..::Football III::..

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Low: Germany will dominate football

Joachim Low is confident that his Germany side can build on their World Cup triumph by going on to dominate the international stage.

Low, who took over as Germany coach in 2006, guided Die Mannschaft to their fourth World Cup title after Mario Gotze scored an extra-time winner against Argentina in the tournament’s final on Sunday.

Gotze, 22, was one of many German players to be making their debut at a World Cup and Low believes the strong talent coming through the ranks will stand the European outfit in good stead to make waves on the international scene.

"This title will give us a boost once again,” the coach told Sky Sport. “This team has good prospects. We have a great future with many young players who have been greatly educated [in football].

“The players always show no fear and are never afraid and clearly the aim is now [to succeed in] Euro 2016 in France.

“I can imagine that we are soon going to be experiencing a German era in world football, as it previously was Spanish. All I can say is that we will not sit back now and say, ‘that's it’.

"I’m still enjoying my job, it's still fun,” added Low, who plans to see out his contract, which expires in 2016.

 

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QPR boss Redknapp hopeful of securing Rio Ferdinand signing

QPR boss Harry Redknapp is hopeful of completing the signing of Rio Ferdinand, ahead of more talks with the former England defender.

Ferdinand is a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract and the former Tottenham manager is eager to be reunited with the centre-back, who played under him at West Ham.

The 35-year-old has been working as a television pundit during the World Cup but is due to arrive back in England on Tuesday and Redknapp wants to tie up a deal as soon as possible as he prepares for life back in the Premier League, following the Rs' Championship play-off final victory over Derby County.

"[Ferdinand] arrives back today so I am going to meet him and hopefully we can get it sorted," he told talkSPORT on Tuesday.

"He has not been difficult to deal with. He wants to play and he is not expensive.

"He wants to come and play at QPR now so hopefully we can get it done."

 

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Van Persie happy to take three-week break after World Cup

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie says he needs a break after the World Cup.

The Netherlands international enjoyed a successful tournament in Brazil, scoring four goals in six games as Louis van Gaal's side finished third.

While Van Gaal is now set to start work at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Van Persie has been allowed time off after his exploits and he feels the rest is important.

"I need the three week break," Van Persie told reporters.

"The World Cup has been heavy-going for me. I gave everything I had in every single game.

"That was it - I had nothing left. We worked really hard at the finals and we are like lemons that have been squeezed dry."

Van Persie will therefore miss United's pre-season tour of United States but his manager has nothing but praise for the striker after his performances in Brazil.

"We rebuilt Robin completely before the finals," Van Gaal remarked. "If you take into account how far he has come and what he has achieved, you have to pay him the highest compliments."

 

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Blatter: Suarez ban is severe but correct

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has supported his organisation's decision to ban Luis Suarez from all football-related activity for four months.

The Uruguay international picked up the sanction after he was found guilty of biting Giorgio Chiellini in his country’s World Cup match against Italy in June.

The attack was the third of a similar nature in Suarez’s career and, although he believes the punishment handed to the 27-year-old is very severe, Blatter has supported the decision.

“As a footballer, I think the penalty is very severe. But as Fifa president, I must accept that the commission have made a decision," he said.

Suarez, who recently joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a deal reported to be worth €95 million, is prohibited from entering stadiums and from training, but Blatter is confident the ban will not hinder his talent once he returns to competitive action.

“Hopefully Suarez will return to football with as much technical and tactical ability, because that is what he showed on the field before his suspension. Hopefully we will see him return to his best again.

“He has just signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world and [because of this] I'm sure he will return to the firmament of football once more."

 

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Alves: I want to stay at Barcelona

Barcelona’s Dani Alves has confirmed his desire to stay at the club and see out his contract amid speculation linking him with a move elsewhere.

The 31-year-old is determined to bring “enjoyment” back to the Spanish outfit and put a difficult season, in which they finished runners-up in both the league and Copa del Rey, behind them.

Alves, who signed for Barcelona in 2008, has always been a first-team regular and will be looking to add to the four La Liga trophies, two Copa del Reys and two Champions League titles that he has won since joining the club.

"I want to fulfil the contract I signed. I am very happy at the club,” Alves told Marca. “I’ve had some wonderful years here, recently not so much, but I want to help bring enjoyment back to this club.

“When I return to Barcelona I will speak with the people at the club and see what they want. If they want me to go I will look for an exit. If they want me to stay, I will continue.“I have a contract with Barca and I have always given everything for the club, regardless of the results of the last [few] years. I want to stay, but it does not just depend on me.”

