Month: October 2021

Four giants of European football will battle it out in the Nations League finals this week.

After Portugal lifted the inaugural crown in 2019, Spain, Italy, Belgium and France are vying to follow in their footsteps.

Ahead of the action, we fill you in on all the important information with our ultimate Nations League guide.

What is the Nations League?

The Nations League is a biennial tournament created by UEFA as an alternative to friendlies in an attempt to improve the quality of international football.

It sees Europe’s 55 teams compete against each other across four leagues.

The top tier, League A, contains Europe’s top 16 teams and they were split into four groups to compete for a place in the semi-finals. 

After playing each other twice, the four teams finishing first in each group earned a place in the final four.

Who qualified for the Nations League finals?

The current world and European champions both feature in a star-studded final four.

Euro 2020 winners Italy will hope to pick up their second major trophy in three months as they face Spain, while Belgium and France collide in the second semi. 

How did they qualify?

After winning just one of their opening four games, Italy narrowly edged out 2019 finalists the Netherlands by one point in Group 1, which also featured Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was a more straightforward affair for Belgium, who overcame Denmark, England and Iceland to finish five points clear at the top of Group 2.

With both sides unbeaten ahead of their clash in Group 3’s penultimate game, a narrow 1-0 victory for France over Portugal was enough to secure qualification for Les Bleus.

A hotly-contested Group 4 saw Spain claim their place in the final four courtesy of an impressive campaign, which included a memorable 6-0 win over Germany in November 2020.

Where and when are the Nations League finals?

After silencing the England faithful at Wembley in July, the Azzurri will have home advantage in their favour with both semi-finals and the final taking place in Italy.

Their tie against Spain is set for the San Siro in Milan on Wednesday at 7.45pm (UK time). 

The tournament heads to Turin the following night, with the Juventus Stadium playing host to Belgium vs France at 7.45pm.

The successful semi-finalists will lock horns at the San Siro on Sunday at 7.45pm, while the losing pair collide in the third place play-off earlier in the day at 2pm in Turin.

Who are the favourites to win the Nations League?

The smart money will be on the Italians, who are currently on a record-breaking 36-game unbeaten streak.

But Europe’s top-ranked team Belgium will be desperate to finally secure some silverware after falling short at previous international tournaments.

But you would be foolish to write off France or Spain, who won two of the last three World Cups between them, from going all the way.

Nations League finals schedule

Semi-finals

Italy vs Spain (Wednesday, 7.45pm, San Siro, Sky Sports Football)

Belgium vs France (Thursday, 7.45pm, Juventus Stadium, Sky Sports Football)

Third place play-off

Italy/Spain vs Belgium/France (Sunday, 2pm, Juventus Stadium, Sky Sports Football)

Final

Italy/Spain vs Belgium/France (Sunday, 7.45pm, San Siro, Sky Sports Football)

Premier League football takes a back seat again for the best part of a fortnight now as the international break arrives, but the past weekend gave us plenty to chew on in the interim.

Liverpool and Manchester City played out a belter of a match at Anfield on Sunday, as Mohamed Salah shone yet again on English football’s biggest stage.

That contest provided further evidence of the gap between those two and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United, though Bruno Fernandes’ latest achievement suggests the Norwegian should be doing better given the talent at his disposal.

Below, Stats Perform looks at some of the quirky Opta facts from the weekend…

Salah a double threat

Sunday’s 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield was utterly engrossing, and Mohamed Salah played a key role in that.

Not only did he set up Sadio Mane’s opener with a brilliant run and pass, he then got Liverpool’s second at the end of an incredible run that saw him evade most of the City defence.

That was the 20th time he has both scored and assisted during a single Premier League game, which is six more than anyone else in the top-flight since his Reds debut on 2017-18 — Son Heung-min is next with 14.

There is also no Liverpool player particularly close to him in that regard in the club’s entire Premier League history, with Steven Gerrard second to Salah with 16 instances of getting a goal and assist in the same game.

Fernandes setting the pace

Manchester United may be erratic, but Bruno Fernandes certainly isn’t when it comes to decisive moments in the Premier League.

