EFL TV deal: Why Championship clubs are revolting against new £595m Sky broadcasting agreement November 21, 2018 There is a revolt brewing in the second tier of English football. Rather than being met with acclamation, the announcement on Monday that the EFL, which represents the three divisions below the Premier League, had signed a new record £595m, five-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports was greeted by anger from within. As an important [...]
England 2-1 Croatia: Five things we learned as Harry Kane sends hosts through to the Nations League semi-finals November 18, 2018 With time ticking away at Wembley England appeared to be heading towards another disappointing defeat at the hands of their newest international rival. But, unlike in this year's World Cup semi-final, it was the hosts who finished on the front foot, clinching a 2-1 win over Croatia. The Nations League may not carry the prestige [...]
Premier League executive chairman to receive £5m golden handshake despite widespread criticism November 15, 2018 The Premier League will give its outgoing executive chairman a £5m leaving bonus after top-flight clubs were asked to contribute to the sum. Richard Scudamore will receive the money over the next three years as part of a non-compete agreement and in light of his ongoing advisory role, the Premier League said today. The company [...]
Away games hurt Manchester United top line, but outlook remains unchanged November 15, 2018 A six per cent drop in revenues after the team played fewer home games was not enough to knock Manchester United which reiterated its outlook for the financial year. The figures Revenues at the club dropped 6.1 per cent to £135m in the first quarter of the financial year, driven largely by a 27.2 per cent decrease [...]
England v USA: Christian Pulisic leads youthful visitors as they start afresh a year on from their nadir November 14, 2018 Thirteen months ago the US men’s national team reached its nadir. Needing just a draw against Trinidad and Tobago – ranked 99th among national sides – to qualify for the World Cup, the unthinkable happened. Omar Gonzalez scuffed a horrendous clearance over his own goalkeeper and into the net after 17 minutes and 19 minutes [...]
Trevor Steven: Moving abroad is a risk but young English footballers can only benefit November 13, 2018 To understand why young English players are increasingly attracted to the prospect of joining teams in other European leagues you need only look at the case of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The midfielder, 22, was part of the England squad that achieved their best World Cup finish in 28 years during the summer, yet back at Chelsea [...]
Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson are taking Germany by storm, but how are the rest of England’s youngsters faring abroad? November 13, 2018 It’s no secret by now that for Jadon Sancho a move abroad has reaped huge rewards. Since leaving Manchester City in 2017, the teenager has established a starring role in a Borussia Dortmund side that currently leads the Bundesliga and beat Bayern Munich 3-2 at the weekend. But he has not been the only English [...]
Manchester City brush off financial allegations with dominant derby win over Manchester United November 11, 2018 If last week’s Football Leaks reports suggested that Manchester City’s success owes as much to creativity in their accounting as in their attacking play, then the visit of Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday could hardly have been better timed. Because for all of City’s alleged gaming of Financial Fair Play rules by [...]
Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend: Lucky Arsenal, in-form Jordan Pickford, Fulham test Shahid Khan’s patience, Roy Hodgson’s gripes and Tottenham earn a breather November 11, 2018 There have been many occasions during Arsenal’s rollercoaster 16-game unbeaten streak when it seemed like the run was about to end and the 1-1 draw with Wolves on Sunday was certainly one of them. The match had every one of the hallmarks of Unai Emery’s short reign: a slow, ponderous first half, an improvement after [...]
Unai Emery is as animated as he is meticulous… he takes a different approach to every team-talk he gives November 8, 2018 Arsenal’s appointment of Unai Emery in May was met with uncertainty, but he has quickly shown English football what he is all about by reviving the Gunners’ fortunes. The Spaniard is as animated on the touchline as he is meticulous on the training ground – so it may not be a surprise to learn that [...]