SPORTS

Marcos Alonso says that Diego Costa's return to Atletico Madrid was a "shame" for Chelsea, but he believes the Blues have found the ideal replacement in Alvaro Morata.

Bale has suffered a host of injury problems since joining Los Blancos - and Toshack can sympathise with the "frustrating" period his compatriot is going through.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's relationship completely broke down towards the end of their spell at Mercedes, according to Niki Lauda.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino believes a gap in spending power still gapes between his side and the Manchester clubs.

Koeman has come under a considerable amount of pressure due to his side's poor start to the new league campaign.

Case against Nasser Al-Khelaifi regards bribes offered to former Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke over World Cup rights.

Mike Phelan believes Jose Mourinho is building something special at Old Trafford and back United to challenge for the title.

Gary Neville has warned Romelu Lukaku his Manchester United career with be defined by his performances against the likes of Liverpool.

Andres Iniesta is "optimistic" he will be ready to return to action ahead of the Barcelona trip to Atletico Madrid on Saturday 14 October.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has emerged as Real Madrid's new priority target to bolster the goalkeeper role ahead of Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois and Manchester United's David De Gea.

Malone joined Huddersfield from Championship outfit Fulham in the summer but has failed to dislodge Chris Lowe in David Wagner's starting line-up.

Barcelona starlet Abel Ruiz is said to be determined to continue at the Nou Camp despite having attracted the attention of all Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus.

Danny Rose and Erik Lamela returned to full training on Wednesday and are expected to return in time for the north London derby on 18 November.

Van Dijk made no secret of his desire to swap Southampton for Merseyside last summer and submitted a transfer request as he attempted to push through a deal.

Arsenal face being without seven first team players for the trip to Watford with Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny needing late fitness tests.

Lukaku had been struggling with an ankle problem but proved his fitness by scoring against Cyprus earlier this week.

Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes believes Anthony Joshua can cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time if he keeps going in his current upward trajectory.

Arsenal have not won the title in 13 years but Merson believes that Harry Redknapp instead of Arsene Wenger would have led the club to a title.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is preparing to return to action ahead of schedule, just two weeks after breaking ribs in a car accident in Amsterdam.

Ibrahimovic, 36, ruptured his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in April but could return to first-team action before the end of the year.

Michael Bisping believes that while Tony Ferguson does get hit a lot, he is a tougher match-up than Nate Diaz for Conor McGregor should they fight for the lightweight title.

Arsene Wenger has admitted for the first time that Alaxis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil could leave Arsenal in the January transfer window.

Ex-coach Mark Petchey says the competition from Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka has made Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer even better players.

Defoe believes his experience could prove a valuable asset to Gareth Southgate's team, and wants to force his way into the squad.

Mourinho, 54, is in the second year of his three-year deal at Old Trafford and is already one of the highest-paid managers in world football.

Everton should have anticipated the departure of Romelu Lukaku and signing Fernando Llorente ahead of the summer transfer window, insists Peter Reid.

Paul Pogba has missed Manchester United's last five matches due to hamstring injury. Marouane Fellaini suffered a knee injury while on internatinal duty with Belgium.

Ben Stokes has been dropped by New Balance in light of his late-night brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September, with the Durham man currently under police investigation.

Mourinho's Manchester United settled for a point at Anfield and Old Trafford against Liverpool. Dalglish claims the Red Devils parked the double decker at Anfield last season.