Xavi: Barcelona miss elements of Guardiola´s methods

Xavi: Barcelona miss elements of Guardiola´s methods

 

Barcelona midfielder Xavi admits that the Catalan giants miss certain aspects of former head coach Pep Guardiola’s football philosophy.
Guardiola enjoyed a trophy-laden four years at Camp Nou, including three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League triumphs.
The 42-year-old departed the Spanish champions in 2012, taking a short sabbatical before joining Bundesliga holders Bayern Munich in the close-season.
And Xavi hailed the “extraordinary project” engineered by Guardiola during his time in Spain.
“Pep made his job in Barcelona. We are so proud he was our manager,” he said. “(We had) four years when we won plenty of trophies. He led an extraordinary project until he decided to leave for a gap year and nowadays he is doing a brilliant job in Bayern Munich.
“Obviously, we miss things from him, as (we do) the other managers who left the club. We have another coach, we had (Tito) Vilanova last year and Tata (Gerardo) Martino this season.
“Each person has a different way to work. Guardiola had his way, Vilanova too and Martino as well. All of them are good managers and we were lucky with Guardiola because we made history.”
Meanwhile, Xavi believes team-mate Lionel Messi should collect the prestigious Ballon d’Or prize, due to be awarded in January.
He added: “If I had to vote, I would vote firstly for Messi because I think he is the best in the world.
“The second would be Franck (Ribery), the third one Cristiano (Ronaldo). Those would be my votes, even though I don’t have the right to vote as the second captain of the national team.

 

United watching Sporting starlet; PSG confirm interest in Cabaye

United watching Sporting starlet; PSG confirm interest in Cabaye

 

United watching Sporting starlet

Portuguese newspaper A Bola has learned that Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.
It is no secret the Red Devils are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements and they appear to be hot on the trail of the 21-year-old footballer.
According to A Bola, Manchester United scouts watched the player in action in weekend’s draw with Nacional and they were once again impressed by the talented midfielder.
Having scouted William on regular basis this season, the Red Devils are expected to step up their interest in the January transfer window.
The highly rated player has made a total of 14 Primeira Liga appearances for Sporting Lisbon this season and scored 2 goals.
He has helped the Lions climb to the top of the standings and they are now priced at 4/1 to remain there come end of the season.
PSG confirm interest in Cabaye
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has moved to confirm his interest in signing French midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Newcastle.
The Saints are believed to have made the France international one of their top targets in the January window, and they appear to be leading the chase for the 27-year-old with Arsenal having puled out of the race.
And PSG coach Laurent Blanc has now added fuel to speculations linking the French giants with a move for Cabaye having revealed his admiration for the Newcastle star.
“He (Cabaye) is a very good player and that has always been my opinion. I have nothing else to say,” Blanc said at a press conference.
Yohan Cabaye has continued with impressive displays in English Premier League, scoring 5 goals and adding 2 assists in 16 league outings this term.
With Europe’s top clubs showing interest in his services, it appears it is only a matter of time before he leaves St James’ Park for a bigger club.
Mangala wants Premier League switch
FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala has made it clear that English Premier League is his preferred destination.
The French centre-back continues to be linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs, with Monaco, Chelsea and Manchester City thought to be in the mix.
And the 22-year-old has now admitted that clubs from English Premier League have the upper hand in the race for his signature.
“It is not a secret that for me it is one of the world’s most beautiful championships,” Mangala explained to L’Equipe.
“Regardless of the opponents, you know it’s going to be a struggle. The game is intense, it flows fast, the whole world is drawn.”
Eliaquim Mangala has made a total of 41 Primeira Liga appearances for the Dragons, scoring no less than 6 goals.
For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2013/14 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.

 

Juventus in talks for Lamela, De Bruyne

Juventus in talks for Lamela, De Bruyne

 

Juventus are being linked with January moves for Erik Lamela and Kevin De Bruyne, according to Tuttosport.
The club’s general manager Giuseppe Marotta was spotted in the stands during the match between Tottenham and Stoke yesterday afternoon, which has added fuel to speculations linking the Bianconeri with a move for Erik Lamela.
According to Tuttosport, the Juventus executive enquired about the possibility of signing the Argentine forward, while also speaking about Tottenham targets Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella.
Marotta was also in London to open talks with Chelsea over the signing of Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who is hoping to leave Stamford Bridge in search of first team football.
Juventus have opened up a five-point advantage at the top of Serie A and will have an excellent opportunity to make a giant step towards the third successive league title when they host Roma on Sunday, with the Old Lady 8/13 to claim maximum points.

 

Guardiola has improved Bayern, says Ribery

Guardiola has improved Bayern, says Ribery

 

Franck Ribery has hailed coach Pep Guardiola for making an all-conquering Bayern Munich team “even stronger”.
The German giants completed an unprecedented treble under Jupp Heynckes last season, winning the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal.
Former Barcelona coach Guardiola therefore had a hard act to follow when succeeding Heynckes ahead of the current campaign, yet Bayern have continued to enjoy consistent success.
As well as opening up a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga by winning 14 out of 16 matches prior to the mid-season break, Bayern have added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup trophies to their roll of honour.
And Ribery, who is on the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, feels Guardiola deserves great credit for his efforts.
“I think that when the coach arrived at Bayern, it was not an easy situation for him as we had already won all the possible trophies,” said the France international.
“But our coach is very experienced and proved himself while he was with Barcelona. He has won many titles and knows football like very few people do.
“During the last six months, the coach and us, together, we have done well.
“Our level was already very high last year but we are even stronger since his arrival.
“We are enjoying ourselves on the pitch and you can see it.
“I am really happy as we have won new titles and we feel that we will win many more with him.”

