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LIVE Transfer Talk: Claudio Marchisio ponders Porto after Juventus exit

ESPN FC News
LIVE Transfer Talk: Claudio Marchisio ponders Porto after Juventus exit
The English transfer window is closed, but the rest of Europe (except Italy) is still open for business for one more day, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer. When does the transfer window close in the top European leagues? All completed moves: Prem | Champ | La Liga | Serie A | Bundesliga | Ligue 1 Top Story: Marchisio to choose between Porto and Zenit After leaving Juventus, free agent Claudio Marchisio will...

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Gareth Southgate defends omitting emerging talent and warns he will not hand out easy England caps

The Independent - Football
Gareth Southgate defends omitting emerging talent and warns he will not hand out easy England caps
Gareth Southgate defends omitting emerging talent and warns he will not hand out easy England caps
The England manager named his 23-man squad for forthcoming matches against Spain and Switzerland and largely kept faith with those who shone in Russia

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Real Madrid re-sign Mariano Diaz for 33 million

Football – Inquirer Sports
Real Madrid re-sign Mariano Diaz for 33 million
Real Madrid re-sign Mariano Diaz for 33 million

Real Madrid said Wednesday they have re-signed striker Mariano Diaz from French side Lyon for 33 millions euros ($39 million) on a five-year deal having only last summer allowed him to move to France for eight million. Diaz, a Spain-born Dominican Republic international, is a product of the Real academy, but had looked initially set […]

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Son’s last shot for military exemption at Asian Games

Football – Inquirer Sports
Son’s last shot for military exemption at Asian Games
Son's last shot for military exemption at Asian Games

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Tottenham forward Son Heung-min will get one more shot at an exemption from military service after helping South Korea reach the final at the Asian Games. Son took leave from the Premier League to join the South Korea squad in Indonesia in pursuit of an Asian Games title. He figured a short […]

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Pirates return to winning ways despite Gabuza walkout 

ESPN FC News
Pirates return to winning ways despite Gabuza walkout 
Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways with a 2-1 success over Black Leopards in an Absa Premiership clash in Polokwane on Wednesday, a match which will be remembered for a bizarre incident involving striker Thamsanqa Gabuza. A Thivhavhudzi Ndou own goal and a strike from Vincent Pule saw Pirates claim the points as the home side grabbed a consolation strike from substitute Joseph Mhlongo, who netted a stunning first Premier League goal. But the game will be remembered for Pirates striker Gabuza...

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After 3-0 loss to Spurs, Mourinho demands ‘respect, respect’

Football – Inquirer Sports
After 3-0 loss to Spurs, Mourinho demands ‘respect, respect’
After 3-0 loss to Spurs, Mourinho demands 'respect, respect'

MANCHESTER, England — Even his heaviest home loss wasn’t enough to defeat Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s fighting spirit on Monday. After losing 3-0 to Tottenham in the Premier League at Old Trafford, the Portuguese defiantly held up three fingers at his news conference and asked: “Do you know what this means? 3-0. That also […]

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Sarri questions Newcastle's 'defensive' tactics

ESPN FC News
Sarri questions Newcastle's 'defensive' tactics
Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri insists that Newcastle is a tough place to pick up points and questions why Rafa Benitez set his team out so defensively.

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Fulham vs Burnley - LIVE: Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, team news, line-ups, head-to-head, betting odds and more

The Independent - Football
Fulham vs Burnley - LIVE: Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, team news, line-ups, head-to-head, betting odds and more
Fulham vs Burnley - LIVE: Latest score, goals and updates plus prediction, how to watch online, team news, line-ups, head-to-head, betting odds and more
All the latest from Craven Cottage

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Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool 'have a lot more to do' after Brighton win

The Independent - Football
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool 'have a lot more to do' after Brighton win
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool 'have a lot more to do' after Brighton win
Mohamed Salah's 29th goal in 29 appearances at Anfield secured a 1-0 win over Brighton in a game when the Reds failed to reach the levels which is now expected of them

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Robben strikes as Bayern starts title defence in style

Sportsnet.ca
Robben strikes as Bayern starts title defence in style
Robben strikes as Bayern starts title defence in style

BERLIN — Bayern Munich launched its Bundesliga title defence with a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim on Friday, though the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) denied the champions a wider margin of victory in the season-opener.

Arjen Robben wrapped up the scoring in injury time, blasting the ball past Oliver Baumann after being set up by Thomas Mueller.

Mueller had a goal ruled out by the VAR as the ball deflected off his arm, while Robert Lewandowski was ordered to retake an 82nd-minute penalty he had missed.

