Daily News 19

Tag: Manchester City

  • Should Chelsea Be Stripped of 2016-17 Premier League Title, Tottenham Crowned Champions?

    Should Chelsea Be Stripped of 2016-17 Premier League Title, Tottenham Crowned Champions?

    Mauricio Pochettino believes his managerial resume deserves a Premier League title, a sentiment rooted in his near-miss with Tottenham Hotspur. While his solitary season at Chelsea ended in a sixth-place finish and mutual dissatisfaction, his five-year tenure in North London remains the stuff of legend. Pochettino guided Spurs to a club-record 86 points in the 2016-17 campaign, a runners-up finish, and the 2018-19 Champions League final. The question now resonating among the fanbase is whether that historic 2016-17 side was denied glory by an uneven playing field.

    Spurs Faithful Back Pochettino’s Claim

    Support for the Argentine’s assertion runs deep within the Tottenham community. Chris Paouros, co-founder and co-chair of Proud Lilywhites and Women of The Lane, offers unequivocal backing.

    “Of course I do,” said Chris Paouros, co-founder and co-chair of Proud Lilywhites, external and Women of The Lane., external

    “He could tell me the moon was made of halloumi and I’d nod along.”

    “The Spurs 2016-17 team was the best in the league by most measures: best attack, best defence, fewest defeats, unbeaten at home in the last season of the old White Hart Lane.”

    “If the playing field was tilted, the least you can do is ask the question.”

    Paouros acknowledges the unlikelihood of a retrospective title handover but insists on the principle of accountability.

    “Paouros knows Spurs will not be handed the title, but said the ‘rules have to mean something, whoever benefits’.”

    The Complexity of Retrospective Justice

    However, the prospect of a belated title win carries a complicated emotional weight. Tristan Foot, secretary of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, captures the duality of such a scenario.

    “It would still be something that Spurs fans would celebrate,” said Tristan Foot, secretary of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust. “A victory over Chelsea, albeit 10 years after the event.”

    Foot warns that the broader implication undermines the integrity of the competition.

    “It means that to an extent crime does pay in football,” Foot said. “And that’s the serious underlying part all of this.”

    “During the transfer window they were signing players that we had no chance of winning, the obvious example being Willian.”

    “The Premier League has got to be better about imposing sporting sanctions and making sure that its rules actually have teeth.”

    Precedent Set as Manchester City Looms

    With all investigations into the relevant period now concluded, the prospect of Pochettino—or any other manager—receiving a retrospective trophy parade appears remote. The episode sets a significant precedent as the football world awaits the resolution of the ongoing Manchester City saga. The ultimate question remains: when that chapter closes, will the sanctions deliver the sporting justice that supporters and clubs demand, or will the rules once again prove to lack the necessary bite?

  • Haaland Scores Twice as Manchester City Secure Win at Porto

    Haaland Scores Twice as Manchester City Secure Win at Porto

    Manchester City Begin Champions League Campaign with 2-0 Win at Porto

    Erling Haaland scores twice as Manchester City open their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Porto.

  • Erling Haaland Becomes Manchester City’s Third-Highest Goalscorer of All Time

    Erling Haaland Becomes Manchester City’s Third-Highest Goalscorer of All Time

    Haaland Climbs to Third on Manchester City All-Time Scoring List After Porto Brace

    Erling Haaland has moved into third place on Manchester City’s all-time goalscorer list following his two-goal performance against Porto in the Champions League opener.

    The Norwegian striker has now netted 167 goals for the club, surpassing Tommy Johnson’s long-standing tally of 166 goals scored between 1920 and 1930.

    Record-Breaking Start to European Campaign

    Haaland’s brace in the Champions League fixture not only secured a vital victory but also etched his name further into City’s history books. The achievement comes as the striker continues his remarkable scoring rate since joining the Premier League champions.

    Only two players now sit above Haaland in the club’s all-time scoring rankings, highlighting the immediate and historic impact he has made at the Etihad Stadium.

  • Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal: Champions League Stats & Head-to-Head Preview

    Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal: Champions League Stats & Head-to-Head Preview

    Francesco Farioli Prepares for Champions League Debut as Porto Host Manchester City

    Porto manager Francesco Farioli is set to take charge of his first UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday when the Portuguese champions welcome Manchester City to the Estádio do Dragão. The 20:00 BST kick-off marks a significant milestone for one of European football’s fastest-rising coaches.

    Rapid Rise Through the Ranks

    At just 37 years old, Farioli has already accumulated a remarkable resume. He guided Porto to the Primeira Liga title last season, announcing himself as a major force in management. His appointment at the Estádio do Dragão followed a swift ascent that began in Turkey in 2021, where he cut his teeth with Fatih Karagümrük before moving to Alanyaspor.

    Such rapid progress naturally attracted attention from Premier League giants. Throughout last season, Farioli was heavily linked with managerial vacancies at Chelsea, Liverpool, and Rangers. Despite the allure of England’s top flight, the Italian opted to extend his stay in Portugal, a decision he remains confident about.

    ‘I Don’t Feel I Could Be in a Better Place’

    Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the high-stakes encounter with Pep Guardiola’s side, Farioli explained his reasoning for staying put.

    “I don’t feel I could be in a better place,” he told BBC Sport.

    He added a lighthearted note regarding the club’s ambition, revealing the bond he has formed with the hierarchy.

    “I said at our post-season dinner they have created a problem for me, as I will have to bring the president and directors with me.”

    A Stern First Test

    Farioli’s continental bow could hardly be more difficult. Manchester City, the 2023 treble winners and perennial Champions League contenders, provide the ultimate benchmark for any new manager at this level. For Porto, the match represents an opportunity to signal their intent on the European stage under their young, innovative coach.

    With the eyes of Europe on the Estádio do Dragão, Tuesday night offers Farioli the perfect platform to validate the faith Porto placed in him and to show why Europe’s elite were chasing his signature just months ago.

  • Haaland Displays Star-Studded World Cup Jersey Collection

    Haaland Displays Star-Studded World Cup Jersey Collection

    Erling Haaland Shows Off Impressive Jersey Collection After 2026 FIFA World Cup

    Manchester City striker Erling Haaland may be one of the biggest stars in world football, but the Norwegian forward still gets excited about collecting jerseys from other elite players. Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Haaland revealed an impressive collection of shirts he received from some of the tournament’s biggest names and his close friends.

    Star-Studded Shirt Swap

    The collection includes jerseys from Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Achraf Hakimi. Despite being a superstar himself, Haaland appeared proud to have shirts from players he admires and shares strong relationships with.

    Safekeeping and Future Display

    The Norwegian international disclosed that he plans to keep the collection somewhere safe. With so many iconic names already part of it, Haaland could continue adding to the collection before eventually putting the jerseys on display once his playing career is over.

  • Chelsea Transfer Latest: Deal Close for Roma Midfielder Manu Kone as Loan Move for Jamie Gittens Is Explored

    Chelsea Transfer Latest: Deal Close for Roma Midfielder Manu Kone as Loan Move for Jamie Gittens Is Explored

    Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Roma for France midfielder Manu Kone, according to Sky in Italy, although Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is working to keep the player at the club.

    The proposed deal is understood to be worth £52m. Talks are also progressing over a loan move that would see Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens join Roma in the opposite direction.

    Kone is being considered as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, with negotiations continuing over the Argentina international’s potential transfer to Manchester City.

    Chelsea’s discussions over both Kone and Gittens remain ongoing, but Gasperini’s reluctance to let Kone leave represents a significant obstacle. Gasperini pushed for the midfielder to remain at Roma when he took charge and played an important role in securing his immediate future at the club.

    Roma are working on potential replacements for Kone, including AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana and Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

    Could Manu Kone replace Enzo Fernandez?

    Analysis by Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:

    Kone has considerable pedigree as a 19-cap France international. At 25, and with his peak years still ahead of him, he has already impressed in Italy, Germany and his homeland, showing an ability to adapt that could serve him well in the Premier League.

