..::Football II::..

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Pogba: I want to become the world's best player at Juventus

Paul Pogba hopes that his transfer to Juventus can help fulfil his dream of becoming "the best player in the world".

The France youth international turned down a new contract at Manchester United in the search of more regular first-team football, and impressed on his Bianconeri debut against Chievo at the weekend.

Pogba understands his chances may be limited in such a competitive midfield, but is determined to seize the opportunity when it arises, as he expressed his hopes for the coming season and his long-term ambitions.

"I want to be the best, so you have to play with the best at the best clubs," he told RMC.

"My goal is to play 25 games this year and be one of the top five young players in the world. With France, I must skip some steps. To play at the World Cup in Brazil is an objective."

The 19-year-old is yet to represent Les Bleus' senior side, but will be hoping to feature against Roma on Saturday.

 

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Alexis Sanchez: My best is yet to come at Barcelona

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez has criticized his performances for the club so far and stressed that his best is yet to come in a Barca shirt.

The Chilean international scored 15 times in 34 appearances for the Blaugrana last season and though many would be satisfied with that tally, the 23-year-old feels he still has much to prove.

"I would give myself five out of 10 so far," he told reporters at a press conference.

"I can give a lot more to the side and I know how good of a player I am. The best Alexis has yet to arrive.

"I accept the criticism [from the press] because it makes me stronger."

Sanchez has made six appearances so far this season, with competition for places heightened by the return from injury of David Villa and the emergence of youngster Cristian Tello - a reality welcomed by the winger.

"I have to earn a spot in the line-up each week," he concluded.

 

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Colchester sign Arsenal youngsters Watt and Eastmond on loan

Arsenal youngsters Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt have joined League One side Colchester United on three-month loan deals.

The 21-year-olds have both tasted first-team football at the Emirates Stadium in the past, and both have played important roles in the reserves so far this season.

Watt, a former England Under-19 striker, has scored four goals in four games for the Gunners' second string this campaign, and he has been sent on several similar loan deals in the past, spending time at Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Crawley and Southend over the last two seasons.

Eastmond, a midfielder who played 14 games for Wycombe Wanderers last season, has represented Arsene Wenger's first team on 10 occasions, including a UEFA Champions League fixture away to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Both players were involved in Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia this summer, where they faced a Malaysian XI, Manchester City and Kitchee. Watt and Eastmond are new Colchester boss Joe Dunne's second and third loan signings since taking over from John Ward on Thursday, with MK Dons striker Jabo Ibehre also bolstering the ranks for the struggling League One side.

 

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QPR agree 4 million pound Hoilett settlement fee with Blackburn

QPR have agreed a settlement fee with Blackburn Rovers worth up to 4 million pounds for summer signing Junior Hoilett.

The two clubs have come to an amicable agreement over a compensation figure for the winger following two months of negotiations, which will avoid the case going to a tribunal.

Rangers will pay Rovers 3 million pounds rising to 4 million for Hoilett, who signed for Mark Hughes’ team in July after his Ewood Park contract had expired.

Although the 22-year-old had become a free agent, UEFA rules state that Blackburn is entitled to a training fee because the player is under the age of 24.

Hoilett joined the Blackburn academy as a 13-year-old and went on to make 92 appearances for the first team before he moved to Loftus Road on July 27 after signing a four-year contract.

Blackburn was hopeful that a tribunal would award a similar fee for Hoilett to the 6 million pounds paid by Chelsea to Manchester City when it signed Daniel Sturridge in 2009 but a maximum 4 million is enough to convince the Championship club to stay out of court.

Hoilett was one of 11 new players signed by QPR during the summer in what was a radical overhaul of a squad that only avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of last season.

The Canadian claimed he shunned interest from Liverpool, Newcastle United and Sunderland to join the west Londoners.

 

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Barton: FA should be embarrassed by Terry punishment

Marseille midfielder Joey Barton says the FA should be "ashamed of themselves" for only giving Chelsea captain John Terry a four-game ban for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

The former England captain was also fined 220,000 pounds, but has the option to appeal all the punishments given to him by English football's governing body.

However, Barton feels infuriated by the decision as he believes the 31-year-old has gotten off lightly considering the reprimands given to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez last season, and his own 12-game ban for violent conduct against Manchester City last season."4 games? A years worth of investigation, a four day FA hearing and only a 4 game ban? Suarez got 8 didn't he?" Barton said on twitter.

