Month: October 2019

Goal-shy Crystal Palace failed to score for the 10th time this season in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is optimistic his side can win the race to sign England forward Dominic Solanke in the January transfer window.

The Eagles failed to find the net for the 10th time in all competitions this term in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

N’Golo Kante scored the only goal to leave Hodgson’s men looking nervously over their shoulders in 15th in the Premier League.

Chairman Steve Parish confirmed prior to the defeat that the club are interested in signing Solanke, who has not played a single minute for Liverpool this season.

Huddersfield Town, Brighton and Hove Albion, Fulham and Rangers are all understood to be keen on the 21-year-old but Palace are leading the chasing pack.

“First of all, we’ve got to try and make sure we do get him here on loan,” he told the media after the loss.

“If Steven has mentioned that, then it’s no secret he’s a target.

“He would provide an attacking threat. He’s a proven goalscorer through all the age groups at Chelsea and England.

“If he comes here, it’ll be up to him to show he can do that in Premier League football.

“He’s someone with the profile we’re looking for, and the ability we are looking for.

“We know him better from the England games, and the performances with England.

“I thought he was a good signing from Liverpool’s point of view, but he’s been kept out of the team by some very strong players.

“It would take some player to knock their front three out of the team, so it’s not a negative in relation to him that he’s not been able to do so.”

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said last month he wanted to keep Solanke at Anfield for the rest of the season but accepts that a move away could be on the cards.

Though a loan deal is likely, Brighton have submitted an offer in excess of £8 million ($10m) in the effort to secure a permanent deal.

Claudio Ranieri’s Fulham are among the clutch of sides monitoring the situation but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s role as the lead striker would restrict his opportunities.

Scottish Premiership co-leaders Rangers are also interested, but are aware that a Premier League club is likely to prevail.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s skillset make him a ‘rare’ striker in today’s game.

The Northern Ireland midfielder is looking forward to the chance to play under the Liverpool legend as he returns to a familiar club

Steven Davis says he’s thrilled to work with an “icon” like Steven Gerrard as the Northern Ireland midfielder returns to Rangers.

Davis previously played for the club from 2008-12, winning eight trophies including three league titles during his stay.

The midfielder scored 22 goals in 210 appearances for the club before moving to Southampton, where he proved a mainstay, making at least 25 appearances in each full season.

However, this campaign, Davis has fallen out of favour, playing just six times under managers Mark Hughes and Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Davis’ loan was made official on Sunday, giving the midfielder a chance at first-team action as Rangers push for a league crown once again.

“I’m delighted to be back and looking forward to getting started. It’s been a little while in the making but when I found out the club was interested, this is the one that I wanted to happen,” Davis told RangersTV in Tenerife, where he joined up with the team for training.

“I found out there was interest a little while back and talks were ongoing between the two clubs to try and come to a conclusion. And then, when the decision is made, it all happens very quickly; so obviously I’m delighted to get it agreed last night and I was straight on the flight this morning to get out here.

“It’s great to be back and I am obviously very familiar with the club. I’m sure there will be plenty of faces I recognise as I go along and I’m looking forward to getting back out at Ibrox.”

Davis isn’t the only big name to join up this window as former England star Jermain Defoe has also been added by his former Three Lions team-mate Gerrard.

Playing under Gerrard was one of the major draws for Davis, who is looking forward to learning from the former Liverpool star.

“He is an icon for any young player coming up and likewise for myself as well. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from him and he’s obviously done a fantastic job in the six months he has been here,” he said.

“There seems to be a real good camaraderie within the squad and I’m looking forward to getting to know the boys a bit more this week.

“It’s a good introduction for me as well and then we’ll get back to Scotland and start the games.

“I think the club has come a long way in the last couple of years. Obviously the Old Firm result was massive for everybody and it was a massive psychological boost for the boys as well.

“So it’s a great time to come in amongst it. I’m just raring to go and can’t wait to get out there.”

Rangers currently sit tied with Celtic on 42 points, although the Ibrox side have played one more game than their rivals.

