List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Chelsea are challenging Arsenal for the signature of Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, as Manchester United and Liverpool also monitor movements. The highly-rated Belgium international is still seen as most likely to join Mikel Arteta’s side but the development of the deal has created a flurry of interest. Southampton want a minimum of £45m for Lavia following their relegation to the Championship, but that could rise if a bidding war develops. Arsenal initially turned to the 19-year-old because Brighton’s Moises Caicedo was seen as much more difficult to do but could now face considerable competition. Chelsea’s entire new model is to bring in the most highly rated young talent to construct a squad for the future that can challenge now and Lavia exactly fits that. There is the added element that the midfielder has a very strong relationship with Chelsea’s Joe Shields, who brought him to Southampton in the first place and has since moved to Stamford Bridge. Liverpool have also been considering a move as they seek to bring in a second midfielder after Alexis Mac Allister this summer, although they also retain interest in Internazionale’s Nicolo Barella and Nice’s Khephren Thuram. United have other priorities but are re-assessing their options due to the high price of a striker, and Lavia is seen as one of those precocious talents that could solve a team position for years to come. Lavia’s contract has a clause that means Manchester City have an option in 2024, having sold the teenager to Southampton last summer, but they are not currently interested in exercising that. Read More Newcastle considering Nicolo Barella alternatives amid transfer fee gap and competition Manchester United set to rival Real Madrid for breakout Champions League star Bukayo Saka cements his place as England’s next leading man with first career hat-trick

Arsenal have submitted a club-record offer for West Ham captain Declan Rice. The England midfielder has emerged as a target for the Gunners in recent months and a first bid was rejected earlier in June. However, the PA news agency understands a second offer has been lodged that eclipses the £72million Arsenal paid for Nicolas Pepe in 2019. It is believed the new bid, including add-ons, could total £90million and will test the resolve of Europa Conference League winners West Ham. Rice, 24, lifted the trophy in Prague on June 8 before owner David Sullivan said he believed that was the skipper’s last outing for the Hammers. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season, with manager Mikel Arteta and football director Edu having identified the players they want to add to once again challenge Manchester City. As well as the record move for Rice, it is understood Arsenal are in talks to land Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea and have reportedly launched bids to Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Jurrien Timber of Ajax. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

The Community Shield kick-off time has been brought forward by 90 minutes following fan complaints. The Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that the match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, August 6 would now kick off at 4pm instead of 5.30pm. It said the decision had been reached after “following consultation with our broadcast partners, the local authorities, police, and the competing clubs”. The governing body added: “The decision to move the kick-off time was taken following full consideration of the transport challenges for fans returning to Manchester after the match.” The 1894 group of Manchester City supporters called on fans to boycott the match, with people encouraged to donate to Manchester food banks instead.

