English Premier League 2016/17

Post by **Zidane** » June 23, 2016, 2:07 pm

Maybe time to start a new thread for the EPL as well.....

On the management front the two changes that have made the headlines are Jose Mourinho in for Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United and Ronald Koeman from Southampton taking over from the sacked Roberto Martinez at Everton.

Champions Leicester have signed defender,Luis Hernandez from Sporting Gijon,on a four year contract and it is thought that striker,Jamie Vardy,will reject Arsenals offer and stay with Leicester.
Elsewhere,Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Southampton midfielder,Victor Wanyama,for 11m GBP and Inter Milan are thought to be keen on Manchester Citys Yaya Toure,but other than that its likely to be quiet on the transfer front until Euro 2016 and Copa America end.
The new season starts on Saturday 13th August with all fixtures kicking off at 9pm Thai time.

Arsenal v Liverpool
Bournemouth v Manchester United
Burnley v Swansea
Chelsea v West Ham
Crystal Palace v West Brom
Everton v Tottenham
Hull v Leicester
Manchester City v Sunderland
Middlesbrough v Stoke
Southampton v Watford

The first on the list is the match that stands out but the matches at Chelsea and Everton look quite tasty,as well.
All the three promoted clubs start off with home fixtures,including Hull who entertain champions Leicester.

Post by **Zidane** » June 27, 2016, 8:24 am

Southampton striker Sadio Mane will have a medical at Liverpool on Monday after the clubs agreed a transfer fee in excess of £30m.
The deal, if concluded, would be one of Liverpool's most expensive, rivalling the £32.5m paid for Christian Benteke and £35m for Andy Carroll.
Manager Jurgen Klopp wants to boost his attacking options and made Mane a prime transfer target this summer.
It had been thought the Saints wanted closer to £40m for the Senegalese.
Klopp was impressed by Mane when he scored twice as Southampton came from 2-0 down to beat Liverpool 3-2 at St Mary's on 20 March.
Alongside England striker Daniel Sturridge and Belgium youngster Divock Origi, Mane - who scored 11 goals in 37 Premier League games last season - would add pace and a goalscoring threat.
Liverpool would seek to recoup most of the money they spend on the Mane by selling fellow striker Benteke, who has struggled since his move from Aston Villa in 2015.

Southampton have already signed a possible replacement for Mane with Norwich's Nathan Redmond completing a 5 year deal and a transfer fee thought to be around 10m GBP.

Jamie Vardy has decided to stay with Leicester and signed a new 4 year deal thought to be around 100k GBP per week...old news from the end of last week.

Post by **Brian Davis** » June 27, 2016, 10:34 am

Zidane wrote:Liverpool would seek to recoup most of the money they spend on the Mane by selling fellow striker Benteke, who has struggled since his move from Aston Villa in 2015.

Rumour had it (newspapers only?) that Palace are interested. Please, no. Besides, I would think, Palace fans feeling he's 'not the business', there's the memory of his making the most of very minor contact to win a late Liverpool penalty at Selhurst. Fans have long memories. Ashley Young always 'gets it' from Palace fans for a dive at Old Trafford. Unfortunately now, he always seems to play a blinder!

Post by **747man** » June 27, 2016, 10:42 am

Liverpool would seek to recoup most of the money they spend on the Mane by selling fellow striker Benteke, who has struggled since his move from Aston Villa in 2015........Oh Really, Doubt if he's worth more than About 18 Million in todays market......He's Crap,Ask ANY Liverpoolian & They'll tell Ya !!

Post by **Zidane** » June 30, 2016, 9:08 pm

Southampton appoint a new manager....

Southampton have appointed former Nice boss Claude Puel as their new manager.
The 54-year-old Frenchman, who left the Ligue 1 club in May after four years in charge, has signed a three-year contract with Saints.
He replaces Ronald Koeman, who took over at Everton on 16 June.
Saints executive director of football Les Reed described the search for a new manager as "diligent and meticulous" and that the "process eliminated a number of excellent candidates".
Southampton considered ex-Roma boss Rudi Garcia, while a move for former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini was not pursued after initial talks.
"Claude clearly came out on top of a very impressive shortlist," added Reed.
He added that the Puel would "meet our needs as a club" while "taking account of our culture, vision and values".
Eric Black, Aston Villa's caretaker manager last season following Remi Garde's sacking, joins Puel as assistant manager with former Boulogne coach Pascal Plancque as assistant first-team coach.
Coach Sammy Lee has left the back-room team.
Following finishes of eighth and seventh, Southampton finished sixth in the Premier League last season, which earned them a place in the Europa League.
Reed said the club's aim was to "repeat and improve on our performances in the Premier League", adding that Puel's Champions League experience would be "valuable" in their European campaign.

