Champions League | Premier League | La Liga | Serie A

November 17, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona, Real Madrid

La Liga Slashes Barcelona’s Wage Cap By Almost 300m

La Liga has reduced Barcelona’s wage cap from €671 million last season to €382.7m this season, a fall of €288.3m in the wake of the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barcelona will have nearly €383 million to spend on salaries, compared to €671 million euros last season. Madrid has the biggest cap this season at €468 million, down from €641 million euros a year ago, while Atletico Madrid are at €252.7m from €384.5m.

The wage caps that La Liga have imposed on other clubs include Sevilla at €186 million, Villarreal €145 million and Valencia at €103 million euros. Promoted Elche will have the smallest salary cap at €34 million euros ($40 million). Read more... (357 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

November 3, 2020 David

Premier League

Canadian Alphonso Davies Named Europe’s Most Valuable Young Player

In a first for Canadian soccer, Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies has been ranked the most valuable young footballer in Europe. Davies is ranked number one, well ahead of Jadon Sancho, Ansu Fati and Erling Haaland.

According to an algorithm modelled by the CIES Football Observatory, 19-year-old Davies has the highest estimated transfer value of any player born in the 2000s who is currently playing in one of Europe’s “big five” leagues — standing at a hefty €180 million.

The CIES values are scientifically calculated using an array of variables, such as the player’s age, their contact duration, international status and expected career trajectory, as well as transfer market levels and club finances. Read more... (242 words, 1 image, estimated 58 secs reading time)

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020 David

Major League Soccer, News, Tickets, World Cup

Is This The Most Talented US Men’s Squad Ever?

USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter has named a squad for a pair of friendlies later this month, that might be the most talented squad the U.S. has ever named.

The 2002 U.S. team that reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup was arguably the best team of the modern era, but Berhalter has a young team, average age is 21 years, that is comprised entirely of players who play in Europe.

Traditionally, U.S. players in Europe played for second-tier clubs. But never with the elite clubs. That has changed now with nine American’s playing in the Champions League this season including RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams, Barcelona’s Sergino Dest, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic. Read more... (303 words, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)

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October 28, 2020October 30, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona

Fifa Not Aware Of Agreement For Barcelona To Join European Super League

Fifa says it is not aware of any agreement for Barcelona to join a European Super League. Outgoing Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the club had begun proceedings as he announced his resignation on Tuesday.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Bartomeu announced that the Spanish club has agreed to join the proposed European Super League in an attempt to guarantee the club’s future financial sustainability.

“I can announce some news that will in an extraordinary way change the club’s revenue prospects for the coming years,” Bartomeu said towards the end of his press conference. Read more... (457 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

October 28, 2020 David

Barcelona, La Liga

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu Resigns

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has resigned along with the entire board of directors. Bartomeu’s decision comes after several months of criticism in the wake of Barcelona’s 8-2 Champions League elimination to Bayern Munich, as well as Lionel Messi’s shock request to leave the club shortly after.

By resigning, Bartomeu avoided becoming the first president to be kicked out by a vote of no confidence. Campaigners needed 66% of votes to get rid of him and estimations were 80% of the vote was against him. Read more... (325 words, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 David

Barcelona, La Liga

Barcelona Players Sign Extensions With Lower Wages

Four senior Barcelona players have signed new contracts which include a temporary salary reduction because of the impact of coronavirus.

The signings is a big win for embattled Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu as they bat back criticism that he and the board have lost the dressing room. That Bartomeu was able to get Pique and ter Stegen to sign new deals with club is a big win for him.

Long-serving centre-back Gerard Pique, keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, defender Clement Lenglet and midfielder Frenkie de Jong have extended their deals. Read more... (253 words, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

October 22, 2020 David

Arsenal, Premier League

Arsenal Banish Mesut Ozil

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he feels he has “failed” with midfielder Mesut Ozil after leaving him out of his 25-man Premier League squad.

The German, who had also been omitted from the Europa League squad, can now only play for Arsenal Under-23s until his deal expires in summer 2021.

The 32-year-old, who joined Arsenal for a then club record £42.4m in 2013, has not played for the club since 7 March.

“My conscience is very calm because I have been really fair,” said Arteta. Read more... (582 words, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

October 21, 2020October 22, 2020 David

Man Utd.

Manchester United Finances Hit Hard By COVID

Manchester United suffered a £70m drop in revenue in the period to 30 June 2020 as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

United’s overall revenue was down 18.8% from £627.1m to £509m, but part of this was due to the club not qualifying for last season’s Champions League. In last year’s statement, United had estimated revenues could reach £580m.

Overall, United made a net £18.9m profit in 2018-19 and a net £23.2m loss in the most recent financial year.

It was also confirmed within the results that the Glazers still took an additional £23.23m out of the club in the form of share dividends. Read more... (423 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

October 19, 2020 David

Liverpool, Premier League

Virgil van Dijk Ruled Out For Season

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was right to be concerned about Virgil van Dijk’s injury after the Merseyside derby as the defender has been ruled out for the season after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage.

The grade three tear that Van Dijk has suffered – which was revealed during a scan on Saturday night – will require surgery to be corrected but Liverpool do not have a date for when the operation will be performed. For that reason, they will not put a timeframe on his recovery program. Read more... (397 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

October 18, 2020October 17, 2020 David

La Liga, Real Madrid

Zidane Offers ‘No Excuses’ After Real Madrid Lose To Cadiz

Zinedine Zidane admitted Real Madrid could have conceded two or three goals in a nightmare first-half display against Cadiz that contributed to their shock 1-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Liga new boys picked up their third win of the season at the expense of the reigning champions, going joint-top of the league in the process.

A single goal from Anthony Lozano after 16 minutes was enough to sink Zidane’s charges, who went into the weekend’s fixtures as sole leaders in Spain but now share the summit with Cadiz, Granada and Malaga. Read more... (376 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)