Zlatan Ibrahimovic has produced a typically confident response to Eric Cantona’s warning he would never be “King” of Manchester United. The arrival of Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford has been one of the most anticipated moves in recent years in England. And in a video for Eurosport, former Old Trafford icon Cantona lauded the Swede’s decision to join the Red Devils after his PSG contract had expired. However, the Frenchman went on to warn Ibrahimovic: “Just one last thing, there can only be one King in Manchester. “You can be the … [Read more...]
Diego Costa set to remain at Chelsea despite reports linking him back to Spain
Diego Costa has not asked to leave Chelsea and is expected to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer. Reports in Spain today suggested that the striker had handed in a transfer request in order to force through a move back to Atletico Madrid. But sources say that is not the case and Costa is training with the rest of the squad as normal at their pre-season base in Austria. Atletico Madrid are desperate to re-sign the 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea from the La Liga club for £32m in 2014 Costa has struggled to settle in London and has … [Read more...]
Juan Mata relishing the challenge against Dortmund and Man City
Manchester United are set to face Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City in China, with Juan Mata relishing the challenge. Juan Mata says Manchester United must be wary of Borussia Dortmund's attacking qualities ahead of the two teams' meeting in Shanghai next Friday. After Jose Mourinho's first match in charge ended in a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, United turn their attention to upcoming International Champions Cup matches against Thomas Tuchel's side and rivals Manchester City in China. Dortmund are first up for United … [Read more...]
Hazard can reach Messi and Ronaldo level- Conte
Antonio Conte is confident he can transform the likes of Eden Hazard into world-class performers during his time in charge of Chelsea. Hazard was voted the PFA Player of the Year in 2015 for the dazzling displays that helped Chelsea win the Premier League, but suffered a dip in form last term as the Blues endured a dismal title defence that saw Jose Mourinho sacked. Having shown glimpses of returning to his best for Belgium during Euro 2016, Mourinho’s successor Conte is hoping Hazard will improve into one of the world’s best. “Last … [Read more...]
Chelsea to play Werder Bremen in preseason friendly
Antonio Conte will have an additional match to get Chelsea ready for the new season, with a game against Werder Bremen in August. Chelsea will face Werder Bremen in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2016-17 campaign. The Blues will travel to Germany for a match on August 7, one week before they open their Premier League season at home to West Ham on August 15. Chelsea lost 2-0 to Rapid Vienna in Antonio Conte's first match in charge on Saturday, with a match against Wolfsberger also to come in Austria on Wednesday. Conte's … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Arsenal told to pay more for Roma defender
After two seasons in Italy in which he helped the Giallorossi to a second and third place finish, Kostas Manolas has attracted serious interest from London. Roma defender Kostas Manolas, Giallorossi officials have slapped a hefty price tag on the Greece international in a bid to deter potential suitors. Roma have already rebuffed an offer from Manchester United, but now the 25-year-old has attracted the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea , who will have to pay €45 million if they are to land the defender. Luciano Spalletti has already lost … [Read more...]
Redknapp: Jordon Ibe naturally gifted than Sterling
Jamie Redknapp says departed Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe has greater natural ability than Raheem Sterling. Bournemouth this week completed the £15million club-record signing of winger Ibe with the 20-year-old signing a four-year deal and Redknapp, who started his career at Bournemouth before moving to Liverpool in 2001, says Ibe could be a very shrewd acquisition. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Redknapp said: “I think it’s a great piece of business for Bournemouth. Although it’s a lot of money, when you look at the current … [Read more...]
Demba Ba suffers horrific leg break while playing for Chinese club
Demba Ba, fomerly of Chelsea and West Ham , has suffered a horrific leg break while playing for Shanghai Shenua in China. The 31-year-old move to China from Besiktas in 2015 having previously played for Premier League clubs West Ham, Newcastle United and Chelsea. The Senegalese international was playing in his side’s Chinese Super League clash with Shanghai SIPG this afternoon, before being forced off through injury following a collision with Sun Xiang. Ba is currently the league’s top goalscorer, having scored 14 goals in 18 games so … [Read more...]
Mourinho impressed by Luke Shaw’s recovery
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed that Luke Shaw gave up a summer holiday to work on his fitness and also admitted to being surprised at the speed of the left-back's progress. Shaw made his comeback in the 2-0 preseason friendly win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday after 10 months out of action following a double fracture to his right leg. The 21-year-old England defender looked untroubled by fitness or injury issues and regularly pushed forward down the flank. Mourinho said: "When I found Luke at the training ground, it was … [Read more...]
Conte warns his Chelsea stars: Respect me or there will be trouble
Antonio Conte has fired a warning shot across the bow of his Chelsea players after suffering a disappointing pre-season friendly defeat by Rapid Vienna on his debut as manager. The Italian took to the dug-out for the first time as Blues boss as a strong line-up including Diego Costa, Willian, Nemanja Matic and captain John Terry succumbed in the Austrian capital on Saturday. Joelinton gave Rapid an eighth-minute lead before Tomi Correa scored a second with nine minutes remaining as Costa and youngster Ola Aina conspired to spurn … [Read more...]
Conte keen on signing only the right players
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits he “talks to the club every day” as he plots a third arrival of the summer at Stamford Bridge. The new Blues boss has already done deals for Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante and the Italian admits the club are still working to add new names to the squad. Chelsea have on Sunday been linked with a move for Leicester star and reigning Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez , but Conte was given nothing away when questioned about who he might sign next. “All together we are working to improve the squad,” he … [Read more...]