Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a former Chelsea star who knocked Arsenal’s invincibles out of the Champions League – now I’m a rally car driver

      by

      FORMER Chelsea goalkeeper Marco Ambrosio has had an unexpected career change following his retirement from football.The Italian shot-stopper featured just 12 times for Chelsea during his brief spell in London, but became a fan favourite for his Champions League heroics.
      Marco Ambrosio spent one season in the Premier League with ChelseaCredit: Getty
      He is now a rally car driver in ItalyCredit: Instagram @ambrosiomarco
      Ambrosio played in between the sticks for both legs of The Blues’ clash against Arsenal in the 2003/04 Champions League quarter-finals.
      Chelsea ended up winning 3-2 on aggregate and progressed through to the semi-finals where they would ultimately go out to Monaco.
      But Ambrosio’s heroics helped Claudio Ranieri’s side prevail against Arsenal’s Invincibles squad which featured the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira.
      Despite Ambrosio’s superb stand-in performance for Chelsea number one, Carlo Cudicini, he left the club at the end of the season.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      He later had spells at Italian clubs Brescia and Reggiana as well spending a brief period in Switzerland playing for Super League club Grasshopper.
      Ambrosio then retired in 2013 and has since got behind the wheel to pursue a career in motorsports.
      The former goalkeeper regularly shares snaps with his Instagram followers of his rally car back in Italy.
      He has just 532 followers on the social media platform, but uses his account to update his old fans on his speed-filled exploits.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      The 50-year-old previously spoke about how he knew his time at Chelsea would be coming to an end when former owner Roman Abramovich took over the club.
      Speaking to The Times he said: “I was surprised Chelsea asked me to sign, but I knew I would be second choice. It would have been difficult but for Carlo [Cudicini]. He helped me rent a house and get to know London.
      “Abramovich’s arrival changed everything. I knew that sooner or later Chelsea would sign another keeper. I had no problem with that.” More

    • 288 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m the only Englishman to play in a Champions League final but never for England – I was even Man of the Match

      by

      ONLY one English player has ever played in the Champions League final, but never represented the England national team. Jermaine Pennant never got the chance to play for England at a senior level, despite putting in a Man of the Match performance for Liverpool during the 2007 Champions League final against AC Milan.
      Jermaine Pennant was Man of the Match in the 2007 Champions League finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Liverpool team-mates Peter Crouch, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard all played for England throughout their careersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Pennant is the only Englishman to have played in a Champions League final since the competition’s rebrand in 1992 to have never represented the national teamCredit: Getty
      He did make a number appearances for the Three Lions at U21s levelCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Pennant was playing for the Reds as they lost 2-1 in a game which saw the Italians take revenge for the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005.
      Now retired, the former winger was just 24 years old when he took to the field in Greece that evening and managed to set up Liverpool’s only goal.
      Despite his impressive performance he still never got the call to wear the Three Lions on his chest.
      Pennant spoke about the disappointment of not representing his country and admitted it was frustrating for him as a player.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Speaking to FourFourTwo with Bettingsites.co.uk he said: “Looking back, I would say it was frustrating, especially when I’m getting the Man of the Match award in a Champions League final.
      “That whole first season at Liverpool was a highlight for me, ending with a European final.
      “But, when you look at the history of it, I’m the only Englishman to play in a Champions League final and not be called up to the national team, or play in the national team, or get a cap. 
      “It was frustrating. It was never down to my ability. It probably had more to do with things that were going on off the pitch.”
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Pennant was well known for his off the pitch antics, but was also highly rated for his on the pitch ability.
      Despite not making his senior debut for England he did represent his nation at u21 level 24 times whilst on the books at Arsenal.
      The now 40-year-old’s career took a turn following the Champions League final after he struggled to maintain a place with a top side.
      He was sent on loan to Portsmouth before having spells at Stoke City, Real Zaragoza, Wigan Athletic, Billericay Town and Indian side Pune City. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo given brutal backhanded compliment by opponent he posed with after Al Nassr cup win

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO was the victim of a brutal backhanded compliment from Iraqi midfielder Ahmed Zero.The 20-year-old stood next to Ronaldo on Wednesday night after his side suffered a 1-0 defeat against Al Nassr in the Arab Club Champions Cup.

      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner converted a late penalty to secure his side a place in Saturday’s final against rivals Al Hilal.
      And after the game, Zero was fortunate enough to get a photo alongside the football legend.
      But, the young midfielder took the opportunity to fire a subtle dig at the former Real-Madrid star.
      In a sensational move, Zero posted the selfie on his Instagram alongside the caption: “With the second best player in history”.

