English Premier League
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho and Premier League title challenge
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke to the media ahead of the club’s Premier League opener against Leeds United on Saturday. The Red Devils finished an impressive second in the league standings last term, but they ended the season on a low note with a Europa League final defeat. Ahead of the new campaign, United have been fancied to mount a better challenge for the title, and Solskjaer believes his team has the potential to be in the race. He said: “Well, we have gradually closed the gaps. Nothing is beyond these players – I wouldn’t put it past them.” “It will need a very, very good season. You want to come to April and May and be in that.” Meanwhile, Paul Pogba’s future has been a regular talk of speculation. The Frenchman has under 11 months left on his contract and has de...
Thomas Tuchel confirms double Chelsea injury blow plus Romelu Lukaku update
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that the club will be without three players for tomorrow’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. Hakim Ziyech dislocated his shoulder during the UEFA Super Cup over Villarreal, and he is now expected to remain on the sidelines for a period of time. In a press conference, Tuchel confirmed that the Moroccan does not require surgery but will be treated conservatively to make his comeback. Alongside Ziyech, it appears that N’Golo Kante could miss the season opener after picking up an injury. He was substituted shortly after the hour mark on Wednesday. Tuchel said: “Hakim is out for sure. It will be treated conservatively – we don’t need surgery which is good news. “There is an issue with N’Golo Kante from the [Super Cup] final we need to sort...
‘My information is that’ – The Athletic journo delivers exciting transfer update for Spurs fans
The Athletic journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign at least two more players before the transfer window closes. This has been an excellent transfer window for Tottenham, with Cristian Romero, Bryan Gil and Pierluigi Gollini joining the club. However, the central talking point is still about the future of Harry Kane, who has been targeted by Premier League giants Manchester City. Pitt-Brooke has claimed that Spurs want an attacking player, and they are willing to spend money to bolster that area. Lautaro Martinez has been linked with a move to Spurs this summer, and he remains a top target for the club. Spurs also want to sign at least one more defender, with a centre-back and right-back their main priorities. Tottenham have sold Toby Alderw...
Why Arsenal should be challenging for the top four this season
Arsenal fans have not had an easy time of things over the past few seasons, with the club failing to deliver in the Premier League. Four FA Cup successes in the last eight seasons have helped the Gunners save face, but the London outfit are no longer the force they once were. However, with their Premier League opener against Brentford under a couple of hours away, there are reasons to believe that Arsenal could be set for a better future. SL View Arsenal have not won the Premier League since 2003/04 – flower it up any way you like, but that is not good enough for a club of their stature. Mikel Arteta’s appointment as manager in December 2019 was tipped to be a pivotal moment, with the Spaniard widely viewed as one of the best up-and-coming coaches in football. There have been signs that Ar...
Tottenham have opened talks to sign 23-yr-old who has been linked with West Ham
Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months. West Ham United are keen on signing the 23-year-old Serbian who will be a free agent next summer. However, Sky Sports are reporting that West Ham’s move for Milenkovic has now stalled, and Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks to sign him. Both London clubs need defensive reinforcements this summer, and Milenkovic could prove to be a useful option. He is in the final year of his contract and is likely to be available for a knockdown price. Milenkovic has shown his quality in Serie A and has the attributes to shine in the Premier League. The Hammers are competing in the Europa League this season, and adding Milenkovic to their squad would boost their hopes of progression. While West Ham s...
Leeds pushing hard to sign Euro 2020 sensation, Spurs keen on the player as well
Leeds United remain keen on signing Mikkel Damsgaard from Sampdoria this summer. The 21-year-old made quite an impression in the European Championships with Denmark and his performances have caught the attention of the Premier League clubs. According to La Repubblica (h/t Sportwitness), Marcelo Bielsa is pushing hard for the highly-rated attacking midfielder but Leeds are not the only Premier League club interested in signing the Danish international. Apparently, Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the player as well. Leeds could definitely use more creativity in the final third and Damsgaard could prove to be a superb long term investment for them. The 21-year-old can operate as the number ten as well as in the wide roles and he will add goals and assists to the side. A move to Elland R...
