..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Pochettino to keep faith with Vorm despite cup error

Mauricio Pochettino has pledged to continue to select goalkeeper Michel Vorm for Tottenham's domestic cup fixtures, despite his recent error against Leicester City.

Vorm has not made a Premier League appearance for the club since moving to north London from Swansea City in the summer, but he has played in six out of seven of Spurs' cup ties in 2014-15.

Vorm was at fault for Leicester's winning goal in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, as he allowed Jeffrey Schlupp's tame volley to creep into the net in stoppage time.

Nevertheless, Pochettino insists that such mistakes happen, and has confirmed that Vorm will retain his place in the side when Spurs take a 1-0 lead to Sheffield United in the League Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday.

"This is football. He made two big saves against Leicester," he told reporters. "His attitude is fantastic and nothing has changed. In one action he conceded a goal.

"He made a mistake. Every player can make a mistake, we must give him support and confidence.

"I think it should be normal to play Michel. This is football. All games are important. He had a good performance [against Leicester]."

Pochettino says the return leg at Bramall Lane will be a difficult balancing act for Spurs, who will look to kill off the tie whilst remaining solid at the back, such is their slender advantage.

"I think the pressure is the same as it was in the home game. we want to get to the final. But after the first leg we need to be careful. Though we need to play freely. We need to score.

"We need to be 100 per cent focused. Our fans expect us to arrive in the final at Wembley. But we need to play better than Sheffield, show more energy than Sheffield and try to fight.

"For me we need to go there thinking it is 0-0. I believe we will need to score. We have to forget about the first leg and show the mentality to win.

"When I speak about being more aggressive it is in the right way. We need to fight to get on the ball and instil our game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Simeone: Barcelona should play Messi from the right

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone says he expects Lionel Messi to play wide on the right when Barcelona visit the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Former Barca boss Gerardo Martino experimented with playing Messi in a wider role when the two sides met in the Champions League last season, while the Argentine was deployed in a deeper central position during the thrashing of Elche at the weekend.

And Simeone claims the 27-year-old will only have a true impact on the Copa del Rey second-leg clash against Atleti if he is started away from a more congested central area of the pitch.

"Barcelona, historically, have a style of play they don't like to change," Simeone told a press conference. "In the last few games they've moved Messi to the right and put [Luis] Suarez through the middle. I think Neymar feels more comfortable on the left.

"If they want to play well, they need Messi on the right, and I think they will."

Simeone believes the game is different to their victory in the Champions League last term and has urged his players to fight in every minute of the game on Wednesday.

"We have to live every minute as if it were the last of the game, and in that manner we can achieve more than our objective," he said.

"The Champions League game at the Calderon was different. The atmosphere will be great, as it always is for these games. The fans don't need to add any more than they usually do.

"We expect a usual home game tomorrow, taking the game where it suits us. Tomorrow, we'll see if we can do it."

Simeone, who revealed he will make a decision on the fitness of Koke after training on Tuesday, had no comment to make on Cristiano Ronaldo's red card against Cordoba at the weekend.

"I've no opinion on Ronaldo. The committee will resolve it, they usually do it well," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Yanga-Mbiwa completes permanent Roma move

Newcastle defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has completed a permanent move to Roma, following a loan spell with the Serie A side.

The French defender initially moved to the Italian capital in September on a temporary deal but has now made the move permanent, with both clubs confirming the deal.

"Newcastle United defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has completed a transfer to AS Roma after meeting a contractual condition contained in the loan agreement between the clubs," a club statement read.

"The French defender joined Roma on a loan deal in September 2014 but it has now become a permanent move."

Yanga-Mbiwa has made 20 appearances for Rudi Garcia's side this season, and Roma currently sit second in Serie A, seven points behind leaders Juventus.

The Magpies signed Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier in January 2013 in a €10 million deal and he went on to make 17 appearances in his first season at St James' Park.

However, the defender struggled to impress in his first full season at Newcastle and was eventually sent out on loan to Roma by Alan Pardew.

Roma have confirmed a fee of €7.35m will be paid for the 25-year-old.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pantic: I could join Chelsea this week

Partizan Belgrade youngster Danilo Pantic claims he will join Chelsea before the end of the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old midfielder has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season – including five Europa League outings – and has now revealed that the Blues are close to finalising a deal to acquire his services.

