Sports Category
Sports news, commentary and scores with wit and added value. We compare and contrast the best and worst sports reporting in the mainstream press, blogs, TV and online. We love the English Premier League (Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester United and Manchester City) and all things football but we cover cricket, rugby, the Olympics, tennis, golf, F1 and highlights of the sporting year.
Arsenal manager Wenger won’t rule out England job
Who will be the next England team manager? Will it be Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger?
Metro says “Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gives massive England job hint”. Really? This is Wenger who saw England’s desire to recruit foreign managers and mused: “In a country of 50 million people, you would think you could find one of your own.”
The Times says: “Wenger keen on England if FA waits a year.”
Is Wenger worth waiting for? Is he The One, the figure so vital to the FA they will wait? In 1996 Wenger arrived at Arsenal from Nagoya Grampus Eight. He was a sensation. Why can’t England be as bold and go for someone young and innovative?
For years the FA has been eyeing Wenger – the manager who became “the first to pick a 16-man Premier League squad that did not feature a single Englishman”.
Does Wenger really want the job? When asked about managing England, the Arsenal manager told BeIn Sports:
“Could I manage England, why not? I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football… I have one more year to go with Arsenal and I have been with them for a long time. I have always respected all my contacts [throughout my career] and will continue to do that. What will I do after that? Honestly, I don’t know.”
Arsenal have already lined up a two-year extension to that deal. They want him to agree to it by October. Wenger knows his value to the Gunners.
The FA know the routine.
Posted: 11th, July 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports | Comment
Manchester United’s secret deal for Ighalo and Liverpool get Clyne by default
Here are a couple of stories that offer insight into how football transfers work. First up the news that last January Manchester United offered a massive £35m for Watford’s Odion Ighalo. You didn’t know about this because both clubs kept quiet. Watford didn’t want to upset their striker. Manchester United didn’t want the markets and money men to know their pulling power was so diminished that signing a Watford player for a huge fee was beyond their reach.
On the upside, Marcus Rashford got his chance and the then United manager Louis Van Gaal looked like he knew what he was doing.
The second story is that Barcelona have not bought Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne. Barcelona don’t buy lots of players, of course. Clyne’s story is newsworthy because the story goes that his people offered him to Barcelona. The Catalans weren’t interested. Good for Clyne that he sees himself in one of Europe’s top sides but surely bad for his Liverpool career.
Clubs and players are not always in harmony.
Posted: 10th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer balls: Arsenal sign Morata twice as Chelsea gazumped
Rub your eyes Arsenal fans. The Telegraph says Arsenal are planning to gazump Chelsea and bid – get this – £65m for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.
The Sun tells us Arsenal will offer Morata £144,000-a-week, making him their third highest paid player behind Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
The Daily Mirror says Morata to Arsenal is very much on because the player wants Champions’ League football, something Chelsea can’t offer.
But would Arsenal really bid such a huge sum for a talented but far from sensational player? The Tele says Chelsea are “more than willing to pay that price”. The Blues want to stick Morata up front with new boy Michy Batshuayi. But Morata “would rather move to the Emirates than Stamford Bridge”.
The Standard says Arsenal are offering too much. “Chelsea bid £51m for Alvaro Morata,” says the London free paper.
The Indy says Morata to Arsenal is on. But in case it isn’t, the paper of record names NINE other strikers who could join Arsenal. The list is a sensation, featuring, as it does, Brazilian superstar Neymar. Neymar to Arsenal! That would be the same Neymar of whom the Indy wrote on July 1 this year:
Neymar’s contract with Barcelona has been extended until 2021… The announcement ended speculation that Neymar was unhappy in Spain and was looking to move to another club.
It did – unless the Indy has to find 10 names for a dire story on Arsenal strikers.
Of course, there is balls and there is utter balls. We’ll leave you with the news from 2014 that Morata already plays for Arsenal:
Such are the facts.
Posted: 10th, July 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Broadsheets, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester Untied offer Paul Pogba £11m a year and Mata to Juventus
Transfer balls (with the Daily Paul Pogba) brings facts from Spain’s AS: Manchester United have agreed to pay Paul Pogba £11m a year and will table a £100m offer to Juventus for the France midfielder.
