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Adebayor’s kinsmen in Nigeria sad over family crisis

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Emmanuel Adebayor" src="http://punch.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Emmanuel-Adebayor-360x225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.5px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Adebayor</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The family crisis tearing apart Emmanuel Adebayor’s family has turned out to be a source of sadness for the Tottenham Hotspur player’s relations and kinsmen in Igbaye, Odo Otin Local Government Area of Osun State. The kinsmen in Adebayor’s hometown spoke to our correspondent on the burning issue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A visit to the sleepy town by our correspondent revealed that the youths and some elderly persons, who are football fans in the town, are not oblivious of the quarrel tearing the family apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The footballer’s late father, Shadrach Adebayo Adeyi, hailed from Eesa compound, one of the largest families in Igbaye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Residents of the town said they were up to date with the family’s misunderstanding on <em>Facebook</em>, expressing dismay at the manner in which it had gone public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The famous footballer had reportedly accused his mother of witchcraft and claimed his siblings had wanted his downfall on <em>Facebook</em> despite helping them. His brothers and sister had also fired back through various media, slamming him for selfishness and neglect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Relations said Emmanuel and his siblings were born and raised in Togo after their father left Ghana, when former Ghana President Jerry Rawlings drove illegal Nigerian immigrants out of the country. They said Shadrach chose to settle in Togo rather than return to Nigeria.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shadrach, according to them, married a young lady from Ekusa, a community not far from Igbaye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The couple raised their family in Togo and Emmanuel rose to stardom, but they said the recent daily postings on Facebook by the Tottenham player had become an issue of concern to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The head of the Eesa family, Pa Nathaniel Okunlola, told our correspondent that he and other members of the family wanted the siblings to reunite and move on with their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okunlola, who estimated his age to be around 103, said the player’s father died some years back and was buried in Togo. He said the family had cut their ties with their kinsmen in Igbaye but added that he would love to see them re-unite and return home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another elderly person in the family, Pa Ahmed Oyetayo, who is second in rank to the monarch of the town, said he was disturbed by the news of quarrels which had turned the family members to sworn enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He said, “We are not happy about the development and we are appealing to them to stop the show of shame. I am sure their father, Shadrach, will not be happy in his grave. It is disturbing when siblings engage in this kind of dirty fight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There is no family where there are no issues but such issues are not made public. I believe it is the handiwork of the devil. The devil will always want to cause division where there is unity and they just have to realise this and forgive one another. They can still come together and forget the past.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We do not know how their quarrel started and we won’t apportion blames but we are using this medium to reach out to them to stop this fight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Our family here in Igbaye wants them to come home and do something (to re-establish their father’s legacy). They can rebuild their father’s house. Their father, Shadrach, built a house here when he was living in Ghana. They can rebuild it or build their own. We are proud of them and even if they will not come, they should stop the fight. We are begging them in the name of God.”</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.punchng.com/?attachment_id=328582" rel="attachment wp-att-328582" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="The house built by Adebayor’s father in Igbaye, Osun State" class="size-full wp-image-328582" height="303" src="http://punch.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-house-built-by-Adebayor%E2%80%99s-father-in-Igbaye-Osun-State.jpg" style="border: none;" width="407" /></span></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="line-height: 16px; padding: 5px 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[/media-credit] The house built by Adebayor’s father in Igbaye, Osun State</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oyetayo, who retired as a Chief Nursing Officer at General Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, said Adebayor’s kinsmen did not have the player’s contact because their father, who used to visit Igbaye before his death, never brought home his children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While conducting our correspondent round the bungalow built by Shadrach, Oyetayo said the man built the house when he was in Ghana but his children buried him in Togo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of Adebayor’s cousins, John Odesola, who is now residing at Igbaye, said he was not happy with the development among his cousins and their mother. He attributed the rift to the devil, who he said would always want to cause disaffection in any peaceful relationship. But he added that the crisis was not beyond what they could settle amicably.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Odesola said, “The crisis among the siblings is disturbing. If I could, I would visit them to see how the crisis could be solved. I will like to advise them to stop the fight, and I want to beg them to put an end to the daily accusations which is just like washing their dirty linen in the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There is bound to be misunderstanding even between husband and wife but making it public is not a solution to such. My brothers should think twice and discontinue their quarrel.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some residents concurred with Adebayor’s relations, calling on the warring siblings to end their quarrels and live peacefully together again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of the residents, who said they had been following the ‘Internet war’, also blamed the devil for the crisis. But they said the mother should intensify her prayers to regain the trust of her son, who labelled her a witch.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.punchng.com/?attachment_id=328583" rel="attachment wp-att-328583" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Okunlola" class="size-full wp-image-328583" height="337" src="http://punch.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Okunlola.jpg" style="border: none;" width="400" /></span></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="line-height: 16px; padding: 5px 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okunlola</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, some of the residents differed on the personality of Adebayor’s mother. While some said the mother might have caused the crisis by supporting one of the children against another, those who claimed that the mother was the cause of the crisis failed to provide any proof to sustain their claim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, a resident, who identified himself as Kunle, said he believed the story as it was told by Adebayor. But he would want the family members to end the rift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kunle said he believed that the family problem contributed to the loss in form, which the player struggled to cope with in the just ended season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He said, “I think their mum knows something about the family crisis. They said she is a witch but it may be so or she may be doing something to make them believe that she is fetish. But Adebayor should beg her because the woman is his mother. No matter what has happened, he should beg her and I think his career will pick up again.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">-PUNCH NG</span></div>

Adebayor’s kinsmen in Nigeria sad over family crisis

Adebayor The family crisis tearing apart Emmanuel Adebayor’s family has turned out to be a source of sadness for the Tottenham Hotspur ...

