Beckham happy for Madrid coach Zidane

Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy has pulled out of the France squad to face Italy on Wednesday with a lower back problem.

The defender played the full 90 minutes in City s 2-1 comeback win over Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday with no sign of injury.

Bordeaux defender Benoit Tremoulinas has been called up as Clichy s replacement for the 26-year-old s second spell with Les Bleus squad following a selection by former head coach Laurent Blanc in 2010.

The attack-minded left-back is yet to make his international debut, and failed to represent France at youth level.

A statement on the French Football Federation s website read: After discussion between the doctors of Manchester City and the France national team, Didier Deschamps has accepted the …

Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday that the 94 million euros Real Madrid paid for him was a fair price and he is delighted to be the most expensive player in the world.

The former Manchester United player will put the finishing touches to his move on Monday night when he is officially unveiled as the Spanish giants latest signing.

I think it s a fair price, Ronaldo told sports daily Marca. If Manchester and Real reached agreement on this figure there s nothing to add. The top footballers cost a lot and if you want them you have to pay. I m happy to be the most expensive player in the world.

Real Madrid signed Ronaldo on a six-year deal worth 94 million euros where he is believed to be going to earn 13 million euros a year, becoming the world…

Harry Maguire has talked up Manchester United s squad strength and declared he is ready to play his part in their end-of-season run-in.

England international Maguire has had to largely make do with being a squad player this season, having started just six of United s 29 Premier League matches.

The 30-year-old was brought into the side in place of Raphael Varane for Saturday s meeting with Everton and helped United to a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory.

United are well positioned in their battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League, while also still being in contention for silverware in the Europa League and FA Cup.

With as many as 16 games still to come this season, United captain Maguire says every player will have a part to play.

We re n…

It looks like the Zlatan Ibrahimovic saga could be finally coming to an end! After months and months of rumours and inside stories, it looks like his final destination has been confirmed the legendary Swedish forward will be signing a deal with AC Milan!

According to the well reliable Fabrizio Romano, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has agreed terms with the Serie A outfit to join them until the end of the current 2019-20 season. Zlatan will sign a six-month contract in order to help his former club during a tough campaign and for that he will be handsomely paid. Reportedly, Ibrahimovic will earn three million euros and there will be an option for another year.

It is not completely confirmed, but it looks like Zlatan could get a 12-month contract extension based on his contributions…

Real Madrid midfielder Xavi Alonso has admitted he planned to quit Liverpool from the moment Anfield boss Rafa Benitez tried to sell him last year.

Benitez had wanted to off-load Alonso to Juventus in July 2008 to raise money to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

Alonso was disappointed to hear that Benitez was willing to let him go and resolved to leave when the right opportunity arose.

That finally happened when he joined Real for 30 million pounds (38 million euros) in August after revealing to Benitez that he wanted to leave the Premier League club.

It was a very difficult decision for me to make, he told Sky Sports News. After five years I have experienced wonderful nights at Anfield, to have experienced the support of probably the best fans in th…

England, Serbia, Spain and Slovakia can all book their places at next summer s World Cup in South Africa when European qualifying continues on Wednesday.

England and Serbia have the most straightforward tasks, with both sides needing just a victory to secure top spot in their respective groups and subsequently progress to the finals.

Fabio Capello s England take on Croatia at Wembley, while Serbia welcome Raymond Domenech s under-achieving France to Belgrade.

European champions Spain, meanwhile, can guarantee their passage only if they beat Estonia in Merida and second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina fail to win at home to Turkey.

Slovakia will qualify if they win in Northern Ireland and the match between Slovenia and Poland in Maribor ends in a draw.

…

Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has extended his contract with the club until the summer of 2020.

The Gabon international, 26, joined BVB from French Ligue 1 side AS Saint-Étienne on a five-year deal in the summer of 2013, and has gone on to score 41 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund.

Aubameyang, who was named to the Bundesliga Team of the Year in 2014/15, was the subject of reported interest from several top clubs European clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, this summer.

However, the 26-year-old forward has put speculation regarding his long-term future to rest after putting pen to paper on a contract extension at Signal Iduna Park.

I m absolutely delighted that the next years of my career …

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner believes manager Brendan Rodgers is the right man for the job, but he expects to see strong improvement .

Rodgers came under fire after his side finished sixth in the Premier League last season, and eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

But the Northern Irishman was backed to make changes to his backroom staff and make big-money signings, including Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.

Werner said stability was a key reason behind keeping Rodgers, but he also believes the former Swansea City manager is the right man to take Liverpool forward.

First of all, we take a long-term view on these matters, he told the Liverpool Echo.

We believed in Brendan when he won Manager of the Year for 2013/14. That wa…

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after having knee surgery.

The 25-year-old centre-back suffered a knee injury against Tottenham during a pre-season friendly in China last week.

The initial signs were not good and Bailly may not play again in 2019, having also battled knee problems during an injury-plagued 2018-19.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed the news after watching his side scrape past Norwegian outfit Kristiansund 1-0 in Oslo on Tuesday.

The boss says has had an operation and will be out for four to five months following the injury he sustained against Tottenham.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Eric

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

Eric has had an operation and will be out f…

Arsenal have announced midfielder Granit Xhaka has committed his future to the Premier League club by signing a new long-term contract.

Switzerland international Xhaka featured in all 38 Premier League games in the 2017-18 season, starting 37 and making a single appearance off the bench.

And Arsenal confirmed on Friday that Xhaka has agreed to extend his stay at Emirates Stadium, although the length of his contract remains undisclosed.

Hi Gunners, it s Granit, I m happy and proud to sign a new contract here for Arsenal, Xhaka said in a video message posted on social media. I hope for good results in the future.

Xhaka can

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal)

Xhaka shook off an injury scare before the World Cup and is set to be involved for Switze…