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The Champions League draw has been made and for the first time in 13 years only two Italian clubs will compete in the group stages.

Not since the tournament was expanded to 32 teams in 1999, has Serie A had so few representatives in Europe’s elite competition. And after losing its fourth Champions League spot to the Bundesliga, this surely serves as further evidence of Italian football’s on-going decline.

Juventus and AC Milan are the two sides who will be flying the Italian flag, but it would take a real optimist to truly believe either side can really go on and win the trophy. The bookmaker’s odds of 16-1 for Juve and 25-1 for Milan would seem to confirm this.

It’s quite possible that there has never been a season where Serie A clubs go into the Champions League as such outsiders for the title.

Juventus at least are a team which seems to be on the up. The Bianconeri are the reigning Serie A champions and went the entirety of last season unbeaten. What’s more, they have made some intelligent summer signings in Giovinco, Asamoah and Isla.

However, their widely praised manager Antonio Conte is currently serving a ten month ban for alleged involvement with match fixing whilst at former club Siena. Furthermore, Juve’s squad is relatively inexperienced at this level, with only Gigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo having regularly appeared in the competition.

Factor in a tough group that contains Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk, and the quarter finals would look like a realistic target. Anything more would be a bonus.

As for AC Milan, the Rossoneri are now a pale imitation of the side which dominated the Champions League between 2003 and 2007.

Key players Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Alessandro Nesta and Antonio Cassano all left the San Siro this summer and leave a huge void for new signings Zapata, De Jong, Montolivo and Pazzini to fill.

On the bright side, Milan have been dealt a decent hand in the group stage. Getting past Zenit St Petersburg, Malaga and Anderlecht won’t be easy, but they should still make it through.

However, if they do make the knockout stage, it’s very hard to image this current Milan side getting the better of the Spanish giants, Manchester clubs or Bayern Munich in a two legged tie.

So with Champions League glory looking unlikely, perhaps the best chance of Italian success in Europe is the Europa League.

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Serie A clubs have been little short of awful in this competition in recent years and this is one of the main reasons why the Bundesliga was able to usurp the fourth Champions League spot.

Yet with decent sides like Inter, Napoli, Udinese and Lazio featuring this year, there is no reason why at least one Serie A club can’t go on and make a serious challenge for the trophy.

While Italian clubs have often chosen to overlook the Europa League and focus solely on the domestic front, doing so now would be shooting both themselves and Serie A in the foot.

The Europa League is still a prestigious trophy and winning it would certainly delights the fans. What’s more it could go a long way to getting that precious fourth Champions League spot back and that would be a huge benefit to Italian football as a whole.

Newcastle fans have been discussing the future of midfielder Mikel Merino, and they’re convinced the Spaniard will leave the club this summer.

When Newcastle signed Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund last summer, fans were hopeful that they had finally found the long-term partner for Jonjo Shelvey.

Shelvey has always been the midfield maestro for the Magpies, but he can’t do everything by himself.

Merino started the season fairly well, but the young Spaniard has been battling a back injury and has struggled for minutes since Christmas.

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During his injury absence, Mo Diame suddenly remembered he’s actually quite a good footballer, and has formed the partnership fans have been longing for with Shelvey.

With links to La Liga side Athletic Bilbao heating up and no signs of the youngster getting his place back from Diame, it’s looking more and more likely Merino will leave the club this summer.

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While some fans have been unimpressed by his commitment, or lack thereof, others are sympathising with his injury issues, and praying he gets another shot on Tyneside.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

The arrival of Steve McClaren at St James’ park looks to have ended Newcastle’s association with scouting and signing players from Ligue 1.

Newcastle have managed to tap into this forgotten market in recent years and capitalised on bargains and lower wages. This is displayed most notably with the acquisitions of Cabaye and Sissoko. The former costing just £3.5million before being sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £18 million.

Having already missed a trick in losing out to West Ham United in their pursuit of Dimitri Payet from Marseille, they can’t afford to miss out on anymore gems.

Taking into account the deficiencies in Newcastle’s squad, with McClaren recently quoted as only wanting players ‘who can improve the first team’.

Newcastle should be taking advantage of their well-used contacts to lure players to the North East.

Here are FIVE players they need to look at from Ligue 1…

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Clement Grenier – Olympique Lyonnais

This is a link that has refused to go away since Newcastle reportedly made a ‘substantial’ bid in January 2014.

