Posts of juin 2015

Rampant Argentina thrash Paraguay

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in breàking news,criçket live,cricket s,crıcket lıve score,india cricket live,live,live cricket,lïve cricket score,news sport,Soccer Soccer Extended RSS,sportnews,sports

Argentina produced their best performance of the Copa America so far to crush Paraguay and set up a classic final against hosts Chile.

|||

CONCEPCION, Chile - Argentina produced their best performance of the Copa America so far to crush Paraguay 6-1 and set up a classic final against hosts Chile.

Angel di Maria scored twice and Marcos Rojo, Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain also found the net in a brilliant display orchestrated by an inspired Lionel Messi.

Argentina had scored only four goals in their four previous matches but Messi said it was not because the team had not been playing well.

“We talked about that just before the match and we said it was just chance that we hadn't scored more because we've been playing well,” Messi said.

“Today all the goals came at once.”

Gerardo Martino's side took the lead after 15 minutes when Messi swung a free kick in from the left, Rojo failed to connect cleanly with his first touch but swept the ball home from close range with his second.

Argentina doubled their lead 12 minutes later and again Messi was the provider, threading an inch-perfect pass through the Paraguayan defence for Pastore to run on to. His powerful low shot gave goalkeeper Justo Villar no chance.

Things went from bad to worse for Paraguay when both their strikers, Derliz Gonzalez and Roque Santa Cruz, limped off injured.

Santa Cruz's replacement, Lucas Barrios, gave them hope with a goal just before the break but in the second half Argentina were unstoppable.

Minutes into the second half Pastore burst through midfield and fed Di Maria, who buried a left-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Six minutes later Messi destroyed the Paraguayan defence with a mazy run to set up Pastore. His shot was parried by Villar but Di Maria was on hand to slot home the rebound.

On 80 minutes Di Maria turned provider, crossing from the left for Aguero to head home, and minutes later Higuain came off the bench to score a sixth.

Argentina will face Chile at Santiago's national stadium on Saturday. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1CIsJKR

Pearson, Leicester part ways

Leicester City have sacked manager Nigel Pearson because of a breakdown in his relationship with the club's owners, the club said.

|||

London - Leicester City have sacked manager Nigel Pearson because of a breakdown in his relationship with the club's owners, the Premier League side said on Tuesday.

Pearson guided Leicester to top-flight safety in the final matches of last season after they appeared to be doomed to relegation and they finished 14th in the Premier League.

The club said their directors recognised the success Pearson had brought Leicester in his two spells in charge.

“However, it has become clear to the Club that fundamental differences in perspective exist between us. Regrettably, the Club believes that the working relationship between Nigel and the Board is no longer viable,” the statement said.

“Leicester City's owners, Vichai and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, and the board of directors would like to place on record their thanks to Nigel for the considerable contribution he has made during his time with the Club and wish him well in the future.”

The statement added that the owners had always acted in the best interests of the club and remained “wholly committed” to development and investment so that Leicester would remain competitive in the Premier League.

Assistant managers Craig Shakespeare and Steve Walsh will take charge of the first team while the club look for a new manager.

Pearson, 51, took over for a second spell at Leicester in November 2011 and led them back to the Premier League from the Championship. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1CIro6W

Blatter will skip women’s final

Embattled Fifa boss Sepp Blatter has decided not to attend the final of the women’s World Cup in Canada.

|||

New York - Fifa President Sepp Blatter will not travel to Canada for the final of the women's World Cup on July 5 for personal reasons, a US-based lawyer for Blatter said on Tuesday.

Senior executives of Zurich-based Fifa were charged with corruption on May 27 by prosecutors in the United States over bids for major soccer tournaments dating back 24 years and involving up to $150-million in purported bribes.

Blatter came under pressure to step down, and he announced on June 2 that he would do so.

US prosecutors have not accused Blatter of wrongdoing but his stewardship of world soccer's governing body is under scrutiny, sources familiar with investigations in the United States and Switzerland have said.

“He's not going to go to the finals in Canada,” said the lawyer, Richard Cullen. “He has informed the organisers of that and cited personal reasons.”

Cullen said that Fifa Senior Vice-President Issa Hayatou of Cameroon would preside at the trophy ceremony after the final in Vancouver instead.

This will be the first time Blatter has not presented the trophy to the winners of the women's competition, which is held every four years, since he became Fifa president in 1998.

Blatter, the self-styled “godfather of women's football”, said before the tournament began on June 6 that he was looking forward to being in Canada. The tournament's semi-finals will be contested by the United States and Germany on Tuesday and England and Japan on Wednesday.

Investigations by US and Swiss authorities also include scrutiny of how Fifa awarded World Cup hosting rights to Russia and Qatar for the 2018 and 2022 men's tournaments.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1NtWipO

Chile coach banking on Sanchez

Chile need Alexis Sanchez shine as they try to end their wait for a first Copa America, coach Jorge Sampaoli said.

|||

Santiago - Chile need Alexis Sanchez to recover his best form as they try to end an almost century-long wait for a first Copa America, according to coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Sampaoli's team reached the final with a 2-1 win over Peru on Monday and will meet the winners of Tuesday's semi-final between favourites Argentina and Paraguay at the national stadium on Saturday.

“When Alexis is not in the fullness (of form) that he has us used to, Chile feel it,” Sampaoli said.

“If he is feeling good, he's the most decisive player in this team. We must recover him well because he's vital to us,” added the Argentine.

Sanchez has shown flashes of his class in the tournament but contributed only one of Chile's 13 goals in five matches.

Sampaoli suggested the pressure from home fans to reach the final as hosts and win the 99-year-old tournament for the first time affected the team.

Chile were not at their best trying to break down a Peru side reduced to 10 men for 70 minutes after a red card for defender Carlos Zambrano, he said.

“This was the match in which we most lost our shape. Defensively the team struggled a lot to get their shape to recover the ball, we usually get it back much quicker than today (Monday),” Sampaoli said.

“Our anxiety played against us,” Sampaoli told reporters.

Defender Mauricio Isla, scorer of the goal that gave Chile a 1-0 win over 2011 champions Uruguay in their quarter-final, echoed that sentiment.

“It wasn't our best match, we had been showing good touch, great finishing and today we got tired,” he said.

“Peru complicated us quite a bit, even with a man less. I think the pressure got to us.”

The Peruvians were not given much of a chance before the tournament but Sampaoli believes they can carry their much improved form into the 2018 World Cup qualifiers starting in October.

“(Peru) grew throughout the tournament and their big names became stronger and are in great form,” said Sampaoli of the work of their coach Ricardo Gareca in the short time he has been in charge.

“From midfield towards the front they have nothing to envy any national team in the Americas.”

Peru had a poor 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and are still looking to reach the finals for the first time since 1982.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1g7RrQ3

Cardiff to host 2017 Champions League final

The Millennium Stadium will host the 2017 Champions League final, Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said.

|||

Nyon, Switzerland - The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will host the 2017 Champions League final, Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday.

The Friends Arena in Stockholm will be the venue for the 2017 Europa League final.

It will be the first final of Uefa's flagship competition to be held in Wales, but the 12th time it will be staged in the British Isles, with seven previous finals at Wembley, three in Glasgow and one in Manchester.

The Millennium Stadium, which is owned by the Welsh Rugby Union, opened in 1999 and staged the English FA Cup finals from 2001 until 2006 while Wembley was being rebuilt.

It has a capacity of 74,500 and staged soccer matches during the Olympic Games in 2012.

It will be the second major Uefa showpiece staged in the Welsh capital after the Cardiff City Stadium provided the venue for the European Supercup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the start of last season.

The Friends Arena in Stockholm opened in 2012 and the Europa League final will be the first Uefa club competition final to be staged in Sweden, which hosted the 1992 European Championship.

Uefa also announced that the 2017 Supercup match, the European club season curtain-raiser between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League will be staged in Skopje in Macedonia.

The venue for the 2016 Champions League final is the San Siro in Milan and the Europa League final will be at St Jakob Park in Basel.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1U491UC

Bafana should only play at FNB stadium

Newly appointed Safa Technical Director Neil Tovey believes that Bafana Bafana’s matches should be played at FNB Stadium only.

|||

Newly appointed Safa Technical Director (TD) Neil Tovey believes that Bafana Bafana’s matches should be played at FNB Stadium and nowhere else in the country.

Tovey was over the weekend appointed Safa’s TD in Nasrec, Johannesburg on a five-year deal.

Among his many responsibilities, the former Bafana skipper is expected to oversee a roll out of training of coaches, as well as developing young football talent within the country.

At the SAB Under-21 National Championships in Soshanguve, Pretoria yesterday, Tovey stated that he won’t be interfering with Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba’s coaching methods. However, he will offer advice whenever he feels it necessary.

“I made it quite clear that I won’t have time to run around behind the senior national team, given the amount of work I’ll have to do as a Technical Director,” Tovey said. “Yes I’ll be there to lend a hand. Not from a coaching perspective per se, but to talk to the technical team and exchange ideas with regards to, for example, where a national team match should be played.

“To be quite honest, I was not happy we played Gambia (in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier) in Durban. The game should have been played at altitude to make the Gambian team suffer. In that game they were panting and out of breath in the last 15 minutes of the game. I believe they’d have been out of breath in the last 45 minutes had we played them at altitude.

“I understand these decisions are influenced by finances. But I believe that financial perspectives can be applied when it comes to friendly matches. This is the only time when the national team should play outside of Gauteng,” he added.

“If you’ve got a national stadium then that’s where you need to be playing your national games. Otherwise why should you call it a national stadium? You’ve got to turn it into a fortress, a place other national teams will dread.”

