Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
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”
First-half goals from Emre Can and a Marco Reus penalty saw an in-form Borussia Dortmund side extend their winning run to ten games across all competitions, returning top of the Bundesliga after a hard-fought 2-1 home victory against rivals RB Leipzig. Emil Forsberg pulled one back for Marco Rose’s side, before they almost snatched a point at the death in stoppage-time. Continue reading “Borussia Dortmund 2-1 RB Leipzig: Goals from Reus, Can see BVB back top of the Bundesliga”
World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, signed in the dying hours on deadline day this past Tuesday, made his Premier League debut for Graham Potter’s Chelsea side but the midfielder couldn’t inspire his new teammates to produce more than a frustrating goalless draw with west London rivals Fulham, who defended valiantly with centre-back and captain Tim Ream in particular. Continue reading “Chelsea 0-0 Fulham: Ream rescues Cottagers as £106m man Enzo Fernandez makes Blues debut”
Although he’s struggled for regular minutes and consistency at club level with Chelsea, Christian Pulisic still represents the US’ big hope – alongside Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson – to surprise their critics and exceed expectations in Qatar, having failed to qualify altogether four years ago. Will they progress from a tough Group B which features England and Wales? Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Pulisic excited, determined to change the way the world sees US soccer”
Conor Gallagher’s start to the Premier League season has been a forgettable one for the Chelsea midfielder, yet the 22-year-old talent – already capped by England’s senior side – certainly picked the right moment to produce his best performance of 2022 thus far in Sheffield overnight against Germany under-21s ahead of a big month under new boss Graham Potter. Continue reading “U21s: Chelsea’s Gallagher produces integral display against Germany, before October’s big month”
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”
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”
Per reports, West Ham’s talismanic midfielder Declan Rice has a gentleman’s agreement with the club to stay for the 22-23 season before leaving next summer – where he’ll have 12 months remaining on his contract and more of Europe’s suitors will undoubtedly circle for his signature. Continue reading “Reports: Declan Rice has ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to leave West Ham in summer of 2023”
It felt fitting that, eight years after suffering stoppage-time heartbreak against Real with Atletico Madrid in Lisbon, Thibaut Courtois was Los Blancos’ impenetrable wall here, defiantly stifling Liverpool throughout – breaking the record for most saves in a Champions League Final with nine, producing greatness with the lights shining brightest on a career-defining night. Continue reading “Courtois’ inspired display – once again – proves a fitting end as Real clinch 14th CL title”
After conjuring up magic to save Real Madrid from the brink of elimination against PSG in the previous round, it was again Karim Benzema’s night – this time in west London – as two first-half headers and pouncing on Edouard Mendy’s early second-half mistake has now confined Champions League holders Chelsea to an unenviable second leg recovery mission on April 13. Continue reading “Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: Benzema hat-trick leaves UCL holders with mountain to climb”
According to recent reports, which have only intensified over this ongoing international break, the 25-year-old – a £49m signing in 2020 – could be set to depart on a permanent basis once the current campaign is concluded at a cut-price fee after a disappointing stint in west London. Continue reading “Report: Timo Werner working with agent to engineer summer departure from Chelsea”
After riding their luck at times against another wasteful Chelsea showing, Liverpool emerged victorious in yesterday’s action-packed Carabao Cup Final – winning 11-10 on penalties. However, it was again the individual displays of Jurgen Klopp’s formidable fullback pairing which stand them in good stead for the rest of the season with more silverware up for grabs. Continue reading “Carabao Cup Final: Liverpool’s fullback duo show their mettle against wasteful Chelsea”
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