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

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.

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.

Lewandowski: Goal will be the first of many for Bayern

The Poland international scored for the first time for his new club at the Allianz Arena in the 4-0 win over Paderborn on Tuesday

Sep 26, 2014 17:47:02

EXCLUSIVE
By Christoph Kockeis

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski hopes his first goal at the Allianz Arena will open the floodgates for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old Poland international, who moved to Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, netted the second goal in the 4-0 rout of Paderborn on Tuesday night.

Lewandowski, who fired 103 goals in 187 appearances for Dortmund, scored away at Schalke in August and insists he had no fears over a potential goal drought in front of the club's home support.

"I just had to stay calm. I knew it would happen," Lewandowski told Goal.

"It was my first home goal for Bayern Munich and it was a good moment for me. I hope this becomes usual now and I am able to score many goals and we can win every match."

Bayern were held to a 0-0 draw at Hamburg at the weekend but Arjen Robben returned to the team against Paderborn to bolster Pep Guardiola's attack.

With injury concerns easing and the goals beginning to flow, Lewandowski believes the club are hitting their stride ahead of their forthcoming fixtures and does not share his coach's concern over the number of matches played within a week.

"Sometimes, when many attacking players are injured it is difficult on the pitch," the former Lech Poznan striker said. "The key is to always play full throttle, no matter who plays.

"I think we're in good shape and the important games will come now. Playing every three days is good news for me. I would rather play three times a week, than only once. Hopefully we'll be successful in the Bundesliga and Champions League."

Bundesliga champions Bayern face Koln on Saturday and then travel to CSKA Moscow for a Champions League group game on Tuesday.

VICTOR AGALI PLEADS FOR IK UCHE

The former Super Eagles striker has said the senior national team needs the presence of the Yellow Submarine forward ahead of October's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Sep 25, 2014 21:38:00

Former Nigeria striker Victor Agali has pleaded with national team selectors to recall Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche back to the Super Eagles ahead of crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan in October.

The petite player fell out of favour with Keshi who had accused him of tactical indiscipline at the 2013 Afcon and in the process dropped him from the Brazil 2014 World Cup squad.

According to the 35-year-old former Schalke 04 striker, the presence of the Villarreal forward will help re-engineer Nigeria’s bid to qualify for Morocco 2015.

"It happened to me as well during my playing days, where you have players falling out with coaches,” Agali said on Brila Fm.

"But it’s not about IK Uche and Keshi, It’s about Nigeria, the country’s image when it comes to football.

"I just want to plead with those involved, Uche and Keshi, to help reach an understanding because it’s about restoring the image of our country,” he concluded.

RONALDO: NOT TIME TO REST

The prolific attacker wants to gain match rhythm before allowing himself time to rest this season

Sep 26, 2014 08:30:00

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has stressed he does not want to be rested at this early stage in the season.

The Portugal international was plagued by physical problems toward the end of the 2013-14 campaign and during the Seleccao's ill-fated World Cup in Brazil.

However, Ronaldo insists he is now fully fit and is eager to sustain his current run of form for the European champions after a sensational scoring record in the past few weeks.

"We are at the start of the season and I want to play to gain confidence and rhythm," Ronaldo was quoted as saying on the official Fifa website.

"When the right games come I will rest and rotate, but now isn't the right moment. I want to continue to be better.

"I feel good and without any pain. I am still improving and I have a little way to go so I want to continue like this."

The prolific attacker then went on to stress that he still has room for improvement physically, but made it clear that he already made some big steps forward during the international break earlier this month.

"I can still be better physically. I trained really hard during the break after not having a good pre-season, but now I feel confident and without pain."

The 29-year-old scored four times in Madrid's 5-1 La Liga win over Elche on Tuesday and has already netted nine goals in four league appearances so far this term.

Ronaldo missed the 4-2 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad on matchday two due to fitness issues.

The 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or winner was crowned La Liga top scorer in 2013-14 with 31 goals.

Welbeck and ozil fires arsenal to glory

fAston Villa 0-3 Arsenal: Ozil stars as Welbeck bags first
Gunners goal
The Germany international scored the opener before
setting up his £16 million team-mate as Arsene Wenger's
men blew away the hosts in a devastating three-minute
flurry
20 Sep 2014 16:52:00
A three-minute blitz from Arsenal
took Aston Villa to pieces in
the Premier League on Saturday.
Mesut Ozil, the subject of much
criticism before the game, scored
one and then assisted Danny
Welbeck's first Gunners goal before
Aly Cissokho put a third into his
own net.
Paul Lambert's side had previously been one of the division's
best defences but had no answer to Arsenal's incredible flurry.
Villa's preparations had been hampered by a virus hitting
Lambert's squad and the Scot was forced into a late change
when Ashley Westwood pulled out of the warm-up to join
Nathan Baker as one of two players absent from the XI that had
defeated Liverpool at Anfield.
Arsenal were also required to
change their team before kick-off,
with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
starting and Alexis Sanchez named
on the bench.
It was Villa who appeared least
affected by their enforced switch
as they quickly claimed the
initiative. Fabian Delph forced
Wojciech Szczesny into a smart
save early on with a fine effort
from the edge of the area before
Arsenal had to defend two corners
to keep themselves level. Welbeck wasted the visitors' most presentable opportunity of
the opening exchanges, firing over from 25 yards with the Villa
defence backpedalling.
Alan Hutton and Aaron Ramsey then traded harmless long-
distance efforts but it was Ciaran Clark who failed to take a
golden opportunity when he headed straight at Szczesny after
meeting a curling free kick delivery from the left.
And Villa were left to rue that miss just past the half-hour mark,
as Arsenal forged ahead in some style.
A fantastic Welbeck through-ball allowed Ozil to escape the
hosts' defence for the first time in the match and he made no
mistake in side-footing the ball past Brad Guzan.
Welbeck and Ozil then reversed roles, the German sliding a
perfect pass across the box after being released on the left-
hand side, which the forward gleefully smashed home.
Incredibly, Arsenal were not done there and Cissokho made it
three goals in three minutes when he inadvertently turned
home another low ball from out wide while attempting to clear.
The goals took the sting out of a previously buoyant home
crowd, allowing Arsenal to cruise into the break 3-0 up and,
though Lambert looked to turn the tide of the match at half-
time by introducing youngster Jack Grealish in place of Andreas
Weimann, Arsenal continued to control possession.
Chances were few and far between in the second period, with
Villa looking to limit the damage and the visitors happy to hold
onto a comfortable lead.
Arsenal did just that in the end, earning their first league win in
over a month to move within three points of leaders Chelsea
ahead of their clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

