Author: v2406

Chelsea have shelled out prodigious sums of cash since Todd Boehly bought the club at the end of May. With money appearing to be no object under the new regime, there could be plenty of new faces at Stamford Bridge by the end of next summer. And Express Sport takes a look at the Blues’ scary XI next season if they bring in the players they want. Goalkeeper – Kepa Kepa Arrizabalaga has reclaimed the goalkeeper jersey in west London under Graham Potter and has started seven Premier League matches this season. The 28-year-old had been pushed out of the team…

Captain Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s joint top scorer with four assists, helping the Gunners to the Premier League title – and Mikel Arteta has praised his influence. Mikel Arteta has hailed Martin Odegaard as a “natural leader” while challenging his captain to get even better. The £30m Norwegian midfielder is the club’s joint top scorer with six goals and added two more assists in the Boxing Day win over West Ham. And the teenage prodigy, who signed for Real Madrid aged 16, has shown maturity beyond his years in helping Arsenal to the top of the Premier League this season. “I was hoping – I don’t know…

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag may be without Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof for his team’s Premier League match against Wolves at Molineux due to illness. Man Utd wonderkid Rhys Bennett could be given the nod for the Premier League game against Wolves on Saturday. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is facing a selection dilemma at centre-back due to the impact of the World Cup. He was forced to start Luke Shaw in the unfamiliar role against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday due to the unavailability of Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine is expected to be available to play at Molineux, although there are still doubts over Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof due to…

Frank Lampard has admitted that he attempted to recruit Erling Haaland before Manchester City when managing Chelsea. Frank Lampard was sacked by Chelsea in January 2021 (Picture: Getty) Lampard spent 18 months in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat before being sacked in January 2021. During his spell in charge of the Blues, Lampard’s Chelsea faced a Red Bull Salzburg side who boasted prolific striker Haaland. The former England midfielder says it was ‘clear’ then that Haaland would develop into one of the best players in the world and has revealed Chelsea tried to sign the Norwegian star before Man City. Haaland…

The hunt to recruit Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema has intensified as the Frenchman’s contract expires at the conclusion of the 22/23 season. As his contract is due to end in the summer, Benzema will be free to hold discussions with foreign clubs in January ahead of a potential free transfer at the end of the campaign. According to Spanish news outlet Nacional, Premier League duo Arsenal and Manchester United are both eyeing up a move for the latest Ballon d’Or winner. It is believed that the Old Trafford club offered Benzema a ‘crazy salary’ and have told him that he will…

Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold held sponsorship talks with Saudi Arabia prior to the World Cup, according to reports. Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold is seeking a new shirt sponsor (Image: Getty) However, it has been claimed that discussions have been ‘stopped’ soon before pen was due to be put to paper on the lucrative deal. Arnold is reported to have met with officials from the Saudi Tourism Authority regarding the Red Devils’ front-of-shirt sponsor. United have agreed to end their relationship with German software company Team Viewer but the branding will remain on their shirt until a new sponsor…

Since its discovery in 1962, the sunken city of Pavlopetri has been known by its name, and it has been associated with various theories about its origin and function as a settlement. Illustration of the mythical city of Atlantis. © Shutterstock.com The first recorded account of an underwater city is believed to be the mythical city of Atlantis. This fascinating story was first recorded by Plato in 360 BC, describing it as a utopian island city with natural gardens, rivers, and fountains that sank beneath the sea after a failed war with Athens. Today, the seas and oceans that cover a…

Graham Potter could be out of a job if he fails to guide Chelsea to a top-four finish, one former Premier League player has predicted. Potter became Chelsea head coach back in September, when he was chosen as the replacement for the sacked Thomas Tuchel. It was recognition of his good work with Brighton from before. He initially made a good impression in the Stamford Bridge hotseat, but things took a turn for the worse just before the World Cup break. Indeed, Potter ended up under pressure just a couple of months after taking his new role. Things resumed on…

