..::Football II::..

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Wolverine GTR

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    Chelsea star Hazard apologizes for ball boy incident

    Disgraced Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has apologized for kicking a ball boy during his side’s Capital One Cup semifinal against Swansea.

    The incident, which occurred in the 80th minute and culminated in a red card for the Belgium international, overshadowed the Welsh side's progression to the Wembley showpiece on Feb. 24.

    Hazard has, however, revealed that he spoke with the youngster in the Chelsea dressing room at full time and insists that the issue is now over.

    "The boy put his whole body onto the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball and I think I kicked the ball and not the boy," Hazard told Chelsea TV. "I apologize. The ball boy came in the changing room and we had a quick chat and I apologised and the boy apologized as well, and it is over. Sorry."
     

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    :(United open to De Gea offers

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    Manchester United are willing to let goalkeeper David de Gea leave the club this summer following his erratic form, ESPN understands.

    De Gea, 22, came in for criticism at the weekend after his weak punch allowed Tottenham Hotspur to grab a late leveller at White Hart Lane.The mistake was not the Spaniard's first since his £18.5 million move from Atletico Madrid in 2011, and it has led to fresh conjecture over his future.

    ESPN understands that United are now open to offers for the shot-stopper, although nothing will happen until the summer.

    Despite a respect for the goalkeeper's basic talent at the club, there is an increasing feeling that his failure to adjust to life in England has contributed to, and exacerbated some, remaining flaws in his game - not least his physical presence at crosses.The mood and response following his latest mistake is said to be akin to when Tim Howard spilled a shot against Porto in the 2003-04 Champions League last 16, allowing Costinha to score the late goal that put United out of the competition.

    Following that error, Howard never fully recovered his starting position. Instead, Sir Alex Ferguson often rotated him with Roy Carroll before finally signing Edwin van der Sar in the summer of 2005.

    In the meantime, the Red Devils have been looking at options, but it is understood that there has been no contact with Barcelona's Victor Valdes.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Wenger: Arsenal have transfer work

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    Arsene Wenger shut down his post-match press conference early in order "to do some work" in the transfer market following Arsenal's 5-1 thrashing of West Ham on Wednesday.

    Wenger watched on as his side dismantled the Hammers, scoring four goals in ten minutes as they moved to within one point of fifth-placed Everton in the Premier League standings.

    However, when pressed on whether the win negated the need to sign any new players before the end of January, a cagey Wenger suggested there was still work to be done.

    Asked whether there were any updates, Wenger said: "No. That is why I have to shorten the press conference, because I have to do some work."Prior to that, the Frenchman revealed his delight over the Gunners' performance after coming from a goal down to claim three points in emphatic style.

    "We got a good response," he said. "West Ham were dangerous in the first half and from set-pieces. In the second half we created chance after chance.

    "I thought it was an interesting test (at 1-0). I couldn't predict we would score five, it was vital to equalise before half-time. It was a repetition of the game at West Ham when we were 1-0 down. Everybody can score against everybody."I never felt that the players didn't know how important it is. I was worried they were sometimes a bit inhibited.

    "Podolski was outstanding. He has an unbelievable shot, the 'keeper had no chance. It was new for us, we scored from a corner."I still believe (the left) is his best position. Yes, (he had one of his best games), he was also very good in the away game at West Ham."

    Meanwhile, Wenger's West Ham counterpart, Sam Allardyce, confirmed defender Daniel Potts was taken to hospital for the night after he was knocked out following a heavy collision with Bacary Sagna.

    "Potts has gone straight to hospital with concussion, he was unable to give the correct answers to the questions [from the doctors]," Allardyce explained."He hit the floor as a dead weight, was out for a few seconds and was not fully conscious when he came off."He was able to answer questions, but not in the right way, and they have protected his neck.

    "We were concerned at how long it took. But they have to make sure they protect the spine the right way getting them on the stretcher, that is why it took the time it did."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Manchester United consider Victor Wanyama bid after Sir Alex Ferguson watches Celtic star

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    Sky Sports understands that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a personal check on Celtic's Victor Wanyama, and is now weighing up a bid for the midfielder.

    Wanyama has been one of the stars of the season and has played a huge part in Celtic's progression beyond the Champions League group stages.The Scottish champions have been trying to tie him down to a new deal but, with no agreement on the horizon, a host of England's top clubs have been tracking his progress.

    Now, after receiving glowing reports from his scouts, including his brother Martin - his chief scout - Ferguson took the chance to watch him in action against Dundee United and Wanyama impressed by scoring in a 4-0 win.

    Now United are believed to be one of a number of clubs who could yet make a late swoop for Wanyama, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool all believed to be keeping close tabs on him although it is understood a move for the Celtic ace would need to be made by the weekend.

    However, Sky Sports understands that, because Wanyama is Kenyan, his work permit, which is more than likely to be granted, would need to go to appeal as his country are ranked outside the world's top 70, which is a criteria set in the UK.
    So, in order to finalise a deal for Wanyama, a bid would need to be made prior to next Thursday's deadline and most likely by the weekend to give the process enough time to be completed.
     

