Alessandro Del Piero is not strictly a one-club man, but if there were boxes beside the criteria for being considered a club legend, he’d tick every single one of them.

His trophy haul is something special, too: along with his six Serie A and Coppa Italia winners’ medals, Del Piero has won a Champions League title and a World Cup. He has even appeared in the finals of the European Championships and the UEFA Cup, the only two major trophies the Italian striker failed to win as a player. As a player, he scored in every competition he entered.

Those trophies were all won during Del Piero’s time at Juventus, where he played between 1993 and 2012: almost an entire career spent at the top and only briefly in the second tier after the club’s relegation in 2006, when he stayed at the club and helped them to promotion. All in all, he is the Old Lady’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker. Indeed, Gianluigi Buffon is in second place, and will need to make another 88 appearances for the club if he’s to take the record. That’s at least another two seasons as the club’s first choice goalkeeper, and also staying injury and suspension free – quite the task for a 39-year-old.

Despite his goalscoring prowess, however, Del Piero was far from a goal poacher. He played in the half-positions between the strikers and attacking midfielders, linking midfield with attack effectively thanks to his vision, passing ability, and his penchant for cutting in from the left and curling a shot into the far corner. He did this so often than the space on the corner of the box became known as the ‘Del Piero zone’

Even by the time that his career should have been winding down, he could drop deeper and use his brain and technical abilities rather than declining physical prowess. This enabled him to extend his career, leaving Juventus in 2012 at the age of 37, and retiring at the age of 40 after spells in Australia and India.

Del Piero will be looking to add to this medal tally at ICONS of Football at the Belfry in June as part of Darren Clarke’s Rest of the World team. Alongside more of the game’s modern greats such as, Nemanja Vidic, Andriy Shevchenko and Pep Guardiola, they will take on an England side captained by Lee Westwood and including legends like Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes.

He’ll be hoping to swap his habitiual high-scoring for some low scores next month.

Tickets for Icons of Football 2017 are available now at icons-series.com

According to the Le 10 Sport, Manchester United and Manchester City are set to battle it out for Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva.

Whats the Word?

At just 22, Bernardo Silva has become one of the hottest properties in Europe, especially after the phenomenal season that Monaco are having. With the French club set for domestic glory and having dumped both Man City and Borussia Dortmund out of the Champions League, many of their players are in for a summer of transfer interest.

Reports have suggested that Real Madrid, Barcelona and both Manchester clubs have expressed an interest in Silva. However, it is now rumoured that both Spanish giants have backed out of the deal, leaving City and United to fight for the services of the Portuguese international.

How well would Silva fit in at United?

Able to play as a winger or as a number ten behind the striker, Bernardo Silva would certainly add a touch of flair to the Old Trafford pitch. However, the 22-year-old plays in a similar style and role to that of Henrikh Mkitaryan, who has almsot established himself at United.

While there would certainly be some fierce competition, Silva could flourish extremely well under the guidance of compatriot Jose Mourinho.

How well would Silva fit in at City?

This is a difficult one to answer. Bernardo Silva would certainly fit into Pep Guardiola’s style of play and could truly flourish with the attacking talent that Manchester City have on their books. However, he has drawn a number of comparisons with namesake and potential teammate David Silva, which could mean a battle between the two of them for one starting place.

Nonetheless, there is no one better to learn your trade from, than a man who you have been favourably compared to in the past.

Manchester United are confident that they will keep hold of number one goalkeeper David de Gea this summer, according to Sky Sports.

Once again, rumours have been rumbling that Real Madrid will make a move for the Spain international.

The speculation is expected given how close the 26-year-old was to moving to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2015.

De Gea had one foot out the Old Trafford exit gates when the paperwork failed to be filed before the deadline, therefore forcing the deal to collapse.

The shot-stopper made a dramatic U-turn and penned a new long-term contract at United, but the rumours of a return to his homeland are never far away.

Sky Sports claim, though, that De Gea has no issues with life at United and is happy to be part of Jose Mourinho’s squad next season when they embark on a Champions League challenge.

The North-West outfit are in a decent bargaining position even if Madrid do come calling as De Gea has two years left on his contract with the option of an additional year.

As expected, fans have been giving their thoughts on the latest twist in the saga.

Lorenzo Insigne’s agent Franco della Monica has rubbished The Sun’s report that Chelsea are planning a £45m swoop for the Napoli star by insisting that the figure would be too low and that his client wants to stay put.

