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The 21-year-old completed a medical on Friday but will remain with Seattle Sounders for the remainder of the MLS season until January
Tottenham have finalised terms on the €2.5 million signing of DeAndre Yedlin, Goal understands.
The 21-year-old underwent a medical with Spurs on Friday and all conditions of his sale have been agreed between player, Tottenham and MLS outfit Seattle Sounders.
Yedlin will remain with Seattle Sounders until the end of the MLS season and will join Mauricio Pochettino’s side in January.
Yedlin featured in three games for the United States at the World Cup, although all his appearances were from the bench.
The defender will become Pochettino's fourth signing this summer following the arrivals of Ben Davies, Michel Vorm and Eric Dier.
Nothing wrong with Lampard deal despite Wenger concerns, insists Pellegrini
By Peter Hanson
Aug 8, 2014 21:30:00
The Arsenal manager had suggested that the midfielder's move helped Manchester City to skirt Financial Fair Play restrictions but the Argentine feels that his comments are off
Manuel Pellegrini rejects Arsene Wenger 's claims that the signing of Frank Lampard was a way of flouting Financial Fair Play rules.
The Chelsea legend has moved to Pellegrini's Manchester City side on a loan deal until January, as his new side, New York City FC - who are part-funded by the Premier League champions - will not join Major League Soccer until 2015.
City were sanctioned by Uefa in May for breaching FFP rules and Arsenal boss Wenger - whose team meet City in the Community Shield on Sunday - raised concerns about the deal .
However, when asked by reporters if he thought that the move had been conducted properly, Pellegrini responded: "I think so.
"I think, as managers, we have enough problems with our own teams to be talking about other teams.
"The only thing I can say is that we have important restrictions about the amount of money we can spend and Frank Lampard was a free player - we didn't spend any money in bringing him from New York City to Manchester City."
Pellegrini was also dumbfounded by the reaction of some Chelsea supporters who were disappointed to see Lampard move to the Etihad Stadium after 13 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge.
"The problem was not that Frank Lampard did not want to sign another contract with Chelsea - Chelsea didn't want him anymore," he added.
"He is a competitive player, he will be important for our team and we didn't spend any money on him, so the rules of Financial Fair Play don't have any relation with Lampard."
Phil Neville accepts responsibility for his part in Manchester United's "disaster" last season but has suggested the club's new boss Louis van Gaal has an easier job.
Saturday 9th August 2014
Neville, the former United full-back, was on the Red Devils' coaching staff last term as they struggled under Moyes before finishing the campaign seventh in the Barclays Premier League - a year after being crowned champions in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge.
Neville told the BBC's Test Match Special: "I've had sleepless nights thinking about what happened last year.
"There is part of me that thinks it was an impossible job to follow Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I think Louis van Gaal has an easier task now, following the man that followed Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It was a really difficult job for David Moyes and I think rather than blame him, there has to be collective responsibility taken throughout the whole club.
"Last year was a complete failure, and a disaster from my point of view.
"But David Moyes is an outstanding manager and will go on to be one for another club - it just didn't work out last season."
It emerged this week that Neville, who played under Moyes at Everton from 2005 to 2013 after concluding his 10-year United playing career, will no longer be part of the coaching staff at Old Trafford.
The 37-year-old former England international has signed up to be a pundit for the BBC this season, and while talking about that on Twitter on Wednesday, he responded "no" to a question asking: "Phil, are you still on the coaching team at United?"
Jose Enrique has declared himself available for Liverpool's opening Barclays Premier League match against Southampton a week on Sunday.
Jose Enrique, Jason Puncheon
Friday 8th August 2014
The Spanish left-back made just nine appearances last season before undergoing knee surgery in November that brought his campaign to a premature end.
He resumed training in July and enjoyed some playing time on the Reds' pre-season tour to the US.
Speaking to Press Association Sport at Liverpool FC Members' Family Day, Enrique said: "I'm feeling good.
"I was training on my own and running a lot, and it's not the same when you play with a team because it's a lot more with the ball and a different type of running.
"I'm still getting my fitness back but I feel really good and confident that I can play soon.
