Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Ashley Young insists he would ‘walk from Italy right now’ to play for Watford again 13 years after quitting for Villa

      by

      ASHLEY YOUNG has revealed he would love to retire at Watford if given the chance as he declared he would happily walk away from Inter Milan.
      The 35-year-old came through the ranks at Vicarage Road – joining the academy in 1995 before making his first team debut in 2003.

      2

      England international Ashley Young departed Watford 13 years ago for Aston VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      2

      Young has stated he would leave Inter Milan to return to Watford if given the the chanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He would go on to score 22 goals in 110 games for the Hornets before departing for Aston Villa in 2007.
      And on Watford’s ‘Golden Tales’ podcast, he said: “If I could go back and play there [at Watford] again, I would walk from Italy right now because it’s what I know, it’s where I come from and it’s what allowed me to be who I am and get where I am.
      “For me, at my age now, and you can ask my family, you can ask my agent, if I had the opportunity to go back and finish my career at Watford, I would jump at the chance.”
      He did sting the Hornets’ fanbase in 2017 when he scored twice for Manchester United at Vicarage Road and celebrated provocatively.

      The England international cupped his ears to the Watford supporters after his superb half-volley, before running to the corner flag after dispatching a free-kick.
      But Young – who has one year left on his deal at the San Siro – has insisted he meant nothing by it, as he spoke of his love for the club.
      He added on the podcast: “I’ve not got nothing against any Watford fan. None whatsoever, and I’ve always wanted to set the record straight.
      “When you do score a goal, I’m passionate, I want to celebrate. I remember thinking as soon as I scored, ‘Yeah I’m running to that corner, and I’m going to celebrate’.

      ASHLEY YOUNG’S CLUBS

      Watford (2003-2007)
      Aston Villa (2007-2011)
      Manchester United (2011-2020)
      Inter Milan (2020-)
      Honours: Premier League x1, FA Cup x1, EFL Cup x1, Europa League x1
      England caps: 39

      “It wasn’t one of those things that crossed my mind like ‘What have you done?’, it’s just I’ve scored a goal, I want to celebrate.
      “But I have got nothing against any Watford fan, and I know I took abuse that day, and do you know what, if I could go back and change it, would I? No.
      “I know what started my career. It was Watford. I always say and I will always say it’s my home.”

      Jadon Sancho scores goals in England training More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      West Brom in talks with Bournemouth over £10m Josh King transfer after Bilic pleads with board to solve striker crisis

      by

      WEST BROM have opened talks with Bournemouth over a £10million move for Josh King after Slaven Bilic pleaded with his board to solve his striker crisis.
      Bilic made signing a striker one of his top priorities after winning automatic promotion to the Premier League in July.

      1

      West Brom have approached Bournemouth over wantaway striker Josh King

      However, his pursuit of Huddersfield’s £16million-rated Karlan Grant has hit a brick wall and to add to the Croatian’s hitman headache Hal Robson-Kanu had surgery on his broken right arm yesterday and will be out for months.
      Now, with just one week to go until next Friday’s second summer transfer deadline, Albion are no closer to signing the striker Bilic believes is critical to his side’s hopes of survival.
      He has applied pressure to his board who have responded by approaching Bournemouth about their wantaway striker King.
      The Norwegian international is available for a cut-price £10million but Albion don’t have that kind of cash to pay out up front as the Coronavirus crisis has wreaked havoc with their business plan.

      But with Bournemouth eager to get King off their wage bill, the Baggies’ bean counters are trying to come up with a compromise by offering to pay a lump sum of around £5million up front and the remainder in instalments.

      West Brom manager Slaven Bilic gets drenched in champagne after clinching promotion into the Premier League More

    • 225 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby banned for two years for doping by FA as he has contract ripped up

      by

      BARNSLEY defender Bambo Diaby has been banned for two years for doping and has had his contract ripped up by the club.
      The 22-year-old is now prohibited from ‘all forms of football activity’ until 2022.

      2

      Diaby was hit with the provisional suspension in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      He was found guilty by the FA and World Anti-Doping Agency of breaching regulations.
      Diaby showed traces of Higenamine in an ‘in-competition’ urine sample when tested in January 2020.
      Higenamine was added to the list of banned substances in 2017.
      It is found in a variety of plant sources and is on the banned list as it could act as a general stimulant.

      The Spain-born Senegalese centre-back could not explain how the substance got into his system.
      He has now been hit with a two year penalty – and Barnsley made it a double-whammy as they terminated his contract.
      The ban starts on the day of his first provisional suspension on January 17 2020 and will be lifted at 11.59pm on January 16 2022.
      Diaby thanked fans for their support during his suspension in an open letter on the club website.

