Month: September 2019

Home / Month: September 2019

Former Blues defender Wayne Bridge is a big fan of a Portuguese playmaker that he considers to be crucial to the success enjoyed by Pep Guardiola

Bernardo Silva is “so underrated” at Manchester City, says Wayne Bridge, with the Portuguese playmaker considered to be “Iniesta-like”.

The 24-year-old’s qualities have never been in doubt since he was brought to England from Monaco in the summer of 2017.

His debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium saw him restricted to a support role at times, with just 15 Premier League starts awarded to him.

Silva has, however, become a key component under Pep Guardiola in 2018-19, with the injury setbacks endured by Kevin De Bruyne playing into his hands.

He has contributed 13 goals and 12 assists to the City cause this season, with his creativity keeping the Blues in the hunt for a domestic treble and earning him comparisons to a Barcelona legend.

Ex-City defender Bridge told the Daily Mail ahead of an FA Cup final date with Watford: “One player I think is so underrated is Bernardo Silva.

“Every time I watch him I just think technically he is amazing. 

“There wasn’t enough talk about him being player of the year. As an ex-footballer seeing some of the positions he’s in and when he’s got players around him, his feet, his vision, I just think he’s brilliant.

“He’s Iniesta-like, where they have people around them and they just get out of any situation.”

Silva’s efforts have already helped City to successful defences of the Carabao Cup and Premier League title this season.

A third major honour is now in their sights, with Bridge convinced that a clean sweep will be completed.

Asked if he has any doubts about the ability of Guardiola’s men to make history on Saturday at Wembley, the former England international said: “No. Quite simple! 

“City are playing amazing football, it’s amazing to watch. I go back to when we were at Chelsea. Every game I went into, nobody ever thought we were going to lose a game. Everybody thought we were all going to win. 

“It wasn’t that overconfidence where you’re too overconfident and you make a mistake. Everyone was so switched on the whole game mentally – always focused – everyone worked hard for each other. 

“You do see that with the City players as well. They look solid. They do close down well, they do press well, they do work hard. I know they’re amazing to watch but they do work hard as well.

“I guarantee they probably have the same feeling that I had back then that you’re walking down the tunnel and you think: ‘Yeah, we’re going to win today’. 

“There’s not one thing enters your mind thinking we’re going to lose.”

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The midfielder has fared well in the Championship side’s hunt for promotion to the Premier League and will now get a chance to impress with the Blues

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Chelsea are ready to give Mason Mount a chance in pre-season to assess whether he’s capable of challenging for a first-team place, Goal understands.

The 20-year-old midfielder has yet to feature for the Blues at first-team level but that could change, should he impress Maurizio Sarri over the summer.

Mount has spent the 2018-19 season on loan with Derby County, playing under Chelsea legend Frank Lampard as he looked to guide the Rams back to the Premier League.

The midfielder has scored nine goals and added four assists in 37 games this season, helping Derby finish sixth and make the play-offs.

And Mount’s influence continued in the semi-final against Leeds United, as he scored in the Rams’ 4-2 second-leg victory over Leeds, with Lampard’s side advancing to the Wembley final by a 4-3  aggregate scoreline.

That means Mount and Derby could win promotion back to the Premier League with victory over Aston Villa on May 27, but it will likely be his last game with the club regardless of the outcome.

The Blues, who face a two-window transfer ban if their appeal fails, plan to take a long look at Mount this pre-season regardless of whether Sarri remains as manager, with the Italian’s future still undecided.

Chelsea begin their pre-season on July 23 in Japan, where they will face off against Kawasaki Frontale, the 2018 champions of the J-League, at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.

The Blues will then face La Liga champions Barcelona at Saitama Stadium, Saitima on July 23.

With those matches in mind, Chelsea have secured Mount a Japanese visa, allowing him to be a full participant in the club’s pre-season plans.

Mount will be looking to make the next step up after working his way through the Chelsea academy, which he joined at age six.

He starred for Vitesse during a loan spell in the Eredivisie in the 2017-18 season, scoring 14 goals and adding nine assists as he helped the club secure a position in the Europa League.

A regular contributor for England at youth international levels, Mount also received an senior call-up for the Three Lions in October 2018, though he did not feature for Gareth Southgate in matches against Croatia and Spain.

Michel Salgado has revealed the role he was forced to adopt in the Spanish capital when England internationals arrived from Man Utd and Liverpool

Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado has revealed that he had to “babysit” David Beckham and Steve McManaman following their moves to Spain from Manchester United and Liverpool.

A former England captain made a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu from Old Trafford in the summer of 2003.

Beckham arrived in Spain amid much fanfare and would go on to enjoy four productive years with Real.