 

Wenger praises Arsenal's mental strength

 

The Gunners found themselves having to defend deep and in numbers as they clung on to the advantage given to them by Olivier Giroud's 65th-minute header at St James' Park, taking three precious points in the title race.

Wenger said: "There is something in the team that is special on that front, on the mental front.
"We have many times been questioned, but we have shown that at West Ham, where we were 1-0 down, we have shown that again, where we were a bit backs-to-the-wall in the last 15 minutes.
"There's a great solidarity and a great spirit in the side. For years, we were younger to resist this kind of pressure, but we have always been up there a the top.
"If you analyse well our results, we have always been up there. Last year in this period, we were out of the championship race, but in 2013, we have been quite consistent."
The game never lived up to the clash between the sides at the Emirates Stadium 12 months to the day ago when the Gunners ran out 7-3 winners.
This time around, both were more cautious and largely frustrated each other with neither goalkeeper having a great deal to do.
Wojciech Szczesny had to tip away a stinging drive from Moussa Sissoko in first-half injury time and Mathieu Debuchy headed against the bar from the resulting corner, but that was as close as the Magpies came until Szczesny blasted an 82nd-minute clearance straight at striker Loic Remy and saw the ball run just wide of the target.
Ultimately the game was settled by one defensive error when Giroud got away from Mike Williamson to meet Theo Walcott's free-kick with a glancing header to score his 11th goal of the season, although he was later guilty of a glaring miss which would have wrapped up the win.
Wenger said: "It was a very intense game against a good Newcastle team, who made it a big physical challenge, and overall I felt we were in control of the game until we scored.
"At 1-0, we missed a second chance that would have certainly sealed the game, but in the last 15 minutes, we showed another aspect of our team, and that means resilience, fight.
"We threw our bodies in the box and have shown a lot of resilience, so we have shown a technical aspect of our team that was quite good, but as well a mental aspect that was needed in a game of that stature."

 

Arsenal's Ozil out for up to three games with shoulder injury

 

Ozil, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid for a club-record fee on the final day of the close-season transfer window, suffered the injury in their 3-1 win over West Ham United on Thursday.

Ozil misses Sunday's match at Newcastle United and their match against Cardiff City on January 1. He is also a doubt for their FA Cup third round clash against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on January 4.
"I would have loved him here (at Newcastle) but he had a shoulder problem, he fell on his shoulder. He will be out for two-to-three games," Wenger told Sky Sports.

 

Lukaku earns Everton win over Southampton

 

Fine goals from Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku gave Everton a 2-1 Premier League win against Southampton at Goodison Park.

Lukaku struck the winner with his ninth goal of the season, and his first in six matches, as Everton continued their assault on the Champions League places.
Roberto Martinez's side reach the halfway stage of the season with 37 points, having lost just two of their first 19 games.
They were made to work hard by Mauricio Pochettino's Southampton, whose heads did not drop after Coleman cut inside James Ward-Prowse and slammed the ball into the top-left corner for his third goal in five games.
They got a deserved equaliser when substitute Gaston Ramirez saw his dipping long-shot evade the grasp of goalkeeper Joel Robles.
But parity lasted only three minutes, until Lukaku's powerful left-foot shot finished off a slick move involving Steven Pienaar and James McCarthy.
KEY MOMENTS
9' - GOAL: Everton 1-0 Southampton - Coleman cuts in from the right, leaving Ward-Prowse for dead before beating Kelvin Davis with a powerful shot into the far top corner.
37' - EVERTON CHANCE - Lukaku attempts to square the ball to the unmarked Bryan Oviedo, but the ball is cut out by a vital intervention.
40' - LALLANA SHOT - The Southampton captain turns brilliantly to take out Sylvain Distin and Leon Osman, but drags his shot wide.
55' - BARKLEY CHANCE - Ross Barkley meets Oviedo's cross from the left but is put off by Dejan Lovren's sliding challenge and shoots wide.
67' - SOUTHAMPTON PRESSURE - Luke Shaw brings the ball down superbly and sees his shot blocked, then Jay Rodriguez's follow-up is deflected just wide by McCarthy.
71' - GOAL: Everton 1-1 Southampton - Gaston Ramirez lets fly from 30 yards and the dipping ball flies between the outstretched gloves of Joel Robles.
74' - GOAL: Everton 2-1 Southampton - Lukaku grabs the winner with a powerful left-foot shot after classy build-up play from Pienaar and McCarthy.
81' - LUKAKU CHANCE - Brilliant from the Belgian who shimmies past three opponents but shoots just over.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS

TALKING POINT
Are Everton serious top four contenders? Roberto Martinez's men will end the year firmly in the mix for the Champions League places, but whether they have the strength in depth to keep pace with the leaders - and hold off Manchester United's likely second-half surge - remains to be seen.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Romelu Lukaku (Everton): Naming Lukaku man of the match is both predictable and boring, but it does have the virtue of being right. No current Premier League striker offers the same mix of power, skill and outright finishing ability.
PLAYER RATINGS
EVERTON: Robles 5, Baines 7, Alcaraz 7, Distin 6, Coleman 7, McCarthy 7, Barkley 6, Oviedo 7, Osman 6, Naismith 6, Lukaku 8. Subs: Mirallas 7, Pienaar 7.
SOUTHAMPTON: K.Davis 7, Chambers 6, Lovren 7, Fonte 7, Shaw 6, Ward-Prowse 5, Cork 5, Davis 6, Lallana 7, Lambert 5, Rodriguez 6. Subs Clyne N/A, Ramirez 7, Gallagher N/A.

