..::Football III::..

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'Cech one of top three goalkeepers in the world'

Petr Cech is alongside Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer as the best three shot-stoppers in the world and can transform Arsenal into genuine Premier League title contenders, according to former Gunners goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

The 33-year-old is believed to be close to leaving Chelsea for their London rivals after falling down the pecking order behind Courtois at Stamford Bridge, despite Jose Mourinho previously ruling out the move.

Wilson is excited by the prospect of Cech's arrivals with the Gunners looking to address their shortcomings after finishing 12 points behind title winners Chelsea last season.

"I think he is one of the three best goalkeepers in the world," he told talkSPORT. "As of this moment, I think Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world. I think he is ahead of Manuel Neuer. Petr Cech is right up there with those two.

"At 33, you are absolutely still in your prime as a goalkeeper with your experience and everything. I think there is five, six seasons minimum from Petr Cech.

"He brings authority, complete calm in the way he keeps goal, and presence. If Arsenal manage to get hold of Petr Cech and get another one or two players I think they will challenge for the title.

"With regards to the rest of the squad, they are nearly now as good as Manchester City and Chelsea.

"I am a huge admirer of Petr Cech. He has clearly been the best goalkeeper in this country until young Courtois arrived on the scene. I am really excited if this thing goes through."

 

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Atletico & Porto have agreed Jackson Martinez deal - agent

Jackson Martinez will sign a four-year deal at Atletico Madrid after the club agreed a €35 million deal with Porto on Tuesday, according to the player's agent.

The striker, who is currently on international duty with Colombia at the Copa America, had appeared set to join AC Milan before Atletico registered their interest.

"It was finalised today," Luiz Henrique Pompeo told AS. "We want to thank Milan for their interest right up the end, we feel very honoured by it, but you can't be in two places at once.

"Atleti are a very big club that has done important things in the league and in Europe. Jackson is going there to also achieve great things and to bring the best out of himself."That's his dream and he's very excited. He's really happy."

Martinez will become the second striker Atletico have signed this summer, following the arrival of Luciano Vietto from Villarreal.The 28-year-old joined Porto from Chiapas in 2012 and scored 21 league goals last season.

 

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Guardiola: I want to be loved

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola insists he just wants to be loved, despite being a man seemingly obsessed with silverware.

At 44, the former Barcelona boss has already won the Champions League twice, as well as five league titles in Germany and Spain in his first six years as a manager.
But in a revealing lecture on leadership, Guardiola said he is driven by winning the affection of those he works with and not the lure of titles.He explained: "If you want to know what I want in life and from my work, I want to be loved, I do not seek more. That's what I want, that's a feeling.

"Really, I'm not looking for titles."That said, Guardiola admits it can sometimes be difficult to convey emotion to a player, particularly when they are left out of the team.

"If you have to leave players out there, they are offended because they think that I do not like them," he added."They do not think that these are decisions for tactical reasons, but because they are not loved."

The former midfielder revealed a story involving one of his star players, to highlight the effect of caring about an individual can have on performance."I went with him to a cafe and we talked about life, not about football.

"In the next game he scored two of the four goals our team scored.He felt something special, because he felt loved."

 

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Argentina are more than just Lionel Messi - Jeison Murillo

Colombia defender Jeison Murillo has warned his team-mates that Lionel Messi isn't Argentina's only threat ahead of their quarter-final clash.The two nations will go head-to-head in the third last eight tie on June 26 in Viña del Mar.

Los Cafeteros are bidding to win the title for just the second time in their history, while La Albiceleste are hoping to end a barren run of 22 years without a senior international honour.

"It will be nice to be on the same pitch and go up against Lionel Messi, though it's not only him but an excellent team that we face," the 23-year-old said in a press conference. "I will always do my bit for the sake of this team."

If the match is level at full-time there will be no extra periods with the game instead going directly to a penalty shootout.

