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Tag: Premier League

  • Arsenal could win the Premier League if they do these 5 things

    Arsenal could win the Premier League if they do these 5 things

    Despite having an outstanding season, Arsenal is in danger of losing the Premier League title this year.

    The Arsenal have been the overwhelming favourites to win the league this season for weeks, with defending champions Man City being forced to play catch-up.

    The team led the championship race by eight points, giving Mikel Arteta’s men the appearance of seizing control.

    However, two damaging draws against Liverpool and West Ham United are threatening to extinguish their hopes of conquering the English top flight for the first time in close to two decades.

    In both fixtures, the north Londoners surrendered a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw.

    Arsenal’s latest stalemate came at the hands of West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, April 16.

    The visitors raced to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes before the Hammers sprung a comeback via Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen to settle for a draw.

    The result left Arsenal just four points above second-placed Man City, who still have a game in hand.

    What Arsenal must do to win EPL

    For the Emirates dwellers to be crowned Premier League champions this season, a couple of things need to go their way.

    With only seven games left to end the season, Arsenal fans will be keeping their fingers crossed as the campaign enters its homestretch.

    Sports Brief now takes a look at five things that must happen for Arsenal to cart home the coveted crown.

    1. Avoid further slip-ups

    At this point, Arsenal cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to win the Premier League.

    Arteta’s men must hit the ground running in their subsequent matches, starting with their upcoming clash against relegation battlers Southampton.

    2. Hope for Man City to falter

    Man City often have the scariest run towards the end of a Premier League campaign.

    For the longest time, especially during Pep Guardiola’s tenure, City do not drop as many points during the run-in.

    But with the side still competing in the FA Cup and the Champions League, it is almost likely they could drop some points on the way.

    3. See off Man City

    Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad Stadium has been touted as a possible decider for this season’s EPL title race.

    For context, Pep Guardiola has already described the cracker as a final.

    One thing Arsenal must have on top of their agenda is to pick points in the encounter.

    4. Avoid mental breakdown

    Arsenal stars are bound to suffer a mental breakdown in the coming days.

    This is especially so due to their recent outings where they have dropped points from winning positions.

    Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff will have to find a way to keep the squad motivated and in high spirits ahead of the run-in.

    5. Arteta’s tactics with the squad

    Mikel Arteta has an almost fully fit squad to select from in the upcoming matches.

    The Spaniard’s biggest headache is perhaps how to line up in his attack after the return of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

    Arteta’s squad rotation and tactics are expected to play a key role in how the remainder of their campaign pans out.

    Haaland appears to troll Arsenal

    In news related to Arsenal’s draw with West Ham, Sports Brief reported on Erling Haaland’s reaction to the result on social media.

    The Norwegian posted a photo of himself on Twitter moments after the cracker with the caption ‘Mood’ in what is seen as a jibe at his team’s title rivals.

  • GMP confirms no further action against former Premier League player arrested over child sex offences

    GMP confirms no further action against former Premier League player arrested over child sex offences

    Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that a former Premier League player who was detained in 2021 on suspicion of child sex offenses won’t face any further consequences.

    After being questioned by police in 2021, the player—who has since left the Premier League team he was playing for at the time of his arrest—was freed on bail.

    GMP declared on Friday that the evidence did not satisfy the standard required for prosecution.

    “The 33-year-old man who was arrested in connection with an investigation opened in June 2021 will face no further action,” a police statement read. 

    “The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service have been working together and reached the decision that the evidence available at this time does not reach the threshold set out on the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

    “Greater Manchester Police is committed to investigating allegations to secure the best possible outcomes for all involved and will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure individuals are supported throughout investigations and beyond.”

  • That is the end of it for us if we loose – Pep Guardiola warns players

    That is the end of it for us if we loose – Pep Guardiola warns players

    In order to catch title challengers Arsenal, Pep Guardiola has cautioned his Manchester City players that they cannot afford to lose against Leicester.

    City joined the six points train of Premier League leaders Arsenal last week after the Gunners’ 2-2 draw at Liverpool but they face a potential banana skin on Saturday against struggling Leicester in Dean Smith’s first match since succeeding Brendan Rodgers. 

    Guardiola said they have to treat every match from now until the end of the season as a do-or-die fixture.

    “The only impact I believe is the fact that everyone knows that if we lose it is over. It is the best way to compete. This is when you have the best,” Guardiola told a news conference. “I have doubts that experience. I need more years like [Roy] Hodgson.

    The reality is we are six points behind no guarantee we will win the games ahead. There is no team better than Brighton in modern football. Arsenal is no guarantee. We need to win our games, that is the reality. At the end of the games we will see the reality.”

    City will win the league if they win their remaining nine matches and Guardiola stressed they have little margin for error as Arsenal have just the league to focus on, while his side are gunning for a treble of the title, FA Cup and Champions League.

    “Everyone knows if we lose those games we will not win the title that is why our intentions and details are higher.

    It is the same tomorrow, if we lose the game we will not be champions,” Guardiola added. “If we win we could still be there because we cannot forget we are six points behind Arsenal a team that has dropped few points throughout the season and play one game a week with a lot of time to recover, analyse.

    It will be difficult to win and drop points, that is why we have to be there as much as possible.”

    City play against Leicester on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium before travelling to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.

  • Haaland breaks record, sets new as Premier League’s most prolific strikers

    Haaland breaks record, sets new as Premier League’s most prolific strikers

    Erling Haaland is the only player in the Premier League to score 45 goals across all competitions in a single season.

    The 22-year-old Norwegian dynamo is scoring goals for fun while wearing a Manchester City jersey this season, and it appears like he has already locked up the Golden Boot.

    Continue reading as we examine the deadly finishes the former Borussia Dortmund player has surpassed.

    Harry Kane — 41 goals (2017-18)

    Harry Kane was at the peak of his powers in the 2017-18 season as Tottenham secured a third-placed finish.

    Thirty of the No10’s 41 goals that term came in the Premier League and the expert finisher never went more than four games without netting.

    The England skipper hit back-to-back hat-tricks in the league and scored seven times in the Champions League despite being eliminated at the last-16 stage.

    Harry Kane scored 41 goals in all competitions for Tottenham in 2017-18
    Harry Kane scored 41 goals in all competitions for Tottenham in 2017-18
    Andrew Cole — 41 goals (1993-94)

    Andrew Cole’s form in the 1993-94 season was a spectacle and he walked away as the top goalscorer and assist king as Newcastle finished behind Blackburn and Manchester United in the standings.

    His 34 league goals came at a time when clubs played 42 matches across a campaign but his consistency was unmatched in Toon’s first season in the rebranded top flight.

    Strikes against United, Liverpool and Arsenal were essential in helping the Magpies qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time since the 1970s.

    Cristiano Ronaldo — 42 goals (2007-08)
    Cristiano Ronaldo was at his glittering best for Manchester United in 2007-08
    Cristiano Ronaldo was at his glittering best for Manchester United in 2007-08

    Before his famous move to Real Madrid in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo had United fans on the edge of their seats every weekend as he emerged as one of football’s top talents.

    The Portuguese icon scored 31 league goals in 34 appearances in the 2007-08 campaign, which saw the Red Devils claim the Premier League, Champions League and Community Shield.

    His iconic free-kick against Portsmouth was the pick of the bunch in a season where Ronaldo also grabbed eight goals in Europe and three in the FA Cup.

    Mohamed Salah — 44 goals (2017-18)

    Mohamed Salah tallied a mindblowing 44 goals in the 2017-18 season and only scored three or more in a match once.

    His season was marred by the shoulder injury he picked up in the Champions League final against Real Madrid after scoring 10 times on the way to the showpiece.

    And despite the Egyptian racking up 32 Premier League goals, the Reds could only finish fourth in the table.

    Ruud van Nistelrooy — 44 goals (2002-03)
    Ruud van Nistelrooy was the Premier League's top scorer in 2002-03
    Ruud van Nistelrooy was the Premier League’s top scorer in 2002-03

    Ruud van Nistelrooy is remembered as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous strikers and his 44-goal campaign in 2002-03 supports that claim.

    The Dutch dynamo scored in all four competitions for United and netted 14 times in Europe as he helped guide his club from the qualifying round to the Champions League quarter-finals.

    His run of scoring in eight consecutive league matches at the end of the season included a goal against rivals Arsenal and two hat-tricks as the No10 collected the Golden Boot alongside his league winner’s medal.

    Erling Haaland — 45 goals (2022-23)

    So far, the No9 has netted 30 goals in 27 league appearances and 11 times in just seven Champions League outings — with five of his European strikes coming on one night against RB Leipzig.

    Haaland memorably grabbed back-to-back hat-tricks in the league against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest as he put down a statement of intent.

    His goal against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night saw him become the most prolific striker across a single campaign in the top flight.

  • Manchester City grounds Bayern Munich in a 3-0 clash

    Manchester City grounds Bayern Munich in a 3-0 clash

    With a 3-0 victory over Pep Guardiola’s previous team Bayern Munich in the last-eight first leg on Tuesday, Manchester City made a significant step towards the Champions League semifinals.

    In a tense match at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola faced Bayern for the first time since leaving Germany, and he easily defeated Thomas Tuchel, whose Chelsea team defeated City in the 2021 final.

    At the half, Rodri’s spectacular first Champions League goal gave City the advantage. Bernardo Silva then added the second as pressure mounted on the Bayern goal in the final 20 minutes, and Erling Haaland’s 45th goal of the season—a Premier League player record—soon after.

    Guardiola and City have let slip all manner of leads in this competition against weaker opposition than Bayern, but they were rampant by full-time and head into the return match with full command of the tie.

    The breakthrough goal came after 27 minutes as Rodri evaded pressure from Jamal Musiala by chopping onto his left foot 25 yards from goal before curling high past Yann Sommer, and City went in pursuit of a swift second.

    Both Dayot Upamecano and Sommer failed to deal with a cross from the City right, with the goalkeeper merely helping it into the path of Ilkay Gundogan but responding with an instinctive save.

    Although Leroy Sane led a response as his shot wide before half-time was followed by three on target following the restart – the best of them drawing a low stop from Ederson – the mix-ups in the Bayern back line only increased in number as the match wore on.

    Sommer saved from Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias in quick succession but failed to get enough on Silva’s header after Upamecano had gifted the ball to Jack Grealish to set in motion the City attack.

    Another stop from Julian Alvarez looked to have kept Bayern in the tie, yet Haaland got his goal from a John Stones knockdown to leave the Bundesliga giants an almighty task back in Germany.


    What does it mean? City blow away brittle Bayern

    Only City in Europe’s top five leagues enjoy more possession on average than Bayern, who looked to dominate the ball at the Etihad, too, and did so in a sense – finishing with a 55.9 per cent share of the play.

    But this approach merely played into City’s hands, with Bayern’s determination to play out from the back creating issues under intense pressure from Grealish, Haaland and Co.

    Upamecano’s mistake in the build-up to Silva’s goal was the first Bayern error leading to a goal in the Champions League this season, but it could have been repeated more than once and could yet be in the second leg.

    Sommer sloppy and sublime

    Evidence of Bayern’s woes at the back came in the form of Sommer’s five clearances, the most by a goalkeeper in a Champions League game this season. That was a competition high achieved more by mistake than design, repeatedly rushed by City attackers with one hack teeing up a Haaland shot inside the box.

    Yet Sommer also did more than most in keeping the score down. He made six saves, with the last of them from a Rodri header – after Haaland’s goal – protecting the remnants of Bayern hope.

    Silva reward for winger’s work

    Haaland beat Bayern for the first time in his career and scored to make yet more history in doing so, but he operated largely outside of the limelight.

    No scorer could have been more deserving than Silva, who netted with his only shot but played three key passes – including for Rodri’s blockbuster – and, most notably, led City with eight tackles. It was clear why he was chosen to play on the same wing as Alphonso Davies and Sane.

    What’s next?

    Ahead of next week’s return leg, City host Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, three hours after Bayern kick off against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

  • Ancelotti refuse reign elsewhere but Real Madrid out of ‘respect’ for his team

    Ancelotti refuse reign elsewhere but Real Madrid out of ‘respect’ for his team

    In “respect” for the La Liga team, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to weigh in on rumours of a move to Chelsea or Brazil while he is still in that position.

    Even though the Italian’s contract with Real Madrid still has one year left, in recent weeks, he has been mentioned as a possible option to fill open positions with the Blues and the Selecao.

    This week’s Champions League matchup pits Ancelotti against Chelsea, the team he previously spent two years with and helped win the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2009–10.

    But ahead of his quarter-final reunion, he has adamantly played down speculation of an exit from Santiago Bernabeu to take up the reins elsewhere.

    “There’s a nice saying which is just right,” he told Radio Rai 1. “[It is] the wind carries away the chatter.

