..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Galatasaray confirm Lucas interest

Galatasaray are interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, director Levent Nazifoglu admits.Lucas, 29, has been linked with a move away from the Premier League club, with Newcastle United reportedly interested.

But the Brazil international is also wanted by Turkish giants Galatasaray, who have now confirmed their interest in acquiring his signature.

"One of the players we are interested in is Leiva, but there are other alternatives," Nazifoglu told GSTV."One of them will be up front."

Meanwhile, Nazifoglu expects attacking midfielder and Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder to stay at the club.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho not concerned if Man Utd fail to sign Pogba

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists that the club are not merely focusing on one player amid intense speculation regarding their bid for Paul Pogba.
Goal understands that Juventus have demanded €120 million for the France international, with the Italian champions eager to hold on to the former Red Devils youngster.

Mourinho has previously claimed that he is "confident" a deal can be wrapped up, but he has now claimed that the club have a number of targets, rather than focusing their energies on a sole deal.

"We set four targets for us, we got three of them and we are going to get the fourth," Mourinho told reporters, having brought in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly.

"We established the profile of four players to improve the squad, to give us more options, especially adapted to my way of thinking about football."Everybody speaks about one, but it wouldn't be a surprise for me if it is not him and it is another one because we went for profile.

"We have two more options in front of us and we are going to close one."On Pogba, the 53-year-old added: "I am not going to try to make you naive and believe that we are not trying for one player.

"You have smoke, you have fire - you used to say something like that, right? "First of all, we know the player belongs to another club, which is not a small club. It is also a big club, one with economic power to fight for their best players, to try and keep their best players.

"Apart from that, we know other clubs are also involved and for us it is not, 'are we going to win the race or lose the race?' It is not a race, it is just the market.
"When you go to the market, you have other options. You cannot focus on one, so we are in a very comfortable situation."

Mourinho and Co. are in China as they prepare for their International Champions Cup clash with Borussia Dortmund on Friday, before facing local rivals Manchester City on Monday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rakitic's agent hints at exit after questioning Barcelona's midfield buys

Ivan Rakitic's agent has cast doubt on the Croatia star's future at Barcelona with a cryptic tweet that appeared to question the Liga champions' transfer policy.Barcelona announced on Thursday that they had clinched a deal to bring in Portugal international Andre Gomes from Valencia.

The transfer will swell their midfield ranks, with Gomes joining fellow new arrival Denis Suarez alongside Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Arda Turan, Rafinha, Sergi Samper and Sergi Roberto.Rakitic has been an influential member of Luis Enrique's side on the way to back-to-back domestic doubles over the previous two seasons and he memorably opened the scoring in the 2015 Champions League final win over Juventus.

However, Rakitic's representative Miquel Sors has hinted his client should think about his options after tweeting, "Cero que es hora de irse..." on Friday, which translates as "I think it is time to go".

Sors then retweeted a post from Radio Kanal Barcelona presenter Marcal Lorente listing Barca's midfield resources and his opinion that some would have to leave.
The agent replied to this by stating he had not referred to any specific player and said Barcelona were "simply overbooking".Speaking ahead of the Andre Gomes news at a media conference on Thursday, Luis Enrique had stated the remaining priority for the club during this transfer window was to bring in a striker.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Dortmund sign Schurrle

Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of Andre Schurrle from Wolfsburg.

Schurrle, a former Chelsea player, has penned a five-year deal with Thomas Tuchel's men and joins just a day after the signing of Mario Gotze.

The World Cup winner, who has won 55 caps for Germany and scored 20 goals, has spent the majority of his career in the Bundesliga, playing for Mainz and Bayer Leverkusen before joining Chelsea, and moving to VFL Wolfsburg following his Stamford Bridge exit.

Speaking to the club's website, he said: "Borussia Dortmund is one of the top clubs in Europe with a strong and extremely exciting squad.

"I know from personal experience just how much power Dortmund has developed through the interaction with fans, and I look forrward now to be able to experience everything, not as an awestruck opponent, but as part of the club.

