Category: Sports news

Benzema: Those who criticise Messi do not know about football

Karim Benzema has spoken out about Lionel Messi’s time in Paris, claiming that the former Barcelona captain is still adapting to a new league.

The Real Madrid striker came head to head with Messi in a number of El Clasicos in which both Madrid and Barcelona showed their superiority. After a while spent playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema finally took up the mantle and Madrid and had some impressive Pichichi battles with the Argentine.

However, Benzema has always maintained and expressed respect for his El Clasico rival and continues to respect him, even as he now plies his trade in Benzema’s home country of France.

The Los Blancos striker was asked about Messi’s form with Paris Saint-Germain in an interview with Telefoot and he defended his former rival by saying that his critics “do not understand anything about football”.

“How is Messi not going to succeed?” Benzema said to Telefoot when asked about Messi’s underwhelming form. “It’s just a time of adaptation, because he hasn’t scored many goals.

“But look what he does on the pitch. In any case, you can’t criticise a player like that, someone who criticises Messi doesn’t understand anything about football.”

Messi has made 17 appearances across all competitions for PSG to date, scoring six goals and providing five assists. Five of his goals were in the UEFA Champions League, which shows that his potency in front of attack is still there. However his lone goal in the league has called his ability to adapt to a different league to question.

Injuries and COVID-19 have also affected the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner but with Messi being Messi, nothing can be categorically said about his performances until the season is over.

Benzema assures fans ahead of PSG-Madrid Champions League clash

Madrid will battle PSG in the Champions League round of 16 and Benzema will be facing Messi again as well as his strike partner in the French national team, Kylian Mbappe.

Both strikers have struck up a friendship which Benzema alluded to in his interview with Telefoot, where he also claimed that Madrid is prepared for Mbappe’s, Messi’s and Neymar’s PSG.

“Facing Mbappe? It’s going to be special,” he said. “We’re good friends. Let’s see what happens

“He wants to win and so do I.

“We’d like to have been drawn against someone else, but we’re prepared,” he assured fans.

Benzema also spoke about coming fourth in the Ballon d’Or awards, in which Messi picked up his seventh prize.

“Like I’ve said since I was a child: being fourth, third, second or 30th are all the same,” Benzema said about his Ballon d’Or ranking. “What matters is winning.

“Later, they told me that I hadn’t won enough trophies, but I couldn’t do any more.

“The Ballon d’Or for me is for someone who scores, assists, is there for the difficult moments.

“It’s a lot of things, not just winning trophies, but I’m not the one who gives out the trophy.”

Newcastle United transfer update: Magpies uninterested in purported target

A report from Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has claimed that Newcastle United’s chase of Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata is only in the media.

The Magpies were acquired earlier in the season by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium and have since then, been very active in the transfer window looking for players who will begin their new project.

They were quick to sign Kieran Trippier from Atlético de Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley, but the noveau-riche club is not backing down from the window just yet as they are ready to match any financial obligations for the players in their radar.

Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata, 30, is one of their top attacking targets and the club have made a €30 million bid for the Colombian to Atalanta which was rejected according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.

Calciomercato also reports that Newcastle will be presenting an improved offer of €40 million in the coming days for the Colombian, which could initiate talks between both clubs.

Should Zapata sign, Newcastle is willing to offer him a salary of €6.5 million, triple of his current salary at the Bergamo club.

Zapata joined Gian Piero Gasperini’s side in 2018 on an initial loan deal, but went on to convince the club to make his deal permanent. He has since turned into one of Serie A’s brightest attacking talents and in 152 appearances for La Dea, he has scored 78 goals and provided 38 assists.

Despite the reports from Calciomercato, Downie, however, has come out to say that the club isn’t interested in Zapata.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the Sky Sports journalist said: “A source close to the club, close to Newcastle, is suggesting that he isn’t a player of interest.”

It remains to be seen if Downie’s comments ring true, as multiple sources along with Calciomercato keep reporting otherwise.

Magpies identify replacement for top defensive target

Newcastle United have reportedly identified Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady as a new potential alternative to top defensive target Diego Carlos.

