..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Cesar set for QPR return

On-loan Toronto goalkeeper Julio Cesar has claimed that parent club Queens Park Rangers want him back after the World Cup.

The Brazil international linked up with former QPR defender and now Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen in February, joining the MLS franchise on a temporary deal having fallen behind Robert Green in the Loftus Road pecking order following the club's relegation from the Premier League.

It was understood that Cesar would remain abroad until December but it seems he may be back in England ahead of the new season, with QPR now just a play-off win over Derby County away from a return to the top flight.

"It depends on the World Cup. Queens Park Rangers wants me in August. I don't know what will happen," Cesar explained.

"I’m contracted still in England for a few more years. I'm contracted to return there in August after the World Cup. I can't really give you a clear answer as to what my fate is after the World Cup.

"I've always been a professional person. Even if I win the World Cup, I'm going to keep to my word, return to my [parent] club and help them win championships."


A more pressing issue for Cesar is undoubtedly the World Cup, with the former Inter shot-stopper set to join up with his Brazil team-mates in midweek.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men have been drawn with Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon in Group A and Cesar admits nerves are beginning to set in ahead of their opening match against the Croats on June 12.

"I'm very anxious," the former Inter No.1 confessed. "It’s getting close to the time to meet up with the team and start on this important journey.

"The whole country is obviously preoccupied [with protests and strikes] but we hope things get settled before the World Cup.

"Every World Cup is a big opportunity; they all have their own flavour. This one being in Brazil is even more special for me.

"It's my country, my family is there and I just have God to thank for the opportunity to play in this World Cup."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dani Alves: I want to face Messi in the World Cup final

Brazil wing-back Dani Alves is dreaming of facing Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Argentina in this summer's World Cup final.

The Selecao host the tournament this summer and are looking to claim their sixth title and the former Sevilla man is hoping they can face their arch-rivals and his club colleague.

"The dream for me is a Brazil - Argentina final," he told reporters.

"I've talked to Messi and it would not only be a dream for us but for them too. But my dream is not just to reach the final, but to win it too."

Alves is delighted to have linked up with his Brazil team-mates in Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad and is getting to work on winning the title.

"Meeting up with these guys is a privilege, a great honour and as we spend time together, we create a bond of friendship which hopefully makes the difference.

"The return of confidence to the national team is important and, with our eagerness to start the tournament, I'm sure we won't fail."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lahm: Germany can't carry egos

Philipp Lahm says Germany cannot afford to carry egos if they are to win the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Joachim Low's side have endured a decade of near misses in major tournaments, having finished third in the World Cup in 2006 and 2010, suffered defeat in the final of Euro 2008 and reached the last four of Euro 2012.

"We have the punch for the title," he told Bild.

"We only need to consider one thing: that the talent and ego of every individual must serve the team.

"I don't want to finish in the semi-finals or go to Brazil to soak up the sun. I have a clear goal: that is the greatest possible success - the World Cup trophy.

"We have to work especially on our defence and have conceded too many goals and allowed too many good chances.

"We must pay more attention to how the defence dropped. The whole team needs to."

Coach Joachim Low was handed a contract extension until 2016 earlier this season and Lahm is delighted that his working relationship with the 54-year-old will continue.

"The fact is that he has a contract and we work together very well as a team. He always prepares us very well tactically."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I admire Guardiola, says Luis Enrique

New Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has revealed he is a keen admirer of Pep Guardiola and hopes to build a side that will "excite" supporters.

The 44-year-old was appointed as Gerardo Martino's replacement on Monday and signed a two-year deal after leaving Celta Vigo.
Enrique's return extends his association with the club, having represented them as a player for eight years before a stint in charge of the club's 'B' team.

"I'm aware there will be comparisons with Pep," he told reporters. "I admire him and we're in touch, he has adapted great at his new club.

"Today is a very exciting day for me, a very special day, a day we start to build a new Barca. A Barca that can excite people."I am very happy to be here, the new season begins here, we've got things to decide, I am hoping we have got a great season ahead, but I know I have got a big task ahead of me.

"I am more than a manager, I am a leader, I am here to lead, leadership skills are very important.The former midfielder intends to implement his own attacking style but added he wants to strike a balance between their offensive threat and rearguard resilience.

"Attacking football is what Barca identifies with, that's what we play, what people have fallen in love with but we need to defend well too."Obviously I will bring things to the team because I have got my own ideas, but I am hoping for an attractive and effective Barcelona."