6:30 pm

Super Eagles Goal Keeper Enyeama to Retire after AFCON 2017

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="vincent enyeama 2" src="http://www.bellanaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/vincent-enyeama-2-600x600.jpg" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Super Eagles goalkeeper, <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Vincent Enyeama</span>, says he will retire from the <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Super Eagles</span> after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He said he had been on the scene since 2002, adding that there was every reason for him to give way for others to take over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interview with the <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)</span> in Abuja on Monday, Enyeama, who is also the Super Eagles captain, explained that the desire to give younger goalkeepers the opportunity to develop themselves informed his decision to retire from the national team.</span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can’t keep doing the same thing forever; there is going to be a time I have to stop and give it up to some other persons. I am the only face here since 2002, but 2017 Nations Cup finals will be my last game. I just said my target, anything can happen after,” he added.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Eagles goal tender explained that the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Godswill Akpabio,</span> prevented him from retiring from the team after it failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enyeama told the NAN that his wife and pastor also prevailed on him to drop the plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He further stated <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“I actually wanted to stop, it wasn’t a rumour. Nigeria is blessed with great goalkeepers, just that we need to give them confidence. Nobody gave me a chance when I started, I was a rookie also; I belt it up, I worked hard for it and became the big person that nobody wants to lose. What changed my mind was the passion of Nigerians. I had a lot of calls, my governor, Akpabio.</em></span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A lot of people talked with me. These things, you don’t just ignore and my wife also talked with me. My wife didn’t want me to leave yet. I talked with my pastor and he said if everybody said stay, why not. So, I decided to continue, but then, there is going to be a time to call it quits.”</span></em></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>-NAN</b></i></span></span></div>

Super Eagles Goal Keeper Enyeama to Retire after AFCON 2017

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama , says he will retire from the Super Eagles after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2017. ...

6:00 pm

Former NFL player Adrian Robinson commits suicide at age 25

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">                 <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxvXDqHR1JKDze9qWogKYlf3HmwwEzJYU5O_Jotw-WF9hNbmc7-S1zl0mj7dn_PyV_lGPP0r4_wL8W5vEoTNU6Pyl336KJ-PthgRzvZuDGapceYr3h2AzoP_TJ21ur4rHGsYZ3u4pcQA/s1600/28D2E44800000578-3086337-image-a-10_1431955790769.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">25 year old former NFL Player Adrian Robinson, who played for the Denver Broncos in 2013 has committed suicide. The tall and handsome father of one died on Saturday May 16th after hanging himself in his home.‘It deeply saddens all of us to share with you that Adrian Robinson Jr. passed away last night at the age of 25. No one knows yet why he killed himself but family members said he hadn't acted like he was worried about anything before he took his own life..</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">             <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJaoNaXot1LioBEbo1n2ws_68Wc_cQVekca5dmGn_hSwoS8oXRoD3vJW7-JEt1KkyTA7EH9S6c-frJOB670FIgS3dg6Trku3oFIV4ZDLsB6HkKZfxwCmW3b8R_OtnyNVRzFFCdPEEef8/s1600/28D2E46800000578-3086337-image-a-11_1431955798053.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> His agents wrote on their Facebook page;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Adrian was a beloved father, son, brother, friend and teammate. We ask that you please respect his family’s privacy during this difficult time, and especially keep his daughter Avery Marie in your prayers. Thank you for all of your support and consideration.’</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">R<span id="ext-gen154">obinson's last message on Twitter was posted on Tuesday when he wrote; 'Summer and the laugh of my daughter make me believe in God.'</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May his soul rest in peace, Amen.</span></div>
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Former NFL player Adrian Robinson commits suicide at age 25

25 year old former NFL Player Adrian Robinson, who played for the Denver Broncos in 2013 has committed suicide. The tall ...

2:51 pm

Pires: Henry or Ancelotti to replace Wenger

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Pires tips Henry or Ancelotti to replace Wenger at Arsenal" src="http://static.goal.com/609500/609561_heroa.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EXCLUSIVE: The ex-forward does not expect the Frenchman to leave any time soon, but feels the legendary striker or Real Madrid boss could be perfect replacements</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Robert Pires has tipped </span>Thierry Henry<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> or </span>Carlo Ancelotti<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> to replace </span>Arsene Wenger<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> at </span>Arsenal<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> in the future.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The 41-year-old spent six years at the Gunners between 2000 and 2006, winning the Premier League twice and FA Cup three times, only to see the club go nine years without a trophy until the FA Cup last season.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Pires does not think Wenger needs to call time on his spell in north London yet, but feels either the legendary striker or Real Madrid manager would be perfect candidates to replace him.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">When asked by </span><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goal</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> if Wenger could leave Arsenal soon, Pires said: "Not this time. Beside that, Wenger still has a contract with Arsenal.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"Who is the perfect replacement? Thierry Henry? He understands football and Arsenal. I don't know, but I like Carlo Ancelotti. But that's my opinion, it doesn't mean that Arsenal need Ancelotti at this time."</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Wenger has long been criticised for failing to strengthen his squad, particularly in defence following the exit of Thomas Vermaelen in the summer.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">However, the club are expected to complete the signing of Villarreal centre-back Gabriel Paulista on Monday and Pires has backed his former manager's moves in the transfer window.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">He added: "I wouldn't say Arsenal have made any mistakes in transfer market. If you play for Arsenal, it means that you have some quality. Among them are really great players.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"To me, Arsenal's best signing is Santi Cazorla. Fans love Alexis Sanchez, and so do I; he's quick to adapt to the Premier League - but Cazorla is so important. For the last few months, he's been our best player."</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">When asked if fellow Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette, who has scored 21 goals in 22 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon this season, could join Arsenal, Pires added: "Why not? His characteristic style of play will suit Arsenal.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"Although he doesn't have big posture, he's quick, can dribble, and has great skill. He also scores many goals. Perhaps he will be an Arsenal best buy in the future."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">-GOAL</span></span>

Pires: Henry or Ancelotti to replace Wenger

EXCLUSIVE: The ex-forward does not expect the Frenchman to leave any time soon, but feels the legendary striker or Real Madrid boss could b...

