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CONTE: I MISS ITALY Antonio Conte admits “I miss Italy” and will not stay at Chelsea “for too long”, while “I’d also like to become a sporting director.” “I have a longing for Italy, that’s beyond any doubt,” he told Radio Anch’io Sport. “It’s not in my head to stay abroad for too long. It’s good to have beautiful experiences, but I intend to go back to Italy one day. “China? No, absolutely no. Bundesliga? It’s always difficult to predict the future. Let’s just say that a Coach is a temporary worker. “It depends on the results, but there’s desire on my part to try to do the best I can, finishing one project and then finding the right one to continue. I miss Italy, that’s a fact. “Still, this experience is helping me so much. I’d also like to become a sporting director in the future. “Are we better than the English? There are practically no English managers in the Premier League. “There are so many parts of the world here, but everyone here is good, prepared

Chiesa’s Viola renewal imminent? Federico Chiesa will reportedly extend his contract with Fiorentina until 2022 imminently. According to Corriere Fiorentino, there are “no doubts” that Chiesa will put pen to paper after a successful round of talks. The newspaper explains Fiorentina wanted to strengthen their hold on the winger after Napoli tried to sign him over the summer. The 19-year-old has started the 2017-18 campaign with a goal and an assist in five appearances.

MARK SAMPSON SET TO LEAVE AS ENGLAND WOMEN'S MANAGER Mark Sampson is set to leave his role as England women's manager amid a row over discrimination allegations. It comes after his side   beat Russia 6-0   in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. The 34-year-old took over in 2013 and led England to successive semi-finals at major tournaments. He was accused of discrimination by Chelsea forward Eniola Aluko but has been cleared of wrongdoing by two investigations and vehemently denies the allegations. The FA is expected to confirm his departure at a press conference this afternoon.

KARIM BENZEMA EXTENDS CONTRACT TO 2021 Real Madrid striker Karim Mostaf Benzema has signed a four-year contract extension that ties him to the club until 2021. The 29-year-old has scored 181 goals in 371 appearances since joining from French side Lyon in 2009. He becomes the fourth Real player, after right-back   Dani Carvajal,   left-back Marcelo   and midfielder   Isco,   to agree a new deal this week. Manager   Zinedine Zidane   has also signed a new contract with last season's Champions League and La Liga winners. Benzema has won 14 trophies at Real, including three Champions League titles and La Liga twice.

ANTONIO CONTE: STRANGE FOR CHELSEA TO GET ANOTHER RED CARD AGAINST ARSENAL Antonio Conte says it is "strange" his Chelsea side have finished a game against Arsenal with 10 men for the third time running. David Luiz was sent off late on by referee Michael Oliver for a lunging tackle on Sead Kolasinac   in the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Super Sunday , an incident manager Conte did not wish to talk about in depth. Instead, Conte referenced the Blues' previous two games against Arsenal - the Community Shield in August where Pedro was sent off, and the FA Cup final in May where Victor Moses saw red - and admitted the circumstance was "very strange."

Paris St-Germain boss Unai Emery says he will step in if Neymar and Edinson Cavani cannot sort out their differences over taking set-pieces. The forwards seemed to quarrel over a penalty in a 2-0 win over Lyon before Cavani took it and had it saved. "I have told them to sort it out between themselves," said Emery. "I think that they are capable of doing that and that they will both be our kickers. If they cannot reach an agreement, I will decide for them." He added: "I do not want this to become a problem for us." The home side struggled to make chances until Marcelo turned Cavani's flick into his own net, with the second coming from a rebound off Jeremy Morel after Kylian Mbappe's shot was pushed onto his knee by onrushing keeper Anthony Lopes. In between the own goals, Cavani's spot-kick, awarded when Ferland Mendy bundled Mbappe to the ground, had been well saved by Lopes. Before going behind, Lyon had troubled the league lead

ISAAC TWUM RALLYING FOR MASSIVE SUPPORT AGAINST GUINEA Ghana skipper Isaac Twum is rallying for massive support as the group matches take centre stage on today in the Wafu Cup of Nations. The Black Stars will play against the Syli Nationale of Guinea at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium. Concerns have been raised after the team’s unconvincing display in the knockouts against Gambia on Saturday. The Black Stars laboured to win by 1-0 through a controversial penalty on the stroke of full time. Speaking to the press, Twum believes with the support of Ghanaians, they can go all the way to the finals and win the ultimate. “We have managed to qualify for the group stages. Nerves have calmed down and this will help us settle down and play our normal game. “I’m pleading with all Ghanaians to offer their unflinching support whether in good or bad times. This will ginger us to go out all out.

AYEW DEDICATES GOAL TO YOUNGER BROTHER JORDAN Andre Ayew has dedicated his first goal of the season to younger brother Jordan Ayew. Ayew reenacted last season’s super-sub performance as he came off the bench to register an assist and scored to help West Ham beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in the Premier League. After the game, the older Ayew took to twitter to dedicate the goal to his younger brother Jordan Ayew, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Monday.

CONTI TO MISS LAZIO CALASH Milan have confirmed that Andrea Conti has “a slight twist” to his right ankle, but is “already walking freely and without pain”. The right-back was injured during Italy’s win over Israel last night, but after initial fears of a sprain it emerged this morning that the knock wasn’t serious. “Andrea Conti, left the pitch during Italy’s match against Israel last night, he was subjected to tests this morning,” a statement on the Rossoneri’s website begins. “The player has reported with a slight twist to his right ankle, he’ll be monitored daily and additional tests will be done if necessary. “Conti has already started walking freely and without pain.” Sources close to the club has revealed that Conti will miss the clash against Lazio as a method of precaution.

JOSE ENRIQUE RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL Former Liverpool and Newcastle left-back José Enrique Sánchez Díaz has retired from football aged 31 having suffered with a persistent knee injury. The Spaniard made 127 appearances for Newcastle before a £6.5m move to Liverpool in August 2011. In an Instagram post, Enrique said he "would have loved to have played more years if my body had let me". ` He added on Sky Sports: "Sometimes I got dizzy in training, I was on so much medication." Enrique continued: "After every game my knee swelled like a ball and I was barely able to walk for three days. Something that was supposed to be for three months ended up turning into two years. "I saw five doctors in England but they did not get the problem. It hurts me, but so many times they told me it was a psychological problem I came to believe it." Enrique made 99 appearances for Liverpool before being released in May 2016. He signed for Spanish second

MILAN WAIT FOR SOSA DECISION Milan are awaiting a decision from Jose Ernesto Sosa, who has an offer from  Turkish side  Trabzonspor. It was revealed yesterday that the Turkish club had made a €5.5m bid for the midfielder, who joined from Besiktas last summer. It’s reported Sosa would earn over €15m over the course of the proposed three-year contract, but he’s unsure about waking the move. It’s believed his partner isn’t sure about leaving the city of Milan, despite the financial incentives on offer. While this would likely be the 32-year-old’s last big contract, he’s keen to ensure his family is happy after a nomadic career which has taken in Bayern Munich, Napoli, Metalist Kharkiv and his previous spell in Turkey.