..::Football II::..

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Michu: Premier League superior to La Liga

The 27-year-old, who joined Swansea for 2.4 million euros from Rayo Vallecano last July in one of the deals of last season, claims Spanish players offer excellent value for money Swansea City forward Michu believes the Premier League is superior to La Liga.

The 27-year-old arrived at the Liberty Stadium from Spanish club Rayo Vallecano last July and scored 22 goals in his debut campaign for Michael Laudrup's side.

Michu, who was signed for just 2.4 million euros, claims Spanish players offer excellent value for money and says the influx of players from La Liga have been a success in the English top flight.

“The Premier League is superior in all aspects," Michu told The Sun. “The structure, the fans, the competitiveness and, most of all, the economic power. Any English club can now buy a Spanish player of any team except [Real] Madrid or Barca. The Spanish market is very good value for money.

“And the success of the talented little players like Juan Mata, David Silva and Santi Cazorla has proved a phenomenon in England.”

Michu feels the open nature of the Premier League is a key difference from La Liga and praised the support from Swansea's travelling fans.

“The English league is much more competitive than it is in Spain," he added. “Here you can win at any ground. In Spain it is impossible to go to the Nou Camp or the Bernabeu and expect to succeed.

“The passion of fans in England is fantastic. Your supporters follow you to all your away games.

“And because of the way it is organized, they can also plan their trips for the whole season.”

 

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Everton target Fer eyes Premier League move

The Netherlands international has spoken about coming to England in the summer with a potential switch to Goodison Park in the pipeline for the 23-year-old midfielder

Twente midfielder Leroy Fer would welcome a move to the Premier League as his attention turns to a possible summer switch after the Netherlands Under-21 side was knocked out of the European Championship on Saturday.

Fer, who was part of the side that lost 1-0 to Italy, was set for a move to Goodison Park in January until a knee injury prevented the deal from going ahead.

Everton have since changed managers with Roberto Martinez taking over from David Moyes, who is now in charge at Manchester United, but the 23-year-old is still hopeful of a move to England in the summer.

"I haven't heard about anything but I think my manager did," Fer told reporters after Saturday's semifinal. "I think Everton are still interested in me."I would like to go to the Premier League this summer, it's a very nice competition - but my focus has been the European Championship; afterwards we will see."

Fer has played for the Netherlands on two occasions, and featured in every game for the Under-21s in the European Championship, which ended in the semifinal defeat to the Azzurri.

 

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Chelsea boss Mourinho adamant he would have rejected Manchester United job

The Portuguese boss says that the Blues were the only side he was interested in joining, claiming that he would even have turned down the chance to follow Sir Alex Ferguson New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says that he would have rejected the chance to manage Manchester United.

The 50-year-old was officially unveiled at Stamford Bridge on June 3 after an unspectacular final season with Real Madrid and had previously been muted as a potential successor to the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson.

But the Portuguese is adamant that Chelsea was always his number one choice, categorically denying he would have been interested in replacing the retiring Ferguson at Old Trafford.

"I would have turned down every job in the world - the Manchester United job, every one - for Chelsea," Mourinho told reporters.

The coach also revealed that he was part of the inner circle of trusted confidants who knew about the United legend's impeding retirement and he told the Scot that he had no interest in managing any team other than Chelsea.

"I knew that Ferguson was retiring many months ago," Mourinho continued. "I am so happy with his trust because it was big news for the world - I can imagine that just a very small circle around him knew that and it was a big responsibility for me to know that.

"Why do I know that? Because we are friends, so if I am his friend to know that he is going to retire, he is also my friend to know that the club I want to coach in England is Chelsea.

"Of course I told him I want to come to Chelsea. I would turn down every job in the world for Chelsea."

 

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Sneijder rules out summer Chelsea switch

The Galatasaray midfielder won the treble under Jose Mourinho at Inter, but dismissed a reunion with the Portuguese boss this window – though could be open to a move in January Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder has played down reports linking him with a move to Chelsea, and says he is happy to remain with the Turkish giants.

The 29-year-old moved to the Istanbul-based outfit in January 2013, scoring three goals as Galatasaray claimed the Super Lig title.

Recent reports have linked the Netherlands international with a move to Stamford Bridge to link up with former manager Jose Mourinho, but the Dutchman has refuted those claims.

