Romelu Lukaku has claimed he could have joined Juventus in the summer transfer window but opted to stay at Everton. Chelsea are understood to have tried to re-sign Lukaku, who Everton reportedly valued at £75million. The Belgium international admits he is unhappy without European football and suggests he could still leave Goodison Park next summer. “It stings a little [not being in Europe], but I’m someone who believes that everything happens for a reason,” Lukaku said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad . “Otherwise I would have gone to Juventus instead of staying at Everton. But I opted for Everton because it was too early for Italy and I have not done badly here. “Now we have a new coach and it is completely different from Mr [Roberto] Martinez, … [Read more...]
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane opens up on Mourinho talks
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has told Canal+ it was "difficult to turn down Jose Mourinho" and a move to Manchester United this summer, but says Zinedine Zidane's vote of confidence convinced him to stay in Spain. Varane, 23, has developed into a world-class centre-back since moving to Madrid from Lens in 2011 bearing the tag of being one of the game's most promising youngsters. That transformation was aided in great part by Mourinho during his three-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the United coach hoped to reunite with the France international at Old Trafford this summer only for Varane to reject the move. "Of course it's flattering. Manchester United is a very big club. But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, … [Read more...]
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil wants Jack Wilshere’s No 10 shirt
Mesut Ozil has spoken of his desire to wear the Arsenal No. 10 shirt in the absence of Jack Wilshere, amid talks with the Gunners over a new contract. The 27-year-old has taken over wearing No. 10 for Germany after Lukas Podolski's retirement and has admitted that he would like the same shirt back at the Emirates Stadium. With Wilshere joining Bournemouth on loan for the season, Ozil says that he now has the opportunity to lock down the number he desires. "It has become free and I will definitely have it," Ozil told German newspaper Express. "I did a few years ago have this number [with Germany], but Lukas Podolski wanted it. He had more matches than I did. Now I have access. "Of course I've previously given those in charge [at Arsenal] a signal. The … [Read more...]
Jamie Vardy: Why it was an easy decision to snub Arsenal
Jamie Vardy has revealed the pain felt by England’s stars at their Euro 2016 humiliation and how he made the tough decision to turn down a move to Arsenal before bumping into Gunners boss Arsene Wenger during the tournament. Despite winning the Premier League with Leicester, being named footballer of the year by the Football Writers’ Association and getting married, Vardy was also part of the England squad which crashed out of the European Championships to Iceland. Add to that a high-profile bid from Arsenal, which the forward would go on to snub, and it was an off-season of mixed emotions for the 29-year-old. Vardy, who will start on the bench for Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of England in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia, … [Read more...]
I found it hard under Martinez at Everton- John Stones
England defender John Stones describes it as a weight off his shoulders to be enjoying his football at Manchester City after a breakdown of communication with Roberto Martinez marred his final season with Everton. Stones joined City in a £47.5 million deal over the summer, a huge sum that reflects the 22-year-old's youth, potential and nationality but not necessarily his recent experiences. He was part of an underachieving Toffees side who finished 11th last year and were frequently accused on being defensively disorganised. Martinez, who was sacked late in May before becoming Belgium boss, did not even consider Stones undroppable, sidelining him on several occasions during February and March. Stones is clearly loving his early days at the Etihad … [Read more...]
Totteham new signing Moussa Sissoko explains Everton snub
Moussa Sissoko has said he was only ever going to sign for Tottenham on transfer deadline day and laughed off interest from Everton. The Frenchman finally sealed his long-awaited move away from Newcastle with minutes to spare before the transfer deadline. with Spurs reportedly paying the £30million owed to the Magpies in five instalments. Many media outlets were expecting Sissoko to join Everton but a late twist saw him sign on the dotted line at White Hart Lane, the only scenario that was going to happen according to the 27-year-old. “I never went to Everton,” Sissoko told L’Equipe after appearing for France in their 3-1 friendly win over Italy on Thursday night. “It’s funny. I was watching TV, and I saw that a deal had been done with Everton and that … [Read more...]
Kante: I spoke to Mourinho about United move
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has revealed he held talks with Jose Mourinho over a move to Manchester United before joining the Blues. Mourinho was reportedly willing to launch a £25million-plus offer for the Frenchman, but Kante said that he was still unsure whether he would leave Premier League champions Leicester when the initial contact was made. The Frenchman told The Sun : “It was amazing to have Mourinho call me, even though I’d been warned before how he would appeal to me. “I listened to his arguments about why I should move to United. “But at that time I was contemplating between staying at Leicester or leaving for Chelsea. “My discussions with them was underway. But i felt good with Conte.” Kante also said he is happy to be avoiding … [Read more...]
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