Daily Archives: July 29, 2019

Everton shift attention to another Chelsea star

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Reports in England claim Everton are planning to acquire the services of Chelsea defence ace Fikayo Tomori on loan.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Derby where he achieved promotion under Frank Lampard, who is now in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Toffees are obviously losing hope of re-signing Kurt Zouma from the London club as Lampard has clearly declared that the Frenchman is in his plan for the season.

It is therefore not surprising that the Goodison Park side are, according to Sky Sports, considering England U21 international Tomori instead.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Derby where he achieved promotion under Frank Lampard, who is now in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Tomori is a product of the Chelsea academy and, having also spent time on loan at Brighton and Hull in the Championship, looks set for his first full season in the Premier League.

Barcelona President reveals club’s plan after Lionel Messi retires from Nou Camp

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Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club are already planning ahead of post-Lionel Messi era.

And although there is no suggestion 32-year-old Messi is set to hang up his boots anytime soon, Bartomeu says the club have ‘an obligation’ to minimise the loss when he does.

The Argentine star has been a fixture in the club’s attack for the past 14 seasons but celebrated his 32nd birthday last month and thoughts may now be turning to the future of the club behind him.

“I think our obligation is to work in the post-Messi era,” Bartomeu explained to reporters, as cited by Diario AS.

“We are already thinking about that because we are bringing new players. As president I hope that Leo is still with us for many years but we have to think about this change for when he decides to stop playing.”

The Argentine forward remains the central point of the club’s attack and despite prolonged investment over the years, is widely regarded as the world’s most valuable player, report Football Espana.

Messi has netted 603 goals across 687 first-team appearances for the Blaugrana and has won 34 trophies at his time with the club, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.

Frank Lampard gives update on Callum Hudson-Odoi contract talks with Chelsea

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Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has disclosed that club’s starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi is yet to sign a new deal with Chelsea, but admits talks have moved on “very well”.

There were reports last week that the youngster had agreed a new contract with the Stamford Bridge club throwing their supporters into frenzy.

Lampard has downplayed such contract agreements, but assured there is hope at the end of the tunnel.

His words: “I think agreed would mean signed so we’re not quite there but what’s very clear is the club are working towards that,” Lampard said. “Talks moved on very well in the last week or two but it’s not done yet.

“The one thing that’s clear to me is I want to keep him here. He’s a player we cherish.

“Players who come through the academy are the present and the future of the club so we’re doing everything we can to get there. I hope it’s news to be confirmed soon.”

During the talks, Hudson-Odoi’s representatives are said to have requested for the club’s No.10, as part of their prayers, for the player.

His is expected to sign five-year deal, which will be worth £180,000 a week.

And on the ruptured Achilles’ tendon injury, Lampard stated that Hudson-Odoi’s progress is encouraging, assuring Blues faithful that he might even be back with the first team soon.

“He’s not training with us yet but the injury is coming on well,” Lampard added.

“Ahead of schedule I get scared of saying but from the first diagnosis he’s ahead of schedule.”

Romelu Lukaku puts pressure on Manchester United over Serie A move

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Manchester United Romelu Lukaku has reportedly ‘begged’ Manchester United to lower his asking price so he can join Inter Milan.

Both Juventus and Inter Milan are keen to acquire the services of the Belgian international this summer. But the two top Serie A clubs are unable to match Manchester United asking price.

Meanwhile, the Old Lady appeared to have leapfrogged Inter in the running for the 26-year-old, even offering Paulo Dybala in exchange.

The Belgian is, however, according to the Sun is still targeting a move to Inter and has called on United to drop their £80m (€89m) valuation.

The newspaper concludes he has been given ‘four days’ to agree a deal with the Nerazzurri or Juve.

Former Real Madrid star spotted at Emirates as transfer speculation sparks Arsenal fans’ celebration

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Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has been spotted at the Emirates before Arsenal’s pre-season friendly with Lyon on Sunday – and the sighting has sent Gunners fan wild.

The former Real Madrid star has been linked with a move away from Juventus this summer, after the Serie A giants signed Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot to bolster their midfield ranks.

Juve have already got a plethora of central midfield options with Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi, Rodrigo Bentancur and Emre Can to further dump Khedira down the pecking order.

The 32-year-old has therefore been linked with a number of potential transfers, including Wolves and Arsenal, the Mirror report.

So, when the World Cup winner turned up in north London it came as little surprise that Gunners supporters were beside themselves with hope that Khedira would be the club’s newest recruit.

Frank Lampard set to show two Chelsea stars exit door after preseason assessment

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Reports in England claim Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has given his nod to the sale of Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko after his assessment of their pre-season tour to Japan.

Lampard, who can’t sign players because of a transfer ban, wanted to look at his existing squad in the Far East before deciding on their futures but now regards the £75million pair as surplus to requirements, according to the Mail Sports Online.

Drinkwater, a former Premier League champion with Leicester City, has played only 23 times for Chelsea following his £35million move in 2017. His last appearance came against Manchester City in the Community Shield last August.

Bakayoko, 24, joined from Monaco the same summer as Drinkwater but was loaned out to AC Milan last season after struggling in the Premier League.

With Lampard restricted to 17 overseas players in Chelsea’s Premier League squad, he has decided that Bakayoko can be sacrificed with Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley and N’Golo Kante better options in midfield.

Everton could move for the £40million Frenchman as a replacement for Idrissa Gueye.

Gerard Pique buys another football club

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There are reports in Spain that Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has acquired a controlling stake in Gimnàstic Manresa.

The former Spain international, through his company Kosmos, will take control of the club who will subsequently become an affiliate of FC Andorra – whom Pique officially bought in January.

Catalan outlet Nació Digital reports that the deal has been ratified by 80% of its members as cited by Marca.

That move saw Kosmos take full responsibility for the club’s debt after Andorra’s directors sanctioned the move at a general meeting, with the portfolio of clubs now growing.

Pique will now become the club’s leading shareholder while the move will ensure that Gimàstic Manresa will become a Sports Public Limited Company, report Football Espana.

FC Andorra currently compete in the Primera Catalana – the fifth level of Spanish football – but played in the third tier between 1980 and 1998, with a Copa del Rey fourth round appearance in 1991.