“I have a special relationship with Jose Mourinho and enjoyed working with him, but I can't leave Galatasaray in the lurch or the fans that I admire,” Sneijder told Turkish newspaper Milliyet. “I want to play till January at least and help my team. I love Istanbul so much.”

Sneijder cost Galatasaray a fee in the region of 6.3 million pounds, and the former Ajax and Real Madrid star feels he has an obligation to remain with the club.

“I've met a new country and a new culture. It would not be easy to leave and turn my back [on Galatasaray]," he continued.

“My club have expectations of me. The board worked so hard for my transfer. I can't go anywhere because I owe them.”

 

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Van Ginkel coy on future amid Chelsea interest

The 20-year-old Vitesse midfielder, who has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, insists he will decide his future after he has had a summer holiday
Vitesse midfielder Marco van Ginkel remains coy on his future amid interest from Europa League winners Chelsea.

Goal exclusively revealed in May that the 20-year-old is likely to be one of Jose Mourinho's first signings at Stamford Bridge this summer, with a deal already in place between the Dutch club and the Europa League holders.

Van Ginkel's European Under-21 Championship campaign with the Netherlands ended on Saturday following its 1-0 semifinal defeat to Italy, and the midfielder reiterated that he will consider his future after his holiday.

"My future? Now I have a vacation and I'll concentrate on that. After my holiday, we will see, maybe," Van Ginkel told Sky Sports News Radio.

When told of reports suggesting David Moyes is also interested in him, Van Ginkel replied: "Manchester United, I didn't know. I have two more years at Vitesse. It's a club who's growing, so I'm also happy there."

Van Ginkel made 41 appearances in all competitions for Vitesse last season, scoring 12 goals and bagging a further 12 assists as the Arnhem-based outfit finished fourth in the Eredivisie.

 

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Agent: Koscielny on Barcelona and Bayern Munich shortlist

The France international has been linked with a move to the Liga champions but the defender's representative says no contact has been made regarding a summer switch Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is wanted by Barcelona and Bayern Munich this summer, according to the player's agent.

The former Lorient center back added fuel to the speculation linking him with a move away from the Emirates Stadium when he admitted he would leave the club if the Gunners did not start winning silverware.

Catalan daily newspaper Sport reported on Saturday that the Spanish champions had approached Arsene Wenger's side regarding a potential 14 million euro move for the France international.

But Koscielny's representative, Stephane Courbis, told Eurosport France that there has been "no contact" from Barcelona but claimed the 27-year-old center back is being targeted by Tito Vilanova's side, along with Champions League holder Bayern.

Courbis said: “I know that Laurent is part of a shortlist of three or four players for both clubs.”

It was revealed in May that Koscielny was the target of a 24 million euro swoop by Bayern, with new boss Pep Guardiola thought to be a big admirer of the defender.

Koscielny signed from Lorient for around 9.4 euros million in 2010, and has gone on to make 119 appearances for Arsenal in his three seasons at the club in all competitions, scoring 10 goals.

 

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Mourinho brands Chelsea striker Torres ‘so-so’

The Blues boss feels too much is expected of the Spain international and also insists owner Roman Abramovich has never interfered with team affairs when he has been in charge Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described striker Fernando Torres as “so-so” and says he has not lived up to his potential at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international joined the Blues from Liverpool in 2011 for 50 million pounds but has come under intense criticism during his time in London after failing to replicate his best form for the west Londoners.

Mourinho says people expect more from Torres because of the reputation he built for himself while at Anfield, scoring 65 goals in 102 games, but says perspective is needed.

“Torres so far is so-so,” Mourinho is quoted in the Mirror. “Somebody could expect more because of his potential, because of what he did before. But not so bad as people sometimes try to say.

“There is a balance. Normally, the tendency is to say it was a big mistake. It was a big mistake because it didn’t work.”

The former Real Madrid coach also insisted that owner Roman Abramovich never involved himself in the running of the team during Mourinho’s first spell with the club.

“Never, never during my time did the owner interfere in the basic things of the manager – training sessions, team selection, the profile of player I want to bring, " he added. “Do you want to know the truth about [Andriy] Shevchenko? I hope the board is not upset with me. We wanted to buy Samuel Eto’o, he was our target. We wanted Eto’o and the owner was more than ready to do everything to bring Eto’o here.

“He was the player I wanted. Why? Because Eto’o was the only player I could play with Didier Drogba, changing the system for two strikers.

