Sunday, September 30, 2018
Chivas goalkeeper Raul Gudino's save preserves draw against rivals America
Saturday, September 29, 2018
The eternal derby reveals why Italian football finds its way into your blood
Friday, September 28, 2018
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Eden Hazard wants trophies with Chelsea not individual acclaim after EFL Cup masterclass against Liverpool
Coventry supports lifting of Russia dopping ban
Kirsty Coventry, chairperson of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, yesterday said she supported the lifting of the ban on Russia’s anti-doping agency, Rusada, despite widespread dismay over this week’s […]
The post Coventry supports lifting of Russia dopping ban appeared first on The Standard.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
VIDEO: This Training Incident Proves Not All Is Well Between Mourinho And Pogba
While speculation often reigns supreme when it comes to sour relationships in football, occasionally the truth seeps through.
This usually occurs in moments of obvious dissent during match-days, and regardless of whether the foul dynamic in question is one that is shared between a player and a manager or players themselves, sparks always fly.
The most high-profile clash of egos that has been seen of recent is the reported fallout between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba at Manchester United.
With the Portuguese gaffer allegedly stripping the Frenchman of his vice-captaincy, it is becoming very hard to dismiss the rumors. Now, there may be visual proof of this bad rapport, as a recent training footage shows an interaction between the two.
L'échange tendu entre Pogba et Mourinho en version longue. [Sky Sports] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Z1FczGUs7t
— Manchester United (@MUnitedFrance) September 26, 2018
Wow, this is all so dramatic. Mourinho can be heard saying "Paul, get out", who then seems to ask why and clearly isn't going anywhere. pic.twitter.com/ekynTrm2Ix
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) September 26, 2018
The icy interaction, prior to which Pogba seemed in a positive mood, clearly had a momentous exchange of words. Throughout the apparent spar, Pogba appeared to be defending himself, akin to his encounters with referees during his on-field antics.
However, it is important to note that without the context of the actual words that were exchanged, interpreting the encounter as a major fallout between the duo is also slightly wishful thinking.
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Further still, the speculation that surrounds the duo adds to the apparent drama, and one can be forgiven for reading into the situation too much.
Then again, the body language of the Frenchman is highly suggestive, as is the cold posture of Mourinho. While the gaffer is renowned for his hard love, this is one saga where the kind of words they exchange can have large implications.
An exit from the Carabao Cup after a defeat to Derby County, while not a huge loss, still doesn’t look good on Mourinho’s result sheet for this season. At the same time, neither does Pogba’s attitude. Is Old Trafford not big enough for both of them?
The post VIDEO: This Training Incident Proves Not All Is Well Between Mourinho And Pogba appeared first on BlameFootball.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Phil Foden shines as Manchester City see off Oxford United in front of packed house for League Cup tie
Monday, September 24, 2018
Luka Modric and Marta named players of the year at Best Fifa Awards
I didn't run away from Liverpool after Champions League final nightmare against Real Madrid, insists Loris Karius
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Erik Lamela guides wasteful Tottenham to nervy win over Brighton
Friday, September 21, 2018
Giants seek Chibuku Super Cup redemption
Sergio Aguero signs Manchester City contract extension until 2021 making
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Tired Eden Hazard excused Europa League duty by Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Rwanda Football officials set for prosecution after bribery allegations
Monday, September 17, 2018
Ngezi catch them young
One of Zimbabwe’s leading platinum miners, Zimplats, and the sponsors of Premiership football side Ngezi Platinum Stars continue to give back to the Mhondoro community after hosting yet another successful […]
The post Ngezi catch them young appeared first on The Standard.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
BWP strikes again to equalize for NY Red Bulls
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar was unsure if he was ready to play Friday - Thomas Tuchel
Friday, September 14, 2018
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
REVEALED: De Gea’s Reaction Behind The Scenes To Luke Shaw’s Injury
Much has been said of Manchester United, their players, and the manager this season, and most of it has come in the form of criticism.
The team could not have asked for a more turbulent start to the campaign, and the fact that it is Mourinho’s 3rd season at the club, usually his worst, makes it even more worrisome.
