..::Football III::..

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Xabi Alonso fires Barcelona warning

Xabi Alonso has fired a warning to Barcelona by claiming Real Madrid are in rude health after bolstering their squad in the transfer window.

Los Blancos were beaten to La Liga by Barcelona last season and lost the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid, resulting in the departure of Jose Mourinho and the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti in the Madrid hotseat.

The Italian has wasted little time in stamping his mark on the side, bringing in the likes of Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro, as well as chasing Gareth Bale from Tottenham.

And far from feeling his first-team status is under threat, Alonso has claimed their new found squad depth will set them apart from their rivals instead.

"I think the new signings have been good for the team and the important things is that we have built a base," the 31-year-old said in an interview with Adidas.

"I'm sure each new player will contribute and the more options the coach has, the better. I think we know each other well. We have been together for some time now.

"We are feeling very good about the season and have the highest of expectations."

Ancelotti will be joined in the dugout by club icon Zinedine Zidane and Alonso has emphasised how the former Champions League winner's expertise will be of great use.

"I have always admired him [Zidane] a lot. He is someone every footballer looks up to," he continued. "I'm very motivated about working alongside him because of everything he has achieved and experienced.

"When you are at a club like Real Madrid you know each game is fundamental and you go for victory in every single game.

"We are excited about the new season but now we have to put everything into practice on the pitch and make a strong start."

"Little by little I'm easing myself back in [from groin surgery] but my team-mates are happy and training hard in intense sessions in order to get fit."

The Spain international went under the knife in June and has been forced to sit out pre-season, but is understood to be recovering faster than expected.

Los Blancos are presently on tour in the United States, where they will next take on Everton in the Guinness International Champions Cup.

 

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Anderson ready to challenge for regular role at Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Anderson admits he has been frustrated by his form and injuries but insists he is ready to challenge for a regular first-team place under David Moyes.

The 25-year-old, who was signed from Porto in the summer of 2007, made just nine Premier League starts last season due to fitness problems.

"It’s not just the fans who’ve been frustrated, I’ve been frustrated," Anderson told Manchester Evening News.

"I never asked to be injured, I don’t want to be injured. I want to play every week for Manchester United, I love being here.

"Last season I was doing good for six games, then I started to feel my knee.

"I felt the pain but I kept playing because I wanted to help my team, but then I had to stop playing. I felt like I was making a step forward and two back. Just when I think everything is fine I get an injury."

The Brazilian hailed the influence of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and insists he is now preparing to become a significant part of Moyes' side.

"Ferguson helped me a lot. He’s a great person, but a new manager means new mentality and I’m happy with that," said Anderson.

"Training is hard under David Moyes but that’s good for me. I need to train hard. I need to run and I’m feeling good, with power in my legs. I need to get fit and lose weight. I need to lose two more kilos to be at my best weight.

"I just don’t want to have injuries. I want to train every day and play every game. I want to do my best for the team, want to play 90 minutes and not have to come off. To do that I need to be 100% fit."

 

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Anderson meh season 1ke wath deyak kaloth hodai

 

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El Shaarawy: I never considered leaving AC Milan

Stephan El Shaarawy has insisted that he never thought about leaving AC Milan amid speculation earlier this summer that he was ready to exit San Siro.

The Italy international, 20, was one of the revelations of the 2012-13 campaign and his good performances last term did not go unnoticed elsewhere, with Manchester City among those credited with an interest.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed last month that Milan had rejected an offer worth more than €30 million for the youngster, but El Shaarawy maintains a transfer was never an option.
"I've always been convinced of my decisions, so I never thought about changing team," the forward told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have been a Milan fan since childhood, so being here is a dream come true. I would never have left, not even faced with an offer from Real Madrid. I’d have said no to any team.

"It's also true that concrete requests from the so-called ‘big’ clubs never really developed. I want to be here for a long time and write Milan history."

El Shaarawy moved to Milan from Genoa in the summer of 2011 and has a contract with the San Siro side until June 2018.

 

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Mourinho: Chelsea style must change to suit Torres

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Fernando Torres has struggled to make his mark in London because his team-mates have not adapted to him.Torres joined Chelsea from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50 million but has scored just 34 goals in 131 appearances for the London-based English Premier League club, prompting plenty of speculation the 29-year-old Spanish striker is past his best.

