Diego Simeone retains huge respect from Atletico Madrid’s tight-knit squad and experienced striker Fernando Torres hopes the head coach remains in his post for some time.

Simeone cast doubt on his long-term future with Atleti by shortening his contract in the aftermath of the sapping shoot-out loss to Real Madrid in the 2016 Champions League final.

It means the 47-year-old’s contract now expires at the end of the forthcoming campaign – Atletico’s first at their new Wanda Metropolitano home – as opposed to in 2020.

Nevertheless, Torres maintains his boss retains the same unflinching focus in his work that has helped the capital club become an unlikely heavyweight of European football during his tenure.

“Everybody knows what he is expecting from us, everybody,” Torres told Omnisport.

“He is very good at communicating to everybody what he wants – the tactics, about the team, about the individual, about everything.

“I think he is very happy here and he wants to stay more time, that’s very important for the players.

“Hopefully we can keep the key players, we can keep the manager and that will show everybody that we want to do better and we want more.

“He’s very intense. You remember him as a player, he’s very similar as a coach. He wants everybody to stay focused in training, in meetings, on our travels – all the time.

“He is very clever. He knows we need this intensity to be able to compete against teams who are much better than us. He is showing that the way he is training is being effective.

“We are competing with these kind of teams. All we have to do is follow him because he has shown the world he is a good leader for us.”
Torres was on target as Atletico’s battling qualities made a pre-season appearance in Munich on Tuesday, with Simeone’s men turning around a 1-0 deficit to beat Napoli 2-1 in the Audi Cup.

The 33-year-old, who is set to face former club Liverpool in Wednesday’s final at the Allianz Arena, feels it is important that competitive edge is to the fore in the opening weeks of the season so any notion of a FIFA transfer ban hindering Atleti can be laid to rest.

“We know this season is even more difficult because we have this FIFA ban that we can’t sign players,” he said.

“It is a good chance for everybody to show that the team is good enough. We were playing in the Champions League semi-final last season so we have to think that this season we can do better.

“Also in the league, it was a difficult beginning for us last season. We lost so many points we could not fight against Real Madrid and Barcelona for the league. With a better start we feel we can do even better in the league as well this season, so it’s looking good.”
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Chelsea are reportedly ready to take on Tottenham Hotspur to sign Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.

Toffees manager Ronald Koeman recently confirmed that the England international will leave the club this summer after rejecting a new contract.

Tottenham have been the frontrunners for the 23-year-old for some time, but it is believed that they are so far unwilling to meet Everton’s £50m price tag.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Chelsea have turned their attention to midfield options, and Barkley is a top target as they intend to boost their quota of homegrown stars.

The player has just 12 months left on his contract at Goodison Park.
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Ajax captain Joel Veltman has signed a three-year contract extension with the Eredivisie giants.

The 25-year-old defender’s previous deal in Amsterdam was due to expire next year but he is now set to remain with his boyhood club until June 2020.

Netherlands international Veltman has made 166 appearances for Ajax and won the Eredivisie title in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

His performances during Ajax’s run to the final of the Europa League last season were reported to have attracted the attentions of Tottenham.Ajax have also signed former Feyenoord and Willem II goalkeeper Kostas Lamprou on a free transfer.

Lamprou, who played for Ajax as a junior, has agreed a one-year deal with Marcel Keizer’s side, who face Nice at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday with their Champions League qualification tie all square at 1-1.
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Paris Saint-Germain defender has slammed speculation he has been trying to convince Neymar to join the Ligue 1 club from Barcelona.

There has been widespread speculation the Brazil superstar has agreed to join PSG in a stunning world-record €222million deal.

A fan event involving Neymar in Shanghai has been cancelled, with a travel company confirming the 25-year-old and his entourage are busy with “transfer issues”.

Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic has unsurprisingly said that Neymar’s team-mates want him to stay at Camp Nou, claiming PSG cannot offer him the same affection, while Thiago Motta has said he will be welcomed “with open arms” at the Parc des Princes.

But Alves denied talk he has been in a tug of war with Lionel Messi for Neymar, responding to an Onda Cero tweet that suggested as such by writing: “Lies. I am not trying to convince anybody of anything.

