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Tag: english premier league

  • Only Liverpool will challenge Man City for EPL title – Guardiola

    Only Liverpool will challenge Man City for EPL title – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has posited that only Liverpool will rival his club for the English Premier League title next season.

    Guardiola made this statement after his team lost 3-1 to Liverpool in the Community Shield on Saturday.

    The Man City boss said that both teams take action on the counter and he is pretty sure the battle will continue.

    “It’s happened in the past years and especially because of the games that both sides provoke,

    “Both make actions in the counter-attacks and I’m pretty sure it will continue (Battle between Liverpool and City). There are many, many teams in the Premier League that can reach this level, the consistency we’ve had in the previous seasons.

    He also stated that he is very confident about what Liverpool has done.

    “There is no reason not to be confident. No reason. What these guys have done, not just in the Premier League but the cups and Europe.

    “I don’t know what will happen this season but I’m sure I know these guys. I have no doubts for one second. We lost a final we would’ve preferred to win but respect to the opponent and we know the standards and reach these, maintaining them as always.”

    Josep “Pep” Guardiola Sala is a Spanish professional football manager and former player, who is the current manager of Premier League club Manchester City

  • Liverpool defeat Manchester City to win Community Shield

    Liverpool defeat Manchester City to win Community Shield

    Liverpool defeated defending champions Manchester City by 3-1 at King Power Stadium to clinch their first Community Shield title in I6 years.

    Liverpool started like a house on fire with  a lovely play from Salah on the Liverpool right, collecting a long ball from Fabinho then racing past  Joao Cancelo before firing into the side netting.

    Liverpool then got another opportunity in the 26 minutes when  Mo Salah sent a parallel pass to Alexander-Arnold who latched on to it and whipped the ball across the Manchester City goal, there was a slight deflection from City defender Ake but the ball struck the goal post and entered the net.

    Although, Manchester equalized in the 76 minutes when Alvarez latched on a blunder from Liverpool goalie, Adrian.

    Liverpool however, got a goal back from the Penalty spot when Walker touched the ball in the 18-yard box.

    New Signing Darwin Nunez who has been inspirational after being introduced in the second half got the third goal to seal a 3-1 win for the Reds.

    Speaking in the post-match interview, Liverpool defender Trent Arnold was full of praises for his teammates for turning up against Man City.

    “This one means a lot, to be honest. I think this is the third time we’ve been in [the Community Shield] and we haven’t been able to win it [until now] so that was our ambition going into it.

    “We prepared hard this pre-season and this was our aim, our season started today. It was important for us to get off on the right foot and get a win – and especially get some silverware on board.

    “It was a perfect start but it’s a long season – and we hope to win trophies along the way.”

  • EPL: Manchester United re-appoints Alex Ferguson

    EPL: Manchester United re-appoints Alex Ferguson

    Ferguson retired from coaching in 2013 but has been working with the team ever since.

    The Scot alongside four others has been given a free role to have their influence on the team as they prepare for next season’s campaign.

    They will be effective in offering advice to the management and coaching staff of the club.

    The Red Devils’ chief-executive Richard Arnold has put together a think-tank of significant Manchester United figures and has brought Ferguson into the fold.

    According to Daily Mail, the 80-year-old Ferguson will be joined in the club’s think-tank by iconic captain Bryan Robson, former CEO David Gill, and the current football director John Murtough.

    The five-man group held its first meeting on Tuesday at the club’s training ground.

    Ferguson and Gill have held the non-executive director position of the club since 2013 but their new roles are believed to be more influential than that.

    This new think-tank is not thought to have a direct impact or influence on manager Erik ten Hag.

    They will be dealing with issues like the redevelopment of Old Trafford and Carrington and also the club’s relationship with the fanbase.

    Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson CBE is a Scottish former football manager and player, best known for managing Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers of all time and has won more trophies than any other manager in the history of football

  • EPL: My players not playing to capacity – Jurgen Klopp

    EPL: My players not playing to capacity – Jurgen Klopp

    Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has admitted that his side posted a below-average performance in their friendly loss to Austrian side RB Salzburg.

    Liverpool have now lost two friendly pre-season games, against Manchester United and RB Salzburg, and won two against Crystal Palace and Leipzig.

    Meanwhile, Klopp is not happy that his boys are not playing according to instructions.