      2

      Diaby released an open letter to fans where he maintained his innocenceCredit: PA:Press Association
      He said: “I maintain my innocence, something the FA have acknowledged themselves but I must handle this decision with my family and look forward to a brighter future.
      “I was welcomed with open arms by staff, players and the whole community of Barnsley. I made this place my home and was looking forward to many years playing for the town and its people.”
      Barnsley released a statement explaining their decision to part ways with Diaby was ‘regretful’.
      They said: “The FA Anti-Doping Regulation mandate a two-year ban where an individual is unable to show that they meet the strict requirements to sustain a plea of No Fault or Negligence, or No Significant Fault or Negligence.

      “Despite making sincere efforts to identify the source of the prohibited substance, Bambo Diaby has been unable to do so.
      “Because of this, a two-year mandatory ban has been imposed by World Anti-Doping Agency and the FA. Bambo Diaby was not found guilty of knowingly ingesting a banned substance.
      “Both Bambo Diaby and Barnsley FC have been honest and compliant throughout the process. However, following the outcome, regretfully Bambo Diaby’s contract has been consensually terminated.”

      Daniel Stendel knocks back a tequila slammer while being cheered on by fans just hours after Barnsley sacking More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea outcast Baba Rahman wanted by Watford and Middlesbrough in loan transfer and could be shipped out for SIXTH time

      by

      CHELSEA outcast Baba Rahman is reportedly wanted on loan by Watford and Middlesbrough – as the defender faces being shipped out for a SIXTH time.
      The Ghanaian has failed to kickstart a career at Stamford Bridge and has been sent on loan for five seasons in a row.

      1

      Since his debut season, things have not worked out for Baba Rahman Credit: AFP or licensors

      He has not appeared in a senior game since the 2015-16 season – the year he joined the club – when Jose Mourinho began the campaign in charge.
      Now Goal report the left-back could be off on loan again to the Championship.
      Watford and Middlesbrough are both believed to be interested in picking him up for the season.
      The domestic transfer window does not close until October 16 meaning clubs in England can still trade with one another.

      Rahman, who has 28 caps for Ghana, arrived at Chelsea from Augsburg for £14million and made 23 appearances that season.
      He was loaned to Schalke for three consecutive years and has recently had stints at French club Reims and Spanish side Mallorca.
      Reports say the 26-year-old enjoyed good patches out on loan but was repeatedly hampered by injuries.
      Last season he missed most of Mallorca’s games because of a devastating knee injury.

      The left-back still has two years left on his contract and, despite the patchy form of Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri, is not likely to break into Chelsea’s first team.
      With the window for European transfers slamming shut on Monday, a domestic move is Rahman’s only choice for first-team football.
      Ben Chilwell was bought in this summer for £50million from Leicester to solve the left-back position for the Blues, a position which has been problematic arguably since Ashley Cole left in 2014.

      Piers Morgan slams Abraham, Chilwell and Sancho for breaking Covid rules and tells Southgate to AXE England trio More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Barnsley hero Gerhard Struber admits tough decision over accepting New York Red Bulls move after saving Tykes

      by

      GERHARD STRUBER said an emotional goodbye after leaving Barnsley for New York Red Bulls.
      The Austrian coach famously saved the Tykes from relegation into League One last season after arriving in November — but admitted early this campaign that the board did not match his ambition.

      1

      Gerhard Struber left Barnsley to join New York Red Bulls just months after leading the Tykes to survivalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, Struber insists he leaves with a heavy heart as he aims for further success after the MLS club triggered his contract buy-out clause.
      He told SunSport: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Barnsley FC and all officials, team and staff who worked together to achieve what we have.
      “A big thank you also goes out to the great fans for their trust and their massive support along the way!
      “I took over in a difficult situation, but together, we managed to pull off a feat that hardly anyone thought possible at the time.

      “I think it was obvious to everyone what being in charge of this fantastic club meant to me in that moment.
      “I will always look back fondly on my tenure here.
      “I wish Barnsley and the supporters nothing but the best for the future.”
      Dane Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of the Championship club, explained: “As much as we wanted Gerhard to remain at Oakwell we were not in a position to deny him this opportunity.

      “Looking toward the immediate future, the recruitment process for a replacement has already begun and we will update supporters when appropriate.
      “In the interim, Adam Murray will take charge of first team matters.
      “This club has good people across numerous departments that will do their utmost to assist Adam.”

      Clinton Morrison’s mic falls out and he disappears off-screen on Sky Sports just as Barnsley score vital goal More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere were Arsenal and England team-mates but are now staring into the abyss before age of 30

      by

      INSIDE 12 hours, two of England’s brightest talents of their generation suddenly found themselves staring into the abyss.
      Jack Wilshere, 28, spent the final hours of deadline day insisting he was fit after West Ham decided to pay up the best part of £4million to get him off their wage bill.

