Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed star Harry Kane is no certainty to face Manchester United on Saturday after missing the EFL Cup midweek.
The Reds are stuck in a rut but a major change in approach is unlikely to get them out of it, meaning the players will have to take responsibility.
The Gunners boss signed a fresh two-year deal at the Emirates Stadium at the end of last season amid calls from supporters for him to leave the club.
The inability to sign a high-class forward to replace Romelu Lukaku has been cited by Dutchman for his departure from Goodison Park.
The 27-year-old's resurgence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore for Azzurri boss Gian Piero Ventura ahead of next month's World Cup play-off.
CHELSEA have been told Wembley WILL be available to use as their temporary home by prospective new owner Shahid Khan.
The Blues face having to find somewhere to play for three years while they redevelop their Stamford Bridge stadium.
Shahid Khan has told Chelsea he would be happy to let them use Wembley Stadium as their temporary homePA:Press Association
Wembley has been one of their best options – but those plans were put in doubt when it emerged Fulham owner Khan was close to buying the national stadium in a £1billion deal.
Khan is keen to make the stadium the base for his Jacksonville Jaguars NFL side as it inched closer to the time London has a franchise in American Football.
But the 67-year-old billionaire has insisted Chelsea would still be welcome to follow Tottenham and make the ground their short-term home.
Khan said: “Chelsea are talking about maybe building a stadium and we will welcome them because we will be looking for more creative ways to multi use.
Khan is in advanced talks to buy Wembley from the FA, and would be open to the idea of letting Chelsea play thereReuters
Chelsea are pressing on with plans to develop Stamford Bridge – which would see them look for a new home for at least three yearsPA:Press Association
“We will absolutely be looking into things like that. We want to support English football and we want to support Wembley.
“Wembley will remain as the cradle of English football, only supplemented by the NFL and other events.”
‘IT’S A LIE’ Jose Mourinho blames Chelsea for selling Mo Salah – and says the Blues liedChelsea are finally able to press ahead with their £1bn redevelopment plans after overcoming the final hurdle in the planning process.
They have agreed a compensation deal with the family who had been blocking the development because it affected the amount of sunlight their home would get.
That means the London club are now working to a timescale which would see them begin demolition of the current stadium in 2021.
The initial plan is to play elsewhere for three years while construction work takes placve on the stunning new 60,000-capacity ground.
But they are also building into any potential ground-share agreement the option of staying for a fourth season.
Chelsea are spending £1billion rebuilding Stamford Bridge to increase the capacity to 60,000PA:Press Association
Wembley remains to most likely solution, with Tottenham’s use of the ground this season proving to be successful.
Residents in Twickenham are thought to be against the idea of using the rugby stadium, even for a short term, because they are against football in the area.
That leaves the London Stadium as they only other viable alternative, although West Ham would have a major say on whether that would be agreed.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – So close. So achingly, so agonizingly, so painfully, so heartbreakingly close.
Plagued by a major injury crisis, and forced to play their captain out of position, Toronto FC came up with one of the best performances in franchise history, but it still wasn’t enough to get the better of Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara in Wednesday’s decisive second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final.
Down 2-1 after losing last week’s first leg at home, the MLS Cup champions tied the two-game series 3-3 on aggregate by taking a 2-1 lead after 90 minutes of regulation. With no extra time, Wednesday’s game went straight to a penalty shootout, where Chivas scored on all four of their attempts, while Canadian Jonathan Osorio hit the crossbar and captain Michael Bradley skied his shot over the net for TFC.
Teams from Mexico’s Liga MX have won every CONCACAF Champions League since the inaugural tournament in 2008-09. All but two of the previous finals have been all-Mexican affairs: Real Salt Lake (2011) and the Montreal Impact (2015) made it to the final before TFC joined the exclusive club this year.
Having dispatched Tigres and Club America, two of Mexico’s best teams, in the earlier rounds, TFC battled a third Mexican giant step for step on Wednesday night. The Reds were the better team on the balance of play, but in the end, that wasn’t good enough, and MLS’s pursuit of CONCACAF glory continues on.
