Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd star, 36, likened to World Cup legend retires with heartfelt message saying: ‘My dreams have come true’

      by

      GIUSEPPE ROSSI has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36 with a touching message.Rossi started out at Manchester United’s academy in 2004 and his talent led to comparisons to Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero thanks to his speed, technique, passing, dribbling and shooting.
      Ex-Manchester United ace Giuseppe Rossi announced his retirementCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Rossi has been previously compared to Alessandro Del PieroCredit: AFP
      The striker spent three years in United’s books but only managed a mere total of four goals and one assist in 14 appearances.
      The ex-Italy international was sent out on loan to Newcastle and Parma before his departure in 2007 when he joined Villarreal.
      Rossi went on to play for Fiorentina, Levante, Celta Vigo, Genoa, Real Salt Lake and SPAL, where he ended his career.
      Pepito issued a touching farewell message to fans stating his “dreams came true”.
      Read More on Man Utd
      Rossi posted on Instagram: “Today I announce my retirement from the beautiful game. It’s been an unforgettable journey!
      “From running around the backyard as a kid with a ball at my feet and having my father as a coach, to playing at the highest level of football possible, in the most beautiful stadiums football can offer and playing with/against the best players and clubs in the world….
      “I’m eternally grateful to have been a part of this game. My dreams came true. My life is fulfilled.
      “All I ever wanted was to be the best player I could be. I dedicated every ounce of me, shedded blood, sweat and tears for this game. I can leave the game peacefully, knowing I did all I can possibly do to achieve my goals.
      Most read in Football
      “My journey is unique. A lot of ups but also some downs. Those down moments (mostly injuries) never defined me. My purpose was stronger than any obstacle that was in front of me.
      “I never stopped dreaming when things I couldn’t control got in my way. I love the game so much that I could’ve never given up.
      “That is why I’m writing this with a heavy heart but a big smile on face – I’m proud of what I accomplished!
      “To my family…your sacrifices and endless support gave me the strength and courage to achieve things I thought were unreachable. Thank you.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Rossi stated his “dreams came true” during a heartfelt farewell messageCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “To my clubs…it was an honor being by your side and representing your shirt! I wore it proudly and gave it my all each and every game. Thank you for your trust in me.
      “To my teammates…so many battles on the field together, so many amazing moments shared off the field. Thank you for being important figures during my career that challenged me to be the best player I could be.
      “To the fans…the game wouldn’t be the beautiful game without you. You have all been by my side throughout my 19 year career. We shared some moments that will last a lifetime! Thank you.
      “I will truly miss the game but I know it’s time. On to the next chapter.. #PepitoOut.” More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Chelsea ace Mateo Kovacic leaves Man City team-mates in stitches as he butchers initiation song on Haaland birthday

      by

      MATEO KOVACIC has left his Manchester City team-mates in stitches after his horrendous initiation song.The Croatian midfielder is a new arrival at the Etihad Stadium after signing from Chelsea for £30million this summer.
      Mateo Kovacic butchered his Manchester City initiation songCredit: Instagram
      Erling Haaland filmed Mateo Kovacic’s initiation performanceCredit: Instagram
      Kovacic has signed a four-year deal with the champions and has now completed his initiation.
      During the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, Kovacic picked up the microphone at their team hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
      In footage captured by birthday boy Erling Haaland, Kovacic’s out of tune performance of Steve Holy’s Good Morning Beautiful had his new team-mates in fits of laughter.
      As he struggles to make it through the track, players can be heard trying to contain their amusement.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Haaland uploaded the clip to his Instagram story and wrote: “Thanks for the birthday song @mateokovacic8.”
      The Norwegian goal machine celebrated his 22nd birthday with the squad on Friday.
      City are set to play three matches during their trip, starting on Sunday.
      Pep Guardiola’s side will take on the Yokohama F. Marinos and Bayern Munich in Tokyo.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      They will then conclude their tour on July 30 with a friendly against Atletico Madrid in Seoul, South Korea.
      Kovacic remains City’s only signing so far this summer, despite their pursuit of other targets.
      RB Leipzig defender and fellow Croatian Josko Gvardiol has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester.
      Gvardiol has reportedly completed a medical with City ahead of a record-breaking move for a defender. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Chelsea star and free agent shows off incredible body transformation as fans of former club say ‘bring him home’

