..::Football IV::..

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Oscar: Conte has given me confidence

Oscar has hailed Chelsea manager Antonio Conte for boosting his confidence after last season's disastrous Premier League title defence.

Chelsea have started the new campaign with three wins out of three under Conte, beating Burnley 3-0 in their last game before the international break.

Oscar is thriving in a central midfield role and the Brazil international explained he prefers his current position to being played on the wing or in the hole behind a striker."[Conte] is giving me a lot of confidence and I'm doing very well," Oscar said. "Hopefully I can continue to do so.

"In the last few seasons I have played as a 10 or as a winger. Now I'm going back to my original position of number eight, attacking and defending from box to box, which is my original role and the one I like the most."It's been a very successful time for me here at Chelsea. I won a lot in the last few seasons - the Premier League, League Cup and the Europa League.

"Only last season wasn't great, not only individually, but as a team. Hopefully this season we will win trophies and get back to a winning mentality.

"The objective is not only to finish in the top four, but to fight for the league, FA Cup and League Cup because we have to win trophies."

Conte's training methods also won praise from Oscar, who has started all three Premier League games to date under the Italian."The coach has changed the formation, we are playing a different system to last season," Oscar said.

"His training method is different to what we had last season and he's changed both the players' mentality and the team's mentality. I think we have improved since he's come here."I think you can see that last season we were lacking a bit of resilience. We had that spirit in some games, but we weren't consistent.

"It's good to have that spirit back and we are looking to improve on that front. If we keep up this team spirit, we will be a threat in the Premier League."

 

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Ibrahimovic: I miss my last salary from PSG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says the only thing he misses from Paris Saint-Germain is his last salary from the club.

The Swedish striker left the French giants at the end of last season when his contract expired, joining Manchester United ahead of the current campaign.

Over his four years with the capital club, Ibrahimovic won four Ligue 1 titles and set various records, including becoming their all-time top goalscorer and netting the French top flight's fastest hat-trick.But when asked about what he misses of Paris and PSG, Ibrahimovic did not take long to make a complaint.

"I miss my last salary from Paris," he told SFR Sport. "That is what I miss."The 34-year-old was then queried on his thoughts on PSG's prospects this season, about which he had some advice.

"The team is very strong, they bought some good players and the philosophy is the same - win everything and push for the Champions League. "But if you could snap your fingers and win the Champions League, everyone would win it.

"That's not the way it works. You need to work hard, take time and have patience, then things come by themselves."That's another problem, and it's not my problem. I have my own problems."

 

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Messi has Barcelona contract for life - Bartomeu

Lionel Messi has a Barcelona contract "for life", but it is up to the attacker how long he stays at the club, president Josep Maria Bartomeu has indicated.Contract negotiations are set to be opened with the 29-year-old in the near future, with Messi's current deal set to expire in June 2018.

Bartomeu is understandably keen to tie Barca's star man down to a longer deal, but he conceded the ball will be in Messi's court."[Messi] has all the years he wants [with Barcelona]," Bartomeu told ESPN FC."Lionel Messi is the best ever to play football in the history of the world and he plays with us.

"We are very happy, he is very important for the club, he's very important for the fans, he's very important for football itself."And Lionel Messi in the next coming months of course we are going to talk with him because he knows, he already knows that he has a contract for ever. There is not a limit with him.

"The limit will be decided by him and right now he is 29 years old, he is talented, he is ambitious, and he's in perfect shape to continue for many more years."For now, we think we will do it in the next coming months, but Leo Messi will continue in Barcelona, of course."

 

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Ibrahimovic: Mourinho and I are both winners

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he and Jose Mourinho share a winning mentality which will bring success to Manchester United.The pair won the Serie A title together at Inter in 2008-09 before Ibrahimovic joined Barcelona.

Ibrahimovic, 34, has enjoyed a bright start since reuniting with Mourinho at Manchester United, having scored three goals in his first three games in the Premier League.And the striker was full of praise for the coach as they prepare to take on their mutual foe, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, on Saturday.

"I knew this coach from before. I know what he wants and what he demands," Ibrahimovic told BBC's Football Focus."He is a winner and so am I. I will do everything to win and he thinks the same.

