Chelsea Pre-Season Training in Full Swing at Cobham Chelsea’s pre-season training is well underway at Cobham as players gear up for the upcoming domestic season. Notably, injured players like Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia have successfully navigated the initial days of training, building their fitness for the return of club football. New manager Enzo Maresca is evaluating young talents to determine if any can impact the first team. Brazilian pair Andrey Santos and Angelo Gabriel have been told to prepare for the pre-season tour of the United States to showcase their potential. Among the players spotted in training, Tino Anjorin,…
Author: Dean
Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe Attracts Interest Amid Limited Opportunities Arsenal academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe may leave the club after a frustrating season with limited opportunities. Despite offers from Premier League rivals, Arsenal has rejected two bids for the 23-year-old midfielder. Fulham, one of the interested clubs, had their initial offer turned down. Crystal Palace also showed interest, but no club has met Arsenal’s valuation for Smith Rowe. The decision on his future might ultimately rest with Smith Rowe, who prioritizes first-team football. Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence in Smith Rowe’s potential, citing past experiences as beneficial for his growth.…
Liverpool’s Pre-Season Gathers Momentum as Key Players Return Liverpool’s pre-season is progressing under new head coach Arne Slot, with the team set to intensify preparations for the upcoming Premier League season, starting against Ipswich Town in 32 days. Three more players are expected to rejoin training following their post-international break. Among those already training are Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, and Curtis Jones. They will soon be joined by more senior players, including Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai, who were knocked out in the group stage of the European Championship and are now returning from their holidays. Czech goalkeeper…
Jonny Evans Reflects on Manchester United’s Pre-Season Loss to Rosenborg Manchester United began their pre-season with a 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg on Monday. Jonny Evans, who played in the first half, noted that the lack of communication on the pitch was due to the unfamiliarity among players who haven’t played together regularly. In the game, United fielded a mix of senior players, including Evans, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Marcus Rashford, and young academy players. Rosenborg, in the midst of their season, had a fitness advantage. Erik ten Hag rotated the squad significantly, bringing on ten academy players in…
Manchester City Begins Pre-Season with Limited Squad Due to Euro and Copa Commitments Manchester City has officially started their 2024/25 preparations, with ten first-team players reporting back for the first day of pre-season training. Due to the involvement of 15 players in Euro 2024 and the Copa America, the squad is notably diminished. Among the returning players is Erling Haaland, entering his third season at the Etihad after a summer off. Jack Grealish, who missed out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, is also back and eager to secure his place in the team. Rico Lewis and Kalvin Phillips, both excluded…
Tyrell Malacia Returns to Training After Prolonged Injury Layoff Manchester United’s Tyrell Malacia has started individual training sessions following over a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury. This development marks a significant step in his recovery process. Injury and Recovery Malacia, who suffered the knee injury in April 2023, has undergone two rounds of surgery. His absence has been keenly felt, as United faced numerous injury challenges during the 2023/24 season. Last week, updates were vague regarding his status, but recent news from Fabrizio Romano brings optimism. Current Training Status Malacia is currently engaging in individual training…
Manchester United Begin Pre-Season with 0-1 Loss to Rosenborg, Sparking New Era Despite a 0-1 defeat to Norwegian side Rosenborg in their first pre-season game, Manchester United fans have reasons to be optimistic. This match marks the dawn of a new era under Erik ten Hag, symbolized by the presence of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy on the touchline. Van Nistelrooy’s Return and Coaching Role Ruud van Nistelrooy, a prolific former United striker, has returned to the club as a coach, joining Erik ten Hag alongside Rene Hake and Jelle ten Rouwelaar. His arrival has generated significant excitement among fans,…
Chelsea Announce Squad Number Changes Ahead of 2024/25 Season Chelsea have confirmed several squad number changes for the upcoming 2024/25 season under new head coach Enzo Maresca. The Blues made the announcement on Monday morning as they prepare for the new campaign. Key Changes in Squad Numbers The club noted that these numbers are subject to change until the final squad list is confirmed later in the summer. Players Without Assigned Numbers Several Chelsea players are currently without squad numbers, indicating possible transfers before the 11pm summer transfer deadline on Friday, August 30. Notable among these players are: Upcoming Fixtures…
Stan Kroenke Poised for Major Windfall from Historic NBA TV Deal Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is set to benefit significantly from a landmark business deal in the United States. Kroenke’s KSE media and sports group, which includes nine sports teams with Arsenal as its only European entity, is about to reap the rewards of a record-breaking NBA TV deal. Kroenke’s ownership style has sparked controversy, particularly in the US, where he moved his NFL Rams franchise from St. Louis to Los Angeles. However, his business acumen and ability to maximize returns from his teams’ brands are undeniable. While Kroenke has…
Marc Cucurella Hopes Cole Palmer Stays Benched for Euro 2024 Final Spain and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has singled out one member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad he prefers to see on the bench when La Roja faces the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. The highly anticipated clash in Berlin promises a thrilling end to the tournament in Germany. Cucurella has been a standout performer for Luis de la Fuente’s squad, securing his spot at left-back over Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo. Ahead of the showdown at the Olympiastadion, Cucurella revealed he has been in contact with…
