..::Football III::..

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Zamparini: I'll sell Vazquez to AC Milan for €30 million

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has admitted he is willing to sell midfielder Franco Vazquez to AC Milan for €30 million - but warned the Rossoneri they will have to pay a premium to sign him in January.

Zamparini revealed he has already rejected a €25m offer from Milan for the Argentine, who joined Palermo in September 2011 as a replacement for Javier Pastore.

Vazquez has played every minute of his side's 12 games in Serie A so far this season and the president is not willing to sell him during the winter transfer window unless Milan make an exceptional offer.

"Milan asked me [about Vazquez]," Zamparini told Radio Due. "But the €25m they offered was not enough.

"If they offer €30m, fine, but in June. Of course, I could also sell him in January if they offer €30m plus tax, which is 22 per cent (€36.6m)."

 

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Ronaldinho: Neymar can be the greatest player in the world

Ronaldinho says Barcelona’s Brazilian star Neymar has all the necessary tools to go on and become the greatest player in the world.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Catalan side this season, scoring 13 goals in his 14 appearances - including 10 in his last seven outings.

His exquisite second goal in last weekend’s win over Villarreal even drew comparisons with Ronaldinho, who himself plied his trade at Camp Nou between 2003 and 2008.

“Neymar is a phenomenon,” the 35-year-old told FC Barcelona’s official website.

“He is the best Brazilian player in the world at the moment - it’s great to see him continue everything we have done before.

“Its nice to see a Brazilian continuing to make history.

“I think he can [be the greatest in the world]. He’s a great player, a great friend and I hope everything goes well for him.”

The world’s best player at the moment is arguably Lionel Messi, a player Ronaldinho played alongside in his formative years.

Even back then, the Brazilian adds, he knew exactly what the Argentine would be capable of in the game.

“Surprised? No I expected he would be all this,” he responded when asked if Messi’s rise had been more spectacular than he’d imagined a decade ago.

“He’s always shown a lot quality, so it’s nice to see how he does as the years go by, all the time with more years, more maturity […] that’s the nice thing about football.

“What I remember best is his first goal. He was playing alongside me, I gave him the pass, I remember it was our best moment playing together, a special moment.

“It started his professional career, so being able to play a part in the beginning of his career, for me, is something I remember with a lot of affection.”

 

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Why doesn’t he do that for me? - Brazil's Dunga on Neymar’s Barcelona wondergoal

Brazil coach Dunga has challenged Neymar to reproduce his Barcelona wondergoal for the national team.

Neymar hit two in Barca’s 3-0 victory over Villarreal on Sunday, with the second replayed around the world after the 23-year-old controlled a Luis Suarez cross, flicked the ball over a defender's head and swivelled to volley his side’s third.

And ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier with Argentina on Friday, Dunga says he wants to see more of the same when his captain returns to international duty following four-match suspension.

“I thought: why didn’t he do that for me?” Dunga joked when asked about the goal.

“It is these sorts of things that make football the beautiful game… but a goal is goal. That is the most important thing. If it’s beautiful then even better.”

Brazil sorely missed Neymar when they opened World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 defeat to Chile in Santiago last month, though they bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Venezuela.

Argentina managed just one point and failed to score a single goal after opening their qualifying campaign with a shock defeat to Ecuador before slumping to a goalless draw with Paraguay.

Their plight is made worse by the fact they will be without the injured Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi for the clash at the Monumental.

And with the Fifa Ballon d’Or on the horizon, Dunga went on to insist that he believes Neymar has had a better calendar year than favourites Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

“By numbers and statistics, Neymar is demonstrating a higher level of production. Messi has recently been injured, while Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to repeat what he did last year.

“Neymar is constantly growing at Barcelona. He has met the expectations of him without Messi.”

Neymar has hit 11 goals in 18 internationals since Dunga’s July 2014 arrival and leads the scoring charts in Spain with 11 goals in 10 Liga appearances.

 

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Herrera: I've never seen a goalkeeper like 'genius' De Gea

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says he has never seen a goalkeeper as talented as David de Gea, describing his team-mate as "a genius".

De Gea appeared to be on his way out of Old Trafford in the summer, with Real Madrid keen to lure him to the Santiago Bernabeu and Louis van Gaal leaving him out of the United team at the start of the season.