"He won, I won, we won when we were young and we will win when we are a little bit older!"Wherever he went, he won. With Porto, he won the Champions League, nobody expected that.

"In a short time, he has a lot of success. You have coaches that build up and the club has a lot of patience."The Swede is also a fan of the Portuguese's honesty, another similarity he says they share.

"He is very direct with everyone. He does not go behind your back, he will tell you," he added. "If you're not good enough, you're not good enough."He does what he needs to do to win, and he will make sure he wins. Just like me, I don't accept to lose."

 

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Douglas Costa: Brazil can win 2018 World Cup

Brazil attacker Douglas Costa believes his nation have the quality to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.The South Americans last won the crown in 2002, while they were humiliated on home soil two years ago in an embarrassing 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany.

But finally winning Olympic football gold has given Brazil a boost, as have decent performances that see them sit second in CONMEBOL qualifying.Costa feels that under coach Tite, appointed in June, his team can be successful in Russia.

"I'm world champion with Brazil [in 2018]," he told Abendzeitung."We have what it takes in the team. There is a big quality with players like Neymar and [Philippe] Coutinho. The new coach is also good.

"If we find ourselves as a team, we are among the favourites."Costa, 25, missed the Rio Games due to injury, one which has delayed his start to the new season.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk star was linked with a move away from the Bundesliga champions at the start of the year, but insists he is happy in Munich."There are no reasons why I should leave Bayern," Costa said."I had a very good first season, have made my contribution to titles and I have felt very comfortable here from the beginning."Costa could make his return from injury in Bayern's clash against Schalke in the Bundesliga on Friday.

 

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Wenger: Sanchez has the potential to rival Messi and Ronaldo

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claims Alexis Sanchez has the potential to rival Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the world's greatest players.

Sanchez outlined his belief that he should be talked about in the same bracket as the Liga superstars while on international duty with Chile this week.The former Barcelona man said: "I have reached a level where I can compete with great players. I do not feel inferior to anybody.

"I liken [my qualities] to Messi and Ronaldo. I have the same abilities as them."
Wenger partially backed Sanchez's claim, although he also stressed the forward needs to improve his consistency if he is to reach their level.

He told reporters at his news conference ahead of Saturday's game with Southampton: "That's what you want him to do [have that level of ambition].
"Ronaldo and Messi have been doing it for years so the consistency of their performance speaks for them.

"I hope Alexis can do that. He's ambitious, he's a guy who wants to win every single match, so it's good to have that kind of ambition to be the best.
"He has the potential and the ability, it's just up to him to show that."

 

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Fellaini pledges to repay Mourinho faith

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has pledged to repay the faith Jose Mourinho has shown in him at the start of the new Premier League campaign.

Fellaini had been tipped to leave Old Trafford following the Portuguese's appointment, but he has since started his side's first three league games, even after the signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record transfer fee.

And the Belgium international has said that while he featured heavily under Mourinho's predecessor Louis van Gaal, he appreciates the former Chelsea boss playing him in his favoured defensive midfield role.

"Louis van Gaal trusted me, I played a lot of games," Fellaini told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's blockbuster derby against Manchester City. "This season, though, I'm playing in my position and I feel the trust of the manager.

"He has given me confidence and I will give everything. [Mourinho's faith] has had a big impact on me because when someone trusts you 200 per cent you have to repay that. The manager knows my qualities, he knows what I can do."He spoke to me on the first day when I arrived back from holiday and I have worked hard like I do every time.

"I don't need to explain myself, all the managers I've had know my quality. I'm here today and I'm trying hard like I always do to give my best on the pitch."Fellaini is looking forward to the special atmosphere of a derby on home soil, although he is expecting Pep Guardiola's City to put up a strong challenge.

"Everyone wants to play these games," Fellaini said. "It's a big game, a derby and everyone in the world will watch this game so it is an important game for both teams."When you play against Liverpool and City the tension is there but I think it is very big this season because there are new managers and players.

"A lot of players have come to this country this season, as too have a lot of great managers so this season it's special."There will be a lot of challenges, the crowd will be behind us so it will be a good game."

