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Newcastle to dump Coloccini as club captain

- Sunday, 19 April 2015 No Comments

Fabricio Coloccini will lose the Newcastle United captaincy this summer.

The Daily Mail says Newcastle are set to strip Coloccini of the captaincy this summer and give the armband to Daryl Janmaat, should he remain at the club.

Former Argentina defender Coloccini has been skipper since 2011 but head coach John Carver says the club will review that position at the end of the season.

The Magpies have repeatedly been let down by those appointed to lead the team this year and that has infuriated coaching staff.

Carver said: "The captaincy is something that has to be addressed by the football club.

"We need to give the captaincy to somebody who is responsible, who is a leader. The players will follow a leader, and they have to have discipline on and off the pitch."

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Liverpool captain Gerrard will start at Wembley today

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Liverpool captain Gerrard will start at Wembley today
2 hours ago

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is set to start today's FA Cup semi against Aston Villa.

The Mail on Sunday says Gerrard is set to get the nod to start at Wembley as Liverpool bid to reach the FA Cup final against Aston Villa.

The 34-year-old has flitted in and out of Brendan Rodgers’ side this term and will end his long association with the club at the end of this season.

Gerrard is set to embark on a new chapter with LA Galaxy, and wants his glittering career in England to finish with a trophy at the national stadium.

Tags: EPL / HEADLINE

Why we've improved... ROONEY

- Tuesday, 14 April 2015 No Comments

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney says there's no mystery behind their improved performances.
Rooney struck in victory over Manchester City on Sunday.
"I think the performances have been coming. We’ve been getting better and, certainly over the last few games, people have seen that we’re playing good football, creating chances and controlling matches. If we continue to play like that I think it will be difficult for any team against us," he told manutd.com.
On finishing in the top four, Rooney added: "It’s important of course, but we have to take each game as they come and win the match that’s in front of us so we can try to end the season with the biggest points tally we can get and finish as high as we can in the table. That’s the main aim."

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Real Madrid Castilla coach Zidane: What makes Ronaldo so special

- Thursday, 9 April 2015 No Comments

Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane is amazed by the drive of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking with uefa.com, Zidane was asked about what makes Ronaldo so special.

"It's his relentless desire to make progress that surprises me. At the same time, I'm not surprised. The great thing for me is that he always wants to make progress.

"Even if Cristiano Ronaldo wins trophies and scores a lot of goals every season, his aim is always to make progress. He always wants to show, even in training, that he wants to win. It's incredible. That's what makes him stay at the top – it's his ambition to be the best."

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Herrera will resist Barcelona interest for Man Utd stay

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Ander Herrera won't be temped away from Manchester United anytime soon.

The Spain midfielder has been linked with Barcelona this week, despite their summer market ban.

Barca have a long-held interest in the 25-year-old as they consider replacements for Xavi.

However, the Daily Mail says although his fledgling United career has had its blips, he is convinced where he is now is best for his career and is planning to stay for the long-term.

Tags: EPL / HEADLINE / TRENDING

Bayern Munich’s Ribery speaks of ‘crushed relationship’ with Man Utd boss van Gaal

- Tuesday, 7 April 2015 No Comments

Franck Ribery has labelled Louis van Gaal a ‘bad man’ following the pair’s time together at Bayern Munich.

French winger Ribery played under van Gaal at the Bundesliga giants between 2009 and 2011 and despite experiencing success with the Dutchman, he wasn’t the biggest fan of his man-management skills.

"We had problems on a human basis. When he started, nobody knew what was going to happen," Ribery told Goal.com of the Manchester united boss.

"His idea was that he did not care about names at all, you don't need stars, everybody had to prove themselves again.

"The first contact with him was already poisoned. As a professional you lose your trust. He does great things on the pitch but the coach van Gaal was a bad man. Our relationship was crushed."

Tags: LaLIGA / NEWS

Orlando City planning shock move for Man Utd’s Real Madrid loanee Chicharito

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MLS newcomers Orlando City SC are being heavily linked with a move for Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.

The Daily Mail reports that the Manchester United striker, who is struggling on loan with Real Madrid, has emerged on the radar of the Lions who are in their debut season in the USA and Canada’s top flight.

It is believed that Orlando City have already made enquiries about 26-year old Mexico international Chicharito who has also been linked with a number of European clubs including Southampton, Stoke, West Ham United, Everton, Wolfsburg, AC Milan, Lazio and Inter Milan.

Orlando City already have Brazilian great Kaka as a Designated Player but apparently want to add Hernandez to their ranks as they look to make a splash in MLS.

Tags: EPL / NEWS

Kompany: Man City shouldn't be losing to Crystal Palace

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says their poor form is becoming a major concern.

