Top 10 Players Likely to Leave Their Premier League Clubs This Summer
7 HRS AGO - We’ve already seen several key signings by Premier League clubs this summer with many new Expand
7 HRS AGO - We’ve already seen several key signings by Premier League clubs this summer with many new prospects coming in from La Liga. But in reality, we’re also going to probably see several key players leave their Premier League clubs this summer. … Continue reading →Top 10 Players Likely to Leave Their Premier League Clubs This Summer is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
The Fiver | Award-winning Joe Kinnear's special comedy turn | Ian McCourt
13 HRS AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has Expand
13 HRS AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arrivingKEBABS, CLOWN SHOES AND LOUD PARPS ON TYNESIDEAfter confirming yesterday that Joe Kinnear was on his way back to Tyneside, the Fiver should have twigged then that Newcastle United Comedy Club would be reopening its doors for the coming season. But it took an interview with SHOUTSport on Monday night, in which the forthcoming headline act tested out his new material on presenters Andy Goldstein and Bobby Gould, to confirm the momentous news."I heard a silly comment of 'what can I attract?' I can open the door to any manager in the world, anyone, that's the difference," honked Kinnear, before putting his signature comic twist on the names of staff and players alike. Shola Ameobi was altered into Shola Amenobee (heehaw!), Yohan Cabaye became Yohan Kebab (snarff!) and best of all Derek Llambias became Derek Llambezee (badumtish!). And that was before he slipped into his clown Collapse
Top 5 Premier League Teams From 1992-2013 Revealed
15 HRS AGO - Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed some phenomenal teams. Some are universally Expand
15 HRS AGO - Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed some phenomenal teams. Some are universally celebrated, but others never garner the attention they truly deserve. Remaining impartial, my breakdown of the top five teams was not decided solely by what the … Continue reading →Top 5 Premier League Teams From 1992-2013 Revealed is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Another Embarrassing Exit Highlights English Football's Problems
18 HRS AGO - "I don't think the players have done themselves credit, to be honest with you, either individually Expand
18 HRS AGO - "I don't think the players have done themselves credit, to be honest with you, either individually or collectively. You get what you deserve out of football and that's nothing out of this tournament so far" Stuart Pearce in the aftermath of England's 3-1 defeat and exit to NorwayIt was supposed to be the easier side of the draw, England were 'lucky' to miss Spain, Germany, Holland and even Russia. Qualification would be a guarantee. Oh how naive we really are in this country. For the second tournament in a row England will be exiting out the group stage due to poor performances and incompetent management. As The Whitehouse Address discusses, this performance highlights the widening gap between English players and the rest of Europe as well as the clear gap between coaching quality.
A new start for English football
English football is coming to the end of its “Golden Generation”. It has entered that most popular of times, a stage of ‘transition’ Collapse
INFOGRAPHIC: David Beckham – family man
18 HRS AGO - Image source: MoneySupermarket Life Insurance
Warrior create football boot with ‘Gloryholes’ – Is all PR really good PR?