 

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Manchester derby is Rooney's last chance to prove star quality

"Remember the name – Wayne Rooney!" Those were the words of ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley on the day when the aforementioned Rooney netted the first league goal of an illustrious career with a stunning late winner for Everton against Arsenal. Fourteen years on and the England captain continues to dominate the news agenda, though for very different reasons.

Despite having broken Sir Bobby Charlton's international scoring record and being within touching distance of repeating the feat for Manchester United, Rooney's place in both teams continues to be questioned on an almost-weekly basis. His ever-increasing age coupled with diminishing ability means that he is no longer the talisman that he was half a decade ago.

That is not to say that he does not still have a role to play for both club and country - and his leadership skills have improved immeasurably since being handed the captaincy of both teams he represents. Ahead of Saturday's much-anticipated derby with Manchester City, however, his suitability to play in a central position in the biggest games is the most pertinent question regarding his future.

Sticking to the vow that he made during his unveiling, Jose Mourinho has deployed Rooney as a No.10 behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic for United's first three matches of the campaign. His impressive midfield displays under Louis van Gaal towards the back end of last season suggested that a deeper role was to be the captain's best but Mourinho's belief that a striker never loses his scoring touch meant that he was not about to entertain such an idea.

Instead he has seen Rooney prove his worth with a goal in the victory over Bournemouth and assists in the wins against both Southampton and Hull City. The second of those at the KCOM Stadium harked back to the old Rooney as he showed Ahmed Elmohamady a clean set of heels before laying the ball on a plate for Marcus Rashford in the six-yard box. But moments such as those on Humberside have become few and far between where the 30-year-old is concerned.

There is no doubt that Rooney will be starting come lunchtime on Saturday at Old Trafford, with the main selection debates elsewhere in the forward line and behind him in central midfield. But with Pep Guardiola looking to play a compact defensive game and Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata all likely to be playing in the same area should the game lack the openness of a normal Premier League match, there is a danger that Rooney could find himself crowded out and without the time or the space to pick the passes that could provide others with opportunities to find the net.

There is the possibility, of course, that Rooney could rise to the occasion and prove that all is not lost in terms of his career at the highest level. He has not lost the magic touch that he displayed as a 16-year-old when firing past David Seaman and remains the most naturally gifted footballer that England has produced in almost 20 years. But the man-of-the-moment aura has disappeared and, come the end of the weekend, his slow fade into anonymity as a footballer may well have continued.

 

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Rashford and Iheanacho can lead Manchester clubs to glory - Cole

Marcus Rashford and Kelechi Iheanacho can lead their Manchester clubs to glory over the coming years, according to former Manchester United striker Andy Cole.

The pair have forced their way into the first team at their respective sides, with Rashford having scored six Premier League goals for United and Iheanacho netting eight for Manchester City, and could face off in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.And Cole believes both young forwards have enough quality to embark on excellent careers over the coming years.

“I’d like to see the pair of them spearheading Manchester United and Manchester City – in their respective ways – in years to come," said Andy Cole, speaking exclusively to 888Sport. "The pair have massive futures.

"They’re both young players starting out in their careers. Though they are different types of players they have both forced their way into their teams by scoring goals.
"I’m sitting here as a Manchester United fan thinking what a fantastic future Rashford has and with Iheanacho he has taken his opportunity with both hands.

"Will Rashford become a Manchester United great? We’re all hoping that he can be. He’s had a great start to his career. He’s been brilliant and I’m hoping he has enough games this season to show everyone how good he is. He has all the qualities for the big time and, like myself, he nicks a goal.”

Speaking ahead of this weekend's derby affair, Cole insists the unpredictability of the Premier League makes it impossible to split the two sides and make a call on the league winners at this stage.

“If I knew who would do best in the next three years then I’d head straight to the bookmakers," Cole added. "The way they have both started the season it’s tempting to think that one of them will win it. But then when you look at how Chelsea have started as well."The Premier League is so topsy-turvy now and whoever puts a run together and plays as a team then anything is possible. Leicester showed that.”

The arrival of Jose Mourinho in the summer certainly makes United contenders, though, according to Cole, who has likened the Portuguese to club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Mourinho and Guardiola are both very good managers and both achieved so much but Jose has the same great aura about him as Sir Alex," Cole added. "When you look at what he’s done in the game – going to Italy and Spain and doing it out there - and now he’s trying to emulate his phenomenal record in England.“I’m hoping the good times are returning and you can certainly see a swagger. All the players are talking about what he (Mourinho) wants to win.

