British newspaper The Daily Express go with a headline on Thursday proclaiming 'Former Chelsea winger (Arjen Robben) agrees January move to Manchester United' and that would quite obviously be one of the biggest footballer stories of the year.
The Express go on to say 'ARJEN ROBBEN has agreed to become Manchester United's first signing of the January transfer window, according to reports.'
Those reports, say the Express, came from The Daily Mirror: 'The Daily Mirror claim the former Chelsea winger is unsettled as a result of the fall-out and is relishing the chance to move back to England for a second crack at the Premier League.'
The Mirror in comparison to the Express are much better on these things, so that automatically gave the story some weight. However, the article which the Express refer and link to is simply a rumour roundup from the Mirror, the entire section on Robben and Manchester United is 'Manchester United are close to signing Arjen Robben as the Bayern Munich star's rift with Robert Lewandowski continues. (Fichajes)'
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/11/robben-agrees-move-to-man-united-we.html

Didier Drogba has mocked Fernando Torres for failing to adapt at Chelsea where the legendary striker says he was no longer a big fish in a small pond.
The Spaniard suffered after he signed for the Blues in a then British transfer record of £50m from the Reds, where he scored 65 goals in 102 league games in his three-and-a-half years.
He constantly struggled at Chelsea under a succession of top managers, including Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho, with him only scoring 20 goals in 110 Premier League appearances for the Blues before moving to AC Milan on loan last summer.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/11/didier-drogba-tagged-fernando-torres.html

The Spanish coach has dominated Germany's top division while using a new formation every week. Almost...
Domestic dominance but failure at the semi-final stage of the Champions League for two years running. As Pep Guardiola pilots the Bavarian super-outfit through his third year in charge he can look back with pride at how he has tried almost every different formation in his time at Bayern.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/9-of-pep-guardiola-formations-from-last.html

Mourinho dropped the reigning Player of the Year for the win over Aston Villa but the pair appeared to be on the same page at training on Thursday
Jose Mourinho and Eden Hazard appear to be mending their relationship as rumours of a discord continue to swirl.
The under-fire Chelsea boss dropped the reigning Player of the Year for the win over Aston Villa a fortnight ago with the Belgian continuing to struggle to replicate his devastating form of a year ago.
But following the Capital One Cup exit at Stoke, in which Hazard missed the decisive penalty, it appears the two remain on the same page.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/jose-mourinho-held-talk-with-eden.html

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are rivals on the pitch in the eyes of soccer fans around the world as the two men battle for the title of the best. But that rivalry is just in the eys of the fans and media, because Lionel Messi says he doesn’t compete against Ronaldo.
“These are things that people say. I don’t compete with Cristiano and I suppose he would not compete with me,” Messi said in an interview with Guillem Balague on Yahoo.com.
“What I want is the very best for my teams, and that’s what I am working for.”
That might be true to Messi personally, or at least only what he is willing to publicly admit, but the two are undoubtedly still linked. There is even a Wikipedia page dedicated to their rivalry.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/i-am-not-in-competition-with-ronaldo.html

Jurgen Klopp has only been in in the Liverpool job for two days but he’s already been forced to deny he’s been in talks with another club.
Before arriving on Merseyside, Klopp had long been linked with being a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, with the Catalan rumour to perhaps be stepping down from his role at the Bavarian side in the summer of 2016.
It was even suggested last week that Klopp could be waiting for a nod either way from the Bayern hierarchy before accepting any offer from the Reds.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/jurgen-klopp-denies-talks-with-bayern.html

PETR CECH believes Chelsea are still favourites to win the Premier League title despite their poor start to the season.
The Blues are currently in sixteenth place in the league, ten points off leaders Manchester City. They have had a torrid start, losing four times and they currently have the joint second worst defence. But Cech, who left Stamford Bridge for Arsenal in the summer, admitted his surprise at his former club's troubles.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/chelsea-are-still-favourites-to-win.html

Former Borussia Dortmund manager Juergen Klopp is expected at Anfield on Thursday as the German edges closer to becoming Brendan Rodgers’ successor at Liverpool, while Carlo Ancelotti has ruled himself out of contention, British media reported.
Klopp is reportedly in advanced talks with Fenway Sports Group President Mike Gordon and Liverpool Chief Executive Ian Ayre and is planning to fly to England to complete negotiations ahead of his highly anticipated move, the reports said.
Former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Ancelotti, who was also linked with the job, has told reporters he would return to management, but only next season.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/juergen-klopp-to-arrive-anfield-on.html

Spain's public prosecutor has dropped tax fraud charges against Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain.
But the Barcelona star's father will reportedly stand trial over the allegations, which relate to the Argentina international's image rights.
Jorge Messi is accused of defrauding Spain's tax office of 4m euros (£2.95m) in unpaid taxes from 2007 to 2009.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/barcelona-superstar-lionel-messi-escape.html

