..::Football IV::..

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Paris Saint-Germain 2 Tottenham 4: Eriksen, Alderweireld score stunning goals

Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld scored long-range stunners to see Tottenham to an entertaining 4-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

Eriksen scored from 30 yards at Camping World Stadium to draw Spurs level after Edinson Cavani's opener in the International Champions Cup clash.PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp endured a miserable outing, his error gifting Eric Dier a goal to put Tottenham ahead.

A thrilling first half saw four goals scored, with Javier Pastore equalising for PSG.
The second half was quieter, with Spurs winning thanks to Alderweireld and a Harry Kane penalty after playing against 10 men following Trapp's sending off.

While this marked PSG's second game at the ICC, it was Spurs' first match in almost two months, but both teams played with plenty of energy.PSG started brightly and Cavani headed wide after just 30 seconds, but his second chance would be the opening goal.

The Ligue 1 giants broke well down the left, Adrien Rabiot bursting in behind before crossing for Cavani to apply a side-footed finish.

However, Spurs were level just five minutes later and in spectacular fashion.
After receiving a pass from Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, Eriksen's 30-yard effort gave Trapp no chance as it found its way in via the underside of the crossbar.

There were plenty of chances at both ends and another goal followed in the 18th minute.Under heavy pressure, Trapp tried to play a pass out, but Dier intercepted and saw his block go into the back of the net.

After a drinks break, PSG levelled through Pastore nine minutes before half-time.
Left in plenty of space down the left, Pastore took a pass from Rabiot before skipping into the box and finishing into the top corner.

Dier struck the woodwork with a header late in an entertaining half, and Trapp's nightmare continued seconds into the second.A long pass over the top appeared set to cause the goalkeeper no danger, but he inexplicably handled outside his area and was sent off.

Substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made a save from Kane's free-kick as Spurs always looked like capitalising on their numerical advantage.Eriksen almost struck from distance again in the 71st minute before Tottenham finally went ahead once more through Alderweireld.

The defender received a pass from Victor Wanyama before unleashing a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner.Kane sealed the win with a powerful penalty in the 88th minute after a handball in the area.

 

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Juventus 1 Barcelona 2: Neymar shines with superb brace

Neymar stole the show as a dominant Barcelona recorded a 2-1 win over Juventus at the International Champions Cup on Saturday.

Linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar only needed 45 minutes at MetLife Stadium to once again show what he is capable of.The Brazil international scored a first-half brace, a neat finish followed by a spectacular individual goal in New Jersey.

Neymar dribbled past five Juve markers before finishing for his second goal as Barca dominated in Ernesto Valverde's first game in charge.

Lionel Messi was also typically impressive, but he had to play second fiddle to Neymar before Barca played a different XI in the second half.Juve were much-improved after the break and managed to pull a goal back through Giorgio Chiellini.

Valverde named a relatively strong Barcelona XI, which included Neymar, as Luis Suarez and off-season recruit Nelson Semedo started on the bench in their first pre-season game.

In action for the first time since their Champions League final loss, Juve handed debuts to Rodrigo Bentancur, Douglas Costa, Mattia De Sciglio and Wojciech Szczesny, although the latter trio did not start.Barcelona made an energetic start, pushing Juve back from the outset as Neymar and Messi both squandered chances from free-kicks.

Neymar was lively down the left and he opened the scoring in the 15th minute.The Brazil star received a pass from Messi before playing a one-two with Paco Alcacer, holding off Stephan Lichtsteiner and finishing into the top corner.

Neymar followed up the team goal with a moment of individual brilliance.He again received a Messi pass, this time on the left side of the area, before dribbling across the box – leaving five Juve defenders in his wake and placing a finish past Gianluigi Buffon.

Neymar almost completed his hat-trick three minutes before half-time, Buffon getting down low to deny the forward after a delicate chipped pass from Messi, who then went close again with a free-kick.Valverde named a new XI for the second half, including introducing Luis Suarez and Semedo.

Luis Suarez almost combined with Arda Turan for Barca's third before Juve, energised by the introduction of Paulo Dybala on the hour-mark, pulled a goal back.Chiellini got between two markers to powerfully head in a Dybala corner at the back post in the 63rd minute.


