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Marco Fabian’s Gold Cup mission

Marco Fabian won gold last summer in London but needs a solid Gold Cup to work his way back into Mexico´s first team mix.
Chivas forward Marco Fabian has been talked about as one of the most talented players of his generation in Mexico for some time, but the hype hasn´t been matched by consistency on the field for club and country.

It´s been stop-start career for the popular 23-year-old, who debuted for Chivas in November 2007 and started to get regular playing time before the now 25-year-old Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez was being considered on a consistent basis.

But whereas Hernandez has gone on to prove himself at an elite level of the world game with Manchester United and is the main man in Mexico´s national team, Fabian has been left behind at Chivas and is scrambling for a place in El Tri´s full squad.

Injuries have taken their toll. Last season with Chivas, Fabian was hitting some form, scoring four goals in the first eight games of the Apertura, and helping to maintain the Rebano Sagrado in the playoff fight. It is no coincidence that when he picked up a right ankle injury, the Guadalajara club started to slide and ended up down in 17th place in the final league standings.

But aside from the odd spark, Fabian´s post-Olympic gold medal career has been a letdown, with his dream European move not materializing and the Guadalajara native falling from the mind of Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre.

The forward has to see the Gold Cup as a springboard to greater things as he enters what could well be the defining year of his career. The continental competition is followed by an important season for Chivas, who need to improve rapidly after last season´s disaster. Then come the World Cup qualifiers as we approach the homestretch of the CONCACAF hexagonal. Topping it all off is the competition every player wants to feature in, the World Cup.

If the next 12 months don´t go well, the talent that many predicted would light up the European stage could go to waste. Fabian needs to play in the World Cup and make an impact to get big European clubs that can pay his huge transfer fee interested.

The way he has been talking recently, Fabian knows that.

"I´ve realized that the first thing is to be healthy, strong and good physically to be able to show myself 100 percent on the field," said the player who has unfortunately got a reputation in Mexico for his night-time "outings" away from the field.

On the other hand, it could be the year that makes Fabian. The Gold Cup offers the initial impulse to stop the rot. Fabian will be charged with pulling the strings for El Tri -- admittedly against weakened opposition -- and bring the Mexican federation some joy after a summer filled with disappointments.

With his talent not in doubt, a good Gold Cup and a bright start to the season for Chivas could well have Chepo thinking about immediately giving Fabian minutes in the full national team.

Sometimes statistics really do tell the full story and that is the case with Mexico´s failure to find the net. Nine goals in 12 matches this year tells you all you need to know: El Tri´s attack isn´t firing.

With Giovani Dos Santos looking good against Brazil and Japan in the problematic right wing position, Fabian could slot in as the number 10 behind Chicharito. He could also swap in-game with both Andres Guardado and Dos Santos to utilize his versatility as part of a fluid attacking unit.

The spot is open, but it won´t have escaped Fabian´s attention that Tigres captain Lucas Lobos has now gained Mexican citizenship. One of the best performers in the Liga MX over recent years, the 31-year-old Lobos plays with the consistency that Fabian lacks and will undoubtedly be of interest to De la Torre.

It´s a make or break year for Fabian and the first positive step he needs to make is shining at the Gold Cup.

Dos Santos in demand

Real Mallorca vice president Llorenzo Serra Ferrer claims there are "six or seven teams" interested in Giovani dos Santos.

The Mexico international signed a four-year deal in August 2012 at the Spanish side after finding his opportunities at Premier League club Tottenham limited.

Dos Santos, 24, featured on 29 occasions for the side in La Liga last season but was unable to prevent them from being relegated.

That has opened up the possibility of a transfer away from the Iberostar Stadium for the former Barcelona attacker.

"With Giovani we have six or seven interested, without exaggeration," Ferrer told AS.

"Some have made offers but have so far failed to interest the player. Others are yet to put their offers in.

"We listen and value it. LA Galaxy, Rubin Kazan, CSKA Moscow and, in Spain, teams like Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis are interested."

Ferrer also said the club are looking to tie-up a permanent deal for Scottish full-back Alan Hutton, who spent the second part of last season on loan from Aston Villa.

"As for Hutton, he would not mind continuing and we have put a proposal forward for his continuation," he added.

Aldair tips Neymar to lead Brazil to World Cup success

Former Brazil star Aldair expects Neymar to lead Brazil to more than just the Confederations Cup win and has his sights on next year’s World Cup

The former Seleção defender believes Brazil can go all the way when the World Cup is played on home soil next year.

He told Gulf News: “Neymar has shown what he is capable of during the final of the Confederations Cup last week. Time and again, he tore through the Spanish defence with his clever thinking and Brazil ultimately won against the defending champions quite easily.

“I expect a lot more from this team as they will be playing at home before fans who adore the game. There is still one more year to go and that is time enough for the team to evolve and become better than what we saw last Sunday,” he added.

The next 12 months will also be crucial for Brazil and Neymar, who is seen as a vital part of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s scheme of things as the 21-year-old heads to Europe to complete a formidable line-up with Lionel Messi.

Aldair said: “I have a feeling that next year will be his [Neymar] World Cup. He’s a talented player and the great Pele admits this as well. With one season with the European style alongside players such as Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, I can only see Neymar get better and deliver a record sixth World Cup for Brazil.

“No doubt the next few months are going to be very crucial for him as it will be a great learning curve about all things European. He’s going to be stepping out of his comfort zone and it will be important for him and for Brazil to see how he can adapt and become better.”

The 1994 World Cup winner admits there will be pressure on the Seleção to perform next year but believes the team can thrive off support from the Brazilian fans,

He said: “Yes there will be pressure for sure on Brazil to win at home where fans can be quite unforgiving when it comes to football. But that is because our fans are very passionate. But if we start doing things well from the start then the fans will be there to back us all the way to win the Cup."

