Gago hints at Boca Juniors return

Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago has expressed his desire to return to Boca Juniors in the summer transfer window.

The Argentine international joined Roma on a season-long loan from Real Madrid last summer with an option to buy, but the Giallorossi appear to be unwilling to make the transfer permanent.

A return to Santiago Bernabeu doesn’t look likely either, and the player is now actively searching for a new club.

Asked whether he would prefer to remain at Roma or return to Real Madrid, Gago gave a very interesting answer.

“Roma or Real Madrid? To tell the truth, I’d like to go back to wearing the Boca Juniors shirt alongside Riquelme!,” the midfielder told Fox Sport Radio.

Gago came through the youth ranks at Boca Juniors and went on to play 70 league games for the senior side before moving to Real Madrid in 2007.

The holding midfielder never quite managed to prove his worth at Santiago Bernabeu and could now return to Boca, a team that are on the road to make this season one of the most successful ever.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/gago-hints-at-boca-juniors-return/95568/

Dempsey maintains Europe dream

Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey has reiterated his desire to play Champions League football sometime in his playing career.

The American signed for Fulham in 2007 from MLS club New England Revolution and enjoyed his most prolific season to date in the 2011-12 season, scoring 23 goals in all competitions.

His blistering form has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham ahead of the off-season transfer window.

Dempsey has one year remaining on his contract and, while speculation surrounding his future continues to circulate, the 29-year-old insisted that he will give his all for his club.

“What I do is focus on the teams that I play for and I give my heart to them, work as hard as I can to try to make the most of my time and make the most of the career that I have left,” he told reporters.

“The transfer window is open until August 31. It’s no secret that I would like to play Champions League one day in my career.

“If it’s meant to be, it will be.”

Dempsey is currently training with the USA squad ahead of Thursday’s friendly with Brazil, and national manager Jurgen Klinsmann has encouraged the forward to look for a bigger club.

“His goal is the right goal,” the coach said last week.

“If he has the opportunity to go a Champions League team, that’s the creme de la creme in the world of club soccer, then you’ve got to do that.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/dempsey-maintains-europe-dream/95532/

Benzema backs fired-up France World Soccer Shop

Karim Benzema says France have a "big desire" to succeed at Euro 2012 this summer and feels Jeremy Menez and Hatem Ben Arfa could be key.

Benzema: Says France have a 'big desire' to succeed at Euro 2012

The Real Madrid frontman started for France as they came from two goals down to beat Iceland 3-2 in a friendly on Sunday night and is expected to lead the line in Poland and Ukraine.

Les Bleus will play two more friendlies, against Serbia and Estonia, before their Euro Group D campaign kicks off against England on June 11.

Benzema insists he is not looking for individual glory at the tournament but feels the current generation of France players could do well if they come together as a team.

"At the Euros, I won't think about trying to be heroic or trying to do the whole job alone. I need all my team-mates to be good on the pitch," Benzema told L'Equipe.

"We all have a big desire, we talked about it and we will talk again. We have a good generation, it is up to us to play."

He added: "Jeremy Menez has had an amazing season, I had a lot of fun watching him playing at PSG. He will be the icing on the cake at the Euros.

"Hatem Ben Arfa is one of the very best in his position. I hope he will keep the same form. I know with him we can play together on the pitch with our eyes closed."

After struggling to settle at Real following his move from Lyon in 2009, Benzema feels he is finally finding his top form and largely credits coach Jose Mourinho for his development.

He added: "Before I left for Real in 2009, I was a hopeful, I was young, I was a little shy.

"Nowadays, I have matured. I am 24 years old, I feel more at ease and calm in front of the media. Physically I have also become more powerful.

"At Madrid I have learnt to cope better in matches of very high pressure, like El Classicos or big Champions League clashes.

"To me the biggest difference between Lyon and Real is the amount of effort you have to put in to make a name for yourself. At Madrid, I am making double the effort than I did in Lyon. I am working like mad."

