..::Football III::..

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Liverpool reach Benteke agreement


Liverpool have reached an agreement with Aston Villa over the payment terms of a deal to sign Christian Benteke, Goal understands.

The striker is set to have a medical with Brendan Rodgers' side imminently with Liverpool doctor Dr Andy Massey flying home from the club's pre-season tour of Australia.

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre worked throughout the night from Adelaide to reach agreement with Aston Villa, although the striker is not expected to join up with the club on their pre-season tour.
As previously reported, Benteke is Liverpool's No.1 forward target with the club willing to meet his £32.5 million buy-out clause following the departure of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for £49m.

Goal first revealed Brendan Rodgers' interest in April, while Chelsea had considered bidding before signing Radamel Falcao and, more recently, Manchester United were reported to have entered the race for his signature.

 

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Mourinho: Pogba is the Eiffel Tower & Chelsea can't have him

Jose Mourinho has compared Paul Pogba to the Eiffel Tower and suggested the Juventus midfielder is a footballing landmark that Chelsea are unlikely to get their hands on.

The Portuguese manager has been a long-term admirer of the midfielder, pinpointing the France international as a key target for Chelsea over a year ago, but faces competition for his signature from a number of Europe's top sides.

Mourinho, who has added just loanee Radamel Falcao and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to his squad so far this summer, feels Pogba would boost any team, but remains confident in the collective strength of his squad.

"Pogba is not to put pressure on people," Mourinho says. "Pogba is one of the top players in the world. Pogba goes to any team and improves that team automatically. If he stays at Juventus, Juventus will be very strong again. If he goes somewhere else he will improve immediately a team. This is not our case.

"We are changing [Petr] Cech for Begovic, we are changing Didier [Drogba] for Falcao and we are changing kids by other kids. I think everybody has an interest in Pogba. But there are things you can do and things you cannot do. I love the Eiffel Tower but I can't have the Eiffel Tower in my garden. I can't even have the Eiffel Tower of Las Vegas."

Falcao was viewed as a surprise addition by some following the striker's poor form for Manchester United last term, but Mourinho feels the Colombian's fitness woes are behind him heading into the new season.

"When a player is injured or has bad consequences of a big injury there is sometimes nothing you can do. We made ourselves sure that was not the case with Falcao because if that was the case he would not be with us.

"He didn't perform [at United] for many reasons. Some players don't perform with me, some players don't perform with Chelsea, they go to other clubs and they perform. This can happen. So we know that Falcao is in good conditions related to the surgery he had before he went to Man United.

"We believe that he can with us and to replace a big player like Didier we wanted to go with another big player with experience, ready, so these three strikers for us – Falcao, Rémy and Diego. We are very happy."

Despite Manchester United spending over £80 million on the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay and Manchester City signing Raheem Sterling for £49m, Mourinho feels his title-winners are still the team to beat.

"I told the players that we are the same team and the others are not the same team. I cannot stop opponents to make an assault to the banks and spend millions and millions. I cannot stop that. I cannot stop [that] the others have a feeling that we are playing against the champions.

"The others are spending. The others are buying a lot to try to be better than us and the fact that we are the same – we are changing a goalkeeper for another one, a striker for another one.

"It's a big challenge. To be better with the same people, the players have to be better individually than they were last year. So when they think: 'Oh last season I did great' this season it is not enough.'

"John Terry – great season. This season it is not enough. Must be better. Fabregas – I don't know how many assists last year. Fantastic. It's not enough. Because the others are going to improve with the players they are bringing and we have to improve by ourselves with our work."

 

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Blanc: PSG brimming with confidence

Laurent Blanc has proclaimed Paris Saint-Germain are brimming with confidence after beating Benfica 3-2 on Saturday in the International Champions Cup.

The Ligue 1 champions came from 2-1 behind to secure the win in Toronto, with teenager Jean-Kevin Augustin joining Lucas Moura, 22, and Lucas Digne, 21, on the scoresheet.

"This win has put a smile on our faces and given us a bit of confidence, especially for the young players," coach Blanc told reporters."It was a very young side. We played some good football in a very entertaining match against an excellent opponent. Benfica have some excellent footballers.

