Radamel Is Dead

Ex Chelsea and Manchester United Forward Radamel Falcao has been thrown into mourning after the death of his father.

His father, 61, died after collapsing while playing tennis. Radamel Garcia King was rushed to hospital but passed away in the Mar Caribe Clinic in his home city of Santa Marta in Magdalena, Colombia.

The cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest.

Garcia himself had a playing career, featuring as a defender for Colombian sides Junior de Barranquilla, Independiente Santa Fe, Union Magdalena, Deportes Tolima, Atletico Bucaramanga and Independiente Medellin.

And he represented his country at the 1980 Moscow Olympics as well as featuring for Venezuelan outfit Deportivo Tachira.

The Colombian Football Federation passed on their wishes to the family, sending a message of “solidarity and strength” to Monaco forward Falcao.

Former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla was also among those to send his thoughts, posting on social media: “I very much regret the death of your father and I will be with you in your pain from a distance. Sending you a hug my brother and lots of strength.”

Falcao had loan spells at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge between 2014 and 2016. He has scored 32 times in 81 appearances for Colombia.

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Pochettino Not Eager On Any January Arrivals

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino does not expect the club "are going to do anything" during the January transfer window.

Spurs completed a 7-0 demolition of League Two side Tranmere in the FA Cup on Friday, meaning they remain in the running to win four competitions this season.

Son Heung-min scored in the rout but will now head off on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup, leaving Pochettino without one of his key performers ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

Next up is the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Chelsea, while their next Premier League fixture sees a rejuvenated Manchester United visit Wembley next weekend.

Spurs did not add to their squad in the previous window and Pochettino dismissed the idea of any new arrivals coming in during this month, too.

"I don't believe that we are going to do anything," he told the media after the cup game.

When asked if he felt his squad was strong enough to cope with such a busy fixture list, the Argentinean added: "I'm so happy with my squad. Always you can improve, different things you can or not."

Fernando Llorente seized the chance to start in the third-round tie, scoring a second-half hat-trick as Tranmere conceded six goals after the break.

The Spanish striker has been linked with a return to his homeland, with former club Athletic Bilbao and Valencia linked, and his deal with Spurs expires at the end of the campaign.

"Yes, it's a six-month contract with the club and we will see what happens," Pochettino said about Llorente's future.

"As I explained for different players, it's not only in our hands, it's what the player wants. Of course, now the window is open we're going to talk."

Pochettino showed no mercy on Tranmere, playing Dele Alli for the full 90 minutes and bringing Harry Kane – who scored the final goal in the rout – off the bench with the score at 6-0.

"It's important for him to score and have 20 minutes playing football," Pochettino said of Kane.

"I think it was important for him and for the team an important victory and to get to the next stage of the FA Cup. It was an important fixture for the club. To be in four competitions is an important thing."

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No Need For January signings - Ole Gunnar Solksjaer

Manchester United Interim Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not expect any signings during the January transfer window.

Solskjaer confirmed on Friday he will hold talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over the Premier League club's transfer plans this month.

The centre-back position has been cause for concern after former boss Jose Mourinho tried to sign Leicester City's Harry Maguire and Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld before the start of the season.

Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly and Roma's Kostas Manolas have now been linked with moves to Old Trafford, however, Solskjaer is not anticipating new arrivals in January.

"I'm happy with the squad I've got," Solskjaer said. "I don't expect anyone to come in but obviously if the club have targeted and identified a few and I think they might fit here, I'll give my thumbs up. But it's not just my decision.

"Nobody had to tell me I had loads of talented players [to inherit at United]. I can see that from outside.

"We didn't speak too much about what's been going on, to be honest. It was about seeing what you can do to go back to the way we used to play, the way Man United are supposed to play, exciting football. We're looking a little bit like we want to see the team [we want to see]."

Solskjaer who was appointed until the end of the season after Mourinho's sacking in December has overseen four successive victories.

United will look to maintain their red-hot form when they host Reading in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

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Morata Must Deal With Pressure

Alvaro Morata must embrace the weight of expectation at Chelsea as the misfiring forward continues to struggle, according to Gianfranco Zola.

Morata has only managed five goals in the Premier League this season and seven in all competitions amid links with Sevilla and AC Milan.

Chelsea spent around £60million to price Morata from Real Madrid in 2017 but the Spain international has struggled for goals and confidence after a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge.

With doubts over Morata's future in London, assistant coach Zola said the 26-year-old has to deal with the pressure at Chelsea.

"It should be a motivational thing," said Zola. "You are at Chelsea, you are not playing for Southampton or Brighton with all due respect to those clubs.