      And this has sparked a colossal reaction from football fans on social media.
      For two decades, fans have bickered over who is the ‘Greatest of All Time’.
      One Twitter follower said: “He knows ball because he knows Messi is the best player”.
      A second fan added: “We all agreed that Ronaldo was behind Messi in the GOAT standings”.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      A third declared: No way! What about Pele and Maradona?”.
      A fourth joked: “He clearly knows ball. Only Ronaldo fans think he’s number 1”.
      However, Ronaldo loyalists responded in equal measure, sparking a huge debate online.
      One Ronaldo fan wrote: “Cristiano is the best football player in history. That is the truth”.
      Another added: “But nobody knows who Ahmed Zero is”.
      A third stated: “Begging for a picture, then trying to be funny – what a low level move”.
      Last month, Ronaldo publicly declared that the Saudi Pro League is “better” than Major League Soccer, and will soon become one of the top five leagues in the world.
      A number of top names have moved to Saudi Arabia this summer, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson.
      Of course, Lionel Messi – Ronaldo’s long-time rival – instead opted to join David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami this summer.
      Read More on The Sun
      The superstar enjoyed a dream start to life in Miami scoring a last gasp free kick on his debut.
      Elsewhere, Ronaldo will square off against former Madrid teammate Benzema in the final of the Arab Cup at the King Fahd Stadium on August 12. More

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Team guide to Premier League 2023/24 as Man City chase historic fourth title in a row

      by

      NEVER in 135 years of League football has any club been crowned champions of England for four consecutive seasons.So as a new campaign dawns, the question is . . . who can stop Manchester City from making even more history?
      The title race could be a classic
      Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners have won three titles in a row and five of the last six and with Erling Haaland to the fore, they look unstoppable.
      Last season’s runners-up Arsenal have snapped up Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.
      Yet the suspicion remains Mikel Arteta’s men blew the best chance they may ever have when they topped the table for the vast majority of last term.
      Newcastle, with the wealth of Geordie Arabia behind them, are clearly the great long-term threat to City’s dominance.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL STORIES
      But can Eddie Howe’s men juggle the demands of a Champions League campaign with a title bid?
      Liverpool, City’s only genuine rivals for most of the Guardiola era, have launched a major midfield refresh, starting with the arrival of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
      If Jurgen Klopp’s revamped forward line — including Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz — can click they may well stage one of their epic duels with City again.
      Boardroom takeover talk has dominated Manchester United’s summer but Erik ten Hag impressed during his first year in charge and is determined to go closer to City.
      Most read in Football

      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
      Chelsea and Tottenham are both under new management after disastrous seasons.
      Mauricio Pochettino is a proven overachiever here but he has a serious job on his hands making sense of owner Todd Boehly’s scattergun recruitment policy at Stamford Bridge.
      Ange Postecoglou, the first Australian to manage in the Premier League, was a surprise choice to take over at Spurs.
      Expectations are unusually low but the team should at least be playing more attractive football than at any time since Pochettino’s departure in 2019.
      Might there be any surprise packages to upset the big boys — such as Unai Emery’s revitalised Aston Villa or self- proclaimed champions of Europe, West Ham?
      Can promoted Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton emulate last season’s trio of Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest by avoiding immediate returns to the Championship?
      Whatever happens in the next ten months, it is unlikely to be dull — and SunSport will be there every step of the way.
      ARSENAL
      Dream Team MVP – Bukayo Saka (£6m)
      By Mark Irwin
      IT has taken Mikel Arteta the best part of four years to turn Arsenal around but now he faces his biggest challenge.
      Because it is one thing to close the gap to Manchester City but something else to overtake probably the best team in the world.
      For the fourth summer in a row, boss Arteta has been given the financial backing of owner Stan Kroenke to strengthen his squad.
      But this time the work came at the very top end of the transfer market, spending £200million to bring in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

      And that has only been made possible by the remarkable progress under ruthless Arteta.
      The Gunners finished 43 points off the title in his first season. 
      Yet last term they ended up just five adrift of Treble winners City after leading the race for 248 DAYS before fading badly.
      Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United will all come at them hard — but Arteta has plenty of cause to believe Arsenal will be better than them all.
      Whether they are ready to catch City remains to be seen.
      Man Utd have topped the league for 4,486 days – or more than 12 years
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      ASTON VILLA
      Dream Team MVP – Ollie Watkins (£4.5m)
      By Graeme Bryce
      BRUMMIES will proudly tell you Birmingham boasts more canal miles than Venice and Amsterdam combined.
      And Aston Villa fans swear Unai Emery walks on them.
      He turned Steven Gerrard’s relegation candidates into Europa Conference League qualifiers.
      Villa have talked the talk for years about returning to the days when they were kings of Europe in the 80s.

      Now they have a boss who is capable of walking the walk . . . on water or otherwise.
      Only Manchester City won more points after the turn of the year as Villa reached Europe for the first time in 13 years.
      Now they have made the inspired signing of Youri Tielemans, added the best defender Emery has worked with in Pau Torres and grabbed jet-heeled French forward Moussa Diaby.
      Emery is after a trophy this season but the top four may not be out of the question.
      BOURNEMOUTH
      Dream Team MVP – Justin Kluivert (£2m)
      By Jack Rosser
      HAVING defied the odds to stay up last season, Bournemouth took a huge punt on their future this summer.
      American owner Bill Foley, out of the blue, decided to axe boss Gary O’Neil and appoint unknown Spaniard Andoni Iraola.
      Foley wanted a change in the style to give them a better chance of survival once again, while giving a new man every chance of success with a full pre-season.
      It is a big bet from the billionaire, who will pray his ruthless call pays off.

