James Ward-Prowse has been called into England’s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
England boss Gareth Southgate is a long-time admirer of the Southampton midfielder, who has hit a rich vein of form under Ralph Hasenhuttl at St Mary s.
Set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse has scored six goals in his previous nine Premier League games, including finding the net in each of Saints last three outings – a run concluded by a stunning free-kick winner against Tottenham.
The 24-year-old, who won his only previous senior cap against Germany in 2017, will join up with Southgate s squad on Monday following a trio of withdrawals.
Midfield duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph are out, while Delph s Manchester City team-mat…
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas believes Didier Deschamps should bring Karim Benzema back into the international setup as the Real Madrid striker would bring a new dimension to the France team.
Benzema has not played for Les Bleus since October 2015, having been excluded from selection contention for Euro 2016 on home soil after being charged in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail his international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
A favourable decision by France s Court of Cassation in July led the striker s lawyer to suggest the case against Benzema could now be dropped.
However, the striker was not handed a recall as France booked their spot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has c…
Market: Stoke City win
Odds: 6/5 @
Looking to extend their stay in the play-off spots in midweek, Stoke will make the trip to the City Ground when they face off against Bristol City on Wednesday night.
Starting with the hosts, throwing away the lead and eventually having to settle for a single point against Blackburn on home soil, Bristol City find themselves in the midst of a real struggle. Once again still firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, the Robins know that they must try and find some stability. Making the decision to stick with Head Coach Nigel Pearson, Wednesday s hosts have won just one of their last seven Championship contests, a run that stems back to October 2nd. Mustering just four points on their downbeat run of form, the one-time…
The UK and Ireland s joint bid to host Euro 2028 has been submitted to UEFA, with 14 venues under consideration to host games at the tournament.
Football associations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland lodged an expression of interest in hosting the event in March, pledging to organise an unrivalled tournament.
Turkey, Italy and Russia have all previously professed their willingness to host the European Championships in either 2028 or 2032, with the latter of the trio doing so despite being banned from UEFA and FIFA competitions following the country s invasion of Ukraine.
Should the joint United Kingdom and Ireland bid triumph, games could be staged at nine stadiums in England, two in the Republic of Ireland, and one in eac…
Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz said their pressure and half-time moves brought about Argentina s downfall in their Copa America clash on Saturday.
Coaching against his native country, Diaz masterminded Paraguay s comeback from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw to snare a point from their Group B opener in La Serena.
Basel forward Derlis Gonzalez came on at half-time for Richard Ortiz, and Paraguay were more dangerous as a result and they capitalised on the openness of the second half, via Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios goals.
When asked if his side were vastly different before and after the break, Diaz replied: Yes, I agree with that.
I was worried about the first half because we weren t at our level. We also knew we were facing one of the best national teams in…
Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra has agreed personal terms with Galatasaray, according to a report.
The France midfielder has been strongly linked with football away from the Santiago Bernabeu after falling out of favour with manager Jose Mourinho.
Fenerbahce have been suggested as Diarra s likeliest destination, but fresh speculation as reported by AS suggests that the midfielder has reached an agreement with Galatasaray after a meeting between the club and his brother.
It is reported that the 27-year-old is ready to sign a 5.5 million euros-a-year contact, a considerable improvement from his current annual salary of four million.
Galatasaray must now open talks with Real Madrid regarding the midfielder s transfer, with the Turkish club ready to of…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is satisfied with Manchester United s attacking efforts despite another frustrating outing in front of goal at Old Trafford.
United and Manchester City shared a dour 0-0 draw in Saturday s derby, where neither side did much to quicken the pulse.
Nevertheless, Solskjaer praised his players character after they put last week s sapping Champions League exit at RB Leipzig behind them.
United have now gone five consecutive home games without scoring from open play in the Premier League, but their manager feels it is helpful to look at a bigger picture of more free-scoring performances on the road and in European fixtures.
If you compare our goal tally from last season to now, we re way ahead in terms of the amount of games t…
Icardi was stripped of the captaincy earlier this season as the club took a strong stance in the wake of a dispute between the hierarchy, the player and Nara before he returned to the fold following a two-month absence.
The 2017-18 campaign saw Icardi rattle in 29 Serie A goals to finish as the division s joint-leading scorer, but this term he has managed just 10 from his 25 appearances.
And Spalletti believes the Argentina international has suffered as a result of his fractured relationship with the club, but insists there are no lingering issues between them as individuals.
A few things have happened that may have limited him, Spalletti added. What is special about him is the balance. A footballer who has a well-established depth of behaviour and way of do…
Emile Smith Rowe gave Arsenal the lead against Manchester United in bizarre circumstances in Thursday s Premier League contest, firing home with goalkeeper David de Gea down injured.
United shot-stopper De Gea was caught by team-mate Fred during an Arsenal corner and went down clutching his foot.
Harry Maguire headed the set-piece as far as Mohamed Elneny, who helped the ball into the path of Smith Rowe to half-volley past a still grounded De Gea from 20 yards.
After some initial confusion over whether the goal would be allowed to stand, referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the centre-circle to signal the start of Arsenal s celebrations.
United players were furious and caretaker boss Michael Carrick looked bemused on the touchline as opposite number Mikel A…
Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi will go up against each other in the Champions League after Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were drawn into the same group.
Messi and Guardiola enjoyed a close relationship during their time together at Barcelona, but for the first time they will meet with neither of them representing the Catalans.
Six-time Ballon d Or winner Messi left Barca at the end of June when his contract expired, and while he was expected to sign on with them again, the Blaugrana s hands were tied due to financial restrictions.
As such, Messi was swiftly snapped up by PSG despite previous links with City and a potential Guardiola reunion.
Another narrative could yet enter the conversation with respect to City versus PSG, as Juventus forward C…