Новости за 20.12.2017

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero has had his ban for a failed drugs test reduced by FIFA, meaning he will be available to play at the World Cup.

Paul Clement and Swansea City have parted company after a difficult first half of the season which has left them bottom of the Premier League. Swansea appointed Clement in January with the club in the relegation zone after the sacking of Bob Bradley and he won the Premier League Manager of the Month award at the first time of asking. Clement went on to save Swansea from relegation at the end of last season, but he has been unable to continue that form into the 2017-18 campaign. Monday's 3-1 defeat... Читать дальше...

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says they had to take action over an alleged approach from Barcelona for Antoine Griezmann "as a matter of respect". FIFA confirmed that Atleti reported the Catalan giants over their alleged pursuit of France star Griezmann, after Camp Nou director Guillermo Amor said it was possible the LaLiga leaders had met with the 26-year-old. Cerezo was asked about the situation and vowed to defend his club, while also reiterating that Griezmann remains an Atletico player. Читать дальше...

Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to the Manchester United XI at Bristol City, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan's wait for a return continues after he was only named on the bench for Wednesday's EFL Cup tie. The Armenian has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford in recent weeks, making just one appearance - a 19-minute cameo against Brighton and Hove Albion - since November 5. Mkhitaryan reportedly clashed with Jose Mourinho during a video analysis session at training, prompting speculation about a potential move to Inter. Читать дальше...

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has played down the prospect of new defenders joining the club in the January transfer window. The Reds failed in their attempts to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in the previous window and the strength in depth of their defence has often been scrutinised in the months that have followed. However, they have shown a more resolute side since a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham in October, conceding just one goal from open play in their nine Premier League matches following that Wembley thrashing. Читать дальше...

1.Manchester City will not go unbeatenLogically, the stress of the fixture list should eventually catch up with them. City are already a marquee fixture for every club in England, but the longer the current streaks goes on, the more of a trophy victory they’ll become. Brace for “disgusting effort”.And can’t you just feel it? They won’t lose their record to Manchester United or Chelsea, but almost inevitably to some nondescript side who catches them on short rest after a key Champions League game. Читать дальше...

Celtic have announced the signing of defender Marvin Compper from RB Leipzig. The 32-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Scottish champions and will officially join up with the squad when the transfer window opens in January. "The last half-a-year, I wasn't playing so much at Leipzig," he told CelticTV after finalising the deal. "The recruiting staff were looking for an experienced defender. They made contact with my agent and I'm very glad to be here." The centre-back... Читать дальше...

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is primed to haunt Arsenal on his return to the Emirates Stadium this week, according to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. The German takes his side to London on Friday, when Oxlade-Chamberlain will look to make a point against the club he left in August. His recent performances have drawn warm praise from many, though Klopp was impressed from the start and suggested that he may be demanding more attacking output than was expected of the 24-year-old by Arsene Wenger. "He did well from the first day," the Reds boss said. Читать дальше...

The Premier League prides itself on unpredictability. No side has retained the crown since Manchester United in 2008/09, while four different clubs have conquered it in the past five seasons. When it comes to the PFA Team of the Season, however, it’s not so varied.Six Chelsea players made it in 2014/15, while the last two campaigns have featured eight players from just two clubs. Eyebrow-raising inclusions such as Nottingham Forest’s Steve Stone in 1995/96, Wigan’s Pascal Chimbonda in 2005/06 and... Читать дальше...

Paulinho would love to play alongside Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona, with the Camp Nou club reportedly primed to renew their pursuit of the Liverpool star. The Reds rebuffed a number of approaches from the LaLiga side for Coutinho's services in August, with the Brazilian handing in a transfer request. He has since returned to the fold at Anfield and continues to impress under Jurgen Klopp, and Barca's interest has apparently not waned. Asked about his compatriot coming to join him at Barca, Paulinho told Mundo Deportivo... Читать дальше...

And so, we reach the time of year when groups of people familiar with and contemptuous towards one another get together in the hope of joyous celebration. Pleasantries will be exchanged, along with handshakes and small gifts before getting down to business. Ultimately, the truce will be flimsy as well-trodden arguments are trampled over once more, old wounds are reopened and it all ends in screaming and tears. That's right, it's time for El Clasico. For Real Madrid versus Barcelona. And, for a... Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo renew world football's greatest individual battle when they meet in a much-anticipated Clasico on Saturday. Barcelona have the benefit of a healthy lead in LaLiga and know a win at the Santiago Bernabeu would be a major blow to Real Madrid's title hopes. The potentially decisive clash could boil down to which of the sides' superstars takes control. Using Opta data, we analyse which player has enjoyed El Clasico most across their stellar careers.  pic.twitter.com/fTw1QriXnm ... Читать дальше...

