..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Hazard rules out PSG move: I want to leave Chelsea as a boss!

Eden Hazard has ruled out a move to Paris Saint-Germain and insists he will rediscover his form at Chelsea.

The Belgium international struggled to find any form under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge last season and scored just six goals after his 19 in the previous campaign.

Hazard has subsequently been linked with a move away from Chelsea, and in particular French champions PSG, though the 25-year-old has now rejected the speculation.

"I have a contract until 2020. I don't want to finish like this," he told Telefoot. "If I have to leave, I must do it like a boss. Like I did in Lille.

"PSG are not among my projects right now."

Hazard also believes that he can help Belgium win Euro 2016, though he will not be too disappointed should they reach the semi-final stages.

"My dream is to reach the semi-finals against France, and if we win there’s no reason we can’t win the final," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lewandowski will be at Bayern next season - Reschke

Bayern Munich technical director Michael Reschke insists Robert Lewandowski will not be sold and rates the Poland international as the best striker in the world.Lewandowski has been strongly linked with a move to Champions League winners Real Madrid, with some reports suggesting a deal has already been agreed.

But Reschke says Bayern have no intention of letting Lewandowski leave."He will play in the upcoming season for Bayern, there is no doubt about that," he is quoted as telling Radio Crc.

"He has another three years on his contract and we know that we have the best striker in the world in our squad. That's why there is no possibility he will be sold."Should Lewandowski depart, it is thought Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain would be top of Bayern's shopping list.

Reschke said: "Gonzalo Higuain is among the three or four best strikers in the world, but at the moment we have the best in Lewandowski."It is therefore pointless to sign another forward, for us and the players."Lewandowski scored 42 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

New Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho watches Soccer Aid at Old Trafford

Just over a week on from being officially confirmed as United boss, Mourinho watched from the stands as an 'England' side of celebrities and former and current players beat a Rest of the World outfit 3-2 in the 2016 Soccer Aid match.

The 53-year-old Portuguese had received a warm reception from the crowd gathered outside when he entered the stadium ahead of the charity game, responding with a smile and a wave.

And shortly prior to kick-off, two pictures appeared on Mourinho's official Instagram account - one of which was accompanied by the message: "An honour to host Pele at my new house."As well as that picture of Mourinho shaking hands with the Brazil great with a large United crest behind them, there was also an image of him in the Old Trafford tunnel.

Mourinho also referred to the ground as his "house" in a short statement in the programme for the event as he expressed his delight at starting work at United.

He said: "I'm sorry I couldn't be more involved tonight and I was sorry not to enjoy training with the England boys this week, but I am so happy and involved at beginning my job at Manchester United that all the time I have right now is working time!

"But I want to enjoy the game with... the crowd on this fantastic day at my house, Old Trafford."Mourinho had been billed as part of the 'England' side's management team, although there had been some confusion over whether or how he would fulfil those duties during the event.

In the end, he did not go on the pitch or into the dugout, with Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce leading the way on that front and, in many ways, in terms of this being Mourinho's first outing at his new workplace, it was a fairly low-key affair.

But Mourinho undoubtedly looked happy to be there, as United were keen to point out on Twitter.A message appeared on the club's official account in the first half, accompanied by a picture showing a beaming Mourinho in the stands, which said: "Jose looks like he's enjoying life at Old Trafford already! #SoccerAid2016"

In the match itself, reality TV star Mark Wright's free-kick gave England a 50th-minute lead but a second booking and subsequent red card soon followed for Goals on Sunday presenter Ben Shephard and by the hour mark, the Rest of the World led 2-1 thanks to two goals from former United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.

However, Allardyce's star striker at Sunderland, Jermain Defoe, came up trumps for his manager once again with goals in the 65th and 76th minutes to secure victory for 10-man England.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

England 3 Vs 2 Rest of the World Soccer Aid 2016 Match in Pictures

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Heta(June 7th) Ibra ge announcement 1kak thiyanawalu
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Copa America Fixtures 2016.06.06

Copa America Fixtures 2016.06.06

-----------------------

Panama Vs Bolivia

Argentina Vs Chile

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund close in on signing Rode from Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund are closing in on the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rode.

The 25-year-old is undergoing a medical with Dortmund on Monday ahead of a move that will reportedly cost in the region of €10 million to €15m.

Rode is viewed as the replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who completed his move to Manchester City last week.

Rode joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2014 but failed to secure a regular role under Pep Guardiola.