FABIO CAPELLO has accused Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho of burning his players out and making critical errors.
Mourinho's side have made a stuttering start to the current season, losing four of their opening eight Premier League games - the same number in the whole of last term.
And former England chief Capello thinks the Blues boss should shoulder most of the blame.
"Mourinho burns out his players after a year and a half, at most two years," he told Fox Sports.
"I had already heard it when he was in Madrid and now we have confirmation in London.
"It is true that Chelsea are paying for some of their absences - like [Thibaut] Courtois - but there have also been tactical errors from the coach, who this year is not preparing for matches very well."
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/mourinho-ego-and-poor-treatment-of.html

Spain's public prosecutor has dropped tax fraud charges against Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain.
But the Barcelona star's father will reportedly stand trial over the allegations, which relate to the Argentina international's image rights.
Jorge Messi is accused of defrauding Spain's tax office of 4m euros (£2.95m) in unpaid taxes from 2007 to 2009.
The prosecutor's office in Barcelona has recommended an 18-month prison sentence and a two million euros (£1.47m) fine for Jorge Messi.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/barcelona-superstar-lionel-messi-escape.html

LIVERPOOL who gave Brendan Rogers a walking order two hours after the Mersyside derby on Sunday have been reportedly linked to Former Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.
According to report from Zapsportz.com it stated that Jurgen Klopp will be installed as the new manager at Anfield in the next 24 hours.
Zapaportz.com asked its insider contact at Anfield whether Klopp will now be appointed, and the response was ‘that’s a fair guess’, we can exclusively reveal.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/exclusive-jurgen-klopp-move-to.html

A somewhat crazy story has broken out of Italy on Monday, and Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi has sacked his agent, and he has hired his wife Wanda Nara as his representative instead.
Abian Moreno, Icardi’s long term agent, has told Argentine news outlets that his contract with the footballer has not been renewed. The pair have been working together for the past ten years.
Abian Moreno has said he is “hurt” by Icardi’s decision to fire him, during an interview with Radio Uno, during which he also revealed that Icardi’s wife and former model Wanda Nara is replacing him.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/mauro-icardi-appoints-wife-former-model.html

Despite seeing his team salvage a 1-1 draw with a late fightback, Diego Simeone thought Atletico should have won the Madrid derby.
Diego Simeone reflected on two points dropped despite seeing his Atletico Madrid side snatch a 1-1 draw seven minutes from time against city rivals Real.
Karim Benzema headed Real into a ninth-minute lead before his France international team-mate Antoine Griezmann had a first-half penalty saved for Atletico.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/simeone-my-team-should-have-carried-day.html

Speculation going around has it that the Former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly replaced sacked manager Brendan Rodgers at EPL giants Liverpool.
Klopp, who is currently out of a job, is believed to have signed a three-year deal along with assistant coach Zeljko Buvac, according to Bosnian website Pravdabl.
The German has been heavily linked with the Liverpool job for the last few weeks and it is claimed he was in England to discuss opportunities, after rejecting a chance to manage the Mexican national team.
Carlo Ancelotti, most recently in charge at Real Madrid, has also been linked to the position at Liverpool.
The Merseyside club are expected to announce their new manager before the club's next game against Tottenham Hotspur on October 17.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/report-liverpool-sign-jurgen-klopp-on.html

Liverpool are looking for their next manager after sacking Brendan Rodgers following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton.
The club's owners intend to have a new manager in place for the Premier League trip to Tottenham on 17 October.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp - both of whom are out of work - are the leading contenders to replace Rodgers.
Meanwhile, Ajax manager Frank de Boer is another to have been linked with the Liverpool job in recent weeks.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/jurgen-klopp-carlo-ancelotti-who-is.html

CARLO ANCELOTTI has cleared the air about him taking over the Liverpool job after Rogers was sacked on Phone after settling for a draw against bitter rivals Everton.
The former Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid manager, who has been recovering from back surgery, was immediately named as one of the main contenders to take over from Rodgers, who was sacked earlier today just hours after a 1-1 draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby.
But Ancelotti told Express Sport: “I have not had any offer from Liverpool.”
The 56 year old, who left Real last May, said at the time that he wanted to take a year out, and he has confirmed that he intends to stick to that decision and not return to management until next summer.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/carlo-ancelotti-clears-off-to-manage.html

The Stamford Bridge manager survived a crisis board meeting after the disastrous 3-1 home defeat by Southampton, and was told his job is safe - for now.
But Mourinho, who challenged the board to axe him straight after the game and said he would not walk away, admitted that if he lost the dressing room at Chelsea, he would resign.
"People can say what they want. People should ask the players and not go with fake sources," said Mourinho.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/10/jose-mourinho-will-quit-chelsea-if-he.html

Former England football captain David Beckham and his family have bee found to be worth USD 712 million. Queen Elizabeth with her castles, estates and collection of rare artworks is thought to be worth USD 515 million.
Los Angeles: Former soccer ace David Beckham and his nuclear family are richer than Queen Elizabeth, according to a report by the London School of Marketing. The researchers analysed the different business ventures and marketing values of David and his family and found that the family was worth USD 712 million, reported Ace Showbiz.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/david-beckham-richer-than-queen.html

