Category: Premier League

BURETA FARAIMO TO HULL FC?

Hull FC have been linked with a move for BuretaFaraimo ahead of the forthcoming campaign despite their recent mixed results.


Hull KR have also been linked with moves for new players even as there is still a lot to play for this year.

Faraimo is a USA international that features for the New Zealand Warriors. He used to play for Parramatta Eels from 2014 to 2016 but he could be the replacement for the outgoing MaheFonua. The search for a capable replacement has been going on for a while now. The powerful new signing could do well in the outside back role for Hull FC. Continue reading BURETA FARAIMO TO HULL FC?

MERSEYSIDE DERBY HISTORY: DISAPPOINTING STARS

Ahead of the Merseyside Derby, we look at some of the most disappointing stars that have participated in the derby since the 90s.


From the back, we start with Brad Jones. The goalkeeper was the replacement of Simon Mignolet late 2014 as the Belgian was struggling with form and consistency. The understudy had his chance but he could not impress. His only Merseyside derby action was in the October 2012 game that ended in a stalemate. With Jones now in the Eredivisie and Loris Karius usurping Mignolet before returning back to the bench, there’s a lesson.

Marc Hottiger came highly recommended from Newcastle in the 90s but he stayed just 16 months before moving to the Swiss League. He featured in the 1996 Merseyside match where Reds legend Robbie Fowler equalized after Everton went ahead through Andrei Kanchelskis. Hottiger makes this list as right back but in the left wing, it’s Andrea Dossena: the man who netted in the 4-0 Real Madrid victory and four days later against Manchester United in 2009. His career has since wound down.

In central defence, TorbenPiechnik and Mauricio Pellegrino would emerge. Pellegrino was part of the team that did the Istanbul miracle. He was the first Argentinean to play at Anfield in 2005. He had a bad start but had his breakthrough in the Merseyside derby of 2005 where Liverpool won 2-1. On the other hand, Danish star Piechnik spent two years at the Merseyside but failed to build a name for himself. Continue reading MERSEYSIDE DERBY HISTORY: DISAPPOINTING STARS

Benitez Happy with Characters Shown in the Tough 2-1 win over Burton

Newcastle maintained their position in the top of the table after a close fought 2-1 win over Burton Albion during the weekend.


It was a crucial victory considering that rivals Brighton and Hove Albion have managed to win their game as well. Brighton have been able to close the gap on Newcastle in recent weeks. And there was a distinct possibility of the Seagulls taking the lead in the table just before the start of the New Year. It would have been a crucial advantage for the team, while it would have been a decisive blow for Newcastle who have been looking excellent since the start of the campaign.

As it is, the team were able to find a crucial second goal in the game through Mo Diame going into the second half. Dwight Gayle had given the lead in the 15th minute through an amazing effort, which continued the 26-year-old’s incredible form in the campaign. Dwight Gayle has now scored 17 goals in 18 appearances for the club this season Continue reading Benitez Happy with Characters Shown in the Tough 2-1 win over Burton

Claudio Bravo reckons Barcelona as better in Reputation

Claudio Bravo reckons Manchester City might not be any bit behind Barcelona funds-wise, but, if the reputation is the basis of the comparison, then the latter would come first for sure.


Bravo was quoted as, “If you talk about the funds, I would say both are pretty even, but, if you talk about the status around the world, Barcelona is ahead there to be fair and that’s why scrutiny is also more at Barcelona.”

On his life at Etihad, the Shot-stopper said, “Changing your job location and changing it from one country to another is a challenge. You can’t just hang your kit bag onto your shoulders and take the plane to the new location. You are going to have to take your family there; you might struggle with the language and not only the language, but, many other things which you find yourself coping with from time to time.” Continue reading Claudio Bravo reckons Barcelona as better in Reputation

BRUCE COMPLAINS OF FITNESS ISSUES AT ASTON VILLA

Aston Villa new manager Steve Bruce has raised issues regarding fitness at the club.


Bruce was obviously not too happy as the players tired out easily during the 1-1 draw with Wolves at Villa Park. The coach was smart not to condemn the regime employed by the former coach, Roberto Di Matteo.

“We tired badly, which was alarming,” he said. When asked if it was a fitness concern, he said:

“I think that’s an easy one and Iwouldn’t like to say that against any other manager, but it’s fair to say that some can be in better condition and I think that’s only right. That’s the difficulty when you have to make two substitutions through injury,” he added.

Bruce admitted that losing a lead can be linked with the fitness concern of the players.

“I can understand now why they concede late. It’s blatantly obvious. We’ll go to work on that. It’s very difficult in this league as obviously we’re playing again on Tuesday. We’ll do eveythig we possibly can to make us better equipped to go and play in the Championship,” he added.
Continue reading BRUCE COMPLAINS OF FITNESS ISSUES AT ASTON VILLA

Juventus decision to sign Gonzalo Higuain is a huge gamble

For a fee of €90 million, Juventus signed Gonzalo Higuain as the Argentine attacker made a move from Napoli to the Italian outfit in a transfer that has shaken the world of football as the transfer fee is incredibly high for a player that is reaching the 29 year old mark.


When it comes to signing new players, the traditional option that clubs like to go with is to add performers who are fairly young. If a club signs a young player it basically secures the services of that youngster for a long period of time as that performer will probably be performing for the next few years of his career with the club.

Juventus on the other hand splashed out €90 million in a player who exploded in the previous season of the Italian League as he scored 36 goals in 35 appearances, which was way more than any other player of the top tier League.

Even though Gonzalo Higuain spent more than 6 seasons as a player of Real Madrid, he never managed to lift the UEFA Champions League which is widely considered as the most prestigious and difficult piece of silverware to acquire but this is exactly what Juventus is hoping that Higuain can help to accomplish.
Continue reading Juventus decision to sign Gonzalo Higuain is a huge gamble