Transfer journalist Rudy Galetti claims that Newcastle are looking at several defensive options in case their chase for Sevilla man Diego Carlos fails to materialise.

The Brazilian defender is keen to leave Sevilla in January but the Andalusian club are not studying any deals for him just yet. Newcastle looks like his potential destination but with Sevilla stalling on the deal, Conor Coady has emerged as a new alternative.

Reports also claim that an interest from Tottenham Hotspur could potentially stand in the way of the Magpies’ Diego Carlos bid.

Alongside Conor Coady, Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake are other targets in case the Magpies cannot get their man.

However, it remains to be seen whether Wolves will want to release their captain in January, as they are already bracing up for the loss of Adama Traore to Tottenham this month.

Netherlands FA contact Pep Guardiola about manager position

A report from The Mirror has stated that the Netherlands Football Association, KNVB, is courting Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola about taking over the role of manager when his contract at Manchester City runs out.

The City boss harbours dreams of coaching on the international stage and it is believed he will begin to pursue this dream after his contract at City runs out.

Managing Spain is out of the question because Guardiola is a staunch supporter of Catalan independence. The Spaniard is also interested in South American football and has previously been approached by Lionel Messi’s Argentina who tried to tempt him away with the possibility of reuniting with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The 51-year-old former Barcelona manager will be free from all City responsibilities in 2023 but the hierarchy at the Etihad is working to convince Guardiola to extend his contract beyond that time. However, the KNVB are also drawing up plans to convince the Spaniard to “bring total football home” as the Netherlands national team coach.

The Mirror reports also that the KNVB have been in touch with Guardiola, who played and learnt under Dutch icon Johan Cruyff, about the position as head of their national team since before his contract extension at City which will keep him at the club until 2023.

The Dutch FA were told that the league leaders’ boss had unfinished business at the Etihad – which many speculate to be the UEFA Champions League – but were not outrightly dismissed which opens the possibility to a future link up.

Another thing that tips the scales in the favour of the KNVB is that Guardiola’s agent, his brother Pere, recently joined forces with one of the biggest Dutch football agencies SEG.

Guardiola beats Ferguson to Premier League record

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola achieved a milestone in the Premier League after his draw away to Southampton on Saturday.

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s stadium by Southampton to end their winning run at 12 matches and start their unbeaten run in the 13th game.

The single point earned by City saw Guardiola become the fastest manager to win 500 points in the Premier League, a feat the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager reached in 213 games in charge of City.

That makes him the fastest manager to achieve the record, beating Jose Mourinho (231), Jurgen Klopp (236), Sir Alex Ferguson (242), Arsene Wenger (249) and Rafa Benitez (267).

Guardiola, who is currently on track to his fourth Premier League title in his six years at Manchester City, claims that the tough draw at Southampton shows that City’s successes should not be taken for granted.

“That’s why it [Premier League] is the hardest prize to achieve every season, the most important one,” he said after the game.

“It’s so difficult, with different contenders, everyone is ready. We are the reigning champions, we have won a lot in the past, and it’s not so funny for the rest, so it’s more difficult to win and win.

“That’s why making back-to-back titles in the last 12, 13 years has happened only once, which was ourselves, and now we’re trying to do it again.

“We know how difficult it is and I don’t need to win, draw or lose today to know that we still have a lot of games to play. What we have to do is try to behave and play the way we played today.

“Even winning today, the title race would not be over. In January, no one is champion, there are many games that must be played.”

Nantes manager gives verdict on Moses Simon’s AfCON performance

Nantes manager, Antoine Kombouaré has spoken about Moses Simon’s incredible group stage performances at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Nantes forward has been a bright spark in Nigeria’s attack, scoring one goal and providing one assist as the Super Eagles finished the group stages being the only team to win all three games.

Simon joined up with the Nigerian national team on the back of solid performances at Nantes in Ligue 1, where he won two player of the month awards between the start of the 2021/22 season in August and December 2021.

Simon has arguably been Nantes’ best player in the league and manager Kombouaré has stated that it will benefit the club even more if Nigeria go far in the competition.

