..::Football III::..

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Campbell's agent slams Wenger after failed Benfica move

The agent of Arsenal forward Joel Campbell has hit out at Arsene Wenger over the management of his client's future.

The Costa Rica international garnered many admirers when an impressive loan spell at Olympiakos lead to a series of eye-catching performances at the World Cup.

Wenger has since maintained that Campbell would be in his first-team plans this season - even reiterating that the 22-year-old would not be allowed to leave on loan in the final days of the transfer window.

Arsenal since signed striker Danny Welbeck in a last-gasp €20 million deadline day deal and campbell's agent, Joaquim Batica, has questioned Wenger's motives for his client after rejecting an offer from Benfica.

"Benfica fought until the last minute to sign Campbell but the move didn’t happen because, in the last hour, Arsenal decided to keep him," Batica is quoted as saying by O Jogo.

"Wenger says he did not want to sell him. But if he is not in his plans, then why not allow him to leave?”

Campbell has been afforded just 16 minutes of Premier League football so far this season.

 

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Van Gaal: If I wanted an easy life I would have joined Tottenham

Louis van Gaal believes the Tottenham job would have been easier to take than the one he has inherited at Manchester United.

Van Gaal was heavily linked with succeeding Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane and admitted in June that he had come "very close" to taking the Spurs job before United approached him.

The Dutchman has since endured a difficult start in charge of the Red Devils, picking up just two points from his first three matches against Swansea City, Sunderland and Burnley.

United responded by sanctioning deals worth over €125 million to bring Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind to Old Trafford as Van Gaal attempts to build a squad capable of breaking back into the top four.

But, despite the early problems he has encountered, the former Ajax and Barcelona boss is adamant he has no regrets about turning down Spurs to join United, even though he thinks he has given himself a harder task.

“No, I don’t regret taking this job,” he told reporters. “Yes, it is a massive job I have taken on at Manchester United. I realise that. And the situation is not worse than I thought - I knew what I would find on my plate.

“I could have opted for an easier job. If I had gone to Tottenham, the job would not have been as enormous as here at United.

“I could have easily gone to Spurs. But I chose the biggest challenge of all the jobs in football. And I really wanted to join the number one club in the country, not Tottenham.

“Financially, Tottenham was kind of as attractive as Man United. But, in my eyes, Man United is still the number one club in England, Tottenham really is not.”

 

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Man Utd must drop ‘awful’ Rooney, says Paul Parker

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker says Wayne Rooney should be dropped, claiming his performances have been “awful” so far this season.

The England international has just one goal for United tso far this season with the Red Devils yet to win a competitive game, having lost once and drawn twice in the Premier League and been knocked out of the League Cup by MK Dons.

Rooney - named club captain by Van Gaal this summer - will now face competition for his place from new signing Radamel Falcao, who arrived on loan from Monaco on deadline day, and Parker says Rooney does not deserve to start.

“Wayne Rooney has been awful. There he was at Burnley this weekend, supposedly captaining the team - but I saw a player interested only in himself, doing nothing to try and lift his game or inspire his team-mates,” he wrote in his Yahoo! Sport blog.

“The only thing in any way remarkable about his performance is that he collects €375,000 a week to play that badly.

“Once Van Persie is fully-fit again, Rooney must be the person to be dropped from United's new attacking line-up: for me, it'll be RVP and Falcao every time.

“And though there's lots of talk about him playing in the hole behind that front two, I think that'd be a huge mistake - why would you have Rooney there when Juan Mata or Angel Di Maria would do the job so much better?”

Parker also insists that Van Gaal would not be afraid to drop Rooney, despite having made him club captain, following his appointment as manager at Old Trafford.

“That'll leave Van Gaal with a big call to make: dropping Wayne Rooney,” he added.

“He's always shown in his career that he's not afraid of the big decisions; he showed it most recently with his goalkeeper substitution for the shoot-out at the World Cup, and he'll have to show it once again because the way things are looking there will be no place for Rooney in that starting line-up soon.”

 

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Baines: Eto'o still has killer instinct at Everton

Everton left-back Leighton Baines is adamant Samuel Eto'o can still perform at the highest level after scoring on his debut.

The 33-year-old was snapped up by Everton on a two-year deal after being released by Chelsea last season and the veteran striker has made an instant impact at Goodison Park.