"The few games we’ve had so far you can see the fear factor returning and that’s what Manchester United is all about. These past few years teams have gone to Old Trafford believing they can win.

"When you played under Sir Alex Ferguson teams would just hope they wouldn’t get beat by five. Mourinho is bringing that back now and they’re starting to look like the old United.”

 

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Wenger eyes Arsenal future for 'world-class' Wilshere

Arsene Wenger sees Jack Wilshere's long-term future at Arsenal and insists the midfielder has nothing to prove to him but his fitness.Wilshere secured a season-long loan move to Bournemouth on transfer deadline day as he seeks to rebuild from two seasons decimated by injury problems.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match versus Southampton, Wenger played down the notion of a rift between himself and the 24-year-old, who he credited with having “world-class ability”.

"We had a chat together. He himself was concerned that he would not get enough competitive football early enough because he feels ready to play," Wenger explained.

"I could not guarantee that so that's why it's a decision we thought would be logical, for him to come back to a competitive level."At some stage you need competition and I couldn't guarantee him that."The challenge for Jack is to play the games. He wanted games and I felt it was a logical decision.

"You cannot be out for two seasons and then want to be at the top level. It is important for him that he gets games."I hope personally that he stays his whole career here. He is a world-class player. He doesn't have to show me his quality."

Wenger also welcomed suggestions that Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will deploy Wilshere in an attacking role, starting with Saturday's home match against West Brom.

"Personally it's where I prefer him," he said. "I think Jack Wilshere is a world-class player, has a great football brain and understands everything that's going on on a football pitch.

"He's most dangerous when you give him the ball in the final third. For me, it was always a shame that he played too deep. I like him closer to the goal because he can create."

There will be extra intrigue over Howe's use of Wilshere in light of rumours he is in the frame to be Wenger's long-term successor at Arsenal, but the Frenchman sought to play down speculation.

"Yes but, you know, honestly I don’t know who will take my job one day; I don't know who will take your job one day," the Frenchman replied to a question on the subject.

"These are questions that are impossible to answer"I will do my best as long as I am here and I wish the best to the guy that comes after me."

 

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Pogba is no Keane or Scholes, says former Man Utd striker Cole

Paul Pogba has not yet reached the level at which Roy Keane or Paul Scholes consistently performed for Manchester United, according to former striker Andy Cole.

Pogba became the world's most expensive player when he completed his return to Old Trafford in the summer, four years after departing for Juventus, signing in a deal believed to be worth around £89 million.However, Cole believes that the France international has some way to go to match the 'phenomenal' pair he played with for six years at United.

“Roy and Scholesy, well I’m very biased because I played with the pair of them.Pogba has the ability to become a fantastic player," said Cole, speaking exclusively to 888Sport. "But will he surpass them two? I’ll tell you what, if he does then he’ll turn out to be some player. Those two were absolutely phenomenal.

“I’m very biased. The ’99 team was a very good team and what we achieved means a lot of people love that team and want to see Manchester United play like that team.”

Alongside Pogba, United also completed a deal to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the club following long-lasting interest and Cole is excited to see what the Swede can achieve under Jose Mourinho this season.

“I’ve been excited from top to bottom and I’m one of his biggest fans," Cole added. "What he has achieved in his career is phenomenal and he’s started very, very well."Even though I’m not judging him on a few games it looks like he’s had a massive impact so far. He is a big personality which in England can be a problem but it’s crazy because everyone is lapping up what he’s saying.

“If you can’t learn off someone like Zlatan then you can’t learn off anybody. He has won the title in every country he’s played in and if he does the same in England that would be phenomenal. He has been a super player throughout his career,”
The arrival of Ibrahimovic sparked debate regarding the future of Wayne Rooney, who has regularly been deployed in a deeper role for club and country, though Cole believes the United captain has a big part to play under Mourinho.

“He is going to play a massive role because it’s Wayne Rooney. People have questioned his position for England but that’s England, man. Of course he’s going to play a big part but there is competition for places now which is always a key thing for Manchester United.”

