The Sky Blues have again looked to their arch-rivals to build their squad for a back-to-back championship tilt

Sydney FC have fired the first shot at derby rivals Western Sydney after the signing of ex-Wanderer Alexander Baumjohann on a two-year deal.

The A-League champions made the announcement of the 32-year-old’s capture on Tuesday morning, in a move that is sure to spark tension in next season’s Sydney derbies.

Baumjohann impressed in his first A-League season after being brought Down Under to the red and black by Markus Babbel, scoring three goals and getting three assists in 20 appearances.

“I’m very excited and very happy to sign for such a big club like Sydney FC,” the German playmaker said via a club statement.

“I came to Australia last year not knowing a lot about Australian football. However, it didn’t take me long to see that Sydney FC is the biggest club in the country by far and in all aspects of the game.

“Sydney FC’s style of football fits well with my ability and I can see there are a lot of good quality players here as well.

“I believe we will continue with the same success as the club has had in recent years this season.”

It’s the second high-profile signing the Sky Blues have constructed in spite of their rivals, following the capture of Melbourne Victory striker Kosta Barbarouses last month.

Baumjohann started last season on fire for the Wanderers but faded in the second half of the year due to fitness issues and question marks on his defensive work rate.

He had been linked with moves to China, Japan and the Middle East, but settled on a stay in a league he has proven himself in – a fact that excites Sky Blues coach Steve Corica.

“Alex is a fantastic player of proven A-League quality and we have all witnessed just how influential he can be on the field,” Corica said.

“I know he is keen to show everyone he can produce even more and he believes Sydney FC is the best environment for him to do that.

“With Le Fondre, Barbarouses, Buhagiar and Ivanovic we have an enormous amount of pace up front; and to have a player like Alex sitting behind them pulling the strings, alongside others, is extremely exciting.”

The announcement comes 12 hours after Perth Glory announced the defection of Sydney FC defender Jacob Tratt to the west.

Sydney FC will begin training in the next few days as they prepare for the friendly match against European powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain in China on July 30 and their FFA Cup campaign.

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The former City skipper has accrued a wealth of experience from his playing days but acknowledges he has much to learn about being a manager

Vincent Kompany has targeted silverware in his first season with Anderlecht, but acknowledged he has “everything to prove” as he embarks on his first coaching job.

The centre-back left Manchester City at the end of last season following a trophy-laden 11-year spell to take up a player-manager position with the Belgian club.

And Kompany, who won the Premier League on four occasions with City, is out to make a big impact on his return to boyhood club Anderlecht.

“The idea of ​​becoming a player-manager has grown gradually,” he said at his presentation on Tuesday. “The chance was too big for me not to go in and I think this was the right time to make this decision. 

“Returning only as a player was not an option, but as a player-manager. 

“I have everything to prove. As a manager, I have not yet proved anything, but I am confident that this story can and will succeed.

“I want to be a champion with Anderlecht. Let that be clear – I didn’t come here to be second. I can’t and won’t say that.

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“I can start something incredible here. People who know me a little know well enough that I would not start something like this without a plan.”

Anderlecht finished sixth in the Belgian First Division last season, but Kompany is confident of bridging the gap, while at the same time promoting some younger players.

“There are huge talents around here and I am looking forward to working with them,” said the 33-year-old, who started his career with the Brussels-based club before joining Hamburg in 2006.

“There are more talents at Anderlecht today than when I started. Much more. We finished sixth last year, so we have to get better than five other teams in one season. But my opinion is that with a few changes we can get there. I’m convinced of that.

“If Anderlecht had become champions last year, or even second, then this story would not have happened. Or months of negotiation would have preceded. There is no better time to jump in than now. No one would have been open to a change in mentality.

“I understand that there is a lot of work, but I am really looking forward to starting. I have learned a lot in recent years and I now have the opportunity to make my mark here. I am proud that I have that opportunity.”

Kompany also revealed he informed City boss Pep Guardiola of his decision to leave on the eve of their 6-0 win over Watford in the FA Cup final.

City legend Kompany picked up plenty of tips from Guardiola during their three years working together, but he is not interested in succeeding the Catalan in the Etihad Stadium dugout – instead tipping current assistant Mikel Arteta for the top job when it becomes available.

“I believe I told Guardiola the day before the FA Cup final that it would be my last game at City,” he said. “I wanted to thank him for everything he taught me. The farewell was emotional.

