When Emi Martinez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in September 2020 he attached a laminated list of targets to his locker, and one of them was to become the best goalkeeper in the world. At the time, that might have seemed like an admirably lofty but somewhat unlikely ambition for someone who had never even been the number one keeper at his club, let alone on the entire planet. Martinez’s…
Before you make any transfers this week see how your squad is looking for gameweeks 25, 27 and 28. Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and Wolves all double in gameweek 25 while Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brighton and Brentford all blank. Brighton and Brentford then double in gameweek 27 along with Crystal Palace and Southampton. The problem is that Brighton, Brentford and Southampton could then well blank in gameweek 28 along with…
It’s the most important league match the Emirates Stadium has ever staged but Stuart Morgan, an Arsenal season ticket holder, is 24 miles away in the town of Chertsey. He’s sipping a lager beneath the low ceiling of a modest clubhouse. The TV broadcasting Arsenal’s game against Manchester City produces a tinny sound. He’s living every kick of the ball, nodding his head as if he was on the end…
They are two of the most successful and famous clubs in world football. Yes, the Europa League play-off round has thrown up a terrific tie by pairing Manchester United with Barcelona over two legs on 16 and 23 February. It will be their first Europa League meeting, a sign perhaps that both have fallen on leaner times recently. They have faced-off in three European finals, one semi-final and two quarter-finals…
Former Dundee United and Hibs boss Jack Ross is one of three managers Motherwell will speak with about replacing Steven Hammell, while Tommy Wright is not under consideration. (Scottish Sun)external-link Manager Michael Beale is planning a Rangers squad cull this summer, insisting he has too many players and doesn’t want to “devalue” the club’s shirt. (Daily Record)external-link Former Hearts and St Johnstone forward Ryan Stevenson backs calls for more awareness…
The Football Association has launched an investigation after Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne had objects thrown at him during their 3-1 win at Arsenal on Wednesday evening. The midfielder was targeted while he was walking around the pitch after being substituted late on. Referee Anthony Taylor is believed to have mentioned it in his match report. Arsenal are studying CCTV footage and say they will impose strict sanctions if those…
On 18 July 2022, less than two weeks after joining Borussia Dortmund, £27.4m striker Sebastien Haller pulled out of training after feeling unwell. He had not felt quite right for a few weeks but thought it was a digestive issue, or potentially a hernia. Within 24 hours a testicular tumour was diagnosed. The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international, who joined West Ham for a then club record £45m in 2019, had…
Birmingham City say they are “appalled and saddened” by alleged racist abuse towards Blues captain Troy Deeney from the home end at St Andrew’s. The Championship side issued a statement saying Deeney and a number of Blues fans had reported hearing the slurs at the end of Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat by Cardiff City. Deeney, 34, joined his hometown club in 2021 and has made 53 Blues appearances. “There is no…
Ella Toone is available for Manchester United’s next three games after having a red card overturned. The England midfielder was sent off late on in United’s 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday after appearing to hit out at Eveliina Summanen. After the match, United boss Marc Skinner said he believed Summanen was “play acting”. The Football Association said Toone had made “a successful claim of wrongful dismissal”. United returned to…
Women’s football in England should be “open” to the idea of a closed league, says Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. The Women’s Super League in England, as with other European leagues, operates on a traditional promotion and relegation system. In contrast, the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States is a closed league featuring the same teams, or franchises, each season. “I’ve worked in that in the United States,” said…