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Odisha FC 2-2 NorthEast United: Report, Ratings &; Reaction as the Spoils are Shared After a Proper End-to-End Affair
The second clash of the Indian Super League’s matchday 8 was quite an interesting one, as bottom-club Odisha FC faced NorthEast United, who were 4th in the table. Stuart Baxter’s men were still searching for their first win of the season and had lost each of their last four matches, and NorthEast weren’t too happy going into the match either having seen their unbeaten run come to an end last time out against Jamshedpur FC. A tasty fixture was set to ensue, and here’s what we made of it: Report NorthEast United came extremely close to opening the scoring when Kwesi Appiah brilliantly controlled a long ball from Federico Gallego and got there before the defender to fire a shot, but it was saved by the rushing Arshdeep Singh. Eight minutes later at the other end, a free-kick caused all sorts ...
From FA cup winners to relegation candidates: What’s gone wrong for Arsenal?
Last season, Mikel Arteta managed to inspire a somewhat average Arsenal side to FA Cup glory. Arsenal backed up this triumph by beating champions, Liverpool, in the Community Shield. It appeared as though Arteta could be the man to emulate Wenger and bring success back to the Emirates. Arsenal fans had a renewed sense of optimism and belief. But as the saying goes – it’s the hope that kills you. When Arsene Wenger finally decided it was time to say goodbye at Arsenal; it was obvious that there would be big changes at the club. Wenger’s Arsenal were so consistent, they were often snubbed as boring by rival fans. However, Wenger’s replacement, Unai Emery was anything but consistent. Emery was not well-liked by Arsenal fans and in the end his sacking was inevitable. He left with Arsenal in a ...
Arsenal players face 25% wage-cut if the club is relegated from the Premier League
Arsenal’s first team players face a 25 percent wage-cut if the club is relegated to the Championship, according to the Daily Mail. The Gunners currently spend more than £150 million every year on player wages. If they were to get relegated from the Premier League, the wage bill would drop by £37.5 million. The practice of including clauses in players’ contracts in order to safeguard the clubs’ interests in the event of relegation is common practice at smaller clubs who usually face a realistic threat of going down. It is noteworthy that the North London side, the third most successful club in English football and part of the traditional Big Six, have planned for the possibility of relegation by including pay-cut clauses in the contracts of their players. It is unclear if the entire p...
The Athletic: Aston Villa considering January move for versatile Championship ace
Aston Villa could reignite their interest in the Bournemouth forward Joshua King when the transfer window reopens next month. According to the Athletic, Aston Villa are not desperate to sign players this January but they are aware that they need to strengthen certain areas of their squad. Dean Smith wants to bring in a versatile forward who can play centrally as well as in the wide areas and Joshua King seems like an ideal fit. The Bournemouth star is too good for the Championship and the chance to return to the Premier League is likely to tempt him. It will be interesting to see if Aston Villa return with a concrete offer for the 28-year-old forward in the coming weeks. Joshua King had has made just three starts in the Championship with Bournemouth so far due to recurring thing problems a...
David Alaba rejects new deal at Bayern Munich amidst January transfer rumors
One of Bayern’s longest-tenured players could be on his way out of the club. Defender David Alaba has been linked with a move away from the European champions for several months now, with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG said to be keen. According to the Daily Mail, Bayern president Karl-Heinze Rummenigge has done everything in his power to sway Alaba in the direction of staying in Munich, but the Austrian international wants to move on. His current deal is up next summer, but the 28-year old will be allowed to talk to clubs in January. Alaba has become more of a centre-back over the last year due to the outstanding rise of youngster Alphonso Davies at left-back. However, he’s done a good job at the position, helping the Bundesliga giants win the quadruple last season. Alaba is a versatile de...
‘Great player’, ‘Would be class’ – Some NUFC fans react to links with 24-yr-old wanted by Everton
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has once again been linked with a move away from the London club. The 24-year-old midfielder has dropped down the pecking order at Tottenham and it seems that he might have to leave the club in order to play more often. According to the Telegraph, the player could be loaned out when the transfer window reopens in January and Tottenham are thought to be willing to listen to offers for the midfielder. The report further claims that Everton and Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in the England international, however, Daniel Levy would prefer to send the player overseas. Everton and Newcastle could certainly use some creativity in their midfield and Dele Alli could prove to be a smart addition to their side especially on a loan deal. The To...
