Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League’s top 10 biggest s***houses including Neal Maupay and Jamie Vardy after latest Kyle Walker scrap

      by

      NEAL MAUPAY reaffirmed himself as one of the Premier League’s top s***houses after scrapping with Kyle Walker.The Brentford star has become renowned for getting under his opponent’s skin.
      Neal Maupay has become one of the Premier League’s top s***housesCredit: AFP
      Jordan Pickford is known for his anticsCredit: Reuters
      David Batty would often play a pantomime villainCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Maupay clashed with the Manchester City defender during the 3-1 defeat
      The two footballers shared angry words in the closing minutes of the game
      It is not the first time this season that Maupay has wound someone up, it was only last week that he got on the wrong side of James Maddison for copying his darts celebration.
      But where does Maupay rank in the Premier League’s top ten s***houses…
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      10. Jordan Pickford
      The Everton goalkeeper is no stranger to winding up his opponents on the pitch.
      Pickford has been seen dramatically diving on the ball in order to kill time in games.
      The England No.1 has also been known to voice his opinions as well as celebrate wildly, which he did against Newcastle earlier this season.
      9. David Batty
      The former England and Leeds midfielder gets his spot on the list for his antics against Sampdoria in a friendly.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Batty was clever in delaying free kicks, bullying the Italian team’s players.
      He later admitted that he was enjoying making everyone “laugh”.
      New footage shows Jordan Pickford making obscene gesture as Everton goalkeeper enrages Newcastle fans with celebration
      8. Erik Lamela
      Eric Lamela was no stranger to the wind-upCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The former Tottenham attacker may not have reached his full potential in England following his big money move from Roma.
      However, he provided some brilliant moments of skill and s***housery.
      The Argentine would score a rabona goal but then throw in a couple of kicks and elbows on his opponents.
      7. Robert Huth
      Robert Huth used s***housery to help Leicester City win the leagueCredit: –
      Huth was a subtle master of the art of s***housery during his time in the Premier League.
      He put his talents to use as he helped Leicester City win the Premier League.
      One famous moment was when Louis van Gaal hit out at the defender for pulling Marouane Fellaini’s hair in a game.
      The Belgian then copied the action against Arsenal, to which Huth tweeted: “Looks like I taught him well.”
      6. Diego Costa
      Diego Costa would be a pain for the oppositionCredit: Getty
      The former Chelsea striker gained a massive fanbase for his militant performances.
      While he was loved by Chelsea’s fans for the opposition’s supporters he would often take up the role of the pantomime villain.
      He did not change after leaving the Blues as he came back to haunt Liverpool in the Champions League in 2020.
      5. Aaron Ramsdale
      Aaron Rasmdale is not afraid to give it back to supportersCredit: PA
      The Arsenal keeper has become one of the best s***housers in the league since his move to the Emirates.
      Ramsdale is not afraid to give it back to opposition fans who have been chanting at him.
      He has been spotted responding to Brentford fans and celebrating at Leeds supporters at Elland Road.
      4. Luis Suarez
      Luis Suarez sunk his teeth into the art of s***houseryCredit: PA
      He once dived in front of David MoyesCredit: AFP
      Suarez was one of the best of the dark arts of football while at Liverpool.
      He once celebrated a goal against Everton by diving in front of then-manager David Moyes after the Scotsman called him out for playacting.
      His s***housery did get him into trouble a couple of times as he was slapped with a 10-gam ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, just one of his three career bites.

      3. Emmanuel Adebayor
      Emmanuel Adebayor became the enemy of Arsenal with this celebrationCredit: Getty
      Adebayor was responsible for one of the most iconic moments of s***housery in football history.
      In 2009 he netted for Manchester City just months after leaving Arsenal and proceeded to run the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Gunners’ supporters.
      Fans have never forgotten the moment, although last year he admitted that he had put it “behind him”.
      2. Neal Maupay
      Maupay has earned a reputation as a s***houseCredit: AFP
      The Brentford ace has become one of the prime suspects for s***housery in the Premier League.
      Maupay’s recent celebrations and words to irritate his opponents backs this up.
      Sometimes he does not even need to make it onto the pitch as he was booked for kicking a ball away while warming up against Chelsea.
      1. Jamie Vardy
      Jamie Vardy has always known how to wind up the crowdCredit: Reuters
      Vardy is without a doubt the king of s***housery from his time in the Premier League.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The prolific forward seemed to have planned a specific celebration against every club he faced,
      Whether he was flapping his arms like an eagle or howling like a wolf he was not afraid of being the villain. More