      Whatever happens, the south coast should provide some exciting football.
      Iraola may not be known to many English fans but he has made a name for himself in Spain by playing some intense football and upsetting the odds on a shoestring. The Cherries have lost out-of-contract Jefferson Lerma.
      But winger Justin Kluivert — son of Patrick — arrived for £9.5million from Roma, while midfield man Hamed Traore turned his loan into a £20m deal.
      And landing exciting Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez, 19, from AZ Alkmaar for £14m was a real coup.
      BRENTFORD
      Dream Team MVP – Bryan Mbeumo (£3.5m)
      By Isabelle Barker
      BRENTFORD are out to prove that no Ivan Toney is no problem.
      The Bees must cope without their star striker as he serves his EIGHT-MONTH ban from football for breaking betting rules.
      Fans will see him in action again in January.
      The 27-year-old cannot even train with his team-mates until September 17.
      But boss Thomas Frank has the likes of Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo to call upon going forward.

      He also now boasts £23million centre-back Nathan Collins after his switch from Wolves.
      Brentford have punched well above their weight in their two Prem seasons.
      And last term they finished ninth — just two points off seventh and a Europa Conference League spot.
      They also beat Treble winners Manchester City (twice), Manchester United and Liverpool in a memorable campaign.
      The Bees are expected to burst out of the traps with Frank taking no prisoners in pre-season.
      Once again, he has used a gruelling one- kilometre fitness drill to get his hive buzzing.
      BRIGHTON
      Dream Team MVP – Kaoru Mitoma (£3.5m)
      By Jack Rosser
      BRIGHTON supporters are getting excited as they look forward to their first ever European adventure.
      After a record-breaking season, with Roberto De Zerbi replacing Graham Potter in September, the Italian is targeting more magical moments.
      They may have lost Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool but there are a host of young players ready to step up.
      Julio Enciso, 19, and Facundo Buonanotte, 18, look massive prospects.
      Freebies James Milner, 37, and Mahmoud Dahoud, 27, provide experience.

      Striker Joao Pedro has arrived for £30million from Watford, while £16.3m keeper Bart Verbruggen looks another gem from Anderlecht — as does Fiorentina centre-back Igor Julio.
      But the big excitement may come from seeing Evan Ferguson, 18, get a full season under his belt up front.
      And then there is the Europa League — their displays against the Prem’s big boys indicate they could have a long run.
      De Zerbi has made history but he will not stop chasing more.
      The fastest players from last season’s Premier League
      BURNLEY
      Dream Team MVP – Josh Brownhill (£2m)
      By Martin Blackburn
      WHEN Burnley went down in May 2022 few expected them to bounce straight back.
      In fact many feared they were heading for oblivion due to the financial model set out by owners ALK Capital.
      Yet those worries were washed away as their new boss Vincent Kompany got to work.
      And, 12 months on, they are back in the Prem — after an almost breathtaking transformation.
      Kompany ripped up Sean Dyche’s long-held blueprint.

      A squad largely made up of English and Irish players was moved on.
      Kompany kicked functional football into touch and used his contacts at Manchester City and around Europe to overhaul the place last summer.
      He has been busy in this window, going back to the Etihad to sign England’s impressive Under-21 Euros keeper James Trafford.
      Kompany was linked to the Spurs and Chelsea jobs before he opted to sign a new five-year deal with the Clarets.
      Pep Guardiola thinks the Belgian is destined for his job.
      And the pair get to go head to head on Friday night at Turf Moor.
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      CHELSEA
      Dream Team MVP – Nicolas Jackson (£2.5m)
      By Andrew Dillon
      MAURICIO POCHETTINO admits there are no excuses and no time for Chelsea to pick up the slack from the shocker of last season.
      The new boss can do nothing else but back himself with such a huge rescue mission looming.
      Coming 12th was their lowest Prem finish since 1994. There will be no European football for the first time in seven years.
      A squad revamp with an addition of mainly untried rookies is a huge gamble for a club used to high expectations.
      Poch is banking on youthful ambition and energy but injuries to new man Christopher Nkunku and defender Wesley Fofana are a hammer blow.

      At least the likes of Noni Madueke will be confident. He and Levi Colwill won the Under- 21 Euros with England.
      N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Edouard Mendy have all gone.
      But Poch says he took the job because he loves the risk.
      If that is true, he is in for a happy year.
      CRYSTAL PALACE
      Dream Team MVP – Eberechi Eze (£3m)
      By Jack Rosser
      CRYSTAL PALACE’S revolution is right back where it started, with Roy Hodgson.
      The manager, 76 this Wednesday, signed on for another year after returning to keep the Eagles up.
      Hodgson’s sights are higher than just 40 points and survival — he wants a top-half finish.
      New England man Eberechi Eze will be the key to hitting that lofty goal. 

