Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella claims the Azzurri should have been at the World Cup by right after being crowned European champions.
A stunning 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia in a play-off qualification game in March eliminated Italy, who were almost totally dominant but conceded the game s only goal in second-half stoppage time.
It meant four-time winners Italy have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups, unprecedented in their history, and Inter star Barella has felt unable to watch the tournament due to his gripe that he should be involved.
In fact, he suggested the latest winners of the European and South American championships should always be granted automatic places at the World Cup. Such a move would be unlikely to go down well with confederatio…
Liverpool s late-season charge continued as they moved into the Premier League s top four thanks to a 3-0 win away at Burnley.
The Reds claimed a fourth successive win to further boost their hopes of sealing Champions League qualification, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Phillips getting goals either side of halt-time at Turf Moor.
Jurgen Klopp s side had needed a last-gasp winner from goalkeeper Alisson to beat West Brom on Sunday, but there was no need for any late drama this time, substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain firing in a late third.
The hard-fought result sees them leapfrog Leicester City on goal difference and means a victory on the final day at Anfield on Sunday against Crystal Palace will see them in Europe s premier club competition next season.<…
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Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories on Saturday afternoon, Manchester United will welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might be at the centre of a public media storm, Erik ten Hag’s side certainly gained a welcomed boost in midweek. Putting in an eye-catching performance as they secured a 2-1 victory against historic rivals Chelsea, the former Ajax boss will be desperate to use that display as a platform to build on. Despite needing a real miracle if their bid to claim a crucial Champions League knockout stage ticket this month, the Reds should feel that they have another potential domestic opportunity here. Marking their return from November’…
Former Bristol Rovers defender Nick Anderton has revealed he is no longer actively suffering from bone cancer.
The 27-year-old has undergone 28 weeks of chemotherapy and had his knee and part of his femur cut out after being diagnosed with the disease in July 2022.
He retired from football in April of this year and his latest scans have shown the cancer is no longer active.
Anderton said in a social media post: “Not how I imagined my mid-20s to pan out but it is what it is. Never did I think a sore knee would turn out to be bone cancer. I don’t think it’s really possible to put into words how the last year has been but I’m blessed to still be here battling on.
— Nick Anderton (@nickanderton_)
“Full knee, along with 12cm of my…
Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs interested in signing Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta, according to . The report in the Italian news outlet has claimed that Everton, Inter Milan, AS Roma and AC Milan all are considering making a move for the former Aston Villa goalkeeper.
Gollini spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Atalanta from Aston Villa before making the move permanent for £3.75 million, as reported by . The former Manchester United prospect has been a regular for Atalanta over the years and has helped them get into the Champions League consistently.
Hugo Lloris is the first-choice goalkeeper at Spurs, but the Frenchman is 34 now. Joe Hart is Lloris’ back-up, but the former Manchester City man is also 34. Spurs need a younger goalkeeper, as the North Lond…
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has insisted his Chelsea team-mates will not be distracted by the constant transfer speculation surrounding the club.
Dewsbury-Hall, who arrived from Leicester City in a reported £30m deal, is one of 10 new arrivals during the transfer window at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder starred for Enzo Maresca in the Foxes Championship success, notching 26 goal involvements (12 goals and 14 assists) in the league last year.
But with the Blues overhaul of players, Dewsbury-Hall found himself on the bench for their opening Premier League fixture against Manchester City last Sunday.
Maresca is continuing to trim his bloated squad, with the Italian confirming that both Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are among a group of more than 15 player…
Jakub Jankto has come out as gay, becoming the first LaLiga player to do so.
The Czech Republic international is on loan at Sparta Prague from parent club Getafe.
Jankto posted a video on Twitter on Monday where he made the announcement, with a caption at the end stating: This is not an entertainment. The purpose of this video is to encourage others.
I am Jakub Jankto and like everybody else, I have my strengths and I have my weaknesses, the 27-year-old said.
I have a family and I have my friends. I have a job which I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, professionalism and passion.
Like everybody else I also want to live my life in freedom, without fears, without prejudice, without violence, but with love.
I a…
Serge Aurier has agreed to join Nottingham Forest on a free transfer as Steve Cooper s side announced their 22nd signing since being promoted to the Premier League.
The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain defender became a free agent after leaving Villarreal at the end of last season.
Ivory Coast captain Aurier racked up 77 Premier League appearances for Spurs, also reaching the Champions League final in 2019.
Djibril Sidibe was reported to be a target of Cooper to provide competition for Neco Williams, who arrived from Liverpool in July, but Forest have instead signed Aurier, subject to international clearance.
Forest are yet to confirm the terms of Aurier s contract, with the full-back providing more cover on the right-hand side after Cooper s sid…
Former Atletico Madrid and Spain striker Fernando Torres has announced he is to retire after 18 years in professional football.
The 35-year-old had been playing in Japan s J.League with Sagan Tosu, but will be mostly remembered for his spells with Atletico and Liverpool, plus a hugely successful international career with Spain.
Torres helped Spain to their first ever World Cup title in 2010 between back-to-back European Championship wins in a period of dominance for La Roja.
But the striker has called time on his playing career with an announcement on social media.
I have something very important to announce, he wrote on his official Twitter account. After 18 exciting years, the time has come to put an end to my football career.
Next Sunday, …
Welsh international midfielder Aaron Ramsey will not be extending his Arsenal contract.
The Gunners had it coming for a long time and will now face a decision whether to sell him in January or let him leave at the end of the season on a free transfer.
Ramsey joined Gunners in 2008 from Cardiff and went on to become one of the leading stars of Arsene Wenger’s second decade at the club, despite numerous injuries often casting a shadow on the full effect and importance for Arsenal.
Arsenal have thrown in the towel on their attempt to tie Ramsey down to a new deal and are expected to receive plenty of serious offers for their during winter. Whether they will entertain them is a different matter.
Ramsey – as a world-class potential and a player in his ph…