..::Football III::..

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Dunga: Luiz Adriano offers Brazil something different

Brazil coach Dunga says Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano will offer the Selecao something different when he joins the squad for next month’s Gillette Basil Global Tour friendlies with Turkey and Austria.

The 27-year-old former Internacional forward joined the Ukrainian outfit in 2007 and this week became only the second man in history to hit five goals in a single Champions League match, matching Lionel Messi’s 2012 feat as Shakhtar hammered BATE Borisov 7-0.

Dunga has introduced Atletico Mineiro’s Diego Tardelli as a false number nine since taking charge in July, but with domestic players left out of the squad this time, he says Luiz Adriano offers a Plan B.

“We have to create an alternative approach,” Dunga told a press conference on Thursday.“Luiz Adriano came through very well at Internacional. He has been playing a long time at Shakhtar now.

“And the Brazilian fans understand that it is difficult to play in a country like [Ukraine], which has snow for many months of the year, and even harder to consistently score goals there and in the Champions League as well."

 

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Mertesacker: I am struggling with motivation at Arsenal

Arsenal vice-captain Per Mertesacker admits a lack of motivation has contributed to his under-par performances this season.

The German World Cup winner, who retired from international duty following his nation's summer success, has struggled to recapture the form that turned him into a cult hero at the Emirates Stadium last season.

Without the reassuring presence of his usual defensive partner Laurent Koscielny, who is currently nursing an Achilles injury, Mertesacker struggled alongside makeshift centre-half Nacho Monreal in Wednesday's last gasp 2-1 win over Anderlecht but insists he is determined to turn his and Arsenal's fortunes around.

"Personally it is difficult at the moment because that was really a long season last year and to come back from that World Cup and get the motivation back... I am nearly back, but you can feel there is something missing at the moment," he told reporters.

"With those games, the belief and the mentality is there, but the motivation will come back. We didn't even have time to celebrate [the World Cup win] properly, that was the first thing, but you realise month after month what happened.

"I am still not there [taking in] what happened in Brazil, maybe in five or 10 years you can really realise what was going on there.

"We came back to Berlin, got on the stage, waved our hands, showed the World Cup and then everyone disappeared to their families to get some holidays, some rest and calm."

 

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Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura return to Brazil squad

Paris Saint-German duo Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura were named in Dunga’s latest Brazil squad on Thursday.

The Selecao meet Turkey in Istanbul on November 11 before a clash with Austria in Vienna on November 18.

Former captain Thiago Silva has not appeared since the World Cup because of injury, while his team-mate Lucas Moura was left out of former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad for the tournament earlier this year.

PSG's Marquinhos also returns to the squad after being forced to pull out of October’s victories over Argentina and Japan through injury.

They were among eight who received their first call-ups since Dunga’s July appointment, in what was a squad made up exclusively of European-based players as the Brazil-based members of the squad will concentrate on club duty.

Fiorentina’s Neto and Valencia’s Diego Alves will challenge Napoli’s Rafael Cabral for the role of Brazil’s starting goalkeeper in the absence of Botafogo’s Jefferson.

Alex Sandro will appear for the first time after he was forced out of Dunga’s first squad in September through injury.There was also good news for Porto’s on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro and Roberto Firmino, who has impressed in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.

Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano also joins the squad for the first time after a week in which he netted five goals in a single Champions League game. He will be joined by team-mate Douglas Costa.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral (Napoli), Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia).

Defenders: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Alex Sandro (Porto), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Danilo (Porto).

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Romulo (Spartak Moscow), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Casemiro (Porto), Oscar (Chelsea), Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim), Willian (Chelsea), Coutino (Liverpool).

Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar Donetsk), Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk).

 

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Simeone: Griezmann is close to his best again

Diego Simeone believes Antoine Griezmann is beginning to show what he is capable of after a difficult start to his Atletico Madrid career.France striker Griezmann scored only his second goal for Atletico in a 5-0 Champions League hammering of Malmo on Wednesday.

