Radamel Falcao is not finished yet according to Barca defener Javier Mascherano

Argentina's Javier Mascherano remains convinced of Radamel Falcao's enduring class, but hopes that the Colombia striker does not show it in Friday's Copa America quarter-final.
The sides meet in the last eight of the competition with neither having hit the heights perhaps expected, with Falcao struggling in a Colombia side that scored just once in Group C.
The Monaco man's role in Jose Pekerman's set-up has been questioned, with James Rodriguez forced out wide despite flourishing in a more central role at the World Cup last year in Falcao's injury-enforced absence.
Falcao failed to find his feet on loan at Manchester United last season, but Mascherano maintains the 29-year-old will recover the form he showed prior to a serious knee injury sustained early in 2014.
"I have not only played against Radamel Falcao, but also in the same team as him with River Plate. I know him very well," Mascherano told reporters.
"Obviously, he is a player with a a very important role. He is still missing some continuity after a very serious injury. He tried his best to be able to play the World Cup, but he could not.
"After this, the most important thing is to play a lot of minutes and, for different circumstances, he could not do that at his club even though Falcao has demonstrated that he is one of the best you can find at a worldwide level.
"It is a matter of time. I have no doubt that at some point, the best Falcao will show. I hope that this won't happen [on Friday]."

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Guardiola must win trophies to be loved - Beckenbauer

Bayern Munich
icon Franz Beckenbauer has told head coach Pep Guardiola that he must win trophies if he wants to feel loved.
The former Barcelona boss revealed earlier this week that one of his main goals in life is to be admired and revered for his work - and Beckenbauer has stressed that success is the quickest way to earn the fans' affection.
"Love is the biggest thing one can achieve. He will get the fans' love when he wins trophies," Beckenbauer was quoted as saying by TZ.
"If he does not win any silverware, which I cannot really see happening, love will become just affection."
Bayern have dominated the Bundesliga under Guardiola in the past two campaigns, securing the title well before the end of the season on both occasions, yet Beckenbauer feels they could face a tough task to maintain their hegemony in 2015-16.
"The Bundesliga will be much tigher than in the past two seasons, when Bayerrn were well on top," the World Cup winner added.
"Wolfsburg have shown that they can fight for top honours. Dortmund will be back next season. I hope Schalke will be strong once more. And then there's Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach.
"There will be more contenders for the Bundesliga title."

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Petr Crch to have Arsenal meical toay

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is set for a medical today ahead of his proposed move to Arsenal, according to Sky sources.
We said earlier in the week the clubs have agreed a £10.9m fee and it looked like the Czech would be undergoing the medical next week, but things appeared to have been brought forward.
He'll be the first high profile player to move to the Emirates this summer

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Juventus to offer Chelsea €25m for Oscar

Juventus will offer Chelsea €25 million (£18m) for Oscar, but the Premier League champions want €35m (£25m). With rumors of Ara Turan coming to Chelsea, Mourinho could allow him leave if he feels the price is right.

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Barcelona and Chelsea fight for Athletico Madrid's Arda Turan

BREAKING NEWS: De Jong signs AC Milan extension

AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong has signed a new deal with the club to keep him at the San Siro for another three years.

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Juventus looks to trigger Isco's release clause of £106 million

Juventus have put Real Madrid midfielder Isco on their summer wish list, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The paper claims he’s the second name on Massimilano Allegri’s list, behind Chelsea’s Oscar, but reports that they’ll need to fork out over £106m to trigger the Real Madrid man’s release clause.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.not for sale according to Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc

Borussia Dortmund are not willing to part company with Arsenal target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Bild claimed earlier this week the Gunners were readying a bid, but Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc told German publication kicker there will be no exit, although he does expect some other players to leave.
"Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a player of Borussia Dortmund and we do not have any plan to sell him. That's a fact.
“Still we will have players leaving our club this summer. There will be some action in the turn of next week."

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New Liverpool signing Nathaniel Clyne to have medical next week

Nathaniel Clyneis set to have a medical at Liverpoolnext week, with the club expected to complete a structured £15m deal for the Southampton full-back.

The clubs are currently negotiating an agreement which will include a £12.5m fee followed by additional payments based on conditions met by the player.
His signing is also not expected to have an impact on recent acquisition Joe Gomez, with the youngster joining from Charlton, although Sky sources understand a loan back out of Anfield is a possibility.

