Month: August 2024

Sam Marsden Moises Llorens Aug 21, 2024, 10:09 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Barcelona are weighing up a move for Juventus‘ Federico Chiesa as they work against the clock to sign a new winger before the transfer window closes, sources have told ESPN. Chiesa, 26, has emerged as one of Barça’s primary options to strengthen

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentAug 21, 2024, 09:29 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Manchester City are close to completing a deal to re-sign Ilkay Gündogan, a source has told ESPN. Gündogan is set to leave Barcelona after just one year and return to the Etihad Stadium, where he spent seven highly successful seasons before moving to Spain

Chris Wright, Toe Poke writerAug 21, 2024, 08:55 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Alongside all the standard array of playing jerseys (home, away, third alternates for outfield players and a whole other set for goalkeepers), clubs also kit out their players and staff in a whole range of pre-match apparel. Whereas most match-worn shirts are

Aug 21, 2024, 08:56 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted the club is not “a mess” despite having more than 40 first-team players on their books, as he also challenged Raheem Sterling‘s claim he is in the dark over his future. Maresca added that the club’s summer transfer business

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterAug 21, 2024, 07:08 AM ET Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions United States midfielder Weston McKennie is in talks over a new deal with Juventus, a

Jeff Kassouf Aug 21, 2024, 07:30 AM ET Open Extended Reactions The U.S. women’s national team is back on top of the world after winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, head coach Emma Hayes has three full years to refine the squad so the Americans can make a run at a

Adriana Garcia Aug 21, 2024, 07:49 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Chelsea have signed João Félix on a permanent transfer from Atlético Madrid, the London club announced on Wednesday. The forward has put pen to paper on a six-year contract, with the option to extend his stay for a further 12 months. Editor’s Picks 2

Aug 21, 2024, 05:33 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Atlético Madrid have completed the signing of midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in a deal worth around €40 million ($44m), the LaLiga side announced on Wednesday. The transfer had looked in jeopardy after Atlético forward Samu Omorodion‘s move in the opposite direction fell through. Gallagher spent

Aug 20, 2024, 08:12 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Dax McCarty plans to retire at the end of the 2024 season, his 19th in Major League Soccer. The 37-year-old McCarty signed a one-year contract with Atlanta United FC in January, featuring an option for the 2025 season. But he won’t be using that option. “It’s

Open Extended Reactions Phil Foden has completed an individual award double by being named as the 2024 Professional Football Association (PFA) Player’s Player of the Year — three months after winning the FWA Footballer of the Year award following Manchester City‘s fourth successive Premier League title. Foden, 24, has become the fourth City player in

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterAug 20, 2024, 03:43 PM ET Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions Chelsea striker Armando Broja is set to join Ipswich Town on loan until the end

Open Extended Reactions Giorgi Mamardashvili is close to agreeing a deal with Liverpool. Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images Liverpool are closing in on their first signing of the Arne Slot era after stepping up talks with Valencia for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, a source has told ESPN. Valencia and Liverpool are discussing a fee in the region of €40

Luis Miguel Echegaray, ESPNAug 20, 2024, 09:16 AM ET Open Extended Reactions The domestic European soccer seasons are back, so it’s the ideal opportunity to provide a list of up-and-comers from the top leagues. From somewhat familiar names who have waited patiently for their big moments to young players ready to make their mark in

Graham Hunter, Spain writerAug 20, 2024, 08:50 AM ET Close Graham Hunter is a Barcelona-based freelance writer for ESPN.com who specializes in La Liga and the Spanish national team. Open Extended Reactions First off, a happy birthday to Robert Lewandowski: he turns 36 years old this midweek. It signals the arrival of a time-honoured dilemma

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentAug 20, 2024, 04:39 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Manchester City are among the clubs exploring the possibility of signing Ilkay Gündogan amid doubts over his Barcelona future, sources have told ESPN. Clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr, are also interested in the midfielder, who could leave Barcelona after just

Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterAug 20, 2024, 03:29 AM ET Close • Joined ESPN in 2011• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018 Open Extended Reactions Jamie Vardy completed his return to the Premier League with a goal to secure a

New coach Thiago Motta led Juventus to a comfortable 3-0 win over newly-promoted Como in their Serie A opener at a sold-out Allianz Stadium on Monday, sparking turnaround hopes at the Turin-based club. Forward Samuel Mbangula and winger Timothy Weah netted inside the first half, both scoring their first goals for Juve in Serie A,