…The Real Madrid manager knows that he will have to negotiate his exit from the Bernabéu at the end of the season and he took advantage of his appearance before the media ahead of the visit of Málaga on Wednesday night to strengthen his hand and issue a warning: if Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, does […]

Mata, Oscar, Cech, Torres – Interviews
Chelsea stars were speaking at the new adiads campain: “Its Blue, what else matters” – a preview to next year’s kit. It offers fans a chance to buy the kit without seeing it. Mata, Cech, Oscar and Torres interviews. Juan Mata: Midfielder is being compared to Gianfranco Zola and reaching the same heights is the aim […]

Why Benítez could yet end up as manager of the year
In the wake of guiding Chelsea past Manchester United and into the FA Cup semi-finals, Rafael Benítez was asked whether he’d like a little recognition for his efforts. “I don’t need credit,” came the deadpan reply. “The players and staff were happy and the fans were pleased. I’m quite happy with that.” Benítez has his […]

Point penalty under new spending rules
Premier League clubs face points penalty under new spending rules …From 2013-14 onwards, clubs will be limited to losses of £105m over three seasons based on their audited accounts. As with Uefa’s stricter financial fair play rules, money invested in youth development and infrastructure can be discounted from the calculations. Under the complex new rules, […]

Who Benefits from Financial Fair Play? – Part 2
In Part I we looked at the pros and cons of the upcoming Financial Fair Play rules (FPP). In Part 2 we look at a few answers by Martin Samuel on questions posed by various readers. We choose the best answers for a quick summary of the disadvantages of FPP. And the modern era’s greatest achievement […]

Why Rafael Benítez may never be accepted by Chelsea fans
Affection remains for Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge, making it a tough introduction for ‘Rafa the Blue’ Rafael Benítez pretended to busy himself with the seating arrangements on his bench, Roman Abramovich staring out impassively from his box high up in the west stand while the mutiny rippled round the arena. Neither betrayed a […]

Off with his head – Abramovich sacks Di Matteo
After steering Chelsea to a historic Champions League trophy that had eluded owner Roman Abramovich since he bought the club, Chelsea have sacked Roberto Di Matteo. Ironically, it was after a 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the same competition and the prospect of being knocked-out in the group stages that led to his sacking. TKTG […]