Granit Xhaka’s Position In Jeopardy Upon Aaron Ramsey’s Injury Return – Keown

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Martin Keown has suggested that Granit Xhaka could have a tough time keeping hold of his position once Aaron Ramsey returns to full fitness. The Wales international sustained a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw versus Southampton earlier this month, and this has enabled Jack Wilshere command a starting spot at the heart of the midfield.

 

Wilshere could not make the desired impact in the 0-0 draw versus West Ham United, but he was the driving force for the north London side as they scrapped a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday. Speaking after the game, Keown acknowledged the impressive showing of Wilshere, and stressed that he is getting back to his best, having completed the full 90 minutes on nine occasions. Continue reading “Granit Xhaka’s Position In Jeopardy Upon Aaron Ramsey’s Injury Return – Keown”

EURO 2020: BUFFON NOT RULING IT OUT YET

Italy long time goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is not ruling out the possibility of continuing until the Euro 2020. The 39-year old shot stopper has had a long and illustrious keeper for clubs and country. He is expected to take off his gloves soon, especially with the national team narrowly missing out in the qualification race for Russia 2018.

In addition, Buffon stated that he would retire at the end of the season and that he was “99.9 percent” certain. He added the caveat that if would continue until the club World Cup – a thing he has not won – if his club Juventus went on to lift the Champions League. Massimiliano Allegri’s men reached the final of the elite continental club competition is 2015 but lost to Barcelona. They reached the final last year after an impressive run but they crumbled against Real Madrid.
Continue reading “EURO 2020: BUFFON NOT RULING IT OUT YET”

WALES COULD HOST EURO 2020

Wales could join the hosts of the forthcoming Euro 2020 following the launch of a late bid to replace Brussels, according to reports. The Principality stadium is the reported venue that would battle Wembley and Stockholm for a chance to replace Brussels as one of the hosts in 2020.

The continental soccer body UEFA is considering a replacement as the proposed Eurostadium in the Belgian capital city is yet to be constructed amid complications that would make the project not be completed on schedule.
Continue reading “WALES COULD HOST EURO 2020”

ALL HAIL NEW MADRID STAR MARCO ASENSIO

La Liga champs Real Madrid might have a new star already in their ranks in Marco Asensio.


The forward has been in brilliant form of recent. He netted a wonder strike against rivals Barcelona in the SuperCopa second leg at the Bernabeu after scoring in the first leg at Camp Nou.

The 21-year old has scored in almost every debut that he has made of recent, making him the star man in the team. In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, he is expected to get more game time and establish his profile as one of the biggest prospects of Spanish football.

The most exciting thing about Asensio is his rise to the occasion in high profile games. He netted on his La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup debuts aside the Supercopa.

Asensio drove a dagger into the hearts of the Catalan side on Wednesday – a side that is struggling to get replacement following Neymar’s shock move to PSG this summer. Barca are struggling with poor confidence and the youngster that they had the opportunity to sign for just $6 million just made the situation worse for them. Continue reading “ALL HAIL NEW MADRID STAR MARCO ASENSIO”

BAYERN THRASH CHELSEA IN PRE SEASON AFFAIR

Bayern Munich defeated Chelsea 3-2 in the International Champions Cup as both sides clashed at the National Stadium in Singapore.


Chelsea had defeated Arsenal 3-0 in the previous match but they fell 3-0 in the first half before they fought their way back.

The German champions were formidable from the get-go. Bayern scored three goals in 21 minutes and it could have been worse. Rafinha’s effort bounced to beat Thibaut Courtoisfor the opening goal, and then aging winger Frank Ribery shook off Cesar Azpilicueta before sending the ball for an unmarked Thomas Muller to score. The German international added another but Marcos Alonso and MichyBatshuayi provided respite.

When new signing Alvaro Morata joined the clash in the second half, the crowd cheered as they welcomed the former Real Madrid striker. The Spaniard partnered MichyBatshuayi in attack where he showed what he could do when the season starts proper. Continue reading “BAYERN THRASH CHELSEA IN PRE SEASON AFFAIR”

RANGERS TO SIGN BRUNO ALVES

Thirty five year old Portuguese defender Bruno Alves is set to move to Rangers. His club Cagliari have confirmed that the player has left the club.


The Serie A club released a statement on their website that Alves exited.

