Spain striker Alvaro Negredo is ready to battle for a starting berth in Vincent Del Bosque s first 11 after scoring against South Korea.
Negredo was a surprise inclusion in Spain s final 23-man squad for Euro 2012 and bagged the final goal in a 4-1 friendly win over South Korea after coming on as a second-half substitute on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Sevilla striker scored 14 goals in La Liga last season and is set to challenge Fernando Torres and Llorente for the striker s role after edging Robert Soldado for a place in the squad.
Winning the race for the number nine is going to be challenging, Negredo said.
Every player in the squad is important and anyone can play.
We will wait for the manager s decision and I m facing this challenge with …
AC Milan defender Adil Rami has been the subject of interest from Sevilla and Lyon, .
The France international appears ready to leave San Siro in search of first team football and it looks as though he will have no shortage of offers this summer.
Europa League holders Sevilla have already opened talks with AC Milan as they want Rami to deputize for Nicolas Pareja, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Lyon are ready to offer the defender a chance to return to French Ligue 1, as they hope to recruit the 29-year-old on a season-long loan.
Adil Rami made a name for himself at Lille, spending five seasons there before joining Valencia in the summer of 2011.
The Frenchman moved to AC Milan last summer following a successful loan …
West Ham United are interested in signing Gabriel Jesus from Premier League rivals Manchester City, according to a report in . It has been reported that West Ham are looking for a striker in the January transfer window, and Jesus is one of the players they are looking for.
Jesus has made 10 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for City so far this season, scoring two goals and providing five assists in the process. The City no.9 has scored three goals and provided one assist in four substitute Champions League matches for the defending Premier League champions this campaign.
City are at the top of the Premier League table at the moment with 32 points from 14 matches, while West Ham are currently fourth in the standings with 26 points from 14 games.…
Asked if Trafford could make his senior debut for England soon if he impresses for Vincent Kompany’s new boys, Lescott added: “Yeah, 100 per cent. Whatever he achieves, touch wood barring any unfortunate injuries, will not surprise me.
“I spoke to Vinny before they acquired him and I told him I’ve not seen a keeper that composed at that age, so yeah he’s very good.”
Former City defender Lescott is equally enthusiastic about how old team-mate Kompany will fare during his maiden campaign in the Premier League.
Kompany and Burnley took the Championship by storm last season, but they are odds-on to return back to the second tier ahead of Friday’s opener.
“Vinny will be prepared and nothing Vinny does will surprise me,” Lescott insisted.
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Frank Lampard said he has never thought of retiring from international football.
Despite sitting out Euro 2012 injured and having experiencing abused from England fans, Lampard has always been motivated to play for the national team, even though it has not always been easy..
The 34-year-old has won 92 England caps and having netted twice against Moldova on Friday, he now has 25 international goals and the opportunity to become his country s greatest midfield goalscorer in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday.
I am very proud of my England career. With England careers, they can t always be rosy for any player especially if you are going to get towards 100 caps, he told ESPN.
I am very proud of the games, the goals, the games I h…
Iker Casillas has rubber-stamped his move from Real Madrid to Porto by signing a two-year contract with the Primeira Liga giants.
The legendary goalkeeper s transfer was confirmed on Saturday, signalling the end of a 25-year association with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit.
Casillas held a news conference to bid an emotional farewell to his boyhood club earlier on Sunday and struggled to hold back the tears as he delivered a pre-prepared statement.
Porto subsequently confirmed details of Casillas new contract, which includes the option of a third year.
Casillas departs Real having amassed 725 appearances since making his debut away to Athletic Bilbao in 1999, and is expected to be replaced in Rafael Benitez s side by Manchester United keeper David de Gea.
Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is wary of a backlash from struggling Lazio when Massimiliano Allegri s team travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Friday.
Since losing 1-0 at Sassuolo at the end of October, Juventus have won five matches in a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
The return to form has helped the defending champions to claw their way back up the Serie A table to fifth, seven points shy of Napoli, who replaced Inter at the summit with a 2-1 win over Roberto Mancini s side on Monday.
Lazio are only five points worse off in 10th, but their form has collapsed over recent weeks.
Europa League wins over Rosenborg and Dnipro have punctuated an alarming slide of one point from their past five matches for Stefano Pioli s team.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has leapt to the defence of Wilfried Zaha after he was once again booked for diving in the 0-0 draw with Watford on Saturday.
The Ivorian went to ground in the penalty area under a rash challenge from Adrian Mariappa during the second half at Vicarage Road, but referee Chris Kavanagh opted to caution Zaha for simulation rather than point to the spot.
It means that the 25-year-old has been shown four yellow cards for diving since the start of the 2015-16 season – more than any other player.
Hodgson believes the reputation he has gained is unfair, though, telling the club s official website: It sometimes comes from other managers trying to gain an advantage by putting in the referee s mind that he s cheat. We know he isn t –…
Leeds United are interested in signing Joe Rodon from Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, according to . It has been reported that Leeds are among the clubs who are monitoring the situation of Rodon at North London club Tottenham.
Rodon is struggling for playing time at Tottenham, who could be open to sending out the 24-year-old Wales international out on loan. The Wales international has made 13 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs so far in his career.
Leeds are in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are struggling defensively at the moment and need to make defensive reinforcements. Leeds are 16th in the Premier League table at the moment with 16 points from 18 matches.
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Former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has made a surprise return to the Premier League after agreeing a one year deal with West Bromwich Albion, .
The Baggies will become the 34 year olds sixth club in the English top flight, and eleventh in total.
Anelka left Stamford Bridge in March 2012, initially signing for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenua before ending last season on loan with Juventus, though the Serie A Champions decided against offering him a permanent contract.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brought the Frenchman to England in 1997 for £500,000 and having won the double in his first season, sold him at a profit of £23million to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
A return to first club Paris Saint Germain followed his time at the Bernab…