"After trailing, then coming back to 2-2 and then going and getting that winning goal, I think we can be very satisfied with our performance."The young players will remember this match very positively. Congratulations to the more experienced players as well, because they led the way."

Next up for PSG is a match with Fiorentina at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Tuesday.

 

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Dortmund: Aubameyang not for sale

Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have been warned off bidding for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by Borussia Dortmund boss Hans-Joachim Watzke, who stressed the striker is not for sale.

The rapid attacker joined Signal Iduna Park from Saint-Etienne two years ago and was one of the positive aspects of BVB's topsy-turvy 2014-15, scoring 25 goals in 46 appearances.

Aubameyang's performances have roused interest from Premier League title fighters Arsenal and Ligue 1 champions PSG, both of whom are in the market for a new forward.But Dortmund CEO Watzke claims new coach Thomas Tuchel will not be stripped of the versatile attacker, despite being without Champions League football for 2015-16.

"Aubameyang stays with us this season," the club chief told Bild am Sonntag amid rumours that Arsenal are willing to bid €40 million. "He's not for sale!"The Gabon international is reportedly set to be offered a new contract – which currently runs out in 2018 – and will see his salary increased by €1m.

With Ciro Immobile loaned to Sevilla for the season, Dortmund are throwing their faith behind Aubameyang as their attacking star this coming campaign.

 

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Cavani 'ignoring' Manchester United speculation for PSG star role

Edinson Cavani is snubbing interest from Manchester United and other big clubs to become Paris Saint-Germain's main striker, according to his agent.

The Uruguayan, 28, arrived at Parc des Princes two years ago and – after initially struggling to emerge from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's shadow – scored 31 times in 2015-16 for Laurent Blanc's men.

With Robin van Persie sold to Fenerbahce and Javier Hernandez no longer highly rated at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal is reported to have labelled Cavani as a desired summer signing.

But the former Napoli frontman's agent, Walter Guglielmone, claims talks with PSG last month convinced Cavani to stay with the Ligue 1 champions and play a more prominent role this coming campaign.

"This summer Edi has received interest from top clubs who are chasing a centre forward," the representative told Journal du Dimanche.

"He is ignoring them though because he was given guarantees about his position at the end of last season.

"We have been led to believe that Ibrahimovic will play further and further away from the box in order to touch the ball more, leaving the striker position for Edi to fill, which was the case several times at the end of 2014-15.

"In such conditions, Edi will be happy at PSG."

 

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Van Persie: Van Gaal never gave me a chance at Manchester United

Robin van Persie has hit out at Louis van Gaal for not giving him the chance to prove his fitness at Manchester United.

The 31-year-old completed a surprise move to Fenerbahce earlier this month after falling spectacularly out of favour at Old Trafford during Van Gaal's first season in charge.

Van Persie made just four appearances over the final three months of the season after aggravating an ankle injury against Swansea City in February, and revealed he feared the worst when Van Gaal failed to bring him off the bench when United trailed 1-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April.

“That was one of the first signals things weren’t going in the right direction,” he told the Sunday Times.

“I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after was on the bench again. The atmosphere changed between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional. At that point I didn’t think to leave. [Van Persie's wife] Bouchra was happy. The kids were happy. I was happy in Manchester.

“But I was still thinking we could come back from holiday and start from scratch. He had changed his mind about me before. When he took over Holland he said to me ‘You’re the No 3 striker.’ I was ‘O...K...’ but I fought and became the No 1 and his captain.

“But when I came back, it wasn’t an honest battle any more. Fighting to get back in the team wasn’t given me as an option. He was sending me to Pitch Two. And I’m a mature player. I’m not stupid. I didn’t get angry or emotional. These things are part of football, part of life. You have to make the best out of any situation so I’m doing this by moving on.

“I know Louis as a national team coach and now I get to know him as a club coach. And there is a difference.”

 

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Mata: I knew Manchester United would spend big

Juan Mata has revealed he was warned that he would be part of an expensive rebuilding project when he joined Manchester United.

The Spaniard completed a £37.1 million (€53.4m) move from Chelsea in January 2014, becoming the marquee signing of David Moyes' short and ill-fated spell in charge at Old Trafford.

United then embarked upon a record £150m (€216m) spending spree that brought Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo to the club, with Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian following this summer.

"They told me, 'You are very important, you are one of the first,'" Mata told reporters. "I knew the club was going to have these kind of signings."

