Belgium defeated Costa Rica 4-1 in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendlies 1 stage in the 2018 season. Ovidiu Hategan, Romania officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Belgium vs Costa Rica meeting in Friendlies with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Belgium and Costa Rica. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Friendlies
Costa Rica COSRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Belgium defeated Costa Rica 4-1 in Friendlies. The fixture is part of the Friendlies 1 stage in the 2018 season. Ovidiu Hategan, Romania officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Belgium vs Costa Rica meeting in Friendlies with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Belgium and Costa Rica. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
FriendliesCosta Rica COSRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Napoli and Fenerbahce are approaching a complete agreement for Romelu Lukaku, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. Lukaku has already settled his contract terms with Fenerbahce. The two clubs are now working to resolve the remaining details before the Belgium international can travel and complete the transfer. The advanced negotiations represent a major change in Lukaku’s […] The post Romelu Lukaku nears Fenerbahce transfer agreement appeared first on SoccerNews.
Vinicius Junior put pen to paper on a six-year contract with Real Madrid last week (Picture: Reuters) Vinicius Junior’s team reportedly reached out to Arsenal to explain why the forward had decided to stay on at Real Madrid last week, even thanking the Gunners for the treatment they had received during their back-and-forth. Eyebrows were raised as the 26-year-old attacker emerged as a surprise target for Arsenal this summer, with talks over a contract extension previously breaking down after two separate pushes by Madrid. Mikel Arteta was believed to be ‘absolutely smitten’ with the idea of coaxing Vinicius to north London and Arsenal bosses had been prepared to make the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up the highest-paid player in Premier League history. But a major breakthrough in negotiations between Madrid and Vinicius a week ago convinced the Brazilian to stay put and commit his future to Los Blancos, bringing Arsenal’s pursuit to an abrupt halt. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. It was subsequently announced that Vinicius Junior had put pen to paper on a six-year contract at Madrid, tying him to the La Liga giants until June 2032. According to The Athletic, Vinicius had been ‘genuinely attracted’ by Arsenal’s proposal, a move that had been approved at all levels within the Premier League champions’ hierarchy. It’s claimed the ambitious offer was made to Vinicius’ camp after ‘months of behind-the-scenes work’ and ‘high-level’ dialogue between head coach Arteta and key decision makers at Arsenal. The Brazilian had been ‘genuinely attracted’ by Arsenal’s move (Picture: PA) Arteta was ‘absolutely smitten’ with the idea of signing Vinicius (Picture: Getty) But after twice being rejected by Vinicius, Madrid’s efforts reached a ‘turning point’ last Wednesday. Just hours later, the superstar winger had wiped his Instagram page in preparation for a new chapter at the Bernabeu and official confirmation of his renewal followed soon after. The report states that Arsenal first began to get serious about Vinicius over the winter, ‘speaking at length’ with the Brazil international and his entourage to outline the project he would be spearheading under Arteta. Continued ‘frosty’ relations between Vinicius and Madrid gave Arsenal increasing confidence that a deal had been possible – and the Gunners were optimistic of pulling off a sensational coup right up until last week. Vinicius was desperate to get his future resolved after returning from the World Cup (Picture: Getty) Vinicius’ inner circle are said to have confirmed the player’s contract agreement to Arsenal last Wednesday, with representatives expressing their gratitude for how the north London giants had handled themselves during their pursuit. The report adds that Vinicius’ camp stressed that the decision was reached due to Vinicius ‘affection’ for Madrid and the significant ‘financial effort’ that had been made to keep him in the Spanish capital. While there was understandable ‘disappointment’ at the Emirates, Arsenal bosses were also ‘accepting’ of Vinicius’ decision, aware that such a move was always going to come with the strong possibility of failure. The Athletic claim that many at Arsenal saw it as an indicator of progression that they had even been in with a shot of capturing one of the most high-profile players in the world game. Forced to consider alternatives, Arsenal have been tentatively linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz in recent days. The Gunners moved to replace Leandro Trossard with the addition of Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis last month, before Bruno Guimaraes joined in a £75million deal from Newcastle to reinforce Arteta’s title-winning midfield. The English champions have also brought in Illan Meslier on a free transfer as cover for David Raya, while Piero Hincapie was signe
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini strongly supports the club's endeavours to "keep hold of their key players" ahead of the 2026-27 season, after Regis le Bris highlighted the need to be "really precise" in the transfer window. Belgium international Thomas Meunier is the only player to arrive on a permanent deal so far, having joined on a free transfer from Lille. "Like most Sunderland fans, I'm checking the BBC Sport website regularly just to make sure I haven't missed anything," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure on Thursday night, Anderlecht will welcome PAOK to Belgium for their second-leg battle. With Europe’s elite domestic leagues set to make their respective returns over the next fortnight, there are plenty of intriguing betting promotions available. Verdict: Anderlecht double chance Best […] The post Prediction: Anderlecht vs PAOK appeared first on SoccerNews.
