KANTE REMINDS ME OF MYSELF AS A PLAYER, ADMITS CONTE

The newest recruit at Stamford Bridge has joined up for their pre-season tour of the United States but will have to wait to make his first appearance for his new club
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted he sees some of himself in new midfield signing N'Golo Kante.

Kante has trained with his new team-mates in Los Angeles and will be present when the Blues take on Real Madrid in Michigan, but is unlikely to play due to a lack of match fitness.

The Frenchman is the last player to join the tour in the United States having taken a holiday after Euro 2016 and Conte is looking forward to seeing him in action.

"In my career I had great stamina, [I was] a great runner," Conte said. "Also, I scored some goals. I hope N'Golo can improve in this situation. Maybe we are similar but I know N'Golo can become a fantastic midfielder and he can improve a lot.

"I’ve had conversations with him. I explained what I expect on the pitch and [that] he is an important player. He can become an important player for Chelsea in the midfield, in the same way as [Nemanja] Matic and [Cesc] Fabregas and the others. I’m pleased to have all the players here."

Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0 in their first International Champions Cup game at the Rose Bowl and are enduring double training sessions almost every day as Conte seeks to implement a specific style of play.

Kante's first game for Chelsea will likely be against AC Milan on Thursday, with Conte admitting that despite his natural fitness he will not rush him back into the fold.

"For N'Golo, today was his first day training with us," he added. "He started to look at our idea of football and to understand our method.

"We are pleased to have N'Golo with us because he is a player who doesn’t speak a lot but he does his job. He’s a good guy, humble, with a great will to work. It’s very important to me, this.

"He’s in good physical condition, fantastic. He’s a runner. He has great stamina and endurance. He’s in good shape but we want to respect the time in the training session and put him in to play with us in the future."

Conte will face off against Zinedine Zidane for the first time as a manager having played alongside him for five years as a player with Juventus.

"Zidane is a good man," he said. "I know him very well and his family. I am pleased for him and his career. We played together at Juventus in midfield - me, [Didier] Deschamps, [Edgar] Davids and Zidane, a good midfield.

"It was fantastic for me. I remember the genius of the football. Me and Deschamps and Davids were running for Zidane but for us this was a great joy. We knew when the ball was in his possession anything could happen."

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POGBA 'UNDERGOES MEDICAL' AS HE TEASES MAN UTD FANS AGAIN

The France international is currently on holiday in the United States but has further fuelled speculation over his future with his latest updates on social media
Paul Pogba continues to tease Manchester United fans about a potential world-record transfer to Old Trafford by posting updates on Instagram.
Goal understands Manchester United are set to seal a €110 million deal for the midfielder after Real Madrid dropped out of the race.

The France international is currently on holiday in the United States and has posted a photo of himself outside Universal Studios with the caption: "news: we catch Pogba with his contract at the amusement park Universal Studios in LA."
The Juventus star then goes one better with a second photo, this time captioned: "breaking news: Pogba undergoes medical visit in Universal Studios amusement park California".

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OFFICIAL: Nottingham Forest complete deal for former Arsenal defender Troare

The former Senegal international had loan spells at Portsmouth and Juventus before signing for QPR five years ago, but was released in June having fallen out of favour
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the signing of Armand Troare, effective from August 1.
The 26-year-old has signed a three-year deal at the City Ground following his release from Queens Park Rangers
Traore failed to make a single appearance for the Championship club last season and has been training with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim during the close season.

