Burnley launched a stirring comeback with two goals in the last 10 minutes earning a priceless victory in their quest to beat the drop. The result condemned Watford to a top-flight record 11th successive home defeat.
Seven points from three previous matches under Burnley’s interim manager Mike Jackson, following the surprise dismissal of Sean Dyche, had lifted the team outside the relegation places and their powers of recovery continued with this dramatic turnaround.
Continue reading...Wilfried Zaha came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Crystal Palace as they snatched a 2-1 win at Southampton. The Eagles looked to have rescued a point when Eberechi Eze scored his first goal of the season to cancel out Oriol Romeu’s early goal, but a moment of magic from Zaha saw Palace leave St Mary’s with all three.
The result lifts Patrick Vieira’s side above Southampton and within touching distance of the top half of the table with four left to play. Vieira had left Zaha on the bench after a bruising encounter at Leeds in the Eagles’ last outing, but he came on for the final 25 minutes to remind everyone just how indispensable he is to the club.
Continue reading...Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest both recorded resounding victories to tee up their second versus third meeting at Dean Court on Tuesday, as the race for automatic promotion and play-off places goes the distance.
Dominic Solanke’s 30th goal of the season and two emphatic finishes from Philip Billing gave Bournemouth a dominant 3-0 win at Blackburn to keep them in the driving seat for second place. The result extinguished Blackburn’s faint play-off hopes, with the damage done in a run of 16 games that yielded 13 points, taking them from second to ninth.
Continue reading...The club are due to move to a new stadium but hopes of avoiding relegation rest on three games at their old fortress
The average English adult in the 1890s was about four inches shorter than today, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident that when trying to navigate one’s way around Goodison Park.
The ceilings are low, the doorways and gangways narrow, the seating evidently designed with the more compact late-Victorian posterior in mind.
Continue reading...The hedge fund billionaire helped rebuild the Dodgers in one of the most dramatic turnarounds in North American sports
It was announced on Friday that a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly has been selected as the preferred bidder in the race to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich. If the 46-year-old hedge fund billionaire can repeat the rescue job he has pulled off with the Dodgers over the past decade, it is an outcome that will suit Blues supporters just fine.
In 2011, the Dodgers were among the most badly mismanaged teams in North American sports under Frank McCourt, the Boston real estate developer who had bought the franchise and the surrounding Chavez Ravine land from Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Entertainment Group seven years earlier.
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Kalvin Phillips does not want to anger Leeds Unitd fans by moving to their old rivals Manchester United, although his club would be willing to accept bids in the region of £60m for the midfielder.
The 26-year-old has had a frustrating season hampered by injury while Leeds have scrapped against relegation from the Premier League.
However, his performances for the Yorkshire club which earned himself a spot in the England team, going on to excel at Euro 2020 for the Three Lions, have kept him in the sights of bigger clubs.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Phillips, but the Daily Mail report that he is not keen on swapping Elland Road for Old Trafford given the passionate rivalry between the two sets of supporters.
Leeds do not want to let one of their best players leave the club, but should a huge offer come in for him then they will accept it.
They rejected bids of around £55m from West Ham for Phillips in January, but it would only take a slight increase on that in the summer for Leeds to be walked round.
The Mail report that a bid of £60m would be enough to secure the services of Phillips, but then his preference to not move to Manchester United would really be put to the test.
The Red Devils may not be the only team in for Phillips in the summer and he could be hoping that another big side makes an offer, giving him the opportunity to play in the Champions League and vastly improve his wages, without upsetting Leeds fans too much.
Both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have both been credited with interest in the England star in the past and could produce big-money moves at the end of the season.
MORE : Leeds United keen to keep Manchester United transfer target Kalvin Phillips
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Leeds United believe they can hold onto star midfielder Kalvin Phillips for at least one more season amid strong interest from Manchester United.
Phillips has been one of Leeds’ best players of the past few years, although he has endured an injury-ridden season this campaign, which has significantly hampered the club’s fortunes.
The Yorkshire side are just five points above the relegation zone, and while they are expected to beat the drop, a summer rebuild under new manager Jesse Marsch is likely.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Phillips is still viewed as an integral part of the team, but Leeds have accepted that they will eventually lose the 26-year-old to a bigger club.
