..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez still a good signing, insists Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba is adamant that Luis Suarez was a good signing for Barcelona even if he has yet to replicate the form that saw him win the European Golden Shoe at Liverpool last season.

The Uruguay international, 28, has scored just twice in La Liga since his return from suspension and again failed to find the net in the 3-2 win over Villarreal on Sunday.

Nevertheless, Jordi Alba has stressed that Suarez still adds something to the team they were previously missing.

"Perhaps Suarez is having a tough time finishing, but he was a very good signing and he gives us what we lacked," the defender told the official Barcelona website.

"We have several great attackers now and that makes a difference.

"As the coach has said, our bench is very deep with excellent players and there are lots of options."

The Spain international then went on to hail his side's hard-fought win over Villarreal at Camp Nou.

"This wasn't a game that we dominated as we usually do, it was much tougher than usual," he added.

"Villarreal hadn't lost in 18 games, which means that they're very good. The semi-finals of the Copa del Rey will be no easy task."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wolfsburg wait on Schurrle decision from Chelsea

Wolfsburg have yet to reach an agreement with Chelsea over Andre Schurrle but the forward has been named on the German Football Association’s transfer list.

Players moving to the Bundesliga have to be included on the finalised list before 11am GMT in order for a deal to go through before the transfer deadline in Germany, which closes at 5pm GMT.

Wolfsburg have agreed personal terms with Schurrle but the German club are still in talks over a fee with Chelsea, who are expected to complete a deal for Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado on deadline day.

"He's [Schurrle] on the transfer list and that gives us a bit more time,” Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs told reporters.

"Chelsea agreed to putting him on the transfer list just before midday and you can read into that what you want.

"We have done everything we can on our end. It's about money. We are waiting for Chelsea's decision. If it doesn't work out within these parameters, we will have to pull out."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard denies rift with Mourinho

Frank Lampard has denied any rift with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho over his controversial move to Manchester City.

The 36-year-old is Chelsea's record scorer with 211 goals over 13 years, but moved to City on a complex free transfer in August and memorably netted the equaliser when the teams met at the Etihad Stadium.

Lampard was cheered by the home crowd upon his return on Saturday during a 1-1 draw, and visited the dressing room afterwards, insisting he still enjoys a positive relationship with his former club.

When asked if Mourinho is bitter about his departure, Lampard told reporters: "I don't know, you would have to ask him that.

"This is football and I haven't spoken to him that much recently. I don't think there's room for bitterness and, if there is, then I'll deal with that down the line.

"Listen, I don't want to try to say there's any issue at all. I got a text from him at Christmas, I texted back. We spoke in the dressing room. We are grown men.

"We are playing for different football clubs and that's the way it is. Jose was at Chelsea, he moved on to different teams, he's come back here. Who knows what the future holds? He might move on.

"As you get older you understand that as a professional, it's your job and you move on. I'm sure we're both big enough that none of that is going to get in the way of our relationship."

Chelsea maintained their five-point lead over Premier League champions City thanks to Saturday's stalemate, but Lampard is confident the tide could turn again as the season enters the final few months.

"The result is probably better for Chelsea but it certainly leaves the title race on," he added. "Chelsea will be favourites but there's a load of points to play for. It will be on until the end."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ivanovic: Costa won't change - he likes the attention

Suspended Chelsea striker Diego Costa enjoys the attention that comes with his controversial actions, according to team-mate Branislav Ivanovic.

Costa missed his side's 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Saturday after being handed a three-match ban for stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can.

The Spain international was suspended for violent conduct during the League Cup semi-final second-leg win, but insists the stamp was accidental.

Costa has scored 17 Premier League goals this season, and Ivanovic insists his attention-loving team-mate will be even better with the focus on him.

"Diego likes attention, he likes for people to speak about him, this makes him a better player," the Serbian defender told the media.

"This is his way to play. For me there is nothing wrong with that.

