Monday, August 19, 2013

Villa: I'll celebrate scoring against Barcelona


The 31-year-old insists his friends and former team-mates at Camp Nou will become nothing but "rivals" during the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday.

David Villa has claimed he will likely celebrate any goal he should score for Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona.

The Liga champions take on the Rojiblancos for the first piece of Spanish silverware this season on Wednesday, and Villa - who moved from Camp Nou to Vicente Calderon this summer - insists he will put all friendship aside when he faces his former team-mates.

“I have many friends and fond memories of my three years there,” he told reporters. “But when we start the game, they are my

Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle United: Pellegrini debuts with a blast



Last season's Premier League runners-up began their assault on the title in fine fashion against a Yohan Cabaye-less Toon side that had Steven Taylor sent off in the first half.

Manchester City ran out easy winners over 10-man Newcastle United on Monday night, as Manuel Pellegrini's side recorded a resounding 4-0 win to send them top of the Premier League table.

First-half goals from David Silva and Sergio Aguero gave City an early lead, before Magpies centre-back Steven Taylor was given a straight red card for hitting out at the diminutive Argentine goalscorer just before the break.

The home side's dominance continued in the second period, with Yaya Toure marking his 100th Premier League appearance by curling a

Rodgers hails Sturridge attitude



The England international missed most of the Reds' pre-season preparations though injury, but returned in time to score the only goal in a 1-0 win over Stoke City.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Daniel Sturridge's mental strength in ensuring he was fit for the start of the season.

Sturridge struck the only goal of the game in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield as Liverpool began the Premier League campaign with an encouraging performance.

An ankle injury sustained while on international duty with England back in May had threatened to leave the striker unavailable to Rodgers for the opening month of the season.

The 23-year-old, though, battled back to

'Prison has changed me' - Breno


The Brazilian is relishing the chance to work with the Bayern Munich Under-23 side on a day-release programme as he continues to serve a jail term for aggravated arson
Former Bayern Munich defender Breno admits he has "changed as a person" during his time in prison.

The 23-year-old was sentenced to three years and nine months in 2012 after being found guilty of aggravated arson following a fire at his rented Munich villa the previous year.

The Brazilian has been offered a post to work for five hours a day with the Bayern Under-23 side and he admits he is indebted to the club for the opportunity following his spell away from the game.

“My time in prison was

Pardew omits Cabaye from Newcastle squad following Arsenal bid


The Magpies manager has been left angry by the timing of the Gunners' £10 million bid for the France international, who misses the Tyneside club's clash against Manchester City.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that Yohan Cabaye has been omitted from his side's opening Premier League clash against Manchester City following a bid from Arsenal.

The Gunners are understood to have had a £10 million offer for the Frenchman rejected after having launched a triple swoop for Cabaye, Geoffrey Kondogbia and

Gourcuff could leave Lyon, says Aulas


The midfielder may yet depart Stade Gerland, while Bafetimbi Gomis is now likely to sign a new contract with the club.

Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff could leave the Ligue 1 side this summer after the club's president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted "anything is possible".

Premier League side Arsenal are believed to be admirers of the 27-year-old, with reports tipping the club to make a bid before the end of the summer transfer window.

And though Aulas still believes the midfielder will remain at

Fulham sign Parker from Tottenham



The 32-year-old, who has previously enjoyed spells with Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle and and West Ham, has decided to spurn QPR in favour of a move to Craven Cottage.

Fulham have confirmed they have completed the signing of Scott Parker from Tottenham.

The 32-year-old midfielder has decided to spurn the interest of recently relegated QPR to sign a three-year deal with Martin Jol's side, and joins for an undisclosed fee.


Fulham will be Parker's fifth London club, the England international having already enjoyed spells with Charlton, Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham during a distinguished career.

“I’m delighted to be joining Fulham and I’m looking forward to

Juventus suffer Marchisio blow



The midfielder has suffered a "first-second degree tear" of his medial collateral ligament and will now be missing for over a month.