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Robben converted on the rebound, but video showed the Dutch winger encroaching in the penalty area, so referee Bastian Dankert asked Lewandowski to take the spot kick again and the Poland striker made no mistake at the second attempt.

Earlier, Mueller scored the first goal of the season with a header from a corner in the 23rd minute.

"We’ll take the 3-1," Mueller said after a battling victory. "Nobody could complain if every Bundesliga game was like that."

Ghana defender Kasim Adams epitomized Hoffenheim’s fighting performance, while Brazilian forward Joelinton should have equalized with the team’s only chance in the first half.

Lewandowski then thought he had scored early in the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Adam Szalai shocked the home fans when he eluded Jerome Boateng and fired the ball in off the far post to level for Hoffenheim after 57 minutes.

The champions hit back, though, with their two late goals.

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Ex-Brazil football boss gets 4 years in prison in FIFA probe

Football – Inquirer Sports
Ex-Brazil football boss gets 4 years in prison in FIFA probe
Ex-Brazil football boss gets 4 years in prison in FIFA probe

NEW YORK — A former South American football official convicted on corruption charges in the sprawling FIFA bribery scandal was sentenced in federal court to four years in prison on Wednesday. Jose Maria Marin, a former president of Brazil’s soccer federation, also was ordered to forfeit $3.3 million and pay a $1.2 million fine in […]

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Real Madrid chase Kylian Mbappe or Rodrigo to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after futile Premier League hunt

The Independent - Football
Real Madrid chase Kylian Mbappe or Rodrigo to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after futile Premier League hunt
Real Madrid chase Kylian Mbappe or Rodrigo to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after futile Premier League hunt
There is a realisation at Madrid that the English clubs just will not budge on any of their stars, and the Bernabeu hierarchy do not want to spend more than €120m

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Ronaldo says decision easy to join Juventus to win Champions League

Football – Inquirer Sports
Ronaldo says decision easy to join Juventus to win Champions League
Ronaldo says decision easy to join Juventus to win Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo said it had been an easy decision to leave Real Madrid for Juventus as he bids to become just the second player to win the Champions League with three different clubs. “I want to win the Champions League with Juventus and we will do everything to win it,” the 33-year-old Portuguese superstar said […]

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Transfer Talk: Manchester United's Jose Mourinho, Ed Woodward clash over sale of Anthony Martial

ESPN FC News
Transfer Talk: Manchester United's Jose Mourinho, Ed Woodward clash over sale of Anthony Martial
The FC crew answer your tweets on Man United, Sadio Mane's rank among the Prem's top players and Usain Bolt's chances of becoming a professional footballer. FC's Paul Mariner assesses the latest rumours surrounding Marcos Alonso, Ivan Rakitic and more in Transfer Rater. The English transfer window is closed, but the rest of Europe is still open for business, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer. When does the transfer window close in the top European leagues? All completed moves: Prem | Champ | La Liga | Serie A | Bundesliga | Ligue 1 Mourinho wants Martial out Jose Mourinho has asked executive vice chairman Ed Woodward to sell forward Anthony Martial before the European transfer window...

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Jurgen Klopp heaps praise on Virgil van Dijk insisting Liverpool's £75m record signing is worth every penny

The Independent - Football
Jurgen Klopp heaps praise on Virgil van Dijk insisting Liverpool's £75m record signing is worth every penny
Jurgen Klopp heaps praise on Virgil van Dijk insisting Liverpool's £75m record signing is worth every penny
The Dutch defender marshalled his side's defence superbly in a testing encounter at Selhurst Park

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Cristiano Ronaldo's memory lingers as Real Madrid begin life without him

ESPN FC News
Cristiano Ronaldo's memory lingers as Real Madrid begin life without him
A goal and an assist from Gareth Bale against Getafe got Julen Lopetegui's side off to a perfect start in La Liga. The FC panel answer your tweets on Real Madrid's needs, Bayern Munich's UCL expectations and whether Higuain or Ronaldo will score more this season. After nine seasons with Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo embarks on his new challenge with Juventus against Chievo Verona. Cristiano Ronaldo is gone but he is not forgotten and won't be unless Real Madrid continue to win as comfortably as they did in their first La Liga match without him on Sunday. The five time Ballon d'Or winner -- who helped Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles and scored 450 goals in 438 games across nine seasons at the Bernabeu -- left Madrid for Juventus during the summer, and his absence is notably felt both in the dressing room and outside of it too. Real Madrid's 2-0 win over...