      He struggled under Patrick Vieira but flourished with Hodgson and finally made his Three Lions debut in June.
      Wilfried Zaha’s decision to leave Selhurst Park opens up a vacancy for club talisman — and Eze appears to be the heir to the Palace throne.
      Jefferson Lerma, a free transfer from Bournemouth, comes into midfield, and there has been more ambition in the boardroom to invest.
      Even in the space of ten games at the end of last season, Hodgson showed his sides can be capable of attacking play when the tools are there.
      While there is still goodwill around his return with fans, the challenge is to deliver results with a flourish.
      EVERTON
      Dream Team MVP – Jordan Pickford (£3m)
      By Charlie Wyett
      EVERTON have got away with it for the last two seasons.
      So you can understand the pessimism among fans in the blue half of Merseyside, who fear this could be third time unlucky as the club continues to self-destruct.
      While most football supporters have been counting down to the new season, Everton’s faithful are dreading it.
      Since surviving on the final day of last term with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, not much has changed.
      The club remained in a dire state cash-wise after years of overspending.
      Their decision not to exercise Conor Coady’s £4.5million option was largely a financial one.

      While picking up Ashley Young on a free and Arnaut Danjuma on loan, at the second attempt, hardly breaks the bank.
      There are still questions over the squad — so the hope is boss Sean Dyche delivers another miracle.
      Club chiefs aim to move into their new £760m stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in early 2025. By then, it is anyone’s guess which division Everton will be in.
      FULHAM
      Dream Team MVP – Willian (£2m)
      By Jack Rosser
      MARCO SILVA worked wonders to finally shed Fulham’s yo-yo label.
      They even finished above neighbours Chelsea in tenth.
      The Cottagers fell just short of a place in Europe but their first priority will, once again, be avoiding the drop.
      There is always the danger of a second-season slump.
      And the last thing they needed was the Saudi Arabian saga concerning boss Silva AND forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.

      Mitro’s 14 Prem strikes in 2022-23 were crucial and while there were goals spread about the squad, no other player hit more than five in the league.
      Joao Palhinha was always going to attract attention after a stellar year.
      And losing winger Manor Solomon to Tottenham is a blow.
      But they have tied down left-back Antonee Robinson to a new deal and kept hold of Willian, 35, following protracted talks.
      They will also need the Raul Jimenez from his first two seasons at Wolves, when he smashed 44 goals, not the last three.
      The job is only going to get harder as Fulham look to avoid that sinking feeling again.
      LIVERPOOL
      Dream Team MVP – Mo Salah (£7m)
      By Charlie Wyett
      JURGEN KLOPP hopes his major midfield reboot can turn Liverpool back into contenders.
      The Anfield boss made changes after a hugely disappointing season saw them win nothing and finish fifth on 67 points — the lowest tally in a full season under Klopp.
      Dominik Szoboszlai has arrived for £60million from RB Leipzig, while Alexis Mac Allister joined from Brighton in a deal which could cost £52m.
      All eyes will be on how Szoboszlai adjusts to the Prem. He scored six and had eight Bundesliga assists in 2022-23 and can boost their creativity.

      James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left for free while, for the first time since 2015, Liverpool’s attack will not feature Roberto Firmino.
      But with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah, they have plenty of options in that area.
      Liverpool are back in Europa League action for the first time since losing the final in 2016 and will be expected to go deep.
      And the May 22 final is in Dublin, where Liverpool enjoy massive support.
      LUTON
      Dream Team MVP – Carlton Morris (£2.5m)
      By Isabelle Barker
      PREM fans have been waiting for this Luton Town fairytale.
      It has been a ten-year odyssey from non-league football back to the big time.
      And, in May, the Hatters sealed a first top-flight campaign since 1991-92 by beating Coventry in the Championship play-off final.
      The fact Kenilworth Road is a century-old, 10,000-capacity old-school ground, tucked in among back alleys and gardens, only adds to the fun of it.
      Rob Edwards’ side are off to a bumpy start with their opening home Prem match postponed due to a revamp to the stadium.

      They were to host Burnley on Saturday week but now West Ham will be their first Prem visitors.
      Luton are set to move to a new 19,500-capacity ground just a mile from their current home in 2026.
      They have made signings as they prepare to face the likes of Mo Salah and Erling Haaland.
      Danish centre-back Mads Andersen has joined from Barnsley, while winger Tahith Chong arrived for £4million from Birmingham.
      And popular midfielder Marvelous Nakamba is back after a loan spell.
      MAN CITY
      Dream Team MVP – Erling Haaland (£8.5m)
      By Martin Blackburn
      THE big question now is where do Manchester City go from here?
      On a magical night in Istanbul in June, City finally lifted the trophy they coveted most.
      And Champions League glory sealed a historic Treble — with a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
      So the test for Pep Guardiola is to have his men ready to go again when their new campaign kicks off at Burnley.
      City start as title favourites but rivals will have reasons to believe it could be the season they slip.
      Their epic run-in must have taken a lot out of the squad.