Raised within the profitable Lyon youth system, Grenier is an imposing central midfielder who is very comfortable on the ball, sporting an impressive array of passing whilst unafraid to get shots off at goal having scored 12 goals in 93 appearances at Lyon.

Whilst highly rated, Lyon have developed other midfield talents including Jordan Ferri and Gueida Fofana which limited Grenier’s chances last season. Still only 24, Clement will need game time and would settle at Newcastle with his physique and calm demeanour.

With three years left on his current deal, Newcastle will need to shell out at least £7million for his services. But this could prove to be a snip as he looks to build upon his 5 French caps.

Nicolas N’Koulou – Olympique de Marseille

Heavily linked with Monaco’s centre back Abdennour this summer, it is Nicolas N’Koulou that Newcastle should be gunning for. In desperate need of a solid centre back, N’Koulou possesses excellent decision making and a valuable calmness under pressure.

Having showcased these attributes under an erratic Bielsa last term, it is these qualities that Newcastle fans are crying out for after the team was culpable for panicked defending on many occasions last season. With a year remaining on his contract, it is the optimal time to swoop for the 62 capped Cameroonian international.

At 25, Nicolas could be a stalwart for the Magpie’s backline building upon his already impressive 200 top-flight appearances whilst at Monaco and Marseille.

Jordan Ayew – FC Lorient

Thought to be keen to follow his brother Andre to the Premier League, Jordan would relish the fanatic support up at Newcastle.

Everton and Dortmund have registered interest with a deal done with Borussia muted by Lorient officials. Enigmatic, pacey with a flair for the outrageous, he would come with something that’s severely lacking within Newcastle’s current ranks – Fire.

His determination and bite would be fully appreciated at St James’ Park. He could offer options along the front three having scored 12 goals in 26 appearances for Lorient after being given a more central role.

Having a respectable eight goals in 28 caps for Ghana at 23 he could add goals that were glaringly missing for the Toon last season.

Wissam Ben Yedder – Toulouse FC

Here is a must have for Newcastle. Their aforementioned struggle for goals would be a forgotten nightmare if this magician got into his stride.

Having scored 30 goals and assisted a further 10 in his last two league campaigns for provincial club Toulouse, he is as happy creating as he is tapping home from four yards. At just 5”7, he can lead the line effectively but would suit the midfield runs of Colback and newly aquired Wijnaldum down to a tee.

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Having been linked with ‘bigger’ clubs over the years, now is the moment to make a bid with just two years left on his contract.

Yoann Gourcuff – Free Agent

Yoann is currently a free agent after being released by Lyon this summer. Likened by many to French legend Zinedine Zidane, pressure was put upon his young shoulders early on.

The weight of expectation has caused an unfortunate injury record with his best spell coming at Bordeaux almost six years ago.

He is looking for another chance to prove himself with more international caps still plausible for the 29 year old stylish attacking midfielder.

With a long line of talented attacking players having strutted their stuff at St James’ Park over the years, it could be a match made in heaven.

Given another chance, he could prove his worth and return to form that gifted Bordeaux 12 goals and 11 assists in 2008/09 Ligue 1 campaign.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that the club are likely to make a bid for Lyon’s Clement Grenier in the summer.

The midfielder came through the ranks at the Stade de Gerland and after a couple of seasons on the fringes of the first team, has now established himself as a regular in Remi Garde’s line-up.

His form has drawn comparisons with Lyon legend Juninho but with chairman Jean Michel-Aulas recently admitting that he could sell a number of the club’s players to help balance the books, it now looks likely that he will leave in the summer.

Arsenal are apparently winning the race to secure his signature and Wenger admits they are interested in him, comparing the 22-year-old to a young Samir Nasri.

“We are following him,” he told Telefoot. “His intelligence of play pleases me. He has interesting qualities. He reminds me of Nasri.”

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It was announced earlier this week by club insider @ExWHUemployee on Twitter that Pedro Obiang has returned to West Ham United training following a knee injury that was expected to keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old picked up the injury during the FA Cup defeat to Wigan Athletic back in January, but he has made good progress in his recovery and is now available for their final three Premier League fixtures of the campaign – including the trip to Leicester City on Saturday.

With Cheikhou Kouyate and captain Mark Noble, who was rightly criticised by his own fans on Twitter following his controversial comments this week, both struggling for form in the middle of the park, David Moyes will be considering bringing the Spaniard straight back into the team in what is a crucial match for the east London outfit, who lie just three points above the relegation zone.