This squad overhaul has many United fans hoping that Louis van Gaal's men can mount a genuine challenge for the Premier League title next season but Mata insists attracting top talent is only the beginning.

"We know there is still a lot of work to do," he added.

"It's not just about bringing good players in. It's about playing well and winning trophies."

 

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Guardiola: Juventus target Gotze staying at Bayern


Pep Guardiola has dismissed reports that Juventus are set to sign Mario Gotze, declaring that the attacker will still be at Bayern Munich come the close of the transfer window.Gotze signed a four-year contract when he joined the Bavarians from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund for €37 million in 2013 but the Germany international has struggled for regular game time at the Allianz Arena.

With Bayern set to strengthen their midfield with the acquisition of Arturo Vidal from Juve, speculation is now rife that Gotze could travel in the opposite direction, with the player himself expressing his admiration for the Italian champions in an interview with Goal on Saturday.Guardiola, though, says that the 23-year-old is going nowhere, insisting he still holds the versatile forward in the highest esteem.

"He's a top player, one of my team's players," he told reporters on Sunday.
"In my mind, he will be available throughout the season which is about to start."

 

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Falcao joined Chelsea to prove Premier League doubters wrong, says Mourinho

Radamel Falcao took a substantial pay-cut to join Chelsea in order to prove wrong his Premier League doubters, manager Jose Mourinho has revealed.

The 29-year-old signed on a season-long-loan from Monaco this summer in a deal that significantly reduces his reported £265,000-a-week (€382,000) wages offered by Manchester United last season.

His spell at Old Trafford saw him net just four times in 29 appearances – casting doubts over his recovery from a succession of injuries – yet Mourinho is encouraged by his desire to make his mark in England.

"It's his motivation," he told reporters of Falcao's intention to change perceptions from his spell at United.

"When you are not a top player, you never feel frustrated. When you are a top player, you have to live with this all through your career and you adapt to it. We felt his frustration.

"He is not happy that in England people think he is not as good as he is and his motivation is there.

"He did a lot of things to come to us. He lost money to come to us, he didn't want to listen to other offers. He helped us a lot to do a deal with Monaco so, all these things together, we think we can help him and he can help us."

Falcao scored 70 goals in two seasons at Atletico Madrid before making a €60 million transfer to Ligue 1 with Monaco in 2013 but has seen form dip after sustaining a knee ligament injury in 2014.

The Columbia international, who was given an extended holiday due to his participation in the Copa America, will link up with his new team-mates on Tuesday for their US tour.

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool will improve up front

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that his side will carry a greater threat in attack next season, after bolstering their ranks during the summer transfer window.

Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings have already moved to Anfield from Hoffenheim and Burnley, respectively, with Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke set to join them in a £32.5 million (€46.8m) deal.

And Rodgers expects a greater collective threat akin to the free-scoring form that saw them challenge for the Premier League title two seasons ago.

He told reporters: "Of course, the season when we were runners-up we ended up with 101 goals. Last year we didn't score enough goals.

"But this is a new team; the ideas and philosophies are the same but we're bringing in players that can really threaten the goal again and have a group of those. That's something that's exciting me.

"Young Firmino coming in has got experience of European football and is just starting to make his mark on the Brazilian squad and is a player on the way up."

The coming season will also be Liverpool's first without former captain Steven Gerrard in 17 years, with Jordan Henderson taking over the armband.

Rodgers added: "Jordan is taking over from an iconic figure who had been captain here a long time. I think the players have really accepted it and responded well to it.

"I can see already how he's grown in terms of his stature. That's important because you can give some guys the captaincy and they fold with it. It can have a negative effect. But he's a young man who can cope with that.

"He has enormous respect in the squad because of his quality - he's a role model."

 

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'Barcelona will pursue Pogba if Luis Enrique wants'

Barcelona board member Jordi Mestre says that the club will consider making another move for Juventus ace Paul Pogba should Luis Enrique say so.

The Blaugrana launched a bid to land the France international last month but their €80 million offer was rejected by the Bianconeri.

However, with Josep Maria Bartomeu having secured another term as president on Saturday, speculation is now rife that Barca will now turn their attention back to bringing the 22-year-old to Camp Nou."If the coaching team ask for Pogba, we will study it," he told Cadena COPE. "In principle, the squad for next season is finished.

