Chelsea interested in Leeds winger Raphinha

Spain s return to the scene of their Euro 2012 final victory in Ukraine is a fantastic feeling, Juan Mata has said.

Mata scored the final goal in an emphatic 4-0 win over Italy in Kiev three years ago as Spain defended the European title they won in 2008.

With Vicente del Bosque s side set to conclude their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign at Kiev s Olympic Stadium on Monday, the Manchester United forward is excited to set foot on the famous pitch once again.

I have good memories of this stadium. The final in Euro 2012 was beautiful. It s fantastic to return, he said.

The memories have been coming back ever since we reached the hotel. It was an unforgettable day. I was proud to have taken part that day.

Spain have already sealed their place in th…

Ange Postecoglou has hinted opportunities for his fringe players could be on the horizon ahead of a busy week for Tottenham.

Spurs return to action after the international break with a Monday night clash at home to Fulham and face a quick turnaround with a trip to Crystal Palace four days later.

Yves Bissouma is suspended for the visit of Fulham, which should see Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg earn a first Premier League start this season, and Postecoglou has also urged fit-again Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil and Brennan Johnson to be ready if called upon.

“We’ve got a Monday night game and then we back it up with a Friday night game, so we’ll probably need a good deal of the squad to do those two games,” the Spurs boss explained.

“My focus is on improvin…

Adriano Galliani said he will not give up up in his bid to bring Carlo Ancelotti back to Milan.

Ancelotti is a free agent after he was sacked by Real Madrid on Monday and Milan have moved quickly to lure one of club s favourite sons back to San Siro, with rookie boss Filippo Inzaghi facing an uncertain future.

Making things difficult, however, are Ancelotti s plans to take a year off after his Real sacking.

Galliani confirmed his trip to Madrid prior to Ancelotti s axing and the Milan CEO has now stepped up his chase for the 55-year-old, meeting with the Italian on Tuesday.

I am here to bring Ancelotti back to Milan, said Galliani to Sport Mediaset reporters afterwards. I have the backing of prime minister [Silvio] Berlusconi.

I will not give up…

Sunday Oliseh looks set to become Nigeria s new coach following the departure of Stephen Keshi at the weekend.

Keshi, who last month applied to become Ivory Coast coach, was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with the former Nigeria skipper having coached the Super Eagles on and off for the past four years.

The NFF has since confirmed that another former captain, Oliseh, is in line to take over.

Felix Anyansi-Agwu, chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, said in a statement: An offer has been made, and there is understanding, but we have to work out the final details of the agreement in a few days.

Of course, the executive board has to give approval for his appointment based on the final terms to be agreed.

Oli…

Watching the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all turn their attention back to EFL Cup duties on Wednesday night, we certainly have a stacked schedule on our hands.

With a string of intriguing all-Premier League affairs in midweek, we have found a couple of EFL Cup betting markets that are worth keeping an eye out for.

19:30 West Ham vs Arsenal

Putting in a routine performance at the Emirates over the weekend as they breezed their way to a 5-0 romp against Sheffield United, Arsenal will be confident of booking their EFL Cup quarter-final ticket here. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, it is no secret that Mikel Arteta’s budding squad have their sights set on mounting another Premier League title charge this time aro…

Steven Gerrard is quietly hoping for a Barcelona and Real Madrid Champions League final, with the former Liverpool midfielder labelling the possible match-up as phenomenal .

Barca won the Champions League last season and are expected to feature during the latter stages of the competition, while Rafael Benitez s Real are determined to add to their 10 European crowns.

Gerrard, who held the trophy aloft as captain of Liverpool in 2005, would love to see English teams compete for top honours but the LA Galaxy star is relishing the prospect of a Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo showpiece in Milan on May 28.

We all want English clubs to do well, Gerrard told the Mirror. After last season s disappointing performance by our clubs in Europe I thought it was just a blip. Bu…

Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada will leave as a free agent at the end of the season, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.

Kamada has spent four years at Eintracht after moving from Belgian side Sint-Truiden, scoring 37 goals and providing 31 assists in 170 appearances so far.

The Japan international was part of the team that won the Europa League last season, and has been linked with Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea among others.

Kamada s contract at Deutsche Bank Park expires at the end of the campaign, and the 26-year-old has decided not to sign an extension, meaning he will be available on a free transfer.

The club confirmed on Wednesday: Eintracht Frankfurt and Daichi Kamada are going their separate ways after the 2022-23…

Verdict: Juventus to Win to Nil

Best Odds:

Bookmakers:

Serie A runaway leaders Juventus travel to Lazio on Sunday night with both teams struggling with selection worries ahead of this highlight match of the Italian top flight’s weekend.

Lazio

Biancocelesti could be dealt a major blow in their top four pursuit if they lose their second match on the trot this weekend. And with reigning champions Juventus coming to town, such a prospect could easily become a reality.

Last week’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli is making things crystal clear for Lazio. The hosts need to beat Juventus on Sunday but that will be easier said than done knowing that Lazio have yet to beat the Old Lady at home since 2013. Le Aquile have lost six of last seven matches on home g…

Luton have threatened to ban any supporters who are found to have taken part in ‘tragedy chanting’ during Sunday’s home match against Liverpool.

The Football Association has asked the club – and police – for their observations after taunts indirectly referencing the Hillsborough disaster were heard during the 1-1 draw, while the PA news agency understands Liverpool have also written asking what measures are to be taken.

Luton issued a statement saying they were “saddened” and “extremely disappointed that a small number of supporters soured the occasion with chants that may be interpreted as being in relation to tragedies that have affected Liverpool FC in the past”.

We have released a club statement regarding yesterday’s match against Liverpoo…

Chelsea will back up their FA Cup success with more glory in the Women s Super League.

That is the view of their former goalkeeper and three-time WSL winner Carly Telford, as the top-flight season reaches a thrilling conclusion.

Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in front of a world-record crowd for a domestic women s match of 77,390 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, winning the FA Cup for a third straight season.

A record-extending sixth WSL crown is also in their sights, with United also serving as their main rivals in that competition.

Congratulations, !

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)

United lead the WSL table by one point, but Chelsea have three games left to play this term, as opposed to the Red Devils two.

The Blues are away to We…