The Inter defender believes Colombia will need to be totally focused - particularly at the back - in order to allow the attackers more freedom to try and find the net.

"I think that concentration will be vital. That is what coach [José] Pékerman has asked of us," Murillo added."We are keeping calm. We have the same mentality as always, which is to win. We are facing a great team with great forwards and we must be on top.

"The idea is for the defence to give security to the forwards so they know they can look for goals at any point."We must keep a cool head and have the mindset to do what it takes. A winning mentality and be sure of qualification in the 90 minutes."

The winner of the meeting at the Estadio Sausalito will face either Brazil or Paraguay in the semi-final in Concepción.

 

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Copa America Quarter-Finals Fixture 2015.06.24

Copa America Quarter-Finals Fixture 2015.06.24

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Chile Vs Uruguay

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[thilihare]

Jaya wewa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Don't do it!' - Neville warns Man Utd off Ramos-De Gea deal

Gary Neville has warned former club Manchester United to think twice before offering goalkeeper David de Gea plus a big-money bid to lure Sergio Ramos away from Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old defender has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, with reports in Spain suggesting the Red Devils are keen to use Madrid's interest in their keeper as a way to do a deal.

Ramos has refused to talk about the deal, although there are rumblings behind the scenes due to dissatisfaction over changes to the club's medical department and the departure of coach Carlo Ancelotti.

De Gea was crowned United's player of the year in recognition for a stunning season that saw Louis van Gaal's side reclaim a place in the Champions League and, despite appreciating Ramos's ability, Neville is concerned that the Red Devils' No.1 may be being undervalued.

The TV pundit and England coach wrote on Twitter: "These reports saying £40m plus De Gea for Ramos?? Please no! Nothing against Ramos but it can't be right."

Previously, Gareth Bale had been linked with being used in a deal to bring De Gea back to Spain, but reports that the Welshman is pushing for a Premier League return have gone quiet since the end of the season.

 

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'Don't do it!' - Neville warns Man Utd off Ramos-De Gea deal

Mageth idea 1ka okama thamaiRamos hodai but gana wadi

Anith 1ka Ramos ganna 1ka gana hithanne nathuwa De Gea wa thiyaganna 1ka karanna one.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Liverpool sign Roberto Firmino


Liverpool have completed the signing of Hoffenheim's Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino for an undisclosed fee, subject to a medical.

Reds' chief executive Ian Ayre flew out to Chile - where Firmino currently is for the Copa America - to wrap up a deal worth €40 million, with €30m paid to the Bundesliga club up front and a potential €10m in add-ons.

The 23-year-old will complete a medical after the conclusion of the tournament and has penned terms on a long-term contract at Anfield.

Firmino has also attracted interest from Manchester United, having scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions last season, but has now opted to join Brendan Rodgers' side.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play as a striker, has spent four years with Hoffenheim and made his international debut in November 2014 after impressing in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool's acquisition of Firmino may have been accelerated by Manchester City's interest in Raheem Sterling, with the Premier League giants looking to buy the 20-year-old this summer.

City are set to make a final €63m offer for Sterling - who has told Liverpool he wants to leave - in the coming days, and Firmino may indeed have been acquired as a replacement ahead of the England international's proposed departure.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Liverpool sign Roberto Firmino

Meka hitha gannath amarui nehKalin kiyala thibbe Copa America iwara unata passe theeranayak gannawa kiyalaneanith 1ka kiwwa hatiyata mama hithuwe Manchester United gani kiyalaanthimata une wena deyak

Anyway hoda sign 1kak Liverpool lata!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pereyra completes permanent Juventus move

Juventus have announced they have completed the signing of Roberto Pereyra from Udinese after the versatile midfielder spent 2014-15 in Turin on an initial one-year loan.

Pereyra - currently on international duty with Argentina at the Copa America - has penned a contract with Juventus until June 30, 2019.Juve will pay €14 million for the 24-year-old over the next three years, though the sum could rise by a further €1.5m based on performance targets.