Per Mertesacker has offered a damning assessment of Arsenal’s Champions League defeat against Olympiakos and bluntly admitted that the players lacked both discipline and concentration.
After Arsenal had also lost their first group game against Dinamo Zagreb, they are now bottom of Group F ahead of matches against Bayern Munich and facing the prospect of a first failure to reach the last 16 since 2000. Mertesacker was withering in his appraisal of such a poor performance.
“You can imagine how the mood is,” he said. “Everyone is disappointed because this was not good enough. They took the lead three times easily and that is something that should not happen, especially when we are at home.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/arsenals-defence-not-confident-enough.html

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon acknowledged his side haven’t lived up to expectations this season but reiterated his belief that they can put it right.
They face Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as they look to make it two wins in as many games in that competition, after victory away to Manchester City in their opening game.
Buffon has spotted similarities between the two clubs, both of whom reached European finals last season but each currently languish in the lower reaches of their respective leagues.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/buffon-juventus-will-prove-doubters.html

Arsenal will be looking to get their 2015-16 UEFA Champions League campaign underway with victory at home to Olympiacos this evening.
The Gunners were surprisingly beaten at Dinamo Zagreb a fortnight ago and anything less than three points at the Emirates versus the Greek champions will be a big concern.
Alexis Sánchez netted a hat-trick in a 5-2 win at Leicester City on Saturday as the team head into their Champions League group stage game in good form up front.
Here is the Arsenal team we think will face Olympiacos:
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/arsenal-predicted-xi-to-face-olympiacos.html

The transfer window may well be closed but it doesn`t stop speculation appearing in the media relating to player movement.

This morning the Sunday Times is suggesting that the Spanish giants, Real Madrid, are interested in signing Eden Hazard.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/laliga-news-eden-hazard-to-real-madrid.html

Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) received a total of $750,000 for the 2015 Financial assistance Programme(FAP) $200,000 more than in year 2014.
Soka25east.com takes a look at how the Cecafa region utilized the The Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) established by FIFA in 1999 designed to motivate and empower the associations and confederations to organise development programmes that meet their needs and strengthen football and its administration in the long term, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, youth football and technical development.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/ethiopia-football-federation-received.html

Cristiano Ronaldo was the healthiest player at Real Madrid in 2014/15, and he has an award to prove it, because these are the times we live in.
The Portugal forward won the award through a fan vote organised by Sanitas, one of the club's partners.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/cristiano-ronaldo-wins-real-madrids.html

There are some magnificent forwards in world football at the moment. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a magician whose class is timeless, while Luis Suarez had the individual ability to carry Liverpool to within two points of the Premier League title in 2013-14. And then there are the hybrid attacking machines, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who really need no introduction.
A name that is understated among the world’s best strikers is that of Robert Lewandowski. However, having surpassed a century of Bundesliga goals on Saturday, the Bayern Munich man has proved he deserves more consideration. This is especially highlighted by his red-hot form.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/what-manner-of-man-is-robert.html

Lionel Messi and Barcelona haven’t had their best start to the 2015/16 La Liga season, sitting outside the top-four in the table heading into Saturday’s action. However, in the early going of Barca’s match against Las Palmas, things could be getting much worse for the side and for Messi in particular.
While making a run at goal coming down the right side, a Las Palmas came in and made a challenge on Messi to try and knock him off his run. The result was Messi getting his knee knocked, which left him down on the pitch in pain.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/after-10th-minute-game-lionel-messi.html

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he misses playing alongside Wayne Rooney and hopes to line up beside him again.
Cristiano Ronaldo harbours hopes of again playing alongside former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney, labelling him a "fantastic player".
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/ronaldo-i-miss-playing-with-rooney.html

The betting can hardly separate the two most eligible candidates to succeed embattled Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
It’s a straight shootout at the Anfield Corral between sabbatical-taking big hitters Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti, priced at 13/8 and 2/1 respectively to replace Rodgers as the next permanent Reds boss.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/klopp-v-ancelotti-liverpool-to-make-big.html

The FA are willing to offer Pep Guardiola 10 million pounds per year ($15.1 million dollars) for his services after the end of Euro 2016 competition.
The English Football Association (FA) is targeting German champions Bayern Munich's Spanish coach Pep Guardiola as the next England manager, the British press reported on Friday.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/pep-guardiolas-service-is-needed-in.html

Under-pressure Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said the fear of losing his job will drive him on as the Anfield club prepare to host Aston Villa on Saturday. (Under pressure Liverpool face Aston Villa)
Liverpool have gone four Premier League games without a win and needed penalties to beat fourth-tier Carlisle United in the League Cup in midweek.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/liverpool-manager-brendan-rodgers.html

The pair have always had a frosty relationship and this took another turn for the worse following Chelsea's 2-0 win at the Bridge last weekend.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has reignited his war of words with Arsene Wenger .
The pair have always had a frosty relationship and this took another turn for the worse following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
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http://www.soccerecho.com/2015/09/jose-mourinho-hit-hard-on-arsene-wenger.html