Rode made just 17 appearances and played only 399 minutes of football in the Bundesliga this season.

In March, Rode spoke exclusively to Goal about his lack of playing time under Guardiola.

"Pep Guardiola isn't talking a lot to me, so I don't really know where I stand or why I am not playing on a more regular basis," he said.

"Matthias Sammer is talking more often to me, he comes up to me and he knows my situation of course.

"A lot of people within the club are satisfied with me, but I am not satisfied with my playing time."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pato remains in the dark over Chelsea future

Goal understands Alexandre Pato remains in the dark over his Chelsea future, with the former AC Milan's forward's loan deal at Stamford Bridge set to run out at the end of June.

Chelsea and new boss Antonio Conte have sent fellow loanee Radamel Falcao back to AS Monaco and are currently in the process of reviewing their loanees both in and out of the club.

The 26-year-old moved on loan from Corinthians in January, but was forced to wait until 2 April to make his debut due to fitness problems.He did mark his first outinhg for the club with a goal against Aston Villa, but made just one further appearance before the end of the campaign.

Pato also has only six months left on his Corinthians deal and would prefer a move to another Premier League club, should an extention at Chelsea fail to materialise, with another London-based club as his preference. The forward is keen to stay at Chelsea, as Kia Joorabchian exclusively told Goal in April, but he has had little communication from Conte and the club with 24 days left until his deal expires.

"Chelsea has not given the player, me, or anyone any information regarding Pato's future," Pato's agent Gilmar Veloz previously told Goal."We received the news that Mr. Conte was revising the players in the squad, however, he did not contact Pato or me to talk about his future as well.

"For now, Pato's future is still in the open, Chelsea has the option to buy, but if they don't then we will begin looking for other clubs. As of the moment, we must first wait to hear the club's decision."

Conte was announced as Chelsea's next manager on a three-year deal two days after Pato's debut and will now focus on Euro 2016 with Italy before joining the club in mid-July.

The Azzurri boss has instructed the club to sign a new big-name striker with Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata identified, meaning there is unlikely to be many other attacking berths open to Pato.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eva Carneiro rejected £1.2 million settlement fee from Chelsea


Former Chelsea physio Eva Carneiro rejected a settlement offer of £1.2 million from the club before her employment tribunal, official documents have revealed.

Proceedings began in Croydon on Monday, with the case expected to run over seven to 10 days. The 42-year-old doctor was publicly criticised by Mourinho for running on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the closing stages of Chelsea’s draw against Swansea City last August.

Carneiro, who was called "impulsive and naive" by Mourinho, was then stripped of her first-team duties before she left the club in September.Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and also has another case against Jose Mourinho for alleged victimisation and discrimination.

Mourinho was not in south London on Monday but is expected to give evidence.
The former Chelsea boss, who was confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager last month, has admitted to using the Portuguese phrase 'filho da puta' - which translates to 'son of of a b***h or whore' - towards Carneiro but has denied that his words had any sexist connotations.

An extract from Mourinho’s statement, which was read out by the panel, said: "Filho da puta is a phrase I often use, all of the players know it. There is no sexist connotation in the use of the phrase – it is just like saying 'f**k off'.
"In the world of football, a lot of swear words are used."

Carneiro argues that Mourinho used the term abusively. Mary O’Rourke QC, who is representing Carneiro, said: "He uses the word ‘filha’ because he is abusing a woman."Chelsea have confirmed that an “open offer” of £1.2m has been made Carneiro as a settlement fee.

A statement on behalf of Chelsea and Mourinho stated: "The respondents have taken these steps only because they believe that it is in no-one's interests that this dispute should be determined through litigation.

"They are conscious that, whatever the facts of the matter, it is likely to be widely and incorrectly assumed that they could have avoided this coming tribunal."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pachuca confirm Man Utd approach for Lozano

Mexican outfit Pachuca have confirmed Manchester United made an approach for youngster Hirving Lozano.

The 20-year-old, who will represent Mexico at this summer's Copa America, has been linked with a number of clubs after impressing both domestically and on the international scene this year.

The forward has scored 12 goals for Pachuca this season and netted his first senior goal for Mexico in March during World Cup qualification.

"There have been approaches [from Manchester United]," Pachuca vice-president Andres Fassi told Record. "There will be time to focus on the future of Hirving Lozano.

