schurrle stated to Kicker.

"I understand Leverkusen's decision not to let go of me, though.

"However, there were a few things that annoyed me. I didn't like that the entire thing was out in the open with all the details.

"I don't understand why the club went public like that. It didn't do anybody any good. I would have liked a bit more discretion and protection from Bayer."

Schurrle has a contract with Leverkusen until June 2016.

 

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Drogba delighted with Shanghai Shenhua debut

Didier Drogba says he is delighted "everything went right" on his debut appearance for Shanghai Shenhua as he came off the bench to help it earn a 1-1 draw away to Guangzhou R&F in China's Super League on Sunday.

With his side trailing at the break, Drogba came off the bench to great effect, changing the atmosphere of the game before providing a delightful assist for Cao Yunding's 68th-minute equalizer.

"I am happy that everything went right in my first 45 minutes here," Drogba told reporters after the game.

"It was a little bit hard for me to get into the game at the beginning, but when I got used to the rhythm, I began to enjoy the game.

"I am feeling good now and was accustomed to all things in China now. It is very comfortable playing alongside my former teammate Nicolas (Anelka)."

Meanwhile, opposition striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni claimed that Drogba could inspire Shenhua, which is currently struggling down in 12th, to the title given his impact on debut.

"He showed the quality today you know, he gave more confidence to the team, you have to see the way he played today, when he is 100 percent, he can help Shanghai win the league," Yakubu said.

 

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Gareth Bale 'very surprised' David Beckham is left off Team GB for London Games

LOS ANGELES -- When David Beckham's name was left off coach Stuart Pearce’s Team GB Olympic squad, it came as a shock to many – including Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale.

“I was very surprised,” Bale told reporters on Sunday.

“I think he's done a lot to get the Olympics to London. But, after that he’s a great player, he’s been playing well for LA Galaxy, and I think pretty much the whole nation’s a bit disappointed he wasn’t in the team.”

Bale and his Tottenham teammates are in Los Angeles preparing for Tuesday's friendly with the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.

The Welshman himself was slated to represent Team GB at the Olympics, but a back injury meant that like Beckham, he will be playing in the United States instead of the UK over the next couple weeks.

Though he won't be participating as an athlete, Bale is still looking forward to attending the London Games as a spectator.

“It’ll be an amazing experience to have it in our home city, and hopefully I’ll be able to go and watch one or two events and it’ll be very exciting,” Bale said.

Tottenham moves on to Baltimore to take on Liverpool Saturday, before concluding its U.S. tour with a match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 31.

 

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Destro happy with Totti praise

Genoa striker Mattia Destro has admitted to being flattered by the glowing comments about him made by Roma talisman Franceso Totti.

The 20-year-old attacker, who is co-owned by Siena, is on the verge of completing a move to Stadio Olimpico, with Stefano Antonelli, director of the Artemio Franchi outfit, revealing on Sunday that he expects the transfer to be finalised imminently.

Totti admitted at the weekend that he was relishing the opportunity to play alongside Destro, praise which the Italy Under-21 international has welcomed.

"Totti's remarks? I was very pleased with them," Destro told Sky Sport Italia.

Destro, who was part of Italy's preliminary squad for Euro 2012, also caught the eye of Juventus and AC Milan after scoring 12 goals in Serie A last season for Siena.

 

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Rodgers prepared to 'fight' to keep Skrtel at Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers insists that he will “fight” to keep Martin Skrtel at Liverpool, despite claims from the player that he has attracted a number of clubs.

The newly appointed boss has identified the central defender as a key part of his plans for the forthcoming campaign and is understandably eager to keep the 27-year-old at the club, dismissing claims of interest from other teams.

However, Skrtel, who was voted as the club’s player of the season last term, has recently been quoted in the Slovakian media claiming that Liverpool have received "a number of offers" for his services, with Goal.com exclusively revealing at the end of last season that Manchester City, Juventus and AC Milan had made discreet enquires."No. I’ve heard nothing from any other club." Rodgers told the Daily Telegraph. "Martin has been fantastic and seems happy and contented. He fits into my plans and ideas. I will fight as hard as I can to keep the players that I want here and he is one of them. Unfortunately there is always that rumour, speculation and gossip and until the window closes that will continue.”