“When I speak with him, we talk about everything but football. If he is happy, I am happy.”
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that the length of his stay at the Etihad Stadium will depend on the club’s results.

During his first season in charge, City failed to win a trophy and only finished in third place in the Premier League, but a summer spending spree has led to the North-West outfit being considered as the favourites to win the title in the upcoming campaign.

Guardiola has two years remaining on his existing contract, but he has spoken of a willingness to remain at the club past 2019 as he looks to establish the club as the biggest team in England.

The 46-year-old is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: “I will try to remain as long as possible to help, to help City keep moving forward and stay high.

“I think the club has to work and listen to the manager in the right moment, but also take their own decisions in the future. Nobody knows what will happen. For all the managers in the world it depends on the results.”

Earlier this week, City thrashed Real Madrid 4-1 in a friendly in the United States.
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Arsenal have reportedly made a breakthrough with AS Monaco regarding the signing of winger Thomas Lemar.

Since the end of last season, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been frustrated in his attempts to sign Lemar and Kylian Mbappe, but it appears that the Premier League side may have moved closer to securing the signature of one of their star men.

According to The Sun, Monaco are ready to accept an offer in the region of £45m from Arsenal, rather than insisting on the wideman remaining at Stade Louis II for at least another year.

Earlier this week, Monaco had stated that the 21-year-old would not be allowed to depart as they attempt to defend their Ligue 1 title.

In his two years with Monaco, Lemar has netted 19 goals in 80 appearances in all competitions.
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Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is desperate to see Neymar stay at Camp Nou, telling the forward he is unlikely to be as loved at another club.

Neymar is reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who are believed to be ready to activate his €222million release clause.

Barca are eager to keep the Brazil international, and Rakitic became the latest player to call on Neymar to reject the Ligue 1 club’s advances.

“We want to do important things this season and he is a key piece,” the Croatian told a news conference in Miami on Thursday.

“Footballers like Ney are not everywhere, not just as a player, but as a person. He knows he’s very important for us.

“We already know what we think. The team is like a family and we all want him to stay. Whatever he decides, you have to respect it 100 per cent.

“But as a companion and great friend, I tell him to stay with us. The affection he has here, he will not find anywhere. I hope he stays with us.”

Barca are preparing for their final International Champions Cup outing – a derby clash against Real Madrid on Saturday.It may only be a friendly, but Rakitic is hoping for a win before the teams meet again in the two-legged Supercopa de Espana in August.

“A Clasico is a Clasico. We have this game in the pre-season, and then we have to train for the two games in the Supercopa,” he said.

“And if we want to win it, we’re going to have to continue training as best we can, and it also means we have to play a good game. I really hope we can win it.”
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Jose Mourinho was pleased despite watching Manchester United suffer a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona, describing the International Champions Cup loss as “very important”.

United’s flawless pre-season came to an end on Wednesday, beaten by a first-half strike from Neymar in Landover, Maryland.

Mourinho’s men were outclassed for large periods of the match as they were condemned to their first loss in the United States but the Portuguese boss was happy post-match at FedEx Field.

“It’s very important to lose a match in pre-season. You don’t like to lose but I think it’s very important,” Mourinho told MUTV.

“I think it would be very bad for us to leave the US without a defeat, playing against teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, it would be very bad to go home with just victories. So the defeat is good.

“But I think in the game we did some very good things and we did bad things. The very good things are to keep and the bad things are to improve.

“I am very happy. No injuries because [Juan] Mata and [Ander] Herrera in this moment, I don’t think we are talking about injuries. They will be back to training I think next Saturday, no problem to be back to training, so no injuries, a fantastic atmosphere, a fantastic work ethic, great organisation. So now we just need to land safely in Manchester and this part of the pre-season was perfect.”

United made eight changes to the team that beat Real Madrid on penalties last time out, though they were virtually at full strength with David de Gea, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Victor Lindelof in the line-up.

However, the Premier League giants struggled after a promising start, with De Gea’s exploits ensuring United only trailed 1-0 at half-time.

