Veron Comes Out of Retirement & Officially Re-Signs with Estudiantes

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Sebastian Veron is ready to prove age is nothing but a number…

The 41-year-old Argentine retired footballer is back in the game after officially re-signing for Estudiantes de la Plata, two years after hanging up his boots.

The former Manchester United and Argentina midfielder quit playing in 2014 to become chairman of his boyhood club, having won 73 caps for his country, while he also played Chelsea, Inter Milan and Lazio.

Veron had promised to play in the 2017 Copa Libertadores if supporters bought 65 percent of the tickets for the club’s new stadium and has now made good on that pledge.

He has signed an 18-month contract, meaning he will be 43 years old when the deal expires. He will be paid a minimal salary, all of which will be “donated for the development of the club.”

His first game back in Estudiantes colors is set to be against Bayer Leverkusen in the Florida Cup on January 8 after he spent the last few months working on his fitness.

“He told us he wants to return, that from January he will return as a player,” midfielder Israel Damonte told La Oral Deportiva last month. “He will play from January for the tournament [league] and Copa [Libertadores in 2017].”

Veron won Apertura titles with Estudiantes in 2006 and 2010, and the Copa Libertadores in 2009 — his second spell with the club.

In European football, he won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia with Parma in 1998-99, before going on to lift the Serie A and Coppa Italia double with Lazio in 1999-2000, as well as the UEFA Super Cup in 2009. He then won the Premier League with Manchester United in 2002-03 and another Italian double with Inter in 2005-06. He also won the Coppa Italia with Inter in 2004-05.

Chelsea Reportedly Looking to Extend Costa’s Contract

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Costa could be getting an extension…

Chelsea Football Club is reportedly preparing to discuss a new contract with 28-year-old Brazilian-born Spanish soccer star, according to Spanish publication AS.

Chelsea is aware of reports suggesting that the Spain international remains a target for his former employers at Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone said to be keen on taking him back to Vicente Calderon.

Such talk was fended off over the summer, amid rumors of Costa being unsettled in England, and Costa has responded in the best possible manner with nine Premier League goals and 12 in total for club and country.

Chelsea reportedly is eager to reward that form with an extension of his current deal, which runs until 2019.

Pereira to Spend Next Season with La Liga’s Granada

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Andreas Pereira is heading to España…

The 20-year-old Brazilian footballer and Manchester United midfield prospect is set for a loan switch to Granada Club de Fútbol in La Liga after the two clubs agreed on a season-long transfer.

Pereira, a Brazil Under-23 international, will spend the campaign in Spain with Paco Jemez‘s side and should gain the first-team experience required in one of Europe’s top divisions.

After making 13 appearances during Louis van Gaal‘s time in charge, the Pereira scored in Jose Mourinho‘s opening pre-season friendly at Wigan Athletic with a superb drive.

“I love Andreas Pereira as a player and I would love to have him in my squad,” said Mourinho at Friday’s press conference. “But he will go to Granada.”

Granada already have a number of players currently on loan, including Jeremie Bogie and Victorien Angban from Chelsea and Arsenal‘s Jon Toral.

Pato Transferring to Spain’s Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Alexandre Pato is ready to kick it in Spain…

The 26-year-old Brazilian soccer star will be presented on Monday as the newest member of Spain’s Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.

Pato, who previously played for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, will join Villarreal for the next four seasons.

He’ll be presented on Monday in a ceremony in the Paraje Ermita de la Virgen de Gracia Villarreal.

According to sources at Corinthians, Pato’s transfer will cost the Spanish side to pay Corinthians three million euros, of them 40 percent for the player.

Pato has played for Brazilian side Internacional, AC Milan, Corinthians, Sao Paulo and Chelsea.

At the beginning of 2016, Chelsea acquired the player, who won’t debut with the Blues until April 2. Despite only playing two matches he scored one goal for the London side.

According to the Villarreal official website, Pato has also had a long career with the Brazilian National Team, making his first appearance in 2008 and playing 28 matches, scoring 10 goals.

He has also been a member of the U20 National Team (12 matches, 8 gols) and the Olympic National Team (10 matches, 2 goals).