It has been reported that Pantic would sign for the Blues before moving on loan to Vitesse, a club with whom Chelsea have forged a close relationship over recent years, with a succession of youngsters – including Bertrand Traore and Lucas Piazon – spending short-term spells at the Dutch outfit.

"In the situation we are now in, going to Chelsea would be the best solution for me and for Partizan," he told Novosti.

"I am not sure when I will be back in Belgrade, I believe in next day or two, and a transfer should be done this week."

Partizan would secure around €900,000 for Pantic, as he has so far refused to sign a professional contract.

Pantic would become Chelsea's first signing of the January transfer window were the deal to go through, with the Blues failing to land Andrej Kramaric from Rijeka, and their bids for Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado faltering.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bojan out for season with knee injury

Stoke City have confirmed that Bojan will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee ligament injury in the FA Cup win over Rochdale.

The Spaniard joined the club from Barcelona in a €4 million summer deal and had set about revitalising his career, making a significant impact at the Britannia Stadium after sealing his move.

Bojan has scored five goals in all competitions and netted a brilliant strike against Rochdale on Monday, though he had his game prematurely cut short when he pulled up short at Spotland Stadium, before reports suggested that he had left the ground on crutches.

And, after undergoing a scan, the club have confirmed that he will miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season, with manager Mark Hughes quickly moving to lament his loss.

"It's bitterly disappointing for the club but even more so for Bojan himself as he was making such a big impact on the Premier League and clearly enjoying his football," he told Stoke's official website. "We wish him a speedy recovery."

Stoke are currently 10th in the Premier League, having taken 29 points from 22 games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma in talks to sign Konoplyanka, say Dnipro

Roma and Dnipro are in talks over the transfer of Yevhen Konoplyanka, the Ukraine club's general director has said.

The 25-year-old was close to a move to Liverpool in last season's January transfer window but a move failed to materialise, while Tottenham and West Ham were also monitoring the player during 2014.

However, Serie A title-chasers Roma are now in pole position to sign the winger, with Andrei Stetsenko stating that an agreement could be reached shortly.

"Dnipro and Roma are in talks over the transfer of Konoplyanka," he told fcdnipro.com. "The clubs are almost in agreement, and the boy is considering the possibility of changing teams.

"The club are ready for such an eventuality and are looking for a replacement."

Ukraine international Konoplyanka has made 21 appearances for Dnipro in all competitions this season, scoring four times and registering four assists.

Roma have already sealed the permanent transfer of Newcastle defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and are closing in on a deal for Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool consider Demarai Gray move

Liverpool are considering a January move for Birmingham City teenager Demarai Gray.

The 18-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young players in English football and has been monitored by a number of Premier League clubs.

Goal understands Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg have launched a bid to sign the winger, but Liverpool have first option on the England youth international.

The Anfield club have the right to match any offer accepted by Birmingham for the player, having secured the deal when Jordon Ibe joined the St Andrew's club on loan last season.

But Birmingham boss Gary Rowett said over the weekend that Gray should only join a top-four Premier League club.

Rowett said: "He's a fantastic talent. I think he's best served being here until an opportunity comes his way that is befitting of his talent.

"For me at the moment it's only probably a top-four team that can do that. That's not being disrespectful to anyone else."

Gray has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring four goals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Alcacer signs new five-year deal with Valencia

Paco Alcacer has pledged his future to Valencia by signing a new five-year contract.

The 21-year-old burst on to the scene in the Europa League last season and has managed eight goals and six assists in all competitions in 2014-15, despite suffering a hamstring injury in November.

Alcacer's contract was due to expire in the summer but he has now agreed a deal to stay at the club until June 2020, with Valencia confirming the news via their official website.

Alcacer, an academy graduate at Mestalla, has now vowed to help the club return to the top of Spanish football.

"I am delighted and proud to be continuing at Valencia CF for five more seasons," he told VCFplay. "I want to thank the club for the confidence in me that they are showing. What I have to do now is pay them back by scoring goals and giving everything that I have to help the team.

"The only thing that I can say to the fans is 'thank you'. I thank you all for the support that I receive, on good days and bad days, and for the way you get behind the entire team. I am going to continue working, in order to become a better player and to take Valencia CF back to where the club belong.

