The experienced central midfielder resisted the urge to set a target for the Giallorossi following last term’s relative disappointments.

Daniele De Rossi believes Roma failed to improve last season as they finished 17 points adrift of Scudetto winners Juventus.

Rudi Garcia guided the Giallorossi to a second successive runners-up spot, but the mood at the Stadio Olimpico was comparatively negative compared to 12 months earlier.

Whereas in 2013-14 they were surprise title contenders, last season they were breathing down Juve’s neck at the winter break before a string of draws saw them drop out of the running and almost finish behind local rivals Lazio.

Roma are among the favourites to end Juve’s four-season Scudetti streak but De Rossi is only focused on performances and not any pre-determined targets.

“To talk about objectives now would be to take advantage of me and I’ve had enough,” the central midfielder told reporters ahead of Roma’s International Champions Cup clash with Manchester City on Tuesday.

“Now the important thing is to play to win. Last year we tried to improve, it didn’t happen, but we achieved a great final result.

“We’re working to take the next step. It’s a high wall in front of us, but we’re working seriously.

“I’m very happy with how I’ve found the team and I get along very well with the coach and my team-mates.”

Source Goal

Dutch international striker Robin Van Persie was on Sunday (Jul 12) given a hero’s welcome by fans as he arrived in Istanbul to join Turkish football giants Fenerbahce on an eagerly-awaited transfer from Manchester United.

Van Persie landed at Sabiha Gokcen airport the Asian side of Istanbul after flying in on a private jet and was given a typically raucous reception by hundreds of supporters clad in the yellow and navy blue colours of the club.

Accompanied by his wife Bouchra Elbali and their two children, he walked out of the airport into a cacophony of chanting from supporters, with the air thick with the smoke from flares lit by the fans. Apparently unfazed by the scenes, he squeezed his way though the crowds of fans and photographers to begin his new life in Turkey.

In a sign of his importance for the club, his entire arrival was covered live on the club’s in house TV channel Fenerbahce TV, including even the landing of the plane and passport control.

‘AN HONOUR’

“I have seen a lot over the years but I have never seen anything like this,” Van Persie told the supporters. “I hope that I’m going to make you happy … it’s an honour.”

Before leaving Manchester airport, Van Persie had posted pictures on social media of himself, already wearing a Fenerbahce scarf, and his family waving goodbye on the tarmac and also one of him at the controls of the plane.

Fenerbahce’s chairman Aziz Yildirim had on Saturday announced the transfer of Van Persie was a done deal and, according to Turkish press reports, his formal signing ceremony is expected on Monday.

Fenerbahce – runners up to hated Istanbul rivals Galatasaray last season in the championship – have gone on a spending spree in a bid to dominate the Super Lig and be a real contender in Europe.

Earlier this week, Fenerbahce signed Portuguese star Nani also from United for €6 million (US$6.7 million) and in June bought Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer from French side Lille. According to press reports, Van Persie’s transfer fee will be €4.7 million (US$5.2 million).

Van Persie, 31, made 105 appearances and scored 58 goals during his three years at Manchester United from August 2012. But his last season was marred by an ankle ligament injury and speculation of tension between himself and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who had guided Van Persie and his countrymen to third place in the World Cup.

In Turkey, Van Persie will be lining up against another fellow member of the Netherlands’ so-called “golden generation”, Wesley Sneijder, who plays for arch rivals Galatasaray.

Fenerbahce’s flurry of transfer market activity is being masterminded by its well-respected new Italian sporting director Giuliano Terraneo who arrived in May on a mission to make the club a European football force. The club’s new manager this season is the Portuguese Vitor Pereira, a former Porto and Olympiacos coach.

Turkish press reports said van Persie may not represent the end of Fenerbahce’s ambition, with the club eyeing Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Ramires and even van Persie’s fellow countryman Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich.

Source AFP

Sunderland have signed French defender Younes Kaboul from Tottenham, the Premier League club announced on (Jul 16).

Kaboul put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Dick Advocaat’s side after the Black Cats agreed a fee reported to be around £3 million.

“I’m delighted to be a Sunderland player and it’s an honour to join this club. I would like to thank (sporting director) Lee Congerton and the head coach for making this move possible, and I can’t wait to start playing for theSunderland supporters,” Kaboul said.

Kaboul’s positive comments about his move to the Stadium of Light are a stark contrast to the quotes attributed to his agent when he was first linked with a switch to Sunderland way back in 2008.

“Younes would not join Sunderland – even if there was an earthquake,” Rudy Raba said. “We’ve much more interesting options. No disrespect, but playing at Sunderland would not help his international career.”

Having made a seismic change in his views about Sunderland, Kaboul becomes Advocaat’s fourth signing of the transfer window following deals for Sebastian Coates, Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens.

“He is a very experienced player, which is what we need. He has shown that in his time at Spurs and he will be a very good addition to our squad,” Advocaat said.

The 29-year-old centre-back began his career with Auxerre, joined Tottenham in 2007, then moved to Portsmouth before returning to White Hart Lane in 2010. He felt out of favour with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino last season and opted to join Sunderland in search of regular first team action.

Source AFP