The Belgian Euro 2016 goalkeeper has been a target for both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain after a troubled season and an apparent falling out with Stamford Bridge goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon. But the goalie insisted he was going nowhere this summer, saying: “I am at Chelsea. We are going to have a new coach and I have three years left on my contract. If nothing major happens I will stay at Chelsea. “I know that in football things happen fast, but in theory my next season is with Chelsea. I hope we can have a better year and … [Read more...]
Martial to miss Cameroon friendly due to thigh injury
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial will not play in France's friendly against Cameroon on Monday due to a thigh injury, says national team boss Didier Deschamps. Martial, who was named to his country's 23-man squad for the upcoming European Championship, is not expected to be a doubt for the tournament, but will not factor against the African side in Nantes. "Martial has pain in his thigh," Deschamps said on Sunday. "He finished the season late. I will not take any risks tomorrow and it is likely that he will not participate in the … [Read more...]
No Mamadou Sakho recall- Deschamps
Liverpool French defender Mamadou Sakho could avoid punishment from UEFA this week and wouldn't be considered for selection says French boss Didier Deshamps. Reports in France suggest the defender will be cleared of a doping offence this week after he was found to have a fat burner in a sample he submitted following Liverpool’s Europa League tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford on March 17. Sakho's lawyers believe the contents of the fat burning product are not on UEFA's list of banned substances and feel no further action should be … [Read more...]
I am proud to be a Gunner- Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka says it is a "dream" to join Arsenal, now that his transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach has been finalised. The 23-year-old secured a move to Emirates Stadium this week for a reported fee of close to €40million after an impressive four-year spell in the Bundesliga. The midfielder, compared to Andrea Pirlo by former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou, is believed to have sealed the move prior to Euro 2016 and is relishing the prospect of his first appearance under Arsene Wenger. "I feel good, now I'm happy to be a Gunner," Xhaka … [Read more...]
Our Champions League place is under threat, warns Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger has conceded he fears for Arsenal's top-four chances after Sunday's barren draw against Sunderland. Arsenal failed to break down the Black Cats, whose point at the Stadium of light lifted them out of the Premier League's bottom three. Petr Cech had to save sharp efforts from Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe, with Arsenal failing to convert their clear-cut chances against Sam Allardyce's men. The result leaves Arsenal fourth, five points clear of Manchester United - who have a game in hand - leaving Wenger fearful of a run-in … [Read more...]
Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany ruled out for four months
Vincent Kompany’s thigh injury is expected to keep him out for four months meaning the Belgian captain will miss the start of next season under the club’s new coach, Pep Guardiola. Kompany, 30, lasted just six minutes of the tie in the Santiago Bernabeu before succumbing to the latest muscle problem in an injury-ravaged campaign. He later released a message on his Facebook page that confirmed he will definitely miss the tournament. "I'll miss the Euros," he wrote. "To me that's very sad news. "So I could be standing here, feeling sorry for … [Read more...]
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp withdraws Europa League final tickets
Jürgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans not to travel to Basel for the Europa League final if they do not have tickets, despite inviting them to do so last week. The Merseyside club’s manager admitted that he had made a mistake by telling supporters to travel en masse and urged those who are unable to attend the game at St. Jakob-Park to stay at home. “Last time I spoke about Basel, I spoke like a supporter,” he said, with a sheepish grin, after Sunday’s 2-0 league win over Watford. “I do it sometimes because first of all I am a supporter, I like … [Read more...]
United narrow win leaves Norwich staring at relegation
Manchester United's bid for Champions League football was kept alive after a 1-0 win at Carrow Road which saw Norwich slip closer to Premier League relegation. Juan Mata has formed a habit finding the net against Norwich – he had scored four times against them for United in the Premier League before this encounter. And here was the Spaniard scoring the goal that might well have dispatched the Canaries to the championship. Norwich had 18 minutes to do what they had not managed to in their three previous games -- score -- but once more they … [Read more...]
Jermain Defoe strikes Earns sunderland victory in a thrilling comback win over Chelsea
Jermain Defoe's 18th goal of the season lifted Sunderland out of the Premier League relegation zone as 10-man Chelsea twice squandered the lead on Wearside. Newcastle's failure to beat Aston Villa means the Wearside club will secure a 10th consecutive season of Premier League football if they beat Roberto Martinez side at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday. Anything less, and it will go to the final day, when they travel to Watford, Newcastle host Tottenham, and Norwich, who remain in with a chance of survival, face Everton. Defoe struck 20 … [Read more...]
Daniel Sturridge not considering leaving
Daniel Sturridge is ready to achieve "something special" with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp and insists he has never planned on leaving the club. The England striker responded with a match-winning contribution, playing a role in all three Liverpool goals. Scoring his fifth goal in seven games on Thursday night as the Reds booked their place in the Europa League final against Villarreal. “I’m happy,” said Sturridge. “I have never expressed not being happy here. I think it is everyone playing devil’s advocate. “They see that I have been left out … [Read more...]
Manuel Pellegrini preaches focus as crucial week awaits Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini tends to keep Manchester City's focus on their quest for points as they make the away trip to face Southampton on Sunday. The Premier League clash at St Mary's comes between the two legs of City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, which is up for grabs after Tuesday's goalless affair at the Etihad Stadium. Pellegrini wants to see the same level of commitment that saw his side win their league games ahead of both quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain and then thrash Stoke last weekend. City's gaffer … [Read more...]