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.
Manchester United fans in David De Gea horror chant
The Sun is shocked. It has heard that Manchester United fans have been singing nasty things about wantaway goalkeeper David De Gea. Presented as an “exclusive“, the paper writes:
De Gea, 24, had arrived close to kick-off, hoping to sneak in unnoticed. But he was spotted by a handful of fans and greeted with a chorus of “f*** off you penny-pinching b*****d” as security went to let him in.
A handful of fans shouted abuse at a footballer. That’s an exclusive news story. It would have been a world exclusive had fans shouted abuse at a tree in a wood and made it fall down.
Onlookers said De Gea, who has yet to feature for United this season, looked visibly shaken.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Chelsea Balls: tabloids say Mourinho put Eden Hazard’s life at risk
The Sun continues to hammer the spat between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and club Doctor Eva Cerneiro. And today it gets deadly:
Muamba: Player could die Ex-Bolton star warns Jose over pitch docs
To recap: Eden Hazard, the player Dr Carneiro and Chelsea physio John Fearn dashed on to treat, had not passed out. He was not in his death throes. He was not in a dire state, as Muamba was when the then Bolton player’s heart stopped beating on the Tottenham pitch. The former England Under-21s midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest in March 2012. His heart stopped for 78 minutes.
Hazard was, to quote Mourinho, “tired”.
FABRICE MUAMBA has warned Jose Mourinho one of his players could die if he tries to stop a doctor going on the pitch.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: the incredible reason why Pedro joined Chelsea
Why did Spanish footballer Pedro join Chelsea and not Manchester United?
Chelsea gazumped United
The Times‘ says losing out on Pedro is a “blow” to United. Oliver Kay says Chelsea outbid United for the Barcelona player.
Manchester United’s desperation in the transfer market has grown after they were gazumped by Chelsea in a £21.1 million deal to sign Pedro from Barcelona.
The Fabregas Factor
The aforesaid Kay adds:
Chelsea’s pursuit of Pedro was helped by Cesc Fàbregas, who, along with his girlfriend, Daniella Semaan, helped to persuade his former Barcelona team-mate that he should move to London rather than Manchester.
Mourinho Nicked Him
The Daily Mail says Pedro ‘snubbed” United because Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho talked him into picking the Blues.
The Other Woman
Another woman played a key part in the proposed deal. Marina Granovskaia, a long-time and trusted employee of Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, was also instrumental in getting talks started.
Not Fancying Van Gaal
The Daily Express says Van Gaal has a problem with Spaniards.
Louis Van Gaal’s brutal treatment of former Barca keeper Victor Valdes may have had an influence on Pedro’s decision while the presence at Chelsea of former Nou Camp star Cesc Fabregas is also likely to have been a factor.
Pedro is understood to have spoken to both players to help make up his mind.
And Van Gaal briefed the media against David De Gea?
Operation Pedro
The Telegraph says Chelsea performed a planned “hijack”:
While [Ed] Woodward was haggling with Barcelona, Chelsea were putting ‘Operation Pedro’ into practice with Granovskaia conducting discreet negotiations with the Spanish club and, with the permission of Barca, Mourinho and Fabregas both speaking with the forward directly.
But The Local Paper Knows What Really Happened
The Manchester Evening News says that Pedro did not “snub” Man United. Pedro was not seduced to London by Mourinho or any number of women. He was not “hijacked”. No. The local Manchester paper says Pedro is not playing for Manchester United because club manager Louis Van Gaal rejected him. Yeah, really.
We are supposed to believe that Ed Woodward, the United executive vice-chairman, flew to Barcelona to buy Pedro, only to be recalled at the 11th hour because Van Gaal realised the 28-year-old three-time Champions’ league winner was not wanted.
Oh, and in any case, Van Gaal has his heart set on Sadio Mané, the Southampton forward, who United bid for before they went to see Pedro in Barcelona.
#mufc briefing the media bid for Sadio Mane was made last week #saintsfc sources say they are yet to receive a formal offer #brinkmanship
— Alex Goring Crook (@alex_crook) August 19, 2015
Such are the facts.
Posted: 20th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Newcastle United: £12m newboy Thauvin starts work as a Sports Direct model (photos)
Florian Thauvin has joined Newcastle United from Marseilles for £12m, with Rémy Cabella heading in the opposite direction on a season-long loan. In summer 2016 Cabella will join the French club for £5.6 million.