What’s the word?

The Sun recently claimed that the Blues will up their pursuit of Insigne if Eden Hazard leaves Stamford Bridge this summer.

The publication stated that manager Antonio Conte is so worried that he will lose his playmaker than he has already made contact with Insigne’s representatives.

Della Monica, though, has told Radio Kiss Kiss that Insigne’s main priority is to stay at his boyhood club.

“I would start by saying the offer reported in The Sun would be low and he has always been in the sights of many clubs. The priority for Lorenzo, though, is to be wearing the Napoli shirt and to be rewarded in an important way by his team. Now he has both and he is happy as well.”

Is this a blow for Chelsea?

The 26-year-old impressed last season by scoring 18 goals, and would be a positive addition to the Blues, but were the Premier League champions genuinely interested in him?

According to The Sun, Insigne has been outlined as a replacement for Hazard, but there has been no real indication that the Belgian will leave this summer.

Chelsea are expected to fight tooth and nail to keep him, so Della Monica’s remarks about a possible move for Insigne are not hugely surprising.

One thing that will concern fans, though, is that the Blues’ rivals Manchester United and Manchester City have been getting business done quickly, and Conte is yet to bring in a new face.

Many are expecting a big summer transfer window from Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp looks to build a side that can improve upon a fourth-place finish last season and give a decent account of themselves in the Champions League, but the Anfield outfit are yet to get any major deals over the line.

However, the latest odds from 888Sport suggest a deal for one player could be just around the corner, with Liverpool now odds-on favourites to sign former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah at 1/5.

The Egyptian international, who has bagged 29 goals for his country, hardly got a look-in at Stamford Bridge but has gone on to establish himself as one of the best attacking players in Serie A since leaving the club, finishing last season with 15 goals and eleven assists in the Italian top flight.

Pacey, tricky and potent in front of goal, Salah already seems like the perfect stand-in for Sadio Mane, whose injuries last season affected Liverpool’s results dearly.

Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard believes that there is one man who trumps all of the club’s players on their transfer wishlist.

The retired midfielder has claimed that tying manager Antonio Conte down to a new deal is more important than bringing in new faces.

The Italian has been in charge of the West London team for less than a year, but he has already achieved the Premier League title.

There have been rumblings that Conte has been unhappy with the Chelsea board regarding a few issues, including transfer strategy.

Although, numerous media outlets, including Sky Sports, have reported that the 47-year-old is close to agreeing a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard, who hung up his boots in February, has no concerns that Conte will walk away from the Blues.

ESPN quotes the former midfielder as saying:

“Antonio would be their most important signing. For me, he was their man of the season. You talk about player of the year, I’m all for giving the players credit but because it was such a dramatic uplift from the year before I think you have to give him huge credit.

“You saw the system change and how he made them play in that formation, it worked well. I think he’s a huge signing for them. I have no doubts, I don’t know but I’m pretty confident he’ll be there and they’ll bring in players to play in the system he wants to play.’’

Chelsea are yet to bring in any first-team players in this window, but their competitors have been quick off the mark.

Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have already made additions to their squads ahead of the new season.

Everton fans are on alert after the latest news involving Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud suggested that the race for his signature is less crowded.

Sky Sports have claimed that West Ham United are no longer interested in pursuing a deal for the Frenchman.

The Hammers, along with Everton, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund have been linked to the striker, who struggled for game time at Arsenal last season.

The 30-year-old made 29 Premier League appearances, but only 11 of them were from the starting spot.

He still managed 12 goals and three assists, but it seems that he could be playing his football elsewhere this season.

Sky Sports claim that West Ham withdrew their interest in Giroud after discovering that the striker’s first choice would not be to move to the London Stadium.

This has raised questions over which club he wants to sign for, and now Everton fans are speculating.

The Merseyside club have spent close to £100m so far in this window, recruiting Jordan Pickford, Davy Klaassen, Henry Onyekuru, Sandro Ramirez, Michael Keane and Wayne Rooney.

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According to reports on Italian football website Calciomercato, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is still keen to sign Juventus left-back Alex Sandro this summer, but with the Serie A holders not keen to sell they could have to offer €70m (approximately £62.8m) to convince them to part with the 26-year-old.

