Football Blog (Page 162)

[ad_1] Marseille are ready to offer Wilfried Zaha a move to the south of France when his contract expires in 2023 with the Crystal Palace star considering the chance to play abroad, 90min understands. Talks between Palace and Zaha over a new deal have not progressed, with the 30-year-old ready to depart Selhurst Park for the second time in his career. The Ivory Coast international knows this could be his last chance to find a club who can offer him Champions League football – a competition he has never played in. Zaha moved to Manchester United in 2013, but the transfer failed and he endedRead More →

[ad_1] Joao Felix, Pepe and Goncalo Ramos were keen to downplay any connection between the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s brilliant performance in the last 16 of the World Cup. Ronaldo was sensationally dropped by coach Fernando Santos for the clash with Switzerland following a string of poor performances and unhelpful distractions. 21-year-old Ramos stepped in and hit a hat-trick on his World Cup debut in a 6-1 win that appeared to prove that Portugal are no longer reliant on their all-time top scorer. Ramos himself was the first to rally around Ronaldo after the match, saying: “He’s the captain, he’s the leader andRead More →

[ad_1] Portugal manager Fernando Santos has revealed that his decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo for their World Cup last 16 tie with Switzerland was not a personal one. News broke earlier on Tuesday that the ex-Man Utd forward would start from the bench after his petulant response to being substituted in the Selecao’s final group stage match against South Korea. Santos explained earlier this week that he was not a fan of Ronaldo’s behaviour during that loss, and he was asked about his decision to replace the 37-year-old with the inexperienced Goncalo Ramos after advancing to the quarter-finals. “Cristiano and Ramos are different players. ThereRead More →

[ad_1] Club America head coach Fernando Ortiz hinted at a potential new signing, revealing: “the priority Today he is a right-back, there are names.” The Liga MX giants will be looking to replace right-back Jorge Sanchez, who departed amid the 2022 Apertura for Eredivisie’s Ajax.  Following the move, Ortiz opted for Emilio Lara to replace Sanchez. And though the young player did well in the position, the head coach now wants to pair Lara with new signing Israel Reyes at center-back and sign a new figure.  Additionally, defender Burno Valdez will no longer form part of the team’s future plans, giving way for the Lara-ReyesRead More →

[ad_1] Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has admitted that his club, like every other club, is keen to sign England youngster Jude Bellingham. The 19-year-old has hit the headlines for his stunning performances at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this winter, becoming one of the Three Lions’ key men. As expected, his form has prompted many clubs to sit up and take notice, and 90min understands that Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Juventus are keen – though the latter may find their interest hampered by alleged financial irregularities and the resignation of their entire board. Dortmund remain confidentRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United and Everton meet for the second time this season in midweek when they go head to head in the Continental Cup group stage. These sides met in the WSL at the end of October, with United securing a 3-0 win at Walton Hall Park, which at the time was a fifth consecutive league win for Marc Skinner’s team. Since then, United have been beaten by Chelsea but bounced back with wins over Arsenal and Aston Villa. Everton, meanwhile, have had a tough run but will take some positive from suffering what were only narrow defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal in recentRead More →

[ad_1] Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong has admitted he has no idea how to stop his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi when they take on Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final on Friday. De Jong was asked by reporters if he had any plan to help his manager Louis van Gaal contain the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has been one of the standout performers in Qatar so far. “Well, no. I know him, but I don’t know how to stop him,” de Jong explained. “He’s been making the difference for 15 years and there is not one way to stop him. Usually he wouldRead More →

[ad_1] Louis van Gaal has said claims from the press that Brazil play ‘sparkling’ football are incorrect. Brazil are now seen as the team to beat at the World Cup following their 4-1 victory over South Korea in the last 16. The Selecao were on fire in the first half of that match, grabbing all of their goals in the first 45 minutes and producing some excellent football. They’ve been widely praised for that football all over the world, including in the Netherlands by the same press that have heavily criticised the style Van Gaal has his team playing in. The Netherlands manager isn’t bestRead More →

[ad_1] Denzel Dumfries’ agent has admitted that it will be ‘difficult’ to secure a transfer for the Inter wing-back in January if his value rises as a result of a stellar World Cup campaign with Netherlands. Dumfries joined Inter from PSV Eindhoven just under 18 months ago for an initial €12.5m off the back of an impressive Euro 2020. The 26-year-old has since continued to impress in Serie A and the Champions League and has now helped his national team get to the World Cup quarter-finals. Dumfries has played every minute for the Oranje in Qatar so far, having a direct hand in all threeRead More →

[ad_1] Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, the current president of the country’s football federation, was filmed attacking a man outside Stadium 974 at the World Cup on Monday night. The former Barcelona and Inter striker had been in attendance as Brazil faced South Korea in a last 16 tie and was seen posing for pictures with fans as he left the stadium. But in footage captured by newspaper La Opinion, Eto’o appeared to take exception to one man who appeared on scene holding a camera. The 41-year-old angrily confronted the man, having to be restrained by several others around him. As the situation continued, Eto’o eventuallyRead More →