“But he was also ready to play with Drogba with the system we had at the time, with three attacking players with Eto’o coming from the sides. I did the same with him at Inter Milan. We wanted Eto’o and the boss did everything to bring Eto’o and Peter Kenyon did everything.

“In the end, Barcelona said, ‘We don’t sell, forget it, forget it. Not any price’. The owner did everything to get him, but it was not possible.

“After that, we went to other options and got to Shevchenko. I was happy with him.

“Even with the top dogs – when you buy for 30, 40, 50, or 60 million pounds – sometimes it doesn’t work. It doesn’t mean you or the club made a big mistake. It just doesn’t work.”

 

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Soldado hints at Valencia exit

The 28-year-old has been strongly linked with a move away from the club and is refusing to rule out a potential transfer Valencia striker Roberto Soldado insists he is happy at the Mestalla, but revealed he "will not close the door to anything" as speculation continues to surround his future.

The 28-year-old, who bagged 24 goals in 36 Liga appearances last season, has reportedly attracted the attentions of a number of sides across Europe.

Soldado has an impressive record of 82 goals in 141 Valencia appearances in all competitions and says he is happy in Miroslav Djukic’s side, but will not rule out a move elsewhere in Europe.

“I'm very happy at Valencia but will not close the door to anything,” he told Movistar. “I also see that there are colleagues who have left Spain and things are going well.

“The Premier League and the Bundesliga are very attractive for any player and we would all like to enjoy something there."

The former Real Madrid youth graduate, who has nine caps for Spain, is currently away in Brazil with Vicente del Bosque’s squad for the Confederations Cup, as it prepares to kick off its tournament on Sunday evening against Uruguay.

 

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Carvalho: Ronaldo will stay at Real Madrid

The Portuguese is confident his now former teammate will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, while revealing his disappointment at how his time at the club came to an end Monaco's latest recruit Ricardo Carvalho is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Real Madrid and sign a new contract.

The defender joined the free-spending Ligue 1 new boys at the end of May on the back of three years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And though his time at the club didn't end on a positive note, with the club dethroned as Liga champion by Barcelona and suffering Copa del Rey final defeat to Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese is confident Madrid will soon be boosted by Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new deal at the club.

"The president is doing everything he can for Cristiano to sign a new contract and he'll stay," he told Marca.

Los Blancos were dogged by publicized spats, notably between coach Jose Mourinho and key players like Iker Casillas and Pepe, for much of last season.

And the veteran stopper believes the underlying disagreements that marred their campaign could have been managed better.

"We felt that we didn't end the season well. When we should have been stronger, we weren't," the 35-year-old added. "I don't know whether or not Pepe feels he made a mistake [publicly criticizing Mourinho], or whether he is sorry, but it's something that could have been avoided by talking face-to-face.

"If you aren't winning, you have to stick together, be even stronger. But this year, as a dressing room, we should have been more united during the tough times."

Despite the debacle, Carvalho still looks back on his two-year spell in the capital with pleasure, claiming he had achieved a lifelong ambition by playing for the club.

"I was very happy at Real. It was something I'd always wanted and I fulfilled a dream," he continued. "These past two years with my injuries, I was sad at not being able to play. I was always fit at Chelsea.

"I was on cloud nine during my first season at Real Madrid. That year gave me everything. It might have been the best time of my career.

"Before joining Chelsea, [president] Florentino [Perez] spoke with Pinto da Costa [Porto chairman] and [Luis] Figo called me. I was eager to sign, but the offer was low back then.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nani: 'Nothing certain' over Manchester United future

The 26-year-old winger believes he could yet stay at Old Trafford this summer and has ruled out a return to play in Portugal. Manchester United winger Nani says he is ‘calm’ amid reports surrounding his future at the Premier League champion.

The 26-year-old’s contract at Old Trafford runs out in the summer of 2014, with no new deal yet in place in for the Portugal international.

And with David Moyes becoming the new manager at the Manchester club, Nani insists a decision has yet to be made on his future.

"My future? Nothing is certain," Nani told reporters. "I am calm. I have everything in my hands.

"I am not saying that I will not continue at Manchester United. I will think about what is best for me."

Nani moved to Old Trafford from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and has made 133 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 26 goals.

And despite only appearing 10 times in Premier League last season, the midfielder has ruled out a move back to Portugal.

