The question on football fans across the globe is Where will Zlatan Ibrahimovic be playing next season? The answer is Manchester United , Sky Sports reported on Friday, and a deal could even be struck before Euro 2016 kicks off on June 10. Despite the Swede's admission that he's enjoying the churning rumor mill and will pick a club when he's bored of the stories, Manchester United were always the favored destination. A reunion with Jose Mourinho and the unfamiliar challenge of playing in the Premier League could prove too tempting, even without the allure of Champions League football at Old Trafford. The 34-year-old would join the Red Devils on a one-year deal, Sky reports. Should the deal push through, the former Paris St. Germain striker would bring not only … [Read more...]
Ilkay Gundogan gives encouraging injury report after Manchester City move
City have gone ahead with the £21m deal with Borussia Dortmund despite the fact midfielder Gundogan dislocated his knee cap towards the end of last season to rule himself out of Euro 2016. But the 25-year-old player - who also missed a year with a back injury while with Dortmund - has re-assured City that although he will miss the first month of the season he expects to be fully fit by the beginning of September and they are not taking a gamble. He said: “I had a dislocated patella. It happened in training but it’s not as bad as it sounds. A ligament was also stretched and so they operated on it. Now I need to rest and then I hope that at the end of August or start of September I’ll be back on the field and starting a new chapter. “We have to look from … [Read more...]
Ex Chelsea coach named new Aston Villa boss
Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as the club's new manager. The former Chelsea boss replaces Remi Garde, who was sacked in March ahead of Villa's relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012, makes his return to management a year after leaving German side Schalke. The 45-year-old has always been the number one choice for prospective new owner Dr Tony Xia. David Moyes and Nigel Pearson, who was appointed Derby manager on Thursday, were also linked to the job at Villa Park but it is thought Di Matteo's achievements at Chelsea were most appealing to Xia as he looks to build Villa's profile in the Far East. Di Matteo, who still has a house near Birmingham in … [Read more...]
Conte will be a success in England- Carlo Ancelotti
The 46-year-old, who won three successive Serie A titles during his time in charge of Juventus, will stand down as Italy coach after Euro 2016. Chelsea have had an affinity with Italian managers, having hired Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Roberto Di Matteo and Ancelotti over the past 18 years. Ancelotti, who won the Premier League and FA Cup during his two seasons in charge of the west London outfit, is well placed to judge Conte. And Ancelotti has lavished praise on his countryman. “Conte is a hard worker: really serious, really professional and always focused on his job,” Ancelotti told FourFourTwo . “Chelsea are getting a top manager who will look at all the little details. “Coming to England from Italy, he will find a different world: less … [Read more...]
Chris Smalling gives England win against 10-man Portugal
Chris Smalling sent England to Euro 2016 on the back of another win, but the late header could not mask an underwhelming display against Portugal. England and Portugal, potential quarter-final opponents in France, combined for a lacklustre friendly at Wembley, only to be separated by a Chris Smalling 's 86th minute header. Set up in a diamond formation that compromised more or less every attacking player, England created very little - their best chance in the opening exchanges fell to Wayne Rooney , his shot superbly saved by Rui Patricio - but it turned out that he was offside in any case. Then, with just four minutes of the first half remaining, Bruno Alves launched himself into the flying kick that nearly tore Harry Kane 's face from its moorings. … [Read more...]
Liverpool turn attention to Joao Mario after missing out on Mario Gotze transfer
Liverpool have turned their attention to signing Joao Mario in the summer transfer window after missing out on Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze. Mario, 23, has scored nine goals in 75 appearances for Sporting Lisbon since making his debut for the Portuguese outfit in 2011 but is now being linke with a move to the Premier League with the Anfield giants showing interest. A Bola say Jurgen Klopp is keen on bringing the highly-rated midfielder to Anfield – and the Reds boss may come up against stiff competition. Both Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in signing Mario ahead of the 2016/17 campaign. It’s understood Chelsea representatives met with the Portugal international’s agent in May. … [Read more...]
Arsenal Target Alvaro Morata wants contract sorted as he fancies a move to England
Alvaro Morata has admitted he is “tired” of the discussion over his future at Real Madrid weigh-up a clause in his contract that will allow them to sign the Juventus striker from the start of July, with reports that the former Real striker will be immediately sold on to another club. Morata has a buy-out clause of €30m [£23.6m] in his contract that can only be activated by his former club Real from the 1 July. It has been widely reported though that Real will look to sell Morata on for as much as £50m, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United linked with the Spain forward. The 23-year-old will head to France with Spain for the Euro 2016 Championship after being named in Vicente del Bosque’s squad, but after previously admitting that he does … [Read more...]