Liverpool’s victory over Southampton at the weekend leaves only three points between Manchester United in third place and Tottenham Hotspur in seventh. The top two teams in the division, Chelsea and Manchester City, look certain to qualify for next season’s Champions League. The race for the remaining spots appears wide open though. So who will […]
Chelsea
Torres’ transfers under the microscope
Once one of the world’s most prolific strikers, Fernando Torres’ career hit a cul-de-sac at Chelsea. No longer wanted by the Blues, the World Cup winner was loaned out to AC Milan in August. Despite only scoring one goal in Serie A, the Rossoneri signed him on a permanent deal in December. They then immediately […]
Everton’s deal for Lukaku a sign of things to come
The signing of Romelu Lukaku for £28m was a great day for Everton fans, but a sad day for the neutral observer. Critics dismissed the European Financial Fair Play rules when they were introduced, suggesting the laws would not be adequately enforced. However, the teams have taken the regulations seriously. Although the fines for failing […]
Willian signing will test Mourinho’s mettle
Upon his return to Chelsea, Jose Mourinho recognised he had inherited a young, talented but unbalanced squad. Signing Willian from under the noses of Tottenham is undoubtedly a coup, but it remains to be seen whether he was the right signing at a time when owner Roman Abramovich is tightening the purse strings to adhere […]
Everyone wins as Courtois’ loan is extended
So often in the football transfer market, deals are made with an element of compromise. Even the elite sometimes have to turn their attentions elsewhere after failing to land their preferred target. For example, when Neymar signed for Barcelona rather than their rivals Real Madrid, their efforts were redirected to make Gareth Bale their desired […]
The Special One not especially happy to be back
Jose Mourinho doth protest too much. Despite announcing on his return that he was now ‘The Happy One’, the adulation of the Chelsea fans is insufficient consolation for a manager who is widely believed to have sought the Manchester United job. When he talked last season of leaving Madrid to return to the Premier League, […]