Sport cafe: 2014

Friday, 31 October 2014

Casillas: Madrid want to overhaul Barcelona by Christmas

The Blancos captain has admitted that Carlo Ancelotti's men are determined to be in pole position in the Primera Division before the winter break

Bet

GRA 125$ Draw 62$

RMA 12.2$

Iker Casillas has revealed that Real Madrid's aim is to be top of La Liga by Christmas after they defeated current leaders Barcelona last weekend.
Los Blancos drew to within a point of Luis Enrique's men courtesy of a stirring 3-1 victory at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night. They had to recover from the concession of an early goal to Neymar but responded impressively, with strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema.
Casillas is now hoping that Madrid can overhaul their great rivals at the summit of the Primera Division standings before the winter break.
"Our aim is what we've wanted from the start of the season: we need to try and top the league by Christmas," the goalkeeper told reporters on Thursday.
"We took an important step in getting there by beating Barcelona."
Madrid, of course, are looking to reclaim the Liga title for the first time since 2012 but they realised an even bigger dream last season by winning their 10th European Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were 1-0 down in the dying seconds of May's Champions League final against city rivals Atletico before Sergio Ramos plundered a last-gasp equaliser.
Madrid subsequently romped to a 4-1 victory after extra time, much to the delight of Casillas, who was a member of the Blancos side that had last won the title in 2002.
"I felt relieved because we had been aiming to win it for ages," the Spain international said of 'La Decima'.
"Real Madrid had gone 12 years without lifting this club's favourite trophy.
"When we finally managed it, winning after such a long and nail-biting wait made our celebrations that much more special, and in the process winning the 'Decima' meant so much more to all Real fans.
"It took a weight off our shoulders."

Cantona: Bielsa is like Mourinho

The former Marseille man has praised the club's current coach, who has led his team to the top of Ligue 1, as well as the Chelsea boss

Bet

CHE 11.6$ Draw 72$

QPR 170$

Eric Cantona says Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho and current Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa are very similar in their style and character.
Both men are currently enjoying successful periods at their clubs, with Mourinho's Chelsea unbeaten at the top of the Premier League, while Marseille currently sit at the summit of Ligue 1 with a four-point lead over champions Paris Saint-Germain.
And the former Manchester United star believes the two are great and charismatic coaches.
"I do not support Marseille much, but I like Bielsa," Cantona told France 2. "I think he has... character. He has a personality, charisma. He knows good football.
"He's a bit like Mourinho. I like all those guys. When there is a press conference with Bielsa or Mourinho, we know that something will happen.
"I like to hear them speak. I like that they call into question the opinions and questions of journalists."
He added: "They back their players, even if they are in the wrong. There is always something going on in their press conferences and it does not prevent them from winning and having great teams."

Arsene Wenger: Jack Wilshere doubtful for Arsenal v Burnley

Arsene Wenger admits that Jack Wilshere remains a doubt for Saturday’s visit of Burnley to the Emirates Stadium and is yet to return to training.

And the Arsenal boss is also concerned that the midfielder may miss out on Tuesday’s home Champions League tie with Belgian club Anderlecht.
The 22-year-old has a niggling knee problem and Wenger said: "There is a slight problem with Wilshere. I don't think he'll be available against Burnley.
"It's very, very short term. He took a kick on his knee. I don't know if Tuesday will be too early or not. He's not training at the moment."
Wenger stressed that Theo Walcott will definitely not start against Burnley but hinted that he may get some game time as a substitute.
The England striker has not played since early January and remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes of last week’s trip to Sunderland.
Wenger added: “He’s been out for too long to start the game. If I can give him some competition I’m happy to do it.
“The patience of the player is tested because they feel ready and want to play but usually realise much later that they were not completely ready.
“I know Theo well, he’s a very intelligent player and he knows he’s not completely there yet.”
As for the club’s form in the Premier League this campaign, the Frenchman believes the Gunners need to improve on their overall consistency before even thinking about their title chances this season.
Arsenal are fifth in the table, nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea, and Wenger went on: “We have to get consistent results to get the chance to come back.
“I’m focused on the quality of our games and consistency of our results before we even think about catching Chelsea."I don't write us off, let other people do that, but Chelsea are in a strong position at the moment. I believe it would not be realistic to just think now that we'll catch Chelsea very quickly."
Wenger is preparing his team to face a fired-up Burnley side still searching for their first Premier League victory.
"It's absolutely normal that other teams try to stop us from playing our game. I can understand that completely," Wenger said.
"We want to be good enough to get around that and not allow other teams to stop us playing.
"We are good enough, but we know the quality of our passing and our decisions must be better."

Benteke bouncing back

With Christian Benteke showing signs he's returning to form and Spurs' 'lax' defending, Aston Villa can end their five-game wait for a goal on Super Sunday, says Jamie Redknapp...

