..::Football III::..

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Arsenal will miss out on top four - Owen

Arsenal will miss out on a top-four finish this season despite the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, Michael Owen says.

Optimism is high at Emirates Stadium following the Chile international's arrival from Barcelona as they look to improve on last season's fourth place finish.

While Owen acknowledged the forward's quality, the former England player believes that Arsene Wenger's side will struggle to qualify for the Champions League because of the strength of their rivals.

He told talkSPORT: "The signing of Sanchez has made everyone sit up and take note. I really do rate him, he's a top player and it's a big step in the right direction.

"But, in no particular order, my top four for next season would be Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool."

Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool were runners-up to City last season and Owen has warned his former side that they must improve if they wish to claim a first league title since 1990.

"If Liverpool are going to progress again, they probably need to get better again," the 34-year-old told the club's official website.

"Manchester City won the league, Chelsea have strengthened in a big way. From second to first is a big leap so Liverpool are going to need to be better again and the top-line performers are going to need to play as well, if not better."

Liverpool have seen star man Luis Suarez depart for Barcelona, while England internationals Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have been among the Merseyside club's close-season recruits to date.

"They are two good buys," added Owen. "They were fantastic last year for Southampton and are proven in the Premier League.

"Lallana could be a star. He has done fantastically well, has great feet and lovely balance. I'm really looking forward to seeing him in the Liverpool shirt."

 

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Juventus will do fine without Conte - Moggi

Juventus will recover from the loss of coach Antonio Conte and keep challenging for titles, former director Luciano Moggi believes.

Conte resigned from his post as Juve boss on Tuesday just months after winning a third consecutive league title with the club.

And Moggi said he was surprised by the 44-year-old's departure, adding he has no idea why he left the club."The news surprised me. I tried phoning him, but he didn’tanswer," Moggi told Tuttomercatoweb.

"I don’t know what happened. I'm sure he didn’t do it because of an offer from another club. I think he’d always choose Juve first, so it must be painful for him to take this step."

When asked if he felt Conte resigned over the possibility that Arturo Vidal might depart to join Manchester United, the 77-year-old replied: "It could be, but with an offer worth €50 million you need to take it and find replacements.

"Clubs must look at the balance sheet, as nowadays we see bankrupt clubs all the time and budgets must go hand in hand with sporting requirements."How will Juve do without Conte? The King is dead, long live the King. Coaches come and go."

Moggi was then asked if he thinks Conte could take over the Italy national team, but he said he would "rule that out".

 

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M'Vila joins Inter from Rubin Kazan

Yann M'Vila has joined Inter from Rubin Kazan, the Italian club have confirmed.

The defensive midfielder was the subject of reported interest from the Premier League but opted to join Walter Mazzarri's men, with the club announcing the deal on Tuesday.

The France international, who joined Rubin Kazan in January 2013 from Rennes, has signed with the Serie A club but the exact details of the deal are yet to be disclosed.

The Italian side revealed the news on Twitter, adding that he will be presented to the media on Saturday, where more details will be revealed.

 

[naughtybird]

good thread

 

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good thread

 

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Louis van Gaal begins work as Manchester United boss

Louis van Gaal will start his reign as the new manager of Manchester United today.The Dutchman begins his club career in England after steering the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the World Cup and will arrive at Carrington to oversee pre-season preparations.

He has already spoken about building a strong bond within the squad, with reports suggesting the players will be told to eat together every day after training.United fans will be hoping for improvement after last season's disappointing Premier League finish and lack of major silverware, but Rene Meulensteen, a former Old Trafford coach, insists van Gaal will relish this challenge.

"I don't think it will faze Louis van Gaal at all in that respect, there are no worries there," he told Sky Sports News. "He will only thrive on it to some extent.

"But you really notice it when you're really getting into the routine, especially when you're going into pre-season and you see the massive popularity of the club and brand, that's what it is."To maintain that they have to get back up very, very quickly."Van Gaal has acquired a fiery reputation during his hugely successful managerial career and Meulensteen believes the players must accept it or face a swift exit from the club.

"He's got his own management style, which has thrown up a few difficulties along the way wherever he's been, Barcelona or Bayern Munich because of the way that he is, the way he puts himself in front of players," he said."Players accept it or players sometimes don't. If they don't accept it, then yeah you probably have a problem."

A seventh-place finish in the top tier underlined how far the club have slipped behind their main rivals and there is only a month before the opening home fixture against Swansea.Meulensteen, who worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, admits van Gaal will need time to build the club back into one of the major forces in English football.

