..::Football III::..

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Guardiola has made me a better player, says Kroos

New Real Madrid signing Toni Kroos has voiced his admiration for Pep Guardiola and has stressed that the Bayern Munich coach has helped him become a better player.

Kroos worked under Guardiola at Bayern during the 2013-14 campaign and was temporarily benched by the former Barcelona boss shortly after the winter break.

However, Kroos has nothing but fond memories of the 43-year-old following their time together at the Allianz Arena after moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in a €25 million deal.

"Last season under Pep Guardiola brought me some amazing experiences. Pep is a fantastic human being and a very special coach," the Germany international wrote in a message on his official Facebook page.

"He is without a doubt among the best coaches I have worked with. He has tremendously helped me develop as a player.

"I am very grateful to Pep for all the faith he has shown in me."

Kroos then went on to express his gratitude to sporting director Mathias Sammer for all he's done for him throughout his career, too.

"And the same goes for Matthias Sammer, who I already knew from my time with the various youth teams at the DFB. I have really got to appreciate him.

"I'd like to wish Guardiola, Sammer and all my friends at Bayern all the best and many successes in the years to come."

 

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Wenger: Real Madrid target James will leave Monaco

Arsene Wenger believes James Rodriguez will leave Monaco within the next two seasons, because he is too big for the French club.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid – with Monaco valuing the star at €89m – having lit up the World Cup for Colombia.

Rodriguez scored six goals to win the Golden Boot in Brazil, with Manchester United also thought to be interested, but Wenger believes the forward will “certainly not” move this summer, due to Monaco's qualification for the Champions League.

"I believe that’s true,” Wenger told beIN Sports when asked if Rodriguez is too big for the principality club.

“Why? Because a player like that is difficult to keep at a club when you have Real Madrid and Barcelona looking around, and without a doubt there will be people who will be watching them play and thinking about buying him.

“Is this the year that he will move? Certainly not because he is with Monaco and they will play Champions League next season and they are a big club in France.

“But certainly in the next season or two he will want to move somewhere else.”

Rodriguez, who joined Monaco from Porto in a €76m double deal with Joao Moutinho in 2013, scored 10 goals in all competitions last season.

 

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Manchester City want €19m for Roma target Nastasic

Roma are leading the race ahead of Inter and Fiorentina to sign Matija Nastasic but Manchester City want €19 million for the central defender, Goal understands.

The Premier League champions have already agreed a €40 million (£31.6m) deal with Porto for Eliaquim Mangala, and the 23-year-old centre-back is expected to be officially announced as a City player when he returns from his post-World Cup holiday at the start of August.

Mangala’s arrival means City will not pursue their interest in Roma’s Mehdi Benatia, who was an alternative option if the France international opted to join Chelsea.

City are open to offers for Nastasic as the signing of Mangala will take their non-homegrown quota to 19 - two players over the Premier League’s limit.

Karim Rekik, who is classed as a homegrown player having joined City at the age of 16 from Feyenoord, spent last season on loan at PSV but will be part of Manuel Pellegrini’s central defence next term alongside Mangala, Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis.

Roma are keen to bolster their central defensive options but the Serie A club, who have already signed Ashley Cole on a free transfer from Chelsea this summer, are unwilling to meet City’s €19m valuation for Nastasic.

The 21-year-old is also being tracked by his former club Fiorentina, while Inter are exploring the possibility of a move.

 

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Mathieu urges Valencia to accept Barcelona bid

Jeremy Mathieu has published an open letter asking Valencia to lower their demands and accept Barcelona's offer for him.

The Catalans are keen to sign the French defender ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, with sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta admitting earlier this week that they have tabled an official offer for the 30-year-old.

Nevertheless, Valencia have so far been adamant that they will only let go of Mathieu if Barcelona meet his €20 million buyout clause, much to the dismay of the centre-back, who has set his sights on a move to the Camp Nou side.

"I have no intention to steer toward a confrontation with Valencia, because I respect and love the club and its fans. I am grateful for the faith shown in me in the past five years," Mathieu writes.

"The goal of this statement is not to force a move away from Valencia, but to shed some light on my situation. Valencia are dealing with an offer from an important club. I am not hiding the fact that this would be a step forward in my career and that it's a unique opportunity any player would take.

"I joined this club on a free transfer five years ago and this transfer would benefit all parties involved. I have always given my utmost for the club, but I think the time has come make the next step in my career. I categorically deny allegations that I am rebelling and refuse to train. I would never run the risk of doing something that could hurt a potential transfer.

"I ask Valencia and its president Amadeo Salva to understand my situation and find a solution. I have the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world and that's all I want now. When I signed a new deal last season, the president promised me that they would be open to a transfer if a good opportunity arose, which is the case now. I want to go for this new challenge and I ask the club to understand my wishes."