Aston Villa may be bottom of the Premier League goal-scoring charts but they’ll get opportunities to improve their tally when they host Tottenham on Super Sunday.
I saw Villa at QPR and I’m not unduly worried about them only finding the net four times so far this term. The goals will come and that’s because Christian Benteke is on his way back.
He’s had an horrendous injury and to tear your Achilles, for someone like him, who relies on his power and spring, is a bad one to pick up. But I could sense on Monday Night Football, with his touch and his movement, that he was getting back to the levels he was at last year. If that’s the case, goals will follow.
Benteke – who has scored 29 in the past two seasons - needs support, though, and Villa could really do with some goals from other areas to take the pressure off the Belgian.
Their midfield three at Loftus Road had nine goals in 164 games between them and they need to chip in more. Similarly, Gabriel Agbonlahor doesn’t get enough and Andreas Weimann isn’t prolific.
Perhaps they could bring Charles N’Zogbia in to a number ten role. He’s got a good left foot and has shown he can find the net.
But that’s definitely a problem area for them. Finding someone who can score 8-10 goals a season and slide nice little balls through for the strikers isn’t easy – but it’s a player Villa need.

Sky Bet Price Boost Special: Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton all to win 4/1 (from 6/4)

Villa’s other problem is that, as well as not scoring, they’re also conceding cheap goals. When you’re struggling like they are – and the same goes for QPR and Burnley – you have to battle and not give anything easy away. At the moment Villa are getting beaten without a whimper and that’s what will upset Paul Lambert and Roy Keane the most.

Opportunities

They’re playing against a Tottenham side who give you loads of opportunities this weekend, though - and that's another reason why we might see Villa's five-game wait for a goal - and point - come to an end.
At lot has been made of Spurs’ defeat to Newcastle, particularly the equaliser, which saw Sammy Ameobi catch the Tottenham defence sleeping at the start of the second half, but it didn’t surprise me at all.
Tottenham always concede cheap goals and it’s not going to change. I’ve said before I think Younes Kaboul is a defender who gives you a chance and, as we saw against Newcastle and Liverpool last season, Spurs so often come out lax and lacking intensity.
You really don’t know what Tottenham team are going to turn up each week and it seems Mauricio Pochettino is finding it more difficult than he expected at Spurs. I like him as a manager but he’ll need time to get his own players in because they’re a country mile away from where they need to be.

Jamie's tipping Villa and Spurs to draw 1-1 at odds of 5/1 with Sky Bet. Bet now

Spurs need new players because you can’t turn that personnel into a high-energy, pressing team like Pochettino had at Southampton.

Chance

In Harry Kane the Spurs fans do have someone to get excited about, though – and it’s time he got his shot in the Premier League.
The England U21 international has netted eight times this season in the Capital One Cup and Europa League and has done really well. All young players need opportunities and with him scoring goals and looking confident now is a great time to hand him a Premier League chance.
His goal in midweek against Brighton showed he can be a poacher but he’s also got a great shot on him, so what have Spurs got to lose? It’s not like they have a brilliant centre forward who is scoring loads of goals for them - Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor have just two in the league between them so far.
Spurs are crying out for Kane and I’d be amazed if he doesn’t start against Villa.
Perhaps he could make the difference on Sunday, but I’m going for a 1-1 draw. There’s a little bit of discontentment with the manager at Villa Park and the hosts need a result. I reckon they’ll get it but, as I said, who knows which Tottenham team will turn up.

Premier League: Everton announce record profits in 2013-2014

Everton have revealed record financial results from last season in what was Roberto Martinez's first year in charge.

Everton: Record profits in 2013-14

Everton have revealed record profits of more than £28million for the 2013-14 season.

The profits of £28.2million come off the back of a 39 per cent rise in turnover to £120.5million, boosted by broadcast revenues of £88.5million, courtesy of the Barclays Premier League's new broadcast deal.
The Toffees' operating gains before player trading in the financial year ending May 31 were £23million, a massive increase on the £700,000 recorded during the previous campaign.
Marouane Fellaini, Victor Anichebe and Nikica Jelavic all left Goodison Park for hefty transfer fees with the likes of Arouna Kone, Joel Robles, Antolin Alcaraz, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady coming the other way.
The current set of results do not however include the club record £28million purchase of Romelu Lukaku or the signings of Gareth Barry, Muhamed Besic and Samuel Eto'o.
On the pitch Roberto Martinez guided the team to fifth with a record Premier League points haul of 72 and chairman Bill Kenwright could not hide his delight.
"It was a special season that blended the optimism of youth, a much talked-about, bold new style, individual brilliance and an enduring team spirit that runs through every Everton squad," he said.
"A season that brought a club record Premier League points haul - a total that in almost any other year, would have sealed Champions' League football.
"It was a season that, quite simply, we didn't want to end."
The club managed to reduce its net debt from £45.3million in 2013 to £28.1million with gate receipts up £1.9million and sponsorship, advertising and merchandising revenue up from £7.6million to £8.4million.
"The strong results for 2013-14 are a reflection of the drive, commitment and hard work of all staff at the club," said chief executive Robert Elstone.
"Teamwork and clear priorities will always be fundamental to our success. And, at the most senior level in our club, the passion and talent of our outstanding manager fits seamlessly with the vision and dedication of our chairman.
"These combined efforts, shaped by a clear strategy, will continue to be targeted exclusively on ensuring the success of the Everton first team.
"Our financial results highlight growing revenues, costs remaining under control and debt reducing, and when we combine that solid financial base with a playing squad that continues to improve and increase in value, we have every right to be confident and positive on future prospects."

