Two of the Premier League’s wealthiest, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Arsenal owner Alisher Usmanov have had their wealth drop drastically due to a decline in the Russian economy.




Arsenal fans will now be pondering the future of their club, after Usmanov posted losses of $809 million.

Usmanov is the Gunners' second biggest shareholder and he has now seen his net worth decimated to $13.4 billion in the past 48 hours.

Blues fans will also have cause for concern, as their owner, who has spent over £2 billion on the club in the past 10 years, was also hit hard.

Chelsea billionaire Abramovich has now seen his net worth drop to as low as $12.8 billion, after he suffered losses of $449.5 million.

 
Jose Mourinho claims he and Sir Bobby Robson came within inches of signing Thierry Henry while the pair were at Barcelona.




But after only a short time in Turin, Henry linked up with his former boss Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, going on to become one of English football's greatest ever strikers.

And while the Frenchman did eventually get his move to the Camp Nou in 2007, Mourinho revealed just how close he came to joining them more than a decade earlier.

The Chelsea boss told talkSPORT: "When I was an assistant in Barcelona with Mr (Bobby) Robson in 1996 (we tried to sign him). He was in Monaco and he went to Juventus, we lost him by an inch.

"After that he was not on my radar because it was never a possibility to come to my teams. Could you imagine in that moment leaving Arsenal to come to Chelsea? I wouldn't imagine that.

"He's the kind of player that you need forever, especially in the Premier League where he was more than any other place.

PAUL LAMBERT insists there’s no problem with his former Aston Villa assistant Roy Keane.

The Villa boss said he remains big pals with the controversial Irishman despite rumours that he left because of training round unrest and rows with players.
Keane is also alleged to have made a ‘visit’ to on-loan England midfielder Tom Cleverley over who had leaked tales from the training ground.
Lambert said he had spoken to the player this morning and there was no problem.
He had also spoken to Keane on the phone and remained firm friends with the outspoken former Manchester United legend.

     

Lambert said: “I think if Roy took a strand from his beard it would be a story.
“Roy’s a good pal of mine and there’s no problem. I spoke to Tom for probably three seconds.
“He assured me that things hadn’t happened in the way they have been portrayed.”
He added: “Tom assured me there’s no problem. He’s perfectly relaxed about it. It’s finished.”

  

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has confirmed the Italian giants are interested in signing Chelsea pair Fernando Torres and Marco van Ginkel, according to the Express.

The Serie A club are looking to sign new players after receiving £16m from Liverpool for Mario Balotelli earlier this week. The club have been linked with Torres for several weeks, but have so far been put off because of the player's huge wages.

Milan were initially looking to take the player on a season-long loan with Chelsea subsidising some of his wages, but Torres is said to prefer a permanent deal. Given finances are tight with the club and they are not competing in Europe this season, it will be a difficult stretch to secure the Spaniard. However, Galliani insists the club are working to make the deal happen.

He said: "Our goal is to take a great striker.

"Fernando Torres? He is a great striker. Let's see if he comes or someone else. We are actively working."

Galliani was also asked about van Ginkel, who has failed to impress at Stamford Bridge. He confirmed that Milan have made an offer for the Dutch midfielder.

He continued: "Van Ginkel? We are confident. We have made our proposal to Chelsea and are now waiting on an answer. We hope we can get him."

  

The 19-year-old says he is delighted to be joining the club and hopes to emulate his hero Frank Lampard, who left the London outfit at the end of the season. 










Chelsea have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Mario Pasalic from Hajduk Split.

The 19-year-old midfielder has represented Croatia at Under-21 level and was named in Niko Kovac's provisional squad for the World Cup, though he did not make the final cut.

"I am very happy because I am now a Chelsea player," Pasalic told the club's official website.

"I am very impressed by the training ground and I must thank everybody at Hajduk. This is now a new start in my career.

"I am a central midfielder, my favourite player is Frank Lampard and so I am very happy to be a Chelsea player."

