..::Football III::..

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Real Madrid confirm Casemiro return

Real Madrid have confirmed they will call Casemiro back from his loan spell at Porto, ending the Portuguese club's hopes of securing a permanent deal for the Brazil international.

The 23-year-old spent last season at the Primeira Liga runners-up and starred in their Champions League campaign, leaving Porto keen to activate a release clause in his loan deal last month.

However, Madrid - who appointed Rafael Benitez as coach on Wednesday - have now informed Porto that Casemiro will return to the Bernabeu."Real Madrid has exercised the option to salvage federative rights on the player Casemiro, after FC Porto stated that his buy back clause had been activated," read a statement on the Spanish club's website.

Casemiro, who initially arrived in Madrid from Sao Paulo in 2013, was a key figure for Porto last term as he made 40 appearances in all competitions - scoring four times.

Porto reserved a €15 million agreement to make his stay at the Dragao permanent, but Madrid are reported to have paid an agreed €7.5m in order to secure his return.

His fine form in Portugal earned him a call-up to Dunga's Brazil squad for this month's Copa America in Chile.

 

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I'll play wherever Madrid want me - James

James Rodriguez says he is happy to play wherever Real Madrid ask him to play despite having been used in a less familiar role in his first season in La Liga.

The Colombian has arrived with his national team colleagues ahead of the Copa America and he admits his role as an attacking midfielder for Jose Pekerman's side comes more naturally to him than the more withdrawn position he had under Carlo Ancelotti at club level.

Rafael Benitez this week took over as the Blancos' new boss but James has no concerns over his positioning with his club side.

"I am clear with what Pekerman wants and I am capable of doing it. At Real Madrid I play a little further back but I will play wherever I am asked," James told reporters.The 23-year-old netted 17 goals in 46 games during his debut campaign in Spain, but now his attention turns to the continental finals and he says he cannot wait to get started.

"I'm happy to be here with the team again," he added. "I have great enthusiasm and I’m feeling good about the Copa America. It won't be easy but we will take it step by step. I don't like to lose and we will try our best to winner the tournament."Colombia line up in Group C alongside Venezuela, Peru and Brazil, with their first game coming against the Vinotinto in Rancagua on Sunday, June 14.

 

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'I knew immediately I would miss dream final' - Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini has admitted that he knew his dream of playing in the Champions League final would be snatched away from him as soon as he broke down in training on Thursday.

The Juventus defender was set to line up against Barcelona in Saturday’s showpiece, but suffered a calf injury two days ahead of the tournament decider in Berlin.

“I immediately realised the importance of the injury," Chiellini wrote on Twitter. "I hoped to be wrong or to be able to recover in record time as I have already done other times, but this time it was really impossible.

“Playing the Champions League final is a dream that me and millions of children have had, but sometimes destiny is weird.”However, the Italy international was quick to send a rallying cry to his team-mates and the Juve supporters across the world.

“Juventus is made of great men and players, I’m sure my team will fight more on the field than ever," the 30-year-old added. "They will show the world the grit, the strength and the determination I would have put into this final and all together we will be able to achieve this dream.

“My friends, I will be with you tomorrow to cheer and suffer for the one and only goal… Win this cup!!!”Chiellini was an ever-present in Juve’s run to the Champions League final.

 

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Chelsea target Falcao: I want to stay in the Premier League

Radamel Falcao has revealed he would like to stay in the Premier League as Chelsea attempt to strike a deal with Monaco to sign the striker this summer.

Goal reported on Friday that Jose Mourinho is driving the Blues' interest in Falcao as he believes he can revive the Colombia international, who endured a nightmare season on loan to Manchester United.

Falcao has now admitted that he would like to continue plying his trade in the Premier League next season - despite scoring just four goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils last term.

“I know it has been speculated very much about Chelsea,” he told El Tiempo. “I try to stay out of it. I care about working with Colombia [at this summer's Copa America] for now. That’s what my agent does.

“I would like to continue in the Premier League. My future will be decided in the coming weeks.”

Falcao joined Monaco from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2013, penning a lucrative five-year contract with the principality club.

 

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Netherlands 3-4 USA: Oranje stunned by US comeback

Netherlands threw away a 3-1 lead on Friday night as USA produced an incredible fightback to win 4-3 at the Amsterdam Arena.

