KELECHI IHEANACHO has risked the wrath of Pep Guardiola by declaring he wants to represent Nigeria at the Olympics. The striker, who netted 14 goals for City last season, is now set to miss the start of new season by going to the Games The 19 year old Nigerian was included in his country’s 35–man provisional squad early last month. But it was then made clear to him that Guardiola – presented on Sunday to the club’s fans at the City Football Academy – wanted him to remain and start work with him. But Iheanacho, who was last season’s … [Read more...]
Guardiola: City players more important than Man United boss
Guardiola is set to resume his bitter and long-running rivalry with Mourinho, who starts his job as manager at neighbours Manchester United today. City’s new boss has been busy reshaping his squad and his backroom team at the Etihad Stadium, naming retired Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta as one of four assistant coaches yesterday – as we revealed he would in February. And Guardiola is adamant he will not be dragged into public disputes with his arch-rival across Manchester. “The most important thing in football is that people don’t come … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Giroud nets twice as France thrash Iceland to book semi-finals ticket
It is France who will face Germany on Thursday for a place in the final of Euro 2016 after giving Iceland’s underdogs a chasing. In the process, England’s humiliation was finally complete. Just when Roy Hodgson thought an ignominious week could not get any worse, the sight of the hosts, all pizzazz and panache, ripping England’s conquerors apart provided a depressing denouement and a lesson in how to prevail. Didier Deschamps had the luxury of spending the entirety of the second half, his side already 4-0 to the good, pondering how to … [Read more...]
Manchester United close in on Hirving Lozano
Manchester United appear to be closing in on the signing of 20-year-old Mexico international Hirving Lozano, according to reports. The Red Devils are understood to have been scouting the player for months , and Pachuca’s vice-president claimed the club is in talks to sign Lozano. “Already there is negotiations with that team [United]? Yes,” Andre Fassi told ESPN. “There is still nothing closed though.” Now Lozano’s father-in-law has claimed the Mexico international will head to Manchester after Mexico compete to retain their Olympic … [Read more...]
Batshuayi joins Chelsea from Marseille
Despite being a target for Juventus, Michy Batshuayi becomes Antonio Conte’s first signing as Chelsea coach, with the former Marseille striker signing a five-year deal with the Blues . Chelsea have won the race to sign highly rated striker Michy Batshuayi from Marseille, fending off interest from a host of European clubs. The Belgian international will link up with his new teammates once he returns from his post- Euro 2016 break, having helped the Red Devils to a quarter-final spot. A stellar season at the Stade Velodrome had seen the … [Read more...]
Leicester sign Nampalys Mendy as N’Golo Kante nears Chelsea switch
Claudio Ranieri has splashed out £13million to sign the highly-rated midfielder – beating the Foxes previous record of £9million for Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric. Mendy’s arrival will be viewed by many as Leicester doing their business to clear the way for star midfielder N’Golo Kante to leave the club. The French ace, currently starring for his country at Euro 2016, is wanted by a string of Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG. Kante – who cost Leicester £5.6million from Caen last summer – … [Read more...]
Mikel Arteta confirms retirement set to join Man City as assistant coach
MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed his retirement to join Manchester City as assistant coach. In a statement on his Twitter account, the Spaniard admitted the chance to link up with Guardiola was 'amazing' He said: "I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal and retiring from playing to take up a coaching position at Manchester City. "I’ve enjoyed an amazing five years at Arsenal and it’s been an honour and a privilege to captain such a great club. I would like to personally thank the manager, board, all of my teammates and, of course, the … [Read more...]
Arsenal sign Japanese striker Asano
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Japanese striker Takumo Asano, with Arsene Wenger calling the 21-year-old a promising prospect for the future. Arsenal announced the deal on their official website, saying the agreement with Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima is still subject to the completion of a medical and "regulatory processes." However, Asano is unlikely to play a major role at the Emirates next season, with Wenger saying he still needs time to develop. "Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future," Wenger … [Read more...]
Radamel Falcao: Expensive mistake for Chelsea
Radamel Falcao’s woeful campaign at Chelsea has become even more difficult to swallow for the Blues, after stats revealed just how costly a failure the Colombian was at Stamford Bridge. The Blues confirmed on Friday that Falcao, Alexandre Pato and squad goalkeeper Marco Amelia will all leave Stamford after failing to make an impact at the club. Colombian Falcao – once regarded as one of the world’s top strikers – struggled during a spell with Manchester United in 2014/15 – but his stats at Old Trafford were nothing compared to the … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Zlatan needs no introduction
Jose Mourinho has spoken for the first time about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival at Manchester United. Ibrahimovic has signed a one-year contract at United, which also contains an option to extend it for a further year. Aged 34, there are doubts as to whether the striker will be able to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. Mourinho believes those fears will prove unfounded. The new Manchester United manager also feels that part of Ibrahimovic’s role is to assist the club’s younger players, with Marcus Rashford the obvious … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Conte proud despite defeat to the Germans
With Antonio Conte's time as Azzuri boss now over, the tactian will look to change Chelsea's fortunes in the new season. Following his side’s penalty shootout defeat to world champions Germany , Italy coach Antonio Conte has praised his Azzurri outfit despite their exit from Euro 2016. Leonardo Bonucci levelled things up in Bordeaux in the second half after Mesut Ozil had opened the scoring in the tense quarter-final. However it was enough as Italy were ultimately defeated on penalties, and Conte was saddened to end his spell as Italy … [Read more...]