4:00 pm

Uefa should put up or shut up - Blatter

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Fifa president says Europe's governing body needs to be courageous and announce a candidate or leave him to get on with the job of leading world football</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sepp Blatter has told Uefa and Michel Platini to “be courageous” and either present a candidate to replace him as Fifa president or leave him to get on with the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The 78-year-old is the runaway favourite to win May’s presidential election and remain in charge for four more years, despite dissenting voices from within the European governing body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, while Uefa president Platini has promised an update on the organisation’s stance on the matter at Monday’s Executive Committee meeting, Blatter believes that Europe should put up or shut up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All of those that want to get rid of me, they should come,” Blatter told <em>CNN</em>. “All this opposition is coming, and it is unfortunate to say it is coming from Nyon; it is coming from Uefa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They don’t have the courage to come in so [they should] let me go, and be respectful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Football is a team sport, so let’s go together as a team. I invite Uefa, especially the leaders of Uefa who are so bitterly attacking me… Join, join, because football is a community.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While Uefa has been outspoken in its opposition to Blatter, with several of its members having vociferously confronted the Swiss at a conference in Sao Paulo in June 2014, no alternative candidate has yet been presented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And with the deadline for submission of candidate papers approaching on Thursday, time is running out for the European body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regardless of whether there is any last-minute entrant into the race, Blatter insists he is more than ready to continue in the face of mass opposition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It is impossible to make everybody happy. If I had only positive press, that would not be good,” he continued. “I like criticism, but only as long as it is fair criticism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have not finished my mission because it’s a mission to be in football. We started in 2011 the reform process, and that process is not over.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So far, French former Fifa deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne, Jordanian FA chief Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and ex-France international David Ginola have announced their intentions to challenge Blatter but have until Thursday’s deadline to submit the approval of five national associations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Player agent Mino Raiola has also recently expressed an interest in running for the role.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">-GOAL</span></div>

Uefa should put up or shut up - Blatter

The Fifa president says Europe's governing body needs to be courageous and announce a candidate or leave him to get on with the job of...

12:00 pm

Photos: Football star, Asisat Oshoala signs on to Liverpool

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> b               <img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNkIMCZU5MwvXZ8Gw8KleGpicAQkrfBvhsaspRtY6nUI03A0uvJCeUHXlyxCMhKr6oayXSJMJhc4Bz-Xg_6LTOquqwQjg6llVl6GXuNHzf2Lshu7PltERPvXzsJug8ei0nWcwpTUli1k/s400/000.jpg" width="254" /><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK5nUEa-OrPgH5CwRlgT2bb4ANPOlfL6Q1p4rDZhz4OChYMngaohiGajP7pZCbHk5Q7WzncWfSVlx2RUWFCyJDVBNBHZtCCY_7cr9BqRrZy15HwanomKgCR1_HMMnjo0GZ5np_3PxB9g/s400/001.jpg" width="268" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">20 year old current African Female Footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala this afternoon Jan. 23rd signed on to Liverpool Ladies football club. Asisat is the first African to be signed on the club.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A delighted Asisat had this to say about the new deal...</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Since I began my football career I have always dreamt of being a professional footballer so to be able to join the reigning Women’s Super League champions is absolutely fantastic. Liverpool Ladies are a massive Club who have some fantastic players who I believe can help to develop my game to the next level." she said. Congrats to her!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">                <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXijbMHsfjJFvC5hViIHN5h-a6N91pC5Xt6nxDaepPt0GQ__qnbLa82MK_CZfQE6z_cgr5Yz5FiiObak7IQ5YovZ3KyTKMTQY1ztHqPwD62xgPsUC52gihMV_PfvNBWIqQUlmMyTZsFc/s1600/1.jpg" /></span>

Photos: Football star, Asisat Oshoala signs on to Liverpool

b 20 year old current African Female Footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala this afternoon Jan. 23rd signed on to Liverpool ...

3:14 pm

Better value for money - Suarez or James?