    The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder combines athleticism with technical quality. Like the player he could replace at Chelsea, Kone can operate as either a No 6 or a No 8, although he is most comfortable at the base of midfield.

    That could suit Alonso, whose preferred three-at-the-back system leaves less room for the No 8 role in which Fernandez previously excelled for Chelsea. It may also benefit Kone, who can defend, pass and carry the ball but does not provide the same level of attacking threat.

    Fernandez made a major contribution in that area, producing 16 goals and 11 assists across the last two Premier League seasons. If he leaves, Chelsea may need to find those goals and assists elsewhere in the squad.

    Kone offers different strengths and recorded two goals and five assists in league matches for Roma over the same period.

  • Manchester City Consider Matching Tottenham’s £60m Bid for Iliman Ndiaye, Says Ben Jacobs

    Manchester City Consider Matching Tottenham’s £60m Bid for Iliman Ndiaye, Says Ben Jacobs

    Manchester City are considering whether to match Tottenham Hotspur’s £60 million offer for Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, according to Ben Jacobs.

    City’s interest in the Senegal international predates Tottenham’s bid, with the Premier League champions now weighing whether to make a competing offer for the Everton forward.

  • Alonso Says Chelsea Is Preparing for “todos los escenarios” Regarding Enzo Fernández’s Future

    Alonso Says Chelsea Is Preparing for “todos los escenarios” Regarding Enzo Fernández’s Future

    Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the club is preparing for “all scenarios” regarding Enzo Fernández’s future after the Argentina midfielder was again left out of the squad for Sunday’s 4-3 Premier League victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

    Media reports say Manchester City is interested in signing Fernández, with the summer transfer window closing late Tuesday.

    Fernández was also omitted from the squad for Chelsea’s English League Cup victory over third-tier Luton on Thursday.

    Asked whether the midfielder had already played his final match for Chelsea, Alonso said: “Ya veremos. Queremos lo mejor para el equipo y por eso tomamos la decisión contra Luton y hoy”.

    “Tenemos que estar atentos (hasta) la noche del martes a lo que vaya a desarrollarse. No estamos seguros”, agregó. “Nos estamos preparando para todos los escenarios. Estoy seguro de que, pase lo que pase, a partir del miércoles tendremos una plantilla lo suficientemente buena como para competir en la Liga Premier”.

    Fernández has played for Chelsea since joining from Benfica in 2023 for 106.7 million pounds (then $131.4 million), a British-record fee at the time.

    See AP’s full soccer coverage here.

  • Can PSG Win a Third Straight Champions League? Luis Enrique’s Side Has a Real Shot at History

    Can PSG Win a Third Straight Champions League? Luis Enrique’s Side Has a Real Shot at History

    Winning the UEFA Champions League once is difficult. Winning it twice consecutively is rarer. A third straight title would place Paris Saint-Germain among the greatest dynasties in European soccer.

    That is the challenge facing PSG as the French club begins another Champions League campaign after securing back-to-back European crowns under manager Luis Enrique.

    Can PSG win a third consecutive Champions League title?

    Yes, but the path will be demanding. For years, PSG entered the Champions League under intense pressure and with a history of disappointment. That narrative has changed significantly under Luis Enrique, who has transformed the club from a collection of elite individuals into one of Europe’s most complete teams.

    PSG now has a clear tactical identity built on pressing, possession and collective discipline. The results are compelling. Consecutive Champions League triumphs have made PSG the team everyone else is trying to catch, while the squad has demonstrated that it can manage the pressure of being the favorite.

    Champions League campaigns are often decided by a few crucial moments in hostile stadiums, difficult knockout ties and a team’s ability to stay composed when everything is at stake. PSG has already overcome those challenges twice.

    PSG’s Champions League schedule is challenging but manageable

    The newly released schedule offers several important tests. PSG’s home fixtures include meetings with Barcelona, Roma, Galatasaray and Slovan Bratislava.