"People expect a lot from the number nine at Chelsea. They expect a lot of goals and good performances. This is normal, he has to get used to it.

"If he goes to another big club it'll be the same - there is no way you can avoid your responsibilities.

"It's part of your job and if you can handle that then the better you're going to be."

Zola added: "Technically Morata - and this is the reason we invested a lot in him this year - we thought he was the perfect number nine for us.

"Maurizio [Sarri] has always said that. Technically without doubt he is one of the best in this position.

"I think he has to improve a little bit tactically because nowadays with the type of football, football is so organised you need to get better tactically, your ability is not enough.

"In my opinion he needs to improve on this. He's been working on that, he has a good attitude. He feels that he doesn't score enough and he feels a lot of responsibilities for that.

"But he has to learn to put everything behind because these are only burdens that you take on the pitch and they don't help you to perform better."

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Real Madrid To Make Offer For Palacios

Real Madrid are set to make a formal offer for River Plate star Exequiel Palacios "in the coming days", according to agent Renato Corsi.

Palacios helped River to Copa Libertadores glory in December and the talented 20-year-old midfielder has been linked with Madrid and LaLiga rivals Barcelona.

River president Rodolfo D'Onofrio last month said Madrid were planning further negotiations to sign Palacios, who made his Argentina debut in September.

And Corsi revealed a transfer to send Palacios to the Santiago Bernabeu is at an advanced stage.

"The leaders of River got together with Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi," Corsi told La Oral Deportiva de Radio Rivadavia.

"In the coming days there will be a formal offer and the operation is quite advanced.

"The family, Exequiel and I want him to go in June and Real Madrid don't have a problem with him staying at River until then."

Corsi added: "Real Madrid want him and supposedly River will sell. They agree, so between Monday and Tuesday the formal proposal will be presented."

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Emery Uncertain of Petr Cech Future

Arsenal manager Unai Emery does not know whether veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech will be at the Premier League club next season.

Cech is out of contract at the end of the campaign and the 36-year-old is facing an uncertain future in London.

He has found opportunities limited behind Bernd Leno, having started the season as Emery's first-choice keeper prior to a hamstring injury in September.

Cech is set to start Saturday's FA Cup clash against Blackpool and when asked about the Czech Republic international's future, Emery who played down links with Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas told reporters: "I don't know for now.

"This is a question for the club and the player to deal with.

"But when he played at the start of the season, he did very well. He has very good behaviour, commitment and performance.

Then when he had the injury Leno started playing with a big performance also and then he recovered his position on the bench.

"But I am happy with him. All situations like this, we will speak with the player and with the club but at the moment, I want his focus at the same time, each training, each match.

"He is going to play Saturday to give us his performance and then we are going to decide also within what is the best for him and for the club."

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Am Not Considering Exit - Isco

Real Madrid star Isco insists he is not looking to leave the Spanish Giant in January despite failing to win into starting eleven under new coach Santiago Solari.

Isco last started a LaLiga match in the 5-1 Clasico humiliation by Barcelona on October 28, Julen Lopetegui's final game in charge.

Since then, Isco has made Madrid's starting XI just twice; the 6-1 Copa del Rey thrashing of minnows Melilla and a shock 3-0 home defeat to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Solari has consistently insisted he has no problem with Isco and continues to rate him highly.

Still, the situation has unsurprisingly led to speculation suggesting the player will seek a move if things do not improve soon, though he has dismissed such reports in the media.

"I'm not thinking about leaving in the winter market," the Spain international told Deportes Cuatro on Sunday.

"I'm very happy, my goal is to win many titles at Real Madrid."

Madrid are next in action against Villarreal on Thursday as LaLiga resumes following a mid-season break.

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Solskjaer Does Not Want Lukaku Playing 'Target Man' Role

Manchester United interim Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted Romelu Lukaku will not play in a "target man" role as long as he is in charge.

Lukaku endured a difficult first half of the season, struggling for form and fitness after claiming he had been negatively impacted by building up too much muscle during the World Cup.

The 25-year-old striker was granted compassionate leave over Christmas and, as such, is further behind than the majority of his team-mates with respect to match sharpness.

But, in Sunday's 4-1 hammering of Bournemouth, Lukaku came on as a second-half substitute for the impressive Marcus Rashford and scored United's final goal, beating Asmir Begovic after latching on to Paul Pogba's pass.

It was the first time Lukaku had featured since former boss Jose Mourinho with whom the Belgian was said to have a close bond was replaced by Solskjaer, and the new man at the helm is excited by the prospect of the former Everton man being fully fit.