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Who will prove better value for money - Luis Suarez or James Rodriguez?" src="http://static.goal.com/697800/697822_heroa.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DEBATE: The biggest summer signings for Barcelona and Real Madrid feature prominently in Goal's Transfer List, but which of the two will prove the biggest bargain?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">By Ben Hayward & Paul Macdonald</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Barcelona boast Lionel Messi; Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo. The Catalan club signed Neymar last year; their rivals bought Gareth Bale. And this past summer, both brought in a South American star after the World Cup.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Madrid splashed </span><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">€80m</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> on Colombia's top talent at the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez, who arrived from Monaco, while Barca bought Uruguay striker Luis Suarez for </span><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">€81m</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> from Liverpool. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">James had announced his arrival on the world stage with some superb displays for Colombia at the World Cup. But Suarez, although decisive for Uruguay against England, saw his campaign shrouded in controversy after he bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in the final group game for the </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Celeste</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Both men feature prominenty in </span><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goal</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">'s Transfer List following their expensive summer moves. But which of the two players represents better value? Two writers go head-to-head on the debate here... </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /></span><br />
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<tr style="background-color: black;"><td style="text-align: center;" valign="middle"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"JAMES' MAXIMUM VALUE IS STILL TO COME"</span></strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" height="430" src="http://static.goal.com/697800/697822_heroa.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; vertical-align: middle;" width="620" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">By Paul Macdonald</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In June of this year, James Rodriguez and Luis Suarez’s careers, and associated reputations, diverged in opposite directions. James was to emerge from the festivities in Brazil as a legitimate World Cup star, the scorer of improbable goals and the pre-eminent transfer target for Europe’s elite. Meanwhile, Suarez’s disgrace was well documented. One ended up in Madrid, the other in Barcelona. It’s clear which deal retains value long-term.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From a superficial perspective Suarez is damaged property, an enigma who needs constant surveillance, a player always lurking in the region of controversy. He is also 27, maximum value in the market reached. James, however, is the golden boy in every way; skilful, attractive, marketable, exemplary. Florentino Perez’s dreamboat. He is 23. His maximum value is yet to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beyond that, James arrives at Madrid at the perfect time. He is not a record breaker in terms of fee, meaning he avoids the pressure that has been exerted on Gareth Bale. Furthermore, La Decima is no longer dragging from the necks of the team in every Champions League knockout clash. It has been delivered – glare lessened further. He is also not a direct competitor for Cristiano Ronaldo’s on-field supremacy; rather he is a provider, a creator, and he has already built a strong relationship with the Portuguese during their 19-game winning streak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And while question marks remain over Bale (in some quarters), despite his strikes in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals of last season, James has the full support of the Madrid-focused press, who have the ability to make – and indeed break – players. This positive environment is allowing him all the bedding in time he needs to develop and mature into the type of game-dictating playmaker his talent is capable of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Concurrently, Suarez has yet to score a league goal for his new club and has been utterly outshone by the undisputed lord of Camp Nou, Lionel Messi. That is a fact unlikely to change any time soon. From fulcrum to mere enabler; Messi already has plenty of those and they didn’t cost <strong>€81m</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">June 2014, the moment when Suarez’s decline began, and James’ ascent to Galactico status commenced its inexorable rise – the cheapest <strong>€80m</strong> you can spend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong>Follow Paul Macdonald on </strong><em><a href="https://twitter.com/PaulMacdGoal" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="19" src="http://u.goal.com/93900/93900.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="93" /></a></em></span></div>
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<tr style="background-color: black;"><td style="text-align: center;" valign="middle"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"SUAREZ WILL GET BETTER AND BETTER"</span></strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="" height="430" src="http://static.goal.com/708800/708822_heroa.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; vertical-align: middle;" width="620" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">By Ben Hayward</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a four-month ban from football for biting Chiiellini, constant questions over his temperament and ability to control himself on the pitch, reports that he was overweight as he returned in a friendly and doubts over his suitability alongside Neymar and Messi, it has been a difficult start for Suarez at Barcelona.<br /><br />Thrust into the limelight as he made his full debut for the Catalan club away to Real Madrid, Suarez set up Neymar's early goal but faded as the match wore on and again found himself in the line of fire.<br /><br />In truth, however, he probably should not have started that match after such a long period on the sidelines and Luis Enrique's decision to pick the striker did the former Liverpool forward few favours.<br /><br />Since then, Suarez has scored his first goals for the Blaugrana and also showed an unselfish side to his game <strong>as he assisted six more in his nine matches</strong>. At Barca, he won't ever be the main man like he was at Liverpool, but the Uruguayan is already adapting nicely and gives the Catalans an extra attacking dimension they lacked last season without an out-and-out striker in their squad.<br /><br />If anything, the biting incident may have halped both Barca and Suarez. It meant the player's price in the transfer market probably dropped and Barca were able to move in as other clubs thought twice about a move. In addition, the player is now receiving psychological treatment to ensure there is no repeat of that aggression on the pitch.<br /><br />One of the criticisms of Barca over the past couple of seasons is that the Catalans have lacked a bad guy in their team and Suarez brings that competitive edge to a forward line that, if it gels, could go down in history as one of the best-ever attacking tridents.<br /><br />So at the age of 27 and with his best years still ahead of him, Suarez represents real value for money for Barcelona. What is it that Florentino Perez always says? That the most expensive players sometimes turn out to be the cheapest ones. With goals, assists, correctly channelled aggression, and hard work, Suarez could turn out to be a bargain for the Catalan club.</span></div>
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Better value for money - Suarez or James?

DEBATE: The biggest summer signings for Barcelona and Real Madrid feature prominently in Goal's Transfer List, but which of the two wi...

