While Simone Zaza still remains under contract with the Old Lady until 2020, the striker doesn’t seem likely to remain as Massimiliano Allegri’s fourth choice much longer With a chance to shine as a starter in Italy ‘s clash with Ireland at Euro 2016 on Wednesday, Simone Zaza could gain added transfer interest with a strong performance. Despite proven lethality with far less minutes than his Bianconeri teammates during the 2015/16 campaign, the player still remains behind the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata in the club’s pecking order. Even though Real Madrid may decide to reclaim Morata this summer, Juventus could act on their desire for Edinson Cavani to bolster their attacking depth. Zaza’s eight goals in 24 appearances … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Pedro unhappy with substitute role
Chelsea winger Pedro has cast doubt on his international future by claiming being asked to sit on the Spain bench at Euro 2016 is “not worth” his time. Coach Vicente Del Bosque has showed a preference for the likes of Nolito and David Silva on the flanks – something which has upset the Chelsea forward. “I had different expectations when I first came here,” he said in an interview with Movistar, quoted in Marca. “It is difficult for me to play this role (as a substitute), and if there is no continuity it is not worth me turning up just to be part of the group.” The Chelsea forward, who joined the Blues from Barcelona last summer, is one of the most experienced players in the Spain squad, having won 58 caps and scored 17 goals since making his debut in … [Read more...]
Roma keen on Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta
Roma are hoping they can land Pablo Zabaleta as the Argentine may not feature in Pep Guadiola's plans. Roma are very keen on bringing Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta to the Italian capital to further shore up their defence ahead of next season. The 31-year-old currently has one more year left on his deal at the Etihad, and the Giallorossi are hoping to bring him in much in the same way they brought in Maicon in 2013. In the case of Maicon, Manchester City agreed to a mutual termination of his contract which allowed him to join Roma on a free transfer. Zabaleta only saw limited action with the Citizens last season due to a knee injury that caused him to miss most of the first half on the season. With the Argentine’s injury problems and a … [Read more...]
Zlatan to join United as he seeks revenge on Guardiola
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has dropped another hint that the player is Manchester United bound – by saying his client wants to inflict “revenge” upon his former manager Pep Guardiola. Ibrahimovic is out of contract at Paris Saint-German this summer and will announce his next club soon, after Sweden’s Euro 2016 campaign ends. His nation face Belgium in their final group game and are long odds to beat the Red Devils. Manchester United is thought to be the 34-year-old’s most likely destination, with Jose Mourinho keen to instill star power and guaranteed goals at Old Trafford in his first season as manager. Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, has dropped a big hint that the striker could be headed to United, as he wants “revenge” over Manchester City boss … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Wilshere fails to shine as England draw Slovakia
It was precisely the mental picture Jack Wilshere would have held two years ago. Him at the nexus of England's midfield; pointing, manoeuvring, picking up the little pockets of space and being the tempo man of England's European Championship campaign. Then the scene changed utterly. Wilshere has played so little football in the last nine months that his start in the Massif Central last night took his England appearances ahead of those for Arsenal - four to three - for the season and starting a group game was actually against his expectations. “I'm ready. I'm ready,” he said in a player/journalist mixed zone just before this tournament, where the pain behind his scenes revealed what he knew: that others had accelerated ahead of him in the pecking order. Then … [Read more...]
playing with Gerrard and Scholes helped me adapt- Rooney
Former England team-mates Paul Scholes and Steven Gerarrd are the inspiration for Wayne Rooney as he establishes himself as a midfielder. Wayne Rooney says playing alongside midfield greats like Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes has prepared him for his late-career drop back from a regular striking role. Manchester United and England captain Rooney has shone in midfield at Euro 2016 so far, with his stellar performances set to earn him protected status and a rest ahead of the knockout stages as Roy Hodgson's side round off the Group B campaign against Slovakia on Monday. Already England's record goalscorer, and second only to Bobby Charlton in United's striking stakes, Rooney says it should be no surprise to see him moving down the pitch as his career goes … [Read more...]
Manchester United target Paul Pogba in talks with Real Madrid, his agent confirms
The 23-year-old Frenchman, who has been the subject of interest from Barcelona, Man City , Chelsea and in particular Manchester United , has been at Juventus since 2012 — and won the Serie A title in each of his four seasons in Italy. Paul Pogba is reported to be in talks with Real Madrid over a summer move However, the European champions appear to be firmly at the front of the queue after super-agent, Mino Raiola, admitted Pogba ’s fondness for fellow countryman Zidane could be key as talks between the two parties are ongoing. He said: “We are in the first stage of the negotiations. “Paul admirers Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane and that will obviously be important towards his decision.” Raiola also suggested it will take a world-record fee to … [Read more...]