“I am very interested in the CAN and I watch almost all the matches,” Kombouaré told Nantes’ official website.

“Of course, I am very happy for the boys selected. There were great performances from all our players.

“Of course, especially Moses Simon, with Nigeria, he’s doing something good. Now it’s time for the cutthroat matches. It’s good to see them advancing in the competition and the further they go, the better it will be for us.”

Simon has already played 18 times for Nantes this season, scoring two goals and registering six assists. He is currently one of the first names on Nigeria’s team sheet as the tournament enters the knockout rounds.

He will be looking at keeping his place in the CAF team of the tournament after being named in the team of the group stages for his impeccable performance.

Super Eagles still have a lot to prove, Simon says

Simon is not resting on his oars and has told journalists that the team still have a lot to prove even with their 100 percent start to life in Cameroon.

Nigeria under Augustine Eguavoen came into the tournament riding on the expectations of many, including analysts who predicted that they would finish as champions. They have since shown signs of living up to those expectations as they are now considered the key favourites for the 33rd African Cup of Nations title.

Simon, however, says the West African nation – who face Tunisia in Sunday’s round of 16 fixture – should not let the praises get to them.

“We are not the ones calling ourselves the favourites and winning three matches on the bounce doesn’t change the fact that we can improve,” Simon told BBC Sport Africa.

“Personally we know that we’ve still got a lot to prove because big teams like Algeria and Ghana have been sent home early, so that is a sign not to get carried away.

“Some people are already underestimating Tunisia but they are here to also fight for a place to be in the quarterfinal and I’d rather we play them as the underdogs than approach it like favourites.”

Simon also praised the former manager Gernot Rohr for laying a good foundation which the team is building on in the ongoing tournament.

“We cannot forget the foundation laid by the former coach [Gernot Rohr] because he also gave majority of the players here a chance to play for the country,” Simon added.

“It’s always a dream come true to play for Nigeria. There’s always a huge passion and desire to do well for your country and enjoy the plaudits but we must be careful. We have not won anything yet as a team in Cameroon.”

Tunisia report 12 COVID-19 cases in their camp ahead of Nigeria clash

Elsewhere, Tunisia will be facing Nigeria at less than half strength with a whopping 12 players having tested positive for COVID-19.

Tunisia head coach Mondher Kebaier, the captain, Wahbi Khazri, and 11 other players are currently isolating leaving the Carthage Eagles short of adequate manpower and tactical nous to face a rampaging Super Eagles of Nigeria side.

Manager Kebaier was absent during the pre-match press conference on Saturday and Jalal Al-Qadri, Tunisia’s assistant coach, addressed journalists in his place during the press conference.

Al-Qadri stated that alongside manager Kebaier and captain Khazri, Aissa Laidouni, Dylan Bronn, Ghaylène Chaalali, Ellyes Skhiri, Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Romdhane, Ali Maâloul, Ben Hmida, Aymen Dahmen, Yoann Touzgha and Issam Jebali will be sitting out the crucial match against Nigeria.

Also, first choice goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha is suspended from the game, limiting their options between the sticks as well.

Tunisia, who qualified for the round of 16 after finishing as one of the four best losers in the group stages, will feel hard done by the tournament after a controversial start to life in Cameroon.

Lewandowski remaining coy about Bayern Munich future

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has once again shut down talks about his future with Bayern Munich.

The 33-year-old will be out of a contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the 2022/23 season and the Bavarians have been trying to get him to extend with them.

All reports coming out of Germany indicate that Lewandowski, who recently was crowned as The Best men’s player for 2022 by FIFA, is stalling the talks for reasons best known to him.

There are no indications that Bayern Munich’s second best goalscorer of all time will sign an extension or even sign with another club, leaving all parties involved in a transfer limbo.

Lewandowski has enjoyed a stellar time at Bayern Munich, where he has played since 2014, scoring 356 games in 328 games for the club. He has broken records held by Bavarian icon Gerd Muller to write his name into the club’s history books, while also winning all the trophies he has competed for with Bayern Munich multiple times.