"I have respect for the Portuguese clubs, especially Sporting Lisbon but also Benfica and Porto, but I don't think that is viable," Nani said. "I think my level at the moment is different."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spain on course for semifinals, believes Del Bosque

The 62-year-old revealed his satisfaction at La Roja's start to their Confederations Cup campaign, which he feels puts them in a great position to progress.Vicente del Bosque believes that Spain has put itself in a great position to make the Confederations Cup semifinals having won its opening game against Uruguay.

La Furia Roja were irrepressible as they controlled the game throughout and following a 2-1 victory the coach thinks his side is well placed to qualify for the next round.

"They are three great points that place us in the best position to put us in the semifinals," he said to reporters afterward.

Luis Suarez took some of the shine off of a brilliant display from the Spaniards with a sublime free kick providing a consolation for La Celeste, but the 62-year-old insisted that his team had played well.

"[I am satisfied] not only by the performance of the first half, but also by the second. We played well, although everything was marred by the end.

"We grew very tired in the last minutes. It is normal with the high temperature that we suffer."

Spain currently sits top of Group B and take on Tahiti at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro in its next outing on Thursday.

 

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Soldado: I don't know if I'll ever be first choice for Spain

The Valencia frontman netted in the Confederations Cup clash with Uruguay on Sunday evening but doesn't consider himself as the star man in attack for La Roja.
Spain striker Roberto Soldado has conceded that he will never be first choice for Spain in the wake of La Roja's 2-1 victory over Uruguay in Confederations Cup Group B on Sunday evening.

The Valencia man performed well as the lone striker for Vicente Del Bosque's men in the match in Recife, and topped off his performance with the all-important second goal which saw Spain claim all three points.However, although happy with his display, he believes that it will not be enough to cement a regular starting berth.“I do not know if I'll ever be a starter, that is decided by the coach,” said Soldado.”I do not know if I'll hold the place again, that's a coach's decision.”

The 28-year-old was more upbeat when discussing the performance by Spain as a whole. The world champion put in an imperious display against the South American side, and should have won the match by a greater margin, something Soldado looks back on with regret.“The penalty was that we had chances, but the goals did not come,” he said. “We're happy because we've faced a very tough opponent and we have won. You can not ease off for a second, despite a 2-0 lead.”

The Los Che captain then went on to discuss the mentality and tactics of the Spaniards, insisting that his nation will never surrender their philosophy of how to play soccer.“The team's philosophy is not lost. We haven't lost to a great team like Uruguay. We had the ball, we moved with skill and created chances.”

Spain's next match in the competition sees Del Bosque's outfit take on Tahiti, which plays its first fixture against Nigeria on Monday evening.

 

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Suarezge goal eka patta

 

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Mexico 1-2 Italy: Pirlo and Balotelli on target as El Tri drops opener

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Spain 2-1 Uruguay: World champion records imperious victory

 

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Nani: 'Nothing certain' over Manchester United future

 

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Dortmund: Lewi staying next season

Borussia Dortmund have put an end to the speculation surrounding Robert Lewandowski’s immediate future by insisting that the striker will be at the club next season.Lewandowski has long been linked with a move away from Westfalenstadion, and at the weekend, reports suggested he was set for a switch to the Premier League, with Manchester City apparently willing to offer him a weekly wage of £200,000.

However, club CEO Aki Watzke moved to quash those rumours and said that the striker, whose Dortmund deal expires next summer, will see out his contract with the side.“Robert will definitely play for Borussia Dortmund next season,” he told Suddeutsche Zeitung. “We need planning certainty.”

Bayern Munich have been leading the race for Lewandowski’s signature for some time, with talk suggesting that a summer switch to the Allianz Arena has already been agreed.Just last week, however, Watzke stated that the Poland internationalwill not be joining the German champions anytime soon.

Watzke’s words led to what appeared to be a breakdown in relationship between the club and player, with Lewandowski threatening to offer “proof” that Dortmund had promised him a summer move to Bayern.The German, though, has reiterated that there was never any arrangement for the striker to be transferred to Dortmund's rivals.“There is no such promise. There is no verbal agreement and no written agreement. Factual, this is a lie,” Watzke said.

Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc added: “We will start our pre-season in two weeks. And we want clarity in that matter now.”Despite such reports stating that there is already an agreement in place, Suddeutsche Zeitung claim that Bayern have not put in a written offer for a transfer this summer.

The paper understands that both clubs have been in contact in the past, and during a phone call, Dortmund had asked for a written offer within the next 48 hours.However, since those talks, held between Bayern general manager Matthias Sammer and Zorc, there has not been any more negotiations between the two parties.

