New Manchester United signing Eric Bailly has revealed he could have easily been playing in blue in the Premier League this season. The 22-year-old centre-back signed for the Red Devils back in June and has been compared by Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane . However, the £25m capture from Villarreal has said that he did have another offer to consider from arch-rivals Manchester City, but a conversation with a Chelsea legend helped sway his decision. “I signed for United because I like Mourinho, as simple as that,” Bailly told the Sunday Times. “I wanted to play for someone who works very hard. I didn’t speak to Pep Guardiola but the ‘second’ manager called me and Mourinho called me as well. “He said come and play for me. I prefer … [Read more...]
Vardy: Decision to reject Arsenal quite easy
Jamie Vardy is adamant he was never close to joining Arsenal as he feels he has unfinished business at Leicester. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has stressed that rejecting a move to Arsenal was an easy decision for him and has claimed a transfer was never a realistic option. The England international was believed to be close to joining Arsenal ahead of Euro 2016 after the Emirates side triggered his release clause, but he eventually signed a new contract with Leicester instead. The 29-year-old has now reflected on his decision to stay put and is adamant staying at the Premier League champions was an easy call in the end. "[Turning down Arsenal] wasn't that big when I think about it. It was quite easy and this is where I want to be," Vardy told … [Read more...]
Klopp praises players after brilliant display
Jurgen Klopp reserved particular praise for four players after Liverpool eased past AC Milan in a pre-season friendly. Second half goals from Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool a 2-0 victory over AC Milan in their International Champions Cup clash in California. Klopp’s team bounced back from Wednesday’s defeat to Chelsea with a deserved success over their Italian opponents at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium. Origi shone as a striker, while the manager was also impressed with summer signings Sadio Mane, Ragnar Klavan and debutant Georginio Wijnaldum. “Everyone knows about the potential of Divock Origi,” Klopp said. “I understand why you ask about Divock after a game like this but tonight wasn’t a night to talk about single players. “We … [Read more...]
Arsenal boosted in £50m chase after Wenger hint
Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his desire to sign a new striker after Inter Milan hinted they are ready to accept a £50million bid for reported target Mauro Icardi. Along with Paul Pogba and Gonzalo Higuain, the future of Icardi has become the most-talked about transfer in Italy, with the Inter Milan talisman linked with moves to Napoli, Spurs and Arsenal this summer. And Inter president Erick Thohir has revealed he is willing to listen to offers for the forward, 23, if any club matches his £50m asking price. The Indonesian businessman would like to keep Icardi, who has scored of 52 goals in all competitions, since signing from Sampdoria in 2013. But he said: “All of us and Inter are hoping that figure goes above 60million euros. “Inter will be here … [Read more...]
Former Chelsea midfielder nets hat-trick for MLS side
After a less than ideal start to life in MLS, Frank Lampard now has eight goals in as many matches. Frank Lampard could not hide his delight after becoming the first New York City player to score a hat-trick in MLS. Lampard etched his name into the history books after scoring three goals in New York City's 5-1 rout of Colorado Rapids on Saturday. It has been a long and hard road for Lampard in New York, battling fitness and injury concerns, while attempting to win over fans in the Big Apple. But the 38-year-old former England international seems to have finally gained the approval of fans after improving his tally to eight goals in eight games. First hat trick in @NYCFC history Lampard finishes it off from the spot to make it three on the day. … [Read more...]
John stones focused despite Manchester City’s interest
Everton assistant manager Erwin Koeman has praised the attitude of John Stones in the face of Manchester City’s ongoing transfer pursuit. City boss Pep Guardiola on Thursday confirmed his club were “going to try” to sign the 22-year-old England centre-back . There has been increased speculation about a reported £50million move but Stones, who played the last 11 minutes of the Toffees’ penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Betis in Germany on Saturday and 69 minutes against Dynamo Dresden on Friday, has remained focused. “He is very positive,” Erwin Koeman said post-match. “Of course we know the rumours. John is very positive in training. He does his job, so that’s great. “It’s very simple – he is a member of Everton. Top professionals don’t show … [Read more...]
Everton reject Chelsea offer for striker Romelu Lukaku
Everton are keen to retain star striker Romelu Lukaku, but Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is hoping the Blues will use their financial muscle to land the 23-year-old this summer. The Belgian, who featured in just one full season at Stamford Bridge in 2011/12, has been put among the Italian’s top attacking targets during his extensive squad rebuild in London. Alvaro Morata is another wish that Conte would like granted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, but a push for the striker appears to be the main objective at the moment. According to the Daily Mirror, Everton have already turned down a whopping €68 million offer from Chelsea for the Antwerp native, responding that a bid of more than €100m is needed to land the player. Such steep demands come amidst … [Read more...]