“The first half was 1-0 but it could have been 2-2, 3-3 or 4-0. In the second half there were lots of changes but both teams were playing for a result, despite it being friendly when the result is not the most important thing. We tried to equalise, they kept the ball and possession, and defended well. Even in the second half the match was positive,” Mourinho continued.
READ Result: Bayern Munich hold on to beat Chelsea in Singapore

Mourinho added: “The attitude was good and in the second half we defended much better. I know that one thing is to defend against [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suarez and Neymar, another thing is to defend against three good players but not three of the best players in the world. But we were much more confident, we pushed the line-up, [Phil] Jones and [Eric] Bailly they pressed really high, we brought the game to their side. We arrived into dangerous positions and we could have scored.”
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Wondering why a player named Kylian Mbappe has a Nigerian root? we got you covered.

The 18-year-old striker is one of the most sought after talents in Europe, as club’s who once turned him down as an 11-year-old are fighting for his signature.

Although there were reports he could be on his way to Real Madrid, there were also reports he is about to sign a new contract at Monaco – whenever he eventually moves he would break the record fee paid for any teenager.

A recent research has however, discovered that Kylian Mbappe who is already capped for Les Bleus has a Nigerian root.

Kylian’s father, Wilfred Mbappe, who has Cameroonian and Nigerian roots, was once a refuge, who migrated to France for greener pastures. According to reports, Wilfred in a bid to get a permanent stay got married to an Algerian-French lady Fayza, an ex-handball player.

Kylian was given a Yoruba middle name Adesanmi meaning “crown has favoured me” by Wilfred, who also adopted a son, Jirès Kembo Ekoko, a professional footballer of Congolese descent, but has a biological son and younger brother of Kylian named Adeyemi Mbappe, in recognition of his Nigerian roots.

Adeyemi is a Yoruba name meaning “the crown fits you.” Indeed, Adeyemi is the reason why Kylian celebrates his goals by posing with his arms crossed and thumbs up.

“This is how my younger brother celebrated when he beat me in the FIFA video game,” said Mbappe.

Wilfried works as coach at AS Bondy and he started training Kylian at the age of six. He also spends time coaching Adeyemi, while he is currently his Kylian’s agent.

Kylian Adesanmi Mbappe joins the growing list of would have been Nigerian players.
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Former AC Milan star Kaka believes the Serie A and European giants are ready to emerge from years of mediocrity following the signing of Leonardo Bonucci.

Kaka inspired Milan to Serie A and Champions League glory during his time at San Siro between 2003 and 2009, but the historic club have fallen on tough times in recent years, finishing eighth, 10th, seventh and sixth respectively in the last four seasons.

Not since 2010-11 have Milan claimed the Scudetto, watching helplessly from outside the top four as rivals Juventus dominate Italian football.

But bankrolled by new Chinese investment, Milan are daring to dream again following an extensive off-season overhaul of the squad, which has included the signing of Andre Silva, Lucas Biglia, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mateo Musacchio, Andrea Conte, Franck Kessie and Fabio Borini.

One arrival stands out from the rest, however, after Milan prised Italy international defender Bonucci away from reigning champions Juventus, and 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Kaka is excited.

I ragazzi sono tornati ad allenarsi a Milanello! Si avvicina la sfida contro il @CSUCOfficial ⤵️https:///g92KmUKBrE

— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 24, 2017
“I think [this is the resurgence of Milan],” Kaka, who is now the captain of MLS outfit Orlando City, told Omnisport.

“Bonucci is amazing. A very good player. He is young but [at] the same time very experienced.

“He can manage the defensive system of Milan and he can organise them. He will be one of the pillars of the team.

“I think and I hope this is the right time for the giant to come back and we will see Milan fighting for the best players in Italy and Europe.”

After wrapping up their International Champions Cup campaign with a 4-0 drubbing of Bayern Munich, Milan’s competitive season gets underway on Thursday as they do battle with Romania’s CS U Craiova in Europa League qualifying.
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Watford and Hull City are reportedly interested in signing out-of-favour winger Lazar Markovic from Liverpool this summer.

Markovic has been told that he is free to leave Anfield having spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City, where he scored two goals in 14 appearances.

