Bertrand Traore has become the latest young player to leave Chelsea on loan, with Ajax securing his services for the entire season. The 20-year-old striker from Burkina Faso broke into the Blues first team under Guus Hiddink last season and has scored two goals in 10 Premier League appearances for the club. However, he has now been given the tough task of replacing Polish star Arek Milik, who joined Napoli earlier this month following Gonzalo Higuain’s big-money move to Juventus. He will be reunited with coach Peter Bosz, who he played under during a loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem between 2013-15 and could be thrown straight into their Champions League play-off squad against Rostov. … [Read more...]
Disappointment for Chelsea as Witsel set for Zenit stay
Axel Witsel has informed Zenit St Petersburg he will be staying for at least another season, ending rumours of a summer move to the Premier League. The Belgian had originally asked to leave the Russian outfit , with his current boss Mircea Lucescu saying the midifielder had held talks with two Premier League teams. However, it appears Witsel has now had a change of heart and has not even ruled out the opportunity of extending his current deal. “I want to stay at Zenit for another year and I’m focused exclusively on the mseason that’s just started,” he told R-Sport . “If I have to leave Russia one day, I have no preference between the Premier League or Serie A. Both championships are incredible.” “I don’t know, but I never say never,” he said. … [Read more...]
Joe Allen happy to make Liverpool
Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen has insisted that leaving Liverpool left him with “no regrets” and is looking forward to his time with the Potters. The midfielder, who starred at Euro 2016 for Wales, joined Stoke for a fee of £13million not long after arriving back from international duty. Allen spent four years with the Reds but says he didn’t struggle to make a decision over whether to move or not. “It wasn’t a difficult decision to move and I’m not looking back with any regrets,” he told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday. “I’m excited about the future in my career. At 26, the best years are still in front of me and naturally I’m looking forward to them. “I look back and I’ve got fond memories, it was a huge privilege to play for a club like Liverpool but … [Read more...]
‘Upset’ and ‘Humiliated’ Januzaj set for Manchester United exit
Adnan Januzaj has been left ‘humiliated’ and ‘upset’ by Manchester United as he edges towards a move to Sunderland. Belgian winger Januzaj, who spent much of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, has been told by manager Jose Mourinho that he is not part of his 26-man squad this campaign. United manager Mourinho, who was appointed this summer, prefers working with a smaller squad than usual, and the 21-year-old did not make the cut. The club remain reluctant to sell him however, and would prefer for him to gain experience by leaving on loan for first-team opportunities. Januzaj is ‘furious‘ at what he perceives is poor treatment from the club and, now that he no longer trains with the first team, he refuses to even change with the … [Read more...]
Juve include Zaza in a bid to land Matic
Juventus have reportedly returned to the table with a fresh bid for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic – and have thrown a striker into the mix. According to the Daily Star , the Italian giants are eager to re-strengthen following the departure of Paul Pogba to Manchester United and are ready to tempt their former boss by offering the chance of a reunion with one of his Euro 2016 stars Simone Zaza. Zaza has attracted interest from likes of Tottenham and West Ham in the past, and is said to be intrigued about the prospect of playing for Conte again despite having no real urge to leave Italy this summer. Matic is, however, looking to leave after his representatives held talks with Chelsea officials earlier this week. Conte looks set to favour a midfield … [Read more...]
De Bruyne happy to help new City teammate
Kevin de Bruyne is looking forward to providing goals for new summer signing Leroy Sane and has given his Premier League title predictions. Sane is one of eight fresh faces brought in by manager Pep Guardiola over the course of pre-season, and the £37m capture from Schalke is the man that the Belgian is looking forward to playing with the most. “Leroy Sane is a class player. I want him to shine with my assists,” De Bruyne told Sport Bild. “My aim is the title. To reach this it’s important we have new players like Sane or Gundogan.” De Bruyne also expects the Premier League heavyweights to be back fighting at the top of the Premier League table again following Leicester City’s shock runaway success in the last campaign. “Manchester United is strong again … [Read more...]
Claudio Ranieri signs new four-year contract
Claudio Ranieri has signed a new contract with Leicester City until 2020. Ranieri, who signed a three-year deal when he replaced Nigel Pearson as manager last summer, led Leicester to the Premier League title in his first season in charge. The former Chelsea, Juventus and Monaco boss told the club's official website on Wednesday: "From the moment I talked to the owners about their vision for Leicester City, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of for a long time. "The energy that exists at this club -- from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters -- is something very special. I am very happy and proud that I will be part of it for years to come. "Last season, that spirit and our hard work helped us to achieve something magical. … [Read more...]