"For several years Pachuca has had great relationships with many teams of England, in Portugal, in Spain, in France, in Italy and in Germany.

"[There] are some agreements that allow the player to go to Europe in the future."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque: Morata can match Suarez & Lewandowski


Alvaro Morata has the potential to match the level of Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski, according to Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque.

The Juventus striker has enjoyed two promising seasons in Serie A since leaving Real Madrid in 2014, winning back-to-back Serie A and Coppa Italia doubles under Massimiliano Allegri.

Widespread reports claim that Madrid will exercise their buy-back option on Morata before next season, either to bolster their own attacking options or to sell him on to a higher bidder, with Chelsea among the clubs linked with an interest.

And Del Bosque has no doubt that Morata can develop into the same lethal sort of striker as Lewandowski, himself a target for Madrid, or Barcelona star Suarez.

"That's his challenge," he told AS when asked if he could match the duo's goal record. "He has the potential to achieve it - that's why he's here [with the Spain squad]. The best proof that I believe in him is that he's been called up."Morata has very good qualities: physical strength, intelligent movement, intuition in the box, two feet, good with the ball and also in the air. He has everything to be a great striker.

"I expect hard work, movement, shots and, if there are chances, goals. He has to approach the midfielders, offer himself and provide an outlet to receive passes from his team-mates."He has to stretch teams, to know how to play on the shoulder of defenders. Essentially, everything you expect from a good striker."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Evra signs new Juventus deal

Juventus defender Patrice Evra has signed a new one-year contract with the club, with the option for a further year.

The experienced France international, who joined from Manchester United in 2014, will be contracted to the Serie A champions until at least the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

"Patrice Evra has today renewed his Juventus contract for an additional year - with an option for a second - keeping him at the Turin club until at least June 30, 2017," a statement released by the club confirmed.Evra has claimed back-to-back domestic doubles in Italy since bringing an eight-year spell at Old Trafford to an end.

The 35-year-old, who confirmed last month that a two-year contract extension had been provisionally agreed, is determined to lift more silverware before calling time on his career in Turin.

"Everyone said we were finished at the start of the season," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport in April. "We haven't yet realised what we've accomplished."I joined last season and I had a pact with the club: to be champions of Italy on two occasions. I'm very happy but there is still more to win."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Dortmund complete Rode signing from Bayern

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Sebastian Rode from rivals Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.Rode, 25, arrived in Dortmund on Monday to complete a medical and put the finishing touches to a four-year deal at Signal Iduna Park.

Speaking after BVB confirmed the deal, the former Eintracht Frankfurt man said: "I am a childhood BVB fan and therefore am really looking forward to playing for my favourite club.

"Thomas Tuchel is a top-class coach. I am looking forward to the new challenge and my first home game in black and yellow in the Signal Iduna Park."

Rode had been heavily linked with a move away from Bayern this summer after falling out of favour at the Allianz Arena, starting just 11 league games over two seasons.

The Bundesliga champions' chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge explained: "Sebastian Rode asked us free him from his contract because he sees the opportunity to play regularly for Dortmund."Rode is the latest transfer involving Dortmund and Bayern to take place, with Mats Hummels having swapped the former to join Carlo Ancelotti's side last month.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vardy can be Arsenal's missing link - Keown

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes Jamie Vardy's style of play would make him the ideal addition to the Gunners' attacking line.

Arsene Wenger's side had to settle for second place in the Premier League last season after a dip in form saw them relinquish top spot after a positive start to the 2015-16 campaign.

And Keown feels that the signing of Vardy, who Goal understands is on the verge of completing a move to Arsenal, will help strengthen their forward line and give them a different option in attack.

"If you look at Vardy and you look at what Arsenal don’t have down the middle with their strikers – someone who likes to run behind a defence – then if you feed him he’s a real handful and as good as anyone," the former England defender told 888sport."He’d be a player who would strengthen Arsenal and give them more variation to their play which they lack down that central area."

The Gunners have already wrapped up the signing of Granit Xhaka from Gladbach and, with Vardy set to sign in the coming days, Keown believes getting business done early will send a message to their Premier League rivals.

"They have already made their intention clear," he continued. "It’s going to be a very competitive summer and we could well see the best ever Premier League next season with the set of managers coming to the table in Guardiola and Mourinho revisiting their rivalry in Manchester and Jurgen Klopp continuing to develop Liverpool.