The relegated Tigers are thought to be interested in making the move permanent, but will face competition from Watford.

The Hornets are now managed by Marco Silva, who took Markovic to the KCOM Stadium, while his successor at Hull Leonid Slutsky reportedly sees the Serbian as an ideal replacement for Ahmed Elmohamady.

Liverpool are understood to have put an £8m asking price on the 23-year-old winger, representing a major loss on the £21m they spent on him in 2014.

Markovic made just 19 Premier League appearances for the Reds before being sent out on loan to Fenerbahce and Sporting Lisbon in addition to his brief spell at Hull.
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Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema this summer should the European champions sign Kylian Mbappe.

Speculation has surfaced suggesting that Los Blancos are closing in on a world-record £161m bid for the AS Monaco teenager, although Monaco themselves are reported to have denied the rumours.

Madrid are understood to be leading the race for the 18-year-old, though, and should he complete a move to the Bernabeu then it is likely to threaten Benzema’s place in the starting lineup.

Don Balon reports that Liverpool are monitoring the situation and could swoop for the France international should he become available.

Benzema has been linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal in the past, and the Gunners are also said to hold a continued interest in the striker – although their purchase of Alexandre Lacazette is likely to see them stay out of the race.

Benzema has scored 180 goals in 365 appearances during his eight-year stay in the Spanish capital.
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Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made an improved second offer of £44m for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez after seeing their initial bid knocked back.

The Parisians are said to have tabled £35m earlier this month, which the Gunners were quick to knock back as they are reluctant to sell their prized asset.

Sanchez is into the final year of his Emirates Stadium deal and has showed little intention of extending those terms, leaving Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger with a tough choice to make should a large offer be made.

According to France Football, Ligue 1 giants PSG have tested Arsenal’s resolve for a second time by offering £44m, although that it also likely to be rejected.

Chile international Sanchez, due to resume Arsenal training this week after an extended break, played a direct part in 43 goals in all competitions last season – 30 of his own and 13 assists.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that Olivier Giroud “fancies the competition” of battling countryman Alexandre Lacazette for a starting spot next season.

The 30-year-old hinted at the start of the summer transfer window that he is open to leaving the Emirates Stadium due to a lack of first-team chances last term, when starting just 11 times in the Premier League.

Giroud’s hopes of playing more regular football next season have been hit by the arrival of club-record signing of Lacazette from Lyon earlier this month, likely seeing him behind his compatriot and Alexis Sanchez in the pecking order.

Everton, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham United have all been linked with Giroud of late, but Wenger believes that the French striker wants to stay and fight for his place.

“Giroud fancies the competition. As a manager, you have him on your back, wanting to play,” he told reporters. “He fights hard, you know. I like the way he responds to what’s happening. He is focused and determined and showed that on the [pre-season] tour.”

Giroud has scored 98 goals in 226 appearances for Arsenal, including 69 in 164 in the Premier League.
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Fiorentina winger Federico Bernardeschi has attended a medical at Juventus ahead of a proposed transfer to the Serie A champions.

Juve are expected to pay €40million for the Italy international, whose exit from Stadio Artemio Franchi had appeared likely as speculation over his future intensified.

The 23-year-old pulled out of a Fiorentina training camp last week, complaining of what the club called “acute gastroenteritis”.

And La Viola’s sporting director Pantaleo Corvino confirmed earlier this month that Bernardeschi had turned down their offer of a new, improved contract.

Welcome to #JMedical, @fbernardeschi! pic.twitter.com/9Dv3bCDUmF

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) July 24, 2017
The forward, who scored 11 goals in Serie A last season and had previously been linked with Inter, Manchester United and Chelsea, will add to coach Massimiliano Allegri’s attacking options after the loan signing of Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich.

Juve have also brought in Juan Cuadrado and Medhi Benatia on a permanent basis after successful loans, while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and full-back Mattia De Sciglio have arrived from Arsenal and AC Milan respectively.

Let the medical begin pic.twitter.com/Lk8GdA6Iw6

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) July 24, 2017
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David de Gea showed Real Madrid what they are missing by playing the hero act for Manchester United as they won 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 International Champions Cup draw in California on Sunday.

