Friday 31 July 2015

It's no big deal beating Arsenal and Arsene Wenger jibes Chelsea coach Mourinho

When asked if he takes pride in his record against Wenger, Mourinho replied: ”No. It doesn’t matter, Arsenal, the manager, whoever."I think [the Community Shield is] in between. It's more than a friendly, like with Barcelona and PSG [friendlies], but it's less than a league game. Different motivation.
"Who knows?" he said when questioned on Wenger's ability to win. "I’ve never made a special thing about wins over Arsenal. I don’t explode with happiness when I beat them, and I won’t make drama when I lose."
Mourinho has confirmed that Gary Cahill and Diego Costa will be fit to play on Sunday after picking up knocks against Barcelona.



Arsenal transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has extended his contract at Borussia Dortmund until 2020.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has extended his contract at Borussia Dortmund until 2020.
Reports in England had linked him with a move to the Premier League with both Arsenal and Tottenham thought to be interested..
"I feel very happy at this club, in this team and in this city. Dortmund has become like a second home to me," Aubameyang said.
"Every part of me wants to be here and I've never wanted to leave."


Arsenal can see off Chelsea in Community Shield says Paul Merson

Breaking News: Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott sign new deals at Arsenal ahead of new season

Walcott, 26, is Arsenal’s longest-serving current player, making his 300th appearance for the club last season. He has scored a total of 76 goals since joining the Gunners in 2006.
Theo finished last season in outstanding form. The England forward netted a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in the final Premier League match of the season, before scoring the opener in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa the following week.
Cazorla, 30, enjoyed another excellent year for Arsenal in 2014/15. Playing in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all – more than any other player.
In total, the gifted Spaniard has featured 148 times for Arsenal since his arrival from Malaga in 2012. His tally of 27 goals includes many important strikes, most notably in the 2014 FA Cup Final victory over Hull City.
An experienced international, Cazorla has won more than 70 caps for his country and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to the continued contributions of Santi and Theo in the seasons ahead.
Walcott, 26, is Arsenal’s longest-serving current player, making his 300th appearance for the club last season. He has scored a total of 76 goals since joining the Gunners in 2006.
Theo finished last season in outstanding form. The England forward netted a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in the final Premier League match of the season, before scoring the opener in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa the following week.
As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch
Wenger on Cazorla and Walcott
Cazorla, 30, enjoyed another excellent year for Arsenal in 2014/15. Playing in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all – more than any other player.
In total, the gifted Spaniard has featured 148 times for Arsenal since his arrival from Malaga in 2012. His tally of 27 goals includes many important strikes, most notably in the 2014 FA Cup Final victory over Hull City.
An experienced international, Cazorla has won more than 70 caps for his country and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to the continued contributions of Santi and Theo in the seasons ahead.
- See more at: http://ift.tt/1I6ZLZR
Walcott, 26, is Arsenal’s longest-serving current player, making his 300th appearance for the club last season. He has scored a total of 76 goals since joining the Gunners in 2006.
Theo finished last season in outstanding form. The England forward netted a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in the final Premier League match of the season, before scoring the opener in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa the following week.
As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch
Wenger on Cazorla and Walcott
Cazorla, 30, enjoyed another excellent year for Arsenal in 2014/15. Playing in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all – more than any other player.
In total, the gifted Spaniard has featured 148 times for Arsenal since his arrival from Malaga in 2012. His tally of 27 goals includes many important strikes, most notably in the 2014 FA Cup Final victory over Hull City.
An experienced international, Cazorla has won more than 70 caps for his country and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to the continued contributions of Santi and Theo in the seasons ahead.
- See more at: http://ift.tt/1I6ZLZR
Walcott, 26, is Arsenal’s longest-serving current player, making his 300th appearance for the club last season. He has scored a total of 76 goals since joining the Gunners in 2006.
Theo finished last season in outstanding form. The England forward netted a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in the final Premier League match of the season, before scoring the opener in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa the following week.
As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch
Wenger on Cazorla and Walcott
Cazorla, 30, enjoyed another excellent year for Arsenal in 2014/15. Playing in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all – more than any other player.
In total, the gifted Spaniard has featured 148 times for Arsenal since his arrival from Malaga in 2012. His tally of 27 goals includes many important strikes, most notably in the 2014 FA Cup Final victory over Hull City.
An experienced international, Cazorla has won more than 70 caps for his country and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to the continued contributions of Santi and Theo in the seasons ahead.
- See more at: http://ift.tt/1I6ZLZR
Walcott, 26, is Arsenal’s longest-serving current player, making his 300th appearance for the club last season. He has scored a total of 76 goals since joining the Gunners in 2006.
Theo finished last season in outstanding form. The England forward netted a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in the final Premier League match of the season, before scoring the opener in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa the following week.
As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch
Wenger on Cazorla and Walcott
Cazorla, 30, enjoyed another excellent year for Arsenal in 2014/15. Playing in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all – more than any other player.
In total, the gifted Spaniard has featured 148 times for Arsenal since his arrival from Malaga in 2012. His tally of 27 goals includes many important strikes, most notably in the 2014 FA Cup Final victory over Hull City.
An experienced international, Cazorla has won more than 70 caps for his country and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to the continued contributions of Santi and Theo in the seasons ahead.
- See more at: http://ift.tt/1I6ZLZR
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Liverpool in talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for young winger Adama Traore, according to Catalan radio station RAC1.

