Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is set to miss the Blues' FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City on Saturday, having suffered a hamstring injury prior to Tuesday's Champions League clash with Porto. The Croatian star did not feature in the 1-0 defeat to the Portuguese outfit, but Thomas Tuchel's men still managed to progress to the semi-finals thanks to their 2-0 victory in the first leg. Kovacic will miss Saturday's FA Cup semi-final | Soccrates Images/Getty Images But after the loss in Seville, Tuchel told Chelsea's official website that he'll have to make do without Kovacic for the FA Cup clash with Man City, while he was unable to give an expected date of recovery for the 26-year-old. "Yesterday in training he got a
Premier League
Mike Ashley closes Newcastle United retail store in potential takeover breakthrough
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is closing the club's official retail store and has made all of his staff redundant, telling employees that it's one of the conditions of their prospective buyers. The Magpies have long been the subject of a potential £300m takeover from a Saudi consortium, although the deal has hit plenty of roadblocks along the way. Ashley has closed the Newcastle United store But the decision to close the Sports Direct owned Newcastle retail store points to a possible breakthrough in the takeover, as the Daily Mail reports that the closure is one of the Saudi's conditions for buying the club. Ashley informed staff members of the decision to close the shop on Monday, making them all redundant in the process.
Man Utd to ‘explore’ deal for £60m-rated Raphael Varane
Manchester United have been tipped to ‘explore’ a potential deal for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane in their hunt for a centre-back partner for Harry Maguire this summer. Varane has been heavily linked with United on and off for a decade, even before he sealed a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid from Lens while still a teenager in the summer of 2011. But the rumours have come back in 2021 as the Frenchman nears the final year of his contract in Spain. Man Utd are in the market for a centre-back & Varane is proven at the highest level | Soccrates Images/Getty Images There has been no indication that an agreement over a new deal for Varane to extend his Bernabeu stay is
Tottenham linked with Maurizio Sarri move
Tottenham have been linked with a move for former Chelsea and Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri if Jose Mourinho is shown the exit door.Pressure is mounting on current boss Mourinho after Spurs fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. This comes after they blew a 2-0 first leg lead against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League round of 16, while their chances of improving on last season's sixth placed Premier League finish are remote.Mourinho is under pressure | Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesSpeculation that Daniel Levy is preparing to give Mourinho his marching orders has increased in recent weeks and the latest name to be linked is Sarri. According to Rai Sports (via the Daily Mail), the Italian is
Premier League clubs considering unified social media boycott
Premier League clubs are said to be considering a united social media boycott over one weekend before the end of the season.The move comes after Tottenham forward Son Heung-min became the latest player to suffer racist abuse following a game against Manchester United on Sunday. He is far from the only Premier League star to be targeted either, with United's Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe, as well as Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha also reporting abuse.Son was sent racist abuse this weekend | CLIVE ROSE/Getty ImagesThere is a growing belief that in order to shock social media companies into action, a blanket blackout of all updates is required. Championship Swansea City recently announced they would not be posting on
Why Leicester won’t finish in the Premier League top four
After looking so good for most of the campaign, Leicester City's season is fraying around the edges. Since returning from the international break, Brendan Rodgers' side have fallen to damaging defeats against Manchester City and West Ham, while also being embroiled in an off-field scandal.The feeling of deja vu following last season's horrific implosion is getting harder to ignore and while nothing is set is stone yet, the Foxes face an uphill battle to stop their season unravelling. Here is why Leicester will find it so difficult to finish in the Premier League top four this season.Chelsea are hitting their stride at the worst possible time from a Foxes' perspective | Pool/Getty ImagesWith only a handful of games left to
Spurs still trying to feel at home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – but good times are coming
Sunday's loss to Manchester United marked the 28th occasion that Spurs have played a competitive fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a full crowd and in the pandemic, equalling the amount of games held there at 100% capacity.When Tottenham left White Hart Lane in 2017, they could not have possibly foreseen what the first two years at their new home would have looked like. And as that anniversary of the long-awaited opening rolled around at the start of April, fans have been longing for that time back when their connection with the club was greater.Results and performances haven't helped, but the starvation of a proper matchday experience definitely hasn't either.Spurs have consistently averaged around two points-per-home-game since leaving White Hart
Man Utd or Chelsea: Where would be better for Jules Kounde?
