Posts

Showing posts from May, 2020

David Moyes’ pursuit of Cesc Fabregas stopped Manchester United from re-signing Paul Pogba in 2013

Image
https://ift.tt/2QdGQsq David Moyes’ decision to pursue Cesc Fabregas in the summer of 2013 cost Manchester United the chance to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus. The France international left Old Trafford 12 months previously on a free transfer in order to make a name for himself in Turin. Under the guidance of first Antonio Conte and then Massimiliano Allegri, Pogba flourished into one of the best midfielders in the world before eventually coming back to the Red Devils in a deal worth £89million in 2016. Getty Images - Getty Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United in 2016 for £89million But it transpires United could have brought the precocious talent back to the club just 12 months after he joined Juve. According to The Athletic , the club were made aware of Pogba’s desire to return after Sir Alex Ferguson was replaced by Moyes. But the former Everton boss focussed his attention on trying to sign former Arsenal captain Fabregas from Barcelona in a £25m deal. The Spain...

Sports news and gossip LIVE: EFL to return in same week as Premier League, Hamilton hits out at F1 colleagues, horse racing returns

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J [unable to retrieve full-text content] Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip and expert opinion as the Government gives the green light for live sport to return from today. Today’s Headlines: Championship football to return in same week as Premier League as EFL reveal June 20 is the planned restart date Jadon Sancho displays ‘Justice for George […] June 01, 2020 at 11:24AM Premier League Football Fixtures and Results - talkSPORT https://talksport.com

Pogba, Kane and the gun you haven’t heard of: Five star returns that could reshape PL season

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Three months and seven days after its last competitive fixture, the English Premier League will return on June 17. June 01, 2020 at 07:37AM

Man U lead race for $93M young gun, Reds prepare Barca backup

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Manchester United are leading the race for Germany’s next big thing — Kai Havertz. June 01, 2020 at 06:56AM

Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott snubbed Sergio Ramos meeting when Real Madrid tried to sign him

Image
https://ift.tt/2MhqHic Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott reportedly rejected the chance to meet Sergio Ramos when Real Madrid tried to sign him last year. The 17-year-old was given a tour of the Bernabeu and had an opportunity to chat with the long-serving Real Madrid captain as Real pulled out all the stops to land the youngster from Fulham. Getty Images - Getty Elliott has a big future ahead of him However, according to The Athletic , Elliott, who eventually joined Liverpool last summer, said: “No, it’s okay, thanks. I don’t like him after what he did to Mo Salah.” Elliott was referring to the 2018 Champions League final when Salah was forced off with a shoulder injury after colliding with Ramos. The Egypt forward left the pitch in tears in the 30th minute as the Reds went on to lose 3-1 in Kiev, with lifelong Reds fan Elliott in attendance. The former Fulham trainee has impressed in his seven senior appearances for Liverpool this season. It has led to reports clai...

Mesut Ozil’s mammoth £350k contract is ‘the stupidest mistake Arsenal have made’ in the last 10 years, claims Georgie Bingham

Image
https://ift.tt/3cdpvat Arsenal’s decision to reward Mesut Ozil with a lucrative contract in 2018 ‘is the stupidest mistake’ the club have made in the last decade. That’s according to Weekend Sports Breakfast host Georgie Bingham, who does not believe the World Cup winner deserved his reported £350,000-a-week new bumper deal two years ago. Getty Images Mesut Ozil is the highest earner on Arsenal’s books, earning a whopping £350,000-a-week Having operated moderately in the transfer market for almost the entirety of his tenure at Highbury, Arsene Wenger decided to finally loosen the purse strings and bring a lucrative signing to the Emirates when he signed Ozil from Real Madrid . At £42.5million, the Germany international’s arrival in north London in 2013 heralded much fanfare and was viewed as a giant leap in the right direction. Despite a spectacular campaign in the 2015/16 season, it is fair to say the 31-year-old has failed to fully convince the entire Arsenal fanbase of ...

