SoccerRiddle

  Arsene Wenger might be hoping to lure German forward, Draxler to Arsenal as a possible replacement for want-away striker, Sanchez. Barcelona have opened deadline-day talks with Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, according to AS and the Algerian is reported to have travelled to the Catalan capital. The Blaugrana are still hopeful of signing Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, but they have now identified Mahrez as an alternative. The Algeria international is likely to cost around €50 million after Roma had a series of bids rejected for the Foxes star. Arsenal are interested in signing Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain before Thursday’s transfer deadline, according to Sport Bild. The Gunners now look set to lose Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City and have eyed Germany international Draxler as his replacement. PSG are open to selling Draxler, having spent €222 million to land Neymar from Barcelona earlier in the month. Chelsea have had an offer for Bayern Munich defende

  Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed for the club. Carragher wrote on his Twitter page: “Tried to persuade AOC to join @LFC when he was a kid, obviously Klopp is more persuasive! Interested how he gets him into CM after Sunday!!” Oxlade-Chamberlain underwent a medical with Liverpool on Wednesday evening, after both clubs agreed a fee of £40million , according to Sky sources. The 24-year-old is set to join Liverpool on a five-year deal after the two clubs struck a deal. The player turned down a new improved deal at Arsenal earlier this month which would have seen him earn £180,000 a week. He will earn a minimum of £120,000 a week at Anfield, a figure which could increase with win bonuses and loyalty payments. The Gunners agreed a deal with Chelsea for Oxlade-Chamberlain earlier this week, but the midfielder rejected the chance to join the Blues in favour of a move to Anfield.

  AC Milan attacker, Andre Silva has lauded the ability of his Portugal team-mate to prove critics wrong throughout his career. Ronaldo is currently serving a domestic suspension for pushing referee Ricardo Burgos, after being sent off during Real Madrid’s first leg encounter against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana. Silva said, “He manages to shut many mouths that speak badly of him.” The 21-year-old added, “We all have the certainty that he will do a good job. “Football is not a bed of roses. There are many injustices.” Silva also said, “Ronaldo is fast, skill-full and direct, he scored 25 goals and created 30 chances last season en route to helping Real to win the La Liga title.” Ronaldo, the current Ballon d’Or holder, was also recently named as the best player in last season’s Champions League. Silva is included in the Portugal squad for the World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Hungary and will be determined to make a major impact.

  Lionel Messi makes a return from a ban for Argentina against Uruguay on Thursday, as his country faces the prospect of missing out on a World Cup final for the first time since 1970. Two wins from their last seven qualifiers has seen the two-time World Cup winners in danger of not making it to Russia next year. Argentina, ranked third in the world by FIFA and on their third coach of the qualification process, are fifth in the CONMEBOL standings with four fixtures left. As it stands, they could miss out on an automatic qualification spot and instead play the winner of the Oceania qualification process (most likely New Zealand) in a play-off to grab a ticket. However, Ecuador are just two points behind Argentina ahead of Thursday’s round of fixtures, and Jorge Sampaoli’s team travel to Montevideo to take on third-placed Uruguay. The Uruguay squad will be nervous too. They have lost their last three qualifiers, conceding nine in the process. If Argentina wants to remain

  Former Chelsea player and coach, Ray Wilkins said Leicester City midfielder, Danny Drinkwater should not join the Blues. Wilkins said the 27-year-old England International should join a team where he would play if he does want to leave the Foxes. “Danny has done really well over the last couple of years,” Wilkins said on talkSPORT. “The important thing again is to play,” Wilkins added. “If Danny comes to Chelsea, (Tiemoue) Bakayoko has cost £40million, Kante everybody loves. “Is he going to get a game with Fabregas as well? “If I was Danny I’d go somewhere where I would play personally.” Drinkwater has handed in a transfer request at Leicester in order to force through a move to Chelsea. Chelsea has reportedly bid £23million for the England midfielder, but the Foxes are holding out for over £30million. Drinkwater would be reunited with N’Golo Kante if he moved to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window shuts tomorrow. The pair were influential in Leicester’

  Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi could be tempted to pen his contract renewal if Angel Di Maria arrives at Barcelona. The Spanish giants are looking to strengthen their squad before the transfer window shuts on Thursday. And Paris St-Germain star Di Maria has emerged as a top target for Ernesto Valverde. According to Spanish news outlet Don Balon, Messi is desperate for the deal to get done. Messi is yet to commit to a lucrative new contract, but Di Maria’s arrival could be the game changer. It’s suggested the Argentine superstar wants the 29-year-old to strut his stuff and the Nou Camp. The duo link up well together for the Argentina national team. And Messi wants to be reunited with his compatriot. Di Maria has rebuilt his career at PSG following a disappointing stint at Manchester United.

