Chelsea manager Antonio Conte employed the 3-4-3 switch in formation last season and it paid off. The system got popular and more managers started deploying wingbacks.
Pundits claim the system is the hardest to play against, especially if the wingbacks are very fast in attacks and can cover the defence very well. If a team is precise in attack and accurate in front of goal, even the strongest defence will crumble. Continue reading “IS 3-4-3 SYSTEM THE NEW TREND?”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants the fans to remain behind the team for next season.
He said that he understands the fans position and that they want the club to win trophies. He said that he would be doing everything he can to help the team challenge for trophies, but it is important that the fans remain behind the team.
He said that the atmosphere has been toxic at times and it was difficult for the players to perform in this condition. Arsene Wenger has called for the fans to forget their differences and to make sure they get behind the team.
He said that the team would be investing in quality players during the transfer window as he feels that they need more quality than quantity. He believes that there is a good foundation and that he will need to build on that. Continue reading “Wenger wants fans backing”
Spanish side Real Madrid have lifted the La Liga for the first time in five years after seeing off Malaga 2-0 on Sunday.
The Portuguese forward combined with Isco to score the opener in the final game of the season. French star Karim Benzema scored the second goal after keeper Carlos Kameni stopped Sergio Ramos’ effort in the second half.
Real Madrid had three points ahead of the game so they needed just a draw to seal the title over Barcelona. The Camp Nou match was dramatic as Barca fell 2-0 down to their guest Eibar in the first 61 minutes. After the second goal went in, they responded immediately courtesy of an own goal by David Junca.
Takashi Inui had scored two power strikes for the away side to add pressure on the defending champs. Luis Suarez, after losing two to three clear chances earlier, grabbed the equalizer in the 73rd minute before Lionel Messi – who lost a penalty kick – scored a brace to seal a 4-2 victory. Continue reading “REAL MADRID WIN 2-0 TO LIFT LA LIGA”
There are rumours making the rounds that Arsenal have joined the race to sign Jordan Pickford.
Manchester City, Everton and now Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing him as Sunderland are set to drop to the second tier. There are rumours that Arsenal are looking at having a long term plan for a goalkeeper and Pickford fits the bill.
Yes, there is Petr Cech and David Ospina but the club wants a long term interest. Scouts are allegedly monitoring the player, with some seeing the game against Watford over the weekend. If Arsenal decide to make a move on the player, they will not have it easy as City and Everton are keen on getting the 23-year old.
In other news, Arsenal seem to have convinced troubled playmaker Alexis Sanchez to stay another year despite the heavy links with Chelsea. The Chilean reportedly told the club that he would remain at the Emirates but walk a free agent if the club does not match his ambitions. Continue reading “ARSENAL INTERESTED IN PICKFORD?”
Former Liverpool legend, Steven Gerard has received the Freedom of the city of Liverpool, an honour he considered a “surprise.”
Gerard, who first played for Liverpool in 1999, later went on to make more than 500 appearances for the Merseyside club. He lifted the Champions League trophy after the famous Instanbul final in 2005.
Being named the best Liverpool player of the English Premier League era last December his name came out in the nomination list for the Freedom of the city honour by the Mayor of the City.
Reacting to the news of his nomination, Gerard said, “Liverpool is my home city and so to be acknowledged in this way leaves me speechless. To even think about getting such an award makes me feel very humble and of course immensely proud.” Continue reading “GERRAD TO GET FREEDOM OF CITY OF LIVERPOOL”
Chelsea winger Pedro says that is striker Diego Costa is clearly happy to be playing for the West London outfit amongst a lot of rumours that he is seriously considering an offer from China.
Chinese clubs have already secured a big-money Premier League signings for huge wages. It is believed that the offer on Costa’s table was around £30 million per year in wages alone. The former ended any speculation about his future by coming up with the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Hull City.
This re-established his lead as the top scorer in the Premier league alongside Alexis Sanchez. Pedro believes that the goal from Costa shows that the former Atletico Madrid is ready to be an integral part of the club’s title challenge this season. Since arriving from Spain in a £ 32 million deal back in 2014, Costa has been one of the deadliest strikers in European football.
“He is a very good striker. I have played with important people, important players like Ibrahimovic. Costa is a very good striker too, a very good runner, strong physically and he scores more goals for the team. He is perfect for this team. With the team, he [Costa] has been training very well, with his team-mates. He is very happy to be here in the club, this is the most important thing. His focus is on the team, the game, this season, to fight for this title,” said Pedro.
Spanish side Atletico Madrid trained for the final time on Monday before making their trip to Russia to face Rostov in a Champions League clash on Wednesday.
Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, star play maker Koke, and French talented striker Antoine Griezmann were in action, training intensely for the potentially difficult tie abroad. Atletico Madrid are arguably the most difficult side to defeat in the whole of Europe at the moment. They sit atop their groups in the European and domestic division. The trip to Russia is a crucial one as a slip will give the advantage to their arch opponents – Bayern Munich.
Yannick Carrasco put up a superb performance as Atletico disgraced Granada 7-1 to stay atop the La Liga. The Belgium international got an hat trick and two assists in the game played on Saturday. Aside his form, as a key member of the squad, he is set to play a major role in Russia.
“I am very happy for [Carrasco]. It is a daily struggle, to get him to what you saw in this game. He is a very complete player, with great potential, he wants to improve and he listens, he scores goals, beats people with the ball,” Simeone said after the Granada game, praising the Belgian winger for his efforts.
Los Rojibalncos are poised to get the victory in Russia even though it is expected not to come easy. Carlo Ancelotti has promised that his Bayern Munich side will bounce back after a few slips. Atletico will want to force a victory out of their visit so they can maintain dominance in Group D.
Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has been told to prove himself with Nottingham Forest to earn national team call-up.
Bendtner has featured four times for Nottingham this season, but it is evident that he is still match rusty. This is the reason he missed out on national team games, and would not be included in upcoming international games. However, Hareide said he could still get invited sometime in the national team set-up if he can prove himself at his club.
On the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro, and Poland, Hareide said he has no plans of inviting the former Gunner. “No, he has not been. He has played a few games and has been away from football a long time.” Continue reading “Bendtner to fight for national team call-up”
Borussia Dortmund has recently sustained a heavy defeat after facing off with Bayern Munich and losing 0-2. This match decided which club was going to emerge as the champions of the 2016-17 season of the German Cup.
If it wasn’t for some spectacular saves from Manuel Neuer, the scoreboard would have been much more different. The German shot-stopper continues to prove why he is widely regarded as the best goal-keeper in the world.
Not too long ago, Thomas Tuchel talked about Mats Hummels decision to join Bayern Munich as the veteran defender made his way from Borussia Dortmund to their rivals Munich in a transfer that was officially completed on July 1st. Continue reading “Does Borussia Dortmund have a chance to win the league?”
Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri has reportedly told N’GoloKante to make a decision about his future. He has told the midfielder that he is free to leave if he wants to but he must let the club know.
There has been news that Chelsea is interested in the player and had offered the club £30million for the French international. At the moment Leicester City has denied the offer and is still negotiating with the player for a new deal. They will be hoping that they can convince the player to stay with them like they did with Jamie Vardy.
However, it is believed that N’GoloKante wants to play for a bigger club and might consider moving abroad. It is reported that there is a Chinese club Shanghai SIPG that is also prepared to pay around £35m for the player. At the moment the French midfielder has not said anything about his decision and is still considering all options.
Continue reading “Ranieri tells Kante to decide on his future”