Kante out until February and Fofana suffers setback, reveals Chelsea boss Potter

Reece James will be available when Chelsea face Bournemouth on Tuesday but N Golo Kante is out until at least February with his hamstring injury, Graham Potter revealed.

James missed out on Gareth Southgate s England squad for the World Cup in Qatar after sustaining a knee injury in October, leading the right-back to describe himself as devastated .

Chelsea confirmed James returned to training as the Blues were put through their paces in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, and the 23-year-old could now feature against the Cherries at Stamford Bridge.

However, fellow defenders Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana remain unavailable, with the latter suffering a setback in his bid to recover from a knee injury.

Wesley had a little setback, which can happen. It s a coup…

Brazil and Barcelona great Ronaldinho tests positive for coronavirus

Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has confirmed he has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Ronaldinho, who won 97 caps for Brazil between 1999 and 2013, posted a video to his Instagram story revealing his diagnosis. 

The 40-year-old said he is asymptomatic and is self-isolating in Belo Horizonte, having arrived in the city on Saturday. 

I ve been here in BH since yesterday, I came to participate in an event, Ronaldinho said on Sunday. 

I took the test and tested positive for COVID. I m fine, asymptomatic, but we ll have to leave the event for later. Soon we will be there together. Big hug!  

It has been a turbulent year for Ronaldinho who, along with his brother Roberto Assis, was jailed in Paraguay in March after entering the …

Mason Mount says it was clear ‘several months ago’ he was not in Chelsea’s plans

New Manchester United signing Mason Mount says he left Chelsea with it having become clear “several months ago” that he was not in the club’s plans for the future.

The England midfielder completed his move from the Blues to United this week on a deal to 2028, with the option of a further year, for what is understood to be an initial fee of £55million.

Mount told MUTV: “Several months ago I think it became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans moving forward and once I knew that United were involved, my decision was made.

Red is the colour.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

“It’s a massive club, huge, iconic players have played here, and I wanted to be a part of that from the beginning. Getting in early, ready for pre-season to …

Pioli switch erased years of Milan work in derby loss, says Sacchi

Stefano Pioli s decision to employ a three-man defence in Sunday s 1-0 derby defeat to Inter erased years of good work with the Rossoneri, according to legendary former boss Arrigo Sacchi.

Lautaro Martinez s first-half goal condemned Milan to another chastening defeat at San Siro, meaning they have gone five league games without a win for the first time since 2018.

Last season s Scudetto winners have now lost four consecutive games in all competitions, and they sit 18 points adrift of runaway leaders Napoli after slumping to sixth place in Serie A.

Milan failed to attempt a single shot on target in the game after opting to match Inter s 3-5-2 system, and Sacchi says the Rossoneri no longer resemble a coherent side.

Milan were no longer a team, especiall…

Pogba returning to Juventus is possible, admits Raiola

Paul Pogba could yet make a return to Juventus, according to Mino Raiola, as the midfielder s long-term future at Manchester United remains unclear.  

Pogba is in the final year of his current deal at Old Trafford, having returned to Manchester in August 2016 after a hugely successful spell in Turin.  

The France international won the Serie A title in each of his four seasons with Juve, as well as the Coppa Italia twice. He was also part of the squad that reached the Champions League final in 2015, though the Bianconeri lost 3-1 to Barcelona.  

Speaking in Italy on Friday, Raiola, the 28-year-old s agent, admitted a move back to the Italian club Pogba joined on a free from United remains a possibility.

Paul s contract expires next year. …

England forward Rachel Daly among six World Cup stars shortlisted for PFA award

England’s Rachel Daly is one of six World Cup stars who have been shortlisted for the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year award.

Forward Daly hit 22 goals in the Women’s Super League for Aston Villa last season – a remarkable achievement for a player who featured at left-back in the Lionesses’ successful Euros campaign last summer.

Her form last season has made her a first choice up front at the World Cup for England manager Sarina Wiegman.

The 31-year-old from Harrogate is joined by five other illustrious WSL names on the nominees list, including Australia striker Sam Kerr, Norwegian duo Frida Maanum and Guro Reiten, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Spain’s Ona Batlle.

Kerr and Reiten were key components of a Chels…

Juventus linked with summer move for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey

Juventus are interested in signing Thomas Partey from Arsenal in the summer of 2024, according to . The report has claimed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is willing to let the Ghana international defensive midfielder leave at the end of the season, and that former Serie A and UEFA Champions League winner Juventus are keen on securing his services.

Partey has been on the books of Arsenal since 2020 when he joined from Atletico Madrid. While the 30-year-old has done well for the Gunners, he has had injury issues. Arsenal also signed England international defensive midfielder Declan Rice in the summer of 2023, which led to Partey playing at right-back when he was fit.

The 30-year-old has made 85 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. The defensive midfi…

Vela would fit in well at Barcelona, says Mexico team-mate Dos Santos

Carlos Vela would fit in perfectly at LaLiga champions Barcelona, according to his Mexico team-mate and Blaugrana youth product Jonathan dos Santos.

Barca reportedly considered a move for the former Arsenal and Real Sociedad forward in January as they sought cover for Luis Suarez.

The short-term switch failed to materialise, however, with the Spanish champions instead signing Kevin-Prince Boateng, who barely featured in his six months at the club.

Should Barca come calling again, though, Dos Santos – whose LA Galaxy side were beaten 5-3 by Vela s Los Angeles FC in the MLS Western Conference semi-final on Friday – believes Vela would have no problems slotting in alongside Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Suarez.

Dos Santos, who played for Barca betw…

The big Friday Premier League quiz

The Premier League is back and day one of the 2020-21 season gives us the tantalising clash of Jurgen Klopp s Liverpool and Marcelo Bielsa s Leeds United.

FA Cup winners Arsenal will look to start well when they tackle Fulham, while West Ham and Newcastle United meet at the London Stadium, both hoping for more fruitful campaigns than those of recent times.

Tottenham s versus Everton on Sunday gives a first glimpse of the teams Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti have assembled for the new season, while a significantly strengthened Chelsea head to Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace face Southampton, West Brom tackle Leicester City, and Sheffield United play Wolves.

With that lip-smacking menu in mind, test your knowledge with�…

Welbeck urges Brighton to learn from ´harsh lesson´ in Forest draw

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck urged his side to learn from a harsh lesson after Nottingham Forest snatched a 2-2 draw on Sunday.

Welbeck curled home a delightful free-kick for his 70th Premier League goal, with that finish coming after Jack Hinshelwood s 42nd-minute header had cancelled out Chris Wood s early penalty.

Fabian Hurzeler s side appeared in control of the Amex Stadium clash, until Jota Silva was released on a decisive counter-attack before teeing up Ramon Sosa s 70th-minute equaliser.

Though Brighton have now managed to start a top-flight season unbeaten in five games for the first time in history, Welbeck acknowledged the Seagulls must use this draw to improve.

Considering the position we were in, 2-1 up, the feeling is disappointment. It i…