"Wenger’s longevity is really remarkable and then you have Chelsea who had an awful season last year and they can’t have that again. The competition between these clubs doesn’t start on the 13th of August, it starts now by looking for the best players and retaining your players.

"There is no doubt Arsenal have to be competitive but the Euros have got in the way of a lot of activity. It’s like the lull before the storm at the moment because there is going to be a lot of fierce competition for players."

Staying on the subject of Vardy, Keown added that if just one of Leicester's Premier League-winning stars leaves it could have a massive knock-on effect.

"Ranieri asked everybody to give him one more year and if one goes there could be a mass exodus of players," he said. "I hope that doesn’t happen and it would be disappointing if that team is broken up so soon because they brought a real freshness to the Premier League last season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italy 2-0 Finland: Candreva & De Rossi grab win for Conte's men

Goals from Antonio Candreva and Daniele De Rossi helped Italy to a 2-0 win over Finland on Monday in their final friendly before kicking off Euro 2016 against Belgium on June 13.Candreva opened the scoring when he converted a penalty after being brought down in the box, before setting up De Rossi for Italy's second after half-time.

Antonio Conte opted to rest goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, giving Salvatore Sirigu the nod instead, while Simone Zaza and Ciro Immobile got the chance to prove their worth up front.

Zaza in particular caused the Finland defence plenty of problems, but the Juventus man failed to add his name to the scoresheet, missing a gilt-edged chance with 15 minutes left on the clock.

There was a personal highlight for Stefano Sturaro at the Bentegodi in Verona, with the midfielder being handed his senior Italy debut in the second half.

Italy started the match with plenty of attacking intent and got their first chance in the eighth minute when Zaza headed just wide after an Emanuele Giaccherini cross from the left.

The Juve attacker was lively early on and had a shot comfortably saved by Lukas Hradecky just minutes later, before setting up Immobile with an intelligent backheel, the striker firing wide from a dangerous position.

Conte’s men continued to dominate and they eventually opened the scoring in the 27th minute via Candreva. Perparim Hetemaj brought the Lazio man down inside the area and he coolly converted the spot-kick himself to open the scoring.

Leonardo Bonucci tested Hradecky with an opportunistic attempt from a free-kick late in the first half as the hosts went in search of a second, but the goalkeeper made an easy save to deny the Juve defender.

Finland, meanwhile, failed to trouble the Italian defence as they were pinned back in their own half for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, Sirigu not called upon to make a single save.

Neither side managed to create any chances of note in the opening stages of the second half, with Stephan El Shaarawy's volley from the edge of the box, which went a yard wide after taking a deflection off a Finnish defender, the first moment of real excitement.

El Shaarawy again threatened minutes later after a clever throughball from De Rossi, but Paulus Arajuuri made a last-ditch tackle to deny the attacker.De Rossi soon found the net, though, beating the Finland keeper with a sublime header after Candreva's cross from the right to double Italy's lead.

Zaza should have made it three in the 75th minute after some good work from Immobile, but he failed to beat Hradecky from 10 yards out as the match ended 2-0.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque unsure over De Gea, Casillas for Euro 2016


Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is unsure who will start his team's Euro 2016 opener but said David de Gea may get his chance against Georgia.

De Gea and captain Iker Casillas are competing for the starting spot at the European Championship, where Spain face the Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia.Del Bosque's men complete their preparations for the showpiece tournament with a friendly against Georgia on Tuesday.

Speaking at his pre-match news conference, the 65-year-old said he was in no rush to make a decision before his side's opening game of the event on June 13.
"It's possible that De Gea will play tomorrow. Casillas did so against South Korea and that's all we can say," Del Bosque said.

"I don't have to make that decision now, and I'll make my mind up at a later date."
Del Bosque was unwilling to make guarantees over his team for the tournament opener, with Spain coming off a 6-1 thrashing of South Korea.

His focus is instead on the two-time defending champions become more familiar with one another."I don't know because our concern is that the 20 field players have a chance and become familiar," Del Bosque said.

"We know how we're going to play. The most important thing is to know how we play and tomorrow we will put it into practice."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina 2-1 Chile: No Messi, no worries

Argentina showed there is more to the team than Lionel Messi after accounting for defending champion Chile 2-1 in their Copa America Centenario opener in Santa Clara on Monday.

Messi was an unused substitute in a rematch of last year's Copa America final, with Argentina coach Gerardo Martino opting not to risk his captain at Levi's Stadium as he nurses a back injury.

