Anderson eyes long-term Fiorentina stay

Fiorentina's on-loan midfielder Anderson is happy at the club and wants to stay put for a long time.

Anderson moved to the Serie A outfit from Manchester United until the end of the season during the January transfer window, and has made three appearances for his new club so far.

The 25-year-old struggled for a lack of game time under United manager David Moyes, and says the move to Italy is exactly what he needed to reignite his career.

"I have to play and have my chance," he told The Sun.

"It is better for me at Fiorentina. The manager wants me and has shown his trust. I can show him my football.

"Even though the contract is only on loan, I want to stay for a long time."

Despite rarely being selected by Moyes, Anderson insists he holds no ill feelings towards the Scot, before going on to hail the ambition of his new club.

Mata pays tribute to Chelsea fans in heartfelt open letter

New Manchester United signing Juan Mata has penned a moving and classy farewell letter to the fans of former club Chelsea after bidding farewell to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Read it in full below...

Hi everyone,

As you can imagine this is a very important day in my life, and with these lines I would like to express the memories and emotions that come to me as I write.

This letter is written from my heart, and first of all I would like to say that I will never forget all the affection given to me by the Chelsea fans. From the very first day until the last.

Manchester City launch late €46m bid for Mangala

Manchester City have launched a stunning last-ditch £38 million [€46m] bid to sign Porto defender Eliaquim 
Mangala.

The France international has long been a target of City, with their interest dating as far back as Roberto Mancini’s reign as manager.

Current boss Manuel Pellegrini first scouted the 22-year-old last summer and even failed with a late €36m enquiry on the back of Mangala’s breakthrough season of 2012-13, when he made 36 appearances and kept 25 clean sheets in all competitions.

Rodgers confident of landing 'major signing' before transfer window shuts

Brendan Rodgers expects Liverpool to add a "major signing" to their squad before the January transfer window closes on Friday.

The Anfield outfit quickly got over the disappointment of missing out on Chelsea new-boy Mohamed Salahby boosting their hopes of Champions League qualification with a 4-0 victory over local rivals Everton on Tuesday night.


Yet Rodgers is still determined to bring in an additional player, with reports of a late bid for Dnipro's Yevhen Konoplyanka, and admits he has been frustrated by the Reds' inactivity in the window so far.

"I think we will hopefully do something over the next couple of days," the Liverpool boss told reporters.

Arsenal rocked as Ramsey ruled out for further four to six 

weeks

Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey is set to be out for another six weeks after sustaining a tendon injury.

The midfielder returned to full training on Monday following a five-week absence with a thigh problem and had been earmarked to make his return to the Gunners squad for their trip to Southampton, where they drew 2-2 on Tuesday night.

"Ramsey is out for longer than we expected," Wenger told reporters afterwards. "He had a little setback in training, it's the same muscle."

But Ramsey has sustained a fresh tendon injury rather than a setback with the previous complaint, and he is expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks.

The midfielder has been a star at St James' Park since joining from Lille in 2011 - now he has the chance to set Ligue 1 alight again at Parc des Princes

There's a popular chant which suggests Newcastle United will have "a riot on their hands" if they dare to sell Yohan Cabaye, such is the adoration on Tyneside for the elegant midfielder. As he packs his bags for French shores after an impressive two-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain fans have a new hero to worship.

With an already packed centre-midfield including the talented Marco Verratti, France's Blaise Matuidi, battle-hardened veteran Thiago Motta and the promising Adrien Rabiot, some Parc des Princes attendees might be wondering what the point is in forking out on a €25 million deal.

In fact, influential figures at les Parisiens such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva have reportedly registered their disagreement at adding the France international to PSG's project. But the pair - and every PSG supporter - will come to realise the qualities he can bring to the three-man midfield, even if it means sacrificing a familiar face from Laurent Blanc's line-up.

He can bolster defensive confidence by dropping deep and dictating play from the back. Cabaye is in his element when pulling the strings in midfield, but also excels in protecting his defenders from being caught unawares on the counter-attack or being overrun in midfield. His temperament is often lacking but, on the other hand, there has never been any doubt about his commitment in getting stuck in at St James' Park.