The Spain international, a long-time reported target of the Champions League winners, saved spot-kicks from Mateo Kovacic and Oscar before Casemiro hit the crossbar with his shoot-out kick – having scored from 12 yards in normal time – to hand United victory.

United took the lead shortly before half-time thanks to a sensational piece of play from Anthony Martial, the forward jinking away from Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez to give Jesse Lingard the simplest of finishes at the back post.

Casemiro levelled from the penalty spot after Victor Lindelof could only stop a rampaging Theo Hernandez by crashing into him before the Brazilian missed the decisive penalty in a poor shoot-out.

United remain unbeaten in the four matches they have played on their tour of the United States after holding off Madrid in searing temperatures, while the first pre-season match for Zinedine Zidane’s men ended in defeat.

The clubs will soon clash again as Madrid face United in the UEFA Super Cup in Skopje next month.
Lingard was one of two players retained from the United team that beat Manchester City 2-0 on Thursday and he had the first attempt with a shot Keylor Navas had to beat away.

In the stifling Santa Clara heat, the game was played at little more than walking pace, and Lingard bent a 20-yard effort narrowly wide after 40 minutes with Navas well beaten as both teams continued to struggle for attacking momentum at Levi’s Stadium.

But in the first minute of stoppage time, a moment of Martial magic provided the opener.

Brilliant skill from the Frenchman saw him cut inside off the left and evade three Madrid defenders before pulling back a precise low cross that Lingard tapped in from close range.
Zidane changed his entire XI at the interval while Mourinho made eight substitutions including introducing Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba, with Ander Herrera forced off through injury after just five minutes of the second half.

Madrid were handed a glorious chance to level the scores after 68 minutes when a dreadful Lindelof challenge on Hernandez resulted in a penalty.

Casemiro stepped up to smash the spot-kick past De Gea and more penalties were required to find a winner with neither side making a breakthrough after Marouane Fellaini wasted a golden chance with seven minutes to play.
Martial blazed the first kick well over the crossbar before De Gea saved from Kovacic and Kiko Casilla denied Scott McTominay.

De Gea’s save from Oscar allowed Henrikh Mkhitaryan to nudge United ahead but Madrid responded through Luismi Quezado before Lindelof hit his kick straight at Casilla and Hernandez scuffed wide.

Daley Blind converted his kick to pile the pressure on Casemiro, with the Brazilian thudding his effort against the bar to continue United’s fine run in pre-season.
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Barcelona star Neymar’s arrival could turn Paris Saint-Germain into a great European club but the Ligue 1 giants need time to win the Champions League, Laurent Blanc said.

Neymar is reportedly a major target for PSG, who are believed to be willing to meet his €222million release clause.

Blanc, who was in charge at PSG from 2013-16, believes signing the Brazil star would take his former club to another level, but warned it was no guarantee of success in Europe.

“Paris want to become a great European club. It is a club that has incredible economic potential,” he told Italian media, via RMC Sport.

“With a player of Neymar’s level, PSG could become this great club in Europe in the future.

“The Champions League with him or with other players takes time. It is not a competition you win only by spending millions. Football doesn’t work like that. A club needs stability.

“PSG grew very quickly, it is a club that has become important and will one day win the Champions League.”

Neymar showed again what he is capable of by scoring a brilliant brace in a 2-1 win for Barca over Juventus at the International Champions Cup on Saturday.
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Rangers International FC and the club Secretary, Elder Joseph Onwukwe have been charged with infractions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Rules and Framework in the course of mediation proceedings in the dispute between the club and its former coach, Imama Amapakabo.

The League Management Company (LMC) has subsequently levied sanctions on the club and the official with Rangers fined N5m and Onwukwe banned from all NPFL activities for a period of one year.

The LMC also directed Rangers to pay the sacked Coach various sums including N14,560,000 representing his salaries for April to October 2017 and compensation for wrongful termination, N1,600,000 representing his salary for November and December 2016, N600,000 which represents arrears of allowances and bonuses and $725 which is international travel allowance owed Amapakabo.