 

Sherwood earns first home win as Spurs coast past Stoke

 

Tottenham brushed aside Stoke City 3-0 to move three points off the top four and maintain Tim Sherwood’s unbeaten run as manager in the Premier League.

The hosts carved out a number of openings in a one-sided first-half with Aaron Lennon and Paulinho looking particular dangerous as Spurs repeatedly flooded forward.
Roberto Soldado thumped home the opener from the penalty spot after Emmanuel Adebayor’s acrobatic volley was stopped by the outstretched hands of Ryan Shawcross, leaving Kevin Friend with no option but to point to the spot.
Spurs continued to dominate after the restart and struck again when Mousa Dembele threw in a clever dummy and fired into the bottom corner before Aaron Lennon volleyed past Thomas Sorensen to seal the victory.
Substitute Erik Lamela almost notched a fourth with his first touch only to be denied by a last-ditch sliding challenge but it was to prove inconsequential as Tottenham moved level on points with Manchester United ahead of the pairs’ New Year’s Day clash.

KEY MOMENTS
15’ – CHANCE: Lennon finds himself in acres of space down the inside-right channel. He picks out Adebayor with his cut-back but the striker's effort is shocking. It's so bad it falls to teammate Eriksen but the Dane can't turn it home.
16’ – CHANCE: Paulinho pulls off one of the all-time great flicks to release Soldado. The Spaniard sets his aim on the far corner... Flashed wide. Big chance missed.
37’ – GOAL (PEN): Tottenham 1-0 Stoke: Adebayor attempts an extravagant volley which forces defender Shawcross into a fine two-handed save. Unfortunately for Stoke, Kevin Friend spots the infringement and points to the spot without hesitation. Soldado does the rest.
58’ – CHANCE: Lennon charges down the right wing and precisely pulls the ball back into the path of Soldado... He's blown it - what a sitter! The classic 'my nan could have scored that'. Honestly, she could have.
65’ – GOAL: Tottenham 2-0 Stoke: Dembele drops his shoulder left, shifts the ball between his feet and hammers a low shot into the bottom corner. Brilliant finish from the Belgian. That's his first Premier League goal since his debut.
69’ – GOAL: Tottenham 3-0 Stoke: Soldado's diagonal pass flicks off the boot of Adebayor and into the path of Lennon. The winger flicks it up and whacks it into the top corner. Great hit. Game over.
76’ – CHANCE: Adebayor charges at the Stoke goal with Lamela in support. It breaks to the winger but he can't poke home with his first touch. What a story that would have been.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
KEY STATS
Spurs remain unbeaten in every Premier League match this season in which they have scored the opening goal (10 matches).
Spurs score three goals in a Premier League home match for the first time this season, and for only the third time in 2013.
Stoke have now conceded seven goals in three Premier League matches in London, after keeping two clean sheets in their previous two.

TALKING POINT
Can Tim Sherwood inspire Tottenham to an unlikely top four spot? The caution that was encouraged under AVB has been eradicated as Tottenham employ a far more attacking philosophy under Sherwood. It looked a little disjointed at times against Stoke but surely it’s better than the insipid style that has plagued their game for much of this season. Incredibly, Spurs sit just three points off the top four and are still in the hunt for the Champions League. If Sherwood can bring elite European football back to White Hart Lane, he can look forward to extending that 18-month contract.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham): His close control and lighting pace befuddled the Stoke defence. On this form, Lennon has to be in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Brazil.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 6, Naughton 6, Dawson 6, Chiriches 6, Fryers 6, Lennon 8, Paulinho 8, Dembele 7, Eriksen 6, Adebayor 6, Soldado 6… Subs: Capoue 6, Chadli 6, Lamela 6.
Stoke: Sorensen 6, Pieters 5, Palacios 5, N'Zonzi 5, Shawcross 5, Walters 6, Cameron 6, Assaidi 6, Crouch 5, Wilkinson 6, Ireland 5… Subs: Muniesa 6, Pennant 6, Adam 6.