    “That is it. I have a contract until June 30, 2024, and I would like to respect it.”

    Ancelotti returned to Madrid in 2021 and guided the club to LaLiga glory in his first season, completing a clean sweep of all five major European league titles in his career.

    The defence of an additional Champions League triumph has become the club’s main aim this season amid a widening domestic battle to catch Barcelona.

    Chelsea are searching for a permanent successor to Graham Potter, having turned to another former boss in Frank Lampard to guide them through the end of the season.

    Brazil, meanwhile, are yet to name Tite’s replacement following a disappointing quarter-final exit at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with under-20 coach Ramon Menezes in charge on a temporary basis.

  • Arsenal could win the Premier League – Fmr Utd star Gary Neville

    Arsenal could win the Premier League – Fmr Utd star Gary Neville

    Gary Neville, a former player for Manchester United, has identified the crucial moment that might give Arsenal the Premier League championship.

    The Gunners are aiming for their first EPL championship in nearly two decades, and the team is in a strong position to win the trophy after a strong season.

    Under Mikel Arteta, the north Londoners have been unstoppable this season, winning three of their previous 30 games to take the lead in the standings.

    However, Arsenal’s title bid appeared to suffer a blow on Sunday evening after they were forced to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

    According to The Sun, Liverpool staged a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down and were threatening to win the match, only to be denied by Aaron Ramsdale, who pulled off epic saves late in the match to earn his side a precious point. ]

    The result cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points, with Man City, who sit second, having a game in hand.

    Neville speaks on Arsenal’s title chances

    Be that as it may, Neville has suggested the north Londoners are still firmly in control of the title race.

    According to the former defender, Ramsdale’s moment of magic in the dying minutes of the Anfield cracker could actually be the moment that could win Arsenal the league. Nevill told Sky Sports: “That could win Arsenal the title.” “I think today is a really good point for them.

    Things happen out there in this stadium [Anfield] that just do not happen in any other stadium,” he added.

  • Klopp takes responsibility for Liverpool’s ‘rubbish’ display this season

    Klopp takes responsibility for Liverpool’s ‘rubbish’ display this season

    Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, admitted that he is “100% responsible for this crap,” but he is certain that the team can survive its challenging season “in a classy fashion.”

    The Reds have had a challenging 2022–23 season after almost losing out on a quadruple last season. They have already been eliminated from every cup tournament, and they currently sit eighth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s Anfield matchup with league leaders Arsenal.

    The Reds won the EFL Cup and FA Cup in 2021-22, as well as reaching the Champions League final and finishing just a point behind Premier League winners Manchester City.

    With 10 matches left this term, Liverpool’s points total of 43 is less than half what they amassed in 2021-22, and Klopp accepts it is unacceptable.

    “I’m sorry for our people, that they don’t have the season they wished for. But in the long term they will forget that,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

    “I couldn’t care less what we did last year or the years before. I’m 100 per cent responsible for this rubbish and it’s really not cool.”

    The German coach recently admitted his generally impeccable record with the club was probably the reason his job has not come into question, and shared his appreciation for the support he and his team continue to receive from fans.

    “I know everybody can express their emotions in an instant and there will be a lot of negative comments about us – I understand that,” he said. “But the people in the stadium are incredible.

    “You see things happening at other clubs, not only sackings but teams against owners, fans against owners, fans against the team – I’ve seen it all.

    “But if anyone can get through a situation like this in a classy manner, I really think it’s us as a club.”

    “What you’ve seen this year is that a lot of teams that performed last year on an extremely high level are not exactly there,” Klopp added. “Even City. Of course they play sensational football, but they don’t have the same points tally as last year [64, compared to 69 at the same stage in 2021-22].

    “The intensity, at one point, gets you and maybe it caught us this year. But that is no excuse for the next 10 games.

    “It may be an explanation for why we are not on our top level. We didn’t find a way to bring in consistent performances.”

    Sitting 13 points behind Newcastle United and Manchester United in third and fourth place respectively, it will take a significant turnaround for Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League, even if they have a game in hand.

    Klopp believes a “lack of confidence” has played a part, as well as injuries, but his team’s potential has still been visible with a 9-0 win over Bournemouth earlier in the season, and a 7-0 thrashing of rivals United in their last home game.

    Their shortcomings were on show again just six days later though, stumbling to a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth.

    “World-class players are performing on a strange level,” he said. “It started with injuries and players coming back early, and we were never really settled in this season.

    “We have to go through that and I have no problem with that. When I look back in 10 or 15 years this season will probably not be involved with highlights, but hopefully there’ll be a lot of things we can learn from it and can use next year.

    “But we have to fight through this and this is tough. If it was easy they wouldn’t pay me that much money for it.

    “We’ve had a super-strange season. We’ve had the two highest wins in our history but then a week later we cannot do it.”

  • Walker’s future at Manchester gloomy after Pep questions his ability

    Walker’s future at Manchester gloomy after Pep questions his ability

    Pep Guardiola claimed Kyle Walker “cannot” play the way he wants his full-backs to play, raising doubts about Walker’s future at Manchester City.

    John Stones is preferred at right-back, and the 32-year-old has only started two of City’s last seven games.

    The full-backs in Guardiola’s preferred style frequently move inside to join the midfield, as Stones did effectively in last week’s victory over Liverpool.

    Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League trip to Southampton, the Catalan coach did not sugarcoat the reason why he has left Walker out in recent games.

    “[Walker] cannot do it. To play inside, you have to make some educated movements,” Guardiola said.

    “He has other characteristics. He will always have pace. He will be the fastest in this room at 60 years old.”

    The City manager added: “The reason why is tactical. It’s not because we lost faith in Kyle.

    “He can play coming inside, and he has done it many times, but like in the position [against] Liverpool with Rodri and John, he will maybe need time to do it, and we don’t have time.”

    While City have never shied away from moving on players who Guardiola feels no longer suit his team, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss did offer Walker the chance to adapt to try to force his way back into contention.

    “What they have to do is two things,” he said. “Don’t complain or there will be a problem. And try to do it better and better, so when I need them, they will be ready.

    “Look at Nathan [Ake] this season. Last season, he didn’t play one minute, and now he is undroppable. It happens.

    “Nobody has a guarantee with me. They have to earn it, and sometimes we need a different shape for the way we build up or defend. Some players adapt better than the other ones.

    “They take it personally, but we are not against them. We just need something and try to use it.”

  • Burnley makes return to Premier League with victory at Middlesbrough

    Burnley makes return to Premier League with victory at Middlesbrough

    Burnley won 2-1 against Middlesbrough to win promotion from the Championship and guarantee a quick return to the Premier League.

    A six-season stint in the first flight came to an end when the Clarets were demoted on the final day of the previous campaign.

    Although they have only lost twice thus far in 2022–23, they have had a remarkable debut season under Vincent Kompany.

    Goals from Ashley Barnes and Connor Roberts, sandwiched by a Chuba Akpom penalty, secured the decisive victory at the Riverside for Burnley.

    Their 25th win of the season meant they secured promotion with seven games still to play.

    Burnley chairman Alan Pace told Sky Sports after promotion was confirmed: “Vincent has done something that’s very, very special.

    “This was a complete surprise, this was not our plan. Vincent and I talked about it in the summer, we gave ourselves two, three years was our plan. I think what you’ve seen is a lot of magic coming together.

    “This team is very, very good. You hear Vincent say it every week. They’re surprising each and every one of us every day, they’re phenomenal.”

    The Clarets are 11 points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, who are looking to win promotion after being relegated in 2021.

    The Blades are a further eight ahead of Luton Town in third having played a game fewer.

  • Klopp promises to be ‘calm’ in Liverpool’s starting lineup selection

    Klopp promises to be ‘calm’ in Liverpool’s starting lineup selection

    Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz will soon be able to play again for Liverpool, but manager Jurgen Klopp will choose his team with “calm” despite their impending return from injury.

    Following three games with just one point earned, the Reds welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to Anfield on Sunday in a last-ditch effort to save their season.

    Even though Liverpool’s two-game losing streak on Tuesday at Chelsea stopped in a 0-0 draw, it still puts them 10 points behind Manchester United and Newcastle United, who are currently in third and fourth, respectively.

    Klopp surprisingly made six changes for the trip to Stamford Bridge, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk dropping out.

    Van Dijk’s absence was put down to illness, which Klopp confirmed at Friday’s press conference he has now recovered from, while two other key men are now back in training.

    Diaz has not played for Liverpool since the reverse fixture with Arsenal in October, while Thiago is further ahead in his recovery after spending two months out with a hip injury.

    “Virgil is back in training. Luis and Thiago are training,” Klopp told reporters. “The plan with Luis is he will be available 100 per cent for Leeds [a week on Monday]. 

    “It was a long injury, so we will have to be careful. We will probably not involve him on Sunday. Thiago is slightly different. He’s trained three times and might be available.”

    Asked if those left out against Chelsea are in contention to start against Arsenal, Klopp said: “We’ve had one proper [training] session since then.

    “The boys haven’t shown me they don’t want to play. This is not the situation we are in. I have to make decisions about the team based on what I have seen in training.

    “That opens the door for everybody. I cannot constantly ask for something I didn’t get. I am always really calm in this moment. In the end, we will see what the outcome is.”

    While Liverpool have struggled for consistency, they have won five of their past six matches at Anfield, drawing the other, including the last three by an 11-0 aggregate scoreline.

    Indeed, the Reds have not conceded a goal on home soil in seven hours and 26 minutes of league football stretching back to December.

    “Anfield is not the only thing we should rely on, but it is no secret that the combination of our people, the ground and the boys is pretty good,” Klopp said. 

    “That is what we have to throw in, but not rely on it. I have a very good feeling we can [beat Arsenal].”

    Arsenal are 29 points better off than Liverpool, having played a game more, and are seeking their first league double in this fixture since the 2009-10 campaign.

    However, Liverpool have won their past six home Premier League games against Arsenal, scoring at least three times in each game (22 goals in total).

    Klopp has been impressed by the work of opposite number Mikel Arteta, but he remains hopeful his side can put on a show for their supporters at Anfield on Sunday.

    “I know people ask for more time for managers, and I think Mikel deserved every minute when it wasn’t going well, because they are there now,” Klopp said.

    “Arsenal made good transfers and are now pretty stable. They brought in super important players but not too many.

    “Mikel has been building for a few years now and the outcome is pretty impressive. I don’t know exactly what you can say about us at the moment, so that shows the situation. 

    “It’s still Anfield, we’re at home, and we must show a reaction, an improvement. We have to help the boys with different things. In a home game, the crowd can be a massive boost.”

    Klopp is looking to win seven home league games in a row against an opponent for the first time since doing so against Werder Bremen with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

  • Frank Lampard’s return, a sure Chelsea win of Champions League – supporters

    Frank Lampard’s return, a sure Chelsea win of Champions League – supporters

    Frank Lampard’s return to the club has some Chelsea supporters believing he can lead their team to the Champions League this year.

    Thursday, April 6, saw Lampard take over as Chelsea’s interim manager, replacing the recently fired Graham Potter.

    Less than two years had passed since the Englishman left the west London club and Thomas Tuchel took over as manager.

    As quoted by Chelsea’s official website, Lampard expressed his delight upon reuniting with the Blues, with the legendary midfielder disclosing he did not think twice when Chelsea came calling.

    “It was an easy decision for me because this is my club,” Lampard declared.

    Chelsea fans react to Lampard’s return

    According to Sportbible, a number of Chelsea fans were quick to take to social media to react to the news of Lampard’s return, with some claiming the club had made a logical appointment.

    Others went on to suggest that Lampard could actually steer the club to Champions League glory.

    One reckoned: “Frank Lampard back at Chelsea Champions League is in our sights.”

    A second tweeted: “Imagine Lampard wins the Champions League with Chelsea.” Another admitted: “If Frank Lampard wins Chelsea the Champions League I swear that’ll be an unrivalled life moment. The mere thought alone is flabbergasting!”

    Another posted: “Only upside I can see is that it would be truly poetic if Lampard can with the Champions League as player and manager for Chelsea, dreaming is free.”

    Lampard joins an exclusive list Sports Brief reported that Lampard joined an exclusive list of managers to have managed the club more than once with his re-appointment as the caretaker.

    Jose Mourinho was the first to manage the club twice.

    He laid the foundation for success under Roman Abramovich during his first spell between 2004-2007 and returned between 2013-2015.

    Famous interim Guus Hiddink managed twice and won the FA Cup in his first spell, while Roberto Di Matteo technically managed twice, winning the UEFA Champions League as interim.

  • Manchester United, Tottenham, and Liverpool all race for Napoli star, Minjae Kim

    Manchester United, Tottenham, and Liverpool all race for Napoli star, Minjae Kim

    This summer’s bidding war for Napoli defender Minjae Kim will include Manchester United, Tottenham, and Liverpool.

