Bacary Sagna

Bacary Sagna - Classy Footballer

France international Antoine Griezmann has said that it would be a honour to be named the next Ballon d’Or winner. The Atletico Madrid star had a stunning year for club and country after winning the Europa League title, European Super Cup and the World Cup and this has placed among the frontrunners for the coveted prize.

Speaking to ESPN, Griezmann admitted that the Ballon d’Or remains the biggest prize of all for any player and it would be nice for him to get his hands on the accolade come December, he said: “On a personal level, that's the highest you can get. It's the most historic award, the most prestigious one. However, I also am a player who thinks collectively over individually, but it would be nice [to win it] for myself, because of everything I've gone through, especially after having to separate myself from my family at 13 years old.”

Montreal Impact midfielder Saphir Taider is of the opinion that the club need to win the last three games in order to have a chance of reaching the play-offs at end of the campaign. Montreal Impact are in a difficult situation with regards to reaching the objective of play-offs. The club enter into the last three games of the campaign still unsure about a top six finish, as they have been able to win just two of the last five games in the MLS. Two of the last three games for Montreal are at home and this gives them enough confidence, butTaider says that a 100% record is of paramount importance in this run.

Taider admitted that there was nervousness within the squad and the stressful time calls for a lot of focus from the players in order to make something positive out of the campaign. Montreal were in a decent position to reach the play-offs but the heavy 5-1 loss against DC United has taken the wind out of the team. Montreal’s incredible collapse against DC United will rob the team of confidence going into a crucial period. The last three games do appear winnable since all of the opponents have been going through a difficult time of their own.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Bacary Sagna has indicated that the treatment of Arsene Wenger from the Gunners supporters eventually urged him to part ways with the north London side. The French tactician announced the decision to re-sign from the head coach role after 22 years at the helm last season and Sagna believes the criticism from the faithful made the decision inevitable.

In a report covered by Sport Witness, Sagna said: “I was expecting it. Looking at how the fans had turned on him, what came next was logical. I don’t think he could have continued in that context. It’s quite a shame. Leaving like that after all he brought to the club. He changed the image of English football. Not everything can always go perfectly. He had good moments with Arsenal. Always tried to keep a certain ethic in order to play and help develop youngsters, especially English. He’s criticised when he’s trying to help football.”

France head coach Didier Deschamps has lavished praised on Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez after the pair played fundamental roles during Les Bleus’ World Cup triumph. Neither Pavard nor Hernandez were guaranteed of a starting role in the lead up to the global tournament but they managed to excel after being backed by Deschamps.

Speaking to Kicker, the France boss acknowledged that the duo were able to stabilise the defence from the full-back positions and reserved special praise for Stuttgart’s Pavard, he said: “Despite their former status and some inexperience at this level, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas [Hernandez] were brilliant and stabilised the defence.

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus does not believe France have a golden generation despite winning the World Cup for the second occasion this summer. Les Bleus appeared to play in their shadows for much of the global tournament but they nevertheless showed up when it mattered the most to secure another World Cup title.

Writing in his Bild column, Matthaus felt that France were not convincing through the World Cup and they may not establish another golden era moving forward, he penned: “I do not believe that the French will establish an era. The team did not adopt any style or convince with fascinating football. They did not push their opponents to the edge.”

France head coach Didier Deschamps has revealed his delight after guiding the nation to their second World Cup title. Les Bleus started the tournament as one among the favourites for the global crown and they duly delivered after they secured a comfortable 4-2 triumph in Sunday’s final at the Luzhniki Stadium.

With the result, Deschamps became only the third person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager and he was ecstatic to have achieved the feat. Speaking to reporters, he said: “Professionally there’s nothing above that. Maybe they’re going to win other titles and I don’t want to undermine other titles, but when you are a professional footballer there’s nothing above that.

France international Bacary Sagna does not think Arsene Wenger won’t enter into national team management in the future. The 68-year-old ended his 22-year reign with Arsenal last season and he has since declared that he has no plans of retiring from the game. As such, he has been tipped to succeed France boss Didier Deschamps or take up a technical role with his national team but Sagna does not believe this will happen.

“I don't think he will be the France national team manager one day because he wants to be part [of the game] every single day in what he is doing. There is only some momentum with the French national team and for him it's not enough. I think he will try to get a team [a club].After being such an important man in the football world, such a big manager and having so much influence on so many players, he can't stay away from the pitch.”

Sky Sports pundit Danny Mills has urged Jack Wilshere to leave Arsenal, now that he has managed to overcome his long-term injury concerns. The England international recently experienced his most productive season in the Gunners with 38 appearances across all competitions but this was simply not sufficient to earn him an England recall for the World Cup.

Wilshere has since lamented over his Three Lions snub on social media and Mills believes the midfielder should now decide on pursuing a new challenge away from the Emirates Stadium, he said: “He's a fabulous talent, an exceptional player, when he is fit. He needs to be at a club where he plays week in, week out.Sometimes you change clubs and it just works, for whatever reason it fits. That hasn't quite happened for him at Arsenal.Why is he constantly picking up these injuries? I think he needs a move and a fresh challenge.But undoubtedly he's a fantastic talent.”

France national team coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of the World Cup after damaging his Achilles tendon during the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday night. The 32-year-old suffered the injury during the opening exchanges of the game and Arsene Wenger thereafter suggested that the problem was rather serious.

Deschamps has now come forward to confirm the defender’s long-term injury which is expected to sideline him for the summer World Cup in Russia, he said: “It’s a very big blow for the French team.An injury never comes at the right time. I am really very sad for Laurent because this World Cup was also a very important moment for him in his career.I wish him strength and a good return to the field, because I’m sure he still has some great things to show.”

Juventus chief Beppe Marotta believes the Serie A no longer relies on playing Italians through the squad. The Serie A has not witnessed a match with solely Italian players since the Empoli-Sampdoria clash in 2008, and Marotta was quick to highlight the globalisation of the sport, in an interview with La Stampa.