..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Ba hits out at Mourinho: For Jose, the name matters more than statistics

Demba Ba has hit out at Jose Mourinho, claiming that the Chelsea boss is more concerned with reputation than statistics.

The Senegal striker joined Besiktas in the summer after struggling to get regular playing time at Stamford Bridge, with the signing of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid further blocking his path to the starting XI.

Ba still scored a number of crucial goals during his time with the west London club and has suggested that he was not given a chance to prove himself to Mourinho, arguing that he was too often left playing second fiddle to the likes of Fernando Torres.

He told the Daily Mail: "Sometimes when you are at a club with a lot of big stars, the name counts for more than the statistics. Unfortunately, it was like that in my case.

"But I am happy I moved from Newcastle to Chelsea and achieved what I did. I have lots of friends there.

"Eden Hazard is one of my best friends, I am close to Branislav Ivanovic, too. All my wishes are for them to win the league."

Ba is preparing to face Arsenal in Tuesday's Champions League play-off first leg and the former Newcastle man, who came close to joining the Gunners before Mourinho pulled the plug, can understand why his move to the Gunners did not come off.

He added: "I always said the move to Arsenal was close. I thought the deal was done and I would just go and do the medical but it went another way.

"Jose has said why it didn't happen. He was honest; he just didn't want to give them a striker who could score goals, especially with the arrival of [Mesut] Ozil.

"Now I am playing Arsenal in such a big match. It's crazy but I've no regrets about everything that happened.

"Our team are very young and still learning. We will have a very tough game against Arsenal but we want to go through to the Champions League spot and get the six matches in the group stages.

"The calibre of Chelsea's forward players is a little different but we have a lot of young players who are very quick and very comfortable with the ball.

"Maybe we can learn from the Arsenal game at Chelsea and cause damage in the same way."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United agree €20m + Nani deal for Rojo

Manchester United have agreed a €20 million deal for Sporting defender Marcos Rojo, with Nani going the other way on a season-long loan.

Rojo is to move to Old Trafford after extensive negotiations between the two clubs, against the backdrop of the Argentina defender going on strike before apologising to his team-mates and supporters.

With United covering the majority of Nani's salary - one of the highest at the Premier League club - the deal is something of a triumph for Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho.

He had refused to accept United's initial €20m offer for Rojo, drawing the ire of both the player and Doyen Sports, an investment fund who own 75 per cent of the Argentine's economic rights.

With Sporting contractually obliged to pay 20% of any fee over €5m for Rojo to his former club Spartak Moscow, and 75% of the income going to Doyen, a €20m sale would have effectively seen the World Cup finalist leave for free.

In bringing Nani back to the club where the forward began his professional career, De Carvalho has landed one of Portugal's most prominent footballers at minimal salary cost to Sporting.

De Carvalho was determined to play hard-ball with Rojo's agents after the player refused to train with the club in order to help push through a move to Old Trafford, insisting he would not be held to ransom.
Rojo himself apologised for his behaviour in an interview with the club's television channel on Sunday evening, though it is understood it is partly designed to facilitate the transfer.

"It was all a misunderstanding, I was a hothead," he said. "I'm sorry for what happened because I feel that I was unprofessional.

"I want to tell the people that I didn’t behave correctly, but I’m am very fond of this club. They are the ones that will decide my career, and I hope it will be the best both for me and the club. But I want to stress that I’m very happy at the club, and I like the way I’m treated and the care they give me."

The deal underlines United's desperation to provide Louis van Gaal with personnel capable of playing the high-risk 3-5-2 formation their new manager is attempting to introduce at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman began his first Premier League campaign with just three experienced central defenders and one international left-back in his squad, duly falling to Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Swansea City.

Rojo, 24, is comfortable operating as one of the three centre backs in a 3-5-2 or as the left wing-back. During his two season at Sporting he was used primarily as a central defender.

Nani has four years remaining on the highly lucrative contract United awarded him early last summer. Though then manager David Moyes considered persuading the Portugal international to remain with the club as a key element in structuring his squad, the pair rapidly fell out and Nani rarely made the first XI in subsequent months.

Liverpool have made Portugal Under-21 international Tiago Ilori available for loan as they attempt to rebalance their squad for the new season. Ilori, an initial €7.5m signing from Sporting last summer, has yet to start a game for the Reds but had expected to be part of Brendan Rodgers' first-team plans this season.

