England captain Wayne Rooney has conceded that his side’s inability to create clear chances against Iceland on Monday night ultimately cost them. Roy Hodgson’s men fell to a 2-1 defeat to their rivals in Nice, and now face plenty of difficult questions moving forward having crashed out of Euro 2016 . While the tactician resigned immediately after the game, Rooney was left to give his opinion on the game and assess the mood within the England camp. “Obviously tonight it is [the lowest point for England], but I don’t think you can compare it to other tournaments,” he told the BBC. “It’s always disappointing to go out of any tournament, and we’re all gutted. We feel as though we’ve let a chance slip tonight, we believed we could win the game and we … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic set to undergo United medical next week
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will undergo a medical with Manchester United next week ahead of a move to Old Trafford, according to sources . Ibrahimovic, who retired from international football following Sweden's group stage exit at Euro 2016, will sign a one-year contract at United following the completion of his medical. Personal terms on a one-year contract were agreed prior to Euro 2016 after negotiations between Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. The talks took longer than expected and a move could therefore not be completed before Euro 2016 began. Reports say, United do not expect any issues with the medical and the 34-year-old is said to be in excellent physical condition. Ibrahimovic, all being well, will … [Read more...]
Man City striker Sergio Aguero and Mascherano follow Lionel Messi in quitting National team after Copa America loss
Argentina stars Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero have followed Lionel Messi in retiring from international football following their penalty heartbreak to Chile in the Copa America. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was the first to go after his miss in the shootout , emotionally bidding farewell to the international scene after another high-profile failure. And now Mascherano and Aguero have also followed suit, with reports in Argentina suggesting that Angel Di Maria, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and Lucas Biglia could ALL be poised to quit. The exodus comes after a harrowing defeat on penalties yet again, with Chile holding their nerve to secure a second straight Copa America. The 29-year-old Barca star said: "For me the national team is … [Read more...]
Sanchez wins most valuable player at the Copa America centenario
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez was named player of the Copa America Centenario champions Chile also swept the individual awards. Chile beat Argentina on penalties for the second year in a row in the final on Sunday, and Sanchez was then awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player after scoring three goals and setting up two in six games. His teammate Eduardo Vargas won the Golden Boot after finishing as the top scorer with six goals, while Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was awarded the Golden Glove. Chile also dominated the selections for the Copa's Best XI, with eight players selected. The other three were Argentina players -- including Lionel Messi, who missed his penalty in the shootout and then said he will retire from … [Read more...]
Manchester United in talks over signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Manchester United have agreed a £26.3milllion fee with Borussia Dortmund for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to numerous sources. The 27-year-old Armenia midfielder and his representative have held talks with United and agreed personal terms and the player will undergo a medical this week. Mkhitaryan has one year left on his Dortmund deal but has shown no willingness to extend his deal with the Bundesliga club and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for the last couple of months. Dortmund have been keen to tie the player to a new long-term contract with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke earlier this month claiming the club were desperate to keep him. He told Bild: “We have been negotiating with Henrikh Mkhitaryan for four months for him to … [Read more...]
Chile beat Argentina in penalty kicks, win 2nd straight Copa title
Lionel Messi and Argentina missed out on international glory once again, as Chile claimed the Copa America Centenario 4-2 on penalties. After Sergio Romero stopped Arturo Vidal’s first attempt, the Barcelona man’s miss and Claudio Bravo’s save on Lucas Biglia proved the difference, helping La Roja claim back to back titles in a match that saw neither side able to hit the back of the net. Unfortunately for Messi and teammates, who fell to Chile on penalties in last year’s final as well, their streak of 23 years without a senior international title continues. It all looked so promising early on for the Albiceleste, as Gonzalo Higuain was sent in all alone after a miscue in the Chilean backline. However, the Napoli striker chipped his effort left of the … [Read more...]
Liverpool close in on signing of Southampton forward Mane
SADIO MANE will have a medical at Liverpool today after the Anfield club agreed a £30million deal for the Southampton player. Senegal forward Mane, 24, was given permission to head to Merseyside after Saints completed the signing of Norwich winger Nathan Redmond on Saturday. Mane he is expected to become Kop boss Jurgen Klopp’s fourth signing of the summer once personal terms have been agreed. Klopp is keen to complete his summer business early, after agreeing deals for midfielder Marko Grujic, centre-back Joel Matip and goalkeeper Loris Karius, Klopp expects Mane to join before players, not at the Euros, report back on July 2. Mane — who will become the Reds’ third-most expensive signing — when Germany and Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze went cold on … [Read more...]