..::Football IV::..

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'He's still with us' - Valverde says Neymar is happy amid PSG speculation

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde insists Neymar is happy amid growing links with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG are reportedly ready to activate Neymar's €222 million release clause but the Barcelona star put speculation to one side as he inspired Wednesday's 1-0 win over Manchester United .

Neymar made it three goals in two games at the International Champions Cup after dispossessing Antonio Valencia and scoring past David de Gea at FedEx Field.Speaking to reporters afterwards, Valverde said: "Neymar was very happy talking to some of his Manchester friends."No more news except he's still with us."

On the match itself, Valverde walked away happy after condemning United to their first defeat of the pre-season.Barca were a class above in Landover, Maryland as Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez troubled United throughout the first half.

"We are very happy to have won. We value United a lot and they are a very strong team," Valverde said."In the first half, there was a very high pace with many chances and in the second we tried to control the game."

New signing Nelson Semedo, who arrived from Portuguese champions Benfica, started at full-back and Valverde added: "Semedo is trying to adapt because it is not easy. With day to day I hope he gets it and provides more in attack."I hope he helps us but it will depend on his performance. Physically he is a very strong player who can help us."

 

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AC Milan can't afford Bayern Munich midfielder Sanches, says CEO Fassone

AC Milan CEO Marco Fassone said there are no negotiations for teenage midfielder Renato Sanches due to Bayern Munich's asking price, though they are willing to talk if the Bundesliga champions lower their demands.

Sanches has impressed during Bayern's International Champions Cup campaign but the 19-year-old Portugal international is expected to leave with Milan linked, having only made nine starts under head coach Carlo Ancelotti last season.

Milan are reportedly keen on an initial two-year loan deal with the option to buy for €40million in 2019 but Fassone revealed the Italians are being priced out of a move.

"At this moment there are no negotiations," Fassone told Sky Sport Italia. "Our rapport with [Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge is very good. We've discussed the situation a couple of times, but at this moment they have a valuation of the player that we are not prepared to match."If the situation changes in August, then we are here."

It has been a revolution at Milan during the off-season, with the club's new Chinese owners ruthlessly overhauling the squad.

Leonardo Bonucci, Lucas Biglia, Andre Silva, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mateo Musacchio, Andrea Conti, Franck Kessie and Fabio Borini have arrived.

Andrea Belotti and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have also been linked as Carlos Bacca reportedly heads for the exit door.However, Fassone denied Bacca is close to joining French side Marseille, despite being left out of Milan's squad for Thursday's Europa League qualifier against CSU Craiova.


"For the moment there are no offers," he said. "Those who have less space this season could ask to leave and we'll evaluate that."

 

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Arsenal two signings away from being serious title challengers - Seaman

Arsene Wenger requires additional "top-class players" if Arsenal are to challenge for the Premier League title this season, according to former goalkeeper David Seaman.

Wenger failed to guide the Gunners to a top-four finish last season for the first time in his 21 years of managing the club, ending the season 18 points behind eventual winners Chelsea in fifth.And, ahead of the new campaign, the Frenchman looks set to lose his star player with Alexis Sanchez closing in on a move away from north London.

Alexis has agreed terms with Manchester City following discussions with manager Pep Guardiola, but has also held talks with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Wenger is determined to hold onto the Chile international despite the forward's desire to play Champions League football, but has added Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette to soften the blow should he lose his talisman.

And though the signing of Lacazette adds another dimension to Wenger's squad, Seaman believes the Frenchman is still two elite players from being serious title contenders."Arsenal need more players – more top-class players," Seaman told Goal.

Arsenal are without a Premier League title since the 2003-04 campaign, in which they remained unbeaten across their 38 league outings. Wenger has been under increasing pressure to deliver a league trophy since and has been the focus of vitriol from sections of the Emirates fan base for the past 12 months.

Despite the protests and the fractured support, Wenger was awarded a new, two-year contract at the club following a third FA Cup in four seasons.Asked what would represent a successful season for Arsenal, and indeed Wenger, in 2017-18, Seaman said: "Winning a trophy is always a successful season. And being in the top four.