Enrique was also quizzed over the futures of midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Javier Mascherano, two players linked with the Camp Nou exit door, but remained tight-lipped.

"Cesc? There's no need to ask about individual names. We won't talk now, decisions will be made later.

"Xavi is a friend and an ex-team-mate, we will sit down with him and what he wants and the club. Mascherano is in a similar situation to Xavi, he has the profile of a captain - we have time to make decisions."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool open to Agger offers

Liverpool are ready to listen to offers for out-of-favour centre-back Daniel Agger, Goal understands.

The Merseysiders would be willing to sell the defender, who has played second fiddle to Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel for much of the 2013-14 campaign, for a fee in the region of €14 million.

Goal understands that Napoli are the front-runners to capture the 29-year-old, with boss Rafael Benitez well aware of his talents, having signed him for Liverpool back in 2006 during his time in charge at Anfield.

The Serie A club, who finished third in the table, have made initial enquiries to Agger's agent, Per Steffensen, with the Denmark international having previously expressed his frustrations at his situation on Merseyside.

Agger went as far as saying that he is "no-one's third choice" as he continued to be overlooked by manager Brendan Rodgers last season and he expressed particular annoyance at being left out of key fixtures against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

A lack of playing time has seen Agger's stock plummet considerably, with the former Brondby star having previously been linked with a switch to Barcelona back in August - the Catalans having had a bid rejected by Liverpool, according to Steffensen.

But after making just 16 starts in the league and Rodgers preferring to partner Sakho and Skrtel together at the heart of the defence - with Kolo Toure also selected ahead of the Dane at times - it appears that Agger's time at Anfield is up.

Having signed for Liverpool for a fee in the region of €7m back in 2006, the Reds are expecting to make a significant profit on the 29-year-old and have set an asking price of double that, with Napoli the clear favourites to complete a deal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luis Enrique the perfect coach for Barcelona, says Zubizarreta

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta believes Luis Enrique is the perfect coach for the Catalans after their disappointing 2013-14 campaign.

The Camp Nou side announced on Monday that the former Celta de Vigo boss would replace Gerardo Martino following the Argentine's exit after just one season in charge and Zubizarreta has little doubt that Luis Enrique will prove to be the right choice.

"Why Luis Enrique? He knows our way of playing, he knows our style. He is totally prepared to coach Barcelona," Zubizarreta said at a press conference.

"Luis Enrique is one of those people who dare to take on difficult challenges. This is not a challenge for Luis Enrique, but a challenge for Barcelona.

"He is someone who knows how we work, the youth teams, Barca B ... He probably knows all that better than me. We are in the best possible hands."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Casillas: Madrid fans have suffered enough

Iker Casillas is desperate to win Saturday's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in order to end the Real Madrid fans' suffering.

The Blancos have been striving for their 10th European Cup title ever since the 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 and their club captain is hoping Carlo Ancelotti's men can finally bring home La Decima for their supporters this weekend.

"I want us to win for the Madrid fans, who have suffered a lot in recent years. I hope we do it for them," Casillas was quoted as saying on the official Madrid website.

"But it's not going to be an easy match. We're facing an exceptional opponent.

"I want our supporters to feel proud of the team. We want it to be a nice spectacle, to win the Decima and for everyone to celebrate together.

"Hopefully I can lift the trophy; it would be a wonderful moment for everyone, a fantastic end-of-season party.

"It would also mean winning two titles this year, which is very difficult to do. We're preparing for the match with desire, determination and respect for our opponents."

Madrid won the Copa del Rey at the expense of Barcelona earlier this term, while they had to settle for third spot in La Liga behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van der Sar: Manchester United can go one better than Liverpool

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has backed Louis van Gaal to match Liverpool's achievements in 2013-14 and challenge for the Premier League title.

Brendan Rodgers' side went from seventh place in the season before last to almost being crowned champions this term.

Van Gaal signed a three-year deal with United, who sacked David Moyes following their failure to qualify for Europe, at the beginning of the week and Van der Sar believes Liverpool's efforts should give the Netherlands coach hope.

"It will be difficult to get from seventh to first, but Liverpool almost did it and I think United have more qualities than Liverpool on that score," the retired Dutch shot-stopper is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

"Van Gaal is going to be very clear about what he wants and what he demands from his players.

"It's great that Ryan Giggs is going to stay on as assistant coach so that Van Gaal has input from him and will know the feeling in the dressing room."