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Dzeko scores stunning late goal as Roma beats Torino

Sportsnet.ca
Dzeko scores stunning late goal as Roma beats Torino
Dzeko scores stunning late goal as Roma beats Torino

MILAN — Edin Dzeko scored a late stunning goal to snatch a 1-0 win for Roma at Torino in their opening Serie A game on Sunday.

The match appeared headed for a 0-0 draw with only two minutes remaining. But Roma debutant Justin Kluivert — who had been brought on in the 70th minute — went past several defenders before putting in a pinpoint cross for Dzeko to volley in under the crossbar from a tight angle.

Dzeko had hit the upright twice. Aleksandar Kolarov had also hit the woodwork for Roma, as had Tomas Rincon for Torino.

Torino also had a goal disallowed on video review early in the second half as scorer Iago Falque was marginally offside.

Roma finished third last season, 18 points behind champion Juventus and five above fourth-place Inter Milan which visits Sassuolo in one of four late matches.

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Daniel Lovitz’ 90th-minute goal lifts Montreal Impact over Chicago

Sportsnet.ca
Daniel Lovitz’ 90th-minute goal lifts Montreal Impact over Chicago
Daniel Lovitz’ 90th-minute goal lifts Montreal Impact over Chicago

MONTREAL — Daniel Lovitz scored in the 90th minute to lift the Montreal Impact to a 2-1 victory over Chicago that extended the Fire’s losing streak to eight games.

Ignacio Piatti also scored for Montreal (10-13-3), which ended a four-game winless run that included three draws.

Nemanja Nikolic scored in the second half for Chicago (6-15-5).

Chicago has not won since a 3-2 decision over New York City on June 30.

The Fire started German midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger at centreback and it didn’t go well early on, as he bumped Saphir Taider just inside the 18-yard box and was called for a penalty, which Piatti converted in the sixth minute for his 12th goal of the season.

Ten minutes later, a mix-up in the Chicago box saw Schweinsteiger nearly put the ball into his own goal, but Nico Hasler rushed in to sweep the ball off the line. The Impact were denied a claim for a Schweinsteiger hand ball by referee Baldomero Toledo.

Three minutes after the intermission, the Fire signalled their determination to end their streak when Nikolic was sent in alone on the left side but saw his low shot tipped just wide by Evan Bush.

Nikolic’s header on a cross from the right side was stopped on the line by Bush, but he collected his own rebound and fired in his 11th of the season to equalize in the 70th.

The Impact went on the attack late, bringing in newcomers Quincy Amarikwa and Micheal Azira, and it paid off as Taider’s corner kick was pushed outside the area and Lovita volleyed a bouncing shot into the left side of the net for the game-winner.

Bacary Sagna, signed two weeks ago, made his Impact debut at right back.

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Roy Hodgson's troubled Liverpool reign: A story of muddled messages losing the hearts and minds of Anfield

The Independent - Football
Roy Hodgson's troubled Liverpool reign: A story of muddled messages losing the hearts and minds of Anfield
Roy Hodgson's troubled Liverpool reign: A story of muddled messages losing the hearts and minds of Anfield
Ahead of the Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson's meeting with Liverpool on Monday, Simon Hughes remembers his time on Merseyside and the shortest managerial reign in the club's history

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Arsenal vs. Chelsea highlights Premier League matchday 2

Sportsnet.ca
Arsenal vs. Chelsea highlights Premier League matchday 2
Arsenal vs. Chelsea highlights Premier League matchday 2

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Christine Sinclair impressed with Canada’s depth, young core

Sportsnet.ca
Christine Sinclair impressed with Canada’s depth, young core
Christine Sinclair impressed with Canada’s depth, young core

Christine Sinclair joined Sportsnet 650 to talk about how she reacted to Jon Herdman’s departure, and new Canadian women’s team coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller.

She explains how she is excited about the depth on the national team right now, and she also shares her personal connection to the fight against MS and why it’s such an important cause for her.

[radioclip id=4175511]

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Ebenezer Cobb Morley: Who was the tackle-happy Victorian lawyer who wrote the rules of football?

The Independent - Football
Ebenezer Cobb Morley: Who was the tackle-happy Victorian lawyer who wrote the rules of football?
Ebenezer Cobb Morley: Who was the tackle-happy Victorian lawyer who wrote the rules of football?
Yorkshire solicitor, a keen advocate of violent hacking, helped shape the beautiful game by bringing order to chaos

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Tshabalala goal earns Chiefs draw against Baroka

ESPN FC News
Tshabalala goal earns Chiefs draw against Baroka
Veteran Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a trademark free-kick to secure an ill-deserved point for Kaizer Chiefs in their 1-1 draw with Baroka FC in an Absa Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday. Tshabalala equalized for Chiefs after they had fallen behind to a Daniel Cardoso own goal, with the Soweto giants having managed just two points from their opening three matches of the new league season. Baroka may well believe they should have got more from the game after dominating much of...

