Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
JANIBEK Alimkhanuly is three weeks away from his latest world title defence, a unified middleweight champion on a seemingly never-ending pursuit of undisputed status at 160lbs, but as this interview begins, there’s something he wants to get off his chest. Continue reading “Janibek confirms coaching change, open to super-middleweight move”
Barely four months removed from a damaging submission defeat by champion Dricus du Plessis on his latest attempt to reclaim UFC middleweight gold, Israel Adesanya ventures to Saudi shores for a must-win matchup against a considerably younger, hungry contender in Nassourdine Imavov. What say you? Continue reading “Israel Adesanya in must-win territory again as Nassourdine Imavov beckons”
Casper Ruud was pushed into a five-set battle on day one, while #29 seed Linda Noskova became the first seed to fall as heavy rain proved an ever-present theme on Day 1 of this year’s Australian Open tournament, headlined by straightforward straight-set victories for defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and men’s dark horse Alexander Zverev in the night session on Rod Laver Arena. Continue reading “AUS OPEN 25: Sabalenka, Zverev smiling into second-round as Major underway”
Premier League leaders Liverpool rejected an approach to buy out the versatile fullback’s contract, currently expiring this coming summer, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refusing to engage questions about potential January signings as another potentially messy transfer saga brews behind-the-scenes. Continue reading “Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t bite as Real’s public Alexander-Arnold pursuit continues”
Highly-rated forwards are in low supply but high demand. Lille’s Jonathan David – constantly linked with a Premier League move – continues to leave his future in France uncertain after pondering a two-year contract extension to stay with the Ligue 1 side, knowing club president Olivier Letang’s stance: the Canada striker, whose deal expires in June, will not leave this coming window. Continue reading “Lille forward Jonathan David mulls new deal as president certain on January stay”
Eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool and counting, Premier League defending champions Manchester City have been off-the-pace across all competitions this season and their slump in form has been worsened by the long-term absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. As such, they’re open to acquiring midfield acquisitions next month and beyond, with several lucrative names being linked. Continue reading “Missing Rodri and out-of-sorts, City linked with Wirtz, Guimaraes and Zubimendi”
Per reports in Brazil, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have identified Joao Pedro as one of their priorities for attacking reinforcements next season. The Premier League leaders are seemingly prepared to start the process next month before a big-money move for the Brazilian forward, eager to break into the national team given his intermittent top-flight success on the south Coast in recent seasons. Continue reading “Reports: Liverpool targeting Brighton talisman Joao Pedro in summer swoop”
Just weeks after departing Manchester United, Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as Leicester’s new manager and inked a contract until the summer of 2027 to succeed a struggling Steve Cooper, as the Foxes look to stave off an almost-inevitable Premier League relegation battle over the coming months. Continue reading “Leicester unveil Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new head coach, succeeding Cooper”
England captain and Bayern forward Harry Kane has publicly criticised his teammates who withdrew from Lee Carsley’s latest squad before their must-win Nations League fixture against Greece, accusing them of “taking advantage” as they round out the year without a permanent manager after long-time boss Gareth Southgate’s departure. Thomas Tuchel succeeds him on New Year’s Day. Continue reading “Kane criticises England teammates over withdrawals as Tuchel’s arrival beckons”
Having returned to Manchester over the summer to work as an assistant coach under the recently-dismissed Erik ten Hag, legendary Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy took interim charge of United as his compatriot was sacked on October 28. Incoming head coach Ruben Amorim will have control on the 11th after his Sporting farewell, but RvN is ambitious for more in the long-term.
Continue reading “After taking interim charge, van Nistelrooy enthused to become United boss someday”
Callum Hudson-Odoi has been at Nottingham Forest little over a year and already, the Chelsea academy graduate is attracting attention from other Premier League suitors keen to explore their wide options at a time where the division’s surprise package so far this term are purring across all positions. Continue reading “Reports: Tottenham mull move for Forest’s Hudson-Odoi after longstanding interest”
Heavy scrutiny has continued to follow Kylian Mbappe since his long-awaited Real Madrid move over the summer. The 25-year-old French star must learn to play as a central striker because he will not be able to displace Vinicius Junior on the left flank, according to the club’s long-serving former forward Karim Benzema, who made 14 international appearances alongside him for Les Bleus.
Continue reading “Benzema: People ask plenty of under-fire Mbappe but he must adapt, Real isn’t PSG”
Mo and Sports 