Chelsea get boost in Mkhitaryan chase 12:40 AM GMT Jack Rathborn The summer transfer window will be opening before you know it, and rumours around the world are picking up steam. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest gossip. See the latest deals here. TOP STORY: Chelsea encouraged in Mkhitaryan chase Chelsea have been given a boost after news emerged … [Read more...]

Liverpool understudies eye Euro spotlight Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is desperate for another chance to impress against Chelsea on Wednesday as the fight to feature in the Europa League final hots up. Allen has spent much of the season on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up, but the Wales international has impressed whenever selected and underlined his … [Read more...]

Barnstormer Bale, Wales’s not-so-secret Euro 2016 weapon Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A glance at Wales’s record in qualifying for Euro 2016 reveals a glaring truth: stop Gareth Bale, and you have a very good chance of stopping Chris Coleman’s team. That Wales are gearing up for a first major tournament since 1958 owes much to the brilliance of Bale, who scored seven of their 11 goals in … [Read more...]

Igor Akinfeev a Russian icon despite World Cup blunder Moscow (AFP) – Igor Akinfeev’s international name has been marked by a calamitous error at the 2014 World Cup, but he remains Russia’s best goalkeeper and he is looking to make amends at Euro 2016.  As the clock ticked towards 70 minutes in Russia’s opening group match in Brazil, South Korean Lee Keun-ho hit a speculative shot that looked … [Read more...]

Five things about England ahead of Euro 2016 London (AFP) – Five things about England ahead of the European Championships:  Fifty years of hurt This year marks the 50th anniversary of England’s only major tournament triumph: victory on home soil at the 1966 World Cup. A team managed by Alf Ramsey, captained by Bobby Moore and inspired by Manchester United midfielder Bobby Charlton came through a … [Read more...]

Allardyce steels Sunderland for pivotal Everton test Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has warned his side that they are not yet safe as they close in on a fourth consecutive late-season escape from Premier League relegation. The northeast club will secure a 10th successive season of top-flight football with victory at home to Roberto Martinez’s drifting … [Read more...]

NBCSN will feature Sunderland-Everton instead of Liverpool-Chelsea NBC Sports has made a change to its TV schedule for Wednesday’s Premier League games to feature Sunderland against Everton on NBCSN instead of the originally scheduled Liverpool vs. Chelsea match. After Sunderland’s surprise 3-2 win against Chelsea on Saturday, a win for Sunderland against Everton on Wednesday evening will … [Read more...]

Mike Tirico to host ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2016 Veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico will be the host of ESPN’s Euro 2016 coverage this June before he joins NBC Sports on a full-time basis. According to a statement from ESPN, “Tirico will remain with ESPN through the end of June. He is currently working ESPN and ABC Sports’ NBA Playoff games. Next month he will host studio coverage of the UEFA … [Read more...]

Gundogan’s City switch up in air after knee injury Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund say Ilkay Gundogan’s knee injury has left a question mark over a potential transfer, with the Germany midfielder heavily linked to Manchester City. The 25-year-old is set to miss the rest of the season, including Euro 2016 in France, after dislocating his knee cap in training. His current Borussia contract … [Read more...]

Platini to quit as UEFA president after losing appeal Lausanne (AFP) – Michel Platini will quit as the head of European football after a sports tribunal on Monday rejected his final appeal against his ban from football over a suspect $2.0 million payment he received from FIFA. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where Platini appealed against his sanction, reduced his suspension from six … [Read more...]