Agent of Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi backtracks on previous claims deal agreed with defender August 12, 2016 Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi's agent has backtracked on claims that a deal had been agreed between the player and the north London club. Valencia's German World Cup-winning defender has been at the centre of speculation linking him with Arsenal this summer as the Gunners search for another centre-back in the midst of a defensive injury crisis. Hie agent, Ali Bulut, told German [...]
Heads, shoulders, knees and toes: the cost of footballing injuries August 12, 2016 Injuries cost English Premier League clubs over £157m in wages last year, taking the total cost over the last five years to an eye-watering £0.7bn. Not afraid to complain about injuries, Arsene Wenger's concerns appear to be substantiated as Arsenal players were on the sidelines for a total of 1,553 days during the 2015/16 season. However this only put them second on [...]
Great Britain set new Olympic record and win third successive men’s team sprint gold August 12, 2016 Great Britain made a perfect start to their quest for track cycling dominance by setting a new Olympic record and snaring a third successive men’s team sprint gold – Team GB’s fourth of the Games – in the velodrome. It was a shock victory over world champions New Zealand for Britain, who had failed to [...]
Katherine Grainger wins double sculls silver alongside Victoria Thornley to assume status of Britain’s most decorated female Olympian August 12, 2016 Trailblazing rower Katherine Grainger shrugged off any despondency from being pipped for gold and instead chose to revel in her history-making achievements after assuming the status of Britain’s most decorated female Olympian. The 40-year-old, who won gold at London 2012, has now medalled at five successive Olympic Games as her and Victoria Thornley claimed silver in [...]
Betting: Crisis club Hull set for one-way ticket back to the Championship August 11, 2016 Gaining promotion to the Premier League should be a reason to celebrate, but for Hull fans it’s looking increasingly like a season of pain is on its way. While most teams are strengthening their squads to compete with the step up in quality, Hull’s owners are instead getting rid of players as they look to [...]
Betting: Conte’s men can return Prem title to the King’s Road August 11, 2016 There has been more than £500million spent on transfers already this summer, and the upcoming season must be the most open in Premier League history. Leicester provided a 5,000/1 shock when winning the 2015/16 title, but realistically this year looks to be between the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea. Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United snapped up [...]
Moeen Ali promises Pakistan’s batsmen that a rough ride awaits after leading England’s revival with his third Test century August 11, 2016 Centurion Moeen Ali has predicted an uncomfortable day for Pakistan’s batsmen after England successfully initiated a counter-attack from a position of peril during the opening stages of the fourth and final Investec Test at the Kia Oval. England recovered from 110-5 to post 328 all out as Moeen, who was dropped on nine and 13, chalked [...]
Alan Pardew eager for Crystal Palace to adopt tiki-taka style for new Premier League season August 11, 2016 Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has promised a new brand of football this season with a slant towards the tiki-taka style pioneered by reigning La Liga champions Barcelona. The Eagles have bolstered their squad with the close season signings of former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, defender James Tomkins from West Ham and Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. [...]
Title rivals must be desperate to spend so much, says Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino August 11, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the club’s Premier League title rivals’ summer spending sprees are evidence of desperation. Manchester United have led the way with a world record £89m deal for Paul Pogba, while Manchester City have also shelled out around £150m and Chelsea remain in the market having spent £65m. “When you spend a lot [...]
Olympics must watch events: Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah, Danny Willett, Andy Murray and more…there’s plenty to watch this weekend August 11, 2016 The Rio Olympics could catch fire this weekend when a long list of familiar faces and returning heroes make their Rio bows. Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Jo Pavey, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Usain Bolt and Greg Rutherford are all in action. Excited yet? Here’s what not to miss this weekend. Friday Rio’s Olympic Stadium will stage competition for the first [...]