"But if Luis Enrique asks for some reinforcement somewhere, the door is open."
Barca are currently serving a Fifa-imposed, year-long transfer ban related to the movement of players under the age of 18 but they can still make new signings and then register them in January.The Catalans have already signed Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid and Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.

 

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Bacca: I can carry AC Milan back into the Champions League but Ibrahimovic would help

Carlos Bacca says that he can fire AC Milan back into the Champions League but added that he would welcome the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to San Siro.

The Colombia international's arrival from Sevilla was confirmed on July 2, with the Rossoneri reportedly having agreed to meet the striker's €30 million buy-out clause.

The 28-year-old touched down in Milan on Sunday, after an extended break following his involvement in the Copa America, and says that he intends to reinvigorate a side that could only finish 10th in Serie A last season."I'm very happy and proud to be here," he told reporters at Malpensa Airport. "I'm excited to play with players of the highest level.

"I promise to give my best in every match and in every training session in order to reach our objectives."I chose Milan because it's a great club. It's a very ambitious club and one of the best in Italy.

"My objective is to give my best, score many goals and bring Milan back to the top - and also get them back into the Champions League."Despite strengthening their attack with not only the acquisition of Bacca but also Luiz Adriano from Shakhtar Donetsk, Milan are still considering a move for former forward Ibrahimovic.

While that would mean even greater competition for a starting berth up front, Bacca says that he would welcome the Paris Saint-Germain striker at the Giuseppe Meazza."Ibra is a player that has scored many goals," the ex-Club Brugge man added."I don't know if he will return to Milan but he would definitely help us out."

 

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'Florentino Perez doesn't like black players'

Agent Santos Marquez has accused Real Madrid president Florentino Perez of discriminating against black players, claiming that the likes of Claude Makelele and Samuel Eto'o were sold because of their colour of their skin.

Perez infamously dismissed Makelele's talents after allowing the former France international to Chelsea in 2003, while Eto'o only made three appearances for the club before joining Mallorca and then subsequently achieving superstardom at Barcelona.Marquez, who currently counts Iker Casillas among his clients, has now revealed that he fell out with Perez over his treatment of the pair.

"It was over Makelele, for a lack of respect," the agent told AS. "Florentino doesn’t like black players; he’s not a racist but he doesn’t like them."I also fought with him over Eto’o. Samuel was just as much a Galactico as Figo. He left for the colour of his skin."

Marquez also alleged that Perez affords his favourite players preferential treatment and puts pressure on his coaches to continually select the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

"The squad knows who [Perez's favourites] are and so does the coach," the agent added."The only clash he had with [former Madrid coach] Ancelotti was over Bale. He thinks that Bale is the best in the world.

"He doesn’t know how to take care of the Ballon d’Or winner [Cristiano Ronaldo] he already has in the squad. Bale is going to play wherever he likes."Another is Karim Benzema. He got rid of [Gonzalo] Higuain, [Angel] Di Maria, [Vicente] Del Bosque... none of whom were that bad.

"Del Bosque has won everything there is to win but what happened to him is what happened to me – he’s a not exactly a looker."So Florentino brought in a handsome bloke [Carlos Queiroz] who almost ruined the team."

 

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Marquez: Ronaldo looks set to leave Real Madrid

Iker Casillas ' agent, Santos Marquez, believes that Cristiano Ronaldo 's decision to sell his image rights to a company owned by Valencia president Peter Lim suggests that the forward is set to leave Real Madrid .

Ronaldo is under contract until 2018 but raised eyebrows on June 29 when he announced that he had signed a deal with Mint Media.

Marquez believes that the agreement is bad news for Los Blancos, as he is viewing it as a sign that the Portugal international is dissatisfied with club president Florentino Perez and is now preparing his Madrid exit."One day [Perez] will need to explain why Cristiano works for another company outside of Real Madrid," the agent told AS.

"Imagine Cristiano generating €40 million elsewhere and giving it to Peter Lim, Valencia’s owner. It ends up in Valencia’s coffers and that’s deplorable..."Will anyone speak out and ask Florentino why Cristiano has sold his image rights to Peter Lim?

