..::Football III::..

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Enner Valencia wants Champions League football for West Ham

New signing Enner Valencia is hopeful he can continue his goalscoring form and fire West Ham to a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The Ecuador striker joined the London club from Pachuca for a reported €15 million fee last month, after scoring three goals for his country at the World Cup.

Valencia was the subject of widespread interest following his exertions in Brazil, but was won over by West Ham's European ambition.

West Ham finished 13th last season after pulling away from a relegation fight and Valencia is aiming a lot higher in his first season in English football.

"Before signing, we spoke a lot about the ambitions of the club to try to play European football," Valencia said.

"I'm going to work very hard for it and they're going to try to make top four.

"After the World Cup several offers came around but when I found out that West Ham were interested I said 'definitely yes' because it is one of my dreams to play in the Premier League.

"I spoke to [Ecuador captain and Manchester United winger] Antonio Valencia and he gave me some good advice to take this opportunity.

"I hope that I can bring a lot of happiness to the West Ham fans. If we can achieve any European football then that would be fantastic for everyone."

Valencia, who signed a five-year contract with the Upton Park club, is lacking fitness after his extended break following the World Cup and is expected to miss West Ham's Premier League opener against Tottenham on August 16.

But Valencia revealed that he should be available for selection in the near future.

"I'm training normally now and trying to adapt to what the manager wants and the philosophy of the club," he added. "I'm expecting to be ready in between one or two weeks."

 

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Butt: Van Gaal has Ferguson-like aura

Nicky Butt is confident Manchester United are in safe hands this season after likening new boss Louis van Gaal to Alex Ferguson.

Butt has been impressed with the way the Dutchman, who guided his country to third place in the World Cup, has settled in at Old Trafford and believes the club could challenge for the title this season.

The former United midfielder has been retained as part of the backroom staff, with his focus on developing young players.

David Moyes struggled under the pressure of succeeding Alex Ferguson at United last season, but 39-year-old Butt does not expect the new man in charge to have any such problems.

"He is obviously a very in-control man," he told the Manchester Evening News. "He has an aura about him - when he walks in the building, you know who the boss is, and I think that is very important.

"We had that with Sir Alex for all those years and I think we have that now with Van Gaal. He walks into the building and he commands your respect.

"All the players look up to him as the leader and that is how it should be.

"From afar, when I've looked at him it looks like he takes no messing about and if anyone doesn't toe the line, I'm sure they will be out of the team."

United have won every pre-season game since the 63-year-old arrived and have one friendly against Valencia remaining before their opening Premier League clash with Swansea City on August 16.

 

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PSV open talks with Manchester United & Tottenham target Depay

PSV boss Phillip Cocu has revealed the club are in talks with Manchester United and Tottenham target Memphis Depay over a new contract.

The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League after his impressive cameos for Netherlands at this summer's World Cup, which came on the back of an impressive season for his club.

Tottenham had considered a €19 million move for the winger but Depay is believed to be a long-term target for United.

And Goal understands that the attacker's international manager Louis van Gaal has advised him to snub offers from the likes of Tottenham and wait for a move from Manchester United, while Cocu confirms PSV are discussing a new deal with the forward.

The former Netherlands internatioanl said: "He's a very important player for PSV and we must show that to him," when asked about a potential new deal.

The former Netherlands international, is in his second year as manager at the Philips Stadion and said the club's hierarchy are discussing terms on a new and improved deal with Depay's representatives.

Depay scored twice in Brazil against Australia and Chile helping the Dutch escape their group and press on to a third-place finish.

 

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Official: Bayern Munich complete Reina deal

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of goalkeeper Pepe Reina on a three-year deal from Liverpool.

The 31-year-old passed a medical with the Bundesliga champions on Thursday and has now finalised his switch to the Allianz Arena.

Reina will likely become the back-up to Germany international Manuel Neuer as Pep Guardiola's men aim to retain the German top-flight crown and regain the Champions League following defeat to Real Madrid in the semi-finals last season.

The transfer ends Reina's nine-year association with Liverpool, with whom he won the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Super Cup.

Reina made 394 appearances for the Merseyside club, but was loaned out to Napoli last season after Liverpool signed Belgium international Simon Mignolet from Sunderland.

That move saw Reina reunited with the coach who signed him for Liverpool in Rafael Benitez and the pair again enjoyed success together as Napoli won the Coppa Italia and finished third in Serie A.

He will now link up with another old colleague in Guardiola, who he played with during his spell at Barcelona.