That deal eventually fell through on deadline day, though, and the Spain goalkeeper has since signed a new contract and picked up where he left off in 2014-15.

"He's a genius," Herrera told Radio Catalunya . "Purely on talent, I've never seen someone like him and we are lucky to have him.

"The talent he has, very few have it in the world and David is one of them. It’s a blessing to have him close, and hopefully it will be for a long time."

 

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Martino: Neymar is at Messi & Ronaldo's level

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino believes Brazil captain Neymar's current form has him on a par with Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions for Barca so far this season, helping his side to the top of La Liga despite Messi's absence due to a knee injury since late September.

Messi is out of Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Brazil in Buenos Aires on Thursday but Neymar will play for his country for the first time since the Copa America, having served a four-game suspension handed down for his actions in the game against Colombia at the tournament.

Martino, who coached Neymar during his first season at Camp Nou, admitted the Brazilian's recent performances put him right up there with his missing talisman.

"Neymar is at a superlative level," the 52-year-old said. "His return to the Brazil team comes at a great time.

"Every player needs time to adapt. I had to coach a very good Neymar, but what he is doing puts him at the level of the two players [Messi and Ronaldo] we considered above the rest."

 

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Pique: Stones is like Ferdinand

Barcelona star Gerard Pique has compared Everton defender John Stones to former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand.Stones has emerged as one of England's most highly-rated prospects since moving to Goodison Park from Barnsley two years ago.

The 21-year-old came close to joining Premier League champions last summer but saw his transfer request rejected by the Toffees and subsequently remained at Goodison Park.

His progress has not gone unnoticed beyond English shores either, with Pique comparing him to Ferdinand, who he played alongside during his time at Old Trafford.

“Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were the two main central defenders in England. Top-level,” he says. “Now I think John Stones is a really, really, good player. He will have a good career.

"He’s like Rio, a bit. He’s young and alongside him they probably need one who is more experienced. [Phil] Jagielka is injured. But Smalling is playing well at Manchester United.”

Pique left United for Barcelona in 2008 after failing to break up Ferdinand's partnership with Nemanja Vidic.The 28-year-old has since won every major honour at club and international level and discussed the evolution of centre-backs over the past decade.

“Now the position of the centre-back is not just about defending or being nasty or tough," he continued."It’s about knowing how to play football, control the ball, pass and be more comfortable in possession.

"And this is something that 10 years ago [in England] they didn’t understand. Rio was the first one who did it. And now there is Stones, he’s one of the new generation who understand football not just as a defender.”

“The centre-back is the first attacker, the first one who builds the attacking play,” he explains. “Then the ball goes to the midfield and the midfielders find the strikers.
"So the defenders start to generate and create the chances. It’s hard because it’s about changing everything to understand football. But it’s getting better [in England]. It’s a different philosophy.”

 

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Nolito: Luis Enrique is like a father to me

Celta forward Nolito has refused to comment on links with a move to Barcelona but admitted coach Luis Enrique is one of his "sporting fathers".

The former Barcelona B player has been the centre of constant speculation over a return to Camp Nou, where he would be reunited with the manager who brought him to prominence in the reserve side and later signed him at Celta.

Nolito has acknowledged the role Luis Enrique, a former attacking midfielder himself, played in helping to build his career.

"Luis Enrique taught me a great deal during the four years I was there. The good and the bad sides of football," he told Sportium.

"He was always upfront with me, he is one of my sporting fathers.

"He made me realise in Barca B that I could earn my living in this profession. He insisted I lose weight and take care of myself. His advice was very important to advance in my career."

Quizzed over the possibility of returning to Barcelona, however, Nolito preferred not to comment.

"I am relaxed, I have my feet on the ground," he added. "I try to stay out of it and disconnect from all the news about my future.

"Whatever happens, happens. You can never say 'I will not drink that water', but right now I am very happy in Vigo and Celta must be respected."

 

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Van Persie can escape his personal hell - Sneijder

Wesley Sneijder suspects Robin van Persie is going through "hell" after being axed by Netherlands but is convinced the striker can still cut it at the highest level.

Van Persie was stripped of the Dutch captaincy in August - just over a year after starring for Oranje at World Cup 2014 - and then dropped by coach Danny Blind for this month's friendlies with Wales and Germany.