We asked West Ham fans to vote on our poll as to whether they want to see the midfielder in the starting XI at the King Power Stadium, and a huge 84% of a currently discontented fan-base said they would.

Following successive 4-1 defeats against Arsenal and Manchester City, Moyes will know that his team need to take something against Claude Puel’s men, especially with Manchester United visiting the London Stadium in their next match.

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First James Milner and now Danny Ings, Liverpool are getting their transfer business done early this summer. The club confirmed this morning that the Burnley ace will join them when his Turf Moor contract expires, ending months of speculation surrounding the future of the Englishman.

Ings’ imminent move to Anfield has, however, divided opinion already. Some claim that top quality international stars are needed if the Reds are to make a more realistic top four charge, while other are questioning whether or not the England U-21 international is actually good enough. We at FFC Towers believe that Liverpool have got themselves a good deal… and here are FIVE reasons why! [interaction id=“noneâ€]

A scorer of goals

11 goals in 35 appearances for, arguably, the poorest side in the Premier League in his debut season in the division. Ings may not be a blockbuster player, but those numbers are quite impressive. The Clarets created just 317 chances over the course of the campaign – 13 more than Sunderland, who ‘boasted’ the worst rate of making opportunities – while their return of just 28 was the lowest in the league.

Ings was responsible for almost 40% of Sean Dyche’s side’s goals, performing well even though those around him were struggling to provide the ammunition. Further to this, the 22-year-old scored 21 in the Championship as Burnley won promotion.

So, imagine what Ings could do with service from players such as Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana instead of Scott Arfield and George Boyd?

Absolute bargain

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Although a free agent, Ings will command a fee due to being under the age of 24. Burnley and Liverpool are attempting to reach an agreement to avoid the need for an independent tribunal to decide his value, with the Reds hoping that between £5m-£6m will be enough.

For now we’ll assume that figure is in the right ballpark. With the premium put on English talent, such a sum is low for Ings, who has shown that he’s able to score goals and is being tipped for a future role in the Three Lions’ senior set-up after shining at U-21 level

Still young

At 22, Ings is very much at the start of his career. Liverpool are known to be a side eager to snap up emerging talent and Rodgers’ record with players such as Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho suggests that he has what it takes to coach talented youngsters to success. It all looks positive, then!

Rodgers needs options

With Europa League football guaranteed for next season, Rodgers will need options up front. Injuries and the questionable decision to sign Mario Balotelli led to the Reds having a dearth of attacking choices last season, which resulted in Raheem Sterling being deployed up front…

Although he impressed, the 20-year-old was always a square peg in a round hole, so having a player like Ings to call upon during Daniel Sturridge’s almost guaranteed absence may help the Merseysiders to mount a more realistic top four challenge while also making an impact in Europe.

Recycle those shirts…

A bit of a joke one, admittedly! Okay, we’ll get away from the potential use of Sterling’s shirt should he leave and look at the fact he’s an upgrade on the options Rodgers currently has.

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The Northern Irishman’s crop of four orthodox centre-forwards (Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli) notched just eight goals between them last term, while Ings registered 11 for a relegated team.

Sunderland will be able to handle the mental pressure of a relegation battle, according to keeper Simon Mignolet.

Defeat at Aston Villa drew the club back into the scrap at the bottom of the table, although Wigan’s home defeat to Swansea on Tuesday night has eased the worries, but Mignolet says they can cope.

The keeper claims that as well as the physical battle they face, there is a mental one as well that takes its toll but the players are ready for the final two weeks of the season.

Mignolet told the Journal: “It’s tough for us mentally at the moment. If you’re a goalkeeper it’s already mentally a very tough job, I’ve played 35 times during the season.

“After every game you have to mentally refocus and prepare yourself fully for the upcoming game.

“When you’re in the position we’re in, it’s even tougher.

“However, we’re all professional football players and we should be able to deal with those kind of things. I think we have proved that.

“When you’re 1-0 down with 10 men then you have to have the courage and mentality in the second half to come out and press and push on, which we did – and we deserved credit for that.

“We have to do it again on Sunday. Of course, we all care and we’re all up for it.

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“We’re all trying our very best in every game and it’s imperative we do it again on Sunday.”