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    Xavi to sign new Barcelona contract on Monday

    Barcelona has announced that Xavi will sign a new contract on Monday.

    The Liga leader revealed in December that the 32-year-old had agreed to extend his current deal at the club, which is due to expire in June 2014.

    Tito Vilanova's side has now confirmed that the midfield star will put pen to paper at the beginning of next week, with the new deal set to keep him at the club until June 2016.

    The news follows Carles Puyol's decision to pen fresh terms at Camp Nou earlier this week, with the captain also signing an extension until 2016.

    Lionel Messi is also expected to sign a new deal in the coming weeks, with the Argentina attacker set to commit his future to the club until 2018.
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    rcccc

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    Swansea gahai neh Carling Cup 1ka:D:yes:
    :yes::yes:
    Britton: Swansea made history by making Capital One Cup final

    Leon Britton was elated with Swansea's progression from its Capital One Cup semi-final after a 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

    The Blues dominated possession but failed to breakthrough the hosts' solid defense, with Michael Laudrup's men also proving a danger on the counterattack.

    The stalemate at the Liberty Stadium sees the Welsh outfit win the tie 2-0 on aggregate, after an impressive victory in west London, and sets up a final at Wembley against League Two's Bradford.

    The midfielder insisted that the Swans had to be at their best in both games, but was delighted to see their hard work pay dividends as they set up a trophy chance.

    "It's unbelievable tonight," he told Sky Sports. "To do it over two legs against a team like Chelsea, the team have been brilliant in both games. Tonight we made history, which it great for Swansea. You wouldn't dream it.

    "Reaching the cup final beating Chelsea over two legs but the club has come on leaps and bounds in the last 10 years. It's great for the club, even in a sense of just reaching the final.

    "I think we've been a bit more attacking this year. [Laudrup's] brought in some obviously brilliant players along the way. He's just took us on another level again and we keep on improving."

    Though many will fancy the Premier League side to walkover its fourth-tier opponent in the final, Phil Parkinson's men have already knocked out Arsenal and Aston Villa and the Team GB star suggested it will not be straight forward.

    "I think they've done brilliant," he continued. "In the lead up to the final they beat a few Premier League teams on the way and Villa over two legs. It's going to be a great day but a really tough one."

    Ashley Williams, who was a rock at the heart of the Swans' defense on Wednesday night, agreed that the team got its tactics spot on, frustrating the likes of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba, and praised the collective defensive effort.

    He added: "At times I think it was like a bar fight when they were pushing on, but I think the team defended brilliantly.

    "That's what we worked on. Obviously bringing them back here we wanted to score a goal and keep a clean sheet. We didn't score but we've kept a clean sheet and the job got done in the end."
    :cool:
     

    rcccc

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    :(United open to De Gea offers

    daviddegeawoemanutdvnewcastle20121226_576x324.jpg


    Manchester United are willing to let goalkeeper David de Gea leave the club this summer following his erratic form, ESPN understands.

    De Gea, 22, came in for criticism at the weekend after his weak punch allowed Tottenham Hotspur to grab a late leveller at White Hart Lane.The mistake was not the Spaniard's first since his £18.5 million move from Atletico Madrid in 2011, and it has led to fresh conjecture over his future.

    ESPN understands that United are now open to offers for the shot-stopper, although nothing will happen until the summer.

    Despite a respect for the goalkeeper's basic talent at the club, there is an increasing feeling that his failure to adjust to life in England has contributed to, and exacerbated some, remaining flaws in his game - not least his physical presence at crosses.The mood and response following his latest mistake is said to be akin to when Tim Howard spilled a shot against Porto in the 2003-04 Champions League last 16, allowing Costinha to score the late goal that put United out of the competition.

    Following that error, Howard never fully recovered his starting position. Instead, Sir Alex Ferguson often rotated him with Roy Carroll before finally signing Edwin van der Sar in the summer of 2005.

    In the meantime, the Red Devils have been looking at options, but it is understood that there has been no contact with Barcelona's Victor Valdes.
    :shocked:
     
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    :(United open to De Gea offers

    daviddegeawoemanutdvnewcastle20121226_576x324.jpg


    Manchester United are willing to let goalkeeper David de Gea leave the club this summer following his erratic form, ESPN understands.

    De Gea, 22, came in for criticism at the weekend after his weak punch allowed Tottenham Hotspur to grab a late leveller at White Hart Lane.The mistake was not the Spaniard's first since his £18.5 million move from Atletico Madrid in 2011, and it has led to fresh conjecture over his future.

    ESPN understands that United are now open to offers for the shot-stopper, although nothing will happen until the summer.

    Despite a respect for the goalkeeper's basic talent at the club, there is an increasing feeling that his failure to adjust to life in England has contributed to, and exacerbated some, remaining flaws in his game - not least his physical presence at crosses.The mood and response following his latest mistake is said to be akin to when Tim Howard spilled a shot against Porto in the 2003-04 Champions League last 16, allowing Costinha to score the late goal that put United out of the competition.