    The 26-year-old international from South Korea, Kim, has been a revelation for Luciano Spalletti’s dominant Serie A team this season, appearing in 36 of their 37 games in all competitions.

    Kim’s current contract apparently features a £39 million release clause, despite only being signed from Turkish team Fenerbahce last summer.

    According to The Mail, that has caught the interest of United, Spurs and the Reds, as well as German giants Bayern Munich and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

    Napoli intend to offer their No3 fresh terms in the coming weeks to try and avoid losing him for a relatively modest fee.

    Those efforts may prove in vain however, with the report suggesting Kim is keen to test himself in the Premier League.

    Spurs will hope they hold an edge over their rivals due to the presence of Kim’s international captain Heung-Min Son in their ranks.

    But Napoli, who have a commanding 16-point lead in the league and are among the favourites for Champions League glory, will not give up their star defender without a fight.

    Describing Kim earlier this season, Spalletti said: “For me, he truly is the best centre-back in the world. 

    “When he starts the run with the ball at his feet, he can get it into the opposition penalty area in five seconds flat.”

  • Man Utd: Ten Hag wants players to behave like ‘robots’ to gain finesse 

    Man Utd: Ten Hag wants players to behave like ‘robots’ to gain finesse 

    Erik ten Hag is aware that Manchester United’s players are only human, but he still believes that in order for them to succeed, they must “act as robots.”

    On Sunday, when United made their Premier League comeback against top-four rivals Newcastle United, they suffered a lacklustre 2-0 loss.

    Despite their success in the FA Cup and Europa League, they have only earned one point in their last three games in the top flight, placing them fifth in the standings.

    Ten Hag, however, has no doubt his squad can rediscover their best.

    “I agree we return to old habits, but I also know there are fluctuations,” he told The Guardian. “[Players] are not robots. But we have to act as robots, as machines.

    “We have to expect and demand of our players that they match the standards so when we are not doing [that] we are disappointed because that is our job.

    “We have shown in so many games that [we can do that]. It was a tough, very strong belief, [with] confidence and passion and togetherness.

    “We have, and have shown it in many games. We have shown we can win the games, but you have to do it in every game because that is the demand of Manchester United.”

    United can push themselves back into the Champions League qualification places with a win over Brentford on Wednesday, having games in hand on fourth-place Tottenham.

    Ten Hag will also have one eye on next week’s return to Europa League action, with the club set to host Sevilla a week on Thursday in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

  • Chelsea, Liverpool blasts ‘hateful’ chants after scoreless game

    Chelsea, Liverpool blasts ‘hateful’ chants after scoreless game

    The “vile” chants that were heard during the teams’ 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday have been denounced by Chelsea, Liverpool, and the Premier League.

    Chelsea and Liverpool played out their fourth goalless draw in as many head-to-head matches as the Blues missed numerous opportunities to win their first game following the firing of Graham Potter.

    Some home fans disrupted the game by chanting about the 1989 FA Cup semi-final disaster at Hillsborough, which claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans.

    Tuesday’s match was not the first to be overshadowed by such songs this season, with Manchester City expressing regret after similar chants were heard at their 4-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday.

    A statement released by Chelsea shortly after full-time read: “Chelsea FC condemns the inappropriate chants heard from some home fans during this evening’s game. 

    “Hateful chanting has no place in football and we apologise to anyone who has been offended by them.”

    Liverpool subsequently responded to Chelsea’s apology on Twitter, calling for supporters to stop partaking in the grim chants.

    “We know the impact these vile chants have on those who continue to suffer as a result of football tragedies,” read a Tweet from the club’s account. “For their sake, this has to stop.”

    The Premier League, meanwhile, addressed the situation in another Tweet, which read: “The Premier League condemns the tragedy chanting heard at tonight’s match between Chelsea and Liverpool. 

    “We continue to treat this as an unacceptable issue and are seeking to address it as a priority.”

  • Potter’s sack was too harsh – Former Chelsea star Gus Poyet

    Potter’s sack was too harsh – Former Chelsea star Gus Poyet

    Gus Poyet, a former player for the Blues, said that Graham Potter’s dismissal from Chelsea was “harsh,” but ultimately it was the cost of falling short of expectations.

    When new co-owner Todd Boehly started to make his presence known at Stamford Bridge last September, the former manager of Brighton was chosen to succeed Thomas Tuchel.

    Potter was fired less than six months into his position, however, after the team’s weekend loss to Aston Villa saw them drop to 11th in the Premier League.

    Poyet, a Chelsea cult hero and former Brighton boss himself, feels the decision to fire the 47-year-old was a tough one but ultimately unsurprising given their slide down the table.

    He said: “I think it was a difficult period. They had a few good results, especially in the Champions League, and it looked [like] a new beginning.

    “But football nowadays, it depends on so many things. We don’t analyse performances anymore, only a result. I think for Graham in particular, it’s harsh.

    “Brighton to Chelsea is a big change. That is a learning process, but at the same time, it’s Chelsea. When you are in a team like Chelsea, with the money spent, you definitely cannot be 11th.”

    Having dismissed Champions League-winning coach Tuchel in order to install Potter, Poyet feels Boehly will be cautious when it comes to his next pick.

    He added: “He’s learned that at Chelsea, it’s important to win. If Chelsea don’t win, the fans are not going to be happy because the Chelsea fans are winners and they feel the need to win. 

    “I think personality is very important. I think it’s very important when a coach in the situation that Chelsea are now can start winning games, but at the same time they will develop young players.

    “I don’t know how many managers will walk into a club in the quarter-final of the Champions League. It’s a dream job. But I think Chelsea first need to be clear what are the characteristics of the manager [they want].”

  • Graham Potter is gone, who is next? Check out his possible replacements

    Graham Potter is gone, who is next? Check out his possible replacements

    In order to find a long-term replacement for Graham Potter, Chelsea has launched a complex plan.

    Since Potter was fired from his position as manager of the Blues on Sunday night, the team is currently without a permanent manager.

    After Potter had earlier on Saturday led the west London team to a humiliating 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, he was fired shortly after.

    The defeat came amid sustained calls by fans to have the 47-year-old sacked following Chelsea’s disastrous run of form and results under him.

    Prior to Potter’s sacking, the west Londoners had dropped to 11th on the Premier league standings, with just 38 points.

    Who will replace Potter?

    There are a string of world-class managers currently without a job that Chelsea could consider for the vacant Stamford Bridge.

    While it remains unclear if the club will get a permanent replacement immediately, it is almost certain they will hire a substantive replacement for the remainder of the season.

    According to The Mirror, former Brighton defender Bruno Saltor has already been put in interim charge as the search for Potter’s successor gets underway.

    Sports Brief takes a look at eight prospective candidates that Chelsea could consider for the role.

    1. Julian Nagelsmann

    The immediate former Bayern Munich boss is the most obvious name out there.

    Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern at the end of February, with Thomas Tuchel, ironically, succeeding him. The German has also been linked with the vacant Tottenham job.

    2. Mauricio Pochettino

    The former Paris Saint-Germain man is one of the most sought after managers currently without a job.

    Poch has sufficient Premier League experience, having previously managed Tottenham and Southampton.

    Incidentally, he has also been touted as a possible replacement for Antonio Conte at Tottenham.

    3. Luis Enrique

    Luis Enrique is a natural winner, at least going by his managerial stint at Barcelona where he won two La Liga titles and the Champions League. He is among the high-profile managers without a job at the moment, having been sacked as the Spain head coach back in December.

    4. Brendan Rodgers

    This is perhaps a surprise inclusion in this list. Brendan Rodgers was rendered jobless over the weekend after he was sacked as the Leicester boss.

    The former Liverpool manager was handed his marching orders after overseeing a disastrous reign at the King Power Stadium that had seen the club drop into the relegation zone.

    Despite the rough patch he endured with Leicester, Brendan is still highly rated in the Premier League.

    5. Zinedine Zidane

    Zinedine Zidane is the other high-ranking manager currently unattached. Widely regarded as one of the most successful managers, Zidane has been out of work for two years, having left his role at Real Madrid in 2021. The former midfielder won two La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues during his Real Madrid reign.

    6. Carlo Ancelotti

    Should Chelsea go for Carlo Ancelotti, it would mark the Italian’s second return to Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti won the Premier League and FA Cup during his first spell with the Blues and has gone on to enjoy an illustrious managerial career wherever he has managed. The legendary tactician is currently with Real Madrid and has been linked with the Brazil national team role.

    7. Thomas Frank

    Thomas Frank has raised his stakes in the Premier League after an incredible run with Brentford this season.

  • Chelsea at the bottom half of table after Villa defeat

    Chelsea at the bottom half of table after Villa defeat

    As a result of John McGinn’s outstanding 30-yard goal, Aston Villa defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, dropping Chelsea into the bottom half of the Premier League standings and increasing the pressure on Graham Potter.

    In front of an irate home crowd, the Villa captain scored 10 minutes after halftime to increase his team’s lead.

    The Blues supporters had high expectations after four games during which they went undefeated in all competitions.

    However, fans voiced their displeasure when Ollie Watkins stunned Potter’s team in the first half by capitalizing on an error by Marc Cucurella.

    During the final siren, boos reverberated across the stadium as some fans yelled for Potter to be substituted as Chelsea’s goal-scoring woes raised their ugly heads once more.

    Yet it could have been so different for the hosts had they tucked away an early gift. 

    Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez rolled the ball short to Boubacar Kamara, who dithered in possession and allowed Mykhailo Mudryk to nick it. 

    The home crowd sensed a first Chelsea goal for the Ukrainian but Martinez managed to divert his shot to safety. 

    After that chance went begging, the Blues were nearly made to pay instantly. 

    Potter’s defence, with Reece James in a central three in place of the injured Wesley Fofana, parted to allow McGinn to release Watkins. 

    But with only Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat, he pulled his shot wide. 

    McGinn went closer on 15 minutes when his curling effort smacked the crossbar. 

    Chelsea, suddenly on the back foot, had received two early warnings. Neither would be heeded. 

    The opening goal was a calamity for Cucurella. 

    Douglas Luiz’s ball forward looked an easy mop-up job for Kalidou Koulibaly but his back-peddling team-mate nodded it into the path of Watkins. 

    This time, the in-form Villa striker made the most of his opportunity and lifted the ball over Arrizabalaga to make it 1-0. 

    Joao Felix showed quick, delicate feet inside the box to make space for a shot that Martinez did well to beat behind at his near post as the hosts rallied. 

    Mudryk’s moment finally appeared to have arrived soon after when he found space. 

    But he shot too early and the weak effort was easily gathered by Martinez. 

    Soon Chelsea’s pressure was relentless. 

    Ben Chilwell came close when he pulled away from McGinn down the left and struck a post, before Felix shot wide following a goalmouth scramble. 

    Martinez was required again, this time diving low to his left to keep out Kai Havertz’s clipped effort towards the bottom corner. 

    Potter’s team were on top but plenty of chances resulted in nothing more than frustration come the break. 

    McGinn’s goal after 55 minutes deepened their woes. 

    His whipped effort was hit crisply as Chelsea failed to clear a corner. 

    The blue shirts that flung themselves in front to try and block the shot did so in vain and the ball dropped beyond Arrizabalaga’s dive.

    From there, Chelsea kept toiling, applying busy, urgent pressure, without any real penetration.

    N’Golo Kante emerged from the bench to play his first minutes under Potter but there was to be no denying Unai Emery’s men.  

    To make matters worse for Potter, the result saw the Villans leapfrog his side as Chelsea slipped to 11th, a point behind Fulham following their defeat at Bournemouth. 

  • Roma star, Tammy Abraham is fueling Premier League rumours

    Roma star, Tammy Abraham is fueling Premier League rumours

    Under former owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea had a reputation for making extravagant transfer purchases.

    In his first two windows as a new co-owner, Todd Boehly developed the same habit, spending about £600 million.

    The club boasts one of the best academies in the world, but its players were perpetually frustrated by being loaned out; this situation briefly stopped when the Blues were slapped with a transfer ban in the 2019–20 season.

    Club legend Frank Lampard returned to the team as manager and filled the voids with players from the club’s academy.

    He made debuts for eight graduates, including Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, and Reece James.

    Lampard left midway through the second season and was replaced by Thomas Tuchel.

    Abraham then left for AS Roma due to a lack of playing time for £34 million, as reported by BBC Sports.

    Abraham hints at EPL return

    In his first season in Rome, Abraham scored 19 goals and provided five assists in all competitions, helping Jose Mourinho’s side win the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.

    He has since grown frustrated due to a lack of playing time and increased competition by the presences of Paulo Dybala, Andrea Belotti, and Eduardo Bove.