"For Arsenal to win the league, I feel they're a few players short, looking at other squads. I think they just need a couple."They’ve been there or there abouts for a long time now but never been in with a really good chance in the last few weeks of the season – so adding a couple of players might change that."

 

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Buffon: This could be my final season

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that he could retire at the end of the season.The 39-year-old is entering his 17th campaign with the Serie A champions but has said it could also be his last.

“This could be my final year and it’s really electrifying,” he admitted. “I want to try and enjoy the special aspect of things, like with all experiences. When you go to a place and think that it is the last time, you appreciate the beauty more and want to remember the emotions it brings you forever.

“It will be special as a season, but I want to make it even more formidable by performing to the best of my ability, which could help Juve repeat the achievements we’ve done in the past.”

Despite a storied career that includes eight Serie A titles and the 2006 World Cup, the Champions League trophy continues to elude the goalkeeper, who is insistent his career will not be defined by his success or failure in that competition.

“It does not give me anxiety or make me anxious,” he said. “It’s never had a negative meaning for me, and it doesn’t now.“The Champions League has always been a motivation to improve and enjoy some emotions, like facing certain players in certain stadiums.”

The former Parma shot-stopper may see World Cup 2018 as a logical stopping point for his career, by which time he will have turned 40.

 

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Bayern Munich 0 Inter 2: Perisic shines as Nerazzurri down Bundesliga champions

Ivan Perisic showed why Manchester United are so keen to take him to Old Trafford with a stunning assist and Eder scored twice as Inter defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the International Champions Cup.

United are reportedly keen on adding Perisic to Jose Mourinho's squad with the Portuguese admitting he wanted a winger to bolster his options.

And the Croatia international showcased his talent with a sensational cross that saw Eder double his tally on the half hour with the striker having opened the scoring after eight minutes in Singapore.

It was the high point of a solid display from Perisic and the overall performance will provide Inter hope that they can improve from a disappointing campaign last term in which they finished seventh, with new coach Spalletti seeing the defence expertly marshalled by Miranda and Perisic a danger in the final third.

For Bayern there is work to be done, though, with Carlo Ancelotti's side having now conceded nine goals in four games, and they were dealt a further blow when Franck Ribery had to be helped from the pitch with a foot injury in the first half.

It all looked like being so different in the opening stages as Bayern dominated possession, and their lively play saw Ribery sting the palms of Samir Handanovic having cut in from the left after six minutes.

However, against the run of play Inter took the lead as Eder pounced on Antonio Candreva's superb low cross to whistle his shot past Sven Ulreich from close range.Bayern continued to see most of the ball as Inter sat deep and their best opening fell to Kingsley Coman, who failed to keep his header down.

The Bundesliga champions lacked intensity and cutting edge, but the same could not be said for Inter as they moved 2-0 ahead thanks to Eder's second from Perisic's pinpoint delivery.

Play was then halted for a water break due to the humidity in Singapore, and that was the last of Ribery, who was caught on the foot by Milan Skriniar prior to Inter's second.

Bayern introduced Thomas Muller, Javier Martinez and Renato Sanches at the break, while Gabriel Barbosa replaced match winner Eder soon after for Inter.The fresh faces breathed new life into Bayern but they continued to lack quality in the final third, with substitute Marco Friedl blazing over after lovely work from Coman on the left.

Instead it was Inter who continued to provide more of a threat with Joao Mario and Candreva keeping Ulreich on his toes.Sanches - who has been linked with a loan move to AC Milan - finally stretched Handanovic after 71 minutes, the Portugal international curling a low effort narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Bayern's only other chance of note came via Miranda as the Inter centre-back looked to intercept a low cross, but Handanovic reacted quickly to stop the diverted effort sneaking in.

It would have been a mere consolation anyway, though, as Inter – with the help of Perisic – ensured a Milan double over Bayern following AC's 4-0 win on Saturday.

