List of All Articles with Tag 'football'

Urban Meyer largely equates the new landscape of NIL in college football to that of cheating.If you have any doubts about Urban Meyer ever coaching in college football again, I think his stance on NIL will probably make that pretty difficult for him.Meyer spoke with Outkick's Dan Dakich...

Manchester United have the chance to deny Manchester City their treble dream in an historic FA Cup final at Wembley. It’s the first time the two Manchester clubs have met in the FA Cup final and comes as City try to equal United’s treble-winning campaign achieved in 1999. Erik ten Hag’s side have all the motivation but Pep Guardiola’s side have looked unstoppable in recent weeks as they look to add to their Premier League crown. Here’s everything you need to know. Manchester City will look to move a step closer to a historic treble as they take on rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola’s side surged to a third Premier League title in a row and will face Inter in the Champions League final next week in Istanbul. The only team to do the treble in English football history was Manchester United in 1999 - and Erik ten Hag’s side will have all the motivation they need to protect that record. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More Pep Guardiola can understand United’s motivation to end City’s treble hopes Erik ten Hag says ending City’s treble charge is no extra motivation for United Man City players will give everything to win FA Cup final – Pep Guardiola Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes How Raphael Varane transformed Manchester United: ‘You need the character to fight’ Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Erling Haaland: Winning treble with Manchester City would be my biggest dream Pep Guardiola eases fitness concerns over Man City players ahead of FA Cup final

Manchester United face Manchester City in the FA Cup final with talk of the “treble” dominating the Wembley showpiece. City have the Premier League title in the bag and now face rivals United in the FA Cup final and Inter in the Champions League final on consecutive weekends. Pep Guardiola’s side are attempting to equal United’s treble, famously achieved in the 1999 season - the only time the treble has been won in England. Erik ten Hag’s United already have the Carabao Cup in their trophy room and the chance to deny City in the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final is all the motivation they need. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes How Raphael Varane transformed Manchester United: ‘You need the character to fight’ Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Erling Haaland: Winning treble with Manchester City would be my biggest dream Pep Guardiola eases fitness concerns over Man City players ahead of FA Cup final

A derby day at Wembley beckons, with Manchester City hoping to take another step toward equalling history - and Manchester United desperate to keep that particular page for themselves. The Red Devils are looking to emulate Liverpool from last season and win both the League Cup and FA Cup in the same season; the former is in the bag and now the latter is the target for Erik ten Hag’s team. Pep Guardiola’s Premier League winners, however, are in search of a treble. With the domestic title sewn up and a Champions League final on the horizon against Inter Milan, this match is the second part of their quest which would underline their dominance on home soil. City’s last FA Cup triumph came four years ago, while United are without this title in seven years. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the big day. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More FA Cup final prize money: How much do winners earn? The unlikely Man Utd answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it Casemiro promised to fix Man United - FA Cup final can prove that he has Ruben Dias: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Raphael Varane: ‘To play for Manchester United, you need something different’

Manchester City will look to move a step closer to a historic treble as they take on rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola’s side surged to a third Premier League title in a row and will face Inter in the Champions League final next week in Istanbul. The only team to do the treble in English football history was Manchester United in 1999 - and Erik ten Hag’s side will have all the motivation they need to protect that record. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the FA Cup final and what time does it kick off? The 2022/23 FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on Saturday 3 June 2023. Kick-off is at 3pm. Where can I watch it? The FA Cup final is free-to-air, so viewers can watch on BBC 1, ITV 1 and STV. For those wishing to stream the match it will be visible on the BBC Sport website, the BBC iPlayer, ITVX and STV Player. Team news Pep Guardiola eased concerns over the fitness of a number of key Manchester City players ahead of the FA Cup final. Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the champions’ final Premier League game of the season at Brentford last week but those players have all since returned to training and are expected to come back into contention for both the Wembley showpiece. Guardiola has also confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start at Wembley, in keeping with his usual policy for domestic cup fixtures. Antony is “unlikely” to be fit for the final due to an ankle injury and is set to join Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines. Other than squad backups Donny van de Beek and Tom Heaton, everyone else is available. Predicted line-ups Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford Odds City 11/21 Draw 39/10 United 11/2 Prediction Pep Guardiola’s team are naturally superior to Erik ten Hag’s across the board, but stopping a rival emulate your own history is a powerful motivator. Perhaps leg No.2 of the treble bid is the one which won’t quite go City’s way. Man City 1-2 Man United. Read More Manchester United are obsessed with stopping Man City – their history depends on it The unlikely Manchester United answer to derail Man City’s treble hopes How Raphael Varane transformed Manchester United: ‘You need the character to fight’ Ruben Dias interview: ‘Man City have done nothing yet - thinking too far ahead will kill us’ Erling Haaland: Winning treble with Manchester City would be my biggest dream Pep Guardiola eases fitness concerns over Man City players ahead of FA Cup final

Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United are building something special under Erik ten Hag, who the skipper feels a debt of gratitude to having stood by him amid intense criticism following the Liverpool debacle. The meticulous Dutchman has helped drag the Old Trafford giants up from a low ebb, leading them back into the Champions League having won the Carabao Cup in his first season at the helm. Ten Hag now has the chance to end a positive campaign by completing a domestic cup double with a statement victory at Wembley, where United take on treble-chasing Manchester City on Saturday. The first all-Manchester FA Cup final promises to be a special occasion and one that Fernandes, set to skipper the side, believes can provide the catalyst for further success. “It is important for us, even to build,” the Portugal international told the PA news agency. “We are now building something we see can be special in the future. “Obviously I think if we win the FA Cup, it will give a little bit more belief that we can go into the next season and aim for bigger targets.” Fernandes, who signed a new deal at United towards the end of last season, said: “I want to win trophies at the club. “I spoke with the club before I signed that contract and said ‘I want to be successful with the club, but I need to make sure the club is going to be the right things and do things in a successful way’. “I think those steps are being done. We still need some things and I think we will have that. Not only with transfers but also in the dressing room with us stepping up more in moments that we needed it this season, but we didn’t. “Next season we will have learned so we need to do it better.” Fernandes’ drive and fiercely ambitious nature matches that of Ten Hag, who he credits for overseeing a “big improvement on the team mentality wise and quality wise”. “I said since the beginning of the season he demands a lot,” the playmaker said. “He wants to win. He wants to be in the position to win everything. “He doesn’t hide that, he shows that, he passes the message through the players, so it makes you be always aware that you have to be at the best level as possible to play with him, to be part of the club. “He has made high demands for everyone to understand that we are in a big club and to be here we have to deserve to be here, we have to show that we deserve to be here. “And I think that he has been changing the mentality of everyone to not be relaxed, not be thinking that your place is guaranteed here.” Ten Hag has overseen a largely positive campaign, but there have been some ugly bumps in the road – no more so than March’s club record-equalling 7-0 defeat at arch-rivals Liverpool. That shellacking saw skipper Fernandes face scathing criticism from the likes of United greats Roy Keane and Gary Neville – a stinging assessment that led to a staunch defence by his manager. “I’m aware that he’s really happy with the way I train, the way I play, the way I show my emotions, the way I show my passion for the game,” the Portuguese said of Ten Hag. “He knows I care, that’s why probably sometimes it makes you do some things that you should not do. “But he knows that I will never do nothing to make the team look bad, my team-mates look bad, or making something that is not good for the team. “He knows that, so that’s why it protects me. That’s why he did that in that interview and many other times. “Whenever he thinks that he has to say something that he didn’t like to me, he has called me two or three times in his office and he said ‘look, we have to change this, we have to change this, I think you could do it in a different way’. “We had many conversations this season. He always called the players to talk with them, he has a lot of individual meetings with the players. “I think that’s good because he shows you the respect, he shows you the protection. But always with the demands behind that because obviously when you protect someone you want him to give you some back, so he can have his reasons to protect you.” Captaining United to their first domestic cup double will certainly help repay Ten Hag’s backing and would mean a huge amount to the fans. Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 heroes are the only team to have won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same campaign, adding extra incentive – if any was needed – to Saturday’s encounter under the arch. “We are aware of this,” Fernandes said. “We know this. We know the story of our club and that the fans don’t want City to do that. “But for ourselves it is about lifting a trophy. The importance of this for us is winning another trophy, making sure we end the season in the best way possible. “We know if we win the trophy, the consequence of that is Man City cannot do the treble anymore. “But from the players’ side, it is just about winning the game because we want to win a trophy for ourselves, the club, the fans. That is it.”

