..::Football III::..

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Ivanovic: Chelsea's spirit will bring titles

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic believes the squad's togetherness stands them in good stead in their quest for titles this season.

Jose Mourinho's men remain five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after holding the champions to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The London club also face a League Cup final against Tottenham in March and take on Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Mourinho was unable to call on key duo Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa due to injury and suspension respectively against City, while Gary Cahill dropped to the bench.

And defender Ivanovic feels the spirit in the side and the strength in depth Mourinho can call upon is vital.

He told the club's official website: "The most important thing in football is that every player who gets their chance has to give everything for the squad,

"This helps make each other better and it helps us on the field. You can see the reaction of every player, even when they're not playing. They give everything. It's a good example and it's the only way to win."

The Serbia international, who made his 300th appearance for Chelsea at the weekend, feels it is still all to play for in the Premier League title race despite the strong position Chelsea find themselves in.

He said: "You need to go over the limit and to find motivation inside you. Sometimes the extra pressure is what we need to feel. We still have a long way to go - 15 games is a long way - and we have to stay focused.

"It's very difficult to judge at the moment but we are the leaders and we know our way and how we play. Our style is to fight and to give everything every game."

 

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Mainz announce Djuricic will join Southampton

Filip Djuricic has cut short his loan with Mainz to join Premier League club Southampton, the Bundesliga side have confirmed.

Attacking midfielder Djuricic penned a season-long loan deal with Mainz in August with a view to a permanent move, after struggling for regular first-team action at parent club Benfica.

However, that agreement has now been cancelled and Djuricic will link up with Southampton - initially on loan.

"Filip Djuricic is moving at his own request to the Premier League," read a statement on Mainz's official website.

"He is loaned with immediate effect to Southampton."

Djuricic made just 11 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz, with six of those as part of the starting XI. The Serbia international spent just over three years at Heerenveen in Netherlands before moving to Portugal to join the Eagles.

 

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Cahill leaves New York Red Bulls

Tim Cahill has left New York Red Bulls, the club has confirmed.

The announcement comes amid increasing speculation surrounding the midfielder's future, with reports in China indicating he could be close to a move to Shanghai Shenhua, though Qatar and United Arab Emirates are also potential destinations.

Cahill, who helped Australia win the Asian Cup in January, starred for New York in his first full season with the club as they lifted the Supporters' Shield, which is given to the team with the most points at the end of the MLS regular season.

The 35-year-old looked back on his time in MLS with pride and one of many highlights.

"I've enjoyed every moment of my time at the Red Bulls and leave with great memories," he told the club's official website.

"I joined with the ambition of helping to grow and positively affect soccer in the US and I feel immensely proud of what we achieved as a team during my time in the MLS.

"Winning the Supporters' Shield, was without doubt, one of the best moments I have experienced in my career and I am now looking forward to my next chapter, of which I will announce in due course."

Sporting director Ali Curtis thanked Cahill for his service and admitted that the mutual termination was best for all parties.

"This decision was not made lightly, and it is the result of many conversations between our staff, Tim, and his agent.

"After much deliberation, we have agreed that this decision is best for all involved. We thank Tim for his service to the organization."

 

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Official: Chelsea sign Cuadrado from Fiorentina

Chelsea have completed the signing of Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado.

The Blues had long been in negotiations and the Serie A club's coach, Vincenzo Montella, revealed on Friday that a deal was in place, with Mohamed Salah expected to head in the other direction on loan.

Cuadrado has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge, after Andre Schurrle's £22 million move to Wolfsburg was confirmed.

Having starred for his country at the World Cup, Cuadrado had been linked with summer moves to Barcelona and Manchester United, but no deal ever came to fruition with either club.

Fiorentina insisted throughout January that their prized asset would only be allowed to leave if his release clause was paid in full - reportedly around £26m.

And it has now been confirmed that he will join the Blues and help the club's push for success in the Premier League, League Cup and Champions League.

Cuadrado moved to Europe in 2009, joining Udinese from Independiente Medellin, before signing for Fiorentina in 2012.

 

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Vermijl leaves Manchester United for Sheffield Wednesday

Marnick Vermijl has left Manchester United for Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, signing a three-and-a-half year deal.

The 23-year-old featured just once for the Old Trafford side under Louis van Gaal, playing the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 humbling against MK Dons in the League Cup in August.

The full-back made his competitive debut under Sir Alex Ferguson as part of the starting XI in a League Cup victory over Newcastle United in September 2012.

He is yet to represent Belgium at senior level despite playing at a number of youth sides and spent the 2013-14 season on loan in the Eredevisie with NEC.

The Owls retain hope of a play-off finish in the Championship this season, sitting eight points behind sixth-place Watford.

