Manchester City have been drawn against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League play-offs. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola City finished fourth in the Premier League and so must earn their place in the lucrative group stage, as new boss Pep Guardiola looks to go one better than last season’s semi-final run under Manuel Pellegrini. In the other side of Friday’s draw, Celtic were handed a tie against Israeli side Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Kazakh team Astana in the third qualifying round. Dundalk are … [Read more...]
Mourinho on Schweinsteiger: The coach decides his squad
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has defended his handling of Bastian Schweinsteiger in the wake of criticism of his methods. Schweinsteiger, 32, does not look to be part of Mourinho's plans at Old Trafford, with reports that he has been training with the reserves. A member of world players' union FifPro said Mourinho should be sent to prison over his treatment of Schweinsteiger, while Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also hit out at the Premier League club. Mourinho said at a news conference on Friday: "What is happening … [Read more...]
Riyad Mahrez not for sale – Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri has dashed Arsene Wenger’s hopes of luring Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal by insisting that the Leicester City winger will not be sold by the Premier League champions. Mahrez, last season’s PFA Player of the Year, remains a prime target for Arsenal, who failed in an attempt to sign Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy earlier this summer. Leicester failed to persuade N’Golo Kante to remain at the King Power Stadium following the club’s title triumph, with the France midfielder sealing a move to Chelsea after the Stamford Bridge outfit … [Read more...]
Benteke to leave for the right price-Klopp
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Christian Benteke's future does not lie at Anfield for the coming season. Benteke, 25, admitted that he might be forced to find another club if Klopp does not want to use him as first-choice striker and the German manager's latest comments have hinted that the £32.5 million signing from Aston Villa will not play much of a part this season. "Everyone knows about it. Christian has already said maybe it makes sense to go to another club," Klopp told a news conference. "Christian is still a great … [Read more...]
Mourinho hints at Pogba signing, swipes at Wenger and Klopp
Jose Mourinho has reacted at criticism from Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp over the fee for Paul Pogba. Manchester United are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Pogba, one which will cost a world-record fee. Juventus have demands upwards of £100m for the player they signed from United four years ago, and the deal is now reported to be close to completion. Last week, Arsenal manager Wenger claimed that the money involved in signing the 23-year-old was “madness”. “It’s complete madness,” said the Frenchman, “but it seems that if you … [Read more...]
James Milner retires from international football
James Milner has retired from international football following talks with new England manager Sam Allardyce. Milner, 30, has been part of the England squad at the last four major tournaments and earned 61 caps but managed just three minutes as a substitute at Euro 2016. The Liverpool midfielder had already indicated a willingness to make way for the next generation and officially called time on his Three Lions career after a recent meeting with Allardyce. The Football Association announced his decision on Friday. We can confirm that … [Read more...]
Branislav Ivanovic expecting a successful season under Conte
Branislav Ivanovic is sure Chelsea will improve, but is unwilling to set unrealistic goals in the Premier League. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists it is "dangerous" to look too far ahead as his side target improvement in the Premier League. Now under Antonio Conte, Chelsea are looking for a much better campaign after a disappointing 10th-place league finish last season. The Italian has added the likes of big-money signings N'Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi to his squad in the off-season. But while Ivanovic expects better … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Man Utd will sign ‘one more player’, plays down Pogba interest
Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire for his final signing of the summer to be completed by next Friday, with Manchester United set to ramp up their pursuit of Paul Pogba in an effort to see him return to the club before the start of the Premier League season. United take on Leicester City this Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in the annual curtain-raiser to the English season, although the possibility of Pogba signing for United before the match is reducing as each day goes by. The Juventus midfielder has enjoyed a … [Read more...]
Manchester City close in on Marlos Moreno
Manchester City could make a third signing this week and are close to signing Colombia international Marlos Moreno, it is understood. The 19-year-old winger would cost around £4.75million if a deal to bring him from Atletico Nacional is completed. Moreno’s arrival would follow those of Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, whose deals have already concluded this week, although reports have suggested he could immediately be loaned out for experience. Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna are a reported potential destination for the player, who came … [Read more...]
