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Saturday, 31 August 2019

Neymar pictured in Barcelona's latest jersey

Liam Hope August 31, 2019 0

Neymar's wish to return to Barcelona looks to have been granted, after one of his sponsors, put a photo of him on social media in the Catalan side's new shirt.

According to Sportsmail, the post which was uploaded to Instagram by watchmaker Gaga Milano who boast Neymar as a brand ambassador, was deleted minutes after going live.

It appears to all but confirm an agreement has been reached for him to leave Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar left Barcelona for £198million in 2017, but has grown unhappy in Paris in recent months and has made no secret of his desire to return to LaLiga.

While the move is seemingly close to completion, Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, admits he will be glad to see the transfer window close on September 2.

Lampard takes social media to task after Zouma abuse

Sports

Liam Hope August 31, 2019 0

Frank Lampard refused to single out individuals for blame after his Chelsea side let a two-goal lead slip to be held 2-2 by Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

But the former England and Chelsea midfielder was unsparing in his criticism of social media platforms on which his defender Kurt Zouma was the victim of racist abuse after his late own goal cost Chelsea two points.

“We have to look at social media and the platforms and give them some accountability, to actually have people registered who can be chased down for it,” Lampard said.

“I think it’s simple. Until we get to that, however horrible the conversation is, we are all going to get tired talking about it because if there’s no culpability then anyone can say anything to anyone.

“I don’t care if it’s racism, it could be homophobia, sexism -– if we allow it then it’s out there and it has to be dealt with.

“I think we have plans (to meet companies). Everyone knows where we want to go with it and not just with our players, any player.”

Lampard is still waiting for his first win at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager after his side blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home to Sheffield United on Saturday.

Lampard’s faith in Tammy Abraham was again rewarded as his two opportunist strikes had Chelsea well on course for the three points at half-time.

– ‘It was a plus last week’ –

But the early matches of the season have raised more questions about Chelsea’s defence than their attack, and that was the case again.

United levelled with goals at either end of the second half from Callum Robinson and Zouma’s own goal.

Some had identified Zouma as the weak link after the 4-0 defeat away to Manchester United but here Lampard chose to keep Zouma and replace Andreas Christensen with Fikayo Tomori, 21, who played for him on loan at Derby County last season.

The result was Chelsea’s youngest-ever starting XI in a Premier League match.

But Lampard refused to blame the youth of his team or individuals.

“It’s not defence, it’s conceding as a team,” he said.

“There was a lack of concentration and mistakes at moments for the goals but you defend as a team as much as you attack as a team.

“We conceded because we switched off in a game we should be comfortably seeing out, and that is no disrespect to Sheffield United.

“2-0 was not the end of the story and I was clear on that with the players at half time.

“The first goal was disappointing because that allowed (the comeback) but we only have ourselves as a group to look at, not individually.”

He also denied that he was concerned about the defenders he has at his disposal.

“I wouldn’t say I’m worried,” he said.

“Antonio Rudiger is fit again after the international break so he gives me another choice.

“But as I said before, we can isolate goals and talk about centre backs but I trust completely the four centre backs that I have.

“We’re just at a moment now when we obviously need to stop conceding so many goals.

“I couldn’t care less that we’ve got our youngest team in Premier League history.

“It was a plus last week and I don’t think it relates at all.”

(AFP)

Barcelona boss tired of Neymar negotiations

Sports

Liam Hope August 31, 2019 0

Barcelona boss, Ernesto Valverde, on Friday said he has grown tired of the ongoing negotiations between his club and Paris Saint-Germain over Neymar, saying he will be glad when the transfer window shuts on September 2.

Barca have less than three days to strike a deal with the Ligue 1 champions over their former player.

"I am really looking forward to that day - September 2 - so that we can all get some rest at last and know what we have for the season as it has gone on too long.

"Neymar is a PSG player and as always we respect all our rivals, but I reiterate that I'm looking forward to this ending once and for all," Valverde told a news conference ahead of Saturday's La Liga game away to Osasuna.

When asked to rate out of 10 how bored he was of the transfer speculation surrounding Neymar, Valverde: "Around nine and a half."

