Javier Zanetti is optimistic about what lies ahead for Inter and believes that Mauro Icardi can go on to achieve great things with the club.

The Argentine called time on a trophy-laden 19-year affair with the Italian giants in 2014 and had his number-four jersey retired as a mark of respect for his contribution.

Following his retirement, Zanetti was appointed as Inter s vice-president but in their first season without him on the pitch, the club failed to qualify for European competition.

However, the 42-year-old believes the conditions for progression are in place at San Siro.

It s a new group because so many players have arrived, and I think they understand what it means to wear the Inter shirt. We hope to continue like this, Zanetti said at an event pr…

Germany head coach Joachim Low was left to rue his side s unforced errors as their 22-game unbeaten run came to an end against Brazil at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The game marked the first senior meeting between the heavyweights since a remarkable World Cup semi-final in 2014 when Germany thumped the stunned hosts Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte.

Low s side did not come close to replicating that performance, though, and failed to recover from Gabriel Jesus solitary first-half goal for Tite s impressive men.

Speaking after the game, Low told ZDF: It wasn t a good performance, everyone had problems. We made too many unforced errors and made Brazil stronger.

These friendly games are good to try things, the result is not that decisive. The problem is that …

Ansu Fati was the subject of a rejected €150million bid from an unnamed Premier League club that would have helped solve Barcelona s financial woes, former president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed.

The money worries at the troubled LaLiga giants have been laid bare over the past year, with the club having seen huge streams of revenue lost amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It was the money crisis that ultimately led to Los Cules legend Lionel Messi departing on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, while several other big earners agreed to take a pay cut to help alleviate the cash-flow issues.

Bartomeu stepped down in October 2020 following a vote of no confidence, while it has been reported Barca s debts are at the €1.35billion mark.

The ex-president…

Eintracht Frankfurt hope returning to familiar surroundings can help Luka Jovic rediscover his best form after the striker completed his loan move from Real Madrid. 

The Serbia international has rejoined the Bundesliga club for the remainder of the season, having made just five appearances for Madrid in all competitions this term. 

Jovic started only four LaLiga games in the previous campaign, having moved to Spain in a €60million transfer off the back of a hugely productive 2018-19 that saw him finish with 27 goals. 

Eintracht are hopeful the 23-year-old can now get back on track  in Germany, with the temporary switch suiting all parties involved.

Luka didn t have an easy time in Madrid recently. It is important for him to get back o…

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor is really happy to see Joe Kinnear back at the club in a director of football role.

Kinnear was manager at Newcastle for a chunk of the 2008-09 campaign before he suffered a heart attack and the club went on to be relegated from the Premier League that season.

The former Wimbledon boss was confirmed in his new position on Tuesday but has come under fire after insulting Newcastle fans and mispronouncing the names of several players in a bizarre radio interview on Monday.

But Taylor revealed that he enjoyed playing under Kinnear and believes his arrival will provide a boost for the St James Park outfit.

I am really happy to see Joe back at the club and I think his return can only be positive for everyone connected to the club…

Al-Ettifaq midfielder Jordan Henderson has been named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming games against Ukraine and Scotland, but there was no place for Raheem Sterling.

The road to next summer’s European Championship continues with a qualifier against Ukraine in Poland on September 9, before playing a friendly in Scotland three days later.

Southgate has largely stuck with the tried and tested with his 26-man squad for the double-header, giving call-ups to three regulars with questions over their international roles.

England vice-captain Henderson’s move to Saudi club Al-Ettifaq raises questions ahead of the Euros, while former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips have yet to play a minute o…

Wigan have agreed a compensation package with Everton for manager Roberto Martinez, the club s chairman Dave Whelan has revealed.

The Spaniard has been widely tipped for a move to the Merseyside club since David Moyes departed in order to replace Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

And Whelan has now explained that the 39-year-old s move to Goodison Park is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.
Martinez joined Wigan in 2009 and guided them to Premier League safety in his first three years while attracting plaudits for an expansive style of football.
The crowning achievement of Martinez s time at the DW Stadium came in the 2012-13 campaign, as he oversaw a shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
However, those celebrations were soured just days later, as Wigan s…

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell insists that Lionel Messi will have the full backing of the club over claims of alleged tax fraud.

The Argentinian superstar and his father are reportedly the subject of investigations into four million euros worth of unpaid tax between 2007 and 2009, although the player quickly responded to Wednesday s claims with a statement on his official Facebook page denying all possible charges.

Jorge Messi, the player s father, is also insistent of his son s innocence and told AS: This is all a mistake. It should have been spoken about with the accountants and legal people, who will clear it up.

Now Rosell has also added his voice to those in support of Messi, who according to the Spanish media could face a jail sentence of up to six years if foun…

Manchester United could be set to make a surprise move for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, according to the Telegraph.

West Ham United appear to be in pole position to sign the England shot-stopper though the Red Devils may move in should they need to replace David de Gea, who continues to be linked with a return to Spain.

Hart’s time at the Etihad Stadium is nearing the end with manager Pep Guardiola laying out almost £35m to sign Brazilian keeper Ederson a fortnight ago.

He made thirty-seven appearances on loan at Torino last season having played three hundred and forty-eight times for the Citizens.

He was part of the squads that won the Premier League in 2012 and 2014 while he also has winners medals in the League Cup and the FA Cup while…

Manchester City are ready to make a move for Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, .

The 2014 Premier League champions will be managed by current Bayern boss Pep Guardiola from next season, and the Spaniard is already eyeing a reunion with the Germany number one.

The proposed transfer casts major doubts over the future of Joe Hart, who has been City’s first choice shot-stopper since breaking into their first team in 2007.

The twenty-eight year old has racked up three hundred and thirty-three appearances in all competitions and has won the Premier League and League Cup twice, and the FA Cup in 2010.

On an individual level he has won the Golden Glove in the English top flight on four occasions while internationally he has been capped fifty-seven tim…