Pereyra earned a permanent deal after making 52 appearances in all competitions as Juve won the Serie A title and Coppa Italia last season.The former Udinese midfielder also featured in Juve's 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

He started his professional career with River Plate before making the move to Europe in 2011.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sergio Ramos unhappy at Real Madrid - Calderon

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes Sergio Ramos is not happy at the Santiago Bernabeu and contract talks have stalled due to the defender's disillusionment.

Ramos is entering the final two years of his contract in Madrid and the Spain international has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, with one Barcelona presidential candidate suggesting the Spain international had been offered to the club.

"It's clear that Ramos isn't happy because the president hasn't offered him a contract extension," Calderon told talkSPORT."To me it seems as though it is a public dressing down over his support for Carlo Ancelotti and for saying that he did not agree he should have been sacked. The same thing with Iker Casillas."

Ramos is reportedly at the top of Louis van Gaal's wishlist, with the United manager keen to add experience to his defence, while Madrid are desperate to sign goalkeeper David de Gea."Let's see what happens in the next few weeks. He is an icon for Real Madrid fans, on and off the pitch," Calderon added.

"I don't know if he is the best central defender in the world but he is one of the best. He can play in the middle of defence, on the right or in midfield."

 

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Real Madrid bench role accelerated Liverpool exit - Gerrard

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he knew he had to leave the club when he was left on the bench for the club's Champions League trip to Real Madrid in November.

Gerrard was named among the substitutes and only played the final 20 minutes as the Reds lost 1-0 in the Spanish capital.

Recalling the decision, Gerrard, who is preparing to link up with MLS side LA Galaxy, admits that it played a pivotal role in his decision to leave Anfield.

In an interview with Rio Ferdinand set to be aired on BT Sport on Wednesday, the 35-year-old said: "This was round about the time when I was doing a lot of thinking about what's next for me because I'd had a couple of initial chats with Brendan saying to me, 'I'm going to start managing your games and I have to look after you and I want you to be fresh and I don't want you to be playing three games in a week because you may be tired' and stuff like that.

"But this situation was a bit unique because it was Real Madrid and I wanted to play.

"I sat on that bench devastated because I wanted to play, so it is one of those situations. It sort of pushed me into making a decision to move on and try something different."

Gerrard also opened up about his infamous slip against Chelsea in 2013-14, which many have said cost Liverpool their first Premier League title in 24 years.

With the Reds within touching distance of the Premier League title, Demba Ba capitalised on Gerrard's mistake as Jose Mourinho's side recorded a 2-0 victory that sparked a remarkable Liverpool collapse, with Manchester City going on to win the league.

"The slip happened at a bad time, it was cruel for me personally," Gerrard added. "There's not a day that doesn't go by that I don't think about what if that didn't happen.

"Would things have been different? Would it have turned out different? Maybe it might have, I don't know."

 

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What does the summer hold for... Jack Wilshere?

It would be tempting to think of this as a crucial summer for Jack Wilshere if he hadn’t already managed to somehow walk the tightrope between superstardom and mediocrity for the best part of three years. The only difference now is that, for the first time, the possibility of leaving Arsenal is on the table.

Wilshere is on Manchester City’s radar as they look to inject some youthful, home-grown talent into their grand rebuilding project, and the recent trajectory of his Gunners career means the question of whether both player and club would be better off with a parting of the ways is at least worthy of consideration.

In reality, the cards are stacked against a transfer this summer. Arsenal insist their most prized academy graduate is not for sale, Wilshere’s bond with the club he joined at the age of nine remains strong and in Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne, City have more pressing midfield targets.

Yet even as he dismissed the speculation ahead of last month’s FA Cup final, there was a sense of exasperation with Wilshere in manager Arsene Wenger’s words. "We have always extended his contract and we have been very patient with all his injuries," he told reporters.

