ESPN FC's Paul Mariner explains how important it is to come out flying in a World Cup opener, which may have contributed to Serbia's defensive nature. Despite Keylor Navas' heroics for Costa Rica, Aleksandar Kolarov's inch-perfect free kick was all Serbia would need to secure Group E opening win. Despite Keylor Navas' heroics for Costa Rica, Aleksandar Kolarov's inch-perfect free kick was all Serbia would need to secure a Group E opening win. The father of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic believes a move to Juventus this summer would help him follow in the footsteps of Zinedine Zidane and win the Champions League and Ballon d'Or.The 23-year-old still has four years left to run on his contract, but he is being tipped to move on this summer with Juve, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United all being linked with bids.Remaining in Italy would be his father's preference, however, and he believes Juve can offer his...

ESPN FC's Paolo Bandini says that Juventus would welcome Alvaro Morata back to Turin with open arms if the price is right. Juventus are weighing up a move for Crystal Palace's Dutch defender Patrick van Aanholt, sources have told ESPN FC.The Italian champions have drawn up a list of replacements should they lose reported Manchester United target Alex Sandro this summer and Van Aanholt figures highly on their wanted list.Juventus have made left-sided defensive reinforcements one of their top priorities this summer with Kwadwo Asamoah strongly linked with a move to Inter Milan and continued speculation over Alex Sandro's...

The FC crew react to Real Madrid's appointment of Julen Lopetegui as manager, questioning the timing as he prepares to lead Spain at the World Cup. ESPN FC's Gab Marcotti discusses the tricky situation Julen Lopetegui finds himself in as he coaches Spain before taking over at Real Madrid. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has said he turned down an approach to become the new coach of Real Madrid.Real announced the appointment of Spain coach Julen Lopetegui as successor to Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday, with the Spanish FA then sacking him days before their World Cup opener."I said no to Real Madrid," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. "I did it on the phone to [Madrid president] Florentino Perez because I had given my word to [Juventus] president [Andrea] Agnelli."I thanked Florentino...

The latest transfer rumours from around the world.Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the Whisper.Here are today's top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.Raul Jimenez to WolvesThe Mexico striker is set for a season-long loan move to newly-promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers from Portuguese club Benfica, say...

Paul Mariner measures if Xherdan Shaqiri would be a good fit in Jurgen Klopp's system, N'Golo Kante's future with Chelsea and more.

ESPN FC's Paolo Bandini says that Juventus would welcome Alvaro Morata back to Turin with open arms if the price is right. With the summer transfer market in full swing, one Juventus player is being linked with a move away, one that many never expected to be mentioned in any rumours. Gonzalo Higuain is not only Juve's MVP of the year, their top striker and the most-expensive player Juventus have ever purchased, but he is a superstar and one of the main reasons why the club have continued to grow from strength to strength in attack in these past two seasons.The Argentina international may not be the most clinical in...