"In the coming years I want to celebrate success with Borussia Dortmund and I'm going to start training to convince people that it was right to sign me."

In addition to the World Cup Schurrle has also won the Premier League and the League Cup, along with the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 1-4 Borussia Dortmund: Mourinho suffers first defeat as Red Devils boss


Jose Mourinho suffered his first defeat as Manchester United manager as his side slipped to a 4-1 defeat against a classy Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup on Friday.

Dortmund, who were competing in their fifth pre-season affair compared to United's second, made their extra sharpness count as they raced into a two-goal lead in the first half in Shanghai.

Gonzalo Castro stabbed home a scrappy opener and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a penalty after Antonio Valencia handled inside the box, before new boy Ousmane Dembele scored a fine solo effort to stretch the lead after the break.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who joined United from Dortmund earlier this month, scored his first goal for the club to reduce the arrears, but Castro's classy long-range finish restored his side’s three-goal cushion.

United, who were only competing in their second friendly, lacked a sharpness in the final third that should improve as Mkhitaryan gets more game time, while Wayne Rooney and new arrival Zlatan Ibrahimovic are yet to play in pre-season.

Meanwhile, Tuchel can take plenty of encouragement from Dortmund's performance and he still has Mario Gotze - who re-signed from Bayern Munich this week - and Andre Schurrle to integrate into the team.

The opening exchanges had all the hallmarks of a friendly encounter with little action of note, before Dortmund opened the scoring in scruffy circumstances.Sam Johnstone failed to adequately deal with Aubameyang's tame free-kick and, although the goalkeeper saved Dembele's follow-up, Castro scooped home the rebound.

Jesse Lingard fluffed a one-on-one as United sought a quick response, and Dortmund went 2-0 in front when Aubameyang sent Johnstone the wrong way from 12 yards after Valencia was penalised for handball in the area.

Johnstone prevented a deft chip from Aubameyang shortly before the break, but it was 3-0 in the 57th minute when Dembele finished a fine run by leaving Marcos Rojo flat on his back and lashing into the right-hand corner from the edge of the box.United pulled a goal back when half-time substitute Marcus Rashford cleverly dummied for Juan Mata, who laid on for Mkhitaryan to tap in.

Mourinho did raise a cheer from the crowd with a classy backheel when retrieving the ball, but it was Dortmund celebrating again four minutes from time when Castro fired a 25-yard effort into the top left-hand corner to round off the win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Allardyce named new England manager

Sam Allardyce has been named England manager, the FA have confirmed.

The 61-year-old has taken over the Three Lions reins following Roy Hodgson's resignation on the back of the national team's Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland.

Allardyce fought off competition from Hull City boss Steve Bruce and United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann to take charge of the England national team.

The former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United manager has left Sunderland, who he guided to Premier League survival last season, after nine months in charge.

Allardyce has expressed his delight at being appointed manager, and admits that it is "time to deliver".

"I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football," he told the FA's official website.

"I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve. Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud.
"While my main focus will be on the senior team and getting positive results, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams at St. George’s Park – a facility I have used with my previous clubs.

"I know we have talented, committed players and it is time for us to deliver."
England face Slovakia on September 4 and Allardyce will select his first squad towards the end of August.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations & Good Luck Big Sam!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

James reveals €85m bid but vows to stay at Real Madrid

James Rodriguez has vowed to stay and fight for his place at Real Madrid, despite claiming the club have received an €85 million bid for his services.

The Colombia forward has been linked with a move away from the European champions after losing a regular place in the starting XI under Zinedine Zidane.Manchester United and Chelsea are just two of the teams reportedly interested in signing the 25-year-old, but James has no desire to leave.

He told Marca: "I will fight to earn my place. That's my dream. I will stay at Real Madrid, I will succeed here."I know that the club received an €85m bid for me, but I'm not leaving."

James joined Madrid from Monaco after impressing at the 2014 World Cup, but has seen his playing time gradually reduce and made just 26 appearances in La Liga last term.