Among all the speculation going on regarding the club, unrest in the dressing room is one of the major focal points of United’s poor start to the Premier League 2018/19 season.
In the midst of this, Marca have published a little snippet regarding Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea and his United teammate Luke Shaw.
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England faced Spain recently, and despite the Red Devils’ goalkeeper being in good form throughout the game, all the eyes were on Shaw, who suffered a horrific injury through a clash of heads with Carvajal.
A win for Spain might have been the biggest source of happiness for De Gea on any other day, but this time, the no. 1 was only eager to know his friend’s medical situation as soon as the game was over.
The shot-stopper could not keep calm until he was assured that Shaw was doing fine, and the injury was not as cruel as initially feared.
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Marca further spoke about Shaw’s equation with his fellow United teammates, as they revealed: ‘The injuries he has suffered and how complicated it has been to settle in the team at Old Trafford, has made him very loved and appreciated in the dressing room of United.’
The youngster has been in inspired form this campaign, and his good run at United earned him an England call up – two things that were seemingly impossible last year.
The defender only recently recovered to full fitness after a horrific injury, and the entire world of football is breathing a sigh of relief that he was not a victim of another one.
The post REVEALED: De Gea’s Reaction Behind The Scenes To Luke Shaw’s Injury appeared first on BlameFootball.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Which is the best team?
THERE is always a huge amount of debate about which soccer team is the best in the English Premier League — Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur…? […]
The post Which is the best team? appeared first on The Standard.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Manchester United Take Shock Paul Pogba Decision
In football, as in life, one thing leads to another and the domino effect that ensues is the cause for many headlines. Paul Pogba’s Manchester United future has provided ample room for speculation of the sorts.
What started off as allegation of a bad rapport between the Frenchman and manager Jose Mourinho spiraled into full-blown interest from Barcelona during the summer window.
The transfer would have very well gone through had the higher-ups at United not refused to cease looking for an apt replacement.
The most recent update on the saga was a claim suggesting that Pogba and Mourinho had made their peace, and that the player wouldn’t reignite his interest to depart in January, but would instead wait till next summer to address his future, the club being put first.
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Now, a fresh update has been reported regarding the same. According to ESPN, Manchester United have put contract talks with Pogba on hold amid the uncertainty that surrounds his long-term future.
Currently into two years of a five-year-long tenure, it was earlier planned by the club that negotiations for a fresh deal would begin this month itself, fed by Pogba winning the World Cup with France over the summer.
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This requirement was deemed even more necessary by the fact that the 25-year-old is represented by Mino Raiola, who has proven to be a worthwhile adversary and is notorious for milking clubs when it comes to his star-studded client-list.
The report adds that United are still confident that Pogba will stay at Old Trafford for the long term, despite the shelving of these potential talks sending a conflicting message.
Pogba, for his part, has allegedly made it clear that the reported uncertainty he is showing at United is not a bid to tease a bigger pay in the next contract.
Does this bode ill for those fans who hope to see Pogba as a Red Devil for years to come?
The post Manchester United Take Shock Paul Pogba Decision appeared first on BlameFootball.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Man United Fans Are Not Happy With Pogba’s Latest Comments
Paul Pogba has been a controversial figure all around the summer, and his recent statements have not made his case any better.
The French international has been linked to different clubs recently, with Barcelona being the primary team involved. However, the transfer window came and ended, and he still remains a Red Devil despite it all.
Pogba’s relationship with Jose Mourinho appears to have worsened over the course of the past few months, and even being given the captain’s armband has not made the situation better.
The Manchester United boss has been public with his praise of the midfielder this season, as he claims to be very happy with the player’s performances.
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The World Cup winner recently spoke to the media ahead of his nation’s UEFA Nations League match against Germany, and here is what he had to say: “My future is currently in Manchester.”
To add to this, he said: “I still have a contract, I am playing there at the moment, but who knows what will happen in the next few months.”
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If creating a stir could be done with one statement, then this would be it. While United fans still feel hopeful of their main man staying till next summer at the least, nobody can say anything for sure.
