Arsenal & Chelsea in Khedira tug-of-war

Arsenal may have been put off by Sami Khedira’s wage demands but that hasn’t stopped Lukas Podolski from trying persuade his fellow Germany international to join him at the Emirates Stadium.

"I didn't have to [try to convince Khedira to join Arsenal]," Podolski told Sport Bild.

"Sami knows how much fun he could have with me, Mesut [Ozil] and Per [Mertesacker] at Arsenal. We had a great time together at the World Cup and I would like it very much if he comes to London."

But despite Podolski’s keenness to get Khedira to sign for Arsenal, Chelsea remain frontrunners in the race for the Real Madrid midfielder.

Thursday, July 24, 2014 12:00

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Retiring Gerrard fails to show Liverpool best for England

Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from international football on Monday, drawing the curtain on an England career that began back in May 2000.

But despite such a long and distinguished association with England, scoring 21 goals in 114 appearances for his country, the Liverpool skipper never managed to replicate his Anfield form for the Three Lions.

The 34-year-old is the last of England's so-called Golden Generation to retire, but leaves having failed to challenge in major tournaments despite consistently carrying Liverpool towards multiple successes, bagging two FA Cups, the Champions League and a host of other titles.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014 10:45

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Suarez sees a psychiatrist

Just about everyone has given their opinion on Luis Suarez this summer following his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini - even the president of Uruguay.

Jose Mujica believes the striker, now at Barcelona, needs medical help from a psychiatrist, not punishment as severe as handed out by Fifa, who have banned Suarez from so much as entering a stadium during his suspension.

Monday, 21 July 2014 12:00

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20 top animators on Twitter

Creative Bloq posted the 20 top animators to follow on twitter and I was selected as number five, check out the list:
http://www.creativebloq.com/audiovisual/20-top-animators-follow-twitter-71412299

Creative Bloq delivers a daily balance of creative tips and inspiration across web design, graphic design, 3D and more. Bringing the very best design work to our audience and offering the insight that enables them to keep up to date with the latest trends and developments in global design and to create their best work.

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Brazilian footballer Fred shared my cartoon

My colleagues in Goal notified me that Brazil and Fluminese striker Fred shared my cartoon on his Facebook the last August.

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/fredgoloficial9/photos/a.473370862699825.90891.252475658122681/537280912975486/?type=1&theater

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Thierry Henry welcomes new stars to MLS

Thierry Henry is set to be joined by several big names as David Villa and Kaka head to the United States after joining New York City and Orlando City.

The trio look set to to be joined by England midfielder Frank Lampard after he was released by Chelsea, with the 36-year-old expected to complete a move to New York City next week.

Sunday, 20 July 2014 12:01

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Mourinho gives Chelsea an Atleti makeover

Filipe Luis's arrival at Chelsea was officially confirmed on Friday, making the left-back the second player to swap Atletico Madrid for Stamford Bridge this summer - third, if you count Thibaut Courtois's loan coming to an end.

With Diego Simeone's side having surprised the footballing world by holding off the Clasico giants to win La Liga last season and the Blues finishing off the pace in the Premier League, it looks like Jose Mourinho is trying to recapture that spirit in England this season.

Having also snatched centre forward Diego Costa away from the Estadio Vicente Calderon this summer, Chelsea's new faces may have to pinch themselves for a moment before they realise that they have, in fact, changed clubs.

Saturday, 19 July 2014 12:50

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Mourinho & Wenger serenade in-demand Khedira

After initially looking like leading the race for Sami Khedira, Arsenal have fallen behind Chelsea in the race to sign the Real Madrid man.

Reports suggested high wage demands put off the Gunners but Arsene Wenger will hope he can still attract the World Cup winner to the Emirates Stadium.

You might be thinking: Chelsea surely don't need another midfielder but you'd be wrong, of course. Here's why he'd make the perfect fit for Jose Mourinho's team and why Wenger may actually get fortunate if Arsenal don't land the 27-year-old.

Friday, 18 July 2014 12:52

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Pirl-d'oh! Allegri takes over at Juventus

After Antonio Conte's shock departure from Juventus, the Italian champions have moved swiftly to appoint former AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri.

The news might not go down too well with every member of the bianconeri's squad, though, especially a certain Andrea Pirlo, who worked under the new Juve boss at San Siro.

The Italy international, however, was deemed too old by his former team, and manager, and offered only a short term deal, prompting him to leave the club on a free transfer.

Pirlo has since won three back-to-back Serie A titles, while Allegri was sacked by Milan, and both will hope their relationship can be more productive this time.

Thursday, 17 July 2014 13:00

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Balotelli and The Queen join race for Goal 50!

Jul 16, 2014 08:30:00

The countdown to the 2014 Goal 50 has begun and the debate is raging over which star performers from the season should be included in this year's list of football's most talented

Many of the world's greatest footballers are off enjoying their summer holidays, but the star performers of 2013-14 will still have more than one eye on the annual prize-giving ceremony that is the Goal 50.

Our brilliant artist Omar Momani has drawn up his vision of the high achievers in contention for the list - which will be announced on July 28.

Cristiano Ronaldo and reigning champion Lionel Messi have shared five of the six editions of the award, and both take their place on the first row of this year's starting grid. The Argentine will surely be more interested in winning the Goal 50 than he was in collecting the World Cup Golden Ball.

Gareth Bale joins the Clasico duo on the front row and will be feeling a lot of love after a superb first season at Real Madrid. In the middle are Arjen Robben, whose Goal 50 odds have plummeted after a wonderful World Cup, and Luis Suarez - who will be equally hungry to claim the prize.

Also challenging are the acrobatic Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the stylish Neymar, the no-nonsense Diego Costa, Colombian revelation James Rodriguez and a very proud Germany World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm.

But who is that at the back of the pack? Only Mario Balotelli and the Queen.

Indeed, some would say that the Italian's chances of winning the Goal 50 are about as good as the Titanic staying afloat after hitting the iceberg!

HAVE YOUR SAY

Do these players deserve to make the Goal 50? If not, who else should be on the list? If so, who should join them and in what order should they be ranked?

Get involved via our Goal 50 section this month and give us all your views on the debate by commenting below and by getting in touch on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #Goal50.

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