Sunday Oliseh to star in Nigeria vs Tanzania game

A key Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Dar es Salaam signifies the start to the reign of the new Nigeria coach. How would he handle his first act?

They say when life gives you lemons, you make lemonades. For new Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh, it is the optimism he needs as he travels to Dar es Salaam for his first competitive game in charge of the Super Eagles.

After taking over from Stephen Keshi in July, the 40-year-old former national team captain faces a real test of his credentials against the Taifa Stars.

Though ranked 87 places below the Super Eagles, Tanzania will no doubt provide a key challenge to the former African champions, who are building again under a new manager.

Visibly concerned about his team’s performance during a warm-up game on Wednesday evening against a well-drilled Abuja Football Academy side at the National Stadium, Oliseh paced up and down the sidelines, regularly turning towards his assistant Francois Vainker muttering disappointment in French.

At half time he questioned his attacking players’ positioning, especially laying into striker Emmanuel Emenike who did not have a spectacular game despite tapping in for the team’s first goal.

Oliseh’s passion was unmistakable as he reminded the players of their game plan, whipping out the tactics board to ensure they realized the enormity of their lack of gel in a game against mainly school boys.

The former defensive midfielder heads into Saturday’s game without the team’s most experienced player, the 101-cap Vincent Enyeama, who asked to be dropped from the team due to what has emerged as the death of his mother.

In his place, Oliseh’s point man is winger Ahmed Musa, the team’s next most-capped player, who has not been known for his commanding leadership presence.

In goal would be debutant Carl Ikeme of Wolverhampton Wanderers, a physically impressive man who is making his international bow at the rather old age of 29.

Playing in front of the goalkeeper would be William Troost-Ekong, who is earning just his second Nigeria cap, and Afcon winner Kenneth Omeruo and returning full backs Kingsley Madu and Solomon Kwambe.

However, it is in midfield that Oliseh’s team would struggle to get going as Obiorah Nwankwo did not show enough dexterity in holding play for his side, a role in which the coach excelled pretty well in his day.

However, there was impressive running by Moses Simon on the left wing while Musa showed glimpses of magic but needs a lot more consistency in his play on the right.

When this writer asked the coach about his philosophy going into the game, Oliseh reiterated that in the absence of a highly talented player in the mould of Lionel Messi in his present squad, he is focusing on joint effort.

“My philosophy is based on the team being the star and not individual players being the star. We have to be able to cope if a player falls sick or gets injured or is out of form,” Oliseh said in response to Goal’s question.  

“People need to be able to see that the team is doing well because every player is doing their job.

“I must confess that I’m seeing the understanding and the belief that they are beginning to enjoy working together,” he said.

With six players chosen from the Nigeria Professional Football League to travel with the side to Dar es Salaam, Oliseh is hopeful that the progress he saw in training would be able to help the team at the battle front.

As a football crazy nation expects nothing short of victory in Dar es Salaam, Oliseh attempted to dampen expectations when a journalist baited him about the number of goals he expects from his team.

“We’re building, the players are almost completely new together but I’m very optimistic. I’m not looking at just winning, but my team going out to play well and whatever the result, we’ll take it like that.

“Our objective is to qualify. If we win on Saturday we don’t qualify, we still have games to play. If we lose we’re not out, if we win our job is not done, the journey is just starting,” he said.

Oliseh will be keeping an eye on the other Group G game between Egypt and Chad in N'Djamena. The Pharaohs lead the group on goal difference.

For the new coach, time would stand still as he takes charge of his most important football game. How he makes good use of the opening act would be key to his future acceptance and success.

John Stones will start for England against San Marino

John Stones, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamie Vardy will start England's Euro 2016 qualifier against San Marino on Saturday, manager Roy Hodgson has announced.

Hodgson kept to his policy of not naming his full line-up for the Group E clash, but told a pre-match press conference the fringe trio would get a chance to further advance their international claims.

Defender Stones, who has remained at Everton despite repeated bids from Chelsea in the transfer window, will win his fifth cap, while Swansea midfielder Shelvey and Leicester striker Vardy will each win their second.

Hodgson reported a clean bill of health as England look to make it seven wins out of seven in the pool.