The club secretary, Elder Joseph Onwukwe, was also charged for the manner in which he handled the Amapakabo saga.
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CLICK THE LINK AND GET IT:https://www.sportlineng.com/2017/07/21/114736/


REMEMBER ME IN UR FLEXING KINGDOM O

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is adamant Philippe Coutinho is not for sale after Barcelona reportedly launched an €80million bid for the Brazil midfielder.

The Premier League club are understood to have rejected Barca’s pitch for the 25-year-old, who has been seemingly earmarked as a potential long-term successor to the great Andres Iniesta at Camp Nou.

Coutinho committed his future to Liverpool by penning a five-year contract this year and, speaking at a news conference ahead of the Premier League Asia Trophy final against Leicester City in Hong Kong, Klopp was reluctant to entertain the prospect of one of his key men departing less than a month before the 2017-18 season kicks off.

“I have nothing to say about this,” he said. “Yes [Coutinho is not for sale]. He’s still young and can still improve a lot.

“I’m not surprised that any club is interested in players at Liverpool. We are not a selling club.

“We want to make the next step together and for that we need to stay together.”

Coutinho’s main creative ally in Klopp’s Liverpool line-up, England international Adam Lallana, believes his team-mate is happy on Merseyside – even if he does possess the quality to shine on Barcelona’s grand stage.

“He’s a fantastic player,” Lallana said. “It’s not a surprise that teams are interested in him. He’s definitely happy here.

“Philippe is in that elite bracket. There’s no reason why he can’t achieve huge things here at Liverpool.”
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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is desperate for reinforcements, even if it only means signing one player as the Premier League season looms large.

At the end of 2016-17, Mourinho revealed he wanted four new players, but Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof are the only arrivals so far.

United have been heavily linked with Inter winger Ivan Perisic, Tottenham utility Eric Dier and Nemanja Matic, while Paris Saint-Germain full-back Serge Aurier has emerged as a possible target.

Asked about United’s transfer plans following Thursday’s 2-0 International Champions Cup win over Manchester City in Houston, Mourinho said: “I don’t know, I don’t know. I’m not in control of that, the credit of Lukaku, Lindelof to be here on time, the credit is not mine, it’s Ed Woodward and I thank him for that fantastic work to bring us two very important players for us.

“But we need a bit more and when you see the other teams in the Premier League, the way they get players and good players and you see the champion to buy three fantastic experienced players, City go to the market, Liverpool and West Ham get Joe Hart, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez] and [Marko] Arnautovic, West Ham wow, they play to win the Premier League too so the teams are fantastic in the market and I’m waiting for a bit more.”
Lukaku and Lindelof both impressed in the derby win against City in the United States.

Belgium striker Lukaku, who joined from Everton, made it two goals in as many matches after breaking the deadlock before Marcus Rashford doubled the lead minutes later.

Lindelof – an arrival from Portuguese champions Benfica – was also assured in defence against Sergio Aguero and others.

Mourinho continued: “When I look to the team and Lukaku, Lindelof, I would like my squad to be here, my whole squad, if you manage to get one more player – I’m not even crying for two – if we get one player as soon as possible.

“Because we can see Lindelof is in a team, Lukaku is in a team, the understanding between the players, the Paul [Pogba] pass, the way Lukaku holds the ball.

“But the preparation is fantastic.”
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Roma have signed striker Gregoire Defrel from Sassuolo in a deal that could rise to be worth €18million.

The 26-year-old French forward joins Roma on an initial loan from Sassuolo – where he scored 23 goals in 73 appearances under new Giallorossi boss Eusebio Di Francesco – and has agreed a five-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico running until June 2022.

Roma will pay Sassuolo €5m loan fee for 2017-18, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent for €15m, should certain sporting targets be met.

Further performance-related payments worth up to an additional €3m could also be paid depending on Defrel’s and Roma’s achievements over the course of the contract.
“It means a lot to me to be able to play for Roma,” Defrel said. “I’m going to be part of a very strong group, one of the best teams in Italy.

“I’m delighted to be here and I will give my all for the team.”

Defrel is Roma’s second signing from Sassuolo since Di Francesco agreed to become Luciano Spalletti’s successor in the capital after the club exercised a buyback clause to sign midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini last month.