Manchester derby: Jamie Carragher expects goals in a close clash at the Etihad

Sky Sports pundit says Sergio Aguero shades Robin van Persie

City would like to have Angel Di Maria in their side, says Carra

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher will be right here each week to cast his expert eye over the forthcoming Premier League games.

The Liverpool legend will have his say on the players, managers and stories surrounding Sky's live fixtures – and in this column, he discusses Super Sunday's mouth-watering Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.
So read on for his thoughts on why the suspension-free Wayne Rooney must return to United's line-up, why the Red Devils will head to their neighbours in a positive frame of mind, and which Old Trafford player City would want in their line-up...
How impressive were Man United against Chelsea?
CARRA SAYS: United have put in a few good performances so far this season but mainly against sides you’d expect them to beat and beat comfortably, so what impressed me most about their draw with Chelsea last Sunday was how they competed with the best team in the league at the moment. I never really felt Chelsea were in any danger of losing the game but United kept going and had the edge in terms of possession and chances, so there were some good signs. They may have been fortunate to get a last-minute goal but they more than held their own within the game and should take confidence into Sunday’s big match.
Marouane Fellaini was a strong performer in that 1-1 draw, wasn’t he?
CARRA SAYS: He’s made an impact in his last two games. He came on and scored a very good against West Brom on Monday Night Football and then stood out against Chelsea. He kept Cesc Fabregas relatively quiet and looked really fit, too, so while I think he needs to improve a little bit more to be a regular fixture in the United midfield when Michael Carrick is fit again and Ander Herrera is at his best, he is a good option to have. There is flair in there with Angel Di Maria and the solidity of Daley Blind, but as a physical presence and an outlet, Fellaini could come in handily as the season goes on.

Wayne Rooney is ready to return from his three-game ban

Will there be any tweaks to the side against Man City?
CARRA SAYS: They will be under more pressure at the Etihad so I’d bring Wayne Rooney straight back in for Juan Mata. Mata was disciplined against Chelsea and played well, but in an away game you’d want Rooney in there for his power and strength, bigger work rate and greater defensive duties. We all know Man City are a physically imposing side with Yaya Toure and Fernandinho in the middle, two big centre-backs and Edin Dzeko up top; they played some good football when they won this fixture 4-1 last season but a key part of their success was outmuscling United all over the park. Rooney offers you strength and skill so would seem perfect for this game. I don’t see him not starting.
Why are City struggling a little bit at the moment?
CARRA SAYS: Because they are looking defensively weak at times and conceding goals. Sam Allardyce said after City lost to West Ham that he targeted Eliaquim Mangala, so it will be interesting to see whether he starts in this game or Martin Demichelis comes in as Vincent Kompany’s centre-back partner. A lot has been mentioned about the way Manuel Pellegrini sets up with the 4-4-2 and with Van Gaal playing 4-3-3 at the moment, could that extra man in midfield – possibly Rooney dropping deep – cause City problems? Maybe City have enough to go out and beat United but could Yaya Toure and one other be exposed? They could be. I think the game will have goals in it as United always look to play on the front foot under Van Gaal and City nearly always go with two strikers, and while I make City favourites, I think it will be close.
If City could pick one Man United player to go straight into their starting XI, who do you think they’d go for?
CARRA SAYS: Di Maria is the obvious choice. He’s started his United career like a house on fire and looks like he is going to create something every time he gets the ball, so you’d have to say him. As I mentioned, though, defence is their weakness, particularly with the second centre-back, but United aren’t blessed in that department either so I can’t really make a case for the likes of Chris Smalling or Marcos Rojo at the moment. If it wasn’t Di Maria, however, I’d go for Luke Shaw. I don’t think Gael Clichy or Aleksandar Kolarov are the best left-backs in the world, whereas I think Shaw, given a few more years’ experience, will become the best in that position in the Premier League.
Where do you stand on the Sergio Aguero or Robin van Persie debate? Who would you have in your team?
CARRA SAYS: It would definitely be Aguero for me. He has the best minutes-per-goal ratio in Premier League history and has already got eight in nine this season, even though that record is perhaps skewed a little by the four he got against Tottenham. I know he misses the odd game through injury, but Van Persie hasn’t had a completely clean bill of health throughout his career and Aguero’s movement, skill, pace and trickery edge it for me. With Luis Suarez gone, he is now the best striker in the division.
Is this game bigger for City than United?
CARRA SAYS: I’d have to agree with that, yes, because the gap between themselves and Chelsea is already too big for their liking. Six points will be hard to claw back anyway but if that gets to eight or nine, it will become extremely difficult to topple Chelsea. City started slowly last season and won the league so that will be in their minds but they didn’t have this Jose Mourinho team last season, a team that looks the real deal. Where Arsenal faded a little last term after getting an early initiative at the top of the table, I don’t think that will be the case for Chelsea. If United lose this, top four is still up for grabs, but if City lose it, the title looks a long, long way away.

