France head coach Didier Deschamps is focused on the present and not concerned by the future after calling up Olivier Giroud to replace Karim Benzema.
Giroud has not featured for Les Blues since their exit to Switzerland at Euro 2020 last June, but the 35-year-old has come back into contention after an injury to Benzema.
The Milan striker sits just five goals behind Thierry Henry in France s all-time scoring charts after netting 46 times in 110 games.
Though Giroud was omitted from Deschamps recent squads, he now has a chance to impress in friendlies against Ivory Coast and South Africa.
Deschamps, speaking at Monday s news conference, was keen to turn the attention away from Giroud as he insisted the former Arsenal and Chelsea forward does not hav…
Jurgen Klopp signed a new contract with Liverpool on Friday that keeps him tied down to the European champions for another four-and-a-half years.
The German coach guided the Reds to Champions League success last season and is on course to end the club s long wait for a maiden Premier League crown this term.
Now in his fifth campaign at Anfield, and with potentially at least three more to come, we look at the work Klopp has done so far on Merseyside.
FINAL HEARTACHE CAPS MIXED FIRST SEASON
Liverpool experienced two cup final defeats in Klopp s first campaign at the helm, losing on penalties to Manchester City in the EFL Cup and 3-1 to Sevilla in the Europa League.
Despite falling short on both occasions and enduring largely mixed results in the Pr…
Gonzalo Higuain has been left out of Milan s squad to face Genoa, with head coach Gennaro Gattuso suggesting the Argentina striker has decided he wants to join Chelsea.
Higuain came off the bench during the second half of the Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Juventus last time out a decision Gattuso attributed to the player suffering from a virus.
He was not listed when Milan tweeted their 23-man travelling party for Monday s match at Stadio Luigi Ferraris and, at a subsequent news conference, Gattuso questioned Higuain s professionalism and insisted recent speculation had taken its toll with Milan managing two wins in their past eight outings.
I want to be honest with you all. We had a poor training session today due to all these rumours, Gattuso said.
W…
Glenn Whelan wants to stay at Stoke City after dismissing speculation linking him with a move away from the Britannia Stadium.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international is entering the final months of his current deal at Stoke, but wants to sit down with the club s hierarchy and thrash out a new contract beyond the end of the season.
Whelan has made close to 250 appearances since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in January 2008, helping Stoke clinch promotion and then become an established Premier League side.
Both manager Mark Hughes and the midfielder want to resolve Whelan s future, although no formal talks have yet to take place.
I would definitely like to stay, Whelan told the Stoke Sentinel.
I have always enjoyed coming in …
Carlo Ancelotti believes a zero tolerance policy needs to be taken against racism after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was abused by some Real Valladolid fans on Friday.
Madrid won the game 2-0 thanks to a Karim Benzema double, but shocking footage emerged after the final whistle of Vinicius being racially abused as he was substituted late on, while objects were also thrown at the Brazil international from the stands.
Vinicius voiced his frustration on social media over LaLiga bosses inaction in tackling racism, saying the league continues to do nothing .
Ancelotti agreed with Vinicius that racism needs to be stamped out with more action, though he stopped short of criticising LaLiga.
When asked if he had discussed the topic with the Brazil internati…
Adam Hlozek has signed for Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal, joining Czech Republic team-mate Patrik Schick in the Bundesliga side s attack.
The 19-year-old moves from Sparta Prague, where he scored 34 goals in 105 games across four seasons in the Czech Liga.
Leverkusen are reported to have paid €13million for Hlozek, who was also linked with Sevilla.
He boosts Gerardo Seoane s options going forward ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, when Leverkusen will return to the Champions League.
They have also committed leading scorer Schick to a new contract, although Florian Wirtz remains out following an ACL tear and Moussa Diaby has been linked with a move away.
2021/22
2022/23
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en)
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Arsenal have completed the signing of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United,.
The 23 year old was also a target for the Gunners North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but it is Arsene Wenger who has won the race to secure his services.
The striker racked up one hundred and forty-two appearances in all competitions for United since making his debut in 2008, scoring twenty-seven goals while he has also enjoyed loan spells with Preston North End and Sunderland.
He was part of the squads that won the Premier League title in 2013, the League Cup in 2009 and the FIFA World Club Cup in 2008 while internationally; he has been capped twenty-six times for England, scoring eight goals.
He is set to win his twenty-seventh cap for his country as Roy Hodgson’s me…
What the papers say
Barcelona are considering making a move for Arsenal midfielder Jorginho, 31, according to the Mirror. Jorginho, who joined the Gunners from Chelsea in January, has featured in six Premier League games so far this season.
The Mirror also reports Spain goalkeeper David De Gea, 32, has caused an online stir after posting a picture in England with on-loan Manchester United defender Sergio Reguilon, with calls for the club to bring the out-of-contract player back to Old Trafford. Current United stopper Andre Onana has made a number of errors since joining the Manchester giants in the summer.
The Daily Mail says Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has a clause in his contract which allows him to become the boss of any of the clubs he played for as early a…
Arsenal are open to selling Bernd Leno next summer and promote Aaron Ramsdale as the first-choice goalkeeper, according to . Arsenal signed Ramsdale from Sheffield United in the summer transfer window to provide Leno with competition.
Leno is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer of 2023, and the Gunners are reportedly willing to cash in on the 29-year-old. Ramsdale, 23, is better with his feet and is much younger as well. The Englishman made his Premier League debut against Norwich City this past weekend and also played against West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup last month.
The 29-year-old has been on the books of Arsenal since 2018. Leno has played in the Premier League for the North London club so far in his career, keeping 24 clean sheets in the process.
What the papers say
Newcastle have emerged as likely candidates to end England midfielder Kalvin Phillips’ frustrating time at Manchester City. According to the Daily Mail, they are preparing a bid for the 27-year-old.
Liverpool are showing an interest in Bayern Munich’s former Chelsea youth player Jamal Musiala, 20. The Daily Mirror, via German outlet Sport Bild, said the German international’s agents were not discussing a new contract with the Bundesliga club.
Off the pitch, The i reports that former Tottenham head of recruitment Paul Mitchell is tipped to become the new director of football at Manchester United. Current Old Trafford football director John Murtough’s role is at risk from the move.
Social media round-up
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