A late brace from Eden Hazard could not prevent Chelsea slumping to a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their International Champions Cup clash in Ann Arbor. First-half goals from Marcelo (two) and Mariano Diaz set a Madrid side missing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos on course for victory. Antonio Conte’s men responded twice late on through Hazard but were unable to get an equaliser in front of a 105,826 crowd at the Michigan Stadium – the largest ever official attendance for a Chelsea … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic scores in Man United friendly win
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a dream start to his Manchester United career by scoring acrobatically in just the fourth-minute of his debut as they won 5-2 against Galatasaray in Gothenburg with Wayne Rooney netting twice. United had to recover from a 2-1 deficit at half-time but they out-played the opposition in the second half with Antonio Valencia eventually setting up three of the team's goals. It meant that Ibrahimovic could enjoy both his personal contribution and the end result, as he made a glorious return to his homeland of … [Read more...]
Matic: I’m a big part of Conte’s Chelsea plans
Nemanja Matic says he is delighted to know that he remains a firm part of Antonio Conte’s plans at Chelsea. Matic received more criticism than most as Chelsea finished tenth last season, the Serbian struggling for long periods of the season. Conte’s former club Juventus have been linked with a move for Matic, filling the space left by Paul Pogba’s probable departure. However, the midfielder has stated his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge. “What he said gave me a special feeling,” Matic said. “It was important for me to know I … [Read more...]
Klopp: Liverpool didn’t fancy Mkhitaryan and had no interest signing him
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims that he had no interest in signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Klopp managed Mkhitaryan at Borussia Dortmund and there was plenty of speculation suggesting the German would be reunited with the midfielder at Anfield. But that was never an option, according to Klopp with the German coach questioning the ability of Mkhitaryan to develop having known the player so well previously in Germany. The 27-year-old Armenia star eventually signed for Manchester United for £35million earlier this … [Read more...]
Klopp: No excuses, Liverpool will challenge
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says his side will be a “challenger” this season after declaring this is “my squad”. This season will be Klopp’s first full campaign in charge having replaced Brendan Rodgers on October 2015 and the former Borussia Dortmund his happy with the stamp he has put on his Anfield squad. He has brought in several new faces and claims he now has a “special quality” that was missing last season. After finishing 21 points behind the champions Leicester in eighth, Klopp says there will be no excuses for Liverpool this … [Read more...]
Conte calls on players to have the right mindset against Real Madrid
Antonio Conte has called on his Chelsea team to use their heads to overcome Real Madrid in Michigan tonight. Conte has steered his side to three straight pre-season wins, the most recent of which was against Liverpool in the International Champions Cup in California on Thursday morning. Chelsea now take on Champions League holders Real this evening, with Zinedine Zidane's men having tasted defeat in their opening International Champions Cup game with Paris Saint-Germain this week. To add, Los Blancos will be missing stars Cristiano … [Read more...]
Ajax lastest to be linked with Liverpool reject Balotelli
The search for Mario Balotelli’s next club continues, with Ajax the latest to be linked with a move for the Liverpool reject. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told the Italian striker that he does not feature in his plans at Anfield, with Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola having recently offered the 25-year-old to Napoli and Ajax. However, with Arkadiusz Milik’s impending arrival at the Stadio San Paolo from Amsterdam, a move to the Eredivisie outfit appears more likely. Ajax are looking to reinvest the earnings from the sale of … [Read more...]
‘Important’ Mahrez 100℅staying with us – Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri says that he is 100% sure that Riyad Mahrez will stay at Leicester City. The PFA Player of the Year has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, with reports suggesting that a deal has been agreed with the player. Other stories on Saturday morning say that Leicester will offer Mahrez £100,000 a week to stay at the club, vital after the departure of N’Golo Kante. BeIn Sports report that Ranieri has told them that Mahrez will stay at Leicester. Claudio Ranieri tells @beINSPORTS he is "100 percent sure" @Mahrez22 … [Read more...]
Paul Pogba saga set to drag on as agent denies done deal
Paul Pogba has continued to troll Manchester United and their fans with his prospective transfer set to drag on for a few more days. There is no agreement in place between Juventus and United for the player, but discussions are believed to be ongoing and a deal is expected to be finalised early next week. The France international, a former United academy graduate, has been identified by Jose Mourinho as a key component of his new-look midfield. United though will have to pay a world-record transfer with the Serie A side wanting in the … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic in United squad for Galatasaray game in Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United fans are waiting for his debut in his native Sweden on Saturday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United fans are every bit as excited as he is for his debut ahead of his first appearance for the club against Galatasaray in his native Sweden. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man has been the biggest acquisition of the transfer window thus far for United, who signed the classy striker on a free transfer from the French champions at the start of July. Ibrahimovic missed the first … [Read more...]
Raiola claims journalists are ‘parrots’; no agreement for Pogba
Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has denied any deal for his client is done between Juventus and Manchester United. Sources have said the clubs have agreed to all the details on Paul Pogba's world-record transfer, with the midfielder set to undergo a medical exam to complete the move to Old Trafford. But Raiola said on Twitter on Friday that the deal was not yet complete, while also criticising the media coverage. After calling journalists "parrots," the agent wrote: "No deal done between Clubs. Its a game between Italy press and UK press … [Read more...]