Luis Suarez is another player at Anfield whose future at the club has been subject to speculation recently, but the Liverpool boss has confirmed that informal talks with the Uruguay international have left him confident that the striker will still be on Merseyside next season.

"I'm confident he is really looking forward to playing for us this season and is really looking forward to this way of football," He added. "I have spoken to him and had nothing but positivity from him. He is obviously at the Olympics and I wish him well, but I will wish him better when he comes back.”

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Chelsea: Supersub Piazon cancels out Nene strike as Europe's big spenders share spoils

Lucas Piazon spared Chelsea a first defeat on its U.S. tour with a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at Yankee Stadium.

The promising Brazilian midfielder netted on 81 minutes to cancel out Nene's first-half opener as Roberto Di Matteo's men finished strongly after a largely uninspiring performance.

For PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti the late setback marred an otherwise impressive performance from his new team against his former club - one which promises much for the coming Ligue 1 season after a sensational summer of spending in the transfer market.

Eden Hazard kept his place in the Blues starting lineup after a virtuoso debut display against the Seattle Sounders, while youngsters Sam Hutchinson, Kevin De Bruyne, Gael Kakuta and Romelu Lukaku were also given the opportunity to impress.

PSG boss Ancelotti was unable to call upon either Zlatan Ibrahimovic – set to join up with his new teammates on Tuesday – or Thiago Silva, who is away with Brazil’s Olympic football squad, but nevertheless fielded a strong XI which boasted another big-money summer signing, former Napoli star Ezequiel Lavezzi.

And the tricky Argentine spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring in the third minute, ghosting between the statuesque duo of Hutchinson and Cahill before firing tamely against the legs of the sprawling Petr Cech from point-blank range.

Just five minutes later he was in the thick of the action again, racing beyond the Chelsea backline and touching the ball past the onrushing Cech before going to ground, only to be booked for diving.

Much of PSG’s early success had come against the youthful pairing of Hutchinson and Kakuta on Chelsea’s right flank, so it was no surprise when, on, 30 minutes, it yielded the opening goal.

A neat and incisive midfield interchange sent Javier Pastore cantering into the area and, after bamboozling both Kakuta and Cahill, his shot crashed against the post, only for Nene to follow up and slot the ball home, despite the best efforts of David Luiz on the line.

The Chelsea response was slow and underwhelming, with captain Frank Lampard’s speculative 35-yard free-kick four minutes from halftime yielding its first shot on target. Douchez gathered it easily, and PSG deservedly carried its lead into the break.

Both sides made numerous changes of personnel at the interval, but it was the Blues who showed greater improvement in the second half, as the introduction of Ramires and Marko Marin on the flanks injected some much-needed urgency both in and out of possession.

Despite this, however, Di Matteo’s men still struggled to create anything of substance when faced with organized and disciplined PSG defending. Hazard’s mis-hit corner on 57 minutes somehow found its way through to Branislav Ivanovic, who sliced wide under pressure.

A further raft of Chelsea changes followed on the hour mark in a bid to reverse its fortunes, including the introduction of John Terry, making his first appearance of pre-season, as well as youngsters Piazon, Nathanial Chalobah and Josh McEachran.

But it was PSG which continued to show greater incisiveness, and substitute Guillaume Hoarau wasted a guilt-edged opportunity to double the lead when he latched onto a pinpoint lofted pass from Pastore and headed wide from a unmarked position.

Chelsea looked condemned to defeat, but it finally broke through nine minutes from time when Piazon exchanged passes with countryman Ramires while driving into the penalty area before side-footing the ball past a helpless Douchez to secure his side a share of the spoils.

 

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Chelsea agrees deal to sign Oscar, claims Internacional president

Chelsea has agreed a deal to sign Internacional midfielder Oscar, according the Brazilian club’s president, Giovanni Luigi.

The 20-year-old, who is currently in England on Olympics duty with the Selecao and was a standout performer in its 2-0 warm-up victory over Team GB, claimed on Friday that he had undergone a medical at Stamford Bridge but would delay any decision on his future until after the conclusion of the Games.However, it now appears that confirmation of a switch is imminent with Luigi claiming that a verbal agreement has been finalized between the two clubs.

"There is a verbal agreement between the two parties. But we have to put that on paper and the lawyer of both clubs have to discuss the matter," the official told Radio Guiaba.
Oscar joined Internacional from Sao Paulo in 2009, and scored a hat trick in Brazil’s Under-20 World Cup final victory over Portugal.

