Pele receiving hospital treatment for urinary tract infection

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain s best position is central midfield, according to his Arsenal team-mate Danny Welbeck.

The 23-year-old has been used in a variety of roles by Arsene Wenger since joining the Gunners from Southampton in 2011, even finding himself playing at wing-back in the second half of last season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium, is believed to favour a central role, a preference endorsed by his fellow England international.  

Asked what his colleague s best position is, Welbeck told Arsenal Player: With the quality he has and with his ability on the ball… I d say centre mid.

I feel like he s got the ability. I like it when he gets the ball in central mid, he knows that I can run in behind and h…

England s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has announced his retirement from international football.

The Everton striker, 31, won 119 caps, putting him second only to Peter Shilton, and scored 53 goals since making his debut in February 2003, breaking Bobby Charlton s national record of 49 in September 2015.

Rooney was permanent England captain since replacing Steven Gerrard in the role after the 2014 World Cup.

He last played for his country against Scotland in November 2016 and had not scored for the national side since his strike against Iceland as England crashed out of Euro 2016 at the last-16 stage.

Rooney had been tipped for a recall after scoring twice in his first two Premier League games – taking his top-flight tally to 200 – since returning…

Radja Nainggolan wants a flawless performance from Roma when they attempt to defeat BATE and seal progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Rudi Garcia s men sit second in Group E ahead of matchday six with five points from as many games and will book their ticket to the next round with a win at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

Roma have been struggling to find their best form in recent weeks, though, and Nainggolan is desperate to end their four-game winless streak when the Belarusian side arrive in the Italian capital.

I think the good times will return. We have belief in the squad, we re a strong group and we re just waiting to get back to winning ways, the Belgium international told reporters.

Wednesday s Champions League match wi…

According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Liverpool are said to be interested in Borussia Monchengladbach star Matthias Ginter. The 25 year old has been with the German club since back in 2017, when he made the jump over from Borussia Dortmund. He’s considered to be one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, which is likely one of the reasons why he’s been a featured member of the German national team since debuting in 2014.

The Reds are currently in the midst of a Premier League title battle with Manchester City, but even with that being the case, it’s never too early to look ahead to the summer.

Liverpool are already pretty solid defensively, but the addition of someone like Ginter certainly wouldn’t hurt their cause. He’s wise beyond his years, he’s…

Claudio Ranieri is setting his sights higher than just Premier League survival after being appointed Fulham s new manager.

Former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Ranieri replaced the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday after signing a multi-year  contract, with Fulham stuck at the bottom of the table on five points.

Fulham were among the Premier League s highest spenders in the last transfer window, spending approximately £100million to bolster their squad following promotion from the Championship.

Jean Seri, previously linked with Barcelona, was among the eye-catching arrivals, while World Cup winner Andre Schurrle also signed, as well as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Alfie Mawson.

But Jokanovic was unable to muster a winning formula this term, losing his…

Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng considered leaving Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich during the close season.

Boateng, who joined Bayern from Manchester City in 2011, has been a key member of the Bayern side that are on a run of five consecutive Bundesliga titles.

But a thigh injury sustained at Euro 2016 preceded a campaign ravaged by fitness problems last time around, with the 29-year-old restricted to 13 Bundesliga appearances.

In an interview with Kicker, Boateng explained he was left pondering whether it was time for a fresh start and took his concerns to the Bayern board during Carlo Ancelotti s time in charge.

I had a conversation with the directors about how they see me in the summer, I said I was thinking about it [a transfer], he said.

…

Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted his time at Manchester United played a huge role in his development.

The Portugal international joined United from Sporting CP in 2003 and matured into one of the best players in the world at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo, who eventually left United for Real Madrid in 2009, has now revealed that the guidance of players such as Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs helped him become the player he is now.

Manchester was a huge education for me, Ronaldo told The Times. There were guys who always arrived for training one hour early. Scholes and Neville were incredible examples. Neville was the most professional player I saw. This is why these guys played in the top level for 10 years.

People like Giggsy, too. I learnt from them.…

With the FA Cup taking center stage this weekend, we should have what is a stacked schedule from across England on Saturday afternoon. So, for those of you who are looking to stick on a weekend acca, we have found a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.

Saturday January 8th

BST 15:00 Leicester City vs Watford

Starting with Saturday s hosts, while Leicester might have shown some real inconsistencies so far this season, there is no doubt that the Foxes will be boosted by the way that they signed off 2021. Eventually managing to claim an eye-catching 1-0 win at home against former Premier League champions Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers men should be smelling another chance here. Looking to keep up their recent momentum when they turn their at…

Competition: International Friendly

Market: Both teams to score at Holland vs England

Odds: 

After qualifying top of Group F without losing a single match, all eyes will once again be turned to Gareth Southgate s England side as the three lions once again put the final touches to their preparations. on Friday, England will travel to Holland to meet a Dutch side who have now missed out on a major tournament for the second time in a row.

For the Dutch, the former European giants have now turned to former Crystal Palace manager Frank De Bour in a hope their former captain can lead the new generation of Dutch talent. For the 2010 World Cup finalists this is now the second major tournament that the Oranges have missed out on after failing to make it to Eur…

Jurgen Klopp has described derby matches as the salt in the soup as he prepares to face Manchester United for the first time as Liverpool manager.

One of the Premier League s fiercest rivalries resumes on Sunday as Louis van Gaal s United who beat Liverpool 3-1 at Old Trafford in September aim to make it seven wins from their last nine league meetings with the Merseyside club.

Klopp, who celebrated 100 days in charge at Anfield on Friday, has won 10 of his 21 games at Liverpool so far, and is relishing the prospect of locking horns with their biggest rivals.

I love derbies. It s the salt in the soup. They are the best matches to perform, he said on Friday.

Klopp was delighted with the battling display his side produced in their 3-3 draw with Arsenal e…