Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Swansea break club transfer record to re-sign player they once bought for free

Dream Team FC
Swansea break club transfer record to re-sign player they once bought for free

The game’s gone, hasn’t it?

Many fans claim they’re growing disillusioned by the mammoth transfer fees being thrown around in modern football.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver

And after Swansea’s Deadline Day business they might have a point.

Twitter Ayew signing on the dotted line[/caption]

That’s because the Swans have broken their club transfer record to re-sign Andre Ayew from West Ham… a player they signed for FREE just two-and-a-half-years ago.

Ayew first moved to south Wales in 2015 for absolutely nothing after his contract expired at Marseille.

And he was a real hit, scoring 12 times in one season and proving to be one of the signings of the season.

Bradley Ormesher - The Times Ayew was a hit in Wales[/caption]

That convinced West Ham, who were looking to flex their financial muscle after moving to the London Stadium, to fork out a club record £20m fee of their own to bring Ayew to east London.

It’s fair to say his Hammers career never reached those dizzy heights, scoring just nine goals in 18 months.

Andre Ayew had earlier fired in a double to level the scoresBut this didn’t happen a lot at West HamReuters

And now Ayew is going back the way he came for £18m; also the most the Swans have ever forked out for a player.

Ironically, he even initially turned his nose up at the idea because he felt he could engineer a move to a ‘bigger club’.

West Ham striker Andre Ayew doesn’t want to go back to Swansea. They had £14m bid rejected on Sunday. Thinks he can get a move to "bigger club" but time running out

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 25, 2018

Nice try, Andre.

Is the Ghanaian forward now stuck in a constant state of flux between those two mediocre Premier League clubs?

READ MORE

Marouane Fellaini was substituted off only five minutes after coming on Alexis Sanchez suffers a terrible Premier League debut against Spurs Guus Hiddink checks phone to see 20 missed calls after Chelsea lose to Bournemouth PICK PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG ON DREAM TEAM NOW Arsenal’s new boy is available at a bargain price!
Share:

Argentina coach wants Messi fresh for World Cup

Football – Inquirer Sports
Argentina coach wants Messi fresh for World Cup
Argentina coach wants Messi fresh for World Cup

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said Tuesday he expects captain and star striker Lionel Messi to arrive at the World Cup in peak form after he battled fatigue at the 2014 tournament. “We’ve spoken with Leo about what’s happening and that he doesn’t find himself in the same situation four years ago when he arrived exhausted […]

The post Argentina coach wants Messi fresh for World Cup appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Bilbao’s Laporte Man City’s latest big-money defensive signing

Sportsnet.ca
Bilbao’s Laporte Man City’s latest big-money defensive signing
Bilbao’s Laporte Man City’s latest big-money defensive signing

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City signed France under-21 international Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao for a club-record fee of 65 million euros ($80 million) on Tuesday, taking its spending on centre backs since 2014 to about $250 million.

The 23-year-old Laporte came close to joining City in 2016 — when Pep Guardiola took charge of the current Premier League leaders — but backed out of the move after feeling the Frenchman wasn’t quite ready.

Eighteen months later, City clinched the signing of the left-footed, ball-playing defender after meeting his buy-out clause, strengthening the team’s options in what has been a problem position for Guardiola and previous managers.

"He’s strong in the air, good quality with the pass. He is experienced, fast and he has the skills we need," Guardiola said. "He is the perfect age, 23 years old, so hopefully he will have a long career here at Manchester City."

Laporte is the second most expensive defender in soccer history, with only Virgil van Dijk — who joined Liverpool from Southampton for 75 million pounds ($100 million) at the start of January — costing more.

Since City won its most recent Premier League title in 2014, Eliaquim Mangala has arrived from FC Porto for a reported 42 million pounds and Nicolas Otamendi joined from Valencia for 32 million pounds in 2015. Another centre back, John Stones, cost an initial 47.5 million pounds in 2016.

Vincent Kompany, the club’s other centre back, has been at City since 2008 and is the captain. But the Belgium international might be surplus to requirements from next season, especially considering his injury record.

City also spent about 120 million pounds (then $155 million) on three fullbacks — Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo — in the last transfer window.

Laporte made his debut in 2012 for Bilbao under Marcelo Bielsa — a coach revered by Guardiola — and quickly became one of the Spanish league’s most promising players. He said he likes to bring the ball out from the back, giving him the pedigree that suits Guardiola’s vision and making him a likely rival for Stones to play alongside Otamendi.

"Defenders do this more than ever before," Laporte said in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine. "I spend as much time in training and matches working on starting attacks as I do stopping them.

"I’m usually quite calm in possession, so this helps initiate quicker, more fluid attacks from the back. I also like playing long, cross-field passes to change the position of an attack and give us another option. Variety is important."

Barcelona has previously been linked with Laporte, who has similar qualities to Gerard Pique.

The size of the fee reflects the shortage of top-quality, left-footed centre backs around at the moment — and comes two weeks after City turned down the chance to sign Alexis Sanchez partly because of the Chile forward’s financial demands.