Piers Morgan slams ‘arrogant’ Arsene Wenger

Piers Morgan has launched a fierce attack on Arsenal’s hesitance in the transfer window this summer, saying their failure to sign an outfield players highlights the “stubbornness, arrogance and the ‘I know best’ mentality” of manager Arsene Wenger.

With an apparent war chest at the boss’ disposal, the Gunners started in style with the surprise early arrival of Petr Cech from Premier League rivals Chelsea for just £10million.

"I don't understand why Wenger would do this...he's done nothing!"

Piers Morgan

But fans were left frustrated as the goalkeeper remained the only first-team player brought in by Tuesday’s deadline, with 16-year-old Ajax striker Donyell Malen - who joined on a free transfer - their only other signing.

The Emirates Stadium faithful were crying out for Wenger to land a top class striker to make them Premier League challengers once more, but a long pursuit of France international Karim Benzema ended in failure, while they baulked and refused to pay Paris Saint-Germain's £50million asking price for Edinson Cavani.

And Morgan is livid with Wenger’s - and the club's - failures, telling the Alan Brazil Sports Breaksfast: “This was the season when all the excuses where supposed to be over.

“According to board member Lord Harris only last month, we have £200million sitting there and we can afford ‘any player in the world Wenger wants, other than possibly Messi and Ronaldo’.

"Yesterday the deadline elapsed and I spent more money buying a cup of coffee in Starbucks for £2.50 than Arsene Wenger spent in the window after initially buying Cech earlier in the summer.

“Wenger has spent £10m out of £200m at his disposal. Arsenal fans know what we need, we know we haven’t had a first class centre-forward since Van Persie betrayed us and went to Man United.

“We do not have a centre forward who is going to win us the league – Giroud will not win us the league.

“I cannot understand why Wenger would do this. Why, when we are on the cusp of potentially challenging again, when you have £200m at your disposal, do you literally do nothing?

“I think it’s a shameful abrogation of your duties as Arsenal manager, I think it is further indicative - to me - than he is not the Arsene Wenger he was ten years ago, and I’m afraid that because of his inaction in this transfer window, arsenal are likely to come third or fourth again or potentially slip out of the top four.

“The idea that we’re on anywhere the same level as Manchester City is laughable. I think we’ll be about 15 points adrift of City, minimum, this season and for me that’s inexcusable.

“I think Arsene Wenger was one of the  greatest managers the world has ever seen for eight years, but for the next ten years he’s been unbelievably disappointing my eyes.

“This behaviour yesterday in the transfer window absolutely personifies the stubbornness, the arrogance, the intransigence and the ‘I know best’ mentality Wenger has.”

Red Devils release statement responding to Real Madrid's David De Gea comments

Manchester United have responded to Real Madrid’s allegations earlier today blaming the Red Devils for the collapse of the David De Gea transfer. 

The deal stalled on Monday night after a mix-up over the paperwork, with both clubs failing to take responsibility for the mishap. 

De Gea will now remain at Old Trafford at least until January and United have hit back at Real, giving their version of yesterday’s events: 

1) Manchester United did not seek contact from Real Madrid for the sale of David. David is a key member of our squad and the club’s preference was not to sell - no offer was received for David until yesterday (Monday). 

2) At lunchtime yesterday, Real Madrid made its first offer to buy David. A deal was agreed between the clubs, which included Keylor Navas being transferred to Old Trafford. The deals were dependent on each other.

3) In the last several hours of the process, with Navas at the Real Madrid training ground, Real Madrid were controlling the documentation processes of David, Navas and Real Madrid. Manchester United was in control only of the documentation of Manchester United.

4) Manchester United sent transfer documents for both players to Real Madrid at 2042 BST. David’s documentation was returned by Real Madrid to Manchester United without the signatory page at 2232 BST. 

5) At 22:40 BST, minutes before the deadline, major changes to the documentation came through to Manchester United which immediately put the deals at risk. Only at 2255 BST were the documents that are needed to cancel David’s contract received by Manchester United from Real Madrid. 

6) At this point Navas’ documentation was still not returned by Real Madrid.

7) At 2258 BST, the transfer agreement was sent back by Manchester United, uploaded onto TMS and accepted – all before the deadline. 