Reina becomes Bayern's fourth acquisition of the close-season, following Robert Lewandowski, Sebastian Rode and Juan Bernat to the club.

Bayern start the new campaign against Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup on August 13, before beginning their title defence by welcoming Wolfsburg to Bavaria in two weeks' time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Reina!​

 

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Uefa rejects Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso appeal

The Uefa Appeals Body has rejected Real Madrid's appeal against Xabi Alonso's one-match suspension for a "breach of general rules of conduct".

The Spain international was sanctioned for running down the sidelines to celebrate Gareth Bale's goal in Los Blancos' 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in May.

Madrid challenged the ruling but the Uefa Appeals Body has upheld the original decision, meaning Alonso will sit out Tuesday's Super Cup clash with Europa League winners Sevilla.

The midfielder had been forced to sit out Madrid's meeting with Atleti in Lisbon after picking up a booking in his club's semi-final second-leg win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Consequently, he had been consigned to the touchline for the final. However, Alonso set off down the touchline in celebration when Bale put Madrid 2-1 up in extra-time, resulting in a one-game ban for the 32-year-old.

Los Blancos were also fined €18,000 for picking up five bookings in the final, as well as the "improper conduct" of their supporters, who were found to have set off fireworks during the tournament decider.

 

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Messi misses Helsinki friendly

Lionel Messi will play no part in Barcelona's pre-season friendly against HJK Helsinki on Saturday.

The Argentina ace has yet to feature since returning from World Cup duty and has been left behind in Catalunya to train alongside international team-mate Javier Mascherano and Brazil full-back Dani Alves.

Neymar did not travel to Finland either, with the Selecao starlet partaking in what Barcelona have termed "recovery work" as he continues his rehabilitation from the fractured vertebra he suffered in his country's quarter-final win over Colombia.

Xavi and new signing Jeremy Mathieu have also remained in Barcelona because of their respective injury problems, though the latter did train normally with his team-mates ahead of their flight to Finland.

In total, 14 first-team players have travelled for the friendly in Helsinki but both Alex Song and Ibrahim Afellay were omitted for "technical reasons", according to Barca's official website.

New coach Luis Enrique has included six Barca B players in his squad, including summer signing Alen Halilovic.

The Blaugrana kick off their Liga campaign with a game against Elche at Camp Nou on August 24.

 

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Atletico Madrid snap up Gamez

Atletico Madrid have bolstered their defence with the signing of Malaga full-back Jesus Gamez.

The 29-year-old will compete with Juanfran for the right-back spot following the departure of Javier Manquillo to Liverpool.Gamez has penned a three-year deal and will join a much-changed squad from that which claimed La Liga title last season.

Top-scorer Diego Costa and full-back Filipe Luis have left for Chelsea, who have also reclaimed on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while forward Adrian has joined Porto.

Coming in are France winger Antoine Griezmann, Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic and Brazilian left-back Guilherme Siqueira.Gamez came through the youth ranks at Malaga before breaking into the first team in 2005.

Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero was pleased to have him on board, telling the club’s official website, www.clubatleticodemadrid.com: “Gamez is a full-back with quality and experience who will reinforce our defence and increase the group’s internal competitiveness.

“He can also play in a central position, allowing us to have other variables in the defensive game. His experience will be helpful to the group.”

 

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Dalle Valle: Cuadrado can leave Fiorentina for the right price

Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle has revealed that Juan Cuadrado will be allowed to leave for the right price.

The Colombia international has been linked with a move away from the Artemio Franchi all summer long, with Barcelona and Manchester United among those reportedly interested in signing the versatile winger.

Fiorentina had hoped to hold onto Cuadrado for at least another season but Della Valle admitted after talks with the player and his representative on Friday that the 26-year-old would like to move on.

"We spoke with Cuadrado and looked him in the eye," the Viola supremo told reporters at a press conference on Friday. "It was a a very serious and honest meeting.

"At the end, however, the situation is that if an important offer arrives, the boy will leave. The city deserves to know this type of thing.

"I asked him to stay at least another year with this team, as the club has a major project.

"Although I saw a good reaction to this on his part, I can only confirm that should an important offer arrive, I will be the first to set him free.

"And I fear that these offers will arrive."

Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade has previously stated that the club will not let Cuadrado depart for anything less than €50 million.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cuadrado wa gatthanam patta

​

 

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Arsenal must concede fewer against title rivals, admits Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that his side must concede fewer goals against their Premier League title rivals.

