Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shared updates on Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino’s injuries ahead of the north London derby clash with Tottenham. WHAT HAPPENED? The Gunners are preparing for one of their biggest matches of the season, but injury concerns could severely impact Arteta’s squad selection for the highly anticipated marquee clash against their bitter rivals. If Odegaard fails to win the race against time, Arteta faces a massive midfield crisis as Merino and Declan Rice are also unavailable. Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE Odegaard picked up the injury during an unfortunate collision with Austria’s Julian Baumgartner, which resulted in a nasty…
Author: DearMama Gurutrends
GOAL takes a look at the Premier League trend that swept social media in September 2024. What is a ‘Barclaysman’? Football fans across the world have been furiously debating what makes one and who the best ‘Barclaysmen’ were. Wayne Rooney wasn’t one, but Jimmy Bullard was. Jay-Jay Okocha is a classic example, but Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t make the cut. It is a sense of something rather than tangible, or hard and fast. So, what exactly is a ‘Barclaysman’? GOAL takes a look at the nostalgic Premier League trend that swept social media. What is a ‘Barclaysman’? The term ‘Barclaysman’ is used to describe a…
Jesse Lingard is disgusted with his FC 25 ratings, with the former Manchester United and England star telling EA Sports that “we need to talk, asap”. Getty Images WHAT HAPPENED? The 31-year-old playmaker is now plying his trade in South Korea for FC Seoul, having headed to the Far East in February after spending several months as a free agent. Lingard played in the Premier League for United, West Ham and Nottingham Forest, but has stepped well outside of his comfort zone. THE BIGGER PICTURE An early injury stunted his progress in Seoul, but the goals have started to flow for Lingard of late. His…
Michael Owen says it “pains” him to see Wrexham flourishing under Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. WHAT HAPPENED? Owen was born in Chester and supports his local side, who count Wrexham among their rivals. So the sight of the Red Dragons’ shining under Reynolds and McElhenney, earning back-to-back promotions and receiving worldwide attention thanks to their Welcome to Wrexham documentary, hurts the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Reynolds and McElhenney have put Wrexham on the map since taking over the club in 2021. Fans have flocked from around the world to see the Welsh side,…
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is ready to welcome back Ben Chilwell to team training after the Blues outcast failed to seal his Stamford Bridge exit. WHAT HAPPENED? The 27-year-old defender had been among a group of players, known as the ‘bomb squad,’ who were exiled by Maresca during the summer as part of his squad overhaul. While prominent players such as Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, and Romelu Lukaku managed to secure transfers away from the club, Chilwell remains stuck at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images Sport THE BIGGER PICTURE Chilwell’s departure was hindered by several factors, most notably his £200,000-a-week salary, which…
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have a bit of “leeway” at Wrexham and their award-winning documentary series would survive a “dip” in results. WHAT HAPPENED? Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse have opened up a window to the world for the Red Dragons, with their surprising sporting venture capturing the imagination of a global audience. Wrexham’s fan base continues to grow, with their popularity in the United States soaring. Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE Results on the field have aided that cause, with back-to-back promotions lifting the club out of the National League and into the third tier of English football. Success is easy to sell…
Kate Abdo’s husband Malik Scott has revealed Thierry Henry FaceTimed him ahead of the couple’s wedding, with Jamie Carragher not on the guest list. WHAT HAPPENED? Fans poked fun at Henry after Abdo recently tied the knot with boxing trainer Scott, owing to the Frenchman’s perceived soft spot for his CBS Sports colleague. However, there’s clearly no issues between Henry and Scott as the latter revealed he received a call from Henry ahead of his wedding. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Speaking to Genting Casino, Scott praised Henry for his coaching efforts with France at the Olympics, where Les Bleus reached the final.…
Kate Abdo brought a special boxing ring wedding cake that moved her husband Malik Scott “to tears” during their intimate wedding ceremony. WHAT HAPPENED? CBS Sports host Abdo and renowned boxing trainer Scott recently tied the knot in a private event and later shared their heartfelt gratitude for the “gift of marriage” with their followers on social media. The centrepiece of their wedding that stole the show was a unique boxing-themed cake, lovingly crafted by Abdo herself. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_rVrQ4yX3J THE BIGGER PICTURE It wasn’t just any cake, but a highly personalized one that symbolized a crucial part of Scott’s professional journey. It was…
Manchester City have been warned that they could be hit with a 100-point deduction that sends them “heading out of the division”. WHAT HAPPENED? The reigning Premier League champions, who have captured that title in each of the last four seasons, are about to see their protracted Financial Fair Play case heard. Proceedings are set to open on Monday, before being wrapped up by the end of the calendar year. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE City face accusations of breaching financial regulations over the course of a nine-year period from 2009, with various punishments being speculated on if they are found guilty of…
Former Barcelona and Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas has named his only team-mate that could match Lionel Messi in the aura stakes. WHAT HAPPENED? The World Cup-winning midfielder played alongside Argentine superstar Messi in the fabled La Masia academy system. He was then reunited with the South American when returning to Catalunya from north London in 2011 – winning the Liga title alongside the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Getty THE BIGGER PICTURE Prior to that, the ex-Spain international had worked with another world champion – French forward Thierry Henry – at Arsenal. Henry went on to enjoy his own spell with Messi at…