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Krychowiak: I joined PSG to win the Champions League

 
The Poland midfielder is looking to win a third consecutive European title with Unai Emery but this time has his sights set on the continent's premier competition
Grzegorz Krychowiak has revealed he joined Paris Saint-Germain because their ambition of winning the Champions League matches his own.
The Poland midfielder completed a move to the French capital in early July to reunite with his former Sevilla coach, Unai Emery, who had been unveiled as Laurent Blanc's successor less than a week earlier.
Krychowiak won back-to-back Europa League titles with Emery at Sevilla and is now setting his sights on winning the continent's top competition.
"This is one of the best clubs in Europe, but I knew that before coming here," Krychowiak told Goal.
"PSG is a club that aims to win the Champions League. This is an ambitious club and I think that this is what I am. I am someone as ambitious [as the club] and I want to assert myself here."
Krychowiak is playing in Ligue 1 for the second time, having joined Sevilla from Reims, and says his previous experience in France has eased the process of gelling with a new team.
"I am very happy," he added. "The fact that I speak French has helped me tremendously since I arrived. It's not always easy to integrate into a new group, but there is not a language barrier with my team-mates.
"I can play in new stadiums in France. I've been able to see some during Euro 2016. There are a lot of clubs that have changed since I left, so it will be exciting to see."
When asked what he would add to Emery's team, he said: "I bring combativeness, aggression in the right way. I am a player who never gives up, who loves competition. I always want more.
I think that competition [for places] helps you to improve individually but also collectively. In each team there is big competition so you have to fight for your place, and that's what I'll do."

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MLS All-Stars 1-2 Arsenal: Akpom wins it late as Xhaka makes debut

Didier Drogba was among the goals as he cancelled out Joel Campbell's opener before the 20-year-old fired the Gunners to victory three minutes from time

Substitute Chuba Akpom netted a late winner as Arsenal saw off the MLS All-Stars 2-1 in San Jose on Thursday.
Akpom came off the bench past the hour-mark and he proved to be the difference, scoring from close range with three minutes remaining, while big-money recruit Granit Xhaka made his debut for the Premier League giants at Avaya Stadium.
Scores were level at half-time following Didier Drogba's equaliser at the third time of asking for Kaka and Co., cancelling out Joel Campbell's 11th-minute penalty.
The result ended the All-Stars' run of consecutive wins against European opposition, having upstaged Tottenham last year and Bayern Munich in 2014.
Arsenal settled quickest of the two teams, unsurprising given the lack of cohesion and understanding between the All-Stars.
And while Giovani dos Santos forced Petr Cech into an early save, Arsenal took advantage of a disjointed back four, with Campbell stepping up to convert from the spot.
The Costa Rica international lobbed the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Andre Blake and was brought down by Laurent Ciman, before channelling his inner Simone Zaza as he shuffled toward the ball in a stuttered run-up and fired into the bottom corner of the net.
Mohamed Elneny almost doubled Arsenal's lead, forcing Blake into a fine finger-tip save approaching the half-hour mark, which eventually saw the withdrawal of All-Star pair Andrea Pirlo and David Villa due to their upcoming New York City commitments.
Kaka and his All-Stars, however, did manage to draw level thanks to Drogba on the stroke of half-time.
After receiving a throughball from Dos Santos, Drogba bundled the ball into the back of the net after his initial shot was saved by Cech and blocked on the line.
Xhaka came off the bench at half-time to make his debut for the Londoners, the Switzerland international looking composed on the ball in midfield, forcing David Bingham into two saves.
All-Star substitutes Cyle Larin and Chris Wondolowski almost combined for the match-winner in the 82nd minute, but Arsenal snatched the victory three minutes from time via Akpom.

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OFFICIAL: Barcelona's Adriano joins Besiktas

The Brazil international played his part in winning 16 trophies at Camp Nou and oins the Turkish champions for a fee that could rise to €2.3 million
Barcelona have confirmed full-back Adriano Correia is set to join Besiktas after an agreement was reached between the two clubs.

The 31-year-old moves to Istanbul for a fee of €600,000, though that could rise to €2.3 million if Besiktas qualify for the Champions League while Adriano is with the club.
He becomes the second full-back to leave the club this summer after Dani Alves joined Dani Alves on a free transfer.

