..::Football IV::..

Wolverine GTR

Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Ozil: Arsenal contract talks back under way

    mesut-ozil-cropped_1lrp0da1eemwyzzcsq6fiuugp.jpg


    Mesut Ozil is ready switch focus back to contract talks with Arsenal once the international break is over, with the Germany star revealing negotiations had already begun.

    The 27-year-old still has two years to run on his current deal, but is expected to be handed a significant pay increase to extend his stay at Emirates Stadium.

    Ozil, who also spoke of his wish to assume the No.10 role with the Gunners, told German newspaper Express: "I have a contract until 2018. We have had discussions, but they were suspended for the European Championship."I wanted to focus at this time only on the national team. Now we look to continue the negotiations."

    The World Cup winner has admitted that a return to Germany or a future move to MLs does hold appeal, however."In football, you can never say never. You don't know what will happen. I had a good time in Germany. That was a lot of fun.

    "Eventually [moving to America] could be an option. I have fun everywhere. My fans know that I like to spend my vacation in Los Angeles, because the city inspires me."

    Ozil scored as Arsenal secured their first win of the Premier League season at Watford last weekend. He is part of Joachim Low's squad for Germany's World Cup qualifier against Norway on Sunday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    I'm surprised Arsenal spent big on Mustafi - Lehmann

    hd-shkodran-mustafi-germany_ipcl1lzptijc17xwsa39qqbfy.jpg


    Jens Lehmann says he was surprised to see Arsenal spend big to sign Shkodran Mustafi.The Gunners spent much of the summer chasing the centre-back after being thin in defence since before the season started.

    But the Premier League side completed the signing of Mustafi from Valencia for a reported fee of £35 million before the close of the transfer window.And given Arsene Wenger's hesitancy to spend large amounts on players in the past, the former goalkeeper admits he was shocked to see the club splash out.

    "It’s unlike Arsenal to sign a defender for almost €40m - I’m surprised," he said. "I think he’s probably the most successful manager in making money for the club."He’s always taken part in the Champions League, buying cheap and selling expensive.

    "He was a major player in setting up the new stadium and at the same time always playing Champions League football."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Vardy: It was easy to snub Arsenal

    hd-jamie-vardy-leicester-city_baxbmo6kd0ni1bjjyvl6fq7w7.jpg


    Jamie Vardy says it was easy for him to reject a move to Arsenal, insisting both his head and his heart told him to stay at Leicester City.

    After playing a crucial role in last season's surprising Premier League title win, the England international was the subject of a bid from the Gunners which triggered his £22 million release clause.

    Instead, the striker opted to remain at the King Power Stadium and signed a new deal with the Foxes.And Vardy, 29, says it was an easy decision to make.“I was in a hotel room [in Chantilly] for so many hours of every day with nothing to do. You had a lot of time on your hands," he told The Guardian.

    “I am not going to beat around the bush – every time I thought about it, and every aspect of it I thought about, both my head and my heart were saying to stay at Leicester, which is why I made my decision to stay.

    “There were loads of reasons. You get that much time to think about, every single thing down to the tea lady. You think about what might happen, what might not.Where you could be, where not. Every time I thought about every little thing, though, both head and heart were saying ‘you need to stay’.

    "I could see people’s point when they assumed I would go, but, deep down, if you don’t think it’s right for you, you don’t do it. It’s as simple as that.

    “In my professional life, it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I haven’t been a professional for that long. It was hard, but it was actually an easy decision to make.”

    The frontman saw Arsene Wenger a lot during Euro 2016 as they were in the same hotel, both before and after Arsenal's offer was made. But Vardy says he could not pass up the chance to be part of the next chapter in Leicester's journey.“I spoke to him a couple of times in the hotels we were in,” he said. “Those meetings were either side of me making the decision: it was basically in every hotel we were staying in.

    "It wasn’t awkward, though. It was just a simple ‘Hello, are you OK’... that kind of thing. I took it as a nice compliment they wanted to buy me.“Leicester have been on the rise for a while now and will keep doing that. Look at the deals they did in the transfer window: they obviously want to keep it going. And, if it does keep going, I want to be part of that. I’ve been there from when I was at Fleetwood Town, five years ago, when we were in the Championship and we have gone up and up and up.

