Payet Makes Huge Transfer Decision

France midfielder Dimitri Payet says he is staying at West Ham despite interest from other European teams after his strong performances during Euro 2016.

The 29-year-old was one of the star players at Euro 2016 and several top clubs were reportedly interested in prizing him away from West Ham.

But Payet told The Sun newspaper: “I’ve heard about all the interest and I’m flattered.

“But I love West Ham. We had a fantastic season and I can’t wait to play in the Olympic Stadium.

 

“I’m 100 per cent staying at West Ham, I love the club. I can tell the Hammers fans that.”

Payet Makes Huge Transfer Decision

Ibrahimovic Breaks 2nd Man United Record

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has set a social media record at Manchester United, after confirmation of his arrival at Old Trafford became the club’s most popular Instagram post of all time.

Our photo of the Swede holding aloft his Reds shirt (in the gallery above) has earned over half a million ‘likes’ since it was posted on 1 July, which was the day he signed his contract at the Aon Training Complex.

We can also report that four entries involving Ibra are now among our six most popular Instagram posts. Furthermore, nine of a much-changed top 10 all include new recruits in the form of Zlatan, manager Jose Mourinho and the club’s latest signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Topping the Instagram chart is not the first benchmark Zlatan has set during his short time with the Reds, after he broke the club’s power record during his medical earlier this month.

Hit the main image above to count down United’s top 10 Instagram posts of all-time.

Manutd

Ibrahimovic Breaks 2nd Man United Record

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Could Miss Manchester United"s China Tour

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is considering leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic behind when they go on their two-game pre-season trip to China on Tuesday.

United’s England contingent Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Marcus Rashford will be on the tour.

However, Mourinho has said the trio will not play against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on 22 July and Manchester City in Beijing on 25 July.

And new signing Ibrahimovic, 34, may not be involved at all.

If he does not go to Asia, it is not known precisely when Ibrahimovic will make his first United appearance.

The striker, who arrived at United on a free transfer after his contract with Paris St-Germain expired, last played in Sweden’s final match at Euro 2016, a 1-0 defeat by Belgium on 22 June.

When it was confirmed on Monday a United XI would play Salford City at Moor Lane on 26 July, the National League North club’s co-owner Gary Neville said on Twitter: “Zlatan first game!!”

United’s first team play Galatasaray in Gothenburg in Ibrahimovic’s native country on 30 July.

They play Everton in Wayne Rooney’s testimonial at Old Trafford on 3 August and Premier League champions Leicester City in the Community Shield on 7 August.

BBC

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Could Miss Manchester United"s China Tour

Mannoe Extends Stay With Sunderland

Vito Mannone has signed a new contract with Sunderland that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until June 2018.

The goalkeeper’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the upcoming campaign, but he has now agreed a one-year extension.

Mannone started his professional career at Arsenal and also enjoyed loan spells with Barnsley and Hull City before joining Sunderland in July 2013.

 

The 28-year-old has since made 69 appearances in all competitions for the club, leading his team to the final of the League Cup in 2014 with two penalty saves in a semi-final shootout against Manchester United.

 

Mannone is the third player to sign a new contract with Sunderland in recent weeks, with Jermain Defoe and Patrick van Aanholt previously inking new deals.

Mannoe Extends Stay With Sunderland

I Want A Barcelona Return - Chelsea Player

Chelsea and Spain winger Pedro says he has already held talks with the Blaugrana’s club President Josep Maria Bartomeu regarding a possible move back to Camp Nou in the future.

Pedro scored 8-goals in the 2015/16 EPL season

Chelsea forward has revealed he wants to return to Barcelona and says he has already spoken to the Spanish club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu regarding a possible move.

Pedro signed for Chelsea in August 2015 having previously spent his entire career at Barca, but struggled to make a big impact last season, scoring just eight goals in all competitions in his maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international claimed last month that he “misses” Barcelona but insisted he had no regrets about joining Chelsea last summer.

But it has since emerged that Pedro is pushing for a move back to Barcelona with the winger keen to retire with the Catalan giants.

“Hopefully [I can return to Barcelona], I know it’s difficult, I spoke with the president when we saw each other at the Cup final and I also spoke with all the people who love me there,” he told beIN Sports.

“It’s complicated, but I’ve always said I would like to retire at Barca.

“The years have passed and Barca have some of the best players in the world, it’s a very demanding club and coming back is complicated, but I can’t rule it out.

“I spent 11 or 12 years in Barcelona, my family are there and a lot of my friends, as well. The fans love me a lot, I felt valued by the club, and it’s always very tough to leave the club of your dreams.