The hosts looked set for victory in an entertaining friendly on Friday after two goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and an inadvertent header from Memphis Depay saw them into a 3-1 lead – Gyasi Zardes having scored for the US.John Brooks pulled another goal back for the visitors in the 70th minute, but Netherlands still looked likely to see out the result.

However, Williams' deflected strike in the 89th minute pulled the US level, before Wood fired home a stoppage-time winner after Michael Bradley showed great composure in the build-up. The result represents the US' first win over Netherlands.

Daryl Janmaat got the first sight of goal, firing straight at Brad Guzan from the edge of the box before Zardes was denied by the legs of Jasper Cillessen at the other end when he turned on the spot to poke goalwards.

Jurgen Klinsmann's men went even closer after 21 minutes, when Bradley rifled against the right-hand post before Fabian Johnson found the other with the follow-up.Brek Shea failed to make the most of a one-on-one situation soon after, sending a limp effort at Cillessen, and the USA's profligacy was soon punished.

Having sent a promising effort wide moments earlier, Huntelaar rose highest to get on the end of a superb Depay cross and nod the home side in front after 27 minutes – his 40th international goal.

But Guus Hiddink's side were soon pegged back as a deep cross from Johnson found Zardes, who turned the ball into the net for his first on the international stage.
Georginio Wijnaldum looked to have put Netherlands back in front shortly before the interval, but saw his effort chalked off for a foul in the build-up.Guzan had to be alert to keep out a Robin van Persie header at the beginning of the second half and, when the ball fell back into the path of the Manchester United striker, it was left to Kyle Beckerman to clear off the line.

But Guzan will feel he should have done better when he allowed another Huntelaar header to drift over his head four minutes after the break – Gregory van der Wiel this time providing the assist.

Brooks had a headed goal ruled out for an alleged Zardes foul on Jeffrey Bruma before Huntelaar's powerful drive ricocheted off Depay for Netherlands' third four minutes later.

That goal looked to have wrapped up the win for Hiddink's side, but Brooks capped off an incisive US attacking move 20 minutes from time to keep the game alive until the final whistle.

Luuk de Jong somehow failed make it four for the Netherlands in the closing stages - Johnson's eventual clearance rebounding off the PSV striker and onto the post - but there was still time for the US to turn the game on its head.

The Netherlands defence failed to clear their lines from a corner, allowing Williams to find the net via a deflection, before De Jong rattled the crossbar at the other end.

But it was left to Wood to have the final say in a breathless finish in Amsterdam, with Bradley having brought the ball forward from midfield for Jordan Morris to square.

 

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Zidane: Pogba should move to Madrid if he leaves Juventus

Zinedine Zidane says Paul Pogba should follow in his footsteps by swapping Juventus for Real Madrid should his fellow Frenchman decide to leave Turin.

Pogba has developed into one of the best midfielders in the world since joining the Bianconeri on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012, with the 22-year-old playing a key role in three successive Serie A title triumphs, as well as this season's run to the final of the Champions League.

Pogba's remarkable rise has seen him repeatedly linked with a lucrative move to one of Europe's richest clubs and his agent, Mino Raiola, has previously stated that his in-demand client will move on inside the next 18 months.

Zidane, who established himself as the best player on the planet during his five-season spell with Juve, retains the utmost respect for the Old Lady but believes that if Pogba really wants to leave, he should ignore the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea by heading straight for the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I don't know where he will end up, I have no information," the Real Madrid Castilla coach told Radio Monte Carlo. "Pogba has the quality to play wherever he wants."Now, if he has to leave Juventus... I adore Real Madrid and the best players play here, so I think it would be good for him to come.

"This is not a current issue right now but he has incredible potential."Pogba has the chance to endear himself to Madrid fans by inspiring Juve to victory over Real's great rivals Barcelona in Saturday's Champions League final in Berlin.

 

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Matath hithenne Pogba Juventus walin yanawanam Real Madrid or Barcelona join wei kiyala​

 

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Henderson urges Sterling to stay at Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has urged Raheem Sterling to stay at Anfield.

The 20-year-old has told the Reds that he intends to leave this summer, with controversial agent Aidy Ward insisting that even a £900,000-a-week contract offer would not convince him to stay.

Liverpool subsequently cancelled planned talks over a new agreement, with Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly keen while new Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has hinted at interest.