The Gunners' quest for top-flight glory is entering its 11th season after finishing fourth in 2013-14, five points adrift of champions Manchester City, and the north Londoners let in a total of 41 goals throughout the campaign - the fourth-best defensive record behind Chelsea (27), City (37) and Everton (39).

Of the 41 goals shipped, 17 of those came against City, Liverpool and Chelsea - including six in one game against Manuel Pellegrini's side in December - and Wenger is aware that Arsenal can ill afford to do the same this season as they aim to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

"I was concerned [by Arsenal's record against the top four last term]," he told the press. "I was concerned and shocked by the number of goals that we conceded.

"Of course we were Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde defensively. We had 18 clean sheets but when we did not keep a clean sheet we let them score.

"I think it was down to confidence. Overall we were quite sound defensively but we have a good opportunity to improve that."

Arsenal's run of routs against top-tour teams kicked off against City, when they were trounced 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in December. That result was followed by a 5-1 loss at Anfield in February and a 6-0 humiliation to Chelsea in March as the Gunners slipped down the table.

However, the Frenchman feels that scoreline against City was misleading as the two teems prepare to meet again in Sunday's FA Community Shield showdown at Wembley.

"Honestly, [the Man City game was] not so much damaging because we finished with 10 men and, when we looked at the game again, we had six or seven chances to score," he argued. "I took a gamble at 10 against 11, like I always do, to have a chance to come back but, when you look at the chances we missed, that was not a damaging [result].

"For us what was damaging was the two games at Liverpool and at Chelsea."

 

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PSG wasted countless opportunities, laments Blanc

Laurent Blanc was left frustrated after watching his Paris Saint-Germain side spurn "countless" opportunities against Reims.

PSG took the lead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic early in the match but wasted a huge number of chances in the ensuing 20 minutes, with the Swede hitting the post from point-blank range and seeing a penalty saved, while Lucas Moura missed a one-on-one.

Reims bounced back to take a shock 2-1 lead into half-time and even though PSG clawed a goal back through Ibrahimovic, they saw two further efforts cleared off the line in the dying minutes to deny them maximum points.

Blanc says his only criticism was that his side failed to kill the game in the first half, but he maintains they played some impressive football despite having had a relatively short pre-season.

"I can only repeat that PSG are not quite ready in their preparations and we saw that tonight," he told BeIn Sport.

"Paradoxically, I remember my team playing very good football, creating a countless number of chances.

"The only criticism I have for my players - and I told them this - is that we failed to kill the game.

"We are lacking a little preparation. I expected to have some difficulties. The result isn't there but the performance was encouraging for the future."

PSG face Napoli in an additional friendly match on Monday before hosting Bastia as the Ligue 1 season continues next weekend.

 

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Pastore: The results will come for PSG

Javier Pastore insists there were encouraging signs in Paris Saint-Germain's performance in the 2-2 draw with Reims, despite the frustrating scoreline.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring as he converted Pastore's clever pass before the visitors missed a host of first-half chances, with the Sweden star hitting the post with the goal gaping and seeing a penalty saved.

Reims snatched a 2-1 lead just before half-time and battle to hold on to a point after Ibrahimovic had contrived to drag PSG level, but Pastore maintains there should be no cause for alarm despite the dropped points.

"The team played well," he was quoted as saying by Le 10 Sport after the match.

"I think we had a lot of possession, a lot of chances and shots. We didn't take them, but we will continue to improve for the rest of the championship. If we carry on like this, the results will come.

"The preparation was good, it is normal to have a few difficulties ahead of the first match."

PSG travel to Italy for a friendly against Napoli on Monday, after which they will be looking for their first win of the new Ligue 1 season against Bastia on August 16.

 

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Reims 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Ibrahimovic rescues point as Ligue 1 returns with a bang

Paris Saint-Germain began their Ligue 1 title defence in enthralling fashion as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Reims on Friday.

The champions wasted several chances in Friday's encounter at Stade Auguste Delaune as Jean-Luc Vasseur started life as Reims head coach with a surprise point.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had put Laurent Blanc's men ahead inside 10 minutes with a cool left-footed finish, but the Sweden international was also guilty of hitting the post when faced with an open goal and missing a 29th-minute penalty after he was felled in the area.

Reims made the most of the unlikely reprieve as Prince Oniangue levelled with a near-post finish from Diego's free kick, before Antoine Devaux gave the hosts a shock lead when he slotted home from eight yards to make it 2-1 before the break.

