Month: September 2019

The Blaugrana legend believes that the Liga champions should be looking to add in other areas, rather than return a Brazilian forward to Camp Nou

Neymar continues to spark talk of a possible return to Barcelona, but Camp Nou legend Lobo Carrasco is opposed to the idea of re-signing the Brazilian from Paris Saint-Germain.

Amid a flurry of activity behind the scenes in Catalunya, a move for a former favourite has been mooted.

The Liga champions are open to the idea of bringing Neymar back from France, if certain criteria are met, while the South American is eager to retrace his steps.

Carrasco, though, feels that Barca should be targeting other options.

He is in favour of completing a deal for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann that has been discussed for some time, but would prefer to see any further funds invested elsewhere.

A man who spent 11 years as part of the first-team fold at Camp Nou between 1978 and 1989 told El Chiringuito: “I do not want Neymar to come in.

“I want Griezmann, a centre-back, a left-back and a centre-forward to come in.

“That’s my road map and I would not change it, whether I’m [Josep Maria] Bartomeu, [Lionel] Messi, sports director or coach.”

Carrasco believes Barcelona’s inability to challenge for the Champions League crown again in 2018-19 has highlighted the need to prioritise defensive additions.

Ernesto Valverde’s side squandered a commanding semi-final first-leg lead against Liverpool to bow out of Europe once more, and Neymar is not considered to be the answer.

“With the signing of Neymar, Barca would lose even more at the back,” added Carrasco.

“They were swept in Europe, they [Liverpool] got us 4-0, 3-0.

“If we have a further breakdown in defence, are we going to go from four to six goals?”

Carrasco believes he has the answer for Barcelona, but the challenge facing the Blaugrana is not an easy one to complete.

It is suggested that they require another talismanic presence at the back, one cut from the same cloth as a former academy graduate who went on to skipper the club and lead by example.

“Barca needs to have a Puyol,” said Carrasco.

Whether the Liga giants look to find that kind of player, having previously been linked with Ajax centre-half Matthijs de Ligt, remains to be seen, with attacking reinforcements seemingly the priority at present.

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The former Blaugrana manager thinks that some of his successors have given the Argentina international too much freedom in recent years

Louis van Gaal has hit out at Lionel Messi, claiming the Barcelona talisman should be adapting himself to the team, and not the other way around.

The former Blaugrana boss thinks that the forward has too much freedom at Camp Nou, with recent Barca managers prioritising Messi’s individual talents over the team.

Despite winning the Liga title last season, the club fell short in the Champions League yet again, losing out to eventual winners Liverpool in the semi-final.

That means Messi remains on four European titles, with Barca having failed to reach the final since winning the competition in 2015.

And Van Gaal believes that the failure is down to one specific problem; Messi.

In an interview with El Pais , the ex-Manchester United manager explained that the Argentine is the reason behind Ernesto Valverde’s lack of success on the European stage.

“I believe that there is nothing more important than the team player,” said Van Gaal.

“Barca suffer from that. I think Messi should ask himself how it is possible that he’s gone so long without winning a Champions League.

“Look at Barcelona. How many Champions Leagues have they won with the one everybody says is the best player in the world? Look at Neymar at PSG. How many Champions Leagues has he won?

“He’s the best individual player in the world because his stats are amazing. But why hasn’t he won a Champions League for five years?

“As captain, you have to ask yourself why the team doesn’t win in Europe. I think that Messi is also responsible for what is happening at Barcelona, not just the coach.

“They have a squad of 30 players and I believe that Messi should adapt himself to the team, and not the other way around.”

Van Gaal won back-to-back Liga titles in his first spell in charge of Barcelona in 1997, and later returned to the club in 2002, yet lasted just half a season after a poor run of form saw the side slip to 12th place in the league.

His first spell did, however, also have its difficulties, none more so than the public row with Rivaldo, with whom Van Gaal failed to form a positive relationship.

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The former Dutch manager accused Rivaldo of prioritising his own fortunes over those of the team, and later released the Brazilian in his second spell in charge of the Catalan club despite the midfielder still having a year left on his contract.