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With not much left to play for in the Premier League, Manchester United and Tottenham’s seasons boil down to Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final. Win, and both clubs will take a step closer to ending 2017/18  with silverware; lose, and the final few games of the campaign become dead rubbers.

For Manchester United, that will be an important silver lining at the close of a season that has seen Manchester City move so far ahead of them. For Tottenham too though, it feels as if this season’s FA Cup is their best chance of winning the trophy Mauricio Pochettino’s maturing side deserves after so many near misses in recent campaigns.

So, having become such a significant competition for both clubs this season, who will come out on top in Saturday’s semi-final showdown? This week’s experts, The Sun’s Spurs-loving Sean Cook and Football FanCast’s very own United-adoring Sam Preston, share their thoughts and predictions ahead of 5.15pm kickoff…

It’s strange that United’s campaign has been deemed something of a disappointment, considering how consistent they’ve been compared to recent seasons. This will be United’s strongest finish in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but the gap between City has overshadowed that improvement.

Does winning the FA Cup and finishing second constitute a successful season for United?

Sam: “I think it does. In this era where six big teams are competing for four trophies and four Champions League spots (five if Arsenal win the Europa League), collecting a cup and being in the top four is a good season. It’s not been a brilliant campaign; we should be closer to City, the Bristol City and Sevilla debacles were embarrassing and we’re still not fluid, but another piece of silverware and another season in the Champions League is a success.”

Tottenham’s season, meanwhile, will be partly remembered for their temporary home – which will also be the venue of Saturday’s semi-final. At the start of the campaign, it was predicted to become a real burden for Pochettino’s team, but some have argued it’s now given the north Londoners an unfair advantage over United for the weekend.

How much will Tottenham’s familiarity with Wembley be an advantage against the Red Devils?

Sean: “It’s become almost laughable, the reaction to Wembley this year. At one point there was a ‘hoodoo’, now it’s seen as an advantage because of how well we’ve done there – we can’t win! It will never feel like home, but our form there has been remarkable. Given we’ll be in the away dressing room, plus half the stadium will be United fans, I don’t feel like it gives Spurs too much of an upper hand. They’ll feel more comfortable than in previous semi-finals, but that will be the extent of it.”

The last time Tottenham hosted United at Wembley, it ended in a 2-0 win for the home side – in a match that became memorable for Spurs’ explosive start and Jose Mourinho’s decision to hook off Paul Pogba after an hour of getting the runaround from Mousa Dembele.

What key aspects of that performance need to be replicated on Saturday? 

Sean: “If we can match the energy and enthusiasm early like we did in that game, Spurs can win this. The key to tackling these big teams at home this year has been to come flying out the blocks and panic them – something United couldn’t handle after Christian Eriksen’s early goal back in January.”

And what do United need to learn from that game to avoid a similar outcome?

Sam: “Where do I start? Pogba in a midfield two doesn’t work against the top sides, letting in a goal after 11 seconds isn’t a good idea and United must show more energy in order to match Spurs. It should be a 4-3-3 on Saturday and with Eric Bailly and Ander Herrera likely to start, United will fancy themselves to make it a much more even game. But they will have to play much, much better than they did last time they were at Wembley.”

Ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Wednesday night, Mourinho warned that it was a chance for certain individuals to play their way into Saturday’s starting XI, after his most trusted players suffered a woeful defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Which players grabbed their chance against the Cherries, and who could be left on the sidelines?

Sam: “None of the players who came in were outstanding. Jesse Lingard was benched against West Brom but I’d expect him to start at Wembley. Alexis Sanchez looks the player most at risk of missing out and if he does, I’d expect Marcus Rashford to get the nod. Sanchez has a sensational Wembley record though, and Mourinho clearly bought him to produce the goods when it matters most. Saturday is certainly one of those days.”

While the defeat to the Baggies was immensely disappointing, the win over Bournemouth was solid if not hugely inspiring, barring two well-worked goals from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku. But amid all the debates over Mourinho’s cautious philosophy, too many egos being in the dressing room and some very unspectacular performances, it’s easy to forget the level of quality the Red Devils boast in attack.

Which United player brings the biggest threat into this game?

Sean: “The win over Bournemouth in the week showed that even when they’re having a quiet spell, the quality United have can carry them over the line. Whether they start or not, Pogba and Sanchez have the firepower to hurt Spurs. Sanchez’s pace in particular caused us problems in the first 20 minutes at Wembley earlier in the year. In the semi-final last season, Chelsea were able to bring Eden Hazard and Diego Costa off the bench, two players who won them the game. United have the same calibre of player and if Mourinho uses them correctly, that could prove the killer blow.”

