INIESTA SAYS HE’S STILL ADAPTING TO LIFE IN JAPAN

Japan boasts of excellent and mouthwatering cuisines and a colour-laden, vast culture, it’s easy to fall in love with the Asian continent, and Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta, like every newcomer has confessed his love and that he’s already drawn to the Japanese culture and norms.

Though he’s enveloped in the beauty of the Asian continent, it is impossible not to spot out that the former Barcelona midfielder is yet to settle down at new Japanese club Vissel Kobe.
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CHELSEA TO PLAY LIVERPOOL TWICE IN FOUR DAYS IN SEPTEMBER

Premier League side Chelsea would clash with fierce rivals Liverpool twice within a few days in September.The Blues are currently doing very well under new manager Maurizio Sarri. They have won all three games so far in the league and are geared to do more as they find that balance for the season.

They face Bournemouth on Saturday and then league new boys Cardiff City on 15th of the new month, both home games. Chelsea play struggling West Ham United side away on the 23rdahead of their back to back meetings against the current leaders of the Premier League log.
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We Are Ready To Host 2021 Afcon – Ouattara

The President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara has declared that his country is ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2021. The first gentleman of the West African country during a media interaction insisted they are fully prepared and are capable of hosting the tournament.

Ouattara equally made it known that they were putting appropriate logistics in place in order to meet and satisfy the requirements. Confederation of African Football (CAF) had earlier announced that the date for African Cup of Nationshas been changed from January and February to June and July, and also the number of participants has been increased from 16 countries to 24 countries.

Cameroon are the next and are ready to host the coming edition of the bi-annual tournament. In an attempt to respond to media speculation that the 2019 hosts may not be ready to accommodate the visitors and cope with the bigger tournament, Ouattara told reporters that his country will have everything in place for 2021 version of the tournament.

“We are very much aware of the decision to increase the number of participating teams and also the change in the usually date, in every situation, Ivory Coast has the necessary infrastructure to host the tournament,” the president said. “Some days ago, we staged the Jeux de la Francophonie with 4,000 athletes from 54 countries. So, Ivory Coast has the infrastructure and in any case, we will continue up to 2021,making available the necessary infrastructure to stage the final tournament.”

The 2021 tournament will be the first time Ivory Coast will have staged African football’s showpiece event since 1984 which is the reason Alassane Ouattara is more convinced his country can do it, as Guinea have already been nominated as the 2023 hosts.

EDEN HAZARD IMPRESS AS CHELSEA DEFEAT HUDDERSFIELD

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard was in superb form as the Blues beat Huddersfield on Tuesday. Following the shock loss to West Ham on Saturday, the team responded very well as they returned to winning ways.

Antonio Conte admitted that the Premier League race was over as Manchester City widened the gap to 14 points. The Italian manager was widely condemned for such statement especially as the season was yet to reach halfway. It seems Stamford Bridge is merely seeking a top four finish this term, and possibly any other domestic title. In Europe, they have been drawn against Barcelona and it seems like the end of the road already.
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COSTA ACCUSES CHELSEA OF SABOTAGING ATLETICO MOVE

In a series of recent outbursts that paints frustration in its graphic form, outlaw Diego Costa says Chelsea are deliberately raising the benchmark of his transfer fee in a bid to trigger disinterest from the only club he pressed to end up at – Atletico.


The 28-year old says his contribution at the club is enough to make Chelsea reconsider making it difficult to move to the team of his heart desires. He also admitted that he might look into the possibility of moving to another side if Diego Simeone’s paymasters do not march Chelsea’s asking price.

Diego has spent much of his time in exile reiterating that he will only consider a move to the La Liga side, however, in his latest interview granted at his home in Brazilian town of Largato, the out-of-favour forward admitted for the first time that he might be open to any move that takes him far away from Stamford Bridge. Perhaps at this rate of beyond-the-Rubicon damaged relationships, he might even consider MLS Football.

“I’ve demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them,” he began. “But if Atletico and Chelsea don’t come to an agreement and Atletico don’t make a big effort, I can’t keep on wanting to play for a club that isn’t going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me,” he added. Continue reading COSTA ACCUSES CHELSEA OF SABOTAGING ATLETICO MOVE

BALLOTELLI TO DORTMUND BETTER BE A JOKE

Borussia Dortmund, like Atletico Madrid, is one of the few teams in Europe or that have had the privilege of housing“classic” strikers within their ranks; strikers that deliver both in tactical roles as well as important goals.