 

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Barca boss Valverde: Man Utd can win the Champions League

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde expects Manchester United to challenge for the Champions League in 2017-18.

United finished sixth in the Premier League last season but returned to UEFA's elite club competition courtesy of their victory over Ajax in the Europa League final.They have since strengthened their ranks by signing defender Victor Lindelof and striker Romelu Lukaku from Benfica and Everton respectively.

And Valverde, whose Barca side defeated United 1-0 in an International Champions Cup match in Maryland on Wednesday, believes Jose Mourinho's team can pose a threat in Europe this term.

"For me, they are contenders to win and they are going to be hard to beat in the Premier League and the Champions League," he said."Obviously it hasn't gone well for them lately, but I mean they won the Europa League.

"This year they are going to be in the Champions League. Their presence by itself is impressive. They impress. I think they are going to be a really hard team to beat.
"I wouldn't want to face them in the Champions League."

 

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CSU Craiova 0 AC Milan 1: Rodriguez off the mark in competitive debut

Ricardo Rodriguez marked his competitive AC Milan debut with what proved to be the winning goal in a 1-0 away victory over CSU Craiova in the Europa League third qualifying round first leg.

Milan have enjoyed an extremely busy transfer window as they push for a return to the Champions League and former Wolfsburg defender Rodriguez was one of four new signings to start in Romania.

Fabio Borini, Mateo Musacchio and Franck Kessie joined him in the starting XI, with Andre Silva and Andrea Conti on the bench and headline addition Leonardo Bonucci, Lucas Biglia and Hakan Calhanoglu not in the squad.

And, after a slow start by the Serie A side, it was Rodriguez who made the decisive impact shortly before half-time.The full-back has long since been a danger from set-pieces and found the net with a free-kick to give Milan an away goal.

Chances to take complete command of the tie in the second half were spurned, while Craiova - making their European debut - also had opportunities, but Milan should be very confident of completing the job at San Siro next week after Thursday's largely dominant showing.

It took Milan until the 20th minute to register a shot on target, M'Baye Niang's effort held easily by Nicolae Calancea.

And three minutes later they would have been behind had Gianluigi Donnarumma, who ended a long saga by signing a new contract this month, not produced another demonstration of his worth to keep out Ionut Mitrita's scuffed effort after the midfielder had broken through on goal.

Milan then went agonisingly close to taking the lead themselves when Patrick Cutrone struck the inside of the post from a tight angle and saw the ball roll across the face of the goal.The impressive Cutrone looped a header over the crossbar from a corner as Milan began to take control of the contest.

Rodriguez was bullied off the ball and stopped from rounding Calancea by Hrvoje Spahija, but the Switzerland international did break the deadlock in the 44th minute.Borini won a free-kick on the right flank and Rodriguez's whipped delivery found the bottom-left corner despite no Milan player getting a touch on it in the box.

Milan kept their foot on the accelerator after the break and Niang saw a pair of opportunities go begging. First the Frenchman curled over before being denied at the near post by Calancea.

Giacomo Bonaventura and Borini both failed to hit the target with speculative efforts and Craiova continued to offer a threat at the other end, Mitrita bending wide with Donnarumma stranded after a poor clearing punch from a free-kick.Cutrone could not capitalise on Calancea's inability to collect a corner as he failed to get the direction on his header.

Silva was then brought on to replace Borini and make his competitive debut, but Craiova grew in confidence going forward, with Donnarumma looking increasingly shaky in the Milan goal.

The second goal always looked more likely to come from the visitors, though, and Vincenzo Montella can be satisfied with his team's efforts as Milan marked their return to European competition after a three-season absence with a deserved win.

 

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AC Milan had talks with Diego Costa's agent, CEO confirms

AC Milan CEO Marco Fassone has confirmed the club have held talks with Chelsea striker Diego Costa's agent.

The Brazil-born Spain international is expected to leave the Premier League champions after Chelsea completed the club-record capture of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.

Antonio Conte has suggested a row with Costa in January over a proposed move to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian made up his mind about the future of the forward, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season.

