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LVG unfair to Victor Valdes but that didn't influence my decision – Pedro

Recent Chelsea signing Pedro has denied reports that he turned down a move to Manchester United to avoid working under coach Louis van Gaal. Pedro, 28, signed for Chelsea last month from Barcelona despite reported interest from the Red Devils.

It was widely reported that conversations with former Barca teammates such as Cesc Fabregas and Victor Valdes caused Pedro to reconsider United, while reports in Spain suggested his doubts were due to the strained relationship between Van Gaal and some of his Spanish players. Van Gaal announced in July that Valdes has no future at Old Trafford and has left the former Barca goalkeeper out of his Champions League squad, while David De Gea has not played this season and missed out on a deadline day move to Real Madrid.
But when asked if his decision to join Chelsea and not United was based on the difficult situation between Van Gaal and his Spanish keepers, Pedro told Marca: “No. It’s true that I don’t like that treatment for my colleagues, especially for Victor, who has been a reference as a teammate and as a professional. “I don’t believe it’s fair but it didn’t influence my decision.”

Pedro — who scored on his debut to help Chelsea to a 3-2 win over West Brom on Aug. 22 — says the Blues were more proactive in acquiring his services, adding: “I just saw that Manchester didn’t take that step, that they were taking too long and I needed a team to start. Chelsea were more decisive.”

Pedro, who is in Madrid with the Spain national team preparing for Euro 2016 qualifying games against Slovakia and Macedonia, says he spoke to former Barca teammate Valdes before making his decision.

“Yes, a lot,” he said. “He told me that the club [United] was very good and there was a great fan following, that his only problem was the situation with the coach.”

When asked if Valdes recommended that he not sign for United because of Van Gaal, Pedro answered: “Absolutely not. He spoke very well of the club. It’s a great club but I believe I have chosen well to join Chelsea, I’m convinced. “I had an important chat with [Chelsea coach Jose] Mourinho, who told me that he wanted me, that with me they would have a better team and he said many things that I liked to hear. “That combined with the possibility to live in London was what made me decide.”

Pedro signed a four-year contract with Chelsea and so far is thrilled.
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Entertainment, Sports

“I wish I could take away this pain.” Bereaved Enyeama apologises for pulling out of Super Eagles squad

Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama has apologized for pulling out of this Saturday’s 2017 Nations Cup qualifier match. Recall that the Lille skipper opted out after receiving the shocking news of his mother’s demise.‎
A bereaved Enyeama tendered his apology via his Instagram page on Wednesday night. 

“So sorry I won’t make it out there to wear this shirt. So sorry that I won’t be standing there singing the anthem of my sweet NIGERIA. #WEARENIGERIA. I wish that this darkness didn’t come in daylight. I wish that I could turn back the hand of time. I wish, I just wish that I could take away this pain. let the rain wash away this pain.”‎ 

‎
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Entertainment, Sports

Anthony Martial unfazed by heavy price tag

New Manchester United striker Anthony Martial says he is unconcerned by his £36 million price tag as his record fee
continues to make waves in his native France.

Martial, 19, joined United from Monaco on Monday as he became the most expensive teenager in football’s history.
After returning to the French national team’s headquarters on Tuesday after his brief trip to Old Trafford, Martial said
he cannot wait to get started.

“It was a restless night,” he said in a video interview posted on the French Football Federation’s website. “I’m very happy to sign for Manchester United. It’s a very big club and I hope I’ll be able to show all my qualities.
“There’s certainly been a lot of talk about it [the transfer] but the most important thing will be on the pitch and to show people who I am.

“Football is football — it’s changed nothing. You have to stay true to yourself and keep your head on your shoulders.”

L’Equipe reported on Tuesday that, when bonuses are included, the deal for Martial could eventually be worth €80m, which would make him the most expensive French player in history. Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, was critical of the fee, saying it showed there were no limits and that it was impossible to tell a player’s worth anymore.
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Entertainment, Sports

Wolfsburg complete signing of Draxler

Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler. Draxler, 21, joins the DFB Pokal holders for a fee believed to be around €36 million, plus add-ons.
The Germany international, who can play on the wing and in a more central role, had been linked with a transfer to Juventus throughout the summer, but has opted to remain in the Bundesliga instead.

