The elegant midfielder helped Real Madrid retain their Champions League crown before inspiring Croatia to a runners-up finish at the 2018 World Cup Luka Modric has been unveiled as the winner of the 2018 Goal 50, thus breaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s stranglehold on the prestigious annual prize. Not since Wesley Sneijder in 2010 had someone other than Ronaldo or Messi topped the list, which recognises the 50 best players in the world over the preceding 12 months.  However, Modric has claimed the award after a stellar year in which the midfielder helped Real Madrid win a third consecutive Champions League before then leading Croatia to the final of…

Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich did not contact him following Sunday’s humiliating 6-0 loss at Manchester City. The Blues’ 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth last month was Chelsea’s worst since September 1996, until City inflicted further embarrassment on Sarri’s side, who suffered their biggest defeat in 28 years. After the Etihad Stadium setback, Sarri said in an interview with an Italian broadcaster that he “never” speaks to Abramovich, an owner not renowned for his patience. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-32 first leg with Malmo in Sweden, Sarri insisted his comments had been mistranslated when asked if he had spoken to Abramovich. “No, not this week – not…

Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has compared the Blues’ current situation under Maurizio Sarri with the ‘dark times’ the club went through prior to the sacking of Jose Mourinho. Chelsea dropped out the Premier League top four at the weekend with Sunday’s 6-0 defeat by Manchester City – the Blues’ biggest loss in 28 years – their fourth away defeat in a row. Sarri’s system is showing numerous flaws and his insistence on refusing to change anything has led to calls he should be sacked as he is not suitable for the job. The Italian is believed to retain the backing of the Chelsea board and many of…

Jamie Carragher labelled Chelsea’s stars as “too weak” after their 6-0 thumping at Manchester City on Sunday. The Liverpool legend also believes Maurizio Sarri has turned the Blues into Arsenal, who have suffered several heavy away defeats themselves in recent years – most recently a 5-1 loss at Anfield in December. City were 4-0 up inside 25 minutes thanks to Sergio Aguero’s double and goals from Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan. Second-half strikes from Aguero and Sterling completed the rout as Chelsea crashed to their heaviest defeat since 1991, a 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Speaking at half-time, the Sky Sports pundit said: “City have been outstanding, but this has been as…

Chelsea have been given a massive boost in their pursuit of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi because of his wife. According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid were interested in signing the 25-year-old. But the actions of Wanda Nara (who is also his agent) have changed things. Icardi’s career at the San Siro is in tatters after being stripped of the captaincy and being regularly left out of matchday squads. The dispute is believed to have started over an ongoing contract dispute, with the striker’s deal set to end in 2021. Nara claimed the Serie A giants have not offered a new deal, with reports suggesting the nerazzurri hierarchy are…

It started with a random Mr. Socko celebration prior to the WWE’s Royal Rumble last month, but now it has spawned a two-day event for Mick Foley. Billy Sharp made waves on social media after celebrating a goal against Norwich back on January 26 with Mankind’s patented Mr. Socko. For those of you that don’t know, Mr. Socko was a dirty sock Mick Foley would use when portraying Mankind in the WWE and he would stick in the mouths of his opponents as his finisher. Mr. Socko was a cult legend back in the late 1990s and Sharp’s random homage to Foley caught the WWE Hall of Famer’s attention. After…

The Croatian midfielder is in line to feature in the Copa del Rey after speculation regarding a move to the Premier League was dismissed Ivan Rakitic has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but he returns to the Barcelona squad for the Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Bilbao. Ronaldo ‘shocked’ by Owen fat joke Croatia international Rakitic was dropped from the side for last Sunday’s LaLiga trip to Villarreal amid reports he was the subject of interest from City. Editors' Picks Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star…

The Premier League has always been one of the most physical and intense in the world. And while the running battles of Keane v Vieira are no longer a regular occurrence, it can still be unforgiving out on the pitch. Although referees try to afford players more protection from robust challenges, inevitably the odd cynical foul occurs. This week alone has seen Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette sent off in Europe for their indiscretions. But just who has been the dirtiest player domestically so far this season? While both of the aforementioned France international’s are in the top 20, neither has committed enough fouls to…

talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Friday’s papers and online… Liverpool have been offered £44million PLUS Paulo Dybala by Juventus for Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (Tuttosport) Alexis Sanchez could return to Arsenal to solve his recent struggles, according to former Gunners star Marc Overmars. (ADN Deportes) Chelsea are ready to pay €45m euros (£39.7m) to sign Budesliga top scorer Luka Jovic, who is starring on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt from Benfica. (Bild) Heung-min Son is in line for a second pay rise inside 12 months as reward for his sensational season for Tottenham. (Daily Mail) Chelsea players are said to be stunned Gary Cahill has been frozen out by manager…

The Champions League is back and as always promises to be filled with the usual excitement and drama we have come to expect over the years. Manchester United host Paris Saint-Germain, Roma take on Porto, Tottenham welcome Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool host Bayern Munich, Lyon entertain Barcelona and Ajax head to face off against the reigning champions Real Madrid in the last-16 fixtures. This week it’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United against a Neymar-less PSG up first before Spurs host Dortmund and wonderkid Jadon Sancho at Wembley. Both clashes promise to be exciting and are chock full of superstars. Over the years, there have been a number of memorable encounters at this…