"He's left his future to [his agent] in regards to what he wants to do," Henderson told reporters. "Raheem Sterling is a fantastic player. He's been brilliant for England and I hope he will stay at Liverpool.

"He's a great person and a great lad. He's getting a lot of criticism because of the contract situation but he's first-class as a person. All the lads love him whether it's with England or Liverpool.

"He's a great professional. His work ethic is fantastic. He works as hard as he can and wants to improve all the time."

 

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'Klopp will manage Manchester United one day'

German coaching legend Eckhard Krautzun has insisted that Jurgen Klopp has told him he will manage Manchester United in the future.

The former Dortmund coach announced on June 1 that he would be taking a break from management, with the 47-year-old having been linked with taking over at both Liverpool and, prior to Rafael Benitez's appointment, Real Madrid.

But Krautzun, who worked alongside Klopp during his time at Mainz, says that the eccentric coach has previously told him that he will end up at Old Trafford.

When asked if Klopp would be perfect for the Premier League, Krautzun told Goal: "Perfect? I don't know. But Jurgen speaks English. And since we spoke about United: He once told me, that one day, when it does not fit with Dortmund anymore, Manchester United would be his club.

"But at this moment the job is taken. Klopp would fit perfectly to an English club that is well lead and well organised. One which has a very good board of directors. A club with one person reigning, like Chelsea, would not be right for him."

Krautzun also discussed Louis van Gaal, with the Dutchman having guided United back into the Champions League, albeit the play-off round, in his first season at the club. He added: Van Gaal is an extraordinary coach with international reputation, but a totally different character.

"[Sir Alex] Ferguson is open, humorous and with both feet on the ground. This could be valid with Van Gaal, too. I just think, he gets misunderstood too often, because people take him too seriously.

"When he was a young coach I visited him at Ajax and back then he was very open and helpful with typically Dutch humour. For sure he is not unsympathetic."

 

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BVB meh season 1ke fail unata Klopp pattama manager kenek​

 

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'Champions League final could be Pogba's last game for Juventus' - Agent

Paul Pogba's agent has revealed that Saturday's Champions League final could be the midfielder's last appearance in a Juventus shirt.

The France international is one of the most sought-after players in world football, with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all interested in signing him.

Juventus have repeatedly stated their determination to hold onto Pogba and build a team around the 22-year-old, but the player's representative, Mino Raiola, has now claimed that his client could depart after this weekend's showdown with Barcelona.

"Berlin could be Pogba's last game with Juventus," the agent told Sky Sport Italia. "They don't want to sell him. Whoever wants him will have to buy him.
"However, it could happen. The market is open until September 2.

"He has a contract with Juventus, who have not made any moves to sell him."Concrete offers arrived but they were brushed aside. But the price will be decided by who wants him. The price doesn't matter to someone who wants to buy a work of art."Juventus will control the auction but it will be one of the most costly transfers in history.

"He's a special player. He's already given us a glimpse of the path he's on even though we have not even seen the best of Pogba."Pogba joined Juve on a free transfer from Manchester United in the summer of 2012 and has won three consecutive Serie A titles and one Coppa Italia with the Turin outfit.

 

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'Leave me alone!' - Angry Ronaldo slams press for talking 'trash'

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has pleaded with the press to stop talking "trash" about him and leave him alone.

The Portugal international enjoyed another prolific season in Spain, netting a personal-best 61 goals in 54 appearances, but he has made headlines off the field for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.

The speculation surrounding the reasons behind his January break-up with model Irina Shayk has only intensified over the last few days, while Ronaldo was also photographed being admonished by police after allegedly urinating in public while on a family holiday.

Consequently, Ronaldo decided to publicly post a video in which he begs the media to leave him in peace.

"Hi fans," the recorded message began. "This message is for you. Thank you very much for supporting me this year. It was tough but you were always there. You showed that you're always loyal. I'm here, relaxing. My kid is behind me in the pool.

"It's coming in my mind to do this video, I don't know why, don't ask me why. I never speak for the press. I never speak about my private life.

"But I want this opportunity to say the last couple of weeks the press tried to say trash about me; that I have a new girlfriend, day by day, that I do this, that I do that. Just leave me alone.

"Let me do my work properly like I do it every year. Don't try to damage my image because it's not going to happen.