Lewandoski started out there during Jurgen Klopp’sreignas the Pole was not shy to show what he could do with his frame and his keen goal poaching sense. It wasn’t long before perennial bundesliga star-poachers him to Munich. That marriage has by the way yielded 77 goals in 96competitive matches over the course of 3 seasons.

The Borussen were however – after initially struggling to fill the hole left behind by the six foot one – able to landShaktarDonesk’sAubameyang. The Gabonese turned out to be another world class poacher in his own right and even topped this season’s bundesliga goal scoring chart with another former Borussia Dortmund player not too far behind in the second spot – Lewandoski. Continue reading BALLOTELLI TO DORTMUND BETTER BE A JOKE

Antonio Conte claims Eden Hazard long association with Chelsea

Antonio Conte reckons that Eden Hazard will probably not end his association with Chelsea as he finds a lot of comfort at the club and also in the city where he is well settled now with his wife and kids.


But, Conte, at the same time, refuses to assure anything to the media because of the funny nature of the soccer world where the mind and heart of people can change very quickly especially when it comes to transfer matters.

Also Conte hints that he does not have the full authority to make the calls regarding the transfer of big players like Hazard and that authority actually lies in the hands of the Chelsea bigwigs.

As per Conte, he can only convey his opinion to the top and then it depends on them what they do, but, he believes Hazard’s sale is not something that the hierarchy is considering at all right now.

The hierarchy actually intends to strengthen the squad even further and will be adding more quality to the squad next summer as they aim to contend for the title in all the tournaments they take part in. Continue reading Antonio Conte claims Eden Hazard long association with Chelsea

BOJAN KIRKIC NEARS STOKE CITY EXIT

Spanish international, Bojan Kirkic has told his football club Stoke City he wants to leave in this summer transfer window.


Bojan, who has become unsettled at the Bet365 Stadium wants a move away should the right offer comes in for him.

The 26-year-old front man was not in the Potters’ squad for last weekend’s 3-1 win away to Sunderland having complained about some mild hip discomfort to manager, Mark Hughes.

Hughes having restated his desire to keep the forward, signed from Barcelona for £3 million in the summer of 2014, has told him he is still a key part of his plans. He assured Bojan of more game time after a meeting with his representatives, It is understood that Stoke value at around £12 million. Continue reading BOJAN KIRKIC NEARS STOKE CITY EXIT

CONTE: HAZARD’S INJURY NOT SERIOUS

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed that the injury playmaker Eden Hazard sustained was not a serious one.


The Belgium international was sidelined in the clash with Sunderland in the Premier League. The forward did not travel with the club to the Stadium of Light for the game but he is expected to make a return when Chelsea continue their winning streak against Crystal Palace this weekend.

“I don’t think so,” Conte said when asked if the injury was one that was long term. Conte said Hazard could not just feature for the Sunderland clash after his injury in the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Hazard played 79 minutes but had to be replaced by Branislav Ivanovic in the game played at Stamford Bridge.

Brazilian forward Willian is set to start in place for Hazard against Palace. Out-of-favour Cesc Fabregas played when Chelsea faced David Moyes’ men. The Spaniard replaced Nemanja Matic while Kurt Zouma returned to the squad after a long-term injury. Zouma did not feature but making the bench is a big boost for the player after many months out. Continue reading CONTE: HAZARD’S INJURY NOT SERIOUS

Hazard back in form

Eden Hazard has recovered his good form under Antonio Conte.


The Belgium international is back to his best, and this can be clearly seen on the pitch. Eden Hazard has been far from his good form last season where he enjoyed his poorest season in the Premier League. He was far from the player that was voted PFA Player of the Year.

However, it appears that the player has managed to recover under the Italian manager and seems to be playing better on the pitch. According to some pundits, this is mainly to the change of formation that has been carried out by the Italian manager.

Indeed, Eden Hazard is given more freedom in the new 3-4-3 formation that is favored by Antonio Conte. This means that the playmaker is free to play on the wings or more centrally where he can influence the play better. Eden Hazard is also more open to shooting on goals, and this has resulted in four goals this season. This is not bad especially when you know that the player only managed four goals for the whole of last campaign.
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