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Diego Costa: ‘I will not be provoked or bullied’

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Chelsea striker, Diego Costa, has warned Premier League defenders that he will not be provoked or bullied on the pitch, despite being known for having a bit of a temper.

Glimpses of that side have shown from the Spaniard so far this season, especially against Everton, where he had encounters with Seamus Coleman and Tim Howard, but the former-Atletico man insists that defenders will never be able to provoke him.

Costa said: “Hit me. I hit you back. Provoke me. I will score.”

Costa’s team-mate, Filipe Luis, has even admitted that the striker does have a temper on him, but insists Jose Mourinho likes that about the player.

Luis said: “He always wants to win and if he doesn’t he gets crazy, he gets mad.

“He’s that sort of person. Jose Mourinho is also likes this. People with ambition, they always want to win and if you don’t, it gets you mad.

“They try to get better and these sort of people really have to succeed in life.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Courtois hits back at Simon Mignolet

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Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, has hit back at Liverpool ‘keeper, Simon Mignolet, and has reportedly told him to show more respect to his team-mate.

The Belgium duo are not on the best of terms with each other, as national coach, Marc Wilmots, revealed earlier in the week, and after Mignolet claimed he was going to take the number-one jersey off Courtois, The Blues ‘keeper hit back.

According to reports, Courtois has told Mignolet to show more respect with his comments and talk with his performances on the pitch, rather than with his mouth off it.

The Liverpool shot-stopper has come under heavy scrutiny at Anfield and put in a poor display against West Ham United last night, whilst Courtois has impressed for Chelsea and pushed veteran, Petr Cech out of the first-team.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool to lose out on Yevhen Konoplyanka transfer to Inter Milan

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The 24-year-old was set to sign for Liverpool during the summer transfer window but the deal fell through at the last minute due to Dnipro refusing to sell the talented player.

However, it is understood that the Ukranian club are now ready to sell the player in the coming January transfer window to prevent the midfielder from departing for free when his contract expires.

According to the Daily Mirror, Inter Milan are preparing a bid worth  £18 million to sign the player, with Dnipro reportedly willing to let the player go for a fee in that region. 

Konoplyanka has also allegedly declined a contract extension with his current side as he has is eyes set on a move to Anfield, but it is unclear on whether Bredan Rodgers will make another offer for the 24-year-old in January. 

By Ollie Carroll

Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_

Arsene Wenger defends Mesut Ozil amid the players form

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has moved to defend Mesut Ozil after the player received heavy criticism after his lacklustre display during the Gunner’s 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund midweek.

The German international has been under fire in recent weeks, and the Champions League meeting with Dortmund proved to be the last straw for the media, who have also questioned Wenger decision to constantly play him out wide instead of central, which is regarded as Ozil’s natural position.However, Wenger has spoken out about the criticism targeted at his player, insisting that it was unfair and that not all the responsibility should be laid on his shoulders despiste his substantial price tag.

 ‘You expect the team to play well and not to put the responsibility on any one player to be a magician but that does not exist anymore in the modern game,’ the Frenchman said.

‘Remember, Ozil did not pay the £42million himself. I would pay the money again.

‘I feel that responsibility exactly the same for a player who cost £1.

‘When I see a talent, for any player, I think how can I get the best out of him. That is not linked with price. It is just a coincidence that the market is like it is.’

By Ollie Carroll

Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_

Hernandez vows to show United what he can do at Madrid

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Javier Hernandez has blasted former club Manchester United for showing a lack of faith in him.

Hernandez has joined Spanish giants Real Madrid from the Old Trafford club on a sdeason-long loan, and he has pretty much ruined his chances of a return to Manchester with his comments.

The striker, nicknamed ‘Little Pea’ said:

He said: “There was no confidence. I remained patient and that’s why I’m here today. It was a very tough year especially because they didn’t believe in me.

“I had the chance to meet Ancelotti when he was Chelsea coach. The faith he has in his players motivates me and makes me work hard.

“I really want to make the most of my time here. Any footballer dreams about joining Real Madrid. I know I’m here for a reason. The statistics support me, I’m a good player and a good person.”

The Mexico international decided to leave United after the arrival of Radamel Falcao, with Danny Welbeck also leaving the club, for Arsenal.

 

Steve Osborne              @SteveOsborne23

Menez: No regrets about turning down Manchester United

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AC Milan winger Jeremy Menez has revealed that he turned down a move to Manchester United four years ago, and has no regrets about doing so.

Menez, 27, was linked with a move to Old Trafford in 2010, while at Paris St Germain, and has told how he turned down then United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Menez, who moved to Milan this summer after failing to settle at the French club, said:

“Saying no to Ferguson wasn’t easy, but I was young and had to follow my own path.

