Category: Champions League

Bielsa labels Liverpool “one of the best” & discusses Klopp’s impact in the Premier League

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has named Liverpool “one of the best teams in the world” ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash at Anfield.

The Argentine has helped the West Yorkshire outfit go from strength to strength since joining in 2018, guiding the club to a long-awaited promotion last season.

And he clearly has a lot of respect for his opposite number at Merseyside, labelling Jurgen Klopp’s team as “one of the best” in the world.

“[Liverpool are] a just champion. They have a consistent style of play. Without a doubt they are one of the best teams in the world,” Bielsa told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“It’s a very special game. Full of different scenarios to last season. They have a defined system with very good players. I reiterate they are one of the best in the world.”

MORE: LFC predicted … Read the rest

Mason Mount rumours answered head on by Chelsea manager Frank Lampard

With so many new faces arriving at Chelsea during the summer transfer window, it was perhaps inevitable that rumours would surface of players being unhappy.

As so often happens when teams acquire new signings, those who had previously felt comfortable in their role will often feel threatened.

The Daily Mirror cite a report in German daily, Bild, that said Mason Mount was ‘unhappy’ about Kai Havertz’s arrival.

However, that notion was given short shrift by the player’s father, who responded to Bild journalist, Christian Falk’s tweet on the subject with multiple laughing faces and the word ‘bull.’

In his pre-match press conference for the match against Brighton, Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, also gave his two-penneth on the story and how he’ll be picking his team in general.

“I saw the story about Mason Mount and I know it was absolutely fabricated from … Read the rest

Agnelli: ‘€4 billion decrease in revenue’

ECA President Andrea Agnelli believes clubs could see a decrease in revenue of almost €4 billion over the next two years due to Coronavirus.

Agnelli was speaking at the 24th annual ECA General Assembly and offered his assessement of what the future holds for Europe’s football clubs.

“We can only be proud to have concluded domestic and international competitions in Europe and I congratulate the teams who have won the Champions League and Europa League, Bayern Munich and Sevilla, and also with Olympique Lyonnaise Fèminin who won the Women’s Champions League, and Real Madrid who won the Youth League. We’re aware that the amount of work and compromises that have been done in order to bring to conclusion everything, and we are proud of this. Last season has been one of the toughest in our sector, not to mention the complications that the pandemic has brought in all aspects of … Read the rest

Ornstein reveals United’s centre-back plans – fans will be outraged

Manchester United fans will be disappointed to hear their club’s plans for defensive reinforcement in what has been a quiet summer so far.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought in just Donny van de Beek from Ajax in a transfer window many expected and hoped would be incredibly busy.

The legendary Norwegian did well in his first full season in charge, finishing in third place and securing Champions League football.

Many felt it meant Solskjaer would be fully backed in the transfer market and while that may eventually be true, it has been frustratingly slow until now.

There are many United fans who feel, amongst other targets, that a new centre-back is needed to take the club to another level but unfortunately that feeling isn’t quite shared by the club.

… Read the rest

Liverpool could bide their time and swoop for Thiago in January, according to Sky Sports honcho

Liverpool have been tipped to wait until January to make a move for Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara, with the midfielder able to sign off on a Bosman transfer for next summer.

This suggestion comes from Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol who claims it makes more sense for the Reds to wait than spend millions right now.

Rumour has it Liverpool and Thiago have already agreed on personal terms and it’s now up to the Premier League and European champions to thrash out a fee.

That’s according to very reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has repeatedly stated it’s now up to Bayern and the Reds to close the deal.

MORE: Klopp set to hold talks with Wijnaldum as ideal Thiago scenario is outlined – report

If this is absolutely true, which we’ve come to expect to be the case with the Italian, waiting until January is the next logical step … Read the rest

Boost for Chelsea as Italian giants more likely to make a move for outcast after latest developments

Even if they can’t manage to attract giant fees for their fringe players, it’s important for Chelsea to get rid of some players after a big summer of spending.