Gareth Southgate believes England have “hit a sweet spot” a year out from the European Championship but says there can be no let-up as his talented, ever-improving group hunt silverware. Monday’s 7-0 annihilation of North Macedonia means it is a case of when rather than if their place at next summer’s finals in Germany is rubber-stamped. Bukayo Saka sparkled with a hat-trick at Old Trafford as England headed on the road for a home match for the first time since last June’s humbling at the hands of Hungary. The 4-0 Molineux mauling in the Nations League led fans to turn on Southgate, who took that in mind when considering his future after the World Cup. But that low, combined with the frustration of bowing out in the quarter-finals in Qatar, has helped sharpen England’s focus as they look to win next year’s Euros, having lost in the final of the previous edition on penalties. “I think when you look back at last summer, four matches, a couple of them behind closed doors, the need to rotate the squad, need to look at new players, there were a lot of circumstances as we knew at the time around those performances and results,” Southgate said of their Nations League struggles last June. “Post World Cup, I think we’ve hit a sweet spot where there’s a hunger to go further than we’ve been and a desire to keep pushing forward. “But a confidence from the matches that we’ve played and the big nights we’ve been involved with, and the ability that they know they have, so that’s a good place to be. “We have to keep pushing them now because they’ve set a standard in the last four games against different sorts of opponents, different environments, where anything can be possible. “I think they’ve been really good to watch, they’ve been exciting to watch, there’s competition for individual places, there’s competition to get in the squad. “But around all of that there’s a brilliant feel with them as a group and that is what creates a strong team. “I think the crowd have connected with that, the crowd was brilliant from before kick-off tonight.” Saka’s first career hat-trick, a Harry Kane brace and goals from Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips wowed the Old Trafford crowd on Monday night. It was England’s fourth win from four Group C matches – a pool that started with an impressive 2-1 victory against Euro 2020 final foes Italy in Naples. That result set the tone for a side that has steadily built the kind of mentality that means they head into matches expecting, rather than hoping, to win. “100 per cent,” Southgate said. “That’s experiences with their club, but also as a collective because we’ve always had moments where clubs have done well. “But then how do you match that in when Declan (Rice) first played with us. I remember the Nations League semi-final with Holland, it’s the biggest game of his life, he’s still learning his trade and still learning the position. “Now he’s played a European final for us, European final for his club, big nights for us. “The experiences they have together are more important, but you can’t take out the confidence that, if you’re a European champion, as the Manchester City boys arrive here (as), then they’re carrying that into the camp as well. “But what they did, they didn’t come like a load of big shots and say, ‘We’re European champions’. “They got straight on to the training pitch, mucked in, supported the group from the side in Malta, and then they perform (against North Macedonia).” The shared experiences across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns have also seen players’ caps quietly stack up. Despite not having any centurions, England’s starting line-up against Macedonia was their second-most experienced ever, with the combined 590 caps only beaten by 595 against Algeria in 2010. “We’ve known that accumulating caps is one thing, but accumulating big game experience is another,” said Southgate, whose most-capped player is 84-cap skipper Kane. “And also, the really pleasing thing is that we’ve got a lot of young players with a lot of caps as well. “So, it’s not that this team is just this next summer and nothing else. We want it to be sustainable for England, we want England to be challenging for as long as we can see. “That’s also an important part of what we need to do, so we have to keep bringing young players into the squad, give them a feel of what it means to play in this group and evolve the team as we go. “There’s that competition now and that drives the players. “They’ll listen to what you say as a coach, but if there are other players in your position that you know are hunting you down and after your spot, then that drives your performance.”

French officials say the searches are part of two earlier preliminary corruption investigations.

Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick against North Macedonia was the 12th this century by an England player. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the other 11, scored by just six players. Michael Owen (v Germany, September 2001) Owen’s first international hat-trick came in the famous 5-1 World Cup qualifying win at the Olympic Stadium in Munich which has entered the annals of England folklore, benefitting from knockdowns from Nick Barmby and Emile Heskey before lashing a Steven Gerrard pass past Oliver Kahn. Michael Owen (v Colombia, May 2005) Owen’s second and final treble came in the less-heralded surroundings of a 3-2 friendly win in Giants Stadium, New Jersey, at the end of a criticised post-season tour to the United States, going past Sir Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse and Alan Shearer on the all-time scorers list. Peter Crouch (v Jamaica, June 2006) The day ‘The Robot’ entered football history as England ran riot with a 6-0 friendly win at Old Trafford before departing for the World Cup in Germany, with Crouch even being able to afford to miss a penalty before completing his hat-trick. Theo Walcott (v Croatia, September 2008) Walcott justified his selection ahead of David Beckham as Croatia were hammered 4-1 in Zagreb in a World Cup qualifier, becoming England’s youngest scorer of a hat-trick at the age of 19. Jermain Defoe (v Bulgaria, September 2010) Defoe became the first England player to score a hat-trick at the new Wembley Stadium in a 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifier, with all three goals coming courtesy of Wayne Rooney assists. Harry Kane (v Panama, June 2018) Kane joined Sir Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker as the only England players to score World Cup hat-tricks as a 6-1 win advanced them into the knockout stages in Russia but it was hardly a classic of the genre, with two penalties followed by a fortunate deflection off his heel from Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s shot. Raheem Sterling (v Czech Republic, March 2019) Sterling scored Wembley’s first England hat-trick in nine years in the 5-0 Euro 2020 qualifier, finishing off a 24-pass move for his opener before adding two in six second-half minutes – a shot on the turn and a 20-yard strike deflecting off Ondrej Celustka. Harry Kane (v Bulgaria, September 2019) Kane’s second international hat-trick was very similar to his first in that it featured two penalties after Kane had opened his account with a smart finish on the turn. Harry Kane (v Montenegro, November 2019) Just two months later England celebrated European Championship qualification with a 7-0 thrashing in which Kane moved sixth on the country’s all-time leading scorers list with 31 after a first-half hat-trick, which included two headers. Harry Kane (v Albania, November 2021) Kane registered another first-half treble in a 5-0 hammering which put England on the verge of reaching World Cup 2022, the highlight being a stunning scissor kick from Phil Foden’s corner. Harry Kane (v San Marino, November 2021) Kane became only the fourth England player to score hat-tricks in consecutive games with four goals in a 15-minute spell before half-time in a 10-0 thrashing to move level with Gary Lineker on 48 England goals. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live It’s been an awful few days – ‘Emotional’ Fred Wright eyes first British title FIFA to examine alleged racism incidents from two international matches Rob Page urges Wales to improve discipline against opponents ‘good at dark arts’

