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unicornx

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

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    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.

    One for the bench :angry::angry:
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Official: Anderson leaves Manchester United for Internacional

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    Anderson has left Manchester United and returned to Brazil, signing a four-year contract with Internacional.

    The Porto Alegre-based club have confirmed the news on their official website, meaning the 26-year-old ends his seven-year spell at the Red Devils.

    Anderson has struggled to hold down a place in the starting XI at Old Trafford, playing just 10 games in the last two seasons and failing to break into Louis van Gaal's side this year.

    It had emerged that talks with Internacional had progressed well after the Brazilian flew back to his homeland to complete a medical on Sunday and now a deal has been completed.

    However Goal understands United will have to pay a six-figure fee to compensate a loss in wages as Anderson returns to the Brazilian top-flight.

    He began his career at Gremio, moving to Porto as an 18-year-old in 2006, before United paid over €30 million for the 2008 Golden Boy winner.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Coutinho signs new long-term Liverpool deal

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    Liverpool have confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

    The 22-year-old, who arrived from Inter back in 2013, has flourished under Brendan Rodgers and been one of the club's stand-out performers in the 2014-15 campaign.

    Speaking after having put pen to paper over a new deal, Coutinho told the club's official website: "I'm really happy. It's a dream come true playing for this great club and being part of this squad.

    "Today I've committed my future to the club and for this I'm feeling very pleased. This club is great and the fans have always supported me, so I've been eager to sign this new deal since conversations started. Today is a very happy day.

    "It means so much. This club has given me the opportunity to play and believed in me even though I hadn't been playing regularly at my previous club. I've had a great reception since my first day here. As I always say, Liverpool is a big family and I'm a happy person here."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ter Stegen: Real Madrid will slip up

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    Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has little doubt Real Madrid will slip up at some stage this season to let the Catalans back in the Liga title race.

    Luis Enrique's men are currently trailing Madrid by one point, while the league leaders also have a game in hand.

    Nevertheless, the Germany international remains optimistic about his side's chances of winning the title this campaign, especially given their defensive improvements since last season.

    "In the league we hope Madrid stumble, which they surely will do. To stay in the title race we have to keep winning our games," Ter Stegen told the official Barcelona website.

    "We have to stay focused. We've also shown that we can be tough on defence if necessary."

    The former Borussia Monchengladbach man then went on to discuss Barcelona's chances in the Copa del Rey and Champions League and is confident they have a chance of a treble under Luis Enrique.

    "In the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, luck certainly is a factor; we have to make our own luck.

    "I think if we keep playing well defensively, we have a shot at succeeding in all three competitions."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Eto'o conflict nothing serious, insists Sampdoria president


    Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has played down rumours that Samuel Eto'o will tear up his contract less than a week after joining the club from Everton.

    The former Cameroon international joined the Serie A outfit in the January transfer window, but the veteran striker, 33, was ready to walk away from Sampdoria after an argument with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic over his intention to hold a double training session on Monday.

    However, Ferrero has now stressed the situation is not as grave as it seemed and is confident Eto'o will not leave the club.

    "Nothing has happened," he told reporters. "It was just a small argument. An exchange of views if you want.

    "We are all calm, the club is united."

    Eto'o made his Sampdoria debut as a substitute in Sunday's 5-1 mauling at the hands of Torino, a result which prompted Mihajlovic to call for additional training.

    Irrespective of this weekend's defeat, the Genoa outfit have been one of the revelations of the Serie A season so far and currently sit fifth in the league table with 34 points from 21 games.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Redknapp resigns from QPR job

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    Harry Redknapp has resigned from his position as manager of QPR, the club have confirmed.

    The 67-year-old has been at the west London club for just over two years and although he could not prevent them suffering relegation in the 2012-13 season, he went on to lead them to playoff victory the following season.

    However, the Rs sit 19th in the Premier League after 23 games and have suffered 11 consecutive away top-flight losses this season, and with the club failing to secure any signings on deadline day, the club's official website broke the news of Redknapp's resignation.

    A statement from Tony Fernandes read: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Harry for everything he has done for QPR during his time in charge.

    “We part on good terms and I would personally like to wish him all the best for the future.”

    Redknapp added: “I have had such a fantastic time at QPR. I would like to thank the Board, the players and all my staff, and especially the supporters who have been absolutely fantastic to me since I arrived at the club for their tremendous support.

    “Sadly, I need immediate surgery on my knee which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks. It means I won’t be able to be out on the training pitch every day, and if I can’t give 100 per cent, I feel it’s better for someone else to take over the reins.

    “My relationship with Tony Fernandes has been one of the highlights of my footballing career and I wish the club every success. I am confident they will survive in the Premier League this year.”

    Chris Ramsey and Les Ferdinand have assumed temporary control of the first team until a successor is named.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Gold apologises to West Ham fans after transfer anti-climax


    David Gold has apologised to West Ham fans after the club failed to land their transfer targets on deadline day.