Laporte has signed a contract until 2023 and becomes City’s most expensive player, with the fee exceeding the reported 55 million pounds spent on Kevin De Bruyne in August 2015.

City has four of the five costliest defenders in Premier League history — Laporte, Stones, Walker, and Mendy.

Laporte, who hasn’t played for France’s senior team, will be available for the knockout stage of the Champions League.

"All I know," he said in an Instagram message to Athletic’s fans on Monday, "is that I will never forget the place where I’ve become a better player and a better person. That’s why this is not a ‘goodbye,’ only a ‘see you soon,’ and that I’ll keep Athletic in my heart forever."

Share:

Monday, January 29, 2018

Daniel Sturridge joins West Bromwich Albion on loan from Liverpool

The Independent - Football
Daniel Sturridge joins West Bromwich Albion on loan from Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge joins West Bromwich Albion on loan from Liverpool
Sturridge joins Alan Pardew's relegation-threatened side despite interest from Newcastle United, Sevilla and Internazionale
Share:

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Almost two years and 74 league games without conceding a penalty

English // marca
Almost two years and 74 league games without conceding a penalty
Almost two years and 74 league games without conceding a penalty
Share:

Father and fiance proud of Caroline Wozniacki’s grand slam win

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Father and fiance proud of Caroline Wozniacki’s grand slam win
Father and fiance proud of Caroline Wozniacki’s grand slam win
Caroline Wozniacki’s father told her he would not care if she worked in a supermarket before she went out and won her first grand slam title to become world number one.
Share:

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Sanchez sets up 2 goals on Man United debut in FA Cup win

Football – Inquirer Sports
Sanchez sets up 2 goals on Man United debut in FA Cup win
Sanchez sets up 2 goals on Man United debut in FA Cup win

YEOVIL, England — Alexis Sanchez set up two goals on a lively debut as Manchester United won 4-0 at fourth-tier side Yeovil in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday. The Chile forward, who joined from Premier League rival Arsenal on Monday, created goals for striker Marcus Rashford and midfielder Ander Herrera before coming off […]

The post Sanchez sets up 2 goals on Man United debut in FA Cup win appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Friday, January 26, 2018

Nerwinski: Whitecaps have higher expectations for 2018 season

Sportsnet.ca
Nerwinski: Whitecaps have higher expectations for 2018 season
Nerwinski: Whitecaps have higher expectations for 2018 season

Vancouver Whitecaps Jake Nerwinski joined Sportsnet 650 to talk about preparing for the new season and how things have changed for the team in the off-season since last year.

[radioclip id=3854583]

Share:

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Messi, Suarez guide Barcelona to Copa del Rey semifinals

Sportsnet.ca
Messi, Suarez guide Barcelona to Copa del Rey semifinals
Messi, Suarez guide Barcelona to Copa del Rey semifinals

MADRID — With Philippe Coutinho making his debut and Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez adding to their scoring run, Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the eighth straight year on Thursday.

First-half goals from Messi and Suarez guided Barcelona to a comfortable 2-0 victory over city rival Espanyol at Camp Nou Stadium, keeping alive the team’s hopes of winning its fourth consecutive Copa title.

The other teams in the semifinals are Sevilla, Valencia and Leganes, which on Wednesday stunned Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Valencia got past last year’s runner-up Alaves on penalties, while Sevilla eliminated Atletico Madrid. The draw will be held on Friday, with the first leg matches being played next week.

Barcelona had lost 1-0 to Espanyol in the first leg last week, but quickly evened the series when Suarez scored with a diving header less than 10 minutes into the match after a cross from the right by Aleix Vidal. Messi scored the goal that secured a 2-1 win on aggregate midway through the first half with a shot that deflected off a defender.

Messi and Suarez have combined to score at least a goal each in six of the team’s last seven matches.

Messi has found the net 10 times in his last 11 games, while Suarez has scored 11 goals in his last nine matches.

"I liked how we were able to control the game in the final minutes," Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. "We didn’t want to risk conceding like we did in the first leg."

It was a good debut for Coutinho, who came off the bench in the second half to replace Andres Iniesta, playing well in the nearly 25 minutes he was on the field.

"There are a lot of expectations about Coutinho," Valverde said. "He will fit well into our game. He entered in a complicated match, but he did well."

Coutinho arrived from Liverpool earlier this month but had been sidelined by a right leg muscle injury. The Brazilian playmaker was signed in a transfer worth up to 160 million euros (then $192 million), making him Barcelona’s most expensive player ever.

Espanyol, seeking its first semifinal appearance in the Copa since 2014-15, appealed for a penalty when Gerard Moreno fell inside the area after contact with Barcelona’s Jordi Alba with about 10 minutes left in the game.

"We had some chances but didn’t capitalize on them," Espanyol’s Victor Sanchez said. "We feel like we played a great series. Nobody really believed in us but in the end we were a goal away from advancing."

Argentine international Javier Mascherano was honoured by Barcelona before the match. The defender is leaving the club after eight seasons to play in China.