 

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Arsenal are men primed for title - Wenger

Manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful his Arsenal squad have matured into a title-winning force.

Wenger last lifted the Premier League trophy in 2004, with dazzling performances undermined by untimely slumps in form over the subsequent decade of near and not-so-near misses.

But the long-serving manager believes his current squad, bolstered by the purchases of Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi and Spanish striker Lucas Perez before the transfer window closed, now have the steel to match their style after amassing years of top-level experience.

"It's the most mature squad I've had for a long time because we are men," he told a news conference ahead of Saturday's home match against Southampton, where Arsenal will seek to improve on four points from their first three games of the season.

"We are not 19, 20. The players are 24, 27, 28 and the whole squad is quite mature."It is the first time for a long time we have had a team of what you call men, ready to compete.

"We have to show we are good enough to beat everybody else."I always believed we had a chance [to win the title], even when we had young players, but certainly we have got the squad of players with enough experience to compete."Wenger will welcome winger Alex Iwobi back from a thigh injury, although Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) remains sidelined for his manager's reunion with Claude Puel.

Southampton boss Puel played under Wenger during the latter's time in charge of Monaco and took his combative midfield style on to the training ground at all times.

"He is a guy who has a great will to do well and has very good knowledge of the game," Wenger said. "I believe he is equipped to have a big impact in the Premier League.

"Puel was well known in training to be a good tackler, even on the morning of a cup final and even if it was the manager – no problem!"

 

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Mkhitaryan fit for Manchester derby

Jose Mourinho will have a full-strength Manchester United squad to choose from for Saturday's derby with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan fit to play.

There had been doubts around the availability of Armenia forward Mkhitaryan and England defender Luke Shaw but Mourinho has revealed both men will be in the squad.

Mkhitaryan returned from international duty with a thigh strain while Shaw left the England camp in Slovakia early after reportedly complaining of an ache in the leg he broke last season.

Mourinho told MUTV: "He [Mkhitaryan] is available. I'm not saying he's ready to play 90 minutes but he's ready to try to help us."There are no injuries and everybody has returned safely and on time for at least one training session. Everybody is ready and wants to play, of course."Both clubs have won their opening three games of the new season, making the derby clash the most eagerly-anticipated meeting of the Premier League campaign so far.

 

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Gundogan ready for City debut if needed for Manchester derby

Ilkay Gundogan says he is only "90 or 95 per cent fit" but is ready to make his Manchester City bow in the derby with Manchester United on Saturday if Pep Guardiola needs him.

Midfielder Gundogan suffered a dislocated kneecap in a training session while at Borussia Dortmund in May, consequently missing out on a place in Germany's Euro 2016 squad.

The 25-year-old believes he is approaching a return to full fitness and would be happy to play a part when the Manchester rivals face off at Old Trafford.However, Gundogan confesses it may be too soon for him to return to action in what he anticipates will be a thrilling clash.

"In football, you never know. There could be one or two injuries that crop up and you may be needed so I always try to prepare myself as though I will be playing in the next game or that I need to be available – that's my philosophy, even when I'm not 100 per cent," Gundogan told City's official website.

"I try to do my best in training and to get in shape and be prepared. Ideally, I think I'd need another week or two of full training to be at 100 per cent but sometimes in football 90 or 95 per cent is enough to do a job for half an hour or whatever is asked of you.

"This is a very special game and is one of the biggest games in the whole of Europe – everybody is looking to Manchester which is like the capital of football at the moment."The Premier League is growing year on year and with the kind of managers and players both clubs have, it is a huge game and the whole world will be watching.

"We will try to do our best and of course, to win this game would send out a message to rest of the league. If we play the way we have been doing in the last few weeks we will have a chance to do that."

 

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Guardiola wants City to attack Mourinho's United

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has pledged to take the game to Manchester United and Jose Mourinho when the old adversaries renew acquaintances at Old Trafford in Saturday's derby.

Despite both clubs still acclimatising to life under new management, City and United go into the much-anticipated fixture with 100 per cent records at the top of the Premier League.

Guardiola identified improvement from each match played by United under Mourinho at his pre-match news conference but suggested City will not deviate from the swashbuckling style that has returned nine goals in two away matches at Steaua Bucharest and Stoke City.

