Speaking at the launch of his official website, David Villa remarked that he was in no hurry to leave his current club, Valencia, despite constant rumours linking him with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The €127 million price tag slapped on him by the Mestalla top brass may have played a part, but the striker nonetheless seemed more than happy with his current lot.
"I am pleased to be here and for now things are going well for me," he said. "I am proud to stay at Valencia."
David Silva, his team-mate, is another one who has been linked with an exit, quite possibly to the Bernabeu. But the Asturian denied that his Canarian colleague was on the way out - for now, at least.
"Silva will play in the 15th matchday against Real Madrid tomorrow," he said.
"That match is an important one for us because we can achieve something more than our 2008 target, which was to end the year with 30 points.
"What's more, we have the chance to hold on to second place."
Europe, too, was on the forward's mind as he was questioned about Valencia's UEFA Cup meeting with Dynamo Kyiv.
"They will be a tough rival because they entered this competition via the Champions League, and also because it's very difficult for us to play in Kiev," he warned.
"But still, we need to knock them out if we want to progress in the UEFA Cup."
Seventh Heaven
Villa's website has the number '7' in pride of place in its address, leading some in the press to question whether or not he's tempting fate: currently the striker wears this number for Spain but such matters are always open to change.
But David said, "I'll always have this question around me, even if I manage 2,000 goals or get called up to every single squad!
"I am the '7' firstly because I am going to be called up that way and secondly because I'm allowed to be. On the day that I'm not called up, it'll be someone else."
Steve Michaels, Goal.com
Galaxy proud of comeback in finale
Red Bulls notebook: Much to be proud of
David Silva To Return For Valencia This Week
Friday, December 19, 2008
Marcos Senna Content With Villarreal-Panathinaikos Pairing
Yesterday’s Champions League knockout round draw in Nyon threw up some intriguing battles between some of Europe’s superpowers but two teams who managed to avoid the continental big guns were Villarreal and Panathinaikos.
Instead, they found themselves paired against each other and there have been little complaints from either camp. Yellow Submarine captain, Marcos Senna, for one, was happy with the tie.
“Panathinaikos are a team who have played a lot in European competitions, but they are at their best at the moment after finishing first in Group B, which was a very complicated group,” he was quoted as saying by Marca.
“They are an accessible rival, although at this point, all the opponents are difficult,” he added.
The midfielder then went on to admit that he is slightly disappointed not to have home advantage in the crucial second leg.
“Our coach [Manuel Pellegrini] prefers to play the first leg away and the second leg at home, but it is not possible to get everything our way. We have a lot of time to analyse our opponents because we do not have too many matches to play in the next few months.
“What is clear is that we cannot rely on anyone else. What we must do is focus on ourselves and ensure we make it to the quarter-finals. Anything else and it will be a disappointment for all of us,” he concluded.
KS Leong, Goal.com
Pellegrini Untroubled By Five-Goal Deficit
Surging Rolfe continues to fuel Fire
Revolution eager to prove worth vs. Fire
Ramon Calderon: I'm Tired Of Real Madrid-Ronaldo Rumours
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has made his first comments on Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's inflammatory statement that he would never allow Ronaldo to leave for the Real Madrid 'mob' and that he wouldn't sell them "a virus", let alone a player.
Calderon was surprisingly restrained in his response, though he did make sure to take some thinly-veiled barbs at their increasingly bitter European rivals.
"It is absolutely false that there exists any agreement with Manchester United about this business, of which I am tired. The matter is totally dead and as such I don't want to talk about it anymore," he said reacting to the fresh rumours that the Portuguese phenom has already reached an agreement with the Spanish capital club.
Specifically on Ferguson's comments he said: "Our club's code of conduct does not include insults, contempt, or a lack of respect to our opponents. Maybe for this reason Real Madrid are respected in all corners of the world.
"It is sad that a professional with the career of Mr Ferguson can make declarations like these, in addition to some of the other unfortunate things he has said in the last few months.
"Despite that, Real Madrid will never respond with a lack of respect to Manchester United, to any of their directors, nor of course to their fans, for whom everyone has the greatest of respect."
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
Chivas return home looking for spark
Ronaldo ‘Very Happy’ At Manchester United
Calderon was surprisingly restrained in his response, though he did make sure to take some thinly-veiled barbs at their increasingly bitter European rivals.