"At times he's a good target man, but if you tell him to be a target man he'll never face the goal," Solskjaer told reporters. "Today [Sunday] he was side-on and he's got the attributes of a top, top striker.

"We need to work on his fitness, but I'm delighted. Even though he was half a yard offside [for his goal], it was a good finish."

Bournemouth lost their goalscorer and defender Nathan Ake to injury late in the game, but manager Eddie Howe was unsure about the severity of the suspected hamstring issue.

"I don't know the latest on Nathan Ake," Howe said. "I'll need to speak to him and the medical team, but it looked like a hamstring complaint."

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Van Dijk Lauds Trio, Moh Salah, Firmino And Mane

Anfield star Virgil van Dijk has heaped praises on "scary" attacking trio Moh Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane as the Reds top the Premier League table.

Salah, Firmino and Mane combined to lead high-flying Liverpool to a 5-1 demolition of Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday.

Firmino scored a hat-trick, while Salah and Mane were also on target as centre-back Van Dijk lauded the deadly trio ahead of Thursday's trip to second-placed Manchester City.

"We were almost perfect. We conceded the goal. That was the only thing," said Van Dijk. "But it was an important win. We have finished 2018 now pretty well, and hopefully we can keep that going.

"Confidence is definitely here, but it can change over a couple of games. We won't get carried away. We need to keep doing what we have been doing. There will be setbacks, as there always is in life, but it's how you react and so far we have been doing pretty well.

"At the beginning of the season, people were saying they [the front three] didn't click. They're fantastic. You see in this game as well and they can be undefendable. It's scary — and I'm happy to see that."

Liverpool hold a seven-point lead as they make the trip to reigning champions City, who ended a run of back-to-back defeats against Southampton on Sunday.

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Lloris Determines To Win Silverware With Tottenham

Tottenham Marshall and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is determined to end the club's wait for silverware this season.

Spurs have impressed under manager Mauricio Pochettino, however, Tottenham are without a trophy since winning the 2008 EFL Cup.

Tottenham are third in the Premier League this season and nine points behind leaders Liverpool, while Spurs are in the Champions League last 16 and EFL Cup semi-finals against Chelsea.

A World Cup winner with France at Russia 2018, Lloris said: "This [winning silverware] is what we work for.

"We know we are in the Premier League and there are a lot of contenders, big teams, big players, and that is why we are excited to be here.

"We are in the most competitive country, so we keep working with the same mentality and do our best.

"We have shown in the past that Tottenham is very competitive and we are reducing the gap with the best."

Following their shock 3-1 loss at home to Wolves, Tottenham will face Cardiff City on Tuesday.

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Manchester United Need To Entertain Fans

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reinterated that Manchester United have to entertain their fans as he showered praises on the team following their third successive victory.

Another entertaining game at Old Trafford, where Solskjaer's in-form United outclassed Bournemouth 4-1 on Sunday.

Paul Pogba scored twice and Marcus Rashford also starred as Solskjaer secured a third straight consecutive win since occupying Jose Mourinho seat in a caretaker position until the end of the season.

The Red devils sit sixth in the standings and have have gannered 12 goals and conceded three since club favourite Solskjaer returned to Manchester from Molde to fill the void left by Mourinho.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the 45-year-old Norwegian who has brought attacking football back to the Theatre of Dreams said:
"You know, it's quite a few years since I was here but this is how it was.

"I've just gone about the job as I thought or as I experienced it when I was here as a player and as a young coach.

"We want to go attacking. We have been at home two games now and the crowd, we have to entertain them. We've got good players. I love working with good players. I love working with good people. They are good people the players. They want to learn, they want to improve.

"I just want to do my bit for the months I am here."

United, who are within three points of fifth-placed Arsenal, travel to Newcastle United on Wednesday.

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Carl Ikeme Calls It Quit

Wolves and Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has announced his retirement from football.

The 32-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2017 but confirmed last month he is in remission.

Following advice from medical experts, Ikeme has now decided to end his playing career.

Ikeme joined Wolves in 2000 as a 14-year-old and made 274 domestic career appearances in all competitions, 200 of which came for the Molineux club.

"Thank you for the support over the years," Ikeme wrote on Twitter.

"My last day as a footballer. But one I am happy and grateful for!!!

"Thanks to everyone to do with Wolves and everyone in football I have met."

Speaking to the club's official website, he went on to say: "I spoke with the doctor and he suggested I should retire, because of the toll the treatment has taken on my body. He thinks it's what is best for me and I can't really risk trying to come back, my health is the priority.