 

Mourinho mocks Suarez's ‘acrobatic swimming pool jump'

 

Jose Mourinho: “Suarez lost a duel with [Cesar] Azpilicueta, Azpilicueta has the ball and is leaving the box with the ball and now he's doing an acrobatic swimming pool jump to try to get the penalty, because he's so clever because he's in the area where the Liverpool supporters behind. But [referee Howard] Webb is 10 metres away. And I think the only mistake Webb did was not to give him a yellow card.
"The player [Suarez] is amazing. He does everything to win and Brendan [Rodgers] is doing a fantastic job on him because he's changed. There's no doubt that he's changed. But when the situation is like this and you are losing comes the nature of the player, the wild nature of the player or the cultural nature of the player. Culturally people from that area [South America], they like it. It's not also that area. There's a corner in Europe where I belong to, that they also like [diving]."
Brendan Rodgers: "We couldn't have had two tougher games against two greater squads,” he told BBC Sport. “Our squad is very thin at the moment. Against Manchester City we were the best team and today, after taking the lead, we gave away a disappointing goal.
"The players have been outstanding. If one or two things had gone our way maybe the result would have been different. At the start of our season this squad was very thin anyway and we needed that bit of luck with nobody getting injured but up until four weeks ago that worked for us."

 

Eto'o secures controversial Chelsea victory over Liverpool

 

Samuel Eto’o scored the winner for Chelsea as they beat Liverpool 2-1.

Liverpool opened the scoring after three minutes when Luis Suarez headed the ball against Branislav Ivanovic, leaving Martin Skrtel with an easy chance to score from just a few yards.
Moments before, Eto’o was lucky to stay on the pitch for a studs-up foul on Jordan Henderson.
Chelsea equalised when Eden Hazard curled in a great shot from the edge of the box. They took the lead when Simon Mignolet’s dreadful effort to stop Eto’o’s close range shot saw the ball slowly roll over the line.
At the start of the second half, Mamadou Sakho went close, heading Henderson’s short cross against the bar.
Eto’o had a chance to extend Chelsea’s lead when he blasted the ball at the near post from a few yards out, but Mignolet stuck out a leg to pull off a fine save.
Suarez was denied an obvious penalty after an Eto’o foul, but Chelsea deserved their win.

KEY EVENTS
2’ - ETO’O COULD SEE RED - Eto’o goes in high on Henderson’s leg and he’s lucky not to be sent off.
3’ - SKRTEL SCORES - Suarez’s header rebounds of Ivanovic, letting Skrtel tap the ball in from just a few yards out.
12’ - LAMPARD SHOT - Frank Lampard goes close, Mignolet tipping over his fierce shot.
17’ - HAZARD EQUALISER - The Belgian curls in a shot into the top corner as he gets onto a loose ball on the edge of the area.
37’ - MIGNOLET MISTAKE - Mignolet’s woeful save, to palm Eto’o’s shot away from goal, pushes it slowly over the goal line to give Chelsea the lead
53’ - LIVERPOOL HIT THE BAR - Sakho’s header loops ominously towards the goal, with the keeper beaten, but it hits the woodwork and Chelsea are safe.
54’ - MIGNOLET SAVE - Eto’o drives the ball at the goal but Mignolet sticks out a leg to save the day.
71’ - OSCAR SHOT - Lucas is dispossessed just outside the area but Oscar sends a low shot wide of the post from just inside the area.
82’ - SUAREZ PENALTY CLAIM - Eto’o barges Suarez over in the box, for no reason at all, and Webb inexplicably doesn’t give a penalty.
90+4’ - PATHETIC FIGHT - Oscar and Lucas come to petty blows after a rough Oscar challenge is rewarded with a paw in the neck from the Liverpool midfielder.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS

KEY STATS
Luis Suarez has gone two games without a goal.
Six of Chelsea’s last eight Premier League wins against Liverpool have come under Jose Mourinho.
Luis Suarez failed to score the one goal needed to become only the 7th player to reach the 30-goal mark in a calendar year in the Premier League era.
Chelsea have still never lost a Premier League home game under Jose Mourinho
TALKING POINT
Are Liverpool out of the title race? Top at Christmas, fifth going into the new year. There season could already be unravelling as Spurs and United close in on them.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Eden Hazard (Chelsea): A constant outlet for Chelsea on the right wing after his goal, he bought numerous free kicks with cynical play and scored a great equaliser for his side.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Cech 6, Ivanovic 6, Cahil 6, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 6, Lampard 7, Willian 6, Oscar 7, Hazard 7, Eto’o 7. Subs: Cole 6, Mikel 6, Torres 6.
Liverpool: Mignolet 5, Johnson 6, Agger 6, Skrtel 6, Sakho 6, Lucas 6, Allen 6, Henderson 6, Sterling 6, Coutinho 5, Suarez 6. Subs: Toure 6, Aspas 6, Smith 6.

 

Perez: Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest

 

The Portuguese has enjoyed a strong first half to the 2013-14 season and is seen as favourite to win the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or come January.

For his club President, there is no-one better in the game right now.
“Cristiano belongs to the lineage of timeless players capable of marking an era,” Perez has commented in El Pais Semanal this week.
“His competitive nature fits perfectly with the genetics of Real Madrid, for his insatiable hunger for victory.
“For him, nothing is enough. His voracity does not allow for time or comfort, or discouragement, and every game is a new challenge that requires the highest delivery.
“He has courage to be direct with the ball anywhere on the field against any player, whilst he knows that he will be hit by the defence in trying to stop his attacks.
“He is unconventional and highly demanding of himself, always looking for perfection because only then can he face what is seemingly impossible for most.
“Cristiano is a dream for Real Madrid and he has managed to seduce the Bernabeu, which recognises him as their own, with passion and inspiration.
“But, his powers go beyond Madrid fans, as fans across the world point to him as one of the greatest. For me, he is the greatest.