Origi, Firmino on target as Reds defeat Milan
Liverpool defeated AC Milan at the International Champions Cup as Divock Origi starred off the bench. Divock Origi had an instant impact in his first game of pre-season for Liverpool, scoring in a 2-0 victory over AC Milan at the International Champions Cup. The Belgium international came on at half-time and netted just before the hour-mark at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Saturday. Origi, who had been away at Euro 2016, produced a sublime finish into the bottom corner, before fellow substitute Roberto Firmino also struck. Sadio Mane, impressive in patches, should have scored in the first half, while M'Baye Niang had a great chance for Milan shortly after Origi's opener. Jurgen Klopp made numerous changes to the XI he started … [Read more...]
Real Madrid ease past Blues despite Hazard double
A late brace from Eden Hazard could not prevent Chelsea slumping to a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their International Champions Cup clash in Ann Arbor. First-half goals from Marcelo (two) and Mariano Diaz set a Madrid side missing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos on course for victory. Antonio Conte’s men responded twice late on through Hazard but were unable to get an equaliser in front of a 105,826 crowd at the Michigan Stadium – the largest ever official attendance for a Chelsea match, according to the Blues. Conte only made two changes to the side that beat Liverpool in midweek, with Oscar coming in for the suspended Cesc Fabregas and Pedro replacing Victor Moses, but the Blues were swept … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic scores in Man United friendly win
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a dream start to his Manchester United career by scoring acrobatically in just the fourth-minute of his debut as they won 5-2 against Galatasaray in Gothenburg with Wayne Rooney netting twice. United had to recover from a 2-1 deficit at half-time but they out-played the opposition in the second half with Antonio Valencia eventually setting up three of the team's goals. It meant that Ibrahimovic could enjoy both his personal contribution and the end result, as he made a glorious return to his homeland of Sweden. United manager Jose Mourinho again fielded a starting line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ibrahimovic beginning as the advanced striker, Rooney behind him and Anthony Martial wide left with Henrikh Mkhitaryan wide … [Read more...]
Matic: I’m a big part of Conte’s Chelsea plans
Nemanja Matic says he is delighted to know that he remains a firm part of Antonio Conte’s plans at Chelsea. Matic received more criticism than most as Chelsea finished tenth last season, the Serbian struggling for long periods of the season. Conte’s former club Juventus have been linked with a move for Matic, filling the space left by Paul Pogba’s probable departure. However, the midfielder has stated his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge. “What he said gave me a special feeling,” Matic said. “It was important for me to know I am a big part of his plans. I was happy to hear that. “Like every player here, I have a good relationship with the manager. I respect what he said about me and of course I liked what I heard. “I have been at the club … [Read more...]
Klopp: Liverpool didn’t fancy Mkhitaryan and had no interest signing him
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims that he had no interest in signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Klopp managed Mkhitaryan at Borussia Dortmund and there was plenty of speculation suggesting the German would be reunited with the midfielder at Anfield. But that was never an option, according to Klopp with the German coach questioning the ability of Mkhitaryan to develop having known the player so well previously in Germany. The 27-year-old Armenia star eventually signed for Manchester United for £35million earlier this month, but Klopp maintains he was never a target for Liverpool. “I had that player,” Klopp told the Liverpool Echo. “If you have had players, you know more about them. “You want to learn about other players. That’s how … [Read more...]
Klopp: No excuses, Liverpool will challenge
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says his side will be a “challenger” this season after declaring this is “my squad”. This season will be Klopp’s first full campaign in charge having replaced Brendan Rodgers on October 2015 and the former Borussia Dortmund his happy with the stamp he has put on his Anfield squad. He has brought in several new faces and claims he now has a “special quality” that was missing last season. After finishing 21 points behind the champions Leicester in eighth, Klopp says there will be no excuses for Liverpool this time around as he looks to “fight” on all fronts. “This is my squad now,” Klopp told the Daily Mirror. “After all the transfers, this time it is my team. “There are probably no players here any more I don’t want. … [Read more...]
Conte calls on players to have the right mindset against Real Madrid
Antonio Conte has called on his Chelsea team to use their heads to overcome Real Madrid in Michigan tonight. Conte has steered his side to three straight pre-season wins, the most recent of which was against Liverpool in the International Champions Cup in California on Thursday morning. Chelsea now take on Champions League holders Real this evening, with Zinedine Zidane's men having tasted defeat in their opening International Champions Cup game with Paris Saint-Germain this week. To add, Los Blancos will be missing stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as the pair continue to enjoy their extended break following their exploits for their respective nations Portugal and Wales at Euro 2016. Despite the short turnaround in time following their last … [Read more...]
Ajax lastest to be linked with Liverpool reject Balotelli
The search for Mario Balotelli’s next club continues, with Ajax the latest to be linked with a move for the Liverpool reject. Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told the Italian striker that he does not feature in his plans at Anfield, with Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola having recently offered the 25-year-old to Napoli and Ajax. However, with Arkadiusz Milik’s impending arrival at the Stadio San Paolo from Amsterdam, a move to the Eredivisie outfit appears more likely. Ajax are looking to reinvest the earnings from the sale of the Polish international, but will struggle to get their hands on the Italian, according to Il Telegraaf. It is believed that Ajax will consider making an approach for the Balotelli, but will move on to other targets if … [Read more...]