“Then when [Vincenzo] Montella came to Roma, it became difficult. Before he came, I was playing all the time, but he had different ideas.

“I was then a first-team regular at Paris Saint-Germain under Carlo Ancelotti, but Laurent Blanc came along and he dropped me. 

“After an operation, I came back and scored, but nothing changed. I accepted his decision, even if it was hard,” he added. 

“It was a difficult year, but it helped me grow.”

Menez, formerly of Roma, has enjoyed a strong start in his first season back in Serie A, scoring three goals in two games.

 

Steve Osborne           @SteveOsborne23

Arsenal set to rekindle interest in Rabiot

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Arsenal are set to renew their interest in highly-rated Paris St Germain teenager Adrien Rabiot when the January transfer window opens.

The Gunners were strongly tipped to sign the midfielder over the summer, with interest also coming in from Italy. But a move never materialised. Now it seems a move to North London could be back on.

Rabiot is out of contract with the French side next summer, and PSG could decide to cut their losses.

There has been reports of internal conflict at PSG, with the club spending big in recent seasons, and the club not giving home-grown players a chance.

The Gunners could be set to offer Rabiot more first-team opportunities, but there is also interest from AC Milan, Juventus and Roma.

 

Steve Osborne          @SteveOsborne23

Robben: United will be champions again

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The Dutch boss was handed the task of turning a depleted United side into title contenders after taking over from David Moyes, but has since found settling in very difficult.

United have won just one game so far this season and were shockingly dumped out of the capital One Cup by League One side MK Dons.

The former Netherlands coach spent nearly £160m on big name signings this summer and so the pressure to pull off results in higher than ever.

But Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben is confident in the United boss’ ability to succeed, he said: “I haven’t spoken to him recently, but I was very happy for him that he won the game against QPR.

“Hopefully now he can show that he will do very well, but he needs time.

“I know how it works – if you are not winning, you get the pressure but the management at United know what sort of coach they have got and I am very confident he will be successful there.

“I have worked with Van Gaal at Bayern as well as with Holland, so I have known him for a very long time.

“He is one of the few coaches, I think, who can make teams play better. He makes players better.

“United have some young, talented players and I have no doubts that he will do well at Old Trafford.

“He will get United back into the Champions League next season, where they belong.

“They are such a big club and that is where they belong.”

 

By Phil Wellbrook

 

Arsenal to beat rivals to Real Madrid star

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Arsenal will make a move for chelsea target Alvaro Arbeloa in January.

Both London clubs have been linked with a move for the former Liverpool right-back, who is reportedly on his way out of Real Madrid.

Arbeloa is an attractive option as he could be grabbed for a knockdown price due to his unhappiness over a lack of playing time. 

Money should be no problem for Arsenal having today announced that they have cash reserves totalling more than £170m.

Calum Chambers has been earmarked to play a central defensive role but is likely to cover for the crocked Frenchman in the short-term. 

However, the north London club are likely to face competition from Chelsea who have been credited with an interest in the Spaniard.

Arbeloa has dropped down the pecking order at the Bernabeu over the course of the last year. 

Dani Carvajal has taken his place in the Champions League winner’s first team and he is set to agree a bumper new deal.

 

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

Van Gaal admits he would LOVE Ronaldo at United

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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted he would LOVE Cristiano Ronaldo back at Old Trafford.

However, the Dutchman reckons it would incredibly difficult to persuade Readl Madrid to sell. Ronaldo left Old Trafford in 2009 for what was then a world-record £80million fee.

But former Real president Ramon Calderon revealed this week that Ronaldo is disillusioned at the Bernabeu as they continue to sell big names like Angel Di Maria to United and Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich.

And that has sparked rumours of a return for Ronaldo, which Van Gaal did not deny.

He said: “It’s always a discussion in the papers and I don’t think the media shall buy Ronaldo.

“When it is possible, what I said with Falcao, players like Ronaldo give a lot extra to selection or to a team but I don’t think Real Madrid shall sell him.”

 

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

Galliani: Balotelli was desperate to join Liverpool

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The Italian international, who was a controversial figure in England during his time with Manchester City was signed by Brenden Rodgers for £16m to replace the departed Luis Suarez.

Balotelli, who was also heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, opened the scoring in his side’s 2-1 win over Ludogorets in their Champions League return and looks set to keep his place in the starting line-up following an injury to Daniel Sturridge.

The 24 year-old signed a three year deal with the Anfield side and Milan’s Galliani has revealed that once Liverpool were confirmed to be interested in signing the striker, he was very keen to make the move.