Van der Sar, who worked under Van Gaal with the Dutch national team, believes the former Ajax and Barcelona coach has the experience that United need.

Van Gaal won multiple Eredivisie titles with Ajax and the 1994-95 Champions League, while he led Barcelona to two Liga crowns and Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga win.

"Of course it's going to be a tricky period for him with the World Cup deciding on what transfers he will need, but if anyone can cope with a situation like this it is Van Gaal," Van der Sar added.

"His credentials in Spain, in Germany, in Holland with the national team speak for themselves. He has won the title in every country.

"He has a history of winning trophies, of bringing young players through, of working with big players.

"He is a very hard-working coach and he is a guy who makes players better. He also sends out the right signals about the kind of football he wants to play to the players."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal: Sir Alex Ferguson won't be a problem for me

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal does not believe the presence of Sir Alex Ferguson at the club will negatively influence his Old Trafford reign.

Questions were raised over the former United manager's continued involvement at the club during David Moyes's unsuccessful spell in charge.

But the current Netherlands coach is sure he will not face the same problems, claiming he is his own biggest critic.

“I don’t think he (Ferguson) is the biggest problem,” Van Gaal said. “I put more pressure on myself than others do.

“I’ll undoubtedly have a drink with Ferguson. We’ve done that before and we like each other.

“But nobody can put more pressure on myself than I do, so I do not expect any problem with Ferguson.”

The Dutchman also insisted he will be in charge of identifying transfer targets this summer, but will not play a role in negotiations to sign players.

Van Gaal added: “I say which players I want and which players can leave. But they (United) have to negotiate. I’ve never interfered with transfers.”

Van Gaal has been viewed by many as a short-term appointment by United, but the 62-year-old believes he can manage into his 70s, though he will leave all transfer negotiations to chief executive Ed Woodward.

“In three years I’ll be 65,” he added. “How old was Bobby Robson? In his 70s.

"[Giovanni] Trapattoni is still active, but I can’t see myself like that.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Muller: I have a special relationship with Van Gaal

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller has admitted that he has a special relationship with Louis van Gaal amid reports that the newly appointed Manchester United manager has made the attacker one of his primary summer transfer targets.

The Germany international became a first-team regular during the Dutchman's spell at the Allianz Arena between 2009 and 2011 and he has not forgotten about his former mentor.

"It's not a secret that Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes a bit further than a normal trainer-coach relationship," Muller was quoted as saying by Sport Bild when questioned about the new United boss.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has insisted that he is happy in Bavaria and is not thinking about a transfer just yet.

"I have a contract with Bayern Munich until the summer of 2017," Muller pointed out.

"I really enjoy playing for Bayern. There's not really anything better than this."

Muller played a key role in the Allianz Arena side's domestic double this term, scoring 13 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances, while netting eight times in five DFB-Pokal games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Kroos ge £20m deal 1kata agreed wela kiyala kiyanawa.Thama sure naha atthakda kiyala

Anyway Kroos wa ganna puluwan nam patta
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[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea Unveils 2014/15 Away Kit

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[Wolverine GTR]

Bacary Sagna ge CITY medical 1ka complete kiyala kiyanawa
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[Wolverine GTR]

ow machan kohomath players la 5k 6k ganna wenawa
100m thiyenawa kiyala thibba kohoma weyida danne nae

Ow bro aniwaSagna geth CITY medical 1ka complete lu.Ahemaunoth Wenger ra RB kenekuth ganna wenawa.

Kiyana widiyata Wenger ge wish list 1ke Benzema,Mandzukic & Gundogan innawa

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[Michael]

Bacary Sagna ge CITY medical 1ka complete kiyala kiyanawa
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Wenger ge wede Star players lawa sell karana eka...

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Monchengladbach pay tribute to Arango

Borussia Monchengladbach's sporting director Max Eberl has paid tribute to former attacking midfielder Juan Arango following his return to Mexico.

The 34-year-old confirmed his long-expected departure from Borussia Park this week and will now ply his trade with Liga MX outfit Club Tijuana.

Arango's first club abroad was Monterrey and the Venezuela international will link up with Tijuana's general manager Ignacio Palou, whom he worked under at Puebla.

Cesar Faris, Arango's former national team boss, will be another familiar face for the midfielder as he coaches at Estadio Caliente.

Eberl said it had been a pleasure to have Arango at the club since arriving from Real Mallorca in 2009 but accepted the lure of working with former mentors was too great for the player to resist.

