Bolton heyday shows that England candidate Sam Allardyce is more than just a firefighter July 12, 2016 You don’t need to cast your mind back far if you want evidence of the importance a strong team identity: it was the foundation of a Portugal side that won Euro 2016 even though they were without Cristiano Ronaldo for most of Sunday’s final against France. Portugal weren’t the only team to benefit from a [...]
Tottenham’s return to Champions League lured me to White Hart Lane, says £18.5m striker Vincent Janssen July 12, 2016 Tottenham's newest recruit Vincent Janssen admits the lure of Champions League football was a key factor in the striker’s £18.5m transfer from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Janssen, who notched 27 goals in 34 appearances for AZ to finish as the Eredivisie’s leading scorer last season, completed the switch on Tuesday and has committed to a [...]
Manchester United target Paul Pogba’s going nowhere yet, says agent, despite £100m transfer rumours July 11, 2016 Manchester United’s prospects of luring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford in a world record £100m transfer appear to have receded after the France star’s agent played down the potential move. United are thought to be willing to pay Juventus more than 100 times the £800,000 they received when Pogba quit Old Trafford for Italy [...]
Gokhan Tore cites Slaven Bilic factor after West Ham sign Turkey winger on loan July 11, 2016 West Ham’s newest signing Gokhan Tore has revealed that the chance to work again under Hammers coach Slaven Bilic convinced him to join the ambitious east London outfit. Winger Tore, 24, has joined on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move from Besiktas, where he played under Bilic for two seasons before [...]
Portugal 1, France 0 (AET): Pepe hails Cristiano Ronaldo’s inspiration despite first-half injury as hosts stunned in Euro 2016 final July 11, 2016 Much-malignedPortugal centre-half Pepe insists Cristiano Ronaldo remained the inspiration behind his side’s shock Euro 2016 final victory over hosts France despite injury forcing the forward’s first-half withdrawal at the Stade de France. In a match seemingly destined for penalties, Portugal sealed their first major trophy in extra-time courtesy of a goal from substitute striker and [...]
Arsene Wenger: “England is my second country. Could I manage them? Why not?” July 10, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given the clearest indication yet that he would be willing to take the England job. Wenger is unwilling to leave Emirates Stadium before his current contract expires in 12 months’ time but appeared to encourage interest from the Football Association in an interview on French television. “Could I manage England? [...]
Juventus director: Arsenal told us to forget about signing Alexis Sanchez July 9, 2016 Arsenal will rebuff any offer for star forward Alexis Sanchez this summer, according to Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta who was unsuccessful in his pursuit of the Chilean. With Juventus potentially losing one or both of star players Alvaro Morata and Paul Pogba this summer, the Italian champions had turned their attention to 27-year-old Sanchez as a potential replacement. It [...]
Summer transfer window 2016: Premier League clubs spending more money on fewer players as new broadcast deal kicks in July 9, 2016 Premier League clubs have spent well over £100m more on new players in the first week of this year's summer transfer window than they had at the same point last season, despite purchasing fewer players. The guaranteed windfall of at least £99m from a new £8bn broadcast deal which starts this season, a loosening of financial fair play restrictions [...]
Germany 0, France 2: Deschamps revels in helping fans forget their worries as an Antoine Griezmann double dispatches world champions July 8, 2016 France boss Didier Deschamps believes his side are on course to be immortalised in the affections of the nation after reaching the final of Euro 2016 at the expense of a blunt Germany. A goal in each half from forward Antoine Griezmann propelled France to their first European Championship final since 2000 and maintained his [...]
Wales set for heroes’ welcome on return from enthralling showing at Euro 2016 July 7, 2016 Beaten semi-finalists Wales are set to return to a heroes’ welcome when they touch down in Cardiff tomorrow following their enterprising run to the latter stages of Euro 2016. Wales defied the odds to reach the last four of their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, only for a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal to [...]