Chelsea target Jack Butland is not leaving this summer, Stoke City boss, Gary Rowettt has revealed. The Blues are looking to bring in a new shot-stopper before the end of the current window, following reports that Thibaut Courtois wants to leave the Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid. Chelsea have already signed Rob Green but still on the lookout to sign a better keeper to replace the transfer-bound Courtois. Butland who was part of the English team that reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia has been tipped to join Chelsea before the end of the summer transfer window. However, Chelsea's hopes of signing the England international appears to have been dented following comments by the player's manager that he is expected to remain at Stoke City … [Read more...]
New Liverpool man slammed by former team-mate
Xherdan Shaqiri slammed by his former team-mate. Liverpool new signing and Switzerland international, Xherdan Shaqiri, has been blasted in a media post by one his ex-teammate at his former club, Stoke City. Stoke City and Scotland player, Charlie Adam put up a recent statement where he slammed his one-time teammate. He stated in the statement that Shaqiri was one of the many so-called Big Players, who were majorly out of use when there is a need. Adam went on to open up on what happened at Stoke City last season as the club was relegated out of the English Premier League. He added that Xherdan Shaqiri failed to perform when the club needed him the most. As he quickly made away with an offer from Liverpool to save his face while the club remain in … [Read more...]
Stoke City vs Chelsea: Premier League preview, Prediction, line-ups & betting tips
Premier League Champions Chelsea are expected to secure the maximum three points when they lock horns with a Stoke City side who are without a victory in any of their last four fixtures. Stoke City do have a decent home record this campaign, but Chelsea will be buoyed by the return of Belgium international Eden Hazard, who is ready for his first Premier League start of the season. The home team Stoke City are 19/4 to come out victorious in this League fixture, although bookies strongly favour the Blues, who are rated at 3/5 for the win. The most attractive bet for this one is a half-time draw, and a Chelsea win at 10/3. Th game at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday will see the West London club looking to close the gap on both Man United and Man City … [Read more...]
United Target Open To Old Trafford Move Amid Speculation Over De Gea’s Future
Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has hinted that he is open to a Manchester United move, after saying he would 'deal with' replacing David De Gea at the Old Trafford. The English shot stopper was on show as the Potteries recorded a shock 1-0 win over Arsenal at the bet365 stadium on Saturday and believes he has got what it takes to take over from De Gea at Manchester United. The Spanish keeper has been linked with a move away from the Old Trafford this summer as reports of his exit to Real Madrid continues to be discussed in the current transfer window. Real Madrid are understood to have pulled out of a deal to sign AS Monaco youngster Kylian Mbappe who is said to be nearing a move to Paris Saint Germain despite holding talks with a couple of clubs in … [Read more...]
League Rivals Make Contact With Man United Over Winger’s Availability
Stoke City have contacted Manchester United regarding a potential deal for winger, Ashley Young, according to reports. The 32-year-old was a bit-part player under Jose Mourinho and has been tipped to leave the club in order to get more games. Reports in The Sun claim that Potteries boss Mark Hughes has contacted Ashley Young over a potential move to the Bet365 stadium to replace Marko Arnautovic who is on the verge of a move to West Ham United. Young was a subject of transfer interest from a couple of clubs during the January window but United boss Jose Mourinho blocked the move as he needed him to be in their push for the Europa League campaign despite talks of a mouthwatering offer from Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng. The English star who … [Read more...]
4-3-3 Formation,How Injury-stricken Liverpool Would Lineup Against Stoke City
Liverpool will travel to the Britannia stadium to face the ever resilient Stoke City side, Mark Hughes have something to cheer due to the injury worries in the Reds squad. The likes of Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane (who is out of the season) will not be part of this tie, Brazilian attacker Philippe Coutinho also remains a doubt for this one but it is expected that he is fit in time to play on Saturday, despite missing training on Friday. WHAT THE MANAGERS ARE SAYING Ahead of the clash, Jurgen Klopp has urged his boys to shrug over the injury worries and play fearlessly against the Potteries, he said: "We have to be a real challenge for them. That is what we have to be. We can be this. "That is how most of the teams are playing against us -- to defend as … [Read more...]