"I want to be here for my children, family and friends. In the grand scheme of things with my life in danger, it's the minimum price I have to pay to spend the rest of my time with my family."

Wolves later tweeted a video of famous goalkeepers paying tribute to Ikeme, including David Seaman, Petr Cech, Joe Hart, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Iker Casillas.

Portugal international Rui Patricio is expected to be the club's number one next season, having joined the club from Sporting CP last month.

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Alex Iwobi Close To New Arsenal Contract - Unai Emery

Alex Iwobi, the Nigerian International is close to agreeing a new contract with Arsenal, head coach Unai Emery has confirmed.

Iwobi, whose contract runs to 2020, made 26 appearances in the Premier League last season.

And the Nigeria international will soon renew his contract to commit his future to Arsenal, Emery told reporters ahead of an International Champions Cup meeting with former club Paris Saint-Germain.

Iwobi played no part in the 3-1 penalty shoot-out defeat to Atletico Madrid, having only just returned from a break following his exertions for Nigeria at the World Cup.

"I have the information – he's near," Emery said. "First, I want to work with every player, and they are coming.

"Mesut [Ozil], Iwobi, [Mohamed] Elneny are starting to work with us, the first week is very good. My information is he is going to sign and continue with us."

Emery's squad has been boosted by five new arrivals, with Lucas Torreira, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi joining since last season.

The Gunners have been linked with further signings ahead of August's deadline, but Emery is content with the group at his disposal.

"I believe in these players," Emery added. "Now, I am very happy with the players. On Monday, other players come with us after the World Cup.

"If there is a possibility to sign a player, it isn't very important now, but while the window is open, we can."

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Pope Injury Looks Serious – Sean Dyche

Sean Dyche said he was "really disappointed" to have lost goalkeeper Nick Pope to injury in Burnley's 1-1 Europa League draw against Aberdeen, admitting the problem looks serious.

Pope was withdrawn after just 14 minutes at Pittodrie, receiving a knock to his shoulder and forcing Dyche to send on Anders Lindegaard in his place.

Lindegaard was on the field for just five minutes before Gary Mackay-Steven gave Aberdeen the lead from the penalty spot, but Sam Vokes rescued Burnley with a goal 10 minutes from time to level the tie at 1-1 going into the second leg.

Dyche gave a negative assessment of Pope's injury, saying: "We are waiting to find out more news.

"Nick has gone to hospital with an injury to his shoulder and it certainly looks more serious than not serious at this stage, so we are really disappointed in that.

"It was a bit of a needless challenge when Nick looked like he was just going to catch it, and then [after the ball lands] I think it's the second challenge.

"When he responds to stop the ball going in I think the lad has caught his arm and knocked it back, so we'll just have to wait and see."

The news is a particular blow to Burnley given Tom Heaton is yet to return to action following the dislocated shoulder he suffered last September.

They host Aberdeen at Turf Moor next Thursday and begin their Premier League campaign against Southampton on August 12.

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MO Salah Can Build On Record Breaking Season - James Milner

James Milner insists Mohamed Salah is not a one-season wonder, with the Liverpool veteran confident his star team-mate can enjoy another record-breaking campaign.

Liverpool forward Salah took Anfield by storm last season, scoring 44 goals in all competitions and 32 in the Premier League following his arrival from Roma.

Salah – who suffered a shoulder injury in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid – walked away with the Premier League's Golden Boot and Player of the Year among other individual honours.

After enjoying a goalscoring return in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the International Champions Cup on Wednesday, Milner believes the Egyptian sensation can build on his 2017-18 exploits.

"The best players in the world aren't known because they just did it in one season, they do it over and over again. He is more than capable of doing that," Milner said.

"I think obviously there is pressure when you've had one good year to deliver again. I think he's a top player, he's shown that and he's going to keep improving.

"We need to keep improving as a side with him as well and make sure that all the pressure is not on his shoulders to deliver goals and get us out of tough situations.

"It's down to all of us to help him be the best player he can and do that as part of a team."

Salah's performances alerted some of Europe's giants, with Champions League holders Madrid linked to the 26-year-old.

However, Salah signed a new five-year contract earlier in July to pledge his future to Liverpool.

"I was never worried, personally," Milner said. "There's always going to be stories when players do well. You saw how well he played last season, improving, and he seems happy so I don't see any reason why he'd want to go.

"That's what happens when you have good players. That's a positive thing for us that when there's speculation about your players it means that they are playing well and performing, and he obviously has."

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