Kroos warned not to play poker with Bayern over contract

Mehmet Scholl has urged Toni Kroos not to ‘play poker’ with Bayern Munich over his contract situation.

The 24-year-old midfielder has yet to sign an extension to his current deal which expires in 2015, while Manchester United manager David Moyes was spotted with the player’s agent during a scouting trip in January.

"I think it's not wise for Toni to play poker too much with Bayern," Scholl told TZ.

"That's how it seems at the moment. His current wages are enough for him to have warm food on the table twice a day already!"

Friday, February 14, 2014 12:00

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Higuain eyes Maradona's crown

Gonzalo Higuain has set himself quite the task.

In similar fashion to Diego Maradona, the 26-year-old forward wants to help guide Argentina to the World Cup in Brazil before inspiring Napoli to the Serie A title.

"This is an important moment for me and for my career," Higuain told La Gazetta dello Sport.

"I want to do what Maradona did: first win the World Cup and then the Scudetto. He triumphed in Mexico with Argentina in 1986 and, a year later, he made Napoli go crazy.

"If I could do this it would really be the ultimate dream. I want to stay in Naples for a long time - here I'm going to be a king."

No pressure, Gonzalo.

Thursday, February 13, 2014 12:00

New version of the cartoon without Rafa

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My Dzeko cartoon in sugar packets

I was happy when BHDragons.com (Bosnian sports coverage website) notified me that there is a Bosnian restaurant is using my (Dzeko and the dragons to the Mondial) cartoon as a print on there sugar packets.

For me I wish for the Bosnian team a sweet journey to Brazil as much sweet was that news to me and the sugar inside the packets.

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Mou's 'little horse' stumbles at West Brom

King of words Jose Mourinho produced another gem last week when he labelled his Chelsea team a "little horse" in the Premier League title race.

But everything had been going pretty well in the Stamford Bridge stable, with the impressive victory over Manchester City followed up with another convincing win over Newcastle to keep the Blues at the top of the pile as we approach the home straight.

That was until Pepe Mel's West Brom came along.

Chelsea had looked to be riding towards another three points after Branislav Ivanovic's first-half strike although a late equaliser from Victor Anichebe earned a point for the Baggies and stopped Mourinho's horse in its tracks.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014 08:30

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Watch & learn: Benzema in awe of Ronaldo

Karim Benzema equalled former Brazil striker Ronaldo's goal tally at Real Madrid on Saturday, with his two strikes against Villarreal moving him onto 104 for the Liga club.

But just where does the former Lyon star draw inspiration from?

Yep, you guessed it. It's the legendary former Inter, Barcelona and Madrid sensation himself - Ronaldo. Speaking to AS, Benzema said: "He inspired me in many respects. Firstly, his will to score goals. But I have also learned a lot from him in terms of movement in front of goal.

"I followed Ronaldo as a child and I still watch videos of him before matches."

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 12:00

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Moyes rues luck as Man United send in 81 crosses

Manchester United sent in a staggering 81 crosses in their 2-2 draw with Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday - the most of any side in the Premier League since 2006.

The hosts scored twice, through a Robin van Persie tap-in and a deflected Michael Carrick effort - but the bombardment from wide areas resulted in no goals.

But David Moyes was quick to blame his side's bad luck this season, rather than tactics, as struggling Fulham clinched a point with a stoppage time header from Darren Bent.

"It's been a bit like that this season so far," Moyes said after the game. "But today was probably as bad as it gets.

"We completely dominated the game and being 1-0 down was bad enough, but the amount of attempts and chances and the play we had, how we didn't win the game comfortably, I've no idea."

Monday, 10 February 2014 12:00

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Liverpool hammering just the start of Arsenal's gruelling run

Arsenal embarked on their tricky run of fixtures by being on the wrong end of a 5-1 hammering to Liverpool on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side will have their title credentials tested further on Wednesday as they host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, and that’s before facing Liverpool once again in the FA Cup fifth round next Sunday.

Let’s not forget, the Gunners have also been tasked with knocking Bayern Munich out of the Champions League.

Can Arsenal recover from their heavy setback at Anfield to pull through?

Sunday, 9 February 2014 12:00

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Gervinho beats Bolt by a neck

Roma star Gervinho appears to fancy himself as a sprinter.

The former Arsenal man scored twice in midweek as Roma fought hard to beat Napoli 3-2 in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg.

And afterwards, Gervinho joked that, with the ball at his feet, he would give 100 and 200-metre world record holder Usain Bolt a run for his money.

"I would beat him [Bolt] with the ball at my feet," he said. "Without the ball, he would be quicker."

Gervinho failed to establish himself in the Premier League with Arsenal, but has been in fine form since moving to Italy, scoring five goals in Serie A.

Friday, 7 February 2014 12:00

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The Big Grapple: Mou & Henry battle for Cole

Ashley Cole's Chelsea future is shrouded with uncertainty at the moment, with the full-back's contract expiring at the end of the current campaign and no sign of a new deal being agreed anytime soon.

Jose Mourinho has previously expressed a desire to keep the England man, despite his consistent favoring of Cesar Azpilicueta in the left-back berth, but there may well be outside interference.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Friday, the former Real Madrid boss suggested that Thierry Henry could be attempting to convince Cole to make the move to MLS and join him at New York Red Bulls.

Could the promise of cash and the Big Apple tempt Cole to head to the USA?

Saturday, 8 February 2014 10:00

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Miami Spice! Beckham announces MLS franchise

Move over, LeBron James! There's a new sporting superstar in town.

David Beckham has announced that he will be fronting the formation of a new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.

Beckham only retired in May 2013, aged 38, following a short but successful spell with Paris Saint-Germain but has wasted little time in getting involved in football again.

"This is an exciting time for myself, my family, my friends and partners, and it is something we are really looking forward to bringing to Miami," he said.

"We're planning to bring a team that will be a global team. I want to create a team that we can start from scratch and I am going to work hard for this city to make this team very successful. It is an exciting time.

"I have worked with some of the biggest clubs and greatest players and this is a dream."

Thursday, 6 February 2014 10:15

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