Sterling will learn from City players

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Manager Manuel Pellegrini says Raheem Sterling will benefit from playing with the technical players in Manchester City's squad.

|||

Manager Manuel Pellegrini says record signing Raheem Sterling will benefit from playing with the technical players in Manchester City's squad this English Premier League season.

Sterling gave a glimpse of what he can bring to the 2014 EPL champions with his searing pace and link play with Spanish star David Silva in the penalty shootout win over Italy's AS Roma in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, took just two minutes and 17 seconds to open his account for the big-spending English club in the International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It was the 20-year-old Jamaica-born Londoner's first game for Manchester City since his move from Liverpool last week in a five-year deal worth an initial £44 million that could rise to £49 million ($76 million).

Sterling played only the first half but in that time he showed Pellegrini why he will be an excellent acquisition for his all-star squad when the new season kicks off next month.

“It's important to score, particularly early in the game, and he just played 45 minutes after having just a few days working with the team,” Pellegrini said after Tuesday's match.

“I'm happy with the way he played. He demonstrated why he's here, not only his value as a player, he's a very young player so I think he will improve a lot in the future, playing with Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

“I'm very happy with him and I'm very happy that we've bought him.”

Pellegrini was particularly impressed with Sterling's instinctive link-up play with Spanish international midfielder Silva and how he injected extra pace into the City attack.

“Always good players link immediately when they know how to play. We bought him as a young player with a very good future.”

“Good players link immediately (with others) when they know how to play. David is a very good player, he makes good movements,” he said.

“I think at the moment we have a complete midfield with very technical players and I think he (Sterling) will benefit from that so I am very happy with the future we are going to have with the team.

“He has the speed that we didn't have so he will be another different way of playing.

“I am sure he is the player that we need in our team, that's the reason why we bought him.”

Sterling showed his explosive pace to swoop on a defence-splitting pass from Kelechi Iheanacho, leaving Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis flailing as he slotted the ball into the empty net.

Nigerian teenager Iheanacho put City ahead again on 51 minutes when he zeroed in on an awful back pass by former England international Ashley Cole to coolly beat De Sanctis from close range.

Roma equalised with an exquisite free-kick from Serbian Adem Ljajic in the final minutes of normal time before England goalkeeper Joe Hart saved penalties from Seydou Doumbia and Seydou Keita in the shootout to get the English club home.

Manchester City will attempt to go on and win the three-way ICC tournament when they take on ten-time European champions Real Madrid in the final match at the MCG on Friday. – AFP



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fkKCKj
Read More

Blatter prankster’s history of mischief

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

The man who showered Sepp Blatter with fake money previously targeted Kanye West and Manchester City’s players.

|||

Zurich - The British comedian who showered Fifa boss Sepp Blatter with fake dollar bills has been charged by Swiss police after being arrested and interrogated, a police spokesman said on Tuesday.

Simon Brodkin, who performs as the character Lee Nelson, was taken away by police from the headquarters of soccer's world governing body after Blatter's security escorted him out of the press conference room where he carried out the stunt on Monday.

“He was arrested and interrogated by the police,” a spokesman for the Zurich police said, without identifying Brodkin, who has been involved in previous stunts, by name.

“There is a possible complaint about trespassing. We don't know if there will be a trial or not, that is to be decided by the prosecutor and that will take some time.”

The spokesman added that Fifa had made a complaint to the police about the incident.

Fifa was not immediately available for comment.

Dan Lloyd, a spokesman for Brodkin's agents Avalon, said the comedian was back in Britain and had not been held overnight by Swiss police.

Brodkin has been involved in similar stunts in the past, including going on stage with rapper Kanye West at the Glastonbury Festival and, in 2014, attempting to infiltrate the England World Cup squad as they flew to the United States.

In 2013, Brodkin found himself in a British court after another football-related prank.

Dressed in full soccer kit, in the guise of another of his characters, footballer Jason Bent, Brodkin warmed up on the field with Manchester City players before their game at Everton's Goodison Park.

The comedian was charged with entering the playing area under the Football Offences Act, but was let off with a caution in court.

