Tottenham Hotspur are considering a bold move for Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo,.
Former Blues and Juve striker Gianluca Vialli mentioned that he had heard rumours of contact between the Italy international and the North London club whilst he was in the studio for The Old Lady’s 3-2 win over AC Milan on Sunday evening.
That match was the 34 year old’s 75th Serie A appearance since switching from Milan in 2011, while his fifteenth minute equaliser was his first goal of the campaign.
He is not yet certain of a new deal with the Italian Champions, with manager Antonio Conte as yet unsure if he deserves an extension.
A host of Premier League clubs have been linked with Pirlo, though it appears that Spurs are leading in the race for his services.
Former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath believes Mario Gotze has struggled at the Bundesliga champions because he took his move from Borussia Dortmund too lightly.
The Germany international joined Bayern in July 2013 for a fee of €37 million, but has since been unable to develop into a regular starter at the Allianz Arena.
However, Magath feels the 23-year-old is on the right path after his difficult start and expects him to slowly get back to his former best.
In my opinion, Gotze underestimated his move from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern, Magath is quoted as saying by Bild.
Bayern are a different club than Dortmund. There are a lot of players who have struggled to make the grade at Bayern.
I think that it was extra difficult for Gotze…
Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza has refuted claims he operates a friends of Lionel Messi selection policy.
Pressure on the Argentina boss increased with a 1-0 defeat at home to Paraguay in 2018 World Cup qualifying last Tuesday, leaving the South American giants outside of the top four in the CONMEBOL section and without a win in three.
Angel Di Maria endured a disappointing match in Cordoba while Sergio Aguero failed to convert a penalty, with Bauza criticised for not substituting either player.
Bauza s decisions have led to allegations his team selection is based around the whims of talisman and captain Messi, who is reportedly responsible for Mauro Icardi s ongoing absence from the squad due to his friendship with Maxi Lopez, whose former partner, Wanda Nara, is…
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic over banners on display during their Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk.
A number of banners referencing the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II could be seen in the Celtic end at Polish Army Stadium in Warsaw, where the sides played out a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
Celtic now face potential sanctions, with UEFA confirming to Stats Perform on Thursday that disciplinary proceedings are under way.
However, Celtic s rivals Rangers will not face any punishment for defying UEFA s orders by playing the national anthem in tribute to the Queen before their 3-0 loss to Napoli.
A spokesman for the European football governing body said: The incident is not the subject of any UEFA disciplinary proceedin…
England will play matches against Austria and Italy during a training camp in Spain next month, the Football Association has announced.
Both games will take place at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras, with the Lionesses facing Austria on February 23 before taking on Italy four days later.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were last in action in December when they saw their bid to reach the Nations League semi-finals – and secure a Paris Olympics place for Great Britain – end despite winning 6-0 against Scotland at Hampden Park.
The February double-header of friendlies comes ahead of the Euro 2025 qualifying draw taking place on March 5, and that campaign getting under way in April.
The are back!
Ticket details to follow later this week…
Wolves midfielder Jamie O Hara has gone on trial with Championship Blackpool with a view to sealing a loan move before Thursday s deadline.
The 27-year-old has made just two substitute appearances for Kenny Jackett s men in League One this season, having signed for the club then in the Premier League for a reported £5million in 2011.
But Blackpool manager Paul Ince could now offer O Hara the chance to resurrect his career at Bloomfield Road.
He’s on trial today with Blackpool, said Jackett. The idea is he has a few days training with them with a view to a loan move by Thursday.
Kevin Thelwell (head of football development) will be in touch with Blackpool in the middle of this week and they will either take him on loan before the window closes on Thursday or t…
Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho has described Neymar as the heir to his position at Camp Nou.
Signed from Santos in 2013, Neymar has established his place as one of Barca s most indispensable attacking talents, having won the treble last season after forming a formidable attacking partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, who won the Champions League and two Liga titles in a glittering spell in Catalonia, is confident Neymar will forge a memorable career with the reigning Spanish champions.
Yes, he s a great player and he s certainly going to make history, he told Marca when asked if he considered the 23-year-old his heir. Neymar will repeat what other Brazilians have done before him.
Ronaldinho, 35, l…
Sheffield United have confirmed that Under-23s manager Paul Heckingbottom has stepped up to take charge of the first team following Chris Wilder s departure.
After two days of speculation, the Blades confirmed on Saturday that Wilder had left the club following discussions .
Wilder spent after almost five years in charge, overseeing United s promotion from League One to the Premier League.
The Blades finished ninth last season, but have won just four games this term and are rooted to the foot of the table after 28 matches, 12 points from safety.
Chief Executive Officer Stephen Bettis talks through a busy period at Bramall Lane.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited)
Leicester City welcome the Blades to the King Power Stadium on Sunda…
Dan Gosling is focusing on securing regular first-team football at Newcastle United after seeing a move to Crystal Palace collapse.
The midfielder has found opportunities at St James Park hard to come by since his move from Everton in 2010 as he has made only 16 Premier League appearances for the club in three seasons.
With plenty of competition for places in the Newcastle midfield from the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Cheikh Tiote, Moussa Sissoko and Vurnon Anita, the 23- year-old was expected to leave ahead of the new season, but he is concentrating on forcing his way into Alan Pardew s plans after a transfer to Selhurst Park failed to materialise.
There was obviously something last week which was meant to be happening but it didn t go through, he told the club s official …
Last night I watched bottom of the table Hertha Berlin snatch an injury-time point against league leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
The 2-2 draw at the Olympic Stadium was the perfect illustration of the leaders form this season and of the home sides surprising fall.
Unpredictable league
The Bundesliga has proved such an unpredictable league. The previously mentioned Hertha were at the top of the table last season, only to break records this season as the team with the least points at this stage of the season.
Hertha s dramatic downfall just shows the unpredictability of the Bundesliga. Hertha won t be challenging for the league title this season but there s no shortage of other contenders for the crown.
Early leaders
Current le…