James signs new Leicester deal

Leicester City have tied influential midfielder Matty James to the club until June 2018 after he agreed a new four-year contract.

James made 35 appearances for Nigel Pearson s side as they claimed the Championship title last season, and he is now preparing for his first campaign in the top flight.

The 22-year-old moved to the King Power Stadium in May 2012 from Manchester United and has featured 70 times since, scoring five goals in all competitions.

He formed a midfield partnership with Danny Drinkwater for Leicester last season, and is looking forward to building on it in the Premier League.

I m absolutely buzzing, he told the club s official website. I can t think of any other way to describe it.

Heading into the Premier League, after the unb…

Napoli captain set for new deal

Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro is ready to pledge his long-term future to the club, according to the player s representative.

The 31-year-old signed a contract until June 2015 in February 2011, and he is now set to be rewarded with a new deal.

Cannavaro s representative has made it clear that his client has no desire to leave the club and that he expects to open talks over a new contract in the summer.

“At the moment it is premature to be talking about a contract,” agent Gaetano Fedele told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Paolo is the captain and it is logical that (signing a new deal) is not a problem, so this matter will be discussed calmly this summer.”

Paolo Cannavaro began his career at Stadio San Paolo, but left the club for Parma after making j…

Tchouameni and Thuram on target as France dent Republic of Ireland hopes

Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram left the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 dream hanging by a thread as France maintained their perfect start to qualification with a regulation 2-0 win in Paris.

The pair struck either side of half-time at the Parc des Princes to claim a fifth successive Group B victory and leave Ireland with just three points from their first four games, a statistic which means Sunday’s clash with the Netherlands in Dublin could all but decide their fate.

Stephen Kenny’s men were organised and dogged, but with Ousmane Dembele tormenting Enda Stevens to such an extent that he was replaced at half-time and Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann delighting a passionate home crowd, were unable to cause the hosts enough problems with the notable except…

Chelsea boss Tuchel takes aim at referee after ill-tempered Tottenham draw

Thomas Tuchel does not want referee Anthony Taylor to officiate a Chelsea game again, with the Blues boss left furious after his side s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

An ill-tempered encounter at Stamford Bridge looked set for a victory for the hosts after goals for Kalidou Koulibaly and Reece James, despite Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg s response.

But a last-gasp Harry Kane header earned a draw for Spurs, with the full-time whistle marked by an aggressive confrontation between Tuchel and opposite number Antonio Conte.

Both men were shown red cards by Taylor, but much of the German s ire stemmed from his belief that the referee failed to spot a number of incidents, including an alleged offside before Tottenham s first goal and an apparent foul on Marc Cucurella by Cr…

Szalai breaks drought to ruin Alaba´s midfield audition

David Alaba s most important audition yet for a midfield role at Bayern Munich was ruined on Tuesday, thanks in no small part to one of the men deemed least likely to score at Euro 2016.

Alaba operates at left-back for his club but is believed to covet the same remit in the centre of the field he fulfils with such excellence for Marcel Koller s Austrian side, despite protestations to the contrary upon signing a contract extension through to the end of June 2021.

Incoming Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti has already inflicted a blow to those hopes, revealing he intends to continue picking the energetic and ambitious star as a fullback.

And if Alaba is to have any chance of changing the Italian s mind, he needs to excel at the European Championship, a tournament his ta…

Dennis Praet rules out Premier League switch

Sampdoria playmaker Dennis Praet has all but ruled out a move to English Premier League, stating he is perfectly happy in Italy.

The 23-year-old has been in excellent form ever since he joined the Blucerchiati from Anderlecht in August 2016, going on to make 54 Serie A appearances.

His impressive showings did not go unnoticed as top Italian clubs are casting admiring glances his way, as are Newcastle United and Everton.

However, Praet admits he has no intention of moving to England and is clearly disappointed to have again be snubbed by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

“I don’t understand why people who don’t play are still called up for international duty, but evidently Serie A isn’t watched very closely in Belgium,” Praet told Le Soir.

Proud Lallana surprised by call-up

Southampton attacking midfielder Adam Lallana has labelled his first senior England call-up the proudest moment of his career.

The 24-year-old has represented the Three Lions at all youth levels but will now make the step up to the main side for the first time after playing a key role in Southampton s back-to-back promotions to reach the English Premier League.

The playmaker has taken on extra responsibility at club level, having been handed the captaincy by Nigel Adkins, while he has impressed against both Manchester City and United so far this term.

I m totally shocked, to be honest, and I didn t think the gaffer was being serious when he called to tell me this morning, Lallana told the Southampton website.

It s such a proud accomplishment to be call…

Neuer hints at Bayern departure in the future

Manuel Neuer has risked the wrath of Bayern Munich s fans by admitting he could leave the UEFA Champions League winners in the future

Germany number one Neuer was not immediately accepted by the Bayern fans when he signed from rivals Schalke in 2011, but his performances over the past two seasons, including helping the club to a European and domestic treble this season, have helped ease their relationship.
Although the goalkeeper is sure that although his move to the Allianz Arena was the right one, he does not necessarily see his long-term future at the Bavarian club, despite being delighted with the club s recent successes.
Winning the treble was confirmation for me that joining Bayern rather than moving abroad was the right decision, he told Bild.
I am not thinking about a …

Klopp confirms Liverpool intend to spend at the end of shaky season

Liverpool will be looking to spend at the end of the season as Jurgen Klopp plans to rebuild the faltering Premier League giants.

After finishing second on 92 points in the league and reaching three cup finals last season, winning two, the Merseysiders have fallen from grace in this campaign, currently in sixth place and out of all other competitions.

Liverpool have been linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund s Jude Bellingham and Chelsea s Mason Mount among others, with the England pair anticipated to cost up to £200million between them.

Speaking ahead of his team s trip to Manchester City, Klopp was not willing to go into specifics, but did outline the club s intention to be active when the transfer market reopens at the end of the season.

I will not…

West Ham manager David Moyes reflects on “vital” win over Southampton (Video)

West Ham beat Southampton at the London Stadium on Sunday by 1-0, courtesy of a goal by defender Nayef Aguerd, and the three points won here are obviously important as the Hammers continue working hard to get as far away from the relegation zone as possible.

Having admitted the game didn t start too well for his team, manager David Moyes expressed satisfaction with the result in his post-match interview.

It gives us something to build on

The manager reacts to a vital win

— West Ham United (@WestHam)