      And City’s focus could be taken off domestic matters early on by their participation in the Uefa Super Cup, then the Club World Cup in December.
      Guardiola lost two of his backroom staff after Rodo Borrell went to the US and Enzo Maresca joined Leicester.
      Skipper Ilkay Gundogan’s exit leaves a huge hole and Mateo Kovacic has big shoes to fill.
      Yet Pep has made a habit of finding new ways to win in seven years at City — and he will have spent the summer hatching a plan to do it all again.
      MAN UTD
      Dream Team MVP – Marcus Rashford (£6.5m)
      By Neil Custis
      MANCHESTER UNITED go into this season reflecting on how far they have come . . . and how far they still need to go.
      That Carabao Cup win last term was a giant step forward — their first silverware since 2017.
      Yet an FA Cup final loss to Manchester City laid bare how far behind the very best they remain.
      The fact City went on to match United’s Treble feat of 1999 only rubbed salt into the wound.
      While fans were left wondering if the takeover saga to rid the club of the unpopular Glazer family would ever end.

      Still, there were positives from Erik ten Hag’s first season after the mess of the previous 12 months.
      He has got a firm grip on the club, knows where he wants to go — and how to get there.
      Ten Hag let David de Gea go and signed Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana as well as Mason Mount from Chelsea to energise his midfield.
      But their best business was finally sorting Marcus Rashford’s new contract.
      The problem is City chief Pep Guardiola does not look ready to be knocked off his perch. 
      NEWCASTLE
      Dream Team MVP – Kieran Trippier
      By Oscar Paul
      SANDRO TONALI is the new poster boy as hope, excitement and expectation fill the Tyneside air.
      Newcastle boss Eddie Howe can do no wrong but now he must build a squad capable of fighting on four fronts, given Champions League football is back following a 20-year hiatus.
      And you better believe they will go for everything.
      The arrival of £55million midfielder Tonali, 23, from AC Milan was an early warning the Saudi-owned Magpies mean business.
      The Gennaro Gattuso-like terrier’s best years are ahead of him.
      And the prospect of seeing him in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton has fans salivating.

      The Toon Army will also hope local lad Elliot Anderson, 20, gets the chance to demonstrate he is the real deal.
      Up top, Callum Wilson is still deadly while Alexander Isak will be a threat.
      Anthony Gordon could fly into the campaign after being named the best player at the Under-21 Euros.
      Harvey Barnes can also provide the scoring threat from wide areas the fans have been craving.
      NOTTINGHAM FOREST
      Dream Team MVP – Morgan Gibbs-White (£3m)
      By Graeme Bryce
      AFTER the euphoria of last season’s bonkers Prem return, you might think Steve Cooper would welcome a season of steady progress.
      But do not bank on it.
      Premier League snobs sneered when the new boys chucked cash around like Jack Grealish on a night out in Ibiza.
      In total, boss Cooper was presented with 30 new signings across two frenetic transfer windows.
      What is overlooked is he also had to contend with 45 separate injuries.

      Yet he pulled it all together — like an expert cocktail maker — to produce an intoxicating brew which knocked everyone’s socks off.
      He may not have as many ingredients this time but signing Anthony Elanga from Manchester United looks a smart deal.
      And with classy Morgan Gibbs-White pulling the strings, Forest will fear no one at their City Ground fortress.
      The key to whether they thrive, instead of simply survive, is can they finally crack the code of how to win on the road?
      SHEFFIELD UNITED
      Dream Team MVP – Anel Ahmedhodzic (£2m)
      By Oscar Paul
      FEW Sheffield United fans hold out much hope of repeating their first-season heroics from four years ago.
      Bamboozling the Prem with funky overlapping centre-backs, the Blades finished ninth following promotion.
      This time? Take 17th now and run. Cash is tight amid takeover uncertainty, with boss Paul Heckingbottom eyeing loans and free agents due to a limited budget of around £20million.
      The squad is almost identical to the one relegated after that miracle 2019-20 term under Chris Wilder.

      Question marks hang over strikers Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster, who hit ONE goal in 50 outings between them when they went down.
      Norwegian Sander Berge offers class in midfield alongside Oliver Norwood but they will badly miss Manchester City loanees Tommy Doyle and James McAtee.
      Anel Ahmedhodzic proved a good addition at the back beside John Egan and Chris Basham.
      Three of their first four games are at Bramall Lane — so a fast start is vital for the Blades.
      TOTTENHAM
      Dream Team MVP – James Maddison (£4m)
      By Tom Barclay
      OPERATION ‘make fans fall in love with Spurs again’ starts now for Ange Postecoglou.
      Supporters were bored stiff at times by the dull fare served up by predecessors Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho.
      New man Postecoglou has promised football that will excite — music to the ears of the regulars in N17.
      The back three Conte was so wedded to is set to be axed for 4-3-3 and a playmaker has finally arrived in the form of £40million James Maddison.
      Keeper Guglielmo Vicario — signed from Serie A side Empoli — may not be a household name over here but glowing reports from Italy suggest he could be one day.

