Arsenal seem to have a plethora of young talent at the moment, something that they haven’t had the luxury of having over the last few years. Nevertheless, both the club’s U-18s and U-23s are inside the top five of their respective tables. Although there are quite a few highly-rated players in the team’s youth system, […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan's suffered a blow as midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura was ruled out for the rest of the campaign following surgery on torn thigh muscles on Wednesday. Italy international Bonaventura is one of Milan's key players and is expected to return to fitness "within four months". "AC Milan announces that Giacomo Bonaventura was […]

Moscow (AFP) – Defensive stalwart Branislav Ivanovic ended his hugely successful Chelsea career on Wednesday when he signed for Zenit Saint Petersburg for an undisclosed fee. The 32-year-old Serbian has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option of another year. "I had a strong desire to return to Russia," Ivanovic, who scored five goals in […]

It’s been often overlooked that as MLS expands and is adding four new clubs in the next round of expansion, that television market size and media profile might factor heavily into the decision making process. While some markets have established themselves at the lower division level, others that have not might be under strong consideration because […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal's Petr Cech said Tuesday's shock loss to Watford was a "huge setback" to the Gunners ahead of their meeting with the Premier League leaders this weekend. First-half goals from Younes Kaboul and Troy Deeney gave visitors Watford a quick-fire 2-0 lead in Tuesday's Premier League game and although Arsenal pulled one […]

Berlin (AFP) – Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has again talked about leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season — with the Spanish league his most likely destination. Last month Aubameyang, the Bundesliga's top scorer this season with 16 goals in 16 games, told sports daily Fussball Bild he could leave Dortmund in June, […]

London (AFP) – Burnley splashed out a reported club record £13 million ($16 million) to sign Norwich winger Robbie Brady, while Southampton's swoop for Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini was one of the other notable deals on transfer deadline day. Republic of Ireland star Brady agreed a three-and-a-half year deal and became Burnley's second signing of […]

Franceville (Gabon) (AFP) – Ghana, the nearly men of African football in recent years, go into a sixth consecutive semi-final at the Cup of Nations when they face Cameroon in Franceville on Thursday. The Black Stars have not won the trophy since 1982, instead gaining a reputation for coming up just short all too often […]

New York (AFP) – Major League Soccer unveiled 12 applicants on Tuesday for four expansion clubs with the 24-team league expecting to name at least two new squads by the end of 2017. The North American league, whose expansion candidates are all from US cities, will reach 22 active teams when Atlanta United and Minnesota […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted he was disappointed after his side dropped two points in their bid to eat into Premier League leaders Chelsea's lead with a 0-0 draw with struggling Sunderland on Tuesday. Spurs leapfrogged London rivals Arsenal on goal-difference, nine points behind Chelsea — who were held 1-1 […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was at a loss to explain his side's appalling first-half display during their surprise 2-1 defeat by Watford at the Emirates Stadium. His side mustered just three wayward efforts on goal in the opening 45 minutes as they allowed Watford to canter into a two-goal lead and damage […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Jurgen Klopp urged Liverpool's supporters to show more patience with his team after arguing with a fan during the 1-1 draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea. The Liverpool manager Klopp could be seen exchanging words with a fan standing behind the dug-outs after a first-half back-pass towards goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was met […]

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Italian international forward Manolo Gabbiadini joined League Cup finalists Southampton on Tuesday for a fee believed to be around £14.5million (16.8m euros, $18.2m) from Serie A side Napoli. The 25-year-old — scorer of 58 goals in 215 appearances in Italy — signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and will the club hopes […]

Paris (AFP) – Marseille's star recruit Dimitri Payet made his debut on Tuesday but it was Brazilian Doria who booked the team's French Cup quarter-final berth with a 2-1 extra time win over Lyon. Payet rejoined the Ligue 1 side on a four-and-a-half-year deal on Sunday after Marseille paid 30 million euros ($31.3 million, £25 […]

Paris (AFP) – Dimitri Payet and Leonardo Ulloa led industrial action by European stars to force a transfer and top clubs may have no choice but to grin and bear the battle. French international Payet refused to play for West Ham in order to get a 30 million euros ($32 million) move to Olympique Marseille. […]