Aston Villa are in talks over a move for Bayern Munich and Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha. The 31-year-old became a target for Unai Emery after Amadou Onana suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee while playing for Belgium at the World Cup. Bayern are willing to let him leave two years after signing him for £47.4m from Fulham.
Joaquin Seys is catching the eye of a lot of big clubs (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal and Manchester United are among the many admirers of Club Brugge left-back Joaquin Seys and they now know how much he will cost. The 21-year-old has become a regular for his club side, already racking up 97 first team appearances in all competitions. 23 of those games have come in the Champions League, so he has been competing at the elite level, also picking up six caps for Belgium and playing at the World Cup this summer. There is little surprise that big clubs have come calling and the Red Devils and Gunners are not the only ones who have taken note. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Sun report that Newcastle United and Aston Villa have also been tracking his progress, while Porto and Benfica have also been touted as interested parties. The pull of Manchester United and Arsenal might give them a head start in the race for the full-back’s signature and they are both believed to have made enquiries over his availability. Club Brugge are realistic that they are unlikely to keep hold of the defender amid such heavyweight interest and have set an asking price of €35million (£30m) for him. Seys has won six caps for Belgium at just 21 years old (Picture: Getty Images) That price is not going to put off the Premier League sides, but it is yet to be seen whether any will choose to make the move. Seys has shown great promise, but stepping up to competing for clubs challenging for the Premier League title will be a huge test. Both Manchester United and Arsenal have other options at left-back, so it would be unlikely that the Belgian would be thrown straight in as first choice, but would be brought in to compete for a place in the starting XI. Seys faced the test of Lamine Yamal at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images) Aston Villa are looking for a new left-back after Lucas Digne departed for Paris Saint-Germain in an £8.5m deal. They have Ian Maatsen in that position, but will want to replace Digne as they prepare for a return to Champions League action after winning the Europa League last season. A statement from the Villains on Digne’s exit read: ‘A consummate professional, who was highly regarded by his fellow players and staff alike, Lucas leaves Aston Villa with the very best wishes of everyone at the football club.’ Seys is under contract at Club Brugge until 2029, so they are under little pressure to sell the player who doesn’t turn 22 until March next year. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. A heavy shadow falls over Jakarta as Christian Pulisic is officially ruled out of a monumental clash against his former comrades at Chelsea. The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. Milan will face Chelsea on Saturday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, with the fixture serving as one of the final tests before the new season. The Italian club arrives after a 1-1 draw with Inter, while the Blues are looking to respond after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Juventus. The match was always expected to carry extra significance because of the number of players with connections to the London club. Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku could all feature for the Rossoneri against their former side, while Pulisic would have been another obvious storyline had he been available. The 27-year-old American forward spent four seasons at Chelsea before moving to San Siro in 2023, establishing himself as one of the Italian club’s most important attacking players. His absence therefore leaves Milan without a player who could have provided both quality on the wing and plenty of personal motivation against his former employer. The reason behind Pulisic’s absence The reason Pulisic will miss the friendly is an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The American winger was hurt during the United States’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after attempting a shot and colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to reports from The Athletic, medical examinations subsequently revealed a bone bruise and microfracture around the tibia-fibula area of Pulisic’s right leg. The winger initially attempted to continue after the collision, but the discomfort eventually forced him out of the match. The injury ended his World Cup campaign and meant that his return to Milan preparations needed to be handled carefully rather than rushed. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium Instead of joining the squad for the preseason tour of Australia, Indonesia and Poland, Pulisic remained at Milanello to continue his rehabilitation. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the club’s priority has been to avoid increasing the player’s workload too quickly after his injury. The decision means he has missed the opportunity to face Inter and Chelsea during the overseas tour, but it could prove important in preventing the setback from becoming a longer-term problem. Pulisic returned to Milanello on July 30 after receiving additional time away following the World Cup and underwent medical checks before beginning individual training. Pulisic’s recovery timeline offers Milan encouragement Although the initial description of the injury understandably raised concerns, there has been some encouraging news surrounding Pulisic’s recovery. The expectation is that he will need weeks rather than months to recover, giving the club hope that he can return relatively early in the Serie A campaign. View this post on Instagram The Rossoneri have therefore avoided taking unnecessary risks during preseason. A friendly against Chelsea can offer valuable preparation, but Ruben Amorim has little reason to gamble with one of his most important players when the competitive season is approaching. Pulisic is currently targeting a return around the beginning of the new Serie A season, with Milan scheduled to face Torino on August 23. If his rehabilitation continues without complications, the American could have a realistic chance of being available for that fixture or returning shortly afterward.
