Category: World Soccer

Ross County v Dundee United

Dundee United turn their attention towards Scottish Cup fourth round action when visiting top-flight Ross County. Manager Ray McKinnon was considering the claims of Charlie Telfer, Blair Spittal and Tope Obadeyi having made an impression when coming on against Queen of the South last week.

Jack Stevens back up goalkeeper

The progress of keeper Jack Stevens has moved the 19-year-old further up the pecking order getting his chance as back up to Eastwood in the first team. Jack’s progress has meant that Benji Buchel has been told he can leave Oxford United if an opportunity appeals to the goalkeeper during the January transfer window.

Middlesbrough v West Ham United

Middlesbrough continue to search for vital points when hosting West Ham United this afternoon. Striker Patrick Bamford may receive immediate action having completed a permanent move from Chelsea during the week.

Pogba wants me back at Manchester United, claims Januzaj

The Belgium international is currently on loan at Sunderland, but is under contract at Old Trafford until 2018 and says it is his goal to return Adnan Januzaj says Paul Pogba has quizzed him on his future, with Manchester United’s record signing eager to see the Belgium international back at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old winger is currently taking in a season-long loan at Sunderland under former Red Devils boss David Moyes.

Walker & Rose on Man City’s radar as Guardiola chases homegrown targets

The Blues made enquiries for the two England and Spurs full-backs last summer and are aware they would have to pay top dollar to land even one of them Pep Guardiola will come up against two of his top summer transfer targets when Manchester City take on Tottenham on Saturday. Spurs duo Kyle Walker and Danny Rose head up a list of potential new full-backs as Guardiola looks to overhaul an ageing area of his squad.

Bayern snatch late win

Robert Lewandowski scored an injury-time winner as Bayern Munich snatched a 2-1 win at Freiburg as the Bundesliga resumed on Friday after the winter break. Lewandowski, last season’s top scorer in Germany, showed his class with two superb strikes on a freezing night at Freiburg’s sold-out Schwarzwald Stadion.

Matip eligible for Liverpool

FIFA has ruled that Joel Matip is eligible to play for Liverpool during the Africa Cup of Nations and he could face Swansea on Saturday. Liverpool had been waiting to get clarification from football’s world governing body or the Cameroon Football Federation over Matip’s eligibility to play and FIFA has now dismissed the case against the defender.

Can Man City’s Gabriel Jesus challenge Sergio Aguero?

Gabriel Jesus has been heralded as a future superstar of Brazilian football – the new Neymar – and someone who can become Manchester City’s first-choice striker. The Argentine was locked in late-night talks with his manager at a Deansgate restaurant on Thursday, possibly to discuss how Jesus will affect his job.

Bruno Zuculini: Out on loan for rest of season

The 23-year-old Argentinian has yet to make a league appearance for City since joining in 2014 from Racing Club and has spent the interim period on a succession of loan deals, including stints at Valencia, Middlesbrough and AEK Athens. The Argentinian moved to Rayo Vallecano on a season-long loan last November but, after making nine appearances for the Spanish second division side, he has now moved to Italy.

Jesus cleared to face Spurs

Manchester City have been cleared to play 19-year-old Brazilian winger Gabriel Jesus against Tottenham on Saturday after formally completing his A 27m move from Palmeiras. Brazil international Jesus agreed a five-year deal with City in August.

Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi stepping out of brother’s shadow

Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, top, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup, Round of 16 soccer match between Lazio and Genoa at the Rome Olympic stadium Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, top, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup, Round of 16 soccer match between Lazio and Genoa at the Rome Olympic stadium Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017.

Gabriel Jesus has completed his switch to the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City have formalised the transfer of Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in time for him to feature against Tottenham this weekend. The 19-year-old had agreed a move from his homeland to the Etihad Stadium back in the summer and had joined up with City earlier this month, yet his registration with his new club did not go through in time for him to make the squad for last weekend’s trip to Everton.

Wenger: Arsenal don’t need Payet

The West Ham midfielder is refusing to play for the Irons but the Gunners boss insists he already has enough creative players at his disposal Arsenal do not need to sign Dimitri Payet and are unlikely to make any major moves in the remaining days of the transfer window, according to manager Arsene Wenger. The France international has refused to play as he attempts to engineer a departure from West Ham, with former club Marseille the favourites to sign him this month.

Mertesacker signs Arsenal contract extension

The World Cup-winning defender is yet to feature for the Gunners this season due to injury but will remain with the club until June 2018 The former Germany international’s current deal was due to come to an end in June, but the north London outfit have taken up an option to keep hold of him for an extra season. Mertesacker is yet to feature this season due to an injury, though Wenger is hopeful he will be back in action in the coming weeks.

In place of Aguero or out wide – where will Gabriel Jesus play in Man City line-up?

The Brazilian has begun training in England and Pep Guardiola does not think it will be long before he plays – but how will he feature? Gabriel Jesus began life as a Manchester City player on Wednesday as he trained with his new team-mates for the first time. The 19-year-old visited England at the start of December to find an apartment in Manchester and watch City’s Premier League game with Chelsea.