He set up Anthony Martial with a lovely turn and throughball for the first goal in United’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday, that assist taking him to 50 goal involvements in 58 Premier League matches — only Andy Cole (43), Alan Shearer and Eric Cantona (both 54) reached that mark in fewer games.

But putting his achievement into modern-day context, Fernandes (30 goals, 20 assists) sits top of the pile for most involvements since his debut, his 50 being four more than Salah (34 goals, 12 assists).

The only other player on more than 40 in that time is Harry Kane (44 involvements, 30 goals, 14 assists).

The Premier League’s deadliest attack… Sort of

So, you think you know which team is the most clinical in the Premier League this season? Well, you’re wrong.

It’s not Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City. It’s certainly not Tottenham or Arsenal… It’s Brentford. In a way.

When it comes to the amount of goals scored from their shots on target, the Premier League new boys have been the most clinical, netting 10 (or 45.5 per cent) of their 22 accurate attempts following the 2-1 win at West Ham.

Liverpool are the league’s leading scorers with 17, but those goals have come from 53 shots on target, meaning only 32.1 per cent of their accurate efforts are beating the goalkeeper.

Norwich City prop up the table (11.8 per cent), with Spurs (18.8 per cent) and Arsenal (19.2 per cent) also in the bottom three.

Vardy almost the ‘golden oldie’

Jamie Vardy’s story is a familiar one these days. His journey to the top wasn’t straightforward, but since getting there he’s been absolutely devastating.

Of course, his 24-goal haul was essential in Leicester City’s incredible title triumph of 2015-16, but he’s continued at a great level, only recording under 15 Premier League goals in a single season once since.

He already looks well on track to better his tally of 15 from 2020-21 this season, with the former England man on six in seven league games, and now he’s closing in on a record.

Vardy’s goal against Crystal Palace at the weekend was his 90th in the top-flight since turning 30 in January 2017, with Arsenal great Ian Wright (93) the only player in the competition’s history to score more after his 30th birthday.

Jadon Sancho has failed to live up to expectations since joining Manchester United — and the winger could soon find his place in the England squad under threat. 

Much was made of Sancho’s £72million move from Borussia Dortmund before the summer transfer window slammed shut. 

But he has yet to record a goal or assist since completing his switch to Old Trafford, which came on the back of starting just one game for the Three Lions at Euro 2020. 

As Gareth Southgate’s men gear up to take on Andorra on Saturday, we look at how Sancho’s difficult start at United could affect his international career.

England’s riches

There is no doubting Southgate has an abundance of top-class attackers at his disposal.

With Harry Kane leading the line for England, Raheem Sterling has seemingly nailed down one of the two spots alongside him — which is fully justified following his exploits at the Euros. 

Sancho then has United team-mate Marcus Rashford, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Manchester City duo Jack Grealish and Phil Foden to compete with for the other place in Southgate’s frontline. 

Rashford and Foden both missed the start of the campaign through injury but Grealish and Saka each have a goal and an assist to their name in the Premier League this term. 

And Southgate has even gone as far as to suggest Sancho should arguably not have made it into his latest squad. 

The England boss said: “Does he deserve to be in on these performances over the last few weeks? Well probably not.

“But I think we feel we have invested in Jadon over a period of time, we believe he can get to a high level.”

Theatre of depth

It is not just on the international stage that Sancho faces tough competition.

To the surprise of many, the 21-year-old star has also been unable to nail down a starting berth in Manchester. 

Academy graduate Mason Greenwood has enjoyed a terrific start to the campaign, scoring three league goals in his first seven games. 

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has used Paul Pogba on the left-hand side in his last two league starts, seemingly aware the Frenchman cannot be relied on in the midfield double pivot. 

Jesse Lingard has also enjoyed an impressive start to the season while Rashford recently returned to training, leaving Sancho with a real battle on his hands for more minutes. 

Game time premium

Sancho has started just two league games since arriving in Manchester to great fanfare. 

The winger’s last start in the division came in last month’s 4-1 win over Newcastle and he was handed just 33 minutes off the bench against Everton on Saturday. 

Signs that Solskjaer is yet to fully trust him began to show in United’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Young Boys, when he was hooked in the 37th minute following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s red card. 

Sancho did start United’s last European game against Villarreal but was subbed with the game all square at 1-1.

