Arjen Robben 'not a fighter', says Martin Demichelis
Argentina's Martin Demichelis has called for his side to take an aggressive approach towards Netherlands forward Arjen Robben in their upcoming semi-final clash.
Argentina centre-back Martin Demichelis has claimed Arjen Robben is ‘not a fighter’, ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands.
Robben has been one of the standout players of the tournament thus far but Demichelis, who played with the forward for a season at Bayern Munich under opposing manager Louis van Gaal, believes an aggressive approach can easily unsettle him.
"We have to be aggressive, to show the passion of the Argentinian players to the Dutch – and especially to Robben," he said. "He doesn’t like physical contact, so you have to make him feel it and get under his skin.
"He is a phenomenon and it is vital to know which way he goes. But he’s not got much edge, he’s not a fighter," he added. "Therefore you have to attack him because the more you stand off, the nearer to the goal you take him and the less margin of error you have."
Demichelis also had good words to say about van Gaal, who sold the defender to Malaga in 2011, where he became a mainstay under Manuel Pellegrini before the two were reunited at Manchester City last September.
"I was irritated [when left out of the side] but I always recognised he was the best football-wise, for the concepts he has and how he imposes them on a team," he said. "He has shown that in this World Cup. But I didn’t leave because of him, but because of my own decision.
"I’ve seen him do such things many times. For example, he’d get in front of the squad and say who was the best or worst at doing different things.
"He has a real determination in thinking about the team and potential consequences. I learned a lot from Van Gaal."
With 39 caps for Argentina since his 2005 debut, Demichelis has proved a polarising figure during his first season in Manchester, his inclusion in Alejandro Sabella’s 23-man squad after a two-and-a-half-year absence coming as a surprise to many
Making his first appearance at the tournament in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Belgium, the 33-year-old started in place of the dropped Federico Fernandez and now appears set to keep his place for the decisive clash against the Dutch, as the Messi-led Albiceleste continue their run towards a third World Cup title.
Manchester City will NOT be selling Yaya Toure despite claims he wants to move
The Ivory Coast star is at loggerheads with the City hierarchy but the club have no plans to let him leave the Etihad Stadium this summer
Manchester City will not sell Yaya Toure despite the latest claim he will do everything to quit the club.
An Ivory Coast team-mate of Toure's, says the midfielder has had enough of City's hierarchy.
"He has accumulated too many grudges against [Manchester City's] leaders and he will not stay with them," said the unnamed player.
"He will do everything to ensure his departure this summer."
Toure, 31, claimed in May that it would be "an honour" to play for Paris St Germain and they are one of the few clubs who could afford his vast transfer fee and £220,000-a-week salary at City.
The African star has been unsettled since accusing the Blues of not making a big enough fuss of his 31st birthday.
Toure also claimed he was not excused from City's end-of-season tour to Abu Dhabi to spend time with his terminally-ill brother Ibrahim, who died last month.
City have no plans to sell Toure and expect him to join up with them after his summer break during their USA tour later this month.
Gareth Barry move nets City £2m
Manchester City will receive two million pounds from Everton after the Merseyside club's completion of the permanent signing of Gareth Barry.
Former England international Barry, who spent last season on loan at Goodison Park, has joined the Toffees on a free transfer.
But although he was out of contract, the terms of the loan agreement struck last summer meant City would receive a fee rising from one million pounds if he joined Everton on a one-year deal to two million pounds for the three-year contract he has signed.
The payment will help City balance the books after they were found guilty of breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.
They are limited to a 49 million pound net spend over the next financial year and have already brought in three players.
Right-back Bacary Sagna came on a free transfer, but goalkeeper Willy Caballero cost a reported six million pounds and midfielder Fernando arrived for 12 million.
City, who are also looking for a central defender, had not brought in any money in the transfer market until Barry signed for Everton.
The 33-year-old, who was a 12 million pound signing from Aston Villa in 2009, made 175 appearances for City but did not feature after Manuel Pellegrini's appointment as manager.
Sunderland to bring in Man City youngster?