"They've had Sir Alex Ferguson and they've had a disastrous season with David Moyes, now another one comes in, so that will take time," he said."United at this moment in time, (will be) seen by the opposition still a team that can be beaten unless proven otherwise."

 

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Juventus confirm Allegri appointment

Juventus have confirmed the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri as their new head coach.

The Serie A champions were looking for a new trainer following the shock departure of Antonio Conte on Tuesday and they have now named the former AC Milan coach as their new boss.

Allegri had been out of work ever since he was fired by the San Siro side back in January and he will now be looking to redeem himself at Juventus.

The 46-year-old started his coaching career at Aglianese and also took charge of Real SPAL, Grosseto, Sassuolo and Cagliari before taking over at Milan in 2010.

He guided the San Siro outfit to the Serie A title in his first season, but failed to replicate that feat in the following seasons - partially due to the departure of stars such as Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Allegri will be looking to guide Juventus - who confirmed the deal on their Twitter - to their fourth consecutive Scudetto, while the club's board of directors will also expect European success.

Juventus were disappointingly eliminated in the group stages of the Champions League last term after making it to the quarter-finals the season before.

 

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'Unbalanced' Ronaldo is in love with himself, slams Boban

Croatia legend Zvonimir Boban has hit out at Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of the World Cup and feels the Real Madrid star's tendency to put himself ahead of the team cost them at this summer's tournament.

The 29-year-old couldn't prevent his side from crashing out in the group stages in Brazil - despite scoring once and setting up another in three appearances - as they had to settle for third place behind Germany and USA and Boban thinks the presence of Ronaldo indirectly cost Portugal.

"Ronaldo is an amazing player and he showed that again in Brazil, even if he missed a number of chances," Boban writes in his column for Sportske Novosti. "But his biggest flaw is the way he looks at himself and the team.

"He scored the 4-1 in the 120th minute of the Champions League final and celebrated like he was insane. That was the ultimate proof that he loves himself. The headlines should be about the team, not about Ronaldo.

"The same thing happened with Portugal in Brazil. There was no order or discipline. All the Portugal players were playing their own game and more occupied with their hair and tattoos. It's Hollywood behaviour.

"It's almost as if the players wanted to show there's more to Portugal than Ronaldo. It's a sad thing that a team loses its identity because of an unbalanced captain, both for Ronaldo and for an entire generation."

The former Milan midfielder also had his say on Italy's performances at the World Cup - in which they were dumped out at the group stage for the second successive tournament - and was equally critical of Cesare Prandelli's men.

"Italy have been on the slide for years. Once, they were the NBA of football, but they've become an average football circus.

"Italian clubs sell their stars these days and Prandelli's side was the reflection of that development. They looked like they didn't know what to do on the pitch and how to play. Italy used to know how to win games, but they had even forgotten that.

"They ended the way they were destined to end with such a weak defence, a slow midfield and a silly attacker like Mario Balotelli. Italy have lost their identity."

 

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Chelsea reach deal with Atletico Madrid for Filipe Luis

Atletico Madrid have announced that they have agreed a deal with Chelsea for the transfer of Filipe Luis, pending a successful medical.

The Blues have long been linked with a move for the 28-year-old and told Atletico in June that they were willing to pay the €25 million [£20m] release clause in the player's contract, with the player himself telling the Spanish club that he was keen to move to England.

And they have now finalised the move, with Atletico announcing the agreement on Wednesday.

A statement confirmed: "Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement for the transfer of the rights of Luis Filipe, pending [a] medical examination with the English club.

"The Brazilian player had communicated to our club at the end of the campaign his willingness to be incorporated into the London institution."

Filipe Luis will replace Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge, with the ex-England international having been allowed to leave for Roma on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.

The left-back will join former club-mate Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge, with the Spain international completing his €44m [£35m] move to the club earlier this week.

Filipe Luis becomes Chelsea's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Costa, Cesc Fabregas and young midfielder Mario Pasalic.

 

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Chelsea pattama signs set 1kak karagannawa meh window 1kediFabregas,Diego Costa & now Filipe Luis
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Felix Gotze leaves Dortmund for Bayern

Bayern Munich have secured the services of promising youngster Felix Gotze - the younger brother of Germany hero Mario Gotze - from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer.

Felix plied his trade with Dortmund's U-17 team last season, but will now continue his career at the reigning Bundesliga champions after deciding to follow his brother's example by joining Bayern.

