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Klopp reveals reasons why he will no longer speak to The Sun

Jurgen Klopp says he will no longer speak to The Sun because of a “private” story the newspaper ran about one of his players. Klopp refused to answer a question from a Sun journalist on Saturday evening after Liverpool thrashed Barcelona 4-0 at Wembley . Merseyside has a tumultuous relationship with the publication since its despicable coverage of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, and the newspaper has been boycotted ever since by the city. “I don’t talk with The Sun anymore,” Klopp said. “I don’t speak with The Sun anymore. You can … [Read more...]

Zabaleta to Stay at Manchester City

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta says he will be staying at the club, with boss Pep Guardiola having told him he is part of his plans for this season. Zabaleta, who has one year left on his contract, has been linked with a move to Italy this summer. But the 31-year-old Argentina full-back told the Manchester Evening News: “There was a lot of speculation – that came from the media. “I don’t know how many times I was away to Italy. It was incredible. Every day there was a new club. “I’ve always been away from that because I knew … [Read more...]

Klopp explains Liverpool’s mauling

Jurgen Klopp has explained how Liverpool were thrashed 4-0 by Mainz shortly after beating Barcelona. The Reds slipped to a heavy defeat in Germany on Sunday, with the game kicking off mere hours after the 4-0 victory over Barcelona at Wembley had ended. Klopp had planned to use two different line-ups for the friendlies, but injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Sheyi Ojo and James Milner forced alterations. Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Alberto Moreno, Marko Grujic, Kevin Stewart, Gini Wijnaldum, Danny Ings, Divock Origi and Roberto … [Read more...]

Hazard dazzles in Chelsea defeat of Werder Bremen

Eden Hazard's renaissance continued as Chelsea secured a hard fought 4-2 victory over Werder Bremen in their final pre-season friendly on saturday afternoon. Eden Hazard Antonio Conte named a strong side and they needed just a matter of minutes to open the scoring when Hazard worked a short corner well before cutting inside and lashing an effort into the bottom corner of the net. The Bundesliga side were all at sea at the back and Oscar exchanged passes with Diego Costa to create a yard of space before slotting home to double the Blues' … [Read more...]

Man United confirm Pogba to have medical

Paul Pogba may finally be moving close to securing a world-record transfer from Juventus to Manchester United as the Red Devils confirm an imminent medical. A statement on the United website – under the hashtag ‘Pogback’ – read: “Paul Pogba has been granted permission to have a medical in order to finalise his transfer from Juventus to Manchester United.” The Juve star has been the centre of speculation all summer, with the Red Devils looking to confirm the world record £92million move back to Old Trafford, where he played as a … [Read more...]

Jose Mourinho explains Mata’s substitution

Juan Mata was replaced half an hour after coming on for Manchester United in the Community Shield, but Jose Mourinho has explained things. Jose Mourinho says he took off Juan Mata just half an hour after his introduction in order to defend against high balls in the final minutes of Manchester United's 2-1 Community Shield win over Leicester City. Mata was introduced on 63 minutes for opening goalscorer Jesse Lingard, who had taken a knock to his foot, but was hauled off in injury time for Henrik Mkhitaryan as the Premier League champions … [Read more...]

Walcott nets as Arsenal beat Man City in final warmup game

Theo Walcott boosted his confidence by scoring the decisive goal for Arsenal in a 3-2 victory over Manchester City on Sunday in their final preseason warmup ahead of the new season. Walcott made a perfect run into the box to meet Alexis Sanchez's pass and chipped a delicate finish over the onrushing Joe Hart to make it 2-1 in the 73rd minute as the Gunners came from a goal down in the second half. Substitute Chuba Akpom then made sure of the Gunners' fourth straight preseason win in the 85th minute before Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one back … [Read more...]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic wins Jose Mourinho’s first title with Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed a late debut goal to secure a 2-1 victory for Jose Mourinho's Manchester United against Premier League champions Leicester in the Community Shield at Wembley. Jesse Lingard followed up his memorable FA Cup final winner with a fine solo effort to put United ahead, only for a defensive error from Marouane Fellaini to enable Jamie Vardy to equalise. But the winner arrived seven minutes from time as Ibrahimovic, kept quiet for much of the afternoon, rose to nod in, although there were question marks over whether he … [Read more...]