Roma reject new Marquinhos bids

Roma are continuing to resist any offers for Brazilian defender Marquinhos despite increased offers of €25 million from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

The 19-year-old defender was snapped up a year ago from Corinthians for around €1m plus an option to buy him outright for a further €4m.

Barcelona and the French champions have made no secret of their interest in the centre-back, but Roma repeatedly turned down all proposals, including these recent lucrative offers.

According to Sky Sport Italia and the Corriere dello Sport today, Tito Vilanova’s men and PSG both raised their offers to €25m this week.

However, the Giallorossi’s American owners are still refusing to even consider them, reports Football Espana.

The highly-rated defender has 14 caps for the Seleção at youth level but if yet to make a senior international appearance and last month publicly stated his desire to stay at Roma.

PSG president: Thiago Silva is priceless

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reiterated the club’s desire to keep hold of Brazilian defender Thiago Silva.

The centre-back is increasingly being linked to a summer move and is reportedly the subject of interest and even an offer from Barcelona.

However, his current employers have once more tried to make clear that they do not intend to sell the Seleção captain, who they bought 12 months ago from Milan for €42m, reports Football Espana.

Al-Khelaifi stated to Le Parisien: “Thiago Silva is one of the best players at PSG.

“He is going to continue with us next season.

“He is one of the pillars of the team and gives a lot to the club.

“Thiago Silva is priceless. For all of these reasons, he will stay with us.”

Silva made 22 appearances in his first season in France and led the club to the Ligue 1 title.

Referee beheaded after killing player during amateur match in Brazil

A referee was allegedly beheaded by fans at an amateur football match in Brazil after he killed one of the players.

According to reports in Brazil, referee Otavio Jordao da Silva, 20, fatally stabbed footballer Josenir dos Santos Abreu, 30, during a match in Maranhao, Brazil, last Sunday.

Dos Santos Abreu is believed to have argued and then struck the referee after being unhappy at the official’s decision, prompting Jordao da Silva to attack him with a knife in retaliation, reports Eurosport.

Outraged by the incident, a group of spectators then stormed the pitch and decided to inflict a gruesome revenge on the referee.

Jordao da Silva was reportedly tied up, beaten, stoned and quartered, before the group put his head on a stake and planted it in the middle of the pitch.

Luiz Moraes de Souza, 27, has been arrested over the incident and has admitted to assaulting the referee but denies killing him.

Police are searching for two more suspects, while video evidence captured on a mobile phone is being examined.

In a statement, the regional delegate of Santa Ines, Valter Costa, who is looking after the case, said: "One crime never justifies another crime. Actions likes this do not collaborate with the legality of state law."

Barcelona increase Marquinhos offer - reports

Barcelona seem determined to sign Marquinhos from Roma and have reportedly increased their offer to €32 million.

The Spanish giants’ interest in the Brazilian centre-back is well known and it appears that they are in a bidding war with PSG for his signature.

It was reported earlier today that the two clubs had raised their bids to €25m, but it was still not enough to tempt Roma into a sale.

And according to Sky Sport Italia this afternoon, Barca have stepped it up again with a huge proposal worth a reported €32m, reports Football Italia.

It would be incredible business for the Roma, who signed the 19-year-old from Corinthians for a total of just €5m.

There are also reports that Marquinhos´ agent is in Spain to discuss terms with the Liga champions.

Néstor Gorosito renunció a Tigre

BUENOS AIRES -- Néstor Gorosito renunció el sábado a la dirección técnica de Tigre por diferencias con la dirigencia del club.
Jorge Borelli, ayudante de campo de Gorosito, le comunicó al plantel la noticia luego de la práctica del sábado.

Gorosito se encuentra en Austria, donde participará de los festejos por el centenario del club Tirol (jugó allí en 1989), y tiene previsto regresar al país el martes, lo que molestó a los dirigentes pues la pretemporada comenzó el viernes.

Racing: quieren a Vargas y a Quilez

BUENOS AIRES -- Racing Club avanzó para lograr la contratación del mediocampista colombiano Fabián Vargas, desvinculado de Independiente, y quedó cerca de un acuerdo con el marcador lateral Ismael Quilez, ex Quilmes y Colón de Santa Fe.

"La reunión por Vargas fue muy buena y la semana que viene habrá novedades", aseguró hoy el vicepresidente segundo, Víctor Blanco, después de la entrevista con el representante del jugador, Daniel Comba.

Antes del encuentro, el vicepresidente primero, Rodolfo Molina, había prometido "acomodar" la propuesta del club a las "intenciones del jugador", que descendió con Independiente pero quiere seguir en primera división para mantener las chances de jugar el próximo Mundial Brasil 2014.

"En estos tiempos modernos, sólo los nacidos en un club estarían mal vistos. Pero Vargas no es de las inferiores de Independiente", explicó Molina sobre un eventual cambio de vereda en Avellaneda.

Por otra parte, quedó cerca de concretarse la llegada de Quilez, lateral derecho de 23 años, ante la posible partida de Iván Pillud, que es pretendido por River Plate.

Además, sigue en curso la negociación por el delantero uruguayo de Lanús, Mario Regueiro.

En cuanto a las ventas, aparte de la probable salida de Pillud, Racing analiza dos ofertas por el mediocampista Luis Fariña: una de Emiratos Arabes y otra de Portugal.

Por último, Molina reconoció que el defensor Matías Cahais "tiene avanzadas las negociaciones" para sumarse al Verona de Italia la próxima temporada.

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