 

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Official: Derby loan Manchester United's Lingard

Derby County have signed Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old has struggled for opportunities since recovering from an injury suffered against Swansea City on the opening day of the Premier League season.

The England Under-21 international has previously spent time at Leicester City, Birmingham City and Brighton, and becomes the Rams' second loan signing of deadline day following Tom Ince.

"Jesse Lingard is an exciting talent and someone that we are looking forward to working with," manager Steve McClaren told Derby's official website.

"He strengthens the attacking options that we can call upon and given we’ve lost Jordon Ibe and Johnny Russell in the last few weeks it was important to strengthen in that particular area of the side."

 

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Official: Cahill to join Shanghai Shenhua

Tim Cahill has announced that he will join Shanghai Shenhua after terminating his stay with New York Red Bulls.

The Australia international, who was a member of the Socceroos' Asian Cup winning side in January, confirmed that he has chosen to join the CSL club after speaking to many big-name football figures.

Announcing the move on Fox Sports, Cahill said he consulted his former Everton manager David Moyes, ex-Red Bulls team-mate Thierry Henry and Australia coach Ange Postecoglou before making a decision.

"I've taken a lot of good advice from very powerful men," said the 35-year-old.

"I think it's exciting. To be in demand and have these offers is special."

"I've enjoyed every moment of my time at the Red Bulls and leave with great memories."

"You have to ask yourself what you want. I've never chased the money. If I did I would have been in Qatar or China before New York Red Bulls."

The holder of Australia's record for international goals had been tipped to join an A-League outfit in his homeland, but he insists that no such offer materialised.

"I never had a concrete offer from the A-League," he added, although he did add that Sydney FC owner Tony Pignata had "reached out" to him and "no real offers" had arrived from Australia.

Cahill spent almost three years with New York Red Bulls after ending his eight-year spell with Everton in 2012, and netted three goals in the Socceroos' Asian Cup triumph in January.

 

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Rolando completes Anderlecht loan deal

Anderlecht have confirmed that they have completed the loan signing of Porto defender Rolando.

The centre-back, born in Cape Verde but Portuguese by nationality, has agreed a deal with the Belgian giants which will see him ply his trade at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium until the end of the 2014-15 season.“With Rolando we have an experienced central defender,” said RSCA general manager Herman van Holsbeeck upon announcing the transfer.

“We set the bar very high and we are very excited to get a player of his calibre to Brussels. It has taken a lot to get him here, but getting it done has made it all worth it.

“With him, we are armed to fight for the top prizes.”The 29-year-old signed for Porto from Belenenses in 2008 and has spent previous loan spells with Napoli and Inter during the past two years.

He has also made 19 appearances for Portugal, including three at the Euro 2012 finals.

 

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Official: Tottenham release Assou-Ekotto

Tottenham released full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto from his contract with the club on Monday.

The Cameroon international moved to White Hart Lane from Lens in 2006 and made 204 appearances, but has not played for the Premier League club since May 2013.

Assou-Ekotto spent last season on loan with QPR but has not played competitive football this term.

In other transfers news from White Hart Lane, Emmanuel Sonupe joined Scottish Premiership side St Mirren on loan until the end of the season while goalkeeper Jordan Archer moved to Millwall in a similar move.

 

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Official: Lennon joins Everton on loan

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has signed for Everton on a season-long loan deal.

The England international has been linked with Hull City and Monaco during the January transfer window, but the Toffees have won the race to take him from White Hart Lane.

The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Mauricio Pochettino, having started just three Premier League matches this season.

He will now look to help Roberto Martinez's side stave off relegation following a disappointing first half of the season.

"We all know what Aaron will bring to our squad with his experience and know-how, his involvement with England in two World Cups and the landmarks he has set in the Premier League," Martinez told the club's official website.

“At 27, Aaron will be a really important asset to our squad and he will represent a real boost in terms of attacking options from now to the end of the season. His pace and trickery will fit in well at Goodison.

 

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Official: Salah joins Fiorentina on loan

Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah has joined Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season, with the option to extend for a further 12 months.

The Premier League leaders wrapped up their pursuit of Juan Cuadrado on Monday and former Basel man Salah has now been given the greenlight to move to Florence until at least the end of the season.

The 22-year-old has struggled for first-team opportunities since moving to west London a year ago despite initially made a promising start to life at the club, notably scoring in last season's 6-0 win over Arsenal.

But he has made just three appearances in the Premier League this term, all off the bench, and was entirely omitted from Jose Mourinho's matchday squad on 14 occasions.

Now Salah has a chance to revive his career in Serie A, where it will be hoped he can replace the output of talisman Cuadrado, who bagged four goals and four assists before making his switch to the Premier League.