United appear to be the most likely destination and are said to be working on a deal for the England international, who starred at last summer’s Euros, with the defensive midfield position a priority area for Erik ten Hag’s new side.
West Ham and Aston Villa have also expressed an interest in signing the midfielder who has been dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ due to his excellent passing, vision and defensive abilities.
The Red Devils have also been linked with moves for fellow Three Lions’ midfielders Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham but are likely to be priced out of a move for the West Ham and Borussia Dortmund stars.
Phillips is valued at £60million by Leeds, which the club hope will deter any potential buyers this summer, but they may be inclined to sell sooner rather than later with the player’s contract up in 2024.
It is also unclear whether Phillips, a lifelong Leeds fan and player who has made 229 appearances for the club, would be willing to move to fierce rivals United.
The Manchester side will be hoping they can tempt Phillips into following in the footsteps of Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand, who both became United legends after switching Elland Road for Old Trafford.
MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo has got what Erik ten Hag wants at Manchester United, says Gary Neville
MORE : Roy Keane baffled by Ralf Rangnick decisions and ‘crazy’ Manchester United contracts
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FIFA have released the latest figures pertaining to the demand for tickets ahead of this year’s World Cup, with one nation in particular having taken centre stage.
World football’s most high-profile international tournament is of course set to kick into gear this coming November, as 32 countries from across the globe come together in Qatar, to vie it out for the title of world champions.
On the back of the group stage draw for the showpiece being made official earlier this month, demand for tickets, in turn, has unsurprisingly begun to soar.
FIFA, international football’s governing body, therefore moved to provide an insight into the early endeavours of fans tow world over to catch a glimpse of their nation battling it out in Qatar in just over six months’ time.
And the ensuing figures have proven altogether noteworthy.
The latest round of sales a whopping 23.5 million tickets requested, dominated by demand from Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 25: FIFA World Cup Trophy is seen prior to the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano on August 25, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
It is one of these countries in particular, though, who have proven early frontrunners when it comes the efforts of fans to nab a spot in attendance at specific group stage fixtures.
The outfit in question? Argentina.
Tournament finale aside, three of the four most in-demand fixtures when it comes to tickets feature Lionel Scaloni’s men, in the form of the Albiceleste’s meetings with all of Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Poland.
The pull of what is likely to prove the final chance of supporters to see Lionel Messi ply his trade at a major international tournament is already in full effect, it would seem…
FIFA announce that 23.5M World Cup tickets were requested during the latest draw period. Alongside the final, the following games were most popular:
Argentina vs. Mexico
Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia
England vs. USA
Poland vs. ArgentinaAll three of Argentina’s group games 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/A3gJCwl8dc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 29, 2022
Spanish giants Real Madrid have set their sights on a move for a 2nd member of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea squad, according to reports.
The subject of one defender set to swap Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu ahead of next season has of course dominated the European football headlines across recent weeks.
This comes with Antonio Rudiger having come to the decision to call time on his spell in west London, to link up with Carlo Ancelotti’s ranks upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.
The agreement between Toni Rüdiger and Real Madrid has been reached on a four year deal, valid until June 2026. ⚪️🤝 #RealMadrid
It’s matter of final details before signing the contracts. No official announcement before the end of the season, even if Toni will sign in May. pic.twitter.com/gnTAv6GYr3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2022
As alluded to above, though, if the latest word following on the back of Rudiger’s move to La Liga being all but confirmed is anything to go by, then Real Madrid do not appear to be content with luring just one member of Chelsea’s defensive unit away from the English capital.
This comes amid the suggestion that Los Merengues have also set their sights firmly on the addition of Reece James.
As per a report from the reliable Nizaar Kinsella of Goal, a whole host of ‘superclubs’ from across the continent are keen on James’ signature.
This comes with the English international, despite his emergence as one of the most important members of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, nevertheless one of the lowest paid players on Chelsea’s books.
Rival clubs, in turn, appear keen to offer James the opportunity to secure a wage packet more in line with his unquestionable abilities.
