..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Arsenal won't sign Falcao, Song or Welbeck

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled out summer moves for a trio of players including Radamel Falcao, Alex Song and Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck.

England international Welbeck, who Goal understands has asked for showdown talks with United manager Louis van Gaal, could be offloaded before the window closes while Barcelona midfielder Song has been tipped to leave the Liga giants in the coming days.

Falcao has also been linked with Arsenal, but Wenger insists the 28-year-old is not an affordable target, with Real Madrid a more realistic destination if the Colombian is to leave the Ligue 1 side.

When asked about Falcao, Wenger insisted the former Porto striker was not in his price range and revealed that Welbeck was also not a target for the Gunners. As for a possible deal for Song, the Frenchman said: "Alex Song will not be coming back."

Olivier Giroud is set to be out for around four months after undergoing surgery on a broken tibia, although Wenger is convinced that Alexis Sanchez is capable of leading the line in his absence.

The Gunners boss said of the Chile international, who struck the winning goal in Wednesday's Champions League play-off victory over Besiktas: "[Can Alexis play up front for] three or four months? He can play there his whole life.

"I bought him to play as a striker, not to play only on the flanks. I believe you cannot everytime buy when a player is injured."

When asked if Arsenal would be signing a defender or midfielder, Wenger said: "We are open for any position as long as we feel that the player can strengthen the squad.

"Buy to buy, I don't see the purpose of that. If we find the players who we feel can give something to our squad, we will do it in any position. We are open but it has to be enough to buy. It has to make sense."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben: Bayern the best team I ever played for

Arjen Robben has stressed that the current Bayern Munich team are better than the Real Madrid and Chelsea squads he was part of in the past.

The Netherlands international wore the Chelsea jersey between 2004 and 2007 before making the move to the Santiago Bernabeu side, only to join Bayern in the summer of 2009.

Robben says he has no regrets at all at joining the reigning Bundesliga champions as he believes they are the best side he has played for during his career.

"I have never played in a better team than this Bayern," the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by Kicker.

"I have been here since 2009 and it has only gone uphill since. And things are looking even better for the future. Everybody will stay on.

"Only [Toni] Kroos and [Mario] Mandzukic have left and we brought in some good new players for them.

"And we don't need to adapt to the new coach any more either. We all know him, his philosophy and what he expects from us."

The experienced attacker has been in fine form in the past 18 months and he has made it clear that Bayern's Champions League win in 2013 - a triumph Robben himself secured with the winner against Borussia Dortmund in the final - was vital to him.

"I have become much more relaxed and that's largely down to the Champions League victory in 2013 when I scored the winning goal. It was a huge relief to finally win that title I had been craving for. All the pressure was gone after that," he revealed.

"And Guardiola also told me to relax and that I had shown that I was a big-game player when we first spoke. That helped as well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich confirm Xabi Alonso agreement

Bayern Munich have announced they are on the verge of completing a deal with Real Madrid for the transfer of Xabi Alonso, with the former Spain international travelling to Germany on Thursday to undergo his medical.

The Bundesliga champions were keen to add an extra midfielder to their squad due to the ongoing injury problems of players such as Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara and they see the 32-year-old Alonso as a valuable addition.

The club were linked with a bid for Athletic Bilbao's Ander Iturraspe this week but have now confirmed it is Alonso who is poised to move to the Allianz Arena, subject to a medical.

"It is correct that we have been in talks with Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso," Bayern executive board member Jan-Christian Dreesen said at a press conference.

"We have basically reached an agreement. The player will arrive in Munich later on Thursday to undergo his medical."

Alonso signed a new contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2016 earlier this year, but has lost his starting berth at the Santiago Bernabeu side this term as Carlo Ancelotti favours new signing Toni Kroos alongside Luka Modric and James Rodriguez in a three-man midfield.

The midfielder, who announced his decision to retire from Spain duty earlier this week, started his professional career with Real Sociedad and also played for Eibar and Liverpool before joining Madrid in the summer of 2009.

He had since made over 200 official appearances in all competitions for the Bernabeu outfit, but will now continue his career at Bayern.

Goal also understands that Madrid are eyeing a move for Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo to replace Alonso in the Spanish capital.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern ma thamai ithin
​

 

[unicornx]

aparade Xabiwa dan ganne Retire wenna inne

 

[Wolverine GTR]

European success will be hard for Arsenal - Bilic

Slaven Bilic does not feel Arsenal can win the Champions League after they scraped an aggregate win over his Besiktas side to qualify for the tournament.

The Gunners limped into the group stages of the competition with a 1-0 play-off success climaxing on Wednesday thanks to Alexis Sanchez's first goal for his new club.The victory means that Arsene Wenger's men will compete in the competition proper of the Champions League for the 17th straight season, but the Besiktas coach does not view the 2006 finalists as challengers for this season's trophy.

