News sport

Calleri ‘Rabona’ sets up Boca win

♠ 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

Jonathan Calleri chipped a brilliant “rabona” as Boca marked Carlos Tevez’s homecoming with a 2-1 win.

|||

Buenos Aires – Striker Jonathan Calleri chipped a brilliant “rabona” as Boca Juniors marked Carlos Tevez’s homecoming with a 2-1 victory over Quilmes at La Bombonera to stay top of the Argentine championship.

Calleri, executing the rabona by wrapping his right leg round behind his left to chip over goalkeeper Walter Benitez, scored in the 53rd minute of Saturday’s match.

Fellow striker Sebastian Palacios had put Boca in front in the first half. Alexis Canelo pulled one back for Quilmes in the 58th minute.

“I don’t have a left (foot), so it was an option,” Calleri told reporters about his quick thinking when his initial effort came back to him off a defender.

“He missed the easier one and got the harder one. While he was doing the rabona I was cursing him,” coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said jokingly.

Calleri said he often found space playing alongside Tevez, who made his second debut for Boca after returning from a decade abroad.

“He draws markers and pressures (the defence), he’s Boca’s number 10,” Calleri said.

The sports daily Ole headlined Tevez’s winning return with the words “Very beautiful” in English, a play on “very difficult” which is a standing joke in Argentina at Tevez’s language learning difficulties during his seven years in the Premier League.

Boca recovered the lead with 37 points from 17 matches, one point more than San Lorenzo who had gone top for 24 hours with Friday’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal.

River Plate kept third place on 34 points despite fielding a second string side in their 5-1 rout at Atletico Rafaela with veteran striker Fernando Cavenaghi scoring four.

After walking off with the match ball, Cavenaghi said: “I don’t have many, I’m not (Lionel) Messi. It’s a nice souvenir. It’s the done thing and I wanted to take it with me.

“We have a great squad, we must fight for both tournaments,” added Cavenaghi, nicknamed Cavegol.

River are resting a majority of first choice players for Tuesday’s second leg of their Libertadores Cup semi-final away to Guarani of Paraguay. River lead 2-0 from the first leg.

Cavenaghi is the championship’s second best marksman with 10 goals, one less than Marco Ruben of Rosario Central, who can pull level with River on 34 points if they beat Velez Sarsfield at home on Sunday.

Diego Milito scored an early goal to lead fourth-placed title holders Racing Club to a 2-1 home win over Sarmiento, bouncing back from their 3-0 defeat at Newell’s Old Boys last weekend. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1I200C9

Reds clinch deal on Benteke

Liverpool have agreed a £32.5m deal with Villa for striker Christian Benteke.

|||

London – Liverpool have agreed a £32.5 million (R626m) deal with Aston Villa for striker Christian Benteke, British media reported on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Belgian international will undergo a medical by Tuesday and is unlikely to join his new team on their current tour of Australia, the BBC reported.

Liverpool club doctor will leave the tour of Australia and fly back to Britain to conduct his medical, the report said.

Since joining Aston Villa from Genk in 2012, Benteke has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances, helping the team avoid relegation last season.

Liverpool made the bid for Benteke after selling Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for a record fee of 49 million pounds ($76.4 million). – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Sv9ADt

Nasri secures win for City

Samir Nasri scored a late winner as Manchester City beat their Australian sister club Melbourne City 1-0 in a football friendly.

|||

Samir Nasri scored a late winner as English giants Manchester City beat their Australian sister club Melbourne City 1-0 in a football friendly on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Frenchman struck with a superb late volley in the 86th minute to break the deadlock in the first meeting between the two clubs.

Nasri chested down Bruno Zuculini's cross before lashing home a well struck volley high into the net.

The glamour English outfit was in control for most of the game but could not make the dominance felt before Nasri's intervention.

Spanish midfield starlet Manu Garcia did well in midfield while Turkish striker Enes Unal came on as a late substitution.

Manchester City used the hit-out ahead of their first match in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne against Italy's AS Roma on Tuesday.

Roma beat Spanish giants Real Madrid 7-6 on penalties after their ICC opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday was scoreless after 90 minutes. – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1TIWW6o

Frustrating start at Real for Benitez

Rafa Benitez kicked-off his tenure as Real Madrid boss with a frustrating penalty shootout loss to AS Roma in a pre-season friendly.

|||

Melbourne - Rafa Benitez kicked-off his tenure as Real Madrid boss with a frustrating 7-6 penalty shootout loss to AS Roma in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

With both teams goalless at full-time in front of a crowd of 80,746 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the International Champions Cup match was decided by penalty shootout and Seydou Keita slotted the winner after a miss by Lucas Vazquez.