Post by **Zidane** » July 1, 2016, 11:46 am

I don't think too many people will be shocked by this.....

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Manchester United to sign ex-PSG striker

Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed he will sign for Manchester United after leaving Paris St-Germain.
The 34-year-old, capped 116 times for his country, was out of contract after four years at the French champions.
He will link up again with his former Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
"Time to let the world know. My next destination is Manchester United," he wrote on social media.
United, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League, have yet to confirm the move.
Ibrahimovic is yet to complete a medical and sign a contract with the Old Trafford club.

Post by **Brian Davis** » July 1, 2016, 6:17 pm

Palace get Townsend (13m) and Mandanda(undisclosed). Gayle off to Newcastle (10m) with best wishes from the majority of Palace fans, I'm sure. Good luck to him. Good business?

Post by **Zidane** » July 1, 2016, 6:46 pm

And theres more.....
Manchester City have signed Spain forward Nolito from Celta Vigo after meeting his £13.8m release clause.
The 29-year-old has signed a four-year contract to become City's third summer signing.
New manager Pep Guardiola has already brought in Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund for £20m, as well as Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy.
Nolito started all four of Spain's matches at Euro 2016 before they were knocked out in the last 16 by Italy.

A playing legend at Manchester United but time for him to move on and learn his trade as a manager at a Championship or League 1 club,maybe ?
Ryan Giggs has ended his 29-year stay at Manchester United by agreeing a settlement with the Old Trafford club.
United are expected to release an official statement in the coming days.
Giggs, 42, had a year remaining on his contract as assistant manager but new boss Jose Mourinho intends to fill that role with long-time friend Rui Faria.
Unable to reach agreement over another role at the Premier League club, Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances for United, has decided to move on.
Cardiff-born Giggs has passed all his coaching badges and has never made any secret of his desire to move into management

Post by **Brian Davis** » July 2, 2016, 6:00 am

It seems Palace and Benteke is more than paper talk. Palace, are you sure? From what I read from Scousers, he's crap! Can we have the avatar girl in lieu?

Post by **Zidane** » July 2, 2016, 8:02 am

Brian Davis wrote:It seems Palace and Benteke is more than paper talk. Palace, are you sure? From what I read from Scousers, he's crap! Can we have the avatar girl in lieu?

Yes,it appears to be the case,Brian !

25m GBP for a poor mans Lukaku who only performs when he's in the mood!
I think you would be better signing the Swiss avatar girl to play upfront personally !

And at long last.....Everton make a signing.....goalkeeper,Maarten Stekelenberg from Fulham and are also rumoured to be interested in Borussia Dortmunds Polish wide man,Jakub Blaszczykowski....try saying that surname quickly with a Digestive Biscuit in your mouth,Alan !

Post by **747man** » July 2, 2016, 11:31 am

New Everton signing Maarten Stekelenburg on easy decision to join Koeman
18:51, 1 JUL 2016 UPDATED 18:51, 1 JUL 2016
BY KRISTIAN WALSH
The Dutch goalkeeper joins Koeman for the third time in his career

Maarten Stekelenburg believes the decision to become Ronald Koeman’s first Everton signing was an easy one.

The 33-year-old moves to Goodison Park on a three-year contract after a fee believed to be under £1m was agreed with Fulham.

The Dutch goalkeeper joins up with Koeman for the third time in his career, having worked with him during a loan spell at Southampton last season.

Stekelenburg, who also spent time under Koeman at Ajax, admitted it was not a hard choice to make once he became aware of the Blues’ interest.

READ MORE
Everton target Maarten Stekelenburg, the "attacking goalkeeper" who Koeman knows well
“I’m very happy - things have moved very fast over the last couple days,” said the goalkeeper.

“Koeman has come to Everton and he called me a few days after asking if I was willing to follow him. It wasn’t difficult to make that choice.

“He’s one of the best coaches - he’s straight talking, he’s fair and he has confidence in me which counts as well.

“I’ve been in England for a couple of seasons and I love the Premier League. It’s fantastic that I can stay.”

Koeman, meanwhile, has hailed the ‘professionalism’ of his new signing – the first he has made since taking the job last month.

“Obviously I know Maarten well having worked with him at two clubs before,” Koeman said.

“I know through his professionalism, hard-working approach and personality he will fit in well with what I will be building at Everton.”