Share:

Arsenal beats Chelsea 2-1 to seal League Cup final with City

Football – Inquirer Sports
Arsenal beats Chelsea 2-1 to seal League Cup final with City
Arsenal beats Chelsea 2-1 to seal League Cup final with City

LONDON — Two fortuitous goals helped Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 on Wednesday and seal a League Cup final meeting with Manchester City, providing a glimmer of joy in a gloomy domestic campaign. Both Arsenal goals received a helping hand from Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger as the semifinal meeting of London rivals came to life after […]

The post Arsenal beats Chelsea 2-1 to seal League Cup final with City appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Ceres silences Roar

Football – Inquirer Sports
Ceres silences Roar

With another brave and clinical performance on enemy ground, Philippines Football League champion Ceres Negros pulled off one of the biggest upsets in AFC Champions League history, while boosting the country’s football reputation anew.

The post Ceres silences Roar appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Sevilla gets past Atletico in Copa quarters after early goal

Sportsnet.ca
Sevilla gets past Atletico in Copa quarters after early goal
Sevilla gets past Atletico in Copa quarters after early goal

MADRID — Sevilla needed only a few seconds to end Atletico Madrid’s hopes of reaching the Copa del Rey semifinals.

Sergio Escudero scored 26 seconds into the match as Sevilla defeated Atletico 3-1 at home on Tuesday, advancing 5-2 on aggregate for its second semifinal appearance in three years.

It was the second elimination of the season for Atletico, which had already failed to get past the group stage of the Champions League.

Atletico’s hopes for a title this season are reduced to the Spanish league and the Europa league. It trails Barcelona by 11 points at the start of the second half in La Liga.

It was another reassuring result for Sevilla under new coach Vincenzo Montella, who revamped the team since replacing Eduardo Berizzo late last year. After a slow start, Montella has led Sevilla to three straight wins, putting the team back in contention for a Champions League spot in the Spanish league.

Sevilla made it to the Copa del Rey final two years ago, losing to Barcelona. It won the last of its five Copa titles in 2010.

Tuesday’s result extended Atletico’s winless streak to three matches in all competitions.

Atletico entered the match needing to score at least two goals to overcome the 2-1 home loss in the first leg in Madrid. But Sevilla struck in its first attack, with Escudero scoring with a shot from inside the area after a well-placed cross by Pablo Sarabia.

Atletico didn’t take long to equalize, with Antoine Griezmann’s long-range shot going over goalkeeper Sergio Rico in the 13th minute. But Sevilla netted again early in the second half with a penalty kick converted by Ever Banega, and Sarabia increased the lead with a low strike into the far corner in the 79th to seal the team’s spot in the last four.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone was sent off shortly after Sevilla’s final goal for complaining with the officiating crew.

Share:

Monday, January 22, 2018

Liverpool loses at last-place Swansea 1-0 in big EPL shock

Football – Inquirer Sports
Liverpool loses at last-place Swansea 1-0 in big EPL shock
Liverpool loses at last-place Swansea 1-0 in big EPL shock

SWANSEA, Wales — A week after inflicting Manchester City’s first loss in the English Premier League, Liverpool lost at last-place Swansea 1-0 on Monday and ended its 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Alfie Mawson’s 40th-minute strike secured one of the most surprising results of the season on a night Liverpool’s usually lethal attack toiled […]

The post Liverpool loses at last-place Swansea 1-0 in big EPL shock appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

’We don’t focus on that white noise’: Munster blocked out Gerbrandt Grobler noise

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
’We don’t focus on that white noise’: Munster blocked out Gerbrandt Grobler noise
’We don’t focus on that white noise’: Munster blocked out Gerbrandt Grobler noise
Jean Kleyn paid tribute to Munster’s togetherness after the province emerged from a week of controversy off the field to book a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Share:

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Munster game delayed until 4pm due to heavy rain

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Munster game delayed until 4pm due to heavy rain
Munster game delayed until 4pm due to heavy rain
The Munster v Castres Champions cup clash has been delayed until 4pm due to heavy rainfall at Thomond Park.
Share:

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Jose Mourinho pretty much confirms Alexis Sanchez deal is done in post-match interview

Dream Team FC
Jose Mourinho pretty much confirms Alexis Sanchez deal is done in post-match interview

Slowly but surely, it’s happening. 

After numerous reports, tweets and rumours, it seems Alexis Sanchez is a mere whisker away from becoming a Manchester United player.

AFP or licensors One happy Jose[/caption]

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver

Speaking after United’s 1-0 win away to Burnley this afternoon, manager Jose Mourinho spoke openly about the deal, saying he expects it to happen “soon” and that is was “very close”.

Jose on Sanchez: "Expect soon or never. So close, so close, so close, if it doesn't happen it is not going to happen. I know my people doing absolutely everything they can. I think they will be successful."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 20, 2018

Jose Mourinho to TV: "If you ask me whether (Sanchez) is coming, I think so but I have no confirmation."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 20, 2018

On Sanchez, Mourinho says he expects it "soon or never" but adds "I think we will be successful."

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) January 20, 2018

Mourinho said: “It’s so close, so close, so close.