11:11 am

Bayern 2-0 Freiburg: Robben bags 100th goal in stroll

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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Dutchman sent Pep Guardiola's men ahead in the midweek clash before Thomas Muller doubled the lead shortly after the break at the Allianz Arena.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/people/netherlands/30771/arjen-robben" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Arjen Robben</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> scored his 100th goal as a </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/teams/germany/148/fc-bayern-m%C3%BCnchen?ICID=PP_2137" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bayern Munich</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> player as they strolled to a 2-0 win over </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/teams/germany/freiburg/970?ICID=MP_TS_HDA_1" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Freiburg</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">on Tuesday to go 12 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Fresh from scoring twice in a 4-0 win at Augsburg on Saturday, the Netherlands international was on target again in a typically dominant performance in Bayern's last match at the Allianz Arena before the mid-season break.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Head coach Pep Guardiola labelled Robben's recent performances as "unbelievable" after the Augsburg win.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And he reached a century of Bayern goals with a close-range header in the 41st minute from a Franck Ribery knockdown, the Frenchman having himself reached 100 goals against Bayer Leverkusen this month</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The leaders, who are unbeaten in the league this term, extended their lead three minutes after the break through Thomas Muller's seventh top-flight goal of the season, while Juan Bernat also rattled the post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bayern have now won 17 of their last 20 Bundesliga matches and, with second-placed Wolfsburg not playing until Wednesday, their lead at the top of the table extends to 12 points.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hosts were uncharacteristically wasteful in the final third in the opening 20 minutes, but Bayern soon found their stride and Muller headed over when stretching to meet Ribery's cross from the left byline. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Muller was at the heart of Bayern's next chance in 22nd minute, the German turning Marc-Oliver Kempf sharply in the area before stabbing narrowly wide when off balance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Robben then tried his luck with a half-volley from distance, before Roman Burki made a fine one-handed stop to deny Mario Gotze's eight-yard side-footed volley that would have found the bottom right-hand corner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bayern were dealt a blow when Mehdi Benatia limped off to be replaced by Jerome Boateng, but the home fans were celebrating Robben's landmark four minutes before the break.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Xabi Alonso's brilliant clipped pass was nodded back across goal by Ribery and <strong>Robben</strong> stooped low to head home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Burki did well to keep the score at just one before half-time when he tipped Muller's close-range shot onto the post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Robert Lewandowski took a knock to his right leg in the first half and was replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger at the break.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The change did not affect Bayern's flow, though, and Muller made it 2-0 in the 48th minute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Robben was again involved with a superb cross-field pass that picked out Bernat whose flicked shot looped onto the crossbar and <strong>Muller</strong> was on hand to head home the rebound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Muller almost had a second when put his header from Ribery's cross narrowly past the post, before Burki made a smart stop from Dante's header.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Freiburg had Burki to thank again 20 minutes from time when the goalkeeper made a fine fingertip save from Bernat's strong effort, before the Spaniard was then denied by the frame of the post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Admir Mehmedi then threatened with a rare shot for the visitors, but his effort from 20 yards hit the side-netting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Robben and Bernat were both brilliant denied by Burki again as Guardiola's men eyed more goals in the closing stages, but it stayed 2-0 as Bayern made it 12 home Bundesliga wins in a row against Freiburg.</span></div>

Bayern 2-0 Freiburg: Robben bags 100th goal in stroll

The Dutchman sent Pep Guardiola's men ahead in the midweek clash before Thomas Muller doubled the lead shortly after the break at the...

10:19 am

Fabregas: Chelsea can win the quadruple

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Fabregas: Chelsea can win the quadruple " src="http://static.goal.com/731800/731892_heroa.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Spain international impressed in the Blues' comfortable 3-1 win over Derby in the League Cup quarter-finals and believes that near-unprecedented glory is on the cards.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chelsea<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> midfielder </span>Cesc Fabregas<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> believes that they can do the quadruple this season.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goals from Eden Hazard, Filipe Luis and Andre Schurrle gave the Blues a comfortable 3-1 win over Derby County, sending them into the League Cup semi-finals.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The Blues are also top of the Premier League and have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain, while they will meet Watford in the FA Cup third round, and the Spaniard feels that the team are capable of seriously attempting a clean sweep of trophies in 2014-15. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"I'm enjoying playing in this team; we have a very strong squad and we want to go for everything," he told</span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Sky Sports</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> after their victory over Derby. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"We can get better, 100 per cent, and we know that. Everyone is really focused and professional but the next two or three weeks are very important.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"Time will tell [how good this season can be]. We definitely have the talent, the discipline and the courage to [win all four trophies], I'm sure of that from what I've seen so far in my short time here.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">"I can see the team doing well but we will have to work hard and, at the end of the season, we will talk about it."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">-GOAL</span></span>

Fabregas: Chelsea can win the quadruple

The Spain international impressed in the Blues' comfortable 3-1 win over Derby in the League Cup quarter-finals and believes that near-...

