Bellerin, Arsenal's new king of speed

Arsenal have a new speed king, with teenage full-back Hesctor Bellerin having broken Theo Walcott's long-standing 40m sprint record.

Walcott had been the club's fastest player, having shaved 0.4 seconds off the previous sprint record held by Thierry Henry when he arrived at the Emirates Stadium.

But Bellerin has now smashed Walcott's record, and showed that raw pace in several high velocity outings during the club's pre-season preparations.

The former Southampton attacker may not be Arsenal's undisputed speedster any more, but he still insists he could beat Henry in a straight sprint.

Thursday, 14 August 2014 13:05

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Ronaldo the ultimate star of Madrid's Galacticos

Real Madrid have spent close to £100 million this summer on the signings of James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

But it was Cristiano Ronaldo who once again stole the show as Madrid left Cardiff as Uefa Super Cup winners on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla as Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded side kicked off their season with a trophy win.

The new-look Galacticos boasts Bale, Benzema, James, Kroos, Modric and more, but Ronaldo remains the star attraction.

Wednesday, 13 August 2014 13:30

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Sour grapes for Nasri

Samir Nasri further endeared himself to Arsenal fans prior to Manchester City's Community Shield clash with the Gunners on Sunday.

"I just think the abuse I get is stupid," he said. "I'm not an Arsenal fan, I am not from London. To be honest we are players and we are just looking at what are the best interests for us and our careers.

"When Manchester City came for me it was the best choice to come here. Since coming to City I have won ­trophies and I have a better life so I am really happy about everything.

"If the fans can't move on it's too bad. I am not trying to have a problem with that. They do what they have to do and they love their club.

"They see that as a treason or that I betrayed them but it's not that."

Nasri was met with boos from the Arsenal faithful at Wembley and it was the Gunners who had the last laugh, coming out on top with a comfortable 3-0 win.

Monday, August 11, 2014 12:00

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Neuer unleashed as Bayern sign Reina

Could Pep Guardiola be considering a dramatic change of tactics following the arrival of Pepe Reina?

Sweeper keeper Manuel Neuer, who has made dashing from his goal to meet opponents something of a trademark, may finally get his chance to feature further up the pitch with the signing of the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Bayern begin their Bundesliga campaign on August 22 against Wolfsburg - it remains to be seen if both goalkeepers are given a place in the starting XI...

Saturday, August 9, 2014 13:00

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Desperate Suarez praying for ban reduction

Luis Suarez is in Lausanne for a personal hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as he desperately attempts to drive his four-month ban down.

At present, the Uruguayan is suspended from all football-related activity and also prohibited from national duty for nine months by Fifa after biting Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder in the World Cup.

His adviser Alejandro Balbi described the ban that prevents him training with new club Barcelona as something that "violate[s] [Suarez's] fundamental rights".

Needless to say, the 27-year-old will be hoping CAS see it the same way.

Friday, August 8, 2014 12:50

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Webb hangs up his whistle... and Man Utd kit

Howard Webb blew the whistle on his 25-year refereeing career to become technical director at PGMOL on Wednesday.

The former policeman has refereed in the Premier League for more than a decade and taken charge of Champions League and World Cup finals, but will never quite shake off the unfair suspicion among certain football fans that he always favoured Manchester United.

When the announcement was made, social media buzzed with jokes about the Red Devils losing yet another big name... poor Howard.

Thursday, August 7, 2014 13:00

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Casillas still the man at Madrid

Iker Casillas was provided with something of a vote of confidence following Real Madrid's decision to offload Diego Lopez to AC Milan.

The Spain No.1, who lost his place to Lopez for the majority of the 2013-14 campaign, is seemingly still in favor at the Bernabeu despite his struggles with his national team at the World Cup.

The signing of Keylor Navas has further pushed Lopez out the door, with the 32-year-old furious at the way he has been treated by the Champions League winners, while Casillas now looks certain to finish his career in Madrid.

Sunday, August 10, 2014 12:00

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Xavi calls time on Spain career

Xavi has retired from international football after winning the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

The 34-year-old was capped 133 times, more than any other Spanish outfield player, while Vicente del Bosque admits the national side will struggle to find a replacement for the Barcelona midfielder.

"We have lost a unique player in the national team and it will be difficult to find another one like him,” said the 63-year-old.

"Xavi has been key in Spain's style and in all the success achieved. We'll miss him so much on and off the pitch."