Mexico’s biggest club rivalry returns on a holiday weekend – can either team make a statement? Ask a Liga MX fan which team they support and chances are it will be one of two clubs: Club América or Chivas. While other teams enjoy civic or regional support, and there are two other traditional ‘grandes’, but both boast more than 100 years of history, more than a dozen Liga MX titles, and thousands of fans throughout Mexico, the United States and abroad. So, when they come together for a Clásico Nacional, it’s no surprise much of the country comes to a halt,…
The Dutchman has done a lot of lowering of expectations at Old Trafford, but there can be no excuses if his side do not beat the sorry Saints Tottenham fans used to sing that Mauricio Pochettino was magic, but Erik ten Hag has been very keen to point out that he is not. “It’s not like I’m Harry Potter and that is what you have to acknowledge,” the Dutchman said after his side’s morale-sucking 3-0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break. Pochettino was Ten Hag’s closest rival for the Manchester United job in 2022 and was briefly considered as a…
Mohamed Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa accused journalists of “just click wh*ring” as he hit out at fresh transfer talks over Liverpool star’s future. WHAT HAPPENED? Salah, who has been a key figure at Liverpool since he arrived from Roma in 2017 for a meagre £43 million ($56m), is now in the final year of his contract. With his deal set to expire in nine months, Salah will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January 2025, sparking rumours about potential destinations. GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE After thrashing Manchester United at Old Trafford before the international break, Salah opened up on…
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has reacted to the “impossible” Lionel Messi challenge that he has been set, but is determined to become a “legend”. WHAT HAPPENED? At 17 years of age, the La Masia academy graduate has already made history with club and country. He made a senior breakthrough with Barca at 15, before going on to land the European Championship crown with Spain in 2024. GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE Given the path that he has taken, obvious comparisons have been drawn with Argentine superstar Messi. Yamal is proud to be mentioned alongside the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but accepts that he will…
Aitana Bonmati’s agent confirmed that Chelsea were ready to trigger the release clause of the Barcelona star to lure her to WSL. WHAT HAPPENED? Bonmati has entered the final year of her contract with the Blaugranas but has reached an agreement to ink a renewal which could potentially make her the highest-paid player of the side. She has been at Camp Nou since the age of 13 and is set to continue her journey at the Catalan club in the future. GOAL THE BIGGER PICTURE However, English giants, Chelsea were ready to break the bank for Bonmati by triggering her €3 million (£2.53m/3.32m) release…
Manchester City’s imminent court battle with the Premier League will not affect Pep Guardiola’s squad on the pitch, according to Sergio Aguero. WHAT HAPPENED? City’s hearing over the 115 charges for allegedly breaking the Premier League’s financial rules is set to take place on Monday, September 16, more than 18 months after they were first announced. THE BIGGER PICTURE The case comes at an important stage in the season for the Cityzens, who begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday against Inter and then face Arsenal, their biggest title rivals of the last two seasons, on September 22. However, legendary striker Aguero…
Former Tottenham No.10 Rafael van der Vaart has claimed that James Maddison lacks a “killer mentality” ahead of Spurs’ huge clash with rivals Arsenal. WHAT HAPPENED? Maddison has endured an up-and-down spell at Spurs since arriving from Leicester City in the summer of 2023. Having opened last season in brilliant form, he sustained an injury and struggled to recover. This season, he has provided two assists, but Van der Vaart, who became a legend in the same position at White Hart Lane, has urged him to do more and insists he simply does not possess a “killer” mentality. Getty Images…
Emmanuel Petit labelled Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a “diva” and tipped Kobbie Mainoo as the future Red Devils skipper. WHAT HAPPENED? Petit, who is renowned for his illustrious career with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona, believes that while Fernandes is a treat to watch with the ball at his feet, his behaviour on the pitch does not make him a suitable captain for the Red Devils. The Portuguese is often seen venting out his frustration on his teammates when the going gets tough and was especially slammed for his body language when Erik ten Hag’s men were thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool…
David Beckham travelled to Sweden to attend the funeral of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson on Friday. WHAT HAPPENED? Beckham paid his respects to Eriksson’s family before the ceremony in Torsby, Eriksson’s home town. According to the Mirror, the former England captain flew to Sweden on a private jet in order to attend following Eriksson’s death last month after a battle with pancreatic cancer. AFP THE BIGGER PICTURE Beckham is said to have immediately embraced Eriksson’s family upon arriving at Fryksande church. He gave Eriksson’s daughter, Lina, a kiss on a cheek, and then hugged his ex-partner Nancy Dell’Olio once inside the church.…
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that he needs a “best mate” to push him into retirement and avoid the fate of scoring “six goals in the Saudi League”. Getty Images WHAT HAPPENED? At 39 years of age, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is offering no suggestion that the most distinguished of boots will be hung up any time soon. He remains part of the Portugal international set-up, with 214 caps to his name, and is expected to play on towards the 2026 World Cup. THE BIGGER PICTURE At club level, Ronaldo found the target on 50 occasions for Al-Nassr last season and has already…