Players
Danish director: Christian Eriksen spoke to Denmark players after on-field collapse
Christian Eriksen managed to speak to his Denmark team-mates from hospital after his on-field collapse, according to Danish FU (Football Union) director of football Peter Moller. Eriksen was stabilised in hospital after collapsing in the first half of Denmark’s Euro 2020 encounter with Finland in Copenhagen. The playmaker required extensive on-pitch treatment and the match was suspended after he was taken off on a stretcher, before it was resumed more than 90 minutes later. “He collapsed and got help and heart treatment on the field,” Moller told DR. “He was fortunately awake when he left the stadium. “We have been in contact with him, and the players have spoken with Christian. That’s the good news. He is doing well and they are playing the match for Christian. “Our thoughts are with Chri...
Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi join Super Falcons for Portuguese showdown
Officials have disclosed that skipper Asisat Oshoala and experienced defender Onome Ebi have overcome visa hitches and should feature for the Super Falcons against Portugal Sunday in continuation of the Summer Series in Texas, USA. Both players missed the Falcons opening game against Jamaica, which the African champions lost 1-0 Thursday. Belarus-based central defender Ebi, for one, will be expected to bring her vast experience to bear on a defence that coach Randy Waldrum described as “disorganised” against the Reggae Queens of Jamaica. Waldrum said Ebi and Ohale were the main anchors of the Super Falcons back four. The Falcons have suffered several withdrawals for this invitational tournament due to injury and visa hitches. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money ...
France coach fires warning ahead of Euro 2020 opener
Didier Deschamps has attempted to play down the hype surrounding his France side going to the European Championship, warning those who think they “have already won” that plenty of hard work lies ahead. The 2018 World Cup winners are favourites to land this summer’s tournament, with Deschamps possessing a hugely talented squad with depth in all areas. That has understandably caused excitement among the supporters across the country, something Deschamps is keen to temper before the big kick-off. Asked whether not winning the tournament would be considered a failure given the talent at his disposal, Deschamps told Mundo Deportivo: “Right away there is talk of failure. We are world champions. I am aware, and the players are too, of our strengths. “We have quality, talent, high-level players, b...
Inter Miami owner ‘optimistic’ that Leo Messi will join in the future
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas believes his side will be able to land Barcelona star Lionel Messi in the future. Messi’s contract with Barcelona will expire at the end of this month and the club is desperately trying to tie down the 33-year-old to a new deal. Various reports have stated that Messi’s potential Barca extension would include a provision for him to play two more seasons in Spain, then move to Inter Miami in 2023. Mas confirmed that he and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham have been involved in talks to bring Messi to Florida. “David and I have been working really hard, we have aspirations of bringing the best players here and Leo Messi is a generational player, arguably the best player of all time,” Mas told the Miami Herald. “I am optimistic Messi will play in an Inter Miami sh...
Euro 2020: Germany still need some work ahead of France opener – coach
Germany still need to work on parts of their game before the start of the European Championship, coach Joachim Loew said on Sunday at the end of their nine-day training camp in Austria. The Germans, starting their tournament against world champions France on June 15, play their last warm-up match against Latvia on Monday. The Euros open on Friday. “I cannot fully draw conclusions from our camp just yet because our preparation continues and after the game tomorrow we have a week in Duesseldorf to prepare for France,” Loew, going into his final tournament as Germany coach, told a news conference. Loew has been in charge since 2006 and will be succeeded by his former assistant and former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick after the tournament. The Germans also play European champions Portugal as...
West Brom release 18 players including Branislav Ivanovic, Kieran Gibbs, Hal Robson-Kanu
West Brom have released 18 players as they prepare for life in the Championship. The Baggies wave goodbye to senior stars Charlie Austin, Branislav Ivanovic, Kieran Gibbs and Hal Robson-Kanu. Sam Allardyce could not save the Midlands side from the drop – the first Premier League relegation in his managerial career – after taking over from Slaven Bilic. West Brom have since parted company with the Dudley native. The 19th placed Baggies ended up 13 points from safety as they dropped back down to the Championship at the first time of asking. And their relegation has seen nearly 20 players culled from their squad. Joining well known quartet Austin, Gibbs, Ivanovic and Robson-Kanu in departing the Hawthorns, are Zak Brown, Nicholas Clayton-Phillips, Chiekh Diaby, Tyrese Dyce and Samuel French. ...