Premier League rival Tottenham has also been linked with a move for the 25 million pound rated youngster as a potential replacement for midfield schemer Luka Modric, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to La Liga champions Real Madrid.

 

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Neymar: Messi should win the Ballon d'Or, he is the best in the world

Santos star Neymar has declared that he is tipping Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win the 2012 Ballon d'Or award.

The Argentine star is believed to one of the favourites to clinch the individual accolade after inspiring the Blaugrana to win four titles in 2011-12 with 73 goals in all competitions.

Neymar has often earned comparisons with Messi, but the 20-year-old dismissed the notion that he is contention for the accolade, insists that he expects the Barca ace to win the honour.

"Me? No, the Ballon d'Or is for Messi, who is the best in the world, there is no one like him," Neymar told Mundo Deportivo. "He will win it, he is the greatest. He comes up with new things after every match. Yes, yes, another Ballon d'Or for Messi. That is what there is. We all know it."

Messi, who is Barca's all-time leading goalscorer, equalled Michel Platini in January in winning the Ballon d'Or for three years running.

 

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Valencia 4-0 Rodinghausen: Guardado features in preseason win

Andres Guardado continued accumulating minutes for Valencia as the former Deportivo winger came on this Sunday during the club's match against sixth division side Rodinghausen.

Pablo Piatti and Jonas opened up scoring for Los Chés in the first half and the visitors went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Carles Gil and Feghouli scored in the second half, now with Guardado on the pitch, to shape the final scoreline.

Argentine signing Fernando Gago was present at the stadium, with the naranjeros' new defensive midfielder still awaiting his debut after his sale from Real Madrid landed him back in Spain following a loan spell at Roma.

Valencia will open its 2012-13 La Liga campaign against Real Madrid on August 19 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

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Anzhi Makhachkala denies negotiations with Sneijder and Maicon

Anzhi Makhachkala has ruled out a move for Inter duo Wesley Sneijder and Maicon after various media outlets suggested that talks were at an advanced stage.

Anzhi signed Samuel Eto'o from the Nerazzurri last summer, making him the highest-paid player in the world by shelling out €20 million after tax in wages per season, and many expected the club to complete a similar marquee signing this transfer window.

However, on a statement on its official website, the club denied it was in discussions with the two players.

"In connection with the rumours in numerous media outlets that Anzhi are in negotiations with Wesley Sneijder and Maicon, we would like to report that this information is completely unfounded. The club have not been conducting any negotiations for the transition of these players to our team. All real acquisitions and contracts completed by the club will be announced in a timely manner to both the fans and the media."

Anzhi plays Kuban Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League on Sunday.

 

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Wenger concedes that Van Persie could leave Arsenal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted for the first time that that the club could sell Robin van Persie.


The 28-year-old has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus after notching 37 goals in all competitions last season but the Gunners have been adamant that the striker would be staying at the Emirates Stadium despite his insistence that he will not be extending his contract.

However, Van Persie has been omitted from the squad’s preseason tour of Malaysia and Wenger has now conceded that the Netherlands international could leave the club, saying that “if the transfers happen, they happen.”“You know I am a big supporter of him," he added. "Our desire is to keep Van Persie. At the end of the day, we will do what is in the best interests of the club.”

Arsenal is thought to be holding out for a fee of around 30 million euros for the player, who has just 12 months left on his current deal, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side believed to be leading the chase for Van Persie’s signature after having had a bid already rejected.

The saga will remind Gunners fans of the protracted transfers of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City last summer, two losses from which the club was left reeling at the beginning of the campaign.And Wenger has insisted that, however, the Van Persie situation is resolved, the club will not allow a similar downturn in form to reoccur.

“We know how much we had to fight to come third last year because we missed out the start of the season. After seven games we had lost four and we have learned that for us it is vital for us to focus on the start of the season rather than on any transfers," Wenger said.

“If the transfers happen, they happen. As long as you are at the club you give your best for the club and that is the only pride you can have as a football player and as a manager. I am convinced that Robin is like that.”

 

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Conte: Juventus wants to return to the top of the world

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has stressed that his side is keen to return to the European elite following its Scudetto triumph.

The Bianconeri are back in the Champions League after winning their first Serie A crown since 2003 thanks to an impressive unbeaten campaign.

