WEDNESDAY, AUGUST, 10, 2016 SPORTS

English all stars hunt down Leicester

LONDON: Jaw-dropping new broad- in transfer spending and they are tipped He will be assisted by Ibrahimovic, Leicester player. Mauricio Pochettino’s tions of Sadio Mane and Giorginio cast deals totalling 8.3 billion pounds to surpass the one billion pounds mark whose late goal sank Leicester in young Tottenham players, among them Wijnaldum. “We are in a good way, 100 ($10.9 billion, 9.8 billion euros) have by the time the window closes on Sunday’s Community Shield, and Pogba, Harry Kane and Dele Alli, now have the percent,” said Klopp. “And if we have a enabled the English Premier League to August 31. The beginning of the who is poised to complete a world- experience of a title race under their proper line-up, then we will be strong.” assemble a dazzling galaxy of stars for Guardiola era at City, who finished record return from Juventus costing belts. In a show of faith to the team that There are seven new managers, with the 2016-17 season. Jose Mourinho will fourth last season, has heralded a reju- around 90 million pounds. challenged Leicester last season, the succeeding the sacked have Zlatan Ibrahimovic and venation of the League Cup holders’ Former Italy manager north London club have been content Roberto Martinez at Everton and Claude at his disposal at Manchester United, playing squad. has been brought in to pick up the merely to add depth to their squad with Puel taking the Dutchman’s place at while has authorised a Young talents such as Leroy Sane and pieces at Chelsea, who recovered to fin- the acquisitions of Victor Wanyama and Southampton. splurge of over 100 million pounds Gabriel Jesus have arrived for combined ish 10th under after Vincent Janssen. has replaced new since becoming Manchester City man- fees exceeding 100 million pounds. Mourinho’s dismissal last December. England manager Sam Allardyce at ager. With Chelsea and Liverpool also Everton centre-back John Stones could Chelsea have prised N’Golo Kante ARSENAL ANXIETY Sunderland, while has spending big and Arsenal and yet follow. While Guardiola’s arrival at from Leicester for 30 million pounds Down the road at Arsenal, Arsene succeeded Quique Sanchez Flores at Tottenham Hotspur looking to build on the Etihad Stadium has been in the and spent a similar amount to sign Wenger approaches his 20-year anniver- Watford. Hull City are without a manag- positive campaigns, Leicester City’s pipeline for years, his former El Clasico Belgium striker from sary as manager facing the same old er after Steve Bruce resigned and having odds of repeating May’s fairytale title sparring partner Mourinho has alighted Marseille. doubts about his capacity to inspire the not signed a single player, they start the success are only 33-1. across town at Old Trafford with a With no European distractions, Conte team to a first league title since 2004. campaign as outright favourites for rele- ’s men famously degree of haste. will be able to plough all his resources Arsenal pipped Spurs to second gation. Their fellow promoted teams, defied odds of 5,000-1 to win the title in into steering Chelsea back into the top place last season, but with Swiss mid- Burnley and Middlesbrough, also face a May, but he has warned: “We know very MOURINHO REBUILDS four. Amid the flux elsewhere, Leicester, fielder Granit Xhaka the only major sign- battle to remain in a league that is now well we are the champions, but we are After two years of stagnation under Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool are ing to have arrived at the Emirates teeming with superstars both on the the underdogs. , for whom FA Cup suc- trusting in the formulae that worked for Stadium and injuries already biting, fans pitch and in the dug-out. “We are not “There are six big teams who want to cess came too late to save his job, them last season. are anxious. Liverpool, beaten finalists in naive to the challenge we face, but we win. They want to kill us.” England’s 20 United’s board has tasked Mourinho Ranieri has lost Kante, but talisman the League Cup and Europa League, are are willing to take it on,” said Burnley elite clubs took a month to break with the responsibility of restoring the Jamie Vardy has committed to a new looking more and more like Jurgen manager Sean Dyche. “The Premier through the 500 million pounds barrier club to former glories. contract and Riyad Mahrez remains a Klopp’s team, bolstered by the acquisi- League is the place to be.” — AFP Pogba ‘back home’ at Man Utd in world-record transfer

MANCHESTER: Emerging from the shadows, Paul Pogba - a red devil emblazoned on the side of his head - removed his hood, looked straight into the camera and uttered the words Manchester United fans had been waiting to hear: “I’m back.” With that 26-second video teaser released by United early Tuesday, the became the world’s most expensive footballer at around 105 million euros ($116 million) and England’s biggest club made another statement of intent during its latest offseason of heavy spending that moved close to $200 million. “I just went for a holiday,” said Pogba, who left United at age 19 for Juventus four years ago, vir- tually for nothing when his first contract with LIVERPOOL: In this Sunday Aug 23, 2015 file photo, Everton’s John Stones is seen the club expired. “I’ve come back home.” during his team’s English Premier League soccer match between Everton and This was the new Man United at work: Manchester City at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, England. — AP Breaking the world transfer record and announc- ing the signing after midnight local time to suit foreign audiences. A series of glitzy videos included one with a grime artist where Pogba City splash out on produces some impressive dance moves. United will hope the 23-year-old Pogba saves Everton’s Stones his best work for the football field, though. And PPARIS: This file photo taken on July 10, 2016 shows France’s midfielder Paul Pogba gesturing he’s certainly dreaming big in his new era for the during the Euro 2016 final football