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Keep bribes secret for 10 years, FIFA won’t punish you

Football – Inquirer Sports
Keep bribes secret for 10 years, FIFA won’t punish you
Keep bribes secret for 10 years, FIFA won't punish you

FIFA has officially eradicated corruption. All it took was pressing the delete key.

The post Keep bribes secret for 10 years, FIFA won’t punish you appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

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Messi record 33rd title as Barcelona wins Spanish Super Cup

Football – Inquirer Sports
Messi record 33rd title as Barcelona wins Spanish Super Cup
Messi record 33rd title as Barcelona wins Spanish Super Cup

TANGIER, Morocco — Lionel Messi won his 33rd title with Barcelona on Sunday to become the most successful player in the Catalan club’s history. Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-1 in the Spanish Super Cup as Messi overtook Andres Iniesta, who had 32 titles when he left this summer for the Japanese league. Ousmane Dembele scored a […]

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No quick fix for Arsenal: Emery era begins with loss to City

Football – Inquirer Sports
No quick fix for Arsenal: Emery era begins with loss to City
No quick fix for Arsenal: Emery era begins with loss to City

LONDON — All that’s changed for Arsenal fans is that they can no longer blame Arsene Wenger. And Unai Emery will be relieved he doesn’t have to come up against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City every week. City rarely looked troubled by Arsenal as the champions opened their Premier League title defense with a 2-0 victory […]

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Montreal Impact's Jukka Raitala salvages draw with Real Salt Lake

ESPN FC News
Montreal Impact's Jukka Raitala salvages draw with Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake Montreal Impact 1 1 FT Game Details Live football odds with bet365. Bet Now » GameCast Lineups and Stats Jukka Raitala countered Joao Plata's first-half goal with a long-distance strike after halftime to help the Montreal Impact force a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. Raitala's goal wasn't enough to keep Montreal's winless streak from extending to four games. Plata's goal helped RSL extend its home unbeaten streak to 12 games. Both teams have tallied three draws in their last four matches. Salt Lake remains in sixth place in the Western Conference. Montreal is tied for fifth place in...

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PH’s Etheridge braces for historic Premier League debut

Football – Inquirer Sports
PH’s Etheridge braces for historic Premier League debut
PH's Etheridge braces for historic Premier League debut

When Neil Etheridge steps into the field for Cardiff City at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Saturday night, the Filipino-British goalkeeper will not only make history as the first Southeast Asian to play in the English Premier League but also live his dream of seeing action in one of the world’s most prestigious and lucrative […]

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Chelsea sends striker Batshuayi on loan to Valencia

Sportsnet.ca
Chelsea sends striker Batshuayi on loan to Valencia
Chelsea sends striker Batshuayi on loan to Valencia

LONDON — Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has joined Valencia on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old Belgium international spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund after Chelsea signed Olivier Giroud from Arsenal to compete with Alvaro Morata for a place in the starting line-up.

Live stream weekly matchups from around the Premier League with Sportsnet NOW. Get access to the Premier League, FA Cup, Bundesliga, Scottish Premiership and more.

Batshuayi scored nine goals in 14 appearances for Dortmund but his spell was cut short in April due to ankle ligament damage.

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Winners and losers of the Premier League transfer window

Sportsnet.ca
Winners and losers of the Premier League transfer window
Winners and losers of the Premier League transfer window

The Premier League’s summer transfer window has slammed shut, which means the new season is officially upon us.

A few sides made a huge impact, namely two of the newly promoted clubs. Meanwhile, a couple of marquee sides had a less-than-stellar window and might regret their inactivity.

Here are the five biggest winners and losers of the Premier League’s transfer window.

WINNERS Liverpool

Notable signings: Naby Keita, Fabinho, Alisson, Xherdan Shaqiri
Notable departures: Emre Can

Not only did Liverpool complete its business early in the window, the Reds addressed all of their glaring needs.

Snapping up Alisson gives Liverpool the stalwart goalkeeper its lacked for years while the acquisitions of Naby Keita and Fabinho are nothing to sneeze at either.

Even Xherdan Shaqiri is an excellent signing, be it as a backup or as a No. 10, for just £13.5 million ($22.9 million).