But Mourinho, who has rejoined Chelsea as manager after five years coaching outside England, is convinced he can get the best out of Torres in the upcoming campaign."He [Torres] is not a kid any more, he is at an age where it is difficult to change his play," Mourinho said after Chelsea's 2-0 friendly win over Inter Milan on Friday.

"He is what he is and he is very good with the qualities that he has got. So we need to learn and support his game.

"I feel he is highly motivated, he works very hard. I think some of the work we do with the team in terms of attack suits his qualities."So let’s see what happens. We are here to support him."While Torres scored 22 goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season, his future with the London club had been in doubt.

Mourinho, however, believes Torres has been forced to play a style of football that does not suit the Spaniard.Since Mourinho's first stint in charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have been built around playing with a striker, who can play with his back to goal, like Didier Drogba, but the 50-year-old Portuguese manager believes his side must change their style to see the best of Torres.

"When we see Torres with his back to goal surrounded by two or three opponents, we know that he is not going to produce a piece of magic," Mourinho said."But this is Torres. We want the team not to learn how to play with him but to improve how to play with him.

"We won't re-model his game, it is impossible to re-model his game."But we want to adapt the team and teach the team how to use his best qualities, because his game is his game."

 

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Aguero facing race against time to be fit for start of season

Sergio Aguero is facing a race against time to be fit for the new Premier League campaign.

The Argentine striker was an unused substitute for Manchester City's Audi Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich and has thus far failed to feature in a single pre-season game after being diagnosed with muscle and ligament fatigue to his knee.

City's medical staff have been working with the former Atletico Madrid star on a daily basis and are confident their cautious approach in gently getting the 25-year-old up to speed is the correct way to go.

The Premier League runners-up will continue to monitor Aguero's progress in the next few days and he hopes he might even get the green light to play some part in the upcoming friendly against Arsenal in Helsinki.

Aguero is also due to join up with Argentina in the next fortnight, with national team doctors being kept in the loop, although he was absent from the squad list submitted for the friendly meeting with Italy on August 14.

The €44 million forward was plagued by a knee problem last season, which he suffered on the opening day against Southampton, and struggled to hit the heights of his debut year, when his goal in the dying moments against QPR secured the Premier League title.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini remains calm over Aguero's fitness and the fact that he is not fully ready to be involved in first-team action.

Despite losing Carlos Tevez to Juventus over the summer, the Chilean coach does have Edin Dzeko, who has been in top form during pre-season, as well as new recruits Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo.

 

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Mourinho: I tried to sign Bale

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he attempted to lure Tottenham star Gareth Bale to Real Madrid last season.

The Wales international appears to be drawing closer to a potentially world-record move to Santiago Bernabeu, but Mourinho has made it clear that the 24-year-old could have been plying his trade in Spain for the past 12 months had his plans last summer come to fruition.

"I asked the club to buy him [Bale] last season but it was not possible," Mourinho told ESPN.

"It looks like it is happening this season so I am happy for them because they have got a fantastic player but, of course, the numbers are huge numbers and the kid has to go now and there’s pressure to prove that he’s worth that investment.

"I think he’s a fantastic player and the way my Real Madrid was playing, I think it was an easy player to fill a space and to get into that tactical dynamic.

"I don’t know what Carlo [Ancelotti] is thinking now but Carlo is an experienced coach and for sure will get the best out of him."

Bale has a contract with Spurs until June 2016, but the Premier League side are seemingly ready to cash in on him this summer if their €115 million valuation of the player is met.

 

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Aubameyang targets European crown

Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has his eyes on the European crown having joined the club this summer.

Bayern Munich beat Jurgen Klopp's men at Wembley in May in the Champions League final, but the Gabon international wants to bounce back immediately with continental success though is aware of the threat the Bavarians pose to BVB.

"My dream - and the dream of the whole team - is to be German champions once again and get back [and win] the Champions League final," Aubameyang, 24, told Der Welt. "I hope we can do that in these five years.

"Bayern have a great team and great players. But that you can also beat them, as you saw in DFL-Supercup [which Dortmund won 4-2]. Nevertheless, Bayern are currently not only the best in Germany but also in Europe."

Aubameyang admitted that he was unable to resist the lure of the Schwarzgelben and believes he fits the counterattacking style Klopp's side play with in the Bundesliga.

