Month: January 2023

Declan Rice is leaning towards joining Arsenal this summer as the West Ham midfielder considers his options.

Rice, 24, is likely to leave the Hammers at the end of the current campaign due to his desire to play Champions League football.

The Guardian report that there is set to be a bidding war for the England anchor with Chelsea and Manchester United keen on signing the 39-cap international.

Mikel Arteta’s project in North London would be something that appeals to Rice, especially if the Gunners were to go on and win the league this season.

Chelsea have endured recent struggles as Graham Potter seeks to restructure his squad, but Rice is a product of the Blues’ youth academy and could be persuaded to rejoin the West Londoners.

Manchester United have an equally good chance of securing the services of the West Ham captain. 

Erik ten Hag’s midfield is in need of reinforcements with Scott McTominay and Fred unlikely to make the cut in 2023-24.

Having impressed for the Hammers over many years, Rice is sure to have his pick when it comes to deciding his next club, but Champions League qualification may be a huge factor in his decision-making.

In other news

Everton are keen on bringing Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech to Goodison Park, report the Daily Mail, with a potential loan move being proposed.

Spanish sources suggest that Nottingham Forest are eager to bring Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas to the club to cover for Dean Henderson’s recent injury.

Football Insider report that Bryan Gil has been offered up as part of a deal to bring Roma ace Nicolo Zaniolo to Tottenham this month.

Olivier Giroud plans to sign a new deal with Milan and is not ready to call time on his international career with France either.

The 36-year-old sees his contract with the Serie A outfit expire in June and has faced questions on his international future in the wake of Les Bleus’ defeat in the 2022 World Cup final to Argentina.

France have already seen captain Hugo Lloris call time on his stint with the national side, with Karim Benzema also retiring – although he did not feature in Qatar due to injury.

However, Giroud, who became France’s all-time leading scorer during the tournament, does not plan to follow suit.

“For the moment I continue with the national team. I was struck by the fact that Hugo has decided to leave, our relationship is special,” he told Canal Football Club.

“Anything can happen, I have not withdrawn from the international stage and for this reason I remain callable.

“I have to understand if I still want to wear the blue shirt, which means a lot to me, I want to take some time before deciding.”

Giroud has faced similar questions around his club future, as his deal with Milan expires at the end of the season, but he is keen to continue at San Siro.

“I want to renew with Milan, with the victory of the Scudetto I entered the hearts of the fans,” he added.

“I’m talking to the club, if there is a chance to finish my career at a high level at Milan I will. I could choose an exotic destination; I’ve always liked MLS.”

Milan sit second in Serie A, 12 points adrift of leaders Napoli, ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Lazio.

Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas believes the club are unrecognisable from the side he represented, due to manager Mikel Arteta’s impact.

A last-gasp Eddie Nketiah winner against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday handed the Gunners a 3-2 victory, maintaining a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Now considered to be the favourites for the title, Arsenal have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under Arteta, who has made wholesale changes at the club.

Fabregas has revealed that a recent trip to London Colney showed “everything had changed” since his days at Arsenal, including an image at the entrance that highlights Arsenal’s 19-year wait for Premier League glory.

“I was lucky enough to be at the training ground recently and it felt like I had never been there before because everything had changed so much,” he told Sky Sports.

“The manager of the training ground told me that 95 per cent of the changes were Mikel’s.

“He’s changed the perception of the club, a lot of positive messages around the training ground, much bigger facilities, better equipment, the pitches are better. Everything, you name it.

“In the entrance they have a symbol of the Premier League, an empty Premier League. Arteta wants to send the message that: ‘guys, we need to put the work in’.

“It’s a message and inspiration to the players for them to really want to put the Premier League in there. He’s changed the mentality of the club since Arsene Wenger left. It’s fantastic what he’s done.”

Fabregas also highlighted the vast improvement on the field that has seen the Gunners quickly jump from top-four hopefuls to leading the charge for the Premier League title.

All three of Arsenal’s goals against United came from academy graduates, with Nketiah’s brace coming either side of a superb Bukayo Saka strike.

“Remember, they finished eighth for two consecutive seasons. To do what they’re doing in a short space of time and doing it in the manner they’re doing is quite inspiring,” he added.

“Arsenal gave time to Mikel and this proves and shows to other clubs to not panic when things go wrong. Sometimes, finishing eighth and almost making it to the Champions League but just falling short, just having that process, and it is a process.

“The club understood that it took time to achieve it. I still believe they are way ahead of where they thought they’d be at this moment.

“Players like Saka and Nketiah, they came from the academy, they cost nothing to the club. And they’ve maintained that belief and the results are paying off.”