Magpies manager Steve McClaren is delighted:
He is a perfect signing for this club – someone who is young, with great potential and is one of the best young players in Europe. He is an exciting, creative talent who can score goals and make assists, and we believe he will have a very bright future at Newcastle.
And no sooner had Thauvin arrived than he was put to work. See if you can spot the subtle product placement in every image from his official photoshoot:
Anyone know where you can buy some cheap sports gear without having to take out a ridiculous loan?
Manchester United Let Pedro Joined Chelsea And Other Fairytales
Pedro was shoo-in to join Manchester United, said all the British Press. But the Barcelona winger has joined Chelsea for a fee of £21m.
Did the mainstream media see this one coming? No.
On Augsut 13, the Indy stated:
Pedro to Manchester United: Barcelona winger verbally agrees to join United after late interest from rivals Manchester City
Sky Sports is so behind the news curve it reports today: “Pedro and Manchester United agree personal terms.”
Maybe Sky is right and Pedro did agree terms with Man United. Maybe Pedro told them ‘no’ and Manchester United agreed not to take it personally.
But the M.E.N. says we’re wrong because “Louis Van Gaal kills Pedro deal.”
@mattwynnmedia I think Chelsea Arsenal and Liverpool sent Van Gaal as A Trojan horse to destroys us from within check his bank statements
— Trevor W Fallon (@w_fallon) August 19, 2015
The Manchester paper reports:
United were happy to pay Pedro’s buy out clause and it appeared to be a simple transfer to complete. But LVG has decided he no longer sees the forward as the man United need.
So Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice chairman and deal maker, went to Barcalona, met the club and player’s reps, and was then recalled by Van Gaal because he went cold on the player? It has nothing at all to do with the theory that Pedro preferred working with Jose Mourinho, playing for Chelsea, living in London and avoiding the hammer-headed, vain Van Gaal. When Chelsea came calling he dropped United like, well, Van Gaal dropped Robin Van Persie. The offical line is that Van Gaal called all the shots and dumped Pedro.
Poor old Chelsea get the sloppy seconds (surely Champions’ League winning Spain winger – ed) while Man United buy… Well, any ‘top’ player with no alternatives keen to get rich.
Posted: 19th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment (1)
Chelsea Sign Pedro For £21m, Manchester United Gutted
After all the talk of Pedro to Manchester United, the Barcelona winger has joined Chelsea for a fee of £21m.
The BBC says the 28-year-old is flying to London to finalise terms on the transfer.
Or as Sky Sports says in its news today:
Pedro and Manchester United agree personal terms
And as the Star stated just yesterday:
They really don’t have the foggiest, do they.
Posted: 19th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Chelsea break the bank for Everton’s John Stones
Chelsea are desperate to land Everton’s John Stones. Having failed to impress The Toffees with a John Terry-led charm offensive (and how could that have failed?!), and bids of £20, £26m and £30m the Blues will need to come again with an even bigger offer.
The Liveprool Echo says the winning bid will be £40m. That’s an absurd amount of money for a player with four England caps and less than 50 Premier League matches under his belt, but if Raheem Sterling is worth £49m who can argue?
The Guardian says Chelsea are “considering” that £40m. It notes that Stones, who has four years remaining on his Everton contract, “has not agitated for a move… his form for and commitment to Martínez’s side to date this term has been exemplary.”
His Everton teammates agree. Steven Naismith is quoted in the Indy:
“I think the club’s stance on it has been pretty straightforward and the manager is looking forward with Stonesey in the team. The manager has mentioned wanting to bring in three more players in to strengthen, and I don’t think anyone has ever thought about Stonesey moving on… John has gone about his business day-to-day in training in such a professional manner. He has then taken that into the games, because he has been one of the stronger performers in the team since the start of the season.”
Chelsea have noticed. Blues manger Jose Mourinho has called his defence “fragile” after their 3-0 defeat by Manchester City. He’s desperate. And Everton, who hold all the cards, know it…
Transfer Balls: Arsenal in for Ibramovich and Cavani in PSG clearance sale
Transfer Balls: “Manchester United and Arsenal in for Zlatan Ibrahimovic?” asks the Guardian. To which the answer is: no idea. And reading on in the Guardian, we find out that they don’t know, either. What Scott Murray does know, however, is that Paris Saint-Germain are keen to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Arsenal and Manchester United are “already said to be vaguely interested”. Said by whom is something else we don’t know, but our bet would be someone at the Guardian.
