Thursday, 10 July 2014

Atletico Madrid sign Mario Mandzukic

The reigning Liga champions have officially announced their capture of the Croatia international from Bayern Munich, with the 28-year-old excited to work with Diego Simeone
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be in the region of €22 million.

The Spanish champions have long been linked with a move for the Croatia international, who grew disenchanted under Pep Guardiola and was deemed surplus to requirements following the free transfer of Robert Lewandowski, as they sought a replacement for Chelsea-bound Diego Costa.

Bayern already announced earlier this week that they had agreed verbal terms with Atletico and Mandzukic has now signed a four-year deal with his new club after passing his medical.

"I am very happy to be here. I am well aware of Atletico and I know they have good players and a good coach," Mandzukic commented on his move.
"I know a lot about Atletico, I have seen several games and I like the style of play.
"The coach is very good, they have good players, and I think I can do great things with this team."
Atletico director Jose Luis Caminero believes Mandzukic is just what the Liga champions need in their hunt for more silverware.
"The signing of Mandzukic is great news because he has all the characteristics we were looking for," Caminero said.
"He is a strong striker with a powerful shot, who is a real aerial threat, too. He is a true winner and a player who is used to winning titles. He will add a lot to Atletico."
The 28-year-old won two Bundesliga titles, the Champions League and two DFB-Pokals with Bayern since joining the Bavarians from Wolfsburg in 2012.
He scored 25 goals in all competitions last season.
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Can Suarez, Messi & Neymar fit together at Barcelona?

Can Suarez, Messi & Neymar fit together at Barcelona?
ANALYSIS: The Blaugrana are poised to assemble the most talented all-South American front three since Brazil lined up with Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho - but will it work?
By Mark Doyle

Luis Enrique joked when he took charge of Barcelona that the psychologist he intended to make a part of his backroom staff was just for him. With Liverpool’s Luis Suarez now on his way to Camp Nou, that may no longer be the case. Still, the new Blaugrana boss will need all the emotional support he can get this season, because trying to keep the Uruguayan, Lionel Messi and Neymar happy could drive a lesser man insane.

On paper, of course, Luis Enrique will soon be in possession of arguably the greatest all-South American front three the game has seen since Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho inspired Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002. However, as we are so often told, games are not won on paper; Argentina’s goalscoring problems at this summer’s tournament prove as much. 

The Albiceleste have reached the final but they have managed just eight goals in six games – despite being in a position to field a frontline containing Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero/Ezequiel Lavezzi. Messi has accounted for half of his country’s World Cup tally in Brazil but even he has not netted since the group stage.

Where best to position the four-time Ballon d’Or winner has been a topic of much debate for the Argentines, as has the most suitable system. Messi made his preference for a 4-3-3 perfectly clear after the group-stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and, from a tactical perspective, things should run quite smoothly in Catalunya.

Player Stats — Lionel Messi

Luis Enrique is a Barcelona man through and through. Ergo, he is a firm advocate of the 4-3-3 formation with which the club has become synonymous. A three-man front line is, therefore, precisely what Luis Enrique always intended to field – with or without Suarez.

Furthermore, all three superstar forwards seem ideally suited to the system. Neymar, like Ronaldinho, is most comfortable on the left-hand side of the attack, as it allows him to cut infield onto his right foot to devastating effect. Messi is no out-and-out centre forward but the 'false nine' position was effectively created for him by Pep Guardiola, a tactic which allows the Argentine to simultaneously roam free and be the focal point of the attack. 

Suarez, meanwhile, is a versatile footballer, capable of leading the line, as he has done so effectively at Liverpool over the past two seasons, but also creating goals for others, often by drifting wide to exploit the space in the channels. It is that latter quality that should enable him to flourish at Camp Nou.

Player Stats — Luis Suárez

Suarez is also willing to work for the team, as evidenced by the way in which he readily agreed to occasionally play out wide to accommodate Daniel Sturridge through the middle at Liverpool last season. However, Brendan Rodgers' side was always based around getting the best out of Suarez. He was the star man. He will not be afforded that status at Camp Nou.

While the early indications are that Luis Enrique wants his front three to regularly change positions in a bid to keep opposition defences in a constant state of confusion, Suarez will need to accept that he is no longer the focus of the attack. That can be a difficult thing for some players to accept. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic never came to terms with being asked to "play for Messi" during his time in Catalunya. Now, the Swede, it could be argued, was always going to struggle with a request to play for anyone but himself but the striker’s solitary season is worth referencing. He, too, was a stellar summer signing expected to add a new dimension to Barcelona’s attacking play. Just like Suarez. And just like Neymar.