    The Upton Park club were reported to be working on a number of deals, including one to take striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Tottenham.

    Co-chairman Gold had hinted an announcement could be imminent just a few hours before the window closed when he took to Twitter to urge fans: "Don't go to bed."

    However, the deadline passed without news of any new additions to Sam Allardyce's squad, but Gold suggested West Ham were not to blame for the anti-climax.

    "Sorry for keeping you up late but at the last moment the main deal collapsed and the rest folded like a pack of cards. Stay strong." he tweeted.

    "I'd like to thank [co-chairman] David Sullivan and Sam for their efforts to secure new players during this window,

    "However, no matter how hard you tried, there are people out their that you just can't do business with."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Martinez: Lennon ready to face Liverpool

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    New loan signing Aaron Lennon is ready for his Everton "baptism" in this weekend's Merseyside derby, according to manager Roberto Martinez.

    Lennon arrived on a deal until the end of the season from Tottenham on transfer deadline day, and could go straight into the Everton squad for Saturday's clash with Liverpool at Goodison Park.

    Martinez is confident the magnitude of the fixture will not daunt his new acquisition, who has been capped 21 times by England.

    "It’s not going to faze him," he told Everton TV. "We need to see where he is physically and his match fitness.

    "He's played a lot of games so far this season, to be involved in 17 games in this half of the season is a good return.

    "He's the kind of player who will look forward to these kinds of games.

    "It is the perfect baptism in our club. To go into the Merseyside derby is a really interesting start.

    "He's someone who is ready to have an impact in that sort of game."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Milan hope Inzaghi can mature - Berlusconi

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    Silvio Berlusconi has said he hopes Filippo Inzaghi can "mature" in his role as AC Milan coach.

    The former striker's future has been the subject of a lot of pressure in recent months, having won only one of their last six matches in Serie A.

    However, the coach insists he can guide the Rossoneri back to the top of Italian and European football if he is given time, and Berlusconi feels that he will grow into the job.

    "You know that in football, everything goes in cycles," Berlusconi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

    "We hope that Pippo can mature as a coach."

    Milan take on Juventus on Saturday in Turin.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    I'm happy Ronaldo isn't playing - Emery


    Unai Emery says he is happy that Cristiano Ronaldo is banned for Wednesday's clash between Real Madrid and Sevilla, but is wary of the other stars in Carlo Ancelotti's arsenal.

    Ronaldo is serving the second game of his two match ban in the midweek affair for a red card he received for kicking and slapping an opponent in the clash against Cordoba in January.

    And Emery says it is a relief that the Madrid talisman is not available, but believes the team have several other options his side must be cautious of.

    "If I said I would prefer Cristiano Ronaldo to play I would be lying," he told reporters. "But they have other players than can play more of a 'combination' game.

    "The individual characteristics they have are of a high standard. All of them are very good. In their stadium, additionally, they are very strong."

    Despite his awareness of Ancelotti's side's attacking potency, Emery insists he will send his team out to try and win the match in the Santiago Bernabeu.

    "We play every game to win, logically the difficulty of the rival is going to affect your chances, but we have nothing in mind other than going out to win.

    "Tomorrow we’ll be thinking that we hope to reach 45 points, we have the opportunity: we know the difficulty involved in beating Madrid at their stadium but our only mentality is being able to overcome it.

    "It’s clear that Real Madrid’s attacking ability is high at the Bernabeu. Therefore, our defensive situation has to be important, but you cannot win if you don’t build attacks – we also have to consider that."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ideye rubbishes West Brom exit rumours

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    West Brom striker Brown Ideye has questioned speculation that he was set to leave the club on transfer deadline day.

    Ideye arrived at The Hawthorns from Dynamo Kiev for a club-record fee believed to be around €13 million during the close-season, but has failed to impress and has scored only one goal from 13 Premier League appearances.

    Reports on Monday suggested Ideye could be set for a cut-price switch to Qatar with Al Gharafat, but the Nigeria international inisists there was no truth in the stories.

    "I'm still a West Bromwich Albion player, don't know where that news about me leaving #wba came from," he tweeted on Tuesday.

    "Have not started doing what I know how to do best, so I can (sic) just leave #wba like that #biglovetoallthefans #lovewba."

    West Brom visit struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Alexis Sanchez can't wait for Neymar showdown

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    Chile star Alexis Sanchez is relishing the opportunity of taking on Neymar when the Copa America hosts meet Brazil at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

    The South American rivals go head-to-head in a Brasil Global Tour friendly international at Alexis’ club home in London on Sunday, March 29.

    The match is the first meeting between the two teams since their World Cup 2014 last-16 clash, which Brazil edged on penalties following an action-packed 1-1 draw.

    And Alexis, who made the move to Arsenal from Barcelona last summer, is eagerly anticipating the showpiece and the reunion with his former Camp Nou colleague.

    "I’m so excited and honoured to be playing for the national team of Chile, against our great rivals Brazil, in front of the incredible Arsenal fans at Emirates Stadium," Alexis told his club’s official website.

