..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Persie will miss Swansea City clash - Van Gaal

Robin van Persie has "no chance" of featuring for Manchester United against Swansea City on Saturday, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

The striker returned to pre-season training late after reaching the World Cup semi-finals, under Van Gaal, with Netherlands.

And, asked whether Van Persie might be fit enough to play on Saturday, Van Gaal said: "No chance. He has to train."

The comments echo the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach's statement from earlier this month, when he predicted Van Persie would not be ready.

"Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad," he said at the time. "But players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he can play again."

Big-money signing Luke Shaw will also miss out on Saturday after picking up a hamstring injury, but Van Gaal is confident of filling the gap left by the teenager.

"We played in the USA [pre-season tour] with Reece James and Ashley Young in that position [left wing-back]," he reminded reporters. "I'm not worried."

Sam Johnstone, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck all join Shaw in being unavailable for the Premier League curtain-raiser through injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal: Why I made Rooney Manchester United captain

Louis van Gaal has revealed that Wayne Rooney's attitude on the pitch is the main reason why he has decided to make him Manchester United captain.

With Nemanja Vidic having left the club for Inter in the summer, the England striker was announced as his replacement three days ago, while Darren Fletcher took up the vice-captain role.

Rooney could also be handed the armband at international level in the coming weeks and Van Gaal is adamant that he is ready for the responsibility.

When asked why he selected the 28-year-old forward as his skipper, the Dutch coach said: "His attitude, of course. That is more on the pitch and on the training ground. Not so much off the pitch but I have explained to him that off the pitch is also very important to me.

"He accepted the responsibility and I like him very much: how he trained and also how he performed in the games, how he performed to his fellow players.

"On Tuesday, I said to him that maybe it is too much for him to be captain. But let it fly, I said, let it fly. In the US, he scored a lot of goals and made a great amount of assists. I want to see that Wayne."

Van Gaal has also insisted that he is yet to meet Sir Alex Ferguson since arriving at the club. He added: "No, until this moment I have not found the time to do that and I do not know if he is at home.

"He called off [going on tour] but I have also been very busy. That is the reason."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Reus has never been on Atletico's agenda

Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus has never been a transfer target for Atletico Madrid, according to the Spanish champions' CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin.

Reports emerged in Spain this week claiming Atleti had lodged a bid for the Germany winger as they look to bolster their forward line following the sale of Diego Costa and injury to Arda Turan.

However, Gil Marin has made it clear the club are pursuing very different targets to the 25-year-old.

"Reus has never been on Atletico's agenda and his profile does not fit with what the team currently need," he told TVE.

Reus has been the centre of transfer speculation this summer, with reports over a possible bid from Bayern Munich causing friction between the two clubs, despite Pep Guardiola's insistence that he did not deem the player a necessary signing for the German champions.

The attacker has also been linked with a possible switch to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United credited with an interest.

Reus' current contract with Dortmund expires in 2017.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ter Stegen ruled out for two to three weeks

Marc-Andre ter Stegen will have to wait to make his competitive Barcelona debut after being ruled out for two to three weeks through injury.

The Catalan giants confirmed on Friday that the 22-year-old goalkeeper will miss the start of the season, with tests having revealed the extent of the back injury he sustained on Monday.

Having arrived at Camp Nou during the close-season from Borussia Monchengladbach expired, Ter Stegen is viewed as the long-term replacement for Victor Valdes.

However, his injury means fellow newcomer Claudio Bravo is likely to start in goal when Barca open their Liga campaign against Elche next Sunday.

A Barca statement read: "The first team goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, following persistent pain in his lower back caused by a blow received in training last Monday, August 11, has been subjected to new medical tests this morning which have revealed the existence of a small fracture in the transverse apophysis of vertebra L3.

"The club's medical services reported that the player will be out for between two and three weeks. The player will carry out recovery work during this period.

Ter Stegen made his first appearance for Barca in a friendly against Recreativo Huelva last month and started the 1-1 draw with Nice on August 2.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pellegrini: Aguero could face Newcastle

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero could be fit enough to face Newcastle United in the club's Premier League opener on Sunday, Manuel Pellegrini has revealed.

The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries over the past 12 months and picked up a muscle problem while on World Cup duty with Argentina that has hampered his pre-season preparations.

But the former Atletico Madrid striker has been working hard to get fit behind the scenes, having not featured in any of City's pre-season friendlies, and Pellegrini has not ruled out a return to action in Sunday's clash at St James' Park.

