Valencia want Juan Mata from Manchester United on free transfer

There is an old saying in football that you should never go back .

It is not true in some cases. Zinedine Zidane s success as a head coach at Real Madrid after a glorious playing career is proof of that.

Unfortunately, for some it is advice that perhaps should have been heeded, and that is maybe how Santiago Solari will be feeling after his Los Blancos reign was brought to an end after just four months, with Zidane immediately installed as his successor.

Back-to-back Clasico defeats that effectively ended Madrid s hopes of domestic silverware were followed by an embarrassing Champions League last-16 exit to Ajax last week. And that meant the writing was on the wall for Solari, a LaLiga and Champions League winner with Madrid as a player.

Here, we loo…

Brian Schmetzer was under no illusion that the Seattle Sounders’ upcoming MLS fixture against Sporting Kansas City will be anything but easy.

The Sounders returned to winning ways in style, comfortably dispatching Leagues Cup winners Columbus Crew 4-0 away from home last time out.

Schmetzer’s side find themselves sitting fifth in the Western Conference table, with the advantage of having four of their remaining six MLS fixtures at Lumen Field.

And the Sounders head coach insisted their home form would be critical until the end of the season, but he acknowledged the task awaiting his players in their next game.

“It is critical. We need to tell the players the importance of home games because last year Sporting KC came here and beat us and it gave the…

Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds had “first day of school vibes” ahead of an emotional, long-awaited English Football League return that proved promoted Wrexham still have a lot to learn after a 5-3 defeat to MK Dons.

The Welsh club have become one of the most talked about teams in the world over the last 30 months thanks to their famous owners and the acclaimed docuseries charting their rise.

Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s backing helped Wrexham end their 15 years away from the EFL, with Saturday’s clash at the sold-out SToK Racecourse marking their first at this level in 5,572 days.

“More than anything, the one word I would use is emotional,” Reynolds told Sky Sports ahead of the Sky Bet League Two clash.

Finally snagged an invite. Thanks Wrex. …

World player of the year Ada Hegerberg has chosen to miss the party but the Women s World Cup will boast a plethora of global stars.

Hegerberg s principled protest, based on her perception of how the Norwegian federation treats women s football, means the Lyon striker will be sorely missed in France.

Lining up to dazzle, however, will be an array of players ready to become household names or enhance already lofty reputations.

Here is a look at 10 women who are ready to make a major impact for their countries.

Christine Sinclair, Canada, striker

After more than 19 years on Canada s national team, Sinclair could be entering her final World Cup. She is Canada s all-time leading scorer and sits second on the list for women s internation…

Pep Guardiola sees no reason why Raheem Sterling cannot break through the 30-goal barrier for Manchester City this season.

England winger Sterling has started the new campaign in sparkling form, opening the scoring against Liverpool in the Community Shield before netting a hat-trick in last weekend s 5-0 demolition of West Ham.

The 24-year-old hit 17 Premier League goals last season and 25 in all competitions as City won an unprecedented domestic treble.

Sterling s West Ham treble brought up 50 top-flight goals in City colours, 38 of which have come since the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

Guardiola has no desire to set targets for his forward line but has no doubt the ex-Liverpool man s numbers can improve further.

Yeah, hopefully. It will be go…

Carlo Ancelotti brushed aside criticism of Real Madrid s unattractive style, saying winning was more important than playing well.

Madrid are unbeaten with five victories across seven games in all competitions this season (two draws), and they got off to a winning start in their Champions League defence on Tuesday, beating Stuttgart 3-1.

In LaLiga, they have won their last two games 2-0 against Real Betis and Real Sociedad, but have still come under fire for their performances.

Ancelotti, however, defended his team s style ahead of their clash at home to mid-table Espanyol.

Real Madrid fans prefer winning over playing well, he said.

Ideally you want both, winning while playing an attractive style of football, but our main objective is pleasing ou…

Cristiano Ronaldo was destined to be at the centre of transfer speculation after Juventus were bundled out of the Champions League, according to head coach Andrea Pirlo.

The 36-year-old forward has been linked with a return to Real Madrid at the end of the season, three years after he moved to Italy.

Juventus were eliminated from the Champions League by Porto on Tuesday, with Ronaldo facing criticism from figures including Fabio Capello after the second leg.

He notably turned his back on Sergio Oliveira s free-kick that found the back of the net in extra time, which triggered much of the negative judgement.

Ronaldo also failed to score in either game against the Portuguese giants, in a tie that Juventus lost on away goals.

He s fine, it s norma…

According to , Real Madrid central defender Raphael Varane is seriously considering leaving the club at the end of the season. It has been reported that the France international is out of contract at the Spanish and European giants in the summer of 2022 and has yet to sign a new deal.

Varane has been on the books of Madrid since 2011 when he joined from French club Lens. The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world and has been a huge success at the Santiago Bernabeu. The centre-back has won the La Liga thrice and the Champions League on four occasions with Madrid.

The 27-year-old would not be short of suitors if he makes a final decision to leave Madrid in the summer of 2021. However, the defending Spanish champions are unlikely …

Tottenham Hotspur have completed and confirmed the signing of James Maddison from Leicester City.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder was linked with Newcastle as well, but Spurs obviously acted more decisively and have managed to win that race despite not having Champions League football to offer next season.

The deal is believed to be worth £40 million.

Maddison played in 30 Premier League matches for Leicester in 2022/23, scoring 10 goals and producing nine assists. Arguably the Foxes best player of the campaign, he still wasn t able to help his team avoid relegation in the end.

Having risen through the youth ranks at Coventry, Maddison also played for Norwich and spent six month on loan with Aberdeen, before joining Leicester in 2018.

Welco…

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Robert Sanchez from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2023, according to . The report has claimed that Sanchez is one of the goalkeepers that Tottenham are looking at potentially replacing France international Hugo Lloris with.

Lloris has been on the books of Tottenham since 2012 and has been superb for the North London club over the years. The 35-year-old France international goalkeeper has helped Spurs challenge for the Premier League title, reach the final of the UEFA Champions League, and end up in the top four of the league table during his time at the club.

The former Lyon star’s contract at Tottenham runs until 2024, but it is unlikely that he will be the first-choice goalkeeper at the No…