Monday, 18 August 2014

Rojo set to return to Sporting training

Rojo set to return to Sporting training

Rojo set to return to Sporting training

Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:48 PM PDT

The 24-year-old Argentina international was disciplined by the Portuguese club last week amid reports he missed training in a bid to force a transfer to Premier League giants United. However, Rojo explainedon Sunday that he willgo back to training this coming week, adding that he has settled any differences with the Lisbon club. "It was all a misunderstanding,I was a hothead. I'm sorry for what happened because I feel that I was unprofessional," he told Sporting's official TV station. "My career depends on Sporting.Now I will try to correct the situation.At the time Sportingsignedme, it was not a good timeI can only thankSporting." Rojo, who impressed for Argentina at the World Cup, has been a regular feature for Sporting since joining from Spartak Moscow in 2012. However, he was not selected by coach Marco Silva for the club's 1-1 draw with Academica on Saturday on the first weekend of the Primeira Liga.

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Debrief: Life after Suarez starts well as Liverpool discover new SAS

Posted: 17 Aug 2014 02:30 PM PDT

Liverpool's new SAS can share burden of Suarez departure What will life after Suarez be like for Liverpool? It's been a question asked all summer and in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Southampton we got our answer: it will be different, but they will survive. Brendan Rodgers said after the game that Suarez had sent his former manager a text message wishing the club luck for the rest of the season, describing the exchange as "a real love-in". On the pitch, a similar love-in between's Liverpool's new SAS - Sterling and Sturridge - looks like holding the key to the post-Suarez era at Anfield. Daniel Sturridge made his 50th appearance for Liverpool and promptly scored his 37th goal, the all-important winner with just over 10 minutes remaining. Sturridge's scoring rate at Anfield is bettered by only one man in Liverpool history: George Allan, who hit 41 in his first half century of games back in the late 19th century - a statistic that shows just how brilliant Sturridge has been for Liverpool since joining. That the goal came from a Raheem Sterling assist was noteworthy, as it is these two more than most that will likely carry the responsibility for goals and attacking responsibility left by Suarez's departure. Sturridge's goals won Liverpool 20 points last season - more than any other player in the league - while Sterling's potential is enormous. They didn't combine too often on the day, exchanging only five successful passes between them all game, but the fact one of those moments created the winner sums up the importance Liverpool's new SAS have in helping the club get over Barcelona's £75 million Uruguayan. Southampton dismiss doom-and-gloom merchants with bright display We've all seen the memes - the pictures of an empty house on Southampton's first day back in pre-season, the jokes about how they've become Liverpool's favourite finishing school. But on the evidence of a gutsy display at Anfield on the opening weekend, the Saints will be fine, and not the relegation candidates some had previously thought after their summer exodus. Though dominated early on, Ronald Koeman's team took the game to Liverpool for periods of an entertaining match, equalising through a brilliantly-worked goal by Nathaniel Clyne and playing with welcome confidence, energy and enthusiasm. There were no heads down here and no reasons for doom and gloom. Had Steven Davis and £12 million man Shane Long been more clinical in front of goal, Southampton might even have come away with a second consecutive win at Anfield. James Ward-Prowse and Dusan Tadic were the pick of the bunch, Ward-Prowse's delivery from set pieces outstanding at times, while in Clyne, Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin Southampton have three very good players that can help the team get over the summer losses. Fraser Forster also looked solid on his Saints debut. Koeman probably needs another central defender or two, but the money is there for them to dip into the market and strengthen further. Keep up this performance level and they should be fine. Sterling ready to explode this season Dejan Lovren looked classy at the back on his Liverpool debut, completing 66 of 69 passes while attacking the ball aggressively both on the ground and aerially. James Ward-Prowse too was very impressive and Dusan Tadic looked like he could prove an excellent signing for the Saints. But if one player stood out at Anfield it was Raheem Sterling, whose goal and assist effectively made him the game's match-winner. Sterling has shown signs, both in pre-season and on the opening weekend, that he may already be ready to step up to the next level for Liverpool this season. It's something Rodgers has touched upon too and while the Reds boss is never slow to shower his players with praise, you feel his excitement only reflects the sheer joy he has in working with the incredibly gifted 19-year-old on a daily basis. "He scored 10 goals last year and this kid is only going to get better," Rodgers raved last week. "His development has gone to a new level. He's way above the level from when he first came in. "Tactically, technically, and what has been beautiful to watch with Raheem has been his maturity. He's turning into a beautiful young man, with all the responsibility. He's taking it all in his stride and now he's in a good place with every part of his game. It's just about maintaining that commitment to his work. He's still only 19, but in big games he's performed and he's a wonderful talent." 