Pellegrini vows to attack in Champions League battle of continent’s big spenders April 5, 2016 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini shrugged off suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain have underestimated his side, while insisting the Citizens will go for the jugular in Wednesday's battle of the continent’s big spenders. PSG counterpart Laurent Blanc had earlier admitted his relief that the French champions had avoided “ogres of European football” Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real [...]
Chelsea will be Antonio Conte’s toughest job yet but winning is in Italian’s blood April 5, 2016 Antonio Conte, the new broom set to sweep through Chelsea this summer, is no stranger to big jobs, but at Stamford Bridge the current Italy coach and former Juventus manager is surely facing his toughest assignment yet. Something in the Blues’ squad seems to have become infected during this traumatic season. Conte’s task is nothing [...]
English football clubs have never been in better financial health, says study April 4, 2016 English football clubs have left their overspending days behind them and have never been in better financial shape, according to a new study by insolvency firm Begbies Traynor. Increasing revenues from television contracts allied with so-called financial fair play rules, which have forced clubs to live within their means, have slashed the number of teams [...]
Clubs, stats and controversies: Who is Chelsea’s manager in waiting Antonio Conte April 4, 2016 Conte started his playing career with hometown club Lecce before making his Serie A debut in 1985. The central midfielder was signed by Juventus boss Giovanni Trapattoni in 1991 and went on to make more than 400 appearances for The Old Lady, winning five Serie A titles and the Champions League. He began his coaching career [...]
Italy boss Conte plots Juventus-style domination at Chelsea after appointment confirmed April 4, 2016 Newly-appointed Antonio Conte has set his sights on creating a Juventus-like dynasty at Stamford Bridge after being announced as Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor as manager of Chelsea yesterday. The 46-year-old has signed a three-year contract and will start work in west London after this summer’s European Championship in France, which will be his last act in [...]
Manchester United 1, Everton 0: Anthony Martial keeps Louis van Gaal’s men on tails of Manchester City April 3, 2016 Manchester United 1, Everton 0 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal diverted praise to teenager substitute Timothy Fosu-Mensah after his introduction helped inspire a win over Everton that boosted his team’s Champions League prospects. Van Gaal threw on the 18-year-old left-back for struggling Argentina defender Marcos Rojo at half-time and the switch paid off as [...]
Leicester 1, Southampton 0: Wes Morgan’s header puts Foxes four wins from historic Premier League title win April 3, 2016 Leicester City 1, Southampton 0 Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri admits his team may never get a better chance to complete a “magical” Premier League triumph after they took another huge step towards the title. Captain Wes Morgan’s first goal of the season earned the Foxes a fifth 1-0 win from the last six games and [...]
Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester City refute links to doctor who claims to have doped 150 British sportspeople April 3, 2016 Arsenal, Chelsea and Premier League leaders Leicester have all strongly denied links with a London-based doctor who claims to have provided banned drugs to more than 150 British sportspeople. The Sunday Times reported claims by Dr Mark Bonar that footballers were among a client list that also included an England cricketer, leading cyclists, boxers and [...]
Diego Costa: Chelsea striker fined £20,000 and has ban extended by the FA April 1, 2016 Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been fined £20,000 and hit with an extended one-match ban by the FA after admitting a charge of improper conduct. The 27-year-old will now be absent for next Saturday's trip to Swansea on 9 April as well as this weekend's meeting with Aston Villa, having already missed Chelsea's 2-2 draw [...]
Arsene Wenger asks Arsenal fans to consider team’s injuries before judging season April 1, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has asked fans to consider the number of injuries his squad has suffered before judging their performance this season. The Frenchman still believes Arsenal can catch Leicester and win the Premier League, despite being 11 points behind the Foxes with a game in hand. Star midfielder Mesut Ozil has claimed Arsenal [...]