Reuters



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1VsbOYz
Read More

Van Gaal drops major Ramos hint

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

ManU boss Louis van Gaal has hinted the club may be pursuing Sergio Ramos and could also sign a “surprise” striker.

|||

Madrid - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted the club may be pursuing Real Madrid's Spain defender Sergio Ramos and could also sign a “surprise” striker.

There has been media speculation in recent weeks that the 29-year-old Ramos, who has two years left on his Real contract, could join United as part of a swap deal, with his Spain team mate and goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, going the other way.

United have also been linked with a bid for Barcelona's Spain forward Pedro and Bayern Munich's Germany forward Thomas Mueller as Van Gaal looks to revitalise the squad after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign.

Pedro, 27, no longer commands a regular spot in Barca's starting lineup following the arrival of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, while the 25-year-old Mueller is said to be unhappy with Bayern coach Pep Guardiola's working methods.

“I cannot talk about these rumours,” Van Gaal said when asked about Ramos at a news conference on the club's North American tour.

“I have said in a lot of press conferences that it's a process,” added the Dutchman. “Maybe Mr Ramos is in the process... you never know.”

Van Gaal said the club could buy a striker but cautioned that it was not a player that had been written about in the media.

“You have to wait and see,” he told reporters. “The transfer period is open until Sept. 1 so we have to wait.”

Reuters



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1TNYdc9
Read More

Suarez determined to make flying start

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Luis Suarez struggled to get into his stride with Barcelona after his ban for biting an opponent expired in October.

|||

Madrid - Luis Suarez struggled to get into his stride with new club Barcelona after his ban for biting an opponent expired in October and the Uruguay striker is determined to avoid the same fate when the new season starts next month.

Suarez joined the Catalan club from Liverpool last July but was unable to play the first three months of the campaign after he was sanctioned for sinking his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder at the World Cup.

After a slow start following his Barca debut in the La Liga 'Clasico' against Real Madrid, he started to come into top form around the turn of the year and was a key performer alongside strike partners Lionel Messi and Neymar as Barca romped to a treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup titles.

“For the first few matches I was lacking rhythm,” Suarez told reporters after a training session on Barca's pre-season tour of the United States.

“That's what pre-seasons are for, to work and try to contribute from the start,” added the 28-year-old.

“This year, starting at the same pace as my team mates, it will be different.”

Barca play their first match in the International Champions Cup friendly competition later on Tuesday against MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy.

The match in Pasadena will be a chance for Suarez to catch up with former Liverpool team mate and close friend Steven Gerrard, who left the English club after 17 years at the end of last term to join LA Galaxy.

Gerrard praised Suarez in an interview published on Barca's website (www.fcbarcelona.es) on Tuesday.

“I don't think anyone ever looks forward to playing against Luis Suarez, he is a fantastic talent and a very dangerous player,” Gerrard said.

“He is a fantastic team mate, probably the best player I have played with,” he added.

“He's a good guy, a family man away from the pitch, we keep in touch and have supported each other throughout our careers.”

Reuters



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1KiJH84
Read More

Sterling scores on City debut

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Record signing Raheem Sterling took just over two minutes to score his debut goal as Manchester City downed AS Roma.

|||

Record signing Raheem Sterling took just over two minutes to score his debut goal as Manchester City downed AS Roma on penalties in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne on Tuesday.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart made two late saves as Manchester City won 5-4 after the penalty shootout at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, took just two minutes and 17 seconds to open his account for the big-spending English club.

He showed his explosive pace to swoop on a defence-splitting pass from Kelechi Iheanacho to leave Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis flailing and slot the ball into the empty net.

While Sterling's much-anticipated first appearance in the sky blue was the major talking point, the 2014 English Premier League champions showed plenty of attacking promise for the season ahead.

The 20-year-old Jamaican-born Londoner completed his move to Manchester City from Liverpool last week in a five-year deal worth an initial £44 million that could rise to £49 million ($76 million).

The Italians equalised just five minutes after Sterling's strike in spectacular fashion. Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic let fly with a 20-metre thunderbolt into the top right corner.

Sterling had a big shout for a penalty turned down when he was brought down by Alessandro Florenzi midway through the opening half, but Australian referee Jared Gillett waved play on.

Roma had three quickfire scoring chances minutes before the break, with Vincent Kompany lunging to deny Francesco Totti, Eliaquim Mangala clearing another and unmarked Daniele De Rossi putting a header over the bar.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini as expected took Sterling off at halftime along with the influential David Silva in wholesale changes, introducing Samir Nasri, Aleksandar Kolarov and Yaya Toure into the game.

Nigerian teenager Iheanacho put Manchester City ahead again on 51 minutes when he zeroed in on an awful back pass by former England international Ashley Cole to coolly beat De Sanctis from close range.

But Serbian Adem Ljajic threw the Italians a lifeline when he beat Joe Hart with his free-kick over the wall in the 87th minute to send the match into penalties.

Hart proved Man City's hero, with saves off Seydou Doumbia and Seydou Keita to get the English club home.

Manchester City will attempt to go on and win the three-way ICC tournament when they take on ten-time European champions Real Madrid in the final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Roma beat Real Madrid 7-6 on penalties after the opening ICC game finished scoreless at the MCG on Saturday. – AFP



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Jultom
Read More

Rooney targets Charlton’s record

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Wayne Rooney is targeting Bobby Charlton's long-standing record as Manchester United's highest scorer of all time.

|||

London - Wayne Rooney has set himself a target of 20 goals this season, which would break Bobby Charlton's long-standing record as Manchester United's highest scorer of all time.

Rooney is already within one goal of United legend Charlton's England scoring record of 49.

Now, having been told by United manager Louis Van Gaal that he will be used in his favourite position as an out-and-out attacker, he is hoping to score 20 in all competitions to reach 250, overhauling Charlton's tally of 249 for the club from 1956 to 1973.

“My best position - and I've always said it - is as a striker, getting into the box,” Rooney told reporters from British media on United's tour of the United States.

“The two seasons I've really done that as a lone striker are my two best goal scoring seasons,” he added.

“I hope to score 20 or more goals again. If I'm playing as a striker, then I will be disappointed if I can't do that again.

“I've played different roles over the years for United but you only have to look when I play for England as a striker, I score goals.”

Rooney's 230 goals have come in 473 games, as opposed to Charlton's 748 matches. Denis Law, who scored 237 times in only 404 games, is currently second on United's all-time list. – Reuters



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HNRAz7
Read More

Mosimane not flashing the cash

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has only acquired one player during this transfer window.

|||

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has grown wiser. Or so it seems.

He is far from that, big-spending ambitious coach who went on the rampage by acquiring every hot player in the PSL.

Though Mosimane has the latitude of a massive financial backing courtesy of Downs’ billionaire owner Patrice Motsepe’s chequebook that knows no limits, he has resisted the temptation of buying even though there are seasoned campaigners free on the market. Top players – Itumeleng Khune and Tefu Mashamaite, who were let go by Kaizer Chiefs, are currently unattached and in an ideal world, Mosimane would have pounced on them.

Both Khune and Mashamaite’s exit from Naturena had to do with their lofty financial demands. Finances are no stress for Mosimane, who has signed just one player in the current transfer window, but the Downs coach says there’s a lot to consider. He indicated that affording a player like Khune had to do with more than finances.

“They are good players. I believe Khune is the No1 ‘keeper in the country. But if you want to sign a player, you must also afford him. I am not saying we can’t afford him but it must be market related. (Elias) Pelembe had to leave and get a pay cut at Bidvest Wits. I wish he could have got a pay cut here.

“But it’s tough. This is to show that people must play for their money and it must be market related. South African players must really understand that it’s difficult. We have seen people been given clearances at big teams,” said Mosimane.

“People are now going to smaller teams for less money. There’s competition. The younger ones are pushing and if you don’t play for your money you find yourself not having a team and you try for other teams and they can’t afford you. It’s a problem.”

Sundowns are by far the best paying team in the country and luring any player in the PSL shouldn’t be a challenger for them.

But Mosimane says there’s a need to justify earning the big bucks. He is of the view that the payslip and contribution on the pitch ought to correspond.