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Schneiderlin to join Manchester United next week

Manchester United are closing in on Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin who should move to Old Trafford next week. The France international will sign a four-year deal with Louis van Gaal's side.
 Following the agreement  he had with the Southampton management, he's been allowed to leave to a suitable club. Arsenal has baulked at his release clause, and
Tottenham are not in the Champions league. That leaves United to clinch the signature of the midfielder

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Manchester United reject Bayern's Di Maria's interest

Manchester United will reject interest from Bayern Munich for Angel Di Maria. Pep Guardiola is keen to bring in a winger but the Red Devils have no intention of allowing the Argentine to leave.

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Real Madrid want €90m for Ramos

After holding talks with Ramos, Madrid has placed a price tag on Ramos' head. Whether Man United will baulk at the price or not remains to be seen. But the move is separate to any deal with David De Gea

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Arsenal to make €30m Vidal offer

Papers this morning are reporting that Arsenal are preparing a move for the Chile international. It is believed that Alexis Sanchez has spoken to Vidal about joining Arsenal and it seemed good in his eyes.he Juventus midfielder is keen to link up with Alexis Sanchez at

the Emirates.

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England's national team will under-perform at every single tournament because English football culture rotten from top to bottom - Joe Barton

Following the elimination of the English u-21 team from the on-going tournament, Barton has voiced his complaint in a recent interview

"Everybody wants to blame it on something and it's not a case of that," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's not the players, it's not the coaching staff, it's not one thing, it's an accumulation of many things.
"The culture within English football is not changing - no St George's Park, no massive spend, no change of coach, this isn't going to change it.
"The culture is rotten from top to bottom. England's national team will under-perform at every single tournament because of this reason and that filters down."
Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley, Phil Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all eligible for the championships but not called up.
Barton added: "The FA should say to them: 'If you don't make yourself eligible for an Under-21s campaign if you're selected, you won't be considered by the national team for however many years.'
"We need to get in line, we need to get a passion restored in the badge of representing your country at any level."

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Petr Cech is among the top 3 goal keepers in the world says former Gunners goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

Petr Cech is alongside Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer as the best three shot-stoppers in the world and can transform Arsenal
The 33-year-old is believed to be close to leaving Chelsea for their London rivals after falling down the pecking order behind Courtois at Stamford Bridge, despite Jose Mourinho previously ruling out the move.
Wilson is excited by the prospect of Cech's arrivals with the Gunners looking to address their shortcomings after finishing 12 points behind title winners Chelsea last season.
"I think he is one of the three best goalkeepers in the world," he told talkSPORT. "As of this moment, I think Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world. I think he is ahead of Manuel Neuer. Petr Cech is right up there with those two.
"At 33, you are absolutely still in your prime as a goalkeeper with your experience and everything. I think there is five, six seasons minimum from Petr Cech.
"He brings authority, complete calm in the way he keeps goal, and presence. If Arsenal manage to get hold of Petr Cech and get another one or two players I think they will challenge for the title.

into genuine Premier League title contenders, according to former Gunners goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

"With regards to the rest of the squad, they are nearly now as good as Manchester City and Chelsea.
"I am a huge admirer of Petr Cech. He has clearly been the best goalkeeper in this country until young Courtois arrived on the scene. I am really excited if this thing goes through."

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Samuel Eto'o arrives in Turkey ahead of move to Antalyaspor

Here's the photo confirmation of Samuel Eto'o arriving in Turkey ahead of his proposed move to Antalyaspor.
The club announced earlier today that a deal has been agreed 'in principle' to sign the Sampdoria striker, before writing: "There are still some problems relating to the player's image rights in Italy, but we will resolve them as soon as possible."
On their official Facebook page, they shared this picture of the former Barcelona and Chelsea man (third left), with a club scarf draped around his neck.

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Sergio Ramos holds transfer talks with Real Madrid

The Spain international is unhappy with the new contract he has been offered and is thus open to leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this summer

Sergio Ramos has held showdown transfer talks with Real Madrid and reportedly told the Spanish club to listen to offers for his services.