Meanwhile, Northern Cape started off their U-21 National Championship campaign with a 1-0 win over Gauteng. USSA beat North West 3-1, while the Western Cape were held to 1-1 draw by Mpumalanga. Gauteng were subjected to another defeat as they lost 3-2 against defending champions Free State. It proved to be Free State’s day as they went on to beat Mpumalanga 2-1 in a tight encounter. KwaZulu Natal lost 2-0 to Limpopo. - The Star

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1C4wQGx

Gervinho’s ‘obscene’ transfer demands

Gervinho’s requests for a helicopter and a private beach as part of the deal that would take him to Al-Jazira were described as 'obscene' by the Emirati club.

|||

Requests by Gervinho for a helicopter and a private beach as part of the deal that would take him from Roma to Al-Jazira were described as 'obscene' by the Emirati club, according to reports on Tuesday.

Gervinho was set to end his mitigated two-year spell with the Serie A club and join Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates this week on a reported four-year deal worth 13m euros.

But the move collapsed because of Gervinho's string of demands, which also included accommodation for his family and regular airplane tickets to travel to his native Ivory Coast, said La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Reports from the Emirates suggest Gervinho's demands alerted the club to possible future problems with the player, and they are not expected to pursue the deal any further.

Gervinho remains on the market but will now be expected to turn up for Roma's first training camp of the summer at their Trigoria base just outside Rome on July 5. – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1IJvihW

Wolfsburg’s De Bruyne ‘not for sale’

Wolfsburg has sent a “hands off” signal to the clubs chasing Kevin de Bruyne by insisting their Belgium midfielder is not for sale.

|||

Wolfsburg has sent a “hands off” signal to the clubs chasing Kevin de Bruyne by insisting their Belgium midfielder is not for sale as they look to improve his contract.

Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked to the 24-year-old attacking midfielder who helped steer Wolfsburg to a Champions League place next season and scored in last month's German Cup final win over Borussia Dortmund.

De Bruyne has a contract with Wolfsburg until 2019 and Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs says they want to sit down and offer him an improved deal to keep him at the Bundesliga's runners-up.

“Kevin has a contract until 2019, so the signal has already been sent out. He will stay with us,” Allofs told German broadcaster Sport1.

“We've said we will look at his contract.

“The aim is to take into account financially Kevin's extraordinary development and I think we will reach an agreement here very quickly.”

The Belgian attracted plenty of attention after scoring 16 goals and setting up 29 more in all competitions in a stellar season after joining from Chelsea where he was given few opportunities by Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

Wolfsburg will be back in the Champions League next season for the first time since 2009 having finished second only to Bayern Munich in the German league last season. – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1LFthJD

Uefa ease FFP restrictions

Uefa has presented new financial fair play rules easing restrictions on clubs in a bid to tempt investors.

|||

Uefa has presented new financial fair play rules easing restrictions on clubs in a bid to tempt investors after a tough three-year campaign to cut sky-high debt in the European game.

With Gulf state-owned Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain still feeling the pain of sanctions ordered last year, Uefa's executive eased the rules at a meeting in Prague on Monday.

They will force clubs to give extra information on ownership but will also start new voluntary financial revival plans to allow clubs to avoid sanctions and to spend on players if they have a “plausible and conservative” business plan.

The new Uefa rules are clearly intended to attract investors.

Since the introduction of Financial Fair Play in 2011 clubs have basically been ordered to live within their means.

Uefa says that European clubs' overall debt has been cut from 1.7 billion euros ($1.89 billion) in 2011 to 487 million euros in 2014.

Uefa president Michel Platini insisted that the new fair play is “an expansion and a strengthening” of the rules.

“The overall objectives of financial fair play remain the same. We are just evolving from a period of austerity to one where we can offer more opportunities for sustainable growth and development,” he said.

But Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino acknowledged legal challenges made against the rules and doubts raised by some clubs about the restrictions.

“This is what we were hearing: 'Why should we invest if it's forbidden. If I invest I am in breach (of fair play and) there are consequences,'“ Infantino said after the executive committee approved the new rules.

“We are sure that these new rules will encourage investors to invest in European football because European football is the best product in the world when it comes to club football.”

Manchester City, owned by an Abu Dhabi state entity, and Paris St Germain, controlled by a Qatar government entity, both recorded losses of more than 100 million euros ($110 million) in some seasons, leading to questions about how debts are covered.

Uefa in particular said that a backdated 200 million euro sponsorship deal with the Qatar Tourism Office was not market value and a secret subsidy.

In future, any sponsor that gives more than 30 percent of a club's revenue's will be considered a “related party” to the club.

In the past two years, Uefa has had fair play plans with 23 clubs including City, Paris St Germain, Inter Milan, AS Roma and Sporting Lisbon. Dynamo Moscow have been banned from European competition next year while others have faced huge fines.

Four clubs have already left their fair play plans though and Uefa said it did not anticipate any new major cases.

The fair play rules have faced a legal challenge from Manchester City and Paris fans who got a Brussels court to block the implementation of a new phase of the existing rules.

Uefa's legal counsel Alasdair Bell said however the governing body was confident the ruling would be overturned. The fans and a players' agent want to stop Uefa reducing the permitted deficit from 45 million euros to 30 million euros.

Infantino insisted that fair play has been a success and “is really in the head of everyone: of every club manager, every coach, the players, the agents, everyone.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1eXijlH

Ramos wants United move

Sergio Ramos has told Real Madrid he wants to join Manchester United this summer.

|||

Sergio Ramos has told Real Madrid he wants to join Manchester United this summer.

United made an opening bid of £28.5million last week which was rejected by Madrid. However, after being informed of the offer, Ramos has made it clear to Madrid that he wants them to negotiate with United and reach an agreement.

The development has shocked Madrid, who expected the Ramos affair to end with a revised contract offer. Ramos has a buy-out clause of £142m but believes United’s offer represents good value for a player of his age — considering he has two years left on his contract.

Real will attempt to appease Ramos over his contract but his brother and agent Rene is understood to have intimated to the club hierarchy that the opportunity for that has passed. Madrid’s next likely step is to demand United goalkeeper David de Gea as part of negotiations.

United remain confident of signing Morgan Schneiderlin too from Southampton although a fee has yet to be agreed for the 24-year-old France international. – Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Ju2Bev

Spurs cut their losses with Paulinho

Tottenham Hotspur have managed to offload misfit midfielder Paulinho to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for £9.8million.

|||

Tottenham Hotspur have managed to offload misfit Brazilian midfielder Paulinho to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for £9.8million.

The 26-year-old failed to live up to expectations at White Hart Lane after signing for £17m from Brazilian club Corinthians in 2013.

His four-year deal at Guangzhou reunites him with former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who included the midfielder in his squad at last year's World Cup.

Paulinho arrived in England with a reputation as an all-action midfielder for Brazil. But he struggled to adapt to the Premier League and failed to stay in the Tottenham side under Mauricio Pochettino. He made 30 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring just twice.

Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne underwent a medical yesterday ahead of his £12.5m move to Liverpool.

The 24-year-old England right-back was in the city after returning from holiday and is likely to be announced as the club's sixth summer signing tomorrow.

Sunderland hope to complete the signing of Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates this week. They are close to tying up a £2m deal for the 24-year-old Uruguay centre-back who was on loan at the Stadium of Light last season.

Coates is enjoying a break after Uruguay's Copa America camaign but with just a year of his contract at Anfield to run, he should become Dick Advocaat's first signing as the head coach attempts to rebuild his squad.

Coates was signed on loan by compatriot Gus Poyet last season and although he struggled to make an impact early on in the North-east, he came to the fore during Sunderland's successful survival bid, playing every minute of the final six games from which they took nine points.

England defender Phil Jones yesterday signed a new contract designed to keep him at Manchester United for four more years.– The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1eX4Uda

Netherlands coach Hiddink quits

Guus Hiddink has quit as coach of the Netherlands after spending less than one year in his second spell in the job.

|||

Amsterdam - Guus Hiddink has quit as coach of the Netherlands after spending less than one year in his second spell in the job, the Football Association (KNVB) announced on Monday.

The 68-year-old hands over to assistant Danny Blind with the Dutch third in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, facing the possibility of a playoff tie to win a spot at next year's championship in France.

The much-travelled Hiddink has delivered some mediocre results and been heavily criticised since taking over from Manchester United-bound Louis van Gaal in August.

It was previously planned that Blind would take over as the number one following Euro 2016.

“I think it's a real pity things worked out like this,” Hiddink said in a statement.

“It was an honour to be the national coach again and I wish my successor and all the staff every success on the road to Euro 2016.”

The Dutch finished third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and since then they have won four games in 10 matches, drawing once and losing five times.

They are five points behind leaders Iceland and three adrift of Czech Republic in Group A although they still have to host both in Euro 2016 qualifying.

Hiddink's team lost to Czech Republic and Iceland in September and October last year and also dropped points at home to Turkey in March.

He was questioned by reporters in recent months over an apparent failure to forge the special bonds with his players that he had in the past.

Hiddink, who has also coached a host of top clubs including Real Madrid and Chelsea, responded by saying the negative reaction was disproportional.

The Dutch reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup in France during his first spell in charge. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1FMFp3b

Cech thanks Abramovich for move

Petr Cech thanked Roman Abramovich after the Chelsea owner allowed the goalkeeper to join arch-rivals Arsenal.

|||

London - Petr Cech thanked Roman Abramovich from “the bottom of my heart” after the Chelsea owner allowed the club's long-serving goalkeeper to move across London and join arch-rivals Arsenal.

Cech, the most successful keeper in Chelsea's history having won four Premier League titles and one Champions League, said he never envisaged leaving Stamford Bridge but had no choice after becoming second-choice to Belgian Thibaut Courtois last season.

“I thought this would never happen ... it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea,” the 33-year-old said in a personal message to the fans.

“The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, the club in which I thought I'd hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career, but life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will.

“Last summer things changed and I understood I was no longer the first choice...the limited playing time gave me the chance to refresh and rest mentally as well as make me realise just how much I enjoy playing football at the highest level,” said Cech.