“People must play for their money. And things are tough now. Look at the big teams – players are let go. It’s not that they are no good but the number of minutes you play and the amount of money you earn need to correspond.”

Over the weekend, the former Bafana Bafana coach, led Sundowns to victory in the Charity Showdown at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Mosimane used over 30 players in two matches as he is using the pre-season to see which players will do duty for his side next season.

“The pre-season will tell us. But I don’t want big numbers of players which is why we have been quiet in the market,” said Mosimane, whose only signing so far has been Kenyan striker Abdul Razak from Sofapaka FC. - The Star



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HNRAiK
Read More

LVG lauds Rooney’s leadership

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has saluted the leadership of Wayne Rooney.

|||

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has saluted the leadership of Wayne Rooney as he prepares to reward the Red Devils captain by playing him in his preferred role of centre-forward.

Rooney was handed the captain's armband by van Gaal last August during his first season in charge at Old Trafford, and the England striker's performance in the role made a lasting impression on the Dutchman.

“I could not have expected more,” van Gaal told reporters here Monday as United prepared for the second game of their US tour against San Jose Earthquakes.

“I think he's a great captain. Better than I had expected. He is fully accepted by the players and that's also very important because I can choose the captain – but the players decide.”

Rooney spent a frustrating season at United last year being deployed in various positions, from midfield, out wide or as a withdrawn striker.

Now however van Gaal plans to give Rooney an opportunity to nail down his favoured starting position as an out-and-out centre-forward.

“I've listened to you and that's why,” van Gaal joked to journalists on Monday when asked to explain his decision.

“I think you have more knowledge than I, so now Rooney is there.”

Rooney, who led the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation for 45 minutes against Club America in Seattle on Friday, is relishing the chance to stake a claim to the striker's role.

“My best position, and I have always said it, is as a striker, getting into the box,” Rooney told British media.

“And the two seasons I have really done that as a lone striker have been my two best goalscoring seasons.

“It is where the manager and myself see my best position.

“Hopefully I can get a good run of games and repay the manager and score goals for the team, but it is obviously on me to do that.

“I have no doubts that I can score 20 goals or more again and I am ready to take on that mantle and be the one who gets the goals for this team.

“If I play up there again this season, then I can get the goals. It is where I like and it is where I will play.”

Rooney has set himself a target of scoring more than 20 goals for United this season after finding the net just 14 times last year in all competitions, his lowest return since joining United from Everton in 2004.

The 29-year-old believes his goalscoring record for England suggests he will provide United with a potent threat following the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

“I have played different roles over the years for United, but you only have to look when I play for England as a striker, I score goals,” Rooney said.

“I hope to score 20 or more goals again this season. If I am playing as a striker, I will be disappointed if I cannot that do that.

“The last time I really played the full season as a striker was 2011-12. All the other seasons, I have been up front, then in midfield or out wide, so hopefully I will stay up front.”

After United play San Jose on Tuesday they face a further game against Barcelona on Saturday before wrapping up their tour against Paris Saint Germain in Chicago. – AFP



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Otsb2g
Read More

Pelé discharged from hospital

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé left the hospital after undergoing back surgery, the latest in a series of health complications.

|||

Sao Paulo - Brazilian soccer legend Pelé left the hospital after undergoing back surgery, the latest in a series of health complications for the 74-year-old former star striker.

Pelé, whose given name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, spent the weekend at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo after a procedure to relieve pressure on a nerve in his spine, an aide told Reuters. The hospital announced his release in a statement.

This is the third time Pelé has been hospitalized since November. He spent two weeks in November at the Einstein facility with kidney problems and in May he underwent prostate surgery at the same hospital.

With more than 1 280 career goals and an unequaled three World Cup titles during his playing career, Pelé is considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all-time. – Reuters



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Drt19m
Read More

New signings on target for Liverpool

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

New signings James Milner and Danny Ings were on target as Liverpool beat Adelaide United.

|||

Adelaide - New signings James Milner and Danny Ings were on target as Liverpool beat Adelaide United 2-0 to make it three wins out of three on their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.

For the second time in four days, the Premier League club attracted a big crowd to an Australian stadium and were given a good workout by A-League opposition.