"Well I think that proves a lot. What an absolute farce. 12 games for violent conduct and only 4 for that. FA should be embarrassed"The midfielder is incensed that he got a more severe punishment after lashing out at several Manchester City players on the final day of last season.

"12 games!!! By the FA's perverse reckoning, I'd of got less of a ban for racially abusing the Man City players than tickling them as I did. In what circumstance can that be right?" he asked."I'm not complaining because without the ban I might not be playing for Olympique d'Marseille. Every cloud and all that.

"Had a vivid dream last night involving Terry, a roaring crowd and a firing squad. Ah, not the turnout I expected."

 

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Klose handball confession draws praise from FIFA president Sepp Blatter

Miroslav Klose's confession that he used his hand when scoring a goal for Lazio in its clash with Napoli has brought praise from FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.



The veteran international forward scored in the fourth minute of Wednesday night's game but, after initially celebrating, he went to inform the referee that the goal should not stand, and it was then disallowed.The 34-year-old received praise from numerous plaudits for his honesty in the clash, which the Biancocelesti eventually lost 3-0.

Blatter wrote on his Twitter account: “Bravo Miro Klose. With your gesture you have shown yourself to be a champion and a proper player.”Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso also expressed his delight at the example the former Bayern Munich attacker set at the Stadio San Paolo.

“We should praise the honesty of Klose,” the former Real Madrid player told Mediaset Premium. “We must honor this gesture. It is an example for all children to follow.”

 

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Ryan Tunnicliffe's father cashes in big on son's Manchester United debut

Ryan Tunnicliffe has won his father 10,000 pounds ($16,222) by making his first competitive debut for Manchester United in Wednesday's 2-1 League Cup win over Newcastle.


The 19-year-old came on to replace fellow debutant Marnick Vermijl at Old Trafford, which was not only a personal highlight for the former Peterborough loanee, but a family highlight as his father’s 10-year-old 100/1 bet finally paid out.

Mick Tunnicliffe was so certain that his son would make it as a professional soccer player that he placed a 100-pound bet at bookmakers William Hill on his son playing a competitive first-team game for Manchester United.

The bet was looking good as Tunnicliffe progressed through United’s youth set-up, even captaining the academy to an FA Youth Cup triumph two years ago.

With 10,000 pounds already in his pocket, Mick Tunnicliffe will be hoping his son eventually makes an England debut, as he put on another bet of the same amount at the same time, but with odds of 350/1, which, if eventually successful, would pay out a further 35,000 pounds.

“The last time a bet of this nature cost us 10,000 pounds was when Chris Kirkland made his debut in goal for England, also landing a 100-pound bet for his father,” said William Hill's media relations manager, Graham Sharpe. “We will obviously be paying close attention to the progress of Ryan’s career in the future.”

 

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Joachim Low relishing Schweinsteiger's Germany return

Germany coach Joachim Low said he is thrilled by the prospect of welcoming Bastian Schweinsteiger back to the national fold.


The 28-year-old midfielder was left out of the squad for Die Mannschaft's World Cup qualifiers against Faroe Islands and Austria, with Low insisting at the time that he hoped the break from international duties would help him rediscover his best form.

Schweinsteiger has since been in impressive form for his club as Bayern Munich has romped to five wins from five at the start of the Bundesliga campaign, and Low has indicated his delight at the thought of the midfielder returning to international duties.

"Yes, I am looking forward to his return [to the national team]," Low told Bild. In the form he is currently showing, he would be a great addition to any team. He has a personality that shows great presence on the pitch. Especially in those moments when things do not go well, he is someone who takes responsibility and leads the way."

Low was also quick to praise forward Lukas Podolski, who he believes will thrive at new club Arsenal after his summer switch from Koln.

"Lukas has enormous qualities," Low said. "He scored 44 goals in 103 matches for us, and he was a vital factor for our successful offensive play during the last tournaments. He has power and strength and by joining Arsenal he chose the right way for now. Now he meets world-class players in every training session. He will be tested every day and he will make another step forward."

Germany followed a 3-0 win over Faroe Islands with a narrow 2-1 victory against Austria in Vienna, and Low admitted that he is hoping for an improvement when they take on Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland next month.