"We will see [if he plays] on Sunday," he told reporters. "I am not so sure if he will or will not."

France international Eliaquim Mangala, meanwhile, is unlikely to make his City debut against Alan Pardew's side, with Pellegrini insisting that he needs to build up his fitness before he can be involved.

"Mangala needs to work more with the team to be able to play," he added. "Maybe he will not play this weekend.

"He has had so many months without playing normally so we are trying to make a mix for him: a mix of pre-season training and trying to get him to our level to play for the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Oscar takes Lampard's No.8 shirt & Hazard No.10 as Chelsea reveal new squad numbers

Chelsea have announced their squad numbers for the upcoming season, with Oscar taking the No.8 shirt previously worn by club legend Frank Lampard.

The England international made the shirt his own during his 429 Premier League appearances at Stamford Bridge, during which time he scored 147 top-flight goals.

The jersey was so well associated with Lampard, widely regarded as the club's greatest ever player, that skipper John Terry had led calls for the shirt number to be retired after the 36-year-old left the club on a free transfer this summer.

But Brazilian playmaker Oscar will now have the honour of wearing the No.8 shirt, giving up the No.11 to allow Didier Drogba to reclaim it.

"Didier is a Chelsea legend and a senior player. I am happy for him to take the 11 and for me to take the 8," Oscar told the club's official website. "Lamps is another legend at this club and I hope I will be as successful in the shirt as he was."

Eden Hazard will also be wearing a new number in the coming campaign, with the Belgium winger taking on the vacant No.10 from the departed Juan Mata.

Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois has been handed the No.13 jersey, with Petr Cech holding onto the No.1 despite increasing speculation regarding the Czech Republic international's future at the club.

New signing Cesc Fabregas will wear the No.4 shirt vacated by David Luiz while former Atletico Madrid duo Filipe Luis and Diego Costa have been given the No.3 and No.19 respectively.

Young defenders Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake have impressed in pre-season, and as a result have been rewarded with the No.5 and No.6 jerseys while Victor Moses takes No.18 following Romelu Lukaku's departure to Everton.

CHELSEA FC SQUAD NUMBERS – 2014/2015

1. Cech, Petr
2. Ivanovic, Branislav
3. Luis, Filipe
4. Fabregas, Cesc
5. Zouma, Kurt
6. Ake, Nathan
7. Ramires
8. Oscar
9. Torres, Fernando
10. Hazard, Eden
11. Drogba, Didier
12. Mikel, John Obi
13. Courtois, Thibaut
14. Schurrle, Andre
16. Van Ginkel, Marco
17. Salah, Mohamed
18. Moses, Victor
19. Costa, Diego
21. Matic, Nemanja
22. Willian
23. Schwarzer, Mark
24. Cahill, Gary
26. Terry, John
28. Azpilicueta, Cesar
31. Christensen, Andreas

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mertesacker retires from international football

Arsenal and Germany defender Per Mertesacker has announced his retirement from international football.

The 29-year-old surpassed the 100-cap mark during his country's triumphant World Cup campaign this summer, 10 years after making his senior debut.

The towering centre-back says he is happy to bring an end to his international career on his own terms and insists the future of the Germany side has never looked brighter.

"The main thing for me was that I wanted to be able to decide when my international career would end after ten years myself," he said.

"There is no reason to fear the future. Young players will come through. Germany are in better shape than ever before.

"I now want to win the Premier League title with Arsenal and make an impact in the Champions League."

Mertesacker made his senior Germany debut under Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004, when he came on as a substitute against Iraq in October.

The former Werder Bremen stopper was part of the side which claimed third place at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals and finished runners-up to Spain at Euro 2008.

Mertesacker came on as a last-minute substitute in the 1-0 final victory over Argentina at the Maracana this summer, making a total of six appearances during the tournament.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Godak denek International Football walin retire wenawa​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers: I didn't say Sterling is like Messi

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has denied comparing Raheem Sterling with Lionel Messi ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

The teenage winger has earned rave reviews during pre-season as he looks to build on an impressive 2013-14 in which he became a key cog in the Reds' push towards the league title.

And though Rodgers was quoted as saying that, like Messi, Sterling is the type of player who gets supporters off their seats when he finds himself on the ball, he has now denied he made those claims, while he also revealed he knows nothing of an apparent new contract for the England international.

