Antonio Conte insists Diego Costa is in Chelsea’s past and wouldn’t pick him

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has insisted that Spanish striker Diego Costa has no future at Stamford Bridge following his training ground bust-up earlier last season.


The 28-year-old has been training alone in Brazil over the past few weeks despite the Blues’ insistence that he should show his attendance in west London.

The former Atletico man recently claimed that Conte had treated him like a criminal following their split this summer, and when asked on the situation, the Italian was in a jovial mood, he said: “It’s great. I prefer to laugh. I can tell you that everyone who was in Chelsea knows very well what happened last season with Diego. It’s funny, this interview.I’m not interested to continue this issue. I repeat: for me, is in the past.”

Meanwhile, the manager was further stressed to comment on Costa, for which a spokesman intervened by saying: “Our position is clear. I don’t think that’s something we’ll get into publicly. As a Chelsea player we’ve said he should return to Chelsea and that’s where we’ll leave it.” Continue reading “Antonio Conte insists Diego Costa is in Chelsea’s past and wouldn’t pick him” →

IS 3-4-3 SYSTEM THE NEW TREND?

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte employed the 3-4-3 switch in formation last season and it paid off. The system got popular and more managers started deploying wingbacks.

Pundits claim the system is the hardest to play against, especially if the wingbacks are very fast in attacks and can cover the defence very well. If a team is precise in attack and accurate in front of goal, even the strongest defence will crumble. Continue reading “IS 3-4-3 SYSTEM THE NEW TREND?” →

Wenger wants fans backing

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants the fans to remain behind the team for next season.


The French manager has just signed a new two-year contract with the Gunners and is looking forward to challenging for the title.

He said that he understands the fans position and that they want the club to win trophies. He said that he would be doing everything he can to help the team challenge for trophies, but it is important that the fans remain behind the team.

He said that the atmosphere has been toxic at times and it was difficult for the players to perform in this condition. Arsene Wenger has called for the fans to forget their differences and to make sure they get behind the team.

He said that the team would be investing in quality players during the transfer window as he feels that they need more quality than quantity. He believes that there is a good foundation and that he will need to build on that. Continue reading “Wenger wants fans backing” →

REAL MADRID WIN 2-0 TO LIFT LA LIGA

Spanish side Real Madrid have lifted the La Liga for the first time in five years after seeing off Malaga 2-0 on Sunday.


Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 14 goals for Madrid in the last nine matches, scored within two minutes to start the celebrations early.

The Portuguese forward combined with Isco to score the opener in the final game of the season. French star Karim Benzema scored the second goal after keeper Carlos Kameni stopped Sergio Ramos’ effort in the second half.

Real Madrid had three points ahead of the game so they needed just a draw to seal the title over Barcelona. The Camp Nou match was dramatic as Barca fell 2-0 down to their guest Eibar in the first 61 minutes. After the second goal went in, they responded immediately courtesy of an own goal by David Junca.

Takashi Inui had scored two power strikes for the away side to add pressure on the defending champs. Luis Suarez, after losing two to three clear chances earlier, grabbed the equalizer in the 73rd minute before Lionel Messi – who lost a penalty kick – scored a brace to seal a 4-2 victory. Continue reading “REAL MADRID WIN 2-0 TO LIFT LA LIGA” →

ARSENAL INTERESTED IN PICKFORD?

There are rumours making the rounds that Arsenal have joined the race to sign Jordan Pickford.


The goalkeeper of the struggling Premier League side Sunderland has largely helped in limiting the damage inflicted on them this term with Pickford being the regular man in front of goal. Despite the poor form of the club, he has managed to have a decent season that has attracted a lot of clubs.

Manchester City, Everton and now Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing him as Sunderland are set to drop to the second tier. There are rumours that Arsenal are looking at having a long term plan for a goalkeeper and Pickford fits the bill.

Yes, there is Petr Cech and David Ospina but the club wants a long term interest. Scouts are allegedly monitoring the player, with some seeing the game against Watford over the weekend. If Arsenal decide to make a move on the player, they will not have it easy as City and Everton are keen on getting the 23-year old.

In other news, Arsenal seem to have convinced troubled playmaker Alexis Sanchez to stay another year despite the heavy links with Chelsea. The Chilean reportedly told the club that he would remain at the Emirates but walk a free agent if the club does not match his ambitions. Continue reading “ARSENAL INTERESTED IN PICKFORD?” →

GERRAD TO GET FREEDOM OF CITY OF LIVERPOOL

Former Liverpool legend, Steven Gerard has received the Freedom of the city of Liverpool, an honour he considered a “surprise.”


The former Red and England captain is being honoured for “his contribution to national and international football” and his charity activities in helping disadvantaged children.

Gerard, who first played for Liverpool in 1999, later went on to make more than 500 appearances for the Merseyside club. He lifted the Champions League trophy after the famous Instanbul final in 2005.

Being named the best Liverpool player of the English Premier League era last December his name came out in the nomination list for the Freedom of the city honour by the Mayor of the City.