Mourinho has been critical of Benzema in the past, questioning his attitude and commitment, and the 24-year-old is grateful to the coach for keeping faith in him.

"Since our very first meeting, I saw he will always back me," he said. "I felt he was fond of me, despite what he said later.

"He has never let me go. Even when he didn't play me, or trained me very hard, or when he slammed me in press conferences.

"Mourinho angered me to toughen me up. Finally that work has paid off."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17298/benzema_backs_fired_up_france

Saha hoping for Spurs stay

Everton striker Louis Saha has expressed a desire to stay at Tottenham after his contract ends in the off-season.

The Frenchman spent six months at White Hart Lane after joining on a short-term deal from Everton in the January transfer window.

The 33-year old faces an uncertain future with his parent club, thanks to the blistering form of Nikica Jelavic in his absence.

However, the former Manchester United man, who scored four goals in 11 appearances at Spurs, described working with Harry Redknapp as a particular highlight.

“I cannot say I want to leave,” the striker told The Sun.

“Harry has been good for me personally. What makes him so good is his personality, tactics and the way that he can work and relate to the players.”

The north London outfit were cruelly denied Champions League qualification despite finishing fourth this season, by virtue of Chelsea’s win in the competition’s final against Bayern Munich.

This could curtail their off-season plans and any attempts to keep Emmanuel Adebayor, who spent the season on loan from Manchester City, beyond the summer.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/saha-hoping-for-spurs-stay/95090/

Donovan reiterates Toffees desire World Soccer Shop

American star Landon Donovan has reiterated his desire to return to Everton.

Donovan: Would welcome move back to Everton

The Los Angeles Galaxy forward has enjoyed two memorable spells on loan at Goodison Park.

Donovan has never hidden his love for the Toffees and he has again stressed he would welcome the chance to link-up with Everton once more.

"I would absolutely like to come back. There's no question about that," he told Fifa's website.

"And I know I will be back at some point. Now, whether I'm back as a player or just as a fan, who knows?

"Right now, my focus is obviously on this season and qualifying for the World Cup. It's a big, really important year, and then we'll see what happens.

"I've always said the same thing: I'll see how my body feels, I'll see how I feel mentally, I'll see where the Galaxy are at and what they're okay or not okay with and then we'll make a decision.

"Obviously a big part of it too is whether David Moyes wants me. There is a lot of factors that go into it. I don't see it as a foregone conclusion that 1: I'll be physically okay to go, 2: the Galaxy would let me go, and 3: that Everton would want me. You have to make sure all of those aligned and if it all works out, then it works out and if not, then it doesn't.

"I miss the people. I miss the people a lot. I miss driving to Goodison Park. I miss just the positive energy of the fans walking into the stadium and how much they care about that club and the team.

"And I miss the players a lot. The players are really what made it easiest for me when I first went.

"I'll be forever indebted because with a lot of teams' guys there would be jealousy, they wouldn't be welcoming, and they would do everything they can to not allow you to get on the field in that couple of months.

"And, it was the opposite when I first got there (Everton) and I will always remember that."

Whilst Donovan had an excellent short-term spell, his fellow countryman Clint Dempsey had a landmark campaign with Fulham.

Donovan has hailed Dempsey's efforts, saying: "To be honest, it's almost hard to believe watching it because what's happened is he has become a player that anybody around the world, any nationality, would say 'wow, what an incredible year'.

"And for us as Americans that doesn't happen. You know, we don't have guys in the Premier League that pull off seasons like that.

"So, if he was just Robin van Persie, or Wayne Rooney, or Gareth Bale, or anyone else you'd be in awe of him and you'd say 'what an amazing year'.

"And now he's a guy that we've all had the pleasure of playing with, training with, being around and you see him do it and really it's almost surreal. There's no doubt this is the best season any American has ever put together in football."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16907/donovan_reiterates_toffees_desire