“Ake should have played for Chelsea by now. He’s so good.
“How often does he not score with his head? He has timing and insight. I hope they buy him back. That boy is perfect for them and he has played with Lampard.
Those are the words of Chelsea scout Piet de Visser who has made it clear that he believes the club should attempt to sign Nathan Ake from Bournemouth. The Dutchman made the jump from Chelsea to the Cherries back in 2017 after a long, sustained period of failing to break into the starting XI with the Blues.
Now, with Chelsea preparing for a brand new chapter under the guidance of Frank Lampard, it seems as if Ake is back on the radar and is widely considered to be the kind of player that Lampard would be interested in signing.
Either w…
Crystal Palace have signed Senegal international midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate from Premier League rivals West Ham.
Palace confirmed the reported £9.5million deal on Wednesday, with Kouyate arriving on a four-year contract.
Kouyate – who featured for Senegal at this year s World Cup – swapped Belgian giants Anderlecht for West Ham in 2014, the 28-year-old scoring 12 goals in 129 appearances for the Hammers.
I m so happy. It s been a long day but now everything is good and I m very excited to start with my new team-mates, Kouyate told Palace TV.
This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge. I have good memories of West Ham but I need to come here and give my best because I like the Crystal Palace project.
I spoke to the ma…
Kevin De Bruyne marked his 100th appearance for Belgium with a goal in Wednesday s 2-0 friendly victory over Montenegro at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The Manchester City midfielder was handed a start in the hosts penultimate warm-up game ahead of Euro 2024 and found the net from distance just before half-time.
Matija Sarkic s weak backpass landed at the feet of De Bruyne and he made no mistake guiding it into the empty net from more than 30 yards out.
Milos Brnovic s second yellow card late on dented Montenegro s hopes of snatching a draw, before Leandro Trossard sealed the victory for Belgium from the penalty spot in added time after fellow substitute Jeremy Doku was felled in the box.
When you put the cherry on your 100th cap.
— Belg…
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Two sides marking their return to Premier League duties on Boxing Day afternoon, Leicester will welcome Newcastle to the King Power.
Leicester City
Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have opened the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of a real struggle, Brendan Rodgers side have come roaring back in some style. Only continuing to skyrocket their way up the Premier League table prior to the World Cup s winter break, the one-time Liverpool boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Marking their return to action earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a 3-0 romp away at MK Dons while on EFL Cup action, the Foxes will be looking to keep up that momentum here. Likewise, last seen heading into the festive interval…
Arsenal have completed and confirmed the signing of Nuno Tavares from Benfica on a long-term contract.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal will cost the Gunners €8m initially, with add-ons to come on top of that amount.
The 21-year-old progressed through the youth ranks at the Portuguese club, eventually reaching the first team ranks in 2019. Last season he made a total of 25 appearances in all competitions.
Primarily a left-back, Tavares is expected to act as a deputy to Kieran Tierney at the Emirates.
Welcome to The Arsenal, Nuno Tavares
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
…
Atlanta will be the home of a new Major League Soccer franchise from 2017, it has been confirmed.
Arthur Blank owner of NFL outfit the Atlanta Falcons made the announcement along with league commissioner Don Garber in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday.
The franchise is the latest to be announced as part of the competition s expansion, with New York City and Orlando City set to join next year, and David Beckham s Miami-based operation pencilled in as future entrants.
Garber last year revealed plans to expand the league to 24 teams by 2020 19 currently take part.
We are thrilled to welcome Atlanta to Major League Soccer as our 22nd team, said Garber.
Atlanta is one of the largest and most diverse markets in North America and has a rich tradition in sports and …
England captain Kane was quick to offer his well wishes during the World Cup in Qatar when reports over Pele s health continued to circulate.
The Tottenham striker has repeatedly labelled Pele as a reference point for all attackers within the modern game and he echoed that sentiment on Twitter.
Pele was a true inspiration and one of the greatest to ever play the game. Rest in peace, Kane wrote.
England s Football Association (The FA) also paid respects, posting: Everyone who loves football, loves Pele. His unique talent lit up the game and inspired the world.
Our thoughts are with his family, the Brazil Football Confederation and the Brazilian people.
As part of The FA s tributes, Wembley Stadium s iconic arch was lit up in Brazilian yellow and…
Joselu s late penalty denied Barcelona as Espanyol rescued a 1-1 draw during a Catalan derby that descended into chaos towards the end.
The Blaugrana replaced Real Madrid at LaLiga s summit on goal difference but were forced to settle for a point on their return to action despite dominating with over three-quarters of the possession and 21 shots.
Marcos Alonso broke the deadlock with an early header but then conceded the spot-kick that Joselu converted 17 minutes from time.
Both sides ended the game with 10 men after Jordi Alba and Vinicius Souza were dismissed for second bookings as referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz – the man in charge of Argentina s feisty World Cup quarter-final clash with the Netherlands earlier this month – prolifically handed out cards during…
Bayer Leverkusen star Hakan Calhanoglu will serve a four-month suspension, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld a punishment handed down by FIFA, which found him guilty of breaching a contract with Trabzonspor, who he had agreed to sign for as a teenager.
Calhanoglu, 22, was also ordered to pay €100,000 compensation to Trabzonspor.
The offence relates to 2011, when the attacking midfielder agreed to sign for the Turkish side before opting instead to extend his contract with German club Karlsruher SC.
Hakan Calhanoglu has received a 4-month suspension from FIFA
We re standing by you, !
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— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en)
Leverkusen first …
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has Spain in his sights after bringing up a career milestone in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania.
Daniele De Rossi and Ciro Immobile were on target in the Group G clash as the veteran Buffon brought up his 1000th career appearance, leaving the Azzurri level on points with the 2010 world champions at the summit.
A 4-1 win for Spain over Israel means their goal difference outstrips Italy s by eight and, after the sides shared a 1-1 draw in Turin last October, the battle for top spot seems set to hinge upon September s return clash.
Italy halted Spain s European title defence with a 2-0 win in Paris last year and Buffon sees no reason why his team-mates cannot prevail once more.
With Spain, we know we are not …