Mikel's Goal Against Uruguay Rated Among The Best In Confederations Cup

Fortaleza, Brazil John Obi Mikel’s goal in Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Uruguay in Salvador during the Group B tie, has been listed among the best goal of the ongoing Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil....

According to renowed Brazil’s TV channel, TV Sports, the Nigerian international joins the exclusive list of goal scorers that have left their mark at the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup in the South American nation, after the interesting team link up play exhibited by Mikel and Brown Ideye enroute to the goal.

Interestingly, Spain’s Jordi Alba’s opener iagainst Nigeria on Sunday at the Estadio Castaelo, Fortaleza also made the list. Other goals nominated for the goal of the tournament includes Neymars wonderful free kick goal against Italy, Uruagyay’s winner against Nigeria by Diego Forlan ,are some of the goals still enjoying review on Brazil’s TV Sports channel.

Read More

RECORD: Mikel score His best Goal Ever in his Football Career Against Uruguay

During Interview With John Mikel Obi after The Match Against Uruguay, He said Scoring unbelivable Goal AGainst Uruguay lift his spirit Beyond His Expectation.....


He also commend his co-team mate for their Team spirit....He said that he wish to Score more goal For Nigeria and Chelsea
What do you think about Mikel Wonderful Goal??
Comment below......

Read More

Centurion Forlan sinks Nigeria

Diego Forlan celebrated his 100th cap for Uruguay by thumping in the winner as the South Americans closed in on the last four of the Confederations Cup by beating rivals Nigeria in Salvador....


Forlan struck at the start of the second half after Jon Obi Mikel's 37th-minute strike had cancelled out Uruguay's opener, which came in the 19th minute courtesy of the much-maligned Diego Lugano.
The result left the two sides level on three points from two games in Group B but, with a game against Tahiti to come, Uruguay are in prime position to qualify alongside Spain, who have six points and will take on Nigeria in their final pool match.
The opener at the Arena Fonte Nova will not be a contender for goal of the tournament.
Forlan sent in a low cross from the left, Edinson Cavani completely missed it as he attempted to flick the ball between his legs and Lugano was in the right place to scuff the ball over the line. But Lugano turned villain when his lack of mobility cost his side an equaliser.
Some neat interplay on the edge of the box led to Brown Ideye finding Mikel, who turned past a static Lugano and fired home.
Six minutes into the second half, Forlan put Uruguay back in the lead. He received the ball on the left after good work from Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, then hammered the ball past Vincent Enyeama from a narrow angle for his 34th international goal.
Cavani had a chance to finish it off in the 70th minute when he beat the Nigeria offside trap and found himself in acres of space, only to thrash the ball high and wide. And he missed another great opportunity six minutes later when he got on to the end of Forlan's free-kick and headed wide.

Read More

Torres Encourage Tahiti spirit

Fernando Torres believes Spain can carry the goodwill and determination displayed by the Tahiti team they decimated 10-0 on Thursday for the remainder of the Confederations Cup....


Torres scored four goals in the thrashing, while David Villa netted a hat-trick, David Silva bagged a brace and Juan Mata chimed in with another goal.
The emphatic win puts Spain atop the Group B standings, but Torres claims his team will take much more from the contest than just three points.
"What we take from this game is the example the Tahiti team, who played with 100 per cent passion and fair play until the end," said Torres.
"They try to play properly, they try to enjoy themselves. They don't try to stop the game or kick players - they enjoy their football and that is the big thing we take from the game today.
"We were taking pictures with their players after the game. They are happy people and I really enjoyed seeing them smiling and enjoying themselves until the last minute."
Meanwhile, Tahiti boss Eddy Etaeta was proud of the performance from his charges, stating they had "won over hearts" from fans in Brazil.
"It's quite difficult when you get thrashed 10-0 but my players tried to really play football. They did their utmost to perform as well as possible - but at some point you've got to defend your goal better," he explained.
"We had overwhelming support from all the public in the Maracana. It's very very important to us. We wanted to reach the hearts of the Brazilian public and I think we've done that.
"We lost the match 10-0 but we won over hearts in Brazil. I want to say a big, big thank you to the Brazilian public."

Read More

FINALLY: Mikel denies Galatasaray link

Chelsea have denied that midfielder John Obi Mikel is set for a move to Galatasaray....

