Mohamed Salah believes his loan move to Fiorentina will help jump-start his career after a disappointing spell at Chelsea.
The Egypt international arrived in Florence on Wednesday to begin a six-month loan deal from Chelsea, with the Tuscan club boasting an option to make his move permanent this summer.
“I am truly happy to be here,” Salah told Fiorentina’s official television channel. “I really hope this is a step forward in my career.
“I know that my move to Fiorentina has generated a lot of interest in Egypt and I hope I can do well and help the team succeed.”
Bastia reach League Cup final
Bastia reached the French League Cup final by beating Monaco 7-6 on penalties after the game ended in a goalless draw after extra-time on Wednesday night.
Bastia will face holders Paris St Germain in the April 11 showdown at the Stade de France after the French champions beat Lille 1-0 away on Tuesday.
Dimitar Berbatov had a clear chance midway through the first half of a dull encounter but he was denied from close range by Bastia keeper Alphonse Areola.
No goals were scored and former Monaco centre-back Seba-stien Squillaci scored the winning spotkick.
Martinez optimistic over Lennon impact
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says Aaron Lennon, signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, can hit the ground running and play a massive role for the club, starting with the Merseyside derby against Liverpool in the Premier League tomorrow.
“Aaron is very focused, ready to train and perform,” Martinez said.
“When you sign a player in January it is very difficult to find someone who is up to speed with his fitness. But he is.
“He’s an incredible player, he is fully fit, and ready to make an impact and be involved at the weekend.”
Gunners respond over Wilshere photo
Arsenal are aware of photos of Jack Wilshere posted on social media holding a shisha pipe at a nightclub and take a dim view on any players smoking, PA Sport reported yesterday.
Wilshere, 23, is currently recovering from ankle surgery after an injury in the defeat to Manchester United on November 22.
A picture of Wilshere, reported to be from a night out with friends last week, holding a shisha pipe, was uploaded to Instagram before being removed and replaced with an edited version where only the face of the Arsenal player is visible in the background.
However, the original snap was then subsequently reposted on Twitter, sparking much debate across social media as to the player’s behaviour.
Real’s Rodriguez to have surgery
Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez will require surgery on a broken bone in his foot and is expected to be out for two months, the club confirmed yesterday.
“A fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot has been detected. The player will have surgery in the following hours,” read a statement on the Real website.
Rodriguez scored the opener in Real’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Wednesday before going off injured.
Defender Sergio Ramos also had to be substituted with a hamstring problem and tests will take place to discover the extent of the injury.
Moyes defends chips ban at United
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has admitted he did ban the Red Devils squad from having chips – because he felt some of the players were overweight.
Rio Ferdinand lifted the lid on Moyes’ turbulent tenure at Old Trafford in his recent autobiography ‘#2Sides’, highlighting the removal of low-fat chips on a Friday night as a particular bone of contention.
The pre-game treat had been a ritual under Moyes’ illustrious predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Yes, I did ban chips,” Moyes told Four Four Two magazine. “It was because a couple of players were overweight and I didn’t think chips were good for their diet.”
Bumper kit deal for Liverpool
Liverpool have announced the biggest kit supplier deal in their history, having signed a multi-year partnership with New Balance.
The club will switch to current brand Warrior’s parent company from next season.
Liverpool signed a six-year deal with Warrior in 2012 which was worth £25 million a season, with the club estimating they could make as much again in additional merchandising – making the whole package worth a potential £300 million.
“Like Liverpool FC, New Balance has over 100 years of heritage and a global footprint and they have a presence in many countries across the world, which will all feature LFC kit,” Liverpool’s chief commercial officer Billy Hogan said.