Also, in his time as Bayern’s chief striker, his footballing stock rose and he is now mentioned in the same breath as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the best players in the world.

Bayern hope that the record breaker can stay longer with them and possibly retire at the club but the striker has previously expressed a desire to experience football outside of Germany, where he has spent all of his professional career since leaving his home country of Poland.

This has led to speculation in the media that Lewandowski is holding off on signing a new contract with Bayern Munich as he is assessing his options. Chelsea are the club who have been mentioned the most as Lewandowski’s potential destination for the past year and half. However, the striker has maintained in his latest statements to the media that he is focused on breaking more records at Bayern and winning more trophies while he is still under contract at the club.

Bayern Munich’s hierarchy are also remaining tight-lipped over the contract negotiations with Lewandowski.

Lewandowski is staying calm and focused on achieving his objectives at Bayern Munich

Lewandowski was asked about his performances and his future after picking up the FIFA Men’s Best Player for 2021 award and he talked about focusing on his task – playing football – taking precedence ahead of every other thing.

“I have to be honest: if you show your performance on the pitch, it doesn’t matter whether you are for team A, B or C. We’re talking about the top European teams. What I’ve shown, what we’ve shown, is among the best,” he said.

“Right now, it’s about staying calm and focused on the matter.

“That’s my top priority, I don’t want to think too much about other things. I’m such an experienced player, I can put everything else aside and focus on my job.”

Lewandowski has scored 23 goals in 19 matches in the Bundesliga and 27 goals in total across all competitions. Last year, he also broke Gerd Muller’s record of most goals in a Bundesliga calendar year. He also matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s best ever goal tally in a year by scoring 69 goals for club and country in 2021, second only to Lionel Messi who has 91.

At 33-years-old, he shows no signs of slowing down and with his statement about remaining focused, he is on course to matching his amazing feats from last year to challenge for the top individual honours again.

Lewandowski also says he can play at the highest level for a while longer, a fact that Bayern understand and will be looking to convince him to sign an extension.

 “I’m still getting to know my body. I know myself very well, of course, but if I see that there is still something to be done, then I will do it,” the striker added.

“If I get asked that question again in two or three years, I can probably say more.”

Dusan Vlahovic resisting move to Arsenal, claims Fiorentina chief

Fiorentina football director Joe Barone has confirmed that Dusan Vlahovic has refused to engage in talks with the club over his departure in the winter transfer window or in the coming summer transfer window, even as the club continues to receive offers for the striker.

Vlahovic, 21, has been in great form for I Viola this season, contributing to 24 goals in 24 appearances for the club (20 goals and four assists) in the 2021/22 season. He has also been impressive on the international stage, as he played a key role in helping Serbia qualify for the December 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

This news will be a blow to Arsenal, who are willing to match Fiorentina’s £66 million valuation for the big striker. However, Barone has stated that it is not over while expressing annoyance with the Serbian striker’s camp for their silence at such a critical time.

Arsenal are seeking reinforcements all over the pitch and their lack of quality was glaring as Liverpool knocked them out of the Carabao Cup last night. Two unreplied goals from Diogo Jota at the Emirates took the Reds into the final where they will face Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea for the trophy.

The Gunners dominated the Reds at the Emirates but failed to create enough chances or finish off the few chances they created. However, Jota showed them the importance of a clinical frontman by finishing the only two clear cut chances he had all game to hand Liverpool the win.

This lesson in finishing from Liverpool’s Portuguese striker has increased the calls to Arsenal to get a deal for a frontman completed as soon as possible, but the Gunners will be biting their nails over their main target Vlahovic’s stance on a transfer to London.

Paul Merson urges the Gunners to go all out for Vlahovic this January

Arsenal have scored only one goal in their last four games and Mikel Arteta’s side seem to be slipping back into the slump they suffered in the first half of the season.

Fans who paid attention may not be surprised, as most of the goals scored by the Gunners in their good run were scored by midfielders. Since ex-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s slump, no striker has managed to score more than his four goals in the Premier League for the Gunners this season.