It only seems like yesterday (it was – ed) the media was telling readers Pogba to Man united was a”agreed”.
Does the mainstream media know anything?
Just one month ago, Pogba was a player who had joined Chelsea for £69m. A few days ago, Pogba was on his way to Real Madrid, his dream destination. And there was reporting on an agreement for Pogba to join Barcelona, his, er, dream destination.
Today’s Sun on Sunday reports that to fund Pogba’s purchase, Manchester United manager will sell Marcos Rojo, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Juan Mata and four others.
The Sunday Express says Mata will head to Everton for £20m. The Sunday People says Mata will head to Juventus as part payment for Pogba.
Mata says nothing.
PS: If Pogba does join United for £100m, the player’s agent Mino Raiola stands to pocket around a quarter of it, says the Sunday Times.
Posted: 10th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United ‘agree’ Pogba deal amongst ‘friends’
Transfer balls hears a few more words on Paul Pogba and Manchester United, the club chasing the Frenchman they let go.
The Mirror says United are “closing in” on the Frenchman.
The IBTimes says United have “agreed a deal in principle” with Juventus. The player has “informed his friends” he wants to play for United. Friends like his agent, perhaps.
Sky Sports says “Paul Pogba’s priority is to join Real Madrid over Manchester United this summer”.
The Guardian says, “Paul Pogba has hinted he will join Manchester United only if his first choice of Real Madrid proves impossible.”
With the facts established, Sky Sports asks former Man United player Paul Ince what he thinks of Pogba:
“I think his style of football will suit the Premier League more than the Spanish league. I remember when I first went to Inter Milan in Serie A and I was that kind of aggressive player and every time I made a tackle I was getting booked, that was frustrating.”
Pogba plays for Juventus in Serie A. Ince played in Serie A for inter Milan. He did not play in Spain. Ince seems unaware that Inter Milan is in Italy.
Pogba joined Juventus in the summer of 2012. Every year since Pogba and Juventus have won Serie A.
Ince adds:
“So Pogba now coming into a league where it is tough, where he can show what he’s all about, I think is a perfect fit for him and for Man United.”
It’s worth looking at Pogba’s disciplinary record in Italy, where ‘every time Ince made a tackle he was booked’:
2012: Matches, 22; Yellow Cards, 2; Red Cards, 1
2013: Matches, 45; Yellow cards, 5
2014: Matches, 35; Yellow cards, 7
2015: Matches, 42; Yellow cards 10
As for joining Inter and playing in Italy, this is the Paul Ince who said of leaving Manchester United: “When I look back it’s the best thing I did because I went to Inter Milan and had a great time.”
Leaving United was the best thing Ince ever did. Pogba might well agree.
Posted: 9th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Jose Mourinho says he’s The Different One
New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is a right one. Ever since the Portuguese manager declared himself the Special One, journalists have spoken with one voice. At his first Manchester United Press conference, the opening question was fired in:
Q: You were the special one, then the happy one. What does Manchester make you?
Mourinho: I don’t know, really. The other two times, I was arriving at the country, this is a Different One.
“Can José Mourinho be the Right One for Manchester United?” – Irish Times
“José Mourinho suggests he could be the Right One for Manchester United” – Guardian.
“Jose Mourinho is on the rebound from Chelsea but the Special One at Manchester United makes for a match made in heaven” – Daily Mail
“Jose Mourinho: The Impatient One eager to bury Manchester United’s three years of bad memories” – Independent.
“Now Mourinho is The Hungry One” – Daily Mirror.
“From ‘The Special One’ to ‘The Happy One’, Jose Mourinho’s opening news conferences have come with no shortage of entertainment.” – Sky Sports
“Arsenal news: Fans label Mourinho The Obsessed One” – Metro.
“Jose Mourinho shows Manchester United fans he means business in opening press conference as he becomes Serious One” – Daily Mail.
“Jose Mourinho doesn’t talk like The Tamer One in first Man United press conference” – Yahoo.
Posted: 7th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Pogba to Manchester United as talks progress
Is Paul Pogba on his way to Manchester United? Jason Burt explores the story with his Telegraph readers:
Big problem for Man Utd with Pogba remains persuading him to leave Juve and come back to them. Plus all the fees.
It’s that kind of insight that gets you the top reporting jobs.