"The ban I cannot speak about but for me this has happened a lot of times. During the one game, sometimes, someone is touched, sometimes not."

Chelsea are five points clear of City with 15 league games remaining this season.

Asked about his team's siege mentality, Ivanovic said it was required to push themselves.

"I think this is part of the mentality to win. You need to motivate yourself, to go over the limit. Even if you don’t think someone is against you, you have to find motivation.

"It is important in winning matches to find extra motivation inside yourself. Sometimes we need to feel this extra pressure.

"We know our game. Our style is to fight, to give everything, every single game, so this is a positive."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Destro makes AC Milan stronger, says Cerci

Alessio Cerci has hailed fellow new AC Milan signing Mattia Destro and feels the San Siro side are a stronger team with the striker.

Destro made his official debut in the 3-1 Serie A win over Parma on Sunday after joining Milan from Roma on loan until the end of the season last week and Cerci is confident the 23-year-old will prove to be a shrewd addition.

"Destro is an excellent centre-forward," Cerci was quoted as saying on the official Milan website.

"Mattia has just arrived and we will perfect the tactical aspects and movements in the coming months. We are a stronger team following his arrival."

Cerci then went on to voice his delight with his side's win over Parma after a string of disappointing results in the preceding weeks.

"It was important to return to winning ways. I saw a Milan side that is improving and that is what counts.

"The squad reacted well when Parma equalised. We tried to win the match at all costs and to improve the situation in the league table."

Milan take on reigning champions Juventus next week and Cerci is hopeful Filippo Inzaghi's men can cause an upset,

"Against Juventus, we will have to play an open game.

"We’re taking on the league leaders, the strongest team in Italy, but we will have our chances."

Milan currently sit eighth in the Serie A table with 29 points from 21 games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wolfsburg do not fear losing De Bruyne, insists Hecking

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking is confident the club will be able to hold on to star player Kevin De Bruyne for the foreseeable future.

The 23-year-old has been in stunning form for the Bundesliga side since joining them from Chelsea in January 2014 and once more impressed with a man-of-the-match performance in the 4-1 win over Bayern Munich at the weekend.

The Bundesliga leaders are one of a number of clubs keeping a close eye on De Bruyne, but Wolfsburg remain hopeful of holding on to the attacking midfielder.

"I do not have any fear that De Bruyne will leave the club," Hecking told Doppelpass. "There are only eight teams in Europe that are a step up from Wolfsburg."

However, Hecking also admitted that there is no guarantee the Belgium international will stay put.

"When you have a player like Kevin, there is always a bit of a risk that another team will come in and sign him.

"A big-money move would also be a sign of appreciation of what we are doing."

De Bruyne has a contract with Wolfsburg until June 2019.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers revels in Sturridge return: He lights up Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has revelled in Daniel Sturridge's return from injury after scoring during Liverpool's 2-0 win over West Ham.

The striker had been out of action since August after suffering a string of injuries and fitness setbacks, but netted his team's second goal within 12 minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute.

The win was Liverpool's third on the trot as they moved up to seventh in the Premier League table, and Rodgers hopes Sturridge's form will coincide with his team's continued revival.

"He lights up this team. He provides the light," he told reporters.

"When you add a top-class player like him to it, you can go to another level. When he came on, the team looked very, very good. He's still a bit of time off starting and it's just about bedding him back in.

"But to know that he's there over the next few weeks when it will be about regaining his football fitness."

Sturridge scored 21 goals in 29 appearances last season as Liverpool finished second and vice-captain Jordan Henderson is confident the return of their key attacker will serve as a boost to the whole squad.

"We do feel more of a threat because he is a huge player, Daniel, He has so much talent and he can change a game in just a few seconds really," said Henderson.

"It's a great boost for everyone at the club – the fans, the players. We have had our intensity back, the pressing, but if there has been a negative, it's just that we needed to be more clinical in front of goal.

