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‘Much more a problem’: Roy Hodgson warns Crystal Palace over total rebuild situation
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has said that the club may be forced into a total rebuild with multiple player contracts expiring at the end of the season. The Eagles currently have 13 players whose contracts expire at the end of June and Hodgson feels there are some who deserve to be handed extensions. He added that the club will need to find a solution in the near future or else they could be heading for a complete squad rebuild in the summer. “I think it is much more a problem for the club with so many players who are missing at the end of the season,” he said in the press conference before the Newcastle United game, as quoted as Standard Sport. “There are some good players in that group who are out of contract. When you have quite that many, you’ll be looking at a total rebuild if...
Atlético Madrid – La Liga’s surprise runaway leaders
We’re just over halfway through 2020/21, but it is already proving to be quite the season all over Europe. In England, we have an intensely fluctuating title race with eight different table-toppers already. In Italy, Juventus are not leading for a change, as AC Milan are at the top of Serie A, with Inter Milan, Roma, Napoli, the defending champions and Lazio not too far behind. In France, we actually have a title race as Lille and Lyon are in front of third-placed Paris Saint-Germain, who finally might actually have to fight for a domestic trophy. In the Bundes- *sees Bayern Munich seven points clear at the top* oh well, never mind that actually. But down in Spain, there is an even greater gap between first and second place. Atlético – the other club from Madrid – have a 10-point cushion w...
Premier League 2020/21 Week 22: EPL Results & Table
The 22nd round of fixtures in the Premier League features some intriguing match-ups at the top and bottom of the table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. Manchester United bounced back to form in style with a 9-0 home victory over Southampton – Anthony Martial (2), Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Marcus Rashford, Jan Bednarek (OG), Edinson Cavani, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Daniel James were on the scoresheet. Goals by Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho secured a 2-1 home win for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Arsenal. Sheffield United recovered from a goal down to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Bramhall Lane – Jayden Bogle and Bill Sharp were on target for the Blades. Jairo Riedewald and Gary Cahill got the...
Report: Manager wants to resign because club signed Celtic star on loan
Marseille manager Andre Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation this morning after the club signed Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham on loan. Breaking | Marseille manager André Villas-Boas announces that he has offered his resignation this morning after the club signed Olivier Ntcham when he didn’t want him. More follows. — Get French Football News (@GFFN) February 2, 2021 Vilas Boas: We signed one player in the transfer window. It wasn’t my decision. I only found out this morning. It’s a player I said no to. As a result I handed in my resignation. https://t.co/d2srkv7h9F — Jeremy Smith (@jeremysmith98) February 2, 2021 The Frenchman joined the Ligue 1 outfit for the rest of the season with an option to buy in the summer, and that could now prove costly for the club. Ntcham was more than k...
Arsenal clearout, last-ditch Liverpool – the best of January transfers across Europe
It’s been a rather quiet January transfer window. Previous years have seen the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Virgil van Dijk make big money moves, but nothing of that magnitude happened this time around. Nonetheless, while there wasn’t a headline-making move, there were still some exciting deals being made. Here’s a look at the best signings of the 2021 January transfer window. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal to Fenerbahce, free transfer) Ozil in his first training session at Fenerbahce Once one of the world’s best playmakers, Mesut Ozil’s time at the Emirates had gone sour, having been left out of Mikel Arteta’s 25-man squad back in October. Sitting on a contract estimated to be worth £350k-a-week, the World Cup winner couldn’t be left to sit in the reserves much longer. Along came Fenerbahce, who off...
Gareth Barry believes Aston Villa star would thrive under Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Former Aston Villa star Gareth Barry believes Jack Grealish would thrive under manager Pep Guardiola, should he make the move to Manchester City this summer. The Villans captain has transformed into one of England’s best attacking players and he has excelled this term with six goals and 11 assists from only 19 top-flight games. His form has led to speculation that he could pursue a big-club move to play in Europe, but Barry feels Grealish could still achieve the aim with the west Midlands outfit. He told TalkSPORT: “He knows where he is until the end of the season, he should try and get Aston Villa into a European spot. “He’ll want to be playing European football and if he can be doing that for Aston Villa next season then that would be fantastic for him and the club.” Grealish has been li...
