Well there we go, the day we’ve all been waiting for is now gone, with Chelsea and Swansea having played the final game of the opening day of the Premier League season. It was expected that Jose Mourinho’s side would claim all three points – they always do – in their first match, but a 90 minutes of thrills and spills in west London saw Swansea take a point back to South Wales – no more than their performance deserved. Oscar opened the scoring with a cross/shot free-kick before Andre Ayew levelled. Willian then got lucky as his effort looped in, but controversy struck in the second half as Thibaut Courtois was sent off for bringing down Bafetimbi Gomis – who then netted from the spot.
And while the football on the pitch was attracting plenty of attention, there were plenty of fails, funny moments and bizarre incidents to get us all talking on Twitter. So sit back, grab some popcorn and have a good ol’ laugh at the less then fortunate people. We have a whole season of this to look forward to!
Times must be hard for Roman…
New season, new Redknapp?
Courtois suspended… Chelsea fans must be missing Cech now!
Diego Costa or Lego man? Who knows…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Newcastle fans in the Transfer Tavern are loving the 2018 World Cup in Russia and are delighted to see some new faces arrive at St. James Park.
Mikel Merino and Martin Dubravka both completed permanent moves to Tyneside earlier in the window after impressing on loan last season. Rafael Benitez also completed a free transfer for Ki Sung-Yueng after he left Swansea following their relegation. While these moves are smart, the Magpies need a marquee signing to fire them to Europe.
Benitez guided his side to 10th last season, and our punters are confident on improving next year with a few key signings. The Spaniard would be wise to raid his former club Liverpool where there is set to be a considerable squad overhaul. One man who could fall victim to Jurgen Klopp’s changes is Adam Lallana.
Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the England international was plagued with injuries last season, restricting him to just one start in the Premier League. With the arrivals of Naby Keita and Fabinho adding competition in the Liverpool midfield, it’s hard to see Lallana guaranteeing himself as a place in the first-team, especially if the Reds revive their interest in Nabil Fekir. This could mean Lallana finds himself heading through the exit door.
The former Southampton playmaker would be an excellent signing for Newcastle. The 30-year-old is ridiculously skilful and confident using either foot making him a nightmare for defenders. Lallana would fit right into the Newcastle side as the number 10 they have been crying out for but can also play out wide or deep in the midfield. With a high work-rate, he would be a massive hit with the Newcastle faithful.
Offering first-team football and the chance to work with Benitez could prove vital in winning the race for his signature.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
ExWHUemployee has dropped a promising injury update concerning West Ham United right-back, Ben Johnson.
What’s the latest?
In recent comments made on The West Ham Way podcast, the club insider revealed that, despite missing out on the Hammers’ recent 2-1 win over Everton due to a tight hamstring, the 21-year-old could be in line for a return to David Moyes’ matchday squad for the visit of Olympique Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Regarding the current condition of the England U21 international, Ex said: “Ben Johnson felt his hamstring a little when he was playing for England’s U21s and he trained on Friday and Saturday. But, at the end of training, he spoke to Moyes and said it felt a little bit tight. Hopefully, he’ll be available to start the Lyon game.”
Moyes will be buzzing
Considering how impressive Johnson has been for West Ham in the current campaign, the news that the right-back’s injury is nothing too serious, as well as Ex’s claim that the 21-year-old could make a return to first-team action in what is undoubtedly the Hammers’ biggest game of the season this Thursday, is sure to have left Moyes buzzing.
Indeed, over his 16 Premier League appearances this term, the £8.1m-rated defender has excelled on the right of the Irons’ backline, scoring one goal, creating one big chance and helping his side keep three clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.8 tackles, 2.5 clearances and winning 3.2 duels – at a success rate of 53% – per game.
These returns have seen the £19k-per-week dynamo average a highly impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.90, ranking him as West Ham’s best performing right-back – ahead of both Vladimir Coufal and Ryan Fredericks – as well as the club’s 11th-best player overall.
