Roman Abramovich blocked Michy Batshuayi’s permanent exit
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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The perks of backing your bets with Coral
When choosing which bookmaker to sign up to, there’s a practically endless supply of companies to join, and a handful of favourites that continue to be prioritised ahead of all others for a lot of regular punters.
One bookmaker that many avid football betting fans are a customer of is Coral, who offer plenty of incentives and a competitive new bookmaker offer too – something that Footy Accumulators have been covering through specially made pages for New Customers and Existing Customers. read more …
Dybala needs a rest to return to his best, says Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri claims that Paulo Dybala needs to rest at this moment after having been involved in a lot of matches over the course of the year. The Argentine was one of the best players at the start of the campaign, but he has been going through a very poor run of form over the last couple of months. In September, he has been able to score only two goals. The 24-year-old did start the game for Juventus in the win over Genoa on Wednesday. This Coppa Italia victory was masterminded by Dybala, as he came up with the first goal and also created an assist for Gonzalo Higuain.
This once again put the focus back upon Dybala, as the season is about to head into the winter break. Juventus have the opportunity to go into this winter break in a positive mood since the team are up against Roma on Monday night. This is a crucial game and could help Juventus open up a six-point advantage over Eusebio Di Francesco’s team. At this moment, Juventus can even hope to top the table, but Dybala returning to the form is of paramount importance for the same. Allegri has defended the recent performances of the Argentine by saying that Dybala has been overworked, and a rest will do him a lot of good in the second half of the campaign.
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CONTE: INJURIES REASON FOR LOSS
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has admitted that the ongoing injury concerns played a part in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The reigning champions were deemed favorites to secure three points against bottom-side Palace on Saturday, but they failed to show up in the absence of key first-team players.
Both Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante were sidelined with hamstring injuries prior to the game, whilst Victor Moses suffered an injury of his own late in the first-half. In a reported quoted by Sky Sports, Conte admitted that the club had a tough afternoon with injuries, although they will have to find a solution in the coming matches.
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Antonio Conte admits injuries contributed to shock Crystal Palace defeat
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has admitted that the ongoing injury concerns played a part in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The reigning champions were deemed favourites to secure three points against bottom-side Palace on Saturday, but they failed to show up in the absence of key first-team players.
Both Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante were sidelined with hamstring injuries prior to the game, whilst Victor Moses suffered an injury of his own late in the first-half. In a reported quoted by Sky Sports, Conte admitted that the club had a tough afternoon with injuries, although they will have to find a solution in the coming matches.
He said: “To play this game without three important players, it is not simple. Today wasn’t simple. I think we started very badly and it was very difficult. Also, we need to understand the situation and to continue to work to find the right solution despite the injuries. read more …
Per Mertesacker hails ‘Vintage’ Jack Wilshere following Doncaster win
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker spoke fondly about midfielder Jack Wilshere after he impressed in the 1-0 win triumph over Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup.
The England international made his first Gunners start in 493 days, and played the entire game scattered.
Injuries have hampered Wilshere’s progress over the years, but the 25-year-old provided a solid performance against Doncaster, which led to special praise from club-captain Per Mertesacker. Speaking after the game, the World Cup winner was pleased to have the midfielder back on the playing field, and he admits that he is getting back to his old self.
He said: “It was very good to have him back out there. You can see that he’s getting more comfortable with his position now. He’s brave now and he trusts his body. That’s the most important thing, that he’s capable of playing 90 minutes. He will just grow with that and he was vocal as well, which was important for us, especially at the end. He kept the ball well in tight situations and to come out of that is vintage Jack. That’s what we want to see from him in the future here at Arsenal.” read more …
Carra: United won’t win title
Liverpool legend-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United are unlikely to end up with the Premier League title unless they improve their record against the top-six opposition. The Red Devils stretched their unbeaten run to 11 across all competitions after they earned a 0-0 draw against Liverpool on Saturday.
Despite bagging a point, United’s approach was criticised in the media as they stuck with a defensive plan from the start to the finish. As a result, Mourinho has failed to win any of his previous 10 outings on the road versus top-six opposition. read more …
Mesut Ozil has mentally left Arsenal, club legend Martin Keown claims
Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Martin Keown believes Mesut Ozil has already left the Gunners in his mind, and he is no longer regarded as a vital component of Arsene Wenger’s side.
The Germany international has managed just four Premier League starts in the 2017/18 season, and with just nine months remaining on his contract, he looks set to leave the north London giants.
Ozil has been recently linked with a move to arch-rivals Manchester United, and with the 28-year-old’s contract expiring next summer, there is little Wenger could do to block the move. As a result, Keown suspects the Frenchman will seek to offload the World Cup winner in January with the midfielder’s attitude being a concern this term.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think he’s testing Wenger more than any other player has. I think it was Belarus the other week, he didn’t fancy going. He didn’t want to go. Suddenly he was injured again, he played nine minutes against West Bromwich Albion on the Monday, so how did he get injured there? read more …
INDIAN COACH WANTS MORE EXPOSURE FOR PLAYERS
The Indian coach of the Under-17 national team Luis Norton de Matos has called for more international exposure for the team. The manager said there was a massive gap compared to the soccer levels in the rest of the world.
Hosts India lost 4-0 to their Ghanaian counterparts in the last Group A game at the ongoing tournament. The coach said the team gave their best at the tournament but they met superior teams. De Matos said they faced two tough games and they knew Ghana would be tougher as Africans are generally good at the Under-17 level. read more …
Tiemoue Bakayoko not scared by Danny Drinkwater competition
Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has stressed that he is not scared by the impending arrival of Danny Drinkwater from Leicester City.
The England international is due to join the Blues before the transfer deadline with reports emerging a £30m fee has been finalised for his services.
Speaking to SFR Sport, Bakayoko insisted that he is not scared of new arrivals as the competition for places would only make him a better player. He added to praise the abilities for Drinkwater, who he feels will make the team stronger in the centre of the park.
He said: “I’m not scared of any player but it’s competition and that’s what makes you better. He [Drinkwater] is a good player and he’s going to help the team. We don’t have enough players in the centre and he will make the team stronger.”
Blues boss Antonio Conte has cut a frustrated figure during the course of this summer’s transfer window with the club’s hierarchy failing to make quick progress on his preferred targets. However, there appears to be movement prior to the deadline day with deals for both Drinkwater and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pipeline. read more …