Griezmann himself admitted he was relieved to score after an inconsistent run of games since his move from Real Sociedad, with the 23-year-old yet to open his La Liga account for the champions.

Simeone believes Griezmann is now finding his feet in his new surroundings following an impressive display against Malmo.The Argentine said: "Griezmann was anxious to score, like any other forward. He did a good job and is now closer to the player we need and the player he actually is.

"Beyond the goal, what I liked the most was his work, his attitude, his defensive participation, how he got involved in the team's needs, their slips and their throughballs.

"He played a very good match from the movements."

 

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Benatia: Bayern's Roma beating bittersweet

Mehdi Benatia conceded that Bayern Munich's walloping of former club Roma on Tuesday was a bittersweet experience for him.

The Moroccan centre-back spent a season at the Stadio Olimpico boosting his reputation as a world-class defender before moving to the Allianz Arena in August.

Benatia returned to Roma with his new Bayern team-mates on Tuesday and took part in a trouncing of last season's Scudetto runners-up that left the centre-half with mixed emotions.

"It was something special for me to play against my old friends," he told the Bundesliga champions' website. "It was a good return for me, a great game from us.

"Most important are the three points. The key to the victory was our respect of Roma - coach Pep Guardiola rightly told us before the game that they are a top team with plenty of quality.

"Though I am very satisfied with the win, but at the same time it's bittersweet because they're my old friends. The club and the city are in my heart.Benatia revealed that, understandably, Rudi Garcia's men were devastated by the Champions League loss but - with Roma still second in the group with three games to go - he hopes they can follow Bayern into the last 16 at Manchester City and CSKA Moscow's expense.

"Of course they were all very disappointed," he added. "To lose 7-1 just hurts.
"But they still look good as a team. I hope they qualify for the knockout stages with us."

As for his negative reception, with many within the club having slammed his departure at the end of the transfer window as treachery, Benatia added: "Honestly, I hardly heard the whistles."

Bayern are back in action on Sunday away to Borussia Monchengladbach, who are currently runners up behind them in the Bundesliga.

 

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Inter 0-0 Saint-Etienne: Toothless Nerazzurri fire Europa League blank

A toothless Inter drew 0-0 with Saint-Etienne in a lacklustre game at San Siro in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Serie A club - who were hit by the surprise resignation of long-serving honorary president Massimo Moratti earlier in the day - had won both qualifiers and their Group F fixtures with Qarabag and Dnipro going into the clash at San Siro.

But while Inter have still not conceded a Europa League goal this term, Walter Mazzarri's side could not break down a stoic Saint-Etienne team, who have now drawn all three of their group games.

A Zdravko Kuzmanovic strike well saved by Stephane Ruffier was as close as Inter came in a game of few chances as Mazzarri's men saw their lead at the top of the pool cut by a point to three after Qarabag's 1-0 win in Kiev.

Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, slip to third ahead of the return fixture at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on November 6.

Featuring against one of his former clubs, Inter skipper Fredy Guarin had the first effort at goal but blazed his strike over the crossbar from outside the area two minutes in.

Mauro Icardi was next to go close but he too failed to find the target when played in by Yann M'Vila.

Winger Ibrahima Mbaye came close to engineering an opening when he surged down the right but still the visitors stood firm amid Inter's domination of possession.
Florentin Pogba's free-kick found the Inter wall as Saint-Etienne made a rare foray forward and Kevin Theophile-Catherine almost gave Christophe Galtier's side a shock lead when he headed wide from the ensuing corner.

The visitors grew into the game before the break and almost had a half-time lead when Franck Tabanou let fly from a free-kick - Juan Pablo Carrizo required to tip the effort over.

Romain Hamouma saw appeals for a penalty waved away after going down under pressure from Mbaye early in the second half before Inter were dealt a blow as M'Vila limped off to be replaced by Hernanes.While forced upon Mazzarri, the change seemed to inject some energy into Inter's second-half showing as the home side continued to dominate possession without really threatening Ruffier.

