Soccer Fun Zone – Page 4

Alexis Sanchez treatment down to fitness – Arsene Wenger

November 9, 2017 by ClownTown

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that Alexis Sanchez’s low-key start to the season has nothing to do with his collapsed move to Manchester City earlier in the summer.

The Chile international has been used as a late substitute in recent Premier League outings, although he has looked fit enough to complete a full game in the Europa League and League Cup.

Sources have suggested that Sanchez could have a problem with his attitude which may have restricted his gametime but Wenger has rubbished those claims by insisting that his attacker needed more time to get back to his old self.

He said: “Not at all. That’s going into very quick conclusions. Alexis Sanchez has been out injured and I thought he was still a bit short on Sunday physically. I played him last night to give him competition. I just try to get him back to full fitness, and for me the Europa League and League cup are important as well. I gave him a long holiday, this year he had a real rest. He came back not really fit and then he got injured. The injury plus rest time was a bit long, but last night you could see he’s coming back sharp now.”

Oscar opens door on Premier League return with former club Chelsea

October 22, 2017 by ClownTown

Brazilian midfielder Oscar has admitted that he would like to return to the Premier League in a few years’ time – preferably with former club Chelsea.

The 26-year-old left the Blues for Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG in January for a reported fee of £60m.

Speaking to premierleaguebrasil.com, Oscar hopes to make an England comeback someday with the Blues being his favourable destination, he said: “Yes, I would go back. I’m still young, I’m 26 years old. Who knows, in two or three years to return to the Premier League. I will be very happy. And preferably to Chelsea, who opened the doors for me to return.”

Oscar was hugely loved by the Blues fans during his time at Stamford Bridge, but he admits that Antonio Conte’s change to the 3-4-3 formation paved the way for his exit. Despite this, the midfielder holds the Italian coach in high regard and backs the 48-year-old to guide the Blues to a second consecutive Premier League title.

He added: “I think United, City and Chelsea will fight to the end. City and United are there for the game they are playing and the goals they are scoring, but Chelsea are a very strong team. Conte sets up a team to play as a team, which is very good. It’s very difficult to score goals against Conte’s teams, so I think Chelsea will come and fight until the end.”

Rio Ferdinand: Jose Mourinho has reinstalled title-winning confidence at Manchester United

September 23, 2017 by ClownTown

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for manager Jose Mourinho following the Red Devils’ third straight victory in the Premier League.

United dominated the game from the off against Leicester City, and they eventually won the match by a 2-0 scoreline thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini.

United previously won the English crown under Sir Alex Ferguson back in the 2012/13 season, and Ferdinand believes that Mourinho has reinstalled the title-winning confidence after guiding the club to an unbeaten start to the new campaign. The Red Devils have scored 10 goals in their opening three games of the season whilst keeping clean sheets, and they are deemed as strong favourites to pursue the title alongside cross-city rivals, who clinched a late winner over Burnley earlier on Saturday.

Speaking in the BTSportstudio, the former United centre-back said: “That comes with trophies, success. I was fortunate enough to be walking around the tunnel and in the changing rooms earlier, talking to a few of the old faces who have been here for many years. I can sense there is a difference, there’s a confidence in the place, there’s a camaraderie in the place. That’s created by this man, Jose Mourinho. He’s done that and he’s actually brought in players (that do that). Winning trophies and him getting this team and gelling this team together.”

Manchester United sign Nemanja Matic from Chelsea

August 24, 2017 by ClownTown

Manchester United have secured the signing of midfielder Nemanja Matic from Chelsea on a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

The Serbia international was expected to join the Red Devils earlier in the summer, but the Blues were hoping to recruit a new enforcer before offloading his services.

Tiemoue Bakayoko arrived at Stamford Bridge from AS Monaco earlier in June, and this allowed Matic to hold talks with Manchester United, who were his preferred destination ahead of Juventus. The 28-year-old underwent a medical over the weekend, but Mourinho had confirmed that the player was ‘very very’ much interested in moving to Old Trafford.

United have now officially confirmed that Matic will wear the famous red and white strip after having moved north from the Premier League champions. Speaking to the club’s website, Matic said: “I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support.

Barcelona president denies Neymar to PSG rumours

August 4, 2017 by ClownTown

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has assured that Neymar would not be leaving for Paris Saint-Germain during this summer’s transfer window.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a move to Parc des Princes in recent days after manager Unai Emery admitted that the club are looking at world-class players to add to their squad.