Marcus Rashford penalty gives England win over Romania in Euro warm-up
Marcus Rashford’s penalty earned England an unconvincing 1-0 win over Romania in their final warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020 in Middlesbrough on Sunday. However, victory for Gareth Southgate’s men was again overshadowed by booing from supporters as the players took the knee before kick-off. Southgate’s selection will also be questioned as he named an experimental line-up with five players who are not part of his final squad making an appearance at some point in the game. There is still one place up for grabs in Southgate’s 26-man squad, though, due to an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold. James Ward-Prowse, Ben Godfrey and Ben White were all given the chance to further their case from the start, while Jesse Lingard and Ollie Watkins came off the bench in the second-half. An inexperience...
Manchester United preparing £39 million bid for Atalanta defender
Manchester United are set to bid £39million for Atalanta defender Cristian Romero. Atalanta are reportedly planning to make Romero’s loan from Juventus permanent for £21.5m before cashing in on his services. But according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta will take up an option in the 23-year-old’s loan deal to sign him permanently. The fee is believed to be £21.5m – but some rumours suggest it could be as low as £13.75m. Reports claim the Serie A side will then look to sell Romero for €45m – around £39m – and make a huge profit. And Man United are said to be leading the race for the Argentina international’s signature. Romero has been one of Atalanta’s best players this term, making 31 Serie A appearances to help them finish third and qualify for next season’s Champio...
Thomas Tuchel targets four signings at Chelsea after contract extension
According to the Daily Star, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel wants to bring in four new players this summer after signing a new contract with the club. Tuchel arrived at the Bridge in January earlier this year, after Chelsea had sacked club legend Frank Lampard owing to a disappointing run of results that threatened to derail the campaign. Under the German, though, the Blues experienced a tremendous turnaround as they clinched a top-four finish in the Premier League and also made it to the FA Cup finals. But the cherry on top was Chelsea going on to win the UEFA Champions League for just the second time in the history of the club, beating Man City in the finals in Porto. Following the sensational turnaround, Tuchel, who had initially signed just an eighteen-month contract, has now been hande...
Cameroon boss satisfied with win over Super Eagles
Indomitable Lions of Cameroon head coach Antonio Conceição is happy with the performance of his players in Friday’s 1-0 friendly win against Nigeria. Zambo Anguissa netted the winning goal for the five-time African champions in the 37th minute. The win was Cameroon’s first in 21 years against one of their perenial foes. “The arrival of young players brings competitiveness. The team is strong and motivated. We have the big core of the team that will play the next round with Cameroon ,” Conceiçao said after the game. “The group is living well and they have welcomed the new arrivals. I am satisfied with all the services they have shown me in terms of training, I am very confident that he gives us a good response on the pitch. ” Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money E...
Jorginho almost joined Manchester City in 2018 – agent
Chelsea star Jorginho was close to joining Manchester City prior to his move to west London, according to the midfielder’s agent. Jorginho followed Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge in 2018 and has since become a key part of the Blues line-up, helping them to Champions League final victory over City in May. But if things had turned out differently he might well have lined up against his current team-mates in Porto. “It was Napoli’s choice,” agent Joao Santos explained to Football Italia. “They were negotiating with Manchester City, but then they began talks with Chelsea, and that’s where we ended up. “We have nothing against Manchester City. Playing at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola would have been satisfying, but that’s how transfers work. “Sometimes things can change ver...
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy receives hero’s welcome in Senegal
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was given a hero’s welcome by his Senegal teammates on his arrival at the national team camp on Thursday evening. Players and members of the national team management waited until late on Thursday evening to welcome the 29-year-old, who helped Chelsea win the Uefa Champions League trophy last Saturday after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City. Mendy is the second Senegalese player to lift the coveted European title after Sadio Mane won it with Liverpool in the 2018-19 season. He played a vital role in the Blues’ successful European campaign with a record nine clean sheets in 12 games. Following an impressive debut campaign in England, Mendy, who has made himself Chelsea’s no. 1, said he will continue working to improve his game. “I don’t set limits for myself...
