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German media labelled Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho 'the worst' after an uninspiring display in Borussia Dortmund's defeat to Hoffenheim.

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German media slammed SanchoHas two assists since re-joining Dortmund on loanDortmund went down 3-2 against HoffenheimWHAT HAPPENED?

Sancho has failed to make a mark in Germany having returned to Dortmund on loan from United in the January transfer window. He started his second stint in the Bundesliga on a brighter note as he recorded a couple of assists in his first two appearances. But since then, the winger has not made any goal contribution and also failed to make a mark in the club's recent 3-2 defeat to Hoffenheim in a league clash.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT HAS BEEN SAID

After yet another uninspiring performance for the Black and Yellow where he spent 75 minutes on the pitch, German media wrote: "BVB was so happy when Jadon Sancho was brought back during the last winter transfer period. The prodigal son is finally back. He really sent the fans into a state of euphoria. A few weeks later there is no sign of it anymore.

"Against TSG Hoffenheim, the supporters hoped that the 23-year-old would finally score his first goal. But they were disappointed once again. The BVB star showed another poor performance against Hoffenheim and was probably the worst player on the pitch."

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The England international decided to start afresh in Germany after being frozen out at United for his public fallout with manager Erik ten Hag in August 2023. The Red Devils may look to offload the player in the summer, although the German club are unlikely to sign him as they cannot afford to pay his high transfer fee.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR JADON SANCHO?

The 23-year-old needs to be much more consistent if he wants to stand any chance of being picked by Gareth Southgate for the England squad ahead of the upcoming Euro 2024. For now, he will be next seen in action on Saturday as Edin Terzic's side take on Union Berlin.

West Ham United are experiencing Deja Vu this month two years after they sold Dimitri Payet to Marseille in a £25 million deal, but it appears that a solution to the Marko Arnautovic saga has been struck which will see him remain at the London Stadium. 

According to a recent report from The London Evening Standard, West Ham have given the green light for the Austria international to leave the club in the summer window, however, crucially, the club remain fearful that he will depart before the end of February.

The window for Premier League clubs is due to close at the end of January but the Chinese window will remain open for business until the end of February, which could ensure an unhealthy and extended power struggle involving Arnautovic and the club’s hierarchy in a saga akin to that involving Payet which dominated the 2017 January window.

Despite the fact the Hammers are willing to be pragmatic with Arnautovic and allow him to leave in the summer, the rise of player power and the lure of a £300k per week contract in China may well leave them powerless to preventing his departure.

A summer move is one which makes sense for all parties involved: it allows the recruitment team time to scout the market and identify a worth replacement, grants Arnautovic his desired move and ensures that West Ham’s results do not suffer as a consequence of a mid-season exit.

Payet’s decision to leave the club in 2017 left a gaping creative void in the attacking midfield unit which the club struggled without in the remainder of the campaign and, while it must be considered that West Ham have greater strength in depth than they did two years ago, the loss of Arnautovic would undoubtedly represent a similar hammer blow to their ambitions for the season.

West Ham’s stance on Arnautovic’s future is wise under the circumstances, but it seems that their willingness to allow him to leave in the summer may not be enough to avoid a similar outcome to the saga which saw Payet leave for Marseille in 2017.

West Ham fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has recovered well after suffering brain haemorrhage last July.

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Van der Sar speaks out after brain haemorrhageUnited legend has fully recoveredSpending time with wife in the Caribbean WHAT HAPPENED?

The former Manchester United, Ajax and Netherlands goalkeeper suffered a cerebral haemorrhage while holidaying in Croatia in July 2023 and was rushed to hospital in the Netherlands via helicopter. His wife, though, later confirmed that the legendary player was recovering well and it was not a life-threatening condition.

Now for the first time after fully recovering from the brain haemorrhage, Van der Sar has faced the camera and spoken about his health.

AdvertisementWHAT VAN DER SAR SAID

Speaking to , the 53-year-old said, "My health is doing well. I didn’t get much damage from it, I think. But I have never spent a day in the office from 9am to 5pm. But no, I’m fine."

He further revealed that he is currently spending some quality time with his wife at the Caribbean Islands and also joked that he did not visit Curacao as the place is filled with "too many Dutch people."

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The custodian began his professional career at Ajax in 1990 before moving to Juventus nine years later. In 2001, he came to England for the first time and joined Fulham before making his switch to Old Trafford in 2005 where he spent six seasons and won numerous trophies.

