David

I am a long time soccer fan who grew up in England traveling the country watching Coventry City in the 70's. Now living in the U.S. I am still as passionate about soccer as I was when I was a kid.

July 7, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Serie A

Barcelona Fail To Trigger Lautaro Martinez’s Release Clause

Barcelona have no intention of activating the €111 million (£100m) release clause in Lautaro Martinez’s contract at Inter because they don’t have the money, but the Liga giants are still keen to thrash out a deal for the Argentine.

Those at San Siro have made any suitors of their South American forward aware that one window of opportunity will swing shut at the close of play on Tuesday.

For them, that is when the current release terms in Lautaro’s contract will expire.

Barcelona consider that clause to be valid for another week, through to July 15, but have no plans to take it up regardless. Read more... (347 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

July 7, 2020 David

Barcelona, La Liga

Barcelona Expected To Sack Coach Quique Setien At End Of Season

Barcelona are prepared to sack Quique Setien as manager unless results drastically improve and they win the Liga title or Champions League this season.

The veteran coach, who only took the Camp Nou job in January as replacement for Ernesto Valverde, has lost the confidence of the Barca dressing room, while the club’s board are also unhappy with recent performances.

Unless Barca’s displays for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign have a significant upswing, it is understood that it is inevitable Setien will leave his post in the summer. Read more... (401 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

July 6, 2020July 7, 2020 David

Chelsea, Bundesliga

Chelsea Transfer News: Blues In Pole Position To Sign Kai Havertz

Chelsea are in pole position to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, after a number of rival suitors were put off by the €100 million (£90m) price tag being placed on him this summer.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on club finances across the European football landscape mean few clubs can match the resources at Stamford Bridge this summer and, as such, it has left them leading the race for the 21-year-old.

Havertz, however, wants to play Champions League football at his next club, and Frank Lampard’s side are yet to confirm their place in the competition for next season. Read more... (426 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

June 30, 2020July 7, 2020 David

Arsenal, Chelsea, FA Cup, Man City, Man Utd., Tickets

FA CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW: MManchester United face Chelsea while Arsenal take on Manchester City at empty Wembley

Manchester United face Chelsea while Arsenal will play Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

The draw features three of the Cup’s four most successful sides, with Arsenal the record 13-time winners.

United, who beat Norwich to reach the last four, have won it 12 times, while Chelsea, who edged past Leicester in the quarter-finals, have eight wins.

Both ties will be played at Wembley on the weekend of 18 and 19 July. The final is scheduled for Saturday, 1 August.

City booked their clash with the Gunners after a Kevin De Bruyne penalty and Raheem Sterling goal saw off Newcastle on Sunday evening. Read more... (193 words, estimated 46 secs reading time)

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June 27, 2020 David

FA Cup, Man Utd.

Manchester United Reach FA Cup Semi-Finals

Harry Maguire scored in extra-time winner as a poor Manchester United beat 10-man Norwich 2-1 to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

With penalties looming, the United captain broke the Canaries’ resistance with a drilled close-range effort with two minutes remaining at Carrow Road.

Odion Ighalo had given United the lead early in the second half but Todd Cantwell’s 20-yard drive, and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Tim Krul, forced extra-time after Timm Klose’s dismissal for a last-man challenge on Ighalo. Read more... (448 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

June 27, 2020 David

Liverpool, Premier League

Liverpool Are Champions Of England Once Again

Liverpool have finally ended their 30-year wait for a 19th top-flight title after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Thursday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, who thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday, have sealed their first Premier League crown with seven games still to play after City dropped points in a dramatic encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool have enjoyed a stunning season that has seen them beaten just once in the league so far – a shock 3-0 loss at struggling Watford in February – to open up an unassailable 23-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side in second. Read more... (375 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

June 22, 2020June 22, 2020 David

Premier League, Arsenal

Arsenal Players Affected By COVID-19 Before Man City Game

Arsenal endured a chaotic build-up to their return to Premier League action after three players missed three days of training due to a suspected ‘false positive’ coronavirus test, it has been revealed.

The Gunners have endured a poor start, losing to Manchester City and Brighton, while Pablo Mari, Bernd Leno and Granit Xhaka have all picked up serious injuries in their opening fixtures.

And now The Athletic have reported that it has been even worse for Mikel Arteta’s side behind the scenes after an extraordinary few days of Covid-19 testing. Read more... (404 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

June 22, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona, Real Madrid

Real Madrid Go Top Of La Liga

Real Madrid went to the top of La Liga thanks to a hard-fought victory at Real Sociedad over the weekend.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are level on points with Barca, who drew 0-0 with Sevilla on Friday, but go top because of their superior head-to-head record.

Sergio Ramos’ penalty after the lively Vinicius Jr was fouled gave the visitors the lead. Karim Benzema doubled their advantage before Mikel Merino’s strike set up a tense finale. Read more... (253 words, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)

June 18, 2020June 18, 2020 David

Juventus, Serie A

Napoli Beat Juventus To Win Coppa Italia Final

Napoli held their nerve to claim a first major trophy in six seasons by beating Juventus 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the Coppa Italia final.

Arkadiusz Milik scored the winning spot-kick after Paulo Dybala had seen his first for Juve saved, before team-mate Danilo blazed the second over.

This followed a hard-fought 0-0 over 90 minutes of few chances, played behind closed doors at the Stadio Olimpico.

It gives Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso his first major trophy as a manager.

However, for his opposite number Maurizio Sarri it is another lost piece of potential silverware. Read more... (356 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

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June 18, 2020 David

Arsenal, Man City, Premier League

Man City Thump Arsenal As The Premier League Returns

Arsenal’s David Luiz was sent off in a performance riddled with mistakes as Manchester City secured a comfortable victory behind closed doors on the first night of the Premier League’s return.

Luiz, who came on as a first-half substitute, failed to clear the ball just before half-time and Raheem Sterling fired in City’s opener.

The defender was then sent off after pulling back Riyad Mahrez in the second half to give away a penalty, which Kevin de Bruyne coolly slotted in for City’s second.

Substitute Phil Foden netted a third for the defending champions, capitalizing on a rebound from Sergio Aguero’s strike. Read more... (322 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)