Sanchez sorry for his slump
MARK HUGHES is plotting a £20million raid on old club Stoke for Xherdan Shaqiri.
New Southampton manager Hughes is a massive fan of the Swiss winger, right, and would love to make him his first big summer signing.
But both Saints and Stoke are in relegation trouble and 26-year-old Shaqiri is not short of admirers both at home and abroad. ALEXIS Sanchez has spoken for the first time about his worrying loss of form since his January move to Manchester United.
The Chilean forward has scored just once in his 10 outings for Jose Mourinho’s side amid rumours that he has struggled to adapt. With a salary in the region of £500,000 a week, there have also been suggestions that his arrival has caused discord in the United dressing room.
Now, during his national team’s friendly visit to Sweden, Sanchez has admitted he has disappointed himself with his performances. “As I am self-demanding, I expected something better,” said Sanchez. “The change of club was something that was very abrupt.”
United and Tottenham will face off in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday April 21, with a 5.15pm kick-off at Wembley.
Chelsea and Southampton contest the other tie the following day, kicking off at 3pm. JONATHAN KODJIA is closing in on a return for Aston Villa after playing 45 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Peterborough in a friendly at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground. The £15million striker, left, had been ruled out for the season by boss Steve Bruce after twice breaking his ankle in 2017. Kodjia made his last appearance on October 29. ●THE FA have recorded an after-tax profit of £16million and invested £127m back into the game, according to their financial results for the year ending July 31, 2017.