Blog (Page 140)

[ad_1] Chelsea have been one of the Premier League’s biggest underachievers so far this season, a team that does not deserve the ‘world champions’ tag which they technically still retain. The Blues looked stale in the last weeks of Thomas Tuchel’s tenure, and after enjoying Graham Potter’s new manager bounce, they quickly reverted to their 2022 type – a stale squad that looked sick to the back teeth of each other. Heading into the World Cup break, their bloated roster was seen as a strange amalgamation of Roman Abramovich’s win-now regime and the scattergun approach overseen in Todd Boehly’s first summer. The hope was thatRead More →

[ad_1] It looked as though Brazil had overcome what had been a turgid and grinding test when Neymar netted to put the Selecao 1-0 up in extra time in their World Cup quarter-final against Croatia. A late Bruno Petkovic equaliser and subsequent penalty shootout defeat, however, brought all euphoria and relief crashing down. An expectant Brazil gunning for a sixth star had been knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage; and, after six years at the helm, Tite gave up the reins. Attentions are now on a long-term successor and, discounting the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, 90minRead More →

[ad_1] Lille striker Jonathan David has admitted he cannot see himself playing anywhere other than the Premier League, as the Canadian international nears an exit from Ligue 1. The 22-year-old scored 15 league goals last season and already has nine this time around, having established himself as one of the most prolific forwards in France and one of the most intriguing attackers around. Interest in David has not been in short supply. Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked in the past, while 90min understands that Chelsea manager Graham Potter has expressed an interest in the Lille forward. David has previously admitted he would beRead More →

[ad_1] Full-back was once the most undesirable position in football. As Jamie Carragher crudely put it on Monday Night Football back in 2013: “Nobody wants to grow up to be a Gary Neville”. Carragher was suggesting that no aspiring footballer desired to be a conservative full-back who rarely ventured forward and whose primary focus was defending. The former Liverpool defender would add that full-backs were either failed wingers or failed centre-halves. At the time, there was certainly a lot of truth in Carragher’s sentiment. But the role of the full-back, as a result of samba influence and Pep Guardiola, has evolved drastically in a relativelyRead More →

[ad_1] Inter are readying a contract offer for France international Marcus Thuram as they look to persuade him to move to Serie A in 2023, 90min understands. Thuram’s deal is up at the end of the season and he has already confirmed to his club Borussia Monchengladbach that he will not be signing a new contract. Gladbach had a similar situation in January 2022 when they sold star midfielder Denis Zakaria rather than let his deal run down, and while they would like to sell Thuram, Inter don’t want to pay a transfer fee for him. Inter have prepared a pre-contract offer, and sources haveRead More →

[ad_1] The agent of Real Madrid and France superstar Karim Benzema has added further fuel to the fire surrounding the striker’s feud with the French national team by claiming he was fit to play for the majority of the World Cup. Benzema picked up an injury shortly before the beginning of the tournament in Qatar and France quickly ruled him out of the entire competition as a result, although Benzema was never formally removed from the squad. There was speculation that the 35-year-old would return for the final against Argentina as the French squad suffered from a bug which threatened to rule several players outRead More →

[ad_1] Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has challenged Marcus Rashford to score 20 Premier League goals this season as his search for a consistent frontman at the club continues. The Red Devils are threadbare up front since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in November, with the injury-prone Anthony Martial the only other option in the central striker position. Rashford is United’s top scorer so far this campaign with nine goals in all competitions, although just four of them have come in the Premier League. Even so, the 25-year-old’s tally represents a major return to form after a hugely disappointing campaign in 2021/22. Speaking aheadRead More →

[ad_1] Chelsea are in talks with Monaco over a deal for French centre-back Benoit Badiashile, 90min can confirm. A left-sided centre-back is a top priority for Chelsea and the Blues have been locked in discussions with RB Leipzig over Croatian star Josko Gvardiol since the summer, but his outstanding World Cup has seen the 20-year-old’s stock rise. With Gvardiol’s asking price flying up and teams from across the globe voicing their interest in the defender, Chelsea’s attempts to strike a quick deal have so far proven fruitless, with the German side happy to wait until the summer to agree to a sale. Chelsea are lookingRead More →

[ad_1] Arsenal once again underlined their Premier League title credentials by coming from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 at the Emirates. The Gunners were the better side for much of the contest, but they were made to do it the hard way after a toothless first-half showing. Despite dominating the ball in the opening 45 mins, Arsenal found themselves behind when Jarrod Bowen was felled in the penalty area on a breakaway. Said Benrahma converted from the spot to give West Ham an unlikely half-time lead. The Gunners came out fighting after the break, though, and showed the kind of ruthlessness that has takenRead More →

[ad_1] Andy Robertson set the Premier League record for most assists by a defender during Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Aston Villa on Boxing Day. The former Hull left back set up Mohamed Salah for the Reds’ first at Villa Park, squaring across the box having been brilliantly found by Trent Alexander-Arnold. That cross to Salah was Robertson’s 54th assist in the current iteration of England’s top flight, taking him clear of former Everton and Wigan defender Leighton Baines, who is now second with 53. Robertson has achieved the feat in almost half Baines’ career games, though will face some competition from a current teammate forRead More →