"It's little by little, and not just me, everyone is getting their fitness. If the manager wants me to play in the first game of the season, I am ready of course."
Enrique's fitness is a boost to boss Brendan Rodgers, who was left without a specialist left-back last season and has not been able to strengthen in that area.
The Reds have been heavily linked with young Spaniard Alberto Moreno but so far he has stayed with Sevilla.
Rodgers has still been busy in the transfer window, spending significant money on Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, Belgium World Cup star Divock Origi, Benfica's Lazar Markovic and Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool fan Rickie Lambert was another player to leave Southampton for the Reds while right-back Javier Manquillo has joined on loan from Atletico Madrid.
All will have to work extremely hard to fill the gap left by Luis Suarez's departure for Barcelona but Enrique sees no reason why they cannot match last season's second-placed finish.
"Everyone says about Luis and of course Luis was a top player for us, one of the top players in the world," said the Spaniard.
"But we've spent a lot of money on good players as well, we have a very good team. Hopefully we can do the same thing as last season."
One advantage for Liverpool may be that the former Southampton trio are all experienced Premier League players.
"It depends on the player but normally (it's an advantage)," said Enrique.
"It's a different league, a completely different type of football. This one probably is the hardest in terms of fitness because in the Premier League you run a lot, going wide and back more or less all the game.
"Of course if you are used to this league, normally you do well. That doesn't mean that a player that comes from another league can't do well as well, but it is more risk."
Strength in depth is key for Liverpool this season as they return to the Champions League for the first time in five seasons.
Enrique, whose only trophy with the Reds was the Capital One Cup in 2012, cannot wait to make his debut at Europe's top table.
He said: "Liverpool has been for a while without Champions League.
"I've never played in the Champions League and I'm so excited to play in this competition because the best teams in the world are in this competition. I think Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world so Liverpool have to be there as well.
"We'll try to go as far as we can but of course not forget about the league and the two cups. We have a big squad and we want to compete for everything.
"Hopefully, like the manager says, we can win a trophy. We won one before with Kenny (Dalglish). I know it wasn't a Champions League or a league title but it was really exciting and for the fans it's really good to win trophies."
Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard is no traitor – Chelsea didn't want him any more, says Manuel Pellegrini
Chilean manager says Frank Lampard is 'no traitor' and that Manchester City's summer signings were all above board
Above board: Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager, has defended his club's conduct in the transfer market Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Tim Abraham
10:30PM BST 08 Aug 2014
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has hit back at Arsène Wenger's criticism over the club's loan signing of Frank Lampard and believes Chelsea fans would be wrong to call the midfielder "a traitor".
Lampard left Chelsea in June when his contract expired after 13 years at Stamford Bridge and joined Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC, who are City's sister club in the United States.
The 36-year-old has since moved to the Etihad Stadium on a six-month loan deal from New York - a switch that has angered some Chelsea fans - and will return to the MLS club in January ahead of the start of their season in March.
City will pay all of Lampard’s salary for the duration of his stay, thought to be in the region of £90,000 a week.
Wenger claimed City had used the signing of Lampard as a ploy “to get round” Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules, which City fell foul of last season, being fined £49 million — of which £32 million is suspended — and told they could name only a 21-man squad for this season’s Champions League campaign.
But ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Pellegrini dismissed Wenger’s comments about the Lampard deal.
“Was it done correctly? I think so,” Pellegrini said. “We didn’t spend any money on Frank Lampard from New York City. He wants to continue playing and he is a good player and very important for our team.
“We didn’t spend any money on him so the rules of Financial Fair Play doesn’t have any relation with Lampard. We know we have restrictions, we are obligated to do all we want to do within the restrictions.”
Wenger had also suggested that Bacary Sagna’s move to City this summer following the conclusion of the full-back’s contract with Arsenal was “agreed a long time ago”.
But Pellegrini retorted: “I think as managers we have enough problems with our own teams to be talking about other teams.”
Pellegrini also moved to take the sting out of any ill feeling towards Lampard from Chelsea supporters. City are due to host Jose Mourinho’s side next month.