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VAN DER SAR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

The former Netherlands international won league titles in his career, four each at Ajax and Manchester United. He also won the Champions League twice, once with the Dutch club in the 1994-95 season and once in England during the 2007/08 campaign. After his retirement, he served Ajax in the capacity of marketing director and as CEO, a post which he held until 2023.

Christian Pulisic has been advised by Marcel Desailly on how to complete his transformation from Chelsea outcast to AC Milan leader.

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Struggled for spark at Stamford BridgeMade an immediate impact in ItalyStill has potential to be unlockedWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international did become a history-making Champions League winner during the four years that he spent in England at Stamford Bridge, but he struggled for form and fitness throughout his spell in west London and never truly convinced.

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A new challenge was taken over the summer as a result, with the opportunity to head for Italy snapped up, and Pulisic has impressed through the early stages of his time in Milan. He has four Serie A goals to his name, with favour being earned among a demanding fan base, but Desailly feels more can be done in order to become a talismanic presence at San Siro.

WHAT THEY SAID

Former Rossoneri star Desailly, who also spent time at Chelsea in his playing days, has told of Milan’s class of 2023-24: “I still do believe that they’re a team who still have to build up knowledge and capability. Like when you see Leao is inconsistent, he doesn’t have that consistency in the game, they still have to learn. Christian Pulisic also needs time to understand and accept the leadership that we’re asking of him. He wasn’t playing all the time at Chelsea and coming into Milan, he needs to understand and absorb the history of the club. San Siro is a magnificent garden where you have to digest the intensity of what is required every weekend. So, they don’t have the foundation yet.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Pulisic is prepared to listen to advice in Italy, as he seeks to unlock even more potential, and has already shown that he can be a quick learner as his versatility and creativity is put to good use across Milan’s attacking line – with fellow countryman Yunus Musah providing support from midfield.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic claimed that Mike Maignan's 'perfect' assist was a result of rigorous practice in Milan's training sessions.

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Maignan's pass was practiced in trainingPulisic scored in Milan's 3-1 win over FrosinoneMilan four points behind leaders JuventusWHAT HAPPENED?

Luka Jovic, Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori were on target for the Rossoneri as they outclassed Frosinone 3-1 in a crucial Serie A fixture on Saturday.

United States international Pulisic made the headlines with a stunning goal in the 50th minute which doubled his team's lead. The former Chelsea winger received Maignan's long goal-kick and then scored with a brilliant solo effort.

AdvertisementWHAT CHRISTIAN PULISIC SAID

After the game, the 25-year-old suggested that the move that resulted in his goal was something that the team regularly practiced in training and their rigorous hard work finally paid off.

Speaking to , the goalscorer said, "For me, it’s not the best goal that I’ve scored here, but obviously a nice goal and good to help the team to win today. We train with this a lot, so I know he’s capable of playing a pass like that. It was amazing, right on my foot, just perfect.

"It’s very important, we built some momentum in the league, now we just keep taking it game by game and hopefully continue to win."

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The USMNT star has enjoyed a purple patch in Italy since moving to Milan in the summer from the Blues. He has already netted five goals in 17 appearances across all competitions – which is four more than what he had scored in the entire 2022/23 season – and has provided two assists.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AC Milan?

After the debacle against Borussia Dortmund in their last match in the Champions League, it was a much-needed win for Stefano Pioli's side.

With the win on Saturday, they consolidated their place in the third position, four points behind league leaders Juventus. They will now face Atalanta in the Serie A on December 9.

Liverpool have approached the agent of Xabi Alonso to discuss the prospect of the Bayer Leverkusen boss replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer.

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Liverpool looking for Klopp replacementReds have made approach for AlonsoLeverkusen expect coach to snub offerWHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds have made a request to Inaki Ibanez, Alonso's representative, according to The Spanish coach's current side have already been informed of the approach and the top figures at the BayArena are confident the former midfielder will turn down his ex-club in favour of staying at Leverkusen.

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Alonso was appointed Leverkusen head coach in October 2022, when they were second-bottom of the table after eight matches, and guided them to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga. This season, they are the shock, unbeaten leaders in the Bundesliga, holding a eight-point advantage over reigning champions Bayern.

