Notice

Just a quick notice to all the people who are reading my blog, Shane's Soccer Updates will be going on a one week break. I will be continuing my work on Monday 15th of July.

Transfer News

Moyes: Rooney is going nowhere.

Wayne Rooney is "not for sale" and will remain a Manchester United player, according to David Moyes.

The new United manager faced the media at his first press conference since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson and immediately sought to put an end to speculation linking Rooney with a summer move.
The England striker's future was thrown into doubt towards the end of last season when Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had requested a transfer for the second time in three years.
But United have consistently said they will not sell, and Moyes could not have been clearer as he fielded questions on Rooney in Old Trafford's Europa Suite.

He said: "Wayne Rooney is not for sale. He's a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player.

"I've had several meetings with Wayne, he's training brilliantly well, he's come back in good shape and I really look forward to working with him."
Pressed on whether Rooney has made it clear he now wants to stay at Old Trafford, Moyes would not answer the question directly.
Instead, he said: "We've spoken several times and I'm saying: 'whatever happened before is gone Wayne, we're working together now.
"And I see a glint in his eye now. He looks happy, as if he is saying 'I'm going to knuckle down and get myself right'. I can only say I've been impressed with how he's done."

Toulalan signs for Monaco.

Monaco have continued their summer spending spree with the signing of France international Jeremy Toulalan from Malaga.

The 29-year-old midfielder has penned a two-year contract with Monaco with the option of a further year on top, the newly-promoted Ligue 1 club have announced on their website.
Toulalan, who will be presented by his new club on Monday, joins the likes of Radamel Falcao, Ricardo Carvalho, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho as new arrivals at the big-spending Monte Carlo club, who are bankrolled by ambitious Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev.
Monaco sporting director Vadim Vasilyev said on his club's website: "We are happy with the signature of Jeremy. His skills, his European and international experience, will be an important asset for our team this season."
Toulalan joined Malaga from Lyon in 2011 and played 57 competitive matches for the Primera Division outfit. The former Nantes player has won 36 caps with France.

Transfer News

Higuain deal close.

Reports in Argentina claim Gonzalo Higuain's father - and agent - Jorge has finally been given permission by Real Madrid to open talks with Arsenal.

Arsenal are thought to have been locked in talks with Real for weeks about a deal for the Argentina international striker and sources claim that the two clubs have now agreed a deal.
Real Madrid reportedly wanted €25m (£21m) for the 25-year-old, with Arsenal's opening offer believed to be €20m but it appears a compromise has now been reached, although it would still represent a club-record deal for the English club.
Higuain senior was quoted as telling Fox Sports Argentina: "We have been given permission by Real Madrid to negotiate with Arsenal.
"I will luckily be able to see my son in the Premier League soon."

Celtic set to sign Mouyokolo.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has revealed he is set to offer Steven Mouyokolo a deal after impressing on trial.

The former Hull and Wolves defender has been on trial at Celtic and started in Wednesday's friendly defeat to Ukrainian side Sevastopol.
The 26-year-old has impressed Lennon and the club are ready to hand him a one-year deal at Celtic Park.
Lennon is just waiting for Mouyokolo's medical results before finalising the deal with the French defender having suffered a serious knee injury while on loan at Sochaux in 2012.
"We have liked Mouyokolo for a long time," Lennon told the Daily Record.
"He's had a few injury problems but has come on trial and impressed.

Transfer News

PSG and Chelsea fight for Cavani.

Chelsea and Paris St-Germain are battling to sign Edinson Cavani, but Napoli are refusing to drop their asking price for the Uruguay international.

The French club look set to rival the Stamford Bridge outfit for the signature of the 26-year-old, who was Serie A's top scorer last season with 29 goals, with Sky sources learning a £43million offer had been made by PSG.
Sky sources also understand that Jose Mourinho's Premier League side made an approach to Napoli earlier on Tuesday, but are unwilling to meet the £54m buy-out clause in Cavani's contract.
With the in-demand striker keen to end uncertainty over his future, it is believed that talks between his agent and Napoli officials over his fee are due to take place this week.
However, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is refusing to budge on his valuation, and also denied received a firm bid from the Ligue 1 outfit.

Rooney arrives for key talks.

Wayne Rooney has arrived at Manchester United's training ground ahead of what could be a key day in deciding his future.

Sky sources understand the England striker is due to hold face-to-face talks with new United manager David Moyes at Carrington after becoming frustrated at his first-team role last season.
Rooney verbally requested a transfer in May, according to outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris St Germain have all been linked with a summer move for the player.
But Rooney is yet to comment publicly on the speculation amid reports he disputes Ferguson's version of events.
A previous transfer request in the autumn of 2010 ended with Rooney signing a new deal at Old Trafford and helping the club to the Premier League title later that season.

Transfer News

Toure completes Liverpool move.

Liverpool have continued rebuilding for the new season by finalising a deal to bring in Kolo Toure from Manchester City.

The Ivory Coast international completed his switch after signing a deal at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.
Toure is Liverpool's fourth signing of the summer, following Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet to Anfield.
The 32-year-old said: "This means a lot to me. Firstly, I'm joining one of the best clubs in England.
"When I left City it was important for me to stay in England because it's the best league - and to join Liverpool is massive for me. Most of Liverpool's squad, including Toure and fellow new signings Alberto, Aspas and Mignolet, were all back at the club's Melwood training ground on Tuesday.
The only absentees were those players who have had international duty this summer, with the most high-profile of those being Luis Suarez.

Dortmund close on Aubameyang.

Borussia Dortmund are thought to be close to agreeing a deal for highly-rated St Etienne striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Reports emanating from Germany claim Dortmund are in pole position to land the Gabon international with talks at an advanced stage between both clubs.
A host of clubs across Europe have been linked with a move for Aubameyang, with Newcastle credited with a long-term interest in the 24-year-old.
However, it appears UEFA Champions League finalists Dortmund are ready to meet St Etienne's asking price for the prolific forward.
The news will be a blow for Newcastle as they had been keeping tabs on Aubameyang for several months and was thought to be one of Alan Pardew's top summer transfer targets.

Transfer News

Rooney urged to join FC Barcelona.

Wayne Rooney has been encouraged to join Barcelona by Camp Nou new-boy Neymar as speculation continues to surround the future of the Manchester United striker.

England international Rooney, who has two years left on his contract, requested a transfer at the end of last season and has been linked with a £25million move to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea as a result.
Reports on Sunday claimed the former Everton youngster has held a secret meeting with David Moyes and has told the incoming United boss he will stay at Old Trafford if he gets a new deal to replicate his current big-money terms. But ahead of the Confederations Cup final, Brazil star Neymar wants Rooney to follow in his footsteps and move to Spanish heavyweights Barcelona this summer.
Neymar said: "The style of football Barcelona play and the level of the players we have - we are the perfect club for the top players to join.

Ardiles praise for Higuain.

Gonzalo Higuain has the talent to have the same impact on the Premier League as Robin van Persie, according to Ossie Ardiles.

Real Madrid and Argentina international striker Higuain is widely expected to make the move to England this summer, with Arsenal reported to be on course to secure his signature.
The Gunners saw star striker Van Persie depart for Manchester United last summer and could then only look on as his goals fired the Red Devils to the Premier League title.
Argentina legend Ardiles believes that his fellow countryman can immediately make his mark in England's top division, should he make the move to Emirates Stadium.
The former Tottenham boss said: "Van Persie is a super player, one of my favourites and one of the best in the Premier League last season, along with Gareth Bale.

 

Confederations Cup

Here are the results of the Confederations Cup Final and 3rd spot play-offs:

Brazil 3-0 Spain.

Brazil produced a breathtaking performance at the Maracana to overwhelm Spain and claim their third consecutive Fifa Confederations Cup.

Driven on by the passion of a fiercely partisan crowd, the five-time world champions signalled their intent ahead of next summer's World Cup by ending Spain's 29-match competitive unbeaten record with a majestic display.
Fred scored twice, but Neymar again stole the show, scoring Brazil's second goal with a rasping left-foot shot.
To compound Spain's misery, Sergio Ramos missed a second-half penalty before Gerard Pique was sent off for bringing down Neymar as last man, with 22 minutes remaining.

At the final whistle, the Brazil fans proudly chanted 'the champions are back'. With David Luiz and Thiago Silva providing solidity at the back, the midfield generalship of Paulinho and the mercurial talents of Neymar in attack, the Selecao will certainly be a formidable proposition next year.

The streets around the Maracana had been a place of contrasts in the hours before the game. While protestors clashed with police a mile or so away, tens of thousands of Brazil fans danced in the streets.
The noise built to an incredible crescendo in the hour before kick-off, culminating with the Brazilian anthem, that stirred the passions of the partisan crowd.
History, too, was against Vicente Del Bosque's Spanish side. Brazil have not lost a competitive match on home soil since 1975 and you have to go back to 1934 to find the last time Spain had beaten them in a competitive match, home or away.
If Spain had dreamt of conjuring an early goal that might take the sting out of the mighty Maracana, they were made to think again by a Brazil side that pressed and probed and, carried on by the sheer emotion inside the stadium, snatched the lead inside two minutes.
Hulk's cross from the right was knocked down by Neymar at the back post. Fred lost his footing but as the ball came back his way, he swung a boot at it from the ground, lifting the ball up and over Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas and into the net.

Samba standard

Brazil are the first team to win three successive Fifa Confederations Cups. France won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2003.

Spain, normally so calm and controlled, briefly lost their way. Oscar fired narrowly wide from a fantastic chance, while Casillas scrambled back to claw Paulinho's deft lob from under his crossbar.

Brazil pressed Spain with an intensity that has become their own hallmark in recent times. They attacked with a fluency and flair that unsettled the world champions and that left Pique and Ramos flummoxed time and time again.
On two occasions during the first half, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers decided against sending Spain defenders off after first Neymar and then Oscar were tripped when through on goal. Both Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa were show yellow cards, much to Brazil's frustration.

Uruguay 2-2 Italy (AET) Italy win 3-2 on penalties.

Gianluigi Buffon saved three penalties as Italy beat Uruguay to claim third place in the Fifa Confederations Cup.

Davide Astori put Italy ahead when he tapped home on the line before Edinson Cavani equalised with a low effort.
Alessandro Diamanti restored Italy's lead with a curling free-kick and then Cavani levelled again with a stunning free-kick to ensure extra-time.
Riccardo Montolivo was sent off for two yellow cards in extra-time but Italy held on to seal a 3-2 win on penalties.
Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano all missed to hand Italy third spot in Salvador.

Off the spot

Uruguay's penalty record is now won five, lost five. La Celeste had won their last two shoot-outs before this defeat; seeing off Argentina 5-4 in the 2011 Copa America quarter-finals, a tournament they went on to win. They also famously knocked Ghana out of the last World Cup in a shoot-out.

Just three days after 120 minutes and a penalty shoot-out defeat by Spain in the semi-finals, Italy had to go through it all again but this time they came out on top with Alberto Aquilani, Stephan El Shaarawy and Emanuele Giaccherini converting their spot-kicks to reprieve Mattia De Sciglio who missed.

It was left to Gargano to score Uruguay's fifth penalty to force Italy to take another but Buffon saved again after also denying Forlan and Caceres.
If there was any fatigue from Thursday's marathon against the world champions, it was not evident in Cesare Prandelli's side in the early stages with five changes made from that defeat helping the Azzurri command the early stages.
Despite dominating Spain for long periods on Thursday before their penalty shoot-out defeat, Italy lacked a killer touch in front of goal and a bit of fortune but they certainly got the latter for their opener here.
A Diamanti free-kick came off the bar and hit keeper Fernando Muslera on the back before heading towards the line just as Astori came in to make sure the ball was over.