      by

      FORMER Chelsea and Everton star Ross Barkley has shown off his impressive body transformation ahead of the 2023-24 season.The 29-year-old midfielder took to Instagram to share three topless pictures of himself working out in the gym.
      Barkley shared three pictures of himself in the gym on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu4rbR9swej/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
      He captioned the post with ‘Preparing for the new season, feeling strong and ready.’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu4rbR9swej/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
      The midfielder is currently a free agentCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu4rbR9swej/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
      He paired the images with a caption that read: “Preparing for the new season, feeling strong and ready.”
      Some of his former team-mates were quick to comment on the picture, with Davide Zappacosta writing: “Beast.”
      Danny Drinkwater added: “Geez!! Absolute machine”
      While Mario Lemina wrote: “Damn!!!!!”
      Read More on Football
      Lifelong Everton fan and professional boxer Tony Bellew also took to the comments to beg the Toffees to re-sign Barkley.
      He wrote: “Bring him home @everton.”
      Barkley joined Everton’s academy at the age of 11 in 2005 and climbed up through the ranks before making his professional debut six years later.
      The midfielder went on to make 179 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 27 goals and providing 28 assists.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      He left to join Chelsea in a £15million transfer in 2018 and made 100 appearances for the Blues during his four-year spell.
      Barkley became a free agent last summer when his contract at Stamford Bridge came to an end.
      He spent last season in France with Nice, but he was limited to just 28 outings.
      The former England international left the Ligue 1 side last month, meaning he is now without a club again.
      Barkley spent last season with NiceCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League legend David Silva set to retire from football at 37 after brutal injury blow in pre-season

      by

      PREMIER LEAGUE legend David Silva is set to retire from football at the age of 37.The former Manchester City star has suffered a brutal injury blow during pre-season.
      David Silva is considering retiring from football due to injuryCredit: Getty
      Silva sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training with Real Sociedad.
      According to Fabrizio Romano, he is now considering announcing his retirement as a result of the injury.
      A decision is said to be expected soon, with The Athletic reporting that the veteran midfielder has already made up his mind.
      Having signed a contract extension in May, Silva’s deal runs through to the end of the coming season.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He returned to Spain in 2020, signing for Sociedad from City on a free transfer after a decade in England.
      Across 93 appearances for the La Liga side, he has scored seven goals and added 18 assists.

      Silva also helped the club qualify for the Champions League last season as they finished fourth in the table.
      He remains a fan favourite in Manchester from his time at the Etihad Stadium.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      In 436 appearances for City, Silva scored 77 goals and provided 140 assists.
      During his 10 years in England, he also won 14 major trophies, including four league titles.
      Silva also scored 35 goals in 125 caps for Spain during his career, winning both the World Cup and the Euros. More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Fuming Postecoglou asks ‘you flew all the way for that?’ after journalist’s cheeky stunt at Tottenham press conference

      by

      ANGE POSTECOGLOU did not see the funny side after a German reporter held up a Bayern Munich shirt with Harry Kane on the back in his Tottenham press conference.The Spurs boss was speaking to the media ahead of his side’s friendly with Leicester on Sunday in Bangkok when the Bild journalist pulled off the stunt.
      Postecoglou was unimpressed with the journalist’s stuntCredit: EPA
      The reporter who brought the Kane Bayern shirt to Postecoglou’s press conference was BILD’s Max Schrader. Postecoglou was angry when he saw the shirt and said: “What can I say about that? Nothing!” – Spurs press officer then wanted to intervene, but the coach continued [@BILD] pic.twitter.com/rrVWt505ch— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 22, 2023

      He lifted a new Bayern kit with the name ‘Kane’ and the No9 on the back and asked Postecoglou what he thought of it, cheekily adding: “It looks quite good, no?”
      Safe to say the Spurs boss was deeply unimpressed by the hack’s antics.
      Postecoglou, sporting a face like thunder, replied: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.
      “Did you get a good laugh for it? Got what you came to get? Maybe? Very good. You came a long way for that, thank you.”
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      It comes after Bayern had two approaches, believed to be £60million and £70m, turned down for Spurs legend Kane.
      The German giants believe the England captain, who has a year remaining on his contract, wants to join them.
      Postecoglou then moved on to answer other questions but was clearly still annoyed and made a thinly-veiled dig back at the reporter in a reply about his ambitions at Spurs.
      The Australian, 57, said: “All I can do is just try to work hard like I have everywhere else. We’re in the early part of it. As I said, it’s a massive football club, a massive opportunity and a massive challenge here. 
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “That’s what we’ll try to do, bring success to one of the biggest football clubs in the world, big enough to make up fake jumpers to be a presence.”
      Postecoglou said earlier this week that “it was fair to say I’m not relaxed about” the situation involving Kane and that it did no one any favours for the situation to drag on.
      The German reporter’s first question before his skit was whether the Spurs boss still felt that way, to which Postecoglou simply replied: “That was two days ago and nothing has changed.” More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m an England and Premier League legend but crowd laughed at me when I first started playing for how I looked