“I have no complaints from my team. We worked hard. This tournament has been a grind, and we battled all the way until the end. Congratulations to Chivas, they won the game, and I have nothing to say to my guys except that I’m proud of them and they worked hard,” TFC coach Greg Vanney said.
Bradley was philosophical about the loss, heralding his teammates for playing with “bravery and pride.”
“Disappointed, but very, very, very proud. [This is a] team full of warriors that spilled their guts on the field tonight. It would have been so easy to make excuses. So many other teams would have lost their way. But throughout the entire tournament, we just kept going, we kept competing, we kept playing, we were fearless, and in the biggest moments we f—— went for it. That’s all you can ask for,” Bradley said.
It was a sentiment echoed by goalkeeper Alex Bono.
“We wanted to come here and be the first [MLS team] to lift the CONCACAF Champions League trophy. We failed in that goal, and that’s massively disappointing. But I’m really proud of the guys for the run that we’ve made and for the effort we put in over the two legs of every series we’ve played in,” Bono said.
Incredibly, Toronto didn’t have a single central defender who was healthy for this match. Chris Mavinga and Nick Hagglund (both hamstring) were unavailable, while Drew Moor (quad strain), and Jason Hernandez (match fitness) did not make the 18-man roster. Eriq Zavaleta was on the substitute’s bench, but even he was dealing with a quad problem. Also missing for Toronto was full-back Justin Morrow (calf).
With so many absentees, Vanney had to go with a makeshift defence, moving Bradley from midfield into the centre of the back line to play alongside Gregory van der Wiel, with Auro and Canadian Ashtone Morgan out wide.
On the positive side, influential playmaker Victor Vazquez returned to TFC’s starting lineup after being sidelined for several weeks with a nerve issue in his back.
“Our guys do whatever they have to do. We had zero healthy centre backs coming into this game,” Vanney said. “I thought our guys competed. We tried to play. … [But] I go back to the first leg; we can’t give up two goals in Toronto. That was the difference in the series.”
All of Estadio Akron’s 46,232 seats were not occupied on this night, but those who did show up produced a loud and intimidating atmosphere inside Chivas’ home venue. The locals loudly jeered every touch by a TFC player, and sang songs and chanted while Chivas was in possession. Ultras in one end of the stadium collectively pounded out a deafening rhythm on their drums the entire game.
Chivas took the lead off a TFC mistake. Jozy Altidore played a pass behind Osorio near the centre of the field, and Rodolfo Pizarro was there to pick it off and launch a counterattack. Pizarro quickly broke down the left side, and played a defence-splitting pass into the box for Orbelin Pineda who slotted it past Bono.
Altidore drew TFC level minutes later. With TFC pressing, Chivas couldn’t clear their lines inside their penalty area, while Nico Hasler showed off some fancy footwork to keep the play alive while being surrounded by defenders. He eventually worked his way to the end-line and centred a pass for Altidore who hammered it home.
Toronto took the lead and tied the series 3-3 on aggregate just before halftime. Moments after earning a yellow card for complaining to the referee, Sebastian Giovinco took a pass from Marky Delgado and caught Chivas goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota cheating and leaving his near post exposed. The Italian stuck a hard shot that snuck by Cota to stun the crowd into silence.
Tensions nearly boiled over between the two sides early in the second half when Giovinco was punched in the chest by Chivas’ Michael Perez off the ball, a clear red card infraction that the referee missed. Soon after, Vanney subbed off Hasler for Canadian forward Jordan Hamilton, switching to a 4-3-3 formation with the clear intention of going for it. Jose Godinez nearly tied things up for Chivas, but even though his low drive beat Bono, it smacked the post.
Canadian Jay Chapman came on for a gassed Vazquez in the 71st minute. Vanney was forced into making another big change with five minutes left in regulation when Altidore limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. He was replaced by Ager Aketxe.
Delgado had a chance to win it in injury time for TFC. Giovinco scampered down the left and played a cross into the middle of the box for an unmarked Delgado. The young midfielder had all kinds of time, but he rushed his shot, ballooning it over the crossbar.
