France forward Randal Kolo Muani will undoubtedly be thinking about his stoppage-time miss against Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup Final, but the Eintracht Frankfurt frontman – a late-notice injury replacement – shone on the world stage and spoke of his pride at a tournament he didn’t expect to be at. Elsewhere, Morocco duo Sofiane Boufal and Azzedine Ounahi have attracted interest from a host of European clubs: both are now anticipating January transfers. Continue reading
Tag: Champions League
Mbappe scores record-breaking goal in Benfica draw, as reports swirl he wants to leave PSG
As reports emerged today that PSG’s superstar forward Kylian Mbappe wants to leave the club in January – a broken relationship with the board being cited as the reason – the 23-year-old made history with his first-half penalty: becoming the French champions’ highest-scoring player in the Champions League during their 1-1 Group H draw against Benfica earlier tonight.
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Guardiola confirms red-hot Haaland will be rested when time is right, after Manchester derby treble
Having broken another league record with his third hat-trick of the campaign against Manchester United, Erling Haaland’s formidable form has not gone unnoticed – 14 goals and three assists in his first eight Premier League games. It’s important not to be transfixed by the moment, and is why head coach Pep Guardiola has tonight reaffirmed the fact the Norwegian will be rested when the time is right, with a heavy year-long fixture schedule to consider.
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Jorginho: Chelsea players to blame for Tuchel’s sacking; Campos linked with sporting director role
As they prepare to host Red Bull Salzburg in their first game of the post-Thomas Tuchel era tonight in Champions League action, Chelsea vice-captain and Italy international midfielder Jorginho told reporters in the pre-match press conference while the 47-year-old’s dismissal was a surprise last week, the players were ultimately responsible for the German’s abrupt sacking. Continue reading
Reports: Declan Rice has ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to leave West Ham in summer of 2023
Per reports, West Ham’s talismanic midfielder Declan Rice has a gentleman’s agreement with the club to stay for the 22-23 season before leaving next summer – where he’ll have 12 months remaining on his contract and more of Europe’s suitors will undoubtedly circle for his signature. Continue reading
Man Utd’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong drags on, with other options linked
Manchester United have informed Barcelona they want to conclude a deal to sign Dutch international Frenkie de Jong by Friday, per reports today. Paul Pogba’s Juventus return on a free is among their summer departures, with Wolves’ Ruben Neves and Leicester’s wantaway star Youri Tielemans linked as possible alternatives should they fail to sign the 25-year-old. Continue reading
Report: PSG agree €10m (£8.5m) fee for Nice’s Christophe Galtier as Pochettino successor
Although he’s technically under contract for another year, reports claim Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain will replace Mauricio Pochettino with Nice’s Christophe Galtier next week, as the 55-year-old has been deemed a priority choice as their new head coach by another fresh acquisition, new football advisor Luis Campos – who he worked with for three years at Lille.
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Scary hours indeed: Erling Haaland’s City move could shift the needle further in their favour
Jadon Sancho’s ‘scary hours’ tweet shortly after his £73m move to United was swiftly ridiculed by rival fans amid limited minutes and disappointing displays. His former teammate in Germany, Erling Haaland, has this week been unveiled as a City player – with an overwhelming feeling the striker’s impact will by contrast be a significant one felt immediately across Europe. Continue reading
Courtois’ inspired display – once again – proves a fitting end as Real clinch 14th CL title
It felt fitting that, eight years after suffering stoppage-time heartbreak against Real with Atletico Madrid in Lisbon, Thibaut Courtois was Los Blancos’ impenetrable wall here, defiantly stifling Liverpool throughout – breaking the record for most saves in a Champions League Final with nine, producing greatness with the lights shining brightest on a career-defining night. Continue reading
Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: Benzema hat-trick leaves UCL holders with mountain to climb
After conjuring up magic to save Real Madrid from the brink of elimination against PSG in the previous round, it was again Karim Benzema’s night – this time in west London – as two first-half headers and pouncing on Edouard Mendy’s early second-half mistake has now confined Champions League holders Chelsea to an unenviable second leg recovery mission on April 13. Continue reading
Report: Timo Werner working with agent to engineer summer departure from Chelsea
According to recent reports, which have only intensified over this ongoing international break, the 25-year-old – a £49m signing in 2020 – could be set to depart on a permanent basis once the current campaign is concluded at a cut-price fee after a disappointing stint in west London. Continue reading
Contingency plans: Adeyemi fee impasse, Dortmund also linked with other Haaland replacements
While still battling over a fair price for RB Salzburg’s latest hotshot, around the €45m (£37.4m) figure, Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have been linked with approaches for other strikers this summer as they prepare for life after Erling Haaland – whose €75m (£62.4m) release clause is active and will inevitably be explored by Europe’s elite in the weeks to come. Continue reading