..::Football III::..

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Ibrahimovic had Ronaldo nightmares, says Mutu

Former Juventus attacker Adrian Mutu has revealed that his ex-team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic once woke up in the middle of the night after a nightmare about Ronaldo.

The Romanian attacker played alongside the current Paris Saint-Germain striker at Juve between 2004 and 2006 and often shared a room with the Swede for away games."It is hard to say who has been the most talented player I teamed up with. If I have to mention one, I would have to go with Ibrahimovic," Mutu told Costin Desliu .

"He was my room-mate at Juventus and I once woke up in the middle of the night. 'Adi, wake up, I had a nightmare. I dreamed that Ronaldo is better than me.'"I told him to calm down and assured him that he was the best around.

"He always kept on working to improve himself. I have met few players who are as passionate as Ibrahimovic."Mutu fails to specify whether it was Brazilian legend Ronaldo haunting Ibrahimovic at night or if it was current Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Former Inter and AC Milan striker Ronaldo was a key figure at Madrid at the time, whereas Cristiano was in the early stages of his time at Manchester United.

 

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West Brom dismiss 'silly' Berahino Tottenham rumours via Twitter

West Bromwich Albion have denied "silly" reports that the club are considering an offer for striker Saido Berahino.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for the England Under-21 forward, with a £10 million (€14m) bid said to be in the works.

It has also been claimed that Spurs could offer a player, possibly Andros Townsend, in part-exchange for Berahino, but the Baggies moved to clear up any doubt on their Twitter page.

Berahino scored 14 goals in 38 Premier League outings last season but former Baggies boss Alan Irvine, who was sacked in December and replaced by Tony Pulis, believes the 21-year-old is not ready for a move to White Hart Lane.

"Is he ready to play a huge part at a club like Tottenham who want to be challenging for the top four? Probably not yet," Irvine told BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday.

"I always said to Saido that, as long as he kept focus and did the right thing, then he would continue to develop."

In February, Berahino angered fans - and Pulis - when he openly admitted his desire to move on to a "bigger" club.

He said at the time: “If I can keep West Brom in the Premier League and score as many goals as I can, I’m pretty sure the fans wouldn’t mind me pushing on and going on to bigger things.”

 

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Romero thrilled to reunite with Van Gaal at Man United

New Manchester United signing Sergio Romero is excited to be reunited with manager Louis van Gaal.

The Argentina international goalkeeper has joined the Red Devils on a free transfer after a spell with Sampdoria but previously worked with the Dutchman at AZ from 2007-09.

The 28-year-old recalls that Van Gaal did a great deal of good for his career, calling him a "very important" figure in his life.

"He is a great manager," Romero told MUTV. "He's the kind of boss who puts you at ease and, from the first moment that I was given the goalkeeper shirt by him in 2007, he told me that I would play an important part in his squad.

"It was a vital period for me because, from the moment I signed for him, my career started to really take off.

"He is someone who has been very important in my life. He helped me a lot when I arrived in Holland as I didn't speak Dutch and I didn't speak English but he spoke Spanish.

"He is very honest and open as a person, he helps and reassures you and he cares about every player and every member of staff."

Romero is looking forward to helping United compete for major titles after two barren seasons at Old Trafford.

He enthused: "From the very first moment that I heard there was a possibility of joining this club, I have been thinking constantly about lots of things, playing for the club, training with the other players, getting to know my team-mates, and winning silverware for United."

 

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Casemiro: Porto made me a man, now I'm ready for Madrid

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro believes his spell with Porto has made him ready to make an impact at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015-16.

The Brazil international recently returned to the Spanish capital after a one-year loan spell in Portugal and he feels he has matured a lot at Porto.

"I'm more of a man today than I was when I left Madrid. I grew a lot at Porto but my excitement about playing for Real Madrid hasn't changed," the 23-year-old was quoted as saying by Marca.

"I'm as hungry as ever to triumph at this club and I'll work to make that happen.
"I've come here to work hard and I want to play an important role."We have a lot of quality and competition in the middle of the park and that can only be good for the team."

Casemiro joined Madrid from Sao Paulo in January 2013, but initially struggled to secure regular first-team action at the Bernabeu and was therefore farmed out on loan to Porto.

He made 28 league appearances for the Portuguese giants last term, scoring three goals and setting up two more.The midfielder has a contract with the Blancos until June 2017.