Costa's former club Atletico Madrid have been mooted as his most likely destination, as Chelsea gave him permission to negotiate a deal with them, but the La Liga club are under a transfer ban until January.

Fassone has hinted big-spending Milan could step in and have already made contact with the 28-year-old's representative."I would prefer to avoid talking about players from other teams; Diego Costa is a great player, but a Chelsea player," Fassone told Sky Sports.

"We went to see [Costa's agent] Jorge Mendes; there is a lot you can talk to him about. Costa is a great player but he is of Chelsea. That's all."


Milan have already made 10 signings ahead of the new Serie A season, including the arrivals of Leonardo Bonucci and Andre Silva, but coach Vincenzo Montella is reportedly keen to add another striker to his squad, with Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang among those linked with a switch to San Siro.

 

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Spalletti unsure if Man United target Perisic will stay

Luciano Spalletti wants to keep Ivan Perisic but does not know if Inter will be able to ward off interest in the star forward.

The sought-after Croatia international produced an impressive performance in the Nerazzurri's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup, providing a superb cross for the second of Eder's two goals.

Perisic has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United after scoring 11 goals in Serie A last season as Inter failed to qualify for European competition.Spalletti recently explained that Inter allowing Perisic to leave is dependent on the club finding a replacement.

But asked again about Perisic's future, he said: "I can't say for sure whether we can keep him or not."I've known him for a long time. He's a world-class player. Whether he plays well or not [in pre-season], that will not change my mind."Our intention is to keep him if possible."

Inter's victory over Bayern improved their ICC record to two wins in as many matches after edging Lyon 1-0 on Monday.Having finished a disappointing seventh last term, Spalletti has been tasked with reinvigorating the 18-time Serie A champions after coming over from Roma and is encouraged by the pre-season signs.

"These are the kinds of challenges we want to have so we can improve ourselves," the Italian said."When you play against Bayern, you need to excel from a tactical and character standpoint."We played very well in defence and attack. In the second half we could have been a bit [more] aggressive."I'm impressed by the players. Everyone is aspiring to improve day after day."

 

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Dybala: Barcelona move depends on Juventus first

Paulo Dybala has indicated he is content to remain at Juventus amid reports of a potential switch to Barcelona, but says the decision lies with the Turin club.

The Argentina international has been touted as a possible replacement for Neymar should Paris Saint-Germain break the world transfer record to lure the Brazilian international away from Camp Nou.

The 23-year-old has impressed since joining the Bianconeri from Palermo in 2015, winning Serie A twice and helping Juve to reach the final of the Champions League last term.

It remains to be seen if the Scudetto holders can retain the forward should concrete interest from Barca materialise, but Dybala appears content to remain in Turin, at least for now."I'm happy here," he was quoted as saying by the club's website."I'm fine with Juventus, I'm going to train at my best to make it a great season.

"If an offer comes in, the club will notify me and they’ll tell me if they want to accept or not. First it depends on the club and then on me.”The 23-year-old is contracted to Juve until 2022 and scored 19 goals in 48 appearances for Massimiliano Allegri's side last season.

 

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Everton 1 Ruzomberok 0: Baines strikes on Rooney's return

Wayne Rooney's competitive return to Everton saw Ronald Koeman's men edge past Ruzomberok 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League third-round qualifying tie.

Rooney led the line as he played the full 90 minutes, but the former Manchester United captain wasted a couple of clear openings to make a dream comeback at Goodison Park on Thursday and it was left to captain Leighton Baines to score the only goal.

In a tight match, Rooney found himself dropping deep to get involved in the play, but he regularly surrendered possession as the hosts tried to break down the stubborn Slovakian side.

Ruzomberok had plenty of chances of their own to go with their impressive defensive resistance, with Maarten Stekelenburg tipping Jan Maslo's header on to the crossbar.Baines broke the deadlock midway through the second half, his drive deflecting in to hand Everton the advantage ahead of next week's second leg.

