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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie claims he was disappointed by the constant ‘complaining’ of the Barcelona players when the two sides met in the Champions League.
Van Persie was sent off for kicking the ball away after an offside decision having earlier been booked for a scuffle with Dani Alves, and the Dutchman also caused tempers to flare with a tackle on Lionel Messi that saw Barcelona defender Eric Abidal grab him by the throat.
Arsenal lost the game 3-1 to crash out of the competition on aggregate and now Van Persie claims he was annoyed by the overall behaviour of the Catalan giants’ players, likening them to Chelsea in England.
“I really didn’t understand all the fuss about the foul I committed on [Lionel] Messi. Everybody got angry with me, but I didn’t treat him any different than I treat other opponents. Nobody would have complained about it if I fouled Mascherano,” Van Persie toldDe Telegraaf.
“Meanwhile, the Barcelona players tend to nag about everything that happens on the pitch. I was a bit disappointed with that. It’s something that the Chelsea players do in England.
“Barcelona are still a fantastic team, but they should really stop nagging and complaining that much. That is becoming extremely annoying on the pitch.”
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
Dutch champions FC Twente are to act as a feeder club for Manchester United as the Premier League leaders look to snare some of the most promising South American talent.
At present it is difficult for English clubs to sign such players due to work permit regulations, with other European countries having far more relaxed rules on non-EU players.
United have previously used their relationship with Royal Antwerp to such an end, sending Dong Fangzhuo to the Belgian club until he had played enough international games for China to qualify for a permit. Dong never made the grade at United and left Old Trafford for Dalian Shide in 2008.
Five Brazilians are being targeted by United as part of their link-up with Sao Paulo academy Desportivo Brasil. The players set to join up with Eredivisie side Twente, who now have a similar agreement in place to Antwerp, until the players have been in the EU long enough to qualify for a passport. That will enable the players to work freely in the United Kingdom and move to United.
Gladstony, Aguilar, Lucas Evangelista, Agnaldo and Rafael Leao were flown over to England last week and watched United beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at Old Trafford.
United’s signing of Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio from Fluminense was slightly different as they were granted special talent visas by FIFA to allow them to play UK after they turned 18.
The president of international business for South American football company Traffic, which owns Desportivo, told the Daily Mail: “Twente are a partner, helping United to resolve the problem of their EU passports.
“For two reasons it’s good that a player goes first to Holland. First, after two or three years he’s considered to be European. And, of course, it’s easier to play in the Dutch league than the Premier League.
“Manchester United look for young players in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. If they find a good one they come to us. We’ll get a player, register him with Desportivo Brasil, and we have a contract with United that they have an option to buy this player at 18 for a fixed amount.
“If the guy turns out to be an Alexandre Pato, United can still have him for a huge discount because of course we’ll honour the contract. If they don’t like the player, we keep him.”
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
24
Mar
Fabregas targets Rovers tie
Cesc Fabregas is hopeful he will be able to overcome his latest fitness problem and return to the Arsenal side for their home game against Blackburn Rovers after the international break.
Fabregas suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions League defeat at Barcelona at the start of March and has missed the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United and Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw against West Brom in the Premier League.
However, the midfielder, who has had persistent injury problems this season, has started running again and now hopes to return to captain Arsene Wenger’s team.
“My injury is getting better,” Fabregas said in a video broadcast for his Twitter followers. “I started running on Monday and everything is getting better.
“I needed time, because it has been a weird season for me with injuries and I just want to make it right. I want to come back stronger than ever and hopefully fitter than ever so it won’t happen again. Hopefully you will see me play against Blackburn if I am fit.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner suffered an ankle injury in training with Denmark on Wednesday and required an ice pack. It is not known how serious the problem is.
Credit:http://soccernet.espn.go.com
The future of Argentine star Javier Pastore looks to be decided this summer after Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini claimed he was already looking for a replacement for the attacking midfielder.
Palermo have placed a £60 million price tag on the 21-year-old and are willing to listen to offers, having already rejected one in January that ‘didn’t meet his valuation’.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all believed to be interested in securing his services, with Manchester United also linked with a move in the Argentine press and a transfer in the summer now looking increasing likely.
“Until the end of season he will play for Palermo,” Zamparini admitted. ”Despite my interest for the club and player, I am already looking for his replacement.
“I feel it will be difficult for an Italian club to buy him. His price is already high at £60 million – he will move abroad.”
Pastore joined Palermo for £6 million in 2009 and has made a name for himself as one of the best players in Serie A this season.
Credit:http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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