Transfer News: Conte reveals Chelsea plans, Man Utd bombshell,…

“They went on loan and it’s important to wait this month [to see] what happens, to evaluate the situation in the right way and then make the solution for the club, for the players above all. “It’s important to evaluate these players and then make the best decision for the players, for the team, for the club and for me.”

Our greatest ever captain! Arsenal fans praise Olivier Giroud …

“Arsenal star Olivier Giroud made it 2-1 with a deflected shot after a beautiful back-heel assist by Lucas Perez” The Frenchman made it 2-1 with a deflected shot after a beautiful back-heel assist by Lucas Perez on the 89th minute. The Gunners struggled throughout the match as they were trailing in the first-half following a goal by Preston’s Callum Robinson.

Wayne Rooney’s best goals for Manchester United

Wayne Rooney, centre, produced an audacious overhead kick against Manchester City in February 2011 which is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest goals Rooney enjoyed a startling start to life at Old Trafford, launching himself into the footballing stratosphere with a debut hat-trick. Two fine first-half efforts were followed by a superb David Beckham-esque free-kick seven minutes after the break.

Klopp reveals Henderson is in line to make Liverpool return against Man Utd

The midfielder has been out of action since injuring his heel during the Reds’ 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City on New Year’s Eve Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson could make his return from injury against Manchester United later this month, manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed. Henderson, 26, suffered a heel injury during his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve.

Wenger: Xhaka not a dirty player

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists Granit Xhaka is not a dirty player despite the midfielder’s indifferent start to life in England. The 24-year-old arrived at Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in the off-season with a reputation as a rough player.

Arsenal will extend Cazorla and Mertesacker deals, Wenger confirms

The players’ contracts are nearing expiration but the Frenchman insists their time at the club is not coming to an end any time soon Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the club are likely to use their option to extend Santi Cazorla and Per Mertesacker’s expiring contracts. Cazorla, 32, has been heavily linked with a return to La Liga, with Atletico Madrid reportedly keen to sign him, while Mertesacker has caught the attention of former clubs Werder Bremen and Hannover.

Matip boost for Liverpool

Joel Matip has been hampered by an ankle problem since joining Jurgen Klopp’s side in the summer on a free transfer The defender has been sidelined with an ankle ligament problem since the 2-2 draw with West Ham on December 11. Matip, 25, who underwent surgery on his ankle in the summer before joining on a free transfer after his contract expired with Schalke, admitted he may have aggravating an existing problem. “It’s getting better and in a few days I hope I’ll be back in full training,” the German-born Cameroon centre-back told the club’s official website.

9-man Athletic beats Barcelona 2-1 in Copa del Rey

Barcelona’s two-year reign of the Copa del Rey was in jeopardy after it lost to a nine-man Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at a packed San Mames Stadium on Thursday. Athletic played a man down from the 74th minute, and two men down from the 80th because of red cards in a drama-filled first-leg match in the round of 16. Aritz Aduriz scored and set up another goal in the first half for Athletic, and Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona from a free kick early in the second half.

Everton agree naming rights deal for Finch Farm training ground…

Barcelona beaten in first game back after winter break by nine-man Athletic Bilbao as Enrique’s men suffer Copa del Rey shock If you’re happy in the hotel, stay there! Mourinho under no pressure from Manchester United to check out despite six months in the Lowry Woods admits he wasn’t sure he would ever play competitive golf again as former world No 1 targets 107th win Messi, Ronaldo and Griezmann named in UEFA Team of the Year but Premier League stars fail to make the cut EDDIE JONES TALKS TO SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Every game England are working on a plan to beat the All Blacks – if we lose a few battles it will help win the war Future of British Grand Prix under threat as Silverstone could pull out of hosting the race due to rising costs ‘He’s like a brother to me’: Costa plays down bust-up with Pedro after Chelsea pair argue on the pitch in Spurs defeat After Spurs’ win over Chelsea … (more)

Everton agree naming rights deal for Finch Farm training ground…

Barcelona beaten in first game back after winter break by nine-man Athletic Bilbao as Enrique’s men suffer Copa del Rey shock If you’re happy in the hotel, stay there! Mourinho under no pressure from Manchester United to check out despite six months in the Lowry Woods admits he wasn’t sure he would ever play competitive golf again as former world No 1 targets 107th win Messi, Ronaldo and Griezmann named in UEFA Team of the Year but Premier League stars fail to make the cut EDDIE JONES TALKS TO SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Every game England are working on a plan to beat the All Blacks – if we lose a few battles it will help win the war Future of British Grand Prix under threat as Silverstone could pull out of hosting the race due to rising costs ‘He’s like a brother to me’: Costa plays down bust-up with Pedro after Chelsea pair argue on the pitch in Spurs defeat After Spurs’ win over Chelsea … (more)

Marco Silva will be aiming to keep Hull in the Premier League

The Tigers, bottom of the Premier League after winning only three league games this season, have wasted little time in naming former Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos coach Silva as successor to Mike Phelan, who was sacked on Tuesday evening. Portuguese Silva, 39, becomes Hull’s third head coach since winning promotion back to the top flight in May and took his first squad session alongside his coaching staff at the club’s Cottingham training ground on Thursday lunchtime.