“Working with Guardiola was as if I was suddenly in college. He explains everything in such a clear way and I learned a lot from him. I am not yet a Guardiola, let that be clear. But I think I am a good student.

“Let City be City under Pep, which is an awesome club. I think they will win the Champions League eventually, soon hopefully, and behind Pep there is Mikel Arteta who has a lot of knowledge, who is probably the right man to look at. 

“I will just build my career and be as driven as Pep has been or the best managers have been that I know. Will I be as good? We’ll see.”

The 28-year-old will end a five-year spell in the Eredivisie as he joins up with Julen Lopetegui’s side ahead of the new campaign

Prolific Netherlands forward Luuk de Jong has signed for Sevilla in a deal to take the PSV Eindhoven star to La Liga on a four-year deal, with the striker adding that he feels “in the best form” of his career.

The 28-year-old, who had previous spells with Borussia Monchengladbach and Newcastle, has established himself as one of the leading lights of the Eredivisie since returning to the league in 2014.

He brings to a close a half-decade spell with Mark van Bommel’s side, having won three league titles and finished last season as the division’s top scorer.

De Jong joins the Spanish club, who appointed former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui as their new coach last month, as they look to continue to push for honours following a sixth-place finish in 2018-19.

Speaking to their official website , the Dutchman expressed his delight at having the chance to push for silverware, adding that he considers himself to be at the peak of his powers.

“I’m very happy to have this incredible opportunity,” he stated. “It’s a great step for me. I hope I can be important for the club and enjoy it here.

“I’ve seen many matches in La Liga and I know of Sevilla’s European achievements which are incredible. For me, after five years at PSV, this is a big step. But this is a great club in an incredible competition, in an incredible league.

“Looking back over my career, I think I am in the best form [I have ever been] right now. I’m dangerous in the opposition area, I’m good in the air and I hope to be able to show that here.

“At PSV, I had a great season, I scored a lot of goals, and I played in the Champions League. I’m still growing but I feel strong. At 28, I think I’m in the best moment of my life.”

De Jong represents a major incoming arrival for Sevilla, who have already parted ways with Quincy Promes and Luis Muriel this off-season, while PSV are meanwhile facing a fight to keep Hirving Lozano on the books following interest from Napoli.

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The England international arrived at the Etihad Stadium with a big reputation and admits to having found the going tough during a testing spell

Raheem Sterling admits to having experienced a career low at Manchester City, with the “golden boy” of English football being written off for club and country shortly after his big-money move.

The England international swapped the red of Liverpool for the blue of the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2015.

A £44 million ($55m) deal took him from one giant in the north west to another, with big things expected of an emerging talent.

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Sterling was, however, to make slow start at City before enduring a testing run through Euro 2016 with the Three Lions.

He concedes that he found the going tough, telling British GQ of his lowest ebb: “Probably my first season at City, purely because I came in excited for my move here and then it went from ‘This kid is going to be the next whatever’ and before making a mark I was written off.

“I was the golden boy six, seven, eight months before that, a big-money move, and it’s kind of switched without even hitting a ball. Before I’ve even done anything it’s just ‘He’s not good enough’. I was like, what’s going on?”

Sterling has learned from that experience, saying when asked if the criticism had got to him: “At first it did because I was 19, it was my first time as a professional football player and it’s a learning curve.

“Now you can say or do what you want and I wouldn’t take it in.”

Detractors have been silenced in style by Sterling, with 48 goals recorded for City across the last two seasons and Premier League titles having been secured in each of them.

He has flourished under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, with the Catalan coach considered to have been key in unlocking consistency in Sterling’s game.

The England star said of his club boss: “He’s demanding, but it’s good.

“It makes you want to do better and – I don’t know how to explain this – makes you want to prove to him and show him every time you go on the field you’re playing for your position in his team, because of the numbers we have and the quality we have as well.”

Sterling is also benefitting from having so-called leaders around him at City, adding: “On the pitch, we’re not a shouting team, like, ‘Come on, guys’.

“The team is super relaxed in the dressing room, so chilled. There’s not a lot of shouting. Vinny, of course, the skipper, Fernandinho. But not everyone in the dressing room is shouting. We’re more chilled and when we get out on the pitch we do the talking.”

City certainly did that last season, with Guardiola’s side securing an historic clean sweep of domestic honours as they collected a Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup treble.