And as in their 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday, Milner impressed in central midfield and got on the scoresheet, breaking the deadlock in the 68th minute by guiding Jordan Ibe's cross into the net from what looked like an offside position.

Ings scored the second goal three minutes from time after being put through on goal by England international Nathaniel Clyne.

Ibe put in an impressive display on the right wing in front of 53,008 fans at the Adelaide Oval and had been involved in two good chances around the hour mark.

First he cut inside the box and shot just wide of the post and a minute later provided a well-judged pass for Adam Lallana's shot, only for Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic to produce an outstanding save to keep the match goalless.

“Jordan Ibe, I think this could be a big season for him and he's only 19,” said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I thought it was an excellent performance. We pressed the game really well against a good side and we're really happy with the performance and the fitness.”

If Ibe was impressive, Divock Origi gave a reminder of why Liverpool are reported to be on the verge of spending 32.5 million pounds ($50.73 million) on another Belgian striker in Christian Benteke.

Origi was free in front of goal when he failed to get on the end of a Joe Gomez cross in the fifth minute and that was only the first of a string of missed opportunities.

Gomez, 18, impressed Rodgers with another assured display at right back, even if Spanish winger Sergio Cirio gave him some trouble in defence.

“Young Joe Gomez, looks like he could be a Liverpool player for a number of years,” Rodgers added. “I know it's pre-season but he shows all the qualities and temperament.”

Tarek Elrich, who scored the A-League goal of the season in the last campaign with a brilliant individual effort, created Adelaide's best chance in the 72nd minute when he did well to win the ball but fired his shot onto the outside of the post. – Reuters



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Jsf90H
Read More

Rooney will be the ‘main man’

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Louis van Gaal has told Wayne Rooney that he will be Manchester United’s main centre forward this season.

|||

Louis van Gaal has told Wayne Rooney that he will be Manchester United’s main centre forward this season.

After years of being shunted around the pitch — including a spell as a holding midfield player last season — the United captain has been assured that his position will be right at the top of his team’s formation this season.

United may buy another striker having seen Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie go. But it is understood that Van Gaal and chief executive Ed Woodward are relaxed and feel that the days of United having four frontline strikers are gone. They believe Rooney will flourish and return to his goalscoring best if he is used properly this season.

Certainly the 29-year-old will look to improve on last season when he was played in different positions and scored just 14 goals. Rooney played as central striker during United’s opening tour game — a 1-0 win against Club America in Seattle on Saturday — and will play there when United’s Premier League campaign begins at home against Tottenham.

United are following up their interest in Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The Argentine, who played for Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, is wanted to replace current No 2 keeper Victor Valdes who is on his way out of the club. Sources at Old Trafford have confirmed the club’s interest but have refused to comment on suggestions he is set to have a medical.

Meanwhile, Van Persie has spoken for the first time since he left United for Fenerbahce and has claimed his relationship with Van Gaal changed last season. ‘I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after that I was on the bench again,’ Van Persie said in The Sunday Times.

‘The atmosphere changed between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional.’

Defender Luke Shaw has revealed he and Adnan Januzaj paid for a United fitness coach to accompany them to on holiday to Dubai this summer. Van Gaal criticised Shaw’s fitness last season andShaw said last night: ‘I only had myself to blame. I didn’t arrive at the club in the correct shape. The manager told me his feelings and I totally accepted that.

‘Adnan and I decided to ask a member of the coaching staff to come with us and we paid his flights. He worked us in four sessions per day. The most important thing was to come back fitter.’ – Daily Mail



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1eaZxWv
Read More

Sterling set to make City debut

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Raheem Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, will play for his new club Manchester City against AS Roma.

|||

Raheem Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, will play for his new club Manchester City against AS Roma in Melbourne, manager Manuel Pellegrini said Monday.

The 20-year-old completed his move to the 2014 Premier League champions from Liverpool last week in a five-year deal worth an initial £44million that could rise to £49 million ($76 million).

Sterling will now be seen playing in Manchester City's sky blue shirt for the first time in the International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Pellegrini said it was important for his marquee signing, whom he rates as “one of the best attacking players in world football”, to get some playing time for his new club ahead of the new English Premier League season next month.

