..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Kane committed to Tottenham despite Man United links

Harry Kane has dismissed rumours of a summer move to Manchester United by reasserting his commitment to Tottenham.

Kane earned his spot as a first-team regular at White Hart Lane last season, scoring 31 goals in all competitions in what was a fine breakthrough campaign.

Rumours of United's interest surfaced last week, prompting Tottenham to make it known that their star striker is not for sale and now Kane himself has pledged his future to the Londoners.

"Spurs are a big club and I have a bright future here," he told reporters. "I hope to continue scoring goals and doing well with the club."

The 21-year-old also praised Mauricio Pochettino, who took over from Tim Sherwood last summer, for the role he played in his impressive season.

"He is a good manager who is always willing to assist and I can't speak highly enough of him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus close in on Khedira signing

Juventus are closing in on the signing of Sami Khedira, with the Bianconeri's sporting director Fabio Paratici currently in Germany to negotiate with the Real Madrid midfielder's representatives.

Khedira announced in March he would leave Madrid this summer "to start a new stage in his career" after five years at the Bernabeu, prompting a scramble for his services with many of Europe's top clubs reportedly interested in acquiring the player on a free transfer.It appears Juve are in pole position, however, with Paratici dispatched to Germany on Tuesday to speak with the player's agent Jorg Neubauer.

The Serie A champions' general director Giuseppe Marotta told Rai: "He is free so the market offers us an opportunity. He has an attractive profile but we must think. We have to make an assessment that takes into account several factors."

Goal understands Juve will offer the 28-year-old a four-year contract worth €4 million a year. The deal will also include a bonus if the injury-plagued midfielder makes more than 30 appearances in a season.Should the terms be accepted, Khedira will undergo a medical on Thursday before signing for the Champions League finalists.

The former Stuttgart man enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Madrid - winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey twice - but has barely featured since the turn of the year.

Madrid claim he was injured but the player insists he was frozen out by now-departed coach Carlo Ancelotti and left to run down his contract.He told Marca: "I did have a small injury, a pain in my right heel, but that wasn’t why I wasn’t playing. It wasn’t a complicated injury. I was able to play.

“I’ve always felt that I’ve had the coach’s backing but the message indirectly came through to me that I was no longer needed, I was frozen out and wouldn’t have a chance to continue playing.

"It’s not the end that I wanted. It hurts that I’m accused of a lack of professionalism because I’ve always put the team ahead of myself. I’ve always gone with the truth.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona unveil plans for new Miniestadi

Barcelona unveiled plans for a new 6,000-seater Miniestadi on Tuesday.

The Catalan club are set to demolish the current complex, where Barca B play their home matches, due to the proposed renovation of Camp Nou.

Opened in 1982, the Miniestadi stands right opposite Camp Nou and holds just over 15,000 spectators.

But Barca need more space as part of their plans for a more modern stadium complex and the new ground will be built at the club's training ground in Sant Joan Despi.

Catalan architect group Battle i Roig have won the contract to construct the new stadium, which will cost a total of €12 million.

That is made up of €9m on the ground itself, which will have a 6,000 capacity, plus €2m on a car park and an additional €1m on urbanisation changes to the current site.

The new Miniestadi will be a Uefa Category III stadium, with covered stands and parking for 600 cars.

Building work is set to start in January next year, with the Miniestadi to open its doors in June of 2017.

Barca also unveiled designs of their proposed new Palau Blaugrana, home of the club's basketball team, on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar is a born leader, says former coach

Brazil captain Neymar is a born leader, according to the Barcelona star’s former futsal coach.

The 23-year-old was handed his country’s captaincy by coach Dunga following last year’s World Cup and has since led the Selecao to eight consecutive victories, scoring eight goals in the process.

The decision to pass him the armband previously held by Thiago Silva raised some eyebrows due to the forward’s lack of experience, but his former youth team coach, Darlan Santana da Silva, says Neymar showed leadership qualities from a very young age."Since he was a kid, Neymar was a leader,” Da Silva told Goal.

“He is respected by his friends and has a great sense of humour. I've never seen him be questioned for trying to do something different and it was very rare that it didn’t come off. And on the few occasions it happened, he simply apologised.”
Set to lead his country into next month’s Copa America, Neymar has been playing top level football without a break for a number of years now, having participated in Copa America 2011, the London Olympics in 2012, Confederations Cup 2013 and World Cup 2014.

But his insistence that he is ready to lead Brazil’s quest for their first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics comes as no surprise to Da Silva, who says he always had an insatiable appetite for the game.