"So, this message is for you guys. We're still together, day by day, month by month, year by year. Thank you, guys."

 

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Allegri: Barcelona have weaknesses

Massimiliano Allegri is adamant that "second favourites" Juventus can exploit Barcelona's "weaknesses" in Saturday's Champions League final.

Both sides are bidding to complete a treble in Berlin but the Bianconeri are considered clear underdogs on account of their opponents stellar attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who have racked up a record-breaking 120 goals between this season.

However, Allegri insists that he is not solely concentrating on shutting down Barca's forward line, claiming that Juve fully intend to exploit the Catalans' deficiencies elsewhere.

"We need to be good against a great team but, like all teams, they do have faults – and weaknesses," he told reporters on Friday.

"How do you stop Barcelona? We need to think how to score. We need to be technically skilled because they're a technical team and attack is their best weapon so we need to be very, very good at that."We must stay concentrated for 90 minutes. We need to be mentally strong and turn things around, because we're second favourites to Barcelona.

"But the team is very calm and focused. It should be a great game; as with all Champions League finals, we'll need some luck, and we’ll need to work for that."

Juve's cause has not been aided by the withdrawal of Giorgio Chiellini, who had been set to partner Leonardo Bonucci at the back but has instead been ruled out by a calf problem.Allegri admitted that the withdrawal came as a bitter blow but he is nonetheless confident given his faith in his defensive cover.

"We're very sorry for what happened to Chiellini but I guess it was meant to be," the former AC Milan boss stated.

"We lost a player who had been great for us since the start of the season."[Andrea] Barzagli and [Angelo] Ogbonna are both fit; if Barzagli feels okay he's going to play, otherwise it's Ogbonna."

Allegri also pointed out that defeat would not be a disaster for Juve, given that they are appearing in their first final since their 2003 penalty shootout yet now look poised to reclaim their once regular place among Europe's elite."We started this season with an important objective – to get to the quarter-finals," he added.

"Now we've got to the final, and we have to be first."But regardless of the outcome tomorrow, we've had an extraordinary season; apart from the league title and the 10th Coppa Italia, which had been missing for 20 years, we have to consider the consolidation of the team.

"This is important because it's important to build some momentum in Europe.
"But of the two teams will win a treble in Berlin, either Juventus or Barcelona. Hopefully us."

 

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Van Persie excited by Depay's Manchester United move

Robin van Persie is excited by the arrival of fellow Netherlands international Memphis Depay at Manchester United.

The 21-year-old finished last season as the Eredivisie's top goalscorer with 22 goals and was named the best youngster in the Netherlands, after earning a €30 million move to Old Trafford last month.

United boss Louis van Gaal has issued words of caution ahead of Depay's arrival, but Van Persie is eager to see how the forward adapts to a new league having made a similar move when joining Arsenal in 2004.

"I am looking forward to it," Van Persie told the club's official website. "I have been working with him for the last year or so with Holland, so I know him quite well.

"I am excited for him. He has made a big move to Manchester United and it will be interesting to see how he will do, and how he will take on this challenge."

The pair are currently on international duty with Netherlands before Depay links up with his new club officially on July 1.

 

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Emery signs new Sevilla contract

Unai Emery has committed his future to Sevilla by signing a new contract to keep him at the club until 2017.The 43-year-old has led Sevilla to back-to-back Europa League titles and subsequently qualified for next season's Champions League following a recent rule change.

Emery had been linked with managerial vacancies at Napoli and West Ham, but has now decided to remain at the Sanchez-Pizjuan for an extra season on top of his current deal.Having started his coaching career with roles at Lorca Deportiva, Almeria, Valencia and Spartak Moscow, Emery arrived in Seville in 2013.

And, in addition to success on the European stage, Emery has guided the club to consecutive fifth-placed finishes in La Liga.

 

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Ferdinand: World-beater Pogba is haunting Man United

Rio Ferdinand says Paul Pogba can become the best player in the world and believes Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing him to leave on a free transfer and join Juventus in 2012.

The France midfielder, who has developed into one of the most coveted midfielders on the planet during his time in Italy, is set to feature in the Champions League final this weekend, with Massimiliano Allegri’s side facing off against Luis Enrique’s Barcelona in Berlin.