FIFA is set to examine reports on two separate instances of alleged racism in international matches played on Monday. The Republic of Ireland Under-21s’ match against Kuwait Under-22s in Austria was called off after an allegation that a Kuwaiti player racially abused one of Ireland’s substitutes. The senior international between New Zealand and Qatar, also in Austria, was cut short after the New Zealand Football Association said one of its players, Michael Boxall, had a racist remark directed at him in the first half by a Qatari opponent. Even though the Ireland match was a tier two friendly and not requiring formal FIFA approval to be played, the fact that the Football Association of Ireland said in a tweet on Monday evening it would be reporting the matter to FIFA would oblige the game’s global governing body to investigate. The New Zealand match was played under FIFA jurisdiction, meaning the referee’s report will be sent to the global governing body as a matter of course. FIFA would be expected to take a tough stance if one or both of the allegations are found proven. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said last week: “It’s very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance. “There is no football if there is racism – so let’s stop the games. “The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well.” Infantino made the remarks after meeting with the Brazil squad in Barcelona, including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior who has been on the receiving end of repeated racial abuse in Spain this year. The Football Association of Ireland posted a tweet on Monday which read: “The FAI regrets to announce that today’s U21 international against Kuwait has been abandoned after a racist remark was made by a Kuwaiti player towards one of our substitutes. “The FAI does not tolerate any racism towards any of our players or staff and will be reporting this serious matter to FIFA and UEFA.” The Kuwaiti federation published a tweet in which Olympic football team director Jarrah Al Ateeqi claimed the match had been abandoned “due to roughness and excessive tension between the players”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live It’s been an awful few days – ‘Emotional’ Fred Wright eyes first British title Rob Page urges Wales to improve discipline against opponents ‘good at dark arts’ French police searching headquarters of Paris 2024 organising committee

