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Barcelona and Real Madrid hot on the heels of Suarez and co with 10 games to go
With Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid all winning in match week 28, the La Liga Santander title race is well and truly on as the top three enter the final 10 games of the season. With just six points separating Atlético from Real Madrid in third (La Liga table), Sportslens takes a look at each of the title hopefuls’ run-ins, assessing where opportunities and challenges lie ahead. Atlético Madrid Luis Suárez’s 500th career league goal puts him among an exclusive list of players to reach the milestone Atlético provided an immediate response to their disappointing Champions League exit by beating relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés 1-0 last Sunday. Talisman Luis Suárez scored the only goal of the game, whilst also reaching a career milestone of 500 league goals. The veteran strik...
Former Premier League sides Sunderland and Bolton are on the rise again
As it’s the international break, both the Premier League and Championship will grind to a halt for the next 10 days as players jet off worldwide to meet up with their international colleagues. Leagues One and Two will come into the spotlight domestically as a result, and we’re going to use the time to take a look at two former top-flight teams vying to make their way back to the summit, starting with promotion this season. Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers spent a combined 29 seasons in the Premier League since its 1992 inception. However, since their respective relegations, they have both fallen dramatically from grace at an alarming rate. SUNDERLAND Relegated to the Championship in 2017 with David Moyes as manager, the Black Cats were in turmoil off the pitch. Moyes left, then owner ...
‘Out of the frying pan into the fire’ – Some NUFC fans react to links with 53-yr-old manager
Newcastle United are reportedly lining up a move for Chris Wilder at the end of the season. According to Duncan Castles (via Chronicle), Mike Ashley is not prepared to sack Steve Bruce despite the abysmal run of form. However, he is planning for a new manager if Newcastle are relegated to the Championship. The 53-year-old recently parted ways with Sheffield United and could prove a decent appointment for the Magpies if they go down. The former Blades boss did an excellent job getting the Yorkshire club promoted from League One to the Premier League over the past few years. According to reports, Wilder would be an inexpensive appointment and has a proven track record in getting a club promoted to the top flight. Newcastle are currently just two points above the relegation zone and have won ...
Spurs reportedly eye summer move for £22m forward in scintillating form
According to reports from Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur are checking on Lille winger Jonathan Bamba ahead of a potential summer move. The report claims that Spurs are unlikely to keep Gareth Bale for another year with them on loan. The Welshman has one year left on his Real contract. Bale has said recently that his plan “is to go back” to Madrid at the end of the season. “The original plan was to do a season at Spurs and after the Euros still have a year left at Real Madrid,” Bale told Sky Sports. Spurs – irrespective of where they finish at the end of the season – will be looking to add a quality attacking forward in the summer transfer window. The north London club have been track potential new forwards, including Bamba and Nicholas Gonzalez. Bamba joined Lille in 201...
Spurs handed potential huge Dybala boost after Juve reportedly reach decision
According to Football Italia, Juventus have refused to meet the contract demands of Paulo Dybala, and a summer exit is becoming increasingly likely. The news will come as a huge boost to Tottenham Hotspur who tried to land him during the last two transfer windows. According to the Daily Star, Spurs will be offered the chance to sign Dybala this summer, although the £40 million fee may put them off. Juventus have offered the Argentina international a take-it-or-leave-it offer worth €10m per season, including performance-related bonuses, and they are now ready to cash in on him with his contract expiring at the end of next season. Chelsea, Barcelona and Paris St-Germain will also be offered the opportunity to sign the 27-year-old, and more suitors are likely to emerge at the end of the seaso...
‘There was an offer’ – Journalist claims Newcastle wanted to sign 27-yr-old attacker
Newcastle United tried to sign former Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik during the January transfer window. According to journalist Vincenzo Morabito, the move did not materialise because the player was not convinced by Newcastle’s efforts to sign him. He said to CalcioNapoli24: “Milik to Newcastle? For Arek, the desire of the club was lacking. There was an offer of €20 million, but Napoli at that moment considered his valuation higher, around €25-30m. “I think it is not easy to work in a club with a president who is certainly good and active, Giuntoli is a top director of football, but perhaps he needs space. “De Laurentiis is not an easy subject to please, both when selling and when buying. Image rights have blocked many businesses, for example.” The Polish striker ended up s...