"I would love it if Arsenal to reach next year's final because it would make us look like contenders," Bilic told reporters."If they improve they have a chance and, of course, they are going to improve, the league just started and they have got a few injuries.

"They are missing the strikers although Sanchez was good tonight. But to win it with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to compete against? Football is strange but it would be difficult."Arsenal will discover their group-stage opponents at Thursday's draw in Monaco at 17:45CET.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hodgson: Why I chose Rooney as England captain

Roy Hodgson insists Wayne Rooney was the "obvious choice" to succeed Steven Gerrard as England captain.

The retirement of Gerrard - along with fellow veteran midfielder Frank Lampard - from international football in the wake of England's disappointing World Cup campaign in Brazil had left the Three Lions in need of a new skipper.

And Hodgson believes that the commitment and experience of Rooney, who has also been handed the Manchester United captaincy by Louis van Gaal this summer, makes him the ideal candidate for the role.

"I gave it a lot of thought but Wayne is an obvious choice," Hodgson told reporters. "He certainly deserves it. His commitment to the cause, his experience, the fact he’s captained England in the past, and now of course he has the responsibility at Manchester United, all those factors weighed in in my thought process.

"I had a long conversation with him. And he’s prepared to accept the pressures the England captaincy can bring. And that’s quite a big thing to ensure that the person is willing to take that enourmous responsibility."

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Chelsea defender Gary Cahill were also in the running to be handed the armband, but Hodgson believes it would have been unfair of him to ignore Rooney's claim.

"We’ve got players like Joe Hart and Gary Cahill who are experienced and play for very big clubs, in the Champions League every week and compete at the top of the league," he added.

"It would be harsh to say Wayne was the only choice. But it would have been unfair on Rooney. It was his time, his moment. I would have made a mistake to pass over him and give it to someone else."There are some really big names [who have captained England before]. He’s got a lot to live up to. He knows that.

"I’ve seen a mature Rooney in my two years and, if anything, during the experiences we’ve shared he’s matured even more. It’s the right choice, he’s the right man and he’ll take it on with enthusiasm and right mentality."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern are the best in the world, says Benatia

New Bayern Munich signing Mehdi Benatia believes the Bundesliga champions are arguably the best team in the world.

The 27-year-old defender signed a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday to complete his €26 million deal - potentially rising to €30m - from Roma and he cannot wait to get started at his new team.

"Bayern are the best club in the world. I am really happy to be here," the Morocco international said at a press conference.

"I am looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga, the fans and the packed stadiums.

"I want to make the team even stronger than it already is and do my utmost to support the team."

Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer, meanwhile, believes Benatia is exactly what Pep Guardiola's side needed.

"Benatia is strong, fast, very good in the air and quite good with the ball at his feet as well."

The centre-back is Bayern's fifth major signing of the summer transfer window after the previous arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Juan Bernat, Pepe Reina and Sebastian Rode.

Additionally, Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is expected to complete his move to Bavaria before the weekend is finished.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zaha to rejoin Crystal Palace on loan from Manchester United

Wilfried Zaha is set to rejoin Crystal Palace from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal, Goal understands.

The winger signed for the Red Devils in January 2013 and was the final acquisition of Sir Alex Ferguson's time at the club.

He was immediately loaned back to Selhurst Park for the end of the 2012-13 season and helped the club achieve promotion to the Premier League.

But he failed to nail down a place in David Moyes's squad last season and spent the second part of the campaign at Cardiff City.

And after failing to make his impression on new United boss Louis van Gaal during the summer, the 21-year-old is set to move back to the club where he came through the ranks as a teenager after agreeing the deal on Wednesday.

Palace hired Neil Warnock as manager on Wednesday to replace Tony Pulis, who left the club on the eve of the Premier League season.

Warnock previously managed the club between 2007 and 2010 and left amid financial difficulties and a 10-point Football League deduction for going into administration.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Zaha​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar will only get better, says Dante

Bayern Munich defender Dante believes that Neymar will only get better over time and sees the Barcelona forward as one of Brazil's leaders.

The 22-year-old was one of the undisputed stars of the 2014 World Cup until injury ruled him out of the tournament, with Brazil then losing 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals and 3-0 to Netherlands in the third-place playoff.

"Neymar is only going to get better," Dante told Goal. "He has been one of the leaders of Brazil for the past two seasons. Hopefully he will continue to be successful for the national team."

The defender then went on to discuss the appointment of Dunga as Brazil's new coach and the 50-year-old's plans with the Selecao after dropping a number of regulars after their disappointing World Cup.

"Dunga is the right man. He is a good coach and had a lot of success with the national team before. I hope he can be successful again.