 

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Wenger responds to Mourinho spending jibe: I let other people talk

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended his spending in the transfer market in recent seasons after Jose Mourinho claimed the Frenchman spends more than his reputation suggests.

The Chelsea manager said Wenger should "get a calculator" following their substantial outlay on the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez over the past two years - signings the Portuguese says should make the Gunners title challengers.

When asked for his response to the former Real Madrid boss's comments, Wenger refused to bite back after suggesting his spending has been justified by the way his players have developed at the Emirates Stadium.

He told reporters: "One day you will look at the players we have developed here compared to the spending of other clubs and you will be surprised.

"I get different reproaches - that I don’t spend enough then I spend too much. I let other people talk."

Wenger was also asked about his pursuit of Eden Hazard before the Chelsea winger joined the Premier League champions from Lille and insists that he was "a few millions" short of being able to take the Belgian to Arsenal.

 

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Official: Atletico Madrid re-sign Filipe Luis from Chelsea

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the return of Filipe Luis, with the full-back moving back to the Spanish capital just a year after leaving for Chelsea.

The 29-year-old, who signs a four-year deal, made just 26 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, winning both the League Cup and Premier League, but was unable to displace first-choice full-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

"Chelsea Football Club has today agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the permanent transfer of Filipe Luis," read a statement on the club's website. "We wish him all the best in the future."

Atleti are reported to have paid £11.1 million for a player they sold for £15.8m barely a year ago, with Diego Simeone still a big fan of the defender despite his unspectacular stay in the Premier League.

Luis was one of three former Atletico stars to move to Stamford Bridge last summer - along with Diego Costa and returning loanee Thibaut Courtois - but made just nine starts in the Premier League and netted only once for the side, in the League Cup against Derby Country.

The Brazilian failed to convince Jose Mourinho that he could challenge Azpilicueta for a starting role, and the Portuguese boss is expected to dip back into the market to secure a replacement.

Augsburg full-back Baba Rahman has long been linked with a move to west London, though Chelsea have struggled to agree a fee for the £15m-rated Ghana star and are reported to be considering Galatasaray's Alex Telles as an alternative.

 

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Sterling will justify his £49m price, says Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has no doubt that his side's hefty outlay to land Raheem Sterling will prove to be money well spent.

The England forward ended prolonged speculation over his future by leaving Liverpool for Premier League rivals City earlier in July in a deal that could reach £49 million.

Sterling has already shown promise during pre-season, scoring three minutes into his first game against Roma and also netting a double in Monday's 8-1 thrashing of Vietnam.

While the fee paid to land the 20-year-old has raised a few eyebrows, Pellegrini is confident that he has the talent to justify his price tag.

"He is a very good player; that's why we brought him to our team," the City boss told reporters of Sterling.

"He has a lot of things we didn't have in our squad. If you watch the way he played [against Vietnam], he has a lot of pace and I am sure in the future he will demonstrate why we paid so much money for him."

On the Vietnam result, Pellegrini added: "I was very surprised because it is not easy to score eight goals but Vietnam is a team that must prepare for qualification for the next World Cup and they have time.

"They start playing in September or October so have to work hard but they have very good players."

 

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Cavani hit with two-match Uruguay ban

Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani has been hit with a two-match ban for his sending off against Chile in the Copa America, while head coach Oscar Tabarez has been suspended for three games.

Cavani was sent off for raising a hand to Gonzalo Jara during a heated quarter-final tie last month, after the Chile defender poked the Paris Saint-Germain star in the backside.Tabarez, meanwhile, was sent to the stands after disputing a red card for Jorge Fucile in the same fixture, which Uruguay lost 1-0.

The Uruguayan Football Association has now confirmed Cavani will miss qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup against Bolivia and Colombia in October, while CONMEBOL has handed out a three-match ban to Tabarez for his indiscretion.

It marks a further blow for Uruguay, who remain without Luis Suarez as he continues to serve a competitive international ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup last year.

 

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Official: Vidal signs for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal for a fee in the region of €40 million.

The Bundesliga champions already announced last week that they had reached an agreement with the Bianconeri and that Vidal only had to pass his medical before signing a four-year contract with Bayern that has the option of an additional year.

The 28-year-old touched down in Munich on Monday evening and he successfully underwent a medical on Tuesday morning, has signed his deal and will be presented to the press at 16:30CET on Tuesday.