The Spain international still has two years to run on his current contract with Los Blancos but the defender is unhappy with the terms of the renewal that he has been offered to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ramos' relationship with Madrid president Florentino Perez is also said to have broken down so it was the club's general director, Jose Angel Sanchez, who organised a meeting with the World Cup winner and his brother and agent Rene at Valdebebas on Wednesday.
During the sit-down, the versatile centre-half reportedly told Sanchez that while he does not want to leave, he would like the club to keep him informed of any offers for him.
Pedro Riesco, who works with Rene, now believes that Ramos is bound for the exit door, claiming that the 29-year-old feels that he has been the victim of a smear campaign by someone inside the club.
"With everything that has happened it will be very difficult for Sergio Ramos to stay at Madrid," Reisco told Radio Marca.
"Sergio is a symbol of this club. He has nothing to prove. But so many things are being said about him.
"There is so much manipulation to discredit his name via spokesmen who behave like puppets saying he is not respecting the club and that he is just a money-grabber."
Manchester United are interested in Ramos, whose buy-out clause stands at €200 million, and are hoping to make him a part of Madrid's move for Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea.
In addition, Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo has claimed that he has been offered Ramos.
Ramos has been a regular in the Real starting line-up since joining the capital outfit from Sevilla in 2005 and has won three Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and one Champions League during his time at the Bernabeu.

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Arsenal XI pre-season schedule confirmed

An Arsenal XI side made up of a mixture of under-21 and under-18 players will play the following friendly matches ahead of the 2015/16 season:

Bristol Rovers v Arsenal XI
Saturday, July 18
Kick-off: 3pm
Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 0BF
Tickets are available at £10 adults, £5 concessions from the box office at www.brfctickets.com or 0117 909 66 48
Boreham Wood FC v Arsenal XI
Friday, July 24
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Boreham Wood, Herts WD6 5AL
Tickets details will be available in due course from http://ift.tt/1LBDaoz
An Arsenal Academy side will participate in the Durban Under-19 International Football Tournament in South Africa from Wednesday, July 29

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All you need to know about new Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino

The 23-year-old is a forward with the ability to create chances for others, but he is not the striker to end Brendan Rodgers' search for a prolific goalscorer this summerA young man is thrust into the limelight and expected to produce for what had previously been regarded in some quarters as a one-man team. Raheem Sterling attempted to play this role for Liverpool under heavy pressure to perform following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona. Roberto Firmino is currently doing it for Brazil in the wake of Neymar's suspension at the Copa America.

Now one could be about to replace the other at club level, with Liverpool pre-emptively using the funds of Sterling's inevitable exit to buy the in-demand forward of high potential from Hoffenheim. 

Your average Liverpool fan probably knows as much about Firmino as your average Brazil fan. He was one of the players relatively unknown to the Brazilian public, brought into the squad to replenish it after the punishment of the 2014 World Cup.
Fred, the immobile centre forward, retired from international football and a more nimble, dexterous player in Firmino was summoned. Since his introduction to the Brazil squad, no player has scored more goals than his total of four in nine caps for the Seleccao - Neymar included. He is only now making his presence felt in his native land.
He spent only one season playing senior football in his home country and that was as an 18-year-old learning his trade in Serie B with Figueirense, with whom he gained promotion to the top flight. Hoffenheim struck fast, beating off what they claimed to be a host of top clubs to secure his signature for some €4 million [£2.8m] in December 2010.
Firmino has matured since, not in a fashion dissimilar to his German peers. The Bundesliga is an ideal development ground for promising starlets and he had gradually developed into the player he is today.
Firmino excelled at Hoffenheim as a facilitator as much as a goalscorer, and much of the heavy lifting in an attacking sense was left to the Brazilian and his partner in crime Kevin Volland up front. If Hoffenheim's midfield could work the ball to either of the pair, a combination between them would usually result in a chance on goal. Between them they were responsible for over 50 per cent of the club's goal output last season. 