"In Vienna we put in a bad performance in many ways," Low said. "We didn't show all of our strength on that day. That goes for our style of play and for our organisation, as well. We have to find stability and get back to the way we've played recently for the next games."

 

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Tottenham midfielder Jenas joins Nottingham Forest on one-month loan

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has joined Nottingham Forest on a one-month emergency loan deal.

The 29-year-old Jenas, who left the City Ground for Newcastle United in 2002, spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, but he managed just three appearances before rupturing his Achilles and spent the following six months on the sidelines.

Jenas made his return for Spurs as a substitute against West Brom in August, but he has not featured since and now hopes the loan spell will help bring along his return to match fitness.

Jenas will be available to Sean O'Driscoll for selection against Derby County on Sunday.

 

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Arsenal announces pre-tax profit of 46 million euros for 2011-12

Arsenal has announced a pre-tax profit of 46 million euros on turnover of 306 million euros for 2011-12.

The club also confirmed player trading profit of 33 million euros following the sale of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.


After a summer that saw the arrival of Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun, Gervinho, Park Chu-Young, Andre Santos and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the north Londoners have also seen their wage bill jump from 157 million euros to 181 million, leaving only City, Chelsea and Manchester United ahead of them.

Arsene Wenger spoke about the club's financial position - something he has kept a keen interest in during his time at the club.

He told reporters: "We want to spend our money in the right way. We are not scared to spend the money.

"With some clubs we can't compete on certain players - and for the rest, we only want to bring in players who add something to our squad and give a chance as well to the young players we have.

"We have good players, because to buy one more, we have to get one out.

Reflecting on the expected announcement, he added: "Our numbers are good. Under the actual circumstances this is quite positive because the whole [global] environment is not positive.

"We are very lucky because we have a good support and the income of our gates is very high.

"We have to maintain that by keeping our fans happy and to continue to manage well in the way that we do it."

The overall turnover figure of 306 million euros is down on 2010-11's 322 million on account of a reduction in property activity. The figure is split between 120 million in matchday income, 107 million for broadcasting payments, 66 million for commercial projects and retail, 9.6 million on property and 3.7 million on player trading.

 

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Pardew signs new eight-year deal with Newcastle

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has signed a new eight-year deal with the club which will see him remain at the Sports Direct Arena until the 2019-20 season.

The 51-year-old has been handed the extension along with three members of his coaching staff John Carver, Steve Stone and Andy Woodman.

Pardew guided the Magpies to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season, helping the Premier League club qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley has decided to reward the former Charlton boss and his coaches for the team's performance last season and to bring long-term stability to the club.

Managing Director Derek Llambias hailed Pardew and is looking to emulate the success of Manchester United and Arsenal who have shown that keeping faith with the manager is a productive formula for building a winning team.

"If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success, and that is the model we wish to emulate here," Llambias said in a statement.

"We're looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010."

 

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Tottenham assistant manager Freund talks up League Cup chances

Tottenham assistant manager Steffen Freund has fond memories of winning the League Cup during his Spurs playing career, and believes that the current side can start to dream of bringing the trophy back to White Hart Lane this year.

Andre Villas-Boas' men booked their place in the last 16 with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Carlisle on Wednesday evening, and Freund sees no reason why they cannot go all the way in the competition.

"It is special to go to Wembley and I think the players will start to think about that now," Freund told the Daily Telegraph. "I know eight Premier League sides are already out, and there are only two games and then we are in the semifinal."

Spurs secured their third round victory after making eight changes to the side that beat QPR in the Premier League at the weekend, and Freund believes this is testament to the strength in depth at Villas-Boas' disposal.

The German coach was particularly excited by the performances of some of the younger players brought into the side, as well as some senior players who have been on the fringes of the first team so far this season.

"We brought a few young players in and we believe in them all," Freund continued. "Adam Smith was fantastic at right back and Ryan Mason has been scoring in the development squad, so we knew he can play. Then in the center of midfield Tom Huddlestone is back after his injury, Michael Dawson is back.

"There are young players coming through which is nice to see, and it is especially nice to know that we have someone [Andros Townsend] behind Gareth Bale who can jump in and create something. Don't forget, we have several injured players and still had a fantastic, strong team on the pitch today. We deserved to win in the end and it was difficult for Carlisle to create chances. That's why I'm really happy, as is the whole of the coaching staff."

