Ivan Rakitic feels like Barcelona have taken my ball after being confined to a marginal role at Camp Nou this season.
An influential performer since joining Barca ahead of their treble-winning 2014-15 campaign, Rakitic has been the odd man out this term following the big-money arrival of Netherlands star Frenkie de Jong.
The Croatia midfielder has only started on one of his seven LaLiga appearances, while three Champions League outings have all come from Ernesto Valverde s bench.
Asked about his predicament in an interview with Universo Valdano on Movistar, Rakitic replied: How can I enjoy it? It s like I ve said many times, how does my little daughter feel when you take a toy from here?
She feels sad. Well, I feel the same. They took my ball. I feel sad…
Newcastle United are interested in signing Mohammed Kudus from Ajax in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed the Premier League club have asked about the midfielder’s current situation following his impressive performances for Ghana at the ongoing 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
Kudus has been on the books of Ajax since 2020 and has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in Eredivisie. The 22-year-old has done well for Ajax, both in the Dutch domestic league and in European club competitions.
The former Nordsjaelland midfielder has made five starts and nine substitute appearances in the Eredivisie for Ajax so far this season, scoring five goals in the process. Kudus has also made five starts and one substitute appearance …
Former Juventus and Italy star Claudio Marchisio has retired at the age of 33.
The midfielder had been without a club since Zenit agreed to terminate his contract on July 1 after only one season in Russia.
Writing on Instagram, Marchisio said: I d made a promise to the kid who dreamt to become a football player. I would have played until I had felt the marvel of the dream coming true by stepping into the pitch.
In the past months my mind and my heart went through mixed feelings and I finally understood I wasn t fulfilling my promise anymore.
There are times when it is right for the heart to prevail over the mind, that s why I prefer to stop.
…
Memphis Depay says his attacking game is perfectly suited to Barcelona and is hopeful of winning many trophies during his time at Camp Nou.
Barca confirmed the signing of Depay on June 19 and the 27-year-old s move officially went through on July 1 when his contract with Lyon expired.
After a short break following the Netherlands last-16 exit to the Czech Republic at Euro 2020 last month, Depay arrived in Catalonia on Monday ready to begin pre-season preparations.
The Dutchman, who got his career back on track at Lyon following a disappointing spell with Manchester United, believes his style of play will help him thrive at LaLiga giants Barca.
This is a special day for me. I am very excited about going to this club, to this stadium, he told Barca TV.
…
Sion are in talks with Mario Balotelli, according to the Swiss club s president.
Former Inter, Manchester City, Liverpool and Milan forward Balotelli spent last season in Turkey with Adana Demirspor.
The Italy international scored 18 Turkish Super Lig goals as the team finished ninth, with only Kasimpasa s Umut Bozok managing more strikes in the competition (20).
That tally included a stunning five-goal haul on the final day against Goztepe, making top-flight history for Adana Demirspor in the process.
Balotelli is under contract until 2024, though the 31-year-old seems to be pushing for a move away, having suggested he could move to LaLiga, with Valencia said to be interested.
However, Sion s president Christian Constantin has confirmed hi…
Ex-Germany captain Philipp Lahm has warned football is in an existential crisis and players behaviour will face intense public scrutiny during the coronavirus crisis.
The 2014 World Cup-winning skipper says German football in particular must protect its core strengths during the leagues lockdown.
With no prospect of a swift resumption, the Bundesliga season has been suspended until April 30, although that is also likely to be set back.
Lahm, in an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, has urged footballers to show a social conscience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of the game s stars have given large donations to charity, while clubs, suddenly hit by a financial crisis, have sought for players to accept significant pay cuts until they can…
Everton are interested in signing Kalvin Phillips from Premier League rivals Manchester City in the summer transfer window, according to. The report has claimed that former Leeds United midfielder Phillips is likely to leave City in the middle of the season, and that Everton are keen on bringing him to Goodison Park.
Phillips joined City from Leeds in the summer of 2022. The 27-year-old has failed to make a huge impact at the Etihad Stadium so far and has been a peripheral figure in manager Pep Guardiola’s side. The England international has made three substitute appearances in the Premier League, has made one appearance in the EFL Cup, and has played only seven minutes in the UEFA Champions League for the Citizens this campaign.
Everton are 16th in the Premier League…
France international Benjamin Pavard might have left Bayern Munich in the last transfer window, if not for a conversation with Julian Nagelsmann.
Pavard helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and joined Bayern from fellow Bundesliga club Stuttgart a year later.
The versatile defender, who can play at centre-back or full-back, has been a regular for the Bundesliga champions and, if he is fit, is likely to be part of Didier Deschamps France squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
Pavard has featured eight times in all competitions for Bayern this season, scoring twice, though with Bayern signing right-back Noussair Mazraoui and centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, he revealed he came close to leaving the club, and may well have done if not for Nagelsmann.
I questione…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted Manchester United will not be divided by outsiders following reports Bruno Fernandes had lost faith in him.
United suffered a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham at Old Trafford in their final game before the international break, with Fernandes substituted at half-time after the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men.
Asked about the situation while on international duty, the Portugal midfielder denied suggestions of a rift with Solskjaer, suggesting such claims were intended to destabilise the group.
Solskjaer was proud of the response from Fernandes and insisted the team will remain united in the face of criticism.
It s one of those things. You have to get over it as soon as you can and move on, Solskjaer said of the defea…
Barcelona were made to work for victory over Alaves on Sunday but late goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi saw them equal a club record.
Ernesto Valverde s men remain 11 points clear at the summit and their streak of 21 games unbeaten represents Barcelona s best run from the start of a LaLiga season.
Pep Guardiola s 2009-10 title-winning side won 17 and drew four over the course of their streak, but Messi s exquisite free-kick means Vlaverde s vintage have 18 victories and three draws to their name.
Messi is represented across the three best returns, with Tito Vilanova s Barca going 19 games without defeat from the outset in 2012-13.
21 Barcelona have equaled their longest unbeaten start to a league campaign in their history (W18 D3); under Pep Guar…