Kroos to miss crunch Real Madrid fixtures

No Madrid derby, Clasico or Club World Cup for German

 

There is never a good time for a player to go down injured, but the injury suffered this week by Toni Kroos arrives at an especially bad stretch of the season for Real Madrid.

The final few weeks of 2016 will see Los Blancos contest some of their toughest fixtures of the whole campaign and now they must tackle these games without their star German midfielder - who has fractured the fifth metatarsal on his right foot and is out until 2017.

For starters, the 26-year-old will miss the Madrid derby at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on November 19, Real Madrid's first game after this week's international break.

He'll also be unavailable for the first Clasico of the season, which will take place at the Camp Nou in the first week of December, while he'll similarly miss the matches in between those two title-defining away trips - namely the games against Sporting CP, Sporting Gijon and Cultural Leonesa.

Zinedine Zidane will also have to make do without the World Cup winner at December's FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

In total, before the end of the calendar year the capital city club must play four league matches, two Champions League games, the Club World Cup and one Copa del Rey fixture and they will not have Kroos for any of those outings.

Read More

Brazil vs Argentina: So much more than Neymar vs Messi

The Selecao host their great rivals on Thursday when everyone will have to play their part in a contest that will not boil down to Barca vs Barca

 

Brazil and Argentina lock horns once again this week for the showpiece event of the Conmebol World Cup qualifying campaign.

The match takes on an added significance for the hosts, as they return to the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte for the first time since their infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany at World Cup 2014.

It was also the city that hosted Argentina that year, as they went all the way to the final before going down 1-0 to Brazil's last-four executioners.
  
Much of the talk in the build-up has been focused on Barcelona team-mates Neymar and Lionel Messi, who will find themselves on opposite teams. The superstar duo carry the hopes of their nation, but the clash is so much more than just a face-off between two of the game's greatest individuals.

Both nations have faced continued accusations of an over-reliance on star performers, but under new coach Tite the Selecao appear to have found an answer.

The emergence of Gabriel Jesus has provided a solution to Brazil's long search for a centre-forward. The teenage sensation is the top scorer under the new boss with four goals in four appearances.

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho has also forced his way into the team after having spent so long making do with a support role. The former Inter man has been in sparkling form in the Premier League this season and last month won a starting role under Tite, relegating Willian to the bench.

Indeed, a number of those plying their trade in England are expected to take on leading roles in the Superclasico. Sergio Aguero has returned to Manchester City's starting line-up and will be tasked with firing Argentina past their great rivals.

There will be huge pressure on Aguero, who was singled out for criticism in the Argentine media last month after the 'hermanos' slumped to a draw in Peru and a shock 0-1 defeat to Paraguay in Buenos Aires in October.

A sanction for Bolivia (who fielded an ineligible player) saw Chile's goalless draw turned into a 3-0 victory. It leaves Argentina out of the qualification places in sixth place ahead of the 11th round of fixtures in Conmebol World Cup qualifying.

Gonzalo Higuain will also be expected to find the net with Argentina desperate for goals – only three of the 10 teams on the continent have scored fewer than the 11 Argentina have netted in 10 outings.

The two-time world champions certainly have the firepower, but who will fashion the bullets? Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria will be asked to create.

Brazil can also welcome back Douglas Costa, who is hoping to make his first international appearance since March, while midfield maestro Renato Augusto has been one of Brazil's finest performers since breaking into the team last year and leading the Selecao to Olympic gold in Rio.

Fernandinho will also play a vital role, having impressed in midfield after replacing the injured Casemiro last month, and there will be huge responsibility on Paulinho, who will likely be asked to concentrate on reducing the space in which Messi can work his magic.

The two coaches, too, will play a vital role. Tite is riding high, earning labels of the saviour of Brazilian football, while Edgardo Bauza is on the ropes after winning just one of his four games in charge.

Will Bauza shuffle his pack? Will Tite spring a surprise? It's the Superclasico: international football's biggest fixture and everyone will play a part.

7mSport 

Read More

Steven Gerrard eager to play on when LA Galaxy deal expires - sources

Former England captain Gerrard, 36, saw his season ended early on Sunday after the LA Galaxy lost on penalties to Colorado Rapids in the Major League Soccer playoffs. He did not speak to the media after the game.

Gerrard's contract at LA Galaxy ends in December and it is not yet known if the ex-Liverpool midfielder will prolong his stay in America.

It has been suggested that Gerrard could hang up his boots once he leaves LA Galaxy to focus on going into coaching, but sources close to the player have told ESPN FC that he is open to offers to extend his playing career.

Gerrard is due to return to the United Kingdom next month and plans to assess all the options available to him.

A move back to the Premier League seems unlikely, with the former Liverpool captain having said he could not imagine playing against his boyhood club and Jurgen Klopp unlikely to bring him back in a playing capacity in the winter window.

Gerrard could seek to follow in the path of David Beckham and play for a top European club, with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder spending short spells with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain after moving to MLS with the Galaxy.

