List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Emma Hayes admitted it would be a fairytale end to her Chelsea career by lifting the Women’s Champions League for the first time at the end of the season. Hayes will end her 12-year stay with the west-London club after this campaign. The Champions League is the one major trophy that has eluded the 47-year-old during that time, with the Blues having lost 4-0 in the 2021 final to Barcelona and reached the semi-finals on three other occasions. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s opening Group D fixture v Real Madrid, Hayes told a press conference: “It would be a fairytale to win it, of course. But I didn’t grow up liking fairytales – my sister did. “I would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.” Chelsea beat Real 2-0 at Kingsmeadow last season courtesy of goals from Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert before they drew 1-1 in the Spanish capital. And Hayes, who highlighted the threat of left-back Olga Carmona, believes the experience of playing Wednesday’s opponents has helped her side’s preparations. She added: “We have analysed last season’s match and Real Madrid’s other matches, including this weekend’s match (7-1 win v Real Sociedad). We know what to expect. “I think having been here helps, it’s something familiar, but we don’t underestimate them. “They have many qualities, but I think they have the best on the extremes. The ability to go upwards, especially on the left with Olga. She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach - it's more than football playing under her. Millie Bright “They have players looking for the back and putting balls into the area and they are very good in transition.” Chelsea captain Millie Bright admitted the news of Hayes’ departure is “devastating”. She said: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I was devastated. “She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach – it’s more than football playing under her. It is the hard part of football. I feel privileged to have played under her for so long.”

Ezri Konsa had to scrap plans for a winter getaway after his late call-up but the Aston Villa defender always believed it was a case of when rather than if his England chance would come. The talented 26-year-old has long been tipped for a senior call-up, only to once again miss out on a maiden call-up when the squad for the final Euro 2024 qualifiers was announced last Thursday. But an injury to Lewis Dunk opened up a last-minute spot in Gareth Southgate’s set-up, leading to a surprise phone call after Villa’s 3-1 victory against Fulham at the weekend. “I was literally driving home after my game on Sunday,” Konsa said. “Me and the missus were talking about having a little break, going away. “Two minutes later I ended up getting the call. It was a weird feeling. It didn’t really sink in until I got home. “The missus was crying a bit, she was more excited than me! I’d rather be here anyway (than on holiday), so it’s fine.” It has certainly been a whirlwind few days for a player whose belief has never wavered despite much-mooted England opportunities failing to materialise break after break. “It is a proud moment for me and my family,” said Konsa, who was part of England’s 2017 Under-20 World Cup win. “It is a dream come true, ever since I was a little kid I wanted to play for England so I’m just grateful for the opportunity. “I knew I had a lot to work on in my game, only recently in the last two seasons we have excelled at Villa and that part of it has helped me become the player I am today. “I knew my time would come. It was just a matter of when. I was patient and, as I said, me and my family are really happy. “I always believe in myself and always back myself and I am really enjoying my football now.” From Charlton to Brentford and on to Villa, the defender has stepped up when he has needed to and is ready to do the same with England. Konsa could make his debut in the final Euro 2024 qualifiers at home to Malta or away in North Macedonia, giving him the chance to stake his claim for next year’s finals. “Yeah of course that is every player’s target to want to go to a major tournament and play for your country,” he said. “That is definitely on my list and definitely something that I am planning on doing.” Winning a cap is his first focus as Konsa looks to follow a star-studded group of graduates from Senrab – the well-known east London youth team, where coach Tony Caroll revealed he was nicknamed ‘Little Rio’. Konsa says Rio Ferdinand was one of the players he idolised, as was John Terry – a fellow ex-Senrab player that he loved growing up and learned a lot from during his time as Villa coach. “I worked with him for two years and he really helped my game,” Konsa said of “legend” Terry. “I used to ask him a lot of questions on how he was able to maintain playing at such a high level and he gave me a lot of advice. “I took that on and it has definitely helped me get to where I am today. “Yes, he was in touch and he sent me a nice message. “He just said ‘congratulations’ and that I needed to enjoy it and be myself.” Read More Incoming Welsh Rugby Union boss vows to ‘turn this round’ after damning review Fin Smith targets England debut next year having caught Steve Borthwick’s eye Cesc Fabregas determined to take ambitious Como into Serie A Jos Buttler admits to ‘mistakes’ during England’s World Cup campaign Anything is possible – Eric Dier on Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge Welsh Rugby Union was a ‘toxic’ environment, independent report finds

