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?” →

Ranieri tells Kante to decide on his future

Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri has reportedly told N’GoloKante to make a decision about his future. He has told the midfielder that he is free to leave if he wants to but he must let the club know.


Indeed, Ranieri will want to know whether he can count on the French midfielder for next season.

There has been news that Chelsea is interested in the player and had offered the club £30million for the French international. At the moment Leicester City has denied the offer and is still negotiating with the player for a new deal. They will be hoping that they can convince the player to stay with them like they did with Jamie Vardy.

However, it is believed that N’GoloKante wants to play for a bigger club and might consider moving abroad. It is reported that there is a Chinese club Shanghai SIPG that is also prepared to pay around £35m for the player. At the moment the French midfielder has not said anything about his decision and is still considering all options.
Continue reading “Ranieri tells Kante to decide on his future” →

3 key stadiums for the 2022 Qatar World Cup

Despite much controversy over the climate in Qatar, the strict rules on drinking, homophobic laws and the unlawful conditions in which the stadiums are being built there is no doubting how impressive these stadiums will look.


They are truly state of the art and possibly the most modern football stadiums built thus far. The stadiums are set to feature zero-carbon emitting technologies as well as climate control systems – to help players and fans bear the 40-degree peak heat in the summer, which some claim will be unplayable. Here is a look at the 3 most impressive stadiums that will host the latter, and most important of the World Cup games.

Lusail Iconic Stadium

The stadium that is planned to hold the final is still in construction however we can still get a rendered image of how the final product will look. The stadium will hold a huge 86,000 people making it well deserving of an opening and final match. The behemoth will be surrounded by a moat in which fans will cross through grass bridges to enter the stadium. Continue reading “3 key stadiums for the 2022 Qatar World Cup” →

TIM HOWARD SET TO LEAVE EVERTON

Tim Howard, 37, former Everton first choice goal keeper is set to leave the club after a long spell with The Toffees.

The talented goal keeper says he is excited at returning home after 13 years in England. The goal stopper agreed to a deal with MLS team, the Colorado Rapids.


Howards spent a complete decade at Everton, helping the team achieve success but has dropped down in the pecking order at the club. He lost the first team choice position to Joel Robles in recent weeks before agreeing to a three-and a-half-year deal at the MLS.

Joel Robles was favored due to his recent decent performance for The Blues. The 25 year old goal keeper joined Everton in 2013 but practically had no game under his belt as Howard was in great shape. However, in the 2014/2015 season, Tim Howard was injured at some point and Joel stepped him. This season, he has been given the opportunity to stay at the post ahead of Tim Howard who seems to be struggling with top flight fitness.

Robles told ECHO: “Of course, I am very happy to be playing because I waited for my moment but I am happy to be able to help the team. The goal keeping position is very difficult in a team because there is only one so you need to keep working and keep your passion.”

Howard claims he has no bad blood with the team and would remain an “Evertonian” for life. He said: “I’ve had a fantastic career in England and in particular at Everton, but as football clubs move forward and players have careers to think about you always have to make decisions. This one crept up on me. I had two more years at Everton which I planned on seeing out, but when I spoke to my family, Roberto Martinez and the chairman I thought the decision and the timing. Just seemed to be the right move.” Continue reading “TIM HOWARD SET TO LEAVE EVERTON” →

Bastian Schweinsteiger may get ruled out for Rest Season

Bastian Schweinsteiger could be ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering ligament damage while training with the German national team.

The player underwent scans which revealed that he might have suffered a major problem. He has certainly been ruled out for the upcoming games against England and Italy. Both friendly matches will now feature a replacement in the centre of the park. Joachim Loew may see this has a good way to assess the alternatives, but it remains to be seen Schweinsteiger will be fit for the Euro 2016.

As one of the most experienced players in the team, Schweinsteiger is considered irreplaceable by many. Unlike Michael Ballack in the past, the former Bayern Munich midfielder has the ability to win matches on his own and is not considered as a bad omen. Despite being one of the best German players of his generation, Ballack has long been involved only in lost finals. Thomas Müller means that Schweinsteiger may be able to return in time for the Euro 2016. However, this remains as a major blow for Manchester United, who just recently appeared to get back into the top four race with a 1-0 win against Manchester City on Sunday. Continue reading “Bastian Schweinsteiger may get ruled out for Rest Season” →

Ryan Babel admits that he might have gone too far

Ryan Babel admits that he might have gone too far with his online posts.

The fans of Al Ain were absolutely furious with one of the posts of Babel on a social networking site.

They felt offended by that and they expressed their anger towards the Dutchman during one of the recent training sessions after which the club board had to summon the player and warn him.

Babel was signed by Al Ain earlier this year in July, but, he has been a rusty performer for the club so far.

Just a couple of goals have come off him in the 10 appearances that he has made. His form has been in question big time.

On top of that, the mannerism that he has shown at times, it has almost turned him into a villain at the club.

But, according to the 28-year old, he wants the supporters to give him one final chance to prove his worth and show that he’s a good buy for the club. Continue reading “Ryan Babel admits that he might have gone too far” →

Giampaolo Pazzini has announced that he will be joining Hellas Verona

Former Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini has announced that he will be joining Hellas Verona on a free transfer.

The striker was recently released from AC Milan after his contract came to an end. Milan showed no interest in renewing his deal.Pazzini has been studying a variety of options over the last few months, but it is understood that the prospect of joining Verona has appealed him due to the first-team opportunities. Even though Hellas Verona already have a top striker in the form of Luca Toni,Pazzini believes that he will be a first choice regular at the club.

After being at Milan for the last three years,Pazzini made only 86 appearances in all competitions. His best time in football came at Fiorentina where he spent five years making 134 appearances. Regular first-team football appears to be the crucial aspect in helpingPazzini rediscover his form. Still just 31 years old, Verona will be hoping to get the best out of the striker for several years to come. SigningPazzini is also crucial for Verona given the Toni is coming to the end of his career. The 38-year-old still continues to be a force to reckon with in the Verona team. Continue reading “Giampaolo Pazzini has announced that he will be joining Hellas Verona” →