Willian Agrees to Five-Year Deal with Chelsea

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Willian Borges da Silva’s move could be called a case of “From Russia with Love”…

The 25-year-old Brazilian soccer star, commonly known as Willian, has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea.

“I’m very happy to be here, it’s been a dream of mine to come and play here,” the Blues’ latest addition said in comments posted on Chelsea’s official Web site.

The attacking midfielder was picked up from Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala for 32 million pounds ($49.6 million).

The Chelsea faithful got a good look at Willian in 2012, when he scored two goals for visiting Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Shakhtar sent Willian to Anzhi Makhachkala in January for a transfer fee of 35 million euros ($47 million).

Tottenham Hotspur brought Willian to London earlier this week for a medical ahead of Spurs’ expected signing of the star, but Chelsea snatched the midfielder away from their Premier League rivals.

Willian is Chelsea’s fourth acquisition during the summer transfer window, which closes September 2, and Blues manager Jose Mourinho signaled last week that the club was still in the market for new talent.

On Tuesday, Mourinho gave Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney 48 hours to decide if he wants to leave Old Trafford from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea Interested in a Deal with Higuain

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Gonzalo Higuain is on-demand…

The 25-year-old France-born Argentine pro soccer player has been tipped to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, as he continues to be linked to several clubs in Europe.

In fact, Higuain has been quoted as saying that Chelsea is also interested in a deal, having played under Mourinho at Real.

“Mourinho wants me there,” Higuain is quoted as saying.

At the end of last term Higuain was tapped to join Juventus but when that move broke down he made it clear that he had made his mind up to leave Madrid.

That led to Arsenal being strongly linked to a move, while Rafa Benitez‘s Napoli have also been associated with viewing the forward as a replacement for Edinson Cavani.

With Madrid unwilling to let their star go on the cheap, the Spanish giants put a €40million price tag on his head and that is well within Chelsea’s spending budget.

AS add that while Mourinho has stated his admiration for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, and insisted he is Chelsea’s only summer transfer target, that is a smokescreen to reveal that he wants to strengthen his front line at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho is a big fan of Higuain and used him as a regular striker during his three years as head coach at Real Madrid.

Alcântara Leads All-Star UEFA European Under-21 Championship Squad

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Thiago Alcântara is the leader of the pack at the European Under-21 Championship.

The 22-year-old half-Brazilian soccer player, Spain’s Under-21 captain and reported Manchester United target, has been named player of the tournament for the European Under-21 Championships in Israel.

Alcântara, a midfielder for Futbol Club Barcelona, was instrumental throughout La Rojita‘s victorious campaign and hit a first half hat-trick in the 4-2 final win against Italy.

A statement on UEFA’s official website read: “As captain of the title winners, Thiago displayed leadership qualities on and off the pitch and, throughout the tournament, was an influential figure in his team’s performance with impressive box-to-box work; exceptional ball control even in the tightest of situations; ability to dictate the tempo of play; intelligent ball-winning based on anticipation rather than tackling; and outstanding playmaking skills based on a wide variety of short and long passing.

“His three goals in the final represented a unique individual achievement and reward for his contributions to his team’s success.”

Thiago is free to leave the Camp Nou this summer if his release clause of €18 million is met and is being trailed by United and their Premier League rivals Chelsea.

He was also named in the 23-man squad of the tournament, alongside 10 of his Spain teammates, including Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, Manchester City and Real Madrid target Isco and Golden Boot winner Alvaro Morata.

Valderrama to Launch Singing Career?

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Wilmer Valderrama is adding another role to his already diverse resume… Singer!

The 32-year-old Venezuelan American actor, television host and producer—who recently guest-starred on NBC’s Are You There, Chelsea?—is preparing to launch his singing career.

“I’m working on a musical project… I’m going to star to make music in English and Spanish,” announced the That ‘70s Show star during an interview with the Associated Press. “I’m launching myself as a singer!”

Although he didn’t get into specifics, Valderrama did say he’s hoping to release an album sometime in the middle of the year.

In the meantime, he’s currently serving as the executive producer of The Ricardo Laguna Project, which debuted on MTV Tr3s last week.

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