"Felix has left Dortmund for Bayern, that is correct," Bayern's youth director Michael Tarnat confirmed to Sport Bild.

The 16-year-old is the third member of the Gotze family to leave Borussia Dortmund after the previous departures of Fabian to Mainz in January 2010 and Mario to Bayern in the summer of 2013.

Mario Gotze struggled to live up to the high expectations at Bayern in 2013-14 after joining them in a deal worth €37 million last year, but made amends at this summer's World Cup as he netted the winner in Germany's 1-0 final win over Argentina.

 

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Milan make Criscito move

Domenico Criscito's representative Andrea D'Amico has claimed that AC Milan are interested in signing the Zenit St Petersburg defender, but has stressed that an agreement is still far away.

The San Siro side are keen to strengthen their squad after a disappointing 2013-14 campaign and they are confident Criscito would prove to be a fine addition to their defence.

The left-back started his professional career with Genoa and also enjoyed a spell with Juventus before leaving Serie A for Zenit St Petersburg in June 2011.

Criscito is keen to return to his native country, however, and a transfer to Milan could be on the cards this summer.

"There has been some initial contact, but it's too soon to say that negotiations are in the closing stages," D'Amico told Sportitalia.

"I can confirm that Milan like Domenico, though."

The 27-year-old has a contract with Zenit until the summer of 2016.

 

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Tello close to Porto move

Cristian Tello is close to joining Porto on loan from Barcelona, the Spanish club have confirmed.

The 22-year-old winger has failed to cement a place in the Barca first team, coming off the bench in most of his 22 league appearances last season, and will join the Portuguese giants as he looks to resume his development.

According to reports, the player will join the Portuguese club on loan for two seasons, but it is unclear at the moment if they have an option to buy him at the end of that period.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have confirmed that a move is close, revealing that the player traveled to Portugal on Tuesday.

"The forward had permission from the club to travel to Porto to negotiate with the Portuguese team," a statement on their official website read.

Tello's path to the Barca first team was further blocked in recent weeks by the arrival of forward Luis Suarez from Liverpool.

 

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Newcastle agree deal for Monaco striker Riviere

Newcastle United have agreed a deal with Monaco for striker Emmanuel Riviere, Goal understands.

The Magpies are set to announce the signing of Netherlands right-back Daryl Janmaat from Feyenoord and are now on the verge of completing yet another deal in a busy summer of transfer activity in the north east.

Riviere, 24, will have a medical on Tyneside on Wednesday and will pen a long-term deal at St James' Park.

The Martinique-born striker has represented France at every youth level between Under-16s and Under-21s and scored 10 goals in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season.

As reported by Goal on Sunday, Newcastle want to land Remy Cabella, Janmaat and Riviere before their pre-season trip to New Zealand.

Cabella signed later on Sunday evening, while Janmaat was in Newcastle on Monday to complete his move, thought to be worth €7.5 million [£6m].

Ayoze Perez, Siem De Jong and Jack Colback have also signed this summer as Alan Pardew looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

The Magpies take on Sydney FC in Dunedin on July 23 as they begin their southern-hemisphere pre-season fixtures, following their 2-1 defeat to Oldham on Tuesday.

 

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Rio Ferdinand signing will 'lift' QPR - Redknapp

Harry Redknapp feels the potential signing of Rio Ferdinand by QPR will give "the whole place a lift" as they prepare for their Premier League return.

The 35-year-old, who has been acting as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup following the expiry of his Manchester United contract, is reportedly close to penning a 12-month contract at Loftus Road.

Redknapp worked with Ferdinand when the defender was just a youngster at West Ham and hopes his experience will boost the club, much like the arrival of Teddy Sheringham at the Hammers in 2004.

"Rio has always been a class act and signing a player like him will give the whole place a lift," Redknapp is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

"He's never been a greedy lad and this deal is not about money. He's still desperate to play in the Premier League and it will help that we've worked together in the past.

"I've always loved him as a player ever since he first started training with us at West Ham as a 14-year-old.

"Getting a deal like this done reminds me of when I signed Teddy Sheringham at Portsmouth. The standards were lifted and he was somebody everyone looked up to.

"The coaches and the younger players all learned off him and he was a massive influence. I can see Rio at QPR doing what Teddy did for me at Portsmouth."

Redknapp is also keen for a reunion with former Tottenham centre-back Steven Caulker, and feels the Cardiff defender will benefit from playing alongside Ferdinand.

