WORLD CUP GOSSIP Coach Vicente del Bosque has received the backing of the Spanish Football Federation, in spite of the countrys disastrous World Cup campaign in which the holders exited the tournament after just two games. Goalkeeper Joe Hart says fans should not question Englands commitment at this World Cup even if they have so far lacked the quality needed. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he would consider managing England in the future, after previously turning down the advances of the Football Association, but not right now. QPR boss Harry Redknapp says England should build the team around Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, 20. Belgium captain Vincent Kompany missed training on Thursday with a slight groin strain. His country play Russia on 22 June. The Guardian Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, 32, admits Spain are out of the World Cup because they have lost their hunger after six years as the best team in football. FRIDAYA TRANSFER GOSSIP COLUMN AC Milan could lower their £27m asking price for Mario Balotelli, 23, if Arsenal are willing to send Costa Ricas Joel Campbell, 21, in the opposite direction. Crystal Palace are also interested in signing Campbell, who impressed as Costa Rica won their World Cup opener against Uruguay. Daily Mirror Tottenham have joined Manchester United in the battle to sign Espanyol defender Hector Moreno, 26. Spurs have made a £17m bid for PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay, 20, who is also a target for Manchester United. Mats Hummels Manchester United are to step up their interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels Leeds owner Massimo Cellino says he would consider offers from Premier League clubs for striker Ross McCormack, 27. Daily Express Manchester United are to step up their interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 25, as Paris St-Germain rule out the sale of Marquinhos. Liverpool are refusing to give up on their pursuit of defender Alberto Moreno, 21, but are prepared to look at other targets if they are unable to agree a deal for the Sevilla left-back Arsenal will move for Bayern Munichs Mario Mandzukic, 28, if they fail to sign former Manchester City forward Balotelli. New West Brom manager Alan Irvine is interested in bringing Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell, 23, to the Hawthorns either on loan or permanently. West Brom are also considering a move to bring Fulham winger Kieran Richardson, 29, back to the Hawthorns. Liverpool and Arsenal are ready to resurrect their interest in Chile and Juventus right-back Mauricio Isla, 26. Monaco are in pole position to sign former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole, 33. Five players are set to leave Chelsea this summer, with striker Fernando Torres, 30, midfielder Marko Marin, 25, and forward Romelu Lukaku, 21, among those likely to depart. Liverpool are considering making a bid for Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia this summer. The 28-year-old has just one year left to run on his deal. Chelsea striker Samuel Etoo, 33, has set his sights on moving to Italian side Roma, but only if they can meet his pay demands of £60,000-a-week . Liverpool will make a third attempt to sign Southampton and England midfielder Adam Lallana, 26, following the World Cup. Real Sociedad are in negotiations with Arsenal to keep Carlos Vela in San Sebastian until 2018. The Gunners were earlier planning to bring the 25-year-old forward back to the Emirates by activating his £3m buy-back clause. Atletico Madrid are unlikely to let 29-year-old Brazilian defender Miranda leave despite strong interest from Barcelona and Manchester United. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Spains national team has become predictable, slow and sad after the defending champions were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup. France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 27, says the balance of the team is still fragile despite their strong performance against Honduras. France play Switzerland on Friday Switzerlands German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who retires after World Cup 2014, says he turned down the chance to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in 2002 because it would have been too daunting without the command of English. West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan wants the clubs badge to include the word London to make them more marketable, but he says its up to the fans to decide. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says Germany and Arsenals 25-year-old playmaker Mesut Ozil needs special treatment because he is sensitive. Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, wants to stay at Manchester United and fight for his place. Italy striker Mario Balotelli wants a kiss from the Queen if Italy keep Englands World Cup hopes alive. England have a slim chance of qualifying for the knockout stages if Italy beat Costa Rica and the Azzurri striker tweeted: If we beat Costa Rica, I want a kiss, obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen. Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, 28, tweeted in reply: Wouldnt even surprise me. Argentina top Group F after beating Bosnia-Hercegovina Argentinas players seem relaxed ahead of their Group F match against Iran on Saturday, with Sergio Aguero posting a selfie with team-mate Maxi Rodriguez on Facebook. Pop star Rihanna offered advice to Englands defence after Luis Suarez inspired Uruguay to a 2-1 win, tweeting: Man they know better than to give Suarez that much room bruh! Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson saw Uruguays win over Roy Hodgsons men as a victory for Liverpool, tweeting: Well done Liverpool. You beat England. Netherlands striker Robin van Persie tweeted: Yesssss get in there!! @WayneRooney after his Manchester United team-mate finally scored his first World Cup goal. During the Uruguay v England game, the number of fans searching for Has Rooney scored in a World Cup? went up 10x, according to Google. The search engine added that Spains loss to Chile appeared to capture the nations attention, with searches for the match 10x higher than those for the coronation of King Felipe. AND FINALLY An eight-year-old Brazilian fan burst into tears of joy at the sight of meeting defender David Luiz. The boy had evaded security and ran onto the pitch where the Brazil squad were training and was embraced by the former Chelsea defender. Fans who appeared to jump out of their wheelchairs during a World Cup match are being investigated for ticket fraud.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:57:07 +0000