OptiNews - Friday 30 June to Thursday 06 July 2017

Sourced from Sky Sports article

POLL: Premier League kits 17/18 - vote on all 20 new home strips

Show/hide article…

All 20 Premier League sides have revealed their new home strips for 2017/18 - but which ones get your vote?

Following the unveiling of Manchester United’s home strip for the forthcoming campaign, we now have a complete set in the top flight.

There’s plenty of new gear for the 2017/18 campaign but what’s your favourite? Cast your votes below using the “upvote” and “downvote” options…

Sky Sports will show 126 matches from the new Premier League season, all of which are available in Ultra HD on Sky Q.

Football fans will also be able to enjoy 127 exclusively live matches from the 2017/18 Sky Bet EFL season, the final group matches and play-offs from the FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, 30 matches from the SPFL Premiership including every Old Firm match, the Scottish Cup, Spain’s La Liga, MLS, Eredivisie, the Chinese Super League and more.

Go to the original article…

...uncaringly modelled by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool Transfer News: Hyypia has Van Dijk doubts, Keita in crunch talks, Salah hailed

Show/hide article…

Liverpool hero Sami Hyypia is not convinced the Reds need to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk this summer.

“I think it’s important to strengthen the team every year,” he told 5times. “You need to think carefully how you do it, that the chemistry is right and everything.

“I think nowadays the centre-backs are a bit different than before, that maybe the modern centre back, he is very good on the ball, he can play the ball, and maybe sometimes he has difficulties to defend.

“And of course you need to defend in the game, you don’t have the ball all the time.

“Van Dijk is a very good player, I like him a lot, I think he has very good qualities in every area of the game, but I don’t know if it’s essential to sign him or to sign a centre back.”

Go to the original article…

...frankly moulded by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Nine sign scholarships with Southampton

Show/hide article…

The youngsters have all penned two-year terms with the club, where they will make up the latest Under-18s intake.

“It’s an exciting day,” explained Academy Manager Matt Hale.

“And again we are very pleased with what we have been able to recruit into the club, on top of three or four lads that have been here for some time.

“This group has huge potential. It is probably the most amount of international players that we have been able to bring to the club, from Ireland to Norway.

“That highlights the standard of what we expect now and how good you need to be to come to this club and get a scholarship.

“We have a way of doing things both on and off the pitch throughout the age groups here, and the players that have been here for a while understand that.

“We’ll be looking at those players now to help the new lads settle in and understand that from the word go.”

The new players:

Kameron Ledwidge

Sean Brennan

Kornelius Hansen

Will Ferry

Daniel Bartlett

Christian Norton

Oludare Olufunwa

Kayne Ramsey

Taymar Fleary

Go to the original article…

...reddeningly fabricated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Watch: Pre-season testing starts

Show/hide article…

Find out what happened on day one of pre-season at Southampton, as Head of Sports Science Alek Gross and midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg speak with us.

Go to the original article…

...restrainingly instantiated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Gallery: Day one of pre-season testing at Staplewood

Show/hide article…

Take a look through our gallery of images, as the Saints squad returned to Staplewood Campus for the first day of pre-season testing.

Go to the original article…

...lowly dreamed-up by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers’ RSS Feed rss feed

Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Saints refuse to sell City, Liverpool, Chelsea target | Southampton appear to be determined to keep hold of all their star players this summer, and the Mirror are reporting … 03-07-2017 |
| Where do Saints need to strengthen in the summer window? | The summer transfer window has opened and Southampton have so far signed just one player – Jan Bednarek. The press … 03-07-2017 |

Older content…

| Southampton sign promising midfielder19 hours ago |
| How crucial is next season for James Ward-Prowse?2 days ago |
| Confirmed - Jay Rodriguez signs for West Brom2 days ago |
| Southampton to battle Huddersfield for Chelsea striker2 days ago |
| Five players that Saints should sell2 days ago |
| Expert’s View - Southampton sign Jan Bednarek2 days ago |
| Saints chief reveals the role Bednarek will play2 days ago |
| Twitter Reacts - Southampton sign Jan Bednarek2 days ago |

...stolidly formulated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/07/2017 19:53:39

| | Confirmed - Will Ferry signs for SaintsREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Hyypia has controversial views on Virgil van DijkEMPIREOFTHEKOP |
|

| CONFIRMED: Ferry is Southampton boundBURYFC |
| | Saints Linked With Greek Defender. - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

...toughly brought into being by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:five: players from #SaintsFC’s Regional Talent Club have been selected for @England duty: http://sfcne.ws/RTSEng5

Retweets: 0

Favourites: 13

...discreetly modelled by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pellegrino ready to get started

Show/hide article…

Those who weren’t involved in international action over the summer will be reporting back from this morning for fitness and conditioning tests ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Pellegrino visited Staplewood Campus for the first time last week, to see his new surroundings before the players returned, and the Saints boss can’t wait to get to work.

