In a game that was as memorable as any in recent recollection, the host Dutch U-21’s advanced to the European Championship Final after a 1-1 (13-12 PK’s) victory over the England U-21 squad.
Leroy Lita, who, aside from missing a penalty kick in the group stage of the competition, was probably England’s best player in the [...]

Continue reading...

The famed Italian club, newly returned to Serie A, will visit the Stadium of Light for a pre-season friendly on Saturday, August 4, a week before the Premiership schedule starts. The match is designed to help mark 10 years at the Stadium of Light, a beautiful 49,000-seat UEFA four-star ground that cost only 34 million [...]

Continue reading...

Goals from Leroy Lita and Matt Derbyshire propelled the England U-21’s past Serbia’s U-21’s 2-0 in a game that was marked more by off-the-field activities than what occurred on the pitch itself. Chants from the Serbian fans directed at England defenders Nedum Onuoha and Justin Hoyte, both of whom are black, forced UEFA to make [...]

Continue reading...

Eriksson is reportedly set to become the new manager at the Eastlands if Thai businessman and deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s $237 million US takeover bid goes through. The former England manager has been linked with the Manchester City job since the dismissal of Stuart Pearce a day after the Premiership season ended and now [...]

Continue reading...

The former Manchester City manager has admitted he would seriously consider taking over the English U-21 team on a permanent basis if the job is offered to him after the European Championships. England can qualify for the semifinals with a win over Serbia today but may need only a draw depending on the result of [...]

Continue reading...

This according to an article on the BBC’s website, which also states that Liverpool are interested in Bent but that he would not be their top choice striker. His current club, Charlton Athletic, have rated him at 17 million pounds, which is no small sum of money ($33.5 million US). The fact that that [...]

Continue reading...

After making 110 appearances for Bolton over three seasons, 25-year old Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim has agreed to personal terms on a four-year contract with Chelsea. Ben Haim rejected the outreaches of former manager Sam Allardyce to join the Blues at Stamford Bridge instead, and one can’t help but second-guess this choice.
The best move [...]

Continue reading...

West Ham have released images of their new home jersey, which, according to the club’s official website, is “exclusively available online and in store. New shirt. New beginning.” It is available through pre-order and will be officially ready for purchase beginning June 16. It’s not much of a change from last year’s edition; the jersey [...]

Continue reading...

The full list of matchups can be found on the BBC’s website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6747987.stm), with the home team listed first. A few of the ties jumped out at me, and they are listed below. Matches begin the week of August 13th.
Sheffield United v. ChesterfieldWatford v. GillinghamSwindon v. Charlton AthleticCardiff v. BrightonWest Brom v. BournemouthMacclesfield v. Leeds [...]

Continue reading...

After seeing an article the Premier League’s website ran several days ago (http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=1816694&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsLatestFAPremierLeagueNews), which addressed Steven Gerrard’s concerns about fatigue and another about David Bentley dropping out of an England U-21 international game for the same reason, I got to thinking: What are these players complaining about?
Being an avid fan of sports here in America [...]

Continue reading...

Arsenal’s new 2007-2008 away uniform has been released (though not for public purchase yet) and it is an extremely classy tribute celebrating the contributions of their legendary manager, Herbert Chapman. It will be launched on July 5 and is available for pre-order directly on the club’s official website (http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=464540). Now that Arsene Wenger has pledged [...]

Continue reading...

Former Newcastle captain Scott Parker has signed a 5 year, $13.9 million US contract with West Ham as he reunites with his old manager at Charlton Athletic, Alan Curbishley. Parker had his eye on a return to London with the new management taking over at Newcastle and seemed especially eager to rejoin his first professional [...]

Continue reading...

The result of this game never seriously looked to be in doubt as England traveled into Estonia’s capital city and beat the hosts 3-0 behind a goal apiece from Joe Cole, Peter Crouch, and Michael Owen. For the second time in the same number of games, however, David Beckham was the real difference-maker and provided [...]

Continue reading...

Both players have agreed to five-year contracts to remain with Liverpool and join Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in making up the long-term core of the club.

The 25-year old Spanish midfielder had been linked with a move to Barcelona for months as an individual transfer and also as part of a swap-deal that would have [...]

Continue reading...

Updating the previous post, Mark Viduka has signed a 2-year contract to play for Newcastle with an option for a third year. He becomes the fourth notable striker on Tyneside (along with Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, and Shola Ameobi) and in my mind has to be either second or third in the pecking order there.

A [...]

Continue reading...