Football News – Page 7 – Thomas Vermaelen

Valverde wants La Liga crown before Champions League semi-final

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has acknowledged that he would prefer the Catalans sealing the La Liga title before the Champions League semi-final stage. The Blaugrana are set to tackle Liverpool across two legs of the elite competition at the beginning of next month and Valverde seems keen on sealing the title by then.

Speaking in a press conference, Valverde said that any team would prefer to seal the title at the earliest and they are optimistic of doing so this month, he said: “A lot of people ask me if we want to get La Liga boxed off and that’s what anyone would want to do. We want to win La Liga, whenever that may be and we’ll see if we can get that done. It looks easy on paper: a win here, a draw there, we win it on a certain day but we have a lot of good teams to face with a lot to play for and things aren’t easy.”
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sends warning to Barcelona ahead of Champions League clash

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that the Red Devils can spring a surprise on Barcelona during the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Camp Nou. The Red Devils suffered a slender 1-0 during the first leg at Old Trafford last week, but they produced an impressive performance which kept the Blaugrana attack at bay.

Speaking in a news conference, Ole said that United’s main threat comes from the attack front and the club will be hoping to utilise the same to outwit the Spanish champions, he said: “You look at the quality of those players and that gives us a threat. We carry a goal threat and of course what we did against PSG as a team must give everyone a huge confidence boost. We will use the PSG [match], we will use the Juventus away. We have beaten some good teams away from home this year, and played against some great players.”
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Barcelona defender insists Antoine Griezmann is content at Atletico Madrid

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has revealed that his French compatriot Antoine Griezmann is content with the proceedings at Atletico Madrid despite the constant speculation regarding his future. The France international was heavily tipped to join the Spanish champions last summer but he decided to snub their advances to sign a new long-term deal with Atleti.

Since then, things have not gone as planned with Atleti failing to compete for silverware and this has recently spread the gossip that Griezmann could pursue a fresh challenge. Amidst this, Umtiti has clarified that the forward has no sort of concerns regarding his position and remains ‘very happy’ with the happenings at the club.
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Neymar’s father drop transfer update on the attacker amid Barcelona link

The father of Neymar has stressed that the ongoing speculation linking the Brazilian with a potential return to Barcelona is false. The attacker only joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record move from the Camp Nou 20 months ago but there have been numerous occasions where he has been fancied to make a comeback with the Spanish champions.

In a report covered by Sport, Neymar’s father has revealed that there has been no contact whatsoever with Barcelona regarding a probable comeback and the recent speculation over the same can be deemed false. He added that the Brazilian is content with the proceedings at Paris Saint-Germain despite experiencing frustrating injuries over the past two years.
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Pep Guardiola compares Manchester City’s desire with Barcelona’s on the field

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that the Citizens are showing the same desire as Barcelona on the field after they were clinical during their recent Premier League game against Chelsea. The Citizens were anticipated to have a tricky game on their hands against Chelsea but nothing of that sort happened as they rolled them over with a comfortable 6-0 scoreline.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola spoke about the team’s desire to continuing winning with every gameweek and compared their ambition to Barcelona’s, he said: “The desire to want to do the best is incredible and similar (to that at Barca). For us to get 100 points, break all records and continue to push them and push them… these guys work a lot. The only way I know is the more you win, the more you have to work.”
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Sky Sports reporter says Arsenal can sign Denis Suarez on one condition

Sky Sports report Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that Arsenal remain in discussions with Barcelona regarding a potential loan move for Denis Suarez. The Spain international has already been deemed surplus to requirements by the Catalan giants after managing under 20 minutes of league action during the course of the current campaign.

Speaking on The Transfer Talk Podcast, Sheth has acknowledged that the Gunners are maintaining the interest in the former Villarreal man and they are hopeful of finalising a loan move. However, Barcelona are unlikely to accept to the agreement unless the Gunners include an obligatory buy option for the versatile midfielder.
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Barcelona land Jeison Murillo from Valencia on an initial loan

Barcelona have confirmed their first signing of the winter transfer window with Jeison Murillo scheduled to arrive from Valencia on an initial loan move. The Colombia international only joined Los Che on a permanent deal earlier in the season but he has now been offered the chance to link up with the Blaugrana, who are said to have the obligation to buy for €25m.

“FC Barcelona and Valencia CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jeison Murillo on loan for the remainder of the 2018/19 season. The agreement includes a purchase option worth €25m. The presentation ceremony is scheduled for next Thursday, December 27. Details forthcoming,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
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Xavi Hernandez does not expect Neymar to return to Barcelona

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez does not fancy the prospect of Neymar making a sensational comeback with the Catalan giants. The Brazil international made the switch to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona on a world-record £200m fee last year and the move was certainly not taken lightly by the Blaugrana faithful in the lead up to the departure.

Neymar has since won plenty of domestic silverware with the French heavyweights but there has been regular speculation that he remains unsettled and would fancy a comeback with the Blaugrana. When asked on the same, Xavi suggested that he does not see any chances of that happening after the way the attacker pushed through his exit from the Camp Nou, he said:”I don’t see it. I don’t see it. I also think it didn’t work out well, I don’t see it in any way. I read a lot of press because I’m up to date with everything football, but I see zero chances that Neymar can return to Barcelona.”
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Inter Milan set sights on signing Thomas Vermaelen

Inter Milan have reportedly set their sights on signing Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen as they look to bolster their central defensive department in the New Year. The Nerazzurri currently have Milan Skriniar, Joao Miranda, and Andreas Ranocchia as the only senior centre-backs in the club’s ranks.

According to TMW, Luciano Spalletti’s side have earmarked Vermaelen as their top defensive target for January as they look to maintain their strong start to the campaign. The San Siro outfit are currently just two points adrift of league leaders Napoli, and the manager is hoping to add more options to the defence in order to avoid burnout in the second half of the season.
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SPALLETTI RAILS AT JOURNALISTS

Luciano Spalletti reckons the journalists are trying to put cracks in the Roma camp by repeatedly raising the point of Francesco Totti’s exclusion from the starting XI. As per Spalletti, he has already explained that he is being a little cautious about his skipper due to his injury which has healed not a long back.

But, despite his explanation, every press conference he attends, most of the questions thrown to him are based on Totti only and that’s why he wonders if it’s done with some sort of deliberation, maybe to cause a rift or something. Continue reading SPALLETTI RAILS AT JOURNALISTS