Juventus have confirmed that Claudio Marchisio will be out for a period of between 30 to 35 days, after he picked up an injury during Sunday's Super Cup victory over Lazio.

Goals from Paul Pogba, Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carlos Tevez secured the trophy for the Bianconeri on Sunday.

But with the success came a

Arda Turan likely to leave Atletico Madrid for Premier League, agent claims



Atleti are believed to want to retain the Turkey international, but his agent stressed he has a release clause of €24 million suggested interest from England, France and Turkey.

Arda Turan is likely to move to the Premier League this summer, his agent claimed after he confirmed the interest of English clubs in signing the winger from Atletico Madrid.

The 26-year-old won the Europa League in his first season with Atleti after joining from Galatasaray in 2011, and coach Diego Simeone is believed to want to retain him having previously spoken of the value to the club.

The Turkey international’s agent Ahmet Bulut however claimed a

Lewandowski hails Dortmund patience



After a narrow victory on Sunday, the Poland international has lauded his side's composure in breaking down a stubborn visiting rearguard.

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski has praised his team's patience after their 2-1 win against Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday.

The newly-promoted underdogs were resilient in the face of BVB pressure for much of the afternoon at Signal Iduna Park, much to the frustration of last season's Champions League finalists.

But youngster Jonas Hofmann, who was brought in for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the second half, was able to break the deadlock in the

Pellegrini: Manchester City don't have time to get to know each other



The former Malaga coach warns that his new players must impress straight away and does not believe that his lack of Premier League experience will disadvantage their title bid.

Manuel Pellegrini has warned that Manchester City must start the season with good results and that his established squad and his summer signings do not have the time to get to know each other first.

City host Newcastle on Monday to open their Premier League campaign, with Roberto Mancini having been dismissed and replaced by the former Malaga manager following a disappointing second-place finish last season.

The transfer window saw

Zabaleta signs new Manchester City deal until 2017



The 28-year-old Argentine has established himself as a firm favourite at the Etihad Stadium since signing five years ago, and he is delighted to have penned an extension.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2017.

The Argentine has made has made 175 appearances for City since signing from Espanyol in 2008, and has emerged as the club's first-choice right-back in recent seasons.



 "I have been here for five years and it feels like home. Signing a contract extension with the club makes me feel very happy," he told the club's official website.

"I feel great here, I like the

Villas-Boas denies Tottenham bid for Willian



The Spurs boss says the Brazilian is a player who he 'appreciates' and concedes the club could make further signings before the end of the transfer window.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists his side have not submitted a bid for Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Willian but admits he admires the Brazilian.

We reported on Monday that Liverpool have launched a formal offer of €30 million (£25.6m) for the 25-year-old, while the club are also willing to match the player's £85,000-a-week salary.


When asked if Tottenham have made a bid for Willian, Villas-Boas told reporters: "No, no."

But when asked if he admires the

Kingsley Boateng completes Catania loan



The striker joins the Rossazzurri on season-long deal, with the Sicilian club having an option to purchase a 50% stake in the player next summer.

Milan have confirmed that Kingsley Boateng has joined Catania on loan for the entire 2013-14 season.

The 19-year-old striker will join up with Rolando Maran's side ahead of this weekend’s Serie A opener, and the deal also includes an option for the Sicilian club to purchase a 50% stake in Boateng at the end of his spell.

Boateng featured regularly for

Arsenal launch triple swoop for Cabaye, Kondogbia & Uchida



The Gunners have submitted formal bids for the Newcastle midfielder and Japanese full-back, and made an enquiry over Sevilla's 20-year-old French star.

Arsenal are ready to begin a late summer spending spree after launching a triple swoop for Yohan Cabaye, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Atsuto Uchida,.

The Gunners had a £10 million bid for Newcastle midfielder Cabaye rejected on Monday before turning their attention to Sevilla powerhouse Kondogbia.

Arsenal made an enquiry rather than a formal offer for the 20-year-old midfield anchorman and were told he would only be sold if the €20m buy-out clause in his