Full interview in August’s British GQ, available on newsstands and digital download on Friday.

The 27-year-old Lille midfielder has joined their Ligue 1 rivals following Tottenham’s record signing of the France international

Lyon have announced the signing of Lille midfielder Thiago Mendes, who will help fill the void left by the departure of Tanguy Ndombele.

Mendes joins fellow Brazilian Jean Lucas at the club after Ndombele became Tottenham’s record signing on Tuesday, joining the Premier League team for a fee that could rise to €70 million (£63m/$79m).

Lyon and Lille have not revealed the terms of Mendes’ transfer, though he is reported to have cost around €25m (£22m/$28m).

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Mendes made 35 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2018-19 season as Lille finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain in the table, a place ahead of Lyon.

He becomes Lyon’s third signing ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, following on from the arrivals of Jean Lucas and Romania goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

However, the Ligue 1 side have lost Ndombele to Spurs and also left-back Ferland Mendy to Real Madrid, while Nabil Fekir continues to be linked with an exit.

Indeed, L’Equipe reported this week that Arsenal had emerged as a potential suitor for Fekir, with Liverpool have previously been linked with the playmaker.

The Gunners have apparently made initial contact over signing the 25-year-old as Unai Emery looks to improve his squad after failing to secure Champions League qualification last season.

Lyon, under Bruno Genesio’s successor as head coach Sylvinho, open the new season away to Monaco next month before hosting Angers in their first home game.

Ahead of the crunch semi-final clash with the USWNT, the team which played at the 1971 tournament reflect on their legacy

When a group of young women flew from England to Mexico in the summer of 1971 to play football, they weren’t expecting much.

After all, football was still not really a sport for girls back at home. They weren’t expecting massive crowds. And they certainly weren’t expecting to be talked about almost half a century later.

Now, as England prepare for the semi-final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup against the USA, the women who blazed a trail nearly five decades ago are together again – and roaring on a new generation of Lionesses.

“They’ve done so well – they’re getting stronger and stronger and stronger, and we’re behind them 100 per cent,” says Carol Wilson, the captain back in 1971.

Mexico was all set up to host a major tournament; they had hosted the men’s World Cup the year before, so the organisers knew there were plenty of fans who wanted to watch top-quality football.

More than that, some big brands were on board to promote the competition and provide sponsorship money.

It was certainly needed. The 1971 Women’s World Cup was not an official FIFA tournament – the governing bodies of world football did not bother themselves too much with the women’s game then, and certainly did not organise competitive tournaments for national sides.

Nor were the England team sanctioned by the FA, who did not lift its 50-year ban on women playing football at all until later that same year.

“We weren’t a professional team, we had no support whatsoever,” says Wilson.

They were under the management of Harry Batt, coach of Chiltern Valley, who had been invited to bring a representative team along, as he had done to another international tournament in Italy the year before. He was very careful to bill his team as “British Independents” rather than England.

Nonetheless, the organisers of the six-team tournament referred to them as ‘Ingleterra’, which caused some disgruntlement back at home with the FA and the Women’s FA, who controlled women’s football – they did not want anyone laying claim to the England name without proper authority.

“Harry worked tirelessly,” recalls Wilson. “He had to beg to get us sponsorship so we could go. We didn’t know any of this – he kept it from us because he wanted us to just concentrate on the football.”

Most of that squad were teenagers, and had started playing football in local parks, kicking a ball about with local boys, with the proverbial jumpers for goalposts. They did not attract crowds back at home, of course, so playing in front of over 90,000 fans in the famous Azteca Stadium was quite a shock.

And, although they failed to register a win in Mexico, they still see the tournament as a success.

“We were kids,” says Wilson. “That stadium held 107,000, and I didn’t see many spare seats. It was two, three times the size of crowds they’re getting at the moment, and it was daunting. We had six men and their dogs in England, and we were getting hurled abuse half the time! To go in front of all these people, and they thought you were gods – we weren’t used to any of that.”

The heat and altitude was also a surprise, as were some of the other playing conditions.

“We had a short while where we could walk out on to the pitch and just acclimatise ourselves,” says Wilson. “The first thing I thought was, ‘Oh my God, we’ve got a flat pitch’ – we used to play on sloping pitches in the UK!”

They see today’s Lionesses as fine role models – extending the Mexico legacy into the future.