"When I heard that BVB has interest in me, I was immediately hooked," the forward added. "I was excited about being part of this team that have progressed in recent years with incredible development.

"And the Dortmund style of play fits in with my philosophy. As an attacking player, I think the same. I simply thought I'd fit and then I immediately wanted to come.

"BVB switch quickly from defence to attack and I'm a fast counterattack player. I think that I can contribute with my good attributes."

In pre-season fitness training this summer, Aubameyang posted a faster time over 30 metres than Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt, and the striker has jokingly suggested: "Maybe you can even organise a sprint duel between the two of us!"

 

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Tottenham confirm Dempsey returning to MLS

Tottenham have confirmed they have reached agreement with Major League Soccer for Clint Dempsey.

The United States international returns to MLS after making 43 appearances and scoring 12 goals for Tottenham following his signing from Fulham last summer.

The north London side have also agreed a deal to sign striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia, which is likely to have restricted Dempsey's first-team chances.

The versatile midfielder, who has 99 caps for the United States, left New England Revolution in his homeland to join Fulham in January 2007. He scored 50 goals in 184 league appearances for the Cottagers before Spurs beat Liverpool and Aston Villa to his signature last summer.Goal revealed how Dempsey had grown frustrated with life at White Hart Lane and was hopeful of a move ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

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Tottenham Dempsey wa sell karapu 1kanam aparade

 

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Cristiano is not the 'real' Ronaldo - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has taken another swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo by claiming that that his fellow Portuguese is not the "real" Ronaldo.

The Chelsea boss, who recently stated that his former charge at Real Madrid "thinks he knows everything", insinuated that he has more respect for Brazil legend Ronaldo, with whom he worked during his time at Barcelona under the guidance of Bobby Robson.

"I was manager for the first time in the 2000 year but, before that, I was assistant in big clubs and with big managers and coaching the best players in the world, so I was 30 and I was coaching Ronaldo, not this one [Cristiano], the real one, the Brazilian Ronaldo," Mourinho told ESPN.

"I was coaching Rivaldo, I was coaching [Luis] Figo, I was coaching [Pep] Guardiola, I was coaching big players when I was very, very young.

"So, at that time, I was not the manager, I was just an assistant but I was feeling that I had, in my hands, some potential and after that I start my career in the year 2000 and after four years I won my first Champions League and, after that, everything comes as a consequence."

Mourinho left Camp Nou in 2000 to coach Benfica but it was at rivals Porto that he became a household name on the back of their remarkable Champions League success in 2004.

 

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Arsenal 2-2 Napoli: Late Koscielny leveller salvages draw for plucky Gunners

2nd half eke nam elatama play kala

 

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Cristiano is not the 'real' Ronaldo - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has taken another swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo by claiming that that his fellow Portuguese is not the "real" Ronaldo.

The Chelsea boss, who recently stated that his former charge at Real Madrid "thinks he knows everything", insinuated that he has more respect for Brazil legend Ronaldo, with whom he worked during his time at Barcelona under the guidance of Bobby Robson.

"I was manager for the first time in the 2000 year but, before that, I was assistant in big clubs and with big managers and coaching the best players in the world, so I was 30 and I was coaching Ronaldo, not this one [Cristiano], the real one, the Brazilian Ronaldo," Mourinho told ESPN.

"I was coaching Rivaldo, I was coaching [Luis] Figo, I was coaching [Pep] Guardiola, I was coaching big players when I was very, very young.

"So, at that time, I was not the manager, I was just an assistant but I was feeling that I had, in my hands, some potential and after that I start my career in the year 2000 and after four years I won my first Champions League and, after that, everything comes as a consequence."

Mourinho left Camp Nou in 2000 to coach Benfica but it was at rivals Porto that he became a household name on the back of their remarkable Champions League success in 2004.

dan mou pora talk danawa

 

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Fiorentina: AC Milan's Ljajic bid unacceptable

Fiorentina have condemned AC Milan for their "unacceptable, late and inopportune" bid for attacker Adem Ljajic.

Milan are believed to have tabled an €8 million bid for the Serbian and are reported to have agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old, despite the Viola's insistence that the offer is far below their valuation.

Fiorentina vice-president Paolo Panerai took to Twitter earlier this week to criticise Milan counterpart Adriano Galliani for "violating the rules" with his approach for Ljajic, and the club have since issued their own scathing assessment of the issue.