“I’m positive, I know my people is doing everything, absolutely everything they can, the owners with the green light, Mr. Woodward working hard, everybody is giving everything they can, and I think they will be successful.”

Is Alexis Sanchez set for Man Utd?

Jose thinks so….

Watch Final Score: https://t.co/xEcH7ZUrIu #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/EdXBEoKzSc

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 20, 2018

United have been front runners to snap up Sanchez from Arsenal this month, after their great rivals City baulked at the player’s wage demands.

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £5k!

In an interview yesterday, City gaffer Pep Guardiola spoke about Sanchez’s expected transfer to Old Trafford, saying: “What I know now is he is still Arsenal’s player, but I think he is going to go to United.

“So, congratulations for both of them.

“The players and their managers decide where they want to play – good luck.”

PA:Empics Sport United-bound?[/caption]

It’s been reported that United will pay Sanchez around £500,000 per week in wages, as well as other related bonuses, while his transfer fee could be up to £30 million.

Can’t help but feel that Arsenal are the real winners here, no matter what ArsenalFanTV says.

READ MORE:

League One side Oldham confirm they HAVEN’T made an offer for Alexis Sanchez this month Pep Guardiola reveals why he chose not to compete with Man United for Alexis Sanchez Is Alexis Sanchez the man to break the curse of Man United’s No7 shirt?
Share:

Friday, January 19, 2018

Getafe salvages a draw against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga

Sportsnet.ca
Getafe salvages a draw against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga
Getafe salvages a draw against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga

MADRID — Angel Rodriguez came off the bench to help Getafe salvage a 2-2 draw after twice trailing Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league on Friday.

Rodriguez entered the match shortly after his team missed a penalty kick early in the second half, scoring the equalizer with a shot from close range in the 74th minute.

The result extended Getafe’s unbeaten streak at home to seven matches in all competitions.

Inaki Williams put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Jorge Molina evened the match by converting a penalty kick in the 21st and Raul Garcia put Athletic ahead again three minutes into the second half.

Molina had a penalty stopped by Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin in the 51st.

Getafe moved to seventh in the standings with 27 points from 20 matches.

Athletic, unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions, is in 10th place with 26 points.

Share:

Twitter users have been floored by the suggestion Chelsea might be after… Peter Crouch

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Twitter users have been floored by the suggestion Chelsea might be after… Peter Crouch
The former Liverpool and England striker will be 37 by the time the transfer window closes.
Share:

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Benilde outlasts Arellano in shootout for NCAA football title

Football – Inquirer Sports
Benilde outlasts Arellano in shootout for NCAA football title

College of St. Benilde worked its magic in the clutch and won 3-2 in penalties over Arellano University to claim the NCAA Season 93 men’s football title Wednesday at Rizal Memorial Pitch. Blazers goalie Jake Vicen denied Robert Corsame Jr.’s attempt from the spot and sealed Benilde’s Game 3 win and its first championship in […]

The post Benilde outlasts Arellano in shootout for NCAA football title appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Drama as umpire overrules herself after player loses shoe at Australian Open

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Drama as umpire overrules herself after player loses shoe at Australian Open
Drama as umpire overrules herself after player loses shoe at Australian Open
A bizarre moment.
Share:

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Falcao nets late equalizer for Monaco in 2-2 draw with Nice

Sportsnet.ca
Falcao nets late equalizer for Monaco in 2-2 draw with Nice
Falcao nets late equalizer for Monaco in 2-2 draw with Nice

PARIS — Radamel Falcao rescued Monaco with an injury-time equalizer in a 2-2 home draw with local rival Nice on Tuesday, after Mario Balotelli showed his finishing ability with both goals for the visitors.

Falcao scored from close range after substitute Stevan Jovetic’s shot was parried following a quickly-taken free kick. It was the Colombia striker’s 16th league goal in just 17 games and it cruelly usurped Balotelli’s otherwise match-winning performance.

"We should have won the game," Nice coach Lucien Favre said. "We played much better in the second half."

The draw leaves defending champion Monaco third and trailing second-place Marseille — which earlier beat Strasbourg 2-0 — by one point. League leader Paris Saint-Germain will move 13 points clear of Monaco if it beats Dijon at home on Wednesday.

Monaco led in the 33rd minute thanks to a controversial goal by forward Adama Diakhaby.

Thomas Lemar’s cross from the right hit Diakhaby’s arm. The ball then hit the back of striker Keita Balde and bounced back into Diakhaby’s path. It came back at a perfect height, too, and Diakhaby was able to hook it home from close range.

Nice’s players reacted angrily and protested furiously.

"To tell the truth, it was a hand ball. It was accidental," Diakhaby said on Canal Plus television. "I turned to see if the referee would give it (the goal) and he did."

After a terrible start to the season, sixth-place Nice is finding form. Balotelli has improved on his scoring ratio from last season and has 12 league goals in 15 games so far.

His talent, as evident as it has been errant over the years, should get him a move to a bigger club this summer. But Favre deserves credit for resurrecting his fading career.

Since joining from Liverpool on a free transfer last season, Balotelli has confounded critics who predicted he would fail and has netted 35 in 51 games overall.

