José Mourinho said he couldn’t explain Real Madrid‘s 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday, in the coach’s first loss since returning to LaLiga. Substitute Troy Parrott put Betis ahead in the 81st minute, before a dramatic finale saw first Carlos Espí have a spectacular equalizer disallowed for offside, and then Kylian Mbappé have a penalty saved by keeper Álvaro Valles in added time. Madrid ended the game in Seville…
Andoni Iraola has no doubt that Liverpool’s £125 million ($170m) forward Alexander Isak will “produce the numbers” this season after a brace inside nine minutes inspired a 2-0 win at Ipswich. All eyes were on summer arrival Bradley Barcola in Suffolk, but after Iraola named the France forward on the bench, Isak showed why the Reds paid such a hefty fee to prise him away from Newcastle last summer. Isak…
ENFIELD, England — Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that he spoke to Richarlison about signing an extension to his Tottenham contract at the beginning of preseason, only for the player to decline and subsequently find himself omitted from the club’s Premier League squad. The Spurs head coach has repeatedly said that players who do not wish to remain at the club are free to explore a move elsewhere, but when…
Massimiliano Allegri said he regards Inter Milan as the Serie A title favorites as he prepares to return to San Siro with Napoli. Allegri was dismissed as manager of Inter’s rivals AC Milan at the end of last season but returned to work with the Partenopei over the summer. – Weekend predictions: Inter out to continue winning start to title defense – Inter’s Lautaro Martínez: Barça wanted me This weekend…
LONDON — Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has stood by his past prediction of Mykhailo Mudryk being a player that can win the Ballon d’Or if he can realise his potential. Mudryk joined Spurs on a season-long loan on deadline day which sources have told ESPN can be made permanent for £75 million ($101m) should the north London club decide to activate their option. The loan deal reunited De…
Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal showed enough ambition in the transfer market this summer despite missing out on signing a top class forward. The Gunners were willing to make Vinícius Júnior their highest-paid player before the Brazil winger chose to sign a new contract with Real Madrid, while they ultimately failed to convince Julián Álvarez to leave Atlético Madrid. Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal also held a firm interest…
MANCHESTER, England — Michael Carrick has said he’s “largely happy” with Manchester United‘s summer transfer business and insisted the club have “made the most” of the money they had available. United spent around £150 million ($203m) to revamp their midfield with the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. Premier League rivals Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool all spent at least £100m on a single player. But…
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has challenged Yankuba Minteh to help Brighton succeed before earning a dream transfer move. Liverpool had a £50 million ($68m) bid for Minteh rejected in the summer, sources previously told ESPN. The Gambian winger is currently injured. “If we achieve things together then the attention will come to individual players,” Hurzeler said. “If the whole team is successful and individuals shine, then Yankuba will get…
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard says his side will have to get used to that losing feeling this season. The Sky Blues have endured a tough return to the Premier League with back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Hull and things do not get any easier this weekend as they travel to Manchester City. Lampard, who used to play for City, has warned his players they need to pick themselves up…
Matthias Jaissle is braced for more suitors to sniff around Lewis Hall this winter but the Newcastle head coach is optimistic that the left-back will have a long-lasting future at the club. Jaissle steadfastly replied “no chance” last month after former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel intimated the Red Devils were in the market to sign Hall in the summer transfer window. Hall is Man United’s primary target in the…