"The club has got everything,” he said of the facilities at the training ground. “The pitches are amazing, the changing rooms, the video rooms – they are really prepared to compete at the top level.

“We know that at the top level the difference between the teams is really close. To compete with them I have to do all my best, the players have to be a unit and work as a team.

“That is my best goal in this club – work as a team. Everybody says it, but it is really difficult to do it.”

Pellegrino added: “My goal as a professional is to be better every single day and I want to translate that to my players as individuals.

“After, as a team, it is another objective I have got, because I think the connection between them can improve every single week, every single game.

“I have to make the most of the good work they were doing in the past and to be better in the next seasons.”

Go to the original article…

...innocently sculpted by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/07/2017 20:53:53

| | ALLNIGERIASOCCER |
|

| Bury FC graduate Will Ferry signs for Southampton in six-figure dealBURYTIMES |
| | Southamption acquire services of youngster Will FerryFANSIDEDSAINTSMARCHING |
| | SCOTZINECOM |

...absentmindedly carved by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers’ RSS Feed rss feed

Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Southampton, Brighton, West Brom keen on Scotland international | Southampton have signed several players from Celtic in recent times, and it looks as though they’re keen to add a … 03-07-2017 |

Older content…

| Saints refuse to sell City, Liverpool, Chelsea target21 hours ago |
| Where do Saints need to strengthen in the summer window?21 hours ago |
| Southampton sign promising midfielder21 hours ago |
| How crucial is next season for James Ward-Prowse?2 days ago |
| Confirmed - Jay Rodriguez signs for West Brom2 days ago |
| Southampton to battle Huddersfield for Chelsea striker2 days ago |
| Five players that Saints should sell2 days ago |
| Expert’s View - Southampton sign Jan Bednarek2 days ago |
| Saints chief reveals the role Bednarek will play2 days ago |

...weightily moulded by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Five England calls for Regional Talent Club

Show/hide article…

Kayla Rendell and Phoebe Williams will undertake a week-long training camp with England Under-16s in York from Wednesday 26th July.

Whilst Mia Cruickshank, Ella Morris and Alisha Ware have all been called into a similar five-day camp with the under-15 national side from July 15th.

Go to the original article…

...remedially fashioned by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

The draw has been made for this summer’s Southampton Cup – Community Tournament! Find out more: http://sfcne.ws/SCCTEntries

Retweets: 0

Favourites: 4

...already begot by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Southampton are determined not to sell Ryan Bertrand this summer

Show/hide article…

Southampton are playing hardball on Ryan Bertrand - and are determined to block him leaving this summer.

Manchester City are keen on the England left back as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen his squad and they believe Bertrand is ready to quit.

But Southampton have told Bertrand they are not ready to let him go this summer despite strong interest from City and Liverpool.

City want two quality full backs on either flank and have been looking at Bertrand despite long standing interest in Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy.

Former Chelsea left back Bertrand is trying hard to nail down his place as England’s first choice in World Cup year and a move to a Champions League club could appeal.

But Southampton are determined to keep their biggest players, having already played tough over Virgil van Dijk who is a £60m target for Liverpool, City and Chelsea.

Down the years, Southampton have gained a reputation for selling their big names and yet will be determined not to lose Bertrand and van Dijk.

Clubs have not given up on van Dijk and it still seems possible Liverpool could get him despite apologising after being caught up in a “tapping up” row.

But Southampton are determined not to end up in another fire sale this summer.