Much like his current attitudes towards Messi, the 67-year-old expressed that he has always been a firm believer in team spirit, and argued that Pep Guardiola is the only Barcelona manager to have treated Messi in the right way.

“Guardiola made him play to the benefit of the team but the last few coaches have adapted too much to Messi instead of protecting team spirit. Team spirit is the most important thing.

“Messi adjusted to Guardiola’s plan, not the other way around.”

The former Reds striker is not convinced that the Brazil international is required back at Anfield, with others having stepped up in his absence

Liverpool “haven’t missed” Philippe Coutinho and have no need to bring him back, says Dean Saunders, with the Reds having done a “good deal” with Barcelona that has allowed them to improve without a Brazilian playmaker.

Back in the winter transfer window of 2018, the Reds reluctantly agreed to offload a talented South American to Camp Nou.

His sale brought a long-running saga to a close and allowed Jurgen Klopp to dip into the market with the funds generated from a big-money deal.

Those brought in, such as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, have allowed Liverpool to become Premier League title challengers and Champions League winners.

With that in mind, and there further potential to be unlocked in some of those now at Anfield, former Reds striker Saunders sees no reason why Klopp would be tempted to try and re-sign Coutinho.

He told talkSPORT: “Liverpool haven’t missed him.

“They lost one game all season and lost the league by one point when Man City won each of their last 14 games, so they didn’t bottle it.

“Positionally have they missed him? No.

“[Sadio] Mane, [Mohamed] Salah and [Roberto] Firmino are the front three, and [Divock] Origi and [Xherdan] Shaqiri have come in and done their bit.

“If you were critical, they may be lacking a really inventive midfield player. [Georginio] Wijnaldum, [Jordan] Henderson, [James] Milner, Fabinho – they’re all workmanlike.

“But I think we’ll see more of [Naby] Keita this season; he was brought in to carry the ball, go into the last third and make things happen.

“What a good deal it was – they sold Coutinho for £142m and they signed Van Dijk, Fabinho, Keita, Shaqiri, Alisson… and won the Champions League!

“Great business, well done Jurgen Klopp.

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“You get lots of criticism in football, but that was a good move.”

While Liverpool have flourished in the wake of Coutinho’s departure, the 27-year-old has struggled to make the expected impact at Barcelona.

He has contributed 21 goals and 11 assists to the Blaugrana cause across 18 months, but he is not the talismanic presence that the Liga champions were hoping to see him become.

The Mexico manager has enjoyed seeing a competitive tournament, including a surprise run for Tuesday’s semifinal opponents

The Gold Cup is far from the most respected tournament in the world, but Mexico manager Tata Martino says people should give the tournament the respect it deserves.

It’s the first time the Argentina native has lived a Gold Cup up close after coaching Paraguay and Argentina in past Copa Americas.

“I’ve seen good games in the Gold Cup,” Martino said at a news conference Monday. “For me, Mexico vs. Costa Rica was a really good game in the Gold Cup. I don’t know if I’ve seen games like that in Copa America with this level of play. I’m not saying the Copa America is worse than the Gold Cup. Of course there is much more variety between teams.

“It’s also true that it’s difficult to play against one standard of opponents in the group stage and then find yourself against others going forward, including, for us it’s been really difficult to get comfortable quickly with what Costa Rica wanted to do because the jump between Martinique – beyond the 3-2 – and Cuba.

“I’m not talking about Canada. And then suddenly you find yourself that’s a candidate to win the tournament like you, it’s the same thing I tell the guys here. If Mexico doesn’t play friendly matches that have a really high level, you end up playing a mid-tier and lower. Suddenly you play Germany in the first round of the World Cup. It’s not easy to get used to that.

“We’ve got Haiti, which I think has the revelation of the tournament. No matter what happens, Haiti is the revelation of the tournament. We had Costa Rica in the quarterfinals and if do well tomorrow we could have Jamaica in the final or the United States, another candidate to win the title. Those are three games in which the competition is really level.  I think there’s another question which has to do with why you guys in the press devalue a competition so much. What’s the reason for doing that? I always have a bit – I don’t know if the word is dark – view about why the competition gets devalued because what happens is at the end of the day if we win, ‘Ah, it’s nothing,’ and if we lose, it creates a bad environment.”

