Manchester United are set to face Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City in China, with Juan Mata relishing the challenge. Juan Mata says Manchester United must be wary of Borussia Dortmund's attacking qualities ahead of the two teams' meeting in Shanghai next Friday. After Jose Mourinho's first match in charge ended in a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, United turn their attention to upcoming International Champions Cup matches against Thomas Tuchel's side and rivals Manchester City in China. Dortmund are first up for United and Mata is wary of their offensive threat going into the match, which he hopes will kick-start another successful pre-season after United won against Barcelona in the United States prior to last season. "They are two … [Read more...]
Hazard can reach Messi and Ronaldo level- Conte
Antonio Conte is confident he can transform the likes of Eden Hazard into world-class performers during his time in charge of Chelsea. Hazard was voted the PFA Player of the Year in 2015 for the dazzling displays that helped Chelsea win the Premier League, but suffered a dip in form last term as the Blues endured a dismal title defence that saw Jose Mourinho sacked. Having shown glimpses of returning to his best for Belgium during Euro 2016, Mourinho’s successor Conte is hoping Hazard will improve into one of the world’s best. “Last season was very bad for the players,” Conte was quoted as saying in the Daily Express . “It is incredible that Chelsea finished 10th. “When you have great players in a team with great character, and Hazard is one of them, … [Read more...]
Chelsea to play Werder Bremen in preseason friendly
Antonio Conte will have an additional match to get Chelsea ready for the new season, with a game against Werder Bremen in August. Chelsea will face Werder Bremen in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2016-17 campaign. The Blues will travel to Germany for a match on August 7, one week before they open their Premier League season at home to West Ham on August 15. Chelsea lost 2-0 to Rapid Vienna in Antonio Conte's first match in charge on Saturday, with a match against Wolfsberger also to come in Austria on Wednesday. Conte's side then head to the United States to play Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan, which will now be followed by a trip to Germany after the Bremen game was added to their schedule. Bremen – who avoided relegation from … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Arsenal told to pay more for Roma defender
After two seasons in Italy in which he helped the Giallorossi to a second and third place finish, Kostas Manolas has attracted serious interest from London. Roma defender Kostas Manolas, Giallorossi officials have slapped a hefty price tag on the Greece international in a bid to deter potential suitors. Roma have already rebuffed an offer from Manchester United, but now the 25-year-old has attracted the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea , who will have to pay €45 million if they are to land the defender. Luciano Spalletti has already lost one key player in Miralem Pjanic to Serie A rivals Juventus this summer , whilst the club will do everything they can to keep hold of their star defender. Two factors that officials of the capital club will take into … [Read more...]
Redknapp: Jordon Ibe naturally gifted than Sterling
Jamie Redknapp says departed Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe has greater natural ability than Raheem Sterling. Bournemouth this week completed the £15million club-record signing of winger Ibe with the 20-year-old signing a four-year deal and Redknapp, who started his career at Bournemouth before moving to Liverpool in 2001, says Ibe could be a very shrewd acquisition. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Redknapp said: “I think it’s a great piece of business for Bournemouth. Although it’s a lot of money, when you look at the current climate he is the sort of player who in a couple of years could be worth double that because he’s got fantastic pace and can dribble and shoot. “I’d like to see him add more goals to his game but I think he’ll be a … [Read more...]
Demba Ba suffers horrific leg break while playing for Chinese club
Demba Ba, fomerly of Chelsea and West Ham , has suffered a horrific leg break while playing for Shanghai Shenua in China. The 31-year-old move to China from Besiktas in 2015 having previously played for Premier League clubs West Ham, Newcastle United and Chelsea. The Senegalese international was playing in his side’s Chinese Super League clash with Shanghai SIPG this afternoon, before being forced off through injury following a collision with Sun Xiang. Ba is currently the league’s top goalscorer, having scored 14 goals in 18 games so far this season. … [Read more...]
Mourinho impressed by Luke Shaw’s recovery
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed that Luke Shaw gave up a summer holiday to work on his fitness and also admitted to being surprised at the speed of the left-back's progress. Shaw made his comeback in the 2-0 preseason friendly win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday after 10 months out of action following a double fracture to his right leg. The 21-year-old England defender looked untroubled by fitness or injury issues and regularly pushed forward down the flank. Mourinho said: "When I found Luke at the training ground, it was a surprise for me because I thought he couldn't be ready to train without any type of limitation, but he did fantastic in the summer. He sacrificed his holiday. "He stayed in Manchester and was at the training ground … [Read more...]