Thomas Tuchel has hailed Jorginho s personality and character as he backed the Chelsea star to recover from a frustrating international break.

Jorginho missed a penalty as Italy drew with Switzerland, a result that left the European champions in need of a victory against Northern Ireland to ensure their spot at Qatar 2022.

However, the Azzurri – who missed out on Russia 2018 after a play-off defeat to Sweden – must now win two more games in March to book their spot at next year s World Cup, after they were held to a goalless draw in Belfast and Switzerland thrashed Bulgaria 4-0.

Jorginho has had a stellar year, helping Chelsea to Champions League glory before winning Euro 2020 with Italy. His efforts saw him named UEFA s Men s Player of the Year in August, wh…

Alex Greenwood was carried off on a stretcher after being involved in a clash of heads during England’s Nations League match against Belgium in Leuven.

Defender Greenwood collided with Belgian forward Jassina Blom with around 20 minutes of the contest gone, leaving both players down on the turf.

Greenwood then received treatment on the field for about 10 minutes before being placed on a stretcher and taken off, with Jess Carter coming on as her replacement. Blom, donning a head bandage, was able to continue.

An early substitute as Alex Greenwood leaves the field on a stretcher after a collision.

We re with you, Alex.

— Lionesses (@Lionesses)

Having been a goal down at the time of the incident via Laura De Neve’s free-kick, the Lion…

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Knowing that they are two wins away from booking their spot at EURO 2021, Scotland will welcome Israel to an empty Hampden on Thursday night.

Scotland

Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in what was another eye-catching display away in the Czech Republic last month, Scotland s 2-1 win on foreign soil really highlighted what has been a real resurge for the Tartan Army. While Steve Clarke s side might have failed to secure an automatic route to next year s delayed European Championships, the mood around Hampden is at a real high. Now winning four of their last five matchups across all competitions and a 1-1 draw against Thursday s guests the only ever so minor blip on their recent purple patch, they did sign off their qualifying…

Talksport understands that Fernando Torres has turned down the chance to move to China.

The Atletico Madrid man is out of contract in the summer and had been linked with a lucrative switch to Super League side Dalian Yifang.

However, he is set to reject the opportunity and assess his options at the end of the season.

Since returning to Atleti, initially on loan in January 2015 Torres has racked up one hundred and thirty-two appearances in all competitions, scoring thirty-two goals.

Prior to his switch to the Spanish capital he had a brief stint with AC Milan having spent seven years in England.

He played one hundred and forty-two times for Liverpool, then one hundred and seventy-two times for Chelsea, where he won the FA Cup, Europa League …

Fabrizio Romano has claimed on that Sassuolo are interested in signing Marko Grujic from Liverpool in the summer transfer window. The well-known and well-respected journalist has reported on the social networking site that Italian club Sassuolo want Grujic to replace Manuel Locatelli, who has interest from Juventus and Arsenal.

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1415418031963054085

Grujic has been on the books of Liverpool since 2016, but the Serbia international midfielder has yet to establish himself in the former Premier League champions’ first team. The 25-year-old has been out on loan at Red Star Belgrade, Cardiff City, Hertha Berlin and FC Porto in recent years.

It is hard to see Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp include Grujic in his first-team squ…

Jack Grealish has completed his record transfer to Premier League champions Manchester City in a deal worth a reported £100million.

England international Grealish has spent his entire career at Aston Villa and has been captain of the club since 2019.

The 25-year-old played a pivotal role in helping Villa retain their top-flight status at the end of the 2019-20 season, after which he was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.

He instead signed a new long-term contract but, after scoring six league goals and adding a further 10 assists across 26 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign, Grealish has now made the move north to Manchester.

Pep Guardiola s City have smashed the previous British transfer record – set by United s acquisition of Paul Pog…

Tiemoue Bakayoko is determined to line up for AC Milan in the Champions League next season despite conceding that his future is a blur .

The France international joined Milan on loan at the start of the campaign from Chelsea, with the Italian club having an option to buy the player for a reported €35million fee. 

Bakayoko recently confirmed that a permanent move is dependent on the club s ability to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed his time in Serie A so far after struggling to make an impact at Stamford Bridge and, despite admitting that is future remains unclear, his focus is squarely on helping the Rossoneri qualify for European football s premier competition.

When …

Jude Bellingham has no interest in leaving Borussia Dortmund this window amid reported interest from Liverpool, according to BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

Liverpool are rumoured to have turned their focus to the England international in order to bolster their midfield ranks prior to Thursday s transfer deadline.

However, Kehl insists there has been no formal approach made for Bellingham as he categorically ruled out a sale in the final days of the transfer window.

There has been no request for him, Kehl told Sky90. Honestly, I know that from the player and his family. 

Jude has no interest in going anywhere this summer. He will stay with us. That I can guarantee to you today. I can see he feels super comfortable with us.

Bellingham has…

Lionel Messi equalled Pele s one-club goals record but it was not enough for Barcelona as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Valencia s in Saturday s entertaining LaLiga clash.

The superstar forward notched his 643rd goal for the Catalan giants on the brink of half-time, scoring in the aftermath of having a penalty saved by Jaume Domenech.

That milestone goal cancelled out Mouctar Diakhaby s deserved opener for Valencia, and Ronald Araujo then put the hosts in front with an acrobatic strike his first Barcelona goal at senior level.

But Barca could not hold on for a third straight league win and a fifth in a row at Camp Nou as Maxi Gomez prodded in 21 minutes from time to inflict another title blow on Ronald Koeman s men.

643 Lionel Messi has scored 643 goals…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United have to prove they can be consistent if they are to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.

Ahead of a derby clash with rivals City at Old Trafford on Wednesday, United are 24 points behind leaders Liverpool, although they have played one match fewer.

Solskjaer s side face a battle for Champions League qualification with United, who have lost six of their past eight games in all competitions, three points behind Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish.

United have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and Solskjaer is uncertain over how competitive the Red Devils can be in 2019-20.

I don t think we ve got the consistency to do that, Solskj…