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Midday Ticker: Conte resigns from Juventus; Costa officially joins Chelsea; and more

AntonioConteJuventus1-Cagliari2014 (Getty)

By TIM FONTENAULT

After three years and three Serie A titles, Antonio Conte has resigned as manager of Juventus.

The Italian tactician has parted with the Italian giants by mutual consent. Conte won 102 of the 151 matches he oversaw for Juventus.

Despite success on the home front, Juventus has continued to struggle in the UEFA Champions League, and Conte has previously said that he could quit the club if they did not invest in new players.

“I have matured with time and my feelings led me to make this choice,” Conte said on Tuesday. “It may be more difficult to keep winning with Juventus.”

During the 2011-12 season, Conte’s first in charge, Juventus became the first Italian team since AC Milan to go through a season without a loss and the first to do so during a 38-match season.

Here are more stories to be paying attention to on Tuesday afternoon:

DIEGO COSTA JOINS CHELSEA

The Spanish international has completed his move to the Premier League, signing a five-year deal with Chelsea.

Costa enjoyed a meteoric rise to international stardom at Atletico Madrid. After spending the 2011-12 season on loan at Rayo Vallecano, Costa returned to Atletico and scored 56 goals over his final two seasons with the club.

During the 2013-14 season, Costa led the Spanish club to the La Liga title and a runners-up finish in the UEFA Champions League.

The 25-year-old striker is coming off a difficult debut for Spain at the FIFA World Cup. Costa, who chose to play for Spain over Brazil, failed to score as the 2010 champions were eliminated in the Group Stage.

LIVERPOOL SIGNS MARKOVIC FROM BENFICA

Brendan Rodgers continued his summer shopping spree on Tuesday as Liverpool completed the signing of Serbian international Lazar Markovic.

Markovic scored seven goals in 49 appearances for Benfica last season, as the Portuguese side completed a domestic treble and finished second in the UEFA Europa League. The 20-year-old striker has already established himself as a regular for the Serbian national team.

“I am very happy that I have joined such a great club,” Markovic said after completing his medical and signing what the club describes as a “long-term” deal. “I hope that I will fulfill the expectations of the supporters, coaches, players and all connected to the club. I have seen what the players are like, I have seen what the supporters are like, and I cannot wait to start playing here.”

Markovic is Liverpool’s fourth signing of the summer, joining Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Emre Can.

KROOS CLOSING IN ON MADRID MOVE

Fresh off winning the World Cup, Toni Kroos could soon be on his way to Real Madrid.

Kroos has been linked to the Spanish giants for some time, and now Bayern Munich executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that the two clubs are in talks regarding the 24-year-old midfielder.

Rummenigge confirmed that the club and Kroos were unable to come to an agreement over a new contract. Kroos’ current deal expires next year, so Bayern is open to selling him if the price is right.

“It is clear we do not want to lose the player for free next year,” Rummenigge said. “We have a financial responsibility towards our club.”

QUICK KICKS

Celtic manager Ronny Deila says that it is “stupid” that the Scottish side must navigate three qualifying rounds to reach the Group Stage of the Champions League. (REPORT)

Roma signing Ashley Cole says that English players are afraid to go abroad. (REPORT)

Napoli’s president says that talks between his club and Swansea City are “well under way” as the Italian side looks to land Michu. (REPORT)

While they have been a seller this summer, Southampton has offered Jay Rodriguez a five-year deal to remain at St. Mary’s. (REPORT)

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What do you think of Tuesday’s headlines? What is Conte’s next move? Do you believe Costa can succeed at Chelsea? See Kroos fitting in at Real Madrid?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Sounds like Keylor Navas to Real Madrid was just finalized. Big time move for him and for Costa Rican soccer

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  2. Enner Valencia transfer to West Ham looks complete. Andy Carroll, Zarate, and Valencia is not a bad little combo of attackers for West Ham. I do wonder how Valencia will transition to the Premier league

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  3. This is why I wish Lukaku would stay at Everton. They could accomplish great things building around him, instead of having him constantly being a backup to a player who was signed for more. As an Everton fan and a Lukaku fan, this pretty much sucks.

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  4. What Rodgers is doing at Liverpool with the Suarez money seems eerily similar to what the Spurs did with the Bale money. Just buying a bunch of players that aren’t even going add up nearly to the one you just lost.

    Of course there isn’t one single player on the market that will give you what Suarez did but I wish he’d be shooting for some higher profile players.

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    • Who would you suggest they go after with the Suarez $?
      IMO Rogers is betting on Stur stepping up his game to replace the Suarez’s contribution and the new signings to replace Stur contributions and add depth.

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      • Would have liked to see Sanchez or Pedro coming the opposite way from the transfer.
        Benzema? (He always seems to be rumored to be on his way out)
        Mandzukic?
        Heck, even a year or two contract with David Villa would be great.

  5. COSTA is gonna FLOP at Chelsea

    dude had 1 heck of a season but flopped in the WC. He’s overrated. if you ask me. A single great season does not make a WORLD CLASS striker

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    • I’m not as down on Costa as you but I am certainly not as high on him as others. For 32 million pounds I’d want a slightly larger sample size than he has been able to provide. I think he’ll be an upgrade to what they had last year but I’m not sure he’s a massive one.

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  6. That and the fact that Pirlo is finished as a useful player. Conti is no fool. The teams midfield may be gone by summers end

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  7. Some people are convinced the reason Conte is leaving is due to an opening for the Italian national team job. Heard Conte might get the Philadelphia Union head coaching position, might be a good fit there.

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  8. Most people are convinced the reason Conte is leaving is due to a Vidal sale being only a matter of time. Heard Conte might get the Italian national team job, might be a good fit there.

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    • Could be that. I have also heard that he wanted the board to make a run at Sanchez and they never came close to the price needed to acquire him. Plus the Vidal stuff, which I dont know whether or not that will happen. Plus it could be Pogba as well. Maybe both?

      The national team is an interesting point

      Reply
      • good points both..

        Id bet on him taking over the Italian National Team.

        wish Juve had both Vidal and Sanchez this season! Hopefully they can hold on to Vidal

      • Conte is too young. He’s not finished with club football yet.

        Conte wants Champion’s League success and more than likely, someone will give him that shot.

      • National team cycles really only last 2 or 4 years though, it’s not like he’d be done at the club level. I think he might do the Italian national team at least through the Euros

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