The only question mark from the evening was the non-involvement of new signing Hugo Lloris, with Carlo Cudicini given a run-out between the sticks and Heurelho Gomes taking a place on the bench.

However, Freund refused to be drawn on when the French international will make the number one jersey his own.

"I think at the moment we are just going from game to game," he said. "It is not the right moment to talk about individual players because we had a fantastic performance as a team today. Let's see tomorrow who is available for [Saturday's league game with] Manchester United."

 

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Xavi: Abidal could return in November

Barcelona star Xavi has revealed that Eric Abidal could be back in first team action as early as November.

The defender has been sidelined since April following a liver transplant, but stated back in August that he was hoping to be playing again by December this year.

Blaugrana teammate Xavi has now indicated that the France international could return to the side by the end of the autumn, and has hailed the 33-year-old's commitment to regaining his fitness after such a lengthy layoff.

"He's amazing. An example," he told Sport, "Not only is he a great professional, he is in the gym every day, morning and evening. I'm not going to say it will for sure be in November, but it's true that it will be between November and December."

The 32-year-old was quick to laud the impact Abidal has had on the Barcelona camp, and believes he sets a fine example to the youngsters at the club.

"He animates the dressing room, it's him who puts music on. It seems that he is happier with us than he was in the past," he continued. "He is a person who should stay at the club as an example to the young players."

Xavi was likewise effusive in his praise of Javier Mascherano and Jose Pinto, claiming that the presence of such players creates a "unique" atmosphere in the dressing room.

"Mascherano is another example, how he trains, how he has adapted to the club, how he speaks. He is a leader in the dressing room and on the pitch," he added. "Pinto is another example. It's extraordinary in this dressing room. I'm telling the truth. This dressing room is unique."

 

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Arsenal defender Andre Santos banned from driving for 12 months after speeding offense

Arsenal left back Andre Santos has been banned from driving for 12 months after admitting to driving at speeds of up to 145 miles per hour.


A court heard how the 29-year-old, who was signed from Turkish side Fenerbahce last summer, failed to stop when pursued by police and switched between lanes on a busy motorway on Aug. 17. The Brazilian eventually pulled his Maserati up close to Arsenal's training ground after speeding on the A1 and M25 in Hertfordshire.

Santos pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention at a hearing at Hendon Magistrates' Court, and has been handed a 4,500 euro fine by the court in addition to the driving ban.

Santos has only made two appearances for Arsenal so far this season, one in the Premier League and one in the League Cup, with Kieran Gibbs impressing in the left back role.

 

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Neven Subotic explains Arjen Robben taunt

Neven Subotic has claimed his mocking of Arjen Robben’s decisive penalty miss in Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Bayern Munich last campaign was down to a rush of blood rather than any malice towards the Holland international.



Subotic immediately confronted Robben to taunt him after his 84th minute penalty was saved in April.

Dortmund held on in the game to win 1-0 and eventually become Bundesliga champion. Nearly six months on, the Serbian defender attributes his action to an adrenaline rush over any dislike of Robben personally.

"On the one hand, people say 'Neven, you're so stupid, why are you doing this?' On the other hand, I know that it was an instinct,” said Subotic. "It was not a thought thing. If you have a 200-pulse on the pitch, it is best not to explain everything.”

Dortmund entertains Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday while Bayern travels to Werder Bremen the same day with the two teams meeting again on Dec. 1 at Allianz Arena.

 

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Neymar thrilled to add Recopa Sudamericana to Santos' trophy case

Neymar has revealed how elated he was after helping Santos beat Universidad de Chile 2-0 to lift the club's first-ever Recopa Sudamericana, the trophy contested between the champions of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.



Goals from Bruno Rodrigo and Neymar himself were enough to seal the trophy for the Brazilians, and the forward, who also missed a penalty in the match, expressed his delight at winning the cup.

“I'm extremely happy. A lot of people downplayed this competition, but we took it very seriously,” Neymar told AP. “It's another title for us, it was a trophy we had never won.”
Goalkeeper Rafael also felt his side were good value for their victory over the Chilean outfit.“We deserved it, we played well the entire match,” added Rafael. "We fought hard to get here, following the Copa Libertadores title that we won last year.”

The Santos victory means Brazilian teams have now won more Sudamericana titles than any other South American nation.