Waking up on Christmas Day to a sack full of presents is one of the most exciting things a child can experience, but a third of kids in England would happily go without – on one condition. The caveat for enduring the festive season without any gifts to unwrap is that England win the World Cup in 2018, with 32 per cent of children in the country preferring that to a delivery from Father Christmas. The findings come from a survey commissioned by Lidl, the England team's official supermarket, which... Читать дальше...

The Ballon d’Or has grown to become the most prestigious individual award in football. Not bad for a gong that, before 1995, was just for the best European player and whose title – if we recall our French lessons – is the 'Balloon of Orbs'. Strange name for a football award, really, but still better than FIFA’s ludicrous ‘The Best’.Anyway, since 1995 and the Ballon d’Or going all international, it’s become the de facto seal of approval for the world’s best footballer in the past year. This month... Читать дальше...

Swansea City face a potentially pivotal moment in their season when Crystal Palace visit on Saturday, with Leroy Fer describing the game as "massive". Paul Clement's side sit bottom of the Premier League, having suffered a 3-1 loss at Everton on Monday. Fer opened the scoring in that game, but his side now sit four points adrift of safety and are in desperate need of a win this weekend. "We have to lift ourselves now and look ahead to Crystal Palace," he told Swansea's official website. "It's a massive game for us on Saturday. Читать дальше...

Kylian Mbappe has become one of football's superstars over the past two years and he is still a teenager, having celebrated his 19th birthday on Wednesday. The France international made his Monaco debut in December 2015, before sparkling in a further 59 first-team appearances in all competitions, scoring 27 goals, and then agreeing a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain that is expected to end with him becoming the world's second most expensive player. Mbappe was a key member of the Monaco squad that... Читать дальше...

Kylian Mbappe celebrates his 19th birthday on Wednesday, ending a year that has seen him go from an unknown to one of the most famous sportspeople on the planet. After joining Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco in a deal that is set to make him the second most expensive player in history, Mbappe has set about justifying his stardom. A year ago, the teenager was battling for a regular place in Monaco's starting line-up but now features alongside Brazil superstar Neymar in a PSG strikeforce that is the envy of world football. Читать дальше...

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson will pit his wits against a man he has studied in depth when Jose Mourinho's Manchester United visit Ashton Gate on Wednesday. The EFL Cup quarter-final tie sees Championship high-flyers City take take on Premier League heavyweights United, with Johnson aiming to spring a shock on an idol of his. He will be aiming to learn all he can from the Portuguese, whose side are seeking to defend the trophy. "It'd be nice to get on as well as I can with him, get chatting to... Читать дальше...

Rivaldo refused to rule out the possibility of former Barcelona star Neymar joining bitter Spanish rivals Real Madrid. Neymar left Barca for French giants Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222million deal in August but the Brazil international has been linked with Madrid. Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has previously insisted Neymar would be welcome at the LaLiga and Champions League titleholders, while president Florentino Perez fuelled rumours after claiming the PSG forward would have a better... Читать дальше...

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has charged a man with racially aggravated common assault following a reported attack on Manchester City star Raheem Sterling. Reports circulated following City's 4-1 defeat of Tottenham on Saturday that the England international had been racially abused and kicked as he arrived at the club's training base prior to the match. GMP announced on Tuesday that an arrest was made in connection with an incident on Clayton Lane that they are treating as a "hate crime". Karl Anderson... Читать дальше...

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is worried by the hamstring injury that inflicted "quite big" pain on Olivier Giroud during the 1-0 EFL Cup win over West Ham. Giroud's rare opportunity to start was ruined when he limped off clutching his right leg in the 78th minute. Francis Coquelin was also hampered by cramp during Tuesday's quarter-final clash but is expected to be available for Friday's visit from Liverpool. The news is less encouraging for France striker Giroud, who appears set to miss the festive period. Читать дальше...

West Ham manager David Moyes insists the club must invest in midfielders in the January transfer window to build a competitive squad. The Hammers were bundled out of the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday as they failed to register a shot on target in a 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal. Teenagers Declan Rice and Domingos Quina both started in the middle while the likes of Joe Hart and Javier Hernandez also earned opportunities. While disappointed with his side's defending for Danny Welbeck's scrappy first-half winner... Читать дальше...

Jamie Vardy equalised from the spot but failed in the shoot-out as Manchester City beat Leicester City 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. The England striker and Riyad Mahrez were brought on in the second half as Claude Puel looked to put City under pressure, but Vardy saw his penalty strike the post before Claudio Bravo stopped the Algerian's effort to spark the visitors' celebrations. Leicester were their own worst enemy for much of the first half... Читать дальше...

Antonio Conte has told Michy Batshuayi he must show he is better than Alvaro Morata or Eden Hazard if he is to hold down a first-team role at Chelsea. Batshuayi joined Chelsea from Marseille for a reported €39million in July 2016 after establishing himself as a rising star in Ligue 1 and at Standard Liege before that. But he has struggled to make a telling impact at Stamford Bridge, making just three Premier League starts so far. Some thought the Belgian would get more chances from the start as a result of Morata's recent fitness problems... Читать дальше...