Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka suffered a penalty shootout woe as Switzerland were dumped out of Euro 2016 (5-4) on penalties after their last-16 tie had finished 1-1 AET. A Jakub Blaszczykowski strike had looked to be enough in normal time for Poland only for Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri to make it 1-1 with a tremendous athletic volley to send the game into extra-time. With no winning goal found, the tie was decided on penalties with new Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka missing and Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak hammering home the winning … [Read more...]
Marc Wilmots confirms Nianggolan smoking habit
It isn’t unheard of for Radja Nainggolan to smoke five or six cigarettes a day from his special hotel room balcony admits Marc Wilmots Radja Nainggolan is the only member of Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad who smokes, national team coach Marc Wilmots has confirmed in response to rumours. In his homeland, the Roma star has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons as newspapers blast him over his alleged smoking, prompting the tactician to intervene and justify the habit on behalf of his player. “I confirm, Radja does smoke,” he told … [Read more...]
Crystal Palace interested in Liverpool flop Christain Benteke
Crystal Palace are said to be interested in Liverpool's Christain Benteke as a replacement for recently-released Emmanuel Adebayor. The Liverpool striker has recently admitted he was considering his future with the Reds after a poor first season at Merseyside and was said to be high up on new Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte’s list of transfer targets . However, according to reports in the Daily Star Palace manager Alan Pardew is said to be on the look out for a new striker after Adebayor and Marouane Chamakh were recently released from the … [Read more...]
Keylor Navas reveals frustration about his failed Man United move
The Real Madrid goalkeeper was set for a switch to Old Trafford last summer as David De Gea was on course to head the opposite way. But a fax machine stopped the deal being processed as Madrid failed to get their paperwork finalised before the transfer deadline. As a result, Navas stayed put at the La Liga giants while De Gea went on to pen a new four-year deal at United. The silver lining for the Costa Rican shot-stopper was his success at the Bernabeu last season, adding a Champions League medal to his accolades. But frustration … [Read more...]
Man United one of three clubs chasing Neymar
Real, along with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, have reportedly sent officials to Brazil to try and broker a deal for the Barcelona frontman. Neymar is locked in contract talks with the Nou Camp club, who have told the Brazil international they will not increase their latest £10.9million-a-season offer. And United's hopes of landing the 23-year-old have been boosted after a move to Real was ruled out. “The owners of Neymar are Barcelona. Any offers that arrive must go through Barcelona,” Neymar Snr. told Fox Brasil . “We … [Read more...]
Brexit will damage Premier League football- Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas has warned that England’s decision to quit the European Union will “damage” the Premier League . The Spaniard moved to Arsenal as a 16-year-old from Barcelona thanks to an exemption in Fifa regulations that allows transfers to take place within the territory of the EU if the youngster is aged between 16 and 18. Clubs outside the EU are prohibited from signing overseas players under the age of 18, meaning the likes of Fabregas would not be able to move to England at such an early age. Fabregas is also considered a ‘homegrown’ … [Read more...]
Pep Guardiola assures Raheem Sterling of his future at City
Incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has contacted Raheem Sterling to assure him that he has a big future at the club, according to reports. The England forward has been the subject of plenty of criticism after his disappointing performances in the Euro 2016 opening games against Russia and Wales. And Roy Hodgson's coaching staff have said they are concerned about the state of Sterling's mind with his confidence apparently dented following criticism from pundits and fans and on social media. However, Guardiola contacted him to … [Read more...]
Liverpool to pay more for Udinese playmaker
Despite appearing close to the signature of Udinese playmaker Piotr Zielinski, Liverpool and the Zebrette are still some way apart in their valuation of the player. Napoli are also interested in the Pole and want to keep him in Italy , but it is thought that he has turned them down in favour of a move to Anfield. Liverpool have already offered €11.5 million for the player, according to The Sun, but that is not deemed enough to convince the club into selling the 22-year-old. Instead, Udinese are holding out for a fee closer to €18.5 … [Read more...]
Ozil preaches Premier League football to German teammates
Mesut Ozil believes the likes of Mario Gotze and Leroy Sane should consider moving to the Premier League. Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in summer 2013 in a club-record £42.5m deal, and has been a success at the Gunners thus far. He won consecutive FA Cups in his first two seasons, and has regularly been one of the club’s best performers in his first three campaigns. With Gotze linked with Liverpool, and Sane a reported target of Manchester City, Ozil has intimated that his team-mates should consider moving to England. “What’s … [Read more...]
Brexit to have effects on Premier League football
Following months of debates and campaigns, it is now official that Britain will leave the European Union, plunging the country into uncertain political, financial and social terrain, but sports too faces an unclear future. After a drawn out process, Britain will now leave the European Union after a victory for the Brexit campaign, which will impact Premier League football. The end to freedom of movement could mean that work permits are required, which means that players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitri Payet would be considered as … [Read more...]
Roma rejects United offer for Kostas Manolas
Kostas Manolas has attracted interest from Man United but the Giallorossi are prepared to offer him a new deal which will see him remain at the capital club. After spending the past two seasons in the Italian capital, Kostas Manolas is expected to extend his stay at Roma after the club turned down an offer from Manchester United. The Giallorossi are now set to extend his contract by one year, until 2020 and Manolas can expect his salary to rise to over €3 million per season, including bonuses. A bid of around €35 million was submitted … [Read more...]