“I’m really happy to finally have Gregoire in our squad,” said Roma’s sporting director Monchi. “He was a priority for us because he is exactly the type of striker we were looking for.”

“He can play in three different positions, he’s quick, he plays for the team, he gives us depth and he has a great nose for goal.”
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Torino vs Olginatese———————————–home win

CLICK DIS LINK FOR D REST GAMEShttps://www.sportlineng.com/2017/07/20/114532/

N’Golo Kante says Chelsea must add more trophies to their Premier League crown if they are to view the coming season as a success.

Antonio Conte’s team swept to a dominant title success last term, winning 13 games on the spin to take control of the league before cantering to success.

Kante lifted the Premier League trophy for a second year, having inspired Leicester City’s incredible title tilt the previous season before making a £30million move to Stamford Bridge.

With a return to the Champions League in view, and having lost last season’s FA Cup final to Arsenal, Kante says one piece of silverware will not do in 2017-18.

“Football is like this: after every game you have to do better in the next and the [upcoming] season is the same,” he said. “After last season we have to start in the same way and try to do better.

“We are looking to do a better season together and we know at a club like Chelsea a good season means to win titles. So we will try to win some titles. Win, win, win. We will fight for everything.

“We will fight against good teams. So it is going to be difficult. But we will try to win everything we play in.”

Kante’s desire to progress extends to his own game, despite being named Player of the Year by the PFA, FWA and Premier League last term.

“I can always improve,” he said. “Maybe score more goals and more assists, always help the team the best I can.

“Sometimes I can help the team to score, to make the last pass or to get more chances and try to score. Maybe I can do this more often.”

Only Tottenham managed to hold a candle to Conte’s dominant side last term, but Kante believes the Blues’ rivals will be revitalised in what is already shaping up to be a record-breaking transfer window.

Kante said: “We see what the other clubs are doing. Things will change from last season.

“It’s easy to say who will be in the top six. Anything can happen in the Premier League, but the top six will be a very good fight for the title.”
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Sampdoria have reportedly offered Arsenal £7.5m for midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The England international’s career has stuttered over recent seasons due to long-term injury woes, but he had a sustained period of play while on loan at Bournemouth.

During the 2016-17 campaign, the 25-year-old started 22 Premier League games, but his spell at the Vitality Stadium came to a disappointing end when he fractured a bone in his leg.

Despite Wilshere’s injury record, Sampdoria are keen to take him on and have offered the Gunners £6m up front, with £1.5m in add-ons, according to the Daily Mail.

The midfielder has made 159 appearances for Arsenal since breaking through the academy in the 2008-09 season.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reiterated that the club have no intention of signing Alexis Sanchez this summer.

The transfer saga involving the Chile international continues, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain being linked with his signature.

PSG are believed to be leading the race for Sanchez after he publicly admitted that he wants to play Champions League football.

Arsenal will be competing in the second tiered Europa League this season, but Wenger has claimed that they can get back to the elite competition with Sanchez’s help.

“The decision has been made and we will stick to that. The decision is not to sell,” The Mirror quotes Wenger as saying. “I don’t give too much importance to things that are translated, you know. The whole interview that I got didn’t really mean that.

“The main focus for us is to concentrate on the Premier League and the Premier League for me today is more important than the Champions League. We rested sometimes players in the Group stages of the Champions League for the Premier League so that’s become the biggest importance for us.

“For the rest, we played 20 years in the Champions League, that’s 17 years before Sanchez arrived and three years with him so he can get us back in there.”

Sanchez’s current contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the upcoming season.
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Chelsea’s main target in their hunt for a striker is reportedly Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, despite rumours that the club are serious about a move for Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero.

Antonio Conte is believed to be in the market for a new goalscorer due to Diego Costa’s likely departure from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Speculation surrounding a swoop for Morata intensified after their former striker Romelu Lukaku opted to join Manchester United rather than return to West London.

Torino forward Andrea Belotti and Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have also been linked to the Blues, but according to the Daily Mail, Morata remains the club’s top target.

