Why Chelsea parting ways with Adidas makes financial sense — Blues could pocket £50m per year with Nike, Under Armour or Puma May 12, 2016 Yesterday’s announcement that Adidas would terminate its contract with Chelsea six years early came as a bolt from the blue. Officially the decision was described as “mutual” and it probably was once Chelsea agreed to pay a penalty clause rumoured to be nearly £40m (€50m). The original 10-year deal, signed in 2013, was for £30m per year. So [...]
Liverpool 1, Chelsea 1: Hiddink anger at late present to Klopp’s Reds May 12, 2016 Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink rued the last-gasp gift his side handed Liverpool which kept the Reds in the hunt for a top-six Premier League finish. Striker Christian Benteke, marginalised for much of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s reign, rescued a point for the hosts after seizing on goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s error and cancelling out Eden [...]
Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce aims to turn Sunderland into a top-flight force after winning relegation battle and demoting bitter rivals Newcastle May 11, 2016 Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce immediately switched his focus to evolving the Black Cats into a Premier League force after demolishing Everton to secure their top-flight status and relegate bitter rivals Newcastle and Norwich. A free-kick from former Chelsea full-back Patrick van Aanholt set the hosts on their way before a double from an unlikely source, [...]
Ryan Bertrand’s secret second career as a fintech entrepreneur – and John Terry is backing his latest venture May 11, 2016 The history of football’s relationship with technology is a chequered one, from the game’s long resistance to implementing goal-line gadgetry to the tale of former Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell taking a power drill to his toenail in the misguided belief that it would relieve pain. Ryan Bertrand hopes to change that perception. When he is [...]
Selection headache for England boss Roy Hodgson after Arsenal striker Danny Welback ruled out for nine months May 11, 2016 England boss Roy Hodgson faces a selection headache after Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck was ruled out for up to nine months following surgery on his right knee. The 25-year-old will miss this summer’s European Championship in France having suffered significant cartilage damage during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. He may not return [...]
Chelsea and Adidas agree to end partnership six years early May 11, 2016 Chelsea will pay shirt manufacturer Adidas compensation after agreeing to end their partnership six years early. The Blues, whose kits have been supplied by the German sportswear brand since 2006, are free to look for a new partner from 2017 onwards when their £30m-a-year deal with Adidas finishes. The German sportswear brand has boosted its full-year profit [...]
Most valuable football teams: Arsenal, Chelsea and three other Premier League teams worth over £1bn according to new ranking May 11, 2016 Five Premier League clubs are now worth over £500m according to a new ranking of the world's most valuable football teams from Forbes magazine. Spanish giants Real Madrid have been named as the most valuable club in the world for the second successive year with an estimated worth of £2.5bn, closely followed by domestic rivals Barcelona [...]
William Hill’s share price drops as bookmaker announces lower revenues due to Cheltenham Festival, European football May 11, 2016 After issuing a profit warning in March, William Hill's revenues have indeed fallen off the back of a poor Cheltenham festival, the company said today in a trading statement. William Hill's share price fell more than six per cent today on the news. The figures Group net revenues at the bookie were down three per [...]
How the Treasury cooked the books in calculating the impact of Brexit May 11, 2016 Three weeks ago, the Treasury released its report into the long-term implications of Brexit, predicting widespread economic destruction. There will soon be a sequel, analysing what the short-term impacts of leaving the EU might be. One doubts you’ll need the foresight of those who successfully predicted a Leicester City Premier League victory to guess what [...]
West Ham United 3, Manchester United 2: Fireworks as Hammers send Boleyn Ground off with a bang May 11, 2016 Emotional West Ham boss Slaven Bilic hailed a fitting farewell to 112 years of football at the Boleyn Ground as his side produced a dramatic fightback to boost their Europa Leagues and dent the top-four aspirations of Manchester United. A goal from defender Winston Reid inside the final 10 minutes settled an enthralling contest after [...]