Even with a quick turnaround and both Andres Guardado and Jonathan dos Santos carrying knocks that forced them to leave the quarterfinal against Costa Rica before extra time, Martino said he’ll put his best possible players on the field rather than give anyone time off ahead of a potential spot in the July 7 final.

“Rest in a semifinal? No. Nobody would be out because they have to have rest,” he said. “What we are trying to do is avoid the risks all the risks players can have, the implications an injury can have for a player where you might have to make a quick change.”

“From no point of view will there be a player who is out to get rest. We’re in the last 180 minutes. We’re not thinking about that,” he continued.

Mexico will look to book its place in the final by topping Haiti with the match set to kick off at 10:36 p.m. ET.

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The Crystal Palace defender is set to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Daniel James

Aaron Wan-Bissaka will have a medical at Manchester United this week ahead of the completion of his £55 million ($70m) move from Crystal Palace.

Goal  can confirm the right-back is due to arrive at United’s Carrington training facility upon his return from international duty with England’s Under-21 side following their early exit from this summer’s European Championship tournament in Italy.

Wan-Bissaka has been monitored extensively by United over the last few months and is expected to become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice right-back as the Norwegian looks to make United a younger, more dynamic force in all areas of the field.

The 21-year-old caught the Red Devils’ eye with a combination of his intelligent attacking play and his fearless defending, and Palace have agreed to allow him to leave Selhurst Park after 46 appearances for the Eagles.

The 2018-19 campaign was Wan-Bissaka’s breakout year in south London and he was rewarded with the Crystal Palace Player of the Season award.

“He’s been outstanding,’ Palace boss Roy Hodgson said at the time. “He had a baptism of fire over a year ago now, playing three of the top six teams in his first games.

“He’s been so good in all of the games. He’s a complete full-back as far as I’m concerned.”

His performances with Palace led to him being called up for Aidy Boothroyd’s England Under-21 squad for the Euros in Italy but was left out of England’s 4-2 defeat to Romania on Friday having scored a late own-goal in the 2-1 loss to France first time out.

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England complete their involvement on Monday night when they take on Croatia in their final Group C game, and Wan-Bissaka will then travel to Manchester later in the week to complete his medical at the AON Training Complex.

If everything goes to plan, Wan-Bissaka will become United’s second signing of the summer following t he £15m ($19m) addition of Wales international Daniel James from Swansea City.

Solskjaer had initially claimed he was looking to have his squad for 2019-20 completed by July 1 when his side are due back for the start of pre-season training, and while there appears to still be plenty of work to do in the market the potential addition of Wan-Bissaka will be a timely boost for the manager.

A man with vast managerial experience in the Premier League believes the likes of Everton and West Ham can compete for lofty finishes in 2019-20

Manchester United and Arsenal are in danger of missing out on top-six finishes in the Premier League next season, says Harry Redknapp, with members of the established elite currently “miles away” from the required level.

Over the course of a distinguished career, Redknapp has spent many years competing with the Red Devils and Gunners as a player and coach.

He has seen them transformed into global superpowers and regulars in the annual battle for Champions League qualification.

The former West Ham and Tottenham boss is, however, of the opinion that those at Old Trafford and Emirates Stadium have regressed and are now in danger of allowing the chasing pack to close in and overtake them.

“I think next season we might see one of the big six dropping out,” Redknapp told talkSPORT when offering his predictions for the 2019-20 campaign.

“I’m not sure how strong Arsenal are defensively and, unless they bring some players in, I don’t see where they’re going to be next year,

“I honestly think Manchester United are the same.

“[Aaron] Wan-Bissaka has a big future, but I think they need four, five, maybe even six players. I think they’re miles away.

“Man United need to bring in good players to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the chance to be successful and, looking at it at the moment, I wouldn’t see them making the top four.

“They need to restructure that team, there’s an awful lot of work that needs to be done there to get them challenging for the title again.

“Someone might creep into that top six next year, it would make a good change, wouldn’t it?

“I think maybe Everton, they finished strongly last year, and West Ham will be closer this year. West Ham have made a couple of good signings and they could be a team that could certainly get closer.