The Brazil international was also quick to defend new Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan received a four-month ban from all football-related activity for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

"There have been tough challenges and tackles that have gone unpunished. His [Suarez’s bite] was an action which took place in the heat of the moment.
“It's a luxury for the club to have Suarez here."

 

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'I was no longer useful at Chelsea,' says Roma new-boy Cole

New Roma signing Ashley Cole says he was "no longer useful" for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

The veteran left-back fell behind Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge last season and is now keen to push for glory in Serie A with his new club after making the switch at the end of his contract.

Cole, who has signed a two-year deal with the Giallorossi, told reporters: "I've always had a good relationship with Mourinho but the years go by and I was no longer useful for his project at Chelsea.

"At that time my agent told me about Rome and how badly they wanted me for their project [at Roma].

"As soon as I spoke to [coach] Rudi Garcia and I saw how much they wanted me here at Roma, I jumped at the chance.

"I came here to play in the Champions League. Roma is an ambitious club, it's a challenge for me and I'm prepared to fight for my place. Hopefully we can do something special here next season and win Serie A."

David Beckham is the only other Englishman to have plied his trade in Italy in recent years - the midfielder having spent two loan spells at AC Milan - and Cole feels that there is a reluctance for his countrymen to move out of their comfort zone at home.

"English players are afraid of going abroad and often make the easy choice of staying at home," he observed. "This is a chance for me to get out of London, try a different language, culture and way of living. I'm not afraid of pressure.

"I feel fit, I kept myself busy in pre-season but I still have a bit to go. Hopefully I'll be fully fit when I come back from [Roma's pre-season tour in] America."

 

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Arsenal close in on Ospina and Manquillo deals

Arsenal are close to completing deals for Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina and Atletico Madrid right-back Javi Manquillo, Goal understands.

The Gunners have agreed a €4 million [£3m] fee with Nice for Ospina, who performed impressively during the World Cup, and are also in advanced talks with Atletico to sign Manquillo on a season-long loan deal.

Arsenal are confident that deals for the pair can be wrapped up within the next week as they continue to reshape their squad following the landmark €40m [£32m] capture of Alexis Sanchez last week.

With the signing of Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle for an initial €10m [£8m] also expected to be announced by Wednesday, the surge of activity at the Emirates Stadium demonstrates Arsene Wenger's eagerness to use the €126m [£100m]-plus transfer kitty at his disposal this summer.

With two new right-backs set to sign for Arsenal, Carl Jenkinson is expected to be sent out on loan for the forthcoming season in order to play regular first-team football.

The probable signing of another senior international keeper will also provide strong competition for Wojciech Szczesny, who was regularly the No.1 choice in both the Premier League and Champions League last season but was overlooked for their successful FA Cup campaign.

Wenger moved for Ospina after Arsenal failed to agree a fee for David Marshall during talks with Cardiff City. The Gunners were unwilling to pay more than €7.5m [£6m] for the 29-year-old Scot, while the Championship club were holding out for more than €10m.

Ospina, 25, is regarded as good value given his experience and the Gunners are in a strong position to negotiate a lower fee as he only has a year remaining on his Nice contract.

 

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Conte resigns as Juventus coach

Antonio Conte has resigned from his post as Juventus coach, depite signing a one-year contract extension in May, the club have confirmed.

The coach guided the club to a third consecutive league title last season and seemed to bring an end to the speculation surrounding his future in May when he pledged his future to the club until summer 2015.

However, the 44-year-old has made an incredible u-turn by handing in his resignation on Tuesday, confirming.

"I have decided to terminate my contract with Juventus," the coach said in an interview on the club's official website.

"When did I make this decision? I have matured with time and my feelings led me to make this choice. It may be more difficult to keep winning with Juventus."

He was then asked if he was interested in going on to take over the Italy national team.

"I’m thinking now of the decision that I have just taken," he replied, before giving a message to the club's fans.

"An enormous thank you for what you have given to me as a player and as a coach. I have always been close to you. I want to say that the journey taken in recent years has been historic.

"I want to thank all my players who have allowed me to win and have helped me to grow. I thank the club that has always been close to me, I thank Andrea Agnelli who supported me and I thank the staff and all employees who have worked with me to make this a winning Juventus.

"What will I do? I'll think about it tomorrow."

 

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Ribery returns to training

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has returned to training after missing the World Cup with a back injury.

The France star was ruled out of the tournament in Brazil due to the issue, which flared up during his country's training camp in early June.

