News for today's 2018

Caballero: ´I want to be number one´Manchester

7:16 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/12/596823header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/12/596823header.jpg" /></a>Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero is desperate to challenge Joe Hart for the number one spot at the Premier League champions. 
 
The Argentine shot-stopper, signed from Malaga in July, started for City on Sunday as they suffered a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield. 
 
Caballero said he is desperate to retain his spot ahead of Sunday's league clash at Newcastle United. 
 
"Yes I want to be number one," he said. 
 
"I will train for the weekend for the next decision to see who starts next. Both of us will train for that chance. 
 
"I came to fight for the number one spot. Sunday at Wembley was an important match for me – I have a chance to play. 
 
"I am happy for this – not for the score. I have been training well but there is no doubt that this was not one of my best games. 
 
"A defeat like this hurts but the most important thing is not to repeat these errors." 
 
Caballero has no doubt City can defend their title while starting to challenge for the UEFA Champions League. 
 
"We have a strong team," he said. 
 
"We are the Premier League champions, with very good players, but we have things we need to prove. 
 
"[Manager] Manuel [Pellegrini] has told all of us that we need to learn game by game, and that we have to start well in the league. 
 
"I think we can win the title again. We have to do what we did last year, to win the league. 
 
"We were the best team in the Premier League. We have to improve in the Champions League and we have a good squad to do that."

Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero is desperate to challenge Joe Hart for the number one spot at the Premier League champions. The...

Medel thrilled with Inter move

7:12 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/12/596837header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Medel thrilled with Inter move" border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/12/596837header.jpg" title="Medel thrilled with Inter move" /></a>Inter signing Gary Medel is delighted to have joined the Serie A club as he targets a return to full fitness. 
 
The Chilean, 27, trained with Inter on Monday and has joined after a season with Cardiff City in the Premier League. 
 
Medel injured his left quad two days before Chile's World Cup round of 16 loss to Brazil but played 109 minutes before finally succumbing to the injury. 
 
Speaking to Inter's website after training with Walter Mazzarri's side for the first time, Medel – a midfielder capable of playing in defence – said he was looking forward to representing the Milan-based club. 
 
"Yes, I'm finally at Inter and I'm thrilled to be at this great club," he said. 
 
"Very good. I'm doing physical work [running] at the moment. 
 
"I'm working hard and hopefully I'll be ready to play for Inter soon. I'm really happy to have joined a great club where there are lots of great players. 
 
"Hopefully my team-mates and I will be very successful this season."

Gary Medel Inter midfielder Premier League Serie A Medel thrilled with Inter move

Inter signing Gary Medel is delighted to have joined the Serie A club as he targets a return to full fitness. The Chilean, 27, trained wit...

Martinez - McCarthy form will be rewarded

3:16 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592725header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592725header.jpg" /></a>James McCarthy is the next Everton player in line for a new contract after impressing in his debut season, says Roberto Martinez. 
 
Martinez has just tied down young defender John Stones to a new five-year contract and is keen to reward the work done by McCarthy since his arrival from Wigan Athletic. 
 
The pair worked together at the DW Stadium for four years and the 23-year-old midfielder was one of the first players Martinez brought with him to Goodison Park. 
 
After making his debut against Chelsea last September, McCarthy went on to make 34 appearances as Everton finished fifth in the Premier League table. 
 
His continued progress has earned him further international recognition with the Republic of Ireland - he now has 23 caps - and Martinez insists a new deal is on the cards. 
 
"It will be natural. James's contract is already performance related so the longer that he plays he gets a bigger reward," he told the Liverpool Echo. 
 
"We will always be looking at rewarding players as they do well and James, clearly, is one of those. 
 
"We always want to keep our young players important at the club and keep rewarding them. That will never change. That goes along with players who change their roles in the squad. 
 
"We talk a lot about our young players and rightly so, but sometimes we forget that without that solid base of experienced lads behind them you don't go anywhere. 
 
"We must remember that we have continuity too which is vital." 
 
Tim Howard, Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley have also signed new contracts at Goodison Park during the close-season.

Everton James McCarthy Liverpool news news sports Premier League Roberto Martinez Martinez - McCarthy form will be rewarded

James McCarthy is the next Everton player in line for a new contract after impressing in his debut season, says Roberto Martinez. Martinez...

Ramsey aims to emulate Lampard and Gerrard

3:13 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592773header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592773header.jpg" /></a>Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey wants to match the goal-scoring exploits of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard over the next few years. 
 
Ramsey struck 16 times in all competitions for the London club last season, easily his best haul since his move from Cardiff City in 2008. 
 
The last of those goals was also arguably Arsenal's most important in nine years, as Ramsey burst into the box in extra-time in the FA Cup Final to score the winner against Hull City and ensure Arsenal secured their first major trophy since 2005. 
 
Just like Lampard in the 2009 FA Cup Final and Gerrard in the 2005 UEFA Champions League decider, Ramsey produced the goods when it mattered most and the Welshman wants to become Arsenal's answer to the famous English midfield duo for years to come. 
 
"I see myself as that midfielder who can score goals for Arsenal and I think that's important," Ramsey told The Telegraph on Thursday. 
 
