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Arsenal, Chelsea and co beware, new EPL broadcast deal needs a rethink
“The current media rights deal will preserve the status quo of an unbalanced, unsustainable and unfair financial distribution model across English football which continues to cause serious financial issues throughout the football pyramid, while continuing to distort competition between clubs and threaten the long-term viability of EFL competitions and clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two.” The EFL’s recent statement about the Premier League’s new domestic television deal certainly didn’t pull any punches. The English top-flight has been given the green light to roll over its £4.8 billion arrangement with broadcasters for another three years from 2022, on the condition it gives an extra £100 million to support football in England. The money will be distributed across differe...
Fabrizio Romano says £192k-a-week star will join David Luiz in leaving Arsenal this summer
Arsenal forward Willian is expected to follow David Luiz through the exit door this summer, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports. The Gunners have reportedly agreed to part ways with Luiz when his contract expires next month, and they are likely to make an announcement soon. It is now reported that compatriot Willian could also leave the north London club with interest from several European and Major League Soccer teams. Willian has two years remaining on his contract with the Gunners. The club are awaiting bids for the Brazilian, who earns around £192,000-a-week. Sportslens view: Willian made the switch across London from Chelsea last summer, and it was suggested that he would be a quality addition to the Gunners ranks. However, the move has proved far from successful, ...
Analysis: Why Chelsea’s tactics weren’t enough to stop Leicester magic
Just more than two weeks before this day in 2016, Leicester City were celebrating a miraculous Premier League title after Chelsea halted Tottenham Hotspur’s title charge for good at Stamford Bridge. Fast forward five years and those two accidental allies had become adversaries in the FA Cup final. Chelsea’s season had started well under Frank Lampard, but a terrible run of form which saw them slump out of the European spots from the top of the table spelt the end of the English manager’s tenure. His replacement was German tactician Thomas Tuchel, who almost instantly got a supremely talented squad firing their way back to the top-four and into two cup finals, one of which was the Champions League. A triumph in the FA Cup final would mean that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain manager delivered ne...
23-yr-old might not play against Wolves, some Spurs fans react: ‘It’s a disgrace’
Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Rodon is expected to be left out of the matchday squad against Wolverhampton Wanderers later today. According to football.london, either Eric Dier or Davinson Sanchez will be preferred over the young centre-back. It would be quite surprising if Mason chose to start Dier ahead of Rodon, especially after the England international’s performance at Elland Road. Dier was involved in all three goals Tottenham conceded against Leeds United, and Rodon will be disappointed to be overlooked at Molineux. The youngster has not been at his best since moving to the London club, but he has shown flashes of his talent and needs regular game time to continue his development. As far as Sanchez is concerned, he has been linked with a move elsewhere this summer, and Mason should...
Mike Ashley reportedly will go after 49y/o should Bruce leave NUFC
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley would consider a move for Burnley manager Sean Dyche if Steve Bruce leave St James’ Park, according to the Sunday Mirror. The Magpies manager is unpopular with the fans despite guiding the side to safety in both of his seasons in charge. The Newcastle faithful hate Bruce’s style of play, and there is a belief that they should be challenging for the top-seven given the quality of players available at his disposal. The 60-year-old has insisted he has no plans to leave Newcastle unless he is sacked, but it does not seem Ashley will be looking to part company with him anytime soon. Dyche is in talks over a new deal at Burnley with just 12 months left on his deal, and Crystal Palace, Everton and Aston Villa are also said to be impressed with how he has ma...
Hammers reportedly join Man City & Ancelotti in race for £30m England international striker
West Ham United are keen on Southampton striker Danny Ings, according to Sunday Mirror. The Hammers are looking to sign a number 9 after not replacing Sebastien Haller in January and have identified striking targets ahead of the summer transfer window. Southampton are hoping Ings would sign a new deal with just a year left on the current contract of the England international. However, they would demand £30 million for his signature should he insist on leaving. West Ham are not the only ones keen on Ings, though, with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton also monitoring developments ahead of the summer transfer window. Pep Guardiola wants a new striker with Sergio Aguero leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, and Ings appears to have caught his eyes. The 28-year-old ...