Roma had the better chances in a goal-less first half and were denied an opener after three minutes when Daniele De Rossi hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Gareth Bale fired a shot over the bar three minutes later before Sergio Ramos, wearing the captain's armband after the recent departure of long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas, also chipped over from a corner kick in the ninth minute.

Casillas' replacement in goal, Keylor Navas, was forced to make a fine save in the 30th minute, leaping to his right to put a glove on a Salih Ucan volley after the shaggy-haired Turk latched onto a corner kick from Totti at the far post.

Searching in vain for a first goal as the half wound down, Bale tried an audacious bicycle kick in the area after Ramos lobbed the ball in but the Welshman succeeded only in fouling defender Ashley Cole.

Bale rose again for a header eight minutes after the break but his effort flashed just right of the near post from a Ramos corner and he came off soon after.

Karim Benzema, who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo at the break, then squandered a gilt-edged chance from the centre of the box after the hour-mark when his wild left-footed shot soared high and wide after a pinpoint cross from Russian winger Denis Cheryshev.

The match ended in a flurry of shots, with Bale's replacement Lucas Vasquez stepping inside a defender before being denied by a fine save from keeper Bogdan Lobont . - Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Ia2umo

Chelsea confident in Stones pursuit

Chelsea are confident they will succeed in signing Everton defender John Stones, despite having a £20m offer turned down.

|||

Chelsea are confident they will succeed in signing Everton defender John Stones, despite having an opening £20m offer turned down.

Manager Jose Mourinho has identified 21-year-old Stones as the man he wants to strengthen his defensive options next season and also be the long-term successor to captain John Terry.

Chelsea are expected to come back with a higher offer worth £26m, even though Everton insist he is not for sale. However, it is believed Everton will change their stance if Chelsea are prepared to pay £35m and make Stones the most expensive defender in Premier League history. A compromise deal between those two figures is the likeliest outcome.

Eliaquim Mangala joined Manchester City from Porto for £32m last year, while Rio Ferdinand is still the costliest English centre-half, dating from his £30m switch from Leeds to Manchester United in 2002.

At this stage, Chelsea are believed to be unwilling to pay more than £26m, so reaching an agreement will not be easy. However, the champions remain hopeful they will be able to get their man before their opening Premier League game, against Swansea, on 8 August.

Stones has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Everton from Barnsley for £3m in January 2013. He was rewarded with a new five-year contract last August and given a pay rise to £30,000-week, but Chelsea can treble his salary.

Stones has already won four England caps and is tipped to become a mainstay of the national side.

As a ball-playing centre-half, Stones - who played only 25 times for Barnsley, his home-town club, before being becoming David Moyes' final signing for Everton - would be a natural fit for Chelsea.

Mourinho is a huge admirer and wants to add him to his squad now, even though Chelsea boasted the best defensive record on the way to winning the title last season.

Terry and Gary Cahill were his first-choice pairing, while youngster Kurt Zouma and right-back Branislav Ivanovic are back-up options.

But with Terry turning 35 in December, Chelsea are aware they need to have a successor in place for when his career eventually comes to an end.

Significantly, Terry spoke of his admiration for Stones in an interview earlier this summer.

While on tour with Everton in Singapore, Stones insisted he was not looking to leave Goodison Park. He said: “I am very happy at Everton. My aim right now is to try to nail down a regular spot in this Everton team and hopefully that will take care of playing for England. I have to keep learning from the likes of Phil Jagielka and keep progressing at this club.”

Chelsea believe that a big-money offer will change his mind. howeer.

Manchester United are also admirers of Stones, but Everton are puzzled by reports they are on the brink of signing United defender Jonny Evans, as a stand-alone deal or as part of a package for Stones. – The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fd0dvw

Gerrard off to a dream start in MSL

Steven Gerrard made a dream start to his Major League Soccer career, scoring as the Los Angeles Galaxy came from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes.

|||

Steven Gerrard made a dream start to his Major League Soccer career on Friday, scoring on his full debut as the Los Angeles Galaxy came from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-2 in the California Clasico.

Liverpool legend Gerrard, who had played 45 minutes of a friendly for the Galaxy last weekened and appeared as a substitute in a midweek cup match, helped trigger a remarkable fightback after San Jose raced into an early 2-0 lead.

Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane was the star, scoring a hat-trick as the Galaxy romped home.

But Gerrard left the pitch to a standing ovation after transforming the course of a match that San Jose looked set to win.

The midfielder won the penalty which Keane converted to make it 2-1 and then fired home a 37th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2.

Gerrard, watched by former England and Los Angeles star David Beckham in the stands, then provided the free-kick which Keane steered home to make it 3-2 on 64 minutes.

Gerrard also nearly claimed a second in the 70th minute, his freekick crashing back off the woodwork.

Keane and Gerrard combined again in the build-up which led to the second penalty 10 minutes from time, duly stroked home by Ireland striker Keane for 4-2.

Sebastian Lletget then grabbed a late fifth for the Galaxy.

The 35-year-old Gerrard joined the Galaxy earlier this year on an 18-month deal after spending his entire 17-year professional career with Liverpool.

Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena substituted Gerrard in the 88th minute and the newest Galaxy hero left the field to a standing ovation from the adoring crowd of 27,000 at the StubHub Center.

“I'm really pleased,” Gerrard told a post-match press conference. “I'm starting to feel a little bit sharper. I'm very close to full fitness.

“Performance wise you guys are the experts but I'm pleased how it went and I'm happy with the win.”

Gerrard admitted he was relieved to open his goalscoring account after missing two chances in his earlier appearances.

“I was quite disappointed in the previous two games not to get goals, I had two good chances,” Gerrard said.

“But I have belief in myself if I keep getting in the right positions I know the goals will come. I was very pleased to get off the mark and even more pleased for Robbie to get another hat-trick.

I'm pretty pleased with my contribution tonight.”

Gerrard said he was reveling in the resumption of his partnership with former Liverpool team-mate Keane.

“We had that chemistry at Liverpool,” Gerrard said. “When you're playing with good players its easy to connect.

“I know where he's going to be. Robbie's on the same wavelength, he's a very intelligent player.”

The former England captain also revealed he had ignored calls from Arena on the sideline about whether he needed to be substituted.

“Bruce was shouting 'How are you doing?' and I kept looking away pretending not to hear him,” Gerrard said.

“I felt like a kid again out there. I just want to play as many minutes as possible.”

Earlier, Quincy Amarikwa scored both goals for San Jose off some sloppy defence by the Galaxy to start the game.

Amarikwa scored off a counter attack in the 22nd minute and then again when he was unmarked near the goal to grab his second in the 25th minute.– AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1MbMl1s

Schneiderlin scores on United debut

Morgan Schneiderlin scored on his Manchester United debut in a 1-0 win over Mexico side Club America.

|||

Morgan Schneiderlin took less than five minutes to score on his Manchester United debut in a 1-0 win over Mexico side Club America on Friday.

The French midfielder, who signed a four-year contract and cost United a reported 25 million pounds ($38.9 million), got on the end of a cross from Juan Mata to score with a looping header in the International Champions Cup friendly in Seattle.

Schneiderlin, who joined United after seven seasons with Southampton, was one of four big summer signings to debut in the first match of the team's pre-season American tour.

Forward Memphis Depay and defender Matteo Darmian also played the first half, before manager Louis van Gaal substituted his entire team at half-time.

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger came into the game for the second half and the former Bayern Munich midfielder quickly established his presence.

United should have gone 2-0 up when Andreas Pereira sent a dangerous cross into the six-yard box in the 53rd minute that Adnan Januzaj somehow failed to make contact with from point-blank range.

Club America almost equalised in the 73rd minute when Alejandro Diaz hit the post at CenturyLink Field, home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

United, who will return to the Champions League this season after finishing fourth in the Premier League, will play their next game on their American tour against the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday. – Reuters

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

Delph in dramatic City U-turn

Manchester City signed England international Fabian Delph from Aston Villa, with the midfielder performing a dramatic U-turn.

|||

London - Manchester City signed England international Fabian Delph from Aston Villa on Friday, with the midfielder performing a dramatic U-turn a week after assuring fans he would be staying at Villa Park.

Delph has signed a five-year contract, the twice Premier League champions said in a statement.

The 25-year-old was thought to be close to moving to City last week when reports said the north west club had triggered a release clause in his contract, but he issued a statement stating his desire to remain at Villa.

Delph, however, has now changed his mind and arrives at the Etihad Stadium for a fee reported to be in the region of 8 million pounds ($12.5 million).

