Home Blog Page 1823

Mourinho’s Chelsea backed to rule Europe for years

0

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has backed Jose Mourinho’s team to rule European football for the next decade.

The midfielder was signed by the Special One back in 2005, and went on to make over 250 appearences for Chelsea before moving to AC Milan on a free transfer last year.

Speaking about Chelsea’s chances in this season’s Champions League, Essien told FIFA.com: “I think they’ll do well as always. Jose has rebuilt the team in his own image and now they’ll fight for everything this season.

“They have the ability to win things and that’s what they’ll be doing. Chelsea have become a football force in Europe in the last 10 years and I can see that carrying on for the next 10 years or more.”

Essien has also been linked with a future coaching role under Mourinho, but the 31-year-old admits that he is unlikely to remain in football once his playing career comes to an end.

He added: “I have always said no to coaching as I don’t think it’s for me. Coaching is a whole new ball game and not for the faint-hearted, which rules me out.

“But you never know and stranger things have happened in football.”

 

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

Rooney defends Van Gaal after jibes from United Boo Boys

0

Wayne Rooney has taken to Facebook to defend manager Louis Van Gaal after comments from United fans blasting the manager. The jibes come after United let a 3-1 lead slip against Leicester City conceding 4 goals in the last 22 minutes to eventually lose 5-3.

Rooney has defended his boss even though it has been widely reported that the Dutchman was disapointed with his skippers performance. However the England Captain has stated that people should not write United off just yet.

The forward took to Facebook to say, ‘There seems to be a lot of people who have written us off because of Sundays result but I don’t see it that way. When I look around our dressing room and see the quality we have and the managers unbelievable attention to detail I have no doubts this team will be successful.’

Whether Rooney’s words will come back to haunt him is yet to seen, but with their start to season United have a lot of ground to make up if they want even a sniff at winining the title. The Red Devils will hope they can bounce back with a win against inform West Ham United this weekend.

Written by Ben Waterhouse – @BenWaterhouse_

 

Reus stalls Dortmund talks

0

Germany star Marco Reus has stalled talks with current club Borussia Dortmund as he waits for offers from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. 

The winger has been linked with moves to a number of top European clubs, but is said to be wanting to move to the Premier League should he quit Dortmund. 

So much so, Reus has stalled contract talks with the German club and is hoping that either Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool will meet his £20 million release clause at the end of the season. 

Reus is reportedly worried about the club’s transfer policy with the club loosing Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski to rivals Bayern Munich in recent years.  

The news will come as a major boost to Louis Van Gaal, Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wenger, who have all made Reus one of their top priorities for the summer transfer window. 

By Ollie Brown

Van Gaal highlights £40 million defender for defensive overhaul

0

Van Gaal is on the hunt for defencive reinforcements after poor defencive performances have lead to humbling 4-0 and 5-3 losses to MK Dons and Leicester City respectively. It seems Van Gaal has highlighted Nicolas Otamendi as a player he wants to bring in at the back.

The defender who didn’t claim a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad is apparently being lined up by Van Gaal ahead of a £40 million move. United fans will be shell shocked at how much the Dutchman is willing to spend on the defender after Valencia only paid £9.5 million for the defender last February.

Reports in Spain suggest Valencia have no intention of selling Otamendi, however, United are willing to meet the £40 million release clause in the defenders contract to get their man. United have been linked with Hummels and Pique inrecent times although both seem unlikely.

Can Otamendi replace the void left by the departures of Ferdinand and Vidic? Is he really worth £40 million?

Written by Ben Waterhouse – @BenWaterhouse_ 

Alli attracting interest from Prem duo

0

Dele Alli could be subject of a January transfer war between Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham. 

The England U-19 international has caught the eye of both Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers, with both bosses ready to make enquires once the window reopens in January.

Alli has recently penned a new three-year deal with MK Dons that ties him to the club until the summer of 2017, but it seems that Premier League clubs are ready to persuade the youngster to move on.

 The youngster has had a quite phenomenal start to the new campaign, and his six goals in eight league games has fired MK Dons to an automatic promotion spot in League One. 

By Ollie Brown 

Chelsea made enquiries for Varane and Mangala, due to Zouma doubts

0

Chelsea reportedly made enquiries for both Raphael Varane and Eliaquim Mangala due to the uncertaintly of Kurt Zouma, reports the Daily Express. 