A report in Turkish newspaper Sabah suggests Nigeria international Mikel, 26, had talked up the move saying: "I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it's now time for me to leave. I'm still only 26 and it's great to receive an offer from a club [Galatasaray] playing Champions League football and doing well in the competition.
However, Chelsea have flatly denied that Mikel, who is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, has given an interview to the publication or said anything regarding his future at the club.
Reports have suggested that Mikel does not feature prominently in Jose Mourinho’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
The midfielder has played over 180 games for Chelsea in a seven-year stint which has seen him win the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and four FA Cups.

Read More

Beckham China visit causes stampede

A public appearance by David Beckham in China prompted a stampede from fans which left seven people injured, including five security personnel.....

Three police officers, two security guards and two students were hurt in a surge among the 1,000-strong crowd when the former England captain visited Shanghai Tongji University in his capacity as an ambassador for Chinese football, local police confirmed.
The clamour to get close to the global sporting icon led to a police cordon being stormed, while video footage and photos show people being crushed, pushed to the ground and one uniformed woman being carried away with her face covered in blood.
Beckham was attending to visit the university's football team, and one of the players described the scenes as "too crazy".
"We didn't expect so many people showing up here," Chu Dan told the Associated Press. "Too many fans of Beckham."
In an earlier part of his visit to Shanghai, Beckham insisted the nation's reputation for corruption in the sport is a thing of the past.
Since the turn of year, Shanghai Shenhua have been docked points and stripped of their 2003 Chinese Super League title for match-fixing and two high-level administrators have been handed lifetime bans for accepting bribes.
However, Beckham believes the professional game in the world's most populous country is looking forward to a cleaner future.
"When I first came on as ambassador of the Super League, I was well aware of what has happened in the past, and people question why I wanted to be involved in something that in the past had a bad name or corruption involved," he said. "For me, the past is the past, this is the future."
The Chinese Super League's deputy general, Zhu He Yuan, backed up Beckham's claim that corruption is being rooted out of the sport, and believes appointing the recently retired midfielder in March has already reaped rewards.
"Obviously everyone pays attention to Chinese football, we know that it is going through a rough time, but we are working very, very hard," Zhu said. "We invited David Beckham to inspire kids to participate in the game and to inspire more people to watch the game and from his last two trips we have achieved this goal."
Beckham's week-long tour will continue with a visit to Hangzhou.

Read More

TODAY'S FOOTBALL RUMOURS AND NEWS FOR ALL SPORTS LOVERS

**Manchester United are favourites to sign Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alacantara, 22, who would cost £15m. Thiago scored a hat-trick as Spain Under-21s beat Italy 4-2 in the final of the European Championships on Tuesday. Alacantara made 15 league starts for Barca last season....


 **Liverpool are in advanced negotiations to sign Porto's Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu, 21. The Reds also expect †o complete the £6m transfer of Sevilla attacking midfielder Luis Alberto, 20, by Thursday.

**The package that takes England striker Andy Carroll from Liverpool †o West Ham could cost the London club a total £55m. The 24-year-old, who has passed a medical at Upton Park, will cost up to £19m and will sign a six-year £100,000-a-week deal.

 **Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan admits he is open to a move abroad. Gundogan has been linked with Chelsea , Manchester United and Real Madrid this month. **Fulham hope to sign Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom, 20, on loan for next season.

**It looks ever more likely that Thiago Alcantara is about to drop a bombshell on Barcelona and make the move to Old Trafford. **Aston Villa are looking to sell striker Darren Bent, 29, for a fee in excess of £8m.

 **This morning's transfer news sees Chelsea loan star Kevin De Bruyne push for a summer move to Borussia Dortmund despite being part of Jose Mourinho's plans at Stamford Bridge.

**Crystal Palace, Swansea, Fulham and Norwich have all made £2m offers for Birmingham and England Under-21 winger Nathan Redmond, 19.

 **Everton are in talks with Granada to sign Brazilian left-back Guilherme Siqueira, 27. **Birmingham have dismissed speculation that Blackpool left-back Stephen Crainey, 31, could join them.

 **The 2014 FA Cup final will be played after the end of the Premier League season for the first time since 2010.

 **Joe Kinnear will not take on any scouting duties or negotiate contracts as director of football at Newcastle. His key responsibilities will be to sit in on meetings about the first team and transfers, as well as talking directly to owner Mike Ashley on behalf of the club's football staff.

**The Football Association is in no rush to name a replacement for outgoing England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce.

 **Michael Appleton, 37, who was sacked by Blackburn in March, is favourite to take over from Pearce.

**Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has promised to meet representatives of supporters who will protest in London on Wednesday about ticket prices. **Manchester City defender Micah Richards, 24, will open talks about a new four-year deal this week. The defender has two years left on his current deal.