Maarten Stekelenburg saves a shot during the 2010 World Cup Group E match between Netherlands and Japan.Maarten Stekelenburg saves a shot during the 2010 World Cup Group E match between Netherlands and Japan.
Born in Haarlem, Stekelenburg started his career at Ajax, making more than 200 appearances before moving to Roma in 2011. He joined Fulham in 2013 but made just 21 appearances as the Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League in his first season.

The following season he was loaned to Monaco, before being signed by Koeman for the 2015/16 campaign, where he would deputise for Saints’ No.1 Fraser Forster.

Koeman had told the ECHO how adding a goalkeeper to his ranks was essential following the departure of Tim Howard. Joel Robles is, at present, the only senior ‘keeper at the club, though Stekelenburg, assuming there are no last-minute hitches, could be in place when the first team squad reports for pre-season training at Finch Farm on Monday.

Everton remain keen to add another goalkeeper to take over as first choice this summer. Forster, Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen and Tim Krul of Newcastle are among the names being considered.

Post by **747man** » July 2, 2016, 11:38 am

555...........The Cheek of THEM,Bet Brian Davis will be happy,Though ?? Liverpool reject £25m offer for Benteke
19:02, 1 JUL 2016 UPDATED 19:08, 1 JUL 2016
BY ANDY KELLY
Reds sticking to £30m valuation due to state of the market

Liverpool have instantly rejected a £25m bid from Crystal Palace for Christian Benteke .

The London club made a formal offer for the striker today but have already been told that it is not acceptable, the ECHO understands.

It is believed the club consider the state of the football market at the moment is such that they can get their money back on the big Belgian - currently in France with the national team at Euro 2016.

Benteke arrived last summer for £32.5m after Liverpool triggered the release clause in his Aston Villa contract netting 10 times in 20 starts and 22 substitute appearances.

But his style of play has not dovetailed with the arrival of Jurgen Klopp as manager and the 25-year-old is now surplus to requirements at Anfield.

A bid of more than £30m would likely see the Reds do business and it is expected that Liverpool’s second most expensive ever signing will be heading out of the club in the days to come.

Post by **socksy** » July 2, 2016, 12:45 pm

Liverpool should grasp that offer for such a 'donkey'. I'm sure when Liverpool signed him and another Kop Flop (no pun intended) Andy Carroll they sent their scouts to Blackpool beach with a wad of carrots to entice them to sign.

Post by **FLICKFLACKER404** » July 2, 2016, 1:27 pm

747man wrote:New Everton signing Maarten Stekelenburg on easy decision to join Koeman
18:51, 1 JUL 2016 UPDATED 18:51, 1 JUL 2016
BY KRISTIAN WALSH
The Dutch goalkeeper joins Koeman for the third time in his career

Maarten Stekelenburg believes the decision to become Ronald Koeman’s first Everton signing was an easy one.

The 33-year-old moves to Goodison Park on a three-year contract after a fee believed to be under £1m was agreed with Fulham.

The Dutch goalkeeper joins up with Koeman for the third time in his career, having worked with him during a loan spell at Southampton last season.

Stekelenburg, who also spent time under Koeman at Ajax, admitted it was not a hard choice to make once he became aware of the Blues’ interest.

READ MORE
Everton target Maarten Stekelenburg, the "attacking goalkeeper" who Koeman knows well
“I’m very happy - things have moved very fast over the last couple days,” said the goalkeeper.

“Koeman has come to Everton and he called me a few days after asking if I was willing to follow him. It wasn’t difficult to make that choice.

“He’s one of the best coaches - he’s straight talking, he’s fair and he has confidence in me which counts as well.

“I’ve been in England for a couple of seasons and I love the Premier League. It’s fantastic that I can stay.”

Koeman, meanwhile, has hailed the ‘professionalism’ of his new signing – the first he has made since taking the job last month.

“Obviously I know Maarten well having worked with him at two clubs before,” Koeman said.

“I know through his professionalism, hard-working approach and personality he will fit in well with what I will be building at Everton.”

Maarten Stekelenburg saves a shot during the 2010 World Cup Group E match between Netherlands and Japan.Maarten Stekelenburg saves a shot during the 2010 World Cup Group E match between Netherlands and Japan.
Born in Haarlem, Stekelenburg started his career at Ajax, making more than 200 appearances before moving to Roma in 2011. He joined Fulham in 2013 but made just 21 appearances as the Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League in his first season.