There was significant expenditure, so manager Jurgen Klopp has few excuses this season. He now has a squad that’s capable of mounting serious challenges for both the Premier League and Champions League.

Everton

Notable signings: Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes (loan), Richarlison, Lucas Digne, Bernard
Notable departures: Wayne Rooney, Kevin Mirallas, Ashley Williams, Ramiro Funes Mori

Everton’s summer window last year was an outright disaster. Signing multiple No. 10s was not a wise transfer strategy, to say the least.

This year, the club has learned some valuable lessons. Yerry Mina – coming off an excellent World Cup with Colombia – is a huge upgrade on the departing Ashley Williams. Mina sorely lacked consistent minutes at Barcelona, which clearly won’t be the case at Everton.

Andre Gomes, also from Barca, is a low-risk loan signing who’s in serious need of a confidence boost. Marco Silva is the perfect manager for Gomes, who can easily help the midfielder rekindle his form.

Richarlison and Bernard inject some dynamism and improvisation out wide, while Lucas Digne addresses a serious need at left-back as Leighton Baines is turning 34 later this year.

Striker Cenk Tosun will now be under pressure to deliver the goals up front, which shouldn’t be an issue with the litany of creative wingers in the squad.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Notable signings: Adama Traore, Rui Patricio, Raul Jimenez (loan), Joao Moutinho, Leander Dendoncker (loan)
Notable departures: Barry Douglas

Wolverhampton has a serious advantage in the transfer market thanks to super-agent Jorge Mendes. However, the business conducted by Wolves has been fantastic.

Rui Patricio is a big upgrade at the goalkeeper position. Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker are outstanding additions for the midfield, which was significantly lower in quality before the window opened.

Raul Jimenez, acquired on loan with an option to buy, should also provide an injection of goals up front. His Benfica stint was marred by inconsistent minutes, so the Mexican international needs regular playing time.

It’s arguable that Wolves’ Championship-winning squad last year was strong enough to stay in the Premier League. This group of players may now be capable of a top-10 finish.

Fulham

Notable signings: Maxime Le Marchand, Jean Michael Seri, Fabri, Andre Schurrle (loan), Alfie Mawson, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Luciano Vietto (loan)
Notable departures: None

Fulham became the highest-spending newly promoted Premier League club in the summer transfer window, but the London side got great value.

Jean Michael Seri, who was linked to Barcelona last year, signed for a fee of £25 million ($41.8 million). That’s arguably the coup of the summer in England. Seri’s passing range and defensive prowess in the heart of midfield will certainly be crucial in Fulham’s bid to stay in the Premier League this season.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is an up-and-coming midfielder who is similar to Seri, but is still just 22-years-old. A midfield trio along with Tom Cairney will be quite formidable.

Between them in Ligue 1 last season, Jean Michael Seri and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa averaged:

146 complete passes per match
3.5 chances created per match
A pass completion of 90%
3.1 interceptions per game

#FFC pic.twitter.com/OZ9j8KDXGa

— bet365 (@bet365) August 9, 2018

Alfie Mawson and Maxime Le Marchand help solidify centre-back and left-back, respectively. Winger Andre Schurrle and striker Luciano Vietto, even on loan, should be stupendous for the attack as well. Vietto is more of a project, although manager Slavisa Jokanovic can help the Argentine reach his potential.

Leicester City

Notable signings: James Madisson, Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans, Rachid Ghezzal, Filip Benkovic, Caglar Soyuncu
Notable departures: Riyad Mahrez, Ahmed Musa, Robert Huth

Fewer clubs had as impressive a window as Leicester City. The sale of Riyad Mahrez helped finance moves for James Madisson, one of the young players to watch this season, along with the defence.

Ricardo Pereira will certainly be Portugal’s next starting right-back, plus Jonny Evans is an experienced centre-back who’ll be a solid partner for Harry Maguire. Turkish wonderkid Caglar Soyuncu – linked to Arsenal earlier this summer – was a savvy addition as well.

Keeping Maguire, especially on the back of his World Cup performance, was probably the most important move for Leicester, though.

Live stream weekly matchups from around the Premier League with Sportsnet NOW. Get access to the Premier League, FA Cup, Bundesliga, Scottish Premiership and more.

LOSERS Cardiff City

Notable signings: Josh Murphy, Victor Camarasa (loan), Harry Arter (loan)
Notable departures: None

There’s a reason why Cardiff City is a favourite for relegation, and they didn’t exactly bolster their odds of staying up.

