Premier League Archives ⋆ Page 752 of 780 ⋆ LSU

Aug162018 by JBNo Comments

Chelsea opted against Nabil Fekir transfer despite talks

Chelsea held talks with Lyon over a possible move for Nabil Fekir but Goal reports they opted against signing the France international over the summer after keeping hold of players in the same position. Fekir, who earlier in the transfer window saw a move to Liverpool crumble, was linked with a number of clubs during pre-season after an impressive 2017-18 season in Ligue 1. The Lyon skipper scored 23 goals and created eight assists in 40 appearances across all competitions last campaign, and Chelsea did attempt to negotiate with the player's club regarding a move in the window. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Fekir missed Lyon's International Champions Cup match at Stamford Bridge on August 7 as officials from both clubs met, but Chelsea decided instead...

Aug162018 by JBNo Comments

Kroos slams Ozil’s ‘nonsense’ racism claim

Premier League, La Liga

Germany star Toni Kroos has hit out at former international team-mate Mesut Ozil, saying his claims of racism in the team and German federation are "nonsense." Ozil stepped away from Germany duty last month, citing racism as the main reason after a controversial pre-World Cup photo session with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The criticism Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan received for the photo intensified after Germany's shocking World Cup exit. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Arsenal midfielder said that the lack of backing he received from the federation made him "no longer want to wear the German national team shirt." But Kroos has hit out at Ozil's claims, saying: "The proportion that is well and properly addressed in [Ozil's] statement is un...

Aug162018 by JBNo Comments

Kevin De Bruyne out for three months, City confirm

Premier League

Kevin De Bruyne is now expected to be out for three months as City have confirmed. De Bruyne sustained the injury during training on Wednesday and will be assessed in the coming days, but he is already on crutches and sources close to the Belgian believe he could be out of action between two and three months. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian sustained a knee injury in 2016 that kept him out for nine weeks. Man City will carry out tests at their training ground and they will also send him to see specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, who treats many of their injured players. A statement from the Premier League champions read: "Manchester City can confirm Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) lesion in his right...

Aug162018 by JBNo Comments

Mourinho tells Pogba to hand in transfer request in stunning bust-up

Premier League, La Liga

Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho are no longer on speaking terms after the Manchester United manager told the France international to hand in a transfer request if he wanted to leave ‘again’. The pair clashed again this week at United’s training ground after Pogba’s controversial comments after their 2-1 win against Leicester City. Pogba was handed the captain’s armband and put in a man of the match display against Leicester in a performance that many fans had hoped would stop speculation that he wants to join Barca. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, Pogba confirmed his unhappiness at the club by telling reporters after the match: ‘There are things I can say and there are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined’. Mourinho was said to ...

Aug152018 by JBNo Comments

Diego Godin reveals why he rejected Manchester United

Premier League, La Liga

Diego Godin has revealed that he rejected a transfer to Manchester United due to ‘personal reasons’. United made a late effort to sign the 32-year-old in the last stages of the summer transfer window by triggering the €25 million release clause in his contract with Atletico Madrid but failed. Mourinho was in the market to sign an experienced central defender and Godin represented a much cheaper option than Toby Alderweireld, who Tottenham valued at around £70m. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); But the Uruguay international rejected the opportunity to make the move to Old Trafford. Mourinho was reportedly angry with Godin’s agent for using United to get a better contract for the defender. But Godin insists he has not yet signed a new deal with Atletic...

Aug142018 by JBNo Comments

Sergio Ramos hits back at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Premier League, La Liga

Sergio Ramos has hit back at Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool manager criticised the Real Madrid defender for injuring Mohamed Salah in the UEFA Champions League final. Klopp described Ramos’ display in Liverpool’s 3-1 loss to Madrid as ‘ruthless and brutal’ as Salah was taken off with a shoulder injury in the first half. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ramos, who wrestled Salah to the ground by holding the forward’s right arm, also gave Loris Karius a concussion after elbowing the goalkeeper in the head during the second half. But Ramos has continued his war of words with Klopp by talking about the German’s record of just one win in his last seven finals as a football manager. ‘I do not want to continue talking about the subject, his opinion is his ...

Aug142018 by JBNo Comments

REVEALED: How Mikel Arteta helped mastermind City’s win over Arsenal

Premier League

Mikel Arteta’s ‘forensic studies’ of the Arsenal squad in hope of succeeding Arsene Wenger helped him mastermind Manchester City’s win on Sunday, according to reports. The Spaniard could have been Arsenal's manager as the reigning champions kicked off their title defence with a 2-0 victory, though the London club opted for the experience of Unai Emery. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, the Telegraph report that he played a key role in City’s victory having suggested a tactical switch that directly resulted in Bernardo Silva’s goal. As City celebrated, Pep Guardiola grabbed Arteta and congratulated him for putting the suggestion forward which killed the game. Arteta is also believed to have played a very important role in City’s pre-match analy...

Aug132018 by JBNo Comments

Barcelona leaves door open to Pogba signing

Transfer Info, La Liga, Premier League

Barcelona president was asked about Paul Pogba after his side's Supercopa de Espana victory against Sevilla on Sunday and he refused to discuss links with the United star but he did leave the door open to a possible transfer. La Liga champions Barca have emerged as strong suitors for France international Pogba amid uncertainty over the World Cup winner's future at the club. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pogba has endured a complicated relationship with manager Jose Mourinho and the Frenchman raised further doubts over his time at the club when he claimed he would be fined if he said what he wanted to. While the Premier League transfer window closed on August 9, Spanish clubs have until August 31 to complete their deals. Asked about Pogba following ...

Aug132018 by JBNo Comments

Willian: No chance I would have stayed at Chelsea under Conte

Premier League

Willian says that there is "no chance" he would have stayed at Chelsea under Antonio Conte, but he is happy he stuck around to play for new manager Maurizio Sarri. Barcelona made offers to secure Willian from Chelsea over the summer, although they were put off as the club demanded more than £60 million for the Brazil international, who has also interested Mourinho. The 30-year-old was a key player towards the end of Conte's reign at the club, but he didn't see eye-to-eye with his former manager and even placed trophy emoji's over him as he posted his FA Cup celebration pictures on social media. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, thoughts of leaving Chelsea are no longer on his agenda. "Would I be here if Conte stayed? No chance. No," he said. "I'...

Aug102018 by JBNo Comments

Klopp reveals new signing has picked up illness ahead of West Ham match

Premier League

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that summer signing Fabinho has picked up an illness ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League opener against West Ham. Fabinho completed a £39million transfer from Monaco to Merseyside at the end of May and the 24-year-old has got some minutes under his belt for Liverpool in pre-season. The Brazil international picked up a knock in training this week but scans on his injury came back clear. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, Fabinho is a serious doubt for Sunday’s match with West Ham after it was confirmed that the midfielder had picked up an illness. New signings Alisson, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri are all expected to feature against the London side. ‘The [Fabinho’s] scan was clear. It was only a check-up and the sc...