Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
England captain and Bayern forward Harry Kane has publicly criticised his teammates who withdrew from Lee Carsley’s latest squad before their must-win Nations League fixture against Greece, accusing them of “taking advantage” as they round out the year without a permanent manager after long-time boss Gareth Southgate’s departure. Thomas Tuchel succeeds him on New Year’s Day. Continue reading “Kane criticises England teammates over withdrawals as Tuchel’s arrival beckons”
Spanish reports claim Manchester City are ready to activate the €60m (£50.2m) release clause for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in January, while Torino’s Samuele Ricci and Porto’s Alan Varela are among the alternatives being suggested as versatile centre-back John Stones has publicly insisted this past week he can fill in for the Euro 2024 champion after ACL and meniscus surgery.
Continue reading “City search for January addition, many linked after Rodri’s season-ending injury”
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi excelled with Euro 2024 runners-up England, instrumental in their surprise final run after recovering from knee surgery. Newcastle made four unsuccessful bids, the last worth up to £65m including add-ons and all were rebuffed, with Palace now acquiring a pair of wantaway centre-backs after Joachim Andersen returned to Fulham for £30m this month.
Continue reading “Glasner confirms Newcastle target Guehi stays; Palace sign Lacroix and Chalobah”
Having begun pre-season training last week after his Euro 2024 exertions with eventual semifinalists Netherlands, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk made his club return during their 4-1 friendly win over La Liga side Sevilla and insisted he has confidence the Reds will make signings before the window closes next month – Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is a priority target. Continue reading “van Dijk confident signings will come as Liverpool’s Zubimendi pursuit continues”
Kevin de Bruyne’s honesty regarding the ‘incredible money’ on offer in Saudi Arabia has forced the Citizens to prepare contingency plans should their creator-in-chief decide a departure from European football is too lucrative to reject. Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, who they were linked to last summer, has again emerged as a serious option but will be rather expensive.
Continue reading “Manchester City weigh up Eze approach again as de Bruyne’s future still unclear”
Although they had a £15m verbal offer rejected out-of-hand on Thursday, West Ham are pursuing two-time Premier League champion N’Golo Kante as the acquisitions under new manager Julen Lopetegui continue to roll. Meanwhile, creative midfielder Lucas Pacqueta’s uncertain future will linger after investigations into his spot-fixing allegations won’t be resolved until 2025.
Continue reading “£15m rebuffed, West Ham push for Al-Ittihad’s N’Golo Kante in London return”
Rodri off injured at half-time while captain Álvaro Morata didn’t have his shooting boots on. Neither potential storyline mattered though in the end, as two Real Sociedad substitutes – Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal – played an instrumental role during Spain’s stunning 2-1 win over England to emerge victorious in the Euro 2024 final, securing a record fourth tournament triumph. Continue reading “Spain 2-1 England: Oyarzabal’s late winner clinches record fourth Euro title in Berlin”
Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner, nine minutes after replacing captain Harry Kane, has sent an oft-criticised England side into consecutive European Championship finals as they again recovered from a goal behind to triumph – this time leaving Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands stunned – after riding the waves in an emotionally draining semi-final victory. Spain await on Sunday in Berlin. Continue reading “England 2-1 Netherlands: Watkins wins it late as Southgate’s subs set up Spain final”
France finally ended their open play goal drought but it wasn’t enough to stop Spain from overturning the slender deficit with a four-minute turnaround during an action-packed first-half, powered by teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal four days before his 17th birthday as Luis de la Fuente’s side held firm in a frenzied second-half to seal a spot in Sunday’s European Championship final.
Continue reading “Spain 2-1 France: Yamal’s wonderstrike sends inspired La Roja into Euro final”
Jamal Musiala scored his third goal of this summer’s European Championships, of course he did, as hosts Germany punched their ticket into next week’s quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over a stubborn Denmark in Saturday’s evening kick-off. Hours earlier, defending champs Italy went out with a whimper as they were outplayed by Switzerland – England could await them next week…. Continue reading “Euro 2024: Musiala sends Danes packing after defending champs Italy limp out, as tournament proper has finally begun”
Seven years after Real had a €180m bid accepted for the then-Monaco wonderkid, the newly-crowned 15-time Champions League winners have their man. Kylian Mbappe’s dream has been realised, having made history at home with Paris Saint-Germain, and now the France captain will acclimatise to new surroundings and expectations with Los Blancos after Euro 2024 this month. Continue reading “Mbappe’s long-awaited dream realised at long last, as Real confirm multi-year deal”
After speculation linked him with a move to Manchester City this summer and with Newcastle reportedly also circling, Crystal Palace are set to reward Eberechi Eze for his pre-injury form with a new £100,000-a-week contract ending questions over the England international’s future – at least short-term. Continue reading “Reports: Crystal Palace agree new £100kpw extension deal with Eberechi Eze”
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