Bundesliga
Will Leipzig and Leverkusen mount an effective title challenge to Lewandowski and co?
After a curtailed winter break, the Bundesliga is back. The story of the season so far has been one of fairy-tale overachievement for some, spectacular underachievement for others, teams struggling to score, scoring at will and drama on and off the pitch. The Rückrunde is set to be no different. Here’s a preview to whet the appetite. The title race: new challengers? Despite Bayern Munich going into the Christmas break top of the Bundesliga table by two points and looking to win their ninth consecutive Meisterschale, this year could very well see other clubs knock them off the top spot. The Rekordmeister have certainly not been fully firing this term when you look at last season’s treble-winning campaign. Worries over Bayern’s pre-season squad depth have only intensified throughout th...
2020 In Review: From COVID-19 to Liverpool to Maradona, looking back at a wild, wild year
2020 has been quite the year, one for the history books, for better or worse. We break down the 10 things we will remember 2020 for. Lunch is on Marcus: Rashford’s campaign to help school children Footballers have a unique position of influence, especially the younger ones in today’s era, with their millions of followers on Twitter and Instagram. While almost all players take part in some form of community service or philanthropic endeavours, Marcus Rashford decided to use his social media as a platform to appeal to UK lawmakers who were about to end a program that allows free lunches to millions of schoolchildren. Eventually, the lawmakers decided to cave into his request and made sure the program stays running. This not only bought to light the potential influence a young footballer can ...
Manchester City prepare an enormous bid to sign Erling Haaland
Manchester City have not been firing all cylinders this season in the Premier League, partly due to Sergio Aguero’s injury issues. Although the Sky Blues have managed to sort out their defence with the arrival of Ruben Dias from Benfica and the revival of John Stones. However, their lack of goals upfront remains an issue and relying on just Raheem Sterling to consistently find the net for the rest of the season could be a serious issue. Having said that, reports from GOAL now state that Manchester City are plotting a move that could absolutely revolutionize their attacking front three. The report states that the Sky Blues are considering signing Erling Haaland next summer. Haaland would be the ideal signing given the fact that Aguero has already regressed this season with injuries and his ...
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...
Tottenham Lining Up Marcel Sabitzer as Tanguy Ndombele Replacement
Tottenham Hotspur are looking at RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer as a potential replacement should Tanguy Ndombele leave the Lilywhites, according to Mundo Deportivo. Ndombele arrived at the North Londoners in the summer transfer window of 2019 from Lyon in a deal worth up to £63m – a club record. His time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been mixed, with some standout performances, but also extended periods of time out of the starting XI. A feud with manager Jose Mourinho did little to help his cause. Ndombele has not had an easy ride in North London Nonetheless, the Frenchman is still a man in demand. Reports in May suggested that Barcelona were ready to make a move for the midfielder should Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal leave the Camp Nou. Both players departed, and neither were adequa...
Mohamed Salah Move to Real Madrid “Almost Impossible”
Spanish journalist Alvaro Montero has denied reports that Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could be on his way to Real Madrid, claiming that they will prioritise moves for youngsters Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Salah joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017. Since then, he has become one of the best players on the planet, scoring 110 goals in 173 outings for the Reds in all competitions, winning two Premier League Golden Boots in the process. Salah has been sensational under Jurgen Klopp Recent comments by the Egyptian sparked rumours that his time at Anfield could be coming to an end, with other reports suggesting that he is unhappy at Liverpool and is considering a move. Real Madrid and Barcelona were the two main sides linked with the winger. However, journalist Alvaro Montero has dis...
Report: Bundesliga side want Liverpool striker in part-exchange for centre-back
According to The Daily Telegraph, German top-flight side Schalke are bracing themselves for a bid from Liverpool for Turkey international centre-back Ozan Kabak in January. The Anfield giants are light at the back following long-term injuries to centre-back duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, while Joel Matip has also struggled to keep fit on a consistent basis. Schalke are open to selling Kabak for the right price, but they will ask for Belgian striker Divock Origi in part-exchange should an offer arrive. The 25-year-old is also wanted by Wolverhampton Wanderers in January as they look to land a cover for the injured Raul Jimenez, and Liverpool reportedly value him at around £20 million. Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to bring in another centre-back next month in order to boost his ...
Taiwo Awoniyi keen to get Super Eagles chance
Taiwo Awoniyi hopes he will get the chance to play for the Super Eagles any time soon. Awoniyi has represented Nigeria at youth levels but he is yet to get the chance to play for the senior side. The forward has impressed on loan so far at Bundesliga club Union Berlin, with three goals and one assist in 10 league appearances. The 23-year-old is keen to maintain the impressive scoring form which he believes will help him gain recognition at international level. “The national team question for me is a big thing. I remember in the U17 and U20 days, the pride to wear the national colours is massive,” Awoniyi said. “I understand that the country has talents in abundance, But I also have to stick to my principle of time and season and continue to work hard. When it’s my time I’ll take the opport...
Champions League Round of 16 Draw Announced
The fixtures for this season’s Champions League round of 16 have been announced. Borussia Monchengladbach will play their first-ever Champions League knockout game at home to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, while last season’s winners Bayern Munich will travel to Lazio. Atletico Madrid meet Chelsea in a repeat of the 2014 semi-final, which the Spanish side won. Jurgen Klopp will return to his home country to bring his Liverpool side to RB Leipzig, while it’s also a homecoming for Cristiano Ronaldo, who visits his native Portugal to face Porto. The most enticing tie of the round came when Barcelona were drawn against French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Last time the two sides met, Barcelona won 6-1 at the Camp Nou, completing an incredible comeback after losing the first leg 4-0. Rounding o...
Europa League Round of 32 Draw Announced
The first knockout round fixtures for the Europa League have been revealed. The top two sides from each of the 12 groups progressed to the knockout round, and are joined by the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group stage. Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur were drawn against Austrian side Wolfsberger, while North London rivals Arsenal will face Benfica. The most exciting tie of the draw came when Spanish club Real Sociedad were drawn against English giants Manchester United. Serie A table toppers AC Milan will travel to Serbia to face Red Star Belgrade, while Rangers clash with Royal Antwerp. Leicester City were the final British side out of the draw, facing Slavia Prague. The first legs will be played on the 18th of February, and the second legs will be on the 25 ...
FIFPro Announce 2020 World XI Nominees
The shortlist for the 2020 FIFPro World XI has been announced. Every professional footballer around the world was invited to vote for the best player in each position. The ones with the most votes made it into the 55-man shortlist. The goalkeeper with the most votes, as well as the top three defenders, midfielders, and forwards, will be inducted into the FIFPro World XI. The remaining spot will go to the outfield player with the most votes. Bayern Munich are the most represented team in the shortlist, boasting 11 players. Title winners Real Madrid and Liverpool come in joint-second with eight players each. Bayern completed the treble with a win over PSG in August Despite going trophyless last year, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur both make it into the top five, with six and five candidates...
Bayern Munich Plotting Move For Barcelona Midfielder
Bayern Munich are eyeing up a move for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. De Jong joined Barcelona from Ajax in the summer transfer window of 2019. Since then, he has had a mixed time at the Camp Nou, often showing flashes of brilliance without ever consistently producing his best stuff. Nonetheless, there is no denying that the Dutchman has immense potential, as proven by his stellar performances at Ajax. De Jong has impressed on the international stage and at Ajax Treble winners Bayern Munich are said to be interested in the 23-year-old, with Mundo Deportivo claiming that he could be sold in order to raise funds during financially unstable times for Barcelona. Barcelona’s financial situation is no secret, with interim president Carlos Tusquets ...