"That’s not normal; it suggests that Cristiano is planning to leave."Marquez then launched a savage attack on Perez's handling of Casillas' Madrid departure.

Academy product Casillas was left sitting all alone at a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu last Sunday as he brought the curtain down on a 25-year association with Los Blancos by announcing his decision to join Porto.

After being heavily criticised for his absence, Perez organised a hastily arranged send-off ceremony the following day and stated during the proceedings that it had been Casillas' desire to depart.

However, Marquez has accused the Blancos supremo of spinning a web of lies in relation to the manner of his client's exit.

"Iker never wanted to leave," the agent added. "He said that he never wanted to leave and that he could never ask to be Madrid’s first choice goalkeeper, that he had two years left on his contract and that he would have liked to end his playing career at Madrid."He was happy and Madrid is his home but they didn’t want him...

"Three weeks ago [new coach Rafa] Benitez came along and the club started going crazy about signing [Manchester United No.1 David] De Gea and said what a great goalkeeper Keylor [Navas] is."That was a lack of respect towards Iker. He couldn’t ignore it. There is a before and an after to all of this. Benitez is not to blame; it was all orchestrated.

"[Perez] hasn’t uttered one single truth in years. What he says is his truth, and that is the same as preaching."He kicked out the best people he has ever known. Everyone must realise that. It all turned ugly for [Fernando] Hierro, Raul, [Vicente] Del Bosque...

"There’s something not right about that. It’s as though everyone at this club is wrong and he never is."Madrid was always characterised as being a club which was owned by its club members but he has turned it into a serfdom.

"Those statutes he put in so that he can perpetually be president...."He’s set it all up so that the others are slaves and cannot act as the club members. They have to shut up and pay up.

"Florentino will eventually have to leave Madrid as a result of the Casillas saga. I don’t know when that will happen but it will."

 

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Atletico Madrid-bound Savic says goodbye to Fiorentina team-mates

Stefan Savic has bid farewell to his Fiorentina team-mates ahead of his proposed move to Atletico Madrid.The Montenegro international still has four years to run on his Viola contract and had been scheduled to travel with the Viola to New York on Sunday for the Serie A side's pre-season tour of the United States.

However, Savic has been withdrawn from the squad as he is now set to fly to Madrid on Monday to complete a transfer that will see Fiorentina pocket €10 million and Mario Suarez move to the Artemio Franchi.Indeed, Fiorentina posted a video on their official website on Sunday showing an emotional Savic saying goodbye to his colleagues at airport as they prepared to depart for America.

The 24-year-old Savic joined Fiorentina in 2012 from Manchester City and quickly established himself as a first-team regular in Tuscany.

 

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Navas takes Casillas' No.1 jersey at Madrid

Keylor Navas has inherited Iker Casillas' No.1 jersey at Real Madrid.Casillas ended his 25-year association with the club last week when he joined Porto and it was expected Madrid would then move for Manchester United keeper David De Gea.

However, they have subsequently re-signed former academy product Kiko Casilla from Espanyol for €6 million, while Navas has taken the coveted No.1 jersey for the 2015-16 campaign.Casilla, meanwhile, will wear 13, the same number he had at Espanyol.

Elsewhere, Danilo, a €31.5 million signing from Porto, has been handed the No.23 shirt, while the returning Casemiro, who spent last season on loan at the Dragao, has been given 14.

 

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Casilla: I want to be Madrid's No.1

Kiko Casilla has set his sights on becoming Real Madrid's first choice goakeeper after sealing his return to the club.The 28-year-old goalkeeper came through Madrid's youth team ranks before departing for Espanyol's B team in 2007.

However, Casilla rejoined his former team on Friday for a fee of €6 million, with the Spain international signing a five-year contract.

Casilla must now compete with Keylor Navas for a starting berth, though speculation remains rife that Madrid will make a move for Manchester United's David De Gea."First and foremost, I'd like to avoid injuries, which is always important for an athlete," he told the club's official website.

"After that, winning a title with Real Madrid would be incredible. I hope I can win a lot of trophies."As well as that, I'd like to play as much as possible.

"My objectives are to be the first-choice keeper, help the manager as much as I can on the pitch, form a strong bond with my team-mates and try to play as often as I can."I have gained experience, especially over the last four years during which time I've been appearing more frequently in La Liga.