      by

      PETER CROUCH has revealed he was laughed at by fans when he first started playing because of how he looked.The 6ft 7in England and Premier League legend went on to have a successful career at club and international level.
      Peter Crouch was laughed at by fans at the start of his careerCredit: Getty
      However, he was abused by supporters when making his senior debut as a 19-year-old.
      Signed by QPR for £60,000 in 2000, Crouch was largely unknown when he lined up as a tall and skinny teenager.
      He has now recalled the reception he had from the crowd in his new Amazon Prime Video documentary That Peter Crouch Film.
      Crouch explained: “Getting in the first team was one thing.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “Experiencing the level of abuse was something that was new to me and another eye-opener. It was my first season in professional football and we went away to West Brom.
      “I came on and I could hear the crowd laughing at me, I could feel it, purely because of the way I looked like, none of them had ever seen me play.”
      The former striker was later abused by home supporters during a trip to face Gillingham.
      He added: “There was another time away at Gillingham where I got absolutely abused, I think everyone in the crowd was singing songs about me.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      “‘Freak’, ‘does the circus know you’re here?’, it was like I was a joke.”
      Crouch went on to score 12 goals in 47 appearances for QPR to earn a £2million move to Portsmouth a year later.
      Across his career, he would score 106 goals in 467 Premier League appearances, featuring for the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham.
      The popular 42-year-old also won 42 England caps, scoring 22 times for his country and playing at two World Cups. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal star will not be leaving after Declan Rice transfer threw Gunners future into doubt

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA has ruled out the departure of Thomas Partey and insists the midfielder is still a key part of his Arsenal plans.Partey’s Emirates future has been up in the air following the club record signing of £100million Declan Rice.
      Mikel Arteta has ruled out the departure of Thomas ParteyCredit: Alamy
      But Arteta is adamant that the 30-year-old Ghanaian international is going nowhere as he looks to assemble a squad to topple Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
      Saudi club Al Ahli have been weighing up a £30million bid for Partey, who still has two years remaining on his Arsenal contract.
      But Arteta says: “Thomas is a super important player for us and I want him to be a part of our team, that’s for sure.
      “Him and Rice can play together in the same team. That was always in my plans.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      “If you want to improve the squad, you need more quality players in the same position to fight for places in the team.
      “That’s something we haven’t had in the last few years. We wanted to improve that and that’s why we have bought Declan as well.
      “So I expect Thomas to stay and every time I have spoken with him the conversation has been that he is ready to do that.”
      Rice’s club record signing from West Ham last week has taken Arsenal’s summer spending to £200milion following the arrivals of £65million Kai Havertz and £35million Jurrien Timber.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      And Arteta does not rule out the possibility of adding even more players before this transfer window closes.
      He says: “There will still be movement. There will be a lot of ins and outs.
      “If we can improve the team, we will try to do it. But we don’t want to get any weaker and we have to be sure that doesn’t happen.”
      One player who seems certain to leave this summer is Nicolas Pepe, the £72million winger who has just returned to the club after an underwhelming season on loan at Nice.
      Thomas Partey will not leave Arsenal despite Declan Rice’s arrivalCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old Ivorian international is not part of Arsenal’s 29-man squad currently touring the USA and has not attracted any bids from potential buyers.
      Arsenal are reluctant to let him leave for nothing, but with 12 months still to run on his £140,000-a-week contract could be forced to cut their losses just to get him off the wage bill.
      Arteta says: “He’s not with us in America because he’s recovering from an injury, but he had a spell on loan and we wanted to get more from that.
      “We’ll have a chat when he comes back and try to understand what the plans are before we make a decision.” More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea axe technical director just seven months into job as Boehly restructures Pochettino’s support team

      by

      CHELSEA have parted company with technical director Christopher Vivell after seven months in the job.The German arrived at the club in December from RB Leipzig as Petr Cech’s successor.
      Christopher Vivell has left Chelsea after seven months at the clubCredit: Getty
      Todd Boehly has given transfer control to Laurence Stewart and Paul WinstanleyCredit: PA
      But following a club restructure after January Vivell began reporting to co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
      And now the 36-year-old has been placed on gardening leave and has no influence on how the club is being run.
      Stewart and Winstanley have overseen transfer activity since arriving at the club from Brighton during Graham Potter’s tenure.
      Mauricio Pochettino has called on Todd Boehly to bring in new players, despite the American forking out £600million across the last two windows.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The Argentine said: “I want the right profiles, the right players, to arrive and improve the squad.
      “Of course, as soon as possible is better than later. Today is better than tomorrow. We need to work really hard on the targets we have. We know it’s difficult. We have a very young squad.
      “It is a challenge. It is something we knew when we accepted being in charge of this club. Nothing to complain about, it is a really exciting moment.
      “We are confident we can build a really good squad that is ready to compete in the Premier League. We are still working to finish it.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Poch is also keen to get rid of several fringe players known as the “bomb squad”.
      That includes the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has completed his move to Marseille. More