And chief amongst the list of suitors come Real Madrid, who have already gone as far as to make contact with the defender over the possibility of a transfer in the summer of 2023.
Reece James was amazing again last night. Remarkably, he is one of the lowest paid players at Chelsea leading to other superclubs trying to turn his head over a move. Real Madrid have already made contact about a possible 2023 move. https://t.co/XXazFAF1dL #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 29, 2022
Word of Real’s ongoing interest in James’ services of course comes fresh on the back of the 22-year-old putting his talents on full display once more on Thursday night.
Restored to his spot on the right of a back-5 for a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, James proved the matchup’s standout performer, excelling on both sides of the ball.
What a goal that would’ve been… 😮😮
Reece James goes within inches of grabbing a Chelsea winner after some brilliant build-up play 🤩 pic.twitter.com/CJzm1gMYHJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 28, 2022
In turn, the English international will be expected to feature from the off once more this weekend, when Chelsea travel to Merseyside to take on an Everton outfit battling for their top-flight lives.
For all Manchester City’s attacking verve it is unlikely they will be able to repeat the emphatic nature of Liverpool’s victory over Leeds in March. Leeds are a far more organised side under Jesse Marsch than the one brushed aside 6-0 at Anfield in the penultimate game of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign. The fact Leeds are also still in a relegation battle – despite taking 11 points from their past five games – will also make the task tougher for Pep Guardiola’s side who could have one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League second leg at Real Madrid. City thumped Leeds 7-0 at the Etihad in December but Guardiola would bite your hand off for a scrappy 1-0 win at Elland Road. Stephen Hollis
Sunday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League
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Matt Judge has resigned from his role at Manchester United.
Judge has been responsible for negotiating contracts and transfers at Old Trafford since 2014 but is now set to leave the club, according to The Athletic.
He is now said to be working through a notice period in his contract with the club before departing later in the year but will not play an active part in transfer this summer.
More to follow
MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo has got what Erik ten Hag wants at Manchester United, says Gary Neville
MORE : Roy Keane baffled by Ralf Rangnick decisions and ‘crazy’ Manchester United contracts
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.The president of the Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) has been charged in connection with the investigation into allegations of widespread sexual abuse in the country.
Pierre-Alain Mounguengui, re-elected as Fegafoot’s president for a third term on 16 April, was arrested last Thursday after being summoned by Gabon’s general directorate of counter-interference and military security after allegations published by the Guardian this month. After six days in custody, he was placed in pre-trial detention on Wednesday at the central prison in Libreville, a statement from Fegafoot confirmed.
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Chelsea’s final three bidders have been asked to increase their offers by £500 million following a request from Roman Abramovich.
The final bidders who remain in the running to buy Chelsea from Abramovich are a consortium led by Sir Martin Broughton, the former Liverpool chairman, and another group spearheaded by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly.
A third consortium is being fronted by Steve Pagliuca, who co-owns the Boston Celtics, and Toronto Maple Leafs backer Larry Tanenbaum.
New York bank, the Raine Group, is overseeing the sale and is expected to announce the preferred bidder this week.
But according to Sky News, the three consortiums have been asked to stump up an additional £500m following a request from Abramovich, who wants the money to go to charity.
A source close to Abramovich has claimed that £1 billion has been earmarked to be given to charitable causes once the sale of Chelsea goes through.
Sky News report that the three consortiums have indicated that they are willing to agree to Abramovich’s new demand.
After Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government last month, the Russian Oligarch will not receive any money from Chelsea’s sale.
Abramovich is aiming for a total of £2.5bn to be donated to charity, while an additional £1.5bn is invested in Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has made it clear that he is keen for the club’s new owners to be put in place as quickly as possible in order to plan for next season.
Tuchel has already admitted that the club’s restrictions due to Abramovich’s sanction played a role in their inability to keep Antonio Rudiger, who is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Chelsea also face the prospect of losing Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta, whose contracts also run out at the end of the season.
‘As you know, I was so happy with the structure that the club provides and the mentality Chelsea provides,’ Tuchel said on Wednesday.
‘That was, for me, always the foundation to strongly believe and genuinely believe ‘OK, we will push and keep on pushing’.
