Madrid (AFP) – Sevilla said on Tuesday they had reached an agreement to sign Argentine playmaker Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez from Atalanta of Serie A. The Spanish club said the Argentine, who turns 33 in February, had signed until June 2024. Gomez could become a belated replacement for compatriot Ever Banega, who left to play in […]

London (AFP) – West Ham moved into the Premier League's top four as Tomas Soucek scored twice in a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace, while Leeds inflicted more misery on Newcastle with a 2-1 victory at St James' Park on Tuesday. The Hammers suffered an early setback when Wilfried Zaha put Palace in front after […]

Paris (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel was relaxed and charming at his unveiling as Paris Saint-Germain coach in 2018, having been identified by the club's Qatari owners as the man to finally deliver success in Europe. By the end of last year his mood was different. The German took PSG to their first Champions League final […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel was appointed Chelsea manager on an 18-month contract on Tuesday, tasked with hauling the underperforming Blues back into the Champions League next season. The 47-year-old German replaces the sacked Frank Lampard to become the 13th Chelsea boss since Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. "I would like […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said on Tuesday that he did not think his players were distracted by the club's financial problems and called for "focus" when they visit Rayo Vallecano in the cup. Koeman has recalled Lionel Messi to the squad for Wednesday's round-of-16 trip to second-division Rayo after a two-match ban […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa signed French midfielder Morgan Sanson from Marseille in a deal worth a reported £15.5 million ($21.2 million) on Tuesday. Sanson, 26, agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League club, subject to international clearance. "Morgan has performed consistently at the highest level in French football for a number of […]

London (AFP) – Playmaker James's form could be pivotal if Everton are to secure a place in the Champions League the competition the club's manager Carlo Ancelotti values above all others. The 29-year-old Colombian international looked back to his best — injury having interrupted an impressive start to his Everton career — in Sunday's FA […]

London (AFP) – Edinson Cavani may turn 34 next month but his work rate in matches and the humility he shows in training is an example to his team-mates, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Tuesday. The Uruguay forward has been a crucial part of United's resurgence this season which sees them top […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte received a two-match ban and fined 20,000 euros ($24,000) on Tuesday for verbally threatening the referee after last weekend's Serie A stalemate at Udinese. The former Juventus and Chelsea manager saw red after 90 minutes in the goalless draw, believing referee Fabio Maresca had not added on […]

Milan (AFP) – Out-of-favour Atalanta captain Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez described his mixed emotions on Tuesday as he prepares to leave the Serie A club he helped take to the Champions League for the first time. The Bergamo outfit have reportedly reached an agreement with La Liga's Sevilla for the sale of the attacker who has […]

London (AFP) – The coronavirus pandemic could cost Europe's 20 highest-earning football clubs over two billion euros ($2.4 billion, £1.4 billion), according to forecasts from financial experts Deloitte. Deloitte's latest Football Money League report shows that revenues of the top 20 clubs analysed fell by 1.1 million euros in the 2019/20 season due to closed […]

London (AFP) – Ashley Williams who captained Wales to a surprise appearance at the Euro 2016 semi-finals announced his retirement on Tuesday. The 36-year-old defender said the last four tie, which they lost to eventual champions Portugal, would remain in his memory forever. Williams scored in the memorable 3-1 quarter-final win over fancied Belgium as […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal will once more be without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Tuesday's Premier League trip to Southampton. The Gabon striker missed holders Arsenal's fourth-round FA Cup defeat by the Saints on Saturday due to what the north London side said were "personal reasons". The Gunners said on Tuesday Aubameyang would not be a […]

London (AFP) – Frank Lampard should have been supported by the Chelsea board, said Rangers manager Steven Gerrard on Tuesday, a day after his former England team-mate's sacking. Gerrard admitted "it was no surprise", given Chelsea's habit of sacking managers since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. Lampard was fired on Monday, the day […]

London (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel is set to be the next high-profile coach to become Chelsea manager several years after he first spoke with them about the job. The 47-year-old German will be the 15th change of manager since Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and replaces Frank Lampard. Tuchel follows some […]