Premier League champions Leicester City have appointed Spaniard Eduardo Macia as head of senior recruitment, filling the gap left by the departure of Steve Walsh to Everton.
Macia previously worked with Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri in La Liga at Valencia.
“Eduardo’s appointment follows an extensive process undertaken by the football club,” Leicester’s director of football Jon Rudkin said in a statement.
“His expertise and network of contacts will add considerable strength to our existing team of recruitment staff, whose skill and diligence contributed greatly to a successful summer transfer window.”
Stoke boss Hughes accuses refs of bias
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has accused Premier League match officials of being especially harsh on his team after being sent off during Saturday’s 4-0 thumping by Tottenham Hotspur.
Hughes was sent to the stands in the first half after leaving the technical area as Stoke, who have one point from their opening four league games, remain rooted to the bottom of the standings.
“They seem to be vigilant and more of a stickler for the rules when Stoke City are involved. The people who need to know how I feel have been told already, this season and in previous seasons,” Hughes told British media.
Pardew slaps £50m tag on winger Zaha
Crystal Palace will not consider selling Wilfried Zaha for less that £50 million, manager Alan Pardew has said.
Palace chairman Steve Parish revealed last month that the club had rejected a £12 million bid from Tottenham for Zaha, who struck once and provided an assist for Christian Benteke’s goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.
“Of course I sat down and spoke to him. I want someone to blow the doors off if they’re going to come for him, not have him go somewhere as a squad player at £16-17 million,” Pardew said.
“When you see someone put £50 million that’s when you think about it.”
Rashford set for Europa League start
Striker Marcus Rashford will be handed his first Manchester United start of the Jose Mourinho era at Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday after impressing his manager in Saturday’s Premier League defeat by Manchester City.
“For me the next big game is against Feyenoord and the next game (Rashford) is going to play,” Mourinho told reporters.
“I trust him completely. I know his future will be brilliant.
“Normally, people look to the football talent but personality at his level is very important and he was showing that last season – he was showing that immediately.”
Bravo unfazed by debut dramas
Claudio Bravo endured a baptism of fire at Old Trafford, but the Manchester City goalkeeper claims he felt “comfortable” on his debut.
Bravo caught the eye for the wrong reasons after failing to deal with a Wayne Rooney free-kick. Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned the ball home and Jose Mourinho claimed the Chilean should have been sent off early in the second half for a late tackle on United captain Rooney.
“Good, good – comfortable,” Bravo said when asked how he felt. “We have a team here that has personality, we are improving day by day and the matches that we want to win are these, against our rivals, and for that reason I am happy.”
Liverpool move ‘worst mistake’ – Balotelli
Striker Mario Balotelli believes his ill-fated move to Liverpool was the “worst mistake” of his life.
The Italy international was bought for £16 million in the summer of 2014 by then manager Brendan Rodgers, but scored just four goals in 28 appearances.
“It was the worst mistake of my life,” Balotelli, who scored twice in Sunday’s Ligue 1 debut as his new club Nice beat Marseille 3-2, told Canal Plus.
“Apart from the fans, who were fantastic with me, I must be honest, and the players, who I had a good rapport with, I didn’t like the club.
“I had two coaches, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. As people they didn’t make a good impression on me. I didn’t get along with them.”
Wilshere happy to be flexible
England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who made his debut for Bournemouth at the weekend, says he is flexible enough to cover numerous positions.
Wilshere initially played behind striker Callum Wilson against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday but later switched to the wing as Bournemouth chalked up their first Premier League victory of the season.
“I came on in the number 10 position and then moved to the right. I can do that role and I can also play deeper. I am comfortable in all of those positions,” he told the club website.