  France and Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit, has advised the club’s manager, Arsene Wenger to sign Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and allow the “nonchalant” Mesut Ozil to leave. 26-year-old Mahrez has made little secret of his desire to leave Leicester City. Petit spoke to SFR Sports, saying that the Algeria international would give the Gunners the cutting edge they need. He said, “He knows the Premier League by heart, and has an incredible impact in it. “He’s the kind of player cruelly lacking for Arsenal down the right. “I say stop focusing on the problems at the back. I’m among those who think the further away the ball is from your goal, the less chance you have of conceding a goal. And the more players you have who are capable of holding on to the ball… How many players are there in world football of that profile? “If I were a coach I’d love to have dribblers in my team — quick, technically good, capable of saying [to a defender], ‘I’m going to humiliate you with two

  Liverpool have agreed a £40million deal with Arsenal to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. BBC’s David Ornstein revealed this on Twitter on Wednesday evening. He tweeted: “Liverpool have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £40m #AFC #LFC “Oxlade-Chamberlain to sign 6yr deal with #LFC & becomes Arsenal’s all-time record departure fee. Unlikely that #AFC will sign a replacement.” Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has opened the way for Liverpool to bid for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, by telling the player he is no longer wanted at the Emirates Stadium. Oxlade-Chamberlain has informed the Gunners that he does not want to move to Chelsea despite the clubs agreeing a £35million deal on Monday. The England winger wants a switch to Anfield, where he believes Jürgen Klopp, will field him in his preferred central midfield position.

  Liverpool defender, Dejan Lovren says Liverpool has the most dangerous attack in the Premier League. Lovren said the Red’s trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are number one in England. The Croatian International also said it feels good to see Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge all on target as Liverpool routed Arsenal 4-0 on Sunday. “For me, they are the best, they caused Arsenal a lot of problems,” he said. “It’s a long season and we will see towards the end of the season who is in the first place, but you can see the difference those three players [Mane, Firmino and Salah] make. “I’m lucky that I don’t have to face them very often in training. It tends to be the guys who aren’t in the first-eleven,” he added. “All three of them are top players, they have pace and great quality. They are amazing. It would be quite difficult for any defender when you are up against Salah, Mane and Firmino.” The trio of Mane, Firmino an

  Former Barcelona and Arsenal icon, Thierry Henry has advised Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho to follow the same path taken by Luis Suarez, urging the Brazilian to remain at Anfield for one more season. Henry feels that putting in one more stellar season at Anfield will benefit both the player and the club. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Frenchman feels that Coutinho should remain with his current club and make a move to Spain next summer, just as Suarez did. He said, “It’s difficult for me to talk about [the Coutinho situation] because whenever I wanted to leave a club, I just left, so I don’t know what it’s like having to stay when you want to leave.” “I would advise him to do what Luis Suarez did. He wanted to leave, we all knew, though it wasn’t for the same club at the time. But he came back [for Liverpool], acted professionally and had an amazing season. He [Coutinho] strikes me as a similar type of guy. “Maybe he wants to go, but he should come back — Liverpool fans ar

  Chelsea striker, Alvaro Morata has made a fast start to his career at Stamford Bridge, but is calling for more time to adapt to life in the Premier League. Morata’s start to his Chelsea career has not been perfect. He had a penalty saved in the Community Shield shootout loss to Arsenal and missed a free header in the win over Tottenham. The 24-year-old scored a goal in Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton, making it his second goal in two games at Stamford Bridge. “I’m happy because I scored, I took an assist and the team won,” Morata told Chelsea’s official website. “It was an important win. At Stamford Bridge we need to win all the games or try to take the three points. “It’s important for me to play and to make adaptations to my game. It’s not easy: a new country, another language, another style of football,” Morata said. “I need time for all the things in the Premier League but I’m okay, my team-mates give me a hand to make it easy and I’m very happy to be

  Paris Saint-Germain defender, Serge Aurier, would prefer to join Manchester United over Tottenham. According to SFR Sport, Aurier is hoping that a move to Old Trafford will materializes, before the summer transfer window closes in three days. Spurs were reported to have agreed a £23million deal for the Ivorian full-back, but no move has been pushed through as yet. But United manager Jose Mourinho, is looking for a new player to compete with Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian for the right-back spot. Aurier has made 57 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG since joining the club in 2014, initially on loan from Toulouse before a permanent move was sealed in 2015.