"It is absolutely false that there exists any agreement with Manchester United about this business, of which I am tired. The matter is totally dead and as such I don't want to talk about it anymore," he said reacting to the fresh rumours that the Portuguese phenom has already reached an agreement with the Spanish capital club.
Specifically on Ferguson's comments he said: "Our club's code of conduct does not include insults, contempt, or a lack of respect to our opponents. Maybe for this reason Real Madrid are respected in all corners of the world.
"It is sad that a professional with the career of Mr Ferguson can make declarations like these, in addition to some of the other unfortunate things he has said in the last few months.
"Despite that, Real Madrid will never respond with a lack of respect to Manchester United, to any of their directors, nor of course to their fans, for whom everyone has the greatest of respect."
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
Chivas return home looking for spark
Ronaldo ‘Very Happy’ At Manchester United
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Now Atlético Madrid Can Fight For Their Objective - Raúl García
Atlético Madrid approach the Christmas period in the knowledge that if they beat Espanyol on Saturday evening they will leapfrog Villarreal and move into the Champions League places.
It seems like a long time ago that they were getting thrashed by Barcelona and losing to Sevilla, and today, midfielder Raúl García spoke about their turn around.
"People considered us to be dead and now we are in a position to compete for the four places that we want," he declared to Marca.
"Our goal is to finish in the Champions League positions and it is not important to us if Real Madrid finish below or above us."
Atlético overtaking Real Madrid in the league might not matter to the players, but it certainly does to the fans, who will be keeping an eye on the Champions League draw tomorrow. After finishing runners-up in their group, Atlético could face some tough teams, and Raúl García is hopeful they get someone reasonable.
"What we want is to get through the next round. If we get an easy team it does not mean we will qualify, but I hope that we can be lucky and face a side where we will have options," he mused.
Along with the Champions League, Atlético have another competition to worry about as they face Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey. Spanish midfielder García spoke briefly about that match today, and was questioned about the previous humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Catalan side.
"If we go thinking about what they are able to do, then we would not believe in ourselves," he responded.
"It is clear they have a high level, but there are teams that have gone there and have been capable of standing up to them."
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Mijatovic: We Are Obliged To Do Well In Cup
Generation adidas team announced
Laporta: Win Tonight, Then Focus On The League
It seems like a long time ago that they were getting thrashed by Barcelona and losing to Sevilla, and today, midfielder Raúl García spoke about their turn around.
"People considered us to be dead and now we are in a position to compete for the four places that we want," he declared to Marca.
"Our goal is to finish in the Champions League positions and it is not important to us if Real Madrid finish below or above us."
Atlético overtaking Real Madrid in the league might not matter to the players, but it certainly does to the fans, who will be keeping an eye on the Champions League draw tomorrow. After finishing runners-up in their group, Atlético could face some tough teams, and Raúl García is hopeful they get someone reasonable.
"What we want is to get through the next round. If we get an easy team it does not mean we will qualify, but I hope that we can be lucky and face a side where we will have options," he mused.
Along with the Champions League, Atlético have another competition to worry about as they face Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey. Spanish midfielder García spoke briefly about that match today, and was questioned about the previous humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Catalan side.
"If we go thinking about what they are able to do, then we would not believe in ourselves," he responded.
"It is clear they have a high level, but there are teams that have gone there and have been capable of standing up to them."
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Mijatovic: We Are Obliged To Do Well In Cup
Generation adidas team announced
Laporta: Win Tonight, Then Focus On The League
Cassano Ends Italy Career, Hails Sevilla Win
Sampdoria defied the odds and defeated a Spanish side, for the first time in their history earlier tonight, to book their spot in the last 32 of this season’s UEFA Cup competition.
The damage was done on 75 minutes, when Reto Ziegler’s teasing ball into the area was met by Jonathan Bottinelli, who having only just come on to the pitch managed to score the decisive goal.
That was enough for Samp; as they went on to record an impressive 1-0 victory, knocking out the 2006 and 2007 Champions in the process.
At the completion of the match, the captain of the Blucerchiati, Antonio Cassano, spoke to Sky to express his delight at having stunned the Spanish side, and progressing further in the competition.
“We deserved to qualify, thanks to the sacrifices we have made along the way,” Cassano declared.