Denis Suarez missed a great chance to restore Barca's two-goal lead when he blazed over and Carles Alena and Sergi Roberto also went close as the LaLiga giants saw out their win.

 

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Roma sign Kolarov from Man City for €5m

Roma have completed the signing of Aleksandar Kolarov from Manchester City for €5 million.The left-back has signed a three-year contract with the Serie A club that will run until June 30, 2020.

His exit from the Etihad Stadium ends a seven-year association with City for the Serbia international, who won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup in his time in Manchester."When I came in 2010, honestly, I didn't expect to play so long," Kolarov told City's official website. "Today is the day I have to say goodbye. Everything was quick the last couple of days. For me, it's a very sad day.

"In every part of the club we have improved not 100 per cent but 200 per cent. Now we are a far better club than what we were when I came. I am proud that I was part of making City the club that it is."For me it was a great pleasure to play for this shirt."

He added to Roma's website: "I am extremely happy to be here. I will give 100 per cent and more for Roma."My objective is always the same: to win."

Kolarov becomes Roma's seventh signing of an extremely busy transfer window for the club under new sporting director Monchi.

"Aleksandar is a player with vast experience who can immediately contribute to the team," Monchi, said. "I believe he will help us develop, on and off the pitch."I want to thank him for the enthusiasm and willingness he has shown in wanting to come to Roma."

Kolarov has already joined up with Roma's training camp in Boston. The Giallorossi face Tottenham in New Jersey on Tuesday.

 

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'He’s not going this season' - Jose Mourinho guarantees De Gea won't leave Manchester United

PALO ALTO, Calif. — As his team prepare to face Real Madrid in an International Champions Cup match, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed the idea of a blockbuster move between the teams.

Despite continued rumours the Spanish international will leave Manchester United for the La Liga giants, Moruinho said he has no doubt that the goalkeeper will still be among his ranks when the transfer window closes.

The coach said that while he expects fierce competition from recently re-signed Sergio Romero for the No.1 job, De Gea will stay at the club and contribute."I can guarantee that he’s not going this season, that I can. And my feeling is that it will be very difficult for him to go," he said at a news conference. "It will be very difficult for him to go because he’s a very honest boy, very straight.

"He gets, like, he was contacted for a long time, the club is closed. Then we open because I always have this feeling of when a player has a desire to go I don’t like to stop players to go because in the end you don’t get from them what you expect if they want to move and they don’t move.

"So we open it and then they decide to close and I don’t think the feeling for him is very, very good. I see him really happy and focused and working better than ever, so for me 100 per cent he stays with us."

Mourinho also denied that he ever would move for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, who he said seems to be enjoying life with Los Blancos."No, because you have contacts, you have feelings, you understand things," he said. "It seems to me that Bale likes Madrid, likes the challenge, likes the situation."He’s in a club in a very good situation now. I never felt the desire from him to leave, so why lose time and energy on that?"

Manchester United kicked off their ICC campaign with a 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City while Real Madrid are playing their first game of the pre-season competition Sunday against the Red Devils.

 

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Morata exit leaves Real Madrid a striker short, admits Zidane amid Mbappe talk

Zinedine Zidane believes Real Madrid are a striker short following Alvaro Morata's move to Chelsea, but remains non-committal over talk of a move for Monaco's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe.

The striker completed a £70 million move to Chelsea, having largely played second fiddle to Madrid's forward line of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo last season, though he missed much of the campaign through injury.

Morata was still able to score 20 goals in all competitions and, asked if Madrid are weaker for the 24-year-old's departure, Zidane told a media conference ahead of Sunday's friendly with Manchester United: "We saw what Morata did last season, he played very well and offered us a lot.

"For the moment Alvaro has gone and we are a striker short."Mbappe has been heavily linked with Madrid, with Zidane publicly complimentary of the 18-year-old's undoubted ability.

It has been reported that Zidane had told Mbappe he would sell one of the BBC trio to ensure a spot in the team for the France international.However, on Saturday, Zidane said: "He is a very good player and is wanted by many clubs. We'll see what happens, we have until the 31st [of August]."

 

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Mourinho: Man Utd have no interest in signing Real star Bale

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists he has no intentions of moving for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale this summer.