“That's why I spoke to Mr Abramovich about me staying in the Premier League and I'd like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for his support in this matter. It means so much to me because without him Chelsea would not be where it is now.”

Cech, who will play one of his first games for Arsenal against his former club in the Community Shield at Wembley on Aug. 2, described his 11 years at Stamford Bridge as “an incredible journey”.

“I couldn't be more proud,” he said. “As a team we made history together. I would personally like to thank everybody involved with Chelsea for their support, all the players, staff, managers and coaching staff.

“But most important of all a huge thank you goes to all the Chelsea fans. I did everything for you and you gave me your love back. I'll never forget it, it will stay with me forever.”

Some of Arsenal's players have already welcomed their new team mate to the club.

“Wow what a signing! One of the best @PremierLeague keepers ever! Welcome @PetrCech,” Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey said on his Twitter account.

“From blue to red - welcome @petrcech to the @Arsenal family,” added Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1JtZHX6

Chile into Copa America final

Chile took another step towards their dream of winning a first Copa America on home soil with victory over Peru.

|||

Santiago - Chile took another step towards their dream of winning a first Copa America on home soil with a 2-1 win over Peru on Monday but Eduardo Vargas' match-winning double was overshadowed by an early refereeing decision that turned the game the hosts' way.

Carlos Zambrano's harsh sending off for a high tackle after 20 minutes was the second game in a row that Chile's rivals have been hit with controversial red cards.

The decision was a hard one to swallow for Peru, who in spite of being underdogs had started well in front of a capacity crowd at Santiago's National Stadium.

“I think Zambrano's expulsion was a bit tough,” Peru striker Paolo Guerrero told television cameras.

“I don't want to complain about the refereeing but there were a lot of unexpected decisions. If it had been 11 against 11 it would have been a different story.”

Chile's opponents in last week's quarter-final, Uruguay, were reduced to nine men in controversial fashion with Edinson Cavani and Jorge Fucile being sent off in Santiago.

Cavani's red card came after Chile defender Gonzalo Jara stuck his finger up the striker's backside and when he responded with the slightest of touches Jara fell to the ground theatrically, prompting the referee to send the Uruguayan off.

Chile got the decisive goal shortly after.

Jara later had a three-game ban for provoking Cavani cut to two by the governing body of South American football.

Peru refused to cave in after Zambrano's dismissal and matched their hosts in a pulsating first half.

But just when it looked like the teams would go in all square at half time Chile took the lead when striker Vargas poked the ball home from three yards after an Alexis Sanchez cross had come back off the post.

Television replays showed Vargas was marginally offside, but justice seemed to be done seconds into the second half when he had what looked like a legitimate goal chalked off for offside.

Peru came back into the game and equalised on the hour mark when Guerrero split the Chilean defence with a pass for Luis Advincula. He whipped in a cross from the right that Gary Medel turned into his own net.

Peru's lead lasted just four minutes, however, and again it was Vargas who did the damage as he picked up the ball in midfield and lashed home an unstoppable strike from 30 yards.

Chile, who have never won the Copa America in its 99-year existence, will play the winners of Tuesday's semi-final between Argentina and Paraguay. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1U2RwnL

Cech joins Arsenal

Petr Cech ended a highly successful 11-year spell at Chelsea when he moved to Premier League rivals Arsenal.

|||

London - Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech ended a highly successful 11-year spell at English champions Chelsea when he moved to Premier League rivals Arsenal on Monday.

Cech, who made over 400 appearances at Stamford Bridge and won the Champions League and four Premier League titles, joins Arsenal on a long-term contract for a fee British media reported to be worth around 11 million pounds ($17.31 million).

"I'm really excited about joining Arsenal and can't wait to join up for pre-season," Cech, 33, told the club's website (www.arsenal.com)

"I have the same commitment to football, the same motivation and the same hunger for success as I had at the beginning of my career.

"When (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger spoke to me about his ambitions for this club, and how he saw me as part of this team, the decision was clear."

One of Cech's first games for Arsenal will be against Chelsea at Wembley on Aug. 2 in the traditional match between the FA Cup winners and Premier League champions.

Before that his new club play in the four-team Asia Trophy in Singapore next month and then host the Emirates Cup against Olympique Lyonnais, Villarreal and VfL Wolfsburg.

Chelsea were reluctant to sell the Cech but accepted he did not want to spend another campaign as deputy to Thibaut Courtois who is 10 years younger.

Belgian international Courtois became manager Jose Mourinho's first choice last season after returning from three years on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Cech moved to Stamford Bridge from Stade Rennes in 2004 but made only six appearances in last season's league triumph.

His other major honours included the Champions League in 2012, when he saved a penalty in the final against Bayern Munich and two more spot kicks in the shootout, the 2013 Europa League, four FA Cup wins and three League Cups.

"Petr Cech is a player that I have admired for a long time and I am very pleased that he has decided to join us," Arsenal boss Wenger said.

"He has proven over many seasons that he is one of the outstanding keepers in the world and he will add great strength to our squad."

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1SXX6Gt

More withdrawals for Bafana

Three players have withdrawn from the Bafana squad to play Mauritius in their second-leg Chan qualifier.

|||

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana have once again been hit by withdrawals ahead of a key encounter as three players have been removed from the squad to play Mauritius in their second-leg Chan qualifier in Mapou, Mauritius, on Sunday.

Two of the players - Thabo Matlaba and Ntsikelelo Nyauza - had only been added to the 18-man travelling squad on Thursday. Marc van Heerden was the third player to have withdrawn.

“Both Matlaba and Van Heerden are suffering from Achilles tendon injuries while Nyauza had to pull out following his club’s hectic schedule in the Caf [Confederations Cup] competition,” said the SA Football Association in a statement on Monday.

It is yet another instance of player withdrawals from the national team, after 12 players from a 23-man squad were removed ahead of the first-leg Chan qualifier against Mauritius which Bafana won 3-0 at Dobsonville Stadium on June 20.

Coach Shakes’ Mashaba and his technical team will draft in replacements for the three.

The withdrawn trio join Vuyisile Wana who was taken off the Bafana list due to a knee injury, and has been replaced by Thabo Mnyamane.

ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1QZ3CiP

Delph could join City for only £8m

Manchester City have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Fabian Delph.

|||

London - Manchester City have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Fabian Delph as it emerged the Aston Villa midfielder has a modest £8million release clause.

Delph pleasantly surprised Villa fans by agreeing fresh terms in January, six months before his deal ran out.

City are keen to add more homegrown talent to their squad after the loss of James Milner.

Losing Delph would be a huge blow to Tim Sherwood, who made the 25-year-old his captain after taking over.

The Villa manager is already on the lookout for central midfield recruits after Tom Cleverley opted to join Everton.

Charlton’s Jordan Cousins and Hull’s Robbie Brady are both targets for Sherwood.

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1eeo6Cb

What does José see in Falcao?

Radamel Falcao was deemed not worthy of Man United and sent back to Monaco, yet Chelsea remain interested.

|||

London - Radamel Falcao was deemed not worthy of Manchester United, sent back to Monaco with four Barclays Premier League goals and his £43-million invoice untouched.

At 29, is he worth that? Not a chance, thought Louis van Gaal, who had already wasted £6m and £280000 per week on a gamble that did not work out.

No longer mesmerising. No longer deadly. Any suggestion that it was down to the tactics used in Manchester was rejected at Copa America, where the Colombia striker was hauled off against Peru and Brazil, before being dropped for Argentina. Falcao circa 2012 has sadly disappeared.

Yet Chelsea remain interested. Why? What does José Mourinho see that no-one else can?

Sign for Chelsea, bang in 20-odd goals, then we may be eating our words, yet nothing could seem more unlikely after his last season in England and the recent tournament in Chile.

The forward made four appearances at Copa America, playing 252 minutes. The outcome was zero goals, no assists, six shots in total with one on target (16.67percent accuracy), and a single chance created. It was amateur hour from one of the world’s former great goalscorers.

Signing Falcao could only go one of two ways for Chelsea and, in particular, Mourinho.

Either a) it turns out to be a masterstroke, or b) a disaster. Chelsea supporters have every faith in their manager – and rightly so – yet this could backfire. Hope for the best but expect the worst.

In 2012, any club in world football would have taken Falcao. He had 41 goals in 51 appearances for Porto in Portuguese Liga, and was in the process of hitting 52 in 68 for Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

A lot has changed in three years to make Chelsea the only club in European football willing to give him an opportunity as back-up for Diego Costa and, should he stay, Loic Remy.

Even if Monaco cut Falcao’s price to £4m and he lowers himself to £170000-per-week wages, after all, it would be disproportionate to what he has shown in Manchester and Chile previously.

Roman Abramovich could afford it, but it seems an unnecessary, particularly when other strikers are available, such as Charlie Austin, Christian Benteke and Gonzalo Higuain, among others.

Chelsea do not want to get stuck with another Fernando Torres or Juan Sebastian Veron, even if it is only for a year, and signing Falcao feels like tempting fate.

It would be a nice story for Mourinho, and Falcao too. Take a worn-out striker, recycle him, do what your rival manager in Manchester couldn’t, and save the reputation of a former predator.

He has a point to prove, but can Mourinho reinvigorate this once-great striker? You’d like to think if anyone can, it would be Chelsea’s manager.

Then he really would be The Special One.

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1U00TEQ

Phil Neville joins Valencia

Former Man United, Everton and England midfielder Phil Neville is the new assistant coach at Valencia, the club said.

|||

Madrid - Former Manchester United, Everton and England midfielder Phil Neville has agreed to become Valencia coach Nuno's assistant, the La Liga club said on Sunday.

Neville played for boyhood club United from 1995 to 2005 before switching to Everton and retired at the end of the 2012-13 season. He made 59 appearances for England between 1996 and 2007.