“Once, we were in a final in a youth tournament. Besides him, there were two players who were training at Santos and I had to make a decision on if we could play by 12pm.

“Those players were playing for Santos against Palmeiras in the Paulista Championship at 10:30am. I told the director 'the boys will not play the final, I will have to send the reserve team as they will not arrive in time'.

"Then, Neymar’s father appeared with the three players, and said about Neymar 'this kid is crazy about football. He plays all the time and wants to come here but I'll tell you that they are all tired'. "Well, they went ahead and played and the only one who was not replaced was Neymar. And we were champions. That shows just how crazy the kid is about football.”

Neymar will miss Brazil’s Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour friendly with Mexico on June 7 as he will be with club side Barcelona for the Champions League final.

He is expected to join the rest of the squad shortly after the June 6 final in Berlin and make himself available for the clash with Honduras on June 10.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale won't leave Real Madrid - Coleman

Wales manager Chris Coleman says he does not expect Gareth Bale to leave Real Madrid any time soon.

The former Tottenham attacker has been the subject of criticism for some sub-par performances this term, leading to speculation that he could be set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Coleman, though, does not believe the most expensive player in history will be moving out of the Spanish capital in the near future."I don't expect his future to change at Real. The president thinks a lot of Gareth," Coleman told BBC Sport.

"Unless Gareth wants to leave, which I don't think is the case, then I don't think he'll go anywhere."I don't think he wants to leave. It's Real Madrid - arguably the biggest club on the planet.

"I don't really see him wanting to move, no."The former Real Sociedad boss says La Liga is a good league for Bale and playing there works to the national team's advantage too.

"I know what the Spanish league is like. The tempo is different. It's not as physical as the Premier League," he said."Our boys who play in the Premier League week in week out feel it.

"From that perspective Bale, when he comes to us, physically he's in better shape.
"It's less taxing in La Liga than the Premier League so from that point of view I'd like to see him stay where he is."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal: Why I have to sit on the toilet before Manchester United away games

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he has to sit on the toilet before most of the club's away matches because of the poor standard of Premier League changing rooms.

Van Gaal has given a lengthy interview to MUTV in which he looked back on his first season in English football, including United's fourth-placed league finish, and also shed some light on his summer transfer plans.

But while he says he has been very impressed with some aspects of the English game, he has been left disappointed with some of the facilities in the top flight.

"I can say a positive thing and I can say a negative thing," he said when asked about his introduction to life in the Premier League.

"Let's start with the negative thing. The accommodation for the players to dress themselves, to change into their club shirts, are in most stadiums not so good.

"And also the place for the manager, a lot of times I am sitting on the toilet! But not on the toilet to make something, but because there is no other place. That was, for me, surprising.

"But the way football is lived here in the minds of the people is unbelievable, and it is what I expected.

"I think it's fantastic to be here in England. They live football, football is living, and living is football. That is not [the case] in Germany, in Spain a little bit more but here it’s unbelievable. It's fantastic to see."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Valencia slap €50m price tag on Otamendi

Valencia president Amadeo Salvo has put a €50 million price tag on Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi.

United are keen to bring Otamendi to Old Trafford this summer and the player's agent, Eugenio Lopez, claimed on Monday that, while no agreement was already in place, the centre-back is keen to leave Mestalla in search of a "top" club.

Lopez, who looks after the player's interests alongside Jorge Mendes, said his client would not be speaking to the press about his future, but Salvo says the Spanish side will not be bullied into a transfer by third parties and that the player himself must state his intentions.

"Valencia do not give in to pressure from any agent or any comments," Salvo stated via the club's Twitter account. "Valencia's position will always be the same. If Otamendi wants to leave he will have to say it publicly.

"If he wants to go he will have to come to the club, not an agent, and pay what the club decide he is worth, which is €50 million at least, and with the payment structure that Valencia decide.

"Otamendi is a Valencia player and we are extremely happy with him. Valencia have not received any offer. In any case Valencia are very happy with the player and we would like that he sees out his contract with us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Calderon blasts Perez over Ancelotti dismissal

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has branded Florentino Perez's decision to sack coach Carlo Ancelotti as predictably "whimsical".

Ancelotti, who led the club to the Copa del Rey and long-awaited 10th European crown last season before claiming the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup, was handed his marching orders on Monday after failing to win another major trophy this campaign.

And Calderon, who led the club between 2006 and 2009, says current president Perez's decision was all too foreseeable."We are used to the whimsical reactions of the president," Calderon told talkSPORT.