      4

      Former Arsenal team-mates Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck are both free agentsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      4

      Wilshere and Welbeck are both on the lookout for new clubsCredit: AFP or licensors

      And come Tuesday morning, Danny Welbeck — one of his team-mates in the World Cup squad just six years ago — was dumped by his club.
      The Watford striker, like Wilshere, still had a year left on his contract.
      But with his body betraying him and on £100,000-a-week wages, the Hornets decided to cut their losses and get the 29-year-old out.
      Welbeck’s departure was confirmed with a terse, 39-word statement on the Watford website, after an ill-fated one-year stint at Vicarage Road which led to three goals in 20 appearances.

      Midfielder Wilshere fared little better, with the Hammers delivering 57 words on their own announcement.
      Though after just 19 appearances in two seasons at the London Stadium, some may have forgotten he was even still there.
      As if to highlight the indignity of it all, Wilshere received an offer on Twitter from non-league Hitchin Town to train with them.
      A similar invitation duly arrived for Welbeck, this time from Matlock Town.

      4

      The one-time Arsenal stars now face the prospect of trying to find any top club prepared to give them a contract — and even then, it would surely only be on a pay-as-you-play basis.
      To make matters worse, they are on the market at just the wrong time — as football teeters on the brink of ruin because of the Covid-19 crisis.
      No clubs have money to gamble with.
      West Ham and Watford took a punt pre-Covid and paid for it, laying out big money for two talented players saddled with the misfortune of failing bodies.
      Arsene Wenger saw Wilshere as one of his brightest hopes, throwing him into his midfield while still a teenager and backing him to flourish in the Premier League and Europe.
      The Frenchman also thought he had pulled off a major coup in nabbing Welbeck from Manchester United for £16million in 2014.
      But what Wenger did not bargain for in either case was sheer bad luck.
      When Wilshere fractured an ankle in a friendly against New York Red Bulls nine years ago, it was seen as a minor hitch.

      4

      Welbeck and Wilshere both had a year left on their contracts before being let goCredit: EPA

      Instead, he missed the whole season and the long list of injury lay-offs — from numerous ankle surgeries and two broken legs — began.
      By the time he was fully fit earlier this year, Wilshere had lost the confidence of Hammers boss David Moyes in their relegation scrap.
      Welbeck’s is a similar tale, with a string of knee injuries stopping him in his tracks every time he was finding his form.
      Like West Ham, Watford thought it was worth the risk in taking him off Arsenal’s hands.
      And like the Hammers, they guaranteed a high weekly wage, only to get their fingers badly burned as the player spent as much time on the treatment table as on the pitch.
      The will and desire is there in both to continue playing. What is missing now may be the opportunity to do so.

      Transfer Deadline Day – catch up on all the biggest transfers from the summer More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Chris Hughton appointed new Nottingham Forest manager after Sabri Lamouchi’s ‘cruel’ and ‘classless’ sacking

      by

      CHRIS HUGHTON took over as Nottingham Forest’s new boss after Sabri Lamouchi was brutally axed by controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis.
      And the former Brighton and Newcastle manager was given an early warning that failure will not be tolerated as he was rushed in with indecent haste.

      1

      Sabri Lamouchi was brutally shown the door by Nottingham ForestCredit: PA:Press Association

      Even Forest fans were stunned and embarrassed by the callous nature of the Frenchman’s sudden demise, just four months after Lamouchi signed a new two-year contract at the City Ground.
      The club’s official website broke the news that the deal had been terminated, shortly after 6:15pm in a blunt statement which amounted to just 18 words .
      “Nottingham Forest can confirm that the contract of head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been terminated with immediate effect,” it stated.
      Forest did not offer one word of thanks to the 48-year-old Frenchman – who missed out on a play-off place on the final day of last season – in a move even their own fans described as ‘cruel, classless,’ and ‘callous.’

      Within minutes of revealing Lamouchi had been axed Forest used the same forum to announce Hughton (61) as their new boss.
      That mirrored the speed with which Lamouchi arrived at the City Ground when he was appointed 18 minutes after Martin O’Neill’s sacking in June 2019.
      This time, the Frenchman was the fall-guy after a disastrous start to the season which has left Forest 22nd in the table following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Bristol City.
      The club statement said. “Nottingham Forest are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Hughton as the club’s new manager.

      “Hughton joins the club with a wealth of managerial experience, leading both Newcastle United and Brighton to promotion from the Championship and going on to establish both teams in the Premier League.”
      The former Spurs and Republic of Ireland defender will be under no illusions he must repeat those promotion-winning campaigns with Forest or face the consequences as he becomes the club’s 13th manager in less than 10 years.

      Leeds complete £16m Raphinha transfer from Rennes as 23-year-old rapid winger signs four-year contract More