The Guardian says United will pay the £84m for Pogba but Real Madrid is the player’s preferred destination.
Jose Mourinho wants United to agree to Pogba’s wage demands and cough up €300,000 (£250,000) a week. But – get this – Juventus, where Pogba plays, say £84m is just the starting point. They want more.
The paper adds that United’s club’s chief executive, Ed Woodward, is “holding face-to-face talks” with the player’s representatives. No negotiations via fax machines this summer at Jose’s more determined United.
Marca says United are favourites in the betting markets to land Pogba. So put your shirt on Pogba to Barcelona, then.
The Metro says Paul Pogba is heading to United because he “recently followed Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj on Instagram”. How many of those three will be at United next season is uncertain, but you’d not bet on Januzaj and Depay making the cut.
Pogba also follows Justin Bieber. Make of that what you will…
Posted: 6th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer balls: Van Persie and the Arsenal return
Transfer Balls spots the Daily Telegraph’s story that former Arsenal captain is set for a “shock” return to the London club. The paper of record repeats the scoop in the story’s first line: “Robin van Persie could make a shock return to Arsenal”. The Dutchman, who left Arsenal for Manchester United just as soon as he could walk on his oft-injured legs, is leaving Fenerbahce. The paper adds:
The Mirror are reporting that his preferred move would be to the Premier League.
No link to the Mirror in the Tele. But we go looking. And, indeed, the trusty Mirror says:
Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Robin van Persie to return to Gunners in shock bargain swoop… Robin van Persie could return to Arsenal after Fenerbahce admitted the striker is on the move, report the Independent.
Over to the trusty Indy, then, wherein we read:
West Ham and Crystal Palace have both been linked with the striker after missing out on Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi, according to the Sun.
What about Arsenal?
…Arsenal fans have already made calls for Arsene Wenger to bring back one of their most prolific strikers.
Which fans are making the calls, presumably not the ones who regale Van Persie’s ears with boos and a nasty song about rape? Do any of these fans have influence over RVP or the Arsenal transfer policy?
We’e looked. We found this on Pain In The Arsenal blog: “Arsenal: Robin Van Persie Could Be Perfect Stop Gap”. And as many as three tweets, one of which is from an egg:
@Arsenal We want #Van persie piz bring him back. Premiere league gona be awesome dis season. Make fans happy .. My Arsenal
— Deepak G (@deepakgis20) July 5, 2016
@Persie_Official Van Persie please come back to Arsenal <3
— Tomass. (@Coyete__) July 2, 2016
@Arsenal PLEASE GET ROBIN VAN PERSIE BACK IT WILL BE EPIC
— Mamun (@mamun0107) July 3, 2016
And, er, thats it.
Posted: 5th, July 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports | Comment
Manchester City ignore Wenger’s Arsenal in war on Manchester United
It’s war between Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Guardiola has “come out fighting” in “the Clash of the Titans with Jose Mourinho”. So says the Sun. In a first fight, I’d go with Guardiola, a former athlete who has the height, reach and stamina on the shorter Mourinho, who could counter with a low blow, the sneaky finger in the eye and a hissy fit. But never mind the physical stuff because Pep has started “mind games”. He has made his “first dig at Jose”.
What did the new City manager says? Well, get his: “In England the most important thing is football. The people don’t come to see the manager.” Ouch! That’ll sting Mourinho, who thinks they do. “There is Klopp, Conte, Ranieri, Mourinho, Pochettino. Koeman but the reason I work here is just to help the players.”
“EN GUARD,” puns the Sun, the French twist making us notice that the Spaniard never name-checked Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. That first dig at Mourinho looks like a first dig at Wenger.
In any case, it’s war. Or as the Express and Star put it, it’s peace in our time:
Posted: 4th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
The FA, Andy Walker and The Sun’s PR disaster
Andy Walker is the FA’s “Communications Chief”, says the Sun. Walker has, in his own words, “harnessed a passion for social media to become a specialist within this field”. So good at social media is Andy that when he posted on Linked In a picture of his personalised head rest aboard a private jet charactered by the FA for the Euros, the Sun noticed the “fans’ fury”.