Mathieu's current contract with Valencia runs until the summer of 2017.

 

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Rodgers: I'll spend €88m Suarez cash

Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool still have money to spend following Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona.

Suarez left Anfield for the Catalan giants earlier this month in an €88 million deal, but Rodgers has wasted no time in pursuing deals of his own as he aims to prepare his players for the rigours of a return to the Champions League.

Southampton duo Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, Benfica winger Lazar Markovic and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can have already been recruited for a combined outlay of over €63m.

And Rodgers is adamant that the sale of Suarez gives him even more financial freedom to strengthen his squad, though he insists he will maintain high standards when it comes to identifying transfer targets.

“The signings we have made have no relation to Luis going, absolutely – these were players that were always earmarked to come in,” Rodgers told reporters.
“We felt last year we just never had the depth and we are in the Champions League this year so we have to ensure we have as strong a squad as possible.
“Obviously Luis going gives us the clout to go and spend more and we are getting the right type of player in.


“But we certainly won't spend just for the sake of spending. It has to be the sort of player who is going to improve us.”

 

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Van Gaal's message to Manchester United fans: Win or lose, get behind us

Louis van Gaal has urged Manchester United fans to get behind the team through their ups and downs, as the club look to recover from the disastrous reign of David Moyes.

The Dutchman – who led Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals in Brazil – was unveiled as the Red Devils' new boss on Thursday and immediately set his sights on winning the Premier League.

But he later delivered a message to the club's fans, insisting that they must support the club whether they are winning or losing - whilst expressing his desire to live up to supporters' expectations in 2014-15.

“I am very proud to be here, I hope I fulfil your expectations,” he said in a message posted on United's Facebook page.

“I hope you support your team always not only when we are winning but when we are losing, because we are not only winning together but losing together.”

Van Gaal has won four Eredivisie titles, two La Liga trophies and the Bundesliga during his distinguished career to date.

 

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Dont't worry LVGDinnath Paradunath & mona problem 1ka awath hamadamath Manchester United ekkama thamai

Manchester United for Ever!!!
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Lahm retires from international football

Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm has revealed his shock decision to retire from international football in the wake of Germany's World Cup success.

The 30-year-old captained his nation as they overcame Argentina 1-0 in the final, making seven appearances to help them to their first major trophy since Euro 1996.

Lahm will not play a role in Germany's hunt for more silverware, however, having told head coach Joachim Low that he's no longer available for the national team.

"I told Jogi Low about my decision to retire from international football on Monday," Lahm told Sport Bild.

"I'd been thinking about it over the course of last season. I am delighted that things all came together with this World Cup win.

"I gave DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach a call this morning and thanked him and everybody else at the DFB for the last few years."

Lahm, who has captained Germany since permanently replacing Michael Ballack in 2011, made his official Germany debut in the 2-1 win over Croatia in February 2004 and had since developed into one of Germany's undisputed star players.

The right-back has made 113 appearances for the freshly crowned world champions and sits fourth in the all-time rankings behind Lothar Matthaus (150 caps), Miroslav Klose (137) and Lukas Podolski (116).

Lahm featured at the European Championships of 2004, 2008 and 2012, as well as at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

 

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Lahm retire wena 1kanam aparadethawa kalayak play karanna puluwan player kenek neh & mama asama defender kenek
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Messi pride at putting Argentina back on the map

Lionel Messi has expressed his pride at the way he has helped to make Argentina a force to be reckoned with once again despite their World Cup final defeat.

Alejandro Sabella's men achieved what no Albiceleste side had done since 1990, when Diego Maradona was still in his prime, by reaching the final of this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Unfortunately for the Barcelona forward and his team-mates, Mario Gotze's goal in extra-time gave Germany the trophy as they won 1-0 - just as they had done in 1990 - to end Argentina's dreams.

Messi is looking ahead to future challenges with the national team instead of dwelling on the past, understandably, and is delighted that the mood in the country towards the players is one of positivity once again.

I want to say thank you for all the support we have been given since the World Cup finished," he wrote on his official Facebook account.

"It's really nice to see the whole country excited about the team again. Now we have new and good challenges ahead which we will face with the same commitment. Thanks to everyone. A hug."

Argentina will be hoping to bounce back next summer in the Copa America, which is set to be an intriguing tournament considering the number of South American teams that performed impressively at the World Cup.

 

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Liverpool edge ahead of Tottenham in Ben Davies race

Liverpool have edged ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign Swansea City left-back Ben Davies.

Though Spurs are understood to have agreed a fee and are prepared to pay more for the youngster up front, the Reds are ready to meet the Swans' €12.5 million asking price.

