Arsene Wenger insists Wojciech Szczesny was NOT dropped for smoking in Arsenal’s dressing room after the defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day. The Polish keeper had a dreadful game against Ronald Koeman’s side on the turn of the year, seeing his place taken by David Ospina in the following 2-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup third round. And, the Colombian international kept his place as Arsenal hosted Stoke City on Sunday afternoon. However, Arsenal boss Wenger has insisted that he did not drop the Polish international over a recent smoking incident. “He [Ospina] deserved to play…
Author: Staff Writer
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has claimed that he is anticipating a “quiet” transfer window. The Northern Irishman admitted that the club’s summer spending of £120m, means that January will be a quiet month for the Anfield side, but he remained excited ahead of the seasons run in after his side beat Sunderland 1-0 on Saturday. “It’ll be a quiet one,” Rodgers told BT Sport. “Obviously we brought a lot of players to the club in the summer, and we’ve got some fantastic young players at the club. “We’d only [make a signing] if we feel we can really improve the…
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has rejected reports linking him with a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane. Spanish daily Marca reported last week that Bayern Munich boss Guardiola had made contact with Real Madrid over the services of Raphael Varane. Varane was a regular under Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, his time under Carlo Ancelotti has not gone according to plan with Pepe and Sergio Ramos preferred. Guardiola was quizzed over the rumours at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, and quickly dismissed such reports. He said: “This paper also wrote that Sevilla’s sporting director will…
Aston Villa have made a £3.9m bid for Valencia wonderkid Carles Gil, according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague. The 22-year-old has featured eight times for Valencia in La Liga this season after returning to the Mestalla last summer following two loan spells with Elche, with whom he helped gain promotion to Spain’s top flight. Whilst, Gil, is expected to have a positive future at the Spanish club, reports across Spanish press and those of ‘in-the-know’ journalist Balague, claim that Aston Villa have made contact with the player’s representatives. “Aston Villa makes an offer of 5m euros for Carlos Gil (Valencia, an…
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is considering a return to English football with Manchester United maintaining their interest. The Welsh winger has struggled for form this season at the Santiago Bernabeu and has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks. Bale, who settled in with the Spanish giants easily last season, helping them win the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, has been accused on several occasions as being ‘too selfish’ by fellow players, with both Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both unhappy following the 2-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid last week. Manchester United have maintained…
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that the club are in search of a new keeper during the January transfer window. Number one Simon Mignolet has been out of form this season for the Anfield side, whilst Brad Jones has little experience in the Premier League, leaving Rodgers a problem as the transfer window begins to hot up. 21-year-old Danny Ward has made the step up from Liverpool’s reserve side to deputise for Jones, who has been ruled out with a thigh injury but links to Fiorentina keeper Neto continue to be maintained. “I think we need a goalkeeper of…
Southampton are struggling to stop Manchester United in their interest in signing Nathaniel Clyne. The departures of Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana last summer saw Southampton lose a number of notable top quality players, but boss Ronald Koeman has guided the Southern side to an impressive Champions League hope. However, Manchester United, who signed left-back Shaw, are now interested in right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who has been impressing this season for both club and country. The 23-year-old is currently in talks over a new deal at St. Mary’s, however, it is understood that talks have now softened after United…
Marcelo Bielsa believes his Marseille side deserved nothing against Montpellier after failing to create clear chances on Friday evening. Montpellier scored once in each half in Friday night’s Ligue 1 tie, although Billel Omrani did score a consolation goal for the title contenders at the Altrad stadium. The game ended with Marseille having just two shots on target and former Athletic Bilbao boss Bielsa believes that it would been unfair if the home side had not won the game. Bielsa’s men have now increased their winless streak away from home to seven games in all competitions. “After reducing the deficit,…
Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of Marseille winger Andre Ayew, according to Le 10 Sport. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen to improve his attacking options ahead of a fourth place finish in the Premier League and has indicated Ghana international Ayew as the perfect man to do so. The winger, who can play in a forward role, is out of contract in the summer and is now free to discuss terms with clubs. However, it is understood that rather than wait until the summer, Spurs are keen to bring him to White Hart Lane in January.…
Lionel Messi struggles to accept the need for rotation, claims former Chelsea defender Juliano Belletti. The Argentina forward has been the talk of world football in recent weeks after a bitter fall out with Barcelona boss Luis Enrique following his omission from the starting eleven against Real Sociedad. Messi is believed to have grown frustrated with life at Barca under Enrique, all of which seems to be coming to a head with reports that the former Celta Vigo could be set to lose his job at Camp Nou. Belletti, who scored the winning goal in the 2006 Champions League final…