Cesc Fabregas is determined to take Como to Serie A after taking over as boss at the Italian club. The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder, who is an investor in the club along with Thierry Henry, replaced Moreno Longo as interim boss on Monday in what is his first managerial position. He ended his playing career in the lakeside city last season and was coach of the club’s under-19s before getting the top job. Como are a club on the rise, having won back-to-back promotions and currently sit sixth in Serie B following a 2019 takeover. The Spaniard says he does not see the position as a stepping stone for a Premier League job, but a long-term project to get them to the top tier in Italy. “Obviously, now it is one of the main objectives, 100 per cent,” he said at Web Summit in Lisbon. “Whatever my role is I will always give my best. “When I joined the club one of the main objectives was to become the coach of Como 1907, I didn’t expect it to come so soon because I retired a little bit earlier, I could still be playing. “It is an opportunity for me. It is a long-term project, I am not here for two days or two months, it is a long thing. I trust the club, I trust the people, my family has found happiness in Como. “I feel great, I feel ready. This is something that happened very quickly in the last couple of days. “I have a lot of respect for the manager that was in charge for the last year and a half. I am used to the pressure, I am used to the requirements that the club wants, I am looking forward to it, it is very, very exciting.” Mirwan Suwarso, representative of the Como ownership group, said they sacked Longo because data showed they were regressing ahead of the January transfer window. He has grand plans to turn Como into the “ultimate soccer tourism destination”. It is an opportunity for me it is a long-term project, I am not here for two days or two months, it is a long thing. Cesc Fabregas “We have to rely on data and it showed that as we are heading towards the transfer window we are actually regressing in terms of our performance,” he said. “So instead of investing heavily in the transfer window in the wrong bloke we had to fix it so that is why we pulled the trigger. “When we stumbled upon the football club in Como we realised we had a great opportunity. Como is a great destination for tourism but at the same time there is nothing around it. “So our goal is to build the ultimate soccer tourism destination in the world and Lake Como is the perfect setting for it. It shows, we have been growing extensively.” Read More England skipper Jos Buttler vows to learn from World Cup ‘mistakes’ Anything is possible – Eric Dier on Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge Welsh Rugby Union was a ‘toxic’ environment, independent report finds We know what it means to Wales to get to Euro 2024 – Jordan James Rohit Sharma urges India to retain same mindset for World Cup semi-final Sol Campbell ‘happy in different space’ as he turns back on football management

Eric Dier believes it is still possible for Tottenham to win the Premier League this season. Spurs made a great start to life under Ange Postecoglou, going unbeaten in their opening 10 games and topping the table. But the wheels have come off in the last two games as they were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea with nine men and then lost 2-1 at Wolves in a game where they were leading going into stoppage time. Dier, who found himself out of the team at the start of the season, says Spurs can still be in the mix along with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. “We’re still at the start of the season, there is still a long way to go,” he said at Web Summit in Lisbon. “I am experienced enough to know anything is possible.” Dier’s own future remains in doubt as he is out of contract in the summer and he will be able to talk to foreign clubs at the end of next month. While the 29-year-old, who grew up in Portugal and played for Sporting Lisbon, is insistent he would like to return to his childhood home once he has retired, he could not promise he will play for Sporting again. “One day I am sure I will be back. I think it is inevitable, if my wife wants to, we’ll come back one day to live when I have finished my career,” he added. “To come back and play here, you never know, I can’t say. “Sporting is my club, it will always be my club, it’s where I spent 12 years. Portugal as well for me is my home. “I’m 29 so I hope I have a lot of years left to play. I’m still young. Football is my priority.” Read More Welsh Rugby Union was a ‘toxic’ environment, independent report finds We know what it means to Wales to get to Euro 2024 – Jordan James Rohit Sharma urges India to retain same mindset for World Cup semi-final Sol Campbell ‘happy in different space’ as he turns back on football management LaLiga president says Jude Bellingham ‘like he’s from a different planet’ Rory McIlroy aware ‘loose lips sink ships’ as progress made towards golf future

