Category: Football

Rio Ferdinand has hit out at the decision to include Bukayo Saka on the Premier League Player of the Season shortlist over Cristiano Ronaldo.

The shortlist for the 2021/22 Premier League Player of the Season was announced last week.

Given Manchester City and Liverpool are the two sides fighting it out for the Premier League title, it is not at all surprising to see the two clubs dominate the shortlist.

From City, both Kevin De Bruyne and Joao Cancelo have made the final eight, whilst Liverpool have Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold up for the award.

Elsewhere, West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton have one nominee each.

Bukayo Saka is in from Arsenal and, whilst he is unlikely to be named Premier League Player of the Season, looks a shoo-in for the Young Player of the Season prize.

West Ham, meanwhile, have Jarrod Bowen, Tottenham Heung-min Son and Southampton, somewhat surprisingly, are represented by James Ward-Prowse.

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And, despite scoring 19 in the league this season, Cristiano Ronaldo did not even make the shortlist this year.

This has led to Rio Ferdinand questioning why Saka made it onto the shortlist ahead of his former teammate:

“Saka’s in the in the Player of the Year nominees?” said the ex-defender – who played alongside Ronaldo for six years – on his Vibe with Five YouTube show.

“I wouldn’t have had Saka in there yet, as well as he’s done. I wouldn’t have had him over Ronaldo, no, not this season. “Ronaldo should be in ahead of three of four of those guys in there. He probably doesn’t win it but in terms of nominees, it’s laughable.

“He’ll take it as a disrespect but these are the things that fuel him, he’ll be thinking, ‘How dare you?’ If it’s based on stats, he’s like, ‘I’ve banged in more goals than most of them on that list other than Salah, so what are you talking about?’”

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Arsenal star Granit Xhaka did not mince words on Monday evening, in revealing his frustrations with the club’s squad on the back of their damaging defeat to Newcastle United.

Mikel Arteta’s men were of course back in action a short time ago, making the trip to St. James’ Park in the knowledge that nothing but three points would suffice amid the club’s ongoing pursuit of a Champions League berth.

When all was said and done, however, to say that the Gunners’ efforts towards that came up short would be putting it lightly.

A frankly dismal display on Tyneside saw Arsenal dominated in every aspect of the game by an impressive Newcastle, to eventually slip to a deserved 2-0 defeat.

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TWO!!

Bruno Guimarães doubles Newcastle’s lead! Arsenal’s top four hopes are up in smoke 😮 pic.twitter.com/s457bEUvlS

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022

And one individual, as alluded to above, who was not shy in taking aim at Arteta’s troops on the back of the full-time whistle this evening was midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Speaking to the media post-match, Arsenal’s Swiss international was drawn on his side’s latest display, and ranted:

“We didn’t do what the gameplan was, not listening to the coach, doing our things. What happened was a disaster performance. We don’t deserve to play Champions League. We don’t deserve even to play Europa League. It’s very hard to take.”

Xhaka wasn’t done there, though, with the 29-year-old having appeared to call into question the mental strength of some members of the Gunners’ ranks, after being pressed on whether or not the occasion may have gotten to ‘a young team’:

“If someone is not ready for this game, stay at home. It doesn’t matter [about] the age, you can be 30, 35, 10, 18 – if you’re not ready for that or nervous, stay on the bench or stay at home. Don’t come here. We need people to have balls.”

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“If someone isn’t ready for this game, stay at home”

Granit Xhaka says the Arsenal players didn’t deserve to be on the pitch today 😓 pic.twitter.com/OdC37x3TAG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022

Spurs in pole position

So, what does their defeat on Monday night actually mean for Arsenal’s top-4 hopes?

In reality, it has seen them all but ended.

Tottenham now occupy 4th in the Premier League table, sitting two points clear of their north London rivals with just a solitary game to play.

This means that Arsenal require Antonio Conte’s side to slip to what would be a shock defeat at the hands of Championship-bound Norwich City, whilst themselves getting the better of an Everton outfit who could still be battling for their top-flight lives at the Emirates.

 

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Footage of Juventus star Paulo Dybala bidding an emotional farewell to the Bianconeri faithful is no doubt set to bring a tear to the eye of many a Juventini on Monday evening.

Massimiliano Allegri’s troops were back in action a short time ago, welcoming Lazio to Turin for the final home outing of what has proven an altogether underwhelming campaign.

Making the clash even more significant, though, was the fact that it marked the farewell outing of not one, but two of the club’s long-time stars.

First up was captain and leader Giorgio Chiellini.

Now 37 years of age, it had long been common knowledge that Chiellini was inching towards a Juventus farewell, with official confirmation of as much having been forthcoming earlier this month.