    • 163 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Supercomputer predicts Champions League winner with Arsenal ahead of four huge European heavyweights

      by

      A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted that Manchester City are favourites to win the Champions League.But Arsenal are also in with a shout, having been ranked above FOUR continental heavyweights.
      A supercomputer reckons Man City have the best chance of winning the Champions LeagueCredit: Alamy
      Arsenal are high on the list and ahead of several big namesCredit: Rex
      Pep Guardiola’s City made history when they scooped their first-ever European title last season.
      It was the final trophy needed to complete the Treble.
      And a supercomputer from Opta reckons City could become the second team in the last three decades to successfully defend the Champions League.
      Erling Haaland and Co have been given a meaty 31.2 per cent chance of winning the competition this year.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      That’s double the number of second-favourites Real Madrid, who have 15.7 per cent and are the only team to have won successive European Cups since AC Milan in 1990.
      Serie A leaders Inter Milan are third in the table with a 12.1 per cent chance.
      While Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich are fourth with 11.4 per cent.
      And the top five is completed by Arsenal, who have been given a 6.8 per cent chance of winning their first-ever Champions League.
      Most read in Champions League
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

      Those numbers put the Gunners ahead of European giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, who have all reached the final in the past 11 years.
      Meanwhile, the likes of Real Sociedad, PSV Eindhoven and Porto are all outsiders in the supercomputer’s books.
      Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spot
      And RB Leipzig, Napol and Lazio are seen as no-hopers.
      But Copenhagen have been written off without kicking a ball in their last-16 tie against Man City.
      The Danish minnows picked up points against Man United and Bayern in the group stage.
      Yet they have been given a flat ZERO per cent chance of winning the tournament. More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Only Jose Mourinho can sort Chelsea out, Pochettino has failed and will get hammered in the Carabao Cup final

      by

      IT IS CLEAR Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea is not working and that the club is in a malaise.Only one man can change that: Jose Mourinho.
      Jose Mourinho is the only man that can change ChelseaCredit: Getty

      For most of the past two decades Chelsea have had a win-at-all-costs mentality.
      The players have been strong – physically and mentally – and the football has been effective and efficient.
      Players like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Diego Costa were beloved at Stamford Bridge – and hated everywhere else.
      However, post-Roman Abramovich’s era, Chelsea feel like a club without an identity on or off the pitch.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Chelsea doesn’t feel like Chelsea anymore. Reappointing Mourinho would immediately give us that identity back.
      Despite managing great clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester United, when you think of Mourinho, you think of Chelsea.
      It was Mourinho who established this identity in his first spell as manager, three years in which he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup.
      Much is made of the third season of his second spell where things went spectacularly wrong, but in the second season he won a third Premier League title and another League Cup.
      Most read in Football
      In the first he took Chelsea to the semi finals of the Champions League, achievements that look a million miles away from the current position at Stamford Bridge.
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      He is a serial winner and has proved this throughout his career.
      Mourinho is also a charismatic leader, and while there are some talented young footballers at Stamford Bridge, there is a dearth of talismanic figures at the club for fans to hang our hopes on.
      Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino APOLOGISES to fuming fans after watching his side thumped by Wolves
      Critics of Mourinho will say his style of football is from a bygone era, that the game has evolved through the tactics of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
      But anyone watching Chelsea under Pochettino and Graham Potter would struggle to find any kind of style of football at all.
      Everyone knows how Mourinho is going to set up. Ask people to describe how Chelsea play under Pochettino… they will struggle.
      The League Cup final is looming large at the end of the month, and as well as being an important trophy in its own right, it is the only realistic chance of European football next season.
      Under Pochettino there is no chance we will win it.
      With serial winner and talismanic leader Mourinho in charge we might. Bring him home.