FIFA must make sure equal conditions are in place for all players involved in qualification for the next Women’s World Cup, world players’ union FIFPRO has said. A FIFPRO report published on Tuesday found huge variance in conditions across the qualification events run by each of the six global confederations, with some found to be “not up to the standards of elite international football”. World Cup qualification should also be a standalone event across all confederations, rather than being achieved via performance in other tournaments such as the Copa America, FIFPRO said. FIFPRO has praised FIFA for “listening to the voice of players” in ensuring that players at the finals in Australia and New Zealand this summer will benefit from the same playing and preparation conditions as their male counterparts did in Qatar last year. However, it believes it is now vital that conditions are equalised for all female players involved in qualification. “During qualification the conditions that the players are exposed to and expected to deliver in, during some of the biggest competitive moments of their lives, are not up to the standards of elite international football, putting both the players and the sport at risk,” the foreword to the Qualifying Conditions Report co-signed by FIFPRO president David Aganzo and general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann read. “In highlighting these conditions and the status of players across the globe, FIFPRO firmly calls on the industry to take a closer look at the qualification processes in each of the six confederations. “This is so we all can commit to meaningful changes that look at the overall opportunities the FIFA Women’s World Cup can deliver to a greater number of players than those that just appear at the final tournament in July and August this year.” A survey of 362 players hailing from all six FIFA confederations found 29 per cent were not paid at all for participating in their qualification events. Fifty four per cent did not receive a pre-tournament medical examination, 70 per cent did not receive a pre-tournament ECG and 39 per cent did not have access to mental health support. Two-thirds of the players surveyed had to take leave or unpaid leave from another form of employment to participate in these tournaments, the report found. Thirty-one per cent said training pitches were not of an elite standard, while 32 per cent said match day pitches and stadia were not of an elite standard. Two-thirds said recovery facilities were either not of an elite standard or not provided at all, while 70 per cent reported that the gym facilities were not of an appropriate level. “Any stat that’s below 100 per cent in terms of access to important medical checks and things like that is completely unacceptable,” FIFPRO director of global policy and strategic relations for women’s football Sarah Gregorius said. “We just want to work with whoever wants to work with us, particularly FIFA and the confederations, to understand why that is the case and how that can be prevented (from happening again) because that is certainly not something that should be acceptable to anybody.” The PA news agency understands the report has been shared with FIFA and the confederations. FIFA has declined to comment on it directly, but would point to the steps it has taken to close some of the gaps which exist in the women’s game, both in enlarging the World Cup to 32 teams and increasing compensation to players and national associations. The women’s international calendar was agreed on by all confederations on the FIFA Council after an extensive consultation process, while qualification criteria and tournaments are defined by the confederations rather than FIFA. FIFA has also sought to improve investment in the women’s game by challenging broadcasters and sponsors, with president Gianni Infantino threatening a World Cup blackout in some countries if broadcasters did not increase their offers for the rights. A deal with some major European markets, including the United Kingdom, was agreed last week. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Conor Gallagher backs Bukayo Saka to get even better for England Chelsea complete signing of France forward Christopher Nkunku for reported £63m Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists Manchester City will not stop growing

Chelsea have completed the signing of France football international Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, landing the versatile attacker for around a reported £52million. He becomes the first signing for the club since Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as the new manager, with both men set to officially join the Stamford Bridge club on 1 July. Nkunku, age 25, came through the ranks at PSG before heading to Leipzig where he scored 23 goals last season. He has won ten caps for the French national team, though missed out on a place at the World Cup in November and December due to a knee injury. “I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,' said Nkunku upon signing. “A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch. “Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.” Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley added: “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad. “He has demonstrated his ability at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France and we look forward to him joining up with his new teammates ahead of the new season.” Nkunku, who has signed a six-year contract, can play anywhere in the forward lines. Initially a wide attacking midfielder, he has been a regular both as a roving centre-forward and an advanced midfielder for Leipzig, while also playing in support of a striker in the flexible systems of Jesse Marsch and Julian Nagelsmann at the club.