Manchester City have been heavily linked with a bid for Pogba, while PSG are understood to have agreed a €80 million fee with Juve for the 22-year-old, and Ferdinand is unsurprised by the attention being afforded to his former team-mate, whom he says can win the Ballon d’Or by 2019.

“I’m not surprised Paul Pogba is being talked of as a €96m player — neither am I surprised that teams like Manchester City want to sign him,” he wrote in The Sun.

“In fact I would confidently predict that, provided he stays injury-free, Pogba will be the world player of the year within the next four years. Yes, he is that good.

“As a former team-mate of the Frenchman’s at Manchester United, I saw first-hand what Pogba could do and what a top player he could become.”

Ferdinand says that he attempted to convince Pogba to stay at Old Trafford when the midfielder grew frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities, and believes that United’s failure to retain him has come back to haunt the club.

“When he started talking about leaving United I decided to take matters into my own hands and pulled him aside to give him the hard word,” he continued.

“I desperately wanted Paul to stay at Old Trafford and asked him what the hell he was doing. I then said to him: ‘What do you want?’ and his reply was: ‘I want to be the best player in the world.’

“For me United was the best place to do that. I told him that everything he needed was right there and that his time would come.

“But he wasn’t having it, he had to play and felt he should be playing and had made up his mind to go.

“I knew if he left it would come back to bite United on the backside.

“It was about timing really. The manager wasn’t quite ready to start Paul in the team every week and he wasn’t prepared to wait because he was impatient to get on with it.

“Now he’s in tomorrow night’s Champions League final and understandably feels vindicated in his decision.

 

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Ferdinand: World-beater Pogba is haunting Man United

Pogba wa sell karapu 1kanam lokuma mistake 1kak​

 

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Ramsey: Arsenal don't need a big-money signing to challenge for the title

Aaron Ramsey insists that Arsenal do not need to sign a marquee player this summer in order to win the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger’s men finished third in 2014-15, 14 points behind eventual champions Chelsea, but racked up the longest winning run of the season and retained the FA Cup.

Ramsey has previously expressed his desire to win the title in 2015-16, outlining his ambitions in an exclusive interview with Goal, and he maintains that the club do not need to splash the cash.

“Every club brings in a new faces and a few will leave But even with this group of players now I believe if everyone was fit in the season we would have a great opportunity of competing for the Premier League,” he told the Daily Mail.

“This team has come on a lot over the last few years and if we can get off to a good start next season we will challenge.

“The club is in a good place. They don't have to let players go and we're building this team rather than players leaving and you have to rebuild around those left. It is a nice feeling and means that the group can stick together. The understanding is there already so it can only get stronger.”

Arsene Wenger deployed Ramsey in a wide role in the latter games of last season, and he admits that he hopes he will soon revert to his favoured central position at the Emirates Stadium.

“That’s my favourite position and where I play my best football. I'm very happy playing back in the middle for Wales. I had a chat with him (Wenger) a few times and he said it was temporary (out wide).

“It means I can time my runs into the box better. When you're wide you're taught to try and get in at the far post so the ball doesn't go straight across. From that central position you can use your instinct where to go rather than just try and get in at the far post.

 

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Di Maria's lob against Leicester City voted as Premier League's goal of the season

Angel Di Maria's scooped lob in Manchester United's 5-3 defeat to Leicester City has been voted as the Premier League's best goal of the season.

The Argentine's effort topped the poll ahead of Philippe Coutinho's strike against Southampton in the final round of voting on the Premier League's official Twitter page.

To get to the final, Di Maria's goal won the vote ahead of Jermain Defoe's strike against Newcastle United and Charlie Adam's effort inside his own half against Chelsea.

Di Maria struggled in his debut season at United after joining from Real Madrid for a British record fee of €75 million last summer but has insisted that he intends to stay at Old Trafford this summer.

"I have just finished my first season playing for Manchester United," he told The Sun.

"It was a hard season for me. I think it was hard because it was another country and another league, and this league is harder than the Spanish one. So, I couldn't adapt myself as I wanted to.

"Now I will play the Copa America and then I will move back to Manchester for next season and do my best there."

Di Maria is currently training with the Argentina national side ahead of the Copa America this summer, with Gerardo Martino's men to face Bolivia in a warm-up game on Saturday.

 

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Congratulations Di Maria

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