Arsenal legend urges Mesut Ozil to expand his performance

September 8, 2018

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Ian Wright has urged Mesut Ozil to ignore the criticism and put in strong performances on the playing field. The Germany international had a disappointing World Cup where the team were ousted before the round of 16 and he has since started with an average display for the Gunners in the season opener against Manchester City.

Speaking to ESPN, Wright said: “Mesut Ozil has started the season, he’s come off the World Cup, a disappointing World Cup for Germany. He’s somebody that is always getting a lot of criticism.It’s up to Mesut Ozil to rise above that and try to perform in the way that people know he’s capable of performing. It’s going to be difficult, because he is a marked man. People know what he’s capable of if you give him time and space. So they’re not going to give him that, they’re going to deny him that.”
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Tony Mowbray Targets More Intensity from Blackburn in Upcoming Friendlies

August 9, 2018

Tony Mowbray says that he is hoping for a much better intensity from Blackburn going forward. Blackburn are preparing for the third pre-season friendly and this will be only the first time that they play at Ewood Park at the start of this campaign. After having getting promoted back to the Championship, Blackburn are hoping for a much better improvement in terms of fortunes. The team has been involved in draws against Port Vale and a win over Hibernian so far in the friendlies. There are still a couple of friendlies against the likes of Liverpool and Everton to look forward to for Mowbray and his team.

The new campaign for Blackburn begins in the first week of August when the team takes on Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Mowbray may expect a greater intensity due to the increasing level of fitness for the players. After starting out in a slow and decisive fashion, Blackburn will be building up their fitness levels in the next few weeks. This bodes well for the start of the season. So far in the summer transfer window, Blackburn have been relatively quiet. They have brought in highly rated youngsters Joe Rodwell and Jacob Davenport, while Elliott Ward and Liam Feeney have left the club from last campaign. It was extremely important that the club spent only one campaign in League One.
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Eden Hazard plays down rift with Romelu Lukaku

July 26, 2018

Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has played down the talk of a rift between him and Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium captain had criticised Lukaku for ‘hiding away upfront’ following the 3-0 win over Panama at the World Cup but he has since explained the comment in a different way to avoid any misunderstanding.

In a report covered by Sky Sports, Hazard suggested that he only wants to get the best out of the team and has urged Lukaku to show more involvement in the build-up, he said: “As the captain, even if I am not the captain I can talk, on the pitch I try to give my best, if I can help players to be better – I will ‘I just told Romelu Lukaku if we want to win the game we need him, not just as a scorer to score goals, but we want him to be involved in the build-up. ‘We just talked normally and we won the game in the end so it was fine.’”
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Arsenal confirm the departure of Santi Cazorla

July 17, 2018

Arsenal have confirmed the departure of Santi Cazorla with his current contract having come to a conclusion. The Spain international played a fundamental role in ending the Gunners’ trophy drought in 2014 and he leaves the Gunners having contributed 29 goals and 46 assists across all competitions for the club.

Speaking after the announcement, Cazorla said: “I am very sad to be leaving after so many great times. I have loved my time with the club. I will always remember the special moments we had together. The FA Cup in 2014 is something we will never forget. I am very proud to be part of this club’s history.”
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Eden Hazard aiming for World Cup glory with Belgium

June 29, 2018

Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard has admitted that Belgium must take advantage of their star-studded squad during the summer World Cup in Russia. The Red Devils have never won a major tournament in their history but they are being tipped as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup in Russia with a number of star names at their disposal.

Speaking to The Mirror, Hazard acknowledged that England’s ‘golden generation’ could not leave up to their billing but believes the current Belgium squad is capable of achieving what the Three Lions could not during the early 2000s, he said: “The golden generation thing – you have, 10 years or 15 years ago, this same golden generation in England, but you won nothing. Now I think the fans, journalists, all of Belgium, the country just want to win something.
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Real Madrid Will Not Be Providing Guard Of Honour, Confirms Sergio Ramos

June 9, 2018

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has confirmed that his team will not be providing Barcelona with the famous got a phone when they visit the Camp Nou for the El Clasico next weekend. Barcelona were able to win the domestic league title in comfortable fashion after a comprehensive victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

The Catalan outfit will be aiming to end the campaign without any defeat and it is a serious possibility since there are only four matches left in the campaign. One of those matches is against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou and Barcelona defender Jordi Alba recently claimed that Real Madrid should consider giving their opponents a guard of honour in recognition of the league title that has just been claimed. read more …

Brendan Rodgers Dismisses Talk Of Premier League Return

May 30, 2018

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed talk of a return to the Premier League amid rumours suggesting that he could succeed manager Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. The Northern Irishman has built up his reputation during his 18-month spell with the Scottish champions, and he is on course to guide them to their domestic treble in as many seasons.

In an interview with The Mail, Rodgers was quizzed about the prospect of a Premier League comeback, where he appeared to suggest that he is content at Parkhead, he said: “If you’re happy, ultimately that’s all that matters. The money’s irrelevant. You can have X amount of pounds in your bank every month but if you’re not happy and you’re not finding peace in what you’re doing, it doesn’t really matter. I love the Premier League, the quality of the players, the quality of the coaches. There are great challenges. But there are arms and legs flying off managers down there.”

Paul Ince: Pogba Could Leave This Summer

May 16, 2018

Former Manchester United star Paul Ince is convinced that Paul Pogba could exit Old Trafford this summer. There are several reports in England that Alexis Sanchez’s move to United could cause confusion in the players’ ranks at the club.

Pogba, who rejoined United in 2016 for a record £89 million pounds from Juventus, seems increasingly disillusioned of recent especially as he plays deeper now with Sanchez taking over playmaking duties.

Roy Keane Slams ‘School Boy’ Pogba After Manchester United’s Champions League Exit

May 9, 2018

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has dubbed Paul Pogba as a ‘school boy’ after he failed to make an impact during the Red Devils’ Champions League exit at the hands of Sevilla. The tie was neatly poised after a 0-0 stalemate at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but the return-leg saw Sevilla come up triumphs by a 2-1 scoreline.

Pogba started the game off the bench with Marouane Fellaini featuring alongside Nemanja Matic at the heart of the midfield. However, at the hour mark, Jose Mourinho substituted the Belgian to bring Pogba onto the field, but the 24-year-old struggled to make any sort of impact as his passing was wayward from the off.

Roman Abramovich blocked Michy Batshuayi’s permanent exit

April 12, 2018

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has revealed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich blocked a permanent deal for Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi. The Bundesliga outfit were keen on discussing a buy-option for the young marksman, but they ultimately had to settle for a short-term loan for his services.

In a report covered by Goal.com, Watzke highlighted that Dortmund were keen on having an obligation to buy in the summer, but Abramovich remained adamant that Batshuayi would return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, he said: “We tried our best to get a permanent option for Michy Batshuayi. But it was a no go for Chelsea. When Roman Abramovich says no, it is a no.”
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