PREMIER LEAGUE Mahrez cleared to resume training after knock 30 July 2018  |  14:14 Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez has been cleared to return to training this week following an ankle knock sustained in Saturday's 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in the United States. Mahrez, who joined the Premier League champions on a five-year contract earlier this month, was substituted after a tough tackle by Bayern defender Chris Richards in the first half of their final pre-season clash. However, City allayed fears that the Algerian international, who returned to Manchester with his foot in a protective boot, would miss the start of the new season. City take on FA Cup winners Chelsea for the Community Shield on Sunday. "A scan today has revealed no significant damage, and he (Mahrez) could be available for selection for this weekend's Community Shield against Chelsea," City said on their website. Pep Guardiola's team then take on Arsenal in their

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA™ Neymar blames 'brattish' behaviour on his inner child 30 July 2018  |  12:42 Neymar Jr © Getty Images Neymar has tackled critics who derided his play-acting at the World Cup, admitting he "overreacts" and blaming his "brat" like behaviour on his inner child. The Brazilian superstar was widely lambasted in Russia for his theatrical reactions to challenges which often left the world's most expensive footballer wincing and rolling on the ground. "Boot studs on the shins, kick in the spine, stomp on the foot, you may think I overreact, and sometimes I do, but for real? I suffer on the pitch, but you have no idea what I go through outside of it," he said in comments on a television commercial for a razor blade. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, speaking in Portuguese with English subtitles, continued "You may all think I've fallen too much, but the reality is I did not fall, I crumbled.&q

Chelsea will not resume talks with Real Madrid over a deal for Thibaut Courtois until they find a suitable replacement for the goalkeeper,  Sky Sports News  understands. It is thought Courtois will be allowed to leave the club this summer, with Madrid his preferred destination, but Chelsea have yet to make progress on a deal to sign a new keeper. SSN  reported last week that Jordan Pickford was their number one target, but  the England international is set for contract talks at Everton when he returns to the club this summer. Chelsea target Jordan Pickford is set for contract talks at Everton  Courtois, who has one year left on his current Chelsea deal, is valued at £32m by Madrid and it is expected that there would be no issue with agreeing personal terms. But, the Belgium 'keeper will start the new season at Stamford Bridge if no successor can be found before Deadline Day and could then run down his current deal, meaning he would be able to lea

PREMIER LEAGUE Hair to the throne? Arsenal's Guendouzi compared to Vieira 30 July 2018  |  12:18 Matteo Guendouzi © Getty Images French whizz Matteo Guendouzi said he hopes he's embarking on a "big adventure" with Arsenal after a scintillating start which has drawn comparisons with the great Patrick Vieira. The 19-year-old midfielder, instantly recognisable by his long hair, had fans salivating in friendlies against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Singapore. Guendouzi, a strong tackler with confident distribution, was a dynamo at the base of midfield, where against PSG he played alongside the similarly hirsute Mohamed Elneny. Arsenal have long missed a midfielder of the stature of Vieira, a member of the "Invincibles" side, which went through the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten. With only three appearances so far -- also including this month's outing against Boreham Wood -- it's early days for Guendouzi,

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is sitting up and talking to his family following emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage, media reports said Tuesday. Widely considered to be the most successful manager in the history of British football, Ferguson, 76, won 38 trophies in more than 26 years in charge of United, including 13 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice. Britain's Mail Online said the Scot, who retired in 2013, was out of a coma and showing promising early signs of recovery following the haemorrhage on Saturday. "Surgery went very well and the 76-year-old's response to treatment has given encouragement and cautious optimism to those close to him," the report said.  "However, they recognise it will still be a slow road to full recovery as he continues to be assessed."  "The prognosis is good and his closest friends in football are being kept abreast of any developments," a source told The Sun new

Petr Cech believes Arsenal will have to win all their remaining if they are to secure a place in the top five of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently six points adrift of fifth-placed London rivals Chelsea, with both sides having a maximum of 15 points to play for from their five remaining league games this season. Arsenal's best hope of qualifying for European football, next season, however, could lie in winning this term's Europa League, where they face Atletico Madrid in a two-legged semifinal. Sunday saw Arsene Wenger's men suffer a fifth successive away league defeat when they lost 2-1 at Newcastle and Arsenal goalkeeper Cech told the London Evening Standard on Wednesday: "We are in the two competitions, so now need to keep switching between them and do our best. We are in a position now where we must win all our remaining games and hope it lifts us in the table. "We are in a very difficult moment because everybody else has a big advantage.&

Arsenal   are unlikely to follow up their interest in   Anthony Martial   should the forward leave Manchester United this summer. Speculation persists that Martial has become frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities following  Alexis Sanchez ’s arrival from the Gunners in January.  Arsenal boss  Arsene Wenger  enquired about the possibility of including either Martial or  Henrikh Mkhitaryan  as part of a swap deal for Sanchez but was told the former would not be made available. However, relations between Martial and United boss  Jose Mourinho  have soured since then with Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid closely monitoring the situation. Martial is valued at around £60million despite having a year left on his contract and the Gunners are thought to have prioritised other areas to strengthen this summer, namely in central defence and central midfield while they will also look for a goalkeeper as a long-term replacement for Petr Cech. READ MORE