The Daily Express says Chelsea want the Swedish legend and “have shown the greatest interest in the lanky goal machine”. Lanky? LANKY! He knows where you live, Daily Express. Be warned.
But The Blues won’t get Zlatan because AC Milan fancy him almost as much as she fancies himself, which is a lot.
Former Italian president Silvio Berlusconi says: “I want him… if Ibra wants to come, we’re waiting for him with open arms. Let’s hope.”
Let’s hope Silvio washes his hands before coming in for one of his special ‘Bunga Bunga’ hugs.
The Metro says Zlatan will not be the only Paris Saint-Germain forward coming to Arsenal – Edinson Cavani “could” complete a transfer to the Gunners “within the coming days”. He could. And, then again, he could not.
Of course it was back in May that the Express told us: “Edinson Cavani agrees £22m contract transfer from PSG to Juventus.”
So it’s pretty clear the papers have no idea.
Transfer Balls: Chelsea chase Antoine Griezmann in a human centipede of tabloid news
Transfer Balls: The Daily Star has been talking about Chelsea FC. It has a scoop.
Chelsea Transfer News: £40m demand, flying in to seal deal, Griezmann approved
The £40m player is Everton’s John Stones. Have Everton placed a £40 price tag on the player’s head? No. It’s utter balls.
The other part of the headline – the bit about Griezmann – goes like this:
The Metro say that Abramovich has personally given the green light to the signing of Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.
Read the rest of this entry »
Manchester United banter: German star Schweinsteiger recalls an English joke
One day when Bastian Schweinsteiger is on the after-dinner speaking circuit, he will surely hark back to his days at Manchester United. Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Schweinsteiger has given us all a hint of the kind of anecdotes we can expect from the German midfielder:
“The English have a special sense of humour. This I immediately experienced in the dressing room.
“As I walked with two plates while eating, suddenly a teammate asked me ‘Basti, what time is it?’ – Hoping I would automatically turn my hand to look at my watch.”
Funny? Or just special? But the actual funny part is Schweinsteiger’s review of the big English gag:
“That’s quite entertaining.”
He’s deadpan. He’s the German Jack Dee
Posted: 18th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Chelsea: Jose Mourinho says his side are even better this season – panic buys John Stones
The season so far has exposed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Defeated by Arsenal in the Community Shield – a cup that when he wins it counts as a major trophy and when he doesn’t is reduced to a bit of silver less valuable than the shiny tinfoil on his KitKat; seeking someone to blame for a 2-2 draw with Swansea and settling on the physio and club doctor; and telling Manchester City they won only by three lucky goals to nil – Jose Mourinho is wobbling.
It was only last May that the bitchy Portuguese was telling everyone he would be spending nothing major:
“Next season will be even better than this season and without big investments, because we don’t want to do that because we are happy with the players. Our group is top. The qualities are good. The most important thing in the market for us is not to lose players, I want to keep my players.”
Now he says Chelsea have a “moral right” to spend money. John Stones is the target. But Everton have knocked back Chelsea’s £30m bid for the player. At the weekend, John Terry was substituted by Mourinho for the first time in 177 Premier League games. The message is clear: Mourinho is ready to spend big again.
In the Times, Rory Smith writes on how Jose wins the titlte:
First, the foot goes to the floor, and then it goes to the throat… In years in which he has won the league, Mourinho’s record in the first third of the campaign is astonishing: he has never lost more than one of his first 13 games.
Adding:
The greatest worry of all is less tangible: it is that Mourinho’s success has always been built on the short term. He extracts the maximum from his players. Those coaches who have followed him have spoken of finding squads physically and psychologically exhausted, not just by success but by his demands.
Plenty of time to recover, of course. Chelsea remain a formidable obstacle. But Mourinho is looking desperate.
Posted: 18th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Pedro Loses His Mind And ‘Agrees’ To Join Manchester United From Barcelona
Manchester United “hope” to sign Pedro from Barcelona this week, writes the Times. They are determined to get their man. Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, is in Barcelona, looking to sign the 28-year-old for a £22 million fee.
