Новости за 01.02.2018

Andreas Pereira is sure Jose Mourinho is satisfied with his progress while on loan at Valencia from Manchester United, despite the manager initially voicing his concern at the move. The Belgium-born Brazilian joined Valencia at the start of the campaign in a move which irritated Mourinho, who publicly criticised the 22-year-old. Mourinho revealed how he told Pereira to stay and fight for opportunities, having previously impressed on loan at Granada as they were relegated from LaLiga last term.... Читать дальше...

Edin Dzeko says he is flattered to have been a transfer target for Chelsea, but is perfectly happy to have stayed at Roma. The Bosnia-Herzegovina international was tipped to join the Premier League champions as part of a double deal involving left-back Emerson Palmieri. Although Emerson completed his move, the Blues' interest in Dzeko ultimately ended, with Olivier Giroud instead signed from Arsenal to bolster their striker options. The former Manchester City man is pleased to have attracted Antonio Conte's interest... Читать дальше...

Juventus have replaced Benedikt Howedes with Stephan Lichtsteiner in their Champions League squad for the knockout phase. Germany international Howedes, who has managed only one Serie A appearance since his move from Schalke last year, suffered a torn thigh muscle in December. With the 29-year-old still some way off a first-team return, head coach Massimiliano Allegri has opted to remove him from the 23-man European squad and add Lichtsteiner. The 34-year-old Swiss defender has been a regular in Juve's side in domestic competition... Читать дальше...

Mesut Ozil says he followed his heart when pledging the next three-and-a-half years of his career to Arsenal by signing a new contract. The Germany international had long been linked with a move away from north London, speculation going into overdrive after he entered the final year of his previous deal in July 2017. Manchester United and Barcelona had been touted as potential destinations for Ozil, and reports of a reunion with Jose Mourinho - his coach at Real Madrid - increased around the turn of the year. Читать дальше...

Toronto have announced the signing of Gregory van der Wiel from Cagliari. The 29-year-old Netherlands international has joined the MLS side for an undisclosed fee after managing just five appearances in Serie A this season. "We are excited to bring Gregory van der Wiel to Toronto FC," Toronto's senior vice-president Tim Bezbatchenko told the club's official website.  "He is an experienced player that has played with some big clubs in Europe and has represented his country at multiple international tournaments. Читать дальше...

The 22-year-old, who started his football journey at Barcelona's La Masia academy, will becomethe first Arsenal player to speak at the Union - and be followed by Mesut Ozil a fortnightlater.Bellerin will be addressing the audienceon what it takes to become an elite athlete.Arsenal's right-wing-back, who holds a degree in marketing,showed his philanthropic side recently after donating £50 for every appearance he made at the U21 European Championshipto victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.The likes of Diego Maradona... Читать дальше...

FourFourTwo’s celebration of ‘90s football continues with an evening with Paul Merson – and the world premier of a FourFourTwo Films documentary on England-Argentina 1998.The event, hosted on Monday, February 19 atCafe Football, marks the launch of the FourFourTwo Films World Cup Series. The first documentary looks back on that epic France 98 knockout clash between England and Argentina.Special guest Paul Merson, who played that night, will share his personal memories of this game in conversation with FourFourTwo’s Global Digital Editor... Читать дальше...

Sam Clucas has apologised for his goal celebration in Swansea City's 3-1 Premier League win over Arsenal on Tuesday, after suggestions he was mimicking a logo on a pornographic website. The midfielder scored twice in the victory at the Liberty Stadium and celebrated with the same gesture each time. Swansea say Clucas was "not fully aware" of the website's content and is sorry for having caused any offence. The club added they will speak to the 27-year-old again about the incident and have reminded the player about his responsibilities. Читать дальше...

According to reputable Dutch news outletNOS,PSV thought they were close to completing the transfer of Portimonense defender Agbenyenu, and had even gone as far assendinga camera crew toSchiphol airport to help produce a nice unveiling montage.The left-back simply had to complete a medical before his transfer could be sealed, what with a verbal agreement between the two clubs having been made six months ago.But once PSV'scontingent realised that the 21-year-old Ghanaianhadn't arrived on his scheduled flight... Читать дальше...

Dietmar Hamann says Jurgen Klopp has one more season to win a trophy at Liverpool – or risk the fans turning on him.The Reds host Tottenham on Sunday in an important fixture for the top-four battle, as they bid to qualify for the Champions League for a second consecutive season. But a trophy has so far eluded Klopp during his two-and-a-half years at Anfield and, although they remain in the Champions League, the recent FA Cup loss to West Brom ended their hope of domestic silverware this term.Liverpool... Читать дальше...

The Football Association (FA) has confirmed it is investigating reports surrounding West Ham's head of recruitment and his alleged discriminatory treatment of African players. On Wednesday, the Daily Mail claimed to have seen emails from Tony Henry speaking disparagingly about players from Africa, recalling difficulties the club had with Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho. It was reported that Henry had said African players "cause mayhem" when not selected in the team. West Ham announced on Thursday... Читать дальше...

New Chelsea signing Olivier Giroud says speaking with Antonio Conte helped to convince him to move to Stamford Bridge. The France international moved from Arsenal to the Premier League champions on deadline day, signing an 18-month contract for a reported fee of £18million. Chelsea were linked with a host of names, including Peter Crouch, Ashley Barnes and Edin Dzeko, as Conte called for the arrival of a target man to complement club-record signing Alvaro Morata. And Giroud, who won three FA Cups in nearly six years with the Gunners... Читать дальше...

