Author: Conal

CHELSEA are attempting to hijack Arsenal’s move for Mykhaylo Mudryk and are set for talks with the Blues in London this week. Arsenal’s latest offer for the Shakhtar Donetsk star is £62million, but is still well below the Ukrainian side’s asking price. Despite the Gunners having already agreed personal terms over a five-year deal, worth around £120k-a-week, with Mudryk, Chelsea are set to enter the fray having already started discussions. If the Blues agree to meet the asking price, around £60million with another £20million in add-ons, and offer better terms than the Gunners they could pip the Premier League leaders to…

ARSENAL were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle in a hot-tempered clash at the Emirates. It was only the third time this season the Gunners have dropped points. 2Bukayo Saka was impressive again for the Gunners once he burst into life after the breakCredit: GettyPowered ByLoaded: 0.16% 2Eddie Nketiah missed a glorious late chance for ArsenalCredit: Reuters And in doing so they failed to stretch their lead over Manchester City at the top of the table to 10 points. Bukayo Saka impressed again for Mikel Arteta’s side, who were convinced they should have had a late penalty for handball. Eddie Nketiah did his…

Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi used their time off from PSG by jetting off to New York to watch Brooklyn Nets beat San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. The pair both made the latter stages of the World Cup with France going all the way to the final, while Morocco went out in the semi-finals and eventually finished fourth. They quickly returned from international duty to feature in both of PSG’s opening two games after the tournament, but the French champions slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Lens on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi posed for a picture with Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant Mbappe and Hakimi…

Chelsea will welcome Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday looking to take all three points from this contest. The visitors come into the match on the back of a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Everton. On the other hand, the Blues recorded a similar result against Nottingham Forest as they failed to take the lead with the match ending with a scoreline of 1-1, so they will have to pick up their game in order to stay in contention for the league title. Graham Potter will set his players up in a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to opt for a strong first team for this…

The relationship between Lionel Messi and the PSG ultras is not the best. Since the previous season there was a break that seems to have no solution. In the restart of Ligue 1, the most radical fans sent a hint to the ‘Flea’ and, before this, the world champion made a decision about his future that surprised everyone. In PSG’s first game after the World Cup in Qatar, the Parisian ultras put up a flag with a message for Kylian Mbappé. In it, the phrase: “You are the champion” was read, alluding to what happened in the Cup final against…

Erik ten Hag has played down suggestions that Manchester United are in the Premier League title race following their 3-0 win over Bournemouth, while he fears Donny van de Beek has suffered a serious injury. Since losing their opening two matches of the campaign, the Red Devils have picked up 35 points from a possible 45 in their subsequent 15 matches and are just one point behind reigning champions and title favourites Manchester City – though have played a game more. Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford all got on the score sheet against Bournemouth in what turned into a comfortable night for United and continued…

Mikel Arteta complained that Arsenal had been denied two “scandalous penalties” as the Premier League leaders were held to a bruising 0-0 draw by Newcastle on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta complained that Arsenal had been denied two “scandalous penalties” as the Premier League leaders were held to a bruising 0-0 draw by Newcastle on Tuesday. Arteta was furious that Arsenal failed in their appeal for a spot-kick in the final seconds of stoppage-time after Jacob Murphy used his arm to block a cross in the penalty area. The Gunners boss also complained that Dan Burn was guilty of a shirt pull on Arsenal defender Gabriel in the area…

For Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving widely respected English behemoth Manchester United in an acrimonious manner, only to ply his trade in the football backwater of Saudi Arabia is obviously at odds with his status as one of the best strikers in history. But the fiercely competitive five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who had spent two decades being the leading talisman at some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, knows only too well how to change the narrative. “I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life and football,” said Ronaldo at his grand unveiling at Al Nassr’s packed Mrsool Park stadium after signing a two-and-a-half…

Christophe Galtier has given the majority of his Paris Saint-Germain squad the day off as Lionel Messi returns to training following his World Cup win with Argentina. Lionel Messi is set to return to Paris Saint-Germain training on Tuesday after winning the World Cup with Argentina. The 35-year-old was handed a 10-day break by PSG after his exploits in Qatar but has now reportedly returned to the club ahead of their Coupe de France clash against Chateauroux on Friday. Messi scored twice in the final as Argentina beat Kylian Mbappe’s France on penalties at Lusail Stadium following a 3-3 after extra-time. Lionel Messi is set to return…

Having lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for free over the summer, Chelsea know the risks and pitfalls of contracts running down. As January commences, the time for pursuing free agents arrives and brings with it the chance to secure players that may well have been unattainable previously. Six months out from the expiry of June 2023 deals there are a host of top end players that can now be hit up over the prospect of moving on in the summer for nothing. A ‘selling’ club’s worst nightmare and a ‘buying’ club’s favourite. Rudiger and Christensen could have fetched around…

MIKEL ARTETA blasted his Arsenal side had “two scandalous penalties” turned down against Newcastle. Referee Andy Madley waved away furious appeals from the home side on two occasions in the 0-0 stalemate at the Emirates. 3Mikel Arteta was left fuming after his side were denied two penalty appealsCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunPowered ByLoaded: 8.91%3Arsenal initially wanted a penalty when Dan Burn brought down Gabriel MagalhaesCredit: Getty 3The Gunners wanted another penalty in stoppage time for handball by Jacob MurphyCredit: Reuters The first came when Dan Burn tugged Gabriel Magalhaes’ shirt at a free-kick on the hour mark. And Arsenal were screaming for a…