Martin Odegaard has flourished for Arsenal in recent months after being given the captain’s armband, which Paul Merson did not anticipate. After a barely believable start to his footballing career and signing for Real Madrid at 16, Martin Odegaard has actually had to prove plenty of critics wrong over the majority of his time as a professional. Paul Merson is just another one of those critics, with the former Arsenal ace scathing in his assessment of Odegaard back in the summer of 2021 and being proved spectacularly wrong within 12 months. The young Norwegian’s first joined the Gunners on loan in January of last year and clearly…

Man Utd are being heavily linked with the signing of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix in the January transfer window. Joao Felix (left) is being linked with joining Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd. (Image: Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images.) Midfielder Bruno Fernandes has already backed Portugal teammate Joao Felix to fulfil his potential amid ongoing reports linking him with a move to Man Utd. Felix, who scored one goal and grabbed two assists in four appearances for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar, is being strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford. The Reds are poised to prioritise…

Chelsea travel to the City Ground for the first time this century to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on New Year’s Day. It was an eventful 2022 for Chelsea. Across 12 months which saw Roman Abramovich’s reign as owner end and the managerial hot potato get thrown to another coach, the club recorded the fewest Premier League wins and goals scored across a calendar year since the turn of the century. Here’s the lineup Graham Potter may deploy to get off on the right foot in 2023. Chelsea predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1) GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – When…

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has stated his happiness at being at the club and hinted that the Premier League leaders have “something special in their locker. Mikel Arteta’s men have defied pre-season expectations and currently sit five points clear at the summit ahead of Manchester City after 15 matches. The 30-year-old has found a new lease of life at the Emirates Stadium in an altered role by switching from a deeper position to a box-to-box position. Xhaka has scored three goals and laid on four assists after starting every game, highlighting his increased importance in the side. Arteta’s side roared back from a…

Man City manager Pep Guardiola discussed Man Utd’s lack of success in recent years following the Blues’ win over Leeds. Man United great Paul Scholes and Man City boss Pep Guardiola. (Image: Getty) Following Manchester City’s comfortable 3-1 victory over Leeds United on Wednesday night, manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his side’s Premier League title battle with Arsenal. The Catalan coach, while admitting that failing to secure a third successive title would be down to his own players, suggested that it would not be easy this term. During his interview, Guardiola made reference to Man Utd’s recent title drought – using…

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely expected to join Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr following his acrimonious release from Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo looks increasingly likely to make a transfer to Saudi Arabia. (Image: Getty) He may not be the only arrival as the club have also been linked with deals for N’Golo Kante and Sergio Ramos as they look to target experienced out-of-contract stars. Here, Express Sport speculates who could join him in the Middle East from those in the Premier League who are coming to the end of their contracts as the Saudi side look to form an all-star XI. N’Golo Kante  N’Golo Kante has been tipped…

Former Norway striker Jan Aage Fjortoft has informed Man Utd that they have already signed “another Eric Cantona” in the form of Casemiro. The Red Devils signed Casemiro in August after the player had enjoyed a seven-year spell with Real Madrid. Cantona had a huge impact at Old Trafford after joining United from Leeds in November 1992. During his five seasons in the north west, the Frenchman won the Premier League title four times and bagged 81 goals and 62 assists in 182 appearances. His imperious personality won him plenty of proponents and detractors throughout his time in England. But he…

The entertainment industry did not disappoint in 2022 as it made a drama-fuelled comeback after two years of coronavirus disruption. The worlds of film, TV and music offered a deluge of headlines, from Will Smith’s on-stage slap at the Oscars to a new Time Lord and an MP in the Australian jungle. With 2023 on the horizon, we look back at some of the biggest showbiz stories of the past 12 months. Ukraine wins Eurovision amid war Kalush Orchestra (Yui Mok/PA) In May, Ukraine triumphed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy. Folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra gave an impressive…

