Fernando Torres is excited to be part of Atletico Madrid. The striker says Atletico are a genuine threat to the domination of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Thank God theres a third team in the form of Atlético, which has been able to beat them and which can stand up to them in every competition these days. Were a difficult team to beat, said Torres. He added: I was made up the day that I was presented as an Atlético player. Until youre wearing that strip again, you dont realise how much you missed it. Thibaut Courtois believes Chelseas can be satisfied with the result of their League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool. Jose Mourinhos side were denied victory over the Reds when Raheem Sterling cancelled out Eden Hazards penalty to earn a 1-1 draw. Courtois was called upon to make a number of saves in the second half at Anfield, with a fingertip stop to deny Adam Lallana particularly impressive. The two sides meet again on Tuesday in the second leg and the Belgian goalkeeper believes home advantage will help Chelsea progress. We like to play these games, he told the clubs official website. It was difficult to get a better result but the draw is not bad. With the chances they had in the second half and they hit the post, we have to be happy with the result. Now we have to finish it at home, where we are strong, in front of our own fans. The game will be like a final. We can win there and go to Wembley. Chelsea have not reached the League Cup final since 2007-08, when they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham. Arsenal are hopeful of completing the signing of Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista in the coming days, Goal understands. The Gunners are in advanced talks over the transfer of the Brazilian centre-back, who has a buy-out clause of €20 million, and the players agent is in London to try to finalise the deal. Signing Gabriel is complicated by the work permit criteria applied to the transfer of players outside the EU - only those who have started 75 per cent of their national sides matches over the previous two years automatically qualify and the 24-year-old has yet to receive a senior cap for Brazil. There is, however, an appeals process run by the Football Association on behalf of the Home Office that allows for the rules to be relaxed if it can be demonstrated that the player is of the highest calibre and is able to contribute significantly to the development of the game at the top level in England. Arsenal are optimistic about the prospect of meeting these appeal requirements in the case of Gabriel, who has impressed this season in a Villarreal defence that ranks as the joint-third best in La Liga, conceding just 17 goals in 19 games. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has repeatedly asserted his desire to sign a central defender in January, having embarked on this season with just six senior defenders to cover four positions. Earlier this week Gabriel confirmed his agent was in talks with Arsenal, saying: Whether I go to Arsenal or stay at Villarreal, I wont lose my head. Im very calm. My head is at Villarreal and Im very focused. My agent is working on making sure I continue being calm. And on Tuesday, Villarreal boss Marcelino admitted his club would be open to doing a deal: I hadnt considered selling Gabriel, its bad news from a sporting point of view. If both Gabriel and the club believe that his sale to Arsenal is the best for all parties, we will accept. Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has insisted that he would not consider taking charge of arch-rivals Real Madrid, even if a mega-money deal were offered. The Argentine is regarded as one of the best coaches in the game after guiding Atletico to their first La Liga title since 1996 last term and he has been linked with a move elsewhere on more than one occasion. Striker Fernando Torres admitted the former midfielder is always likely to be inundated with offers, but the 44-year-old himself has assured fans of Atletico - and Argentina - that he could never bring himself to coach a rival side. Would I coach Real Madrid or Brazil if I was offered the best contract imaginable and unlimited funds? I think Id have to pass on that and say goodbye to the money, Simeone told the official Fifa website. The Atletico boss did admit that he is keen to coach Argentinas national team at some point in the future, however. I was not offered the Argentina job after the World Cup, but I know itll happen one day, he continued. Ive always said in the national team you have room for what I call the son, father and grandfather types. In coaching terms, I think its a place for a grandfather – someone more serene and composed who can see things in a different way. I still feel I need to be on the pitch, doing training and being with players day-in, day-out. The national team cannot give you that. Is it something Id like to do one day? Absolutely! I spent 12 or 14 years with the team – it was a privileged time and very much part of my life. Hopefully it will come to pass at the perfect time for both parties. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed his split with long-time girlfriend Irina Shayk. Ronaldo released a media statement this morning: After dating for five years, my relationship with Irina Shayk has come to an end, the Portugal and Real Madrid footballer said in a written statement. We believed it would be best for both of us to take this step now. Ronaldo said he was making the statement to end speculation about the relationship and his private life. I wish Irina the greatest happiness, he said. Interestingly, Irina has stopped following Ronaldo on Twitter. Arsenal could work a swap deal to land Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista. The Telegraph says Arsenal have opened talks with Villarreal about a possible move for Paulista. The 24-year-old has been integral in the La Liga sides current unbeaten run which stretches back to early November. Arsenals money men are understood to be preparing a £6m bid for the centre-back who has a release clause of £15.25m. Villarreal are interested in taking Joel Campbell on loan which could work in the Gunners favour when it comes to negotiating a deal. Chelsea have informed Fiorentina of their interest in Juan Cuadrado. The Colombia international winger has been linked with Chelsea as a replacement for the unsettled Andre Schurrle. Sky Italia says Blues reps made contact with Fiorentina yesterday to seek their valuation of Cuadrado. Fiorentina have referred Chelsea to Cuadrados buyout clause of €35 million - though its understood theyre prepared to soften their stance. Chelsea, should they cash in on Schurrle this month, will move for Cuadrado, hoping to do business for around €30 million plus more in related bonuses. Michael Essien is leaving AC Milan this summer and his agent Fabrizio Ferrari is already looking for a new club for the former Chelsea midfielder. “I don’t think he will extend his contract,” Ferrari was quoted by CaughtOffside. “He’s happy at Milan, and it’s possible he could stay, but I doubt that will happen. It’s difficult to predict what will happen in June.” Arsenal have emerged as surprise candidates to sign Essien, with the 32-year-old possibly being the defensive midfielder that Arsene Wenger so greatly needs. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo admits winding down his career back in the Premier League is not on the agenda. Instead, Ronaldo wants to play in Brazil in his latter years. Former Manchester United star Ronaldo said: Corinthians and Flamengo are two famous club, I would gladly dress in one of their shirts. In Brazil I have many friends, so my relationship with the country is very good. At Real I have passed many Brazilians, with Kaka one of the people I respect most of all. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has joked that he would try to sign Steven Gerrard on loan when the midfielder leaves Liverpool. Gerrard, 34, has agreed to sign for MLS club LA Galaxy at the end of the season. Mourinho said he was sorry that the former England captain is leaving the Premier League. When asked if he would try to persuade Gerrard to stay, Mourinho told BBC 5 live: Or to get him on loan. Mourinho, who came close to signing Gerrard in 2005, applauded the midfielder as he was substituted during Liverpools 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-final. Mourinho said: Im not happy he leaves. I would love the Premier League to keep always the best players. I think he has more than enough quality to play in the Premier League. In spite [of the fact] hes my opponent, I feel sorry that hes leaving. Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard agreed a move to the MLS with New York City after being released by the Blues at the end of last season. But the 36-year-old will complete this campaign with Chelseas title rivals Manchester City after his initial short-term deal was extended. AC Milan signing Suso has taken a swipe at Brendan Rodgers. The Spaniard reserved some criticism for the manager, while acknowledging he is a better player for the Liverpool experience. My contract was set to expire in June and Liverpools offers did not satisfy me, neither economically nor in a sporting sense, he told Marca. I arrived very much as a boy and I have learned a lot. I have grown, but I have not noticed a lot of trust in me. I wanted a change of scenery. And Milan offers me everything that I needed. Its a great [club], with an incredible history, but now it is not at its best. My objective? To play as much as possible and to return Milan to the Champions League. Its where the club should be. Afcon 2015: Ebola risk under control despite clashes The Ebola risk at the Africa Cup of Nations is under control, says Equatorial Guinea Football Federation president Andres Jorge Mbombio. Police and fans clashed during Zambias 1-1 draw with DR Congo after Ebola screening delayed entry to the ground in Ebebiyin. There were also clashes during Ivory Coasts draw with Guinea and Malis tie against Cameroon on Tuesday in Malabo. Despite the wait to enter stadiums, Mbombio claims the threat is contained. When we decided to host the tournament, we increased the preventive measures, so that now we can say everything is under control, he said. We feel proud and reassured, and only want to think of football. Former Manchester United No2 Rene Meulensteen says they cannot afford to lose goalkeeper David de Gea. Meulensteen believes the Manchester outfit need to act fast to reassure the former Atletico Madrid man. He told talkSPORT: “A lot of fans wouldn’t like to see him go. “Especially because of the season he’s having. “He took his time to settle in but this year he’s matured into a top goalkeeper who can handle the Premier League. These things happen in football though and, if there’s an interest, then clubs will test the market. The most important thing for Man United to do is reassure him that he is the No.1 at the club. They can give him a new and improved deal, because he’s earned that. “That’s what the players want, when they work hard for it.” James Milner is edging closer to the exit door at Manchester City. The England midfielder comes off contract at the end of the season. The Guardian says Milner is moving closer to a move away from City with the two parties still a long way off an agreement over a new contract. It’s suggested the England international is currently weighing up three proposals from clubs in Spain and Italy that he would be free to sign this month.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 17:11:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015