Conor Gallagher rose up through the international ranks alongside Bukayo Saka and has backed England’s latest hat-trick hero to get even better. Saka took home the match ball after hitting three in Monday’s 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday night, a result which leaves England on the cusp of securing Euro 2024 qualification. The 21-year-old’s second strike was the pick of the bunch as a brace for captain Harry Kane, a Marcus Rashford finish and Kalvin Phillips’ first England goal wrapped up a fine win in the last game of a long season. It was a campaign which also saw Saka score three goals at the World Cup, with the progression of the Arsenal ace coming as no shock to Gallagher. “I played with Bukayo since, I think, the Under-19s,” the Chelsea midfielder said. “Even then you could see that he would become a top player and to see how he has progressed until now has been amazing and I am sure he is going to get even better. “He is a special player and to get a hat-trick was amazing for him. He had an amazing performance. He is right up there (with the best) and he is only getting better. “I think he is a very exciting talent with an exciting future and we are looking forward to seeing where it takes him.” While Saka flourished over the course of a season in which he starred for club and country, Gallagher endured a difficult year at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old featured in all-but three of Chelsea’s Premier League games but it was a season to forget for the Blues as they finished a lowly 12th. Gallagher – who has been linked with a move away with the likes of Brighton reportedly interested – insists he is looking forward to working under new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino and retaining his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. “I love Chelsea,” he added. “It has been a tough season for me and the whole team so I think we will just be working hard to get us back to where we belong. “I am always grateful to be here and for Gareth to have that trust in me despite it being a tough season for both me and Chelsea. I am really happy he has shown that trust in me still and Ithink he knows I will work as hard as I can no matter what to give my best. “I just need to keep working hard and get a bit of my confidence back in a way, I didn’t lose it but I need to get a rhythm of playing more games, score more goals and I am trying to reach that stage. “(Pochettino) is a top manager, everyone at Chelsea is happy he’s here and we’re looking forward to working with him.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live FIFA urged to ensure equality with qualification for Women’s World Cup Chelsea complete signing of France forward Christopher Nkunku for reported £63m Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists Manchester City will not stop growing

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists there will be no stopping as the club continue to grow their global influence. The Premier League and European champions sit at the heart of a worldwide network of 13 clubs known as the City Football Group. As well as City, the CFG operates clubs in locations including New York, Melbourne and Yokohama, and this year brought Brazilian outfit Bahia into the fold. CFG intends to invest considerably in all of those operations, including players, coaches, facilities and academies. Khaldoon told the club’s media channels: “It’s always about growth. You grow, you pause, you get things in order, and then you start the next step, one step at a time. We’re not going to stop. “We’re going to keep going and we’re going to keep investing and we’re going to keep growing value, and we’re going to keep bringing happiness to every community and every club we have in the world, and hopefully we’ll keep bringing success in every club and team we have around the world. “It’s been a great journey over the last 15 years but I’m excited about the future and it’s about now, the next 10, 15 years too.” Manchester City have been the greatest success story having won seven Premier League titles since 2012 and this year they became only the second English side to win the treble. The club’s latest new infrastructure project is now in the pipeline with plans recently submitted to increase capacity at the Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000. The expansion is part of a £300million development which also includes the construction of a hotel, shops and food and drink outlets as well as a new 3,000-capacity covered fan zone. Khaldoon says it will also not be the last improvement at the stadium. “It’s very exciting,” he said. “Every year there’s always something new, every year, because there’s always a need to improve and evolve and grow. We don’t stand still. We never stood still. “Every couple of years we will do something, whether it’s the Tunnel Club, whether it’s the new stands, whether it’s the seating. “And now we’re going to have a wonderful, wonderful development around it that’s going to just enhance the whole area, is going to be great for the fans and it’s going to bring, I think, positive revenue for the club. “We’re always in growth mode, we’re never in contentment and pause and ‘let’s just milk the asset’. “This is about building value and growing value, and it’s about reinvesting consistently into this club.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Heavy rain set to delay start of final day of first Ashes Test England’s Lauren Bell raring to go in Ashes opener after ‘special’ Test debut Alice Capsey and Alice Davidson-Richards released from England Test squad

Chelsea have completed the signing of France international Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. The 25-year-old made a pre-contract agreement to join the club in December but has now completed the move for a reported £63million. He scored 23 goals in 36 games for the Bundesliga side last season and becomes the first major arrival at Stamford Bridge since Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as the club’s new manager. “I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,” Nkunku told the club’s website. “A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and team-mates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live