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: The Arsenal striker vanishes
Transfer Balls: football reporting is sho king, but every now and then utter drivel passed off as fact can be traced to a trusted source. Take the story of Arsenal tyro Chupa Akpom:
Arsene Wenger – July 15:
“No, he won’t be going out on loan. I sent him out on loan last year because I thought he needed that. But this season no, I plan to keep him with us. It’s down to performance and attitude and he has the assets to be a big talent. And, after that, to be an efficient player week in week out, that’s the target”
Akpom was delighed to be staying, stating on July 27:
“It’s nice to see the young players doing well and the boss says he will always give opportunities to young players who are doing their job. The main thing for me is for a manger to have confidence and faith in me so for the manager to say that he isn’t after another striker is good. But the hard work doesn’t stop there it means you have to maintain a place and there are a lot of good strikers and goals in the team so hopefully his season I can give it my all and be involved in the team”
And on August 4, Arenal duly announced:
“Chuba Akpom has joined Championship side Hull City on loan for the 2015/16 season. Everyone at Arsenal wishes Chuba well for the season ahead”
Such are the facts.
Transfer Balls: Karim Benzema has Arsenal fans walking in Wengerland
More news on Arsenal and Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid and France striker linked by a myriad reports with a move to the Gunners.
The Telegraph says “Gunners clear to sign Karim Benzema for £46m“. Clear? Not really because ESPN says Arsenal are not interested in the player.
Madrid-based newspaper AS says Arsenal have set aside €65 million to sign the striker.
But Arsenal boss Arsene, Wenger said only yesterday:
“No, nothing is happening. Honestly, no. I don’t know who brings that up. Is it Spanish media or English media? I don’t know.”
Back to the Telegraph, then, which states:
Real Madrid are resigned to losing Karim Benzema to Arsenal this summer, and have already began targetting replacements for the French striker.
The Metro agrees, saying Benzema will join the Gunners for £50m. But its source is the aforesaid AS, which turns out to be the Telegraph’s only source, too.
What AS reports is this:
…Wenger himself is fully aware of how difficult such an operation would be… The club’s technical department are studying other options but until they have used up every resource to land the Madrid striker, other candidates will remain secondary to Wenger’s plans.
But the operation to land Benzema is full of complications. He renewed his contract until 2019 with Madrid just over a year ago and as it stands, he is the team’s first choice striker, although Benítez has experimented this summer with Jesé and Cristiano playing in a more central position in an attempt to have an alternative to the ‘BBC’ attacking trio. During the recent tours of Australia and China, Benzema offered two contrasting sides to his game – he scored a sensational volley against Manchester City in Melbourne but was largely absent in the friendly against AC Milan in Shanghai. Benítez is also concerned that the player is struggling to apply the pressure which he is demanding from the whole team to make his 4-2-3-1 set-up function as he intends.
And as for being resigned to losing the player, a few days ago, Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez stated:
“People are asking me about different players that maybe we will buy and I always say the same thing, ‘he’s not our player, I will not talk about that’. In this case Karim is our player so I will not talk about that. I hope, I’m sure, that he will stay with us.”
Is there a shred of evidence that Benzema is actually joining the Gunners? The Daily Star says there is:
There is a modicum of hope for Arsenal fans after Benzema followed an Instagram account named ‘Wengerland‘.
Such are the facts.
Chelsea hand it to Arsenal: Jose Mourinho loses with the winners
Having seen his Chelsea side lose to Arsenal in the Community Shield season opener, Jose Mourinho make palava of the post-match handshake. For those only versed in the Premier League era, shaking hands was once the perfunctory act of players and gentlemen. It’s now more loaded than George Bush a frat house party.
Mourinho stood at the foot of the stairs and made a point of shaking the hand of every single member of the victorious Arsenal team as they passed. All except one: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
The Chelsea boss then sashayed off down the tunnel but not before chucking his runner-up medal into the crowd.
In Jose’s defence, shaking and not shaking have both cast aspersions on his grasps of etiquette and sportsmanship. Aston Villa’s then bosses Paul Lambert and Roy Keane complained about the being offered Mourinho’s hand to shake, albeit before the match was over. Poor Jose can’t do right for doing wrong.