Manchester United and Chelsea are at a similar spot in terms of where their squads are and how far away they are from challenging for the Premier League; a few big signings could be the difference, and this summer is crucial.Promising centre-back Jules Kounde has stood out at Sevilla and dropped a number of top performances since moving to the south of Spain. 90min understands Man Utd are seriously keen on him, although Chelsea are said to have joined the race according to new reports.So we've analysed all the key components behind a potential transfer, and judged where he would best fit.Kounde would be signed as Harry Maguire's partner | Fran Santiago/Getty ImagesShould United sign him, it feels pretty clear
Xavier Mbuyamba: The Dutch wonderkid finally ready to show what he’s got at Chelsea
Here we are, 18 months after he was supposed to make his Chelsea debut, and Dutch centre-back Xavier Mbuyamba has finally been unleashed.The 19-year-old was supposed to join up with Chelsea in the summer of 2019, only for the transfer ban to put an end to that. Mbuyamba joined Barcelona instead, but jumped at the chance to finally move to Stamford Bridge last summer just one year on.Then he suffered a nasty knee injury in just his second training session and was forced to watch on from the sidelines until Monday's Under-23 meeting with Southampton.Mbuyamba came off the bench midway through the second half and needed just five minutes to announce himself to fans. He fired home from a corner
Odion Ighalo opens up on fulfilling Man Utd dream & Premier League interest
Odion Ighalo has revealed that he had offers to stay in the Premier League from West Ham and West Brom, but he felt there was nothing left for him to achieve in England after already living out his ‘dream’ of playing for Manchester United.Ighalo joined United in January 2020 as a deadline day loan signing from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, brought in as emergency cover and relief for the club’s existing forwards.Ighalo scored five times for Man Utd while on loan from Shanghai Shenhua | CATHERINE IVILL/Getty ImagesThe former Watford star became the first Nigerian to play for United and became something of an instant cult hit among fans thanks to early goals in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Pedro Neto ruled out for rest of season with knee injury
Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that forward Pedro Neto will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a nasty knee injury in Friday's 1-0 win over Fulham.The 21-year-old, who bagged five goals and five assists in 31 appearances this year, managed just over half an hour in Friday's game before being forced off with the injury, which was immediately feared to be a serious one.Mais um obstáculo que aparece e que vou ultrapassar como fiz com todos os outros. Serão meses difíceis longe do sítio onde mais gosto de estar mas vou recuperar da melhor maneira para voltar mais forte que nunca isso é garantido. Obrigado a todos pelas mensagens ✨?? pic.twitter.com/Vj1h9tA1EM— Pedro Neto (@pedrolneto7) April 12, 2021Wolves noted on
Injury updates on Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal remain hopeful that Bukayo Saka will be fit in time to face Slavia Prague in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, while Gabriel Martinelli has confirmed he will definitely be available.The Gunners were left sweating over the fitness of Saka after he limped off in the 3-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday night.Bukayo Saka limped off against Sheffield United | Pool/Getty ImagesThe 19-year-old collapsed in a heap with no one around him - sparking initial fears that the injury could be particularly serious - though it was later revealed he'd collided with Blades frontman Rhian Brewster just seconds before going down.The Gunners face Slavia Prague in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final
Manchester United open talks to buy & relocate Australian side Central Coast Mariners
Manchester United have held concrete talks with the owners of Australian side Central Coast Mariners over a deal to buy and relocate the A-League side.The Mariners, who currently sit top of the A-League, have been struggling financially for years and have been on a desperate hunt for significant investment after owner Mike Charlesworth announced his intention to freeze all funding and sell his shares in the club.Take another look at the @MarcoUrenaCR and Simmo combination from Tuesday's draw against Wanderers. #CCMFC #WontBackDown @FOXFOOTBALL #CCMvSYD tickets ?? https://t.co/BQfUev48Vq pic.twitter.com/NklvVIkNpp— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) April 11, 2021According to the Sydney Morning Herald, United have offered to come to the rescue and have held lengthy talks with Charlesworth over a deal to buy
Christian Pulisic opens up on injury struggles this season
Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has admitted that 2020/21 has been a challenging season for him because of injuries and other setbacks affecting his playing time, but insists he is ‘feeling healthy and strong’ after scoring in consecutive games for the first time in nearly a year.Pulisic netted a brace in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, having previously scored the opener in the shock collapse against West Brom week earlier. It was June 2020 and ‘Project Restart’ the last time that happened.Pulisic has scored in consecutive games for the first time since June 2020 | Pool/Getty ImagesTop pundit Gary Neville even predicted over the summer that the American was on course to become the Premier League’s next international
Tottenham hold ‘concrete talks’ with Jerome Boateng over free transfer
Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng over a free transfer this summer.Bayern have already confirmed that the German will bring his ten-year association with the club to an end this summer once his contract expires, and there have been plenty of rumours suggesting a return to England - where he spent one year on the books at Manchester City - could be on the cards.Boateng will leave Bayern in the summer | Alexander Hassenstein/Getty ImagesThe first mention of Spurs in this transfer saga came from Christian Falk, who noted that Jose Mourinho's side were interested in Boateng, alongside Barcelona.Since then, however, things have stepped up a little bit.In an article squashing rumours of a potential
Chelsea linked with surprise player-plus-cash move for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde
Chelsea are among the sides interested in Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, and are said to be considering launching a player-plus-cash bid for the Frenchman.Kounde is seen by many as one of the game's best young defenders, with his form also attracting admiring glances from Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid, but his £69m release clause has kept him in Sevilla for the time being.Kounde is high on United's wish list | Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesSources have confirmed to 90min that United are incredibly keen on Kounde and are optimistic about the chances of driving his asking price down, and AS state that Chelsea are now hoping for something similar.To try to avoid paying that full figure for Kounde - the
Brighton 0-0 Everton: Player ratings from disappointing draw
From the AMEX - Brighton moved another point clear of the relegation zone as they played out a disappointing draw with injury-hit Everton on Monday night.In a tale as old as time, the Seagulls dominated possession and had the better chances, with Lewis Dunk forcing a good save from Robin Olsen in the second half.Olsen was the busier of the two keepers, making three saves to Robert Sanchez's one, but the contest ultimately lacked quality with Everton in particular missing striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was ruled out through injury.Here's the player ratings from the goalless draw on the south coast.Dunk tangling with Richarlison | Pool/Getty ImagesRobert Sanchez (GK) - 6/10 - Very nearly gifted Richarlison an opening with a heavy
The potential destinations for Odsonne Edouard – ranked
It looks set to be a big summer for Odsonne Edouard.The Celtic striker has continued his impressive individual form despite his side's struggles, and while the Hoops aren't keen to let him go, they may soon have no choice.Edouard's contract expires at the end of next season, and there has been no indication that he plans to sign a new one any time soon.That has drastically weakened the club's bargaining position - a year ago they were commanding £40m, but reports suggest they will now accept bids in the region of £15-20m.His new-found availability has opened the door to a number of clubs who see value in a player who has scored 81 goals in 163 appearances in Scotland, and
Assessing which club Jesse Lingard should join this summer
The resurgence of one Jesse Ellis Lingard has been one of the more enjoyable narratives in this weird and unforgettable season.West Ham have seemingly been the beneficiaries of playing games without fans to jeer them, or boo them, or invade the pitch and plant a corner flag in the centre circle. Anyway, there's not as much physical pressure on them to succeed, and succeed they have.We're a long way away from vintage West Ham now | Christopher Lee/Getty ImagesDavid Moyes' side are serious contenders to qualify for the Champions League, and the loan signing of Lingard in January kept their momentum rolling into the second half of the season.Lingard is flourishing with regular minutes, pressing off the ball and working
West Brom 3-0 Southampton: Saints succumb to Big Sam masterclass
Southampton were humbled in their trip to the West Midlands on Monday night, as Callum Robinson capped off a masterful West Brom performance to secure a 3-0 win. The Baggies may have left it too late to avoid relegation but they're not going down without a fight. They hammered Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and were in a similarly destructive mood here. They thought they had an opener within moments of kick-off, but Mbaye Diagne was denied by a questionable VAR call. NO GOAL! ❌West Brom thought they'd taken the lead, but Diagne is adjudged to have been in an offside position...Yet more VAR controversy!? Watch on Sky Sports PL? Follow #WBASOU here: https://t.co/IjLKnvv0vs? Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/MIL815HbQQ—