“Even Wolves, they had a great season, they’ve got some fantastic players and they could be one of the teams getting in there.”

Leicester were the last side to break up the fabled ‘big six, when they swept to an unlikely title triumph in 2015-16.

Big money will be spent this summer by those hoping to do likewise, but the likes of United and Arsenal are also ready to bolster their ranks – with the Red Devils having already completed a deal for Daniel James as they now close in on the £50 million ($63m) signing of Crystal Palace full-back Wan-Bissaka.

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The former Manchester United striker believes the Dutchman has better qualities than any other coach, including Sir Alex Ferguson

Wayne Rooney has called Louis van Gaal the best coach he has ever worked with, pipping Sir Alex Ferguson to the number one spot in his list. 

Ferguson won an enviable haul of honours during his remarkable 26-year tenure at Manchester United, with Rooney enjoying notable success himself under the Scot.

However, when it comes to coaching, Rooney expressed his admiration for Van Gaal, despite the Dutchman only winning one trophy during his time as United manager.

“Van Gaal is by far the best coach I have worked with – one hundred percent,” Rooney told De Telegraaf.

“His tactical skills, his way of preparing and his attention to the finest of details, I found amazing. I admired that in him. I had never looked at stuff like that before.”

It was no secret that Rooney and Ferguson had a number of differences during the striker’s 13-year career at the club with the former England captain handing in a transfer request back in 2010.

After being appointed in 2014, Van Gaal had limited success at United in bringing only one trophy to the club, but Rooney praised his style of management and regrets how things ended. 

“Van Gaal knows that the way he works is tough for players. I made him aware of that at the time and we talked about this very well together. 

“I regret how it all ended, yet I know one thing for sure – I have learnt a lot from him and I am definitely going to use those lessons for when I am a manager.”

The former England captain is currently playing out his last years at Major League Soccer side D.C. United but is keen to emulate the success of former team-mates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard on the managerial front. 

“Physically, I feel good and I am still ambitious. But once my career is over, I am going to consider all the ­options,” he continued.

“It is great to see that Frank and Steve have been given these chances at big clubs. That gives me hope too because I do think about these things. But for the time being, I am enjoying my life as footballer. I want to win more trophies.”

Rooney has been working on his coaching badges out in the States, preparing for a step into management in the future. 

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The France international midfielder could be the next high-profile departure from the Ligue 1 club, with plans in place for his potential exit

Tanguy Ndombele will be allowed to leave Lyon if a “big offer” is tabled, says club president Jean-Michel Aulas, with Tottenham among those being heavily linked with the midfielder.

A summer of change is on the cards at a Ligue 1 club with a collection of highly-rated youngsters at their disposal.

Ferland Mendy has already departed for Real Madrid, while Nabil Fekir is once again attracting interest.

Moussa Dembele and Houssem Aouar have also generated transfer talk, with clubs across Europe monitoring their progress.

Ndombele could, however, be the next to head for the exits, with Aulas conceding that contingency plans are being drawn up for the possibility of the France international moving on.

He told reporters when asked for an update on the latest rumours: “We don’t have to sell, but if there’s a big offer the door isn’t closed.

“If Tanguy Ndombele has to leave, we’ll target new players and Thiago Mendes is one of those players that interests our recruitment team.

“Tanguy Ndombele is pragmatic, he did not say: ‘tomorrow I’m definitely leaving’. He has been followed by the big clubs and when they come in [for your players], you have to listen.”

Aulas added on the challenges facing Lyon as their most prized assets attract admiring glances: “We did the basics in terms of departures.

“We really need substantial proposals to move forward on Tanguy’s future, which will eventually require him to leave.

“If he were to leave, which is not the case today, we should sign [a replacement] based on previous experience.

“For now nothing is done, but the door isn’t closed.

“A deadline? No. We should not say that, but it’s for good reason that we do not need any money until June 30 to present our accounts. If he wants to stay, I’ll be happy.”

Ndombele has spent two seasons at Lyon, having initially joined them on loan from Amiens in 2017-18.