The performance against Liverpool led to former Gooner Paul Merson calling out to his side to make sure they sign a striker this January.

“They need a striker and they’re not making millions of chances so they need someone who’s going to be putting the ball in the back of the net,” Merson said on Sky Sports after the game.

“Until they get a centre-forward who’s going to get them 20, 25, goals a season and then we’re talking again. They’ve had your [Thierry] Henry’s, Ian Wright’s, people like that – they need a top centre-forward. You very rarely win anything without a centre forward.”

The Premier League is the only competition Arsenal are still in and Merson’s views on the lack of goals from the team have been echoed by Arteta.

“We are really disappointed not to be in the final, but we were up against a top side, we had a big moment in the first half, big moments in the second half and when you have those moments you have to score if you want to beat this opponent,” Arteta said after the game.

“We were there pushing for the game. We had corners, good situations. You have to score, you have to convert, if you want to beat a team like Liverpool.

“We need to score goals and go through. That’s why we’re out.”

Arsenal face another Eden Hazard situation with Vlahovic

Asides from the comments from Fiorentina chief Joe Barone on Vlahovic’s stance, the Gunners also face an issue similar to what made them miss out on Eden Hazard in 2012.

Hazard was close to joining Arsenal in 2012 but a deal fell through because the Gunners were not willing to settle with his agent, who demanded a commission in order to secure his player’s signature for them. The Belgian eventually went on to create history with Chelsea, who swooped in on the deal and met the agent’s demands that year.

With Manchester City lurking, Arsenal’s hierarchy will be having flashbacks to the Hazard incident after receiving Vlahovic’s agent’s demands of an £8.3 million commission fee for the Serbian’s signature.

The deal for Vlahovic will cost a lot as reports claim that the total package will cost the Gunners around £150 million, with Vlahovic demanding £160,000-a-week in wages.

Arsenal, however, have a lifeline as a loan offer with an option-to-buy fee of £7 million has been submitted by Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia for Aubameyang. This fee could offset the commision which Vlahovic agent demands.

Confirmed: Raheem Sterling wanted a move to Barcelona

Raheem Sterling was ready to leave the Etihad for Camp Nou this January according to latest reports.

The Manchester City forward struggled to pin a spot down in Pep Guardiola’s team at the beginning of the season, starting only three of City’s first ten games. In that time, different transfer speculations arose, chief of which was a move away from the Premier League for Sterling.

Barcelona was the club mentioned in those rumours, with some reports even claiming that Manchester City and Barcelona held discussions over a possible transfer for Sterling, who the Catalan club have held an interest in for a while.

However, with Sergio Aguero instead moving to the Camp Nou, Gabriel Jesus failing to convince either, and £100 million Jack Grealish struggling to replicate his Aston Villa form, Sterling slowly found his place again in the squad and is now one of the first names on the team sheet again.

But new reports from The Athletic have now revealed that Sterling was indeed ready to leave the Etihad on loan to Barcelona in January, as he sought more playing time ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar this December.

Both clubs held meetings in November over possible loan transfers with Bernardo Silva, Ferran Torres, Aymeric Laporte and Sterling being the reported targets of the Catalans. Barcelona eventually acquired Ferran Torres for a whopping £55 million calling the club’s reported financial struggles into question.

This further strengthened Sterling’s place in the star-studded City squad, where he now leads the club’s Premier League goalscorer charts with seven goals, five of which came in his last eight appearances for the Premier League table-toppers.

Sterling still nursing abroad dreams

Sterling has been able to win Guardiola over again and cemented his place in the team this season, and the sale of Torres to Barcelona has also made his presence in the club very important. However, according to The Athletic, Sterling still has a desire to play abroad.

Sterling also alluded to this in an interview with the Financial Times back in October 2021. “If there was an opportunity to go somewhere else, I’d be open to it at this moment in time,” Sterling said.

“As I said, football is the most important thing to me — challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.

“As an English player, all I know is the Premier League. I’ve always known that maybe one day, I would love to play abroad and see how I would come up against that challenge.”