match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France club under Jose Mourinho. in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. —AFP LONDON: Manchester City splashed out a Gundogan, Nolito, Leroy Sane, Gabriel “First of all, win the league for the first time reported £47.5 million ($61 million, 55 mil- Jesus and Alexander Zinchenko, believes with United because I hadn’t won the league IMPRESS starter this time round at Old Trafford. lion euros) to sign England defender John Stones perfectly fits his philosophy of hav- when I left,” Pogba said. “The Champions League Ferguson was unhappy with Pogba’s attitude “Paul is one of the best players in the world Stones from Everton yesterday. ing defenders who are as good in posses- of course and, personally, one of my dreams is to in the last months of his contract, and didn’t play and will be a key part of the United team I want Stones agreed a six-year contract with sion as they are in the tackle. “We want to win the Ballon d’Or (FIFA’s world player of the the Frenchman even during an injury crisis in to build here for the future,” Mourinho said. “He City and is reported to have become the help John show his quality with us and year award). “That will come with time hopefully, the team’s midfield. For a game against is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game second most expensive defender in history improve on what he has already achieved,” but first the Premier League - I’ve never done it.” Blackburn in December 2011, Ferguson played better than many players much older than he is. behind Paris Saint Germain and Brazil star Guardiola said. full back Rafael da Silva in center midfield along “At 23, he has the chance to make that posi- . “I like the way he plays the game and I’m OVERPRICED with Park Ji-sung, with Pogba on the bench. tion his own here over many years. He is young “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for City looking forward to welcoming him into the Pogba said he was not bothered about the That was the last straw for a player who was and will continue to improve; he has the chance and now the deal’s done I’m looking for- squad.” Stones, who has won 10 England world-record price tag and that his return to desperate for a chance to impress his manager. to be at the heart of this club for the next ward to the next stage in my career,” Stones caps, had hoped to join Chelsea last year United, nicknamed the Red Devils, was “destiny” Pogba can be sure he’ll be a guaranteed decade and beyond.” — AP told City’s website. “I’ve obviously seen and had a transfer request rejected when - and predicted by his mother. what’s going on here at the Etihad, it’s an the London club’s bids were snubbed by “My mum told me I would come back here ambitious club with a great manager so I Everton. But Everton have finally relented and I told her, ‘You never know, you’ll see,’” he can’t wait to get stuck in and help achieve and allowed their prize asset to leave All change at PSG as new said. “For myself as well it’s a big challenge, too, the goals.” News of Stones’ imminent move Goodison Park as City flexed their financial just to come back to where I came from, where I to Eastlands had leaked out earlier in the muscles just hours after bitter rivals day when UEFA’s website included the 22- Manchester United completed a world grew up, where I started. I didn’t finish what I French season begins year-old centre-back City’s squad for next record £89 million swoop for Juventus mid- started here so I think I came here to finish it.” United has missed out on some of its No. 1 PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has gone after four be just a little tighter this time. week’s Champions League play-off against fielder Paul Pogba. prolific years in France but a Paris Saint- Lyon are now settled in their spectacular Steaua Bucharest. City responded by Stones’ arrival is a huge boost for transfer targets in previous offseasons - notably Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas in 2013 - but was Germain side now coached by are new stadium and coach Bruno Genesio was quickly announcing the deal, which puts Guardiola ahead of City’s Premier League again expected to dominate as the new Ligue rewarded for taking OL to second spot with a Stones behind only Luiz as the most expen- opener at home to Sunderland on determined to push this one through, even if it meant paying a fee widely regarded as over- 1 season begins. It is now five years since PSG new three-year contract. sive defender the game has ever seen. Luiz Saturday. Guardiola had limited options at were taken over by Qatar Sports Investments So far he has held on to coveted midfielder moved to Paris Saint Germain from Chelsea centre-back with Vincent Kompany, priced. United is one of the few clubs in world football that could afford this outlay, though. and they will be looking to win a fifth consecu- Corentin Tolisso and star striker Alexandre for £50 million in 2014 and has won two Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi all tive league crown, albeit with a new look. Lacazette. Samuel Umtiti has gone to successive French titles, a feat that Stones is struggling with injuries, and only the latter And if Pogba can help the team return to the top of the English and European game after lean Despite overseeing clean sweeps of the Barcelona but Cameroon international Nicolas keen to emulate with City once he is estab- has been included in the Champions domestic honours in each of the last two sea- Nkoulou has arrived from Marseille to replace years since ’s retirement in 2013, it lished in the team. League squad for the Steaua clash. In City’s sons, Laurent Blanc was sacked for failing to him. Lyon look well-placed to establish them- will be money well spent. “I know it will be tough getting a place pre-season friendlies, midfielder Fernando take Paris beyond the quarter-finals of the selves as the best of the rest but president Mourinho’s lineup for the new season is start- in this team but I’m determined to become and left-back