Buffon optimistic of Juve success

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will spend a third successive season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

The two clubs have reached an agreement that allows the 21-year-old to continue to gain valuable first-team experience away from Stamford Bridge.

Courtois has made no secret of his desire to play week in, week out next season to boost his chances of taking part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup should Belgium qualify.

However, with Petr Cech firmly established as Chelsea’s number one, Courtois will look to develop in La Liga with Atletico.

Courtois was immediately loaned out by Chelsea to Atletico after joining from Genk in 2011 and has yet to make an appearance for the Premier League club.

It is a very different story at Atletico, though, as the youngster has pl…

Fenerbahce forward Moussa Sow claims that Liverpool and Arsenal attempted to sign him before he opted to move to Turkey.

The 26-year-old Senegal international impressed for French side Lille in Ligue 1 between 2010 and 2012, scoring 31 goals in just 54 league games to alert some of Europe s top teams.

However, despite the interest from the English sides, Sow joined Sarı Kanaryalar in January 2012 and insists he is really happy in the great city of Istanbul.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool had tried to sign me before I ended up in Fenerbahce but I don t have any regrets having done so, he told reporters.

I wanted to play at a team which have a fantastic atmosphere and in a great city like Istanbul. My religious view was also effective in my decision to joi…

Son Heung-min grabbed his 12th goal of the season to help Tottenham to an entertaining 3-1 home victory over Bournemouth.

It earned Spurs a fourth win in five Premier League matches, but this was far from comfortable against Andoni Iraola’s in-form side.

Pape Sarr opened the scoring for Tottenham in the ninth minute, but left the pitch in tears with an injury to put his Africa Cup of Nations participation in doubt and Ange Postecoglou’s men had to wait until the 71st minute for a second.

Son doubled the hosts’ advantage ahead of Asian Cup duty with South Korea next month and Richarlison scored his fifth goal in as many matches before Alex Scott hit a late consolation for the Cherries.

This result coupled with Arsenal’s loss at Fulham means fifth-p…

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the assistant referee after Clint Dempsey s late equaliser saw Manchester United held to a 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

The Red Devils had led through Robin van Persie s first-half header, but were pegged back by the American s stoppage-time strike, meaning United s lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League was cut to five points this weekend.

Ferguson was furious with the performance of the referee s assistant, Simon Beck, believing his side should have had a throw-in in the build-up to the goal and for failing to award Wayne Rooney a second-half penalty.

The United boss even recalled how the same assistant had cost United a key game against Chelsea back in 2010.

I think we should have had a throw-in down our…

Espanyol have confirmed the signing of their former player David Lopez, who rejoins the club from Napoli.

Midfielder Lopez started his career at Espanyol and had loan spells at Leganes and Huesca before moving to Napoli in 2014.

After two years at Napoli, Espanyol have sealed the return of the 26-year-old, who has signed a four-year deal, with an option for an extra season.

Lopez becomes the eighth signing of the transfer window for Espanyol, who face Malaga in LaLiga on Friday.

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Begining life without Frank Lampard in midweek, Chelsea will welcome Wolves to an empty Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have booked their spot in the fifth-round of this year s FA Cup thanks to a 3-1 win over Luton on Sunday lunchtime, that result was not enough to save Frank Lampard s job. With it announced that their former skipper is now replaced by recently departed PSG Thomas Tuchel this week, the Blues are a side who are really seeking some top-flight stability. Opening the midweek fixtures already sat way down in ninth and in an uphill battle to secure another campaign of Champions League football this year, the former Premier League champions have managed to win just …

Celtic can increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League when they face Aberdeen on Saturday with midfielder Barry Robson predicting the champions have the iron will to retain their title.

Rivals Rangers closed the gap last weekend to just one point as they defeated Motherwell while Celtic were held to a hard-fought draw by Hearts.

However, the Hoops take on Aberdeen at Parkhead 23 hours before the Gers run out at Easter Road for their game against Hibernian and know a win could pile extra pressure on their Old Firm foes.

With just six games left, the league could go to the wire as it did last season when Celtic clinched their third championship on the trot with a final day win against Dundee United.

Robson said: It s nervous every day at…

Seville-based newspaper that Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic is set to be rewarded with a new contract at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Following numerous departures this summer, the Croatia international has established himself as a real leader of the team, with his performances remaining at a very high level.

Given that the midfielder s current deal is due to expire in June 2015, los Rojiblancos are looking to extend his contract for another two or three years.

In spite of the heavy interest from abroad, the 25-year-old is perfectly happy at Sevilla and is prepared to sign a contract extension.

Ivan Rakitic has largely impressed since joining los Rojiblancos from Schalke in January 2011 and has since scored 17 goals in 91 La Liga matches.

Sevilla ar…

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says it is like Liverpool s Champions League success did not happen as the team are so hungry for more trophies.

Jurgen Klopp s side triumphed against Premier League rivals Tottenham to be crowned kings of Europe for the sixth time in the club s glittering history.

Oxlade-Chamberlain missed the vast majority of the 2018-19 season due to a serious knee injury but he signed a new long-term deal, reported to run to 2023, on Thursday.

The England midfielder feels the desire for further silverware is fuelling Liverpool, who have won their opening two Premier League fixtures as well as clinching UEFA Super Cup glory against Chelsea.

I think it is obvious to see the team is progressing. Even when we re not playing well, we still manage t…

Russian champions Rubin Kazan caused one of the biggest shocks of recent times by beating European champions Barcelona at the Nou Camp. The 2-1 victory over the Spanish giants truly announced Rubin’s arrival on the European stage. Their rise has been incredible from zeros to heroes in a few short years.

Incredible rise

It’s more incredible due to the fact that Rubin were only promoted to the Russian Premier League for the first time in 2003. In their first season in the top flight they managed a superb third place but failed to make much more of an impact until clinching their first league title last season. They are currently favourites to retain their league crown this season but are in a five horse race for the title.

Rubin K…