James Urged To Leave Real Madrid

James Rodriguez should accept that he will not play regularly under Zinedine Zidane and leave Real Madrid, according to former Colombia boss Hernan Gomez.

The 24-year-old, an €80million signing from Monaco in 2014, struggled to earn a consistent place in Zidane’s plans following his appointment as Madrid boss in January.

James has often been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with Manchester United among the clubs rumoured to be monitoring him, though the playmaker said last month that he intends to fight for his place in the Spanish capital.

But Gomez, who now coaches Panama but worked as James’ international manager between 2010 and 2011, says it is not right to see Colombia’s star player accept a back-up role at Madrid.

“I’ll give James some advice,” Gomez told WIN Sports. “It’s best for him to go to another team because it’s been shown that the man doesn’t want to play him.

“He’s a world-class player and he would have to go to another team… it’s a very personal concept, he’s our idol and we want to see him play, but this ‘boss’ won’t put him in. I don’t like it.”

James scored Colombia’s second goal from the penalty spot as they beat United States 2-0 in the Copa America in California on Sunday.

GOAL

James Urged To Leave Real Madrid

Barcelona Unveil Plans to Redevelop Nou Camp Stadium

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu unveiled plans for the redevelopment of the club’s Nou Camp stadium.

The project, designed by a Japanese firm, will increase the ground’s capacity from 99,000 to 105,000 spectators and install a roof.

Redevelopment is set to begin in 2017 and finish in 2021, with the bulk of the work taking place in the off season to avoiding affecting Barcelona’s home games.

‘A club like ours needs the best stadium, we all win with the new Nou Camp,’ Bartomeu said.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said he felt ‘privileged’ after scoring four goals against Deportivo La Coruna to move ahead of Brazilian Ronaldo’s tally of 48 goals in a season for the club.

 

The Uruguayan, who moved on to 49 goals in 48 games in the campaign, inspired Barca to an 8-0 rout of Deportivo, ending a run of four games without a league win and reigniting their bid to retain the La Liga title.

Barcelona Unveil Plans to Redevelop Nou Camp Stadium

Neymar"s Barcelona Contract Leaked

Neymar’s Barcelona contract has been revealed by notorious website Football Leaks, including a host of performance-related bonuses and an eye-watering buy-out clause.

 

Any club wishing to purchase the Brazilian can pay €190million to buy him out of his current contract at the Nou Camp, which expires in June 2018.

His move from Santos in the summer of 2013 also saw Neymar pocket a €8.5million signing-on fee.

Neymar Jr. in action for FC Barcelona

The document reveals no pre-contract agreement existed between the parties.

Despite what might appear to be a relatively modest gross pay of €5million per year compared to some other contracts that have come to the fore, Neymar makes up for it in performance-related bonuses.

The document shows he earns an extra €1,062,000 for featuring in 60 per cent of matches, in which he must be play at least 45 minutes.

He will also earn an additional €100,000 per season for being included in the requisite number of playing squads, regardless of whether he emerges from the bench.

Neymar wheels away celebrating scoring a goal for Barcelona

If the 24-year-old wins the Ballon d’Or during his time at Barca he will land an extra €425,000, while he will pockets €637,000 for a La Liga title win and €850,000 if the Catalans win the Champions League.

Bonuses also exist for combinations of major trophies, with last season’s treble earning Neymar €1,700,000.

Qualification for the Champions League alone pockets him €637,000, while reaching the knockout stages earns him an additional €425,000.

Neymar"s Barcelona Contract Leaked

Raul To Play For Real Madrid Again

Raúl González will pull on the white shirt of Real Madrid with which he is synonymous again in the seventh edition of the Corazón Classic charity match at the Bernabéu on June 5 , when Ajax will be the guest opposition.

Raúl’s agent, Ginés Carvajal, confirmed to AS that the presence of the legendary number seven is 95 percent assured. Raúl has a couple of entries in his diary to attend to in the US in his role as LaLiga ambassador but, all being well, he will line up for Madrid again three years after his last appearance at the Bernabéu during the Trofeo Bernabéu, when Al-Saad were the invited team. During that game Raúl, who was at the Qatari club at the time, played for both sides.

The match on June 5 will serve as an homage to

Johan Cruyff , who passed away on March 24. Among the other players lining up will be Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro, Luis Figo, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids

Raul To Play For Real Madrid Again

EL Clasico Combined XI

El Clasico is nearly upon us, with Real Madrid and Barcelona enduring differing fortunes in La Liga this season.

This is sportscrusader.com combined XI
Goal Keeper: Keylor Navas

The Real Madrid shot stopper is one of if not the reason(s) why the Los Merengues still believe they can catch up with their sworn rivals, Barcelona in tonight’s game.

Right Back: Dani Alves

The Brazilian defender has shown his old form this season since he decided to renew his contract with FC Barcelona earlier this summer. And this consistency in performance has seen him make Sportscrusader.com right back position his own.
Right Centre Back: Gerard Pique

Pique has been a rock at the back for both club and country and his impressive form has seen Barcelona close in on another league title and make yet another successful defense of the UEFA Champions League crown.

Barcelona’s centre-back pairing has changed with every other game with Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu partnering Gerard Pique. Hence, only the Catalan centre-back gets the nod.

Left Centre back: Sergio Ramos

The Spaniard has been the only constant in defence and the captain is one of the most valuable leaders on the pitch. The two have partnered at the back for Spain as well and they feature in this XI. Though they have had their differences every now and then, there is no better pair to play in this team.

Left back: Marcelo

The afro-headed Brazilian has been in fine form when available, takes up the left-back slot. The Brazilian is effective at both ends of the pitch for Real Madrid. Comparing a few key stats alone, Marcelo has won almost twice the tackles as Alba while also creating 27 more chances in roughly the same minutes.

Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets

The lanky midfielder walks into this lineup as the central defensive midfielder with no real competition in the whole of La Liga, let alone Madrid.

Central midfield: Ivan Rakitic 

The Croatian international has been sensational ever since arriving at the Camp Nou and he adds a certain steely nature in both attack and winning the ball back – be it through tackles or interceptions.

Central midfield: Luka Modric 

The former Spurs midfielder is the only Real Madrid player in this combined XI. The industrious Croatian midfielder has created more chances and has more key passes than the other midfielders in contention.

Forward
Luis Suarez 

The Uruguayan is selected upfront with no doubt thanks to is 26 goals and 12 assists compared to Benzema’s 20 goals and 3 assists.

Lionel Messi

Five times FIFA ballon d’or winner, Lionel Messi in spite of the knee injury that saw him miss a number of games starts along with club mate, Suarez.

Messi has 22 goals and 10 assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese captain leads the race for the Pichichi this season so we just went with the stats on this one. Ronaldo has been involved in 37 goals while Neymar has had a hand in 31. And the Ballon d’Or runner-up has the knack of turning up inClasicos.

EL Clasico Combined XI

Ronaldo Deserves More Respect From Real Madrid Fans - Kaka

Cristiano Ronaldo deserves more respect from Real Madrid fans, according to former team-mate Kaka.

The Portugal captain joined from Manchester United in 2009 for a then-world-record £80million transfer fee before going on to become the club’s record goalscorer.

The 31-year-old has scored 354 goals in 338 games and has 41 to his name this term yet still finds himself on the receiving end of jeers from some sections of the Madrid support.

Kaka, who played for Madrid between 2009 and 2013, told Cadena Cope: ‘Cristiano is a great player, I am not just talking about his quality, but in terms of what he has contributed to Madrid.

”I would like to see the fans have more respect for Cristiano for what he has done for this club. Sometimes I hear whistles against Cristiano and it’s not good after all he has done.”

Ronaldo Deserves More Respect From Real Madrid Fans - Kaka

Official: Christian Atsu Signs For Malaga On Loan

Chelsea FC winger Christian Atsu has completed a season long loan move to Spanish side Malaga CF.

Christian Atsu who was believed to heading Levante, a deal he confirmed has rather joined Malaga until the of the season.

The Ghanaian international was linked with several from clubs including Hamburg, Werder Bremen, Rayo Vallecano, PSV and Levante.

The 2015 AFCON player of the tournamemt seemed to have a sealed a deal with Levante but Malaga pulled the trigger to sweep the Ghanaian away at the death.

Atsu revealed he chose Levante because he’s certain of enough playing time, but it seems Malaga has offered the youngster more first-team football.

Christian Atsu was signed from FC Porto in the summer of 2013, and he enjoyed a successful loan spell at Vitesse Arheim in the Eredivice.

A successive loan spells at Everton and Bournemouth were disastrous as he failed to make an impact in the both clubs.

The move to Malaga makes it fourth in a row since joining London club.

Official: Christian Atsu Signs For Malaga On Loan

I"m Going To Levante For Playing Time - Atsu

Chelsea FC winger Christian Atsu has explained that his decision for choosing Spanish La liga side, Levante is because he wants enough playing time.

The Ghanaian attacking winger since his move to London, had a brilliant season in Netherland with Chelsea sister side Vitesse Arheim.

But a return to England has curtailed his blistering career. He had a spell at Everton last season to forget, and a move to newly promoted premier league side Bournemouth was worse due to recurring injuries.

Chelsea recalled the 2015 Africa Cup of nations player of the tournament and has loaned him out to Levante.

Christian Atsu, confirming his next move said: “I wished the team [Chelsea] good luck and I told the players i will be going to Levante,” the former FC Porto midfielder said.

Christian Atsu is hopeful that the style of the La liga suits him, but he ia not interested in the kind of game played in Spain.

“I am going to Spain and I think is a new challenge for me and I’m going to work harder. I believe Spanish football will suit my style of play, but as a player you should be able to play in any league.

“Right now, is not about the league that suits you or not where it doesn’t suit you, now is where I will get enough playing time.” He said.

The 24-year-old also revealed that he had a heart-to-heart chat with interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink and is convinced a good performance in Spain will earn him first team football with the London club.

“I spoke with the coach and we had a very good chat and I think if i work hard there at least he will give me a chance.”

Christian Atsu moved to Chelsea from FC Porto in the 2013, and a move to Levante will be his fourth move away from the club.

I"m Going To Levante For Playing Time - Atsu

GFA Is Not Monitoring Only Inaki Williams - George Afriyie

Ghana football association is monitoring many Ghanaian players abroad to secure their services for the national team according to the vice president of the association, George Afriyie.

Many Ghanaian youngsters have been in scintillating form  for their various clubs and the FA has eyes on them switch allegiance to the Ghana. Notable names include Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, the youngest player ever to score over 10 goals in the Spanish La liga, and Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid.

Ghana football association vice president George Afriyie confirmed the technical team of the Black Stars have their eyes on those players including many others.

“The FA is monitoring a lot of players. We are monitoring Partey, Inaki Williams, and another player from Germany,” George Afriyie told sportscrusader.com

He added that: “In our monitoring lenses we have a lot of Ghanaians but we have to leave that for the technical team to decide.

“We are administrators and once a coach spots a player and he notifies us, we will then move on to try as much as possible to secure his right to play for Ghana.” He said.

GFA Is Not Monitoring Only Inaki Williams - George Afriyie