..::Football IV::..

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Kante: Conte speech persuaded me to join Chelsea

New Chelsea signing N'Golo Kante has revealed he chose to move to Stamford Bridge being persuaded by Antonio Conte.

The France international completed his £30 million move from Leicester City on Saturday as he became Conte's second signing since arriving in west London.

The former Caen midfielder has thanked Leicester and their supporters for giving him a chance in the Premier League before hailing the project Conte is attempting to create at Chelsea.

"This season I discovered the Premier League championship with FC Leicester," he wrote in a statement on Twitter. "I want to thank the leaders, my team-mates and Claudio Ranieri for this fantastic season that saw us winning the title of England.

"Their confidence and also the fans' will forever remain in my memory. And I again thank you all.

"At the beginning of the 2016-17 season, I chose to join Chelsea FC. It is a great club which has just recruited a great coach and want to reach high ambitions I share.

"The club's project and the coach's speech have convinced me to join this new ambitious adventure."

 

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Payet did not mean to harm Ronaldo, says Collina

UEFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina does not believe there was any malice in the tackle from France midfielder Dimitri Payet that prematurely ended Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2016 final.

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo limped off during the first half of Portugal's eventual 1-0 extra-time triumph with a knee problem, failing to overcome the effects of Payet's early challenge.The West Ham player went unpunished and Portugal boss Fernando Santos felt Payet should have received a card – not necessarily a view Collina subscribes to.

"The entry of Payet, it was a foul," the former leading referee told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Did he deserve a yellow? It is debatable, but the dynamic of the battle – knee to knee – was accidental."It is an unfortunate episode. Payet did not want to hurt him."Euro 2016 was a tournament pleasingly free of refereeing controversies and Collina reflected on a job well done from the men in the middle.

"We received so many compliments, for example, the words of praise expressed by leading coaches like [Alex] Ferguson and [Arsene] Wenger," he said, before explaining that officials were given breakdowns of teams' expected tactical approaches to help with their game management.

"We introduced an important innovation: to know the schemes of the teams and the technical characteristics of the players, which is critical to predict situations that might otherwise take you by surprise – a condition that often leads to error.

"On this point, we have made a quantum leap thanks to two match analysts, Cristiano Ciardelli and Gianvito Piglionico, both coaches with UEFA A Licenses. Each nation that qualified for Euro 2016 was studied in detail."

Collina was also pleased to see low numbers of bookings for dissent and simulation, along with the solitary straight red card for Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy coming for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity as opposed to dangerous play or violent conduct.

"[Among] the total of 205, there were only nine yellows for dissent and one for simulation," he added. "And again, one direct red in France v Ireland due to a clear goal chance denied. It means that we thought of play and very little of anything else. Even dangerous interventions have been minimal."

 

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I'll show Mourinho I can be important for Man Utd - Pereira

Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira is determined to prove to Jose Mourinho that he can be an important player in the coming season.

The 20-year-old joined United's youth system from PSV in 2011 but has struggled to force his way into the first team, making just four substitute appearances in the Premier League under Louis van Gaal last term.

The Brazil youth international scored a superb goal for Mourinho's side in their 2-0 friendly victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday after replacing Michael Carrick at the heart of midfield.

And Pereira hopes he can continue that form in training and pre-season in order to earn more regular playing time under the new manager."I'm very happy that I scored, and yeah, it was not a bad strike at all," he told MUTV.

"I can play in other positions but I enjoyed that role a lot. I think it was very important for me to get some minutes and show the manager and show the team that I can help them. I am very happy that I could help."I want to show the manager, to show the people around the club, to show the players that I can help this season. It's very important for me. I want to show this in training and just keep working hard."

Mourinho had high praise for Pereira after the match, stating: "Andreas has lots of talent - he has incredible vision and an incredible technique."United's next game is against Borussia Dortmund in China on Friday.

 

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Pereira pattaniyama talent 1kak

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Mata wary of attacking Dortmund

Juan Mata says Manchester United must be wary of Borussia Dortmund's attacking qualities ahead of the two teams' meeting in Shanghai next Friday.

After Jose Mourinho's first match in charge ended in a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, United turn their attention to upcoming International Champions Cup matches against Thomas Tuchel's side and rivals Manchester City in China.