    Klopp named an inexperienced side against Salzburg, with Luis Diaz, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah introduced at the hour mark with the Reds a goal down. The Reds were unable to find an equalizer.

    The focus now shifts to Wembley, though the Liverpool boss has warned his players there is plenty to improve.

    “First half we made too many mistakes, which they could use,” Klopp told the club’s official website.

    “We had good moments as well, we could have scored obviously in the whole game like four or five goals at least. Didn’t do that because we were in the first half – if you want to talk about football – we were too open, we were too wide, and we were not connected enough in moments when you lose the ball.

    “Then everything is open, it’s like a motorway, and with their speed, that’s how they had their chances, especially when you lose simple passes where nobody can react really.”

    He added: “We played the game out of full training. We had to make a lot of changes – that’s fine, I take that. But what I can say: it’s at least average to lose a game.”

    Darwin Nunez started the match but was unable to find the kind of goalscoring touch he produced against RB Leipzig when he scored four goals in a half.

    Liverpool’s big-money signing has come under a lot of scrutiny in pre-season, but Klopp defended the striker for his quiet display up against the Salzburg defense.

    “Darwin was much too often alone,” Klopp said. “Everybody dropped, everybody was involved in the build-up but too wide and we could only pass the ball to Darwin in the box.

    “He had his moments and nearly scored, but he needs much more support around him.”

  • EPL: Manchester United signs Lisandro Martinez from Ajax

    EPL: Manchester United signs Lisandro Martinez from Ajax

    Lisandro Martinez from Ajax Amsterdam has put pen to paper for English club side Manchester united on a five years deal.

    United confirmed the signing of Martinez in a deal worth an initial €57.37 million on  with an option of an additional year.

    The contract talks ended on Wednesday with both parties signing the dotted lines.

    The Argentine made 177 appearances in the Dutch league, scoring 9 goals with 11 assists.

    In an interview with the club, Martinez said it’s an honour for him to join the great football club after he works hard to get to his current moment.

    “It’s an honour to join this great football club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further.

    He added, “I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United. There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new teammates, we can do it.

    “I want to thank Ajax and their fans for all the support they gave me. I had an unbelievable time there but feel the moment is right to test myself in another environment. Now I am at the perfect club to do this.”

    The Club Football Director, John Murtough said the defender is an outstanding player who can bring quality to the team.

    “Lisandro is an outstanding player who will bring further quality and experience to Erik [Ten Hag]’s squad.

    “We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further and help the team achieve the success we are aiming for.”

    Following the announcement made on July 18th, the club manager, Erik Ten Hag told the club website that the defender is a fighting warrior and he thinks the fans will admire him.

    “He’s a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit,” Ten Hag told us.

    “He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that.

    Ten Hang also added that Martinez can deal with the ball because the Premier League is high intensity, and such a player is needed.

    “But also, he’s also skilful and he can deal with the ball and he’s left-footed.”

    “I think it’s important, yeah. I think the Premier League is high intensity, with lots of challenges. We need such players [with fighting spirit].”

    “Certain ideas, he knows them. That is an advantage.

    “But also he has to adapt, to a new country, a new club, new team-mates. So also a lot of things will be different,” Ten Hang said.

  • EPL: Dutch forward, Memphis Depay set to join Manchester United

    EPL: Dutch forward, Memphis Depay set to join Manchester United

    Dutch forward,  Memphis Depay looks set to stage a return to English Premier League side, Manchester United for next season’s campaign.

    Soccer agent, Gerard Romero said  Barcelona has received two bids under €20 million from Premier League clubs for Depay.

    The possibility of Depay, 28, returning to Man United ‘has always been of interest’.

    Man United’s Premier League rival, Tottenham Hotspur, is also said to be interested in Depay.

    The arrival of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha may affect Depay’s chances of regular football at the Spanish side hence his willingness to leave.

    The Dutch star scored seven goals in 53 appearances during his ill-fated first spell at Man United between 2015 and 2017.

    He has not impressed at Barcelona since he joined the LaLiga giants from Lyon last year.

    Depay is also trying to fancy his chances of making it to the Worldcup in Qatar to represent his country The Netherlands.

    Memphis Depay, also known simply as Memphis, is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Barcelona and the Netherlands national team.