The 38-year-old was an assistant coach at United under both David Moyes, currently in charge at Valencia's La Liga rivals Real Sociedad, and interim replacement Ryan Giggs.

“Valencia CF are pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Neville as assistant manager of the first team, joining the coaching staff headed by Nuno Espirito Santo,” the club said on their website (www.valenciacf.com).

Following last year's takeover by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim, Valencia are ambitious to return to the top in Spain and Europe after a period of instability marked by financial troubles and disappointment on the pitch.

They finished fourth in La Liga in 2014-15, securing a place in qualifying for the Champions League, the competition in which they were losing finalists in 2000 and 2001.

They ended their latest La Liga campaign on 77 points, the same number they amassed when they last won the Spanish league title in 2004.

“Phil Neville has great experience at the top level of competition, but above all he has knowledge and values that fit perfectly with our team and our club,” Nuno said on Valencia's website.

“He has always been a team player and our philosophy is based on teamwork. We are, and want to continue to be, a group. I am convinced that he is going to help us a lot.”

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GUUGTA

A ‘win-win’ for Argentina

One thing is certain, the winning coach in the Copa America will be an Argentine.

|||

Santiago – Only four teams are left in the Copa America and whichever lifts the trophy next weekend, one thing is guaranteed – the winning coach will be an Argentine.

With Brazil’s shock exit in the quarter-finals on Saturday, the semi-final lineup is complete. Hosts Chile will face Peru in Santiago on Monday before favourites Argentina take on Paraguay in the southern Chilean city of Concepcion on Tuesday.

All four teams have Argentine coaches. Chile are led by Jorge Sampaoli, Peru by Ricardo Gareca, Argentina by Gerardo Martino and Paraguay by Ramon Diaz.

“It’s a source of great happiness for the whole country that we not only have top-class players but also top-class coaches,” Diaz said after his side disposed of Brazil in a penalty shootout on Saturday.

Buoyed by a home crowd, Chile will be favourites to beat Peru but are still waiting to hear if their centre back Gonzalo Jara will be cleared to play.

He is at the centre of the now infamous incident after television images showed him sticking his finger up an opponent’s backside during Chile’s quarter-final victory over Uruguay.

The South American football federation is reviewing the case and is expected to rule on it before the semi-final. The chances are that Jara will be banned for at least one match.

That would be a blow to Chile’s chances of containing Peru’s “fantastic four” – strikers Paolo Guerrero and Claudio Pizarro and attacking midfielders Jefferson Farfan and Juan Vargas.

They have turned an otherwise unremarkable team into serious title contenders and Guerrero in particular is in fine form having scored a hat-trick in their quarter-final defeat of Bolivia.

Argentina looked good in their last match against Colombia but once again struggled to find the net, despite having attacking talents Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria in their starting line-up.

In the end it was their reserve striker, Carlos Tevez, who eased them into the last four with the decisive penalty in a shoot-out.

Their opponents Paraguay are perhaps the most unlikely of the semi-finalists, although they have already faced the three most successful sides in South American football history – Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay – and come through unbeaten.

Tuesday’s match will be a repeat of their group clash against Argentina, when they battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw.

Thirteen players go into the semis on yellow cards and if they are booked would miss the final. They include Messi, his Argentine teammate Javier Mascherano and Chile’s influential playmaker Jorge Valdivia. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1ecVOYJ

Injury blow for Bafana

Vuyisile Wana has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad due to a knee injury.

|||

Cape Town – Vuyisile Wana has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad due to a knee injury.

South Africa are to take on Mauritius in the second leg of the 2016 CHAN qualifiers scheduled for Mauritius on Sunday (kick-off, SA time 1pm).

Wana was in the Bafana squad that defeated the Islanders 3-0 in the first leg played at the Dobsonville Stadium last weekend.

Thabo Mnyamane of AmaTuks has been called up as a replacement. Mnyamane made his Bafana Bafana debut against Swaziland in March this year, and scored in the 3-1 victory at the Somhlolo Stadium.

Bafana Bafana assemble for camp on Sunday, in Johannesburg.

The Bafana Bafana squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Jackson ABOKGWANE (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng KHUNE (Kaizer Chiefs FC)

DEFENDERS: Wandisile LETLABIKA (Bloemfontein Celtic FC), Thabo MATLABA (Orlando Pirates FC), Ntsikelelo NYAUZA (Orlando Pirates FC), Tshepo GUMEDE (Orlando Pirates FC), Marc VAN HEERDEN (AmaZulu FC), Kwanda MNGONYAMA (Maritzburg United FC)

MIDFIELDERS: Gift MOTUPA (Orlando Pirates FC), Thabang MONARE (Jomo Cosmos FC), Musa NYATAMA (Bloemfontein Celtic FC), Mandla MASANGO (Kaizer Chiefs FC), William TWALA (Chippa United FC), Thabo MNYAMANE (Pretoria University FC)

STRIKERS: Bonginkosi NTULI (AmaZulu FC), Thamsanqa GABUZA (Orlando Pirates FC), Ndumiso MABENA (Platinum Stars FC), Siphelele NTSHANGASE (Black Leopards FC). – ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1SUGpvv

Key Safa job for Tovey

The South African Football Association has appointed Neil Tovey as its technical director.

|||

Johannesburg – The South African Football Association (Safa) has announced the appointment of Neil Tovey as its technical director.

The 52-year-old Africa Cup of Nations-winning captain, who has been working as a TV pundit and part-time coach, is expected to develop young talent and create a uniform playing style for national teams.

National football association official Natasha Tsichlas said: “Neil understands the South African football culture and has a successful track record.”

Tovey skippered Bafana Bafana to a 2-0 triumph over Tunisia in the 1996 Cup of Nations final in Soweto, watched by a capacity 80 000 crowd.

His 52-cap international career ended a year later after a poor performance in a World Cup qualifying defeat away to Congo in Brazzaville.

Pretoria-born Tovey spent 10 years playing for Kaizer Chiefs, and the highlight of his coaching career was guiding Mamelodi Sundowns to the Premiership title.

Tovey, together with Stuart Baxter and Carlos Queiroz, had been linked with the vacant position at Safa since the beginning of the year.

He is one of the most experienced coaches in the country, having coached Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu and Mpumalanga Black Aces in the last 16 years.

The role has been vacant for a few years, however Fran-Hilton Smith has most recently filled the role on an interim basis.

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Ill5w7

Jele keeps the Bucs party happy

Happy Jele brought delight to Bucs fan when he netted the winning goal on Saturday.

|||

Harrismith – After scoring the winning goal in Orlando Pirates’ 1-0 victory over AC Leopards in the Caf Confederations Cup match in Dolisie, Congo, on Saturday, Bucs defender Happy Jele was relieved to secure the win.

The Buccaneers had little in the way of genuine goal-scoring opportunities during the 90 minutes, but demonstrated clinical finishing upfront as they converted their only real chance in the clash as Jele buried a shot inside the area just inside the hour mark in front of a capacity crowd.

“It’s always great scoring but as a defender I am equally delighted to have been able to help the team record a clean sheet in a tough game like that one,” said Jele after the match.

“I am very happy to have contributed to the team’s win today. This victory was very important to us because like in the 2013 Champions League, we understand how important it is to win the opening game.”

It was the first-ever victory for Pirates over Leopards, and simply avoiding a loss would have been a huge result away from home.

“When it comes to playing in any of the CAF matches we understand the importance of winning over entertaining. It isn’t easy playing away from home.”

The match at the Stade Dennis Sassou Nguesso on a bumpy playing surface was well-attended, and the crowd were treated to a dominant performance by Leopards as the hosts had the better of the chances in the first period, but the goal in the second half proved to be the difference between the sides.

“There are many trying conditions we are faced with and for that reason we simplify things and focus on getting the job done. Overall, we are happy with the result. We are going back home with what we came here to get, and that is three points.” – ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GJ9a6V

Paraguay down Brazil on penalties

Derlis Gonzalez slotted two penalties to help Paraguay beat Brazil 4-3 on Saturday.

|||

aConcepcion, Chile – Derlis Gonzalez slotted two penalties, one in regular time and again in the shootout, to help Paraguay beat Brazil 4-3 after a 1-1 draw on Saturday that advanced them to a Copa America semi-final against Argentina.

It was the second tournament in succession that Paraguay have beaten Brazil on penalties at the quarter-final stage after 2011 when they went on the reach the final.

The face Argentina on Tuesday for the second time in the tournament, having fought back from two goals down for a 2-2 draw in the teams' opening group match.

Gonzalez netted the decisive Paraguayan penalty with the fifth spot kick having scored his team's equaliser during normal time.

Robinho started and finished a fine move in the 15th minute to put Brazil ahead before Gonzalez equalised with 20 minutes to go when he converted a penalty after a hand ball by Thiago Silva.

“Unfortunately, our game dropped in the second half,” said Robinho. “We had chances to kill the game off.

“Paraguay with all respect aren't one of the best sides. We didn't kill the game and unfortunately we lost a goal with a silly mistake and we lost.”

Brazil, who had won 12 of their previous 13 matches since Dunga took charge after last year's World Cup, had more possession in the first half and weaved some good attacks but Paraguay were quick and dangerous on the break.

Paraguay became more adventurous in the second half and winger Edgar Benitez soon won a free kick when he was brought down by Dani Alves, though goalkeeper Jefferson parried the ball away from Roque Santa Cruz's attempt.

With an hour gone, Jefferson made a diving reflex save from centre back Paulo Da Silva's header and later made a similar save from Gonzalez in a counter-attack.

Paraguay captain Justo Villar then had to make a scrambling save from a Philippe Coutinho shot as Brazil piled on late pressure.

In the shootout, the writing was on the wall for Brazil from their second penalty which was put wide by Everton Ribeiro and another substitute, Douglas, missed their fourth to give Paraguay two penalties to settle the outcome.

