With new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho building a team to suit his tactics, Matteo Darmian may be set for a return to Italy, with Juventus contemplating a move. In his first season with the Red Devils, the 26-year-old defender played in 28 Premier League matches but he battled with inconsistent form and injuries, which has prompted Mourinho to place him on the transfer list. Daily Express reports that Darmian is one of a few Manchester United players who will be facing the exit along with fellow defender Marcos Rojo and … [Read more...]
Manchester derby called off due to bad weather
The International Champions Cup match between Premier League rivals Manchester United and Man City has been canceled after recent extreme weather made the playing surface at Beijing's National Stadium unfit for play. Organizers say the decision to call off Monday's match was made in the interests of player safety, and in conjunction with both clubs, the China Football Association and management of the stadium, which was the main venue for the 2008 Olympics. In a statement, International Champions Cup organizers said that ''due to … [Read more...]
Liverpool and Sevilla fined for fans behavior in Europa League final
UEFA has fined Liverpool and Sevilla €16,000 and €17,000 respectively as a result of incidents which marred the Europa League final. Liverpool and Sevilla have been hit with UEFA fines as a result of incidents that took place at the Europa League final on May 18. Jurgen Klopp's side have been fined €16,000 for an "illicit banner and the setting off of fireworks", European football's governing body said in a statement. Sevilla, who triumphed 3-1 at St. Jakob Park to claim a third title in three years, were slapped with a €17,000 fine for … [Read more...]
Nolito: choosing Man City over Barcelona was the best decision
Nolito has revealed he turned down the chance to re-join Spanish champions Barcelona because of his desire to play for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Spain winger signed for City last month after the club activated the £13.8 million release clause in his contract with Celta Vigo. Nolito played just five senior games for Barcelona under Guardiola between 2008 and 2011 before being sold to Benfica. But the 29-year-old insisted the prospect of working for the Catalan again was too good to pass up and said he was keener to do that than … [Read more...]
Ranieri: Leicester City are crying over Kante departure
Claudio Ranieri has admitted that defending Premier League champions Leicester City are “crying” over the loss of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea. Kante, who was one of the standout players on their way to winning the Premier League last season, moved to the Blues for a fee believed to be in the region of £30million last Saturday. Ranieri is convinced Leicester can cope without the French international but admits the club have lost a good player. “Last season we lost Esteban Cambiasso and everybody was crying,” he told reporters after the Foxes … [Read more...]
Michy Batshuayi happy to play for Chelsea
Chelsea's drive for success was obvious from the first training session, new signing Michy Batshuayi has said. Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi admits he has been buoyed by the winning mentality at his new club. The Belgium international joined the London club from Marseille this month on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €33.1million, and scored twice in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Atus Ferlach this week. Chelsea endured a dismal campaign in 2015-16, failing to win a major trophy and finishing 10th in the Premier League, … [Read more...]
Anthony Martial unhappy with United after shirt change decision
Anthony Martial is unhappy with Manchester United’s decision to take his No. 9 shirt and give it to new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to reports in France. The Frenchman is attempting to build an AM9 brand, with his official website, Twitter and Facebook pages adorned with that logo – but those plans appear to have suffered a huge dent after Ibrahimovic was given the No 9 shirt at Old Trafford. RMC’s Mohamed Bouhafsi – who broke the news of Martial’s Manchester United transfer last summer – claims that he was not consulted about … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho: Derby match result not important
Jose Mourinho says there is nothing to be gained from Monday’s Manchester derby in Beijing except the health of his players. The Manchester United manager held a press conference at the Bird’s Nest Stadium – where the pitch is very, very shoddy – and suggested that the result of the clash is utterly unimportant. “The condition of my players is more important than the results in pre-season. I have only one goal from tomorrow’s match, take the players home safe,” said Mourinho. “We cannot just run away and disappear and not play, so we … [Read more...]
Liverpool accept £6m Bournemouth bid for Brad Smith
Liverpool have accepted an offer from Bournemouth for defender Brad Smith, sources from both clubs revealed. Bournemouth have tabled a £6 million bid for Australia international Smith as they look to bolster their defensive options. Smith, who is currently away with Liverpool on their tour of America, is set to return to England to hold talks with the Cherries. The 22-year-old, a Liverpool academy graduate, almost left Anfield last summer when his contract expired before he finally agreed a new deal shortly after the arrival of Jurgen … [Read more...]
Andre Schurrle can replace Mkhitaryan at Dortmund- Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel is confident Andre Schurrle can fill the void left by Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel feels Andre Schurrle is the perfect replacement for Henrikh Mkhitaryan following the latter's departure to Manchester United. Mkhitaryan enjoyed an impressive 2015-16 campaign, but BVB opted to cash in on the attacking midfielder following his refusal to sign a contract renewal. They subsequently turned to Schurrle to fill the void left by the Armenia international and Tuchel has little … [Read more...]
Benteke closer to Anfield exit as Palace remain hopeful of signing striker
Crystal Palace remain in pole position to land Christian Benteke and are still hopeful of persuading Liverpool to lower their asking price, according to reports. The Croydon Advertiser says that the Eagles are still leading the chase for the Belgium international and remain hopeful of bartering down Liverpool’s asking price. Benteke scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for the Reds in a disappointing season for the striker and now finds himself behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings in the pecking order, while Roberto Firmino … [Read more...]