Zlat hints at move to England
ZLATAN Ibrahimovic looks set to have a crack at the Premier League next season after hinting he is moving to England.
Paris Saint- Germain’s superstar Swedish striker infamously snubbed Arsene Wenger by refusing an Arsenal trial when he was 16.
But the 34- year- old’s contract is up at PSG this summer and he indicated he may have sorted out a move after scoring the opening goal in the club’s 2- 1 Champions League win over Chelsea on Tuesday .
Asked if he was Premier League- bound, Ibrahimovic said: “I have another three months here and then what will happen? Big things will happen. Let’s just say I am in shape.”
Even in the latter stages of his career, his presence would be seen as a Premier League coup.
Ibrahimovic made a point of turning back to speak to the English media and stressed he was convinced PSG would overcome Chelsea in the last- 16 second leg at
‘ Big things will happen in the summer’
Stamford Bridge on March 9. “We are confi dent,” he said. “We want to play in this positive manner so wherever we go, we will play our game.”
Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel, who went from zero to hero on Tuesday after being culpable for Ibrahimovic’s goal before equalising, said he had no choice but to concede the foul that led to the PSG opener.
The Chelsea midfi elder was booked for fouling Lucas Moura and then defl ected Ibrahimovic’s free- kick into his own goal.
Mikel said: “Moura was going deeper and deeper into the box. I knew I had to make a challenge, either to get the ball or foul him – but then the defl ection was a big one.
“We’re very disappointed losing the second goal. I feel we deserved more.”
Mikel made some amends by scoring Chelsea’s goal – only his sixth for the club – which, as an away goal, could prove crucial in the return leg. “We believe we can do it,” he said. And Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is also confi dent his side will cope, even if injured captain John Terry is still absent.
Terry, 35, missed the match with a hamstring problem that could also keep him out of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth- round tie with Manchester City.
His next appearance will be his 700th for Chelsea, who maintain a new contract could still be offered despite Terry revealing he is set to leave when his deal expires at the end of the season.
With Kurt Zouma also out with a serious knee injury, Cahill partnered Branislav Ivanovic at centre- back in Paris and the pair played well, even though PSG ended Chelsea’s 12- match unbeaten run.
“I played with Iva in the Premier League and in the 2013 Europa League final and was successful, so I don’t see it as a problem if John’s not available,” said Cahill. “Ideally we would have everyone available. But let’s wait and see about John.”
Away goals have been the difference between the sides in the past two seasons – Chelsea winning a quarterfi nal tie in 2014 and PSG making the last eight last year, and Ivanovic said: “We all hope Mikel’s goal is going to be massive for us. But we must play a perfect game defensively to go through.”
ARGENTINA forward Ezequiel Lavezzi has become the latest player to move to the Chinese Super League after leaving PSG for Hebei China Fortune.
The 30- yearold, who had been linked with Chelsea, will join up with former Premier League stars Gervinho and Gael Kakuta. Lavezzi has started just eight matches this season after falling out of favour with coach Laurent Blanc.