“Leaving Aston Villa is the hardest decision I've ever had to make,” he said in a statement.

“My decision to stay initially was purely based on the emotion and feelings that I hold for the club rather than looking at the football opportunity that had been placed in front of me.

“I am now excited for the future with Manchester City.”

Delph moved to Villa from Leeds United in 2009, making 128 appearances. He made his England debut against Norway last year and now has six caps.

“Fabian Delph is an excellent player and I am looking forward to working with him,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini told the club's website (www.mcfc.com).

“He has made a huge impact in recent seasons at Aston Villa, and is now one of the brightest young midfielders in the Premier League.

“Fabian has tremendous skill and energy and the fact that he has become a regular member of the England squad is further evidence of his progress over the past few seasons.

“At just 25 years old, he still has his best years ahead of him.”

With Premier League rules demanding clubs have eight home-grown players if they want to have a squad of 25, the clamour for top local talent has never been so intense.

City began the close season with only goalkeeper Joe Hart, full back Gael Clichy and back-up keeper Richard Wright meeting the criteria to count as home-grown, leaving five vacant spots.

They have since signed Raheem Sterling from Liverpool in a deal worth up to 49 million pounds.

The combative midfielder will travel to Australia over the weekend where he will join his new team mates on City's pre-season tour. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fSH2bi

Arsenal ready for title tilt - Wenger

Manager Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have a strong enough squad to challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004.

|||

Singapore - Manager Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have a strong enough squad to challenge for a first Premier League title since 2004 with back-to-back FA Cup victories in the last two seasons bringing a winning mentality to the side.

“Winning the title is our target and we feel we have a chance in a very competitive league,” Wenger told reporters in Singapore on Friday, a day ahead of Arsenal's Premier League Asia Trophy final against Everton.

“We finished third last year and we won the FA Cup, so that shows we are not far away. We have a good cohesive group that has the quality and ambition to do better, and that's our aim.

“But as I have said before, we are in a league in which it is very difficult to know how good our opponents will be at this stage but it is important to focus on making sure we are as strong as we can be, then we have a chance.”

Arsenal fielded many of their younger players in the 4-0 victory over a Singapore Select XI on Wednesday to advance to the final and Wenger will give his more recognisable squad members a chance to impress against Everton.

“We have no fringe players, we have only good players,” Wenger barked when asked if he had resisted the temptation to field his strongest team against the hosts.

One player due to make an eagerly awaited debut is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who completed a high-profile move from Chelsea earlier in the transfer window and could stand out as Wenger's only major signing of the off-season.

“I am happy with the squad that we have but if we find anyone with exceptional potential to strengthen the squad then will pursue them,” the Frenchman added.

“It depends on the market. It's not easy at the moment because there are many clubs out there buying and the number of players who can strengthen the really big teams are restricted.”

One thing that has impressed Wenger on this trip is the amount of support Arsenal have received both on and off the pitch, giving him a stark reminder of how popular the Premier League remains in Asia and beyond.

“I am surprised to see how big and important football has become in the world,” he added.

“Did this happen because of Arsenal? Maybe we had some involvement but there are plenty of other Premier League clubs that have lots of support all around the globe.” – Reuters

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

Delph has Man City medical

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has had a medical at Manchester City, after saying last week he would be staying at Villa Park.

|||

London - Aston Villa and England midfielder Fabian Delph has had a medical at Manchester City, British media reported on Friday, with the player set to perform a dramatic U-turn after saying last week he would be staying at Villa Park.

Delph was thought to be close to moving to City last week when reports said the north west club had triggered an 8 million pounds ($12.50 million) release clause in the 25-year-old's contract.

But he issued a statement on Saturday in order to “set the record straight”, saying that he was staying put.

The transfer, however, appeared to be back on when he was filmed by Sky Sports having apparently undergone a medical at City on Friday.

Delph, who moved to Villa from Leeds United in 2009, did not travel with his team mates for their pre-season training camp in Portugal.

He made his England debut against Norway last year and now has six caps.

Reuters

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

Ajax confirm two signings

Ajax Cape Town have secured two new players to join their ranks in the new season.

|||

Johannesburg – Ajax Cape Town have secured two new players to join their ranks in the new season.

Former SuperSport and Golden Arrows striker Prince Nxumalo and Zimbabwean forward Thomas Chideu have joined the Cape outfit.

“Nxumalo is no stranger to Cape Town as he spent some time with National First Division side, FC Cape Town, before SuperSport United signed the Durban-born player,” said the club in a statement.

