Mascherano: I’m Not Tied To Liverpool

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has stated that the time he spent at Liverpool, will not stop him from joining another EPL club. Mascherano enjoyed a three and a half year spell at Liverpool, before joining Barcelona in 2010. And the Spanish midfielder has stated should a good offer come from a premier league team, he would join.

“My feelings for Liverpool don’t mean I’m tied to them,” he told The Guardian.

“I have a lot of affection for them and always will have, but if in the future a Premier League team gave me a chance, you can’t say: ‘No, I’d only play for one team’.

“We’re professionals, this is our living. Whatever happens, my feelings for Liverpool won’t change.”

“Liverpool were one of the best teams I played for, but the club had problems. I never met the owners,” he added.

“Liverpool’s a club to enjoy, to be there, to live. It’s not worth owning Liverpool 20,000 kilometres away; it belongs to the people and you don’t get that if you’re never there. It’s a pity.”

“I was sad that I had to go the way I did. What happened is what had to happen. They promised me that if there was a good offer they’d release me because the club was in a process of disintegration.

“But the club didn’t always tell the truth; it’s the player whose image gets damaged, the same happened to Fernando [Torres], but things were clear: I never lied.

“When Rafa [Benitez] went, they knew I’d leave. I felt the project was falling apart. Rafa had gone, there was no direction. And the offer was Barcelona.

“I always felt the club was trying to take a step forward but couldn’t. Now with Klopp they’re trying. He’s a manager for Liverpool, very much of the people.

“Nowhere has anybody treated me so well.”

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MLB agent Bart Hernandez arrested for human trafficking

Agent Bart Hernandez was arrested Friday morning after a federal grand jury indicted him on human-trafficking charges related to the smuggling of Seattle Mariners outfielder Leonys Martin into the United States from Cuba, according to sources and documents obtained by Yahoo Sports.

The sealed indictment, filed in a Florida federal court Feb. 12, alleges that Hernandez – who now works for Magnus Sports, the agency founded by singer Marc Anthony – conspired with smugglers to bring Martin into the United States in August 2010. He is expected to appear at the U.S. District Court in Miami at 2 p.m. on Friday. If convicted on conspiracy and financial-gain charges, Hernandez faces up to 20 years in prison, with a minimum sentence of three years.

The exodus of Cuban baseball players seeking jobs in Major League Baseball has accelerated with the hundreds of millions of dollars handed to defectors, and in recent months it has reached a staggering apex, with one source estimating nearly 350 Cuban players are today in the Dominican Republic seeking jobs. Hernandez, a certified agent by the MLB Players Association, represents a number of current free agents, including Cuban defectors Luis Yander La O and Guillermo Heredia. Magnus Sports was formed in November and signed New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, one of the game's biggest Cuban stars.

The initials of Hernandez's highest-profile client, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, now represented by Relativity Sports, appear in the indictment alongside Martin and Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguer Dalier Hinojosa's. If convicted, Hernandez must forfeit proceeds from the contracts of the three and an additional $1.5 million, along with a 2001 Honda motorcycle.

The indictment says Hernandez "did willingly … and knowingly conspire, confederate, and agree with Eliezer Lazo, Joel Martinez Hernandez, and other persons … to commit an offense against the United States." Lazo, the mastermind of the smuggling scheme, pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy and was sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison. He was already serving a five-year sentence for Medicare fraud. Martinez Hernandez was jailed for the Medicare-fraud case as well.

According to a lawsuit filed by Martin, now a 27-year-old center fielder, Lazo and Martinez Hernandez held him and his family hostage while Hernandez and his employers, Scott Shapiro and Barry Praver, negotiated Martin’s five-year, $15.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Martin paid $1.2 million to Estrellas del Baseball, a front for Lazo and Martinez Hernandez’s smuggling operation, according to the lawsuit.

Bart Hernandez, whose company Global Sports Management remains in arbitration with Martin for fees owed, according to the indictment, had stayed active in player representation until his arrest Friday. Multiple executives told Yahoo Sports they intended to call him about the status of Cuban free agents in coming days.

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VIDEO: FC Midtjylland Players Show Off Shoki Moves After Man Utd Victory

FC Midtjylland emerged shock victors over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 clash, and their players were above the moon.bThe Danish minnows had conceded first after Memphis Depay had put the Red Devils ahead early on, but fought back and won the game with goals from Pione Sisto and Paul Onuachu.

READ: Louis Van Gaal Blames Man Utd Loss On Murphy’s Law

Their elation continued into the dressing room, where Sisto and Onuachu, joined by Onuachu’s Nigerian compatriot, Rilwan Hassan, proceeded to have a dance off. The two sides meet in Manchester next week for the return leg. Watch the video below!

MATCH | FC Midtjylland 2 – 1 Manchester UnitedLet’s dance ;o)
Posted by FC Midtjylland on Thursday, February 18, 2016

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Debuchy: I Might Have To Leave Arsenal

Matthieu Debuchy has stated he might end up leaving Arsenal permanently after this season. Debuchy found playing time hard to come by at Arsenal, after losing out his spot to Bellerin. And the French player has stated he might stay at Bordeaux permanently.

“A future at Arsenal? It’s difficult, there’s a young guy who’s 20 in my position who is playing good matches,” Debuchy told beIN Sport.

“My future could be in France.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted earlier on Friday that he rebuffed an offer from Manchester United in the January transfer window for Debuchy as he did now want to strengthen a rival club.

Meanwhile, the defender has been impressed with what he has seen at Bordeaux so far.

“I’ve found a really young team,” he told the club’s official television channel. “There are a lot of youngsters here with a lot of talent.”

Debuchy has played in all three of Bordeaux’s Ligue 1 encounters since making the jump to France at the end of the January window.

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Roma Confirm De Rossi Out For A Month

It has been confirmed by Roma, that midfielder De Rossi will be out for four weeks due to calf injury. De Rossi could only play 13 minutes of the UCL clash against Real Madrid, due to the same injury that made him miss two previous encounters.

“Daniele De Rossi underwent tests that showed the presence of a lesion in the soleus of his left leg. For the Giallorossi midfielder, who has played 25 games and scored three goals, the prognosis is that he will miss around four weeks,” the club confirmed via a statement.

Prior to their midweek defeat, Roma had looked rejuvenated and had won four straight matches in Serie A, yet this is a fresh blow to their hopes of Champions League football next term given De Rossi’s absence is set to include a key fixture against Fiorentina and potentially another versus Inter.

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Enrique: Barcelona Can’t Start To Think La Liga Is Won

Barcelona head coach, Luis Enrique states that the club are more focused on winning the La Liga. Barcelona face Las Palmas at the weekend, but will play Arsenal in the UCL. But Enrique insists they’re more focused on the La liga game.

“We’re used to competing every three days. Regardless of the competition or the rival, we’ve demonstrated that,” the trainer told reporters.

“If things don’t turn out well on Saturday it won’t be because we were thinking of Arsenal, it will be because we didn’t do certain things or because the other team did things well.”

Barca are unbeaten in 31 games and are well on course to defend their La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles this term. Approaching the latter stages of their campaign, which will include a Copa final against Sevilla in May, Luis Enrique added: “We have to keep competing the same way that we have up to now.

“Neither the players nor the staff think the league is over. Surely ourselves and others at the top are going to drop points and we’re always cautious when talking about these things.

“Until the championship is mathematically decided nobody will consider it over. If there was too much euphoria in the dressing room I would be worried, but it doesn’t seem to be that way.

“I have a group of players who are very focused on clear objectives with things still to be decided. We’re all concerned about trying to win titles. To do that we have to be at a top level, but I don’t see any reason to be on alert or to worry.

“I want everyone to keep having fun, but be conscious of the reality that to keep on winning is not easy to do.”

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Pochettino Admits Alli Has A Lot To Learn

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Dele Alli still has a lot to learn as a midfielder. The youngster reportedly tangled with Tomovic and kicked out at the fiorentina man, and was lucky enough to escape with a yellow.

Alli has been criticised for being a hothead previously by Alan Pardew, stating the England international stomped Yohan Cabaye in January. And Pochettino, who saw Nacer Chadli’s penalty cancelled out by Federico Bernardeschi in the second half at Stadio Artemio Franchi, insisted: “We need to look at the video and try to teach him.

“He is a young player and he has a lot to learn about elite football. It is his first season in the Premier League at Tottenham.

“He came from League One, he needs to learn a lot, still learn. But I didn’t see [the incident]. Some people say ‘yes’, some say ‘no’, so I don’t know.”

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Louis Van Gaal Blames Man Utd Loss On Murphy’s Law

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has blamed Murphy’s Law for the club’s defeat to FC Midtjylland.

 

The saying says that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” and the United gaffer felt that way after goalkeeper David De Gea got injured before the game started. United had scored first through Memphis Depay, but the Danish minnows had been able to score 2 back to consign United to their second loss in 5 days.

“It is the law of Murphy I think,” the Dutchman told BT Sport. “A lot of things are happening in the heads of the players and in the first 10 or 15 minutes we were not so good.”

“In the second half we didn’t win any duels, any second balls. You cannot afford a second goal, but we could have scored also. Jesse Lingard had two remarkable chances.”

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Travelling Man Utd fans berate players after Midtjylland loss

The Red Devils supporters were less than impressed with their side's display in Denmark as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat and they made their feelings known at the full-time whistle.

Manchester United's travelling supporters made their feelings clear after watching their side's embarrassing 2-1 Europa League defeat to FC Midtjylland.

The fans inside the MCH Arena lambasted their own players at the full-time whistle, chanting "we're f****** s***" after Louis van Gaal's side suffered yet another defeat, their 10th in all competitions in the 2015-16 campaign.

United had took the lead in Denmark in this round of 32 first-leg encounter, with Memphis Depay poking home after 37 minutes.

But that lead lasted less than 10 minutes as Pione Sisto equalised shortly before half-time and then Paul Onuachu compounded Van Gaal's misery by netting a second-half winner after Juan Mata's flimsy challenge on the edge of the box.

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Thiago Dismisses City Links

Thiago Alcantara has denied talks linking him with a move away from Bayern Munich for City. It was believed that Guardiola will lure Thiago to City, the same way he took the midfielder from Barcelona to Bayern. But the midfielder is happy at Germany and has no desire to leave Bayern.

“There are always a lot of rumours. It’s a fact that Guardiola is joining Manchester City and we have to respect that. But there is no truth in the rumours saying I will follow him,” Thiago was quoted as saying by Bild.

“I would not have signed a new contract had I wanted to leave the club. I extended my contract for a reason.

“I am loving life here in Munich. I am enjoying the city and life here in general.”

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Obafemi Martins Quits MLS, Heads To Chinese League

Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has announced his decision to quit the Seattle Sounders and Major League Soccer.

 

In an heartfelt letter to Sounders fans on his Twitter page, the prolific scorer announced he was moving to Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenshua.

The former Inter Milan striker expressed his appreciation to the fans in his letter, explaining his reason for leaving as a desire for a new experience.

Obafemi Martins, whose nickname is Obagoal, scored 43 goals in 83 appearances for Seattle in 3 years at the club. Though the deal hasn’t been officially announced, Martins has already in China and is eager to get things started with his new team.

 

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Mancini: Inter A Few Years Behind Their Rivals

Roberto Mancini has accepted the fate that Inter are a few years behind their rivals. Just two wins in a series of games has seen Inter drop from top spot to sixth on the log. And Mancini is now faced with a tough task of fighting for the third and final UCL slot.

“We’re not giving up, nothing is over and there’s still a long way to go,” he told the Inter Channel.

“It takes time to build a winning team, and I think Inter are a few years behind. We know it’ll take a bit of time and we’ll have to go through difficult spells.

“We did well up until December, but difficult times will come during the season. That’s where you have to be strong, stand up and not give up, even though disappointments can sometimes be bitter.

“Now we have to continue to work, we need more concentration and calmness.”

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Matuidi: PSG Will Try Everything To Beat Chelsea In England

Blaise Matuidi is certain PSG will aim for a win against Chelsea in the second leg of their last 16 tie. Goals from Ibrahimovic and Cavani cancelled out Mikel’s equaliser in the clash that ended 2-1 at Parc des Princes. PSG need just a draw to progress, but Matuidi is aiming for a win at Stamford Bridge.

“We won the first leg and now have an advantage, so we can be satisfied,” Matuidi told Le Parisien.

“We will have to be careful, though, because Chelsea got an away goal. We have some regrets over Chelsea’s goal, but we were pleased with our overall performance.

“Unfortunately, we were missing a few more goals. But it was still one of our better performances this season.

“We will go to London to win there as well. We will have to show the same spirit we showed in the first leg.

“We want to impose our own game again, because we know Chelsea have some very talented attackers.

“Both teams are very close to each other. Chelsea are a great team, but PSG have also become a great team since we first met in the Champions League three years ago.”

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Hiddink: Hazard Must Work Towards Fitness

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has charged attacker, Eden Hazard to improve his fitness levels if he is to regain his form. The Belgium international was on a high last season, but has endured a sombre season so far.

And Hazard could not even last for a full 90 minutes in the last 16 tie against PSG. But Hiddink is looking for more from his playmaker.

“He was a threat going forward and he had some good runs, but of course, this was a game with a high intensity. After 65, 70 minutes, it was enough for him,” the Dutchman told Sky.

“He has to grow and when he does, his shape will grow as well. Happily we also have Oscar for his position. He will get better and better.”

Although Hazard has played in nine of Hiddink’s 12 matches in charge – he missed three due to injury – Tuesday’s was only his fourth start.

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Blanc: Chelsea Are Getting Back Their Colour

According to PSG manager Laurent Blanc, Chelsea are getting their back their style. The two sides faced in the last 16 tie and even though Chelsea are struggling in the EPL, they held their own. And after playing out a 2-1 loss against PSG, Blanc feels the blues are back.

“This was a very good match from both teams,” Blanc told beIN Sports. “Chelsea was said to be in great trouble, they are regaining their colour.

The Cote d’Ivoire international was criticised heavily by Blanc, with the coach saying he will “suffer the consequences” for his “pathetic” actions.

“We can expect a tough match at Stamford Bridge but I think the Chelsea players will say the same thing.”

John Obi Mikel’s goal on the stroke of half time cancelled out an earlier goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, only for Edinson Cavani to emerge from the bench and bury the late winner for the French side.

While Blanc feels the Nigerian’s leveller was the only negative of his side’s performance, he singled out Marco Verratti for praise after overcoming a groin injury for his first start since January 13.

“My main regret is conceding the goal in the 45th minute. There was not long to go until half-time at 1-0, but we conceded a corner and the goal – it’s the only regret I have,” he said.

“The players are all celebrating, even those who have not played. The mood was incredible.

“Verratti was amazing. He did not even want to leave the pitch. He has no pain and is good for the future.”

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Villas-Boas Rules Out England Return

Villas-Boas has stated he will not be coming to England in the nearest future, as he nears the end of his time at Zenit. Villas-Boas endured bitter spells at Tottenham and Chelsea, before switching to cold Russia for Zenit.

And after almost two years at Zenit, the Portuguese is on his way out again.