Bayern were in the market for a new midfielder following the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United earlier this month and they quickly turned their attention to the Chile international, who won the Copa America with his country this summer.

The Allianz Arena side previously attempted to lure Vidal to Munich in 2011, but he eventually left Bayer Leverkusen for Juventus instead.

Bayern kept close tabs on him ever since, though, and they have now gotten their man at last.

The versatile midfielder started his professional career with Colo Colo, before arriving in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen in 2007. Over his four year spell in Turin, he won four Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia, with his final game for the team coming in the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

 

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Congratulations Vidal!​

 

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Wenger disagrees with Mourinho: Hazard not at Ronaldo & Messi level yet

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Eden Hazard is not currently at the same level as Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Hazard was one of the stars of the 2014-15 Premier League season and claimed the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards as he helped the Blues claim their first title since 2010.

And while Jose Mourinho believes the former Lille winger had a better season than Ronaldo, who scored 61 goals despite Madrid failing to win a trophy, Wenger believes Hazard needs to be the difference for his team more consistently.

He told reporters ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash against Chelsea: "It is all about opinions. You have to compare the numbers. I must say players like Messi and Ronaldo still score 50 goals and that is exceptional.

"He [Hazard] can decide the games and you put the top players in this kind of calibre when they can decide the games with something special.

"Hazard is in this category, now to reach the other two or three that are dominating world football at the moment I think it demands consistency which he is still to do."

 

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Fabregas: Messi, Suarez & Neymar best attack of the last 25 years

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has lauded Barcelona's trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as being the best attacking trident in over 25 years.

Fabregas played alongside Messi and Neymar at Camp Nou prior to returning to the Premier League last summer in a move which helped to financially fuel Barca's bid for Liverpool striker Suarez.The trio, nicknamed MSN, went from strength to strength as 2014-15 went on and their goals helped Luis Enrique's men win the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in a single season for only the second time in the club's history.

Messi and Neymar will be absent from Tuesday's pre-season tie between the Blues and the Catalans due to extended breaks in the aftermath of the Copa America, but Fabregas thinks there has not been a better forward trident in his lifetime.

"It is nice to play against Barcelona," the 28-year-old told reporters. "I spent beautiful years there, some of the most beautiful moments of my career and my life personally as well. It will be great to play against them again.

"I think they are the best team in the world, especially when the front three are on form. I don't remember a front three in Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as powerful and talented as those three since I was born. Obviously they are a threat to everybody in the competition again this season.

"We won't be playing against Messi and Neymar in this game, so we are a bit lucky because of that. But if we want to win Champions Leagues, we have to compete against the best. We will have to do well."

Fabregas also cast a critical eye over Chelsea's European efforts in 2014-15, in which Chelsea were dumped out of the last 16 by Paris Saint-Germain, and has demanded that Jose Mourinho's men up their standards this coming campaign."I always say that the Champions League was the one disappointment from last season," the Spain international added.

"I gave the team a seven or an eight out of 10 for the year, but to complete a top, top season, we needed to do better in the Champions League.

"Unfortunately we went out in the last 16 on away goals, we didn't actually lose the game. But we do have to play better in the Champions League this season."

 

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Vidal: I can win the Champions League with Bayern

Arturo Vidal says Bayern Munich provide him with the "best opportunity" of winning the Champions League after completing his €40 million move from Juventus.

Vidal - who has signed a contract until 2019 at the Allianz Arena - was part of the Bianconeri side who were beaten by Barcelona in the final of the competition back in May, while Bayern were knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals at the hands of the Catalans.

However, the Chile international believes the transfer represents a step forward in his career as he bids to win a title that has so far eluded him during his career.

He told Bayern's official website: "I’m very happy. This is a new step in my career and I hope I do well here. I want to help the team and win trophies. It’s a dream come true for me personally.

"I wanted to take another big step forward in my career. I want to keep developing as a player and win important trophies like the Champions League. I think the best opportunity to do so is with Bayern.”

The 28-year-old won the double in his final season with Juve and says Bayern's target for the campaign must be to achieve success on all fronts next term.

"We weren’t a long way off winning all three competitions last season. I hope we can pull it off with Bayern. That has to be the target.”

A first trophy of the season could be won at the weekend when Bayern face Dortmund in the Germany Super Cup, and the South American told the media he is ready to play if called upon.