Kouyate double seals Europa League play-off spot for West Ham
Cheikhou Kouyate first-half double meant West Ham could enjoy their start to life at the Olympic Stadium as they saw off Slovenian side Domzale with ease in the Europa League . Cheikhou Kouyate scored twice and new signing Sofiane Feghouli opened his account as the Hammers, who left Upton Park at the end of last season, secured a 4-2 aggregate win to reach the play-offs for the group stages of the competition. Four years to the day since Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford wowed the nation on Super Saturday at London 2012, the … [Read more...]
Napoli sign Liverpool target Zielinski
Piotr Zielinski has completed his transfer to Napoli after they reached an agreement with Udinese over the transfer of the midfielder. Napoli have secured the services of Piotr Zielinski from Udinese for a fee believed to be in the region of €15 million. The 22-year-old underwent a medical on Thursday before signing a five-year deal. The midfielder had previously been linked with Liverpool and seemed set to continue his career at Anfield, but the Premier League side refused to meet Udinese's valuation of the player and he has now moved … [Read more...]
Liverpool set to keep Lucas Leiva
Liverpool will only sell midfielder Lucas Leiva if they can sign adequate defensive cover, according to reports. The Brazilian is the club’s longest-serving player after Martin Skrtel was sold to Fenerbahce earlier this summer. Lucas featured 40 times for the Reds last season – 27 times in the Premier League – as the club reached the finals of both the Europa League and Capital One Cup. But the 29-year-old remains back-up at best in a number of positions at Anfield, and has attracted interest from Galatasaray this summer. The Turkish … [Read more...]
Diego Costa to stay at Chelsea-Cerezo
Diego Costa looks set to stay at Chelsea after Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo cooled reports of a move for their former striker. The Brazilian-born Spanish international has been the subject of intense speculation over the summer, with Blues boss Antonio Conte confusing matters with various contradictory statements. A reunion with Atletico Madrid, who have since signed Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla, did appear to be happening, but now Cerezo has respectfully ended those rumours. “There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga,” … [Read more...]
Suarez tips former club for top four finish
Luis Suarez believes his former club should be targeting a Champions League spot and is looking forward to a reunion this weekend. The Reds showed some signs of promise under Jurgen Klopp and the Uruguayan, who left Anfield in 2014 for £65m, has backed the German to set his sights high for the following season. “The last few months, everybody saw a really good performance from Liverpool,” the Barcelona attacker told the official Liverpool website. “They had a chance to win the Europa League and in the Premier League they played really … [Read more...]
Terry delighted with Kante’s performance against AC Milan
Chelsea captain John Terry was full of praise for new signing N'Golo Kante after the midfielder made his debut for the club in the 3-1 win over AC Milan on Thursday morning. Kante joined the Blues from Premier League champions Leicester City last month in a £32million deal after his superb performances in midfield for the Foxes played a crucial role in Claudio Ranieri's side winning their first-ever top-flight title last term. After enjoying an extended break following Euro 2016, Kante joined up with his new Chelsea teammates last week and … [Read more...]
Szczesny returns to Roma on season-long loan deal
Roma have acquired the services of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for a second consecutive season after the two clubs agreed to extend his loan deal. The Poland international made 34 Serie A appearances for the Lupi last campaign, and expressed his satisfaction at the prospect of another year in the Italian capital. “I am very happy,” Szczesny told Roma TV. “After a good season last year I had the possibility of coming back and I was very happy that the coach [Luciano Spalletti] wanted me. “I’m delighted to be back and I hope we … [Read more...]
‘Mourinho should go to prison for bullying Schweinsteiger’
Jose Mourinho should be sent to prison over his treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger, according to a member of world players’ union FifPro. Schweinsteiger appears to have been cut out of the Manchester United first-team picture since Mourinho’s arrival as manager in the summer, with reports that he has been training with the reserves. The World Cup winner’s name was conspicuous by its absence from United’s squad for Wayne Rooney’s testimonial against Everton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, a match in which Mourinho used 22 players. Dejan … [Read more...]