The Wales international has regularly been linked with a return to the Premier League, four years after leaving Tottenham for the Spanish capital in a then world-record deal.

Bale has gone onto claim three Champions League trophies and a La Liga title in his four seasons at Real and proved crucial to Los Blancos in the biggest of games, scoring the winning cup final goal against Clasico rivals Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final.

There is little to suggest Bale is unhappy in Madrid, or pushing for a return to England, and Mourinho recognises a move for his signature would likely be a waste of his time.

"No (he was not on my list of targets). No, because you have contacts, you have feelings, you understand things," the United boss told press ahead of his side's meeting with Real in the International Champions Cup."It seems to me that Bale likes Madrid, likes the challenge, likes the situation.

"He’s in a club in a very good situation now. I never felt the desire from him to leave, so why lose time and energy on that?"
United have added Benfica centre-back Victor Lindelof and Everton's £75 million-striker Romelu Lukaku to their squad for the upcoming Premier League season. Mourinho, whilst insisting he is happy with the business done so far, is keen to add a third, with Nemanja Matic, Ivan Perisic and Eric Dier all linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.The Portuguese is unwilling to name his targets, however.

“You know, names is difficult for me because as you know the players belong to clubs, the players they are in pre-seasons,” Mourinho added.“The managers, the owners, they are not happy if you speak about them. The same as me.

“If I am here now somebody is telling, ‘I would like buy player A from Manchester United’, ‘I am having conversations with B player from Manchester United’, then I would ask, ‘Hey, I am here and the club is here, so be careful with what you say’.

“So I say nothing, I just keep saying the same because I never hide."

 

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Man City to step up Mbappe interest if Alexis joins PSG

Manchester City will step up their pursuit of Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe if they cannot ward off Paris Saint-Germain’s rival interest in Alexis Sanchez, Goal understands.

City had made Alexis one of their priority targets this summer and had been convinced he would sign , but are now increasingly concerned they will be gazumped by PSG for the second time this summer.

The French club snatched Dani Alves at the 11th hour despite the Brazilian having agreed a contract with City and meeting Pep Guardiola in person .Alexis has also agreed terms with City and spoken to Guardiola on several occasions, but Goal has reported he was in Paris on Friday to discuss a big-money move.

Guardiola is desperate to land Sanchez but even if his employers were to deny PSG they would still need to convince Arsenal to sell to a Premier League rival, which they have always believed would be difficult but eventually achievable.City insiders believe PSG’s efforts to sign Alves and Alexis, as well as their pursuit of Neymar, have been born out of the diplomatic crisis in Qatar.

Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, cut off diplomatic relations with Qatar in June over alleged support for terrorism.City believe PSG’s Qatari owners have moved for some of the Blues’ targets as an act of retaliation, given the Premier League side are backed by Abu Dhabi.

Guardiola's side have already spent £200m this summer but are determined to add one more forward, and if they do not get Alexis, either because he moves to Paris or stays at Arsenal, they will go all out for Mbappe.The teenager would not strictly be an alternative to Alexis, as City would have signed both this summer if possible.

Signing both is currently regarded as extremely unlikely given how the club’s plans have changed in recent weeks and that they have already spent £200m, but they want to sign one new forward, leading to an increased effort to get Mbappe out of Monaco.

The Blues have always accepted it would be incredibly difficult to sign Mbappe, given his current club are offering a new contract and Real Madrid are also keenly interested.

They had been reluctant to match Monaco’s asking price of more than £110m toward the end of last season, but are continually reassessing their positions depending on movements elsewhere.

They have been in talks with Mbappe throughout the summer in a bid to convince him to move to the Etihad Stadium, and indeed were among the clubs warned by Monaco over alleged illegal advances earlier in the week.

Given City have since managed to secure a deal for Mendy from Monaco, albeit for around £10m more than the asking price at the end of May, relations between the two clubs are not beyond repair.

Indeed, City insiders believe Monaco’s public statement was a sign that the French side are becoming less confident of keeping the 18-year-old, and a way to ensure his various suitors pay whatever is decided to be the going rate.

