Lotte Wubben-Moy excited about England’s potential ahead of World Cup

England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy is convinced the Lionesses are yet to test the limits of their true potential as they dare to dream of a maiden World Cup title.

The European champions begin their global mission against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22 before taking on Denmark and China to conclude the group stage.

With the July 31 one-year anniversary of her side’s Euro 2022 Wembley triumph fast approaching, Wubben-Moy and her team-mates are ready to consign that victory to the history books and focus on their next chapter.

“In terms of preparation I think it is a Euros but then a level up,” the 24-year-old said during a training session on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

“The focus, the desire, the intensity, I think it’s all taken a step up and t…

Lilly backs Rapinoe and USWNT at end of influential year

Kristine Lilly has backed the work done by Megan Rapinoe and her United States colleagues in building the profile of women’s sport.

Rapinoe is coming to the end of a stunning year in which she played a major role in the US winning the World Cup while also landing two major individual prizes in the FIFA Best and Ballon d’Or.

But it is her outspoken nature off the pitch that has arguably accelerated her rise to global prominence.

A vocal supporter of women’s rights and equal pay – as well as taking on US president Donald Trump in a Twitter spat Rapinoe has become an icon for many around the world.

Former US midfielder Lilly, who holds the record for most international appearances by a male or female footballer with 352, was impressed with the way Ra…

´In our hands´ – Grealish hails response to Madrid misery as Man City leapfrog Liverpool

Jack Grealish hailed a perfect response from Manchester City as a 5-0 thumping of Newcastle United banished their Champions League blues. 

City will not be champions of Europe this season after their dramatic semi-final exit to Real Madrid, but they are red-hot favourites for the Premier League title after this weekend s turn of events. 

Liverpool s 1-1 draw with Tottenham, which halted the Reds 12-game winning run in the league at Anfield, allowed City to pull three points clear on Sunday. 

With only three rounds of games remaining, City would have to throw it away. They have Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa to come, and the onslaught against Newcastle saw City go four ahead of Liverpool in the goal difference stakes too. 

As Grealish acknowledged,…

Napoli 1 Juventus 1: Hamsik cancels out Khedira on Higuain´s return

Marek Hamsik cancelled out Sami Khedira s early opening goal as Napoli drew 1-1 with Serie A leaders Juventus on Gonzalo Higuain s first return to Stadio San Paolo.

Roma s 2-0 victory over Empoli on S
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aturday had cut the champions advantage and a trip to third-placed Napoli was always likely to provide a stern test for Massimiliano Allegri s side.

But Juve took the lead after just six minutes, Khedira playing a one-two with Miralem Pjanic after a powerful run through midfield and beating goalkeeper Rafael from close range.

Hamsik levelled for Napoli by finishing off a Dries Mertens throughball and the Belgian almost put his side in front only to be denied by the post, with neither side able to find a winner.

The draw will be welcomed more by Ju…

Chelsea to go after Berge?

According to a recent report from Goal, Chelsea are considering going after Sander Berge, the popular Genk midfielder, in the January transfer window. They’ll only be doing so if their transfer ban is officially lifted on Wednesday, otherwise, fellow Premier League giants Liverpool look set to swoop in and make some kind of offer. 

Chelsea have been unable to go after any players cross the last few months, including the summer transfer window from earlier this year, as a result of their aforementioned transfer ban. The Blues have still been able to get off to a strong start this season in the league and look set to make a sustained push for a place in the top four, but even with that being the case, they’re always going to be on the lookout for a few new faces. 

B…

Suarez leads plaudits for Ajax after Madrid upset

Luis Suarez led the praise for Ajax after their sensational win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Eredivisie giants stunned Madrid 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to eliminate the three-time defending champions 5-3 on aggregate in the last 16.

Plenty of praise followed for Ajax, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002-03.

Former star Suarez – now playing for Barcelona – led the tributes on Twitter afterwards.

Why couldn’t you beat a richer club? I’ve never seen a bag of money score a goal.

— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff)

Suarez, who dominated for Ajax before his move to Liverpool in 2011, sent congratulations and wrote the club would always be with him.

Gefeliciteerd! Ik ben altijd ajacid …

Messi staying at Barcelona?

“What I feel for this club goes beyond any signature, any contract or any piece of paper,” he said. 

Those are the words of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi who has made it evidently clear that he will not be triggering the clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the club for nothing during next summer’s transfer window. There was a great deal of concern regarding the future of the little Argentine with the expectation being that he might test the market and see what other offers he had out there aside from the Nou Camp. 

Either way he’ll be competing at what you’d imagine to be a pretty high level, and yet, his heart still seems to be with the famous Spanish city. 

Barca are enjoying a solid enough season so far both domestically and i…

Pallotta: Roma set for Qatari takeover? Fake news

Roma president James Pallotta denied reports claiming Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) wants to acquire the Serie A club.

QSI – which already owns Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain – has been linked with a takeover of Italian side Roma.

Roma are owned by an American investment group, which acquired the team in 2011, and Pallotta played down the takeover claims.

Qatar Sports Investments want to acquire Roma? There is nothing to it. This is fake, Pallotta told RomaPress in response to a report published by French newspaper Le Parisien.

Roma, who reached the Champions League semi-finals last season, have struggled this term.

After sacking Eusebio Di Francesco in March and appointing former boss Claudio Ranieri until the end of the season, Roma…

The Big Friday Premier League Quiz

Before the Premier League pauses for the penultimate international break of the year, there is another packed weekend of action to look forward to – not least the showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield.

City inflicted a first defeat of the season on Chelsea last Saturday, the reigning champions moving to within a point of top spot following Liverpool s thrilling draw with Brentford.

With those two heavyweights exchanging blows on Merseyside, third-placed Chelsea will be looking to take advantage when they host Southampton, though the Blues are winless in their last three in this fixture.

Two other sides on 13 points after six matches meet at Old Trafford on Saturday as Manchester United host Everton, while Arsenal travel to high-flying Bright…

Ryan Giggs denies assault allegations

Ryan Giggs has denied allegations of assault and is assisting police with ongoing investigations after being arrested on Sunday. 

Police were called to an address in Worsley, Salford following reports of a disturbance. A 46-year-old man was arrested and then released on bail pending further inquiries. 

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: Police were called at 10.05pm on Sunday to reports of a disturbance. 

A woman in her 30s sustained minor injuries but did not require any treatment. 

A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 47 assault and section 39 common assault.  

A representative for Giggs, who spent his entire playing career with Manchester United and is now in charge of Wales national team, releas…