Balotelli astutely nipped ahead of centre back Kamil Glik to volley in Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross from the right in the 47th minute.

In a rare show of emotion, Balotelli rushed over to Saint-Maximin and hugged him for several seconds while congratulating him on the cross.

The second goal was expertly taken.

Taking a pass with his back to goal some 30 metres out, he cushioned it on his left foot, switched it instantly onto his right and then pirouetted in one swift movement. He then made a surging run past Glik into the right of the penalty area, before clipping a deflected shot into the opposite corner.

This time the celebration was typical Balotelli.

He stood as motionless as a statue with both arms raised, showing no facial emotion as his teammates did the celebrating for him.

——

SUPER SUBS

Substitutes Clinton Njie and Dimitri Payet settled a scrappy match as Marseille beat Strasbourg 2-0.

After Marseille striker Valere Germain missed a second-half penalty, Njie scored in the 79th minute.

Then, Njie’s smart flick sent Payet clean through in the 87th — and the France international dummied goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja with a quick step-over move, before rounding him and tapping in.

Payet came on early in the second half and won a penalty in the 72nd — but Germain’s telegraphed shot was saved by Oukidja.

He made amends by helping to set up Njie’s goal.

——

BAYSSE COSTS BORDEAUX

Bordeaux centre half Paul Baysse lost his composure and his side lost 2-0 at home to Caen.

Both goals came after Baysse — recently signed to shore up a poor defence — was sent off in the 86th minute for elbowing Ivan Santini. The referee awarded a penalty and Baysse got a red card.

Santini escaped sanction despite first slapping Baysse — and converted the penalty. His strike partner Ronny Rodelin sealed the win for ninth-place Caen.

Share:

Riyad Mahrez could be worth over £100million, according to Leicester boss Claude Puel

Dream Team FC
Riyad Mahrez could be worth over £100million, according to Leicester boss Claude Puel

Leicester boss Claude Puel believes Riyad Mahrez could be worth more than £100m by the summer.

The Foxes are determined to keep the Algerian this month despite his public request to leave before the season.

And Puel reckons his value could rocket again at the end of the season after his form picked up following the Frenchman’s arrival in October.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver Riyad Mahrez wants a move to Arsenal, according to the latest reportsRiyad Mahrez could be worth over £100million next summer according to Claude PuelReuters

Fees have soared again this month with Liverpool selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142m and buying Virgil van Dijk for £75m.

Asked whether Mahrez is now in the £100m bracket, Puel said: “Perhaps, in the summer he will cost even more than £100m.”

Puel has consistently claimed Mahrez does not want to leave this month – despite reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool – and claims the 26-year-old is still happy with the Foxes.

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £5k! The attacker has returned to top form since the arrival of Claude PuelMahrez has returned to top form since the arrival of Claude PuelReuters

“It is always the same thing about Riyad, it is just rumours, noise about him and other players,” said Puel.

“We can see Riyad smiling and enjoying his football and enjoying playing with his teammates and it is the same in training

“After the training session he continues to play head tennis when I want him to keep more rest. It is perfect.

“It is speculation and we cannot respond to all the speculation without information.”

Jamie Vardy will be available to face former club Fleetwood in the FA Cup replyReuters

Puel confirmed striker Jamie Vardy is available to face former club Fleetwood in tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay after missing the original game through injury.

But injured defender Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson are still missing.

Share:

Monday, January 15, 2018

French referee suspended after controversial performance

English // marca
French referee suspended after controversial performance
French referee suspended after controversial performance
Share:

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Manchester City invincible no more after loss to Liverpool

Sportsnet.ca
Manchester City invincible no more after loss to Liverpool
Manchester City invincible no more after loss to Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – It had to end sooner or later for Manchester City.

None had proved more formidable than Pep Guardiola’s side in their march to the title, but a sleeper-like hold over the Premier League is officially over with Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Nine minutes was the difference between infallibility and mere mortality.

Headless-ness took hold as City surrendered a game where they had appeared well-placed to reclaim, with 10 points previously garnered from losing positions this term. They will continue to stroll to an end-of-season coronation, but it is no longer a glorified procession.

Few would deny that they will be worthy champions, held in the same esteem as their illustrious predecessors, but their quest for record-breaking perfection has taken an early detour. Arsenal’s record 49-game unbeaten streak is safe for another campaign at least.

Seeing out the remainder of this season without tasting defeat was always an unrealistic ask, even by Guardiola’s admission. If the Catalan had a choice to call time on his side’s run, losing another battle of wills with Jurgen Klopp – his sixth in total – was a perfect storm.

“Football is unpredictable,” Guardiola stated post-match.

“Of course you lose today against a fantastic team and you have to be sure to win the next one and see until the end, fighting to win the Premier League.

“But you have to live [these moments]. During the season, today in the real world, it’s not expected, especially in that league with a lot of games with a tough two months in the past with four competitions, to maintain against good teams to not lose every time.

