Chelsea can sleep easy after Champions League draw

The Champions League draw has created a tricky group for some teams but Chelsea will be confident of progressing as they share Group G with Schalke, Sporting and Maribor.

Liverpool, who are back after a five-year absence, will meet Real Madrid, along with Basel and Ludogorets.

Arsenal have been drawn with Borussia Dortmund for the third time in four seasons, while Arsene Wenger’s men will also face Galatasaray and Anderlecht.

Meanwhile, will once again face Manchester City and CSKA Moscow, while Manuel Pellegrini’s men will also play Roma.

Friday, August 29, 2014 12:00

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Van Gaal leads frantic Man Utd recruitment drive

With just a week left until the transfer window closes, Manchester United face a race against time to bolster a squad that has picked up just a single point from their opening two Premier League matches - their worst start in 22 years.

The Red Devils are already closing in on a deal to sign Real Madrid attacker Angel Di Maria, who could cost as much as £70 million, while Dutch duo Nigel De Jong and Daley Blind, of AC Milan and Ajax respectively, could be reunited with their old Netherlands boss.

Van Gaal admitted his appreciation for the Argentine, as well as Juventus's midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal, and there looks set to be a lot of activity at Old Trafford in the coming seven days as United look to bolster a squad that has struggled in the early stages of the new campaign.

Monday, August 25, 2014 12:30

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Van Gaal goes from king to devil

After enjoying a hugely successful pre-season which saw them conquer European giants to lift the International Champions Cup, Manchester United - and manager Louis van Gaal - came crashing back to earth last week.

The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City at Old Trafford in the first game of the new Premier League season, bursting the bubble of optimism built over the off-season and off the back off Van Gaal's excellent showing with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

"Two weeks ago I was the king of Manchester and now I am the devil of Manchester,” the Dutchman remarked on Friday.

Next up for United is a trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland and Van Gaal will be hoping for a better showing than against Swansea, though he still maintains that it will take at least three months for his philosophy and coaching to begin to show on the pitch.

Saturday, August 23, 2014 11:45

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Super Mario on verge of Liverpool move

Liverpool are on the verge of completing a £16 million swoop for volatile AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, with the Italian having already said his goodbyes to his Rossoneri team-mates.

The dart-throwing, supercar-wrecking, pig-owning striker enjoyed a tumultuous stay in the Premier League with Manchester City, and more fireworks are expected should he finalise a move to Anfield.

Balotelli will be expected to fill the void left by Luis Suarez - one of the few players in the world who is even more controversial than the 24-year-old - and Brendan Rodgers faces a tough task in keeping football's ultimate bad boy under control.

Friday, August 22, 2014 11:50

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Barca on the prowl for players ahead of transfer ban

Player valuations are set to rocket following Fifa’s confirmation that Barcelona will not be able to sign anyone until 2016.

The Spanish side, who are banned from signing anyone in the next two transfer windows, have only 11 days to cram in their business, while clubs across Europe will be looking to hide their prized assets.

Thursday, August 21, 2014 12:00

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Wenger sees red after Ramsey dismissal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was furious after his side's 0-0 draw with Besiktas in the Champions League, decrying the decision to send midfielder Aaron Ramsey off.

The Frenchman unleashed his inner John McEnroe after the dismissal, claiming the Welshman's second yellow card was "just not serious".

Ramsey was adjudged to have pulled back Oguzhan Ozyakup in the 80th minute, and will now miss the second leg at Emirates Stadium next week, but Wenger is adamant it was a poor decision.

"Both yellow cards for Aaron Ramsey are unbelievable," fumed the Arsenal boss. "When you see the fouls they have made today it's not serious. Just not serious."

Wednesday, 20 August 2014 12:00

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Maestro Fabregas orchestrates Chelsea win

Cesc Fabregas enjoyed a spectacular return to the Premier League on Monday night, setting up two goals as Chelsea brushed aside newly promoted Burnley to claim a convincing 3-1 win.

Despite going behind early on at Turf Moor, the Blues showed their class in an electrifying first-half display that was orchestrated by the club's summer signing from Barcelona.

Fabregas, sitting deep alongside Nemanja Matic, pulled the strings for the away side and showed his incredible class with a sublime first-time clipped pass to setup Andre Schurrle.

The Spain international helped to extend the west Londoners' lead even further, planting a pin-point corner on the boot of Branislav Ivanovic, with Chelsea romping to a routine win thanks to their new midfield dynamo.

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 12:30

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