Ruffier was called on to tip Kuzmanovic's shot wide shortly after the hour while Theophile-Catherine blazed over when played in down the right 16 minutes from time.

However, neither side were able to break the deadlock as Inter extended their unbeaten run at home in Europe to nine matches but missed the chance to fully bolster their hopes of progression.

 

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De Gea rules out Real Madrid move: I’m happy at Manchester United

David De Gea insists he is happy at Manchester United amid reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who moved from Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford in 2011, has been tipped to become Iker Casillas’ long-term successor at the Spanish club.

Reports have also suggested Madrid are considering a bid as they are aware that De Gea is in the penultimate year of his contract, with a new deal yet to be signed.

But when asked about the rumours, De Gea told Kicker: “[They are] Just rumours. I'm happy here.”

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League, with 12 points from eight games, and the Spain international concedes an inconsistent start was always likely given Louis van Gaal’s desire to implement a new philosophy.

"Starting problems are quite normal under a new coach with a complete new concept,” De Gea insisted.

“That's a process and Van Gaal always says that we will improve, but it takes time. But without a doubt, United have to reach the Champions League again."

De Gea also praised Sir Alex Ferguson for protecting him during his early career at United.

"It was a difficult time but Sir Alex always backed me. He saved me from criticism and was patient until I was ripe for United,” he continued.

"Today I'm thankful for that [the criticism]. That made me stronger. Goalkeeper is tricky position. Mistakes are human. It's about being up to that. If you make mistakes you will have to improve. Now I'm better."

 

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De Gea

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Ronaldo rants Clasico should be on Sunday

Cristiano Ronaldo is furious that Real Madrid's Liga clash with Barcelona is being played on Saturday, thus giving his side less time to prepare for the Clasico than their Catalan rivals.

The pair lock horns for the first time this season at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend, three days after Carlo Ancelotti's side tormented Liverpool in a 3-0 Champions League victory at Anfield.

Barca, meanwhile, were in action 24 hours earlier, beating Ajax 3-1 at Camp Nou to move a step closer to qualifying from Group F.

Imperious forward Ronaldo, who scored his 20th goal of the season on Merseyside, is baffled as to why El Clasico has not been put back a day in the interest of fairness.

"I don’t really understand why we are playing on Saturday after having played tonight [Wednesday]," he told reporters at Anfield. "They don’t take care of the details, and El Clasico is the most important game."I don’t get it, big games like El Clasico needs to been looked at in another way - it should really be played on Sunday, not Saturday at 18:00CET. Any professional will tell you that it’s not the same having two days to recover from a game like this than having three days."

Despite the usual talk of the Clasico being a duel between Ronaldo and Barca's star forward, Lionel Messi, the 29-year-old Portugese is more concerned about the overall quality of Luis Enrique's Liga leaders.

"It will be a difficult match because Barcelona are playing well," the Portuguese said of Luis Enrique's men, who have not yet conceded in La Liga this season."I'm not going to play against Messi, I'm going to play against Barcelona. They are a great team. Real Madrid and Barcelona are playing each other."

 

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Van Gaal offers Victor Valdes Manchester United opportunity

Manchester United have offered Victor Valdes the opportunity to join up with the club and work his way back to fitness.

The goalkeeper has been out of action since March with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is currently without a club following the expiry of his Barcelona contract in June.

A club statement read: "Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has offered the 32-year-old former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes a chance to complete his rehabilitation from a knee injury and to work his way back to fitness with the club.

"Valdes, a free agent, will have his recovery supervised by the United medical staff before training with the first team, as he bids to regain full fitness."

Goal understands there is little likelihood of Valdes earning a contractual arrangement at United at present, with David de Gea the undisputed No.1 choice and far too few matches forthcoming to justify signing another top-class goalkeeper.