"At some stage I think he must feel wanted. We always stood by him through every difficult moment. Does that mean we want him to stay here for a longer period? Yes, as we would like to benefit from his talent now."

The sad truth is that Arsenal have benefited from Wilshere’s immense talent only fitfully since his explosion into the first team as a fearless 18-year-old in 2010-11 – a campaign that saw him make an astonishing 54 appearances for club and country, as well as hold his own while going touch for silky touch with all-time greats Xavi and Andres Iniesta over two breathless Champions League games against Barcelona.

Injuries have slowed to a crawl a career that began at breakneck speed. The entirety of 2011-12 was lost to persistent ankle problems and Wilshere has missed at least 20 Arsenal matches in each of the last three seasons. Last term the man once anointed Cesc Fabregas’ heir to the Gunners midfield started just 15 of his club’s 56 games.

Wilshere’s frequent absences forced Wenger to look elsewhere for solutions. Aaron Ramsey long ago surpassed the Englishman as the outstanding member of Arsenal’s home-grown core, while Santi Cazorla last season established himself as the scampering deep-lying playmaker of choice at the Emirates Stadium.

Atletico Madrid are determined suitors of Cazorla, who enters the final year of his Arsenal contract this summer and is yet to agree an extension. The Spaniard insists he is happy in north London and, at 30, shows no sign of decline, but Wenger will be keenly aware that keeping him at the base of the Gunners midfield beyond 2016 could seriously jeopardise Wilshere’s development.

It is no easy choice. Arsenal’s return to relevance in the transfer market has raised already high expectations at the Emirates Stadium and Wenger is once again tasked with winning now rather than later. He would love to build his midfield around Wilshere, but the 23-year-old has proven too fragile to make that move anything other than a very risky one.

There are also lingering questions about Wilshere’s professionalism, even if the fallout from his foul-mouthed anti-Tottenham chanting at Arsenal’s FA Cup victory parade was overblown. Recurring smoking controversies are an unnecessary distraction for a developing footballer and, fair or not, there are some who even believe that fame and fortune may have dulled his desire.

Such perceptions are there to be shattered, and Wilshere still has plenty of time to prove the doubters wrong. He wants to regain his status as Arsenal’s golden boy and earn a new contract at least on par with the £100,000-a-week deal handed to Ramsey in March 2014. Both will come with fitness and a continuation of the kind of form that yielded an all-action display and two spectacular goals for England against Slovenia in Ljubljana last month.

Wenger believes Wilshere may need "one or two years without problems" to fully trust his body again. A healthy summer and pre-season would be a good start.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Casillas deserves respect, insists Campo

Former Real Madrid defender Ivan Campo has called for respect for Iker Casillas amid ongoing rumours that the iconic goalkeeper could leave the club.

The 34-year-old is no longer the Santiago Bernabeu side's undisputed first-choice shot stopper, with Madrid keen to bring in David de Gea from Manchester United, while Keylor Navas also remains a strong candidate for the No.1 position.

"Too much stuff has been said about Casillas," Campo told Goal. "We have to respect Casillas. It does not matter whether Keylor stays, if De Gea comes or whether Iker stays here."What matters most is to show Iker the respect he deserves and then we will see what he decides. He still has an ongoing contract.

"Iker has enough respect to decide what he has to do."Campo then went on to discuss the appointment of Rafa Benitez as the new man in charge at Madrid following Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal.

"Expectations were not met last season and the coach was fired. There is a new coach and a new project now and we will see what happens," he continued.

"The problem at Madrid is that the coach is responsible if the club does not win anything. Ancelotti remains a great coach, but this is the way things go at Madrid.
"Rafa is a Madrid man. He has been at the club many years and we hope he can help Madrid win titles again."The former centre-back also had his say on the ongoing battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is not that Messi has won the battle against Ronaldo," Campo added.
"When Barcelona win trophies, it is only logical Messi has been great and had a good season. Had it been the other way around, we would be talking about Ronaldo."

