Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has signed a new five-year deal to keep him at the club until 2023. The France international, 27, has scored three goals in 81 Premier League appearances for the Blues after joining from Leicester City in 2016. Chelsea won the league title in Kante’s first season at Stamford Bridge and he was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year. “It has been two beautiful years and I wish for more to come,” he said.
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed his retirement from playing, ending “an amazing 20 years”. The Ivory Coast striker, 40, had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games and winning four Premier Leagues and the 2012 Champions League. He spent the last 18 months of his career with US side Phoenix Rising, the club he co-owns. “After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career,” he told BBC World Service’s Sportshour.
Australia bid farewell to an emotional Tim Cahill as he made his 108th and final appearance in 3-0 win against Lebanon at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. Cahill, 38, came on in the 82nd minute, after two goals from Martin Boyle and a Mathew Leckie strike had all but sealed the win for the hosts. Despite failing to score on the night he finishes his international career as Australia’s record goalscorer with 50.
Kylian Mbappe injured a shoulder as world champions France beat Uruguay in a friendly in Paris. Paris St-Germain forward Mbappe was unable to continue after landing awkwardly after a challenge from Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Campana. Earlier in the first half, Mbappe had missed a clear-cut chance, clipping wide when through on goal.
Paris St-Germain forward Neymar played for only six minutes as Brazil edged out Cameroon in Milton Keynes. Neymar suffered an adductor muscle injury while taking a shot and was replaced by Everton’s Richarlison. And the Toffees forward proved to be the match-winner, powering home a header on the stroke of half-time.
Nigeria’s Victor Moses has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 27. The Chelsea winger played 37 times for his country, scoring 12 times since making his debut in 2012. He had previously represented England up to Under-21 level, while coming through the ranks at Crystal palace.
Former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o has signed for Qatar Sports Club. The Qatari top-flight club announced the signing on their Twitter account, saying they would hold a “press conference to present the international star Samuel Eto’o” on Tuesday.
Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32. The Nigeria international has been with the Molineux club for his whole career, making more than 200 appearances. In June, Ikeme said he was in “complete remission” after “a tough year and intense chemotherapy”.
Chief coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Salisu Yusuf has been caught on camera taking $1000 (N360, 000) from fake football agents who wanted him to select two players for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN). According to a video report aired by the BBC, an investigation led by Ghanaian journalists, who posed as football agents for some players approached Yusuf in September 2017 for a conversation about players’ selection.
Italian side AC Milan have had their one-year ban from European football overturned. UEFA had issued the punishment after deciding Milan had breached a Financial Fair Play requirement to break even after spending £200m on transfers. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld the club’s appeal and asked UEFA to issue a more “proportionate disciplinary measure”.
Liverpool have made Roma’s Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper by signing him on a six-year deal. The Reds have not revealed how much they have paid for the Brazil number one but Roma said the deal is worth up to £66.8m (72.5m euros). “In terms of my life and my career, it’s a huge step for me being part of this club and this family,” said the 25-year-old. He has been at Roma for two years, playing 37 Serie A games in 2017-18.
World champion Lewis Hamilton will race for Mercedes in Formula 1 for at least a further two seasons. The 33-year-old Briton has signed a new contract with the German manufacturer that lasts until the end of 2020. Hamilton will earn at least £30m a year, rising to a maximum of £40m, depending on bonuses. Hamilton said a new contract had been “a formality” since he sat down with Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff to begin discussions last winter. He said: “It’s good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual.
Former Chelsea and Italy striker Gianfranco Zola has returned to Stamford Bridge as assistant to new manager Maurizio Sarri. As a player, Zola helped the club win two FA Cups, one Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup, one Uefa Super Cup and one League Cup between 1996-2003. “For me it is an amazing thing. I am pleased to be here,” said Zola. Zola, who resigned as Birmingham City manager in April 2017, has joined Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia.
Liverpool have agreed a fee of about £66.8m for Roma goalkeeper Alisson. The Premier League club are now expected to hold talks with the Brazil international. The 25-year-old has been at Roma for two years, and played 37 Serie A games last season, after starting his career at Brazilian side Internacional. Liverpool’s bid, which is 70m euros, would overtake the current record for a keeper – 53m euros paid by Juventus to Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
Hernan Dario Gomez has resigned as Panama manager after taking the country to its first World Cup. Panama finished bottom of Group G after losing every game in Russia, including a 6-1 defeat against England. Gomez, who led his native Colombia to the 1998 World Cup and Ecuador to the 2002 World Cup, will now become Ecuador’s manager again.
Four members of the Russian punk activist group Pussy Riot have been jailed for 15 days for disrupting the World Cup final by running onto the pitch. They were accused of violating the rules for spectators at sporting events and wearing police uniforms illegally. They were also banned from attending sports events for three years. Pussy Riot said it was a protest against human rights abuses in Russia. Stewards hauled the four off the pitch.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has stepped down as head coach of Iceland after seven years with the national team. The 51-year-old was named assistant to Lars Lagerback in 2011 and became joint-manager in 2014, helping Iceland beat England at Euro 2016. He then became sole manager, leading Iceland to their first World Cup, where they went out in the group stage despite a draw with Argentina.
Defender Daley Blind has completed his move from Manchester United to former club Ajax, for a fee that could eventually rise to £18.5m. Blind, 28, joined United from Ajax for £13.8m in 2014, when fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal was in charge. The Netherlands international was a regular under Van Gaal – but his appearances have reduced since Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford.
Croatia had a celebratory homecoming after their best finish in a World Cup. Thousands gathered in Bana Jelacica Square in Zagreb on Monday to welcome the side home.
World Cup winners France were welcomed home by hundreds of thousands of supporters as they paraded down the Champs Elysees in Paris on Monday. France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow on Sunday to win the tournament for the second time in 20 years. They were given a raucous reception at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport before their parade through the capital city.