'A beautiful young man' may be pushing towards the boundaries of homo-eroticism, but Sterling is progressing very well and gradually reaching that upper echelon of most exciting young players anywhere in world football, let alone in the Premier League. With Real Madrid already rumoured to be sniffing around it might be an idea to bring those contract renewal talks with Sterling forward. He looks like he's going to be one hell of a player. Business as usual for Man City It took them a while, and the Community Shield beating at the hands of Arsenal may have caused concern for those strange people who take those kinds of things seriously, but it was clear watching champions Manchester City slowly click into gear at St James' Park that - as long as they keep the same unassuming, hard-working approach - they won't be giving up their title without a fight. It says much about the relative health of both Manchester teams when you look at City's summer dealings and realise that this stable team of champions and League Cup winners have made twice the number of signings as 'in need of a major squad overhaul' neighbours United. Already a fearsome team packed with experience and no small amount of quality, City have still improved the squad with six signings including Fernando - who made a sturdy if unspectacular debut. City should be feared on strength in depth alone. Here, Stevan Jovetic came off to be replaced by Sergio Aguero, who scored the second goal to kill off the game. Manuel Pellegrini shuffled his midfield pack in-game, bringing Fernandinho on to partner Fernando with Yaya Toure shifting further forward, while Eliaquim Mangala will add immediate quality in defence. Arsenal and Liverpool have been talked up all summer and many almost assume Chelsea will walk it, but City showed against Newcastle that they won't relinquish their hard-earned crown easily. Reasons for optimism at Newcastle Newcastle underwent big changes in the summer, signing nine new players (though Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow were loaned straight back to Nottingham Forest) with six players leaving. Alan Pardew finds himself under huge pressure after a dreadful end to last season, and as such it's important that the Magpies look competitive early, before the howls of discontent grow into piercing screams that see Pardew's position become untenable. Despite losing 2-0 at home to champions Manchester City on the opening day, the early signs were relatively encouraging. Newcastle's general play was pleasing - they defended well for the most part with Mike Williamson solid and Jack Colback putting in a performance that suggests he will slot into midfield almost seamlessly, adding tenacity and good anticipation, making more interceptions than any other player on the pitch. Pardew's side had what looked like promising balance to it. In midfield Moussa Sissoko played the 'Di Maria at Real Madrid' role, breaking forward from midfield with pace and forming an important link between defensive situations and attack - the midfield launchpad shuffling forward to spark counter-attacks. Remy Cabella excited - one silky skill in particular leaving Martin Demichelis looking rather silly - and Emmanuel Riviere, though rash in front of goal, looked an interesting focal point, knocking City's defenders off the ball with brute force on more than one occasion. Newcastle managed 12 shots on goal to City's 13 - the problem being they didn't manage a single effort on target. The defence needs work, and shooting practice could help, but signs are that Life After Shola doesn't have to be all grey skies and sorrow. Questioning the revolution at Old Trafford After all the talk of a 3-5-2 revolution at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal discarded the tactic at half-time of Manchester United's opening day defeat to Swansea City. There are question marks as to whether the formation can actually work in the Premier League. For a team like United, who regularly face teams who come to Old Trafford, sit back and play for a point, is a three-man central defence really necessary? United play on one of the biggest pitches in the land and against Swansea the spaces between the three bands - defence, midfield and attack - were far too big. If the defence pushes up, however, they're vulnerable to one ball over the top putting a player clean through (Swansea nearly took advantage of this on a few occasions). If the defence sits back, the gaps in midfield are difficult for the midfield trio to cover. A successful 3-5-2 also requires an exceptional centre-forward who can drop deep, beat a man and burst forward with pace, similar to Arjen Robben with the Netherlands. A Gareth Bale type of player as opposed to two static strikers that are easily marked. Van Gaal will know all this, of course, but it raises question marks as to whether the 3-5-2 can succeed at Old Trafford. If he's to stick with it, the key is to bring in the personnel capable of making it work. With United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward continuing to bungle his way through a second summer in the transfer market, that looks difficult.

