With Manchester United poised to smash the world record transfer fee on Paul Pogba, here’s how football reached the £100m mark July 21, 2016 “Everyone's got to be concerned about the way fees are growing to astronomical proportions. My own opinion is that it will continue for some time yet but that, like the stock market and property market, it will eventually regulate itself.” So said Liverpool chief executive Peter Robinson in 1995 after signing Stan Collymore for a then [...]
Arsenal target Mauro Icardi affirms intention to stay at Inter Milan but admits “anything can happen” in football July 21, 2016 Argentine striker Mauro Icardi has underlined his intention stay at Inter Milan despite reported interest in his signature from Arsenal. The 23-year-old has been the subject of transfer discussions between his agent and wife Wanda Nara and Arsenal, according to reports in the Italian press. Nara has travelled to London for negotiations with the Gunners who are still [...]
Celtic 3, Lincoln Red Imps 0 (Agg: 3-1): Rodgers revels in Parkhead atmosphere as Bhoys avoid European humiliation July 20, 2016 Celtic avoided the ultimate embarrassment by thrashing Gibraltarian part-timers Lincoln Red Imps to overturn a Champions League first-leg deficit in manager Brendan Rodgers’s first competitive match at Parkhead. Trailing 1-0, the hosts made light work of the second leg as three goals in nine first-half minutes from Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts propelled [...]
Pep Guardiola’s City reign begins with defeat to old club Bayern as Antonio Conte’s Chelsea find scoring touch July 20, 2016 Serial trophy winner Pep Guardiola began his reign as Manchester City boss with defeat after a youthful side lost 1-0 to his former club Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena last night. Goalkeeper Willy Caballero was called upon numerous times in the first half to keep a Franck Ribery-inspired Bayern at bay but despite improving in [...]
Sam Allardyce set to be appointed England manager after winning race to succeed Roy Hodgson July 20, 2016 Frontrunner Sam Allardyce is set to be confirmed as the new England manager on Thursday after the soon-to-be ex-Sunderland boss won the battle to succeed Roy Hodgson. The appointment of Allardyce, who took charge of the Black Cats’ friendly clash with League Two side Hartlepool United last night, is expected to be ratified at tomorrow’s Football [...]
Dismissals for dissent on the cards as England’s refs are told to crack down on bad behaviour from players and coaches July 20, 2016 Players who confront and verbally abuse referees or their assistants face instant dismissal next season after English football’s key stakeholders announced a crackdown on dissent. Any aggressive or confrontational physical contact with an official will also attract a red card, while referees have been ordered to issue more bookings for similar but less serious offences. [...]
Manchester United will win the transfer window if they sign Paul Pogba – but it’ll be a big blow if they don’t July 19, 2016 Arsenal I wouldn’t be thrilled if I was an Arsenal fan. Granit Xhaka is the Gunners’ only major addition this summer, which suggests Arsene Wenger must be pretty happy with his starting XI. With the way they finished the season, I’m surprised he hasn’t been bolder, while seemingly not having an alternative option when a [...]
Antonio Conte insists Diego Costa is staying at Chelsea, Stoke confirm Saido Berahino bids and Arsenal close on Bolton defender July 19, 2016 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned Atletico Madrid to forget about re-signing Diego Costa and vowed to make the Spain centre-forward an integral part of his Stamford Bridge reign. Atletico have been linked with a deal to take their former player back to the Vicente Calderon, with club president Enrique Cerezo quizzed on Tuesday about [...]
Hull urge Football Association to make quick decision after holding informal talks with Steve Bruce over England job July 19, 2016 Newly-promoted Hull City have confirmed that manager Steve Bruce has held informal talks with the Football Association (FA) over succeeding Roy Hodgson as England boss. While no official approach for the former Manchester United captain has been made, the Tigers have followed Sunderland’s lead in calling on the FA to resolve the matter promptly given the [...]
Barcelona extend Qatar Airways sponsorship for a further year as club wait for more lucrative deal July 19, 2016 Barcelona have extended their shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways for a further season after failing to find a partner willing to match their €65m (£55m) per season asking price. The La Liga champions have had ties to the gulf state since 2010 when the Qatar Foundation became only the second shirt sponsor in its history [...]