Zidane added fuel to the transfer rumours earlier this week when he admitted James' situation, like others, was "complicated" due to the size of Madrid's squad.The Madrid coach said: "The idea with James is the same as with everyone else - he's a Real Madrid player.

"I'm not going to tell you that James is a starter. He's an important player. We'll see what happens this year, I have a big squad and it's complicated."I have to play the most competitive side I can and I'll do the same thing this season, that's my responsibility."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aubameyang excited by new Dortmund recruits after Man Utd rout

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hailed Borussia Dortmund's new recruits after Thomas Tuchel's men ran out convincing 4-1 friendly winners over Manchester United in Shanghai.

Aubameyang, who scored 39 goals across all competitions last season, scored Dortmund's second from the penalty spot as Gonzalo Castro helped himself to a brace.

But the stand-out moment came when highly rated French teenager Ousmane Dembele, a close-season recruit from Rennes, dispatched a stunning solo goal to make it 3-0 in the 57th minute.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored against the team he recently left to join United but, after seeing his club sign Germany duo Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle over the past two days, Aubameyang believes things are looking up ahead of the Bundesliga season."We feel good," he said. "We started training three weeks ago and we feel very good.

"It was a good game against Manchester United and a great feeling. The new guys are really on form."I think it's a good mix because the trainer is doing a good job to play like a team and of course we are going to enjoy good players. We have to play like a team."

Next up in the International Champions Cup for Dortmund are Manchester City in Shenzhen after Pep Guardiola's team play rivals United in Beijing on Monday."It's the next game, we will see what happens against this team," Aubameyang added. "I hope it will be good like today."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Outstanding Allardyce the 'ideal candidate' for England, says Glenn

Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn identified Sam Allardyce's capacity to help players reach their potential as a key factor in him being appointed as England manager.Allardyce was confirmed as Roy Hodgson's successor on a two-year contract by the FA on Friday.

The 61-year-old will sift through the wreckage of a dreadful Euro 2016 campaign, which ended in a humiliating last-16 defeat to Iceland amid familiar laments of Premier League stars failing to hit the heights on the international stage."Sam Allardyce is the right man for the England job," said Glenn in an FA statement.

"His excellent managerial credentials, including his ability to realise the potential of players and teams, develop a strong team ethos and embrace modern methods that enhance performance, made him the outstanding choice.

"That was underlined when we sat down to talk and we could not help but be energised by his personal perspective on England’s future and how it complemented the extensive work that we are looking to build on at St George's Park."Dan Ashworth, David Gill and I have carried out a thorough process in the last three weeks and ultimately we could not look beyond Sam as the ideal candidate."

Allardyce's first game as England boss will be in a friendly fixture against opponents yet to be decided at Wembley on September 1, with the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup beginning three days later versus Slovakia in Trnava.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Batshuayi: Conte already making me a better player at Chelsea

Michy Batshuayi is loving life under Antonio Conte following his transfer from Marseille to Chelsea and claims the Italian has already made him a better player.

The attacker joined his team-mates for pre-season on Monday after making it to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 with Belgium and he has hailed his relationship with the former Italy boss after his first week with the club."I have a perfect relationship with the coach," Batshuayi told the Chelsea website.

"I already feel like I am progressing a lot under him. I am still young, 22, and I am happy to have a great coach who will make me improve.

"Training has been very tactical and very physical, it's been on another level. It's been different to what I experienced before because you have to be 100 per cent concentrated in every session.

"It's been really, really good. Everyone in the group has made me feel at home, and everyone has helped me so much, the players and the backroom staff, too. There is a great atmosphere here."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Andre Gomes could cost Barcelona €70m

The signing of Andre Gomes from Valencia could end up costing Barcelona a staggering €70 million.

Goal understands that Los Che will receive an initial payment of €35m for the Portugal international, who helped guide his nation to glory at Euro 2016 earlier this summer.

A number of bonuses and additional fees, however, would potentially double that outlay for the Catalan club.

alencia could receive up to €20m more depending on the number of games, goals and assists Gomes manages for his new team.

Barca would also have to pay their Spanish rivals a sum if they reach the Champions League quarter-finals or finish amongst the top four in La Liga, regardless of the player's performances.