Amid links to a number of top European clubs, the Dutchman plans to reject any offers and stay in Amsterdam until the summer

Frenkie de Jong has dismissed any talk of a January transfer after announcing his intention to stay at Ajax until at least the end of 2018-19.

The 21-year-old Netherlands midfielder has become one of the most sought-after talents across the continent, with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester City linked with his signature.

But De Jong, who has started all but three Eredivisie games for second-placed Ajax this season, will not be leaving Amsterdam until the next window at the earliest.

“I am certainly not leaving this winter,” De Jong said in an interview published via Ajax’s Twitter account. “I am 100 per cent staying until the summer.

“I don’t know what other people are doing, but personally I would like it if the whole group stay together. We have had a fairly decent first half to the season.

“The atmosphere in the group is very good and we have a lot of quality – so I would be disappointed if people left.”

The Dutchman has featured in 27 matches across all competitions for Ajax this season, helping them to challenge PSV Eindhoven domestically and qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League.

Erik ten Hag’s men return to action after the winter break on January 20, hosting Heerenveen at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the Eredivisie.

De Jong will be expected to feature, but he is still free to negotiate a pre-contract arrangement with any potential suitors ahead of a summer transfer before the window shuts on February 1.

The World Cup winner found himself benched under a former boss, but has enjoyed a welcome return to form with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm

Paul Pogba admits he is starting to “enjoy playing football” again after overcoming his struggles under Jose Mourinho to produce the performances expected of him for Manchester United.

Despite being a World Cup winner and £89 million ($114m) record signing at Old Trafford, the Frenchman struggled to deliver under a Portuguese manager.

A dip in form and reports of conflict with an outspoken coach led to Pogba being benched towards the end of Mourinho’s reign.

That absence from the United side sparked talk of a possible move being made elsewhere, with Juventus leaving the door open for a second spell in Serie A.

The 25-year-old has, however, thrived since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the reins, registering four goals and as many assists in December to end 2018 on a high.

Pogba told United’s official website of his return to prominence: “Obviously it’s good.

“The month before that [November] I wasn’t playing a lot so just being back on the pitch, playing and enjoying with the guys is good.

“It’s always good for me and I enjoy playing football and being with the guys.”

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Pogba’s efforts have seen him land United’s latest Player of the Month award, with that prize recognising the braces he bagged against Huddersfield and Bournemouth.

Asked to pick his favourite goal of his haul, he said: “I would say the header [against Bournemouth].

“It’s not my best attribute, I would say, but yes, the header. The timing was good and the cross [from Ander Herrera] was good, so it was a good goal.”

Pogba was denied the opportunity to build on those exploits after picking up a knock in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle.

He missed an FA Cup third round win over Reading as a result, but is closing in on full fitness and is hoping to come back into contention for a trip to Tottenham on Sunday when United will be looking to stretch their faultless run under Solskjaer to six successive victories.

“We’re Manchester United so that [winning] should be a basic thing for us,” added Pogba. 

“Obviously we know that the Premier League is hard and we have a lot of games [to play] but those five games give us more confidence.

“Mentally we’re strong and ready. For the rest of the season, we just want to do the same and carry on like that.”

United continue to occupy sixth spot in the Premier League table at present, but have closed to within six points of the top four in an ongoing battle for Champions League qualification.

The Spanish star remained rooted to the bench on Sunday even with the club drifting even closer towards a crisis

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First it was Cristo Gonzalez. Then Dani Ceballos, and, finally, Brahim Diaz.

Santiago Solari burned through his substitutes and, even with the scored tied at 1-1 against Real Betis and Real Madrid’s crisis deepening, left Isco rooted to the bench.

The coach’s refusal to play the Spanish playmaker, who a few months ago was a fan favourite and essential piece of the puzzle for both club and country, nearly cost him dearly in Andalusia on Sunday night.

In the end luck favoured Madrid and despite Betis dominating in the second half, at one point having over 70 per cent possession, Dani Ceballos’s 88th minute free-kick earned Los Blancos a 2-1 win at the Benito Villamarin.

