Chelsea boss Antonio Conte fears he could be left frustrated in his bid to strengthen the Blues squad before the transfer window closes. Conte has brought in big-money signings in the shape of midfielder N'Golo Kante and forward Michy Batshuayi this summer but has yet to add the defensive reinforcements he desperately needs. The Blues have long been linked with Kalidou Koulibaly but have been unable to lure him away from Napoli, while AC Milan say they have knocked back a bid for Alessio Romagnoli. Conte admits his current squad is not … [Read more...]
Mourinho suggests Man United transfer business over after Pereira loan
Jose Mourinho has said the departure of Andreas Pereira will be the last piece of business done by Manchester United this summer. Young midfielder Pereira is set to join Spanish Granada on loan after the 20-year-old’s move to Fulham broke down. Mourinho is understood to be keen to add an experienced centre-back and a right-back to his squad, while there are question marks over the futures of a number of players currently at Old Trafford. However, the Portuguese suggests he is happy with the size of his squad and says he is prepared to … [Read more...]
Mourinho: ‘Very difficult’ for Schweinsteiger to get game time
Jose Mourinho has emphasised it will be “very difficult” for Bastian Schweinsteiger to play for Manchester United this season – and had a dig back at Karl-Heinz Rummenigge . Schweinsteiger has been frozen out of the first-team picture at United this term, with boss Mourinho making it clear he is not part of his plans. Earlier this week the 32-year-old former Germany midfielder said he would not be joining another club in Europe and added of his current employers: “I will be ready, if the team needs me.” But when asked on Friday if there … [Read more...]
UEL: Manchester United draw Robin van Persie’s Fenerbahce
Manchester United will face Fenerbahce and Feyenoord in Group A in the 2016-17 Europa League. Jose Mourinho's side are the bookmakers' favourites to win the competition, which begins on Sept. 15, but face tough opposition in Turkish side Fenerbahce, whose squad includes former United striker Robin van Persie, and Dutch club Feyenoord. Zorya Luhansk, who finished fourth in the Ukrainian Premier League last season, complete the group. United, who qualified automatically for the group stage, have never won the Europa League or its … [Read more...]
UEFA confirm four automatic CL spots for Premier League
The Premier League is set to have four teams qualifying automatically for the Champions League group stage from the 2018-19 season. UEFA announced at a press conference on Friday that Europe's leading leagues in their co-efficient rankings - currently the Premier League, Spain's LaLiga, Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A - will all have automatic qualification for top-four finishers. Under the current system there are automatic spots for the top three English, Spanish and German clubs, with a fourth having to qualify through a … [Read more...]
Besiktas continue negotiations for Samir Nasri
Besiktas are locked in negotiations with Manchester City over a loan deal for Samir Nasri. The attacking midfielder has been told he can leave the Etihad this summer and he is yet to feature under new boss Pep Guardiola. Given the lack of time left in the transfer window, the France international is ready to leave on loan and he now has a concrete offer on the table. Besiktas, according to L'Equipe, are in talks with City about a season-long deal and they are hopeful of reaching an agreement. The Turkish side are happy to pay a loan … [Read more...]
Belgium name Henry as Martinez’s assistant manager
Thierry Henry will join the Belgium national team's coaching staff as Roberto Martinez's assistant. Former France international Henry had been working as coach of Arsenal's under-18 side before leaving last month after Arsene Wenger told him he could not continue in the role unless he quit his work as a TV pundit. However, he will now work with former Wigan and Everton boss Martinez as Belgium look to rebuild following a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign. Roberto Martínez: "@ThierryHenry has been in the situation to change the spirit … [Read more...]
Nice join FC Sion in race for unwanted Balotelli
Nice are the latest side to test the water over a deal for unwanted Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. The Ligue 1 club have held talks with the Merseysiders about the Italy international, who was not at the Reds' Melwood training ground on Thursday having been given permission to speak to the French side. However, a deal is still some way off as no fee has been agreed and coach Lucien Favre has certain expectations of the 26-year-old, who is surplus to requirements at Anfield and is not in manager Jurgen Klopp's plans. "I don't know … [Read more...]
Wenger ’99 per cent confident’ on completing double swoop
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are closing in on signing striker Lucas Perez and centre-back Shkodran Mustafi but says the deals are yet to be completed. "We are working on the deals," Wenger said on Friday at a news conference. "We are not close enough to announce to you today that they will sign for us. Will we sign anybody before the end of the transfer window? I'm 99 percent confident [we will]." Arsenal moved on Thursday to trigger a £17 million release clause for Perez, the Deportivo La Coruna striker who had also been a target … [Read more...]
Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmond, Sporting Lisbon and Legia Warsaw in Championship Group F
The European Champions and current Super Cup holder will play the first game of Champions League on the verge of retaining their title. Real Madrid will take on Borussian Dortmond, Sporting Lisbon and Legia Warsaw in group f of the Champions League. The group stage will kick off on 13th and 14th of september, and will come to an end on the 6th and 7th of December. The final of the season champion league will be played at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff on the 3rd of June 2017. Champions League Group Table Group A: PSG, … [Read more...]
Champions League: Pep in Barcelona return as Arsenal face PSG
Pep Guardiola will return to the Camp Nou after Manchester City and Barcelona were drawn together in the Champions League group stage on Thursday. Guardiola spent the majority of his playing career with Barcelona and led them to two European titles as manager in 2009 and 2011. And now in his first season as City boss, he will face off against his former club in Group C, along with Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic, when the group stage begins next month. The Spanish champions beat City in the round of 16 in both 2014 and 2015, and the … [Read more...]