Everton midfielder Seamus Coleman insisted he is ready to challenge for a regular first-team spot after impressing in the League Cup.
The 23-year-old played a key role in Everton s Premier League campaign in 2010-11, helping them finish seventh and earning a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination.
Coleman was blighted by injuries last season, but now feels fully fit and able to stake his place in David Moyes plans again, after impressing in Everton s 5-0 dismantling of Leyton Orient at Goodison Park.
He told Everton s official website: It is going to be hard to break into the team this season as we have some quality players and everyone is playing well, but hopefully I can work hard, play well and reproduce that form I once showed.
My first season was …
Liverpool could have Nathaniel Clyne back for Saturday s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
Clyne played in the Under-23 team s 3-1 loss to Middlesbrough last week, having missed the whole of the 2017-18 season to date with a back problem.
Klopp has confirmed the full-back is a very good option for the meeting at Selhurst Park against his old club.
One or two games more would be nice but the situation is like it is, the Reds boss told the club s official website. He has been back for a few weeks already but he has come closer and closer.
He will be part of the squad, at least. That s good for us.
It s ANOTHER Liverpool goal!
Four years ago today, the Reds put past Spurs
— Liver…
Real Madrid publicly highlighted the perceived injustice of multiple unsuccessful penalty shouts following their goalless Clasico draw against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Raphael Varane had two strong appeals turned down in the first half, the first for a high challenge from Barca defender Clement Lenglet at Camp Nou following a free-kick midweek.
Barca s Ivan Rakitic had grappled with the defender in the seconds before that incident and then tugged Varane s shirt when competing for a corner moments later in the LaLiga blockbuster showdown.
Referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez let play continue and neither incident was checked using the VAR pitchside monitor.
Sergio Ramos described them as pretty clear penalties and Madrid called attention to the two …
Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini would relish the chance to reunite with Antonio Conte at Chelsea, according to the player s agent.
The 31-year-old excelled for Italy in their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they were beaten by Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Giaccherini impressed during a loan spell with Bologna last season after falling out of favour with Premier League side Sunderland, for whom he has made just 11 appearances since the start of the 2014-15 campaign.
The midfielder s agent, Furio Valcareggi, says Torino have enquired about a potential deal, while Fiorentina and Bologna remain interested, but the prospect of joining Conte s revolution at Chelsea would be tough to turn down.
Do we have an agreement with the G…
Saido Berahino has rejected a four-year contract offer from West Bromwich Albion, according to Sky Sports.
WBA star has been offered a deal worth potential £55,000 a week, which would make Berahino Albion’s best paid player, but the forward himself is believed to have no intention of extending his stay at Hawthorns.
The unsettled 22-year-old striker is determined to finally leave the club this month a year after Tottenham Hotspur failed with four different bids for the English international.
West Brom are likely to demand around £20 million for the forward who has just one year remaining in his contract.
Crystal Palace and Stoke are monitoring the situation, while Watford are also ready to join the chase with a substantial bid for the player.
Montpellier have accepted two offers for in-demand midfielder Younes Belhanda.
The 23-year-old Moroccan is on the wishlist of a host of clubs after two outstanding seasons in Ligue 1.
Belhanda scored 12 goals in 28 league appearances in Montpellier s 2011-12 title winning season, while he added another 10 strikes last term.
His form has seen him linked with the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal, while Aston Villa are said to be the most interested.
Belhanda has previously expressed an interest in joining Villa, hailing them as a great club with a big history playing in the best league in the world.
Italian giants Milan, Inter, Atletico Madrid of Spain and Turkish Super Lig outfit Galatasaray are also said to be chasing Belhanda, and Montpellier pre…
Southampton have completed the signing of Spain international Juanmi on a four-year deal from La Liga side Malaga.
The 22-year-old helped Malaga to a ninth-place finish in Spain s top tier last season and was rewarded with a call-up to Vicente del Bosque s national squad in March.
He will now link up with Ronald Koeman s side for his first overseas campaign having come through the youth setup at Estadio La Rosaleda prior to a loan spell at Racing Santander in 2013.
Juanmi who scored eight league goals last season becomes Southampton s first signing of the close-season following an impressive Premier League campaign for the club last term.
In Koeman s debut season, Southampton finished seventh and ensured UEFA Europa League qualification.
…
Palermo playmaker Josip Ilicic admits he is pondering his future at Stadio Renzo Barbera.
With the Rosanero largely struggling to escape the danger zone, the Slovenian midfielder is heavily being tipped with a January move away from the club.
Liverpool are believed to be leading the race for the player’s signature, while top Italian clubs are also keen.
Ilicic, 24, has refused to deny speculations linking him with a January exit.
“Future? I am still at Palermo, then we’ll see. I do not know,” the midfielder told reporters at a publicity event at shopping centre “Conca d’Oro”.
Ilicic joined Palermo from Maribor in the summer of 2010 and he only needed one season to prove his worth in Italian Serie A.
His performances dropped …
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has hailed the club s coach Jose Mourinho as the best in the world.
The 49-year-old Mourinho has been in charge at Real since 2010 and led the club to the La Liga title last season.
He signed a four-year deal as a result but speculation has been rife that Mourinho may leave the Spanish capital at the end of the current campaign, particularly with Real struggling 11 points adrift of table-toppers Barcelona.
Perez gave the Portuguese a public show of support though.
We have the best manager in the world with an amazing background who has hard work as his only rule, Perez said.
He s had to take attacks and damaging remarks that are disproportionate and unfair, some of them against his dignity as a person.
…
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has told fans on social media the club has been screwed up following the collapse of a proposed transfer.
The Premier League side were negotiating to bring Bamba Dieng in from Marseille, with Radrizzani having earlier taken to Twitter to confirm a move was set to go ahead.
Replying to a fan, Radrizzani also acknowledged the intention to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV as Leeds pushed to bolster their attacking ranks before the transfer window shut on Thursday evening.
Let s welcome Bamba Diang and we will continue to work on Gakpo. Now it s time to focus on the pitch and support our new project and the great job Jesse [Marsch] and the staff are doing, he posted.
However, Leeds desire to land Diang from the Ligue 1 side fell …