Tag: Championship

CAVANI EQUALS IBRAHIMOVIC RECORD WITH 156TH STRIKE FOR PSG

The Uruguay international nodded in his 156th goal for the Parisian club, putting him level with the Swedish star

Edinson Cavani has equalled Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s record of 156 goals for Paris Saint-Germain in all competitions.

The Uruguay international headed in an Angel Di Maria cross during the first half of PSG’s Ligue 1 tie against Dijon on Wednesday evening, giving Unai Emery’s side a 3-0 lead following an early Di Maria double. Neymar stole the show from that point on, scoring four goals as PSG rolled to an 8-0 triumph, with Kylian Mbappe also on the scoresheet.

Cavani’s strike moved him further into the lead in the goalscoring rankings in the French top flight, taking him to the 20-goal mark — four more than his closest rival for the accolade, Monaco’s Radamel Falcao.

Cavani and Ibrahimovic head a list of iconic figures in PSG’s all-time scoring charts, with former Portugal international Pauleta behind the pair with 109 goals.

The only other player to have hit the 100-mark for the capital club is Dominique Rocheteau, the former France winger who enjoyed a prolific seven-season spell with the club during the 1980s.

Ibrahimovic and Cavani are also tied for the most goals scored in a single match, the former hitting four goals against both Anderlecht in 2013 and Troyes in 2016, with the latter matching the feat during a Ligue 1 tie with Caen in September 2016.

Everton Football Club sign forward from Arsenal

Everton have completed the signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal in a deal worth more than £20m on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Walcott, 28, becomes Sam Allardyce’s second signing of the January transfer window following the £27m paid for striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.

The move brings to an end Walcott’s 12-year stay at Arsenal, where he scored 108 goals in 397 appearances.

“There’s something about this move I’ve just felt good about,” he said.

Walcott’s former club Southampton were also interested in a deal.

But Walcott, who has not started a league game for Arsenal this season, believes Allardyce can reignite his career.

“It felt like it was time for me to move on [from Arsenal],” he said.

“It was sad but it’s exciting at the same time and I want to reignite my career and push Everton to win things as they have done before.

“The manager is very hungry and it’s just what I need. I’ve had a couple of chats with him and straightaway I felt that hunger and that desire that he wanted from me.”

In a statement, Arsenal said: “We all thank Theo for his contribution to the club and wish him well for the future.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he did not want Walcott to leave but said he could not guarantee the England international game time and admitted that was a “sensitive subject” in a World Cup year.

Walcott, who has 47 England caps, has not featured for his country since the friendly against Spain in November 2016.

Arsenal plan to reinvest the funds, with concrete interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom.

They are also hopeful of signing Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a deal that would involve Alexis Sanchez going the other way.

‘I think we have a chance’ – Jose Mourinho on bringing Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he is “relaxed” about the transfer saga surrounding Alexis Sanchez as Chelsea reportedly emerged as rivals for his signature.

Arsenal forward Sanchez seemed certain to join Manchester City this month but the Premier League leaders decided to end their interest on Monday because of the costs involved.

It is understood that two other clubs, thought to be Manchester United and Chelsea, are prepared to pay more than City – in terms of transfer fee, wages and other costs.

Mourinho refused to be drawn too much on the subject of the 29-year-old after his side’s 3-0 win over Stoke but says there is “a chance” he could end up at Old Trafford.

When asked how confident he was of being able to bring Sanchez in this month, Mourinho said: “Not confident, but also not unconfident.

“Just relaxed, and with the feeling that he is an Arsenal player, with the feeling that he can stay there, but also with the feeling that he can move, and if he moves, I think we have a chance.

“I think most probably a player like him has other big clubs interested. Who knows?

“I think him, (Arsenal manager Arsene) Wenger, (Arsenal chief executive Ivan) Gazidis – I think they are the ones that know really what is going to happen.”

Mourinho went on to reveal that Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was left out of the United squad against the Potters, could be used as a makeweight in a potential agreement for Sanchez.

The Portuguese said: “I didn’t select him today because I wanted players fully focused.

“I understand that with so much talk and so much speculation, it is not easy for Mkhitaryan to play, to play at home, with this feeling that (it) can happen, maybe it doesn’t happen.

“So I prefer to protect him and protect the situation, and in the end of the transfer market, if he stays here, he is a very good player. Let’s see what is going to happen.”

City went close to signing the Chile forward in August after having a bid of £55million plus £5million in add-ons accepted but a deal could not be completed as Arsenal did not find a replacement.

An injury to Gabriel Jesus reignited the potential of a deal but City were not prepared to pay a transfer fee of more than £20million, while Arsenal were thought to want £35million.

That opened the way for other clubs to enter the race to sign the wantaway player, with Chelsea the latest club reported to be in contention.

City were convinced that Sanchez did want to join them but it appears his desire to leave Arsenal this month now outweighs that.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said after his side’s loss to Bournemouth on Sunday that a deal for Sanchez could be concluded within 48 hours.

Andres Iniesta ‘Not Worried’ About Losing Barcelona Place Despite Coutinho’s Arrival

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta insisted that he isn’t worried about losing his place in the starting lineup despite the arrival of Philippe Coutinho.

At 33, Iniesta already has a long and illustrious career for both the Catalan side and the national team, winning seven La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, two European Championships and a World Cup among others for Barcelona and Spain.

The arrival of Coutinho for £142m this week however could suggest Barcelona are readying the heir for Iniesta’s throne, but the Spaniard claims he is just focusing on his own performances and wants what is best for the team.

Iniesta told Marca: “I’m a club player and I’ve always said that anyone we have has to be the best and he’s one of the best.

“I’m not [worried or thinking about] retirement or losing my place in the team, that’s not an issue for me and I want us to achieve our goals together.

“The coach will decide who plays but I feel good and I’m doing well. There will be no problems between teammates.”

Barcelona have been in imperious form this season as they sit top of La Liga table, unbeaten and nine points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, and remain one of the favorites for the Champions League despite a tough last-16 tie against Chelsea.

Iniesta himself has been a key part of Barcelona’s early form under Ernesto Valverde, and believes that the arrival of Coutinho can help make them even stronger in the second half of the season.

 

He continued: “Coutinho coming in doesn’t affect me. He is one more player, another teammate and what’s good for the club is good for everyone.

“He’s an innate talent and he has come to this club to continue developing and improving as a player. He’s one of the best in his position and his profile is the kind of player we like here.”