London house prices: Solving the capital’s housing crisis needs more than just cynical promises from mayoral hopefuls March 24, 2016 Tottenham’s resurgence near the top of the Premier League seems to have dovetailed with its housing market, which has shot up 10 per cent in a year. Massive investment across north east London from long term investors such as Grainger, Argent and Legal & General is transforming the area, with a high focus on build to rent. Crucially, many [...]
Champions League: Uefa considers changes which could lock out smaller clubs March 24, 2016 Uefa is considering proposals to change the format of the Champions League which would reduce the number of teams in the group stage from 32 to just 16. Continental clubs are believed to be driving a move toward introducing two mini "super-leagues" of eight to replace the existing eight groups of four as a response [...]
Euro 2016: Danny Drinkwater thirsty for England chance after circuitous route to international recognition March 23, 2016 Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater insists he is ready to capitalise after being granted an 11th-hour opportunity to gatecrash England’s squad for this summer’s European Championship. Uncapped Drinkwater has emerged as a late contender for a place in Roy Hodgson’s squad after playing a key role in the Foxes’ surprise Premier League title challenge. The 26-year-old could [...]
Strength of Premier League brand drives shirt sponsorship revenue across Europe March 23, 2016 The value of Premier League clubs' shirt sponsorships has risen by nearly £70m this season, more than any other league in Europe. Premier League shirt sponsorship revenues have grown by 35 per cent from £193m (€244m) to £260m (€330m) in the past year, according to a new report from sports industry adviser Repucom. The Premier League [...]
International Champions Cup: Leicester City to join Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid in prestigous pre-season tournament March 22, 2016 Leicester City may still have seven games left in which to win the Premier League title, but they have already hit the big time after being invited to join Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in a pre-season tournament this summer. The unlikely league leaders will join the European elite in the 2016 International Champions [...]
Jonas Gutierrez suing Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United for £2m March 22, 2016 Footballer Jonas Gutierrez is suing former club Newcastle United for £2m over the way he was treated following his battle with testicular cancer. The Argentine winger, 32, has made a claim for disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 after he was released by the Premier League club last summer. He claims that his illness [...]
Rasmus Ankersen interview: Brentford co-director of football denies it’s all data and robots as club continues to utilise mathematical modelling March 21, 2016 When the debate surrounding analytics in football rages, the glare from the number-crunching spotlight inevitably comes to rest on Brentford, the club viewed as the English game’s principal pioneers of mathematical modelling. Much head-scratching ensued when the club announced in February 2015 that then-manager Mark Warburton would leave Griffin Park at the end of the campaign. [...]
Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world says Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino March 21, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino praised Harry Kane as one of the world’s best strikers after his brace helped Spurs beat Bournemouth and keep the heat on Premier League leaders Leicester yesterday. Top-flight leading scorer Kane hit two first-half goals and set up another for midfielder Christian Eriksen in a commanding victory to leave Spurs five [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 1, Borussia Dortmund 2 (Agg: 1-5): Pochettino urges Spurs to achieve “big things” in Premier League after European exit March 17, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino brushed off a predictable European exit and urged his side to achieve “big things” in the Premier League after being outclassed by Borussia Dortmund. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang chalked up his 35th goal of the season with a clinical double before a well-beaten Spurs replied [...]
Football betting: Noisy neighbours Manchester City to deafen Manchester United in derby March 17, 2016 There is more than bragging rights at stake as Manchester City host Manchester United on Sunday. Beyond the search for superiority in the playgrounds and pubs of the north west, this match could prove key in the final Premier League shake-up. City, in fourth, are four points above their rivals and know victory could go a [...]