Jose Mourinho believes Eric Bailly can emulate Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane under his stewardship at Manchester United. Real Madrid signed Varane from Lens while Mourinho was in charge, and the centre-back quickly went on to become one of the most highly-rated young defenders in Europe. Mourinho made Bailly his first signing at Old Trafford when United paid Villarreal around £25million to land the 22-year-old. And the Portuguese has vowed to do everything he can to ensure the Ivory Coast international – who made his debut in the 2-0 victory at Wigan – follows in the footsteps of Varane. “I will give Eric everything to try to make him better and better like I did with other central defenders I’ve had in my hands,” Mourinho said. “Like for example … [Read more...]
Liverpool wants Newcastle’s £25m-rated midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Ragnar Klavan
Liverpool are closing in on moves for £4.2m defender Ragnar Klavan and £25m-rated Georginio Wijnaldum. After making three signings this summer in the forms of Joel Matip, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane, Jurgen Klopp has been busy identifying other key areas to improve in his squad during his first pre-season at the club. The defence requires reinforcement after Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure left this summer, which meant that only Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and the incoming Matip represented recognised central defenders. The latter of that trio have also picked up injuries this summer, and so the club have stepped up their search for cover, with Klavan widely reported to be the man they want. Augsburg centre-half Klavan played both legs of the Bundesliga … [Read more...]
Kante: Conte’s ambitions brought me to Chelsea
Following an impressive debut season at Leicester City which saw him win the Premier League, Euro 2016 runner-up N’Golo Kante joined London club Chelsea to match his ambitions. New Chelsea signing N’Golo Kante released a statement on Twitter saying that Antonio Conte’s ambitions are what made him join the West London club. The France international left Premier League champions Leicester City in a €38 million deal, which has seen him pen a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Kante revealed in his statement that Conte is the reason he signed for the Blues, whilst he looks forward to working at the club after receiving a runners-up medal in the Euro 2016 final. “At the beginning of the new season, I chose to join Chelsea,” he wrote. “It is a great … [Read more...]
Antonio Conte and Klopp’s methods questioned by Dutchman
Notorious fitness coach, and former Wales No 2, Raymond Verheijen has publicly criticised the methods of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. The Dutchman is notorious for criticising the coaching and fitness techniques employed by modern-day coaches, and has previously targeted Mauricio Pochettino, Manchester United and Arsene Wenger. Taking to Twitter , Verheijen has attacked the methods of Klopp and Conte, who he claims are ‘destroying players’. Raymond Verheijen @raymondverheije In meantime ask yourself a question: why do we no longer fly in planes of 30 yrs ago but do intelligent coaches still train like 30 yrs ago? 12:07 PM - 18 Jul 2016 ‘In past weeks media reported how intelligent coaches like Conte & … [Read more...]
Jose Mourinho can be the new Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United- Ranieri
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho can be the new Sir Alex Ferguson, according to Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri. Louis van Gaal's United finished the 2015-16 season in fifth place, 15 points behind title-winning Leicester, but the arrival of Mourinho to replace the Dutchman has changed expectations. Leading bookmakers are all offering much shorter odds on United becoming champions rather than Leicester retaining their crown -- with United being considered second favourites behind Manchester City, while Leicester are not seen to be among the frontrunners. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Ranieri said: "Mourinho can be the new Ferguson. He will not stay 26 years, but he will leave his imprint." Mourinho has not lasted more than … [Read more...]
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: ‘King of Manchester United?! I will be God’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has produced a typically confident response to Eric Cantona’s warning he would never be “King” of Manchester United. The arrival of Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford has been one of the most anticipated moves in recent years in England. And in a video for Eurosport, former Old Trafford icon Cantona lauded the Swede’s decision to join the Red Devils after his PSG contract had expired. However, the Frenchman went on to warn Ibrahimovic: “Just one last thing, there can only be one King in Manchester. “You can be the Prince if you want to. And the number 7 is yours if you are interested. That is my welcome gift to you…The King is gone! Long live the Prince!” But Ibrahimovic, famed for his self-confidence – as evidenced by his best … [Read more...]
Diego Costa set to remain at Chelsea despite reports linking him back to Spain
Diego Costa has not asked to leave Chelsea and is expected to stay at Stamford Bridge this summer. Reports in Spain today suggested that the striker had handed in a transfer request in order to force through a move back to Atletico Madrid. But sources say that is not the case and Costa is training with the rest of the squad as normal at their pre-season base in Austria. Atletico Madrid are desperate to re-sign the 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea from the La Liga club for £32m in 2014 Costa has struggled to settle in London and has looked to return to his former side over the past two years. However, as reported earlier in March, new coach Antonio Conte wants the Spain international to stay and he is prepared to keep leading the line for … [Read more...]