      Why Chelsea must STICK with PochTODD BOEHLY would be a fool to sack Mauricio Pochettino before this month’s Carabao Cup Final, SunSport’s Chelsea correspondent Andy Dillon writes.
      Todd Boehly would be a fool to sack Mauricio Pochettino before this month’s Carabao Cup Final.
      But then all common sense went out of the window along with the personal effects of three other managers since the American chairman took over Chelsea less than two years ago.
      Boehly and his pal Behdad Eghbali bought Chelsea for £2.5bn in May 2022 and promised to invest a further £1.75bn in revolutionising the entire squad.
      They have certainly done that. Pochettino is famed for his ability to develop young players but is getting nowhere fast with the costly collection of individuals dumped on him by Chelsea’s transfer department
      Getting them to the Carabao Cup final on February 25 is a miracle. That they look destined to get ripped apart by Liverpool at Wembley is another matter.
      Pochettino admits his job is not safe. But one thing is for sure, he will not quit. As much as some of those Chelsea fans calling for his head in Sunday’s humiliating 4-2 home defeat by Wolves would like.
      They were also singing for former owner Roman Abramovich – so Boehly is not safe either. 
      The deposed Russian, now in exile, is always the person of first resort that a bunch of supporters used to winning big things every year reach for when times are tough. It won’t happen so the fans need to get used to that idea. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Why winning the Carabao Cup could be the worst thing Pochettino does at Chelsea, thanks to little known rule

      by

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO knows his Chelsea future could rest on this month’s Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool – if he lasts that long.But the Blues hierarchy might privately wonder if a Wembley win could end up causing the club MORE financial problems than defeat against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
      Mauricio Pochettino is fighting to keep his Chelsea jobCredit: Getty
      Todd Boehly faces financial woes at ChelseaCredit: Rex
      Victory on February 25 would earn Pochettino his first piece of silverware in English football after his spate of near-misses at Spurs.
      It would also ensure that the Blues would be back in Europe next season – but only in the Conference League.
      And that is where the money men inside Stamford Bridge could well be starting to get more than slightly concerned.
      Financial analysts including former Manchester City executive Stefan Borsson have already predicted that Chelsea will have to sell players in the six week gap between the end of the season and the close of the football financial year on June 30 to avoid breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
      READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
      Those regulations give clubs leeway to make “allowable losses” of £105m over three seasons.
      The latest figures from accountants Deloitte estimated Chelsea’s annual wage bill at £350m, while their current “amortisation costs” of transfers is believed to be in the realm of £180m-plus heading into next year.
      Chelsea are already likely to earn at least £17m less in Prem TV money than they had envisaged.
      A top six place would be worth around £157m compared to the £140m if they remain in their current 11th position.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Then you can factor in two years of missing out of at least £75m in Champions League revenue.
      But more of a concern is that qualifying for Europe would mean Chelsea having to meet Uefa’s far MORE stringent financial rules – or face significant penalties.
      ‘All bets are off’ at ‘madhouse’ Chelsea says Sun Sport’s Andy Dillon following defeat against Wolves
      Under Uefa rules, introduced this season, clubs competing in any competition next term will be restricted to spending a maximum 80 per cent of their revenues on wages and transfers.
      Chelsea’s income is likely to fall to below £450m this season and next, with the Conference League worth no more than a maximum £15m if a team wins every game.
      Assuming that £450m income figure, Chelsea will not be allowed to spend more than £360m – which, given their current wage-bill, leaves just £10m to play with.
      In addition, Uefa’s FFP regulations, which will be a two year calculation next season, will only allow losses of £34m across 2023 and 2024, with calculation now done on a calendar year basis.

      It makes the prospect of Chelsea embarking on another huge summer spending spree, whoever is the manager, far less likely.
      Because the Blues regime amortised the transfer fees of the majority of their recruits over the past 18 months across up to eight seasons, they are carrying huge costs.
      Those sums still hanging over each player must be taken off the profits for any sales – so Chelsea would, for example, have to agree a deal of £38m for Marc Cucarella, £50m for injury-prone Wesley Fofana or £39m for unwanted Romelu Lukaku to avoid LOSING money of the departures.
      The “profit” point for both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez is around £88m.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Prem rules are already forcing all clubs, including Chelsea, to rethink their approaches.
      But, bizarre as it sounds, getting into the Conference League might become a major nightmare – and effectively scotch their hopes of a summer of statement signings. More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City make transfer decision on Erling Haaland with star striker yet to agree terms on new contract with champions