    "I also look forward to playing against my good friend Neymar and welcoming him and the rest of the Brazil team to Emirates Stadium in March.

    "Matches between Brazil and Chile are always exciting encounters, and for me, to play this game at Emirates Stadium will make the match even more special."

    Ticket Prices from £15 concessions and £30 for adults. Tickets will go on General Sale at 3pm on Friday, February 6, 2015 (booking fees apply).
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Barcelona angry over latest Neymar case developments

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    Barcelona have voiced their "surprise, indignation and total disagreement" at the public prosecutor's recommendation that Josep Maria Bartomeu be investigated for fraud over the club's deal to sign Neymar.

    The acquisition to bring the Brazil international to Catalunya in 2013 has created great controversy, with the club initially claiming they had spent €57.1 million on him, only to later admit that it took €86.2m to complete the move.

    Bartomeu and the club are accused of fraud to the tune of €2.8m and the latest documents encouraged judge Pablo Ruiz to press charges against the current president as well as former chief Sandro Rosell.

    But Barcelona have protested the innocence of both men and insist they have broken not broken the rules in their acquisition of the 22-year-old, imploring the judge to disregard the latest recommendations from the prosecutor.

    "FC Barcelona wishes to express to its members its surprise, indignation and total disagreement with the public prosecutor’s petition for the Club and its former president Sandro Rosell to face trial for presumed misdemeanours in the transfer of the player Neymar da Silva Santos Jr," a statement read.

    "In recent months, FC Barcelona has declared its innocence, and has provided all of the documentation requested on numerous occasions and which has been supported by various judicial testimonies. The Club has also been advised at all times by specialists in tax law.

    "With respect to the specific request by the Public Prosecutors Office to charge President Josep Maria Bartomeu for a supposed tax offence in 2014, FC Barcelona also wishes to declare its utter disagreement.

    "It is FC Barcelona’s wish for the judge hearing this case to reject the requests being made by the Prosecutors Office, as all of the actions involved in the player’s transfer process were conducted with no intent whatsoever to breach the law in any way."

    Later on Tuesday it was confirmed that Bartomeu will indeed be charged, with the Barca president facing a court date in the Catalan capital on Friday, February 13.

    The club have also been given a period of five days to present all of the pertinent paperwork relating to the tax payments they are alleged to have missed.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ancelotti: Bale has the support of Madrid fans

    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has again defended Gareth Bale against accusations of selfishness and believes the Wales international still has the backing of the fans.

    The former Tottenham man came in for criticism last month after going for goal himself rather than set up Cristiano Ronaldo in a dangerous position, while he was again jeered by parts of the crowd at the weekend after taking a chance off James Rodriguez, only to aim wide from close range.

    Nevertheless, Ancelotti sees no reason for Bale to change his game and was quick to stress that the 25-year-old was also applauded by the Madrid fans at certain stages.

    "Bale being selfish? Gareth is doing everything he can to help the team," Ancelotti said at a press conference.

    "The Bernabeu also applauded him two or three times last Saturday.

    "Could he play on the left and Ronaldo in the centre? I don't see that happening..."

    The Madrid coach then went on to stress that they will not take Wednesday's match against Sevilla lightly, insisting he will not rest any players for the derby against Atletico at the weekend.

    "I will field more or less the same team that beat Sociedad on Saturday.

    "Resting players? The most important game is the one against Sevilla. Not the one against Atletico after that. Sevilla are very dangerous opponents."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    'I'm a cross between Gerrard and Yaya Toure' - Tottenham's Alli

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    Latest Tottenham signing Dele Alli has likened himself to a mixture of Premier League stars Steven Gerrard and Yaya Toure.

    The 18-year-old moved to Spurs on deadline day in a deal that sees him remain with MK Dons for the remainder of the season before linking up with Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

    And, despite receiving interest from the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool, the England under-19 international chose to move to White Hart Lane, in a move on Tuesday morning.

    In an interview with the Football Association in September, Alli said: “Harry Winks and I were talking about who I play like and he was trying to tell me I’m like Fernandinho but I’m not having that.

    “I’d prefer to think I’m a cross between Gerrard and Yaya Toure.”

    Spurs are believed to have paid €6.6 million for the box-to-box midfielder and Alli told the club's official website: “It’s a massive club and I’m really happy to be here.

    "I’m looking forward to meeting all the lads and getting to work with the manager. It’s a dream come true."

    Pochettino has shown faith in the club's young players this season, with the likes of Harry Kane and Ryan Mason thriving in the first team, and Alli says this was a big factor in his decision to join Spurs.

    He added: “I like the way the manager has been working, developing the youth and bring a lot of young players in. I wanted to come to a club where the manager puts a lot of trust into young players.

    “I’d love to play for Spurs and play at White Hart Lane. It won’t be easy and I’ll have fight for my place in the team but I’ll work hard to do that.”
     
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