The England international showed what he is capable of when netting a hat-trick against BATE, but has been told he needs more regular playing time Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been urged to make a move away from Chelsea, with Glenn Hoddle advising the England international to go in search of regular game time elsewhere. The 22-year-old opted against departing Stamford Bridge over the summer despite attracting plenty of interest on the back of a productive loan spell at Crystal Palace and international showings for England at the 2018 World Cup. There was a desire on the part of a Blues academy graduate to make his mark in west London, but Maurizio…

The Blues are still undefeated this season but have had back-to-back draws in the league leaving them two points off the table toppers Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is preparing his side for a trip to Southampton as he aims to put together an unlikely title challenge against both Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League. The Blues were involved in a classic last weekend as Daniel Sturridge’s last minute wondergoal denied them a win in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Southampton have won just once in their opening seven games and sit in a disappointing 16th place. Their last games against Chelsea came in a…

Olivier Giroud’s second-half winner away to BATE did little to brighten the manager’s mood following a sub-par display from the Blues Maurizio Sarri was unimpressed with Chelsea’s ponderous performance against BATE despite a 1-0 win securing his team’s passage to the Europa League knockout rounds. Olivier Giroud’s first goal in 794 minutes of club football was one of few positives from a lethargic display that could well have cost the Premier League side. BATE were denied by the woodwork three times, including once in stoppage time as the hosts went within inches of rescuing a result in frosty conditions. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may…

The Gunners could tighten their grip at the top of their Europa League group should they register a win against Qarabag Arsenal will be aiming to clinch their eighth straight victory when they travel to Qarabag on Thursday for their second Europa League group stage fixture. The Gunners ran out comfortable winners in their opening continental game against Vorskla where they won 4-2 to send them top of their group ahead of Sporting Lisbon, while the Azerbaijan side face a steep hill if they are to retain their hopes of progressing to the next round. It will be a crucial fixture for the hosts, who lost their opening match 2-0 and…

Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger were among a panel of managers who brought up the matter to European football’s governing body UEFA intends to review the away-goals rule in continental competition after leading coaches suggested the time is right for a change. Giorgio Marchetti, deputy secretary general of European football’s governing body, confirmed it would “open a discussion” on the future of the rule used to split teams who are level on aggregate in knockout ties in the Champions League and Europa League. “The coaches think that scoring goals away is not as difficult as it was in the past,” Marchetti told reporters. “They think the rule should…

The Turkish side suffered a shock 2-0 loss at Malmo, with the German goalkeeper culpable for the opening goal Loris Karius made a poor mistake on his second European appearance for Besiktas after joining the Turkish giants on a two-year loan from Liverpool. Besiktas were beaten 2-0 away to Malmo in Group I on Thursday, with Karius at fault for the opening goal. A cross from the right wing took a deflection that deceived Karius, who attempted to tip the ball over his own crossbar. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as…

The German has endured a stop-start season amid claims he doesn’t fit into his coach’s 3-4-2-1 system, so is there still room for him at the Emirates? Five months into his tenure as Arsenal manager and the biggest conundrum facing Unai Emery should not have come as a surprise. Mesut Ozil, Arsenal’s great enigma, has floated in and out of the news like a luxury playmaker ambling about the pitch. He has also dropped in and out of the Gunners first XI while nursing a mysterious back injury. Talk of a rift between Emery and Ozil has circulated since August, and yet as the transfer rumours ramp up we are still…

The French striker scored twice as Atletico Madrid defeated Marseille to win the Europa League, and has his eyes on more honours After winning his second trophy as an Atletico Madrid player in the Europa League final, Antoine Griezmann wants more silverware. France international Griezmann, who has been heavily linked with a close-season move to Barcelona, scored twice and played an influential role in Gabi’s 89th-minute goal as Atletico overcame Marseille 3-0 in Lyon. The Supercopa de Espana was the only title the 27-year-old had got his hands on since his arrival from Real Sociedad and the in-demand forward admitted winning even more is his priority. Article continues below Editors'…

The former Gunners star believes a top-four finish remains the best Unai Emery’s side can hope for this season despite hitting a rich vein of form Liverpool will “rip Arsenal to shreds”, according to Paul Merson, with the Gunners “very fortunate” to find themselves on a 10-game winning run. Unai Emery’s side have offered a perfect response to opening their 2018-19 campaign with back-to-back defeats, with Premier League, Carabao Cup and Europa League successes helping to rebuild confidence and raise expectations. It has been suggested that Arsenal, who slipped out of the top four towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign, could force their way back into title contention this…

The Standard Liege goalkeeper says he’d like to test himself in one of the world’s top leagues once again Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa says he would like to return to Spain after seeing a move to Italian side Napoli fall through earlier this year. Ochoa started Standard Liege’s Europa League clash with Sevilla on Thursday, which ended as a lopsided 5-1 victory for the La Liga side. The 33-year-old goalkeeper has been the club’s starter since joining in July 2017 on a two-year contract. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro…