How are Premier League’s top teams preparing for the 2023-24 season?

Inter had earlier issued a statement on the club’s official website confirming the results of tests on Martinez’s injury.

It read: “Lautaro Martinez underwent medical examinations this morning at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Rozzano. The Nerazzurri attacker has suffered a strain to the muscle in his left thigh. His condition will be monitored over the coming days.”

Simone Inzaghi’s men lost for the first time since September when they slipped out of the cup they have won for the last two seasons, going down 2-1 after extra-time and in the process ending a run of 15 games without defeat.

However, they have lost only once in the league all season – at home to Sassuolo on September 27 – and head into the weekend four points clear of second-placed …

According to a recent report from Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid are ready and willing to offer Eduardo Camavinga a new deal.

At the age of just 20, Eduardo Camavinga is already one of the most intriguing players in world football. He seems to possess wisdom beyond his years and in addition to that, he’s already become an important member of the Real first team squad since arriving back in 2021.

The youngster has been attracting a whole lot of attention and, as per the aforementioned report, that’s one of the reasons why the Spanish giants want to tie the Frenchman down.

Camavinga’s current deal is set to last until June 2027. However, Madrid are ready to offer him a new contract in the wake of increased interest from Arsenal.

The Gunners have been l…

Wrexham are to hold talks with Ben Foster over whether the former England goalkeeper wants to prolong his career with them in the English Football League.

Foster was retired for nine months until he answered a Wrexham SOS in March after regular goalkeeper Rob Lainton was ruled out for the rest of the campaign through injury.

The 40-year-old played the final eight games of the season, saving a stoppage-time penalty in the crunch 3-2 victory over title rivals Notts County, as Wrexham won the National League with a record points total of 111.

“A discussion will take place with Ben Foster to establish if his intention is to return to retirement or continue playing,” Wrexham said in a statement announcing their end of season release/retained list.

Foster s…

Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has been acquitted of tax fraud by a court in Madrid.

Alonso was accused of defrauding the Spanish tax office of almost €2million between 2010 and 2012, when he was at Real Madrid.

The Prosecutor s Office had called for a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, but at a ruling on Tuesday, Alonso – who had always denied any wrongdoing – was found not guilty.

Two advisors to Alonso, Ivan Zaldua and Ignasi Maestre, were also acquitted.

Several high-profile names have been the subject of separate tax cases in Spain. 

In June 2018, former Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo – now with Juventus – accepted a suspended two-year jail term and total fine of €18.8million to end a dispute with …

Pep Guardiola has been hugely impressed with Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers as the Foxes prepare to visit the defending Premier League champions on Monday.

Should second-placed Liverpool lose at Rafael Benitez s Newcastle United on Saturday, victory for City at the Etihad Stadium will see them achieve what no team has managed since 2008-09 and successfully retain the title.

Since Rodgers was appointed in late February, Leicester have won six of their nine outings, while Jamie Vardy has rattled in 10 goals during that period to propel the side firmly into contention for a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification.

And Guardiola paid tribute to both Vardy and Rodgers in Friday s pre-match news conference.

His [Vardy s] career speaks for it…

France are not overly dependent on Kylian Mbappe, according to head coach Didier Deschamps.

Mbappe has been in sparkling form at the Qatar World Cup and is the top scorer in the competition with five goals from four appearances.

The 23-year-old s double in the last-16 win over Poland has taken his tally of World Cup goals to nine, as many as Lionel Messi and more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

World champions France are unbeaten in the 13 games Mbappe has started in major competitions – outside of penalty shoot-outs – and will be hoping that record continues against England at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Deschamps dismissed the idea France rely too heavily on the Paris Saint-Germain forward, who has now scored 2…

Rio Ferdinand believes Frank Lampard can be Chelsea s answer to Pep Guardiola as Maurizio Sarri reportedly nears a move to Juventus.

Chelsea head coach Sarri is poised to sign a three-year deal to replace Massimiliano Allegri at Serie A champions Juve, according to reports.

Former Chelsea midfielder Lampard has emerged as one of the favourites to take over if Sarri leaves after almost guiding Derby County to the Premier League via the Championship play-off in his first season at the helm.

Ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand – who played alongside Lampard with England – likened the 40-year-old to Manchester City manager Guardiola prior to the Spaniard being appointed Barcelona boss in 2008.

That is genius!  

One from the archives, and it …

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker:

In what is a heavyweight FA Cup showdown on Friday night, Manchester City will travel to north London when they meet Tottenham.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might still face a real battle in their bid to book a Champions League return, Ange Postecoglou’s side have continued to receive a string of praise. Last seen snatching an action-packed 2-2 stalemate away at Manchester United, the former Celtic boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Signing off 2023 with an action-packed 3-1 victory at home against Bournemouth, the Lilywhites have continued to impress with their success in north London. Extending on their FA Cup adventure earlier in the month as they secured a 1-0 win against Bournemouth, T…

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 4/5 @

With it all still to play for on Thursday evening, Sporting Lisbon will make the trip to Midtjylland for what could be an enjoyable second-leg showdown.

Starting with the hosts, while Midtjylland might have been tipped as a real Europa League underdog this month, Albert Capellas side should be smelling the chance to collect an eye-catching scalp on Thursday evening. Putting in a gritty display as they left Lisbon with a 1-1 draw following their first-leg meeting last week, the Danish outfit are enjoying another extended flurry. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they claimed a routine 4-0 romp away at Viborg, the Wolves have certainly hit the ground running after returning from the World Cup s winter brea…

According to a recent report by The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur have resigned themselves to the likelihood of losing Toby Alderweireld to Manchester United. The Spurs defender has been linked with a move away from North London for what feels like forever, with some suggesting that Old Trafford is the most likely destination for him. The 30 year old has been with Tottenham since back in 2015, turning himself into a fan favourite in English football. He is also a Belgium international, having made his debut for the senior team in 2009.

Toby himself hasn’t been shy when it comes to discussing his future, and given the way the season is going for Spurs, it wouldn’t be all too surprising to see him search for a move elsewhere. The price tag is certainly an interesting anecdote, es…