Liverpool are closing in on moves for £4.2m defender Ragnar Klavan and £25m-rated Georginio Wijnaldum. After making three signings this summer in the forms of Joel Matip, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane, Jurgen Klopp has been busy identifying other key areas to improve in his squad during his first pre-season at the club. The defence requires reinforcement after Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure left this summer, which meant that only Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and the incoming Matip represented recognised central defenders. The latter of that … [Read more...]
Kante: Conte’s ambitions brought me to Chelsea
Following an impressive debut season at Leicester City which saw him win the Premier League, Euro 2016 runner-up N’Golo Kante joined London club Chelsea to match his ambitions. New Chelsea signing N’Golo Kante released a statement on Twitter saying that Antonio Conte’s ambitions are what made him join the West London club. The France international left Premier League champions Leicester City in a €38 million deal, which has seen him pen a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Kante revealed in his statement that Conte is the reason he … [Read more...]
Antonio Conte and Klopp’s methods questioned by Dutchman
Notorious fitness coach, and former Wales No 2, Raymond Verheijen has publicly criticised the methods of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. The Dutchman is notorious for criticising the coaching and fitness techniques employed by modern-day coaches, and has previously targeted Mauricio Pochettino, Manchester United and Arsene Wenger. Taking to Twitter , Verheijen has attacked the methods of Klopp and Conte, who he claims are ‘destroying players’. Raymond Verheijen @raymondverheije In meantime ask … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho can be the new Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United- Ranieri
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho can be the new Sir Alex Ferguson, according to Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri. Louis van Gaal's United finished the 2015-16 season in fifth place, 15 points behind title-winning Leicester, but the arrival of Mourinho to replace the Dutchman has changed expectations. Leading bookmakers are all offering much shorter odds on United becoming champions rather than Leicester retaining their crown -- with United being considered second favourites behind Manchester City, while Leicester are not seen … [Read more...]
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: ‘King of Manchester United?! I will be God’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has produced a typically confident response to Eric Cantona’s warning he would never be “King” of Manchester United. The arrival of Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford has been one of the most anticipated moves in recent years in England. And in a video for Eurosport, former Old Trafford icon Cantona lauded the Swede’s decision to join the Red Devils after his PSG contract had expired. However, the Frenchman went on to warn Ibrahimovic: “Just one last thing, there can only be one King in Manchester. “You can be the … [Read more...]
Diego Costa set to remain at Chelsea despite reports linking him back to Spain
Diego Costa has not asked to leave Chelsea and is expected to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer. Reports in Spain today suggested that the striker had handed in a transfer request in order to force through a move back to Atletico Madrid. But sources say that is not the case and Costa is training with the rest of the squad as normal at their pre-season base in Austria. Atletico Madrid are desperate to re-sign the 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea from the La Liga club for £32m in 2014 Costa has struggled to settle in London and has … [Read more...]
Juan Mata relishing the challenge against Dortmund and Man City
Manchester United are set to face Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City in China, with Juan Mata relishing the challenge. Juan Mata says Manchester United must be wary of Borussia Dortmund's attacking qualities ahead of the two teams' meeting in Shanghai next Friday. After Jose Mourinho's first match in charge ended in a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, United turn their attention to upcoming International Champions Cup matches against Thomas Tuchel's side and rivals Manchester City in China. Dortmund are first up for United … [Read more...]
Hazard can reach Messi and Ronaldo level- Conte
Antonio Conte is confident he can transform the likes of Eden Hazard into world-class performers during his time in charge of Chelsea. Hazard was voted the PFA Player of the Year in 2015 for the dazzling displays that helped Chelsea win the Premier League, but suffered a dip in form last term as the Blues endured a dismal title defence that saw Jose Mourinho sacked. Having shown glimpses of returning to his best for Belgium during Euro 2016, Mourinho’s successor Conte is hoping Hazard will improve into one of the world’s best. “Last … [Read more...]
Chelsea to play Werder Bremen in preseason friendly
Antonio Conte will have an additional match to get Chelsea ready for the new season, with a game against Werder Bremen in August. Chelsea will face Werder Bremen in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2016-17 campaign. The Blues will travel to Germany for a match on August 7, one week before they open their Premier League season at home to West Ham on August 15. Chelsea lost 2-0 to Rapid Vienna in Antonio Conte's first match in charge on Saturday, with a match against Wolfsberger also to come in Austria on Wednesday. Conte's … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Arsenal told to pay more for Roma defender
After two seasons in Italy in which he helped the Giallorossi to a second and third place finish, Kostas Manolas has attracted serious interest from London. Roma defender Kostas Manolas, Giallorossi officials have slapped a hefty price tag on the Greece international in a bid to deter potential suitors. Roma have already rebuffed an offer from Manchester United, but now the 25-year-old has attracted the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea , who will have to pay €45 million if they are to land the defender. Luciano Spalletti has already lost … [Read more...]
Redknapp: Jordon Ibe naturally gifted than Sterling
Jamie Redknapp says departed Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe has greater natural ability than Raheem Sterling. Bournemouth this week completed the £15million club-record signing of winger Ibe with the 20-year-old signing a four-year deal and Redknapp, who started his career at Bournemouth before moving to Liverpool in 2001, says Ibe could be a very shrewd acquisition. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Redknapp said: “I think it’s a great piece of business for Bournemouth. Although it’s a lot of money, when you look at the current … [Read more...]