Van Gaal and Valdes remain close after the Dutchman's time at Barcelona in the early part of the last decade, where he handed the Spain international his debut for the Catalans.

Real Madrid have been linked with interest in United's first-choice goalkeeper De Gea, but the player insisted earlier on Thursday that he has no intention of leaving the 13-time Premier League champions.

Monaco were long tipped as Valdes's next club, with injury preventing a summer switch before Liverpool began talks to bring him to Anfield and compete with under-fire Simon Mignolet.

However, Valdes's wage demands have seen a potential move stall and Fiorentina shot-stopper Neto edge up Brendan Rodgers's list of new candidates.

 

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ow eka nam aththa,soldado nam wedak na me season eketh

lamelage Rabona eka

Lamela ge goal 1ka patta​

 

[unicornx]

Animo Bale ;'(

 

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'Kane has the spirit of Ronaldo'

Jan Vertonghen says Tottenham hat-trick hero Harry Kane "has the spirit of Cristiano Ronaldo" and believes he is one of England's best strikers already.

The 21-year-old netted three times, with Erik Lamela scoring a further two including a stunning rabona, as Spurs beat Asteras Tripolis 5-1 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Kane's tally in Europe this season is now six goals in five games and Vertonghen is not surprised the England Under-21 star is impressing on the pitch after seeing him in action in training.

"Harry is an unbelievable player and now the fans are starting to see it, but me, I can see it every day in training," he told the club's official website.

"I'm a defender, he's a striker, I've trained against him so many times and he's a very, very difficult striker to defend against.

"For me, with his attitude, he can be one of the best centre-forwards in the world one day. He has a spirit you can compare to [Cristiano] Ronaldo and he works every day.

"He's a top professional, I love working with him and I hope one day he can make his debut maybe in the England squad, because I think he’s one of the best already."

Kane is yet to get a call-up to Roy Hodgson's senior England side but has six goals in nine outings for England Under-21s.

 

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Vieira backs Chelsea to match Arsenal Invincibles

Patrick Vieira has backed Chelsea to match the Arsenal Invincibles' unbeaten season.

The former midfielder captained the Gunners as they avoided defeat for the entire 2003-04 campaign before Manchester United ended their 49-game run.

Chelsea have started the season with seven wins and a draw from their opening eight games, and Vieira - who currently coaches Manchester City's reserve side - has hinted that Jose Mourinho's men are capable of replicating Arsenal's achievement.

"Of course [Arsenal's feat can be matched]," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. "Records are out there for teams to beat.

"I think a team will do better than that, but how long it will take we don't know. Maybe, Chelsea.

"I think one day that record will be beaten. I think that Chelsea look really promising. They have not especially played well but they keep winning and they look really strong.

"Physically, Chelsea look one of the strongest teams in the Premier League. They've got quality in [Eden] Hazard, [Cesc] Fabregas is back to his best and [Diego] Costa is scoring goals. So Chelsea look good."

 

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Robben: There is no chance I'll leave Bayern

Arjen Robben says there "is not even a one per cent" chance of him leaving Bayern Munich in the foreseeable future.

The Dutchman is rated among the very best players in the footballing world having fired the Bavarians to the Champions League in 2013 and played a starring role in their record-breaking 2013-14 campaign.

His success at the Allianz Arena means he feels perfectly settled and the 30-year-old is adamant he has no desire to move on from Pep Guardiola's side.

"I am 30 now, it is not like I want to go to a new league," Robben told The Daily Telegraph. "I have been in England, I have been in Spain, so I don’t have that desire, but that is all to do with the club I am with now.

"I am 100 per cent convinced I will stay here for a very long time. I am enjoying it so much in Germany. It is the perfect club with the perfect coach for me.

"My family is happy, we have lived here for five years and I am exactly at the place I want to be. It cannot be better than it is at the moment, so you don’t need to have thoughts about other clubs and other leagues.