However, it was over the 2-1 aggregate victory over Sevilla in which Johnson really caught the eye, with the 21-year-old making a total of seven clearances, six tackles and two key passes, as well as blocking three shots, winning nine duels and completing 66 passes over the two legs – with these metrics seeing the right-back earn a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.4 in each fixture.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
As such, should the England youth international indeed be fit to face Lyon on Thursday night, it is clear for all to see that this would come as a huge boost to West Ham’s chances of taking a lead to Parc Olympique Lyonnais on April 14 – a result that would represent a massive step in the Hammers’ hopes of securing a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
AND in other news: Moyes can finally axe “shocking” WHU flop with £120k-p/w ace who’s “out of this world”
Robinho has revealed he could return to Manchester City after the World Cup.
The Brazil striker was loaned out to Santos during the second half of the last campaign after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands.
Robinho, a club record £32.5million purchase from Real Madrid in August 2008, was believed to be on his way out of the exit door this summer.
However, the 26-year-old forward is open to a return to City should manager Roberto Mancini want him back.
"I honestly don't know what will happen at City. We will just see what happens over the summer but I haven't ruled out a return," he told the Daily Star Sunday.
"First things first. The only thing on my mind now is helping the Brazilian team to win the World Cup.
"But I thought Manchester City were a good choice for me. I understood the reactions when I joined them. People thought I was going for the money but if it was then I would have gone to Dubai or an Arabic country.
"But I wanted to play in the Premier League and I was happy to join a club with big ambitions.
"They have the money and ambition to make it into the top four in England. And, believe me, next season City will. Maybe I'll be there to help them.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"When I moved to City a lot of Brazilians did not really know much about the club and they thought it was a step down.
"But I'm now thinking that people think it was the right decision for me."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Diego’s at it again. The world’s foremost media-savvy manager (move over Jose) has responded to criticism aimed at him from both Michel Platini and Pele, urging the Brazilian to “go back to the museum” and claiming that Platini “is French, and he believes he is better than rest.” Far from unprovoked acts of verbal assault, the notoriously outspoken Maradona’s retorts may highlight the faults of both Platini and Pele.
The rivalry between Pele and Diego Maradona is a long-standing one, and the Brazilian is no stranger to anti-Maradona sentiments. With the duo frequently topping polls to find the best footballer of all-time (indeed FIFA decided to share their player of the century award between the two), amusing levels of animosity have developed between the pair, with Maradona once infamously claiming that Pele lost his virginity to a man. Humour aside, Maradona’s instruction for Pele to “go back to the museum” highlights the fact that the great Brazilian is noted for his proclivity to pass comment on matters that are of no real concern to him – in this instance, there was no need for Pele to state that the reason Maradona took the Argentina post was because he needed the money.
However, Maradona’s assessment of Platini may be of greater relevance. Since becoming UEFA President in January 2007, Platini has managed to irritate many within European football, with the domestic media accusing the Frenchman of having an ‘anti-English agenda’. Platini notoriously described Manchester City’s £100 million bid for then AC Milan midfielder Kaka as ridiculous, whilst greeting Real Madrid’s £80 million acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo by stating, “The big clubs always want the best players and I can understand why Real would love to have him. It is normal for a club to want a player if they have the finances.”
Maradona’s recent barb at Platini stems from the UEFA President’s defence of the Adidas Jabulani ball. Speaking of the much-maligned World Cup ball, Maradona said, “And, of course, there’s the ball. I don’t want to go into the ball again because everyone is talking about it, but it is important and it does play a part and I would ask Pelé and Platini to go out there and play with the ball and take a closer look at it to see if it’s a good one or bad one, and to stop talking rubbish about me.”
