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.
Transfer Balls: Neymar wants to play for Manchester United just like Pique does for Real Madrid
More scoops a -plenty in the trusty Daily Star, where journalism “clown” (source: Karim Benzema) Jack Wilson says Neymar wants to play for Manchester United.
Neymar wants to leave the mighty Barcelona for life under Louis Van Gaal in Manchester? Is he mad?
Jack Wilson has all the facts. And aside from the parts about Neymar wanting to play for Man United and Gerard Pique playing for Real Madrid (he plays for Barcelona at the Nou Camp; and unlike Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, the Spaniard never did use United’s interest to negotiate a pay rise) it’s all spot on.
Posted: 25th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Arsenal defy the Daily Star and refuse to unveil Benzema before Liverpool match
Did you see Arsenal unveil their new striker Karim Benzema before last night’s Liverpool match? Or were you reading the Daily Star when it happened, your eyes searching the pages for more scoops?
For those of you who missed the great unveiling, here’s Karim:
Meanwhile…over at the Daily Star’s Big Top, Jack Wilson is tripping over his size 34s…
Posted: 25th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Chelsea reduce their offer for Paul Pogba
Transfer Balls: Chelsea are all set to make a £72m, bid for France and Juventus player Paul Pogba, says the Daily Express.
Readers may well wonder if Pogba is worth such a vast sumn After all, the Express has told us he’s worth far les. In a series of exclusives and plain balls, the Express has reported that Chelsea have offered as much as £86m and as low as £40m for the player they will today hope to sign for £71m.
August 22: £60m
August 21: £86m
August 20: £80m
The raid is £40m for John Stones plus £80m for Pogba.
August 6: £71m
July: £40m
Such are the facts.
Transfer Balls: Manchester United move for Kevin De Bruyne
With Belgian footballer Kevin De Bruyne seemingly all set to join Manchester City, Christian Ortlepp, Chief Reporter at German channel, Sport1, says Manchester United have moved for the Wolfsburg winger.
Ortlepp cites a fee of £55m.
The Express says the offer is £58m.
The Telegraph says Bayern Munich also want the 24-year-old former Chelsea player. Mark Ogden writes:
And De Bruyne’s reluctance to agitate for a move has opened the door for Bayern, who have maintained a long-term interest in the player. Paris Saint-Germain have also notified Wolfsburg of their interest in De Bruyne, but Bayern have made it clear to their German rivals that they will not make a formal move for the goalscoring midfielder until the end of this season.
That scoop has been addressed by Bayern Munich Club press officer Markus Horwick:
“We will definitely not be as active. That the Executive Board decided a long time ago.”
Wolfsburg are owned by Volkswagen, so they’re not exactly in dire need of cash.
Sky quotes Wolfsburg sports director Klaus Allofs:
“I want to stress that we are making every effort to convince him to stay. But we are equally serious about dealing with these issues should we have serious offers in front of us. Then we will discuss it and take a decision.”
This one will go to the wire.
Posted: 25th, August 2015 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Watch: Arsenal’s Petr Cech saves Arsenal – Liverpool saved by bad refereeing
On Petr Cech’s home Arsenal debut he gifted West Ham a 0-2 victory. Tonight against Liverpool he kept the Gunners in the game, keeping out a bending shot from Liverpool’s lively Philippe Coutinho with his fingertips.
What a save this was from #Cech! Keeping @Arsenal in the game. #AFCvLFC https://t.co/uKyyaK2Qv8
— Top Eleven (@topeleven) August 24, 2015
And then against Benteke – who should really have scored:
#Benteke save Great save #LFC #AFCvLFC pic.twitter.com/CWdntZMZzO — Justice For the 96 (@TheHoodedClaw66) August 24, 2015
At the other end, Arsenal scored a perfectly good goal wrongly adjudged offside:
Arsenal disallowed goal – https://t.co/W7R5sZf7uz
— Anfield Online (@anfieldonline) August 24, 2015
Lucky Liverpool – again.