With 17 minutes played at the Allianz Stadium this evening, the Italian icon was therefore hooked to mark 17 seasons with the club, sparking rapturous cheers and applause throughout the stadium:

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Giorgio Chiellini departs the field at the Allianz Stadium one final time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AJUFqp8WvH

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 16, 2022

A further celebration of one of the most memorable careers in the storied history of Juventus then followed on the back of the full-time whistle:

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#THEGR3ATCHIELLO pic.twitter.com/v6guNogvhj

— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) May 16, 2022

The most emotional goodbye, though, on the player side of things at least, was yet to come.

This arrived post-match, as the Juventus faithful, management and staff came together as one to wave off Paulo Dybala.

‘La Joya’ is set to become a free agent this summer, after those in a position of power in Turin came to the decision not to renew his terms after seven years of joint-success on the pitch.

And the gifted attacker couldn’t help but allow his emotions to get the better of him, breaking down in a flood of tears in taking in one final moment in front of a packed Bianconeri crowd:

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Paulo Dybala was moved to tears after playing his last match at the Allianz Stadium 💔 pic.twitter.com/orheJPClvQ

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 16, 2022

Fiorentina next up

Both Chiellini and Dybala’s official final fixture as Juventus players will come this Saturday, when Allegri’s troops make the trip to Florence for a meeting with old foes Fiorentina.

The Old Lady, though, have long locked up 4th spot in Serie A, and a coveted place in the Champions League, leaving them with little to play for at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

 

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has, on Monday, provided an update on the fitness of star duo Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

Both Salah and van Dijk, of course, set pulses racing across the Reds fanbase a little over 48 hours ago.

First up came wide-man Salah, who was forced to limp out of the club’s FA Cup finale showdown with Chelsea after pulling up with what appeared to be a groin problem.

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Get well soon, @MoSalah 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ykq5d5qcVU

— 433 (@433) May 14, 2022

Stopper van Dijk then followed suit ahead of extra-time getting underway at Wembley, owing to what the Dutchman himself later described as a ‘little twinge’ in his knee.

Concerns, in turn, had since understandably spread regarding the fitness of the pair, just two weeks out from Liverpool making the trip to Paris for a Champions League showpiece clash with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Speaking to the media earlier this evening, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of both Salah and van Dijk’s wellbeing was put to boss Jurgen Klopp.

And though the German first confirmed that the pair have been ruled out of Liverpool’s trip to the south coast to face Southampton on Tuesday, he went on to reveal his hope that both will return to the fray to feature in at least some capacity against Wolves at the weekend.

The assumption, in turn, is that Salah and van Dijk will both have recovered full fitness in time for the Champions League final.

“No. Virg definitely not [available for Tuesday] but that was pretty much clear before the [Chelsea] game already that I thought, ‘OK, this is the game now.’ He played really a lot and then Saturday-Tuesday again. It was clear,” Klopp explained.

“They are both OK. So, the target would be for both that they can be involved again on the weekend. Properly involved, bench or whatever and a few minutes or start, I don’t know, we will see that, because that would then be perfect for the game [Champions League final].

“But if not then we take each day afterwards. But we are very positive, or [have] no doubt about the final. I’m pretty realistic about the Wolves game, but tomorrow rather not.”

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An injury update from the boss on @VirgilvDijk and @MoSalah ⤵

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 16, 2022

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This article was edited by
Ben Browning.

 

After a tumultuous few months where even the club Megastore was forced to shut, Chelsea had seemingly got back on the right track again with a bid by Todd Boehly to take the club out of the hands of the sanctioned Roman Abramovich expected to go through by the end of May.

However, that is all back up in the air again amidst concerns that the deal may not go through in time for the deadline of the end of May.

As per the Telegraph, ‘Chelsea are refusing to accept their new plan to put the loan in an escrow account – a legal arrangement in which a third party temporarily holds the money – before the Government is convinced that the money can be safely paid into the foundation for Ukraine war victims, which Abramovich is setting up.’

One senior government source told BBC Sport that ‘there’s a quite serious concern in Government that the deal may fall apart and that Roman Abramovich is ultimately willing to let Chelsea go under’ This is because of Abramovich’s ‘refusal to agree to a sale structure that gives ministers confidence that proceeds would go to a good cause’.

Meanwhile, the Abramovich camp deny such allegations, several reports suggest that the £1.6bn loan that Roman Abramovich agreed to write off has become a major sticking point.

What does this mean for the club?

In short, the Blues remain in limbo, with the club shop still shut and only season ticket holders allowed to attend home games. Meanwhile, the sanctions mean that they have been unable to offer key players new contracts, with both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger set to leave for free to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

They could miss out on summer transfer targets too if the situation is not sorted imminently, and the latest complication will do nothing for the mood in the camp.

