Jose Mourinho has included Bastian Schweinsteiger in Manchester United’s 25-man squad for the Premier League campaign. Schweinsteiger has been exiled at Old Trafford following the arrival of Mourinho, with the club failing to move on the midfielder on deadline day. The 32-year-old is understood to be training with United’s reserves, but is determined to force his way into Mourinho’s first-team plans. “I have a contract with United until 2018 and you know what the atmosphere is like at Old Trafford and it’s my dream to run out there again,” he told Germany’s ZDF television. “I hope I get the chance to help the team again.” Also named in the squad is Sadiq El-Fitouri, who was signed from Salford City, the club owned by former United players Gary … [Read more...]
Costa: I wouldn’t be criticised if I played for Real Madrid or Barcelona
Chelsea striker Diego Costa helped Spain to a 2-0 friendly win over Belgium in Brussels before calling out the Spanish media for their criticism of his performances for the national team. Costa set up David Silva for Spain's first goal before the Manchester City midfielder went on to score his second goal of the night to cap off a good performance for Julen Lopetegui's men. The striker was brought on in the 27th minute in place of an injured Alvaro Morata, and reckons it was one of his best games for Spain. "If I were a Real Madrid or Barca player, you would say I played well," Costa told reporters. "I did bad games. But even if I don't score, the truth must be said. I missed the goals but they will arrive. "Media don't lie many times when they say I … [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...]
Gareth Bale not bothered by Paul Pogba surpassing his record fee
Gareth Bale says he is not bothered by losing the tag of the world's most expensive player to Paul Pogba. Bale's three-year reign as the most expensive player in football history ended when Pogba joined Manchester United from Juventus for £89million last month. That fee eclipsed the £85.3million Real Madrid paid Tottenham to sign Wales forward Bale in the summer of 2013. But Bale said: "I'm not fussed and I couldn't care less. "None of the players have pulled my leg on it." Bale was speaking at a UEFA Champions League gala dinner to launch the 'Road to Cardiff' with the 2017 final being held in his home city at what was known as the Millennium Stadium. The 27-year-old would become only the sixth player to win the European Cup or Champions League … [Read more...]
Yaya Toure omitted from Man City’s Champions League squad
Yaya Toure will not be eligible to play in Manchester City's Champions League group games after being left out of Pep Guardiola's squad. The City boss was forced to drop an overseas players from his squad as UEFA rules permit only 17 players who are not "locally-trained" or "association-trained". And Toure is the man to miss out after featuring in just one game of City's first five games this season and not being included in the 18-man matchday squad for the other four. The 33-year-old's only appearance came in the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Steaua Bucharest with City leading 5-0 from the first leg. City who face Barcelona, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic in the group stage were given until 11p.m. BST on Sept. 1 to update … [Read more...]
Islam Slimani will help Leicester compete on all fronts- Andy King
Andy King feels the addition of record signing Islam Slimani shows Leicester's intent to compete on all fronts this season. Slimani joined the Premier League champions on transfer deadline day with his Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon saying Leicester had paid a club record £25.5million, potentially rising by another £4.2million, for the Algeria striker. The 28-year-old scored 27 goals for Sporting last season and is an international team-mate of Foxes star Riyad Mahrez, last season's PFA player of the year. "I don't know how big a role Riyad has played in it," said King. "But I have seen his goal record and Riyad speaks very highly of him coming from a good team in a good league. I am sure he will be a good addition to us. "You will have to ask the … [Read more...]