“He was a free player so I also don’t understand the reaction of Chelsea fans who say he is a traitor because he is not at Chelsea,” Pellegrini said.
“The problem was not that Frank Lampard didn’t want to sign another contract with Chelsea, Chelsea didn’t want him any more.”
Wenger’s comments have added extra spice to the game at Wembley, although City are set to be without eight players for the curtain-raiser.
Pellegrini confirmed defenders Martín Demichelis, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Sagna would not be involved, while midfielders Fernandinho, Sergio Agüero and Lampard are all set to miss out, along with injured striker Álvaro Negredo.
Pellegrini has yet to decide whether Joe Hart will start in goal or whether to give a chance to Willy Caballero, a £6 million signing from Málaga.
Certainly, the City manager indicated that Caballero, 32, would be better placed to challenge Hart than Costel Pantilimon, who has been sold to Sunderland, did last season.
“I have two No 1 goalkeepers,” said the Chilean. “Willy is a very good goalkeeper, I know him from Málaga. I think he is very happy here. That is why I say we have a stronger squad than last year.
“I am sure Willy will be very important for us but I also continue thinking we have the best goalkeeper in England in Joe Hart. Top teams need two players for each position because we have to play so many games.”
Pellegrini also revealed there was no further progress on City’s attempts to sign France centre-back Eliaquim Mangala from Porto for a proposed £32 million.
“For the moment, he is not our player. But I don’t talk about specific players, we have all the month of August to do what we are going to do.”
Tottenham Hotspur stalling over Roberto Soldado's loan move to Atletico Madrid
Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino also trying to stay out of bitter sell-on row between Swansea and Utrecht over new goalkeeper Michel Vorm
Rare sighting: Roberto Soldado celebrates a goal against Cardiff last season - but they were thin on the ground Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Matt Law
7:38PM BST 08 Aug 2014
Atlético Madrid remain interested in Tottenham Hotspur striker Roberto Soldado, but face a battle to convince the White Hart Lane club to allow the Spaniard to leave on loan.
It is understood Atlético Madrid would like to sign Soldado on loan for the season, with a view to a permanent transfer. But such a move is not ideal for Spurs, who would need to buy a replacement for the forthcoming campaign.
Soldado suffered a miserable first season in England, scoring just six Premier League goals that largely came from the penalty spot.
New head coach Mauricio Pochettino is determined to try to get the best out of Soldado this season, but Tottenham would listen to attractive offers for the 29-year-old.
Although the total cost of the deal to sign Soldado from Valencia could rise to £26 million, Tottenham would only need to recoup around £13 million to cover what they have paid out so far.
Soldado tried to reiterate his commitment to Spurs on Friday by tweeting a message that read: “Can’t wait to get back to White Hart Lane.”
Tottenham are looking to cut down the squad by selling players, but the striker position is not an area where Pochettino can afford to lose anyone without quickly finding a replacement. Spurs are in line to start the season with three out-and-out strikers, Soldado, Emmanuel Adebayor and Harry Kane, and are looking for a left-sided attacker.
Memphis Depay is high on the list of left-sided targets, although PSV Eindhoven are trying to convince the 20-year-old Holland international to sign a new contract.
Atlético have already signed Mario Mandzukic to cover the loss of Diego Costa and managed to beat Tottenham to French forward Antoine Griezmann. But, having also seen David Villa leave, the Spanish club are in the market for a striker and Soldado has long been admired by the La Liga champions.
Tottenham are unconcerned by a row that has broken out between Swansea City and FC Utrecht over goalkeeper Michel Vorm’s move to White Hart Lane.
Vorm joined Spurs, along with left-back Ben Davies, with Gylfi Sigurdsson moving back to Swansea. It is believed Tottenham and Swansea paid £10 million each for Davies and Sigurdsson, with Vorm fetching almost £5 million.
Utrecht have threatened to report Swansea to Fifa, claiming they are due a 30 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal that saw Vorm move to Wales for £1.5 million in 2011.
