..::Football III::..

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'Barca are scared of Man City' - Yaya Toure

Barcelona are "scared" of Manchester City based on their storming performances this campaign, according to former Camp Nou midfielder Yaya Toure.

The Ivorian has been a pivotal part of the Blues' ascension to second in the Premier League in 2013-14 as of Christmas, as well as helping the club to their first appearance in the Champions League knock-out stage.

Manuel Pellegrini's men will face Barca in the last 16 and Toure - who left the Catalans in 2010 - thinks that Gerardo Martino's side fear elimination to the Citizens, whom he thinks will be the biggest team on the planet in a few seasons.

"To make history sometimes it takes longer," the 30-year-old told Sky Sports. "I am a lucky man to be in the right place because the club have brought in fantastic players.

"Everything is in a good place to be honest, and I'm sure in a couple of years Man City will become the greatest club in the world.

"[Barcelona] are quite afraid about us, the way they see us play in the Premier League at home especially, they're quite scared.

"We play fantastic football and we score goals, it's total attack. But it's going to be a tough game and for us we know if we're to win we need to be at the top of our game."

Man City face Premier League table-toppers Liverpool on December 26 and can take first place with a win at the Etihad Stadium.

 

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Dempsey completes two-month Fulham loan move

Clint Dempsey has returned to Fulham on a two-month loan deal from MLS club Seattle Sounders, the Craven Cottage outfit has confirmed.

The 30-year-old has returned to England from Seattle Sounders in order to help the Cottagers' bid to avoid relegation during the MLS off-season.

Dempsey left Fulham in acrimonious circumstances to sign for Tottenham in August 2012, ending a five-year stay at Craven Cottage having left New England Revolution in 2007.

"It feels good to be back," the USA international told the club's official website. "This has always felt like my home in Europe and I'm just excited to be back and be a part of this team and play in this league.

"I wanted to get back to playing at the highest level and back to top form.

"The game plan is to go out and give everything I have, make the most of it and take some shots.

"The evidence is there, the signs are there that it’s a team fighting for any points they can get and if they keep that mentality there shouldn’t be any problem climbing the table.

"They’ve been in tough sit before and come out, and I don’t think this will be any different."

Dempsey scored 60 goals in 225 appearances for Fulham, including a famous individual goal against Juventus during the club's miraculous run to the Europa League final in 2010.

He follows in the footsteps of the likes of Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry as MLS stars to have enjoyed loan spells in the Premier League.

 

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Moyes challenges Welbeck to maintain scoring run

Manchester United manager David Moyes has challenged Danny Welbeck to maintain his goalscoring form.

Having previously faced criticism for not finding the net regularly enough, Welbeck has scored three times in as many appearances after being pushed further forward in the absence of the injured Robin van Persie.

The England international picked up a knock to his knee after his goal against West Ham on Saturday, but appears set to be available for Thursday's trip to Hull City.

"It's only a kick to his knee," Moyes told United's official website.

"He'd had a knee problem a few weeks ago, but this was a kick to it. He's trained and we hope that he's ok.

"I think Danny's a really good player, and I want him to become a really good goalscorer.

"He's got three in his last three games, so that's a good record for him and he has to try to keep that level up."

Welbeck has five Premier League goals in 11 appearances this term, a vast improvement on the one goal he managed in the 2012-13 season.

 

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Valencia vindicated on shirt number change

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia is satisfied that his "fortune has changed" since reverting to the No.25 shirt.

Following the departure of Michael Owen from Old Trafford in 2012, the Ecuadorian inherited the Red Devils' famous No.7 but 2012-13 was a poor season for him, prompting a switch back to his old number over the summer.

Some suggested that the change was a sign of the pressure getting to him, having to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But, speaking to reporters of his decision, Valencia explained: "It was more to do with the fact that 25 was the number I had when I first came to the club and I played well wearing that.

"So I thought: 'Why don't I go back to 25?' I had good times and good fortune in that shirt.

"There is no negative reason as to why I changed. I don't want people to think I wasn’t doing my job for the team because of any added pressure of wearing the No.7 shirt.

"I suppose I set the bar high in 2012 and then I had a niggling problem with my back, which didn't allow me to train properly. There is no sign of that now.

"I feel great and have been able to train to my maximum and put in 100 per cent. That has been paying dividends in games and I feel my fortune has changed going back to the 25 shirt."

 

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PSG thinking bigger in 2014 - Al-Khelaifi

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is delighted with how 2013 went for the club, but is dreaming of more success in 2014.

