Thursday’s latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC’s What’s Trending …
CHELSEA: Eden Hazard says “it would be a dream” to play under Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and that he would be open to a reunion with Jose Mourinho, although stressed he is happy at Chelsea.
– Following Chelsea’s fortunes can feel like watching a particularly melodramatic soap opera. The past week has been crammed with storylines, Phil Lythell writes.
UNITED STATES: Former England manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed he is interested in holding talks to become United States boss.
– Former United States international Landon Donovan has decided not to run for U.S. Soccer Federation president, multiple sources with knowledge of Donovan’s thinking have told ESPN FC.
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi has told ESPN that it makes him angry when people claim he makes the big decisions for the national team.
– WATCH: Russia U17 player’s poem for Messi.
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi has told ESPN he was in the dark right up until the very last moment over Neymar’s decision to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.
– PSG’s Angel Di Maria told ESPN that a summer move to Barcelona was a possibility after the French capital outfit signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
– Luis Suarez has told Mundo Deportivo that Philippe Coutinho would make a big impact were he to sign for Barcelona and praised the Liverpool playmaker’s professionalism following a failed summer move to the Camp Nou.
– Barcelona are reportedly ready to return for Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho with an ambitious winter move. More in Transfer Talk.
MAN UNITED: Jose Mourinho is facing a battle to keep Marouane Fellaini, sources have told ESPN FC.
– Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has told ESPN FC he is not worried about Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku’s recent goal drought and is backing the 24-year-old to overcome his barren spell.
– Ashley Young says he finds “special talent” Marcus Rashford’s hunger as refreshing as it is exciting and believes the player’s attitude is a breath of fresh air.
– Jose Mourinho’s frustration at Man United may open door for PSG, Mark Ogden writes.
REAL MADRID: Sergio Ramos has said talk of a Real Madrid crisis “is over,” adding that he would “open the door” to Neymar if he wanted to move to the Bernabeu.
ENGLAND: Gareth Southgate has dismissed talk of a club versus country row as “nonsense” as he prepares for Friday’s friendly against Germany with a depleted squad.
SWEDEN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said Sweden are not as good as when he played for them but will still be a match for Italy in their World Cup qualifying playoff.
MEXICO: Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has admired Javier Hernandez’s career from afar and was even keen to bring the Mexico striker to Everton when he was in charge of the Premier League team.
ARSENAL: Lee Dixon insists that the Arsenal teams he played in would have “shown the door” to Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in response to their refusal to commit to the club.
– Alexandre Lacazette’s agent says the Arsenal striker is not worried about being benched for Sunday’s loss to Manchester City and that “everything is fine” between the player and Arsene Wenger.
– Arsenal legend Robert Pires has told ESPN FC he believes Arsene Wenger is still the right man to manage the club.
MAN CITY: Sergio Aguero has revealed the circumstances behind the car crash in Amsterdam that ultimately kept him out of Argentina’s decisive World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, as well as his secret to becoming Manchester City’s record goal scorer.
– Manchester City have the most valuable squad in world football, followed by Tottenham Hotspur, a new study commissioned by CIES Football Observatory has said.
– City have announced record revenues of £473.4 million, making a profit for the third successive year.
– Ilkay Gundogan has said he is continuing to work his way back to full match fitness after missing nine months with a knee ligament injury.
LIVERPOOL: Adam Lallana is set to make his comeback after a three-month injury layoff in a behind-closed-doors friendly next week, a source has told ESPN FC.
– Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman have been impressed by the Reds’ front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, despite the club being 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged the media not to read too much into England’s forthcoming friendlies against World Cup holders Germany and Brazil.
MLS: Los Angeles FC is on the verge of signing Penarol striker Diego Rossi Marachlian, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
– The Montreal Impact has named Remi Garde as its next manager. Garde, who signed a three-year contract, has also been named the Impact’s director of player personnel.
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