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52 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 JANUARY 2016 Sport Ibrahimovic's agent 'would like to see him in the Premier League' Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent says the Paris Saint-Germain striker could move to England in the summer and believes his client would be perfectly suited to the Premier League IBRAHIMOVIC, who played in PSG's 1-0 friendly win over his former club Inter Milan in Doha on Wednesday, has been heavily linked with a move to MLS and the Premier League. The 34-year-old is out of con- tract in the summer and said on Wednesday he had no intention of leaving the French champions, but Mino Raiola told Sky Sports News HQ that England will be an option in the summer when he is a free agent. "I would like to see him in the Premier League. I think it's a game that is made for him with his strength. his ability, his tech- nique, the stadiums with fantastic atmosphere and how football is lived," he said. "It's difficult now because for the first time in his life he wants to be a free agent so that he can look around and have a feeling day by day what he wants to do. "There are a lot of projects on our table but he has not decided yet. Can he go to England? In the- ory yes he can because he will be a free agent and for sure there are some clubs always interested in him. What we will do at the end, I really don't know." When asked if any move could materialise in January, Raiola said: "No, he will definitely stay with Paris St Germain until the end of the season. "He wants to be with them, they want to be with him. We have a very strong relationship with the club. He will not leave in Janu- ary." Zlatan Ibrahimovic FOOTBALL Leaders Barca held in derby stalemate by Espanyol Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) and Espanyol's Pape Diop in action LIONEL Messi and Luis Suarez both hit the woodwork as Barce- lona were held 0-0 by Espanyol in a hard fought derby. Barca set a Spanish record of 180 goals in 2015 but their nor- mally prolific attack drew a blank against local rivals who were strong in the challenge, especial- ly in the first half, and succeeded in disrupting their play. Messi hit the crossbar with a 30 yard free kick in the first half while Suarez, who has 26 goals this season, was surprisingly wasteful in front of an open goal in the second half with his shot hitting the post. Barca have 39 points, a point more than Atletico, with both having played 17 games. Third- placed Real Madrid are on 36 points and play away to Valencia today. Hodgson has done wonders for international relations - FA ENGLAND manager Roy Hodg- son has done more for the inter- national relations of his Football Association (FA) employers than anyone else, chairman Greg Dyke said on Friday. Dyke saluted the much-trav- elled Hodgson's 40-year mana- gerial career, comparing him to leading English coaches of the past like Bobby Robson, Don Howe and Dave Sexton. "I am constantly amazed by supporters' reaction to Roy if you go to a game with him. He is genuinely liked," Dyke told w w w.thefa.com. "It is fascinating. Wherever we travel, people from differ- ent countries seek out Roy to share an experience they had of watching one of his sides, or talking to him about a player he once would have managed, or a coach that he knew. "He's probably done more for the FA's international relations than anyone," added Dyke. Hodgson is in his fourth year as England manager, having previously had stints in Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Norway and United Arab Emir- ates. The 68-year-old is now plot- ting his campaign for the Eu- ropean Championship finals in France in June, having overseen a 100 percent winning record in 10 qualif ying matches. "Roy is a great example to any aspiring coach that being open to new experiences and cultures can really develop you as a per- son," said Dyke. "His CV is quite remarkable and it is hard to think of anoth- er coach of his stature that has been prepared to learn and grow the way he has. "What a fantastic achieve- ment, 40 years coaching at the level he has puts him up there with the great English coaches, much-revered people like Bobby Robson, Dave Sexton and Don Howe," added Dyke. "We're very proud that, as Eng- land manager, Roy celebrates 40 years of coaching at the highest levels of our game. Long may it continue." England have been drawn in European Championship Group B along with Wales, Russia and Slovakia. Roy Hodgson