When asked about his relation with his Portuguese boss, the former Juventus player replied: “We have a pure coach-player relationship, that’s right.”
But pleasing the fans is what Pogba does best, and he did just that when he added: “One thing I can assure you, I will always give 100%, no matter which coach I always give everything for United – I can not say more.”
The post Man United Fans Are Not Happy With Pogba’s Latest Comments appeared first on BlameFootball.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Gareth Bale shines as Wales run riot against Republic of Ireland to make winning start to Nations League
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Kapini still dreams of Warriors call-up
TAPUWA Kapini will go down in history as one of Zimbabwe’s most eccentric and colourful goalkeepers of his generation, but the former Highlanders shot-stopper wants to be remembered for something […]
The post Kapini still dreams of Warriors call-up appeared first on The Standard.
Is Lionel Messi hurting his own legacy by being too brilliant too regularly for Barcelona?
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Andreas Pereira: “I’d Play For This Club For Free”
Andreas Pereira has admitted that he is ready to play for his favourite club, Brazilian outfit Santos, for ‘free’ if he gets a chance.
Pereira has managed to earn Mourinho’s trust this season. The 22-year-old was one of the best performers for the Red Devils during their pre-season tour in the United States, and retained his spot in the starting XI for the first three games.
But the Manchester United gaffer had to switch tactics this weekend, and Pereira was dropped from the away game against Burnley.
While his United career flourishes, Pereira has named the club he wishes to retire at. Despite being born in Belgium, his heart lies in Brazil, and he wants to play for Santos before he hangs up his boots.
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In a recent interview with Globo Esporte, Pereira revealed: “I’m a Santista. My whole family is Santista and I grew up being a Santista. If it’s to play, I’d rather play at Santos, end my career there. I think it’s a dream.
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“There’s a lot of players who say I’m crazy, but I’d play for free at Santos if I have to. It’s a dream. Who knows right after Manchester, winning a couple of titles here.”
The youngster is set to make his international debut for Brazil during this international break.
Pereira also revealed how his fellow United teammate Romelu Lukaku tried to convince him to join the Belgium national side, as he had already represented the Red Devils at youth level.
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But the Manchester United youth academy graduate wasn’t ready to make this switch, as his heart was set out to represent the Seleção.
“He tried to convince me. He spoke to me: ‘You have to play for Belgium’. He came to talk to me, he’s always talking to me,” Pereira admitted.
“I told him ‘it’s difficult, Lukaku, can’t do it, it’s not the same. Playing for Belgium is something else. Playing for Seleção… It’s Brazil, I feel at home.’ ‘If that’s the way it is, you have to follow your heart’. And then he respected my decision.”
The post Andreas Pereira: “I’d Play For This Club For Free” appeared first on BlameFootball.
Monday, September 3, 2018
Italy boss Roberto Mancini upset over lack of Italians playing in Serie A
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Mourinho’s Reaction On Marcus Rashford Red Card Incident
Manchester United tasted some much-needed victory at Turf Moor as they beat Burnley 2-0.
However, the final scoreline didn’t reflect the mood of the match entirely, as the game that ought to have been settled in favour of the Red Devils after a first-half brace from Romelu Lukaku seemed on the verge of chaos in the second half.
After Paul Pogba missed a simple penalty won by substitute Marcus Rashford, the young Manchester United forward got into a brawl with Phil Bardsley which resulted in him being sent off.
In his defense, Rashford was responding to a late kick from the Burnley man, which the referee missed, while his headbutt wasn’t.
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As a result, red was evident for the Englishman, although Bardsley too deserved the suspension. Now, Jose Mourinho has had his say on the matter.
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Speaking after the game, Mourinho predictably declared: “I don’t know what happened. I would say it was naive. It was a kid and a very experienced man. Bardsley’s been in the game for 20 years and Marcus is a naive boy.”
The gaffer can be allowed for being critical of the youngster, particularly in view of how badly the Red Devils required the win following their worst start to a Premier League campaign in 26 years.
However, one must also consider that Rashford, who is already starved of game-time, must have been really frustrated by the tackle on him and doubly disappointed by the referee’s decision.
