Birmingham turn to Redknapp after Zola debacle

According to  Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have been offered the chance to sign Diego Costa. The former Chelsea striker is a free agent at the moment, having mutually terminated his contract with Spanish club Atletico Madrid in December 2020.

The report in the Italian publication has claimed that Costa’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has offered him to Premier League duo Tottenham and West Ham. However, it is not clear what the London clubs have responded to Mendes’s offer.

West Ham could do with a new striker. Sebastien Haller left for Ajax in the January transfer window, and manager David Moyes did not bring in a replacement. Tottenham striker Harry Kane is injured at the moment, and head coach Jose Mourinho could do with a replacement for the short term. Both Sp…

South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong and midfielder Lee Jae-sung have hailed Son Heung-min as the best Asian player in the world and know they will need him to be at his best if they are to overcome Mexico in Rostov-on-Don.

Shin s side made a losing start to their campaign in Group F of the World Cup, as they were beaten 1-0 by Sweden in Nizhny Novgorod. 

Mexico, though, stunned holders Germany by the same scoreline in Moscow, leaving El Tri in a position of strength ahead of the clash at Rostov Arena.

Son struggled to impose himself in the opening game, but Shin is hopeful the Tottenham forward will fare better against Mexico, and agreed with the assessment of a journalist who suggested the former Bayer Leverkusen star should now be considered the Asian Football Con…

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Desperate to make a return to winning ways on Saturday night, Real Madrid will travel to the Estadio Benito Villamarín when they face off against Real Betis.

Real Betis

Starting with the hosts, while Real Betis might have thought they had a golden chance to pick up maximum points at the second attempt last weekend, Manuel Pellegrini s side once again missed a chance on home soil. Eventually having to come from behind and playing out a 1-1 draw against Cadiz at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, despite missing a string of chances, Los Verdiblancos know they should face another stern test on Saturday night. Having to settle for back-to-back stalemates after opening the 2021/22 La Liga campaign earlier in the month, the former West Ham bo…

Gonzalo Higuain netted a double to keep Inter Miami s playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew that ended their three-game losing streak on Tuesday.

In a game halted at half-time for a lengthy period due to a weather delay, Higuain struck either side of the break to collect three points that puts Inter up to eighth in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the seventh-placed Crew.

The 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Juventus forward opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a first-time finish on a fast break after Ariel Lassiter s pass.

Cucho Hernandez equalised for Columbus with a bouncing header in the 41st minute from Steven Moreira s cross.

The half-time delayed lasted more than two hours, with the second half commencing at 11…

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will seek an immediate response from his side when Schalke visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The UEFA Champions League Group E clash gives Chelsea – the 2011-12 champions – a chance to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Mourinho was furious with the effort from his players after the Premier League match, branding their performance too soft as late goals from Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy saw Newcastle triumph.

The Portuguese has promised to make changes for the visit of Schalke as Chelsea go in search of their 100th win in UEFA competition.

I will make changes. Not 11 changes because that would be too much, but changes for sure, Mourinho told Chelsea s official website.

I don t know my…

Jesus Navas says he will have mixed feelings when Manchester City take on Sevilla in the Champions League next week.

Navas joined City from Sevilla in 2013, despite having previously suffered from homesickness so severe he left Spain training camps and declined a move to Chelsea in 2006.

The 29-year-old won the UEFA Cup and the Copa del Rey twice during his time at Sevilla but is now settled at City, who he helped to a Premier League and League Cup double in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

And, after playing an integral role in City s 6-1 demolition of Newcastle United in their last Premier League encounter, Navas is relishing next Wednesday s reunion with his former club, who are level on three points with Manuel Pellegrini s men after the first two …

Virgil van Dijk has won UEFA s Player of the Year award.

The Liverpool defender took the honour ahead of Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Van Dijk s arrival from Southampton made him the world s most expensive defender and he helped repay his fee by starring as the Reds won Champions League glory last term.

I need to thank all my team-mates and the staff. I wouldn t have achieved what I have over the last year [without them], my family of course, it s been a long road but it s part of my journey, who I am, Van Dijk said.

I had to work hard every step of the way, it s part of me and I m happy about that. I m proud to get that trophy and it s a credit to everyone who helped me along the way.

 2018/19 UEFA …

Manchester City saw their 21-match winning streak come to an end as Manchester United secured a 2-0 derby victory over the runaway Premier League leaders on Sunday. 

Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty after 101 seconds following a clumsy foul by Gabriel Jesus, while Luke Shaw was the unlikely scorer as the visitors doubled their lead in the 50th minute.

The result means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has once again come out on top against Pep Guardiola, in the process becoming the first United boss to win each of his first three away trips in all competitions at the Etihad Stadium. 

City may still hold an 11-point cushion at the summit but missing out on setting a new club record of 29 games unbeaten will sting, particularly considering the opposition…

Ireland were defeated in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier, unfortunately. However despite this defeat I still believe that their wily old fox of a coach Giovanni Trapattoni is still a top coach.

I think to go to France and win will be a step too far for the Emerald Isle but all is not lost. The team have come a far way under Trapattoni and his assistant manager Marco Tardelli, a World Cup winner himself.

Confidence

The Republic went into the first leg unbeaten in qualifying and full of confidence and I really did fancy them to cause a shock and beat the French. This confidence was inspired by the way the Irish have performed in recent months. Being of Irish descent I really hope they cause a shock and win in France and go to the World Cup next year.