Wales midfielder Jordan James is targeting Euro 2024 qualification after enjoying the “best night of my life” against stellar Croatia trio Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic. Croatia have often carried the tag of having the best midfield in world football, but they had few answers in Cardiff last month as Wales beat them 2-1 to keep hopes of playing at Euro 2024 alive. James, the 19-year-old Birmingham midfielder, had a huge part to play in that victory alongside Ethan Ampadu, and Wales now meet Armenia and Turkey this week with automatic qualification in their own hands. “It was probably the best night of my life, as a collective and for me personally,” James said. “Seeing my family in the crowd and how proud they were, it was a massive win for the country. Hopefully we can do the same in the next two games. “I don’t think it gets much better than that, but we’ve still got a job to do. “On paper, that was the toughest game in the group, but we’re not going to take the next two games lightly. “We know what it means to the country to get to these big tournaments, so that’s our focus and hopefully we can do that. It was probably the best night of my life, as a collective and for me personally Jordan James “Coming into this camp now, we’ll look back on that Croatia game and take confidence into the next two.” Hereford-born James was capped by England at Under-20 level but qualifies for Wales through his father Tony, who played for his hometown club Newport. James only made his debut in March – coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw away to Croatia in Split – but has started the last two qualifiers, both of which Wales won. He has now won six caps – an incredible 164 fewer than Real Madrid star Modric – and quickly struck up an effective partnership with Leeds midfielder Ampadu. “It’s been great. As soon as I played with him the first time, we just clicked,” James said. “We just work off each other, I think you saw that against Croatia. When we didn’t have possession, we were solid, we did our job and that’s the main thing. “Ethan is a brilliant player and it’s very easy to play with him. I see him as a leader and I study how he plays because he’s somewhere I want to get to. I could see him being captain one day. “I’ve had massive trust from the gaffer (Rob Page) at such a young age. Playing for your country, there is a risk but he took it and I’m just trying to repay him for what he’s done for me.” Wales will secure a top-two place in Group D by taking maximum points from Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday and already-qualified Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium three days later. Dropped points will leave Wales relying on favourable results elsewhere if they are to avoid the play-offs in March where the likes of Norway, Poland and Ukraine could be lurking. Armenia, ranked 95th in the world and 67 places below Wales, stunned Page’s side with a 4-2 Cardiff victory in June. James said: “There is a bit of revenge there because you don’t like losing. “We’re athletes, we want to compete, and we don’t like losing against any team. “It’s not nice and we want to get one back on them. But we know we’ve got a job to do. “We want to get it done and then focus on Turkey.” Read More Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa ‘knew time would come’ for England call-up Rohit Sharma urges India to retain same mindset for World Cup semi-final Sol Campbell ‘happy in different space’ as he turns back on football management LaLiga president says Jude Bellingham ‘like he’s from a different planet’ Rory McIlroy aware ‘loose lips sink ships’ as progress made towards golf future ‘Drained and stressed’ Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Champion of Champions

Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill will play no part in England’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, becoming the latest pair to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s squad. Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham and Chelsea defender Colwill were both ruled out of action over the weekend due to shoulder injuries and have returned to their clubs for further assessment. It comes after James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk withdrew from England duty due to injuries on Monday, with the trio replaced by Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa. This time Southgate has not called up any new faces, leaving the England manager with a 23-player squad for the matches against Malta at Wembley on Friday and the trip to North Macedonia on Monday. In a further update, both Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips will meet up with the England squad later this week. An England statement said this was due to “personal matters”. England are already assured of their place at next summer’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany after last month’s win over Italy secured qualification. However Southgate will be targeting victories in both games to make sure England are one of the top seeds when the Euro 2024 is made in Germany next month. Updated England squad for Malta and North Macedonia fixtures Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) Defenders: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayi Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Manchester City) Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

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Sol Campbell has turned his back on football management and says he is no longer applying for jobs. The former Arsenal and Tottenham defender has tried to forge a career in the dugout and had spells at crisis clubs Macclesfield and Southend between 2018 and 2020. He has not been able to find a job since and has spoken out in the past about his frustration at the lack of opportunities. And the 49-year-old has revealed he is no longer chasing managerial roles. “For me, it is about getting opportunities to fail,” he told the PA news agency at Web Summit in Lisbon. “Some of my peers have had jobs and it’s not worked out and then they have had opportunities again straight away, they’ve always had a lifeline. “That is a nice position to be in. I am not in that position, I would love to be, but those situations are not coming to me. I would love to be involved in football and have chances, but that is not happening. “You have to look at football in a different way and that is what I am going to start doing and hopefully it will work out and I will be able to help players, just in a different way. I want to be in football in a meaningful way. It won't be on the sideline. I am not applying any more for jobs Sol Campbell “I love coaching, so I am going to go back into football in a meaningful way. I have had to go away, studied at Harvard. I want to be in football in a meaningful way. It won’t be on the sideline. “I am not applying any more for jobs. “I’m happy to be in a different space now and one I want to be in.” Burnley’s Vincent Kompany is the only black manager in the Premier League and Campbell believes the bosses at the top clubs in the country should be doing more to diversify their backroom staff. “Football needs that diversity in terms of management, but for me it seems to have gone backwards in some cases. “We need to understand not everyone is going to make it to be an amazing manager, but you have to get the opportunity or a chance to prove yourself right or even show you can do the job. “Sometimes you get to the stage where you can’t fail. Sometimes you have to fail to suceed, but if you don’t get that opportunity how can you succeed. “There are a few managers who are slowly having diversity in the backroom staff, that can help. “Some of the top managers know if they could diversify their coaching staff it would help. That is a start. “They are the ones in a strong position, where they have won things and are at great clubs. “I think that is how people should start thinking, that is an easy way to kind of get experience and get through the door. Some of the top, top managers have to look at their coaching staff and mix it up a little bit.” Read More Rohit Sharma urges India to retain same mindset for World Cup semi-final Luis Diaz reunited with kidnapped parents after returning to Colombia LaLiga president says Jude Bellingham ‘like he’s from a different planet’ Rory McIlroy aware ‘loose lips sink ships’ as progress made towards golf future ‘Drained and stressed’ Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Champion of Champions Liam Cooper wants Scotland to ‘do ourselves justice’ at Euro 2024