Slow burner

Sancho’s slow start to the season will come as no surprise to Dortmund fans. 

He failed to score for the German giants last season until Matchday 14 but went on to register eight goals and 11 assists during the campaign. 

There was always going to be somewhat of an adjustment period as Sancho settled into life in his new surroundings, which was further delayed by illness. 

But the United faithful will take hope from previous seasons that Sancho will go on to rack up 15 or more goal involvements for the fourth consecutive campaign.

Form is what counts

Southgate is no stranger to making big decisions. 

While in temporary charge of England back in October 2016, he opted to drop top goalscorer and captain Wayne Rooney in just his second game in charge. 

He has often stated players will not earn international call-ups on status and must be playing well for their clubs. 

This was displayed when Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite being regarded as one of the world’s best right-backs, was axed following a dreadful spell of games for Liverpool. 

With Sancho seemingly fortunate to make the latest squad, he will need more game time to remain in Southgate’s plans. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was one of the unlikely stars as Chelsea beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday.

The England international set up the first goal and produced the sort of display that saw him called up to the 2018 World Cup squad.

After spending last season on loan at Fulham, it appeared Loftus-Cheek’s Chelsea career was over.

But with five appearances for the Blues already under his belt this term, the 25-year-old midfielder will feel rejuvenated.

Can he kick on and hold down a regular spot in Thomas Tuchel’s team or will injury problems and a loss of form rear their ugly head once again?

Bleak future

It looked like Loftus-Cheek’s dream of becoming a Chelsea regular was over. 

After an Achilles injury sustained in a game in the US resulted in him making just nine appearances in 2019-20, he was shipped out on loan to Fulham last season.

Though Tuchel praised him in April, with Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount in the German’s squad, chances looked thin on the ground in midfield. 

Links with Roma and West Ham led to nothing and Saul Niguez’s arrival on loan on deadline day suggested a wasted season lay ahead for the England man.

Opportunities

But Loftus-Cheek knew chances would come in competitions like the Carabao Cup — he just had to take them.

Speaking in pre-season, he said: “I had last season as a season where I can find my feet — and it definitely felt like that at the start.

“I was struggling mentally and needed to focus on just taking risks in training and get that feel back.

“But it eventually came and I was doing really well in games, so I’ve had my injury and I’ve had a season now to get fit and feel confident in my body and this season is where I hit the ground running.”

After playing the last minute against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League and the full 90 against Villa in the Carabao Cup, Loftus-Cheek came off the bench with 15 to go in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

He was used as a sub again as the Blues lost at Juventus but had impressed Tuchel enough to be handed his first Premier League start for in 12 months against the Saints.

Saints stunner

And boy did Loftus-Cheek make the most of his chance at Stamford Bridge.

His headed flick from a Ben Chilwell corner set up Trevor Chalobah’s opener yet it was from open play where he really impressed.

As well as creating a further chance for the Blues, Loftus-Cheek attempted five take-ons — the most in the side — and completed three of them.

That was one of the key reasons Tuchel picked him — to try and break the press and provide Chelsea with impetus going forward.

Speaking about Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley, the German said: “They are happy to have these chances, to feel the support. 

“Perhaps six weeks ago they couldn’t have imagined they were in the situation to get real minutes, important minutes.

“So we decided to put Ruben in because we were aware of their high pressing in midfield but we wanted to go through midfield.

“Ruben and Kova [Mateo Kovacic] can not only pass but drive with the ball to escape the press. That is the reason we picked them.”

Back on song

It was an impact that did not go unnoticed after Chelsea’s defeats to City and Juve.

Loftus-Cheek helped England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and his talent has always been apparent.

Speaking after the win over the Saints, Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright said: “I didn’t think we’d ever see him go back to this kind of form.

“The display today was magnificent. People say about his energy and it looked like he was playing in himself.

“But today, in his own box, in midfield, everything. One of the things he’s going to have to do to stay in this Chelsea team, especially as someone who played in a pivot as a [midfield] two, is score more goals.

“The power, the skill, he’s got everything. People say he hasn’t got the energy… look at him now, this is scary.