In a front-page story “ENGLAND Shame – Off With Their Head Rests”, readers are told: “Fan Mark Elgar accused the PR boss of an own goal while Julian Jackson called the FA ‘a bunch of f****** losers’.”
The Mail adds: “Walker uploaded the cringe-worthy post while England midfielder Dele Ali was pictured celebrating on party island Ibiza days after the team’s exit from the competition.”
It all reminds us of Max Clifford:
The Birmingham Mail, where Walker used to work, sticks up for him.
…the Sun’s criticism of him is as wide of the mark as a Kane free-kick, as misplaced as a Wayne Rooney pass and as flaky as a Joe Hart save. If England’s playing squad had done their jobs as well as Andy does his then the England party would still be in France.
The “England party” is an unfortunate phrase given the allegation that it was all one big jolly.
The paper finds no room for the brickbats, but does produce a story fragrant with bouquets:
To say Walker epitomises “everything wrong with English football”, as one fan quoted in the Sun puts it, is pushing it. Everything wrong with English football is reflected in the score lines when England lost to Iceland, drew with a dreadful Russia team and failed to score against the mighty Slovakia. The job of the FA’s communications manager is easy so long as the team win. When they lose, they need to earn their gravy…
Posted: 4th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Reviews, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
England fans in Ibiza shorts-haul holiday hell
Outrage in the Daily Star over the England players on holiday in Ibiza. Wayne Rooney and Deli Ali are holidaying on the Spanish island. The Star has a thing about Ibiza. It was upset last week when England player Kyle Walker told glamour mo-del and habitual tabloid tittle-tattler Carla Howe, via a tweet from the England camp, that he wished he was in Ibiza.
As the Star pitches for the Ibiza tourist board schilling, we read that “holidaymaker Emma Hussein of Bognor Regis “couldn’t believe it when Wayne and Colleen strolled in “to the Blue Marlin Beach Club.”
But the best line is with the Star’s reporter who tells readers: “Three-Lions teammate Alli was close by, frolicking in the water in knee-length trunks with bikini clad beauties who were drinking champaign.”
Knee-Length shorts! The dirty, bastar… “He relaxed and joked with pals before going for a dip in the sea – despite still wearing his sunglasses.”
As one voice states: “It sums of everything that’s wrong with English footballers these days.”
Back in the good olds days, English footballer worse proper over-the-knee shorts.
England Kevin Keegan in trusty British over-the-knee shorts
Posted: 4th, July 2016 | In: Reviews, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer news: Manchester United’s Mata to Everton, Liverpool eye Pjaca, West Ham await Payet bid
Transfer news: a round-up of football gossip in the Press.
The Liverpool Echo claim Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, 28, is on his way to Everton. Jose Mourinho has, apparently, given Mata’s shirt number to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The humble Swede must be surprised that not all of his new teammates have offered him their numbers, too, moreover their first born, homes and thanks.
Deporte Valenciano adds that Everton are also keen on Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves, 31.
Sticking with Manchester United, the Sun reports on Adnan Januzaj, 21. News is that the stalled starlet will leave the club. Januzaj will head to Juventus, be hailed as “the new Pogba” and cause United offer £70m for his signature. Maybe.
Passing Mata and Januzaj on the way in to Old Trafford is Mexican forward Hirving Lozano, 20, says the Manchester Evening News.
The Express says Croatia’s Marko Pjaca, 21, is on his way to Liverpool. The Daily Mail says Liverpool are looking to offload Joe Allen, 26, for £14m. Given his showing for Wales that looks like a steal.
Liverpool would like to sign Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko for £12m and sell Christian Benteke to Crystal Palace.
One player whose performances in France have been less than great is Manchester City’s goalkeeper Joe Hart. When not shouting and swearing like a nutter on his night bus, Hart’s been letting in soft goals. The Express says Hart’s Manchester City have agreed term for Geronimo Rulli, 24, from Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado.
The Telegraph says Diego Costa is considering leaving Chelsea because the Blues have signed striker Michy Batshuayi, 22.
And lastly, the Express hears West Ham co-owner David Gold say that if a big bid comes in for Dimitri Payet, 29, the French start could be on his way out. Real Madrid reportedly covet the player.
