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Showing posts from April, 2017

Neymar takes a dig at Barça

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Neymar Jnr insists leaving Barcelona for Paris St Germain will not be the end of his football career after scoring a goal at his debut game. The Brazil international made an impact in his first game since completing a world-record 222million euro (£200.6million) move with a goal and an assist as PSG cruised to a 3-0 win at Guingamp. Critics argued that leaving Barcelona for Ligue 1 is a set back, but the 25-year-old is happy to prove them wrong and his content at the moment. “I knew it would be very difficult to leave Barca but I am very happy to be here,” he said in quotes reported by L’equipe, “People think that you die after leaving Barca, but no, it’s the opposite. I’m more alive than ever, I play, I’m very happy. The country, the city and the team change, but football is the same.” After Jordan Ikoko’s own goal gave PSG a 52nd-minute lead, Neymar brilliantly set up Edinson Cavani to make it 2-0 before opening his account for the club with a simple close-range finish with eight min...
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Conte Can't 'Guarantee' Hazard's Stay At Chelsea

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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has acknowledge that he cannot guarantee Eden Hazard will be part of the Blues players next season amidst the never-ceasing interest from Real Madrid. The Belgium star has netted 15 Premier League goals this term to dragging Chelsea to the edge of the title. The 26-year-old playmaker has grown vigorously under the Italian boss after a dismal campaign last term, being labeled by fans as one of the “rats” partly responsible for Jose Mourinho’s sacking. Hazard’s revival into activity and prominence has the Spanish giants on high alert, but Conte still believes Chelsea do not want to let go and that the Belgian himself is satisfied with life at Stamford Bridge. When grilled if he could guarantee Hazard's stay at the Chelsea next season, Conte replied: “I think that it’s impossible for me to take this responsibility. “Not only for Eden, but for every single player. “In this situation the club has the final decision. I can tell my opinion about this situation, ...
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One Of City's Players Believe They Dominate Manchester

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Yaya Toure sees the balance of power in Manchester derby bending firmly in favour of the “difficult neighbours” and believes Manchester United fans know it. Manchester City literally dominated Thursday’s derby game at the Etihad Stadium but, however, could not get  a winning goal despite Marouane Fellaini’s late dismissal. United fans were caught on camera jubilating the draw, even though it kept City a point ahead in fourth place, and Toure has been around long enough to take note of the shift that represents. On his arrival in England seven years ago, United were the Premier League’s pre-eminent force but City are on course to finish above their forever rivals for the fourth year in a row since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. “I think it is a big change. In the past United were always able to dominate, always able to control and win games. And now, seeing the fans celebrate (a draw) like that, means City is coming close,” he said. “Of course, their history and achievements are mu...
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Klopp Admits Liverpool Needs A Stronger Squad

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that the club is working on getting a much better squad at Anfield, with injury problems causing great damage and preventing progress this season. Despite the fact that they are currently in the third position on the table, the Reds chief has had to deal with injuries upon injuries to players like Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho virtually throughout the course of the season.  With Champions League football still an easy possibility next season, Klopp admits that the Reds need to have a much greater depth to fight on more fronts ahead of Monday night’s clash at Watford. Klopp was put at a disadvantage with his options off the bench in Sunday’s surprise home defeat to Crystal Palace and is likely to have to turn to the club'syouth again at Vicarage Road. “We are not surprised when Mane is sidelined, Lallana is sidelined, Henderson is sidelined, Sturridge is sidelined – we are not surprised abou...
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United Boss Says It's Him And Tuanzeba Against Swansea

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Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has offered a form of solution to United's personnel problems; to pick himself against Swansea.  United were without a number of the first-teamers for Thursday’s 0:0 draw at Manchester City and are thrust even thinner for Sunday’s match after Maroune Fellaini was shown a red card for a meaningless headbutt on Sergio Aguero and Tim Fosu-Mensah injured his calf after coming off the bench later on.  The problem United have us that Paul Pogba,  Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all out and are even more critical behind, with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rejoined all sidelined.  That will leave 19-year-old Axel Tuanzebe next in line should Eric Bailly or Daley Blind need a rest, and Mourinho even joked about a more rigorous decision. “In this moment it’s the only option we have: Axel, Eric and Daley. I have to speak with them and see how they are and how they feel. I’m also training hard in the gym so I can be an option als...
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Arsenal Eyed Dele Alli Before Tottenham - Wenger

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed that the club scouted Dele Alli while he was playing in League One for MK Dons. Tottenham moved with a sweep and signed Alli in February 2015 for an initial fee of £5million before loaning him back to the Dons for the remainder of that season. He joined Spurs ahead of the 2015/16 season and has made lots of  progress that he is now a regular England international and in January 2016 he signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal for a reported £25,000 a week. At Friday’s press conference ahead of the north London derby on Sunday, Wenger was grilled whether the club scouted the 21-year-old. “I think so,” said Wenger. “He has done extremely well and is a very complete player. “They’ve done well to buy him and to give him a chance. “We watched him a few times because we watched a lot at Milton Keynes.” Asked how close Arsenal were to a deal for the midfielder, Wenger said: “I don’t know.” More details coming soon... 
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Report: Neymar Reckons Man United Are Ready To Trigger £200m Clause

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Barcelona playmaker Neymar Jnr reckons Manchester United are ready to release his £200million release clause, according to reports.  Manchester United have been linked with a considerable degree to move for the Brazil international and the Spanish media have at an earlier time suggested  they would be willing to pay his release clause to bring him to the Premier League side.  According to the  Daily Record  report, it claim that Neymar has told friends close to him that both Manchester United and Chelsea have made enquiries whether he would push for a move away from Camp Nou United have reportedly been never-ceasing in their pursuit for the 25-year-old and are inclined towards offering for the player’s salary demands and buy out his Barcelona contract if needs be. The report imply as a possibility that Neymar would be open to a move to England to avoid a situation where both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are considered too valuable. After Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffe...
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'We had to make a decision to play for a draw' - Mourinho

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Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was unhappy that his side fail to meet the hopes and expectations of winning the game and couldn’t put up more attacking threat during their 0-0 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night. Manchester City were skillfully in control of the game for at least 60 - 70 minutes with United barely offering readily noticed attacking outcome on the break during the first 30 minutes. However, Mourinho was happy at the end to grab a hard-fought point after they made the “decision to play for the draw”. “We wanted to do more in terms of attacking and to explore more of the counter attack,” said Mourinho. “In the first half we had good control but the second became more difficult. “We had to make a decision to play for the draw and had to fight hard to take a point. “They started strong, pushed hard and I promised not to speak about players who weren’t playing so I won’t but we just didn’t have the quality of players in midfield – we we...
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Mourinho Offers No Apologies For Criticizing United Players

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has state the fact that he does not care if criticising his players makes them feel bad or not, seeing it as "common sense" if they are not giving him the perfection he wants.  Quite a number of United's players have been subjected to public criticism by their manager this season, like Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial who are currently going through that. When grilled if his actions are calculated risk, Mourinho told Sky Sports on Tuesday "I don't care. I don't even think about it.  “I just try to be who I am. I just try to be honest and direct, and I don’t think about the consequences. “You give me everything you have, I thank you for that. You don’t give me everything you have, I ask you for more. That is just common sense.” 19-year-old Marcus Rashford happens to be the only player who has received praise from Mourinho,  thanks to his three goals in United's last five matches.  Mourinho also added ahead of Thursday’s...
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Conte Compliment Self Over Team Selection

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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte claimed his squad selection at Wembley had been proven right after his side beat Southampton 4:2 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.  Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard were all substitutes in last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Spurs, maybe because of the proximity of this fixture. And these three men served as a means of aid as Antonio Conte’s side moved within 12 points of the title with only five games remaining. Chelsea playmaker, Eden Hazard netted the Blues first goal following a Fabregas through-ball and Costa lay-off. Gary Cahill came back after gastroenteritis, headed in Chelsea’s second goal to give their hosts a half-time lead after Chelsea's former midfielder Oriel Romeu netted for Saints. While Diego Costa hit his 50th Premier League goal through a pass from Fabregas to put an end to a seven-match scoreless race early in the second half and added a late fourth goal before Southampton's Ryan Bertrand’s late consolation. An...
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Conte On Hazard Plea 'I don't want selfish players'

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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants his playmaker, Eden Hazard to keep putting the team first before himself – and has denied any claim that the Belgian star must be ‘more selfish’ to become an outstanding player.  The Belgium international made a very good impact as a substitute as Chelsea won Tottenham 4-2 in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final. Eden Hazard has been an essential player in the blues bid for a capable double and scored his 15th goal of the season against Spurs, who are four points behind them on Premier League table with six games to go. Afterwards, his teammate Cesc Fabregas declared his belief that Hazard was second in ability only to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and can improve if he becames more “selfish” and displays a greater “killer instinct”. However, Conte believes players can only be great by playing as part of the team. “The first target for every great champion is to play for the team and to put your talent in the team,” Conte said. “I don’t think that a player ...
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Man United 'reach agreement' on Griezmann Swoop For £84m

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A former FIFA-accredited agent has claimed Manchester United have ‘reached a financial agreement’ over an £84m deal for Antoine Griezmann this summer. The France international has become known as one of the world’s most sought-after players with the likes of Real Madrid and PSG all wanting to sign him.  The Atletico forward has an £84million release clause in his club's deal and despite the player's claims that he has ‘no interest’ in quitting Atletico this summer, Vincent Rodriguez claims the deal is virtually complete. “A financial agreement between Atlético Madrid and Manchester United regarding the signing of Griezmann has been met,” Rodriguez claimed on Twitter. It’s believed any deal for Griezmann, however, is entirely dependent on the club sealing a return to the Champions League, with the club chasing a route through both a top-four finish in the Premier League and through success in the Europa League, where they are through to the semi-finals. Eric Olhats who is ...
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Klopp Will Tell Me If Liverpool Is Planning A Triple Swoop - Schalke

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Schalke’s Sporting Director, Christian Heidel has react verbally to claims that Liverpool are planning a triple rapid raid for three of the club’s star names this summer. According to reports in the German media, suggested the Reds are determined on summer raid for Sead Kolasinac, Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka. However, Heidel has moved to quickly to stop such rumor and says he would know if Liverpool’s interest was genuine due to his relationship with the Reds' Chief Jurgen Klopp. “I happen to know some guy in Liverpool quite well,” Heidel told  RevierSport . “Jurgen and I have such a good relationship that I have always been in the loop on everything. This time I do not know anything. That means the English media knows nothing either. “I do not know who the Liverpool scouts are monitoring. Not even Klopp always knows what they are up to.” Liverpool previously swooped Schalke after bringing in Joel Matip on a free in 2016, and while Kolasinac is also available for not...
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Ramos Replies Pique Over Barça Man's Ronaldo Tweet

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Real Madrid captain, Ramos clap back at Barcelona defender Gerard Pique after he questioned the legitimacy of Cristiano Ronaldo's goal on Tuesday night on Twitter. The Real Madrid forward netted a hat-trick to help his side move onto the next phase of the Champions League campaign by defeating Bayern Munich after extra-time and into the semi-finals, and in doing so becoming the first player to ever score 100 goals in the competition’s history. But the Portuguese star’s two goals in extra time were clearly offside, while Bayern’s Arturo Vidal was also harshly sent off late in normal time for Bayern, which fans seems to think it's not worth it.  Pique highlighted the beneficial decisions with a short tweet showing a bewildered emoji. Lol But Ramos replied back after the match by reiterating Barcelona were similarly fortunate in their remarkable second-leg comeback against PSG in the last 16. “Nothing new. I’m not surprised,” Ramos said. “He should rewind and look back to the PSG...
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Vardy: We Knew It Was Going To Be Hard, We Gave Our All

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Leicester City Jamie Vardy said he and his teammates gave everything they had to make sure to extend the club's Champions League campaign on Tuesday night.  The striker scored as City drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in their quarter-final second leg match at the King Power Stadium – but were knocked out on aggregate after Antoine Griezmann’s penalty spaced apart the teams in the Spanish capital last week. Vardy told BT Sport afterwards: “We’ve given our all, especially in the second half. They made a few blocks on the line which on another day would’ve gone in. “We were definitely in the ascendancy, you could see the way we were playing. We brought Leo (Leonardo Ulloa) on to cause an aerial threat and it started paying dividends for us. “They (Atletico) are probably used to playing teams who keep possession more, so we were going direct. “It was just unfortunate we didn’t get the result we wanted. It wasn’t to be but at least everyone gave it their all. The lads can be proud of thems...
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Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid Is Real Madrid

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Real Madrid playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo heaped praises on his team's winning ability after his hat-trick saw to Bayern Munich 4:2 defeat following extra time at the Bernabeu as the Spanish side secured their spot in the semi-final of the Champions League.  Robert Lewandowski who missed the first leg due to a shoulder problem put the Germans ahead on the night from the penalty spot to level the tie on aggregate following Madrid's 2-1 win in Munich, where Ronaldo had two goals.  However, a diving header from the Portugal forward Ronaldo with 14 minutes left seems to have been enough to carry the Spanish side through to the other phase, only for a conspicuous own goal from Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos to level things up to 3:3. Bayern Munich saw midfielder Arturo Vidal collect a red card for what looks like a rigorous second caution to go into extra time with only 10 men. Madrid made the extra added time count as Ronaldo netted his second of the game in the 105th minute – which s...
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Gary Neville Blast Chelsea and John Terry

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Football pundit, Gary Neville slams Chelsea and it's captain John Terry for announcing his plans to leave now, claiming the decision is a distraction for the title-racing squad. News of Terry's sudden exit from Stamford Bridge comes at a very odd moment - just 24 hours after Chelsea were beaten 2-0 at Manchester United, a result which opens up the Premier League title race for their rivals. Terry's countryman and former England team-mate, Gary Neville grilled the timing of the announcement and reckons the 36-year-old still has a part to play this season. “The news of Terry leaving is incredibly strange timing, I don't get it at all,” Neville told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football. “I'm not really sure who it suits, maybe John Terry a little bit, but I'm not even sure about that. “It may be a distraction for the dressing room, the club and the fans will be sad today especially after the big game they lost yesterday. Maybe he’s signed a pre-agreement with some...
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AC Milan Wants Chelsea Midfielder

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AC Milan wants to reignite their passion for Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Febregas ahead of  the coming summer bid, report says. The Serie A side have set their sights on the former Barcelona player, despite the Spain international's inclination to remain a part of Antonio Conte's men at Stamford Bridge. However, the Italian boss is open to offers for the player who has made just 14 starts so far in the Premier League this season. While 29-year-old Febragas has occasionally forced his way into the starting XI since the beginning of the year, Conte is determined to patch up his midfield ranks in the summer regardless if they lift the Premier League title or not. Italian media outlet, Calciomercato reported that AC Milan are set to make the Spanish midfielder their first summer signing. The Rossoneri were taken over by Chinese backers this week and are expected to spend the cash this summer. And Milan are wanting to make Fabregas the first of many, if they can resolve the issues tha...
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Hazard, Kante, Ibrahimovic, Kane and Others Nominated For PFA Award

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Chelsea duo, N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard have been nominated for the men's Professional Footballers' Association player of the Year Award. Both players have put lots of efforts in this season's Premier League title race and have been recognised for it . Kante was shortlisted for this same award last year for the part he played in Leicesters City's striking season but couldn't make it to the top three, he is the bookmakers' favorite for the 2016/17  award, with the winners to be announced at Grosvenor House in London on the 23rd of April. While Hazard bagged the award two years ago, when the blues won the league under Jose Mourinho's reign. Alexis Sanchez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane was also feature on the six-man list, the PFA has announced. Everton star, Romelu Lukaku who is the top flight’s leading scorer this term with 23 goals, will be battling it out with a number of his fellow nominees for the Golden Boot. And Manchester Unit...
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Our Opponents Are Scared Of Facing Us At Goodison Park - Koeman

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Everton manager, Ronald Koeman says opposition teams are scared of facing his side at Goodison Park again after overseeing a very sharp upturn in home form this season. Everton have won seven successive Premier League games at home and the Merseyside derby defeat in December is their only league loss on their own ground in the last 13 months. The Toffees have scored 26 goals and conceded just five in their current home run and Koeman believes Saturday’s visitors Burnley – who have yet to win away from home – and remaining opponents Watford and Chelsea have every right to be scared.  “Most teams are stronger at home than they are away – that is normal in football – but the team is really confident at home now,” Koeman told evertonfc.com. “It is also the case that our opponents maybe have more doubts coming to Goodison Park.” Their home form has kept them in a position to be able to improve on their current seventh place between now and the end of the season, although making the...
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They Judge Me For Not Scoring Goals - Paul Pogba

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Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba reckons his status as the world's most expensive player has some how cracked his expectations in an unfairly way.  The Frenchman slipped through United four years ago and later bought the player by breaking world record fee worth up to 110million euros (£92.35million) deal from Juventus. But it's only natural for the scrutiny, anticipation, increased pressure after becoming the world's most expensive player in the history of football, and his struggling to fulfill his worth with great expectations from fans.  The France international has been under criticism that has galled the player ever since returning to United, he even laid bare that frustration is his first press conference.  Pogba said ahead of the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Anderlecht, “The people are looking at me,” “They judge me for not scoring goals and stuff like this. “If I was scoring goals, the people wouldn’t talk like this but it’s football. “Th...
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