Ben Johnson Happy to Sign New Contract with West Ham

Ben Johnson has been able to agree a new contract with West Ham that will keep him at the club for the next three years. The 19-year-old featured in the Premier League for the first time in the 1-0 loss against Manchester City. However, he has been featuring regularly with the first team in training. After making 16 appearances for the under 23 squad is so far this season, the defender appears to have impressed manager Manuel Pellegrini sufficiently to earn himself a new contract. This is yet another commitment from West Ham to promote from within, as the youngster has been with West Ham since seven years of age. After starting out as a winger, the 19-year-old soon became a regular at right back.

His versatility will be one of the talking points for West Ham as they look to strengthen the squad going into the summer. He has also spoken fondly about his debut, which was against one of the best teams in the Premier League. Despite his lack of experience, Johnson was able to put in a decent performance. The 19-year-old is aware that he needs to keep working hard in order to feature more regularly in the first team. Interestingly, Johnson is related to former Tottenham captain Ledley King, who happens to be his cousin. Former England defender Paul Walker is also related to Johnson.
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Maurizio Sarri preparing for next season with Chelsea

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said that he is preparing for the forthcoming season with the Blues despite the regular speculation regarding his future. The west London giants have endured a mixed campaign where they have struggled to find the consistency, but they are still on course to finish in the Champions League positions.

Speaking to reporters, the Italian tactician said that he is only focused on the performances of the team while talks have already begun over the plans for next pre-season, he said: “We were talking about the programme of the next pre-season, so we were trying to organise in the best way the next pre-season. [Speculation] is not a big problem, the problem is the results. The rest is not important in this moment. I want to win for the team, for the club, not for me. So it’s not important. I was confident in the past, I am confident now but I want to think only about our performances and our results.”
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Marcus Rashford backs Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the permanent Manchester United role

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the permanent managerial role at Old Trafford. The Norwegian has transformed the club’s fortunes since his temporary appointment in December and he has guided them to victories in 11 of the 13 matches under his tutelage.

As such, there have been growing suggestions that he should be appointed as the permanent head coach and Rashford has no concerns regarding the same. Speaking to Sky Sports News, the England international talked about the man-to-man management from the United favourite and believes there is no reason to deny him the contract, provided the form is sustained for the rest of the campaign.
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ESPN football expert hands Denis Suarez warning to Arsenal

ESPN football expert Sid Lowe has told Arsenal fans not to expect much of Denis Suarez in the scoring and assisting point of view, given the midfielder does not possess an impressive record in that aspect through his career. The Spaniard recently made his debut in the second half of the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City but he could not make a notable impression.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Lowe highlighted that Suarez can’t be expected to improve the performances of the players around him and lot of his success may rather depend on how the rest of the team live up to the challenge, he said: “Well I must admit I think a lot of this will depend on what’s around him rather than on Denis himself.
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West Ham United boss confident of keeping Andy Carroll for the season

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that he is confident of keeping Andy Carroll at the club despite the ongoing speculation regarding the Englishman’s future. The 29-year-old has just six months remaining on his existing deal with the Hammers and this has recently witnessed him linked with Celtic and former club Newcastle United.

However, speaking after the Hammers’ 2-0 FA Cup win over Birmingham City, Pellegrini indicated that he was pleased with the performance of the former Liverpool man, who found the scoresheet after coming off the bench for Marko Arnautovic during the first period, he said: “He scored, missed a good chance, cleared two or three difficult balls. He will return to be the player that we know, for sure. He does not want to go anywhere, he is happy here at this club.”
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Maurizio Sarri urges Victor Moses and Danny Drinkwater to improve

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has urged the likes of Victor Moses and Danny Drinkwater to improve on the tactical side of their game, if they are to remain with the west London side on a long-term basis. Drinkwater has not featured for the Blues since the Community Shield at the start of August while Moses has been restricted to six appearances – just two of those coming in the Premier League.

Speaking ahead of the Crystal Palace, Sarri was asked about the futures of the Blues duo and he replied in a rather pessimistic fashion saying: “I don’t know; they have to improve, but the characteristics are a little bit different. The situation is that Drinkwater for me is not suitable for a midfield with two midfielders.I told him two months ago what I think. And Moses is more suitable for playing like a wing-back than like a winger or a full-back.”
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Klopp Hails Mane as World Class

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reckons that Sadio Mane is a world-class player and he believes that the player has finally understood this.

Klopp told the German media that ever since he took charge of the Liverpool side he knew that Mane was a world-class player, but it is only now that he believes the player has finally accepted this fact and is behaving like one. Read more

Gary Neville highlights Anthony Martial’s weakness

Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Gary Neville believes Anthony Martial has genuinely struggles with his movement which often sees him drifting out of games. The Frenchman has found some good form this month with four goals across all competitions but Neville remains critical of the attacker’s play without the possession of the ball.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, he said: “There’s never been a player for the last 10 years at Manchester United I’ve been confused by as much, in terms of what is he?. I can’t make my mind up, some weeks he’s brilliant, other weeks I’m not sure he’s a Manchester United player. What drives me crazy about him is his off the ball work, I’m not talking about his defending, forget his defending, what does he do going forward? He hasn’t got any timing in his runs off the ball.”
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Wayne Rooney: Jose Mourinho is an ‘easy target’ amid Manchester United’s poor form

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney feels Jose Mourinho is being made the easy target for the players’ shortcomings during the ongoing campaign. The Red Devils have been far from impressive since the Premier League season started in August and they find themselves seven points behind the leaders after just eight matches into the campaign.

As a result, there has been plenty of criticism levied towards the club’s head coach but Rooney believes the player have to stand up and produce strong performances on the field, he told The Telegraph: “It’s tough [at United], it has been a tough situation.The players, the manager, it has been a tough start to the season.
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Hector Bellerin pleased with club atmosphere under Unai Emery

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has admitted that he is relishing the prospect of playing under manager Unai Emery. The Spain international has been a regular fixture for the Gunners since the start of the season and he has been impressed with the progress witnessed under the Spaniard’s management.

In an interview with The Times, Bellerin cited that there has been a new club atmosphere at the north London giants with plenty of fresh faces within the backroom staff. He added that he has been impressed with the application from Emery despite the team starting the campaign with successive defeats.
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