"The target for Valencia is to get back into Europe. The Champions League is the main objective and I personally want to play an important role for the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I don't want to see Real Madrid punished - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says he does not want to see Real Madrid punished in the same way as his club over allegations of irregular dealings in the transfer market.

Fifa has requested the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) provide details of youngsters signed by Madrid and the collaboration agreements they have with other clubs.

The European champions are confident they will not face the same punishment as arch-rivals Barcelona, who were hit with a two-window transfer ban after being found guilty of irregularities in the signing of youngsters between 2009 and 2013.

Bartomeu has also claimed he does not wish to see Madrid sanctioned in the same way, instead calling upon Fifa to amend their regulations to prevent the problem happening again.

"Why we got singled out first and not others is a question for Fifa," he told RAC 1. "It all came about over an anonymous complaint surrounding the player, [Seung-Woo] Lee. We don't know who made this official complaint, they don't want to supply this information. It's a problem for Fifa, who need to change this article [19].

"The main reason for our sanction is Article 19 in the Fifa rulebook. The Spanish Football Federation and the Catalan football Federation are also co-responsible in giving us our license. In Catalonia, there are thousands of kids whose situation is irregular, we had five.

"All throughout the club's history, we've suffered injustices, and this is just another one. It's clear that there are other clubs involved. [Spanish FA president Angel Maria] Villar already told us that other clubs are implicated.

"I don't want to see other clubs sanctioned, I want that Fifa re-configure their laws and that [Sepp] Blatter gives the matter some reflection. Each club has its own sporting policy. I'm not sure what Real Madrid's is."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eto'o completes Sampdoria move

Everton have confirmed that striker Samuel Eto'o has completed his move to Sampdoria.

The Serie A side announced they were to sign the experienced striker, who was pictured holding the Italian club's shirt, on Saturday.

Eto'o moved to Goodison Park on a short-term deal in the summer having left Chelsea following the expiration of his one-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

But the Toffees have allowed the striker to make his return to Italy during the January transfer window after four goals in 20 games in all competitions

"We thank Samuel for his efforts and for bringing his know-how to the team and to Finch Farm where he passed on some of his terrific experience to all of the young players in particular," Everton boss Roberto Martinez told the club's official website.

"The memory of his performances in Europe stand out especially. On behalf of all Evertonians, we wish him well for the next chapter in his career."

Eto'o previously spent two years at Inter between 2009 and 2011, and has also played for Real Madrid, Mallorca, Barcelona, Chelsea and Anzhi.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi and Neymar depend on the team, says Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi and Neymar's current exceptional form owes much to the way his entire Barcelona side are playing.

Messi and Neymar have scored or assisted 11 of the 18 goals Barcelona have notched in the past five games and combined to devastating effect in the 6-0 thrashing of Elche at the weekend.

While acknowledging the form of the attacking duo, Luis Enrique was quick to praise the efforts of the side as a whole in their recent run.

"Messi and Neymar are key for the team," he told a press conference. "They depend on the team, but also the team depends on them to achieve their objectives. I would rather highlight all the players because they are important for our general performance."

Barca take a 1-0 lead to the Vicente Calderon for the second leg of their Copa del Rey clash with Atletico Madrid, but Luis Enrique does not consider his side as favourites to progress.

"It's a mistake to think that we are favourites," he continued. "If we think about the numbers of last season, anybody could say that they are favourites. If we analyse the numbers of the current season then we are favourites, and that's a mistake.

"This is a match where we have the objective of victory, it's wrong to think there is a favourite.

"Football is a contact sport and sometimes is difficult to measure that. Tomorrow, I would like to see a sporting show."

Luis Enrique went on to back all three of goalkeepers Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo and Jordi Masip as players who are ready to step into the first team when called upon.

"To be a Barca goalkeeper, it's not enough to have quality. You have to make decisions and execute them. We have three great goalkeepers who can give us solutions," he said.

The former Celta boss also dismissed suggestions Ivan Rakitic is struggling with a knee injury and revealed Jeremy Mathieu is training fully.

"It's totally false but completely normal," he said of the reports on the Croat. "Rakitic has no problems with his knee, he was just out of the squad the other day. Mathieu is working normally, which is good news for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United midfielder Powell set for January loan

Manchester United will send youngster Nick Powell back out on loan before the January transfer window closes.