The former Cameroon international scored against his former club last week, though Everton crashed to a 6-3 loss, and Baines has been surprised by the quality demonstrated by Eto'o in such a short space of time.

"From his first training session he looked sharp. I know it sounds stupid but even the way he passes the ball is done properly," Baines told The Daily Mirror.

"He moves in the right way. It sounds like small things but he just looks a good footballer and he can't half finish as well.

"He'll always have that goal-scoring instinct. His movement will always be good. We've seen bits of it so far in training and then against Chelsea that he can make an impact."

 

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Van Ginkel wanted Chelsea stay, admits Galliani

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has that revealed Marco van Ginkel initially wanted to stay at Chelsea before eventually accepting a loan move to the Serie A outfit.

The Dutchman was keen to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge, but agreed to a temporary transfer after speaking with Nigel de Jong and Fernando Torres.

"Van Ginkel initially resisted our advances. At a certain point we set him an ultimatum, but then I realised he wouldn't join us like that and I told him that I was joking," Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It was not that he did not want to join Milan, but he is a huge talent and he thought that he could become a starter at Chelsea.

"However, Jose Mourinho, who is a great coach, thought that playing for Milan after eight months on the sidelines due to injury would be best for him.

"We convinced him by using two players: De Jong spoke to him and then Fernando Torres as well. Eventually, he agreed to a move."

The 21-year-old could make his official Milan debut in the Serie A match against Parma on September 14 after the international break is over.

 

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Hodgson: Wilshere must step up for England

Roy Hodgson has challenged Jack Wilshere to step up for England following the international retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

The Liverpool captain and Chelsea's all-time top scorer called time on their Three Lions careers following the World Cup - and now the Euro 2016 qualification campaign is set to begin.

Wilshere, 22, has been accused by some of a stunted progression since being hailed as 'England's new hope' following his debut as an 18-year-old - and Hodgson is keen for him to prove his worth in the new-look side.

"It's important for Jack and Jordan to develop a relationship," Hodgson told reporters. "I had high hopes of working with Jack but those have been largely dashed because of injuries.

"Most people have thought that when Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were no longer here it would be the chance for Jack. I believe that too.

"I expect him to be one of two central midfielders doing the job defensively and offensively, working with Jordan up and down the field together.

"The game-plan is to use the quality of the players in the right way, the way they're used to playing and know how to play well."

 

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Arsenal, Liverpool & Juventus wanted Falcao too, reveals father

Radamel Falcao's father has revealed that Juventus, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City also attempted to sign the Manchester United striker this summer.

The Colombia international eventually left Monaco for United on deadline day of the summer transfer window, but Falcao's father Radamel Garcia has claimed that Louis van Gaal's side faced stiff competition from a number of European top teams.

"Juventus, Manchester City and Liverpool all wanted him as well, and even Arsenal made a late approach," he told LA FM. "Fortunately, he has now joined Manchester United. They are a great team."

The 28-year-old was also heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, but the Santiago Bernabeu side eventually opted against signing the prolific striker.

"Real Madrid? When you have money and go to the market to buy a shirt or pants, you have to decide whether you buy them now or not. Real Madrid eventually opted not to do so and there's not much you can do about that.

"Plus I got the feeling that there were quite a few conditions if they wanted to sign him. We have to accept how things went.

"We are very grateful that Manchester United came along. United are England's most important team and one of the strongest economic powers in football."

 

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Kagawa return could keep Reus at BVB, says Watzke

Borussia Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke believes the return of Shinji Kagawa could convince Marco Reus to stay at the club and is confident the two are compatible.

The Japan international returned to BVB last week after a difficult two-year spell at Manchester United, whereas Reus on the other hand is being heavily linked with a move away from Dortmund at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

Nevertheless, Watzke believes the signing of Kagawa is further proof that the Bundesliga outfit are on the right path and hopes Reus will realise that Signal Iduna Park is the place for him.

"Marco also sees what's happening here at Dortmund. I don't have any doubts about that," Watzke was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Marco and Shinji are very well capable of playing together. We have a number of great players in midfield now. It's the perfect mix of experience, dynamic players and players who can retain possession.

"The stiff competition for places that everybody's been talking about is something I have yet to experience in real life. We have to get to the point where we are able to replace one or two great players each game."

Reus has a contract with Dortmund until June 2017, but allegedly has a buyout clause that allows him to leave for €35 million in the summer of 2015.