"I played in the Copa America and have recovered after it. I am ready to play on Saturday if the coach wants me to," he explained.

Vidal spent four years in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart between 2007 and 2011 but failed to win a trophy at the BayArena, though he expects to enjoy a more fruitful experience during his second spell in Germany.

“I’m thrilled about playing in the Bundesliga again and obviously hope to win it this time. I didn’t manage it with Leverkusen back then, but with Bayern there’s a very, very good chance.”

 

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Official: Aston Villa complete signing of Jose Angel Crespo

Aston Villa have completed the signing of former Spain Under-21 international Jose Angel Crespo from Cordoba for an undisclosed fee.Full-back Crespo has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Villa Park, his move representing the latest step in a somewhat itinerant career.

Previously on the books of Sevilla, Padova and Bologna, the 28-year-old has also had loan spells at Racing Santander and Verona.

He made 27 appearances in La Liga last term as Cordoba finished bottom of the table - and was at the centre of controversy when he appeared to be punched by Cristiano Ronaldo during a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in which the Portuguese superstar was subsequently sent off.

Villa boss Tim Sherwood said: "Jose is a player who has been on our radar for some time and we're really pleased to secure his signature."He is an experienced player who has played in La Liga and Serie A, two of the strongest leagues in Europe, and from speaking to him I know he can't wait to play for Aston Villa."

Crespo is the latest of several arrivals for the Villains, following the signings of Scott Sinclair, Micah Richards, Mark Bunn, Jordan Amavi, Idrissa Gueye and Jordan Ayew.

 

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Drogba 'perfect fit' for Montreal

Montreal Impact sporting director Nick De Santis has labelled Didier Drogba "the perfect fit" for his club after signing the former Chelsea striker.

Under MLS's unique transfer rules, Drogba first joined Chicago Fire on Monday but was immediately traded to the Impact for "general and targeted allocation money".

Having only qualified for the MLS play-offs in one of their three previous seasons, De Santis made it clear that Drogba's history of success - four Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League with Chelsea, plus the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray - would be key for Montreal.The 47-year-old former Canada international was also upbeat about the prospect of Drogba adapting to life in Canada's second-largest city.

"When we started thinking about our city, he fits in perfectly," De Santis told reporters."Multicultural, he speaks English, he speaks French… his African descent, he's played in England for the biggest club - so when you think of our city and how multicultural it is and how well he is known worldwide, it was the perfect fit."

The Impact sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings after their 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders on Saturday, just inside the play-off positions but level on points with seventh-placed New York City and eighth-placed Orlando City.De Santis is convinced Drogba can inspire Frank Klopas' team to surge up the table and make an impact in the MLS post-season.

"That's all I've heard [about Drogba], what he brings to a team in the dressing room, all the positives, his demands - he's a winner and he's going to want to win and I just think that's going to feed off everyone around the club," De Santis said.

 

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Jose Fonte excited for 'dream' European outing

Southampton captain Jose Fonte is thrilled at the prospect of beginning the club's Europa League adventure in the third qualifying round at home to Vitesse on Thursday.

Having secured their place in this year's competition thanks to an eye-catching Premier League campaign in 2014-15, Southampton were widely praised for their style of football.

In 2003-04, the last time the Saints were in Europe, Gordon Strachan's side were ousted in the first round of what was then the Uefa Cup by Steaua Bucharest, but Fonte believes last week's 3-0 friendly win over Feyenoord is a positive sign.

"It will be like a dream, so I'm looking forward to it, obviously," he told the Southern Daily Echo.

"Feyenoord is a bigger club, and we still showed that we were levels above them, so we're going to approach this game like any other - full detail and attention, and we will do our best to win.

"It's a long, long competition. First, we need to make sure we're in the group stages and then we go step by step, but, for now, we need to focus on Vitesse, because that's the next challenge."

One Southampton player who does have experience of this competition is Jordy Clasie, a close-season arrival from Feyenoord, who echoed Fonte's thoughts.

"It's important for us, for every player, to play in the Europa League," he added. "I played last season with Feyenoord and it's amazing to play in.

"I think the people in Southampton, they want to play in the Europa League, we want to play in the Europa League and it's important we win against Vitesse."

Southampton come into Thursday's first leg at St Mary's Stadium in fine form, having scored 16 goals without reply in friendlies against Groningen, Quick '20 and Feyenoord.