The capital outfit won their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years last term and currently sit three points clear in the race for the Championnat going into the winter break.

And the 40-year-old believes that next year will be even better for his club, whom have been linked with a January swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye and whom continue to be associated with a move for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I have to thank you. In 2013, together, we became champions. For you, with you, we will continue Paris Saint-Germain's history," he told supporters via the club's official website.

"In 2014, we're dreaming even bigger. I wish you a merry Christmas."

PSG finished top of their Champions League group and have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.

 

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'Iker is the best, but Ancelotti picks the team'

Spanish Football Federation president Angel Maria Villar believes that Real Madrid's Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world, but accepts Carlo Ancelotti's right to pick whoever he wants.

The Spain skipper suffered a hand injury in January, forcing the signing of Diego Lopez, who has since usurped his place in the Blancos line-up.

However, Villar believes that Casillas is still the superior keeper.

"Casiilas is the best in the world, but Carlo Ancelotti plays who he wants," he is quoted as saying by AS.

Villar went on to say that Spain are by no means guaranteed winners of the 2014 World Cup, despite their recent success.

"People expect Spain to win, but every team has its limits, and that will happen to us."

Finally, Villar said that Diego Costa will be included in Spain's squad for Brazil, unless he picks up an injury, having switched his allegiance.

"Diego Costa’s situation isn’t new. We should be grateful to the player [for having chosen to play for Spain]. Diego Costa should be fit for the World Cup and if he isn’t he won’t be in the squad."

 

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Robben eyes new Bayern deal

Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has voiced his confidence that he will sign a new contract at the club in the near future.

The Dutchman has been at the Allianz Arena since 2009, but his current deal expires in just 18 months' time.

However, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea man says he is enjoying life in Bavaria and believes he still has something to offer the team.

"The club knows what they have in me and I know what I have at the club," the 29-year-old told SZ.

"I have a feeling that I have at least three years of top football before me - I love it here.

"[Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge] has said that we will soon talk concretely about the future."

Robben has been in excellent form for Bayern this season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions prior to a knee injury earlier this month.

 

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Klopp: This is the hardest season of my career

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp claims injuries have made this season the hardest of his career.The likes of Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Lukasz Piszczek, Marcel Schmelzer and Ilkay Gundogan have all missed significant chunks of this term, with the Serb set to miss the rest of season.

They injury crisis has seen them slump down the Bundesliga table but Klopp insists that it is not linked with BVB's ferocious style of play.

"As far as injuries, it is the hardest (season) of my coaching career," he told Rheinische Post."It is farfetched when people say that injuries are to do with our style of play - you only have to look at who is hurt and why - you soon notice that they have nothing to do with each other.

"The good thing is that Erik Durm, Marian Sarr, Jonas Hofmann and others get the chance to play in a top league."A complete axle is broken with us; that changes the whole game. Two centre-backs, two full-backs, two defensive midfielders It changes the whole structure."

However, despite the difficulties of recent months, Klopp says he enjoys working with his current group of players, particularly with the progress they have made.
"It's a pleasure to work with these guys. You cope with the pressure of having to win. We are recognised as a top team and will be remembered as one."

 

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Vidal targets European trophies with Juventus

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal wants to taste European success at the club before he makes any plans for an exit.

The Chile international and his team-mates were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the group stage following a weather-delayed tie against Galatasaray earlier this month.

However, the 26-year-old midfielder is not looking to leave Turin just yet and revealed he wants to win European silverware before considering any move away from the Italian champions.

"Right now I would say that (an exit) is difficult. I want to win something important in Europe in this shirt," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.Vidal is has his sights set on individual awards, targeting next year's FIFA Ballon d'Or.

"I would have put myself in (the 23-man shortlist this year)," he added.
"And I'll aim to win it in 2014."

 

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Iniesta signs new Barcelona deal

Congratz Iniesta

 

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Liverpool's Lucas plays down title talk

Lucas Leiva insists Liverpool's primary focus this season is qualifying for the Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers' side have the honour of sitting top of the Premier League table on Christmas Day, but Lucas dismissed talk of the club winning its first top-flight title since 1990.

Instead, the Brazilian has set his sights on a top-four finish after a four-year absence from Europe's premier club competition.

"As the club has not played in the Champions League for the last three years, certainly our first goal is to return to this competition," he told Perform.

"As for the title, I think we still have many games left and we still can not talk about it. It has been almost half [the season], but it is still too early.