City’s bid would also be affected by how much money they can raise from player sales. The club had hoped to sell off at least £100m of talent this summer but will receive less than £10m for Joe Hart and Aleksandar Kolarov combined, though Kelechi Iheanacho is ready to join Leicester City in a deal worth at least £20m while Nolito signed for Sevilla for £8m.

Fabian Delph and Fernando are on the brink of moves totalling around £20m combined, though Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony and Eliaquim Mangala are seemingly no closer to an exit.

City have also been trying to bring in a new centre-back for the last six weeks and were prepared to let Nicolas Otamendi leave to help fund their search. However, Kolarov’s unexpected request to leave for Roma, a deal for which City have received little more than £5m, has forced a rethink.

It is understood City, having already tried to sign Virgin van Dijk and Leonardo Bonucci, are currently setting their sights on a cheaper option. Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez is among the names under consideration, though they had preferred a more senior, robust option.Without selling Otamendi, though, they would struggle to fund a big-money move for a centre-back.

City have identified alternatives to Mbappe, including Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele. Bayern Munich duo Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman had previously been options, too, highlighting Guardiola’s desire for a pacy and tricky wide threat.

 

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Rooney still one of the best, insists Koeman

Wayne Rooney remains "one of the best in his position", according to Everton manager Ronald Koeman.

Rooney rejoined Everton from Manchester United this month and has hit the ground running in pre-season, scoring goals against Gor Mahia and Genk.The 31-year-old forward fell out of favour at United last season, making just 15 Premier League starts, and has not featured for England since November.

But Koeman does not believe Rooney's quality has waned, telling Everton's official website: "He has a lot of experience. He is an important player on the pitch but also important for his team-mates and certainly the young players to show them what you need to do to reach that high standard of football.

"That means he needs to be a leader off the pitch and if I see how he's working and what he's doing with all the players it's really what we want."Every day in training so far and in the friendlies, you see why he's one of the best in his position and one of the best players."

Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Sandro Ramirez and Cuco Martina have also joined Everton in the transfer window.

And Koeman is pleased with how the additions have integrated into the squad, saying: "I'm really happy with how the new players have settled in. We have a really good team.

"It's easy to come to Everton football club for the new players. The rest of the squad are open people and the new players feel at home when they move here.
"They have great futures at Everton and provide the quality we need to improve."

 

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Perisic can leave if Manchester United make serious offer – Spalletti

Inter will only sell Ivan Perisic to Manchester United if a significant transfer fee is offered, head coach Luciano Spalletti has warned.

The Croatia international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for a number of weeks but no agreement has yet been reached over a deal.

United boss Jose Mourinho admitted last week that he had "no idea" if Perisic would join the club and the winger has been involved in Inter's pre-season plans, starting the 1-1 friendly draw with Schalke on Friday.

Spalletti insists that he would like to keep the 28-year-old but admits that he could be allowed to leave if a sizeable offer were made that would allow for further investment in the squad."He is a fantastic player and if his future is totally up to me, I will definitely keep him," Spalletti told a media conference.

"However, if an offer comes and the club are satisfied with the money, which will be used to invest in and strengthen the team, he could leave."

United had initially hoped to use Inter’s desperation to meet Financial Fair Play commitments in order to prise away Perisic for a fee of around £26.4m, but the Serie A club were able to raise the funds from elsewhere.Perisic remains keen to leave San Siro for the Premier League and ordered his agent to do everything necessary to force through a deal with United.

The Premier League club have continued to haggle over a fee with Inter, who are understood to be ready to accept an offer in the region of £40 million .


Mourinho has already signed Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku this summer, and wants to make at least one more signing , with Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic also a target.

 

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Bid 1ka improve karala kohomahari Perisic wa ganna thiyenne​

 

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Cahill named new Chelsea captain by Conte

Gary Cahill has been named as the new Chelsea captain by head coach Antonio Conte.

The centre-back skippered the side for much of last season, with John Terry restricted largely to a back-up role, and he has now been given the armband on a full-time basis.

Cahill has enjoyed a highly successful spell at Stamford Bridge since signing from Bolton Wanderers in 2012 and Conte believes he has shown himself to be captain material."I think that it's right to continue with Cahill, if he plays, it's right he's the captain," said Conte, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

"Why? Because he stayed in Chelsea for many years and played a lot of games and showed good characteristics to be this."However, Conte urged Chelsea's other senior players to take on greater leadership roles during his second season at the club.