Mundo Deportivo says Woodward has met Albert Soler, Barça’s director of sporting institutional relations, and director Raul Sanllehí where they discussed Pedro.
Sky says the deal has been done. Sort of. Sky Sports’ Balague told Revista de La Liga.
“I understand a deal between the player and United is already in place and all that is left is for United to put the €30m on the table. They are just negotiating how they are going to pay it, with installments or an amount up-front. They are very close. I’m not sure whether Barcelona will try one last time with Pedro and say ‘don’t go’, but it seems his mind is already made up.”
The Daily Telegpah says Pedro to arrive on Tuesday. That’s the same DT that told us Arsenal signed Karim Benzema last week.
The Manchester Evening News says that Pedro is not the star player United fans dream of:
Louis van Gaal is believed to be somewhat hesitant about bringing in Pedro because of his pace, but the Dutchman is eager to increase the attacking options in his side.
And Marca reminds us that no deal is done until it’s done:
The striker wants a more prominent role at Barça. Luis Enrique wants him to stay at the Camp Nou, but competition for places is tough at the club.
Why would anyone leave Barcelona for Manchester United under Van Gaal? Does that medical include a test for mental competence?
Posted: 18th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Chelsea get John Stones for £35m as Everton read the future
When you read the Sun’s news that “Stones haunts John Terry” you feel sorry for the ghost. Of course, this is about Everton’s John Stones, who is on his way to Chelsea in a “£35m coup“.
It’s not a coup, is it. A coup is described as:
1. a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
2. an instance of successfully achieving something difficult.
Lobbing tens of millions of pounds of Russian cash at Everton for human flesh is not a coup; it’s a transfer.
The Sun says:
CHELSEA are poised to sign John Stones after a huge U-turn by Everton. And that heaps even more pressure on John Terry.
The Sun says Chelsea will offer £30m for the defender. But that won’t be enough. They will then return with more money. The paper says “£35m — a British record for a defender — will clinch the 21-year-old’s move despite Everton boss Roberto Martinez insisting he will not be sold.”
As Everton gaze into the Sun’s crystal ball, we wonder why any of this haunts John Terry. The Sun makes a stab at explaining:
Jose Mourinho hauled off skipper JT at half-time in Sunday’s 3-0 mauling at Manchester City. And the Blues boss is desperate to increase competition in his defence.
Surely the increasingly ridiculous Mourinho hauled Terry off to send a message to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich that once Terry leaves The Blues will be rubbish. Because how on earth can Mourinho and Chelsea compete in the Premier League if they are only £1bn in debt to their owner and muddle along on wages of 192.7m a year. It’s impossible!
Unless John Stones can save the day…
Posted: 18th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Sports | Comments (2)
Manchester United: Wayne Rooney can’t stop scoring
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates his 1-0 win in the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 8, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
How’s life treating Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney? After United had completed these routine defeat of Aston Villa at Villa Park (in their last 40 league matches, Villa have won once, lost 29 and drawn 10), the papers shone a light on the nation’s main man.
All but one news source thought Rooney was poor:
Daily Mail: “Wayne Rooney is on his way to being burnt out and the Manchester United captain looks as ineffectual as he has ever been”
Daily Mail: “Manchester United need a new striker: With Wayne Rooney out of sorts, Louis van Gaal needs fresh firepower to boost title hopes”
The Guardian: “Loose passing, wasteful finishing and a particularly bad night for Wayne Rooney kept the hosts in the game”
ESPN: “There were hopes that Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney would rediscover some form against Aston Villa on Friday night… Remarkably, though, he was even worse than he was against Tottenham last week. His lack of mobility, touch and pace prevent him from leading the line successfully. When you compare him to strikers at rival clubs, like Sergio Aguero, the gap in quality between them is embarrassing.”
The Times: “They need more, of course — not least from Wayne Rooney, who looks short of fitness or confidence or both”
MEN: “Manchester United fan ratings: Rooney struggles”
BBC: “Striker Wayne Rooney was supposed to be the main man up front this season but the early signs have been a little worrying for United. As in the opening game against Tottenham the United and England skipper struggled to make an impact leading the line. And it was not until injury time that he touched the ball in the opposition penalty area”
And the one that disagreed:
The Sun: “SUN STAR MAN — Wayne Rooney, Manchester United”
Wonder which newspaper wants Rooney as its next columnist?
