Liverpool linked with Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia

The summer transfer window may be over but the rumour mill is omnipresent. Despite domestic leagues and European competitions in full flow there are lot to speculate as we anticipate the ‘fast approaching’ January transfer window.
We bring you a roundup of all the latest transfer stories including Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool transfer while an Arsenal target has opened up on his potential move away from his current club.

Read More

In 8 days Wenger retired and signed six players while Shearer ate his own tongue.

Being away on holiday while the season runs along its merry course is always an interesting experience.  A chance to do the usual recharging of the batteries in the sunshine, and in this case, the opportunity to watch Watford v Arsenal in a bar on the island of Crete, with the landlord who is an Olympiakos fan.   No mention of corruption charges, just a friendly exchange of thoughts on football, and enjoying the match and local beer.
The Bayern game was played while I was flying back to England – turning my mobile on once through customs and it sprang to life with wonderful messages announcing the news.
Yesterday was therefore a day of recovering from not getting to bed until 4am (why does the entire M1 have to be dug up every night and traffic diverted down side streets that are still getting used to the coming of the traction engine?) followed by as much sleep as my body clock would allow, followed by watching the Bayern game on BT Sprout, who run one hour long edits of each Champs League game through the day.
Which meant I listened with much interest to Owen Hargreaves co-commentary (who is employed seemingly to enliven the chatter) while knowing what the result was.
Now being wise after the event is not very clever, but what did strike me was that the Hargreaves fella was doing little other than reflect on individual issues, not picking up on the overall play and tactics.  As a result we got an endless rush of how poor Arsenal were and how Arsenal were going to be beaten hands down, and then a sudden reversal followed by silence in the last few minutes.
If only there was a commentator who could add a bit of overall perspective about the ebb and flow, about the change in tactics, rather than add a secondary moment by moment commentary about each move, which is what the primary commentator is all about.
But this idea seems to much too ask, and as a result Owen Hargreaves predictions of what will happen in retrospect make him sound like an absolute prat.
Coming back also means a chance to make sense of what some of the people who live behind the darkened curtains are up to.
HITC announces for example that “Shearer reacts on Twitter to Arsenal results, calls out Wenger.”
According to the mind-boggling jibberish the site purveys, Shearer “raised a crucial point regarding the first two games in the competition,” about who played in goal.
Actually, he just copied most of the anti-Arsenal commentators.  Shearer is not the most original of men).  And the point surely is that the issue of who plays in goal for Arsenal has been debated to death.  Wenger’s commented on the slight injury worry, (ignored by the press as it didn’t fit their agenda) Ospina’s wonderful form previously, and the need to give the second keeper a chance, if you want to keep him fit and in form.
In fact Arsenal are still the team of 2015, and for a lot of 2015 the goalkeeper of the team of 2015 was Ospina.
But then shock horror: a goalkeeper makes a mistake.  And which keeper hasn’t?  From Bob Wilson to Jennings to Seaman, everyone has had bad games.  Same with every player.  In fact I can remember Shearer having a shocker.  And Henry.  And Bergkamp.  Everyone makes a mistake, but according to the dimwitted Shearer it is still worth going back over old news again, and again, and again.
Indeed it was rather as if I had gone away, come back, and found the clocks had not moved on in my absence.
And reading the press again it seems that it is still downhill all the way with the notion Real Madrid have done a deal (yes it is a Done Deal) to sell Jese Rodriguez to Arsenal in January.
Now even on the back of an envelope I could work out while waiting for my luggage to arrive at the airport that Arsenal have scored 17 goals in the last six games in all competitions and 11 in the last 3 league games.  We have two number 9s who alternate in prodding the ball home, plus a winger who scores for fun, Wellbeck back in the new year, Campbell waits in the wings, plus Iwobi, Akpom, Gnabry…and we want to buy another?
Elsewhere I apparently missed (what with being abroad and all) that Arsene announced his retirement during the week. However Wenger ANNOUNCES Retirement is only on one site.  I Wonder how the others missed it.
Or maybe it wasn’t true?
I also missed the fact that Ospina is apparently leaving Arsenal for Besiktas in January.  But then it seems so did everyone else, except perhaps golazogoal – another blogetta.
Of course the main thing to realise when away is that the world can move very quickly, and no one is in touch with all these movements, other than the blogettas.    For example, did you know that “Arsene Wenger will astonish fans with this signing!”
The story, as ever, is not quite all the headline is cracked up to be.  “Arsene Wenger will try to complete double deal. The main target is 10m rated Russia international star Aleksandr Kokorin.  The Gunners have already offered a season long loan bid for striker, but Dynamo Moscow rejected!
“Arsene Wenger will try to complete the deal in January, when the Winter transfer window re-opens, and now will offer at around £10m for striker.
“Another World Class finisher on Arsenal  transfer radar is Antoine Griezmann. According to media outlets from Spain and Britain the Gunners will battle Chelsea for Atletico Madrid stunning star.”
So now we know.
Oh yes and we also have the new Walcott too.  “According to the latest British press, Arsenal have won the race over Chelsea and are closest to sign 15 year-old Swiss sensation Nishan Burkart.”
Meanwhile in the Telegraph

