Champions have found yet another way of making money, a wristband that tells you everything they want you to knowMen and women of a certain age will fondly remember ClubCall, the pre-internet, pre-mobile telephone service that cornered the market in ludicrously overpriced football tittle-tattle, interviews and match commentaries.For up to 48p a minute of their own – or ideally a parent or employer’s money – fans could dial an advertised number to listen in on deliberately long-winded and often factually dubious updates about their club. For many, the alternative of being forced to endure the trauma of waiting for classified results, TV highlights or the morning and evening newspapers which furnished them with similar, but considerably less sketchy information at...
Chelsea and Arsenal promise goals and flaws, Fulham must tighten up and will sparks fly between Benítez and Warnock?Friday football countdown: latest news and more – live!With two teams in flux, Chelsea’s derby with Arsenal is a meeting that promises goals. Both sides are vulnerable in defence and dangerous in attack. Although beaten comfortably in the end, Huddersfield exposed Chelsea’s weakness to attacks down the wings last week and Arsenal may aim to do likewise, while David Luiz, in particular, will likely struggle to keep up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the middle. But Chelsea’s midfield thrusters – who could include Eden Hazard from the start as well as N’Golo Kanté in all-new Roving Mode – could wreak havoc at the...
After missing out on silverware, the Manchester City manager has strengthened his squad to aid their challengeAt the start of the year Manchester City were flying. With the side unbeaten in all competitions and two points ahead of Chelsea, their nearest rivals, the prospect of finishing the season empty-handed seemed almost laughable. Yet as the curtain fell, the humbled club were without silverware. Related: Lauren Hemp warms to occasion as England’s Under-20s thrive in the heat Related: Sky is the limit for the Matildas after another impressive outing in US | Lisa Portolan Continue reading...
Marauding full-backs Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker give City great width but their forays could be exploited by Champions League sharksThe problem with excellence is how commonplace it can quickly come to feel. How long, you wonder, before the question becomes less whether Manchester City will retain the title, than whether they might this time be able to manage an unbeaten season, whether last season’s record of 100 points may be in jeopardy? Related: Bernardo Silva sets seal on dominant Manchester City win over Arsenal Related: Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action Continue reading...
Now the white noise of the ‘non-football’ season has finished the Premier League needs Jürgen Klopp’s side to make the next eight months feel less predictableWell, at least that’s all over. Anyone who loves football will of course hate the transfer window, which rather than simply “slamming shut” should instead be abolished permanently along with agents, loan deals, signing-on fees, release clauses, theatrically over-excited men behind lighted desks, people who celebrate transfers as though witnessing some profound human achievement, medicals with hair-gelled men lying on tables doing the thumbs-up with wires clamped to their nipples, want-away aces, stay-away aces, open letters to the fans, car parks, children in car parks, children, cars, one-year deals, three-year deals, running down contracts, entourages,...