Premier League: Manchester City's David Silva out for up to a month

David Silva will miss this weekend’s Manchester derby after being ruled out for three to four weeks through injury.

The Manchester City midfielder has been confined to the sidelines after hurting his knee during Wednesday's Capital One Cup defeat by Newcastle at the Etihad.
Silva was injured after just nine minutes of the match after tangling with visiting defender Ryan Taylor.
City tweeted the news of Silva’s absence: "Manuel Pellegrini confirms he will miss Sunday's game. Will be out for 3-4 weeks.”
And manager Pellegrini, speaking at Friday's pre-derby press conference, said: “He has a problem with a ligament. He’s a very important player but we have a squad and have to replace him.”
The Chilean admits he is also monitoring the situation with Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure but is confident he will be fit to face Louis van Gaal's side.
“Yaya has a small problem but he should play," he added.
City go into Sunday’s match on the back of two successive defeats, against West Ham United in the League and Newcastle.

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

Paper Talk

Crystal Palace are ready to move Neil Warnock upstairs - if they can find the right man to replace him.
QPR's Rio Ferdinand could face a massive fine after being charged with Twitter abuse by the FA for the second time.
Sunderland are ready to snap up French right-back Anthony Reveillere.
Kit Symons has told Fulham he is prepared to work with a director of football if he becomes boss.
Russ Wilcox has been lined up for a quick return to management at York.
Neil Lennon wants Hull's Stephen Quinn as his first signing at Bolton.
New Leeds boss Darko Milanic is plotting a £1.5m raid for his former Maribor favourite Agim Ibraimi.

Luis Suarez says Liverpool would not have made a title bid last season or booked a Champions League place without him.
Real Madrid were forced to sell Angel di Maria to Manchester United as they could not afford to pay him.
Stoke striker Peter Crouch reckons he could still do the business for England.
Southampton are facing another raid on their boss after Ronald Koeman was touted for the Holland job.
Chelsea have struck a deal to sign a 13-year-old French keeper who is already over six foot tall.
Ipswich's ace young full-back Tyrone Mings has caught the eye of Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

Roy Hodgson was last night branded a dinosaur for his handling of Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal have stepped up the chase for £17m-rated Samba star Talisca in case Lukas Podolski quits in January.
Luis Suarez still insists he did nothing wrong in his race row with Patrice Evra.

Dietmar Hamann believes that the main reason England will not win another World Cup in the near future is that "player power" is too strong in this country.
Yaya Toure is set to be rested for Manchester City's clash with Tottenham on Saturday as Manuel Pellegrini faces a juggling act with his jet-lagged stars after the international break.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been handed a boost ahead of his side's trip to Crystal Palace by the return to fitness of Didier Drogba.

Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez has run the Buenos Aires Marathon to raise money for a cancer charity back home in Argentina.
West Ham are hoping to hold talks with defender Winston Reid over a new contract next week.
Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of Nacer Chadli and Hugo Lloris after the pair picked up injuries while on international duty.

Arsenal have suffered another setback after Tomas Rosicky became the fourth of their players to pick up an injury on international duty in the last week.

Paul Scholes says Roy Hodgson is right that young players like Raheem Sterling do not need a two-day recovery after matches and that the issue has been made by Liverpool's complaints over Daniel Sturridge's treatment.
Officials will decide next month weather to postpone the Africa Cup of Nations because of the spread of Ebola.

Despite protests from fans' groups about the rising cost of football, the average price of the cheapest ticket across the English game has risen by 13 per cent since 2011.

Transfer Centre

14:40

Juventus have again denied reports of a bust up with reported Manchester United target Arturo Vidal. The Chile midfielder was dropped for the recent game with Roma because of an alleged incident on a night out but coach Massimiliano
Allegri has again told reporters there are no problems.
14:22

Sami Hyypia has ruled out dipping into the loan market for a striker to boost his Brighton side. They've scored just 10 times in 11 matches so far this season and currently lie 19th in the Championship.

We are not particularly looking at something but, of course, we need goals. They have to come from somewhere. I hope our offensive players start to score goals and then we are okay. If not of course the pressure will be greater to get somebody on loan but at the moment we don't have a target to go for.
14:05

Here are a few more transfer stories from the Regional Papers, make sure to check out the full feature for plenty more.