RONALDO SCORES HAT-TRICK HAS REAL RUN RAMPANT ON DEPORTIVO

Deportivo 2-8 Real Madrid: Ronaldo hits hat-trick in
Blancos romp
Carlo Ancelotti's men bounced back from their defeat to
Atletico Madrid last weekend with a sensational
goalscoring display on Saturday afternoon
20 Sep 2014 16:55:00
Cristiano Ronaldo struck a hat-trick
as Real Madrid produced a
stunning 8-2 demolition of
Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were at their
devastating attacking best at the
Riazor, with a Gareth Bale double,
James Rodriguez's first Liga goal
and a late brace from Javier Hernandez supplementing
Ronaldo's treble.
Defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid had put Ancelotti
under some pressure, but after a morale-boosting 5-1
Champions League win over Basel on Wednesday, Real never
looked like falling to a third straight domestic reverse this
weekend.
They went in three to the good at half-time courtesy of two
goals from Ronaldo that sandwiched Rodriguez's superb strike.
Deportivo were given a way back into the contest right after the
break as Haris Medunjanin confidently converted a penalty
following handball by Sergio Ramos, but Bale restored the
three-goal cushion with 24 minutes to go.
Bale doubled his tally in the 74th minute and Ronaldo
completed his hat-trick soon after, before on-loan Manchester
United striker Hernandez came off the bench to add further
gloss to the scoreline after Toche had grabbed a consolation
for the hosts.
Deportivo coach Victor Fernandez was wary about reading too
much into Real's poor Liga form before Saturday's meeting, but
it took the away side 29 minutes to go in front.
Alvaro Arbeloa fired an inviting cross in from the right and,
although the delivery forced Ronaldo away from goal, the
Portuguese sent a fine looping header over German Lux.
Real's second followed just seven minutes later as Rodriguez
opened his Liga account in style, curling an unstoppable drive
into the top-right corner from 20 yards, before Ronaldo
effectively wrapped up the win with his second before half-
time.
Benzema found himself felled by Lux about 30 yards from goal
and, with Deportivo expecting a free-kick to be awarded,
Ronaldo coolly stroked into an empty net to give Real a
commanding lead at the break.
Deportivo were given a lifeline right at the start of the second
half as Ramos appeared to handle an Isaac Cuenca header in
the area and Medunjanin nonchalantly dispatched the resulting
penalty.
The hosts looked inspired during in a 15-minute spell
immediately after half-time, yet they were unable to make the
most of their improvement as Bale squeezed an effort past Lux
following a clever pass by Marcelo.
Bale added the fifth from a similar position in the left side of
the area after a good run from Isco, and Ronaldo grabbed the
sixth and his hat-trick with 12 minutes to go, hammering home
after Rodriguez pounced on sloppy defending by Sidnei.
Deportivo grabbed a late consolation as Toche nodded in at the
near post, but Real were still not done.
Hernandez, who replaced Bale with 13 minutes to go, first
scored a ferocious half-volley from the edge of the area before
seeing another long-range effort deflect beyond Lux to make it
the first time in Real’s illustrious history that they have scored
eight away from home in a La Liga fixture.

CRISTIANO EYEING MAN UTD RETURN

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid and secure a remarkable return to Manchester United, Goal has learned – but only after he has become the all-time record goalscorer for the Spanish side.
Ronaldo only signed a new long-term contract last September, with the new deal running until 2018.
“I'll be here five more years,” he said at the time. “I just want to win trophies for this club.
“I will be honest with you – everyone knows I was in Manchester for six years, but Manchester is in the past. Now my club is Real Madrid. This is my home, my family is here and I'm really happy here.”
His stance has changed in recent months, however, largely due to the club’s transfer policy, and in particular the summer sales of Angel Di Maria, whom he tried to keep at the club until the very last minute, and Xabi Alonso.
And Ronaldo is now eyeing an emotional return to Old Trafford.
"Cristiano talks about United all the time," a source close to the player told Goal. "The club had a difficult time last season, but he expects them to return to the top very soon. He is seduced by the idea of finishing his career at Old Trafford. He has great memories - it was his happiest time as a footballer."
Ronaldo broke ranks to criticise the departures of Di Maria and Alonso last month, fuelling the belief all is not well with the Portuguese.
“I have an opinion and it's very clear," he said. "I can't always say what I want, but if I were in charge [at Madrid], I wouldn't have done things the way they were done...”
He later rectified the remarks on Twitter and said he was “100 per cent behind my president”, but that statement was put out at the request of the club and Florentino Perez.