We, meanwhile, wait the next time Mourinho and Wenger, looking forward to Sky TV’s five hours of pre-grapple handshake talk and if now if the time for fist bumps.
Quand José Mourinho et Arsène Wenger se snobent… pic.twitter.com/pzMOvlz5j1
— L’Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) August 2, 2015
Posted: 2nd, August 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment
Joey Barton remade in Kew: reared in Liverpool on the oxygen of violence
Joey Barton has been talking with the Times’ Matthew Syed. Billed “the baddest man in British football”, Barton is now “hardman turned philosopher”, living in London’s leafy Kew with a young family and burning desire to be a better man.
Syed journeys to Barton’s childhood home in Huyton, a few miles from the centre of Liverpool, “where violence was as much a part of his upbringing as oxygen.”
Barton, who at junior level wore the colours of Everton and Liverpool, and played professionally for Manchester City, Newcastle, Marseilles and QPR, is happy to talk.
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Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s words are twisted into a noose
Is Pep Guardiola making ready for a move to Manchester City? The Sun says he is. Maybe. After all, the German Press says Pep is off to coach Qatar. But says the Sun:
GUARDIOLA gave a huge hint that he could be heading to Manchester City next season as he admitted he could be ready to leave Bayern Munich.
Hint. Could. Could. Any facts?
And while Guardiola denied claims he has already agreed to leave Munich for Manchester, he fuelled the belief that it is only a matter of time before he pitches up as Manuel Pellegrini’s replacement.
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Posted: 31st, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United ‘sell’ Di Maria for £44m as De Gea’s price tumbles
Transfer Balls: David De Gea has had a quiet summer. The Manchester United player still plays for Manchester United. But the media narrative invites us to wonder how long for.
The Sun says :
LOUIS VAN GAAL does not know where David De Gea’s head is — or Angel Di Maria’s body.
The big kick-off is just over a week away and the Manchester United boss has been left with a goalkeeper clearly distracted and out of form.
De Gea wants to leave Manchester United. In the final year of his contract he can wait a year and head to Real Madrid on a free with the bonus of a massive signing on fee. United would get nothing for their star player.
Or he could do as Angel Di Maria has done and simply not turn up to play. Wanted by PSG, the Sun says “Van Gaal simply does not know where he is”.
British-record signing Di Maria was supposed to join up with the squad last Saturday but failed to get on his flight. Asked where the Argie midfielder was following the defeat to PSG, Van Gaal replied: “Maybe you know.”
When the questioner said he did not, LVG added: “I don’t know that either.”
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Posted: 31st, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Barcelona’s Pedro joins Manchester United from Inter Milan for £4m less than Arsenal paid for him
Transfer Balls: Pedro is leaving Barcelona for Manchester United. Maybe. The media seem undecided. These news reports on the great Pedro are all from the mainstream media:
Apr 16, Daily Express: “Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd frustrated as Pedro AGREES Inter Milan switch.”
He did? No. He didn’t.
May 10, Metro: “Arsenal ‘ready to sign £26m Pedro”
Why £26m when the release clause in his contract says anyone can have him for £22m?
July 12, Daily Express: “Pedro wants to join Chelsea ahead of Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool”
Jul 15, Daily Express: “Chelsea Transfer News: Pedro deal imminent”
Imminent is defined by the Daily Express Bumper Books of Words as: ‘never’.
July 22, Evening Standard: “Manchester United set to confirm Pedro signing within 48 hours”
July 23, Daily Express: “Barcelona president confirms Pedro will not be joining Man United, Chelsea or Arsenal”
Just 24 hours to go, then, until Pedro signs.
July 24, Daily Star: “Pedro desperate for Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Utd switch”
24 hour passes. Pedro remains at Barcelona.
July 29, Daily Express: “Manchester United rocked as Bayern Munich launch bid for Barcelona’s Pedro”
Have United actually made a bid for Pedro?
July 29, Daily Mail: “Manchester United to wait on Angel di Maria before bidding for Pedro”
No. They have not.