Barcelona close to signing €45m-rated star with 31 goal contributions – report
Lyon forward Memphis Depay is close to joining Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, a report from L’Equipe claims. The Dutchman was on Blaugrana’s radar during last summer’s transfer window, but a deal failed to materialise as they could not meet the transfer demands. Depay has had another fine season for Les Gones with 21 goals and 10 assists from 38 appearances, but they could still miss out on Champions League football. Even if they make the top three, the 27-year-old has no desire to sign a new contract beyond June, and he now appears on the cusp of joining the Catalan giants. It is reported that Ronald Koeman’s side only have minor details to settle before the free transfer of the Netherlands international is finalised. Sportslens view: Depay has been constantly linked with the B...
Liverpool reportedly will hand player Klopp dubbed ‘very strong character’ new deal
Liverpool will hand goalkeeper Adrian a new contract offer on less cash, according to The Sun. The Spaniard joined the Reds as a free agent in the summer of 2019 and has featured in 24 games across all competitions thus far. Adrian arrived as a cover for Alisson Becker but has dropped to third-choice as he is now behind Caoimhin Kelleher in the pecking order. The 34-year-old has made five errors directly leading to goals and had a bad run in the first-team. While it earlier appeared that Adrian’s days at Anfield were numbered, manager Jurgen Klopp is now happy to keep him. The German dubbed the former West Ham United goalie ‘a very strong character’ of recent, and it seems he would love to have him in the dressing room for much longer. Adrian currently has a year left on his Liverpool cont...
Villa’s England international has reportedly been offered to six-time UCL winners
According to Sportsmail, Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been offered to Liverpool. However, he is now close to agreeing terms with one of his former clubs Manchester United. The 35-year-old is out of contract this summer and is looking to leave Villa Park after playing second fiddle to Emiliano Martinez since returning to full fitness. Heaton has not featured for the Midlands club since January 2020, with an ACL injury keeping him on the sidelines till last December. Nevertheless, six-time Champions League winners Liverpool reckon he could be a quality cover for Alisson Becker. The Reds are eyeing up potential goalkeepers to sign as back-up to the Brazilian after Adrian lost his place as deputy earlier this season to Caoimhin Kelleher. The academy graduate is set to be loaned out ne...
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Palace: Smith to make two changes, 25-yr-old to start
Aston Villa travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League later today and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways. Villa are in mediocre form right now and they have failed to win five of their last six Premier League games. Dean Smith will demand a strong performance from his players and it will be interesting to see if they can grind out all three points against a vulnerable Crystal Palace side. The Eagles are coming into this game from the back of four losses in their last five League games and they will have to improve a lot in order to get a good result here. The last time these two sides met, Villa managed to pick up a 3-0 win at home and they will be hoping to complete a league double over the London side today. Villa have picked up a clean sheet in five of the last seven g...
Everton open to selling Mason Holgate to part-fund deal for £43m-rated centre-back – report
Everton could sanction the sale of Mason Holgate this summer to part-fund the transfer of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Football Insider reports. The Toffees have been impressive in Carlo Ancelotti’s first full season in charge, but their home form has cost them a top-four push. Their defensive performances at Goodison Park have been questionable, and the Italian may look to upgrade his options ahead of next season. It is now reported that the Toffees are open to parting company with Holgate, who only signed a five-year deal with the club last year. Ancelotti has not been fully convinced by the Barnsley graduate, and the club are lining up a top-class centre-back to replace him. Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly the top target for Ancelotti, and part of the funds for the transfer could ...
13-time UCL winners reportedly admire Everton man, considering summer move
Real Madrid have Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti on their radar and will weigh up a move for the Italian if Zinedine Zidane leaves the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the campaign, according to Mirror Sports. The Frenchman could leave the La Liga giants at the end of the campaign regardless of whether they pip Atletico Madrid to the title or not. Madrid president Florentino Perez has Ancelotti, Raul and Max Allegri on his list of Zidane’s replacement, but whether the Everton boss would be open to a return remains to be seen. The 61-year-old led the 13-time Champions League winners to their 10th European title in 2014, leaving them the following season after a trophyless campaign. Los Blancos won the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup under Ancelotti in 2014, and he is sti...