It is our understanding that the deals couldn’t happen because:

- Real Madrid didn’t upload David’s documents onto TMS in time (Manchester United did)

- Real Madrid didn’t upload David’s documents to the Spanish league in time, per reports it seems some 28 minutes after the deadline • The fact that Manchester United filed the papers on time was acknowledged by the Football Association, who offered to support that claim in any discussions with FIFA. The Club offered this assistance, as well as its own timestamped documents to Real Madrid but they have chosen not to go down this route.

The club went on to say they are delighted to keep hold of the Spanish goalkeeper
.

Anthony Martial to seal £36m move to Manchester United

Anthony Martial has been given permission to leave France's national team camp to complete a move to Manchester United, the French Football Federation has announced.
Reports emerged on Sunday that United had made a £36m bid for the 19-year-old Monaco starlet, who has been likened to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Now they look to be close to concluding a deal, with Martial on his way to England to finalize terms with Louis van Gaal's side.
"Anthony Martial asked France coach Didier Deschamps for permission to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United," an FFF statement read.
"Taking into account the exceptional circumstances, the manager allowed the player this request.
"Anthony left Clairefontaine on Monday at 12:00 local time. He'll return Tuesday morning."
Van Gaal is keen to add to his attacking options following Robin van Persie's move to Fenerbahce and having decided against turning Radamel Falcao's loan move into a permanent deal.
The Dutchman has been eyeing a host of big-name players, with Thomas Muller, Gareth Bale and Neymar all understood to be on his radar.
But with all of that trio looking out of reach, Van Gaal turned his attentions to Martial after his side slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Sunday.
The £36m fee represents a huge outlay on a player who has scored just 10 league goals in his career, but Van Gaal sees him as the man to boost his attack.

David De Gea future is out of my hands says Louis van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the situation surrounding David De Gea’s future is now out of his hands. 

The Spanish goalkeeper, who has yet to feature for United this season, looks set to join Real Madrid before the transfer window closes. 

United lost their first Premier League game of the season to Swansea City on Sunday and questions were raised about the performance of Sergio Romero. 

Van Gaal hinted an announcement about De Gea could be imminent and but was coy on whether United will buy a replacement goalkeeper or a striker before Tuesday’s deadline. 

“I don’t want to interfere as a manager,” said Van Gaal. 

“You have to wait and see until Manchester United make announcements or the club he is going to make announcements. Otherwise he stays. 

“We have divided our task and the task is for Ed Woodward, not for me. I have said nothing, the club shall announce it when it is finished. 

“You can never speak as a club like Manchester United that you are satisfied because it is a process and certainly we shall not buy at the end of the transfer window another player than we have scouted before. 

“We know already in advance what is happening and what is not happening. We have to keep on and in January the windows are open again. It’s a process and I cannot change that progress. 

“You are dependable not only from the player but also the club and what you want to spend. It’s a lot of things you cannot force.”

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Manchester City complete £54m signing of Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg

Manchester City have completed the signing of Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg for an estimated fee of around £54m. 

The Belgian midfielder has penned a six-year deal at the Etihad and becomes City’s fourth major signing of the summer, with the transfer being announced just as Manchester United kicked off at Swansea City. 

De Bruyne began his career at Genk before moving to Chelsea for £6.7m in January 2012 

He struggled to make an impact for the Blues and was shipped out on loan to Werder Bremen before making a permanent switch to Wolfsburg in January 2014. 

“I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe have some titles," he told the club’s official website. 

"I think this is the most important thing for the club, the players and for the fans of course."

Manchester United keeper's Besiktas move off

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes's proposed transfer to Turkish side Besiktas has collapsed.

A source close to Valdes said Besiktas attempted to change the terms of an agreed deal and the 33-year-old has now backed out of the move.

The Spain international has no future at Old Trafford after falling outwith manager Louis van Gaal.

The transfer window in England and Scotland closes on Tuesday, but it is Monday in most European countries.

Ex-Barcelona player Valdes signed an 18-month deal with the Premier League side in January, but was not given a squad number for this season after Van Gaal claimed he refused to play in an Under-21 game.

Meanwhile, there has still been no bid from Spanish giants Real Madrid for David De Gea.

The La Liga club have been heavily linked with a move for the 24-year-old Spain international this summer, but are reluctant to meet United's demand of a world-record fee for a keeper.

Van Gaal says he will not pick the 24-year-old until the transfer window has closed.

The most ever paid for a goalkeeper is the £32.6m Juventus spent to sign Gianluigi Buffon from Parma in 2001