His position, though, has been complicated by Kolo Toure's refusal to accept a transfer to Trabzonspor, leading Liverpool to seek another developmental loan move. While Bordeaux are interested in Ilori, he would prefer a switch to another Premier League side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney: Last season a disaster for Manchester United

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is determined to turn things around after the "disaster" that was last season.

The Red Devils finished seventh in their first season since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired and started the Louis van Gaal era with a 2-1 defeat at home by Swansea City on Saturday.

The striker insists that getting one over their critics is not the team's main motivation but is desperate to put the troubles of last term behind them.

"We are not out to prove people wrong," he told the club's official website. "We are out to win things for ourselves, the fans and this club.

"We know last season was a disaster. It wasn't good enough and it's always a bigger story when Manchester United struggle – you are going to get ex-players having their say. We have to accept it and be ready for it.

"We know that, if this club is successful, it is great and, if it is not, then there are a lot of people who are waiting for you to fall so they can get at you.

"We have to make sure we are successful. We have to make sure last season was a one-off because that was not good enough."

Rooney scored United's only goal in their Premier League opener, equalising Ki Sung-Yueng's first-half strike, but Gylfi Sigurdsson wrapped up the points for Garry Monk's side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arteta: Ramsey reminds me of Fabregas

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta says that Aaron Ramsey reminds him of Cesc Fabregas and feels that his team-mate will only keep improving.

The Welshman scored scored a late winner against Crystal Palace on Saturday, six days after helping his side to win the Community Shield with a fine finish against Manchester City.

Ramsey enjoyed a coming-of-age season last year, with 16 goals before injury hampered his campaign, and Arteta has hailed the midfielder's character and Fabregas-like ability to both create and take chances.

"Aaron's on fire," the Spaniard told reporters. "A player like this coming from midfield to score that many goals gives you something extra.

"He reminds me a bit of Fabregas when he was here. At his best, Fabregas was coming off the front, making the final ball and scoring very important goals.

"I think he will get better with experience and confidence. People fear him now because they know he can create things and that gives you an extra yard, which is very important.

"He showed great character as people used to be against him. The manager backed him big time. We don't have someone to score 30 or 40 goals so players who can score from the middle is very important."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern still not fit, says Gotze

Bayern Munich attacker Mario Gotze has admitted that his side are still not fully fit after their exploits in the World Cup this summer.

Several members of Pep Guardiola's squad were involved in Brazil 2014 as Germany won the competition for the fourth time, while Arjen Robben starred for Netherlands, who finished third.

Just over a month on, Gotze, who netted his country's winner in the final, is still looking to build up his fitness before Bayern's Bundesliga campaign kicks off against Wolfsburg on Friday.

"We can be relatively pleased," the attacking midfielder told the club's official website after netting in a 4-1 victory over Preussen Munster in the DFB-Pokal on Sunday.

"The early goal was important. What mattered today was making the next round. We've reached a good level, but we know that we still have work to do on our fitness."

Philipp Lahm echoed his team-mate's belief that Pep Guardiola's men are not yet in peak physical condition but was still delighted to progress in the Pokal.

"We were determined to make the next round," the captain explained. "We’re obviously not at 100 percent yet, but we need matches to get there."

Thomas Muller, David Alaba and Claudio Pizarro were also on target in the 4-1 win at Preussen but star summer signing Robert Lewandowski missed a late penalty.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers vows to continue Liverpool striker search

Brendan Rodgers admits that Liverpool "need another striker" before the end of the transfer window.

The Reds lost star forward Luis Suarez - who scored 31 goals in 33 Premier League games - to Barcelona in July.

Liverpool have invested heavily already this summer with eight new signings, including strikers Rickie Lambert and Divock Origi, with the latter being loaned back to Lille.

But despite seeing Daniel Sturridge net the winner against Southampton on Sunday, Rodgers is keen to turn more chances into goals in order to drive another title challenge.

"I think for Daniel it was just a continuation. We can create chances and score goals," he told reporters.

"Sometimes he will have quiet games but he always looks like he will score a goal. I think he's got 36 in 50 games - that's the best in Liverpool's history.

"We loved the challenge last season of being in the hunt and we want to recreate that. We've been on a great run of form for 18 months now.