    According to Sky Italia, Manchester United and Aston Villa are interested in bringing Abraham back to England, with Chelsea also considering activating his €80 mil release clause.

    His recent interview suggests he could be open to a return to English football.

    “In football, never say never. Right now, my goal and my attention is on Roma: we want to finish the season well.

    I haven’t even started thinking about anything other than just being here and doing my best,” he told FourFourTwo, as quoted by Football Italia.

    “I wouldn’t say there are any loose ends in England; I’m in no rush. Maybe I’ll stay at Roma for the next ten years, or maybe not.

    You never know what’s around the corner,” he added.

    Arsenal interested in Abraham

    Sports Brief also reported that Arsenal are interested in bringing Abraham back to England and could make a move this summer for the London-born striker. Roma will demand a fee of €80 mil and interested clubs would have to contend with Chelsea, who have a clause that would be active by the end of the season.

  • P-Square’s Peter Okoye has convinced Napoli star Osimhen to move to Chelsea

    P-Square’s Peter Okoye has convinced Napoli star Osimhen to move to Chelsea

    Peter Okoye of the P-Square music group, one of the best-known Nigerian musicians, has explained that he has been able to convince Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to join Chelsea.

    Numerous clubs in the Premier League and France are keeping an eye on Osimhen, who has been in outstanding form this season for Napoli in all competitions.

    Osimhen travelled to Lagos to visit his family and friends after participating in two matches for the Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau in the African Cup of Nations qualifying round.

    Okoye shared a video on his official Instagram page, where he was seen sitting down and having a good time with Osimhen.

    Okoye wants Osimhen at Chelsea In the comment session, a fan asked Okoye if he was able to speak to Osimhen on speculation about him moving to the Premier League, and the singer said he has convinced him to join Chelsea.

    Peter Okoye’s statement ”I was able to convince Osimhen to come to Chelsea.” Meanwhile, Chelsea are expected to make their bid for Osimhen at the end of the ongoing League season.

    Aubameyang wants Barcelona return

    Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly tired of sitting on the bench at Premier League side Chelsea and wants to lower his salary so as for him to make a return to La Liga giants Barcelona.

    Last summer, Chelsea paid Barcelona the sum of £10 million for the signature of Aubameyang with the hopes that the Gabonese striker would help them score goals.

    But since the arrival of the former Arsenal captain at Stamford Bridge, he has been struggling and has even managed to net three goals in 18 appearances this term in all competitions.

  • Arteta says he copied Guardiola’s tactics in Zinchenko’s deployment

    Arteta says he copied Guardiola’s tactics in Zinchenko’s deployment

    As the competition between Arsenal and Manchester City for the title in May heats up, the Premier League title race is down to the final 10 games.

    The second leg of their matchup will take place at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.

    The Gunners are eight points ahead of City, who have a game in hand.

    At the Emirates Stadium, City prevailed 3-1 in the first leg.

    Since Mikel Arteta served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant in Manchester for three years before leaving to take over at his old club, there is a unique connection between this year’s title race and Arteta.

    Arteta received some assistance from his former coaching staff when he signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus and Ukrainian star Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined £82 million in the summer, as reported by Caught Offside.

    Arteta is copying Guardiola’s tactics

    Jesus and Zinchenko have been pivotal for Arsenal.

    While many fans have slammed Guardiola for selling them to a rival, Arteta revealed he has taken more from his former boss than two important players.

    Zinchenko is a versatile player who can play as a full-back, midfielder, or winger.

    Arteta has exploited this advantage at Arsenal by using him as a floating full-back in a move traced back to his compatriot.

    “It started when I was in Barcelona; we used to play a 3-4-3 diamond and one of the full-backs used to play there.

    But Pep did it at Bayern for the first time with Phillip Lahm and then that was developed at City with many different ways of doing it with different players,” Arteta told Mirror UK.

    ”So that is the great thing, that you can take all the time things from other sports, other coaches to make yourself better and that curiosity is necessary to evolve and be better,” he added.

    De Bruyne’s message to Guardiola

    Speaking of Guardiola, there are reports of dressing room rifts between him and some players including João Cancelo, who departed to Bayern on loan in January.

    Sports Brief reported on Kevin De Bruyne sending a message to Guardiola to express his dissatisfaction over the reduced playing time given to him this season.

    While KDB said he will do his best when called on, his manager believes the Belgium captain must return to the basics to regain his position on the first team.

  • Enrique wants a job in the Premier League, but a move to Spurs is unlikely

    Enrique wants a job in the Premier League, but a move to Spurs is unlikely

    Luis Enrique, a former coach for Spain and Barcelona, wants to work in England but appears to have ruled out taking over for Antonio Conte at Tottenham.

    After La Roja was eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, Enrique cut ties with Spain.

    Luis de la Fuente, who was promoted from the Under-21s, took his place, leaving Enrique back on the market.

    Since then, there have been numerous references to high-profile positions, but Spurs, who fired Conte on Sunday after a week of persistent rumours that his time with the team was up, are the team he seems to have been most associated with.

    During his first significant interview of the year, Enrique was not specifically asked about the Spurs, but he did express a desire to  work in the Premier League.

    But the fact he does not expect to be working in England even as early as July suggests the Spurs job would be a non-starter.

    “I would like to go to England to work,” he told Radio SER Gijon.

    “But I don’t see myself in the Premier League in July because I would like to go to a team there that can do important things, and that is very difficult.

    “I would not go to [just] any Premier League team.”

    The 52-year-old has also been among the big names linked with the Brazil job, which Tite vacated following the Selecao’s unsuccessful Qatar 2022 campaign.

    The coach confirmed he has received offers from national teams — Brazil not being one of them — but he seems less interested in returning to the international stage as things stand.

    “I don’t see myself coaching Brazil,” he continued. “Another coach profile fits in there better than mine.

    “They haven’t called me. I don’t know if my style fits the best with Brazil.

    “I have had offers from national teams, but not from clubs. It would have to be a very important [national] team to take it, although it would be very difficult for me to face Spain. I don’t know if I would be ready.”

  • Wenger is Premier League’s most influential manager – Mikel Arteta

    Wenger is Premier League’s most influential manager – Mikel Arteta

    After the former Arsenal manager was inducted into the competition’s Hall of Fame, Mikel Arteta referred to him as the most influential manager in Premier League history.

    After 16 players had already been added, Wenger and Alex Ferguson were inducted on Wednesday, making them the first managers to enter the Hall of Fame.

    During his lengthy tenure as Arsenal’s manager, Wenger led the team to three Premier League championships, including the 2003–04 “Invincibles,” and seven FA Cup victories.

    His revolutionary football philosophy, which included a dedication to playing attacking football, is well known.

    “I don’t think any other managers have had a more impact,” Arteta said.

    “Some managers have brought different ideas, different characters, different competitions. 

    “He opened the Premier League to the world in a different way to other managers. He had a vision that was much wider than any other manager had at the time.

    “England and the Premier League have to be very grateful forever to this man.”

    Arteta played under Wenger for five seasons between 2011 and 2016, before becoming Arsenal boss himself in 2019.

    After winning the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta has the Gunners leading the Premier League by eight points with 10 games to go.

    On track for Arsenal’s first title in 19 years, Arteta has credited Wenger for helping him as a player and then in the next step of his career.

    “I had a dream to play for this club and that was because of the way Arsenal played,” added Arteta.

    “It was so attractive. I had a phenomenal time with him. He pushed me as well at the end of my career to become a coach.

    “We had a conversation and I asked him what he would do in my position because I had doubts in my career over whether I wanted to continue my journey as a coach.

    “He helped me at the club and at the academy to do my badges and again, he was an inspiration.”

  • Tottenham’s star Emerson Royal suffers knee injury and long lay off

    Tottenham’s star Emerson Royal suffers knee injury and long lay off

    Emerson Royal will miss several crucial matches for Tottenham in the final stretch of the Premier League after undergoing surgery for a left knee injury.

    The news of his setback came as the team entered their final 10 league games, making it unlikely that the Brazil international would play again this season.

    With Emerson Royal out injured, Spurs have Pedro Porro at right-back and the Spaniard is expected to see time in the starting lineup.

    The north London giants let Matt Doherty join Atletico Madrid on loan in January, so acting head coach Cristian Stellini will hope Porro stays fit.

    Tottenham said in a statement: “We can confirm that Emerson Royal suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee while on international duty with Brazil last week.

    “The defender will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation with our medical staff.”

    Emerson Royal has made 32 appearances for Tottenham this season, taking all competitions into account, including 23 starts.

    He played in Brazil’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Morocco on Saturday, suffering the injury in the 90th minute after a challenge from Sofyan Amrabat.

  • Premier League: Bukayo Saka, best player at the moment? Hear teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko opinion

    Premier League: Bukayo Saka, best player at the moment? Hear teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko opinion

    Bukayo Saka, an Arsenal teammate, is “one of” the best players in the Premier League right now, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko.

    What happened?

    There are currently a number of shining stars in the English top division, with players like Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford shining for Manchester rivals City and United, respectively, in 2022–23.

    Saka, 21, has joined that esteemed company after assisting Arsenal in maintaining a title challenge and posting personal-best totals of 13 goals and 10 assists this season. Saka also scored for England in a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifying match.

    Zinchenko, who was on the wrong end of that result at Wembley Stadium, has told reporters when asked if Saka is the best player around at the moment: “In the Premier League? I’m not the guy who is going to judge but he is one of them for sure.

    I hope he is on this form for the rest of the season because he is such an important player for Arsenal as we have 10 more finals to go.”

    Saka helped England to get the better of Ukraine when taking their latest step towards the next European Championships, with Zinchenko admitting that friendships had been put on hold for 90 minutes.

    He added: “He is an amazing player, we know that.

    He is on fire at the moment, there are no friends on the pitch and unfortunately he beat me. In these kind of games, big players decide the game.”

    Zinchenko and Saka will be club colleagues again on Saturday when Arsenal – who hold an eight-point lead at the Premier League summit – return to domestic action with a home date against Leeds.

  • Robin van Persie believes Arsenal is the next Premier League Champions

    Robin van Persie believes Arsenal is the next Premier League Champions

    Robin van Persie believes his old team, Arsenal, will win the Premier League this year. 
    After an incredible run of play under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have become strong favourites to win the title.

    With only 10 games remaining, the north Londoners currently hold an eight-point advantage at the top of the standings.

    They appear to be a game away from winning the Premier League for the first time in nearly 20 years, but they will be wary of Man City, a team with a history of success who are currently sitting second on the log with a game remaining.

    Van Persie speaks on Arsenal winning the EPL

    Van Persie, who spent eight years at the Emirates Stadium, has insisted he would be happy to see Arsenal secure the crown.

    The former Dutch forward is not in good books with Arsenal fans after his controversial summer move to rivals Man United in 2012, where he went on to win the Premier League title.

    However, the legendary striker has appeared to suggest that there is no bad blood between him and the Gunners, with the 39-year-old making clear his feelings about his former side’s potential title triumph.

    “They’ve got [had] a couple of difficult games. They got the three points there, so that is what a champion’s team is made of. They’ve been proving that.

    But the last stretch is always the difficult one, so it’ll be interesting to see,” Van Persie told Sky Sports. “But my personal feeling is that they will go for it – that they will win the league. It’s been a while, so I’m happy for them to win it,” he added.

  • This is what I told Mykhailo Mudryk over arsenal transfer rejection – Oleksander Zinchenko

    This is what I told Mykhailo Mudryk over arsenal transfer rejection – Oleksander Zinchenko

    Following Mykhailo Mudryk‘s rejection of an Arsenal transfer in January, Oleksandr Zinchenko claims he has no ill will towards his colleague for the Ukraine national team.

    The Arsenal seemed prepared to smash their transfer record in an effort to sign one of the most highly regarded young forwards in European football.

    In a series of less-than-cryptic social media posts, Mudryk had made no secret of his desire to join the Premier League‘s top team, and in a candid interview with Zinchenko’s wife, journalist Vlada Sedan, he had said that he had fantasised about moving to north London.

    As events transpired, Arsenal were unable to agree a fee with Shakhtar Donetsk and their refusal to meet the Ukrainain club’s valuation allowed Chelsea and Todd Boehly an opportunity to swoop.

    With Chelsea happy to cede to Skakhtar’s demands, Mudryk found himself with no option but to sign for Chelsea instead, much to Zinchenko’s disappointment.

    He told the Daily Mail: ‘I said to him: “It’s gone already, it doesn’t matter what you wanted, what the other guys wanted”.

    ‘Now you’re a Chelsea player, you signed a long-term contract and you have only one option, only one way: direct and forward.’

    ‘Unfortunately he didn’t become an Arsenal player – as I wanted personally! – but it’s life.’

    Arsenal reacted to Mudryk’s snub by recruiting Leandro Trossard instead, a decision which has reaped instant dividends, while the 22-year-old has found adapting to the Premier League a far from straightforward task.

    After an eye-catching debut against Liverpool, his subsequent six appearances have yielded a solitary assist while he has struggled to nail down a place in Graham Potter’s constantly changing first XI.

    Zinchenko and Arsenal, meanwhile, continue to go from strength to strength as they progress with their relentless march towards a first Premier League title in approaching 20 years.

    Arteta ‘really happy’ with Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Crystal Palace

    The summer recruit from Manchester City has been an essential component in a side that has married steel with a creative flair that had been absent from of Mikel Arteta’s tenure prior to this season.

    Zinchenko’s technical ability and eagerness to dictate play from his customary left-back position has been central to the rapid progress Arsenal have made since his arrival and he credits Arteta, who he worked with at City, for helping shape his career.

    ‘I remember when Mikel was leaving City (in 2019),’ Zinchenko said. ‘I didn’t hold my emotions. I couldn’t because this guy was so special to me.

    ‘He taught me a lot As a human being he was incredible and the way he was working with us young players after every single training session, the advice he was giving everyone, was something incredibly important for me.’

    Asked what makes Arteta so special, he added: ‘The way he sees football – his vision, his character, his mentality. He’s a winner and everyone likes to win… as simple as that.

    ‘I said to my circle: “If one day I’m going to leave City and I’m going to stay in the Premier League, it will be only one manager: Mikel Arteta.”

    ‘That’s what I said to him when he called me for the first time in that transfer window.’

  • Pedri confirms his stay at Barcelona for many more years but not ruling out Premier League move

    Pedri intends to stay at Barcelona for “many years to come,” but is not ruling out a move to the Premier League.

    Since breaking into Barca’s first team, the 20-year-old has been a revelation, establishing himself as a key player for the LaLiga leaders.

    Pedri won FIFA’s Golden Boy award for the best young player in Europe in 2021 and quickly forced his way into the Spain team.

    The young maestro is under contract with the Blaugrana until 2026 and has no plans to leave for the time being, though he has hinted that he may work abroad in the future.

    When asked about the possibility of a switch to England, he is quoted as saying by Marca: “At the moment, no. I’m at Barca and hopefully I’ll stay here for many more years.

    “I love LaLiga, but nothing should ever be ruled out.”

    Pedri will miss Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland due to a hamstring injury, but is relishing a new era for the national team under Luis de la Fuente.

    Having played under De la Fuente at Under-21 level and in the Tokyo Olympics, Pedri believes the new Spain head coach will be a success.

    Pedri said: “He is a person who goes straight ahead, he likes to work on the things he believes in and I think we will do well.

    “All the coaches who come try to have the ball and play, especially because of the style of footballers we have, and I think it will not change a lot.”

  • Man Utd owners await revised offers for Premier League stalwarts

    Man Utd owners await revised offers for Premier League stalwarts

    Manchester United’s owners were waiting for new bids from a Qatari banker and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe on Thursday, after the deadline for revised bids to buy the Premier League giants had passed.

    According to reports, bidders were originally told they had until 2100 GMT on Wednesday to submit new bids, but that deadline has now been extended.

    It is unknown when the new cut-off will be implemented. The only bidders who have made their intentions public are Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank, and Ratcliffe, the founder of chemicals giant INEOS.

    A first round of bidding took place last month, and it has been reported that there are as many as eight different potential investors for the club owned by the American Glazer family, who are massively unpopular with Manchester United fans.

    The BBC said several other proposed investors made their submissions by the Wednesday deadline.

    No figures have been revealed but one or more of the initial bids was understood to be in the region of £4.5 billion ($5.5 billion).

    That would make Manchester United — who have not won the Premier League for a decade — the most expensive sports club in history, although it would be short of the £6 billion valuation reportedly placed on United by the Glazers.

    United’s owners announced in November they were conducting a strategic review, with the sale of the club one option being considered. Sheikh Jassim is bidding for 100 percent control, aiming to return the club to its “former glories”.

    A source close to Sheikh Jassim’s bid told AFP he remains confident his bid is “the best for the club, fans and local community”.

    ‘Stupid prices’ INEOS chemical company founder Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan, wants to buy the combined Glazer shareholding of 69 percent of the 20-time English champions. The 70-year-old told the Wall Street Journal this week he was not interested in paying “stupid prices” in a bidding war for one of football’s most iconic clubs.

    Ratcliffe, who already owns French club Nice, said his interest in United would be “purely in winning things”, calling the club a “community asset”, rather than a financial one.

    The Glazers have angered many United fans by saddling the club with huge debts since they took over in 2005.

    They appeared ready to cash out at an enormous profit when they invited external investment in November.

    However, they could yet shun the option of selling a controlling stake in the club, with other parties understood to be interested in a minority shareholding.

    Ratcliffe visited Old Trafford last week along with INEOS representatives, a day after a delegation from Sheikh Jassim’s group toured the club’s stadium and training ground.

  • Still has Premier League aspirations and may take the same path as Kompany

    Still has Premier League aspirations and may take the same path as Kompany

    Will Still is willing to move to a Championship club, much like Vincent Kompany did, in order to pursue his goal of managing in the Premier League.

    The 30-year-old, who did a good job with Ligue 1 team Reims, has been one of the most talked-about coaches in European football this season.

    Prior to a 2-1 loss at home to Marseille on Sunday, Reims had gone a club-record 19 games without losing in the league under Still’s leadership after taking over from Oscar Garcia in October.

    Still, whose only other loss as manager came in the Coupe de France, was born and raised by English parents in Belgium before moving to England as a teenager to pursue a coaching education.

    His name was mentioned for recent managerial posts at Leeds United and Southampton and, while he believes it is too soon to have been touted for such positions, Still would love a crack at England’s top flight one day.

    “It just seems completely stupid to me that my name is being put up against names that have done so much more and have been so many more places than I have,” he told Sky Sports.

    “I wouldn’t ever dare to compare myself to those people.

    “I’ve never really thought about it [managing in the Premier League] because I never expected to be in the position I am so early and so suddenly. Why not? I’ve done some crazy things in the past; I was head coach at 24 and the same thing happened at 28 back in Belgium and now I’m 30 and people are saying this is crazy.

    “Being English and growing up in an English environment in Belgium, England has always felt like home and a place that I’d love to go back to. It would feel like coming home, just because the English culture is part of me, part of my roots, part of my family, part of who I am.

    “I think if you asked any kid what they would like to do, they’d say they’d love to be a Premier League footballer or manager and I’m no different. I was brought up like everyone else and had the same dreams. I’ll keep at them.

    “If it happens one day I’ll deserve it, or I hope I will have deserved it, but I realise how much work there is to do before I get there and how much I’ve got to learn. For now, I will stick it to one side.”

    Up until recently, Reims were having to pay a €25,000 fine every time Still took charge of the first team as he did not have a UEFA Pro Licence, but he is now on a course to get his badge.

    Still believes that has amplified the interest in his story along with a comment he once made about the popular computer game Football Manager, that he says was misinterpreted.

    “With the Football Manager thing, for example – people think I’m some spotty geek behind my computer that’s just been dropped in at Stade de Reims and is doing an unbelievable job,” he explained. “But I’ve been doing it for 10 years and the experiences I’ve accumulated or tried to accumulate have helped me and are still helping me today.

    “People say, ‘Oh, he’s got no coaching badges, no qualifications, he’s just played computer games!’ I went to university to study football coaching, I’ve got the highest level diploma you can get, for the moment, in football and I’m studying for the Pro Licence.”

    In terms of the future, Still remains open to different career paths and mentioned how former Manchester City captain Kompany has excelled with Championship leaders Burnley after leaving Anderlecht as a potential example to follow.

    “Vincent Kompany was at Anderlecht last year and has gone into the Championship and has done an unbelievable job. I think the Championship rivals many of the top leagues in the world,” he said.

    “All the doors are open. I’m not closing anything at any time.”

  • Roy Hodgson back from retirement to hold up Eagles

    Roy Hodgson back from retirement to hold up Eagles

    To prevent Crystal Palace from being relegated, Roy Hodgson has come out of retirement.

    With just five points from their previous 12 games and no victories since December 31, the Eagles are in last place in the Premier League’s form table.

    Palace lost 4-1 to league-leading Arsenal on Sunday, leaving them in 12th place, three points above the relegation zone, just days after Patrick Vieira was fired as interim manager.

    After Watford was demoted to the Championship at the end of the previous season, Hodgson, 75, hung up his clipboard. However, the team where he started his playing career in 1965 has persuaded him to return to the bench for the remainder of the campaign.

    The former England boss said: “It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around. 

    “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status. 

    “Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us, beginning with the visit of Leicester a week Saturday.” 

    It will be Hodgson’s second spell in the Selhurst Park hotseat after keeping the Eagles in the top flight from the 2017-18 season to the end of the 2020-21 campaign before stepping down from his role to be replaced by Vieira.

    Eagles chairman Steve Parish added: “I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club. 

    “We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray Lewington’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”

    With McCarthy joining Hodgson’s first-team coaching set-up as assistant manager, Darren Powell will become head coach of Palace’s Under-21s. 

  • Arsenal or City? Sir Alex Ferguson gives smart response to interviewer question

    Arsenal or City? Sir Alex Ferguson gives smart response to interviewer question

    When asked who he would prefer to see win the Premier League championship between Arsenal and Manchester City in an interview, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson responded bluntly. 

    With the Gunners holding a five-point lead after 27 rounds of games, Arsenal and City are engaged in a fierce two-horse race for the championship.

    Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are on track to win their first championship since 2003/04, though a lot can still change between now and May.

    In attendance at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, Fergie ran into an Itv interviewer who quizzed him about the championship race.

    Asked to pick between Manchester City and Arsenal for the title, Ferguson, who won the Premier League 13 times with United, gave a wry smile and said: “Not interested”, as quoted on The Mirror.

    His response will surely have delighted Manchester United fans, who last tasted Premier League title success in 2013, when Ferguson was managing in his final season with the club.

    Arsenal have chance to establish distance

    As far as the title race is concerned, Arsenal will have the chance to move eight points clear of Manchester City, who will not play in the Premier League this weekend.

    The Gunners will come up against Crystal Palace on Sunday, while Manchester City will be in FA Cup action.

    How many points do Arsenal need to win PL?

    Sports Brief also reported on the number of points Arsenal needs in order to win the Premier League with 11 matches to go.

    Historically, the most competitive title races have seen the winners accrue an impressive number of points, but 90 has always been the magic number.

    According to Premier League’s official website, Arsenal currently have 66 points after 27 games and they need a maximum of 25 points out of a possible remaining 33 to ensure they are champions.

  • La Liga’s Javier Tebas wants Kylian Mbappe to switch to Real Madrid

    La Liga’s Javier Tebas wants Kylian Mbappe to switch to Real Madrid

    Javier Tebas has stated his strong desire to see superstar Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain play in the top division of Spain soon. Last summer, Kylian Mbappe was just about to sign with Real Madrid when he decided to make a stunning U-turn and sign a new contract with Les Parisiens.

    The 24-year-old has broken PSG’s record for goals scored since deciding against joining Los Blancos, and the Spanish powerhouses have added another Champions League and league title to their collection of trophies.

    But the head of La Liga believes that Mbappe and Real Madrid will soon work together.

    “Real Madrid is the only La Liga team that could sign Mbappe. He should play in La Liga, please “Javier Tebas, the league’s president, has disclosed to Movistar as quoted by Tribuna.

    This is not the first time, Tebas has suggested Mbappe join Madrid, having earlier made it clear that only the White Angels could land Kylian Mbappe and Man City goal-poacher Erling Haaland.

    Perhaps, the 60-year-old administrator is sorely missing another big name in the Spanish top flight following the departures of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Tebas eyes Mbappe-Madrid union La Liga president Javier Tebas hopes superstar forwards Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will someday play in Spain and already knows the team they could play for.

    Mbappe and Haaland are two of the most valuable strikers in world football at the moment due to their current form for Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, respectively. According to Sportskeeda, Tebas believes if both stars were to switch to Spain in the future, only Real Madrid can sign both players.

    Tebas slams EPL transfer spending Sports Brief earlier reported that Javier Tebas has aimed a swipe at the English Premier League, sensationally claiming it is not a financially sustainable model.

    Tebas has cut a controversial figure in European football, continually criticising Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain for their funding.

    The 60-year-old’s criticism of the Premier League stems from last summer’s spend by clubs from the most marketable league in the world.

  • Five managers in danger in the Premier League

    Five managers in danger in the Premier League

    Several managers picked up much-needed victories in yet another exciting Premier League round, while other managers found themselves in even more danger.