“They’re such good ambassadors for the game,” says Jill Brader nee Stockley, the 1971 team’s winger. “Phil Neville has done us proud.”

And they are all excited to be reunited. 48 years on, 11 groundbreaking Lionesses are heading to Lyon to cheer on Neville’s side courtesy of UEFA’s #weplaystrong campaign – Wilson, Brader, Christine Lockwood, Janice Emms, GIll Sayell, Marlene Rowe, Yvonne Bradley, Paula Milnes, Leah Caleb, Jean Elliot and Louise Gardner.

“This experience has been phenomenal for us,” says Wilson. “We’re so grateful. The whole team are reeling. We’re in the same sort of bubble we were at that time – it’s taken us back a wee bit!”

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The 35-year-old took to Instagram to dismiss rumours that he paid off his ex-wife and says they are still on good terms despite the split

Wesley Sneijder has dismissed reports that he paid Yolanthe Cabau a €15 million (£13m/$17m) settlement in their divorce.

Earlier this year reports emerged that Sneijder and the actress had split after the former Netherlands star admitted in an Instagram post in March that he had “messed up several times”.

The pair were in the headlines in Turkey again this week when it was claimed that Yolanthe had demanded more money from Sneijder but settled for €15m.

And while the former Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter player took to Instagram to confirm they are no longer married, he says he did not pay his now ex-wife anything.

Posting an image that read: “Rumours are carried by haters, spread by fools and accepted by idiots”, Sneijder hit out at the media in the caption, writing: “I’m not gonna be nice anymore to all the bullsh*t people that are talking sh*t about Me and Yolanthe.

“Let me be very clear. First of all, yes we are not together anymore for a while now. No we are still not divorced yet. I made a lot of mistakes in our marriage. But that’s nobody’s business. That Yolanthe is still so good to me I respect so much. She takes care of our son every day AND ME even though we are not together.

“Second of all she doesn’t need anything from my part because she has her own. 

“The Turkish press wrote she wanted 19 million and I gave her 15?! Haha you guys are getting crazier every time. If people would only know how the reality is.

“People without brains will always believe what they read. Just so you all know: Yolanthe didn’t ask me for anything and I will not ask her for anything. We don’t need each other’s money. This stories are all lies.

“I find it disgusting what the press is writing about me, all bullsh*t and lies all the time and now this bullsh*t about her. I know we don’t need to respond to anything and I respect the mother of my child so much for staying so calm and taking all this sh*t. 

“But I’m not like that. I don’t let people mess with my life all the time!”

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Sneijder previously played five seasons in Turkey with Galatasaray winning the Super Lig twice. He last suited up with Qatari club Al Gharafa, with his latest appearance for the side coming last January. 

A former Brazil international can understand why a fellow countryman is wanted back at Camp Nou, with summer transfer talk continuing to build

A proposed return to Barcelona for Neymar has the support of Juninho, with a former Brazil international saying of a fellow countryman: “If I was the owner of a football, I’d want to have him too.”

Those at Camp Nou are said to be piecing together plans to bring a South American star back to Camp Nou.

Neymar departed Catalunya for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017, but is said to be looking for a way out of Parc des Princes after two seasons.

Barca are open to the idea of re-signing the 27-year-old, but only if certain criteria – such as apologising for leaving and lowering his salary demands – are met.

Juninho can understand why the Liga champions are prepared to consider wiping the slate clean with Neymar as he remains one of the top talents in world football.

The ex-Atletico Madrid midfielder told EFE: “If I was the owner of a football club, I’d want to have Neymar too.

“He’s one of the best players in the world. Who wouldn’t want a player like that in their team?”

While Neymar boasts an impressive record from a previous stint at Camp Nou, international team-mate Philippe Coutinho has struggled to prove his worth with Barca.

He has, however, impressed during Brazil’s run to the Copa America final and Juninho believes the 27-year-old has plenty to offer.

“He had the opportunity to create space for other players. His role is very important for the national team,” added the 2022 World Cup winner.

Juninho feels Brazil are well placed to claim a Copa crown on home soil this summer.

They edged out arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 in the semi-finals, with a professional performance seeing them keep Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero quiet to secure another clean sheet.

“We had a very good performance with individual players playing very well, like Gabriel Jesus, Daniel Alves and also Alisson, who was very confident,” said Juninho.