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OFFICIAL: Gomis leaves Swansea for Marseille

The French striker scored 17 goals in 71 games for the Welsh side but now returns to his homeland on a season-long loan
Swansea City have announced the departure of striker Bafetimbi Gomis to Marseille on a season-long loan.
The 30-year-old was left out of the Swans' squad for their pre-season tour of America as they

Gomis made 18 starts and 15 substitute league appearances last season, scoring six goals, having arrived from Lyon on a free transfer in 2014.
The former France international graduated from the Saint-Etienne academy and went on to make 159 appearances.
His return to the French top tier sees him replace Michy Batshuayi, who left Marseille for Chelsea in a €40 million deal at the start of July.

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Wenger: Arsenal need an experienced striker

 
The Gunners coach is already on the lookout for a new defender after Per Mertesacker's injury but admits he also hopes to add further depth to his attacking options
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is on the hunt for another attacking option before the transfer window closes after admitting his side lacks experienced forwards.
The Gunners were 2-1 victors over an MLS All-Star side in San Jose on Thursday, with 20-year-old Chuba Akpom - who spent last season on loan at Hull City - grabbing an 87th-minute winner.
Wenger has already earmarked bringing in a defender before the end of August after Per Mertesacker sustained a long-term knee injury and Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi is thought to be the top target.
But the Frenchman is also keen on bolstering his front line with the club having already had a bid for Alexandre Lacazette rejected by Lyon this month.
"At the moment I have not too many attacking options in terms of experienced players," Wenger said.
"But let's not forget we still have a few players at home.
"There are also a few players who did not play against the MLS All-Star team, like Santi Cazorla and of course Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey are at home. Olivier Giroud is also not here.
"So we have options but we will still look outside to find one more."
With Laurent Koscielny still recuperating from playing for France at Euro 2016 and Gabriel Paulista not travelling to America due to illness, England Under-21 international Rob Holding - signed from Bolton Wanderers this month - was given a chance to impress in the Arsenal defence against the All-Star side.

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RUMOURS: Robson-Kanu set for Atletico talks

Having been released by Reading at the end of last season, the forward's performances at Euro 2016 has seen the Rojiblancos and Sevilla both show an interest in his services
Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu is set to hold talks with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, according to Sky Sports.
The forward was released by Reading at the end of last season, but has attracted interest from a host of clubs following his performances at Euro 2016.
And Atletico, along with Liga rivals Sevilla, have both shown an interest in the 27-year-old as they look to bolster their forward line.
Officials from the club are set to fly to the UK for talks with Robson Kanu's representatives as one of the most sensational moves of the summer nears completion.

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RUMOURS: Man Utd plan Payet bid

The Red Devils are keen to continue their summer spending with a move for the West Ham star, though they are likely to face competition from Inter
Manchester United have not given up hope of signing West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet, according to France Football.
The Red Devils are set to continue their summer spending with a world-record move for Paul Pogba, but that has not stopped them from keeping tabs on Payet.
And the Old Trafford outfit are plotting a bid for the France international ahead of the new season.
They are likely to face competition from Inter, who are keen to showcase their new wealth with a big-name signing.

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RUMOURS: Borussia Monchengladbach launch €18m bid for Chelsea defender Christensen

The 20-year-old impressed during his loan spell in the Bundesliga, and now the club are ready to secure a record deal for the centre-back
Borussia Monchengladbach have launched an €18 million bid for Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, according to Bild.
The report claims that the Premier League club are holding out for €22m but a deal for €20m including a buy-back clause is a likely compromise.
Christensen, 20, initially joined Chelsea from Brondby in 2014 but made just three senior appearances for the club before he was sent out on loan to Gladbach last season.
And because of his impressive performances in the Bundesliga last term, Andre Schubert's side are ready to make the Denmark international a club-record signing.

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RUMOURS: ARSENAL EARMARK WENGER REPLACEMENT

The Emirates Stadium hierarchy have been impressed by the Bournemouth manager, with the club looking ahead to the Frenchman's exit in the near future
Arsenal have earmarked Bournemouth head coach Eddie Howe as a successor to Arsene Wenger, according to the Daily Star.

The Emirates Stadium hierarchy have been impressed by the young manager's tactical approach and are happy it would transition well to the Premier League giants.

