Phil Foden: Man City midfielder ready for Premier League, says Pep Guardiola
Manchester City's teenage midfielder Phil Foden has proved he is "mature" enough for the Premier League, according to manager Pep Guardiola. Foden, 18, impressed as champions City beat FA Cup holders Chelsea 2-0 in Sunday's Community Shield. The Stockport-born midfielder set up Sergio Aguero to score the first of his two goals at Wembley. "He was ready last season. Now he is one year on, he is more mature," Guardiola said. "He was training last season with us and he fought well with all of our players." With key players still absent from the squad, including midfielders Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, Foden took his opportunity with a confident and composed display in warm conditions. After assisting Aguero for his 200th goal for the club, Foden played another sublime pass for the Argentine, who could only find the side-netting after rounding Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero. "It is so good to have another player with his talent. He's a City fan and Mancunian and it is so good for us," Guardiola added. England youth international Foden, who turned 18 in May, joined the club at under-nine level and was brought on as a substitute on the final day of last season to make a fifth, medal-earning appearance. 'Sergio is a special guy' Sunday was also a landmark day for Aguero, who became the first player to score 200 goals for City. "Sergio is a special guy," said Guardiola. "Now, his knee is perfect, he arrived in a very good condition, a good mood and most important is he scores goals and creates chances." Guardiola was pleased to see his side cope so well with the hot weather. He added: "It was more than 30 degrees - it's so demanding, but we did it so well. I am so happy for the players and it's good to start with one title by our side. "We have to play with this attitude and what we have done. We'll see at the end of the season what our level was." City begin the defence of their Premier League title against with a trip to Arsenal next Sunday (16:00 BST). Inspired to try football? Football Find out how to get into football with our special guide. View Comments 32
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2018-08-06 02:00:00
Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers: Steven Gerrard says his side are 'a class above' rivals
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard described his side as "a class above Aberdeen" after the 1-1 draw with their Premiership rivals at Pittodrie. Gerrard also said it "seemed the world was against" the Ibrox side after Alfredo Morelos was sent off after 12 minutes, but that it has been "happening for seasons" to Rangers. James Tavernier's penalty looked like giving Gerrard's men the three points. But Bruce Anderson's stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for Aberdeen. Morelos was sent off after kicking out at Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna in an off-the-ball incident. Gerrard acknowledged that the Colombian striker "left the referee with a decision", but said Rangers may appeal against the red card. The former Liverpool captain believes that "it looks like some more decisions will go against" his side as they season unfolds. "The disappointing thing from our point of view is he's been barged twice quite clearly," said Gerrard, who revealed that midfielder Ryan Jack was substituted because of a head injury. "There was major provocation, but we need to try and use it to our advantage. It's not just today, I believe it's been happening for seasons. That's just my opinion." Despite the one-man deficit, Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor had little to do, and Gerrard suggested that Aberdeen had to resort to route-one tactics. The former Liverpool captain, who remains unbeaten after five games in charge, described his team as "magnificent". "Anyone at this game or who watched on TV must know we were much better than Aberdeen," Gerrard said. "We were very good with 11 men, we were even better when we went to 10. Aberdeen didn't have any idea against us, and for 93 minutes it was perfect. "Every single player to a man was fantastic. I thought tactically when we went to 10 we were very good and very professional. Aberdeen only had one idea and it was to lump it into the box. "Obviously, I'm gutted for my players we've conceded late on. But we showed today that we're a class above Aberdeen. I thought we were tremendous."
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2018-08-06 02:00:00
Maurizio Sarri: Community Shield loss shows issues for new Chelsea boss
Chelsea's defeat by Manchester City in the Community Shield showed just how big a job Maurizio Sarri faces to turn his side into title contenders. Sarri already knew that he could be about to lose some of his best players - Eden Hazard, Willian and Thibaut Courtois - who have all been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge this summer. That in itself is a lot to contend with, especially in your first few weeks as manager of a club such as Chelsea. But what Sarri saw at Wembley will also have told him a lot about what his other players are capable of, in terms of fitting into his system or reaching the required standards. He has issues to tackle right through his team and, with Thursday being the transfer deadline for incoming players, there is not much time to decide whether to address them in the transfer market. Can Chelsea keep Hazard and Willian - and keep them on board? Real Madrid have been linked with Hazard, who does not start pre-season training until Monday, while Barcelona are supposedly interested in Willian, a second-half substitute against City. If they are both going to stay then they are the ideal wide men to play in Sarri's 4-3-3 system. If not, Sarri has some huge holes to fill this week. Callum Hudson-Odoi showed he has great potential with his display on the left wing against City, and he should take a lot of positives out of the game. But he is only 17 and clearly is some way behind Hazard in terms of what he can offer the side and the influence he has on his team-mates. Like Willian, Hazard is world class now and, if Chelsea are to have a successful season, then Sarri cannot afford to lose either of them. What complicates matters is that clubs in Spain, Germany, Italy and France can sign players until 31 August, meaning Hazard and Willian could leave after Chelsea's chance to replace them has gone. So that situation is going to hang over Chelsea's head beyond the start of the season, and it will be draining for everyone. Giroud offers more than Morata, but does that include goals? Up front, Alvaro Morata struggled to make an impact at Wembley and he just does not look happy to me. The obvious alternative is Olivier Giroud, who had a very strong World Cup and played a big part in France's triumph. Giroud will be full of confidence so it would not surprise me to see him go straight into the team for the opening Premier League match at Huddersfield on Saturday, even though he is also returning late for pre-season. But, as we saw in Russia, where he failed to find the net in any of France's matches, Giroud is not exactly a prolific goalscorer. Yes, you can see what he brings to a team in terms of a giving them a presence up front and with his link-up play, but scoring is not going to be his main contribution. The goals have to come from somewhere, though.