Reacting to the news of his nomination, Gerard said, “Liverpool is my home city and so to be acknowledged in this way leaves me speechless. To even think about getting such an award makes me feel very humble and of course immensely proud.” Continue reading “GERRAD TO GET FREEDOM OF CITY OF LIVERPOOL” →

Diego Costa’s Commitment Displayed against Hull City, Claims Pedro

Chelsea winger Pedro says that is striker Diego Costa is clearly happy to be playing for the West London outfit amongst a lot of rumours that he is seriously considering an offer from China.


The 28-year-old was surprisingly left out of the 3-0 win over Leicester City with Antonio Conte claiming that a back problem prevented the player from playing. However, there have been widespread reports of a bust up in the training ground involving one of first-team coaches and Costa. The striker is believed to have had his head turned by offers from the Chinese Super League.

Chinese clubs have already secured a big-money Premier League signings for huge wages. It is believed that the offer on Costa’s table was around £30 million per year in wages alone. The former ended any speculation about his future by coming up with the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Hull City.

This re-established his lead as the top scorer in the Premier league alongside Alexis Sanchez. Pedro believes that the goal from Costa shows that the former Atletico Madrid is ready to be an integral part of the club’s title challenge this season. Since arriving from Spain in a £ 32 million deal back in 2014, Costa has been one of the deadliest strikers in European football.

“He is a very good striker. I have played with important people, important players like Ibrahimovic. Costa is a very good striker too, a very good runner, strong physically and he scores more goals for the team. He is perfect for this team. With the team, he [Costa] has been training very well, with his team-mates. He is very happy to be here in the club, this is the most important thing. His focus is on the team, the game, this season, to fight for this title,” said Pedro.

ATLETICO MADRID TRAIN BEFORE RUSSIA TRIP

Spanish side Atletico Madrid trained for the final time on Monday before making their trip to Russia to face Rostov in a Champions League clash on Wednesday.


The Spanish club were pictured engaging in a number of drills supervised by manager Diego Simeone at the Cerro del Espino Sport complex.

Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, star play maker Koke, and French talented striker Antoine Griezmann were in action, training intensely for the potentially difficult tie abroad. Atletico Madrid are arguably the most difficult side to defeat in the whole of Europe at the moment. They sit atop their groups in the European and domestic division. The trip to Russia is a crucial one as a slip will give the advantage to their arch opponents – Bayern Munich.

Yannick Carrasco put up a superb performance as Atletico disgraced Granada 7-1 to stay atop the La Liga. The Belgium international got an hat trick and two assists in the game played on Saturday. Aside his form, as a key member of the squad, he is set to play a major role in Russia.

“I am very happy for [Carrasco]. It is a daily struggle, to get him to what you saw in this game. He is a very complete player, with great potential, he wants to improve and he listens, he scores goals, beats people with the ball,” Simeone said after the Granada game, praising the Belgian winger for his efforts.

Los Rojibalncos are poised to get the victory in Russia even though it is expected not to come easy. Carlo Ancelotti has promised that his Bayern Munich side will bounce back after a few slips. Atletico will want to force a victory out of their visit so they can maintain dominance in Group D.

Bendtner to fight for national team call-up

Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has been told to prove himself with Nottingham Forest to earn national team call-up.


The national team coach of Denmark Age Hareide said Bendtner stood a chance of featuring for his country but said he must get his priorities right at club level. Bendtner played his first game for Forest earlier this month. He left German club Wolfsburg on a terrible note last term, and has not played competitive football since February this year.

Bendtner has featured four times for Nottingham this season, but it is evident that he is still match rusty. This is the reason he missed out on national team games, and would not be included in upcoming international games. However, Hareide said he could still get invited sometime in the national team set-up if he can prove himself at his club.
On the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro, and Poland, Hareide said he has no plans of inviting the former Gunner. “No, he has not been. He has played a few games and has been away from football a long time.” Continue reading “Bendtner to fight for national team call-up” →

Does Borussia Dortmund have a chance to win the league?

Borussia Dortmund has recently sustained a heavy defeat after facing off with Bayern Munich and losing 0-2. This match decided which club was going to emerge as the champions of the 2016-17 season of the German Cup.


Despite losing against their rivals, Borussia Dortmund made a dominant performance as they had 56% of possession and launched a total of 20 shots while Bayern Munich could only muster 10.

If it wasn’t for some spectacular saves from Manuel Neuer, the scoreboard would have been much more different. The German shot-stopper continues to prove why he is widely regarded as the best goal-keeper in the world.

The goal-keeper of Borussia Dortmund, Roman Burki also had an astounding match as both shot-stoppers from each side were at their best with continuous saves as they tried to keep their respective teams in the game.

Not too long ago, Thomas Tuchel talked about Mats Hummels decision to join Bayern Munich as the veteran defender made his way from Borussia Dortmund to their rivals Munich in a transfer that was officially completed on July 1st. Continue reading “Does Borussia Dortmund have a chance to win the league?” →