Posted: 24th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Karim Benzema says Arsenal rumours are a joke
What news of Karim Beenzema’s transfer to Arsenal? The Metro says Arsenal are “set to lodge a £50m bid for his services”. Real Madrid’s French striker is “ready to accept a transfer to the Emirates”. The Daily Star hears a “Madrid insider” says Arsenal will take the player in “the next 48 hours”.
According to no less an authority than the Daily Star, Karim Benzema will arrive at Arsenal today. The Daily Telegraph told us he joined Arsenal two weeks ago.
The player has taken time out from his packing to tell fans that, er, it’s not happening, tweeting:
For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home !
Or as the Star, Metro and Daily Telegraph would surely put it: “Benzema looks for second home in Arsenal!”
Posted: 24th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United’s bid for Neymar amazes his agent
Transfer Balls – a look at news of Neymar’s supposed transfer to Manchester United.
The Daily Star says United have bid for the Brazil and Barcelona star. Writes Leeroy Jenkins:
Bid made! Manchester United submit offer for Barcelona star Neymar
The paper has no facts and no source for its story.
Today, the Guardian has also taken up the story of Neymar’s mooted transfer from Barcelona to Manchester United. It says he might come to Old Trafford…maybe.
This story started life in the Sun, which told readers of “secret talks” to buy the 23-year-old Brazil and Barcelona forward.
The Sun’s Shaun Curtis said “a top Barcelona source” had told him that United have made a “discreet approach” to the La Liga champions.
United’s Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been to Barcelona three times in the last two months. We all thought he was after signing Pedro.
Curtis reasons that if Neymar joined United “he would become the undisputed main man and a challenger for the title of World Player of the Year”.
Neymar’s current Barcelona deal expires in the summer of 2018 – and he does want a new deal but he’ll get one anyway. In June, the Mail told us: “Josep Maria Bartomeu will offer Neymar a new deal if he wins the election.”
Bartomeu won.
The Mail added that Barcelona’s new chief was “ready to throw even more money at him to keep the 23-year-old happy at the Nou Camp”.
Might this story of a move to Old Tafford be a ploy – Neymar reminds Barcelona of his worth and engineers a pay rise? The old Sergio Ramos flip-flopperoo?
Whatever the thinking, that seems to comprise the background of the Guardian’s news that Neymar is “open to joining from Barcelona… although there is a recognition the transfer is unlikely to occur before the current window closes.”
The paper cites “sources close to the forward”, who say Neymar is “attracted by the size and history of United and the chance to play in the Premier League”.
He might also be excited about playing at Barcelona, or in Italy, or for Bayern Munich. The feeling at Pies Towers is that this one is not going to happen. We’re loathe to use the word ‘spurious’ but hey, if the shoes fits.
Indeed, GloboEsporte hears from Neymar’s agent Wágner Ribeiro who “afirmou não ter sido procurado e que tudo não passa de factoide por conta da proximidade do fim da janela de transferências na Europa, no próximo dia 31.”
Portuguese to English translation: It’s total balls.
Posted: 24th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Jermain Defoe wants a secretary to turn him into a ‘global brand’
Sunderland FC striker Jermain Defoe is looking for a new executive personal assistant to keep his life in order. The role is “demanding“. You will take his calls, stock the fridge, build him apps and turn Jermain Defoe into a global brand with a clothing line and fragrance.
The job appears on SECS In The City:
Spotter: Pies
Transfer Balls: Benzema arrival at Arsenal delayed
The Metro continues to report on rumours of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema joining Arsenal. In the free paper’s race to make news from air, George Bellshaw writes about “Arseneal”:
Karim Benzema is reportedly ready to complete a transfer to Arsenal from Real Madrid… a deal worth £48million is believed to be on the cards that would see Benzema join Arsenal in the coming weeks.
Given that the transfer window shuts on September 1, weeks is too long.
Metro reader will also be shocekd by the news, having read in the trusty organ:
August 22: “Arsenal preparing to reveal Karim Benzema transfer at home to Liverpool”
Arsenal play Liveprool tinight.
Posted: 24th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Arsenal bid for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender (just like every year)
Arsenal wil make a bid of £18m for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender, says the Mirror. The paper’s scoop contains not a single fact, other than nerws that an Arsenal scout watched the German (and everyone other player on the pitch) in Bayer’s Champion’s League qualifier against Lazio.
