Category Archives: News

barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, News, Real Madrid

Man Utd and Euro giants chase £70m Chelsea ace – reports

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In what must stand as one of the least likely rumours of the weekend, Manchester United have apparently entered the race for Eden Hazard.

Yes, that Eden Hazard. Yes, the one who plays for Chelsea.

According to the Daily Star, Man Utd are looking to take advantage of Hazard’s rift with Jose Mourinho to bring him to Old Trafford. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City are also thought to be preparing bids.

It’d cost them £70 million to take him away from Chelsea.

Would it work?

Is this even really a question?

Of course Hazard would improve pretty much any team he played for, at least as long as his manager is not Jose Mourinho in the middle of a sulk.

He’s one of the world’s best attacking players, and was integral as Chelsea won the league last season.

Given Manchester United are currently marooning Anthony Martial out-wide, it would make incredible sense for the Old Trafford club to have Hazard as an option and move the talented young French star to the middle, where he is most effective.

Real would see Hazard as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who it cannot be forgotten is over 30.

Barcelona could add Hazard to an already devastating front line.

Rumour rater

However, it’s absolutely ludicrous to think Chelsea would let Hazard join a title rival.

He’s their best player by a long way, despite his current feud with Mourinho.

It seems incredibly unlikely that Roman Abramovich would sanction his sale, and he’s more likely to get rid of Mourinho before the Belgian is allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

Given Chelsea’s current form, that seems all the more likely.

No chance.

Rumour rated: 0/5

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, News

Man Utd and Chelsea handed huge boost in chase for £73m star – reports

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Another day, another rumour involving Paul Pogba.

Juventus’ central midfielder has been linked with every club up and down the country, consistently with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Now the Daily Star are reporting that because of the denial of a deal with Barcelona, as per Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, that means the trio of clubs are back on ‘red alert’ over his possible signing.

“An agreement with FC Barcelona? Absolutely not,” Raiola told Le10 Sport.

Would it work?

Every team in the world would benefit from a signing like Paul Pogba.

However, it is slightly difficult to imagine where he’d fit in at Manchester City.

The Etihad Stadium side have a settled midfield, and with options like Fernando, Fernandinho, Fabian Delph, Yaya Toura and David Silva, it’s really not a priority area for Manuel Pellegrini.

However, both Man Utd and Chelsea would benefit from his arrival.

That is especially the case for Chelsea, who have been awful so far this season.

Furthermore, the Stamford Bridge club have seen Nemanja Matic struggle horrifically since the start of the new campaign, best demonstrated by his sending off in the match against West Ham yesterday. Chelsea lost 2-1.

If anyone is likely to move for Pogba in the United Kingdom, it could be the Blues, who will want to spend in January to ensure a Champions League place.

Rumour rater

Even though all three clubs will want to sign Pogba, the Star’s suggestion that because Raiola said that it means all of the clubs are on red alert is preposterous.

Yes, there is no agreement with Barcelona, but the Premier League sides will be as ready to pounce as they would have been prior to that quote.

Not only that, but Barca will remain the frontrunners heading in to January, when they can make an agreement with Pogba, should they choose.

Chelsea have previously been linked with a £73m move – it seems Pogba is the tabloid favourite that keeps cropping up.

Rumour rated: 1/5

Leeds United, News

Luciano Becchio to join Leeds United in next few days – reports

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Leeds United could be on the cusp of bringing Luciano Becchio back to Elland Road, according to reports on social media.

A fan uploaded an image with Becchio in Leeds train station, claiming that the Argentine striker is on the cusp of signing for the Whites in the next few days.

Becchio has been without a club since leaving Belgrano, a side in his native Argentina, last month.

Would it work?

Leeds have started playing a 4-4-2 formation since the appointment of Steve Evans as head coach last week.

However, with both Chris Wood and Mirco Antenucci on the pitch, the Elland Road side do not have a back-up striker for the bench.

This is especially the case given Lee Erwin is out on loan.

Wood is a classic style target man, something Leeds definitely do not have in reserve.

Becchio would be an ideal option for that role. However, his fitness is up for debate, as he has not played much football since joining Rotherham on loan last season.

Becchio is, however, a better instinctive finisher than Wood, who has struggled to match good build-up play with clinical strikes in front of goal.

Rumour rater

It seems preposterous at first, why would a fan have the scoop? However, there is no real reason for Becchio to be in Leeds train station on any given Sunday.

Most tellingly, Becchio is clutching a copy of today’s The Sun, as also confirmed on Twitter.

Interestingly, while Massimo Cellino has previously denied an interest in bringing Becchio back, he has backed his coaches this season in the market, and Becchio is clearly a player Evans rates – having signed him at Rotherham.

However, another fan has said that Becchio has said he is just visiting Leeds, so it’s hard to tell what the truth of the situation is.

Rumour rating: 3/5