THE SENTINEL: Stoke striker Peter Crouch says he would jump at the chance to put pen to paper on a new contract at the Britannia Stadium.

NEWHAM RECORDER: Leyton Orient are looking at the possibility of bringing former QPR midfielder Hogan Ephraim to Brisbane Road.

YORKSHIRE EVENING POST: Leeds United left-back Stephen Warnock insists he is happy at Elland Road and has denied claims that he complained to the PFA over his recent omission from the starting line-up.

THE SCOTSMAN: Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon is looking to make Kris Commons his first signing as manager of Bolton.
13:52

Michael Essien has backed former AC Milan team mate Mario Balotelli to find his form back in the Premier League. Balotelli has struggled since his return to England but Essien says he has all the attributes to be a success for his new club.

Mario is a good person. We are big friends. I'm sure he will have a big future. He must work so much to improve but he has all he qualities to be a top player.
13:48
Manchester United have a rather unique way of integrating new signings into the club. Daley Blind has been given a tour of the clubs museum including the rather daunting trophy room.
Manchester United

@ManUtd

VIDEO: Watch @BlindDaley 's personal tour of the United museum as he learned more about #mufc : bddy.me/1w6ThCJ http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bz_MlSaIEAEkQ0i.jpg
Oct. 15, 2014

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13:43
It's that time of the day when we take a check on the transfer stories making headlines around the country in the Regional Papers.
- LONDON EVENING STANDARD: Real Madrid are planning to capitalise on Petr Cech's frustration at Chelsea and make a move to sign him in January.
- MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS: Daley Blind has revealed 'good guy' Wayne Rooney has helped him settle into life at Manchester United.
- SUNDERLAND ECHO: Jozy Altidore has reiterated that he may have to consider his future at Sunderland, if his involvement remains limited.
- BIRMINGHAM MAIL: Jordan Graham is being monitored by Wolves after being given Aston Villa's blessing to train with their local rivals.
Make sure to check out the full Regional Paper Talk feature.

European Qualifiers: Ryan Giggs backs Liverpool and England's Raheem Sterling over tiredness claims

Ryan Giggs has sympathised with Raheem Sterling after the Liverpool winger sparked controversy by telling manager Roy Hodgson he was too tired to play for England.

The 19-year-old was left on the bench for the start of the European Qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn, which England won 1-0.
Manchester United assistant manager Giggs made his debut for the Reds at the age of 17 and carried on playing until calling time last May at the age of 40.
"It’s tough when you’re a young player," Giggs told Sky Sports News HQ. "He’s an explosive player, he’s a player who is exciting, a player you would pay and go and watch.
“Unfortunately, he’s at Liverpool who are our biggest rivals,” added Giggs, who was collecting a 'legend of football award' while guest of honour at the HMV Football Extravaganza in London.

Talented

“But he’s a talented player and you have got to be careful when you’re a young player, it’s a short career and you have to look towards the future.
“Speaking from my own experience, I wanted to train every day, I wanted to play every day and I’m sure he’s no different.”
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, speaking at the same event, also believes care should be taken with young players to avoid the risk of burn out.
“The biggest thing a manager has to cope with is when someone as talented as Raheem Sterling comes along is the criticism you get when you do rest him and the criticism you get when you do leave him out," said Allardyce.
“But protection of the asset is very, very important and particularly for Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool. Today’s world of football is so quick, it demands so much, physically and mentally.

Developing

“If a young man is still developing, and when I say developing I don’t mean his talent but his muscular development; his body is still growing, his muscles are still growing, his bones are still growing, and if you over tax that and he gets the type of injuries early on in his career, it could be detrimental and shorten his career.”
However, former England captain Alan Shearer says tiredness was never a factor during his eight-year stint with the national team.
"I was amazed that it came out in the first place and I was very surprised that Roy had said it," said the former Newcastle striker who scored 30 goals in 63 games between 1992-2000.
"I was also very surprised that the player himself said it. I have never heard it, never said it and I don't think I would have done it and don't know any players in my time who would have come out and said it.
"To play for England at any level, in any game, you would grab the opportunity with both hands."
Former England international Dean Ashton had his say on Sky Sports News HQ and believes the furore could have been avoided.
"I wouldn't say that our young players are playing too much football but it's on an individual basis," Ashton told the Morning View.
"Clubs nowadays have so many staff members and players are bombarded with information about fitness, recovery, nutrition.
"I think Sterling's naive to have described himself as being tired - I wouldn't have used that word - but I think Hodgson's naive as well if he thought that this wouldn't be a big deal. It's probably made it awkward (between the two) that Hodgson admitted Sterling had said he was tired; he probably should have had a quiet word with him away from the cameras."