"If you see me again in three years in the Premier League, then who knows, but at the moment, there is not even one per cent of me thinking about going to England or anywhere."

Many believe the 30-year-old is in the prime of his already-illustrious career, but the former Real Madrid and Chelsea winger is unsure if his lack of injuries have accentuated his quality.

"People asked me last season, and during the World Cup, whether this was the best I have been in my career, but I don’t know sometimes," he added.

"I don’t get that kind of feeling, but maybe it is for others on the outside to judge. It is maybe more noticeable now because I am playing well over a longer period.

“Before, I would do well for three or four months, maybe play even better, but then there would be an injury and you have to come back again. But now, being fit continually, I can keep my level and that means you can enjoy your football more."
Robben starred in midweek for Bayern as they thrashed Champions League group-stage rivals Roma 7-1 in Italy and the attacker believes it may have been the best performance since he arrived in Germany from Real Madrid five years ago.

"Everything we did Roma didn’t have an answer for and, yes, we scored some great goals too," he continued. "Everybody expected a difficult game, but it was remarkable, also for Roma and their fans.

"It was one big surprise because, after 35 minutes, it was already 5-0, which was quite impressive I think. Maybe it is the best we have played, but we have had so many great games, especially the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, home and away, in 2013."

Bayern are back in action on Sunday with a trip to second-placed Borussia Monchengladbach, who could reduce the deficit at the top of the Bundesliga to one point with a win.

 

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‘Hazard has to score more goals’ - Belgium coach Wilmots

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has urged Eden Hazard to add more goals to his game for club and country as he strives to become one of the world's top players.

Hazard has emerged as one of the Premier League's leading lights with his performances for Chelsea over the last couple of seasons but recently conceded that he does not class himself as one of the five best players in the world.

And while his boss at international level believes that he is developing rapidly given his age, Wilmots has challenged the former Lille star to improve his strike rate in order to make the next step up.

He told Goal: "Hazard is rising higher and higher. He was at Lille for two years and was already one of the best players in France. He won the league and the cup - so he already had success.

"He started early, when he was only 17 years old. I already knew him back then. And now he is 23 and a top star at Chelsea. But he has to score more goals. That goes for Chelsea and the national team. Eden keeps marching on and what he has done is amazing, considering his age."

Goal exclusively revealed last month that Hazard was close to agreeing a contract extension at Stamford Bridge although with the playmaker yet to sign on the dotted line, Wilmots insists that his door is always open.

He added: "I prefer not to say anything about it in the media. But if Eden asks me for advice, I will talk to him."

Wilmots also discussed Everton record signing Romelu Lukaku and stated his belief that the presence of Roberto Martinez is proving a positive factor in his development.

He continued: "It was difficult for Romelu at Chelsea. The competition was fierce. Now he is at Everton where he found something like a family club and in Roberto Martinez a coach who believes in him.

"It is important for a striker to feel this trust. In my team his rivals are Christian Benteke and Divock Origi. So it is not easy for him to be a regular here, too."

 

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Balotelli fighting for his Liverpool future

Mario Balotelli is fighting for his Liverpool career just three months after arriving Anfield.

The controversial striker was the subject of a scathing attack from club legends Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness on Wednesday after he opted to swap shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe at half-time during Liverpool's 3-0 Champions League humbling.

Despite a slow start for the Reds - Balotelli has managed just one goal in 10 appearances - he appeared to be a more reformed character off the pitch, but confirmation on Thursday that police are investigating alleged "threatening" behaviour towards a woman who was taking pictures of his Ferrari has thrown fresh doubts over the Italian's future.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said he "didn't want to go down the route" of directly discussing whether a sale as early as January was an option but it is clear the manager is already having second thoughts.

"We brought in the player to give him a chance, and give him every chance," Rodgers said. "At this moment in time of course he hasn't scored the goals we would like or want.