He did not always find things easy, though, with his homesickness and desire to fill any spare time leaving the wife of a helpful team-mate “p*ssed off”.

Salgado, who spent a decade on Madrid’s books, told the League of Legends show: “I was the one to babysit David Beckham. 

“I did it a lot. It’s because I was the only to speak English. 

“But it was great with Beckham.

“He was alone in Madrid because his wife was travelling a lot, living in LA and England. So he would call me every day, saying ‘let’s go out’. 

“And my wife was really p*ssed off with the situation – but it was a great time.”

Prior to helping Beckham adjust to life in the Spanish capital, Salgado had done likewise with another Englishman.

McManaman arrived in Madrid from Liverpool in the same summer of 2009 as a man reluctantly charged with the task of aiding his settling in period.

Salgado added: “I remember in my first day at Real Madrid pre-season.

“At that time, we were sharing rooms – and they said ‘you’re sharing with the English guy, Steven McManaman’.

“So I was like ‘oh my god, why’. They said ‘because you’re the only one who speaks English’. 

“But in the end, it was great. 

“I was the one to babysit the English guys.”

McManaman spent four seasons with Real, winning two La Liga titles and a pair of Champions League crowns.

Beckham, meanwhile, ended his stay in Spain with a league triumph, with an iconic figure taking the decision to head for MLS side the LA Galaxy in 2007.

Both Englishmen are fondly remembered at the Bernabeu, with both having contributed significantly to the collective cause and made a lasting impression.

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The former Reds striker says the sky’s the limit for his former side following their victory over Tottenham in Madrid

Robbie Fowler believes Liverpool’s Champions League victory will lead to more silverware under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool claimed their sixth European Cup/Champions League title by defeating Premier League rivals Tottenham 2-0 at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah and substitute Divock Origi were on target as Liverpool – who finished a point adrift of Manchester City in the league – won their maiden trophy under Klopp and first since 2011-12.

Reds great Fowler – winner of the UEFA Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time on Merseyside – backed Klopp’s men to enjoy further success.

“Liverpool are well and truly back on the world stage, it will only snowball, and grow even more,” Fowler wrote for the Mirror. “Taking that step, getting over the line for the first time with a real piece of silverware is massive. It’s the process all sides must go through, a fundamental experience on the path to being an elite-level side.

“People look at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, and they see the cabinet full of silverware as confirmation they were always winners. But they had to lose the title, painfully, before they got over the line. Liverpool have been the same.

“They are a growing team, a young team that is still learning and still lacks experience. You could see that in the nerves they clearly displayed in what was a poor first half.

“Their inexperience told last year in the final. Real Madrid just had too much knowledge for them in the end. Once Mo Salah was injured, they didn’t have the experience to deal with it.

“It’s a process. A painful one at times. Yet they came back. They came all the way to Madrid, for another Champions League final, and another step on the way. A step that takes them into that group at the very summit of the world game.”

“Liverpool have a side that is already at the top, and will only get better,” Fowler continued. “The prospect is slightly frightening. They’ve finished second with 97 points, swept the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona aside to get back into the final and are still nowhere near the height of their potential. Winning a trophy unlocks that potential.”

Fowler – now head coach of A-League side Brisbane Roar – added: “When Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, when we lost it in 2007, I don’t think there was quite the sense that the club was on the verge of something like it is now. With Jurgen Klopp there for at least three more years and none of his stars likely to leave, they will grow, no doubt.”

Just over half an hour had been played when chaotic scenes in the stands caused the youth match to be suspended

Saturday’s Under-19 clash between Ajax and Feyenoord was abandoned before half-time after the game was marred by clashes amongst supporters in the stands. 

The two great Dutch rivals met at youth level in a title decider at Amsterdam’s De Toekomst sporting complex, but barely half an hour of play could be completed.

The away team had not been permitted to take travelling fans to the game, but a delegation of family members and club officials had accompanied them for the game against their arch-rivals. 

After 33 minutes the game was stopped when a disturbance broke out among Ajax fans in the stands. 

Feyenoord later claimed in a statement that couldn’t ensure the safety of supporters and family members and so the game was called off.

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“The players and staff of both teams went back to the dressing room during the temporary halt,” the statement published on the club’s official website explained. 

“There, Feyenoord determined that the safety of players, family members and other Feyenoord guests could not be assured. It was then decided to stop the game completely. 

“All those present for Feyenoord were able to leave the stadium safely and unharmed.”

According to RTV Rijnmond reporter Frank Stout, who was present at the game, a close scoring opportunity for Feyenoord – managed by ex-player and Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt – was the catalyst for the incidents.