A full breakdown of the 17 managerial changes following the 2026 World Cup, featured by high-profile appointments like Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp. It would be fair to say that international football management has become a cut-throat business if the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by. Belgium boss Rudi García’s exit following the expiry of his contract on July 31 took the number of managerial departures to 17 this summer. Read on as we look at which managers have left their roles this summer, before assessing some of the noteworthy appointments to replace them. International managerial exits: Summer 2026 Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the World Cup.Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Resigned after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Quit after Germany were beaten by Paraguay in the round of 32.Rudi García (Belgium) – Exited following Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals.Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Ended his tenure following Croatia’s round of 32 exit against Portugal.Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico lost against England in the round of 16.Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left after the Netherlands exited in the round of 32.Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned after Ecuador’s round of 32 elimination.Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Resigned after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Left after South Korea’s early exit.Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5–1 defeat at the tournament.Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the round of 32.Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Exited following Algeria’s disappointing campaign. Zidane & Klopp headline new managerial appointments Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the standout names on the list of replacements announced by international federations to date. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Deschamps. He will lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve often said it – there’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. “It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. “I also have a special thought for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.” The German Football Association’s decision to turn to Klopp was no real surprise given the lack of viable alternatives. The 59-year-old previously re-established Liverpool as a force in English football, before joining Red Bull GmbH as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025. He will now work to restore the fortunes of a team which has struggled to live up to its billing since last winning the World Cup in 2014. Portugal will embark on a new era after Martínez stepped aside. Jorge Jesus has replaced him after spending the last three years in the Saudi Pro League. Jesus must determine how best to handle veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has given no indication that he will retire from international football. Martínez made the mistake of pandering to Ronaldo at the World Cup, and his decision ultimately resulted in them making an early exit from the tournament. Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has suggested that the 41-year-old wi
Having Nicolas Raskin available to face Jagiellonia Bialystok is "positive for Rangers", says former Ibrox goalkeeper Cammy Bell. Belgium midfielder Raskin, 25, could make his first Rangers appearance of the season in Poland in Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg. "It's a player that's come off the back of playing a lot of minutes at the World Cup for a top side as well," Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
Cammy Devlin is impressed with Nico Raskin's impact in training since his World Cup exploits and hopes they get the chance to team up in Rangers' midfield. Raskin, who has been linked with an Ibrox exit this summer, is back in the Rangers squad for Thursday's Europa League third-round qualifier first leg against Jagiellonia Bialystok after helping Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Marcus Rashford is contracted to Manchester United until 2028. United's transfer activity has slowed since Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans joined them for £35m on 14 July. While uncertainty over Rashford's future is not the entire reason for this, it is a basic truth that United's search for a left-sided attacking player, or another striker, will be affected if he stays at the club because he can play in both positions.