Volland would occupy the space on the right side of attack and cut in for shots and through balls on his left foot. Firmino would occasionally do similar on the other side, but was used extensively in the centre by coach Markus Gisdol. Up front, a striker like Adam Szalai or Anthony Modeste would be the reference point to receive Firmino's passes or benefit from his dribbles. 
At Liverpool, with the space left by Sterling, he will probably line up from the left or else interchange with his compatriot and international team-mate Philippe Coutinho. He has proven already for his national team that he can play in the same team as Liverpool's player of the year without interrupting his work.
Firmino, for Brazil, is generally named as a centre-forward beside Neymar, with Coutinho or another playmaker occupying the left flank or space in behind. It is no surprise, however, to see Coutinho end up in a more central position, with his compatriot working from the wings.
What he will not do, though, is provide a consistent remedy for Brendan Rodgers in a striking sense. He worked best for Hoffenheim with a centre-forward ahead of him and scored a modest seven league goals last season. He does not have the physique nor the game to lead the line as an orthodox forward all season long and would be a creator in the main instead of a scorer to which his 10 Bundesliga assists would attest.
Nonetheless, he can be said to possess a poacher's instinct, even if that missed chance in the group stage defeat to Colombia will be replayed ceaselessly by rival fans attempting to downplay the significance of his Anfield arrival.
More illustrative are his goals for his national team. Following the only goal in a hollow 1-0 victory over Honduras in a Copa warm up, he met Willian's cross on Sunday against Venezuela with impeccable timing. His first for the five-time world champions is also worth a look; a stunning long-range effort from outside the box against Austria. His goal against Chile in March at the Emirates had Brazil coach Dunga purring that he was destined for bigger and better things.
Hoffenheim had on their hands a player of extraordinary potential that they knew was not long for the village in which he played. A club like theirs would never in their wildest dreams have imagined possessing Brazil's centre-forward in their starting XI.
When he was first called into the Brazil team he posted a message on the Hoffenheim website stating his thanks to the club for helping him achieve his dream. 
Hoffenheim weighed up their faliure to reach Europe last season and realised that the re-investment of any Firmino transfer fee would be in the long-term interests of the club.
They are no longer the free-spending upstarts of Dietmar Hopp which first appeared on the Bundesliga scene in 2009; they are now attempting to straighten the books.
A German-record sale, rising to £29 million will go a long way towards doing just that.

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Real Madrid should show Iker Casillas more respect insists Campo

Amid rumors that the keeper might eventually leave this summer, former Madrid defender Ivan Campo has called on Madrid to show more respect

"Too much stuff has been said about Casillas," Campo told Goal. "We have to respect Casillas. It does not matter whether Keylor stays, if De Gea comes or whether Iker stays here.
"What matters most is to show Iker the respect he deserves and then we will see what he decides. He still has an ongoing contract.
"Iker has enough respect to decide what he has to do."
Campo then went on to discuss the appointment of Rafa Benitez as the new man in charge at Madrid following Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal.
"Expectations were not met last season and the coach was fired. There is a new coach and a new project now and we will see what happens," he continued.
"The problem at Madrid is that the coach is responsible if the club does not win anything. Ancelotti remains a great coach, but this is the way things go at Madrid.
"Rafa is a Madrid man. He has been at the club many years and we hope he can help Madrid win titles again."
The former centre-back also had his say on the ongoing battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It is not that Messi has won the battle against Ronaldo," Campo added.
"When Barcelona win trophies, it is only logical Messi has been great and had a good season. Had it been the other way around, we would be talking about Ronaldo."

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Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski says his move to Inter Milan was a mistake

The forward scored just one goal throughout his season long loan and feels he could have stayed and fought for his place.
He believes that he still has plenty to offer to Arsenal and he is ready to fight his way into the starting X1
"English football is the one which best suits my style, but I know how suddenly everything can change," the 30-year-old told Bild.
"I have characteristics to help different teams, but it was a mistake to go to Inter with no redemption clauses.
"In football, there are times when everything doesn't work out for the best. You're not always playing as a starter and you just have to accept the decisions and work on your own game.
"That's what I did, but now I'm looking forward. I've always felt comfortable [at Arsenal].
"With the fans, with the team and also with the manager. I'm going back to play, I have to say my qualities suit Arsenal."

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Official: Liverpool sign Firminho to on £100,000-a-week deal to become 5th signing of the club

Liverpool have completed the signing of striker Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim in a £21.3m deal.
Formerly with Figueirense in Brazil, Firmino can play anywhere across the front three, and is currently on Copa America duty with Brazil.

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre flew to Chile to get the deal done, and did so in the early hours of Wednesday morning, UK time - though the deal is still subject to a medical that will not take place until after Brazil have concluded their participation in the Copa America.
Sky Sports News HQ understands that Liverpool will pay £21.3m now, but the fee could eventually rise to £28m which would make him Liverpool's second most expensive player after Andy Carroll.
Firmino, 23, is Liverpool’s fifth signing of the summer as boss Brendan Rodgers rebuilds his squad following a disappointing Premier League campaign. Danny Ings, Adam Bodgan, Joe Gomez and James Milner have also been brought in.
The Reds have so far resisted two offers from Manchester City for Raheem Sterling but Firmino's arrival - on what Sky sources understand is a five-year deal - could see City resurrect their interest in the England international.
Firmino arrived at Hoffenheim at the start of 2011 having been signed for £3.52m as a 19-year-old, and has scored 48 times in 152 appearances for the German side, notching seven times in the Bundesliga last term.
And he was also on target for Brazil in their 2-1 Copa America victory over Venezuela on Sunday.
In the absence of Neymar, who has been suspended for the rest of the event, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho - now Liverpool team-mates - are set to start again in Saturday's quarter final against Paraguay.

