Blog (Page 256)

Week 29 of the 2022 MLS season is done and we have just over a month to go until the Playoffs begin. Teams are still battling hard to make the post-season and, now more than ever, are relying on their star players to get the job done under immense pressure. Who did it best this week? Let’s rank the top five: Sebastian Lletget for #DTID vs Minnesota United: Completed passes – 33 (100%)Chances created – 3Assists – 2Ground duels won – 2/3Recoveries – 7Clearances – 2Tackles – 1 Masterclass ⭐️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/PsOzR6Rmi4 — Chris Smith (@CJSmith91) September 3, 2022 After a tense first half, FC DallasRead More →

Real Madrid have confirmed that winger Vinicius Junior has received his Spanish passport, freeing up a non-EU space in the squad. La Liga clubs are allowed to have five players in their squad who were born outside the EU – with just three permitted to be named in any matchday squad – and Vinicius had taken one of those spots every year since his arrival in 2018. Now, however, he has obtained a Spanish passport, which means he is no longer seen as a non-EU player. Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey,Toby Cudworth and Harry Symeou bring you a deadline day edition of Talking Transfers. The team welcome Daniel Childs and Julien Laurens to theRead More →

CF Montreal defender Kamal Miller has admitted a feeling of ‘disrespect’ helped motivate his side to victory over Canadian Classique rivals Toronto FC. Despite Montreal sitting second in the Eastern Conference heading into Sunday’s clash, most of the pre-match focus was on TFC and their star-studded attack of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Indeed, both Italians had found the net within seven minutes, while Insigne completed his brace at the end, but only after Montreal had roared back to take a 4-2 lead. Montreal outbattled TFC in most departments, winning 54% of their overall duels, taking a 58% share of possession, and generating 2.35 xGRead More →

Barcelona remain confident that Gavi will sign a new long-term contract, despite interest in his signature emerging from several clubs across Europe, 90min understands. Gavi had agreed to sign a new deal earlier this year, with interested clubs told that he would be staying at the Catalan giants and was not looking to move. Barça’s plan was for the teenager to sign his new long-term contract when he turned 18 on August 5. However, that was not possible due to the club’s financial issues which saw them struggle to register new signings. Now that the transfer window has closed, Barcelona are now looking to finaliseRead More →

Chelsea have confirmed that right-back Reece James has signed a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge. James has inked a new five-year deal which 90min understands includes the option to extend by a further 12 months. Blues owner Todd Boehly sees James as one of the top prospects in world football and believes the full-back, alongside Mason Mount, deserves to be one of the cornerstones of the club’s long-term future, with this contract – understood to be worth up to £250,000 per week – proof of that commitment. “I am over the moon with my new contract and I’m thankful for the fans, the newRead More →

Chelsea are close to finalising a new contract for right-back Reece James, 90min understands. 90min revealed earlier this month that the Blues are looking to tie down both James and fellow academy graduate Mason Mount to bumper new contracts, with new owner Todd Boehly seeing the pair as two of the cornerstones of Chelsea’s future. Sources have confirmed that James’ new deal is further ahead as it stands and Chelsea are now putting the finishing touches on a deal which could be worth up to £250,000 per week. A five-year contract is on the table, with the agreement also including an option for an additionalRead More →

Erik ten Hag has pleaded for patience from Manchester United fans after his side’s resurgence stepped into a new gear with Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal. Memories of the side who lost 4-0 to Brentford earlier this summer were banished as two goals from Marcus Rashford and a debut strike from €100m man Antony secured a huge victory over an Arsenal side who were top of the league with the only unbeaten record heading into the game. After the game, Ten Hag was asked whether fans should start dreaming of a Premier League title challenge this season, and while the boss was delighted with hisRead More →

Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal side’s unbeaten start to the season come to an end as they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday. A debut goal from Antony and Marcus Rashford’s brace set the Red Devils on their way, with the Gunners’ only response coming through Bukayo Saka despite enjoying moments of domination. The defeat brought Arsenal’s winning streak come to an end, though they still lead the Premier League table by a point. Here’s how the Arsenal boss reflected on a game packed with goals, VAR incidents and drama. “Very disappointed that we haven’t won the game because the game wasRead More →

Martin Odegaard has claimed the decision to overturn Gabriel Martinelli’s goal during Arsenal’s defeat at Manchester United was the wrong call. Martinelli raced in behind United’s defence to finish well into the far corner, but the restart was halted as an altercation between Odegaard and United’s Christian Eriksen was checked for a possible foul in the buildup. It was ultimately adjudged that Odegaard had taken Eriksen and none of the ball and the goal was chalked off by on-field referee Paul Tierney after a lengthy pause. Arsenal would go on to lose the game despite being impressive in spells, with a debut strike from AntonyRead More →

Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa will have a trial at Wolves this coming week. New signing Sasa Kalajdzic suffered an anterior cruciate ligament in the victory over Southampton on Saturday, while Raul Jimenez wasn’t included in the matchday squad after pulling out in pre-game training. With Wanderers boss Bruno Lage struggling for options up front, free agent Costa could be an ideal stopgap in their time of crisis. As he is currently without a club, Costa could join Wolves outside the transfer window. The striker spent three and a half years back at Atletico Madrid after leaving Chelsea in 2017 but hasRead More →