Posted: 4th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Dortmund mock Manchester United as Mkhitaryan takes the money and runs
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has left the club to join Manchester United. The German club issue a delightful statement:
Following an intensive round of discussions, Borussia Dortmund accepted the Armenian international’s wish to join Manchester United next season. Based on a completely new situation, this transfer was a difficult trade-off for us. Manchester made us a very attractive offer. Had we refused it, the player would have left us on a free transfer in 2017 and we would only have delayed the matter of a replacement for a year,” explained Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Borussia Dortmund would like to wish Henrikh Mkhitaryan all the best for the upcoming season in the Premier League and the UEFA Europa League.
Dortmund shoot. They score. The goalscorer leaves the club. Plus ca change at Dortmund.
Posted: 2nd, July 2016 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Manchester United sign Mkhitaryan and cash in on fans
More Manchester Untied news now. Having been graced with a year-long audience with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Red Devils have secured the services of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian will complete his move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United today, says the Daily Mail.
Sky says the deal has already been done.
Man United have posted pictures on the club website with Henrikh Mkhitaryan name on away shirts.
“An accident,” asks the Star. No. It’s marketing, of course. The United site crashed amid the interest. “Unfortunately an error has occurred on the page you were trying to view,” the website told fans. “The Store Technicians have been informed of this error and will deal with it as soon as possible, in the meantime please use the menu at the top of this screen to navigate to other areas of the site.”
As United buy the message from the club’s owners continues: spend! spend! spend!
Posted: 2nd, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Wales into Euro 2016 semi-final – the front pages
Wales, the last British side left in the European Championships, are into the semi-finals. Last night the Welsh were magnificent, beating a fancied Belgian side 3-1. It was a performance versed in cohesion, grit, skill and guile. I am delighted. Full disclosure: I am Welsh, having once spent a week camping in the Brecon Beacons with school and consider Ivor the Engine a role model. We can all agree that that makes me Welsh. Send in your own Welsh heritage stories.
Posted: 2nd, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Reviews, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United get Zlatan and ‘close in’ on Paul Pogba
Manchester United are all over he tabloids backpages. The Star leads with news that Paul Pogba is on his way to United in a deal worth £80m. Looking for facts to support the story is like looking for one of Jeremy Corbyn’s Jewish “friends”. You get the words without the facts to support them.
The Star says United are “closing in” on the deal for Pogba. How close? The Star doesn’t say. But its sister organ, the Daily Express, has told us “Juventus and Barcelona agree pre-contract deal over Paul Pogba sale” and “PAUL POGBA has agreed in principle to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer”.
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as the Sun reports, is on his way to Old Trafford. “Time to let the world know,” said the ageing star before one last tour. “My next destination is @manchester united.” He then added the sticky-fingered hastag to #iamcoming.”
As Zlatan catches sight of his reflection and reaches for the tissues, the Sun says the Swede “can be United’s next Cantona”. Only better. After all, Zlatan is a black-belt in martial arts, whereas Canton was a mere amateur enthusiast. But, like Cantona, Zlatan is shy and retiring, stating: “The legend can still deliver.”
As the Mirror adds, “The ego has landed.” And on £220-a-week, he can come and go as he please.
The Mail is less sure. It wonder is Zlatan is the “new Cantona…or Falcao”. He’s agree to join United or a year. And whoever he is or isn’t, it will be interesting.
Posted: 1st, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United and Liverpool sign Arsenal’s Higuain as Chelsea wait
Transfer Balls favourite Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, 28, will not be renewing his contract with Napoli, reports Spain’s Radio Continental. We know, of course, that Higuain plays for Arsenal. The Sun reported Higuain signed for the Gunners in 2013.
He never did, of course. The Sun was wrong.
So is Higuain leaving Napoli for the Premier League?
“There was talk of a project worthy of the Champions League, a convincing plan to fight for the Scudetto,” says Higuain’s agent and brother.”
The agent then dangles a large carrot:
“I don’t need to talk with the Parisian club about my brother, if PSG want him they should call [Napoli chairman] De Laurentiis.”
The Express says this puts Liverpool and Chelsea “on alert”.
But what of Manchester United? On March 16, the Metro declared: “Gonzalo Higuain agrees Manchester United.” One day later the Express added: “JOSE MOURINHO has personally agreed a deal to bring Gonzalo Higuain to Manchester United if he becomes manager.”