 

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Falcao: I'm not trying to compete with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has stressed that he is completely focused on his own performances and is not looking to measure himself against Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Colombia international revealed earlier this summer that he is ready to compete with the duo for the Pichichi trophy, but Falcao has made it clear that helping Atletico to success is his main priority.

"I did not say I wanted to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi," Falcao was quoted as saying by AS. "I simply want to score goals to help my team, nothing more. At the end we'll see where I am.

"The most important thing is that the team fulfills their objectives. We are competing with 19 other teams, not only against Madrid and Barca."

Falcao has netted seven goals in five La Liga appearances so far this term.

 

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Jozy Altidore scores for AZ in easy cup win over Veendam

Jozy Altidore kept up his goalscoring ways on Thursday, netting a penalty kick in AZ's 4-1 KNVB Cup win over SC Veendam, which plays in the Dutch second division.

AZ was ahead 3-0 when it was awarded a penalty kick in the 76th minute, which the American striker stepped up and buried to the goalkeeper's right. Viktor Elm had already scored a hat trick for the Eredivisie side, which now advances to the third round of the Dutch cup competition.

The goal was Altidore's eighth in all competitions this season. The 22-year-old leads the Eredivisie with seven goals in his club's first six league matches. The team has posted a 2-2-2 record in those half-dozen games.

The Alkmaar club now turns its attention back to league play, where it will face RKC Waalwijk at home on Sunday.

 

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Pelé says Brazil does not have a cohesive team yet

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Brazil must form a cohesive team in order to lift the World Cup on home soil in two years, according to Pelé.

The former Seleção star said the collective unit under Mano Menezes isn't strong enough yet to withstand the withering pressure associated with trying to lift a sixth World Cup title.

Pelé said Menezes is a “little insecure” at the moment and he must find a way to combine the talents of his stars to create a team capable of meeting those lofty expectations.

“Sometimes, you have excellent players, but you do not have a team,” Pelé said during a press conference to announce a partnership between Sovereign | Santander and the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

“I think what Brazil needs is a team. We've played several games. More or less, we've played good and then we've played bad.”

In order to rectify the concerns surrounding that spotty form, Menezes and the Brazilian team should look back to how the dominant 1970 side managed to secure the title in Mexico, according to Pelé. Brazil coach Mário Zagallo leaned on the best players from the top domestic sides to construct one of most formidable teams in history.

While current boss Mano Menezes must assemble his unit from a wider pool of candidates, he should follow a similar template in order to form a solid unit, the former Santos icon said.

“They made a team first,” Pelé said. “That was the most important thing in 1970. Today, Brazil has had a team [under Menezes] for almost one year and a half, two years, and he doesn't have a team. This, I think, will be something they should change going into the World Cup. I think we need to get the right team.”

Fortunately for Brazil and Menezes, there is still time to forge the necessary understanding before the World Cup arrives in two years. Pelé said he has no doubt that Brazil possesses enough talent to create a cohesive starting XI and lift the World Cup in front of its expectant fans.

“Brazil has excellent players, no doubt,” Pelé said. “Excellent players. The best players all over the world, you'll find Brazilians. But, as a team, we are not organized yet.”

 

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Pelé: Spain is the best team in the world today

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Pelé labeled Spain as the best team in the world today, but he said he isn't sure if the all-conquering side will retain the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

“Listen, what they're going to do in the World Cup, we don't know, but today, they are the best team,” Pelé said during a press conference to announce a partnership between Sovereign | Santander and the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Thursday afternoon.


The former Brazil great said he has monitored Vicente Del Bosque's side since its rise to prominence ahead of Euro 2008 and tracked its growth over the past few years.

Much of the Spanish success comes from the cohesive dynamic between the players rather than the surplus of individual talent at Del Bosque's disposal, according to Pelé.

“I admire them because I have followed the national team since four or five years ago,” Pelé said. “All of those years, they play very good. They have a nice team. It's not only individual players.”

Whether those players find some way to build upon their success at Euro 2012 and claim the first World Cup for a European side on South American soil remains uncertain.

Even if Del Bosque's side does not maintain its place at the top of international football in two years' time, it will pose a significant threat to win the tournament, according to the three-time World Cup winner.

“No doubt, they'll be one of the best teams in Brazil,” Pelé said. “No doubt. If they don't have injuries, today, they are the most organized team in the world.”