    “We are a group of brothers and lots of the lads have signed long-term deals now, which the gaffer wanted. To only lose [N’Golo] Kante from a Premier League-winning team is not that bad, so hopefully it will carry on. That is something I want to be part of.”
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Guardiola must apologise for humiliating Yaya Toure - agent

    guardiolatoure-cropped_15a2dlzyz69lr1ejhrp5jw78l8.jpg


    Yaya Toure's agent believes Pep Guardiola has humiliated the midfielder by leaving him out of Manchester City's Champions League squad, insisting the coach will have to apologise if they fail to win the competition.

    Guardiola has made his mark with five wins from as many competitive matches at City, while also displaying a ruthless side by shipping a host of first-teamers, including Joe Hart and Samir Nasri, out on loan.

    Toure, who left Guardiola's Barcelona to join City in 2010, remained at the Etihad Stadium after transfer deadline day but will play no part in the group stages of Europe's premier competition – standing as the odd-man out with 17 overseas players already in the squad.

    The 33-year-old, whose only action so far this season came during the Champions League play-off tie against Steaua Bucharest, will not seek a January move according to his representative Dimitri Seluk.But the agent challenged Guardiola to apologise for the slight against his client if he fails to lead City to Champions League glory – a journey that will begin in a tough group featuring Barcelona, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic.

    "If he wins the Champions League for City this season then I will travel to England and I will say on television that Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world," Seluk told the Sunday Mirror.

    "But if City don't win the Champions League then I hope that Pep has got the balls to say that he was wrong to humiliate a great player like Yaya."This is Pep's decision and we must respect it. Yaya is a professional and so he will do everything he is asked to do.

    "Perhaps Pep will think he is good enough to play in the final 10 minutes of a League Cup game against a third division team – and, yes, I am joking."But what I can tell you is that Yaya will spend the season at City. He will not be leaving in January. He hopes that he will get the chance to prove himself."

    Guardiola reportedly considered including Toure ahead of Vincent Kompany before his injury-prone club captain came through a behind-closed-doors friendly last week.

    Nevertheless, Kompany will not be rushed back into action with the Manchester derby on the horizon, with the 30-year-old required to show acceptable enzyme levels in his blood following tests designed to tackle his susceptibility to muscular strains over recent seasons.

    "Every day Vincent is much better but still the blood tests are not perfect," Guardiola told reporters."And until the blood tests are perfect, he is not going to play with us. You have to avoid a situation where he starts he gets injured again.

    "Okay, you have to accept the injury if it's because of football, but not for the reasons that have happened to Vincent in the last three years."He has missed a lot of games. It is important for us because he is good."He had something in his muscle that was not right. In the right moment, he is going to tell us the muscle is okay."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Griezmann: I'll only leave Atletico if Simeone does

    antoine-griezmann_voj6846nzb7c1s31kn8bcj8by.jpg


    Antoine Griezmann says he would only consider leaving Atletico Madrid if Diego Simeone were to move to another club.

    The Rojiblancos star was heavily linked to a move away from the Vicente Calderon in the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain the club said to be leading the chase to sign him.

    However, the striker, who played a crucial role as France reached the final of Euro 2016 this year, signed a new contract with Atletico, insisting he wants to help the club grow.

    And Griezmann has revealed his decision to remain hinged on his coach's future as he hopes to learn more from the Argentine, who was also linked to a move to PSG."The only doubt would be if Simeone leaves for PSG or wherever," he told Telefoot.

    "I called him before extending my contract and he confirmed to me that he was staying. I can learn a lot from him."PSG are not my goal at the moment. I'm happy in Spain."I'm always proud to be popular with the fans. I try to smile and do my best. If they like it, it's even better."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Matuidi: I wanted Juventus move

    blaisematuidi-cropped_14am6xl5wp107101uurrmgsoc0.jpg


    Blaise Matuidi says he wanted to join Juventus during the transfer window, but insists he is happy at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Matuidi was the subject of prolonged transfer speculation after his France international team-mate Paul Pogba left Juve to join Manchester United in a world-record move.

    The 29-year-old midfielder told TF1's Telefoot programme that an offer was on the table from the Serie A champions and he was disappointed to see it rejected by PSG - echoing claims made by his agent Mino Raiola."There was a concrete demand. Yes, I wanted to go at the time," Matuidi said.

    "The club decided otherwise and I had to accept it. There was a difficult period because I had a wish that has not been fulfilled."Nevertheless, Matuidi is looking forward to the season ahead at the Parc des Princes under new boss Unai Emery."I'm not unhappy at PSG, far from it," he added. "There is a new coach and I know he trusts me."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    :yes:Spain unity the key for Lopetegui

    julen-lopetegui-cropped_5w7b83ilmzv61adwa2e560nwa.jpg


    Julen Lopetegui believes strong team spirit rather than individual brilliance will help Spain get back to the top of world football.

