Van der Vaart tips Spain, Brazil as WC favourites

James Rodriguez plans to continue letting his football do the talking when Colombia host Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The Real Madrid playmaker has faced criticism at times this season due to his patchy form in La Liga, while his fitness has also been questioned.

However, James set his club troubles to one side by putting in an impressive showing in Colombia s dramatic 3-2 win in Bolivia last Thursday, scoring the first and providing the second for Carlos Bacca.

And James, Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup, insists he is unperturbed by his critics.

People will always talk. I just try to train every day as hard as I can, he said. 

What people comment outside of the game does not matter to me I just try to work hard and p…

Free-scoring Real Madrid head into Tuesday s UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool knowing a win will see them through to the last 16.

There appears to be no stopping ruthless Real, who have claimed 11 consecutive victories in all competitions ahead of the Group B encounter against Brendan Rodgers side at The Santiago Bernabeu.

Granada were the latest side to feel the force of the European champions stunning form as they were consigned to a 4-0 home defeat on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti s men now sit top of La Liga, after Barcelona were beaten by Celta Vigo, and they also boast a 100 per cent record in Europe s premier club competition.

Real blew Liverpool away with three goals in the first half at Anfield a fortnight ago and there was no way back for …

Paul Pogba has thanked Juventus fans for their support but refused to commit his long-term future to the club.

The France midfielder has enhanced his reputation since joining Juve from Manchester United in 2012.

Pogba s impressive form has led to talk of another move, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid linked with a bid for the 21-year-old.

With Pogba under contract until 2016, he is in no rush to sign a new deal and, despite being grateful for the backing shown to him by Juve fans, the former United man is offering no assurances that he will remain in Turin.

He told Sky Sport Italia: It makes me happy that the fans sing, Don t sell Pogba ,

It gives me so much of a buzz when I go on to the field.

It gives me an even greater desire …

Chelsea have agreed terms with Fluminense to sign Wallace in the January transfer window, with the fullback to move in the off-season.

The 18-year-old defender is a former Brazil Under-17 international and moves to Stamford Bridge for an undisclosed fee, joining fellow Brazilian youngsters Lucas Piazon and Oscar.

An attack-minded right-back with pace, Wallace has played only 18 league games for the Brazilian side, having made his senior debut earlier in 2012.

However, he has already won three trophies with his club and starred for his country in the South American Under-17s Championship in 2011.

Joining Fluminense in 2005, Wallace has already drawn comparisons to another full-back produced by the club, Real Madrid s Marcelo.

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Garry Monk has signed a three-year deal to become Swansea City first-team manager on a permanent basis.

The 35-year-old has been head coach at the Liberty Stadium since Michael Laudrup was relieved of his duties in February, guiding the club to safety with four wins from his 13 Premier League games in charge.

After beginning his reign with a 3-0 victory over fierce rivals Cardiff City, Monk then failed to mastermind a win in the next nine matches in all competitions.

But at the end of last month they secured back-to-back league victories against Newcastle United and Aston Villa for the first time since December 2012 to guarantee top-flight survival.

Monk, who spent a decade at Swansea as a player, can now turn his attentions to planning for next season after bein…

Striker Mario Balotelli will face Manchester City at a Premier League tribunal on Wednesday.

The controversial Italian has decided to appeal City s decision to fine him two weeks wages for his poor disciplinary record in the 2011-12 season.

City initially took the action in April after the Italy international was dismissed in the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Balotelli chose to appeal the punishment but the penalty was upheld by a panel made up of City board members. A fine of two weeks wages is the maximum a club can hand out.

Now, the 22-year-old will face a Premier League panel. Reports indicate he will be joined by his Italian lawyer and a representative from the Professional Footballers Association, while City will be represent…

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has claimed that Chelsea showed an interest in signing Andre Schurrle last year.

The 21-year-old joined Leverkusen from Mainz in 2011, but had already confirmed his move to the Werkself in September 2010.

Schurrle was recently linked with a move to Chelsea again, with The Telegraph claiming that the Blues are ready to pay 19 million euros for the Germany international. However, Voller has insisted that the forward is going nowhere.

It s true. There was interest from England last year. It s obvious that clubs keep asking us about Andre, Voller told Express.

We are not letting go of him, though. He has only been playing here for a year now. We want to enjoy him a bit longer.

Schurrle has a contract…

Huddersfield Town have extended their deal to loan Jermaine Beckford from Leicester City until the end of the season.

The striker joined the Terriers on a 93-day emergency loan in September and has scored three goals in eight appearances since, though he will not be able to add to that tally when the two teams face each other on January 1.

I think people have seen what he can bring to this football club, manager Simon Grayson told Huddersfield s official website.

He has a real hunger and desire to succeed here and do well for us.

Since winning the League One playoffs in 2011-12, Huddersfield have propelled themselves to 15th in the Championship table at Christmas.

Beckford s three goals make him the club s joint-second-top scorer, with Adam Cl…

West Ham United secured an immediate return to the English Premier League after a 2-1 play-off victory over Blackpool at Wembley Stadium.

Ricardo Vaz Te fired the Hammers into the lead with three minutes to play on Saturday, following Blackpool s equaliser shortly after half-time.

Vaz Te s goal secured a narrow win in a match between two teams relegated last season, and earned West Ham a multi-million pound promotion back to England s top flight from the Championship.

Carlton Cole scored the opener for West Ham and he played a big part in the winner, knocking the ball into the path of the onrushing Vaz Te, who lashed his finish into the roof of the net.

Blackpool were the better side for much of the match but could not transfer their second-half dominanc…

Zenit St Petersburg may be on their way back after a convincing 1-4 victory at FK Khimki. Star player Andrei Arshavin scored the final goal.

Ziryanov needed 27 minutes to put the UEFA Cup winners ahead in Khimki, and Anyukov doubled the gap just three minutes later.

Blatnjak got one back for the home side in the 81st minute but FK Khimki knew things would get difficult when Trivunovic conceded a second yellow card with seven minutes left.

Zenit knew how to take advantage of this situation and netted a third through Faizulin.

Andrei Arshavin finished it off in style in the 90th minute and once again shows Europe why his value has increased significantly since Euro 2008.

Zenit currently occupy the eleventh spot in the Russian Premier League, but di…