Demba Ba, fomerly of Chelsea and West Ham , has suffered a horrific leg break while playing for Shanghai Shenua in China. The 31-year-old move to China from Besiktas in 2015 having previously played for Premier League clubs West Ham, Newcastle United and Chelsea. The Senegalese international was playing in his side’s Chinese Super League clash with Shanghai SIPG this afternoon, before being forced off through injury following a collision with Sun Xiang. Ba is currently the league’s top goalscorer, having scored 14 goals in 18 games so … [Read more...]
Mourinho impressed by Luke Shaw’s recovery
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed that Luke Shaw gave up a summer holiday to work on his fitness and also admitted to being surprised at the speed of the left-back's progress. Shaw made his comeback in the 2-0 preseason friendly win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday after 10 months out of action following a double fracture to his right leg. The 21-year-old England defender looked untroubled by fitness or injury issues and regularly pushed forward down the flank. Mourinho said: "When I found Luke at the training ground, it was … [Read more...]
Conte warns his Chelsea stars: Respect me or there will be trouble
Antonio Conte has fired a warning shot across the bow of his Chelsea players after suffering a disappointing pre-season friendly defeat by Rapid Vienna on his debut as manager. The Italian took to the dug-out for the first time as Blues boss as a strong line-up including Diego Costa, Willian, Nemanja Matic and captain John Terry succumbed in the Austrian capital on Saturday. Joelinton gave Rapid an eighth-minute lead before Tomi Correa scored a second with nine minutes remaining as Costa and youngster Ola Aina conspired to spurn … [Read more...]
Conte keen on signing only the right players
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits he “talks to the club every day” as he plots a third arrival of the summer at Stamford Bridge. The new Blues boss has already done deals for Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante and the Italian admits the club are still working to add new names to the squad. Chelsea have on Sunday been linked with a move for Leicester star and reigning Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez , but Conte was given nothing away when questioned about who he might sign next. “All together we are working to improve the squad,” he … [Read more...]
Henry dreams of Arsenal job; reveals details of coaching snub
Thierry Henry says he dreams of taking over the reins from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but he has played down his coaching exit from the club. The Gunners legend was offered a role as under-18 coach by the head of the Arsenal academy Andries Jonker, but Arsene Wenger did not want the Frenchman combining it with his job as a Sky Sports pundit. The 38-year-old, who had worked with the club’s academy players last season as he studied to gain his UEFA ‘A’ Licence, opted to continue in his media role and walk away from the club he … [Read more...]
Rio Ferdinand wants England coaching job
After working during Euro 2016 as a pundit, Rio Ferdinand has given his views on the problems the England side have to solve. Despite no coaching experience, Rio Ferdinand insists that he should be the next England boss. Roy Hodgson resigned following the Three Lions’ humiliating last 16 exit at Euro 2016 to underdogs Iceland and the hunt for his successor is well underway. Sam Allardyce is the current bookmakers’ favourite for the job but Ferdinand, who won 81 caps with the national team, has offered his own view on the team as well as … [Read more...]
Allegri keen to work with Higuain at Juventus
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri would relish the potential arrival of Gonzalo Higuain and is keen for Paul Pogba to stay put. Massimiliano Allegri would welcome Gonzalo Higuain with open arms if the Napoli striker were to join Juventus. The Serie A champions are keen to sign a new striker following the departure of Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid and they have allegedly selected Higuain as the ideal replacement. Sporting director Fabio Paratici revealed on Friday that Juventus are indeed interested in signing the Argentina … [Read more...]
Liverpool target set to remain in Italy
Jurgen Klopp will move on to other targets as Udinese’s Pietr Zielinski is reportedly closing in on a permanent transfer to Inter Milan. The Poland star has spent the last two seasons on loan at Empoli and has long been on the Reds’ radar, but his parent club Udinese have proved difficult to negotiate with according to Goal. The 22-year-old is said to have had his heart set on a move to Anfield. However, he is now ready to join AC Milan after talks with Liverpool continued to break down. Zielinski is not the only target Liverpool have … [Read more...]
Del Bosque tips Man City boss as the ideal candidate for Spain job
After stepping down from his job as Spain’s coach following the early elimination in Euro 2016 at the hands of Italy, Vicente Del Bosque dropped Pep Guardiola’s name as the ideal La Roja in the future. The Salamanca native considers that political divergences should not be an obstacle. After stepping down from his job as Spain’s coach following the early elimination in Euro 2016 at the hands of Italy , Vicente Del Bosque dropped Pep Guardiola’s name as the ideal La Roja in the future. The Salamanca native considers that political … [Read more...]
Theo Walcott only fit striker at Wenger’s disposal
Theo Walcott could begin the new Premier League season as Arsenal’s only fit striker as manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Olivier Giroud has been given a month off after his Euro 2016 exploits. Both Giroud and France teammate Laurent Koscielny will holiday for four weeks before returning to Gunners training just before the start of the new league season on August 13. Danny Welbeck is a long-term absentee and the Gunners have so far failed to add to their striker ranks; Welbeck, Giroud and Walcott were the only three players to start … [Read more...]
Ex-United coach linked with vacant Belgium job
Louis van Gaal will be considered to replace Marc Wilmots as Belgium manager if he applies for the role, according to Francois De Keersemacker, the president of the Belgian FA. Former Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Ajax boss Van Gaal has taken charge of the Netherlands' national team on two separate occasions and is currently available after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season. Francois De Keersemacker, the president of the Belgian FA, told reporters on Friday: "Van Gaal might be a potential candidate. We will see if he puts … [Read more...]