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:00

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Van Gaal sets sights on Premier League title

Louis van Gaal has secured his first trophy (of sorts) at Manchester United after he guided his side past Liverpool in the International Champions Cup final.

Waye Rooney found the net for the fifth time in pre-season as United ran out 3-1 winners at the Sun Life Stadium, with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard also getting on the scoresheet.

Van Gaal will now be hoping United’s encouraging pre-season displays can transfer to their Premier League campaign as they look to beat the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to the title.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014 12:00

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Scolari makes swift return to management

Barely a month after Brazil's World Cup ended in humiliation, disappointment and a P45 for Luiz Felipe Scolari, the much-maligned coach has already returned to management.

Felipao was appointed the new head coach of Gremio - a club he left 18 years ago - on Tuesday, having only resigned from his post in charge of Brazil on July 14.

Scolari will be officially unveiled to the press on Wednesday evening - but will he receive a warm welcome after his struggles with the national team?

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 14:00

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Ozil, Modric & the Goal 50 absentees

You can read about it via this link by Chris Myson: 

Ozil, Modric & the Goal 50 absentees
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Mourinho: Chelsea won't miss you David Luiz

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at David Luiz, who he sold to Paris Saint-Germain this summer for £40 million.

The Blues boss felt the need to remind the Brazilian that Gary Cahill and John Terry were his first-choice centre-backs and that the 27-year-old only played in midfield because Nemanja Matic was cup-tied for the Champions League.

So with Luiz cast off to France, here's Mourinho having a celebratory drink with his team.

Monday, August 4, 2014 10:31

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Ronaldo named Goal 50 winner

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Goal 50 award for the world’s best footballer after a magnificent 2013-14 campaign, reclaiming the title from Lionel Messi.

It is the third time the Real Madrid ace has won the award, which he adds to a season’s haul that includes the Champions League, Copa del Rey and the Ballon d’Or – another trophy he wrestled off Messi.

The Argentine only managed to finish third this time, his campaign having been disrupted by injury, while Bayern Munich and Netherlands winger Arjen Robben finished in second place.

Ronaldo revealed his delight to Goal: “It’s a very big honour for me to have been chosen as the best player. I’m sincerely grateful.

“I’m convinced that I wouldn’t have been able to win this award without the constant support from all the people at Real Madrid.”

Monday, July 28, 2014 13:51

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Van Gaal confronts Mourinho

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal indicated that he would have a word with Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho on Saturday after the Blues boss spoke out about the transfer of Luke Shaw.

The 19-year-old was a target for the Blues before leaving Southampton for Old Trafford and the Portuguese said that his huge wages would have "killed" Chelsea.

It prompted the Dutchman to talk to Mourinho in private as the first mind-games of the Premier League title race began.

Sunday, July 27, 2014 09:31

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Drogba returns 'home' to Chelsea

Veteran Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba completed a shock return to Chelsea on Friday, re-joining the club he left on a free transfer two years ago.

The 36-year-old, whose last kick for the Blues was the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, said upon his return that the west Londoners "have always felt like home".

Drogba also revealed that he was keen to reignite his "special relationship" with manager Jose Mourinho, who originally signed the forward back in 2004.

The Portuguese coach was keen to add the former Galatasaray attacker's experience and winning mentality to a young Blues squad, and he becomes Chelsea's fourth signing of a busy summer.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:00

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Vidal snubs Manchester United

It appears Louis van Gaal will have to look elsewhere in order to bolster his midfield after Arturo Vidal ruled out a switch to Manchester United this summer.

"I don't know if I will stay at Juventus, I'm happy here in Turin," the Chile international told Sky Italy.

"I will talk with Allegri on Monday. I'm not going to Manchester."

Friday, July 25, 2014 12:00

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James becomes latest Madrid Galactico

Barely two weeks ago James Rodriguez left the pitch in Fortaleza in tears after Colombia were knocked out of the World Cup by hosts Brazil, but he was in rather better spirits on Tuesday as he was unveiled as Real Madrid's latest Galactico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 23-year-old was the top scorer at this summer's tournament, striking his sixth and final goal from the penalty spot against the Selecao - and, in the process, famously picked up a new friend in the shape of an enormous grasshopper.

And now James, sans giant insect, has become the fourth most expensive player in history after sealing a £63 million move to the Spanish capital, where he can look forward to playing alongside two of the three players who have cost more than him, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, as well as fellow summer recruit Toni Kroos.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 10:00

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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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