19 HRS AGO - Quite what Warrior are up to at the moment goodness only knows, but they seem to be operating on a Expand
19 HRS AGO - Quite what Warrior are up to at the moment goodness only knows, but they seem to be operating on a ‘all publicity is good publicity’ principle. First we brought you news that they were the company responsible for dread Liverpool away and third kits, and now Liverpool’s players can also wear Warrior boots, which come [...] Collapse
ÖSTERSUNDS FK AND THE UPWARD TRAJECTORY OF GRAHAM POTTER
20 HRS AGO - In
the confused gaggle of bibbed players, he instantly stood out. A shock of blond
floppy hair Expand
20 HRS AGO - In
the confused gaggle of bibbed players, he instantly stood out. A shock of blond
floppy hair charging tirelessly up and down the left wing. With silent, dark
determination, he seemed to be taking the seven aside practice match more
seriously than his jokey, lackadaisical teammates. Collapse
Confederations Cup Team-By-Team Analysis
22 HRS AGO - Some of you may have already read my article on the Confederations Cup tournament. Now I move onto Expand
22 HRS AGO - Some of you may have already read my article on the Confederations Cup tournament. Now I move onto the teams and see how well they stack up for this. All but two teams are winners of their respective country’s continental championship. The two exceptions are Brazil who qualifies as hosts and Italy which was runner-up at Euro but qualified since the winner Spain already qualified as World Cup winner. Here’s how they pare up group by group with their current FIFA ranking in brackets:
GROUP A:
-Brazil (22)- You’d think a country like Brazil with a legacy and depth of talent would enter the competition as the favorites but it’s actually not the case. Brazil first surprised everybody at the 2010 World Cup with a quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands. They surprised soccer fans even more by being ousted in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America. Brazil just wasn’t Brazil. Lately Brazil has been making some changes like bringing back coach Luis Collapse
Win A Real Madrid Home Shirt in A Beautiful Presentation Box
1 DAY AGO - It is that time of the year again folks. Fans and players alike gather around their club to see Expand
1 DAY AGO - It is that time of the year again folks. Fans and players alike gather around their club to see which colours and configurations they will be adorning themselves in throughout the coming season. As Real Madrid launch their new kit … Continue reading →Win A Real Madrid Home Shirt in A Beautiful Presentation Box is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Tahiti vs Nigeria, Confederations Cup, Group Stage: Open Thread
1 DAY AGO - Tahiti, a tiny island in the South Pacific, battle African powerhouse Nigeria today in the third Expand
1 DAY AGO - Tahiti, a tiny island in the South Pacific, battle African powerhouse Nigeria today in the third day of matches in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Ranked number 138 in the world, and featuring a team of amateurs, not much is … Continue reading →Tahiti vs Nigeria, Confederations Cup, Group Stage: Open Thread is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
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Spain 2-1 Uruguay: Del Bosque changes his midfield structure, Uruguay are disorganised
10 HRS AGO - Spain’s level of dominance should have resulted in a much more emphatic victory.
Xabi Alonso Expand
10 HRS AGO - Spain’s level of dominance should have resulted in a much more emphatic victory.
Xabi Alonso is unavailable for the Confederations Cup because of injury, and in his absence Vicente del Bosque changed the structure of his side, using Sergio Busquets as the sole holder, moving Xavi Hernandez into the role he plays at Barcelona, and introducing [...] Collapse
Spain vs Italy, Under-21 European Championship Final: Open Thread
14 HRS AGO - The final of the under-21 European Championship kicks off today with two brilliant sides facing Expand
14 HRS AGO - The final of the under-21 European Championship kicks off today with two brilliant sides facing each other in the final in Israel. Spain, who have been a joy to watch this tournament — especially Isco, who has been a revelation — faces … Continue reading →Spain vs Italy, Under-21 European Championship Final: Open Thread is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Why A Move For Nani Away From Manchester United Is The Best Move
16 HRS AGO - The impending departure of Nani from Manchester United evokes more questions than answers. Expand
16 HRS AGO - The impending departure of Nani from Manchester United evokes more questions than answers. Undoubtedly talented, arguably the most skilful member of the present United squad, Nani is an enigma. His departure from the Premier League is certainly a negative in … Continue reading →Why A Move For Nani Away From Manchester United Is The Best Move is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Serie A World's Team of the Season
18 HRS AGO - The 2012/2013 Serie A has come and gone with Juventus emerging champions for a second consecutive Expand
18 HRS AGO - The 2012/2013 Serie A has come and gone with Juventus emerging champions for a second consecutive time. Many players used the season to raise their stocks and the Serie A World team have come together to pick their very best of performers in the just concluded season.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) : Gigi conceded the least goals this term, 19 goals, but his amazing reflexes and great experience where always present throughout the season. Those that claim Buffon is playing this well because of the amazing defence he commands should watch Juventus’ last three games when Marco Storari manned the posts for the Old Lady of Turin.
