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.

May 25, 2020May 24, 2020 David

Ligue 1, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Premier League, Serie A

Transfer News: Chelsea Enter The Mauro Icardi Bidding War

Chelsea are reportedly in the hunt for Mauro Icardi, as PSG struggle to agree a permanent transfer for the on loan striker with his parent club Inter Milan.

The Argentina international joined the Ligue 1 champions, awarded the 2019-20 title after the season in France was cancelled last month, on a season-long-loan at a cost of €13m, scoring 20 goals in 31 competitive games. PSG had an option to make the loan permanent for €70m.

With Edinson Cavani leaving on a free transfer, PSG are keen to do a deal but don’t want to pay the full price, and had an offer of €50m plus €10m in bonuses rejected by Inter last week, who want the full price for the Argentina international. Read more... (290 words, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)

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May 24, 2020 David

Serie A, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Serie A To Return June 13 or 20

Italian Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora confirms Serie A could resume ‘on June 13 or 20,’ while there is the possibility of showing games free to air on television.

Italy is already well into Phase Two of the coronavirus pandemic response, with deaths and new cases falling daily for several weeks.

“We are working on two possible dates to begin Serie A games, on June 13 or 20,” Spadafora told Rai TG3.

“The protocol arrived for resuming the season and it is very similar to the one that was agreed for training. On Thursday, we’ll decide if and when to resume.” Read more... (239 words, estimated 57 secs reading time)

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May 24, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona, Real Madrid

La Liga To Resume Behind Closed Doors On 8 June

La Liga can resume behind closed doors from 8 June, says Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. La Liga president Javier Tebas also stated the league will work with clubs in the coming days, to establish an exact return date, likely to be from June 12.

La Liga players this week started training in groups of no more than 10.

“Spain has done what it should and now new horizons are opening for everyone. The time has come to bring back many day-to-day activities,” said Sanchez.

“From 8 June, La Liga will be back. Spanish football has a huge following but it will not be the only recreational activity that will return.” Read more... (333 words, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

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May 23, 2020May 24, 2020 David

Man Utd., Premier League

Manchester United Financials Show Impact Of Shutdown

Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, addressed the club’s investors on Thursday to discuss the club’s latest set of financial results, the numbers sounded bleak.

Over a 40 per cent increase in net debt, revenues down and an estimated £23 million ($28m) already lost due to Covid-19 made up the headlines, and the worst is yet to come as these numbers are through only the end of March.

Games behind closed doors, the club’s shop and museum remaining closed and a huge reduction in broadcast revenue will ensure the next quarter’s results have a similarly negative impact. Read more... (590 words, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

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May 12, 2020 David

Ligue 1, Inter Milan, Serie A

PSG Want To Extend Icardi’s Loan

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly ready to ask Inter Milan to either extend Mauro Icardi’s season-long loan for another campaign or reduce the sum of the option-to-buy clause in his contract.

Icardi joined the Ligue 1 side during the summer on a season-long loan after being left out of Antonio Conte’s plans at Inter Milan, losing his place to Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez in attack.

The Argentine has done well during his season with PSG, who now the club want to re-negotiate the terms of his loan deal, according to L’Equipe. Read more... (234 words, estimated 56 secs reading time)

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May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 David

Juventus, Serie A

Juventus Impose Salary Cap

Juventus were the first big club to demand wage concessions from their players when Serie A stopped playing, a move that others across Europe quickly followed.

Are Juve trendsetters again as they have become the first Italian club to launch their own salary cap? Will other clubs follow this lead, leading to a reduction in wages across the top clubs in Europe?

From next season, the Serie A giants will hand out contracts worth a maximum of €9million a year, which works out at around €173,000 a week. Read more... (434 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

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May 11, 2020May 12, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona, Real Madrid

La Liga President Hopes For 12 June Restart

La Liga president Javier Tebas hopes Spain’s top flight will restart on 12 June and says coronavirus tests will mean “practically zero” risk to players during games.

The league said on Sunday that five players had tested positive for the virus across Spain’s top two divisions. La Liga started testing players last week as it plans to resume training and play matches behind closed doors.

“I’d like it [the restart date] to be 12 June,” Tebas told Movistar.

“But we have to be careful. It will depend on many factors such as a potential rise in infections, factors which don’t depend on football but on Spanish society. Read more... (323 words, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

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April 30, 2020 David

Ligue 1

PSG Named Champions Of Ligue 1

Paris St Germain have been crowned champions of Ligue 1 after the French football season ended early due to the coronavirus crisis.

PSG had a 12-point lead over second-placed Marseille when the season was suspended as part of the French government’s measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Didier Quillot, chief executive of the French League, said:

“We have decided there would be two promotions and two relegations.

The two teams who will be relegated from Ligue 1 are Amiens and Toulouse while Lens and Lorient will be promoted, while will drop down to Ligue 2. Read more... (283 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

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April 28, 2020 David

La Liga, Barcelona, Real Madrid

La Liga Presses On With Plans To Resume The Season

La Liga president Javier Tebas responded with bemusement to news the French season will end with 10 rounds of matches still to be played.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s announcement that sport in the country will not be allowed to resume before summer effectively ends the season, but Tebas warned football could disappear if it failed to restart.

He said: ‘I do not understand why there would be more danger in playing football behind closed doors, with all precautionary measures, than working on an assembly line or being on a fishing boat on the high seas. Read more... (278 words, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)

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April 28, 2020 David

Ligue 1

French Government Ends Ligue 1 Season

The 2019-20 Ligue 1 season in France has been cancelled after the prime minister Edouard Philippe announced football games, even behind closed doors, will not be allowed before September.

France has now joined the Netherlands, Belgium and Argentina in announcing the 2019-20 season is already over.

Last week, the French Professional Football League (LFP) announced plans for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 to resume on June 17, with UEFA setting a deadline of August 2 for domestic leagues to be completed. Read more... (345 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

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