Wolfsburg opened talks with Draxler following the 3-0 defeat of Schalke on Friday, when it had become evident  that both Ivan Perisic and Kevin De Bruyne were to leave the club during the final days of the transfer window.

Perisic went on to sign for Inter MIlan, while De Bruyne joined Manchester City. Kicker has reported that Draxler, who had three years left on his contract at Schalke, and Wolfsburg agreed personal
terms on Saturday.

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt Heldt said on the club’s official website:

“There are two reasons for our decision to accept Wolfsburg’s offer: We will not be disclosing information about the transfer fee, but we can say that it is the biggest transfer we’ve received for a
player at Schalke.
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Entertainment, Sports

Obafemi Martins eyes Eagles return, denies retiring from international football

Nigeria international, Obafemi Martins is reportedly eyeing a return to the Oliseh-led Super Eagles squad. The Seattle Sounders striker if given the chance is certain he will prove his‎ mettle and score more goals for the team.

“I hope I will soon get another chance to score goals for Nigeria again and I also believe that with time and a little more patience the Eagles will come back to winning ways under new coach Sunday Oliseh.  He has gotten all the experience we need in a coach, he has played the game before and I am really happy to see him in eagles again.”

The former Levante forward who has scored 18 goals for in 39 appearances for Nigeria also denied calling time on his international career adding that he was misquoted by the media.‎

“I never announced my retirement, in any form or anyway, it was not official at all, I was unhappy to be treated as if am not a Nigerian footballer, I have represented Nigeria, at the Nations Cup, World Cup, and I still want to play more, it’s a new eagles now, led by Oliseh, so why will I retire now, I am still young.” He said
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Entertainment, Sports

John Stones hands in transfer request

Everton’s defender, John Stones has reportedly filed in a transfer request in a bid to force move to Chelsea. Chelsea have been targeting the English center back for weeks and have had bids of of £20m and £26m rejected. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has repeatedly said Stones will not be sold this summer and the club have not responded to the latest development. 
The centre-back moved from Barnsley to Everton in February 2013 for about £3M and has since then improved to the admiration of a number of clubs.
He is expected to be in the England squad for next month’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland when it is named on Sunday evening.
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Entertainment, Sports

Vincent Kompany welcomes Otamendi competition

Vincent Kompany welcomed the competition for his place from new signing Nicolas Otamendi as he argued Manchester City’s superb start to the season has been motivated by the knowledge that they will lose their spots in the side if they are not right at the top of their game. City captain Kompany feels manager Manuel Pellegrini has so many high-class options in his squad that they know they cannot afford to slip up in training, let alone in matches.
The Belgian has scored twice and helped City keep three clean sheets in their 100 percent beginning to the campaign but faces a fight to stay in the side after the Premier League leaders paid £31.5 million to bring in Valencia centre-back Otamendi. City can also call upon an in-form Eliaquim Mangala, plus the promising youngster Jason Denayer and Martin Demichelis, who was their best centre-back last season. 
And Kompany said: “Competition is one of the reasons we have started so strong. You can’t really afford to do anything wrong during the week leading up to the game. Then during the game, you can’t do anything wrong either as there is always someone looking over your shoulder, waiting, who is just as good as you.

“If they are in a better moment and they deserve a chance, they will take your place. You have got to be at the top of your game. This is what you are seeing — a group of guys who know that they need to perform. If they don’t, someone else will do it.”
Kompany welcomed City’s decision to bring in Otamendi, who Pellegrini has described as arguably the best centre-back in La Liga last season.

“It is so important in any top team to have quality players all over,” he said. “The extra competition is good, really good. You don’t play for a top team unless you have that. “If you look at the schedule, you could end up with 50 or 60 games and that is impossible for one team. If you want to go for every trophy, we have got Denayer, Demichelis, Otamendi, Mangala and myself. You need that to go for it.”
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Entertainment, Sports

Manchester United have to score, Chelsea must improve and other things from the weekend.