"It's proven over the years to be important for successful sides to have goal-scoring midfielders and, hopefully, I'll do the same this season. 
 
"The likes of Gerrard and Lampard have done it for many years on a consistent basis and that will be my aim now to do that. 
 
"I've always felt I'd be a goal-scoring midfielder. Before my serious injury, I had broken into the team and scored a few goals. I've always believed in my ability to do that and I've always been in goal-scoring situations. 
 
"But I haven't been as composed as I was last season. I just felt like I had a lot more time in front of goal, whereas in the past I rushed a few decisions and shots that I made." 
 
Arsenal will return to Wembley on Sunday for the Community Shield against Manchester City and the Wales international is determined to start the new season on a high note. 
 
"Our season starts on Sunday and we'll be going out to win the game," he said. 
 
"It will be a good marker because we let ourselves down last year against the bigger teams. If we improve on that this season, we'll have a great chance [to win the Premier League] and we'll be right there at the end."

Ramsey aims to emulate Lampard and Gerrard

Arsenal Champions League FA Cup Frank Lampard news news sports Premier League Ramsey Steven Gerrard UEFA Ramsey aims to emulate Lampard and Gerrard

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey wants to match the goal-scoring exploits of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard over the next few years. Rams...

Nicky Butt Van Gaal has Ferguson aura

3:11 AM Anonymous 0

<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592771header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592771header.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></a>Nicky Butt is confident Manchester United are in safe hands this season after likening new boss Louis van Gaal to Alex Ferguson.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Butt has been impressed with the way the Dutchman, who guided his country to third place in the World Cup, has settled in at United and believes the club could challenge for the title this season.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The former United midfielder has been retained as part of the backroom staff at Old Trafford, with his focus on developing young players.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
David Moyes struggled under the pressure of succeeding Alex Ferguson at United last season, but 39-year-old Butt does not expect the new man in charge to have any such problems.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
"He is obviously a very in-control man," he told the Manchester Evening News. "He has an aura about him - when he walks in the building, you know who the boss is, and I think that is very important.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
"We had that with Sir Alex for all those years and I think we have that now with Van Gaal. He walks into the building and he commands your respect.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
"All the players look up to him as the leader and that is how it should be.</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
"From afar, when I've looked at him it looks like he takes no messing about and if anyone doesn't toe the line, I'm sure they will be out of the team."</div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
United have won every game since the 63-year-old arrived and have one friendly against Valencia remaining before their opening Premier League clash with Swansea City on August 16</div>

Ferguson football Manchester United news news sports Nicky Butt Premier League soccer United Van Gaal Nicky Butt Van Gaal has Ferguson aura

Nicky Butt is confident Manchester United are in safe hands this season after likening new boss Louis van Gaal to Alex Ferguson. Butt has...

John John StonesStones eyeing future captaincy

10:01 PM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592635header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592635header.jpg" /></a>Young defender John Stones said he would "jump" at the chance to captain Everton in the future after signing a new contract. 
 
Stones, 20, committed his long-term future to the club by penning a five-year deal - a reward for his stellar 2013-14 Premier League campaign. 
 
And the former Barnsley youth player, who made 26 appearances in his first full season at Goodison Park, told Everton's official website he has the potential to wear the armband just like skipper Phil Jagielka. 
 
"I'd love to captain Everton," said Stones, who has also earned two international caps for England. 
 
"It's a massive dream of mine and the big name players that have done it in the past, I would love to follow in their footsteps. 
 
"I'd like to think that I have the attributes [to be a captain]. 
 
"I'd like to think that I can do it in the future and, if that chance came along, I would jump on it straight away." 
 
Stones added: "It's been massive for my learning curve to play alongside Jags [Jagielka] and Sylvain [Distin]. 
 
"They are experienced pros and to learn off them day in and day out and in games is helping me as a person. 
 
"They are leaders and hopefully I can keep learning off them to get better as a player."

Everton football John Stones news news sports Premier League John John StonesStones eyeing future captaincy

Young defender John Stones said he would "jump" at the chance to captain Everton in the future after signing a new contract. Sto...

Draxler happy at Schalke

9:27 AM Anonymous 0

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/7/592087header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/7/592087header.jpg" /></a>The future of Julian Draxler has been the subject of much speculation over the past year, but the 20-year-old says he is happy at Schalke. 
 
Draxler has been heavily linked with a number of Premier League clubs, not least Arsenal, and the midfielder revealed he turned down a move to the Emirates Stadium during the January transfer window. 
 
Despite interest from across Europe, Draxler admits that last season he did not show his full potential when registering only two goals for Schalke. 
 
However, after signing a new five-year-deal in May and being part of the Germany squad that won the World Cup, the midfielder hopes to put that frustration behind him. 
 
"I just want to help the team and I want to be one of the leaders. I think I have to show all my qualities," said Draxler. 
 
"I have to be more dangerous on my position and create more chances. So I think the last season was very important for my development. I had to go through many lows, but this season will be much better." 
 
Schalke face Tottenham in their final pre-season friendly before starting their domestic campaign with a first-round DFB-Pokal tie against Dynamo Dresden on 18 August.