Sneider is no stranger to dark days himself, having experienced a dramatic dip in form during his time with Inter before slowly returning to his best for Galatasaray.

As a result, the attacking midfielder is in no doubt that Van Persie, who has hit just five goals in 18 appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahce this season, can force his way back into the Netherlands squad.

"If Van Persie is on top form, he should still be part of the team, but it's not for me to determine if a team-mate is in shape or not," Sneijder told Algemeen Dagblad.

"Something like this happened to me a few years ago. In these cases, you can only do two things: throw in the towel or give your all to show that the others are wrong.

"I chose the second path and I hope that Van Persie does the same.

"But I know that when you go through a moment like this, you feel like you're in hell."

Netherlands sensationally failed to reach Euro 2016, after finishing fourth in their qualification group, behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.

 

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Anthony Martial: The only winner from the Benzema scandal


Just two months ago Anthony Martial was considered a £58 million gamble, a little-known teenager for whom Manchester United had massively overpaid. Now he is United’s first-choice forward, one of the most important players in their side and is set to become just as vital to France’s international hopes.

United might well have struggled for goals of late but Martial’s run on the left of an attacking midfield three cannot be considered anything other than a success. “He can play, in my opinion, four positions,” Louis Van Gaal told MUTV. “He can play at seven - as a right-winger, 11 - the left winger, the striker’s position and also at 10, I believe.”

It was also noticeable that after the third of three successive 0-0 draws to end October away to Crystal Palace, opposition boss Alan Pardew explained that his “Stop Martial, and you stop United” team talk had been proved right. Wherever he plays, he is the Red Devils’ danger man.

And such a quick adjustment to the Premier League had even Van Gaal admitting his surprise.

“When you are a 19-year-old you cannot expect consistency, normally you have dips so I also expect that from him,” admitted Van Gaal. “So far he has shown his talent is at a high level and he has shown he can play in our system. He has shown he wants to do that and he can do that."
But it clearly isn’t just Van Gaal and United’s fans who have been thrilled by the former Monaco man’s progress, with Didier Deschamps having called Martial up for his first four international appearances over the last couple of months. And the front man’s rise is unlikely to end there due to the current criminal charges hanging over the head of France’s star striker Karim Benzema.

The Real Madrid ace has allegedly been caught on tape discussing an apparent sex tape involving national team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, and Benzema faces charges of complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal conspiracy.

The ugly episode has left Deschamps shorn of two of his key players, with Benzema already struggling with injury while Valbuena is said to be “not psychologically ready” for the demands of international football ahead of this week’s friendlies against Germany and England. And the absence of Benzema in particular looks set to fast-track Martial to the front of the queue ahead of a vital run of games which will end with the Euro 2016 finals in France next summer.

But it clearly isn’t just Van Gaal and United’s fans who have been thrilled by the former Monaco man’s progress, with Didier Deschamps having called Martial up for his first four international appearances over the last couple of months. And the front man’s rise is unlikely to end there due to the current criminal charges hanging over the head of France’s star striker Karim Benzema.

The Real Madrid ace has allegedly been caught on tape discussing an apparent sex tape involving national team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, and Benzema faces charges of complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal conspiracy.

The ugly episode has left Deschamps shorn of two of his key players, with Benzema already struggling with injury while Valbuena is said to be “not psychologically ready” for the demands of international football ahead of this week’s friendlies against Germany and England. And the absence of Benzema in particular looks set to fast-track Martial to the front of the queue ahead of a vital run of games which will end with the Euro 2016 finals in France next summer.

 

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Ancelotti targets Premier League return but denies Liverpool talks

Carlo Ancelotti has denied holding talks with Liverpool in October, though the former Chelsea manager would like to return to the Premier League.

Ancelotti was reportedly sounded out by the Reds as a potential replacement for Brendan Rodgers before Jurgen Klopp was appointed to replace the Northern Irishman.

But the 56-year-old Italian, who is on a break after he was sacked by Real Madrid at the end of the 2014-15 season, said he did not speak with the Merseyside club.

"I would like to come back to work in England," Ancelotti told the Daily Mail.

"I love the football here, I still have a house in London, and I would like to be with a team that is competitive in England and in Europe.