“With regards to what was said yesterday by Paolo Panerai on the Ljajic issue, Fiorentina confirm our counsellor’s comments were personal expressions,” a statement read on the club's official website.

“Having said that, we consider Milan’s offer to be unacceptable, certainly late and absolutely inopportune.”

Fiorentina midfielder Alberto Aquilani believes Ljajic wants to stay at Stadio Artemio Franchi, but acknowledges that he will likely look to move on if the club do not match his demands to extend his current contract beyond 2014.

"I have a very good relationship with Adem, he seems well, relaxed. He's at a crossroads in his career, I hope he stays to keep doing what he's doing on the pitch," Aquilani told a press conference.

“I remain convinced he wants to stay here. There are some offers, but he wants to stay with Fiorentina. It’s an important crossroads for him and if the club doesn’t meet his contract demands, then, it means we’ll face him playing for another team.”

 

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De Boer hails Bojan potential following Eredivisie debut

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has backed both Bojan Krkic and Mike van der Hoorn to shine following their close-season arrivals at the club.

Barcelona loanee Bojan made his Eredivisie debut on Friday as Ajax eased to a 3-0 win over Roda JC, while Van der Hoorn, a recent acquisition from Utrecht, was an unused substitute.And De Boer has been pleased with the early efforts of both players, despite their ongoing battles for fitness in pre-season.

"You can see that Bojan is a good player," he told the club's official website."Before coming he had not played since April due to a thigh injury. He has fit in very well during the close-season as he was quickly able to play 45 minutes.
"(Van der Hoorn) has had a very tough season. In addition, he was in Israel at the youth European Championship.

"Eventually Mike will fit in well, I expect that he can succeed at Ajax. We now have a full squad which we can work with."Ajax are aiming for their fourth-consecutive Eredivisie title.

 

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Lukaku wants to earn Chelsea recognition

Romelu Lukaku has reiterated his desire to become a Chelsea first-team regular rather listen to offers from rival clubs.

The striker was a revelation during his season-long loan at West Brom last term, scoring 17 Premier League goals in 35 appearances, including a hat-trick against champions Manchester United on the final day.

Only five players found the net more times than the 20-year-old in the Premier League, none of which play for Chelsea, fuelling reported interest from several clubs but Lukaku is focussing solely on forcing his way into Jose Mourinho’s plans.

"It feels good," said Lukaku of the interest in him during an interview with The Sunday Mirror.

"I knew that, if I performed well, people would make a lot of requests for me. But I’m a Chelsea player and happy to be here. It’s up to me. If I do well, I will play. I have always felt like a Chelsea player, even at West Brom."

Belgium international Lukaku has so far made just eight Premier League appearances for Chelsea following his 2011 move from Anderlecht.

Being an emerging young player at Stamford Bridge is difficult, as Lukaku is quick to point out and knows only too well, due to the strength in depth and the club’s financial clout.

Lukaku, though, relishes the competition from the likes of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba for a place in Mourinho’s side on a weekly basis.

He added: "It’s not easy at Chelsea, it’s not easy at all. You have to show yourself every day because you know how big the competition is and, if you don’t do well, there is always a player that can take your place.

"Of course, I think I can get into the first team at Chelsea. But there is still room for improvement."

 

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Rosell: Messi would cost €580 millionax

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has claimed Lionel Messi would cost any potential suitor €580 million - but insists he is the one player he would not allow to leave Camp Nou.

Barca recently sold Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich after the player requested the chance to move and Rosell has made it clear he will not stand in any player's way if they do not commit to the Liga champions - with the exception of their Argentine ace.

"All players who want to leave can leave - all but Messi," he told Sport. "They'd have to give Messi €250m to pay the LFP clause, then they'll have to pay more than 56 per cent in taxes. This would be about €580m.

"Thiago has gone because he wanted to. He asked in writing to be allowed to leave. We do not want players who do not think of Barca first."

Rosell also conceded defeat in the club's pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva and revealed he has personally written to the Manchester United hierarchy to ward them off any further bids for Cesc Fabregas.

"The player we wanted [Thiago Silva] is unattainable and unfeasible, because the other side do not want to sell. It is impossible under these conditions. From here we have to look at other options, to see what we can do," Rosell continued.