Arsenal fans should realise that Bender to Arsenal is a annual favourite on the rumour mill.
November 2012, The Sun
MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal face a struggle to sign German star Lars Bender.
September 2013, Daily Star
May 2014, Daily Mirror
July 2014, Daily Mail
November 2014, Daily Express
So Bender to Arsenal it is…
Posted: 24th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Arsenal: Wenger on Sterling, Benteke and beating Liverpool
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been talking ahead of his side’s match with Liverpool. The Sun heard the same words as us but headlines its version of events: “Wenger in Kop strop.” Utter balls, of course.
On Sterling’s Departure
“They refused to sell us Luis Suárez, so I cannot feel too much sympathy for them. Liverpool are in a position that they can make their own decisions.”
On Sterling
“I personally rate Raheem Sterling. I personally don’t think that Sterling was making a lot of drama. It’s just during the transfer window. During the season the boy was quiet, never made any stupid statement or noise. With Suárez, [Daniel] Sturridge, Sterling, they scored over a hundred goals. To do that you need special quality, and Sterling was part of that.”
On Form
“You need to be strong at home, that is for sure. “If you want to win the championship you need to win your home games. It can happen that you lose the odd game, but overall you need home strength. Against teams who came only to defend, we didn’t find the goal. But it happens to all the other teams as well. Normally you would think over 19 games you can sometimes be unlucky once or twice. Most of the time if you really dominate the games you will win. Liverpool will be a different game than West Ham. Against West Ham, we conceded from a set piece and after it was difficult.”
On Benteke
“Yes we will work on it [stopping him]. We managed to deal with him in the [FA Cup] final. Then again, every game is a new challenge and we have to show that we can do it. He has the stature, he is good in the air, protects the ball well.”
On New Players
“It’s an impossible job [keeping everyone happy] but that’s why I tell you I always get asked two questions — why don’t you buy more players, and how do you keep them all happy now? You have to get the numbers right. If you have a certain number of players who think they will never have a chance to play, it kills something. Not enough players creates too much of a comfort zone.”
Arsenal host Liverpool tonight.
Posted: 24th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
Dead Arsenal fan’s final comment on a Gunner who moved on
Geof Cohen never rated Alexander Hleb. It says just that on Mr Cohen’s ’tile’ outside the Emirates.
Geof’s son, Howard explained:
“My father thought he was rubbish. He followed Arsenal since the 1950s. Wanted something in his memory that captured his banter.”
It’s what Hleb would have wanted.
John Stones: Everton’s ‘new Rio Fedinand’ will be a Chelsea great
John Stones is football’s player in demand. The Everton and England defender is being stalked by Chelsea. The Londoners say Stones is worth £30m. Everton rejected an offer for that sum. They want more. He’s that good.
The Times‘ Jonathan Northcroft has bene speaking with David Moyes, the then Everton manger who signed Stones from Barnsley.
The scouts picked Stones. They told Moyes: “That young defender at Barnsley you’ve had us tracking — go and get him. He has a real chance.”
What did Moyes see?
“He looked this young, thin boy, but he had a natural comfort on the ball, a comfort that didn’t look coached or taught but was just something he’d got. You could see he’d need to get stronger and work on his speed, but his ability to take the ball was special. It’s something you don’t see a lot in British defenders and that’s what made him stand out. He’s the most comfortable English central defender on the ball I’ve seen since Rio Ferdinand. He reads the game and he’s calm in possession, a natural footballer. He has an ability to not look under any pressure.”
Moyes says Stones was bought for £1.25m.
Says Moyes:
“I have to give credit to my recruitment department at Everton. They were always looking exhaustively in the lower leagues. We always looked for British players, English talent, because that formed such a huge part of the identity of the club and the teams I built.
“We had John watched from the start of that season and the reports always came back positively and, because the deal was at the lower end of the financial scale, I was trusting my scouts anyway. But when I saw John for myself I didn’t take much convincing.”
Moyes reminds us that Stones is just 21.
