Andre-Pierre Gignac deserves a return to the France national team, according to former manager Raymond Domenech.
The 27-year-old has not been involved with the international squad since the team s poor showing under Domenech at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where the side managed just one point to exit at the group stages.
But the Marseille striker has started the new Ligue 1 campaign in great form, with two goals in as many matches against Guingamp and Evian.
And the 61-year-old believes Gignac should be included in France s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Belarus in September.
He has real potential, he told Ligue1.com. He goes deep, troubles defenders.
I saw him at Guingamp. He s made a lot of progress both tactically and…
Carlos Vela will not be selected in Mexico s FIFA World Cup squad after deciding he is not emotionally ready for the tournament.
The Real Sociedad striker has not played for his country since the 1-1 draw with Venezuela in 2011 following a long-running disagreement with those in charge of the national side.
And ahead of the event in Brazil, which begins in June, the Mexican Football Association confirmed that Vela would not be selected in Miguel Herrera s squad.
The player said, again, that he is not 100 per cent from a mental and emotional point of view to deal with the World Cup, the organisation said in a statement on their official website on Monday.
In short, Carlos Vela will not be called up during this World Cup process.
Mexico will get their Group…
Marco Asensio could become one of the greatest players in Spain s history, according to Real Madrid team-mate Alvaro Odriozola.
The 22-year-old winger produced one of the finest performances of his career on Tuesday as he inspired Spain to a 6-0 thrashing of Croatia in the Nations League.
Asensio scored with a fine strike from distance, forced an own goal from goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic and set up all three of his side s second-half efforts to condemn the World Cup finalists to their heaviest defeat.
Having already won eight trophies with Madrid, including two Champions Leagues and LaLiga, Asensio has established himself as a key player for club and country in the last two years in particular.
Odriozola believes there is almost no limit to his team-mate s…
Paulo Dybala netted a 97th-minute penalty just moments after Jose Sosa had been dismissed to help Juventus to a dramatic 2-1 win over AC Milan in Friday s Serie A encounter in Turin.
Referee Davide Massa showed Sosa a second yellow card in the 93rd minute after he brought down Kwadwo Asamoah, and Milan were unable to hang on with 10 men as Dybala made no mistake with a spot-kick awarded for a controversial handball decision against Mattia De Sciglio.
Medhi Benatia had previously opened the scoring for Juventus, but Carlos Bacca s equaliser appeared to be enough for a point as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off numerous fine saves.
However, Donnarumma was unable to keep out Dybala from 12 yards, with Juventus consequently opening an 11-point lead at the s…
Erik ten Hag praised the character of Rasmus Hojlund after the 21-year-old scored twice in the first seven minutes to help Manchester United to a 2-1 Premier League win over Luton at Kenilworth Road.
After a slow beginning to his career at Old Trafford, the striker – signed from Atalanta for £72million – has now scored in six consecutive games to make it 13 goals in his first 30 outings for United, including seven in 20 in the league.
United made the perfect start against Rob Edwards’ side, taking the lead inside a minute when Amari’i Bell’s misjudged pass was latched onto by Hojlund, the Dane racing through and carrying the ball around goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski before rolling it into the empty goal.
And in no time the advantage was doubled, Hojlund a…
Ilkay Gundogan believes Barcelona face a “harder” test against Napoli following the Italian club’s change of manager.
The Serie A champions sacked Walter Mazzarri on Monday and immediately brought in former coach Francesco Calzona until the end of the season.
His debut in the dugout comes at home to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday night.
Francesco Calzona is the new head coach of Napoli. Welcome, Francesco!
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli)
Speaking to La Vanguardia, Gundogan said: “This is what the Champions League is all about, making big demands.
“I love this kind of pressure. Every game starts from zero. The fact they have just changed managers won’t make it …
Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a bid for Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, .
The veteran Italy international is set to be out of contract at the end of the season, with a new deal at the Serie A champions as yet not forthcoming.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the 34 year old, who has been in Turin since switching from AC Milan in 2010.
He has won the league title in each of his three full seasons with the Old Lady, scoring ten goals in ninety-three league appearances.
The 2006 World Cup winner played in all but one of Italy’s matches in the qualification stages for next summer’s tournament in Brazil, and is set to feature at a third successive finals in June.
…
Clint Dempsey has been linked with a return to the Premier League when the transfer window reopens, .
The USA international, who is set to win his 102nd cap against Scotland this evening, has been given the green light to secure a temporary move back to England at the beginning of next year.
His former club Tottenham Hotspur have first refusal, though Aston Villa, Everton and another of his old sides Fulham are battling to secure his services.
The 30 year old returned to the MLS having spent a year at White Hart Lane where he scored seven goals in twenty-seven appearances while this season he has managed just one in nine for the Seattle Sounders.
He is the highest scoring American in Premier League history having also bagged fifty goals in a six ye…
Verdict: Fulham not to lose
Best Odds:
Bookmaker:
Almost three years since their previous meeting, local rivals Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur will square off in the FA Cup fifth round, with the Cottagers in much better spirits at the moment. Following back to back losses to Liverpool and KAA Gent, Spurs will have a lot to prove on Sunday afternoon.
Fulham
Fulham experienced all sorts of problems after they were relegated in 2014, but the arrival of former Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic has helped steady the ship. Thanks to some shrewd dealings in the transfer market, the Cottagers have put together a very good squad with plenty of potential, and they are now reaping the rewards. The local derby against high-flying Spurs comes at a good time for the Cra…
Stuttgart wide man Kevin Grosskreutz is expected to leave hospital on Wednesday after being attacked while out with friends.
The 2014 World Cup winner was admitted to hospital in Stuttgart with a laceration to his head following an altercation involving his companions and another group.
According to a report by Der Spiegel, police have arrested four suspects in relation to the attack.
A statement released by Stuttgart read: Kevin Grosskreutz was, according to our current knowledge, involved in a physical conflict on the night from Monday to Tuesday and injured.
Kevin Grosskreutz is doing well in the circumstances. In all likelihood, he can leave the hospital again on Wednesday.
Ex-Borussia Dortmund man Grosskreutz has not featured for his countr…