Neymar currently has a staggering release clause of £179m on his Barcelona contract, and this has not diminished speculation over his future with Paris Saint-Germain desperate to make significant progress in Europe next season. The former French champions have made it a habit of exiting in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, and Emery has been tasked with the job of pushing the club further in the quest for European glory.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Bartomeu insisted that it is highly unlikely that Paris Saint-Germain will pursue a deal for Neymar as it would put them behind in the Financial Fair Play requirements, he said: “He is not on the market. He has a contract for the coming four years and, of course, we count on him. He’s part of our team. He’s part of this trident. These clauses are impossible to activate, if you want to comply with the financial fair play. If someone doesn’t want to comply, then, of course, it can be activated.”

Mesut Ozil reveals his desire to remain at the Emirates Stadium

July 25, 2017 by ClownTown

Arsenal has received a huge bomb of positive news after Mesut Ozil revealed his desire to continue wearing the jersey of the English Premier League club at least for another season.

The contract that the German midfielder has with Arsenal extends until December of 2018 but reports were emerging suggesting that a move away from the Emirates Stadium was a realistic outcome but Ozil has shut those rumors down as he unveiled his intention to stay with the ¨The Gunners¨

“It is definitely my preference to stay. It is such a great club and I have always said that I feel very good at Arsenal. Once everyone is back in London, we will sit down and discuss about the future. For now, the most important thing is our pre-season and getting through the tour, training and getting fitness. When I’m back in London, we will sit down and discuss.”

MKHIKI’S GOAL, A PERFECT END TO DEBUT SEASON

July 11, 2017 by ClownTown

In leading 1-0 in the first half in the Europa league final match against Dutch giants Ajax, the general feeling in the air was how United needed at least a goal to make their sojourn to the title safer.

Given Ajax’s use of the ball and United’s decision to let go of the possession, focusing on cutting the callow squad open with counterattacks, a second goal was going to be crucial for such tactic to work and at the same time keep them safe from any form of surprises something they have all too well undergone this season and almost lost out to Celta Vigo in the semi final except for John Guidetti’s incompetence.

Three minutes into the second half, United won a corner kick, Rashford crossed and the ball landed on Chris Smalling’s head onto Mkhitaryan who smartly flicked the ball with a semi overhead kick over the head of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana into the resting wall of the net.

The Red Devils were two nil up and that was when the trophy was won. That goal made it the sixth the Armenian has scored away from Old Trafford in the course of United’s Europa League campaign adding to the list of crucial goals he scored in the EPL games and the domestic cup.

Everton hope to have deal wrapped up for Davy Klaassen in coming days

June 23, 2017 by ClownTown

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has reportedly given the green light to pursue a deal for Ajax captain Davy Klaassen in the coming days.

The Netherlands international was hugely influential for the Amsterdam outfit last season as his 20 goals and assists guided them to a runner-up finish in the Eredivisie while also reaching the final of the Europa League.

Klaassen has also integrated into the Netherlands setup through his performances, and he will be now looking to step up to a bigger challenge ahead of a potential World Cup ahead in Russia next year. Koeman made a scouting trip to watch his fellow country mate earlier this year, and he is hoping to secure a summer agreement in the next 10 days, he said: “It is difficult for a lot of technical and skilful players because the demands in England are so big. But Davy Klaassen has made very big steps.”

The Dutch footballer is being seen as a like for like replacement for England international Ross Barkley, who has been reluctant to extend his Toffees contract until this point of time.

Cesc Fabregas game Impresses many Ex-Footballer

June 2, 2017 by ClownTown

Cesc Fabregas is earning a lot of accolades from the ex-Footballers for the beauty of a show that he put on at the Merseyside the other day in the very little time that he spent on the field.

Conte went into the game with two playmakers and Fabregas was not one of them as has been the case so often this season. The Spaniard was amongst the benchers and didn’t get a look in for the first 81 minutes of the game.

But when he eventually got a look in after that, he absolutely ruled the field and made sure that everybody’s eyes remained on him till the end as he helped the Blues stretch their lead to three-nil with one of the gorgeous crosses one can ever hope to see.

Phil Neville, the former member of the England national squad, reckons what makes Fabregas a fantastic playmaker is his imagination. He foresees players getting into certain positions and plans his passes accordingly. He also seems to have a 360 degree vision as he is always aware of who is around him and at what distance.