On May 30, the Metro changed its mind: “Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is keen to sign for Liverpool.” The Sun agreed. On June 7, it reported: “Liverpool set to seal mega-money deal for Napoli’s goal-scoring hero Gonzalo Higuain.”
Such are the facts in the tabloids.
Posted: 29th, June 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Chelsea, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
England want Arsenal’s Wenger as Hoddle and Steve McClaren wait
Who will replace Roy Hodgson as the next manager of England and with it the right to hand a top athlete a stuffed lion mascot and order him to take good care of it? Will England take a risk? Will England finally get a real lion, or three of them, as the job surely demands?
The Daily Star says the FA want Arsenal manger Arsene Wenger to lead them forward. Wenger has all the right attributes: he’s foreign, old, grey and from an era more au fait with buttons than trendy zips. The man who turned Arsenal into an attractive force in European football will surely jump at the chance to earn half the money and have his work picked apart by three ex-payers sat around a televised novelty table.
The Mirror says the man for the job is Gareth Southgate. As coach of the England Under 21s, Southgate could slip into the role virtually unnoticed. Southgate is the man who determined the FA’s “England DNA” philosophy. For you non-scientists, DNA stands for Do Not Attack.
Jamie Carragher says the right man is US coach Jurgen Klinsmann. He tells Daily Mail readers Klinsmann “has been to a World Cup semi-final with Germany, a Copa America semi-final with the United States and knows our game.” Although what England’s game is should not take long to explain to anyone.
The Standards helpfully reduces the FA list by claiming England players “fear” Roberto Martinez will be offered the job. Why they fear the former Everton manger, we’re not told. They just do.
The smart move would be to go back to the future and hire the Glenn Hoddle / Steve McClaren dream team. Hoddle used his nous to point out that Slovakia’s Marek Hamsik is “two-footed — left and right”. With his insight and McLaren’s passion, England cannot fail. Looks like we’ve found those other two lions.
Posted: 29th, June 2016 | In: Arsenal, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Euro 2016: Fans Launch Petition for England v Iceland Rematch
Plucky England 1. Mighty Iceland 2. England are out of the Euro 2016 championships. But wait a moment…
Transfer balls: Arsenal get Lukaku to partner Benzema
Arsenal transfer balls with Sky Sports. The website has a question: “Is Romelu Lukaku the answer for Arsenal?” Dunno. Who is asking the question? Readers are told:
Sky Sports has teamed up with Football Whispers to bring you the hottest transfer talk of the moment, as Arsene Wenger looks to improve his squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
Football Whispers?
Football Whispers have developed a unique algorithm to take all of the transfer rumours from across the globe and calculate the likelihood of them happening.
What utter balls.
The Belgian has been linked with a return to former club Chelsea but Football Whispers thinks a move to Arsenal is more likely.
Why? Well, the mysterious algorithm, man. It knows. It knows more than the Evening Standard which says, “Milan rival Chelsea for Lukaku.” Perhaps it just read the story that “Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli.” The Express hears the same source and cries: “Everton Transfers: Arsenal ‘agree’ Lukaku terms as Milan prepare bid.”
Who he?
Did Benzema ever “reach Wenger”? No. The Real Madrid player told Journal du Dimanche:
“I laugh about it with my brother and my friends. We wait for the media to come out with these rumours. In my opinion, I think that Real and Barca are the pinnacle in football. Why would I leave? I’m a starter for the best club in the world. I am happy; it’s that simple,”
On 24 August 2015, Benzema adds: “For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home ! #HalaMadridYNadaMas“
But pump the Emanuele Giulianelli ‘news’ into the Football Whispers algorithm and you have more chance of it being true.
There is balls and now there is computer-generated balls.
Posted: 27th, June 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Arsenal to sign PSG’s Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon
Having missed out on Jamie Vardy, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has turned to Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette. The Sun says the £45m-rated 25-year-old has scored 72 goals in 172 appearances for Lyon.
Will Arsenal get him?
The paper says West Ham, who launched two failed bids for the player, “believe” the forward is “already destined to join French champs PSG”. You can believe is density up until the very next line because the Sun adds that Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid are also interested.