Born in Germany, Pasalic only made his first-team debut in 2013 but scored 11 goals in 30 league appearances last season as Hajduk finished the Croatian campaign in third place.

Pasalic will link up with Chelsea's senior squad for pre-season training on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants will imminently announce the capture of the Uruguay star after agreeing to meet the release clause inserted in the striker's new Liverpool contract last December.

 

Luis Suarez is on the brink of officially completing his sensational transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona after the terms of a deal worth just over €88 million were agreed on Wednesday night.

The agreement comes after a week of negotiations between the clubs, with an announcement expected in the coming days - perhaps even within 24 hours.

Barcelona have captured Suarez in a straight cash deal after agreeing to meet the release clause in the Liverpool contract he signed last December.

It is believed that Suarez will undergo initial medical examinations from Barca doctors in his native Uruguay, where he has been staying following his country's elimination from the World Cup.

Officials from the Catalan club have been negotiating with their counterparts from Merseyside in the last week over the structure of payments in the deal, with Liverpool pushing for a higher initial sum.

An agreement has now been reached and the final formalities will be completed before Suarez is announced as Barcelona's marquee signing of the summer.

The 27-year-old is currently serving a four-month ban - which runs until October 26 - for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini while playing for Uruguay in his nation's final World Cup group stage match.

Under the terms of the suspension, Suarez is not allowed to train with his club or enter the confines of any stadium during his ban.

Barca will partly fund the signing of the 27-year-old by selling Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal. The Chile World Cup star will move to Emirates Stadium after Arsenal agreed a package worth €40m (£31.8m) with the Spanish club.

Liverpool will now look to strengthen their squad using some of the money from the Suarez deal. The Merseysiders are on the verge of completing a triple swoop for Benfica winger Lazar Markovic, Lille striker Divock Origi and Southampton defender Dejan Lovren. 

    

  

Sergio Aguero has suggested that Argentina have been underestimated throughout the World Cup and claims that their semi-final win against the Netherlands has proven a lot of critics wrong.

Following the tense game Aguero spoke about how people had doubted coach Alejandro Sabella's team, but that they never lost faith in themselves. The 26-year-old said, "A lot of people didn't think Argentina would get to the final but we knew what players we had, very good players individually," adding, "this means so much."

The Manchester City forward, whose continued place at the tournament had been in doubt after an injury sustained during the group stage, came off the bench late in normal time but couldn't help break the deadlock.

In the subsequent penalty shootout Aguero scored his country's third from the spot to open a commanding lead, while Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero stood out as the hero after saving two Dutch attempts. Oranje coach Louis van Gaal later revealed that two of his players refused to take the first penalty.

Before this year, Argentina hadn't reached the semi-finals of a World Cup since they were runners-up in 1990, having underachieved in recent tournaments.

Former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez, who converted the winning penalty, spoke of past heartbreak and his feelings that the team's place in Sunday's final is merited. He stated, "We know the pain we have been through, and we deserved some kind of happiness.

"Now we have to play the final but that is what we have dreamed of ever since we left Buenos Aires. We must make the most of it and let's hope that the last 90 minutes are on our side.

"I dedicate this is to my family and all of Argentina, to everyone who is crying like us, who have had a dream since they were little and now might be able to see it fulfilled."

BRILLIANT Germany battered Brazil to seal a place in Sunday’s World Cup Final.\

      