City are reeling after a dismal defeat at Crystal Palace.

Kompany said: “For me, my only concern is we get back to our best form.

“I’ve learnt from the past seasons as well that finishing a season strongly can have an impact on your next season as well.

“I think it’s our general form (not just away) that we have to improve.

“Any big team, big club, who loses a game is very disappointed, but it’s part of the game that we play.”

He added: “Credit to Crystal Palace but it’s not one of the games I felt we should have lost.

“It has a bit of a different feel to it maybe than the result at Burnley. But a team like us needs result and today wasn’t the result that we hoped for."

Tags: TRANSFERS

Tottenham wants Man Utd’s Juan Mata

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Tottenham are eyeing Manchester United’s Juan Mata according to reports. Spanish reports suggest that Spurs are readying an £18.3million summer bid for the Spanish playmaker.

Mauricio Pochettino is determined to freshen his squad at the end of the season and may test United’s resolve by lodging an offer for Mata who has been in fine form of late for Louis van Gaal.

Tags: EPL / NEWS

Arsenal icon Henry praises Defoe after emotional derby winner for Sunderland

- Monday, 6 April 2015 No Comments

Thierry Henry was full of superlatives for Jermain Defoe after his stunning volley gave Sunderland another Tyne-Wear derby win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

Former Tottenham striker Defoe produced a top-drawer volley from outside the area on the stroke of half-time to send the Black Cats fans into raptures at the Stadium of Light.

The goal was enough to give Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland side a 1-0 victory to make it five north east derby victories in a row as well as helping Defoe break a near two-month goal drought which brought the 32-year old to tears.

"I think he is crying," said former Arsenal star Henry on Sky Sports’ ‘Super Sunday’. "You have to love this type of emotion, it is amazing, it sums up the day.

"It was worth the wait, we said he had to deliver and he did - what a goal. That is where you want Jermain Defoe and we were saying before the goal that he was struggling with his position as it’s very demanding to play out wide and he is not used to that, especially at his age. But you can't wish for more than that.

"The technique is great but I like the way he put himself in that zone, where he knows the ball is going to land, then it is Jermain Defoe at his best. It’s outstanding.

"The club needed that goal, they are fighting to not go down. What he was going through was what the club is going through right now. Scoring that goal means a lot to him and a lot to everybody in the stadium."

Tags: EPL

Kane caps 'best week of his life' with Tottenham captaincy

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Harry Kane admits he has just experienced the best week of his life.

The 21-year old striker was named as Tottenham captain for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Burnley which came in the wake of last Friday’s debut for England, in which he scored his first international goal, as well as his first start for the Three Lions the following Tuesday.

After the 0-0 stalemate with the Clarets, which saw Kane muster just one shot on target, the 29-goal ace was certainly not downcast after experiencing so many unsurpassed highs of late.

"Yes you could say it has been the best week of my life - to score, to make my first start and score for England, and to be captain today,” said Kane.

"It has been an unbelievable couple of weeks and one I won't forget for the rest of my career."

Tags: TRANSFERS

Liverpool: who will replace Gerrard?

- Sunday, 5 April 2015 No Comments

Liverpool are going to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez, according to the Fichajes.net website.

The Spaniard has become one of the key figures at the club, after leaving the Athletic Bilbao in 2012, despite a number of serious injuries.

However, Brendan Rodgers is willing to sign the Spain international for the next season to replace seven Gerrard.

Tags: HEADLINE / TRANSFERS

Man Utd willing to include Chicharito in bid for Southampton fullback Clyne

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Manchester United could use Javier Hernandez as a makeweight in their push for Southampton fullback Nathaniel Clyne. The Mail on Sunday says United have set their sights on landing Clyne this summer.

It has been suggested United will offer striker Hernandez, currently on loan at Real Madrid, as part of the deal to land by Clyne. But West Ham United are also interested in signing Hernandez.

Chelsea and Liverpool are also keen on Clyne.

Tags: EPL / NEWS

Sunderland boss Advocaat: I've finally made it here!

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Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat is delighted to be finally working in the Premier League.

The Dutchman is on his own in England as his wife is back in Holland with family.

He insists: “I can cope well on my own while I am abroad and I live from one match to the next.

“No matter where I am, I go into every job with massive ambitions.

“When I sat on the front row of our coach in London, on the way to West Ham United, I knew why I had always longed for this job.

“Those people along the road, everyone walking along the terraced houses towards the ground.

“When the coach turned round the corner at Upton Park and I saw this real London ­football stadium with all its tradition, I thought: ‘what is more beautiful in life than this job?’ Nothing. I love it here.”