During Fred s early months in the Premier League, it would be fair to say many Manchester City fans will have felt their team had dodged a bullet.
Prior to his move to the red side of Manchester, speculation was rife that Pep Guardiola had identified Fred – at Shakhtar Donetsk back then – as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho in midfield.
Fred had made a reputation for himself as an effective box-to-box midfielder who could have an impact on the ball as well as off it.
But it was difficult to see what possessed Manchester United to pip City to his reported £55million signing during the 2018-19 season, as he struggled with the tempo of the game and didn t appear to offer anything particularly outstanding to any part of the United unit.
However, a…
Where will Neymar be playing in 2019-20? It is the €222million question.
After joining Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee in 2017, Neymar wants to leave the Ligue 1 champions.
Only a select few of Europe s elite can afford the Brazil superstar. Could a sensational move to Turin be on the cards?
TOP STORY – NEYMAR SR TO TALK TO JUVE
Neymar could team up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Serie A champions Juventus.
That is according to Rai Sport following a report claiming Neymar s father will meet Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici in Turin.
According to Rai Sport, Neymar s father and agent is set to meet with Juventus Shock move on the cards?
— Goal (@goal)
Neymar wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain…
Juventus will need to grow as a team if they are to get out of their current slump, Bianconeri head coach Massimiliano Allegri said after their draw against relegated Salernitana on Sunday.
Juve were on their way to a humiliating Serie A loss at home until Adrien Rabiot equalised in stoppage time for a 1-1 draw.
It was a fifth straight league draw for Allegri s side, which has seen them slip to fourth, seven points behind second-placed Milan and level on 67 points with Bologna in third.
Anyone who has played football knows that even the great teams can experience a moment of difficulty when the games become tough. We will certainly have to grow, Allegri said.
Their Coppa Italia final against Atalanta on Wednesday presents an opportunity for redemption.
Newcastle United s trip to Southampton this weekend has become the latest Premier League fixture to be postponed due to the number of coronavirus cases and injuries in the Magpies squad.
United were due to take on Southampton at St Mary s Stadium in their opening game of 2022 on Sunday aiming to build on their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
However, having had their scheduled meeting with Everton called off on Thursday, Newcastle confirmed on Friday that their next match will also not go ahead as planned.
The postponement was put down to several players and staff having succumbed to illness and injury over the festive period .
Following a request from Newcastle, the Premier League Board has regrettably agreed to postpone the club s away fixture a…
Cesare Prandelli has not ruled out including veterans Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti in his FIFA World Cup squad.
Del Piero, 38, has not played for the Italian national team since 2008 and now plys his trade in the Australian A-League, but manager Prandelli insisted that he was still in his plans for Brazil 2014.
He admitted that the experienced forward, who has scored 14 goals in 21 games for Sydney, could be a useful tool during the tournament, and also left the door open for Totti and Antonio Di Natale.
In March and April we will have a look at the condition of certain players like Francesco Totti, Antonio Di Natale and even Alex Del Piero, he told Sky Sport Italia.
At that stage I don’t need to plan, but build the strongest team possible.
We…
Manchester United have secured the signing of Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini for a fee of £27.5million.
United boss David Moyes had pursued the Belgium international for much of the transfer window and finally got his man late on the last day.
A statement on Everton s official website confirmed: Marouane Fellaini has moved to Manchester United for a £27.5m fee Fellaini s exit ended a summer long period of speculation after the Belgium international emerged as one of former Everton manager David Moyes prime targets for his new club.
Fellaini became Everton s club-record signing after arriving from Standard Liege for £15million in September 2008. He went on to make 177 appearances at Goodison Park, scoring 33 goals.
Originally a holding midfielder, Fellai…
An online petition has been started to ask Lionel Messi allow Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano take a penalty and score his first goal for the club.
Since arriving at Camp Nou in 2010, Mascherano has won 13 major trophies, including the Champions League twice, La Liga three times and the Club World Cup on two occasions.
However, despite making his 264th appearance for Barca in the 6-1 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday, the 31-year-old is yet to find the back of the net for the Catalan giants.
After Messi opted to use a penalty to tee up Luis Suarez for a hat-trick rather than convert his 300th La Liga goal for the club against the Galician side at the weekend, he is being called upon to show a similar level of generosity to his compatriot through an online app…
Brighton Hove Albion have confirmed their decision to dismiss manager Gus Poyet.
The Uruguayan was suspended in the aftermath of the club s Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace last season for alleged breach of contract, and was subsequently removed from his role as manager in June.
He appealed the original decision, but Brighton have announced that process is now complete with the initial ruling upheld.
A statement on the club s website read: Following a suspension, investigation, disciplinary meeting, and separate appeal hearing, which was conducted by three members of the club s board in london on 11 July and 12 July 2013, Brighton Hove Albion today confirmed that after further consideration Gus Poyet s dismissal for gross misconduct has been up…
Paris Saint-Germain are wrapping up a deal to sign Spanish full-back Yuri Berchiche from Real Sociedad, according to L’Equipe.
The Saints were on the lookout for a new left-sided defender after Maxwell had been released and latest reports suggest the Spaniard will become their first summer signing.
L’Equipe claims that the transfer will be worth around €15 million, allowing Yuri to compete with Layvin Kurzawa for a starting berth.
The 27-year-old joined Real Sociedad from Real Union in July 2012 and he has since made 77 La Liga appearances for the club.
A series of very good showings during last season put Yuri in the shop window and saw him being tipped to earn his first Spain cap in the near future.
…
Kevin De Bruyne s superb late strike sealed Manchester City s place in their first Champions League semi-final with a 3-2 aggregate win over Paris Saint-Germain.
City were heading for victory on away goals by virtue of their 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes last week, but De Bruyne settled the nerves and sparked wild celebrations at the Etihad Stadium when he curled a brilliant low effort beyond Kevin Trapp with 14 minutes remaining on Tuesday.
De Bruyne s intervention made amends for Sergio Aguero’s missed penalty in the first half of a tense, evenly-matched contest that offered few chances to either side.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini opted to leave Yaya Toure out of his starting line-up and saw his decision vindicated as Brazilian anchorman Fernando was …