The Premier League is set to have four teams qualifying automatically for the Champions League group stage from the 2018-19 season. UEFA announced at a press conference on Friday that Europe's leading leagues in their co-efficient rankings - currently the Premier League, Spain's LaLiga, Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A - will all have automatic qualification for top-four finishers. Under the current system there are automatic spots for the top three English, Spanish and German clubs, with a fourth having to qualify through a play-off. In Italy only the top two qualify automatically with third contesting a play-off, which their clubs have failed to negotiate for the last three seasons. The move, which is understood to have been championed by … [Read more...]
Besiktas continue negotiations for Samir Nasri
Besiktas are locked in negotiations with Manchester City over a loan deal for Samir Nasri. The attacking midfielder has been told he can leave the Etihad this summer and he is yet to feature under new boss Pep Guardiola. Given the lack of time left in the transfer window, the France international is ready to leave on loan and he now has a concrete offer on the table. Besiktas, according to L'Equipe, are in talks with City about a season-long deal and they are hopeful of reaching an agreement. The Turkish side are happy to pay a loan fee for the 29-year-old, but the player's wages are proving to be a sticking point. Nasri currently earns around £180,000-a-week and Besiktas are working on a deal which would see them pay half that amount for the … [Read more...]
Belgium name Henry as Martinez’s assistant manager
Thierry Henry will join the Belgium national team's coaching staff as Roberto Martinez's assistant. Former France international Henry had been working as coach of Arsenal's under-18 side before leaving last month after Arsene Wenger told him he could not continue in the role unless he quit his work as a TV pundit. However, he will now work with former Wigan and Everton boss Martinez as Belgium look to rebuild following a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign. Roberto Martínez: "@ThierryHenry has been in the situation to change the spirit into winning something" #belesp #cypbel #tousensemble - BelgianRedDevils (@BelRedDevils) August 26, 2016 Henry, 39, won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France. Honoured to be assistant coach @BelRedDevils. … [Read more...]
Nice join FC Sion in race for unwanted Balotelli
Nice are the latest side to test the water over a deal for unwanted Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. The Ligue 1 club have held talks with the Merseysiders about the Italy international, who was not at the Reds' Melwood training ground on Thursday having been given permission to speak to the French side. However, a deal is still some way off as no fee has been agreed and coach Lucien Favre has certain expectations of the 26-year-old, who is surplus to requirements at Anfield and is not in manager Jurgen Klopp's plans. "I don't know him personally, but if he runs and wants to help the youngsters, then why not?" Favre told a press conference. "If he doesn't want to run, then there's no way he'll come here." Swiss side FC Sion have also expressed an … [Read more...]
Wenger ’99 per cent confident’ on completing double swoop
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are closing in on signing striker Lucas Perez and centre-back Shkodran Mustafi but says the deals are yet to be completed. "We are working on the deals," Wenger said on Friday at a news conference. "We are not close enough to announce to you today that they will sign for us. Will we sign anybody before the end of the transfer window? I'm 99 percent confident [we will]." Arsenal moved on Thursday to trigger a £17 million release clause for Perez, the Deportivo La Coruna striker who had also been a target for Everton. British media then reported Thursday evening that the Gunners had also agreed a £35m fee for Mustafi, the Valencia defender, after lengthy talks with the Spanish club. The boss reveals the latest transfer … [Read more...]
Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmond, Sporting Lisbon and Legia Warsaw in Championship Group F
The European Champions and current Super Cup holder will play the first game of Champions League on the verge of retaining their title. Real Madrid will take on Borussian Dortmond, Sporting Lisbon and Legia Warsaw in group f of the Champions League. The group stage will kick off on 13th and 14th of september, and will come to an end on the 6th and 7th of December. The final of the season champion league will be played at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff on the 3rd of June 2017. Champions League Group Table Group A: PSG, Arsenal, Basel and Ludogorets. Group B: Benfica, Napoli, Dynamo Kiev and Besiktas. Group C: Barcelona, Manchester City, Borussia Mochengladbach Group D Bayer Munich, Atletico Madrid, PSV and Rostov Group E: CSKA Moscow, … [Read more...]
Champions League: Pep in Barcelona return as Arsenal face PSG
Pep Guardiola will return to the Camp Nou after Manchester City and Barcelona were drawn together in the Champions League group stage on Thursday. Guardiola spent the majority of his playing career with Barcelona and led them to two European titles as manager in 2009 and 2011. And now in his first season as City boss, he will face off against his former club in Group C, along with Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic, when the group stage begins next month. The Spanish champions beat City in the round of 16 in both 2014 and 2015, and the teams completed a transfer of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to City just hours before the draw. The draw featured some other blockbuster matchups, as defending champions Real Madrid play Borussia Dortmund in Group F, Paris … [Read more...]