Community Shield: All you need to know

There will be plenty of new faces on display at Wembley as Premier League champions Leicester take on FA Cup winners Man United in the Community Shield on Sunday.   Manchester united to play Leicester City   Team news New Manchester United signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitarayan and Eric Bailly are all in line to start for the Red Devils. Chris Smalling and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are likely to be available but Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to miss out altogether as his future at Old Trafford remains unclear. Ahmed … [Read more...]

Rummenigge rules out Bayern return for Schweinsteiger

Unwanted at Manchester United, Bastian Schweinsteiger will not return to Bayern Munich, the German club's chairman Karl-Heinze Rummenigge said on Saturday. "I regret that what is happening to him just now," Rummenigge said in a news conference. "But we have not entertained any thought of getting him back." Schweinsteiger left Bayern for United last summer and made 13 Premier League starts during the 2015-16 season. With Jose Mourinho taking over United this summer, the 32-year-old is reportedly training with the under-23 squad after … [Read more...]

Mane shines as Liverpool dominate Barcelona at Wembley

Mane and Divock Origi eased Jurgen Klopp’s worries over Daniel Sturridge with goals as Liverpool thrashed Barcelona 4-0 at Wembley. Saido Mane Saido Mane scored for the first time in a Reds shirt and Origi grabbed an assist and a goal in the space of a minute, but Sturridge and James Milner gave Klopp a potential headache before the big Premier League kick-off. There are once again question marks over Sturridge’s fitness ahead of next week’s opener at Arsenal after the England striker missed out with what the club explained was a … [Read more...]

15 Facts you are addicted to the EPL

We love the English Premier League; the quality of football that’s witnessed in England is thrilling and sensational. However, there is wide berth when you consider the difference between genuine love for the game and over the top emotional involvement in the EPL. That wide berth is what we call addiction and believe me, EPL addiction is real. Here’s how I know 1. Match day is your Sabbath day and you keep it wholly; as in wholly games. Nothing else can be scheduled on match day… Absolutely Nothing! 2. If any crisis happens while you are … [Read more...]

8 Things Chelsea supporters want

It is never too early to make a wish list and I imagine that there are plenty that Chelsea fans wish for. Who knows, the bearded man at North Pole might surprise them with a treat! 1. For Juan Mata to come back home; home as in Stamford Bridge. The man is a Chelsea legend. The equivalent of the ex you wish you never let go 2. A trophy; last season the blues finished empty handed. With new upgrades like Michy Batshuayi and N’golo Kante, Chelsea fans want to win anything and everything 3. A chance to get back at Frank Lampard; he broke many … [Read more...]

10 Signs that you are a Manchester United fan

What’s not to love about MUFC? They are strong, they have great history and they are currently sitting at the number 3 spot on the list of the world’s richest football club worth a whopping 2.3 billion pounds. But if that doesn’t confirm your allegiance to the club, here are a few things that might. 1. You think Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest coach…ever! He gave the club more than 2 decades of service par excellence that raked in more trophies in that time span than Arsenal has ever had in their entire years of existence. 2. You still … [Read more...]

Arsenal put eight pass Viking

Two goals each for Joel Campbell and Alex Iwobi helped Arsenal to an 8-0 friendly win over Viking on Friday. Seven second-half goals helped Arsenal to an 8-0 thrashing of Viking in Friday's friendly in Norway. Santi Cazorla saw a penalty saved by goalkeeper Iven Austbo after just four minutes, but Arsene Wenger's side responded emphatically to record a third pre-season win in a row. Joel Campbell opened the scoring on 33 minutes, but the Gunners had to wait until five minutes after the break to take control of proceedings, when Cazorla … [Read more...]

Manchester City draw Steaua Bucharest in Champions League play-offs

Manchester City have been drawn against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League play-offs.   Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola City finished fourth in the Premier League and so must earn their place in the lucrative group stage, as new boss Pep Guardiola looks to go one better than last season’s semi-final run under Manuel Pellegrini. In the other side of Friday’s draw, Celtic were handed a tie against Israeli side Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Kazakh team Astana in the third qualifying round. Dundalk are … [Read more...]