    Spain picked up an impressive 2-0 victory over Belgium on Thursday in Lopetegui's first match in charge since replacing Vicente del Bosque as coach.It was a confident display from the former world and European champions, with Lopetegui particularly pleased with the unity shown by his side.

    And that is something the 50-year-old wants to build on as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Liechtenstein on Monday.

    "I am among those who think that if the group works, then the individuals are strengthened," he told Marca."They are good, intelligent people and everything's easier when you have this type of player."We are very pleased with their attitude and with their commitment of being a team, a collective."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Caballero: World class Hart is like a robot

    willycaballerojoehart-cropped_1o83huvuyayyzoxrfpiti5s9.jpg


    Willy Caballero says Joe Hart is "like a robot" with his determination and professional attitude and is sure the goalkeeper will succeed on loan at Torino.

    England goalkeeper Hart, City's longest-serving player, was forced to seek pastures new after boss Pep Guardiola preferred Caballero in goal at the start of this season before bringing in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.Caballero has served as Hart's understudy for the past two seasons at City and believes Torino are getting a high-quality performer, while praising the 29-year-old's attitude once it became clear he did not feature in Guardiola's plans.

    "Hart is an absolute professional, total and complete," Caballero told Tuttosport. "He has a dedication to his work that is uncommon - he's like a robot. He never holds back, not even for a second.

    "This is a player who knows how to make his presence felt. He has a strong personality on the pitch and is a real leader."In recent weeks it became clear he wouldn't be in the City squad, yet he never stopped working to keep the team together, to be one of us."He's world-class and has everything it takes to do well in Serie A."

    Caballero, 34, has started four of City's five competitive games this season, finishing on the winning side on each occasion but without a Premier League clean sheet to his name.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Rooney becomes England's most capped outfield player

    wayne-rooney-england_18afvbh61yat81hwj28ca0bpll.jpg


    Wayne Rooney has become England's most capped outfield player after his selection in the Three Lions' World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.The Manchester United forward has won his 116th cap, thus surpassing the record set by David Beckham.

    Rooney has also won two more caps than Steven Gerrard, and stands ahead of World Cup winner Bobby Moore and former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole.

    Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Rooney will remain England captain, despite questions surrounding the 30-year-old's future at international level.Nevertheless, Rooney has announced that he will retire from England duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Slovakia 0-1 England: Last-gasp Lallana seals victory on Allardyce's debut

    england-slovakia_eahgtz7zk5rl1qstdkec4iw9l.jpg


    Adam Lallana capped Sam Allardyce's debut as England manager with a stoppage-time goal to secure a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over 10-man Slovakia in Group F.

    The Liverpool midfielder struck in the fifth minute of added on time in Trnava on Sunday to snatch all three points for the Three Lions, his low strike creeping under Matus Kozacik.Lallana's heroics saved England from a frustrating draw at the City Arena, the visitors having dominated possession against a lacklustre Slovakia.

    It took 64 minutes for Wayne Rooney to register England's first shot on target, but the visitors were relentless in piling on the pressure after Martin Skrtel was sent off following a series of fouls on Harry Kane.

    Rooney - who became England's most capped outfield player - saw a free-kick ripple the top of the net, and Lallana thudded a left-footed strike against the post as frustrations grew.

    Substitute Daniel Sturridge wasted a glorious chance after replacing Kane, but his blushes were spared as Lallana netted his first international goal to secure the win.England made an assertive start with good periods of possession but Allardyce's side lacked quality in the final third, the visitors unable to test Kozacik in the Slovakia goal.

    The hosts also lacked a cutting edge and the opening 20 minutes passed by with little worthy of note, although that changed midway through the half as Lallana and Kyle Walker made good ground down the England right.

    A one-two released Walker but Kane missed his kick from five yards when trying to get on the end of his club-mate's cross.

    After wasting two promising free-kicks, Slovakia had to wait until the 37th minute for their best chance of the half. Danny Rose was caught in possession by Michal Duris inside his own penalty area, but the striker's low cross just evaded Dusan Svento's lunge.

    Raheem Sterling flashed a shot across Kozacik's goal before the break after good work from Kane, but both sides went into the interval having failed to register a shot on target.Buoyed by that late chance England started the second half positively, and they found themselves with a man advantage just before the hour.