"He was asked in the press conference what was the reason to sack him and the answer was very clear: 'I don't know'."It has been like that for the time he has been the president. There have been nine coaches in the 10 years he has been the president."

In 2004, Perez infamously sacked Vicente del Bosque after he had led the club to two Champions League titles in three seasons, which began a 12-year wait for La Decima.

The likes of Carlos Queiroz, Jose Antonio Camacho and Manuel Pellegrini have since been pushed out of the door by the current president, who returned in 2009 after Calderon resigned following a vote-rigging scandal in which he denied any involvement.Calderon went on to stress he believes Rafa Benitez will succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu should the Napoli boss take over as expected.

"I think 99 per cent Benitez will be the new coach," he said. “I think he is a good coach. He has proven that at other clubs. He is a man of the club. He was in charge of the youth teams [at Real Madrid].

“[His success] will depend what happens with the signings and what happens with players that are going to leave the club and the authority he has."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Perez key to Arsenal's Benzema bid

Arsenal are lining up an ambitious summer bid for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema - but could see their hopes of luring the France international to the Emirates frustrated by Florentino Perez.

Goal has learned the Gunners believe Benzema would be interested in a move to north London if the club are able to agree a deal, hoped to be around €50 million, with Madrid.

The sticking point, however, is likely to be Perez with the Madrid president known to be a huge fan of the former Lyon man. Benzema is also extremely popular with his Bernabeu team-mates who appreciate his work-rate and willingness to grant the limelight to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Monday's coaching change at the Spanish giants will give Arsenal encouragement though. Former boss Carlo Ancelotti viewed Benzema as a key cog in his first-choice starting XI but it remains to be seen whether his successor - likely to be Rafael Benitez - shares the same faith in a player who scored 22 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions in 2014-15.

Arsenal announced that they had cash reserves of €196m in their last financial accounts and can easily afford to sign Benzema as their marquee summer arrival having brought Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to the Emirates Stadium in the last two years.

Arsene Wenger wants to sign a top class striker as he prepares Arsenal for a title challenge next season following their third-placed finish this year.

He tried to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool in 2013 and believes Benzema, 27, is capable of firing Arsenal to their first Premier League triumph since 2004. Wenger is a huge admirer of the France international and tried to sign him before he joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009.

Arsenal are understood to be ready to listen to offers for Olivier Giroud to make room for Benzema, with French champions Paris Saint-Germain closely monitoring the 28-year-old’s situation.

Wenger is targeting three signings to mount a title challenge next season and also wants a goalkeeper and defensive midfielder.

Petr Cech is considered the perfect choice as the club's new goalkeeper but Chelsea have so far insisted they do not want to sell the 32-year-old to a Premier League rival.

Arsenal will have to pay over the odds to sign Cech while Southampton have quoted €35m for midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

Wenger values the France international at around €28m and may look to cheaper alternatives, particularly given Francis Coquelin's excellent from in the second half of the season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Matteo resigns as Schalke coach

Roberto Di Matteo has resigned as coach of Schalke, the club have confirmed.
The former Chelsea coach steps down from his role just seven months after his arrival in Gelsenkirchen.

Reports this week suggested the 44-year-old had been sacked, but the club have confirmed Di Matteo has chosen to step down from his role following a disappointing season.

"Di Matteo was always thinking about the sake of the club. The reports that emerged on Sunday that we fired him were not true," said sporting director Horst Heldt.

"Roberto had a clear vision of the club's future. When it became obvious that we had different views on the future of the club, he always had the best interests of the club in mind regarding potential solutions."Schalke sat 11th in the Bundesliga when Di Matteo was made coach in October last year.

He led the club to a narrow Champions League last-16 defeat to Real Madrid, but failed to secure qualification for the tournament next season after only managing to finish sixth in the Bundesliga.

"[Sporting director] Horst Heldt and I have not only looked back at the last seven months but also looked ahead at the upcoming season," said Di Matteo.

"I laid out my plan for a potentially successful future and I pointed out which conditions were necessary for achieving our goals. Although those talks were always constructive it became clear that the club's view differed and would be unable to create those conditions in the foreseeable future.

"For me, a new start seems to be the best solution for all parties involved because of the burden of the unsatisfying second half of last season and because I cannot guarantee that I can lead the club to the successes it expects under these circumstances."That is why I came to the decision to quit as the coach. I think a fresh start is best for a club and supporters very close to my heart."

Assistant coach Attilio Lombardo and goalkeeper coach Massimo Battara have also left the club.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea's 2015-16 pre-season fixtures in full

Chelsea face one of the busiest pre-seasons of any of the Premier League clubs this season, with the Blues travelling to three different continents before finalising their preparations on home soil.

