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Ancelotti confirms two Everton stars definitely out vs Burnley; three players available
Carlo Ancelotti has provided the latest team news update ahead of their Premier League clash against Burnley on Saturday. The Italian has confirmed that Abdoulaye Doucoure has suffered a small fracture on his foot, and he could be out for a while. “We are not happy for this. An important player for us but we are not the only club who has to manage injuries.” — Phil Kirkbride (@philkecho) March 12, 2021 Doucoure has been superb for the Toffees since joining from Watford, and Ancelotti is hopeful that he can make a come back before the end of the season. Another player who is set to miss the tie is James Rodriguez. Gylfi Sigurdsson is also doubtful with an ankle problem. James out. Will be a check on Sigurdsson (ankle) — Patrick Boyland (@Paddy_Boyland) March 12, 2021 Rodriguez w...
Thomas Tuchel confirms double Chelsea injury blow ahead of Leeds United clash
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed a double injury blow for the Blues ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Leeds United. The west London outfit are unbeaten in the league since Tuchel took charge in January, winning six and drawing three of their last nine games. They are currently placed fourth in the table with a two-point lead over West Ham United, although the Hammers have a game in hand. Ahead of tomorrow’s clash, Tuchel confirmed that Abraham won’t be available as he is still carrying an ankle injury sustained against Newcastle United last month. He told football.london: “I’m a bit concerned because the pain from the tackle against Newcastle is still there.” “It’s been a long time since he’s been 100% free and comfortable in training. “Even if he finishes in training,...
‘We are thinking about this’: Ancelotti shares Everton summer transfer plans
Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that Everton will be looking to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window. The Toffees are aiming for a top-four finish this season, and Ancelotti believes that the club is heading in the right direction. The Italian has claimed recently that Everton will be happy to secure a place in next season’s Europa League. “I think we are in the right way for what we want to achieve in the future,” said Ancelotti. It seems the Toffees have already started planning for the summer, with signing a midfielder being a top priority for them. Jean Phillipe-Gbamin has featured only two times since joining Everton, and it has been a frustrating spell for him on the sidelines. Ancelotti has suggested that the club is focusing on the fitness of the 25-year-old defensive ...
Chelsea stars ruled out, Tottenham sweating on key player’s fitness
The 2020/21 Premier League season continues this weekend, with some intriguing EPL fixtures scheduled over the next four days. The action gets underway on Friday evening as Newcastle United go head-to-head with Aston Villa at St James’ Park. The early kick-off on Saturday is at Elland Road, with Leeds United facing Chelsea. The Blues will be without Tammy Abraham and Thiago Silva, with manager Thomas Tuchel confirming they are sidelined with injuries. There are three other games later the same day, with the clash between Fulham and Manchester City the pick of the bunch. Fulham have given themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation, but they could have their work cut out against the champions-elect. The Sunday line-up features a quartet of matches, headlined by the north London derby b...
US state bans transgender athletes from women’s sports
Mississippi became the first US state on Thursday to ban transgender athletes from competing on girls or women’s sports teams, a move denounced as discriminatory by LGBTQ groups and likely to face legal challenges. Governor Tate Reeves said the “Mississippi Fairness Act” would “ensure young girls are not forced to compete against biological males.” The bill requires public schools in the conservative southern state to designate sports teams based on biological sex as for “Males,” “Females” or “Coed.” “Athletic teams or sports designated for ‘females,’ ‘women,’ or ‘girls,’ shall not be open to students of the male sex,” it states. Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a group which defends LGBTQ rights, described the bill as “discriminatory anti-transgender legislation” and said it would be challeng...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides fresh injury update on three Manchester United stars
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided an injury update on three players following the club’s disappointing 1-1 draw against AC Milan in the first leg of the Europa League last 16. The Red Devils opened the scoring in the 50th minute following a delightful debut goal from Amad Diallo, who headed the ball beyond the goalkeeper after a terrific run. However, they could not double the advantage and eventually paid the price with the Rossoneri scoring through a Simon Kjaer header in stoppage time. Both Harry Maguire and Daniel James squandered gilt-edged scoring chances and the club travel to San Siro next week needing a goal to stay in the competition. Speaking after the game, Solskjaer provided an injury update on three players including Anthony Martial, who was substitu...