“These kinds of things must happen and now, we analyze tactically the reasons why and be positive, thinking of Newcastle. That is only what we can do.”

https://twitter.com/RichardBuxton_/status/952559522454949888

But defeat sees Guardiola discovering a new-found level of challenge in a career where mercurial abilities had allowed him to breeze through at the highest level of football.

The warning signs had been there earlier in the week, when a late strike by Sergio Aguero saw off Championship outfit Bristol City in the League Cup semifinal. As a player and coach, Guardiola knew the pitfalls of playing at Anfield. Uncharacteristically, he saw his players allowing themselves to succumb to the stadium’s emotionally-charged atmosphere.

“After that we lost a little bit of our control,” Guardiola admitted.

“We were involved in the environment from Anfield for many, many reasons.

“You have to try and be stable, especially as good lessons for the knock-out games in the Champions League. We can concede a goal but you cannot lose – we lost that a little bit.

“But we were still fighting, still trying and we found two goals, and that’s all

“It was our first defeat. You need to live [through] that kind of situations to realize what we have done so far and are expecting for the future.”

Off the field, too, he is encountering uncharted territory. Rarely has the former Barcelona manager missed out on targets, but a reunion with Alexis Sanchez threatens to be his most notable, with the previously foregone conclusion in signing the Arsenal forward now appearing potentially ominous in the face of Manchester United’s newly-formed interest.

Life after Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, continues apace for Liverpool.

The “Fab Four” may have disbanded but a “Big Three” remains in its place as Klopp elected to fight fire with fire rather than bow to the conservatism. By the end here, his side was hunting in packs with even Andrew Robertson joining the action as a marauding left-back.

“It sent out the right statement,” Klopp admitted.

“It’s not that I said in the meeting ‘boys, by the way it would help a lot if you could win tonight and nobody speaks about Philippe Coutinho anymore.’ We like talking about him, actually, and he is probably still jumping in his new living room in Barcelona and happy about the win tonight.

“But of course, for us, it’s important that we show that it’s possible to play without him – and we did that. It’s a very important statement, absolutely, but that’s all.

“We knew before the game, we can only get three points and we got them, how I think, in a very important moment as well so it feels good for tonight.

“Now we have another long week to prepare for the Swansea game so we should use that.”

https://twitter.com/RichardBuxton_/status/952570238054420480

Attention has already turned to the identity of the Brazilian’s replacement, but risk and reward are traditionally at odds when the Reds have attempted to replace what they have lost. In recent years, they have parted with some of their most exquisite players in a generation while allowing sub-par alternatives to take their places.

Klopp’s utopian vision is at odds with that recent transfer policy. He prefers to cultivate a side that cannot be disrupted or picked apart rather than poorly replacing like-for-like. The latter has been easier said than done. The German is all too aware of the pressures of continuity when a star departs; his final years with Borussia Dortmund were dominated by the theme.

In the Liverpool manager’s eyes, direct solutions primarily appear from within and never was that truer than in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance on Sunday, both as the architect of both his side’s opener and a key influence in their two goals thereafter. In just 20 games at Anfield, the England international has scored the same number of goals as in three seasons with Arsenal.

“It’s so nice to see how much he adapted. It’s just good and I am happy,” Klopp said.

“I could not have had kind of an idea of what a good guy he is, to be honest. If you asked me what is better, the football player or the person, I would have to think a little bit about it.

“He is on a good way and enjoys it. He can still play the wing, which is really important, [but] using the speed more and more in a midfield role.

“He needs to adapt a little bit and the midfield role was more of a dream for him than a reality because he didn’t play there often.

“But he is in a really good way.”

https://twitter.com/RichardBuxton_/status/952601035029311488

Flaws still exist, however, with Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation brought into sharp focus again with the passing of Tommy Lawrence, the original last line of defence in Bill Shankly’s heyday, earlier this week. The current incumbents continued the debate over suitability as Loris Karius failed to leave the writing on the wall for Simon Mignolet.

Beaten comfortably at his near post by Leroy Sane for City’s equalizer told a familiar take for the German stopper. Far too often Karius has been a victim of his previous success, having arrived with a reputation of being second in the Bundesliga to Manuel Neuer only.

Mignolet’s own previously unassailable presence had undermined the club’s once ruthless succession policy. At the first signs of even slight susceptibility, the likes of Sander Westerveld, Jerzy Dudek and Pepe Reina were all moved on by those in Anfield’s corridors of power.

An inability to follow through that philosophy is part of the reason why Liverpool can currently only hold their own against the likes of City over 90 minutes rather than an entire season.

Richard Buxton is a UK-based writer and special correspondent for Sportsnet. He filed this report from Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

Share:

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico

Football – Inquirer Sports
Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico
Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Captain American is heading south for his latest comeback. Landon Donovan, widely considered the most accomplished player in American soccer history, is coming out of retirement for the second time in three years, this time to join Club Leon in Mexico. The Liga MX team announced Donovan’s return to soccer on Twitter […]

The post Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Friday, January 12, 2018

Landon Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico

Sportsnet.ca
Landon Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico
Landon Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Captain American is heading south for his latest comeback.

Landon Donovan, widely considered the most accomplished player in American soccer history, is coming out of retirement for the second time in three years, this time to join Club Leon in Mexico.