"I want to attack, control the game, concede a few counter attacks - but play well," Guardiola said. "We know how we are going to play tomorrow – and we know we're going to play a real good team.

"We will try and do things we do well. We played good in some moments, particularly in Bucharest and the first half against West Ham," he added, referring to a 3-1 victory last time out.

"And at Stoke I realised immediately how tough the Premier League is."With Jose it's the same. He needs time. We need time and the world won't give you time. This is how it is, now there's a game in Old Trafford "It depends on the way we play. I believe now and until the last day of my career that you have to play good to win the game.

"I saw the official games United have played and in every game they've played better than in the one before. Like us. That is normal and of course, they have a lot of talent.

"[Anthony] Martial is so fast and [Juan] Mata between the lines is so dangerous.The quality of [Wayne] Rooney; there's no doubt about [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic's quality. They're a top team, like Manchester United always is."

Shortly before Guardiola addressed reporters at the City Football Academy, Mourinho played down any notion of a feud between the pair at his own media briefing.

Although sparks intermittently flew between the pair when they were stationed at Barcelona and Real Madrid on either side of the Clasico divide, Guardiola followed suit and said he would accept any offer of a post-match glass of wine from Mourinho."I said it many times – I have a lot of respect for Jose Mourinho, I always try to learn from all of my colleagues – it's the same with him," he added."The rivalry is more from the media and we can’t control that.

"He was my coach, my assistant coach [when playing under] Sir Bobby Robson [at Barcelona]. Okay, the last period at Barcelona and Real Madrid was not easy for both of us but we met each other two, three weeks ago at the manager's Premier League meeting. "We spoke fluently with Ronald Koeman and Tony Pulis. It was correct, so that's all."

 

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Sterling named Premier League Player of the Month

Raheem Sterling has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

The Manchester City forward has excelled in his first three games under Pep Guardiola, scoring two goals while registering one assist.

And Sterling's fine exploits have led to him scooping the gong for the first time in his career ahead of Chelsea star Eden Hazard, Hull City's Curtis Davies and Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia.

The 21-year-old endured a difficult campaign for club and country last season but has since bounced back in remarkable fashion under Guardiola.

Sterling paid tribute to the Spaniard for helping him turn his form around last month, saying: "The manager's been in the game a long time, won stuff, worked with young players, worked with great players, and he knows how to get the best out of his players."He's been a massive help. Not just for me, but the other players as well, the whole team.

"It's good to have a manager that not just talks to me, but makes the whole team feel really welcome, makes everyone feel they are all one, whether you are starting or not.”Hull City caretaker boss Mike Phelan has also been named Premier League Manager of the Month for the same month.

Phelan impressively guided the Tigers to wins over Premier League champions Leicester City and Swansea City, despite having a lack of fit players at his disposal.

 

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Congratulations Sterling!​

 

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Luis Enrique: I suppose Madrid transfer bans are unfair

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique expects Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to remain formidable rivals despite the clubs having their appeals against FIFA transfer bans rejected.

Madrid and Atleti will be unable to register new players until January 2018 after world football's governing body upheld punishments for both teams breaking regulations over signing youth players.

Barca suffered a similar ban that expired this January but Luis Enrique, while offering qualified sympathy to the Madrid teams, pointed out his men remained a title-winning force during the seasons covered by their sanctions.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday's home match against Alaves, he said: "I don't remember what I said about our sanction. What did I say? It's unfair?"Well I suppose I think the same thing."But it did not stop us winning titles. Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will still have great teams. It is not a sanction against the players.

"You just have to accept it and continue to try and put together good teams."They are going to have to face it, they are going to have to do what they've got to do and hopefully we can have better results than them."Atletico were held to a 1-1 draw by Alaves on the opening day of the season and Luis Enrique warned his Barcelona players to be on their guard against a similar surprise result.

"From what I've seen I think they're going to play defensively in their own half of the field, closing up spaces," he added."We've seen a little bit of what they're going to do and we're going to focus on different things that happen in certain stages of the game."

 

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Guardiola: I respect Ibrahimovic


Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has respect for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as "one of the best players" despite their tempestuous year together at Barcelona.Guardiola moved Ibrahimovic on to AC Milan on loan after the pair failed to see eye-to-eye at Camp Nou during the treble-winning 2009-10 season.