Maradona’s reservations about the Adidas Jabulani do not appear to be unwarranted, especially when considering the vast number of people within the game that have criticised the ball. As well as receiving criticism from the likes of Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, the ball has not been favourably received by outfield players and coaches, with Denmark defender Daniel Agger stating (of the Adidas Jabulani) that, “It’s frustrating…it makes us look like drunken sailors.” England coach Fabio Capello, a hugely respected figure within the game, said “I think it’s the worst ball we have played with at a World Cup. It’s impossible to control the ball for the keeper. For the players it’s not easy. I’ve seen that the ball arrives really fast and the players are having problems controlling it. For the keepers it is terrible because it is always moving.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Portrayed as a walking sound bite in some circles, Maradona is undeniably prone to provocative nonsense. However, this time, it seems as though Argentina’s greatest ever player actually has a point to make.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
Reports suggest Everton midfielder Dan Gosling has left the club and is available on a free transfer after a tempestuous saga.
The Premier League were asked to make a ruling after the highly-rated 20-year-old midfielder was not given a new contract offer in writing.
The club claimed that they offered Gosling a new deal verbally, but nothing was put down in writing by the required date.
The Premier League have now ruled that Gosling is free to move on as Everton did not make a written contract offer.
Newcastle United, Sunderland and West Ham United have all been linked with Gosling who is currently recovering from a serious knee injury.
The England Under-21 international is rated at £4million but Everton are not expected to earn a penny for his services because of a legal loophole.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The former Plymouth Argyle youngster is free to speak to any club and negotiate his own terms, which are likely to include a huge signing-on fee.
He scored six times in 18 starts and 19 substitute appearances for Everton since making his debut on Boxing Day 2008.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Everton have been handed a massive boost just one week before the start of the new Premier League season after midfield maestro Mikel Arteta agreed a new five-year contract with the club.
The 28-year-old Spaniard will now remain at Goodison Park until the end of the 2014-15 campaign and becomes the fifth player to agree new terms this summer, following in the footsteps of Tim Cahill, Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell and Leighton Baines.
Arteta told the club's official website:"What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me.
"The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 per cent and that makes me feel proud. We are all seeing the club and the future in the same way and that is special – something that you don't always find.
"I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have. Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Arteta has been with the club since January 2005, scoring 30 times in 173 appearances for the Toffees.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal fans will rise each morning this summer facing the grim prospect of Cesc Fabregas’s departure for Spain and their discomfort will not be eased by a glance at this morning’s papers. Whilst the nagging question of will he won’t he still looms large, today fans may pose a different question: What business is it of Carles Puyol’s?
The Barcelona defender has publically questioned the intelligence of Arsenal in “keeping a player who doesn’t want to be there” and whilst such a notion may hold some truth, it is Arsenal’s business and not his.
Keeping Fabregas at Arsenal actually requires little intelligence having seen the Spaniard score 15 Premier League goals and assist his teammates the same amount of times and despite his heart seemingly being set on a move to Barcelona, even Puyol admits “He is professional enough still to have a great season”.
Puyol’s class as a player himself was laid down for all to see in South Africa as he helped his side secure their first ever World Cup victory but his latest comments will add yet more unnecessary decibels to what Arsene Wenger described as Barcelona’s “noise”.
That “noise” has also come from Puyol’s Barcelona team-mates who have shown a distinct lack of respect for Arsenal Football Club during the long running transfer saga which was exemplified when they forced Fabregas into a Barcelona shirt amid wild World Cup celebrations.
Both Arsenal and Barcelona play beautiful football but it is perhaps with Barcelona’s trophy laden season that they feel themselves to be justified in their manner.
Their certainly seems to be a certain air of arrogance amongst the Barcelona squad and Puyol’s latest comments lend themselves to suggest they feel Arsenal should grant Fabregas’ wish because his “heart is already in Barcelona.”
The defender, capped 90 times for Spain, added “I won’t say he is in a prison, as we know how privileged we are as football players, but after how clear Cesc made it that he wanted to be in Barcelona, I thought they would have granted him that.”
However, it seems with the stance Arsene Wenger has taken, the unremitting talk from both Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and the crop of players who appear so desperate for the club to add the talents of Fabregas to their squad may close more doors than they open.
Barcelona’s pursuit looks to have ended in failure as Arsenal continue to show no inclination to talk to the Catalan giants over letting Fabregas leave and although Barca may return in a year’s time, Arsenal have rightly shown they will not be bullied into selling their captain.