Santa Cruz then skied his penalty, Philippe Coutinho gave Brazil hope by netting his but Gonzalez made no mistake.

Hosts Chile meet Peru in Monday's other semi-final. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1KmLUlc

Turkish delight not sweet enough

LIfe is too cushy for footballers in SA to give up for R5m-a-year deals overseas.

|||

There’s a story doing the rounds about a Kaizer Chiefs player who has just turned down a R5 million-a-year deal in Turkey because he is quite happy to remain big in Jozi, earning about half that amount, without the added pressure.

He’s not the first local player to scoff at the lure of the euro or the British pound and, sadly, he won’t be the last. Life is good in Mzansi.

Remember how many of the class of 2010 were touted to be on the verge of signing deals to go overseas? Most are still here, because the life of an average to decent footballer in South Africa has become cushy, especially at one of the big three clubs. Let us be clear; if our football clubs were dominating Africa and regularly reaching the latter stages of the Champions League, then you could understand why players would want to stay local and lekker.

And, if South African clubs were dominating the continent, the domino effect would be a far stronger national team. The sad truth, of course, is that Bafana continue to wallow somewhere between Average Lane and Eishville, despite being the focal point of the richest league on the continent.

We are the England of Africa, flush with money, but with no football fortune. With every passing year, South African clubs – gallant Orlando Pirates aside – seem to treat Africa with more disdain, an inconvenience that gets in the way of another free weekend eKasi or at the mall.

The likes of new Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, and other Amakhosi alumni like Lucas Radebe, Shoes Moshoeu and Mark Williams would happily have given a left nut to leave these shores with an open return ticket, desperate to make it big abroad, to come back richer, but also as infinitely wiser footballers to serve the national team. Those days are gone now. The hunger and desperation have been eliminated from the current generation, whose mediocrity is rewarded handsomely, even as our football stock continues to fall on the continent, never mind the football world.

And yet, South African football maintains a bizarre arrogance, fuelled by the fool’s gold lavished on them by TV money. That is why a player can turn down a life-changing fortune abroad, because he knows that along with those extra riches comes an inconvenient level of expectation from a far harsher audience.

One’s pockets may be deeper in Europe, but the stage is also bigger, the lights that much brighter. Entire cities expect. A Soweto derby is forgotten in a matter of days, but a Galatasaray-Besiktas war swirls in the air for months.

The intensity is the same across major cities all over Europe. These things matter, deeply. It’s no wonder players like Moshoeu and Williams could deliver on the ultimate stage for Bafana, because they had been in wars every week for their clubs, desperate to show their worth and keep their place in the team.

Overseas, away from crowds who cheer for a flick of the heel instead of a killer pass, there is pressure to deliver more than the once-a-month display that the regular fan in Soweto is happy with, and that kind of responsibility seems too much for many of our current crop.

We need to go back to celebrating the departure of our best talents to bigger stages. But what hope do we have, when a young man turns a blind eye not just to a fortune, but the chance to be much more rounded as a player and a human being?

Cristiano Ronaldo earns millions every week, but he is seen in his home town only a few days a year.

Lionel Messi, the Argentinian assassin, is a Spanish citizen now, as he’s lived in Barcelona that long.

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Npxej7

United raised bid for Ramos

Man United have made a second bid for Sergio Ramos, as Madrid accept for the first time that they may lose him.

|||

London - Manchester United have made a second bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, upping their offer to £35.4m as the Spanish club accept for the first time that they may lose him.

United's opening bid of £32m was quickly rejected by Madrid on Tuesday but with no sign of a breakthrough in relations between the defender and Real club president Florentino Perez, they seem to be attempting to maintain the bidding pace. That marginal increase on the first offer seems unlikely to trigger a breakthrough for United - but it may form the basis for talks in which the Old Trafford goalkeeper David de Gea's likely move to Madrid is part of the picture.

The new offer brings United nowhere near the €100m (£71m) Real say they want for Ramos. Sources close to the player were meanwhile suggesting that United were playing their own game of hardball by insisting they want £32.6m for De Gea. The high valuations of both players appear to be part of the negotiating process and nothing more.

The most significant aspect of the developing saga from the Madrid end yesterday was that the Spanish club have still not declared that they will not sell the 29-year-old Ramos.

Ramos and Perez have had a brief telephone conversation in which the player repeated his request that offers for him be considered. Perez was reported to have said words to the effect of: “Go on holiday and we'll talk about it when you get back.” The player is now on holiday in the United States.

There may also be developments next week in United's interest in Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich and Morgan Schneiderlin of Southampton. Schweinsteiger appears to be United's preferred option but if he opts not to be reunited with Louis van Gaal, who managed him at Bayern, Schneiderlin would be seen as another strong addition to the midfield.

The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1dnn8CQ

Tevez to join Boca Juniors from Juventus

Argentina forward Carlos Tevez is to rejoin Boca Juniors, where he began his career, from Juventus.

|||

Buenos Aires - Argentina forward Carlos Tevez is to re-join Boca Juniors, where he began his career, from Juventus, the Buenos Aires club said.

“It's a happy and very satisfying day,” said club president Daniel Angelici in a statement.

“The return of Carlos Tevez, at an extraordinary moment in his career, is fantastic news for all the members and fans of Boca, and also for Argentine football.”

Tevez, 31, spent three years at Boca from 2001 and 2004, and went on to play for Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, where he has spent the last two seasons.

He scored 20 league goals last season as he helped Juventus win their fourth successive Serie A title.

Angelici said Juventus and Boca had agreed terms and would finalise the transfer “in the next few hours.”

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GA51SD

United insist on £35m fee for De Gea

Manchester United will demand a world record fee for a goalkeeper if Real Madrid are to lure away David de Gea.

|||

London - Manchester United will demand a world record fee for a goalkeeper if Real Madrid are to lure away David de Gea.

Old Trafford officials are unconcerned by the fact the 24-year-old Spaniard has only a year left on his deal and could leave for nothing next summer.

United believe the value of keeping De Gea for another 12 months far outweighs any bid below the world record £32.6million Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

They are looking for about £35m before they would even entertain the idea of allowing the former Atletico Madrid man to leave the club.

De Gea was signed by United for £17.8m in 2011, but Real will go in with a first offer as low as £13m. A United source said: ‘The fees mentioned are a long way short. David is a world-class keeper who played a huge role in ensuring we qualified for the Champions League last season. That in itself was worth around £50m to the club.’

In another twist Real fear they are losing control of the Sergio Ramos transfer row after turning down a £35m bid from United.

It is understood that Real president Florentino Perez called Ramos to reassure him that his contract dispute will be sorted soon. But Madrid are concerned that the player has made up his mind to leave and will try to put United off by slapping a £65m price tag on Ramos - who could still be using the situation to force a better deal out of his club. United are keen to keep the Ramos discussions separate to any approach from Real for De Gea.

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HmIQ8d

Abramovich smooths the way for Cech

Cech's remarkable time at Chelsea explains why the club has generously allowed him his preferred, if unlikely, move.

|||

London - Petr Cech was on Friday night on the brink of ending his 11-year association with Chelsea, where he won 13 major trophies. The goalkeeper underwent a medical at Arsenal on Friday ahead of an £11million move which, when confirmed, will be one of the most significant of the summer. Big players do not often move between big English clubs and yet that is what Cech will do this weekend.

Even as Chelsea's second-choice goalkeeper, he played 16 games last season, and his departure will surely diminish the champions. His arrival at Arsenal can only improve their chances of challenging for their first league title since Cech signed for Chelsea 11 years ago.

Cech's remarkably successful time at Chelsea explains why the club has generously allowed him his preferred, if unlikely, move. Chelsea do not willingly sell their best players to clubs who can hurt them but for Cech an exception has been made. It says everything about the debt of gratitude felt to the 33-year-old by the club or, to be more precise, its owner Roman Abramovich.

It has been clear for some time that the decision to sell Cech comes from the very top of the club, even above the manager Jose Mourinho. Discussing Cech's future at a press conference early last month, Mourinho publicly revealed that he might be powerless to keep him at Stamford Bridge. Explaining why, in this instance, he would not get his way, he said: “One thing is Jose Mourinho and another is Mr Abramovich, and another thing is the board, because the board is a little bit of me and a little bit of other people.

“If it was [up to] me, if it was my decision, the decision is Petr to stay. That is it. It would be my decision for Petr to stay. After that, to go but not in England. The option I don't want is for him to go to an English club.”

Yet that is precisely what will happen and it is a reminder, if one were needed, that even the most famous manager in the world still answers to someone else. Mourinho said at the time that he would “accept” whatever the club decided and that is now what he will have to do.

If Abramovich allowing Cech to join Arsenal is the loyal, emotional decision, then Mourinho's position is the rational one. After Chelsea lifted the Premier League trophy on 24 May, Mourinho said that they had “the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League”. It may just have been part of a campaign of flattery to keep Cech at Stamford Bridge, but it was not an absurd exaggeration.

Even after losing his place in the first team to Thibaut Courtois last season, Cech was impressive whenever called upon, producing important performances in the Premier League against Arsenal, Everton and Leicester City, making saves which helped Chelsea win the title. Mourinho said at the end of the season: “I am not sure, if Petr was not here in those seven matches, if we could be champions.”

There is no doubt that Cech will seriously improve Arsenal, giving them more experience, quality and security in goal than they have had at any time since David Seaman left 12 years ago. Moreover, Cech is likely to give Arsenal years of good service.

Whether he will make up the difference in the Premier League table between Arsenal and last season's champions Chelsea - a 12-point gap - is unlikely. Arsenal need upgrades elsewhere, too. But he will definitely make that gap smaller.

