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Entertainment, Sports

De Gea seeks club action after Spain appearance

David De Gea is hoping to return to the Manchester United side after featuring for Spain on international duty. De Gea, 24, remained at United after his proposed transfer to Real Madrid failed to be completed in time for last week’s transfer deadline. The goalkeeper had been expected to leave Old Trafford, leading to manager Louis van Gaal selecting summer signing Sergio Romero as his first-choice shot-stopper.
But De Gea, who has yet to play for the Red Devils this season, is eager to feature for United ahead of their Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Saturday.
He said: “I felt good. I was really longing to get back playing. I’ll keep working and let’s see if I have some luck with my club. “Yes I’m happy. I am relaxed about things and I will go on working hard and improving, and enjoying my football.”
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Entertainment, Sports

Nigeria's Dream Team fixtures for the 2015 All African Games

Nigeria’s Dream team VI fixtures for the 2015 All African Games coming up at Brazzaville Congo. The Samson Siasia-led squad will be playing Egypt, Ghana, and Senegal U23 in Group B of the sporting event.

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Match fixtures:

Egypt v Nigeria
Date: Sunday, September 6,
Time: 16:00 (Nigerian time)

Nigeria v Ghana

Date: Wednesday 9
Time:14:00 (Nigerian time)

Senegal v Nigeria

Date:Saturday 12
Time: 14:00 (Nigerian time)

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Entertainment, Sports

Klopp not in a hurry to return to action, agent denies contact with any club

Jurgen Klopp has not had contact with any clubs and does not plan to return to management before next summer, his agent has told Die Welt. Klopp, who left Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season after seven years at the helm, said at the weekend that he was considering his options and his next job would not necessarily have to be with “an absolute top club.”
Earlier this summer, Klopp turned down an offer to join Marseille, while Ralf Rangnick, the sporting director and coach of second-tier club RB Leipzig, has publicly talked up his desire to appoint the 48-year-old next season should his side secure promotion. Klopp has also been touted as a contender to take charge at Bayern Munich when Pep Guardiola’s contract expires at the end of the season, while he continues to be linked with Liverpool amid lingering questions over Brendan Rodgers’ future at Anfield.

His agent, Marc Kosicke, said the coach “has not talked to other clubs” at this stage and, asked about a possible return date, added: “I think it will be the new season.”  Kosicke said Klopp is thoroughly enjoying his first break from the game since becoming Mainz boss in 2001.

“Jurgen is doing really great,” he said. “After nearly 15 consecutive years at Mainz and Dortmund, he now has time for retrospection, analysis and those things that get neglected or just can’t be done when you’re in the rhythm of taking part in Bundesliga and Champions League games.”

Kosicke said Klopp is now “preparing both physically and mentally for his new challenge,” adding: “He is bettering himself. But, for now, he enjoys the time he has as a private person.

“When he visited his mother in the past, he could only stay for two or three hours. He can stay for two or three days now. He leads an unspectacular life, and is thankful for this privilege.”

Klopp has not been to a stadium since taking charge of May’s DFB Pokal final, but Kosicke said he is following Dortmund on the television as they make a successful start to life under Thomas Tuchel.
“He every now and then is delighted by the performances of the team when he watches on the telly,” the agent said.
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Entertainment, Sports

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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