Report: Everton keen to poach £5m midfielder from Premier League rivals
Everton are keen to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers ace Owen Otasowie, according to a report from Voetbalkrant. Toffees boss Rafa Benitez desperately needs to bolster his central midfield ranks at Goodison Park this summer. The Spaniard should be looking to add more energy, dynamism and tenacity to his engine room. Everton have not been the same since Idrissa Gueye left to join Paris Saint-Germain. However, cash doesn’t seem to be as free-flowing as it once was at Everton. Benitez will have to be thrifty in his player recruitment. Everton target Otasowie in action for Wolves Everton chasing Otasowie Voetbalkrant reckon that the Toffees are in a three-way chase for the young Wolves starlet’s signature alongside Club Brugges and West Ham United. The 20-year-old is available for a bargain £...
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Player may have played final game for Chelsea after manager snub [Opinion]
Tiemoué Bakayoko faces an uncertain future at Chelsea after falling down the pecking order and being ignored by Thomas Tuchel. The Sun recently revealed Chelsea are willing to cash in on the 26-year-old amid interest from Lyon, so the writing appears to be on the wall. Bakayoko has spent the last three years of his Chelsea career out on loan and was overlooked by Tuchel in Wednesday’s Super Cup win, so it’s hard to see him staying at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are likely to take a big hit on his sale as Bakayoko’s stock has fallen considerably since he arrived. The French international joined from AS Monaco for £40 million in 2017 and has made 43 appearances in all competitions. After underperforming in his debut season, Bakayoko was loaned out to AC Milan (August 2018 – June 2019), Monaco...
Turkish giants enter talks to sign Chelsea star who was previously bought for €39m – report
Turkish giants Besiktas have entered negotiations with Chelsea to sign striker Michy Batshuayi, French publication Footmercato claims. Batshuayi has been with the Blues since 2016, but he has been restricted to just 77 appearances for the club across all competitions. He has spent the past two-and-a-half seasons away on loan, and it now appears that he could be heading for a permanent move elsewhere. Besiktas have opened talks with the Blues. Batshuayi is keen to join a club where he can play regularly and secure a World Cup spot with Belgium. Sportslens view: Batshuayi had a productive loan spell with Crystal Palace during the back end of the 2019/2020 season, registering five goals from 11 league outings. He returned to the Eagles on loan last term but was surprisingly ignored by manager...
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Another midfielder could leave Chelsea this summer [Opinion]
Tiemoué Bakayoko could be on his way out of Chelsea before the summer transfer window shuts as he’s surplus to requirements and has interest from Lyon, but the 26-year-old isn’t the only Blues midfielder with an uncertain future. Ross Barkley finds himself in a similar situation as the French international as he’s returned to Chelsea following a loan spell away and doesn’t appear to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans. Whether Chelsea can find a suitor for the 27-year-old remains to be seen, as he’s struggled with inconsistency for years. Barkley joined Chelsea on a five-year deal from Everton in January 2018 and has made 86 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals with 11 assists. The England international struggled for consistency at Chelsea and no longer commands a starting place....
Report: Dean Smith leading race to sign Aston Villa ace’s brother
Aston Villa are front-runners to sign Northampton Town ace Caleb Chukwuemeka this summer, according to a report from All Nigeria Soccer. Tottenham Hotspur were keen to sign the 19-year-old attacker, but the Villans are now thought to have a big advantage. Chukwuemeka’s younger brother Carney Chukwuemeka is on the periphery of Villa’s first team. And that is thought to be the factor that could tip the scales back in Villa’s favour. Aston Villa leading Chukwuemeka race All Nigeria Soccer reckon that Dean Smith’s Villa side are now leading the race for the talented teenager’s signature. The young striker would be an exciting signing for the Villans. He only scored one goal in 22 league games for Northampton last season. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Chukwuemeka po...
Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Manchester United vs Leeds United
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for tomorrow’s Premier League clash between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford. The Red Devils finished as runners-up in the league last term, but they ended the campaign on a disappointing note with a defeat in the Europa League final. They will kickstart the new league season with an early kick-off on Saturday. The club are favourites against old rivals Leeds, and Lawrenson has backed them for a 2-1 win. He said: “I’m looking forward to seeing Jadon Sancho in action – I think everyone is except for Leeds fans. “This will be a lot closer than the 6-2 win that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side enjoyed at the end of last year, but I’d still expect them to take the points.” “They need to improve on their home form from la...