 

 

 

Feyenoord eyeing Bas Dost

Feyenoord eyeing Bas Dost

 

Feyenoord are keeping close tabs on Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost, reports Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
The 24-year-old forward has become unsettled Volkswagen Arena and is currently considering his options.
Having been unable to nail down a regular starting berth at Wolfsburg, the highly rated striker is open to the possibility of leaving the club.
And while Eredivisie high-flyers Vitesse were the first side to express their interest in Dost, latest reports suggest Feyenoord are also keen.
Namely, the De Kuip outfit want to sign Dost as a replacement for Graziano Pelle, who is widely tipped to leave the club for greener pastures.
Despite only recently returning from an ankle problem, the towering striker appears to be in decent form and has just scored his first goal of the season.
And having largely impressed during his time at Heracles and Heerenveen, it is hardly surprising top Eredivisie sides are locked in the battle for his signature.

 

Leverkusen want Sam extension

Leverkusen want Sam extension

 

Bayer Leverkusen are eager to tie Sidney Sam down to a new contract and avoid losing the Germany international on the cheap.
Sam has scored 11 goals in 19 games for Leverkusen so far this season, with Sam Hyypia’s side second in the Bundesliga during the mid-season break and safely into the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.
The 25-year-old’s fine form has caught the eye of potential suitors, who will be encouraged by a clause in Sam’s contract that could reportedly see him available for a mere €2.5 million at the end of the season.
Leverkusen chairman, Michael Schade is keen to hand Sam a new deal, keeping him at the BayArena and simultaneously removing the release fee.
However, the club supremo insists he will not be held to ransom if Sam is hoping to milk the strong situation he finds himself in.
“We are aware of the contract situation of Sidney Sam,” Schade told Bild.
“We would like to sign a new contract with him to ensure he stays at this club for more years to come.
“However, not at any price. This is a fact.”
Sam made his international debut in Germany’s close-season tour of the United States and has since maintained his spot in Joachim Low’s plans as the FIFA World Cup looms large.

 

Claudio Pizarro on Besiktas radar

Claudio Pizarro on Besiktas radar

 

Turkish giants Besiktas are lining up a January move for Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro, reports daily newspaper Fanatik.
The Black Eagles are determined to add several marque signings this winter in an attempt to revive their title bid, and they are now being linked with a move for Peruvian striker.
With Hugo Almeida the only player scoring goals on regular basis, Besiktas chiefs believe the addition of Pizarro would seriously improve team’s attacking department.
And with the 35-year-old making just three league appearances for Bayern this season, chances are that he would be interested in a switch to Turkey.
Besiktas are hoping to sign the forward on a cut-price deal given that his current contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
The Black Eagles currently trail leaders Fenerbahce by nine points, so no wonder they are priced at 18/1 to lift the Turkish Super Lig title.

 

Malaga keeper Caballero to listen to offers

Malaga keeper Caballero to listen to offers

 

Malaga goalkeeper
Willy Caballero admits he will listen to other clubs if speculation linking him with a move materialises into an offer.
The 32-year-old emerged as a surprise star in the Malaga side that was bankrolled to the UEFA Champions League, and is now one of their key players in a squad since depleted in the face of financial turmoil.
Manchester City, managed by former Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini, have been linked with a move for Caballero amid doubts over Joe Hart’s performances this term.
And the Argentine shot-stopper has conceded he will consider his future if an offer arrives, although will not let any speculation detract him from his playing duties..
“The rumours are growing, but it’s not my business,” the goalkeeper told Ole.
“I will think it over if someone calls me, or one of my representatives, but for now, all I will think about is playing for Malaga.”
Caballero moved to La Rosaleda from Elche in 2011 and has gone on to make 112 appearances for the Andalusian club.

 

PSG eyeing La Liga hotshot

PSG eyeing La Liga hotshot

 

 

Paris Saint-Germain are in pole position to sign French forward Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad, according to AS.
The 22-year-old has become one of the most sought-after players in Europe following some scintillating displays in Spanish La Liga, with Juventus and Arsenal already expressing their interest.
And while the winger does not seem keen on moving clubs midway through the season, a summer exit appears on the cards.
According to AS, Paris Saint-Germain are keeping close tabs on the talented footballer and they have made him one of their primary targets for the 2014/2015 season.
With both Jeremy Menez and Ezequiel Lavezzi likely to leave the club, the Saints are ready to step up their interest in Antoine Griezmann.
The highly rated footballer has been in amazing form this season, notching no less than 11 goals in just 15 La Liga outings despite being used on the wing at Real Sociedad.

Arsenal and Juventus join chase for ter Stegen

Arsenal and Juventus join chase for ter Stegen

 

Bild is reporting that Arsenal and Juventus are the latest clubs to have joined the race for Borussia M’Gladbach goalkeeper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The 21-year-old is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented shot-stoppers and it is only a matter of time before he leaves die Fohlen for greener pastures.
And while it is no secret that Barcelona are already hot on the trail of the highly rated keeper, Bild reports that Arsenal and Juventus are also keen.
It is not surprising that the Bianconeri are casting admiring glances the player’s way given that Gianluigi Buffon is not getting any younger, while it appears Arsene Wenger still have doubts over the quality of his number one Wojciech Szczesny.
Chances are that all three interested sides will step up their interest in the summer transfer window seeing as how it is highly unlikely Borussia will sanction a sale this January.