The remaining €15m hang on Luis Enrique's team winning the Champions League in the next three years, or if Andre Gomes ranks among the top 10 in the Ballon d'Or shortlist in the same period.

Valencia are practically assured of receiving around €50m in total for their ex-star, and will be celebrating alongside Barcelona if Gomes turns out to be a success at Camp Nou.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Liverpool complete move for Wijnaldum

Liverpool have completed the signing of Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum after the Netherlands international agreed a five-year deal at Anfield.

The former PSV man becomes the Reds's sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Joel Matip, Loris Karius, Sadio Mane, Ragnar Klavan and Alex Manninger.

He moves to Liverpool for a fee of £23 million, with another £2m available to the Magpies in add-ons, and will wear the No.5 shirt next season.

“I’m really excited because Liverpool is a big club with a great history and it’s always a dream to play for as big a club as Liverpool," Wijnaldum told the club's official website.

“[Jurgen Klopp seems] a great man - from the outside - because I don’t know how he works yet and I have to work with him. “[But] I always love to watch him, his passion as a trainer, I like how he enjoys the game. He gives something back to the group [with his passion] so I look forward to working with him.”

The 25-year-old scored 11 goals in 38 league games during his first season in England, although it was not enough to save Newcastle from relegation to the Championship.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lens 1-1 Arsenal: Oxlade-Chamberlain grabs a draw in Gunners pre-season debut

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted a late equaliser to help Arsenal to a 1-1 draw against Lens in their first pre-season game.

Arsene Wenger opted to field a combination of experienced first-team players, such as Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal, Francis Coquelin and Theo Walcott, with promising youngsters like Alex Iwobi, Chuba Akpom and Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

It was Akpom who got the first chance for Arsenal early on, but the attacker had his shot saved by Lens goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez.The Ligue 2 side then had a sight of goal courtesy of Abdellah Zoubir, only for the midfielder to fire just wide.

Mathias Autret then opened the scoring for the French side after tapping home from close range after some unconvincing defending from Calum Chambers.Wenger made six changes for the second half - Joel Campbell, Kieran Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain among those coming on.

Substitute goalkeeper Matt Macey showed his quality in the 64th minute with a superb save to deny Benjamin Bourigeaud.Walcott could have levelled the scoring with 15 minutes left on the clock after some good work from Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the England international had his shot tipped wide.

There would be a late equaliser after all, though, as Oxlade-Chamberlain delicately chipped the ball into the top corner after a sublime throughball from Serge Gnabry to salvage a draw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Leicester not ready for International Champions Cup – Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri expects a good game on Saturday as Leicester prepare to face Celtic in the International Champions Cup, but made it clear that his side are not yet match ready.

The subject of fitness has been a hot topic around the Foxes camp as they gear up for the challenge of the Champions League, with many having touted the ICC as the perfect opportunity for a dry run.Ranieri, however, has reined in expectations ahead of the Parkhead clash.

“I expect a very good match,” the Italian boss said. “Celtic will want to beat the champions of the Premier League but we are not ready - we will try our best, Foxes never give up.

“I don't want Celtic or Leicester to get injuries. The result isn't important, what's important is that we improve our fitness because our goal is the August 7 against Manchester United.“We'll go slow, improving our fitness and remembering how we played last season. It's important to recreate that spirit.”

Ranieri has had dealings with Scottish football before, having been linked with the Hearts job in 2005, but he hasn't ruled out the chance to manage north of the border in the future.

“There was a realistic chance to come to Scotland but it's an old story, I was very young. Maybe I have a future here, I don't know!”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rakitic dismisses Barcelona exit talk

Ivan Rakitic has dismissed suggestions he could leave Barcelona following the arrival of Andre Gomes from Valencia.

Miquel Sors, who was believed to be one of the Croatia international's representatives, fuelled speculation that Rakitic could leave Camp Nou earlier on Friday with a cryptic tweet saying "It's time to go" after Barcelona's announcement that they had reached an agreement to sign Gomes.However, Rakitic has made it clear he is focused on the 2016-17 campaign with Barcelona, stressing Sors is not his agent.