“I think my time has been done there,” he told BT Sport. “It didn’t go as well as I had expected, apart from the first year at Tottenham, so I will look forward to trying other leagues.

“I don’t know where I’ll go, hopefully something good.”

The 38-year-old returned to his homeland on Tuesday, with his side facing Benfica in the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, though a late goal from Jonas saw the hosts take the advantage with a 1-0 win.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Talks About His Relationship With Bale and Benzema

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he’s not bothered about the kind of relationship that exists between himself and his teammates.

 

When asked about his off-the-field relationship with attacking partners Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, the Portuguese legend stated that it didn’t matter.

READ: Spalletti: Roma Won’t Cage Ronaldo

“It doesn’t matter if Bale comes to my house of if I have dinner with Benzema,” he told reporters.

“Kisses and hugs aren’t important, only the things that happen on the pitch are important. That’s the only thing I value.”

The former Manchester United striker also responded to questions about his happiness at the club and his away form.

“Do I feel appreciated? Yes, of course, absolutely. How could it not be so? I always play, I’ve scored a few goals and I’m at the best club in the world,” he added.

“Why have I struggled to score away from home? Can you name one player who has scored more away from home than me since I’ve been in Spain?”

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Spalletti: Roma Won’t Cage Ronaldo

Luciano Spalletti has said a string of defenders will not be deployed to cage Ronaldo. Ronaldo scored 11 goals in the group stages of the UCL and also picked up a brace in the win over Bilbao. And ahead of the clash with Madrid on Wednesday, Spalletti is not looking to surround the Portuguese with defenders.

“I don’t think so,” the Roma coach said when asked whether Ronaldo is a fading force.

“Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world. He can always make the difference.

“He’s a modern player: strong, fast, and able to score a lot of goals. But I won’t make a cage around him, I won’t use three players to mark him.

“The player to counter Ronaldo must be – amongst other things – quick. Alessandro Florenzi could be an option.”

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Nainggolan: Roma Will Welcome Ronaldo should Real Madrid discard him

Nainggolan has revealed Roma will welcome Cristiano Ronaldo to the club, should Real Madrid discard him. Ronaldo has been under heavy criticism this season, despite having 32 goals in 30 matches. And Nainggolan believes the height Ronaldo set for himself makes him easily criticised.

“The only thing that I see is that he scores goals every week. If they don’t want him, I’d love him to come to Roma,” he told Marca when asked if had seen a decline in the Portugal captain’s performances.

“It’s normal that these great players are questioned. They are global stars and they have themselves to blame for being so good.

“Cristiano and [Lionel] Messi generate such expectation around the world that, once they’re down just a little, people get worried unfairly.

“They’re one of the best teams in the world. You can never doubt that.”

Ronaldo and Madrid travel to the Stadio Olimpico to take on Roma on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, and Nainggolan concedes Luciano Spalletti’s side need a “miracle” if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

“Facing Real Madrid will help us to know where we are in these moments, where we find ourselves in respect to these teams,” he added.

“The Olimpico will help us to be better. We’ll try to cause some distress for Real Madrid.

“We play at home and we have to get a good result for the return game. Okay, we’ll try to pull off a miracle, perhaps I should say.”

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Mihajlovic: Balotelli’s Milan Career Might Be Over

AC Milan manager, Sinisa Mihajlovic has stated he might not pick Balotelli anymore.

Balotelli was criticised for his lacklustre showing in the 2-1 win over Genoa, with Bacca and Honda getting the goals. And now Mihajlovic has stated picking Balotelli for subsequent matches might be out of it.

“We had to win and we did it. It was a good performance and we hardly ever ran risks,” he told Mediaset Premium.

“We should’ve scored a third goal and not risked at the end. It is also my fault, as those who don’t sacrifice themselves for the team to the 94th minute will no longer set foot on the field.

“It wasn’t just Balotelli, there were another two or three as well as him, they know who I’m talking about.”

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