  Chelsea have kickstarted a frantic scramble for reinforcements in the final week of the summer transfer window by agreeing a fee of around £35m with Arsenal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the player potentially the first of three England internationals destined for Stamford Bridge before the cut-off on Thursday. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract, had been offered new and improved terms to commit his future to Arsenal but made clear towards the end of last week that his preference was to seek a new challenge having apparently grown frustrated at the role he was being asked to play in the team. He was still selected for the 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool on Sunday and will depart despite Arsène Wenger having suggested this summer that the 24-year-old would “100%” stay at the Emirates Stadium. The manager’s hand appears to have been forced in the period since with the club’s hierarchy not prepared to lose Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Özil and

  Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly told Real Madrid not to sign Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester United Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Hazard and Ibrahimovic could have moved to the Bernabeu but Ronaldo was alleged to be against the idea of another forward arriving and taking the limelight, according to Don Balon. Hazard was head coach, Zinedine Zidane’s top target but Ronaldo gave the club two reasons to avoid signing the Chelsea star. Ibrahimovic, currently recovering from a serious knee injury, was available on a free transfer after his United contract expired, Don said Ronaldo kicked again. Don Balon claimed super-agent Mino Raiola offered Real the chance to sign Ibrahimovic as a replacement for Alvaro Morata, who joined Chelsea for a club-record fee earlier this summer. But Ronaldo did not want the madcap Swede disrupting the dressing room harmony.

  Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal to sign teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe from Monaco, French media reported on Sunday. Radio stations France Info and RMC reported that PSG had agreed to pay 180 million euros ($215 million) including bonuses for the French international striker. That would make him the second most expensive transfer in football history behind Neymar, who joined PSG from Barcelona for 222 million euros earlier this month. Despite the reports, Mbappe was named on the Monaco bench for Sunday night’s Ligue 1 meeting with Marseille. According to sports daily L’Equipe, Paris will initially sign Mbappe, 18, on loan before making the move permanent. “Monaco and PSG on Sunday reached an agreement for a loan deal for Kylian Mbappe to the Parisian club with an option to buy for 180 million euros,” said L’Equipe, adding that Mbappe would undergo a medical by Monday morning. A loan deal would help PSG get around UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, with ma

  Liverpool are prepared to test Monaco’s resolve to keep midfielder Thomas Lemar with a club record offer of about £60m before Thursday’s transfer deadline. Manager Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the 21-year-old and while no official bid has yet been tabled, there is definite interest from Anfield. Any move for Lemar is not linked to the future of midfielder Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool have rejected three offers from Barcelona for the Brazilian, the latest in the region of £114m. France international Lemar, who can play centrally or out wide, also attracted interest from Arsenal this summer, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger claimed their interest in the player was “dead” after insisting Monaco had closed the door on further sales. The Ligue 1 champions have already sold Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy to Manchester City and Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea – with teenage striker Kylian Mbappe also on the brink of joining Paris St-Germain. A record deal for Lemar is under se

  Liverpool owners, Fenway Sports Group, have agreed to negotiate with Barcelona over the possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho. The Americans had issued a public statement earlier this month, making it clear that the 25-year-old midfielder was not for sale. But Spanish outlet, Sport, claims discussions with Coutinho’s representatives on Friday night, have persuaded them and they are now willing to listen to what Barca have to offer. Liverpool have already rejected three bids from the La Liga giants, despite the Brazilian handing in a transfer request. It said all that remains is for Liverpool to sign a replacement, before agreeing to sell him for close to £148m.

  Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called on supporters to stick by his team after describing the 4-0 loss to Liverpool as “absolutely disastrous”. The Gunners failed to register a shot on target in a lacklustre display that drew criticism from fans and pundits. “If some people feel as if I am the problem, then I am sorry that I am the problem,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “But we want our fans to be with us even in a losing performance like that.” He added: “The only thing we can do is come back and give them a better performance.”

  Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Ozil, has apologised to the club’s supporters, after their 4-0 hammering at Liverpool on Sunday. Goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge made it a miserable afternoon for the Gunners, who sit 16th in the table with eight goals conceded in three games. Ozil was among a number of key Arsenal players criticised for their lack of effort by Gary Neville after the defeat at Anfield. And the German international felt compelled to apologise to fans on social media. “Blame us, shout at us, criticize us, but I’m also very disappointed about today’s game. We wanted to achieve a positive result before the international break but we were simply not good enough during the 90 minutes and Liverpool deserved the win without a doubt. “Usually I’m too angry to post on social media after such frustrating days like today, but I don’t want to let this match go uncommented before traveling to the DFB Team. “Nevertheless… Gunners, I

  Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has sought to justify the club’s policy of loaning out a squad of players, while he pushes for more senior signings. Conte claims the Blues’ youngsters are not ready for first-team football. Kenneth Omeruo became the 27th Chelsea player to leave on loan on Friday, when he joined Kasimpasa in Turkey for the season. More exits are expected to be sanctioned in the final week of the transfer window. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tammy Abraham, Izzy Brown and Kurt Zouma have already been loaned to Premier League clubs for the season, while Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Aké, who had progressed through the academy, departed on permanent deals. “If there are young players who deserve to play regularly and give me a good feeling, then why not [pick them]?” Conte said. “I put (Paul) Pogba, at 18, into the team, and for [Claudio] Marchisio. Not a ‘simple’ player. But you must have this type of possibility, [that these] players are ready to play with Chelsea, a

  IfeanyiUbah first choice goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said the shot stoppers invited by coach Gernot Rohr, are good enough. He said Nigerians should not worry about the goalkeeping department ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers against the Indomitable Lions. The Super Eagles will play against Cameroon on September 1 in Uyo and September 4 in Yaoundé. Ezenwa said football lovers in Nigeria should believe in the trio of himself, Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Alampasu. He told SuperSports, “I think the right time has come for the invited goalkeepers to prove their mettle and we are going to make Nigerians proud. “We goalkeepers for the clash against Cameroon are ready and anyone called upon to man the post will do an excellent work. “There is no cause for alarm because I, Daniel and Dele are ready to deliver against Cameroon. “Nigerians can rest assured that we will not fail them. The goalkeeping department is secured and protected; we will perform to the satisf

  Nigeria’s senior national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, are through to the final of this year’s Afrobasket Championship in Bamako, Mali, after beating the hosts 48-47 on Saturday. They have also picked a ticket for the 2018 FIBA World Cup in Spain. The coach, Sam Vincent-led team recorded a low margin of 10-7 points in the first quarter, while the second quarter saw D’Tigress taking the lead again with 13-5 points to end the first half with 23-12 points. The third quarter was difficult for Nigeria, as the Malians won 17-16. Ezinne Kalu contributed 11 points and six assists to the victory, while Evelyn Akhator added ten rebounds. Nigeria will take on Senegal or Mozambique in the final on Sunday.

  Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, will sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea this week, because he considers Liverpool too much of a threat to their top-four hopes. Chelsea are willing to pay £40million for the England international, who is also wanted by Kop manager Jurgen Klopp. Although Wenger is reluctant to let Oxlade-Chamberlain leave, the 24-year-old is determined to quit the Emirates before the summer transfer window closes. Wenger sees Chelsea as serious title challengers with or without the Ox, but reckons Liverpool could struggle to push for a top-four slot with Champions League fixtures to negotiate and does not want to strengthen their chances. Wenger may also have to make a decision on Mesut Ozil who, like Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez, is now in the final year of his contract.

  Everton are planning a move to hijack Chelsea’s £40million transfer for Jamie Vardy, according to the Sunday Mirror. Ronald Koeman believes that adding a another proven striker will be the final piece, as his side look to break into the top four this season. Koeman, who lost Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United this season, has brought back Wayne Rooney, but is looking for pace upfront. However, Chelsea remain in search for a striker to replace AWOL Diego Costa and manager Antonio Conte, has reportedly identified Vardy as the best man. Although big-money buy Alvaro Morata is already off the mark, the Blues still want to replace Costa before the summer transfer window closes. Vardy made an explosive start to the new campaign, as he netted twice in the Foxes opening day loss to Arsenal.