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool are not the only contenders to lure Alonso away from Leverkusen this summer, as German rivals Bayern have also been linked with a move for their former player as Thomas Tuchel will depart at the end of the season. Leverkusen, however, will hope to hold onto Alonso until the end of his contract, which expires in 2026.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ALONSO?

Before he considers a possible summer departure from Leverkusen, Alonso will hope his team can boost their hopes of winning their first ever Bundesliga title by beating Koln on Sunday. They will then turn their attention to their Europa League tie against Qarabag.

Emma Hayes has slammed the Football Association's fixture scheduling after her Chelsea side played their third game in just six days.

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Chelsea beat Liverpool 5-1 on SaturdayJust over 48 hours after returning from MadridHayes criticises scheduling as games pile upGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues beat Liverpool 5-1 early on Saturday afternoon in the Women's Super League, just over two days after landing back in the UK in the early hours of Thursday morning following their 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The London outfit also played Everton in the WSL last Sunday and now manager Hayes has called on the FA to improve their scheduling due to their congested fixture list.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT EMMA HAYES SAID

After the Liverpool win, Hayes told reporters: "We're the only English team in Europe (this season). Yet we're the only association that doesn't help its team in Europe. Spain do, France do, Germany do. We don't and that for me is disappointing. We're working against ourselves. There's a rule in place that means you can put a Saturday game on at 1:30 for TV, because we've had two days between games.

"But they aren't factoring in that we are getting in at half four in the morning. Why are we getting in then? Well there's drug testing so you can't just leave. On that first day you're like a zombie and the second is just about getting your legs moving. If you get home at 4am in the morning, it screws a night's sleep.

"Don't we want an English team to progress in Europe? It's already hard enough. The rest of Europe look at us and think their league doesn't even help them. Don't you think it is a little bizarre that we're the only team to play this weekend after being the only team to play Wednesday and play Sunday night away from home?"

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This will be Hayes' last season in charge of Chelsea after taking up the role in 2021. Since then the 47-year-old has won 13 major trophies but when the 2023/24 campaign ends in May, she will become the next boss of the United States women's national soccer team.

The Blues are chasing a fifth straight WSL crown and Hayes will want her side to win the Champions League, among other major trophies, in her last hurrah at the west London side. Therefore, getting some extra respite between games will be key to their success.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Chelsea as they are back in Champions League action against Paris FC on Thursday, followed by Leicester City in the WSL on Sunday.

Rodrigo De Paul admits that Argentina “always miss” Lionel Messi when he is unavailable, with “everything always better” when he is clear of injury.

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All-time great has been nursing a knockLimited game time for Inter MiamiIn qualification action against ParaguayWHAT HAPPENED?

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner sat out a 2026 World Cup qualifying clash with Bolivia back in September after picking up an untimely knock. That problem restricted him to just 72 minutes of game time for Inter Miami in MLS before heading off with the Albiceleste once more.

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Messi was kept on the bench for 53 minutes of a meeting with Paraguay, but made an impressive cameo as he struck the woodwork on two occasions and tangled with Antonio Sanabria – who spat at him – in a hard-fought 1-0 win for the 2022 World Cup winners.

WHAT THEY SAID

De Paul, who is a close friend of the all-time great, is delighted to have Messi back alongside him, telling of how the mercurial 36-year-old makes life easier for everybody when he is on the field: “Although we play at a very high level, we always miss him, we always want to have him in. I hope he can come back in the next game because with him everything is always better. For me it is a pleasure to turn around and see him.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Argentina, who sit at the top of the CONMEBOL qualification table after taking maximum points form three qualifiers so far, will be back in action next Tuesday against Peru – with it yet to be determined whether Messi will play more of a prominent role in that contest.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi has offered his opinion on why Lionel Messi found life at Paris Saint-Germain tough after being given "everything" at Barcelona.

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Al-Khelaifi says PSG switch 'wasn't easy' for MessiBelieves Barcelona was built around Argentinian Dovetailing with Mbappe and Neymar took timeGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

In a wide-ranging interview with RMC, Al-Khelaifi reflected on the challenges of the last few seasons at a club where European success has proved elusive, despite the vast array of talent assembled in the French capital.

In particular, Al-Khelaifi zeroed in on why Messi never hit the heights of his Barcelona days at the Parc des Princes.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT NASSER AL-KHELAIFI SAID

Speaking to former PSG midfielder Jerome Rothen, Al-Khelaifi explained: "I'll say one thing about Messi, he's the best player in the world and the best player in history. It wasn't easy for him to come here after a few years, you have to look at Barcelona. There, everything was for Messi: the players, the coaches and the management. He comes here and it's not the same thing, we also have other players, we have Kylian and also Neymar."