Solskjaer speaks on bringing Ibrahimovic back to Man Utd

Sports

Liam Hope August 30, 2019 0

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has said he would speak to LA Galaxy striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, about how serious he is over a possible return to Old Trafford.

Ibrahimovic said this week, he believes he is still capable of performing in the Premier League, adding that "if United needs me, I'm here."

The former Sweden international scored 29 goals in 53 appearances for the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018.

"If he was 28 and not 38 [in October], there'a big difference.

"Zlatan had a great time here, he's still doing well, it's unfortunate he got his injury here.

"Who knows, he knows my number, he looked at my house [when he was here]. We can speak a native language. If he's serious I'll always speak to Zlatan.

"I don't think that will happen, I think he's had his time at the club, he's had a fantastic career at the club," Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday.

UEFA Europa League group stages confirmed

Sports

Liam Hope August 30, 2019 0

The draw for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League has been conducted today in Monaco.

Last year's finalists, Arsenal are in Group F along with Frankfurt (GER), Standard Liège (BEL) and VitoriaSC1922

The group stage will kick off on September 19.

FULL DRAW:

Group A: Sevilla (ESP), APOEL (CYP), Qarabağ (AZE), Dudelange (LUX)

GROUP B: Dynamo Kyiv (UKR), København (DEN), Malmö (SWE), Lugano (SUI)

GROUP C: Basel (SUI), Krasnodar (RUS), Getafe (ESP), Trabzonspor (TUR)

GROUP D: Sporting CP (POR), PSV (NED), Rosenborg (NOR), LASK (AUT)

GROUP E: Lazio (ITA), Celtic (SCO), Rennes (FRA), CFR Cluj (ROU)

GROUP F: Arsenal (ENG), Frankfurt (GER), Standard Liège (BEL), VitoriaSC1922

GROUP G: Porto (POR), Young Boys (SUI), Feyenoord (NED), Rangers (SCO)

GROUP H, CSKA Moskva (RUS), Ludogorets (BUL), Espanyol (ESP), Ferencvaros (HUN)

GROUP I: Wolfsburg (GER), Gent (BEL), St-Étienne (FRA), Olexandriya (UKR)

GROUP J: Roma (ITA), Mönchengladbach (GER), İstanbul Başakşehir (TUR)

GROUP K: Beşiktaş (TUR), Braga (POR), Wolves (ENG), Slovan Bratislava (SVK)

GROUP L: Man. United (ENG), Astana (KAZ), Partizan (SRB), AZAlkmaar.

Hazard wins Europa League Player of the Season

Sports

Liam Hope August 30, 2019 0

Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard, has won the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League Player of the Season.

The Belgium international finished top ahead of former Chelsea teammate, Olivier Giroud and Real Madrid teammate, Luka Jović.

Hazard won the third edition of the award, which was announced during the UEFA Europa League group stage draw in Monaco on Friday.

The 28-year-old was Man of the Match as Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in May's final in Baku.

Top ten players of 2018/19 UEFA Europa League:

1 Eden Hazard (Chelsea, now Real Madrid) - 340 points

2 Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) - 119 points

3 Luka Jović (Eintracht, now Real Madrid) - 94 points

4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) - 65 points

5 Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) - 19 points

6 N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) - 16 points

7 João Félix (Benfica, now Atlético) - 12 points

8 Willian (Chelsea) - 11 points

9= Pedro Rodríguez (Chelsea) - 9 points

9= Sébastien Haller (Eintracht, now West Ham) - 9 points

Lacazette, Kante dropped from France squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers

Sports

Liam Hope August 30, 2019 0

Arsenal striker, Alexandre Lacazette and Chelsea midfielder, N'Golo Kante have been dropped from France's Euro 2020 qualifiers squad.

France coach, Didier Deschamps on Thursday released his 23-man squad for next month's Euro qualifiers against Albania and Andorra, with Lacazette and Kante the biggest omission.

Lacazette has not featured too much for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, while Kante is yet to recover fully from an ankle sprain.

