Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez says only "two or three clubs" in the world could tempt him to leave the Premier League champions. Mahrez had been linked with a move to Arsenal earlier this summer, though Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has been confident the Algerian would stay with the Foxes. In an interview with France Football, Mahrez said he would prefer to stay in England, though he could be tempted abroad by a select few teams. "[The Premier League] is a super league and I would like to stay here as long as possible," he said. "Now, there are two or three clubs in the world, that if they come for me, it definitely makes you think, if you understand what I am trying to say." Mahrez also erased any doubt of a link to Chelsea, after he had … [Read more...]
Azpilicueta: Kante can be a star at Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta has hailed N'Golo Kante as a potential Chelsea star following the midfielder's impressive debut against West Ham on Monday night. Kante, who joined Chelsea from Leicester for £32million this summer, was in fine form to help secure a 2-1 win in Antonio Conte's first Premier League game in charge at Stamford Bridge. The France international was an integral part of Leicester's title-winning team last season, and full-back Azpilicueta thinks that the 25-year-old - who was booked after just three minutes against the Hammers - will be an important player in shaping Conte's tactical plans. "N’Golo is a big help to the whole team, he covers a lot of space and makes really good interceptions," Azpilicueta told the club's official website. "He’s … [Read more...]
Guardiola delighted by Man City’s great performance
Pep Guardiola was delighted to maintain his winning start as Manchester City manager as his side all-but secured their place in the Champions League group stage with a 5-0 win over Steaua Bucharest. Sergio Aguero missed two penalties in the first 20 minutes but rediscovered his scoring touch to bag a hat-trick with David Silva and Nolito also on target in the Romanian capital. Guardiola again left goalkeeper Joe Hart on the bench, but saw his side dominate from start to finish as they eased to victory to leave Steaua with a seemingly impossible task in Manchester next week. "We are almost in the Champions League and that was our target at the very beginning," Guardiola told BT Sport. "It was a great performance, we played really, really good. The … [Read more...]
Aguero hits hat-trick as Man City run riot on Steaua
Sergio Aguero missed two penalties, but was still able to net a hat-trick as Manchester City recorded a 5-0 win over Steaua Bucharest. Sergio Aguero shook off two first-half penalty misses to score a hat-trick as Manchester City all but sealed a place in the Champions League group stages with a 5-0 away win over Steaua Bucharest in the first leg of their play-off tie. The Argentina international had his first attempt from 12 yards saved by goalkeeper Goalkeeper Florin Nita, before blasting a second spot kick over the bar after David Silva's opener. Aguero eventually made amends when he doubled City's lead late in the first half with a calm finish, with Nolito piling even more misery on the hosts in the second half to make it 3-0. City rounded off an … [Read more...]
Arsenal join Man United in chase for Fonte
Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte is keen to join Manchester United but he has also received an approach from Arsenal, according to reports. Jose Mourinho is seeking an experienced defensive leader and club sources say that United had opened informal talks over 32-year-old Fonte, who could play for Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday night. However, United need to sell or loan one of their existing central defenders before signing Fonte, with Argentina international Marcos Rojo the player the club are most eager to offload. United also have Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind and Phil Jones as centre-back options. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson prefers to play as a central defender, but he was told by Mourinho that he is free to go on loan this … [Read more...]
City close to signing goalkeeper Claudio Bravo
Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is expected to travel to England on Thursday to finalise his move to Manchester City , according to reports in Spain. The Premier League side have moved for the Chilean after Pep Guardiola decided that he wanted to replace Joe Hart as his first-choice goalkeeper. The England international was dropped for City's season opener against Sunderland and now the club have agreed a £21m fee for the goalkeeper Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was coy when reporters quizzed about him the Chilean's future on Tuesday morning. But, according to Catalan newspaper Sport, the 33-year-old is set to fly to England on Thursday to complete a move to the Etihad. Barcelona had wanted to keep hold of Bravo, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen's desire … [Read more...]
Palace hopeful of deal for Liverpool’s Benteke despite rejected bid
Liverpool have rejected an initial £23million offer from Crystal Palace for striker Christian Benteke as they hold out for a fee similar to the one they paid last summer. Reports say that Palace, whose own transfer kitty has been swelled by Yannick Bolasie's move to Everton on Monday, lodged a bid that, with add-ons, was thought could rise to £30million. Benteke is seen as surplus to requirements among the six strikers at Anfield just one year on from his £32.5million switch from Aston Villa, yet the Reds want to recoup as much of that money as possible and have turned down Palace's offer. There is still hope a deal could be struck for the 28-year-old between the two Premier League clubs and it is believed Palace will be undeterred by seeing their first … [Read more...]