"But when you get such a big player back, it lifts everyone, because you know the quality of his finish."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kane signs new Tottenham contract

Harry Kane has signed a new five-and-a-half year contract with Tottenham, keeping him at White Hart Lane until 2020.

The England Under-21 international has impressed under Mauricio Pochettino, netting his 20th goal of the season against West Brom on Saturday.

No Premier League player has found the net more in all competitions since the start of the campaign, with the striker playing a key role in Spurs' run to the League Cup final.

Kane's recent form has also seen him tipped for a full international call-up, with the 21-year-old scoring eight goals in Tottenham's last eight league outings.

That form has seen rumours of a possible departure to a bigger club intensify, with Real Madrid reported as to be keeping tabs on the former Milwall loanee.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United outcast Anderson to complete Internacional move

Manchester United midfielder Anderson is finally set to complete a move away from the club and seal a return to his native Brazil with Internacional.

The former Porto star arrived in Brazil over the weekend and underwent a successful medical on Sunday, with the deal set to be announced later on Monday.

Although Anderson will join Internacional on a free transfer, Goal understands United will be forced to pay the midfielder a six-figure sum to compensate for a loss in wages.

The 26-year-old has long been on the fringes at Old Trafford and has struggled to make any sort of impact in the first-team since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013

Having arrived at Old Trafford back in 2007 with a billing as one of the most exciting talents in world football, Anderson has failed to live up to expectations, making just 10 first-team appearances over the last two seasons.

Anderson's United team-mate Juan Mata, meanwhile, has already sent his well wishes to the Brazil midfielder, writing on his personal blog: "I want to wish good luck to my friend Anderson, who is back to football in his native Brazil. All the best, my friend!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Anderson yana 1ka hodaihitiyath wadak naha
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blanc: PSG face critical week

Laurent Blanc says Paris Saint-Germain face a crucial week in their season with a Coupe de la Ligue semi-final at Lille before meeting Ligue 1 leaders Lyon.Victories in both matches would be a huge lift to PSG's campaign, and keep them on course to retain both trophies.

They travel to Lille on Tuesday in the cup looking to qualify for a second successive final, before looking to climb ahead of Lyon - who they trail by two points - at the Stade de Gerland on Sunday.

"It is true that this will be a great week, including the trip to Lyon on Sunday in the championship," he said."But the first deadline is the semi-final of the cup and a difficult match awaits us against Lille.

"This is a very interesting week for the club. The next three to four months will be very exciting, knowing that everything can go very fast in one direction or the other."

After a tough start to the season PSG have bounced back in recent weeks with five wins on the spin in all competitions, a run timed perfectly given the week ahead and a Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea later this month.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nasri set to make Man City return

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri is poised to make his comeback from injury after returning to training on Monday.

The Frenchman has not featured for the Premier League champions since the 1-1 draw at Everton last month after sustaining a calf problem.

Nasri has missed City's last four games, but could feature in Saturday's top-flight clash with struggling Hull City at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Arsenal man has been in fine form for Manuel Pellegrini's side this season and his return is a boost for the manager.

City remain second in the Premier League after holding leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reading sign Yakubu

Reading have completed the signing of former Everton striker Yakubu, the club have confirmed.

The Nigerian striker, who most recently turned out for Qatari side Al Rayyan, has signed a deal until the end of the season with the Championship club, who are currently 16th in the league.

The 32-year-old will wear the number 20 shirt at the Madejski Stadium and manager Steve Clarke has hailed the signing.

“An experienced goalscorer, Yakubu brings a fantastic scoring record to this club and his addition will complement the strikers we’ve already got at Reading and help us to improve as a team in latter stages of the season," he told the club's official website.

“I know all about him as a player and I have heard very good reports about him as a personality in the dressing room. He is no-risk signing for us and I look forward to him scoring goals for Reading football club.”