    Slovakia captain Skrtel - who had been booked in the first half for throwing an arm at Kane - was shown a second yellow after stamping all over the Tottenham striker's calf.England's threat slowly began to grow with Lallana and Sterling going close before Rooney - making his 116th appearance - finally registered England's first shot on target.

    The Manchester United forward then went agonisingly close with a 71st minute free-kick, before Lallana thudded a left-footed shot against the post. Lallana and Sturridge could have snatched all three points late on but the Liverpool duo were wasteful, and when substitute Theo Walcott did beat Kozacik in stoppage time his effort was ruled out for offside.

    England had one final chance, though, and Lallana duly accepted it, jinking free inside the penalty area to slot a low drive through the legs of Kozacik and give Allardyce a winning start.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Norway 0-3 Germany: Muller stars for World Cup holders in easy win

    thomas-muller-norway-germany_1wk157kas6m9x1gmtycry0d0gb.jpg


    Germany made a winning start to the defence of their World Cup crown, cruising to a dominant 3-0 qualifying victory over Norway on Sunday with the help of a Thomas Muller brace.

    Having fallen short at Euro 2016, where they lost to hosts France in the semi-finals, Joachim Low's men set out with purpose to retain the trophy they won in Brazil two years ago.

    In control from start to finish in Oslo, the visitors – captained by Manuel Neuer for the first time since Bastian Schweinsteiger's retirement – went in front through Muller after 15 minutes.

    And it was the Bayern Munich forward who supplied the assist for Germany's second, which club-mate Joshua Kimmich emphatically dispatched in first-half stoppage time for his maiden senior international goal.

    Muller added a third on the hour mark to send Germany top of Group C – a position that, on this evidence, they are unlikely to relinquish.Norway, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot on target and will be dreading the return fixture in exactly a year's time.

    Josh King caught Mats Hummels off guard in the early stages, robbing the Bayern defender of possession on the touchline before fluffing his lines in the box.Muller then glanced a header wide of the target at the other end, while a reaction save from Rune Jarstein denied Benedikt Howedes as Germany cranked up the pressure.

    Kimmich's unsuccessful, if half-hearted, calls for a penalty proved to be of little consequence when the visitors took the lead through Muller soon after.The hosts were unable to deal with a Mesut Ozil ball into the danger zone and it was Muller who eventually made the telling touch, prodding beyond Jarstein.

    Goalkeeper Jarstein was again tested when a powerful drive from Kimmich prompted him to punch clear, while Norway's offensive offering was limited to wayward attempts by Alex Tettey and King.

    The most difficult aspect of Neuer's new role as captain may have been ensuring his players could hear him, given that they spent most of the opening period camped in the opposition half, but he will have been a satisfied spectator when Kimmich hammered home a deserved second after being played in superbly by Muller.

    Norway looked incapable of posing any threat to Germany's lead and the points were in the bag when Muller met a Sami Khedira cross with a placed header following a sensational team move.

    Germany were in a class of their own and, while they were unable to add to their three-goal haul, the manner of the victory sent a warning signal - if one was needed - to the rest of a group from which just one team will qualify automatically for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Allardyce: Rooney plays where he wants

    england-slovakia_1c138jm24vzx016xhj1l17o5ed.jpg


    England manager Sam Allardyce has insisted that he will not stop Wayne Rooney dropping deeper and that he played "wherever he wanted to" against Slovakia.
    The Three Lions captain operated in a midfield role in the 1-0 win, with Harry Kane left to lead the line alone for the most part.

    But when asked what position Rooney was playing, having initially claimed the Manchester United star would feature in attack, Allardyce told ITV: "Today [Rooney played], wherever he wanted to be. He was brilliant.

    "He controlled the game and controlled midfield, as well as Eric Dier."Yes, sometimes he played a little deep, but I can't stop Wayne if he thinks that's the right position to play, to go a little deep."Our team is a team. If it wins, it wins, if it loses, we get criticised. We aren't going to make a big deal of it, are we?"
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Rooney happy with deeper England role

    waynerooney-cropped_wcq4ict2ot4i1dt9x8san31ry.jpg


    England captain Wayne Rooney insists a midfield role suits him at international level, having helped his side to a World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia.

    There had been a lot of talk in the build-up to England's opening Group F fixture about the Manchester United star being listed in Sam Allardyce's first squad as a midfielder rather than a striker and he consistently sat deeper in the 1-0 victory in Trnava.

    And Rooney, who became the most-capped outfield player in England's history with his 116th appearance in the match, claims that he is happy with his position in Allardyce's side."That's where Sam wanted me to play, we worked on it through the week," he told ITV.

