Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
With newly-appointed captain Reece James and vice Ben Chilwell both sidelined, England midfielder Conor Gallagher again captained the side to a 2-0 away win over their west London rivals Fulham earlier tonight – producing precisely the sort of individual showing convincing other clubs to test Chelsea’s resolve for an overly criticised player keen to breakthrough at his boyhood club. Continue reading “After rejecting summer interest aplenty, Chelsea captain tag looks good on Conor”
Currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s betting regulations, Brentford’s talismanic forward Ivan Toney will see his suspension end in the middle of January. That’s opportune timing for a mid-season switch to a London rival, with both reportedly open to making bids in excess of £50m for a 27-year-old English striker undoubtedly itching to make up for lost time. Continue reading “Chelsea and Arsenal linked with January move, as Toney exit talk intensifies again”
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were said to be flirting with the fullback all summer long, but Manchester City’s Kyle Walker says his desire to complete another treble-winning season – like their unprecedented 2022-23 campaign – is why he rejected their advances to extend his stay at Eastlands, until 2026.
Continue reading “Bayern target Walker: Repeating treble-winning success was key in City extension”
Tottenham academy graduate Japhet Tanganga didn’t look out of place in the Premier League, but hasn’t kicked on in subsequent seasons. Persistent injuries haven’t helped establish himself as a defensive mainstay, at what quickly proved an unpredictable time in north London. After a deadline day move to Augsburg, he has an opportunity to shine with less scrutiny in Germany this coming season, with multiple agemates who’ll give him inspiration abroad. Continue reading “Tanganga’s Augsburg loan the latest in British-based defenders venturing abroad”
After producing excellent performances in his first two Premier League games under Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham’s new creator-in-chief, James Maddison finished a well-worked passing move to score during their 2-0 away win at Bournemouth – then praised his new midfield teammates and stressed a desire to repay the £40m fee they paid relegated Leicester for his services post-match. Continue reading “James Maddison hails growing midfield dynamics, vows to repay £40m fee after first Tottenham goal in Bournemouth win”
Kevin de Bruyne’s hamstring surgery and subsequent recovery means City are without their creator-in-chief until the new year, so the Premier League champions are intensifying efforts to bolster the midfield before next Thursday’s transfer deadline – two English-based players are on their radar. Continue reading “City target Wolves midfielder Nunes and Palace’s Eze as Lucas Paqueta alternatives”
Per reports in Italy today, Inter are monitoring a series of Premier League-based defenders – Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga, Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah and Arsenal’s versatile fullback Takehiro Tomiyasu as their search for more defensive reinforcements continue after news broke of their accelerated interest in acquiring Bayern’s wantaway World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard. Continue reading “Pavard push aside, Inter linked with Tottenham’s Tanganga and Chalobah at Chelsea as possible defensive signings”
Championship winners Burnley kick off the new season against last year’s Premier League champions, as Clarets head coach Vincent Kompany braces himself for another reunion against a City side he called home for over a decade during his illustrious playing career. This time, unlike their FA Cup quarterfinal tie back in March, it’ll be at Turf Moor – so is a different result in store too? Continue reading “Burnley vs. Manchester City Preview: Kompany and co seek to start with style on top-flight return in season’s opener”
News of Wesley Fofana sustaining a serious ACL injury today will have only strengthened Chelsea’s stance about securing the long-term future of a highly-rated youngster itching for more first-team football next season and beyond, after impressing at the heart of England’s U21 Euros-winning side this month. Continue reading “Pochettino lays down Levi Colwill gauntlet as Chelsea insist centre-back not for sale”
Little over four weeks after my update on Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun’s club future, it appears the United Status international – 22 earlier this month – could be nearing a permanent switch to Italy, if this weekend’s reports are to be believed. Inter are favourites for his signature after their Romelu Lukaku pursuit went cold, though they’re attempting to whittle his price down.
Continue reading “Inter frontrunners for Arsenal’s Balogun, attempting to lower £34m price-tag”
Lee Carsley’s England are into this year’s U21 European Championships semi-finals after riding their luck at times and ultimately grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Portugal, courtesy of Anthony Gordon’s well-taken strike ten minutes before half-time. They’ll next play Israel – who they beat in Group C last week – on Wednesday for a place in next weekend’s showpiece event. Continue reading “U21 Euros: Gordon sees England escape with 1-0 win vs. Portugal, semis bound”
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