..::Football III::..

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Bale's agent slams 'disgraceful' transfer leak and demands investigation

Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has described the leaked details of the Welshman's transfer to Real Madrid as "disgraceful" and demanded an investigation.Website Football Leaks published documents detailing the star's transfer in 2013 which state the world-record figure paid by Madrid to Tottenham.

It is claimed the Santiago Bernabeu club parted with €100,759,418 for Bale – more than the €94m fee paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 – despite their previous insistence that Bale's deal cost closer to €91.59m.

Reports in Spain also suggest Tottenham were forbidden from disclosing details of the transfer fee, which is understood to have been paid in four installments.

Barnett is furious at the leak and has called for apologies from the Football Association, telling Telegraph Sport: "There should be an inquiry and an independent investigation because it's outrageous."There also needs to be an apology from the Football Association to the clubs and the player.

"I think it's disgraceful that people can get hold of this sort of stuff. It shows complete disregard for both clubs and the player."A British journalist claimed this month that Madrid had instructed him not to mention Bale's world-record fee during an interview with the 26-year-old.

"Real Madrid are a club so worried about image that when I interviewed Bale it was requested to me, 'don't put in the article how much Gareth Bale cost'," Jonathan Norcroft of The Sunday Times told the BBC.

"The reason for that is because it was a world-record transfer fee, but Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't like to see that someone else cost more than him."

 

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Fifa backs Football Leaks over Bale transfer documents

The general manager of the Fifa Transfer Matching System, Mark Goddard, admits he would like to see clubs publicly reveal the transfer fees they pay for players after official documents relating to Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid were published on the website Football Leaks.

Following details that emerged on Wednesday evening, it has now been revealed that the total price Madrid paid for Bale in 2013 stands at €100,759,417, a figure made up of four instalments plus a ‘solidarity fee’.

The website has also leaked official documents regarding Anthony Martial's move to Manchester United, Eliaquim Mangala's transfer to Manchester City and Hulk's switch to Zenit.

Goddard admits the leak surrounding Bale’s move has been “very useful” and would like to have a system implemented where clubs publicise their spending on specific players.

“It would be really good if we could have a verifiable transparent, credible source as opposed to just back pages, and soccer leaks websites,” Goddard told the Associated Press.

“In the end the market finds out this information but they do it in a very unofficial, unstructured way and that really allows a lot of the opacity and the wheeling and dealing to be done. And that’s a real shame.

“Obviously the Football Leaks guys and girls have gone rogue. As an Australian, Julian Assange set the standard there with Wikileaks.

“For us, all streams of information are very, very useful and that one has been as well, we have a number of resources and places that we go to and that’s become another one.

“That adds to the picture that we try to paint when we are doing various compliance activities. There is stuff on that site that we could never produce or disclose based on our current waiver program we have in place.”

 

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Koeman: No one is leaving Southampton this month

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman insists he will not be selling anyone this month despite the arrival of Charlie Austin from QPR.

The signing of the 26-year-old has prompted speculation that Koeman could consider cashing in on Shane Long, who has been linked with Liverpool, or reported Manchester United target Sadio Mane.

"We brought one player in and nobody will go out," the former Barcelona defender told reporters. "I keep that until January 31. You know my answer but maybe I have to repeat it 80 times more."

Koeman confirmed Austin could make his debut on Saturday against Manchester United and hopes he can emulate Jose Fonte and Graziano Pelle in becoming a late-blooming international player while at St Mary's.

"He's very hungry, he wants to play at the highest level," Koeman said. "He wants to develop, he's still only 26, and he'd like to get back in the national team.

"People come to Southampton knowing they can get involved in national teams - Jose Fonte and Graziano Pelle got theirs aged 29. It's interesting for players to come to Southampton, they know they will improve and develop."We signed him because he has played and scored in the Premier League. He's at a fantastic age to make a new start and he gives us competition at the front of our team.

"I was a little worried because Charlie had a hamstring injury before we signed him, but he had all the medical tests and took part in all the training sessions this week.

"We had to test him to know he is available and on his fitness tests he is as good as the rest of the players. I wasn't expecting it so quickly but it's nice to be surprised. He will be in the squad this weekend."

