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Rangers – The Best Value for Money Squad in the World
Rangers are currently trying to crown a title-winning season by maintaining their unbeaten record and completing the double in the Scottish Cup. They also enjoyed reasonable success in Europe, reaching the last 16 of the Europa League before being knocked out by Slavia Prague. This was one step further than the likes of Leicester City, who are currently third in the Premier League, and Lille who are top of Ligue 1 above Paris Saint-Germain. This success has once again brought the prying eyes of Premier League clubs back to the most successful club in Scotland. Ryan Kent has been linked with Leeds United, Glen Kamara to Arsenal, Filip Helander to Aston Villa and Alfredo Morelos to Arsenal. It’s not only English clubs who are watching the title-winning team, with Lazio eyeing a summer m...
Neymar in contact with Barcelona over possible return
Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly in contact with newly elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta over a potential return to the club, reports El Chiringuito (via the Express). Neymar left Barcelona in the summer transfer window of 2017 for a world record £198 million fee, joining Paris Saint-Germain. He has since enjoyed a lot of success in France, scoring 83 goals in 105 appearances while winning seven domestic trophies, as well as reaching a Champions League final. Neymar has continued to shine at PSG However, Les Parisiens will be concerned over his future, with his contract set to expire in 2022. They have been in talks with the forward over a new deal, but nothing has been agreed yet. And now Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reports that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has got in...
No major injury concerns for Man City, but Dortmund beset by problems
Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday. It is the first time that these two sides have faced each other in the Champions League knockout stage. Their only previous clashes in the competition came in the group phase back in 2012/13, with Dortmund avoiding defeat in each meeting (D1, L1). Manchester City Preview City brushed aside Borussia Monchengladbach in the round of 16, winning both legs by the identical 2-0 score, with three of their four strikes in those encounters coming inside the opening 30 minutes of play. The Cityzens have now won ten of their last 11 Champions League fixtures against Bundesliga opponents (D1), netting over 1.5 goals in all but one of those matches. Coming...
Madrid sweating on playmaker’s fitness, Liverpool without the usual suspects
The Champions League returns to action on Tuesday as Real Madrid welcome Liverpool to the Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium in a mouth-watering quarter-final tie. Jurgen Klopp’s men will be looking to inflict revenge on Madrid for a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat in the competition final back in 2018/19. However, the Reds have lost three consecutive Champions League meetings with Los Blancos after winning the previous two ‘to nil.’ Real Madrid Preview Madrid swept Atalanta aside 4-1 on aggregate (1-0 A, 3-1 H) in the round of 16 to set up their first Champions League quarter-final appearances in three years. Los Merengues suffered a dismal 5-0 aggregate defeat in their only previous Champions League two-legged tie against Liverpool. Having won their last three Champions League fixtures, the reigning La...
‘Sad’, ‘Good relief’: Some Man United fans react as 25-year-old suffers potential long-term injury
Some Manchester United fans have produced a mixed reaction after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said that Anthony Martial could be ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Martial was recently on international duty with France, where he sprained his knee during the 2-0 triumph over Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier. He was subsequently unavailable for the Bosnia & Herzegovina game, and it now appears that the Frenchman could be out of action for a while. Speaking before yesterday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion, Solskjaer raised doubts whether Martial could play for the club again this term. He told Manutd.com: “Unfortunately, he sprained his knee with France. It’s always when they go away on internationals… you can keep your fingers crossed and...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides fresh fitness update on Marcus Rashford
Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provided a fitness update on Marcus Rashford following the club’s 2-1 comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. The Red Devils went behind early through a Danny Welbeck header, but they levelled the proceedings shortly after the hour mark through Marcus Rashford. Mason Greenwood delivered the winning goal in the 83rd minute with his first-ever headed goal for the Red Devils as they boosted their top four prospects. Rashford was substituted in the 72nd minute with suggestions that he may be short of fitness after recovering from a recent injury. However, speaking after the game, Solskjaer highlighted that the forward suffered a knock, and hinted that he could be assessed ahead of the Granada clash. He told Manutd.com: “I’m not...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms 26-year-old Man United star tested positive for COVID-19
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Eric Bailly was unavailable for yesterday’s Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion after being tested positive for COVID-19. The centre-back was recently on international duty with the Ivory Coast and he is said to have contracted the virus during this time. Solskjaer revealed that he has yet to return to the country as he continues his recovery. He told Manutd.com: “Unfortunately he won’t be with us for a little while. He’s been away with Ivory Coast and he tested positive with COVID and he’s not back in the country yet.” Sportslens view: Bailly’s future has been a regular talking point over the past few months with suggestions that he does not want to renew his contract beyond June 2022. His lack of game tim...