Transfer news: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says January signing unlikely

 

Arsene Wenger: Arsenal boss claims signing unlikely with little time left in transfer window

Arsene Wenger says it is looking increasingly unlikely that Arsenal will sign anyone with just over a week left to go in the January transfer window.

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea beat Liverpool to sign £11m Basle forward Salah (and Jose knows all about him!)

• Jose Mourinho signs Basle's Mohamed Salah after hijacking Liverpool's move
• £11m Salah is dubbed 'the Egyptian Messi'
• Forward scored twice against Chelsea in Champions League this season
• Salah tweets to confirm the switch
• Juan Mata on his way from Chelsea to Manchester United

By Simon Jones

WHO IS SALAH?

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow has everything you need to know about Chelsea's new signing Mohamed Salah - dubbed the 'Egyptian Messi'

Chelsea have beaten Liverpool to land FC Basle's Mohamed Salah for £11million, according to Sportsmail sources in Switzerland.
Sportsmail revealed the Reds' interest in the Egypt forward and talks were reaching an advanced stage until Chelsea gazumped Brendan Rodgers' side on Wednesday.
With Juan Mata sealing his exit to Manchester United, the Blues have looked to replace the Spaniard with Salah, who impressed against them in the Champions League this season scoring in both of their group stage games, including the winner in Switzerland.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch some of Mohamed Salah's best goals

Done deal: Chelsea have signed Basle's Mohamed Salah, who has scored twice against them this

Mata's advisers fly in from Spain as United close to completing £37m deal

• Mata's representatives have flown in on Wednesday
  
• Spaniard was absent from Chelsea's training at Cobham on Wednesday
• He is set to become Manchester United's record transfer
• Mata hasn't played since being substituted at Southampton on Jan 1
• Moyes hoping to complete £37million deal before this end of this week
• Mourinho understood to have accepted Mata's wish for first-team football

By Neil Ashton


Juan Mata's representatives have flown in on Wednesday as they look to complete a £37million deal to take him to Manchester United before the end of the week.
The Chelsea star missed training and he is convinced he will have a medical before the weekend.
Jose Mourinho was watching his first team train but Mata was conspicuous by his absence at their Cobham training ground.

No sign of Juan Mata: Chelsea players at Cobham training ground on Wednesday

Absence: Despite most of the squad being present, Mata was nowhere to be seen

Chelsea v Man Utd: 'Jose Mourinho will surely attack vulnerable-looking Champions'

Hazard's in red-hot form and 'The Special One' is looking for his 100th Premier League victory...

By Ed Chamberlin 

Jose: Hazard Maturing

"What an opportunity Sunday's game is for David Moyes to prove a point, and his critics wrong, as the eyes of the football world will be focussed on Stamford Bridge."

Ed Chamberlin

The match is beautifully set up, not least because Chelsea are playing their best football of the season and are on a run of four straight League wins. Manchester United have won three straight away games themselves.
It's easily forgotten that in the sea of negative press following poor results in the Cups and at Old Trafford, Manchester United are unbeaten in their last seven away in the League, taking 17 points from a possible 21, and are the most in-form side away from home in the Premier League.
Sky Bet still have Chelsea as strong favourites at 4/5 with Man Utd at 100/30 and the draw at 13/5.

Transfer news: Schalke admit they cannot stop bid for Julian Draxler

By Thomas Zocher

Julian Draxler: Linked with January move

Schalke insist they want star man Julian Draxler to remain at the club, but there is little they can do if somebody meets his buy-out clause.

The 20-year-old, who has over four years left on his current deal with Schalke, has previously insisted he would not be leaving the club ahead of the World Cup finals.

Lampard? Luiz? Mikel? Which Chelsea stars should be sweating on their place as Blues re-sign £21m Matic from Benfica

By Charlie Skillen
What a difference three years makes.
Used as a makeweight in the deal to bring David Luiz to Stamford Bridge in 2011, Nemanja Matic is back at Chelsea in a £21million deal.
Critics have scoffed at the deal, using it to point out the Blues' pay-first-think-later flaws. But even Chelsea's extensive scouting team couldn't have predicted the Serbian would become one of Europe's most coveted midfielders.

