nazakatblogger@gmail.com Baller League, first launched in Germany, brings together ex-pros, creators and rising players in 30-minute games with twists on traditional football rules. Starck previously told BBC Sport the format was more popular with 16 to 28-year-olds than the Premier League, although it’s difficult to double-check the claim. The chief executive has also pointed to the … Read more
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Andy Hunter’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 5th Prospects Andoni Iraola did not have to be sold on Liverpool when they came calling for a coach courted also by Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace after his sterling work … Read more
The pieces are beginning to fall into place for Newcastle to land one of their long-term summer transfer targets before the September 1 deadline. Earlier in the window, highly-rated Swedish international Bergvall emerged as one of Newcastle’s midfield targets after having slipped down the pecking order in North London. Despite holding an interest throughout the … Read more
Liverpool have agreed terms with a Paris Saint-Germain attacker – and not Bradley Barcola. The Reds have been linked with the World Cup star all summer, but with his employers dragging their heels over receiving a nine-figure fee for the superstar, FourFourTwo understands that Liverpool are reluctant and considering all angles. While the Merseysiders have … Read more
The full judgements made by the Key Match Incidents Panel on referee and video assistant referee decisions will be shared with fans for the first time this season. It is one of three measures brought in by the Premier League, external to improve transparency, alongside the publishing of direct explanations of officials, and broadcasting RefCam … Read more
The chance to be reunited with Matthias Jaissle convinced Amar Dedic to swap Benfica for Newcastle in a £29.5m transfer. Dedic becomes Newcastle’s sixth signing of a turbulent summer on Tyneside and the 24-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international is likely to start at right-back at home to Liverpool on Sunday. “Working with Matthias again was … Read more
It’s one thing to take your rivals’ players. It’s another thing to weaken midtable. Sir Alex Ferguson was a master of it, specifically in attack: in 13 Premier League-winning seasons, Manchester United only dropped below 70 goals four times, as Ferguson crafted a formula to rejuvenate his forward line. This was pre-xG, and simple enough … Read more
Even in the hyperreal world of football, there are few characters more compelling, more polarising, or more everything than José Mourinho, the best and worst of public him on full display in a new three-part Netflix series. “It reminded me how good he was,” says Joe Pearlman, who directed Mourinho, and the actual Mourinho is, … Read more
Celtic midfielder rejects transfer approaches as Rangers close in on deal for right-back from Premier League… Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate, 28, has turned down transfer interest from Austria, Greece and the United States. (Herald – subscription required, external) Japan international Hatate wants to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. (Glasgow Times, external) Celtic … Read more
Becoming a professional footballer requires you to take full advantage of any point of difference you can possibly find – and proficiency in another sport can be a huge asset. Peter Schmeichel attributes his famous starfish sprawl to his handball background. Petr Cech believes playing as a goalie in ice hockey prepared him well for … Read more