Go to the original article…

...dependably thrown together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers’ RSS Feed rss feed

The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| Saints Scouting French Striker | The whisper in France is that Saints are looking at replacing Jay Rodriguez with the latest wonderkid from France. 03-07-2017 |

Older content…

| Saints Linked With Greek Defender.a day ago |
| Virgil Van Dijk Gives First Indication That His Future Lies At Saintsa day ago |
| Saints Planning Another Raid On Celtica day ago |
| Saints Linked With Chelsea Starleta day ago |
| Katharina Liebherr Steps Down From The Saints Board2 days ago |
| Pellegrino Gets To Work !3 days ago |
| Les Reed Says No Sale4 days ago |
| Saints Need To Trim The Squad To Continue Moving Forward !5 days ago |
| Saints Chase Defrel !6 days ago |
| Is a change in Saints transfer strategy needed to progress ?6 days ago |

...idly prepared by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 03/07/2017 22:54:18

| | Southampton standing firm on Bertrand futureREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | The 2 Southampton hidden gems you seriously need to keep an eye on ahead of the new season | | Where football …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
|

| Virgil van Dijk not an ‘essential’ signing for Liverpool, claims Sami HyypiaIBTIMES |
| | Jay Rodriguez and Southampton: The end of the roadFRESHSAINTS |
| | Has Southampton’s Jordy Clasie stance inadvertantly affected Leeds United’s Mario Pasalic hopesHEREISTHECITY |

...assuredly devised by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Daily Mail article

Southampton weigh up move for Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong

Show/hide article…

Southampton are weighing up a move to make Stuart Armstrong their next £10million capture from Celtic.

The Scotland midfielder is entering the final year of his contract and, despite cautiously optimistic noises from Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers over an extension, new Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino has received favourable scouting reports on the 25-year-old.

Shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award, Armstrong’s value has escalated after a strong domestic campaign and international recognition.

Celtic would command a fee of around £10m for a player signed from Dundee United for £1.2m, but won’t consider selling before the conclusion of the Champions League qualifiers.

Speaking last week, Rodgers said of Armstrong’s situation: ‘Contracts are always about length of time, or finances, but I am pretty confident the club and the agent will come to an agreement.

‘He’s happy here in this environment and he knows he is improving and developing. So let’s wait and see. He’s someone I’m keen to keep.’

The Scottish champions have already pocketed substantial sums from Southampton following the sales of Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster and Virgil van Dijk. In addition, the Parkhead club will receive a sell-on fee of between £5m and £7m if, as expected, van Dijk moves to Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester City this summer.

Meanwhile, Scott Brown insists he’s in for the long haul with both Celtic and Scotland.

The Parkhead skipper wants to finish his career in Glasgow by signing a contract extension after the forthcoming Champions League qualifiers.

And Brown has also pledged to play for Scotland as long as possible after reversing his international retirement.

The 32-year-old is entering the final 12 months of his current Celtic contract and Rodgers has already broached the topic of an extension.

‘I would love to stay,’ admitted Brown, currently in the midst of Celtic’s pre-season tour. ‘I would love to finish my career here.

‘Whether that’s two, three, four years down the line, I would love to finish my career here. Playing in front of 60,000 at Celtic Park is the best feeling I have ever had.

‘Celtic know I’m not going to go nowhere. It is a good thing that the gaffer and I have got that relationship.

‘We sat down and spoke. He asked me and I said I would be delighted to do it again. He said we’ll sort something out. We will wait until we get through the qualifiers.

‘We don’t want that to rumble on. We’ve got to focus on getting to the Champions League.’

Brown has also made a commitment to Gordon Strachan after deciding his body can cope with the demands of both club and international football.

After briefly retiring from national duty, Brown returned for the 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley last November.

Asked what his international intentions are, his last game being the dramatic 2-2 return with England at Hampden last month, he responded: ‘Keep playing. I’m enjoying it.

‘I spoke to Gordon and he said it was up to me. He said whatever my decision was, he’d back me.’

Go to the original article…

...mesmerizedly bred by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 04/07/2017 08:24:12

| | Southampton keen on Armstrong moveREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Southampton remain keen on Celtic star Stuart ArmstrongDAILYRECORD |
| | Hyypia: Reds don’t need Van DijkREADLIVERPOOL |
| | Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alberto Moreno and Virgil van DijkBLEACHERREPORT |
| | Saints Scouting French Striker - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

...filthily cobbled together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Introducing: Jan Bednarek :innocent:

Get to know more about #SaintsFC’s first summer signing: https://youtu.be/cE8z39xMM3Q

Retweets: 3

Favourites: 14

...wincingly designed by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Erik Lamela, Yannick Bolasie and Danny Ings: When will your injured Premier League players return?

Show/hide article…

With Liverpool forward Danny Ings having recently returned to training following yet another long-term lay-off, we bring you up-to-date with others on the comeback trail from injury ahead of the new season.

Ings has missed most of the past two campaigns after suffering two serious knee injuries, although the England international is hoping to be back to full fitness for the start of the Premier League season on August 12.

