Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is set to miss the start of the season after being named in Nigeria's squad for the Rio Olympics. The 29-year-old has been included in the 18-man squad for the tournament and did not fly with the rest of his Chelsea team-mates to Los Angeles yesterday for their pre-season tour to the USA. Nigeria decided to make Mikel one of the three players aged over 23 that are allowed to participate according to the permitted quota. The men's competition begins on August 3, just 12 days before Chelsea's opening … [Read more...]
Chelsea interested in former Man City and Man United striker
Former Manchester City and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has told reporters in Italy that Chelsea are interested in signing him. As per a report from Corriere dello Sport , the 32-year-old said that Chelsea, along with Serie A club Napoli, have interest in signing him, but he is happy to see out the remainder of his career with Boca Juniours. He said: "I feel really good at Boca, better, my idea, my dream is to end my career in this sensational club. It’s true, Napoli and Chelsea are following me but, I repeat, my will is to … [Read more...]
Villareal not interested in signing former Chelsea striker
Villarreal are set to turn down the opportunity to sign former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato, despite agreeing a fee with current club Corinthians. The Brazilian striker has returned to his homeland after a disappointing six month spell in the Premier League, in which he only made two appearances for Chelsea. Corinthians are keen to get the 26-year-old, who they purchased from Milan in 2013, off their books, particularly as he has less than six months remaining on his contract and would soon be eligible to leave for … [Read more...]
Allardyce: ‘Too early’ to decide captaincy
New England manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he hasn’t decided whether Wayne Rooney will carry on as captain of the national team. Allardyce came up against the English press for the first time since his appointment as the new Three Lions manager on Monday after being handed the reins last week. The former West Ham and Newcastle boss, who succeeds Roy Hodgson in the hotseat, was beaming from ear to ear as he began answering questions after quitting Sunderland to take the job he has coveted for many years. First on the agenda for … [Read more...]
Stoke completes £13m deal for Liverpool’s Allen
Stoke have completed the signing of midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool on a five-year deal, the club has officially announced. The 26-year-old joins the Potters for a fee of £13million, and passed a medical on Monday in order to finalise his move. After impressing for Wales during Euro 2016 and making the Team of the Tournament, Allen was linked with a summer Anfield exit as his playing time would likely be limited. BREAKING | Stoke City are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Allen from @LFC on a 5-year deal #SCFC 8:00 PM - … [Read more...]
Celtic sign Ex Liverpool defender
Celtic have completed the signing of former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure. Toure, 35, has signed a one-year deal and reunites with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic Park. The centre-back, who played in Liverpool's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla in May, was a free agent after the expiry of his contract at Anfield. Celtic delighted to sign Kolo Toure, https://t.co/V9KeK2nCDR (PV) pic.twitter.com/U9a7DZC0mR - Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 24, 2016 Rodgers told Celtic's … [Read more...]
Juventus considering move for Man United defender
With new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho building a team to suit his tactics, Matteo Darmian may be set for a return to Italy, with Juventus contemplating a move. In his first season with the Red Devils, the 26-year-old defender played in 28 Premier League matches but he battled with inconsistent form and injuries, which has prompted Mourinho to place him on the transfer list. Daily Express reports that Darmian is one of a few Manchester United players who will be facing the exit along with fellow defender Marcos Rojo and … [Read more...]
Manchester derby called off due to bad weather
The International Champions Cup match between Premier League rivals Manchester United and Man City has been canceled after recent extreme weather made the playing surface at Beijing's National Stadium unfit for play. Organizers say the decision to call off Monday's match was made in the interests of player safety, and in conjunction with both clubs, the China Football Association and management of the stadium, which was the main venue for the 2008 Olympics. In a statement, International Champions Cup organizers said that ''due to … [Read more...]
Liverpool and Sevilla fined for fans behavior in Europa League final
UEFA has fined Liverpool and Sevilla €16,000 and €17,000 respectively as a result of incidents which marred the Europa League final. Liverpool and Sevilla have been hit with UEFA fines as a result of incidents that took place at the Europa League final on May 18. Jurgen Klopp's side have been fined €16,000 for an "illicit banner and the setting off of fireworks", European football's governing body said in a statement. Sevilla, who triumphed 3-1 at St. Jakob Park to claim a third title in three years, were slapped with a €17,000 fine for … [Read more...]
Nolito: choosing Man City over Barcelona was the best decision
Nolito has revealed he turned down the chance to re-join Spanish champions Barcelona because of his desire to play for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Spain winger signed for City last month after the club activated the £13.8 million release clause in his contract with Celta Vigo. Nolito played just five senior games for Barcelona under Guardiola between 2008 and 2011 before being sold to Benfica. But the 29-year-old insisted the prospect of working for the Catalan again was too good to pass up and said he was keener to do that than … [Read more...]
Ranieri: Leicester City are crying over Kante departure
Claudio Ranieri has admitted that defending Premier League champions Leicester City are “crying” over the loss of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea. Kante, who was one of the standout players on their way to winning the Premier League last season, moved to the Blues for a fee believed to be in the region of £30million last Saturday. Ranieri is convinced Leicester can cope without the French international but admits the club have lost a good player. “Last season we lost Esteban Cambiasso and everybody was crying,” he told reporters after the Foxes … [Read more...]