      Dejan Kulusevski was snapped up from Juventus permanently for £25m, while Harry Winks left for Leicester.
      And free transfer Manor Solomon adds another option on the wing.
      Ex-Celtic chief Postecoglou, 57, is known for being a builder of teams.
      That is why Spurs need the Aussie — regardless of the Harry Kane saga — due to the mess left by Conte which sees them out of Europe.
      Fans do not expect instant success . . . just a chance to enjoy some g’days again.
      WEST HAM
      Dream Team MVP – Jarrod Bowen (£4.5m)
      By Jordan Davies
      TEARY-EYED and wistful, West Ham must move on.
      Not a man, woman nor child had dry cheeks that June night in Prague when Declan Rice lifted the Europa Conference League trophy on his final outing for the club.
      The fans knew it was their captain’s way of saying goodbye — now his name will be chanted by Arsenal supporters at the Emirates.
      But this is no time for the Hammers to bask in what has been and gone. This season, more than ever, is a chance to push on.

      David Moyes will not survive another woeful start, regardless of his new place among the list of all-time great West Ham managers.
      With another Europa League journey to contend with, a top-ten finish should be the aim but that requires this side’s usually reliable faces to step up in Rice’s absence.
      Jarrod Bowen needs to recapture the net-bulging touch. Nayef Aguerd needs to stay fit at the back. Lucas Paqueta needs to sparkle.
      Rice is gone but hope remains in East London.
      WOLVES
      Dream Team MVP – Jose Sa (£3m)
      By Graeme Bryce
      THERE were plenty of moans and groans at Molineux last season.
      And that was before pundit Gary Lineker was hilariously upstaged by a blue-movie soundtrack during Wolves’ FA Cup replay with Liverpool!
      But having flopped early on under Bruno Lage, Wolves rediscovered their mojo with Julen Lopetegui when the top flight returned after the World Cup. 
      At that point they were rock bottom — but ended up 13th.
      Boss Lopetegui boosted his limited options with a few key January deals.
      Unlike Leicester, Wolves managed to live with the fact stars Joao Moutinho and skipper Ruben Neves already knew they were set to leave in the summer.

      Mario Lemina added steel to midfield and Craig Dawson tightened things up in defence, where Max Kilman shone.
      Old favourite Matt Doherty is back but another one, Raul Jimenez, has gone.
      It remains to be seen if Matheus Cunha can provide the goals Wolves desperately need.
      Qualifying for Europe looks a tall order but Lopetegui should keep them up for another term.
      Read More on The Sun
      Luton back in the top flight it’s… UNBELIEVABLE JEFF
      WHEN Luton were last in the top flight, Chris Kamara was right in the middle of a survival scrap.The much-loved pundit and sidekick of Jeff Stelling was pictured squaring up to Notts County’s Paul Harding in the final match of the 1991-92 season.Luton lost it 2-1 and were promptly relegated, missing out on the first season of the Premier League.Now 31 years on, the Hatters are back in the promised land.That fateful day in May ’92 brought to an end a ten-year stay in the top flight which saw Luton regularly defy the odds.From Raddy Antic’s survival- securing goal to David Pleat’s dancing and, later, Brian Stein’s League Cup winner, it was a period of success played out in a quirky ground on a plastic pitch.And it helped turn the likes of Ricky Hill and Mick Harford (left) into household names and England internationals.Now the current crop have a chance to make their own Hatters history. More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ten major Premier League changes this season including Champions League qualification, winter break and tough new laws

      by

      THERE will be huge changes to the Premier League this season, including for European qualification and tough new laws.Prem action returns on Friday night when Treble winners Manchester City head to newly-promoted Burnley.
      Luton will be the 51st team to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      More time will now be added to cut out time-wastingCredit: Getty