“Two people from the Feyenoord delegation gestured at the Ajax players. They waved back, a slight provocation,” he explained to FR12. 

“But the Ajax fans reacted ferociously, they broke through security with some 50 men to get to the Feyenoord section. There were a lot of women and senior citizens.

“It was a totally unsafe situation. I fear that in the future the Mini Derbies will not be played with fans.”

While the situation could yet change after a run of just three wins in 10, the manager is planning for next season

Thomas Tuchel expects to still be Paris Saint-Germain head coach next season, but he acknowledges the situation could “change every day”.

PSG won the Ligue 1 title, but crashed out of the Champions League and Coupe de la Ligue early, as well as losing the Coupe de France final to Rennes on penalties.

The shoot-out defeat to Rennes came in the final weeks of the season as PSG won just three of 10 matches in all competitions, also including Friday’s 3-1 loss at Reims.

Champions PSG were completely outplayed away from home in their last game of the campaign, yet Tuchel was positive for the future at full-time.

“I think I can say yes [I will stay],” Tuchel told a post-match news conference. “But, in football, it can change every day.

“You often ask me, but I am here. If it changes, it will not be down to me.”

He added:“Honestly, I’m quite worried that I keep getting asked these questions. It feels like everyone knows something that I don’t.

“Do you have information? Should I be worried? I know anything can happen in football…”

Tuchel has repeatedly bemoaned the size of the PSG squad and so recruitment will be required before next season.

But the German coach also believes a change in attitude is required going forward, calling for togetherness after reports of clashes behind the scenes.

Record-signing Neymar was said to have clashed with a number of team-mates, although PSG subsequently denied these incidents in a statement.

“We have to focus, be together, the club, the staff, the team,” Tuchel said.

“We must be strict and find our spirit, our way of working from the beginning of the season. We have to be consistent in our decisions, all together.”

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The Bundesliga champions are eager to keep investing in their squad and have targeted the Germany international winger, the president confirmed

Bayern Munich are working on a deal to sign Manchester City forward Leroy Sane, president Uli Hoeness has revealed.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a departure from City after playing a reduced role in their treble-winning campaign, starting 30 of his 47 appearances in all competitions. 

German champions Bayern have emerged as the top candidates to sign Sane after seeing star attackers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery leave. 

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was asked about reports suggesting the Bavarian outfit are chasing the former Schalke player and did not dismiss the possibility.

“I don’t comment on names,” he said when quizzed on Sane, but added that a few more signings are expected this summer as Hoeness has given a €200 million transfer budget, according to Sport Bild . 

“We will try to do something for the new season, so we must also clarify how much money we have available for it,” he added.

But Hoeness has since clarified that the Bundesliga champions are already advancing on their interest.

“We are dealing with this player,” Hoeness told Sueddeutsche Zeitung .

Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski encouraged the club to go after Sane as he believes the Germany international would improve the squad.

“I’ve already seen many times how good he is,” he said . “That’s a player who can immediately take us higher, who improves the team.”

But City are not ready to let the winger leave just yet, as coach Pep Guardiola believes he is still a crucial part of the team.

“We are one-and-a-half years trying to sign his [new] contract. We want him,” he told reporters recently .

“If you want to extend his contract, it’s because you want him. You’re not going to extend his contract because you don’t want him.”

He added: “He’s competing with Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva. It’s not easy. If you want to play in for competitions for the quadruple we need Leroy, Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo, we can’t compete for the quadruple with just two wingers.”

Sane’s compatriot and City team-mate Ilkay Gundogan reiterated Guardiola’s message dismissing speculation over a transfer.

“If players in our team at one or another time do not play, it has now become a normal fact that there are automatic rumours,” he told  Sport Bild last week .

“As our coach has already said, the club wants to keep Leroy.”

The France international midfielder is about to become a free agent and could end up making a switch to either Italy or England this summer

Paris Saint-Germain contract rebel Adrien Rabiot has admitted to having held talks with Juventus, while the door has been left open for a potential move to Manchester United.

As things stand, the France international midfielder is due to be available on a free transfer in the summer having refused to commit to fresh terms with the Ligue 1 champions.

That has led to him being frozen out at the Parc des Princes, with no appearances made since December 11, 2018.

Rabiot is, however, a proven performer at the highest level and boasts the potential for future development at just 24 years of age.

He remains an attractive proposition to leading sides across Europe and has seen various landing spots mooted.

It could be that his next move takes him to Italy or England, with Serie A champions Juve and Manchester United being heavily linked with formal approaches.

Rabiot has told Corriere dello Sport of his current situation: “I’ve spoken with Juventus, it’s a great club where everyone would like to play.