**Borussia Dortmund are interested in Valencia's French defender Adil Rami, 27, who is also in the sights of Manchester City and Napoli. **AC Milan are interested in signing Dutch defender Bruno Martins, 21, currently of Feyenoord, following a strong showing in the Under-21 European Championship.

 **Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, 29, has told Spanish radio that he "got caught up in the wave of antagonism" towards interim coach Rafael Benitez, and said he would like to speak to new boss Jose Mourinho about his plans for next season. **Real Madrid have continued their charm offensive towards Tottenham's Gareth Bale by reserving the number 11 shirt for the Wales winger, 23. Compiled by Avan.

Read More

FIFA Confederations Cup: FIFA Disqualifies Uwa Echejile As 1st Goal Scorer Against Tahiti

The the world football ruling body, FIFA, has disqualified  Uwa Echiejile as the first goal scorer of the match between Nigeria and Tahiti.....


Echiejile was initially thought to have scored the first goal which led to a 6-1  drubbing of the tiny Oceania country yesterday.
However, FIFA technical committee says the goal was in fact an own goal scored by one of tahiti's amateur soccer player, Nicolas Valler.
FIFA released a statement today clarifying the status of the first goal
 See full FIFA statement below:

"Following further studies of the video of the match between Tahiti and Nigeria on June 17 in Belo Horizonte, FIFA's Technical Study Group has decided the first goal of Nigeria, scored in the fifth minute, was an own goal by Tahiti number  10 player, Nicolas Valler'
'The goal was initially awarded to Nigeria's Uwa Echiejile but after careful review was credited as an own goal'.
A second player Jonathan Tehau also scored an own goal for Tahiti after scoring the first goal ever in a FIFA tournament for Tahiti, making him the first player in the history of Confederations Cup to score a goal and an own goal.
Nigeria tops Group 'B' of the FIFA Confederations Cup with 3 points, the same as Spain but ahead on goals' difference.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play against the national team of Uruguay tomorrow Wednesday in Salvador, Brazil.

Read More

2013/14 Barclays Premier League Fixtures

Who will be Barclays Premier League champions come 11 May 2014?

The fixture list for 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season has been released.

Please find below the fixtures. All kick-off times are 3pm, unless stated. Please note these fixtures are subject to change.....

17 August 2013

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Hull City
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool v Stoke City
Manchester City v Newcastle United
Norwich City v Everton
Sunderland v Fulham
Swansea City v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Southampton
West Ham United v Cardiff City

24 August 2013

Aston Villa v Liverpool
Cardiff City v Manchester City
Everton v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Arsenal
Hull City v Norwich City
Manchester United v Chelsea
Newcastle United v West Ham United
Southampton v Sunderland
Stoke City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City

31 August 2013

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff City v Everton
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Liverpool v Manchester United
Manchester City v Hull City
Newcastle United v Fulham
Norwich City v Southampton
West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City
West Ham United v Stoke City

14 September 2013

Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Hull City v Cardiff City
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Southampton v West Ham United
Stoke City v Manchester City
Sunderland v Arsenal
Swansea City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City

21 September 2013

Arsenal v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Swansea City
Liverpool v Southampton
Manchester City v Manchester United
Newcastle United v Hull City
Norwich City v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
West Ham United v Everton

28 September 2013

Aston Villa v Manchester City
Everton v Newcastle United
Fulham v Cardiff City
Hull City v West Ham United
Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Stoke City v Norwich City
Sunderland v Liverpool
Swansea City v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

5 October 2013

Cardiff City v Newcastle United
Fulham v Stoke City
Hull City v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Everton
Norwich City v Chelsea
Southampton v Swansea City
Sunderland v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

19 October 2013

Arsenal v Norwich City
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Crystal Palace v Fulham
Everton v Hull City
Manchester United v Southampton
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City v Sunderland
West Ham United v Manchester City

26 October 2013

Aston Villa v Everton
Chelsea v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester United v Stoke City
Norwich City v Cardiff City
Southampton v Fulham
Sunderland v Newcastle United
Swansea City v West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City

2 November 2013

Arsenal v Liverpool
Cardiff City v Swansea City
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham v Manchester United
Hull City v Sunderland
Manchester City v Norwich City
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Stoke City v Southampton
West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace
West Ham United v Aston Villa

9 November 2013

Aston Villa v Cardiff City
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion
Crystal Palace v Everton
Liverpool v Fulham
Manchester United v Arsenal
Norwich City v West Ham United
Southampton v Hull City
Sunderland v Manchester City
Swansea City v Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