The 2018 World Cup winners will tackle Albania and Andorra on September 7 and 10 respectively.

Full list of France's Euro 2020 qualifiers squad below:

Van Dijk wins UEFA Player of the Season award ahead of Messi, Ronaldo

Sports

Liam Hope August 29, 2019 0

Virgil van Dijk beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the men’s UEFA Player of the Year award.

The winner was announced on Thursday night during the Champions League draw ceremony in Monaco.

The talismanic centre-back helped guide the Reds to European Cup glory, keeping a clean sheet as Jurgen Klopp’s men defeated Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid.

Messi, the top scorer in the Champions League, beat Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo to win the UEFA Champions League forward of the Season Award.

Virgil van Dijk beat team mate Trent Alexander-Arnold and Matthijs de Ligt, who left Ajax for Juventus this summer to win the Defender of the Season Award.

Alisson Becker, beat Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris and Barcelona’s Marc ter-Stegen Liverpool’s safe hands won the UEFA Goalkeeper Award.

Ajax’s Frenkie de Jong beat Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to win the midfielder of the Season Award.

England’s full back, Lucy Bronze beat Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and France’s Amandine Henry to the Women’s Player of the Season.

Full list of winners:

Men’s Player of the Season: Virgil van Dijk

Women’s Player of the Season: Lucy Bronze

Midfielder of the Season: Frenkie de Jong

Defender of the Season: Virgil van Dijk

Goalkeeper of the season: Alisson Becker

UEFA President Award: Eric Cantona

Real Madrid get PSG pairing in Champions League draw

Sports

Liam Hope August 29, 2019 0

Real Madrid will face Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage of the Champions League after they were paired together Group A in the draw, which took place in Monaco on Thursday.

The two clubs have been linked over the pursuit of PSG star Neymar, with Real Madrid mooted as one of the Brazilian suitors.

The pair will be joined by Belgian top-flight runners-up Club Brugge and Turkish Super Lig winners Galatasaray.

Reigning champions Liverpool will see a familiar face in Group E, having been paired up with Napoli, who they narrowly pipped to make the knockout stages last season. Austrian Bundesliga champions Salzburg has been picked as the third team in that group while Belgian champions Genk rounded out the group.

Group F will feature a difficult slate, with reigning La Liga champions Barcelona joined by Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund, Antonio Conte's Inter and Slavia Prague.

Elsewhere Tottenham have been drawn with Bayern Munich in Group B, with Greek giants Olympiacos placed in their group alongside Red Star Belgrade.

The 2018-19 semi-finalists Ajax will face Chelsea in Group H and are joined by Valencia and Lille.

Group C will feature another group stage re-match, as Manchester City will face Shakhtar for the second straight year. The two are joined by Atalanta and GNK Dinamo.

Meanwhile in Group D Juventus will match up against Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow.

Group G features Zenit, Benfica, Lyon and RB Leipzig.

The group stage of the 2019-20 edition of the Champions League kicks off on September 17 and 18, with teams competing in six matchdays until early December as they attempt to progress to the knockout stage.

Evra backs Ronaldo to win UEFA Player of the Season award

Sports

Liam Hope August 29, 2019 0

Patrice Evra has backed his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to be crowned UEFA Player of the Season.

Asked who he thought was the best player in Europe, Evra replied: "Cristiano, my brother, Ronaldo. Always!"

PSG set to sign Navas, agree deal with Barcelona for Neymar

Sports

Liam Hope August 29, 2019 0

Keylor Navas' transfer from Real Madrid to PSG could be completed by the end of Thursday, according to El Chiringuito's Jose Luis Sanchez.

The 32-year-old Costa Rica international could cost his new side as much as €18 million (£16.3m/$20m).

Navas has played more than 150 times for Madrid since joining from Levante after his exploits at the 2014 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Sky Italy reports that Barcelona have finally reached a deal to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.

It is reported that an agreement has finally been found between the two clubs, with the Brazil forward set to put his signature to the move upon arrival in Barcelona.

Neymar left Barca two years ago after scoring more than 100 goals for the club, winning two league titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and the Champions League.

