Pulisic: Borussia Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc has told Liverpool they would be wasting their time making a bid for USA international Christian Pulisic. The 18-year-old is contracted to the Westphalian club until 2019. “We have made it quite clear that we are not going to sell Christian and that we are planning with him,” Zorc said. “Liverpool can save the effort of making an offer.”

Azpilicueta: Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract that runs until 2020, the Premier League club said yesterday. The versatile 27-year-old has been a regular starter since joining the London side in 2012 and is set to make his 200th appearance for the league leaders if selected for today’s game at Sunderland.

Oblak: Slovenia international goalkeeper Jan Oblak dislocated his left shoulder in Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 defeat at Villarreal on Monday, the La Liga club confirmed. Oblak was injured while attempting to prevent Jonathan dos Santos from scoring Villarreal’s second goal and was replaced in the 40th minute by Miguel Angel Moya.

Sodje: A former Premier League footballer has appeared in court alongside his three brothers, accused of carrying out a charity fraud. Ex-Reading and Nigeria defender Sam Sodje denied a charge of fraudulent trading involving the Sodje Sports Foundation when he appeared at the Old Bailey this week. He is jointly charged with his elder brothers; Efe Sodje Bright Sodje and Stephen Sodje, who also pleaded not guilty to the offence, alleged to have been carried out between 2008 and 2014.

Pescara: Around 100 angry supporters of relegation-threatened Pescara showed their displeasure at the team’s results by staging a protest outside the restaurant where the players were having their Christmas dinner. Newspaper Il Pescara showed video footage of fans throwing fireworks in the street while photographs showed others holding banners of protest.

Scottish Premier: Aberdeen vs Motherwell 0-0 (abandoned after seven mins for floodlight failure); Celtic vs Hamilton 1-0.

In Italy: Serie B – Ascoli vs Entella 2-1. Lega Pro Group C – Matera vs Juve Stabia 2-2.

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