July 29, Daily Express: “PEDRO is set to wear a Manchester United shirt this season”
July 29, The Herald: “Man United deal for Pedro could be done by weekend”
July 29, The Telegraph: Pedro has told those close to him that he will be moving to Old Trafford.
July 29, The Metro: “Pedro ‘agrees personal terms with Manchester United”
Pedro rem,ins a Barcelona player.
Posted: 29th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Chelsea defy the Daily Express with Jese Rodriguez inaction
Transfer Balls: Hear the one about the Real Madrid “star” who doesn’t want to join Chelsea? The Daily Express has:
Real Madrid star: I don’t want to join Chelsea
We meet Jese Rodriguez, 22. We want to know what he has against Chelsea?
“I’ve never wanted to leave. I’m very grateful to the coach for counting on me. He’s shown he has faith in me. I’ll try to make the most of every opportunity I get. Coming back midway through last season as I had to do and not play, then play was far more complicated. I feel better. The injury is well behind me and I feel great. I don’t mind where I play. I like all attacking positions so I can adapt easily.”
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Posted: 29th, July 2015 | In: Chelsea, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Arsenal V Chelsea: it’s the economics, stupid
It’s Arsenal v Chelsea in the Community Shield and the Press are turning it into battle between the clubs’ respective managers, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho.
Having heard Mourinho engage in the kind of maths politicians use to tell the masses that a deficit is actually a surplus, Wenger responds:
“We spend when we think we have to spend and do not listen to what people think or say. When we don’t have the money, we don’t spend the money we haven’t got.”
It’s Jose’s good fortune that Chelsea manager Roman Abramovich has yet to call in the £1bn-plus interest free loan he handed the Blues.
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Posted: 29th, July 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Rojo’s criminal stupidity costs him dear
It’s easily done. Marcos Rojo, the charming Manchester United defender, was barred from boarding a flight from Buenos Aires to San Jose, California, because he forgot to renew his passport and obtain the right visa.
On the day of departure, Rojo’s mental checklist departed from the traditional: ‘Tickets, oven, passport …’ to something akin to: ‘Gel, mirror, gel…’
The Times says the error will cost Rojo a fine of two weeks wages. How much is that? It’s £140,000! For the price of another big tattoo, Rojo could employ a passport wallah to spend a few moments each morning shouting out how many days are left until the passport expires, or counting down the hours before the milk in his fridge turns. Redirect the cash from a saucer-sized watch and he’s got a speaking clock no more than 10 steps behind him at any time.
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Posted: 28th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Chelsea: Mourinho loves looking at Arsenal, mocks Pelligrini and fails his maths test
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been talking with the Times Matt Hughes in Montreal, Canada
On Mistakes:
“I’m accepting of mistakes, but not accepting of a lot of mistakes. Mistakes are a part of the game, but a lot of mistakes are not. I’m emotional and this game doesn’t allow us to make lots of mistakes because we are punished for that.”
On Referees:
“…when there is an accumulation of mistakes like we had last season, I’m sorry, I find it difficult to accept. If I make too many mistakes and I put players on the bench then I’m sacked. Referees should be given a rest if they make mistakes, if only to take pressure off them.”
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Posted: 28th, July 2015 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Did Roy Hodgson say Raheem Sterling was better off at Manchester City than Liverpool?
Can the Sun endear itself to Liverpool fans? No. The paper’s Charlie Wyett has go by telling everyone:
‘ROY HODGSON will infuriate Liverpool fans after saying Raheem Sterling will become a BETTER player now he is at Manchester City.’
Hogdson, the erudite, circumspect and likeable former Liverpool actually said that Sterling would become a better player because Manchester City make better players than Liverpool?
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Manchester United sign average Romero as brilliant De Gea moves to Real Madrid
The saga of David De Gea’s protracted move from a rather desperate Manchester United (£230 spent on new players since Van Gaal arrived a season ago) to Real Madrid has led to the arrival of Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero at Old Trafford.
Only a few days ago, The Daily Express thundered:
You are staying! Louis van Gaal tells David De Gea to forget Real Madrid move this summer
Rubbish, of course. With just one year left on his United deal, Van Gaal knows De Gea is leaving.
As the BBC writes:
Manchester United have signed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero as a result of the uncertainty over David De Gea.
What do we know of Romero? Well, he won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title under Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar.
Says Van Gaal:
“We have to prepare our season with the threat that David De Gea is going to Real Madrid. You need always competition. When I see that a player is better than the player in the line-up, he shall play the next match.”
Will he fit in quickly to life at United?
“Of course, he has to learn English because that is also a problem always with a foreigner. He is very good with his feet, so he fits in our profile. I have a lot of confidence that he can fulfil what we are expecting.”
Says Romero:
“I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester United. To play for the biggest club in the world is a dream come true for me. Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career.”
Romero joined as free agent from Sampdoria.
Posted: 27th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Van Gaal criticises Ashley Young and dreams of a superstar like Chelsea’ Eden Hazard
Louis van Gaal has spent £230 million in 12 months trying to turn Manchester United into a winning team. But what he really wants is a superstar, like Cristiano Ronaldo:
“He may come, but it is not possible. Why not? Because you have the club [Real Madrid], you have Ronaldo and then you have Manchester United and how much Manchester United want to spend.”
For £230m surely Van Gaal could have brought Ronaldo to United and at least one other superstar. As it is, he bought fourth place in the Premier League and a reputation for playing a long-ball game.
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Posted: 27th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Liverpool: James Milner earns more than he did at Manchester City
Liverpool’s James Milner “turned down £165,000 a week to remain at Manchester City”, writes the Sun. The paper works out that Milner sacrificed £65,000 a week to reignite his career at Anfield.
Is he really on £100,000 a week because the Guardian says Milner is paid £150,000 a week at Liverpool? And that £165,000 a week was based on the top figure, taking into account win and appearance bonuses at City. The Mail says Miler was earning £100,000 a week at City – which would mean he took a pay rise to join Liverpool.
And what of the signing-on fee at Liverpool, of which the Sun makes no mention? As a free agent, the Mirror says any fee would have been “huge“.
The Sun aims is to present Milner as something different to all other top players, the one who does it for love not money. But the facts don’t support the portrayal. Milner earns more at Liverpool than he did at City. The move has not cost him £65,000 a week.
Says Milner:
“… I think the move to Liverpool and to take that mantle of central midfield was more of a selfish move. This is a chance for me to prove something. I want to look back at my career and feel I got everything out of it and was the best player I could be and won as much as I could.
“I don’t want to be sat at the end of my career thinking I could have done more or left something out there.
“I believe I can achieve things here where I could maybe have found myself on the bench at City and just taken the money.”
Now he takes the money and knows he’ll play.
Posted: 26th, July 2015 | In: Liverpool, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Manchester City lose Premier League before it’s begun, says the Sun
It’s panic stations at Manchester City. The Premier League season hasn’t even started and City are doomed. Utter balls, of course. But, then, we did read it on the Sun, which tells of City “HELL” and “a player crisis” for the big Premier League kick-off.
Boss Manuel Pellegrini watched in horror as new boy Fabian Delph was taken off on a stretcher 18 minutes into his debut — as City were torn apart 4-1 by Real Madrid in Melbourne.
What will City do without their nth choice midfielder?
And Pell then admitted that star striker Sergio Aguero, midfielder Fernandinho and defenders Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis could also miss the opener at West Brom on August 10.
“Admitted” that players who took part in the Copa America might not figure in the season’s opener – a stance in keeping with Arsenal and all other clubs who saw their men in South America?
That’s “Hell”?
It’s going to be a long season.
Posted: 25th, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Chelsea: Mourinho attacks Kevin De Bruyne for the club’s errors
Chelsea manager José Mourinho says Kevin De Bruyne, the player he sold for £18, and Manchester City are willing to pay up to £50m to sign, does not regret letting him go.
The Belgium midfielder left Chelsea for German club Wolfsburg in January 2014 after only six months in Mourinho’s first-team Chelsea squad.