“As a young boy, John took some risks, but his decision making got better and better and we played him at right-back for experience. He will need time and, at his age, he’ll make mistakes. There’ll be days he does things that he will learn from, so people need to be patient. But England could have a top, top centre-back if he’s allowed to develop.
“The way football is getting played now, the centre-backs have more touches than midfielders do. It’s often their job to start the moves and John’s attributes are perfect for that. And he’s got a good personality. He’s calm in himself and gets good support from his family. The first day he came in and said to our fitness guys ‘Whatever I have to do to get into the first team, I’ll do it’. He immediately impressed you as a likeable boy with a great aptitude for learning. Self-development is a vital quality in a young player.”
Stones is ambitious. He can’t stay at Everton. Chelsea look favourites to sign him. But surely we can expect others, chiefly Manchester United, to compete for his signature.
Transfer Balls: Neymar uses Manchester United to get a better deal at Barcelona
The Daily Express says Brazil’s superstar footballer Neymar has agreed a new contract to remain at Barcelona. He hasn’t. His sucrrent deal expires in the summer of 2018 – but he does want a better deal. And he’ll get one. In June, the Mail told us:
Josep Maria Bartomeu will offer Neymar a new deal if he wins the election
Bartomeu won.
The Barcelona president who has ended up in court over the club’s signing of Neymar is ready to throw even more money at him to keep the 23-year-old happy at the Nou Camp.
This follows the Sun’s wafer-thin news that Manchester United had made a “discreet” enquity about signing the player.
Seemingly unduanted by fact, the Sun leads its report on Man United 0-0 draw with Newcastle by declaring:
Neymar agent jets in Manchester United 0 Newcastle 0
Shaun Curtis, the writer who broke the news of the discreet approach that wasn’t all that discrete, now says:
NEYMAR’S international agent Pini Zahavi was at Old Trafford — on the day SunSport revealed Manchester United want the Barcelona superstar.
Do we know why Pini was there?
The Israeli super-agent told us: “I have nothing to say about this but it is normal such a giant club as Manchester United would wish to win the services of Neymar, the best player in the world. It would be astonishing if United pulled off such a coup, but they are making a play for him.”
Has Neymar sorted out his new pay deal as part of his enw contract with Barcelona. Ealier this summer, Sergio Ramos used Manchester United to engineer a better wage packet at Real Madrid. Might it be that Neymar is trying the same ploy?
Curtis then tells readers what Neymar would cost:
While his buyout clause is said to be £130million, SunSport has learned it could be up to £165m with add-ons.
Any word from United
Van Gaal remained tight-lipped after the Newcastle shut-out. He said: “You can mention every player but I cannot answer those questions.“I would like to make the squad stronger but not for any price and only for the right player.”
In other words: agent watches football match. Read all about it.
Posted: 23rd, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Chelsea buy Paul Pogba without agreeing a deal with Juventus
Transfer Balls: The Sun says “Chelsea in £69m Pogba deal.”
Chelsea have bought the Juventus and France star?
CHELSEA have agreed a stunning £69million deal to sign Juventus’ Paul Pogba. The champions made the Italian giants an offer they cannot refuse for the French midfield powerhouse.
But have they refused?
Sources say Oscar, Willian and Juan Cuadrado could be involved in a move in the other direction.
Read the rest of this entry »
Chelsea: Mourinho reveals the secret of beating Manchester United and Tottenham to players
When Pedro picked Chelsea over Manchester United he underlined a point: the Blues always get their man. Manchester United wanted Fàbregas; Tottenham wanted Willian; Manchester City wanted Eden Hazard. Chelsea signed them.
Talking about nipping in for Pedro, Jose Mourino recalls the phone call that made the Barcelona winger head to Stamford Bridge.
“It was one minute. “I asked if it was true he wanted to leave. ‘Yes, it’s true. It is my home, but it is time for me to leave.’ ‘Did you already sign for another club?’ ‘Almost, but not yet’. ‘Do you want to come here?’ ‘Yes, I want.’ For me, it was one minute.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Transfer Balls: Manchester United can make Neymar ‘World Player of The Year’
Transfer Balls: Manchester United Want Neymar
Hold the phone! Manchester United are in “secret talks” to buy 23-year-old Brazil and Barcelona forward Neymar, says the Sun. In a trice the secret talks are no longer secret.
