May 2017 - Soccer Wiretap

Pots For 2018 World Cup Set, Draw To Take Place Dec. 1st
The 32 countries participating were set this week following a round of playoffs.

Dale Johnson/ESPN

Italy Fires Gian Piero Ventura As Manager
Italy suffered a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Sweden in the World Cup playoffs.

The Guardian

United Won't Sell Marouane Fellaini During January Window
Jose Mourinho will not sanction a sale of Marouane Fellaini during the January window and will risk losing him for free.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Jurgen Klopp Admitted To Hospital
Jurgen Klopp missed Liverpool's training on Wednesday and was admitted to the hospital.

Press Association

USA Interested In Friendlies Against Other Non-World Cup Nations
The United States had qualified for every World Cup since 1990.

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Gianluigi Buffon 'Sorry For Italy' Not Himself After Missing World Cup
Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The Guardian

Sweden Rules Out Zlatan Ibrahimovic Returning For World Cup
Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from international play following the European Championship in France.

ESPN

Arsene Wenger Interested In Managing At 2022 World Cup
Arsene Wenger has interest in moving to international soccer with a chance to manage at the 2022 World Cup.

The Guardian

Julian Draxler Denies Report Of Leaving PSG For Bayern
Julian Draxler joined PSG from Wolfsburg last January, but the club has since added both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

As.com

Christian Pulisic Questions System Of Developing US Players
Christian Pulisic has played in Europe since he was 16, which he credits for his development.

The Guardian

Ander Herrera Hopes To Remain With United Despite Barca, Atleti Links
United have triggered Ander Herrera's one-year extension that will keep him at the club until 2019.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Jose Mourinho, United Have Yet To Make Progress On Extension Talks
Jose Mourinho signed a three-year deal with United when he was hired in 2016.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Morata Focused On Winning Everything At Chelsea, Not Return To Madrid
Alvaro Morata signed a five-year deal with Chelsea.

Adriana Garcia/ESPN

Miguel Almiron Has Top-Selling MLS Jersey For 2017
Miguel Almiron of Atlanta United has the top-selling jersey in Major League Soccer for the 2017 season.

Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Real Madrid Open To Neymar Transfer
Sergio Ramos said Neymar would be welcomed at Real Madrid despite previously playing for Barcelona.

Dermot Corrigan/ESPN

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rules Out World Cup Return If Sweden Qualifies
Sweden will play Italy in the World Cup playoffs.

Marcus Christenson/The Guardian

Brad Friedel Appointed Manager Of New England Revolution
Brad Friedel played for Blackburn, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur during his career in England.

Press Association

Eden Hazard Would Love To Play For Zinedine Zidane
Eden Hazard has frequently been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past.

Ian Holyman/ESPN

City Post Record Revenues But Profit Down Due To Wage Increases
Wages for City increased from £197.6 million to £264.1 million in Pep Guardiola's first season.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Lionel Messi Hopes Argentina Avoids Spain In World Cup
Argentina is in Pot 1 alongside Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, Russia and France.

Sports Illustrated

Spain Undecided On No. 9 For World Cup
Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa finished as Spain's top goal scorers in qualifying at five goals apiece.

Adriana Garcia/ESPN

Real Madrid, Barcelona Made Last Minute Bids For Kylian Mbappe
Barcelona attempted to use Arda Turan as a makeweight in the deal for Kylian Mbappe.

As.com

Marouane Fellaini Sues New Balance
Marouane Fellaini is suing New Balance for £2.1 million.

ESPN

Andrea Pirlo Announces Retirement
New York City FC were knocked out of the MLS playoffs on Sunday.

Niall McVeigh/The Guardian

Michael Emenalo Steps Down As Technical Director Of Chelsea
Michael Emenalo has stepped down as technical director of Chelsea, ending a 10-year tenure with the club.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

Kyle Martino To Run For U.S. Soccer President
Three weeks ago Kyle Martino said he would not run because the presidency is a volunteer position with no salary.

Marc Stein/New York Times

Arsene Wenger Blames Sterling's 'Dive', Referees After Loss At City
Arsene Wenger may face a charge from the FA for his comments on Raheem Sterling and referee Michael Oliver.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Antonio Conte To Make David Luiz Battle To Regain Place With Chelsea
Ethan Ampadu, who is 17 and has yet to feature in the top flight, had been included instead among the substitutes.

Dominic Fifield/The Guardian

West Ham Fires Slaven Bilic, Will Appoint David Moyes
Owners David Gold and David Sullivan had hoped giving Slaven Bilic extra time would allow him to right the season.

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Arsenal Expects Alexis Sanchez To Remain With Club Past January Window
Alexis Sanchez is unlikely to sign an extension with Arsenal.

David Hytner/The Guardian