French striker Loic Remy is confident of being handed more playing time at Crystal Palace to regain his form and fitness after finding it difficult to break into the first team at parent club Chelsea.
The 29-year-old has been reunited with Alan Pardew, having worked with the manager at Newcastle United, in a bid to rediscover his scoring touch.
“We had a good time together (at Newcastle) and I’m pleased to be back under him because I think he is a very good manager.
“He can give me a lot, and I hope to do the same for him and the team,” Remy told the club’s website yesterday.
Chambers completes M’boro loan switch
Arsenal defender Calum Chambers has signed for Premier League rivals Middlesbrough on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old joined Arsenal from Southampton in 2014 but has failed to establish a regular first-team place. He has won three England caps.
“Calum was the player we were waiting for and he’s going to help us a lot,” Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said.
Chambers was named last week in the England Under-21 squad to face Norway in this month’s Euro 2017 qualifier.
Angry Botev fans force coach to quit
Botev Plovdiv fans unhappy at Nikolay Mitov’s appointment as coach interrupted a training session on Tuesday and forced him to quit only two hours after taking charge of the club.
Botev, the oldest club in Bulgaria, handed the reins to the former Levski Sofia boss after having sacked Nikolay Kostov last week.
Several dozen hostile supporters invaded the team’s training ground in Komatevo shortly after the start of Mitov’s first session, shouting: “You’re not welcome here. You should leave immediately.”
Botev ‘ultras’, the club’s hardcore fans, also threatened the coach with physical abuse as they believe he is still a supporter of bitter rivals Levski.
Aquilani signs for Pescara on a free
Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has joined Serie A side Pescara on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old, who has won 38 caps for Italy, left Sporting earlier this summer after spending just a season in Portugal’s top flight.
A statement on Pescara’s official website read: “Delfino Pescara 1936 announces that it has received notice from the FIGC of the inclusion of the player Alberto Aquilani in the Pescara lists. Therefore, the new signing is available to coach Massimo Oddo.”
Aquilani joined Liverpool in 2009 from Roma and spent three years at Anfield before taking in spells at Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina.
‘Martial needs to be more consistent’
Manchester United’s Anthony Martial needs to show greater consistency, France coach Didier Deschamps has said.
Martial enjoyed a strong start to his United career since signing from Monaco in September, scoring 11 goals in 31 Premier League games last campaign but has been unable to find the back of the net under manager Jose Mourinho.
“Anthony started the season very early and he has already played a lot in a system that is different to ours. He needs to be more consistent despite his qualities,” Deschamps told British media of the 20-year-old.
“He can make the difference in a game because he’s fast and powerful and can score and assist.”
Newcastle slap £30m price on Sissoko
Tottenham have been told to come up with £30 million if they want to land Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko after seeing an initial offer of £16 million rejected.
Press Association Sport reported that Spurs tested the water with a bid on Tuesday evening which came nowhere near meeting the Magpies’ valuation.
However, it is understood that the Tyneside club will sell the 27-year-old to the Londoners if they can come up with £30 million, and that they will accept the fee in five instalments of £6 million apiece.
Sissoko, who is on international duty with France, has given permission to leave the camp to tie up a move.
Barca interest was rumour – Dybala
Paulo Dybala has reiterated that he didn’t consider joining Barce-lona this summer as he wanted to stay with Juventus.
The forward enjoyed a brilliant first season in Turin following his move to Palermo.
His vibrant performances as Juventus won a fifth straight Serie A title sparked rumours he could make a quick exit to Catalonia this summer.
“Barcelona’s interest was only a rumour,” Dybala told Radio Metro951 in his native Argentina yesterday.
“I always said it was right to stay in Turin. I wouldn’t like to be fourth-choice striker there.”