Antonio Rudiger's contract runs out at the end of the season and Chelsea are yet to reach an agreement on terms for an extension; "He is in the most competitive league, he is at a club where he really matters and that suits him perfectly," said Thomas Tuchel Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea is the perfect club for Antonio Rudiger and hopes the centre-back decides to stay at Stamford Bridge. Rudige...Full Story »

JOSE MOURINHO still has a picture of his 2017 Europa League success with Manchester United hanging proudly on the wall of his office at Roma. Back in 2013, the Portuguese belittled Rafa Benitez's Europa League win at Chelsea by insisting such a feat would be a 'disappointment' to him. Jose Mourinho has a picture of himself kissing the Europa League trophy hanging in his office He said: "I don...Full Story »

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic has spoken of his relief that the uncertainty of a possible EFL points deduction has been lifted from the Sky Bet Championship club.A six-point deduction was confirmed on Wednesday, with the Royals then going on to draw 1-1 with Nottingham Forest at the SCL Stadium.In-form Forest were rewarded for an enterprising opening by going in front in the fourth minute thro...Full Story »

Steven Gerrard admitted to feeling a mixture of pride and relief after two late goals got his managerial reign at Aston Villa off to a winning start.Gerrard celebrated exuberantly when Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock after 84 minutes to put Villa in front against Brighton.And the former Liverpool midfielder was jumping around his technical area again two minutes from time when Tyrone Mings lash...Full Story »

Huddersfield will check on the fitness of Jonathan Hogg and Duane Holmes ahead of their home game against West Brom.Hogg (thigh) and Holmes (ankle) passed a late fitness test to start against Cardiff on November 6 but both then had to be substituted through injury in the defeat in the Welsh capital, with Hogg lasting only nine minutes.Town boss Carlos Corberan will hope the international break h...Full Story »

Xavi Hernandez is back at Barcelona as head coach and is looking to overhaul his playing squad in an attempt to turn the club's fortunes around on the pitch. The January transfer window is set to be a busy one for the Azulgrana and Xavi is reportedly looking at a potential raid of Premier League side Chelsea. The Barcelona legend is looking to secure some loan deals and has identified three ...Full Story »

Barcelona's tiny transfer budget revealed (ESPN)The Blaugrana will give new coach Xavi almost nothing to work with Barcelona will have a January transfer budget below €10 million, reports ESPN, as costs related to the sacking of Ronald Koeman have chipped away at the club's already strained resources. That leaves manager Xavi Hernandez with few paths toward meaningful player acquisitio...Full Story »

St Albans boss Ian Allinson felt his “outstanding” side took advantage of their luck as they progressed to the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in 25 years.St Albans shocked League Two leaders Forest Green with a 3-2 victory at Clarence Park.Matt Stevens put Rovers ahead after 17 minutes but quick goals from Mitchell Weiss and Zane Banton turned things around for the hos...Full Story »

Mikel Arteta defended his Arsenal players after Watford boss Claudio Ranieri accused them of a lack of respect in the build-up to Emile Smith Rowe’s winning goal.Smith Rowe struck in the second half to secure a 1-0 victory over the 10-man Hornets, who had Juraj Kucka sent off late on.The result leaves Arsenal fifth in the Premier League heading into the international break, with the result...Full Story »

Neil Warnock revealed his frustrations after his exit from Middlesbrough was announced minutes after the 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing West Brom.Warnock had overseen an English football record 1,602nd professional game as a manager at Luton on Tuesday but the draw at The Hawthorns proved to be the end of his latest stint.Middlesbrough said a decision had been reached by mutual consent with the...Full Story »

Zak Rudden’s early goal was enough for Partick Thistle to win 1-0 at cinch Championship leaders Kilmarnock.Thistle made an almost immediate breakthrough as Rudden timed his run in behind the defence and coolly lobbed keeper Zach Hemming in the third minute.Hemming twice denied Stuart Bannigan while Daniel Armstrong had Killie’s best efforts of the first half as they trailed at the br...Full Story »

Real Madrid still targeting RudigerReal Madrid have not give up hope of signing Antonio Rudiger this summer, reports AS. Rudiger's contract with Chelsea ends after this season, opening the door for another club to sign him on a free transfer. Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan, but it would take a salary of around €12 million (£10m/$14m) per year to convince him to sign. Vela hoping to...Full Story »

AFC Sudbury joint-manager Angelo Harrop urged his players to be proud of what they achieved after their 4-0 defeat to League Two Colchester in the FA Cup.The eighth-tier club won five matches to reach the first round proper, but their fairytale run was ended by goals from Brendan Wiredu, Freddie Sears, Sylvester Jasper and Shawn McCoulsky.But the Suffolk side’s progress in the cup competit...Full Story »

Colchester ended minnows AFC Sudbury’s FA Cup run with a 4-0 victory in the first round.Sudbury, who ply their trade in the eighth tier of English football, had won five games to reach the tournament proper for the first time in 21 years.But the visiting League Two side ultimately proved their class and and were a step too far for the Yellows.The Isthmian League North Division side started...Full Story »

Joe Ralls is in contention for a Cardiff starting spot at home to Huddersfield.Ralls has not started since the south Wales derby defeat to Swansea on October 17 because of a shoulder injury.But he came on in the closing stages against QPR on Wednesday and brought energy to the Cardiff midfield.Cardiff’s defeat to Rangers was their ninth in 10 games, but interim manager Steve Morison was pl...Full Story »

Sudbury have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their FA Cup meeting with Colchester.The Yellows will be without goalkeeper Alfie Stronge, who is cup-tied, and Romario Dunne.Dunne is out with a knee injury and is currently awaiting a scan.Sudbury are fourth in the Isthmian League North and this is their first game in the first round of the FA Cup since the 2000-01 season.Samson Tovide and Junior ...Full Story »

On Tuesday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was once again indebted to Cristiano Ronaldo. Cavani, Matic and Pogba posed for photos aboard their luxury private jet en route to Bergamo Credit: Getty The Portuguese legend, 36, scored twice for United - including an added-time equaliser - during the 2-2 draw with Atalanta. The Red Devils were largely played off the park and were once again bailed ou...Full Story »

A delighted Russell Martin heaped praise on goalscorers Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe after the pair earned Swansea a 2-1 win over Coventry at the Coventry Building Society Arena.Coventry-born Paterson opened the scoring inside five minutes with his third goal in five games before Dutch striker Piroe notched his ninth Sky Bet Championship goal of the season.“Joe and Jamie have been incredi...Full Story »

Peterborough striker Jonson Clarke-Harris is in contention to start as the Posh welcome Huddersfield to the Weston Homes Stadium on Tuesday.The 27-year-old, top scorer in League One last season, came on as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Swansea and may start for the first time since serving a four-match ban for historic offensive social media posts.Harrison Burrows was ...Full Story »

Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley hailed an effective away performance from his side after they weathered pressure from Sheffield United before securing a 1-0 win.The hosts created a number of good chances, but they were unable to find the net and were punished when Keshi Anderson struck the only goal of the game in the 76th minute.Critchley said: “I suppose 1-0, when you keep a clean sh...Full Story »