The Liga MX team announced Donovan’s return to soccer on Twitter on Friday night. Donovan will play for Leon in the Mexican Clausura tournament, although more details on his signing were not provided.

Donovan has spent the past three days in Leon, raising speculation that he might join the club. He also tweeted Friday about joining Club Leon, saying he was excited to face former U.S. teammate and current C.F. Pachuca player Omar Gonzalez next month.

"I loved the city, Leon is an historic and winning team," Donovan wrote in Spanish. "I don t believe in walls, I want to go to Mexico, dress in green and win tournaments in Leon. See you soon."

Donovan is the third player signed by Leon for the Clausura tournament along with Argentinian Emanuel Cecchini and Jamaican Giles Barnes.

The 35-year-old is the career scoring leader in Major League Soccer and for the U.S. national team. He returned to the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in September of 2016 following a 21-month retirement and appeared in nine games. He hasn’t played professionally since Nov. 6, 2016.

Donovan played in three World Cups: South Korea and Japan 2002, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. He also played in six Gold Cups and won four titles. He scored 57 goals playing for the U.S. team and 145 in the MLS.

Donovan has done broadcast work since retiring and was rumoured to be considering a run for U.S. Soccer Federation president. Donovan announced in November that he would not seek the position.

Share:

Iniesta: At 33 years old, I'm not thinking who might take my place

English // marca
Iniesta: At 33 years old, I'm not thinking who might take my place
Iniesta: At 33 years old, I'm not thinking who might take my place
Share:

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Flores is Stoke’s first choice as manager; O’Neill also under consideration

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Flores is Stoke’s first choice as manager; O’Neill also under consideration
Flores is Stoke’s first choice as manager; O’Neill also under consideration
Quique Sanchez Flores is Stoke’s first choice to succeed Mark Hughes.
Share:

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Saudi football player in hot water for dabbing

Football – Inquirer Sports
Saudi football player in hot water for dabbing

A dance move may spell trouble for a football player in Saudi Arabia where dabbing is illegal.

The post Saudi football player in hot water for dabbing appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Share:

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Romelu Lukaku believes a ‘voodoo’ nearly forced him to move to Chelsea

Dream Team FC
Romelu Lukaku believes a ‘voodoo’ nearly forced him to move to Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku had a decision to the make in the summer.

Make a controversial return to Chelsea – the club who shunned him for so long during his impressionable younger years – or a new challenge with Manchester United.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver Lukaku was dropping deep to help out his midfield and try to create chancesLukaku chose United over ChelseaPA:Press Association

Well, as we all know, Lukaku opted for the latter, making a whopping £75m move from Everton.

But that was apparently disobeying orders.

And not just any orders… the orders of a ‘voodoo’.

Getty - Contributor Beware the witch doctor[/caption]

That’s according to Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, who revealed an astonishing story at the club’s AGM sit down on Tuesday evening.

Moshiri believes Lukaku didn’t sign a new contract with the Toffees in the summer because a ‘voodoo’ had told him he had to move to Chelsea:

Farhad Moshiri on Romelu Lukaku refusing new deal at #efc: "During the meeting he said he had to call his mother, who was on a pilgrimage in Africa and had seen a voodoo or something who said he had to go to Chelsea.”

— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) January 9, 2018

Just to clarify what Moshiri said on Lukaku. Lukaku was in the contract meeting and called his mother to tell her he had had "a voodoo and he got the message that he needs to go to Chelsea."

— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) January 9, 2018

Well now we’ve heard everything.

Lukaku, if the wacky reports have any credibility, is a brave man then for ignoring the wishes of the witch doctor.

Romelu Lukaku has found his form again after a bust-up with Jose MourinhoVoodoo? More like voopoo, eh? Ha…PA:Press Association

But the bruising Belgian striker’s decision has reaped rewards, scoring 15 goals in all competitions as United’s main man upfront.

If he is struck down by poor form, at least Manchester United fans can point to a ‘curse’ conspiracy to explain why…

READ MORE:

Horrible scenes at Old Trafford as Romelu Lukaku is left unconscious on the pitch Marouane Fellaini tells Jose Mourinho he wants to quit Manchester United for a new challenge QUIZ: Can you remember the scoreline in these iconic matches? PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £10k!
Share:

Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Liverpool and Arsenal to battle for Lemar, Sanchez to City, Chelsea stall on £60m star

The Independent - Football
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Liverpool and Arsenal to battle for Lemar, Sanchez to City, Chelsea stall on £60m star
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Liverpool and Arsenal to battle for Lemar, Sanchez to City, Chelsea stall on £60m star
All the latest transfer news plus gossip, rumours and done deals
Share:

Monday, January 8, 2018

Lazio signs former Juventus defender Caceres from Verona

Sportsnet.ca
Lazio signs former Juventus defender Caceres from Verona
Lazio signs former Juventus defender Caceres from Verona
ROME — Lazio has signed former Juventus defender Martin Caceres from Verona on a one-year contract. The capital club said in a brief statement on Monday that the deal also includes the option of an extension. Caceres joined Verona in August 2017 after being released following half a season at English Premier League club Southampton, where he made only one appearance. The Uruguay international won four league titles and an Italian Cup in his second spell at Juventus but his contract was not renewed when it expired in June 2016 after injury problems. The 30-year-old Caceres has also played for Barcelona and Sevilla. Lazio is fourth in Serie A, 11 points behind leader Napoli. [relatedlinks]
Share:

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Call of Duty Black Ops 4: Absolutely everything you need to know about this year’s game

Dream Team FC
Call of Duty Black Ops 4: Absolutely everything you need to know about this year’s game

Call of Duty returned to its WWII roots in 2017, but this year the series is set to go back to the future.

