Mikel Arteta is aiming for back-to-back Premier League titles with Arsenal (Picture: Getty Images) Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is expecting ‘great things’ from the Blues this year, as they are able to focus on the Premier League without European distractions. It was a disappointing campaign last time round at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League and missing out on any kind of European football for this season. However, Sanchez is looking on the bright side of the situation and sees the positives that will come in their league campaign as a result. The Blues have brought in Xabi Alonso as manager and Sanchez reckons his compatriot will have Chelsea riding high in the Premier League in the near future. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. ‘I think this year is a positive,” he said. “It can be a good thing that we do not have a European tournament, because we can focus on the league. ‘It is good for us as a team and as a squad because we get that time, one game a week, and I have a feeling we can do great things this year. ‘We have a new manager, and we are still trying to understand his game plan, what he wants from us. The most important thing [in pre-season] is everyone is getting minutes and putting in a good effort. The boys have done that. Robert Sanchez has high hopes for Chelsea under Xabi Alonso (Picture: REUTERS) ‘He [Alonso] is not rushing anything. He is checking every game, every area we are doing, and we are slowly integrating new things. Day by day, we are learning more, and we are hopefully getting better game by game.’ Sanchez has come in for criticism during his time at Chelsea, but he looks set to be first choice in goal again this season. The former Brighton stopper says the new manager has filled him with confidence ahead of the new campaign. ‘I feel amazing,’ he said. ‘Xabi has given me all the confidence in the world. Sanchez in pre-season action for Chelsea against AC Milan in Jakarta (Picture: AP Photo) ‘He is allowing me to perform. I know what he wants me to do. He understands the strengths of every individual. He understands my strengths. He is going to allow me to do what I am best at this season. ‘He has brought a different attitude, a lot of calm, into the squad. He is a really calm person. He brings that as a player because he used to play. I like his idea of football. ‘I don’t want to talk too much about it, but I like what he brings to the club and the staff. Everyone that has come is brilliant as well. I have a good feeling.’ Chelsea’s pre-season preparations continued on Sunday with a 3-3 draw with Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim, which saw Liam Delap score twice from the penalty spot. The Blues beat AC Milan 3-0 in a friendly on Saturday, so Alonso named an entirely different team against the Malaysian side. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Man Utd seem to have beaten Arsenal to the signing of highly-rated young midfielder (Photo: Getty) Manchester United are in talks to sign one of the most exciting young players in the EFL ahead of rivals Arsenal, according to reports. Following the arrival of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, Michael Carrick is looking to add another midfielder to his squad ahead of the start of the season. While plenty of big names have been linked to Old Trafford, the club are also snapping up young prospects, with BBC Sport reporting they are working on a deal to sign teenager Louis Page from Leicester City. Page only turned 18 last month, but has already made 21 senior appearances for the Foxes, most recently in the Carabao Cup win over Northampton Town on Saturday. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The England youth international enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, but was powerless to prevent the former Premier League champions from being relegated to League One. At season’s end, he was named Championship Apprentice of the Year and his impressive performances and high ceiling have clearly caught the eye, with Arsenal and Aston Villa showing a big interest in the box-to-box midfielder. But it appears United are winning the race for his signature, with Page said to be keen on moving to Manchester. Louis Page only made his senior debut last season but already has plenty of admirers (Photo: Getty) If so, it would be the second time this summer that Arsenal have missed out on signing a highly-rated teenager from Leicester after Jeremy Monga joined Manchester City for an initial £10million. Last September, then Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes showered praise on both Monga and Page, highlighting the youngsters’ fearlessness. He said: ‘They are playing because they are good. Of course we need to help them to develop their qualities, because there’s a lot of quality with those guys. Jaydan Kamason has impressed Man Utd during pre-season (Photo: Getty) ‘They will play better some days than others because we know as a young player sometimes there are ups and downs. But I’m most pleased that they show personality. ‘They want the ball, they are not afraid. They play with the freedom I like them to play with.’ While United look to sign one teenager they must make a decision whether to sell another, as the Daily Mail report there is much interest in their academy graduate Jaydan Kamason. Southampton are keen to sign the 19-year-old on a permanent deal, while the right-back has also attracted interest from Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday. However, those at Carrington rate Kamason very highly, especially after impressing in the first-team during pre-season and it seems he will likely stay at United for at least the first-half of the season. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
JACK GAUGHAN IN SEOUL: Enzo Maresca missed a trick if none of his staff thought to stick a GPS vest on him as he worked just south of the river in South Korea's capital.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