The Brazilian should not be forgotten in all of this. The Selecao star was signed from Santos 12 months ago and though his season was interrupted by injury, Barca never quite worked out how to use Neymar and Messi in tandem effectively. 

Neymar has consistently said all of the right things about just wanting to “help” Messi but it is no coincidence that not only does he look far more effective playing for Brazil, for whom he is the undisputed main man, his best spell last season came while his Argentine accomplice was out injured.

Player Stats — Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior

Johan Cruyff predicted problems the moment Neymar signed for Barcelona, arguing that “you cannot have two captains on one boat.” The addition of Suarez only seems to complicate matters further, particularly when you consider that the Uruguay international will not even be available for selection until the end of October. How exactly is Luis Enrique expected to get this front three working in perfect harmony when the most recent recruit cannot even train with his team-mates?

Furthermore, what if by then Luis Enrique has worked out a way in which to get the very best out of Neymar? Will he risk tinkering with his front three? And what of Messi? Luis Enrique has praised the No.10's generosity in the past, while even Ibrahimovic conceded that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner was "a shy and polite guy" - but when it comes to tactics, Messi usually gets what he wants - as Zlatan discovered to his cost.

Luis Enrique, though, is made of stern stuff. The 'Iron Man' enthusiast is not a man afraid of upsetting high-profile players. During his time at Roma, he dropped Daniele De Rossi for allegedly turning up late for a team meeting before a trip to Atalanta. He also reportedly fell out with Francesco Totti over a Europa League tie against Slovan Bratislava. “He's the most important player in Roma's history but it's up to me to decide who plays,” the Asturian stated at the time.

Luis Enrique sees the bigger picture, as underlined by his preference for erecting scaffolding at the club training ground so he can enjoy a higher vantage point during practice matches. He realises that it is the team that comes first. His job will be to persuade Messi, Neymar and Suarez that they are playing for the club – not themselves. He will need every bit of his man-management skills to appease a front three accustomed to having things all their own way; to exhibiting an element of control over a front three used to enjoying complete freedom on the field of play.

Over the past two seasons Barcelona have undeniably become predictable. Luis Suarez is anything but. However, whether he is the solution to this particular Catalan conundrum remains to be seen. At this stage, it is utterly impossible to know. His imminent arrival poses more questions than answers 
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Alexis to undergo Arsenal medical ahead of €40m move

Alexis to undergo Arsenal medical ahead of €40m move
The Chilean forward has agreed to join the Gunners and will be confirmed as the club's second most expensive signing after completing the formalities of his switch from Barcelona
By Wayne Veysey | UK Correspondent

Alexis Sanchez will undergo a medical at Arsenal on Thursday as he puts the finishing touches to a €40 million move from Barcelona, Goal understands.

The Gunners have finalised a deal with the Spanish giants that is the second-biggest transfer outlay in the club’s history.
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Goal understands that Alexis will arrive at Arsenal’s London Colney headquarters at 17:00CET on Thursday to undertake a medical and complete the formalities of his switch from Camp Nou.

The signing is expected to be announced within the next 24 hours as Arsenal also prepare to unveil the capture of Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United in a deal that will cost £8m (€10m) plus appearance-related add-ons.The France international had a medical at Arsenal on Monday and the club took the official pictures that will be used to trumpet his arrival.

It is the signing of Alexis, however, that will excite Arsenal fans, with the 25-year-old at the peak of his career and regarded as one of the most exciting forwards in the world. The Chilean had an outstanding World Cup and only Lionel Messi scored more than Alexis' 21 goals for Barcelona last season.

His capture is a real statement of intent from manager Arsene Wenger, who will team him up at Emirates Stadium with €50m club-record signing Mesut Ozil.

Arsenal chiefs, led by manager Arsene Wenger in Brazil, have been working hard over the last week on convincing the 25-year-old to choose a move to Emirates Stadium ahead of Juventus and Manchester United, having agreed the transfer fee and financial terms in principle last week. Liverpool were linked strongly with Alexis but were never regarded by Arsenal as serious rivals for his signature.