But it was a disjointed display from Koeman's side, who looked to be missing the dynamism provided up front by Romelu Lukaku after the powerful striker was sold to Manchester United for £75million.

Everton almost took the lead in farcical fashion after seven minutes when Ruzomberok captain Dominik Kruzliak sliced a wild clearance over his goalkeeper Matus Macik, who recovered to scramble the ball away.Rooney rifled over the angle after 19 minutes before Dalibor Takac clipped a shot wide in a rare Ruzomberok raid forward through a congested midfield.

Persistence on the right wing from Dominic Calvert-Lewin provided another opening for Rooney, but his first touch was sloppy and the returning forward could not get a clean shot away.A one-two with Calvert-Lewin sent Davy Klaassen through, but the debutant hit the side-netting, then a long-range Idrissa Gueye strike was straight at Macik.

Erik Daniel forced Stekelenburg into a fine save to his right after 36 minutes with a low drive before the bright Calvert-Lewin tested Macik on the stroke of half-time.

Klaassen headed Cuco Martina's cross wide as Everton built up some pressure early in the second half, with Kruzliak diverting a goal-bound Kevin Mirallas strike away from danger.

Ruzomberok continued to threaten sporadically, though, and Stekelenburg had to tip a crashing Maslo header onto the crossbar in the visitors' best chance of the match.And that save proved crucial almost immediately as Everton finally found the breakthrough after 65 minutes.

Ruzomberok failed to clear a set-piece and skipper Baines was perfectly placed to fizz home a 20-yard drive that beat Macik with the aid of a deflection off Daniel.
Macik prevented Everton from extending their lead by tipping over a Mirallas effort, keeping his side in the contest, and Everton hold a narrow lead in the tie.

But it was a disjointed display from Koeman's side, who looked to be missing the dynamism provided up front by Romelu Lukaku after the powerful striker was sold to Manchester United for £75million.

Everton almost took the lead in farcical fashion after seven minutes when Ruzomberok captain Dominik Kruzliak sliced a wild clearance over his goalkeeper Matus Macik, who recovered to scramble the ball away.Rooney rifled over the angle after 19 minutes before Dalibor Takac clipped a shot wide in a rare Ruzomberok raid forward through a congested midfield.

Persistence on the right wing from Dominic Calvert-Lewin provided another opening for Rooney, but his first touch was sloppy and the returning forward could not get a clean shot away.A one-two with Calvert-Lewin sent Davy Klaassen through, but the debutant hit the side-netting, then a long-range Idrissa Gueye strike was straight at Macik.

Erik Daniel forced Stekelenburg into a fine save to his right after 36 minutes with a low drive before the bright Calvert-Lewin tested Macik on the stroke of half-time.
Klaassen headed Cuco Martina's cross wide as Everton built up some pressure early in the second half, with Kruzliak diverting a goal-bound Kevin Mirallas strike away from danger.

Ruzomberok continued to threaten sporadically, though, and Stekelenburg had to tip a crashing Maslo header onto the crossbar in the visitors' best chance of the match.

And that save proved crucial almost immediately as Everton finally found the breakthrough after 65 minutes.Ruzomberok failed to clear a set-piece and skipper Baines was perfectly placed to fizz home a 20-yard drive that beat Macik with the aid of a deflection off Daniel.

Macik prevented Everton from extending their lead by tipping over a Mirallas effort, keeping his side in the contest, and Everton hold a narrow lead in the tie.

 

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Bayern Munich CEO warns Inter that Vidal is '100 per cent' not for sale at any price

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out the possibility of Arturo Vidal leaving the club amid reports Inter are preparing an offer.

The Nerazzurri have been linked with a €50 million move for the former Juventus midfielder as they look to improve their squad and mount a challenge for the Serie A title.

But after Carlo Ancelotti told the San Siro outfit to give up on trying to land the Chilean, Rummenigge has since echoed the Bayern boss' thoughts by insisting they would turn down all bids for the star man.

"I can 100 per cent rule out Arturo's departure, for us he is a fundamental player," he told reporters. "I have not heard from anyone at Inter so far, I just read what has been written.