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Wolves winger Michael Kightly has backed manager Mick McCarthy's decision to leave him out of the 25-man squad named for the first half of the Premier League season.
The 24-year-old continues to be plagued by knee problems and has not featured for Wolves since November 2009, meaning that he has been overlooked by McCarthy for the time being.
However, Kightly would be more than happy to head out on loan once he gets closer to a return to full fitness following yet another setback in his recovery.
He told the club's official website:"Obviously any setback is disappointing, but it's something I've learned to cope with over the last year or so.
"This is a serious injury and one which is complex to deal with. But I'm staying positive and carrying on with the rehab without any pressure on when I need to be fit again.
"Once it was realised I wasn't going to be ready, it was always going to be the right decision not to be included in the 25.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"I am ready to give it as long as it takes, but obviously when I do get fit again it would be good to get out on loan if any clubs were interested.
"If that was to happen then by the time January comes around I could be ready to try and challenge for a place in the squad here."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
One of the most difficult skills in all of football, the volley has produced some of the most memorable goals in history. Here’s our top 10 list of first-time strikes.
10. Francesco Totti vs. Sampdoria
Totti has scored a number of memorable goals but this effort against Sampdoria is one of his best. The ball arrives to Totti on the left hand side of the penalty area and he drills a left-footed volley into the side of the Sampdoria net. When you get a standing ovation for the opposition fans for your goal, you know it was something special.
[divider]
9. Thierry Henry vs. SC Weiz
While volleys are usually associated with great power, Thierry Henry’s sublime goal against SC Weiz displays otherwise. He collects a long ball from Philippe Senderos and with three deft touches feathers the ball past the goalkeeper with incredible skill.
[divider]
8. Tony Yeboah vs. Liverpool
Tony Yeboah is a player who had a penchant for the spectacular and this volley against Liverpool is certainly that. The Ghanaian shows remarkable technique as he adjusts his body to his teammate’s knock-down to blast a searing volley in off the bar past the Liverpool goalkeeper.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDx-KUGVGMk
[divider]
7. Hamit Altintop vs. Kazakhstan
Many great volleyed goals have come from corners and Hamit Altintop’s recent effort against Kazakhstan is no exception. The Turkish midfielder shows great technique in controlling his right-footed volley strike which fairly flew past the Kazakh goalkeeper at a fair rate of knots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqIGz5_lIPM
[divider]
6. Gareth Bale vs. Stoke City
It may have been recent but Gareth Bale’s volley against Stoke was extraordinary. He met Aaron Lennon’s cross with an freakishly high foot and shaped the ball perfectly just inside Thomas Sorensen’s far post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2344ANe_3E
Continued on Page TWO
5. Paulo Di Canio vs. Wimbledon
You could always count on Paulo Di Canio producing a moment of magic in a game and that’s exactly what he did with this sublime volley against Wimbledon in 2000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUh-NcHi5ug
[divider]
4. Zinedine Zidane vs. Bayer Leverkusen
On the biggest stage in club football, Zinedine Zidane produced a piece of brilliance that will go down in history as one of the greatest goals ever to have been scored in a major football final. The ball seemed to hang for almost an eternity in the air but Zidane was not to be fazed as he swept an left-foot volley past Hans Jorg Butt.
[divider]
3. Marco van Basten vs. USSR
However, the honour of greatest volley in a final doesn’t go to Zidane, but instead it goes to Marco Van Basten’s spectacular volley in the 1988 European Championship Final. The Dutch legend manages to score from a seemingly impossible angle to seal Holland’s first and so far only major international trophy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzRTQXu5EI
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
2. Wayne Rooney vs. Newcastle
In second place is this Wayne Rooney wonder-strike against Newcastle. Rooney has just been arguing with the referee and this thunderbolt is the result of the striker’s frustration.
[divider]
1. Robin van Persie vs. Charlton
In first place is Robin van Persie’s breathtaking volley against Charlton. The Dutchman flew through the air to meet Emmanuel Eboue’s cross and lashed an unstoppable drive past the Charlton goalkeeper.
Are there any other volleys you feel should have made the list?