“I think they make a difference, it is important that in competitive matches we look at the finer details to win.”

Brazil, who have been without the injured Neymar since seeing him pick up an unfortunate pre-tournament injury, are set to face Peru in the Copa America final on Sunday.

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The Blaugrana legend believes that the Liga champions should be looking to add in other areas, rather than return a Brazilian forward to Camp Nou

Neymar continues to spark talk of a possible return to Barcelona, but Camp Nou legend Lobo Carrasco is opposed to the idea of re-signing the Brazilian from Paris Saint-Germain.

Amid a flurry of activity behind the scenes in Catalunya, a move for a former favourite has been mooted.

The Liga champions are open to the idea of bringing Neymar back from France, if certain criteria are met, while the South American is eager to retrace his steps.

Carrasco, though, feels that Barca should be targeting other options.

He is in favour of completing a deal for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann that has been discussed for some time, but would prefer to see any further funds invested elsewhere.

A man who spent 11 years as part of the first-team fold at Camp Nou between 1978 and 1989 told El Chiringuito: “I do not want Neymar to come in.

“I want Griezmann, a centre-back, a left-back and a centre-forward to come in.

“That’s my road map and I would not change it, whether I’m [Josep Maria] Bartomeu, [Lionel] Messi, sports director or coach.”

Carrasco believes Barcelona’s inability to challenge for the Champions League crown again in 2018-19 has highlighted the need to prioritise defensive additions.

Ernesto Valverde’s side squandered a commanding semi-final first-leg lead against Liverpool to bow out of Europe once more, and Neymar is not considered to be the answer.

“With the signing of Neymar, Barca would lose even more at the back,” added Carrasco.

“They were swept in Europe, they [Liverpool] got us 4-0, 3-0.

“If we have a further breakdown in defence, are we going to go from four to six goals?”

Carrasco believes he has the answer for Barcelona, but the challenge facing the Blaugrana is not an easy one to complete.

It is suggested that they require another talismanic presence at the back, one cut from the same cloth as a former academy graduate who went on to skipper the club and lead by example.

“Barca needs to have a Puyol,” said Carrasco.

Whether the Liga giants look to find that kind of player, having previously been linked with Ajax centre-half Matthijs de Ligt, remains to be seen, with attacking reinforcements seemingly the priority at present.

Neven Subotic is in no doubt when it comes to backing his former club to win the German top-flight title in 2019-20

Former Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic insists his former club are ‘very clearly’ Bundesliga favourites this season.

The 30-year-old centre-back, who has returned to the German top-flight with Union Berlin after a season in France, is adamant Dortmund will beat champions Bayern Munich to the title in 2020.

Having spent a decade with the Black and Yellows, Subotic insists Dortmund will finish first if Bayern fail to strengthen further this summer having pushed them all the way last season.

Despite the Bavarians bringing in big-money defensive reinforcements in Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez, Subotic refused to sit on the fence and was clear in who he was backing.

“If the Bayern squad stays the same it is Dortmund. Very clearly,” he told Bild .

“I say that as a former BVB player and fan.”

While he himself has returned to the Bundesliga, Subotic’s former team-mate Mats Hummels returned to Dortmund in one of the more intriguing transfers of the summer.

Having controversially joined rivals Bayern in 2016, the towering defender is back at the Westfalenstadion and Subotic believes it is a good move for both parties.

“I congratulate him. The team will benefit from him. He won four titles at Bayern during the last three years, while Dortmund only won one during that period. Dortmund will get a lot of experience in Mats. It is a big chance for him.”

After backing his former defensive partner to be a success, he dismissed Bayern’s claims that Hummels departed because he was scared of fresh competition.

“It is normal a club communicates it that way,” he said. “Who is in this business for a ling time knows, that it has something to do with your ego.”

Synonmous with Dortmund’s iconic and successful team of the early 2010s, Subotic was delighted to see him former manager Jurgen Klopp finally get his hands on the Champions League this year with Liverpool following BVB’s heartbreaking final defeat to Bayern in 2013 at Wembley.

“Of course, Kloppo finally did it. 2013 in the final against Bayern we already came very close.

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“Until now Klopp won the championship and the cup. Now he managed to win an international title of the highest level.”

Subotic and Union Berlin kick the club’s maiden Bundesliga season off at home to RB Leipzig on August 18 while Dortmund host Augsburg a day earlier.