Football – Forza Futbol

SALIBA HAPPY AT ARSENAL

March 12, 2025February 21, 2025 by Mankowski

William Saliba has expressed his happiness at Arsenal and his desire to win major trophies with the club. With just two years remaining on his contract at the end of this season, the 23-year-old defender has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid but remains calm about his contract situation.

“I’m really happy here,” Saliba said. “I’ve been here for two and a half years. There is nothing [to worry about]. I’m happy here, and I want to continue here. I want to win big things with Arsenal. If you leave this club without winning anything, the fans will forget about you. I want to win big things here.”

RASHFORD MAKES ASTON VILLA DEBUT

February 12, 2025February 8, 2025 by Mankowski

Marcus Rashford made his Aston Villa debut in their **2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur**, coming off the bench in the second half. The Manchester United loanee, who made a deadline-day switch to Villa Park, received a warm reception from the home crowd as he played his first minutes under Unai Emery.

The 26-year-old forward moved to Villa in search of regular game time after falling down the pecking order at United under new manager Ruben Amorim. Despite being one of United’s key players in recent years, Rashford struggled for form this season, leading to speculation about his long-term future. His move to Villa, initially on a loan deal with an option to buy, gives him a fresh start as the club fights for a Champions League place in the Premier League. Against Spurs, Rashford was named on the bench, watching on as Jacob Ramsey gave Villa the perfect start, scoring inside the first minute. The home side controlled much of the game, doubling their lead in the second half through Morgan Rogers, just as Rashford was getting ready to come on.

CHELSEA SIGN 16-YEAR-OLD WONDERKID DASTAN SATPAEV

February 12, 2025February 2, 2025 by Mankowski

Chelsea have completed the signing of 16-year-old forward Dastan Satpaev, with the promising Kazakhstani talent set to join the club once he turns 18. The teenager, currently playing for Kazakhstan Premier League champions FC Kairat Almaty, will make his way to Stamford Bridge on a five-year deal, which includes an option for an additional year once he reaches the age of 18 in August 2026.

The move comes after Satpaev impressed during a successful trial at Chelsea in November. As part of the deal, Chelsea will pay a transfer fee of £3.3 million, including add-ons, which makes this the largest transfer fee ever paid for a player from the Kazakh Premier League. The deal highlights Chelsea’s continued focus on securing young, talented players, a strategy that has been central to the club’s recruitment efforts since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium took over in 2022.

CARRAGHER SUGGESTS GIBBS-WHITE UPGRADE

February 12, 2025January 4, 2025 by Mankowski

Jamie Carragher has once again questioned Dominik Szoboszlai’s impact at Liverpool, this time suggesting Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White could be an upgrade on the Hungarian midfielder. Despite Szoboszlai playing a key role in Arne Slot’s side this season, Carragher has been vocal about his belief that the 24-year-old needs to contribute more goals.

Last week, the former Reds defender floated West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá as a potential replacement. Now, he has added Gibbs-White to the conversation, insisting the Nottingham Forest playmaker has the qualities to thrive at a top club. Speaking on The Overlap US: It’s Called Soccer podcast, Carragher expressed his admiration for the England international, believing he could compete with or even surpass Szoboszlai in Liverpool’s system.

UNITED REVEAL COST OF MANAGERIAL CHANGE

November 29, 2024November 24, 2024 by Mankowski

Manchester United has disclosed the financial impact of their recent managerial change, with the total cost of Erik ten Hag’s departure and the appointment of Ruben Amorim amounting to £21.4 million. The move to part ways with Ten Hag, following a disappointing Premier League loss in October, came just months after he had signed a new contract. This financial hit could potentially influence the club’s transfer plans for the upcoming January window.

According to United’s latest financial report, the cost of paying off Ten Hag and his coaching staff totaled £10.4 million. Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who oversaw four matches during the search for a permanent replacement, was also among those to leave with the arrival of Amorim. The Portuguese coach, who was released from his contract at Sporting CP for a €10 million (£8.4m) clause, brings with him additional costs for his backroom staff, pushing the total managerial change cost to £21.4 million.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FORMAT FAILS TO DELIVER MEANINGFUL EARLY DRAMA

October 3, 2024 by Mankowski

It’s still early in the revamped Champions League, but two rounds into the ‘Swiss model,’ it’s clear that the new format is struggling to match the intensity of the old four-team group stage. UEFA had touted this 36-team ‘league phase’ as a means to introduce more “big matches… earlier in the competition” and to eliminate meaningless games before the knockouts. While there are certainly more marquee matchups on paper, the early signs suggest the matches feel less consequential than under the previous format.

The idea of bringing big clubs face-to-face earlier in the competition sounded promising, and so far, it has delivered on that front. We’ve already seen Liverpool face AC Milan, Manchester City clash with Inter Milan, and Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain. Yet, the sense of jeopardy — the feeling that every game truly counts — seems to have been lost.

ODEGAARD STILL ‘FAR’ FROM RETURNING

October 3, 2024October 1, 2024 by Mankowski

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remains “far” from making his return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since early September. The midfielder picked up the injury while on international duty with Norway, limping off during a match against Austria. Subsequent tests revealed ligament damage, casting doubt on his immediate availability for both club and country.

Arsenal were initially cautious in confirming the extent of the injury, with hopes tentatively set on a mid-October return. However, those expectations have been dashed as Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed that Odegaard would not be part of the squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Slovenia and Austria.

ISAK A MAJOR DOUBT FOR MAN CITY CLASH

September 27, 2024September 25, 2024 by Mankowski

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is a major doubt for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City, as confirmed by manager Eddie Howe. The Swedish forward is currently dealing with a broken toe and could miss the visit of the reigning champions. In addition, fellow striker Callum Wilson has also been ruled out, leaving Howe with a selection headache up front.

Isak had a standout season in the Premier League last year, scoring 21 goals in 27 appearances. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer scored more, establishing Isak as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. However, the 25-year-old has struggled to replicate that form this season, netting just once in an underwhelming start for Newcastle. That lone goal was a crucial winner against Tottenham, but Isak’s dip in form reflects Newcastle’s own inconsistent performances so far this campaign.

CITY ALREADY HAVE KDB SUCCESSOR

September 20, 2024 by Mankowski

Kevin De Bruyne’s latest injury has come at an inopportune time for Manchester City, making him a major doubt for their crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday. The 33-year-old midfielder suffered a suspected groin injury just before half-time during City’s goalless Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday. After receiving treatment, De Bruyne was withdrawn from the game, raising concerns about his availability for the weekend.

Pep Guardiola stated it was too early to fully assess the severity of the injury but hinted that the club may not risk playing De Bruyne to avoid a longer-term setback. Given the tight schedule and the significance of the title race, City’s priority will be ensuring their star midfielder is fully fit before returning to action.

PEP GUARDIOLA FACES ARSENAL WORRY

September 20, 2024September 18, 2024 by Mankowski

Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is particularly wary of Arsenal’s dangerous set-pieces ahead of their Premier League clash this weekend, a threat masterminded by former Manchester City coach Nicolas Jover. Jover, who worked with City from 2019 to 2021, has been instrumental in improving Arsenal’s effectiveness from dead-ball situations since joining the Gunners.

During his time at City, Jover helped the team improve their goal tally from set-pieces, and his influence has continued at Arsenal, where their prowess in this area has become a key strength. Last weekend, Gabriel’s header from a set-piece sealed victory for Arsenal in the North London derby, reinforcing how effective they have become under Jover’s guidance.