Vinicius Junior deserves more respect than he is afforded, according to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. 

The forward endured something of a muted outing in the 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames Stadium on Sunday, contributing just one shot and being shown a yellow card.

However, no player won more than his six fouls, with the 22-year-old on the receiving end of some hefty challenges.

Ancelotti went on the defensive when asked for his thoughts on Vinicius and reinforced his affection for the attacker.

“He is a very sensitive person, and [yet], everyone pushes him,” he said. “Rival players, rival fans and sometimes even the referees.

“Tonight, as always, he has been kicked around a lot. But he will get better in this regard. Right now, everyone is putting pressure on him.

“It may be that he sometimes loses concentration, but he is a very young boy. I love him very much and I want him to be respected a little more.”

Goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos delivered the goods for Madrid on the road, though the latter did not score until the closing stages.

It meant the visitors were forced to protect their slender lead secured through the France international’s delightful volley.

The goal took Benzema joint-second on Madrid’s all-time LaLiga scorer charts and Ancelotti was keen to pay tribute to his skills too after a tough end to 2022.

“He has returned with all his quality [after his injuries],” he added. “It brings us a lot, and we are very satisfied.”

Jose Mourinho believes Roma can hang on to Nicolo Zaniolo as the Italy midfielder pushes for a move before the transfer window closes.

The 23-year-old has been linked with various clubs but particularly Tottenham, Mourinho’s former team, and the Roma head coach is well aware Zaniolo’s head has been turned.

Zaniolo played no part in Roma’s 2-0 win against Spezia in Serie A on Sunday, with club director Tiago Pinto saying ahead of the game the player had “put his individual interest in front of those of the collective” by deciding not to feature.

Mourinho said: “The director spoke before the match, and he did it well. The important thing today is to have won with a good team performance.

“I have my opinion and I think he will stay here in February, but the market is open and he wants to leave.

“Showing desire doesn’t mean leaving. Usually when a player wants to leave it means that there are important offers behind it, but that’s not the case.

“There’s nothing on the table, nothing the club can accept.”

Speaking to broadcaster DAZN, Mourinho added: “I have a very good relationship with him, I have always tried to help him. He has made a maximum effort and for this reason I have always defended him, even when he has been criticised for the few goals and assists.”

Zaniolo, who helped Roma win the Europa Conference League last season, has scored twice and had one assist in 17 games during this campaign.

“Right now he wants to leave,” said Mourinho. “It’s something I have to accept, but where’s the offer?

“If he leaves, someone has to come in return. The situation is unacceptable, and I’m sorry that in this story Tiago Pinto comes out as the villain of the story. He’s not the villain of the story but tries to defend the interests of the team.”

Marc-Andre ter Stegen was described as Barcelona’s “life insurance” as the German goalkeeper came to the rescue against Getafe.

Pedri’s goal in the 35th minute was enough for Barcelona as they ground out a 1-0 victory at Camp Nou, preserving their three-point cushion over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.

Ter Stegen, a sturdy presence throughout, saved brilliantly from Borja Mayoral six minutes after the goal, standing up to the Getafe man and making himself big after Pedri almost undid his earlier good work with a dreadful backpass.

Grateful defender Eric Garcia said: “Marc is life insurance with us. Everything he brings us with his footwork and then his saves, he has shown it again. He is very important for us.”

Germany international Ter Stegen said the points were “worth gold” after what he recognised was a sloppy performance from Barcelona, a week on from winning the Supercopa de Espana.

The hosts were without Robert Lewandowski due to the striker’s suspension, and it showed, with Ansu Fati not posing the same threat and struggling to impress himself on the game.

Ter Stegen, with 13 clean sheets in 17 LaLiga games this season, said: “What I try to do is always be in the game. I was being attentive and at the right moment I was able to get closer and make it a little more difficult for them.”

Quoted in Mundo Deportivo, he said: “I try to give 100 per cent, for myself and for the team. Victories like today’s make us stronger.

“It’s true that we had opportunities to close the game and we didn’t. So you have to suffer until the end.

“Perhaps in some victories you have to suffer, but when we’re 2-0 it always benefits you, and you finish the game earlier.”

Angel Di Maria insists Juventus’ points deduction will not impact his future in Turin as he urged the Bianconeri to fight for an “extraordinary” Champions League qualification.

Danilo’s 65th-minute strike salvaged a draw in a 3-3 thriller with Atalanta on Sunday, just two days after Juve were deducted 15 points following an investigation into their past transfer dealings.

Juve are reportedly expected to appeal the punishment but Massimiliano Allegri’s side face an uphill battle to finish in Serie A’s top four, trailing fourth-placed Roma by 14 points.