"I think we need another striker and we will search for that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Allegri tells Manchester United: Vidal isn't on the market

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has played down speculation that Arturo Vidal could leave the club for Manchester United before the close of the summer transfer window.

The Chilean has been heavily linked with a transfer to Old Trafford since this summer's World Cup but his coach believes that rumours of an imminent move away from Turin are merely representative of the fact that the former Bayer Leverkusen man is a top player.

"I don't think he's on the market, if that's what you want to know," Allegri told Tuttosport. "Great players are always talked about.

"Big clubs are only looking for great players, but Juventus are a great club. Obviously Bayern or United or Real Madrid can think about him as much as they want."

The former AC Milan coach went on to insist that he will not be rash in the transfer market as Juve look to further strengthen their squad with a couple of additions before the start of the new Serie A season at the end of the month.

"I'll assess things with the club," Allegri explained. "We have little time and the margin for error is thin.

"If we bring in two players, we cannot go wrong. We will evaluate what to do in the market in the attack.

"It's better not to sign anyone that someone who's not needed. It's useless if we sign a low-level player. If we sign one, it'll be a major player.

"We need a player who can play in both formations we use, the 3-5-2 and with three strikers."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidal wa ganna bari unoth nam loku paduwak​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cristiano Ronaldo & Neymar join Ice Bucket Challenge fad

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is among a host of stars to have performed the Ice Bucket Challenge viral fad.

The craze, which involves dumping a bucket of ice water on your head, is in aid of the ALS Association and a number of celebrities have been videoed doing it.

Ronaldo was nominated by former Manchester United team-mate Darren Fletcher and, in turn, challenged American singers Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Lil Wayne to follow suit.

Another football star to have joined the fad was Barcelona Neymar, who was nominated by Brazil team-mate Marcelo.

The 22-year-old, successful did the challenge and posted a video of it to his Instagram account and nominated new Santos signing Robinho and, with a hint of humour, Camilo Zuniga, who injured him when the Selecao faced Colombia in the World Cup earlier this summer.

ALS, also known as motor neurone diswease and Lou Gehrig's disease after the former baseball star whose life it claimed, is a neurodegenerative disease that causes people to lose muscle function.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thawa 13 days wage thiyenne Transfer Window 1ka close wenna.Ath thama hoda signs set 1kak karaganna bari una Manchester United walata

Thama doubtful kawada ganne kiyala
​

 

[Ayesh malshika fernando]

Me para bpl ekata alutin apu teams monda podi wistqrayak dannako

 

[Ayesh malshika fernando]

Thawa 13 days wage thiyenne Transfer Window 1ka close wenna.Ath thama hoda signs set 1kak karaganna bari una Manchester United walata

Thama doubtful kawada ganne kiyala
​

Dan premier league eka patan aran iwarai luis van gall monada karanne mecharakal? Awlak naa van persie innawane neda

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Me para bpl ekata alutin apu teams monda podi wistqrayak dannako

Burnley,QPR & Leicester City
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dan premier league eka patan aran iwarai luis van gall monada karanne mecharakal? Awlak naa van persie innawane neda

EPL patan gatthath Transfer Window 1ka official close wenne August 31st so thawa podi kalayak have.Ath ithin Manchester United deals karaganna ganna time 1ka godak wadi & godak late

Meh dawas tike quick action 1kak ganna wenawa aniwaryen.Nathnam loku problem 1kak wenawa

& anith 1ka thamai RVP hitiyath eyegenma depend wenna baha...Mid & Difending hodata thiyenna ona.Defending lineup 1ke Rio,Vidic & Evra ape main defendersla 3ndenama naha...so ahema welawaka quality signs thawa one.Mid unath madi

 

[Ayesh malshika fernando]

EPL patan gatthath Transfer Window 1ka official close wenne August 31st so thawa podi kalayak have.Ath ithin Manchester United deals karaganna ganna time 1ka godak wadi & godak late

Meh dawas tike quick action 1kak ganna wenawa aniwaryen.Nathnam loku problem 1kak wenawa

& anith 1ka thamai RVP hitiyath eyegenma depend wenna baha...Mid & Difending hodata thiyenna ona.Defending lineup 1ke Rio,Vidic & Evra ape main defendersla 3ndenama naha...so ahema welawaka quality signs thawa one.Mid unath madi

Itin machan dan kale harine dan ganna kawruth ituruwela nanee okkoma lalegaeken aran iwaraine dan ganna inne koriyan japanese un tamai itin supirima un naane

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City prepare for crucial week of player sales

Manchester City are preparing for a potentially pivotal week as they step up plans to sell up to four first-team stars prior to the summer transfer window closing.