"I think Liverpool are a good team. They have some really good young players - Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Christian Benteke. If they can find an experienced player like Steven Gerrard or Jamie Carragher, someone to be an example to the squad, I think they can be really competitive.

"But I did not speak with them. If I spoke with them I can say 'yes, I did', but no, I did not."
And the Italian feels that the Anfield club made a smart choice in hiring the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss.

"They made the right appointment in Klopp.

"He is a good manager. With the best managers you see their identity in their team. Klopp's Borussia Dortmund team had a very strong identity."

 

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Mourinho has lost the Chelsea dressing room & is NOT the man for PSG, says Leboeuf


Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has suggested under-pressure boss Jose Mourinho is too divisive a figure for Paris Saint-Germain, and has backed Laurent Blanc to extend his stay in the French capital.

The Portuguese coach has endured a tumultuous campaign so far, picking up just 11 points from the first 12 Premier League games and sitting in sixteenth place – though Goal understands that Chelsea have decided to stick by their beleaguered coach.

Mourinho has long been linked with a move to Paris – those rumours reigniting as the Premier League champions’ season turned sour – but Leboeuf does not believe he is as well-equipped as Blanc to deal with the egos in the PSG dressing room.

“You have to manage groups like that. We see Mourinho at Chelsea, one has the impression that he has lost the dressing and lost its leaders,” the 47-year-old, who made 206 league appearances for the Blues, told RMC Sport.

“That means, as usual, he has not been able to progress in the third year.
“But with Laurent Blanc, one has the impression that it’s getting better and better and the team believe in his project. I believe in it. You would take that instead of Blanc?

He continued: “He has kept the dressing room and that’s important because there are a number of large egos. In the last two matches against Saint-Etienne and Toulouse, they have put in the work. They can win anywhere and have a desire to win every match they play.”

PSG are unbeaten in Ligue 1 under Blanc this season, 10 points clear at the top of the table, but Leboeuf believes it is the recent Champions League clash with Real Madrid that could earn the French coach a new contract.

“I have the impression that there have been talks especially since the great match between Real and Paris [which Madrid won 1-0]. There is also the fact that [Cristiano] Ronaldo is taken for Robert Redford and came to whisper in the ear of ‘Lolo’.”

 

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Ronaldo can't be happy if he hasn't scored - Nacho

Real Madrid defender Nacho says Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be happy after a game if he fails to score, but maintains he has "complete faith" in him heading into their next game against Barcelona.

Ronaldo has scored eight goals in 11 league games this term, but has only found the net in four matches and has been criticised for his form as the Clasico clash with the European and Spanish champions approaches on November 21.

But Nacho has refused to criticise his Portuguese team-mate and expects an imminent return to form.

"We're talking about the leading goal scorer in the history of Madrid," Nacho said.

"I wouldn't just back him, I have complete faith in him. He'll score more goals for Madrid. When he doesn't score he isn't happy but his ambition is huge. He can't be happy if he hasn't scored."

Rafael Benitez has been criticised after some underwhelming performances, with his side losing 3-2 to Sevilla in their latest game.

Reports have emerged of problems and unrest in the dressing room, but Nacho maintains that the players support the coach.

"We've just lost a match and all the bad stuff is brought out," he said.

"We've lost one game and we're doing things well. The players are united with the coach. We'll go into the Clasico fine. Things get taken out of perspective by we're confident we'll have a good>

 

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Welbeck on course for February return

Arsenal expect striker Danny Welbeck to return from injury in February as he makes steady progress following knee surgery, Goal understands.

Welbeck went under the knife in September after failing to recover from a cartilage problem that has ruled him out since April.

Arsenal announced that the 24-year-old was expected to return in the New Year but England manager Roy Hodgson claimed Welbeck would not feature until March.

Welbeck is desperate to play a part in Arsenal's title challenge this season and also known he must prove his fitness to Hodgson ahead of Euro 2016.

Sources have told Goal that Welbeck is making a solid recovery and should be ready to play first-team matches for the Gunners by February.

The former Manchester United man spent four weeks in a leg brace, which was removed last month, and has been working hard on strengthening muscles at Arsenal's training ground in London Colney.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was forced to deny suggestions that he covered up the extent of Welbeck's injury after he underwent surgery immediately following the summer transfer window.