Di Maria hopes Allegri’s men, who were third before Friday’s decision, can chase down Italy’s top four and a place in the Champions League next season as he outlined his commitment to the Bianconeri.

“It’s hard to be 20 points off the top out of the blue, but if we keep working with this mentality we can do something extraordinary,” Di Maria, who signed on a one-year contract in July, told DAZN.

“Nothing is impossible here. We have always seen Juve ahead and win. The important thing is to keep working to reach fourth place.

“This moment has no impact [on my future]. My decision, I take it with my family who are happy here. The club is one of the biggest in Italy and Europe.”

Di Maria scored from the penalty spot against Atalanta before assisting Danilo’s equaliser, but the Argentina international acknowledged Juve must learn from their mistakes when they host Monza on January 29.

He added: “I think we played a great game. We made some mistakes and we need to improve.”

Massimiliano Allegri has no regrets after choosing Juventus over Real Madrid despite the Bianconeri’s 15-point penalty in Serie A.

Juve were penalised on Friday after an investigation into past transfer dealings, which the club are expected to appeal, before sharing the spoils in a 3-3 thriller with Atalanta two days later.

The stalemate saw the Bianconeri – who were third before the points deduction – move up to ninth, though they trail fourth-placed Roma by 14 points as they bid for an unlikely Champions League qualification.

Allegri vowed to stay at Juve after the punishment and reiterated his commitment on Sunday as he suggested he made the right choice in rejecting Madrid, who he had agreed a contract with in July 2021 before an approach from the Bianconeri.

“I never regret my choices, when they are made at that moment they are right,” the Juve coach told Sky Sport Italia. 

“I am very happy to be at Juventus, in life there are always difficulties that help you grow, I am happy to be part of this club and I have no regrets. 

“When I make choices I am convinced of them, of course, I don’t have a crystal ball. We are making young people develop and there are the foundations for a good future.”

Juve appointed Francesco Calvo as their new chief football officer in the wake of the points deduction, after former president Andrea Agnelli and the rest of his board resigned in November.

Calvo will report to new chief executive officer Maurizio Scanavino following the latter’s appointment earlier this week, though Allegri does not want to be distracted by the off-field ongoings in Turin.

“We have to think only of football and not get distracted by what’s happening outside,” Allegri said when asked about Calvo. 

“It was important to get a result and we hope to win again on Sunday [at home to Monza]. It’s not easy to find yourself tenth in the standings, but everything is still open. 

“The team scored 38 points, it’s Napoli who are flying at a difficult level to reach. We have a group that has pride and responsibility, we are Juve and we must bring the most glorious team in Italy to the top. 

“We need a little madness and recklessness, perhaps hoping that the others will start to lose. It’s all still to play for.”

Goals for Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos saw Real Madrid battle their way to a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in a lively LaLiga encounter on Sunday.

Veteran France international Benzema hooked back a loose ball with a sensational volley to beat Unai Simon in the 24th minute at San Mames Stadium.

Kroos then swept home a breakaway finish in the 90th minute to wrap up the points for Carlo Ancelotti’s men and keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona.

But Ernesto Valverde’s side will be left to mull whether they should have taken a point from the encounter after pushing hard for a draw before Kroos’ goal ended those hopes.

Following Barca’s victory over Getafe, it was imperative for Madrid to ensure they kept pace with a win of their own.

In a first half not short of opportunities, they had the edge over their hosts and demonstrated a shrewd ability to capitalise on their mistakes.

That proved invaluable when Benzema rescued Marco Asensio’s wayward header and volleyed home.

Madrid were initially frustrated in their attempts to double the advantage, with Asensio narrowly shooting past the left post in the 66th minute.

Inaki Williams briefly thought he had found the equaliser for the hosts with 13 minutes left, only for the linesman’s flag to rule his finish out with an offside call against Gorka Guruzeta.

Athletic’s hopes of salvaging a late draw were dashed at the death when Kroos picked off a Rodrygo ball and coolly slotted home from outside the box.

What does it mean? Madrid keep up the heat

Ancelotti’s side headed to Bilbao knowing dropped points may prove seriously damaging to their title credentials.

Though they looked at risk of wavering with a one-goal lead, they were ultimately good value for their victory and will take confidence from the result going forward.

Benzema makes more LaLiga history

The Frenchman’s first-half finish was yet another top-flight goal to savour, but more importantly, it was his 228th for Madrid in the competition.

That draws him level with Raul for joint-second on the club’s all-time LaLiga scorer chart, trailing only former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads with 311.