Blue is the colour: Nemanja Matic poses with the Chelsea shirt after completing his £21m move

Don't mention the score! Mertesacker rages at Ozil for not applauding fans after Arsenal are hit for six by Manchester City

 

  Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil were involved in a massive bust-up as they walked off the pitch after Arsenal's 6-3 defeat at the Etihad.
Mertesacker stormed over to Ozil - one of his best friends in the game - and jabbed his finger in the  midfielder's face at the final whistle.

The spat was apparently as a consequence of Ozil not applauding the travelling Gunners fans, and was laughed off by boss Arsene Wenger, who said: 'The Germans will sort that out between themselves, don't worry.'

VIDEO Scroll down to watch: Manuel Pellegrini and Arsene Wenger - post match reactions

Pointing the finger: Per Mertesacker (right) explodes at Mesut Ozil following Arsenal's 6-3 defeat against Manchester City

Sunderland 1 Liverpool 3: Suarez back with a bang as Reds return to winning ways

Luis Suarez marked his return to Barclays Premier League action with a double as Liverpool edged past bottom-of-the-table Sunderland.

The Uruguay international, back in the fold after completing a 10-match suspension, needed just 37 minutes to find his way on to the scoresheet when he made the most of a flowing move to tap home from close range, and then celebrated by revealing a tee-shirt dedicated to his family.

Strike-partner Daniel Sturridge had given the visitors the lead by bundling home a 28th-minute Steven Gerrard corner with referee Howard Webb failing to spot that the ball had gone in off his arm, and it was he who set up Suarez to make it 3-1 at the death.

Family guy: Luis Suarez celebrates by showing a picture of his wife and daughter with new son Benjamin

Arsenal ban BBC from using club shirts in new police drama after fans are mocked as halfwits and criminals

Furious Arsenal banned the BBC from using a club shirt after a new drama portrayed Gooners fans as halfwits and criminals.

The Premier League club failed to see the funny side when they became the butt of the opening scenes of police drama By Any Means.

Gullible: The Arsenal-supporting suspect is lured with offer of exclsuive stadium tour

In the opening episode, cops trick an idiotic Arsenal fan who has skipped bail on robbery charges.
They lure the gullible suspect by promising him a tour of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and a chance to meet the players.

He arrives at an office covered in stickers saying “Arsenal” and “Emirates”. He meets two undercover detectives, who are decked head-to-toe in the north London club's famous red-and-white colours, like the suspect.

But when he boards a bus for his dream trip, he is arrested by Jack Quinn (Warren Brown) and told: ' You are under arrest for being an Arsenal fan... anything you do say will be ignored.'

Offside: BBC were banned from using official club shirts

Caught: The suspect is arrested as he boards the tour bus

When Quinn is asked if the scam was ethical, he says the victims are not just crooks and adds: 'It's worse than that, they're Gooners.'
Arsenal got wind of the storyline and banned the producers from using real kit and actors were forced to wear red and white shirts without any identifying logos.
A BBC spokesman told the Sun: 'Arsenal declined permission to use their branded shirts... so production decided, on advice to use shirts in a similar style instead.'

Veteran keeper Schwarzer makes surprise move to Chelsea on one-year deal

Mark Schwarzer has signed a one-year deal at Chelsea after leaving Fulham over the summer when his contract expired.
The 40-year-old keeper has played for Bradford City, Middlesbrough and most recently Fulham, spanning a period of 17 years.
'It's a phenomenal club,' he said to Chelsea's official club website. 'It's one of the biggest and best clubs in the world, and it's an honour to sign for Chelsea. 'I didn't take much convincing to come here.'

