Barcelona target Griezmann makes shock decision on Atletico future Antoine Griezmann has told close friends that he is ready to turn down Barcelona and stay at Atletico Madrid next season, claims ABC Newspaper, via Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona have made Griezmann their top transfer target this summer and are prepared to match his €100m release clause. Griezmann signed a bumper new deal 12 months ago after turning down the chance to join Manchester United. Nevertheless, the France international has been heavily linked with a move away all season and was widely expected to leave Atletico this summer. However, it has now emerged Griezmann has re-considered his future for the second time in the space of a year and is ready to snub Barcelona’s advances. Diego Simeone has successfully convinced Griezmann that he will always be the star man for Atletico, which would not be the case at Barcelona. Griezmann has confirmed he will make an official announcement on his future before the World Cup and it now looks likely that he will stay at Atletico. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (22), Messi (19), Luis Suarez and Mohamed Salah (15) have scored more goals in 2018 in Europe’s top 5 leagues than Griezmann (14). |
Real Madrid called Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, he made three transfer demands - report REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez called Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp about taking the manager’s job, according to a huge report in Spain. Real Madrid are reportedly keen for Liverpool boss Klopp to replace Zindine Zidane. Zidane made the huge decision last week to quit the Bernabeu, just days after steering Los Blancos to a third consecutive Champions League title. Real Madrid have reportedly got Klopp in their sights despite the German appearing settled at Liverpool. And Spanish outlet Diario Gol say the two parties recently communicated via a phone call. It is said Perez called the 50-year-old to discuss him taking the job. And, though Klopp refused to leave Liverpool, the bold report suggests he did make several demands. He reportedly told Perez he would sell Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Ronaldo is angling for a Real exit with former club Manchester United and Ligue 1 giants PSG on red alert. Benzema, meanwhile, toiled last term and now, nine years on from his arrival, an exit may beckon. Diario Gol say Klopp also told Perez he would offload Raphael Varane. Varane was picked regularly by Zidane but often struggled, failing to fill the void left by Pepe’s departure. The Liverpool boss would also contemplate demoting the likes of Keylor Navas and Marcelo.But he is still set to stay at Anfield rather than take over at the Bernabeu. The conversation was described as professional and both parties are now set to focus on their respective tasks.For Real, that’s finding a Zidane replacement, with Guti and Mauricio Pochettino linked. And Klopp will now be aiming to steer Liverpool to a first-ever Premier League title. |
World Cup 2018: Colombia squad features Premier League trio Three Premier League players have been named in Colombia's World Cup squad. Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez and Brighton forward Jose Izquierdo all made the cut in the 23-man squad. Bayern Munich's James Rodriguez - the top scorer at the 2014 World Cup - is among Colombia's star names. Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado, Villarreal's Carlos Bacca and Barcelona defender Yerry Mina are also selected. Read the full list of confirmed World Cup squads Colombia's 23-man squad in full Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Deportivo Cali), Jose Fernando Cuadrado (Once Caldas). Defenders: Cristian Zapata (Milan), Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Johan Mojica (Girona), Yerry Mina (Barcelona). Midfielders: Wílmar Barrios (Boca Juniors), Carlos Sanchez (Espanyol), Jefferson Lerma (Levante), Jose Izquierdo (Brighton), James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich), Abel Aguilar (Deportivo Cali), Mateus Uribe (America), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus). Forwards: Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Miguel Borja (Palmeiras), Carlos Bacca (Villarreal), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sevilla). |