23 November 2013

Arsenal v Southampton
Cardiff City v Manchester United
Everton v Liverpool
Fulham v Swansea City
Hull City v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United v Norwich City
Stoke City v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa
West Ham United v Chelsea

30 November 2013

Aston Villa v Sunderland
Cardiff City v Arsenal
Chelsea v Southampton
Everton v Stoke City
Hull City v Liverpool
Manchester City v Swansea City
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion
Norwich City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
West Ham United v Fulham

3 December 2013

Arsenal v Hull City, 7.45pm
Crystal Palace v West Ham United, 8pm
Liverpool v Norwich City, 8pm
Manchester United v Everton, 7.45pm
Southampton v Aston Villa, 7.45pm
Stoke City v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Sunderland v Chelsea, 7.45pm
Swansea City v Newcastle United, 7.45pm
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City, 8pm

4 December 2013

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur, 8pm

7 December 2013

Arsenal v Everton
Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Fulham v Aston Villa
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Newcastle United
Southampton v Manchester City
Stoke City v Chelsea
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur
Swansea City v Hull City
West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City

14 December 2013

Aston Villa v Manchester United
Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Everton v Fulham
Hull City v Stoke City
Manchester City v Arsenal
Newcastle United v Southampton
Norwich City v Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
West Ham United v Sunderland

21 December 2013

Arsenal v Chelsea
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Fulham v Manchester City
Liverpool v Cardiff City
Manchester United v West Ham United
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Stoke City v Aston Villa
Sunderland v Norwich City
Swansea City v Everton
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

26 December 2013

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Southampton
Chelsea v Swansea City
Everton v Sunderland
Hull City v Manchester United
Manchester City v Liverpool
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Norwich City v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United v Arsenal

28 December 2013

Aston Villa v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Sunderland
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Southampton
Hull City v Fulham
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Norwich City v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion

1 January 2014

Arsenal v Cardiff City
Crystal Palace v Norwich City
Fulham v West Ham United
Liverpool v Hull City
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Chelsea
Stoke City v Everton
Sunderland v Aston Villa
Swansea City v Manchester City
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

11 January 2014

Aston Villa v Arsenal
Cardiff City v West Ham United
Everton v Norwich City
Fulham v Sunderland
Hull City v Chelsea
Manchester United v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

18 January 2014

Arsenal v Fulham
Chelsea v Manchester United
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Cardiff City
Norwich City v Hull City
Sunderland v Southampton
Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
West Ham United v Newcastle United

28 January 2014

Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion, 7.45pm
Crystal Palace v Hull City, 8pm
Liverpool v Everton, 8pm
Manchester United v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Norwich City v Newcastle United, 7.45pm
Southampton v Arsenal, 7.45pm
Sunderland v Stoke City, 7.45pm
Swansea City v Fulham, 7.45pm

29 January 2014

Chelsea v West Ham United, 7.45pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, 7.45pm

1 February 2014

Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Norwich City
Everton v Aston Villa
Fulham v Southampton
Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City v Chelsea
Newcastle United v Sunderland
Stoke City v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
West Ham United v Swansea City

8 February 2014

Aston Villa v West Ham United
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester United v Fulham
Norwich City v Manchester City
Southampton v Stoke City
Sunderland v Hull City
Swansea City v Cardiff City
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

11 February 2014

Arsenal v Manchester United, 7.45pm
Cardiff City v Aston Villa, 7.45pm
Hull City v Southampton, 7.45pm
Stoke City v Swansea City, 7.45pm
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea, 8pm
West Ham United v Norwich City, 7.45pm

12 February 2014

Everton v Crystal Palace, 7.45pm
Fulham v Liverpool, 8pm
Manchester City v Sunderland, 7.45pm
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur, 7.45pm

22 February 2014

Arsenal v Sunderland
Cardiff City v Hull City
Chelsea v Everton
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Liverpool v Swansea City
Manchester City v Stoke City
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
West Ham United v Southampton

1 March 2014

Aston Villa v Norwich City
Everton v West Ham United
Fulham v Chelsea
Hull City v Newcastle United
Manchester United v Manchester City
Southampton v Liverpool
Stoke City v Arsenal
Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Cardiff City

8 March 2014

Arsenal v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Fulham
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Liverpool v Sunderland
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Newcastle United v Everton
Norwich City v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
West Ham United v Hull City

15 March 2014

Aston Villa v Chelsea
Everton v Cardiff City
Fulham v Newcastle United
Hull City v Manchester City
Manchester United v Liverpool
Southampton v Norwich City
Stoke City v West Ham United
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

