..::Football II::..

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'Let's wait and see' - Schurrle hints at Chelsea move

The Bayer Leverkusen forward said he spoke with the newly appointed Blues boss after playing under him in a charity friendly organized by Michael Ballack in Germany Chelsea could be edging closer in its pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle after the player spoke with Jose Mourinho on Wednesday.

The German international had a chance encounter with the Blues boss during a 'World XI' v 'Ballack and friends' charity fixture in Leipzig, Germany.

Mourinho managed the World XI side in the friendly fixture, after which the Leverkusen striker added more fuel to the speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge.

"Yes, we talked together. He is also my coach today, in this farewell match of Michael Ballack," commented Schurrle.

When asked if he expected to be wearing the blue jersey of Chelsea next season, the German replied: "Let's wait, let's see what happens."

The 22-year-old has scored 23 goals in 83 appearances for Leverkusen since moving to Mainz in 2011, and has scored seven times in 24 outings for the German national team.

Chelsea is also hoping to capture Vitesse's Marco van Ginkel and Roma's Daniele De Rossi as Mourinho begins to put his own stamp on the Blues' squad.

 

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Arbeloa: Mourinho will never return to Madrid

The Spanish fullback does not believe that his former coach will ever work at the Bernabeu again but is full of praise for the 50-year-old.Alvaro Arbeloa believes that Jose Mourinho will never coach Real Madrid again after he left the Santiago Bernabeu to take over at Chelsea.

The Portuguese ended his three-year reign in the Spanish capital after a trophyless season but president Florentino Perez hinted that he could come back to the club.

However, Arbeloa believes that his time with los Blancos is over but says he thoroughly enjoyed working with the former Inter boss.

"I can’t imagine Mourinho ever returning to Real Madrid," he told La Sexta. "There are people who do not like to have a coach who will not let you relax. I prefer people like Mourinho, who tells you exactly what he wants.”

Arbeloa has been singled out as a weak link in the Madrid side over the last year and the Spain international admits that he must improve.

"It has been my worst season since I arrived. I've not produced good enough performances and I am aware of that.”

Arbeloa is part of Spain’s Confederation Cup team who will travel to Brazil and will face Uruguay in their first tournament match on June 16.

 

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Del Bosque: We haven't found a striker we like

The Spain boss says he will be using a forward at the Confederations Cup, but lamented his lack of striking options Spain boss Vicente del Bosque admits that he does not have a striker who he can truly rely on at his disposal.

The world champions used midfielder Cesc Fabregas as a 'False nine' and despite taking David Villa, Fernando Torres and Roberto Soldado to Brazil, the 62-year-old says he might continue with the system.

“We’ll be playing with a striker, that’s quite clear – even if it’s a false nine or an out-and-out striker. As a rule, every team should play with a No. 9 but we haven’t found one we all like,” he told Diario de la Roja.

"Maybe that’s our fault. A few have been given run-outs, Negredo, Torres, Soldado, even Villa hasn't really bowled us over either. “We need players up front who participate, ones who are visible and actively taking part during the game”.
Del Bosque went on to say that he wants Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez to showcase his best form for his country.

“I've said it many times and I won’t mince my words – I think he is capable of giving a lot more, he needs to participate more during Bayern’s games and exert more control in his own game. He performed well in the Champions League final and that’s something.

“He’s also first choice in the team. Whenever we haven’t called him, it’s been because we haven’t liked how he has been playing but there’s never been a problem about that because he’s a good lad.”

The former Real Madrid boss also reserved praise for Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez of Uruguay, whom they face in Brazil.

“They have two top-level strikers in Cavani and Suarez – two players who are on the agendas of a lot of big clubs," he added.

"Apart from that, they are a very well-organized side who know what they are doing from defense to attack. They are hard-working and tough, they’re not the kind of team to lose their nerve."

 

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Ronaldo is the only choice for the Ballon d'Or, says Ozi


The 24-year-old says his Real Madrid colleague is by far the best player in the world, better even than his international teammates Mesut Ozil believes his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is the clear front-runner for the Ballon d'Or.

The Portuguese scored 55 goals in as many appearances for his club this season and the German playmaker feels he deserves to pip Lionel Messi to the award.

"He is very important for the team and also plays well in almost every game, no matter the competition,” he told Die Welt.

“I see it every day in training, what he does, how he works. Cristiano is the best. Sorry to my international teammates, but there's still the Best Player in Europe Award!

"Only Ronaldo can win the Ballon d'Or."

Ozil scored 10 goals over the course of 2012-13, setting up a further 23 for teammates.

 

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Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director: Ter Stegen will stay

Fohlen sporting director Max Eberl has insisted that the club has no intention of letting the young goalkeeper leave despite interest from Barcelona Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has reiterated that young goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will remain at the club next season.

The Germany international has widely been linked with a move to Barcelona to replace the want-away Victor Valdes but the 39-year-old insists he will be staying put.

