London (AFP) – Antonio Conte said Friday that his Chelsea players must take their share of the blame for recent poor results but repeated his commitment to the reigning Premier League champions. Conte's team, currently fourth in the table, have endured a torrid spell, losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth before being beaten 4-1 at […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Algerian international defender Faouzi Ghoulam has suffered another injury setback ahead of his anticipated return for Serie A leaders Napoli, fracturing his kneecap in training on Friday, the Italian club said. Napoli, who host Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, said in a statement that Ghoulam "injured his right knee during […]

London (AFP) – Riyad Mahrez ended his self-imposed exile from Leicester City on Friday, opening up the possibility of a dramatic return against Manchester City, whose pursuit of the Algerian provoked Mahrez's stand-off with the Foxes. Mahrez, 26, has missed two Premier League matches and had not trained with the team since the move he […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expects a frosty reception for Virgil Van Dijk when the world's most expensive defender returns to Southampton for the first time since his £75 million (85m euros, $104m) January move. Despite Van Dijk scoring the winner in an FA Cup Merseyside derby on debut against Everton, the Dutchman […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says his relationship with Paul Pogba remains rock solid despite having dropped his star midfielder, hitting back at pundits who questioned whether the Frenchman is being used in his best position. Pogba, 24, has been under an intense spotlight since being substituted in Manchester United's defeat at Tottenham […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants Riyad Mahrez to make his Leicester return against the Premier League leaders on Saturday despite continued speculation linking the Algerian to City. Mahrez returned to training on Friday having spent nine days away from the Foxes without permission following Leicester's refusal of City's reported […]

London (AFP) – Following a difficult start at their temporary residence, Mauricio Pochettino says Wembley finally feels like home for Tottenham as they prepare to host Arsenal on Saturday. Spurs have gone 12 matches unbeaten at the home of English football, where they are based this season while their new stadium is completed. But Pochettino's […]

London (AFP) – Michael O'Neill has been rewarded for leading Northern Ireland to a first major tournament in 30 years with a bumper contract extension till 2024, the Irish FA (IFA) announced on Friday. O'Neill, 48, had been chased by the Scottish FA as they seek to find a successor to Gordon Strachan. After turning […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has branded a report saying he wants to sell Spain midfielder Isco as "lies". "I have full faith in my team. I am one of those people who, when I start something, I go with it to the death. I believe in what I do, and I […]

London (AFP) – Michael O'Neill has been rewarded for leading Northern Ireland to a first major tournament in 30 years with a bumper contract extension till 2024, the Irish FA (IFA) announced on Friday. O'Neill, 48, had been chased by the Scottish FA as they seek to find a successor to Gordon Strachan. After turning […]

London (AFP) – Henrikh Mkhitaryan is living a dream at Arsenal after being reunited with close friend and "the best team-mate" he's shared a dressing room with in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Mkhitaryan bagged three assists on his home debut — including the pass to tee up Aubameyang for his first Arsenal goal — as the Gunners […]

Milan (AFP) – Rising Argentine star Lautaro Martinez, touted as a potential newcomer in Jorge Sampaoli's 2018 World Cup squad, is set to sign a deal worth over 25 million euros ($30 million) with Inter Milan, the Italian press reported Friday. The 20-year-old striker, who plays for Racing Club and the Argentina under-20 side, has […]

London (United Kingdom) (AFP) – It should have been a welcome day off for Lorenzo Libutti and a chance to spend some time with his wife shortly before the birth of their second child. But then English Premier League club Watford appointed Spaniard Javi Gracia as their new manager — their tenth since 2012 — […]

London (AFP) – Riyad Mahrez ended his self-imposed exile from Leicester City on Friday with Sky Sports reporting the Algerian has returned to training ahead of Saturday's trip to Manchester City. Mahrez, 26, has not featured for in two matches or training, since the move he wanted to runaway Premier League leaders City fell through […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League launches its latest auction of domestic live broadcast rights on Friday but football finance experts say global tech giants such as Amazon and Facebook are not yet ready to enter the fray. Bids for 200 games a season, between 2019 and 2022, must be in between 0800 GMT and […]