Loudspeaker

Ex-Paraguay Star Cabanas Agreed Man Utd Move Before Shooting. Former Paraguay and America striker Salvador Cabanas has revealed that he had agreed a move to Manchester United before the tragic shooting that all but ended his career at the top level. Cabanas was regarded as one of South America's finest goalscorers in his heyday, and was named the continent's Footballer of the Year in 2007 as well as finishing as the Copa Libertadores top scorer two years running. But in January 2010, shortly after leading Paraguay to a spot in the World Cup with six strikes in qualifying, Cabanas was shot in the head in a Mexican nightclub after an altercation with a known drug trafficker. Now working in Paraguayan capital Asuncion selling bread, Cabanas revealed that he was set to line up at Old Trafford before his life was turned upside down. "I had signed a pre-contract agreement for £1.3m for a transfer to Europe. They told me my destination would be Manchester United,&qu

Robnho on Why Madrid Forced Him to Join City Instead of Chelsea Robinho has revealed that he wanted to leave Real Madrid for Chelsea but that he was forced to go to Manchester City instead.The Brazilian explained how it was a bust-up between the Bernabeu club and the London side that led him to go to City. "I wanted to go to Chelsea, Scolari told me that I could make the difference for him in the team,"he said."However, Real Madrid ended up badly with them, they didn't like the way that Chelsea sold shirts with my name on them before the deal was done. "I am sure it was this that led to the negotiations to fail and it was a case of pride for Real Madrid. On top of this Chelsea were in the Champions league and City weren't."Robinho denied that he was sorry to leave Madrid. "I don't regret leaving Madrid but I am sorry that it ended badly when I went," he continued. "Madrid were the club that opened their doors and gave m

Balotelli Dropped from Italy Squad Mario Balotelli has been left out of Italy's 23-man squad to face Portugal following criticism of his performance in the Azzurri's 1-1 draw with Poland on Friday. Italy coach Roberto Mancini admitted the Nice striker did not play well against Poland and said "his fitness levels are an issue right now" before omitting Balotelli from his squad for Monday's match. F ormer Juventus and Roma player Zbigniew Boniek accused Balotelli of being "15 kilos overweight" after his performance against Poland, which ended when he was replaced by Andrea Belotti after 62 minutes at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. There is no place in Mancini's squad for Davide Zappacosta, Lorenzo Pellegrini or Cristiano Biraghi, all of whom started the game against Poland. Alessio Cragno, Daniele Rugani and Nicolo Zaniolo have also been left out of Italy's squad for the Nations League clash in Lisbon.

The draws for the UEFA Champions League play-offs were conducted on Monday morning in Nyon. Two sides entered the stage from the Champions Path, and were joined by the six winners from the third qualifying round. The losers from both paths enter the group stage of the Europa League. Champions Path: Red Star Belgrade/Sparta Prague vs Salzburg/Shkendija Qarabag/BATE vs PSV Eindhoven Young Boys vs Astana/Dinamo Zagreb Malmo/Vidi vs Celtic/AEK League Path: Benfica/Fenerbahce vs PAOK/Spartak Moscow Standard Liege/Ajax vs Slavia Prague/Dynamo Kyiv. The two-legged ties will take place on August 21 and 22, while the second leg takes place a week later on August 28 and 29.

 Real Madrid take final decision on Hazard Real Madrid have taken their final decision on Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. New manager, Julen Lopetegui now plans to shape his side around Spanish forward, Isco. The La Liga giants have been heavily linked with a £170million move for the Belgian international, as the player told reporters after the World Cup that he was ready to make the move to the Bernabeu. Chelsea have long been aware of Hazard’s desire to eventually move to the Spanish capital but the Blues also believe they are in a strong position to keep the player. The 27-year-old has two years to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge. AS reports that the Blues’ position has convinced Real Madrid that a deal for Hazard would prove too expensive, and new boss, Lopetegui is now ready to put his faith on Isco instead. That leaves Hazard in a precarious position as Chelsea are determined to extend his deal to make him the highest paid player in their history and also hand hi

Spain sacked coach Julen Lopetegui just two days before the team’s opening game against Portugal at the World Cup, Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales

– Paul Pogba is banned for Manchester United’s clash against Bournemouth

What a man can do, a lady can do sexier. Is that the case here? Who would you say rocked this better?