MZSoccer9
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                                        News Blog

                                                Everton lining up a £25m summer move for West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell

                                               
Everton are looking to sign Aaron Cresswell at the end of this season. According to
                                                reports, Sam Allardyce has worked with the West Ham left-back before and he is
                                                a big admirer of the 28-year-old.

                                                Allardyce wants Cresswell to compete with Baines for the starting left back position.
                                                The report goes on to quote a source that claims Cresswell is keen on a move back to
                                                Liverpool this summer.

                                                It will be interesting to see what happens if an offer comes in from Everton. West Ham
                                                will not want to lose a key player. Moyes is planning to put together a decent squad
                                                himself and Cresswell has been a key player for him.

                                                Apparently, Everton will launch a £25million offer for the West Ham defender this
                                                summer. Leighton Baines has been a fantastic player for Everton over the years but
                                                he is 33 years old and it is time for the Toffees to start planning for life without him.
                                                Cresswell could prove to be a wise addition if they manage to convince West Ham
                                                to sell.

  
                                              < MZSoccer9
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                                                Jose Mourinho reacts to Paul Pogba’s stunning performance vs Man City

   
                                            Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was content with the performance
                                                of Paul Pogba, who bagged a match-winning brace at the Etihad Stadium on
                                                Saturday evening. The France international’s position was brought into question
                                                after Pep Guardiola suggested that he was offered to Manchester City in January,
                                                but the midfielder came up with a fitting reply.

                                                Pogba was key to United’s stunning comeback in the second-half with two goals in
                                                the space of 97 seconds, and Chris Smalling ensured that the game ended in the club’s
                                                favour with a headed-winner. Following the 3-2 derby win, Mourinho was pleased
                                                with Pogba’s impact during the derby, and jokingly suggested his valuation may
                                                have been upped after a game-changing display.

                                                On any day, Pogba’s efforts may not be of great importance, but there is nothing
                                                better than halting City’s title celebrations. The Citizens are expected to win the title
                                                by the end of this month, but Pogba’s feat will be fondly remembered for spoiling the
                                                party atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.

                                                With the win, United have more or less sealed the second spot in the Premier League,
                                                and they now hold a four-point advantage over both Liverpool and Tottenham. Arsenal
                                                are the only top-six club, United are due to face before the end of the season, and they
                                                should fancy a win based on the second half display versus City.

                                                <MZSoccer9
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                                                Japan dismisses coach Halilhodzic ahead of FIFA World Cup

                                                The Japan Football Association (JFA) on Monday decided to dismiss the head coach of
                                                Japan’s national team, just two months out from the 2018 World Cup, local media reported.
                                                Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic will be dismissed from his position as the head coach of Japan’s
                                                national football team, colloquially known as the “Samurai Blue”, despite his success in
                                                steering the team through the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, reports Efe.

                                                The Japanese team recently failed to clinch a victory in recent friendlies against Mali and
                                                Ukraine, who did not even qualify for the event in Russia. The decision is scheduled to be
                                                officially announced at a press conference on Monday here, during which the JTA will also
                                                reveal who will replace Halilhodzic as new head coach.

                                                The new coach is expected to be among these shortlisted candidates: JFA’s technical director
                                                Akira Nishino, an experienced J-League coach; Hajime Moriyasu, Japan’s under-21 football
                                                team coach; and Makoto Teguramori, a member of Halilhodzic’s coaching staff.

                                                Halilhodzic assumed the head-coaching duty for Japan in March 2015, replacing his Mexican
                                                predecessor Javier Aguirre, and helped the national team secure their spot in the 2018 FIFA
                                                World Cup with a record of 6 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws in the qualification round.

                                                However, the disappointing performance of the Japanese team in recent games, coupled with
                                                the team’s dissatisfaction with the Bosnian coach, have pushed the JFA to terminate the contract
                                                with Halilhodzic.

                                                Japan is scheduled to play against Colombia on June 19, which will be their first game in the
                                                2018 FIFA World Cup, in Russia. Japan and Colombia form parts of group H with two other
                                                teams, Senegal and Poland.

                                                <MZSoccer9
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                                                Gareth Southgate told to pick Arsenal ace for World Cup squad

                                                That’s according to Tony Cascrino who’s backed the former Manchester United forward to
                                                play an important role in Russia. The Gunners secured a 3-2 win over Southampton yesterday
                                                despite a lacklustre performance.

                                                Welbeck, 27, bagged a brace in the Emirates clash. Cascarino says Welbeck’s positive attitude
                                                makes him a popular pick for managers. He wrote in The Times: “I was really pleased with Danny
                                                Welbeck's performance yesterday.

                                                “For me, he has to go on the plane to Russia this summer. “He will not be first choice, but he
                                                is the best second choice. He always shows hunger and desire, and that is why so many managers
                                                have picked him.

                                                “Before Welbeck's goals, the atmosphere was so muted at the Emirates. Arsenal this year have
                                                been also-rans. “After winning the FA Cup last year, the fans were expecting much more this season.
                                                But they are so disillusioned. They feel like they have had enough.

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                                                LOFTUS-CHEEK: FEELING GOOD

                                                Ruben Loftus-Cheek was pleased to be involved as England opened their World Cup campaign with a win,
                                                and the Chelsea midfielder has spoken about the fantastic support the team have received back home.
                                                The 22-year-old came off the bench for the closing stages of Monday’s 2-1 victory against Tunisia, impressing
                                                 with his quality on the ball and ability to create goalscoring opportunities.

                                                With Dele Alli nursing an injury Loftus-Cheek could potentially start when England play Panama in their
                                                next game on Sunday, and he was pleased with the contribution he made against Tunisia.

                                                ‘It was just a natural instinct because when the game is like that, with not long left, you have to try to make
                                                stuff happen and take risks, so I just thought I’d go on and be direct,’ he explained.

                                                ‘I thought we did really well in the first half, we could have scored a few goals, so to keep the faith, stay
                                                patient and get the goal at the end was fantastic.

                                                ‘It felt good to play. When you're playing you don't think about it, but afterwards you let it sink in and think
                                                you’ve just played at a World Cup. It's crazy.’

                                                As ever, when England are involved at a major tournament the nation is fully behind the team, and Harry Kane’s
                                                last-gasp winner on Monday sparked jubilant scenes up and down the country.

                                                Having watched some videos of fans celebrating the winning goal, Loftus-Cheek spoke about the importance
                                                of that support.

                                                ‘We're in this little bubble with our own vision and we're focused, so we don't always see what's going on
                                                outside like that,’ he said.

                                                ‘That was mental, beers flying up in the air, it was like a festival. Everyone forgets who they support club-wise
                                                and just comes together.’


                                                <MZSoccer9
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