Retired
Ilkay Gundogan has referred to as time on his worldwide profession with Germany amid a possible return to Manchester Metropolis
The Barcelona midfielder captained Germany at Euro 2024 on dwelling soil earlier this summer season, however has now determined to stroll away following 19 targets scored in 82 video games.
He posted on X: “Pricey soccer Germany, after a number of weeks of consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to finish my nationwide group profession.
“I look again with nice pleasure on 82 worldwide matches for my dwelling nation – a quantity I may by no means have dreamed of once I made my debut for the senior nationwide group in 2011.
“My spotlight was undoubtedly the massive honour of with the ability to lead the group as captain at our dwelling European Championships final summer season!
“In spite of everything these years, we lastly managed to make the nation proud once more – I am very comfortable that I used to be in a position to play an element in that.
“However even earlier than the event, I felt a sure tiredness in my physique and in addition in my head, which received me pondering. And the video games at membership and nationwide stage usually are not getting any much less.”
He concluded by saying: “It was an honour! Thanks, Germany! Your Ilkay.”
Gund-again
Barcelona imagine Ilkay Gundogan desires to return to Manchester Metropolis, talkSPORT understands.
The LaLiga outfit are keen to permit Gundogan to go away only a 12 months after becoming a member of on a free switch as a consequence of FFP points.
Gundogan spent seven trophy-laden seasons on the Etihad, the place he chipped in with 60 targets in 304 video games in all competitions.
The 33-year-old’s last season noticed him elevate the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in what was a historic treble marketing campaign for the Residents.
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Thiago returns to Liverpool
However earlier than you get excited Reds followers, it is not precisely the way it appears.
Thiago Alcantara spent the summer season on Barcelona’s teaching employees in his first position since his exit from Liverpool and subsequent retirement.
The ex-Spain worldwide joined Barca supervisor Hansi Flick and the remainder of the squad on the membership’s pre-season tour of america.
Barcelona have since confirmed their former La Masia graduate wouldn’t be a everlasting fixture of their backroom employees for the season.
Spanish outlet Marca have revealed the rationale behind that’s Thiago has needed to return to the UK for the rest of the 12 months.
That is associated to tax points that stem from the top of his contract at Liverpool, with a possible plan to revisit his position at Barca in January.
Thiago has a mansion in Knutsford, Cheshire, that he bought a 12 months into his arrival at Liverpool for his spouse and their two youngsters.
Skip city
Leicester Metropolis have introduced that new signing Oliver Skipp might be in attendance for his or her recreation in opposition to his former facet Tottenham.
The Foxes confirmed their £25million transfer for the Spurs midfielder hours earlier than the 2 sides face off at King Energy Stadium.
The deal got here too late for the 23-year-old to play any half, however Skipp might be on the floor to link-up along with his new teammates.
He stated: “I’m actually excited to signal.
“I’ve received the sensation that it’s an excellent group of individuals and an excellent group of gamers. I’m positive that we’ve received a squad able to difficult in each recreation.
“You look across the squad and there’s numerous thrilling gamers who’ve performed within the Premier League and I’m actually excited to see what this group can obtain.
“I had conversations with the individuals right here they usually gave me a sense of heat and that they had been excited to have me on board.
“As a participant, while you really feel that pleasure, that’s one thing you should use to develop your recreation.
“The employees right here know me as nicely – Steve [Cooper], I’ve labored with at England so there’s undoubtedly an excellent relationship there and I’m eager to push on and present what I can do.”
Mad for it
Tottenham Hotspur supervisor Ange Postecoglou has insisted James Maddison doesn’t lack self-belief forward of tonight’s recreation.
He stated: “Though it was not a major harm when it comes to day trip, it nonetheless set him again a good bit. Even when he got here again, he had a few different smaller disruptions and we had been additionally struggling.
“That didn’t assist him due to the sort of participant he’s. He had a disappointment with the Euros clearly, however he is working more durable pre-season and the nice factor is that he is match and given himself a basis to have one other sturdy season.
“I’m positive he’ll wish to go on the market and get himself again into the worldwide body, however that is as much as him to search out the proper approach to make use of that as a motivation. If you happen to deflect at any level and say ‘that had nothing to do with me’, you might be lacking a chance to enhance.”
Bre-school behaviour
Graeme Souness did not maintain again in delivering his verdict of Ben Brereton Diaz following his position in Fabian Schar’s pink card.
The Newcastle defender was given his marching orders within the first half of his facet’s 1-0 win over Southampton after showing to headbutt English-born Chile worldwide Diaz.
Nonetheless, replays confirmed the sending off was harsh, with the ahead instigating the collision after which throwing himself to the bottom theatrically regardless of minimal contact from Schar.
Souness informed White and Jordan: “If you happen to walked down the road now and did a survey of 10 soccer followers and requested what annoys them, they’d say dishonest.
“Diaz cheated. Schar was fallacious, however I personally assume the referee ought to have gone to the display and despatched Diaz off and guide Schar.
“You’re dishonest. Schar put his head in the direction of him and there’s no motion of headbutting. There’s no motion of ‘I’m going to harm you’.
“Diaz has thrown himself to the bottom and that’s a pink card. He’s tried to deceive me, tried to cheat the individuals within the stadium, and the broader viewers watching at dwelling.
“Right here’s your pink card. See you son. You need to stamp it out as a result of that’s the factor that frustrates the supporters greater than anything.”
