Rob Holding, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chuba Akpom were all on target for Arsenal at the Stubhub Centre. Arsenal showed their quality in patches during a 3-1 win over Guadalajara in Sunday's pre-season friendly in Carson, California. After leaving it late against the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday, Arsenal continued their winning tour of the United States as big-money recruit Granit Xhaka made his first start for the Premier League giants. But it was new defender Rob Holding who grabbed the early headlines, the unlikely source of … [Read more...]
Rashford: United players can learn from Ibrahimovic
Marcus Rashford expects he and his teammates can learn a lot from Zlatan Ibrahimovic even if the Swede’s arrival might limit his own first-team opportunities at Manchester United. Rashford burst onto the scene last season, with the 18-year-old emerging from the youth ranks to earn a place in the first XI and an unexpected trip to Euro 2016. But new United boss Jose Mourinho has strengthened his hand with the signing of Ibrahimovic, who scored with a bicycle kick four minutes into his first appearance against Galatasaray on Saturday, … [Read more...]
Milner considers quitting international football
Milner says his place at Euro 2016 could have gone to a young player who would have benefitted more after he played just five minutes. James Milner is considering international retirement to clear the way for England's young talent. The 30-year-old Liverpool midfielder was part of England's squad at Euro 2016, his fourth major tournament, but barely featured as England slipped out in the second round under Roy Hodgson. Leicester's Danny Drinkwater was controversially overlooked while the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Ruben Loftus-Cheek … [Read more...]
Bailly reveals Manchester City snub in favour of United
New Manchester United signing Eric Bailly has revealed he could have easily been playing in blue in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old centre-back signed for the Red Devils back in June and has been compared by Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane . However, the £25m capture from Villarreal has said that he did have another offer to consider from arch-rivals Manchester City, but a conversation with a Chelsea legend helped sway his decision. “I signed for United because I like Mourinho, as simple as that,” Bailly … [Read more...]
Vardy: Decision to reject Arsenal quite easy
Jamie Vardy is adamant he was never close to joining Arsenal as he feels he has unfinished business at Leicester. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has stressed that rejecting a move to Arsenal was an easy decision for him and has claimed a transfer was never a realistic option. The England international was believed to be close to joining Arsenal ahead of Euro 2016 after the Emirates side triggered his release clause, but he eventually signed a new contract with Leicester instead. The 29-year-old has now reflected on his decision to … [Read more...]
Klopp praises players after brilliant display
Jurgen Klopp reserved particular praise for four players after Liverpool eased past AC Milan in a pre-season friendly. Second half goals from Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool a 2-0 victory over AC Milan in their International Champions Cup clash in California. Klopp’s team bounced back from Wednesday’s defeat to Chelsea with a deserved success over their Italian opponents at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium. Origi shone as a striker, while the manager was also impressed with summer signings Sadio Mane, Ragnar Klavan and … [Read more...]
Arsenal boosted in £50m chase after Wenger hint
Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his desire to sign a new striker after Inter Milan hinted they are ready to accept a £50million bid for reported target Mauro Icardi. Along with Paul Pogba and Gonzalo Higuain, the future of Icardi has become the most-talked about transfer in Italy, with the Inter Milan talisman linked with moves to Napoli, Spurs and Arsenal this summer. And Inter president Erick Thohir has revealed he is willing to listen to offers for the forward, 23, if any club matches his £50m asking price. The Indonesian businessman … [Read more...]
Former Chelsea midfielder nets hat-trick for MLS side
After a less than ideal start to life in MLS, Frank Lampard now has eight goals in as many matches. Frank Lampard could not hide his delight after becoming the first New York City player to score a hat-trick in MLS. Lampard etched his name into the history books after scoring three goals in New York City's 5-1 rout of Colorado Rapids on Saturday. It has been a long and hard road for Lampard in New York, battling fitness and injury concerns, while attempting to win over fans in the Big Apple. But the 38-year-old former England … [Read more...]
John stones focused despite Manchester City’s interest
Everton assistant manager Erwin Koeman has praised the attitude of John Stones in the face of Manchester City’s ongoing transfer pursuit. City boss Pep Guardiola on Thursday confirmed his club were “going to try” to sign the 22-year-old England centre-back . There has been increased speculation about a reported £50million move but Stones, who played the last 11 minutes of the Toffees’ penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Betis in Germany on Saturday and 69 minutes against Dynamo Dresden on Friday, has remained focused. “He is very … [Read more...]
Everton reject Chelsea offer for striker Romelu Lukaku
Everton are keen to retain star striker Romelu Lukaku, but Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is hoping the Blues will use their financial muscle to land the 23-year-old this summer. The Belgian, who featured in just one full season at Stamford Bridge in 2011/12, has been put among the Italian’s top attacking targets during his extensive squad rebuild in London. Alvaro Morata is another wish that Conte would like granted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, but a push for the striker appears to be the main objective at the moment. According to … [Read more...]
Origi, Firmino on target as Reds defeat Milan
Liverpool defeated AC Milan at the International Champions Cup as Divock Origi starred off the bench. Divock Origi had an instant impact in his first game of pre-season for Liverpool, scoring in a 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the International Champions Cup. The Belgium international came on at half-time and netted just before the hour-mark at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Saturday. Origi, who had been away at Euro 2016, produced a sublime finish into the bottom corner, before fellow substitute Roberto Firmino also … [Read more...]