Zouma signed for Chelsea this summer having agreed a lucrative move from French Ligue 1 side St Etienne in January, however he has so far, failed to grasp his chance in a Blues shirt. 

And it appears that the young centre back is set for a fight on his hands to prove that he can pull his weight at Chelsea, with Mourinho reportedly making last gasp bids for Real Madrid defender Varane, and Mangala, who ended up at Manchester City of course. 

Zouma was a proposed loan target for fellow Premier League sides Sunderland, and Hull City, though the West London club decided to keep the Lyon born defender in the first team fold.

19 year old Zouma is set to make his Chelsea bow this evening, as the Blues face Championship side Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup tie at Stamford Bridge, with Mourinho set to heavily tinker with his squad, ahead of the game against the Trotters. 

by Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

 

 

Manchester United mulling over Pique move

0

Manchester United are reportedly considering a deal to bring former defender Gerard Pique back to Old Trafford, reports the Metro. 

Pique departed United for Barcelona for a £5 million fee in 2008, and has since become a key member of the Spanish sides’ back four, helping Barcelona to Domestic and European trophies during his time in Catalonia. 

However, Pique has fallen out of favour under new Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, an occurance which may lead Van Gaal to make a swift bid for the Spanish international in January. 

The 27 year old has only recently penned a new long term deal at Barca, wih United boss Van Gaal keen to bolster up his stuttering defence, with the Red Devils in need of experience at the back. 

Spanish Newspaper AS have suggested that the player may be allowed to leave on the cheap in January, following Barcelona’s summer signing of central defender Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal. 

by Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1

Ronaldo ends Manchester United rumours

0

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially ruled out a sensational return to Manchester United by declaring his future is in Spain with Real Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar has been strongly linked with a return to Old Trafford after reportedly growing frustrated with life at the Bernabeu, but he has rubbished those claims and has revealed that he intends to stay in Spain for the foreseeable future.

It was reported that Ronaldo reacted badly to the sales of Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso, but in a recent interview, when asked about his future, the 29-year-old admitted that he’s only thinking about staying at Madrid.

‘Man United? It’s all speculation, speaking about my future,’ he is reported to have said.

‘My future is Madrid. I’m happy.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

‘Arsene Wenger admires me’, admits Yobo

0

Joseph Yobo has claimed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a massive fan of his, but confirms that no talks are in place between the two.

The Gunners are thin when it comes to defensive options after Mathieu Debuchy’s injury, and reports had suggested that Wenger may dip into the free transfer market, where Yobo lies after being released by Turkish side, Fenerbache, in the Summer.

Yobo, who spent the last part of the season on loan at Norwich City, has admitted that Wenger once wanted to sign him to replace Sol Campbell, but insists that he personally hasn’t spoken to the Frenchman about a potential move.

“I read Arsenal was interested in me; it was news to me.

“If negotiations are taking place, I am not aware. Maybe the club is talking with my agent.

“There is no formal contact with anybody. I know Arsene Wenger admires me a lot and wanted me to replace Sol Campbell some years ago, but Everton blocked the move

“He wanted me to partner Kolo Toure in defence; I was younger then.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Premier League trio keen on signing ‘new Courtois’

0

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all monitoring teenage Belgian goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who is dubbed ‘the next Thibaut Courtois’.

The 15-year-old shot-stopper is currently playing for Anderlecht, but his performances have caught the eye of the Premier League trio, who are all set to battle it out for the teenager.

Svilar has been putting in some fine performances whilst taking part in different age group competitions, winning ‘best goalkeeper’ at the U17 Aegon Future Cup, the U19 PSV Otten Cup and the Copa del Agatha for under 19s, despite being just 14 at the time.

According to the 15-year-old’s father, the three English clubs have all declared their interest in the goalkeeper and are all tracking his progress.

“He has trialled at Chelsea and Manchester United also inquired. Everyone wants him.

“But we already have an agreement with Anderlecht, even though he can’t sign a contract until his 16th birthday.

“There is nowhere better for him than Anderlecht.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsenal want to begin talks with Rabiot

0

Arsenal are hoping to open talks with Paris Saint-Germain in the New Year regarding a potential deal for midfielder, Adrien Rabiot.

The starlet is ready to leave the nation’s capital after failing to break into the first-team, and with his contract expiring next Summer, Laurent Blanc is desperate to sell him in January so that the club make some money from his departure.

Rabiot has been watched by Arsenal and Chelsea for several months now, but it appears the North London club are in pole position to land the 19-year-old.

According to reports, PSG do want to keep Rabiot and tie him down to a long-term contract, but the Frenchman has told the club he will only stay if he is guaranteed first-team football, which is unlikely due to the abundance of talent the club have.

It’s believed Arsenal will have to pay around £5.6million for the teenager.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Chelsea ready to sell Ramires to fund Ross Barkley deal

0

According to various reports, Chelsea are ready to part ways with Ramires, who is being targeted by Spanish giants Real Madrid to fund a deal for Everton’s Ross Barkley.

Carlo Ancelotti is said to believe that Ramires will offer a lot to his side and beef up his already star-studded midfield. The Blues are desperate to beat title-rival Manchester City to Ross Barkely’s signature, and with the Financial Fair Play rules that have now been imposed by UEFA, both Premier League clubs will have to dispose of at least one player if they want to avoid getting into hot water.

Ramires has started just two games so far this season under Mourinho, with the 27-year-old struggling to break the midifled partenrship of Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park.

It is understoof that Chelsea want at least £25 million for the Brazil international, handing the Blues significant funds to prepare a £30 million bid for Barkley, who is said to prefer a move to West London instead of Manchester.

By Ollie Carroll

Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_

Ron Vlaar to put pen to paper with new Villa deal

0

Vlaar was subject to heavy transfer specualtion throughout the summer but remained at Villa Park despite big clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal showing great interest.

And recording to reports, Vlaar is now in negotiating a new contract with the Villans which will surpress transfer specualtion over his future.

The 29-year-old is currently opening up his options but is willing to discuss terms with any contract offered by Villa, who he joined in 2012.

By Ollie Carroll

Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_

John Terry hails Cesc Fabregas impact

0

Chelsea defender John Terry has expressed his delight at the start Cesc Fabregas has made to his Stamford Bridge career.

The Spaniard has settled into the Blues camp quickly and has already formed a deadly partnership with striker, Diego Costa, which has helped them to the top of the Premier League and already establish a three-point lead at the top.

Fabregas spent eight-years at Chelsea rivals, Arsenal, but Terry insists that the midfielder is now part of the Chelsea family and he is delighted to have him at the club.

‘Obviously we were always competitive when we played against each other, and we had a little laugh about that. But that’s what football is all about – the rivalry.

”But now he is one of us; part of the Chelsea family, and he is playing great. In the short time he has been here, he has made a big impression.

”He has a long contract, and we all hope he can bring great success to Chelsea for years to come.”

”Obviously Cesc is a world-class player. To have someone so influential from the Spain squad, along with Diego Costa, has been great.

”You can see the qualities Cesc brings to the pitch – he can find passes that others can’t. He keeps the ball really well, and he helps us control games.

“When we are playing out from defence, he can help us keep the ball. He is associated with tiki-taka, but at Chelsea we have always played this way; pass the ball, control games, and give ourselves more options going forward.

”He’s certainly added to the squad, and that’s why we are stronger now in the department.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea eye Higuain

0

Rafa Benitez is not sitting comfortably in the Napoli dugout these days. His team at the Stadio San Paolo have made a far from convincing start to the new campaign.

Napoli have lost two of their opening three games in Serie A, and have already crashed out of the Champions League to Athletic Bilbao during the qualifying stages.

That early European exit has done the most damage, and with the clubs finances now looking somewhat precarious, they may be forced to sell star striker, Gonzalo Higuain next summer to recoup some of their losses.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea were all linked in some way with the Argentinian front man during last summer, however an amazing £80m price-tag prevented any further action being taken.

Now however, the Napoli boardroom may have to listen to more realistic offers for their star over the coming months, as their financial standing has been significantly weakened.

Fans are becoming concerned with recent on-field performances, and Napoli’s apparent lack of ‘adventure’ in the transfer market. A failed move for Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini being the highlight of their close-season dealings last term.

There are even recent reports that ex-Manchester city boss, Roberto Mancini could soon become Benitez’s replacement. Let’s hope for Rafa’s sake that results improve quickly.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777

https://twitter.com/MichaelHorne777