Fischer dismisses Manchester United rumours

Another international break gives us a chance to reflect on which teams in Europe have set the world alight so far and which teams may as well set their ground alight.

Here’s a look at five of the best performing teams and five of the worst:

Best five

1. Chelsea are top of the Premier League with seventeen points from seven games. They are unbeaten and at times, have looked unbeatable. Their performance in the win against the much fancied Aston Villa last weekend was clinical, efficient and entertaining.

Remember, that win was achieved without Carvalho, Essien, Deco and Drogba. They are going to take some stopping in the Premier League and in Europe.

Scolari has taken to the role as a Premier League manager like a duck to water.<…

Real Madrid have grabbed headlines all over the world on Tuesday morning. But this time, they’ve done it for the right reasons since Los Merengues have officially snapped one of the top strikers in Europe during the 2018/19 season.

Real Madrid have signed Luka Jovic to a six-year contract, which means the Serbian striker will be tied to Los Blancos until the end of the 2024-25 season. Jovic had an impressive with the German outfit while on loan with Benfica, since he finished with 17 goals and six assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances. The club confirmed the news on their official website.

However, was this the right move for Real Madrid? Or were they just so desperate to sign someone given their poor season last term? Let’s try to rationalize the move and decide whe…

Liverpool are considering a move for Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, according to the Metro.

The Reds are on the lookout for back-up for first choice Alisson Becker with Simon Mignolet likely to move on after being limited to just two cup appearances last season, while Loris Karius is unlikely to return to the club after spending last term at Besiktas.

Philippines international Etheridge was an ever present for the Bluebirds last term and while he was unable to help keep his side in the top flight, he could well fit the bill for Jurgen Klopp, who is looking to go one better in the Premier League after finishing just a point behind champions Manchester City.

Etheridge moved to Cardiff from Walsall in the summer of 2007 and has so far racked up eighty-…

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque has tipped Bayern Munich s transfer target Javi Martinez for great things.

The Bavarian giants have fought hard to clinch the Athletic Bilbao midfielder s signature all summer, and a breakthrough over the 40-million-euro transfer appears to finally have been made, according to reports.

Del Bosque, who included the 23-year-old in his World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 winning squads, has spoken highly of the player, whose tactical versatility has more than once proved crucial for both club and country.

Javi Martinez is a complete player who can cover any role he wants to on the pitch, the former Real Madrid coach said.

I can say Bayern will have a lot of fun with him.

He is a born leader best compared to (former Fra…

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire could be on his way to Stamford Bridge amid reports that Chelsea have enquired about including him in a swap for Christian Pulisic.

Chelsea have been aggressive in their hunt for centre-backs during this transfer period after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left the club.

But while they have secured the services of Kalidou Koulibaly, they are still after at least one more, having previously enquired about Matthijs de Ligt, Martin Skriniar and a number of others.

Pulisic has been a recurring name when it comes to players Chelsea are seemingly willing to part ways with, and while a loan move has been weighed up, a swap for Maguire could solve problems for both clubs if United feel he is no longer part of Erik ten Hag …

Serie A winners Inter will begin their title defence with a home match against Genoa.

Fixtures for the 2021-22 season were announced on Wednesday, with the side now coached by Simone Inzaghi given a San Siro opener.

That means city rivals Milan, who were runners-up last year, will begin with an away contest against Sampdoria in the week ending August 22.

Juventus, meanwhile, will start their bid to regain the Scudetto under Massimiliano Allegri with an away fixture against Udinese.

The Old Lady host Empoli in week two before a crunch clash away to Napoli on matchday three.

A tricky start continues for Allegri as he will then face former club Milan, with Juve at home for that huge clash on matchday four.

(@Inter)

Inzaghi will take …

Champions League comeback kings Barcelona were dethroned in the Italian capital on Tuesday, as Roma completed one of the most unlikely turnarounds in quarter-final history.

Eusebio Di Francesco s side came back from a 4-1 first-leg deficit to progress to the last eight on away goals after a thrilling 3-0 win in front of their home fans.

Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas secured the 4-4 aggregate draw and sent the Stadio Olimpico into raptures, as Barca, who remain unbeaten in LaLiga this season, completely fell to pieces.

The result earns recognition alongside the best comebacks in the competition s storied recent past, especially since it came only a little over a year on from Barca s own most famous remontada

Savour the moment, Kostas Ma…

Champions League semifinalists Liverpool are heading into the crucial stage of the 2017/18 campaign.

Now more than ever – as they chase the historic success and a return among Europe’s elite – Liverpool need the support from their faithful.

And with Jurgen Klopp explaining what it is that makes Liverpool unique and what is it that sets this club apart from other clubs in a rallying promo video, the Reds are bound to receive the much-needed support.

Have a look at this brilliant video.

We are Liverpool. The story continues

— Liverpool FC (@LFC)

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Bafetimbi Gomis is likely to leave Swansea City in the coming days, first-team coach Alan Curtis has revealed.

Ligue 1 side Marseille have been strongly linked with a move for the 30-year-old, with Swansea set to sanction the departure of a third striker ahead of the new Premier League season.

Francesco Guidolin s side have already allowed Eder – who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2016 final – to join Lille and Alberto Paloschi has signed for Atalanta.

Something could well be on the horizon, Curtis said to BBC Sport about Gomis.

He is still contracted to us but you would assume something within the next few days, or weeks certainly, something would happen with Bafe leaving the club.

Gomis joined Swansea from Lyon in June 2014 and score…

Diego Simeone has nothing but praise for Neymar ahead of Atletico Madrid s trip to Barcelona on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old received criticism for his lifestyle during the close-season, with some suggesting he was not committed enough to Brazil when he was seen partying during the Copa America.

Neymar responded on the pitch by guiding his country to Olympic gold in August, only to come under fire again last week for showboating during Barcelona s 5-1 win over Leganes.

Simeone has no issue with the forward, however, and said at a news conference: Neymar is a player I really like. He is extraordinary.

The Atleti coach added: He has a certain style of play that is his own. Every player has his own style and I like his style.

He has been criticised…