Premier League
‘Good performance’: Thomas Tuchel praises Chelsea attacker after West Ham United win
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel heaped praise on Timo Werner after the forward netted the winning goal in the Premier League clash against West Ham United on Saturday. The Blues were the dominant side in the London derby against the Hammers and scored the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute through Werner. Ben Chilwell provided a perfect defence-splitting cross in the box for the German, who had the simple job to convert from a few yards out. Shortly after the interval, Werner should have doubled the club’s advantage, but somehow missed his target as his shot trickled wide of goal. The Blues held on for a comfortable 1-0 triumph. Tuchel was pleased for Werner but added that he needs to keep on scoring. He told Chelseafc.com: “He needs to keep on scoring and catch the moment. He is quite...
Swedish billionaire ‘serious’ about Arsenal takeover bid, could tempt KSE with £2bn offer
Spotify founder and Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek is ready to test the resolve of Arsenal owner Stan Kroeke with a takeover bid, The Telegraph reports. Earlier on Friday, there were fierce ‘Kroenke Out’ protests outside of the Emirates Stadium partly due to the club’s involvement in the proposed European Super League. Amidst this, Ek came out with a tweet saying that he would be happy to launch a takeover bid, if Kroenke & Sports Entertainment (KSE) group are willing to sell. As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for @Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring. — Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) April 23, 2021 It is now reported that the tweet was not a publicity stunt, and the 38-year-old is ‘serious’ about the prospect of tabli...
FSG rejects £3 billion offer to sell Liverpool
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group has rejected a £3bn offer from the Middle East to sell. The offer was made to FSG prior to the announcement on Sunday night that principal owner John W. Henry had been involved in talks to take Liverpool into the ill-fated European Super League, reports the Mirror. Following anger aimed at FSG in the wake of the failed Super League plot there are other potential bidders waiting in the wings to see if the stance of Henry and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner changes as a result of the enormous criticism they face. FSG took charge of Liverpool in 2010, buying the club for around £300m to end the reign of the deeply unpopular Tom Hicks and George Gillett at Anfield, the American duo having left the Reds on a financial cliff edge by the time their exit arrived....
Barcelona prepared to sell top Manchester United target, could cost €50-60m
Barcelona have set an asking price for French winger Ousmane Dembele amid his reluctance to extend his contract with the club, Sport reports. The Frenchman joined the Blaugrana from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, but he has made only 112 appearances due to regular injury setbacks. However, he has stayed unscathed for most of the current campaign, which has brought the best out of him with 10 goals and four assists from 38 outings. The Blaugrana have been in negotiations with Dembele over a possible renewal, but he has not shown any indication that he will commit to a fresh deal. If his stand-off continues, the Catalan giants will reportedly sanction his sale this summer for €50-60 million as his contract expires in 14 months. Sportslens view: Dembele’s availability will attract interest from s...
Reds go on the attack, Chelsea duo set for recall, boost for West Ham
The 33rd round of fixtures in the Premier League features some crucial matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening with Everton recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal courtesy of Bernd Leno’s own goal. Liverpool’s top-four hopes suffered a blow as they were held 1-1 by Newcastle United at Anfield. Mohamed Salah put the home side ahead, but Joe Willock snatched a point for the Magpies with a 95th minute equaliser. In-form West Ham United loanee Jesse Lingard will be fit to face Chelsea in the early evening game after shrugging off the effects of cramp. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to recall Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva to his...
Arsenal identify £21.8m Bundesliga star as summer alternative to Martin Odegaard
Arsenal will consider a summer move for Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt as a permanent deal for Real Madrid attacker Martin Odegaard could prove expensive, Bild’s Christian Falk claims. Odegaard joined the north London on loan in January, and he has impressed in his 14 appearances in all competitions, contributing a couple of goals. The Gunners are open to the prospect of a permanent deal, but it is reported that they may struggle to meet the transfer demands of Los Blancos this summer. They may now return for the services of Brandt, who was on their radar in the last transfer window before they signed Odegaard. The Germany international has three years remaining on his contract with Dortmund, but he could be prised away for around £21.8 million. Sportslens view: Odegaard was valued at a...
