Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Taylor Harwood-Bellis ended his 16-year association with boyhood club Manchester City this past summer, agreeing to join Southampton for £15m after a successful loan spell on the south Coast last season. Four months after the move, he’s a full England international and another example youngsters in similar positions among bigger clubs can look to emulate long-term. Continue reading “Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ England debut serves as a welcome reminder for others”
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”
They did it again. On the verge of a first home defeat in 13 months, Real Madrid conjured up two goals in three minutes from an unlikely source – inspired substitute Joselu with a pair of poacher’s finishes – confining Bayern to a trophyless campaign for the first time in over a decade while punching their ticket into the Wembley final, where they’ll play Borussia Dortmund on June 1. Continue reading “Real 2-1 Bayern: Joselu’s late double seals frantic comeback, sets up Dortmund final”
Vinicius Junior drew first blood, then had the final say from twelve yards as Real Madrid were predictably resilient in Munich to keep their Champions League semi-final clash with Bayern finely poised at two goals apiece before next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu. That was despite being second best for large periods during an action-packed clash between two giants on Tuesday. Continue reading “Bayern 2-2 Real: Vinicius gives visitors vigour in pulsating UCL semi-final first leg”
Roberto De Zerbi’s impressive managerial work at Brighton hasn’t gone unnoticed, to the point where a series of top sides in England and beyond are seriously interested in making him their new head coach come the summer months – less than two full years after joining the Seagulls as Graham Potter’s successor on the south Coast. Judging by recent comments, he’ll soon depart. Continue reading “De Zerbi’s managerial future unclear as cluster of top clubs circle for Brighton boss”
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”
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”
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”
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”
Federico Chiesa’s winner, 11 seconds into the second-half, felt inevitable after multiple warning signs were ignored but typified just how Chelsea – with their 73% possession and half-chances galore – laboured through proceedings in Turin. If Thomas Tuchel’s men are going to successfully defend their Champions League crown, they can’t afford more displays like these. Continue reading “Juventus 1-0 Chelsea: Chiesa the catalyst as ponderous Blues stifled in Turin”
Liverpool and Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the new Premier League season continued on Saturday night with a 1-1 draw at Anfield, but this latest meeting wasn’t without controversy and tempers flaring on both sides after Reece James’ contentious dismissal in first-half stoppage-time, changing the complexion of an entertaining clash between two title hopefuls.
Continue reading “Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Havertz, Salah ensure points are shared in tense affair”
Mo and Sports 