Analysis, feature pieces

Graham Potter was doomed at Chelsea from Day 1, but poisoned chalice moves on

Graham Potter, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on April 01, 2023 in...

Graham Potter was always going to find himself under intense scrutiny after succeeding Thomas Tuchel last September, and has barely lasted seven months in charge. The managerial merry-go-round has returned once more in west London, where club legend Frank Lampard will this week take interim charge while a host of free agent big names are linked for the summer months. Continue reading “Graham Potter was doomed at Chelsea from Day 1, but poisoned chalice moves on”

Analysis, feature pieces

Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27

10 days after he shook off the cobwebs in a drab-but-dominant world title defence against mandatory challenger David Light, WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie was surveying the scene in a Marylebone hotel. Why? A quick turnaround awaits in a tough ask on enemy soil down the south Coast, against friend Chris Billam-Smith and former trainer Shane McGuigan.
Continue reading “Lawrence Okolie vs. Chris Billam-Smith: World champion enters the lion’s den – against a friend – on May 27”

Analysis, feature pieces

Yes, Zurdo Ramirez’s big weight miss at the weekend was a blessing in disguise

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All things considered, Zurdo Ramirez’s massive weight miss – cancelling a matchup against friend and former sparring partner Gabe Rosado last Saturday night – was a blessing in disguise for the former super-middleweight world champion. After suffering a decisive world light-heavyweight title defeat by WBA champion Dmitry Bivol last November, he’s had some decisions to make. Continue reading “Yes, Zurdo Ramirez’s big weight miss at the weekend was a blessing in disguise”

Analysis, feature pieces

Questions asked as Colby Covington mooted as Edwards’ next title defence

Colby Covington is seen in attendance during the UFC 286 event at The O2 Arena on March 18, 2023 in London, England.

UFC president Dana White says he doesn’t make fights immediately after cards, but declared former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is the next challenger for Leon Edwards’ 170lb belt. Considering the 35-year-old’s relative inactivity and underwhelming resume, a myriad of questions have been asked. Continue reading “Questions asked as Colby Covington mooted as Edwards’ next title defence”

Analysis, feature pieces

World Cup 2022: Portugal’s Fernando Santos is ninth manager to part ways post-tournament

Head coach Fernando Santos of Portugal gestures during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama...

After Morocco stunned them in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Portuguese federation (FPF) yesterday announced their decision to part ways with head coach Fernando Santos, whose deal ran until 2024. The 68-year-old, who guided them to their first-ever senior international title back at Euro 2016, also led A Seleção to the UEFA Nations League title three years later. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Portugal’s Fernando Santos is ninth manager to part ways post-tournament”

Analysis, feature pieces

Who was Nick Bollettieri? Remembering the Hall of Fame tennis coach, who died aged 91 on Sunday

Tennis: Tournament of Champions, Closeup of Andre Agassi and Nick Bollettieri victorious with champagne after match, New York, NY 1/1/1988--

After daughter Angelique posted a social media update last month, revealing his condtion had worsened and he was “transitioning to the next place,” it has been confirmed the legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri died at home late Sunday. He coached many of the sport’s greats, revolutionised the development of young athletes and was a tennis HOF inductee in 2014. Continue reading “Who was Nick Bollettieri? Remembering the Hall of Fame tennis coach, who died aged 91 on Sunday”

Analysis, feature pieces, Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Croatia draw sees Belgium crash out and Martinez depart, they must now rebuild

Croatia's players and teammembers celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Croatia and Belgium at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 1, 2022. (Photo by Chandan KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

As good as Croatia were for sustained periods, Belgium had ample opportunity to punish Zlatko Dalic’s side. Instead, they again rued missed goalscoring chances and a startling lack of urgency at times, with their goalless draw on MD3 meaning the golden generation have failed to qualify from the World Cup group stages. Roberto Martinez’s contract expired at the tournament’s end and well, the inquest into their latest underachievement must be thorough. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Croatia draw sees Belgium crash out and Martinez depart, they must now rebuild”

Analysis, feature pieces

Anass Zaroury: Who is Burnley winger replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad?

Anass Zaroury of Burnley celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers at...

The 22-year-old, capped by Belgium from under-17 to under-21 level, has settled quickly to life under compatriot Vincent Kompany in Lancashire – six goals and two assists since his August transfer – and French reports today suggest he’ll be the man tasked with replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad after the Marseille midfielder’s nasty knee injury on Sunday. Continue reading “Anass Zaroury: Who is Burnley winger replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad?”

Analysis, feature pieces

Reports: Brighton, Leicester linked with Boga move while Tottenham targeting Edwards reunion

Marcus Edwards of Sporting CP is challenged by Matt Doherty of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham...

Two attacking players who spent their formative years in London academies could be returning to England, with the lure of Premier League football and promise of more opportunities than previously afforded to both a key sticking point as the January transfer window edges closer. Continue reading “Reports: Brighton, Leicester linked with Boga move while Tottenham targeting Edwards reunion”

Analysis, feature pieces

Jorginho: Chelsea players to blame for Tuchel’s sacking; Campos linked with sporting director role

Jorginho of Chelsea during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League group E match against FC Salzburg at Stamford Bridge on September...

As they prepare to host Red Bull Salzburg in their first game of the post-Thomas Tuchel era tonight in Champions League action, Chelsea vice-captain and Italy international midfielder Jorginho told reporters in the pre-match press conference while the 47-year-old’s dismissal was a surprise last week, the players were ultimately responsible for the German’s abrupt sacking. Continue reading “Jorginho: Chelsea players to blame for Tuchel’s sacking; Campos linked with sporting director role”

Analysis, feature pieces

Confirmed: Aston Villa’s Diego Carlos out until 2023, ruptured Achilles on home debut vs. Everton

Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa checks on the injured Diego Carlos during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton FC at Villa Park on...

Just six weeks into his spell in England, disaster has struck for Aston Villa’s £26m summer signing Diego Carlos in the form of a long-term Achilles injury sustained during their 2-1 home win over Frank Lampard’s Everton on Saturday afternoon. Set to be sidelined for six months or more, this news means he misses the chance to crack the Brazil squad for the Qatar World Cup. Continue reading “Confirmed: Aston Villa’s Diego Carlos out until 2023, ruptured Achilles on home debut vs. Everton”

Analysis, feature pieces

Conor Gallagher and the task of emulating talented academy products before him

Thomas Tuchel and Conor Gallagher of Chelsea during a training session at Drake Stadium UCLA Campus on July 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

After forcing his way into the England squad by shining on-loan at Crystal Palace last term, Conor Gallagher wants to make Chelsea an undisputed home once and for all. As the Blues’ pre-season campaign gets underway Stateside, now the 22-year-old has the licence to do it.
Continue reading “Conor Gallagher and the task of emulating talented academy products before him”