Aleksandar Kolarov have Champions League. Jean-Michel Aulas has been busy criticising the best player I can be and help us to suc- been shuffled into the heart of the defence, ing to have a fearsome look to it. The spine, in Spaniard Emery was named as his replace- PSG for what he deems to be “killing the com- cess,” Stones said. “I had a wonderful time with Belgian youngster Jason Denayer, yet particular, is full of stars, winners and real poten- ment, arriving from Sevilla where he won the petition” in France. with Everton and wish them and their fans to make a senior appearance for City, tial - David de Gea, new 30-million-pound sign- Europa League in three straight seasons. “PSG are pursuing an excessive policy of all the best but now I’ll give my all for City.” Guardiola’s only other option. ing Eric Bailly, Pogba, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose contract had expired, has investment that will reduce the competitive- Stones’ signing takes City manager Pep Stones should solve those issues if he Ibrahimovic. gone to Manchester United but there has ness of our Ligue 1. Too much is too much,” Guardiola’s spending to well over £100 mil- can continue his impressive development The front five of Ibrahimovic, Rooney, been no megastar signing made to replace Aulas tweeted last week. lion since he arrived from Bayern Munich in after emerging as one of England’s bright- Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pogba him. The new sporting director, Dutchman Monaco faded to finish third last season the close-season. est young talents at Everton following a £3 has plenty of goals, power and quality in it, an , has however overseen the and will hope to improve this time while also Guardiola, who has also signed Ilkay million move from Barnsley in 2013. — AFP upgrade on what Louis van Gaal had last season. arrivals of Jese Rodriguez, Hatem Ben Arfa, returning to the Champions League group United has finished seventh, fourth and fifth Grzegorz Krychowiak and Thomas Meunier. stage. They missed out in the play-offs last in the post-Ferguson years, but is one of the title “PSG called me when I was very happy in year and should history repeat itself they may Guardiola, Mourinho duel favorites this season. Seville, but I think I can go a bit further yet be compelled to cash in on some of their best Pogba played only seven games - all as a with PSG,” Emery told sports daily L’Equipe. players before the transfer window shuts. resumes in Manchester substitute - in his first spell at United, which “This club with its current owner is young. For now, Monaco have strengthened, ended sourly when he allowed his contract With what I have done before I should be able including in attack. There, is MANCHESTER: They’ve hired the two most Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan - for to run down and joined Juventus. United got to help them grow.” back after two disappointing seasons on loan coveted coaches in world football. Their around $130 million. only 800,000 pounds (now around $1 mil- Last season, Paris finished a ridiculous 31 in England and will partner Valere Germain, spending on new players this offseason has This is the biggest test of Guardiola’s lion) in compensation for a player who was points ahead of Lyon in second but there is who starred on loan at Nice last season, up just shattered the $300-million barrier. Their coaching career after his trophy-laden spells then just a precocious teenager. hope for neutrals that the gap to the rest will front. —AFP stated aim is to win the English Premier with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. League. Make no mistake: The Manchester “Our objective,” City chief executive Ferran clubs mean business. It was clearly an affront Soriano said, “is to get to the end of the sea- to United and City that they ended up fight- son with chances to win everything.” For the ing it out for fourth place in the Premier hotbed not just of English football but the League last season. Standards slipped, rivals world game, look no further than Manchester. stole a march, a big reaction was needed. In 2012, City and United were the central So United hired Jose Mourinho as coach, figures in the most exciting end ever to a made a statement signing in Swedish super- Premier League season, with the blue half star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and has just broken winning the title on goal difference. They also the world-record transfer fee to lure France finished as the top two teams the following midfielder Paul Pogba for around 105 million season, this time United winning the league. euros ($116 million). Forget being satisfied Since then, United hasn’t finished higher just making the top four: than fourth place in a post-Alex Ferguson era Mourinho, a win-at-all-costs coach, is characterized by questionable managerial demanding the title. “I want to win,” Mourinho appointments and haphazard player recruit- said on being hired. “I think we can really, yes.” ment. City has won the league once more (in By the time Mourinho was confirmed at 2014), which is widely considered a poor United in May, City had already secured the return given the wealth and players at the signature of Pep Guardiola. It renews a disposal of a club owned by the Abu Dhabi coaching rivalry in Spain that sparked and royal family. occasionally got nasty when Mourinho was in Mourinho and Guardiola will shake charge of Real and Guardiola at things up. They have each captured 22 Barcelona. major trophies and have coached the And Guardiola has set about bringing biggest names in the sport. They have an more youth, pace and intensity into City’s intense work ethic and are among the most squad by signing six players - including Leroy ruthless managers around. They are win- SANT JOAN DESPI: FC Barcelona’s , third left, attends a training session with his teammates at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Sane, Nolito, teenage Brazilian prodigy ners, pure and simple. —AP Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, Spain, yesterday. — AP