“We’re looking at a Loftus-Cheek who looks to me like he’s got the fire in his belly back. He’s dangerous.”

The future

Holding down a regular spot in the Chelsea side is a difficult task for any player — especially in the middle of the park.

Loftus-Cheek’s ability has never been in question, it is just whether he can stay fit or not.

If he does and plays a role in a successful season at the Bridge, the sky remains the limit. 

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is a known fan and has spoken about Loftus-Cheek earning an international recall if he is playing regular football. 

At the end of last year, while the player was with the Cottagers, Southgate said: “He was really unfortunate to get the injury. 

“He was having a super spell with Chelsea going into the latter stages of the Europa League, misses nearly a year and then just as he is getting back to fitness we have the pandemic so he’s missed a huge chunk.

“We know that talent he has, we know what he is capable of. Hopefully he can get back to playing regularly with Fulham and then he can go from there.”

Didier Deschamps is not worried about Antoine Griezmann’s lack of form ahead of France’s Nations League finals campaign this week.

The 30-year-old returned to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona in a high-profile transfer at the end of August following two largely underwhelming campaigns at Camp Nou.

Griezmann was expected to revive his career in the Spanish capital, but he has managed just one goal and no assists in seven appearances in his second spell with Atletico.

That solitary strike came in last week’s 2-1 win over Milan in the Champions League, though he was again left out of Atletico’s starting lineup for Saturday’s showdown with Barcelona.

He has been named in Deschamps’ 23-man squad for this week’s Nations League Finals, which will see France face Belgium in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Les Blues will then either take on Italy or Spain in Sunday’s final or third-placed play-off, depending on the outcome of both semi-finals.

And Deschamps has no concerns about using Griezmann, who has 41 goals in 98 caps for France, in those matches.

“His goal in the Champions League was very positive,” Deschamps said at a news conference on Monday. “Even though he didn’t start, that goal will give him confidence.

“He has returned to a club he knows well, but with different players around him. He can’t just click his fingers.

“But because of his qualities and state of mind, I do not worry about him. I know he will be happy to join up with the France team.”

Griezmann played a full part for France in their World Cup semi-final clash with Belgium en route to lifting the trophy in 2018, setting up Samuel Umtiti’s winning goal.

The Nations League presents France with a chance to add to that triumph, having exited Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage, but they must overcome two sides ranked in the world’s top eight.

“There is a title at stake; we have a semi-final to play against one of the best teams in the world,” he said. 

“With Italy and Spain on the other side, there are four of us fighting for this title. We did everything to qualify for this final phase in a very tough group. 

“We want to get this title. Before there were two titles: the Euros and the World Cup. Now there is the Nations League. Winning it is our goal.”

Belgium have named a vastly experienced squad for the Finals, with Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Toby Alderweireld and Eden Hazard all boasting over 100 caps.

Roberto Martinez’s men only reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, where they were beaten by tournament winners Italy – their only defeat in 17 matches and one of only two defeats in 31 games since November 2018.

Ranked number one in the world, Deschamps acknowledged France face a big task against Belgium on Thursday.

“They have evolved well, with six or seven players on 100 or more caps,” he said. “They are the best team in the FIFA rankings and have a very experienced core.

“It is a beautiful generation of players, but one that has not yet had the happiness of success at the Euros or World Cup.”

Deschamps added: “It’s going to be a fight at a physical, tactical and technical level. There is a lot of respect between myself and Roberto Martinez and also between the players.

“But there is of course a rivalry there because we are border countries, which we also have with Italy and Spain.

“There was also the 2018 semi-final we played, but this match cannot change what happened then. That will not have too much importance this week.”

Phil Foden is going to be “up there with the best in the world”, according to former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov.

Foden has endured a stuttering start to the new term – playing just 195 Premier League minutes – due to a foot injury but impressed as he scored against Liverpool in Sunday’s 2-2 draw.

Having scored in the previous two games against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Foden’s equaliser made him the youngest player (21 years and 128 days) to score in three consecutive top-flight appearances against Liverpool since Romelu Lukaku in November 2013 (20y 194d).

And Dickov used Foden’s performance at Anfield as an example of why he could become the best in the world.

“People keep talking about [Foden] being the next big thing and one for the future,” Dickov said.