"Ter Stegen has told various media that will stay in Monchengladbach so we do not need to add any more," he told Sky Sport Germany.

Eberl went on to say that the future is bright for the Borussia Park outfit, citing the number of players the side has at the Under-21 European Championship.

"We are represented with the same amount of players [as Barcelona] in the Under-21 Euros and that the club is in a very good way and it is a reward for everyone at Borussia Monchengladbach."

Since making his Gladbach debut in 2011, the keeper has made almost 100 appearances for the club.

 

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Ronaldo: Portugal completely ready for Russia


The Real Madrid star believes his national team will be prepared to give its all ahead of a crunch game against Fabio Capello's side Cristiano Ronaldo believes Portugal is “motivated and 100 percent ready” ahead of Friday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Russia at the Estadio de Luz.

The Seleccao have started their quest to reach Brazil next year in poor fashion, drawing two and losing one of their six games and the Real Madrid star says his side needs a result.

“It’s a very important match for us. We don’t have much room for error," he told the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF)'s official website."We’re playing at home, I’m expecting a great atmosphere. What we want is to win and give all our fellow Portuguese something to shout about.

“The players come into this match after a long, hard season, but playing for your country is always a source of pride and we know that this is the final sprint before going on holiday and having a rest.”After Friday's clash with Russia, Paulo Bento's side takes on Croatia in a friendly on June 10.

 

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Iniesta targets Confederations Cup glory

The Spaniard is determined to snatch the only trophy that eludes him at international level and insists German football has not surpassed La Liga.Andres Iniesta is confident Spain can claim its first-ever Confederations Cup title in Brazil.

The midfielder was part of the Roja squad that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.

However, the country has never claimed FIFA's second competition but Iniesta is determined to put that right in Brazil this summer.

"We will win the Confederations Cup, the last title that we lack," he told Spanish magazine Minuto 116. "But it is becoming more difficult to win trophies with Spain as teams want to beat us after our recent success."

Iniesta scored the winning goal in the 1-0 World Cup final win over Netherlands and he dedicated his strike to Dani Jarque, who passed away on the training ground after suffering a cardiac arrest in 2009.

"The emotional connotation of the goal of the World Cup for me is that I dedicate the goal to Dani Jarque, so that everyone will remember not only me, but him too, forever," he said.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich claimed Champions League semifinal victories over Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, but the Blaugrana star insists that La Liga is still the pinnacle of football.

"To those who say that there is change of cycle in European football, I'd say it's more a matter of desire or volume of support," he said. "But the reality is that there is not. There are no arguments to say that, it is out of place."

The 29-year-old also conceded that it has not been a great year for Barcelona despite winning La Liga and suggests that off-the-field incidents, such as Eric Abidal and Tito Vilanova's health issues, have not helped the club's cause.

"This has not been an easy year, we have had many negative things, very important circumstances, maybe from outside, are not perceived as crucial in day to day," he went on. "It was painful to fall short in the Champions League."

 

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Aubameyang admits PSG and Dortmund interest

The Gabon international has had a fine season for Saint-Etienne and his talent has caught the attention of the Bundesliga giant.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says a move to Borussia Dortmund would interest him but he has not ruled out a switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

Aubameyang, 23, scored 19 league goals this year and is being chased by a host of top European clubs with Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen being the latest teams to have been credited with an interest in the Gabon international.

Although the striker has not made a decision on his future yet, he says a move to Germany's top flight is an option he would consider.

"The club [Bayer Leverkusen] have expressed an interest to Saint-Etienne and my father," he told RMC. "During each match I was being watched. They have an interesting project, but I have to consider all offers. There is also Dortmund.

"Today, there are major championships such as Germany and England. I see myself in one of these countries but my dream is still to play in Spain. I still have much work to go to a big club like Real Madrid. But I'm leaning more towards a move to Germany because it is a league that is improving."

The forward also did not rule out a possible switch to Ligue 1 champion PSG, though no official offer from les Parisiens has been made.

"[The possibility of a move to PSG] is not to be neglected," he added. "But we need a proposal. If it is done, I will investigate it. The project could be interesting since the club plays in the Champions League."

Aubameyang helped Saint-Etienne win the Coupe de la Ligue, the club's first major trophy in 32 years, in April, but concedes it is unlikely that he will stay at the side beyond the summer.

"There is a good chance that I will leave the club," he continued. "The proposals are there but you have to leave it with the board now.

"I do not know at all where I'm going, but I think it was my last season at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard."

 

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Fulham confirms Stekelenburg signing


The Netherlands international has penned a four-year deal following a switch from Roma.Fulham has confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Roma on a four-year deal.

The 30-year-old becomes the third major signing of the transfer window following the arrivals of defender Fernando Amorebieta and midfielder Derek Boateng.

"I am very happy to be joining Fulham, and to have everything sorted out so early in the summer, so I can really focus on preparations for playing in the Premier League next season," Stekelenburg told the club's official website.

