Olivier Giroud insists he still has ambitions beyond being Tammy Abraham's understudy at Chelsea. The 32-year-old France striker has started just one of Chelsea's opening four league matches.

France manager Didier Deschamps has praised young midfielder Matteo Guendouzi but has warned against expecting too much of the talented youngster.

CHRIS WHEELER AT WINDSOR PARK: This is not a vintage Germany, but it doesn't mean they can't score vintage goals. Make no mistake, the former world champions were on the ropes.

PETE JENSON: La Liga side Real Betis took a big gamble in the summer when they signed Nabil Fekir, a player who had been rejected by Liverpool because of a knee problem.

EXCLUSIVE BY SAMI MOKBEL: Paul Pogba has arrived in the United Arab Emirates to complete a warm weather recovery programme to accelerate his return from a foot injury.

Paul Pogba is working towards a Manchester United return - but still appears to be some way off as he trains in Dubai's state-of-the-art Transform Altitude Performance Center. 

Chelsea have been dealt an injury blow after N'Golo Kante was forced to pull out of France's Euro 2020 qualifier against Iceland on Friday night. Kante was set to start but suffered a problem in the warm-up.

Giroud came off the bench in France's Euro 2020 qualifier against Turkey and scored within four minutes, but his header was cancelled out by Kaan Ayhan in a 1-1 draw.

Kante has endured a frustrating start to the season as he has been restricted to just six appearances in all competitions for Chelsea after suffering an ankle injury.

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been called up to the France squad for their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Albania, hoping for his first start for his country.

MATT HUGHES - CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER: England's dubious reward for winning their qualifying group could be a place in the group of death with Portugal and France at Euro 2020.

Calls are growing for Karim Benzema to earn a recall for France - four years after earning the last of his 81 caps. He's been exiled since his involvement in blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena.

Giroud has played 211 minutes for Chelsea this season, with Tammy Abraham first-choice. But, ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifiers with Moldova, Deschamps says he has full faith in the player.

Tuttosport report that the 44-year-old was spotted watching England's demolition of Montenegro at Wembley on a trip where the focus was securing the Frenchman's signature.

Toni Kroos scored twice as Germany secured their place at Euro 2020 with a resounding 4-0 win over Belarus, which leaves Joachim Low's side top of Group C ahead of second placed Netherlands.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has threatened to switch his international allegiance after not being called up to the French squad again.

Portugal booked their place at Euro 2020 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Luxembourg.

Cristiano Ronaldo took his career tally to 99 international goals on Sunday as Portugal qualified for the 2020 European Championship with a 2-0 win against Luxembourg.

The 16-year-old midfielder earned countless plaudits after a mature all-round display against Thomas Tuchel's side, and has reportedly drawn the attentions of the Ligue 1 champions and Arsenal.

Benzema's hopes of a return to the France fold were shot down by its FA president Noel Le Graet last week. Calls had been growing for the in-form Madrid striker to earn his first call-up since 2015.

CHRIS WHEELER IN FRANKFURT: A hat-trick from former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry sank Northern Ireland as their Group C campaign ended with a heavy defeat in Frankfurt.

PETE JENSON: Zinedine Zidane may have been able to reignite the debate on whether France are foolish to overlook in-form Karim Benzema - but it would take something huge to bring change.

An armed thug threatened to kill Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante's agent during an argument about the star's £32million transfer to Chelsea, it was claimed Wednesday.

One of France, Germany and Portugal may face an early exit after being drawn together in Group F for Euro 2020 in what has already been dubbed the 'Group of Death'.

Didier Deschamps will therefore get the chance to oversee France's attempt at defending their World Cup crown in three years' time after they beat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Russia last year.

Didier Deschamps has urged Olivier Giroud to leave Chelsea to secure a spot in France's Euro 2020 squad. Giroud started up-front as Deschamps guided France to World Cup glory in 2018.

Bordeaux have joined Inter Milan in the race to sign Chelsea striker Giroud. The Ligue 1 side are interested in a loan deal for the 33-year-old, who has been given the go-ahead to leave in January,

Lionel Messi missed out on top spot after injuries, Cristiano Ronaldo closed in on a remarkable international feat and Raheem Sterling was deadly - who have 2019's most prolific strikers been?

Olivier Giroud remains an important part of Didier Deschamps' plans for France ahead of the Euros later this year, but has admitted his lack of current playing time at Chelsea is of huge concern.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE IN ORLANDO: The players of Montreal Impact tell us he still has that 'swagger'. And of course he does - he is Thierry Henry.

Brazil star Neymar, who joined PSG from Barcelona for £198million back in August 2017, is by far the division's top earner - pocketing around £2.6million a month before tax.

Giroud was a target for a number of sides during the January transfer window including Inter Milan, Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

SPECIAL REPORT BY DANIEL MATTHEWS IN LYON: To many in France, the 32-year-old is a footballing pariah. At Real Madrid, however, Benzema is approaching immortality.

Euro 2020 and all its preparations immediately take the focus once the domestic campaigns end. But this year the European Championship will also be followed by the Olympics in Tokyo.

As fans across Europe gear up for another summer of agony and ecstasy while wearing their country's shirts proudly, here are five of the best kits in Euros history to get you going.

As far as bizarre injury treatments go, Marseille striker Dario Benedetto's remedy for a head injury sustained against Amiens is right up there. The Argentine was bizarrely given a swimming cap.

The EFL has announced a £50million short-term relief package to assist cash-strapped clubs during the coronavirus crisis. An emergency meeting has outlined how things shall be handled going forward.

Zinedine Zidane was sensationally shown red in the 2006 World Cup final after headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in extra time. Fabio Cannavaro went on to lift the trophy in Berlin.

It's 20 years since Russell Watson topped the charts with his debut album, The Voice, announcing himself to the world as the owner of the finest larynx this side of Luciano Pavarotti

As a rule, I don't like to beg, but in this instance I am desperate, so: if you understood The Pale Horse could you please, please offer an explanation and tell me what the hell went on?

It's rare that a prequel matches its progenitor, but Better Call Saul has gradually, at times achingly slo-o-o-wly, proved the equal of parent show Breaking Bad .

House Of Glass flows with the amazing clarity and delicacy of a fine novel. By the end, I was completely wrapped up in the sharply contrasting characters of the Glass family

The BBC Radio 6 funk and soul DJ and star of sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf is talking about the heart attack he suffered in his home two years ago, which he is speaking of publicly for the first time

A London transfer for Richard Eyre's entertaining production of the Noël Coward comedy starring a splendid Jennifer Saunders.

The latest domestic thriller is Flesh And Blood , and already it's getting mixed up in my head with Liar, Cheat, Trust Me, Trauma, Gold Digger , etc. Their formats are so similar

Rami Malek is now best known for his Oscar-winning performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, but he first found fame via this Golden Globe-winning series.

There are several good reasons for seeing this spirited revival of Anthony Minghella's 2005 Madam Butterfly , and one totally compelling one: the Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw.

The film year is not quite the same as the calendar year, effectively running from one Oscar ceremony - this year's was in early February - to the next.

For a man who has sold 45 million records and performed to stadiums full of fans since the age of 17, Ronan Keating is surprisingly anxious about his new album, Twenty Twenty

Every week on this fun new podcast by Susannah Constantine (of Trinny fame), a guest digs into his or her relationship with their wardrobe.