"I think also we can have other captains in our team, it could be [Cesar] Azpilicueta, [David] Luiz, and also, in the future, it could be Thibaut Courtois, Cesc Fabregas," he said.

"I think every single player must improve in this [being personalities in the dressing room] and take more responsibility because we lost big players and we need now to find these new players to create this fundamental for Chelsea. It is very important for our future success to create this base."Terry ended his 22-year association with Chelsea when his contract expired at the end of last season, going on to join Aston Villa this month.

Conte admits he would have been happy for the defender to stay at the club but accepted his desire was to play regular first-team football."There was a possibility to stay with us because I was very happy to have another season with John," he said. "But I respected his choice.

"He loves football, to enjoy training sessions, to push. I told him, 'when you have this desire in your heart and your head, continue to play. When you decide to stop playing, you finish'."Terry has confessed to a long-term ambition to return to Chelsea as manager and Conte believes he would thrive in the dugout.


"I think he could have the right characteristics to become a great manager," he added. "He worked with great managers in his career and I think he learned a lot about football. He could be a great manager in the future."

 

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Injured Man United trio Shaw, Young and Rojo have 'no chance' for season start

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo will all miss the start of the new Premier League season.

All three players are with the United squad for their pre-season tour of the United States, with Jose Mourinho's men set to face Real Madrid at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, as they continue their rehabilitation.

Shaw suffered ligament damage to his foot against Swansea City in May, Young hurt his hamstring in the Europa League semi-final with Celta Vigo while Rojo sustained knee ligament damage in the previous round of that competition versus Anderlecht.

Mourinho is pleased with the progress the trio have made, but said: "They have no chance for the beginning of the Premier League season. "Luke Shaw is the first one to recover, Marcos will be last and Ash will be in between. Luke is September, Young is October and Rojo is December, or maybe January.

"The group is really strong and it's good to be together. It's important for them to be with us and not be in Manchester working at home."

 

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Pereira not interested in leaving Manchester United on loan

Andreas Pereira has no desire to go out on loan from Manchester United again this season.

The midfielder was named United's Under-21 Player of the Season in 2014-15 but failed to establish himself under former manager Louis van Gaal.

He spent Jose Mourinho's first season in charge on loan at Granada, scoring five goals and registering three assists in La Liga.

And the 21-year-old wants to build on that campaign at United under Mourinho, whose man-management skills have impressed Pereira.

Asked if he would like another temporary stint away from Old Trafford, Pereira told the Press Association: "No, now I am focused at United.

"I am here and I want to stay here and I believe I am going to stay."

On Mourinho, Pereira added: "He knows how to do things, he knows how to speak with players he knows how to treat the team.

"He always gets the results and always wins trophies. I think if you want to be the best manager in the world, you have to win trophies and that's what he does.

"I was very happy [last season], I watched every game. The last game I even came to watch, the last Premier League game.

"I was very excited and, yeah, of course it is nice when United is winning back things and trophies. Hopefully we can kick on and win more trophies."

 

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Lahm named German Footballer of the Year 2017 after retirement

Former Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has been named the German Footballer of the Year for 2017.

Lahm retired in May after winning eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokal crowns, one Champions League and the 2014 World Cup in an extraordinarily distinguished career.

The defender's roll of honour includes being added to Bayern's Hall of Fame, while he was voted Footballer of the Year after leading the club to another league title last season.

German sport journalists voted Lahm the clear winner of the award, with Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos in second and Borussia Dortmund's 31-goal Bundesliga top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finishing third.

Lahm succeeds his Bayern colleague Jerome Boateng.in taking his first German Footballer of the Year award, having previously finished second and third in the voting."It's a real honour and I'm truly pleased with it. I think the journalists in the vote have watched me for my entire career,” said Lahm.

"History shows that it is incredibly tough for a defender to be named Footballer of the Year because over the course of a year there is normally always a forward who steals the headlines up front."


Julian Nagelsmann was awarded the German Manager of the Year prize after the 30-year-old led Hoffenheim to Champions League qualification for the first time in the club's history.

