I am not in Conte’s plans at Chelsea, says Costa
Ronaldo stays atop Forbe’s list of richest athletes
LONDON, June 8, (Agencies): Chelsea striker Diego Costa is looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge after being told by manager Antonio Conte that the 28-year-old is not part of his plans at the Premier League club, the Spain international has said.
Costa scored 20 goals in 35 league appearances in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign last season amid local media speculation that he has an unfavourable relationship with the Italian manager.
“Conte has sent me a message to tell me I am not in his plans for Chelsea,” Costa told reporters after Spain’s 2-2 draw against Colombia on Wednesday.
“My relationship with the coach has been bad this season. It’s a shame, but it’s clear that the coach does not count on me and he does not want me there.”
Costa, who was at Spanish side Atletico Madrid from 2010-14, wants a move back to the La Liga club but would have to wait for their transfer ban to end next January.
His hopes of playing for Spain in next year’s World Cup in Russia would also depend on getting regular playing time.
“Being five months without playing? I do not know, it’s complicated, but people know that I love Atletico a lot and that I love to live in Madrid,” Costa added.
“It would be nice to go back, but it’s difficult to be four or five months without playing. It’s a World Cup year and there are many things to think about. I need to play, just that.”
High-scoring Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has been linked with his former club Chelsea after the Belgian said he had decided where he wants to move ahead of the next season and had reached an agreement with another club.
Costa
Real Madrid star remained atop Forbes magazine’s list of 100 highest-paid athletes, with Cleveland Cavaliers star moving up to second on a list heavy on NBA players.
The 32-year-old Portugal forward is estimated to have earned a total of $93 million between his football salary of $58 million and $35 million in endorsement income.
It’s the second straight year Ronaldo has topped the list, released Wednesday just days after he spearheaded a 4-1 victory over Juventus that made Real Madrid the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League title.
James, with estimated earnings of $86.2 million, was one of 32 NBA players who made the top 100 — up from 18 last year. He took over second place from the Argentine footballer
now third with $80 million. Swiss tennis great ($64 million) and Golden State Warriors guard ($60.6 million) rounded out the top five — just as they did last year.
The Forbes figures include salaries, prize money and bonuses earned between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017. Endorsement incomes are an estimate of sponsorships, appearance fees and licensing incomes for the same 12-month period based on conversations with industry insiders.
a 23-time Grand Slam winner, was the lone woman on the list with an estimated income of $27 million — $19 million of which came from endorsements — to place her 51st overall.
Leicester City have appointed manager on a permanent basis after he rescued the Premier League club from relegation last season.
The 53-year-old signed a three-year contract on Thursday to stay in charge of the first team after taking over as caretaker following the departure of in February.
Ranieri led rank outsiders Leicester to the title in the 2015-16 season, but an abysmal defence of their crown led to the Italian leaving the club midway through the campaign.
Spanish and European champions Real Madrid announced on Thursday that they will hold a presidential election over the close season, provided somebody comes forward to challenge the incumbent
“The Electoral board ... have agreed to an election for the club president and board of directors,” read a statement published on the English version of the club website.
Candidates have until June 18 to come forward, with the statement adding: “In the case that more than one candidate is announced, the Electoral board will make public the date and place for voting.”
Perez was president between 2000 and 2006 and returned for a second spell in 2009, succeeding Ramon Calderon. Elections were announced in 2013 but Perez was the only candidate.
1860 Munich majority stakeholder says he will take action against German soccer’s 50-plus-1 regulation, which limits the influence of external backers.
Ismaik, a Jordanian billionaire who is at odds with what remains of the club’s management, tells Kicker magazine “I always said I appreciate the German laws and stick to them. But we’ve come to a point where I say: It can’t go on like this. I’m preparing the lawsuit against 50-plus-1.”
is to leave Werder Bremen at the end of the month, alerting a host of clubs reportedly interested in the 21-year-old Germany forward’s services.
Bremen says Gnabry informed the board of his decision in recent days, confirmed by sporting director Frank Baumann on Thursday.
Baumann says “Serge has informed us that he would like to take the next step in his career. He will therefore activate a clause in his contract and leave the club at the end of the month.” Gnabry, who joined Bremen from Arsenal last year, scored 11 goals and set up two more in 27 Bundesliga games for the club.