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Ajax defender Blind coy on Man United links

Posted: 17 Aug 2014 09:45 AM PDT

Reports have indicated that new United manager Louis van Gaal is keen to be reunited with the 24-year-oldafter he played a starring role in the Netherlands' run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Brazil. However, Blind was silent on those suggestions when pressed on the subject following Ajax's 3-1 Eredivisie win at AZ on Sunday. "I have nothing to report," Blind said in quotes reported by Voetbal Primeur. "I'm happy here." However, Blind refused to rule out the possibility ofleaving the Dutch championsif the right club made an approach for his services. "Certainly I don't need to leave and I am happy with all the support," he added. "But if a nice club comes, then we'll talk. And then we'll see."

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Zanzi determined to keep Benatia at Roma

Posted: 17 Aug 2014 05:34 AM PDT

The Morocco centre-back has been linked with a number of top European clubs in recent weeks, includingManchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Bayern's interest has reportedly stepped up after Javi Martinez suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the DFL Supercup defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. But, despite the apparent clamour for Benatia's services, Zanzi insistsRoma do not intend to sell the 27-year-old. "Mehdi is our player. According to some media sources he had already been sold, but instead he is training with us in a very professional manner," Zanzi told Corriere dello Sport. ""It's a shame about all these rumours. He is a great person and is behaving in the best possible way. "The transfer market is dynamic, as until September 1 we will evaluate every opportunity and ensure we are ready." Benatia joined Roma from Udinese in July 2013 and scored five goals in 37 appearances as Rudi Garcia's men finished second in Serie A.

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Monk: Swansea can improve on United win

Posted: 17 Aug 2014 03:31 AM PDT

Goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ki Sung-yueng handed Swansea a 2-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday in the opening game of the new season. The victory marked the second time in 2014 that the Welsh club have triumphed at United following an FA Cup third round success back in January. Monk, though, does not want his team to become complacent and believes Swansea are capable of producing more polished performances. "We can get better, we can improve on that," insisted Monk. "We can be sharper in certain areas, but the whole key to it all was us coming together as a group, working for each other and I think everyone saw that. "We've worked very hard in pre-season, putting structures in place were we could adapt to different situations and it was very pleasing we did that for most of the game and limit Manchester United to very little chances." Wayne Rooney's close-range overhead kickcancelled out Ki's opener before Sigurdsson stunned the home fans 18 minutes from time. Swansea boss Monk added: "The disappointing thing was conceding from a set-piece and the marking involved but the character to come back shows what we've got in the squad. "Now we have to make sure we prepare as best as possible every week and to perform as consistently as we can. "There will be days when we lose, but hopefully there will be more days like this."

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Pellegrini: Experience gives Man City an edge

Posted: 16 Aug 2014 01:08 AM PDT

After arriving from Malaga, Pellegrini went on to secure two trophies in his maiden campaign in England - the League Cup and Premier League. With neighbours Manchester United getting to grips with new manager Louis van Gaal and a fresh system, Pellegrini hopes he can sustain success at the Etihad Stadium into a second season. "Maybe last year when I arrived here nobody believed that we could win the title because it was my first season here in England. But we did it. "This year we have the advantage that I already know the players and they know me, we have already won the title. "But it is difficult for a team who wins the title to repeat it but we will try to do it. "I think the most important difference was work. "We were just starting the season in a new style of playing. "This year we know how to do it, we have new players that must understand also the way we want to play but I think it is important to continue playing that way."

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