However, Vasseur - who replaced new Olympique Lyonnais coach Hubert Fournier in June - was unable to celebrate a debut win as goalkeeper Johnny Placide fumbled Ibrahimovic's cross and the ball looked to cross the line before Edinson Cavani made sure with the follow up.

PSG threatened early on when Cavani dragged a shot wide, but Reims failed to heed the warning and fell behind after seven minutes.

Javier Pastore easily dispossessed Odair Fortes and his incisive pass found Ibrahimovic, whose shot went through the legs of Placide.

Blanc's side then spurned two opportunities to double their advantage as Lucas Moura was foiled in his attempts to round the goalkeeper with Ibrahimovic in space, before incredibly the Swede missed an open goal - his shot hitting the post after good work from Marco Verratti.

It seemed inevitable Ibrahimovic would add to his tally when the 32-year-old went to ground in the area following Mickael Tacalfred's clumsy challenge, but his resulting spot-kick was saved by Placide - a miss Reims would no doubt consider just given the minimal contact for the foul.

Reims punished that profligacy and equalised against the run of play in the 22nd minute as Diego's teasing free kick from the left was guided home by Oniangue at the near post.

Incredibly, the hosts then moved ahead 12 minutes later.

Devaux cut inside from the right to find Gaetan Charbonnier and he returned the pass back to the onrushing midfielder who calmly slotted under Salvatore Sirigu.

PSG dominated possession in the early throes of the second half, but it took until the 63rd minute for the equaliser to arrive.

Placide slapped Ibrahimovic's chipped cross from the left towards goal and the ball appeared to cross the line despite the goalkeeper's best efforts, Cavani making sure by tapping in.

Buoyed by the leveller, the visitors pushed for a winner but were twice denied in time added on by clearances off the line from Aissa Mandi as PSG had to settle for a frustrating draw.

 

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Zuculini completes Manchester City move

Manchester City have completed the signing of Bruno Zuculini from Racing Club.

The 21-year-old midfielder has featured in all of City's pre-season fixtures this summer, and found the net in the 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.

City have also confirmed that Zuculini in contention for selection for Sunday's Community Shield match against Arsenal.

"I'm very excited about the future," Zuculini told the club's official website.

"I am looking forward to the experiences which this move will bring and to improving myself as a player.

"I'm also very proud to be the fourth Argentine to sign for City. The club is very popular in Argentina because of Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis."

Zuculini, an Argentina Under-20 international, is City's fifth arrival this summer after Bacary Sagna, Fernando, Willu Caballero and Frank Lampard.

 

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Guilavogui joins Wolfsburg on loan from Atletico

Wolfsburg have bolstered their midfield options with the signing of Josuha Guilavogui on a two-year loan from Atletico Madrid.

France international Guilavogui becomes the Bundesliga outfit's fourth acquisition of the transfer window.

The 23-year-old follows midfielders Aaron Hunt and Mateusz Klich and right-back Sebastian Jung to the Volkswagen Arena as Wolfsburg aim to build on last season's finish of fifth with strong performances in the Bundesliga and Europa League.

Signed from Saint-Etienne in September last year, Guilavogui has been unable to break into the first team with Spanish champions Atleti.

Guilavogui made only seven appearances in all competitions before being loaned back to Saint-Etienne in January, helping Christophe Galtier's men to a top-four finish in Ligue 1.

But Wolfsburg are confident that Guilavogui, who has five France caps to his name and was linked with Arsenal prior to his move last summer, will be able to improve Dieter Hecking's side.

General manager Klaus Allofs told the club's official website: "We are very pleased to strengthen our squad with a young player with great potential.

"Josuha Guilavogui already has international experience and will play his part in helping the team move forward in their development."

Hecking added: "He is a midfielder who can be used in the defensive area. I'm sure that Josuha Guilavogui will fit in quickly and help the team."

 

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Schneiderlin must accept he won't be sold - Koeman

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has reiterated the club's stance that Morgan Schneiderlin will not be sold despite the player wanting to leave.

The France international has been at the centre of transfer speculation for much of the summer, with first Arsenal and, more recently, Tottenham interested in the midfielder.

But the St Mary's outfit have repeatedly ruled out a move, with chairman Ralph Krueger claiming the player would not become part of the exodus of players to have left the south coast outfit this summer.