It’s unfair to compare Cardiff to the other promoted sides, given their financial muscle and, in Wolves’ case, their “relationship” with Mendes. However, the Welsh outfit needed to bolster its squad in most areas and failed to do so.

In total, Cardiff City spent around $50 million on transfers. Even Huddersfield Town ($71.9 million) and Bournemouth ($79.8 million) outspent Cardiff.

None of the club’s marquee signings have a lot of Premier League experience. Victor Camarasa earned rave reviews in La Liga last season, but will that translate in a club fighting for survival?

Tottenham

Notable signings: None
Notable departures: None

On one hand, Tottenham has a consistent and settled squad. But it wouldn’t have hurt to make another signing or two for squad depth.

Keeping Toby Alderweireld is a slight surprise, especially considering Manchester United’s desire to bring him the Belgian centre-back over.

However, given the fixture congestion in the English game, coupled with Champions League, the Spurs squad may be stretched to the maximum this season.

Southampton

Notable signings: Mohamed Elyounoussi, Jannik Vestergaard, Danny Ings, Stuart Armstrong
Notable departures: Dusan Tadic, Jordy Clasie (loan), Sofiane Boufal (loan)

When Danny Ings costs around $33 million, that’s usually an indication that the purchasing club was likely desperate.

Ings was plagued by injuries at Liverpool and it’s unknown if he’ll be able to deliver double-digit goals for a team that will be battling relegation.

Mohamed Elyounoussi will have high expectations as he’ll be replacing the outgoing Dusan Tadic. He was a promising player at Basel, although this will be a significant challenge.

Jannik Vestergaard was a solid centre-back with Borussia Monchengladbach. It was an astute signing and Vestergaard should solidify that back line.

However, that was not a problem area for Southampton. It was No. 9 and there are still question marks surrounding the position.

Watford

Notable signings: Marc Navarro, Ben Foster, Domingos Quina
Notable departures: Richarlison, Mauro Zarate, Nordin Amrabat

The Richarlison money could’ve been put to better use for Watford. Unfortunately for the club, that was not the case.

Gerard Deulofeu was signed permanently, but that is a lot of pressure for one player in an attack that was one of the patchiest in the league last season.

There is a fair amount of mediocrity in the bottom half of the table, so Watford might steer clear of trouble, but one poor run of form could see them struggle, especially without a bolstered attack.

Manchester United

Notable signings: Fred, Diogo Dalot
Notable departures: Michael Carrick (retired), Daley Blind

Many have blasted Manchester United’s business over the summer, so some perspective is necessary.

Fred is a tremendous signing for United’s midfield. His box-to-box presence is what the Red Devils have lacked for a while. Diogo Dalot is a project at right-back, although Jose Mourinho has improved most of the defenders at the club.

However, the defence is still low on quality. Other than Eric Bailly, there is no other stalwart centre-back. United pushed hard for every central defender from Harry Maguire to Diego Godin, but couldn’t complete a deal.

It’s also likely that Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia – two converted wingers – will be United’s starting full-backs again. For a club that prides itself on winning titles, it’s quite embarrassing that those are their primary options out wide.

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Meet the new class: Managers

ESPN FC News
Meet the new class: Managers
This summer, a host of top European clubs have changed their manager. Some by choice, while others were forced into it. Here's what we can expect from the new arrivals. James Horncastle &#187

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Pogba keen to leave United for Barcelona – reports

Football – Inquirer Sports
Pogba keen to leave United for Barcelona – reports
Pogba keen to leave United for Barcelona - reports

France World Cup star Paul Pogba is determined to end his fractious relationship with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and move to Barcelona, according to British media reports on Wednesday. The 25-year-old — who scored in the 4-2 World Cup final win over Croatia — has agreed terms with Barcelona for a deal worth £89.5 […]

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Fiorentina signs Croatia winger Pjaca on loan from Juventus

Sportsnet.ca
Fiorentina signs Croatia winger Pjaca on loan from Juventus
Fiorentina signs Croatia winger Pjaca on loan from Juventus

MILAN — Fiorentina has signed Croatia winger Marko Pjaca on loan from Juventus, with an option to buy.

Juventus announced in a statement on Tuesday that Fiorentina has paid 2 million euros ($2.3 million) for the loan and will pay 20 million euros ($23.2 million) if it decides to buy Pjaca at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old Pjaca was part of the Croatia team which reached the World Cup final in Russia last month and he came on as a substitute in that 4-2 defeat to France.

Juventus signed Pjaca from Dinamo Zagreb in 2016 but he spent last season on loan at Schalke.