‘Big game player’, ‘Fantastic’: Some Arsenal fans react to 23-year-old’s display vs Olympiacos
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter heaped praise on Gabriel Magalhaes following the club’s 3-1 win over Olympiacos in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. The centre-back returned to the starting line-up after sitting out the last two games where Pablo Mari was preferred to partner David Luiz. He could not do much to restrict the equalising goal (1-1) from Olympiacos before the hour mark which was gifted after a poor bit of play between Bernd Leno and Dani Ceballos. However, he made the difference in the 79th minute with a towering and looping header in the box which found the top right corner of Olympiacos’ net. Five minutes from time, he turned provider for Mohamed Elneny, who unleashed a swerving shot from outside the box which put the Gunners’ 3-1 ahead. The performance ...
‘Not a nice position to be in’ – 27-yr-old opens up about his situation at Newcastle this season
Newcastle United attacking midfielder Ryan Fraser has opened up about the lack of game time this season. The former Bournemouth star revealed but he is ready to give his all when called upon by Steve Bruce but the lack of game time is not ideal. Speaking to the Chronicle, he said: “I haven’t played too much this season so it’s when I’m called upon it’s just about giving my all. “Any way I can help the team, even when I’m not playing, I still want to win – [fight for safety] it’s not a nice position to be in but there’s no point moping about it, we just need to go and do our stuff and get ourselves out of it. “Yeah of course, when I’m called up I want to do the best for the team, the fans and myself. I want to show the best of me but with injuries, not playing, and other things happeni...
Three things Arsenal must avoid against Spurs on Sunday
Arsenal are scheduled to host arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday and the game can be considered a must-win for them in their quest for Champions League football. Mikel Arteta’s side are already 12 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand and need to come on top in the north London derby to maintain their slim chances of qualifying for the elite competition through the league. Ahead of the much-anticipated clash this weekend, we look at three things the Gunners must avoid as they look to beat Spurs for the first time in six games across all competitions. Cut out unforced defensive errors: Since the turn of the year, the Gunners have largely been the reason behind their own downfall. The capital outfit have conceded 14 goals in all competitions in 20...
Chelsea set to cut losses on Timo Werner
Chelsea may allow Timo Werner to leave the club as early as this summer, according to a report by Football Insider. Werner arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer for approximately £45 million following four stellar seasons in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig. It was hoped that the forward would be one of the key difference makers as Chelsea looked to mount a title charge. Werner hasn’t had the desired impact at Chelsea However, this hasn’t been the case. The German has netted just five Premier League goals all season, including just one in his last 19 league outings. In front of goal, he has been extremely wasteful, squandering several clear cut chances. This summer, the Blues may cut their losses on Werner and sell him for whatever they can get, reports Football Insider. The Germany internati...
‘His feelings are not the best’: Mourinho suggests Spurs man won’t play on Thursday
Jose Mourinho confirmed in his pre-match press conference yesterday that he will make changes to his side ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League game on Thursday. Spurs face Dinamo Zagreb in the round of 16, and Mourinho has hinted that he will rotate his squad. The Spurs boss has confirmed that he will field a strong side, but there will be changes. One player who will not be playing is Giovani Lo Celso. The Argentine has suffered a minor setback and is not completely fit to play on Thursday. Lo Celso has not featured for Spurs since he was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City in mid-December. He returned to training last month, and there were suggestions that he could play in the Europa League clash and the north London derby on March 14. H...
Bielsa confirms two Leeds players won’t play vs Chelsea; three players available
Marcelo Bielsa has suggested in his pre-match press conference today that Pablo Hernandez and Pascal Struijk won’t play against Chelsea this weekend. Leeds have lost four out of their last five Premier League games. The Whites are up against the Blues, who are on a superb run of form under Thomas Tuchel. Bielsa has confirmed that Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo are both fit, with the England midfielder playing the entire game on Monday against West Ham. “Neither will be able to play”, said Bielsa when asked about the latest update about Hernandez and Struijk. Injury news – Struijk and Hernandez will miss the Chelsea game again. Shackleton is back and Phillips and Rodrigo came through the West Ham game without any issues. Koch could play in the 23s on Monday. #lufc — Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March ...
