Friday, August 2, 2013

'Bale? 100 billion dollars!'

If anyone is capable of getting the highest fee possible for Gareth Bale, it'll be Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Real Madrid have been relentless in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, but the Spanish club will need to part with at least £100 million in order to get their man this summer. 

Fred to the lions: Brazil striker hunts World Cup place

Brazil striker Fred has vowed to "kill a lion every day" in order to ensure he plays at the World Cup next summer.

Of course, the closer the World Cup gets, the more the anxiety rises," Fred told Goal.

"I’m very happy to have been part of this winning group at the Confeds, but I know I have to kill a lion every day and continue to prove that I deserve a spot in the Brazil team for the next 10 months.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

الانتخابات البلدية: فرصة ضائعة للتنفيس

وسط كل هذه الضغوط، كان من الممكن أن يكون هناك فرصة حقيقية للتغيير من خلال الانتخابات البلدية ولكننا فوتنا الفرصة مرة أخرى بالإصرار على عدم تعديل القانون
وسط كل هذه الضغوط التي يمر بها "البيت الأردني"،أضعنا فرصة حقيقية للتغيير من خلال الانتخابات البلدية وتعديل القانون الحالي ليضمن التحول نحو درجة أكبر من "اللامركزية" و"الحكم المحلي". - See more at: http://taqaddam.org/opinions/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B3#sthash.D4ZcHziV.dpuf

وسط كل هذه الضغوط التي يمر بها "البيت الأردني"،أضعنا فرصة حقيقية للتغيير من خلال الانتخابات البلدية وتعديل القانون الحالي ليضمن التحول نحو درجة أكبر من "اللامركزية" و"الحكم المحلي". - See more at: http://taqaddam.org/opinions/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B3#sthash.D4ZcHziV.dpuf
وسط كل هذه الضغوط التي يمر بها "البيت الأردني"،أضعنا فرصة حقيقية للتغيير من خلال الانتخابات البلدية وتعديل القانون الحالي ليضمن التحول نحو درجة أكبر من "اللامركزية" و"الحكم المحلي". - See more at: http://taqaddam.org/opinions/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B3#sthash.D4ZcHziV.dpuf

Levy stands firm as Bale attempts to flee the Spurs nest

Gareth Bale has told Tottenham he wants to move to Real Madrid this summer but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is adamant that he will not sell the 24-year-old.

Will the Spanish club get their man before the transfer window shuts? 

Justin Currie caricature

The Scottish singer from the band Del Amitri

The Goal 50 Superheroes

The winner of the Goal 50 has been announced, and our annual list's top 10 is, as ever, not short of football's biggest superheroes.

Superman Lionel Messi claimed the award for the third time, beating off competition from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Robin van Persie.

Thiago Silva and Arturo Vidal also invaded the top 10, along with four Bayern men in Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and runner-up Franck Ribery.

See the complete Goal 50 here

'Killer' weather rains on Asia Trophy parade

Paolo Di Canio described the pitch at the Hong Kong Stadium as a "killer" before the final day of the Barclays Asia Tropy - stereotypical Italian hyperbole right?

Wrong. After another session of furious rainfall, Manchester City's 1-0 win over Sunderland resembled a fixture from the 1970s as both sides skidded around a drenched, sandy surface.

It had bigger repurcussions for City as Matija Nastasic was stretchered off with an ankle injury, though Manuel Pellegrini refused to blame the pitch, stressing that it could have happened on any surface.

Andre Villas-Boas was less amused with the ankle problem Jan Vertonghen picked up in Tottenham's 3-1 semi-final loss to Sunderland though, adding: "We've lost one player through injury - and if I can be sincere I would prefer not to go ahead, but that's the reality."

Tottenham did go ahead though and escaped further problems as they trounced South China 6-0 in the game preceding the final.

As frustrating as it was for the managers and players involved, the nostalgic pitch provided plenty of entertainment for the observer.  

Buzz off! Tata warns Moyes off Fabregas

Is Manchester United's pursuit of Cesc Fabregas at an end? New Barcelona coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has said he wants to keep the Spain midfielder, while vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu has again insisted that he will not be sold for any price.

But will this be enough to keep David Moyes away? After being told to forget about it the first time, he came back with a bigger bid! 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Ronaldinho adds another title to prove Scolari wrong

He may not be the player of yesteryear, and that's undoubtedly a view shared by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Ronaldinho continues to tot up the titles to prove his doubters wrong.

Atletico Mineiro claimed Copa Libertadores glory on Thursday as they turned around a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Olimpia to secure a 4-3 penalty triumph.

But will Ronaldinho's Libertadores heroics nudge him into contention for World Cup 2014?

The former Barcelona playmaker hasn't played for his country since April, and was left out of the Confederations Cup-winning squad, but will hope that Scolari will take another look before he finalises his squad for the showpiece next summer. 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Wenger turns to Suarez as Napoli welcome Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain is on the move from Real Madrid this summer - but not to his previously expected destination.

Arsenal tracked the striker this summer and were in advanced negotiations to take the Argentina international to north London.

But Napoli have used funds raised by the sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain to sign the 25-year-old.

So, while Rafa Benitez welcomes Higuain to Naples, Arsene Wenger turns his attention to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who will cost a great deal more to prise away from Anfield.