English Clubs

LONDON - Leicester City will be seeking a center back after French defender Wesley Fofana broke his leg in a friendly against Europa League winners Villarreal, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday.

Rodgers told reporters the injury, after a 'horrendous' challenge, was a major blow for the club only 10 days before the start of the Premier League season.

"He fractured his fibula and we are devastated for him," said Rodgers. "He's a top-class player so he's going to be a huge loss for us.”

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LISBON - Former Germany and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack's 18-year-old son Emilio died in a quad-bike accident near Lisbon on Thursday, Setubal's emergency services said.

A spokesperson for the emergency operations told Reuters Emilio died at 2:17 a.m. in the holiday destination Troia, south of Lisbon. The 18-year-old was involved in a four-wheel crash.

The long-awaited announcement is imminent: Jack Grealish will complete a transfer to Manchester City. Grealish’s reported $140 million price tag makes him one of the most expensive English players ever. 

The biggest deal in English football is effectively done. Jack Grealish is on his way to Manchester, ahead of a medical tomorrow morning. Everything else is completed, he will now become the first £100m English player.

Players from all 20 Premier League clubs will continue to take the knee ahead of games this season to highlight their opposition to racism, the league said on Tuesday.

The Premier League said it "wholeheartedly supported" the decision, adding that players and match officials will continue to wear a No Room For Racism badge on their shirts.

Players and staff have been taking a knee prior to kickoff since the league returned to action in June last year to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Crystal Palace supporters have good reason to be excited for the coming Premier League season. The Eagles, not generally known for efficient or exciting business in the transfer market, are in the midst of a youth revolution in the current window as they seek to improve on last season's 14th-placed finish. 

Aston Villa took supporters by surprise when the club splashed the cash to sign Emi Buendia from Norwich. The $42 million transfer made Buendia, 24, Villa's record signing. 

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus released a joint statement welcoming a Madrid court's decision on Friday asking European soccer governing body UEFA to revoke action against them for planning the creation of the breakaway Super League.

Chelsea has once again caused a stir with its new away kit. If there's something that characterizes the London club year after year, it's the annual release of away jerseys that always generate opinions and rarely leave fans feeling indifferent.

This is the case for the 2021-22 season. After unveiling the home uniform, which has a clear nod to the past, now it's the away shirts turn.