      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
      With many new things for fans to keep a look out for, SunSport run you through the biggest changes…
      New team in town
      Luton will become the 51st different side to play in the Premier League since it was formed in 1993-94.
      New balls please
      Players will be kicking around a new ball this season – the Nike Flight has black lines and “splashes of orange” on it.
      There will be an extra “multiball” cone stand on the half way line opposite the dug-outs.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The new Nike Flight Premier League ball comes into play this seasonCredit: Nike
      Numbers and fonts
      This is the fourth redesign of the official Premier League font for numbers and names.
      All sides must use the same font and from this season it will be “bolder” with bigger numbers being used.
      There is also now a standalone Premier League lion badge on shirt sleeves.
      The new numbers have been shown offCredit: https://www.premierleague.com/news/3109195
      There will also be a lion badge on sleevesCredit: https://www.premierleague.com/news/3109195
      Whistleblowers
      Tim Robinson and Darren Bond are new full-time referees following the retirement of Andre Marriner.
      Most read in Football
      Changing times
      All stoppages except for bookings must be calculated “exactly” by officials.
      PGMOL chiefs expect it to mean an average of just under 12 minutes of additional time per match.
      Already it’s causing a major stir, with Manchester United defender Raphael Varane releasing a statement over the changes.
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Lay down the law
      Two major law changes will be implemented this season.
      A player adjudged to be “challenging for the ball” when they “deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity” in the box will only be yellow carded even if they are not attempting to play the ball.
      Fifa and Ifab have also clarified what is now deemed “deliberate play” by defenders with regards to offside.
      If a player is considered to be in control of the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance, this would be a ‘deliberate play’ and the attacker in an offside position should not be penalised for offside.
      An inaccurate or unsuccessful action does not change that the defender “deliberately played” the ball.
      Behaviour clampdown
      Tough new rules for players and bosses include yellow cards for any time-wasting and automatic bans for three yellow cards for any coach or manager.
      Bookings must be handed out if two or more players surround an official.
      There is a lower bar for dissent as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta found out in the Community Shield, as he was booked for waving an imaginary card and protesting a decision.
      Mikel Arteta was stung by the new rules at WembleyCredit: PA
      VAR from over
      An extra two VAR cameras at each end will mean the end of “blind spots”.
      This should help with tight offside calls and highlight any before missed incidences.
      Winter break
      The winter break is back, probably for one season only, with a full set of ten fixtures split across two weekends in mid-January to give the players a guaranteed rest.
      Time for Manchester United’s Anthony Martial to get those winter gloves out.
      Fifth Champions League spot
      The team that comes fifth will likely get an automatic seat in the Champions League for the following season.
      Read More on The Sun
      But only if English teams teams are among the top two performers across the three Uefa club competitions.
      They have been for six of the past seven seasons – last term both the Champions League and Conference League were won by Prem sides Manchester City and West Ham respectively.
      There could be an extra place in the Champions League for English teamsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      The Premier League hasn’t even started yet and there’s already too much football

      by

      THE PREMIER League season hasn’t even kicked off yet and already there’s too much football.Matches are too long, fixture lists are too crammed, players are burnt out, managers are overworked and fans are reaching saturation point.
      Football matches take too long to finish these daysCredit: Reuters
      Will matches ever end? Will players ever get a proper rest? Will football ever stop?
      At this rate, there will be so much football that people will have to stop launching new football podcasts because there will be too much actual football for anyone to ever listen to any of them.
      Which is perhaps the only  positive in all this.
      Sunday’s Community Shield lasted for 106 minutes, including first-half injury-time, and Saturday’s League One fixture between Northampton and Stevenage went on for 112 minutes and 36 seconds.
      Read More on Football
      Two-hour matches will soon be commonplace and, if knockout games go to extra-time and  penalties, we’ll have a three-hour contest before long.
      But that’s only part of it.
      On August 19, Manchester City face Newcastle at 8pm on a  Saturday — a new regular Premier League kick-off time that nobody ever asked for.
      From next season, a club reaching the Champions League final must play between two and four extra matches — and good luck in working out the new ‘Swiss-style’ format in that competition.
      Most read in Football
      In 2025, the World Club Cup — already a schedule-clogging  irrelevance — will become a 32-team summer tournament.
      When the Premier League was launched, it was originally supposed to be reduced to 18 clubs as, even 30 years ago, people realised there was too much football.
      And yet still we have two-legged League Cup semi-finals, the ‘Premier League Summer Series’ and England playing qualifiers against Malta, San Marino and the forest moon of Endor.
      Pep Guardiola — whose City side face a 10pm kick-off in the European Super Cup against Sevilla in Athens next week — was vocal about all this after the Community Shield, which saw his team concede a 101st-minute equaliser.