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In his two seasons in France, Messi won the Ligue 1 title twice and scored a respectable number of goals. But despite also winning a World Cup with Argentina while a PSG player, the feeling was that Messi never quite produced his glittering best in Paris.

PSG crashed out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage in both of Messi's seasons at the club, looking alarmingly unbalanced in defeats to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

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WHAT NEXT FOR PSG AND NASSER AL-KHELAIFI?

With Neymar and Messi now long gone, Al-Khelaifi faces an anxious time trying to convince the only remaining member of that lauded front three to stay. With Mbappe's contract due to expire in the summer, he's now free to negotiate with other clubs, most notably Real Madrid. Al-Khelaifi also revealed he still sees a future for the France captain at PSG.

The French forward led a rampant attack as the French champions stormed to the top of Champions League Group F

After a mini-goal drought, it was only a matter of time before Kylian Mbappe found his best again. And the forward appears to be well on his way to doing so, scoring for the second straight game as Paris Saint-Germain comfortably beat AC Milan to go top of their Champions League group.

Mbappe bagged the first, and Randal Kolo Muani and Lee Kang-In followed to hand the Parisians a comfortable 3-0 win. Milan offered some threatening moments in the early goings. Rafael Leao caused problems on the left and curled one narrowly outside the post within 25 minutes.

But PSG were too dangerous on the break. Warren Zaire-Emery started the move that opened the scoring, bursting through the Milan midfield ranks before feeding Mbappe. And the France star did the rest, cutting inside his man before arrowing an effort into the bottom corner.

The Parisians thought they had taken a 2-0 lead when Ousmane Dembele finished a well-worked move, but Manuel Ugarte was adjudged to have committed a foul in the build-up. There was no such mishap shortly after, though, when Mike Maignan parried a shot into Kolo Muani's path – handing the new signing his third PSG goal.

Lee provided the decisive third, tucking Zaire-Emery's cutback into the bottom corner, finding the net for the first time in a PSG shirt.

GOAL rates PSG's players from Parc des Princes…

Getty Goalkeeper & Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10):

Almost embarrassed himself with an awkward headed clearance early in the second half. Made a couple of important saves.

Achraf Hakimi (6/10):

Had trouble with the lively Leao in the first half and wasn't at his best going forward, either.

Marquinhos (8/10):

Handled Olivier Giroud reasonably well and progressed the ball effectively. A commanding presence at the back.

Milan Skriniar (7/10):

A steady night. Won most of his aerial duels and kept things tidy.

Lucas Hernandez (7/10):

A solid showing at left-back. Kept Christian Pulisic quiet for long stretches and supported Mbappe well on the wing.

AdvertisementGetty Midfield

Manuel Ugarte (6/10):

Held down the middle effectively, even if a silly foul of his saw a goal ruled out. Got a deserved rest for the last 20 minutes or so.

Vitinha (7/10):

Nearly had an assist, only to see a goal ruled out. Connected with the front line, and put in plenty of legwork, too. He's been much-improved this year.

Warren Zaire-Emery (8/10):

His lung-busting run through the midfield helped create the first goal. Won the ball back regularly and kept things ticking in the middle. Picked up three assists. Quickly becoming one of the world's best young talents.

Getty Attack

Ousmane Dembele (6/10):

Thought he had his first PSG goal, but saw it ruled out. Was otherwise wasteful in the final third. It's not quite working out for him in Paris – yet.

Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

Couldn't really miss from close range to open his PSG Champions League account. Was otherwise full of movement and pace. Seems to have the centre-forward spot nailed down.

Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Scored a signature goal to give his side a 1-0 lead. Was a constant threat throughout and could have easily added one or two more.

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Getty Subs & Manager

Fabian Ruiz (7/10):

Offered a bit more control in the middle.

Lee Kang-In (7/10):

Bagged his first goal for the Parisians.

Goncalo Ramos (N/A):

Didn't have enough time to make a mark.

Nordi Mukiele (X/10):

No time to make an impact.

Luis Enrique (7/10):

Went back to a 4-3-3 after getting a good result against Strasbourg last weekend. And it worked. PSG were pretty much in control throughout, and devastating on the break at times. Not perfect, but the Parisians were immensely effective.