Manchester United’s Summer Transfer Strategy: Sales to Finance New Signings Manchester United are intensifying their efforts to sell several players this summer, as some new signings will need to be financed by outgoing transfers. With a number of players out of contract next year, the club is focused on generating funds through sales. Lindelof on the Market Victor Lindelof is a key player United are looking to sell. The 29-year-old Swedish captain, who is out of contract next year, is a priority for United to move this transfer window. A source mentioned that United are “trying hard” to sell Lindelof,…
Matthijs de Ligt Potential Reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United: What Shirt Number Could He Wear? Matthijs de Ligt is poised for a potential reunion with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. With his days at Bayern Munich seemingly numbered, the Red Devils are making significant efforts to bring the talented defender to Old Trafford. If De Ligt does make the move from Bavaria to the northwest of England, what shirt number could he take? Here’s everything you need to know about De Ligt’s preferred shirt numbers, the options available at United right now,…
Marc Cucurella Promises to Dye Hair Red if Spain Wins Euro 2024 Marc Cucurella’s partner has revealed that the Chelsea defender has ‘promised’ his Spain teammates he will dye his hair bright red if they triumph over England in the Euro 2024 final this weekend. The 25-year-old faced significant criticism during a challenging season at Chelsea but has emerged as a key player for Spain in Germany, starting all but one match en route to the final. After a standout performance in the semi-final victory against France, Cucurella is expected to feature prominently in the final against England, with Spain…
Arsenal Set to Break Transfer Policy for Mikel Merino, Arteta’s Key Target Arsenal are reportedly prepared to deviate from their transfer policy to secure a player highly desired by manager Mikel Arteta this summer. The Gunners have seen significant improvements in the transfer market since the arrival of sporting director Edu Gaspar. Alongside Arteta, Edu has built a team capable of winning major honors, with Arsenal narrowly missing out on at least one more Premier League title in recent seasons. Their success has largely come from signing young, talented prospects such as Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and William Saliba, who…
Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is on the brink of becoming Arsenal’s first signing of the summer, having reportedly agreed on personal terms with the Gunners. This unexpected move has caught many by surprise, particularly in Italy, where Calafiori was widely expected to join Juventus. A Transfer from Left Field Earlier this summer, it seemed certain that Calafiori would sign with Juventus. However, recent developments suggest that the 21-year-old is now poised to make a switch to the Emirates Stadium. Dean Jones, speaking on the Ranks FC Podcast, highlighted the astonishment of his Italian source, who believed a move to Juventus…
England Secures Euro 2024 Final Spot with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Making the Difference England booked their place in the Euro 2024 final in dramatic fashion, thanks to a crucial impact from Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. Coming off the bench, Palmer provided a pivotal assist for Ollie Watkins in the final minute of normal time, securing England’s spot in the final. Palmer’s performance has been outstanding throughout the tournament, pushing him ahead of stars like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. His contributions have strengthened the argument that he deserves a more prominent role in the team. A Budding Bromance on the Field…
Manchester United’s Crucial Summer: Avoiding a Transfer Window Nightmare Manchester United are gearing up for a pivotal summer transfer window. INEOS has solidified its sporting structure, and reports indicate that personal terms have been agreed with Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt. For Erik ten Hag, this transfer window is a make-or-break moment. Despite a lackluster Premier League and Champions League campaign, the head coach retains the club’s backing. A successful transfer window could be the key to reigniting United’s fortunes and securing his position. Key Issues to Resolve Marcus Rashford’s Future The first order of business is resolving Marcus Rashford’s…
Liverpool Set to Appoint Aaron Briggs as New Elite Development Coach Liverpool are on the verge of appointing Aaron Briggs as their new elite development coach, bringing a wealth of experience to Arne Slot’s backroom staff. The 37-year-old’s arrival comes as the club looks to bolster its coaching team following the departures of key figures from Jurgen Klopp’s era. Changes in the Coaching Staff With the exit of former manager Jurgen Klopp, his assistant Pep Lijnders, Peter Kraweitz, and Vitor Matos also departed. Matos, in particular, played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the first team and the…
Manchester City Face Urgent Transfer Market Decisions Amid Rodri’s Fatigue Concerns Manchester City are currently in a holding pattern regarding their moves in the transfer market, but recent comments from key midfielder Rodri have highlighted the pressing need for action. Rodri’s Warning “No one can play 60, 70 games a season. For a couple of seasons, maybe, but not 10 seasons.” These words, coming from Rodri, are particularly significant for Manchester City. Having endured 68 games for club and country two years ago and approaching 62 out of a potential 63 this year, Rodri’s message is clear: this level of…
Arsenal Begin Pre-Season Preparations Amid Euro 2024 and Copa America Commitments Arsenal are ramping up preparations for the new season as they aim to challenge for the Premier League title once again. While many players have returned for pre-season training, others remain occupied with Euro 2024 or Copa America, causing some delays in Mikel Arteta’s preparations. Arsenal had 11 players competing in the Euros this summer, which has somewhat hindered the start of Arteta’s pre-season plans. The return of these players will be staggered, depending on their respective teams’ progress in the tournaments. Upcoming Fixtures Despite these challenges, Arteta is…