    Following that error, Howard never fully recovered his starting position. Instead, Sir Alex Ferguson often rotated him with Roy Carroll before finally signing Edwin van der Sar in the summer of 2005.

    In the meantime, the Red Devils have been looking at options, but it is understood that there has been no contact with Barcelona's Victor Valdes.

    :oo::oo:
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Llorente to join Juventus in summer

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    Juventus have confirmed that Spain striker Fernando Llorente will join the club in the summer once his current contract with Athletic Bilbao expires.

    The Serie A champions announced that the 26-year-old forward has agreed terms on a four-year contract which runs until June 2017.

    "Juventus can confirm that Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente will join the club on 1 July 2013," a club statement read.Llorente, a world and European champion with his country, was a key part of the Athletic side which reached the finals of the Europa League and the Copa del Rey last season.

    However, his subsequent stalling over a new deal at the San Mames and his desire to leave the club which he joined as a youth player led to him being frozen out by manager Marcelo Bielsa.This season, Llorente has started just one league game for Athletic, having scored 16 goals in 32 games in the competition for them last season.

    In nine years with the Basque club Llorente has made 334 appearances and scored 104 goals in all competitions, netting a career best 29 last term as he helped them to two cup finals, both of which ended in defeat.

    He was also a member of the Spain squads which lifted the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, recording seven goals in his 21 caps to date.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha to have Manchester United medical in next 48 hours


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    Sky Sports sources understand Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is set to have a medical at Manchester United in the next 48 hours.

    Zaha has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford move and it appears he is poised to take the next step towards joining the Premier League giants.Speculation suggests United have agreed a deal worth £15million for the talented youngster, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham.

    The 20-year-old is understood to be heading for a medical at United before the end of the week, which could pave the way for his big-money move.

    Reports claim the once-capped England international will sign a five-and-a-half year deal and will be loaned back to Palace for the remainder of the season.Ian Holloway's side are keen to keep their prized asset as they push for promotion to the Premier League for the first time in eight years.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    :yes:Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea regards himself as first-choice

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    Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has insisted he regards himself as the No.1 for the Premier League leaders.

    The Spaniard could find himself back on the bench for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Fulham as Sir Alex Ferguson continues to utilise the former Atletico Madrid man and fellow shot-stopper Anders Lindegaard.

    De Gea made a number of superb saves during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane but was heavily criticised by Sky Sports expert Gary Neville for his weak punch which contributed to Clint Dempsey's last-gasp leveller.

    The 22-year-old has made 22 appearances for the Red Devils this term and feels his form benefits when he is afforded more regular action with the side.

    "From the moment I signed I considered myself the first-choice keeper at the club but it's down to the manager," De Gea told the Daily Mirror."He rotates us when he feels it's good for the team. But obviously I've played a few on the bounce now and that's positive.

    "For a goalkeeper it's always important to have consistency and to be playing regularly. It's good for confidence and morale."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Stekelenburg reveals growing frustration at Roma

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    Roma's Dutch shot-stopper Maarten Stekelenburg has criticized boss Zdenek Zeman for dropping him in recent weeks, adding he found it "totally pointless" bringing in another goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea.


    Despite starting the season as the Giallorossi's number one, the 30-year-old has slid down the pecking order and admits it has been difficult to watch from the sidelines, which has fueled speculation that he could join Fulham in the transfer window.

    "The last game I played before the Coppa Italia semifinal was on December 11 against Atalanta. That’s six weeks, which is a lot to deal with," he told Dutch site Sport Promotion. "I had an injury, but then Goicoechea took my place. Why did Zeman lose faith in me? I don’t know, we never spoke about it and there is nothing I can do to change this situation.

    "I thought it was totally pointless buying Goicoechea, considering we already had Bogdan Lobont in the squad. What was the need for a third goalkeeper?

    "I want to play, not stay on the bench."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Zaccardo joins AC Milan

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    Cristian Zaccardo has spoken of his pride after completing his move from Parma to AC Milan.The defender's agent revealed earlier on Thursday that the player was set to seal a switch to San Siro, with the deal likely to be confirmed on Friday after the 31-year-old completed a medical.Zaccardo has since spoken of his delight at having completed a transfer on Thursday evening, telling Milan's official TV channel: "I am proud to have joined Milan. The negotiations started a few weeks ago and now I am here.

    "I can play in the center of defense or at full back and I will give my best. I am 31 and I come here after playing a lot of matches in Serie A. I know some of the players and I will meet the rest on Friday."

    Algeria midfielder Djamel Mesbah has completed his switch to Parma as part of the deal, with the club's general manager Pietro Leonardi adding that Rodney Strasser was also to be included in the exchange.

    "We are finalizing the exchange between Zaccardo and (Djamel) Mesbah with AC," Leonardi was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "Strasser could also be included in the deal, the negotiations are well underway."
     
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