The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GQtEwQ

Uruguay complain over Jara-Cavani incident

Uruguay's FA will raise a formal complaint against Chile’s Gonzalo Jara for sticking his finger up Edinson Cavani bum.

|||

Santiago - Uruguay's FA will raise a formal complaint against Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara for provoking striker Edinson Cavani by sticking his finger up his backside during the hosts' 1-0 Copa America quarter-final win.

The complaint to the South American Football Confederation means CONMEBOL's disciplinary committee will now deal with the incident.

Uruguay's FA (AUF) said in a statement on Friday: “The AUF's executive committee decided to open the defence of the player Edinson Cavani. It denounced to CONMEBOL's disciplinary body the actions of the player Gonzalo Jara.”

With Wednesday's match in Santiago balanced at 0-0 after an hour, Jara gave striker Cavani a friendly tap and when he did not respond the 29-year-old Mainz 05 defender poked his finger up the Uruguayan's backside.

Cavani reacted by pushing Jara away gently but the Chilean fell to the ground as if he had been punched.

The incident brought Cavani his second yellow card of the game and Chile went on to score the winner with eight minutes left.

AUF Executive Secretary Alejandro Balbi told Reuters their complaint would be backed by “photographic images and video footage that we all know about and give proof of (Jara's provocation).”

Balbi also said that on Monday they would present their case to have the red cards issued to Cavani and Jorge Fucile overturned.

They would also include the fact that the referee had put in his match report that coach Oscar Tabarez had insulted him, a charge the Uruguay coach denies.

Defender Fucile was shown the red card near the end of the match for what looked a clean challenge on Alexis Sanchez.

After Fucile's exit, the match was halted for several minutes as Uruguay's players surrounded the referee, and officials and players from both sides scuffled on the field.

Tabarez joined in the protest but later denied having insulted Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci.

Uruguayan Adrian Leiza, one of the five members of the CONMEBOL disciplinary committee, said he and another Chilean member would leave the decision about the complaint to the other three members.

Chile's semi-final against Peru is scheduled for Monday.

Uruguay fans and media were outraged about the incident, with former captain Diego Lugano threatening to take the matter up with Jara when the sides meet again in 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“We're going to have to have a word with that lad 'Jarita' (little Jara) when our paths cross,” the centre back said via Twitter.

Jara's team mates came to his defence and accused Uruguay of sour grapes.

“The Uruguayans are shameless,” David Pizarro said at a news conference on Friday.

“It is difficult for them to accept their defeat. It's a shame that they don't analyse the way Chile played the other night.

“We had 80 percent of possession. Two styles went head to head, and in my view, once more, good football won out - skill over the physical game.”

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1dnePa8

Cech to undergo medical with Arsenal

Chelsea's Petr Cech will undergo a medical with Arsenal, after the clubs agreed a fee for the keeper, a UK paper reported.

|||

London - Chelsea's Petr Cech will undergo a medical with Arsenal on Friday, according to British media reports, after the clubs agreed a fee for the 33-year-old goalkeeper.

The BBC said Cech, who was displaced as Chelsea's first-choice keeper by Belgium's Thibaut Courtois last season, had agreed personal terms with Arsenal and would become their first close-season signing.

Cech, who joined Chelsea in 2004 from French club Stade Rennais, played 16 times for Jose Mourinho's side last season.

The goalkeeper position has been an issue for Arsenal over recent years with Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina sharing the role last season.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HjzsCl

City snap up £2m Turkey wonderkid

Turkey’s teenage sensation Enes Unal will fly into England this weekend to seal a £2m move to Manchester City.

|||

London - Turkey’s teenage sensation Enes Unal will fly into England this weekend to seal a £2million move to Manchester City.

City have beaten off interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal to sign the 18-year-old Bursaspor striker.

The Turkish club’s president, Recep Bolukbasi, confirmed the deal on Thursday.

Unal scored a staggering 182 goals in 110 games for Bursaspor’s youth team before becoming the youngest player to strike in the Turkish league and be capped by his country.

He will have a medical before completing a transfer that is worth an initial £500 000 to Bursaspor, building to £2m, and includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

Providing he receives a work permit, Unal will start with City’s Under 21 squad and is likely to be the club’s only new striker this summer.

City are focused on strengthening in midfield and the wide areas, with Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne their top targets.

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1e7Ax2Q

Gerrard reveals moment he knew Liverpool career was over

LONDON: Steven Gerrard knew it was time to leave Liverpool when he was omitted from the starting lineup for their Champions League group match at Real Madrid last November.

|||

LONDON: Steven Gerrard knew it was time to leave Liverpool when he was omitted from the starting lineup for their Champions League group match at Real Madrid last November.

The 35-year-old former England captain left Anfield in May after more than 17 years and 700 matches with the Premier League club and has signed for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.

He said in an interview to be broadcast on Wednesday that he was “devastated” when manager Brendan Rodgers put him on the bench in Madrid and realised his days at the club were numbered.

“When I was told I wasn't playing, for the sake of the team and the squad and my relationship with Brendan, I took it and accepted it,” Gerrard tells his former England team mate Rio Ferdinand in the interview, to be televised by BT Sport.

But the ex-Liverpool skipper said that was the moment he realised his long career at the club was coming to an end.

“I sat on the bench devastated because I wanted to play. It sort of pushed me into making a decision to move on and try something different,” he explained.

Gerrard eventually came on in the 69th minute of the match, which Liverpool lost 1-0, and although he played 41 times last season, he was no longer the automatic first-choice he had been for most of his 17 years at Anfield.

He is now about to start the next phase of his career with the California-based LA Galaxy and can be seen on promotional posters dotted around the city under the banner 'Greatness'.

Liverpool, who finished second in the Premier League in 2014, had a poor season by comparison last term finishing sixth.

He also said the slip he made that effectively cost Liverpool the title in 2014 “will hurt me till the day I die.”

That happened in April 2014 when they lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea after Gerrard's slip on the turf allowed Demba Ba to score the opening goal.

Liverpool never recovered from that and Manchester City snatched the title from their grasp.

“The slip happened at a bad time, it was cruel for me personally. There's not a day goes by when I don't think, “What if that didn't happen?” Gerrard said

“I've got memories, good memories, that will live with me forever. But that one moment will hurt me until the day I go.

“It's because if I had got that title, I'd have achieved every dream with Liverpool. And, as a man, that hurts.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1LJ5bL1

United upbeat on Ramos despite failure

Man United have been encouraged by Sergio Ramos agreeing to their request to make his desire to leave Madrid public.

|||

London - Manchester United have been encouraged by Sergio Ramos agreeing to their request to make his desire to leave Real Madrid public, despite an opening £32m bid for the defender being rejected out of hand on Thurday.

It is thought that United wanted Ramos to be open about his request for rival clubs' bids for him, in order to protect the Premier League club against accusations that they have been used by the 29-year-old as a device to get a new contract at Real. The defender has not gone public himself - despite suggestions he might issue a statement - but his interest in United has been made known, at his own request.

Privately, United will know that such developments offer no guarantees. The boot was on the other foot when Wayne Rooney issued a statement saying he would not sign a new United contract in 2010 - and let it be known that he was unhappy in 2013. But he signed new deals on both occasions and stayed.

The Old Trafford club would probably feel greater security if Ramos were to go public himself. There is a genuine feeling at United that the club are not being played by the Madrid defender, though, and a sense of enthusiasm among supporters that the club are opening the bidding for a Real player this time - rather than waiting for the Spaniards to arrive and hand-pick their prize assets, as they did Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.

As of last night, no bid had been received by United for goalkeeper David De Gea from Real. Ramos is thought to be anxious for progress in the next two weeks - to prevent him being dragged into the Spanish club's long-haul pre-season tour with his future still unclear.

If the situation remains unresolved, Ramos could find himself flying to Australia on 11 July - facing Roma and Manchester City that month - then heading on to China where Madrid play a further two games, against Internazionale in Guangzhou and Milan in Shanghai.

It is the Spanish side's first visit to China for four years and the last thing president Florentino Perez will want in the series of choreographed media appearances there is a disgruntled Ramos in the frame - and all of the attendant negative publicity. Neither does new coach Rafael Benitez want his first weeks in charge to be consumed by a media storm around Ramos.

Reports in the AS newspaper, which is close to the Ramos camp, said United had offered the defender a salary of €55m net (£39m) over five years, which could see the Spain centre-half finish his career playing at Old Trafford.

The nature of the offer would see Ramos earn £8.5m in his first season in England. A sliding scale would lead his annual wage to decrease by £356,000 to leave the Spanish defender earning £7.1m a season.

In a further sign that De Gea's move to Madrid is moving closer, the United goalkeeper's six-bedroom house in Altrincham was listed for sale on Thurday, at £2.75m.

The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Kf54YA

Liverpool close in on Clyne

Liverpool expect to add Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne to their list of new signings, after agreeing a £12.5m deal.

|||

London - Liverpool expect to add Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne to their list of new signings next week, after agreeing a £12.5m deal for the Southampton right-back.

The 24-year-old is on holiday in the United States and not expected immediately in Liverpool, but he is set to become the club's sixth signing of the summer, with a medical to undergo at Anfield and personal terms to finalise.

It is thought that £2m of the fee agreed with Brendan Rodgers' club - which is less than the anticipated £15m - will be contingent on appearances.

The Liverpool chief executive, Ian Ayre, was on his way back from Chile on Thursday, after a successful three-day trip in which he signed Brazil forward Roberto Firmino. With a third, potentially decisive, bid from Manchester City for Raheem Sterling expected next week, the pursuit of further goalscoring reinforcements will continue.

Despite the presence of £20m Colombian Carlos Bacca and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Venezuelan Salomon Rondon at the Copa America in Chile, there are not thought to have been any developments on that front. Liverpool are waiting to see if Aston Villa capitulate on the hard line they are taking on Christian Benteke's £32.5m release clause.