Dortmund are first up for United and Mata is wary of their offensive threat going into the match, which he hopes will kick-start another successful pre-season after United won against Barcelona in the United States prior to last season.

"They are two great clubs and when you play in this kind of competition you are focused on getting fit and getting ready for the season," Mata, 28, told the club's website.

"I think it's a good experience and we'll try to win as we did last season in the States. It's always nice to win this tournament as you are up against very prestigious rivals.

"Dortmund have been playing great football over the last few years. They have been in a Champions League final and fighting with Bayern [Munich] for the Bundesliga. "They have a great squad. I really like the way they play, I like to watch them on TV and it'll be very tough because they are a very offensive team and a quality team.

"At this stage the most important thing isn't the result but to get fit physically and mentally, but it's difficult to have a friendly game against City or teams like this."Mata has enjoyed his pre-season experiences with United since signing from Chelsea two-and-a-half years ago.

He added: "It is most enjoyable to feel the love from the fans all around the world. We've been in the States twice since I've been at the club and it's been incredible.
"We've played against Barcelona and Real Madrid and other great teams and we had more fans than anyone. It's unbelievable to see how many fans we had in America and it's going to be great to see all of our supporters in Asia."

 

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Wigan 0-2 Liverpool: Ings and Woodburn see Reds to victory

Danny Ings and teenager Ben Woodburn continued their encouraging pre-season form with second-half goals in Liverpool's 2-0 friendly win at Wigan Athletic.

England forward Ings, who missed the majority of last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury, scored in a 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers earlier this month and broke the deadlock with 19 minutes remaining at the DW Stadium on Sunday.

Highly rated 16-year-old Woodburn then doubled the advantage for Jurgen Klopp's side, having also got on the scoresheet in a 5-0 win over Fleetwood Town earlier this week.

Philippe Coutinho was the game's outstanding performer during the first half and the Brazilian playmaker whipped a fifth-minute free-kick against the crossbar with Wigan goalkeeper Lee Nicholls rooted to the spot.Nicholls was similarly helpless when Coutinho cut inside to rattle his near post but his opposite number almost gifted Wigan a 31st-minute lead.

Loris Karius allowed a backpass from fellow new recruit Joel Matip to slip under his foot, although he recovered to desperately charge down Sanmi Odelusi as the Latics forward looked to convert the loose ball.

A majestic pirouette from Coutinho set up Sadio Mane to test Nicholls before the break and Ings – one of eight players introduced at half-time by Klopp – drew a sharp low save in the 50th minute.

Ings collected a delicate pass from Lazar Markovic to finish high into the net and Woodburn slotted home Ryan Kent's throughball three minutes later to seal victory by the same scoreline by which Manchester United beat a Latics XI on Saturday.
Matip limped off towards the end of the match to sound a note of concern at the end of a largely satisfactory outing for Klopp's squad.

 

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Arsenal legend tells Wenger: Sign ANYONE

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has urged Arsene Wenger to make a major statement in the transfer market before the start of the season.

Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach remains the only signing the Gunners have made in the current window, with Jamie Vardy opting to sign a contract extension at Leicester City despite interest from the north London outfit.

And Seaman believes the spine of Arsenal's team still requires attention as Wenger's side look to mount a serious Premier League title challenge next term.

"We still need a dominant centre-half," he told talkSPORT. "We’ll see what Granit Xhaka's like in midfield, but ideally we need someone like Patrick Vieira. And a striker as well."He needs to buy someone to give the club a lift and give the fans a lift. Ideally a striker would be great, but either a centre-half or midfielder would do for me."

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a home match against Liverpool on August 14, although Seaman fears a raft of players returning late from international commitments could affect their preparations.

He added: "The thing is that a lot of the players who played at Euro 2016 are not going to be ready for the start of the season, and that's going to mean Arsenal are going to have a weakened team."

 

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Higuain to Juventus good for Serie A, says Roma boss Spalletti

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti believes Serie A will benefit from Gonzalo Higuain leaving Napoli to join Juventus.The Italian champions are hoping to lure last season's top scorer from the side who finished second in 2015-16.


Massimiliano Allegri's men have already reached an agreement with the Argentine over a four year contract, but are yet to finalise a deal with the Partenopei, with reports in Italy stating they will have to match his €94.7 million release clause to secure the signing.