Swansea have refuted the claims, with a spokesman saying: “The transfer of Michel Vorm was conducted and concluded correctly under Premier League rules. It was approved by the Premier League and also Fifa via their TMS (Transfer Matching) system.
“While we have been in contact with Utrecht as a matter of courtesy, we will continue to conduct our business in the best interest of our football club and our supporters, and not based on the views of other clubs.
“Unlike some countries abroad, we do not have third party ownership of players in Britain. The club will not be commenting further on this matter.”
Utrecht general manager Wilco van Schalk claimed that Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins had told him Vorm had gone to Tottenham “for free”.
Schalk said: “That’s unbelievable and unacceptable. Michel is a very reliable goalkeeper in the Premier League. He is 30-years-old, in the prime of his life. He still had a two-year contract and has a good reputation.
“Besides that, he’s a solid member of the Dutch squad. We want to have the 30 per cent as we agreed.”
Pellegrini: I have no trophy target at Manchester City
By Nicholas McGee
Aug 9, 2014 18:09:00
The Chilean boss has denied that he has a quota to meet but reiterated that he will look to win as much silverware as possible in the upcoming campaign
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed the club's stated target of winning five trophies in five years.
City chief executive Ferran Soriano revealed in May 2013 that he wanted the club to win an average of one major trophy - meaning the Champions League, the Premier League or the FA Cup - per season up to 2018.
Pellegrini - appointed as successor to Roberto Mancini in the same month - made a strong start towards achieving that goal by securing the Premier League title and the Capital One Cup in his maiden season at the Etihad Stadium.
City are likely to face a stern challenge if they are to enjoy further success in the upcoming campaign, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all having strengthened their squads in the recent weeks.
However, speaking ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Arsene Wenger's FA Cup winners, Pellegrini stressed that he is not concerned with any sort of trophy target.
When asked about Soriano's comments Pellegrini said: "I don't have a target to win five titles.
"Every time I play a competition, I want to win it. But that thing that we have to win five titles in five years - for me it is not important.
"We will play in the four competitions we must play in and we will try to continue in all competitions as far as we can. Exactly the same as last year.
"We continue trying to win the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Capital One Cup and the Champions League, and we will see during the season what we can do."
Everton striker Lukaku could miss Premier League kick-off
By Nicholas McGee
Aug 9, 2014 18:34:00
The striker, who sealed a permanent move to Goodison Park in July for €35 million, is not yet back to full fitness after representing Belgium at Brazil 2014
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says Romelu Lukaku's World Cup exertions could rule him out of the club's Premier League opener.
The Belgium international joined Everton from Chelsea in a club-record €35 million deal in July after a successful loan spell on Merseyside last season.
However, Martinez is wary of risking the 21-year-old against Leicester City next Saturday following his World Cup exertions in Brazil.
"When you have players coming back from the World Cup you have to decide if you want the players straight away or do you give them a bit of time to refresh and be ready to play for 10 months?" the Everton boss told reporters.
"It will only be Kevin Mirallas and Rom who might not start the season. For Romelu, it will depend on how he adapts to work from now until August 16.
"There is a degree of risk if you put them into a situation so early. They've been training really well and are accumulating a lot of work."
Martinez is willing to dip into the transfer market again following the arrivals of Lukaku, Muhamed Besic and Gareth Barry, but stressed that Everton's remaining business will depend on the fitness of Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo - both of whom are recovering from long-term injuries.
"Towards the end of last season I said we needed six more players, but it wasn't six new players, it was six players," Martinez added.
"We have added Barry, Lukaku and Besic and we also have Tony Hibbert who re-signed.
"We still need one or two, depending on how quickly Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo recover from their injuries."
The duo have finally been unveiled by the Premier League club after weeks of speculation, but will be back at the City Ground on loan for the season ahead
Newcastle have completed the double signing of Jamaal Lascelles and Karl Darlow from Nottingham Forest, the club have announced.
The pair have signed for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of €8 million and will be loaned back to the City Ground for the 2014-15 season.
The pair have put pen to paper on seven-year deals at St James' Park, much to the annoyance of Forest manager Stuart Pearce, who hit out at owner Fawaz Al Hasawi for agreeing to the deal without his approval.