Barcelona are favourites to defend their Women’s Champions League title as the group stages of the tournament kick off this week. The Spanish side came from two goals down to defeat Wolsfburg in a thrilling final last season in Eindhoven. There have already been several big upsets before the start of the group stage, with Wolfsburg, Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus all knocked out in qualifying. But the likes of Chelsea, Lyon, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain will be out to stop Barcelona from winning a third title in four seasons. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the start of the new Women’s Champions League season. How can I watch it? All group stage games will be available to stream for free in the UK. Fans will be able to watch the UWCL group stage up to and including Matchday 4 on DAZN’s YouTube channel, with coverage then moving to the DAZN app and platforms. TNT Sports will also be showing one Champions League group match a week, before showing the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. What matches are on this week? (All times GMT) Tuesday 14 November Barcelona vs Benfica (KO 8.00) Rosengard vs Eintracht Frankfurt (KO 5.45) Slavia Prague vs Lyon (KO 8.00) St Polten vs Brann (KO 5.45) Wednesday 15 November Ajax vs PSG (KO 8.00) Bayern Munich vs Roma (KO 5.45) Paris FC vs Hacken (KO 5.45) Real Madrid vs Chelsea (KO 8.00) What are the Women’s Champions League groups? Group A Barcelona Benfica Rosengard Eintracht Frankfurt Group B Lyon Slavia Prague St Polten Brann Group C Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain Ajax Roma Group D Chelsea Real Madrid Paris FC Hacken Read More The ‘crazy’ debate once again at the heart of the Women’s Champions League Luis Diaz reunited with kidnapped parents after returning to Colombia The two key elements Mauricio Pochettino has brought to revive goal-shy Chelsea Luis Diaz reunited with kidnapped parents after returning to Colombia The two key elements Mauricio Pochettino has brought to revive goal-shy Chelsea LaLiga president says Jude Bellingham ‘like he’s from a different planet’

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz enjoyed an emotional reunion with his parents after flying home to Colombia for the first time since their kidnapping earlier this month. Diaz arrived in Bogota before flying to Barranquilla – the national team base for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil – on Tuesday where he was greeted by his father Luis Manuel and mother Cilenis Marulanda. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Colombia Football Federation published pictures of the family’s reunion alongside a short statement which read: “This was Lucho’s exciting meeting with his father Mane Diaz and his family. “We love you and we are more united than ever! @LuisFDiaz19. We are all Colombians.” Diaz’s parents were snatched off the street just over a fortnight ago and, while his mum was freed almost immediately, his dad was held for 12 days before being released on Thursday. The 58-year-old said of his experience: “It was a lot of horseback riding, really hard, a lot of mountains, a lot of rain, too many insects.” A weak Díaz, who was helped to and from a chair by his family, told journalists in his home town of Barrancas in Colombia: “I couldn’t sleep peacefully, it was very difficult, almost 12 days without sleep.” Read More LaLiga president says Jude Bellingham ‘like he’s from a different planet’ Rory McIlroy aware ‘loose lips sink ships’ as progress made towards golf future ‘Drained and stressed’ Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Champion of Champions

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LaLiga president Javier Tebas says Jude Bellingham is from a “different planet” and hailed the England midfielder’s impact on the Spanish league. Bellingham has made a stunning start to life at Real Madrid following his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 13 goals in his first 14 games in all competitions. The 20-year-old, who has pulled out of international duty with England this week due to a shoulder problem, has been the star attraction at the Bernabeu and is already the new star of LaLiga. Tebas admits people are surprised by how good Bellingham is and it is too early to estimate just how important he will be for the Spanish league from a commercial perspective. “It’s only been a few months, it’s too soon to know the full extent, but in the viewing levels in the UK Bellingham is having a big impact in our league,” Tebas told the PA news agency. “He’s an important player and the United Kingdom and other English-speaking areas are attracted to our league because of him. “Bellingham is a top player, we knew he was a great player but we didn’t realise the level he could reach, at Real Madrid it’s like he’s from a different planet. “I’m sure he’ll stay for a few more seasons.” Tebas, who was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, admitted that the Premier League was bigger than LaLiga, but it was his league that had the best player in Europe. “We have got the best player in Europe who is English,” Tebas said of Bellingham. “We can’t compare the two countries. “Obviously the Premier League is bigger but the best player in Europe is playing in Spain. “So we have the choice to get the best players to come to Spain.” Read More Rory McIlroy aware ‘loose lips sink ships’ as progress made towards golf future ‘Drained and stressed’ Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Champion of Champions Liam Cooper wants Scotland to ‘do ourselves justice’ at Euro 2024 Virgil van Dijk backs Liverpool to challenge Manchester City for Premier League title Anybody can beat anybody on the day – Kane Williamson hopeful NZ can upset India Denver Broncos capitalise on second chance to beat Buffalo Bills