 

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Congratulations Lahm!

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Barcelona target Dybala not worth as much as Neymar, says Chiellini

Paulo Dybala is yet to reach the levels of Neymar, says Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, amid reports that the Argentine is a target for Barcelona.

With suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain are seeking a €222million move for Neymar, Dybala has been suggested as a potential replacement for the Brazil international.

Neymar scored a brace in Barca's 2-1 win over the Serie A champions in the International Champions Cup, but is reportedly receptive about agreeing terms with PSG, provided they meet his buy-out clause.

And Chiellini believes Neymar is the likeliest player to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or, with 23-year-old Dybala further behind in his development.

"Dybala isn't worth as much as Neymar is today, with all the respect and great esteem that we all have for Paulo," the Italy centre-back said to Premium Sport.

"I said it last season, Neymar is at the level of Messi and Ronaldo, and he's their designated heir for the Ballon d'Or."Neymar's valuation? They're huge numbers but ones that apply to a player that changes the course of a game and a season almost single-handedly. Therefore it is right for a team to spend a certain figure if they have the opportunity to do so."

Chiellini has spent the last seven seasons building a formidable partnership with Leonardo Bonucci, along with compatriots Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli, but Juve will be without the 30-year-old after his surprise sale to AC Milan in a €42m deal.
"Good or bad, he's been a companion of mine in everything," Chiellini said. "I'd seen him more than Gigi, Andrea and anyone else, including our families, in the last seven years.

"I'll miss him so much on a human level, but maybe another defender will arrive, who will allow us to catch breath and conserve our energy in the best way possible.


"We were five defenders, but now we're four top defenders, with different characteristics, which sincerely makes me less worried."

 

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Manchester City sign Danilo from Real Madrid

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Danilo from Real Madrid in a £26.5 million deal.

The 26-year-old has joined City on a five-year contract and will immediately link up with Pep Guardiola's squad in the United States, where he may make his City debut in the International Champions Cup.

As reported by Goal, City beat competition from Chelsea for the Brazil international and the club are also confident of securing the services of another full-back in Monaco's Benjamin Mendy, with confirmation of his arrival imminent.

Danilo's arrival takes City's spending on full-backs past the £70m mark this close-season after they paid an initial £45m for Tottenham's Kyle Walker – a deal that could rise to an eventual £50m.

City have seen a number of defenders depart the club since the end of last season. Aleksandar Kolarov was sold to Roma on Saturday, following Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna in leaving.

Pep Guardiola is understood to envisage using Danilo in a variety of roles, including left-back and defensive midfield, meaning he would not merely be cover for Walker on the right-hand side of defence.

"I am very, very happy to be joining Manchester City," Danilo told City's official website."There has been strong interest from other clubs, but it has always been my ambition to play for Pep Guardiola. As soon as I heard of his interest, I knew immediately I wanted to be a City player.

"I can't wait to get started and I'm looking forward to getting to know my new team-mates over the coming weeks."

Director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "Danilo is a fine player who offers great versatility to our squad. He can operate in several different roles in both defence and midfield, increasing Pep's options ahead of the new season.

"We feel he has all the attributes needed to succeed at City and we look forward to helping him develop during his time here."Danilo joined Madrid from Porto in 2015, having arrived in Europe three years earlier on the back of Copa Libertadores glory with Santos.

He endured a tough time in the Spanish capital, where he became a victim of the Santiago Bernabeu's infamous boo-boys, forcing head coach Zinedine Zidane to regularly defend the player.

 

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Real Madrid 1 Manchester United 1 (1-2 pens): De Gea proves his worth to Mourinho

David de Gea showed Real Madrid what they are missing by playing the hero act for Manchester United as they won 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 International Champions Cup draw in California on Sunday.

The Spain international, a long-time reported target of the Champions League winners, saved spot-kicks from Mateo Kovacic and Oscar before Casemiro hit the crossbar with his shoot-out kick - having scored from 12 yards in normal time - to hand United victory.

United took the lead shortly before half-time thanks to a sensational piece of play from Anthony Martial, the forward jinking away from Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez to give Jesse Lingard the simplest of finishes at the back post.