Lascelles, who has been capped at Under-20 level for England, and Darlow had both been courted by a host of Premier League clubs, including Tottenham and Manchester City, and spoke of their delight at signing for the north east outift.
"As soon as I found out about the move I was over the moon," Lascelles told the Newcastle United official website.
"It's a huge step up for me. Newcastle are a club with a massive fanbase, a big history and an unbelievable stadium.
"First, I am going back to Forest for another season and that will be great for my development. Hopefully I can come here next summer an even better player."
Darlow, 23, also talked about his move, saying: "I'm delighted for it all to be sorted and I can't wait to get started here at Newcastle.
"The loan back is going to be another year but it gives me time to develop my game further before I return.
"I'm looking forward to the future."
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew had already described the pair as two "great assets" for the club when speaking to the press after his side's 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, and said he was delighted to get the deal over the line.
"It is a real coup to have signed two of the finest young talents in English football outside of the Premier League," said Pardew.
"Jamaal and Karl will be a big part of the future of this Club. They have both performed outstandingly in the Championship over the last couple of years and I have no doubt they will be able step up to this level once they return from their loan at Nottingham Forest."
Gunners boss praises attitude of new Barcelona defender and says it will be difficult to find a quality replacement in the transfer window
By Greg Stobart at Wembley Stadium
Arsene Wenger has appointed Mikel Arteta as Arsenal captain following Thomas Vermaelen's transfer to Barcelona.
The Spaniard helped guide the Gunners to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield and has been handed the armband for the forthcoming season, with Per Mertesacker his deputy.
Arteta, 32, is entering his third full season at the Emirates and previously captained Everton under David Moyes.
Asked who would take over from Vermaelen as club captain, Wenger said: "One: Arteta and two: Mertesacker. Arteta will be captain and Mertesacker vice-captain."
Outgoing skipper Vermaelen joined Luis Enrique's Barca for €19 million on Saturday, bringing an end to his five-year association with Arsenal.
Wenger had nothing but praise for the 28-year-old, adding: "I allowed Thomas Vermaelen to leave before the end of the season. He was not playing regularly, he behaved outstandingly and with dignity. It’s difficult to keep that kind of player at the top level if he doesn’t play regularly."
Wenger will look to find a replacement for Vermaelen in the transfer market but admits it will not be easy to sign a quality defender before the window closes at the end of the month.
The Arsenal boss also considers new signing Calum Chambers as a natural centre-back and was hugely impressed with the 19-year-old's display against City.
"You look at Vermaelen, there were two huge clubs in for him and they had a look and could not find anybody better," Wenger added. "If I can find another one I will do it but it is not easy to find. Maybe a guy who can play in two or three different positions will be better for us.
"I see Chambers as a centre-back. I saw him there when I bought him. He was outstanding today for a 19-year-old, it was very promising. It’s impressive because he does not have a long history in this position. If all goes well, he has a good career in front of him. He can challenge both centre-backs and that is what we want."
The Northern Irishman came within a whisker of ending the club's 25-year wait for league success last season and says the Reds will challenge again this term
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has promised the club's fans that it is only a matter of time before the Premier League trophy ends up at Anfield.
The Reds suffered heartbreak last season, as defeat to Chelsea at home and a disastrous draw at Crystal Palace saw the trophy slip from their grasp and into the hands of Manchester City.
But the Merseyside outfit won 12 of their final 14 games and Rodgers believes his side have shown they have the mettle to cope with the pressure of a title run in and end their 25-year championship drought.
"There is no depression here; there hasn’t been a hangover,” the Northern Irishman told the Mirror.
“I wasn’t lying on a sun lounger on a beach over the summer crying and fretting over the fact that we lost the league.
“There is only an excitement and a belief inside the club that we can challenge again for the title this time.
“We proved last season that we can handle the pressure of a title run-in. I know people will point to the Chelsea and Crystal Palace games, but they should look, instead, at our last 14 games.
“Twelve wins, one draw, one defeat. That kind of form usually wins you the title. So, I know we can cope with the pressure. What we didn’t get was that wee bit of luck you need along the way.