More Liverpool news and the club are reportedly in talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for young winger Adama Traore, according to Catalan radio station RAC1.
The 19-year-old has been linked with several clubs, including the likes of Stoke, Everton, Bayern Munich and Sevilla, in recent weeks as the player is not overly keen on the prospect of turning out for reserve side Barca B in the third tier of Spanish football this season.
However, he could be set for a short stint in the Premier League with RAC1reporting that Liverpool officials have travelled to Barcelona to hold talks with Camp Nou chiefs over a loan deal for the youngster.

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Serie A clubs are interested in signing Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, but will only sign the Italian on a cut-price deal.

Sky sources understand two Serie A clubs are interested in signing Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, but will only sign the Italian on a cut-price deal.
Balotelli’s future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks but Liverpool won’t comment on reports claiming he is not training with the first-team.
However, he has not been named in Liverpool’s squad to face HJK Helsinki this weekend. We are awaiting news on whether he will be involved in Liverpool’s friendly against Swindon on Sunday.
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Former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo insists he is happy at Valencia and that nobody has told him he is unwanted at the Mestalla.

Recent reports in the Spanish press suggested that the forward does not figure prominently in coach Nuno’s plans, despite the fact Valencia recently signed him permanently following his season-long loan.
However, Negredo appeared at a press conference to scotch such suggestions and the 29-year-old believes he has a future at the club.
He said: “From the first day after last season ended my mind has been focused on Valencia. I want to work and continue developing. My plan is to stay and nobody has said I’m not in their plans. At the end of the day the club decides and they choose who they want and who they don’t. But nobody has said to me they don’t want me. I’m really happy and relaxed and I want to give Valencia the best of myself. They’ve just exercised the purchase option and it would be strange, but in football anything can happen.”
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Palermo are keen on signing Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, according to the Daily Star.

However, the Italian club are struggling to meet the Gunners’ £7m valuation of the Costa Rica international.
Real Sociedad and Trabzonspor are also keen on signing the 23-year-old
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Barcelona will look to delay the sale of Pedro to Manchester United until after their involvement in next month’s UEFA Super Cup, according to Marca.

It looks increasingly likely that the Spain forward will move to United, especially as the Premier League side are about to cash in on Argentina winger Angel Di Maria. Marca reports that United and Barca have all but agreed a fee, with Pedro likely to move for between €30m and €32m.
With the start of the Premier League season and their involvement in Champions League qualifiers on the horizon, United want to finalise the deal as soon as possible, but Barca want to retain his services until after they have taken on fellow La Liga outfit Sevilla in the UEFA Cup in Tblisi on August 11.
Barca are mindful that Lionel Messi and Neymar may not be in peak physical condition by the time they face Sevilla and, as such, they want Pedro to be available for the European fixture.
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I haven’t decided my future yet, I don't want to cause problems for Bayern


"I am coach of Bayern and I am grateful to be here," he said at a press conference.
"I haven’t decided my future yet. As soon as I come to a decision, I will inform Kalle Rummenige, Matthias Sammer and Uli Hoeness. "We still have a lot of time. But if I will extend my contract, I must be absolutely sure that it is the best for the club. I don’t want to become a problem for FC Bayern.
"I did my very best, am doing my very best, will do my very best.
"I haven’t receive any offer from another club."
Guardiola then went on to discuss Philipp Lahm, who could return to the defence more regularly after being played as a midfielder last term.
"Philipp is one of our most important players. He played in a number of positions during our trip to China and always did well.
"I like him in midfield because of the way he anticipates certain situations. But we have plenty of alternatives in midfield, whereas Rafinha is our only other right-back.
"So Philipp will be used both in midfield and in defence throughout the season."
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Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez: I want to be handsome when celebrating a goal

Alexis Sanchez is known for his tireless work rate, sharp eye for goal and... his looks?
Maybe not, but that apparently hasn’t stopped the Arsenal forward from trying to look his best whenever he finds the net.Speaking at an event in Santiago organised by Gillette to celebrate Chile’s Copa America triumph, Alexis delivered the following classic to an excited crowd of fans.