Veteran keeper: Mark Schwarzer has signed a one-year deal at Chelsea

Done deal: Schwarzer signing his contract with club Secretary/Director David Barnard

Schwarzer revealed returning Blues boss Mourinho had helped persuade him to join 'one of the best clubs in the country' after speaking to the Portuguese about his future options.
He told Sky Sports News: 'I've spoken to the manager at Chelsea and it was very easy to make the decision that Chelsea was the right club for me.
'The size and ambition of the club and the opportunities at the club ticked all the boxes. It was an amazing opportunity to join a fantastic club.
'It's one of the best clubs in the country, if not one of the best clubs in the world, so it was very easy to make the decision after speaking to the manager.'
The Australian helped his country qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next summer, and although he will be behind Chelsea No 1 Petr Cech, he may still get a chance to prove his quality ahead of the competition.
He has 108 caps for Australia, and his crowning moments in England including winning the League Cup with Middlesbrough in 2003 and playing in the 2006 UEFA Cup and 2010 Europa League finals.

Sharing a joke: Schwarzer meets England duo Frank Lampard and John Terry

Meeting the boss: Jose Mourinho was happy to see his new acquisition

Keeping buddies: Schwarzer and his new teammate Petr Cech

Doing the rounds: Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku meets Schwarzer at their Cobham Training Ground

 

Arsenal-unveil-new-away-kit-Jack-Wilshere-Theo-Waloctt-replace-club-legends-Emirates-Stadium-poster.

Arsenal have lacked a British contingent in their recent past teams, but the club showed off its home-grown future by using six Brits to unveil their new away strip.
Ahead of the launch event, kit manufactures Nike tweeted a picture of Jack Wilshere wearing the new kit.
Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Ramsey were on hand reveal the yellow kit as they appeared outside the Emirates Stadium as well as on a banner on the walls of the ground normally occupied by club legends.

All smiles: Jack Wilshere poses in the new Arsenal strip

Brit showing: Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs helped unveil the new Arsenal strip outside the Emirates Stadium

Future legends: Six of Arsenal's British stars unveiled their new away kit

The 39m x 13m image will be on display throughout July and up until early August when the kit will officially go on sale across all the club's retail outlets.
Arsenal will wear the strip for the first time when the club goes on its four-match Asia tour later this month.
The shirt is yellow with a blue polo neck collar and deep blue cuffs on the sleeves, both featuring a thin yellow stripe. The collar replicates a polo shirt and reflects the best of London style from fine gentleman’s tailoring to urban street wear. 

The new away shorts are blue while the new away socks feature the traditional Arsenal hoop sock design in blue and yellow, harking back to the style of those worn in the 1930s under the innovative stewardship of Herbert Chapman.

Invincibles? Nike revealed an early image showing Wilshere in the strip

Speaking about the new kit, Walcott said: 'The kit looks and feels great. Arsenal is synonymous with yellow and blue and I think this new design fuses that tradition with a modern twist. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch and wear it!'
The Gunners have often appeared in a yellow change strip but haven’t had a new design since 2010.
The new strip features similarities to the club’s yellow number from 2003/04 when the ‘Invincibles’ side went a season unbeaten and the club contained star players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires.

Unbeaten: Arsenal went the whole 2003/04 league campaign without losing a game

With the home kit set to stay the same, this is poised to be the last kit made by Nike for Arsenal during a 20-year partnership before Puma supply the north London club with strips from next season.
After signing a £30million-per-year deal over five years, the German designers have agreed a record deal with the Gunners which will eclipse Liverpool’s current agreement of £25million per year with Warrior.

ARSENAL FIXTURES

July 2013

Competition

Watch it on

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• 
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Sun 14th Jul 20.30 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

Indonesia XI

Arsenal

• Listen on Arsenal Player
• Match News
• Ticket Info

Wed 17th Jul 19.00

Vietnam

A

Friendly Match

• Listen on Arsenal Player
• Match News

Mon 22nd Jul 19.30

Nagoya Grampus

A

Friendly Match

• Listen on Arsenal Player
• Match News
• Ticket Info

Fri 26th Jul 19.30

Urawa Red Diamonds

A

Friendly Match

• Listen on Arsenal Player
• Match News
• Ticket Info

August 2013

Sat 3rd Aug 16.20

Napoli

H

Emirates Cup

• Listen on Arsenal Player
• Match News
• Ticket Info

Sun 4th Aug 16.20

Galatasaray

H

Emirates Cup

• Listen on Arsenal Player
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20/21

