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Bayern’s German monopoly continues, but don’t begrudge Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of RB Leipzig reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on December...

Football’s worst kept secret is out: the Bundesliga’s perennial champions Bayern Munich have announced RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann will succeed Hansi Flick as their new manager this summer, agreeing terms for a lucrative five-year deal. However, sceptics shouldn’t be so quick to begrudge a highly-rated boss joining his fiercest competitors, being Bavarian-born after all.
Continue reading “Bayern’s German monopoly continues, but don’t begrudge Julian Nagelsmann”

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Gianluigi Donnarumma renewal talks rumble on; Milan target Mike Maignan

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 18: Gianluigi Donnarumma of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 18, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Claudio Villa./Getty Images)

Milan vice-captain and first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has just two months left on his existing deal, though is no closer to a formal contract renewal per Italian reports. They’ve offered €8m annually (£6.9m) but his agent Mino Raiola hasn’t accepted their proposal – with Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan on their radar as a possible replacement and he’s interested.  Continue reading “Gianluigi Donnarumma renewal talks rumble on; Milan target Mike Maignan”

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Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves

Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City signs a new contract extension at the club at Manchester City Football Academy on April 07, 2021 in Manchester,...

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 “Timely two-year contract extension just what Kevin de Bruyne deserves”

Archives, Specials

After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Manchester City and Borussia...

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.
Continue reading “After Sunday’s abrupt address, Sergio Aguero’s long City goodbye begins”

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Only £100m? No chance: David Moyes’ defiant Declan Rice stance speaks volumes

Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham...

David Moyes’ comments Saturday on captain Declan Rice were refreshingly bullish while shedding light into an intriguing subplot as the season unfolds. 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 “Only £100m? No chance: David Moyes’ defiant Declan Rice stance speaks volumes”

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Angelino’s Leipzig loan deal set to be made permanent for £17.5m

Angelino of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and RB Leipzig at Veltins-Arena on February 06, 2021 in...

Manchester City fullback Angelino’s season-long loan spell could be made permanent for €20m (£17.5m) as soon as this weekend, because the Spainard – thoroughly enjoying his time at RB Leipzig – has an appearance-based obligation to join the Bundesliga side permanently. Continue reading “Angelino’s Leipzig loan deal set to be made permanent for £17.5m”

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Eden Hazard sidelined for 4-6 weeks with yet another muscular injury

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 30, 2021 in Madrid...

Eden Hazard’s persistent injury and fitness problems at Real Madrid have seriously hampered his progression since joining from Chelsea for €115m (£101.5m) in July 2019 and another fresh blow is expected to keep him out of their two-legged Champions League last-16 tie vs. Atalanta. Continue reading “Eden Hazard sidelined for 4-6 weeks with yet another muscular injury”

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Sevilla signing Alejandro Gomez has no regrets, ready for new challenges

Alejandro Papu Gomez of Sevilla FC during the unveil of the new signing of Alejandro Papu Gomez at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on January 28, 2021...

After it was confirmed earlier this week that Atalanta captain Alejandro Gomez was joining La Liga side Sevilla – rather than another Serie A rival – in a cut-price deal worth up to £7m, comments aplenty have emerged about the move. Teammates, former boss Gian Piero Gasperini and Papu had their say as he prepares for another of Europe’s top five leagues.
Continue reading “Sevilla signing Alejandro Gomez has no regrets, ready for new challenges”

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Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea chats with Callum Hudson-Odoi during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at...

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’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi”

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Thomas Tuchel made PSG believe, but his time was numbered from the start

Video: 'It's a Great Christmas Present' - Tuchel Discusses PSG Ending 2020  With a Win Over Strasbourg - PSG Talk

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 “Thomas Tuchel made PSG believe, but his time was numbered from the start”

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Italian clubs circle around Atalanta’s unsettled star Alejandro Gomez

Papu Gomez's performance at Anfield a fitting tribute to Diego Maradona |  Forza Italian Football

Atalanta captain Alejandro Gomez is expected to depart next month after a well-documented row with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini that has only worsened with time and unsurprisingly, has courted interest across Italy. Inter, Roma and Napoli are three league-chasing rivals linked as Serie A leaders Milan appear to have pulled out of the race for the 32-year-old forward. Continue reading “Italian clubs circle around Atalanta’s unsettled star Alejandro Gomez”

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Preview: Everton vs Chelsea – Tricky away trip awaits Lampard’s men on Merseyside

Chelsea: Everton made it easy for Billy Gilmour, but he knew what to do

Chelsea ended their Champions League group unbeaten, one point above Sevilla and will go into Monday’s last-16 draw as Group E winners after their 1-1 draw with Krasnodar. Frank Lampard made multiple changes to the side that overcame an early deficit to beat Leeds three days prior, but is expected to make more ahead of their tricky Merseyside trip this weekend. Continue reading “Preview: Everton vs Chelsea – Tricky away trip awaits Lampard’s men on Merseyside”