“We just didn’t get the breaks when we needed them most, but I believe that we will be back up there, challenging, and Liverpool Football Club is a very exciting place to be at this current time.
“Last season was a great step forward and now we must believe that we can go one better.
“If it doesn’t happen this year, then it will happen soon. I really believe that because of what we’re building at the club.”
There was further agony for Rodgers at the beginning of the transfer window as star man Luis Suarez left the club for Barcelona. But new recruits, such as Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic, have all been brought in to strengthen the sqaud that finished as runners up last season.
And the 41-year-old is aiming to build a side that will see the Reds - and himself - sticking around at the top table of English football for some time to come.
"I think the new signings have been good as they bring a freshness to the club," Rodgers enthused.
"But, first and foremost, I never dwell on the negatives. It was a season when I gained enormous experience – and I loved every single second of it.
“I have wanted to be at the leading edge of the game all of my life and I was fortunate to be in there, challenging for the title, right until the very end.
“This is where I want to be. It’s where I want Liverpool to be and, hopefully, we will be back there again this time.
"I’m 41. Hopefully, I’ve got another 20-odd years left in the game and, *hopefully, I will have success in that period.”
Official: Manchester United's Henriquez joins Dinamo Zagreb on loan
By Harry West
Aug 11, 2014 19:24:00
The ex-Universidad striker, who spent the 2013-14 season with Real Zaragoza, failed to make a first team appearance at Old Trafford and could make his move to Croatia permanent
Dinamo Zagreb have secured the services of Angelo Henriquez on loan from Manchester United, with an option to make the move permanent.
The Chilean, who has three caps for his country, signed for United from Universidad in his homeland two years ago.
He failed to make an impact at Old Trafford, however, and is yet to make an appearance for the first team.
After a brief loan spell at Wigan Athletic during the 2012-13 season, the 20-year-old spent last term in Spain with Segunda Division outfit Real Zaragoza, scoring six times in 25 appearances, and has now joined the Zagreb club for a season.
Currently leading the Croatian top flight with a perfect record after four matches, Zagreb face Petrolul Ploiesti in the first leg of their Europa League play-off clash on August 20 and Henriquez is thrilled at the prospect of helping his new side reach the first round of the competition.
"I'm happy with my arrival at Dinamo and I want to do good things," he told the club's official website.
"I have a lot of motivation and I want to prove myself, I believe that Dinamo is a great club for it.
"I want to help the club enter the group stages of the Europa League."
Pochettino hints at more Tottenham transfer activity
By Alex Fisher
Aug 11, 2014 19:47:00
Spurs are still pursuing a number of targets, but the former Southampton boss will also need to move some players on before the transfer window closes on September 1
Mauricio Pochettino has hinted he will add to his Tottenham squad before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Spurs have signed Ben Davies, Eric Dier and Michel Vorm since Pochettino joined the club from Southampton in May.
Villarreal centre-back Mateo Musacchio is reportedly close to joining, while a deal to bring in USA youngster Deandre Yedlin is also set to be confirmed.
But Pochettino has also indicated some players could leave the club this summer due to the size of his squad, with the Premier League opener against West Ham on August 16 on the horizon.
"We have a week of hard work to go and there could be some changes," he told reporters after the 2-1 friendly win over Schalke. "But I already have in my mind the personnel important for the game.
"We currently have 32 players so we need to be clinical in our selection."
Pochettino has also targeted Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who did not feature in a friendly defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
The Premier League champions have finally saled a deal for the France international, having made acquiring an elite defender to partner Vicente Kompany a summer priority
Manchester City have announced the signing of defender Eliaquim Mangala from Porto.
The France centre-back was in Manchester in July to complete a medical after the two clubs agreed a €40 million deal.
City had tried to sign Mangala during the January transfer window but the Portuguese club held firm, despite the investment trust that owns part of his economic rights willing to do a deal.
The Premier League champions also unsuccessfully attempted to sign Mangala's team-mate, Brazilian midfielder Fernando, in the winter window, but announced his signing during the World Cup.