    After a shocking 1-0 victory over Liverpool, Bournemouth under Gary O’Neil climbed off the bottom of the standings, and Tottenham under Antonio Conte also picked up three points at home.

    But Brendan Rodgers, Patrick Vieira, and David Moyes all fell short of orchestrating a victory at home.

    We examine the five strategists most likely to be fired before the season is through.

    David Moyes (West Ham)

    A tough season at West Ham continued when they were held to a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.

    The Hammers only sit above the relegation zone on goal difference and despite a promising 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last month, they have since been knocked out of the FA Cup and thumped 4-0 at Brighton.

    That inconsistency is a frustration for Moyes and may ultimately result in London Stadium chiefs deciding to dispense with the Scot.

    After the draw with the Villans, the Scot said: “At the moment, I have to say we’re a bit flaky and I have to make sure that that’s not there.

    “This season we have shown bits of that, which I don’t like.”

    Antonio Conte (Tottenham)

    Antonio Conte could turn his back on Tottenham
    Antonio Conte could turn his back on Tottenham

    Conte looked close to the exit door at Tottenham when his team were dumped out of the Champions League by AC Milan last week.

    A number of off-field issues have complicated the Italian’s tenure this term, with the FA Cup exit at Sheffield United further complicating matters for the North Londoners.

    But a 3-1 home win over Forest on Saturday calmed the storm at Spurs and Conte is seemingly happy to now continue the fight, if only until the end of the season.

    The ex-Chelsea and Inter Milan boss, 53, said: “I see the right spirit and desire to get the three points.

    “In my players, I have seen the fire in their eyes.

    “For us to finish in the top four is like winning the Premier League. It happened last season and I spoke about a miracle.”

    Patrick Vieira (Crystal Palace)

    Patrick Vieira has struggled to get Crystal Palace firing this season
    Patrick Vieira has struggled to get Crystal Palace firing this season

    Palace have been awful in the final third this term.

    In Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to City, they became the first team on record (since 2003-04) to fail to have a single shot on target in three consecutive Premier League matches.

    Palace remain winless in their 10 league outings in 2023 (five draws, five defeats) and are now only three points from the drop.

    An angry Vieira said after the loss to City: “It’s happened too many times when I’ve mentioned we should have got something from the game. I’m really frustrated.

    “We want to play in a better way, to create more chances and score goals, but the process is taking time.”

    Brendan Rodgers (Leicester)

    Leicester fans have turned on manager Brendan Rodgers
    Leicester fans have turned on manager Brendan Rodgers

    Saturday’s 3-1 home loss to Chelsea was Leicester’s 16th defeat of the season — the joint-worst record in the division with Southampton — and the first time Rodgers has suffered as many in a single league season.

    And although only Claudio Ranieri has a better win percentage (44%) than Rodgers (43%) in his 150 top-flight games in charge of the Foxes, the 50-year-old’s time in the East Midlands looks to be almost up.

    A disappointing summer of transfer activity was followed by a poor start to the season and despite an upturn before the World Cup, four defeats on the bounce have resulted in fans turning against the 16th-placed outfit.

    After the latest setback, Rodgers said: “The chanting doesn’t affect me. My focus is on the team and I will give my very best while I’m here.

    “The supporters are clearly disappointed. You want the crowd to be behind the team but this how it has been since the summer.

    “One thing we have shown is that we can fight and have resilience and that’s what is going to be needed in these next 12 games.”

    Gary O’Neil (Bournemouth)

    Gary O'Neil received a huge boost on Saturday
    Gary O’Neil received a huge boost on Saturday

    Bournemouth’s 9-0 loss at Liverpool last August resulted in former boss Scott Parker receiving the boot, with O’Neil installed as caretaker.

    O’Neil earned the position on a permanent basis following 13 points from 11 games and although there was a drop-off in results after the World Cup, a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture against the Reds has given the Cherries renewed hope of beating the drop.

    They are now level with West Ham in the table but O’Neil still has his work cut out.

    He said: “The performances in the last three games have been very good against top opposition.

    “Fine margins can’t always go against you like they had been. We have to just keep going. I know the boys still believe.”

  • Stars of Matchday 27 in the Premier League

    Stars of Matchday 27 in the Premier League

    Gameweek 27 of the Premier League saw goals, red cards, and excitement as league leaders Arsenal kept a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top.

    Away from the Champions League, Manchester United and Liverpool lost ground on Tottenham and Newcastle while Manchester United and Liverpool gained ground in the race for fourth.

    Since Everton, Leeds, Southampton, Bournemouth, and West Ham all added to their total, Crystal Palace in 12th place and bottom-place Southampton are only separated by five points.

    We select five standout players who shone the brightest for their clubs after a weekend filled with drama both on and off the pitch.

    Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

    Arsenal showcased their title credentials once again in the 3-0 win over Fulham and Leandro Trossard is proving to be a smart purchase for Mikel Arteta.

    The former Brighton winger recorded three first-half assists at Craven Cottage as the rampant Gunners maintained their gap over the current champions.

    Belgium’s 24-cap international is the first player to have a hat-trick of goals and assists in the same season since Santi Cazorla in 2012-13 and the speedster has already tallied six goal contributions in an Arsenal shirt.

    Gabriel, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were the grateful recipients as Trossard became the first player to provide three goals for team-mates in the first half of a Premier League game.

    Harry Kane (Tottenham)

    Despite playing in a side that has fewer resources than City, Harry Kane is doing well to keep in touch with Erling Halaand in the race for the Golden Boot.

    The England skipper notched twice in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday to take his league tally to 20 — eight behind the Norwegian.

    His first was an excellent looping header from a Pedro Porro cross that sailed over Keylor Navas early on and the No10 later tapped home from the penalty spot to double Spurs’ lead.

    Kane could have had a third but for a smart save from the Forest stopper, who kept the North London outfit from scoring five or six on the day.

    It was a good response from Antonio Conte’s men, who were dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of a week and will now turn their attention to a strong finish in the remaining 11 games.

    Neto (Bournemouth)

    Bournemouth’s win over Liverpool was a huge step forward for the Cherries, who are looking to retain their Premier League status.

    Although Neto did not get a hand on Mohamed Salah’s shocking penalty, the goalkeeper played his part in putting off the Egyptian finisher and was delighted when he watched the winger’s effort sail into the crowd behind him.

    The 33-year-old made five saves and kept his fourth clean sheet of the season as Gary O’Neil’s side moved to within a point of safety.

    A standout stop from Diogo Jota was the difference between one point and three for Bournemouth, who have won only six league games in 2022-23.

  • Champions League would define Man City’s reign – Guardiola

    Champions League would define Man City’s reign – Guardiola

    No matter how many times his team wins the Premier League, Pep Guardiola acknowledges that the success in the Champions League will define his time as manager of Manchester City. Tuesday’s second leg of City’s Champions League last-16 tie against Bundesliga powerhouse Leipzig will be played with the goal of reaching the quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive season.

    Despite being held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Guardiola’s team is expected to advance in front of their home crowd at the Etihad Stadium.

    The quest to end City’s wait to win the top club competition in Europe for the first time inspires and frustrates Guardiola at the same time.

    The 52-year-old has won the Premier League four times, four League Cups, and  FA Cup during his remarkably successful seven years in Manchester.

    Yet for all his domestic glory with City, it is the Champions League that remains the holy grail. .

    Guardiola won the Champions League twice as Barcelona boss, in 2009 and 2011, but failed to repeat that success in his three years with Bayern Munich.

    City lost to Chelsea in the 2021 final but have also endured a series of agonising exits from the knockout stages, with last season’s astonishing late collapse against Real Madrid in the semi-finals an especially bitter blow.

    Asked if his time at City would be judged solely on his European achievements, Guardiola told reporters: “Yes. It doesn’t mean I agree with that but absolutely we will be judged by this competition.” However, he believes City’s gradual progress from outsiders to established members of Europe’s elite under his leadership deserves more respect.

    “Since day one when I arrived, sitting here for the first time, they (the media) asked me ‘Are you here to win the Champions League?’” he said. “I said ‘What? If you are manager of Real Madrid maybe I accept that.’

    But I accept it here. It’s not going to change.” ‘Try again’ City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is adamant the Guardiola era should still be deemed a success despite the failure so far to land the Champions League title.

    “Every year we have been close, quarters, semis, final. We just haven’t done the last bit. We are going to try again,” he said. “If you care about the noise then obviously it’s going to annoy you. I know we haven’t won it but we have done really well. “I know people only judge on if you win it, but there have been a lot of circumstances.

    ” With City trailing five points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, the Champions League is even more important for Guardiola’s team this season.

    For City to win the Premier League or Champions League, they will need Erling Haaland at his best. Haaland scored the penalty winner at Crystal Palace on Saturday to reach 34 goals in all competitions this season.

    There are still critics of Haaland’s lack of involvement in City’s build-up play and Guardiola believes the Norway striker can improve that side of his game. “I don’t like one player just to be in the box to score goals. Of course that is important, it is the main thing, but it is not all we need of him,” Guardiola said.

    “When we are away from the opponent’s box he cannot score a goal. We need him to be involved and to be active. “He has improved a little bit but on this he can do better.”

  • Thomas Partey tells how his parents influence his career

    Thomas Partey tells how his parents influence his career

    Ghanaian international Thomas Partey has explained that his parents have a significant influence on his life and career, much like a coach would.

    Partey, who has been in excellent form this year, has made a significant contribution to Arsenal’s success in the Premier League season thus far.

    Partey claims that his parents’ support, who serve as his coaches, is the key to his success.

    He emphasised how important his parents have been in helping him analyse games and improve as a player on the pitch.

    “Both of my parents are like a coach. They said if I have a chance to shoot, I have to shoot. They are like you have to chip this ball behind the goalkeeper. They are like a coach,” Partey told Super Sports.

    The Arsenal player disclosed that he is in constant touch with his parents, thanks to technology.
    “They’ve learnt how to send me a lot of voice notes so I listen to them every time and I call them when I am free,” he said.

  • The biggest Premier League surprising wins 

    The biggest Premier League surprising wins 

    Premier League is one of the most competitive leagues in football, with fans across the globe. Over the last thirty-one years, the league has seen some of the most fascinating and unexpected wins, shocking even the teams that made them! Here are some of the biggest surprise wins in Premier League history:

    Manchester United Win Against Ipswich Town in March 1995: 9-0

    Some argue that the Ipswich Town side that played at Portman Road on March 3, 1995, was not particularly strong. The Tractor Boys were on their way to relegation and were facing Manchester United in their final game of the season. 

    But even though they were second-bottom of the table, this match still had all the makings of a classic. These were two determined teams going head-to-head for bragging rights over what was likely to be their last chance at promotion.

    And boy, did it live up to expectations! In one of football’s most memorable games, Manchester United won 9-0 against Ipswich Town. Are the men responsible for making history with those nine goals? Andy Cole sank in five, with Keane, Hughes, and Ince finishing the rout. 

    Manchester City Win Against Watford in September 2019: 8-0

    The first fifteen minutes of this game saw Manchester City take an impressive lead of 5-0. It was such a fast start that it set a record for the fastest five-goal lead in Premier League history! 

    Since Chelsea vs. Wigan in 2010, this is the first time an English top-flight team has scored six or more goals in consecutive games against another top-flight club in all competitions.

    On the other side, Watford suffered their biggest defeat in English league football history, and it was just the third occasion in Football League history that they surrendered eight goals.

    For sports betting fans all over, this was a game to remember. If you’re interested in betting, check out Betway, one of the top platforms with casino games and great odds on all your favorite sports. 

    Newcastle United Win Against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999: 8-0

    Newcastle United’s biggest-ever win in the Premier League is also their most surprising. The Magpies had just finished sixth that season and were expected to struggle as they tried to rebuild under Ruud Gullit. 

    However, Newcastle went on an incredible run that saw them finish in eleventh position. This would also be the game that contributed to their twenty-five losses, resulting in relegation. Since then, they haven’t been back to play in the PL.

    Chelsea Win Against Wigan Athletic in May 2010: 8-0

    Wigan Athletic fans would again be brought to tears by an eight-nil thrashing against Chelsea. The Blues had had a good run before this game, so their win was somewhat inevitable. 

    Didier Drogba secured a hat trick within 17 second-half minutes, helping him land an impressive 29 goals in the 2009/10 season. This would also win him the special Premier League Golden Boot award for the top scorer that season.

    Chelsea Win Against Aston Villa in December 2012: 8-0

    What a game! Chelsea gifted their fans a nice Christmas present with an eight-nil win against Aston Villa! The win against Aston Villa was also a clean sheet for Rafa Benitez’s side, who had only suffered one loss in four matches under their new manager’s guidance.

