As concerns over social distancing and flight restrictions continue to surround Euro 2020, John Stones gave everyone the opportunity to construct their own joke when he soared high above the Scotland defence with no one particularly near him in the 11th minute at Wembley on Friday.
The England centre-back s jump was slightly mis-timed, though, and his header from a right-wing corner crashed against the post.
Worryingly for Gareth Southgate – well, as worried as it s sensible to be with four points on the board from two games in a group stage format lacking too much jeopardy – that was the closest the hosts came to breaking the deadlock in a 0-0 draw that crackled away without ever truly catching fire.
When England reached their first major tournament semi-fi…
Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has pledged his future to Juventus by suggesting that he planned to end his playing career with the Bianconeri.
The 30-year-old has been in Turin since leaving Fiorentina back in 2005 and he has since become one of club s true icons as well as a key defender for the Azzurri.
And despite still having a number of good years ahead of him, Chiellini is adamant he will not be leaving the Bianconeri.
The experienced defender was speaking at a publicity event earlier today and this is what he had to say when asked about the prospects of leaving Juventus.
“Maybe in another life. I hope that Juve is my final team, I would see out my career here.”
Since joining the club from arch rivals Fiorentina, Chiellini has made 26…
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Looking to extend on what has become a remarkable run of form, Newcastle will welcome Leeds to St. James Park on Saturday afternoon.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, making their return from the World Cup s winter break with another stellar display on Boxing Day as they cruised their way to a 3-0 romp away at Leicester, the mood in Newcastle s camp is at a red-hot high. Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits from across the Premier League, Eddie Howe s men now have their sights firmly set on claiming a famous top-four finish. Looking to sign off 2022 with another flurry on home soil, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his side suffer just a single top-flight defeat this season. Along with heading into the festive break with a…
Xavi hailed Barcelona for saving a season that could have been worse but wants improvements next term from the Blaugrana, who Ousmane Dembele could play his last game for on Sunday.
Blaugrana great Xavi was appointed in November as the successor to Ronald Koeman, with Barca languishing in ninth in LaLiga after an underwhelming start to their 2021-22 campaign.
However, Xavi has reinvigorated Barca as the Catalan giants have climbed up to second in the league, albeit 13 points behind champions Real Madrid with one game left to play.
Barca conclude their campaign at home to Villarreal, and with second place already secured Xavi praised the recovery his side has made, but urged them to improve to compete with Madrid next season.
We have saved a situation …
The Italian media outlet reports that Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Sampdoria forward Luis Muriel, who has agreed to move to Nerazzurri in the summer.
Although a deal is yet to be struck with his club Sampdoria, Muriel is widely expected to become an Inter Milan player as of next campaign.
On the other side, Sampdoria are still hopeful their star player will sign an extension that would see his release clause rise from €28 million to €35 million.
Muriel is contracted to Sampdoria until 2019 but it seems that Inter have managed to book the player before his renewal with Sampdoria was realised with an offer that is supposed to double his yearly earnings of €900,000.
The Colombia international joined Sampdoria in 2010 from Udinese and ha…
Having secured a berth at the 2018 World Cup, Brazil coach Tite has welcomed the attention Neymar receives from opponents, claiming it creates opportunities for other players to score.
The Selecao defeated Paraguay 3-0 in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, a result which, combined with Peru s 2-1 win over Uruguay, guaranteed the five-time champions a place at next year s finals in Russia.
After missing a penalty, Neymar netted the second at Arena Corinthians, Liverpool s Philippe Coutinho having opened the scoring and Marcelo supplying a late settler.
Speaking to the media after the match, the coach, who was appointed to replace Dunga in June, highlighted the role Barcelona striker Neymar plays in freeing up space for team-mates.
The collective empowers the indiv…
Turkish giants Besiktas have all but agreed to sign Austrian defender Sebastian Prodl from Werder Bremen, Bild can reveal.
The 27-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season and he has decided to continue his career elsewhere despite being offered a new deal at Weserstadion.
Bild has learned that Prodl is on the verge of agreeing a three-year contract with Besiktas, and the player himself has confirmed he is in talks with the Turkish side.
“I have still not signed anything with Besiktas,” Prodl . “But there is a contract (offer), I will not hide.”
Sebastian Prodl proved to be a great signing for Werder Bremen, having developed into an important member of the squad shortly after arriving from Sturm Graz back in 2008.
The Aust…
Rangers are set to make a move for Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan, according to the Mail Online.
The one-time England international will be released from his contract with the Liverpool once it expires this summer and is set to link up with former teammate Steven Gerrard, who was announced as the new manager at Ibrox in May.
Flanagan played fifty-one times for Liverpool in all competitions with his one and only goal for the club coming in a 5-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur back in December 2013.
Having struggled for game time at Anfield, he was shipped out on loan first with Burnley and latterly with Bolton Wanderers last season.
He made nine appearances for the Trotters and helped them retain their Championship status though he now looks set for a m…
Bayern Munich s top-of-the-table clash at Borussia Monchengladbach could not come at a better time for the Bavarian giants.
The defending Bundesliga champions are four points clear at the top and can extend that gap to seven with an away win and if other results go their way.
Pep Guardiola s men have won their last six matches in all competitions, scoring 24 goals in the process a run highlighted by a stunning 7-1 UEFA Champions League success at Roma on Tuesday.
Arjen Robben scored twice in the victory and felt the nature of the win was a glowing reflection of his side s quality.
I m still convinced Roma have a very good team they ve shown that this season, Robben said afterwards.
But we should pay a big compliment to us, to all the players, bu…
Jordan Henderson insists he has “no regrets” about moving to Saudi Arabia despite the public backlash.
The England midfielder was heavily criticised after his summer transfer from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq and then was booed off the Wembley pitch by England fans during the friendly win over Australia on Friday night.
The midfielder had been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Anfield and last month apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal.
Jordan Henderson’s first tv interview since the move to Saudi Arabia. On ahead of England v Italy – live from 7pm.
— Kelly Somers (@KellySomers)
He says his beliefs have not changed and he can do good while playing there.