Thursday 9 January 2014

TRANSFER NEWS

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Transfer Window LIVE!
Goal guides you through all the latest news and rumours from the January transfer window as and when they happen.

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Hosted by John Stammers
5:19 PM GMT
1/9/14
Now for some news of a confirmation of a done deal from Italy. USA international Michael Bradley's agent has revealed that his client is set to complete a permanent move from Roma to Toronto FC, who of course Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is also on the verge of joining.

All the juicy deets - including quotes - can be found here.
5:08 PM GMT
1/9/14
RUMOURS

Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz is nearing a loan move to Real Betis, according to AS, whilst le10sport.com reports that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas. Elsewhere, talkSPORT say West Ham will complete a loan move for Monaco striker Lacina Traore on Monday, with Sport Bild claiming Borussia Dortmund are lining up a move for Germany international Sami Khedira.

4:59 PM GMT
1/9/14
Over in Holland Vitesse have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Zakaria Labyad on loan from Sporting CP for one-and-a-half years. The player told their official website: "I'm very happy and relieved that I can return to the Netherlands. I'm looking forward to becoming part of a team in [form]. I want to become fit as soon as possible and become important for the team."
4:53 PM GMT
1/9/14
Borussia Dortmund's Bayern Munich-bound striker Robert Lewandowski is considering hiring bodyguards to protect him from angry fans, according to one of his consultants Maik Barthel. It might sound like a joke, but click these words to read the full story and you'll realise it isn't.
4:40 PM GMT
1/9/14
Hull have released a statement denying media reports that Shane Long is set for a medical at the club, indicating no agreement has been reached with West Brom over any potential transfer.

SOCCER NEWS

Football | Germany

Ribery in line for Ballon d'Or



On January 13th, the footballing world will turn its attention to Zurich, where the world’s best player of 2013 will be decided. Alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is Franck Ribery.
Looking solely at the goal tally for “CR7”, things could be difficult for the Frenchman. Ribery appears to be more of a team player though, providing more assists and, importantly, winning more titles!
Ronaldo scored 59 goals in all competitions – more than three times as many as Ribery (18). The Portugal international also fired his country to the World Cup finals with four goals in the playoff games against Sweden.
Ribery does have a clear advantage in terms of the “title haul” though, and football is a team sport. The Frenchman collected five titles with Bayern, Messi managed two with FC Barcelona (the league title and the domestic Super Cup) while Ronaldo ended the year with no trophies at Real Madrid.
Ribery’s team play is clear from the number of assists he provided: 16 assists in Bayern colours in 2013 are the best of all three players.
In the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, Ribery was involved in both goals: His fantastic pass set up Arjen Robben who squared to Mario Mandzukic to score the opening goal of the game, before Ribery’s flick set up Robben, who scored the winner.
FIFA Ballon d'or  - 2013 Comparison

Franck Ribery
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Competition
Goals
Assists
Goals
Assists
Goals
Assists
League
12
15
38
11
28
11
Champions League
3
1
15
2
9
0
Domestic Cup
1
0
6
 1
2
Domestic Super Cup
0
0
0
 0
0
UEFA Super Cup
1
0
0
0
FIFA Club World Cup
1
0
0
 0
0
Total
18
16
59
 14
39
 12

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