“I think that Raheem worked with Liverpool for three days in the same way as the other international players, so he will play some minutes,” Pellegrini told reporters.

“I know him because he played against us for the last two seasons but I think that it is important for him to try to have some minutes with our team as soon as he can.

“I know the way he has played at Liverpool. It's different, of course, when he's working with our squad, but he's a very young player with a lot of ambition and for me that's very important.”

The Jamaican-born Londoner assumes the most expensive English footballer mantle from Andy Carroll, who moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for £35 million but never lived up to the tag.

Pellegrini is also expected to give some game time to the club's other new signings, midfielder Fabian Delph, Turkish striker Enes Unal and former England youth international Patrick Roberts either on Tuesday or against Real Madrid in the Melbourne tournament on Friday.

Manchester City warmed up for the ICC tournament with a 1-0 win over Australian sister club Melbourne City with Frenchman Samir Nasri getting a late winner on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Roma beat Real Madrid 7-6 on penalties after the opening ICC game finished scoreless at the MCG on Saturday.

Pellegrini, echoed the concerns of Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez about the state of the MCG pitch which has been heavily used by the Australian Football League for their club matches this season.

“Yes, I am concerned ... we know it is not in the best shape,” he said.

“I hope that the pitch will be at least in normal conditions.”

The packed off-season schedule for City includes matches in Vietnam and Germany before they return to Manchester but goalkeeper Joe Hart allayed fears there was too much travel involved in their Premier League preparation.

“The manager's had a few pre-seasons in his life so he knows how to prepare a team,” he said. – AFP



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1HEgZgM
Read More

Mourinho backs Falcao to come good

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Radamel Falcao will fly to meet his Chelsea team-mates in New York and he might want to thank a couple of them for his second chance in English football.

|||

Radamel Falcao will fly to meet his Chelsea team-mates in New York tomorrow and he might want to thank a couple of them for his second chance in English football.

Though there is a debate as to whether the Colombian striker can still cut it after his knee ligament surgery in 2014, having scored just four goals for Manchester United last season, it turns out Falcao had some powerful advocates in the Chelsea dressing room.

When Jose Mourinho was weighing up whether Falcao was a suitable replacement for Didier Drogba, he sought out his centre halves, John Terry and Gary Cahill. United lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in April but it seemed Falcao did enough that evening to convince the Chelsea defenders he is still a handful.

‘We think the bright movement is there, the movement to get freedom in the box to score goals is there,’ said Mourinho. ‘Our players had difficulty controlling him all the time and we feel the potential is there.’

Three years ago when Falcao, then 26, was at Atletico Madrid and looked like the most fearsome striker in Europe, Mourinho was manager of city rivals Real and had a close-up view.

Falcao was ahead of Diego Costa in the pecking order. But the Colombia striker, who is on loan at Chelsea from Monaco, is unhappy that he is perceived as a failure in England after his year at United and is apparently determined to put that right.

‘It’s his motivation,’ said Mourinho. ‘He did a lot of things to come to us. He lost money to come to us, he didn’t want to listen to other offers. He helped us a lot to do a deal with Monaco. So we think we can help him and he can help us.’

Falcao will be eased into this tour as a spectator against New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. A substitute appearance against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday is likely to be his first outing. But Mourinho expects him to be ready to face Swansea on Saturday August 8, the opening day of the Premier League season. And although Falcao may start behind Costa in the Chelsea pecking order, the Chelsea manager insists the centre forward spot is up for grabs.

‘He can be second, first or third,’ said Mourinho. ‘He knows that, Diego knows that and Loic Remy knows that. It is open competition between the three of them.’

Chelsea’s move for Augsburg left back Abdul Baba Rahman is being held up by Atletico’s Madrid’s failure to match Chelsea £15m valuation of Filipe Luis. Mourinho wants to bring in the 21-year-old Ghana international but cannot do so until Atletico agree terms with the club on Filipe Luis.

Similarly, Juan Cuadrado will only be allowed to leave Chelsea if they recoup the £23million they paid for him in January. That might open the way for Mourinho to compete with Van Gaal for Pedro — Chelsea would only consider a move for the Barcelona player if one of their wide players leaves.