Goal understands that the likes of Matija Nastasic, Micah Richards, Scott Sinclair and John Guidetti are all free to leave the club as boss Manuel Pellegrini looks to trim a bulging squad and extravagant wage bill, with key meetings involving all four planned in the coming days.

Nastasic is attracting strong interest from Roma, who could make a move for the Serbian defender should they decide to cash-in on reported Manchester United and Chelsea target Mehdi Benatia.

The 21-year-old defender joined the club from Fiorentina back in 2012 but has struggled to earn a regular starting spot in the City team and is currently behind the likes of Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis and summer signing Eliaquim Mangala.

Juventus are another Serie A club interested in the player who City rate at €19 million [£15m], while both Milan clubs are also monitoring the situation but would prefer a loan deal.

With Nastasic's desire to play regular football, Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he is open to selling and told the press: "Matija needs to play. We already have important players here with four full-backs, Demichelis, Kompany, Mangala and [Dedryck] Boyata.

"So we will see in the next few days what happens with Nastasic. He is an important player but he has offers and I think the best thing for him is to play.

"We will see what happens but we have until the end of August to see what kind of offers we get for Matija."

Versatile right-back Richards, meanwhile, has long been a target for Newcastle United but their interest has cooled following the summer arrival of Netherlands international Daryl Janmaat.

Richards, along with former Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair, are due to meet with Pellegrini this week as they look for a way out of the Etihad Stadium in search of regular football, with the window closing in two weeks' time.

John Guidetti will also be allowed to leave the club and he remains a top target for Dutch side Feyenoord.

The 22-year-old failed to impress during a loan spell with Stoke City last season although Hull City boss Steve Bruce could yet make a move for the Dutch striker.

And Pellegrini has also hinted that he would be willing to allow the out-of-favour trio to leave, telling reporters: "That [a potential move away] also goes for Micah Richards, who didn't want to continue here because he wants to play more - he had a contract to renew but didn't want it.

"So we have three or four players extra - Scott Sinclair and John Guidetti are also important players but I don't like to have so many in the squad.

"I think 22 players is enough and they are all players who have a lot of quality. It is good for them to play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea exile Marin seals Fiorentina loan

Marko Marin has joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal, Chelsea have confirmed.

Marin moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2012 but failed to break into the starting XI, making just 16 appearances in all competitions in his debut season in England.

The 25-year-old spent last term on loan at Sevilla, making 28 appearances in all competitions without scoring, though he was part of the squad which won the Europa League.

The German's arrival gives Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella more options in attacking midfield, though the Italian on Monday reiterated that Manchester United and Barcelona target Juan Cuadrado will not be sold.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Liverpool defender Ilori joins Bordeaux on season-long loan

Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori has joined Bordeaux on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old signed for Brendan Rodgers’ side from Sporting last September but was sent out on loan to Granada in January and made nine appearances for the Spanish club.

Ilori, a Portugal Under-21 international, had been linked with a loan move to Borussia Dortmund before his switch to Bordeaux.

The French club currently sit second in Ligue 1 following Sunday's 4-1 win over Monaco.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic ruled out for six weeks

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed they will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the next six weeks.

The Sweden star, 31, suffered an abdominal injury in the 2-0 win over Bastia in Ligue 1 on Saturday and the length of his absence means he could miss his side's next five league fixtures.

PSG released a statement on Monday documenting the specific nature of the problem, while also revealing defender Gregory van der Wiel is set for a spell on the sidelines.

It read: "Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a partial avulsion of the left oblique muscle under the 12th rib and will not play again for some time. His absence is estimated at approximately six weeks."

"Gregory van der Wiel suffered a fracture of the right transverse process of the second lumbar vertebra."

The Ligue 1 champions didn't reveal the length of time the defender will be out for, but reports claim he is only expected to be unavailable for the next 10 days.

Meanwhile, midfielder Thiago Motta will miss the clash with Evian after sustaining a broken nose after being headbutted by Bastia striker Brandao on Saturday.

He is expected to make a swift return to action and could even wear a mask similar to that worn by Thiago Silva last season as he recovered from a facial injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Ibra!​