Dayot Upamecano hopes his meteoric rise at RB Leipzig this season can finish with a call-up for France s World Cup squad in June.
Since arriving from Salzburg in January 2017, Upamecano has established himself as one of the hottest prospects in the Bundesliga, reportedly attracting the interest of Europe s top clubs.
The 19-year-old has started 17 of Leipzig s 22 league matches in 2017-18, helping Die Roten to second place in the table behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.
And Upamecano hopes he can maintain his form and at least put himself in contention to be part of Didier Deschamps final group of 23 players.
Of course I dream of going to Russia, he told Bild.
But the competition in the French national team is incredibly big, especially in my…
Reigning Premier League champions would have been hoping to defend their league title this season, but with the rise of the Manchester clubs this has proved to be a tricky season for the Blues. They currently sit fifth in the table, 19 points behind leaders Manchester City, and two off a top four spot.
With summer signing Alvaro Morata struggling to settle in, Antonio Conte has leant heavily on the talismanic Eden Hazard to carry his Chelsea side at times this season. It is little surprise that the Belgian s exploits have caught the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and have been heavily linked with a swoop for some time.
News this week suggests that Hazard is set to stay put in London however, with reporting that Chelsea will offer the winger a new…
Former Arsenal manager George Graham said Jack Wilshere s career has stalled and has called on Arsene Wenger to talk to the midfielder.
Wilshere struggled to get on the pitch for Arsenal in the second half of last season due to injuries, continuing on from an injury-interrupted 2012/13 Premier League campaign, prompting Graham to claim the 22-year-old midfielder s career has not gone anywhere in the last 18 months .
Although Wilshere was part of England s squad at the FIFA World Cup, he has been in the media for all the wrong reasons this week after photos emerged of him smoking while holidaying in Las Vegas, just nine months after vowing to give up cigarettes.
Graham said Wenger as Arsenal s manager must get Wilshere to change his behaviour or risk seeing the ta…
Arsenal attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted to feeling under pressure throughout his second season at the club.
The 19-year-old made an immediate impact following his move to the Emirates Stadium from Southampton in August 2011, appearing 26 times and notching four goals during his debut campaign.
That form subsequently earned the midfielder international recognition at senior level, and he has amassed a total of 10 England caps since making his debut in May 2012.
However, Oxlade-Chamberlain says following up such an impressive start has been a tough ask and is keen to emphasise that he is still learning his trade.
It has been difficult,” he told Arsenal s official matchday programme.
There is always pressure, but maybe people forget that I am only 19 and will sti…
Hansi Flick admitted he was a little disappointed to miss out on The Best FIFA Men s Coach award after Bayern Munich s stunning run of trophy success.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp edged out Flick to take the award on Thursday, after leading the Reds to a first English league title in 30 years.
Flick, who took over in mid-season last term when Niko Kovac left a flagging Bayern, guided the German giants to a treble consisting of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League titles.
Bayern s achievements were reflected in Bayern s Robert Lewandowski winning the top player award and Manuel Neuer being named best goalkeeper in the world.
Flick would have been proud to join them as a winner but said: We always take this like sportsmen. Kloppo for sure deserved…
Journalist Ian McGarry has suggested on the that Chelsea could make a late move for Arsenal target Ben White. Arsenal have been strongly with a move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender White. There have been reports that the Gunners are on the verge of securing the services of the 23-year-old former Leeds United loanee.
Chelsea have also been linked, and well-known and well-respected journalist McGarry has said that Chelsea as well as Everton could make a late move for White, who is a central defender by trade but can also play as a right-back or in midfield.
McGarry said on the : “Everton and Chelsea are to our understanding are playing a waiting to see if Arsenal realise the valuation that Brighton feel is correct for their 23-year-old centre-back. And then they…
Chile made it back-to-back Copa America titles after seeing off South American rivals Argentina 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out in Sunday s ill-tempered final.
Both Argentina and Chile were reduced to 10 men in a fiery first half in a rematch of last year s decider, as Marcos Rojo and Marcelo Diaz saw red, and neither team could break the deadlock after 120 minutes of play in front of more than 82,000 fans at MetLife Stadium.
And for the second successive year, a shoot-out was required to determine a winner, with Chile coming out on top again following spot-kicks as Argentina s 23-year wait for a major trophy continued.
After captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo denied Sergio Aguero with a stunning finger-tip save in extra time, he was at it again in the shoot-out, ke…
Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony looks set to move on in the near future
Ivory Coast international striker Wilfried Bony is a player that is wasted sitting on the bench at City or even sitting in the stands more recently.
The 27-year-old was always going to find it difficult to nail down a regular first-team spot at City, mainly due to the presence of the outstanding Sergio Aguero in the City attack.
Bony is not only behind Aguero in the striking pecking order, but also Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho who has made such a big impression at the club in the last year.
It now seems that Bony is surplus to requirements at City and according to West Ham are interested in taking him off City’s hands.
A move to City was always the wrong one<…
Shay Given has come out of international retirement to be included in the Republic of Ireland s squad for fixtures against Oman and Georgia.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper stepped aside after Euro 2012, but has been persuaded back into the national set-up by manager Martin O Neill and assistant Roy Keane, with whom Given works at Aston Villa.
The veteran has struggled for first-team football at Villa Park since being ousted by American Brad Guzan, but could make his Irish comeback in the friendly against Oman on September 3.
Given is Ireland s second most-capped player, having made 125 appearances for his country.
Only striker Robbie Keane can better that record with 133 but, despite being included in the 27-man squad, the captain remains an injury doubt, hav…
Liverpool open talks for Nolito
Portuguese daily that Liverpool are seriously thinking about recruiting Benfica forward Nolito.
The 26-year-old was loaned to Granada in January and while he is due to report back at Estadio da Luz, it looks as though he won t be staying at the club for much longer.
Benfica are looking to cash in on the talented footballer and are hoping to get around €5 million for his services.
According to Record, Liverpool are set to jump at the opportunity to sign their long-term target, with the Reds already establishing initial contacts with the Eagles.
Nolito, who came through the youth ranks at Barcelona, joined Benfica on a free transfer in the summer of 2011.
Despite impressing in his first season at Estadio d…