1. WRONG CALLS BY REFEREES HAVE TO STOP: Errors are part of life and are generally inevitable. However, certain profession gives room for little or no error(s) due to the consequence or fallout from any error. Refereeing is one of those professions. A game can be won, lost or drawn due to bad calls and as such, a lot of effort has been channeled into reducing to bearest minimum or possibly eliminating the margin of error in officiating. The English FA must pay rapt attention and react swiftly to the growing spate of wrong offside calls in the league. 
Bournemouth lost a point and Manchester United lost two to wrong offside calls. Tendering an apology or punishing erring match officials will do nothing or little to fix the damage because the last time I checked, the three points Benteke’s “wrongly allowed goal” earned Liverpool still stands and Manchester United got just a single point from their game against Newcastle despite Rooney’s legit goal that was again wrongly disallowed.

These things may look insignificant or ‘little’ now but later on in hindsight, it may turn out to be the reason why a team fail to survive or win the title. This is the EPL, a league where every point, every goal counts.


2. CHELSEA’S PROBLEMS ARE FAR FROM OVER: Chelsea finally grabbed their first win of the season and scores goals aplenty but their problems are far from over as the awful defending and uninspiring play still remains. The 3-2 win against West Brom brings their total number of conceded goals to SEVEN with just three games into the season. A clear show of porous and poor defending – which is something Mourinho is very critical of.
John Terry continues to show his lack of pace and on top of that, committed a foul that reminds everyone of when Arsenal used to have Djourou at the heart of their defence, Ivanovic continues his woeful performance on the right where he is consistently turned inside out by anyone called a winger and Zouma looks like a ticking bomb with his perpetual lack of focus and unwise decisions in crucial areas. Cesar Azpilicueta remains the only defender that has put in a decent performance over the course of three games.
In the middle, the combination of Matic and Fabregas no longer yields desired result with Fabregas doing more to assist the opponents than his own team by regularly giving away possession and misplacing passes. The attack looks sharper with the inclusion of Pedro – who has hit the ground running but all the loopholes in the midfield and defence must be fixed if Chelsea are nurturing any dream of winning laurels this season.
Lastly, a free tip for Chelsea’s marketing team – Ivanovic will do well as Vine’s brand ambassador. He contributes more videos than anyone these days.

3. MANCHESTER CITY ARE THE TEAM TO BEAT: Maximum 9 points from three games played, 8 goals scored and none conceded – Manchester City are on a roll and they would take some stopping.  With a much improved opposition in Everton (due respect to West Brom and Chelsea), Manchester City showed that their emphatic wins have more to do with their immense quality and tenacity than the level or quality of opposition.

A sturdy defence led by Kompany, a very creative and dominating midfield with Silva at the helms of affairs and a lethal strike force led by Sergio Aguero plus a very rich bench thanks to good signings, City are already looking like the team to beat.

4. MANCHESTER UNITED NEED TO SCORE: While the blue side of Manchester is bright and noisy from the shout of goals and victories, the other side isn’t all that good. Manchester United are still unable to score goals despite dominating games and overwhelming opponents.
Wayne Rooney is not finding the striking role easy and with every game, he increases the worry that Manchester United may need to look elsewhere for a striker. Newcastle’s barren draw is United’s third league game and they have only managed 2 goals – an own goal and deflected shot.
100 percent ball possession and passes completed does not win games, goals is what does. Manchester United will have to start scoring soon or find themselves in real trouble.
–
Adeshina Peter 
You can follow him on Twitter via @shina_pitta
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Entertainment, Sports

Pepe extends contract with Real Madrid

Portuguese defender, Pepe has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Real Madrid until 2017. Pepe, 32, who has been linked over recent seasons with a move to English clubs Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, has prolonged his stay at the Bernabeu club for another two seasons at least. The news follows his long-term centre-back partner Sergio Ramos also signing a new contract at Madrid, ending what had been a long summer of speculation that he could be moving to England.

“Real Madrid and Pepe have agreed the extension of the player’s contract, to remain at the club until 30 June 2017,” said the short club statement announcing the news. Pepe joined Madrid from Porto for €30 million in 2007, and has been a first choice for subsequent coaches Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.

He is also expected to start Sunday’s La Liga opener at Sporting Gijon under new Blancos coach Rafa Benitez, having returned to full training this week after overcoming the thigh muscle strain which saw him miss Madrid’s last two preseason friendlies.
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