Emotions got the better of me, I shouldn’t of reacted like that. Sorry to everyone at the club and all the fans #MUFC pic.twitter.com/6UWnxd4yYo
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) September 2, 2018
At the end of the day, he ought to have known better, and having been awarded the first red card of his career will hopefully serve as a message for the rest of his tenure.
About their general performance, which was quite tense for the last 20 minutes, when the side had to play with ten men, Mourinho had this to say: “They played very well as a team, and there were very good individual performances and we should score many more goals. The result shouldn’t have been open until the last minute.”
The post Mourinho’s Reaction On Marcus Rashford Red Card Incident appeared first on BlameFootball.
Man City’s Team Before Sheikh Mansour’s Takeover: Where Are They Now?
Ten years ago, Manchester City was taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, with Sheikh Mansour calling the shots and effectively altering the future of the lesser known Mancunian side.
A decade later, three resounding Premier League titles have been captured, and the Cityzens are one of the most feared teams in the world, largely owing to their sizable investments in the transfer markets by virtue of their big-money owners.
However, this wasn’t always the case; let us have a look at the final City side before the fateful move:
Joe Hart
The English shot-stopper remained a part of the City roster for quite a while, before he was deemed below par for their needs, despite having led them to the hallowed titles. He now plays for Burnley, having left the champions earlier this summer.
Vedran Corluka
The Croatian centre-back, who also functioned as a right-back for City, now plays for Lokomotiv Moscow as their captain. One of the first players to leave after the takeover, he had a brief stint at Tottenham as well.
Micah Richards
Another defender who had a successful spell at City and held on till the memorable 2011/12 season, he has now been signed by Championship side Aston Villa. During the title-winning campaign, Richards warded off injuries and notched the most assists by any defender in the league.
Richard Dunne
A rare City legend and club captain who was replaced by the likes of Toure and Lescott. Unfortunately, he was one of the players that received a severe release after the takeover, as the Irishman apparently wasn’t big enough of a player for the new brand. He is currently retired and serves as a football pundit.
Michael Ball
Another retired player who functioned as a left-back. The Englishman had a severe injury in 2009, and he left City and spent a few years as a free agent before returning to play for Leicester and then finally hanging his boots.
Stephen Ireland
A product of Man City’s youth academy, Ireland currently plays for Stoke City, part of a loan deal from parent club Aston Villa. He was a regular till Mancini took over the Sky Blues and sold him in 2010.
Didi Hamann
A player whose professional playing days are over, despite ongoing stints with amateur sides. The German’s end came after City released him after the 2008/09 season.
Michael Johnson
Another retired player, the midfielder was once prized to be a brilliant player of the great game. Unfortunately, an abdominal injury caused his exit.
Vincent Kompany
A rare, familiar name in the present context, the Belgian defender has gone on to become the backbone of City’s recent success. Still the captain of the Mancunian giants at 32 years of age, one does wonder about his future.
Shaun Wrights-Philips
Two seasons after the takeover saw the English winger heavily feature for City, but the likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure quickly lapped up his starting spot. Now inactive, his last stints were with QPR, New York Red Bulls, and Phoenix Rising FC.
Jo
The Brazilian was signed shortly before the takeover for a fee of £19 million. This was then viewed as a huge amount, which is ironic considering the massive purchases the club has made since and the sheer records they’ve broken. The striker currently functions for Japanese club Nagoya Grampus.
Substitutes:
City’s bench featured the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, the son of United’s legendary goalkeeper, and who is currently more renowned for his shot-stopping antics with Leicester City.
Javier Garrido now plays for Norwich City, while Tal Ben Haim and Gelson Fernandes ply their trades for Standard Liege and Freiburg respectively.
Elano is now with Gremio, while the controversial career of City’s youth academy product Ched Evans has now seen the striker with Fleetwood Town.
Lastly, the memorable name of Daniel Sturridge once dotted City’s roster, but the English forward now plays for Liverpool.
The post Man City’s Team Before Sheikh Mansour’s Takeover: Where Are They Now? appeared first on BlameFootball.