"We are having to give him that opportunity. At this moment in time, it'll be working with the players that we have and he is one of them.

"It's not just about improving him but improving all the players. And we will see come January what the team needs."

 

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Wilmots: I wanted to become Schalke coach

Belgium national team coach Marc Wilmots has admitted that he would have liked to become Schalke's new boss and has opened the door to a future return to the Veltins Arena.

The Bundesliga outfit recently appointed Roberto Di Matteo as head coach following the sacking of Jens Keller, but their primary target for the role was Wilmots.

Wilmots turned down Schalke's job offer because he was not prepared to leave Belgium in the middle of a European Championship qualifying campaign. But he has made it clear that in the future he would be open to returning to the city he graced as a player between 1996-2000 and 2001-03.

“Yes, of course [I would have liked the Schalke job]," Wilmots told Goal.

"When I come to Schalke, it is like coming home. There are two or three clubs that I have this special relationship with.

"I lived in Germany for six years and played for Schalke, you can't forget that. Maybe this subject will come up again. Let's see what the future brings."

Wilmots has been Belgium boss since 2012 and has enjoyed a successful spell so far - taking the Red Devils to the last eight of the World Cup in what was their first major finals for 12 years. Prior to this he was assistant coach to first Dick Advocaat and then George Leeskens.

He has overseen the development of a golden generation of players that features stars such as Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Manchester City's Vincent Kompany and Everton's Romelu Lukaku.

"I love working with young players. In 2009 Advocaat called me and told me, he needed me. We made our national team a family again," he explained.

"For three years I watched our talents domestically and abroad and followed their development. That was part of my job as his assistant. Then Advocaat and Leekens left and it just happened.

"Suddenly I was there and we had the task to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil – which we did. We wanted to present ourselves, get good results and put Belgium on the football map again.

"People in Belgium are enjoying the national team again. If you look at the match against Andorra, there were 45,000 people at the stadium. We were sold out. When you consider this, then I think we have done a good job in the last two years.”

Wilmots' deal with Belgium runs until the end of the World Cup campaign in 2018, but he has revealed that his contract contains an escape clause.

"I consciously signed for another four years to have clarity," he noted.

"But I do have an exit clause that allows me to leave whenever I want. I have fun here and like working with my players, but I need a certain freedom.

"When a project is offered to me, I am able to decide whether I want to do it or not. That is a nice problem to have.”

One of Belgium's most consistent players since Wilmots took charge has been Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. The 23-year-old scored five goals in the 2014 World Cup campaign and already has two in Euro 2016 qualifying.

"When I started, Kevin had to sit in the stands," Wilmots recalls.

"I immediately told him: 'You will get your chance and you will start to play longer'. He is an awesome player and he has the gift to read a match quickly.

"He can create and he can score himself. He runs all over the pitch. He's probably been the best player for the national team over the last two years. For a coach he is the perfect player because you can play him anywhere."

 

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Pogba extends Juventus contract

Paul Pogba has extended his contract at Juventus until 2019, the club has confirmed, snubbing interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international has blossomed into one of the highest-rated central midfielders in Europe since he left Manchester United for Turin two years ago.
His performances under Antonio Conte - and now Massimiliano Allegri - had reportedly caught the eye of the likes of PSG and Madrid in the past, but Juve have moved to tie down the 21-year-old for a further three years.

Club CEO Giuseppe Marotta told shareholders at Friday's meeting: "This morning we agreed the renewal of Paul Pogba, who will be tied to Juventus until 2019."

Prior to the confirmation, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola had revealed that the Frenchman was on the brink of putting pen to paper on a deal after agreeing to stay with the Scudetto holders.

"Yes, we met with Giuseppe Marotta and together we decided to renew Paul’s deal," Raiola told Tuttosport."Now is the time to get it done, we’re delighted that this situation has presented itself."

Pogba's previous contract was set to run out in June 2016, when Pogba will be poised to star for France in Euro 2016 in his homeland.