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Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny considered summer move before injury - agent

The agent for Laurent Koscielny said the Arsenal captain was considering leaving the club this summer before he tore an Achilles tendon.

Stephane Courbis told France Football that the centre-back could have followed Arsene Wenger out of Arsenal if he had not been injured in the Europa League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

"At that time, Laurent was playing what might have been his final matches with Arsenal," Courbis said. "Laurent started to consider a possible move away from Arsenal at the same time as Arsene. The moment was right, leaving as [a] new coach arrived. I had already anticipated this and two or three offers were making us think hard."

Wenger announced in May that he would step down at the end of the season after a 22-year-reign. Koscielny was then made captain by Wenger's successor, Unai Emery, last month, even though he is not expected to be back playing until December.

"We were open to a number of options. China was one, as much as a return to France," he said. "Laurent could not see himself playing for another English team outside of Arsenal. Since Marseille's approach last season, the idea of a Ligue 1 return got him thinking -- it was a real possibility."

http://www.espn.in/football/soccer-...ny-considered-summer-move-before-injury-agent

Damn Gunners, how you feel about your captain plotting a move away from you guys.......oh and agents talk too damn much!
 
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny considered summer move before injury - agent

The agent for Laurent Koscielny said the Arsenal captain was considering leaving the club this summer before he tore an Achilles tendon.

Stephane Courbis told France Football that the centre-back could have followed Arsene Wenger out of Arsenal if he had not been injured in the Europa League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

"At that time, Laurent was playing what might have been his final matches with Arsenal," Courbis said. "Laurent started to consider a possible move away from Arsenal at the same time as Arsene. The moment was right, leaving as [a] new coach arrived. I had already anticipated this and two or three offers were making us think hard."

Wenger announced in May that he would step down at the end of the season after a 22-year-reign. Koscielny was then made captain by Wenger's successor, Unai Emery, last month, even though he is not expected to be back playing until December.

"We were open to a number of options. China was one, as much as a return to France," he said. "Laurent could not see himself playing for another English team outside of Arsenal. Since Marseille's approach last season, the idea of a Ligue 1 return got him thinking -- it was a real possibility."

http://www.espn.in/football/soccer-...ny-considered-summer-move-before-injury-agent

Damn Gunners, how you feel about your captain plotting a move away from you guys.......oh and agents talk too damn much!

Not fussed, whole back line can leave. Ain’t like they show up too the games anyway.
 
Inter Miami: David Beckham's MLS team is called Club Internacional de Futbol Miami

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David Beckham's Major League Soccer team will be called Club Internacional de Futbol Miami - or Inter Miami CF - and the club's crest has been unveiled.

Inter Miami will make their MLS debut in 2020, after being awarded an expansion contact in January.

The crest is pink, black and white, featuring two herons and a sun with seven rays - which are a "homage" to the ex-England captain's career.

"This is such a proud day for myself and for the entire team," said Beckham.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and AC Milan midfielder, who is team owner and president, added: "We are taking another important step in establishing our club and today marks an important moment in the history of Club Internacional de Futbol Miami."

Managing owner Jorge Mas said: "Our city and our fans draw their strength from the dreams of a global population that calls Miami home.

"It is only fitting that our name pays tribute to the inclusiveness that makes us who we are."

The crest appeared on the front page of Wednesday's Miami Herald.



 
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny considered summer move before injury - agent

The agent for Laurent Koscielny said the Arsenal captain was considering leaving the club this summer before he tore an Achilles tendon.

Stephane Courbis told France Football that the centre-back could have followed Arsene Wenger out of Arsenal if he had not been injured in the Europa League semifinal against Atletico Madrid.

"At that time, Laurent was playing what might have been his final matches with Arsenal," Courbis said. "Laurent started to consider a possible move away from Arsenal at the same time as Arsene. The moment was right, leaving as [a] new coach arrived. I had already anticipated this and two or three offers were making us think hard."

Wenger announced in May that he would step down at the end of the season after a 22-year-reign. Koscielny was then made captain by Wenger's successor, Unai Emery, last month, even though he is not expected to be back playing until December.

"We were open to a number of options. China was one, as much as a return to France," he said. "Laurent could not see himself playing for another English team outside of Arsenal. Since Marseille's approach last season, the idea of a Ligue 1 return got him thinking -- it was a real possibility."

http://www.espn.in/football/soccer-...ny-considered-summer-move-before-injury-agent

Damn Gunners, how you feel about your captain plotting a move away from you guys.......oh and agents talk too damn much!

It is what it is.
 
