Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Paul Ince's scathing assessment of David de Gea, Leeds United's apparent interest in Steven Gerrard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's future career moves. Scroll down for more!
Ince slams De Gea's post-match interview
© Reuters
Paul Ince has hit out at Manchester United keeper David de Gea for his comments after the club were defeated at Newcastle United last weekend. Talking to Sky Sports News after the game, the Spaniard said that the Magpies were "the better team" and admitted that his side have "a lot of things to improve".
"I watched David de Gea's post-match interview and I was at a loss," Ince told Paddy Power. "He's meant to be one of the leaders. If that was Peter Schmeichel standing there, there's no chance you'd have seen that interview. This is one of the top players, the leaders at Man United, who has just signed a five-year contract. And he looks like he doesn't have a clue what's going on. If you're a United fan listening to your goalkeeper - one of the main leaders in the team - and that's the interview you hear, you'd be right to be disgraced."
Joe Allen gives Nathan Jones backing
© Reuters
Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen has insisted that under-fire boss Nathan Jones is the right man for the club. Jones's position has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks following a return of two points from the Potters' first 10 league games, but a first win last weekend - a 2-1 win away at Swansea City - appears to have given him a stay of execution.
"A lot has been said so far this season for obvious reasons, but today's performance says all you need to know about what we're willing to give for the manager and his staff," Allen is quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "But, having said that, we're conscious it's only one win. But hopefully it can be a catalyst to kick-start our season.
"We have a lot of ground to make up and we need to get a lot more points on the board. Everyone can understand the frustration and disappointment because it's almost impossible to put your finger on what's gone wrong for us this season. At times, we have been scratching our heads, but he's stuck at it, come in every day ready to work and give everything. He set us up to get that win and it has finally happened.
"Let's hope it's the first of many. The first one is big, you find yourself saying 'this is the game' and then all of a sudden we found ourselves at a point where we had lost ground on other teams. As a group we felt it's not where we should be as a team, we have the belief and ability to be much higher. I think we can build on this now, not just in terms of the win, it wasn't one where we've nicked it and didn't deserve it."
Leeds keen on Gerrard?
© Reuters
Leeds United are plotting an ambitious move for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard if Marcelo Bielsa decides to leave at the end of the season, according to Football Insider. Bielsa decided to stay on for another season after failing to get the Whites promoted last term and has been tipped to quit if he fails again this season. Rangers boss Gerrard was approached by Derby County over the summer after Frank Lampard left for Chelsea but turned down the Rams' advances.
Guendouzi credits Emery for his improvement
© Reuters
Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has heaped praise on manager Unai Emery for helping him develop both on and off the pitch. "We communicate a lot in training, in games on what I can bring on the pitch or in my personal life," the French youngster told Foot Mercato. "He's someone who's taught me a lot on and off the pitch. I know he trusts me a lot because I've started all the games in the Premier League since the start of the season. It's then up to me to stay myself, play well and repay that trust. He's the one who gave me the opportunity at the highest level.
"I already played a lot last year. He gives me a lot of confidence and he's the one who makes me feel good on the pitch. There's also my teammates, who are a big part of that, but he's really, really made me progress since I arrived at Arsenal."
Barcelona sack Victor Valdes
© Reuters
Former Manchester United keeper Victor Valdes has been sacked as coach of Barcelona's under-19s side amid rumours of a disagreement with the club's hierarchy. After calling time on his playing career in 2017, Valdes returned to the side where he spent 12 years between the sticks. The Spaniard is thought to have fallen out with Patrick Kluivert, who serves as Barca's director of youth football.
Longstaff proud of brother's "unbelievable" debut
© Reuters
Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has reflected on his brother Matty's memorable debut for the club at the weekend. The siblings played alongside each other as Manchester United visited St James' Park and 19-year-old Matty proved the difference as the struggling Magpies claimed a surprise scalp.
"It's unbelievable," Sean told The Chronicle. "I was speaking to Yeds (DeAndre Yedlin), walking across the pitch, and he said it's so crazy you're going to play together and, when he said it, it sort of hit me a little bit. And, I think you can see the lift he gave everyone - he was buzzing about, tackling people, and he was unbelievable. and he gave everyone a massive lift. He gave probably the whole place a lift, to be honest.
"When he scored, I froze for a second. I thought I was going to start crying! But, it's unbelievable. I'm so happy for him, I know how hard he's worked."
Zlatan hints at return to Europe
© Reuters
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suggested that he could return to the Premier League or the Serie A in the near future as his contract with LA Galaxy comes to an end. The 38-year-old spent four seasons in the Italian top flight with AC Milan and Inter Milan, as well as two prolific seasons with Manchester United, before moving to the US in 2018.
Asked if he could return to Italy, the Swede told Sky Sport Italia: "Oh 100%, I know I could still make the difference, both in Italy and in other countries. I'd do better than the players who are there now. My contract expires in December and I don't know what will happen after that."
Pique: 'Being booed motivates me'
© Reuters
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has admitted that he enjoys being booed as it motivates him to become a better player. The Spaniard continues to divide opinion among fans of the national side due to his strong views that Catalonia should become an independent country.
"Having people against me motivates me even more, I think that the better you play, the more they are bothered," Pique told El Hormiguero. "There was a time when I played with the national team that they always booed me and it was my best time.
"Either you have very thick skin or it affects you. When you are young they affect you more and eventually you learn to relativise them. The world of football is very much about results, if you lose they criticise you and if you win they praise you, even if you have not played well."
body check tags ::