Alex Iwobi scores on first full start for Everton

Sports

Liam Hope August 29, 2019 0

Alex Iwobi has opened his Everton goal account as they came from behind to beat Lincoln FC 4-2 in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Iwobi, who moved from Arsenal to the Merseyside Blues in the summer, was handed his first start by Marco Silva on Wednesday night.

The midfielder had missed Everton's first two league games of the season but came on in the team's 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last weekend.

After impressing against Aston Villa, Silva decided to hand him his full debut and he did not disappoint.

Lincoln took the lead in the opening 20 seconds through Harry Anderson, but Everton responded through a sublime freekick from Lucas Digne, before Gylfi Sigurdsson put the Toffees ahead 15 minutes after the break.

But Lincoln restored parity through Bruno Andrade's volley. However, Alex Iwobi will break their resilience as he scored the winner, heading home from close range.

Richarlison settled any kind of nerves by heading home minutes after Iwobi's goal.

Speaking after the match, the Nigeria international revealed it was a tough match but they were prepared.

He also added he's enjoying time at his new club.

"It was a difficult game. Credit to Lincoln. The important thing is we're through. We showed our fighting spirit. I'm enjoying this new chapter of my life. Every competition we take seriously."

Amusan breaks Alozie’s 20-year record with 100m hurdles win at 12th All Africa Games

Sports

Liam Hope August 29, 2019 0

Nigeria's Tobi Amusan has successfully defended her title in the 100m hurdles at the ongoing 12th Africa Games at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Amusan broke Gloria Alozie’s 20-years old record of 12.74 seconds set in Johannesburg with a time of 12.68 seconds.

Koala Yasmine of Burkina Faso and South Africa’s Bieldt Taylor won the silver and bronze medals in time of 13.20s and 13.40s respectively.

Team Nigeria’s quartet of Joy Udo-Gabriel, Mercy Ntia-Obong, Adekunle Jasper and Rosemary Chukwuma got round the baton to win the women’s 4x100m relay final, crossing the line in 44.16s.

While the men’s team of Raymond Ekevwo, Itsekiri Usheoritse, Divine Oduduru, and Emmanuel Arowolo won Silver in the men’s 4×100 m relay with a season-best of 38.59s.

Kelechi Nwanaga also defended her Javelin title from 2015, throwing a distance of 55.88m to be crowned champion second consecutive time.

South Africa duo of Van Jo-ane and Viljoen Sunette threw 55.38m and 53.44m to win the silver and bronze medal respectively.

In the men’s 400m race, Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie ran his fastest time this season of 45.61s to claim the bronze medal while Botswana’s Scotch Leungo claimed the gold.

Nigeria’s youngster, Favour Ofili won silver in the women’s 400m with a personal best of 51.68s.

Galefele Moroko of Botswana took the gold in a time of 51.30s while Ghana’s Obour Grace won the bronze with a time of 51.86s.

Caroline Oko-Ukoha won three silver medals with the first coming from the 71kg with a lift of 211kg, then 95kg in the Snatch and 116kg in the Clean and Jerk.

Team Nigeria is now third on the medal table with 24 gold, 20 silver, and 20 bronze.

Dembele has learnt his lesson - Messi

Sports

Liam Hope August 28, 2019 0

Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, has said that French star, Ousmane Dembele, has learned his lesson and is now ready to focus on his game.

Messi also promised to help the young star focus on his football, adding that the Frenchman can be one of the best in the world.

Barcelona were all set to sell the young World Cup winner last summer due to his lack of concentration and injuries.

But, speaking about the player in an interview, Messi said, "Ousmane can be one of the best. He's a young guy who is adapting to the city and the club," according to Eurosoccer.

"He has already realized his mistakes and has rectified them. We are going to help him focus on football."

Gerard Pique blocks Neymar's Real Madrid move

Sports

Liam Hope August 28, 2019 0

Barcelona ace, Gerard Pique has reportedly blocked Neymar's move to Real Madrid, reports Fox Sports.

There have been speculations surrounding the Brazilian international and whether he will remain a Paris Saint-Germain player or re-join his former club.