'Why always me?' - Thiago left devastated after knee injury

The midfielder was "disappointed and desperate" after hearing the news he will be out of action for some time with another serious ligament injury that requires surgery

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara says he is "disappointed and desperate" after being told he faces another lengthy period on the sidelines, having suffered a serious knee ligament injury.
The midfielder is yet to feature for Bayern Munich in 2014-15 and has struggled with fitness issues ever since his move from Barcelona in the summer of 2013 having featured in just 16 Bundesliga games last season.
Thiago had returned to training but has suffered yet another problem and is expected to be out for a lengthy spell again as he will undergo surgery to repair the ligament tear.
"Very, very bitter news for Bayern: Thiago Alcantara has again suffered a serious injury while training on Tuesday," the club announced on their official website.
"He suffered a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. The 23-year-old midfielder must again undergo surgery and will be out longer-term."
Thiago was upset after receiving the news, but has pledged to fight back and return to the squad as soon as he can.
"What can I say?" he said on the club's official website. "Of course, I am profoundly disappointed and desperate at the moment.
"Why always me? But I will not give up. I will fight again. I'm going to get close again and I will celebrate my comeback at Bayern."
The Bavarian club's sporting director, Matthias Sammer, says the club has been shaken by the injury but insists the midfielder has their full support.
"We are all shocked and saddened by this re-injury," said Sammer.
"Thiago was so close to his comeback after a long time out but he knows that the whole of FC Bayern is there for him. We will do everything to ensure that he is healthy again and can bring us a lot of titles."

Hit or miss? Angel Di Maria to Manchester United

Manchester United’s revolution under Louis van Gaal continues to take shape and has been represented no better than by Angel Di Maria’s big-money move to Old Trafford. Goal assesses just how successful the transfer has been so far and what the future holds…

THE DEAL

After spending €76 million in a June flurry on Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, many expected United to radically overhaul their squad, but after a quiet July and August the pressure built on Ed Woodward to pull out a marquee signing.

So along came Angel Di Maria for an eye-catching record fee of €75.7m as Van Gaal enhanced his attacking options and put to bed any doubts over the club’s global appeal.

Despite the acquisition of Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, the former Netherlands boss largely neglected his back-line, leading to first-team breakthroughs for Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair as well as the collapse at Leicester, but Van Gaal did maintain throughout the summer that the club had to add quality out wide. “We don't have wingers of the highest level," he said.

Speculation ramped up in early August as Van Gaal dropped a hint that Di Maria was precisely the type of player he required but it wasn’t until August 21 and Carlo Ancelotti’s revelation that the Argentine had requested to leave Real Madrid that the wheels were put in motion.

Paris Saint-Germain looked like the early frontrunners until president Nasser Al-Khelaifi put the mockers on a deal, describing Di Maria as ‘too expensive, ” leaving United with a free run at the Liga star.

Fast-forward a week and the Red Devils had snared their man, a deal later described by Argentina national team boss Tata Martino as a bargain. "I think that the club directors got [Di Maria] on the cheap because he is such a versatile player – he can adapt to any position on the field, on either wing or through the middle. Angel is one of the most relevant players that Argentina have had in recent years. ”

THE STORY SO FAR

Di Maria has slipped into the famous No.7 shirt with consummate ease, immediately vitalising United after a slow start, despite drawing on his debut at Burnley.

Aside from that 0-0 draw, Di Maria shone on his home debut against QPR as United took Harry Redknapp’s side to pieces in their most impressive showing of the season. The 26-year-old opened the scoring as his cross-cum-shot beat Rob Green at his far post before Juan Mata pounced on his shot at goal to ensure the newboy left the field with a goal and assist.

Di Maria has returned these figures in three of his five Manchester United games, doing similar damage at Leicester (including a brilliant chipped goal) before the second half collapse and at home to Everton where he steered home Mata’s lay-off.

He has adapted to the pace of the Premier League incredibly well and the influence he has on United’s style is already obvious. Without him they lack pace in transitions as well as quality out wide - though he is far from restricted to the left flank.

Since his arrival Van Gaal has tinkered with formations and styles, starting with three at the back before moving to a 4-4-2 diamond. Though Di Maria is sometimes seen as a more conventional winger, early signs suggest a deeper role - from a wide position - give him more space to run into and hurt the opposition.

Though he arrived from Madrid with an exemplary assists record the pervading feeling across the country is surprise. Few knew he was as good as he has shown in his early outings for United.

THE FUTURE

It is testament to Di Maria’s qualities that he’s already one of the first names on Van Gaal’s team-sheet and the most exciting player at the club. He has immediately become the talk of Manchester and the primary attraction at Old Trafford.

As Van Gaal said: "He is a tremendously fast and an incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. His dribbling skills and ability to beat opponents are a joy to watch.”

The Argentine endeared himself to supporters almost immediately when he said: “United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.” And they will be delighted to have secured him for the best years of his career.