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) : This is probably Barzagli’s best ever season in football. Alongside fellow defenders Bonucci and Chellieni, they formed a solid defensive line that conceded the least this season. Assured and possessing a calming presence at the back, he was rarely ever caught out of possession.
Gonzalo Rodriguez (Fiorentina) : Signed Collapse
Clubs for Scotland's new Lowland League decided
19 HRS AGO - Restructuring of pyramid continues
18 June ~ The 12 clubs chosen to compete in Scotland's new Expand
19 HRS AGO - Restructuring of pyramid continues
18 June ~ The 12 clubs chosen to compete in Scotland's new Lowland League were finalised by the Scottish FA (SFA) on Monday. Three clubs, Preston Athletic and Spartans from the East of Scotland and Threave Rovers from the South of Scotland, were already assured a place in the new league because they hold SFA national club licences. The remaining nine places were decided at a specially convened meeting held to determine the make up of the new base level on the Scottish League ladder. Collapse
Alex Ferguson’s first Manchester United team-sheet set to go up for auction
19 HRS AGO - Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United may seem a lifetime ago amidst Expand
19 HRS AGO - Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United may seem a lifetime ago amidst football’s rapidly developing soap opera, but marks of his legacy still remain. Typically, this means that people are looking to cash in on his retirement, and there is certainly big money to be made on any memorabilia Fergie-related. One Oxford United fan has [...] Collapse
Away grounds - The Dell
21 HRS AGO - UNLIKE my previous articles on Hillsborough and Villa Park, The Dell, Expand
21 HRS AGO - UNLIKE my previous articles on Hillsborough and Villa Park, The Dell, Southampton was a ground where Arsenal enjoyed many good victories over the years.
The old facade to the Main Stand at The Dell
My abiding memory of my trips to the south coast is probably the weather. It always seemed to be sunny down there. It helped that more often than not we would play them in either the autumn or spring so it always seemed to be warm, which was just as well too as the away end was uncovered for many years.
The ground itself always struck me as being unfinished. The main home end behind the goal, the Milton Road Stand, was a lop-sided affair and the rest of the ground looked like it had seen better days. The away end in particular was basic to say the least, Collapse
Confederations Cup 2013 And Its Importance
22 HRS AGO - So 2014 has the World Cup and 2012 had the Euro. I guess that means 2013 will be devoid of Expand
22 HRS AGO - So 2014 has the World Cup and 2012 had the Euro. I guess that means 2013 will be devoid of big-time international soccer excitement, right? Wrong! 2013 is the year of the Confederations Cup, an eight-team competition held in Brazil. It’s good and important for a lot of reasons.
A TOURNAMENT GROWS IN SIGNIFICANCE:
The Confederations Cup is more of an intercontinental competition than international. Six of the eight teams that are competing here have earned their berth by winning their respective continent’s confederation championship. The only exceptions being the World Cup winner and the host country. That’s how the Confederations Cup is contested.
The idea of having a soccer competition of the best of the continents was an idea that evolved over 21 years. Actually the first attempt at such a competition came not with the participation of FIFA. It came through the royal family of Saudi Arabia through a competition called the King Fahd Cup. The first King Collapse
Guide to Premier League Players at the Confederations Cup
1 DAY AGO - As Brazil continues to host the Confederations Cup, Premier League teams will have a number of Expand
1 DAY AGO - As Brazil continues to host the Confederations Cup, Premier League teams will have a number of their scouts in the country searching for new players to sign, while also keeping an eye on their own players. Ten years ago, there … Continue reading →Guide to Premier League Players at the Confederations Cup is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Interview With Jemal Johnson, Former Blackburn and Wolves Winger [VIDEO]
1 DAY AGO - American winger/striker Jemal Johnson has a unique story. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Expand
1 DAY AGO - American winger/striker Jemal Johnson has a unique story. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Macclesfield in Cheshire and spent time with Manchester United before becoming a professional with Blackburn Rovers. A veteran of all four divisions of English … Continue reading →Interview With Jemal Johnson, Former Blackburn and Wolves Winger [VIDEO] is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
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Italy 2-1 Mexico: Italy excel down the left flank
10 HRS AGO - Italy dominated for the majority of the match, and Mario Balotelli was a fitting Expand
10 HRS AGO - Italy dominated for the majority of the match, and Mario Balotelli was a fitting matchwinner.
Cesare Prandelli selected a 4-3-2-1 system, using Juventus duo Claudio Marchisio and Emanuele Giaccherini behind lone striker Balotelli.
Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre used a standard 4-2-3-1 system, playing Giovani dos Santos behind Javier Hernandez.
Mexico had some bright moments, particularly [...] Collapse
US Soccer Legend Eric Wynalda Co-Authoring a “Worst to First” Story in Atlanta
15 HRS AGO - The Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) are close to completing an Expand
15 HRS AGO - The Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) are close to completing an incredible feat. They currently sit atop the NASL Spring Season standings with just three matches remaining. A year ago at this time they sat anchored … Continue reading →US Soccer Legend Eric Wynalda Co-Authoring a “Worst to First” Story in Atlanta is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
How will Chelsea evolve under Mourinho once again?
17 HRS AGO - Brutal football is not that popular in Spain. Realistically, the title was back at the Bernabeu. Expand
17 HRS AGO - Brutal football is not that popular in Spain. Realistically, the title was back at the Bernabeu. Never a favourite at Madrid, Jose Mourinho could still class his three years leading the Los Bloncos a success, adding La Liga title, Super Cup and Copa Del Rey to his already more-than-impressive CV.
Continuous fallout with reporters, players and even the club president implies it was only a matter of time for Mourinho to return to the UK. Disastrous season at Bernabeu and the managerial chaos at Chelsea certainly paved the way for Mourinho's long-awaited reunion with Roman Abramovich. On 3rd of June, the Special One is finally back at Stamford Bridge.
Things have changed since he last departed. His most respected rival has retired, but competition has only become more intense. The chequebook at Etihad Stadium is ever growing, so is the ambition of Tottenham and Everton. Liverpool is eager to rejoin the race, which has always featured Arsenal and Manchester United. Nonetheless, Collapse
Questions of Corruption in Monaco?
18 HRS AGO - Football has become very attractive to the rich and to business men who are looking for a hobby or Expand
18 HRS AGO - Football has become very attractive to the rich and to business men who are looking for a hobby or more importantly looking for added exposure. These clubs give these men ‘something to enjoy’ and although fans of clubs like Chelsea, Man City and PSG find it hard to see the issues with the immense money that their new owners have invested in the club, it does appear football has become a playground for the rich to have fun.
Yet is there something more going on?! This summer AS Monaco, the newly promoted Ligue 1 side have spent £135m already on new players. There are reports that they are willing to pay what is required to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to France, with Hulk also being rumoured to be a target. It is hard not to look at the situation in Monaco with a cynical eye. As this article will address, football’s vast wealth has enticed men whose intentions may not be football related.
Monaco's private agency
We like to think football is just about what happens on Collapse
Tahiti score against Nigeria in FIFA Confederations Cup – Unbridled joy ensues
19 HRS AGO - Using the word ‘minnow’ to describe Tahiti’s participation in FIFA’s Expand
19 HRS AGO - Using the word ‘minnow’ to describe Tahiti’s participation in FIFA’s Confederation Cup doesn’t even come close to describe their status. This is a country that had one professional player and lost their last fixture to New Caledonia. And, for large periods of their opening match against Nigeria, that showed. Time and time again they were [...] Collapse
Make or Break for Newcastle United
19 HRS AGO -
Fans of Newcastle United face a summer of uncertainty this year as the future of several Expand
19 HRS AGO -
Fans of Newcastle United face a summer of uncertainty this year as the future of several players at the club is unknown. In addition, it is also unknown whether Alan Pardew will be given a large transfer budget to add the necessary reinforcements to his squad.