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2018-08-06 02:00:00
Bayern Munich 1-0 Manchester United: Jose Mourinho warns of 'difficult season'
Manchester United face a "difficult season" unless they strengthen their squad before Thursday's transfer deadline, says manager Jose Mourinho. The Red Devils ended their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 defeat at German champions Bayern Munich on Sunday. Javi Martinez headed home a second-half winner to give Bayern victory in a match they dominated. "My CEO knows what I want and I still have a few days to wait and see what happens," Mourinho said on MUTV. "The other clubs who compete with us are really strong and already have fantastic teams. Or they are investing massively like Liverpool, who are buying everything and everybody. "If we don't make our team better it will be a difficult season for us." United have so far signed three players this summer - Brazil midfielder Fred for
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2018-08-06 02:00:00
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri confident Willian will stay but unsure of Thibaut Courtois' future
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says he is "confident" Willian will stay at the club - but admits he does not know where Thibaut Courtois' future lies. Brazil winger Willian, 29, has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona and arrived late for pre-season training. Sarri says he had a "positive conversation" with the player on Thursday. "There is not a Willian problem," said the former Napoli boss. Belgium goalkeeper Courtois, 26, has been linked with Real Madrid this summer. "At the moment Courtois is the goalkeeper of Chelsea," said Sarri. "I don't know in the future. It depends on the club, it depends especially on him, but I hope Courtois will be our goalkeeper." Discussing the futures of Brazil centre-back David Luiz and England forward Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Sarri added: "I am very happy with David for his attitude. I think he will be very important for the team. "Loftus-Cheek I have only seen three or four [times in training], so I will have to wait". Chelsea play Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday (15:00 BST).
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2018-08-04 02:00:00
Ahmed Musa: Leicester City forward joins Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabi
Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa has left Leicester City for Al-Nassr for an undisclosed fee, the Saudi Arabian club has announced. The 25-year-old was Leicester's record signing when he joined them for about
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2018-08-04 02:00:00
Sead Kolasinac: Arsenal defender to miss up to eight Premier League games
Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac will be out for between eight and 10 weeks with an injury to his left knee. Kolasinac, 25, suffered the injury during Wednesday's friendly with Chelsea in the International Champions Cup in Dublin. The Bosnia-Herzegovina full-back hurt his knee in a challenge with Victor Moses and Gunners boss Unai Emery said he would have a scan. Kolasinac is expected to miss up to eight Premier League games. The former Schalke player is also likely to be absent for two Europa League group matches and the third round of the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey is hoping to return to training next week after a calf problem.
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2018-08-04 02:00:00
Sean Dyche: Burnley boss happy to provide 'European tour' with Aberdeen win
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is pleased his side can give their fans a longer-distance "European tour" after beating Aberdeen in Europa League qualifying. The tie against the Scottish side was the Clarets' first in Europe for 51 years and they needed extra time to win 3-1 at Turf Moor, 4-2 on aggregate. They now face Istanbul Basaksehir of Turkey in the third qualifying round. "With all due respect, the idea of going on a European tour probably wasn't to Aberdeen," Dyche said. "So we have got that part where they literally will be going further afield. The fans have waited 50 years. This was a good tie to be involved with, but they still had visions of going into Europe." Chris Wood had put Burnley 2-1 ahead on aggregate before Lewis Ferguson's stunning overhead kick forced extra time. Jack Cork's header and an Ashley Barnes penalty sent the Clarets through. "We didn't expect anything other," Dyche said on his side being run close, adding of Aberdeen: "They delivered two very strong performances. They came out tonight and they weren't looking to hang on, they played. I think they've been excellent. "The things that nearly went with them, I think you always need a referee on your side if you're the underdogs and that helps. Their goalkeeper was excellent, one save was outstanding. That's the mix you sometimes need. We've done it ourselves when we've been underdogs against teams."
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2018-08-04 02:00:00
Pedro: Chelsea winger signs Stamford Bridge contract extension
Chelsea forward Pedro has signed a one-year contact extension that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2020. Pedro, 31, joined the Blues from Barcelona in August 2015 for
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2018-08-04 02:00:00
Frank Lampard said it was "an incredible feeling" to make a winning start in football management as his Derby side dramatically snatched victory at Reading.
Tom Lawrence's exquisite header in the dying seconds of injury time saw them come from behind in the second half. The Rams boss conceded that Reading "didn't deserve to lose" but praised his side's character in coming from a goal down to take all three points. "It's great for us, that's the sort of thing I'm back in the game for," said Lampard. "It's not going to happen every week, I'm fully aware of that. "Make no mistake, we didn't deserve to win the game, and there are lots of big things for us to improve on, but let's not take away that feeling. "You could see from the celebrations at the end how much that means to us all." Jon Dadi Bodvarsson had headed Reading into a second-half lead from Mo Barrow's cross, but Mason Mount drew Derby level when his left-shot was too much for Vito Mannone to keep out. Mannone thought he had made amends late on to secure Reading a point when he palmed away a Harry Wilson half-volley from close range. But the former Arsenal and Sunderland keeper could do nothing to prevent Wales winger Lawrence grabbing all three points for Derby with almost the final touch. Mason Bennett's searching cross from the right was met on the run by Lawrence, who found the top-left corner with precision. Derby's travelling support of almost 2,000 were sent into raptures and Lampard had three points to put on his managerial CV from his first competitive fixture.