Wenger shares their enthusiasm, though the long-serving manager's recommendations will only be taken as additional options and not result in an automatic appointment.

The report claims Arsenal would have been happy to see Wenger take up the England post this summer as they begin their search to replace the Frenchman, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract.

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Chelsea versus Liverpool was a "farce" says Fabregas

The Spain international was sent off in a feisty friendly in the ICC as his side held on to win their third pre-season game against Premier League opposition
Cesc Fabregas was critical of referee, Baldomero Toledo, after he was sent off for a late challenge as the International Champions Cup game ended with six yellow cards and one red card.
The 29-year-old will now be suspended for Chelsea's next ICC game against Real Madrid but his team-mates went on to beat Liverpool courtesy of a Gary Cahill header in the tenth minute.
Fabregas's studs were up as he collided with Ragnar Klaven who was making his debut for Liverpool but Fabregas thinks the American referee was giving too many booking for players on both sides which impacted the match.
"We want to win every game and everything becomes very competitive," Said Fabregas. "I do think the ref for them and for us was giving cards all over the place that’s why. Sometimes when you do that as a ref you lose a little feeling of what is happening."
"If you give one that is 50-50 or 40-60 then you have to give the next one again and it became a little bit of a farce."
Alberto Moreno's late challenge on Willian in the sixth minute set the tone and Marko Gruijic came off with a concussion after clashing heads with Bertrand Traore.
Chelsea edged the game by winning the midfield battle as both sides struggled to create chances in the game, creating only one each but Fabregas is refusing to let it affect his preparation for the first Premier League match against West Ham.
“It was the only little negative," He added. "I’m very happy with my performance, first game of the season. I feel very sharp. I feel great and feel the team is improving a lot, especially defensively. With the ball we have to improve a few more things but we should be happy."

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Klopp reveals 'disrespectful' Sakho was sent home from Liverpool's pre-season tour

Klopp reveals 'disrespectful' Sakho was sent home from Liverpool's pre-season tour

The German admits the defender broke three team rules during their pre-season tour of the United States

Jurgen Klopp has revealed his fury with Mamadou Sakho after he sent the French defender home early from Liverpool's tour of the United States.
The German revealed that Sakho, who has only recently been cleared of a doping violation which he served a provisional suspension for, had broken team rules three times and now faces crunch talks to save his career at Anfield.
"He nearly missed the departure of Liverpool [on the plane from Liverpool to San Francisco], he missed a training session and was late for a team meal," said Klopp.
"I have to build a group here and we’ve got to start new here. I thought it maybe made sense for him to fly home to Liverpool.
"We have some rules and we have to respect them – if somebody gives me the feeling they are not respecting it I have to react.
"After eight or ten days we can talk about it. We had no argument but I spoke - you cannot argue when only one person is speaking."
When asked if Sakho would be fined, Klopp said he preferred alternative methods of punishment as he seeks a considered and calm outcome to the dispute.
"Fine him? You can ask, and I can explain it in general," said the German.
"I am not interested in the money of the players, actually not really often in my life I have had to fine anybody because I want that we learn together to do the thing that is right.
"Always it is the same with every group. I don't like fining. Sometimes it's funny, when the fine is bulls***. Come on, pay for it, that's nice. But mistakes, fining never helps.

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Pogba drops Manchester United transfer hint on Instagram

The Juventus midfielder has excited fans by posted another update on social media with the image highlighting the red, black and white colours
Paul Pogba has fuelled speculation surrounding his transfer to Manchester United with another update on Instagram.

The midfielder is currently on holiday in the United States following France’s Euro 2016 campaign as rumours surrounding his Old Trafford move continue to circulate.

Pogba had already posted a cryptic update on Instagram with his agent Mino Raiola, and in his latest picture the Juventus star told fans he’s on route 66 but filtered the image to show only red, black and white.

Is this another signal that his world-record move to Jose Mourinho’s side will happen this summer?

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