Davies's preferred destination is Anfield, with the prospect of Champions League football a big draw as well as working with former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers in a team who nearly won the Premier League in 2013-14.

Tottenham's interest in the left-back, who has had the better of his battle with Neil Taylor for a place in the Swans' first team, was confirmed by the Welsh club's chairman, Huw Jenkins, earlier in July.

But Spurs, who are the only Premier League team yet to complete a signing so far this summer, are likely to be gazumped by big-spending Liverpool. The Londoners are continuing their attempts to persuade Davies to move to White Hart Lane but fear that even a guaranteed starting role will not be enough to change his mind.

With the return of Champions League football to Anfield and the €88m sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Rodgers has already spent close to €75m on Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic.

The pursuit of Davies is part of a defensive recruitment that also includes a move for Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren.

 

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No Walcott until Autumn - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that Theo Walcott is "progressing very well" in his recovery from injury but does not expect him back in action until after summer has ended.

The England international forward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during an FA Cup game against Tottenham early in 2014 and missed out on the Three Lions' World Cup campaign.

While the former Southampton man continues to recover, Wenger has suggested that new signing Alexis Sanchez will be deployed on the right, but he is happy with Walcott's efforts to regain fitness.

"He's progressing very well," the Gunners boss told the club's official website. "He's worked very hard during the summer and we expect him to be back in full training at the end of August.

"[When he'll be back on the pitch is] difficult to predict. Once he's back in full training it can be very quick. He has a good basis, which is what he's working on now."

Since joining the north Londoners from Southampton in January 2006, Walcott has made nearly 200 Premier League appearances for the club, with an overall goal record of 69 from 281 matches in all competitions.

 

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Neymar: Brazil not at the level of Germany or Spain

Brazil star Neymar has slammed the country's training mentality, insisting the nation lags well behind Germany and Spain.

Last summer the Selecao defeated Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup and were the favourites heading into the World Cup, but they were humiliated in the semi-finals with a 7-1 loss to Germany after failing to seriously impress throughout the tournament.

Neymar, 22, was out injured for the semi-final defeat to Joachim Low's men and the subsequent 3-0 third-place play-off drubbing at the hands of Netherlands, but was one the bright sparks of the hosts' campaign.

And the Barcelona forward has criticised the way that Brazilian clubs approach match practice and says they have a lot of catching up to do if they want to nurture more players on a par with teams across the Atlantic Ocean.

"Every training session in Europe is taken seriously," he told Rede Globo. "In Brazil it's different. You train more, but sometimes you train with less determination. Brazilians are like that."

"I think Brazilian football is behind. It's behind Germany and Spain. We have fallen behind and we have to man up and admit that."

Neymar remains a major doubt to be fit in time to start the 2014-15 La Liga season with Barca due to the back injury sustained against Colombia in the World Cup quarter-finals, but he will return to Spain in August.

 

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Iturbe: There was no Juventus contact

New Roma signing Juan Iturbe has insisted there was never any chance of him joining Juventus, despite strong rumours suggesting otherwise.

Before Antonio Conte's resignation, the Bianconeri were believed to be leading the race for his signature but Hellas Verona eventually sold the Argentina Under-20 international to the Stadio Olimpico side for €22 million.

"To be honest, I was on vacation with my family," Iturbe said at his Roma presentation on Friday when asked about the Juve speculation.

"I did not know anything about the market, I came back three days ago, my agent told me there was this possibility and we signed. It was not easy to negotiate with Verona but Roma made a big push in the market.

"But I knew nothing about potentially joining Juventus."

Iturbe also stated his desire to learn from Francesco Totti in order to help Roma challenge for the Scudetto again next term and believes that Rudi Garcia's men can go one better than second place this campaign.

"I have to train in order to find a space in a competitive team," the 21-year-old added. "I am here to learn. I'm still a young player but I think that with Rudi Garcia I will learn so many things I currently lack.

"Playing alongside Totti, who is an emblem here in Rome and is the most important player, is nice. I want to learn much from him, as I have done playing close to Luca Toni at Verona.

"All teams want to win the league, we are a competitive team, we will always push forward and we hope to have a good season."

Iturbe was a regular for Verona last term, scoring eight times in 33 Serie A games, as they finished 10th.

He joins new recruits such as Ashley Cole and Salih Ucan at Roma.

 

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Arsenal open talks over Schneiderlin move

Arsenal have opened preliminary talks with Southampton over a move for Morgan Schneiderlin.

Arsene Wenger has identified the France international to fill the midfield anchorman role at Emirates Stadium next season.

