Luke Bosher, Jacob Whitehead and more
March 7, 2022 at 1:55 PM EST
March 7, 2022 at 12:43 PM EST
An update on Oxford United’s stadium
A statement from the club reads:
“Oxford United are delighted that officers are recommending that Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet authorise permission to negotiate an In Principle Agree with the club at their meeting on the 15th March.
“We strongly believe that our aspirations for the site can not only meet, but significantly exceed the priorities of Oxfordshire’s Fair Deal Alliance and this decision will form an important first step in securing the future of a much loved community asset, one that is anchored in the heart of Oxfordshire’s sporting and cultural legacy.”
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
We are delighted that officers are recommending that Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet authorise permission to negotiate an In Principle Agree with the club at their meeting on the 15th March.
Read more ⬇️
— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) March 7, 2022
March 7, 2022 at 12:14 PM EST
A new Handbrake Off episode
Three great goals for Arsenal yesterday in their 3-2 win over Watford, and plenty for James McNicholas, Amy Lawrence and Ian Stone to get their teeth into into the latest episode of The Athletic’s Handbrake Off podcast.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
“This was a really outstanding performance.”@gunnerblog, @amylawrence71 and @iandstone talk Saka, Odegaard finding a ‘natural home’ and players who deserve new songs…
LISTEN NOW ?️ ????????? ???
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) March 7, 2022
March 7, 2022 at 11:48 AM EST
Breaking: Mbappe a doubt for Real Madrid vs PSG
Not want you want to hear if you’re a PSG fan, or a neutral, but Kylian Mbappe faces a race against time to be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
The forward suffered a knock to the foot in training today.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 7, 2022 at 11:14 AM EST
Huge news for Leicester
Wesley Fofana has signed a new Leicester contract until 2027!
Big news for the club as the 21-year-old commits himself for another five years.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
March 7, 2022 at 10:45 AM EST
Tony Pennock leaves Hull City
The Welshman had been at Hull since 2017.
Luke Bosher·
Junior Editor, News
Tony Pennock leaving #hcafc after eight years with the club. Notice period will run to the end of the season. Done lots of good work there. Overhauled the academy and signed a certain Jarrod Bowen at 17.
— Philip Buckingham (@PJBuckingham) March 7, 2022
March 7, 2022 at 9:58 AM EST
Manchester City’s new Crypto sponsor offering banned product to UK consumers
Manchester City’s new “official cryptocurrency exchange partner” appears to be offering a product to UK consumers which is banned by the UK Financial Conduct Authority because of likely “harm from sudden and unexpected losses”, The Athletic can reveal.
The product was mentioned in the publicity surrounding the Manchester City deal.
On March 2, City announced the deal with OKX, a “fast, secure and innovative cryptocurrency exchange” based in the Seychelles. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have boomed in popularity over the last year, after rising in value making them appealing as a high-risk asset, although they have slumped in value in recent months. Football clubs are now trying to join the gold rush.
Click here for the full story.
Joey D’Urso
March 7, 2022 at 9:47 AM EST
Tottenham freeze season ticket prices
Tottenham Hotspur have announced they have frozen the price of season ticket renewals for next season.
The north London club will be hoping they can host Champions League football in the 2022-23 campaign. Spurs are currently seventh in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Tottenham said in a statement: “It is hard to believe that the end of this season will be the end of our first full season with fans in the stadium since its opening in April 2019.
“We are pleased to confirm that we shall shortly be opening Season Ticket renewals for the 2022/23 season. We are freezing prices for the coming season, one which follows a challenging two years for all of us. With the pandemic hopefully now over, we shall also be inviting those Season Ticket Holders who deferred for COVID-related medical reasons to renew their Season Tickets. Once again, we shall also be giving fans the option to relocate their seats, particularly now we have the new seat inventory as a result of increasing the capacity to 62,850.
“We thank you for your incredible support throughout the current season – in particular, we appreciate your co-operation and patience with new processes and COVID measures that were introduced.
“As we continue to innovate and work to provide the best possible matchday experience for our fans, we shall be communicating new and exciting features we are bringing to the stadium next season — watch this space!”
(Photo: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor
March 7, 2022 at 9:34 AM EST
Frank O’Farrell passes away aged 94
Former Manchester United manager Frank O’Farrell has passed away at the age of 94.
O’Farrell replaced Sir Matt Busby in the Manchester United dugout in July 1971. He left the club in December 1972.
He managed Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best at the club.
Condolences to his friend and family.
(Photo: PA Images via Getty Images)
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor
March 7, 2022 at 9:16 AM EST
Melanie Leupolz announces pregnancy
Chelsea Women midfielder Melanie Leupolz, 27, has announced she is pregnant.
The Germany international will continue light training but will not take part in any competitive games for the rest of the season.
Chelsea Women are currently second in the Women’s Super League. Leaders Arsenal are eight points clear but Chelsea have three games in hand on their London rivals.
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor
Melanie Leupolz shares some very special news! ??
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) March 7, 2022
March 7, 2022 at 8:45 AM EST
More from James Pearce from Jurgen Klopp’s press conference
Jurgen Klopp has repeated his plea for the Premier League to start allowing five substitutions during games.
“We played the final on Sunday, then Wednesday, Saturday and now Tuesday. That’s actually a horrible schedule. It’s essential that at one point we go again for the five subs in the Premier League. We have five subs in three competitions but in the other we don’t have that. It makes so much difference. I don’t understand it.