MANCHESTER UNITED romped to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bournemouth – and Marcus Rashford scored again. The Red Devils started the game sloppily but went 1-0 up thanks to a goal from Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. Luke Shaw doubled United’s lead before Rashford made it three late in the game on a comfortable night for Erik Ten Hag’s side. That’s all from Manchester Manchester United picked up a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford. United opened the scoring after just 23 minutes when Christian Eriksen delivered a free kick from the left and found an unmarked Casemiro who tapped…

Chelsea transfer news: AC Milan star and Portugal international Rafael Leao continues to be heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge with the January transfer window now open. Chelsea are one of a number of sides that could be busy in the January transfer window as the opportunity arises for further signings to bolster the squad. The Blues were already big spenders in the summer, but after an inconsistent start to the campaign, they may have to splash out again. One of the players heavily linked back in the summer was AC Milan star Rafael Leao, though a move…

Arsenal face another challenge as in form Newcastle United travel to North London this evening. The Gunners have the chance to go ten points clear at the top of the table with a win, which won’t come easy against Eddie Howes electrifying side. Big questions will be asked of Mikel Arteta’s side in the coming month, with a schedule of challenge after challenge against big opposition. Arsenal are unbeaten at home this season and are in an impressive run of form, and with a win tonight, the Gunners could break a club record by winning their opening eight home matches…

Manchester United can sign any old striker in January, but should wait and sign the old striker they need in the summer. Harry Kane garnered very little sympathy as he pushed for his transfer to Manchester City in the summer of 2021. Having agreed to a six-year contract three years previously, with no release clause, Kane was stuck, and any attempt from brother Charlie to cast Daniel Levy as the villain – as simple a task as any in football – led instead to the pair of Kanes being billed as silly little boys without a leg to stand on. A…

Opposed in the final on Sunday evening (3-3, 4-2 on tab), Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé scored so much this World Cup that they took a step ahead in the race for the Ballon d’Or France Football. The Argentinian adds the only major title that was missing from his list and he was named best player of the tournament, the Frenchman finished top scorer just ahead of him (8 goals against 7). But with a double for the first and a hat-trick for the second in the final, a performance that only the English Geoffrey Hurst had achieved in 1966,…

The man considered by many to be the greatest player of all time now looks to refocus his efforts on bringing PSG their first Champions League title, returning to the French club with renewed vigor. Now that the World Cup break is over, PSG are hoping to push forward towards a Ligue 1 title and European glory. Messi figures to be a key part of that push, as he teams up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to see the French giants reach new heights. The Sporting News brings you a full overview of Messi’s European exploits to come over the…

Chelsea are set to host Manchester City in the Premier League on Thursday, January 5. Ahead of the game, let’s take a look at the numerous injury issues that manager Graham Potter is currently dealing with in his squad (via Football.London). Edouard Mendy Edouard Mendy picked up a shoulder injury during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Senegalese shot-stopper wasn’t in the squad for Chelsea’s games against AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest over the past week. However, he is expected to return against Manchester City. Speaking about Mendy’s injury, Potter said: “Mendy we are not sure, we’ll have to see in…

The predicted line ups and early team news for Man United’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Manchester United will be looking to start the new year in style when they host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. Erik ten Hag’s side is in fine form following their victory at Wolves at the weekend, and they know another three points tonight will strengthen their hopes of a top-four finish. United have won seven of their 10 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth (D1 L2), with both defeats against them coming at the Vitality Stadium. In terms of early team news, Diogo…

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on rising Montpellier star Elye Wahi, according to reports in France. Wahi recently scored the 20th Ligue 1 goal of his career so far, becoming only the second player to do so before the age of 20 after Kylian Mbappe. On Monday, he is celebrating his 20th birthday and is becoming the topic of transfer news at the same time. According to Foot Mercato, Arsenal have been watching Wahi in recent months. Thanks to his form this season, in which he has scored seven goals from 15 games, their interest has only been growing. Arsenal…

PSG have already made a decision on Mbappe and surprise as Messi returns to France. Lionel Messi finally returns to Paris this week to make himself available to Christophe Galtier in order to carry out the remaining commitments of the second half of the season in 2023 where Paris Saint-Germain wants to aspire to everything. In that sense, it is now surprising what the team does with Mbappe while Messi returns. Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi played one of the best finals in the history of a World Cup. In the end, Argentina managed to win the trophy in Qatar…

Unwanted by Europe’s elite clubs, Cristiano Ronaldo’s steep decline has been laid bare by a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr that signals the end of his reign as one of football’s most feared strikers. Ronaldo will be officially unveiled by Al Nassr on Tuesday after agreeing a contract that runs until 2025 and is reportedly worth more than 200 million euros. But the riches and fanfare that await the 37-year-old in Saudi Arabia are at odds with his reduced status as a fallen star trading on past heroics. For Ronaldo to be forced to play out what will…

Chelsea transfer news: Borussia Dortmund and England wonderkid Jude Bellingham has been linked with a move to Chelsea, along with a whole host of other elite clubs. Jude Bellingham looks set to snub a move to the Premier League in favour of a big money transfer to Real Madrid. The Borussia Dortmund talent will be at the centre of a huge bidding war in the summer transfer window as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City prepare to fight for his signature. The 19-year-old’s stock has risen significantly following an impressive World Cup campaign with England in Qatar. Bellingham’s close friendship with…

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal importance has been epitomised by their European domination. Arsenal were unable to sign a winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform until the next opportunity to address this area of the pitch opens. However, the two wingers have lived up to the pressure and were excellent during the first half of the season. Arsenal currently lead the Premier League table by seven points with Saka and Martinelli playing a major part. Their importance on the…