22 March 2014

Aston Villa v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Liverpool
Chelsea v Arsenal
Everton v Swansea City
Hull City v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester City v Fulham
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
Norwich City v Sunderland
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton
West Ham United v Manchester United

29 March 2014

Arsenal v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Fulham v Everton
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Southampton v Newcastle United
Stoke City v Hull City
Sunderland v West Ham United
Swansea City v Norwich City
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City

5 April 2014

Aston Villa v Fulham
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace
Chelsea v Stoke City
Everton v Arsenal
Hull City v Swansea City
Manchester City v Southampton
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
West Ham United v Liverpool

12 April 2014

Arsenal v West Ham United
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Fulham v Norwich City
Liverpool v Manchester City
Manchester United v Hull City
Southampton v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Newcastle United
Sunderland v Everton
Swansea City v Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

19 April 2014

Aston Villa v Southampton
Cardiff City v Stoke City
Chelsea v Sunderland
Everton v Manchester United
Hull City v Arsenal
Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
Newcastle United v Swansea City
Norwich City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
West Ham United v Crystal Palace

26 April 2014

Arsenal v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Fulham v Hull City
Liverpool v Chelsea
Manchester United v Norwich City
Southampton v Everton
Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunderland v Cardiff City
Swansea City v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United

3 May 2014

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v Hull City
Chelsea v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Everton v Manchester City
Manchester United v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Fulham
Swansea City v Southampton
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur

11 May 2014

Cardiff City v Chelsea
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Hull City v Everton
Liverpool v Newcastle United
Manchester City v West Ham United
Norwich City v Arsenal
Southampton v Manchester United
Sunderland v Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City

Read More

Real Madrid reserve number 11 shirt for Gareth Bale

According to reports in Marca – widely regarded as Real Madrid's mouthpiece – the club has taken another step to show they are desperate to land Gareth Bale this summer, by reserving their number 11 shirt for him.....


 The newspaper claimed that "the soap opera for Bale has only just begun" and that the Bernabeu club is "prepared to wait for him as long as it takes, even to the end of the transfer window".

Earlier this week, Bale moved to to trademark his shirt number and goal celebration – the Welsh winger always makes the sign of the heart, every time he finds the back of the net. The shirt was previously won by Ricardo Carvalho, who has signed for Monaco.

Read More

Galliani tells Allegri to promote Oduamadi to AC Milan’s first team after Tahiti hat-trick

According to reports in Italy, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, has told Allegri, to promote Nnamdi Oduamadi to the first team in pre-season....


 Galliani was impressed with the Super Eagles star, after he bagged a hat-trick against Tahiti, as Nigeria opened their Confederations Cup campaign, with a 6-1 win over the newcomers.

Oduamadi spent the last season on loan at Varese, but is owned by the Serie A side.

Read More

Barcelona keep tabs on Mata after Mourinho blocks Spaniard’s pay rise

Mata PPY 2013Barcelona are keeping an eye on Juan Mata's situation at Chelsea, after it emerged that new manager Jose Mourinho, has blocked a wage increase due the midfielder, under the terms of his current deal...


 It has been rumoured for weeks, that Mourinho is not convinced about the 25-year-old and might be looking to move him on, but the former Real Madrid boss claims he has not spoken to Mata, or any of the Chelsea players at the ongoing Confederations Cup in Brazil. Inside sources insist that after Mata scored 19 goals and gave 35 assists last season, he is entitled to a pay rise, but it has been vetoed at Mourinho's orders. Chelsea have already denied the story, pointing out that Mata has three years left on his contract. Barca were interested in Mata two years ago, but instead went on to sign Alexis Sanchez from Udinese.

Read More

Mario Balotelli proposes to model girlfriend with £100k diamond ring [PICTURED]

According to reports, the sportsman told his Real Madrid teammates that they could sleep with Fanny if the team beat Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League clash....

Fanny was quick to forgive Mario, and the pair were seen enjoying a romantic day out together at an Italian park last week. Mario spoke of his love for Fanny during a magazine interview earlier this year, saying:

'In a short time she found herself in sync with me. I could spend my whole life with someone like this.'

The footballer had previously been in a relationship with 25-year old presenter Raffaella Fico who claims her four-month old child Pia is his daughter.
Mario reportedly denies the fatherhood claims, and has asked for a paternity test to prove it before he sees the baby.

Read More

Messi has proven to Neymar that size doesn't matter, says Michael Laudrup

Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup believes that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has proven to new team-mate Neymar that size doesn't matter....


The Brazilian recently completed a €57 million move to Camp Nou from Santos, but there is a split of opinion over whether the 21-year-old will be a success.