“Ultimately, I had to make that decision because I saw that my chances had become exhausted.”

Source : Goal

I Want A Barcelona Return - Chelsea Player

Everton Confirmed Koeman As New Manager

Everton have confirmed Ronald Koeman as their new manager on a three-year deal.

The Toffees will pay about £5m compensation for the 53-year-old, who leaves Premier League rivals Southampton after two years in charge.

Everton have been without a manager since sacking Roberto Martinez just before the end of the 2015-16 season.

Koeman said Everton is a club with a “great history and real ambition”, while chairman Bill Kenwright called the Dutchman his “number one target”.

A deal with the former Netherlands international, headhunted by new owner Farhad Moshiri, was agreed earlier in the week and is reported to be worth about £6m a year.

The official announcement was delayed until Koeman returned from holiday.

“Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager,” added Kenwright.

“We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our number one target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager.”

He is expected to be joined at Goodison Park by brother Erwin and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg, although a deal for the pair is yet to be finalised.

Koeman made more than 750 appearances as a player, scoring 253 goals, and won the 1988 European Championship with the Netherlands.

He also won four domestic league titles in both the Netherlands and Spain.

Koeman has also managed Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, winning the Dutch league with both Ajax and PSV, and a Spanish Cup with Valencia.

BBC

Everton Confirmed Koeman As New Manager

Martial Wins Premier League Goal of the Season (Watch Video)

Anthony Martial has won the Premier League Goal of the Season following a vote by fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VjmxHc16qI

The Manchester United striker has had quite the season since arriving from Monaco in a £36million move last summer.

At the time, that fee was seen as too expensive for a player many outside France were unaware of – with The Sun particularly judgmental with their back page headline on the transfer.

But Martial has proven all of his doubters wrong and has shown the potential which makes him one of the most exciting young players in the world by scoring 17 goals and making five assists in all competitions this season.

One of those goals came in a 3-0 win over Stoke in February at Old Trafford.

The move started in United’s own box, with five players touching the ball before Martial curled a beautiful strike into the top corner of the Potters goal.

And it’s that goal which saw him beat off competition from a number of other top strikes to win the Premier League’s Goal Cup

Martial Wins Premier League Goal of the Season (Watch Video)

Liverpool Agree Deal For Terrific Algerian Superstar

Liverpool are said to have agreed a £45million fee with Porto to sign Algerian winger Yacine Brahimi, according to press reports in Portugal.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the Reds are proceeding with a deal and are willing to meet Brahimi’s £45m (€60m) release clause.Brahimi is part-owned by Porto and agency group Doyen Sports, having joined the Portuguese giants in a £5million switch from La Liga side Granada in 2014.

The Algeria international, 26, – who was linked with a move to Manchester United last year has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists in 49 appearances this season. AC Milan and Juventus are also said to be keen on the player but are unwilling to meet his buy-out clause – leaving Liverpool as frontrunners for Brahimi’s signature.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has wasted no time in revamping his squad, having already signed Marko Grujic in January and already striking deals for Schalke defender Joel Matip and Mainz keeper Loris Karius joined for £4.7m this summer.

Liverpool Agree Deal For Terrific Algerian Superstar

Costa To Miss Leicester City Clash And Doubtful For Euros

Chelsea are set to miss out on the services of their top marksman Diego Costa, as they prepare for the match against newly crowned Premier League champions Leicester City.

Costa is suffering from a hamstring injury that had kept him out of Chelsea’s midweek draw against Liverpool at Anfield. Blues manager Guus Hiddink even went on to say that the 27 year old might be doubtful for the Euro 2016 coming up next month.

“He [Costa] needs a good rest and with training he might be fit for the Euros but I’m not sure,” Hiddink was quoted as saying on Chelsea’s official website.

Right back Branislav Ivanovic is also a doubtful case with a groin injury while captain John Terry will miss what could be his last match for the club, as he is suspended after picking up a double booking against Sunderland last weekend.

However, star man Eden Hazard, who has been suffering from several groin and hamstring injuries this season, seems to have leaped back into form in the match against Liverpool and is expected to play.

“After a splendid season before he’s [Hazard] had a difficult season, falling back into injuries, being close to good appearances and then falling back again,” said Hiddink.

Costa To Miss Leicester City Clash And Doubtful For Euros

Vardy Named Premier League Player of The Season

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Season following his remarkable campaign for the Foxes.

 

The Foxes striker has beaten off competition from the likes of his Foxes team-mates Riyad Mahrez, Wes Morgan, N’Golo Kante and Kasper Schmeichel, along with Tottenham trio Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld to win the award.

