Falcao wants to play in another league, admits Atletico president

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is aware of star player Radamel Falcao’s desire to play in another league at some point, but is confident of holding on to the prolific striker for the foreseeable future.

The Colombia international has been constantly linked with a move away from the club, and Chelsea have already opened informal talks to sign the attacker, as Goal.com exclusively revealed earlier this month.

“He tells me he is very happy here and that he wants to honour his contract but one day, we don’t know when, he would like to try out another league,” he told Cuatro.

“I know that day will come, but it won’t be anytime soon. I can say that he has told me personally that he loves being at this club.

“He is the best No.9 in the world at the moment. He is also a lovely, kind guy, and he never loses his temper.”

Falcao’s contract with Atletico runs until June 2016.

Wenger's confirmation of Zaha interest angers Crystal Palace boss Holloway

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has criticised Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after he openly admitting to being interested in signing Wilfried Zaha.

The Frenchman confirmed on Tuesday that the highly rated England international is among the targets being considered by the north London club.

Palace chairman Steve Parish insisted that the Championship side are yet to receive any bids for Zaha and have no intention of selling their star assest, but Holloway has slammed his counterpart’s remarks for his role in continuing the speculation over Zaha’s future.

“Why is he talking about my players? It’s not the game,” Holloway told The Sun.

“I will be picking the phone up to talk to him as I don’t think it is right and proper with the greatest respect. That is totally bad etiquette.”

With the Eagles currently second in the Championship, a point behind league leaders Cardiff City, Holloway maintains that the 20-year-old forward has a key role still left to play in their promotion push this term, dismissing the suggestion that the club would consider selling him in January as a result.

He added: “Wilf is a big part of our season – and we have such a strong contract others can go and whistle. He won’t be available, no matter what the price is, in January.”

River Plate coach Matias Almeyda leaves his role by mutual consent

Matías Almeyda, River, Torneo Inicial 2012

Matías Almeyda deja River / Getty

Matias Almeyda announced that he has been sacked by River Plate and will leave his position after the league game against Lanus.

The 38-year-old oversaw the club’s immediate return to the top flight after their relegation in 2011, but their current league position of ninth with two rounds of games left has apparently forced the club’s management to act and show their trainer the door.

“My time as a River Plate coach is over,” Almeyda said at a press conference following training on Thursday.

“I’ve left a big part of me in this club during the last few months. I’m spent.

“I’m not going to throw a smoke bomb by saying bad things about anybody. I’m not one of those people who set fire to the place before leaving,” he said.

“River Plate are bigger than any of us and from now on, I’ll be the first to support them.”

Although Almeyda stopped short of apportioning blame to anyone for the disappointing campaign, he disclosed his clear disgust for unnamed senior figures within Argentine football.

“I have met with Juan Sebastian Veron and we’ve got a lot of great ideas to improve the overall state of Argentine football. We have to help each other out and we have to take the masks off the hypocrites that hurt our game.”

River Plate sack coach Matias Almeyda

Matías Almeyda, River, Torneo Inicial 2012

Matías Almeyda deja River / Getty

Matias Almeyda announced that he has been sacked by River Plate and will leave his position after the league game against Lanus.

The 38-year-old oversaw the club’s immediate return to the top flight after their relegation in 2011, but their current league position of ninth with two rounds of games left has apparently forced the club’s management to act and show their trainer the door.

“My time as a River Plate manager is over”, Almeyda said at a press conference following training on Thursday.

“I’ve left a big part of me in this club during the last few months. I’m spent.

“I’m not going to throw a smoke bomb by saying bad things about anybody. I’m not one of those people who sets fire to the place before leaving,” he said.

“River Plate are bigger than any of us and from now on, I’ll be the first to support them.”

Although Almeyda stopped short of apportioning blame to any one person or cause for the disappointing campaign, he disclosed his clear disgust for unnamed senior figures within Argentine football.

“I have met with Juan Sebastian Veron and we’ve got a lot of great ideas to improve the overall state of Argentine football. We have to help each other out and we have to take the masks off the hypocrites that hurt our game.”

Fluminense's Wallace confirms imminent Chelsea move

Wallace - Fluminense

Nelson Perez/Fluminense FC

Fluminense right-back Wallace has revealed that a move to Champions League holders Chelsea is imminent.

The 18-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for some time after the club reportedly agreed a first-refusal deal with his club and with other sides interested, Chelsea appear to have got their man.

Juventus and Napoli had been touted as possible destinations for the attack minded full-back, but the strong presence of Brazilians at Stamford Bridge seems to have had an influence on his impending move.

Speaking to Fox Sports Brasil, Wallace said: “It’s always helpful having Brazilian team-mates playing alongside you, as they normally are settled down, so they can give you some advice and this is important, even regarding language.

“Now that I’m moving to London I’ll have to learn some English but they are used to this and they will surely help me a lot.

“I used to follow the Spanish league and its big clubs like Real Madrid but now as I’m moving to Chelsea I’m following the club more closely, especially after the Champions League title.

“I watch Chelsea games whenever I can, sometimes I can’t watch because I’m playing or concentrated with my team, but I don’t miss a chance to see them playing on TV.”