Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is likely to miss the Premier League opener against Manchester United tomorrow as the France international has not yet fully recovered from a fractured wrist, manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
The 28-year-old Lloris returned from injury to play 35 minutes during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Milan, but Pochettino warned that he might not be ready for a full game.
“He played 35 minutes and it was fantastic to see,” Argentine Pochettino was quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.
“It was very positive today to assess him, but maybe he is not ready for 90 minutes.”
Feyenoord sign Elia from Bremen
Dutch winger Eljero Elia has joined Feyenoord on a two-year deal, leaving Werder Bremen after three seasons, the two clubs said yesterday.
The 28-year-old Elia, who has also played for Hamburg and Italy’s Juventus, spent the second half of last season on loan at Southampton in the Premier League.
“Eljero has expressly chosen to take the sporting challenge at Feyenoord,” said the Dutch club’s technical director Martin van Geel.
“In recent years he has played at big clubs in major European leagues. With that experience and his qualities he will certainly be able to help our team progress.”
Quique Flores upbeat
Watford may have been widely tipped as favourites to go straight back down to the Championship, but new head coach Quique Flores is confident about the prospects of their revamped squad ahead of his first Premier League match.
The Spaniard, who became the club’s fifth manager in a year when he joined two months ago, has overseen the arrival of 10 new players.
“I’ve real confidence with these players,” Quique Flores said.
“It’s an amazing group. I have seen every day how they are working. We will need to improve because we are a new group but I think we’re ready to do our best.”
Sunderland secure M’Vila loan deal
Sunderland have signed French international midfielder Yann M’Vila on a season-long loan from Rubin Kazan, with an option to make the deal permanent after that, the Premier League club announced yesterday.
He is the fifth new signing since the north-east side narrowly avoided relegation last season under temporary manager Dick Advocaat, who then changed his mind and decided to stay on.
“I’m very happy to be a Sunderland player,” M’Vila said.
“I had a very good feeling training with the team.
“Every player welcomed me and the feeling was very good with them so I’m excited for the start of the season.”
Everton fretting on Lukaku’s fitness
Everton are fretting on Romelu Lukaku’s injury and manager Roberto Martinez said the club will know in the next 48 hours if the Belgian forward will be fit to face Watford in their Premier League opener tomorrow.
Lukaku picked up the injury in a pre-season match against Dundee United and Martinez said the club will wait to see if he was available for their home match.
Defender John Stones, who has been strongly linked with a move to champions Chelsea, and Kevin Mirallas are expected to shake off their injuries while new signing Gerard Deulofeu also has not been ruled out, the manager added.
“Gerard Deulofeu could be available for the weekend. I also expect Kevin Mirallas and John Stones to be fit,” Martinez told reporters.
Mourinho happy with Chelsea’s pre-season
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is happy with his side’s preparations ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League opener against Swansea City, despite the champions losing 1-0 to Fiorentina in their final friendly on Wednesday night.
Chelsea also lost the Community Shield match against London rivals Arsenal last Sunday.
“We have the real football on Saturday and today we couldn’t face this game in another way,” the 52-year-old was quoted as saying on Chelsea’s website.
“We got competitive minutes against a good team who played for a result and gave us a very good training session.
“It’s a long season with 10 months of competition, and I’m happy with where we are.”
Newcastle swoop for teenager Toney
Newcastle have made Northampton teenager Ivan Toney their fourth signing of the summer.
Toney follows the respective arrivals at St James’s Park of Georginio Wijnaldum, Chancel Mbemba and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Newcastle said in a statement on their official website: “Newcastle United have completed the signing of striker Ivan Toney from Northampton Town.
“The 19-year-old moves to St James’ Park for an undisclosed fee and has signed a long-term deal with the Magpies.”