Deal Close: Club Set To Launch Move For Chelsea Star
Stoke City are keeping a close eye on Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to reports. Following reports that the youngster is set for a loan move out of the Stamford Bridge, a host of clubs are said to have registered interest in the midfielder with Stoke City being the latest side to show intent in signing him. The England U-21 midfielder has been hailed for his exceptional qualities coupled with physicality and energy to bust into spaces in the midfield. Antonio Conte had earlier hinted of a possibility of a move for the youngster who has only managed two appearances for the Blues this season. Reports in the Evening Standard have it that Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi could be set for a move to China with suggestion of medicals taking place … [Read more...]
3-4-3 Formation, Chelsea’s Probable Starting XI Against Stoke City
Chelsea will come up against Stoke City at the Stamford Bridge and are expected to pick up the maximum points. A win for them will edge the Blues closer to equaling Arsenal’s 14-game winning streak. However, the Blues might find it had breaking down the Potteries defence due to their solidity and even similar tactics of three-man defence line. But going by their current form, they could easily get three points since they are playing at home. In their usual 3-4-3 formation, Thibaut Courtois is expected to keep his place between the sticks. David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta are expected to retain the three-man defence line. N'Golo Kante returns to the squad to pair Nemanja Matic in the defensive midfield area. Moses and Alonso keep … [Read more...]
Read Liverpool vs. Stoke City Preview
Anfield giants Liverpool will entertain Stoke City in a week 18 English Premier League (EPL) fixture on Tuesday evening at Anfield knowing fully well that anything other than three points is not good enough. The Reds managed by former Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund boss go into the game on the back of two successive wins against Middlesboro (3-0 away win) and Everton (1-0 away win in the Merseyside Derby) and can't afford any more slip-ups at home after their last league game ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw against West Ham United. The last gasp Merseyside win over Everton courtesy Senegalese star Sadio Mane last Monday took Liverpool to within 6 points of league leaders Chelsea however the Stamford Bridge outfit's 3-0 thrashing of Bournemouth in a Boxing Day … [Read more...]
Three Reasons Why Klopp Must Field This Goal Machine Against Stoke
The situation of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been a controversial topic for club boss Jurgen Klopp to deal with since he was appointed manager in October 2015 with many stakeholders believing that the English international does not suit the 'pressing' style of the former Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund boss and also in addition to his well documented injury problems. The former Manchester City and Chelsea star had recently been out for some few weeks with a calf injury however he returned to good effect in Liverpool's last league game against Everton at Goodison Park as he came on as a second half substitute to set up the goal scored by Senegalese star Sadio Mane for a last gasp 1-0 win over their Merseyside rivals though helping the Reds to maintain … [Read more...]
4-3-3 Formation,Two Key Changes Expected, Liverpool Probable Line-up vs Stoke City
Liverpool are expected to make two changes to their starting line-up from the last league game against Everton, in what was a Merseyside Derby, ahead of their next league game against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day (Monday, December 26, 2016). English striker Daniel Sturridge and German international Emre Can could come in for young Belgian forward Divock Origi and Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum respectively. Belgian shot stopper Simon Mignolet will continue in goal for the Reds having replaced former first choice goalkeeper and summer signing Loris Karius for the last two league games. In defence, Estonia captain Ragnar Klavan would continue to deputise for the injured Joel Matip. Klavan would be joined by Croatian international … [Read more...]