Here, with the help of PhysioRoom, we take a look at other players aiming to return from long-term injury for the new campaign…

The Arsenal fan-favourite has become something of a forgotten man at the Emirates, given the longevity of his time on the sidelines. The Spain international last featured in October’s Champions League victory over Ludogorets, before a tendon issue forced him off. Cazorla underwent surgery in December, but failed to recover in time to feature again last term, and a lengthier-than-expected recovery means his spell out could surpass 12 months.

The striker has only made 11 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Burnley two years ago. His 2016/17 campaign was ended by an injury to his right knee in October, having suffered a similar injury on his left knee the previous season. But the Liverpool Echo say Ings has been a regular at the training ground over the off-season and has only had one week’s holiday as he bids to get back to full fitness. Jurgen Klopp is said to have been impressed with his commitment to rehabilitation and he should be set to return to action at some point in pre-season.

The Southampton centre-back suffered an ankle problem playing against Leicester City back on January 22, missing the rest of the campaign as a result. Initially, the Saints had expected to have their influential back for the climax of the season, but after fending off Liverpool interest, new boss Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping to have the Dutchman available for the start of the new campaign.

The Liverpool midfielder was only expected to be out for a few weeks after bruising his heel in training in February, only to then end up not playing for the remainder of the season. However, the England international should be back for be back for the new campaign after returning for pre-season training claiming: “I feel probably the best I’ve felt in terms of throughout my injuries so far and I’ve got all summer to get back to where I want to be.”

Wilshere’s renaissance at Bournemouth was cut short when he fractured his leg against Tottenham in April. The 25-year-old returned to Arsenal to begin rehabilitation, but it appears the start of the new campaign will come too soon for the midfielder, whose career continues to be ravaged by injury.

Having missed the majority of the 2015/16 campaign with a ligament injury to his right knee, Bournemouth striker Wilson endured a similar problem with his left knee midway through last season. The 25-year-old is expected to be out until early October, ruling him out of at least eight of the Cherries’ opening Premier League games.

Premier League champions Chelsea will be without Hazard for the start of their title defence after he broke his ankle while training with Belgium. The Blues expect to be without their talisman for three months after he underwent surgery, but he could be back in time to feature against Arsenal in mid-September.

The winger’s promising start to life at Goodison Park was curtailed by a significant knee injury in December, which has since required two operations to repair his meniscus and cruciate ligament. Bolasie is set to return in the New Year, but the 28-year-old is hoping to be back in December.

Coleman suffered a fracture to his tibia and fibula following a challenge with Neil Taylor in an ill-tempered World Cup qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Wales in March. The initial prognosis ruled Coleman out of action for at least five months, meaning he is unlikely to return in time for the start of the campaign, even if his recovery is seamless.

Fitness problems have stifled Gundogan’s progress in recent seasons and they resurfaced just four months into his City career when a knee injury halted his bright start to life in England. Keen to reclaim the midfield role he was in the process of making his own, the Germany international has vowed to sacrifice his summer break to ensure he is fit for the start of City’s campaign. However, given his susceptibility to injury, both club and player will be keen not to rush him back sooner than necessary.

Injured in the same game which saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s career at Manchester United come to an end, Rojo’s promising campaign at the heart of the United defence was cut short when he injured his knee against Anderlecht in the Europa League. Unlike Ibrahimovic, though, the Argentina international will have the opportunity to run out at Old Trafford again, although United have yet to confirm when that will be.

Shaw overcame a lack of form, and public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho, to produce some of the best football of his United career last season, two years on from his horrific double-leg fracture. But ligament damage to his foot in late April stopped his progress and now the left-back faces a battle to be fit for the start of next season.

Lamela’s long-standing hip injury has significantly hampered his career at Tottenham. The 25-year-old underwent surgery on his hip in April after spending majority of last season on the sidelines. A fresh setback in his recovery has extended his absence, which looks set to reach a full calendar year.

Rose damaged knee ligaments against Sunderland on January 31 before an early return to training exacerbated his condition. The England left back underwent surgery in May, only to suffer a setback on his road to recovery. As such, the 26-year-old is doubtful for the start of Spurs’ campaign - which sees Chelsea travel to Wembley on the second weekend.

The Crystal Palace left back suffered serious injury in a car crash in September, spending five days in hospital and missing the rest of the campaign as a result. However, despite having initially been expected to return before the end of last season, it is still not known when the Senegalese may be back to full fitness.

Go to the original article…

...unseasonably carved by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!