Fabio Capello revealed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned down the Italian s advice to sign Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Capello, speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, said Lopez now with Milan could have been playing in north London had Wenger taken his tip when the Italian was in charge of the England national team his first role after being in charge of Real Madrid.
Two of Capello s ex-clubs Real and Milan play a friendly in the UAE on Tuesday.
And two goalkeepers who Capello had at his disposal at the Santiago Bernabeu, Iker Casillas and Lopez, are set to be in goal in Dubai.
Both goalkeepers were good. But I chose Casillas because his confidence with the team was better than Diego Lopez, the Russia coach recalled.
Lopez neede…
Scotland midfielder John McGinn believes they have learned from past mistakes as they prepare for this summer’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Steve Clarke’s men are looking to build on a flying start to their qualifying campaign after beating Cyprus and Spain in their opening fixtures. Scotland play Norway in Oslo on June 17 before hosting Georgia at Hampden three days later.
Last June Scotland missed out on a World Cup place when they lost at home to Ukraine in the play-offs, before suffering a 3-0 Nations League defeat by the Republic of Ireland.
They did comfortably beat Armenia twice in the same camp and ultimately won their Nations League group but they are looking to improve their preparations for the latest post-season schedule.
Aston Villa captain McG…
Goalkeeper Richard Kingson turned goal scorer to salvage a late 1-1 draw for Ghana against Tanzania Wednesday in a friendly international.
Kingson, unattached since his mid-year release by Birmingham City after their relegation from the English Premiership, raced forward to head home a free kick taken by brother Laryea with seven minutes left in Arusha.
Henry Joseph had given the Taifa Stars a 34th-minute lead over opponents lacking many Europe-based professionals by heading a Juma Jabu cross past Kingson.
It was the first chance for new coach Milovan Rajevac to see 2008 African Nations Cup bronze medallists Ghana in action ahead of a crucial 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup qualifier in Libya next month.
I m satisfied with the result and felt my p…
Sevilla president Jose Castro has confirmed the Spanish club have received a big offer from Paris Saint-Germain for midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak.
The Poland international could link up again with former Sevilla boss Unai Emery, who was confirmed as PSG s new head coach on Tuesday, in the French capital.
Krychowiak only signed a new contract with his current employers in November 2015, with the deal including an increased release clause increase of €45million.
While Castro revealed PSG had not triggered the clause during negotiations, the fee involved would be enough to stop any further departures from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
It s true. We re talking with PSG about Krychowiak, he said.
It won t be necessary that PSG pay the clause, but…
Silvio Berlusconi has been hailed as a revolutionary by Arrigo Sacchi, as the 79-year-old appears to move closer to relinquishing ownership of AC Milan.
It has been reported that a takeover of the San Siro club by Chinese investors is on the brink of being completed, which would end Berlusconi s 30-year spell at the helm.
Former Italy coach Sacchi
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had two spells at Milan under Berlusconi s reign and he has lauded the former Italian prime minister s influence on football.
His introduction into the world of football was like an avalanche hitting a pond, Sacchi, who led Italy to the 1994 World Cup final, told Gazzetta World.
Things were calm at the end of the 1980s, but Silvio was ahead of everyone. I recently ate with Frank Rijkaard and…
Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has been surprised by Ilkay Gundogan, who has come on leaps and bounds this season.
The Germany midfielder has become a crucial part of the BVB side after a meagre start to life at the Westfalenstadion following his 2011 move from Nurnberg, and the former Mainz boss is thrilled with the way his charge has developed.
Back then, Ilkay was virtually still an advanced youth player. He had only just finished his school exams. We recognised his abilities early on, Klopp told Bild.
But the fact he is so good has surprised us. In a very good team, Ilkay has come on leaps and bounds.
He has the necessary calm, the eye (for a pass) and the vision. Ilkay now sees bigger spaces, and can also find them with long balls. Further…
Guangzhou Evergrande have announced the signing of South Korean international Kim Young-Gwon from Omiya Ardija.
The 22-year-old will join the defending Chinese Super League (CSL) champions on a four-year contract for a transfer fee of two million Euros, making him by far the highest-priced departure from the J-League so far this season.
The versatile defender first came to Japan in 2010, when he played for FC Tokyo before joining Omiya Ardija.
Kim made his international debut in 2010, and was recently selected to represent his country at the Olympic Games.
Kim s transfer was heavily supported by Evergrande manager Marcelo Lippi although he appears to be a consolation signing for the club after the Asian Champions League quarter-finalists failed to pull …
Arsenal were offered the service of the former Spurs playmaker but the Gunners have other priorities, according to the English newspaper.
Despite talk about a return to England, Eriksen is said to be planning to hold out for Ligue 1 champions PSG, who may be lining up a January swoop.
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Arsenal want Stade Reims striker Boulaye Dia to solve their goalscoring issues, a report claims. Le10Sport reports the Senegal international has been identified as a Gunners target, but Everton, Marseille and Lyon are also said to be in the hunt.
Mikel Arteta s side may also soon have another option in midfield. Spanish media outlet Marca is reporting that Atletico Madrid are planning on cutting Lucas Torreira s loan arrangement short in January after the Urugu…
Jurgen Klopp said he couldn t feel better after exceptional Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 to go top of the Premier League.
Spurs looked set to remain at the summit on goal difference with a draw, but Roberto Firmino headed a 90th-minute winner at Anfield to put the champions three points clear.
Son Heung-min equalised seven minutes after Mohamed Salah gave the injury-hit Reds a deserved first-half lead, but Firmino ended Tottenham s 11-match unbeaten run in the top flight.
Spurs felt the Brazil striker s winner should have been ruled out for a foul by Jordan Henderson on Eric Dier before Firmino rose to meet Andy Robertson s header and words were exchanged between Jose Mourinho and Klopp after the final whistle.
Steven Bergwijn hit the post and missed an…
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale insists he pays no attention to his critics and stated he has nothing to prove.
The forward has been the main focus of scorn from the Spanish media and Real supporters following the capital club s difficult start to 2015, with the former Tottenham man s car damaged after the 2-1 Clasico defeat against Barcelona.
However, Bale gave a timely reminder of the talent that saw Real shell out a club-record fee for his services in September 2013 with a starring role in Wales 3-0 victory against Israel in Saturday s Euro 2016 qualifying contest.
The 25-year-old set up Aaron Ramsey for the first, before scoring twice in the second half in Haifa.
I don t need to answer the critics, Bale said.
I know, and everyone around me …