9:58 am

Why United should forget about Bale

<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Forget Manchester United…Bale’s heart remains in Madrid" src="http://static.goal.com/410600/410663_heroa.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The €105m world record signing is looking for his third trophy of 2014 with Real Madrid having made decisive contributions in Copa del Rey and Champions League triumphs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">SPECIAL REPORT</strong><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">By Greg Stobart</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">You would expect a world-record signing to make a decisive impact on the big stage and </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/people/wales/13913/gareth-bale" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;">Gareth Bale</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> has done just that since his sensational €105 million move to </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/teams/spain/real-madrid/2016" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; text-decoration: none;">Real Madrid</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">It has been a dream 2014 for the Welshman and he is looking to finish it off by winning the Club World Cup in Morocco this week, where Real Madrid’s matches in the competition will be streamed live on </span><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goal</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bale already has two medals in his trophy cabinet in the Spanish capital and is now looking to add his third in the calendar year after winning the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey during his first season at the club.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">But despite registering 22 goals and 19 assists in 44 appearances in his debut campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Welshman continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Those who know Bale, however, have laughed off talk that he will be a €113m target for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford as early as next summer.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">And though the former Tottenham man is still the subject of speculation linking him with a return to England, it is the furthest thing from his thoughts at the moment.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Instead, Bale wants to become a legend at the Bernabeu, pack his CV with titles and compete for the Ballon d’Or before he even considers a return to the Premier League.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">There were question marks over whether Bale, once considered a ‘home boy’ who regularly returned to Cardiff from the bright lights and bustling streets of London, would adapt to life in Spain. It is a road less travelled for British footballers.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">But Bale has settled comfortably into his new life in Madrid with long-term girlfriend Emma Rhys Jones and daughter Alba Violet, who stayed in Cardiff when the 25-year-old was at Spurs but now live with him in a mansion in La Finca in the Pozuelo de Alarcon suburbs of western Madrid.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><img alt="" src="http://playingsurface1.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/member/8e2f14b6-2357-4827-b69a-b3b9ea0ed712/goal-plystats-86327e5a-9da9-4185-948a-86dcf1828ea2.png" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; vertical-align: middle;" width="100%" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bale’s agent Joshua Barnett also moved out to the Spanish capital to help him settle in, while his childhood friends from Wales are regular visitors.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The 25-year-old is immersing himself in the culture of his new city of residence. In a recent interview, Bale spoke of his love of Spanish ham and he regularly eats at the </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Mesón Txistu</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> restaurant, a popular hangout for the Real Madrid squad.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Former Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric, his best friend at the club, still has to act as a </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">de facto</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">translator at times, but Bale’s Spanish is improving day by day, helped by three lessons a week.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">How he really likes to communicate, though, is with his feet.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">In the Copa Del Rey final last season, the 25-year-old scored a stunning late goal to win the trophy for Real Madrid against bitter rivals Barcelona.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Then, in May, he scored Real Madrid’s vital second goal to put them ahead in extra time on their way to that triumph over Atletico Madrid to finally win </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">La Decima</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">, that elusive 10th European crown.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Now, as kings of Europe, Real Madrid and Bale face Mexican side Cruz Azul in Marrakech on Tuesday in the Club World Cup semi-final on the back of 20 victories in a row in all competitions.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bale may not be the main man as he was at Tottenham, but he is more than a mere supporting act to Cristiano Ronaldo in this Real Madrid side.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Once the man who waited 25 matches for a Premier League victory and who was almost sent to Birmingham City on loan, Bale is a bona fide superstar and the most expensive player in football history.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">He can get better. Bale needs to work on his weaker right foot and must impose himself on games more in the same manner he did when he became a regular match-winner for Tottenham.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">But he has shown already on the biggest stage this year that he is capable of doing that for Real Madrid, too.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Now a third trophy of 2014 is in his sights as he looks to round off the year in style.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">-<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4082/editorial/2014/12/16/7136192/forget-manchester-unitedbales-heart-remains-in-madrid?ICID=HP_HN_HP_RI_1_3">GOAL</a></span></i></span></span>

Why United should forget about Bale

The €105m world record signing is looking for his third trophy of 2014 with Real Madrid having made decisive contributions in Copa del Rey ...

5:35 pm

'Yaya Toure deserves 2014 APOTY award' - Lawal

<img alt="Yaya Toure deserves 2014 African Player of the Year award, says Lawal" src="http://static.goal.com/417600/417667_heroa.jpg" /><br />
<div class="leading" style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-top: 0.6em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The former Super Eagles midfielder has tipped the Ivorian to be crowned Africa’s best player at the 2014 Glo/Caf awards in January</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">EXCLUSIVE</strong><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">By Shina Oludare</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Former Nigeria  international, Garba Lawal has said Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City player, Yaya Toure is worthy to be named 2014 African player of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure was decorated African Player of the Year for the third time at the last edition held in Lagos and is a strong contender for a fourth crown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">According to Lawal, it will be a miracle to see the duo of Ahmed Musa and Vincent Enyeama beat the in-form Elephants’ captain to the honour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Though, I won’t be among the voters, I really think the winners should be Yaya Toure.  I’ve been watching him week in week out and his performance tells it all. That is my opinion,” Lawal told <strong>Goal.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"He [Toure] has been impressive form for Manchester City, but as a Nigerian, I would like to see Enyeama win it but that would be very difficult.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"For Ahmed Musa, we don’t get to see him play in the Russian league which might be a minus for him but for Vincent, we see him play but his team [Lille] has been struggling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"On the other hand, we see Yaya every time on television for his club both in the English Premier League and the Uefa Champions League. That is a big plus for him because his performance(s) can easily be accessed and rated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Musa and Enyeama have done well in the outgoing year but odds are against any of them to win in. That is the truth about the whole thing,” he concluded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kanu Nwankwo is the last Nigerian to be named Africa’s best after seeing off challenge from Ghana’s Samuel Kuffour and Cote d’Ivoire’s Ibrahima Bakayoko to emerge victorious in 1999.</span></div>
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-<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4065/africa/2014/12/16/7127082/yaya-toure-deserves-2014-african-player-of-the-year-award?ICID=HP_BN_1">GOAL</a></div>

'Yaya Toure deserves 2014 APOTY award' - Lawal

The former Super Eagles midfielder has tipped the Ivorian to be crowned Africa’s best player at the 2014 Glo/Caf awards in January EXCLUS...