Marseille suspend Andre Villas-Boas after outburst over loan signing from Celtic
Marseille have confirmed that they have suspended manager Andre Villas-Boas through a statement on their official website. Earlier today, the 43-year-old sensationally tended his resignation after the club signed Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham on loan when he was not interested in him. Les Phoceens have now released a formal statement confirming that they have suspended the Portuguese from the head coach role with immediate effect. The club added that his comments against general manager Pablo Longoria are ‘unacceptable’ and possible sanctions will be taken against him after disciplinary proceedings. Sportlens view: Marseille have been burdened by financial concerns and their league form has been dreadful of late with just one point gained from four games. Amidst this, the fans have...
‘Written in the stars’, ‘We’re genuinely cursed’ – Some Liverpool fans react to 29-yr-old’s injury
Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt another major injury blow with Joel Matip ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with ankle ligament damage. According to Paul Joyce from the Athletic, the 29-year-old centre back picked up the injury against Tottenham Hotspur. Joel Matip to miss rest of season for Liverpool. — paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) February 1, 2021 The Cameroon defender has been exceptional since his move from Schalke but his career at Liverpool has been plagued with injuries. Jurgen Klopp will be thoroughly disappointed to have lost him for the remainder of the campaign given how important he is to the team. Matip is undoubtedly Liverpool’s best defender after Virgil van Dijk and it will be interesting to see how the Reds cope with his absence. The reigning Premi...
David Ornstein shares ‘deciding factor’ that made King choose Everton ahead of Fulham
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, manager Carlo Ancelotti was the deciding factor in Josh King’s decision to choose a move to Everton ahead of Fulham. 🚨 Deciding factor in Josh King choosing to join Everton from Bournemouth was said to be Carlo Ancelotti. #EFC boss personally convinced 29yo he’s a firm part of their plans. It’s a six-month deal for a fee + most likely further add-on to #AFCB if signs permanently @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/khPXOHpGMV — David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 1, 2021 Bournemouth accepted bids from the two Premier League clubs ahead of yesterday’s transfer deadline, and it was up to the Norwegian international to choose. Ancelotti personally convinced King that he is a firm part of Everton’s plans going forward, and that was enough to do ...
Barcelona legend jokes about moving to Newcastle United to replace Bruce
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has joked about potentially managing Newcastle United and replacing head coach Steve Bruce. The Dutchman spent three years in the Premier League, managing Southampton and Everton before taking charge of the Netherlands national team. Koeman returned to manage Barcelona last summer after a successful playing career at Camp Nou that established him as a legend, and while he is currently enjoying his dream job, he does not rule out a return to the English top-flight in the nearest future. “Newcastle? Sorry, Steve Bruce! Sorry, Steve, I don’t know – I’m really happy now,” the Barca boss replied when Alan Shearer asked if he will ever be seen in the Premier League again. “I liked it very much in the Premier League, it’s a great place to be involved in. It’s perfect....
‘Spoken like a true failure’, ‘I despise him’- Some Everton fans fuming at Koeman’s comments
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has pissed off some Everton fans following some of his recent comments. The Dutchman was sacked in October 2017 after the Toffees fell into the relegation zone following a poor run. Everton had brought in around six players to join their first-team, spending around £150 million. However, Koeman could not get the best out of his team despite leading them to a seventh-placed finish in his first season. Romelu Lukaku – who scored 25 league goals in 2016-17 – left to join Manchester United, and Everton’s best attempts to land Olivier Giroud as his replacement did not work out. Koeman believes that played a huge role in his side’s struggle that season, but he reckons the club and the fans expected too much given their history. “It was difficult, that period, beca...
‘Serious option’ – Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool have made contact over Portuguese defender
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have contacted Portuguese top-flight side Braga today to make enquiries about centre-back David Carmo. Liverpool updates. Talks on to reach the agreement with Schalke for Kabak – discussion about option/obligation to buy. It’s getting closer, personal terms agreed.#LFC have also contacted Braga today for David Carmo, serious option in the list. Ben Davies, done. 🔴 #DeadlineDay https://t.co/LJQRQ35uFO — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2021 The 21-year-old is said to a serious option as the Premier League defending champions look to bring in a defender before the end of today’s transfer deadline. Sportslens View Liverpool have already sealed a move for Preston North End’s Ben Davies, and a move for Schalke 04’s Oza...