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Where will this game be lost and won?

Sean: “I say it almost every week, but we need Christian Eriksen to be at his best. His passing, decision-making and overall game was poor against Brighton, so Pochettino needs to get him fired up for this one. If he can match the performance he showed against Swansea in the semi-final, I’m sure he can be decisive in helping Spurs win this game.” 

Sam: “Psychologically. If Tottenham ignore their long wait for a trophy and their run of seven straight FA Cup semi-final defeats and play the game with the confidence they showed in that 2-0, they should win. If they let the occasion get to them and allow United’s greater big-game nous to intimidate them, then the Reds have got a fighting chance.” 

And finally lads, let’s hear your score predictions…

Sam: “2-2, with United to win on penalties.”

Sean: “United 1-2 Spurs.”

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There has been a lot of talk in recent months about the young home-grown talent rising through the Premier League and into the England squad.

From the PFA’s Young Player of the Year Harry Kane to Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling, England fans have started to get excited about what the future of England’s international team may hold. But there is one youngster who has been steadily improving but is not getting the recognition he so deserves.

David Moyes signed John Stones for Everton from Barnsley in January 2013. The 20-year-old did not play a single minute of first-team football under him but since Roberto Martinez took over the Toffees, his progression has been staggering.

In Everton’s recent Premier League win over Manchester United, Stones was the standout player and it is believed he is now worth over £17million more than when he first joined Goodison Park. He put in one of the most complete defensive displays he has produced, keeping Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini in check as he got his seventh clean sheet of the season.

Whilst he is quietly getting on with his job and staying out of the main media attention, the centre back is quickly turning into a great England player of the future. Whether loved or not, John Terry has been a superb defender for England, but as he comes to the end of his career it is going to take a lot to fill his boots.

Stones is quick, strong, reliable and is not afraid to put in a decent tackle. He is already well on his way to becoming the perfect, modern centre-back.

All the gossip and excitement this season has been centred around the new found talent of Harry Kane at Tottenham and while the 21-year-old has had a season to remember at White Heart Lane, England’s defence is in desperate need of an up and coming star.

When you compare the statistics from this season between the two young players, Stones has a better pass success rate percentage for this season by 16.8% (Stones 89.9% and Kane 73.1%). England’s defence has been lacking since John Terry was partnered with Ashley Cole out to the side and Stones is the perfect player to learn from Terry and take over his role.

As well as his superb pass rate Stones has won 67% of his tackles and 63% of his headers ranking him alongside the Premier League’s best and most experienced central defenders. He so far has four England caps but there is no doubt he will be a star of the future.

Many believe it will work in Stones’ favour, Leighton Baines said: “His composure for a lad of his age is unbelievable. He is a down-to-earth kid that just wants to play football, work hard, he doesn’t get involved in anything else.”

So whilst everyone else in the footballing world gets excited about Harry Kane, Everton fans can sit back and enjoy the talent that is slowly unfolding before their eyes at Goodison Park.

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Stones is the star to look for in the future, not Kane.

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Reading striker Adam Le Fondre has refused to concede defeat in the Royals’ quest to avoid relegation, despite Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Southampton.

The result leaves the Berkshire outfit eight points adrift of safety, with only six games to play.

But Le Fondre, who featured for the full 90 minutes against the Saints, believes that the fight is not over yet and insists that the whole squad will keep going:

“We’ll pick ourselves up and go again. It’s not in our make-up to give in.” He told Sky Sports.

“Never say never and until it’s mathematically impossible, we still believe.

“We’ll always battle to the end – that’s what the fans expect from us and it’s what we expect from ourselves.”

Reading’s next fixture will see them play host to Liverpool, a side who have been playing attractive football since the turn of the year.

Although the Reds pose a difficult challenge, Le Fondre feels that his side have a chance and will give Brendan Rodgers’ men a tough time at the Madejski Stadium:

“We’ve got Liverpool here next weekend and we love games like that, so we’ll welcome the challenge and try to make it horrible for them.”

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Le Fondre has enjoyed a relatively successful first season in the top flight, managing ten goals in 29 appearances.

He has often played back-up to Pavel Pogrebnyak, bagging the majority of his tally from the substitutes bench.

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