 

Borussia Dortmund falls to Hertha

 

Hertha Berlin made it three wins in a row to practically end any lingering hope Borussia Dortmund had of regaining the Bundesliga title this season with a 2-1 win at the Westfalenstadion.
Marco Reus gave Dortmund an early lead and it seemed like Jurgen Klopp's men were going to get the win they were looking for at the end of 2013.
However, reported Dortmund target Adrian Ramos brought Berlin level with his 11th goal of the season midway through the first half and Sami Allagui sealed victory for Jos Luhukay's men on the stroke of half-time.
With leaders Bayern Munich away at the FIFA Club World Cup, both Dortmund and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen had the chance to make up ground - but the latter could not take advantage either, losing 1-0 at Werder Bremen.
Santiago Garcia grabbed a dramatic winner in the 74th minute to ease the pressure on Bremen coach Robin Dutt, whose side pulled away from the relegation zone.
And they were worthy victors against a Leverkusen side who remain seven points behind Bayern, while Dortmund are a further five points in arrears.
Elsewhere, Mainz won a five-goal thriller away to Hamburg, who finished with 10 men before losing to Shinji Okazaki's injury-time goal.
The Japanese forward scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season and also set up Nicolai Muller for the second goal.
Hamburg had led through Hakan Calhanoglu and drew level in the 79th minute through Rafael van der Vaart, but they lost Tomas Rincon to a red card three minutes after that and it proved costly.

A Torsten Oehrl penalty earned Eintracht Braunschweig only their third win of the season as Hoffenheim failed to score for only the second time this season.
Oehrl had an early goal ruled out for offside but he made sure of the points from the spot in the 29th minute.
Braunschweig ended the game with 10 men after Timo Perthel was sent off, but they held on for a win which revives hopes of avoiding relegation this season.
Two goals from Admir Mehmedi gave Freiburg reason to be cheerful at the end of a tiring and gruelling first half of the season.
The Swiss striker scored two goals in 10 first-half minutes to help Christian Streich's men get the better of a Hannover side who find themselves in freefall, and just four points above Freiburg at the turn of the year.
Their best player Leonardo Bittencourt did grab a late consolation, but that may not be enough to keep coach Mirko Slomka, the club's longest-serving coach, in a job going into 2014.
Augsburg missed the chance to move up to seventh on Friday night as they managed only to pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.

 

Ribery rules out future Euro move 

 

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has ruled out the possibility of ever playing for another side in Europe.
The Ballon d'Or nominee is contracted with the current Champions League holders until 2017 and admits he cannot see himself playing for any other club within Europe.
Despite ruling out a European switch, France international Ribery has expressed his ambition of playing in the United States of America or the United Arab Emirates.
Ribery could follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and Thierry Henry who both made moves to the MLS in America, while the lucrative UAE Pro League look sets to prove an attractive for elite players.
"I would well be flattered by the chance to play in a country like the United States or the United Arab Emirates one day," Ribery told German sports magazine Kicker.

"Still I would not say this is a part of my general career.
"Joining a club there would definitely be a bonus. I will not be joining another Europe-based outfit any more.
"I am a player of Bayern Munich and there will be no other European club for me during my career."
Meanwhile, former France international Henry is backing his compatriot for the prestigious Ballon d'Or crown.
He told Sky Sports: "Franck is the kind of player you want to play with and obviously I would like him to win."
Ribery will discover if he has beaten off competition from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich on January 13.

 

Luiz Gustavo open to Barcelona move

 

Wolfsburg's Luiz Gustavo has revealed he would consider a move to Barcelona should they make a substantial offer.
The Brazil international only signed for the Bundesliga outfit in the summer, after leaving Bayern Munich in the search of more regular first-team football. Arsenal looked set to capture the 26-year-old, but he decided to stay in the Bundesliga in order to improve his chances of selection for this summer's World Cup.
But Barcelona still seem keen, and a clause in his contract has alerted the Catalan giants. "It's always good to have your name linked to Barcelona," He told Globo Esporte. "This is the third time there has been interest from them. I have a long contract which includes a buyout fee, and if anyone wants to pay that, they can sign me."
Last weekend, Borussia Monchengladbach narrowly failed to make it nine wins out of nine at home this season as Bas Dost scored a late equalizer for Wolfsburg as the teams shared a 2-2 draw.
Diego gave the visitors the lead early in the second half, but goals from Raffael and Juan Arango turned things around to put Lucien Favre's side on course for another win at their seemingly impregnable Borussia Park Stadion. However, substitute Dost struck in the 85th minute to deny Gladbach victory, even though the point still took them up to third.
Wolfsburg, who had picked up 17 points in their previous six games, nevertheless end the calendar year in fifth, just two points adrift of Borussia Dortmund.