He has gone on to garner rave reviews. Pep Guardiola, the Bayern Munich coach, calls De Bruyne “a huge talent”.
Chelsea did not include a buy-back clause in his contract.
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Arsenal can buy Gareth Bale but not Messi says Gunners boss
Arsenal director Philip Charles Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham, tells the Daily Mail the Gunners are rich enough to buy almost any player in the world.
So why don’t they?
The story begins: “Arsene Wenger has more than £200m in the bank, says Arsenal director.”
“We would back him to break the club’s transfer record. If he wanted the man, he could have him,” says Harris (estimated wealth: £285m). “Apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, he could have any player.”
Karim Benzema? Eden Hazard? Gareth Bale?
Arsenal’s most expensive recruits have been:
Mesut Ozil – Real Madrid, £42.4m, September 2013
Alexis Sanchez – Barcelona, £35m, July 2014
Andrey Arshavin – Zenit St Petersburg, £15m, February 2009
Santi Cazorla – Malaga, £15m, August 2012
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Southampton, £15m, August 2011
Undoubtedly Arsenal are spending more on players than ever before. But surely it’s fantasy to believe they have the same financial muscles as Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, Chelsea or Bayern Munich.
“Money was tight when we moved to the Emirates but it’s a lot freer now,” continues Lord Harris. “We could go into the market and probably buy any player in the world, apart from half a dozen who are unbuyable. We get a list of the players that Wenger wants. On the list is a centre forward, but I’m not going to tell you who he is.
“You’ve got to get the other team to want to sell him, but I think he wants to come. It basically comes down to whether the other team can find a superstar to replace him, because they don’t have to sell.”
So. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema it is, then. Unless PSG, Chelsea, Man City, Man United etc. outbid the Gunners.
Posted: 24th, July 2015 | In: Arsenal, Money, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Arsenal want Spanish striker Fernando Llorente
Arsenal are chasing Spanish striker Fernando Llorente. The Sun reasons that with Karim Benzema vying with Lord Lucan and the Blue Peter tortoise to get to Arsenal fastest, Arsenal Wenger will target Juventus Llorente.
But wasn’t it just this week that Llorente was the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United. The Daily Mirror screamed: “Revealed! ‘Secret’ Manchester United transfer target is Fernando Llorente of Juventus.”
“It’s Arsenal who’ve been in contact — not United,” says a source in no way linked to Llorente’s agent. “They have made an inquiry but there is no bid yet. But it is clear they are interested and it is also clear that Juventus are ready to listen.”
Llorente, 30, is fourth choice striker at Juventus.
As for Benzema, well, does anyone really suppose Arsenal will capture a player who commands big wages at Real Madrid and is fancied by moneybags Paris Saint-Germain?
And then we hear from Benzema’s agent, Karim Djaziri, who says: “Karim is very happy at Real Madrid and he will be a Madrid player by the end of this transfer window, 1,000 per cent. He is not looking to move anywhere this summer.”
Unless a huge bid comes in and he leaves.
Transfer Balls: Watch Ronaldo edge closer to Manchester United in a fantasy row with ‘hombre’ Benitez
Transfer Balls: Is Cristiano Ronaldo heading back to Manchester United?
In “Utd Ron alert Rafa row opens door”, the Sun says Real Madrid’s new manager and and Crisitiano Ronaldo have “clashed“. The pair have a “deteriorating relationship”.
Evidence of a row seems based on a very small incident – well, ok, two very small incidents. With Real Madrid in Melbourne “Ronaldo had a pop at new Madrid boss Benitez during training on Wednesday after having a goal disallowed” for offside”.
Ronaldo, 30, said “vai caralho”. The Sun runs it through Google translate and says it means “‘c**k’ but loosely translated can mean the F-word”.
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Posted: 24th, July 2015 | In: manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Arsenal target Julian Draxler defies the Daily Express
Transfer Balls: did Arsenal ever get their hands on Julian Draxler?
October 10, 2014, Daily Express: “ARSENAL will match Julian Draxler’s £37million Schalke release clause”
June 16, Daily Express: “Arsenal head Man United and Chelsea in race for wantaway German midfielder:
JULIAN DRAXLER wants to move to the Premier League, with Arsenal in pole position to sign the midfielder.