Hosts rue wayward finishing

It was not to be for Valverde and his men, who came out of the blocks in the second half seeking a result against one of the division’s heavyweight outfits.

With 18 shots to Madrid’s 10, they outgunned their visitors throughout, but with just three of those on target, they ultimately failed to earn a share of the spoils.

Key Opta Facts

– Athletic Bilbao have not won any of their last 15 games against Real Madrid in LaLiga (D4 L11), losing each of the last six. 

– Real Madrid have won points in each of their last eight visits to Athletic in LaLiga (W6 D2) since a 1-0 loss in March 2015, with Carlo Ancelotti and Ernesto Valverde also on both benches.

– Real Madrid have not lost in their last 12 visits to teams from the Basque Country in LaLiga (W11 D1), since losing 3-1 v Real Sociedad in May 2019, winning each of the last seven.

– Karim Benzema has scored 17 goals against Athletic Club in LaLiga. Since his arrival to Real Madrid in the 2009-10 season, no other player has scored more goals against the Basque club than he has in the competition.

What’s next?

Both sides are in Copa del Rey quarter-final action on Thursday, with Athletic Bilbao facing Valencia and Real Madrid squaring up with local rivals Atletico Madrid.

Juventus responded to their Serie A points deduction with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Atalanta as Danilo’s inventive goal proved Ademola Lookman’s brace in vain.

Juve were deducted 15 points on Friday after an investigation into past transfer dealings, which the club are expected to appeal, but battled to share the spoils at Allianz Stadium.

Arkadiusz Milik sent the Bianconeri into the break leading after Angel Di Maria cancelled out Lookman’s opener, but Joakim Maehle restored parity immediately into the second half.

Lookman edged Atalanta ahead once more, but Danilo powered a smart free-kick routine home to move Juve – who were third before the punishment – into ninth.

A Wojciech Szczesny error handed Atalanta an early lead as Lookman’s right-footed drive squirmed through the goalkeeper’s grasp, before Manuel Locatelli fired just over in response.

Juve were soon level after the VAR intervened for an Ederson Silva foul on Nicolo Fagioli, with Di Maria subsequently converting from the penalty spot into the bottom-right corner.

Fagioli was pivotal again as his right-wing cross found Milik, who angled a right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner, though Juve’s advantage was short-lived after the interval.

Lookman rolled in Maehle to prod past Szczesny before the Nigeria winger headed Jeremie Boga’s left-wing cross into the far corner seven minutes later.

Danilo arrowed a 20-yard strike under the Atalanta wall and into the bottom-left corner to equalise after Di Maria’s back-heel free-kick routine, though neither side could find a late winner in a frenetic contest.

What does it mean? Another stalemate for Juve and Atalanta

Upon the announcement of Juve’s punishment, the club’s lawyers labelled the decision as a “clear injustice towards millions of fans” as the Bianconeri outlined their intentions to appeal the deduction.

While any slight hope of Champions League qualification may rely on off-field proceedings, Juve’s players responded with a credible performance against Atalanta, who are now just two points off the top four.

Albeit, Juve must be wondering what they have to do to defeat Atalanta, with this an eighth stalemate in the past 12 league meetings between the pair – no Serie A fixture has produced more since 2017. 

Lively Lookman

Lookman became the fourth Atalanta player to score 10 or more goals after 19 matches in his first Serie A campaign, before taking his tally to 11 with a composed header.

Jorgen Leschly Sorensen (1949-50), Karl Aage Hansen (1949-50) and Poul Rasmussen (1952-53) are the only others to achieve the feat as Lookman continues to prove his worth to Gian Piero Gasperini.

Defensive concerns for Juve

While a battling performance against top-four chasers Atalanta may earn some plaudits, the Bianconeri’s defensive showings may cause some concern for Massimiliano Allegri.

For the first time since November 1988, Juve have conceded eight goals across their last two Serie A games, after a 5-1 defeat to Napoli and the six-goal thriller here.

Key Opta facts

– Atalanta are unbeaten in their last six Serie A matches against Juve (W2 D4), equalling their longest undefeated run against the Bianconeri in the top flight: six matches without losing between 1963 and 1966.

– Lookman is the first Atalanta player to score braces in three straight games in all competitions since the 2006-07 season.

– Di Maria has scored in two consecutive Serie A matches for the first time. His goal was his first penalty since August 2019 for Paris Saint-Germain against Metz.

– Juve are unbeaten in their last 13 Serie A home games (W8 D5), the longest such run in the Italian top flight.

What’s next?

Juve host Monza on January 29, while Atalanta are at home to Sampdoria the day before