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA says Manchester City love Erling Haaland so much they want him to stay for a DECADE.The Norwegian striker’s return after two months out with a foot injury has brought fresh reports linking him with Real Madrid.
      Interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid has been talked up but Pep Guardiola says Man City hope to keep Erling Haaland for a ‘long time’Credit: Getty
      Talks over a new deal with the Treble winners have yet to result in anything official.
      And in Spain it is said Haaland, 23, does not like living in Manchester.
      But boss Guardiola said: “What do you think, we don’t want Erling to stay here for one decade? Honestly. Yes, we want him to stay for a long time in this club. We are in love with him.
      “First, it’s an honour the important clubs want our players but in the end the players decide.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      “But,   of  course,  we want to keep our best players. We need good players.”
      Haaland was born in Leeds while his dad Alfie was playing for the Whites.
      Despite the reports from Spain, Haaland gave an interview to City last week in which he spoke about how settled he feels in Manchester.
      Asked what he liked most about life in the North West, he said: “I’m a football guy, for me it’s easy for my family to come over, right over the sea, really close.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL

      “I like the vibes, the positivity from the fans when I meet them. The banter. Also, the English people in general.
      “I love to joke like them — we are similar in Norway, we like the banter.“People see us on the streets, United fans, we joke with each other.”
      Haaland banged in a record 52 goals in all competitions last term — his debut season for City.
      He added: “The first season for me, it was the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup.
      “We came back to pre-season and it was like, ‘Are we back already?’
      “It’s taken a couple of months to digest it.
      “I want to recreate some of the things we did last season.”
      City hope Haaland will be be on fire again after returning from injuryCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea’s team ‘looks like it has been developed by an algorithm’ blasts club legend who slams Boehly’s recruitment

      by

      CHELSEA hero Pat Nevin launched a blistering attack on Todd Boehly’s £1billion Stamford Bridge revolution and said the team looks like it has “been developed by an algorithm”.Former winger Nevin, 60, fears the club he loves is in danger of collapsing and warns failure to qualify for the Champions League next season could lead to serious Financial Fair Play repercussions.
      Todd Boehly has forked out obscene amounts of money since taking charge of ChelseaCredit: ALAMY
      The spending spree hasn’t translated to success on the pitchCredit: ALAMY
      Former Blues midfielder has slammed the club’s transfer policy in the Boehly eraCredit: GETTY
      The Blues are languishing in tenth in the Prem — a massive 20 points behind leaders Liverpool following Wednesday’s 4-1 drubbing at Anfield.
      That is despite the club’s American owner Boehly splashing out a staggering £1bn on new players since his £4.25bntakeover in May 2022, which ended disgraced Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s 19-year reign.
      Nevin said: “Chelsea is almost unrecognisable from the club it was two years ago.
      “Not just personnel but the club’s whole outlook.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “The age of players, lack of really big stars, the atmosphere in the stadium, everything.
      “You don’t bring a bunch of young people into the Premier League who don’t have the experience.
      “It was madness — even if you spend £1bn it doesn’t matter.
      “Do they look close to being in the top four? No!
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Mauricio Pochettino’s troops are currently languishing in tenth placeCredit: Rex
      “They look like a team that’s been developed by an algorithm.
      “It’s a case of, ‘That bit’s good, that bit’s good, that bit’s good’ — but the collective doesn’t work.
      “The left-back doesn’t work well with the left winger, or that one won’t work well with that one.
      “Midfielder Cole Palmer is the exception and he can work with anyone.
      “It’s a great experiment. You buy all these young players but they’re never going to do well for the first two years.”
      Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has steered them into a Carabao Cup final against Liverpool later this month.
      But former Scotland star Nevin, who became a firm fans’ favourite at Stamford Bridge during his spell with the Blues between 1983-88, believes their performances are nowhere near good enough for a club that were Champions League winners and World Club champions just three years ago.
      Chelsea were linked with a January swoop for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema — even though he is now 36 years old and at Saudi side Al-Ittihad.
      BBC pundit Nevin added: “There was talk about bringing in Benzema, which is diametrically the opposite of what the plan is!
      “So if you did that you’d be entitled to say, ‘What happened to the plan?’
      Chelsea have been linked with a shock move for former Real Madrid man Karim BenzemaCredit: GETTY
      “You can’t bulls**t people and say it’s great and it’s just about there.
      “It’s like a cure for cancer — it will be here in five years. And in five years, saying, ‘It’ll be here in five years!’
      “Chelsea need to finish in the top four next season because of how the finances work.
      “My background is in accounts and economics. I’ve also run Motherwell before. So that side of the business intrigues me.
      “Chelsea didn’t fall foul of FFP this time. But I watched Everton fall foul of that after they were going to be the next big thing.
      “They are another of my former clubs and I hope that doesn’t happen again.
      “Because if you spend that much and you don’t get Champions League football and you amortise over seven or eight years and it doesn’t work.
      “You need that £80million to £100m of Champions League cash every season for it to work.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “That’s why by next year they need to be in the top four.
      “And — right now — I don’t know if they will be.” More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Cole and Crouch pick Chelsea and Liverpool combined XI from stars they played with but fans fume at shock omission