‘With this now being questioned it’s getting more demanding, not difficult because I don’t know what’s coming so let’s see.
‘But the key thing for me is that we keep the mentality in the building at least and in the club, the competitive mentality that was installed over more than a decade. It’s a bit concerning and, hopefully, we can find our way through it.’
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Jurgen Klopp has explained his decision to sign a new two-year contract extension with Liverpool that keeps him at the club until 2026.
The German boss’ previous deal ran until 2024 but with Liverpool competing for an historic quadruple and Klopp continuing to deliver trophies, he’s delighted to extend his stay.
‘There are so many words I could use to describe how I am feeling about this news… delighted, humbled, blessed, privileged and excited would be a start,’ he said.
‘There is just so much to love about this place. I knew that before I came here, I got to know it even better after I arrived and now I know it more than ever before.
‘Like any healthy relationship, it always has to be a two-way street; you have to be right for each other.
‘The feeling we were absolutely right for each other is what brought me here in the first place and it’s why I’ve extended previously.’
Before putting pen to paper on a new deal, the 54-year-old had previously suggested he could step down at the end of his contract.
Klopp, who has been in charge of the Reds since 2015, admits he needed to ask himself two questions before committing his long-term future to the club.
‘This one is different because of the length of time we have been together. I had to ask myself the question: Is it right for Liverpool that I stay longer?’ he added.
‘Along with my two assistant managers, Pep Lijnders and Pete Krawietz, we came to the conclusion it was a “Yes!”
‘There is a freshness about us as a club still and this energises me. For as long as I have been here, our owners have been unbelievably committed and energetic about this club and it is clear that right now this applies to our future as much as I’ve ever known.
‘We are a club that is constantly moving in the right direction. We have a clear idea of what we want; we have a clear idea of how we try to achieve it. That’s always a great position to start from.
‘When the owners brought the possibility to renew to me, I asked myself the question I’ve mused over publicly. Do I have the energy and vibe to give of myself again what this amazing place requires from the person in the manager’s office?
‘I didn’t need too long to answer in truth. The answer was very simple… I’m in love with here and I feel fine!’
Klopp next takes charge of the Reds on Saturday in the visit to Newcastle before they face Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, where they hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
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MORE : Jurgen Klopp signs two-year Liverpool contract extension
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.The Blackburn manager, Tony Mowbray, has made a decision over his future at the club and looks likely to leave Ewood Park after five years in charge. Rovers are chasing a playoff place with two games of the Championship season remaining, but Mowbray says he has not heard anything from the club about his future.
Speaking before the visit of Bournemouth on Saturday, Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph: “All I can do is say that there’s been no conversation, no approach, no discussions and we’re a week away from the end of the season, so what do you want me to think?
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Derby County manager Wayne Rooney is reportedly the preferred choice to take over at Burnley, as the Premier League side search for Sean Dyche’s replacement.
The Clarets sacked Dyche in April after nearly a decade in charge at Turf Moor, with the club spiralling towards relegation after a poor campaign.
SunSport report that Rooney is the favourite among the Burnley board, although various other names are still in consideration, including Middlesbrough’s Chris Wilder, Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and out-of-work duo Rafael Benitez and Sam Allardyce.
It is also said that Burnley’s fate will not affect who takes over at Turf Moor, with chairman Alan Pace confident they can attract a star manager to the club even if they are playing in the Championship next season.
The Lancashire side have picked up seven points from a possible nine since Dyche’s exit, with caretaker boss Mike Jackson steering his team out of the relegation zone.
As it stands, Burnley are two points clear of 18th placed Everton, but the Toffees do have a game in hand over the Clarets.
The club’s battle for survival continues on Saturday when they travel to fellow strugglers Watford.
Manchester United and England legend Rooney has made no secret of his desire to become a top-flight manager but has also publicly stated that he wants to stay and help Derby as much as possible, following their relegation to League 1.
The 36-year-old has been lauded for his efforts at, and loyalty to Pride Park despite the Rams going into administration and being deducted 21 points this season.
He turned down an interview for the vacant Everton job after Benitez’s sacking in January, and also recently turned down the chance to join Erik ten Hag’s all-new coaching team at Old Trafford.
