Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he would have to be "a real idiot" to rush into the transfer market purely on the basis of Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Burnley. Klopp has made several signings this summer, including Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Ragnar Klavan, but he has so far failed to bring in a new left-back despite serious questions over Alberto Moreno's form, with James Milner used in the position at Burnley. Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-3 in their Premier League opener before suffering the surprise defeat to Burnley, and Klopp said after that loss: "If one game should change my mind then I would be a real idiot. If that was the case, how could I be here?" He dismissed concerns that Liverpool, who had 81 percent possession at Turf Moor, had lost too … [Read more...]
Chelsea want to win the League again under Conte- Hazard
Eden Hazard said Chelsea have set their sights on regaining the Premier League title under Antonio Conte this season. Chelsea came from a goal down at Watford on Saturday to make it two wins from two Premier League games for Conte, with Diego Costa scoring an 87th-minute winner. The result puts the Londoners level with Manchester United, Manchester City and Hull City on six points -- a total the Blues took six games to reach as their title defence imploded last season. Hazard is encouraged by that start and said the team's goal was to re-establish themselves as the dominant force in English football. "It's always difficult to come back but we did great," the Belgium international told Chelsea's official website. "We played a good second half and … [Read more...]
Chelsea midfielder Mikel leads Nigeria to Rio 2016 Olympic bronze
Sadiq Umar scored a brace as Nigeria held off a late Honduras fightback to win Olympic bronze on Saturday at Mineirao Stadium. The 3-2 victory made sure of Nigeria's third Olympic medal in men's football after winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, while they claimed silver in 2008 after a final defeat to Argentina in 2008. The medal was a reward for an Olympic tournament that got off to a rocky start. Nigeria's arrival in Brazil was delayed until just hours before the team's opening match because of a flight mix-up in Atlanta. Honduras, who scored twice late on, head home from Brazil empty-handed but can take comfort from their best performance at an Olympics. Umar put Nigeria in front, rushing in to convert Mikel John Obi's cross just before the … [Read more...]
Laurent Koscielny vows Arsenal will compete for the Premier League title
Laurent Koscielny has vowed Arsenal will challenge for the title despite their rivals’ “unbelievable” spending this summer. The Gunners drew 0-0 at champions Leicester on Saturday and remain winless after the opening two Premier League games. Travelling fans again turned on Arsene Wenger and urged him to spend as the toothless visitors struggled to create clear chances. But defender Koscielny insisted the Gunners, runners-up to Leicester last season, will battle for the Premier League crown as they hunt their first title since 2004. “Always. We are Arsenal – we fight for the title. Every game we play we want to win the game,” he said. “This season will be very difficult because of the top clubs spending a lot of money on transfers, it’s … [Read more...]
Valencia one of world’s best right-backs- Herrera
Ander Herrera thinks his Manchester United team-mate Antonio Valencia is currently the best right-back in the world. Valencia, 31 has started both of United’s Premier League games at right-back this season after maintaining the fine form he showed in pre-season. Valencia, who was brought to United by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 from Wigan for a fee of around £16million, was switched from his original role as a winger to full-back by Louis van Gaal. He started 14 Premier League games last season, most of which were in defence, but this term under Mourinho the Ecuador star has kicked on and looks like an out-and-our right-back. And that has not gone unnoticed by Herrera, who believes only Juventus full-back Dani Alves can be put in the same bracket as … [Read more...]
Sporting Lisbon sign Arsenal forward Joel Campbell on loan
Joel Campbell has joined Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon on loan after failing to secure a regular place in the Arsenal side. The Gunners announced the season-long deal on Sunday and said the Costa Rica forward "will be hoping he can help the Portugese side win the Primeira and gain further Champions League experience." Sporting Lisbon tweeted a picture of Campbell posing in club colours after he had tweeted them to suggest that they sign him. .@joel_campbell12 challenge accepted! Welcome to Sporting CP! #BemvindoCampbell pic.twitter.com/NyA7vIv2aV - Sporting CP (@Sporting_CP) August 21, 2016 It is the latest in a series of loan moves for a player who joined the Gunners in 2011 but has since spent spells in France, Spain and Greece. Campbell got … [Read more...]
Conte pleased with players’ impact from the bench
Manager Antonio conte praised the impact of his substitutes as Chelsea again left it late to strike for victory. The Blues had beaten West Ham on Monday with a late Diego Costa strike, and the Spain international produced the goods three minutes from time against Watford as Conte's side came from behind to win 2-1 at Vicarage Road. Etienne Capoue fired the hosts ahead 10 minutes into the second half before Conte reacted, introducing Victor Moses, Michy Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas from the bench, with summer recruit Batshuayi levelling with his first Chelsea goal after Heurelho Gomes failed to deal with an Eden Hazard drive. And then Fabregas, seemingly down the pecking order under Conte, produced a superb pass into the run of Costa - with the striker … [Read more...]