Wenger and his scouts believe the former Udinese man has the attributes to be developed into a centre-forward at Emirates Stadium - a role in which he performed with aplomb at the World Cup.
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Monday, 7 July 2014

Did you know?: Rihanna in awe of “Colombian cutie” from Fifa World Cup

The close-up shot in the video shows the unknown brunette beauty grinning widely, sporting a bold red lip colour and clad in a red shirt.
There can only be a few things as flattering as earning the praise of a superstar like Rihanna. But lucky for a girl who was an audience member at the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil versus Colombia game, the singer took to Twitter and posted her video, dubbing her as the “Colombian Cutie,” reported the Daily Mirror.
Rihanna, who has been live tweeting about the ongoing football games, couldn’t resist sharing a short video clip of the pretty chica who wreathed in smiles when the camera focused on her. Her image spread quickly across the internet, with her admirers seeking to know who she is.

The close-up shot in the video shows the unknown brunette beauty grinning widely, sporting a bold red lip colour and clad in a red shirt. It stills remains unclear as to whom the mystery woman is, but we can bet she just became the envy of girls everywhere after she garnered Rihanna’s attention.
The 27-year-old Good Girl Gone Bad hit-maker was thrilled about the game and tweeted earlier in the day, “This is the game I’ve been waiting for! I sincerely LOVE both of these teams!” She previously live tweeted the England versus Uruguay game and congratulated the United States team for its efforts after it lost against Belgium. “Great job #USA! I’m proud of you boys! You put your heart in it!!!” she tweeted at the time, according to the Belfast Telegraph
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Arsalan catches Khan by his ‘love child’

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  • Former CJP’s son accuses PTI chief of cheating nation by not mentioning his love child in his nomination papers with ECP
  • Files petition with the EC, requesting papers and asset details of the PTI chief

ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Chaudhry’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, saying he should be disqualified from the parliament for “not having good morals and cheating the nation by hiding his love child”.
While speaking to journalists outside the Election Commission office on Monday, Dr Arsalan said that as an ordinary voter and citizen of Pakistan, he had approached ECP for Khan’s documents under Article A, B and D of the Constitution.
In this regard, an application to seek nomination papers and other documents of Imran Khan has been submitted in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), he said, adding that he had decided to file reference against Khan in ECP as he believed that the PTI chief did not fulfil requirement of Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.
Dr Arsalan alleged that Khan had a third child, a daughter, in the United States, as proved by the US courts, which he had not mention in his nomination papers.
“On his nomination paper, he put the names of two of his children – Salman and Kasim. There is also another child – Tyrian Jade Khan – perhaps he has not disclosed her name,” Dr Arsalan alleged.
“I believe totally that he grossly violated Article 62 D,P, F read with 63 (2) of the Constitution – by not proving himself as a truthful person having a good moral character – therefore he has rendered himself to be disqualified from parliament,” Dr Arsalan said.
Arsalan said he has completed the consultation process with his lawyers while documents related to Imran Khan’s daughter have also been sought from US courts to take legal action against the PTI chief.
“Imran Khan accused me of certain things for which he did not have evidence when I was given the position of vice chairman in the Balochistan Investment Board (BOI),” he said. “I believe in documents, in concrete proof,” Dr Arsalan said, adding, “I will not accuse a person of being corrupt based on hearsay.”
Following the end of his talk with the media, he distributed copies of the reports he had attained.
Earlier, it was learnt that former CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had decided to adopt legal course against Khan for hurling rigging allegations in general elections 2013 against him.
It was reported that the former top judge had made his mind to sue Khan for dragging him in the controversy without any evidence. “A notice is almost ready to be sent to Imran Khan,” a family member of former chief justice had said.
During the last days of his tenure as top judge, Chaudhry also served a contempt notice to PTI chief for terming the returning officers’ role in the general elections as “sharamnaak”.
Terming Imran Khan’s allegations as baseless, the former chief justice had said that a chief justice has nothing to do with general elections. It was ECP’s duty to appoint returning officers to perform election duties, Chaudhry had said, adding, “Levelling the accusations without evidence is not appropriate. Bring proof on this count.”
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French retail giant Carrefour cashes in Indian chips


PARIS: French retail giant Carrefour said Monday that it will pull out of the Indian market with the closure of its five wholesale “cash & carry” stores by the end of September.
Press reports have linked the move to the general election victory in May by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said to oppose opening up the huge Indian retail market to foreign distributors.
Carrefour chief George Plassat had already indicated that the group had been considering whether to maintain a presence in India, where its first store opened in 2010.
Carrefour, which gave no reason for its decision to withdraw, had annual sales of 28 million euros ($38 million) in 2012.
But Indian press reports cited sources at the French company in May saying it was working on ways to withdraw from India after an eventual BJP victory.
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