"The decision to continue with Vidal was taken long ago. Ancelotti talked with him: the door is 100 per cent closed.“This is regardless of the offer: when Bayern decide not to sell a player, the fee does not matter."

Bayern have seen another midfielder linked with a move to the Italian city, as AC Milan have shown an interest in Renato Sanches, though CEO Marco Fassone said negotiations have broken down because of the asking price.

Although the Bundesliga giants are open to letting him go out on loan, he could play a part for Ancelotti's team in 2017-18."We are considering his situation," Rummenigge said. "He wants to play consistently but at Bayern Munich that is not easy."We will discuss it with Carlo, there is still time, no hurry.

"At least 10 teams would take him. He is a very in-demand player. A year ago he was at the top level, let's not forget that."If we were to let him go, it it would only be on loan. We are talking about a very useful player. We do not want to let go of him.

"Against Chelsea he did very well, he surprised Antonio Conte who asked Carlo about him after the game. That shows his value."Bayern have already allowed Douglas Costa to move to Serie A, with the winger having joined Juventus on an initial loan deal, and Rummenigge believes they may regret losing him.

"He did very well during his first six months, playing great, then every now and then he would go quiet, but if Allegri manages to discipline him, he has everything needed to make a difference and become a world class player."

 

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Barcelona future is up to Neymar – Bartomeu

Barcelona wants Neymar to stay but the Brazilian star will decide his own future, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.The 25-year-old is heavily linked with a shock move to Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly ready to activate the forward's €222 million release clause.

While Bartomeu said Neymar was wanted, and contracted until 2021 at Barca, he accepted the Brazil international would decide if he wanted to leave the European giants.

"Well, you know Neymar is one of our best players, and so we don't want to lose that player," he told The New York Times."We want him to continue, continue with us. He still has four years of his contract, so nothing else to say.

"You know that players decide if they want to leave, they can decide."But as far as Barcelona, we want him, and we need him. Because if we want to win, we need the best players possible."

Neymar has already starred during the International Champions Cup, scoring three goals in two games.He arrived at Barca from Santos in 2013 and has won two La Liga titles and a Champions League among numerous other trophies.

 

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Liverpool maintain Philippe Coutinho is not for sale as Barcelona crank up the pressure

Liverpool insist Philippe Coutinho is not on the market as Barcelona attempt to intensify their pursuit of the Brazil international.

The Reds rejected a £72 million offer from the Spanish giants a week ago with the message that they would not sanction a sale at any price for the 25-year-old, who has not shown any signs of agitating for an exit.

Coutinho delivered a masterclass in the 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the final of the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong on Saturday, and has undertaken every training session since as the club continue their pre-season preparations in Rottach-Egern, Germany.He has not acted any differently with his team-mates or the staff, producing a typically high level of output.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have not submitted an improved bid for Liverpool’s highest-paid player and reports from Spain suggesting the Merseysiders have named a fee for him - with contradictory amounts ranging from £89m to £134m - are inaccurate as no negotiations have taken place.

Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly stated the Rio-born maestro will not be departing Anfield this summer - a stance applied to all core members of the squad."If I say he is not for selling, he is not for selling," the German declared over the weekend.

"There is nothing else to say. It's a club decision, it's my decision. That's how it is."
The Reds boss held talks with Coutinho, who signed a new five-year deal in January without a release clause, following Liverpool’s rebuffing of Barca’s proposal and revealed afterwards: “I know he feels completely more than fine, comfortable - or whatever - in Liverpool. "He loves the club, he loves the city and all that is clear.”

 

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Guardiola: Madrid weren't bad, Man City were good

Pep Guardiola knows Manchester City have plenty of hard work ahead of them despite beating Real Madrid 4-1 in the International Champions Cup on Wednesday.

Goals from Nicolas Otamendi, Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Brahim Diaz secured an encouraging victory in the pre-season fixture in Los Angeles.