The 34-year-old former Sweden international took his rejection to heart, if subsequently labelling Guardiola as a "spineless coward" and "not a man" is anything to go by.

Ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby, Ibrahimovic's outspoken agent Mino Raiola chimed in with criticism of his own, but Guardiola praised the striker at his pre-match news conference."I have a lot of respect for what Zlatan has done for football," he said, acknowledging Ibrahimovic's impact of four goals in as many United appearances.

"He's one of the best players and, of course, the best players impact the way they arrive in the clubs with the talent immediately."Some players have to understand the league - the best players do it quickly and he's one of the best ones."

Guardiola is looking forward to experiencing the Manchester derby first-hand having led Barca against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich versus Borussia Dortmund - two of European football's undisputed showpiece occasions.

"With Barcelona and Madrid, every derby was the most beautiful derby in the world. Every year was the best, the previous one it was not the best."Let me live this derby and after I can tell you how it can compare with Spain and Munich.

"I think that for the media on both sides, especially in Spain and here it's similar. A lot of people talking good and bad things - thousands of hours of analysis of what is going to happen."And that's nice for the people who are involved in that - the painters and the writers can live it as their jobs.

"The people around the work can talk about their books, their talents - we're fortunate to live here and experience that."I'm so, so happy to be here for the first time of my life to be here in the Premier League and we are going to try to do our best."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schalke 0-2 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski, Kimmich on target late on

Strikes from Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich helped Bayern Munich to a hard-fought 2-0 Bundesliga win over Schalke at the Veltins Arena on Friday.
The reigning champions were high on confidence heading into the encounter following their 6-0 thumping of Werder Bremen on matchday one, whereas the Gelsenkirchen side lost their opener versus Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0.

Bayern were initially unable to build on that strong display, though, as they were second-best for large parts of the game and Lewandowski missed two big chances to open the scoring when they did prise apart the Schalke defence.

The Poland international made amends for his earlier misses with 10 minutes left on the clock, though, coolly slotting home after a fine throughball from Javi Martinez to break the deadlock, before setting up Kimmich for Bayern's second late on.

Schalke had looked strong until Lewandowski's goal and came close to opening the scoring themselves when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar hit the crossbar with a powerful long-range strike in the second half, but it was all for nothing in the end as Bayern struck late to take home the three points.

Carlo Ancelotti opted to hand new signing Renato Sanches his debut, with the Portugal international taking Arturo Vidal's place in midfield alongside Xabi Alonso, before eventually making way for Kimmich after the interval.

Schalke got the first major chance of the match when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting reached Leon Goretzka with a fine cross from the left, but the midfielder was unfortunate to see his header hit Bayern defender David Alaba and the opportunity went begging.

Lewandowski should perhaps have opened the scoring for Bayern midway through the first half after some good work from Thomas Muller down the right, only to aim wide from just inside the area.

The home side were the more dangerous in the opening 45 minutes, though, and Huntelaar got another chance to break the deadlock after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer failed to hold on to Yevhen Konoplyanka's cross shortly before the break, with Alaba denying the Dutchman with a last-ditch tackle to block his attempt from the rebound.

Schalke continued to impress after the interval and Huntelaar was once more unfortunate not to score when he hit the crossbar in the 56th minute. The Dutchman took a touch before trying his luck from 25 yards out and Neuer did just enough to push the striker's powerful shot against the woodwork.

Ancelotti opted to bring on Douglas Costa for Franck Ribery at the hour mark and the Brazilian almost made an immediate impact, aiming just too high after being set up by Lewandowski.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker was then guilty of wasting a huge chance to break the deadlock with 15 minutes left on the clock, diverting his shot over the crossbar in front of an open goal after Alaba's sublime cross from the left.Lewandowski was not to be denied, however, and got his goal in the 81st minute. The striker beat the offside trap after a fine ball from Martinez and beat Ralf Fahrmann from close range to make it 1-0.

The 28-year-old then missed another chance to double Bayern's lead, before he set up Kimmich for the clincher deep into stoppage time, the Germany international finding the net after a quick break to put the match to bed.