Down to Ten Men

World Cup winners France and Belgium are the first teams to share a joint top spot at the latest FIFA rankings.

In its 25 year run, two teams were yet to spare the top spot but with victories against Scotland and Iceland, Belgium joined France at the top of the ladder.

Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini has claimed that Paulo Dybala could part ways with Juventus in the New Year after failing to secure regular gametime at the start of the current campaign. The Argentine enjoyed a strong season with the Bianconeri last term where he notched 26 goals across all competitions but he has yet to open the scoresheet this season amid his reduced playing time.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Zamparini has now revealed that Dybala may seek a move away from the Juventus Stadium in January with clubs from Spain and England seemingly interested in his signature, he said: “Every time he is left out, it makes me want to cry. He's on the bench because of Allegri. Allegri should come to Palermo and win the Scudetto.

Italy international Claudio Marchisio has made the move to Zenit St Petersburg on a free transfer. The experienced midfielder decided to revoke his contract with Juventus revoked last month and he has now taken the option to pursue a career overseas with Zenit after opting against joining a Serie A rival.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Marchisio said that he had no second thoughts over the move after being struck by the impressive facilities around the club, he said: “I had no doubt about signing for Zenit. I like the club, I like the ambition. After leaving Juventus, I promised that I would not sign for any other Italian team, but I still wanted to find a place that shares my values.

AS Roma sporting director Monchi has stressed that the fans should look into the arrivals during the summer transfer window rather than pondering over players, who have parted ways with the club. The Giallorossi have made solid business this summer with the recruitment of Justin Kluivert and Javier Pastore and Monchi has now hinted that the club have open their cheque books to sign Bordeaux’s Malcom.

Speaking in a news conference, Monchi said: “Today we are presenting Kluivert, which seemed impossible three months ago; everyone wanted him here and he is here. Pastore seemed impossible as well, according to some of you, but now he is here too. Malcom sounded like madness, and today you’ll tell me that this is only a possibility. It is right to say this. We shouldn’t just talk about the sales of Alisson and Radja Nainggolan, but also of the purchases we’ve made.”

Germany international has revealed his ambition to win trophies with Juventus during his presentation as a Bianconero. The 24-year-old had been linked with the Bianconeri for the past year and he eventually sealed his transfer last month after his contract with former club Liverpool expired.

Speaking in the press conference, he said: “I already knew Juventus was a huge club. You can see it straight away from everything here…Sami Khedira told me how big it was and I’m very happy to be here. The mentality at Juventus is that we just want to win titles. That’s my mentality too. I came here to win titles. I feel at home in the midfield. Of course, at the end the manager decides and I just want to help the team and always give my best whether it’s defender, striker, goalkeeper, or midfield.”

AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has credited manager Gennaro Gattuso for his upturn in form during the second half of the campaign. The Turkey international joined the Rossoneri from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and he had thereafter undergone a difficult period under manager Vincenzo Montella.

However, with the appointment of Gattuso, Calhanoglu managed to overcome of his key problems in terms of the language and he is satisfied with the progress under the once Champions League winner, he told Milan TV: “Yes, it’s true.