that Thibaut Courtois has dismissed reports that he is interested in a return to Spain.
The Chelsea goalkeeper had been linked with a return to the country where he played for three years before breaking into the Blues first team but has clarified his comments, suggesting he will move their after he has finished playing.
During his three seasons with Atletico Madrid, the twenty-four year old played over one hundred and fifty times in all competitions, winning the league and Spanish cup while he also played in the 2014 Champions League final.
The former Genk shot-stopper has also clinched silverware with Chelsea, winning the league title and League Cup under Jose Mourinho while internationally he has been capped thirty-nine times for Belgium and was part of th…
Erik Lamela has been called up to Argentina s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay following injuries to captain Lionel Messi and Ever Banega.
Messi is set to miss up to two months of action for club and country after suffering a tear in the internal collateral ligament of his left knee during Barcelona s 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday.
Banega had also been called up for the qualifiers but sprained his right knee last week for Sevilla and will miss the clashes with Ecuador and Paraguay on October 9 and 14 respectively.
Lamela has found form at Spurs of late, scoring against Qarabag and Manchester City this month, having struggled to regularly produce his best since a big-money move from Roma in 2013.
The 23-year-old wi…
The return of UEFA club competitions this week offered a reminder that there remain significant hoops to jump through before the delayed European Championship kicks off.
Fixtures being switched to alternative venues due to local coronavirus regulations cast the multiple host city model for Euro 2020 in an unhelpful light, with March s international break set to throw up fresh challenges.
Postponing and rearranging a major sporting event due to ongoing and unspeakably tragic global circumstances makes any focus on the footballing concerns within the equation feel somewhat crass.
But all 24 men leading countries into the finals will look at their squads before kick-off and ponder whether the additional 12 months of waiting and haphazard preparation have been a hel…
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta “loved” seeing Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko clash with each other at the end of his side’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners were cruising to an easy three points at the City Ground after second-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka but endured a nervy ending when Taiwo Awoniyi capitalised on a defensive mistake to give Forest a lifeline.
They saw out the victory which closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, but celebrations were cut short when White and Zinchenko had to be separated after arguing over the goal they conceded.
Together
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Arteta said: “I love it, they demand more from each other and they are not happy with the way they concede that and they a…
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen feels Manchester City are the team to beat in the Premier League title race.
One of several sides bunched together at the top of the table, Tottenham currently sit seventh, five points behind leaders Arsenal and one ahead of City.
However, Vertonghen is not deceived by the relatively lowly position of Manuel Pellegrini s men and believes the 2011-12 champions remain the biggest threat.
It s really crazy, he told Sky Sports News. I think if we d won against Newcastle (prior to the international break), we d be joint second now but we re seventh.
City, I think, is the best team in the league. Arsenal are doing very well of course. But, especially in home games, City is the team to beat.
Tottenham’s next two league fixtures…
Liverpool, Spurs keen on Llorente
that Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham are among clubs showing interest in Juventus striker Fernando Llorente.
The Bianconeri appear ready to cash on on the Spaniard as they plan to recruit a new centre forward, with Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani the first names on their hit-list.
As a result, a host of Europe s top clubs are keeping close tabs on Llorente, with Liverpool and Tottenham among his suitors.
A return to Spanish La Liga is also a realistic possibility for the former Athletic Bilbao star, as Valencia and Sevilla are believed to be keen.
Llorente, 30, has done fairly well since joining Juventus almost two years ago, scoring 21 goals in 58 Serie A appearances, but he has now lost his pla…
The transfer window in most of European leagues has ended on Monday night, but just before its closure, Fiorentina managed to get a new signing. They have confirmed the signing of Rachid Ghezzal from Leicester City. Ghezzal joins the Serie A club on a season-long loan, as the player was not in the first plans at the King Power Stadium.
The 27-year-old arrived at Leicester in the summer of 2018 from AS Monaco. A year ago, he was planned as direct replacement for his compatriot, Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian did not prove to be anything close to Mahrez, who left for Manchester City, and the Foxes had to find a way to find him a new club.
For the 2019-20 season, that will be Fiorentina. Ghezzal is expected to improve in Florence and if he manages to do that, then Fiorentina m…
Real Madrid star Toni Kroos said it was logical for players and coaches to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Madrid announced that players and coaches from their football and basketball squads agreed to reduction in wages on Wednesday, with LaLiga and professional sport in Spain on hold due to COVID-19.
Directors at Madrid also accepted to voluntary reductions in pay for 2019-20 – the pay cuts will be between 10 and 20 per cent depending on the circumstances that may affect the closing of the 2019-20 season , the club said in a statement.
Prior to the midweek announcement, Kroos had stated he was not in favour of pay cuts amid financial concerns but the Germany international explained his comments.
Es posible que no se haya traducido correct…
Out of order
There are contrasting reports as to what exactly went on in the Stoke dressing room following their defeat at Arsenal on Saturday.
Altercation
It is clear that manager Tony Pulis and striker James Beattie had some sort of altercation that led to the two men having to be pulled apart.
On Monday Tony Pulis apologised to the whole squad for his behaviour but it is believed that despite reports that Beattie had apologised to Pulis, this has not actually happened. Beattie didn’t train with the rest of the squad but did spend a few minutes at the training ground.
Apologise
It seems that Beattie doesn’t feel that he has anything to apologise for. The popular Stoke striker has only found the net twice this season but he r…
Switzerland won their first ever World Cup at any level in the Under-17 World Cup recently. They beat the highly rated Nigerians in the finals, to complete an unexpected victory.
Success at all levels
Swiss football has been in the doldrums in recent times until their national team qualified for next year s World Cup. That victory has seen a massive surge of confidence in the sides sent out to represent the country.
Multinational heroes
Twelve of the Switzerland squad hold dual nationality and could play for other countries at senior level in the future. Their playmaker Nassim Ben Khalifa could represent Tunisia if he wished, as his parents are from the African country. Their top scorer at the tournament Haris Seferovic is also eligible to play for Bosnia.
…