June 18, Daily Express: “Germany star Julian Draxler keen to SECURE move to Arsenal, Chelsea or Man United
How keen?
JULIAN DRAXLER is reportedly desperate to move to the Premier League this summer.
July 16, Daily Express: “Arsenal boosted as Julian Draxler’s agent shoots down Juventus move”
July 22, Daily Express: “SCHALKE have given permission to Juventus to negotiate personal terms with Julian Draxler”
How much?
July 22, Daily Express: “Schalke: Arsenal target Julian Draxler allowed to agree personal terms after £14m bid”
Has he signed for Arsenal? No.
Transfer Balls: Manchester City buy Kevin De Bruyne for an ever-increasing fee
Transfer Balls: How much is Kevin De Bruyne worth to Manchester City?
June 30, 2015, Daily Star: “Man City suffer blow in pursuit of £30m-rated ex-Chelsea star Kevin de Bruyne”
July 2, Daily Express: “Manchester City are willing to spend up in excess of £35million for Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne”
July 22, Daily Mail: “Manchester City open talks over £40m Kevin De Bruyne move”
July 22, Daily Telegraph: “Man City transfer news: Kevin De Bruyne likely to arrive for £50m'”
July 23, The Metro: “‘Manchester City ‘close in on £56m Kevin July 23, The MDe Bruyne transfer deal”
July 23, Daily Mirror: “‘The £60m Reject – City Ready To Smash British Record For De Bruyne”
Posted: 23rd, July 2015 | In: Manchester City, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Christian Benteke drips for Liverpool
Transfer Balls: Christian Benteke has signed for Liverpool. He has joined, as ever, “to win things”. But the Indy writes:
“Liverpool signing appears to have been decorating before £32.5m switch, specks of paint spotted on jeans”
Eh?
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Manchester United ‘abandoning’ their history says Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger
Did Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger say Manchester United are trying to buy glory? The Times reports:
Arsène Wenger has accused Manchester United of abandoning the club’s tradition of youth development in pursuit of short-term success…
He did?
Wenger contrasted United’s new approach to Arsenal’s philosophy, which he claims remains geared to producing players, albeit many of them recruited from all over the world as teenagers.
Wenger said that? It’s seems out of character. Frenchman is hardly the most gung-ho individual. Take what he says about the coming season and Arsenal chances of winning the Premier League title:
“All going well, I feel we have a chance. But I cannot guarantee we will win the title. We now have the stability that gives us strength but it’s very difficult to guess how strong the other teams will be.
“There have been times in the past when I knew we could not win it. When you just squeeze into the top four and see others strengthening while you are losing players, it is difficult to be convinced you can still win the league.”
Back, then, to the Times and is story on Wenger attacking Man United for “abandoning” it’s roots:
“With United’s success they have created huge financial resources and today there is no patience for them to continue to do what they did — and they have the financial resources to go with a different policy. As well, they do not have available the players like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham inside the club, because youth talent is spread more through 20 clubs than it was 20 years ago.”
So. He didn’t say United were buying success. Wenger said the market has changed because United grew rich through glory brought about by sound planning and Alex Ferguson’s management skills. They can now spend huge amounts of money.
As for the homemade players coming through:
Of players who came through the Old Trafford academy, Evans made the most Premier League starts last season with 12, the same number as Paddy McNair, followed by Adnan Januzaj with seven and Tyler Blackett, right, with six.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 23rd, July 2015 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Sergi Samper becomes Arsenal and Liverpool superstar
Arsenal have tabled a £8.5m offer for Barcelona’s Sergi Samper. Well, so says the Sun:
Samper, 20, is currently behind Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Sergi Roberto in the Nou Camp pecking order.
But the Metro says Sergi Roberto is close to joining Everton move”. If true (and yep, this is the Metro) Samper is either third or fourth choice pick for his slot in Barcelona’s central midfield.
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Posted: 23rd, July 2015 | In: Arsenal, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
