In 1977, Johan Cruijff’s Dutch team came to Wembley and England fielded five players whose natural position was center-back. Oranje fooled them by playing without a center-forward: Cruijff dropped into midfield and set up both goals in a 0-2 victory. Times change, but England doesn’t, at least not very much. Early in Thursday’s Nations League semifinal, Memphis Depay retreated from center-forward to midfield. He and his teammates found space between the rigid lines of England’s defense and midfield,…
Raf Honigstein shares the latest on Matthijs de Ligt’s future after ESPN FC sources reported PSG have become the favourites to land the Ajax star.
Matthijs de Ligt maintained the mystery around his future after helping Netherlands knock England out of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday.
The Ajax defender, who is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester United, among others, scored the equaliser as the Dutch went on to beat Gareth Southgate’s men 3-1 after extra-time.
– When does the transfer window close?
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands will meet Portugal in the final on Sunday, with De Ligt’s next move expected to become clearer…
After Gianluigi Buffon announced his departure from PSG, ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop explains why it didn’t pan out for the goalkeeping legend in Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain have become favourites to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt due to the efforts of former sporting director Leonardo, who is set to return to the French champions after nearly six years away, sources have told ESPN FC.
After a disappointing 2018-19 season in which the Parisians claimed only the Ligue 1 title, PSG are moving to revive their once-ambitious project by bringing back the Brazilian who laid the bones for Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) after their 2011 takeover of the…
Raphael Honigstein joins the crew to weigh in on Borussia Dortmund’s signings, and questions whether or not they’ve done enough to win next season’s Bundesliga title.
Gab Marcotti joins the ESPN FC crew to shed some light on Bayern Munich’s up-and-down season, citing an aging roster as a problem moving forward.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice to lead Bayern Munich to their first German Cup title since 2016 with a 3-0 win over RB Leipzig in the final.
Bayern Munich have withdrawn from the race to sign Matthijs de Ligt, a source close to the club has told ESPN FC.
The German champions had been encouraged to pursue the 19-year-old Ajax captain after initial positive talks but recently informed the centre-back in a telephone conversation that more pressing priorities in the transfer market ruled out a bid for him.
Manchester United and Barcelona are thought to be leading the chase for the Netherlands international, while Juventus are also interested.
TRANSFERS
Transfer grades: Rating every major signing from Europe
Why were Chelsea given a transfer ban?
FC Exclusives
– Gracia to replace Sarri at Chelsea?
– United, Arsenal eye Meunier
– Zidane key in Ramos’ stay
– Inter set €80m Lukaku price
– Arsenal want Leipzig’s Upamecano
Dan Thomas, Gab Marcotti and Stewart Robson try and separate fact from fiction as the summer transfer rumour mill cranks up.
The Premier League transfer window is open. You can click here to review all the latest transfers and keep up to date with all the latest gossip below.
When does the window open in Europe? | QUIZ: Which club should you join?
TOP STORY: PSG make de Ligt No. 1 target
According to reports at Sport, Paris Saint-Germain have made Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt their No. 1 transfer target this summer.
TRANSFERS
Transfer grades: Rating every major signing from Europe
Why were Chelsea given a transfer ban?
FC Exclusives
– Arsenal want Leipzig’s Upamecano
– Conte wants Lukaku at Inter
– City talks for Bayern-linked Sane
– Hazard edging closer to Madrid move
– Man United drop Sancho interest
The 19-year-old has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Manchester United, but PSG now look set…
Dan Thomas, Gab Marcotti and Stewart Robson try and separate fact from fiction as the summer transfer rumour mill cranks up.
The Premier League transfer window is open. You can click here to review all the latest transfers and keep up to date with all the latest gossip below.
When does the window open in Europe? | QUIZ: Which club should you join?
TOP STORY: PSG make de Ligt No. 1 target
According to reports at Sport, Paris Saint-Germain have made Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt their No. 1 transfer target this summer.
TRANSFERS
Transfer grades: Rating every major signing from Europe
Why were Chelsea given a transfer ban?
FC Exclusives
– Arsenal want Leipzig’s Upamecano
– Conte wants Lukaku at Inter
– City talks for Bayern-linked Sane
– Hazard edging closer to Madrid move
– Man United drop Sancho interest
The 19-year-old has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Manchester United, but PSG now…
Frank Leboeuf joins ESPN FC to talk Paul Pogba and Manchester United, explaining why the France star might be ill-suited for the United captaincy.
Paul Mariner says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wealth of experience and knowledge will be an asset for Marcus Rashford to find consistency at Man United.
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop looks at a few reported Man United young transfer targets, headlined by Fulham midfielder Ryan Sessegnon.
Ross Dyer and Steve Nicol discuss the reports that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will offer the Manchester United captaincy to Paul Pogba.
Manchester United and Barcelona transfer target Matthijs de Ligt has said he will make a decision on his future after the Netherlands’ upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign, but added he does like the Premier League.
The Ajax captain, 19, is one of the most sought-after players in this summer’s transfer market after an impressive campaign where he led the Amsterdam side to the Dutch league and cup double — as well as the semifinals of the Champions League.
– When are the Premier League fixtures…
Frank Leboeuf joins ESPN FC to talk Paul Pogba and Manchester United, explaining why the France star might be ill-suited for the United captaincy.
Paul Mariner says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wealth of experience and knowledge will be an asset for Marcus Rashford to find consistency at Man United.
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop looks at a few reported Man United young transfer targets, headlined by Fulham midfielder Ryan Sessegnon.
Ross Dyer and Steve Nicol discuss the reports that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will offer the Manchester United captaincy to Paul Pogba.
Manchester United expect top summer target Matthijs de Ligt to resist their advances and complete a move to Barcelona, with Old Trafford sources having told ESPN FC they believe the Spanish champions struck an agreement with the Ajax captain two months ago.
De Ligt, 19, has emerged as one of the most-sought after players in Europe this season after playing a key role in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semifinal. The defender also led the Amsterdam giants to their first Eredivisie title since…
Two goals from Lionel Messi got him to 50 in all competitions for the sixth time in his career, but Barcelona ended the season with a draw at Eibar.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was awarded the Creu du Sant Jordi, an award given to an individual who has served Catalonia in defense of its identity, either civically or culturally.
Alejandro Moreno sounds off on Ernesto Valverde for his part in Barcelona’s UCL failures, after club president Josep Bartomeu gave the manager his vote of confidence.
Barcelona believe they have lost ground to Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, sources have told ESPN FC.
Sources close to the negotiations said that the “optimism” which Barca maintained a few weeks ago has decreased due to the renewed interest of some of Europe’s biggest clubs and the excessive demands from De Ligt and his agent, Mino Raiola.
- Valverde coy on Griezmann signing
– Carragher: Liverpool should re-sign Coutinho
-…
It’s 2019. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the dominant forces in soccer, winning nearly every individual award and leading their clubs to title after title. Yet both are in the twilights of their careers, at 31 and 34 years old respectively, and previous heirs to the throne such as Neymar and Gareth Bale haven’t come close to filling their boots.
It’s the same story for a slew of defensive talent, as Vincent Kompany, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini are approaching…