With Milan crossing oceans to battle its eternal rival under the Australian sun, the glaring absence of their attacking superstar has ignited fierce speculation, completely dominating the narrative ahead of this unprecedented preseason war. A shadow has been cast over the historic first-ever Derby della Madonnina in the Southern Hemisphere, as American talisman Christian Pulisic is ruled out of the monumental clash against Inter. With Milan crossing oceans to battle its eternal rival under the Australian sun, the glaring absence of their attacking superstar has ignited fierce speculation, completely dominating the narrative ahead of this unprecedented preseason war. Milan and Inter will meet at Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, as both clubs continue preparations for the new Serie A campaign. While the rivalry remains intense despite the friendly setting, the Rossoneri will enter the match without several important players, including Pulisic, as the club carefully manages its squad ahead of the new season. The match in Perth represents a historic moment because it will be the first time the Derby della Madonnina has been played in Australia. The two sides have previously taken their rivalry outside Italy, but this fixture marks the first meeting between the two clubs on Australian soil. Milan arrives at the match during a period of transition under new head coach Ruben Amorim. The club finished the 2025-26 Serie A season in fifth place with 70 points, missing out on Champions League qualification despite enjoying a 24-match unbeaten run during the campaign. However, Milan struggled during the final stages of the season, losing seven of its last 13 league matches and allowing fourth place to slip away. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan competes for the ball with Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale Inter, meanwhile, enters the derby in a stronger position after a successful campaign. The club won the Serie A title with 87 points and lifted the Coppa Italia, giving head coach Cristian Chivu a dream first full season in charge. The Nerazzurri also finished with the league’s best attack, scoring 89 goals, while conceding only 35 times. However, Christian Chivu will also be without several important players as the club manages its squad following the 2026 World Cup. The real reason Christian Pulisic is missing against Inter Pulisic is unavailable for Milan’s clash with Inter because he is recovering from an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The American winger did not travel with Milan’s squad for the Australian tour and instead remained at Milanello to continue his rehabilitation program. According to reports from The Athletic, Pulisic suffered the injury during the United States’ Round of 16 defeat against Belgium after attempting a shot and colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. Although he initially tried to continue, the pain eventually forced him to leave the match. Medical examinations later revealed that the 27-year-old star suffered a bone bruise and a microfracture around the tibia-fibula area of his right leg. Earlier reports from Italian media also described the issue as a microfracture to his right fibula. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium Despite the injury sounding serious, the recovery timeline has provided some optimism. Medical staff believe the problem requires weeks rather than months of recovery, meaning Pulisic could potentially return early in the new Serie A season. When could Pulisic return to action? Milan has decided against rushing Pulisic back into action and has created a controlled rehabilitation plan for the winger. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club’s priority is ensuring that the American fully recovers before increasing his workload. Pulisic returned to Milanello after receiving additional time away following the World Cup. He completed medical checks before sta
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Napoli and Fenerbahce are approaching a complete agreement for Romelu Lukaku, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. Lukaku has already settled his contract terms with Fenerbahce. The two clubs are now working to resolve the remaining details before the Belgium international can travel and complete the transfer. The advanced negotiations represent a major change in Lukaku’s […] The post Romelu Lukaku nears Fenerbahce transfer agreement appeared first on SoccerNews.
Vinicius Junior put pen to paper on a six-year contract with Real Madrid last week (Picture: Reuters) Vinicius Junior’s team reportedly reached out to Arsenal to explain why the forward had decided to stay on at Real Madrid last week, even thanking the Gunners for the treatment they had received during their back-and-forth. Eyebrows were raised as the 26-year-old attacker emerged as a surprise target for Arsenal this summer, with talks over a contract extension previously breaking down after two separate pushes by Madrid. Mikel Arteta was believed to be ‘absolutely smitten’ with the idea of coaxing Vinicius to north London and Arsenal bosses had been prepared to make the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up the highest-paid player in Premier League history. But a major breakthrough in negotiations between Madrid and Vinicius a week ago convinced the Brazilian to stay put and commit his future to Los Blancos, bringing Arsenal’s pursuit to an abrupt halt. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. It was subsequently announced that Vinicius Junior had put pen to paper on a six-year contract at Madrid, tying him to the La Liga giants until June 2032. According to The Athletic, Vinicius had been ‘genuinely attracted’ by Arsenal’s proposal, a move that had been approved at all levels within the Premier League champions’ hierarchy. It’s claimed the ambitious offer was made to Vinicius’ camp after ‘months of behind-the-scenes work’ and ‘high-level’ dialogue between head coach Arteta and key decision makers at Arsenal. The Brazilian had been ‘genuinely attracted’ by Arsenal’s move (Picture: PA) Arteta was ‘absolutely smitten’ with the idea of signing Vinicius (Picture: Getty) But after twice being rejected by Vinicius, Madrid’s efforts reached a ‘turning point’ last Wednesday. Just hours later, the superstar winger had wiped his Instagram page in preparation for a new chapter at the Bernabeu and official confirmation of his renewal followed soon after. The report states that Arsenal first began to get serious about Vinicius over the winter, ‘speaking at length’ with the Brazil international and his entourage to outline the project he would be spearheading under Arteta. Continued ‘frosty’ relations between Vinicius and Madrid gave Arsenal increasing confidence that a deal had been possible – and the Gunners were optimistic of pulling off a sensational coup right up until last week. Vinicius was desperate to get his future resolved after returning from the World Cup (Picture: Getty) Vinicius’ inner circle are said to have confirmed the player’s contract agreement to Arsenal last Wednesday, with representatives expressing their gratitude for how the north London giants had handled themselves during their pursuit. The report adds that Vinicius’ camp stressed that the decision was reached due to Vinicius ‘affection’ for Madrid and the significant ‘financial effort’ that had been made to keep him in the Spanish capital. While there was understandable ‘disappointment’ at the Emirates, Arsenal bosses were also ‘accepting’ of Vinicius’ decision, aware that such a move was always going to come with the strong possibility of failure. The Athletic claim that many at Arsenal saw it as an indicator of progression that they had even been in with a shot of capturing one of the most high-profile players in the world game. Forced to consider alternatives, Arsenal have been tentatively linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz in recent days. The Gunners moved to replace Leandro Trossard with the addition of Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis last month, before Bruno Guimaraes joined in a £75million deal from Newcastle to reinforce Arteta’s title-winning midfield. The English champions have also brought in Illan Meslier on a free transfer as cover for David Raya, while Piero Hincapie was signe
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini strongly supports the club's endeavours to "keep hold of their key players" ahead of the 2026-27 season, after Regis le Bris highlighted the need to be "really precise" in the transfer window. Belgium international Thomas Meunier is the only player to arrive on a permanent deal so far, having joined on a free transfer from Lille. "Like most Sunderland fans, I'm checking the BBC Sport website regularly just to make sure I haven't missed anything," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure on Thursday night, Anderlecht will welcome PAOK to Belgium for their second-leg battle. With Europe’s elite domestic leagues set to make their respective returns over the next fortnight, there are plenty of intriguing betting promotions available. Verdict: Anderlecht double chance Best […] The post Prediction: Anderlecht vs PAOK appeared first on SoccerNews.
Aston Villa are in talks over a move for Bayern Munich and Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha. The 31-year-old became a target for Unai Emery after Amadou Onana suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee while playing for Belgium at the World Cup. Bayern are willing to let him leave two years after signing him for £47.4m from Fulham.
Joaquin Seys is catching the eye of a lot of big clubs (Picture: Getty Images) Arsenal and Manchester United are among the many admirers of Club Brugge left-back Joaquin Seys and they now know how much he will cost. The 21-year-old has become a regular for his club side, already racking up 97 first team appearances in all competitions. 23 of those games have come in the Champions League, so he has been competing at the elite level, also picking up six caps for Belgium and playing at the World Cup this summer. There is little surprise that big clubs have come calling and the Red Devils and Gunners are not the only ones who have taken note. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Sun report that Newcastle United and Aston Villa have also been tracking his progress, while Porto and Benfica have also been touted as interested parties. The pull of Manchester United and Arsenal might give them a head start in the race for the full-back’s signature and they are both believed to have made enquiries over his availability. Club Brugge are realistic that they are unlikely to keep hold of the defender amid such heavyweight interest and have set an asking price of €35million (£30m) for him. Seys has won six caps for Belgium at just 21 years old (Picture: Getty Images) That price is not going to put off the Premier League sides, but it is yet to be seen whether any will choose to make the move. Seys has shown great promise, but stepping up to competing for clubs challenging for the Premier League title will be a huge test. Both Manchester United and Arsenal have other options at left-back, so it would be unlikely that the Belgian would be thrown straight in as first choice, but would be brought in to compete for a place in the starting XI. Seys faced the test of Lamine Yamal at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images) Aston Villa are looking for a new left-back after Lucas Digne departed for Paris Saint-Germain in an £8.5m deal. They have Ian Maatsen in that position, but will want to replace Digne as they prepare for a return to Champions League action after winning the Europa League last season. A statement from the Villains on Digne’s exit read: ‘A consummate professional, who was highly regarded by his fellow players and staff alike, Lucas leaves Aston Villa with the very best wishes of everyone at the football club.’ Seys is under contract at Club Brugge until 2029, so they are under little pressure to sell the player who doesn’t turn 22 until March next year. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. A heavy shadow falls over Jakarta as Christian Pulisic is officially ruled out of a monumental clash against his former comrades at Chelsea. The American talisman was destined to stand at the epicenter of this emotionally charged preseason reunion, yet his absence has left fans wondering why he will miss the clash. Milan will face Chelsea on Saturday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, with the fixture serving as one of the final tests before the new season. The Italian club arrives after a 1-1 draw with Inter, while the Blues are looking to respond after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Juventus. The match was always expected to carry extra significance because of the number of players with connections to the London club. Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christopher Nkunku could all feature for the Rossoneri against their former side, while Pulisic would have been another obvious storyline had he been available. The 27-year-old American forward spent four seasons at Chelsea before moving to San Siro in 2023, establishing himself as one of the Italian club’s most important attacking players. His absence therefore leaves Milan without a player who could have provided both quality on the wing and plenty of personal motivation against his former employer. The reason behind Pulisic’s absence The reason Pulisic will miss the friendly is an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The American winger was hurt during the United States’ Round of 16 meeting with Belgium after attempting a shot and colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. According to reports from The Athletic, medical examinations subsequently revealed a bone bruise and microfracture around the tibia-fibula area of Pulisic’s right leg. The winger initially attempted to continue after the collision, but the discomfort eventually forced him out of the match. The injury ended his World Cup campaign and meant that his return to Milan preparations needed to be handled carefully rather than rushed. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium Instead of joining the squad for the preseason tour of Australia, Indonesia and Poland, Pulisic remained at Milanello to continue his rehabilitation. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the club’s priority has been to avoid increasing the player’s workload too quickly after his injury. The decision means he has missed the opportunity to face Inter and Chelsea during the overseas tour, but it could prove important in preventing the setback from becoming a longer-term problem. Pulisic returned to Milanello on July 30 after receiving additional time away following the World Cup and underwent medical checks before beginning individual training. Pulisic’s recovery timeline offers Milan encouragement Although the initial description of the injury understandably raised concerns, there has been some encouraging news surrounding Pulisic’s recovery. The expectation is that he will need weeks rather than months to recover, giving the club hope that he can return relatively early in the Serie A campaign. View this post on Instagram The Rossoneri have therefore avoided taking unnecessary risks during preseason. A friendly against Chelsea can offer valuable preparation, but Ruben Amorim has little reason to gamble with one of his most important players when the competitive season is approaching. Pulisic is currently targeting a return around the beginning of the new Serie A season, with Milan scheduled to face Torino on August 23. If his rehabilitation continues without complications, the American could have a realistic chance of being available for that fixture or returning shortly afterward.
A full breakdown of the 17 managerial changes following the 2026 World Cup, featured by high-profile appointments like Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp. It would be fair to say that international football management has become a cut-throat business if the 2026 World Cup is anything to go by. Belgium boss Rudi García’s exit following the expiry of his contract on July 31 took the number of managerial departures to 17 this summer. Read on as we look at which managers have left their roles this summer, before assessing some of the noteworthy appointments to replace them. International managerial exits: Summer 2026 Didier Deschamps (France) – Ended his 14-year spell in charge after the World Cup.Roberto Martínez (Portugal) – Resigned after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – Quit after Germany were beaten by Paraguay in the round of 32.Rudi García (Belgium) – Exited following Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals.Zlatko Dalić (Croatia) – Ended his tenure following Croatia’s round of 32 exit against Portugal.Javier Aguirre (Mexico) – Resigned after Mexico lost against England in the round of 16.Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) – Left after the Netherlands exited in the round of 32.Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador) – Resigned after Ecuador’s round of 32 elimination.Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay) – Stepped down after Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.Steve Clarke (Scotland) – Resigned after Scotland failed to progress beyond the group stage.Hong Myung-bo (South Korea) – Left after South Korea’s early exit.Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia) – Sacked after Tunisia’s opening 5–1 defeat at the tournament.Miroslav Koubek (Czechia) – Stepped down following Czechia’s group-stage elimination.Pape Thiaw (Senegal) – Had his contract terminated after Senegal’s exit.Carlos Queiroz (Ghana) – Resigned after Ghana were eliminated in the round of 32.Jamal Sellami (Jordan) – Left his position after Jordan’s early exit.Vladimir Petković (Algeria) – Exited following Algeria’s disappointing campaign. Zidane & Klopp headline new managerial appointments Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the standout names on the list of replacements announced by international federations to date. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old has now been tasked with building on the foundations laid by Deschamps. He will lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. “I’ve often said it – there’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. “It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. “I also have a special thought for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.” The German Football Association’s decision to turn to Klopp was no real surprise given the lack of viable alternatives. The 59-year-old previously re-established Liverpool as a force in English football, before joining Red Bull GmbH as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025. He will now work to restore the fortunes of a team which has struggled to live up to its billing since last winning the World Cup in 2014. Portugal will embark on a new era after Martínez stepped aside. Jorge Jesus has replaced him after spending the last three years in the Saudi Pro League. Jesus must determine how best to handle veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has given no indication that he will retire from international football. Martínez made the mistake of pandering to Ronaldo at the World Cup, and his decision ultimately resulted in them making an early exit from the tournament. Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, has suggested that the 41-year-old wi
