The mind games began at the end of May. Not from a pretender to the Juventus throne, but from Maurizio Sarri’s predecessor. Sarri had yet to be announced as the Old Lady’s new coach back then but Massimiliano Allegri seemed to have a very good idea of who the club were lining up as his
Alejandro Moreno and Stevie Nicol break down Gareth Bale’s scintillating performance against Celta Vigo and wonder if Zidane will be forced to make Bale a regular again for Real Madrid. Keylor Navas has asked to leave Real Madrid before the summer transfer window shuts, sources have told ESPN FC, although coach Zinedine Zidane has said
4:50 PM ET Dortmund came back to beat Cologne on Friday. Photo credit should read MARIUS BECKER/AFP/Getty Images Borussia Dortmund fought back to beat Cologne 3-1 with late goals from Achraf Hakimi and Paco Alcacer on Friday to make it two wins out of two in the Bundesliga this season. Cologne’s Dominick Drexler had nodded in
Juan Mata feels players should not just stick to playing football and instead follow the lead of figures like Megan Rapinoe. Juan Mata criticised racist comments aimed at Paul Pogba as “cowardly” in an interview with ESPN’s Rob Dawson. MANCHESTER, England — Juan Mata has urged more footballers to follow Megan Rapinoe’s lead after she
Julien Laurens thinks Neymar’s options have become increasingly minimal and he’ll most likely now remain in Paris. ESPN FC’s Ligue 1 correspondent Julien Laurens explains why PSG would prefer a cash deal as opposed to a loan offer from Barcelona for Neymar. Gab Marcotti shares the latest on Juve’s reported offer for Neymar and what
Steve Nicol dismisses any naysayers that VAR is not a positive after he feels it correctly ruled off Man City’s goal late on versus Tottenham. Steve Nicol explains why Raheem Sterling has been so efficient so far this season for Man City and what’s to come from the England international. Stewart Robson and Craig Burley
Brazilian-born striker Elkeson has changed his name as he prepares to help China qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The 30-year-old, who has played in the Chinese Super League since 2013, became a naturalised citizen earlier in August and was named on Wednesday in China’s squad for their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier at The
Jurgen Klopp wants Europe to close their transfer window in line with the Premier League. Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp is the latest manager to call on the Premier League to re-align its summer transfer window with the rest of Europe. While clubs on the continent can still recruit players until Sept. 2, the deadline for incoming
Pep Guardiola and Man City have been dominant in the past two seasons but is this just the start of their dominance? In 1953, socialist football conquered England. That November, Hungary’s “Golden Squad” — the Aranycsapat, Olympic gold medalists who hadn’t lost in three years — traveled to Wembley and essentially reset the course of
The heckling was next level. Here was Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan, attempting to do his bit for the MLS All-Stars against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. But even though he was ostensibly playing for the home team, the fans in Orlando’s Exploria Stadium were having none of it. The game clock had barely hit three
Chelsea right-back Davide Zappacosta has joined Italian side AS Roma on loan initially until the end of January after signing a new one-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Italy international’s new deal takes his contract at Chelsea through to June 2022. Zappacosta joined Chelsea from Serie A side Torino in
Alejandro Moreno and Stevie Nicol break down Gareth Bale’s scintillating performance against Celta Vigo and wonder if Zidane will be forced to make Bale a regular again for Real Madrid. Real Madrid have loaned Japanese teenager Takefusa Kubo to Spanish league rival Mallorca for the season, the club announced on Thursday. – ESPN fantasy: Sign
Steve Nicol says that the combination of new signing Dani Ceballos with Aubameyang and Lacazette could propel Arsenal into the top four. Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a second consecutive win, their first time since the 2009-10 season. ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol has had enough of people hating on Mesut Ozil and believes
The Premier League transfer window has closed, but the rest of Europe remains open for business. Plus, it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the latest gossip below. Real’s Navas closer to PSG move Keylor Navas is nearing a switch
ESPN FC’s Serie A correspondents Gab Marcotti and Mina Rzouki discuss the teams who have the best shot at stopping Juventus this season. Alejandro Moreno says Juventus need more from Cristiano Ronaldo in both the Champions League and Serie A this season. Gab Marcotti and Mina Rzouki are at odds about how far Carlo Ancelotti
ESPN FC’s Serie A correspondents Gab Marcotti and Mina Rzouki discuss the teams who have the best shot at stopping Juventus this season. New Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri will not be on the bench for the club’s first two Serie A matches, including against former team Napoli. Sarri is recovering from pneumonia and underwent further
Julien Laurens thinks Neymar’s options have become increasingly minimal and he’ll most likely now remain in Paris. ESPN FC’s Ligue 1 correspondent Julien Laurens explains why PSG would prefer a cash deal as opposed to a loan offer from Barcelona for Neymar. Gab Marcotti shares the latest on Juve’s reported offer for Neymar and what
As time wound down in Leicester City’s second league game of the new Premier League season, a 1-1 draw with Frank Lampard’s regenerating Chelsea, the camera panned to the Foxes bench, catching Kelechi Iheanacho with a forlorn gaze plastered across his visage. For the second match in a row, the Nigerian sat for 90 minutes
The Premier League transfer window has closed, but the rest of Europe remains open for business. Plus, it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the latest gossip below. TOP STORY: Real offer James, Bale, Navas (and €100m) for Neymar Paris Saint-Germain have
LAFC’s Carlos Vela scored two, including a mercurial run that beat 4 defenders and the keeper, to beat San Jose 4-0 as a clash with the LA Galaxy looms on Sunday. LOS ANGELES – Carlos Vela‘s second goal in LAFC’s 4-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday may have been reminiscent of Lionel Messi,