Calciomercato say that Juve’s goal is to keep the Brazilian for at least another season, and they have offered the player a contract extension until 2022, which he is yet to accept.

Blues boss Conte is keen to bring in some wing-back competition and cover for Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses before the start of the campaign, and the Italian could step up his efforts after losing out to Manchester City for Danilo.

However, a deal to bring Alex Sandro to England is looking more and more complicated and the Premier League champions should perhaps turn their attentions to Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand – a former Blue.

Here are three reasons Chelsea should move for Bertrand as their Sandro hopes fade…

Statistics

While Bertrand missed the opening two Premier League matches of last season, the left-back soon took his spot back in the Southampton side and he made 34 appearances in all competitions throughout the campaign, scoring three goals and providing a further five assists.

It is form that is certainly not too dissimilar to Alex Sandro’s record, after he netted three times and set up seven goals for his Juve teammates, in a more elite team of course.

When you take that into consideration, Antonio Conte should certainly take a closer look at the England international instead.

Premier League experience

While Alex Sandro has been an impressive performer for Juventus in Serie A and in the Champions League, he has never played in England and that is an advantage that Bertrand has over the Brazilian.

While he struggled to break into the Chelsea team during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, the England international has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League during his time with Southampton and he would be a strong performer at both ends of the pitch for the Blues.

In addition, the 27-year-old made his European debut in the Champions League final in 2012 when the west London outfit lifted the trophy by beating Bayern Munich, and featured in the competition the following season.

Price tag

While Calciomercato say that Chelsea could have to pay £62.8m to sign Alex Sandro this summer, they would likely have to pay a lower amount to bring Bertrand back to Stamford Bridge.

Even though Southampton will want to keep hold of the 27-year-old, The Sun reported earlier in July that Man City were lining up a move for the £30m-rated England international, and if Antonio Conte could get him for around that amount it would certainly have to be seen as a better deal than one for the Juve man.

Do you agree, Blues fans? Let us know below.

Everton came away from the Etihad Stadium yesterday evening with a massive point that owed everything to Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the tip of attack.

The youngster showed his quality earlier in the summer by netting the winning goal for England U20s in the World Cup final and appears to have taken that confidence into the new season, highlighted by a performance beyond his years against arguably the Premier League’s top side in Manchester City.

Indeed, Everton set up to spoil the party and hit the Citizens on the counter, which hinged on Calvert-Lewin’s ability to not only lead the line and bring Wayne Rooney into the game but also provide the pace to push back the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and Vincent Kompany.

That’s exactly what the 6 foot 1 forward did; in addition to creating four chances, one of which supplied Rooney for Everton’s goal in the first half, Calvert-Lewin won two fouls, two aerial duels and completed two dribbles to give his side a vital foothold in the final third.

It was an exceptional performance from a youngster who appears to have an incredibly bright future at Goodison Park. But was he your Man of the Match? Let us know by voting below…

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has claimed that the club should prioritise bringing in a handful of players rather than spending big on one star, reports the Metro.

What’s the word?

The Premier League champions have recruited three new first-team players in the forms of Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata.

The club do not begin the defence of their title until this weekend, but there has already been some disappointment for the Blues having lost the Community Shield to Arsenal.

After the match, focus turned to transfers, and Chelsea have just over three weeks remaining to bring in new additions.

With Paris Saint-Germain spending £196m on Neymar from Barcelona, the figures in the transfer window have soared, but Conte has insisted that his club will not part with a big chunk of cash on one player.

The Metro quotes the manager as saying:

“I think now is not the right moment for Chelsea to spend so much money on one player because we need many players. It’s important to divide this amount of money to buy many players.

“I think only one player is not enough to improve our team, we need more players, not of top level like Neymar, but more players to improve our squad, our quality, and our numerical aspect, now we are a few players [short].”

What areas should Conte focus on?

The Italian coach has brought in some talented players, but he has mainly replaced rather than strengthened.

Morata has been brought in as an attacking option with Diego Costa unlikely to play for the club again, but he is still in limbo.

Nemanja Matic was recently sold to rivals Manchester United following the arrival of Bakayoko, while Rudiger has come in to the defence.

Chelsea lost two players from the back line, including John Terry and Nathan Ake, so the club should consider another defender.

Additional bodies for the left side of the pitch would be welcome in order to provide some competition.

If the Blues have not bolstered their squad further by the end of August, then they could start the season on the backfoot.