"I didn't say Raheem Sterling was like Lionel Messi, I was a bit shocked to read I'd 'said' that. He's a great young talent, though," he told reporters.

"Sterling is just one of a number of young players here with so much potential, we're looking forward to seeing their developments.

"I've not heard anything about Sterling being offered a new contract," he added.

Sterling is set to become one of the Anfield club's leading lights following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, with Rodgers having also brought in seven new players as he looks to compete on both a domestic and European level.

And the former Swansea City boss believes that his work over the summer will set the squad up for years to come, though he admitted he is still looking for a striker to replace Suarez.

"We're nearly done with transfers. There's one or two more things to complete. We needed to develop the squad this year, add more depth.

"The players we've brought in will allow us to deal with injuries and more games. We needed to bring in players this summer.

"This summer will probably be our biggest transfer window for the next two years.

"We're looking to make this a sustainable team for the next five to 10 years. There's lots of young talent.

"We'll look to improve that top end of the field, but if the right player doesn't come along, we'll play with what we've got."

Rodgers also confirmed that a deal to bring Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno to the club is nearing completion as his squad takes shape ahead of Sunday's curtain-raiser against Southampton.

"The Alberto Moreno deal is to be completed very soon and he'll be a terrific signing for us if that's done."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma are ready for a 'special season' - Totti

Roma captain Francesco Totti believes his side are in for "a special season" as they bid to wrestle the Serie A title away from Juventus.

The Giallorossi finished as runners-up to Juve in 2013-14 after an encouraging first season in charge for boss Rudi Garcia, which also sealed their return to the Champions League.

Speaking during their pre-season trip to Austria, Totti was confident his side can continue to grow in the coming campaign as they aim to break Juve's Scudetto stranglehold while competing against Europe's elite.

"We've come to Austria to achieve great things. A club like Roma must always play to win," he told reporters.

"We want to do well in the league and the Champions League, now that we're back. We're in for a special season.

"This is the time where you build up the team. The real games, the ones that really count, will begin soon. At that point we will be ready."

Roma take on Wiener SK in a friendly match on Friday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata: I want to be Van Gaal's perfect No.10

Juan Mata believes he will be can to thrive in Manchester United's No.10 role this season under new boss Louis van Gaal.

The Spaniard made 15 appearances for United, scoring six goals, after a €46 million move from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January.

Often deployed in a wide role by David Moyes last term, Mata has spent much of pre-season operating in the hole behind Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney as Van Gaal implements a 3-4-1-2 formation at Old Trafford.

And Mata hopes a return to his natural position will bring the best out of him as United look to get among the upper echelons of the league table following a disappointing seventh-placed finish in 2013-14.

"I hope it will be perfect for me," he told the Daily Mail.

"I feel comfortable in that position. I can play as a midfielder defensively or as a striker offensively if that's what I have to do.

"But my mission is to assist and score. I can do that from this position and I hope I can have a great season. But more importantly it has to be a great season for the team.

"This system is difficult and it's difficult to adapt. You have to be very fit, for example.

"You have to be focused but, if you manage to master it, you can put lots of pressure on the opponent and you can hurt them with the ball.

"I think everyone knows that Dutch football likes to play a good way, a way I like to play and watch. This manager wants passing and movement and triangles. It's how I play my best."

United will get the Premier League season under way in Saturday's early kick-off against Swansea City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona want to sell Dani Alves & sign Douglas, say Sao Paolo

Sao Paulo president Carlos Miguel Aidar has claimed that Barcelona want to see Dani Alves and replace him with Douglas.

The former Sevilla full-back has another year on his contract but has been heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou throughout the summer.

Recent reports in Spain have linked them with Douglas, 24, and the Brazilian club say the deal is in progress to take the player to Catalunya.

"Barca want to sell Dani Alves and are looking for a replacement for him, who would be Douglas," Aidar is quoted as saying by Sport.

"The sale isn't completed because we still have to talk and the economics involved in the operation are the Traffic group [who own 40 per cent of Douglas' rights], Juan Figger [an intermediary], Sao Paolo and Barca.

"Two months ago our partner Figger asked if we would sell the player to Barca. We said we were willing to negotiate.

"He's doing everything and things are progressing well. We haven't spoken directly to Barca but we are aware of their interest, so are the agents, Traffic. I guess they have already spoken to the player."

Dani Alves was linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer but the French champions opted to sign Serge Aurier on a loan deal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

It's time to forget my mistake - Suarez


Luis Suarez was thrilled to have trained with his new Barcelona team-mates for the first time on Friday and says it is time to forget the past two months.

