Barcelona star Lionel Messi has admitted problems “on and off the pitch” affected him during the year of 2014. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 41 goals in 46 games last season, but failed to help Barcelona lift a single trophy and he has acknowledged what he deems as season full of problems. “The truth is that this year I tried to get to my best form as quickly as possible. I knew I was coming off the back of a not very good year, during which I went through a lot of problems on and off the field,” the Argentina…
Author: Staff Writer
Gus Poyet has penned an open letter to Sunderland supporters following a relationship breakdown between himself and the club’s fans. Posted on the Sunderland official website on Thursday morning, below is the full transcript of Poyet’s letter: “For the first time in my life I think is time for me to write this letter to you, the fans. When I had the opportunity to become the head coach of Sunderland AFC, I just closed my eyes and remember me sitting at the away dressing room at the Stadium of Light at half time, 4-0 down, Sunderland 4 Chelsea 0, incredible…
Mathieu Valbuena has revealed he turned down the chance to join AC Milan and other interested clubs in the summer in favour of a lucrative move to Dinamo Moscow. The 30-year-old French international opted not to renew his deal with Ligue 1 side Marseille last summer and chose to join the Russian Premier League side. Interest from a number of top European clubs had been reported with AC Milan and West Ham United both linked. “I had the chance to join AC Milan or Sevilla,” the France midfielder told La Derniere Heure. “But then I met Dinamo’s coach and directors…
A Chelsea fan who was present during the racist attack on a Paris civilian on Tuesday evening has been caught out on Twitter, contradicting an interview with Press Association. A Chelsea fan who witnessed a black man being prevented from boarding a train in Paris told PA that he did not know of any racial chants from Chelsea fans, but he has since been caught out on Twitter after a Tweet he sent on Tuesday evening displays the words to a well known John Terry song. Mitchell McCoy was one of around 40 or 50 Chelsea supporters on the train and he…
Manchester United have completed the signing of KRC Genk midfielder Indy Boonen, according to Belgian paper HLN.be. Premier League side rivals Arsenal and Bundesliga side Wolfsburg had been interested in both Indy and Seppe Boonen, the young brothers from Genk. However, after negotiations with the former’s family, Indy will now move to England and train with Man United’s U18 side. Belgian reporter Kristof Terreur confirmed the news via Twitter, before HLN broke the news on their official website. The left footed youngster is highly rated and has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Adnan Januzaj, who also…
The Paris resident racially abused by Chelsea fans on a metro ahead of their Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain has said how he tried to hide the incident from his wife and kids. Souleymane S. attempted to board an underground train in Paris on Tuesday evening, moments before Chelsea’s Champions League tie with PSG but was seen on amateur video being shoved back by Blues fans, before being racially abused. After days of media attention, the victim has now spoken out about the incident, one which he attempted to keep from his family. “I did not know that the…
Edin Dzeko has no intention of leaving Manchester City, despite the January signing of Wilfried Bony. The Premier League champions completed a £27m move for the Ivorian striker from Swansea City in the latter stages of the January transfer window, which led to numerous reports that Bosnian strike Dzeko would be moved on. A number of Bundesliga sides have maintained their interest with former club Wolfsburg said to be keen. However, Dzeko has spoken of his desire to remain at the Etihad stadium. “Every summer and winter I’m constantly linked with leaving City and I have been here for years…
Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey has hit out at the group of Chelsea fans who allegedly racially abused a man in Paris on Tuesday evening. On Tuesday evening, video footage showed a number of Chelsea fans shoving a black man off an underground train in the French capital, before chanting racial comments in his direction. Police have since begun an investigation into the incident and Chelsea Football Club have vowed to punish those involved. A racial storm has since followed with numerous former professional players and coaches having their say on the matter and Queens Park Rangers boss Ramsey…
The first four Champions League last-16 ties got underway this week, with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all in action. Defending champions Madrid faced German side Schalke in Gelsenkirchen and they produced a fairly solid display which saw them secure a 2-0 win, making them the favourites to progress. Chelsea grabbed an all-important away goal against PSG in France, whilst Shakhtar Donestk were in inspired form to deny Bayern Munich a breakthrough, holding Pep Guardiola’s side to a 0-0 draw in Ukraine. Porto and Basel drew 1-1 in Switzerland in the final game of this week’s ties. Click on…
Frank Lampard has previewed the upcoming Champions League tie with Barcelona, saying they ‘smack you in the face’. The 36-year-old has come up against Barcelona 10 times in the Champions League during his career but has lost to the Catalans just twice. Lampard, who has said that facing Luis Enrique’s side is a daunting task, also believes that his City side can progress to the next round. “With the Champions League, especially against a team like Barcelona, you have to be aware of their strengths. They smack you in the face at times with the amount of them”, Lampard told…