The FC crew praise Arsenal for their eight-match unbeaten run, but caution that there are still issues defensively that need ironing out.
The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January.
Emery lining up Banega to replace Ramsey
Arsenal manager Unai Emery knows exactly who he wants to replace Aaron Ramsey with the Welshman now set to leave the club after contract renewal talks recently broke down past the point of rescue.
Emery’s preferred target is a player he knows well, and a player who has been continually linked…
Former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo has hope that Argentina will have a chance at beating France on Saturday.
At the end of Argentina’s pre-match news conference, Ever Banega got up and promptly walked out of the wrong door. He was quickly guided in the correct direction but the episode raised a smile given that, at this critical juncture in the World Cup, Banega is the man charged with directing La Albiceleste’s traffic to the intended destination.
Banega was brought in from the cold to smooth out Argentina’s transitions against Nigeria and promptly produced exactly what Jorge Sampaoli wanted: a beautifully-flighted,…
ESPN FC’s Stewart Robson breaks down the latest transfer rumours surrounding Paul Pogba, Rafinha and more in Rumour Rater.
Paul Mariner measures if Xherdan Shaqiri would be a good fit in Jurgen Klopp’s system, N’Golo Kante’s future with Chelsea and more.
Despite the World Cup having started, the transfer rumour mill hasn’t slowed down one bit. David Amoyal breaks down and rates some potential moves to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
Hirving Lozano to Barcelona: 55 percent
The young Mexican is quickly making a name for himself with his performances in Russia. Among the clubs interested in the PSV winger, Barcelona have already made an approach, as confirmed by Lozano’s father. The chances of seeing the Mexican in the Eredivisie next season are…
From the lineups, to the use of VAR, to Marcos Rojo’s winner, the FC crew examine all the talking points following Argentina’s 2-1 win over Nigeria.
Mark Ogden believes Argentina’s late win has followed suit of a pulsating World Cup so far and feels their match with France could also become a classic.
They did it by the skin of their teeth, but they did it: Argentina are into the second round of the World Cup following a hair-raising group finale against Nigeria in which a far more fluid performance finally saw them claim their first victory of the tournament. It wasn’t a perfect 2-1 win but it just might be the boost Argentina have needed.
Positives
Qualification, of course, and also the regularity with which Messi got the ball higher up the pitch, even in a second half that saw the team…
After Jorge Sampaoli called Argentina Lionel Messi’s team, the FC crew examine whether Messi is influencing squad selection, particularly with the absences of Dybala and Icardi.
Argentina’s legend Diego Maradona wants to know who will play for Albicelestes in Russia.
Argentina’s Jorge Sampaoli describes his squad as being Lionel Messi’s team and believes the 2018 World Cup will be his tournament to shine.
After Friday’s 2-0 win over Italy in Manchester, the mood in Argentina around the national team has lifted a little.
It wasn’t a performance without faults, but it was one of the best — if not the best — of Jorge Sampaoli’s time in charge of La Albiceleste, particularly considering Lionel Messi was absent with a minor injury.
This “tour” is all about Sampaoli working with his players and getting a look at them in match situations with some World Cup spots up for grabs.
With that in mind, let’s…
Argentina’s Jorge Sampaoli describes his squad as being Lionel Messi’s team and believes the 2018 World Cup will be his tournament to shine.
Argentina’s legend Diego Maradona wants to know who will play for Albicelestes in Russia.
Italy’s interim coach Luigi Di Biagio will give new players a chance in upcoming international friendlies.
MANCHESTER, England — Three points from the Etihad Stadium on Argentina’s 2-0 win over Italy in an international friendly.
1. Argentina, Italy headed for opposite summers
Argentina have realistic hopes of winning the World Cup, Italy are trying to rebuild after a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign but it’s difficult to see if either will take too much from a mostly dismal friendly at the Etihad Stadium.
Substitute Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini lit up the game with two excellent…
With Champions League matchday 1 looming, the FC crew delve into the marquee fixtures.
Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign at home to Sevilla on Wednesday in a match between the two sides who will expect to compete for the top spot in Group E. Jurgen Klopp’s side have made a solid start to the season, but there are still reasons to believe that Sevilla will be capable of causing them problems at Anfield.
1. Sevilla were victorious last time they met
The last time Liverpool and Sevilla met was in the final of the 2015-16 Europa League in Basel. Liverpool took a one-goal…
Luciano Spalletti makes his first appearance as Inter Milan coach, and his motivation to join the club from Roma.
Stewart Robson feels the addition of Luciano Spalletti to Inter Milan will do them a deal of good at challenging for titles.
Ever Banega is set to return to Sevilla after one year with Inter Milan, a move that means he will not be reunited with Unai Emery at Paris Saint-Germain.
Banega, 28, played under Emery at Sevilla between 2014 and 2016 before both left the club that same summer.
Last week, Banega’s representative Marcelo Simonian told TuttoMercatoWeb: “Sevilla? I am not ruling out any possibility. Not even PSG or other clubs,” but has since confirmed to ABC Sevilla that his client will be returning on a three-year…
Luciano Spalletti makes his first appearance as Inter Milan coach, and his motivation to join the club from Roma.
Stewart Robson feels the addition of Luciano Spalletti to Inter Milan will do them a deal of good at challenging for titles.
Borja Valero is expected to replace Ever Banega at Inter Milan summer with negotiations at an advanced stage for both players to move.
Banega arrived in Milan on a free transfer from Sevilla last summer but was unable to impress in a turbulent season for the Nerazzurri with three coaches — Roberto Mancini, Frank De Boer and Stefano Pioli — sacked. He is not expected to stay and see if things go better under Luciano Spalletti, though, with his agent confirming a return to Spain is imminent.
“It…
Jorge Sampaoli was unveiled as the new manager of Argentina where he discussed the importance of World Cup qualification.
Alejandro Moreno evaluates whether Jorge Sampaoli is the man to lead Argentina forward.
The European season might have just ended, but one big-name manager has already made a move. Jorge Sampaoli, after just a year with Sevilla, has answered the call of his country and was unveiled as Argentina manager Thursday evening. Here are five questions and answers as we consider the task ahead of him.
1. What will his style of play be?
The most frequent complaint of Edgardo Bauza’s time in charge of Argentina was that he barely managed to pick up any points. The second-most frequent complaint…