West Ham goalkeeper Adrian has signed a new two-year contract with the club.
Adrian has committed to remaining in east London until 2017 while the Hammers have the option to extend the Spaniard’s stay by a further two years.
The 28-year-old moved to West Ham from Real Betis in June 2013 and has since cemented his place as the club’s first-choice stopper.
“This is a proud moment for myself, my family and friends,” Adrian said.
“From the moment I arrived in London the West Ham fans had a special relationship with me.”
Inter showing Correa interest
Spanish newspaper AS yesterday reported that Inter are showing interest in signing playmaker Angel Correa, currently on the books of Atletico Madrid.
Correa, 20, only made his debut for Atletico this season after joining them from San Lorenzo in 2014. He was sidelined for several months after undergoing heart surgery.
AS said Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio already had talks with Correa’s agent and last week he was at the Calderon to see Correa in action in Atletico’s UEFA Champions League match against Benfica.
Correa scored the opening goal but Atletico lost 2-1.
Loew’s Germany at full strength
Germany coach Joachim Loew named a full-strength squad for their Euro 2016 qualifiers against Ireland and Georgia, with one point enough to secure a spot in the finals.
The World Cup winners play Ireland in Dublin on Thursday before hosting Georgia three days later in Leipzig.
The 23-player squad is almost unchanged from the one that had been called up for their wins over Poland and Scotland last month, apart from goalkeeper Bernd Leno of Bayer Leverkusen. He replaced Ron-Robert Zieler.
“We want to be serious and concentrated until the end of the qualification. Our aim is to win the games against Ireland and Georgia and qualify for France,” Loew said.
Jardim hits out at French League
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim criticised the French League (LFP) for the way it sets the Ligue 1 schedule, saying the cramped calendar does not allow enough recovery time between Europe and domestic matches.
“It is difficult, in France, to play the championship and the Europa League at the same time,” Jardim said ahead of today’s Ligue 1 game against Stade Rennes after they drew 1-1 against Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday.
“It is impossible to finish a game at 9pm on Thursday and to play again on Sunday at 2pm. I do not understand why we don’t play on Mondays, like in other countries.”
Neymar appeal rejected by CAS
Brazil’s appeal against Neymar missing their first two South American 2018 World Cup qualifiers this month has been turned down, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said.
Neymar, banned for four matches at the Copa America in Chile in June, will miss the matches away to Chile next Thursday and at home to Venezuela five days later.
Brazil’s CBF, who had declined to appeal in June, changed their mind and went to CAS arguing that the suspension should apply only to the Copa America.
Neymar was suspended after being sent off at the end of Brazil’s 1-0 defeat by Colombia in the group phase of the Copa America.
He was involved in a fracas and Chilean referee Enrique Osses reported him for insulting him in the players’ tunnel.
LVG hails Wenger as best manager
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has no doubt Arsene Wenger is one of the world’s best managers.
Wenger, who celebrated 19 years in charge of Arsenal last week, has faced criticism over the past few days following his side’s 3-2 home loss to Olympiakos in the Champions League.
Ahead of United’s top-flight trip to Arsenal today, Van Gaal said of his Gunners counterpart: “I think he is doing great work.
“When you can stay at a club for such a long time, you have to be very good otherwise you shall not succeed. So, I think Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches of this world.”
Lampard on target but NY City lose
Frank Lampard swept home his third goal in four games for New York City but it was not enough as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at DC United.
Lampard rediscovering his goalscoring touch has coincided with a remarkable upturn in fortunes for his new side in recent weeks, so when he struck on the rebound after David Villa’s saved effort in the first minute, things looked good for the visitors at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.
But DC United are no push-overs and they equalised through Fabian Espindola in the 73rd minute, before Alvaro Saborio ensured New York City’s three-match winning streak came to an end in stoppage time – booking DC United’s place in the play-offs in the process.