"Getting ready for the new season and really up for it," the 28-year-old tweeted alongside a picture of him in the gym."By the way, my only agent is Arturo Canales."

Rakitic joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2014 and has since developed into a key figure at the Catalans, helping them to the treble in his first season and the domestic double in 2015-16.

The former Schalke star faces competition from Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Arda Turan, Rafinha, Sergi Samper, Sergi Roberto, Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes for a place in midfield in the new season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger vows to spend 'big money' on 'right candidates'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stressed that he is ready to spend big if the right candidate becomes available.

The Emirates side secured the services of Granit Xhaka before Euro 2016 to get their transfer business underway and have since brought in promising youngsters Takumo Asano and Rob Holding to further add to their ranks.

Wenger has received his fair share of criticism for his failure to bring in a high-profile centre-back and striker, though, as their Premier League rivals have spent big.Nevertheless, the Arsenal boss has made it clear the Gunners are not done on the transfer market themselves just yet either.

"We are very active. If we find the right candidates then we will spend the big money," Wenger told the club's official website after the 1-1 friendly draw with Lens."We have already spent big. Overall we have made a big investment already but we are active.

"I wouldn't like to come out on names because if you don't get them afterwards, people ask why. We are active, very active every day and it's not over. Today we are on July 22 and the transfer market finishes on August 31. You know that a lot happens in the last week, so it's a long time to go, but we are active and we are working.

"Until now, nobody has spent more on a transfer than we have in this country. Even if [Paul] Pogba might fly from Italy to England today, I don't know..."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ranieri: Speculation is good – I'm watching Celtic players!

Claudio Ranieri has admitted to monitoring Celtic players ahead of Leicester City's clash against the Bhoys at the International Champions Cup in Glasgow.

The Foxes boss had been asked about the contract situation within the club, with several of his charges still to commit their future to the Premier League champions.

Responding jovially at first, the Italian gave the press a taste of their own medicine before turning to more serious matters.“I'm watching some Celtic players but I won't tell you who!” he began.“Speculation is good – not for us, but for you. It's important that you write something, it's important for sales.”

“The big focus is our training, we're focused on improving fitness. I think once the keeper [Kasper Schmeichel] signs the others will too.“I'm happy with my squad. There's no problem with my contract or anyone else."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Oscar reveals Chelsea's new formation under Conte

Oscar has revealed that Antonio Conte is planning to use a 4-2-4 formation for Chelsea this season.Chelsea’s new boss often utilised a 3-5-2 system during his time at Juventus and with Italy’s national team at Euro 2016.

But the Brazilian has revealed that the team have been heavily practising the new attack-minded formation during the club’s pre-season campaign.“The idea is to play 4-2-4,” said Oscar.

“We tried this every day in training - we’re getting better.“Last season, we had a lot of problems. We had a lot of injured players and we didn’t play for titles.

“Always in the past, we were playing for titles and last season we won nothing. It’s so difficult to explain last season. But everyone is now fresh for the new season.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney reveals his new No.10 position under Mourinho

Wayne Rooney admits he is keen to get to grips with his new position after being told by Jose Mourinho that he will play as a No.10 for Manchester United.

The 30-year-old was deployed in a central midfield role during the latter stages of United’s last season under Louis van Gaal and maintained that position throughout England’s Euro 2016 campaign earlier this summer.

But in his debut press conference, Mourinho was adamant that he would not consider Rooney as a midfielder option, and the England captain is relishing the prospect of another change in position.“It’s almost like a free role and I am excited to play it,” said Rooney.

“He said to me about playing No.10. That is something I’ve now got to work on and get myself in the right position to score goals. I have scored goals all through my career and I have no doubt in my goalscoring ability. Hopefully I can do that this season.

“I like to be involved in the game and I am now playing for Jose who, straight away, has no fears about players coming deep if they want to.

“It’s a different way of playing, a different manager, different ideas and if I can bring my game and qualities to this team, then I know I can create chances and score goals.”