Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has denied media reports that he donated $30,000 to assist his cash-strapped teammates in the country's Olympics team. The Nigeria under-23 squad, together with select overage players like Mikel, are training in Atlanta ahead of next month's Olympics in Brazil. Reports on Thursday claimed that Mikel had pitched in with the money to assist the team, but the Chelsea midfielder said there was no truth to them. "I was first told of this story by a friend who called me from Nigeria," Mikel said from camp at … [Read more...]
massive clear-out as Mourinho set to axe nine players from United Squad
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is believed to be set for a clear-out, with up to nine players reportedly on their way out of Old Trafford. Several national newspapers have suggested Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be the highest profile victim, a little more than a year after he joined the Premier League club from Bayern Munich. The 31-year-old moved from Bayern to United last summer for a fee of arounnd £6.5million, signing a three-year deal, but he made only 13 Premier League starts. His last appearance for … [Read more...]
Arsenal defeat MLS All-stars with late goal in San Jose
The MLS All-Stars went down to Chuba Akpom's 87th-minute goal, after Didier Drogba cancelled out Joel Campbell's opener. Substitute Chuba Akpom netted a late match-winner as Arsenal saw off the MLS All-Stars 2-1 in San Jose on Thursday. Akpom came off the bench past the hour-mark and he proved to be the difference, scoring from close range with three minutes remaining after big-money recruit Granit Xhaka made his debut for the Premier League giants at Avaya Stadium. Scores were level at half-time following Didier Drogba's equaliser at … [Read more...]
Sturridge feeling fresh as striker admits intense preseason ever
Daniel Sturridge has never experienced a pre-season as intense as Liverpool's first under Jurgen Klopp - but he has relished the work. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says pre-season under Jurgen Klopp has been the most intense he has ever experienced. Klopp has been conducting repeated, high-intensity training drills during his side's stay in the United States, in between International Champions Cup matches with Chelsea and AC Milan. Sturridge struggled to stay fit for large spells of last season, but enjoyed a strong run of form in … [Read more...]
Cech: Arsenal shouldn’t buy for the sake of spending
Petr Cech has defended Arsenal’s transfer policy, claiming that there is little point the Gunners buying players they do not need. The Gunners have once again brought in just one senior player, with midfielder Granit Xhaka joining earlier in the summer for £30m. Arsenal fans have once again derided their club’s lack of transfer activity but goalkeeper Cech agrees with the ‘philosophy’ of the club. Cech said “I think you need to be buy players you need, you need to buy players that will improve the team and not to buy players just for … [Read more...]
Liverpool misfit rejects Besiktas move
Besiktas president Fikret Orman claimed yesterday the Turkish club were closing in on a deal for Mario Balotelli and the Liverpool striker was keen on the move. "Mario Balotelli is the type of footballer that our fans can associate themselves with," Orman told Turkish magazine Fanatik. "In short, we want Mario Balotelli and he wants us too." However, reports in Turkish newspaper Sabah claim the 25-year-old has now turned down a move to the Istanbul-based club. The report says Balotelli told his agent Mino Raiola to inform Besiktas of … [Read more...]
Man City drops interest in Bonucci as club open Stones talks
Manchester City’s pursuit of Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci could be all but over after it emerged that the Citizens have opened talks with Everton over the transfer of John Stones. Despite only assuming the role at the start of the summer, new City boss Pep Guardiola has immediately prioritised defensive reinforcements, with his search for a ball-playing centre-back who is able to start attacks, leading him to Bonucci and the Everton youngster. Last month, a bid of €60 million was immediately knocked back by the Bianconeri for their … [Read more...]
Guardiola gets first win as Man City beat Dortmund in shoot-out
Sergio Aguero scored the first goal of the new Pep Guardiola era but he needed penalties to see his first win as Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund in the International Champions Cup. Argentina striker Aguero came on as a half-time substitute to put City ahead in the 78th minute before Christian Pulisic scored with virtually the last kick of the game to send the match to penalties. Academy keeper Angus Gunn then became the hero -- saving three spot-kicks as City won 6-5 on penalties. It was just City's second game of preseason -- … [Read more...]
Inter Milan to make improve offer for Liverpool target
Liverpool and Chelsea are among four clubs to have had bids rejected for in-demand Portugal midfielder Joao Mario with Inter Milan set to make another move. The player’s father yesterday claimed in the Portuguese paper Diario de Noticias that both Liverpool and Inter had seen offers rejected for the 23-year-old. And now the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian has confirmed those reports. “A European champion must be rewarded,” he said. “From now on, we either discuss a new contract or the sale to another club. “Sporting received four … [Read more...]
Arsenal linked with a move for Juventus striker
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic just a year after he joined Juventus. The Old Lady have signed Gonzalo Higuain for £75m and Italian reports suggest that they will now sell either Mandzukic of Simone Zaza. Gazzetta credit Arsenal, West Ham and Watford with interest in the 30-year-old who scored ten Serie A goals last season descpite starting only 24 games. The Croatian is valued at around £18m in Italy. He said in May: “I am very happy here and I feel extraordinary. I had bad luck with injuries, … [Read more...]
Diego Costa hints at Chelsea exit
The biggest story for Chelsea on Thursday may turn out to be an Instagram post from Diego Costa, which many fans interpreted as a goodbye message, rather than their 1-0 friendly win over Liverpool. Although the Spain striker didn’t play a single minute of the victory in the International Champions Cup, he posed with some Chelsea teammates in the dressing room after the match at the Pasadena Rose Bowl and hinted at an exit with the caption of his photo. “Thank you very much for all my friends,” he posted, offering an unusual amount … [Read more...]