The following season he was loaned to Monaco, before being signed by Koeman for the 2015/16 campaign, where he would deputise for Saints’ No.1 Fraser Forster.

Koeman had told the ECHO how adding a goalkeeper to his ranks was essential following the departure of Tim Howard. Joel Robles is, at present, the only senior ‘keeper at the club, though Stekelenburg, assuming there are no last-minute hitches, could be in place when the first team squad reports for pre-season training at Finch Farm on Monday.

Everton remain keen to add another goalkeeper to take over as first choice this summer. Forster, Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen and Tim Krul of Newcastle are among the names being considered.

=D> =D> =D>

Everton showing great ambition in signing a young up and coming goalkeeper, money no object new owners splashing the cash,great times ahead $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

Post by **stattointhailand** » July 2, 2016, 2:23 pm

=D> =D> =D>

Everton showing great ambition in signing a young up and coming goalkeeper, money no object new owners splashing the cash,great times ahead $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

perhaps they should have "splashed the cash" and bought a donkey or two for 30 odd million each who could sit on their bench as back up ......... even when their " :-& star :-& " player is out injured again :-"

Post by **FLICKFLACKER404** » July 2, 2016, 3:24 pm

stattointhailand wrote:=D> =D> =D> Everton showing great ambition in signing a young up and coming goalkeeper, money no object new owners splashing the cash,great times ahead $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

perhaps they should have "splashed the cash" and bought a donkey or two for 30 odd million each who could sit on their bench as back up ......... even when their " :-& star :-& " player is out injured again :-"

its only money

calm down dear,you,ll give yourself a hernia

your not on about sturridge again are you?let it go

Post by **Brian Davis** » July 3, 2016, 7:16 am

[quote="747man"]Liverpool have instantly rejected a £25m bid from Crystal Palace for Christian Benteke .
/quote]
Phew! In honesty, I don't know, I'm only really picking up on comments you lot make saying he's not worth anything like that money. He was pretty good at Villa.
Perhaps Van Persie now?

Another footballer who has scored wonderful goals, but has a nasty streak in him too.

Post by **Zidane** » July 3, 2016, 7:36 am

Chelsea target Michy Batshuayi has confirmed that he will leave Ligue 1 side Marseille this summer.
The Belgium international, 22, is set to move to the Premier League club in a £33m (40m euros) deal on Sunday.
Batshuayi, who scored 23 goals in all competitions for Marseille last season, will be new manager Antonio Conte's first signing at Stamford Bridge.
"This should be formalised tomorrow, I will leave Olympic Marseille this summer," Batshuayi wrote on Twitter.
Batshuayi came on as a substitute in Belgium's 3-1 Euro 2016 quarter-final defeat by Wales on Friday.
The Brussels-born forward, who signed for Marseille from Standard Liege in 2014, came off the bench to score in Belgium's 4-0 win win over Hungary in the last 16 on Monday.
He was linked with several Premier League clubs, and Crystal Palace reportedly agreed a fee :-" with Ligue 1 side Marseille earlier this week

Manchester United have had an offer for Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan accepted.
The Armenia captain, who cost the German club £23.5m in 2013, is out of contract next summer.
"Had we refused it, the player would be available for free in 2017," Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told the club's official website.
Mkhitaryan, 27, is yet to have a medical at Old Trafford and personal terms are still to be agreed.
If a deal for the player - who will require a work permit - is completed, he will become United's third major signing of the summer after Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly and former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

This one should really be in the "Rumours" thread I guess,but......

Manchester City want to buy Everton defender John Stones, but would have to pay the Goodison Park club around £50m for the England international.

New City manager Pep Guardiola is keen to make Stones his next high-profile transfer of the summer.

Post by **FLICKFLACKER404** » July 3, 2016, 8:46 am

50 million for stones????are they taking the piss,''The bloody cheek of them'' hey 747??? i thought it was only liverpool who held out for the best price on players

most overrated player in the prem,even ''WOY'' didn,t rate him

Post by **747man** » July 5, 2016, 9:09 am

Oh Dear, Brian Davis will be " Doing His Nut " Christian Benteke is edging closer to the Liverpool exit door as Crystal Palace prepare to increase their offer for the striker.

The Londoners saw their initial bid of £25million rejected last week but they are upping that to £31.5million.

Palace are willing to pay Liverpool £27million up front with a further £4.5million due in add-ons.

Whether that will be enough to convince the Reds to sell is likely to hinge on how realistic it is that those add-ons, which will be linked to appearances and European qualification with Palace, are triggered in the future. However, an agreement between the clubs now looks increasingly likely.