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Sunday, September 4, 2011

EPL

Arsenal Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain understands that he needs to work hard in order to impress Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and win first-team football. Aston Villa Veteran midfielder Emile Heskey has hinted that he is not looking to hang up his playing boots when his Aston Villa contract ends next summer. Blackburn Scott Dann insists Chris Samba's future had no impact on his decision to join Blackburn, but is looking forward to play with his new partner. Bolton Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill said speculations about his future caused him to struggle mentally during the final week of the transfer window. Chelsea Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has branded Chelsea's squad as 'too old' to provide any real competition for the title. Everton Everton captain Phil Neville insisted he would not have signed a contract extension if he did not have confidence in the future of the club. Fulham Coach Roy Hodgson has revealed he had to fight hard to bring Zoltan Gera back to West Bromwich Albion as Fulham were very keen on keeping him. Liverpool Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes he is in better shape than ever and is ready to prove the doubters wrong when he makes his return. Manchester City Man City defender Kolo Toure returns from a drugs ban, admitting he wants to prove to people he does not need 'tablets' to be a top player. Manchester United Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has branded Chelsea's squad as 'too old' to provide any real competition for the title. Newcastle United It was reported that Newcastle United had a deadline day offer worth GBP8 million rejected for striker Modibo Maiga from Ligue 1 side Sochaux. Norwich City Simeon Jackson is hoping to use the international break with Canada to try and force his way into Paul Lambert's first team plan at Norwich. Queens Park Rangers QPR owner Tony Fernandes is reportedly planning an ambitious swoop for David Beckham, who will be out of contract with LA Galaxy in November. Stoke City Stoke City defender Jonathan Woodgate is confident his once-again team-mate Peter Crouch will make a rapid return to the international stage. Sunderland Titus Bramble is now hoping that he will have the chance to fill the void left by Anton Ferdinand after the defender left Sunderland for QPR. Swansea City Swansea City winger David Cotterill is hoping to secure a loan move away from Liberty Stadium in order to play regular first-team football. Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael van der Vaart hopes he will be back in one to two weeks despite his club's prognosis that he will miss six. West Brom Coach Roy Hodgson has revealed he had to fight hard to bring Zoltan Gera back to West Bromwich Albion as Fulham were very keen on keeping him. Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic new boy Shaun Maloney says he cannot wait to get started at the Latics and play alongside former team-mate Gary Caldwell again. Wolverhampton It was reported that Wolves are leading the chase for the signature of Scotland forward James McFadden following his exit from Birmingham City.

La Liga

Athletic Bilbao Bilbao midfielder Igor Gabilondo has played down their match against Rayo after labelling it as just a bad day at the office and nothing more. Atletico Madrid Atletico striker Pizzi believes he did very well in his debut in the friendly against Feunlabrada and is looking forward to the official games. Barcelona Barcelona have been boosted by the news that captain Carles Puyol is expected to be fit to face Milan in the Champions League on September 13. Espanyol Espanyol midfielder Jordi Amat is a serious doubt for the Bilbao match, after it was confirmed that he tore a hamstring muscle on Thursday. Getafe Getafe sports director Toni Munoz said their priority is La Liga survival, even though they are ambitious and want to fight for something more. Granada Granada midfielder Moises Hurtado has predicted that his new club will achieve something important this season because they have a good team. Levante Levante president Catalan has warned his side not to expect an easier time in the La Liga this season, despite having a more expensive team. Malaga Malaga striker Salomon Rondon is delighted about playing alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, claiming that they have a pretty good understanding. Osasuna Osasuna midfielder Raul Garcia said his ankle injury is recovering well and is optimistic that he will be available for their clash next week. Racing Santander Defender Bernardo has vowed to do his best for Racing after admiting that the club offer him an irresistable playing and economic opportunity. Rayo Vallecano Free agent Sergio Contreras Pardo is close to joining with Rayo, as he is set to undergo medical exam on Monday ahead of his contract signing. Real Betis Real Betis do not rule out showing reserve team coach Hristo Vidakovic the exit this Tuesday, following his controversial comment this week. Real Madrid Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world, and that other sides are jealous of them. Real Mallorca Mallorca coach Michael Laudrup is concerned about their fire-power this season and insisted it is unfair to demand 12 goals from Tomer Hemed. Real Sociedad Real Sociedad beat Stade Brestois 1-0 in a friendly encounter on Saturday after Uruguayan striker Diego Ifran scored the only goal of the game. Real Zaragoza Real Zaragoza defender Maurizio Lanzaro believes the club have a good team and is hoping that they will not have to suffer like last season. Sevilla Good news for Sevilla coach Marcelino Garcia Toral as the medical team are confident that Ivan Rakitic can return to action after 4 months out. Sporting Gijon Sporting Gijon coach Manolo Preciado is very happy with his current squad, even though the club failed in their effort to sign their targets. Valencia Valencia playmaker Daniel Parejo is confident in the abilities of his new side and is positive they will enjoy a successful campaign this term. Villarreal Jonathan de Guzman admits he loves the fact that Villarreal are an attacking side and hopes he will be able to meet expectations on the pitch.

Serie A

AC Milan Christian Abbiati revealed he would like to stay and work with AC Milan youth as a goalkeeper coach when he hang up his gloves in the future. AS Roma Daniele De Rossi has warned AS Roma he would not sign an unacceptable contract renewal, as he battle to earn a little bit more at the club. Atalanta Atalanta president Percassi said they have done everything they can to bring in Sergio Floccari, but the club must maintain a balanced budget. Bologna Bologna beat Romanian side Rapid Bucuresti 2-1 in a friendly match after Marco Di Vaio and Daniele Paponi managed to find the back of the net. Catania Good news for Catania coach Vincenzo Montella as Fabio Sciacca has resumed squad training, while Legrottaglis is still working individually. Cesena Cesena and Novara drew in a friendly match after Adrian Mutu, Pablo Granoche and Andrea Mazzarani managed to score for their respective team. Chievo Young striker Alberto Paloschi declared his intention to return to Milan and has thanked Chievo for giving him the chance to prove himself. Fiorentina Fiorentina beat Isola Liri 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday after Brazilian defender Romulo scored the opening and winning goal for the Viola. Genoa Genoa striker Andrea Caracciolo is in great shape ahead of the start of the new season after scoring a hatrick during their training session. Inter Milan Inter were stunned to discover that Diego Forlan cannot be used in Europe until January because he played in the Europa League with Atletico. Juventus Juventus announced that they have agreed to loan defender Reto Ziegler to Turkish side Fenerbahce for EUR600,000 until the end of the season. Lazio Good news for Lazio coach Edy Reja as striker Djibril Cisse has resumed squad training, even though he did not complete the entire schedule. Lecce New Lecce signings Giandonato and Oddo are training regularly with the squad, while Pasquato did individual training due to muscle problem. Napoli Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik seems to have recovered from his injury after claiming that he felt no pain during the match against Ireland. Novara Cesena and Novara drew in a friendly match after Adrian Mutu, Pablo Granoche and Andrea Mazzarani managed to score for their respective team. Palermo Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini is reportedly taking Javier Pastore's agent to court for extortion over the EUR40 million transfer to PSG. Parma Parma director Pietro Leonardi has praised their players for not allowing rumours to distract them from their job during the transfer market. Siena Siena reported that trio of Angella, Belmonte and Grossi are still training away from the group as they continue with the recovery program. Udinese Manager Francesco Guidolin has urged Udinese to forget the Champions League exit to Arsenal and insisted that he has yet to pick his tactics.