Whilst the money may be spectacular (he is earning a little less than Wayne Rooney's €380,000 per week), Di Maria will be judged by his displays on the pitch. He seems popular with his team-mates, Tyler Blackett said the younger players are in awe of him, we are only beginning to see what Di Maria brings to the Premier League. His signing is vital for the attraction of the top-flight but absolutely essential in United's pursuit of the game's top honours again.

Herrera: Manchester United have the three best strikers in the world

Ander Herrera has hailed Manchester United’s forward line, insisting that the club have the three best strikers in the world at their disposal.

Louis van Gaal recruited Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day, with the Colombia international joining fellow strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

Falcao forged a reputation as one of the deadliest strikers in the world during his spells at Atletico Madrid and Monaco, leaving Herrera in awe at the firepower available to Van Gaal, though he remains acutely aware of the need to increase his own goal tally as the season progresses.

"I want to try to score more goals,” Herrera, who has scored twice this season, told United’s official website. “It's very important for the midfielders.

“I like assists as well and I think we have maybe the best three strikers in the world here in Rooney, van Persie and Falcao.

"Juan [Mata], Angel [Di Maria], Adnan [Januzaj], Daley [Blind], Fletch [Darren Fletcher] and me are all going to help them try to score, and if I score of course I'll be very happy.”

Herrera joined United from Athletic Bilbao in the summer and is currently sidelined with a rib injury, though he has expressed his delight at being able to ply his trade in England’s top-flight.

"The Premier League is a great league," he added.

"It's a very quick league, non-stop and great spectacle for the fans. That's good because sometimes in other countries there are more teams that try to keep the ball in their end of the pitch but in the Premier League you will see a lot of goals.

“It's a difficult league, there are tough games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, City and Everton; it's a great challenge."

Monday, 6 October 2014

'Ronaldo the most complete player in history'

Ex-Newcastle defender Marcelino heaped praise on the Portuguese after taking his tally for the Liga season to 13 with a hat-trick in Sunday's rout of Athletic Bilbao

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Former Spain international Marcelino believes Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi, arguing that the Real Madrid superstar is "the most complete player in the history of football".
Ronaldo bagged his third hat-trick in four Liga games - a record-equaling 22nd in the Spanish top flight - in his club's 5-0 rout of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, thus taking his goal tally for the season to 13.
Consequently, while Marcelino has the utmost respect for Barcelona ace Messi, the retired defender believes that Ronaldo is currently peerless and a near-certainty to retain his Ballon d'Or title.
"He's the most complete player in the history of football," the 43-year-old told Sky Sports.
"He can score goals with his head, with his feet. He's as strong as anyone; as powerful as anyone.
"He looks like he wants to keep improving. He wants to score and add more numbers to his statistics.
"There's been this debate between Messi and Ronaldo. Messi has been fantastic but Ronaldo, and I keep saying it, is the most complete player ever.
"If the [Ballon d'Or] were awarded now, he would get it."
Ronaldo has been crowned the best play in the world on two occasions, with Messi triumphing four times in total.

Monday, 29 September 2014

Mourinho: Chelsea's Brazil stars needed a pre-season

Oscar and Willian both scored in the Blues' 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday and their manager believes they are improving as a result of being rested in recent matches

Sep 29, 2014 10:59:00

Oscar Premier League Chelsea v Aston Villa 270914

Jose Mourinho insists the lack of a post-World Cup holiday and full pre-season has hampered Chelsea's Brazilian contingent so far this term.

The Blues maintained their unbeaten start to the season and three-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, with Oscar and Willian both finding the net.

Mourinho believes both men are now showing signs of improvement as a result of his squad rotation policy but insists the international football calendar is placing increasingly dangerous demands on footballers.

“[Willian] didn’t start the season well," the Chelsea boss told reporters. "I think everyone that came from the Brazil national team without a proper holiday and without a proper pre-season, not one of them had enough time in the pre-season to start the season in a very strong way.

"All of them are coming step by step. Oscar is the same. Now they are getting into the intensity of the game.

"It is physical. Players need holidays, but they don’t always have them. They need a proper pre-season, but they don’t have a proper pre-season.

“I think players are getting in trouble and when I anticipate the next pre-season it will be even worse, because there will be international matches, where every players has to go with his national team. After that they are going to have maybe two weeks pre-season.”

Age cannot stop Ronaldo, says Valdano

The prolific attacker has been in sublime form this season and the Argentine expects him to continue to dominate for the foreseeable future

Sep 29, 2014 09:57:14

Former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano believes Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to shine for the club long into his thirties.

The Portugal international will turn 30 in February 2015, yet Valdano has little doubt Ronaldo will continue to be a major force in European football for many more years.

"Normally, age starts playing a role in football as you get older. But Ronaldo is exceptional on all counts, including this," Valdano was quoted as saying by Marca.

"Cristiano is a tremendous player. He is always looking for perfection and is incredibly ambitious, which only spurs on his team-mates. This is worth a lot, just like all his goals.

"I think Ronaldo is the only player in the world who could play in each position in attack and be dominant regardless of where he plays.

