Category: Soccer Players

Bayern beat Mainz to win Telekom Cup

Javi Martinez headed the winner for the Bundesliga champions in a 2-1 victory on Saturday to secure the club’s third title in the competition Bayern Munich won their first trophy of 2017 on Saturday, lifting the Telekom Cup after Javi Martinez headed the winner in a 2-1 victory over Mainz. The Bundesliga champions, who beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 4-1 on penalties in their semi-final earlier in the day, took the lead in just the fourth minute.

Costa no loss for Chelsea as EPL leader beats Leicester 3-0

Chelsea easily coped without top-scorer Diego Costa, sweeping aside fading champion Leicester 3-0 to go seven points clear in the English Premier League on Saturday. Marcos Alonso scored twice and Pedro Rodriguez headed in the third as Chelsea put its title bid back on track after a 13-match winning run ended at Tottenham in the previous game.

Corinthians just ‘waiting for’ Drogba’s signature

The Chelsea legend’s next move looks set to take him to Brazil, with the Ivorian poised to sign a 12-month contract after leaving Montreal Impact Corinthians are closing in on the signing of former Chelsea star Didier Drogba after director of football Flavio Adauto revealed they are just ‘waiting’ for the Ivorian’s signature. Drogba is without a club after his two-year spell at MLS club Montreal Impact came to an end in November as a result of falling out with coach Mauro Biello.

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 West Bromwich Albion

Harry Kane struck a hat-trick as Tottenham moved second in the Premier League table with a display of total dominance against West Brom at White Hart Lane. Spurs never looked like failing to equal their club record of six straight Premier League wins as they set about dismantling their visitors, amassing 10 shots and 78% possession by half-time.

Komets must take easier shots

The Journal Gazette Mason Baptista, right, brings the puck around the net for the Komets to try a shot on goalie Colin Stevens of the Tulsa Oilers while Tulsa’s Wes Cunningham and Fort Wayne’s Gabriel Desjardins battle for position in front of the net.

Garry Monk: Leeds are finally moving in the right direction

Garry Monk wants everyone involved with Leeds to continue pushing in the right direction after his side moved up to third in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win over Derby. Leeds have been one of the Championship’s surprise packages under Monk this season and they made it five straight victories without conceding at Elland Road on Friday night courtesy of Chris Wood’s header.

Welcome to Los Angeles, Chargers

… your gear! More on that below). Therefore, I am sympathetic to the San Diego fans who are feeling the loss of a major sports franchise. In a strange way, teams help to define our cities. One cannot think of the Cowboys and their connection to …

Pochettino hails ‘killer’ Alli

… to return to the starting line-up when West Brom visit north London for Saturday’s early kick-off, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 11.30am. The Baggies have a good recent record at White Hart Lane and have not lost there in over five years – including …

Paul Pogba: Jose Mourinho advice helped me step up performance

Paul Pogba, left, has seen his form improve in recent weeks which he puts down to advice from Jose Mourinho Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba says he has been greatly encouraged by advice from manager Jose Mourinho which as a result has given him more freedom on the pitch. The 23-year-old, who rejoined the Premier League club from Italian champions Juventus last summer, revealed United boss Mourinho told him “you know how to play, do what you want” which handed the France international a confidence boost and has seen his form improve in recent weeks.

Barcelona official relieved from role after Messi comment-Image1

A Barcelona official has been dismissed from an institutional-relations role after he said Lionel Messi would not be as good if he didn’t have great teammates, the club announced on Friday. Barcelona said it relieved Pere Gratacos from his responsibilities because “he publicly expressed a personal opinion that did not coincide with the opinion of the entity.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ‘relaxed’ about Mesut Ozil’s contract …

