Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has signed a new contract that sees his buyout clause rise to an initial €65 million. France under-21 international Laporte, who has been regularly linked with Manchester City in recent months, is now tied to Athletic until 2020. A statement on the Basque club's official website read: "Athletic Club and Aymeric Laporte have signed the renewal contract by which the player will remain in the rojiblanca discipline until 30 June 2020. "His cancellation clause is 65 million Euros, and the following seasons will be: 65 million Euros in 2017-2018, 70 million Euros in 2018-2019 and 70 million Euros in 2019-2020." Laporte had signed a contract with Athletic last summer that tied him to the club until 2019 and contained a … [Read more...]
Erik Harmren happy with Ibrahimovic despite score draw
Sweden boss Erik Hamren said his side will "have to give 300 percent" against Italy and Belgium if they are to progress following Monday's 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland. Ireland had much the better of the first half at the Stade de France, with Derby midfielder Jeff Hendrick going closest when he struck the crossbar with just over half an hour played, but it remained goalless at the break. Wes Hoolahan's fine goal gave Ireland the advantage on 48 minutes but Sweden then improved and salvaged a draw when Ciaran Clark headed a Zlatan Ibrahimovic cross into his own net. The point gives Sweden hope of progress but they face a tough challenge given the quality of opposition in Group E. Hamren said: "The feeling right now is disappointment more than being … [Read more...]
Euro 2016:Italy were the better side- Courtois
The Belgium goalkeeper was helpless to prevent his side falling to a 2-0 defeat to Italy in their opening Euro 2016 match in Group E B elgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that his side were no match for Italy , as the Azzurri romped to a 2-0 win in their Euro 2016 opener on Monday evening. Despite going into the match as favourites, Belgium could only muster a single shot on target and fell to strikes from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle, as Antonio Conte’s team went top of the group. Following the defeat, the Belgian shot-stopper conceded that the Euro 2012 finalists had set themselves up better to secure all three points, although dismissed suggestions that the pressure had affected the Red Devils. “Tactically we were outclassed by … [Read more...]
Blood and sweat as Conte’s Italy dismissed Belgium
Italy boss Antonio Conte said his side "can do great things" after they defeated Belgium 2-0 in their Euro 2016 opener in Group E on Monday. Italy took the lead through Emanuele Giaccherini in the 32nd minute and held firm until injury time, when Graziano Pelle smashed the ball home following a counter-attack to make victory certain. There have been doubts as to the quality of the current Italy squad going into the tournament but Conte felt the win over Belgium -- currently the top-placed European side in the FIFA World Ranking -- showed the Azzurri have the potential to succeed this summer. "It was a good game, played in the right way and prepared well," he told Rai Sport in quotes reported by Football Italia. "The lads knew how to suffer under … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Petr Cech’s heroics unable to save Czech Republic from narrow defeat
Petr Cech, nearly stole the spotlight, producing a string of superb saves that kept the Czech Republic in the match, as the Arsenal goalkeeper showed against Spain why he has been so important for his country. The veteran goalkeeper recently set a record of most international appearances for his country and now has 122. His form will be essential if the Czech Republic has any chance of advancing at Euro 2016. He pushed away, punched and caught dangerous shots, giving hope to the Czech fans that the team could produce a result against the European champion. But Cech couldn't do anything when Andres Iniesta whipped in a pinpoint cross in the 87th minute for Gerard Pique to head home. He called it tough, but praised his teammates for their efforts. "I thought … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: David De Gea not distracted as he helps Spain secure win
Spain goalkeeper David De Gea finally put a bad week behind him, displacing his compatriot Iker Casillas and making a vital save at the end of his team's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic on Monday in their European Championship opener. De Gea helped Spain extend its tournament record of not conceding a goal for 600 minutes, three days after facing allegations involving a pornography filmmaker. Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque waited until the last minute to name De Gea as the starter in goal ahead of Casillas after a police investigation threatened to destabilize La Roja's camp. The 25-year-old De Gea's name appeared in court papers on Friday in which a protected witness accused him of promoting an encounter between her and two other soccer players. De Gea … [Read more...]
jack Wilshere full of praise for Wayne Rooney and teammates
Jack Wilshere believes Wayne Rooney remains England’s best player and praised the captain for helping the midfield produce an “almost faultless” display in their Euro 2016 opener. Saturday’s Group B clash against Russia ended in frustration as Eric Dier’s thunderous free-kick was cancelled out by a last-gasp Vasili Berezutsky header, robbing Roy Hodgson’s men of a deserved three points. It ratchets up the pressure ahead of Thursday’s mouth-watering encounter with neighbours Wales, but there remains an air of confidence around the squad following the 1-1 draw in Marseille. England looked defensively solid and attacked with fluidity, with the new-look midfield triumvirate of Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney impressing. “I think the midfield were all … [Read more...]