"It’s good that I’ll be joining Martin [Jol] again, he knows my capabilities very well, so I am just looking forward to joining up with the team in pre-season and enjoying some time with them prior to the new season starting."

Manager Martin Jol expressed his delight at finally securing the Netherlands international's signature.

Jol added: "Maarten Stekelenburg is a fine quality goalkeeper who I know well from my time working with him at Ajax and of course as the Dutch international goalkeeper I have always had an additional interest in his career. I am sure that he will do well here at Fulham in the Premier League.

"He is a player of great quality and technical ability whose distribution and ability to react quickly and read the game is exceptional; he will be a fantastic addition to the talented team of keepers that we already have."

 

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Congratulations Steke!

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Arsenal to release Arshavin, Denilson and Squillaci

The three players managed just 96 minutes of Premier League action between them last season, with the Brazilian midfielder on loan at Sao Paulo and the other two out of favor Arsenal has announced that Andrey Arshavin, Denilson and Sebastien Squillaci will leave the club this summer when their contracts expire.

The trio's deals end on June 30 and they will be allowed to find another club after failing to earn a place in the Gunners' starting XI last season.

Arshavin made 144 appearances since his 15 million pound move from Zenit St Petersburg in 2009, but could only manage seven late Premier League substitute appearances in 2012-13 and had not been named in the match-day squad at all since January.

Denilson, meanwhile, was loaned back to Sao Paulo in 2011 after struggling to make a name for himself at the Emirates Stadium after joining from the Brazilian club in 2006.

The duo will be joined by Squillaci, who has played nine minutes of league action in the past two seasons, having not made the match-day squad for 36 of Arsenal's 38 matches last term. The Frenchman signed for around 4 million pounds from Sevilla in 2010 but had lost his place in the lineup by December that year.

The Gunners' preseason tour of Asia kicks off on July 14 when they play Indonesia, before games against Vietnam, Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Red Diamonds before hosting the Emirates Cup in early August.

 

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Agent: Javier Hernandez is happy at Manchester United

The Mexican striker was in good goalscoring form during the 2012-13 season, despite finding his opportunities limited.Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's agent has insisted that his client won't be leaving Manchester United this summer, despite finding playing time hard to come by.

Hernandez was limited to just 22 Premier League appearances last season, with 13 of those coming as a substitute. The striker still managed to score 10 league goals, and has been rumored to be looking for a move away from Old Trafford in search of regular playing time.

The Mexican international's agent, Eduardo Hernandez, has attempted to pour cold water on those rumors though.

"He is very happy at Manchester United. Javier has been there three years and has won the league twice. Not many can say they have achieved that," he toldreporters.

Several big teams, including Real Madrid, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid have been rumored to be watching the 25-year-old, who joined United in 2010 from Chivas.

 

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Buffon: Jovetic more than welcome at Juventus

The experienced goalkeeper feels the Montenegro star would help the Serie A champion close the gap to the likes of Bayern Munich.Gianluigi Buffon says he would welcome Stevan Jovetic with open arms if the striker were to leave Fiorentina for Juventus this summer.

The Montenegro international has long been linked with a move to the Serie A champion, although the club faces stiff competition from the likes of Arsenal, and Buffon believes Jovetic would be an excellent signing as the Bianconeri look to compete with the likes of Bayern Munich in Europe next season.

"Jovetic? Any player who will help Juventus improve is more than welcome, except a goalkeeper of course...," Buffon told Tuttosport. "We must follow the path we are on and try to improve on our performances from the past few seasons.

"It will not be easy to close the gap with the European top clubs, of which Bayern Munich has impressed me the most. But Italian football has plenty of young talents, both at Juventus and at other clubs. I believe in Juventus' management and don't fear the departure of any champions."

The 23-year-old Jovetic has a contract with Fiorentina until June 2016, but could be available for a fee in the region of 25-30 million euros.

 

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Everton appoints Roberto Martinez as manager

The former Wigan boss has been announced as the successor to Manchester United-bound David Moyes, signing a four-year deal after leaving the DW Stadium.Everton has appointed Roberto Martinez as the club's new manager, signing a four-year deal at Goodison Park after leaving Wigan.

Martinez won the FA Cup with Wigan in May, beating Manchester City in the final, before seeing the Latics relegated following eight years in the Premier League.

The 39-year-old was approached by Aston Villa to replace Gerard Houllier in June 2011, before holding talks with Everton's city rival Liverpool 12 months later, but rejected a move after refusing to share control of recruiting players.

 

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Congratulations Martinez!

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Manchester United Unveils 2013/14 Home Kit

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Iniesta targets Confederations Cup glory

The Spaniard is determined to snatch the only trophy that eludes him at international level and insists German football has not surpassed La Liga.Andres Iniesta is confident Spain can claim its first-ever Confederations Cup title in Brazil.

 

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Manchester United Unveils 2013/14 Home Kit

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elaz

 

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