They first travel to Bangkok to face Thailand All-Stars before finishing their brief post-season tour with a clash against Sydney FC in Australia.

Following a break, a Chelsea XI will face local non-league side Kingstonian before the senior squad fly to the USA.

There they will play New York Red Bulls before taking on some of Europe's biggest names in Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

As reward for their domestic title, Jose Mourinho's team will face either Arsenal or Aston Villa at Wembley on their return to England before hosting Fiorentina at Stamford Bridge in their final outing before the new season gets under way.

Chelsea's pre-season fixtures:

May 30: Thailand All-Stars
Jun 2: Sydney FC
Jul 13: Kingstonian v Chelsea XI
Jul 22: New York Red Bulls
Jul 25: Paris Saint-Germain
Jul 28: Barcelona
Aug 2: Arsenal or Aston Villa
Aug 5: Fiorentina

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City's 2015-16 pre-season fixtures in full

Like a number of the Premier League's top clubs, Manchester City face a post-season tour ahead of their summer break and the resumption of their preparatory fixtures.

Manuel Pellegrini's side will take on Toronto FC and Houston Dynamo in successive days before joining those in attendance to see sister-club New York City in action in the MLS.

City will then return to action in July as they travel to Australia to face Roma and Real Madrid before finalising their preparations on home soil.

Manchester City's pre-season fixtures:

May 27: Toronto FC
May 28: Houston Dynamo
Jul 21: Roma
Jul 24: Real Madrid

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal's 2015-16 pre-season fixtures in full

Unlike some of their Premier League rivals, Arsenal are not taking part in any post-season tours, though that decision was made partly for them given their participation in the FA Cup final.

Instead, the Gunners will begin their pre-season in Singapore where they will take part in the Premier League Asia Cup alongside Everton, Stoke City and a Singapore XI.

Arsene Wenger's side will then return home as they again host the Emirates Cup in north London. Taking part in the two-day event this year are Lyon, Villarreal and Wolfsburg.

They could then face Chelsea in their final fixture of the summer should they qualify for the Community Shield by winning the FA Cup.

Arsenal's pre-season fixtures:

Jul 15: Singapore XI
Jul 18: Asia Trophy Final/Playoff vs Everton or Stoke City
Jul 25 & 26: Emirates Cup
Aug 2: Possible Community Shield vs Chelsea

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United's 2015-16 pre-season fixtures in full

Louis van Gaal was keen for his Manchester United side to avoid a busy pre-season fixture list, and though it is far more condensed when compared to last year, they still have plenty on their plate this summer.

A tour of America makes up the bulk of their preparations as they face Club America and San Jose Earthquakes during their first week in the States.

They then end their trip with a mouthwatering clash against Barcelona and a further difficult test against Paris Saint-Germain.

From there they will return home, with reports suggesting the club will follow its usual pattern of hosting a match at Old Trafford so as to test the stadium's health and safety systems on the eve of the season proper.

Manchester United's pre-season fixtures:

Jul 17: Club America
Jul 21: San Jose Earthquakes
Jul 25: Barcelona
Jul 29: Paris Saint-Germain

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham's 2015-16 pre-season fixtures in full

With their Europa League fate not decided until the final day of the season, Tottenham's pre-season plans are still to be fully finalised, but they are set for plenty of travelling during the summer months.

Mauricio Pochettino's men have embarked on a post-season tour of Australia, with the White Hart Lane outfit set to take on a Malaysia XI before facing Sydney FC three days later.

A break will follow, with their only scheduled game for when they return to training set for July 29 against a side made up of MLS All-Stars.

Tottenham's pre-season fixtures:

May 27: Malaysia XI
May 30: Sydney FC
July 29: MLS All-Stars

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool's 2015-16 pre-season fixtures in full

With some uncertainty still hanging over when Liverpool will enter next season's Europa League, the Reds are yet to announce a full summer program of friendlies, though they have confirmed a major tour.

Brendan Rodgers' side will travel to Australia to take on Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United before making the trip to Malaysia to face a select XI from the country.

Depending on their participation in Europe, the Anfield outfit could then face more fixtures closer to home in the weeks leading up to the campaign.

Liverpool's pre-season fixtures:

Jul 17: Brisbane Roar
Jul 20: Adelaide United
July 24: Malaysia XI

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Europa League Final

Half Time

Dinipro 2 Vs 2 Sevilla

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pattama gemak yai wage 2nd half 1keth
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[Edward Kenway]

bump

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

Dinipro 2 Vs 3 Sevilla