Football betting: Hazard could give Wales a moule-ing on way to Golden Boot June 29, 2016 Chelsea fans must be wondering which version of Eden Hazard will return to their club for the next Premier League campaign. He had a forgettable season but, going into Friday's Euro 2016 quarter-final against Wales, he’s finally showing the form that won him PFA Player of the Season for the 2014/15 campaign. It’s bad timing for [...]
Arsene Wenger is a genius but is not the man England need to end decades of underachievement June 29, 2016 It's tempting to believe that Arsene Wenger – one of the most sophisticated minds to shape the English game over the last two decades and a man on the Football Association's shortlist to succeed Roy Hodgson – could be the right man to rescue the national team. After all, the Frenchman is synonymous with the attacking flair that England [...]
Politicians must show some tactical nous June 29, 2016 Never will you feel more English than when, the day after a crashing defeat, you find yourself debating the state of the country’s footballers. It is a half-century long tradition in this part of the UK, one that we repeat, like clockwork, every two years – except on the occasions when our national team fails to [...]
Could Brexit help the England football team avoid future Iceland humiliations by limiting foreign players in the Premier League? June 28, 2016 The path has become well worn: England fail at a national tournament, the game's soul-searching begins and proposals for reform are put forward. Limiting the number of foreign players in English football to allow room for home grown talent to prosper has become a favoured option for Football Association chairman Greg Dyke. Last week he responded to Britain's [...]
Southampton close in on manager Claude Puel and offload £34m Sadio Mane to Liverpool June 27, 2016 Southampton hope to bring a measure of stability to another tumultuous close season by finalising the appointment of French coach Claude Puel and the £34m sale of Sadio Mane to Liverpool. Puel is poised to succeed Ronald Koeman at St Mary’s this week after spending four years at Nice, who he guided to fourth place in [...]
Euro 2016: Who are England’s last 16 foes? Stats and facts on Iceland June 27, 2016 UNFAMILIAR FOES The Three Lions have only crossed swords with Iceland twice. The last meeting was a Euro 2004 warm-up clash at the City of Manchester Stadium which England won 6-1. Skipper Wayne Rooney scored twice that day, while Iceland were captained by Former Chelsea, Tottenham and Fulham forward Eidur Gudjohnsen. The only other meeting [...]
France 2, Republic of Ireland 1: Martin O’Neill fumes at Euro 2016 hosts’ favourable scheduling as Les Bleus progress to possible quarter-final with England June 26, 2016 France 2, Republic of Ireland 1 Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill blamed unfair Euro 2016 scheduling after his 10-man side gave France an almighty scare but ran out of steam against the hosts in Lyon. A second-minute penalty from Robbie Brady gave Ireland a shock lead but the last-16 match turned in 10 second-half minutes [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Blunt Three Lions can still carve out a win over Iceland June 26, 2016 Just what England needed – a well organised, spirited team who are tough to break down. With Harry Kane firing blanks, and Jamie Vardy lacking starts, service and clear-cut chances, there’s been little to cheer in front of goal thus far. Conversely, the Three Lions might have benefited from facing a more expansive team than [...]
Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas claims “disappointing” Brexit vote will damage Premier League June 25, 2016 Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Premier League clubs will struggle to sign players after the UK voted to leave the European Union. The former Arsenal captain, currently playing for Spain at Euro 2016, expressed surprise and disappointment at the result of the referendum. Fabregas joined Arsenal as a teenager from Barcelona only thanks to an exemption [...]
Brexit: Plummeting value of the pound could cause headache for Premier League clubs in the summer transfer market June 24, 2016 Premier League clubs are expected to rack up bigger transfer receipts than previously anticipated this summer, after a Brexit vote caused the value of the pound to tumble. Some teams could meanwhile be left vulnerable by failing to hedge against the risk of fluctuating markets. Sterling plummeted to a new low overnight as the UK voted to leave the European Union, falling 5.3 per [...]