Michael Ballack has questioned Bastian Schweinsteiger s decision to move to Manchester United from Bayern Munich.
The 32-year-old was signed by Louis van Gaal in 2015 but has struggled to make an impact during his time at Old Trafford.
Injury problems curtailed Schweinsteiger s involvement last season, before Jose Mourinho ostracised him from the first team following his appointment as manager last year.
Schweinsteiger has battled his way back into Mourinho s plans, making four appearances and scoring one goal, but old team-mate Ballack says his problems in England have not come as a huge surprise.
When the transfer happened, he already was past his prime, because of injuries as well, the former Bayern and Germany star told the media at a sponsor s event…
Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has been charged with misconduct over comments he made about referee Ross Joyce in the wake of his side’s League Two play-off semi-final first leg against Bradford on May 14.
Simpson branded the official a “homer” after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Valley Parade, although the Cumbrians subsequently avenged that defeat in the second leg to set up a Wembley play-off final against Stockport.
The EFL said: “It’s alleged that the manager’s comments regarding the match referee constitute improper conduct as they imply bias, and/or question the integrity of the official, and/or bring the game into disrepute.”
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson)
Simpson has been given until May 25 – three days prior to their We…
What the papers say
Manchester United are “launching a £55 million swoop” for Chelsea forward Mason Mount, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old is also being sought by Liverpool and Arsenal as he enters the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge with his future under increasing uncertainty.
The Independent reports Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Leicester winger Harvey Barnes, 25, in the summer. The Foxes could also lose attacker James Maddison, 26, after a tough season for the struggling club.
West Ham are looking increasingly like they will keep David Moyes on as manager despite constant chatter all season that he would be moved on, The Guardian says. The 60-year-old may now be given another season after reaching the Europa Conference Leag…
Mario Balotelli could be reunited with Jose Mourinho by making a switch to Chelsea, according to the player s agent.
The Italy international previously played under Mourinho at Inter, with both men subsequently departing the club in 2010 as Mourinho moved to La Liga giants Real Madrid and Balotelli signed for Premier League Manchester City.
Balotelli has since returned to Serie A with Milan, while Mourinho began his second second stint in charge at Stamford Bridge in June.
The pair reportedly had several fall-outs during their time at Inter, with Mourinho once branding the striker unmanageable .
But the player s agent, Mino Raiola, insists that their differences have been resolved and that Balotelli is in contact with his former coach.
Balotelli and Mourinh…
Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has joined Manchester City from Barcelona on a five-year deal, the English Premier League club announced Friday
The 28-year-old finalised the details of his move to Eastlands this week after the Ivory Coast were knocked out of the World Cup.
It means Toure will join brother Kolo, City s captain, at the north-west side who earlier this week signed David Silva from Valencia.
This is another fantastic signing for Manchester City, and I am very pleased Yaya has joined us, he is a very good player, manager Roberto Mancini told the club s website, www.mcfc.co.uk.
Everyone knows Yaya is a player that we have admired for a long time, and we would like to welcome him to Manchester City, the Italian added.
He has played…
Former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has strongly criticised the Liga champions for treating him disrespectfully before his move to Juventus last year.
The Brazil international won a remarkable 23 titles across eight seasons at Camp Nou but left on a free transfer to join the Serie A giants.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC, Alves accused Barcelona s board of failing to discuss the prospect of a new contract with him until the club were hit by a player registration ban in 2014 for breaking FIFA rules related to signing young players.
I like being loved and if they do not want me, I m leaving, the 33-year-old said.
During my last three seasons I always heard that Alves was leaving but the management never said anything to me.
They wer…
Chile’s football federation have announced the appointment of Juan Antonio Pizzi as national team head coach.
Argentine Pizzi, 47, will begin his reign from next week after replacing the recently departed Jorge Sampaoli.
Pizzi agreed a deal which will keep him in the post with the Copa America champions until the end of the 2018 World Cup.
A statement on Chile’s official website read: The Board of the National Association of Professional Football (ANFP) established an agreement with Juan Antonio Pizzi to assume the post of Technical Director of the Chile national football team, starting next week.
President of the ANFP Arturo Salah added: We are very pleased with the arrival of Juan Antonio Pizzi. A professional who gives us a lot of confidence, has…
Unai Emery had little interest in considering the possibility of Jose Mourinho replacing him as Arsenal manager following a disappointing draw at Vitoria SC.
Pressure has been building on Gunners boss Emery following a string of underwhelming results, with Arsenal winless in three in all competitions coming into Wednesday s Europa League clash.
That unwanted streak was extended to a fourth match as Bruno Duarte s stoppage-time strike cancelled out Shkodran Mustafi s 80th-minute opener.
In the lead-up to the contest in Portugal, the name of former rival Mourinho was linked with Emirates Stadium.
Mourinho, an Arsenal nemesis in his time at Chelsea, has been out of work since his sacking at Manchester United late last year and speculation is building about h…
From the crisis engulfing Jose Mourinho at Manchester United to Barcelona and Real Madrid trailing Sevilla in LaLiga, the 2018-19 season has seen some of Europe s top clubs struggle.
While the board at Old Trafford are reportedly contemplating Mourinho s future, pressure is also building at the Santiago Bernabeu where Julen Lopetegui is without a win in his last four matches in all competitions.
Reigning LaLiga champions Barcelona are in a similarly indifferent spell of form, while Bayern Munich are sixth in the Bundesliga following a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in their last outing.
Opta s stats provide a telling insight into the key areas in which these four giants of European football are failing in this campaign when compared…
Karim Benzema marked his Real Madrid farewell with a goal in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao, as Los Blancos clung onto second place on the final day of the LaLiga season.
The veteran forward – who is expected to head to Saudi Arabia after announcing his departure on Sunday – converted a penalty as Madrid fought back to clinch a point at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Athletic had been denied an early opener when Thibaut Courtois kept out Mikel Vesga s spot-kick, but Ernesto Valverde s visitors struck first through Oihan Sancet after half-time.
Benzema s equaliser however cost them a spot in the Europa Conference League, with Carlo Ancelotti s men clinging onto second following Atleti s 2-2 draw with Villarreal elsewhere.
Athletic had the chance to go ahead f…