Saturday, July 20, 2013

Arsenal stars left flagging by Wenger's running man

An extremely enthusiastic Arsenal fan went viral earlier this week when he chased down the Gunners’ team bus – on foot and by moped – on their pre-season visit to Vietnam.
After tracking the bus for five kilometers, Vu Xuan Tien's perseverance paid off when he was allowed to join his heroes on board.
Arsene Wenger later explained that the fan is an inspiration for his players, but is he even fitter than them?!

Stuck in the middle with Roo as Premier League heavyweights clash

The transfer window ramped up a notch on Wednesday morning as reports surfaced of a Chelsea offer for wantaway Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.

Though the initial report claimed Juan Mata or David Luiz were offered in part-exchange, Chelsea refuted the suggestion with a timely statement following news that United had rejected the bid.

However, one thing is for certain; the Blues have identified Rooney as their No.1 transfer target, as Jose Mourinho indicated later that afternoon. For now though, Rooney is left as the man in the middle of Moyes and Mourinho. 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Cavani signs on despite PSG exodus

Edinson Cavani officially sealed his transfer from Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, speaking of how he wants to win the Champions League in the French capital.

But will that be a realistic opportunity next season? Despite having run Barcelona close last time out, things will be tougher following the exits of Carlo Ancelotti and Leonardo, who helped attract several targets from South America and Serie A.

Speaking of which, the futures of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain up in the air, so has Cavani made the right choice?! 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Moyes keen to grab Fabregas after failed Thiago pursuit

After spending much of the summer chasing unsettled Barcelona starlet Thiago only to be trumped by Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola's sudden charm offensive, Manchester United need a transfer rethink.

A midfield playmaker remains a priority and Cesc Fabregas, Thiago's former team-mate at Camp Nou and another long-term United target, has risen to the top of the wanted list.

Barcelona are currently considering a £25.9 million bid from the Red Devils and, while it is unlikely to be accepted, it surely signals just the start of David Moyes' formal pursuit of the disillusioned Catalan.

There are, however, numerous obstacles to a deal. The Spanish champions are unlikely to simply jettison a player they fought so hard to prise from Arsenal, while the Gunners enjoy first option on any move.

Tito Vilanova revealed on Tuesday that Fabregas is happy at the Camp Nou, leaving United facing another difficult - and possibly fruitless - battle in the transfer market. 

Ibrahimovic rejects Paris romance with Cavani

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s love affair with PSG is set to come to an end, due to the arrival of Edinson Cavani, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Cavani is expected to complete a mega-money move to the French capital imminently, a transfer that has not gone down well with the Sweden international.

De Laurentiis claims Ibrahimovic will say au revoir to Paris as he “will not play with Cavani” and has been promised a transfer by the French champions. 

Ribery stacks up the silverware in bid for Ballon d'Or

Can anyone stop Lionel Messi from steamrolling his way to a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or title? Well a certain French winger thinks he can...

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery made his announcement in no uncertain terms on Saturday, insisting that it is he who should be crowned the best player in the world.

"I think I've done everything to be the world's best player," he told the Bundesliga's official website.

"I've played a very, very good season. It's either now or never for winning this prize. I can't play any better than this."

So with the titles stacked up, including a Champions League and Bundesliga title, as well as a DFB-Pokal triumph, is the Ballon d'Or within Ribery's grasp?

Mourinho rides in to rescue Rooney

Despite David Moyes' best efforts to end all Wayne Rooney transfer speculation, talk of the Manchester United striker's potential summer exit continues.

Moyes insists Rooney is not for sale, but that has not stopped Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho declaring his admiration for the former Everton forward.

"Rooney is a player I like very much but I can say no more than that," he said. "Being fast and direct, I like that, but he's a Manchester United player."

Mourinho's comments prompted a response from Old Trafford boss Moyes, who is adamant the Premier League champions will reject advances from potential suitors.

"Unless I was speaking double Dutch, I said Wayne Rooney is not for sale," Moyes said.

"People are entitled to talk about players. I think I have really covered all the things on Wayne. Manchester United is about a team, not one individual." 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Pep picks United's pocket to steal a march on Thiago

Barcelona youngster Thiago is currently one of Europe’s hottest properties with a number of top clubs seemingly intent on snapping up the Spaniard.

While Manchester United had looked favourites to capture his signature, the 22-year-old now looks destined for European champions Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola, who worked with the youngster at Camp Nou, seems determined to land his man telling a press conference: "Thiago is the only player I want, that's what I told them. It'll be him or no one". 

No regrets for Falcao after moving to Monaco

Radamel Falcao has insisted he is making the right move by joining Monaco, despite criticism from some quarters.

The prolific striker scored 52 league goals in his last two seasons with Atletico Madrid, leading to interest from a number of top clubs.

Chelsea were hoping to lure the Colombian to the Premier League after meeting his €60 million buy-out clause but instead Falcao decided that a move to Monaco was a far more attractive prospect.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Mourinho parks his Chelsea bus on the scrapheap

Jose Mourinho has returned to Chelsea and vowed to bring sexy football back to Stamford Bridge.

The former Inter and Real Madrid coach has often been criticised throughout his career for perceived negative tactics and 'parking the bus’.

However, Mourinho has told Blues fans that he wants to make them happy and that his team will "play with style".