”When I started to shave I had no money to buy a Gillette, but now they give me them, I try to shave before matches so I can be handsome when celebrating a goal. I recommend it to all men who are here. And all the women too,” he was quoted as saying by La Tercera.
Move over, Olivier Giroud. You’ve got some competition.
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The Premier League is the best league in the world. But Barcelona are the best team.

Luis Suarez says that while the Premier League is the game's top championship, Barcelona are "the best team in the world". The Uruguay international spent three-and-a-half years plying his trade in England with Liverpool, winning the 2013-14 PFA Players' Player of the Year award before moving to Catalunya last summer.

Suarez took some time to settle at Camp Nou, not least because he was ineligible to play for the Blaugrana until October because of his four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, but he went on to form a formidable front three with Lionel Messi and Neymar, and played a key role in Barca's treble triumph last season.
Suarez is loving life in Catalunya and is hoping to help Luis Enrique's men become the first side to successfully defend the Champions League. However, the 28-year-old has revealed that he would like to return to Ajax at some point before he quits - or even move to MLS.
"I would like to retire at the club I love, Nacional," he said of his first professional club in an interview on ESPN Deportes Radio. "But I also want to return to Ajax someday.
"The MLS would not be a bad choice. It could happen one day. The US love of the game is growing a lot. People are filling the stadiums.
"The Premier League is the best league in the world. But Barcelona are the best team.
"I do not consider myself one of the best players in the world but it is a pleasure to play in the best team.
"And we still have goals to fulfil. We want to become the first team to win consecutive Champions Leagues.
"We're very motivated this season. We are obliged to keep winning."
Luis Enrique led Barca to a treble in his first season at the helm and Suarez says that the former midfield ace has an excellent working relationship with his players.
"The coach always makes the final decision but he is always open to our comments," the striker added. "I think we have to keep playing the same way next season."
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West Brom manager Tony Pulis expects Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert to hit the ground running if he moves to The Hawthorns.

The Liverpool striker is in talks with the Baggies over a transfer and Pulis is quoted as saying by the Daily Star: “It’s very important that we get players who will score goals, Rickie’s got a great goalscoring record.
“From what I can gather from people at Liverpool,his fitness levels are very, very good and he is desperate to play football.

“He didn’t play much last year, so it would be like bringing a brand new car out of the garage if we did sign him, just putting a bit of petrol in it and letting it run.”
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Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admits DeAndre Yedlin could go out on loan next season.

The 22-year-old American made one appearance for Spurs last season and Pochettino is quoted as saying by NBC Sports: “We need to see him and speak with him and maybe he stays with us the next season, maybe not.

“He was in the Gold Cup and he met us here in Denver. He needs time to show his quality and we’ll decide in the next few weeks.”

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Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs insists Kevin de Bruyne will not be leaving the club for Manchester City this summer.

The Belgian has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but Allofs said: "We expect Kevin de Bruyne to be with the team for the Super Cup and afterwards during the season, that’s the plan, to keep our players here.
"That’s not just the case for De Bruyne, but also Ivan Perisic, Bas Dost and Ricardo Rodriguez. These are all players who have been named in speculation."

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“I don’t know where he is,” Van Gaal admits of Di Maria as deal to PSG nears end according to Blanc

Louis van Gaal has admitted he does not know where Manchester United’s record signing Angel Di Maria is, with the Argentine’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain edging towards a conclusion.
Di Maria failed to report back for pre-season training as planned on July 25, with Van Gaal confirming he had not boarded a plane to meet his team-mates in San Jose as planned.

And after United went down 2-0 to PSG in a pre-season game in Chicago on Wednesday night, the Dutchman claimed to have no idea of his player’s whereabouts, while his opposite number Laurent Blanc revealed that talks are at an advanced stage.
“I don’t know where he is,” Van Gaal admitted to a press conference after the International Champions Cup clash at Soldier Field, but Blanc was able to shed more light on the 27-year-old’s situation.
“Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are two big clubs, and negotiations can be difficult but we are close to an end,” confirmed the Frenchman.
Di Maria moved to Old Trafford in a £59.7 million move from Real Madrid in August 2014, but struggled to fully adapt after a promising start and made only 20 starts in the Premier League last season.
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"Where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise,"- Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims his next club will be "a very big surprise" as he enters the final year of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The flamboyant Swede scored in the Ligue 1 champions' 2-0 pre-season win over Manchester United in Chicago on Thursday and has been linked with a move to MLS when his current deal in the French capital expires next summer.