“The Premier League has to save the top class players as well. Some clubs think it would be an advantage for the bigger clubs. It’s not about an advantage, it’s about the game, keeping the players in a better place and having much fewer injuries. We’d see that over the years if we finally introduce it.”
James Pearce·
Liverpool Correspondent
March 7, 2022 at 8:02 AM EST
BREAKING: Thiago, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip hand Liverpool boost ahead of Inter Milan tie
Liverpool trio Thiago, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip have all returned to full training ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan at Anfield.
Thiago has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, while Firmino hasn’t featured since last month’s 2-0 first-leg win at the San Siro due to a groin problem. Illness prevented Matip from taking part in Saturday’s hard-fought league victory over West Ham.
Their return boosts Jurgen Klopp’s options as he looks to guide Liverpool into the quarter-finals.
Click here to read the full story.
(Photo: Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
James Pearce·
Liverpool Correspondent
March 7, 2022 at 7:31 AM EST
Jordi Cruyff expecting to stay at Barcelona
Barcelona’s international department director Jordi Cruyff is focusing on planning transfer business for next summer amid reports suggesting Ajax want to hire him as their new sporting director, writes Dermot Corrigan.
Ajax are currently looking to fill the position after Marc Overmars left last month when it emerged he had sent a series of inappropriate messages to several female colleagues.
Read David Ornstein’s full Monday column by clicking on the link below.
(Photo: Xavi Urgeles/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Dermot Corrigan·
La Liga Correspondent
GO FURTHER
Ornstein: City or Real favourites for Haaland with striker’s future to be sorted in coming weeks
March 7, 2022 at 6:18 AM EST
Juan Mata looks set to move on
The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan is reporting that Manchester United veteran Juan Mata looks set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer.
Mata, 33, has only featured four times for Manchester United this season and is expected to end his eight-year stay at the club at the end of the season.
Read the full report by clicking on the link below.
(Photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Dermot Corrigan·
La Liga Correspondent
GO FURTHER
Ornstein: City or Real favourites for Haaland with striker’s future to be sorted in coming weeks
March 7, 2022 at 5:42 AM EST
Bowen likely to miss Sevilla trip
Jarrod Bowen has been in impressive form this season, scoring eight league goals for West Ham in their challenge for a Champions League place.
But David Moyes’ side could be without him for a handful of games after the 25-year-old picked up a heel injury in the defeat at Liverpool.
Read David Ornstein’s full Monday column by clicking on the link below.
(Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Roshane Thomas·
West Ham United Correspondent
GO FURTHER
Ornstein: City or Real favourites for Haaland with striker’s future to be sorted in coming weeks
March 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM EST
City or Real favourites for Haaland with striker’s future to be sorted in coming weeks
Manchester City restored a six-point lead at the Premier League summit on Sunday with victory over Manchester United, which keeps Pep Guardiola’s side on course to retain their title.
But whatever happens in the final months of the season, City intend to strengthen their squad this summer and — as detailed by The Athletic in early January — Erling Haaland is the primary target.
Given his spectacular goalscoring record and the existence of a well-documented €75 million release clause that actives in the upcoming transfer window, the 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund and Norway international striker is of serious interest to a host of the continent’s biggest clubs.
Read David Ornstein’s full Monday column by clicking on the link below.
(Photo: Uwe Anspach/picture alliance via Getty Images)
David Ornstein·
Football Writer
GO FURTHER
Ornstein: City or Real favourites for Haaland with striker’s future to be sorted in coming weeks
March 7, 2022 at 4:38 AM EST
Danny Simpson leaves Bristol City
Former Leicester City right-back Danny Simpson has left Bristol City.
Simpson, who joined the club in March 2021 to link back up with Nigel Pearson, played just four games for Bristol City this season with his last appearance coming in October 2021.
The 35-year-old was part of Leicester’s Premier League title-winning side in 2016.
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor
? Danny Simpson has left #BristolCity after his contract was ended by mutual agreement.
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) March 7, 2022
March 7, 2022 at 4:23 AM EST
Listen to the latest Talk of the Devils podcast
Laurie Whitwell and Andy Mitten join Ian Irving to dissect Manchester United’s horror show against rivals City at the Etihad Stadium.
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor
March 7, 2022 at 3:59 AM EST
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be a future Leicester City captain — Brendan Rodgers
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be a future captain of Leicester City, manager Brendan Rodgers believes.
Rodgers has hailed the emergence of the 23-year-old midfielder this season and insists he has the personality as well as the ability to become a key component of the Leicester side for many years to come.
Despite his relative lack of first team experience at Leicester, Rodgers says Dewsbury-Hall is not slow to offer his opinion in team meetings and is displaying natural leadership qualities.
Click here for the full story.
(Photo: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor
March 7, 2022 at 3:20 AM EST
‘England penalty miss was great for Bukayo Saka’s career’ — Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta believes Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss in last summer’s Euro 2020 final was great for the Arsenal midfielder’s career.
Saka suffered penalty heartbreak against Italy along with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in July as England missed the chance of winning their first trophy in 55 years.
The 20-year-old Arsenal academy graduate has gone from strength to strength this season as displayed on Sunday when he helped his side climb into the top four thanks to a goal and an assist.
Click here to read the full story.
(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Anthony Hay·
EPL Staff Editor