5:33 pm

Daley Blind: I can't say no to United or Barca

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2m8iqj3lPQb0YXzZl9S80XmVSwFxR5EjQIrpEH6JwEMDiqQdrLfdV6uzEsn7ZU3kU33ytc_RHrOsqCRCpIapbCcpzkHuUHP6B7UUNBwO1Mns6zxO95B8fisbDhmNt5y0tOL4lcuaWM5r/s1600/442805_heroa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2m8iqj3lPQb0YXzZl9S80XmVSwFxR5EjQIrpEH6JwEMDiqQdrLfdV6uzEsn7ZU3kU33ytc_RHrOsqCRCpIapbCcpzkHuUHP6B7UUNBwO1Mns6zxO95B8fisbDhmNt5y0tOL4lcuaWM5r/s1600/442805_heroa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="leading" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-top: 0.6em;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Ajax midfielder reveals there has been no serious interest from the European giants but admits he would find it difficult to reject any potential advances</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ajax<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;"> star Daley Blind has confessed that he would find it very hard to reject Manchester United or Barcelona were they to table an offer for his services.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">The 24-year-old, </span>who finished 36th in the 2014 Goal 50<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">, has been continually associated with the English and Spanish giants this summer after a magnificent season in which he won the Eredivisie title and helped lead Netherlands to third place at the World Cup.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Of course, it's flattering when you're linked with clubs like Manchester United and Barcelona," Blind told </span><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Goal</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"It would be very hard to turn down these kind of clubs. But there's no serious interest as of yet. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"You can never make promises in football. When you make a promise, you have to stick to it. There are plenty of players who promise to stay and then leave after all. I am keeping my options open. I am very happy in Amsterdam and at Ajax, but you never know what could happen."</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><img alt="" height="430" src="http://u.goal.com/442900/442932_heroa.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20.736000061035156px; vertical-align: middle;" width="100%" /><strong style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;"></strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">    </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">         </em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Blind being presented with his Goal 50 memento by Goal's Yanick Vos & Floris Koekenbier</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Blind has been most heavily linked with Man Utd due to the presence of Louis van Gaal, who was instrumental in his emergence with Holland.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">But the ex-Groningen man is in no rush to leave Amsterdam and feels that La Liga may suit him more than the physical Premier League.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">“I am still developing as a player. I am only 24-years-old, so I hope that there's still room for improvement," Blind explained.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">“La Liga would suit my style of play. Perhaps England as well, but that's a very physical competition and that's not my biggest strength. I have made steps forward physically, but fighting out personal duels is not my thing. I am not like Jan Vertonghen, who is very powerful.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"The most important thing for me at a new club is that they play proper football. I would be more open to a club that plays proper football than to a club that only hits long balls.”</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Blind has gained a reputation as one of the game's most versatile players, having occupied numerous positions in defence and midfield for both club and country in recent times.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">“Each player finds himself in a different position. Some players have been regulars since their 18th birthday. I only became a regular at a later age," he noted.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"I wanted to develop here at Ajax first and then wanted to win the Eredivisie title. I have done that four times now. I have not felt for a second that I'm done learning here or that I've had enough of Ajax. I still don't have that feeling."</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><img alt="" height="430" src="http://u.goal.com/436400/436476_heroa.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 20.736000061035156px; vertical-align: middle;" width="100%" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Many youngsters in the Eredivisie depart the league prior to their 21st birthday, but Blind feels that sometimes it is wiser to remain a little longer in order to mature.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"I think it's a personal decision each player has to take," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Of course, it could be very tempting if I were to get an offer from a foreign club. But you can learn a lot in the Eredivisie as a player. Ajax often hold their own in the big games in Europe. I would advise youngsters to stick around a bit longer at a club like Ajax.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"A number of players have left Feyenoord for a move abroad, but that opens the door for new youngsters. It's always been like this and will always stay like this."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">-GOAL</span></span>

Daley Blind: I can't say no to United or Barca

The Ajax midfielder reveals there has been no serious interest from the European giants but admits he would find it difficult to reject a...

4:08 pm

Can anyone compete with the Mourinho-Abramovich axis?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJyFmpuKFVGRvY1WP5Gg5XPpim58M3I2A4eB3eQS5ukSPvyAweplCK0zSOGV4zWgFPJp71MkUxgloDQxa4OJ1B1j13TFdKEwN1yo2yMhBDNJHt50v8U8SVtsR834uD77_jBHVql2dgrQz/s1600/439045_heroa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJyFmpuKFVGRvY1WP5Gg5XPpim58M3I2A4eB3eQS5ukSPvyAweplCK0zSOGV4zWgFPJp71MkUxgloDQxa4OJ1B1j13TFdKEwN1yo2yMhBDNJHt50v8U8SVtsR834uD77_jBHVql2dgrQz/s1600/439045_heroa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Chelsea owner has shown significant faith in the Portuguese's philosophy, spending in the region of €100 million on Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">With less than two weeks to go until the start of the new </span>Premier League<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;"> season, the top-flight’s title hopefuls have all been busy in the transfer market.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Manchester United have spent close to €75 million on two players as they begin life under Louis van Gaal, Arsenal have caught the eye with the signings of Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and David Ospina, champions Manchester City have supplemented their squad well, while Liverpool have lost Luis Suarez but made a number of signings to equip themselves for the Champions League.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">But it is Chelsea, Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich who have arguably made the biggest statement of intent in the transfer window this summer.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Mourinho repeatedly dismissed suggestions his side were title contenders last season; his “little horse” needed to “learn how to jump” and was not yet ready to challenge for the Premier League crown, he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Mourinho was proven right – Chelsea finished third, behind Liverpool and champions City – and 'the Special One' has wasted little time in rebuilding what now has the potential to be a very special squad.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">The Blues did most of the leg work in securing a €43 million deal to sign Diego Costa, the striker central to Atletico Madrid’s unprecedented La Liga title victory and run to the Champions League final, long before last season had drawn to a close.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Costa was soon followed to Stamford Bridge by Atleti team-mate Filipe Luis, the uncompromising €20m left-back signed to replace the outgoing Ashley Cole, whose contract was allowed to expire at the end of the season.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">And in landing Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona in a €38m transfer, Chelsea have signed a player Mourinho has described as “the missing piece” to his squad, a midfielder supremely talented and capable of facilitating swift-moving counter-attacks with his vision and passing ability.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Didier Drogba, too, has returned to Chelsea, whose spending has now topped €100m. A summer of heavy investment has once again been bankrolled by the club’s billionaire owner Abramovich.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">It was Mourinho whom Abramovich charged with fronting the blue revolution at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri, a year after he had taken control of the club in 2003.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Mourinho brought with him instant success. With a side expensively constructed which featured Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira - who followed the former Porto coach to Stamford Bridge - Drogba and Arjen Robben, Chelsea won back-to-back Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups between 2005 and 2007.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">But the relationship between the pair deteriorated and, after a below-par start to the 2007-08 season, Mourinho was gone. The Portuguese’s reluctance to select Andrei Shevchenko, a €38m Abramovich signing, was thought to have played a part, along with a disagreement over the club’s industrious if not entertaining playing style.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">After seasons of managerial chopping and changing, however, Mourinho returned in 2013. Much has apparently changed between the pair.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Mourinho has been given the green light to deconstruct an expensively assembled squad. It was considered a baffling move by some, but Juan Mata was sold to Manchester United in January after failing to slot into the new Chelsea system, despite winning the club’s player of the year award the season before.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Cult figure David Luiz has also departed for Paris Saint-Germain having played a bit-part role in Mourinho’s first season back at Stamford Bridge. The less extravagant likes of Andre Schurrle, Willian, Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, have been brought in, while Eden Hazard and Oscar have had to adapt their games. There has been no suggestion of internal disagreements regarding any decision to adopt a certain playing style.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">While United have signed Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, the higher-ups at Old Trafford have thus far been unable to deliver Louis van Gaal any of his own primary targets. Elsewhere, Manchester City’s spending has been curtailed by Financial Fair Play restrictions and there is a feeling that, despite the statement signing of Alexis, Arsenal may still be lacking a midfield general</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Chelsea, meanwhile, have moved quickly and impressively. "We finished the market today," said Mourinho recently. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"The transfer market closes 31 August and we close on July 19.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"My club did a fantastic job, not just because of what we bought, but because we did it in almost record time."</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Mourinho is happy with the business Chelsea have done, and the faith shown in his philosophy by Abramovich could now deliver the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2010.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">This reassembled squad has been built very much in Mourinho’s image and enabled by Abramovich. If Chelsea fail to win the title this season, the Portuguese can have few excuses.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">But the Blues are going to take some stopping.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">-GOAL</span></span>