"Hopefully we can move things along with Caulker and we can have talks later this week," he said.

"The prospect of playing with Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence is something that will appeal to the lad. He's a young player and he can only improve playing alongside somebody as experienced as Rio.

"If you look at Gary Cahill he has improved massively playing with John Terry and I believe Rio can do the same for Caulker. That's a deal we would really like to get done."

 

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Manchester United to up offer for Vermaelen

Manchester United are set to increase their offer for Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, Goal understands.

United have held talks with Arsenal over the signing of the 28-year-old this summer, but saw enquiries regarding a £6 million bid knocked back by the Gunners.

The Old Trafford side are now hoping to convince Arsenal to part ways with Vermaelen with an improved offer closer to £10m, but are reluctant to negotiate further for the defender.

With Louis van Gaal now in charge, United are confident of persuading Vermaelen to make the move to Old Trafford should a bid be accepted.

Vermaelen is understood to be keen to find a new club after falling behind Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the pecking order at Arsenal.

But Arsene Wenger has stalled the sale of the Belgium centre-back while he lines up a replacement for the Gunners.

Vermaelen himself indicated his future at Arsenal is uncertain following Belgium’s elimination from the World Cup.

"I really do not know where I will play, Arsenal or elsewhere next season," he said.

"All my attention went to the World Cup. I will see when I talk with Arsenal."

 

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Vermaelen wa ganna try kala wage newei Injury hit player kenek nehanemanda ithin
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Imperfect Suarez is welcome at Barcelona, says Zubizarreta

Barcelona director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta insists that Luis Suarez and his "imperfections" are welcome at the club and confirmed he is 100 per cent a Camp Nou player.

Barca agreed a fee with the Premier League club last week but are unable to unveil their new signing due to the terms of his four-month ban from all "football-related activity" for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini while on World Cup duty with Uruguay.

Suarez will be unable to train with his team-mates until the end of his suspension, unless an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport is successful, but Zubizarreta is confident the 27-year-old will be a huge hit at Camp Nou.

"He is 100% a member of the club," he told reporters at a press conference. "And we accept people here, imperfections and all.

"I am sure Luis Suarez will be someone positive for us in the future. Luis Suarez is an important player for this club but the club is more than its players."

One of Suarez's new Barca team-mates, Lionel Messi, had occasionally vomited during matches in the past 12 months, causing some to question his health, but Zubizarreta is not overly worried about this issue when it comes to the World Cup Golden Ball winner.

"We are concerned about all health issues to do with Messi. But tests have been taken and we know what this diagnosis is. It's not a concern. Hopefully he will be at his best in order to compete after the summer," he added.

 

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Van Gaal arrives for first day at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal will arrive at Manchester United's Carrington training complex on Wednesday morning as he starts his first day as the club's new manager.

The 62-year-old declined the opportunity to take a holiday after Netherlands' World Cup campaign and has instead decided to get straight down to business in Manchester, a matter of days after the Dutch finished third in Brazil.

And with double training sessions planned, as well fines for tardiness and ill-discipline, the former Bayern Munich boss is set to run a strict regime as he aims to transform the club's on-pitch fortunes following their seventh-place finish last term.

The Dutchman will be given little time to get used to his new surroundings, however, with Van Gaal and his squad, minus those involved in the latter stages of the World Cup, scheduled to jet off to Los Angeles on Friday to begin their US tour.

The likes of Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata, as well as new signings Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, will be among the travelling party as the Red Devils face LA Galaxy on July 23 before playing games against Roma, Inter and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup.

Upon returning to Manchester, Van Gaal will oversee his first home game in charge of United against Valencia in a final pre-season clash on August 12, before the Red Devils host Swansea City in their Premier League opener on August 16.

And the new man is expected to ramp up United's transfer activity in the coming days and weeks, with further marquee signings expected to join Shaw and Herrera, who the Dutchman recruited prior to his arrival in Manchester.

The likes of Angel Di Maria, who is expected to leave Real Madrid, and Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal have been strongly linked, while defensive cover is also a priority with Patrice Evra set to leave and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic having already departed.

Javier Hernandez, Nani and Shinji Kagawa are just a few who could follow them out of the Old Trafford exit door, with Van Gaal open to offers for the club's under-performing stars as he looks to cut the wage bill and raise further funds for an assault on the summer market.

 

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As new Manchester United Manager LVG Announcement 1kak dei ada First time​