The British Press love Lacazette. In 2015, the Express said he was “set for £21million Liverpool move”. In January 2016, the Mail said Lacazette “snubbed” Newcastle’s £22 bid. The Mail said Chelsea wanted the player. In June 20-15, the Star thundered: “Arsenal and Man Utd target Alexandre Lacazette AGREES shock five-year deal to join PSG.” In April 2016, the Mirror said Tottenham were “leading the chase” for Lacazette.
Manchester City it is, then.
Posted: 27th, June 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Spurs star Eric Dier to Bayern Munich
In September 2015 Eric Dier signed a contract that ties him to Spurs until 2020. Dier was signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 for a £4m fee. He’s become a mainstay of a dynamic Tottenham team and a key player for England. One site says Dier earns £60,000-a-week. Surely he can earn more at another club. And maybe – just maybe – if another club shows an interest in him he can negotiate a new contract?
Cue Neil Moxley in the Sunday People to report that Bayern Munich are looking Dier: “Backroom staff at the five-time European Cup winners have been making background checks on the England international during the last few days.” Background checks? His credit rating. Any criminal convictions or banning orders?
The Express has heard enough, yelling: Carlo Ancelotti eyes Tottenham swoop: Eric Dier in shock link to Bayern Munich.”
But what are the facts? There are none. But we do know that in April 2016, the Standard reported: “At this stage, Dier is simply a player Bayern will keep under observation.”
Is he ill? No. But he could earn a pay rise if he plays his cards right…
Posted: 26th, June 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs | Comments (2)
Transfer balls: James Rodriguez to Manchester United
More Manchester United transfer chatter in the Daily Mirror, which says the Red Devils are once again talking with Real Madrid. The paper says James Rodriguez, 24, “has been told” he can quit the Champions League winners for life at Manchester United. He must be delighted. Europa League football, here he comes. And just as soon as United stump up £50m he can be on his way.
The Sun says James to Manchester United makes sense because the Colombian and the club’s new manager Jose Mourinho are both represented by Jorge Mendes. Or maybe he’ll join Arsenal. Rodriguez is married to Daniela Ospina. sister of Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.
Pick a link and hammer it. After all, the Express says James was “edging closer” to Manchester United back in April, when Louis Van Gaal was in charge.
The Star says Rodriguez it’s United all the way because the player is house hunting in Manchester’s “golden triangle”.
Not so says Marca, which notes that James could be on his way to Juventus. The, er, Mirror agrees, stating that Juventus and Bayern Munich fancy James.
Posted: 25th, June 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
The 4 ‘real reasons’ Jamie Vardy snubbed Arsenal
So why did Jamie Vardy reject a move to Arsenal? Was it because when, as reported, his agent called Arsenal to tell them about the “escape clause” it was just a ruse to get a rival team to bid for his client and so kickstart negotiations on a new deal with Leicester City? Vardy was on £70,000 a week when the agent called Arsenal. After Arsenal bid the £20m (Sun) / £21m (Telegraph) / £22m (Guardian) to trigger Vardy’s release, and offered him a reported £120,000 a week, the player scored a new deal with the Foxes worth £100,000 a week basic and maybe bonuses for ‘loyalty’, goals and appearances.
Other reasons why Vardy snubbed Arsenal are all over the media.
Sky: “Vardy: Arsenal style put me off.”
Words from Vardy: nil.
The Guardian: “It appears as though Vardy feels that he has unfinished business at Leicester.”
Gary Lineker: “A show of loyalty from @vardy7″
Telegraph: “…it is understood he was always reluctant to leave Leicester.”
At least it had nothing to do with money.
Posted: 24th, June 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Broadsheets, Reviews, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Jamie Vardy finds a good day to bury Arsenal – signs new deal with Leicester City
Jamie Vardy has rejected a move to Arsenal. The Mail said Vardy has verbally agreed to be a Gunner. But he never did sign a deal. The England striker has signed a new deal with Leicester City. Leicester have made a statement:
Leicester City have today (Thursday) agreed with the representatives of Jamie Vardy to extend the England international’s contract with the Premier League champions for a further four years. Both parties hope that this announcement will end recent speculation regarding Jamie’s future and confirm his long term commitment to Leicester City Football Club.
So much for his making his mind up after the Euros -0 but not the Eu Referendum. It was a good day to bury Arsenal.