Shaun Curtis writes: “a top Barcelona source has told SunSport the Red Devils have made a discreet approach to the La Liga champions.”
Not that discreet was it. After all, the approach only made it into the country’s largest-selling tabloid. A cynic might see it as a load of PR balls, a story rooted not in a bid for Neymar, rather in a desire to assure Manchester United fans that the team are thinking big.
Aree there any fact to support the anonymous source who says Man United have have made a secret approach to buy one of world footballer’s star names. Any facts?
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been to Barca three times in the last two months with all the talk being about United’s chase for Pedro. But, under the radar, Woodward has made an audacious bid for Neymar.
Man United never did buy Pedro, losing out to Chelsea for the winger’s signature, although the official Old Trafford line is that Van Gaal dropped his interest in the Spaniard at the 11th hour. Van Gaal has ben splitting hairs, telling media:
“When you ask me does Pedro fit into the profile, I cannot lie, then I say yes. I cannot deny that but I did not say I was interested — that’s the difference.”
Back to Neymar, of whom Curtis adds: “...the Brazilian superstar is well aware that if he moved to Old Trafford he would become the undisputed main man and a challenger for the title of World Player of the Year.”
Hispanic players dream of playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona. They do not dream of playing for Manchester United. But the Sun’s anonymous source has something to add: “United are one of the biggest clubs in the world so it is right they should be chasing a player who has the potential to be the best player on the planet.”
Chase away. You won’t catch him. But maybe the club’s shares will rise on the stock market and the fans will dream anew…
Posted: 22nd, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer Balls: Manchester City buy Kevin de Bruyne for £50m, Chelsea hail the new Torres
Transfer Balls: Kevin De Bruyne, who “cried every day” when he was at Stamford Bridge, has agreed personal terms with Manchester City, says the Guardian.
The 24-year-old winger will earn – get this – £200,000-a-week at City. For that money he might even kiss the badge.
The Belgian is scheduled to become City’s fifth new major signing of the summer. City need just to agree a fee with Wolfsburg. The paper says City will have to go as high as £55m.
The Daily Mirror says the deal has been done for £50m.
Is he really that good?
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 22nd, August 2015 | In: Manchester City, Reviews, Sports | Comment (1)
Manchester United won’t sell De Gea because the Real Madrid ‘virus’ have yet to make a bid
More news on Manchester United’s David De Gea, who is surely heading to Real Madrid. But having dropped the wantaway Spaniard, Man United manager Louis Van Gaal says he’s going to block any sale. The Dutchman told media:
“I think when Manchester United wants a player he shall come, besides when a club isn’t selling. It is the same with us. We are not selling De Gea.”
Van Gaal is pretty much the only Dutchman in top-flight football who speaks English worse than the English. But the end part of his tatement is clear: De Gea stays at Old Trafford.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 22nd, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Chelsea: Mourinho is one game from the sack if you consider the West Brom factor
Chelsea manager has José Mourinho has attacked himself, says the Times. He told a press conference:
“I am not happy with my form. I used to get better results than I am getting now. This is the start of everything. I am not happy with Ivanovic’s form, Cahill’s form, John Terry’s form, Azpilicueta’s form, Fàbregas’s form, Nemanja Matic’s form. No, there is not one [I am happy with]. We have one point from two matches. I am not happy at all with anyone. I am either happy with everybody or not happy with anyone.”
The BBC says the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho “named seven first-team players who have underperformed” in the club’s worst Premier League start in 17 years. Surely not naming them all was a matter of rhetoric rather than a deliberate policy.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 22nd, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Sports | Comment (1)
TV Blooper: West Ham says QPR’s Charlie Austin has ‘no ligaments in his right dick’
Why aren’t West Ham United bidding for QPR’s Charlie Austin?
More here.
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Sports, TV & Radio | Comment
Transfer Balls: Arsenal signed Benzema and his mate last Friday
Transfer Balls brings you the mega news that Arsenal have signed Karim Benzzzzzzzzema.