    Barcelona is the headline opponent on paper. The Spanish giants remain one of Europe’s most talented clubs and will provide an early test of PSG’s credentials as a potential champion.

    Roma and Galatasaray are capable of producing difficult tactical battles, while Slovan Bratislava is the kind of opponent a defending champion must defeat efficiently.

    The away schedule could be even more revealing, with trips to Villarreal, Como, Manchester City and Aston Villa exposing PSG to a range of playing styles and atmospheres.

    The visit to Manchester City immediately stands out as one of the toughest fixtures on the schedule. Villa Park has become one of Europe’s most intimidating venues under Unai Emery, while Villarreal’s European pedigree makes the club dangerous regardless of its form.

    The schedule is demanding, but it is not overwhelming. PSG has navigated more difficult routes in previous Champions League campaigns.

    Luis Enrique remains relaxed after the draw

    One of the most encouraging signs for PSG supporters is the calm approach of Luis Enrique. Speaking after the draw, the manager joked about his previous experiences watching the Champions League pairings unfold.

    “In my first three years here, I watched it from my office, and it was a disaster each time as we got drawn against the toughest teams,” he said.

    Instead of obsessing over potential opponents, Enrique said he planned to spend the day cycling around Paris while club executives Olivier Gagne and Luís Campos followed the draw.

    “It can’t be any worse than last year,” Enrique said with a laugh. “When we get home, we’ll see what we’ve got ahead of us, but I’ll happily take the end result of the last two seasons.”

    The comments underline a manager who believes PSG’s focus should remain on its own performance rather than on the draw. After winning consecutive Champions League trophies, confidence has become a competitive advantage.

    The biggest threat to a third straight title may not be the schedule but fatigue. The modern soccer calendar is more demanding than ever, particularly for players who have taken part in the World Cup and other international competitions.

    Enrique acknowledged that challenge when explaining his approach to squad management.

    “I’m always open to giving a few days off to the players who came back less rested because they’d played at the World Cup,” he explained. “It’s important to disconnect.”

  • Coventry 0-1 Hull: ‘Not bad for the worst team in Premier League history’

    Coventry 0-1 Hull: ‘Not bad for the worst team in Premier League history’

    Coventry City’s nervous start to life in the Premier League was evident in their defeat, with manager Frank Lampard acknowledging an anxiety in the Sky Blues’ play that must be removed quickly.

    The Championship promotion winners appeared cautious in possession, choosing safer passes instead of pushing forward as they adjusted to the demands of the Premier League.

    “This season was always going to be very different to last season but I sensed a bit of edge, that quality of pass and playing safe rather than play forward,” he said. “Maybe that is apprehension.”

    Lampard rejected the idea that nerves could be used as an excuse, saying Coventry must respond quickly after losing their opening two matches.

    “I don’t like the excuse of it. Last week that was valid because of the level of opposition, the occasion, 25 years out and a lot of debuts. We shouldn’t use it as an excuse today. “It’s a game against a team we played twice last year and we finished a lot of points above them. The Premier League gives that edge and we will have to get used to that and quickly. “The lesson is don’t expect anything in the Premier League. It depends how much you want it to be (a mental blow). There are 36 games left, we’re two games in. It depends how you want to react to defeats.”

    Ashley Williams warns Coventry City confidence could suffer

    Former Wales captain Ashley Williams believes the defeat could damage Coventry’s confidence. Williams won promotion to the Premier League with Swansea City in 2011 and understands the importance of avoiding early psychological setbacks.

    “They blitzed the Championship last year and were full of confidence coming into the season. But after two defeats everything suddenly becomes that much harder,” he said on the BBC’s Final Score programme.

    Williams said Coventry’s position near the bottom of the table would increase the pressure, particularly with Manchester City their next opponents.

    “As players, you look at the table and it’s not nice when you are at the wrong end of it. Straight away they’ll see they are already six points behind Hull and that’s a real kick in the teeth.”

    “All those little doubts start to kick in so they’ve got to get to work and figure it out fast and I’m sure Frank Lampard will do that. However, Manchester City away next up is far from ideal.”