“I’m not a big believer in luck, I’m a believer in execution. That ball fell very nicely for Marky. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to hit the target. … It’s unfortunate that we didn’t execute in the moment. I don’t think it’s about luck for Chivas. We have to make them pay in that moment, and we didn’t,” Vanney offered.
That set the stage for an epic shootout, with Chivas holding their nerve as the Estadio Akron heaved with every successful penalty kick from the home side. Bradley’s miss sealed the result, sending the home fans into a state of delirium.
“We’re gutted. We thought we were good enough to win it. … Today it didn’t go our way,” Bono said.
“This is the way the game goes. It’s unjust sometimes. It feels like our hearts have been ripped for our chests.”
Chapman was the Gunners' greatest manager, not the current incumbent
Arsenal players want Arsene Wenger to stay.Herbert Chapman was the Gunners' greatest manager, not the current incumbent
Pep Guardiola delves into his high standards for his Man City players in training, when in possession and their decision making.
The FC crew delve into Man City's evolution during Pep Guardiola's second season in charge and debate whether winning the Premier League put his critics to bed.
The FC crew delve into Man City's evolution during Pep Guardiola's second season in charge and debate whether winning the Premier League put his critics to bed.
ESPN's Mark Ogden and Jonathan Smith discuss whether Pep Guardiola can break even more league records after Manchester City won the Premier League.
Why do so many onlookers want to boil all of Pep Guardiola's achievements at Manchester City this season down to spending lots of money?
This has been one of the most impressive title wins in the Premier League era, with opposing teams regularly schooled on the pitch, and yet there are many who believe the manager's influence extends as far as signing some brilliant players and letting them get on with it. Often you hear that the team has been brilliant -- but "anyone can do that" with an open chequebook.
It's...
The FC crew assess the use of VAR in England's draw with Italy and whether Italy were awarded a penalty as a result of a 'clear and obvious' mistake.
With just four substitutions used, ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno questions the lack of minutes for the USMNT's up-and-coming players against Paraguay.
The FC crew react to Claudio Reyna's comments about the problems within U.S. Soccer and assess what changes need to be made.
With a USA-less World Cup fast approaching, Ian Darke leads an expert panel exploring the past, present and future of the USMNT.
England will play the United States and Switzerland in two international friendlies later this year, the English Football Association announced on Wednesday.
The U.S. will travel to Wembley to face Gareth Southgate's side on Nov. 15, the first meeting between the two sides since their 1-1 draw in their group-stage clash at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The last time England hosted the U.S. was in May 2008, when goals from John Terry and Steven Gerrard sealed a 2-0 win.
Switzerland are scheduled...
Not for the first time, Karren Brady incurred the wrath of West Ham fans with an ill-timed tweet published on Monday evening.
Just 15 minutes before the Hammers were due to kick off their Monday night TV game against Stoke City at the London Stadium, the club's executive vice-chairman forewent any comment on the game to instead remind her followers to watch her new television series, which started at the same time on UK channel ITV.
15mins until my new show Give it a Year starts on ITV, hope you watch it and hope you enjoy it!— Lady Karren Brady (@karren_brady) April 16, 2018
Of course, Brady's tweet was met with a barrage of incredulous...
680 News reporter Michael Leach joined Sportsnet 590 The FAN to discuss Toronto FC‘s season so far in MLS, how they’re putting way more energy into the CONCACAF Champions League, and how they have a chance to accomplish something truly special if they win.
[radioclip id=3993389]
Pep Guardiola said he will not watch Manchester United's game against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday when his Manchester City side could
After failing to win the Champions League once again, the FC crew discuss Pep Guardiola's tactics and his standing among the best managers of all time.
The FC guys respond to your tweets on Tuesday's UCL action, Manchester City's season and the Messi-Ronaldo debate.
It was, Kevin De Bruyne argued, trying to compare the incomparable. It is a challenge for every professional footballer. When they come to vote for their player of their year, the decision may come to two names: De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, one top of the leaderboard for assists, the other the leading scorer. Whoever loses can deem himself unlucky.