“He is one for now he is already putting himself in the bracket of one of the best players in England, in Europe and is only going to get better.

“He is like a school kid in the playground that just wants to play football all the time. In that little bit, with his ability, with the talent that he’s got with, a huge heart and his attitude.

“He is going to be up there with the very, very best in the world because he’s, he’s got absolutely everything, and he showed that yesterday [on Sunday against Liverpool].”

Foden, who was named as the PFA’s Young Player of the Year last term, ranks third among City midfielders for chances created per 90 minutes in the Premier League this term (2.31).

He also sits second among the club’s midfield ranks for Opta-defined ‘big chances’, creating 0.46 per 90 minutes, with only Kevin de Bruyne (0.87) bettering that total.

Indeed, the 21-year-old started ahead of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez at Anfield but Dickov thinks Foden can continue to learn from Pep Guardiola’s wealth of midfield talent.

“He can score goals and, the scary thing is, he’s only going to get better than that the more games that he plays,” Dickov continued.

“Being surrounded by players like Kevin De Bruyne and the fantastic players that Manchester City have got, that’s going to take his game to the next level.

“Phil wants to be there and he really wants to be the best in training, he wants to be the best player all the time.

“When you’re in an environment like Manchester City have got, where people are striving to win things all the time, it’s only going to make him better and better.

“When you think how good he is now I think in three or four years it’s going to be really scary about how good he can be. I just think he’s got everything you want and that to be a top-class footballer.”

Liverpool have more chance of winning the Champions League than the Premier League, according to former Red Jose Enrique.

Jurgen Klopp’s side found themselves in a tough European group, with Milan, Porto and Atletico Madrid standing between them and the knockout stages.

However, the Reds edged past Milan 3-2 before crushing Porto 5-1 – their fifth win in their last six away group-stage games – and sit top of Group B ahead of their double-header with Diego Simeone’s side.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are the only side yet to lose in the Premier League this season and have recorded 15 points from their opening seven games – one fewer than leaders Chelsea.

But Jose Enrique sees a Champions League triumph as more probable than domestic success, given the struggles of some European heavyweights this campaign.

“We couldn’t have had a better start in what is probably the hardest group in the Champions League and we are doing really well now,” Jose Enrique said.

“We have everything on the right path to go through and it’s a competition that maybe we have more of a chance.

“Paris Saint-Germain are underperforming, Barcelona are underperforming, Real Madrid are underperforming. So maybe it’s a season that we can really go for the Champions League again.

“The Premier League is longer, we have a lot of games. In the Champions League, it depends on the injuries.

“If you ask me what title that I believe we can win, I will go more for the Champions League over the Premier League.”

Liverpool twice squandered the lead in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, meaning they have failed to beat Pep Guardiola’s men in six out of the last seven top-flight meetings.

Given City’s embarrassment of riches, along with Thomas Tuchel’s impressive Chelsea squad, Jose Enrique believes – against his best wishes – that squad depth could cost the Reds in the Premier League title race.

“I really hope it’s Liverpool but if I’m honest with you, the problem with us is the lack of strength in the squad,” Jose Enrique responded when asked who would win the league.

“I believe we [Liverpool] are missing players up front. Look, I know we have four players that can perform there with [Roberto] Firmino, [Diogo] Jota, [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane, but you cannot just rely on them the whole season.

“We obviously have strength there but if one of them gets an injury we may very well be struggling there, you know that’s reality.

“These kinds of teams like Chelsea and [Manchester] City, they do have it. The season is very long, we play Champions League, we play the two cups, it is not going to be easy.

“I hope it’s Liverpool, but I don’t know. I don’t want to say another team to be honest! Let’s say Chelsea.”

Struggling Getafe have sacked head coach Michel after less than six months in the post with the club sitting last in LaLiga.

Getafe claimed their first point of the 2021-22 season with Sunday’s 1-1 home draw with third-placed Real Sociedad.

However, the draw was not enough to save former Real Madrid midfielder Michel’s job, having been appointed in May.

Azulones have one point from eight league games this term, conceding 13 goals and only scoring three times.

Michel’s dismissal follows Levante’s decision to axe Paco Lopez on Sunday after their poor start to the season.