Per Mertesacker to sign 12-month Arsenal deal extension

Djokovic OUT! Murray’s Australian Open nemesis shocked by the world No 117 wearing the funky glasses ‘It’s very cold… but I’m loving it’: Jesus FINALLY unveiled by Manchester City with A 27m hitman free to face title rivals Spurs ‘You may say that we haven’t won the title for a long time but he has not just built players, he’s built men too’: Koscielny launches defence of Wenger MARTIN SAMUEL: Payet thinks he’s in a position of strength, but in two weeks he won’t be… and why Costa downing tools again is Chelsea’s only worry Well, at least he can afford security! Tevez mobbed after landing in Shanghai to kick off his A 615,000-A-WEEK Chinese adventure EXCLUSIVE: Alli’s agent sued by taxman over A 2.6m debts as Spurs star’s former boss Robinson is named as shareholder From 40 games unbeaten… to two defeats in a row! Real Madrid stunned at home by Aspas-inspired Celta Vigo in Copa del … (more)

King’s Cup: Real hopes hit by second successive defeat

IMAGE: Celta de Vigo’s Iago Aspas scores their opening goal against Real Madrid CF during the Copa del Rey quarter-final, first Leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images eal Madrid lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo in their Spanish King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday to slump to their second defeat in a row following a record winning streak.

King’s Cup: Real hopes hit by second successive defeat

IMAGE: Celta de Vigo’s Iago Aspas scores their opening goal against Real Madrid CF during the Copa del Rey quarter-final, first Leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images eal Madrid lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo in their Spanish King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday to slump to their second defeat in a row following a record winning streak.

Lyon reach deal to sign Manchester United’s Memphis Depay

Much was expected of the 22-year-old forward after arriving for A 25million from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2015, but a frustrating first season at Old Trafford was compounded by a disappointing second campaign. Depay has made just one start in all competitions under Jose Mourinho and Lyon have had an offer accepted, which it is understood could reach around 25 million euros .

Alan Dunne departs Leyton Orient by mutual consent

Former Millwall defender struggled for form at Brisbane Road and isn’t expected to be only player to leave E10 this week The ex-Millwall captain agreed a two-year deal with O’s in the summer of 2015, but has struggled for form at Brisbane Road. Dunne initially impressed under Ian Hendon, although a succession of poor performances resulted in him being frozen out of the team.

Jack Rodwell has damaged the medial ligament in his knee

Midfielder Jack Rodwell has joined Sunderland’s growing absentee list to leave the most depleted squad in the Premier League stretched even further. The 25-year-old suffered a medial ligament injury in his knee during the loss to Stoke at the weekend, when he made his 35th top-flight start for the Black Cats – none of which have resulted in a victory for his team.

Tuesday, Jan 17, 2017

He may be a superstar, but Lionel Messi doesn’t take his foot off the pedal in practice, as this short montage of his training-field strikes demonstrates. Read the whole story EPL last-place team Swansea City signed 28-year-old left back Martin Olsson, who has played who has played 40 times for Sweden, from second-tier Norwich City.

Real Madrid v Celta Vigo Betting: Capable underdogs can contribute to a high-scoring game

Our tipster believes the visitors should be able to get on the scoresheet in what promises to be an entertaining end-to-end affair at the Bernabeu Real Madrid’s record-breaking 40-match unbeaten run came to an end in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening, with Zinedine Zidane’s men conceding twice in the last five minutes to lose 2-1 at Sevilla. The disappointment was palpable for Los Blancos’ players, although the good news for them is that they have a chance to bounce back on Wednesday night in the Copa Del Rey when Celta Vigo visit the Bernabeu in the first leg of their quarter final.

Buttner: I’m no Man Utd failure – I did what Steven Gerrard couldn’t

The left-back made 28 appearances for the English club over two years, but insists he did not fail there and is a better player for the experience Alexander Buttner has denied the idea that he failed at Manchester United and has vowed to show his strength upon his return to Vitesse. The left-back signed for the Arnhem club this week, signing a contract that keeps him in the Eredivisie until 2019.

Man Utd trigger Valencia contract extension clause

The Ecuador international full-back has followed the lead of Marouane Fellaini by committing his future to the Red Devils until the summer of 2018 Manchester United have triggered the one-year extension clause in Antonio Valencia’s contract, which will tie him to the club until June 2018. Last week, the club announced that Marouane Fellaini had extended his stay at Old Trafford by a further 12 months, and on Tuesday Valencia followed suit.

Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid’s Copa squad

Zinedine Zidane allowed the Portugal international to rest in the last round of the Copa del Rey, but a scare versus Sevilla has prompted his recall Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey squad as the La Liga leaders prepare to face Celta Vigo in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo was absent from both legs in the previous round against Sevilla, as a 3-0 win and thrilling, last-gasp 3-3 draw took Zinedine Zidane’s side through.

Zidane backs Navas and defends Benzema as Madrid aim to bounce back

The pair were criticised for their performances at the weekend, but the Frenchman has said that it is impossible to be perfect for 90 minutes Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane dismissed speculation over Keylor Navas’ future as “rumours” after the goalkeeper’s performance in Sunday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Sevilla came under scrutiny. Costa Rica international Navas was criticised for failing to keep out Stevan Jovetic’s dramatic winner, as Sevilla came from behind to end Madrid’s Spanish record unbeaten run in stoppage time.

Deportivo bring in Kakuta from Hebei after CSL rule changes

The former Chelsea youngster has secured a La Liga return, having previously represented Rayo and Sevilla in Spain’s top flight Gael Kakuta has left Hebei China Fortune to join Deportivo La Coruna’s La Liga relegation fight in the wake of new Chinese Super League regulations relating to how many overseas players teams can include. The 25-year-old French winger has agreed a switch on loan to the Riazor until the end of this season.

Former Man Utd manager Van Gaal says he may not coach again

The 65-year-old Dutchman has not led a team since being fired by Manchester United in May last year following a disappointing two-year tenure that followed one of his greatest triumphs – leading the Netherlands to the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In comments to Dutch daily De Telegraaf published Tuesday, Van Gaal says that he considered himself on a sabbatical after being axed by Manchester, “but now I don’t believe I will return to the coaching profession.”