The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1RBFbTu

Guerrero eases Peru into Copa semis

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick to give his side a comfortable victory over Bolivia at the Copa America.

|||

Chile - Peru striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick to give his side a comfortable 3-1 victory over Bolivia at the Copa America on Thursday, setting up a last-four showdown with hosts Chile.

Guerrero scored twice in three minutes midway through the first half to put the Peruvians in the driving seat in their quarter-final clash in the southern Chilean city of Temuco.

His first was a header from a Juan Vargas cross, his second came on the counter-attack after a corner, and his third arrived in the 74th minute when Bolivian midfielder Danny Bejarano gifted him the ball with a misplaced pass and left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Marcelo Moreno scored a late consolation from the penalty spot after Damian Lizio had been tripped in the box but Peru were never in danger of losing and will face Chile in Santiago on Monday in the first of the Copa semi-finals.

“We're getting better and better,” said Guerrero, who is closing in on Teofilo Cubillas' all-time scoring record for Peru.

“Not many people had much confidence in us before this tournament but once again we're showing that we're a good side.”

Peru, who also reached the semi-finals of the 2011 Copa America, dominated from the outset and could have been out of sight by the break.

After Guerrero's early double, his striking partner Jefferson Farfan grazed a post with a low shot and then rattled the crossbar with a curling free kick.

Bolivia's best chance came from a Moreno header which Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese did well to parry.

The Bolivians rallied slightly in the second half and had a good appeal for a penalty turned down after Gallese appeared to bring down midfielder Pablo Escobar as he headed goalwards.

There was no way back for Bolivia after Guerrero completed his treble, however.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1J92lyu

Dempsey gets two-year ban in US

Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey was banned from the US Open Cup after he ripped up a referee's notebook.

|||

Los Angeles - Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey has been banned from the U.S Open Cup for at least two years after an incident in which he was sent off for ripping up a referee's notebook.

United States international Dempsey has already been suspended for three games by Major League Soccer (MLS) after the incident in which he was given a red card.

The United States Soccer Federation said in a statement that Dempsey had been banned for “a total of six US Open Cup matches or the next two years of US Open Cup competition, whichever is greater. In addition, Dempsey has been fined an undisclosed amount.”

The former Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur forward has waived his right to appeal the decision which related to the US Open Cup match between Seattle and the Portland Timbers on June 16.

Dempsey lost his cool after the Sounders' Michael Azira was sent off, leaving Seattle with eight players.

He took referee Daniel Radford's notebook and threw it to the ground, earning a yellow card for dissent. Dempsey then tore up the notbeook, drawing a straight red card for abuse.

Since MLS clubs enter the US Open Cup in the later rounds, Dempsey could miss more than two years of the competition.

“Due to the suspension, Dempsey cannot play in any US Open Cup matches in 2016 or 2017, and possibly longer depending on the number of tournament games in which Dempsey's team participates in those years,” said the statement.

The Sounders have appeared in five of the last six US Open Cup finals, winning four.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GBfyfy

Mashaba retains bulk of Bafana squad

Shakes Mashaba retained the bulk of the Bafana squad that defeated Mauritius in the first leg of the Chand qualifiers.

|||

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has retained the bulk of the squad that defeated Mauritius 3-0 in the first leg of the 2016 Chand qualifiers at Dobsonville last Saturday.

South Africa will face Mauritius in the second leg on Sunday, July 5 at 5pm (SA time) at the 18 000-seater Stade Anjalay, in Mapou, Mauritius.

Mashaba named 16 players in his 18-man travelling squad that did duty against Mauritius in the first leg - bringing in only two players who were not available for the home leg - defenders Thabo Matlaba and Ntsikelelo Nyauza.

“We did not have much to do in selecting this squad because we looked at the players who played the first leg and needed to add just two more,” said Mashaba.

“What we are looking for are players who will show big match temperament because Mauritius is going to throw everything at us, they won’t sit back like they did last weekend. You could see after the match they were not too disappointed by the 3-0 scoreline. They believe they will reverse the result. I believe the boys will do well though.

“The good thing though is that we also know what we are going to face. The first match gave us an indication of our strong points and weak points, but we will go out there and improve our performance. We are not going for a draw; we will go for a win. An early goal will dampen their spirits so we will do our best to get one.”

Siphelele Ntshangase scored two goals with the other coming from Thamsanqa Gabuza to give Bafana Bafana a convincing win, but Mashaba will urge his players not to be complacent.

“The question of complacency is not an easy thing to deal with because it is in the players’ minds, but we will be guarding against it. We will drum it in the players’ heads that that approach and attitude won’t do us any good,” said Mashaba.

The Bafana Bafana mentor said he was confident all players selected would travel to Mauritius.

“This game does not fall on the Fifa Calendar Week, but we are hopeful the clubs will release the players. We request them to bear with us and we are thankful of those that released their players for the first leg,” said Mashaba.

“But I would also like to say to our fans, media and everyone - let us not allow yesterday to take too much of our energy for tomorrow. Let us put everything in the past and focus on the road ahead, and channel our energy in the right way.”

Bafana assemble for camp on Sunday, in Johannesburg.

The team is scheduled to travel to Mauritius for the Chan return leg on July 2.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers

Jackson Mabokgwane (Black Aces), Itumeleng Khune (unattached)

Defenders

Wandisile Letlabika (Bloemfontein Celtic), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Ntsikelelo Nyauza (Orlando Pirates), Tshepo Gumede (Orlando Pirates), Marc van Heerden (Amazulu), Kwanda Mngonyama (Maritzburg United)

Midfielders

Gift Motupa (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Monare (Jomo Cosmos), Musa Nyatama (Bloemfontein Celtic), Mandla Masango (unattached), William Twala (Chippa United), Vuyisile Wana (Moroka Swallows)

Strikers

Bonginkosi Ntuli (Amazulu), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Ndumiso Mabena (Platinum Stars), Siphelele Ntshangase (Black Leopards)

ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1djZ5Vq

Messi and Pekerman to face off

The pupil faces up to the master when Lionel Messi leads Argentina against Jose Pekerman's Colombia.

|||

Chile - The pupil faces up to the master when Lionel Messi leads Argentina against Jose Pekerman's Colombia in their Copa America quarter-final on Friday.

Former Argentina coach Pekerman gave Messi his international debut 10 years ago and took him to his first World Cup finals in Germany in 2006.

The final image of the pair at the tournament had Messi sitting head bowed on the bench as Pekerman overlooked him when making substitutions and the team lost to hosts Germany in a shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the quarter-finals.

Messi will be looking to ensure it is Pekerman left staring at the ground at the end of Friday's match at Vina del Mar with 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina progressing to the semi-finals.

But, with 100 caps under his belt, Messi has nothing but praise and gratitude towards Pekerman and has often said: “He gave me a lot of advice that I don't forget.”

It should be an open match which both Messi and Pekerman will be looking forward to given the attacking inclinations of both men and their teams after struggling to overcome defensive tactics from their group rivals and only shining intermittently.

“Colombia has a game that can favour us because they play and come out (of defence) more than the majority of our rivals up to now,” Argentina winger Angel Di Maria told Reuters.

“I think we'll have more room to move up front They have great players who also need mobility. We're expecting an end to end match.”

Pekerman is now working with another classy number 10, James Rodriguez, top scorer at last year's World Cup and the man some believe should have been named best player instead of Messi.

“We all know they have good players but I think it's going to be 50-50 because Colombia also play, that's why it will be a nice match,” Rodriguez told reporters.

“I think it's obvious that in these three (group) matches I had little room, they were tight matches, intense, with a lot of friction and with little space I can't play much.”

It will be the countries' ninth meeting in the tournament, known as the South American Championship until its revamp in the late 1980s, with Argentina coming out on top in six.

In two previous Copa America clashes in Chile, Argentina won 9-1 in 1945 in the teams' first ever meeting and 2-1 in 1991 when they won their 13th and penultimate title.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GLih9k

Liverpool targeting another striker

Liverpool's readiness to add another attacking option to the squad suggests the club believe they will lose Raheem Sterling.

|||

London - Liverpool are prepared to add further attacking reinforcements for next season, despite the rapid deal which has made Roberto Firmino the second most expensive acquisition in the club's history at a fee of £22m rising to £29m.

The club also have Seville's £20m Colombian Carlos Bacca and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Venezuelan Salomon Rondon under consideration and though not close to signing either, they will move for another forward if - as seems highly likely - the pursuit of Aston Villa's Christian Benteke falls through.

The Liverpool managing director, Ian Ayre, is staying at the Copa America in Chile for an additional day, having flown out to tie up the Firmino deal, and is in position to progress moves for additional attacking options. Villa have been implacably unwilling to soften on Benteke's £32.5m release clause. Liverpool will simply not buy for that price, meaning the pursuit of the Belgian appears to be over.

Liverpool's readiness to add what would be a ninth attacking option to Brendan Rodgers' squad suggests the club believe they will lose Raheem Sterling - with a third Manchester City bid expected any time, taking the offer close to the £50m asking price which Liverpool are holding to. The Anfield club may look beyond Bacca and Rondon for further attacking options. Real Madrid are expecting Liverpool's interest in Denis Cheryshev, a Russian winger who spent last season on loan at Villarreal, to firm up if they do lose Sterling.

There are impediments to either Bacca or Rondon signing. Seville will not stand in the way of Bacca's sale, though Liverpool are aware they are dealing with another release clause - £21m in his case.

The 28-year-old, who is the more mobile of the two players, was expected to be the first Seville player to leave this summer but the club qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League last month. That complicates the task of persuading Bacca to move. Signing players from Russian clubs like Zenit can also carry challenges, so a move for Rondon would not be straightforward either.

Firmino has been signed on a five-year deal from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim after rapid negotiations were concluded by Ayre. He risked another of the public setbacks which Liverpool have experienced in the transfer market when he flew to Santiago, via Paris, on Monday evening - arriving early on Tuesday morning - but has concluded all the formalities.