As the club prepares for its first official match of the season against Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana, the Old Lady is confident, and Conte believes his side can make an impact in Europe.

"All this excitement, which was also seen last year, is what pushes us to go forward and win things for our fans," Conte told reporters at the club's Chatillon training camp. "We want to put Juventus back where they belong. Last season, we put the club back at the top of Italian football. Now we hope to return to the top of Europe and the world."

 

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Arsenal midfielder Ramsey insists his best days are ahead of him

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has said that his best playing days are still ahead of him, despite an impressive career already.

Ramsey is preparing to represent Great Britain at the Olympics, and is expected to play a key role in coach Stuart Pearce's midfield.

The Welshman believes he can continue improving and will be able to a big part in the new Premier League season with the Gunners.

He told reporters: "I have certainly done a lot so far in my short career, but I am delighted with how it's gone so far, apart from my injury."

"I still think there is a lot more to come from me, but I am working hard and wanting to learn more every day to become the best player I can possibly become."

Ramsey also said that the opportunity to play at the Olympics was too appealing to reject, despite some reluctance among the home nations, and revealed that once he had permission from the Football Association of Wales and Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, he was very keen to play.

"It was down to us whether we wanted to play or not and we chose to play. For me, it's a unique thing and there's going to be some great countries with great players involved, so it's great to test yourself against them and we are looking forward to it. We are all proud to be Welsh and we are representing our country as well as Great Britain."

Team GB plays its first game of the Olympic Games football tournament on July 26, when it faces Senegal at Old Trafford.

 

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Roy Hodgson admits to feeling the pressure as England boss

England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he is still learning to deal with the pressure that comes with managing the national side, but admits he does not enjoy it.

Hodgson was criticised for the manner of England’s exit from Euro 2012 on a penalty shootout at the hands of Italy, and he has aknowledged he is still learning about what the job involves.

"I don't know how much I enjoy it," Hodgson told reporters. "I enjoy the job of being the England national team manager and I accept the things that go with that. I certainly don't seek out the cameras but I know they're going to follow me and I have to learn to live with it. I'm sure I will get caught out on many occasions doing something I shouldn't!"

Hodgson also stated he believes the issue of a club versus country balance to be an ongoing issue.

He added: "We can never get away from the fact we as a national team don't pay the players. They play for the honour of representing their country, and their money and livelihood comes from the clubs. Which master do you serve, the one you want to because you want to play for your country or the one who pays your wages?

"It hasn't been a problem so far, the clubs have been very co-operative and there have been no problems with players. I've been party to it with Switzerland and Finland, situations where clubs have an important game coming up and would rather their player stay with them rather than risk injury. It's better now FIFA have these dates where the club game is closed down for 10 days. They're doing everything they can to ensure the clubs don't suffer from loaning their players out."

"The players do value it. On the evidence of the Euros, the commitment is first-class. Twenty-two million people in England tuned in to see our game against Italy - it's been suggested the national team is not viewed as being as important as the Champions League but more people watched our match than the Champions League final."

Hodgson also refused to be drawn on the issue of David Beckham’s exclusion from the Great Britain Olympic football team by coach Stuart Pearce, but said he is keen to see how the young side fares.

"Stuart was given the autonomy to select his team, it was his decision that David would not be a part of it and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to be involved in any comments towards that. I'm sure the decision has been debated pretty thoroughly but I've not been a part of it."

"It should be a very good event, and their group is a very interesting one. It's a very good competition because it's open to the top professionals, that's very different to the old days."

Great Britain will open its Olympic campaign at Old Trafford on July 26 when they take on Senegal.

 

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Wenger hopes preseason tour will unite Arsenal

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger believes the club's preseason tour of Asia will boost team spirit as the club braces itself for the potential departure of captain Robin van Persie.

The Gunners have travelled to Kuala Lumpur to face a Malaysian XI, and they will then move on to Hong Kong and China for further fixtures against Manchester City and Kitchee SC.

Goal.com revealed earlier in July that Van Persie had refused to travel with the squad as he looks to force a move to the Premier League champions, but the 62-year-old maintained that the squad were in good spirits.

Wenger told reporters: "It is an opportunity as well that people may not realise because we travel as a group of people from the club, [and we can] be together with people on the tour that we do not [have the opportunity to spend time with] during the season.

