Month: December 2024

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard laughed off a comparison between Mason Mount and James Maddison being called up by England and his own experiences with Steven Gerrard.

Uncapped attacking midfielder Mount has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign at Chelsea, having excelled on loan under Lampard at Derby County last term, and was rewarded with a place in the England squad to face Bulgaria and Kosovo in Euro 2020 qualifying.

Mount and Maddison, who is also yet to make his first senior international appearance, were named in the group for Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain in October 2018 but went unused.

Lampard does not believe the duo will have any problems playing in the same team, brushing aside a suggestion there could be a situation similar to w…

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been handed an additional one-match ban and a £100,000 fine after admitting he acted in an improper manner following his red card at Newcastle.

The Netherlands international was dismissed for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at St James’ Park on August 27, but initially refused to leave the pitch – and then remonstrated with referee John Brooks.

An automatic one-match ban saw the centre-back suspended for the 3-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break, but he will now also serve an additional suspension and so miss the trip to Wolves on September 16.

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson)

A statement from the FA read: “Virgil van Dijk has been suspend…

Pedri is living the dream at Barcelona and hopes to lead the beleaguered club back to glory after receiving his Golden Boy award on Monday.

The 19-year-old was a landslide victor in last month s voting for Europe s best player aged under 21, beating runner-up Jude Bellingham by a record-breaking 199-point margin.

He enjoyed a breakthrough season at Camp Nou after making his debut in September and went on to feature in more games (52) than any other Barca player.

Pedri then became the youngest player to represent Spain at a major tournament during Euro 2020, finishing with more passes completed in the final third (177) than any player.

The Las Palmas academy product followed that up by travelling to Tokyo for the Olympic Games and helping his country win …

Hull City manager Steve Bruce praised match-winner Matty Fryatt after he scored both goals in the 2-0 FA Cup win at Southend United.

The Premier League outfit were given a tough test against a Southend side managed by former boss Phil Brown, the man who had led them into the top-flight in 2008, but an upset rarely looked likely.

Michael Timlin did hit the crossbar for the hosts, but Fryatt eventually took centre stage with a 63rd-minute opener, before adding another solo effort in stoppage time.

Bruce told BBC Radio 5Live: Matty Fryatt got injured in his very first game for me, he was out for 13 months and then went out on loan but since then he s been excellent for me.

He showed what a good player he is. His second goal was outstanding. I always say, wh…

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AS Roma are set to welcome Empoli to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday evening, in what will be a game withing the fourth round of the 2023/24 season in the Serie A.

With three rounds played, neither of these teams is currently where they want to be, both sitting in the relegation zone, Roma in 18th with a single point, Empoli at the bottom and yet to move their tally off the starting line.

AS Roma

Things obviously aren t looking good for Jose Mourinho and his team. The controversial Portuguese expert led the Giallorossi to the Europa Conference League glory in the first-ever edition of the competition, as well as the Europa League final last season, but despite those fine achievements, he s likely to find himself under pre…

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto o has accused Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola of being a coward when the two were at Barcelona.

The Cameroon international played under Guardiola at the La Liga giants in 2008-09, but said the Spaniard barely spoke to him.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic labelled Guardiola a coward in his autobiography, which was released last year.

Eto o said the 43-year-old often communicated to him through other players because he was afraid.

Guardiola has never had the courage to say things in front of me. He passed by the players, Eto o told beIN Sports.

Xavi told me they wanted me to stay but I had to talk to Pep. I say Never, if you do not respect me, I do not respect you.’

Eto o said that while Guardiola greeted him when he was …

Women’s world champions Spain have been plunged into further chaos after players refused call-ups to their latest squad.

Fifteen World Cup winners were included in the squad for the Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland, despite saying they would boycott international duty.

A group of 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, indicated three weeks ago that they would not play for Spain again while Luis Rubiales remained Spanish football federation (RFEF) president as a result of his behaviour at the final.

Rubiales caused a huge controversy after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso – who has been left out of the latest squad – on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team’s 1-0 victory over England. Hermoso insists…

Metz coach Albert Cartier has agreed a two-year contract extension with the club after securing their return to Ligue 1.

The former Metz defender has enjoyed plenty of success since returning to the Stade Saint-Symphorien for a second stint as manager in 2012.

After winning the Championnat National at the first attempt, the 53-year-old then oversaw Metz s charge to the Ligue 2 title in 2013-14, as they won the division by 11 points from Lens.

And having taken Metz back to the top tier for the first time since their relegation in 2008, Cartier has agreed a new deal to keep him under contract until 2016.

Albert Cartier is perfectly integrated into the new FC Metz wanted by the president of Les Garnets, read a statement on the club s website.

It was natural …

Crashing out of the Champions League earlier in the month at hands of , Manchester United once again find themselves in the midst of another rut.

In a battle to clinch a much-needed top-four finish this season, it is also becoming clearer that Ralf Rangnick will not be handed the job at Old Trafford on a permanent basis past the summer.

With another piece of silverware once again off the table this year, the former Premier League champions could also see a host of their big-name stars also head for the exit.

Expecting quite the squad overhaul ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, we have taken a look at a handful of Manchester United aces who could be making their final appearances at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba

Having to settle for a spot on the bench as United …

Watford have confirmed they have re-signed Adrian Mariappa on a three-year contract.

Mariappa was a free agent after being released by Crystal Palace at the end of the 2015-16 Premier League season having only made seven appearances in all competitions.

Prior to his three-year stint at Selhurst Park, Mariappa made 247 appearances for Watford and was voted the club s 2011/12 Player of the Season.

The 29-year-old defender, who can play anywhere across the back line, has also made 38 international appearances for Jamaica, featuring at the 2016 Gold Cup.

It s official, fans! Adrian Mariappa is back!

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