Their pursuit of the Spaniard has been made difficult by AC Milan, who have also reportedly put the 24-year-old at the top of their wishlist.

Media in Italy have claimed that Morata is open to signing for the Serie A giants.
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Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has insisted that the club have not received any bids for winger Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian international revealed in May that he has asked to leave the former Premier League champions.

Roma were rumoured to have had a £20m bid rejected by the Foxes, but Shakespeare has claimed that no official bids have been tabled.

“Riyad stated his position very clearly,” Shakespeare told reporters in a press conference in Hong Kong. “Mine is really simple; while he is here and while we have had no bids – and we haven’t had any bids, it’s all been speculation – he has to be committed to the football club.

“And I have to say, in the two weeks he’s been back he’s been totally committed and really trained well. Outgoings are inevitable at any football club but until there’s a bid for your player there’s no decision to be made.”

Recent reports have claimed that Mahrez has not yet agreed to join Roma because he is holding out for a move to Arsenal.
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Lucas Leiva is set to end a decade-long stay at Liverpool by joining Serie A side Lazio.

Former Brazil midfielder Lucas arrived in Rome on Sunday to conclude a move to the Stadio Olimpico.

He was greeted by a group of Lazio fans at the airport and the club posted a picture of the 30-year-old holding a club scarf on their official Twitter page.

After moving to Anfield from Gremio in his homeland in 2007, Lucas made 346 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring seven times and winning the 2011-12 League Cup.
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Germany defender Antonio Rudiger believes he is stepping up to a new level at Chelsea and is relishing working under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger joined the reigning Premier League champions from Roma in a deal that could rise to be worth £34million, shortly after making four appearances in Germany’s triumphant Confederations Cup campaign.

Chelsea will depart for their pre-season tour in China on Monday, while Rudiger is looking forward to getting acquainted with new team-mates such as Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso – players whose improvements in Conte’s wing-back system last season showcased the Italian’s prowess as a coach.

“Not to be disrespectful but we speak about Roma and Chelsea… Chelsea is a big club,” the 24-year-old said at a promotional event in Tokyo.

“Roma is a big club too, in Italy, but I think Chelsea is a different level and of course the biggest reason [for his move] was the coach, Antonio Conte.

“I played in Italy and I spoke with a couple of team-mates – for example [Daniele] De Rossi – and he told me a lot about Antonio Conte and [his quality] is visible.

“You saw it last season, in the seasons before at Juventus and with Italy as national coach. He is a fantastic coach because he has improved a lot of players like Alonso and Moses – they played a great, great season.

“That’s why I thought, ‘I want to be part of that’.”Rudiger’s physically imposing style is expected to be well-suited to the Premier League, but the centre-back is taking nothing for granted.

“I can’t say anything because I have not played in the Premier League,” he added. “We will see when I play my first game. But, from the television, it’s a fast game, a physical game.”
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Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s brace and Daniel Amokachi goal ensured Nigeria start their legends tournament campaign at the London O2 Arena with a 3-2 victory over China.

Nigeria survived a late scare to defeat China 3-2, before the night was ended by Brazil’s exciting 2-1 win over Italy.

The Nigeria legendary side was captained by former Bolton and PSG midfielder Jay Jay Okocha while the likes of Daniel Amokachi, Celestine Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Taribo West, Uche Okcechukwu, Peter Rufai, Julius Aghahowa, Joseph Yobo, and Victor Ikpeba made up the squad.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored a quick double before Daniel Amokachi made it three for Nigeria but a lack of concentration and tiredness almost allowed China back into the game as they scored two late goals.

Ever-green Okocha lit the O2 Arean with his skills, he set up Yakubu’s second goal while Yakubu also provided the assist for Daniel Amokachi’s sweet goal.

Up next for Nigeria is a tie against Italy in what could give Rufia, Okocha and Amokachi the chance to repay Italy of what they did to them in the 2nd round of USA 1994 world cup.

In other games played yesterday, England lost 4-1 to Spain, Scotland beat Mexico 3-1, Portugal suffered a shock defeat to Denmark, going down 6-4 before German edged out France 4-3, with Ballack on the scoresheet.
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