Matic to leave Man Utd at the end of season

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign Ivan Toney from London and Premier League rivals Brentford in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Pochettino has told club co-owner Todd Boehly to bring Toney to Stamford Bridge in the middle of the season.

According to LondonWorld, “Toney is Pochettino’s ideal choice as he is English, at the right age and proven in the Premier League”. Toney is serving a ban at the moment and will not be available to play until January 2024. The England international striker has made 68 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. Toney has scored 32 goals and given nine assists in those games.

Chelsea are 12th in the Premier League table at the mom…

Kyle Lafferty has been warned and fined by the FA after accepting a charge relating to betting.

The Norwich City forward breached Rule E8 of the Association s Betting Rules on February 20, 2016, by placing a bet on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in, a football match or competition .

Former Rangers man Lafferty had been given until August 5 to respond to a misconduct charge, and, after accepting, has been fined £23,000 and warned as to his future conduct.

Having made only one Premier League appearance in 2015-16, the 28-year-old spent the end of the season on loan at Birmingham City, before featuring for Northern Ireland at Euro 2016.

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Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo again hit back at critics after winning yet another individual award.

Ronaldo was named the best Portuguese player of 2017 on Monday, beating Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.

The 33-year-old claimed a record-equalling fifth Ballon d Or last year, having helped Madrid win LaLiga and the Champions League.

Ronaldo is finding form again late this campaign and the superstar forward dismissed his critics.

I am grateful for this award to all those who are here, it is also an award for all my colleagues, 2017 was an excellent year, unforgettable both collectively and individually, he said.

I also won my fifth Ballon d Or and my second The Best award. I also dedic…

La Liga champions Barcelona matched Real Madrid’s record total of 100 points with a comfortable 4-1 win over Malaga at Camp Nou on Saturday.

The record set by Madrid last season was equalled by Tito Vilanova’s side with another convincing win, which helped Barca finish the season 15 points ahead of their arch-rivals.

Early strikes from David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, and Martin Montoya gave Barcelona a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break, and Andres Iniesta had already put the result beyond doubt before Pedro Morales pulled one back for Malaga.

Carlos Puyol remained sidelined with a knee problem, while Lionel Messi was not risked as he continues his recovery from a hamstring strain.

Malaga defender Martin Demichelis pulled his hamstring in training and …

Aston Villa have announced that defender Nathan Baker has signed a new three-year deal with the club.

Baker joined the Midlands club at the age of 13, and progressed through the ranks before making his full debut in a 2-1 Premier League win over Wigan in 2011.

The 22-year-old has since established himself as a regular at Villa Park, and made 25 top-flight starts as Paul Lambert s side narrowly avoided relegation in 2012-13.

Having penned a new contract, Baker is now hopeful that his development can continue.

I m really happy to have signed and for my future to be with Villa, he told the club s official website.

It s an exciting time and, because I ve come through the academy as well, it s something that s really special to me, something that hopefully I can use as…

Striker Lukas Podolski has escaped a German Football Federation (DFB) fine despite his on-field spat with captain Michael Ballack in the 2-0 win over Wales, it was revealed Thursday.

Ballack and Podolski clashed in the second half of the World Cup qualifier at Cardiff s Millennium Stadium on Wednesday, but despite the Bayern Munich star arguing fiercely with his captain, the DFB will not fine the 23-year-old.

The pair exchanged heated words on the Cardiff pitch and the spat was only ended when Germany defenders Per Mertesacker and Philipp Lahm intervened.

The DFB find it hard to take disciplinary measures in this situation, said team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

There will be no fines or special sanctions.

Bierhoff did not reveal the nature of the…

Striker Adriano said Thursday he was happy to be back with Brazilian side Flamengo after they re-signed their former star in the wake of his personal troubles with Inter Milan.

Inter rescinded the player s contract last month after he returned to his homeland citing citing depression and the need for a break.

I m happy to be back it was a life choice and that choice is Flamengo, explained Adriano.

There s nothing better than being back with Flamengo. I didn t leave (Inter) because I didn t feel happy at the club but because I didn t feel good in the country.

Adding to his problems while in Italy was a recent separation from his girlfriend.

Flamengo vice-president Kleber Leite had said late Wednesday that everything is done and dusted regarding…

Connor Metcalfe scored the first goal of the A-League season as 10-man Melbourne City started Patrick Kisnorbo s reign with a 1-0 victory over Brisbane Roar.

Metcalfe combined with Jamie Maclaren before applying the finish seven minutes into the second half at Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday.

The midfielder s fifth A-League goal was enough to seal all three points in Kisnorbo s first game as head coach after he replaced Erick Mombaerts.

Adrian Luna was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rahmat Akbar with just over 20 minutes to go, but last season s beaten Grand Finalists City held on.

Macauley Gillesphey s header grazed the top of the crossbar and Riku Danzaki went close to a late equaliser, but Brisbane were unable to avoid defeat in their new home.