Liverpool will only sell midfielder Lucas Leiva if they can sign adequate defensive cover, according to reports. The Brazilian is the club’s longest-serving player after Martin Skrtel was sold to Fenerbahce earlier this summer. Lucas featured 40 times for the Reds last season – 27 times in the Premier League – as the club reached the finals of both the Europa League and Capital One Cup. But the 29-year-old remains back-up at best in a number of positions at Anfield, and has attracted interest from Galatasaray this summer. The Turkish club are not the only suitor for the Brazil international, but manager Jurgen Klopp will not sanction the sale unless defensive cover arrives, according to the Liverpool Echo. Injuries to Joel Matip, Mamadou Sakho and … [Read more...]
Diego Costa to stay at Chelsea-Cerezo
Diego Costa looks set to stay at Chelsea after Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo cooled reports of a move for their former striker. The Brazilian-born Spanish international has been the subject of intense speculation over the summer, with Blues boss Antonio Conte confusing matters with various contradictory statements. A reunion with Atletico Madrid, who have since signed Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla, did appear to be happening, but now Cerezo has respectfully ended those rumours. “There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga,” Cerezo told Marca. “Diego has a contract with Chelsea and is part of manager Antonio Conte’s squad. We are on friendly terms with Chelsea and see them as our friends. “Diego is also a friend and a true Atletico man, … [Read more...]
Suarez tips former club for top four finish
Luis Suarez believes his former club should be targeting a Champions League spot and is looking forward to a reunion this weekend. The Reds showed some signs of promise under Jurgen Klopp and the Uruguayan, who left Anfield in 2014 for £65m, has backed the German to set his sights high for the following season. “The last few months, everybody saw a really good performance from Liverpool,” the Barcelona attacker told the official Liverpool website. “They had a chance to win the Europa League and in the Premier League they played really well. “Now it’s a new season and I think the manager will have confidence they can finish in the top four.” Suarez is also gearing up to face Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Wembley on Saturday and is ready to … [Read more...]
Terry delighted with Kante’s performance against AC Milan
Chelsea captain John Terry was full of praise for new signing N'Golo Kante after the midfielder made his debut for the club in the 3-1 win over AC Milan on Thursday morning. Kante joined the Blues from Premier League champions Leicester City last month in a £32million deal after his superb performances in midfield for the Foxes played a crucial role in Claudio Ranieri's side winning their first-ever top-flight title last term. After enjoying an extended break following Euro 2016, Kante joined up with his new Chelsea teammates last week and impressed Antonio Conte so much during that time, he was handed his debut in the International Champions Cup friendly against Milan in Minneapolis today. The Frenchman came on in the 52nd minute and did well to protect … [Read more...]
Szczesny returns to Roma on season-long loan deal
Roma have acquired the services of Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for a second consecutive season after the two clubs agreed to extend his loan deal. The Poland international made 34 Serie A appearances for the Lupi last campaign, and expressed his satisfaction at the prospect of another year in the Italian capital. “I am very happy,” Szczesny told Roma TV. “After a good season last year I had the possibility of coming back and I was very happy that the coach [Luciano Spalletti] wanted me. “I’m delighted to be back and I hope we can improve on what we did last season.” Szczesny’s deal will now expire on June 30, 2017 and Roma fans will be hoping the stopper can repeat the form he showed while on-loan from the Gunners last year. The … [Read more...]
‘Mourinho should go to prison for bullying Schweinsteiger’
Jose Mourinho should be sent to prison over his treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger, according to a member of world players’ union FifPro. Schweinsteiger appears to have been cut out of the Manchester United first-team picture since Mourinho’s arrival as manager in the summer, with reports that he has been training with the reserves. The World Cup winner’s name was conspicuous by its absence from United’s squad for Wayne Rooney’s testimonial against Everton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, a match in which Mourinho used 22 players. Dejan Stefanovic, a lawyer and FifPro member from Slovenia, told BBC World Service Sport: “It’s clear bullying. In Slovenia, we would have indicted Mourinho and asked for the highest penalty – three years in prison. “This is … [Read more...]
Belgium name former Everton boss Martinez as new coach
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been appointed as the Belgium national team's new head coach, it has been confirmed. The Royal Belgian Football Association announced the news via their Twitter account on Wednesday night, writing: "Our new head coach: Roberto Martínez ! #welcomeRoberto #tousensemble". He replaces Marc Wilmots, who was relieved of his duties as Red Devils manager following Belgium's exit at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2016. Martinez's first match in his new role will be against Spain on 1 September. The Spaniard was sacked by Everton in May after he oversaw a poor end to the season, which left the Toffees languishing in 12th place in the standings. His final match in charge saw Everton succumb to a 3-0 loss away to … [Read more...]