The victory takes them fourth, above Alaves, but still 10 points behind league leaders Barcelona. Madrid are in crisis and this narrow triumph does little to disguise that.

Solari’s evident dislike of Isco manifested itself again as the player was benched for the 11th time in 11 league games at the helm, despite the club’s injury crisis.

Even though Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz were out, with Lucas Vazquez suspended too, the coach preferred to change to a 3-5-2 formation rather than incorporate him.

What at first looked like a move designed to humiliate Isco revealed itself as a tactical curveball for Betis, who struggled to handle a new-look Madrid in the opening period.

Madrid broke forward frequently and hit Betis on the counter. The hosts passed the ball about but as usual, didn’t have much forward thrust to go with their possession. Madrid were happy to defend as a unit when required, with every player back in their half, behind the ball at times.

Luka Modric broke the deadlock with a deflected strike into the top corner and the Croatian went close with another effort from similar distance.

Fede Valverde should have doubled Madrid’s lead which would have been a fair reflection on their performance, but fluffed his lines when sent through on goal, with a half-baked backheel failing to reach Karim Benzema.

The French striker was taken off with an injury at half-time and Solari snubbed Isco, preferring to hand B team forward Cristo Gonzalez his league debut.

As the tide turned in Betis’s favour, it looked like a matter of time before the hosts scored and Sergio Canales did so when played in by Giovani Lo Celso. Madrid hoped VAR would exculpate their defence but it only proved the midfielder was onside.

With the score level, it was surely time for Isco. But Ceballos was the next to come on, replacing Sergio Reguilon, with Nacho moving to left-back.

That was a snub for Marcelo too, one of the most creative defenders in world football, who was also left on the bench, helpless as Betis threatened to add to their lead.

When January signing Diaz replaced Valverde, it seemed like this was the hill Solari had chosen to die on.

Failing to win while leaving a player as good as unpicking defences as Isco on the bench would have generated such opprobrium among the media and supporters that Solari’s future would have been called into question.

But Ceballos saved the coach’s skin with his well-judged free-kick in the final stages. He lives to fight another day, but with no end in sight to the Isco saga, the situation may well repeat itself in the coming weeks.

The Danish midfielder was asked about the rumours linking him with a switch to the Bernabeu and claims talks are still ongoing over new Spurs deal

Christian Eriksen offered a cryptic answer in response to the latest questions surrounding his contract situation at Tottenham, amid talk of interest from Real Madrid.

Reports have claimed that Madrid have been advised they will need to pay a mega £225 million ($287m) fee if they are to land the Dane from Spurs.

The 26-year-old is under contract at the north London club until 2020, with Spurs keen to tie him to a new deal to follow the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli in committing his future to the Premier League side.

Madrid have been mooted as a potentially interested party, though, with Eriksen telling TV3 Sport that Spurs “know what I want” in relation to the talks over a new deal.

He said: “[The future is] not something I’m thinking of. I focus on playing football, and there are many battles you have to think about which must be won.”

Responding specifically to Madrid’s apparent interest, he added: “It is not the first time that there have been rumours, and when the newspapers write something, it is not something we are masters of. If there is nothing concrete, then I just comment on rumours.

“I think people know what I want, and I know what they [Tottenham] would like. There is a nice dialogue so there is nothing [new] there.”

If reports are to be believed, Madrid are in the market for a new creative midfielder having struggled for goals in the 2018-19 campaign to date.

Santiago Solari’s position as manager has been called into question after a disappointing first half of the season in the league, with Madrid 10 points behind Barcelona having suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad last time out.

Eriksen, meanwhile, was in action as Tottenham beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Harry Kane’s penalty, awarded by VAR, was the difference between the two sides, with Chelsea having the chance to respond in the second leg at Stamford Bridge on January 24.

Next up for Spurs is a meeting with Manchester United at Wembley, with Pochettino’s side currently third place in the Premier League table, two points behind Manchester City in second.

 

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The El Tri midfielder hopes he can become a fixture in the PSV starting lineup after the Eredivisie’s winter break comes to a close later this month

It hasn’t been an easy start to life in the Netherlands for Erick Gutierrez. 