"The players will realise that this is a real organisation, because usually when the season starts we live in a bubble and just focus on the next game.

"So it creates a solidarity inside the club and the team, because we stay together and it is [usually] difficult in modern life to spend a lot of time together."

The Frenchman also spoke of the team’s aims for their tour of Asia, and he reserved special praise for those Arsenal fans who live in the Far East.

"We are here firstly to share with you the way we see and play football," he added.

"Secondly to prepare for a season that we hope will be very successful and thirdly to test the Malaysian XI, who promise us a hard time.

"Last year we discovered that we have many more fans in Asia than you can imagine. Not only do we have many fans, but they are also well-informed about our club and share the values of our club."

 

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Ibrahimovic to join up with Paris Saint-Germain squad in the United States on Tuesday

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will fly out to the United States on Tuesday to join the club's preseason tour and meet his new teammates.

The Sweden international completed a 23 million euro move from AC Milan to the Parisian outfit on July 18, just four days after Brazilian defender Thiago Silva went the same way.

The center back has not gone on the club's tour of the US as he is currently part of Mano Menezes' Selecao squad for the Olympics, but Ancelotti has stated that Ibrahimovic will join the squad for a few days on Tuesday, after previous reports had suggested he would be staying in France.

"Zlatan will arrive on Tuesday and will train for four or five days with the rest of the group before continuing his preparation at [PSG training centre] Camp des Loges," Ancelotti said at a press conference on Saturday.

"I'm not sure if he will play against DC United on July 29, first we must look at his physical condition."

Looking ahead to the season proper, the former Milan coach is confident that the Swede will provide a big boost for the French capital club.

"Zlatan has been an important player at every club he has played for, and I am sure his experience will help other players in the squad," Ancelotti continued. "He will be a very important player in the system we want to play."

The first friendly of PSG's US tour is against Chelsea, and kicks off on Sunday evening.

 

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Villas-Boas: Modric has made Daniel Levy 'very angry'

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has criticised midfielder Luka Modric for angering chairman Daniel Levy in trying to engineer a transfer away from White Hart Lane.

The Croatian tried to leave the North London club for Chelsea last summer, and is now looking to move to Spanish champion Real Madrid.

He has now reportedly failed to travel with Spurs for their preseason tour of the United States, and Villas-Boas has been scathing on his want-away star.

He told Spanish newspaper AS: "I think Modric is wrong. This will go against him.

“He has worsened the situation with what he's doing and now the chairman is very angry. This is also not a good time for Daniel Levy, who is in the USA at the moment, because his wife is ill."

However, the Portuguese manager admitted the loss of Modric would be a major loss for Spurs, who play three games in the space of a week, including Liverpool at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Villas-Boas added: "He's good, very good. I tried to sign him last summer for Chelsea.

“He will be a big loss. He's a player who can make the difference, who gives a lot of clarity to the play when the team needs it and who can play in several positions.”

Modric has also been fined 80,000 pounds by Tottenham for refusing to train, while Spurs will face Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in their first match on July 24th at the Home Depot Center.

 

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Ramsey hopeful contract rebel Van Persie will stay at Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey remains hopeful that club captain Robin van Persie will still be at the Emirates Stadium when the news season gets underway next month.

There has been much speculation over the Dutchman's future ever since he announced he would not be signing a new deal with the Gunners, and criticized the club over its transfer policy and the direction in which it was headed.

The 28-year-old scored 30 Premier League goals last season which went a long way towards helping Arsene Wenger's side secure third place, and midfielder Ramsey, currently preparing for the Olympics with Team GB, knows how difficult it would be to replace those goals.

He told the The Belfast Telegraph: "We don't know anything that goes on. We hope that he stays at Arsenal."He had a brilliant season last year and he is a big player for us, so we are just hopeful that he will stay."

Arsenal has already signed forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, perhaps with Van Persie's imminent departure in mind.

Arsenal's poor start last season was attributed, by many, to Wenger leaving its dealings in the transfer market until the last minute.

Ramsey is convinced if it gets its business done early it can make a better start to the upcoming campaign and possibly close the 19-point gap to second placed Manchester United.

He added: "If we get off to a better start this season than we did last season, we know we are capable of finishing pretty strongly, like we did last year."We have brought in a couple of players who are well-known and hopefully we can put ourselves in a position to compete early on."