Yakubu could make his Reading debut against Wolves this weekend.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi misses Barcelona training for "personal reasons"

Barcelona have given Lionel Messi permission to miss training on Monday due to personal reasons.

The Argentina international played a starring role as Barca twice came from behind to beat Villarreal 3-2 in La Liga on Sunday, scoring the third and ultimately decisive goal.

Messi - who has 22 league goals this term - did not partake in the club's recovery session, although Barca did not elaborate on the reasons why."The first team has trained on Monday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper," read a statement on Barcelona's website.

"A few hours after the 3-2 win over Villarreal in La Liga, the players have carried out work of recovery."Neymar, Dani Alves and Douglas have carried out specific work, while Leo Messi has not been training due to personal issues, with the permission of the club."

Reports earlier this season suggested that Messi was contemplating a surprise exit from Camp Nou due to a troubled relationship with head coach Luis Enrique.

Barca centre-back Jeremy Mathieu revealed last week that Messi and Luis Enrique were involved in a training ground bust-up when the players returned from their mid-season break at the start of last month.

The Frenchman claimed that Messi was left incensed after being on the receiving end of a hefty challenge during a training match, but Mathieu claimed the issue was swiftly resolved.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bartomeu set to be charged in Neymar case

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is set to be investigated over claims of fiscal fraud in the ongoing case surrounding the deal to bring in Neymar from Santos in the summer of 2013.

Bartomeu will be expected in court later this year to defend himself against the allegation, along with former president Sandro Rosell, who resigned in January over the signing.

The current chief, previously vice-president to Rosell, and the club are accused of tax fraud to the tune of €2.8 million. Bartomeu has been named in the latest document by the public prosecutor's office and judge Pablo Ruiz has been encouraged to press charges against both he and Rosell.

Barca bought Neymar from Santos in the summer of 2013, but the terms of the deal have caused much controversy.

The Catalan club insisted they had paid €57.1m for the Brazil attacker, but a complaint was lodged against Rosell by Barcelona fan and socio Jordi Cases, alleging misappropriation of funds and a lack of transparency over the €40m allegedly paid to the company owned by Neymar and his father.

Following Rosell's resignation, Bartomeu revealed the official figures at a press conference as Barca confirmed they had indeed paid €40m to the players' parents.

Barca announced the total operation had cost the club a total of €86.2m: €57.1m euros for the transfer itself (of which €40m went to the player's parents), €10m as a signing-on fee, €2.7m in commission, €4m in marketing, €2.5m for Neymar's foundation and €9.9m in scouting and collaborative deals with Santos.

However, alleged unpaid taxes of around €12.1m mean the sum stands at closer to €100m now, even though Barca maintain the total transfer fee remains the €57.1m they originally quoted in 2013.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Milan complete Paletta deal

AC Milan have complete the signing of Italy international Gabriel Paletta.

The Argentina-born defender has agreed a deal with Filippo Inzaghi's side until 2018.

Paletta, 28, has made nine appearances in all competitions for beleaguered Parma this season, but was an unused substitute in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to his new employers after Roberto Donadoni revealed a deal had been agreed prior to kick-off.

"I'm happy, and I want to be available immediately," Paletta told the club's official website. "I'm proud to wear this shirt, I hope I can repay the faith that has been shown in me.

"I want to help Milan fight for the positions this club deserves, at the top of the table. Everyone must do their part, and I'm coming to give my contribution.

"I know a lot of the players from the national team and some who played with me at Parma so I hope to integrate myself immediately."

The former Liverpool and Boca Juniors man follows the arrivals of Mattia Destro, Suso, Salvatore Bochetti, Alessio Cerci and Luca Antonelli at the San Siro during the current transfer window.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus sign Matri on loan from AC Milan


Juventus have signed Alessandro Matri from AC Milan on loan until the end of the season, with the striker returning to Turin for a second spell.

The Bianconeri were in the market for a replacement for Sebastian Giovinco, who left the club on Monday in order to join Toronto FC.