The north London club did not sign a striker in the summer and, with Theo Walcott also injured, Olivier Giroud is the only recognised centre-forward in the first-team squad.

Arsenal are suffering an injury crisis and were without 10 players due to injury in the 1-1 draw with rivals Tottenham on Sunday, with Wenger is hopeful that some players will return after the international break.

Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table, only behind Manchester City on goal difference, ahead of their next fixture away against West Brom on November 21.

 

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Juventus line up Gundogan bid amid Barcelona interest

Juventus have made Ilkay Gundogan their top transfer target, with the Serie A champions looking to lure the Borussia Dortmund midfielder to Turin in January.

The Germany international had been linked to a move away from the Bundesliga side in the summer as Barcelona and Manchester United were said to be interested, but he eventually opted to sign a new contract.

Gundogan has thrived this season under new Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel and has been a constant in the first-team.


Interest in the 25-year-old has come to the fore again as Goal has learned that Barcelona are still keeping a keen eye on him, but it is Juve who have made him their top target for January, while they are also interested in signing Ezequiel Lavezzi from Paris Saint-Germain.

After the loss of Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo, coupled with an early season injury to Claudio Marchisio, Juve have had a rough start to the campaign and are looking to boost their midfield in the winter.
However, Dortmund have no interest in selling the player and instead hope to extend his contract even further, and, should they reject Juve's advances, the Italian club will then look to open up discussions at the end of the season.

Gundogan is said to be happy and comfortable at Signal Iduna Park, but it remains to be seen if offers from both of last season's Champions League finalists could turn his head.

 

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Dortmund's Aubameyang out with knee injury

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed Gabon's World Cup qualifier against Mozambique after suffering bone bruising in his knee.

Initial reports suggested that the in-form 26-year-old's absence from Wednesday's match, where Gabon suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat, was a result of a muscular injury.

But Dortmund posted on their official Twitter page that Aubameyang was missing "due to a bone bruise in his knee", adding that the player did not have an ankle problem.

Aubameyang's decisive goal in Sunday's 3-2 derby victory over Schalke was his 22nd in 20 appearances this season and such sparkling form among Thomas Tuchel's forwards has restricted the first-team opportunities on offer to Adnan Januzaj.

The on-loan Manchester United youngster has made only five substitute appearances in the Bundesliga, but Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc ruled out cutting short the Belgium international's season-long stay, amid reports earlier this week that manager Louis van Gaal was ready to recall Januzaj to Old Trafford.

"That's currently not an issue," Zorc told Kicker over the prospects of an early return for the 20-year-old, who he praised for making progress "regarding physicalness and robustness".

Zorc added that the form of Tuchel's attacking players is continuing to make life difficult for the likes of Januzaj.

"We are having an extraordinary season and the others do an incredible job," he said. "There is no reason to bench them."

 

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Mata: I take no pleasure from Mourinho losing

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata insists that he takes no pleasure in seeing his old manager, Jose Mourinho, losing games at Chelsea, saying that he holds special memories from his time at Stamford Bridge.

Mata was a popular player at Chelsea but fell out of favour when Mourinho returned to the club in 2013 and moved to United following a lack of opportunities in January 2014.

But, speaking to Goal at Spain's training base in Madrid, he explained that he has no ill feeling towards the Portuguese, whose team sit just three points above the relegation zone.

"No, I'm not that kind of person," said Mata. "I'm a person who doesn't think bad about other people or feel happy when other people don't get results. I'm just happy because of what I'm living, because my life is good, I'm happy where I am and nothing else.

"I don't like to think about others losing or not performing well. No, no - I'm not that kind of person."

Mata won the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League during his time at Chelsea and looks back fondly upon his two-and-a-half-year spell in west London.

"I always said I was very grateful for Chelsea," he said. "I spent an amazing time of my career there, we won a lot of trophies, and I think I became a better player. I have great friends in the club and I always wish the best for them."

And at Old Trafford, Mata admits that he has "the confidence of [his] manager" - which he was lacking in his final few months at Chelsea.

The Spaniard continued: "I think the key is to feel the confidence of your manager and the confidence of your team-mates and to feel important. Everyone wants to feel important wherever they are and right now I feel I am a very important player within the club.

"I am happy with the fans, with the club, with everyone. I'm enjoying the moment and I think that helps you to play better football and to perform better.