Belgium name former Everton boss Martinez as new coach
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been appointed as the Belgium national team's new head coach, it has been confirmed. The Royal Belgian Football Association announced the news via their Twitter account on Wednesday night, writing: "Our new head coach: Roberto Martínez ! #welcomeRoberto #tousensemble". He replaces Marc Wilmots, who was relieved of his duties as Red Devils manager following Belgium's exit at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2016. Martinez's first match in his new role will be against Spain on 1 September. The … [Read more...]
Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey meet up with Arsenal squad
Arsene Wenger will take Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey on Arsenal’s mini-tour of Scandinavia this weekend as he attempts to build up their match fitness in time for the start of the new season. Ramsey returned to pre-season training this week, having reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 with Wales last month. Sanchez won the Copa America with Chile and has only just come back to pre-season at London Colney. Wenger wants both players to be ready for the visit of Liverpool on 14 August and so will involve both this week. Arsenal will … [Read more...]
Oscar double lifts Blues pass AC Milan
Chelsea came away 3-1 winners over AC Milan, as an Oscar brace helped Antonio Conte's team end their U.S. tour with a convincing result. The West London club secured a victory in their International Champions Cup finale in front of a sold-out 64,101-strong crowd in the first sporting event ever to be held at US Bank Stadium, the brand-new, $1.1-billion home of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Second-half substitute Oscar scored the decisive tally from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, after Keisuke Honda had been guilty of handling a Cesar … [Read more...]
Kante praises Chelsea boss Antonio Conte
New Chelsea signing N'Golo Kante has praised manager Antonio Conte in his first interview at the club, saying the Italian played a big role in his decision to swap champions Leicester City for the Blues. Kante joined Chelsea from Claudio Ranieri's side in a £32million deal last month, and has impressed Conte so much during his six days of training that the Chelsea manager is set to start the midfielder in the club's next game against AC Milan at the US Bank Stadium on Thursday morning. Kante has also been left impressed with Chelsea's new … [Read more...]
Ahmed Musa shines as Spanish champions beat Leicester in Stockholm
After succumbing to a 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, Leicester City were edged out by Barcelona in a six-goal thriller. Leicester City showed commendable resolve to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona in the International Champions Cup, though they eventually fell to a 4-2 loss in Stockholm. The Premier League champions, gearing up for their first Champions League campaign, had been thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in California on Sunday and needed a much-improved second-half showing to avoid a similar outcome on … [Read more...]
Salah completes Chelsea exit with permanent move to Roma
Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah has completed a permanent move to Serie A club Roma. Salah makes the move after a successful loan spell at Roma last season, in which he helped the club to third place in the table. The Egyptian joined Chelsea from Swiss club Basel in 2014 but spent the second part of that season on loan at Fiorentina before his temporary move to Roma. .@22mosalah has completed a permanent transfer to Italian club Roma... https://t.co/vVCZYpg23Y - Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 3, 2016 Roma president James Pallotta has … [Read more...]
Kante to play against AC Milan-Conte
N'Golo Kante will make his Chelsea debut against AC Milan on Thursday, Antonio Conte has confirmed. Summer signing Kante, who joined from Premier League champions Leicester for £32million this summer, has yet to feature for Chelsea after being given an extended break following France's run to the Euro 2016 final. The midfielder has joined up with his new team-mates for their final International Champions Cup clash against Milan on Thursday at the new $1bn US Bank Stadium. And despite only starting training with the squad last Thursday, … [Read more...]
Wayne Rooney Man Utd testimonial ends in stalemate
Wayne Rooney’s testimonial ended in a 0-0 draw between Manchester United and Everton. The game was streamed live on Facebook, and both managers picked strong line-ups. United and England captain Rooney played 52 minutes at Old Trafford as his testimonial against his former club doubled up as a stern Premier League warm-up. Rooney got the chance to play alongside new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a promising attacking formation that also featured Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial. The front pair linked well, with Ibrahimovic often … [Read more...]
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