"We're very proud and happy that Juan spent five years here with us," he told Borussia's official website. "He's a fantastic footballer who has given us a lot of joy and scored many a wonderful goal.

"Now he has the opportunity to link up with his former coach and mentor in Mexico on a longer-term contract, which is something we couldn't offer him.

"We wish him all the best at his new club."

Arango, who has 121 senior caps for Venezuela, made 171 appearances for Gladbach between 2009 and 2014, scoring 31 goals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Heurelho Gomes leaves Tottenham

Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is leaving the club after six years at White Hart Lane.

The Brazilian arrived in north London from Dutch giants PSV in 2008 and played the majority of Spurs' Premier League fixtures in his first three seasons.

However, Gomes was then usurped for the No.1 jersey by Brad Friedel and has since fallen further down the pecking order following the arrival of France international Hugo Lloris.

The 33-year-old spent nine games on loan at Bundesliga club Hoffenheim last season but failed to make any appearances for Tottenham in 2013-14.

"Heurelho Gomes is to leave the club at the conclusion of his contract next month and we would like to wish the popular goalkeeper all the best for the future," read a brief statement on the club's official website.

Gomes made 135 appearances for Spurs and played a key part in the side who reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010-11.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal must make Kroos his first signing, says Scholes

Paul Scholes has called on Louis van Gaal to make Toni Kroos his first signing as Manchester United boss.

United opened talks over a €48.5 million move for the Germany international when they faced Bayern in the Champions League in April.

And Scholes believes Kroos is a "top-class" player, though he feels the acquisition of the 24-year-old should kick-start a major summer recruitment drive.

"The first player I’d bring in is Toni Kroos," he said in a blog for Paddy Power.

"He’s a top-class central midfield player but United need five or six to get anywhere near the top of the Premier League again."

With Van Gaal set to leave all transfer negotiations to Ed Woodward, Scholes has called on the executive vice chairman to prove his worth this summer, following a disastrous transfer window 12 months ago.

"Edward Woodward has an awful lot to prove this time that he’s good enough at his job," he added.

"He has to bring the players in that the new manager wants. It’s obvious that last year he didn’t manage to do that. If he doesn’t, we are not going to get anywhere near the top."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

No offers for Shawcross, say Stoke City

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes says that the club have not received any offers for captain Ryan Shawcross.

The 26-year-old defender, who earned a solitary England cap in 2012, played all but one of the Potters' Premier League matches this season and helped propel them to ninth, their highest-ever finish in the division.

Shawcross has been cited as a possible target for clubs higher up the ladder, a development which does not shock Scholes.

"It comes as no surprise to me what I have read about Ryan," he told the Stoke Sentinel.

"I don't know if there is any truth in it but certainly we have had no contact.

"Players like him and [goalkeeper] Asmir Begovic, just to name a couple, will attract attention. That's part and parcel of being a successful football team.

"That's the way it's always going to be. It's one of the prices of doing well but it doesn't mean you necessarily have to do business with them.

"We don't need to sell. We've been going through our situation for next year, our budgets, what is available in terms of buying players and players' wages and we are not in a position where we need to sell.

"We are looking to strengthen and move forward."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lennon 'honoured' to have managed Celtic

Departing Celtic manager Neil Lennon says that "it was an absolute honour" to have been associated with the club.

The Northern Irishman took the reins as caretaker boss in March 2010 and was given the job on a permanent basis ahead of the 2010-11 season, overseeing four trophy-laden years at Celtic Park.

He guided the team to three league titles and two Scottish Cups to further enhance his standing at the club after seven years there as a player between 2000 and 2007.

Lennon has been heavily linked with the vacant position at Norwich City in recent weeks and it was suggested in some quarters that he held concerns over Celtic's playing budget for next season.

"I have supported Celtic all my life and the club will always be part of me," the 42-year-old told the club's official website.

"It was an absolute honour to play for this great club, to captain the team and of course to become Celtic manager, a position which I cherished dearly.

"However, I feel the time is now right to move on to a new challenge.

"Of course, I am very pleased that I will be leaving Celtic as Scottish champions and with the club in such good health. I wish the club nothing but good fortune going forward.

"Serving the club was always a privilege. I have always given my best and aimed to do all I can to ensure success for Celtic, as a supporter it was all I wanted.

"I will now assist the club in appointing my successor. As ever, we will need our fans' support and I am sure they will give the club and the new manager the same great backing which they gave to myself."