All that remains is a medical, which will be completed when the forward has finished his duties at the Copa America with Brazil.

The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1eJzMhh

Chiefs to take on Mbabane Swallows

Kaizer Chiefs were drawn to face Mbabane Swallows in the semi-final of the King’s Super Cup on July 18.

|||

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs were drawn to face Mbabane Swallows in the semi-final of the King’s Super Cup on July 18.

Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, will face Royal Leopards.

The King’s Super Cup is an initiative of Swaziland’s King Mswati III.

The semis will be held in the morning, with the final taking place in the afternoon at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, between Mbabane and Manzini.

Mbabane Swallows finished second in the Swazi league last season, with Royal Leopards taking the title.

Chiefs’ opponent won the league title five times since the club’s foundation.

“This tournament is about love & peace and unity,” Amakhosi’s Football Manager Bobby Motaung said on Wednesday.

“It also reconfirms our relationship with Swaziland through soccer. It’s about bringing people together.”

ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1IAQ2Iv

Pirates sign new trio

Orlando Pirates have quietly added three new names to their books for next season.

|||

Johannesburg - While Kaizer Chiefs have grabbed much attention for their offseason signings, arch-rivals Orlando Pirates have quietly added three new names to their books for next season.

Pirates have acquired the services of Felipe Ovono of Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwean forward Tendai Ndoro and Bafana midfielder Gift Motupa.

Motupa was pleased to be joining the Buccaneers on a five-year contract.

“I am happy for the opportunity to play for Pirates and I hope I can grab it with both hands and excel,” said Motupa.

“I am aware that not every player that gets this opportunity so I plan on making the best of it. I am a central midfielder and for me it’s important that I measure myself against the best and playing for a Club like Pirates gives me that opportunity.”

Ovono, meanwhile, said he had signed with Pirates last season but work permit issues prevented him from turning out for the club.

“I signed for Orlando Pirates during the previous season but I had to go back to my country, Equatorial Guinea in order to apply for a work permit,” said Ovono.

“I am excited to be finally with my team, it has been difficult following them from the side-lines but I am just honoured to be finally here. Pirates is a big team and people back home and across the African continent know and respect this Club which is why I am grateful for the opportunity to play for them.”

Ndoro was excited to provide firepower in the Pirates frontline, and said the competition for spots would bode well for the team.

“I know I have my work cut out for me because Pirates has one of the best striking departments currently in the PSL,” said Ndoro.

“All the strikers are in form and are scoring goals regularly which is a good thing because it shows we have a strong striking department and knowing that I am surrounded by good and talented players is a huge motivation for me. I can only hope that I am able to contribute positively by scoring goals next season.”

ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Cw1mDR

Everton sign Barcelona winger Deulofeu

Everton have signed winger Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona on a three-year contract for six million euros.

|||

London - Everton have signed winger Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona on a three-year contract for six million euros ($6.7 million), the Premier League club said on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Spaniard spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Goodison Park and made 29 appearances, scoring three Premier League goals.

“Gerard needs no introduction to anyone here at Everton, for we are all well aware of his incredible footballing talent,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez told the club's website.

“We got to know him really well from his loan period, not only as such a talented player but also his great character. He will be a fantastic asset to our club.”

The contract includes a release clause if Barcelona make an offer meeting certain requirements within the first two years, and the European champions also have a right of first refusal if the Premier League club decide to sell Deulofeu, Everton said.

Deulofeu, who spent last season on loan at Sevilla, is Everton's second signing of the close season following the arrival of midfielder Tom Cleverley from Manchester United on a free transfer.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HgOVTJ

Wilkins named Villa assistant manager

Ray Wilkins has been appointed as assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa, the former England captain said.

|||

London - Ray Wilkins has been appointed as assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Premier League club Aston Villa, the former England captain said on Thursday.

The 58-year-old, who won international 84 caps, has managed London sides Queens Park Rangers and Fulham and most recently had a spell as coach of the Jordan national team.

Wilkins played as a midfielder for clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, QPR and Rangers.

He was appointed player manager of QPR in 1994 and has had coaching roles at Fulham, Chelsea, Watford and Millwall.

“Tim is similar to me in that he wants to win and is pretty bubbly. As soon as I spoke to him it seemed to click,” Wilkins told Sky Sports.

“I've been very fortunate over my coaching career to be involved with lots of managers of a very high level. Hopefully, I can give the lads at Villa that experience.”

FA Cup runners-up Villa finished 17th in the Premier League last season.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Lxc3hF

Arsenal won't sell Wilshere

Arsenal will not entertain any offers for Jack Wilshere and will underline his importance by awarding him a new contract.

|||

London - Arsenal will not entertain any offers from Manchester City for Jack Wilshere and will underline his importance to the club by awarding him a new contract.

The England midfielder - who scored his first international goals in the 3-2 win in Slovenia earlier this month - is a serious target for City this summer.

But, after years of financial constraints, the Gunners no longer have to consider offers for their best players.

Sportsmail understands City are undeterred by Arsenal’s stance, believing that a massive bid will convince them to sell.

The 23-year-old’s existing deal, worth £60 000 a week, expires in 2018 but talks over an improved contract will start in the opening months of next season.

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1CvKL2K

£29m star who 'smells of goals'

Like many Brazilian players, football has provided an escape from hardship for new Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino.

|||

London - Like many Brazilian players, football has provided an escape from hardship for Liverpool’s colourful £29million signing Roberto Firmino.

His home city of Maceio has beautiful beaches, but for the Firmino family survival was always the name of the game and Roberto grew up aware that his father was forced to sell bottles of water on the streets to make a living.

It is why he agreed to move on his own far from home at 16 years old to pursue a career as a footballer. When his big chance to play in Europe arrived three years later, his first reaction was to proclaim: ‘My family will never have to work again.’

Instead, they followed him to Germany and, one assumes, will now relocate to Merseyside, along with the player’s girlfriend Larissa and their seven-month-old baby daughter Valentina.

Firmino’s career has always been about providing and anyone in doubt about the closeness of his family ties just needs to study his tattoo-adorned body, from the motto ‘Family, unending love’ in German to his daughter’s name inked across his chest.

Brendan Rodgers will surely be encouraged that Firmino’s back-story suggests a player with hunger as well as talent. ‘To run more’ is his target at the start of each season and even by the non-stop standards of the Bundesliga, Firmino’s work-rate is impressive.

It is not headless-chicken stuff either, 38 goals in 133 games for Hoffenheim is a better strike ratio than Steven Gerrard. ‘He smells of goals,’ says Brazil coach Dunga and his tidy finish from Willian’s cross against Venezuela in the Copa America this week was his fourth goal in nine international matches.

At 16 Roberto signed for Tombense, hundreds of miles from home, and they sent him on loan a further 1,000 miles south to Figueirense.

‘It was hard at the beginning,’ conceded Firmino later. ‘I was completely on my own but I always had a clear goal in mind.’ Firmino helped Figueirense win promotion and Bundesliga side Hoffenheim had taken note, paying £3.5m or the untested 19-year-old - a gamble that has paid off handsomely.

Signed as a midfielder, Firmino has been pushed forward as his career has progressed and can play as a winger on either flank or at No 10. At Anfield, he will continue to wear the No 11 shirt which he wears for his country, with the club’s iconic No 7 going to James Milner, who wore that number at Manchester City.

Firmino’s move will encourage City to make a final, £40m offer to Liverpool for unsettled Raheem Sterling.

For his part, Rodgers must hope the new man can form an understanding with Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings like that he shared at Hoffenheim with Gylfi Sigurdsson and young German Kevin Volland. ‘We only had to make eye contact and I knew where to make the pass,’ he said.

He has either scored or assisted in 45 goals in Hoffenheim’s last 66 matches - but of course there will be doubts. With no Europa or Champions League experience, he comes with a hefty price tag, one Manchester United wouldn’t pay.

Firmino will take time to learn English but insisted: ‘Don’t judge me on what I say. On the pitch I transform myself, I am another person and lose my shyness.’

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1LwDiZM

United table £35m offer for Ramos

Man United have made an opening bid of £35m for Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos, and he has asked his club to consider it.

|||

London - Manchester United have made an opening bid of around £35million for Sergio Ramos and the Real Madrid defender has asked his club to consider it.

The offer came as Ramos met Real officials and requested that they open negotiations with United. The bid is independent of David de Gea’s move in the opposite direction but it is clear United will use their interest in Ramos to come to an agreement over the sale of their goalkeeper.

Ramos yesterday askedReal to climb down from their stance of only allowing him to leave if a club pays his £180m buy-out clause.

Earlier Pedro Riesco, who works alongside the player’s brother and agent Rene, suggested Ramos’ departure was almost inevitable.

Riesco toldRadio Marca: ‘With everything that has happened it will be very difficult for Sergio

Ramos to stay at Madrid.’ Since the player admitted privately that he wanted out of Madrid, he has been subjected to a smear campaign by media that he believes is being directed by the club’s president.

Riesco added: ‘Sergio is a symbol of this club. He has nothing to prove. But so many things are being said about him. There is so much manipulation to discredit his name via spokesmen who behave like puppets saying he is not respecting the club and that he is just a money-grabber.’

Madrid are already looking at possible replacements, including two players United have targeted: Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi of Valencia. They are also interested in Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, 29, who signed a new contract last summer.

United will also join the chase for Morgan Schneiderlin after the France midfielder reached an agreement with Southampton to leave this summer. The Saints want £24m for the 25-year-old, who still has two years to run on his current deal. The fee may put off Arsenal and Tottenham, who would also be keen to sign him. Spurs made a move for Schneiderlin last summer.

Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1J7iaWn

Label Cloud

Blog Archive

StatCounter

Hot Topics