New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said John Terry will remain club captain this season regardless of whether he is on the pitch. Conte was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager in April, when Guus Hiddink was in interim charge and there were significant doubts over Terry's future at the club. The 35-year-old ultimately put pen to paper on a new one-year contract in May but had previously said he would have to accept a "different role" at the club. Conte has finally arrived at Stamford Bridge after having led Italy to the quarterfinals … [Read more...]
Chelsea set to Hijack Joao Mario move
Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario looked set to join the Biscione but now the Premier League side lead the race due to being able to offer the Portuguese club more money . After helping Portugal to Euro 2016 triumph, Joao Mario could be set for a move to Chelsea after the Premier League club moved ahead of Inter in the race to sign the Sporting midfielder. Antonio Conte’s side are now in pole position to sign the Portugal international – as they look to strengthen ahead of a title challenge –with the Premier League club able to offer more money … [Read more...]
Conte eager to set the ball rolling at Chelsea
Antonio Conte says he was “born with pressure” and will remain unfazed by the challenge of leading Chelsea as they seek to recover from a “bad season”. Former Italy boss Conte, speaking English well, expressed his pride and excitement at what awaits with the Blues as he unveiled by the club at a press conference on Thursday. He also acknowledged the challenge ahead at a club which won the 2014-15 Premier League title, but finished a lowly 10th last term. “The pressure for me is not important,” Conte added. “I was born with pressure. … [Read more...]
Christian Benteke ready to fight for Liverpool shirt
Christian Benteke is ready to stay and fight for his place at Liverpool with his future at Anfield still in doubt. Crystal Palace and West Ham United are keen to sign Benteke but Liverpool are at risk of pricing the Belgium striker out of a move by trying to recoup all of the £32.5 million they paid Aston Villa for the player last summer. Neither Palace nor West Ham have been prepared to meet the Merseyside club’s asking price, and with negotiations at an impasse, Benteke is now hoping to force his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s plans , … [Read more...]
Man United make Forbes list top five
Manchester United are the highest-ranked British club in Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams. United, who were at the top of the list in 2011 and 2012, remain in fifth position with a value of $3.32billion (£2.53bn). For the first time since the list’s inception in 2011, a football team is not at the top of the pile with Real Madrid knocked into second after three years at number one. Their place has been taken by NFL franchise Dallas Cowboys. The Texas-based American football side have been listed as … [Read more...]
Antonio Conte takes first Chelsea training session at Cobham
A "very vocal" Antonio Conte took charge of his first training session as Chelsea manager on Wednesday after arriving in London to begin work in his new role. The 46-year-old was pictured touching down in the capital on Tuesday evening before he made his way to Chelsea's training base in Cobham the following morning to put his players through their paces. After a light jogging session, the Chelsea squad were split into two groups to work on their passing, look at their patterns of play and improve their ability to keep the ball - with … [Read more...]
Man Utd squad to be cut to 24 under Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has informed his Manchester United players that he wishes to work with a first-team group of just 24. Mourinho, who used just 22 players when leading Chelsea to the 2014/15 Premier League title, will seek to use a similarly ‘small, tight-knit group’ at Old Trafford. Joe Bernstein claims that the Portuguese will select just 24 players for his first team, and ‘will allow anyone outside that to leave the club or train with the under 21s’. He prefers to work with a smaller group as opposed to a ‘bloated squad with players … [Read more...]
Chelsea to replace Fabregas with Kante as Mourinho shows interest
With new Blues coach Antonio Conte expected to let several players go this summer, Cesc Fabregas could well need to find a new club . With his future at Chelsea uncertain, Cesc Fabregas could be offered a lifeline by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. The pair worked together at Stamford Bridge during the last two campaigns, winning both the Premier League and the Capital One Cup before the Portuguese tactician was sacked for a poor start to last season. New Chelsea boss and former Italy coach Antonio Conte could have a clear out … [Read more...]
Joe Allen set for showdown talks with Jurgen Klopp
As speculation mounts over whether Joe Allen will be offered a new deal or offloaded by Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp says talks are imminent. Joe Allen is set for showdown talks with Jurgen Klopp to decide his Liverpool future. The midfielder is a reported transfer target for the likes of Celtic, where ex-Reds boss Brendan Rodgers took charge in May, and former club Swansea City, as he enters the final year of his current Liverpool deal having put himself firmly in the shop window with his Euro 2016 exploits for Wales. Allen made eight … [Read more...]
Galatasaray offer Wilfried Bony an escape route
Galatasaray have offered Wilfried Bony an escape route from Manchester City after the striker was deemed surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium. The Ivory Coast international has failed to make an impact at the Etihad, scoring just 10 goals in 18 months at the club. The 27-year-old was in superb form at Swansea before his move to Manchester in January 2015 for £28m, netting 35 goals in 70 appearances for the Swans in all competitions. Bony scored just eight goals in 34 appearances for City last season, starting 18 … [Read more...]
Ferguson heaps praise on Ex-United superstar Ronaldo
Alex Ferguson says Cristiano Ronaldo's work ethic makes him the "special" player he is. Cristiano Ronaldo is the "special footballer" of his generation, according to former boss Alex Ferguson. The ex-Manchester United manager was on hand to witness Ronaldo finally convert his phenomenal club success into international honours in Paris on Sunday, as the injured Portugal captain rallied his country from the sidelines to Euro 2016 glory. And the 74-year-old insists that Ronaldo's work rate and hunger - part of the reason he first brought … [Read more...]