Mignolet needs to improve

According to reports in France, PSG were unable to sign Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid due to UEFA’s financial fair plaay rules.

The French newspaper Le 10 sport reported that Laurent Blanc was desperate to recruit new defensive signings for his side. However, President Nasser Al-Khelaifi wanted Di Maria from Real Madrid to provide more attacking options for the French Champions.

Eventually Laurent Blanc got his way in the end and PSG signed the Brazillian defender from Chelsea due to the financial restrictions. This left United unchallenged in the race to sign Di Maria.

Salvatore Sirigu commented on the situation by saying “Financial fair play is not a subject I know very well, although I think the clubs that have the ways to become stronger should be free to do so. However, we still have a very good level, even without Angel Di Maria. We still have Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani.”

Written by Connor Breen

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Connor_breen12

Wenger showed me no faith

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Sep 30, 2014

Having flopped quite dramatically whilst at Arsenal, Gervinho has gone on to thrive at Roma after his move to Italy last summer.

The 27-year-old claims Arsene Wenger showed no faith in him during an unsuccesful two year stint at the North London club. The Ivory Coast international has stated that Roma are allowing him to show his full repertoire on the field and his career is once again flourishing.

The enigmatic forward has had quite a lot to say about his current situation, and his unhappy time in the Premier League: ‘I don’t feel like I have anything to prove in England. I think the proof of what I can do is shown by a coach that has confidence in me.

‘Maybe Arsenal now think they should have shown more confidence in me – but that is not my problem. All my concentration is on a successful season with Roma.

‘I feel like a new player in Italy. It is very hard to have confidence in yourself when the coach does not have confidence in you – and it’s clear at Arsenal that confidence was not shown in me.

‘At Roma the coach and the staff showed confidence in me from the first day – and because of that I have been able to show exactly what I am capable of.

‘I can’t think of any good reason why we should be scared of Manchester City – I don’t see why we should fear Bayern Munich either,’ said Gervinho. ‘The way we are playing this season – there is no reason to think we can’t beat anybody. The only team that we need to concentrate or think about is ourselves.’

Roma won their opening Champions League fixture 5-1 against CSKA Moscow and must go into their fixture at the Etihad with some considerable confidence.

‘It was important in such a difficult group that we won our opening game – but we will not be looking for just a point at Manchester City.

‘The pressure is on them after losing their opening game – and we hope to take full advantage of that pressure – and leave Manchester with 3 points – which will put us in a great position to qualify

‘We want to win this group. We understand with the quality in the group that it will not be easy to win – but with the form that we are on anything is possible. Not just to win the group – but also win the Champions League.

‘There is a lot of belief in this team at the moment – and we feel it is something we can achieve.’

You have to admire his confidence to be fair.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Arsenal and Chelsea shunned by Barca wonderkid

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Sep 30, 2014

The young Spanish striker wants to stay at Barcelona and has made no secret of wanting to extend his contract, according to sources in Spain.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea, along with Bayern Munich and PSG have had links with the teenage striker, especially now he has broken into the Barcelona first team.

But now, according to a Spanish newspaper, the 19-year-old is ready to discuss a new deal and commit his future to the club.

Munir’s former agent Antonio Gabaldon quoted: ‘Munir is happy at Barcelona. He wants to stay. There will be no problem to negotiate.’

Originally from Madrid, with Moroccan heritage, the youngster has been at Barca since 2011, working his way through the youth ranks. He did have a release clause in his contract of 12 million euros, but that has now risen to 35 million after joining the first team. That’s a lot of money for a kid who has made only 5 appearances for the first team.

With some of Europe’s elite tracking his movements, this maybe one Spanish starlet to keep an eye on.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Jose Mourinho uninterested by any other club

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mattderrig

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Sep 30, 2014

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he is happy to stay at Chelsea until owner Roman Abramovich wants him to leave the club.

Mourinho returned for his second stint in charge of the Blues in the summer of 2013 after he had left Real Madrid. His first spell in charge was following his Champions League triumph with Porto in 2004.

And former Inter Milan manager reveals he’ll only leave Stamford Bridge when the owner says so:

“I’ll only leave here when they want me to.” He told Portuguese newspaper Record

“No country, club or investment motivates me. I’ll only leave when Roman Abramovich calls me to say it’s over.”

“While giving my body and soul to every project I’ve led, I always used to have a few moments to think about what the next challenge might be, which is no longer the case nowadays.”

“I really am the ‘Happy One’.”

Mourinho returns to his homeland tonight as his Chelsea side face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League group stages.

By Matthew Derrig

Arsene Wenger confirms Olivier Giroud to sign new deal

By

mattderrig

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Sep 30, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that his striker Olivier Giroud will sign a new contract shortly to commit his long term future at the Emirates.

Giroud joined the Gunners back in 2012 and has so far amassed 28 goals in 72 appearances, as well as 9 goals for France in 35 appearances since his first senior team call up in 2011.

And Wenger is delighted at the prospect of keeping the forward for the foreseebale future:

“It is done. It will be done. We will announce it when it is completely finished.