After a move late in the summer transfer window from Pachuca to PSV, the midfielder has looked to lock down a place as a regular in Mark van Bommel’s starting XI. 

Yet progress has been slow, with Gutierrez’s first Eredivisie start not coming until December. He followed up with two more starts in December and hopes to continue the momentum through the Dutch league’s winter break. 

Gutierrez admitted that the speed of play in the European game came as a bit of a shock after spending the first six years of his career in his native Mexico. 

“I have had trouble with that, yes, with the switch from the football that I was used to playing in Mexico,” Gutierrez told AD at the club’s training camp in Qatar. “Especially the pace at which everything goes here, in matches, in training sessions. That is much higher than in Mexico. I did not quite expect that. But it’s the challenge I was looking for.” 

Most of the season, Gutierrez has been behind Gaston Pereiro, with the Uruguay international starting as an interior midfielder in both league and Champions League matches. Before the winter break, Van Bommel experimented with playing both players together. 

“I think it’s tough for all players, waiting, being on the bench. I don’t think any player likes to be on the bench, but I’ve had to start there,” Gutierrez told NOS. “I’ve tried to do things as well as possible, what the manager has asked me, but I think Gaston is also a great player. If he plays, I’m going to support him because he’s done things well, too. 

“That’s how soccer is. We’re a team. We have to be good. There’s no jealously – in fact we get along well. It’s tough to be in that situation but you have to help when you’re in that situation.” 

That’s not to say Gutierrez isn’t enjoying that challenge of playing in a new league and living abroad for the first time. He said he and his family like life in Eindhoven, regularly going to the center of the city to have dinner or go for a stroll. On the field, he’s ready to prove he’s can handle more minutes. 

“I worked a lot to be able to get these opportunities, and I’m really happy here. I know I can get a lot better still, I know I can give more, but I’m working really hard every day to get to my top level,” Gutierrez said. 

“I like it. In fact, I’m really relaxed here with my family,” he continued. “The people are really respectful. The climate – I prefer cold to the heat – I like it because sometimes it can get way too hot. Since I’ve gotten here, they’ve treated me well and I’m enjoying every minute as always and my family also likes it.” 

PSV returns from its winter break with a Jan. 20 trip to face FC Emmen. The club has just one defeat this season but has only a two-point lead on second-place Ajax.

 

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After a shock Copa del Rey loss to Levante, the La Liga leaders will look to bounce back against a side who blew Real Madrid away earlier this season

With a Copa del Rey loss still ringing in their ears, Barcelona will look to get back to winning ways in La Liga this weekend when they host mid-table Eibar.

The league leaders will be looking to cement their grasp on the summit, but Ernesto Valverde’s side will be wary of the threat their visitors offer.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side delivered a shock 3-0 upset against Real Madrid earlier in the season and despite no wins in the division since, will still take heart into their trip to Catalania.

Will the hosts deliver an expected, routine victory to add another three points to their tally? Or is there a twist in the tale against their lowly opposition?

Game	Barcelona v Eibar
Date	Sunday, January 13
Time	5:30pm GMT / 12:30pm ET
Stream (US)	fubo TV (7-day free trial)

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In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

US TV channel	Online stream
BeIN Sports	fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be streamed via Eleven Sports 1.

UK TV channel	Online stream
N/A	Eleven Sports 1

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Position	Barcelona squad
Goalkeepers	Ter Stegen, Cillessen
Defenders	Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Denis Suarez, Murillo, Brandariz. Wague
Midfielders	Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal, Semedo, Alena, Gonzalez, Arthur, Puig
Forwards	Messi, Luis Suarez, Dembele, Coutinho

Barcelona starting XI : Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur, Coutinho; Messi, Suarez.