      by

      JOE COLE and Peter Crouch named their combined Chelsea and Liverpool team – but fans were left fuming. The former England team-mates are on punditry duty for TNT Sports at Anfield.

      And they were tasked with putting together the ultimate combined XI from stars they played with.
      Blues icon Petr Cech was picked over Pepe Reina but the back four was split down the middle.
      Ashley Cole and John Terry – who played with both Crouch and Cole for England – were picked with Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan.
      And it was the inclusion of centre-half Carragher and right-back Finnan that outraged fans.
      READ MORE IN football
      It meant the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic were all snubbed.
      One fan said: “Carragher and Finnan??? Carvalho left out for Carra.”
      Another fumed: “Finnan? Really? Paulo Ferreira was so far clear.”
      One slammed: “Finnan over Ivanovic and Carragher over Carvalho?! What sort of rubbish is this.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Cech, Carvalho and Ferreira were part of the Chelsea defence that famously only conceded 15 goals in their 2004/05 Premier League winning season.
      But Carragher and Finnan also lifted the Champions League the same year.
      In midfield, it is no surprise Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard featured with Claude Makelele named in the holding position.
      Luis Suarez managed to fit in the same forward line as Didier Drogba by being deployed on the left.
      And Arjen Robben was placed on the right, which would enable him to cut in on his left foot.
      Jose Mourinho, under whom Cole won two Premier League titles, was picked as manager.
      And Xabi Alonso was preferred as assistant coach instead of in the starting XI.
      The Liverpool legend, boss of Bayer Leverkuson, is now the front runner to succeed Jurgen Klopp next season after the German announced he will leave in the summer. More

    • 150 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Nottingham Forest star Scott McKenna seals shock transfer to Champions League side

      by

      NOTTINGHAM FOREST defender Scott McKenna has joined Copenhagen on a six-month loan.The 27-year-old was reportedly banished from first team training in December due to a dispute over his contract.
      Scott McKenna has joined Copenhagen on loanCredit: Getty
      He returned to the bench when Forest faced Brentford earlier this month, but has since been limited to just 18 minutes of game time.
      And with the centre-back already a long way down the pecking order at the City Ground, Forest officials have sanctioned a loan move.
      McKenna will now spend the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign with Copenhagen.
      Forest confirmed his departure on social media earlier today with a short statement.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      It read: “Scott McKenna has joined FC Copenhagen on loan for the remainder of the season.
      “The Scotland international has featured six times for The Reds in all competitions this term. The 27-year-old now heads to Denmark for the rest of the campaign, with Copenhagen currently sat third in the Danish Superliga.
      “We wish Scott all the best for his time in Denmark.”
      Upon his arrival at Copenhagen, the Scotland international said: “I see it as a really good opportunity for me.
      Most read in Football
      “FC Copenhagen is an internationally recognised club, which always plays for the titles and which has shown itself fantastically internationally.
      “I’m really looking forward to meeting the team and coming to the training camp, which is a perfect starting point for me in terms of quickly getting into the group, and I will do my utmost for the championship to end in Copenhagen again.”
      Copenhagen face Manchester City in the Champions League round-of-16. More