But while Ibrahimovic insists he is "very happy" at PSG, he believes no one will be able to predict the identity of his next club when the time comes.
"Where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise," the PSG striker told reporters with a smile after the United victory.
"I'm very happy at PSG. You don't see that on the field? I have another year on my contract with PSG and I am very happy.
"Things are getting better. We are a strong team, we can do much more than we have been doing so at the moment but I am very happy."
Victory over United - coupled with earlier wins over Benfica and Fiorentina - saw PSG lift the International Champions Cup, but Ibrahimovic has his sights set on grander prizes- starting with the Trophee des Champions against Lyon in Montreal on Saturday.
"The (trophy) we won today is only for the preparation. This is nothing official," the striker insisted.
"This is only to prepare our condition mentally and physically for the season.
"We have been here 15 days, played all the friendly games and now we go over to the official game against Lyon, that is the Super Cup so if we can win that one we will win our first trophy for the year, so that would be very good."
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Jose Callejon’s agent has denied any contact with Chelsea and says the Spaniard will be staying with Napoli.

The Daily Express reported the Blues were set to bid for Callejon, however, Manuel Garcia Quillon told plbold.dk: “Have I spoken to someone from Chelsea? No, unfortunately not.

“As things stand, Jose will not be leaving Napoli. It is a decision made by President Aurelio De Laurentiis.”
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Birmingham have signed midfielder Jon Toral on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

The 20-year-old joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2011 and spent last season on loan with Brentford, where he made 36 appearances.
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Peter Schmeichel says Manchester United will move on if they sell David de Gea.

The Spanish international has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer.
“This is Manchester United,” Schmeichel told Carlsberg. “They’ve had big, bigplayers, best players in the world coming into the club, they’ve done a job, they’ve moved on.
“But the club has moved on as well, that’s what Manchester United does."
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Liverpool not in for Lucas Digne - Agent

Lucas Digne's agent has denied reports he has held talks with Liverpool regarding a move to Anfield for the Paris Saint-Germain left-back.
The Reds have been strongly with Digne but his agent, Mikkel Beck, told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "That's not right. They have not given me permission to talk to Liverpool.
"I cannot comment on the clubs' names, but there is interest from several large systems. We have to see if something will come eventually, but that is what is being worked on. Lucas is not 100 percent satisfied with the situation in Paris."
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David Luiz is hopeful that Paris St-Germain will complete the signing of Angel di Maria from Manchester United.

David Luiz is hopeful that Paris St-Germain will complete the signing of Angel di Maria from Manchester United.
PSG boss Laurent Blanc says the deal is close and reports in France claim he cost United 65million euros.
"Di Maria would make us stronger, for sure," said Luiz, who played with Di Maria at Benfica between 2007 and 2010.
"I hope to see him (at PSG). He is a great friend, a great player, and every single team he plays in, he makes the difference.
"It's great to see how much he has improved, and how he has become a fantastic player. It would be a pleasure to play with him again."
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Former Bayern striker Mario Gomez joins Besiktas on season long loan from Fiorentina

Besiktas have confirmed that they have signed Mario Gomez on a season-long loan from Fiorentina with an option to buy.
"Besiktas announce that Thursday the club reached an agreement with Fiorentina for the loan of Mario Garcia Gomez," a statement on the club's website reads.
"The contract includes an option to make the deal permanent."
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Lille have signed defender Stoppila Sunzu on a season-long loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.

Lille have signed defender Stoppila Sunzu on a season-long loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.
The 26-year-old is well known to Lille manager Herve Renard, who was Zambia coach when they won the African Nations Cup in 2012 and then signed Sunzu for Sochaux.
Renard told Lille's official website, www.losc.fr: "Stoppila Sunzu is a very athletic defender with plenty of pace. He is a player who has many qualities but can sometimes still lack a bit of maturity. During the African Nations Cup win with Zambia in 2012, he was our rock. Without him, it would have been hard to win."
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Real Madrid are interested in signing Real Betis starlet Dani Ceballos, reports Marca.

Monday 27 July 2015

No one at Real Madrid thinks captain Sergio Ramos will be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, according to defender Pepe.

No one at Real Madrid thinks captain Sergio Ramos will be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, according to defender Pepe.

The Spain international has recently been linked with a move to Manchester United, but his central-defensive partner believes he will still be in the Spanish capital next season.
"He seems good to me," Pepe is quoted as saying in Marca. "It's not going through anyone's head that Sergio won't be here with us.
"He's our captain now. I'm sure he'll be with us because he loves us and the club."
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Chelsea captain John Terry says he will not join another Premier League club if the time comes for him to leave the Blues.

Chelsea captain John Terry says he will not join another Premier League club if the time comes for him to leave the Blues.
Terry played every minute in the Premier League last season as Chelsea claimed the title and says he is working hard to remain a major part of manager Jose Mourinho’s plans.
He told The Guardian: "If I felt Chelsea were going to release me or thought I had nothing else to give, but I thought I could, then of course I would still want to continue to play. But that would not be in the Premier League."
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