At the time, France coach Didier Deschamps said the 31-year-old would be unable to play or train for "several weeks".
Ribery himself came out last month to deny reports that he might need surgery on the injury, and Bayern revealed on Tuesday that he is very much on the road to recovery.

Accompanying a picture of Ribery in training, the Bundesliga champions tweeted: "Welcome back, Franck! #Ribery is completing a fitness course at Sabener Strasse."

While Ribery works his way back to fitness, several of his team-mates are in Berlin celebrating Germany's World Cup triumph, which was sealed with an extra-time victory over Argentina on Sunday.

Bayern playmaker Mario Gotze came off the bench to score the winner for Germany, who defeated Ribery's countrymen in the quarter-finals.

Bayern's first competitive fixture of the 2014-15 is a little over a month away, as they begin their defence of the DFB-Pokal at third-tier outfit Preussen Munster on August 17.

 

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Chelsea striker Demba Ba set for Besiktas

Chelsea are set to sell striker Demba Ba to Besiktas, the Turkish club have confirmed.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge from Newcastle in January 2013, the Senegal international has scored 14 goals in 51 games for the Blues.

He soon fell behind Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o in the pecking order, however, and the arrival of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid this summer has freed him to look for a new club, with Jose Mourinho’s side ready to accept less than their initial €13 milion [£10m] asking price.

"The initial price for him was €13m but we've managed to reduce it," Besiktas chairman Fikret Orman told NTV Spor.

"We'll tell the media once the final deal is done."

Among Ba's most crucial goals for Chelsea were a late strike against Paris Saint-Germain to send the London club through to the Champions League semi-finals last season, as well as an effort to capitalise on Steven Gerrard's slip at Anfield which spelt the beginning of the end for Liverpool’s title challenge.

 

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Walcott nearing full recovery from knee injury

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott remains upbeat over his recovery from a serious knee injury, hinting that a first-team return is around the corner.

Walcott suffered the cruciate knee injury against Tottenham in a 2-0 FA Cup win in January and subsequently missed the remainder of the Premier League season, as well as the World Cup.

And although the 25-year-old is happy with the recovery process, he chose not to put a timeframe on when he will back in action.

"The knee is going really well, I am doing some good stuff with the physios and fitness coaches and we have worked really hard throughout the summer," he told the club's official website.

"Things are looking really good and I have worked very hard for the last five months now. Things will be fine.

"The most important thing is getting the strength back and it has pretty much nearly healed - it is just about building up that stability and strength again.

"Hopefully I'll be back out on those pitches soon. It is coming along nicely and I am really pleased."

 

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I will join Atletico Madrid, confirms Benfica keeper Oblak

Slovenia international Jan Oblak is set to leave Benfica for Atletico Madrid as the Spanish champions have earmarked him as the ideal replacement for Thibaut Courtois.

The latter has returned to Chelsea after spending the past three years on loan at Atletico and Oblak is confident he has what it takes to take the Belgian goalkeeper's place.

"I will leave Benfica for Atletico Madrid. Ever since I was a kid, it has been a dream of mine to play in the Spanish league, which is even better than the Portuguese," Oblak told A Bola.

"Joining Atletico is a new challenge I didn't want to pass up. Benfica were keen to hold on to me and did everything they could to prevent me from leaving, but it is my desire to sign for Atletico.

"I will never forget my time at Benfica. I wish everybody the best and really appreciate all the help I got here. Benfica are a fantastic club.

"Financial reasons are not the main reason for this transfer, but it's clear that financial conditions are better at Atletico."

The 21-year-old joined Benfica from Olimpija in the summer of 2010 and had since enjoyed loan spells at Beira Mar, Olhanense, Uniao Leiria and Rio Ave before becoming first choice at the Lisbon side last term.

Oblak put in a string of impressive performances to help them to the domestic treble and the Europa League final, earning himself a move to the Liga champions, who have already signed Miguel Angel Moya from Getafe as competition for the No.1 spot.

 

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Official: Porto complete €7.7m Martins Indi deal

Porto have announced that they have secured the services of Bruno Martins Indi from Feyenoord for a transfer fee of €7.7 million.

The Netherlands international has signed a four-year deal with the Portuguese giants which contains a €40m buyout clause.

Porto were keen to add another defender to their squad because of the expected departure of Eliaquim Mangala, who is on the verge of joining Manchester City, and they have now found their man in Martins Indi.

"This feels like the right moment to depart," Martins Indi told Feyenoord's official website.