"The truth is that, after five seasons, I feel important and I feel valued - by my team-mates but also by the league and by the fans in general. There is a certain respect from the players and, in my case, after several years of doing things more or less well, I feel the respect of the people. That makes me proud."
Mata is adamant that he has no intention of leaving United to return to Spain or anywhere else at this stage.

"At the moment I am very comfortable in England," he said. "Obviously, Spain is my home and I have everything here - family, friends - but I'm very happy in England, with the way of life we have and with English football. I would recommend any player to go and spend at least a year in England so, in the short term, I'm not thinking about going back, just about enjoying my time with Manchester United to the full."

The 27-year-old started his career in the youth team at Real Madrid but says that he no longer thinks about playing for the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I had some very good moments in the youth team," he recalled. "I matured a lot as a person because I was there from 15 to 19. They helped me a lot to grow as a player. And as with Chelsea, I am very grateful, but I haven't thought about returning to Spain. Not to Madrid, nor to the Spanish league."

Instead, the World Cup winner and European champion with Spain is focused on success with his current club as he aims to take United back to the very top.

"At Manchester United we are returning to a situation where we need to be: fighting for titles," he said. When I was little I always remember Manchester United celebrating titles, winning and fighting for them all - and we want to restore the team to that level.

"I'm in a very good moment. I feel like an important player, I have a good relationship with the manager, with my team-mates, I'm enjoying what it means to play for Manchester United.

"I'm performing well and back in the national team, so I can't complain - I'm very happy -but I can play better and hopefully the best years of my career are still to come."

 

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Ribery nearing Bayern Munich comeback

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is hopeful he can soon make his comeback from injury after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The former France international picked up an ankle injury in his side's 7-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in March and has not played since.

Ribery has now resumed individual training and is slowly edging closer to his long-awaited return.

I am already doing much better. I am obviously not 100 per cent just yet, but I am working hard each day," the 32-year-old told the official Bayern website.

"The past few months have been the most difficult time of my career.

"I am making steps forward and hope I can continue like this. I do not know yet when I can resume squad training, but I hope soon, as soon as possible.
"Morale is good right now, I am very satisfied with how things are going."

Holger Badstuber, another long-term injury absentee, made his comeback in the 4-0 win over Stuttgart on Saturday and Ribery hopes he can soon follow in the defender's footsteps.

"Holger's comeback was a great moment. I miss that feeling.

"I have to train well and hope to be back in the Allianz Arena as soon as possible. I want to have fun with the fans again."

 

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Mata: Rooney told me England will beat Spain


Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has received a warning from team-mate Wayne Rooney ahead of Spain's friendly against England on Friday: "We will beat you".

With both holders Spain and Roy Hodgson's side having qualified for next year's European Championship in France, the two teams begin their preparations for the finals in Alicante and Mata says England are taking the game very seriously - even if Rooney is set to start on the bench.

Speaking to Goal at Spain's training base in Madrid, the midfielder said: "I have had some contact with my team-mates, especially on WhatsApp. Wayne Rooney was telling me that they were going to beat us and that they are ready to play against Spain.

"They were watching some videos about us, about how we play, who could play, and I think they are very keen on playing the game and beating us. So obviously we have to be ready for that."
Mata, who has played his club football in England for the past five seasons with Chelsea and now Manchester United, sees the Three Lions as potential winners of Euro 2016.

"I think they have a great squad," he said. "They have a good manager and they are ready to fight against anyone. And I seriously believe they can win the next Euros and that they can be fighting for the title because I think they have a lot of qualities in their team."

Mata was left out in the cold at international level by coach Vicente del Bosque after Spain's disastrous World Cup campaign in 2014 and only returned to the fold in August of this year. He was later given the honour of captaining La Roja in the game against Ukraine last month.

"I'm very happy to be here with the national team," he said. "I receive every call-up with a lot of excitement. To wear the captain's armband is a dream for any Spanish player. I'm very proud. And I'm very much keen to keep performing well this year in order to be on that final list for Euro 2016. That would be a great reward for me."
And asked if he has spoken in depth to Del Bosque since his return to the set-up, he said: "No. Only about how I am doing currently and the moment each one of us is experiencing at our clubs...

"I'm happy to be here and to keep coming here. The season when I wasn't here was difficult for me because you always want to be in the squad.