There is a left-field theory that David Silva represents the champions elect's best candidate, though if he attracts too much support, it could simply...
DYNAMOS coach Lloyd Mutasa (pictured) admitted that he was under increasing pressure after his winless side failed to score for the third successive league match to hand basement side ZPC […]
The post Toothless Dynamos!…Harare giants still winless appeared first on The Standard.
EA Sports is busy capturing images of players’ faces for FIFA 19.
Footage posted on Chelsea FC’s YouTube channel showed a number of stars taking part in the 3D head-scanning process for this year’s highly-anticipated game.
Hazard strikes a pose
To ensure they’re as realistic as possible, life-like scans are generated using a sophisticated system of cameras – capturing faces from a variety of angles.
Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata and Thibaut Courtois were among those filmed getting photographed.
The players then posed with a blank FIFA card, which is used for Player of the Month awards and to display upgraded in-game stats.
That face when you realise you won’t win the Prem
Although FIFA 18 had decent facial models, there are always a few that slip through the cracks and end up not looking quite right.
Here, with the help of YouTuber DTT, we pick 11 players who needs a facelift in FIFA 19.
Mo Salah
Close but what’s going on with the hair?
Sergio Aguero
Sergio, is that you?
Naby Keita
Nahh
Ousmane Dembele
Dem looks are deceiving
Son Heung-min
Is that you, my Son?
Dries Mertens
Hahahahaa
Ederson
Nope
Timo Werner
…
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Wrong hair, mate
Casemiro
Casemiro?
Marco Asensio
HAHAAHAHAHAHA
Remember, keep on top with all the latest FIFA 18 news and FIFA 19 rumours by checking out our detailed ‘Absolutely everything you need to know’ article.
NOW WATCH THE FULL BRILLIANT VIDEO HERE:
WITH Highlanders struggling against Herentals in the second match of the Premier Soccer league season on March 25, Bosso coach Madinda Ndlovu pulled out Newman Sianchali for Ozias Zibande in […]
The post The return of the Oz appeared first on The Standard.
BARCELONA, Spain — Roma made the already daunting task of beating Barcelona that much harder after scoring two own goals to help the Spanish side secure a 4-1 victory in the opening leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday. The pair of own goals by Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas plus some sloppy […]
The post 2 own goals help Barcelona beat Roma in Champions League quarters appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
The World Soccer 500 broken down by nationality. Which country has the most? Find out by checking out the list below.
Which country provided the most players for this year's World Soccer 500?
JOSE MOURINHO’S son joined the Manchester United manager and his coaching staff on the bench for their league win over Swansea.
Jose Junior, known as Zuca by his family, was among other staff members and Michael Carrick who flanked Mourinho in the dugout.
Michael Carrick/ TWITTER Jose Jr son joined the Manchester United manager and his coaching staff on the bench for their league win over Swansea[/caption]
Carrick has stepped up his post-playing career coaching dreams by sitting on the bench alongside Mourinho.
The 36-year-old has previously announced he is hanging up his boots at the end of the season having suffered from heart problems and dizziness during matches and the Red Devils boss is giving Carrick a taste of life as a coach.
A picture posted on Twitter by the former England international shows Zuca in a full United tracksuit walking besides other assistants.
In a documentary televised on Portuguese television last year, Mourinho joked his son would later replace some of his staff.
Mourinho said: “One day, after a period of a few bad results, he comes up with some analysis.
“Obviously suffering because Dad wasn’t doing well, we had lost to Watford and Man City [in September 2016] I think. And he came with the stats of the team, I showed them to my assistants and I told them, be careful as one day this boy will take one of your places.
ED ON STRAIGHT Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward ready to deliver £200million reinforcements this summer“I compare him with me at his age, where I would try do the same sort of things for my dad, of course with different technology methods, but analysis from a kid now aged 17, but 16 then.”
Mourinho’s son signed a two-year scholarship as a goalkeeper with Fulham in 2016 but his contract was cancelled by mutual consent in March last year.
Manchester United beat Swansea 1-0 on Saturday.