Sunderland are keen on making a move for Manchester City’s Jack Rodwell but face competition from his former club Everton, according to the Daily Star.
The 23-year-old signed for City from the Toffees in 2012 for £12million but has struggled to break into the star studded side due to a combination of injuries and poor form, featuring only 26 times in two seasons at the Etihad.
The central midfielder was viewed as a promising talent at Everton, where he made 109 appearances and scored eight times whilst also managing to break into the England squad.
Gus Poyet holds in an interest in bringing Rodwell to the Stadium of Light but would need to convince the youngster to overlook his former club.
City would prefer to loan out Rodwell rather than making a sale as they are hoping he could still live up to his potential given guaranteed first team football elsewhere for a season.
Sunderland are in need of midfielders after Ki returned to Swansea City after his loan spell and the club lost Craig Gardner and Jack Colback to West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United respectively.
Rodwell has three caps for England but needs to get his career back on track after a lack of chances at City and a move to the Black Cats may be just what he needs to push on again.
The youngster will be keen to catch Roy Hodgson’s eye but his first task will be to replicate some of the form that earned him a big money move to the Premier League champions, with Sunderland being the perfect place to showcase his talents.
Under the management of Poyet, Rodwell should be able to express himself in a system that that focuses on playing with freedom and style and Sunderland fans should be excited by the prospect of seeing the young talent on show, if only for a season.
Six Belgian wonderkids for 2018 - Chelsea and Manchester City players feature
Belgium's 'Golden Generation' reached a par with England's team with the same label, reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.
While for England that sort of achievement is suddenly a distant memory, Belgium have the talent coming through the ranks to suggest this is only the start and more lofty heights can be conquered.
By time the next World Cup rolls around in 2018 in Russia, Belgium will be expected to go at least one better.
Even setting aside the exciting Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj, who has already made the first team squad, there are plenty who have a real chance of joining him in the squad at the next tournament.
Here are six Belgian players who are good bets to shine in 2018:
Charly Musonda
Chelsea teenager Musonda is already making a big impact in the Blues set up, a regular in the under-21s. An attacking midfielder, the 17-old scored an impressive goal at Old Trafford in the under-21 final against Manchester United in May. He will likely benefit from learning under senior international Eden Hazard at Chelsea, and by 2018 could even be competing with him for a first team place for club and country.
Zakaria Bakkali
Bakkali announced himself on the European stage with an impressive hat-trick early in the season for PSV. This saw him linked with Arsenal, Liverpool, and even Real Madrid, but a dip in form has seen his star wane slightly, accused of a lack of focus. There is little denying the 18-year-old winger's talent however, and he will likely compete with Adnan Januzaj for a place. With one international cap already, Bakkali may have been the unlucky one to miss out with the United star's inclusion in the 2014 squad.
Matthias Bossaerts
Could Vincent Kompany's future defensive partner for Belgium come from within the club itself? There are high hopes around Matthias Bossaerts, a centre-back City signed from Anderlecht in 2012. Now 17, Bossaerts made 13 appearances for the under-21 side last season and could develop rapidly over the next four years. Already a Belgian under-19 international, he has the perfect tutor in Kompany to help him reach the very top.
Youri Tielemans
Anderlecht sensation Youri Tielemans is a certain Belgian international of the future. The 17-year-old midfielder is already a regular for his club, and has attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. Tielemans has an eye for a defence splitting passes and the goal too, and can be a deep lying playmaker to offer Belgium a different option to which Axel Witsel provided in 2014. He is presently part of the Belgium under-21 team and could make an impact on the senior squad as soon as Euro 2016.
David Henen
David Henen is a striker who spent last season on loan at Monaco B, and has in the past week been linked with a transfer to Arsenal. The Anderlecht star has 14 goals at youth levels for Belgium, and has courted previous interest from Manchester United. He has a tough task to displace Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi, but he is arguably the best striker in the Belgian youth ranks with a chance of making the breakthrough.
