Van der Gouw backs De Gea to improve
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw has backed current number one David de Gea to keep improving after an fine season.
The Dutchman was at United for three years as a backup to Peter Schmeichel and believes De Gea has already become a top quality goalkeeper.
Having been named in the PFA Team of the Year last season, Van der Gouw believes the Spaniard can build on an impressive second campaign with the club.
After a shaky introduction to English football, the Spaniard found his feet as United romped to the title last term, keeping 11 clean sheets in 28 top-flight games.
Category: News
Views: 803
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 19:02
Liverpool move never in doubt
Liverpool-bound striker Iago Aspas says a move to Anfield was never in doubt once he heard of the club's interest in him.The forward has all but agreed a deal which will see him move from Celta Vigo despite receiving plenty of interest from clubs in other countries.
However, Aspas claims the stature of Liverpool within world football was the main reason for choosing them over any other suitors, with offers for the 25-year-old coming in from across Europe.
"When I heard of Liverpool's interest I did not hesitate even for a minute," the 25-year-old is quoted as saying in Marca.
Category: News
Views: 816
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Date: 08.06.2013 - 19:01
Treble just the start for Bayern
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has backed the club to continue their success next season.
Bayern won a historic treble last term as they collected the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal crowns, becoming the first German side to do so, and have Pep Guardiola joining as manager ahead of next season.
They will also have Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Goetze arriving as they look to defend their silverware and Lahm has backed his team-mates to keep delivering the goods.
"The most beautiful thing for me is that I am convinced that these three titles are not the end, but rather the beginning," he told German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung.
Category: News
Views: 771
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:59
Ravanelli appointed Ajaccio manager
Ligue 1 side Ajaccio have confirmed former Italy international Fabrizio Ravanelli as their new manager.
The former Juventus, Middlesbrough and Marseille forward takes over from Albert Emon, after the Corsican club narrowly avoided relegation to Ligue 2 last season.
Ajaccio finished in 17th place, just two points clear of the drop zone, with the Italian tasked with improving the club's finish next time around.
In a statement, the French side said: "Fabrizio Ravanelli, a world class player, is the new ACA coach.
"He has been director of the Juventus youth academy and coach of their reserve team."
Category: News
Views: 813
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:58
Sunderland must be more attacking
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has called for his team to pose more of a threat going forward next season.
Sunderland posted the second lowest home goals tally in the Premier League in 2012-13, netting on just 20 occasions, and subsequently narrowly avoided the drop by finishing in 17th.
However, with Di Canio set to take charge of his first full campaign at the Stadium of Light, he wants Sunderland to start firing on all cylinders.
"I want to attack. I don’t want to see my team stay too deep," he told The Sunderland Echo.
"We know you have to defend because there are many top sides in the Premier League
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Category: News
Views: 858
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:57
Besiktas in Ronaldinho bid
Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas have made an approach to secure the services of Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.
The 33-year-old has not played in Europe since departing Italian giants Milan in 2010 to return to his homeland with Flamengo.
But Besiktas vice-president Ahmet Nur Cebi says the club have approached Ronaldinho, who now plies his trade with Atletico Mineiro.
"We have made an offer for Ronaldinho. We are now awaiting his answer," he said.
Besiktas, who finished third in the league last season, are also in the market for a new manager to replace Samet Aybaba, who recently left the club.
Category: News
Views: 888
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:56
Lamela determined to stay at Roma
Roma forward Erik Lamela has underlined his desire to stay at the Stadio Olimpico despite rumoured interest from other clubs.
The striker netted 15 goals in 33 Serie A appearances last season, leading to speculation that the likes of Chelsea, Napoli or Real Madrid could make a swoop.
However, the Argentine insists he wants to stay at Roma, despite their failure to qualify for Europe in the last two seasons.
"Am I staying? Absolutely," he told SportWeek. "In fact, I am even more determined to stay at Roma. I feel at home here, have formed a great rapport with the people and love the food here too.
Category: News
Views: 800
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:55
Goal-line technology fitted at Maracana
Brazil's Maracana stadium has been fitted with goal-line technology equipment ahead of the start of the Confederations Cup.
The tournament, which kicks off on Friday, will be the first international competition to make use of the technology after it was tested during the 2012 Club World Cup in Japan.
Bjoern Linder, chairman of GoalControl, the company behind the system chosen by FIFA, says the process will be efficient and result in a quick, accurate decision.
"The whole system uses 14 cameras that are installed on the catwalk," he explained.
"We have seven cameras per goal and computers are connected to those cameras. The computers are catching
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Category: News
Views: 732
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Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:54
Abidal ´annoyed´ at Barca exit
Eric Abidal has admitted to feeling "annoyed" over the manner in which his departure from Barcelona was handled.
The Frenchman joined the Catalan club from Lyon in 2007, and played a prominent role in the trophy-laden Pep Guardiola era.
However, his career was temporarily interrupted when a tumour on his liver was discovered in 2011, and he was forced to undergo a transplant a year later as a result of complications.
The defender subsequently made a full recovery, and was given five outings toward the end of the 2012-13 season as part of an emotional return to action.
But after failing to earn a new deal with Barcelona, the 33-year-old has spoken of his disa
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Category: News
Views: 725
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Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:53
Reina sympathetic with Suarez over exit
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he would understand if Luis Suarez decided to leave the club before next season.
The Uruguayan forward has already expressed a desire to depart Anfield, citing unfair media coverage as a main reason for wanting a move.
Reina says he understands where Suarez is coming from and admits he would be sympathetic if the forward wanted to challenge at the very highest level, with the Merseyside club having failed to reach the UEFA Champions League since 2009.
"I would like for Luis to stay at Liverpool, but I understand if he's thinking about leaving for something bigger - when I say bigger I mean not as a club, just challenging for titles and
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Category: News
Views: 719
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:52
Torres wants Chelsea stay
Fernando Torres insists he wants to see out the remainder of his Chelsea contract.
The Spain striker did not have the best of starts to his Chelsea career, scoring just once in his first 19 games after a 50 million pound move from Liverpool, but he enjoyed an improved end to the last campaign including a goal in the UEFA Europa League final success over Benfica.
With Jose Mourinho now confirmed as Chelsea manager, there had been questions over whether the former Atletico Madrid man would stay at Stamford Bridge.
However, Torres says he is happy to be at the London club and that he will look to see out the remainder of his five-year deal, which has three seasons to run.
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Category: News
Views: 666
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Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:51
Toshack: Bale better than Neymar
Former Wales and Real Madrid manager John Toshack believes Gareth Bale is a better player than Neymar.
The Brazilian forward recently completed a 57 million euro move to La Liga champions Barcelona and Bale has been tipped to move to Spain as well.
While no official offer has been made for the Welshman's services, Toshack feels Bale could end up at either Barca or Real Madrid next season.
"For me, Gareth is better than Neymar, because he is playing in a very competitive League," he told Punto Pelota.
"With Neymar we will have to wait and see. If there is someone who is worth 100 million eur
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Category: News
Views: 725
Added: Sky
Date: 08.06.2013 - 18:50