Man City rival Arsenal for Krychowiak

Polish international Krychowiak looks set to be in the middle of a £21million tug of war between the Premier League title rivals.  

Benzema: Arsenal rumours are laughable 

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says he has never been close to agreeing a move to Arsene Wenger’s side   (Where on earth did they get that story!)

‘Arsenal keep tabs on Valencia’s Gomes’

Gunners watched midfielder at weekend and were impressed by what they saw
and the Mail (which proclaims The Mail Online is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, and then provides links to some of the more dubious of such sites)

Arsenal lost Cesc Fabregas to the lure of a return to Barcelona… but could defender Hector Bellerin follow in his footsteps?

The good news for Arsenal supporters still thrilled by just how good Hector Bellerín was on Tuesday night is that he is unlikely to end up going the way of Cesc Fabregas before him – back to Barcelona.

Hmmmm.    0.01% of transfer rumours turn out to be true; I think that was Sir Hardly’s figure at the end of the summer.  That is one in ten thousand.  Still got 9,990 to go.  Unless you count the Bellerin not going anywhere rumour as that one that is right.
It was a great holiday, the weather in the Midlands when I got back was crap, but still, its nice to be back and look forward to next weekend.
Arsenal on this day
The regular Arsenal on this day file showing all the main anniversaries each day has now returned to the home page.  Here are two events of interest from 22 October.

Read More

Walcott: The secret to beating Bayern

The forward has revealed his side's tactical approach against the Bavarians after beating them 2-0 on Tuesday night

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott says the secret to the Gunners' 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Tuesday was their counter-attacking approach.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil gave Arsene Wenger's men their first Champions League group stage victory of the season to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

And Walcott has now praised the Arsenal manager for his tactics after revealing the plan that was put in place prior to the game.

"It was just one of those days when we had to be patient," he said to Arsenal.com
"We knew we were not going to have a lot of the ball and we had to go at them on the counter-attack.

"You can't just chase them - if you chase the ball you just get passed around and you are going to lose so much energy. There is no need to do that.

"You just have to bide your time. Once they lose the ball they pressure quite quickly. If you can counteract that first pressure you have a chance.

"We were getting at them while we could and dropping back while we had to and obviously the goals came at great stages."

Arsenal were thankful to goalkeeper Petr Cech for making a number of superb saves and Walcott hailed the summer signing and the rest of his team-mates for their efforts.


"Everyone did their jobs really well and I have to say Petr [Cech] in goal was fantastic and made a number of very, very important saves," he added.

"Everyone worked really hard and deserved it.

"There was a lot of pressure on us, we knew we couldn't lose but a win was a massive ask. The confidence is just flowing through the team at the moment, you can see that.

"Results show that and if we continue this you never now where it is going to take us - we are looking really strong."
 
GOAL

Read More

Arrests in Manchester ahead of City game

Manchester City and Sevilla have three points apiece ahead of their encounter at the Etihad Stadium

Three people have been arrested in Manchester city centre following a disturbance involving football supporters.
One person was also treated for a head injury after trouble flared near Sinclair's Oyster Bar on Shambles Square at around 3.30pm.
Football supporters had been gathering in the city centre ahead of Manchester City's Champions League game against Sevilla at the Etihad Stadium.
Footage and photographs circulated on social media showing chairs being thrown. Trouble also seemed to have spread to nearby Exchange Square.
A tweet from Greater Manchester Police revealed the three people arrested were Polish, while a statement read: "Three men have been arrested following a fight on Exchange Square.
"Shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday 21 October, 2015, police received a report of a fight on Exchange Square involving a group of football fans.
"Officers quickly attended the scene and the group dispersed.
"Three men were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. They have been taken into police custody.
"A man was treated at the scene by paramedics for a head injury.
"Police officers remain on patrol in the city centre this evening."
The trouble is not believed to be linked to the City-Sevilla match.
There were suggestions some of the people involved were wearing the colours of Polish club Slask Vroclaw, whose fans have clashed with those of Sevilla previously.

3 x Polish Football fans arrested for a violent disorder following the incident at Shambles Square earlier this evening.

Read More

PSG vs Real Madrid Preview: Laurent Blanc’s Pre-Match Quotes Emphasise The Parisian Swagger At the Moment

Both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are sitting at the summit of their domestic leagues. Undefeated in all competitions. Tipped to win domestic titles. And of course both in the frame for lifting the Champions League.
This PSG side has been imperious so far this season but tonight comes the biggest test of all. It is our first meeting with Los Blancos for over two decades in European competition. This clash as well as the one in Madrid in a few weeks time will go a long way in determining who finishes top of the group.
We only have to look back at what happened last season against Barcelona. Facing a juggernaut in European football, we beat them at the Parc des Princes but ultimately missed out by losing the reverse fixture in the final group game to lose that top spot. Even though we overcame Chelsea in the last-16, we were undone by being drawn with Barca again but this time in the quarter-final. Finishing top of the group and with it avoiding the bigger hitters in the competition does make such a difference when it comes to the knock-out stage. Without being disrespectful to Malmo or Shakhtar, it appears as if it will be a straight shootout between Real and ourselves as to who finishes 1^st and 2nd.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who became Real’s all-time leading scorer this past weekend, will be the main attacking threat on the counter-attack. PSG coach Laurent Blanc said there will be no special plan to stop CR7 in yesterday’s pre-match presser. As quoted by UEFA.com, he said; “I love everything about Cristiano Ronaldo. Just look at his statistics. He’s one of two extraterrestrials gracing modern football (Lionel Messi the other). He’s good in all departments. He’s fast, takes on defenders, scores goals. So yes, we’ll have an eye on him. There will be no anti-Ronaldo plan, nothing specific – just to be vigilant at all times.”

Read More

A refereeing course might be just the thing for Jose Mourinho – says Glenn Hoddle

By Harry Harris

JOSE Mourinho was right on one count last night; wrong on another. Yes, he was right to suggest Chelsea should have had a penalty; but wrong to publicly slaughter another referee.
After all that’s happened in recent weeks, years even, regarding Mourinho and comments about officials you would think he had learned his lesson.
Apparently not. He might be the Special One – but he is not the Untouchable One. That is Arsene’s domain!
Zapsportz.com columnist Glenn Hoddle has advised Mourinho to take up refereeing to discover just how tough their job can be.
The Chelsea manager has been in hot water yet again with the FA for his comments about the officials refusing to give Chelsea a penalty in their recent Premier League tie against Southampton.
Mourinho was at it again after the goalless draw in Kiev. In his post match interview on BT Sport, maybe with tongue in cheek, immediately after their live coverage, he said:   “The referee was weak and naive with the penalty. I cannot understand what the referee behind the goal does because he doesn’t make a clear decision too.”
As for his team’s performance in the goalless draw, he added: “I see progress. We hit the post twice, had a good solid defensive performance against dangerous team. To lose this game would have been bad for us.”
Mourinho went on to praise his players, but BT Sport pundit Hoddle in the Stratford studios alongside Emmanuel Petit, thought Mourinho should have started his interview with praise for his players rather than another rant about the ref failing to give a penalty – albeit a blatant one that Hoddle thought should have been a spot kick when Cesc Fabregas was brought down.
Hoddle said: “I did think it was a penalty, in fact it was two fouls, with definite contact both times. The referee did have a great view and was up with the play so in a great position and I don’t know why he didn’t blow up for it.
“But it did annoy me that the first thing Jose talks about in his interview is the referee. He needs to referee a game himself, then he would find out just how hard it is.”
Mourinho might have been making another cryptic comment that was a further dig at Arsene Wenger. But isn’t it time to let sleeping dogs lie?

Read More

Back to the Future Day: Manchester City's Bacary Sagna stars in parody trailer

Bac to the Future Manchester City Parody

Manchester City have welcomed Back to the Future Day in a superb way - by sending Bacary Sagna travelling through time in a new parody to celebrate Wednesday 21 October 2015 - the date Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel forward to in the sequel.
With today marking the day in which the pair, along with Marty's girlfriend, go from 1985 to the 21st of October 2015 to stop their kids from "ruining their lives", City ensured they marked the occasion well by having full-back Sagna appear in his very own trailer for the movie.
In the clip uploaded onto City's YouTube channel, Sagna jumps into a DeLorean, travels through time and takes a few minutes out to read the famous "Gray's Sport Almanac" that triggers off an alternative timeline in the movie.
Dressed in a red jacket and decked out in sunglasses, Sagna appears to enjoy his role in the parody, which also features music from the original movie.
Watch City's brilliant Back to the Future trailer starring Sagna below.

Read More

Liverpool news and transfer rumours: Philippe Coutinho told to snub Barcelona by former Brazil star

PLUS: Ilkay Gundogan opens up about his future AND Raheem Sterling's agent Aidy Ward has had a lot more to say on his client's acrimonious departure from Anfield

Speculation: Coutinho has recently been linked with Barcelona

Here are all the latest Reds stories from today's Daily Mirror and other news outlets...

Coutinho advice

World Cup-winning Brazil legend Lucio has told Philippe Coutinho to snub the advances of Barcelona and stay at Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Nou Camp following a fine 18 months with the Reds.
"If it was my decision, I would stay. If I was Coutinho, I would not leave Liverpool," Lucio told IBTimes UK.

Reuters / Phil Noble

"Don't go": Lucio wants to see Coutinho stay at Liverpool

"Barcelona have several star players like [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suarez and Neymar.
"If Coutinho joins Barcelona, he has to play wherever the coach wants him to play, which would be to fill in here and there."

Gundogan update

Ilkay Gundogan doesn't want to leave Borussia Dortmund, putting an end to speculation he is keen on a reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
He told reporters: "This is an issue that is always floating around.

Matthias Hangst

Happy: Gundogan is content at Dortmund

"I am very happy with BVB and feel very comfortable here. Of course, I can imagine remaining here beyond the end of the season."

Sterling should still be at Anfield, says agent

Raheem Sterling 's agent says Liverpool were "sly" and "underhanded" in the way they dealt with the England youngster - and insists he should still be playing for the Reds.

Sterling's reluctance to extend his contract with the Reds was a hot topic throughout the entirety of last campaign and he eventually signed for Manchester City for £50m in the summer.

Departed: Raheem Sterling left Liverpool to join Manchester City

"Raheem could've stayed, he should be at Liverpool," Ward told the Daily Mail.

"Then there was an underhandedness, there were sly remarks. In press conferences, Brendan told everyone Raheem would sign - why do that? I knew, Brendan knew and Liverpool knew there was an issue. Right now he probably should be a Liverpool player, but he's not and he's in a great place at City."

Ward: Sterling would've thrived under Klopp

It would've been "a dream come true" for Raheem Sterling to play under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, the England star's agent has said.
The German replaced Brendan Rodgers in the Anfield dugout after the Northern Irishman was sacked earlier this month.
"The new Liverpool manager probably would have been a great fit for Raheem - passionate, disciplined in the right way, new ideas, not afraid of trying new things," Ward told the Daily Mail. "He'll do great at Liverpool.

Perfect fit... but Klopp came too late to convince Sterling to stay

"Would Raheem under Klopp have been a good scenario? Yes, 100 per cent, definitely, mainly because of the person Klopp is - the passion, the drive, the emotion, wanting to achieve.
"Raheem has all of this, but you won't always see it outwardly. Working with Klopp - that could have been great. He's going to get the best out of those players. It could have been a dream come true."

Klopp considering Markovic recall

Jurgen Klopp is considering recalling Lazar Markovic from his loan spell at Fenerbahce.
Brendan Rodgers offloaded Markovic to Turkey for this campaign because the £20million attacker was a flop last season.
Liverpool have the option to cut short Markovic's loan in January and Klopp is assessing the Serbian international.

John Powell/Liverpool FC

Coming back? Markovic (left) could be brought back to Liverpool in January

He has done well for Fenerbahce and returned from a three-week injury lay-off in their win over Kayserispor at the weekend.
Markovic, 21, joined Fenerbahce to get game time and boost his confidence and Reds boss Klopp believes he may improve his attacking options.

Gomez undergoes surgery

Joe Gomez underwent surgery in London on Tuesday on the cruciate ligament injury which has ended his season.
The 18-year-old travelled down to the capital to go under the knife before embarking on a gruelling nine-month rehab programme, report the Liverpool Echo.
Gomez suffered the injury in the closing stages of England U21s’ 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan at last week.

John Powell

Under the knife: Joe Gomez has undergone surgery

Liverpool team-mate Danny Ings, who damaged the ACL in his left knee less than 24 hours later during a training session at Melwood, also had surgery yesterday.
The former Burnley striker’s comeback date will be earlier than Gomez’s because Ings only suffered a partial tear.

Cisse retires

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has announced his retirement from football – a week after being arrested as part of a blackmail plot, writes MirrorFootball's Neil McLeman.
Cisse spent 12 hours in custody before being cleared of any involvement in an attempt to extort money from his former Marseille team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Laurence Griffiths

Hanging his boots up: Djibril Cisse has retired from football

The ex-France striker, who started this season playing in the Reunion Islands, has now declared he will undergo hip surgery in January and give up the game.
The 34-year-old said: “You have to listen to your body – it is finished, yes. I can no longer play football at a high level. You have to know when to turn the page.”

Read More

Arsenal 2 Bayern Munich 0, match report: Goals from Oliver Giroud and Mesut Ozil boost hopes in Europe

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich, Champions League - Olivier Giroud comes off the bench to score before Mesut Ozil seals victory at Emirates

Winning feeling: Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring Arsenal's second against Bayern Photo: REX FEATURES

This was the game of their season, perhaps their whole year, eclipsing that 3-0 home win over Manchester United this month, bigger even than the win away at Manchester City in January that threatened to usher in a new era of real-football for Wenger. This was, after all, Bayern; it was Pep Guardiola and the mighty Manuel Neuer who before Tuesday night had not conceded more than one goal per match in the 13 previous games in which Bayern had won 12 and drawn one.

This was the Bayern team that has not failed to score a goal over the course of a game for the season so far and yet against the brilliant Petr Cech, who outshone Neuer on the night, the German champions did not score this time. Guardiola’s team completed more than three times as many passes as Arsenal, they had 68 per cent of the possession and yet zero per cent of the goals.

Petr Cech denies Bayern  Photo: REUTERS

Those were scored by the substitute Olivier Giroud who capitalised on a terrible error from Neuer with 13 minutes left and then, in injury-time at the end of the game there was a goal for Mesut Ozil who forced Giroud’s cross over the line. Arsenal’s German playmaker had been played into obscurity when Bayern visited in 2014 and yet this time he had his moment, his goal given by the additional assistant referee in a joyous, raucous crescendo at the end of the game.

• Arsenal v Bayern Munich: as it happened

Arsenal’s Champions League campaign is back on track and with these three precious points they will go to Munich on November 4 with a much better chance of getting out of this group despite the two opening defeats. Perhaps this will be a turning point in the fortunes of a club that has promised so much and delivered too little in recent years, but it would be wise to save those judgements for now.
Any team, even a good one, could get seriously disheartened playing Bayern Munich in these golden Guardiola years. There are times when possession of the ball seems a distant memory and - like the Barcelona teams of yore - Bayern have their opponents running this way and that in pursuit of a ball that must feel like it is never coming back.

In the first half, Bayern completed a remarkable 338 passes to Arsenal’s 96, a vast deficit that was as good an example of any of the contrast in styles between the German’s patient possession football and Arsenal’s hectic counter-attacking. Another key insight was that both sides had four attempts on target each in the first half and, while neither scored, it was Arsenal who had the better chances.
They should have scored, indeed it almost felt as if they had before the great left mitt of the best goalkeeper in the world shot out to claw Theo Walcott’s header off the line in the 33rd minute. It was a stupendous save from Manuel Neuer, coming in that split second when tens of thousands of fans are flexing at the knees and ready to leap out of their seats in celebration at a goal.
Manuel Neuer produces a wonder-save  Photo: REUTERS
Walcott should have scored and yet, somehow, Neuer kept it out. Aaron Ramsey was unable to keep the rebound on target. A goal would not have flattered Arsenal, who despite an early period when they were denied access to the ball, attacked on the counter with pace and direction if not always finesse. Walcott did not quite get his feet right on 30 minutes when he exchanged passes with Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean was always brave and determined but he, too, was untidy in possession at times.
When Bayern really passed the ball it was as if they had all the time in the world, and on the left wing Douglas Costa spun Hector Bellerin like the proverbial autumn leaves in an October gale. There was one outrageous change of feet and direction from the Brazilian out on the touchline that had to be slowed to half the speed in the replays to be fully appreciated.
Douglas Costa proves a handful  Photo: REUTERS
Even so, there was no first-half goal for Bayern, not even when a quickfire exchange between Thomas Muller and Thiago Alcantara gave the latter a free hit from close range on 11 minutes. Petr Cech was the equal of that, just as he turned over a Costa shot shortly before the break after Sanchez had given the ball away carelessly.
In the early stages of the second half there were diminishing returns for Arsenal on the pitch, when they were increasingly reliant upon the quick hands and composure of Cech to keep Bayern at bay. There was a series of excellent saves, the first from Robert Lewandowski on 54 minutes and then, later on, another brilliant, brave block when the Polish centre-forward bore down on him in goal.
Cech denies Lewandowski
The screw was being turned on Arsenal. Guardiola brought on the 20-year-old Joshua Kimmage and Rafinha for Arturo Vidal and Xabi Alonso in midfield, and the home team were inched further and further back by the German side. Wenger lost Ramsey to what seemed a hamstring problem that caused the Welshman to pull up unchallenged and he was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
All night Arsenal had looked dangerous from set-pieces, however, and so it made sense to replace Walcott with Giroud. With 13 minutes left he attacked Santi Cazorla’s free kick from the right in hope more than expectation. Laurent Koscielny leapt in front of Neuer and the German goalkeeper inexplicably missed with his punch.
Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal in front
The ball came off Giroud’s head as he went down and may even have clipped his arm on its way into the goal but, nevertheless, what a moment for the home side.
They defended their lead stoically and when the breakaway came, Ozil kept his calm to score a second goal that just got over the line before Neuer reached it.
Arsene Wenger celebrates with the Arsenal supporters
The counter-attackers had beaten the passers. It was Arsenal’s night, and the challenge now is to do it again and again against the same calibre of opponent.

Read More

Photo: Daley Blind all smiles with his girlfriend ahead of CSKA Moscow v Man Utd

Daley Blind enjoyed some downtime with his girlfriend Candy-Rae Fleur before Manchester United's clash against CSKA Moscow

Daley Blind and his girfriend Candy-Rae Fleur Photo: Daley Blind / Instagram

Daley Blind has taken to social media to share a picture of himself enjoying some downtime with his girlfriend Candy-Rae Fleur as Manchester United gear up for their Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils head to Russia looking to notch up their second win of the group stage after beating Wolfsburg at Old Trafford last month.
And Blind enjoyed some downtime with his girlfriend as Louis van Gaal’s men turn their attentions to European affairs.
Blind uploaded the photo above onto his Instagram account on Monday evening and wrote: “” ”
Blind and Fleur have been dating for some time, but she insists that she doesn’t consider herself a ‘wag’.
“I am not a WAG, I don’t feel like a player’s girlfriend,” model and dancer Fleur told the Daily Mirror. “It is the other way round! He is a dancer’s man!

“I love it that people don’t know who I am. They don’t know I’m Daley Blind’s girlfriend. I like to keep it like that.”
Blind has made eight Premier League appearances for Manchester United so far this season, scoring one goal for the Red Devils.
He has also played the full 90 minutes in both of United’s group stage Champions League games this term.

Read More

Southampton boss to consider new contract despite links of Holland job

• 

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has hinted that he will consider a new deal at the club despite heavy speculation linking him with the Holland managerial role, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
The 52-year-old is currently on his second season with the Saints and still has another 18 months remaining on his three-year deal.
Koeman was believed to be one of the top candidates to replace current Netherlands national team boss Danny Blind following his failure to secure a Euro 2016 spot.

However, the Dutchman has now admitted that if he is still enjoying his time at the club, he is ready to reconsider his future once the time comes.
“Be happy as I am now,” he said.
“And that means to work with a great club, with good people to develop the team and still to have the belief between the technical staff and players, to go on.
“That’s the key word, to continue or not, but it’s my second season. We have time to think about it.”
The team are currently eight in the Premier League following their 2-2 draw against Leicester City where they let a two goal lead slip.
They will now have to prepare themselves for their trip to Liverpool at the weekend, but will have more rest than their opponents given that the Reds will face Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday.

Read More

Benzema hammers final nail into Arsenal transfer hopes´ coffin

The good news for Arsenal fans is that the up and coming January transfer window and the one next summer will not see us bombarded with a new Arsenal transfer rumour concerning the France international striker Karim Benzema every five minutes.
Well that is if the various rumour mongers in the football media actually take any notice of what the player himself has been saying about the constant talk of a possible transfer to Arsenal. As reported by The Mirror, Benzema has tried to draw a line under the rumours by insisting that he never once considered signing for the Gunners.
The Real Madrid star insists that his club and their rivals in La Liga, Barcelona, are above and beyond any other club in the world and so it would make no sense for him to want to leave, especially as the talk about the new Madrid manager Rafa Benitez not planning to have him as a regular starter have proved to be wide of the mark.
The French forward said, “”I laugh about it with my brother and my friends. We wait for the media to come out with these rumours.
“In my opinion, I think that Real and Barca are the pinnacle in football. Why would I leave?
“I’m a starter for the best club in the world. I am happy; it’s that simple.”
And with Arsene Wenger talking about how the form and goals of Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud have vindicated his decision not to sign a striker this summer, can we finally put the Benzema transfer rumours to bed once and for all?

Read More

Former Liverpool striker hangs up his boots at 34

 

Amid a scandal in his home country, former Auxerre, Liverpool and Marseille striker Djibril Cisse has hung up his boots at the age of 34.
The French striker was prolific in the French Ligue 1 with Auxerre, earning him a then club-record £14million move to Liverpool. He was dreadfully unlucky when a broken leg sidelined him for over six months in his opening season, but he recovered in time to contribute to Liverpool’s successful European campaign of 2005, ultimately converting a penalty against AC Milan in the final.
He also scored the first in Liverpool’s famous FA Cup final comeback against West Ham in 2006.
After the cup win, Cisse broke his leg again while on international duty for France and in this period a loan deal was agreed with Marseille for which he later signed on a permanent deal, ending a two-season spell at Liverpool.
After spells at Sunderland, Panathinaikos, Lazio, QPR and Kuban Krasnodar, Cisse had two relatively quiet seasons at Bastia.

Read More

Chelsea reach verbal agreement for transfer of 'unique' star

We think that perhaps Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport are jumping the gun on Tuesday. They state that Chelsea and Juventus have an outline agreement for the transfer of Juan Cuadrado at a price of €22m.
The Colombian international is currently on what Gazzetta dello Sport call a 'dry' loan to Juventus, that means there are no options in the deal so without any further agreement Cuadrado would return to Chelsea next summer.
Italian media, including Gazzetta dello Sport, have been explaining for weeks how Juventus are super keen on making the move permanent, and how Chelsea are eager to get every last penny they can from the transfer. On that theme, Gazzetta dello Sport claim Chelsea have a verbal agreement with Juventus at something around the €22m fee.
The Italian newspaper explain Cuadrado's importance to Juventus and state that, regardless of what system the Turin club play, almost all attacks seem to be going through the Colombian. Cuadrado is described as a unique player, but it doesn't make sense that the Italian media can keep talking Cuadrado's talents up whilst trying to talk his price down.
Juventus will surely be fortunate to get a deal at €22m if things progress in the same way as they've started.

Read More

Arsenal striker target laughs off transfer rumours

Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have suffered a bitter blow in their quest for a dream signing in 2016, as a firm target laughed off transfer rumours.
Sky Sports runs with quotes from Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who insists he remains happy at the Santiago Bernabeu and dubbed the Spanish club as ‘the best in the world’.
Arsenal were heavily linked to the Frenchman’s signature during the summer but failed to complete a deal, as Benzema remained in the Spanish capital and has quickly found form this season, netting seven goals in eight matches.
When asked if he was ever close to leaving Real Madrid, Benzema responded by saying:

“Never. Like every summer, I laugh about it with my brother and my friends. We wait for the media to come out with these rumours.”
“In my opinion, I think that Real and Barca are the pinnacle in football. Why I would leave? I’m a starter for the best club in the world. I am happy; it’s that simple.”

Arsenal fans have accepted that signing Benzema is a near-impossible task but the optimistic fans at the bar held a slither of hope, which have now been dashed.
Arsenal supporters, which striker would you target as an alternative to Benzema? Let us know in the comments below!

Read More

Liverpool players are better than they showed against Spurs – Jurgen Klopp has no doubt

‘KLOPPMANIA’ might have already faded after a goalless draw at Spurs, as Liverpool fans will realise that the squad left by Brendan Rodgers might be ‘bang average’ after all – as Harry Redknapp suggested here and on kicca.com before the axe came down on the former manager.
By his own admission after he debut appearance, Klopp admitted it’s going to take time to get his messages across and the players performing the way he wants. He doesn’t have a magic wand, despite his reputation, and says he doesn’t need to ‘sprinkle magic dust’ on the players he has inherited.
Playing with pace and purpose is a must though and we will learn more about the ‘new’ Liverpool in the coming weeks. Especially when he gets injured players back.
Klopp demands hard work, high pressing and he got a high work rate from his players as Liverpool’s distance covered and total sprints also increased, as the players ran a combined total of 116 km and made 614 sprints, more than in any other league game so far this campaign.
Klopp is confident his players will improve as they continue to adapt to his high octane game. Klopp told the media, and his comments are reported on the Mail on Line this morning:  “We don’t have to sprinkle magical dust on them because they can play football.
“They know how to play. We just have to create a situation where it is possible to do this,” added Klopp who believes there is more to come from some of the key players in the side.
After the opening draw at Spurs, he said: “I am not sure how many games you saw like this from Adam Lallana? I know him from Southampton and he can do 20-30 percent more. Philippe Coutinho? Do you not think he can play better football than Saturday? Of course, he can.
“Lucas? You don’t think he can play balls on the right and left side? Of course he can. Emre Can? Learning between running and passing? He can learn.
“(James) Milner? The complete football player, the perfect professional. (You think) I should teach them technical aspects? They know. We have to altogether help them to show it.”
Klopp will demand his first win as a Liverpool manager on Thursday when they run Rubin Kazan off their feet in the Europa League at Anfield.

Read More

Pompey’s Caolan Lavery reckons talented players are missing their chance

Some players may think a move from the Premier League or the Championship down to the lower reaches of the Football League might be beneath them.

In the modern game, youngsters are capable of earning huge salaries at a tender age and some believe that can dilute their motivation and take away that competitive edge.
Some may enjoy the comforts of a state-of-the-art training ground’s facilities and will shy away from a short trip down the divisions when a call comes in for a possible loan deal.
Just ask Caolan Lavery – he has seen it happen at close quarters.
But the down-to-earth 22-year-old is clearly not cut from the same cloth, after previous stints at Southend United, Plymouth Argyle and Chesterfield.
Those clubs may not be able to match Sheffield Wednesday’s stature, but they have served him well in terms of his development.
And if he needed further evidence, there are plenty of examples of those talented young players, who were destined for much bigger things, learning the ropes on a short stint away from their parent club.
David Beckham did a month at Preston North End before making it at Manchester United, Jermain Defoe and Rio Ferdinand got a taste of first-team football at Bournemouth, and Frank Lampard did a spell in the old second division with Swansea before breaking through at West Ham.

Read More

United Interested in Spanish Star

But someone else is eyeing him up as well!

Reports in the tabloid press, this morning, infer that Manchester United might be looking at bringing to Old Trafford, somebody who has already made an impression in the Premier League for another side.

According to reports in the metro, Manchester United are interested in taking the Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez to Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old continues to impress in a struggling Newcastle United side and there is the suggestion he could seriously prosper with a decent club.

However, our source also goes on to suggest that Manchester United have a rival for his signature with Tottenham Hotspur keen to pair him with Harry Kane at White Hart Lane.

We`ll endeavour to keep an eye on the subject matter and report further if other information becomes available.

But would the signing of Ayoze Perez be a signing you would applaud?

Read More

Eden Hazard fuels talk of Chelsea exit with Instagram like

Has Eden Hazard just dropped a huge transfer hint?

Eden Hazard liked this post on Instagram Photo: Instagram

Eden Hazard has fuelled talk of a possible transfer to Real Madrid next summer by liking a post about the proposed move on Instagram.

Read More

Manchester United's Memphis Depay risks being the Angel di Maria of this season warns Louis van Gaal

manager who sold £59.7m record buy after just one year because he couldn't adapt to his philosophy hints £25m youngster is heading the same way

No 'I' in 'team': Memphis Depay isn't playing the way Van Gaal wants him to

Louis van Gaal has warned Memphis Depay to shape up – or become an Old Trafford casualty like Angel di Maria, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.
Argentinian star Di Maria was Manchester United’s record £59.7million signing after his move from Real Madrid in 2014.
But he lasted only one disappointing season at Old Trafford before being sold to French champions Paris Saint-Germain for a £15m loss in August after failing to adapt to the team mentality and philosophy demanded by manager Van Gaal.

PA

One and done: United sold Di Maria for £14m less than he cost them a year before

Sunday People Sport exclusively revealed last week that £25m Depay’s cocky attitude and flashy off-field lifestyle had raised eyebrows at Old Trafford, with assistant manager Ryan Giggs having a word with the youngster.
And Van Gaal has confirmed that Giggs IS offering the 21-year-old - an unused sub for Saturday's win at Everton - advice on how to adapt to life in the Premier League.
“Ryan has already given advice to him but the player is responsible for his own deeds," said Van Gaal.
“You have to give respect to your team philosophy.

Read More