Spalletti is hoping to lead a title challenge with Roma in the coming campaign, but he has spoken out in favour of the Bianconeri signing the striker who netted 36 goals in the top flight last term, insisting it would make the league a lot stronger.


"Higuain joining Juventus would raise the overall quality of Serie A,” he told Sky Sport Italia."Juventus would have another huge champion and attempt to win the Champions League, giving them the highest ambitions."Consequently, Napoli would use that money to build an equally strong squad and bring in four or five top quality players."

 

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Mourinho: I can improve Bailly like I did with Varane

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has big plans for Eric Bailly at Old Trafford, likening the Ivory Coast international to a young Raphael Varane.

Mourinho lured Varane to Real Madrid when he was manager of the Spanish giants and before long the young Frenchman was a crucial cog in his defence and the Portuguese boss sees similar potential in Bailly, who played his first game for United in Saturday's 2-0 friendly win over Wigan Athletic.

Bailly played almost the full game - substituted with seven minutes remaining to a warm round of applause from the United faithful - and Mourinho was happy with what he saw, even if he did acknowledge the defender's lack of experience."With Eric, the way the fans showed how much they liked his performance when I changed him is enough," he said.

"Of course, he’s a very young boy coming from a completely different environment, but you could see what he is at this moment.

"For Eric, this was the first time he has worn a shirt like the Manchester United shirt. He can't speak English and can only communicate with the ones who are French-speakers or Spanish, so for him it'll be step by step and that's why I gave him more than 45 minutes."I wanted to give him more minutes because he needs to play more than others. He needs to feel it and start communicating.

"I will give him everything to try to make him better and better, like I did with other central defenders I’ve had in my hands. Like, for example, Varane, and I will try to make him the best I can."He's shown the potential we saw when we decided to buy him. He has the potential to become one of the best around."

 

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Musa: I'm like Vardy - we will fit well together

New Leicester City signing Ahmed Musa is looking forward to working with Jamie Vardy and believes they have many similarities.

The Nigeria international joined the Premier League champions from CSKA Moscow in a deal reportedly worth a club-record £16.6 million.Musa scored 13 league goals in Russia last season and compared his style to that of Vardy, who netted 24 times in the English top flight.

"I was a goalie between 10 and 12, but changing was the best decision of my life because I would never have been good enough to become a professional goalkeeper," he said."It was difficult at first but then you get used to the fact you are not very big. A lot of people used to tell me, 'Musa, you are too small to be a striker.'

"But I said: 'It doesn't matter what size you are, it's what you can do that matters'. I think I am like Jamie Vardy. I have speed, I like to work hard, we are similar in lots of things."Am I faster? I can't say yet, I have never played with him, but I am looking forward to finding out. I'm looking forward to playing with Vardy. I like his style. I think we can fit well together."

Musa spent time with VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie before his move to Russia in 2012, where he succeeded at CSKA.The 23-year-old said the intensity of training at Leicester had already taken him by surprise."When I started my first session I was thinking, ‘Wow'," Musa said.

"I have never seen that in Russia but now I am getting used to it The intensity here is quite different to Russia. Here it is a little bit harder, in Russia they are more laid back."I think that is the most difficult thing, but I think that is the secret behind Leicester's success."

 

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Mata responds to Manchester United exit rumours

Juan Mata has dismissed reports linking him with a move away from Manchester United this summer.

The Spaniard has been named as one of the players who Jose Mourinho is prepared to sell ahead of the new campaign, and started on the bench in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly victory over Wigan Athletic.

Espanyol and Everton are two clubs reportedly interested in the 28-year-old, who was sold by Mourinho to United for £37.1 million two and a half years ago.

But speaking to one fan about potentially leaving United, Mata said: "Don't believe everything."

 

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Mata digatama Manchester United thiyaganna one​

 

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Ronaldo & Griezmann in mix for UEFA Best Player in Europe award

Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann have both been named in a 10-man shortlist for UEFA's Best Player in Europe award.

European football's governing body released the list on Monday, with Ronaldo the early favourite to scoop the gong after playing a key role in both Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph and Real Madrid winning the Champions League.

Griezmann, who finished as the top goalscorer at the Euros after scoring six times to help France reach the final, is also in the running alongside Wales talisman Gareth Bale and last year's winner Lionel Messi.

Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kante - who all played key roles in Leicester City's remarkable Premier League title win - missed the final 10 but made the top 20, while Wigan Athletic and Northern Ireland striker Will Grigg was a shock inclusion in the top 25.

Grigg secured the same amount of votes as Juventus and France star Paul Pogba and more than Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne and Kevin Gameiro - who fired Sevilla to a third straight Europa League triumph.

Europe's golden shoe winner Luis Suarez, Gianluigi Buffon, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Pepe complete the 10-man shortlist.

The accolade - voted for by journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member association - will be cut to a final three on August 5 with the winner announced on August 25, the day of the draw for the Champions League group stage.

UEFA's 10-man shortlist in full in alphabetical order:

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy)
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid & France)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich & Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany)
Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)
Luis Suarez (Barcelona & Uruguay)

 

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Ibrahimovic: I will be a god at Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has responded to Eric Cantona in typical fashion by insisting he will be a "god" at Manchester United.

The United legend welcomed the 34-year-old to Old Trafford in a video message last week, saying: "I have a personal message for Zlatan: you decided to go Red. It is the best choice you ever made.

He added: "Just one last thing, there can only be one king in Manchester. You can be the prince if you want to.

"The No.7 is yours if you are interested. That is my welcome gift to you ... the king is gone! Long live the prince!"

But, true to form, Ibrahimovic will not settle for a lower rank to Cantona and instead expects to take up an omnipotent role at his new club.

"I heard what [Cantona] said and I congratulate him because I have always admired him," Ibrahimovic is quoted as saying by FIFA.

"But he should know that I will not be king of Manchester, I will be a god in Manchester."

Would Zlatan ever really be anything else?

 

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Xavi: No one will ever match Messi, not even Ronaldo

Barcelona icon Xavi believes no player will ever be able to match the ability and achievements of Lionel Messi, insisting even Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be compared to him.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is considered by many as the greatest ever having enjoyed a glittering career which includes four Champions League crowns, three Club World Cups and eight La Liga titles.

While Messi failed to add an internatioanl crown to his honours list, he guided Argentina to three consecutive finals; losing out to Germany in the 2014 World Cup before twice being beaten by Chile in the Copa America.

The latest defeat prompted Messi to retire from the national team and, despite that black mark on his career, Xavi insists he is easily the greatest player the game has ever seen.

"For me, there is no heir to Messi," the former Spain international told Sport. "There will never be one. There will be very good footballers, but nobody at Messi's level."To be at the top for so many years, winning so many individual and team trophies, will be impossible to surmount.

"In the future, everything will be more equal amongst the best players. Though now they try to sell the story of the battle between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, those of us who know football, know there is no comparison."When Messi ends his career, there will be Neymar, Eden Hazard and five or 10 players at a similar level, but none with the unquestionable superiority of Messi."

Messi is expected to extend his contract with Barcelona in the coming weeks and his former team-mate feels the club must do everything they can to keep him happy in the aftermath of his conviction for tax fraud.

"He is still the best in the world, making the difference and putting it in the top corner," he added."He is happy in Barcelona, I'm not saying he's not bothered by some off the field issues, but on the pitch he is still the same player.

"It is great to have Messi, and he needs to be kept happy and content. Above all, all these issues need to be resolved as soon as possible, so he can start from a clean slate.

"But really, it doesn't affect him. If there is someone mentally strong, that person is Messi. He has overcome it all."

 

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Napoli demand Juventus pay €94.7m for Higuain

Napoli have told Juventus they will not negotiate with Juventus over the sale of Gonzalo Higuain, insisting that the Serie A champions will have to meet the Argentine's €94.7 million release clause, Goal understands.

The first Lega Calcio meeting of the season for Italian league clubs began on Monday, where Juve’s general director Beppe Marotta and Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis discussed the striker’s potential transfer.

The Serie A champions are keen to quickly conclude a deal for Higuain, which would be their club-record signing, having already agreed personal terms with the player.

However, the Partenopei remain defiant over their desire to hold onto last season's Serie A top scorer and are demanding that the star attacker's full clause is paid in just two instalments, insisting that they will not accept anything less.

Furthermore, they have dismissed the idea of accepting any exchanges with Bianconeri players, with Juve ready to offer Roberto Pereyra and Simone Zaza as part of a deal.

Higuain is hoping to seal a move to Turin, having already told Juve he is prepared to sign a four-year contract worth €7m per year.