"The shortest distance between two points is the distance between Ronaldo and the goal..."

Ronaldo has already netted 10 goals in fiva La Liga appearances so far this term, while also scoring once in the Champions League and twice in the European Supercup.

Rooney apologises for West Ham red card

The 28-year-old was dismissed for a crude foul on Stewart Downing during Manchester United's 2-1 win over the Hammers and also confirmed he will not appeal his three-game ban

Sep 29, 2014 07:35:00

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has apologised for getting sent off in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham at Old Trafford.

Rooney was shown a straight red card on the hour mark by referee Lee Mason for kicking out at Stewart Downing on the halfway line.

And although the England skipper admits it was a fair decision, he insists the foul was merely a misjudgement rather than malicious.

Speaking to United's official site, Rooney said: "It was probably the right decision. I saw the West Ham player making a counter-attack and I tried to break up the play, but I just misjudged it.

"I didn't absolutely volley the lad. I tried to trip him up and, to be fair to him, he got further away from me and that's why my leg is straighter than it should have been.

"As he pushed the ball away, my leg straightened out and that is obviously why the referee deemed it as a red card."

Rooney also went on to confirm that he apologised to his team-mates for his dismissal and was relieved to see United hold out and claim a valuable three points.

"Of course I did [apologise]. I think everyone knew [I was in the wrong]," he added.

"It’s always tough against 11 men when you are a man down, especially when they are throwing a lot of balls into the box as West Ham were doing, so I am grateful that we held out."

Rooney also confirmed he will not be appealing the ban and will subsequently miss the club's next three matches against Everton, West Brom and Chelsea.

Friday, 26 September 2014

Why Fifa are wrong over third-party ownership ban

The governing body should enforce its existing rules over the controversial player-financing practice rather than outlaw it

COMMENT
By Peter Staunton

Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced following this week's Executive Committee meeting in Zurich that third-party ownership would be outlawed.

There will be a normalisation period of three to four years before the practice is banned altogether. There is, however, already a line in Fifa's Regulation and Status of Players document - Article 18b.

It reads: "No club shall enter into a contract which enables any other party to that contract or any third party to acquire the ability to influence in employment and transfer-related matters its independence, its policies or the performance of its teams."

Rather than ban TPO outright, it would have been more appropriate for Fifa to regulate it better. There are other solutions and not just ones which benefit the splendidly remunerated clubs in western Europe.

There should of course be tighter control of TPO. There should be full disclosure of who is involved in the third-party ownership of every player.

An investor should be limited to a certain percentage of a particular player's rights, 50 per cent would be appropriate and also limited in the number of players in which they have a stake at any one club.

Furthermore, investors should not be permitted to take interest in a number of different clubs in the same league.

FIFPro is against TPO as it claims the practice can "interfere with the contractual rights of the parties". The international football players' union has also likened TPO to modern-day slavery where the freedom of player movement is not in his own hands.

As third-party only stands to benefit once a player is transferred, it can also be said to already and unduly influence the transfer strategies at any given club.

Third parties with staked interest in more than one player at any one club could raise questions of integrity, says FIFPro. Money, too, is siphoned out of the game and into the hands of third parties. There is an opaqueness in regard to who actually owns a player's ultimate economic rights which leads to questions of match-fixing, money laundering and so on.

It is a big, unprecedented step for Fifa which has no doubt been influenced by Uefa's repulsion of it. Michel Platini's organisation have led calls for it to be banned over the past few years and now its wish is granted. It follows that Fifa is pulling up the drawbridge to European football's elite and removing one mechanism in which the smaller clubs had been able to compete.

Brazilian teams, however, have been permitted to keep hold of players who in previous generations would have long outgrown them. That, in turn, helped to raise the overall standard of the Brasileirao to the extent that Corinthians were crowned Club World Cup champions in 2012 with plenty of players with third-party interests in tow.

It's one thing banning TPO in Europe where cashflows of clubs are better due to superior sponsorship, merchandise, television and matchday money. But in South America and less economically stable parts of the world it would be catastrophic. By releasing equity in players, clubs can give themselves a good cash injection to maintain infrastructure and pay wages.

South American players have long found their way to Europe using Portugal as a stepping stone. Those deals will no longer be possible once TPO is outlawed. As TPO spreads the risk of a transfer then clubs like Porto and Benfica, two of the prime importers of South American talent, would no longer be able to furnish the deals.

That would leave South American talents in a double bind - on one hand a tried and trusted method of reaching the European game would no longer be available while clubs in Brazil would no longer be able to sustain their ownership of emerging players. Where will the next generations of Ronaldinho, Deco and Neymar go?

Furthermore, clubs like Porto and Benfica have consistently competed well in European competition despite the gulf in funding between Portuguese teams and those in the bigger European leagues. To ban TPO would be to snuff out their challenge.

Friday, 31 October 2014

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Wednesday, 15 October 2014

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