"Each match is a test. You can tell I've played over 100 games and that I'm no longer the kid I once was."Casilla also believes that he will have little trouble settling back into life at the Bernabeu.

"I'm pretty familiar with everything, in terms of the housing, the installations, the city, and that helps towards adjusting to the move," he added."I feel like I have butterflies in my stomach and I'm really eager, above all else to start training, which is what matters most.

"I'm very privileged to have signed for Real Madrid, to have returned to my roots.
"I have an opportunity now that I want to make the most of and, above all else, I want to fight for this club."

 

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Shaw: I was out of shape when joining Manchester United

Luke Shaw has admitted he was out of shape after joining Manchester United last season.

United made the left-back the highest-paid teenager in world football when moving from Southampton for £27 million 12 months ago, but was quickly criticised by Louis van Gaal for his lack of fitness.

Shaw had to wait until September 27 for his United debut and went on to make just 15 more Premier League appearances in an underwhelming debut season, but is ready to make amends in the new campaign.

"I only had myself to blame. I didn't arrive at the club in the correct shape and things didn't go to plan. The manager told me his feelings and I totally accepted that. At a massive club like United you have to be at your best.

"But I learned and this season I feel much fitter, much sharper and I have the experience of a year at Manchester United behind me. The big difference is my fitness. I got a good 45 minutes [against Club America in Seattle] and hopefully I can keep pushing on."

Shaw denied reports he was given an trainer to improve his fitness, insisting it was him and Adnan Januzaj's decision to up their pre-season routines.

"There were stories that Adnan and I were ordered to take a trainer, but they weren’t true," said Shaw.

"We decided to ask a member of the coaching staff to come with us and we paid his flights.

"He worked us in four sessions per day. We had a football pitch, a gym and an altitude trainer, we did beach runs too. The most important thing for me was to come back fitter pre-season."

 

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'Depay is an unbelievable talent' - Schweinsteiger impressed by young Man Utd stars

Bastian Schweinsteiger has described fellow new Manchester United signing Memphis Depay as an "unbelievable talent" after making his debut for the club in a pre-season friendly.

The Germany international, who joined the club from Bayern Munich in a €20 million deal, came on for the second half against Liga MX side Club America to help seal a comfortable victory at CenturyLink Field.

Speaking to the club's official website after the win, the 30-year-old is confident the club's supporters will enjoy watching Depay in action.

"Memphis is an unbelievable talent and he has so much quality and I am sure we will have a lot of fun with him on the pitch," he said before praising the club's fellow youngsters.

"I enjoyed it a lot because to watch young players, how they are and how they played with [Andreas] Pereira, Jesse [Lingard] and [James] Wilson. They are all very good players.

"I have seen a lot of young players in my career and I have to say that these young players are very, very good. If they are doing well in the future then Manchester United could be happy.

Morgan Schneiderlin, also making his debut following a €36m move from Southampton, scored the only goal of the game and Schweinsteiger feels both the Frenchman and Matteo Darmian will be smart signings.

"Matteo is a typical Italian but I love that! You can see that he is tactical, he is very good and he is so fast," he added.

"I think Schneiderlin was very good and he is a very good player. If you see the goal, he did it well with no foul and a nice header. I think he is a really good player and, also, for me, what is more important, is that he is a good boy."

 

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Drogba confirms MLS talks

Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba has confirmed he is in talks with an unnamed MLS club, while leaving the door open to a move to Inter.Drogba has made no secret of his desire to play in the United States, with the free agent is reportedly set to join Chicago Fire.

Montreal Impact have also been linked with the 37-year-old, while reports suggest Serie A giants Inter are interested, but Drogba says only one team are currently in the running."I'm not aware of that situation [with Inter]," Drogba told FCInter1908.

"Inter are a great club, and certainly if they were to contact me I'd gladly listen to their offer, but I'm currently in talks with an MLS club."Inter could be an option if they really are interested in me."

The former Ivory Coast captain was further quizzed about Inter's interest and his willingness to provide back up for Argentina international forward Mauro Icardi should he make the move to Italy.The two-time African Player of the Year said: "It would be absolutely no problem. In every team there are players you have to compete with for a place in the team."

Drogba scored over 150 goals in two different spells for Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League in the process.