Davide Zappacosta is a player who doesn’t have much of a future at Stamford Bridge, but there wasn’t a lot of interest until recently.

Gianluca Di Marzio indicated that Atalanta had approached Chelsea about taking him back to Italy on loan, but he was only a back up option in case a deal for Roma defender Rick Karsdorp fell through.

The issue with that deal was due to a disagreement over commission payments, but the move to Atalanta now looks even more unlikely after VI reported that Genoa were closing in on a deal for the Roma defender.

READ MORE: Personal terms agreed: Chelsea are €6m away from agreeing a fee and landing their new goalkeeper

This all suggests that Atalanta … Read the rest

Tuttosport: Agreement reached for Higuain farewell

Tuttosport report that an agreement has been reached for the termination of Gonzalo Higuain’s Juventus contract and a farewell is imminent.

The 33-year-old has been on the verge of leaving with his agent-brother having arrived in Turin just days ago to finalise the termination of his deal with the Bianconeri.

According to Tuttosport, a deal has now been agreed with Pipita set to earn just under 50{3851c0879557ceb6c70cddb6630c7df9a9750acfd53fffec21979e603af26faa} of what he was due for the final year of his contract with the Old Lady.

Higuain is expected to leave the club in the coming days and has already reportedly said his farewells to teammates and Juve management with a move to MLS side Inter Miami looking most likely.

The striker is no longer considered part of Juve’s plans with new coach Andrea Pirlo confirming he would be leaving the club:

“He was a great champion, a great player but the

… Read the rest

United coach drops huge hint that Sancho is joining United

Eagle-eyed Manchester United fans have spotted something rather interesting that involves assistant manager Mike Phelan and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.

The sensational winger has been of interest to those at Old Trafford for a while now and it’s believed negotiations for his signature have been going on all summer now.

Unfortunately for United fans, no breakthrough has occurred just yet and Sancho remains at Dortmund player, at least for the foreseeable future.

The young Englishman would form the last piece of the puzzle in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stunning attack but getting him to join has proven to be a remarkable challenge.

Nonetheless, supporters have been eagerly awaiting his potential arrival and some became excited at an interesting decision made by Phelan.

Phelan can be found on Instagram now under the above username and fans have noticed how he’s been following Sancho.

It obviously doesn’t guarantee the Dortmund star is transferring … Read the rest

Liverpool consider selling Rhian Brewster this month to raise transfer funds – report

Liverpool are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Rhian Brewster, with the October 5 transfer deadline just over three weeks away.

The young forward has been linked with moves to Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and newly-promoted Fulham in recent months.

That’s according to the Liverpool Echo, who claim the Reds are now open to the idea of selling Brewster to raise transfer funds.

It was previously unclear if Brewster leaving Anfield on a permanent basis was an option, but this new report confirms it’s under consideration.

MORE: Aston Villa lead the way as Liverpool name their price for 23-year-old

EOTK understands Sheffield Utd are seen as a favourable destination for the youngster, but sources suggested the Reds were keen on a loan deal.

Brewster is one of the most promising talents at the club, but selling him becomes more understandable if a buy-back clause was to … Read the rest

Video: Michy Batshuayi produces classy back-heel flick finish in comfortable Belgium win

Belgium saw off Iceland in their UEFA Nations League clash on Tuesday night and Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi was on the mark for his side.

The Blues ace is being linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer as he continues to fall down the pecking order in Frank Lampard’s squad following the arrival of the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

SEE MORE: Talks held: Chelsea ace could join Premier League side on loan deal as exit touted

However, he produced a timely reminder of the quality that he can produce as it remains to be seen whether he’ll be looking to replicate that at Chelsea or elsewhere this season, with the goal in the video below.

There was some excellent build-up play from Belgium to create the opportunity, but Batshuayi did brilliantly to find space at the front post and he produced a cheeky, yet superbly-executed, … Read the rest