 

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Neymar did NOT hold talks with Real Madrid, claims father

Neymar's father has denied claims his son held talks with representatives from Real Madrid at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Reports in Spain claimed the Barcelona star, along with his agent, Wagner Ribeiro, and his father, met with members of the Madrid hierarchy in Zurich ahead of the awarding of Lionel Messi's fifth Ballon d'Or.

But Neymar Sr. has refuted those allegations, telling Mundo Deportivo: "The meeting in Madrid is a silly invention.

"We were all together in the same hotel, the Barca and Madrid parties, and we greeted everyone, but the meeting is an invention."

He added: "Andre Cury [an agent who usually handles Barcelona's affairs in South America] is a Barca employee, so how are we going to meet with Madrid if he was there? It does not make any sense!"

Neymar Sr. also rubbished suggestions that Ribeiro, or anyone else, has any power to broker a deal between Madrid and his son, stressing that he is the only person responsible for the affairs of the Selecao skipper.
"I am the sole representative of Neymar and the only one who can negotiate," he explained. "Me, not anyone else."

Neymar has been linked with both Madrid and Manchester United recently as talks over a new contract at Camp Nou continue to stall, though his father still believes he will remain at the club.

"We have a contract here until 2019," he reiterated. "Neymar is happy here and his will is to renew his contract at the end of the season. We are a bit fed up with this and just want to live in peace and enjoy the moment with Barcelona."

 

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Pato's agent reveals FOUR clubs in the race for Corinthians striker

Four clubs are in the race for Alexandre Pato, including Chelsea and Liverpool, according to the striker’s agent.

Reports in Brazil on Wednesday had suggested that Chelsea had reached a verbal agreement with Pato over a move to Stamford Bridge this month, although the 26-year-old’s representative, Gilmar Veloz, insists that no offer has been submitted to Corinthians.

“The guys are working on getting an offer, but nothing Corinthians are yet to receive one,” Veloz told UOL Esporte.

“The January market is very limited.

When asked which teams have a chance of signing Pato, Veloz replied: “Chelsea, Liverpool, Sporting and Benfica.

“All four have a chance.”

 

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'Why not?' - Pochettino open to Bale return at Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino would welcome Gareth Bale back to Tottenham following reports the club hold a first option clause on the Real Madrid star.

The transfer agreement between the two teams was leaked online on Wednesday and appeared to show that Madrid paid a world-record €101 million and revealed the Premier League club's option to match any offers received for him before 2019.

Bale, who has 13 goals and nine assists to his name this season, has spoken in the past of a potential return to the ground where he first rose to prominence and Pochettino is open to the possibility.

"I don't know – it's about rumour," the Tottenham manager said of the clause. "If we have the full option to sign him then why not?

"He's a great player and he's a player who can improve our squad. This is the type of profile we [try to] find."

Spurs have been linked with reigniting their summer interest in Saido Berahino during the January transfer window, while Barcelona forward Sandro Ramirez has been added to the growing list of reported targets.

He added: "There are a lot of rumours and names, but my position is always to respect the clubs, their names and the players. I never speak in public because respect is very important to show for clubs and the players."

Emmanuel Adebayor - whose Spurs contract was mutually terminated in September - has been linked with Palace, whose manager Alan Pardew confirmed he was a target in the current window.

But Pochettino refused to comment on the striker, adding: "It's not my problem. I think that I cannot give an opinion about Adebayor or Crystal Palace.

"I respect him and Crystal Palace and what is happening at different clubs is not my problem."

 

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'One day I might want something else' - Neuer hints at Bayern Munich exit

Manuel Neuer has admitted he could leave Bayern Munich at some point in the future.The Germany goalkeeper joined Bayern from Schalke in July 2011 and has been voted into the Fifpro World XI in each of the last three years.Neuer has three years remaining on his contract at the Allianz Arena but has hinted that he could end his career elsewhere.

"I am feeling well at Bayern Munich, but I cannot rule out that I will one day get the idea that I want something else," the 29-year-old told Der Westen."But I still have a contract until 2019 and it is only January 2016 now..."

Neuer has won three Bundesliga titles since joining Bayern and he is determined to make it four in a row this campaign, with Pep Guardiola's men currently eight points clear at the top of the table.

"We are not getting any presents," he added. "No team is giving anything away against us."It will not get easier for Bayern from here on. We cannot just expect everything to go automatically.