“Prince is a fantastic acquisition to the current squad, as he adds a terrific element by means of his pace, power and immense work ethic.

Zimbabwean, Thomas Chideu also recently spent some time training with Roger De Sa and his technical team here at Ikamva and a decision was reached to offer him a contract with the first team, which he gladly accepted.

Chideu joined Highlanders in January after spending the previous 12 months in England where he was involved in a schools exchange programme.

He opted to pursue a move to Ajax Cape Town instead, which we are extremely pleased about. Fellow Zimbabwean, Milton Ncube, who also joined Ajax CT from Highlanders a few seasons ago, is another example of the talents and professional nature of the players Highlanders are producing.” - ANA

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Gq2tFw

Milner scores on Liverpool debut

James Milner scored the winner in his first start for Liverpool as his new club overcame Brisbane Roar 2-1.

|||

Brisbane - England midfielder James Milner scored the winner in his first start for Liverpool as the English Premier League club overcame Brisbane Roar 2-1 on their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia on Friday.

The 29-year-old, who moved to Anfield on a free transfer from Manchester City at the start of the month, found the net 15 minutes from time to cap a fine performance and help his new club come from behind for the win.

Liverpool might have thought themselves at home when the crowd of more than 50,000 at Lang Park gave a stirring pre-match rendition of “You'll Never Walk Alone” on a chilly evening more typical of Merseyside than tropical Queensland.

Brisbane were not about to play stooges, however, and opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Dimitri Petratos took two touches on the edge of the box before drilling the ball inside the post.

Milner and another new signing, Danny Ings, both had chances to equalise before Adam Lallana got the visitors back on level terms in the 27th minute.

It was Milner's cross which found Lallana on the left side of the box and the midfielder beat his defender with a deft touch of his left foot before curling the ball into the net with his right.

Brisbane, Australia's champions for three of the last five years, kept their shape as Liverpool pressed forward in search of a winner after the break and it required a neat piece of skill from Milner to break the deadlock.

Taking the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he nutmegged one defender before looping his shot over the legs of a couple more to beat the Brisbane goalkeeper.

A victory courtesy of goals from two midfielders is unlikely to dampen the desire of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to secure the services of an out-and-out striker like reported target Christian Benteke.

The Belgian has two years remaining on his deal at Aston Villa but British media have reported Liverpool, flush with cash after the sale of Raheem Sterling, are negotiating a payout of a 32.5 million pounds ($50.39 million) release clause. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1MxVD65

Sterling’s a ‘massive’ signing for City

Captain Vincent Kompany has hailed the signing of Raheem Sterling as “massive” for Manchester City.

|||

Captain Vincent Kompany has hailed the signing of Raheem Sterling as “massive” for Manchester City as the club chases more trophies, saying his fearlessness sets him aside from his peers.

The 20-year-old Sterling became the most expensive English footballer in history earlier this week when he signed from Liverpool on a five-year contract worth an initial £44 million that could rise to £49 million ($76 million, 68 million euro).

He almost immediately got on a plane to hook up with his new team-mates in Australia, where City play a friendly on the Gold Coast on Saturday ahead of matches against Real Madrid and AS Roma in Melbourne.

“It's massive for us - the biggest thing is that you've seen Sterling, especially the way he played the season before last, and he was one of the main reasons, along with (Luis) Suarez, that Liverpool played so well,” Kompany said on the club website.

“It became more difficult for them when Suarez left but what you will find is that he will have this kind of structure at City already.

“I mean, we've got Kun (Sergio Aguero) up front, we've got (Wilfried) Bony, we've got so many players who will be able to link up with him we will be able to make him better as well.”

City finished runners-up behind champions Chelsea last season and Kompany said the squad needed to be bolstered to challenge again with Sterling seen as the perfect fit.

“We have great quality in the team but you can't compete nowadays if you don't improve every year,” he said.

“Other teams improve, we need to improve and getting him (Sterling) puts us one step closer to being this team which can win trophies again. It's very important for us.”

Sterling, who rejected a £100 000-a-week deal to extend his stay at Liverpool, with the Reds finally accepting City's third bid during the close season, trained with his new team-mates on the Gold Coast Friday.

Whether he features in their clash against Melbourne City on Saturday remains to be seen.

Kompany, who has played against Sterling in a number of big games in recent years, said it was his fearlessness that stood him apart.

“He's quick, he's very unpredictable - he's shown that he has especially great determination,” he said.