     

  • EPL: Arteta to play Oleksandr Zinchenko in new role at Arsenal

    EPL: Arteta to play Oleksandr Zinchenko in new role at Arsenal

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has revealed the position Oleksandr Zinchenko will play when he eventually signs for the club side.

    The gaffer confirmed that the club is in the final stages of signing the Ukrainian left full-back from Manchester City.

    Arteta made this known after defeating  Orlando City 3-1  in a pre-season game and said there were just a few formalities left.

    The Gunners boss, however, knows the two positions he intends to play Zinchenko in.

    When asked if Zinchenko is a left-back or midfielder, Arteta replied: “Both, he can play in both.

    “He was a natural no.10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back which can do a lot of things we want.

    “That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team.”

    Arsenal and City have agreed to a £ 30 million fee for the Ukraine international, who will sign a contract until 2026 at the Emirates.

    Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Zinchenko is a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Ukraine national team.

    Zinchenko began his career at Russian Premier League team Ufa before joining Manchester City in 2016 for a fee of around £1.7 million.

  • EPL: Chelsea eye Koulibaly as Rudiger’s replacement

    EPL: Chelsea eye Koulibaly as Rudiger’s replacement

    Chelsea football club are interested in signing Senegal’s Napoli’s central defender, Kalidou Koulibaly.

    Reports from Italian media, Corriere Dello Sport, say the defender has made a decision not to return to Napoli for next season’s games.

    His contract with Napoli expires next summer, but he is not looking to sign a new deal with the Kalidou Koulibaly side.

    Meanwhile, Chelsea’s coach Thomas Tuchel is interested in bringing the Senegal international to Stamford Bridge to replace Anthony Rudiger who left for Real Madrid.

    However, the Blues will have to battle Juventus, who are also keeping a close eye on Koulibaly’s situation and are offering him the chance to stay in Italy.

    But the 31-year-old wants to leave Italy this summer and experience a new league.

    Chelsea FC have agreed a £50m for  Raheem Sterling from rival Manchester City, the winger would be officially announced soon.

  • EPL: Real reasons I joined Nottingham forest – Taiwo Awoniyi

    Nottingham Forest bound  Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has explained why he chose to join the newly promoted English side.

    The 24-year-old was linked with a host of other Premier League clubs but has signed a five-year contract with the newcomers.

    Awoniyi, who was impressive for Union Berlin in the last campaign, has credited discussions with the Reds manager Steve Cooper as the key reason he joined the side.

    The lanky attacker has put pen to paper on a five-year -deal with the English clubside.

    Nottingham Forest have confirmed the signing of forward Taiwo Awoniyi for an undisclosed club-record fee from Union Berlin.

    Meanwhile, Forest head coach Steve Cooper revealed his delight at signing the Super Eagle, who had attracted a host of clubs in the Premier League.

    “Our recruitment and coaching teams have been monitoring his progress closely over the last few months. He’s a player who we really believe in and we look forward to him going on to fulfil his potential and become a top Premier League striker with Nottingham Forest.” He said

    In his reaction, Awoniyi said he feels great to have signed the contract with the clubside side, adding his dreams of playing in the English Premier League is about to happen.

    “I feel great. I feel very happy to be here. Looking at the project, it’s something I’m really looking forward to.

    “My dream is to always keep working and I see him as a person who I can develop under. For me, it’s always about hard work, dedication, and believing in God. When I look back at the games with Union Berlin, it was always about the team for me,” Awoniyi said as quoted by the club’s official website.

    In August 2015, Awoniyi signed for Liverpool for a fee of around £400,000 but was immediately loaned out to German team FSV Frankfurt and made his debut for the side as a late substitute in a German Cup match against Hertha Berlin.

    The 24- year-old striker scored 20 goals in 43 games for his German team Union Berlin last season.

  • EPL: I will not spend big like my predecessor-Chelsea owner, Boehly

    Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly, has informed his club management that he will not spend as much as his predecessor Abramovich did.

    He warned that clubs will no longer be able to sign players “at any price” due to the risks of sanctions from breaching UEFA’s financial fair play rules.

    Recall that Boehly led an investment group to take over the Blues last month.

    The American bought the Premier League side after Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Chelsea have been the most successful team in England since Abramovich bought the club in 2003, mostly due to the Russian’s investment.

    “UEFA takes it seriously and will continue to take it seriously. [More teeth] means financial penalties and disqualification from sporting competitions.”