An incredible opening 30 minutes saw Joachim Low’s side storm into a 5-0 lead.
The shell-shocked home nation were simply blown away by the biggest win in a World Cup semi and their worst ever humiliation.
And after their first competitive home defeat in 64 matches and more than 38 years, Brazil boss Big Phil Scolari said: "We ask for forgiveness from the Brazilian people."
Thomas Muller sparked the rout in the 10th minute when he sidefooted in Toni Kroos’ corner.
Brazil were then swept away in the next 20 minutes. Miroslav Klose made it two to become the alltime record scorer in World Cup finals, beating Brazil star Ronaldo’s record of 15.
And there were further goals from Toni Kroos (2), Sami Khedira and a double from sub Andre Schurrle before Oscar pulled one back.
Scolari refused to quit but admitted: "Who is responsible for this result? I am, it’s me.
The blame for this catastrophic result can be shared between us all, but the person who decided the line-up, the tactics was me. It was my choice.
"We tried our best but we came up against a great German team. My message for the Brazilian people is this: please excuse us for this performance.
"This is a catastrophic loss, the worst ever for the Brazil team, and the worst day of my life." As to his future, Scolari said: "This is not a subject for me to talk about. I have to prepare for the third- place match in Brasilia on Saturday.I don’t have any regrets about my choices for this match. We panicked after the first goal."
Former Chelsea defender David Luiz had a shocker and left the field sobbing.
He said: "Apologies to all the Brazilian people. It’s a very sad day but a day from which to learn."
Stunned keeper Julio Cesar added: "It’s hard to explain – you can’t explain the inexplicable. After the first goal we had a blackout.”
Man of the match Kroos said: "We delivered a marvellous performance. If someone had said we were going to win 7-1 I would not have believed them.
"It is the best international match I have played in. Of course I feel sorry for Brazil. We have pressure on our shoulders but not as much as them, being the host nation. But they have great players and will come back from this.
"I don’t think it will be difficult to prepare ourselves for the final. We know we will have to deliver another top performance or else we will lose the final."

   

Robert Lewandowski has finally been unveiled as a Bayern Munich player having officially completed his long awaited move from Borussia Dortmund.

The Polish striker, who signed a pre-contract agreement with the record breaking Bundelsiga champions back in January, left Dortmund on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June.

Holding a press conference to mark the unveiling, Bayern posted pictures and updates via their official Twitter account.

One Tweet revealed the 25-year-old will be wearing the shirt vacated by Mario Mandzukic, who is expected to leave the club for Atletico Madrid in the coming days. It read, "#Lewandowski will be hunting for goals for #FCBayern in the no. 9 shirt. Good luck, Robert!"

Speaking positively about his arrival, Lewandowski said, "Every season at FC Bayern is about winning titles, I know that. We will have to work hard. It's going to be good. I can get even better at FC Bayern and win even more titles.

"I feel really, really good. My batteries are fully recharged."

Bayern Sporting Director Matthias Sammer added, "[Lewandowski] is incredibly flexible and has all the attributes that a footballer needs."

Over the past few seasons Lewandowski has blossomed into one of Europe's finest goalscorers. In 185 total appearances for Dortmund he scored 101 times and he will surely be a great asset to what is already one of the best club sides of the last 20 years.

    

Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City target Memphis Depay has responded to interest from all three clubs that want him after an impressive World Cup so far.

He has had a big impact for the Dutch side with his vital winner in the Australia game and helped take down Chile.

The 20-year-old left winger plays for PSV and has sparked interest amongst some of Europe's top clubs with some impressive showings. PSV will not be willing to let go of their highly regarded prospect and will demand a fee in excess of £15m. Furthermore his relationship with Louis van Gaal could determine where he moves if he moves this summer with the Dutch coach set to take over at Manchester United following the World Cup.

Memphis Depay has replied to this interest, saying: "Of course I've read that Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are interested. But no more than that. My agent is still in Brazil too, but we are not talking about that kind of stuff"

With Depay's head still in the World Cup, it looks like the fans of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are going to have to wait for the winger to return to Holland from Brazil before any deal is struck.

Updates and reaction as FIFA prepare to rule on whether Suarez should be punished for his clash with Chiellini PLUS all the latest from Brazil

 Bosnia-Herzgovina striker, Edin Dzeko, has expressed his pain as his country crashed out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil vowing never to forget his disallowed goal against Nigeria.

Dzeko had been incorrectly adjudged to be offside in the game Nigeria eventually won 1-0 through an Osaze Odemwinge first half strike.