The 5ft 9in forward has been labelled as too small and thin by some experts to succeed in Europe, criticism that has only intensified during recent outings for Brazil.

"Until now he has been a great player in South America, but we all know that it is a completely different type of game playing in Europe,” Laudrup told Goal.

"Everyone is looking forward to seeing him in Europe at the highest level, but I'm not sure whether his small size will be a factor.

“Without wishing to compare him to anyone else, Lionel Messi [at 5ft 7in] is not the biggest player in size and we have all seen what he has done.”

Laudrup starred for Barcelona as a player from 1989 to 1994, winning four straight Liga titles and the European Cup, before moving on to arch-enemies Real Madrid where he claimed another Primera Division.

Read More

Top 10 Richest Clubs in the WORLD 2013

1. Real Madrid Net worth: €513 million

2. Barcelona Net worth: €483million.....

...
3. Manchester United Net worth: €396million

4. Bayern Munich Net worth: €368illion

5. Chelsea Net worth: €323million

6. Arsenal Net worth: €290million

7. Manchester City Net worth: €286million

8. AC Milan Net worth: €257million

9. Liverpool Net worth: €233million

10.Juventus Net worth: €195million

Read More

Galatasaray open talks with Chelsea to sign Mikel Obi

Galatasaray are understood to have opened talks with Chelsea, to sign their Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi.....

According to reports, the Turkish champions sporting director Bulent Tulun, is in London trying to negotiate a deal for the former Lyn Oslo player.

The deal which is being brokered by Nigeria FIFA agent Babawo Mohammed and Hasan Egilmez, if completed, will see Obi join his former Blues team mate, Didier Drogba.
"As I speak to you, Galatasaray sporting director Tulun is in London to discuss on signing Mikel Obi from Chelsea this summer, we want to sort out with his club first before we will open discussions with the player," a source told MTNFootball.com
Mohamed also confirmed Galatasaray's interest saying, "Galatasaray have shown interest to sign Mikel and I have been informed that they are in London talking with Chelsea about the deal."
Obi has a contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit till June 2017.

Read More

Gallas, Arshavin, Benayoun – See full list of 154 Premier League players released by their clubs

The Premier League has released a list of 154 players, who have been released by their clubs, after their contracts ran out this year....

Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin, Tottenham's William Gallas and Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun, are some of the notable names who are now available for a free transfer.
Manchester United is the only top-four club, who did not let any player go, except for Paul Scholes, who retired at the end of the 2012/2013 campaign.
The full list of 154 players below:

ELEASED PLAYERS LIST IN FULL

ARSENAL

Andrey Arshavin

Samir Bihmoutine

Reice Charles-Cook

Denilson

Craig Eastmond

Sead Hajrovic

Conor Henderson

Jernade Meade

Nigel Oldfield Spence-Neita

Joshua Rees

Philip Roberts

James Shea

Sebastien Squillaci

Sanchez Watt

ASTON VILLA

Calum Barrett

Joshua Barton

Courtney Cameron

Daniel Devine

Richard Dunne

Eric Lichaj

Andrew Marshall

Jean Makoun

CHELSEA

Amin Affane

Yossi Benayoun

Aziz Deen-Conteh

Paulo Ferreira

Hilario

Florent Malouda

Archange Nkumu

Ross Turnbull

EVERTON

Johan Hammar

Thomas Hitzlsperger

Sam Kelly

Jan Mucha

Phil Neville

FULHAM

Chris Baird

Simon Davies

Mahamadou Diarra

Thomas Donegan

Corey Gameiro

Georgios Karagounis

James Muza

Richard Peniket

Mladen Petric

Mark Schwarzer

Alex Smith

Csaba Somogyi

LIVERPOOL

Tyrell Belford

Jamie Carragher

James Stephens

Danny Wilson

MANCHESTER CITY

Wayne Bridge

Filippo Mancini

Ryan McGivern

Roque Santa Cruz

Kolo Toure

MANCHESTER UNITED

Reece Brown

John Cofie

Michele Fornasier

Luke Giverin

Luke Hendrie

Luke McCulloch

Paul Scholes

Gyliano van Velzen

Frederic Veseli

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Steve Harper

Yven Moyo

Danny Simpson

NORWICH CITY

Tom Adeyemi

Lee Camp

Olumide Durojaiye

George Francomb

Simeon Jackson

Chris Martin

Ramil Sheriff

Korey Smith

Marc Tierney

Elliot Ward

QPR

Tal Ben-Haim

DJ Campbell

Radek Cerny

Frederick Champion

Adam Francis

Troy Hewitt

Rob Hulse

Ryan Nelsen

Taylor Parmenter

Tommaso Trani

READING

Nicholas Bignall

Simon Church

Ian Harte

Noel Hunt

Charlie Losasso

Angus Macdonald

Alex Pearce

Nicky Shorey

Jay Tabb

Joshua Webb

Brett Williams

SOUTHAMPTON

Danny Butterfield

Ryan Dickson

Tommy Forecast

Sam Hoskins

Ben Reeves

Frazer Richardson

Danny Seaborne

Alberto Seidi

STOKE CITY

Michael Clarkson

Rory Delap

Matthew Gledhill

Jadan Hall

Matthew Lund

Andrew Musungu

Carlo Nash

Michael Owen

Jermaine Pennant

George Rigg

Mamady Sidibe

Matthew Upson

Dean Whitehead

SUNDERLAND

Titus Bramble

Anthony Callaghan

Wade Joyce

Matt Kilgallon

Ryan Noble

Adam Reid

Ben Wilson

SWANSEA CITY

Mark Gower

TOTTENHAM

Jack Barthram

David Bentley

John Bostock

William Gallas

Jack Munns

Jake Nicholson

WEST BROM

Marc-Antoine Fortune

Zoltan Gera

Gonzalo Jara

Romaine Sawyers

Jerome Thomas

WEST HAM

Carlton Cole

Jake Larkins

Gary O'Neil

Jack Powell

Jami Rafati

Eoin Wearen

WIGAN

Peter Aylmer

Albert Crusat

Franco Di Santo

David Jones

Adrian Lopez

Jonathan Lynch

Callum Morris

Filip Orsula

Ronnie Stam

Joshua Sumner

Ryan Watson

Read More

EXPOSED: Barcelona took permission from Messi before signing Neymar

A report on Futaa claims that Barcelona's senior officials spoke with superstar player Lionel Messi, before completing the deal that will see Neymar move to the Nou Camp from Santos this summer....

The story has it that, "Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell was well aware of the possible risks involved in signing Neymar for two quite different reasons:

Interest

 

Firstly, the high costs involved in the transfer deal, which only went up and up with the growing interest shown by other clubs, and also because of how Messi might react to having a competitor on the pitch.

Barça has known all along that the operation was going to be very costly and for this reason wanted to know beforehand what Messi thought about Neymar joining the club.

Leadership

 

In the wake of disputes involving other forwards, Rosell wasn't about to start things off on a bad footing. Messi reportedly reacted very positively to the decision and encouraged the club to go ahead and sign the Brazilian.

However, Barcelona bigwigs sat down with the Brazilian and explained that Messi would still be the boss and his leadership could not be challenged."

Read More

Ronaldo can be Madrid's top signing, says Arbeloa

The Portugal international has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu side on more than one occasion, but club president Florentino Perez stated earlier this week that he expects that the attacker will stay at Madrid until the end of his career....


Ronaldo has a contract with the Liga giants until the summer of 2015, but Arbeloa is hopeful that the 28-year-old will ink a new deal this year.

"The best signing Real Madrid could make would be Cristiano Ronaldo renewing his contract," the defender told La Sexta.

"I hope that Cristiano will stay at Madrid for many more years."

The full-back then took the time to reflect on the return of Daniel Carvajal from Bayer Leverkusen and stressed that he does not fear the youngster's competition.

"There has always been stiff competition for places at Madrid. I will only benefit from his arrival."

Carvajal, 21, left Madrid for Leverkusen in 2012, but the Spanish giants re-signed him this summer after he impressed in the Bundesliga this term.

Read More

Revealed: Rooney holds secret talks with two mystery clubs

Wayne Rooney held secret meetings with two clubs in the same day as he lays the foundations for his Manchester United exit....


England's talisman is understood to have met with a Premier League outfit on one morning in June before flying overseas for talks with a continental big-hitter in the afternoon.

Mystery surrounds the precise identities of the two clubs but it is believed that Rooney himself was present in the top-level talks, along with his representatives, following his return from turning out for England in Brazil on Sunday.

The 27-year-old is ready to sever his ties with United as he sets his sights on a new club next season.

Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco are among the mega-spenders who are closely monitoring Rooney's situation, while Arsenal, armed with the biggest transfer kitty in the club's history, are also regarded by insiders to be serious contenders to land the forward.

Arsene Wenger has gone public with his interest in Rooney and outlined the challenge that new United manager David Moyes has in "bridging the gap" with the striker after successfully suing him for libel in 2008.