Posted: 17th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Nicolas Otamendi agrees Manchester United but joins Manchester City
Is Nicolas Otamendi going to play for Manchester United? Or is the Valencia defender off to play for Manchester City?
There’s been lots of talk about Nicolas Otamendi joining Manchester United. Stories like: “Manchester United AGREE deal to sign Valencia star Nicolas Otamendi”; “Deal done: Man United target Nicolas Otamendi agrees move, will be announced today” (both Daily Star); “Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester United: Club agree to sign £36m-rated centre-back” (Independent); and “Real Madrid believe Manchester United have sealed Nicolas Otamendi transfer” (Daily Mirror).
It turns out these stories are all utter balls because the Daily Mail says Manchester City are “close to completing the £28.5m signing of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, 27, with City defender Eliaquim Mangala, 24, likely to go to the Spanish club on loan.” Although, the Express says the fee is £35m.
Posted: 17th, August 2015 | In: Manchester City, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment (1)
Chelsea: Offical Blues website meets Pravda in biased Man City match report
Tonked 3-0 at Manchester City, Chelsea were clearly the inferior side. Well, so you’d think. But it turns out that football according to the offical Chelsea FC website is a little less monocular; a little less concerned with the obvious, seeking, as it does, to enlighten and broaden knowledge of those fans for whom the scoreline is all.
Highlights for Roman Abramovich’s in-house Pravda are as follows:
A Ramires goal incorrectly ruled out for offside with Man City a goal ahead changed the complexion of this early-season Premier League fixture.
…
Sergio Aguero had put the hosts ahead having already been thwarted by the excellent Asmir Begovic on three occasions, while Diego Costa had a strong shout for a first-half penalty.
…
Within 25 seconds of his first Chelsea start Begovic was called upon to make a telling contribution… It set the tone for an assured performance by the Bosnian.
…
Kompany cynically scythed Diego Costa down to earn the game’s first booking...
Before the break, Diego Costa was on the receiving end of a brutish aerial challenged from Fernandinho…
Mangala resorted to WWE-style tactics to stop the ever-dangerous Diego Costa getting free down the right…
…a game of very fine margins.
For thsoe of you still watching in black and white, the game finished Manchester City 3, Chelsea 0.
Posted: 17th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment
Eva Carneiro: doctor’s crime was exposing Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as a ‘cheat’
Why was Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho so enraged when Dr Eva Carneiro dashed on to the field of play and treated a writhing Evan Hazard?
Dominic Lawson has an idea, writing in the Sunday Times he says what really irked the bitchy Chelsea boss was not Dr Eva’s womanhood or her decision to place her own moral compass and professionalism ahead of team tactics. Her crime was exposing Mourinho’s plot to stretch the rules:
It looked as if the player concerned was badly hurt but he wasn’t — and Mourinho understood this. Indeed the reason why the rules now state that injured players must be removed from the field of play — so the match can continue — is precisely because so many players were feigning injury to waste time.
Lawson adds:
What Mourinho appeared to be saying was that his medical team were not in on the scam — and it was unforgivable that they did not sufficiently grasp that faking or exaggerating injury is part and parcel of the professional game. In other words, it was their job to spot those rare occasions when the player really was badly injured — and to ignore the referee’s summons when the official might not have realised that this was just play-acting.
Can players use a secret signal to tell the bench it’s an act? Time, perhaps, for a return to daytime tell Una Stubbs, whose mega TV careeer includes a role as team captain on Gives US a Clue. Move over Dr Eva, there’s a new woman on the Chelsea bench and she’s got a bigger media profile than even you:
Now play along: see if you can spot the fakes in our great collection of football ‘injuries’.
Posted: 16th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Kiss and tell: my sex and more sex with sex mad Chelsea doctor sexy Eve Carneiro
Did you know that Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro is “sex mad”? It’s all she thinks about.
When Arsenal fans are asking “Have you ever had a Gooner up your arse?” and Manchester United supporters are telling her to “Get your tits out for the lads”, Dr Eva is thinking about sex. When she’s treating Eden Hazard in the closing stages of Chelsea’s opening game of the 2015-16 season at Stamford Bridge she’s thinking about sex. When bitchy Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is belittling her in public, she’s thinking about sex. Even when she’s rubbing John Terry’s thighs she is thinking about sex. Eva Carneiro is “sex mad”.