That’s if a job posting from developer Treyarch is anything to go by.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets are offering this great offer when you sign up and bet a fiver

The post detailed the company was looking for someone with experience with “firearms and modern military technology” – strongly suggesting the game will not be set in the past.

In fact, analysts predict Black Ops will be returning this year – which would make sense, given that Treyarch are behind the previous games.

So, what can we expect from the new COD? We pull out the features we’d want to see included.

BLOPS 2 was arguably the strongest in the series. The fourth instalment will once again be set in near future

A proper campaign

After the magnificent first two games, BLOPS 3 was a bit of a disappointment.

The single-player campaign barely clocked eight hours and paled in comparison to the other games in the series.

One thing Treyarch did do well though was the introduction of a four-player co-op campaign – and we’d love to see this included in this year’s BLOPS.

As with the last game, we’d like to see players have the option to take control of different classes to suit their playstyle. For example, snipers, heavy weapons specialists and all-rounders.

Treyarch put a lot of effort into multiplayer at the expense of single-player in BLOPS 3

Level design that encourages gamers to use their specific abilities and traits, rather than rewarding run and gun, would be massively welcome.

For all of COD WWII’s greatness, a lack of different character classes in campaign meant every level felt the same – hiding behind cover and hunting for ammo.

Balancing pacing so it’s not all run and gun was one of BLOPS 2’s strongest points.

Some levels would see you exploring areas for a decent period of time before a firefight – helping you feel part of the world, rather than just an on-rails segment.

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £5k!

Multiple endings and Strike Missions

On the topic of campaign, one of the features that made BLOPS 2 the best of the bunch was the inclusion of multiple endings.

The game had five in total, each with a very different feel – but all featuring baddie Raul Menendez.

This freedom helped the game feel much less scripted than the other titles – offering a level of freedom far beyond that of COD: WWII.

BLOPS games have always been amongst the most shocking and violent in the series

To help mix things up, Treyarch added Strike Force Missions – Real-Time Strategy (“RTS”) style stages where you must take direct control over individual units, or manage all of them at once.

These were far from perfect, but the concept was sound.

With a bit of tweaking, and a decent incentive / reward system – there could be enough here to warrant a return this year.

Zombies

Treyarch first brought Zombies into the fold in 2009, as part of COD: World at War.

BLOPS 3 arguably had the best zombies mode of the lot. Shadows of Evil was set in the 1940s and included the likes of Jeff Goldblum in the cast.

Characters were diverse and interesting  – a magician, a boxer, a cop, and a burlesque dancer – all introduced with a great short video.

BLOPS 3 had the best zombies mode to date – bettering COD: WWII

Rather than just aimless shooting, which is does so well, by focusing on the setting and fleshing out the characters, it made for a much more engrossing experience – and one we’d like to see bettered this year.

COD: WWII took zombies in a far more sinister and scary direction – which left some fans disappointed.

Here’s hoping COD rediscovers some of the fun again this year.

Modern Warfare 2: Remastered

This simply has to happen – the only snag is that MW2 is an Infinity Ward game, so they may be holding it back until next year.

Still, stranger things have happened – and after the brilliant reception to 2016’s Modern Warfare remaster, Activision may want to get this out sooner rather than later.

Everyone wants to see MW2 Remastered this year

Failing that, a remaster of the original Black Ops would be welcome – and, should there be returning characters, be a clever way of filling in the back story.

We’ll have to wait and see on this one.

READ MORE:

6 features FIFA 19 absolutely needs to borrow from PES FIFA 18: This unheard-of Argentinian is nearly as good as Lionel Messi FIFA 18: The worst player on the game doesn’t actually play football
Share:

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Antonio Conte labels Jose Mourinho a 'little man' as war of words with Chelsea predecessor intensifies

The Independent - Football
Antonio Conte labels Jose Mourinho a 'little man' as war of words with Chelsea predecessor intensifies
Antonio Conte labels Jose Mourinho a 'little man' as war of words with Chelsea predecessor intensifies
Speaking after Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Norwich, Conte said: 'It is not a surprise for me. It is his way,' in response to Mourinho's latest comments about the Blues manager
Share:

Victor Lindelof playing on through injury is the most heroic thing you’ll see this weekend

Dream Team FC Victor Lindelof playing on through injury is the most heroic thing you’ll see this weekend It’s been a fairly bleak s...

Archive

Labels

Blog Archive