Juventus' three main targets had been Pablo Osvaldo, Simone Zaza and Matri, and they have confirmed that they have opted for the latter - who had been on loan at Genoa.

"Alessandro Matri has today returned to Juventus after agreeing terms on a loan switch from Genoa until 30 June 2015," a statement on the club's official website read.

Matri scored 29 goals in 83 games for the Old Lady between 2010 and 2013, winning two Scudetti. He then transferred to his youth team club Milan for €11 million, but endured a miserable time at San Siro.

After just one goal in 18 appearances, he moved to Fiorentina on loan in January of 2014. He then was sent out on loan again last summer to Genoa, and this season he has scored seven Serie A goals in 16 games.

Matri has now completed a third loan move in the space of a year by returning to Juventus, where he will compete with Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente, Alvaro Morata and Kingsley Coman for a starting position.

The 30-year-old has won six caps for Italy, scoring one goal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez still a good signing, insists Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba is adamant that Luis Suarez was a good signing for Barcelona even if he has yet to replicate the form that saw him win the European Golden Shoe at Liverpool last season.

The Uruguay international, 28, has scored just twice in La Liga since his return from suspension and again failed to find the net in the 3-2 win over Villarreal on Sunday.

Nevertheless, Jordi Alba has stressed that Suarez still adds something to the team they were previously missing.

"Perhaps Suarez is having a tough time finishing, but he was a very good signing and he gives us what we lacked," the defender told the official Barcelona website.

"We have several great attackers now and that makes a difference.

"As the coach has said, our bench is very deep with excellent players and there are lots of options."

The Spain international then went on to hail his side's hard-fought win over Villarreal at Camp Nou.

"This wasn't a game that we dominated as we usually do, it was much tougher than usual," he added.

"Villarreal hadn't lost in 18 games, which means that they're very good. The semi-finals of the Copa del Rey will be no easy task."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Samuel Eto'o ready to quit Sampdoria

Samuel Eto’o is ready to quit Sampdoria just a week after completing his move from Everton.

The Cameroon international clashed with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic after he refused to attend an extra training session following Sampdoria’s 5-1 defeat to Torino, in which he made his debut as a 71st-minute substitute.

The two held crisis talks after Eto’o elected to travel back to Milan, where he and his family are currently based, instead of train with the squad.

The relationship between player and coach have since completely broken down and the club are now considering terminating the former Inter and Barcelona striker’s two year contract by mutual consent, just one week after the 33-year-old joined the club.

Sampdoria officials refused to confirm reports of the bust-up, insisting Eto’o missed the session because of personal reasons.

Mihajlovic, however, has revealed there is a problem but insists it was entirely of Eto'o's making.

“In order to have a row, you need two people and quite frankly Eto’o did everything himself,” Mihajlovic told Mediaset.

“He just left. He told the club and it has shown a lack of respect for me and the entire team.

“I don’t know what the club intends to do."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Wolfsburg sign Schurrle from Chelsea

Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Andre Schurrle from Chelsea, with the Germany international signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Bundesliga club.

The World Cup winner started and scored in the Blues' first Premier League match of the season, away to Burnley, but has since found first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge.

Schurrle has made just five starts in the Premier League, scoring three times, most recently in the demolition of Swansea City, and was set to be shunted further down the pecking order by the imminent arrival of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina.

With one eye on Financial Fair Play, Chelsea have opted to cash in on the 24-year-old, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £18 million in 2013 and was the first signing of Jose Mourinho's second spell at the club.

Schurrle joins a Wolfsburg side who are chasing the title in the Bundesliga, having closed the gap to Bayern Munich to eight points after their 4-1 victory over the reigning champions on Friday evening.

He becomes the second player to leave the west Londoners for Die Wolfe, with Kevin de Bruyne - who struck twice against Bayern - having also been axed by Mourinho in last year's January window.