    Tottenham Win Against Wigan Athletic in November 2009: 9-1

    The league had to wait an entire decade before clocking a win with more than eight goals. Tottenham’s 9-1 win against Wigan Athletic would be one of the most impressive games in history.

    Fifty minutes into the game, Spurs had only managed a 1-0 lead, with Wigan Athletic probably hoping to equalize. However, Defoe would sink in an impressive five goals within thirty-six minutes that catapulted Tottenham to their 9-0 victory!

    Southampton Win Against Sunderland on October 18, 2014: 8-0

    An own goal started the afternoon by Vergini within the first 12 minutes of the first half. As if that wasn’t enough, this would be followed by two more own-goals, setting the record for most own-goals in one game in the Premier League.

    Southampton would then secure third position in the league, edged on by their strong offense and undefeated defense.

    Will We See More of Such Historic Goals?

    Not all wins are the same, and the wins listed here made history in the Premier League and marked these players’ careers. Games like these make the game so loveable, and we can only hope for more!

  • Adebayor displays exotic mansion worth millions of dollars, with cinema, gym

    Adebayor displays exotic mansion worth millions of dollars, with cinema, gym

    In a recent video, Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Premier League superstar, flaunted some aspects of his opulent lifestyle, leaving many of his fans gushing about how wealthy he is online. Without a doubt, Adebayor has made a substantial sum of money from his time playing football, particularly when he was a member of Premier League teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham.

    The Togolese has now demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a wealthy football player by showcasing the grounds and interior of one of his mansions.

    Adebayor owns residences in the UK, Ghana, Togo, and other countries.

    According to a video the former African best footballer of the year shared on his Instagram page, a Rolls Royce, Cinema and a Gym can all be seen in the mansion of Adebayor. Adebayor however explained that success can be achieved with hard works.

    Statement made by Adebayor ”This house represents more than just luxury. It’s a reminder that with hard work, discipline, and faith in a higher power, anything is possible. May my story inspire you to never give up on your dreams, no matter how big they may seem.”

    Meanwhile, Adebayor currently plays for Togolese Champion National club Semassi. Adebayor shows dance skills Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Emmanuel Adebayor might not be on the pitch to display his football skills, but the former Arsenal striker has showed off silky dance moves.

    The former Togo international was spotted in a Kenyan night club having a good time. In a video that went viral on social media, Adebayor is seen with a female fan displaying his dancing skills.

    While he was dancing with the fan, others who had recognised the footballer chanted his name and praised his moves.

    The veteran forward is yet to retire from the game after he joined Togolese outfit, AC Semassi in 2021.

  • De Zerbi focused on making history at Brighton

    De Zerbi focused on making history at Brighton

    Despite rumours linking him to Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi is content at Brighton and Hove Albion and committed to helping the Seagulls break records this season.

    Since taking over for Graham Potter in September, De Zerbi has made a significant impact at Brighton and helped the Seagulls contend for European qualification.

    With three games remaining, Brighton is seven points behind fourth-placed Spurs in the Premier League standings. Their 43 goals this season are also a competition record.

    With De Zerbi’s team performing well, he has been mentioned as a potential successor to Antonio Conte, who is expected to leave Spurs by the end of the current season, along with people like Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank, and Steve Cooper.

    Asked about those links at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds United, De Zerbi said: “I have a long contract with Brighton and I’m happy to work here.

    “I’m enjoying working with these players, I’m delighted with my players for their performance and I can’t ask for more, it’s a good moment in my life.”

    head of the trip to Elland Road, Brighton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League away games (W3 D2), the joint-longest current run in the competition, alongside Brentford.

    We need to take our chances – Howe disappointed at another Newcastle blank

    Brighton have also failed to score just once in 11 away league games this term (0-2 at Brentford in October) – no Premier League side have drawn a blank on fewer road trips (Arsenal also one).

    With Brighton earning plaudits for their enterprising style and with the race for European qualification wide open, De Zerbi is aware of the potential their campaign holds.

    “People are speaking about our quality of play, and for that I am proud. But we have to be focused only on the next games. We have a clear target,” he said.

    “We have a dream. We know we can write a new history for the club. This is a nice challenge. 

    “It will be difficult. We know what we can expect, but now we are able to win. I think now we have a complete squad with many young players, we are stronger.

    “We want to arrive in Europe but we have to push and take it game by game. Tomorrow starts a difficult period with three games in a week, but we are ready to fight for our targets.”

  • Best Foreign Player: Napoli’s Aurelio De Laurentiis lauds Victor Osimhen

    Best Foreign Player: Napoli’s Aurelio De Laurentiis lauds Victor Osimhen

    Victor Osimhen, a forward from Nigeria, has received praise from Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis after winning Serie A’s best foreign player award.

    The Super Eagles striker deservedly received the honour following a stellar campaign in which he helped Napoli to the top of the standings with 19 goals.

    The Naples club has relied heavily on Osimhen as they comfortably sit atop the table with a 15-point lead.

    Thanks to the Nigerian forward, De Laurentiis’ dream of leading Napoli to Serie A victory appears to be coming true.

    De Laurentiis celebrated Osimhen on social media after he won the Stampa Estera award.

    “Thanks to the Foreign Press. A beautiful award ceremony for Victor and high-level exchange of views,” he wrote on Twitter.

    A proud De Laurentiis had earlier posted a photo of himself and the player with the inscription, Victor. Osimhen’s time in Naples could end prematurely in the summer transfer window, with several clubs including Manchester United interested in his services.

    The lanky forward has not hidden his desire of playing in the English Premier League.

    Victor Osimhen wins top award

    Sports Brief earlier reported that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has landed a prestigious award after being named as Stampa Estera’s best foreign athlete in Italy considering his brilliant performances this term.

    The Super Eagles strongman has been in superb form this term at Napoli scoring goals and has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League. Clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United are reported as the two sides who are seriously looking for the signature of Osimhen and they will go into bid battle at the end of the season.

    Osimhen pays tribute to Maradona Victor Osimhen has paid a touching tribute to late football icon Diego Maradona hailing the Argentine for his incredible contributions to the success of Napoli years back.

    The Nigerian international claimed that what Maradona did for Napoli during his active playing days can never be overemphasized stressing that the Argentine did it alone while the present players are doing it as a team.

    Osimhen added that what Maradona did for the Serie A giants cannot be forgotten stressing that there is no way the name of Napoli will be mentioned without remembering the late soccer star.

  • We cannot get too confident – Liverpool’s Henderson warns after Man Utd’s thrashing

    We cannot get too confident – Liverpool’s Henderson warns after Man Utd’s thrashing

    After Liverpool’s dominating 7-0 victory over Manchester United, Jordan Henderson has cautioned his teammates not to overestimate their abilities.

    In Sunday’s lopsided match at Anfield, the Reds handed their fierce rivals a record Premier League defeat and their joint-heaviest loss ever.

    While Liverpool took particular pleasure in humiliating United, the outcome also brought them closer to fourth-place Tottenham with a game remaining by three points.

    Newcastle, meanwhile, has two games remaining to catch Spurs and is four points outside of the Champions League spots.

    Although Liverpool has now taken 13 of the last 15 available points, Henderson does not want his teammates to get too confident.

    “Hopefully we can use it in the right way but you can’t get too confident or overconfident, for sure,” he told Liverpool’s official website. 

    “There are different tests along the way from now until the end of the season that will come and you need to stay positive, stay ready and stay hungry like we were [on Sunday].

    “That will give us a good chance to finish the season well.”

    Henderson made his 400th start for Liverpool in all competitions in their memorable victory over United, 20 of those coming in the 2022-23 campaign.

    It has been a disappointing season for the Reds on the whole, but captain Henderson is pleased to have seen the Liverpool of old against United.

    “The performance for the whole game was really good. Intensity and energy levels were high, and something that we have been missing for a while this season,” he said. 

    “I thought we performed to the levels we are capable of and when you do that you get your rewards with the goals.”

    Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah all scored two goals each, while Roberto Firmino – who will leave Anfield at the end of the season – completed the rout.

    Liverpool scored from seven of their eight shots on target in a ruthless display, scoring as many goals as they managed in their previous eight league games combined.

    “Everything seemed to go in,” Henderson added. “There was some great finishing, some great runs, movement and the delivery was good, so everything seemed to work.

    “Hopefully this gives everyone the confidence to keep building, keep working and keep going right until the end of the season and see where we can get to.”

    Liverpool return to action on Saturday with a trip to bottom side Bournemouth, before facing Real Madrid in the second leg of a Champions League last-16 tie they trail 5-2.

  • Premier League ‘disappointed’ by decision not to allow concussion subs trial

    Premier League ‘disappointed’ by decision not to allow concussion subs trial

    The Premier League have been left “disappointed” by the decision to reject a trial period for introducing temporary substitutes for concussion.

    The competition, alongside club doctors and the Professional Footballers’ Association, had petitioned the International Football Association Board on the matter.

    But at its annual conference in London, IFAB elected not to immediately approve the idea, although it remains a possibility further down the line.

    The decision has frustrated the Premier League, which, in a widely reported statement, expressed concerns.

    “We cannot understand the basis for which it has not been approved,” the Premier League statement read.

    “We are disappointed that a temporary concussion substitute trial was not approved considering all available scientific evidence and the overwhelming support from Premier League club doctors.

    “While we note that a trial has not been dismissed, we remain convinced it should go ahead at the earliest possible opportunity in the interests of player welfare.”

    Luis Diaz’s expected return from injury unknown but there’s hope – Klopp

    Permanent substitutions can be made for players suffering a suspected concussion or head trauma during matches under the game’s current laws.

    This is in contrast to other sports, such as American football, rugby union and rugby league, in which temporary changes can be made in order for players to undergo head injury assessments before they may be allowed to return to the field.

    IFAB rejected an earlier attempt by the Premier League to table a trial for temporary concussion replacements back in January, as lawmakers continue to disagree over its viability.

  • Five shocking results in Premier League history

    Five shocking results in Premier League history

    The Premier League has played host to a number of crazy games through the years.

    Fans have witnessed 11 goals in a single match, while some of the best teams in England have been on the wrong end of humiliating results.

    When it comes to the most shocking, there is a catalogue of fixtures to consider from Manchester United’s 6-3 loss to Southampton in 1996 to Arsenal beating Tottenham 5-4 at White Hart Lane in 2004.

    With the Premier League more competitive than ever, LiveScore have put together the top five most astonishing scorelines.

    1. Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (2011)

    Manchester United humiliated Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2011
    Manchester United humiliated Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2011

    United have been involved in several high-scoring fixtures in the Premier League era, including this one in August 2011.

    After years of tense encounters between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s opposing sides, this one turned out to be a thumping — the Gunners slumping to a 8-2 loss.

    Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick to take home the match ball, Ashley Young grabbed himself a brace, while Nani, Danny Welbeck and Ji-sung Park were all on target on a bleak day for the visitors — their worst defeat since 1896.

    The North Londoners were able to raid the transfer market — including the signing of now-manager Mikel Arteta — to get their season back on track, and went on to secure Champions League qualification.

    Meanwhile, the hosts ultimately lost their title to rivals Manchester City on the final day.

    2. Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool (2020)

    Aston Villa stunned champions Liverpool at Villa Park in 2020
    Aston Villa stunned champions Liverpool at Villa Park in 2020

    Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool came to Villa Park in October 2020 as defending Premier League champions but without a number of key players.

    Aston Villa, buoyed by escaping relegation on the last day of the previous season, held no punches as they provided a scintillating attacking display.

    Summer signing Ollie Watkins netted a first-half hat-trick, while Jack Grealish was involved in five goals — assisting three and netting two — as Dean Smith’s side completed a remarkable 7-2 win.

    The Reds never managed to get their title defence back on course — ending the season in third — while Villa secured a mid-table finish, with star man Grealish earning a big-money move to Man City.

    3. Southampton 0-9 Leicester (2019)

    Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick in the 9-0 battering of Southampton
    Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick in the 9-0 battering of Southampton

    Leicester equalled United’s record for the biggest Premier League victory, when they put nine past 10-man Southampton on a rainy night at St Mary’s in October 2019.

    Both Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Perez recorded hat-tricks, with Ben Chilwell, Youri Tielemans and James Maddison all adding to the Saints’ woes.

    Despite the loss, Ralph Hasenhuttl kept his job on the South Coast and even survived another 9-0 defeat at Old Trafford the following season.

    Vardy meanwhile ended the season as the league’s top scorer, firing the Foxes to Europa League qualification.

    4. Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United (2023)

    Manchester United shipped seven at old foes Liverpool
    Manchester United shipped seven at old foes Liverpool

    United’s 6-1 humbling to rivals City in 2011 will live long in the memory but Liverpool scoring six second-half goals to earn a historic win comes out on top.