"It is also too early to say who is the favourite to win, just as it is too early to say that the team who is in relegation zone is out as well."Today, the league is very balanced. The teams that did not lose points in recent years, are now dropping points.

"We are certainly one of the candidates because we're up there. But I believe we have to go step by step and not let the excitement of the crowd and others people affect the squad, because we have to stay focused."

Liverpool face a stern test of their title credentials before the end of 2013, with trips to Manchester City and Chelsea to round off the year.

 

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Perez admits to La Decima 'obsession'

Real Madrid president Florention Perez has admitted that everyone at the club has become "a little obsessed" with 'La Decima'.

Los Blancos have been crowned champions of Europe a record nine times but they have not lifted the most prestigious prize in club football since 2002.

Consequently, winning a tenth title is beginning to weigh heavy on Madrid minds, as Perez freely admits.

"All Madridistas want to win titles," he stated in a message to the club's members and followers. "Maybe we're a little obsessed with La Decima but that is because it is the title we want the most."

The Spanish giants, who were eliminated at the semi-final stage of last season's Champions League by Borussia Dortmund, cruised through to the knockout stages of this year's tournament.

 

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'Ronaldo carrying Madrid but Ribery deserves Ballon d'Or' - Ben Arfa

Hatem Ben Arfa believes that while Cristiano Ronaldo has been "carrying Real Madrid on his own" this year, Franck Ribery would be a more worthy recipient of the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi has also been shortlisted for the prestigious individual award but Ronaldo and Ribery are widely regarded as the clear frontrunners.

Ben Arfa has nothing but respect for Ronaldo's remarkable goalscoring exploits with Madrid this year, with the Portuguese having netted 69 goals in total, but he feels that the key role Ribery played in Bayern Munich's historic treble success last season should not go unrecognised.

"When you see the stats of Ronaldo, he is carrying Real Madrid on his own," the Newcastle winger told L'Equipe.

"But if I had the power, I would give it to Ribery. He won everything with Bayern and contributed to their great season."

Ben Arfa raised eyebrows recently when he claimed that he could one day be crowned the best player in the world and he was keen to put his comments into context.

"They asked me if I was dreaming about the Ballon d'Or," the France international explained. "I said yes, like any player would. But this is not something that obsesses me."

Newcastle are currently flying in the Premier League but Ben Arfa has seen little game time of late. However, even though the World Cup is looming large on the horizon, the 26-year-old insists that he is not considering a move away from St. James' Park during the January transfer window.

"I do not think about Brazil," Ben Arfa declared. "I only think about my club and to be good for my team.

"The team is doing well and it is normal that the manager (Alan Pardew) maintains that confidence in the team in place. Although when you're a competitor, you want to be on the pitch.

"I give everything always, even if I am asked to play 10, 15 minutes. A departure from Newcastle? The question does not arise today. I do not think about it. I'm at Newcastle and I feel good. We'll see."

 

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Redknapp backs Sherwood for success at Tottenham

Harry Redknapp has backed new Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood to be a success at White Hart Lane.

The ex-player and technical co-director was appointed on a deal until the end of the 2014-15 season on Monday after taking charge of two games on an interim basis following Andre Villas-Boas' sacking.

And Redknapp - who managed Spurs between 2008 and 2012 - feels the man he brought to the club in a backroom role has the talent needed to manage such an established side.

"He's got this season and next season so it's great for him and it's a big opportunity for Tim," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"He knows the game, he's a good coach, he's his own man, he'll do it his way and I'm sure he will do well there.

"He won't bring players in he doesn't want and he'll pick the players he does want to play. No-one will influence him, he's a strong character.

"I'm pleased that Tim has got that opportunity to go and do it at Tottenham - a young English manager getting an opportunity to manage at the top level is fantastic.

"Let's hope he makes a great success of it and that more will follow in the future.

"He's my surprise package of the year. I brought him back into football when he was out of the game, bringing him in to work with young players.

"He's been excellent. He played with me at Portsmouth and he's got a real good knowledge of the game - I wish him well."

 

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Gerrard: Top four still the aim for Liverpool

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has called for the Reds to maintain their fantastic start to the season and finish in the top four.

Brendan Rodgers' side currently lead the way at the top of the Premier League, with Saturday's 3-1 win over Cardiff City propelling the Merseysiders above Arsenal and to the summit of England's top-flight.