Play Off 1L

N

UEFA Champions League

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27/28

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N

UEFA Champions League

rooney was in daze at old trafford

Rooney was in a daze at Old Trafford but he'll be ready to prove Fergie wrong... don't be surprised if he makes Chelsea suffer

By JAMIE REDKNAPP

PUBLISHED: 11:51 GMT, 7 March 2013 | UPDATED: 12:34 GMT, 7 March 2013

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This goes one of two ways. Wayne Rooney could be back in the Manchester United team on Sunday and who would be against him scoring the winner against Chelsea?

But this summer, with two years left on his contract, it will either result in a new deal – or an extraordinary transfer out of Old Trafford. We won’t have to wait long to find out the ending to
this film.

This is not Arsenal. Manchester United do not run their business the same way and will not allow
one of their most marketable assets to drift towards the end of his contract and the risk of a lucrative free transfer.

Snubbed: Wayne Rooney started on the bench as Manchester United lost to Real Madrid at Old Trafford

They will tie him to a longer contract, or sell him to the highest bidder. And there will be no shortage of takers if they press the eject button.

His recent goal record is 12 in 16 games – which is not exceptional but not bad and he scored against Norwich at the weekend. He didn’t find out he wasn’t playing until shortly before kick-off and was surprised and naturally hurt.

How does he react to that? He is a player with supreme gifts, capable of the sensational. I’m told he is in the mood to prove people wrong and to show there is plenty left in the tank. Sunday would be a good day to start.

It happens to every footballer when you have to look at yourself and ask questions: Am I working hard enough, am I living my life the right way, what more can I do to prove to the manager I should be in the team? You may want to blame someone else, but you eventually have to take responsibility yourself.

Late arrival: Rooney came on for Tom Cleverley in the 73rd minute on Tuesday

He may have arrived in training this morning with the thought: ‘I am going to prove you wrong, boss’.  

He will need to work on repairing the damage to his relationship with Sir Alex, caused by the decision to leave him out. 

It will have bruised his ego to see Cristiano Ronaldo, once his team-mate and a player who shared the same stage, dominate Champions League last-16 tie with one goal in the first leg and the match winner in the second.

Paranoia will be creeping through him now: ‘The manager doesn’t fancy me, he didn’t pick me for the biggest game of the season’. And he will be hurt that United are out and he could do little about it, no going back. He looked in a daze at the end of the game.

When we saw Wayne playing in a defensive right sided role in the first leg Madrid, it was suggested he was ‘doing it for the team’. I watched him closely… and that’s not for him. He won’t have enjoyed that.

Contrasting fortunes: Rooney suffered as former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner (below)

He’s a creator, a goalscorer and – yes, he can put in a shift – but Rooney in a boiler suit when he should be on the red carpet, front of house?

Leaving may be good business for both parties and may suit everyone. He’s 28 in October and this represents a chance for Manchester United to extract a big transfer fee.

Wayne is still a fantastic footballer and I see a stampede of clubs to his door. Chelsea, Manchester City, PSG, AC Milan, Juventus… why not?

Sir Alex is due to speak on Friday and it will be fascinating to hear what he has to say about the decision to drop Wayne. I will be very surprised if we don’t hear him say: ‘He plays against Chelsea, it is business as usual’. And then we will all see what sort of form and mood Rooney is in.

Talented players have the tools to create the best answer to anyone who doubts them. Rooney is a talent and it will be fascinating to see what happens next.

P.S. His future is up in the air but Rooney is having one of his best seasons yet

Wayne Rooney was dropped for Manchester United's clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday but as our stats show, the striker is on course to enjoy his second most successful season with the club.

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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2289561/Wayne-Rooney-Jamie-Redknapp-Manchester-United-strikers-future.html#ixzz2MrE4VTRe
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