Premier League return is ‘financially driven’ and players have ‘no other choice’ than to return to action amid coronavirus pandemic, claims Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings

Image
https://ift.tt/3esEZJ0 The Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’ initiative is ‘financially driven’, according to Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings. The England defender has also claimed players were the ‘last to be consulted’ about the plans to resume the 2019/20 campaign. Getty Images The Aston Villa defender has emerged as a leading voice in English football England’s top flight is due to restart on June 17 after being halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic . There were no positive results in the most recent round of tests at Premier League clubs and the UK government says elite sport can return behind closed doors from Monday. “Project Restart is financially driven. I think everybody accepts that,” Mings told the Daily Mail . “But that’s fine with me because I look at this monster that is Premier League football and the revenue it creates and I didn’t moan about being a part of it when everything was great so I’m not going to moan now when the atmosphere arou...

Inter Milan announce intention to keep Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez until end of season

Image
https://ift.tt/2Men8tl Inter Milan have confirmed they want to keep Alexis Sanchez for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign. The Manchester United forward has scored just once in 15 games since joining the Italian giants on loan last summer. Rex Features Sanchez has struggled for form in Italy Sanchez’s loan deal runs out on June 30, but with the current season set to run beyond that date due to the coronavirus pandemic , clubs are able to agree short-term extensions with players. Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio insists the club are relying on the Chile star for their title run-in. He told Sky Sports Italia : “We want to keep everyone, including Alexis Sanchez. We are counting on him in the coming months. “He was out injured for quite a while, but he did well before that in matches against Barcelona and Sampdoria. “I saw the Sanchez from his best campaigns in Udinese and Arsenal . justified Cascarino: Arsenal need a Jordan-esque character to get O...

Mesut Ozil criticism is justified because of Arsenal star’s mega-money contract, claims Tony Cascarino

Image
https://ift.tt/3cdpvat Tony Cascarino has told talkSPORT that he believes Arsenal need a Michael Jordan-esque character to get the best out of Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker has come under increased scrutiny in recent years for his inconsistent performances, and Cascarino believes that criticism is justified considering Ozil’s mammoth £350,000-a-week pay package at the Emirates. Getty Images Mesut Ozil is the highest-paid player on Arsenal’s books Jordan was portrayed as the ultimate winner in the popular Netflix documentary series The Last Dance , with the former NBA star prepared to go to any lengths to deliver success. And speaking on the Weekend Sports Breakfast , Cascarino said Ozil needs some of that inspiration and drive in his life. “You have to be real on this, because when you pay someone a huge indifferent salary compared to everyone else at a football club, he has to make the difference on the field,” the former Chelsea striker said. “So that’s going to come...

Arsenal stars Pascal Cygan and Kolo Toure needed 15 teammates to break up blazing row, says David Bentley

Image
https://ift.tt/31ni0rT Former Arsenal stars Pascal Cygan and Kolo Toure needed 15 teammates to separate them during a blazing row, claims David Bentley. The midfielder, who stopped playing in 2014 at the age of 29, was a product of the Gunners’ academy but unable to break into the first-team due to some high calibre teammates like Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires. AFP David Bentley later moved to Spurs after coming through the Arsenal academy After loan spells at Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers, he moved to Ewood Park in 2006 before a lucrative move to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur . But in an interview with Soccer AM , the former England international was asked who he remembered being ‘Hard As Nails’ from his career and had no doubt in his mind. “I remember Pascal Cygan and Kolo Toure having a row,” he said. “It was hard splitting them two up, I tell you!” “There was about 15 blokes trying to separate them, I wouldn’t get in the ring with them...

All systems go: Government clears PL’s June restart

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Premier League was given government approval on Saturday to press ahead with its June 17 restart although players will have to stay apart during goal celebrations and disputes to maintain social distancing. May 31, 2020 at 04:55AM

Thugs hit ANOTHER PL star’s home in $900k raid

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez had three luxury watches stolen in a $925,000 raid. May 31, 2020 at 04:32AM

Jordan Henderson: Liverpool captain says it’s good to be back as Reds out to clinch title with Premier League returning in June

Image
https://ift.tt/2Qaj0gf Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has told talkSPORT he is pleased to get the Premier League back under way as the Reds look to finish off their incredible season by clinching the title. English football has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Reds two wins away from claiming their first title in 30 years. Getty Images - Getty Henderson is ready to return to the pitch The Premier League have now declared that the plan is to restart on June 17. When asked if he ever worried the campaign could be voided, Henderson replied during the talkSPORT Quiz: “Not really. “I think obviously for us we still think we’ve got work to do, and we have. We’ve got nine games left and we want to win as many of them as possible. “And that was all our focus was on really in terms of just wanting to get back and waiting for the right time to go back. “I was always under the impression that, not only for us but for the rest of the league,...