 

Robben hopes for new Bayern contract

 

Arjen Robben has revealed he is hoping to secure a new deal at Bayern Munich, extending his stay at the club beyond 2015.
The 29-year-old Dutch international has had several injury problems which have hampered him so far this campaign, but that hasn't quashed his desire to remain with the European champions.
"I feel I am able to play at the very top of my game for at least three more years to come," Robben told newspaper Sudddeutsche Zeitung. "I would like to remain at Bayern Munich. The club is well aware of what I am capable of and I am also aware of the general quality of a club like this."
Robben has been at Bayern since 2009, winning the Bundesliga twice and the Champions League once. Earlier in the month, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger was ruled out for six weeks after after injuring his right knee in a German Cup match at Augsburg.
Robben was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hurt in a tackle. ''I was in such a good shape, I was looking forward to every game and now this,'' Robben said. Robben had a deep laceration, club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt said after the Netherlands winger was examined at an Augsburg hospital.
Sporting director Matthias Sammer said he was ''endlessly sorry'' about Robben's injury. ''Arjen was in the form of his life and has helped decide so many games for us recently,'' Sammer said.
Robben scored five goals in the last four games. He scored Bayern's first goal in Augsburg, before being taken out on a stretcher in the 16th minute.

 

Sunderland steal point from Cardiff

 

Jack Colback struck in injury time to earn Sunderland a point and stun managerless Cardiff.
Playing just over 24 hours after Malky Mackay was sacked, Cardiff dominated the opening hour with Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell putting them two goals ahead.
But Sunderland, who were dreadful for the first 45 minutes, rallied late through a Steven Fletcher toe-poke, before substitute Colback's deflected effort beat David Marshall in the fourth of five added minutes to make it 2-2 at the final whistle.
The sacking of Mackay has been widely condemned and ensured the spotlight was firmly on the home side, but there were no signs of any genuine venom being directed towards owner Vincent Tan, although there were several pro-Mackay chants and banners in evidence throughout the game.
With the Scot's lieutenants David Kerslake and Joe McBride in charge, the Bluebirds players seemed bent on taking out their frustrations at the loss of their popular boss on a Sunderland side who paid for an awful start.
Inside a minute Mutch had surged into the box and gone down as Valentin Roberge closed in, although the midfielder was booked for diving as the Sunderland defender withdrew his foot.
The former Birmingham man should have given the hosts the lead in the third minute, but could not keep his header down from a Craig Noone cross after Kim Bo-kyung beat compatriot Ki Sung-yueng to the ball in midfield.

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But Mutch made no mistake in the sixth minute. Roberge was robbed by Campbell and Mutch drove forward to drive the ball beyond Vito Mannone with the help of a deflection off Modibo Diakite.
"That one's for Malky", chanted the home support, and the chances kept coming.
Mannone tipped a fizzing Kim strike over the bar, while Steven Caulker headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range.
Campbell sent a low diving header a few yards wide from a teasing Noone center, and Peter Whittingham attempted to pull a ball back across goal when he should have shot inside the six-yard box.
Sunderland slowly found a foothold in the game and they could have been level after half an hour but for a horrendous miss by Jozy Altidore.
David Marshall pushed away a Kim strike and all the Black Cats striker had to do was tap home, but he sliced wide.
Marshall, one of the stars of Cardiff's season, then made two superb saves from Fabio Borini as the visitors finished the half strongly.

Gus Poyet sent on Fletcher for Borini at the break but they remained on the back foot and fell further behind in the 58th minute.
Mutch was given far too much room down the left by three Sunderland defenders, and Campbell finished with ease at the far post. Tan marked the goal by performing the club's 'Ayatollah' celebration.
Lee Cattermole fired narrowly over from Sebastian Larsson's corner at the other end.
The life had gone out of the game but Fletcher earned Sunderland a lifeline when he tapped in at the far post from Emanuele Giaccherini's cross.
It sparked a late onslaught, and Cardiff looked set to hold out until Colback struck to spark delirium in the Sunderland ranks, although the Black Cats remain rooted to the foot of the table.

 

Moyes: Rooney to return for next game

 

David Moyes expects Wayne Rooney to return for Manchester United's next game after he missed the 1-0 win at Norwich.
At Carrow Road on Saturday, Moyes saw his side claim their sixth straight victory in all competitions as they moved up to sixth in the Premier League table.
Rooney had played the full 90 minutes and scored in the 3-2 win at Hull on Boxing Day but his groin problem prevented him from being involved again two days later.
Instead, his England colleague Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score the only goal of the game on 57 minutes.
Afterwards, Moyes explained that Rooney was likely to be back in action against Tottenham on New Year's Day.
"Wayne was missing because he's got an adductor injury in his groin," the United boss told Sky Sports. "He missed the Stoke game because of the same injury. I think if we hadn't got so many games and we could give him a couple of weeks just to recover properly, I think he'd be fine but I'd expect him to be OK for the next game against Tottenham."
At the post-match press conference, Moyes revealed Robin van Persie was also on the mend, saying: "Robin has started some light training and he might not be too far away as well. We have not had them as a partnership very often, and we are looking forward to having them together."

