Premier League
Pochettino: Messi almost joined Espanyol
Pochettino is preparing his Tottenham side to face Messi and Barcelona in a Champions League showdown at Wembley on Wednesday. But the head coach used to play for, and then managed, Barca’s rivals Espanyol – and he says Messi came close to joining him in the summer of 2005. Pochettino said: “I started to hear […]
Antonio Rudiger aims subtle dig at three Chelsea teammates
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger fears the club are becoming overly reliant on Eden Hazard ’s incredible goalscoring form. The Belgium international has been on form since Maurizio Sarri’s appointment and has scored eight goals in nine appearances for club and country this campaign. Hazard was on target again in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool at […]
You want me dead? – Paul Pogba turns down interviews
Paul Pogba has added fuel to the fire of his disintegrating relationship with Jose Mourinho by rejecting interviews after Manchester United’s latest loss with a four-word reply: “You want me dead?” A 3-1 loss against West Ham on Saturday means United have taken just 10 points from their first seven matches of the season, recording […]
Sarri: David Luiz was ‘confused’ under Conte
Maurizio Sarri concedes he has been pleasantly surprised by the ability of David Luiz and says the defender was “confused” by his lack of game time under former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. Luiz had been an important figure in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign in Conte’s first year as head coach, but played only four games in […]
Virgil van Dijk: Any Liverpool player who doesn’t like Klopp’s rotation system should leave
Virgil van Dijk has said Liverpool’s players can cope with manager Jurgen Klopp’s ruthless squad rotation, conceding the only alternative would be to exit the club. Klopp has made a several changes throughout Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the campaign, which, even though the winning run came to an end, was extended to seven Premier League […]
Alexis Sanchez tells former teammate he regrets Man United transfer
Alexis Sanchez regrets his decision to leave Arsenal for Manchester United and is reportedly angry with Jose Mourinho. The Chile international forced his exit from Arsenal in January after threatening to wind down his contract and United beat Manchester City to his signature after agreeing a mouth-watering £500,000-a-week deal. Sanchez has been unable to reproduce […]
Eden Hazard Chelsea exit more likely – Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas has said that he believes Chelsea could struggle to keep Eden Hazard next summer window unless they agree a on a new contract. According to reports, Chelsea are prepared to make Hazard the highest-paid player in the club’s history if he agrees to sign a new long-term deal, having been linked with a […]
Juventus chief speaks out on Pogba transfer rumours after Mourinho row
Juventus’ director of football has spoken out on reports linking the club with a move for Manchester United star Paul Pogba. Pogba started his professional career at Manchester United but joined Juventus in 2012. Two years ago he returned to Old Trafford for a then-world record transfer fee. But the World Cup-winner is already being […]
Jose Mourinho considering shock transfer move for Gary Cahill
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has emerged as a possible target for Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, according to reports. Mourinho hoped to sign at least one central defender in the summer window but pursuits of Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld and Diego Godin all failed to materialise. The Red Devils manager criticised Manchester United’s transfer dealings […]
Ronaldo free to make Man Utd return after being handed one-game ban
UEFA have announced that Cristiano Ronaldo will serve only a one-match ban after being sent off in Juventus ‘ Champions League clash with Valencia. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was controversially shown a red card following a clash with Jeison Murillo at Mestalla, although Juve went on to win through penalties from Miralem Pjanic either […]