Bosina completed their group match with a 3-1 routing of Iran with goals from Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajevic and Iran's consolation goal came from a Reza Ghoochannejhad tap-in.

"Despite the victory, we go home sad as we could've gone further.

"The goal they cancelled out against Nigeria I will remember until the end of my life."

Safet Susic's men were disappointed that they could not progress and midfielder, Pjanic, voiced their emotions.

"I'm glad I scored at the World Cup, but I am sorry that we did not achieve what we wanted.

"If we had a bit more luck we could have got out of the group. We gave our best and it was a great experience for us. In the second game we did not work hard, but we have to look forward."

   


England manager Roy Hodgson has stated that he will not resign from his post despite England looking on the brink of World Cup elimination at the group stage, following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Uruguay on Thursday.

Mail Online report that Hodgson maintained that he doesn't feel the need to walk away, but would be powerless to stop the FA dismissing him from his post should they see fit. Hodgson's side suffered at the hands of a Luis Suarez double either side of Wayne Rooney's equaliser to fall to their second successive defeat in Brazil.

Hodgson said: "I've been really happy with the way the players have responded to the work we've tried to carry out. I'm bitterly disappointed, of course, but I don't feel I need to resign, no.

"On the other hand, if the FA think I'm not the right man to do the job, that will be their decision not mine."

Hodgson saw his side produce a lacklustre performance, by having gained the equaliser in the final quarter of the game the 66-year-old felt his side could go on to win the match having looked on the front foot, before Suarez struck his second.

"We believed we could do enough to get a result in this game. Having worked so hard to get back to 1-1 I believed we would go on to win the game or at least draw, so to concede the second goal is an unbelievable blow. I don't really know what to say at this time."

The second goal originated from a direct long ball, and after captain Steven Gerrard failed to deal with it sufficiently Suarez found himself all alone against Joe Hart before smashing the ball into the net.

"We are more than disappointed, we're devastated. It was a goal we don't expect to concede. Long goal kicks with the type of players we have in the team, we deal with them," Hodgson continued.

"I thought we would go on possibly to win the game and certainly I didn't think we would lose the game at that point.

"We had been in control for such a long time. After the first five minutes (of the second half) we got back on track. We've been near their goal so many times, but it doesn't matter how many times you get near the other team's goal, it matters how many times you put it in the back of the net and we haven't done that enough."

Suarez, who underwent surgery on his knee just one month ago, returned to punish England for a lacklustre performance to put them on the brink of elimination. Regarding the Liverpool man, Hodgson said: "He scored the two goals. The first goal in particular was exceptionally good, Cavani's chip and his pulling away to the back post and the cleverness of his header I thought was really top, top play. The second one I thought he was a bit fortunate, but when he got himself through he made no mistake."

England must hope Italy win their final two games whilst the Three Lions beat Costa Rica handsomely in their final group game to stand any chance of progressing to the next phase.

   

Mourinho: Muller hasn't been tested yet

Jose Mourinho says he would like to see Thomas Muller tested more rigorously than he was in Germany's 4-0 win over Portugal on Monday.
The Bayern Munich attacker scored a hat-trick and Mats Hummels added another as Joachim Low's side secured a comfortable victory in their Group G opener after Pepe was sent off following an altercation with Muller.
The striker was top-scorer in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and his three against the Selecao took him to eight goals in seven World Cup finals appearances - though Mourinho suggested he found it too easy in Salvador.
"I would like to see Muller up against a compact defence," the 51-year-old told Yahoo Eurosport.
"That would test him. Portugal were far too weak. There are plenty of teams at this World Cup who defend far better, are much tighter and better organised."
Mourinho did, however, take the time to praise Muller, who scored 13 times in the Bundesliga last season, for his ability in front of goal whilst stressing that his national side were lacking in that part of the pitch.
"He's incredibly dynamic and has a unique goalscoring instinct," he continued.
"He finds room on the field that nobody else knows about. But I still think that, even with Muller, Germany don't have a real forward in their team."
Germany play Ghana on Saturday in their next Group G game.

