Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is set to miss the start of the season after being named in Nigeria's squad for the Rio Olympics. The 29-year-old has been included in the 18-man squad for the tournament and did not fly with the rest of his Chelsea team-mates to Los Angeles yesterday for their pre-season tour to the USA. Nigeria decided to make Mikel one of the three players aged over 23 that are allowed to participate according to the permitted quota. The men's competition begins on August 3, just 12 days before Chelsea's opening Premier League match against West Ham. Nigeria are considered one of the favourites for the competition and have been drawn in a group with Colombia, Sweden and Japan. Their last group game is on August 10, but the final … [Read more...]
Chelsea interested in former Man City and Man United striker
Former Manchester City and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has told reporters in Italy that Chelsea are interested in signing him. As per a report from Corriere dello Sport , the 32-year-old said that Chelsea, along with Serie A club Napoli, have interest in signing him, but he is happy to see out the remainder of his career with Boca Juniours. He said: "I feel really good at Boca, better, my idea, my dream is to end my career in this sensational club. It’s true, Napoli and Chelsea are following me but, I repeat, my will is to remain at Boca until I retire.” Tevez knows the Premier League very well after spells with the two Manchester-based clubs and West Ham , and despite him coming to the latter stages of his career, he still could have … [Read more...]
Villareal not interested in signing former Chelsea striker
Villarreal are set to turn down the opportunity to sign former AC Milan and Chelsea forward Alexandre Pato, despite agreeing a fee with current club Corinthians. The Brazilian striker has returned to his homeland after a disappointing six month spell in the Premier League, in which he only made two appearances for Chelsea. Corinthians are keen to get the 26-year-old, who they purchased from Milan in 2013, off their books, particularly as he has less than six months remaining on his contract and would soon be eligible to leave for free. Spanish outfit Villarreal have agreed a €5 million deal with the Brazilian champions, although the move has now been cast into doubt due to concerns surrounding Pato’s physical condition, according to Fichajes.net. The … [Read more...]
Allardyce: ‘Too early’ to decide captaincy
New England manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he hasn’t decided whether Wayne Rooney will carry on as captain of the national team. Allardyce came up against the English press for the first time since his appointment as the new Three Lions manager on Monday after being handed the reins last week. The former West Ham and Newcastle boss, who succeeds Roy Hodgson in the hotseat, was beaming from ear to ear as he began answering questions after quitting Sunderland to take the job he has coveted for many years. First on the agenda for Allardyce was the future of Rooney and whether the forward would continue his captaincy under the new regime and ‘Big Sam’ didn’t give much away. “No, it’s far too early [to say whether Rooney will be captain] or make … [Read more...]
Stoke completes £13m deal for Liverpool’s Allen
Stoke have completed the signing of midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool on a five-year deal, the club has officially announced. The 26-year-old joins the Potters for a fee of £13million, and passed a medical on Monday in order to finalise his move. After impressing for Wales during Euro 2016 and making the Team of the Tournament, Allen was linked with a summer Anfield exit as his playing time would likely be limited. BREAKING | Stoke City are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Allen from @LFC on a 5-year deal #SCFC 8:00 PM - 25 Jul 2016 2,699 2,088 Stoke City FC @stokecity Follow Stoke’s bid met Liverpool’s valuation of a player with less than 12 months remaining on his contract and means they recouped most of the £15million they … [Read more...]
Celtic sign Ex Liverpool defender
Celtic have completed the signing of former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure. Toure, 35, has signed a one-year deal and reunites with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic Park. The centre-back, who played in Liverpool's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla in May, was a free agent after the expiry of his contract at Anfield. Celtic delighted to sign Kolo Toure, https://t.co/V9KeK2nCDR (PV) pic.twitter.com/U9a7DZC0mR - Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 24, 2016 Rodgers told Celtic's official website: "I brought Kolo into Liverpool to add that bit of experience and help to the centre-halves there at the time. "You saw from his impact there and in particular last season, he was a very important player for … [Read more...]
Juventus considering move for Man United defender
With new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho building a team to suit his tactics, Matteo Darmian may be set for a return to Italy, with Juventus contemplating a move. In his first season with the Red Devils, the 26-year-old defender played in 28 Premier League matches but he battled with inconsistent form and injuries, which has prompted Mourinho to place him on the transfer list. Daily Express reports that Darmian is one of a few Manchester United players who will be facing the exit along with fellow defender Marcos Rojo and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. After playing for four seasons at Torino, Darmian moved to Old Trafford for the 2015/16 season but he could be set to make a quick return to Turin, albeit with the Granata’s city rivals … [Read more...]