Chelsea’s Nathan Ake is wanted on loan by Newcastle, Leicester and Watford. Ake’s future at Stamford Bridge has become uncertain since it became clear that Mourinho would like to offer transfer target John Stones the No 6 shirt, which belongs to Ake.– Daily Mail



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Lmn85i
Read More

Benteke set for Anfield medical

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is poised to undergo a medical with Liverpool’s club doctor in London.

|||

Brendan Rodgers is adamant that Liverpool have addressed the shortage of goals that wrecked last season as he prepares to welcome Christian Benteke.

The Belgian, 24, will have his medical with Liverpool’s club doctor in London today after chief executive Ian Ayre spent the weekend negotiating with his Aston Villa counterpart Tom Fox about how the £32.5million fee would be paid.

Liverpool are expected to pay an initial instalment of £16m for Benteke, a player whom Rodgers has tracked for more than a year, and his signing is a clear show of faith by Fenway Sports Group in their manager, who finished last season under intense criticism.

Rodgers would not talk about Benteke yesterday but he was more open when assessing how beneficial Liverpool’s activity in the transfer window would be.

Benteke’s arrival will take Liverpool’s spending past £60m, having earlier brought in Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings in a bid to get closer to the 102 goals they scored in 2013-14, rather than the return of 52 last season.

‘It was clear we needed to score more goals but I wouldn’t want that to be taken as [though] the other side isn’t important,’ said Rodgers, whose side today play their third friendly, against Adelaide United.

‘Our defensive organisation is critical to allow our talents to flourish. It always has been. You’ve seen on this tour already our pressing game, the intensity to get the ball back quickly and we can do that when we have all the tools in the squad to score goals and create them.

‘People can see the quality of the players coming in and importantly the ones we already have. Once we get that combination together we can go into each competition and put out a really strong team.’

Benteke will not be asked to fly out for the final leg of Liverpool’s tour in Malaysia, instead beginning training at Melwood with Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, who return from their summer break on Wednesday. – Daily Mail



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1gJEI6C
Read More

Walcott keen on new Arsenal deal

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is anxious that he is offered a new deal before his contract runs out in 11 months' time.

|||

Despite Arsène Wenger's refusal to give any public assurances about Theo Walcott's future, the Arsenal forward is anxious that a deal is done before his contract runs out in 11 months' time.

The Arsenal manager would not elaborate when pressed, after Saturday's Barclays Asia Trophy final, whether he was optimistic that Walcott would sign a new contract. The 26-year-old forward, however, appeared more confident.

Speaking after Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Everton in Singapore, in which he scored the opening goal, Walcott said: “My agent has talked to the club. I am just letting them crack on with things and I will continue playing football. If it happens, it happens. We will just play the waiting game and see what happens but I am sure it won't be long.”

If, as seems likely, there is no quick agreement, Walcott says he is happy to begin his 10th season at the Emirates Stadium, knowing that by the time Arsenal commence their defence of the FA Cup in January he will be able to speak to other clubs.

“I won't let that delay affect the way I am playing,” he said. “I can't let that affect me. The squad is one of the best I have been involved in. I want to be part of that. We've got to keep this group of players together. Successful teams stay together for a long time and this team can be very successful. We have won two FA Cups now. The next big step is to be challenging for the Premier League.”

The title, he claimed, would have been Arsenal's last season had they shown the same form in the first half of the campaign as they did in the latter half. “But,” he added, “that's the word you don't want to be using in sport: 'if'. We need to make sure we can do it from the start.

“We have obviously spent the money; the stadium is a fortress now, I believe. We are playing great football, winning games and not conceding as many as in the past, and we know we're going to score goals.”

Many at Arsenal said much the same a year ago only to make the kind of start that meant any hope of the title had disappeared by October. Walcott, however, argued this pre-season felt different. The 4-0 win over Aston Villa in this year's FA Cup final was a world away from last year's desperate 3-2 scramble against Hull. “We have learnt not to panic in games,” Walcott said. “That's the lesson the manager has put in our heads.” – The Independent



from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Kfz88r
Read More