Vitesse, meanwhile, have enjoyed pre-season victories over Dundee United, Rizespor and Asteras Tripolis, and were the highest-ranked unseeded team in the draw for this penultimate round before the group stages.

 

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Vidal pens farewell message to Juventus

Arturo Vidal has written a heartfelt message on his official Twitter page after leaving Juventus for Bayern Munich in a €40 million deal on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old has spent the last four years in Turin and won the league title every season at the club, but opted to depart after revealing his desire to win the Champions League.

Vidal was on the losing side as Juve were beaten by Barcelona in last year's final and said on Tuesday that he feels he could fulfil that dream at Bayern.

But the Chile international was also keen to express his gratitude to the Bianconeri and their supporters after bringing his chapter at the club to a close."It's a very special day," he said in a message on Twitter. "I want to send a greeting from my heart to all Juventus fans in the world. Thanks for these four wonderful years together.

"I want to wish you all the luck in the world and I promise you that you'll forever be in my heart. In my soul, I will forever be a Juventus player."Vidal will spend the next four seasons with Bayern after signing a contract until 2019.

 

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Next stop, Arsenal? Cryptic Benzema drops Real Madrid exit hint

Karim Benzema appears to have dropped a huge hint that he could be leaving Real Madrid, with the Frenchman pictured aboard a private plane as he left the club's pre-season tour.

While the rest of the squad flew to Shanghai for the next stage of their International Champions Cup campaign, where they take on AC Milan, Benzema headed in a direction of his own.

As revealed by Goal in May, Arsenal have long been laying the foundations for an ambitious bid to sign the France international, who played no part in Madrid's most recent friendly, a 3-0 win over Inter, and has been speaking cryptically about his future.

Using Verlan slang, which inverts syllables in a word, Benzema wrote on his Instagram page "#directionturfu", which, rather than being a typying error, translates as 'Next stop: the future'.

He also wrote "let the past remain in the past", which adds further fuel to the speculation that Benzema is on the verge of calling time on his six-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

New Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has previously insisted the 27-year-old would remain at the club, while his agent said it was "1000 per cent" likely he would line up for the Spanish giants next summer.

But the striker's latest comments, and Benitez's plans to use Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale up front, give fresh hope that Arsenal can pull off an audacious deal, with Wenger known to want a new forward this summer with a £200 million warchest at his disposal.

 

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"let the past remain in the past"

Meka hint 1kak wenna puluwan Real Madrid exit 1kata​

 

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Fenerbahce 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Van Persie & Nani make debuts in scoreless draw

Robin van Persie and Nani both made their competitive debuts for Fenerbahce in their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, but could do nothing to prevent a 0-0 draw in Istanbul.

Van Persie came on as a late substitute for his new side, having completed a £4.2 million move from Manchester United earlier this month, while Nani began the game on the wing, though their toil was not rewarded with a victory.

Fenerbahce began the game well, and went close after just six minutes, new signing Nani stinging the palms of Andriy Pyatov with a low drive.

However, it was Shakhtar who created the best early opportunity, as a high ball over the top of the defence found Alex Teixeira, but his resulting shot flew wide of the post.

The Ukrainian side continued to press, and Volkan Demirel was called into action in the 28th minute, with Taison testing the goalkeeper following a fine cross from Darijo Srna.

Fener then looked to counter and Nani created the best opportunity of the match just after the half-hour mark, as the former Manchester United winger delivered a cross from the right for Fernandao, but he could only send the ball over the bar.

The home side improved after the break, with the crowd responding in kind by ratcheting up the noise levels in Istanbul.

However, an error from Mehmet Topal almost gave Shakhtar the lead, as his loose ball allowed Taison to break before firing a shot just wide.

In search of greater potency, Fener introduced their second former Manchester United man, with Van Persie replacing Moussa Sow in the 68th minute, and he was right into the thick of the action, as he held the ball up on the edge of the box before playing in Diego, though the midfielder's effort flew wide of the post.

Van Persie continued to inspire his new team-mates and was only denied by a brilliant Ivan Ordets challenge 20 minutes from time, though he only had himself to blame for his 89th minute miss.

A fine ball from Miroslav Stoch found the Netherlands international in the box, but he could not connect with his attempted volley, the final chance of a goalless draw.