The Sun delivers the news that matters, reporting the words of one Rupert Patterson-Ward. He says he and Dr Eva had sex “a million times”. He says:
“This woman ruined my life. Eva would blurt out she had slept with one of the players during heated rows. She said it just to make me feel bad. I don’t believe it was true.’’
He didn’t believe it but does believe we should know.
Rupert, 33, then talks about sex.
“Eva is a very sexual woman and not many people know the real her. She’s ruthless and gets whatever and whoever she wants. I was besotted with her and we were planning a family, but she chewed me up and spat me out.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 16th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Thomas Muller: ‘Ask Manchester United If They Will Pay More For Me’
Is Thomas Muller heading to Manchester United?
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: FC Bayern Muenchen head coach Louis van Gaal (L) and Thomas Muller celebrate victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Inter Milan v FC Bayern Muenchen on February 23, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The Sunday Express leads with news that Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, 25, wants to join Manchester United. Readers learn that United have had a £60 million bid rejected this summer but Bayern manager manager Pep Guardiola is “prepared to cash in”.
The Telegraph says the bid was £50m.
The German champion’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is wary of Premier League cash, telling media:
“The Bundesliga has to be careful not to fall further behind. We would be out of our minds to sell Muller… It’s difficult. Everyone knows our old friend Louis van Gaal. He is very stubborn in those things. Maybe he thinks that there is a price where Bayern will start to ruminate but there is no price at all. As I said because of our partners and our really good financial situation we are completely resistant. There is no price, Thomas Muller has four years more on his contract. There is no one, not here or anywhere, who can explain to me why we should sell Thomas Muller.”
But he wants to join, right? The Express reports:
“Muller has confided in friends that he is interested in a move to United alongside Schweinsteiger who has been delighted with his Old Trafford welcome. Muller knows that his wages would enjoy a hefty rise.”
Is that the ploy: confide in’ friends’ who betray their pal’s trust by telling media that the star could earn a lot more at another club thus triggereing a pay rise? Are those nameless friends also employees of Muller’s agent?
The Metro reads the Express‘ “exclusive” and thunders: “Thomas Muller desperate to make Manchester United transfer.”
Helpfully, Thomas Muller was happy to talk about the rumours after scoring twice in Bayern’s 5-0 tonking of Hamburg. Asked if Van Gaal was after signing him, Muller replied:
“I don’t know, you have to ask him. I am the wrong man for this question.”
So. He’s not desperate to join Manchester United, then.
Posted: 16th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Manchester City, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Arsenal £45m for Benzema accepted on twitter and tabloids
Are Arsenal buying Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema? Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli says they are:
Benzema deal is on: best offer is from Arsenal, £45mln. They will take a decision soon. He wants to reach Wenger.
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 13, 2015
Who is the source for this scoop? Well, on twitter, Giulianelli descibes himself:
Football writer. FIFA Weekly, Panenka, FourFourTwo, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Messaggero, Radio Yorkshire.
Why should a man who writes in Italy know that a French player who works in Spain is coming to London before anyone else? And why are his tweets picked up by the British Press:
Aubameyang, the alternative to Benzema for Arsenal. If Benzema doesn’t materialise. — Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 14, 2015
The only option for Benzema is Arsenal.
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 11, 2015
Real Madrid want Llorente from Juventus, when Benzema will join Arsenal. — Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 10, 2015
@GeoffArsenal here’s some quality info on the Benzema move. Looks a reality. https://t.co/71ukQrNJPy
— Ryan (@R13JM) August 8, 2015
Today’s meeting ok between Arsenal and Real. Deal almost closed, Benzema will arrive to London on Sunday. — Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 7, 2015
Today’s Arsenal gossip: “Karim Benzema to complete move today, says Italian journalist” http://t.co/XFxwSoqMG1 #AFC pic.twitter.com/fCg8ZBdr33
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 7, 2015
Benzema will join Arsenal. 4 years contract at €9mln/y. #afc #gunners — Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 5, 2015
If you say something enough, eventually you come close.
