After a less than ideal start to life in MLS, Frank Lampard now has eight goals in as many matches. Frank Lampard could not hide his delight after becoming the first New York City player to score a hat-trick in MLS. Lampard etched his name into the history books after scoring three goals in New York City's 5-1 rout of Colorado Rapids on Saturday. It has been a long and hard road for Lampard in New York, battling fitness and injury concerns, while attempting to win over fans in the Big Apple. But the 38-year-old former England … [Read more...]
John stones focused despite Manchester City’s interest
Everton assistant manager Erwin Koeman has praised the attitude of John Stones in the face of Manchester City’s ongoing transfer pursuit. City boss Pep Guardiola on Thursday confirmed his club were “going to try” to sign the 22-year-old England centre-back . There has been increased speculation about a reported £50million move but Stones, who played the last 11 minutes of the Toffees’ penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Betis in Germany on Saturday and 69 minutes against Dynamo Dresden on Friday, has remained focused. “He is very … [Read more...]
Everton reject Chelsea offer for striker Romelu Lukaku
Everton are keen to retain star striker Romelu Lukaku, but Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is hoping the Blues will use their financial muscle to land the 23-year-old this summer. The Belgian, who featured in just one full season at Stamford Bridge in 2011/12, has been put among the Italian’s top attacking targets during his extensive squad rebuild in London. Alvaro Morata is another wish that Conte would like granted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, but a push for the striker appears to be the main objective at the moment. According to … [Read more...]
Origi, Firmino on target as Reds defeat Milan
Liverpool defeated AC Milan at the International Champions Cup as Divock Origi starred off the bench. Divock Origi had an instant impact in his first game of pre-season for Liverpool, scoring in a 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the International Champions Cup. The Belgium international came on at half-time and netted just before the hour-mark at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Saturday. Origi, who had been away at Euro 2016, produced a sublime finish into the bottom corner, before fellow substitute Roberto Firmino also … [Read more...]
Real Madrid ease past Blues despite Hazard double
A late brace from Eden Hazard could not prevent Chelsea slumping to a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their International Champions Cup clash in Ann Arbor. First-half goals from Marcelo (two) and Mariano Diaz set a Madrid side missing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos on course for victory. Antonio Conte’s men responded twice late on through Hazard but were unable to get an equaliser in front of a 105,826 crowd at the Michigan Stadium – the largest ever official attendance for a Chelsea … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic scores in Man United friendly win
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a dream start to his Manchester United career by scoring acrobatically in just the fourth-minute of his debut as they won 5-2 against Galatasaray in Gothenburg with Wayne Rooney netting twice. United had to recover from a 2-1 deficit at half-time but they out-played the opposition in the second half with Antonio Valencia eventually setting up three of the team's goals. It meant that Ibrahimovic could enjoy both his personal contribution and the end result, as he made a glorious return to his homeland of … [Read more...]
Matic: I’m a big part of Conte’s Chelsea plans
Nemanja Matic says he is delighted to know that he remains a firm part of Antonio Conte’s plans at Chelsea. Matic received more criticism than most as Chelsea finished tenth last season, the Serbian struggling for long periods of the season. Conte’s former club Juventus have been linked with a move for Matic, filling the space left by Paul Pogba’s probable departure. However, the midfielder has stated his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge. “What he said gave me a special feeling,” Matic said. “It was important for me to know I … [Read more...]
Klopp: Liverpool didn’t fancy Mkhitaryan and had no interest signing him
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims that he had no interest in signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Klopp managed Mkhitaryan at Borussia Dortmund and there was plenty of speculation suggesting the German would be reunited with the midfielder at Anfield. But that was never an option, according to Klopp with the German coach questioning the ability of Mkhitaryan to develop having known the player so well previously in Germany. The 27-year-old Armenia star eventually signed for Manchester United for £35million earlier this … [Read more...]
Klopp: No excuses, Liverpool will challenge
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says his side will be a “challenger” this season after declaring this is “my squad”. This season will be Klopp’s first full campaign in charge having replaced Brendan Rodgers on October 2015 and the former Borussia Dortmund his happy with the stamp he has put on his Anfield squad. He has brought in several new faces and claims he now has a “special quality” that was missing last season. After finishing 21 points behind the champions Leicester in eighth, Klopp says there will be no excuses for Liverpool this … [Read more...]
Conte calls on players to have the right mindset against Real Madrid
Antonio Conte has called on his Chelsea team to use their heads to overcome Real Madrid in Michigan tonight. Conte has steered his side to three straight pre-season wins, the most recent of which was against Liverpool in the International Champions Cup in California on Thursday morning. Chelsea now take on Champions League holders Real this evening, with Zinedine Zidane's men having tasted defeat in their opening International Champions Cup game with Paris Saint-Germain this week. To add, Los Blancos will be missing stars Cristiano … [Read more...]
Ajax lastest to be linked with Liverpool reject Balotelli
The search for Mario Balotelli’s next club continues, with Ajax the latest to be linked with a move for the Liverpool reject. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told the Italian striker that he does not feature in his plans at Anfield, with Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola having recently offered the 25-year-old to Napoli and Ajax. However, with Arkadiusz Milik’s impending arrival at the Stadio San Paolo from Amsterdam, a move to the Eredivisie outfit appears more likely. Ajax are looking to reinvest the earnings from the sale of … [Read more...]