"But I never had any doubt, I have always had a lot of confidence in myself. I knew that this moment would come and that I would be back with the national team, where I have been for so many years."

Mata says Spain's players have not spoken about the forthcoming Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona and insists they are focused on England and next week's friendly against Belgium.

"The Clasico? No, we haven't spoken about it," he insisted. "That's more for the press and for the fans, I think. We have watched videos of England, and that's what interests us. It's our next match, and then against Belgium.
"It's a good sign that we are playing two friendlies because that means we have had a good qualifying campaign and haven't needed to go to the play-offs."

Spain won Euro 2008 and defended their title, with Mata in the squad, in 2012. And despite something of a changing of the guard with players like Xavi and Xabi Alonso no longer around, the midfielder believes the new-look team can challenge for major prizes once again.

"It seems to me that there is a generational change which is logical and normal," he said. "There are players who were at the World Cup in Brazil who are no longer here, either because of their age or because the coach is no longer considering them. And younger players are coming here instead.

"But this team still has a very high competitive level to fight for titles. The demands are very high, especially because of what we have achieved in these last six to eight years, but the excitement and the desire remains the same. There is also plenty of talent for us to be competitive."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque wants to 'smooth out' Costa

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque still has faith in Diego Costa - but called on the volatile Chelsea striker to "smooth out his character".

Costa is in line to make his international return against England on the back of a six-match scoreless run at club level for the misfiring Premier League champions.

The 27-year-old was suspended for Spain's Euro 2016 qualifier against Luxembourg last month and as a result did not feature in Del Bosque's squad for the closing match of his country's successful campaign against Ukraine three days later.

The Brazilian-born forward has endured a disappointing international career for Spain, with a solitary goal from nine caps, while his domestic performances this season have arguably become more noticeable for on-field confrontations with opponents.

Nevertheless, Del Bosque insists Costa is in his squad on merit and offered sympathy for the impact of Chelsea's plight on his player's form, with Jose Mourinho's men sitting 16th in the table.

"We all know his character and we don't feel we pick him because we owe him anything," the Spain boss told reporters on Thursday.

"He was picked because we believe in him, it is a question of confidence.

"Maybe he should smooth out his character and his behaviour, but we believe in him.

"I think when a team isn't playing well it's not down to a single element and with Chelsea not playing well this season all of their elements are being affected by it."

Del Bosque refused to confirm whether it would be Iker Casillas or David de Gea starting in goal for the match in Alicante, while he conceded that Gerard Pique is once again set to face booing from his own supporters.

Pique's standing with Spain fans has fallen over recent months, during which time the Barcelona defender expressed his support for Catalan independence.

"I'd be surprised if it [the booing] had changed," Del Bosque said. "There seems to be a current nowadays which is very hard to change."

England head into the match having won all 10 of their Euro 2016 qualifiers and Del Bosque expects a tough encounter.

"They are a great team with great players so if they were a bit more organised then they would be really great," he added.

"But also they have won 10 games in the qualifiers so we know they are good."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Smalling is the best centre-back in the Premier League, says Pallister

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister feels Chris Smalling has been the best centre-back in the Premier League this season.

Smalling has been a key figure for United, with Louis van Gaal's side conceding just eight times in 12 top-flight games to sit just two points off the top going into the international break.
Pallister, who won four Premier League title during his time at Old Trafford, says the 25-year-old has developed into a "proper defender".

"If you're looking for consistency in judging the best player in the Premier League in his position so far this season, I think Chris ticks all the boxes," Pallister told Manchester United's official website.

"His performances have been exemplary. He's now a proper defender. He's more confident, he's enjoyed a good run in the team and he’s enjoyed the responsibility the manager has given him in making him captain on occasions.

"I think it's mainly down to the fact that he's been injury-free for a while; he's played a number of games now in his preferred position of centre-back and we're seeing the Smalling we saw when he first came to the club.

"We've needed that solidity at the back and he has provided that.

"He loves the defending side of the game, which is what we've needed from a centre-half, to just be aggressive, be tough, make the tackles and head the balls, dominate the penalty box. And that's what Chris is doing, coming up against these big lumps."

Smalling, 25, has made 20 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring once in the process and has not missed a minute of Premier League action in 2015-16.