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Premier League: A beginner’s guide to the newly promoted clubs

Sportsnet.ca
Premier League: A beginner’s guide to the newly promoted clubs
Premier League: A beginner’s guide to the newly promoted clubs

Out with the old and in with the new.

Swansea City, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion couldn’t keep their heads above water over the 38-game grind of the English Premier League in 2017-18, and they will now strive to make a return from the second-tier Championship. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as each of the three sides earned in excess of £90 million just for playing their part.

Wolverhampton Wanders, Cardiff City and Fulham are the three sides to have made their way up from the Championship and will now have their work cut out for them in the Premier League. The reward for their promotions is a windfall more than double the amount the relegated sides received, and all three sides have put that money to use to strengthen their squads for the steeper challenge to come.

Here’s a look at the three promoted sides looking to make a splash during the 2018-19 Premier League season.

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WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Champions of the Championship, Wolves won 30 of their 46 games last season, and narrowly missed out on cracking the 100-point barrier. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, formerly of Porto and Valencia, has modernized the team’s style of play by setting up in a 3-4-3 formation with Conor Coady taking a pivotal role as ball distributor from the centre of defence. Santo pushed Coady, a central midfielder, into the role, and his ability to keep Wolves composed in possession will be tested.

To ease the pressure off him, newcomer Joao Moutinho should provide some much-needed veteran experience in the middle of the park and not only give Coady a trustworthy option on the ball who can unlock defences, but also allow more freedom for Ruben Neves to tap into his creative instincts. Neves was outstanding a season ago, spraying the ball to the wings with ease, but time on the ball will come at a premium in the Premier League with the step up in class.

One man who was truly recognized this summer for his performances in the Championship is Diogo Jota. On loan from Atletico Madrid, the 21-year-old scored 17 goals in 44 appearances and has now made the move to Wolves a permanent one. Primarily a left-winger, Jota showed he was comfortable with the ball on either foot and had a strong work rate defensively as well.

As a team, the Wolves’ fighting spirit will be tested more than anything. Despite coming over to the Premier League as the best side from the Championship, they only had one win to show for in the 12 games in which they fell behind. One would expect that’s likely to happen more often in the top flight, despite the signing of Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

CARDIFF CITY

One must feel that Cardiff City are up against it. They are your traditional newly promoted side, happy to get men behind the ball, accustomed to playing without the ball, and going for long-ball options when they have it. Only two teams had less possession than Cardiff’s 42.54 per cent average, and their lack of desire to play a short-passing game is evidenced by their 59.38 per cent passing accuracy percentage, the worst of all the Championship teams.

What does work for the Bluebirds is that they are well aware of who they are as a team and are comfortable in their skin. Manager Neil Warnock is never one to mince words and will make them well aware of the Herculean task ahead of them as favourites to be relegated. He will be keen to turn around his fortunes in the top flight as well, having proven time and time again that he knows how to get teams to the big stage, but not keep them there. Warnock has experienced relegation with Sheffield United in 2006-07, was sacked by Queens Park Rangers with the club heading in that direction in 2011-12 and by Crystal Palace in the 2014-15 season under similar circumstances.

Junior Hoilett provides some Canadian content to look forward to, with the 28-year-old finding form under Warnock with nine goals and 11 assists in the Championship. On the rare occasion that Cardiff don’t employ the long-ball, Hoilett will be pivotal in penetrating Premier League defences along the ground.

New signing Bobby Reid will either establish himself as a transformed player or one-season wonder by season’s end. After scoring five goals and providing four assists over both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons as a midfielder, he was moved up front to lead Bristol City’s attack and contributed 19 goals and seven assists in the Championship.

FULHAM

If Cardiff will be looking to hang on for dear life, it appears that Fulham will be on the opposite end of the spectrum with manager Slavisa Jokanovic’s preference for an attractive free-flowing style as well as some new recruits that have significantly bolstered the talent level of the squad.

Andre Schurrle is the biggest name to arrive after his exploits with Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, Wolfsburg, Borussia Dortmund and providing the assist that won Germany the World Cup in 2014, but it is the addition of Jean Seri who could prove most impactful. There will undoubtedly be an adjustment period transitioning from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, but the Ivorian is the type of box-to-box midfielder with skill on the ball that could thrive under Jokanovic.

Alfie Mawson should be a fairly familiar name as he was at the heart of relegated Swansea City’s defence and was swooped up during the transfer window. Unfortunately, after having any hope of making England’s World Cup squad crushed by the need for knee surgery, he is expected to miss the entire month of August due to recovery.