‘The pundits who talk… I don’t remember them playing, but they will remember me for the rest of their lives’: Ibrahimovic speaks to Henry ahead of United vs Liverpool Practical jokes, stealing T-Shirts and trainers and a comedy act with a giant phone… how Mourinho has turned United around after worst ever start QUIZ: Know your Leopards from the Panthers? See if you can identify the 16 Africa Cup of Nations team nicknames ‘I’ve been shaped by two greats… Ferguson and Keane’: Fletcher on Manchester United, illness and his Euro dream for West Brom Chelsea in talks over pre-season tour of China and Japan in effort to boost club’s profile in the Far East ‘I want to put my print on this club’: Schneiderlin keen to impress at Everton after sealing A 24m move from United West Ham are not the first club to experience Payet’s petulance… the Frenchman has a history of ill-discipline Super … (more)

Transfer news LATEST: LIVE Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool FC updates

‘The pundits who talk… I don’t remember them playing, but they will remember me for the rest of their lives’: Ibrahimovic speaks to Henry ahead of United vs Liverpool Practical jokes, stealing T-Shirts and trainers and a comedy act with a giant phone… how Mourinho has turned United around after worst ever start QUIZ: Know your Leopards from the Panthers? See if you can identify the 16 Africa Cup of Nations team nicknames ‘I’ve been shaped by two greats… Ferguson and Keane’: Fletcher on Manchester United, illness and his Euro dream for West Brom Chelsea in talks over pre-season tour of China and Japan in effort to boost club’s profile in the Far East ‘I want to put my print on this club’: Schneiderlin keen to impress at Everton after sealing A 24m move from United West Ham are not the first club to experience Payet’s petulance… the Frenchman has a history of ill-discipline Super … (more)

Judge Evans receives appointment from Governor

In a brief ceremony on Monday, Jan 3, Bandera County Clerk, Candy Wheeler administered the oath of office to Bandera County Judge, Richard Evans for his recent appointment, by Governor Greg Abbott, to the Governing Board of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. Bandera County Tax Assessor/Collector, Gwenda Tschirhart witnessed the signing of the necessary documents and congratulated Evans on the new position.

Jon Toral: Rangers can offer me return to Arsenal

When Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin left Barcelona for Arsenal in May 2011, the Nou Camp club fumed at having had two major young talents effectively pinched from them. It seemed then that the two 16-year-old boys from Catalonia would grow up and spread their wings at the elite level of English football shoulder to shoulder.

Mark Warburton held key to Jon Toral’s Rangers loan move

After a successful stint on loan to Birmingham City last season, the 21-year-old midfielder endured an unproductive six months in his Spanish – homeland with Granada, where he made only six first-team appearances. Toral believes hooking up with Warburton for a second time in three years can allow him to salvage progress from this campaign and provide the impetus to be pushing for a place in Arsene Wenger’s – senior squad next summer.

Real Madrid sets Spanish record of 40 unbeaten games

With a remarkable injury time goal, Real Madrid salvaged a 3-3 draw against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey to set a Spanish record of 40 consecutive games unbeaten on Thursday. Madrid had its spot in the Copa quarterfinals all-but-secured in the final minutes in Seville when Karim Benzema made a great run past several defenders and entered the area to fire in a low right-foot shot that allowed Madrid to surpass the unbeaten mark that it shared with rival Barcelona.

Steven Gerrard to be given the freedom of Liverpool

The ex-midfielder, now back home on Merseyside after an 18-month spell in Major League Soccer with the LA Galaxy, is to be awarded the city’s highest civic honour in recognition of his contribution to national and international football, as well as his charity work in helping disadvantaged children across the country. Gerrard was nominated by Mayor Joe Anderson and the decision is set to be formally agreed a city council meeting next week.

‘He’s one of the best in the world now’

When Laurent Koscielny arrived from Lorient in 2010 as a relative unknown, few could have predicted just how important a signing it would be. But fast-forward to 2017 and the France international is the stand-in captain in Per Mertesacker ‘s absence, and widely-recognised as one of Europe’s premier defenders.