Pep Guardiola believes stopping Manchester City winning the treble could give Manchester United extra motivation in the FA Cup final. The two neighbouring rivals clash in the Wembley showpiece for the first time on Saturday with more than a trophy and local bragging rights at stake. For Premier League winners City victory could be the second leg of a potentially glorious treble with the final of the Champions League to come next week. United on the other hand – as the only side to have won all three of those competitions in the same season, back in 1999 – will be anxious to stop them and protect their place in history. City manager Guardiola said: “I could understand that. It belongs to them, that’s normal. Sport is like that. “’That belongs to us – we don’t want anyone else to do it,’ it’s normal, that feeling. It’s completely understandable. But it’s a football game, who will be better will win.” United boss Erik ten Hag, however, has played down the party-pooping aspect of his side’s task. The Dutchman has enjoyed an encouraging first season at Old Trafford having won the Carabao Cup and reclaimed a Champions League spot. “I know what is the thinking from the fans,” Ten Hag said. “But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything. “If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup.” Guardiola insists the treble is not part of his thinking yet. He has spent the week preparing to face United and will switch focus to playing Inter Milan in Istanbul next week. “We didn’t speak once about Inter these days,” he said. “We’ll have Sunday off, and after we’ll have three or four days training. “We’ll introduce what we believe Inter are, to try to beat them, then. We have time. Saturday to Saturday is a long time to prepare for a game. “United and the FA Cup deserve the full attention and commitment. The players are completely aware of that.” City could have a fully-fit squad with Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji, who all missed last week’s game at Brentford, having since returned to training. Guardiola has confirmed second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start, as he has in all domestic cup fixtures this season. United are without striker Anthony Martial due to a hamstring injury and winger Antony is also a major doubt. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live James Vince and Liam Dawson do the damage in Hampshire’s rout of Essex Erik ten Hag says ending City’s treble charge is no extra motivation for United Man City players will give everything to win FA Cup final – Pep Guardiola

The Cheez-It Bowl will no longer be a fixture at the end of the college football season, as Pop-Tarts will be taking over as the official sponsor.The most anticipated portion of the college football campaign is bowl game season. This presents programs with the opportunity to end their seasons wi...

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says the chance to stop Manchester City’s treble charge provides no extra motivation heading into the FA Cup final. The eyes of the footballing world will be on Wembley on Saturday afternoon for the first-ever all-Manchester cup final. United head to the capital looking to end a promising first season under Ten Hag by winning both domestic cups in the same campaign for the first time. Neighbours City already have the Premier League title under their belt and are looking to lift the FA Cup a week before heading to Istanbul to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Lifting both of those trophies would see Pep Guardiola’s men join Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1999 treble heroes as the only English sides to achieve the feat – something United supporters are desperate to stop. “I know what is the thinking from the fans,” Ten Hag said. “But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies. If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup Erik ten Hag “So, on Saturday we have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything. “If it’s important for the fans then it’s important for us, so we will give everything to win the cup.” Asked why he would not use the chance to extinguish City’s treble hopes as extra motivation at Wembley, Ten Hag said: “Because it is not necessary. “That will not give more motivation to the team because their motivation is already enough. That can’t be more. “They want to win the cup and they have an opportunity. They want to set a crown on the season, so what do you need more? What is more motivation?” This will be the Manchester clubs’ third meeting of the season, with City winning 6-3 in October before United triumphed 2-1 at Old Trafford in January. Those were the first times that Ten Hag and Guardiola have faced each other in management but their relationship goes back a decade. The Dutchman spent two years as Bayern Munich II head coach as the now City boss coached the perennial Bundesliga champions’ senior side. Asked what makes Guardiola so special, Ten Hag said: “Oh, I don’t tell! It’s obvious we have seen what he is doing, he’s doing a brilliant job. “What he can do is he can construct not only winning teams but also winning in a very attractive way, so that is why I think we all admire him so.” Ten Hag says winger Antony is expected to miss the final and United confirmed earlier this week Anthony Martial would be absent due to a muscular tear. The 27-year-old’s future is unclear after an injury-hit season but it appears the recovery time from this issue may hamper any chances of moving him on. “It’s going to be a long one but how long we don’t know,” Ten Hag said. “We have to do more assessment.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Man City players will give everything to win FA Cup final – Pep Guardiola French Open day six: Norrie out as Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sabalenka march on First Lionel Messi, now Sergio Ramos – Veteran defender waves goodbye to PSG

