Trio of Manchester City stars struck down with sickness bug ahead of Premier League kick-off

Kampusbet -   Trio of Manchester City stars struck down with sickness bug ahead of Premier League kick-off 

 

 

 

 

Judi Online -   Manchester City have been given a massive fitness scare on the eve of the new season, with THREE of their biggest stars all now doubtful for the big kick off.

Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri were all forced to miss the club's traditional season-opening fans' event in Manchester, after the talented trio were sent home from training with a stomach bug.

The virus swept through the City squad, and club doctors advised Aguero and co to stay away from their teammates to stop a wider spread, with the season about to kick off.

Aguero was due to collect two awards on a night designed to preview the new season for the fans, after being voted player of the year, and also picking up the EA sports performance.

Bandar Bola -   But he was laid low by the bug which now puts his participation in the opening game on Monday night in doubt.

Aguero sent a message to supporters via videolink, saying: "Sorry I can't be there. I don't feel well but I will be back soon."

Boss Manuel Pellegrini at least has two extra days to get the trio fit after City's game was put back for TV broadcast, but he will not rush them back for fear of infecting the rest of the squad.

The Manchester club visit West Brom in the opening round of fixtures, and now the City boss is facing a selection headache as he prepares for the new season.

New West Brom striker Rickie Lambert urged to be Saido Berahino's Yoda

Kampusbet -   New West Brom striker Rickie Lambert urged to be Saido Berahino's Yoda 

 

 

 

Judi Online -  Rickie Lambert expects to form a deadly strike partnership with West Brom ace Saido Berahino after being asked to mentor the starlet.

Albion hot-shot Berahino, 21, is in demand with Spurs and Man City eyeing him after scoring 20 goals last term despite off-the-field issues.

But Baggies boss Tony Pulis is desperate to keep the forward on a new improved contract.

Pulis is hoping experienced new forward Lambert will be a big influence on Berahino after snapping him up for £3million from Liverpool.

“In Saido, we have a wonderful talent,” said Pulis. “We hope the way Rickie conducts himself and how he acts will be good for him and our other young players. You cannot have enough role models.”

Lambert, who has signed a two-year deal at Albion, has trained with Berahino previously on England duty.

And the Scouser believes they will form a lethal strike duo after being impressed with Berahino.

Lambert responded: “Definitely, he is a very sharp player, very intelligent, very quick and is a good finisher. I think me and Saido up top will be a great partnership and that is another reason why I am looking forward to being a West Brom player.”

Lambert found it impossible to turn down Liverpool a year ago when they took him from Southampton, where he scored 117 goals in 235 games.

Bandar Bola -  But the forward struggled to make an impact at boyhood club Liverpool as he only scored twice in 25 League games, 18 of which were off the bench.

He is now anxious to make up for lost time with Albion where Pulis has high hopes for the 6ft 1in targetman.

Lambert added: “I think it will be good for me and a good move for West Brom.

“I want to get back playing football and scoring goals – that is why I love football.

“I am really excited and feel like I have a lot of things to prove. I have a lot of hunger and desire to do well.”

Lambert, capped 11 times by England even believes he could regain his spot in the national team.

After a fairytale, goal-scoring debut against Scotland in August 2013, his last international was as an 80th-minute substitute in England’s 3-1 win over the same opposition in Glasgow in November.

Lambert insisted: “That is something in the future which I will never give up.

“Nobody would probably expect me to do that but you have just got to believe in yourself.

"Hopefully if I play like I did in a couple of seasons at Southampton then there’s no reason why I can’t get back in there."

Cesc Fabregas fires warning to Chelsea rivals that his best years are still to come

Kampusbet -   Cesc Fabregas fires warning to Chelsea rivals that his best years are still to come 

Judi Online -   Cesc Fabregas has fired a warning to the rest of the Premier League as the countdown starts to the new season.

He declared that Chelsea are determined to hang on to their title – and that his best years are ahead of him at Stamford Bridge.

“We have even more drive and determination than last season,” said the midfielder, 28, who had a hugely­ impressive first season at Chelsea after his £33million move from Barcelona.

“If we want to win we have to be more powerful to achieve things as other teams are progressing.

"But we are confident and the coach believes in the squad. He didn’t make many changes so that means he is happy with us and we have to prove him right.

“We have Radamel Falcao and Asmir Begovic as well as young players like Ryan Bertrand and Victor Moses.

"So we have a good squad, fresh legs. We had a good rest – no Euros, no World Cups, no nothing.”

Bandar Bola -  Manchester United were the last side to retain the title back in 2009 and Fabregas said: “That shows you it is very, very difficult to do it.

"This season Manchester United have invested very well, there is Arsenal and Manchester City as well. It is very demanding as a league and we have to be up for it.

“We know we have the quality. I can see in people’s faces the same ambition and drive as last year. I am not worried about it. I knew if that wasn’t the case the manager would change it.

“I just turned 28 which everyone says is the best age for a football player. We’ll see if that is true and I can have a good season.

“We want to do well because if you don’t do well with this manager, you don’t play.”

Filipe Luis has no Chelsea regrets despite rapid return to Atletico Madrid after one year with Blues

Kampusbet -  Filipe Luis has no Chelsea regrets despite rapid return to Atletico Madrid after one year with Blues 

 

 

 

 

Judi Online -   Filipe Luis insists he has no regrets about joining Chelsea despite quitting after just one year.

Luis sealed his £16million return to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, 12 months after making the opposite move from Spain to England. 

The left-back jumped at the chance to go back to La Liga after failing to secure regular football at Stamford Bridge.

But having helped Chelsea win the league, a year after winning the Spanish title with Atletico, he said: “I do not regret leaving (Atletico).

