LEIGHTON BAINES: EVERTON PLAYERS WANTED KOEMAN

Veteran Everton defender Leighton Baines says the Everton players all wanted Ronald Koeman to lead them.


Baines himself was in and out of the team in the last campaign as he had ankle injuries but is already back in training at Finch Farm. Baines, who rarely commented on issues at the club, said Koeman was the right deal to move the club forward.

Baines who has been with the club for almost a decade, sharing highs and lows, said he hopes the new boss would ensure the club moved forward. He revealed that the whole team received the appointement well as Koeman was the one “everyone was hoping for.”

He further revealed that the players had given up on the tactics of former coach Roberto Martinez. At half time during the FA Cup semi-final, Baines was heard on the tunnel camera talking about Everton making an already big Wembley pitch, even bigger. There were a lot of reports that when Martinez was sacked, a lot of senior team players and even Martinez’s staff were all up on each other, with players leaving the training. Baines opines that the whole situation would be different with Koeman. Continue reading

Fabio Coentrao continues to be doubtful

Despite having won several titles with Real Madrid, the future of defender Fabio Coentrao continues to be doubtful.

He has constantly been linked with a move to Premier League with the likes of Chelsea showing an interest. The presence of former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea has been seen as a reason for the constant rumours about a move to Stamford Bridge. After failing to secure his signature in the summer, Chelsea decided to sign Atletico Madrid full-back Filipe Luis instead. The club appeared to be settled in this position.

This has left Coentrao only with the likes ofManchester United in his sights. One of the biggest clubs in the world, the Portuguese defender says that it would be a major honour to play for such a club. Aside from being linked with United, the Portuguese has also been linked with a return to his home country where the likes of Porto and Benfica continue to dominate. Still just 27 years old,Coentrao will have the ability to command a sizeable transfer fee despite playing in just 10 matches for Madrid this season. Marcelo continues to be the club’s primary full-back and he has made 33 appearances in all competitions. Continue reading