However, City boss Guardiola cautioned against overstating the significance of seeing off the Liga and Champions League holders in a warm-up game. "We won against the team that was the best in Europe two years in a row," he told a news conference.

"It was not important to them. We need to grow and build - Real Madrid are already done."Real Madrid never play badly. We were good. Real are always [a] top team, I admire them, like Barcelona."

City lost 2-0 to local rivals Manchester United in Houston last week and face Tottenham in Nashville on Saturday before returning to England for a friendly meeting with West Ham, as Guardiola targets more improvement from his side.

"It is pre-season so like against Manchester United, when we lost, we made some good things," he said of the win over Madrid. "But you gain confidence playing at this intensity and at this level.

"I'm not talking about winning or losing, the dream is to be more stable."In those terms the result is nothing important. The way we try to fight, to play, is most important to our future. I focus my team and players. I want to convince them the best way to achieve targets."The coach also offered an update on the progress of three players seeking to return to fitness for the season opener against Brighton on August 12.


He said: "David Silva may be ready for the start of the season, but [Benjamin] Mendy has a muscular injury and he needs two or three more weeks, we don't want to take any risks. Ilkay [Gundogan] also is not ready."

 

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'He wants to play for Chelsea' - Conte quashes Hazard to Barcelona rumours

Antonio Conte has rubbished any suggestion that Eden Hazard could leave Chelsea amid talk of interest from Barcelona.

The Liga giants are reported to be in the market for added creativity this summer, with Andres Iniesta now 33 years of age and speculation claiming that Neymar could make a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho has been heavily linked with a switch to Camp Nou, but Hazard is another Premier League talent who Barca are said to have their eye on.

Chelsea, though, have no intention of parting with the Belgium international, with reported interest from Real Madrid having already been played down in the recent past.Conte said of his star forward: “He is very happy to stay with us and to play for Chelsea. I don' t know anything about this situation.

“In the past I read a lot of stories about Hazard with Real Madrid - and now Barcelona. This is the transfer market and we must understand this.”

Hazard, who still has three years remaining on his Chelsea contract, is currently working his way back from an ankle injury and has not figured in Conte’s pre-season plans.

The Italian added on the 26-year-old: “It is difficult to say when he will be back.“After a bad injury, after ankle surgery, it is not easy to programme the date to come back.”

Chelsea are also waiting to unleash £40 million summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, with the midfielder having arrived from Monaco nursing a knee problem.He underwent surgery at the end of a 2016-17 campaign in which he helped to secure the Ligue 1 title.

Conte is eager to get Bakayoko and Hazard into his side as soon as possible, but insists that neither will be rushed into competitive action.He added: “We hope for them to recover very well.

“You know the importance of these players but we will not rush them back.
“Every player must be in the best form to play, otherwise they are put in a bad position which could be damaging for the team.”

Chelsea will wrap up their pre-season schedule with a clash against Inter on Saturday, before turning their attention to a Community Shield meeting with Arsenal and the start of their Premier League title defence on August 12.

 

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PSG can't offer Neymar 'affection' like Barcelona, warns Rakitic

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is desperate to see Neymar stay at Camp Nou, telling the forward he is unlikely to be as loved at another club.Neymar is reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who are believed to be ready to activate his €222 million release clause.

Barca are eager to keep the Brazil international, and Rakitic has become the latest player to call on Neymar to reject the Ligue 1 club's advances."We want to do important things this season and he is a key piece," the Croatian told a news conference in Miami on Thursday.

"Footballers like Ney are not everywhere, not just as a player, but as a person. He knows he's very important for us."We already know what we think. The team is like a family and we all want him to stay. Whatever he decides, you have to respect it 100 per cent.

"But as a companion and great friend, I tell him to stay with us. The affection he has here, he will not find anywhere. I hope he stays with us."Barca are preparing for their final International Champions Cup outing – a derby clash against Real Madrid on Saturday.

It may only be a friendly, but Rakitic is hoping for a win before the teams meet again in the two-legged Supercopa de Espana in August."A Clasico is a Clasico. We have this game in the pre-season, and then we have to train for the two games in the Supercopa," he said.