“City is a top club in Europe," Mangala told the club's official website. "For me, it was an important step to leave Porto and join Manchester City in order to continue my progress.
"I want to win titles and I believe I can do this. I am ambitious and this is why I am here.
“I’m very happy to come to England because for me, the Premier League is the best league in the world. It is a very intense and very aggressive competition. There are plenty of goals, so it is also really nice to watch and I can’t wait to get started!
“The fact that Fernando is here is better because I played with him at Porto but there is also other players that I know like [Bacaray] Sagna, [Gael] Clichy and [Samir] Nasri."
City had prioritised the capture of an elite central defender to partner Vincent Kompany, and the 23-year-old Frenchman becomes the club's sixth summer signing after Sagna, Fernando, Willy Caballero, Frank Lampard and Bruno Zuculini.
Drogba doubtful for Chelsea opener limping out of Ferencvaros friendly
Aug 11, 2014 15:26:00
The returning Blues striker, back at Stamford Bridge for a second spell, landed awkwardly after challenging for a header during the pre-season game in Budapest on Sunday
Didier Drogba lasted just half an hour of Chelsea's pre-season friendly clash against Ferencvaros before being forced to withdraw through injury.
The Ivorian frontman, returning for a second spell at Stamford Bridge, landed awkwardly after contesting a header and was unable to run off what appeared to be a twisted ankle.
Drogba attempted to shake off the injury but, after coming back on following treatment from the club's medical staff, was forced to withdraw and now hopes that he might recover in time to take on the newly promoted team.
"I twisted my ankle and I couldn't continue," he told the club's official website.
"In the next few days we are going to do some treatment and I hope everything will be better."
Drogba Blues | The Cote d'Ivoire star was visibly in pain after his fall
Drogba was replaced by Oscar and hobbled straight down the tunnel to receive further treatment and his possible absence would be a huge blow for Jose Mourinho, with only Fernando Torres available as cover to Diego Costa.
The Ivorian started alongside Torres in the friendly in Budapest as the Blues continue their pre-season preparations. The 36-year-old hit one shot on target, which was comfortably saved, before limping out.
Chelsea face Real Sociedad in a final friendly ahead of the new season on Tuesday before taking on Burnley on August 18.
Joe Hart still faces a fight to convince Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini he should be the first-choice goalkeeper.
Monday 11th August 2014
Willy Caballero was preferred in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.
Hart, who was dropped by Pellegrini midway through last season following a string of high-profile errors, was an unused substitute at Wembley, with the City boss afterwards refusing to offer any guarantees over places.
"All the 22 players that we have in our squad must demonstrate who is number one in all the positions," Pellegrini said.
"The goalkeeper and the other positions of the team are exactly the same.
"Joe finished last season playing very well. We'll see next Sunday which 11 starts against Newcastle (in next Sunday's Premier League opener)."
City had four Englishmen on the bench, including Hart, but none in the starting XI.
Nationality will not come into Pellegrini's thinking during the season.
He said: "It doesn't matter if they're English players, American players, Spanish players. For me it's exactly the same.
"In every competition we play I'll play the team that I think is best to win that game."
Pellegrini says he has little time to prepare his side for next week's Premier League-opening trip to Newcastle, with numerous players having only recently returned following World Cup duty.
He said: "We have seven players who have just worked for five days. They were not considered for this game.
"We have another five players who have just worked for eight or nine days.
"It's difficult to be ready in two weeks. Aguero, (Pablo) Zabaleta, (Martin) Demichelis, Kompany, (Bacary) Sagna, Fernandino just arrived seven days ago. They started working on Monday.
"They will have 15 days before we start the Premier League so we'll see during the week which of them are ready and which of them are not ready."
Captain Vincent Kompany was also watching from the stands - alongside Frank Lampard following his loan signing from New York City FC - as the fringe players did little to impress.
Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud were on target as the Gunners sauntered to a second Wembley win in 85 days and a second trophy after May's FA Cup defeat of Hull ended a nine-year drought.
Pellegrini was encouraged by the second-half showing after a poor first 45 minutes.