THREE TERRIERS CONFIRMED FOR 2018 WORLD CUP! Mooy, Lössl & Zanka in final 23-man squads for Russia - Aaron Mooy named in Australia’s 23-man squad - Mathias Zanka and Jonas Lössl also in final 23-man Denmark squad - Find out when Australia and Denmark play in the World Cup Three members of David Wagner’s First Team squad will be at the FIFA 2018 World Cup having been named in their country's final 23-man squads! Aaron Mooy (Australia), alongside Jonas Lössl and Mathias Zanka (Denmark), have been confirmed as representatives of their countries for the tournament, which starts with host nation Russia against Saudi Arabia on 14 June. They will become the first Town players to feature at a World Cup since the late, great Ray Wilson played for England way back in 1962. Australia Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy has been named in the Socceroos’ 23 man squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. Head Coach Bert van Marwijk cut his original 32 man squad down to 23 on Sunday 3 June 2018 after Australia’s 4-0 win over Czech Republic on Friday 1 June 2018. The Terriers' 27 year-old midfielder set up the third goal of the game. Mooy’s World Cup campaign will begin on Saturday 16 June 2018 in Kazan. Van Marwijk’s side faces France at 11am UK time the first match in Group C. Before that, the Socceroos have one final warm-up game against Hungary this Saturday (9 June 2018). Aaron currently has 33 caps for his country and has scored five goals. Denmark Denmark Manager Åge Hareide has included both Mathias Zanka and Jonas Lössl in the final 23-man World Cup squad, which was confirmed on Sunday evening. The Danes were selected in the same group as Australia for the World Cup, which means that Zanka and Lössl may face their Town teammate, Mooy, during the major competition. Denmark had two friendlies lined up to prepare for the World Cup; the Danes drew 0-0 with Sweden and will now face Mexico on Saturday 9 June 2018. Denmark’s World Cup campaign starts at 5pm UK time on Saturday 16 June 2018 in Saransk, with the nation facing Peru. Zanka currently has 12 caps for his national side, whilst Jonas has one. |
World Cup 2018: Stunned Silence In Tokyo As Japan World Cup Dream Ends As dawn broke in Tokyo, Japan fans had dared to believe their team was about to make World Cup history. As dawn broke in Tokyo, Japan fans had dared to believe their team was about to make World Cup history. But a few short minutes later, the dream was over. At a bar in a Tokyo business district, the air went out of the room as Belgium found the net in extra time, scoring a third goal to seal Japan's fate. Just a short while earlier, whoops of joy had filled the pub in Tokyo's Shinagawa district as the Blue Samurai scored a second goal, defying expectations to go 2-0 up over star-studded Belgium. But when the final whistle went with Belgium winning 3-2 to end Japan's latest shot at World Cup history, fans sat in virtual silence, staring in disbelief at the screen. "I'm so frustrated," 32-year-old Ryota Iwakiri said bitterly, trying to comprehend the sudden collapse, as others around him tried to hold back tears. "The game was like a roller-coaster. They let us dream of a victory at one point. They really had good momentum," said Yuki Kakishita, an employee at a real estate agency. Fans at the bar, some dressed in their team's blue strip and sporting Japanese flags painted on their cheeks, had exploded with joy when Takashi Inui scored the team's second goal. "We were so excited when Japan took the lead. But Belgium were so tough," said Shimon Otomo, a businessman still wearing his suit and tie. Many fans watching the game at a public screening could be seen with their head in their hands as Japan's campaign ended. The disappointment was crushing despite the low expectations that accompanied the team into the tournament. After several poor showings leading up to the World Cup, and an 11th hour decision by bosses to sack coach Vahid Halilhodzic, many feared Japan would not even make it out of its group. And new coach Akira Nishino was bitterly criticised for ordering the team to run down the clock in their final group stage match, knowing a 1-0 loss to Poland would be enough to allow them to advance. For some fans though, there was consolation to be had in the fact that the team made it so far, and got so close to an unprecedented quarter-final spot. "We lost it, but they left everything on the pitch," conceded 23-year-old Sawa Okada. "Japan showed people that they are competitive on the world stage," added Iwakiri. "Japan nearly slayed the giant." World Cup fever has gripped Japan despite a time difference that meant Monday's match aired from 3:00am local time on Tuesday morning in Tokyo. As the result sank in, people began to drift out of the bar, heading into the subway where early-bird commuters were already making their way in to the office. "It was worth staying up late to watch it," said Otomo, polishing off a cocktail and straightening out his suit. "I'll have to go straight to the office now though, time to work hard again."  |