Premier League Teams and their players contracts expiring

Manchester United expiring contracts

2019
David de Gea*, Anthony Martial*, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian*, Antonio Valencia*, Ashley Young, Andreas Pereira

2020
Marcus Rashford*, Nemanja Matic*, Eric Bailly, Marouane Fellaini*, Lee Grant

*Contract contains option for a further year

Chelsea expiring contracts

2019
Cesc Fabregas, David Luiz, Olivier Giroud, Gary Cahill, Lucas Piazon, Willy Caballero, Robert Green

2020
Eden Hazard, Willian, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pedro, Marco van Ginkel, Ethan Ampadu

Liverpool expiring contracts

2019
James Milner, Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno, Lazar Markovic

2020
Adam Lallana, Joel Matip, Nathaniel Clyne, Divock Origi

Arsenal expiring contracts

2019
Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Nacho Monreal, Petr Cech, Stephan Lichtsteiner

2020
Laurent Koscielny, Carl Jenkinson

Man City expiring contracts

2019
Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Brahim Diaz

2020
Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva, Fernandinho, Fabian Delph, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Phil Foden, Claudio Bravo

Tottenham expiring contracts

2019
Toby Alderweireld*, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, Fernando Llorente, Michel Vorm

2020
Christian Eriksen, Vincent Janssen

*Contract contains option for a further year

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ier-League-clubs-contracts-expiring-soon.html
 
Uefa: Leading European coaches call for away-goals change

Europe's top club coaches have asked Uefa to review the use of the away-goals rule in continental competitions.

They also want the transfer window to end at the same time in all the continent's major leagues.

"The coaches think that scoring goals away is not as difficult as it was in the past," said Uefa deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti after the meeting in Switzerland.

"They think the rule should be reviewed and that's what we will do."

The annual gathering included Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Arsenal boss Unai Emery, plus Emery's predecessor Arsene Wenger, along with Juventus' Massimiliano Allegri, Real Madrid's Julen Lopetegui, Carlo Ancelotti of Napoli and Paris St-Germain's Thomas Tuchel.

The rule was first introduced in the former European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 as an alternative to tossing a coin or staging a replay on a neutral ground when the aggregate score in a two-legged tie ended level at a time when travelling abroad was far more challenging.

In the event of a tie, the team that scores more away goals is the winner.

Marchetti said the coaches felt the rule was also counter-productive and that, as much as encouraging away teams to attack, it induced home teams to defend to avoid conceding a costly goal.

On the transfer window, he said the coaches wanted more countries to follow the example of England and Italy and close them before the start of the season.

In Spain, Germany and France, they continued until the end of August as before.

"The coaches are of an opinion that there should be a unified window and the window should close before the competition starts," said Marchetti. "The idea would be to try and bring them into line."
 
Alex Scott posts throwback picture with Ian Wright when she was working at Arsenal’s laundry… and she now sits alongside him as pundit
  • Alex Scott worked in Arsenal's laundry department when she was a teenager
  • While there, she took the opportunity to have a photo with striker Ian Wright
  • She went on to have a brilliant career of her own with both club and country
  • The ex-defender was then recruited as a pundit and worked alongside Wright
Arsenal ladies icon Alex Scott posted a throwback photo on her Instagram with Ian Wright, back when he was in his playing days and she was plotting her way through the ranks.

Two Arsenal legends in very different stages of their career: one already a fully-fledged Gunners icon and England international, the other working in the laundry room at Highbury.

Scott guesses she was around 16 or 17 at the time, what followed, of course, was a distinguished career which yielded 148 appearances for the club and 140 caps for England.

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'Yes I did work in the Arsenal laundry age 16/17 to earn some extra cash,' Scott wrote on Instagram, 'and I got to have a photo with my fav @wrightyofficial.

'But I still pinch myself as I fast forward to the now.. I managed to go on to captain @arsenalwfc and make a career for myself along the way #dreambig.

'This #throwback couldn’t wait.'

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Premier League to trial VAR for first time after international break during 3pm Saturday matches
  • The Premier League is one of the last few top leagues not to use the VAR system
  • They are aiming to have it in place for every match by beginning of next season
  • The trial will involve a multi-match 3pm Saturday set of fixtures to test system
There will be an initial trial of the system, which will take place over five Saturday games at 3pm on September 15.

Fixtures that day include matches involving Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City and they will be watched by video officials at their Stockley Park base.

However, the decisions made at the base will not be used on the pitch. There will be no contact between the video assistant team and the on-field referee.

Instead, the trial is intending to show whether the video team can handle that many fixtures at one time and match the on-field demands.

The Premier League is one of the last adopters of the VAR system among Europe's big leagues.

It has been used in both the Bundesliga and Serie A since last season, while La Liga has implemented it for the new campaign.

The technology was used in the Carabao Cup last season and will be used further this campaign. VAR also featured in the FA Cup final.

This will represent the first use of it in the Premier League in a multiple match scenario.
 
UEFA Nations League: Managers give their verdicts on tournament

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What does the Nations League mean to you?