Can anyone compete with the Mourinho-Abramovich axis?

The Chelsea owner has shown significant faith in the Portuguese's philosophy, spending in the region of €100 million on Diego Costa, F...

8:45 pm

Higuain: Messi didn't make me want to ditch Napoli

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrLkIn6ivTQg_Zw1SSasXPTk1ow3nv6RxsRD8e_2coOVLZCSM7BfBqoWc77aqMzwStUb7g-rT3aFwzM5XLPyMdhW8MR3lHzd93Fk7BvshGSMFVIK0Kr88ARJuBXWBmsjKg9-9JCatYvHq/s1600/424021_heroa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrLkIn6ivTQg_Zw1SSasXPTk1ow3nv6RxsRD8e_2coOVLZCSM7BfBqoWc77aqMzwStUb7g-rT3aFwzM5XLPyMdhW8MR3lHzd93Fk7BvshGSMFVIK0Kr88ARJuBXWBmsjKg9-9JCatYvHq/s1600/424021_heroa.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Argentine forward played down suggestions he wanted to join Barcelona this summer, but talked up the possibility of Rafa Benitez's men toppling Juventus</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gonzalo Higuain<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;"> has claimed </span>Lionel Messi<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;"> failed to convince him to join </span>Barcelona<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;"> this summer but joked his Argentina team-mate should move to </span>Napoli<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">During the World Cup group stages, before Luis Suarez's move from Liverpool became a reality, </span>there were strong rumours that the ex-Real Madrid attacker would be swapping the San Paolo for a return to La Liga this summer with the Catalunya club<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" />Messi conceded it would be brilliant to play alongside his Argentina team-mate on a weekly basis at Camp Nou in June<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">, but Higuain insists that he was never swayed by the four-time Ballon d'Or winner to ditch Napoli after a single season.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Did I want to go to Barcelona? I always told the truth and that is that I wanted to think only of the World Cup and then I would return to Napoli," the striker told </span><em style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">La Gazzetta dello Sport</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"So I kept quiet and I had nothing to fear, because there was nothing to comment about.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Messi said certain things and I can only be flattered by them. I believe that every player would love to play alongside a great champion like him, but that does not mean that I ever wanted to leave.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"But if Messi came to Napoli, that would be great."</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">Higuain mused that Antonio Conte's departure from Scudetto holders Juventus will level the playing field for the rest of Serie A's top clubs and predicts a better showing from him and Rafa Benitez's men than 2013-14's third-place finish.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Although there is no Conte, Massimiliano Allegri is a good coach so Juventus will still be the opponent to beat," the 26-year-old added.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Roma have reinforced and Rudi Garcia has a strong team, yet this year they are involved in the Champions League which will take away some of their energy, whereas last year they had no Europe to deal with.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"So it will definitely be a more balanced league. I do not think that there's a team capable of getting 102 points this season like Juve did last season.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"The advantage we have over the last year is that our project in motion, we know Serie A now and we have learned that we must not drop points against the smaller teams.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">"Our failures should not happen again, we will always have the same attitude in every title race."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.736000061035156px;">-GOAL</span></span>

Higuain: Messi didn't make me want to ditch Napoli

The Argentine forward played down suggestions he wanted to join Barcelona this summer, but talked up the possibility of Rafa Benitez'...

3:00 pm