But Angel di Maria and Ever Banega stepped up in the absence of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, with the pair's quick-fire second-half goals inspiring a fifth consecutive victory for Argentina.

Argentina controlled proceedings but it was not until the second half that the 14-time champion made its dominance count, with Di Maria opening the scoring in the 51st minute before Banega struck eight minutes later, with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo exposed at his near post on both occasions.

Jose Pedro Fuenzalida headed in a late consolation, but Chile slumped to a fifth defeat in six matches.

Messi was not the only change to Argentina's starting XI as midfield duo Banega and Augusto Fernandez got the nod over Lucas Biglia and Erik Lamela, who both started in a 1-0 win over Honduras on May 27.

Chile was back at full strength following its final pre-Copa fixture - a late 1-0 loss to Mexico - with captain Bravo joining Eduardo Vargas, Gonzalo Jara, Mauricio Isla and Jean Beausejour in the lineup. Cristopher Toselli, Nicolas Castillo, Edson Puch, Fuenzalida and Enzo Roco made way.Tournament organisers were left red faced again pre-game after Chile's national anthem was disrupted by a Pitbull song.

It was another embarrassing moment for the Copa America after the title holder's anthem was wrongly played instead of Uruguay's before Mexico's 3-1 victory in Arizona on Sunday.

Once the match kicked off, Argentina - which defeated Chile 2-1 in World Cup qualifying in March - dictated proceedings and came within a whisker of taking a second-minute lead as Nicolas Gaitan - Messi's replacement - clipped the top of the crossbar with a header after latching on to an inch-perfect cross from Di Maria.
Enjoying success down the left flank, Argentina continued to look dangerous through Di Maria, with Gonzalo Higuain and Marcos Rojo going close.

But while comfortable for large portions of the half, Argentina had to withstand some nervy moments, especially on the half-hour mark, keeper Sergio Romero producing a finger-tip save to deny Alexis Sanchez after his teammates surrendered possession outside the penalty area.After a scoreless first half, it only took six minutes for Argentina to break the deadlock following the interval.A telling ball from Banega picked out Di Maria, who placed the ball beyond Bravo at the near post.

Di Maria then turned provider for Banega in a similar situation eight minutes later, as his teammate beat Bravo at the near post, albeit with some help from a deflection.

With Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in the stands, seemingly casting his eye over Higuain, the in-demand Napoli striker almost made it 3-0 in the 67th minute but an outstretched leg from Bravo gave Chile hope.

Rojo and Lamela went close to adding a third for Argentina before Fuenzalida headed in a Fabian Orellana se piece as Romero came rushing out to collect in the 93rd minute.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann confident Simeone will stay at Atletico

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann is confident coach Diego Simeone will remain with the Liga club.

Simeone pledged to ponder his future in the aftermath of last month's heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss to rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Griezmann played a pivotal role taking Simeone's men to the San Siro showpiece as he enjoyed a career-best season and the France forward told beIN Sports France that his boss had offered assurances that he would stay at the Vicente Calderon."I spoke to him and I'm pretty sure he's staying," Griezmann said.

"I'd be raging if he left. I still have a lot to learn from him."I spoke to Simeone, I'm nearly 100 per cent sure he won't leave."Atletico president Enrique Cerezo offered similar thoughts, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo."The fans can sleep peacefully because we have four more years of contract with him," he said.

"Whenever you lose a title you are upset. But Atletico have always shown that we win and we lose together."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Copa America Fixtures 2016.06.07

Copa America Fixtures 2016.06.07

------------------------

USA Vs Costa Rica

Colombia Vs Paraguay

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nainggolan reiterates desire to stay at Roma amid Chelsea interest

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has once again reiterated his desire to snub Chelsea in favour of staying put at the Stadio Olimpico this summer.

The Belgium international confirmed earlier this week that Chelsea have made an offer for his services and that talks have taken place between the two clubs.

Goal understands that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has earmarked Nainggolan as one of his key transfers targets ahead of taking over the reins after leading Italy at Euro 2016.

However, Nainggolan - who has repeatedly expressed he is content at Roma - insists it is his intention to remain with the Serie A club heading into the new season.

"Where do I see myself in the next season? I have always declared openly my will: I'm fine at Roma, I like the city of Roma, that's where I see myself,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“On the other hand an offer from Chelsea is important, you cannot just avoid taking it into consideration. I have already stated my preferences, now we must see if the club (Roma) will do its part.”