The Gunners have been in contact with Real Madrid about a €25 million move for Germany World Cup winner Sami Khedira but a deal is considered unlikely unless the midfielder reduces his demand for a €250,000-a-week basic salary.

There is also interest from Arsenal in Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender but the club regard Schneiderlin as a more realistic target. The Gunners rate the 24-year-old in the €19m bracket, while Southampton value him at around €22.5m.

The Saints want to play hardball over any deal following the departures of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert this summer, as well as former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

It is an exodus that has encouraged others to consider their options and Schneiderlin went public last month with his eagerness to try a new challenge.

"I've been there for a long time now," said Schneiderlin when asked about his future. "We'll see how things go, but the directors know my position and what my intentions are.

"Everyone has ambitions, everyone has his own future in his hands, so we’ll see. Every player wants to play on big occasions."

Schneiderlin has been closely trailed by the Gunners over the last two seasons since Southampton were promoted to the Premier League.

He has been a key performer for the Saints following a move from Strasbourg in 2008 and was drafted into the France squad for the World Cup as a late replacement for the injured Clement Grenier.

Arsenal were weighing up a double swoop for Schneiderlin and his team-mate Dejan Lovren, as the Croatian has asked Southampton for a transfer to a club who can offer Champions League football, but Liverpool now lead the race to sign the centre-back.

 

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Schneiderlin Arsenal ai wage​

 

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Vidal: My time at Juventus may be over

Arturo Vidal has fuelled the fire regarding a potential transfer away from Juventus by admitting that he is unsure if his time at the club is complete.

Manchester United are very interested in signing the Chilean, 27, with Louis van Gaal believed to be keen to bring the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder to Old Trafford, while Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for him.

With Antonio Conte having resigned as Juventus coach and Massimiliano Allegri named as his successor, it has been suggested that Vidal may be leaving Turin this summer but he insists he has no idea where his future lies ahead of the 2014-15 season.

"It's hard to talk about another big club when you're already at a team at the top level," he told Chilean newspaper La Cuarta. "I've won three championships with Juve in Italy and I have respect for my team-mates.

"I've heard of interest from Real Madrid as well as that of Manchester United, but these are things there that my agent is dealing with.

"I honestly do not know if my cycle with Juventus is finished. When I return to Italy I will talk with the new coach and see what happens.

"Now all I'm thinking about are the seven days of holiday that I have left."

Vidal joined Juventus in 2011 in a €10.5 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen.

 

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Lahm retirement is good news for Bayern - Mathaus

Lothar Matthaus believes Philipp Lahm's decision to retire from international football will benefit Bayern Munich.

Lahm called time on his career with Germany less than a week after lifting the World Cup in Brazil, having made 113 appearances in the past 10 years.

The Bayern Munich skipper featured in three World Cups and three European Championships after making his international bow in 2004, and while Matthaus feels he will be sorely missed at international level, the 1990 World Cup-winning captain is happy at the prospect of having the 30-year-old commit solely to his club.

"For Bayern, it is certainly good. Philipp has tried to take his foot off the accelerator a bit to maintain fitness for other important tasks," he told Sky Sport News.

"He was a great captain who has brought top performances over the years and that deserves great recognition.

"Now [he will get] a bit more privacy, less pressure in the public, including some more breaks and less games, and full fitness for Bayern."

Lahm was only 37 appearances behind reaching Matthaus' record of 150 for Germany.

With Joachim Low now searching for a replacement captain, Matthaus predicted Bastian Schweinsteiger would be the one to step up.

"You do not need to think twice. I assume that Bastian Schweinsteiger takes over the captaincy, he was also vice-captain," Matthaus added.

"Sami Khedira and Manuel Neuer will then move up."

 

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Herrera, Shaw & Rooney lead Van Gaal's first Manchester United squad

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has named his 25-man squad for the club's pre-season tour of the USA.

The squad features 10 players who took part at the World Cup, including Wayne Rooney, as well as the club's summer recruits, Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.

Shaw, David de Gea, Shinji Kagawa, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck and Nani were all eliminated at the group stage in Brazil with their respective countries.

Of United's international contingent, only Patrice Evra, Javier Hernandez, Robin van Persie, Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini are not included, all of whom reached the second round or further.

The Red Devils will face LA Galaxy in their first match of the summer on July 23 before clashes with Roma, Inter and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup on July 26, July 29 and August 2, respectively.

Van Gaal has also included some younger players, with the likes of Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard given chances to impress.

Squad in full: David de Gea, Anders Lindegaard, Sam Johnstone, Ben Amos, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Tyler Blackett, Michael Keane, Reece James, Ander Herrera, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young, Wilfried Zaha, Shinji Kagawa, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Nani, Jesse Lingard, Danny Welbeck, Will Keane, Wayne Rooney