"He wants to stay and there is no argument from us. I sent a letter to the president of United to say that Cesc was not for sale."

New signing Neymar impressed on his Camp Nou debut in the 8-0 friendly rout of Santos, but Rosell warned people to be patient with the Brazil star during his first season in Europe.

"Ronaldinho helped change the history of this club. Neymar doesn't need to do this, he must help maintain the current level. Neymar will need time," he said.

"As of today, Messi can help Neymar more than the other way round. That said, Neymar can help distract defences to allow Messi one less opponent. If he had four [before], now he has three."

Finally, Rosell commented on Real Madrid's efforts to land Tottenham star Gareth Bale, insisting that only the player's success in the Spanish capital could determine whether the proposed €120m transfer fee was appropriate or not.

"Time will tell if €120m for Bale is cheap or expensive," the 49-year-old added. "We have to put the player's age, his titles, his salary, his career to date and his abiliy into the mix. That will tell us if he is expensive or cheap.

"Bale, who will play, is much cheaper than players who have not even played for one minute."

 

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Liverpool won't sell Suarez to Arsenal, says Purslow

Liverpool's former managing director Christian Purslow expects the club to reject any approaches from Arsenal for wantaway striker Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan has been the subject of two bids from the north Londoners, with the second, improved offer worth up to £42 million.

But Liverpool have been steadfast in their determination to keep Suarez, adamant he is going nowhere, and Purslow does not believe the club would sell to Arsenal.

"If the only offer is from Arsenal I would expect Luis Suarez to stay at Liverpool," Purslow told BBC Radio 5 live.

"It's disappointing as a follower of Liverpool that the player has so publicly and so early in the close season made it pretty clear that he would like to move on.

"I'm pretty realistic about these things and it's not that unusual for a player of that magnitude to want to play at Champions League level. That appears to be his motivation."

Like Purslow, ex-Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli believes Suarez is eager to showcase his ability in the Champions League, and the former Arsenal scout sees the Gunners as a step up.

"The longer Liverpool are out of the Champions League, the harder it will be to attract players. We knew it would be hard to keep [Pepe] Reina, [Daniel] Agger, Luis [Suarez]," Comolli told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Luis is extremely ambitious and with all due respect to Liverpool, they're a top eight side not top four like Arsenal".

 

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Lloris praises 'complete' Falcao as one of the world's finest

Hugo Lloris has hailed Monaco striker Radamel Falcao as one of the world's finest centre-forwards following his impressive showing against Tottenham on Friday.

The Colombian star scored twice as Claudio Ranier's side thrashed Tottenham 5-2 in their pre-season encounter at Stade Louis II and the goalkeeper admits he did not need to face the 27-year-old in action to know of his qualities.

"I didn't need this game to find out," Lloris told MadeINfoot.com when asked if Falcao was one of the continent's best. "He is among the top four attackers in the world. He is complete, decisive, he loves responsibilities."

Lloris believes Monaco have proven they are ready to mount a serious challenge for the Ligue 1 title in 2013-14, despite having only gained promotion back to the French top flight last season.

"They look ready to challenge for the championship," the ex-Olympique Lyonnais shot-stopper added. "They have balance and respect. They are a great team with a lot of talented players and they have everything they need for a great season."

 

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Thiago will cause problems at Bayern, claims Magath

Pep Guardiola will cause problems at Bayern Munich with the signing of Thiago Alcantara, according to former Roten boss Felix Magath.

The 22-year-old left Barcelona for the Allianz Arena in a €20 million deal earlier this summer and Magath - who coached the club between 2004 and 2007 - believes the Spaniard's arrival will cause unrest within the Bayern camp.

"I see it as a problem that a Spanish coach signed a Spanish player," he told Sport1.

"Pep will get problems with Thiago; either his team-mates will be angry because he plays all the time, or people will question the transfer fee, in case the coach won't let him play. Pep could have avoided this situation."

Magath, who was coach of Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg until last year, believes Guardiola is fighting a losing battle as he attempts to improve upon Jupp Heynckes' treble-winning formula of 2012-13.

"If he [Guardiola] suddenly assigns proven players to a different position, logically, they won't have much sympathy for the decision and won't go along with it," Magath continued.


"Bayern played better than ever before last season. I don't think anybody would be able to improve them.

"Pep has the problem that he took over a team that won every title last term. Therefore, he can't make them better."