“You play against so many players with great quality but it's the fact that he's always willing to put in the extra yard.

“That makes it that extra bit difficult when you have a player with quality who is not shy to run and put his body on the line - that's a special player.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1f9Ut5z

Ramos needed at Real - Benitez

Coach Rafa Benitez says defender Sergio Ramos is not leaving Real Madrid and is an integral part of the La Liga giants' plans.

|||

Melbourne - Spain defender Sergio Ramos is not leaving Real Madrid and is an integral part of the La Liga giants' plans, according to new coach Rafa Benitez.

Ramos has been linked to a move to Manchester United for a number of weeks, despite having two years left on his contract.

According to Spanish media reports, Real have already rejected offers of over 28 million pounds ($43.77 million) from the Premier League club for the 29-year-old Ramos.

Benitez, who replaced sacked Italian Carlo Ancelotti after a trophy-less 2014-15 season, was reluctant to discuss transfer speculation but was forthright about the status of his seasoned central defender.

“In terms of Sergio Ramos, there's a lot of talk about his situation,” Benitez told reporters in Melbourne on Friday. “For me, he is an enormous professional. In person, he applies himself, he does everything that the team and I ask of him.

“And for me, the matter (is that) the president has already commented that he is staying with the club.

“I have spoken to him at length in the summer about his ideas, about his future. I see Sergio as an integral part of our team, he's a winner and that's what we need in our team.”

United manager Louis van Gaal is seeking to shore up his club's defence to help improve on last season's fourth-place finish in the Premier League.

Benitez, who has been contracted at the world's richest club for three seasons, has also declared Real must improve their defence after a season in which they surrendered both their Champions League title and domestic King's Cup crown.

Offensively, Benitez has been grilled over how he intends to deploy Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale after reports the pair were unhappy about the positions they typically played under Ancelotti.

Benitez has tried a number of different lineups during training in Melbourne ahead of Real's International Champions Cup opener against AS Roma on Saturday, fuelling speculation the Briton might play a more central role in the Spaniard's attacking setup.

Managing the million-dollar egos in the dressing room will be one of Benitez's most demanding tasks and the 55-year-old treaded gently when discussing his plans for the pair.

“Ronaldo, Bale, all of them are so good,” he said.

“All of them have an option... Ronaldo is a key player for us. Bale is a key.” – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fP2q13

Liverpool set to sign Benteke

Liverpool are set to meet the £32.5m release clause on Aston Villa strike Christian Benteke's contract.

|||

Brendan Rodgers has convinced Liverpool's much-criticised transfer committee that the club should meet the £32.5m release clause on Christian Benteke's Aston Villa contract.

The 24-year-old Belgium international will become the second most expensive player in Liverpool's history as soon as he agrees personal terms for the move to Merseyside, which is expected to be concluded swiftly.

Rodgers made it clear in May to the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group, that he viewed Benteke's recruitment as the most significant piece of business the club will conduct this summer, following a season where Liverpool's struggle for goals ultimately cost them a place in the Champions League.

In the last two years of Rodgers's reign, Liverpool's transfer activities have been determined by the committee, of which he is a part along with chief executive, Ian Ayre, Dave Fallows, the head of recruitment, Barry Hunter, the chief scout, and Michael Edwards, the head of performance and analysis. Last summer it is believed that other members persuaded Rodgers it would be prudent to sign Mario Balotelli before the Italian's dreadful campaign where he scored just once in the league. Publicly, Rodgers's relationship with the committee remains strong.

This could be viewed as another sign of FSG'S commitment to Rodgers, who nevertheless will be perceived as accountable if Benteke does not prove to be successful.

Liverpool are on the second leg of their pre-season tour and will face Brisbane Roar today before flying south for another friendly match with Adelaide United on Monday.

It is possible that Benteke could join the squad in Kuala Lumpur in time to play a Malaysia XI next Friday as Rodgers is determined that all of his new signings will be fully fit and in-tune with his demands before the opening game of the season at Stoke on 9 August.

Liverpool's move for Benteke grew more urgent after it was claimed that Manchester United wanted to sign the striker. Whether or not the suggestion was genuine, Liverpool realised they could not afford to miss out on their No 1 target following experiences in previous windows where players have moved to other clubs while they refused to meet what they perceived as inflated demands.

Benteke's impending arrival means that along with Balotelli and Fabio Borini, who are not with the squad on tour, Rickie Lambert is likely to be moved on as soon as a buyer can be found. – The Independent

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