Position	Eibar squad
Goalkeepers	Riesgo, Dmitrovic
Defenders	Pena, Oliveira, Arbilla, Cote, Bigas, Angel
Midfielders	Diop, Escalante, Orellana, Jordan, Cucurella, Alvarez, De Blasis, Mila, Hervias
Forwards	Sergi Enrich, Kike, Cardona

Eibar starting XI: Riesgo, Pena, Bigas, Arbilla, Cote, Escalante, Diop, Orellana, Cucurella, Jordan, Enrich.

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The hosts are big favourites for this one and can be backed at 1/7 with bet365 . Eibar are priced at a distant 16/1, while a draw is 7/1.

Click here to see all of bet 365’s offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.

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As the current Liga campaign crosses into the second half of the season, reigning champions Barcelona look to be in pole position to defend their crown once again.

But, unlike their near-perfect domestic achievements in 2017-18, they have sometimes failed to recapture that spark so far.

A 2-1 loss to Levante in the Copa del Rey, even if fielding a relatively underpowered side, is still a sore result for Ernesto Valverde’s side when they are used to such success.

As such, their return to top-flight action this weekend presents an imperative need to bounce back with victory and tighten their grasp on the summit of the division.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to slot straight back into a fearsome front-three after sitting out the previous defeat and they should bring some added firepower for the visit of Eibar.

Barca however will be keenly aware that they could fall into the same trap vaunted rivals Real Madrid did against the Basque minnows.

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Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side turned in one of the results of the season when they battered the Champions League holders 3-0 with an emphatic display.

Though they have not won in the league since, Eibar will still take great inspiration from that famous victory – and will be hopeful of repeating such a feat against another giant of Spanish football on Sunday.

The Juventus forward has been accused of sexually assaulting Kathryn Mayorga in 2009 – a claim the Portuguese firmly denies

Cristiano Ronaldo’s lawyer Peter Christiansen insisted a warrant for the Juventus superstar’s DNA is a “very standard request” amid the ongoing investigation into a rape allegation. 

American Kathryn Mayorga has accused Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009, with the Portugal captain having come out to “firmly deny” the claims. 

German publication Der Spiegel first reported the accusations, which also included the suggestion Ronaldo paid Ms Mayorga $375,000 (£288,000) in 2010 as part of a privacy agreement, preventing her from going public with the allegations.

Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit in an attempt to quash that agreement while Las Vegas police have re-opened an investigation. 

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported that police in Las Vegas police had requested a sample of Ronaldo’s DNA, citing “a law-enforcement official with knowledge of the case.” 

The report also claims that a warrant was recently sent to the court system in Italy.  

Christiansen has previously confirmed that the payment was made to Ms Mayorga, but said documents presented as evidence had been “stolen” and “completely fabricated”. 

“To be clear, Mr Ronaldo vehemently denies all of the allegations in the complaint and has consistently maintained that denial for the last nine years,” Christiansen said in a statement in October.  

“The documents which purportedly contain statements by Mr Ronaldo and have been reported in the media are complete fabrications. It is my understanding that in 2015, dozens of entities [including law firms] across many different industries throughout Europe were hacked and their electronic data was stolen and captured by a cyber criminal. 

“This hacker attempted to sell this data, and one media outlet has now irresponsibly published the stolen documents, significant portions of which were altered and/or completely fabricated. To absolve any doubt, Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in 2009 in Las Vegas was consensual in nature. 

“While Mr Ronaldo does not deny the existence of the mutual agreement and release, his motivations for agreeing to that resolution have been twisted to say the least. 

“Far from any admission of guilt or any ulterior motive, Mr Ronaldo was advised to privately resolve the allegations against him in order to avoid the inevitable attempts that are now being made to destroy a reputation that has been built upon hard work, athleticism and honour.  

“Unfortunately, he now finds himself embroiled in the type of litigation that is all too commonplace in America.” 

Furthermore, following the report that a DNA sample has been requested, Christiansen game a statement to Omnispor t, saying: “Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in Las Vegas in 2009 was consensual in nature. 

“So it is not surprising that DNA would be present, nor that the police would make this very standard request as part of their investigation.” 

Ronaldo, 33, has scored a league-high 14 goals in Serie A and 15 in all competitions for Italian champions Juve this season, having arrived from Real Madrid in July. 

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