He told Corriere della Sera: “We have a good relationship but at a certain point I understood he wanted to leave.

“I consider him to potentially be a really big player and I hope he continues to grow.

“I was very happy for his goal with Liverpool in the Champions League.”

Galliani is also still confident that the club can attract big names despite the lack of European football, using Fernando Torres and Diego Lopez as examples.

He went on to say: “Purchases must not be evaluated for their cost, but the performances. It is much more difficult to take players as a free agent.

“The AC Milan appeal helps, but it also takes knowledge of the world of agents and relations with the club.

“For example, [Jeremy] Menez and Alex were at the end of their contracts, but Diego Lopez and Fernando Torres were tied to Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“We have taken them at no cost only because of good personal relationships.”

 

By Phil Wellbrook

Liverpool keeping tabs on Benzema

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Liverpool are monitoring Real Madrid star Karim Benzema’s situation at the club despite renewing his contract until 2019. 

The French forward has comitted his future to the Spanish Giants, but has recieved heavy criticism in the past few months for his failure to score in many games. 

The 26 year-old suffered a dip in form at the end of last season and appears to have carried it through to this La Liga season and could be asked to move on once the transfer window reopens in January. 

Liverpool were strongly linked with Benzema during the summer window but talk of a switch to Anfield was played down as the striker penned a new deal until 2019 at Madrid. 

It is understood that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has not given up hope of signing the striker and will attempt to land the former Lyon player in the future. 

By Ollie Brown    @olliebrowner

Olivier Giroud to pen new deal

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Olivier Giroud is set to be offered a contract extension at Arsenal, seeing his weekly-wage rise from £60k-a-week, to £90-a-week.

The Frenchman, who is currently sidelined with a serious leg injury, is ready to go into talks with the club about a new deal, which has been in the pipeline for the past few months, and it’s reported that a pay-rise will be offered as part of the new deal.

According to reports, the extension will be a further two-years, seeing him stay at the Emirates until 2018, and will see his weekly wage go up by £30k, making him one of the club’s highest earners.

Giroud will become yet another first-team member signing an extension at Arsenal, following: Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky, who all extended last season.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mancini hits out at Mourinho over Portuguese job

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Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has hit out at Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho, ahead of the Premier League meeting between the two clubs this weekend.

Mancini retaliated to Mourinho’s comments over the Portuguese manager’s post, currently vacant after Paulo Bento was sacked after a loss to Albania. Mourinho distanced himself from the vacancy, but said:

 “Portugal should be coached by a Portuguese. If the federation have problems picking one it’s not for lack of options or quality.”

This remark angered Mancini, who had tentatively expressed an interest in the post.

Mancini said: “I thought Mourinho was the manager of Chelsea and not the President of the Portuguese FA.”

Earlier this week the Italian told Record: “I am still a young Coach with a long career in front of me and a lot to learn.

“I like to experience different adventures. I’ve already worked in England and Turkey, while returning to Italy is an option, but I prefer to try new things.

“Would I go to Portugal? Of course. You know more than me that Portugal has always boasted high quality football full of class and talent, producing some of the best players in the world. The Portuguese clubs have also impressed in Europe.

“Would I be the Portugal Coach? It would be fantastic, because they are one of the most talented sides in European football and any Coach would love that job.

“If Portugal were to ask? It would be an honour.”

There has been bad blood brewing between Mancini and Mourinho dating back to 2008, when Mourinho replaced Mancini at Internazionale in 2008, the tension between them was acknowledged without being explicit.

They’ve had some interesting battles: in their Uefa Cup meeting 10 seasons ago when Mourinho’s Porto beat Lazio 4-1 on aggregate. “They played a 4-5-1 in the first game, then switched to three at the back for the return leg!” raved the Portuguese. “They [Italians] think of football in relation to the opponent, and change the way they play accordingly.”

 

Steve Osborne                 @SteveOsborne23

Chelsea consider making a move for Marseille star Imbula

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Reports in France suggest Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is considering launching a bid for versatile Marseille defensive midfielder Gianelli Imbula.

Imbula made a name for himself last season, and is seen by Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa as a big part of his plans for this season. Imbula has four years left on his current deal.

It is likely the holding midfield player could cost Chelsea as much as £25m to lure him to the Premier League and the Blues are likely to face stiff competition for his signature from London rivals Tottenham.
 
Imbula played in the Toulon Under-21 tournament last year, and was born in Belgium to Congolese parents, and he grew up in France. This means he can represent any one of these three countries.
 
He only joined Marseille last year from Guingamp, and coulld soon be set for a move to Stamford Bridge.
 
 
Steve Osborne       @SteveOsborne23