Chelsea are still tracking Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, who will be allowed to leave the Italian club for £20m in January. The Argentine international has been long linked with Chelsea, having gained interest from Blues boss Jose Mourinho. Inter have been reluctant to allow the 21-year-old striker to leave the club in recent times, but growing interest from some of European football’s big money clubs has swayed their decision, prompting new boss Roberto Mancini to look elsewhere for a new striker. Mourinho has been a long term admirer of Icardi since the days the youngster played a part in…
Author: Staff Writer
Roma have denied any contact with Manchester United over the services of Kevin Strootman. Manchester United’s interest in Dutch midfielder Strootman has been heavily maintained since the summer after Louis van Gaal took over at the club. Van Gaal is well aware of Strootman’s ability and has been watching the midfielder recently after his return from injury which saw him miss the World Cup with his country. Roma have been stubborn in their desire to keep the midfielder but reports in Italy claimed that the capital club would be willing to sell the Dutch international if they failed to beat…
David Luiz labelled Lionel Messi “the best player ever” after marking the Barcelona forward during Paris Saint Germain’s defeat to the Catalan side on Wednesday evening. The French champions only needed a point against Barca to seal top spot in Group F and they went ahead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but goals from Luis Suarez, Neymar and Leo Messi ensured the home side an eighth consecutive top spot in the Champions League group stages. “It’s the efficiency that made the difference,” Brazil international Luiz told Canal+. “They were better than us; they have three huge forwards. Messi is fantastic, the best…
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has praised the travelling fans for their part in the Champions League win against Roma on Wednesday. Victory for City thanks to goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta ensured that the Premier League champions progressed to the knockout stages, despite losing to CSKA Moscow and Bayern Munich in the group stage. Hart, who produced a sting of top class saves in the visit to Rome, praised both his team-mates and the club’s fans following the victory. “It’s amazing [to qualify]. It was a great effort from the fans, I thought they were fantastic,” he…
Aaron Ramsey believes he is finally re-finding the form of last season and is ready to give his very best for Arsenal. Welsh international Ramsey scored twice in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Galatasaray as the Gunners returned to winning ways following a shock defeat to Stoke City in the Premier League at the weekend. Ramsey was in sensational form last season but injury has dampened his start to the season, however, three goals in his last two games has the midfielder feeling good about his return to form. He told reporters: “I am getting sharper in every game. I am…
Manchester City completed their unlikely Champions League turnaround with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Roma. Goals from Samir Nasri and then Pablo Zabaleta gave Manuel Pellegrini’s men the three points they needed to secure a place above Roma in the group and Bayern Munich’s 3-0 victory over CSKA Moscow cemented City’s place in the last 16. City started the game extremely sluggish and that gave Roma chances in the opening exchanges. Jose Holebas forced a smart save from Joe Hart from close range before Gervinho fired his shot just wide of goal. Edin Dzeko put a half chance over before…
Schalke 04 travelled to Slovenia on matchday six of Champions League, needing a win and the result from the match between Chelsea FC and Sporting Clube de Portugal to go in their favour. Manager Roberto di Matteo’s former club Chelsea did a favour by beating Sporting 3-1 and it was upto Schalke to garner a positive result and seal their fates. Riddled with injuries to as many as nine players of the first-team squad, Schalke had to field a much weakened side against the Slovenian champions who were without Derviševič. Both teams started with caution, testing the waters and looking to…
Manchester United and Roma have agreed a transfer fee over Kevin Strootman, according to various reports. Manchester United’s interest in Dutch midfielder Strootman has been heavily maintained since the summer after Louis van Gaal took over at the club. Van Gaal is well aware of Strootman’s ability and has been watching the midfielder recently after his return from injury which saw him miss the World Cup with his country. Roma have been stubborn in their desire to keep the midfielder but reports in Italy claimed that the capital club would be willing to sell the Dutch international if they failed…
Chelsea won their final Champions League group stage match with a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening. The Blues had already qualified for the last-16 but saw off the Portuguese club to further enhance their impressive European run this season. Goals from Cesc Fabregas, Andre Schurrle and John Obi Mikel gave Jose Mourinho’s side the win, despite Adrien Silva’s consolation goal. Spanish international Fabregas opened the scoring from the penalty spot after eight minutes after Filipe Luis was hauled down inside the area. Schurrle then doubled the lead as he hit a solid effort from…
Victor Valdes is expected to reject a move to Manchester United after being tempted to sign for Mexican side Queretaro. The Spanish international, who saw his contract expire with the Catalan side last season has been recovering from cruciate ligament injury with United, training alongside fellow Spaniard David de Gea. Valdes was expected to join French side Monaco, but they pulled out due to concerns over his knee injury back in March, whilst Liverpool had also been linked. A move to United had been reported earlier this week but according to Mundo Deportivo, representatives from the Liga MX side have travelled…