"Of course, we all expected him to make some changes to the team after the result at the World Cup. I just have to keep on doing my best for Bayern and hope I get another chance. It is clear that we will have some young players alongside more experienced names.

"The last time Brazil won the World Cup was in 2002. There are a lot of factors one needs to take into consideration to win the World Cup. We must keep improving and get better in all areas."

Dante also had his say on Bayern Munich's ambitions for the 2014-15 campaign and stressed that the Bundesliga champions want to win as many trophies as possible.

"The objective at Bayern is always to win titles. It will be hard to win a third consecutive Bundesliga title, but we have started the new season with a good result. We are the team to beat.

"The Champions League is perhaps the most difficult competition in the world. There are a nuber of teams that have a shot at winning it. We have to be at our best in order to have a chance. Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain - who have all invested heavily - are the favourites for me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chambers, Colback & Rose named in youthful England squad

Roy Hodgson has named Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, Tottenham left-back Danny Rose and Newcastle midfielder Jack Colback in a youthful England squad for the upcoming fixtures against Norway and Switzerland.

The Three Lions will host Norway at Wembley next Wednesday in their first match since their World Cup exit in June, before kicking off their European Championship qualifying campaign against Switzerland in Basel a week on Monday.

Hodgson, who is set to make Wayne Rooney captain following the international retirement of Steven Gerrard, has decided to give youth a chance after Frank Lampard also called time on his England career.

The veteran manager has also handed call-ups to Everton centre-back John Stones and Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph.

Colback, 23, moved from Sunderland to Newcastle this summer and is the surprise inclusion in an experimental squad.

Arsenal defender Chambers made a €20 million switch from Southampton this summer and has started the season in the Gunners' first-team thanks to fitness problems suffered by established parternship Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Hodgson has also placed his faith in Everton's Stones, who he had considered taking to the World Cup earlier this year, while Delph is another player in the Colback mould and will be expected to bring energy and drive to the middle of midfield.

Spurs winger Andros Townsend has also returned to the squad after injury ruled him out of contention for a World Cup place, and he will join club-mate Rose, who has started the season as first-choice left-back at White Hart Lane this season despite the €12m arrival of Ben Davies from Swansea City.

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Everton)

Midfielders: Jack Colback (Newcastle United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Diego Costa suffers minor muscular injury in Chelsea training

Diego Costa has sustained a minor muscular injury in training and will be monitored by Chelsea's medical staff in the coming days, Goal understands.

Initial reports had suggested the Brazil-born Spaniard could be sidelined for up to six weeks after pulling up with a hamstring injury during a session at the Blues' Cobham training complex on Wednesday.

But Goal understands the exact extent of the problem - which is regarded as minor - has not yet been determined and no decision has been made on whether Costa will feature in Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

Costa has made an impressive start to his Chelsea career, scoring two important goals in his first two Premier League matches against Burnley and Leicester City as Jose Mourinho's men collected maximum points.

Any prolonged absence for the 25-year-old would leave the Blues reliant on 36-year-old Didier Drogba and the out-of-favour Fernando Torres, who has recently been linked with a loan move to AC Milan despite Mourinho's public insistence that he will stay at Stamford Bridge.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: Messi rivalry a part of my life

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he does not have a bad relationship with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated world football in recent years and are widely regarded as the two best current players in modern football, having shared the Ballon d'Or and Fifa Ballon d'Or between them during the last six years.

Much has been said and written about the alleged difficult relationship between the two, but Ronaldo has stressed he has a perfectly good professional relationship with the Argentine.

"It's not at all true that we have a bad relationship. We are colleagues and have a professional relationship," the Portugal star was quoted as saying by Marca.

"We don't have a relationship outside of football like I have with some other players. He tries to do his best for his club and national team and I do the same. There is a certain rivalry where we are each doing our utmost for our teams.

"This rivalry is part of my life. It is only normal that people compare us. The same happens in Formula 1 with Ferrari and Mercedes. I'm used to it. This has been the case not only since I joined Madrid, but already when I was still at Manchester United.

"I hope that we can both laugh about all this. Football is a game, it's something fun and something we both like. We must face this rivalry in a positive way because it is a good thing. Football is something beautiful that all the fans enjoy."

Ronaldo has started the 2014-15 campaign in fine fashion, scoring three goals in four official appearances.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cuadrado as talented as Ribery, says Fiorentina team-mate Gomez

Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez believes that Juan Cuadrado is at the same level as his former Bayern Munich team-mate Franck Ribery.

The Colombia international was one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup and his fine performances both at club and international level have allegedly caught the attention of teams such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Manchester United.

Although Fiorentina are keen to hold on to Cuadrado, Gomez has little doubt that the 26-year-old is good enough for a bigger club.

"I don't really like to compare players, because each player is different. But I'd say that Cuadrado is the same level as Ribery when you look at his talent and potential," Gomez was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.