Chelsea sign Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Eduardo
Experienced goalkeeper Eduardo has joined Chelsea from Dinamo Zagreb on a one-year deal. Chelsea have announced the signing of Eduardo from Dinamo Zagreb, the Portugal international signing a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge. The 33-year-old had been heavily linked with a transfer to Antonio Conte's side and confirmed on Wednesday that he would be leaving Dinamo after helping the club to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League. His move to England has now been confirmed, giving Conte another senior goalkeeping option to compete with Thibaut Courtois and Asmir Begovic. "Having the opportunity to come to the Premier League and to Chelsea, to such a big club, it is an easy decision to make," said Eduardo. "For me this is the best and the … [Read more...]
Ronald Koeman insists Everton have ‘no interest’ in Joe Hart
Everton manager Ronald Koeman shut down talk of a move for England goalkeeper Joe Hart in three simple words on Thursday. Hart is set to leave Manchester City having been reduced to a fringe role with the club since Pep Guardiola’s arrival as coach and he made what appeared to be his farewell against in the Champions League qualifier Steaua Bucharest. But despite Hart’s goodbyes to the Etihad Stadium crowd, his next destination seems hard to discern. The Toffees were strongly linked with a move but when asked about the player, Koeman said emphatically: “There’s no interest.” There have been reports that the goalkeeper’s wages have proved off-putting, but Koeman appeared to deny that when questioned if the England international had ever … [Read more...]
Claudio Bravo completes Manchester City move
Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has completed his move from Barcelona to Manchester City for a reported £17 million. Bravo, 33, has signed a four-year deal and could make his debut in the Premier League clash with West Ham United on Sunday. The shot-stopper, who has won 106 caps for Chile, was identified as a top target by new City boss Pep Guardiola who wants a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. But the deal casts doubt over the future of England international Joe Hart, who has begun the season as second choice to Willy Caballero at the Etihad. It's that time again! Let's all #WelcomeClaudio to Manchester City! Manchester City (@ManCity) August 25, 2016 Bravo said on his new club's official website: "I'm very proud to be joining … [Read more...]
Danny Drinkwater signs new five-year Leicester deal
Danny Drinkwater has signed a new five-year contract with Leicester City, the Premier League champions have announced. The deal ties the 26-year-old England international to the Foxes until 2021 and sees him join the likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Kasper Schmeichel in committing his future to the club this summer. Drinkwater told the club's official website: "I've loved playing for this club. It's been perfect for me and my career and I want to be here for a long time to come. I couldn't be happier." BREAKING: Midfielder @DannyDrinkwater has signed a new five-year deal at #lcfc! #drinkwaterlcfc pic.twitter.com/5XkbXBguMS - Leicester City (@LCFC) August 25, 2016 Drinkwater joined Leicester in 2012 from home-town club Manchester United and … [Read more...]
Champions League draws: Who will Spurs, Arsenal, Leicester and Man City play?
Manchester City sealed their place in the Champions League group stage with a comfortable 6-0 aggregate victory over Steaua Bucharest in the playoff round on Wednesday night, and will be in pot 2 for Thursday's draw. Pot 1 contains the seeded teams, featuring holders Real Madrid and the champions of the top seven leagues: Barcelona, Leicester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Benfica, PSG and CSKA Moscow. City slot into the second pot with the best performing clubs in Europe over recent seasons, placing them alongside Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Sevilla, Porto, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen. Tottenham Hotspur could face a difficult group as they are in pot 3 -- which means they will definitely draw one of the six-non English teams from pot 2 … [Read more...]
‘I’m a centre forward, not a winger’. Sturridge unhappy with wide role
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has revealed his unhappiness at being forced to play in a wide position by Jurgen Klopp. Sturridge was selected on the right for last weekend's clash with Burnley and was substituted on 65 minutes after failing to make an impact in the 2-0 defeat. He came off the bench in Tuesday's 5-0 EFL Cup second-round victory at Burton and was again deployed on the right. But, despite scoring twice, the 26-year-old admits he is feeling frustrated at not being selected to play in a central striking role. "Of course it is more difficult for me to play wide. I'm a centre-forward," England international Sturridge said, quoted by several national newspapers. "In the modern-day game you have to try and be flexible, but everyone … [Read more...]
Chelsea take on Leicester in the EFL Cup, Manchester City face Swansea
Premier League champions Leicester have been drawn at home to Chelsea in the third round of the EFL Cup. Claudio Ranieri’s men are entering at this stage of the competition due to their European commitments, and will take on the Blues - who overcame Bristol Rovers in the second round. Manchester City will also face a Premier League side having been drawn to face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, but top flight rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all coming up against lower league opposition in Northampton, Nottingham Forest and Derby respectively. Elsewhere, Accrington Stanley were rewarded for overcoming Burnley by drawing another Premier League side in West Ham, and Gillingham , victors over Watford in the second round, will … [Read more...]
Hart starts as City go through to Champions League group stage
Joe Hart was hailed by supporters as Manchester City went through the motions to claim their place in the Champions League group stage at Steaua Bucharest's expense. Fabian Delph scored the only goal of a drab game as City claimed a 1-0 win in their playoff at the Etihad Stadium to progress 6-0 on aggregate. At times the occasion seemed more about England goalkeeper Hart, who was recalled by manager Pep Guardiola after sitting on the bench for the first three games of season. Hart's future at City remains uncertain with the club poised to complete the signing of Chile international Claudio Bravo from Barcelona this week. Fans made clear their feelings on the sudden demotion of the two-time title-winner throughout but it remains to be seen whether Hart … [Read more...]