Real Madrid are very interested in signing Neymar from PSG, thereby denying Barca the opportunity to take back their former star.

However, the newspaper reports that Pique has been on hand to block the player from moving to Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spaniard had earlier revealed that he has been in discussion with Neymar and that he knows the club are working "very hard" to get him.

Alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Neymar formed one of the most fearsome attacks of all time.

Given Pique's love for Barcelona and hatred for Real Madrid, there is nothing he would despise more than seeing Neymar sign for Los Blancos.

UEFA to shake-up Champions League format

Sports

Liam Hope August 28, 2019 0

Europe's football governing body, UEFA is reportedly planning a major shake-up to the Champions League group stage by turning it into a 14-match format, The Sun, UK, reports.

The English Premier League's top six clubs are also backing the move to be implemented from 2024 and it could lead to the 'extinction of the League Cup.'

The newspaper has it that the competition would be divided into four groups and feature eight teams.

The top four teams of each group would progress to the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

And those who finish in fifth would qualify for next year's tournament, with sixth place and seventh place playing against one another to determine who would stay in the competition next season.

Finally, the bottom team would drop into the Europa League playoff rounds for the following season.

The proposed change would mean that teams would play a minimum of 14 matches in the competition and 21 wins needed to secure the Champions League trophy.

The Sun reports that the football governing body is still backing the idea of introducing a third tier of European football alongside the Champions League and Europa League.

If the plans were adopted, then continental fixtures per season would increase from 407 to a whopping 647.

The League Cup could be threatened with the increased number of fixtures that Premier League teams would have to compete in.

The European Club Association has backed down from the demand of more fixtures being played on the weekends, with the Premier League keen to retain all 20 teams for the League Cup, the Sun reports.

Ibrahimovic speaks on return to Manchester United

Sports

Liam Hope August 28, 2019 0

LA Galaxy striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, believes he is still good enough to play in the Premier League and joked Manchester United know where he is if they want to re-sign him.

The 37-year-old scored twice in the El Trafico Derby, as his LA Galaxy team drew 3-3 with rivals Los Angeles FC in a pulsating MLS clash.

Those two goals took him to 22 strikes in as many league matches this season, including six in the last three games.

Ibrahimovic believes his current form, shows he could comfortably compete in England's top-flight again.

"I could play easy in the Premier League, so if United needs me, I'm here.

"But Galaxy has me, so I'm sorry.

"Nah, I did my job in Europe. I enjoyed it, I have 33 trophies that I brought with me here and hopefully I can get something here. And then we will see where that adventure finishes," Ibrahimovic told reporters.

Ibrahimovic spent two season at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, scoring 29 times in 53 matches.

Manchester United and Inter Milan reach agreement for Alexis Sanchez

Sports

Liam Hope August 28, 2019 0

Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Manchester United to take Alexis Sanchez on loan until June 2020.

The Serie A giants approached United over their interest in Sanchez earlier this summer and talks between the two clubs have advanced at a rapid pace in the last few hours.

Sanchez has had a miserable 18-month spell at United - managing just five goals in all competitions since his move from Arsenal - and has been desperate to follow Romelu Lukaku to the San Siro in order to resurrect his career.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Inter and United will put the finishing touches on the move on Wednesday morning and Sanchez will then fly to Milan to undergo a medical.

It's understood Inter will pay €5million of Sanchez's €12m wages. However, Antonio Conte's side have no option to buy the Chile international at the end of the season.

Sanchez will arrive at Inter with Cristiano Biraghi who is completing a switch from Fiorentina this summer.

Following United's defeat to Crystal Palace, Solskjaer admitted Sanchez could leave if Inter made a suitable offer before the European transfer deadline on September 2.

'Alexis is a quality player, of course he is,' the Norwegian said.

'We don't have loads of options. If there is an offer that is good enough for the club and for him maybe he'll go.

'If not, he's still our player and he's a quality player.

'He's been training well, as I said before, there's no doubt about his quality either. So let's see.'

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Saturday, 31 August 2019

– ‘It was a plus last week’ –

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