He has made 98 appearances for the club, recording four goals, and earned the first of his four senior caps for France in October 2018, having been drafted into Didier Deschamps’ plans on the back of a World Cup triumph for Les Bleus.

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The Portuguese full-back appears up for the challenge despite the club strengthening in his favoured position

Forgotten Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot has sent a determined message to the club’s hierarchy following the £50 million ($63.5m) transfer of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The signing of the Crystal Palace defender in Dalot’s favoured position has sparked speculation about the 20-year-old’s future at Old Trafford, but the Portuguese player used social media to signal his intent to fight for a position in the first team.

“Nothing but hard work, waiting for the new season to kick off! @manutd,” Dalot wrote on his Twitter account accompanied by pictures of himself training.

The Porto youth product was signed by Jose Mourinho last summer as the long-term replacement for Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young at right-back.

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Dalot made 23 appearances under Mourinho and then his replacement Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but was unable to nail down a regular starting position.

While he is known as a right-sided defender, Dalot also found himself deployed as a right-winger, where he impressed getting high up the pitch into attacking positions, while he also played in roles on the left flank of the field.

Twenty-one-year-old Wan-Bissaka, who becomes United’s most expensive defender ever, will likely start as the first choice right-back leaving Dalot on the outer competing for a back-up role with veteran Young.

Prior to Wan-Bissaka’s United arrival as speculation was building, Dalot revealed to the club’s official website he felt he had a strong debut season at the Theatre of Dreams and it was time to stake his claim to be the number one right-back.

“I can say it was a big season for me,” Dalot said.

“Playing 23 games, and I only started playing properly and had my fitness in December, so it has been very good for me to have the opportunity to play in some different positions.

“I want to make my statement in the team and play as much as I can at right-back because I think it’s my best position. I just need to prove that to the manager with my work.”

“I just need to push on. My goal is to make right-back my own.”

Manchester United return to pre-season training this week ahead of their Australian and Asian tour that begins with a match against Perth Glory on July 13.

The winger could hardly contain her excitement for the World Cup quarterfinal in Paris on Friday and hopes the media hype goes into overdrive

The U.S. women’s national team World Cup quarterfinal against France has been anticipated since before the tournament even started. Now that it’s here, Megan Rapinoe is hoping it will be a massive spectacle.

Or, actually, in her words, “a total sh*tshow circus.”

The USWNT defeated Spain 2-1 in Reims on Monday night, setting up the highly anticipated showdown against France in Paris on Friday.

It wasn’t easy by any stretch against a motivated and physical Spain side, who gave the U.S. all it could handle in the European nation’s first ever World Cup knockout game.

But Rapinoe managed to grab two goals from the penalty spot, with her second in the 75th minute serving as the game winner.

Now the team’s focus can turn toward France, which defeated Brazil 2-1 in extra time on Sunday night to reach the quarterfinal.

It will be the most high-profile game the World Cup has seen thus far, with the teams considered by many to be the two favorites to win the tournament.

But, in front of a sell-out crowd at Parc des Princes, one will be eliminated on Friday. Rapinoe is hoping that the interest and media coverage ramp into overdrive as the match approaches.

“Hopefully [it’s] a complete spectacle, just an absolute media circus,” Rapinoe said. “I hope it’s huge and crazy, that’s what it should be.”

“I hope it’s just a total sh*tshow circus,” she continued. “It’s going to be totally awesome.

“I think this is what everybody wants, these are the biggest games that you dream about as a kid.”

U.S. manager Jill Ellis said she’s also looking forward to the game, though she admitted she couldn’t paint a picture of the match quite as descriptively as her star winger.

“My reaction isn’t quite as colorful as that,” Ellis said with a laugh.

“When you play in big games it’s actually when I get more excited. It means more, it matters more, there’s more at stake and that’s why you do this.”

Ellis said that there may be some disappointment from fans hoping to see the teams meet in a semifinal or final, but is taking the draw in her stride.

“I’m sure a lot of people would want it later in the tournament but it is what it is,” Ellis said.

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“I think probably myself and [France manager] Corinne [Diacre] are like, ‘You know what, we’ve got good players, we’ve got good teams, good setups and let’s go for it.’”