Month: November 2024

Jurgen Klopp is delighted by Liverpool s swift signing of Cody Gakpo but knows the forward will likely be made to wait for his debut.

The Reds concluded a transfer reportedly worth around £37million (€42m) for the Netherlands international as their first piece of business for the mid-season window, which opens officially on January 1.

With New Year s Day falling on Sunday, it means there will be a national holiday on Monday, and based on other dealings in the past, it is unlikely the move would be ratified in time for Gakpo to make his debut that day against Brentford.

Though he was delighted to get a deal over the line, Klopp knows it might not be until January 7, against Wolves in the FA Cup, that he can call on the 23-year-old.

There might be a cha…

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe said he is dreaming of playing for France at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Mbappe and world champions France are preparing for the rescheduled Euro 2020, which gets underway next month.

As Didier Deschamps Les Bleus eye European glory, Mbappe also wants to represent his country at the Tokyo Games, starting in July.

For us, having recognition from the whole country is very important, the 22-year-old Mbappe told TF1.

Everyone knows that my dream has always been to take part at the Olympic Games and I hope I will be able to realise one of my lifelong dreams.

Les Bleus qui partiront sur les routes de l’Europe ! 

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance)

France have been drawn alongsi…

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has doffed his cap to the intuitiveness of West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady after she predicted in May he would take the Premier League by storm.

Spurs host West Ham on Thursday aiming to end a four-match winless run, but they still sit fifth in the table after an excellent start to the campaign.

Postecoglou has been without a host of players during the past month but earned plaudits for an unwavering commitment to his attacking philosophy, which resulted in Tottenham fighting back to earn a 3-3 draw at Manchester City last weekend.

Back in May, Brady used her column for the Sun to tip the then Celtic boss to flourish in England if given the chance.

Asked if he had seen Brady’s “love letter”, Postecoglou said: “Ha h…

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich over the proposed transfer of Ryan Gravenberch, according to multiple sources. The Premier League giants will be paying a fixed sum of €40 million for the services of the 21-year-old Dutch international, who is set to travel to Merseyside on Friday to undergo the medical.

The talks between the two clubs took up a serious note only a few days ago, even though reports linking Gravenberch with Liverpool appeared several months before. The departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson increased the need for midfield reinforcements, even after the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.

As for Gravenberch, he only joined Bayern from Ajax last summer, and having started just three Bundesliga…

Paul Pogba could be set to miss the World Cup after deciding to undergo surgery on a troublesome knee injury, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.  

Pogba ended a six-year spell at Manchester United to return to Turin in July but has yet to play a competitive game during his second Bianconeri spell after injuring his meniscus.

The midfielder, who was a key part of France s 2018 World Cup-winning side, initially opted for therapy over surgery in a bid to ease his injury woes ahead of the tournament in Qatar, which begins in November.

But speaking ahead of Juventus Champions League group-stage trip to Paris Saint-Germain, Allegri revealed the 29-year-old will now go under the knife, casting doubt over his chances of featuring in Qatar.

I ha…

A late Filip Ugrinic penalty gave Young Boys a crucial 3-2 first-leg lead over Galatasaray in their Champions League play-off tie after an enthralling contest in Bern.

Ugrinic scored from the spot after Abdulkerim Bardakci was sent off for a handball in the penalty area following a VAR review.

A Michy Batshuayi brace had looked to have boosted Galatasaray s hopes of reaching the Champions League s new league phase, dragging the visitors level after Joel Monteiro scored either side of half-time.

However, Ugrinic s 86th-minute spot-kick gave the Swiss side the advantage as they bid to reach the Champions League proper for a second straight campaign.

Galatasaray remain in the tie ahead of next Tuesday s second leg, though, and will look to hit back in front …

Highly rated Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Bundesliga club until 2027.

The Ecuador international has impressed since his move from Argentinian side Talleres ahead of the 2021-22 season and was linked with a move to Premier League outfit Tottenham in the January transfer window.

He has 24 senior international caps for Ecuador under his belt, playing every minute of his country s three group stage fixtures at the Qatar World Cup.

Leverkusen are keen to hold onto the player and have extended his existing deal by a year to ward off any potential suitors.

has extended s contract.

More info

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en)

Hincapie said: They didn t promise m…

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has scoffed at a question about Napoli being a dangerous city despite the club warning traveling fans they could be targeted during their Champions League visit.

The Reds take on Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday in their first Champions League fixture since May s final loss to Real Madrid in Paris, where chaotic scenes unfolded outside the venue for their fans, including bottleneck queues and being sprayed with tear gas.

In the lead-up to Wednesday s game, The club issued a series of recommendations to traveling fans, warning they could be targeted for theft, robbery or assault .

Twitter account Liverpool FC Help posted the recommendations including remaining in their hotel to drink and eat, not congregating in pu…

Real Madrid great Raul will take over Los Blancos Castilla side next season, the LaLiga giants have confirmed.

Raul had been in charge of youth sides Cadete B and Juvenil B, and will now take on the top job in Madrid s famed academy.

Castilla Los Blancos B team currently play in Segunda Division B Group 1, having lost out to Cartagena in the promotion play-offs last season.

Current Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane also started his senior coaching career with Madrid s Castilla side, with Santiago Solari having followed a similar path.

An academy product himself, Raul spent 16 years as a key figure in Madrid s first team between 1994 and 2010, winning six LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies during that time.

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Terry, who won five Premier League titles during his time at Chelsea, rejected a move to Spartak Moscow for family reasons earlier this season and he has also been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge on Maurizio Sarri s coaching staff.

The 37-year-old notably thanked Villa in his retirement announcement, although he indicated his heart will always belong to Chelsea .

Terry came through Chelsea s youth system and made his debut for the first team in 1998, quickly establishing himself as an important player in the Blues back line.

The defender was made Chelsea captain by Jose Mourinho following the retirement of Marcel Desailly and led the club through one of the most important periods in their history.

An influx of cash provided by Russian billionaire …