Thinking back over the first six months of the Premier League season, it has seemed like an unusually poor year for goalkeepers. This has been evident from the opening weekend, when a plethora of minor goalkeeping errors led to a forgettable start to the season.
David de Gea has been sensational, but aside from the Man United keeper, who has stood out between the posts this year?
Memories of the Premier League 10-15 years ago conjure up very specific visions, with the nostalgia usually centering around someone hitting the piss out of a classic Nike ball.
No 2000s soccer mixtape was complete without some random gangly defender hitting a 40-yard rocket to the top corner, Wayne Rooney burying a dipping half-volley or a center midfielder charging forward and doing unspeakable things to a one-touch shot from long range.
It was nighttime at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan, but early morning in this part of the world. The respectful and silent crowd that usually populates the stands of this Japanese stadium gave way to the warming chants of the Paulista torcida, who never stopped cheering on their team, creating an atmosphere worthy of a final.
The overwhelming majority of Brazilian fans carried Corinthians from the first minute onwards and, with the feeling of playing at home, they went out to play with no holds barred.
With Super Bowl Sunday approaching and the UEFA Champions League knockout stage just around the corner, it's time to make a definitive comparison of two of the most popular sporting competitions in the world.
Using advanced analysis, statistical comparison and cross-sport know-how, we will determine once and for all which competition is more difficult to win: the UEFA Champions League or the National Football League's Super Bowl.
Nicolas Anelka has added a new adventure to his soccer career. The former Real Madrid and PSG player was presented on Wednesday as the new sporting director of the modest Hyères Football Club, a team that is currently in National 2, equivalent to the fourth division in France.
Bienvenue à notre nouveau directeur sportif Nicolas Anelka
Welcome to our new sports director Nicolas AnelkaBienvenido a nuestro nuevo director deportivo Nicolas Anelka
निदेशक निकोलस अनेल्का
Chelsea notched up their first win under Thomas Tuchel on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Burnley thanks to goals by Spanish defenders César Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso who have both been given a chance to shine under the German coach.
Azpilicueta was entrusted with a place in Chelsea's starting lineup by Tuchel in his two games since replacing Frank Lampard and he scored with an angled shot in the 40th minute after sprinting 80 yards to seize on a lay-off by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Even back to the early ages of the sport, football has always been a prevailingly mental game. Tactics, strategies, formations, players; all have been examined at length in order to uncover the next advancement in the sport.
While the discussion of soccer tactics has gradually transitioned from old men with pipes to young computer science graduates with laptops, it is club managers that still think they are the commanders of footballing thought — often to their own detriment...
Sam Kerr signed with Chelsea in November of 2019. She’s yet to lose a league match with the Blues.
Kerr scored the opener as Chelsea eased past Aston Villa 4-0 on Tuesday. The win moved the Blues’ unbeaten streak in FA Women’s Super League action to 32, setting a new record and breaking a tie with Manchester City.
32 games unbeaten in the #BarclaysFAWSL.
Chelsea dismissed manager Frank Lampard after 18 months in charge on Monday after the man at the heart of much of their greatest success as a player failed to deliver as coach despite spending over $300 million in the summer transfer window.
Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel is the favorite to replace Lampard, British media reported.
Lampard, who led the club to a top-four finish and the FA Cup final in his managerial debut 2019-20 campaign, leaves with Chelsea ninth in the Premier League after a run of five defeats in eight league games.
Christian Pulisic GQ photoshoots aside, Chelsea’s men’s side has struggled recently; reports suggest Frank Lampard will be fired sooner rather than later. The women’s team, however, is currently playing the best soccer in England.