 

Vardy has scored 24 goals thus far this season, as Claudio Ranieri’s men romped to the Premier League title, having been battling relegation last term.

 

The Foxes have lost just three games all season and sit 10 points clear of second-placed Tottenham ahead of the final game of the season.

 

Vardy has also won six England caps this season, scoring against both Germany and the Netherlands, and is poised to travel to Euro 2016 this summer with the Three Lions.

 

Mesut Ozil of Arsenal and West Ham’s Dimitri Payet were also nominated for the award after shining for their respective clubs, but they too fell behind Vardy after his scoring exploits this term.

 

Vardy Named Premier League Player of The Season

Confirmed : Norwich And Newcastle Are Relegated From The EPL

Sunderland’s victory against Everton means Norwich and Newcastle are relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

 

They join Aston Villa in the next season championship, which means that Sunderland have secure a 10th successive season in the premier league

 

Sam Allardyce, the manager of Sunderland, has never coached a team that was relegated. That impressive feat continued as Sunderland beat Everton on Wednesday 3-0 to avoid relegation, as Norwich, Newcastle and Aston Villa will play in the Championship (England’s second division) next season.

 

Entering the day in 17th place, one point above Newcastle with a match in hand, Sunderland scored two goals before half time to cement its survival. Norwich was also in action and needed a win to boost its chances, but Sunderland’s victory rendered Norwich’s 4-2 win over Watford useless.

So next year, it will be Newcastle, Norwich and Aston Villa going down, with Burnley, Middlebrough and the winner of a playoff between Brighton, Hull City, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday joining them.

Confirmed : Norwich And Newcastle Are Relegated From The EPL

Real Madrid In Pursuit of Hammers Star

Real Madrid have earmarked West Ham United’s creator-in-chief Dimitri Payet as a potential transfer target in the case either James Rodriguez or Jese leaves in the summer, reports France Football, via Get French Football.

Payet, 29, is enjoying what he has called the best year in his career for West Ham this season and his performances have been instrumental behind the Hammers’ blistering campaign.

The former Marseille forward has even forced his way back into contention with the France national team ahead of the Euros in the summer and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed by Madrid, who are interested in signing him in the summer.

Rodriguez or Jese may be forced to find first-team football elsewhere at the end of the season after falling out of favour with Zinedine Zidane and the Frenchman could look to a fellow countryman as one of their replacements.

Real Madrid In Pursuit of Hammers Star

Pogba Demanding €11m Yearly Wage Contract From Chelsea

Juventus star Paul Pogba has been linked to almost every top European club in the past couple of years, and it’s very likely the Serie A club will demand a record transfer fee when they eventually decide to sell him, but that might not happen this summer.

 

 

Italian website Calciomercato have claimed an exclusive regarding Pogba’s future at Juventus. Chelsea are said to be interested in the French international, after the arrival of Antonio Conte, but Calciomercato say he won’t be signing for the Blues

 

The Italian website reckon Pogba will only leave for a ‘historical club’ like Barcelona and Real Madrid, and not a new force like Chelsea or Paris-Saint Germain. It is reported Chelsea offered €90m for Pogba last summer, but his agent Mino Raiola asked for a five-year contract worth €11m a year (likely to be after tax), and that put off Chelsea’s interest.

 

The 23-year-old wants to win the Champions League with Juventus, and still sees his future in Turin, so it’d take an offer worth at least €100m to make any deal possible. The player is also likely to demand at least €10m a season wherever he goes next, so it’s a win-win situation both for Juventus and Paul Pogba.

Pogba Demanding €11m Yearly Wage Contract From Chelsea

Tottenham Player Facing Ban After Chelsea Clash

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is facing a 10-game ban from the Football Association if he is found guilty of gouging the eye of Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

 

This is according to The Sun, who claim that FA chiefs are ready to come down hard on Dembele after Monday’s game between the two sides descended into a violent farce.

While a number of ill-tempered encounters blighted the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, none were more violent than Dembele’s attack on Costa. The Belgian appeared to twice poke Costa in the eye in an incident that went unseen by referee Mark Clattenburg.

Source :givemesports

Tottenham Player Facing Ban After Chelsea Clash

Leicester City Wins Premier League Title

Leicester City have won their maiden English Premier League title in one of the biggest-ever triumphs by an underdog in sports.

 

The club claimed victory in the English football top-flight after Chelsea drew with Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 at Stamford Bridge on Monday (NZT Tuesday).

The draw left Spurs short on points in the competition ladder to make a challenge for the title, leaving the glory for Leicester as they claimed the crown for the first time in their 132-year history. Their previous best finish in the EPL was second in 1929.