And though Schneiderlin has claimed that not being allowed to leave has soured his six-year stay with the club, Koeman has backed up his chairman's claims, though the player is not "mentally ready" to play for the Saints.

"The situation is difficult, because the player makes it difficult and I spoke to Morgan with our chairman and the situation has not changed. We don't sell Schneiderlin and he has to accept that," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's not in the squad tomorrow [to play Bayer Leverkusen] because he said he's not in a physical, but even more not in a mental way prepared for tomorrow. On one side I can understand that.

"We said 'OK, we'll give you the weekend off to think about this situation'. And Monday morning we have [a] training session and we have one week [to] prepare for the first away match against Liverpool.

"He will continue as a football player of Southampton and now it is up to him."

Goal understands that Tottenham, and new manager Maurico Pochettino, are willing to wait until the end of the transfer window to sign a player who excelled under the Argentine's tutelage during his time in Hampshire.

But Koeman insisted that Schneiderlin will remain a key part of his plans moving into the new season as they prepare for their opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool on August 17.

"Of course [I expect him to stay]," he said. "I like that he will stay because he is also a very good player - a key player in the team - and we like to keep them.

"We lost some players and I think the club did a great job to bring in new ones but now we have to prepare for next week."

 

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AC Milan boss Inzaghi pleads for patience

AC Milan coach Pippo Inzaghi has pleaded for patience from the club's fans ahead of the new Serie A season.

The Rossoneri missed out on European football after finishing eighth last season and the supporters' spirits have hardly been lifted by the club's underwhelming activity in the summer transfer market and a succession of dismal results on the recent tour of the United States.

Inzaghi, who was appointed coach in June, is aware that Milan are being panned by both their public and the press, but he feels that he and his team deserve time to restore the club to their former glory.

“Fortunately, my lads don’t read that much," he said of the negative newspaper coverage at a press conference on Friday.

"Last season we finished eighth and there is a new coach so we need to have some patience.

"We will give everything in the league to reach a position where we deserve to be and the fans should know this.

"There are teams ahead of us but we have kept players who seemed to be leaving and we will give any team a hard time.

"These players will work hard and make sure the fans are behind us."

Indeed, Inzaghi, a former crowd favourite at San Siro during his illustrious playing career, is desperate to lure the fans back to the Giuseppe Meazza.

"Milan have given me so much and I am proud to be coaching them," he explained.

"I hope this is a positive year for Milan and for the fans as well as President Berlusconi, Adriano Galliani and Barbara Berlusconi.

"The best gift would be filling the San Siro again and we must do this on 31 August. I know how the Milan fans think and they will be back."

The supporters are hoping for at least one stellar signing before the new Serie A season gets under way at the end of the month, with Milan said to be hoping to sign either Torino attacker Alessio Cerci or Paris Saint-Germain winger Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Inzaghi is expecting some new arrivals.

"Everyone knows very well which players I want and the club agrees with me so it is only right that Galliani talks about the transfer market," he stated.

"This is a competitive squad and if someone else arrives, so much the better. Otherwise, we have this squad and [Nigel] De Jong will be back next week and then we will have [Riccardo] Montolivo fit down the line."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reports wala thiyana widiyata Arturo Vidal wa Manchester United ganna bari unoth Alex Song wa ganna hadanawa kiyala thamai kiyanneAlex Song wa gannawata wada hodai nikan inna 1kaTerumak wena 1kak nam naha eya gattha taBarcelona walath flop neh​

 

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Arsenal signing Ozil should be a pesonal insult for Wilshere, says Adams

Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams believes Mesut Ozil would not be at the Emirates - if Jack Wilshere were fulfilling his potential.

Adams has accused Wilshere of letting his talent go to waste, arguing that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would not have had to splash a club-record €50 million on Ozil last summer were the England international more focused on and off the field.

The injury-prone Wilshere had his judgement called into question this summer when he was pictured smoking on holiday and Adams says the 22-year-old has to get his act together if he is to realise his potential.

"He must show more hunger and professionalism. He's in danger of not fulfilling his potential and his career could be over in the blink of an eye," Adams said in an interview with The Sun.

"If push came to shove, for a cup final or big match, Arsene would pick Ozil ahead of Jack.

"He should have taken it as a personal insult that Arsenal went out and signed Ozil when they already had the same talent at their disposal in him.

"He has to be more verbal, shake things up and show more fire in his belly."

Wilshere has made just two appearances for Arsenal in pre-season, following his return from England's World Cup campaign, but could be in line to start in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday.