Everton manager Rafael Benitez does not want James Rodriguez in his squad for this season, according to . The former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss does not like the Colombia international, who is now facing an uncertain future at the Toffees.

The 30-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, has one more year left on his current contract at Everton. There is also the option of a further year. James joined the Toffees only last summer after leaving Spanish and European giants Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti was then in charge of Everton, but the Italian tactician left Goodison Park to return to Madrid earlier this summer. James scored  and gave four assists in 21 Premier League starts for Everton last season. It will be interesting to see what happens w…

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique compared Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe to Brazilian great Ronaldo as he hailed Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland.

Mbappe and Haaland are two of the most in-demand players in the transfer market, with LaLiga giants Real Madrid reportedly interested in both.

PSG s Mbappe – entering the final year of his contract in Paris – has long been tipped to join Madrid, while Haaland has also been linked with Barca, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Mbappe scored in PSG s 4-2 Ligue 1 win at home to Strasbourg on Saturday, having now either scored or assisted in seven consecutive matches in the competition (eight goals, four assists).

Haaland took his tally to 62 goals in 61 games for D…

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was on Wednesday due to undergo a third operation for a kidney stone complaint.

However, the 48-year-old Spaniard hopes to be back in full charge in time for next week s league and FA Cup derby double against Everton.

Benitez last underwent surgery in December and he has since watched the Premier League leaders matches from the directors box.

Assistant manager Sammy Lee, who will oversee the team s preparations in Benitez s absence, told Liverpool s official website: It s a difficult time for him because, you know Rafa Benitez all he wants to do is be out there on the training pitch with his players. That s his forte. But he s still buoyant. He s going for the third operation but we re hoping it won t keep him out for too long ho…

Real Madrid s injured Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo will be referred to his former doctor Professor Niek van Dyjk as he seeks to overcome an ankle injury, his club said on Wednesday.

After examining the evolution of Cristiano Ronaldo s injury today (Wednesday), it was determined that there has been no clinical improvement of the bone edema in the centre of his right ankle, read a statement on Real s website.

The player cannot, therefore, begin training and must continue treatment and relief work until another examination is carried out.

Dutch physician van Dyjk, who has also treated Ronaldo s team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy and AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi, previously operated on Ronaldo in 2008.

Ronaldo, Real s record signing at 94 million euro…

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic is bullish about his team s chances against Cambodia as the Asian giants attempt to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Thursday will see Japan welcome minnows Cambodia to Saitama Stadium 2002, with the hosts winless in four international matches.

Japan s road to Russia 2018 opened with a disappointing goalless draw at home to Singapore in June and Halilhodzic s men have failed to win a match since then, drawing twice and losing once at last month s East Asian Cup in China.

The 2013 East Asian Cup champions lost 2-1 to North Korea and drew with eventual winners South Korea and hosts China (both 1-1) in Wuhan.

But Halilhodzic is confident Japan can return to winning ways against Cambodia, who have lost their two qu…

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew wants Dwight Gayle to make a statement after he stayed with the club during the transfer window.

Championship side Bristol City reportedly had a £6million bid accepted for the striker last month, while a late approach from Aston Villa is said to have been rebuffed.

Gayle s opportunities at Selhurst Park appeared limited when Connor Wickham and Patrick Bamford arrived. 

However, with Glenn Murray having joined AFC Bournemouth, Pardew says Gayle has the chance to stake a claim for a first-team place.

I think it was really how much game time they were going to get, both being on the roster. And of course now with Glenn leaving it gives Dwight an opportunity and he is now in the process of trying to take that, Pardew…

According to French journalist Baptiste Ripart, who has been deemed reliable by a handful of sources including Marca, Paris Saint-Germain have agreed on a fee for teenage sensation . The 19-year-old has been a target for the European champions over the course of the last few months and perhaps beyond, as he continues to prove why he s one of the most highly rated players in world football right now.

In the last week, his stock went up even more courtesy of his two goals for France in their Round of 16 clash against Argentina. The report in question suggests that the transfer will come to a total of €272 million, which will be paid in four instalments to the French champions. Mbappé is currently still in Russia with the French national team, as they prepare to take on Urugu…

Red Bull Head of Global Soccer Oliver Mintzlaff has made it clear New York RB are not interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The former Germany international has been deemed surplus to requirements by Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and recent reports suggested he could be on his way to MLS.

The US remains a possible destination but Mintzlaff says he will not be moving to his club.

Schweinsteiger is a great player who has had an amazing career, Mintzlaff told Bild.

But there are no talks [over a move to New York RB]. He is not an issue for us and he will not become an issue.

MLS chief Don Garber previously stated that he is keen to lure Schweinsteiger to the American top flight. 

We would welcome Ba…

Napoli needed three attempts to beat Allan McGregor from the spot before coasting past 10-man Rangers 3-0 in the Champions League.

Rangers defied UEFA to go ahead with pre-match plans to sing God Save The King before the game following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The emotional atmosphere lifted Rangers early on and Alfredo Morelos skewed a close-range header wide. Piotr Zielinski then cracked the post at the other end before Scott Arfield drew a fine save out of Alex Meret.

Yet Rangers good work in the first half was undone by a chaotic second period, in which 40-year-old McGregor played a starring role.

James Sands was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Giovanni Simeone as he broke into the box. Zielinski s subsequent penalty was brillian…

Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic have completed the signing of Danish striker Morten Rasmussen from Brondby IF. The 24 year old, who has reportedly cost the Hoops more than one million pounds, has signed a three and a half year contract that will keep him at Parkhead till the summer of 2013.

Rasmussen, nicknamed Duncan because of his resemblance to Duncan Ferguson, started his career with Aarhus. After four years with them, he transferred to Brondby in 2006 for 12 million Danish Krones.

Rasmussen becomes Celtic s fourth acquisition in the January market after    Ki Sung Yueng,  Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne.

Rasmussen has played for Denmark at every level from U-16 to U-21 and boasts of a tremendous scoring record ( approximately 1.2 goals every two games). He …