Premier League confirm ZERO new positive coronavirus results in latest round of testing as clubs prepare for June 17 return

Image
https://ift.tt/3ewqzYj The Premier League have announced that there were no new positive results in their latest round of coronavirus testing. This fourth set of COVID-19 tests were conducted in recent days on 1,130 players and staff from clubs, but showed zero new cases. Getty Images - Getty Premier League teams are back in training A statement released on Saturday evening read: “The Premier League can today confirm that on Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May, 1,130 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. “Of these, zero have tested positive. “The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency. “No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing.” TITLE Jordan Henderson says PL needs to be completed, 'Not only for us, but rest of league' sing song Liverpool squad and Klopp wish club legend Ge...

Jordan Henderson EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool captain says Premier League season needs to be completed, ‘Not only for us, but for the rest of the league’

Image
https://ift.tt/2Qaj0gf Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has told talkSPORT he was never really concerned about the prospect of the Premier League season being ruled ‘null and void’. English football has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Reds two wins away from claiming their first title in 30 years. Getty Images - Getty Henderson is ready to return to the pitch The Premier League have now declared that the plan is to restart on June 17. When asked if he ever worried the campaign could be voided, Henderson replied during the talkSPORT Quiz: “Not really. “I think obviously for us we still think we’ve got work to do, and we have. We’ve got nine games left and we want to win as many of them as possible. “And that was all our focus was on really in terms of just wanting to get back and waiting for the right time to go back. “I was always under the impression that, not only for us but for the rest of the league, it needed finishing at som...

Liverpool squad and Jurgen Klopp wish Steven Gerrard a happy birthday at Melwood training base as club legend turns 40

Image
https://ift.tt/3ewqzYj Many happy returns to Steven Gerrard! The Liverpool legend celebrates his 40th birthday on Saturday. He hasn’t been with the club since taking charge of Rangers in June 2018 but there’s obviously still a lot of love for Stevie. And the Liverpool squad paid a lovely tribute to the former player on his special day. Getty Images - Getty The Liverpool players gathered to wish Gerrard a happy birthday Getty Images - Getty Club captain Jordan Henderson joined the celebrations Getty Images - Getty Alisson (right) would have wished Gerrard a happy birthday in Portuguese along with Brazilian teammates Roberto Firmino and Fabinho Getty Images - Getty Salah gave a rendition of how you wish someone a happy birthday in Egypt Getty Images - Getty Firmino (left) is still looking like the lead character in an ’80s cop show! Getty Images - Getty Perhaps Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got singing tips from his popstar girlfriend! Get...

Steven Gerrard at 40: Nine brilliant quotes about Liverpool legend, including Jose Mourinho revealing how many times he tried to sign him

Image
https://ift.tt/3eD1Cu7 He’ll forever be mocked for never winning a Premier League title by rival fans but anyone who has at least the most basic knowledge of football will appreciate how great Steven Gerrard was as a player. Gerrard played at the very top for a number of years, dragging boyhood club Liverpool to multiple accolades, including the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006. getty Liverpool’s FA Cup triumph over West Ham is known as ‘The Gerrard Final’ He’s got the respect of all his peers (El Hadji Diouf is an exception) and can be viewed as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. It’s a special day for Stevie, who’s now manager of Rangers, as he turned 40 on Saturday. So talkSPORT.com has taken a look at nine of the best quotes about the Liverpool icon, with many of them from some of the biggest names in football. Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann looks back on miracle of Istanbul “I have played alongside some of the greatest footb...