‘Important’ Mahrez 100℅staying with us – Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri says that he is 100% sure that Riyad Mahrez will stay at Leicester City. The PFA Player of the Year has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, with reports suggesting that a deal has been agreed with the player. Other stories on Saturday morning say that Leicester will offer Mahrez £100,000 a week to stay at the club, vital after the departure of N’Golo Kante. BeIn Sports report that Ranieri has told them that Mahrez will stay at Leicester. Claudio Ranieri tells @beINSPORTS he is "100 percent sure" @Mahrez22 will stay at #LCFC . End of. 11:57 PM - 29 Jul 2016 Ranieri also spoke to Sky Sports News HQ about the future of Mahrez. Unsurprisingly, he believes it is in the winger’s best interests to stay at Leicester. “I speak … [Read more...]
Paul Pogba saga set to drag on as agent denies done deal
Paul Pogba has continued to troll Manchester United and their fans with his prospective transfer set to drag on for a few more days. There is no agreement in place between Juventus and United for the player, but discussions are believed to be ongoing and a deal is expected to be finalised early next week. The France international, a former United academy graduate, has been identified by Jose Mourinho as a key component of his new-look midfield. United though will have to pay a world-record transfer with the Serie A side wanting in the region of £100million for the 23-year-old and while the saga has become frustrating for United officials and fans the player himself, who is on holiday in LA seems to be enjoying the pursuit. Pogba, who on Thursday … [Read more...]
Ibrahimovic in United squad for Galatasaray game in Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United fans are waiting for his debut in his native Sweden on Saturday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Manchester United fans are every bit as excited as he is for his debut ahead of his first appearance for the club against Galatasaray in his native Sweden. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man has been the biggest acquisition of the transfer window thus far for United, who signed the classy striker on a free transfer from the French champions at the start of July. Ibrahimovic missed the first part of United's pre-season – a trip to China in which they only played one game in a 4-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund as inclement weather saw the cancellation of their second against cross-town rivals Manchester City – but was … [Read more...]
Raiola claims journalists are ‘parrots’; no agreement for Pogba
Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has denied any deal for his client is done between Juventus and Manchester United. Sources have said the clubs have agreed to all the details on Paul Pogba's world-record transfer, with the midfielder set to undergo a medical exam to complete the move to Old Trafford. But Raiola said on Twitter on Friday that the deal was not yet complete, while also criticising the media coverage. After calling journalists "parrots," the agent wrote: "No deal done between Clubs. Its a game between Italy press and UK press who announce it first and who is worse." Journalist = parrots No deal done between Clubs Its a game between Italy press and UK press who announce it first and who is worse. - Mino Raiola (@MinoRaiola) July 29, … [Read more...]
Liverpool’s Karius out for 8-10 weeks with broken bone
Liverpool have received another injury blow ahead of the season as new signing Loris Karius has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a broken bone in his hand. The £4.7 million signing from Bundesliga outfit Mainz will return to England where he is expected to undergo surgery. The injury occurred during a challenge with Dejan Lovren in the Liverpool’s 1-0 International Champions Cup defeat against Chelsea on Wednesday. He joins defenders Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez as well as Lucas in the injury room; all missing the opening of the 2016-17 campaign. On a personal note it will be a sickener for Karius, who chose not to represent Germany at the Rio Olympics in order to be available for the opening two games for Liverpool. “I would miss the first two … [Read more...]
Scoring against Arsenal natural and not due to luck- Drogba
Didier Drogba may no longer play for Chelsea but he is still finding ways to torment Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. Didier Drogba insists it is not just luck that he continues to plague Arsenal after finding the net against the Premier League giants for the MLS All-Stars. Former Chelsea forward Drogba scored on the stroke of half-time to equalise for the All Stars but it was not enough as Chuba Akpom made it 2-1 late in the game to seal an Arsenal victory on Thursday. The goal was Drogba's 16th in as many appearances against Arsenal, having tormented Arsene Wenger's side throughout his time at Stamford Bridge. Asked if he feels fortunate to constantly find the net against Arsenal, Drogba said: "I don't know, I don't know, I want to say that I'm lucky but … [Read more...]
Arsenal looking for an ‘’experienced” forward, says Wenger
Arsene Wenger is in the hunt for an 'experienced' attacker before the transfer window closes. The Arsenal boss saw his side claim a 2-1 victory over the MLS All-Stars in San Jose . A late goal from Chuba Akpom, who spent last season on loan at Hull, settled the contest in the 87th minute when he tapped in a Nacho Monreal pass from close range, after Didier Drogba had levelled the match following the game’s opening goal from Joel Campbell. But despite the defeat, and attackers Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez still to return from their summer vacations, Wenger admitted that he is keen to add some experience to his forward line. “I have, at the moment, not too many attacking options of experienced players,” said Wenger. “Let’s not forget that we … [Read more...]
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