He said: "We had two different faces. First half we didn't play with the pace we did the whole pre-season and Arsenal scored two goals because we didn't defend very well.
"The second half we played well, with possession of the ball, we had chances to score. It was really near to the team that I saw in pre-season.
"It is always bad to lose, but we don't need to worry."
Pellegrini could soon add to his defensive options, revealing France defender Eliaquim Mangala is close to a move from Porto.
Pellegrini told BT Sport: "Some papers are maybe missing but we continue having interest in the player, he wants to come so we will see what happens in the week."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Cesc Fabregas is perfectly suited to filling the position Frank Lampard occupied for 13 years.
Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea in action during the pre season friendly match between Vitesse Arnhem and Chelsea
Monday 11th August 2014
The 27-year-old former Arsenal captain signed from Barcelona in June after Chelsea record goalscorer Lampard left under freedom of contract at the end of last season.
Fabregas scored in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in Budapest on Sunday - on a day when Lampard was sitting in the stands for Manchester City after signing on loan from New York City FC - in the Blues' penultimate pre-season friendly before next Monday's Premier League opening contest at Burnley.
Mourinho said on chelseafc.com: "Frank is the history of the club, history nobody can forget.
"Fabregas is the future; history is history but the future is more important at the moment.
"My opinion, and the opinion of my players, is that Fabregas is the right player to occupy that central position in midfield."
Chelsea returned from Hungary late on Sunday night ahead of their match with Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
It is still too soon to know the full extent of the ankle injury which forced Didier Drogba off during the first half against Ferencvaros.
I'm sorry for beating Chelsea with Atletico - Diego Costa
By Peter Hanson
Aug 12, 2014 16:41:00
The Spain international played a part in eliminating his new team from the Champions League last season but is keen to make amends with the supporters after his summer move
Diego Costa says he is "really sorry" for the part that he played in eliminating Chelsea from the Champions League last season while at Atletico Madrid.
The Spain international was recruited for €44 million this summer after firing Diego Simeone's side into the final, where they were eventually beaten by Real Madrid, but the Blues were casualties in the last four, with Costa netting a penalty in a decisive 3-1 second-leg victory.
The striker recalls being impressed by the Chelsea supporters while on his way to victory and is now keen to make it up to his new team.
"Now I can say I'm really sorry for the part I played in the game we won at Stamford Bridge," Costa told reporters.
"I remember the atmosphere and the passion of the supporters. They stayed right until the end, getting behind their team, even though it was unlikely they could win after we scored two quick goals. I liked that.
"I hope my actions on the pitch and my feet will do the talking. All I can say is I love playing hard and fairly. I want to improve, not only as a player but as an individual, and I believe this is the perfect place for me to do that.
"Joining was an easy decision for me. We have some of the best players in the world, the best manager in the world and it's a club with great history. That's the reason I chose Chelsea and why I want to defend this shirt."
Mexico coach Herrera: Hernandez should leave Manchester United
By Peter Hanson
Aug 12, 2014 11:03:00
After failing to make El Tri's starting line-up at the World Cup, the striker has been urged to seek pastures new by his boss at international level
Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has urged Javier Hernandez to leave Manchester United in order to secure first-team football.
'Chicharito' has fallen down the pecking order after an impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford in 2010-11, with the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck all regularly preferred to him up front.
Last season, the 26-year-old started just six Premier League matches and new United boss Louis van Gaal is thought to be willing to allow the striker to leave - with Goal understanding Southampton are interested in the player's signature.
And Herrera, Chicharito's national team coach, believes that a move could be best for the striker's career, with Serie A champions Juventus allegedly considering a move for the out-of-favour forward.
"I think [Hernandez] needs to leave," the Mexico boss told ESPN.
"I think [Juventus] would be a good option for him. When a coach doesn't want you - when you have your best experience, your best moment with them, and now the coach that wanted you is no longer there - it's time to move.
"I think there are a lot of opportunities. They are not bad opportunities. If he goes to Juventus that would be an extraordinary team. Without a doubt, it would be a nice change for him. Hopefully he'll see more minutes."