Mourinho on Schweinsteiger: The coach decides his squad

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has defended his handling of Bastian Schweinsteiger in the wake of criticism of his methods. Schweinsteiger, 32, does not look to be part of Mourinho's plans at Old Trafford, with reports that he has been training with the reserves. A member of world players' union FifPro said Mourinho should be sent to prison over his treatment of Schweinsteiger, while Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also hit out at the Premier League club. Mourinho said at a news conference on Friday: "What is happening … [Read more...]

Riyad Mahrez not for sale – Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri has dashed Arsene Wenger’s hopes of luring Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal by insisting that the Leicester City winger will not be sold by the Premier League champions. Mahrez, last season’s PFA Player of the Year, remains a prime target for Arsenal, who failed in an attempt to sign Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy earlier this summer. Leicester failed to persuade N’Golo Kante to remain at the King Power Stadium following the club’s title triumph, with the France midfielder sealing a move to Chelsea after the Stamford Bridge outfit … [Read more...]

Benteke to leave for the right price-Klopp

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Christian Benteke's future does not lie at Anfield for the coming season. Benteke, 25, admitted that he might be forced to find another club if Klopp does not want to use him as first-choice striker and the German manager's latest comments have hinted that the £32.5 million signing from Aston Villa will not play much of a part this season. "Everyone knows about it. Christian has already said maybe it makes sense to go to another club," Klopp told a news conference. "Christian is still a great … [Read more...]

Mourinho hints at Pogba signing, swipes at Wenger and Klopp

Jose Mourinho has reacted at criticism from Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp over the fee for Paul Pogba. Manchester United are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Pogba, one which will cost a world-record fee. Juventus have demands upwards of £100m for the player they signed from United four years ago, and the deal is now reported to be close to completion. Last week, Arsenal manager Wenger claimed that the money involved in signing the 23-year-old was “madness”. “It’s complete madness,” said the Frenchman, “but it seems that if you … [Read more...]

James Milner retires from international football

James Milner has retired from international football following talks with new England manager Sam Allardyce. Milner, 30, has been part of the England squad at the last four major tournaments and earned 61 caps but managed just three minutes as a substitute at Euro 2016. The Liverpool midfielder had already indicated a willingness to make way for the next generation and officially called time on his Three Lions career after a recent meeting with Allardyce. The Football Association announced his decision on Friday. We can confirm that … [Read more...]

Branislav Ivanovic expecting a successful season under Conte

Branislav Ivanovic is sure Chelsea will improve, but is unwilling to set unrealistic goals in the Premier League. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists it is "dangerous" to look too far ahead as his side target improvement in the Premier League. Now under Antonio Conte, Chelsea are looking for a much better campaign after a disappointing 10th-place league finish last season. The Italian has added the likes of big-money signings N'Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi to his squad in the off-season. But while Ivanovic expects better … [Read more...]

Mourinho: Man Utd will sign ‘one more player’, plays down Pogba interest

Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire for his final signing of the summer to be completed by next Friday, with Manchester United set to ramp up their pursuit of Paul Pogba in an effort to see him return to the club before the start of the Premier League season. United take on Leicester City this Sunday in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in the annual curtain-raiser to the English season, although the possibility of Pogba signing for United before the match is reducing as each day goes by. The Juventus midfielder has enjoyed a … [Read more...]

Manchester City close in on Marlos Moreno

Manchester City could make a third signing this week and are close to signing Colombia international Marlos Moreno, it is understood. The 19-year-old winger would cost around £4.75million if a deal to bring him from Atletico Nacional is completed. Moreno’s arrival would follow those of Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, whose deals have already concluded this week, although reports have suggested he could immediately be loaned out for experience. Spanish club Deportivo la Coruna are a reported potential destination for the player, who came … [Read more...]

Kouyate double seals Europa League play-off spot for West Ham

Cheikhou Kouyate first-half double meant West Ham could enjoy their start to life at the Olympic Stadium as they saw off Slovenian side Domzale with ease in the Europa League . Cheikhou Kouyate scored twice and new signing Sofiane Feghouli opened his account as the Hammers, who left Upton Park at the end of last season, secured a 4-2 aggregate win to reach the play-offs for the group stages of the competition. Four years to the day since Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford wowed the nation on Super Saturday at London 2012, the … [Read more...]