    Jurgen Klopp’s position as Kop chief had come into focus after a poor campaign, while Erik ten hag’s stock was on the rise.

    But the Reds cast aside their struggles with an emphatic demolition that included braces from all of their new-look front three as Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez feasted on inept defending.

    Roberto Firmino was also on target in a win that all-but ended talk of a United title charge and reminded Liverpool’s rivals that they are more than capable of dishing out a beating.

    5. Portsmouth 7-4 Reading (2007)

    Portsmouth emerged victorious from the highest-scoring Premier League fixture
    Portsmouth emerged victorious from the highest-scoring Premier League fixture

    While other games selected in this list had great drama, none contained as many goals as this encounter at Fratton Park in September 2007.

    Portsmouth and Reading played out an enthralling 11-goal thriller, with Benjani’s hat-trick the highlight of a topsy-turvy affair.

    Six goals were scored in the final 20 minutes, with nine different players finding the back of the net.

    The result proved detrimental for Reading, who went down that season, while Pompey finished a memorable campaign by lifting the FA Cup.

  • Real Madrid, every player’s ‘dreamland’

    Real Madrid, every player’s ‘dreamland’

    Agent to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Rafaela Pimenta, says Real Madrid is still the “dreamland” for all footballers.

    Incredibly, Haaland has 33 goals for City this season, four more than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe. He has also broken numerous records.

    The Norwegian international is currently playing at Etihad Stadium in the first year of a five-year contract, but he is still linked with a transfer to LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid.

    Haaland reportedly has a release clause in his contract that will allow him to join Madrid at the end of the upcoming season, but City manager Pep Guardiola previously denied those rumours.

    But Haaland’s agent did little to quash talk of a future switch to the Spanish capital when asked about the 22-year-old’s future at the FT Business of Football Summit in London.

    “There is the Premier League, and there is Real Madrid. Real Madrid has something of its own that makes it the dreamland for the players,” Pimenta said. 

    “Madrid keeps this magic going. They don’t have the league competition every week, but they do have the Champions League.”

    Haaland has previously said the attractiveness of playing under Guardiola at a club where father Alf-Inge once played was too much to turn down.

    However, Pimenta suggested the former Borussia Dortmund star already knows which club he will join next.

    “We have to make a plan, we need to have a goal,” she said. “Maybe we won’t achieve it, but if we don’t know where we’re going, then for sure we don’t get there.

    “We make plans, yes, we make plans even if they are a 15-year-old. We cannot be sitting down and waiting.”

    Haaland is one of a number of high-profile clients represented by Pimenta, along with the likes of Paul Pogba, Matthijs de Ligt, Marco Verratti and Ryan Gravenberch.

    All of those players have either played in or been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, which Pimenta feels is still the elite division in world football.

    “When I started in this business, if I told [a player], ‘you’re moving to England’, they would ask me, ‘what did I do wrong?’,” she said.

    “Now when we talk to players, and ask them what is their goal, they say the Premier League. They don’t say a team, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, they say ‘the Premier League’.

    “This is the first time in 25 years that I hear so many players say I want to go to a league, not to a club. This is the place to be for an agent.

    “An agent needs to be where a player wants to be. It’s a fantastic league. It’s so competitive, every game is a challenge, everyone wants to watch it.”

  • Guardiola expects a wild finish to the Premier League title contest

    Guardiola expects a wild finish to the Premier League title contest

    In the Premier League title race, according to Pep Guardiola, “everyone is going to drop points” between now and the end of the season.

    When they recently defeated rival Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Manchester City appeared to be taking the lead. However, after drawing with Nottingham Forest to give the Gunners the opportunity to reclaim first place, both teams won again the following weekend.

    The race is expected to be close because third-place Manchester United is also closing in, but Guardiola is unconcerned by the ups and downs.

    He made a sarcastic remark during a press conference prior to his team’s trip to Bristol City in the FA Cup fifth round: “After Nottingham we were not consistent, but now we are consistent because we won one game [against Bournemouth on Saturday].”

    “In our game we are playing it is good, the results could be better in terms of winning at Spurs [1-0 away defeat] and Nottingham, but it is football, sometimes that happens. Of course, it is not exceptional, it is okay, it is good. No complaints for the way we are playing and fighting.

    “After the last game I said the mood is exceptional and the guys are doing everything, that is enough for me.

    “We are closing right to the last 10 games of the season, and that will define it.. I have the feeling in the Premier League many things are going to happen; everyone is going to drop points, but we cannot drop any; we want to fight until the end.”

    Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte were all absent from the 4-1 win at Bournemouth, though the Belgium midfielder was an unused substitute, and Guardiola updated to say: “[We] have training this afternoon. Kevin still has a little bit of illness but is much better.”

    City’s trip to Bristol City on Tuesday will see them come up against a side who have not lost in 12 games (W6 D6) and sit 13th in the Championship.

    “From my experience in this country when you go away from home in the FA Cup against a Championship side, always, always it is tough,” Guardiola said. “At home it would be a little bit different. Away, always it is tough in the FA Cup.

    “That is why we are flying there tomorrow to do a good game and go through. It is a nice competition and we will do what we have to do.”

  • Brighton star Mac Allister targetted by City

    Brighton star Mac Allister targetted by City

    The Daily Star reports that Alexis MacAllister, a star for Brighton, is a potential transfer target for Manchester City.

    Since he returned from Qatar with a World Cup winner’s medal, the midfield wizard has been linked with a move away from the Seagulls, and Pep Guardiola could seize the opportunity when the transfer window opens.

    The South Coast side’s 24-year-old Mac Allister has played in 19 Premier League matches this season, and he has five goals to his name as Roberto De Zerbi’s team keeps winning.

    With two games remaining, Brighton, who is currently ranked eighth, has a chance to pass Fulham and Liverpool.

    And the Argentina international has been a key part of a high-pressing setup that has seen the club pick up impressive wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in 2022-23.

    Guardiola believes the midfielder would be the perfect addition to his world-class squad and would be willing to meet Brighton’s £70 million valuation.

    The Spaniard is keen to freshen up his squad after a mediocre season so far has left the champions chasing Arsenal for the Premier League title.

    Mac Allister’s contract runs until 2025, putting the Seagulls in control of the situation ahead of what is set to be another busy summer of spending for most clubs.

  • Liverpool’s Klopp admits his club has to do better in the summer

    Liverpool’s Klopp admits his club has to do better in the summer

    In light of his team’s struggles this year, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp asserts that “it is clear we have to do something in the summer.”

    Tuesday’s first leg of their Champions League match in the round of 16 saw Real Madrid defeat the Reds 5-2.

    Despite having games in hand on some of their rivals, Liverpool is eighth in the Premier League despite having an erratic season.

    “We know we have to improve and change things, and we will,” said Klopp.

    “We cannot do it now but it’s already clear that we have to do something in the summer. For now, we just have to go through this and fight back.”

    Liverpool midfielders James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be out of contract in the summer along with forward Roberto Firmino.

    A number of players have also been struggling for form this season, with Klopp’s side seven points off a top-four spot in the Premier League heading into a game at Crystal Palace (19:45 GMT) on Saturday.

    ‘A few people are speeding up a little bit and you can’t ignore that’

    Liverpool have played in the Champions League for the past five seasons, during which time they won it in 2018-19, while losing to Real Madrid in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 finals.

    “It’s not helpful [if we don’t get in the Champions League],” said Klopp.

    “We have to start doing work earlier before we know where we will end up position wise and European competition wise. These things are clear.

    “We played five years in a row in the Champions League and went through to the final three times, which is massive from a money point of view.

    “We built a stand and training ground – the club is in a really good place – but around us a few people are speeding up a little bit and you can’t ignore that. You cannot ignore these kinds of things.

    “It’s still about finding in the right players. It’s not about bringing a lot, it’s about right [players].”

    Injuries have also had an impact for the Reds during the current campaign but their exploits are in stark contrast to last season when they played every game possible, making 63 outings in pursuit of the quadruple.

    They won the FA Cup and League Cup – competitions they exited at the fourth-round stage this season – but missed out on winning the Champions League and Premier League.

    And, while Klopp said “this team has a wonderful history”, he added “one of the main reasons” he signed new contract until 2026 was because he knew there would be a period of transition.

    “The way that this club is led is by not splashing the money. Our transfers always have to be on point. That makes it really tricky,” he said.

    “We cannot make four transfers before we know who will leave the club and these kind of things.

    “Last year was not a season for a big change. We played until the last moment and, if you want to change at this club, we cannot just bring in players and realise later that no-one wants to leave. It doesn’t work like that.

    “It’s not possible to start it early because we have final after final, played the season until the last minute, played the Champions League final, then we had a short break, then a lot of injuries, and then the World Cup.”

    Klopp’s comments follow Liverpool owner John Henry’s statement that he is not selling the Merseyside club.

    “We have to make our own plans, and that’s what we do, but based on the way this club is led,” said Klopp.

    “It’s obviously different to other clubs, that’s how it is. It worked out so far and we have to see if it will work still or if we have to adapt.

    “That’s something for us in the offices when we are not on the training pitch and for my conversations with the owners and all these kinds of things.”

  • Napoli defender Kim Min-jae allegedly gaining Man Utd’s attention

    Napoli defender Kim Min-jae allegedly gaining Man Utd’s attention

    Kim Min-jae of Napoli has gained prominence quickly, and Manchester United is reportedly looking into a possible transfer for the end of the season.

    Kim, 26, played until he was 24 years old in China and Korea before being noticed by Fenerbahce, who paid €3 million to acquire him.

    He spent one season in Turkey before being signed by Napoli for €18 million. He was a key component of their best season in the twenty-first century. He has participated in 22 of defending champions Napoli’s 23 Serie A games this season, starting every one of them.

    The strong-built defender has established himself as one of the league’s top players, but unfortunately for Napoli, his contract has a surprisingly reasonable release clause.

    According to Calciomercato, United have been targeting Kim for months and have been in contact with his agents to gauge his interest in a potential Premier League move.

    Kim reportedly has a £44m (€50m) release clause in his contract, but Napoli officials are desperate to award him a new contract to at least raise that figure to their valuation of £61m (€70m).

    United are expected to make him their primary target at the end of the season.

    ROUND-UP

    Football London is reporting Arsenal have made 24-year-old West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their top target after acknowledging they will not be in the running for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

    According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal will have to battle Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle United to secure 18-year-old Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda in the next transfer window, with his £26.5 million (€30 million) release clause drawing plenty of interest.

    Chelsea will allow midfielder Mason Mount to leave before the beginning of next season if he does not agree to a new contract, per The Athletic.

    Sport Witness is reporting Everton had a £22 million (€25 million) offer for 25-year-old Udinese forward Beto rejected late in the January window, and it is believed they could return with an improved bid. 

    According to Football Insider, Tottenham are viewed as the favourites to land 26-year-old Leicester City midfielder James Maddison, who will be allowed to leave the club if he does not sign an extension.

  • Everton goalkeeper Pickford accepts a new deal at Goodison

    Everton goalkeeper Pickford accepts a new deal at Goodison

    In an effort to put an end to rumours of a transfer to a Premier League rival, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has agreed to a new contract with Everton.

    The 28-year-old, whose current contract was set to expire in the summer, had been linked to a move to Tottenham among other clubs.

    Although the contract has not yet been signed, the England goalkeeper has now decided to remain at Goodison Park despite their precarious position near the bottom of the table.

    Pickford, a 2017 £30 million acquisition from Sunderland, has played in 222 games for the Toffees, and manager Sean Dyche thinks he can get better.

    Dyche, 51, said: “He’s a very, very good player, a good servant to this football club so far and he’s going to continue to be that for sure.

    “I think it’s a sign that he’s enjoying our new regime and that he’s accepting of what we’re looking to offer. He’s been a fantastic player, so we want that to continue.

    Guardiola ‘sad and disappointed’ as Man City drop points in title race

    “Any way we can rub off on him and help him continue his development will be great if he feels there is stuff, and I think there is.”

    Dyche, who has taken six points from nine since replacing Frank Lampard at the end of January, said the club were continuing to look at the contract situations of several players.

    The likes of Alex Iwobi and Conor Coady are thought to be next in line for new deals.

    He said: “I’m three weeks in. It feels like 17 months, but I’m still new to it.

    “We’re assessing every situation. Some have been ongoing like Jordan’s but I’ve been put in line with that and asked my opinion quite obviously.

    “But we’re looking at all situations because we’ve got to make sure all the good players we want to be here are still here.”

    Dyche has won both of his home games in charge so far — either side of defeat in the Merseyside derby at Liverpool — and will look to make it three in a row when Aston Villa visit on Saturday.

    The Toffees sit 16th in the table, ahead of Unai Emery’s men, a point from safety.