Chelsea’s top target ahead of the January transfer window appears to be Enzo Fernandez, but Graham Potter is reportedly considering alternatives if Benfica do not sell their star midfielder. Enzo Fernandez is wanted by Chelsea (Image: Joao Rico/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) Chelsea have four alternative midfield targets if their January transfer swoop for Enzo Fernandez fails, it’s been claimed. The Blues are keen on signing the 21-year-old Benfica and Argentina star when the transfer window opens on January 1, with the Premier League club reportedly ready to pay his eye-watering release clause of €120million (£106m). But as Fernandez’s future is still uncertain amid fellow interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid, Chelsea are duly…

Oleksandr Zinchenko has named a number of Arsenal stars as players he enjoyed watching grow up as a Gunners fan, as well as Tony Adams clips from before his time. Oleksandr Zinchenko is loving his time at Arsenal since his summer switch (Getty Images) Zinchenko joined the club he supported as a boy in the summer, making the move south from Manchester City and becoming a part of the incredible improvement under Mikel Arteta. The Ukrainian’s season has been hampered by injury so far, only making 10 appearances in all competitions so far, but with the Gunners top of the Premier League…

Manchester United travel to Molineux on New Year’s Eve to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final Premier League match of 2022. Since the return to club football after the FIFA World Cup. United have beaten Burnley 2-0 in the Carabao Cup and Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag’s side will be seeking to end 2022 in style with another win which will apply pressure to Tottenham Hotspur, who face Aston Villa on New Year’s Day. Prior to the Forest match, Spurs were four points ahead of United with the Old Trafford club also having a game…

For the first time, an unique multi-colored sea slug has been found in UK seas. The species called Babakina anadoni is just 2cm long (Picture: @ScillyWildlife /@WildlifeTrusts) The species called Babakina anadoni, which is just 2cm long, was found by a diver off the coast of the Scilly Isles earlier this month. Allen Murray, who is a volunteer ‘seasearcher’ for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust made the find while diving near Melledgan, an uninhabited rock island in the archipelago. Murray was taking part in the trust’s National Marine Week, and his photograph of the sea slug is the first confirmed record…

Contrary to recent reports, West Ham manager David Moyes says there is ‘no chance’ Declan Rice will be sold in January, amid links to Chelsea and Manchester United. Declan Rice is a key player for West Ham and England (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) Rice is expected to leave the London Stadium in the near future having openly admitted his desire to play for a Champions League club back in November. The 24-year-old’s deal is up in 2024, and while there is an option to trigger a one-year extension, The Athletic previously reported that West Ham are resigned…

Arsenal conclude 2022 with a trip to Brighton’s Amex Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday evening. Mikel Arteta will be coming up against a fan of his managerial career in the opposite dugout. “I know Mikel, I think Arsenal is a very good team and he is a very good coach,” Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi gushed before the sides met in the Carabao Cup in November. “I appreciate him a lot [even] when the results weren’t good and I like his style of play for sure.” Here’s the XI Arteta may deploy to ensure De Zerbi’s respect is a…

Birmingham City’s former CEO has revealed how Manchester United and Chelsea both failed to convince Jude Bellingham to join them in 2020 – despite throwing huge salaries and club legends at the teenage star. Birmingham City’s former CEO Xuandong Ren has revealed how Manchester United and Chelsea both failed to convince Jude Bellingham to join them in 2020 Bellingham became the world’s most expensive 17-year-old when he signed for the German club in July 2020 for £25m. It is well documented that Manchester United were desperate for the teenage sensation’s signature but former Blues CEO Xuandong Ren has revealed the lengths the Red Devils went to.…

Martin Odegaard has stated his desire to remain at Arsenal “for several years” and has discounted the possibility of joining Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Martin Odegaard says he wants to stay at Arsenal ‘for several years’ (Getty) The Arsenal captain has played a key role under Mikel Arteta as the Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League. Klopp, meanwhile, has remained a keen admirer of Odegaard ever since trying to sign him during his time at Borussia Dortmund. In an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Odegaard revealed he supported Liverpool as a boy but made it clear that his preference is to…