Reading all these stories coming out the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust meeting last night that Arsene Wenger has a £50millon transfer kitty. That is not really true. Yes Arsenal made around £50millon profit, but not qualifying for the Champions League will cost the club £45millon, wiping out the cash balance.
So how did Arsenal make such a large profit? By selling players. Player sales during the summer of 2011 (with estimated fees) were: Fabregas (£29m – initial payment), Nasri (£25m), Clichy (£7m), Eboue (£4m) and Traore (£1m). These transactions will generate substantial profits as the book value of these players would have been limited due to their contract status, and therefore the profit on player trading is likely to be over £55m (£66m gross receipts less £10m book value). In all, Arsenal generated a transfer profit of around £55m. Read more...(309 words, 1 image, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)
United’s six month financial results were released on Tuesday and one of the things that jumped out at me was the huge rise in wages paid to players.
With the retirement and sale of older players like Garry Neville, VDS, O’Shea, Brown, Obertan and Scholes (his return is not included in these figures) and younger (and you would imagine cheaper) players coming in, I expected United’s wage bill to stay even if not drop. But the opposite happened. Read more...(449 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
First-year head coach Jay Heaps brings his energy and competitiveness to a New England Revolution team looking forward to an improved 2012. Midfielders Shalrie Joseph, Benny Feilhaber & Kelyn Rowe, and defender AJ Soares talk about how Heaps is already making an impact.
Once again Chelsea took the lead away from home in a Champions League tie, and just like they did in the group stages, they let that led get away as they 3-1 in Napoli in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie.
It was three really poor goals that Chelsea gave up in Italy tonight. And it really cost them because this is not a great Napoli side, and I believe Chelsea can get more than the two goals they need to progress at Stamford Bridge in three weeks. Read more...(605 words, 1 image, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)
Have to say that I am really surprised to hear that Carlos Tevez has issued a full apology to Roberto Mancini and the City players, clearing the way for him to re-join the first team squad as soon as he is fit.
“Carlos Tevez has today apologised to all concerned for his recent conduct. Carlos returned to the football club last Tuesday, following a three month absence from duties, without permission. “Carlos said, ‘I wish to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to everybody I have let down and to whom my actions over the last few months have caused offence. My wish is to concentrate on playing football for Manchester City Football Club.’ Read more...(229 words, 1 image, estimated 55 secs reading time)
Here are highlights from this weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round ties:
Liverpool 6-1 Brighton
Three own goals helped Liverpool ease past Brighton to secure an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Stoke.
Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal
Arsenal’s troubled season took another turn for the worse after they were deservedly beaten by a rejuvenated Sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round.
Chelsea 1-1 Birmingham
Daniel Sturridge’s second-half header spared Chelsea a humiliating FA Cup fifth-round exit against Birmingham but did nothing to ease the pressure on Andre Villas-Boas.
Liverpool are on track for three trips to Wembley this season as they beat championship side Brighton 6-1 at home to set up an all Premier meeting with Stoke City in the quarter-finals. Stoke, last season’s beaten finalists, beat Millwall 2-0 in their fifth round tie. Stoke will be looking for cup revenge after losing to Liverpool in the Carling Cup earlier this season.
In another all Premier League tie, Everton will meet Sunderland at Goodison Park on the weekend of March 17-18, after wins over Blackpool and Arsenal respectively. Everton last won the competition in 1995, while Sunderland’s best season since reaching the final 20 years ago came in 2004 when they were beaten semi-finalists. Read more...(255 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says that he is still to decide whether or not to renew his contract with the European champions when it expires at the end of the season.
“I don’t know yet,” he said during a press conference ahead of Barça’s league game at home to Valencia tomorrow. “If the club needs a response straight away, I’d have to decide because the club is the most important thing. But they haven’t given me a deadline for the time being.” Read more...(275 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
It was a disappointing day for Chelsea and Arsenal fans in the FA Cup fifth round. Chelsea were held at home by championship side Birmingham City while Arsenal’s miserable week continued as they lost 2-0 at Sunderland.
A week after an added time Thierry Henry goal have Arsenal a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Martin O’Neil’s team gained their revenge to cap off a horrible four days for Arsenal who were ripped apart at the San Siro in midweek. Read more...(328 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
After a two month absence the Champions League returns the week with the first batch of round of 16 first legs. Here is a look at the four games slated for this week:
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
Josep Guardiola’s side may be struggling to keep pace with Real Madrid in La Liga but at first glance they should present a tough task for Leverkusen. But if are to play Barcelona then this is the round to play them because since Pep Guardiola took charge of Barcelona, the team has never won the away leg of the last-16 round. Read more...(501 words, 1 image, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)
Reading all these stories coming out the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust meeting last night that Arsene Wenger has a £50millon transfer kitty. That is not really true. Yes Arsenal made around £50millon profit, but not qualifying for the Champions League will cost the club £45millon, wiping out the cash balance.