That means another Ligue 1 coup in Maxime le Marchand will have to impress early, while star man Ryan Sessegnon could be asked to hold back on his raids down the left flank in order to offer more solidity in the back. The 18-year-old won Championship Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season and will undoubtedly look to make the England left-wing position his for years to come.

Another familiar name is Aleksandar Mitrovic, the former Newcastle United striker who will be eager to exorcise some Premier League demons of his own. Initially acquired on loan by the Cottagers on loan in February of last season, Mitrovic won Championship Player of the Month for both March and April with goals by the boatload. A mercurial personality with a penchant for being carded, he will need to bring a better focus to help his new club avoid the dreaded drop.

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No excuses for Toronto FC not to qualify for MLS playoffs

Sportsnet.ca
No excuses for Toronto FC not to qualify for MLS playoffs
No excuses for Toronto FC not to qualify for MLS playoffs

Soccer reporter John Molinaro joined Sportsnet Today to discuss Toronto FC‘s draw in Atlanta, their push for a playoff spot, and if Jonathan Osorio gets enough recognition as he continues to blossom in MLS.

[radioclip id=4162655]

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Dib quits after losing to Farmer in IBF super featherweight bout

Football – Inquirer Sports
Dib quits after losing to Farmer in IBF super featherweight bout

SYDNEY — Billy Dib of Australia quit boxing after a unanimous points loss to American Tevin Farmer in an IBF super featherweight title fight Friday. Farmer sent Dib to the canvas with a left hook in the ninth round, but the bout went the distance, with the judges calling it 118-109, 119-108 and 120-107 on […]

The post Dib quits after losing to Farmer in IBF super featherweight bout appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

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Transfer news, rumours - LIVE: Liverpool to rival Chelsea for Aaron Ramsey, Manchester United chase Yerry Mina, Arsenal target World Cup star

The Independent - Football
Transfer news, rumours - LIVE: Liverpool to rival Chelsea for Aaron Ramsey, Manchester United chase Yerry Mina, Arsenal target World Cup star
Transfer news, rumours - LIVE: Liverpool to rival Chelsea for Aaron Ramsey, Manchester United chase Yerry Mina, Arsenal target World Cup star
All the latest transfer news plus gossip, rumours and done deals

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Lampard returned to football because he ‘missed the bug’

Football – Inquirer Sports
Lampard returned to football because he ‘missed the bug’
Lampard returned to football because he 'missed the bug'

Frank Lampard says he swapped the relative comfort of the pundit’s chair for the fraught job of manager because he missed the “bug” as he prepares for his first competitive game at the helm of Derby County. Lampard has worked primarily in the media since retiring from playing in 2017 following a glittering career that […]

The post Lampard returned to football because he ‘missed the bug’ appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

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Burnley take extra-time to come through Battle of Britain with Aberdeen

The Independent - Football
Burnley take extra-time to come through Battle of Britain with Aberdeen
Burnley take extra-time to come through Battle of Britain with Aberdeen
Burnley 3 Aberdeen 1 aet (agg: 4-2): Jack Cork's header and an Ashley Barnes penalty see the Clarets through after Lewis Ferguson's spectacular strike

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Transfer news, rumours - LIVE: Manchester United bid for Yerry Mina, Chelsea want Jack Grealish, Spurs chase England U21 star plus Liverpool, Arsenal

The Independent - Football
Transfer news, rumours - LIVE: Manchester United bid for Yerry Mina, Chelsea want Jack Grealish, Spurs chase England U21 star plus Liverpool, Arsenal
Transfer news, rumours - LIVE: Manchester United bid for Yerry Mina, Chelsea want Jack Grealish, Spurs chase England U21 star plus Liverpool, Arsenal
All the latest transfer news plus gossip, rumours and done deals

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Rumour Rater: Jordan Pickford to Chelsea? Jerome Boateng to PSG?

ESPN FC News
Rumour Rater: Jordan Pickford to Chelsea? Jerome Boateng to PSG?
Robert Lewandowski, Arturo Vidal and others make up today's Transfer Rater, but who's most likely to make a move before the summer window closes? It's August, and that means there's less than two weeks left in the English transfer window, and the others will close soon after. Which players are likeliest to move before then? David Amoyal rates the top rumours from around world football. Jordan Pickford to Chelsea: 25 percent The Blues are looking for a possible replacement for Thibaut Courtois, and, should a deal be struck between the Belgian shot-stopper and Real Madrid, the Englishman would be one of the main candidates for the job. On the...

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