Guardiola admits Barcelona could still sign more City players in the near future

Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte are still on the Catalans’ radar and both players are reportedly open to moving to Spain to play for the club. Guardiola expressed a belief that Barcelona’s pull is beyond Manchester City’s despite the Catalan club’s failures and Manchester City’s successes in recent times.

“If Barcelona are interested in any of our players, I am convinced that they can get them,” Guardiola said.

“Barca continues to be an attractive club, more than attractive. The city, the club, the history and this for the trainers, for the players always seduces a lot.

“If Barcelona interests one of our players, they will set up the machinery into operation, it is a liner.

“Barca can use their media to influence signings. That’s the thing about Barcelona; they can do what they want, good or bad.”

Bruno Fernandes finally finds his best position under Ralf Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick has finally accepted the advice given to former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by ex-Sporting Lisbon manager Carlos Carvalhal on how best to utilise Bruno Fernandes in Manchester United’s set up.

The German tactician spoke glowingly of the Portuguese midfielder after the game, also revealing that he considers the former Sporting Lisbon man to be a number 8 instead of a number 10, which he has been deployed in since signing for the club in 2020.

Rangnick has not been the most popular figure in the club’s dressing room since arriving at Old Trafford, largely due to his experimenting with tactics and formations. The former Red Bull Salzburg manager settled on a 4-2-2-2 formation to the chagrin of fans, players and some club insiders.

The formation has not totally failed the club, however, as only league leaders Manchester City have amassed more points in the league since he took over as interim coach at Old Trafford. But performances on the pitch have been questionable and his reactions to those performances has seen his popularity take a nosedive.

The last two games saw him switch to a 4-3-3 which placed Fernandes in the number 8 role, and it has paid off massively for the club and for Rangnick’s chances of achieving his aim. Fernandes has scored two and assisted another two in his last two games in the 4-3-3 formation after being one of the players to suffer as a result of Rangnick’s tinkering and his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation.

Speaking on his switch to a 4-3-3 and how it has affected Bruno Fernandes, Rangnick said: “I think most of the top teams in Europe and also in England play in a 4-3-3. I think for him, it’s better than being pinned to a No.10 position because he can then make himself available in different areas of the pitch, not only in the centre.

“For me, he’s not a wing player, but I think in this position, he can find the spaces himself, he can sniff the moments in which areas we have to play the ball for him, and this position as an 8 is almost perfect for him.”

Fernandes had previously thrived in the number 10 role under Solskjaer, which played a role in convincing Rangnick to keep the player in that role. However, Fernandes was not able to perform as a 10 in Rangnick’s experimental formations and in his preferred 4-2-2-2. Rangnick’s realisation brings to mind the warning that Solskjaer received when he continued to deploy Fernandes outside a number 8 role.

Carvalhal’s advice to Solskjaer that was ignored

Solskjaer signed Fernandes with the purpose of playing him all across the attack, even stating to journalists that he could play anywhere. The Norwegian manager, however, kept him behind the strikers most of the time and Fernandes performed excelletnly well.

Howver, there were some times that he could have had a better impact playing somewhere else, but Solskjaer could not see it.

Fernandes’ ex-manager at Sporting Lisbon, Carlos Carvalhal observed this and adviced Solskjaer earlier in Fernandes’ United career. “He is not a number 10. He is a midfielder but he has developed that ability to break the line of the defence to score goals,” Carvalhal said to Sky Sports after the midfielder’s first game for United.

“He shoots, he assists, the passes and the free-kicks. But he is not a 10, he is an 8. He is a box-to-box player who understands the game very well. He doesn’t just play. He understands everything that happens around him.

“He can organise the team, he can talk, he can give feedback. He is kind of like a manager on the pitch.

“He can organise things in the last part of the pitch. He is a really exciting player.”

Hugo Lloris extends contract at Tottenham Hotspur for the next two seasons

Tottenham Hotspur can rest easy after getting captain Hugo Lloris to commit to the club for another two years as Antonio Conte continues his squad rebuild at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The World Cup winner has been top of the Italian’s priority since he took over, and has gotten the club to initiate discussions with the player who he considers a key leader in the dressing room, much like Samir Handanovic at Inter Milan.