Arsenal show interest in Roma defender Kostas Manolas
As Arsene Wenger’s protracted search for a new defender continues, Roma ‘s Kostas Manolas has now emerged as the latest candidate to be linked with a potential switch to Arsenal. Having already shown interest in the Greek international once before, the Premier League outfit have since rekindled their attraction due to various struggles in signing Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi. According to The Daily Mail, The Gunners sent scouts to specifically observe Manolas’ performance during the Giallorossi’s disappointing 3-0 play-off defeat to Porto on Tuesday evening, although they could still launch a significant assault in the coming days. Arsenal had been expected to swiftly complete a deal for Mustafi, however, the LaLiga outfit are now demanding a … [Read more...]
Moses confident of playing time under Conte
Victor Moses is confident he can finally establish himself at Chelsea after being handed a first-team opportunity by Antonio Conte. Nigeria international Moses impressed off the bench in the victory at Watford and scored his first Chelsea goal in over three years after starting the 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers. The 25-year-old has been spent the last three seasons on loan at Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham, but believes he has earned the trust of new manager Conte. “I was excited to get on the scoresheet, it was important for me as well as for the team,” Moses said. “I’ve always believed in the ability and the talent I’ve got and I’d like the fans to know there’s still a lot to come from me. “We’ve got a great manager here who gives the lads a chance … [Read more...]
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey left out of Wales squad
Wales manager Chris Coleman has revealed he will be without Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey for the Dragons’ upcoming World Cup qualifier against Moldova. The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Liverpool, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said he would not be fit until after the international break Coleman on Wednesday named his squad for the Moldova game in Cardiff on September 5, and said he expected Ramsey to be out for another three weeks. "When you've got a player as good as Aaron, take him out of any team and you are going to know about it,” said the Wales boss. "He is irreplaceable, he makes a huge impact for us. He is a great player and it's a shame he's not here. He's a loss to any team." Wales show … [Read more...]
Schweinsteiger: Manchester United will be my last club in Europe
Bastian Schweinsteiger has stated he will not leave Manchester United for another club in Europe, and stressed he is ready for action should the team need him. Schweinsteiger, 32, is yet to make an appearance for United since Jose Mourinho took over this summer. Sources have told ESPN FC that the midfielder remains a player United do not intend to keep, despite reports from Germany that he is set to stay at the club. The former Bayern Munich has taken to Twitter to elaborate on his future amid speculation of a move away from Old Trafford. A brief message to the amazing fans about my current situation. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Rf3jLKNwK4 - Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 24, 2016 He said: "MUFC will be my last club in Europe. I respect … [Read more...]
Hart ‘furious’ over Manchester City’s treatment by Guardiola
Out-of-favour Joe Hart is said to be furious at how he has been treated by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, according to reports. Guardiola has dropped the England international for the opening three matches of the season, preferring Willy Caballero in goal, due to concerns over the England international’s ability with the ball at his feet. City are now set to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in a £17million move, which would see Hart be demoted further to third-choice stopper. According to the Daily Mail, Hart believes Guardiola decided he was going to replace him before the end of last season, but did not inform the player. The 29-year-old feels that he has now been left without sufficient time to secure a move elsewhere and now has a … [Read more...]
Jurgen Klopp hopeful Can injury not too serious
An injury to Emre Can threatened to sour Liverpool's evening following a comprehensive EFL Cup win at Burton but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp allayed fears over the midfielder. Can came off midway through the second half of Tuesday night's 5-0 victory after going to ground somewhat innocuously in some discomfort. The Germany international eventually regained his feet and was helped from the pitch, rather than having to be carried off on a stretcher, but immediately after the game it was too early to know the exact problem or its extent. Asked about Can, Klopp said: "I have no idea. He had a little pain in his ankle without any touch - I couldn't see any contact. "It was a long leg, then a little bit floppy and then he had pain. "But it is not that … [Read more...]
Sturridge at the double as Liverpool sink Burton Albion
Burton Albion had no answer to Liverpool as the Reds ran out 5-0 winners in the League Cup second round. Substitute Daniel Sturridge scored twice, while Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino were also on the scoresheet as Liverpool battered Burton Albion 5-0 to reach the League Cup third round on Tuesday. Jurgen Klopp's side, finalists in the competition last season, slumped to a disappointing 2-0 Premier League loss at Burnley on Saturday but an upset was never on the cards at the Pirelli Stadium. Origi put Liverpool ahead after just 14 minutes, tapping in from close range after Sadio Mane's trickery created a simple finish for the striker. Mane and Nathaniel Clyne then combined well for Firmino to double the lead before the break and an own goal from … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 581
- 582
- 583
- 584
- 585
- …
- 623
- Next Page »