Bandar Bola -  “I won the Premier League. Although I have had less minutes I have been important. I am proud of the season.

“At the end of season, when the chance to return came up, I told my agent that I did not want any other option.

“It was either return to Atleti or stay at Chelsea. I am very happy after one year.

“It was a great experience, but it has emerged for me the chance to go home. I want my kids to see me play at Atletico.”

Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers feels under no greater pressure to win after £80m summer spending spree

Kampusbet -  Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers feels under no greater pressure to win after £80m summer spending spree 

 

 

 

Judi Online -  Brendan Rodgers insists he doesn’t feel under increased pressure to deliver following Liverpool’s £80million spending spree this summer.

The Reds' boss admits the torrid end to last season, which culminated in the 6-1 thrashing at Stoke, left him needing some time away.

However, Rodgers says he is now fully focused on putting his Anfield reign back on track, and has praised owners Fenway Sports Group for backing him in the transfer market.

Liverpool have made seven signings this summer with the £29million deal for Roberto Firmino followed by the £32.5million swoop for Christian Benteke.

“The pressure is no different to any other season,” Northern Irishman Rodgers said.

“When I came in, from day one, there was always pressure here to perform. This season is no different.

“There is no question that I was bitterly disappointed last season. There were a number of factors and reasons, but it doesn’t matter, we were disappointing so we have to be better.

Bandar Bola -  “The owners have been very supportive of me since the time they wanted me to be manager. I understand we need to be much better than what we were last season.

“I think it was hugely disappointing at the end of last season. For the first time I felt I needed the break.

"That week to two weeks after the end of the season was invaluable time, but if you want to improve you have to refocus very quickly.”

Rodgers believes areas of weakness from last season have been addressed with the new recruits.

“We needed to improve the squad, when you’re a top team any manager will tell you that you want to improve the club,” he said. “We have made signings and we hope they will come in and make a huge impact.

“For me the owners have been brilliant since the first day I walked in. I take nothing for granted.

“They have been great supporters of myself, they believe in my work and my job is just to work well with the team and finish as high as we can.”

Manchester United transfer target Pedro is ready to leave Barcelona, claims teammate

Kampusbet -  Manchester United transfer target Pedro is ready to leave Barcelona, claims teammate 

 

 

 

 Judi Online -   Manchester United target Pedro is ready to leave Barcelona this summer, according to team-mate Sergio Busquets.

United are chasing Barca attacker Pedro , but must activate his £22million release clause if they are to bring him to Old Trafford.

Busquets, speaking in San Francisco ahead of Barca's game with United on Saturday, said he had spoken to Pedro about his future and hinted his team-mate wants to play more regularly.

“Yes, I have spoken to him but I won't tell you what he said,” said Busquets. “It was a private conversation. I would want him to stay, I would love him to stay.

“He's a friend of mine and it will be his final decision. He wants to play more and get more minutes. 

That's what he wants. “But we are in a team of great players and it's hard for him. Finally, it will be his decision, but I hope he stays.”

Pedro is unlikely to play regularly for Barca next season, with only injury or enforced rest likely to break up their formidable front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

With Euro 2016 at the end of next season, Pedro is desperate for regular football to ensure he remains in the picture from Spain, and United would be able to offer him just that.

United boss Louis van Gaal is an admirer of Pedro's versatility and plans to play 4-3-3 next season, a formation that would suit the 27-year-old, who can operate in a wide role as part of a front three.

Bandar Bola -  The Spaniard's arrival would likely herald the end of Angel Di Maria's time at Old Trafford, with the Argentine in talks with Paris Saint-Germain.

Busquets, who faced United in two Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, with Barca winning both, admitted Louis van Gaal's side were in a period of transition.

Asked if United could still be considered a threat in the Champions League next season - if they make it through their qualifier to the group stage - Busquets said:

"They are a big club."

"Last year - and maybe still this year - they have been a team under construction.

"They have new players and a relatively new coach.

"They will need time but they are still competitive. We will see what happens in the future."

United could be drawn in the same group as Barcelona if they make it through their Champions League qualifier, a prospect Busquets admitted could make things tough for Luis Enrique's side.

"United is a big club, a huge club, with really good players, now they have made some additions to the team," said Busquets.

"They can win the Champions League with their new players, so I'm relatively worried [at facing them].

"I've always seen Old Trafford on the TV and I would love to play there one day."

MLS wages: Steven Gerrard earns more than Frank Lampard and THREE times as much as Andrea Pirlo

Kampusbet -  MLS wages: Steven Gerrard earns more than Frank Lampard and THREE times as much as Andrea Pirlo 

Judi Online -  Steven Gerrard earns more than Frank Lampard in MLS - the players' salaries have revealed.

The figures for all players in the USA's top flight have been released, with the Liverpool legend earning marginally more than his former England team-mate.

Gerrard's 2015 base salary tips the scales at $6,200,004, almost £4,000,000, while Lampard will earn $200,000 less.

Remarkably, the pair's salaries are THREE times more than World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo, who has joined New York City FC and will play alongside Lampard.

The former Juventus and AC Milan man's wage is $2,000,004, about £1.28million.

Bandar Bola -  Ex-Real Madrid man Kaka tops the rich list, with Orlando City paying $6,600,000 per year for his services.

Gerrard's LA Galaxy team-mate and former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane tips the scales at $4,5000,000, while ex-Barcelona hitman David Villa is being paid $5,610,000.

At the other end of the spectrum, Bradley Wright-Phillips, who spent the bulk of his career in English football with Southampton and Charlton, is earning $600,000 per year, despite an impressive goal-scoring record Stateside.