After Sunday's playoff ouster, Galaxy teammate Ashley Cole apologised to his former England colleague.

Striker Robbie Keane is also out of contract with the Galaxy, but he said he was confident he would return to MLS in 2017, even if he had to leave Los Angeles.

"I'll be playing next year, somewhere," Keane said. "Whether that's here or somewhere else I'll 100 percent be playing in the league."

Landon Donovan's future is less certain after the former United States star returned for the end of the 2016 season after retiring 18 months earlier.

"It's not the time to talk about that. You'll see me -- I don't know where, but..." Donovan said before trailing off.

Read More

Zlatan Ibrahimovic apologises to Manchester United fans ahead of Arsenal clash 

Manchester United summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic has apologised to Red Devil's fans after picking up his fifth booking of the season during his side's 3-1 victory over Sweansea City.

The former Sweden international's fifth yellow of the season means he will be suspended for the match against Arsenal in two week's time.

Ibrahimovic scored twice in the first half against Swansea however, was booked in the second half after tangling with thw Netherland's international midfielder Leroy Fer.

" I used to say tat a striker who doesn't score goals and does nothing else is one player less, " Ibrahimovic told MUTV.

" But a striker that doesn't score goals but does everything else is a very important player for the team. He wasn't scoring goals but he was doing everything else.

" He was working defensively, in the build up and second phase of the attack, he was giving assists and contributing towards the goalkeeper that was playing against us always being the man of the match.

" He was doing so many things that I wasn't worried but today we needed goals and he got them."

The former Barcelona striker is currently United's top scorer with eight goals this season, youngster Marcus Rashford is in second place with four. Meanwhile, club captain Wayne Rooney has managed to score just two goals this term.

Manchester United are currently in sixth place in the Premier League and find themselves eight points behind leaders Chelsea. The Red Devils face Arsenal in their next Premier League clash on November 19.

Read More

Mesut Ozil must extend Arsenal contract if he wants to be new Dennis Bergkamp, says Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that if Mesut Ozil wants to become the new Dennis Bergkamp he must sign a new contract according to Sky Sports.

Per the source, Wenger stated that he would like to have another 10 years of Ozil at  Arsenal so that he can
become a legend like Bergkamp.

Wenger underlined that Bergkamp because a legend because he played at the North London based outfit until he was 38.

Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid on an Arsenall club record transfer in 2013 and still has another three-years remaining on his contract but Wenger is keen on the 28-years-old extending his current deal.

"Dennis Bergkamp committed for a long period, played until he was 38. I wish we have 10 more years of Ozil. That depends. To become a legend at the club you need to stay for a long time, " Wenger was quoted as saying.

" I understand that being a legend like Dennis Bergkamp, if you stay two years you would not be a legend."

Ozil has been in impressive form the Gunners this season scoring a total of seven goals in all competition on Sunday season.

Read More

Klopp hints at January signings

Jurgen Klopp could add to his Liverpool squad in January after losing Danny Ings to a season-ending knee injury.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hinted at additions to his squad in January following Danny Ings' season-ending knee injury.

Ings' campaign is over after undergoing surgery on his knee, while Klopp will be without Sadio Mane in the New Year due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments.

It has led to the German considering signings in the transfer market, and he said it could be an option.

"We watch the market all the time and of course we need to be prepared for different situations and one of them is injuries," Klopp told UK newspapers.

" The African Cup of Nations we already knew about so we don't need to be influenced or surprised by that, but it could be a moment when we approach the market."

Klopp is also wary of just how busy a period it will be for his team, who are third in the Premier League.

Although he has options up front in Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi in Ings' absence, Klopp wants to have enough depth.

" It's not about how many strikers. Three strikers is enough, I think, but when Sadio is away we will be without a winger. We do not have many wingers, I would say, " he said.

" Roberto Firmino could play as a kind of a winger which would then give us just two strikers. That's how it is.

" But it is a long way to go until January and that month is busy. If we can go to the semi-final of League Cup it could be the busiest month of the year. We need to be prepared for this for sure."

Read More

Barcelona confirm new contract talks have begun with “best player in history” Messi

Barcelona have confirmed that they are currently holding talks with Lionel Messi over the negotiation of a new contract.

The Catalan club are keen for several of their players to pen new deals that will tie them to the club in the long term including Luis Suarez, Sergi Roberto, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Ivan Rakitic.

But Messi's signature is the main focus and president Josep Maria Bartomeu has spoke of the significance of securing the future of the club's all time highest goalscorer.

Bartomeu said, as reported by AS English: " Everybody, including him, knows that what we want is for him to stay here for as long as he wants. He is the best player in the world. He is the number one and on a  completely different level to the rest.

" Of course everybody is entitled to their opinion but for me, he is the best player in the history of football."

Messi terrorised Manchester City at the Nou Camp two weeks ago with his cunning play. play.