“After a season in red and blue, Bruno Alves leaves the Cagliari to face a new professional challenge,” the statement read. The statement added that the Euro 2016 winner with Portugal arrived at Sardinia last summer but showed “great humility.” It added that his “experience, physicality and charisma” helped the club.

The Ibrox club is expected to sign the player after undergoing a medical. He would be the first signing of Pedro Caixinha. He played 36 games this term, scoring a goal. Rangers FC is expected to offer him a two-year deal after passing the medical. He is expected to cost in the region of £500,000 for the transfer. Continue reading “RANGERS TO SIGN BRUNO ALVES”

Cathcart Keen for a Similar Experience to Euro 2016

Watford defender Craig Cathcart says that he is hungry for more successes like the Euro 2016 after managing to do the unthinkable with Northern Ireland.


The national team were not expected to even qualify for the European championship, but they managed to reach the last 16 stage of the competition against all the odds. They were beaten by Wales, who were themselves a major surprise package. After having achieved such great successes only a year ago,Cathcart has reflected on an incredible summer and says that he wants to experience more of the same.

Cathcart was a crucial member of the Northern Ireland team that achieved a big success at the Euro 2016 and he is likely to have a similar role in the team going into the World Cup 2018 qualification campaign. Continue reading “Cathcart Keen for a Similar Experience to Euro 2016”

Dick Advocaat Opens up on Future ofvan der Wiel and Emenike

Fenerbahce manager Dick Advocaat says that Emmanuel Emenike and Gregory van der Wiel can look for new clubs, as he does not intend to use them in the squads any more.


The confirmation by the manager comes just a few days before the start of the January transfer window, which is likely to see a lot of movement at the Turkish club. Once of Ajax and Paris St Germain, van der Wiel moved to the Turkish club only in the summer on a free transfer. When he was at Ajax, he was regarded as one of the best young right backs around.

This lead to a £ 6 million move to Paris St Germain in the summer of 2012. Since then, his career has gone down the hill and it was not a surprise when PSG let him leave on a free transfer in the summer. However, not many would have expectedvan der Wiel struggle under the regime of the Dutchman. Continue reading “Dick Advocaat Opens up on Future ofvan der Wiel and Emenike”

FA TO INVESTIGATE SEX ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

The Football Association will investigate the allegations of sexual abuse in football, as the scandal gets more attention.


The NSPCC hotline that was established for the abuses has reportedly received at least 100 calls, and four police officers are investigating the allegations.

The FA says they are being careful to avoid interfering or jeopardizing the process whilst closely working with the police over the matter. It appointed an expert in child protection, Kate Gallafent QC – a top independent counsel – to help with its internal review. The FA wants to know if there were reports at any time regarding the abuses, which clubs were aware and the actions that were actually taken, if any, and those culpable if nothing was done. Aside the FA, Child Protection in Sport Unit will review practices at the FA in light of the allegations.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor revealed that more than 20 former footballers have come forward with stories of sexual abuse. Steve Walters, Paul Stewart, Andy Woodward and David White, all former footballers, stepped up to open up on their experiences, waving their rights to anonymity.

Taylor added that about six or seven clubs were connected with certain individuals in the allegations. Crewe, Manchester City, Leeds, Blackpool, Stoke, and Newcastle have been fingered even as the clubs deny any link. Blackpool denounced any link, saying via a statement that they were yet to receive any information from the PFA or other authorities regarding the abuse. Leeds towed the same path, claiming they were not aware but would take such allegations seriously and cooperate fully with any investigations.

“Come and give your story, you will be listened to, you will be believed,” Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Karen Bradley implored victims of sexual abuse in football.

Hugo Lloris believes Paul Pogba is fatigued from the 2016 Euro’s

France managed to reach the finals of the 2016 Euro’s where they faced off with Portugal in the finals and the French national side eventually lost 1-0.


Paul Pogba was a regular starter for France as he performed in just about every single match during this international competition and according to Hugo Lloris, it’s because of this tournament that Paul Pogba is performing so underwhelming with Manchester United since being signed for an astronomically fee of £89.3 million.

“There are a lot of players who played in the Euros and experiencing physical difficulties at this moment. Their preparation was not ideal for the new season. Paul is one of them. And he has to take on a record transfer to Manchester United.There are lots of little things that have slowed him. But we all know he has many qualities and talent, that’s why we’re demanding of him but things will go well for him with work.”Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris said as he talked about his national teammate Paul Pogba. Continue reading “Hugo Lloris believes Paul Pogba is fatigued from the 2016 Euro’s”