Liverpool agree defender deal: Medical has been booked in – re…

The Liverpool Echo claim the Reds have granted the 23-year-old permission to discuss personal terms with the Championship club. Antonio Rudiger – The Germany international defender is one of Roma’s best and would be an upgrade on the Reds’ current centre-backs Liverpool signed Ilori from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2013 but he has failed to make an impact with the Reds.

Darryl Eales sets Oxford United target for second half of the season

Thousands of Oxford United fans swarm on to the pitch to celebrate promotion following their victory over Wycombe Wanderers last season Picture: Naomi Herring WHEN it comes to looking ahead to 2017 on the field, the biggest challenge facing Oxford United is how on earth you can follow-up 2016. As far as problems go, it is not a bad one for Darryl Eales to ponder after a 12 months where potential turned into success.

Rumour Mill: Rangers eye Crawford | Lansbury to Celtic | Warburton searching for new striker

Rangers have approached Hamilton Accies over a possible move for Ali Crawford, Celtic are keen on signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury and Mark Warburton is in the hunt for a new striker. The 25-year-old is Hamilton’s top goalscorer this season and, although his contract does not expire until 2018, his manager Martin Canning has admitted they will likely lose the player to a bigger club at some point.

Guardiola: City don’t have history like United

… between team-mates have to be as good as possible,” Guardiola said in an edited extract from an interview with NBC Sports. “Everything is important: your life, your private life, your relationship with the media. And especially we are going to try …

Sadio Mane, second from right, was both hero and villain for Liverpool at Sunderland

Sadio Mane has backed his Liverpool team-mates to maintain the pace in the Premier League title race while he is away on African Nations Cup duty. Mane headed off to join up with the Senegal squad after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland with mixed feelings after looking to have snatched victory at the Stadium of Light before handing the Black Cats a point by conceding a late penalty.

What is bothering Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?

Pep Guardiola was clearly frustrated after Manchester City’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Burnley, delivering a series of terse interviews with various media outlets. Pep Guardiola was clearly frustrated after Manchester City’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Burnley, delivering a series of terse interviews with various media outlets.

‘David Luiz gets better protection than if he were down the family planning clinic’

Ian Wright believes Tottenham need to look at isolating Chelsea’s centre-halves on Wednesday, but admits that will be easier said than done Tottenham need to find a way of breaking down Chelsea’s midfield ‘impenetrable force field’ and get at their back three if they are to enjoy success at White Hart Lane, claims Ian Wright. The former Arsenal striker believes the Blues, despite being on a 13-game winning streak, remain vulnerable at the back.

And I said, what about, breakfast with…Toure? Gerrard and Kolo reunited

A year-and-a-half on from leading a chant partly dedicated to the defender, the Liverpool legend was reunited with the Ivorian in Dubai Steven Gerrard and Kolo Toure were reunited in Dubai on Tuesday, 18 months after the former England captain led the Liverpool squad in a dance dedicated to their team-mate. Gerrard’s long and distinguished Liverpool career came to a disappointing end in May 2015, the midfielder scoring a late consolation in a 6-1 Premier League thrashing at the hands of Stoke City.

Terras: Four-midable Weymouth boost boss Matthews with Cirencester triumph

MANAGER Jason Matthews expressed his delight with a “professional job” done by the Terras, as they smashed Cirencester Town for four in a 4-0 victory at the Bob Lucas Stadium. The Weymouth player-manager has received stark criticism from the club’s supporters of late for their league position, but an assured display against a lacklustre Centurions side eased the pressure on him slightly.

LIVE: West Brom vs Hull

Robert Snodgrass’ seventh Premier League goal, and Hull’s first away goal in nearly eight hours of football, has given the Tigers the advantage here at the Hawthorns. The visitors have been the better side, although Marshall has been called into action a few times.

Juanfran to stay in midfield as Carrasco adds to Simeone’s injury concerns

With Yannick Carrasco sustaining an Achilles injury, the experienced defender will provide cover when Atletico Madrid take on Las Palmas Juanfran will play in midfield when Atletico Madrid face Las Palmas in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, but Yannick Carrasco is a doubt. With Augusto Fernandez and Tiago still sidelined due to injury, Diego Simeone finds himself short on midfield options at the start of 2017.

Real Madrid loanee Vallejo working for Bernabeu dream

The dream of playing for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu motivates Jesus Vallejo to keep impressing on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt. Jesus Vallejo hopes his impressive spell on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt will be rewarded with the chance to represent Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.