Abate pens new Milan deal

Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan insists the club s tiki-taka style of play is not as easy to implement as it looks.

The Spanish giants are renowned for their possession-based style of football, introduced in the late 1980s by Johan Cruyff, with Pep Guardiola taking it to further extremes.

Guardiola took over at Barcelona in 2008 and won 14 trophies across four seasons as he revolutionised the way the game is played. 

Under current coach Luis Enrique, Barcelona have continued to play in a similar way, and Turan explained just how hard it is to continuously implement. 

From the outside, it s like chess, which looks easy to play, he said.  But just like tiki-taka, it s not.

Everyone has a duty, a position, and everyone is fulfilling their …

Ligue 1 giants Lyon have moved to confirm they are interested in Nice forward Hatem Ben Arfa amidst speculation linking the 29-year-old with a return to Stade Gerland.

The France international came through the youth ranks at Lyon’s famous academy, but decided to join Marseille in search of first team football in August 2008.

Following a disappointing spell in England, Ben Arfa managed to kick-start his career at Nice, and he is now back on the radar of top European sides.

While PSG and few other top clubs have been showing interest in his services, his former club Lyon appear to be keen as well.

Former les Gones striker Bernard Lacombe, now acting as an advisor to club chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, admits they wouldn’t mind seeing Ben Arfa back at Stad…

Rafael Benitez has confirmed Lucas Digne wants to leave Everton.

Left-back Digne, who signed from Barcelona for a reported £18million in August 2018, has not featured for the Toffees since a 4-1 home defeat to Merseyside rivals – and Benitez s former club – Liverpool on December 1.

That loss was one of eight for Everton from their last 12 Premier League games. They have won just one of their fixtures in that run, beating Arsenal 2-1 thanks to a late Demarai Gray stunner.

Everton, who were limited in the off-season transfer window partly due to the Premier League s profit and sustainability rules, have been active already this month, signing right-back Nathan Patterson from Rangers for a fee believed to be £11m plus add-ons, and bringing in left-back Vitali…

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Making a return to MLS action in the early hours of Thursday, Inter Miami will welcome Toronto to the Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami

Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in a nightmare performance as they fell to a 6-1 drumming at the hands of Cincinnati, Inter Miami are desperately seeking an immediate response here. Battling it out at the top of the Eastern Conference table and tipped as a leading title contender, Gerardo Martino’s men have gained a fearsome reputation since opening up the 2024 campaign. Getting July underway with a 2-1 victory away at Charlotte, the former Barcelona boss has seen his squad muster 12 points from their previous five MLS appearances. Likewise, remarkably losing just a pair of their previous 17 top…

Inter maintained their perfect start to the Serie A season by dominating Spezia in a 3-0 win at San Siro, as Lautaro Martinez netted a thunderous strike to open his account for the new campaign.

Martinez drilled home from outside the area as Inter swiftly established control, with Denzel Dumfries and Romelu Lukaku guilty of missing excellent chances before half-time.

Hakan Calhanoglu gave the Nerazzurri breathing space with a neat right-footed finish shortly after the break, ensuring there was no need for the sort of last-minute heroics Inter required at Lecce last Saturday.

Joaquin Correa then came off the bench to tap in a late third, sending Simone Inzaghi s men to the top of the table at this early stage.

Bartlomiej Dragowski made an acrobatic save…

La Liga outfit Real Betis have completed the signing of Dutch defender Ryan Donk from Galatasaray, the club have announced.

Joining on a season-long loan with an option to buy, the 30-year-old becomes club’s 11th signing of the summer transfer window.

Having conceded 6 goals in their opening fixture against Barcelona, coach Gustavo Poyet decided to reinforce his back line and he clearly believes that Donk will be a useful signing.

The experienced footballer had made a name for himself at AZ Alkmaar, and he was predicted a bright future in the game when he joined West Bromwich Albion on loan in 2008.

However, he has since failed to realise his full potential, albeit enjoying successful stints with Club Brugge and Kasimpasa.

Donk was purchased by…

Jack Grealish admitted he is more structured at Manchester City than he was at Aston Villa, but believes it is an inevitability of playing with so many great players .

Grealish moved to City from Villa in 2021 for a record £100million fee, but has struggled to have the same impact he did at his boyhood club.

The 27-year-old has come in for some criticism in the media, though replied with a goal and a strong performance in Saturday s 3-0 win at Wolves.

Kevin De Bruyne recently stated his belief that his club team-mate is more harshly judged because of who he is, and Grealish somewhat agrees.

I can see where he s coming from a little bit, he said at a press conference ahead of England s Nations League clash against Italy.  But I think that s the way i…

Xavi replaced Koeman and has been given significant backing in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.

Suarez feels Barca legend Xavi has everything in place to be a success.

Asked if Xavi will produce the style of football fans of the Catalan giants expect, he said: I think so. He is showing it, without being perfect. He is a coach who grew up there and knows what the club and the fans need.

I see many conditions for him to go far as a coach, and, in addition, they gave him good tools for it, they gave him the players that he needed and wanted. It s up to him to prove it.

Suarez believes Barca have a good blend of youth and experience as they strive to dethrone LaLiga champions and fierce rivals Real Madrid.

…

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has reportedly decided to stay with the Ligue 1 giants.

Neymar s contract is due to expire in 2022 and the forward has repeatedly been linked with a return to Barcelona.

But the Brazil international seems set to remain at PSG.

TOP STORY – NEYMAR AGREES TO FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION WITH PSG

Neymar has agreed to a four-year extension with PSG, according to TNT Sports Brasil correspondent Marcelo Bechler.

The deal will keep Neymar, who arrived at PSG from Barcelona in 2017, tied to the Parc des Princes until 2026.

Neymar muito perto de renovar com o PSG. Passos já foram dados e acerto está bem encaminhado.

Poderia ser oficial (ainda que o PSG ou o jogador não anunciem, por estratégia), essa s…

Manchester United are interested in signing Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that United have been scouting the Chile international striker this season, and that the Red Devils could make a move for him when the transfer window opens in January.

Brereton Diaz is out of contract at Blackburn at the end of the season. The striker has reportedly told Rovers that he is not going to put pen to paper on a new deal, so the Championship club are now facing the prospect of losing the 23-year-old on a free next summer. Rovers could now be willing to sell Brereton Diaz for £10 million in the January transfer window.

The striker has scored nine goals and provided one assist in 20 Championship appearances …