Thorgan Hazard
The omission of Thorgan Hazard (above) from the World Cup squad this summer surprised many, who had seen his sensational performances back home for Zulte Waregem. The 21-year-old Chelsea prospect won the Golden Ball award for best Jupiler Pro League talent last season, scoring 17 goals and providing 20 assists. He has this week clinched a loan move to Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany, and beyond that hopes to play alongside his brother Eden for club and country.
Will all of these six make Belgium's Russia 2018 squad?
The Rio de Janeiro-based Lance newspaper described Brazil's 7-1 defeat by Germany as the "biggest shame in history". Lance
Some in the Brazilian media have blamed Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger for the host nation's humiliating defeat. The rock star backed Brazil - and every time he has announced his support for a team, that team went on to lose. Daily Mirror
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella had to persuade Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, 27, not to quit international football three years ago. Daily Telegraph
World Cup winner Ricky Villa - a member of Argentina's triumphant 1978 squad - has backed Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero to fire his country past the Netherlands and into the World Cup final. TalkSHIT
English referee Howard Webb has defended his performance in the 2010 World Cup final by saying he was unsighted when he failed to send off Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong for a kung-fu kick on Spain's Xabi Alonso. Sun (subscription required)
Not one England player has performed well enough to make the the 2014 World Cup dream team, according to a tournament sponsor. Daily Telegraph
Argentina defender Martin Demichelis says the Netherlands' Arjen Robben is "not a fighter" and has vowed to get under the Dutch forward's skin in tonight's semi-final. Guardian
Arsenal will complete the signing of Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, 25, from Barcelona on Wednesday, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed. TalkSHIT
Tottenham have made a fresh bid to hijack Liverpool's move for Belgium midfielder Divock Origi, 19. Daily Mirror
Juventus are pressing ahead with a £2m bid for Manchester United and France left-back Patrice Evra, 33. DSSC
Evra's move to the Turin club will see Chilean defensive midfielder Arturo Vidal, 27, heading in the opposite direction for a fee of £32m. Daily Express
Liverpool will sell Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, 27, to fund their bid for Southampton's Croatian centre-back Dejan Lovren, 25. Daily Express
West Brom are interested in 23-year-old Australia left-back Jason Davidson, who is a free agent after leaving Dutch Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo. Birmingham Mail
Former Arsenal striker Eduardo, 31, has said his goodbyes to Shakhtar Donetsk amid reports he is set to join Brazilian club Flamengo. Sky Sports
Italian giants Roma and Napoli and Belgian champions Anderlecht have made offers for 21-year-old United States right-back DeAndre Yedlin, who played in Major League Soccer for Seattle Sounders last season. Sky Sports
Paris St-Germain are ready to make a £60m bid for Juventus's 21-year-old France midfielder Paul Pogba. Le Figaro
Juventus are on the verge of signing 21-year-old striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid. Marca
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 36, is waiting for an offer from Juventus after the Ivory Coast international ended his contract with Turkish side Galatasaray. Tuttosport
Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, 19, has received death threats over his decision to play for Belgium instead of Albania or Kosovo, according to reports in Serbia. DSSC
Liverpool will have all of their England World Cup contingent - including captain Steven Gerrard, striker Daniel Sturridge and winger Raheem Sterling - on show for their tour of the United States later this month. Liverpool Echo
Former newspaper editor and talk show host Piers Morgan gave £5,000 to two charities after an exchange on Twitter with QPR midfielder Joey Barton, because Morgan had predicted that Brazil would beat Germany.
Germany defender Per Mertesacker said: "DIE MANNSCHAFT! I really enjoy this moment... now let's go all in for the final."
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand said: "I hope the Brazilians don't look for a scapegoat here... it's a team effort and they weren't good enough as a group."
Scottish FA said: "Just a quick reminder that our first #EURO2016 qualifier is vs #GER in Dortmund in September. Good. #naeborra."
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has shown his shock at the ease of Germany's World Cup semi-final win over Brazil with a cheeky photo on Twitter and the message: "Oooh myyyy goood."