Wolves preparing move for 24-year-old striker, who has won six aerial duels per game
Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a move for Sheffield United striker Oliver McBurnie as they aim to bolster their frontline for next season, The Sun claims. The Midlands outfit have had a disappointing 2020/21 campaign, and they are languishing in the bottom half of the league table in 14th with only 35 points. One of their main concerns this season has been the lack of goals, and they have netted only 28 times in their 29 top-flight games. They have thrived in the past with Raul Jimenez’s strong hold-up play, but they have missed his services for many months after his skull fracture. William Jose was brought in during January to address the concern, but the Brazilian has not been able to make an impact and has yet to score in 10 outings. There are suggestions that Wolves could...
Man United ‘moving’ to sign €50m La Liga attacker, Liverpool monitoring him
Manchester United are ‘moving’ to sign Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele this summer while Liverpool monitor his situation, Mundo Deportivo reports. Dembele has had a tough time with the Blaugrana over the past three-and-a-half years, where he has suffered as many as 10 injuries. He has still impressed with 28 goals and 20 assists from 109 outings and has stayed unscathed for most of the current campaign. United failed with an attempt to sign Dembele on loan last summer but have been encouraged to make a fresh move after monitoring his progress. Juventus have also been credited with an interest in signing the World Cup winner, who has less than 15 months left on his Blaugrana contract. Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool have not made any contact, but they are keeping a close eye...
Video: Thomas Tuchel confirms fresh injury blow for Chelsea star Christian Pulisic
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed a fresh injury blow for Christian Pulisic during the club’s shock 5-2 Premier League defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. The United States international was handed a start against the Baggies, and he made the opportunity count by opening the scoring in the 27th minute. Marcos Alonso’s free-kick rattled off the woodwork, and Pulisic was first on guard to convert the rebound past goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. However, the game turned on its head after Thiago Silva was sent off for a second yellow card in the 29th minute. The Baggies scored twice before the interval. At half-time, there was a surprise change with Mason Mount replacing Pulisic. Video evidence showed that the forward suffered a hamstring injury on his return to the field. NBCSN had fo...
Mikel Arteta confirms double injury blow for Arsenal after Liverpool defeat
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed a double injury blow for the club following the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Liverpool last night. The Gunners were completely outclassed by the reigning champions and succumbed to their biggest margin of defeat against the Reds at home in the Premier League era. Before the game, it was confirmed that David Luiz was nursing a knee injury, and Arteta acknowledged that he could be out for a while with a surgery possibly required. He told Arsenal.com: “We don’t know. There a few possibilities on that, being a little more conservative with the treatment or having to go for a surgery.” “We are talking with the doctors at the moment to make the right decision on that, but we’ll see. He could be out for a few weeks at least.” Meanwhile, there was more concern...
Tactical Analysis: Perfect Lille outclass PSG in potential Ligue 1 title-decider
For the first time in four seasons, we have a serious title race in Ligue 1 with someone other than Paris Saint-Germain in pole position. Monaco and Lyon are fairly close in the mix, but the side leading the way are Lille, who were facing PSG in a crunch top-of-the-table clash. With the two sides level on points going into the match, this certainly had the potential to be a title-decider. The two sides fought hard at the Parc de Princes, and it was Lille who emerged victors thanks to the only goal of the match. PSG looked the better side overall, but they were held by the disciplined and extremely hard-working Dogues. In this analysis, we will take a look at how they overcame the French champions. Resolute defence With just 34.9% of possession and a relatively early lead, Lille found ...