Since taking over the club, Mike Ashley and his board have been targeting financial stability and continued presence in the Premier League is one of the integral elements of this. Many fans have questioned Ashley’s ambition to push his club further on, with a large proportion of transfer outlays reliant on the incoming fees received for former players. After a very disappointing league finish last season, it appears that Newcastle United may look to trim fringe players from an already thin squad to free up some more space on the wage bill.
OUT:
The first two players out the door at Newcastle this summer will be Danny Simpson and long-serving goalkeeper Steve Harper. Both Simpson and Harper were important figures in Collapse
Inter Milan Season Review 2012/2013
21 HRS AGO - When Massimo Moratti announced that Andrea Stramaccioni would continue on as the manager of Expand
21 HRS AGO - When Massimo Moratti announced that Andrea Stramaccioni would continue on as the manager of Internazionale on a permanent basis for the 2012/2013 season, no one could blame the Inter faithful for feeling optimistic. The young manager had a successful spell with Inter’s Primavera the season prior, leading them to the NextGen Series title with impressive displays. But, it was his form since taking over first team affairs from Claudio Ranieri in March 2012 that had the Inter fans in high spirits, winning the Derby della Madonnina and finishing in 6th place in the league, despite a dreadful campaign with the departed manager. The opportunity was earned, and after a summer of movement in personnel both in and out of the club, spirits were high at the San Siro, with no one challenging the view that Inter could be a team to look out for in Serie A’s upcoming season.
The personnel changes which took place in the summer were necessary, not just for Inter. Juventus had won Collapse
Spain 3-1 Uruguay: Match report
1 DAY AGO - Spain marched on to a 3-1 victory over Uruguay to get their Confederations Cup campaign up and Expand
1 DAY AGO - Spain marched on to a 3-1 victory over Uruguay to get their Confederations Cup campaign up and running.
Both Spain goals came in the first half which was dominated by Spain. In the 20th minute Barcelona’s Pedro opened the score with a deflected effort. Then Soldado made it 2-0 to Spain in the 31st minute.
In the 88th minute Luis Suarez scored a superb free-kick that only resulted to be a late consolation goal for the Uruguayans.The World Cup and European champions had set the early pace of the game, as Spain enjoyed a dominating start in the opening minutes.
Spain opened the score when a Xavi corner was headed out by the Uruguayan defence. The ball found it’s way to Pedro whose shot at goal took a big deflection off Diego Lugano and flew past Fernando Muslera.
Spain then made it 2-0 at the half-hour mark. Cesc Fabregas drove through the middle of the pitch then played a lovely through ball to Roberto Soldado with space to control before guiding the ball into the back of Collapse
Rare interview in English from Arsenal star on London, fish & chips, seeing famous people and driving on the left
1 DAY AGO - Santi Cazorla, one of the best signings from last summer, has given a rare interview in English Expand
1 DAY AGO - Santi Cazorla, one of the best signings from last summer, has given a rare interview in English discussing his first season at Arsenal, life in London and being two-footed. Collapse
The Fiver | The return of a faintly preposterous cockney footballing dinosaur | Barry Glendenning
1 DAY AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has Expand
1 DAY AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arrivingGUESS WHO'S F***ING BACK YOU C****?With the cricket and tennis delayed by rain, the golf and football not on until later and not much else going on, there was a point late on Sunday afternoon when it looked as if the front page of Big Paper Sport's first edition might be entirely devoted to the Fiver's heroic triumph in the Big Paper Sport Dept's fifth annual renewal of the Flicking Playing Cards Into An Upturned Fez Championship. Luckily, a most unlikely saviour arrived in the form of Joe Kinnear, whose headline-grabbing appointment as director of football at Newcastle meant the Fiver's heroics were relegated to the results scoreboard on page 11, sandwiched between Ice Hockey and Squash. Bah!"I will not be in charge of everything at Newcastle, but essentially I kind of will really," was the general thrust of Joe's interview on Sky Sports News, once it had been established Collapse
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