Having Nicolas Raskin available to face Jagiellonia Bialystok is "positive for Rangers", says former Ibrox goalkeeper Cammy Bell. Belgium midfielder Raskin, 25, could make his first Rangers appearance of the season in Poland in Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg. "It's a player that's come off the back of playing a lot of minutes at the World Cup for a top side as well," Bell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
Cammy Devlin is impressed with Nico Raskin's impact in training since his World Cup exploits and hopes they get the chance to team up in Rangers' midfield. Raskin, who has been linked with an Ibrox exit this summer, is back in the Rangers squad for Thursday's Europa League third-round qualifier first leg against Jagiellonia Bialystok after helping Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Marcus Rashford is contracted to Manchester United until 2028. United's transfer activity has slowed since Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans joined them for £35m on 14 July. While uncertainty over Rashford's future is not the entire reason for this, it is a basic truth that United's search for a left-sided attacking player, or another striker, will be affected if he stays at the club because he can play in both positions.
With Milan crossing oceans to battle its eternal rival under the Australian sun, the glaring absence of their attacking superstar has ignited fierce speculation, completely dominating the narrative ahead of this unprecedented preseason war. A shadow has been cast over the historic first-ever Derby della Madonnina in the Southern Hemisphere, as American talisman Christian Pulisic is ruled out of the monumental clash against Inter. With Milan crossing oceans to battle its eternal rival under the Australian sun, the glaring absence of their attacking superstar has ignited fierce speculation, completely dominating the narrative ahead of this unprecedented preseason war. Milan and Inter will meet at Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, as both clubs continue preparations for the new Serie A campaign. While the rivalry remains intense despite the friendly setting, the Rossoneri will enter the match without several important players, including Pulisic, as the club carefully manages its squad ahead of the new season. The match in Perth represents a historic moment because it will be the first time the Derby della Madonnina has been played in Australia. The two sides have previously taken their rivalry outside Italy, but this fixture marks the first meeting between the two clubs on Australian soil. Milan arrives at the match during a period of transition under new head coach Ruben Amorim. The club finished the 2025-26 Serie A season in fifth place with 70 points, missing out on Champions League qualification despite enjoying a 24-match unbeaten run during the campaign. However, Milan struggled during the final stages of the season, losing seven of its last 13 league matches and allowing fourth place to slip away. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan competes for the ball with Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale Inter, meanwhile, enters the derby in a stronger position after a successful campaign. The club won the Serie A title with 87 points and lifted the Coppa Italia, giving head coach Cristian Chivu a dream first full season in charge. The Nerazzurri also finished with the league’s best attack, scoring 89 goals, while conceding only 35 times. However, Christian Chivu will also be without several important players as the club manages its squad following the 2026 World Cup. The real reason Christian Pulisic is missing against Inter Pulisic is unavailable for Milan’s clash with Inter because he is recovering from an injury suffered during the United States’ 2026 World Cup campaign. The American winger did not travel with Milan’s squad for the Australian tour and instead remained at Milanello to continue his rehabilitation program. According to reports from The Athletic, Pulisic suffered the injury during the United States’ Round of 16 defeat against Belgium after attempting a shot and colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans. Although he initially tried to continue, the pain eventually forced him to leave the match. Medical examinations later revealed that the 27-year-old star suffered a bone bruise and a microfracture around the tibia-fibula area of his right leg. Earlier reports from Italian media also described the issue as a microfracture to his right fibula. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium Despite the injury sounding serious, the recovery timeline has provided some optimism. Medical staff believe the problem requires weeks rather than months of recovery, meaning Pulisic could potentially return early in the new Serie A season. When could Pulisic return to action? Milan has decided against rushing Pulisic back into action and has created a controlled rehabilitation plan for the winger. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club’s priority is ensuring that the American fully recovers before increasing his workload. Pulisic returned to Milanello after receiving additional time away following the World Cup. He completed medical checks before sta
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