"I have played more then hundred games for Feyenoord [and] played well at the World Cup this summer.

"I always said that I would only leave this club when it would be beneficial for them too.

"Feyenoord will be paid well for my transfer and it is nice for me to have a new challenge in Portugal."

Meanwhile, technical director Martin van Geel also gave his take on the deal.

"This step comes at the right moment for Bruno," he said. "He came in as a youngster [and] developed himself as a key player for Feyenoord and the Dutch squad. Now it is time for him to move on.

"He is one example of what we do with our talents. We wish Bruno good luck with this new challenge in his career."

The 22-year-old came through the ranks of the Feyenoord youth academy and made his official first-team debut at the Rotterdam side in 2010-11.

Martins Indi had since developed into a key player at De Kuip, making over 100 appearances for the Rotterdammers.

The centre-back - who was born in Portugal - was part of the Netherlands team that finished third at the World Cup in Brazil this summer, making six appearances.

 

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Athi yantham Martins Indi wena team 1kakata join welamama bayen hitiye LVG Martins Indi wa Manchester United gani kiyala​

 

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Official: Liverpool complete Markovic transfer

Liverpool have completed the signing of Benfica winger Lazar Markovic, the Portuguese club have confirmed, with the total fee believed to be in the region of €25 million [£19m].

Benfica declared that they have sold the 20-year-old's sporting rights and the 50 per cent that they owned of the forward's economic rights to the Reds for €12.5m (£9.9m).

Markovic becomes the Reds' fourth summer signing following the acquisitions of Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen and Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert from Southampton.

The Serbia international scored seven goals for Benfica last season, although he was not involved in the club's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla after he was sent off from the bench for a clash with Juventus's Mirko Vucinic in the semi-final.

The 2013-14 campaign was just his third in senior football, having made the move to Portugal in 2013 following two seasons for Partizan Belgrade.

He had been linked with a move to Chelsea before completing that transfer to Benfica and the Blues were said to have kept tabs on the diminutive right winger over the past 12 months.

Markovic completed a medical on Merseyside over the weekend and late on Monday night posted a series of pictures on his official Facebook page revealing that the move had been rubber-stamped ahead of the club's official confirmation.

Liverpool are keen to make a splash in this summer's transfer window as they look to reinvest following the sale of Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan striker, banned from any football-related activity until the end of October, will complete a move to Barcelona this week after an €88.5m [£70m] deal was agreed between the two clubs.

Suarez, though, cannot be officially unveiled to the club's fans under the terms of his Fifa ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Liverpool are also in talks to sign Southampton defender Dejan Lovren and Lille striker Divock Origi, who made an impact at the World Cup for Belgium.

 

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Liverpool lata thawath pattama sign 1kakCongratulations & Good Luck Markovic!​

 

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Official: Chelsea sign Diego Costa

Chelsea have confirmed they have completed the signing of Diego Costa, with the striker signing a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

A deal to take the Spain international from Atletico Madrid was officially agreed on July 1, but the centre-forward has now finalised the details to register as a Blues player.

Jose Mourinho's side have paid Atleti the Brazilian-born star's buyout clause, with the total outlay around €44 million [£35m], including agents' fees.

Costa exclusively revealed to Goal his reasons for joining the Blues in June, expressing his excitement at signing for "one of the greatest clubs in the world".

The 25-year-old's contract at Stamford Bridge will net him €190,000 [£150,000] per week.

 

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Congratulations & Good Luck Costa!

Chelsea sqaud 1ka dan patta​

 

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Germany World Cup Celebrations in Berlin!

 

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Markovic: I want to win the title with Liverpool

Lazar Markovic is targeting the Premier League title next season after completing his move to Liverpool on Tuesday.

The former Benfica winger and current Serbia international has moved to Anfield in a transfer understood to be worth €25 million.

Despite only turning 20 in March 2014, Markovic has two league championships on an already-impressive CV and is hoping to help Liverpool go one better than their second place finish last season.

"I went to Partizan and won the title. I went to Benfica and won the title. Now I have joined Liverpool and want to win the title, 100 per cent," he told the club's official website.

The Serbian also hinted that he was aware of interest from Liverpool prior to the end of last season.

When asked how he reacted to learning of interest from the Merseyside club, he said: "I was delighted and increased my efforts in playing and training at the prospect of joining such a great club."

Markovic also revealed that he had followed Liverpool's tilt at the title closely last season.

He added: "I watched every game and they played absolutely superb. It is a shame they did not win the title but I hope we will win it this season."