 

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Mourinho loves taking credit for everything - Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has taken a swipe at rival boss Jose Mourinho, saying the Chelsea coach takes credit for “everything”.

The Portuguese guided the Blues to Premier League glory last season, finishing eight points ahead of defending champions City in second place.

But Pellegrini believes the manner in which the two coaches celebrated their respective title wins highlights key differences in their characters, with the Chilean intimating that Mourinho took the limelight away from his players.

“When he wins, Mourinho wants to take credit for everything. I never do that,” Pellegrini told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio. “When I won the Premier League, I didn’t say a word."

The two managers have endured a fractious relationship ever since Mourinho replaced Pellegrini at Real Madrid, though the City boss insists he does not hold a grudge against his Chelsea counterpart.

“I don’t have any problem with Mourinho,” he continued. “He’s not my enemy and there isn’t any conflict - but I differ from him on all fronts. I have no interest in analysing him as a person.”

 

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Arda Turan wants Premier League move - agent

Arda Turan intends to leave Atletico Madrid and wants to move to the Premier League, according to the Turkish star’s agent.

The 28-year-old joined Atleti from Galatasaray in 2011, and has since won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League in his time at Vicente Calderon, whilst also helping the club reach the Champions League final in 2014.

However, Arda’s representative Ahmet Bulut has now revealed that his client is keen on a move to England this summer, with three teams already in negotiations over a possible move.

Bulut, though, says there is little chance of Arda moving to a club that does not play in the Champions League, given his release clause of €41 million.

"He intends to leave Spain this summer. It is his will to go out to play in the Premiership, that is where he would like to continue his career at this time," Bulut told AS.

"His departure from Atletico is not easy because he has a clause of €41m. There are ongoing talks with three teams at the moment. I cannot say their names, but they are the best of England and European football."

Bulut has confirmed claims that PSG are interested in signing his client, but he maintains that Arda would prefer a move to the Premier League amid links with Manchester United and Liverpool

"Yes, it's true, Milan and PSG are two of the six teams that are interested in him. But the Italian team does not go into our options because it does not play the Champions League,” he added.

“PSG is a possibility, but he has always had a burning desire to prove himself in England.”

 

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Arda Turan patta​

 

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Dortmund open to new Gundogan talks

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has hinted that the club are ready to re-open talks with Ilkay Gundogan over a contract renewal.

The Germany international told BVB that he does not want to renew his current deal this year - which is due to expire in 12 months' time - and is looking to leave the club this summer.Gundogan has since been linked with clubs such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but Dortmund have not received any formal offers as of yet.

A number of reports therefore suggest Gundogan is having second thoughts about his decision to leave and could decide to stay put after all - and potentially even sign a new deal.

"I am always in touch with Ilkay and his family," Zorc told Bild when asked about Gundogan's situation."I can only say that they have always behaved very well toward Dortmund."

The 24-year-old has made over 100 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund since joining them from Nurnberg in 2011.

 

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Redknapp: Tottenham must sign a striker to ease burden on Kane

Tottenham must sign a striker this summer to ease the weight of expectation on Harry Kane, according to former manager Harry Redknapp.

Kane shot to prominence last season with 21 goals in the Premier League, spearheading Mauricio Pochettino's attack as Spurs finished fifth.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado, meanwhile, endured frustrating campaigns for the club - scoring three league goals between them - and Redknapp feels Pochettino needs to bolster his forward line.

"The right thing is to build the team around Kane," Redknapp told the Evening Standard. "It would help him to be the leader, too.

"But obviously, they need another striker. They simply can't rely on Harry alone and Roberto Soldado hasn't really done it in his time at the club.

"You can't put it all on Kane. You need someone else to get more than 20 goals as well. Then they could make the top four.

"They are short. They need a shake-up. They need to recruit three or four more top players this summer. Then they can think about possibly qualifying for the Champions League."

Spurs have already signed defenders Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier thus far this summer.