 

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Kompany avoids serious injury after calf strain fear

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has avoided serious injury after missing Belgium training on Wednesday, Marc Wilmots has confirmed.

The 28-year-old was sent for a scan to determine the extent of the calf strain and has now been given the all-clear to return to training ahead of Thursday's friendly against Australia.

Wilmots tweeted: “Good news for Vincent Kompany, he will do light training tomorrow and we will then see whether he can play. Without taking any risk of course!”

Kompany has started all three of City’s Premier League fixtures this season but Manuel Pellegrini’s men are already three points behind leaders Chelsea after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke.

City completed a €40 million deal to sign Eliaquim Mangala from Porto last month but the France international is yet to make his debut as he remained short of fitness before the international break.

Matija Nastasic also remains at City after failing to secure a move before the close of the transfer window. Arsenal had enquired about the 21-year-old on deadline day, while Roma, Inter and Fiorentina were also keen on a deal earlier this summer.

 

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Barcelona offered over €40m for Marquinhos, says Al-Khelaifi

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has revealed that Barcelona made an offer worth over €40 million for Marquinhos.

The Catalans lured defenders such as Jeremy Mathieu, Thomas Vermaelen and Douglas to Camp Nou this summer, yet they were keen to add another defender to their ranks and had earmarked Marquinhos as the perfect addition.

Nevertheless, PSG see the 20-year-old as an important player for the future and have no intention of selling the centre-back whom they bought from Roma a year ago.

"We have received a huge offer from Barcelona for Marquinhos, one worth more than €40m," El-Khelaifi was quoted as saying by Le Parisien.

"But Paris Saint-Germain are not a club that buys players to sell them on again. We are not here to do business and try to make profit on a player. We are here to build a great club with some amazing players.

"If it was our aim to sell players and make profits, we could have sold three or four players this summer. But that's not our philosophy."

Marquinhos has a contract with PSG until the summer of 2018.

 

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Official: Real Madrid loan Manchester United's Varela

Real Madrid have signed Manchester United defender Guillermo Varela on loan for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old was David Moyes's first signing as United boss, but has not featured in the first team since his move from Penarol and links up with the European champions for the remainder of the 2014-15 campaign.

Varela will play for the Real's 'Castilla' reserve team in the Segunda Division under Zinedine Zidane.

He becomes the second player this week to make a loan move to Real from United, following striker Javier Hernandez to the Spanish capital.

Uruguay Under-20 international Varela was a regular fixture in United's Under-21 team last season.

 

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Buffon: Conte the right coach for Italy

Gianluigi Buffon is confident Antonio Conte is the right man to get Italy back on track following a disappointing World Cup.

Conte was named as Cesare Prandelli's successor last month and will take charge of his country for the first time in a friendly against Netherlands in Bari on Thursday.

Buffon knows all about Conte's qualities, having worked under the 45-year-old coach during his successful spell at Juventus, and the veteran goalkeeper is in no doubt that Conte has all of the ingredients to be a success on the international stage.

"Conte is a perfectionist - a coach and a man who believes in discipline and rules," Buffon told reporters.

"At a historic moment like this I think he was the only one who, in such a short time, can have the strength to drag us back up.

"I see him as we saw him at Juve - he has very clear ideas, communicating ideas without any possibility of being misunderstood.

"I believe that our players need this type of guidance. I see him as really confident, calm, energetic - he's the right man."

 

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Lahm: Germany not on par with Spain...yet

Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm believes the reigning world champions still have some work to do before they're on par with Spain.

Vicente del Bosque's men won three major tournaments in a row between 2008 and 2012 before they were dethroned as world champions by Germany this summer and Lahm feels that - despite their group stage exit in Brazil - Spain remain the team to beat for now.

"I don't think that people can already compare us with Spain. They won three titles in a row," Lahm was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Only when Germany can achieve something similar can we say that Germany are the new benchmark.

"For me, Spain remain the team to beat at the moment and also at Euro 2016."

Lahm also reflected on Germany's performances over the past decade and stressed that it all started with a disappointing Euro 2004 campaign.

"Germany have gone through a lot to get here. I still remember the group-stage elimination at Euro 2004, which was a huge disappointment.

"We learned a lot, though, and developed as a team in the following years. There was the semi-final at the 2006 World Cup, the final at Euro 2008 and semi-finals at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

"The road to the World Cup title was a long one."

