Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has stressed that the Red Devils deserved to be in second spot, having accumulated more points than their near rivals. The Mancunian giants have come for criticism for their style of play, but Mourinho remains focused on maintaining the position for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Ian Wright believes Liverpool could face the prospect of losing Mohamed Salah during the summer transfer window. The Egypt international has been in stupendous form for the Reds in his debut season, and he has already contributed 36 goals and a further 10 assists in all competitions.
Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has stressed that the team are right behind manager Antonio Conte despite their recent wobble in the Premier League. The Blues have experienced an average run since the turn of the year, and this also saw them bow of the League Cup in the semi-final stage.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could reportedly pursue a fresh challenge away from the Emirates in January, agent Michael Manuello has claimed. The France international has been sparingly used by Arsene Wenger in the Premier League with just one start during the course of the current campaign.
Speaking on FootMercato, Manuello hinted that his client could seek a fresh challenge in the New Year but a return to France is not on the player’s mind, he said: “Olivier will not come back to France. Unless there is a change in his state of mind, to date the intention is not to return to France. There has been no new approach from Marseille. I have no information that Marseille was trying to contact us. Now, depending on the offers, we will sit around a table and talk. The most important thing is to know what will be offered or not this winter, to find a better project.”
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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said that he does not need to explain why Michy Batshuayi did not start during Saturday’s goalless draw versus Everton. The Premier League holders dominated the proceedings at Goodison Park with more than 20 shots at goal, and they could not find a way through a resolute Toffees backline.
Speaking after the game, the Italian had no regrets starting the Belgian off the bench despite not possessing the services of Alvaro Morata, who was suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the domestic campaign, he said: “I think there is nothing to explain why I decide to [play] with Hazard, Willian, Pedro. It is not the first time. I have to make the best decision for my team and today I made the best decision. Don’t forget our striker Morata was out and I think this player is very important for us, but at the same time we played with second options, with three number 10s – Willian, Pedro, Hazard – and we created many chances.”
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Arsenal legend Ian Wright feels Chelsea’s summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko has not done enough to warrant a starting spot ahead of the likes of Pedro and Willian. The France international has cemented his spot at the heart of the Blues’ midfield following his move from AS Monaco last summer.
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, Wright is still unconvinced over Bakayoko’s abilities and feels one of Pedro or Willian deserve the starting role, although they play in a different position altogether, he said: “Just a quick one on Bakayoko, because I have to get it out otherwise I’ll forget. I’m not having him yet, I’m sorry. I can’t understand how he can get in the team before Willian and Pedro at the moment. Especially, when he played further forward. I need to see a lot more from him, that’s all I’m saying.”
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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is excited by the prospect of facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League group stage game on Wednesday night.
Speaking in his press conference, Conte admitted that the Blues have a task in hand against Atletico Madrid, who have made the Champions League final in two of the last four seasons.
He said: “I think Atletico is a really good team with a great experience in this competition. They always play a great competition and to reach the finals of the Champions League is not simple, it means you are strong and able to have a good tournament. They have a good team, coach. Chelsea last year didn’t play this competition, we are excited to play and tomorrow we know we have to face a really good team.” Read more
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs feels Marcus Rashford has the potential to develop in the mould of former Arsenal great Thierry Henry.
Speaking to ITV, Giggs has identified similarities between Rashford and Henry, although the Englishman has a long way to go to match the feat of the Gunners legend. He added that Rashford could struggle to play in the No.9 position in the near future with both Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the United ranks.
He said: “He can definitely play out wide, but eventually he’s going to be a No 9. I see similarities with Thierry Henry myself, he’s brilliant off the left. Even if he’s playing centre-forward, he drifts off to the left where you can take players on either side. But then, if he’s not played centre-forward a lot and all of a sudden Kane gets injured and you ask him to play up front, he can do it. Like you say, he’s not going to play centre-forward of United too often with Lukaku, Ibrahimovic as well.” Read more
Premier League side Arsenal received a major boost in the chances of signing Leicester City attacker Riyadh Mahrez as Roma pulls out of the race to sign the Algerian.
The kids glaringly didn’t make it to the “men” the investors and holders expected.
With Leicester holding out for a €55 million before allowing lanky winger to leave King Power Stadium, the Serie A side deemed it unnecessary to continue the pursuit of a player they believe was overvalued.
Although Monaco’s Thomas Lemar is believed to be the Gunner’s plan A, the Algerian’s Premier League experience plus his technical skills meant he remained a very close plan B to Wenger’s attack. Read more
French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko gave a special mention to striker Michy Batshuayi after he sealed his transfer to Stamford Bridge last week.
In his first interview, Bakayoko admitted that he had followed Chelsea keenly in the Premier League, and Antonio Conte played a part in luring him to Stamford Bridge. The midfielder, later on, watched his teammates earn a comfortable 8-2 win over Fulham in a pre-season friendly behind closed doors, and shortly after he posted a cheeky tweet thanking ‘agent Batshuayi’.
He wrote: “Thanks to my agent @mbatshuayi. I would like to say thank you to all my fans and followers for your kind words throughout this journey – as you know, I love championships! As a Ligue 1 champion, I am even more determined to win as many championships as I can with my dream team Chelsea. I am pleased to represent the Blues!” Read more