20. West HamIn: Joao Mario (loan), Jordan Hugill (£8m)Out: Diafra Sakho (Rennes, £8.8m),Martin Samuelsen (Burton, loan), Reece Oxford (Borussia Monchengladbach, loan)Lots of irons in lots of fires, but not quite enough done to appease a disappointed fanbase. Joao Mario is a good player and was thought of very highly before his career went south with Inter, but the midfielder could be damaged goods and is not actually West Ham’s player. Failing to add a defender certainly seems like a mistake.David... Читать дальше...

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva has called on referees to "do their job" and protect his team-mates from overly physical opponents. The Premier League leaders swept West Brom aside at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to move 15 points clear at the top of the table, but their 3-0 victory came at a price. David Silva was forced off with a suspected hip injury and both Kevin De Bruyne and Brahim Diaz were on the receiving end of robust tackles from James McClean and Matt Phillips respectively. Phillips' lunge... Читать дальше...

The vast wealth in the Premier League meant Leicester City could afford to turn down Manchester City's bid for Riyad Mahrez, according to a football finance expert. On a hectic transfer deadline day, it was widely reported that the leaders had tabled a final offer of £65million plus a player for the Algeria international. However, the move is said to have broken down amid suggestions Leicester were holding out for something closer to the region of £95m. Mahrez was left out of the Foxes' side for Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Everton... Читать дальше...

Brazilian wonderkid Malcom took a spectacular dive to earn his Bordeaux side a penalty against French giants Lyon (below).Not bad at all, but the 20-year-old still has a way to go before he catches up with these impressive performers...15. David Luiz vs Manchester UnitedPicture the scene: Chelsea are a goal up with only moments to go in this 2013 Premier League match, so they’re winding down the clock in the corner of the park. A frustrated Rafael da Silva loosely swings a leg, and Sideshow Bob goes down like a lamp. Читать дальше...

Michy Batshuayi's eagerness to earn a place in Belgium's squad for the World Cup is encouraging for Borussia Dortmund, head coach Peter Stoger has said. The striker moved to Signal Iduna Park on loan on transfer deadline day to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Arsenal in a £56million deal. The Gunners allowed Olivier Giroud to move to Chelsea after landing Aubameyang for a club-record fee, prompting Batshuayi to head to the Bundesliga in pursuit of regular first-team football. Stoger... Читать дальше...

World Cup pitches are at risk from attacks by swarms of locusts, an agricultural official in Russia has warned. Pyotr Chekmarev, head of the agriculture ministry's crop farming department, is concerned there could be "a global scandal" if the insects strike during the finals. "One way or another, we have learnt how to deal with locusts, but how do we not fall into a global scandal with locusts this year?" he said at an agricultural event in Moscow. "The whole world is coming here. Football fields are green. Читать дальше...

Vasco thrashed Chilean opponents Universidad de Concepcion 4-0 on Wednesday night, in the first leg of the second qualifying round for the Copa Libertadores.Yago Pikachu –full name​Glaybson Yago Souza Lisboa– scored the Brazilian club's third goal of the night after Concepcion goalkeeper Munoz failed to keep Rildo's bobbling pass in his hands.After letting the ball run loose, Pikachu had the simple task of tapping ithome to ensure the visitors would march on to a comfortable victory.You don't see... Читать дальше...

Neymar's €222million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain has changed the face of the entire transfer market, according to sport finance specialist Dan Plumley. The Brazilian's world-record switch to Ligue 1 last August caused shock waves around the football world and had a knock-on effect in the January window. Wednesday's deadline passed at the end of a month which saw a number of seismic deals go through – including Barca smashing their own record in parting with €160m to prise Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool. Читать дальше...

Building a formidable team in FIFA Ultimate Team doesn’t have to cost you tons of time or money. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Ruud Gullit are unfortunately out of reach for the average FUT player, but thankfully there are plenty of cheap beasts in the game capable of excellence for your Ultimate Team.At this stage in FIFA, you don’t really want obsolete cards that were once considered overpowered upon the game’s release. On that note, we take a look at the most OP players under 20,000 coins ... Читать дальше...

Dries Mertens has compared himself to a "kid in a toy store" in outlining his happiness at Serie A leaders Napoli. Mertens has played a key role in Maurizio Sarri's men establishing a one-point lead over six-time defending champions Juventus in the race for the Scudetto and, having rebuffed interest from China last year, the Belgium forward is loving life in Campagnia. He told Il Mattino: "I'm playing and having fun on the pitch and I’m very happy. I'm happier now than I've ever been before. "I... Читать дальше...

Monaco defender Andrea Raggi has called on Neymar to show more respect to his fellow players following his handshake stunt against Rennes on Tuesday. Paris-Saint Germain forward Neymar, the world's most expensive player following his €222million move from Barcelona in August, caused a stir when he pretended to offer his hand to help up Hamari Traore in the latter stages of the game at Roazhon Park only to pull away at the last minute. His actions have drawn widespread criticism, with Raggi joining... Читать дальше...

Over £800m was spent on transfer fees this winter, not even counting loan deals, agent fees, signingbonuses and Jim White getting his yellow tie professionally ironed. Huge sums and, inevitably, the majority of it flowed in and out of the Premier League.Lord knows what the continentals make of it, with their espressos, pink newspapers and long-term transfer strategies. Nothing wrong with a pint or seven of banter juice, a copy of the Currant Bun and throwing-£50m-at-that-Spanish-striker-but-if-you-can’t-get-him-the-Dutch-one-will-do... Читать дальше...

At 1-0 down, hostsGiresunspor were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute of their Turkish Cup tie against Fenerbahce - only forDodo to completely fluff his lines.The Brazilian midfielder plumped for a painstakingly slow run-up before failing to connect with the ball properly. The result? A trickled effort which slowly rolled past the post. It's no wonder he hasn'tscored this season.Carlos Kameni in goal couldn't stop himself from smiling, while one Fenerbahce player even went as far as consolingDodo. Читать дальше...