Pique the middleman: How Barcelona´s centre-back was behind lucrative shirt deal

Things are moving very quickly for Pedri.

This time last year he was 17 years old and preparing for a Copa del Rey clash against Badajoz with Las Palmas, now he is playing for Barcelona and his coach is fielding questions about the possibility of him representing Spain at the delayed Euro 2020.

Calls for him to be considered by Luis Enrique intensified after he produced a fine display in Barca s 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, becoming the youngest player in LaLiga history to score and assist in a single game.

At 18 years and 42 days old he headed home an equaliser after Inaki Williams opener at San Mames and then produced a lovely backheel that Messi steered home to put the Blaugrana on the path to a 3-2 win.

Asked on Friday if Pedri is d…

Following numerous cases of disrespect towards the Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough Disaster from supporters of rival clubs, the traveling Arsenal fans who came to Anfield last week showed class by fully respecting the minute of silence as the 34th anniversary of the tragic event approaches.

Speaking to the press ahead of his team s Premier League clash with Leeds United on Monday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praised the conduct and respect shown by the Gunners in the Anfield stands.

Football supporters can be a really mean group.

Jurgen Klopp praises the Arsenal supporters at Anfield saying it was the most respectful minute of silence he had seen during his time at the club

— Football Daily (@footballdaily)

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Mesut Oezil is determined to win more silverware with Real Madrid as he feels nothing beats the feeling of scooping up a trophy.

The Germany international has won a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Supercopa since joining the club from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2010, and he has stressed that he will never forget his successes with the Blancos.

Firstly, I am very grateful to be able to play for such a big club. My first match for Real Madrid was very special for me, the midfielder told Bwin.com.

But the best moments are when you win trophies with the club. For example, the final against Barcelona, when we beat them in the Supercopa or winning La Liga, those stay in your memory for ever.

My aim is always to offer my all that I can on the…

Roma have agreed to sell attacker Erik Lamela to Tottenham for an initial fee of €30million.

Lamela, who joined Roma from Argentine side River Plate in 2011, is poised to become Tottenham s fifth signing of the transfer window joining Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Paulinho at White Hart Lane.

The Argentina international s arrival is likely to help fill the void left by Gareth Bale, who manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed on Wednesday is close to completing a world-record switch to Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an excellent season with the Italian capital club last season, scoring 15 goals in 36 appearances as Roma finished sixth in Serie A, failing to qualify for Europa as they were also beaten in the Coppa Italia final by rivals Lazio.

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Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has suggested Laurent Blanc never really trusted the club s promising youngsters and is loving life under new coach Unai Emery.

Kimpembe, 21, made his senior debut under Blanc in 2014-15, but found regular first-team action hard to come by after his maiden appearance as he made just nine appearances in all competitions last term.

The centre-back has already featured four times this campaign following the arrival of Emery, though, and he is delighted with the change of coach.

Blanc gave me a lot and he believed in me, but there s an entirely different philosophy with Emery, Kimpembe told L Equipe.

He is fair to the youngsters. If he has to shout at us, he shouts at us. If he has to encourage us, that s what h…

Mikel Arteta reckons Arsenal must be perfect to beat Chelsea on Sunday as he looks to get the north London club back among the Premier League challengers.

The Gunners started the new top-flight campaign in lacklustre fashion, going down to promoted Brentford 2-0 in the opening game.

A derby with Thomas Tuchel s side is next up and, after defeating Chelsea 3-1 in the same fixture last term, Arteta knows what it will take to be successful again at Emirates Stadium.

What we have to do is perform, perform at the highest level, he replied when asked in a pre-match media conference if a draw would be a positive result.

We know that to beat Chelsea we need to be perfect.

Individually and collectively, we have to have an extraordinary game.…

Stefano Pioli insisted Milan are well-equipped to challenge for the Serie A title after they made a winning start to the season.

Milan launched their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, where Brahim Diaz netted the decisive goal after just nine minutes on Monday.

Pioli handed a debut to new signing and goalkeeper Mike Maignan, while Olivier Giroud also made his bow in the absence of injured talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front.

Despite injury ruling out Franck Kessie, Rade Krunic produced an assured performance in midfield and there was no change allowed from the central defensive pairing of Simon Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori – the pair helping the Rossoneri keep a sixth consecutive clean sheet, their longest run without concedi…

(GSM) Gabriel Milito is ready to make his comeback for Barcelona after a year and a half of injury worries. The Argentine defender already got the all-clear to return to first-team action late November and has been included in the match selection for the crucial game against Dynamo Kiev. Milito is expected to start on the bench.

The 29-year-old centre half sustained a knee ligament injury in the Champions League match against Manchester United in April 2008 and has been at the sidelines since then. A week ago, Barcelona announced that Milito had recovered from his injury. The Argentina international was overlooked for the league matches against Xerez and Deportivo La Coruna, but Barca coach Guardiola has named him in a 19-man traveling party for the trip to the Ukraine.

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Matt Taylor picked out Bristol Rovers’ first-half performance and the form of striker Chris Martin as the foundations for a first Sky Bet League One victory in five games.

Martin and Luke Thomas found the net inside the first quarter of the match to put the Pirates in control, and after Mark Harris had pulled one back, Harvey Vale sealed Rovers’ first win of 2024.

“We took responsibility and played forward more and got ourselves up the pitch,” said Taylor. “We know we’ve got enough quality if we’re there to hurt the opposition.

“So I was pleased with that start and then the goals were a bonus. Two really good goals (in the first half). Chris Martin’s in terms of a breakaway and a cross, and he’s in fantastic form at the moment.

“We s…

Mark Hughes is dreaming of the Capital One Cup final as his Stoke City side pr
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epare to take on Birmingham City in the fourth round.

Stoke s last Wembley experience came in 2011 when they finished as FA Cup runners-up, but Hughes has visions of taking them there again in his first season in charge at the Britannia Stadium.

However, the Welshman is not prepared to risk playing his first-choice XI as he attempts to juggle league and cup campaigns.

We will be strong on Tuesday, said Hughes. I always pick strong sides for cup games.

It s a competition that we want to progress in, so we will go to Birmingham and look to win the game, and secure a spot in the last eight.

I will make changes some will be enforced and others will be to give other players…