Pep Guardiola has promised Manchester City fans his side will “give everything” to beat rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final. The neighbouring clubs clash in the competition’s Wembley showpiece for the first time as the domestic season reaches a mouth-watering climax on Saturday. There is plenty of incentive for City as they look to claim the second leg of the treble and move a step closer to matching United’s 1999 haul of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies. Yet even just taking the game in isolation, City manager Guardiola is well aware of how much simply beating United in a major final – after plenty of suffering at their hands in the past – would mean to supporters. With that in mind, and his players fully focused, Guardiola has urged fans to savour the occasion. He said: “I will ask to our fans, behave properly first and, secondly, go there to enjoy an incredible event, knowing the players will give everything to beat Man United. “The consequences and the result, who knows it? I don’t know it. (United manager) Erik ten Hag doesn’t know it. “It’s a football game. Enjoy the moment and enjoy next week to prepare for the (Champions League) final, to dream of seeing the team. It’s the best way. “You have to understand anything can happen but we are going to do everything to beat United. “I understand completely for City fans, who were in the shadow for decades behind United. “We’ll try to do the best game as possible. So I would say have fun, enjoy the right portion of beers before the game and, that’s all. Enjoy it.” The fact City are bidding for the treble could also give United extra motivation, however, as they not only look for a derby cup triumph but to preserve the uniqueness of their club’s own achievement 24 years ago. “I could understand that, it belongs to them,” said Guardiola. “That’s normal. Sport is like that. It’s completely understandable. “But it’s a football game. Who will be better will win.” We know what we are playing for. I don't have to tell them. It is the final of the FA Cup against United. Pep Guardiola After an intensive schedule in the closing weeks of the Premier League season, City have had a full week to prepare of the fixture. Guardiola even had time to attend a Sir Elton John concert in Manchester while some of the players went to watch Coldplay at the Etihad Stadium. The City boss has no doubt the mental break has done his players good. He said: “When you have these events in this city – and one of the legends, Sir Elton John – you have to use them. “They’ve trained really good these last two training sessions. There’s a good mood in the locker room and on the pitch. “We know what we are playing for. I don’t have to tell them. It is the final of the FA Cup against United, the chance to add another trophy. This is the mentality we have right now.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live French Open day six: Norrie out as Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sabalenka march on First Lionel Messi, now Sergio Ramos – Veteran defender waves goodbye to PSG Rafael Nadal undergoes surgery in bid to overcome troublesome hip injury

Sergio Ramos will follow Lionel Messi out of Paris St Germain with the French champions confirming the veteran Spanish defender’s exit at the end of his contract. Ramos has spent the past two seasons at the Parc des Princes after joining from Real Madrid on a free transfer, but he stands to make his final appearance in Saturday’s match against Clermont Foot. The 37-year-old has won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG, scoring five goals in 57 appearances, although his form was often questioned and his departure is not seen as a surprise. “Wearing the Red and Blue shirt for the last two years has been a wonderful experience,” Ramos said in a statement. “I’ve had an unforgettable adventure in Paris and I’d like to thank you all for your support and love. Allez Paris!” He later added on Twitter: “Tomorrow will be a special day, tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, goodbye to PSG.” Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “We would like to express our immense gratitude to Sergio Ramos for the two years he has spent with us. “Sergio’s leadership, team spirit and professionalism, combined with his experience at the highest level, make him a true football legend, and it was an honour to have him in Paris. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa are to leave Wolves when their current contracts expire with Adama Traore still in talks over an extension. The Premier League club’s sporting director Matt Hobbs has confirmed that 36-year-old Portuguese midfielder Moutinho and Brazil-born Spanish striker Costa, 34, will officially depart at the end of this month. Hobbs told the club’s official website: “Joao’s going to go down as one of the best players to ever pull on the old gold, in my opinion. “He was an integral part of the team the entire time he was here. Our success over the last four or five years, he’s been instrumental in. So, he now departs with nothing but thanks from the football club. “We thank Joao for all he did at Wolves and wish him the best of luck for the future.” Moutinho joined the club from Monaco in July 2018 and made 212 appearances for Wanderers. On former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea frontman Costa, Hobbs added: “It feels the natural time to part ways because he was on a one-year contract. There was some internal conversations and we felt this was right. “I’ve got no doubt that Diego will get another club off the back of his performances for sure. If a club calls me to ask about the person, he’ll get nothing but praise from me.” Traore, however, could yet have a future at Molineux with manager Julen Lopetegui keen to keep the 27-year-old and discussions are ongoing. Hobbs said: “He’s now out of contract, but it doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to still come to an agreement, so conversations will be ongoing. He’s probably earned the right to understand what else is out there. “Sometimes it’s not possible, but we’ll certainly be trying. We hope we can come to an agreement but let’s see what happens over the next few weeks.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live