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Former Premier League striker Louis Saha insists he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Chelsea signed Jules Kounde this summer to replace Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, having agreed a four-year deal to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Blues were hoping to convince Rudiger to extend his stay in west London and both Thomas Tuchel and Jorginho have bemoaned his impending exit in recent days.
Chelsea are already considering their options as they look to replace Rudiger and Saha believes Kounde could be the ideal man to fill the void left by the German’s move to the Bernabeu.
Sevilla and France star Kounde has previously been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and is valued at more than £50m.
Asked about Kounde and whether Chelsea could sign the Frenchman, former Manchester United, Fulham and Everton striker Saha told Gambling Deals: ‘He’s a very smart lad, he’s been a top defender for his club side and the national team.
‘He’s proved himself as a top defender and his main quality is his intensity. Both Jules and Tony have different styles, Rudiger is a bit more aggressive on 50/50s.
‘But Jules would definitely be an exciting player for the Premier League and I’m sure he’d love to play in the Premier League at some point.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he joined Chelsea, as they are always looking to strengthen and he is a fantastic young player. He wouldn’t have any issues adapting to the league, maybe a few months but he’d be a great addition.’
On Wednesday, Chelsea boss Tuchel said that ‘nobody likes’ Rudiger’s decision to leave the Premier League club in the summer.
‘I don’t think anybody likes it,’ Tuchel said. ‘He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room.
‘He is a unique character and plays on an outstanding level. He sometimes takes the focus towards him, he loves responsibility.
‘Nobody likes this decision but we have to accept it. Like it or not there will be life at Chelsea after Toni. It is also the most important thing for us that it ends like it started, on the highest level.’
Jorginho, meanwhile, says he and his teammates will ‘miss’ Rudiger if he does complete a move to Real Madrid, who knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League earlier this month.
‘He’s been here a long time so if he leaves then we’re going to miss him,’ said Jorginho.
‘He’s a big personality and he’s helped us a lot. We’ve had amazing times here; he’s a good friend of mine and of course if he leaves everyone at the club will miss him, not just me.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Houston Dash have suspended head coach and general manager James Clarkson with immediate effect amid an investigation into “current and historic complaints of discrimination, harassment and abuse”.
The 50-year-old took charge of the club in late 2018 and helped them to victory in the NWSL Challenge Cup two years ago.
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Gabby Agbonlahor believes Villarreal should be targeting Trent Alexander-Arnold tonight if they want to find a way past Liverpool’s back line.
Liverpool host Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night and go into the match off the back of a 2-0 win over rivals Everton on Sunday.
However, former Premier League striker Agbonlahor feels right-back Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult afternoon up against Anthony Gordon and Villarreal could enjoy similar success.
‘How good was [Anthony] Gordon on Trent [Alexander]-Arnold?’ he told talkSPORT.
‘And I know Trent [Alexander]-Arnold is an amazing footballer, but he’s the weakness defensively.
‘So if I’m Villarreal tonight, I’m putting my quickest possible player on that left hand side on Trent [Alexander]-Arnold.
‘Gordon, every time he was up against him, got past him.
‘So that would be my tactics, even though you would probably get [Ibrahima] Konate come over and cover anyway.
‘But it would definitely be to target that right-back side.’
Villarreal head to Merseyside as the big underdogs but Liverpool won’t be underestimating them given the Spanish side dumped out Bayern Munich in the previous round.
Liverpool will be hoping they can make the most of the home advantage in the first leg, a stadium and atmosphere Villarreal midfielder Etienne Capoue described as ‘hell’ this week.
‘Anfield is hell, you have to say it how it is. It’s hell,’ the 33-year-old told AFP.
‘It’s the worst stadium I’ve been to in England. Whether it’s the atmosphere, the way they play. For 90 minutes, you live in hell.
‘They have this ability to transcend themselves, to cause you nothing but problems, all the time, in any part of the field.
‘They never stop, they rush you all the time, they only want to score goals, and even when they score, they carry on. They want to knock you out.
‘They don’t care what or who is in front of them. They just want to kill everyone and that’s it.’