  World’s fastest man, Usain Bolt turned up at Old Trafford to watch his favourites clash take on Leicester just two weeks after hanging up his running spikes. Before the match, the massive Manchester United supporting Jamaican bumped into United legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for a couple of photos. And while talking to 13-time Premier League winning manager Ferguson he asked to be handed a trial to prove his worth in Jose Mourinho’s squad. It is unknown whether his request was granted, but Bolt has already been spotted lifting both the Europa League and the EFL Cup – the two trophies Mourinho’s men managed to pick up last season. The eight-time Olympic gold medalist then took his place in the stands to watch his beloved club face the Foxes. Bolt, who has previously training with the Red Devils, told MUTV: “I would have loved to play for United. “I was saying to Fergie to pull a few strings and get me a trial. “It was fun when Alex was in charge I wen

  Lionel Messi shrugged off the frustration of missing a penalty to reach another remarkable career landmark as Barcelona eased to a 2-0 victory at Alaves. Messi, who hit the woodwork three times in the 2-0 win over Real Betis on the opening day of the season, saw his first-half spot-kick superbly saved by Fernando Pacheco after Gerard Pique had been pulled down in the penalty area. But the 30-year-old was not be denied the 350th LaLiga goal of his career and added the 351st for good measure as the visitors ran out comfortable winners. G.O.A.T

  Substitutes  Marcus Rashford  and  Marouane Fellaini  both scored as Manchester United overcame a resolute Leicester to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League Table. See the current league table to check where your club stands.    

  Substitutes Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini both scored as Manchester United overcame a resolute Leicester to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League. Jose Mourinho’s side had applied incessant pressure on the Foxes from kick-off, and Romelu Lukaku missed a second-half penalty prior to the goals, as they found it difficult to break the steadfast backline. They finally breached the last line of defence when Rashford converted Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s corner three minutes after coming on. And then midfielder Fellaini stuck out his knee to divert fellow substitute Jesse Lingard’s drive past Kasper Schmeichel. United are the only side to have won all three of their opening league games this season and have yet to concede a goal.

  Lionel Messi scored twice – after having a penalty saved – as Barcelona beat Alaves in La Liga. The Argentine’s first-half spot-kick was excellently saved by Fernando Pacheco after Gerard Pique was fouled. He gave them the lead after the break when his shot from Gerard Deulofeu’s ball was deflected in, and scored a second from Jordi Alba’s headed pass. Messi, who has scored a record 351 La Liga goals, had the chance for a hat-trick but his 20-yard shot hit the bar. Barca are set to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Demeble for a fee which could rise to 147m euros (£135.5m), subject to having a medical on Monday. They did bring on another summer signing, Paulinho, for his debut late on although the £36.4m recruit from Guangzhou Evergrande did not have time to make an impact. Alaves, who were beaten by Barca in last season’s Copa del Rey final, brought on Enzo, the son of Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, for his debut in the second half.

  Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has debunked speculations that he is unhappy at the club and insists he is calmer this season, after winning the Premier League title in his first season. There have been some reports that Conte and the Blues transfer chiefs have had a rift over the players that have been brought into the side this summer. “No. Honestly, I’m very calm,” Conte responded when asked why he seems grumpier than normal. “I’m relaxed much better than last season. Yeah, much better. Because you learn. You learn also to work for the new club. Last season was my first time. Now, after a year of experience, I learned a lot from the past. “For this reason, I think I am more relaxed and am enjoying better the situation than last season. That’s my impression, anyway. Honestly. Yes, yes. I am still having language lessons. Two hours, three days a week. After one season you start to learn a lot of situations. “You start to live with a lot of situations. Last season was t

  Belgium midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne, has stated that six teams are always favourite to win the Premier League season. The midfielder insisted that his club, Manchester City should not be Premier League favourites just because they’ve spent the most money this summer. The Citizen have already spent around £200 million in new players after finishing last season without silverware, the first time manager Pep Guardiola had not won a trophy in his managerial career. De Bruyne said City must learn to cope with the expectation put on them. He said, “I think we have six favourites every time so if one wins, people say the other five failed. “It’s very difficult, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, Tottenham, Arsenal will say the same if they don’t win. “They want to win the title and we want to win the title, so it makes a good competition in the end for all of us. “We will try to win, but I think everybody invests a lot. We invested a lot of money on six or seven players, I think

  Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has said he is ready to listen to offers for midfielder, Jack Wilshere. The Frenchman said he wants to sell the player because he’s unable to guarantee him the game time he needs. The England international spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, managing 27 Premier League appearances. Wenger said he is ready to accept offers for Wilshere, who has endured an injury-ravaged career. He told the British media, “I’m open with Jack. We have honest conversations. I’m open to what is the best for him. “He is at the stage of his career where he needs to play and I can’t guarantee him that today. I think I’m quite open on that. “If he gets back to his best and he wants to stay, we have to sit down, I think, later in the season. “I don’t rule that out.”

  Barely a week after Barcelona’s twitter account was hacked and the hackers, announced the signing of Di Maria from PSg, the official Twitter account of Real Madrid FC has been hacked. The hackers this time announced the signing of Barcelona FC striker, Lionel Messi. They also announced the sale of French player, Karim Benzema. See some screenshots below:        

  Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, has admitted that it was crucial to buy Ousmane Dembele, after Neymar left for Paris Saint-Germain, as his team needed width. The La Liga champions confirmed Dembele’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund on Friday, in a transfer which could rise to €147million. It almost doubles the €80m they paid Liverpool for Luis Suarez in 2014, the club’s previous record purchase. Dembele, 20, will arrive in Barcelona over the weekend and will sign a five-year deal at Camp Nou on Monday. “Dembele gives us width, something we lost and we needed,” Valverde said in a news conference on Friday. “He can play on the left or the right, or even through the middle, he is quick and he is technically good. We hope he’s going to add a lot to the team. We’re really excited to have him. “[His rise] has been impressive. A couple of years ago he was hardly known by anyone, but he’s a player with a lot of quality. Barca have been following him for a while, like othe

  Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has signed a new contract with Chelsea until 2020, the Premier League champions have announced on their official website. However, Omeruo has joined Turkish side Kasimpasa on a season-long loan deal. The 23-year-old was widely expected to depart Stamford Bridge permanently this summer, after spending four years out on loan, since signing for the Blues in 2012. Omeruo has had loan spells at Dutch side ADO Den Haag, English Championship side Middlesbrough and Turkish sides, Kasimpasa and Alanyaspor. He is yet to be featured by Chelsea in an official game, but made 26 appearances for Alanyaspor and scored one goal last term in the Turkish Super Lig topflight division. Kasimpasa have picked up four points from their opening two league games this season, including a home draw with reigning champions Besiktas.

  Raheem Sterling was Manchester City’s saviour once again as his desperately late winner spared their blushes at the Vitality Stadium, securing a 2-1 win over Bournemouth before also getting sent off. Pep Guardiola’s men were on top for much of the match and looked destined to once again drop points due to their wastefulness in front of goal, but Sterling popped up just as he did to help City draw 1-1 with Everton last time out, this time netting the decisive winner, before receiving a second booking for a celebration which saw him incite fan encroachment. Even from the early stages it looked as though City were going to have to dig deep if they wanted to take all three points, with Charlie Daniels’ wonderful volley finally getting them off the mark in the Premier League this term. But that goal seemed to jolt City into life and Gabriel Jesus swiftly hit back, with the Brazilian’s finish sparking something of a siege from Guardiola’s men. City continued to be in the ascend

  Zlat guy Did you arise on Friday morning and believe that the Champions League group stage draw was the biggest overnight story in football? Or perhaps that an actual match – Everton drawing with Hadjuk Split – was worthy of the most coverage? You were mistaken. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the big story here. The  Daily Mirror   go with: ‘IBRACADABRA: MY MAGIC WILL FIRE RED DEVILS TO THE TITLE’. He’s back. And so are the laboured headlines. Rejoice  Mile-high club Speaking of Ibrahimovic, Martin Samuel has penned a column in the  Daily Mail  largely dedicated to declaring the striker as ‘the man’. One line in particular stood out to Mediawatch however. ‘A manager engaging in all competitions – and Mourinho always does – needs a big squad,’ Samuel writes of a man who suggested as early as March last season that he would be resting players in the Premier League, thereby prioritising progress in the Europa League. “The Europa League is very difficult but it’s a target for us