Torres praises Benitez and ´great leader´ Gerrard
July 7, 2008
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Fernando Torres on Saturday said that Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez was the inspiration behind his goal-scoring exploits which helped Spain to Euro 2008 glory.
Torres netted 33 times in a blistering first season for Liverpool - breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for goals scored by a foreigner in a debut Premier League campaign.
The 24-year-old said that Benitez’s relentless quest for improvement since he joined from Atletico Madrid has been a catalyst for his career.
"There are days when you think: ‘My God, this guy (Benitez) doesn’t let you breathe’," Torres told the club’s website.
"At a club like Liverpool, you can’t sit back after scoring 20-odd goals and say: ‘Well, that’s it.’ After you score 20, Benitez is at you during the next training session and stays on top of you all day, all week."
Torres was instrumental in helping Spain win their first major honour in 44 years, scoring the winning goal in last weekend’s Euro 2008 final against Germany.
He added: "He (Benitez) tells you to go off on your own and do new exercises. I want to progress in life, not relax, not be complacent, and you need someone close to you telling you to keep at it.
"It is impossible to do it otherwise. We don’t always fancy someone that close but, in the long term, I am sure that everybody will thank him for it."
Torres also spoke of his admiration for the leadership qualities of club captain and England star Steven Gerrard.
"He’s a great example, and those of us who have been in a similar situation know how difficult it is to handle.
"It’s incredible the way he (Gerrard) carries himself regardless of what is going on around him. I’d love to be captain of another team one day and Steve has shown me how to be a great leader."
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Kewell signs two-year contract with Galatasaray
July 7, 2008
ISTANBUL (AFP) - Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Turkish champions Galatasaray, describing his move as a "new chapter" after five injury-stricken years at Anfield.
The Australian international said he chose Galatasaray after speaking to club officials about their plans for the team and having seen Turkey’s improving performance in international football competitions.
"For me it was a decision not to think about anything except my football. I want to enjoy my football and I think this is the place where I can come and enjoy my football," the 29-year-old winger told a televised news conference.
Kewell, who has battled a series of injuries over the past few years, has been available on a free transfer since he was released by Liverpool at the end of his contract.
"You could say it is a new chapter," Kewell said when queried over his move from Anfield to Istanbul.
"I wanted to move on and I think this is the best way to move on," he added.
Kewell, who was welcomed by throngs of supporters on arrival in Istanbul, said he was excited to have joined a club with a passionate fan base.
"I know that that fans are passionate about sport and I love that," he said. "I can’t wait to get more of it."
During his time with Leeds, Kewell played against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000, when he was sent off.
The move to Galatasaray has ended any possibility of Kewell playing for Australia at the Beijing Olympics.
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Fernando Meira likely to leave Stuttgart
July 5, 2008
Local newspaper ‘Stuttgarter Zeitung’ reports on Friday that the skipper wants to leave the club as soon as possible.
Club and player agreed last year that if a bigger club shows interest in Meira, he will be allowed to make a move.
According to player manager Roger Wittman, European giants as Liverpool and Juventus have revealed to have an interest in the defender.
"Once the player is put on the transfer list, everything will go very fast. There’s always interest for a player of his qualities," said Wittman.
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Kewell misses Olympics to sign with Galatasaray
July 5, 2008
SYDNEY (AFP) - Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell has passed up the opportunity to play for Australia at the Beijing Olympics to pursue a club career with Turkey’s Galatasaray.
The Australian international has signed a three-year deal with the Turkish giants after five injury-plagued seasons at Anfield.
Galatasaray official Haldun Ustunel said they had reached agreement on all contract issues and Kewell was expected to arrive in Istanbul late on Friday.
"As a result of long-standing efforts, we have come to the point of recruiting a very important player to Galatasaray," Ustunel told the club’s website.
"We have agreed on all issues. He shares our excitement," said Ustunel, describing Kewell as "a great power".
The move to Galatasaray has ended any possibility of Kewell being one of Australia’s three over-age players at the Beijing Olympics.
Socceroos Archie Thompson, David Carney and Jade North are the three over-age players in the 18-man Australian under-23 squad for next month’s Games.
"It’s not easy for him as soon as he signs for a new club to ask for four weeks to go to the Olympics," said Olympics coach Graham Arnold, who played and was an assistant coach at two previous Games.
During his time with Leeds, Kewell played against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000, when he was sent off.
Home-based defender North and Sheffield United wing-back Carney played in Australia’s World Cup qualifiers last month, while Melbourne Victory striker Thompson is recovering from a knee injury.
Arnold overlooked the claims of promising former Adelaide United strike pair, Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns, who have signed for overseas clubs.
"They are only 20 and were pretty much in between Olympic age groups and that made it pretty difficult for them," Arnold said.
North, an Athens Olympian, said: "It is a real honour to be picked to go to Beijing.
"I can’t wait to start training with them and get over there. I really hope to go in and lead by example for the younger players."
After finishing seventh in Athens, North wants to see Australia achieve more this time round, although they are grouped with defending Olympic champions Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia.
"I feel like I have been given another chance and I want to go all the way this time," North said.
Arnold said the three over-age players would bring international experience to the under-23 team in Beijing.
"The three over-age players will bring both attacking flair and strong defence to the team," he said.
The Australian squad contains seven overseas-based players, while defender Mark Milligan and striker James Troisi are currently uncontracted to overseas clubs.
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Atletico sign Pongolle for four seasons
July 4, 2008
MADRID (AFP) - Spanish first division side Atletico Madrid said Thursday it had signed French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle from Recreativo Huelva for four seasons.
The club gave no financial details.
Pongolle, 23, scored 22 goals in his 67 appearances for Recreativo over the past two seasons.
He played for French side Le Havre and English side Liverpool before joining Recreativo.
It is the third signing for Atletico for the upcoming season which will mark the club’s return to the Champions League stage after an 11-year absence.
The club had up until now signed two defenders, John Heitinga from Dutch side Ajax and Tomas Ujfalusi from Italian side Fiorentina.
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