1+ hour, 21+ min ago (409+ words) Barcelona star Raphinha has revealed why he turned down a move to Chelsea three years ago ahead of his team's trip to Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian, valued at "90m (79m) by Transfermarkt, joined Barca from Leeds United in 2022, with the Catalan club paying 55m for the winger. Raphinha has shined since his switch to La Liga, helping Barca clinch two Spanish top-flight titles and the Copa del Rey. The 28-year-old, labelled "very important' and a "leader' by Barca boss Hansi Flick, was crowned La Liga Player of the Season last term. But things could've been very different for Raphinha, who had an offer on the table from Chelsea when he was at Leeds before he rejected the move. Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash against Barca, Raphinha has explained the reason for snubbing the west London side. "Ever since my last match…...

12+ hour, 12+ min ago (656+ words) Manchester United lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Everton on Monday night and Wayne Rooney feels there was a "big problem" with how the Red Devils approached the game. After a five-match unbeaten run, Manchester United were favourites to beat the Toffees and their odds shortened further when Idrissa Gueye was sent off after just 13 minutes. The Everton midfielder slapped his own teammate, Michael Keane, in a ridiculous moment to earn himself a straight red. However, Manchester United could not capitalise and fell behind on 29 minutes to a fantastic Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike. The home side dominated the game from there on in, but despite producing 25 shots, didn"t create many good chances at all. Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt pointed out that the ploy of continually putting crosses into the box was not the brightest idea, given the make-up of…...

17+ hour, 40+ min ago (612+ words) Frank Leboeuf has backed Chelsea to take advantage of Barcelona's "insane' high line and clinch a huge victory in the Champions League. La Liga champions Barca travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night aiming to boost their hopes of automatic qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Barcelona " currently second in La Liga, one point behind arch-rivals Real Madrid " are 11th in the Champions League group phase, level on points with 12th-placed Chelsea. With the top-eight teams progressing automatically to the knockout stages and avoiding play-off games, both Barca and Chelsea will be keen to climb up the table with four group games remaining. Hansi Flick's side came agonisingly close to reaching the Champions League final last season, conceding two late goals in a dramatic semi-final defeat to eventual runners-up Inter Milan. Barcelona were one of the most exciting…...

3+ hour, 43+ min ago (592+ words) David Moyes hailed the performance of James Garner in Everton's shock 1-0 win over Manchester United last night and tipped the midfielder to make a late push for Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad. The Toffees recorded a rare win at Old Trafford thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's first-half goal which came just 16 minutes after Idrissa Gueye's bizarre sending off. United came close to an equaliser against the 10 men on several occasions during the closing stages and, ultimately, Everton were indebted to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who made a string of fine saves in front of the watching Tuchel. Moyes, however, was keen to praise the performances of two of his English midfielders with Garner particularly impressive at the heart of his engine room. The 24-year-old started his career at Old Trafford but was overlooked by a number of of the club's recent…...

13+ hour, 48+ min ago (596+ words) Everton's Idrissa Gana Gueye became just the fourth Premier League player to be sent off for a clash with a teammate on Monday night. Manchester United hosted the Toffees in a Premier League contest and the home team were given a helping hand early on. After just 13 minutes Gueye argued with teammate Michael Keane and things got physical. it wasn't clear what happened at first but as they argued, Keane shoved the midfielder away and Gueye responded with a slap to the centre-back's face. It was hardly blood-curdling violence, but the referee had no hesitation in flashing a red card in Gueye's direction as he was dragged away from the altercation by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. It was a monumentally stupid thing to do and it is no surprise that it has happened very rarely in the history of the Premier…...

8+ hour, 9+ min ago (582+ words) Manchester United's defeat to Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night represented a first for the club in the history of the Premier League. After a five-game undefeated run, the Red Devils were fancied to continue their decent recent form against the Toffees. However, an impressive strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on 29 minutes was the only goal of the game and Everton travelled back to Merseyside with a 1-0 victory. The result was all the more unlikely after Toffees midfielder Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card after just 13 mintues. Gueye got into an argument with teammate Michael Keane and as the altercation became physical he aimed a slap at the defender's face, earning himself a red card. It was a moment of madness and handed the Red Devils a significant advantage, but they could not make the most of it,…...

1+ hour, 43+ min ago (474+ words) Manchester United have "intensified talks" to sign Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes in January with growing optimism a deal will be completed next month. After strengthening their attack last summer, United have made rebuilding their midfield their next priority in the transfer window. Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has emerged as a top target for the club who are also still admirers of Brighton"s Carlos Baleba. Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is another target. Neither of those three are likely to be a viable target in January however with United already looking to alternative options to get them through to the end of the season. United have been credited with firm interest in Wolves star Gomes with reports in the midfielder"s homeland now claiming talks are edging towards an advanced stage. A fee of around "50million (44m) is currently being negotiated…...

3+ hour, 55+ min ago (579+ words) Jens Lehmann has revealed his prediction for Arsenal's clash with Bayern Munich as the "two best teams in the world' go head-to-head in the Champions League. Premier League leaders Arsenal face one of their biggest tests of the season so far on Wednesday night as Bundesliga title favourites Bayern visit the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side have enjoyed a sensational start to the season, opening up a six-point gap at the top of the Premier League after losing just one of their first 12 league games and conceding only six goals. With defending champions Liverpool enduring an abysmal run and fellow title hopefuls Manchester City faltering, Arsenal are the short favourites to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004. Arsenal's brilliant form has carried over to the Champions League where they have enjoyed a perfect start, winning four…...

19+ hour, 38+ min ago (617+ words) Ruben Amorim has told any player considering a January exit that the needs of Manchester United come first when considering any transfer dealings. The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have been linked with loan moves away from Old Trafford in the next transfer window. Both have featured this season, but have had to make do with bit-part roles and a few minutes here and there off the substitutes" bench. Mainoo has made seven Premier League appearances this campaign, all off the bench, while Zirzkee has seen all four of his league outings come as a sub. Amorim recognises that players are keen to play, especially with a World Cup coming up next summer, but says that the needs of the club will come first when it comes to transfer decisions. If Manchester United feel they need their squad…...