 

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Sahin out for two months after surgery

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and will be out for around two months.

The Turkey international was initially ruled out for three weeks after it was revealed he suffered tendon damage in training.However, Sahin is now set for a longer spell on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on his left knee.

A statement on the club's official website said: "Nuri Sahin has had surgery on Wednesday in the Isar Clinic in Platt Park Ling."Dr. Heinz-Jurgen Eichhorn removed inflamed tissue from Sahin's left knee during surgery. Borussia Dortmund team doctor Markus Braun based an approximately two-month rehabilitation period for the Turkish national player."

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has had to contend with a lengthy injury list at the start of the season, with Jakub Blaszczykowski and Ilkay Gundogan among his other absentees.

 

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Cuadrado confirms talks with Manchester United & Barcelona

Juan Cuadrado has revealed that his representatives had held talks with Manchester United and Barcelona in the summer but insists he is happy to remain at Fiorentina until the end of the season.

It was reported in August that United were confident of signing the Colombia international this summer in a deal worth up to €37.5 million.

Barcelona now have a transfer ban in place which prevents them from making new signings until 2016, therefore United could reignite their interest without having to compete with the Spanish club for his signature.

"We had spoken with them [Manchester United and Barcelona] but the truth is that I’ve always remained calm," Cuadrado told reporters.

"I'm happy to stay another season, I'm fine here."

 

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Del Bosque: Munir close to Spain call-up

Vicente Del Bosque has suggested that Barcelona youngster Munir El Haddadi could be set for a call-up to the senior Spain squad in the near future.

The 19-year-old has burst onto the first-team scene at club level, starring in pre-season before scoring against Elche in his La Liga debut and again being named in the team for the win over Villarreal last weekend.

The attacker's early-season form has earned him a promotion to the Spain Under-21 squad, having previously played at under-19 level and Del Bosque has hinted the final step up the international ladder is not far away for the player who remains eligible to play for Morocco at international level.

"The first step has been taken. He came to the teams below and now he has been called for the Under-21s," Del Bosque told Mundo Deportivo.

"We cannot and will not put any obstacle in his way before we summon him for the seniors.

"We incorporated Bojan when he was just a newcomer to the first team at Barcelona and thought ‘If he is very good, why wouldn’t we?’ We will do the same here."

Under-21 coach Albert Celades, who will be using Munir in the upcoming fixtures against Hungary and Austria, was confident the starlet would be a big part of Spain’s future.

He said: "Munir has a fantastic attitude. We will take care of him and make him feel comfortable.

"We believe in him for the future of Spain."

 

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Remy given Chelsea No.18 shirt

Chelsea have confirmed that Loic Remy will wear the number 18 shirt at Stamford Bridge.

The France international completed his move from QPR to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the Blues agreeing to meet his €10.5 million release clause.

And the club have now announced that Remy will take the shirt vacated by Romelu Lukaku, who joined Everton for €35m earlier this summer.

Remy, who spent last season on loan at Newcastle, scored 14 goals in 26 appearances for the Magpies and looked set to move to Liverpool earlier this summer, only for the deal to fall through over reported injury concerns.

 

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Atletico can achieve great things this year - Cerci

Alessio Cerci says he hopes to "achieve great things" with his new club Atletico Madrid.

The Italy international arrived at the Vicente Calderon from Torino on a three-year contract on Monday and could make his debut against local rivals Real Madrid on September 13.The former Roma and Fiorentina forward spent two years in Turin, but says he is delighted to have made the move to Spain and is "honoured" that the club have given him the "great opportunity" to play for them.

"It is my honour to be here. Atletico are a constantly evolving team who always want to win and have a big project," he told the club's official website."I am very proud to be at this club. On a personal level I hope to play and prove myself.

"Atleti has given me a great opportunity and I hope we have a successful season and, on a personal level, I hope to play and prove my worth.

"With the help of my colleagues I hope to show my talent as I have done in the past, and do the right things to help the team."From the first training session I wil lgive my all and show who Alessio Cerci is. I'll always give 100 per cent so that we can achieve great things.

"This is a great team and they've proved it. I hope my arrival contributes something more to this group.

"It is impossible not to be aware of the history of Atletico in recent years, especially after the deserved league title last season against such strong teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona."

 

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