Jose Mourinho ‘set to land another Premier League job’
Jorge Mendes is to help Jose Mourinho secure his next job in the Premier League, with Wolves being mentioned as a possibility by Don Balon. After his sacking by Tottenham, you get the impression that Mourinho has exhausted all of his options at the top end of the Premier League table. His past affiliation with Chelsea and Spurs rule him out of the running for the Arsenal job, while any ex-Manchester United manager is not going to be replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. If The Special One is to remain in England, compromises may have to be made. As per Don Balon, a drop down to mid-table could be on the cards for the Portuguese. Don Balon report that, with doubts emerging over the future of Nuno Espirito Santo at Molineux, Mourinho could take the Wolves job ahead of next season. It’s...
‘Behind you’, ‘Cash in’: Some Arsenal fans react to £100,000-a-week star’s display vs Everton
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter produced a mixed reaction towards Bernd Leno’s howler in the recent Premier League clash against Everton. The Gunners hosted the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, and it was a cagey encounter with a combined four shots on target. The hosts looked best placed to break the deadlock in the match, but against the run of play, the Toffees opened the scoring in the 76th minute. Richarlison’s attempted cross was deflected into the back of the net by Leno off his right leg, after he fumbled his attempt to grab the ball. The Gunners were unable to find the equaliser over the remainder of the game, and it was a frustrating night where they were denied a penalty by VAR. Leno’s own goal produced a mixed reaction among the club’s supporters with a f...
Manchester United handed transfer boost, £70m-rated star open to Premier League transfer
Manchester United have been handed a boost in signing Raphael Varane with the Real Madrid defender said to prefer a move to the Premier League this summer, AS reports. The France international has been with Los Blancos for the past decade, where he has accumulated more than 350 appearances across all competitions. He continues to remain an assured starter in the central defence when fit, but there are question marks regarding his future beyond the current campaign. His current deal with Los Blancos expires in just over 14 months, and he has yet to be convinced to put pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract. Varane’s wage demands are acting as the stumbling block, and it is reported that he could be open to a fresh challenge. Both Paris Saint-Germain and United have regularly been linked w...
English FA ‘exploring all options’ to prevent Super League repeat
English football is set for a fan-led review, under the direction of former sports minister Tracey Crouch, following the fall-out from the widely criticised breakaway plans. Twelve of Europe’s leading clubs — including the Premier League’s “big six” — announced late Sunday they had signed up to compete in the Super League. But the plans dramatically unravelled two days later as clubs withdrew following an outpouring of outrage from fans, governing bodies, players and politicians. Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all swiftly confirmed they would not be moving ahead with the proposals, which would have seen founder members exempt from relegation. Bullingham is determined there must be no repeat of the chain of events, which caused an uproar throug...
PSG boss: Idrissa Gueye a pleasure to work with
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his delight to work with Idrissa Gueye and praised him for his contribution to his side. The midfielder is currently spending his second season at Parc des Princes, having teamed up with the club from Premier League side Everton in the summer of 2019. Gueye has featured in more than 60 games since joining the side and in the current campaign, he has made 42 appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist across all competitions. His performances ensured the Parisians to their second spot on the Ligue 1 table and their progression into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Pochettino has lauded the impact of the Senegal international to his side ahead of their encounter with the Maroons. “He’s a player with experience, ...
Predicted Everton starting XI: Ancelotti to make three changes, 24-year-old set to return
Everton will face Arsenal in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening. The Toffees are without a win in their last six games in all competitions, and they will be looking to return ways, starting with Arsenal. They are heading into this match on the back of three consecutive draws in the Premier League, the latest being the 2-2 draw against Spurs. Everton find themselves eighth in the Premier League, and they need some positive results to boost their chances of securing a European spot this season. Ahead of the match, Carlo Ancelotti has delivered some positive news regarding players returning from injuries. Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed the last game, and he is available for selection. Likewise, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Bernard are all available for sel...