PS: The Italian source has been linked to a Dick Law (who isn’t the Arsenal scout):
He actually thought I was Dick Law. This is the guy spreading the Benzema rumors…1/2 pic.twitter.com/6f1oxmfSpx
— Dick Law (@DickLawAFC) August 7, 2015
Transfer Balls: Tottenham new boy Clinton Njie was waiting for the Arsenal highjackers
Tottenham have signed Cameroon international Clinton Njie from Lyon. The 22-year-old cost Spurs €14million plus another €3million in bonuses.
As Spurs fans rush to find out who Njie is (he scored seven goals in 30 appearances for Lyon last season), someone leaks a story that he’s so good that Arsenal tried to scupper his move to White Hart Lane.
The Metro says “Arsenal made attempt to hijack Tottenham’s Clinton Njie transfer”.
The paper’s scoop is rooted in a single report in L’Equipe, which says Arsenal asked about Njie. they amde no offer. They did not meet his representatives. As highjacks go, it was like trying to seize control of the plane by browing in the Duty Free shop.
Posted: 15th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Sports, Spurs | Comment
Chelsea: Jon Fearn is the real victim of sexism
It’s sexism, isn’t. The row between Jose Mourinho and his medical team is all about sex and gender. It’s Jose Mourinho v Dr Eva Carneiro. No one spares a thought for Jon Fearn, the domestic-reared male who works as the Chelsea physio. When he and Dr Carneiro dashed onto the Stamford Bridge turf to treat the stricken Eden Hazard, the journalisomobile noticed only Mourinho jittering on the sidelines and Dr Eva looking astonishing female.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 15th, August 2015 | In: Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Arsenal: Wenger slaps Mourinho with a delicious swipe at Chelsea
What the row over Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro needed was the views of Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. Jose Mourinho has behaved badly, comparing Dr Carneiro to a secretary and banishing her from the bench for the match away to Manchester City on Sunday. Her offence was to have raced onto the pitch to treat a stricken Eden Hazard (Jose said he was “tired”) against his wishes during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Swansea City at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.
So. Here’s Wenger fielding a question on the fracas from the Press pack:
“I’m not greatly interested about what is going on at Chelsea. It is a problem inside the club that if you are not united it is more difficult. It is the trust and unity that makes the strength.”
Ping!
“The rules are quite clear that when the referee gives an indication that the medical [staff] can come on they come on. After that what happens specifically in the situation I don’t know but the rules are quite clear. It is the referee who makes the decision.”
Slap!
Cue Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta:
“The way he behaved and the way he defended the club when we were really under pressure is something I admire. We all owe him.”
Unity they name is Arsenal.
Posted: 14th, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester United Transfer Balls: Van Gaal tosses David De Gea to the wolves
Spanish goalkeeper David Ge Dea has, says the Sun, told Louis van Gaal he does not want to play for Manchester United. The hammer-headed Van Gaal is quoted:
“We’ve talked with him, he was fully agreed with our decision. We have a goalkeeping coach, Frans Hoek. He had a meeting with David De Gea and he asks him ‘Do you want to play?’.
“No. So then I have to take the decision. It is a process.
“We had been observing him in preparation, he was not so good, he was not the same David de Gea as before. He was my best player last season. According to the fans, he was the best of the last two years.”
Why would Van Gaal share that informaion with the media? Is he trying to shame De Gea into staying at Old Trafford?
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: 14th, August 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Chelsea: Eva Carneiro flaunts her curves in naughty doctor and ‘secretary’ gear
More on Eva Carneiro, the Chelsea club doctor compared to a “secretary” by team manager Jose Mourinho.
Carneiro is aware of her gender:
“In every medical television programme I have ever watched in my life, the female doctor is hyper-sexualised. She goes off with Tom Cruise and it is all happy endings. Or she is not present.”
Or as the Daily Mail puts it:
Dressing up as a sexy Cleopatra and getting soaked in the ice bucket challenge: How the alluring Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro became the most talked-about woman in football
…
Her pre-Raphaelite curls and toned figure have attracted the attention of many a fan but little is known about her love life
Nothing to do with sex, then.
In other news, the Mail notes:
FA urge fans to report sexist abuse after ‘horrible’ footage emerges of Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro being abused
If in doubt, blame the fans.
The referee’s a w***ker…