MORE : Etienne Capoue calls Anfield ‘hell’ ahead of Liverpool vs Villarreal in the Champions League
MORE : Liverpool vs Villarreal TV channel, live stream, time, team news, odds and head-to-head
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Arsenal have learned how much they would have to cough up to land Tammy Abraham this summer.
Abraham made the switch to Serie A over the summer after falling out of favour under Thomas Tuchel.
And he has since taken the Italian top-flight by storm, netting 24 times for Roma across all competitions – the most of any player in their debut season for the club:
*make that 23 now… 😅
A 20-minute brace in the Rome derby! https://t.co/yPnexK640n
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 20, 2022
Such fine form is bound to attract the interest of many clubs, and it is easy to see why Arsenal would want to sign him.
The north Londoners did show interest in Abraham before his switch to Italy but, of course, missed out and have since had to spend most of the 2021/22 season with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as their striker options.
The pair have scored just six league goals between them across the term to date. Lacazette and Nketiah are also both set to become free agents this summer, leaving Arsenal with a large void to fill up top.
So, given Arsenal’s striking situation, Abraham would no doubt make a fine addition to their squad.
But how much would the Englishman set Arsenal back? Well, according to football.london, Roma have slapped an asking price of €80m on Abraham, which is likely to scare away many of his potential suitors.
€80m is the same price Chelsea can reportedly bring the striker back to Stamford Bridge for, after inserting a buy-back clause in the Englishman’s contract.
Would Arsenal be willing to splash that sort of cash on a proven Premier League striker, or should they look elsewhere?
Rio Ferdinand has been speaking about Gabriel Jesus following the striker’s links to Arsenal.
The Brazilian was linked with a summer switch to Arsenal last week and those rumours were further fuelled when Pep Guardiola stated that he did not know what the future held for Jesus.
And given Man City have already signed Julian Alvarez and are seemingly likely to bring in Erling Haaland this summer as well, there does appear to be little room for Jesus, who is already something of a bit-part player in Manchester anyway.
Now, speaking after Jesus scored four for Man City vs Watford over the weekend, Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Jesus will get goals at Arsenal if he plays consistently:
“You speak to players about him, they appreciate him because he puts a good workload in, he has got quality,” Ferdinand said.
“I think if he plays consistently in a team like Arsenal, I think he gets you goals.”
These comments will likely please Arsenal fans who had some reservations over signing Jesus as he had scored just three in 23 league ties before facing Watford this term.
Rio Ferdinand is also not the only Premier League legend to rate Jesus, with Ian Wright having this to say on the South American post-Watford:
“He was awesome, he was awesome,’ Wright said. “He popped up everywhere, he was just everywhere. ‘It was a complete performance. People will say it’s Watford and they gave him time and space but that’s how Jesus plays, he was everywhere.
“Anywhere he pops up he knows exactly what he’s doing in that particular part of the pitch. He’s elite, he’s another elite player.
“He’s somebody as well who has spent a lot of time on Man City’s bench but he can still come in and do that. He came with everything in his locker. When a player like him does that, Watford have no chance.”
John Stones has passed a fitness test and will start - as much as one can second-guess Pep Guardiola’s tactical intentions - at right back. He’ll stand in for the injured Kyle Walker. Joao Cancelo misses out through suspension. Gabriel Jesus, fresh from his four-goal romp against Watford, keeps his place in the front three as reward.
There’s some good injury news for Real Madrid, too. David Alaba has recovered from a hamstring problem and starts in the heart of the Real defence.
Continue reading...Frank Lampard has stressed how important it is for everyone associated with Everton not to get “sucked into” a negative frame of mind after defeat by Liverpool ensured the club ended the weekend in the relegation zone.
In a gritty, at times bad-tempered 2-0 loss in the 240th Merseyside derby the visitors secured only 17.6% of possession during the game. Coupled with victory for Burnley against Wolves earlier in the day, Everton ended the day in the bottom three for the first time since December 2019.
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Garth Crooks believes James Ward-Prowse is the ‘perfect replacement’ for Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
The Southampton midfielder scored twice on Sunday as his side came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brighton.
Ward-Prowse has often been praised as one of the best players outside of the top six but former Tottenham striker Crooks feels a move to Liverpool to one day replace Henderson could be on the cards.