Costa Rica goalkeeper Kaylor Navas and midfielder Bryan Ruiz took a ride in the cockpit as they flew home from their World Cup adventure.
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano tweeted a photo of a few mates on the team coach as they head to Sao Paulo for their World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands.
Brazil striker Neymar has tweeted his thanks for the messages of support he has received since suffering a serious back injury towards the end of his country's quarter-final victory over Colombia.
And with Brazil trailing 5-0 at half-time, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen - on the wrong end of an Ashes whitewash in Australia last winter - tweeted: "I've seen 5-0 a few times before... it's not the end of the world, Brazil!"
Former Wales international striker Craig Bellamy has turned down the chance to appear on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing because he wants to be taken seriously in his bid to become a manager. Daily Mirror
A football fan decided it would be hilarious to get a Luis Suarez 'bite mark' tattooed on his shoulder - only to spell the 27-year-old Uruguay striker's name wrong. ESPN FC
Injured Brazilian striker Neymar had to put up with an image mocking him on Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez's website - after it was targeted by hackers. Metro
Former Netherlands midfielder Edgar Davids, 41, has turned down a move to non-league minnows Greenwich Borough. Daily Star
GOLDEN BOLLOX 9-7-2010
MANCHESTER CITY are lining up a £20million bid for Didier Drogba.
City boss Roberto Mancini is a long-term admirer of the Chelsea striker.
The Ivory Coast star, 32, has not ruled out a move and a source said: "Chelsea will have to decide whether they want him to stay. City's offer will be tempting considering Didier's age."
Drogba would earn over £18m in three years if he chose to move to Eastlands.
The striker won the Golden Boot with 29 Premier League goals last term as Chelsea stormed to the title and FA Cup.
Drogba still has two years to run on his Stamford Bridge deal.
But if he was to leave the champions, Chelsea would be sure to make a move for Liverpool hitman Fernando Torres.
City have already lashed out £60m this summer on David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Yaya Toure.
Boss Mancini also wants Lazio full-back Aleksander Kolarov - though the Serb may prove too expensive.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito said: "In my opinion, he is worth as much as Mauro Zarate, who we paid around £18.7m for."
Villa eye Man City stars as part of Milner deal
Aston Villa have told Man City they will accept a player in part-exchange for James Milner.
City are set to return with a formal second offer for Villa's England midfielder later this month.
But the two clubs are struggling to agree a fee after City's first bid of £18million plus £2m in add-ons was rejected.
Villa are holding out for between £25-28m for the versatile midfielder, who has 11 caps.
But they have told City that Villa boss Martin O'Neill does fancy several fringe members of the Eastlands' club's squad.
Now it is increasingly likely Villa may take cash plus one of City's out-of-favour stars like Stephen Ireland, 23, or Nedum Onuoha, 23, in part-exchange.
O'Neill will need another attacking central midfielder to replace Milner, which makes Ireland attractive.
And Villa are also expected to buy a new right-back this summer with Luke Young heading for the exit.
Manchester City reject £16.7m offer for outcast Robinho from Besiktas
Manchester City have turned down an offer of £16.7m from Besiktas for their British record transfer signing Robinho.
The Brazilian spent the second half of last season on loan at Santos but has increased his market value with some impressive performances at the World Cup.
City do not expect Robinho to play for them again but want to recoup more of the £32.5m they paid Real Madrid for him in 2008.
The player himself is also believed to be reluctant to move to Turkey.
MANCHESTER CITY are eyeing a shock swoop for forgotten keeper Richard Wright.
The former England and Arsenal stopper is without a club after being released by Ipswich.
But Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini is considering signing Wright, 32, as goalkeeping back-up.
The Italian has still not decided whether Shay Given or Joe Hart will be his first choice next season. But he knows whoever is left out will almost certainly want to quit the club, either on a season loan or permanent transfer.
Given was No 1 last term while Hart went on loan to Birmingham.
City signed Sunderland's Marton Fulop on emergency loan after Given dislocated his shoulder in April but do not want to pay £1m to make the move permanent
MORE BOLLOX SOON