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An insight into Liverpool’s plans to bolster their midfield have been provided on Monday.

Liverpool currently have a wealth of central midfield options on their books.

Fabinho and Thiago are nailed on options in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield trio, whilst the remaining spot can be filled by Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott at present.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains on Liverpool’s books, though his future does look to be away from Merseyside given how little playing time he has seen of late.

And whilst all of those above options are great for now, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago are all north of 30, meaning Liverpool probably need to start planning for the future.

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And, according to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are drawing up a long-term plan to bolster their midfield department.

At present the two main names linked with Liverpool have been Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham has recently confirmed that he will remain at Borussia Dortmund next season, making a move for him this year unlikely:

“I will be here at Borussia Dortmund next season. I’m ready,” he said. “The only future I’m thinking about is the next game with Dortmund.”

As for Tchouameni, speculation has suggested he could be on the move at the end of this campaign, with a fee of around £50m being touted in various reports.

This would make the Frenchman the most viable option right now. However, as Tchouameni is a defensive midfielder, he would only really be able to play at the base of Liverpool’s midfield instead of Fabinho.

And as Fabinho still has a number of good years left in him, perhaps Liverpool would be better served waiting a season to try and snap up Bellingham, who is much more capable in a box-to-box role and would make a great replacement for Jordan Henderson.

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An insight into the absence of Andreas Christensen from Chelsea’s matchday squad to face Liverpool on Saturday has been forthcoming online, and reflects altogether poorly on the Danish international.

Thomas Tuchel’s Blues of course made the trip to Wembley yesterday evening, for an FA Cup final showdown with quadruple-chasing Liverpool.

Christensen, for his part, was expected to take his place in Chelsea’s backline for the clash, despite the stopper’s imminent free agent departure from Stamford Bridge for Barcelona.

In the end, however, it was Trevoh Chalobah who was chosen to join Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger in the Pensioners’ three-man central defensive unit.

And now, an insight into precisely why this situation came to pass has been provided.

As per the reliable Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, Christensen, having been in line to start at Wembley, inexplicably made himself unavailable for selection on Saturday morning, forcing boss Tuchel into a last-minute reshuffle.

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Andreas Christensen pulled out of the Chelsea squad on the morning of the FA Cup final, having been in line to start and forcing Thomas Tuchel into a late rethink. Story #cfc https://t.co/3KIJHEthzR

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 15, 2022

The Dane’s decision, it is understood, left his teammates at Chelsea nothing short of ‘shocked’, with the move, for obvious reasons, having been widely viewed as unprofessional.

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Understand several members of the Chelsea first team were shocked by Andreas Christensen withdrawing from the squad for the #FACupFinal, especially as he was expected to start.

Also, huge credit should go to Trevoh Chalobah. Wouldn’t have been easy to step in late. #CFC

— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) May 15, 2022

Reds prove their mettle

Whether Christensen’s presence on Saturday would ultimately have made a difference in the eventual outcome of the clash is of course open to debate.

Ultimately, though, Chelsea came up short once more, in a strikingly similar fashion to the club’s League Cup final defeat at the hands of Liverpool just three months ago.

After the two sides could not be separated across a full 120 minutes of action, proceedings were sent to a penalty shootout, with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds having held their nerve yet again to emerge triumphant courtesy of the coolest of spot-kicks from surprise hero Kostas Tsimikas.

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LIVERPOOL WIN THE FA CUP ON PENALTIES!!! pic.twitter.com/QoxX73JYgR

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022

 

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Everton have been quick to send their support on Sunday evening, after two members of Thomas Frank’s Brentford squad confirmed that they were subjected to racial abuse during the meeting between the clubs earlier today.

Word of the unsavoury scenes on Merseyside was first brought to the attention of the masses by Brentford hitman Ivan Toney.

In a post across his social media platforms on the back of the full-time whistle in the clash, the Bees standout assured that he was ready to do ‘everything I can’ to see the individual who aimed racially-motivated abuse towards both he and his family punished:

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And for the man that racially abused my family Il do everything I can to get you the punishment you deserve! 👍🏾

— Ivan Toney (@ivantoney24) May 15, 2022

Alarmingly, Toney’s message was then swiftly followed by teammate Rico Henry confirming that he was subjected to similar discrimination at Goodison, with the 24-year-old’s mother this time the target:

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I never usually speak out on things that don’t physically harm me or my family but to see my mom upset after being racially abused by a few Everton fans brought fire to my stomach!

— Rico Henry (@ricohenry14) May 15, 2022

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I will do anything for them & whatever it takes to get the small minority punished! This is not acceptable & must be investigated immediately.