It is believed that the Treble winners are no longer desperate for the player to join them this summer, with incoming coach Pep Guardiola apparently favouring a different attacking line-up.Bayern will, though, seek to bring in Lewandowski on a free transfer next summer.

According to a report in Bild, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has informed Lewandowski’s agent, Cezary Kucharski, that the club still hope to sign the player in 2014.

 

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Tahiti 1-6 Nigeria: Oduamadi hits hat trick as Super Eagles smash South Pacific islanders

Nigeria kicked off its Confederations Cup campaign with a predictably facile 6-1 victory over a game but painfully limited Tahiti side.

Nnamdi Oduamadi helped himself to a hat trick, Uwa Echiejile struck twice with two deflected efforts, while Jonathan Tehau also put through his own net.

Tehau also struck at the right end, with a towering header, but despite their best efforts, the OFC Nations Cup champions could have lost by a lot more, with their opponents having spurned numerous one-on-ones by rather disrespectfully trying to walk the ball into the net.

With Tahiti having arrived in Brazil boasting just one full-time professional player, it was always expected that it would be on the receiving end of some heavy beatings.

Unsurprising then, that the neutrals in attendance were very much behind the side from the South Pacific, cheering every early touch and greeting the first shot of the game, from Vincent Simon, like a goal.

Their sympathy for the side only intensified after watching the desperately unfortunate way in which it fell behind. Not only did a speculative strike from Echiejile take two deflections on its way past a helpless Xavier Samin, the ball had only arrived at the feet of the Nigeria fullback because Joel Aguilar had got in the way of an attempted Tahitian clearance.

Nigeria’s second goal, which arrived just five minutes later, was only less calamitous, with Heimano Bourebare, under no pressure at all, passing the ball straight to Ahmed Musa deep inside his own half. The CSKA Moscow ace immediately fed Oduamadi, who cut inside Teheivarii Ludivon before coolly slotting the ball high past Samin.

Tahiti gifted its opponents another goal on 27 minutes, with poor Samin spilling the most routine of low crosses at the feet of Oduamadi, leaving the forward with a two-yard tap-in.

Nigeria could have added further goals before the break, with Anthony Ujah and Sunday Mba both guilty of butchering one-on-ones. However, Tahiti really should have got off the mark on 43 minutes but the lively Steevy Chong Hue, who tormented the Nigerian back four with his pace and quick feet every time he got on the ball, wastefully headed wide from a most inviting cross from Ricky Aitamai.

Nigeria continued to squander gilt-edged opportunties after the restart, with Musa firing wide with the goal at his mercy, and its profligacy was finally punished - much to the delight of a now partisan crowd - when Tehau rose majestically above Efe Ambrose at the back post to head home a Marama Vahirua corner.

Unfortunately for the two men involved in arguably the most famous goal in the history of Tahitian football history, they were also both involved in their side falling three goals behind once again on 68 minutes, with Tehau putting through his own goal, after Vahirua had turned the ball over in midfield before then deflecting a cross goalwards as he tried to make amends for his error.

There was to be no sensational comeback, though, because Aide Ideye came off the bench to set up Oduamadi for his third goal, leaving the forward with the simplest of finishes with a low cross, before Echiejile got his name on the scoresheet for certain with a low strike from eight yards out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Odemwingie expects West Brom exit

The striker was handed just two starts post-January last season and he is open to joining a Championship club in search for first-team chances West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie expects to leave the club this summer and has not ruled out a move down a level to the League Championship.

The 31-year-old Odemwingie faced a backlash from the Baggies supporters after he drove down to London in an attempt to secure a move to QPR on transfer deadline day in January.

The deal broke down and left the forward in an untenable situation, as West Brom manager Steve Clarke restricted him to just two starts in the second half of the season, but Odemwingie is unsure of a possible destination should he depart the club.

"It looks like I will leave the Hawthorns. We are talking now - but where I'll end up I don't know," Odemwingie said while working as a pundit for the BBC for Nigeria's FIFA Confederations Cup match against Tahiti. "I want playing time. Even if it is a team that is not so good, from the Championship - I will go there as I just want to play.

"I thought things could be done easier, there was a new manager who came in, and it didn't go in my favor. I was moved out of my position. I made my name by scoring goals.

"I got used to winning player of the month awards. But I'd had a few games, I was in form, but didn't play - I wanted to move on."