On Thursday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decreed that Suarez's four-month ban from all football-based activity should not exclude him from training.

Fifa hit Uruguay star Suarez was hit with the sanction after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup - the third time he has been found guilty of such an offence.

The striker - who joined Barca from Liverpool for a reported €88 million last month - joined in training with the rest of the Spanish giants' squad on Friday, and could make his debut for the club in Monday's friendly against Club Leon at Camp Nou.

And even though he cannot play competitively until late October - with his first appearance potentially set to be against Real Madrid - the 27-year-old expressed his delight at being able to practice with his team-mates.

"I'm very happy to return to playing football and to be with my peers," Suarez told Barca's official website.

"It was a situation that made me uncomfortable. I'm paying for a mistake I made and have already apologised, but this should be forgotten.

"We must think about the future - [which] is to be at Barcelona, the club where I had dreamed of playing.

"I am very grateful to the club for all they have done for me in the last weeks and days. They have treated me very well and I appreciate that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal returns to training but again fails to confirm Juventus future

Arturo Vidal returned to training with Juventus on Friday but once again failed to commit his future to the club when asked by a supporter.

The Chilean has been following a special rehabilitation programme in pre-season having rushed back from a knee operation to play at the World Cup for Chile.

Vidal successfully trained for the first time with the ball in a month and a half at National Stadium in Singapore - where Juve are currently enjoying the final leg of their Asia-Pacific tour - but once again raised concerns over a potential exit.

After signing autographs, he was asked by a supporter what his future was - to which Vidal smirked: "My future is to train well."

The ex-Bayer Leverkusen man has been constantly linked with a transfer to Manchester United this summer. The English side have yet to table a bid and Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta had already set an unofficial deadline of Friday after which Vidal would not be allowed to leave.

Juventus have publicly stated throughout the saga that their star man is not for sale unless he underlines a desire to depart.

But the 27-year-old's refusal once more to commit his future to the Bianconeri will raise question marks as the Juventus squad prepares to return to Italy after their final tour match against a Singapore select XI on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal ge rumors nam mata dan athi wela thiyenne​

 

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Aniwa machan teams godak last season 1kata wada stongePattama gemak yaiChelsea,City,Arsenal,Manchester United,Liverpool,Tottenham & Everton

​

anith eka machan easy game nae godak team hoda players la gaththa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

anith eka machan easy game nae godak team hoda players la gaththa

Attha broGodak teams hodai meh season 1ke

anemanda...Hithaganna amarui meh yana widiyata Manchester United kohoma shape weida kiyala
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Attha broGodak teams hodai meh season 1ke

anemanda...Hithaganna amarui meh yana widiyata Manchester United kohoma shape weida kiyala
​

aniwa
Manchester united deadline day ekata kalin hoda playersla 3k wath ganyi machan
di maria,Cuadrado,vidal, Blind, Rojo,Benatia

 

[Wolverine GTR]

aniwa
Manchester united deadline day ekata kalin hoda playersla 3k wath ganyi machan
di maria,Cuadrado,vidal, Blind, Rojo,Benatia

Ganna puluwan unoth nam hodai bro.nathnam ithin last season 1katath wada kamak thamai thiyennePre season wage newei neh EPL 1kaKohomath mahcan Oya set 1ka atharin Di Maria,Vidal & Benatia ganna puluwan nam kiyala wadak nahaAth ithin kisima sure 1kak naha matanam deals wenakam

Anyway Khedira wa ganna ayeth chance 1kak awilla neda bro Arsenal lataChelsea & Arsenal thamai battle 1ka yanne Khedira ta
​

 

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Ganna puluwan unoth nam hodai bro.nathnam ithin last season 1katath wada kamak thamai thiyennePre season wage newei neh EPL 1kaKohomath mahcan Oya set 1ka atharin Di Maria,Vidal & Benatia ganna puluwan nam kiyala wadak nahaAth ithin kisima sure 1kak naha matanam deals wenakam

Anyway Khedira wa ganna ayeth chance 1kak awilla neda bro Arsenal lataChelsea & Arsenal thamai battle 1ka yanne Khedira ta
​

ekanam aththa di maria transfer unoth godak welawata M United thamayi

Khedira gaththoth nam hodayihabayi thama sure naekohomath Vermaelen giya nisa CB kenek nam ganyi