Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker will be sidelined for "a few months" with a knee injury, manager Arsene Wenger has announced. The 31-year-old suffered the injury in Friday's pre-season draw against Lens and did not travel with the rest of Arsenal's squad for their two-match tour of the United States. The German World Cup winner, who lost his place in the Gunners' side towards the end of last season, will now miss the start of the new campaign as Wenger revealed the news at a press conference in the US on Tuesday. Fellow central defender Gabriel was also left at home and, with Laurent Koscielny on an extended break following his exertions with France at Euro 2016, it means new signing Rob Holding is likely to be involved in both matches. Wenger's men … [Read more...]
Liverpool made bid for Joao Mario- Father
Liverpool have had a bid rejected for Portugal star Joao Mario earlier this summer, according to the player’s father. The 23-year-old impressed at Euro 2016 and helped Portugal win the tournament, making six starts in the competition, including the 1-0 final win over France. The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been linked with a move after impressing in France, with Chelsea believed to be interested, but it now appears Jurgen Klopp tried to land the player, as well as Inter Milan. According to Portuguese paper Diario de Noticias, Mario was the subject of a €40m bid from the Reds, which was rejected. “Proposals for the lad don’t come directly to me,” Mario’s father is quoted as saying. “They go to his agent, Kia Joorabchian, and the Sporting … [Read more...]
Juventus look to Nemanja Matic as possible replacement for Pogba
As Paul Pogba looks closer to sealing a return to Manchester United, Juventus have identified Chelsea holding midfielder Nemanja Matic as an ideal replacement. The 27-year-old Serbian international, who is in his second stint with the Blues after re-joining from Benfica in 2014, suffered a huge dip in form last season after initially impressing at Stamford Bridge with his powerful all-round game. Despite fears that he could be sold following such a lacklustre season, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte recently insisted that Matic was a key part of his plans and is not on the market. “Matic is a very important player for me, he is very important in my idea of football,” he said. “He is not for sale.” Reports suggest that Matic is open to a move to Juventus … [Read more...]
Former Chelsea striker joins Villareal
After spending the final six months of last season on loan with Chelsea, Alexandre Pato has found his next club in Villarreal. The Yellow Submarines have agreed to sign the former AC Milan man on a permanent basis from Brazilian champions Corinthians. However, as part of the agreement between the two clubs, there is an understanding that none of the economic figures involved in the deal shall be made public. The striker has left the Timao after a mixed spell, which briefly saw arguably his best football since he returned to Brazil in 2014, on an initial loan spell at city rivals Sao Paulo. Last campaign however, the 26-year-old only managed to accumulate two appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League, although he did net a solitary goal. Pato’s … [Read more...]
Gary Cahill determined to fight for shirt under Sam Allardyce
Gary Cahill revealed he is determined to fight for his England career and prove he should be a part of new coach Sam Allardyce 's plans. The Chelsea defender believes Allardyce, who was named as Roy Hodgson's successor last week, is the right man for the post, but is not taking a place for granted. Cahill was in the England squad which failed to impress at Euro 2016 and were knocked out in humiliating fashion by Iceland at the last 16 stage. The 30-year-old, who was vice captain under Hodgson, is desperate to begin the next campaign for Chelsea strongly and secure an opportunity to add to his tally of 47 caps for the Three Lions "I am excited to be working under Sam. I'm looking to impress him at the start of the season and looking to impress him, if … [Read more...]
Totti: Higuain’s move a complete disaster
Francesco Totti has taken aim at Gonzalo Higuain's big-money transfer from Napoli to Juventus. Roma great Francesco Totti has hit out at Gonzalo Higuain's €90 million move from Napoli to Juventus, claiming modern players do not feel any loyalty toward a club. Higuain signed a five-year deal with the Serie A champions on Tuesday to end weeks of speculation linking him with the Turin giants, but Totti, famously a one-club man, is not impressed with the former Real Madrid striker's decision to join Massimiliano Allegri's side. "Modern players are a bit like nomads. They are following the money, not their heart. Not many athletes follow their heart. They decide to move elsewhere to win trophies and to earn more money," Totti told La Gazzetta dello … [Read more...]
Liverpool send Sakho home from USA as future remains unclear
Mamadou Sakho’s Liverpool future has been thrown into doubt after the France defender was sent home from their tour of the United States amid doubts about his attitude. Sakho has endured a troubled year, first missing the end of the season – including Liverpool’s Europa League final and the European Championship with France – due to a drugs ban, the results of which still remain uncertain with WADA considering whether to contest the verdict The 26-year-old then suffered an injury on his return to training for the Reds, but still travelled on their pre-season tour of the US. However, according to the Liverpool Echo, the Frenchman has now been sent home after causing trouble in the club’s training camp. James Pearce writes: ‘Sakho had been receiving … [Read more...]