    "Once the team was announced, a lot of people thought I was going to play higher, but I think it suits me for this team, for the way we play."I have no problem playing there and I thought I contributed to the game."While it was a special day for Rooney as he set another national record, Adam Lallana celebrated his first senior goal for his country.

    The Liverpool midfielder was a bright spark in a fairly uninspiring England display, striking the post with one effort, before stealing the points with a 95th-minute winner.

    "I put pressure on myself to score goals and I knew it was only a matter of time," he told ITV. "I had a few chances tonight."[The one that hit the post] was a great effort, but it was just unlucky and we kept plugging away.

    "Coming anywhere away from home in World Cup qualifiers is going to be tough and I thought we were very disciplined at times. As the game went on, and they were down to 10 men, we did create our chances."Sometimes you've just got to stick at it until the last minute and, thankfully, we got the goal."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Zidane the 'key' to Madrid season - Ronaldo

    ronaldozidane-cropped_ghtqh6n4goaq12tkbsgw7oj6e.jpg


    Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo lauded coach Zinedine Zidane as the key to his side's Champions League success.

    Zidane, 44, replaced Rafael Benitez at the start of January, leading Madrid to European glory thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over city rivals Atletico in the final.

    Ronaldo, who scored 51 goals in all competitions last season, paid tribute to the Frenchman as the reason his team's campaign turned around."Zidane was the key to our season," he said."He came, made us work hard, work well. He's a great professional and a great person.

    "In my opinion, his best quality is his ability to give players a sense of calm. What coach can win the Champions League in six months?"Zidane deserves much credit and I am very happy he is with us."

    After leading Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, Ronaldo has been sidelined with a knee injury, although he is nearing a return.The 31-year-old said his aims for this season were similar to any other at the Santiago Bernabeu – to win trophies."Playing for the best club in the world, Real Madrid, the goal is always to win titles," Ronaldo said.

    "Obviously, the Champions League is the trophy that means more for Real Madrid, who have won it more than anyone else and it is always a major competition.
    "It is special for me and for Madrid, so we will try to win it again this year."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Wilshere already raising Bournemouth's game, says Howe

    jackwilshere-cropped_1rqo7c6iph0j8z7iia8tvvgj6.jpg


    Jack Wilshere has already made a positive impact at Bournemouth, according to manager Eddie Howe.

    Wilshere joined Bournemouth on loan from Arsenal last Wednesday and made his first appearance in Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat against Milan, which served as Warren Cummings' testimonial.Despite having not yet spent a week at the south coast club, Howe believes Wilshere has had an instant impact leading to improvement throughout the squad.

    "I hoped the signing and the high profile nature of the signing will give the lads that confidence that having a player like Jack Wilshere in your squad can give," said Howe.

    "I have seen a difference in our players and certainly standing next to them in the tunnel with the team can only inspire belief and confidence in the group."Hopefully it will inspire us to be better coaches to our players and it will inspire the players onto another level."

    Although Wilshere only played 45 minutes in the friendly match, Howe saw enough to be convinced the midfielder could play a key role in their season."We saw the potential of the team with him in it and there will hopefully be some exciting times ahead and he can provide that link between our midfield and attack which we desperately need," he continued.

    "He has a creative eye, which anyone who has seen Arsenal down the years will know how good he is with his decision making in those areas."I don't think there is any doubting his quality. If we can get enough ball in dangerous positions he will certainly hurt teams."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Lukaku: I passed up Juventus to stay at Everton

    romelulukaku-cropped_14p3feu2f7vcy18keyd0zotjjr.jpg


    Romelu Lukaku claims he opted against a move to Juventus in order to stay at Everton.Lukaku, who scored 25 goals in all competitions for the Toffees last season, was strongly linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer.

    Chelsea were reportedly interested in re-signing the Belgium international, who they sold to Everton in 2014, while Juve were also touted as a potential destination.

    Despite missing out on continental football by staying at Everton, Lukaku, 23, felt it was the right decision to stay because it was “too early” for him to move to Serie A.

    "It stings a little [not being in European competition], but I'm someone who believes that everything happens for a reason," Lukaku said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad.

    "Otherwise I would have gone to Juventus instead of staying at Everton. But I opted for Everton because it was too early for Italy and I have not done badly here.”

    Lukaku has also revealed he did not have too much of a choice due to Everton's reluctance to sell him, but admits this could be his last season at the club.