‘Impressive’: BBC pundits drools over Liverpool man who was ‘very dangerous’ v Palace
Popular football pundit Garth Crooks has showered heaps of praise on Liverpool defender Joel Matip while picking his team of the week for BBC Sport. Liverpool won 7-0 against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and Crooks was heavily impressed with the performance of Matip. The Reds defence has been ravaged with injuries with both first-team players – Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez — being long-term absentees While Jurgen Klopp has used inexperienced youngsters like Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams, it’s Matip and Fabinho who have played regularly for the Reds. Fabinho – who is a natural central defensive midfielder – has been asked to play as a makeshift centre-back, and the Brazilian has been simply terrific. He has formed a solid defensive partnership with Matip at the back, and it...
Leicester City Eyeing Up £35m Centre-Back
Leicester City are reportedly looking to sign Braga centre-back David Carmo, according to a report by Portuguese outlet O Jogo. Carmo is a 21-year-old defender from Portugal who broke into the Braga first team back in January. Renowned for his commanding presence, athleticism, and ability on the ball, he has earned comparisons to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk. Carmo has attracted attention for his performances this year O Jogo is reporting that the Foxes are interested in bringing the Portugal youth international to the King Power Stadium, having impressed when the two sides met in the Europa League group stage. Despite being on the wrong end of a 4-0 thrashing, Carmo was the subject of high praise from Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. Speaking after the game, Rodgers said (via HITC): “...
‘Blown away’: Rio Ferdinand delivers verdict on ‘unbelievable’ Leeds man
Former Leeds United defender turned popular football pundit, Rio Ferdinand, has hailed Marcelo Bielsa as an ‘unbelievable’ coach. Leeds lost 6-2 against their bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday, and Ferdinand has claimed that he didn’t expect such a scoreline. He has suggested that Bielsa won’t change his philosophy, but at the same time has expressed his surprise that at Leeds’ defeat at Old Trafford. Leeds came to Old Trafford on the back of a 5-2 victory against Newcastle United, and then received a taste of their own medicine on Sunday. Their expansive style of football may have played in the hands of United, which raises eyebrows about how Leeds approach things under the Argentine boss. In fact, several pundits have discussed and at times criticised about how Leeds approached t...
‘Are you even human’, ‘Built different’ – Some Liverpool fans are in awe of Van Dijk’s training video
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with ACL damage. The Dutch international shared a training video on Twitter yesterday and his progress has surprised the Liverpool fans. The defender is already back doing light ball work and he is taking part in strength training. It will be interesting to see how Virgil van Dijk continues to recover over the next few months and whether he is able to return to action towards the end of this season. Ideally, the defender is likely to return next season and Liverpool will have to be patient with his recovery. Virgil van Dijk picked up his injury during the Merseyside derby against Everton earlier on in the season when Jordan Pickford took him out with a horror challenge. The former Southampton defender has...
6 goals this season: Rangers linked with a move for highly talented winger
Rangers have been linked with a move for the Reims youngster Bilal Brahimi. The former Middlesbrough winger is highly rated around Europe and he is expected to develop into a quality player in future. The Championship outfit failed to keep him at the club because of his desire to move closer to his family in France and it will be interesting to see if the player is open to a move to Rangers in future. According to Footmercato, Lens and Stuttgart are interested in signing the 20-year-old winger as well and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Rangers have done well to nurture a young winger like Ryan Kent since his move from Liverpool and they could help Brahimi fulfil his potential as well. Rangers could certainly use more quality in the wide areas and the youngster is likely to...
‘Not surprised at all’: Rival PL manager claims Liverpool is the ‘right place’ for 24 y/o star
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo has showered heaps of praise on his former player Diogo Jota in a recent interview. The 24-year-old joined Liverpool during the summer transfer window for a reported fee of £41m from Wolves, with defender Ki-Jana Hoever moving the other way for £9m and a possible £4.5m in add-ons. Jota was a key player for Wolves and Nuno has nothing but nice words to say about his former player. He feels that Jota has made the right move by joining Liverpool and that it is the right club for him. The Portuguese winger has taken no time in settling in at his new club and was in terrific form before he picked up a knee injury. Nuno says that he is not surprised at all with how quickly Jota has adapted at his new club. He has hailed him as an ‘ama...