Like you, we’re getting tired to the rumours that Karim Benzema is going Arsenal. Every summer since 2013, the France and Real Madrid striker has been heading to the Gunners.
2015…
Here’s the 2014 vintage…
And 2013…
Things have gotten a tad more interesting this year.
The Daily Telegraph reported on August 7th 2015 that Benzema to Arsenal was a done deal…
He never did arrive. Friday came and went. Comme ci, comme ca.
However, today Talksport says Real Madrid have accepted Arsenal’s £48million offer for Benzema. The source for this scoop is none other than former QPR forward Rodney Marsh.
Everyone else soon agrees that Rodney (or more accurately, a mate of Rodney’s) is a reliable source for Real Madrid and Arsenal news and the “story” gains traction across the internet.
The desperate Telegraph announces: “Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Real Madrid accept £48m offer for Karim Benzema.”
The paper quotes Marsh:
I had a phone call from a mate of mine, and he’s been right on many things, and he said that he believes Real Madrid have accepted a bid somewhere in the region of £48million for Benzema from Arsenal.
In the past this guy has always been right, he’s never been wrong yet, so we’ll have to wait and see.
That’s good enough for the Daily Star to declare it a “DONE DEAL”…
Over in the Metro, the Benzema deal is off! The paper knows this because it’s read a tweet from talkSPORT journalist Ian Abrahams…
Editorial meetings at TalkSPORT must be fantastic.
Editor: “What do you have new and shouty?”
Marsh: “A mate of mine says Benzema has signed for Arsenal”
Ed: “Brilliant!”
Abrahams: “Someone told me Arsenal want Cavani and Benzema isn’t interested in Arsenal”
Ed: “Brilliant. It’s time for a heated debate!”
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Key Posts, Sports | Comment
Arsenal Balls: Gunners buy Benzema and his diamond ball
The news cycle whirls with what might be the most specious football story of the year. The Sydney Morning Herald tells us:Arsenal target Karim Benzema spends a fortune on a diamond ball
If Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema makes his much-speculated move to English Premier League giants Arsenal, he could bring with him his new prized possession, a $340,000 soccer ball. The 27-year-old French goal-scorer, who has been on the Gunners’ hit-list for months, reportedly purchased the 1,250 carat ball encrusted with 72,000 diamonds from a celebrity jeweller.
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Reviews, Sports, The Consumer | Comment
Chelsea club statement on signing Pedro contains sly dig at Manchester United
Chelsea have hired Pedro. The Spaniard never did join Manchester United, preferring life in London to playing under Van Gaal at Old Trafford.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Pedro from Barcelona.
The Spaniard arrives as a highly coveted winger who can also play as a central striker. He is proven at the very highest level and already possesses an impressive medal haul.
The 28-year-old has accumulated three Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles, as well as being a world and European champion on the international stage.
He said: ‘I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.
‘Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.’
Born in Tenerife, the diminutive Pedro, whose full name is Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma, signed for Barςa’s academy in 2004 and made his first-team debut in January 2008 after catching the eye for their B team.
By 2009/10, the two-footed, fast and direct winger had become an important part of the Barcelona team. He was the first player ever to score in the Spanish league, Copa del Rey, Champions League, both the European and Spanish Super Cups as well as the World Club Cup.
His brilliant performances at club level saw him secure a place in the Spain squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Pedro started both the semi-final and final, and was a key figure in their victory over the Netherlands.
And out of all the game of hark back to, Chelsea pick this one:
A year later he scored the opening goal in the Champions League final at Wembley as Barςa beat Manchester United 3-1.
Zing!
He was a substitute alongside then Chelsea players Fernando Torres and Juan Mata in Spain’s Euro 2012 victory over Italy. The winger was also part of the squad which travelled to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.
Pedro came on as a late substitute in Barcelona’s most recent major success – May’s Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin. He concluded his time at the Catalan club in the most memorable manner, scoring the winning goal in their 5-4 UEFA Super Cup triumph over Sevilla.
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Sports | Comment (1)