The German striker then went on to discuss Fiorentina's ambitions for 2014-15 and stressed that they aim to qualify for the Champions League.

"We have to try and make it to the Champions League. I don't like to make predictions, but we're aiming for the Champions League. I hope that the gap is smaller than last season," he said.

"It will not be easy, though. Roma are always strong and so are Juventus. And you always have to keep an eye on [AC] Milan and Inter as well."

Fiorentina finished fourth in Serie A last term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal open to more signings, insists Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is open to making more signings before the transfer window shuts, but only if they improve his squad.

Goal understands the Gunners are interested in Sporting's versatile midfielder William Carvalho, and they are also in the hunt for a centre-back after Kostas Manolas opted to join Roma.

Wenger has claimed that he will not be rushed to sign a new striker following Olivier Giroud's injury, but admitted he could still strengthen any area of the team.

"We are open for any position as long as we feel that the player can strengthen the squad," he told reporters after Wednesday's 1-0 win against Besiktas.

"Buy to buy, I don't see the purpose of that. If we find the players who we feel can give something to our squad, we will do it in any position. We are open but it has to be enough to buy. It has to make sense."

Arsenal are expected to step up their recruitment efforts in the coming days after securing their place in this season's Champions League, and with it an estimated €38 million in income.

The Gunners had previously been interested in Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, but were put off by his wage demands before the Germany international elected to stay in Spain.

Manolas electing to join Roma will also have come as a blow to Wenger, who is looking for reinforcements at the centre of defence, with just 19-year-old Calum Chambers currently providing cover for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I'm not in talks over new Liverpool deal, admits Johnson

Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson insisted he is not worried about his contract status at the club.

Johnson is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2014-15 season and there are doubts as to whether Liverpool will offer the 30-year-old - one of the club's highest earners since arriving in 2009 - a new deal.

The England international, who suffered a thigh injury during Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Premier League champions Manchester City on Monday, admits no talks have taken place over a new contract but insists he is not anxious about the situation.

"I'm very relaxed about my contract," Johnson told The Liverpool Echo. "There are no talks going on with the club at the moment. There were minor talks towards the end of last season but nothing else.

"I've loved playing my football here from day one. I'm more than happy here. But obviously I can only talk to the club about it when they want to speak to me."

Johnson is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club in January but is refusing to look too far ahead as he attempts to help Liverpool to Premier League glory this term.

"In January I could [talk to other clubs], but I'll worry about that when January comes," the former Chelsea full-back added. "At the minute I'm playing for Liverpool and I'm happy here. I'm more than willing to stay.

"I'll just concentrate on things here week by week. The manager has picked me so far. That shows he wants me here."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Platini will not challenge Blatter for Fifa presidency

Michel Platini has revealed that he will not be running for the Fifa presidency as he wants to concentrate on his position as head of Uefa rather than challenge Sepp Blatter at next year's election.

The former France international was believed to be considering running for the job of president of world football's governing body, but he stated at a meeting of 54 European football associations in Monte Carlo on Thursday that he will stay on in his current position instead.

Fifa executive committee member Michel D'Hooghe was quoted as saying by the BBC: "It was a very positive message - he said he would like to continue as Uefa president and I am pleased that it means that this time there will be no battle between Fifa and Uefa."

Platini has heavily criticised Blatter on more than one occasion and stated earlier this year that the 78-year-old was "finished" as the right man to lead Fifa.

The Swiss had previously stated that he would step down at the end of his fourth term but later reneged on the decision and made it clear he will stand for election again.

Blatter has been working at Fifa since 1975 and was first elected as the governing body's president in 1998.

Irrespective of Platini's announcement, Fifa's former general secretary will not be unopposed for next year's elections, as former French diplomat Jerome Champagne announced earlier this year that he will challenge Blatter.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney named new England captain

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been named the new England captain by manager Roy Hodgson.

Rooney was recently handed the armband at Old Trafford by new boss Louis van Gaal, and will now take over from Steven Gerrard as skipper of his country.

Gerrard announced his retirement from international football following this summer's World Cup in Brazil and fellow veterans Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have also ended their Three Lions careers in recent months.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart and Chelsea defender Gary Cahill had been mooted as contenders to replace Gerrard, but Hodgson has selected the most experienced player in his latest squad.

Rooney has made 95 appearances for his country - more than Hart and Cahill combined - since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2003 and is England's top active goalscorer with 40 goals.

He is 20 games behind the Three Lions' all-time most-capped outfield player, David Beckham, and 30 behind the outright leader Peter Shilton.

Rooney could make his first appearance as captain in the friendly against Norway at Wembley before England take on Switzerland in the first fixture of their Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

The forward has started two games as England captain to this point - a 1-0 defeat against Brazil in Qatar in 2009 and a 5-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley in 2012.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Rooney!

​