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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says he knew he ha to move after being benched against Real Marid

Stephen Gerrard was named on the substitute bench to the dismay of the football world and only came on with 20 minutes to play.

Now that he's moving to MLS side LA Galaxy, he's shed more light on why and when he mae the decision to walk away
In an interview with Rio Ferdinand set to be aired on BT Sport on Wednesday, the 35-year-old said: "This was round about the time when I was doing a lot of thinking about what's next for me because I'd had a couple of initial chats with Brendan saying to me, 'I'm going to start managing your games and I have to look after you and I want you to be fresh and I don't want you to be playing three games in a week because you may be tired' and stuff like that.
"But this situation was a bit unique because it was Real Madrid and I wanted to play.
"I sat on that bench devastated because I wanted to play, so it is one of those situations. It sort of pushed me into making a decision to move on and try something different."
Gerrard also opened up about his infamous slip against Chelsea in 2013-14, which many have said cost Liverpool their first Premier League title in 24 years.
With the Reds within touching distance of the Premier League title, Demba Ba capitalised on Gerrard's mistake as Jose Mourinho's side recorded a 2-0 victory that sparked a remarkable Liverpool collapse, with Manchester City going on to win the league.
"The slip happened at a bad time, it was cruel for me personally," Gerrard added. "There's not a day that doesn't go by that I don't think about what if that didn't happen.
"Would things have been different? Would it have turned out different? Maybe it might have, I don't know."

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Sergio Ramos is unhappy at Real Madri accoring to ex-president Calderon

The defender has two years left and contract talks have stalled as the player doesn't like the way he's been treate. It is believed that Ramos is being punished for supporting Ancelotti an unhappy at his sack.
"It's clear that Ramos isn't happy because the president hasn't offered him a contract extension," Calderon told talkSPORT.
"To me it seems as though it is a public dressing down over his support for Carlo Ancelotti and for saying that he did not agree he should have been sacked. The same thing with Iker Casillas."
Ramos is reportedly at the top of Louis van Gaal's wishlist, with the United manager keen to add experience to his defence, while Madrid are desperate to sign goalkeeper David de Gea.
"Let's see what happens in the next few weeks. He is an icon for Real Madrid fans, on and off the pitch," Calderon added.
"I don't know if he is the best central defender in the world but he is one of the best. He can play in the middle of defence, on the right or in midfield."
This could become the biggest tra nsfer of the summer if the move materializes for Man United

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Barcelona interested in signing Manchester Uniter star Di Maria

Manchester United forward Angel Di Maria could be on his way to La Liga and European champions Barcelona next season, according to Sport.

The Argentina international, who only moved to Old Trafford last summer, has reportedly been offered to the Catalans by the winger's agent.
Di Maria is said to be unsettled in the north west, with United coach Louis van Gaal also believed to have given the green light to the British-record signing's imminent exit from the club.

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Manchester United striker Ashley Young finally marries Nicky Pik after calling off wedding 4 years ago with just two days to go

At the second time of asking, his long term girlfriend who he's been dating since high school said yes. He first put plug on his initial £200,000 ceremony out of the blue just 48 hours before the big day in 2011.

The couple, who have two children together, nine-year-old son Tyler and younger daughter Ellearna, reconciled four months after Young got cold feet first time around after calling off the do that was booked at five-star hotel The Grove in Hertfordshire.

Young's former Aston Villa team-mate and cancer survivor Stiliyan Petrov was in attendance as was Fabrice Muamba, who famously suffered a cardiac arrest during a match while playing for Bolton in 2012.

Petrov, who retired from the game in 2013 due to his ongoing battle with leukaemia, took to Twitter to share a picture with the happy couple and wrote: 'Congratulations Mr and Mrs Young.

Former Bolton midfielder Muamba, who would have played with Young for England Under 21s, was also active on social media and shared a picture alongside Petrov, writing: 'Champion on the dance floor @StanPetrov19.'

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