Rooney's camp have given informal indications to Arsenal that the player would be interested in a shock summer switch to the north Londoners.

Furthermore, chief executive Ivan Gazidis explained in a wide-ranging interview that the Gunners now possess the financial muscle to compete for the world's elite players. Asked if Arsenal were now potentially in a position to pay a €29 million transfer fee and wages of €230,000 a week for one player, Gazidis declared: "Of course we could do that. We could do more than that."

Rooney has two years remaining on a United contract worth up to €250,000-a-year and will not accept a drop in salary.

PSG and Monaco, the nouveau-riche French clubs, have the spending power to match and even exceed Rooney's United package, although this might not be enough to persuade the England star to swap the Premier League for Ligue 1.

Real Madrid are in the market for at least one A-list front man as they prepare to offload Gonzalo Higuain, although Rooney has not been strongly linked with the Spanish giants.

Chelsea have also registered an interest in United's most high-profile player after learning of his availability, but the Londoners' priority is to capture a spearhead rather than a No.10. After losing out to Monaco on Radamel Falcao, Chelsea have turned their attention to Napoli's Edinson Cavani, while Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic is also on their striker shortlist.

Contrary to reports that Rooney's relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson is central to his desire to quit the club he joined in 2004, sources have told Goal that the striker is unwilling to work under former boss Moyes, who was his first manager in professional football, and is "hell bent" on leaving.

Publicly, the new Premier League champions have insisted that Rooney is "not for sale" but they could be hemmed into a corner if he pushes hard for a move as his current transfer value will quickly depreciate once he enters the final 24 months of his contract.

He is believed to be keen on being a team's marquee player once again after seeing his status downgraded at Old Trafford last season, while the opportunity for a fresh challenge at an established Champions League club is also said to appeal to Rooney.

Read More

'Bale is better than Neymar'

Former Real Madrid manager John Toshack believes Gareth Bale is already a better player than Barcelona forward Neymar, claiming the Tottenham winger could be "worth €100 million"....

Toshack, who is currently the manager of Azerbaijan side Khazar Lankaran, also coached Madrid twice in the 1990s and had a glittering playing career for Cardiff, Liverpool and Swansea.
The ex-Wales international heaped praise on his compatriot, claiming Bale's success in the "competitive" Premier League makes him more established than Neymar.
"For me, Gareth is better than Neymar, because he is playing in a very competitive League," Toshack told Punto Pelota. "With Neymar we will have to wait and see. If there is someone who is worth €100m, then it is Bale."
During his six-year tenure at the helm of the Wales national team, Toshack handed Bale his international debut and he insists the PFA Player of the Year requires Champions League football to reach his peak.
"His debut? He had just turned 17 and had a tremendous future. I had never seen a player like him," Toshack said. "Even a blind man can see that Bale has something different. He is a player for all conditions, introverted and a great professional.
"He is very modest. The injuries he suffered when younger have seen him grow stronger. They talk about Leo [Messi], we have not seen anyone at his level. Then with [Cristiano] Ronaldo, whose power is not seen every day.
"Bale is catching up to these two. He is alongside the Ronaldos and the Messis. He could end up at one of the big two in Spain. He has to play in the Champions League."

Read More

Arsenal ready to offer Wenger new deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to be offered a new deal,after the club signified their willingness to still retain his services,after the expiration of his current contract next season.....

Wenger’s current contract runs out in 2014,and the 63-year old has been courted by several top clubs,with French champions Paris Saint Germain,the well known admirers.
But Arsenal chairman,Ivan Gazidis said that he hopes they can keep him beyond his current deal,as speculations mount over his future.
“We think we have got a fantastic manager,” Gazidis was quoted as saying on the Daily Mail . “We hope he wants to do what he is doing for the long term. I believe he does. I think he is still ambitious, still driven and sees the potential of the club as he looks forward and I think he is very excited by that.”
“We have a great relationship and he has a great relationship with the board. So, quietly and at the right time I think we will make an announcement on that when things are all put in place.”
“We have got a lot of confidence in Arsene that he is the right person to take the club forward and I think he will want to do that. This is going to happen very quietly behind closed doors, privately and then there will be an announcement.”
“This is a club that has had remarkable consistency in terms of its manager, football philosophy and support from the board and our principal owner for the manager,” said Gazidis.
“It is pretty much unmatched, through some difficult periods as well. So if it is consistency players are looking for, Arsenal would be a very attractive place to come.”
What if Wenger fails to miraculously land Arsenal in the top four as he has consistently done before,should the club still offer him a new deal?

Read More