— Rico Henry (@ricohenry14) May 15, 2022

As alluded to above, though, Everton, in response, have been quick to reveal their support for both Brentford stars.

In an online post of their own a short time ago, the Toffees took to the comments section of Toney’s tweet, to assure that they have already begun assisting the Merseyside Police department, ‘to ensure the individual is identified and dealt with appropriately’.

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There is no place in football – or society – for racism.

We are assisting Merseyside Police to ensure the individual is identified and dealt with appropriately. #EFC

— Everton (@Everton) May 15, 2022

Bees triumph

Turning attentions back towards the action on the pitch on Sunday evening, it was of course Brentford who ultimately emerged victorious following a chaotic 90 minutes on Merseyside.

After Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early opener was cancelled out by a Seamus Coleman own goal, Everton retook the lead when Richarlison slotted home from the penalty spot on the stroke of the interval.

2nd-half strikes courtesy of Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry, though, assured that Frank Lampard’s hosts, who were also reduced to nine men on the evening, remain firmly entrenched in the relegation scrap ahead of the final week of the Premier League campaign.

 

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Juventus star Paulo Dybala has taken to social media on Sunday, to send a farewell message to the Juventus fanbase.

The long-awaited bombshell news surrounding the future of Argentine international Dybala was of course made official late in March.

On the back of a meeting between those in a position of power at the Juventus Stadium, and the representatives of the club’s long-time star attacker, the conclusion was reached that the best route forward would be for Dybala’s terms in Turin not to be renewed.

The 28-year-old, as a result, is in line to depart as a free agent upon the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign.

And now, as alluded to above, Dybala himself has finally broken his silence.

Ahead of lining out in front of the Juventus faithful for the final time against Lazio on Monday, the former Palermo standout has taken to his official social media platforms, to send a heartfelt message to all associated with the club.

The statement, which reiterates the fact that Dybala expected to spend ‘even more years’ in Turin, can be read in its entirety below:

”It is difficult to find the right words to greet you, there are so many years and so many emotions involved, all together… I thought we would be together even more years, but fate puts us on different paths. I will never forget everything you made me experience, every game, every goal. With you I grew up, I learned, I lived and I dreamed. It has been 7 years of magic, 12 trophies and 115 goals that no one will take away from us. Never. Thank you for supporting me in difficult times. Thanks to those who have accompanied me over the years: from the first to the last, from the fans to the people who work within the club, everyone, coaches and teammates, employees and managers. Wearing this important jersey together with the captain’s armband has been one of the greatest prides of my life, which I hope to show to my children and grandchildren someday. Tomorrow will be my last match with this shirt, it’s hard to imagine, but it will be our last farewell. It will not be easy, but I will enter the field with a smile and with my head held high, knowing that I have given everything for you.”

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Arsenal bound?

Coincidentally, Dybala’s message to his fellow Juventini comes fresh off the back of rumours mounting over the course of the last 48 hours that a summer switch to the Premier League could be on the cards for the Argentine.

Speculation in the Italian media has pointed towards Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as an altogether realistic potential landing spot, albeit only in the case that the Gunners manage to carve out a place for themselves in next season’s Champions League.

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#Dybala: per il dopo-#Juve, Inter sempre favorita, ma se @Arsenal si qualificherà per la prossima Champions, il giocatore si trasferirà dai gunners.

— Marcello Chirico (@MarcelloChirico) May 13, 2022

 

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Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski has been forced to drop to the bench for Tottenham’s clash with Burnley as a result of a stomach bug, according to reports.

The Swede has been in brilliant form since he arrived in north London in January from Juventus, on an initial loan deal that will certainly be made permanent this summer.

So far, he has contributed 3 goals and 8 assists in 16 Premier League outings, which is a very solid return for a player in his first taste of Premier League football. However, he has had to be replaced in the starting XI by Lucas Moura for their home tie against Burnley as a result of a virus picked up in the aftermath of their 3-0 win over Arsenal.

Reportedly, he is not alone from suffering, although others who are also affected remain unknown.

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At Tottenham where Kulusevski drops to the bench after a stomach bug which affected a few more in the squad. #thfc pic.twitter.com/KMTxqObmAw

— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) May 15, 2022

Spurs need 6 points

The win over Arsenal in the north London derby has handed Tottenham an outside chance of top 4, but they remain a point behind their north London rivals with two games left to play.

They must beat a stubborn Burnley, who themselves are in dire need of points to escape the relegation battle they have found themselves embroiled in, before playing already relegated Norwich on the final day of the season.

And Antonio Conte and co. must also rely on their bitter rivals dropping points, with a tricky trip to St James’ Park against a resurgent Newcastle to come for Mikel Arteta’s side before they end the season at Everton, who may still need points to survive depending on other results.

It could yet go down to the final day.

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