 

Leicester City began the season as a 5000:1 to long shot for the title, making this one of the most unlikely victories in English football history. The title win was the first maiden victory in the league since Nottingham Forest won it in 1978.

Leicester City Wins Premier League Title

Juventus Eyes Leicester Midfield Rock

Juventus will make a move for Leicester City star N’Golo Kante -if Paul Pogba leaves this summer.

Pogba is wanted by all of Europe’s top clubs, including Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Juventus are keen to keep hold of their star midfielder but are aware that his departure could bank them around £100m.

And if the Italian champions do decide to let Pogba go, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, they will make a move for Kante.

The midfielder has been a revelation for Leicester this season after arriving last summer from Caen for just £5.6m.

The 25-year-old is now a target for Arsenal and Real Madrid, with his asking price a reported £30m.

Juventus Eyes Leicester Midfield Rock

Analysis of Chelsea"s Chances In Europe Next Season

There is a slim chance of Chelsea making it into next season Europa League if they should 8th place on the English Premier league standings

But this would happen through some crazy combination of events.

ANALYSIS

Three basic events have to happen to get the ball rolling. Man City mustn’t win the Champions League, Liverpool must win the Europa League, and Man United need to claim the FA Cup.

Should that materialise, the Premier League will have five teams in next season’s Champions League: the top four, plus Liverpool as a reward for their EL success.

England will also have three places in the Europa League up for grabs, which break down as follows.

If Man United win the FA Cup, the losers of the final, either Crystal Palace or Watford, will earn a place in the EL, while two places are reserved for EPL positions.

Assuming Man United finish fifth, and Liverpool finishing in either sixth or seventh, eighth place in the EPL will earn a place in the Europa League.

If Chelsea should win all four games left, and Southampton to only beat Palace, the sides will be level on points, and the Blues will likely have the superior goal difference.

Southampton are currently eighth, seven points ahead of Chelsea, but the Saints have three tricky matches left against Man City, Spurs and Palace.

Analysis of Chelsea"s Chances In Europe Next Season

Lukaku Claims An "Unfinished" Business With Chelsea

New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is set to splash out this summer as he tries to reinvent the Blues’ under-performing squad, and he could now be a step closer to finding a new striker.

Despite already boasting the likes of Diego Costa, Pedro, Alexandre Pato, Loic Remy, and Radamel Falcao, Chelsea have not scored enough goals this season, and have set their hearts on a familiar face.

Romelu Lukaku has scored 18 times in the Premier League for Everton this season, but is expected to leave Goodison Park at the end of the season.

According to The Sun, he now believes he has “unfinished business” with Chelsea, who let him go despite giving him just 10 games to prove himself.

Having been unable to oust Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o or Demba Ba – none of whom were huge successes in West London, it has to be said – Lukaku left for pastures new, but he could now prove the key to the Blues challenging for honours once again.

Lukaku Claims An "Unfinished" Business With Chelsea

Aguero Nets 100th Premier League goal

Sergio Aguero is the second quickest player to reach the landmark after former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer

 

He netted is 100 goal in the 14th minute against Newcastle at St James’ Park to take his tally for the season to 21 in the top flight.

Aguero’s header from an Aleksandr Kolarov free-kick rifled past Karl Darlow but replays showed the goal should’ve been disallowed for offside.

It has taken the Argentine just 147 matches to reach a century of goals.

Alan Shearer is the only player to have reached the landmark in less games, having achieved the feat in just 124 matches in the 1990s.

Thierry Henry is third in the list, having scored his first 100 Premier League goals in 160 games.

Aguero Nets 100th Premier League goal

Everton Prepare €3.5m Bid for Moroccan star

Everton have been linked with a move for Sivasspor’s star forward Aatif Chahechouhe.

The Turkish newspaper Fanatik have stated that the Merseyside club are interested in singing the Morocco international in the summer.

The daily sports paper goes onto stated that Everton have been monitoring the progress of Chahechouhe over past months.

Chahechouhe has one season remaining on his current deal with Sivasspor and has a €3.5 million release clause included in his contract.

The Moroccan international has been in impressive form for Sivasspor this season, racking up three assists and seven goals from midfield.

Chahechouhe has also attracted interest from Trabzonspor who are reported to be preparing an offer for the 28-year-old.

The 28-year-old has also been linked with Russian outfit Kuban Krasnodar according to Eurosport TR. However, Kuban are yet to make an offer for Chahechouhe or contact the club directly.

The Moroccan international joined Sivasspor from Chern Burgas for €1 million back in July 2012.

Everton Prepare €3.5m Bid for Moroccan star