 

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Luis Enrique set for new Barcelona deal

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique is set to be offered a new contract by the Liga champions in January.

Luis Enrique led the Catalan giants to a second consecutive domestic double last season, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the upcoming campaign.
He was handed a one-year contract at the end of Barcelona's treble-winning 2014-15 season, but is yet to be offered another extension by the club.
Nevertheless, Camp Nou vice-president Jordi Mestre is relaxed over the situation and expects a fresh offer to be made to the 46-year-old in the new year.Asked by Mundo Deportivo whether an extension was imminent, he said: "Not now. We'll talk when the time comes.

"We are not in a hurry and I don't think he is, but we will make an offer to him, for sure."Towards January? Yes, more or less there."Mestre added: "He won the treble in the first season and soon added another brace of trophies with the European Super Cup and [Club] World Cup.

"I know the players are happy with him, and us too. He is winning titles, is happy and likes the city. Why leave?"The first option is Luis Enrique, Luis Enrique is the second and the third is also Lucho."

Earlier this month, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed there had been no contract discussions with Luis Enrique.

 

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Juventus set to complete Pjaca deal

Dinamo Zagreb's young star Marko Pjaca is set to become Juventus' latest summer signing as the Italian giants continue to strengthen their side ahead of the coming season. Goal understands that the Croatia international will put pen to paper on his deal in Turin this week.

Pjaca will sign for a fee worth around €25 million, after shining for his country at Euro 2016. The Serie A champions have already sealed the signing of ex-Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic and Barcelona favourite Dani Alves in the current transfer window.

Medh Benatia has also arrived on loan from Bayern Munich, and 21-year-old Pjaca will join the Bianconeri while negotiations continue with Napoli over the signing of Gonzalo Higuain.

Pjaca scored 26 goals during his two seasons at Dinamo, having moved from Lokomotiva in 2014.

 

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Juventus facing a lost battle over Higuain - De Laurentiis

Juventus have no intention of meeting Gonzalo Higuain's release clause of €94million, general director Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed.The Turin club have been heavily linked with a move for the Argentina international but Napoli have been consistent in their stance that they would not sell.

Marotta met with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis at the first Lega Calcio meeting of the season on Monday after which he admitted defeat in his pursuit of the former Real Madrid striker."For now the Higuain matter is closed. I can confirm that we will not pay the clause," he told reporters.De Laurentiis had earlier claimed Juve's interest in Higuain had cooled.

"Marotta told me that Juventus won't activate the €94million clause for Higuain," said De Laurentiis."No club has offered €94million up to now, it's just trash press reports that hurt football fans.

"Juventus are very intelligent and they understand that they cannot do this. They know perfectly well that it is a lost battle."

Higuain's brother and agent Nicolas said last month that his client would not be renewing his contract with last season's Serie A runners-up, which has two years left to run.The club, however, have been adamant that little has changed regarding the 28-year-old striker, who scored 36 league goals in 2015-16.

"Gonzalo never said he wanted to leave," Napoli's head of communications Nicola Lombardo said at a question-and-answer session with supporters at the club's training base in Dimaro."He will be here in Dimaro to start pre-season on July 25."

 

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Zidane: I like Pogba, but improving Real Madrid is tough

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has professed his admiration for Paul Pogba, while admitting it will be difficult to improve his squad with any major signings.

The European champions have long been linked with an interest in the France international, although Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to sign him should he decide to leave Juventus.

Zidane admits he is a fan of his young compatriot but has suggested that the size and strength of the squad at Santiago Bernabeu means transfers are not essential.
"I like Pogba. At the moment, he's a Juventus player. I'm happy with the squad I have and it's difficult to improve it," he said at Madrid's pre-season training camp in Canada.

"But after saying that, I like Pogba. Yes! He is a good player. He is not the only one, cause there's many good players, and every club want to have good players. But he is playing for Juventus"It's difficult because a big squad creates problems. But I don't dislike the idea of looking to the academy. There are a lot of competitions and we need everyone.

"Working is the most important thing, it's what we're going to do here. Then, bit by bit, we'll decide things. You don't know what will happen until August 31. We're happy with the squad we have and we've just won the Champions League."

Madrid are training in Montreal ahead of their opening International Champions Cup game against Paris Saint-Germain on July 28.