Celtic-linked manager reveals where he wants to work next season
Former Premier League manager Rafael Benitez has been linked with a return to management. As per recent reports, the Spaniard is thought to be on Celtic’s radar, but he has now admitted that his priority is to manage in the Premier League next season. Speaking about his future, Benitez claimed (via Daily Record): “A competitive team that allows you to challenge for trophies or a project that allows you to improve and grow and do better. “The priority is England. Why? Because obviously, I like the Premier League and my family is here. I have a lot [of offers] from the UAE, United States, Brazil, China, but I want to stay in Europe. And I want to stay in England. “If it’s the right one, we can do it tomorrow but the project, the competitive team, is not there at the moment, so we h...
‘There’s been some talks’ – Rangers star opens up about his long-term future at the club
Rangers midfielder Glenn Kamara is in talks with the Scottish Premiership club regarding a new deal. The 25-year-old midfielder has two years left on his current contract, and he claims that talks over a new deal could advance over the summer. He said (via Daily Record): “There’s been some talks. The season’s been good – obviously, we’ve just become champions. “It’s been a success so far. I still have two years left on my contract, and there’s still time over the summer to see what will happen.” Rangers signed the midfielder for a fee of around £50,000 from Dundee FC, and he has proven to be an exceptional bargain for the Ibrox outfit. Kamara helped Rangers win the title this season and has established himself as a key player for manager Steven Gerrard. Rangers fans will certainl...
Four major sports manufacturers involved in a sponsorship battle involving Aston Villa star
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish is reportedly at the centre of a tussle involving four sports manufacturing giants. The midfielder’s sponsorship with Nike is into its final year, and their rivals are looking to secure his signature. According to Daily Mirror, Adidas, Puma and Under Armour are all reportedly chasing the midfielder’s signature, while Nike are also keen on renewing their terms. The 25-year-old has developed into one of the hottest prospects in English football, and it is no surprise that top brands are circling. The player has been linked with Manchester City and Manchester United, but he signed a five-year deal of around £130,000 per week with Villa last September. The highly-rated attacking midfielder has been one of the best players in the Premier League this sea...
Arsenal star down with hamstring knock, to miss country’s game tomorrow
Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka will miss England’s World Cup qualifying clash against San Marino tomorrow as a precautionary measure. Bukayo Saka misses #eng v San Marino. Still at #afc having assessment on hamstring. Southgate hopes Saka will link up at Pennyhill Park later this week. Rashford #mufc not out training this morning, continuing (ankle) rehab indoors; tbh should have been rested from this squad. — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 24, 2021 The youngster is currently with the Gunners as he is still having an assessment on his hamstring, and Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate is hoping that he will join up with the rest of the squad later this week. England are in Group I of the European qualifiers for Qatar 2022 World Cup, and they face San Marino, Albania and Poland this mon...
‘He could play in any top team’ – Former PL winner lavishes praise on West Ham attacker
Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard joined West Ham United on loan in January, and the 28-year-old has made quite an impression at the London club. Lingard has scored five goals with three assists in just seven starts for the Hammers. Former Manchester United defender and Premier League winner Rio Ferdinand is not surprised with Lingard’s start to life at West Ham and believes that he is good enough to play for any top club. “I’ve argued with pundit after pundit, on-air, and off-air,” Ferdinand said on Five. “He could play in any top team because he’s an intelligent footballer. He can play off one touch or two touch.” “He gets judged on his antics on social media. Some people it rubs them up the wrong way, and they don’t like him because of it, and a lot of the younger generation love...
UEFA rule change could result in an exciting summer transfer window for Aston Villa
UEFA are planning to scrap Financial Fair Play and replace it with a brand new system to govern club spending. According to reports (via Birmingham Mail), there could be a major shake-up in the summer, and the new system is likely to arm the clubs with greater freedom in the transfer market. This could allow them to exercise their spending power and sign more players in the transfer market without breaching regulations. Wealthy clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City could have a massive advantage in the market if that happens. The development could also be fascinating for Aston Villa heading into the summer transfer window. Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are among the richest owners in the Premier League and have shown their commitment to improving the Villa squad. They have already spent ar...