Staying stationery when maintaing that he is not involved within that phase of play and bursting to life when presented with the opportunity to influence proceedings, Messi picked his moments perfectly and cleverly planned exactly what he executed.

After his opener on Tuesday night City must have feared the worst but Messi was not afforded many more opportunities to link with Neymar and Suarez.He has scored seven goals and has claimed two assists in eight La Liga appearances this season.

Read More

Mourinho may use Jones in Turkey/Phil Jones could feature for Manchester United against Fenerbahce

Phil Jones [ far left] is among the United players relaxing ahead of Europa League duty

 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Phil Jones may be in the line-up for Thursday night's Europa League clash at Fenerbahce.

The 24-year-old England international has not played yet this season but he has now returned to fitness.

And, with United short of numbers at the back, Jones may go straight into the starting line-up for the tricky Group A tie.

Mourinho says he is pleased to have Jones available again and says it is a shame the player has been so unfortunate with injuries.

" I can't remember when Phil Jones had a good run of matches for united, "  said the Portuguese boss.

" I remember when I was at Real Madrid in about 2012, I played against Man United and Phil Jones played then.

" I don't remember many occasions after that when Phil was ready. He's having a difficult relationship with injuries and it's been a difficult period for him.

" He has worked hard to recover, he has been training with the team for more than a week.

" We lost three defenders in a week in [Antonio] Valencia, [Eric] Bailly and [Chris] Smalling, and because of that we do not have enough time to give him, for him to get into good condition.

" Maybe we have to play him." 

United lost their Europa League opener in Feyenoord but have bounced back with home wins over FC Zorya Luhansk and Fenerbahce.

Mourinho added: " The problem we had in Feyenoord we resolved by winning the next two matches and by putting ourselves in a positive position in the group.

" If we had not won the next two matches we would be in trouble, but, no, our reaction was to win the next two matches at home, which we did.

" By having six points out of six from the home matches we have put ourselves in a positive in the group." 

Read More

Man United boss Jose Mourinho given one-match ban and fine

JOSE MOURINHO has been fined £50,000 for imprper conduct regarding his remarks before Manchester United's game against Liverpool and will serve a one-match ban for his touchline row at Burnley.

Man United boss Jose Mourinho has been given a one-match ban

An Independent Regulatory Commission heard that the Portuguese chief accepted the comments he made before the Liverpool clash constituted imprper conduct.

However, Mourinho denied they brought the game into disrepute.

The Commission found the disrepute element of the charge proven and, as well as being fined, the United boss was given a warning about his future behaviour.

In addition, Mourinho will now serve an immediate one-match ban after he admitted using abusive and /or insulting words towards a match official during his side's game against Burnley last weekend.

The incident happened in or around the tunnel area during half-time.

 Man United boss Jose Mourinho had been banned following his antics against Burnley

As well as the suspension, the standard penalty for this breach includes an  £8,000 fine.

The Red Devils face Turkish giants Fenerbache tomorrow night in the Europa League.

They follow up their Eruopean exploits with a trip to Swansea on Sunday.

 

 

Read More

Paul Pogba must do this to realise full potential, according to Manchester United legend

Paul Pogba is trying too hard at Macnchester United according to Bryan Robson

 BRYAN ROBSON believes Paul Pogba needs to "stop trying too hard" to justify his huge transfer fee and get back to enjoying his football. 

The United legend believes the world-recoed transfer fee of £89.3million is weighing heavy on the midfielder with contributions on the pitch galling a little short of expectations.

But Robson has no doubt the France international has the talent to come good, particularly if the team can start to string together a consistent run of results.

Paul Pogba produced one of his best performances in a United shirt against Thursday's Europa League group opponents Fenerbache in the 4-1 victory two weeks ago, but Robson believes he has yet to fully acclimatise following his summer move from Juventus.

"Paul is doing okay, but it's just okay at the moment and we all know there is better to come. He needs to get back to basics, enjoy his football, not be worrying about the transfer fee, " said Robson.

" I'm sure his form will come on because he does have the abitlity." 

Robson changed hands for what was a record £1.5million when moving from West Brown to Manchester United in 1981 and admitted he found it difficult at first to cope with the bruden.

" Sometimes you try too hard, try to do things you wouldn't normally try to do because you're trying too hard," he said.

"It can weigh heavy with some players. I've seen it in quite a few who've come to the club. It takes you a fair few months just to settle down and go back to your basics. That's all Paul needs to do - get back to basics, enjoy his football, not be worrying about the transfer fee." 

Pogba's tentative start in a United shirt has left manager Jose Mourinho unsure of his best midfield set-up according to Robson.

" I don't think he has settled on his best midfield yet," said the former England midfielder. " I liked the balance of the midfield in the City game where Herera was the other side of Michael Carrick and Pogba was on the other side. The boys played particularly well in the second half.

" This match against Fenerbache will be a good challenge but the way they played in the home match showed they are the better team, They should get a good result." 

 

Read More