      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
      And that is despite the fact the Premier League season hasn’t even startedCredit: Rex
      Kevin De Bruyne and Raphael Varane have also spoken out about elite players’ increasing workload.
      It might be tempting to urge very rich men to stop moaning about working longer hours for more money, when the rest of  society is working longer hours for less and less money.
      But we’ve hopefully gone past the stage where we assume footballers are robots who should be able to cope with endless pressure.
      And anyway it’s not just about them.
      While broadcasters demand more and more ‘content’, has anybody wondered whether actual people want to consume it all?
      An ever-growing number of us do not regularly watch ‘linear’ television, while younger audiences are less likely to watch 90 minutes of football, let alone 120 minutes, preferring to watch highlights packages. And, presumably, listen to podcasts.
      Those extended playing times come from an edict for referees to crack down on time-wasting and dissent.
      The new packed schedule will add to fans’ woes as matches are becoming endlessCredit: Rex
      We might all agree that time-wasting is cheating and therefore  needs stamping down upon.
      But unless a countdown clock is introduced, with a standard amount of ball-in-play time — 60 minutes has been suggested but 50 minutes might be more apt — there will still be frequent arguments about the amount of time added on, so this won’t solve the problem.
      While you might be delighted to see an excessive amount of injury-time  if your team is 1-0 down, you don’t go into matches thinking ‘I really hope this goes on for far longer than 90 minutes’.
      If you’re at the game, particularly for an evening kick-off, you’ll want to get home or catch last orders.
      If you’re watching at home, you might want to actually speak to your family or friends, or do  whatever else you used to do before football took over every waking hour of your entire life.
      Match-going supporters certainly don’t want matches that finish at 10.15pm on a Saturday, or any other night.
      Players’ schedules will become even more grueling, while fans may lose their weekendsCredit: Rex
      And presumably even most armchair fans have social lives.
      Football is going against the grain here.
      Cricket is getting shorter and shorter, and one of the great attractions for golfers to join the rebel LIV Tour — apart from sack-loads of Saudi money — was the reduction of tournaments from four rounds to three, giving them extra days off.
      Read More on The Sun
      Sport is supposed to be about escapism. Following football, in particular, is meant to be a release from our daily lives.
      It isn’t supposed to actually  dominate our existence. And I feel so strongly about this issue that I solemnly swear not to launch a podcast to discuss it any further. More

    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans convinced there has been a mistake in Europa League draw as baffling new rule is introduced

      by

      FOOTBALL fans were left baffled with UEFA’s new rule in the Europa League draw.The European governing body has decided that this year there will be no country protection in the play-offs before the group stage.
      Fans are baffled by the new Europa League rule that excludes country protectionCredit: Getty
      That means Zorya Luhansk may face fellow Ukrainian outfit DniproCredit: Getty
      That means two teams from the same nation can actually play against each other in Europe.
      Thus, Zorya Luhansk could face fellow Ukrainian outfit Dnipro in the final qualifying round.
      Dnipro are playing Slavia Prague in the third qualifying round and the winner will square up against Zorya.
      However, fans have yet to adapt to the new rule and some even wondered if UEFA completed yet another blunder during today’s draw.
      Read More on Football
      One fan tweeted: “Is the top fixture even allowed to stand btw?
      “Dnipro and Zorya are both Ukrainian and could play each other. Unless I’m wrong about something.”
      Another commented: “Why Zorya can play against Dnipro? I need an explanation.”
      A third said: “In the Uefa Europa League draw, #Dnipro was drawn against the winner between Slavia Prague and #Zorya Luhansk.
      Most read in Football

      DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
      “Unlike the Champions and Conference League, the 2023/2024 Europa League regulations do not provide so-called “country protection” for the playoff round. Weird. #UELDRAW.”
      This fan wrote: “Dnipro vs Zorya ? How ?”
      And that one wondered: “What is @UEFA doing?”
      Liverpool and Brighton may meet the winner of that exchange in the the Europa League group stage after finishing fifth and sixth respectively in the Premier League last season.
      The Reds and the Seagulls will be joined by West Ham, who won the Europa Conference League. More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Gunners legend Ramsey tips ex-club to take next step and win Premier League

      by

      AARON RAMSEY reckons Arsenal are primed to take the next step and win the Premier League.The Gunners last lifted the top-flight trophy in their Invincibles season of 2003-04 – under boss Arsene Wenger.
      Arsenal beat Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield after a penalty shootoutCredit: AP
      Ramsey delivered three FA Cups for Arsenal in an 11-year Gunners career and reckons Arteta’s men can land more silverwareCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      But Mikel Arteta’s side qualified for the Champions League after finishing second last term and Emirates legend Ramsey says they can now kick on.
      Arsenal have spent £204.5million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber so far this summer and won the Community Shield by beating Manchester City in Sunday’s penalty shootout at Wembley.
      And Rambo, 32, said: “You’ve seen their intent for this year as well by getting players in early.
      “The calibre of the players that they’ve brought in is really good.
      read more in football
      “You can’t deny they’ve taken a huge step forward and hopefully now they can go that extra bit further and really have a go at trying to win the league again. 
      “They’ll be better having gone through last season, when they got so close.”
      Arsenal held an eight-point lead over eventual champions Manchester City in March but could not sustain their title challenge.
      Now at Cardiff, Ramsey won three FA Cups in an 11-year Gunners career from 2008 to 2019.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      He added: “They had an unbelievable season last year.
      “To be back in the Champions League, having finished second to arguably one of the best teams ever in the Premier League, is no mean feat.
      “It’s going to be great to see Champions League football back at the Emirates.
      “Hopefully they can have a bit of a go in that.
      “There are obviously still a lot of people that I know at that club and speak to from time to time. I’m delighted to see them back up there competing again.”
      Arsenal kick-off their Prem season at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. More