The Guardian reports that Manchester City has formally approached their west London counterparts, Chelsea with a view to signing Tal Ben-Haim.

The Israeli international endured a stormy debut season at Stamford Bridge after moving from Bolton Wanderers last summer, featuring just 13 times in the Premier League while sitting behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex in the pecking order. With the return of Dutch Euro 2008 sensation Bhoularouz and resurgent Serbian Acimovic, Ben Haim knows that competition for places will now be grueling.

Indeed, the 26-year-old’s most notable contributions last term were decidedly negative ones. He was famously skinned in the second week of the campaign as Liverpool’s Fernando Torres trotted past to s…

A masterclass from two-goal hero Eden Hazard helped Chelsea stylishly return to winning ways with an entertaining 4-0 Premier League triumph at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Antonio Conte s men had been held to five consecutive draws – three games ending goalless – in all competitions, needing a penalty shootout to get past Norwich City in the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Progress to the fourth round came at a price, with forwards Alvaro Morata and Pedro receiving red cards, but Hazard and Willian made light of their absence with goals inside the first six minutes – the Brazilian s eighth of the campaign certainly one to trouble the end-of-season lists.

To their credit, Brighton did not buckle. Ezequiel Schelotto was unfortunate to have penalty claims rejected and Davy…

Robert Lewandowski plays his club football in the Bundesliga but he is hoping to torment Germany when he leads Poland in Thursday s crunch Group C encounter.

Both sides won their opening fixtures at Euro 2016 Poland edging out Northern Ireland 1-0 while the world champions saw off Ukraine 2-0.

Thursday s meeting at Stade de France is likely to decide who tops the group and Lewandowski, who drew a blank against Northern Ireland, is hoping to upset one club team-mate in particular.

Lewandowski and Jerome Boateng were involved in a training-ground spat at Bayern Munich in May 2015, with the latter less than happy with a strong challenge from the striker.

Boateng insisted there is no problem between the two, but Poland captain Lewandowski has something in st…

Luis Suarez is happy at Liverpool for now, but has hinted at doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international has been in terrific form for the Reds this term, netting 17 goals in 24 Premier League games, and has been a key figure at Anfield since his 22.8-million-pound move from Ajax in January 2011.

And the 26-year-old has recently affirmed his commitment to the Premier League side, despite rumours linking him with Pep Guardiola s Bayern Munich, as well as Juventus and Real Madrid.

The forward has once again stated he is content at the club for the time being, but indicated that fresh talks about his contract are needed in the not too distant future.

When asked by Spanish radio station Marca if they should talk about his futu…

Paul Ince s return to the dugout with Blackpool began with a loss, as Leeds United coasted to a 2-0 win in the Championship on Wednesday.

Paul Ince s return to the dugout with Blackpool began with a loss, as Leeds United coasted to a 2-0 win in the Championship on Wednesday.

David Norris and Steve Morison were on target at Elland Road, giving Leeds their first win of February and easing the pressure somewhat on manager Neil Warnock.

Ince was resuming football management for the first time since he split company with Notts County in 2011, but he could not immediately brighten spirits at the club, as they remained within five points of the drop.

Norris fired Leeds ahead in the 57th minute, a deserved goal for all the chances the hosts created in the open…

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan claimed a dip in the club s domestic form this season is normal after their exploits in recent years.

Premier League champions City trail leaders Liverpool by 14 points after defeat in the Manchester derby on Saturday.

Third-placed City s total of 32 points is also Pep Guardiola s worst points return after the first 16 matches of a top-flight season in his managerial career.

City briefly turn their attentions to a Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, having already qualified for the knockout stage as Group C winners.

However, league matters were not far from Gundogan s mind at a news conference ahead of their final European group-stage match.

First of all, I think that it s nothing ve…

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham would relish the challenge of playing a team like Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Abraham opened the scoring as Chelsea finished their Group H campaign with a 2-1 victory over Lille at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, but Valencia s 1-0 win at Ajax meant the Blues had to settle for second place.

Frank Lampard s side will consequently take on a team that topped their section in the first knockout round.

England international Abraham is keen to test himself somewhere new, with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Barca and RB Leipzig their potential opponents in the last 16.

This is exciting, very exciting. We re never ones to back down from a challenge. We want to play against the best teams in the world…

Uruguay have put the witch-hunt of Luis Suarez behind them to focus on the Copa America, says coach Oscar Tabarez.

Uruguay are planning for life without Luis Suarez as Oscar Tabarez aims to put the witch-hunt surrounding his FIFA ban behind them.

Suarez will not be available for the Copa America later this year following his nine-match ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay s clash with Italy at the World Cup.

Tabarez branded the punishment as excessive at the time and quit his role with FIFA s strategic committee, but he has put the incident behind him.

I m not angry, told ca2015.com, the official website of the Copa America. I can t object to a punishment for a footballer when he has done something that is not permitted in the rules – that…

Portuguese daily newspaper that FC Porto and Lyon are locked in the battle for Club America striker Raul Jimenez.

The Dragons seem to be preparing for life without Jackson Martinez and they see the young Mexican as a good long-term replacement.

French giants Lyon are also showing interest, but latest reports suggest that FC Porto have the upper hand at the moment.

Club America officials are ready to cash in on their prized asset and are reportedly holding out for €6 million.

Raul Jimenez, 23, has spent his entire career up to date with the Mexican giants, having joined the club back in 1999.

He has since made a total of 92 league outings, scoring 32 goals and helping the club win the 2012/2013 Clausura title.

Jimenez was part of Mexico…

German Football Federation (DFB) president Theo Zwanziger hit back on Wednesday following national team captain Michael Ballack s criticism of die Mannschaft coach Joachim Loew.

Germany coach Loew and team manager Oliver Bierhoff discussed the matter on Wednesday morning in an emergency phone conference call with Zwanziger, who is in Zurich at a FIFA conference.

The DFB bosses are angry after Ballack criticised Loew in a interview with newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) on Tuesday in which he said the national coach should show his senior players more respect and loyalty.

I am disappointed with Michael Ballack over his style, said Zwanziger.

His comments have led to a complicated and difficult situation developing.

The team has d…