Gareth Southgate: Opportunities for competitive games against the best countries in Europe.

Ryan Giggs: The Nations League in a sentence is another chance to qualify for the Euros.

Why do these games matter more than usual friendlies?

Southgate: These games are part of a competition and we are playing for a trophy and we have an opportunity to try to beat some of the best teams.

Giggs: They matter because of what's at stake. You can improve your seeding, you can be promoted, you can be relegated and like I said you can qualify for the Euros after the Euro qualifier.

Martin O'Neill: They matter more because of seeding and because of the coefficient. And also because if the team can win it can affect what position they might end up in for the European seeding.

What does success in the Nations League look like for you?

Southgate: In the last year or two we haven't beaten the top sides so it gives us a chance to reverse that trend.

Giggs: Success in the Nations League is top of the group and in the future trying to get in pot A with all the big teams.

Martin O'Neill: It's difficult because we are in against Wales and against Denmark, who knocked us out to qualify for the World Cup. We beat Wales to actually get to that play-off so they'll be tough matches.

McLeish: We love success, we love to win. We haven't been in a big competition for a long time, and the Nations League gives us that opportunity to get the Tartan Army through to see us in a major finals.

Michael O'Neill: Winning our group and gaining promotion to the top tier.

Who do you think will be the toughest team to face in your group and why?

Southgate: We have a really tough group and we know the strengths of both teams so I don't think there's an easier game.

Giggs: Both teams will be tough to play against. We know the Republic well and we've played against them recently. Denmark have just been to the World Cup and performed fantastically well. No game will be tougher than the other. They'll both be tough.

What message would you give to the fans before this campaign?

Southgate: We are looking forward to coming back to Wembley and playing in front of our supporters. We felt tremendous support all summer and we are looking forward to continuing that connection with the fans.

Giggs: Come out and support us. It's a new competition and you'll enjoy it. It's going to be competitive and it gives us a chance to qualify for the Euros so it's really important you get out there and support the lads.

Martin O'Neill: The Republic of Ireland fans have been absolutely fantastic in terms of coming to support us both home and away. Do you know what, I'm not sure I have a message for the Republic of Ireland fans? They take their own messages.

McLeish: I would absolutely love if they can fill the stadiums. I know they love to go on their travels so no doubt we'll see the Tartan Army away from home, but it would be fantastic if they filled the stadium here at home, which would give us such an enormous boost, and would help the players. We've always called the Tartan Army, when they fill the house, an extra player. We want 12 men on that pitch.

Which of the home nations would you least like to come up against and why?

Southgate: We don't have to play any of them right now so we don't have to worry about that at the moment!

Giggs: I don't think I'd like to play any of the home nations purely because you want to play against teams in Europe who maybe you don't know as much about. Whereas with the home nations you know the majority of the players.

Martin O'Neill: At this moment I think it would actually be nice to play England, having done so well at the World Cup. They reached the semi-finals and were very close to being in the final. They had a tremendous tournament and it would actually be nice to play them, but of course we are not drawn against them.

McLeish: Each one of them is a challenge. I don't single any of them out. I'd love the challenge of going against any of them.

Michael O'Neill: England, after their great World Cup.

What's your favourite international memory?

Southgate: For years it was England against the Netherlands at Euro 1996 but now I'd have to say being manager at a World Cup and reaching the semi-finals would be my favourite memory.

Giggs: It was my debut at the old Cardiff Arms Park against Belgium. I managed to score a free-kick and it's my favourite international memory.

Martin O'Neill: In my time are Republic of Ireland manager there have been some great ones, particularly at the Aviva Stadium. We beat Germany the world champions, we beat Bosnia to qualify for the Euros and actually in the Euros we beat Italy to make it to the last 16. Those are three particularly strong memories.

McLeish: I think probably getting my first cap was an amazing thrill, but also being made captain against France, beating France in a qualifier, is just stuff made of dreams.

Michael O'Neill: Beating Greece 3-1, and qualifying for France 2016.

What do you think the future holds for your side?

Giggs: The future for Wales is bright. We've got a lot of good established players, world-class players but also a crop of young players coming through who are ready to challenge the more established players.

Martin O'Neill: It may not be in my time or even the next manager's time, but if you look at some of the young players that are coming through at U17, U18 and U19, when they come through I'm hoping that Ireland will be very, very strong. What I am looking for is that for Ireland, when they take the field against big nations in the World Cups or in the European qualifiers that a lot of these players are playing Premier League football and that some of them have played in the previous week in the Champions League. That would be brilliant.

McLeish: We have a group of young players, and it's now up to these chaps to take up the gauntlet, make a name for themselves, and make the nation proud of them, by being successful.

Michael O'Neill: We want to keep punching above our weight!

http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ue-managers-give-their-verdicts-on-tournament
 
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