Breaking! Liverpool Target Says ‘Bayern Blocked My Anfield Move’
Liverpool target and Stoke City forward Xerdan Shaqiri has stated how his former German club Bayern Munich blocked him from moving to Anfield under former boss Brendan Rodgers, who called him on several occasions in a bid to convince him about a move to the Reds. The Swiss international moved to Italian Serie A side Inter Milan from German champions Bayern Munich after three largely unsuccessful years at the Allianz Arena before he joined Stoke City in the summer of 2015 after a disappointing spell with the San Siro outfit. Shaqiri, who has been linked with Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window, made this known in a chat with Spox. Speaking about a transfer to Liverpool that never materialised in 2015, Shaqiri said: "I wanted to leave in the summer by … [Read more...]
Ahead Of January Transfer, Liverpool Target Xerdan Shaqiri Alerts Club Of His Availability
Stoke City and Switzerland star Xerdan Shaqiri has openly discussed his desire to play for a club playing regularly in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) having tasted the competition when he was at German champions Bayern Munich. The 25-year old Swiss star was strongly linked with Liverpool before he moved to the Potters at the start of last season and has also been linked with other clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United. Shaqiri, who has scored three league goals this season to match his total return from last season, expressed his desire to play for a UCL side in a chat with popular English news outlet Daily Mirror. He said: "At 25, it would be silly to say that I want to end my career at Stoke." "Of course I want to play Champions League again in the near … [Read more...]
Bellerin Returns From Ankle Injury To Save Arsenal
Spanish right back Hector Bellerin is known to be a speedster due to his impressive sprints record however what we are learning is his importance to Arsenal with the 21-year old Barcelona academy product gradually becoming one of the best players in his position. Bellerin sustained his ankle injury during last month's North London Derby clash with Tottenham Hotspurs in a game which ended 1-1 and was subsequently ruled out for six weeks. Arsenal struggled a bit without him with the likes of Carl Jenkinson, Gabriel and Mathieu Debuchy taking turns to play the position though Brazilian defender Gabriel has done a very good job. Despite the fact that Gabriel became a reliable right back in the last three days Bellerin took only 17 minutes to make his impact on the … [Read more...]
Arsenal Defender Out For Three Weeks
Arsenal defender Skhrodan Mustafi has been ruled out of action for three weeks after he sustained a hamstring injury in his side's 3-1 win over Mark Hughes' Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium. Mustafi, who won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with the German national team, was replaced by Spanish right back Hector Bellerin, who was making his first team return from injury, in the first half of the previously mentioned league match. Confirming the injury during his post-match press conference following the Stoke City game, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "It's a bad one. The minimum is 21 days." The 24-year old centre back, signed for a princely sum of £32m from Spanish La Liga outfit Valencia, will now miss the next three games for Arsenal. He will miss … [Read more...]
Arsenal Should Not Have Conceded A Penalty Against Stoke City – Former Referee
Former English Premier League (EPL) referee Howard Webb has disclosed that league leaders Arsenal were unlucky to have a penalty kick awarded against them in their league clash with Stoke City on Saturday evening. Centre referee Lee Mason pointed to spot after Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was adjudged to have raised his arm at Stoke City and Welsh midfielder Joe Allen leading to Birthday boy Charlie Adam's success from the spot kick to give Mark Hughes side the lead in the first half. The North London side however bounced back to edge out the visitors 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Speaking via BT Spot, Webb, who officiated the 2010 FIFA World Cup final said: "Harsh, Xhaka actually makes contact with the ball, there’s some follow-through momentum." "If he … [Read more...]
Wenger Insists – Arsenal Can Fight For The Title, To Splash £50m On Top Star Striker
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is adamant that his side has what it takes to fight for the English Premier League (EPL) title after the North London side moved ahead of former leaders Chelsea at the top of the table. Recall that Arsenal are interested in signing Benzema, and madrid is expecting an offer of about £50m as this might be the last opportunity to cash out on the 29-year striker. Althoigh Wenger's side has recovered well to go an unbeaten sequence of 14 games in the league since losing 4-3 at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season. The 67-year old Frenchman was speaking in his post-match press conference after the Stoke City game. He said: "We are there for the fight and we have been consistent after the first game." "It is down to us to … [Read more...]