"Not a single team in Bundesliga history has ever won four league titles in a row. That is our main goal now and it will not be easy to achieve that."It will already be a successful season for me if we win the Bundesliga title."

 

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Crystal Palace considering loan move for Bendtner

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has revealed that he is considering a move for Wolfsburg forward Nicklas Bendtner.

The 28-year-old, who left Arsenal in 2014 when his contract expired, has played just 297 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.

Pardew, whose side have lost their last three Premier League games, has reiterated his desire to sign a forward this month and admits former Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains on the radar.

“We’re still going down the line of Adebayor and a couple of the others mentioned but a few more have come to light,” said Pardew.

“Bendtner is available and there’s someone else we are looking at. We’re after someone who can fit into our group and give us a lift. A big player coming in might do that.

“We’re having a terrific season but we’re experiencing a lull right now. So we need to give the fans a lift, as well as those in our group.

“We have to take that opportunity. It will make sense for our fans, our players and our chairman, Steve Parish. He’s probably keener than me and is hunting around for one.”

 

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Official: Zarate leaves West Ham for Fiorentina

Fiorentina have signed Argentine forward Mauro Zarate from West Ham.The 28-year-old travelled to Florence earlier on Thursday to undergo a medical and has now completed his move to the Serie A side.

"I would like to thank David Sullivan and David Gold for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity of playing at such a special club like West Ham," Zarate said in a farewell message posted on Twitter.

"I would also like to thank my team-mates for the good times we shared and wish them the very best for the future, and especially I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the West Ham supporters for their unconditional support and affection."

Zarate joined West Ham from Velez Sarsfield in May 2014 but was loaned out to QPR halfway through his first season after failing to secure regular first-team action.

The former Lazio and Inter player returned to Upton Park for the 2015-16 campaign and has made 14 appearances, scoring three goals.

Fiorentina have also announced the capture of Tino Costa from Spartak Moscow on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the move permanent come June.

The midfielder, 31, spent 2015 on loan at Genoa but has moved to the Artemio Franchi as Fiorentina aim to boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

 

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Manchester United accused of overworking Depay

Manchester United have been accused of overworking Memphis Depay and failing to acclimatise the winger to the Premier League.

The 21-year-old moved from PSV to Old Trafford last summer but has struggled to find form under Louis van Gaal this season.

Depay has not started a match since he was replaced at half-time in United’s 2-0 defeat to Stoke City on Boxing Day, but Dutch fitness coach Raymond Verheijen, who has worked with the Netherlands national side, as well as South Korea and Russia under Guus Hiddink, insists the winger’s conditioning has been poorly managed.

”If you look at Memphis Depay, you can use an objective reference, in this case a metaphor, to explain his situation,” Verheijen told Squawka.

“Just imagine you are running on a treadmill and you are running for lets say five miles per hour and after 30 minutes you are exhausted, and then next week you are going to run on that same treadmill but now you’re going to run at 10 miles per hour. The speed goes up.

“What is going to happen to the 30 minutes? Well, the 30 minutes will become shorter because if you are exhausted after 30 minutes from running at five miles per hour, you will probably be exhausted after playing 15 or 20 minutes at 10 miles per hour. If the treadmill goes faster you will become exhausted sooner.

“There is a very clear correlation between the speed and duration: the volume. That is an objective reference, and based on this you can look at a player like Memphis Depay.

“He goes from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United, so that means that the speed goes up. The speed of play and in training in the Dutch Eredivisie is lower than at Manchester United, in training and in the games in the Premier League. For Memphis Depay, the treadmill goes faster.
“That means that temporarily you have to reduce the volume for him so he has to train less and play less game minutes for his body to get used to the higher tempo and once he has caught up with the speed of actions then gradually, over time, you can increase the number of training sessions and game minutes all the way to team level.

“Then, after some months, his body will have caught up with playing football at a Premier League level. What should have been done with Memphis Depay and all other young players all around the world is to reduce the volume but in reality, these youngsters are just thrown in the deep and they will gradually become exhausted, their performance will drop and eventually they will get injured.

“People say, ‘well all young players get a set-back.’ No. All young players do not have to get a set-back. All young players should be treated in a much better way than educated coaches.”

 

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Wenger issues warning to Arsenal stars ahead of Costa battle

Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal players to expect a battle when they face Diego Costa on Sunday.