But a cautious Gerrard is adamant that ending the campaign in the Champions League spots remains the primary aim and is not getting carried away with the Reds' position in the table.

He told Sky Sports: "With the talent we've got in the squad and the way we've started, we've set ourselves up with a magnificent chance of finishing in the top four so if we were to let that slip and finish outside everyone would be disappointed.

"The key to us is to finish inside the top four, it helps the club financially to bring players in and to end that long spell without it.

"I think we're title contenders if we're in the title race with 10 games to go - I don't get carried away or change targets or raise expectations around the city just because we've started the season very strong.

"To be in the title race you've got to be there with 10 games to go with a realistic challenge of winning it. I do have confidence and belief in my team-mates that we're capable of surprising a few people this season."

The England captain, 33, also conceded that he would be prepared to leave Liverpool if he falls out of first-team favour in the future.

He said: "If something happens where I fall out of contention or someone else comes along and takes my place and I stop enjoying it, if I still feel I could offer someone else something of course I'd consider it, but for the time being I can see myself seeing it out here."

 

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Wilshere: Manchester City fans insulted my kids

Jack Wilshere says he directed an offensive gesture at a group of Manchester City fans as a response to being abused about his children.

Wilshere was handed a two-match suspension by the Football Association for making the gesture during the second half of Arsenal's 6-3 defeat at the hands of City at the Eithad Stadium.

The punishment sidelined him for Monday's goalless draw with Chelsea and will keep him out of the Gunners' Boxing Day clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

On Tuesday Wilshere explained his actions on Twitter and admitted he may have to be prepared to suffer similar attacks from the stands in future.

"Gutted not to be Involved last night! Shouldn't of [sic] reacted the way I did but I know all you dads out there love your kids the way I do....," he wrote.

"Suppose I will just have to take the abuse about my kids in future......anyway, one more game to go! Can't wait to be back! #AFC"

 

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Neymar will go down in history - Ronaldo

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has claimed that Neymar will "go down in history" as one of the best Brazilian players ever.

The 21-year-old has shone in 2013 - after signing for the Catalans from Santos in the early summer, he starred as the Selecao stormed to the Confederations Cup title and has subsequently starred for Gerardo Martino's men this season.

"It is a fact that Neymar will be a great player," Ronaldo told Brazilian television. "He will go down in history as one of the best Brazilian players in the world.

"He's on the right track. He's a charismatic player and is focused on what you have to do to succeed."

The Blaugrana are in the midst of a winter break but they are back in action against second-placed Atletico Madrid, who are level on points with the club.

 

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Suarez can get even better, warns Lucas

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has warned the rest of the Premier League that red-hot striker Luis Suarez can get even better.

Suarez has been in unstoppable form since returning from suspension, scoring 19 goals in just 12 league appearances to help lift Liverpool to the top of the table for Christmas.

The Uruguay international has set a new Premier League record in December, becoming the first player to score 10 goals in a calendar month since the division's inception in 1992.Those strikes have come in just four games, with Suarez seemingly relishing the added responsibility of captaining Brendan Rodgers' side in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard.

England skipper Gerrard labelled Suarez "the best player in the world" on current form after watching the 26-year-old score twice in Liverpool's 5-0 rout of Tottenham on December 15, while Lucas feels his team-mate has established himself as the leading star in the English top flight.

"Suarez has done very well," he told Perform. "After being suspended for the first five games of the season, in 12 games he has scored 19 goals if I am not wrong.
"[This] is at the level of Ronaldo and Messi ... I believe he is now among the top five in the world for everything he has done this season.

"He is a player who improves every day. He had some problems in the past but he learned and now he is much quieter, without losing that aggressiveness on the field.
"That's good, because he can play even better."

 

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Juve are spectacular, says Tevez

Carlos Tevez says he is enjoying life at "spectacular" Juventus after joining from Manchester City this summer.

The Argentine, 29, has scored 12 goals in his 24 Bianconeri appearances this season and has been a constant starter in the XI.

Despite the disappointment of being dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage, Antonio Conte's men have been flying in Serie A and Tevez is thrilled with life in Italy.

"I am very happy in Turin," the striker told Corriere dello Sport. "Now the most important thing is to get some rest and prepare for the match against Roma.

"We wanted to be ahead in Serie A this stage. We know that this Juventus are much a much stronger team than the ones that won the last two Scudettos.

"I'm happy because this group of players is spectacular."

Juve, who are five points ahead of second-placed Roma, are back in action on January 6 after the current winter break against the Giallorossi.