Speaking about the deal last week, Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella said: "It was a sale that had to be done. The club has done the right thing because we are also getting a very good player in return.

"Naturally, we need to understand how long [Salah] will need to adapt to our football as it's different from the English and Swiss leagues. From a defensive standpoint, Cuadrado guarantees us a lot more than Salah."

 

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Zaha confirms permanent Manchester United exit

Wilfied Zaha has confirmed his return to Crystal Palace in a reported €8 million move from Manchester United after initially joining the club loan in the summer.

Goal reported on Sunday that the 22-year-old had been allowed to leave United after Louis van Gaal became unconvinced of his long-term future at the club.

Zaha moved from Selhurst Park to Old Trafford in 2013 but his career at Old Trafford failed to ignite as he made just four appearances in all competitions before joining Cardiff City on loan last January.

He returned to Palace on loan in August and following 19 outings and one goal this term manager Alan Pardew has moved to make Zaha's stay a long-term one.

Crystal Palace are currently 13th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone.

 

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'It's a dream to join the Chelsea family' - Cuadrado delights in Blues move

Juan Cuadrado revealed it was a dream come true to sign for Chelsea after completing his €36 million transfer from Fiorentina on deadline day.

The Premier League leaders confirmed the Colombia international’s arrival on a four-and-a-half year deal shortly after Andre Schurrle rubberstamped his move to Wolfsburg.

And the winger is happy to have arrived at Stamford Bridge, with the belief Jose Mourinho has shown in him playing a big impact in his decision to move.

He told the club’s official website: “I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given.

“This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.”

The 26-year-old could make his debut for the Blues when they travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.

 

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Official: West Brom seal Fletcher signing

West Bromwich Albion have signed Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The Scotland international looked set to join West Ham earlier in the January transfer window, but the move broke down on Saturday.

That allowed the Baggies and Tony Pulis to step in, and they secured the deal late on deadline day.

The 31-year-old made 342 appearances for the Red Devils during his time at Old Trafford, and was originally named as Louis van Gaal's vice-captain at the start of this season.

But Michael Carrick's return from injury saw him dropped to "third captain", and he has made just four Premier League starts this season.

He becomes Pulis' second signing at the Hawthorns after Callum McManamana joined form Wigan Athletic.

 

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Man United wanted to keep me - Fletcher

Darren Fletcher says Louis van Gaal didn't want him to leave Manchester United after completing a deadline day free transfer to West Brom.

The 31-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Hawthorns with the option of a third year after becoming disillusioned with his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.

Fletcher has been out of favour this season, making just 16 appearances in all competitions, and decided to leave the club where he has spent all of his career, but only after Van Gaal's final attempt at changing his mind.

"Manchester United didn't want me to leave," he told Talksport. "It's been a rollercoaster at Man United and I wouldn't change it for the world.

"The club were great with me, particularly when I was coming back from illness and the fans were fantastic as well.

"I'm a professional footballer and I want to play football. I haven't been playing as much as I wanted and it's time for a new challenge."

The midfielder came close to joining West Ham and travelled down to Upton Park on Friday to complete a medical ahead of a proposed move, only for West Brom boss Tony Pulis to intervene.

"I have great respect for Sam Allardyce but for me Tony Pulis has been fantastic. He really wanted me and believed me - that's what I wanted to hear."

Fletcher made his Manchester United debut in 2003 and made over 200 appearances for the club in a 12-year stay at Old Trafford.

 

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Manchester United sign Bolton prodigy Kellet

Manchester United made a late deadline day signing by snatching Bolton Wanderers prodigy Andy Kellett on loan for the remainder of 2014-15.

Despite being linked with World Cup winner and Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels for much of January, Louis van Gaal's latest bolstering at the back comes in the form of a 21-year-old left-back who has only played four games in the second tier of English football.

Kellett played at left midfield for much of his spell at Plymouth Argyle earlier this season, he is considered a left-back by trade and, if he gets his shot in the Red Devils first team, is expected to be deployed in defence.

Although Kellett lacks experience at the top level, he has an abundance of minutes played this season having played every second of 12 consecutive games for League Two midtable side Plymouth.

Kellett is the second young defensive signing for the lower levels of English football by Manchester United in the past week, who snapped up eighth-tier Salford City right-back Saqiq El Fitouri.

However, with the Red Devils facing competition from the likes of Southampton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool for a place in the top four, some fans are likely to be perplexed that more experienced dealings were not made in the mid-season window.

They were linked with Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos on transfer deadline day but reports suggested that the Ligue 1 champions were stubbornly refusing to let go of the 20-year-old Brazilian they bought for €31.4 million in 2013.

Bolton have been recompensed for letting go of Kellett temporarily with Switzerland Under-19 international Saidy Janko heading to them on loan in return.

 

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