‘When you’re 2-0 down away from home at half-time you had better have someone special in your team capable of turning the deficit around otherwise the game might as well be over,’ Crooks told BBC Sport after selecting him in his team of the week.
‘Fortunately, Southampton have James Ward-Prowse, who seems to have the ability to dig the Saints out of almost any hole.
‘His two goals against Brighton were timely as they were beautifully struck. Southampton will do well to hold on to this player.
‘He’s got so much more to offer and would make the perfect replacement for Jordan Henderson at Liverpool.’
His brace against the Seagulls, including a textbook free-kick, saw him move to nine goals for the Premier League season, a personal best.
The 27-year-old narrowly missed out on a place at last year’s European Championships last summer but Micah Richards and Jermaine Jenas believe he is doing enough to head to Qatar for this year’s World Cup.
‘In terms of England, he’s a dead certainty for me to go to the World Cup,’ Richards said.
‘He has to go because he is clever on the ball, he takes free-kicks, he’s dependable. A captain – he leads his team.
‘Southampton at the start of the season a lot of people expected them to go down, and he’s marshalled them all the way through the season. Nine goals is just remarkable.’
Jenas, added: ‘He’s obviously used just missing out on the European championship squad as fuel for him this season and I think that’s exactly why he has gone into this season with the form he has gone into it.’
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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Antonio Conte took charge of Tottenham following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this campaign.
The Italian had a rough start to life at Spurs but, up until their last two games, Conte did look to have got this Tottenham side firing on all cylinders.
The Lilywhites dispatched the likes of Leeds United, Newcastle United and Everton by impressive scorelines, moving into the top-four in the process.
However, whilst Conte has done a decent job at Spurs, it is clear there is still much work to be done.
This was evidenced in Tottenham’s last two league games which saw them loss to Brighton and draw to Brentford. In said matches, Spurs did not manage a single shot on target across 180 minutes.
Now, ahead of the summer transfer window, some information on what area Spurs will focus on has been provided.
As per reports coming from the Telegraph, Antonio Conte will encourage Tottenham to sign two centre-backs if he remains at the club:
🥇| Antonio Conte will encourage #Tottenham to sign two CB’s if he remains at the club. @Matt_Law_DT
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) April 25, 2022
The question marks over Conte’s future in north London come after the former Inter Milan boss was recently linked with French powerhouse, PSG.
However, those reports have since largely been rubbished, with Fabrizio Romano also providing an update on Conte’s future on Tuesday:
🥇| Conte is fully focused on getting top four with #Tottenham. At the end of the season, he will discuss his plans for next season with the club.@FabrizioRomano
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) April 26, 2022
Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Tammy Abraham, with AS Roma reportedly putting an €80million price tag on the English striker.
Abraham was deemed surplus to requirements at boyhood club Chelsea last summer, and courted interest from a number of clubs home and abroad including Arsenal, but ultimately opted to sign for Jose Mourinho’s side.
The £36million transfer has so far been a great success, with the England international netting 24 goals in all competitions so far this campaign.
This form has seen the Gunners rekindle their interest in the 24-year-old with signing a striker now the top priority for Mikel Arteta in the summer.
However, football.london reports that Roma want £67.5million for Abraham, a price that matches the buy-back clause Chelsea inserted in the striker’s contract when they sold him.
This is likely to deter any potential bidders including Arsenal, who will now likely focus on a move for Gabriel Jesus, after it was reported that the forward was open to leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.
The Gunners’ technical director Edu has been in talks with the Brazilian’s agents over the past few months, with Arsenal very keen on new forwards following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the uncertainty around the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
Jesus, whose City contract expires next season, could be available for £35million, and would be a welcome addition at the Emirates having already scored 93 goals for the Citizens since 2017.
Once tipped as the heir to Sergio Aguero, Jesus has never quite looked able to match those lofty expectations, and the 25-year-old is said to be ready to move on because of the anticipated arrival of striker sensation Erling Haaland to the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
MORE : Ray Parlour urges Arsenal to sign Ivan Toney instead of Gabriel Jesus
MORE : Piers Morgan names the three signings Arsenal must make to compete for titles again
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