Van Gaal Key to win over Spain

ROBIN VAN PERSIE praised Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal for masterminding the team's crushing 5-1 win over reigning world champions Spain. Van Persie scored two goals along with Arjen Robben, while Stefan de Vrij also netted as Spain were humiliated at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.

But Van Persie said the emphatic win was down to the tactics of Van Gaal, his new manager at Manchester United.
"This is definitely down to him," added the 30-year-old.
Spain, who are also the European champions, were humbled and humiliated as the Netherlands came from behind to embarrass their opponents. Van Persie cancelled out Xabi Alonso's penalty with a sublime header before goals by Bayern Munich's Robben and Feyenoord defender De Vrij made it 3-1. Two goals in the space of eight minutes by Van Persie and Robben completed Spain's embarrassment. "If you see how he prepared us, and how he predicted the game would go, and you see how it went - unbelievable," added Van Persie about Van Gaal.

 
 *High flying Dutch players

"For the whole Netherlands, this is a dream come true.''
Van Gaal, who will take over at Old Trafford after the tournament, was delighted with his team's win.

"The Netherlands were sensational, it should have been seven or eight. Some of the performances - Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Daley Blind down that wing, they were absolutely brilliant. I have never seen that Spain back four pulled around as much as they were."

The 62-year-old returned Van Persie's compliment, praising the striker along with the rest of the side.

"With strikers like Van Persie, Robben and Wesley Sneijder behind them, things like this can happen,'' he said.
Van Gaal's side face Australia next on 18 June in Porto Alegre and the former Barcelona boss urged caution despite getting their campaign off to a flying start.
"We don't have anything yet," he added. "We've made a pretty start. If you beat Australia [on Wednesday], then you've made a good start.''
Spain's experienced goalkeeper Iker Casillas says he was responsible for the reigning champions' disastrous defeat.
"I wasn't at the level I needed to be. I have to accept all criticism.
"I didn't do things like I should have, especially to start a World Cup," said Casillas, who was dispossessed by Van Persie for the fourth goal.

Sagna joins Manchester City

Manchester City have announced the signing of Bacary Sagna on a free transfer from Arsenal.

The France international right-back joins the Premier League champions on a three-year contract after confirming on Thursday that he would not renew his deal at the Emirates Stadium.


The defender's future at the Gunners had been in doubt for a long time. As revealed by Goal, talks over a potential renewal began again in earnest in January but an agreement was not quickly forthcoming.






By the start of May, Arsenal feared that Sagna would jump ship to join a Premier League rival at the end of his deal, a concern that grew more real when the 31-year-old told the club that he would not stay beyond the summer.

Sagna joined the likes of Porto midfielder Fernando as City manager Manuel Pellegrini's top targets in the close-season and he opened formal negotiations with his soon-to-be-new side on May 19.
























It leaves Arsene Wenger needing a new option at right-back, with Atletico Madrid's Juanfran and Toulouse star Serge Aurier chief among his considerations for the Frenchman's replacement.

Chelsea complete Fabregas signing

CHELSEA have completed the signing of Barcelona midfielder and former Arsenal star Francesc Fabregas.
Chelsea are believed to have paid £30m for the Spain international, who has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Fabregas scored eight La Liga goals for Barcelona and provided a further 19 assists in 36 appearances last season and thanked the Catalan giants after sealing his move to Stamford Bridge.












Says Fabregas to the club's official website: "Firstly I would like to thank everyone at FC Barcelona where I enjoyed three wonderful years. It was my childhood club and I will always be proud and honoured that I had a chance to play for such a great team.

"I do feel that I have unfinished business in the Premier League and now is the right time to return.

"I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice. They match my footballing ambitions with their hunger and desire to win trophies. They have an amazing squad of players and an incredible manager. I am fully committed to this team and I can't wait to start playing."

Fabregas spent eight years at Arsenal before joining Barcelona