The Spaniard was at the centre of controversy in their last meeting earlier this season as his first-half scuffles with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel eventually led to the Brazilian being sent off for retaliating.

Arsenal are top of the table and 19 points clear of Chelsea ahead of the clash at the Emirates Stadium, and Wenger has urged his players to focus on their own game.

"We have to be prepared for a battle because Costa gives you a fight. After that, it's down to the referee,” said the Arsenal manager.

"We have to focus on our performance. It's another game where people look at us and see how we behave.

"It will be an intense game, as usual in the Premier League. Overall, I think because of the qualities of the players on the pitch and what is at stake for both teams, it will be a very intense battle."

 

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Elneny more than just a midfield destroyer, says former coach Bradley

New Arsenal signing Mohamed Elneny is more than just a midfield destroyer, according to his former Egypt coach Bob Bradley.

The American took charge of the African nation between 2011 and 2013, with Elneny making his senior debut days before his appointment.

Elneny arrives at Arsenal in the absence of injured defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin but Bradley believes he can also offer the Gunners an attacking threat.

“He is an all-round midfielder capable of playing different roles,” Bradley told NBC Sports’s Pro Soccer Talk. “He reads the game, he moves well and he can play a little bit deeper.

“He’s an all-round midfielder who can play deeper when needed, he can move forward and shoot from distance but he’s not just a guy who stays in there and breaks up plays.

Bradley also backed Elneny to adjust to the pace of Premier League football having featured for Basel against English sides in European competition.

“It is an adjustment for anybody but I think that his experience of playing against Premier League teams in the Champions League and Europa League is going to help,” he added.

The former USA coach, who is now in charge of French club Le Havre, says Elneny’s consistent application on the training ground has enabled him to rise to an elite level.

“When Elneny started he was still young, he was only 19, but you could see that he trained really well every day,” Bradley explained.

“In training he was improving technically. You could tell how he worked and how he wanted to get better. Little by little he became an important part of our team.

“His passing got sharper. He started to improve his ability with long passes. He was always a player who didn’t hesitate to shoot from distance and at that time it wasn’t always that he was scoring a lot, but you could see all these starting points.”

 

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Klopp: I have no decision to make about Sturridge's future

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has brushed off speculation linking Daniel Sturridge with a move away from Anfield and says he will wait for the striker to return to full fitness.Sturridge has played in five Premier League games this season and his most recent comeback has been repeatedly delayed by setbacks.

The England striker has been linked with a shock move to West Ham this week but Klopp insists he will be as patient with Sturridge as he was with Ilkay Gundogan, who missed most of the 2013-14 season at Borussia Dortmund.

"I had 15 months with Ilkay Gundogan where we had to all wait," he told reporters. "It was his back and we had no chance to force it. It's not a back problem with Daniel, but it's the muscle.

"Out of responsibility, we have to do everything we can to give him the physical strength to be able to play Premier League football.

He continued: "I don’t have to make a decision about [the future of] Daniel. Make a decision about what? I have two-and-a-half years left on my contract and have been here three or four months. That’s not a problem.

"We have to patient. That’s not my best skill, to be honest, but in this case I have no other choice."To have a player like Daniel in your squad is always a good situation, and when it’s not possible to use him, it’s not a good situation.

"We all know it’s pretty easy for him when he’s fit, but at this moment he isn’t. We cannot change this and I am not thinking about making a general decision [about him] at the moment."

 

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Giroud urges Arsenal team-mates to maintain focus

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has urged his team-mates to remain focused on the present and not get distracted by thoughts of lifting the Premier League title in May.

The north Londoners are level at the top of the standings alongside surprise package Leicester City, having taken 44 points from 22 games, and are enjoying a five-game unbeaten run following their Boxing Day defeat away at Southampton.

Giroud has struck 12 league goals this term to help spearhead Arsene Wenger's side into contention for their first league triumph in over a decade, but the Frenchman is remaining level-headed despite the club's strong position.

"I just take the games step by step, game by game, like the team," the striker told Arsenal's official website.

"We needed to bounce back after the Southampton defeat and now we are on a really good run.

"It’s a bit of a shame that we conceded a draw at the end of the Liverpool game, but it was a fantastic game for the spectators and it was one of the best games I’ve played in for Arsenal.