Moyes added he was not planning a major spending spree when the transfer window opens again.
He said: "We have a lot of midfield players out injured just now, but we won't be doing a lot of business in January because a lot of the players will not be available, so I don't expect it to be a busy January really."
Moyes admitted his side were second best in the first half on Saturday and took pleasure in the fact they managed to claim another win on their travels so soon after Thursday's triumph.
"To win back-to-back games in three days in the Premier League away from home is really difficult," he added. "Some teams don't play until tomorrow, but we had two games in three days and I've got to say the squad coped really well, even though we've had a few injuries.
"I was delighted to get the result. I thought Norwich played really well at times today and we had to dig deep to make sure we got the victory."
On his decision to bring on Welbeck in place of Ryan Giggs at the break, Moyes said: "I just felt Norwich had grown into the game - we'd started very well, and Norwich had got better - and I felt we needed to alter things a little bit. I thought Danny was the difference in the game. He came on, he ran and made good opportunities for us. I thought he played ever so well."
United are just two points off the top four ahead of the rest of the weekend action, but Moyes is not getting carried away by their good form.

"It's OK, but we've got to do better and we've got to keep progressing and winning games, and try and keep on the tails of the teams above us," he said. "We'd like to be closer, we're working towards that and we're hopefully going to get there. We're playing well enough just now, we're finding ways to win and I think that happened a lot last year."
Welbeck was also all smiles after the final whistle, saying: "It's been difficult going away twice in three days over the Christmas period, so to come with away with six points is really pleasing.
"We've got a lot of momentum, but the next game is the most important, and we're not getting carried away looking at the past. I was delighted to come on and get the winning goal. I felt like I really played my part in the second half. It's a squad game and it's a long season, so we've got to rotate. That's what's happened today and we got three crucial points."

 

Koke deal back on for United

 

Manchester City are considering a move for Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic, 25, with the club willing to offer £20m plus midfielder Javi Garcia.
Arsenal's teenage winger Serge Gnabry is a loan target for Wigan Athletic.
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis is considering a £3million bid for Newcastle defender Mike Williamson.
West Ham want Atletico Madrid striker Leo Baptistao on loan until the end of the season.
West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka faces an FA probe after being accused of making a neo-Nazi racist salute.
Manchester City keeper Joe Hart needed six stitches after suffering a sickening cut eye during his heroic performance against Crystal Palace.
Malky Mackay faces six months out of football because of his forthcoming legal war with Cardiff owner Vincent Tan.

 

Welbeck earns United win at Norwich

 

Danny Welbeck's opportunist second-half goal proved enough to give Manchester United a 1-0 win at Norwich.
With England forward Wayne Rooney not travelling to Norfolk because of a groin problem and Robin van Persie still not match fit, United lacked a cutting edge in attack during a first-half in which the Canaries were well on top.

However, following Welbeck's introduction at the restart, United looked much more balanced going forwards and got the crucial breakthrough on 57 minutes when a clearance from Ryan Bennett bounced back off the England striker and on into the penalty area, where he rounded John Ruddy to slot home.
It was a sixth straight victory for David Moyes' men who are now back within striking distance of the Barclays Premier League top four heading into the new year.
Despite all their changes from the 3-2 win at Hull on Boxing Day, with captain Nemanja Vidic back in defence and midfielder Michael Carrick starting his first match since mid-November, United had started brightly.
On six minutes, Ashley Young got away down the right and his cross found its way through to Shinji Kagawa at the far post. The Japan forward cut the ball back through the six-yard box, where Norwich goalkeeper Ruddy palmed it clear.
Norwich - with Irish playmaker Wes Hoolahan recalled to a five-man midfield in support of Gary Hooper - offered little attacking threat in the first quarter-of-an-hour as too many passes went astray.
Suddenly, though, the Canaries carved United open down the right as Robert Snodgrass played in Russell Martin.
The full-back's angled drive was palmed away by David de Gea and the loose ball was just out of reach for Hoolahan as it was bundled behind for a corner.
Hooper's snapshot from six yards was then straight at De Gea as Norwich continued to press, with Snodgrass curling wide from the edge of the United area.
Norwich were enjoying the better of possession as the half-hour passed.
Captain Sebastien Bassong also found the United goalkeeper with a close-range header before Hoolahan's shot after a weaving run into the penalty area was blocked by Jonny Evans.
United had looked lacklustre in attack, but made a positive change for the second half as Ryan Giggs was replaced by Welbeck.
Young drove forwards and flashed a 20-yard shot just over Ruddy's crossbar.
At the other end, winger Nathan Redmond's low effort curled through the United six-yard box and just wide of the near post.

United took the lead in the 57th minute.
Center-half Bennett - in for the suspended Michael Turner - crashed his clearance against Welbeck, which cannoned back off the United forward and on to Hernandez.
The ball then bounced through towards goal, where Welbeck sprinted into the area to round Ruddy and slip the ball into the empty net for his fourth goal in five appearances.
Norwich's energy was clearly drained, having seen all of their earlier hard work undone in a moment of poor fortune.
United, though, were in cruise control as they looked to close in on a sixth straight win, with Hernandez's 25-yard effort testing Ruddy.
With 22 minutes left, both teams made changes as Norwich sent on club-record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel to replace Hooper and Adnan Januzaj came on for Kagawa.
Eighteen-year-old winger Josh Murphy was introduced to try to inject some fresh impetus into the Norwich attack for the final 11 minutes, with Snodgrass substituted.
The late rally never materialized, though, as United closed out what was in the end a comfortable victory to leave Norwich looking over their shoulders at the battle for survival once again.