The 35-year-old France international was into the last six months of his contract and could have left Spurs after 10 years at the club and 395 appearances in all competitions, including one UEFA Champions League final, at the end of the season. His discussions with Conte convinced him to sign for Spurs for another two years, according to The Daily Mail.

He is convinced that his trophyless ten years at Spurs could be coming to an end under th Italian, who has made a career of turning struggling sides to winners. Conte can now rest easy while he waits for more arrivals at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Conte never wavered in his belief that Lloris would sign an extension. “I think so, I think that they have started to talk,” the Italian said when asked about Lloris’ contract extension last month. “You know very well what I think about Hugo. Also previously I spoke and said that he’s our captain, he is a top goalkeeper for us, he has great experience.

“He knows very well Tottenham. He loves this shirt and this badge. For me he is an important player and I’m sure that they are going to find a solution for him to continue to play with Tottenham.

“I think and I repeat because I am not the person that speaks to renew the contract with the players. There is the club and the people that do this. But for sure I am very confident about this situation to be positive.”

Spurs and PSG in talks over Ndombele

Elsewhere, Tottenham have begun discussions over a potential deal for Tanguy Ndombele with Paris Saint-Germain which could involve Leandro Paredes. Reports, however, have claimed that the Argentine has rejected a move to Spurs.

PSG are reportedly keen to sign the Spurs midfielder before the end of the January transfer window and have offered Paredes in exchange according to RMC Sport.

The Telegraph also reports that Antonio Conte is not interested in the Paredes swap deal but PSG are still looking at options to get Ndombele to Paris this January. An exchange deal, however, is their likeliest option to get this deal done.

FIFA introduce new rules for loaning of players

The world football governing body, FIFA, has introduced new rules to govern the loaning of players by clubs, in an attempt the body claims is aimed at preventing the hoarding of talents by clubs.

The new rules were announced on Thursday and will kick into effect in July, just ahead of the 2022/23 European football season.

As a result of the new rules, clubs will only be limited to 16 loan deals: eight loaned in, and eight loaned out across all their squads. The following season will see the number drop to 14 (seven in, seven out), and the season after that will see the number drop to 12 (six in, six out), which will be the final number going forward.

The new rules to govern the loan of players are part of a wider reform of the player transfer system which FIFA began to look into in 2017. FIFA have mandated national associations to bring their own regulations in line with the new rules by July 1 2025 at the latest.

FIFA are still fine-tuning the rules with an approval yet to be given by the FIFA Council in charge of major changes like these. However, pending the official approval which has been reported to be scheduled for between July 2022 and June 2023, clubs will find the exemption of u-21 players and academy players to the rules a favourable loophole to exploit as these players are the ones for whom the idea of loans benefit the most.

FIFA claims that the new rules have been drawn up with the intention of helping to develop young players, improve competitive balance and prevent the stockpiling of players. They were originally due to be implemented in July 2020 but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FIFA statement on new loan rules

A FIFA statement on the new rules read: “Objective is to develop young players, promote competitive balance and prevent hoarding.

“Following the decision passed by the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee last year, the new regulations concerning loans of players in international football are now ready to be implemented. They will be submitted to the FIFA Council for approval at its next meeting with a view to their entering into force on 1 July 2022.

“The introduction of a new regulatory framework for player loans is another important step in the context of the wider reform of the transfer system, the process of which began in 2017. Initially planned to start in July 2020, the implementation of the new rules had to be delayed as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Other loan rules by FIFA

The rules described above cover international loan deals and don’t affect domestic loan deals. However, clubs will be restricted to only six loan deals (three in, three out) with one team outside their country at any given time.

Each loan will only last one year, meaning that it must be done between two transfer windows.

Sub-loaning of a player (when both clubs agree to send an already loaned player to another club to finish the loan due to playing time or other reasons) will be banned.

All these regulations are a result of FIFA being concerned that wealthy clubs are hoarding players and preventing less wealthy clubs from accessing quality talent on loan.