Oscar move from Chelsea to Shanghai is massive for Chinese…

Sturridge ‘didn’t do enough’, says Redknapp as Van Dijk bullies striker in Liverpool defeat at St Mary’s: ‘It was like watching a man play against a boy’ Southampton dreaming of Wembley after Redmond’s winner… but first-leg lead could have been more were it not for Karius Sturridge baffled by Klopp’s paper note, Liverpool’s Toxic Thunder curse and Milner’s nose control: 7 things you missed at St Mary’s ‘It was not good’, admits Klopp as he struggles to put his finger on reasons for Liverpool’s poor performance Another stunning late Messi free-kick sees Barcelona scrape into Copa del Rey semi-finals as Suarez nets 100th goal for club MPs pile pressure on Coe to disclose full email trail after Olympics chief is accused of going back on agreement From a wooden shed at Highbury in 1927 to part of the furniture: How BBC Radio has transformed football over past 90 years Broxbourne Borough’s … (more)

Thomas Muller’s hilarious passport phone stunt

The Bayern Munich forward avoided having to take questions from journalists by faking a phone call on his passport as he travelled through the airport Ever find yourself walking through the airport only find yourself hounded by journalists and paparazzi? Probably not, but if you’re a world class footballer, it is likely to be a frequent occurence. When you just want to get back home to your family after a trip away with the team in Qatar, you don’t really want to answer more questions about football.

I left Chelsea with the door open, says Oscar

The Brazilian star says that there were no hard feelings over his January switch to Shanghai SIPG, becoming part of the “really cool” project in China Oscar did not find it difficult to turn his back on Premier League leaders Chelsea in favour of a lucrative move to Shanghai SIPG and a spell in the Chinese Super League that has led many to question the direction of his career. The Brazil international’s record-breaking a 60 million switch drew both intrigue and ire from across the game.

Hebei China Fortune dismisses rumors about bids for big-name players

Chinese football club Hebei China Fortune claimed Thursday to have taken a pragmatic approach to reinforcing its team, dismissing rumors on purportedly splashy bids for big-name players. The purchase of foreign players will be carried out in accordance with the actual conditions of the team and the requirements of its coach Manuel Pellegrini, said Jerry Zhao, president of the Hebei China Fortune FC, in a press conference in Beijing.

Messi free kick puts Barcelona in Copa del Rey quarterfinals

Lionel Messi came through for Barcelona again, scoring with a perfectly struck free kick to give the defending champions a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Messi fired a remarkable low strike into the right corner in the 78th minute at Camp Nou to help the Catalan club reverse a 2-1 first-leg loss and advance 4-3 on aggregate.

Fiorentina beats Chievo in Italian Cup with late penalty

Federico Bernardeschi converted a penalty in stoppage time to give Fiorentina a 1-0 victory over Chievo Verona on Wednesday and a place in the Italian Cup quarterfinals Fiorentina’ Mauro Zarate goes for the ball during the Italian Cup soccer match between Fiorentina and Chievo Verona at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. ROME – Federico Bernardeschi converted a penalty in stoppage time to give Fiorentina a 1-0 victory over Chievo Verona on Wednesday and a place in the Italian Cup quarterfinals.

Arsenal Transfer News: Sead Kolasinac Reportedly Eyed for Summer, Latest Rumours

Kolasinac is free to speak to potential suitors now about a move at the end of the season and Arsenal are eager to snap him up as cover and competition for current first choice Kolasinac can also contribute in attack – as is necessary for modern full-backs – and has netted twice and provided four assists in the Bundesliga so far this season, per WhoScored.com . lacks the pace and attacking threat” that Hector Bellerin provides the Gunners at right-back, per Jeremy Wilson in the Telegraph .

Mourinho demands more intensity after EFL Cup win over Hull

Manchester United have one foot in the EFL Cup final after goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini put them in firm control of their semi-final against Hull City, ahead of the second leg on 26 January. It was hardly a vintage performance from a strong United side, and they laboured to make much headway in the first-half against a doughty Hull side.

Mourinho demands more from Manchester United and fans ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho stressed after his side’s EFL Cup victory over Hull the need for improvement from himself, his players and the club’s fans when the Red Devils host Liverpool on Sunday. United beat Hull 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final first-leg at Old Trafford thanks to a 56th-minute Juan Mata effort and substitute Marouane Fellaini’s header three minutes from time.