"And if we want to win it, we're going to have to continue training as best we can, and it also means we have to play a good game. I really hope we can win it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Conte expecting Man Utd and Man City to challenge for Chelsea's crown

Antonio Conte concedes that Manchester rivals United and City will provide serious competition to Chelsea’s Premier League title defence.The Blues swept to the English top-flight crown in 2016-17, with Conte’s first season at the helm seeing him restore domestic dominance in west London.

He will, however, have Champions League football to contend next term, with European outings added to a hectic schedule.

Chelsea are also aware that the big spending of their rivals – with both United and City having broken through the £100 million barrier – means that the battle for Premier League supremacy will be even tougher in 2017-18.

Conte told reporters in Singapore as his side prepare to take in a pre-season meeting with Serie A giants Inter: “It is normal that every big team tries to reinforce their squad by bringing in quality players.

“That is what they have done [United and City]. For sure, next season in Premier League will be a huge challenge for us.”Chelsea have strengthened themselves during the summer window, with deals done for Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Conte has also hinted that there may be more deals to come, saying: “We speak about the way to strengthen the team every day.“We know which are the positions we need to strengthen.”

For now, though, the Blues boss is looking to integrate those already snapped up.Morata is being eased into the fold following a big-money move from Real Madrid, with Conte saying of the Spain international striker: “He is working very well and is putting himself into every session.“I think it is very good but it is important for him to have some time to adapt to our system. But I can see the will power in the player to do so.”

Chelsea splashed out £70 million on Morata, but he has been overshadowed in pre-season outings to date by a man acquired 12 months ago – with Michy Batshuayi staking his claim to a regular starting berth with a flurry of goals.Conte said of the Belgian: “I think Michy has worked very well in the pre-season and it is very important to score goals.

“It is important to adapt to our style of football and I'm happy when he scores. His confidence is also increasing. But it is important to continue to work very hard and keep improving.”


Chelsea will open their 2017-18 campaign with a Community Shield clash against London rivals Arsenal on August 6, before starting their title defence at home to Burnley on August 12.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Angry Neymar clashes with Barca team-mate in training as PSG talk intensifies

Neymar has been caught on camera tangling with Barcelona team-mate Nelson Semedo in a heated training ground bust-up as speculation regarding his future intensifies.Footage captured by Splash News shows the Brazilian forward becoming involved in an angry dispute with his Portuguese colleague.

The incident occurs at Barca’s American training camp in Miami, with Neymar seen scuffling with recent signing from Benfica Semedo.The pair are forced apart, with Javier Mascherano quickly on the scene.

Semedo walks away from the fiery flashpoint, but Neymar refuses to let the issue lie.Clearly flustered, the Samba star shouts over to Barca’s £26.8 million summer signing from Benfica as the rest of Ernesto Valverde’s squad watch on.

He then looks to head back in the direction of Semedo before being restrained by Sergio Busquets.Neymar tears off his training vest before kicking a stray ball away in frustration.

The bust-up has served to further fuel speculation suggesting that the 25-year-old could soon be heading out of Camp Nou, with Paris Saint-Germain leading the race for his signature.The Ligue 1 giants are reportedly willing to meet Neymar’s €222 million release clause and make him the most expensive player in history.

Barca have sought to play down the rumours, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu telling the New York Times that the club are reluctant to part with a player of such talent .He said: "Well, you know Neymar is one of our best players, and so we don't want to lose that player.

"We want him to continue, continue with us. He still has four years of his contract, so nothing else to say."You know that players decide if they want to leave, they can decide.

"But as far as Barcelona, we want him, and we need him. Because if we want to win, we need the best players possible."Neymar has, however, stayed quiet on the subject of his future, allowing the exit talk to rumble on.


A statement released by Chinese travel agency, Ctrip, on Friday has heightened that speculation, with it revealed that the South American superstar has cancelled a planned trip to Asia in order to deal with “transfer issues”.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar Horror fight vs Nelson Semedo in training session