Former Tottenham and West Ham manager Harry Redknapp speaks on how lonely being a football manager really is

Image
https://ift.tt/2TVmg0G Harry Redknapp admitted that being a football manager is at times a very lonely profession. The 73-year-old started his managerial career in 1983 with Bournemouth and over the next 33 years he took charge West Ham, Portsmouth (twice), Southampton, Tottenham , QPR and the Jordan national team. getty Harry Redknapp managed a total of 1,395 games from 1983 to 2017 Redknapp’s last job was a brief spell in charge of Birmingham City. He told talkSPORT about how difficult it can be at times to be in charge of a football club, particularly when things aren’t going your way. Redknapp said: “Managing is very lonely. You have very few friends when you become a football manager. You are not in the dressing room, you are isolated and have to keep your distance from the players. “You can never get too close with them, go out drinking with them or socialise too much. You leave yourself too wide open if you do that. Harry Redknapp explains how he ended up soaked i...

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard admits to ‘not pushing myself’ but is hungry to prove himself when Premier League returns

Image
https://ift.tt/2WyVm0Z Jesse Lingard admitted to ‘not pushing’ himself for Manchester United over the last couple of seasons. The midfielder has sometimes frustrated United supporters and has had a 2019/20 season to forget so far with no goals or assists in 20 appearances. Getty Images - Getty Lingard has played 202 times for Manchester United Lingard is ready to prove he has a future at Old Trafford , though, when football returns next month. The Premier League is set to get back underway on June 17 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to  Adidas Home Team’s The Huddle , Lingard said: “Finishing a season, it feels like a mini-season for me, so to go back in, like I say, flying from the get-go, in which I feel good and then, obviously, for next season to just carry on. “I have the right attitude, I have the right desire, I have the right hunger to win games to play for United to obviously win trophies which is one of the most important things. getty Lingard h...

Merseyside Police have ‘no objections’ to Liverpool and Everton staging matches at Anfield and Goodison Park when Premier League returns

Image
https://ift.tt/3gIEiNN Merseyside Police insist they have no objections to Liverpool and Everton playing any home fixtures behind closed doors in their city. The national lead for football policing, deputy chief constable Mark Roberts, suggested six matches could be moved at the request of local police forces when football returns behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP or licensors Liverpool need just two wins to seal the Premier League title These included the Merseyside derby and the game in which Liverpool could secure the title. But Merseyside Police’s assistant chief constable Rob Carden said they had no problem with holding those matches in the city. He said in a statement to the Liverpool Echo : “Merseyside Police is ready to provide whatever policing is required of us in relation to games being played at our Premier League stadia once the season restarts. “In relation to crime and disorder we have no objections to any of the Everton or Liverpool h...

Vincent Kompany turned down chance to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Man City to carry on Anderlecht project, claims report

Image
https://ift.tt/2zkRzaI Vincent Kompany turned down the chance to become Pep Guardiola’s No.2 at Manchester City, it has been revealed. The Belgian left the club he had been with since 2008 at the end of last season for a new project as a player-manager at Anderlecht. Getty Images - Getty Kompany reportedly turned down the position because he wants to play matches He signed off his City career by helping them win the domestic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, scoring a crucial goal in their penultimate league match of 2018/19. This season, City are on the verge of losing their status as English champions with Liverpool 25 points clear of them at the top of the table. Guardiola has also had to deal with losing No.2 Mikel Arteta mid-season, who became Arsenal manager in December. And The Sun reports that Kompany was approached by his former club to take up a key role under Guardiola. Kompany could have replaced Arteta as Guardiola’s assistant How...

Why firing 33/1 outsiders Portsmouth into the Premier League was Harry Redknapp’s favourite season, thanks to Paul Merson, Jim Smith and the Fratton Park faithful

Image
https://ift.tt/2RWwkU1 Harry Redknapp has pretty much witnessed everything there is to see during his time working in football. Between playing and managing Redknapp’s career has spanned over 50 years to date, with the legendary boss recently revealing that he’s interested in buying a lower-league club as he puts plans to retire on hold. Getty Images Harry Redknapp has enjoyed a rollercoaster career in football Redknapp has enjoyed a colourful career in management, winning the Intertoto Cup with West Ham in 1999 and masterminding Portsmouth’s 2008 FA Cup triumph , while he was named manager of the season in 2010 after leading Tottenham to a first-ever Champions League campaign. Redknapp, 73, has also enjoyed success off the field, stealing the nation’s hearts when he won ITV’s popular reality series I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!   in 2018. But when it comes to Redknapp’s most memorable season in football, it’s his first spell at Portsmouth which is the one ...