The 20-year-old spent the first half of the season at Leicester City, but was recalled by the Old Trafford club, who were understood to be unhappy with the midfielder's lack of first-team playing time.

Powell returned to Old Trafford at the start of January, and has been assessed by Louis van Gaal over recent weeks ahead of another loan move, with a host of Championship clubs interested in acquiring his services for the rest of the season.

Goal understands promotion-chasing pair Derby and Watford are among the leading contenders to secure Powell's services.

Wigan are also keen on Powell, who spent last season on loan at the DW Stadium as they attempted to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Powell was in the starting XI as United crashed out of the League Cup to MK Dons in August before joining Leicester, where he made a mere three substitute's appearances, amounting to just 40 minutes of first team football.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'A very clear no' - Wolfsburg deny interest in Chelsea's Schurrle

Wolfsburg have denied any interest in Chelsea winger Andre Schurrle, despite repeated links with a potential January bid.

The Germany international has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and has yet to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League in 2014-15.

Subsequent reports have suggested that Wolfsburg could look to sign Schurrle, with Felix Magath urging the Bundesliga club to acquire his signature, but sporting executive Klaus Allofs has flatly rejected claims that a bid is in the pipeline.

"A very clear no,” he told Bild when quizzed about Wolfsburg’s reported interest.

"There's nothing to [the speculation]. Even if we were interested, we'd certainly not be alone."

Mourinho has repeatedly insisted that he wants Schurrle to stay, but conceded earlier this month that a “phenomenal” bid would force Chelsea’s hand.

"The principle is we would like him to stay,” he told reporters. “The question is to have a phenomenal offer and player super keen to go."

Borussia Dortmund have also been heavily linked with Schurrle and recent reports have suggested that a move could be made in the summer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona overhaul youth system

Barcelona have promised to change the way they conduct their business at youth level, having been hit with a transfer ban for their previous transgressions.

The Catalans are prevented from making any signings until 2016, after Fifa found them guilty of breaking the rules regarding their dealings involving under-age players.

Barca appealed the embargo, but that was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in December.It has since been announced that former assistant at first-team level Jordi Roura has been appointed to oversee Barca's youth system, as the Blaugrana attempt to change their strategy.

"Jordi Roura has been named as the new director of youth football at FC Barcelona," a statement read."In a board meeting on Monday, the club board decided to give the former assistant coach of the first team the responsibility of overseeing the youth set up from the very youngest level all the way to Barca B.

"The board meeting also included details of the processes involved in contracting players at youth level, the subject of which the club was recently subjected to a ban from FIFA which was ratified by CAS."The board has adopted measures to avoid the mistakes of the past being repeated in the future."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Totti: No anti-Garcia conspiracy at Roma

Francesco Totti has dismissed suggestions that Roma's disappointing form in recent weeks is the result of a conspiracy against head coach Rudi Garcia.

The Stadio Olimpico side have been struggling to find their best form this month - winning just one of their last five league games - and have fallen seven points behind leaders Juventus in the Serie A title race.

A number of recent reports suggested that thes slump in form was partially down to a conflict between Garcia and a number of influential players, yet Roma captain Totti insists that there is no truth in those rumours.

"There is no such thing as an anti-Garcia conspiracy. We are united as a team, sticking together and we will get out of this situation. There is too much pessimism around Roma and I don't think we deserve this," Totti told Corriere dello Sport.

"We are obviously not going through a good moment, but Serie A is long and hard and it can be tough to play a game every three days. You cannot always be 100 per cent. But I am sure that we will soon recover our brilliance.

"We sit second in the Serie A table halfway through the season, have made it to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia and can make an impact in the Europa League."

Roma will be looking to return to winning ways at home against Empoli on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cristiano Ronaldo is totally modest, says James

Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has voiced his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and has dismissed suggestions the Portuguese attacker is arrogant.

James joined the Spanish side from Monaco in a deal worth €80 million at the start of this season and he has since been thoroughly impressed by the the Fifa Ballon d'Or winner's work ethic.

"Cristiano is excellent, both on and off the pitch. For me, he deserved his Ballon d’Or victory for what he achieved in 2014, yet he is totally modest," the Colombia international told the official Fifa website.

"We have a very good relationship.