 

    

14 killed in Nigeria football centre blast

Fourteen Nigerian football fans were killed while watching a World Cup game on Tuesday after a suicide bomb attack in Damaturu, Yobe state.

The explosion occurred during the World Cup game between hosts Brazil and Mexico which ended in a 0-0 draw.
According to Channels TV, the bombers brought the explosives in a tricycle before exploding it at the viewing centre which also left about 26 fans injured and 15 others in critical condition.
Survivors are presently receiving treatment at the Sani Abacha Specialists Hospital in Damaturu with the incident being investigated by the Nigeria Police Force.
Prior to the start of the tournament, some states in the country had banned football viewing centres from showing any World Cup games in order to avoid attacks from the Boko Haram insurgents in the country's north east.

 

      

A must-win game for both sides is usually one that creates a rather turgid and cagey affair, though this was not the case from the off in England’s second World Cup fixture of the summer.

Pre-match was of course dominated by the return of the ever-dangerous Luis Suarez and the potential damage he could cause England’s defence. He did not go into the game fully fit, but the Liverpool man is dangerous whenever he is on the pitch.

For England, Wayne Rooney moved from the left to the centre into his preferred position and was expected to perform and prove that he is worthy of the England shirt.

Although not as cavalier in going forward as they were against Italy in their opening fixture, England still looked more comfortable attacking than they did without the ball. Early chances ensued.

The game did not settle down for the first ten minutes, though Suarez almost embarrassed Joe Hart early on as the Uruguayan caught the English ‘keeper off his line and almost slotted home directly from a corner.

England showed flashes of good attacking play and Rooney almost opened the scoring and his own World Cup account on 10 mins. A few minutes later more good forward play resulted in a chance for Daniel Sturridge, though still England couldn’t break the deadlock.

The sharp incisive passing that England showed against Italy wasn’t quite there in the first-half and though there were some half chances of note, the game was a bit flat when compared to the opener.

More chances came from both ends and Cavani blasted over from a low corner on 26 mins. Up at the other end Uruguay were fortunate that Diego Godin was not sent off. The Atletico man could have easily been dismissed for a second yellow card for taking out Daniel Sturridge on the edge of the box.

England went on to win a succession of free kicks though had little end product. Rooney did narrowly shoot wide eventually however, and soon after hit the crossbar after a dead ball from the left was expertly delivered.

Despite all of England’s pressure, the almost inevitable sucker punch came from a beautiful ball from Edinson Cavani. Suarez peeled away from Phil Jagielka like only he can and headed the ball just out of the reach of Joe Hart.

England regrouped quickly and almost replied instantly with a good Daniel Sturridge shot after a fine ball from Wayne Rooney, but Muslera was more than up to the challenge of blocking his near post.

At the very beginning of the second half, Hart was caught out again by Suarez from a corner and once more the prolific forward almost found the back of the net directly from the corner flag.

An intense period of Uruguayan pressure began, where Edinson Cavani certainly should have doubled his side’s lead.

England did not defend well immediately after the break but they did counter with intent. A Leighton Baines’ cross landed at the feet of Rooney on 53 mins, the forward took a good first touch and got away a decent shot, though Muslera was equal to it.

Baines continued to be dangerous up the left-flank, so much so that Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez was forced into changing his game plan to try and stifle the Everton full-back.

Nevertheless, it was a Glen Johnson surge from the right that brought England back into the game. The Liverpool man skipped past one defender, put in a good ball and Rooney was left with a tap-in to level the score.

England were looking good to go on and score again but for Luis Suarez, who proved the difference between a player of his quality and England’s current crop. From a nothing goal kick, Steven Gerrard glanced a poor header backwards, directly between between the two English centre-halves and Suarez found himself running free. He confidently blasted the finish past Joe Hart.

And simply, that was that. England tried and failed to salvage the draw and now need significant favours from Italy if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.