    He added: "Now we have a new coach and it is completely different than with Mr [Roberto] Martinez, but I think we can make progress under Ronald Koeman. It may be the last step and then look further."I knew of the interest of a few clubs, it was quickly very clear that Everton would not let me go. It was important to me that I remained calm, and I did.

    "I said to myself that I will do my best and who knows what will happen in the future."Everton are believed to be interested in offering Lukaku, who has three seasons remaining on his existing deal, a new contract.

    The striker says he will decide whatever is in his best interests but insists he will continue to work hard for his club regardless."I tell [agent] Mino [Raiola] what I think about it [contract renewal] and eventually we have to make the decision that is best for me," Lukaku said.

    "For me football is not about money – I want to win prizes. But when I get into a situation where I can leave but my team will not let me, I'm not someone who misses training, gets fined and develops a bad reputation."I try to remain calm and treat my club with respect. Hopefully they also treat me with respect and I can leave through the front door."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Varane confirms Man Utd bid: It's hard to turn down Mourinho

    raphael-varane-france_tbhyu58rslla1r22f5mpjn72v.jpg


    Raphael Varane has confirmed Manchester United attempted to sign him this summer, admitting it was hard to turn down Jose Mourinho.

    The Manchester United manager is understood to be a long-time admirer of the Real Madrid defender, having signed him while in charge at Santiago Bernabeu in 2011 on then-sporting director Zinedine Zidane strong recommendation.

    Mourinho embarked on a summer of heavy spending after his Old Trafford appointment, spending over £150 million on Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba, but Varane says he rejected a move after discussions with Zidane.

    "Of course, it's flattering. Manchester United are a very big club. But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, there is no questions to ask yourself," Varane told Canal+.

    "I have always said I feel good in Madrid. It's not easy to say 'No' to Jose Mourinho, but you have to weigh up the pros and the cons. We're men, we have decisions to make and that's how it is."

    He added: "It was really that trust [from Zidane], that support which was important for me, and when I was reassured on that point, there was no question of it anymore."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Montella must make Milan entertaining again - Simone

    vincenzomontella-cropped_8d2td7lfxxw61gxzdwfemd4nh.jpg


    Vincenzo Montella must bring enthusiasm and entertainment back to AC Milan if the club are to recover their standing in Italian football, says Marco Simone.

    Milan have finished eighth, 10th and seventh in the past three Serie A seasons and, following 15 campaigns in Europe between 1999 and 2014, this will be their third successive term without featuring on the continent.

    Simone, who won two European Cups and four Scudetti with the San Siro club, believes Montella's immediate target having taken the helm in June should be to qualify for European competition.However, the former forward believes that restoring an enjoyable style of play is equally important to Milan.

    Simone told Omnisport: "AC Milan's minimum target is the fifth position, and therefore qualifying for European Football. AC Milan must play European football, but must importantly they have to recover enthusiasm."They have to be able to transmit passion again, they have to bring back fans to the stadium because these days the San Siro is almost deserted.

    "This season AC Milan have to be able to play good football and good games, not necessarily winning, but being able to entertain through good football.

    "Montella has already proven he can achieve that at Fiorentina and Sampdoria, and the big aim is to do the same also this season at AC Milan and win back the love of the fans."President Silvio Berlusconi approved the preliminary contract concerning the sale of Milan to a group of Chinese investors in August.

    Simone believes that financial muscle counts more than prestige in modern football, and such changes are likely to benefit the club.

    "In my view there are several reasons leading to the end of Milan's successful cycle: firstly there are obviously economic reasons. Football clubs nowadays are more appealing to big players more for their economic strength, than for their history and prestige," he said.

    "Milan still today is a very strong brand identity worldwide, but more and more often, big players prefer ventures at clubs with less history and trophies than Milan, just in light of their economic power.

    "The feeling I got from the outside is that Milan need to be brave and make changes, the club need a major makeover and an update to keep up with the best.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Barcelona confirm Messi injury

    lionel-messi-barcelona_f79ubn6i8a1itw5o1x3r19f.jpg


    Barcelona have confirmed that Lionel Messi has sustained a hamstring injury and may miss this weekend's clash with Alaves.

    The Argentina star picked up the injury during his nation's 1-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday, in which he scored the only goal, and will miss Albiceleste's next World Cup qualifier vs Venezuela.

    Messi has so far played every minute of Barcelona's La Liga campaign, though the Camp Nou club's tie against Alaves on September 10 could be too early for a return to action.

    The 29-year-old will continue with light training sessions and will be tested by club medics before Luis Enrique makes his decision whether to include him in his squad.
    Messi has scored twice for Barcelona this season.