"Out on the pitch, everyone knows how valuable he is, but it’s impressive to watch how he trains and works off the pitch. That’s where you see the real Cristiano, and you understand why he is where he is."

The 23-year-old then went on to discuss his long-term future and admitted that he could return to Colombia at some stage in his career.

"It’s not really something I think about, but if it happens, well and good. If not, we’ll have to wait and see," James added.

"It would be nice to wind down my career in Colombia, although obviously I have a long way to go before then."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar: I can't help Suarez

Barcelona attacker Neymar feels he is in no position to give Luis Suarez any advice following his difficult start to life at Camp Nou.

The Uruguay international has been struggling to find his best form since joining the Catalans from Liverpool ahead of the 2014-15 campaign and was even dropped from the starting XI for this weekend's 6-0 win over Elche after scoring just twice in 11 La Liga games.

Neymar endured similar difficulties in his first season at Barcelona in 2013-14, yet the Brazil international believes he is not the right man to tell his team-mate how to cope with the situation.

"Am I giving advice to Suarez? He’s older and more experienced than I am. It is Suarez who should give advice to me...," Neymar told reporters.

"Anyway, Luis helps the team with his goals, with passes, with everything. It is an honour to be playing in the same team as him."

Neymar then went on to discuss Josep Bartomeu's recent comments that Barcelona have the most potent forward line in the world.

"Are we the best attacking trident in the world? I don't know," he added. "But we do seem to be causing a lot of problems for opposing defences."

Neymar has been a key figure for Barcelona this campaign, scoring 19 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale: I'm not greedy, I play the way I want

Gareth Bale laughed off claims that he is a "ball-hog" and insisted that he plays football the way he wants, regardless of what others say.

The Real Madrid attacker has been criticised for opting to shoot instead of passing to team-mates in apparently better positions at points this season and is said to be too greedy on the ball.

However, the Wales international maintained that he is a team player and insisted that he creates goals as well as scores them.

"People have their own opinions and that’s how they make their living," he said on El Larguero. "I think that when I’m playing I set goals up, and I score them too. I play football my way. That’s what I like."

Bale was notably criticised on the field by Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo during a 2-1 loss to Valencia, but the world's most expensive player has defended his decision making in that moment.

"Against Valencia, all I can remember is that I was going through on goal and I wanted to score ... and if I had scored nobody would have talked about it again. But I didn’t see him and it would have been a difficult pass. But it’s part of football and that’s that.

"As you get close to the goal you want to score, but sometimes it doesn’t come off. How you deal with it is how you show your character as a player."

The 25-year-old has played 28 times for Madrid in all competitions so far this season and has scored 14 goals plus contributed seven further assists.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi: We'll give everything to beat Atletico

Lionel Messi has pledged to do "everything" to beat Atletico Madrid and ensure Barcelona reach the last four of the Copa del Rey.

The two sides meet at the Vicente Calderon for the second leg of their quarter-final tie, with Barca holding a 1-0 advantage thanks to a late goal from Messi of the previous fixture at Camp Nou.

And the club talisman says he is eagerly awaiting the fixture and insists the team are determined to progress beyond the Liga champions.

"Looking forward to playing in Madrid tomorrow," he wrote on his official Facebook page. "We'll give everything on the pitch to reach the semi-finals."

The Catalan side reached the final of last season's Copa del Rey but were defeated by Real Madrid.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fabregas a doubt for City clash

Jose Mourinho is unsure over the extent of the hamstring injury sustained by Cesc Fabregas in Chelsea's League Cup triumph over Liverpool.

After smashing into John Terry, the Spaniard was forced off early in the second half of the game, which the Blues won in extra-time courtesy of Branislav Ivanovic's header.

Fabregas slid in to try and clear the ball five minutes into the second half of Tuesday's clash at Stamford Bridge but collided with his captain, who had committed to the challenge from the opposite direction.

Mourinho immediately took the decision to substitute Fabregas in favour of Ramires with Saturday's Premier League crunch clash against title rivals Manchester City looming large on the horizon.

And when quizzed over Fabregas, as well Filipe Luis who was also taken off due to injury, the Portuguese coach told reporters: "Filipe was a calf and Fabregas was a hamstring.

"Fabregas told me he wasn't injured immediately after clashing with Terry, but that he would be in a few moments."

Fabregas has made 21 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, notching two goals and 15 assists.