Casemiro levelled from the penalty spot after Victor Lindelof could only stop a rampaging Theo Hernandez by crashing into him before the Brazilian missed the decisive penalty in a poor shoot-out.

United remain unbeaten in the four matches they have played on their tour of the United States after holding off Madrid in searing temperatures, while the first pre-season match for Zinedine Zidane's men ended in defeat.The clubs will soon clash again as Madrid face United in the UEFA Super Cup in Skopje next month.

Lingard was one of two players retained from the United team that beat Manchester City 2-0 on Thursday and he had the first attempt with a shot Keylor Navas had to beat away.

In the stifling Santa Clara heat, the game was played at little more than walking pace, and Lingard bent a 20-yard effort narrowly wide after 40 minutes with Navas well beaten as both teams continued to struggle for attacking momentum at Levi's Stadium.But in the first minute of stoppage time, a moment of Martial magic provided the opener.

Brilliant skill from the Frenchman saw him cut inside off the left and evade three Madrid defenders before pulling back a precise low cross that Lingard tapped in from close range.

Zidane changed his entire XI at the interval while Mourinho made eight substitutions including introducing Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba, with Ander Herrera forced off through injury after just five minutes of the second half.Madrid were handed a glorious chance to level the scores after 68 minutes when a dreadful Lindelof challenge on Hernandez resulted in a penalty.

Casemiro stepped up to smash the spot-kick past De Gea and more penalties were required to find a winner with neither side making a breakthrough after Marouane Fellaini wasted a golden chance with seven minutes to play.

Martial blazed the first kick well over the crossbar before De Gea saved from Kovacic and Kiko Casilla denied Scott McTominay.De Gea's save from Oscar allowed Henrikh Mkhitaryan to nudge United ahead but Madrid responded through Luismi Quezado before Lindelof hit his kick straight at Casilla and Hernandez scuffed wide.

Daley Blind converted his kick to pile the pressure on Casemiro, with the Brazilian thudding his effort against the bar to continue United's fine run in pre-season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!

De Gea​

De Gea,Martial & Lingard pattaMartial ge goal assist 1kanam superb

Lassana move 1kak

anyway penalty shootout 1ke penalty take karapu widiyanam poorimprove karaganna wei godak​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG cannot get Sanchez so they go for Neymar - Wenger

Arsene Wenger says Paris Saint-Germain are trying to buy Neymar from Barcelona as they cannot sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.

PSG are reportedly willing to meet Neymar's €222million release clause to sign the Brazilian superstar, although Gerard Pique went on social media on Sunday to say his team-mate was staying.With Sanchez entering the last season of his contract and seemingly unwilling to sign a renewal at the Emirates Stadium, PSG have been among his mooted suitors.

But a defiant Wenger continues to insist Arsenal will hold onto the Chile international - who was reportedly seen in Paris this week - and risk losing him for nothing when his deal expires in a year's time."No, I don't think he was in Paris. No," Wenger said. "Paris Saint-Germain cannot get Sanchez so they go for Neymar.

"I read L'Equipe in the last three or four days. It has moved from Sanchez to Neymar. Today they speak about Neymar, three days ago they speak about Alexis. They need as well, like you [reporters], subjects."My mind has been made up for a while now. I think I've made it clear a few times that he is not for sale and this is my stance."

Arsenal are among the clubs to have been linked with a world-record move for teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, who Monaco have complained has been the subject of illegal approaches.

And Wenger is clear that the 'tapping-up' of top players such as Mbappe and Sanchez is rife within the football world."Honestly, it is a problem, I don't deny that," Wenger said. "But is there a realistic way to fight against it? That's the question that I ask.

"We've fought against this for 20 years but it still happens. How can you check when an agent meets a director from another club or which player speaks to who?
"It happens every day. Monaco do it as well! In the end they sell their players to the clubs who they complain against. I don't know what we need to do really because no one has found the right solution. But we know it happens and we know in the job that one of the sources of information comes from agents.

"We are respectful with the clubs. We ask them what they want to do and if they don't want to sell then we don't insist. For some, that is where the difference is. Once the club says no, some say: 'ok, we respect that'. And some continue and do not take no for an answer. That maybe is where Monaco complained. If you have top players you cannot stop it from happening. It's frustrating but you've got to fight against it."