Less than 12 hours removed from his decisive display to help Manchester City overcome a relentless Borussia Dortmund effort in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the news was finally announced: the Premier League leaders had agreed a two-year contract extension with their creator-in-chief to keep him at Eastlands until the summer of 2025. Continue reading
Category: Analysis, feature pieces
After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins
Turning 33 this summer with a statue on the way in his honour, Sergio Aguero will end a decade-long association with Premier League leaders Manchester City at the end of this current campaign, after they failed to agree terms on a new contract extension beyond June 30. Despite his disruptive troubles with injury, the Citizens’ record goalscorer is rightly in high demand.
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All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns
Midway through an unprecedented season hampered by COVID-19 protocols, troublesome injuries and more too, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown shortly after the All-Star game – discussing multiple topics including: standout rookies, possible moves between now and the March 25 trade deadline while assessing true contenders from the pretenders. Continue reading
Only £100m? No chance: David Moyes’ defiant Declan Rice stance speaks volumes
David Moyes’ weekend comments on captain Declan Rice were both refreshingly bullish and shed light into an intriguing subplot as the season continues to unfold. While a lot of fanfare has covered Tomas Soucek’s rise, Jesse Lingard’s immediate impact and an unlikely but very real European qualification charge, the England international has proven a dependable constant. Continue reading
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi
Every cloud has a silver lining, or so the saying goes. Frank Lampard’s 18-month stint as Chelsea manager was ruthlessly ended by lunchtime on Monday, but with the new man replacing him at the helm in west London, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has an opportunity to replicate Christian Pulisic’s success under the German succeeding their club legend. Continue reading
Thomas Tuchel made PSG believe, but his time was numbered from the start
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have finally announced Thomas Tuchel’s sacking, just four months after the German took them to their first Champions League Final and five days following reports suggesting he’d be imminently replaced by Mauricio Pochettino. It’s a bitter end to a fractious relationship for the 47-year-old, whose time was numbered from day one. Continue reading
Eberechi Eze’s persistence paid off as his top-flight journey is underway
Released by Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall while still in his teenage years, Eberechi Eze endured failed trials and questions over his languid attitude. Over the weekend, Roy Hodgson gave the 22-year-old playmaker his first Premier League start for new club Crystal Palace and judging by how he’s handled adversity in the past, it’s likely the first of many to come.
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Jacob Blake, NBA protests and an ongoing quest for social justice: What’s next?
After making the historic decision to boycott Game 5 of their NBA Playoff series against Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening, the Milwaukee Bucks hope their defiant stance goes some way to achieving social justice while ending police brutality and systemic racism in the US. This seemed a long time coming, but what’s next? Continue reading
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points as Citizens sting Real, into quarter-finals
Raphael Varane’s catastrophic defensive errors will dominate headlines, but Manchester City were rewarded for their intense pressing from the front against La Liga champions Real Madrid. What were five talking points here, as Pep Guardiola’s men booked their place in next week’s Champions League quarter-finals?
Fulham finished with a flourish, but Brentford’s bubble certainly burst
Fulham left Brentford looking silly at Wembley last night, but Thomas Frank’s side only had themselves to blame after their promising season ended with a whimper against their west London rivals. It extends a very long wait for Premier League football, while finishing the campaign with plenty of burning questions to answer.
Five burning questions and storylines to watch as NBA season returns tonight
As the 2019-20 NBA season finally resumes later tonight, I spoke to LA Clippers expert Jack Brown for his thoughts and revised award winners as multiple storylines and burning questions remain unanswered as the regular season returns: before the eagerly-anticipated post-season gets underway on August 17. Continue reading
Talking points and compelling storylines to watch, as Italian football set to return
The 2019-20 Serie A campaign resumes this weekend, with almost one-third of the season still to complete. There are plenty of storylines which need closure, from Juventus’ toughest title race in years to the chase for European qualification. Continue reading
