Romelu Lukaku hates being labelled a goal poacher as the Chelsea and Belgium striker believes he is an all-rounder in attack.
The 28-year-old returned to Chelsea from Inter in August and has scored four goals in nine appearances this term.
He has been one of the most prolific frontmen over the past decade, the Belgium international reaching double figures for league goals in each of the last nine seasons.
Since the start of 2019-20 when joining Inter, Lukaku s 50 goals in 78 league appearances is a tally bettered by only five others in Europe s top five divisions.
Of those half-century of goals, just two have come from outside the penalty area – against Brescia in 2019-20 and Genoa in 2020-21, both during his time with Inter.
However, Lukaku fee…
Mauro Icardi s time at Inter Milan has become a very difficult one. The player has been having issues with the head coach Luciano Spalletti and teammates and all things escalated when Icardi rejected to travel to Vienna with the team to play in a Europa League match, following the change of captaincy in the team. However, his girlfriend and agent Wanda Nara spoke to Italian media about Icardi s situation.
Mauro continues to score, he goes ahead because he is the strength of the family, she told Verissimo.
Now he is calmer, he embraces everyone because he has always had a beautiful relationship with everyone. We will be here [at Inter] again next year , Wanda Nara concluded.
Icardi joined Inter from Sampdoria in 2013 after scoring 10 goals in his debu…
Javier Hernandez hit his 50th international goal as Mexico edged closer to progression from World Cup Group F with a 2-1 victory over South Korea.
Mexico s all-time leading scorer was well marshalled by South Korea s defence for much of Saturday s clash in Rostov-on-Don, but took his chance when it came in the 66th minute, slotting home in composed fashion at the culmination of a wonderful counter-attack.
Hernandez s goal was nothing less than Mexico, who beat defending champions Germany 1-0 last time out, deserved following another accomplished performance, with South Korea having rallied following Carlos Vela s 26th-minute penalty.
It was not always smooth sailing for Juan Carlos Osorio s side, though, with Lee Yong and Son Heung-min passing up presentabl…
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive David Gallop will step down from the position at the end of the year.
FFA chairman Chris Nikou announced on Thursday that Gallop would leave the organisation on December 31.
The former NRL CEO has been criticised often since being appointed by FFA in 2012, but Nikou paid tribute to Gallop in a statement.
David has provided strong and distinguished leadership over a long period and particularly through a difficult last few years for FFA as we have managed the governance and structural changes around the game, he said.
Working together for the next six months, we will continue to reposition FFA for ongoing success. While he will be with us for some time yet, David will leave us with our respect and since…
Malaga have announced the signing of forward Sandro Ramirez following his departure from Barcelona.
The 20-year-old, who joined Barca s youth system in 2009, has agreed a three-year deal with Juande Ramos side.
The Canarian forward Sandro Ramirez Castillo, formerly of Barcelona, is now a Malaga player for the next three seasons, a club statement released on Thursday confirmed.
The Spain Under-21 international won two Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup during a glittering early part of his career with Barcelona.
MCFNews| ya viste sus nuevos colores blanquiazules!
— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF)
Sporting director Robert Fernandez confirmed in May that Sandro would be allowed to …
Trinity Rodman s moment of magic in extra time was enough for the United States to see off Japan and progress to the Olympic semi-finals.
The two sides laboured in the first half, with Emma Hayes team enjoying plenty of possession but struggling to create any meaningful chances at the Parc des Princes.
The USA improved after the break and their first decent opportunity arrived in the 63rd minute when Mallory Swanson exchanged a one-two before curling an effort just wide.
Rodman s influence grew as the game wore on, but it was Sophia Smith who had the best chance prior to the USA s winner, only for the 23-year-old to take too many touches when through on goal, allowing Ayaka Yamashita to close down the angle.
But as penalties approached, Rodman stepped up …
The Express and Star understands that Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Claudio Yacob.
The East Midlands outfit are looking to bolster their squad after winning just one their opening six Championship fixtures.
The former Argentina international, who left West Brom at the end of last season is set for a medical at the City Ground and if the deal is finalised he will become Forest’s sixteenth signing this summer.
In six seasons at the Hawthorns the thirty-one-year old racked up one hundred seventy-one appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals., the last of which coming in a 2-1 EFL Cup defeat to Manchester City last September.
Prior to his switch to England he spent six years at Racing Club i…
Liverpool scored six goals at Anfield for the first time since 2009 in their dismantling of Watford on Sunday, as the Reds set a new record for shots on target.
Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum all scored in the 6-1 battering of the Hornets, a result that sent Jurgen Klopp s men top of the Premier League.
The last time Liverpool achieved such a goalscoring feat at Anfield in the league was a 6-1 rout of Hull City in September 2009 with Fernando Torres scoring a hat-trick and Rafael Benitez at the helm.
6 Liverpool have scored six goals in a Premier League game at Anfield for the first time since September 2009 (v Hull). Hit.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
It was a devastating display from Liverpool and to e…
Frenkie de Jong is flattered by Manchester United s reported interest in his services but has poured cold water on suggestions he will leave Barcelona.
The Catalan side s financial situation has led to vast speculation regarding player sales, with the club facing difficulties in registering new signings, and United are keen on landing Netherlands midfielder De Jong.
De Jong was part of the Ajax side that stormed to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018-19 under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his contributions earned him a move to Barca at the end of that campaign.
Three years later, the 25-year-old is reportedly being eyed by Ten Hag following his appointment at Old Trafford but, despite conceding he was flattered by the English club s interest, has no des…
Ange Postecoglou is excited to welcome Yves Bissouma back into the fold for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City, but admits Tottenham must improve their discipline.
Bissouma is available again after serving a one-match ban against Aston Villa for receiving five yellow cards before the halfway point of the Premier League season.
The former Brighton midfielder enjoyed a superb start to the new campaign but has only played three times since being sent off for two bookings at Luton in early October.
Our December schedule
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
Bissouma is not alone in missing matches due to suspension, with Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie also seeing red this term.
“Really pleased to get Biss back. He is such an important…