"The race is very tight because Leicester City and Manchester City will be fighting as well.

"We have a bit of an advantage over Manchester United and Tottenham at the moment but they could come back if you lose two games, you never know.

"It’s not original but it’s true that you always have to question yourself. I used to say that football is an everlasting new beginning and that’s like life too.

"Every week you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to give your maximum so that you can win every possible game."

Up next for Arsenal is a home clash against defending champions Chelsea on Sunday.

 

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Lewandowski agent refuses to rule out Bayern exit

The agent of Robert Lewandowski has refused to rule out a transfer from Bayern Munich as speculation grows that Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race for his signature.

The Poland striker has been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's admission that the club are monitoring Gonzalo Higuain has cast further doubt on Lewandowski's future.

Lewandowski has stated that the arrival of another forward would not force him into a move elsewhere, yet talk of interest from Real Madrid and French champions PSG refuses to subside.

And the former Borussia Dortmund man's agent, Cezary Kucharski, says he cannot give any guarantees on where his client will play next season despite insisting he remains happy at Bayern.

"We're very happy at Bayern Munich. We'll see what happens in the future, but I cannot tell you any more," Kucharski told L'Equipe.

"For me, he's the best number nine in the world. Everyone knows the price of the best players in their position, but I can't give you a figure.

"I don't think Bayern want to sell him and I don't want to talk about his price, especially since the championship starts again in Germany on Friday."In football, you can never know what will happen. The most important thing is that he fights for the Champions League."

When pressed about whether PSG had expressed an interest, Kucharski added: "No comment! It's better not to say anything about it."

Kucharski also explained why Rummenigge's remarks on Higuain have not caused him any real disquiet over Lewandowski's position with the Bundesliga champions.

"The best clubs need the best attackers and Higuain is an excellent forward," he said. "It doesn't surprise me that Rummenigge has talked about him. Just as all the big European clubs talk about Lewandowski."

 

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Aguero tells Messi: There’s no beach, but Manchester is ideal!

Sergio Aguero admits he has tried convincing Lionel Messi to ditch Barcelona and join him at Manchester City.

City would be keen to sign Messi, should he ever become available, although the Argentine claimed after his Ballon d’Or victory earlier this month that Barcelona would be the only club in Europe he’d ever play for.

But that’s not stopped Aguero, a close friend of Messi from their involvement with the Argentina national team, from trying to lure the 28-year-old to Manchester.

“As I said to him, at the end of the day we spend the majority of our time inside at home.

"We play every three days so we just eat, rest between games - so the weather is not really that important.

"So I told him that Manchester is ideal as a city because you stay at home all day, you play every three days, we can eat, we can meet up, drink Mate [a traditional South American drink] and play football together."

 

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Guardiola and Mourinho have a lot in common - Alonso

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has suggested Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho are more alike than some may believe.Guardiola and Mourinho enjoyed a heated rivalry between 2010 and 2013 during their spells as coaches of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

Alonso has experienced great success under both men while playing for Madrid and Bayern Munich, and the World Cup-winner believes they share a number of qualities that make them exceptional figures in their field.

Speaking to GQ magazine, Alonso said: "The two are natural leaders. They are charismatic people who know how to convince people. Everyone has their own personality but there are many other things in which they are alike. Both are very emotional, for example.

"They're able to transmit not only their knowledge of football but also the psychological capacity they have.

"To get the team to fight for you is very difficult. And that's an essential virtue. It doesn't matter how good you are in training - if the players are not with you, things won't work."

Guardiola brought Bayern to Alonso in 2014 shortly after the experienced playmaker had lifted the Champions League with Madrid, and the 34-year-old admits he still misses life in the Spanish capital.

"Of course I miss Real Madrid, they were five very good years. I felt valued and respected there. And that's the most important thing for me," he continued."They're a great team, with great players in every position."In spite of their bad start, I'm sure they'll be fighting for everything come the end of the season."

The former Liverpool man was keen to praise the way Bayern are run, adding: "It's a powerful club, an insitution which represents the country very well. An impeccable organisation, everything perfectly structured."They care about the small details. It's been a fantastic experience."

 

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Stones, Lukaku and Barkley staying at Everton, insists Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that the likes of John Stones, Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley will not leave Goodison Park this month.
England defender Stones was the subject of sustained transfer interest from Chelsea during the close-season, while reports suggest Manchester United are now targeting the 21-year-old.

Barkley once again finds himself linked with a big-money move to Manchester City and Lukaku, with 19 goals in 27 club matches this term, has previously stated his ambitions to play Champions League football.

But, fielding questions surrounding the future of his prized assets ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Swansea City, Martinez was adamant that there would be no high-profile outgoings in January.

"We could go on and on - maybe you'll take three hours talking about our young players," he said."None of our young players who have been performing well will leave in January - January is not a window to bring instability.

"It will take you three hours because we have a long, long list and we look forward to them playing until the end of the season and enjoying their football."

Asked whether all players had a price, in light of the astronomical figures reported in association with Stones, Lukaku and Barkley, Martinez replied: "Not in January.We are not even going to consider looking at [selling] a member of our squad who is important now and important until the end of the season."

Martinez believes Lukaku can achieve his goal of playing Champions League football with Everton and refused to view transfer rumours concerning his star striker in a negative light.

"With Rom the only thing that interests me is his next target," Martinez continued. "He wants to score goals and get better."Over the last 13 months you've seen an evolution in his play that has been quite magnificent. He is about to play 100 games for Everton, which is an incredible landmark for the age he is.

"I want him to carry on with his important role in the team. Whatever the talk is from the outside, it is all positive. You don't get that sort of reaction if you are not playing well."

On Lukaku's Champions League aim, Martinez added: "It goes hand in hand because, as Everton, we want to play Champions League football. It is a good shared view and a shared target."

 

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Klopp exit has boosted Dortmund - Chapuisat

Borussia Dortmund have been better off since the departure of head coach Jurgen Klopp, according to Stephane Chapuisat.

Liverpool's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United has left them eight points adrift of the Champions League places, with Klopp only managing to take nine points from his first seven home matches since taking charge.

By contrast, Thomas Tuchel has led Dortmund to second place in the Bundesliga table with just three defeats from their first 17 league matches - a run of form which keeps them eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

And Chapuisat, who won two league titles during his BVB career between 1991 and 1999, says there is little argument that Klopp chose the right time to depart despite his success at Signal Iduna Park.

"It was a good time to make a change after seven years. Players who nobody believed in any longer have blossomed," he said, as quoted by Sport Bild .

"Jurgen Klopp probably felt it himself. It was simply the best for both parties."The most difficult thing [for Dortmund now] will be to keep all their players in the summer, so they can attack Bayern again."

The former Switzerland striker is now hoping to see Dortmund reach the final of the Europa League this season and admits it would be special for them to face Basel in the showpiece at St Jakob Park.

"Dortmund against Basel would be a very nice final, but when BVB get there, I wouldn't mind who they played," he added.

 

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Pulis: No bids for Berahino

West Brom are yet to receive a firm January offer for forward Saido Berahino, according to manager Tony Pulis.

Berahino has endured an uneasy relationship with head coach Pulis during his tenure at the Hawthorns and threatened to go on strike when a September deadline-day approach from Tottenham was rejected.

Although such a stand-off was ultimately averted, Berahino has been restricted to just eight Premier League starts this season.

Newcastle United are currently the Premier League club most closely linked to the 22-year-old amid a clutch of reported potential suitors, with Spurs and Chelsea also believed to be keeping close tabs on the forward.

Berahino was left out of the West Brom squad for Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay win at Bristol City, heightening speculation that a move was imminent, but Pulis insists the player's absence was due to a stomach bug.

"The club has not received any offers at all so everything is pure speculation and people talking, you can't stop people talking," he told a news conference ahead of Saturday's match against local rivals Aston Villa.

"Unless he's sold now or tomorrow, it's going to go through to the last days.

"Saido had a tummy bug in the week and we couldn't play him. He will be involved tomorrow."

England goalkeeper Ben Foster made his second appearance of the season at Ashton Gate following 10 months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury and Pulis admits he has a difficult decision to make over whether to retain Boaz Myhill in goal for Premier League action at the weekend.

"It's brilliant to have an England international goalkeeper back," Pulis said. "Bo has been fantastic. I've got a big decision to make.

"We have a massive game Saturday against Villa. They're four games unbeaten and have struck a bit of form."