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COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland — Youri Tielemans has said that FIFA’s shock decision to suspend Folarin Balogun‘s red card helped inspire Belgium‘s performance against the United States in their World Cup knockout tie. Balogan was granted permission to play in the last-16 despite being sent off in the round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. It followed an intervention from Donald Trump who asked FIFA to review the ban. Days of…

Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille, the club have confirmed. The Argentina international has moved to the Etihad Stadium in a deal worth up to €2 million or which €1.75m is fixed. He has signed a two-year contract. The 34-year-old, who had a brief spell at City between 2016 and 2017, replaces James Trafford and will act as understudy to No.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma. “This is an amazing…

Mason Mount is a doubt for Manchester United‘s preseason friendly against Leeds United in Dublin on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from a foot injury, sources have told ESPN. Mount was substituted after 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Saturday after picking up a knock. – Martínez joins Rashford, Utd teammates at training – One U21 player to watch from each Premier…

John McGinn is confident Aston Villa are going to continue challenging the elite in the Premier League and Europe despite their latest summer shake-up. Villa have had to transfer three of their key players in Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne — the latter to Wednesday’s Super Cup final opponents Paris Saint-Germain. But skipper McGinn said the “hunger and desire” which took them to Europa League glory last season…

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has returned to Sheffield United on loan after an injury-affected spell last season. The 30-year-old former England international moved to Bramall Lane in February but managed just three appearances after sustaining a knee injury. He was also sent off in a derby game against Sheffield Wednesday. “My time was spoiled by my last game [getting sent off in the Sheffield derby] and the injury after…

Matthias Jaissle has said he’s arrived at Newcastle in an “ambitious” mood, but the new head coach has warned success “will not happen overnight” after replacing Eddie Howe. It has been a testing summer on Tyneside. Howe ended his four-and-a-half-year tenure, and then captain Bruno Guimarães, fellow midfield linchpin Sandro Tonali and star forward Anthony Gordon were all traded. Newcastle’s shift in transfer policy, pivoting largely from established players to…

Barcelona remain optimistic of completing the signing of Manchester City midfielder Rodri, while they also plan to offer Marc Bernal an improved contract, a source told ESPN. Barça failed with a first bid of around €50 million (£42.7m / $57.7m) for Rodri last week but remain in negotiations with City. A club source told ESPN it is a “complex” deal to get over the line, but there is optimism they…

Erling Haaland is unlikely to be given the captain’s armband at Manchester City due to his goalscoring prowess, head coach Enzo Maresca has indicated. The new City boss utilises the ploy of insisting his skipper comes to the touchline for a tactic update when a goal is scored. As Haaland scores so many of the team’s goals, Maresca does not feel it would be a good idea for the Norway…

Fulham have announced the signing of Shea Charles from Southampton as Alvaro Arbeloa continues to strengthen his squad. Sources have told ESPN that Northern Ireland international Charles, 22, is moving to Craven Cottage in a deal worth £27 million, plus £6m in add-ons. The midfielder will become the most expensive Northern Ireland footballer in history after signing a five-year contract until June 2031, with an option to extend for a…