Christian Benteke concedes he could have done more with his opportunities at Liverpool but has "no regrets" from his time at Anfield. Crystal Palace recruit Christian Benteke insists his time at Liverpool was not a failure despite spending just one season at the club. Benteke was a £32.5million purchase from Aston Villa in July 2015 under former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. The 25-year-old started the first six league games of the season before Rodgers was sacked in October, with Jurgen Klopp taking the Northern Irishman's place at Anfield. While he scored in his first two games under Klopp, Benteke was used predominately off the bench under the German for the rest of the season, preferring to play Firmino and Divock Origi up front. But Benteke … [Read more...]
Kante is a rat says Chelsea team-mate Hazard
N'Golo Kante has impressed in the early stages of his Chelsea career, prompting an unusual comparison from team-mate Eden Hazard. Eden Hazard has compared Chelsea counterpart N'Golo Kante to a rat for his all-action midfield displays. Kante was an unfamiliar name when he arrived in the Premier League last season, signing for Leicester City from Caen. But the 25-year-old was soon impressing all onlookers with his performances as the Foxes stormed to the most unlikely of title triumphs. Those displays prompted Chelsea to prise him away from the King Power Stadium in the transfer window, and the France international has continued to show his quality under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. "He [Kante] gives us confidence," Hazard told Chelsea … [Read more...]
Werder Bremen set to sign Arsenal foward Gnabry
Werder Bremen are on the verge of completing a permanent deal for Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry, according to the Bundesliga club's director of sport Frank Baumann. The 21-year-old German forward, who scored six goals for his country as they clinched a silver medal at the Olympic Games, is out of contract next summer and set to return to Germany. Reports on Wednesday had claimed German champions Bayern Munich were set to land the Gunners youngster and immediately loan him to Bremen. But Baumann dismissed those rumours and said he expects Gnabry to arrive in northern Germany on Wednesday before putting pen to paper. "We've got an agreement with the player and we're confident it will go through," he said at a press conference on Tuesday. "We have … [Read more...]
I hoped for Atletico Madrid return- Costa
Diego Costa has admitted he wanted to leave Chelsea to return to Atletico Madrid this summer. The striker has been regularly linked with rejoining Diego Simeone at Atletico since moving to Stamford Bridge in a £32million deal two years ago. Chelsea have always insisted they would not entertain a bid and that Costa was happy - although he says he did wish to return to Madrid. "The truth is that I had hopes of returning (to Atletico), I won't lie," Costa told Spanish television station Movistar. "Everyone knew there was the possibility to return, it wasn't to be because of some details. "I'm always grateful to the fans of Atleti, and to Cholo (Simeone), who has always placed his confidence in me. "Right now I'm at Chelsea, I'm happy there and … [Read more...]
Chelsea make move to bring back Paris Saint-Germain’s David Luiz
Paris Saint-Germain are considering the sale of David Luiz after former club Chelsea tabled a substantial offer to take the defender back to Stamford Bridge. Luiz moved to the Parc des Princes in the summer of 2014 in a £50 million deal from Chelsea, and won nine trophies as part of a team that completed two consecutive domestic clean sweeps under former boss Laurent Blanc's leadership. He has started all four of the French champions' competitive fixtures so far this season. But Le Parisien reported earlier this month that new coach Unai Emery told the Brazil international that he is no longer guaranteed a starting role. Captain Thiago Silva is back in training and expected to be available after the international break, while Marquinhos has returned … [Read more...]
Loic Remy join Crystal Palace on loan from Chelsea
Crystal Palace have secured the services of Loic Remy on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Chelsea. Loic Remy has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Chelsea, it was announced on Tuesday. Remy played under Palace boss Alan Pardew at Newcastle United during the 2013-14 season and his form at St James' Park earned him a move to Chelsea in September 2014. The 29-year-old has struggled for first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge, though, and he has made just 47 appearances, scoring 12 goals. Remy, who won a Premier League and League Cup double in the 2014-2015 campaign, told Palace's official website: "This is a very good chance for me and a big opportunity. "It was very important to know Alan Pardew as he is a very good … [Read more...]
Arsenal sign Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia
Arsenal have completed the signing of Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia for a reported fee of £35 million. Mustafi, 24, is the third major signing for manager Arsene Wenger this summer after central midfielder Granit Xhaka joined in May from Gladbach and £17m striker Lucas Perez arrived from Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday, taking the club's spending to over £90m in this transfer window. The German solves a defensive crisis for Wenger's men after Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista were injured in preseason. While 20-year-old Rob Holding has impressed in the team's first three games, Mustafi is expected to earn an immediate starting role alongside Laurent Koscielny in Arsenal's back four. Mustafi will join up with his new teammates after … [Read more...]