Levante are 18th, having lost three games in a row and collected only four points in a winless start to the 2021-22 campaign. Levante’s winless run is 16 games and dates back to April.

Paco Lopez had been Levante head coach since May 2018, with 15th, 12th and 14th-place finishes respectively over the past three seasons.

Javier Tebas has declared there cannot be any negotiation for a European Super League, despite LaLiga’s biggest clubs continuing to back the breakaway competition.

Real Madrid and Barcelona, along with 10 other European clubs, including LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid, announced in April their intention to form a new league.

The project was swiftly shot down, with UEFA, European governments, other clubs and fans condemning the proposal.

Under significant pressure, the six Premier League clubs involved – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – quickly withdrew their interest, with Atleti, Inter and Milan all following suit.

However, Madrid and Barca, along with Juventus, remained involved in the project, with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez insisting European football needed the Super League.

UEFA’s attempts to punish the rebel clubs have come to an end, with European football’s governing body abandoning legal proceedings in September.

Despite the project seemingly lingering on, LaLiga chief Tebas insisted the breakaway cannot be allowed to happen, and is confident the idea is already a “dead issue”.

“A Super League is not negotiable,” he told Spanish radio show El Partidazo.

“Nor that the big clubs have to dominate national and international football. It is not the future. Any step that one gives there is yielding ownership.

“I do not give any chance of success to a Super League. In England they realised they were wrong. In Germany more of the same. The Super League is a dead issue.”

UEFA will continue to take all necessary steps, in strict accordance with national and EU law, in order to defend its interests and – most importantly – those of its members and all football stakeholders.

Full statement:

Tebas also opened up on his relationship with Madrid president Perez, who he believes is the only one convinced by the Super League proposal.

“I haven’t been to live football for a long time,” Tebas added. “Why don’t I go to the Bernabeu box? Florentino invites me to all the games at the Bernabeu.

“Peace with Florentino? I don’t know. From a professional football perspective it is impossible for us to understand each other because we have two very different visions.

“The only one who is convinced of the Super League is Florentino. Neither [Barca president Joan] Laporta nor [Juve counterpart Andrea] Agnelli are.

“I have no doubt that if Florentino could, he would remove me from the league’s presidency. In institutional politics, Madrid is making mistakes, they are making many enemies.”

All eyes are on the international break this week with Tammy Abraham joining former Chelsea team-mate Fikayo Tomori in earning an England recall.

As well as turning the spollight on them, Crystal Palace starlet Michael Olise will be our latest One To Watch and we assess Saul Niguez’s start to life at the Blues.

England stars

Abraham was a late call-up to the squad as the Three Lions prepare to face Andorra and Hungary.

The striker has managed seven goal involvements in 10 games since joining Roma for £34million this summer and now will get his chance to impress for his country.

We look at how Abraham ending his 17-year Chelsea career has given him a new lease of life.

Another man who is reaping the rewards from a move to Italy, Tomori’s England prospects looked slim this time last year.

But the 23-year-old has continued to flourish after joining AC Milan in January and has been rewarded with his first international call-up since November 2019.

With options limited at the back, could he gatecrash Gareth Southgate’s England XI?

One To Watch

Olise enjoyed a second-half cameo against Leicester and it was enough for Eagles fans to get very excited about their £8m man.

The 19-year-old was instrumental in helping Palace claw back a two-goal deficit against the Foxes, scoring a superbly taken goal in the process.

We turn the spotlight on the former Reading man as he looks to take the Premier League by storm.

Better call Saul?

It has not been the start to life at Stamford Bridge that midfielder Saul would have envisaged.

The 26-year-old has gone from being a LaLiga winner with Atletico Madrid to playing a bit-part role in Thomas Tuchel’s side.

After missing out on Spain’s latest squad, we look at how Saul can carve out a future in West London.

Before you go

Our daily transfer roundup brings you all the latest rumours and gossip, with Barcelona plotting a move for England star Raheem Sterling.

What is more, our resident cricket expert Matthew Storey will be bringing you all the latest in the sport with his weekly Hit For Six column.

You can also keep up with all the latest sporting news on LiveScore throughout the day.