“Tonight we wrote another chapter in the history of the club, because it has been 16 years since we have managed to get this far in Europe.
“Now let’s hope that we can sign some new players in January, to ensure that we become stronger, for the next phase of the competition,” he added.
The captain made a final comment regarding his future with the Azzurri, by claiming that, “The National team? For me, it is a closed chapter.”
Cassano’s men face Fiorentina at home in the league this weekend, in the final match of the calendar year, and so they will be keen to end the year on a high with a win.
Adrian Del Monte
Jiménez: Players Gave Their All
Leathers, Wizards look to slow Rogers, Crew
Torres Proud Of Making Spanish History
The damage was done on 75 minutes, when Reto Ziegler’s teasing ball into the area was met by Jonathan Bottinelli, who having only just come on to the pitch managed to score the decisive goal.
That was enough for Samp; as they went on to record an impressive 1-0 victory, knocking out the 2006 and 2007 Champions in the process.
At the completion of the match, the captain of the Blucerchiati, Antonio Cassano, spoke to Sky to express his delight at having stunned the Spanish side, and progressing further in the competition.
“We deserved to qualify, thanks to the sacrifices we have made along the way,” Cassano declared.
“Tonight we wrote another chapter in the history of the club, because it has been 16 years since we have managed to get this far in Europe.
“Now let’s hope that we can sign some new players in January, to ensure that we become stronger, for the next phase of the competition,” he added.
The captain made a final comment regarding his future with the Azzurri, by claiming that, “The National team? For me, it is a closed chapter.”
Cassano’s men face Fiorentina at home in the league this weekend, in the final match of the calendar year, and so they will be keen to end the year on a high with a win.
Adrian Del Monte
Jiménez: Players Gave Their All
Leathers, Wizards look to slow Rogers, Crew
Torres Proud Of Making Spanish History
Ronaldo 'Very Happy' At Manchester United
As the rumour mill continues to grind out stories linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a move away from Manchester United, the player has spoken out about how he is more than willing to remain at Old Trafford.
Real Madrid spent a fruitless summer trying to capture the Portuguese superstar's signature, and, even though they were unsuccessful in their pursuit, the Bernabeu would still seem the most likely destination for Ronaldo should he decide to leave the North-West of England.
Alex Ferguson has added fuel to the fire by highlighting theMadrid giants' links with the fascist Franco regime in Spain recently. He also went on to declare todaythat he would never allow Ronaldo to leave forthe Real Madrid 'mob' and that he wouldn't sell them "a virus", let alone a player.
Madrid for their part feel that Ronaldo is already as good as theirs, with Real director Pedro Trapote recently quoted as claiming that theSpaniards already have a deal in place to sign Ronaldo.
Now theBallon D'Or winnerhimself has spoken, and has reiterated that he is focusing on his career with the Red Devils.
"I don't care what people are saying," said Ronaldo today.
"I have not read it. I am here in Japan and I know nothing about what is going on around me.
"But I am very happy playing for Manchester United."
The soap opera surrounding the player's future looks set to run and run, as Real Madrid's irresistible force collides with the immovable object that is Manchester United.
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
Cristiano Ronaldo Could Have Joined Inter - Suarez
Cooper’s future remains a hot topic
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Miguel: I Could Leave Valencia For England
Miguel - sometimes known as Miguel Monteiro or Luis Miguel - has attracted interest from all across Europe since joining Valencia from Benfica in 2005.
A number of Premier League clubs were linked withthe Portuguese defenderduring thesummer, including Manchester United and Liverpool.
And the 28-year-old has welcomed English interest, admitting that although he is comfortable at the Mestalla he wouldlove to test himself in the Premier League.
Miguelsaid inThe Sun: “It is good that other teams have recognised what I am doing and that they are showing an interest in me.
“I am happy here. But my style of play would suit the English league.”
The English tabloid suggested that Luiz Felipe Scolari, the former Portugal boss, is keen on bringing Miguel to Chelsea - but Jose Bosingwa's presenceat Stamford Bridge casts doubt over that theory.
Mike Maguire, Goal.com
De Rosario traded to hometown team
Del Horno And Maduro In Valencia Squad
Report: Zigic Set For Racing Return In January
Generation adidas team announced
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