“We want stabilty and we want to keep the core of our team together because I am a great believer in that. We have a young bunch of players now, and the core of our team is now basically young English talents, and I believe as well that Giroud is an important player here.”

Giroud is currently out injured with a broken left tibia and is unlikely to play again until early 2015. He’ll then face competition from recent signing Danny Welbeck as well as the soon returning Theo Walcott for a place in the Arsenal attack come January.

By Matthew Derrig

Angel Di Maria already eyeing next club

By

mattderrig

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Sep 30, 2014

New Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria already has planned a move to his next club, despite only joining the Red Devils earlier this summer.

Di Maria has made an impressive start to his Manchester United career following his £59.7 million move from Champions League winners Real Madrid in August.

However, Di Maria has expressed his desire to return to his native Argentina once his days at Old Trafford are over.

“When you ask me how I will return to Argentine football, I tell you how I will not go back and then show them a video of Central,” he told Radio del Plata.

“I always remember Central, will always be present, is the first and then there are all the clubs.”

The 26 year-old won’t be the only big name returning to the club, who are well known for producing talent ready for the European stage.

”As for anyone is a dream for me to come to Europe will be a dream to play again in Central. Central will always be first in my head. I’ve talked with Pocho [Ezequiel Lavezzi] and Masche [Javier Mascherano] to return to Central together.”

Louis Van Gaal will not however have to worry about an imminent departure as it would be a move that takes place once the winger approaches the final few years of his playing career.

By Matthew Derrig

David Luiz talks failed Barca move

By

Alex Batt

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Sep 30, 2014

Paris Saint-Germain defender, David Luiz, has admitted that FC Barcelona were interested in him ‘several’ times before he opted to join the French champions.

The Brazilian centre-back completed a Summer swich to Paris in a deal worth £50million, and in a recent interview, he has revealed that Barcelona tried to sign him on several different occasions whilst he was still at Chelsea.

Luiz’s PSG are set to host Barca tonight in the Champions League, and he has admitted that he could have been playing for the Catalan side, rather than the Paris outfit.

“It’s true that Barcelona came for me several times and I thought everything was going well,” Luiz told Spanish paper AS.

“But as time went on, I eventually realised that the ones who really wanted me and bought me, were PSG.”

“Last season with Barca? This is something that happens in football.

“Everything evolves, even week by week. I like the big clubs and Barca is one of the biggest for many years, as they showed when they won all those titles and their style of play never seen before. They were honestly brilliant over all those years.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

We don’t miss Frank Lampard!

By

SteveMilne

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Sep 30, 2014

Former Blueman Frank Lampard joined Manchester City on loan in the summer and he has hit a purple patch, hitting four goals in the past week for the Citizens.

The 36-year-old was a talismanic figure at the Blues during his 13-year association with the club, becoming their all-time leading scorer with 211 goals.

Although Lampard moved onto pastures new, Matic doesn’t think Chelsea miss him.

“Yes. Sometimes you have a player (like Frank) who plays very good and can score every game,” Matic told The Evening Standard.

“But in this moment Chelsea have different players scoring every match.

“Of course Diego has been doing very well and scored eight in six League games – that is not easy to do. But I think as a team we are perfect.

“It’s important to have a player in form like Diego that can score in every game if possible. But we have already had 11 players scoring goals and that’s good for team spirit and for the club.

“It shows we have a lot of quality in the team and every player can be decisive, in every moment.

“As a group we are really strong. Chelsea plays like one. Everything is going well for us.”

Written by Steve Milne

Arsenal and Chelsea sniff Khedira is for sale

By

Joseph Richardson

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Sep 30, 2014

Sami Khedira looks set to be on his way out of Real Madrid, after being told either sign a new contract or leave at the end of the season.

The German World Cup winner has as yet refused to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Bernabeu, and was heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in the summer, but no deal materialised.

He is currently out of favour under Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti having only made two brief substitute appearances this season, and he hasn’t been involved in the 18 for the last three games.

Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in acquiring his services however a move to the Emirates seems more likely, with the German contingent of: Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski already there.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has told SkySports that Khedira has one chance to come to an agreement as to where his future lies.

“Real Madrid have told Khedira you sign a new contract or go,” Balague said. “There are different reasons why he didn’t leave [in the summer]. Xabi Alonso left [for Bayern Munich] and his wage demands were too high for Arsenal and Chelsea”.

The holding midfielder could be let go on a free transfer when his contract runs out next summer. This will no doubt rumble on into January but the question now is will Khedira have the desire to play for Real, when called upon.

By Joseph Richardson

@Jj147Joseph

Man City consider £60m Juventus star

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Sep 30, 2014

Manchester City are considering a move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, after recent reports suggest they are not interested in meeting Everton’s evaluation of £50million for Ross Barkley.

The Premier League champions have been watching £60million-rated Pogba, and are possibly lining him up as their new midfield target. This comes in conjunction with the growing doubts over Yaya Toure’s future at the Etihad.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also keen on Pogba, who left Old Trafford on a free transfer two years ago, and Chelsea are retaining their interest in Barkley despite his inflated asking price.

City could face frustration though as the French international midfielder looks likely to sign a new contract with Juventus.

He recently stated: ‘We are in negotiations for a contract renewal with Juventus.

‘I will soon have a meeting with the board of directors.

‘I have the arrogance of a born winner.’

Pogba was once described by his former club, Manchester United as a ‘powerful, skilful, and creative’ player who has ‘an eye for goal and a penchant for the spectacular’. And in January 2014, he was named by The Guardian as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe.

It would be intriguing to see Pogba back in Manchester, whether wearing red or blue, as when he left United in 2012, Sir Alex Ferguson accused the young Frenchman of disrespecting the club. It could get interesting up in the North-West if both sides of Manchester pursue their interest.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Sturridge and Sakho will not play in Switzerland

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Sep 30, 2014

The two Anfield players have been left out of the 18-man travelling squad for very different reasons.

Liverpool’s entourage fly to Switzerland today, ahead of their crucial clash with F.C Basel on Wednesday night.

It seems the thigh strain which has kept Sturridge out for the past three weeks is still not fully healed, and Brendan Rodgers doesn’t want to take any risks with his recovery.

The England hitman is hoping to be passed fit to play some part in the weekend’s Premier League tie with West Bromwich Albion.

Mamadou Sakho has also been told he won’t be flying today by the Anfield boss.

The French international was seen storming out of Anfield at the weekend, after learning he hadn’t made the squad for the Merseyside derby.

Sakho did release a Twitter apology for his conduct after the game, but Rodgers has decided to leave him out again. So far, there has been no news for the Northern Irishman’s decision, and also, it is still unclear as to whether the 24-year-old central defender has been fined by the club.

Sakho began his career at Paris Saint-Germain, winning a host of major French honours, before his £15million move to Anfield in 2013. With the hard-hitiing Frenchman on a wage of £75,000 a week, and a contract running until 2017, Liverpool fans will be hoping that differences are patched up quickly, formal apologies are issued, and the club can move on with the least controversy possible.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

Ryan Bertrand seeks permanent exit

By

Alex Batt

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Sep 30, 2014

Southampton defender, Ryan Bertrand, is ready to quit his parent club, Chelsea, on a permanent basis next Summer.

The English left-back spent last season out on loan at Aston Villa, and despite The Blues losing Ashley Cole to AS Roma, Jose Mourinho once again decided to send Bertrand out on a season-long loan, but this time, to Southampton.

Rather than promote Bertrand to the first-team, Mourinho went out and splashed the cash on Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid, and after Luke Shaw swapped Southampton for Manchester United, The Saints were in the market for a new left-back.

After scoring his first goal for the club at the weekend, Bertrand revealed that his plans are to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis next Summer.

‘Since I left to go on loan to [Aston] Villa, it’s been about me again,’ he said.

‘I’d never rule anything out, but it’s just been about getting out there and playing consistently without the thought process of what Chelsea think or whether I’m going back there.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Manchester United to battle Chelsea for Seamus Coleman

By

Ben Reardon

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Sep 30, 2014

Manchester United are keen to sign Everton full-back Seamus Coleman, according to reports in The Guardian.

The Republic of Ireland international has impressed in a starting role at Everton over the last couple of seasons, and United are set to join Chelsea in the hunt for the highly-rated defender.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly been looking at the 25 year old for several weeks now, and is preparing a bid for next summer.

But according to Tuesday’s edition of The Guardian, United will attempt to land Coleman by offering a Goodison Park return for unconvincing midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini left Everton for Manchester United in the summer of 2013, when the Red Devils were managed by David Moyes, however he (Fellaini) has somewhat failed to make the grade at Old Trafford, and could be used in a proposed swap deal.

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is set to overhaul his squad once again in the coming months, following a poor start for the club this season.

by Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Arteta in contract extension talks

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Sep 30, 2014

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s Spanish captain, has been offered a new one-year deal to extend his career at the Emirates. His current contract is set to expire at the end of the season when the player will be 33.

Arsenal have a standard policy to offer no more than 120-month contracts to players over 30, but this will suit Arteta nicely, as he contemplates life after Arsenal.

The Basque midfielder inherited the Gunner’s captaincy from Thomas Vermaelen in the summer, and is still seen very much as an integral piece of the Arsenal jigsaw.

Arteta is currently sidelined through a calf injury picked up in the North London derby at the weekend.

Despite not being available for selection until after the next international break, the contract is on the table and negotiations are underway. Aaron Ramsey also pulled a hamstring in the same game and faces at least a month in the treatment room.

There was some good news however for the Arsenal faithful. Jack Wilshere has been given the ‘all-clear’ following an ankle injury at the weekend, and looks a possibility to face Galatasary in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Reports also suggest that French striker, Olivier Giroud has agreed a new four-year deal, earning him £80,000 a week.

So, all in all a mixed bag of news for the Gunners, but mostly positive. With the pressure to bring silverware to the club somewhat alleviated at Wembley in May, there is a growing optimism around North London that this could be a special year for the men in red and white.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777