“I like Italy so much, it’s wonderful here. A demanding season awaits me. At Juventus? Juve watched me and we talked about it, but I can’t say anything.

“Manchester United? It’s the same as last year, I have to decide. I’m on vacation for now. Soon you will know.”

Rabiot has seen a switch to Old Trafford talked up for some time.

Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in taking him to English football.

The two Premier League rivals may, however, have to move fast if they have any hope of putting an agreement in place.

Juventus hold obvious appeal to any player as the dominant force in the Italian game.

They have already acquired Wales international Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal to bolster their midfield options, but are seemingly in the market for more players of Rabiot’s ability.

He has a big decision to make this summer after seeing his career stall in Paris.

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Rabiot, who took in a brief spell at Manchester City’s academy system while in his teens, has been with PSG since 2010 and taken in 227 competitive appearances for the club.

The Arsenal boss has not yet decided whether the former Chelsea goalkeeper will play in the Europa League final against his former club

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has lauded the retiring Petr Cech, although he refused to confirm whether the veteran goalkeeper will start Wednesday’s Europa League final against Chelsea.

Cech will call time on his playing career following the midweek showpiece against his former club with reports suggesting he will then move back to Stamford Bridge to become the Blues’ sporting director.

The Czech has played in each of Arsenal’s knockout games since the turn of the year but Emery must decide if he will stick with that policy or start with regular number one Bernd Leno in Baku.

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“The most important thing for us is to win the title,” Emery told a news conference.

“Each title is important for Arsenal, and for Chelsea, both in England and in Europe. We want to enjoy this moment.

“The first XI, I will say it to the players first. I can speak about Cech a lot, but above all he is a good man, a good professional, his career has been amazing, both elsewhere and with us.

“It’s going to be his last match because he decided to finish his career. I want to do something important with him in his last moments in his career, whether he is playing or not playing. 

“I respect him a lot. He is amazing, first as a person and a professional goalkeeper. He deserves trust in him, his career says to us he is a gentleman. He can start or cannot start, I am going to decide. How can we not believe in him?”

One player not available to Emery is Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has not travelled with the Arsenal squad due to fears over his safety amid ongoing political tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

UEFA’s decision to host the final in Baku has come in for criticism, and Mkhitaryan’s team-mate Granit Xhaka conceded that Arsenal’s squad have been left frustrated by the situation.

“Of course, we are disappointed he’s not here,” Xhaka said.

“We spoke a lot about Mkhi and politics, it’s time to speak about football. He’s very important on and off the pitch and we want to give him the trophy.

“A club like Arsenal has to be in the Champions League. We want to give the fans the Champions League back. It’s a big game, a final. We can take a trophy and go back to the Champions League.”

The striker only signed a new contract at the Allianz Stadium in April but could be shown the door following Massimiliano Allegri’s departure

Juventus are open to selling striker Mario Mandzukic and Goal understands they will listen to offers this summer for the Croatia international.

Mandzukic only signed a new two-year contract with the Bianconeri in April, but Massimiliano Allegri’s departure from the Allianz Stadium dugout is set to see the club’s original summer transfer plans altered.

A new central defender remains a priority while further midfield reinforcements will be sought despite already securing a deal to sign Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer from Arsenal.

The Serie A champions are also keen to refresh their forward line, though they would need to sell to do so, and as such Mandzukic is seen as being dispensable.

The former Bayern Munich striker scored 10 goals and laid on seven assists in 33 appearances across all competitions in 2018-19, with a series of injuries meaning he missed a hefty chunk of the second half of the campaign.

The 33-year-old was still offered a new deal, but with Maurizio Sarri set to be confirmed as Allegri’s successor in the coming days, he is likely to fall further down the pecking order.

Chelsea boss Sarri has a strong relationship with Gonzalo Higuain having coached the Argentina international to a record-equalling season at Napoli in 2015-16, with his 36 Serie A goals earning him a big-money move to Juventus.

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It seemed as if his time in Turin was over, however, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival forcing Higuain out of the door to AC Milan in a season-long loan deal.

The ex-Real Madrid man struggled at San Siro, however, and in January reunited with Sarri at Stamford Bridge in the hope that he would rediscover his best form in front of goal.

That was not to be the case, with the 31-year-old scoring on just five occasions in 18 appearances for the Blues.

Sarri’s arrival at Juve, though, could offer him a reprieve should the former Empoli coach again turn to a player who played such a huge role in building his reputation at the top of Serie A.

That would likely mean bad news for Mandzukic, whose sale would fund moves for a younger striker to complement Ronaldo and Higuain, with Fiorentina’s Federico Chiesa among one of those to have been linked with the Scudetto winners.