Spalletti doesn´t fear losing Inter stars

Inter coach Luciano Spalletti claims he is not concerned about losing key players during the transfer window. 

The Nerazzurri enjoyed a strong first half of 2017-18, although a run of four league matches without a win in December saw them enter the mid-season break third in Serie A, seven points behind leaders Napoli.

Captain and star striker Mauro Icardi has been linked with a move away from San Siro, while midfielder Joao Mario, who has found himself out of the starting XI under Spalletti, is potentially set to leave. 

Manchester United could also choose to renew their rumoured interest in forward Ivan Perisic.

Questioned by Premium Sport on possible departures, the coach said: We ll act in perfect harmony with what the needs of Inter are. The players…

Diego Carlos, Botman or both – why Newcastle must spend big at the back

Newcastle United plugged one of the two gaping holes in their side in time for last Saturday s huge game against Watford.

Chris Wood made his debut as the club s only fit senior striker following his £25million move from relegation rivals Burnley.

However, at centre-back, Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar were again paired, prompting an all too predictable finale in which the former – Newcastle s captain – was beaten in the air for a dramatic Watford equaliser.

Newcastle have been pushing hard for defensive reinforcements to fit in alongside Kieran Trippier, but Lille insist Sven Botman will not be sold in January and a pursuit of Sevilla s Diego Carlos is also dragging on, while interest in Benoit Badiashile of Monaco – another mooted option – has been …

Benzema still absent for Madrid as Ancelotti insists there´s no issue with Hazard

Karim Benzema will not be fit to return for Real Madrid s clash with Granada on Sunday, while head coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he has no personal issue with Eden Hazard.

LaLiga top scorer Benzema missed the midweek Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao with a hamstring complaint.

He was pictured training on Friday, but the France striker will once again miss out for the league leaders, who are without Vinicius Jr through suspension..

Benzema won t play. He s improved, but he s not 100 per cent yet. He trained yesterday but not today, we ve got to wait two or three more days, head coach Ancelotti told a pre-match news conference.

The team are ready, we know Vinicius and Karim are both out.

Ancelotti acknowledged the importance of Benzema to…

Mane makes poor Palace pay yet again to reach Liverpool century at Anfield

Sadio Mane scored his 100th goal for Liverpool as the Senegal forward once again found the net against Crystal Palace, creating Premier League history in the process.

A loose ball after Mohamed Salah had seen a header saved by Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita allowed Mane to smash Liverpool ahead just before half-time at Anfield on Saturday.

The goal came towards the end of an opening 45 minutes that saw Jurgen Klopp s side have 14 attempts, including a remarkable close-range miss by Diogo Jota when he had the goal at his mercy.

However, Mane finally broke the deadlock to reach his century in all competitions for the Reds, doing so in his 224th appearance since his arrival from Southampton in 2016.

The 29-year-old becomes the 18th player to make…