Redefining Football Stories. Hosted by Uthman Adebayo Okikiola. Follow and like our page “Soccer Punch” on Facebook.
Monday, December 28, 2020
Wijnaldum considering Liverpool Contract offer
Llorente could leave Atletico Madrid
Contract News: Milan relaxed about Gigi Donarumma
Man Utd unlikely to sign fullback
Marcos Alonso: Atletico interested in fullback
Real Madrid worried by Bale’s form
Diego Costa wants out at Atletico Madrid
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Could Cutrone return to Wolves?
Modric set to sign a new contract
City could make Puig bid
Dybala unsure of Juventus contract
Chelsea rule out Anjorin loan move
James wanted by four PL Clubs.
Did Ozil hold talks with Juventus?
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Mourinho wants RB Liepzig Star
Arsenal mull over move for Brandt
Agent: Lautaro Martinez is happy at Inter
"Lautaro is happy at Inter. He is growing and learning because he is a boy with enormous potential, I would say without limits. He can become an elite player."
No chance of Juventus signing Marcelo
Contract News: Tim Krul signs new deal
Contract News: AC Milan’s contract talks with Calhanoglu progressing
Paul Pogba: Juve to bring frenchman back on loan?
Friday, December 25, 2020
Azpilicueta intending to win place back in Chelsea team
“It was good to be back. I’ve been playing more in the Champions League but it’s true that in the Premier League, I haven’t been involved since Old Trafford.
“It has been a while but my job is to work hard to improve every day and, whenever the manager needs me to step up, do the best job I can. To win was important and we did well.”
Schwarzer: “Werner’s place in the Chelsea team under threat”
“If he’s contributing by doing a lot of work in the game, helping the team be successful, getting in the right areas, helping with assists, then I can understand why he stuck with him.
“Don’t forget as well that Frank has had to balance some injuries whether it is Pulisic, Ziyech in and out of the side.
“If we had a fully fit Pulisic and Ziyech, it may be a different situation for Timo Werner. He may find himself on the outside.
“I think it is only a matter of time. Add Hudson-Odoi to that mix, he has struggled with injuries. Timo Werner is the only one out of those four that has been fit all the time.”
Getafe vying for Kubo and Alena
Did Thomas Tuchel know he was going to be sacked?
Spurs looking to cancel loan deal for 18-year-old
Greenwood to be offered new deal
Chelsea make haaland major target
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Inter hoping to seal deal for Udinese Midfielder
Cenk Tosun to depart Everton
Man Utd targeting four new signings
Pochettino to be appointed as new PSG head coach
Chelsea to sell up to seven players
Traore considering wolves exit amid Leeds Utd interest
Napoli could sell Fabian Ruiz
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Liverpool to end Karius loan stint
Hammers looking for new striker
Man Utd looking to prize away Alaba
Two PL Clubs favourites to sign Tarkowski
Man Utd Approach Caicedo
Arsenal could make loan bid for Vinicius
Juventus, Milan vying for Celtic forward
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Liverpool vying for Reading Playmaker
Casillas returns to Madrid to take up non-playing role
Spurs, Man Utd in for Milenkovic
Liverpool join United, City in race for Grealish
Barcelona desperate to sell Coutinho
Westham to sign Denmark International
Leverkusen keen on loan deal for Brandon Williams
Monday, December 21, 2020
Three PL clubs in race for Portugese Defender
Lars & Sven Bender to retire at the end of the season
Mancity to offer Stones contract extension
COVID-19: Sancho won’t be allowed into the UK
Everton to offer Digne new contract
Barcelona looking to complete deals for Garcia and Depay in January
Man Utd to complete Diallo deal
Monday, December 14, 2020
Liverpool want Stefan De Vrij
Bale could go back to Real Madrid
Eriksen wants Ligue 1 move to PL move
Saliba doesn’t want to leave England
Everton to join PSG in race for Alli
Ozil keen on MLS move
CL draw: PSG face Barcelona, Atalanta face Madrid, Atletico Madrid to battle Chelsea
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City
Lazio vs Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool
Porto vs Juventus
Barcelona vs PSG
Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund
Atalanta vs Real Madrid
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Hasenhuttl: “Any player could leave with right offer”
“If it is necessary, we have to. If players don’t extend their contracts, and they are free and have to go, then they go.
Spurs could respect Dele Alli’s wishes to leave.
Huntelaar hinting towards retirement
Wolves to return for Zinchenko
Juve keen on loan deal for Pogba
Warnock wants new contract for Watmore
Arsenal to put William Saliba up for sale
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Barcelona players have forgone their remaining wages this season
Milan want Diaz for another season
Atalanta keen on selling Ilicic
Winks want clarification over his future
Leicester, Westham to battle for Diawara
George Baldock signs new deal
Alaba prefers Real Madrid over Chelsea and PSG
Friday, December 11, 2020
Juventus rejected to sign Ozil five times
PSG will return for Alli
Juventus turned down Rabiot-Digne swap deal last summer
Arsenal keen on Dominik Szoboszlai
Bayern to make formal bid for Kamara in 2021
Barcelona do not want Todibo back
Eriksen must take paycut to return to PL
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Arsenal, Wolves in race for Maxi Gomez
Man United to get rid of Paul Pogba
Barcelona to swoop for Micheal Zorc
CL exit: No January transfer incomings for Inter Milan
Man United still monitoring Jack Grealish
Spurs Director of football Trevor Birch leaves club
Vazquez could leave Madrid next summer
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Leicester could return for Carvalho
Aston Villa won’t sell Grealish below £100m
Pochettino open to PSG job
Newcastle Utd to make loan offer for Williams
Vieira wants loan move away from Arsenal for Saliba
Tottenham must pay £45m for Skriniar
Eriksen in for Arsenal switch
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Nacho doesn’t want Madrid exit
Manchester United could swoop for Eriksen
Newcastle Utd to make loan bid for Tomori
Spurs highlight Ferrari as Vertonghen replacement
Ancelotti wants Umtiti
Rennes to reduce asking price for Camavinga
Barcelona closely monitoring Rudiger
Monday, November 30, 2020
Low to continue as Germany coach
"The Presidium thus followed by a recommendation by the presidential committee and by Oliver Bierhoff, the director of the national teams & academy.
"It was important for the national coach to discuss the current situation, the defeat against Spain and the months leading up to the European Championship in an open, constructive and intensive exchange. In the process, Joachim Low informed those involved about his assessments, ideas and further plans.
"The members of the Executive Committee agreed that what counts is the high-quality work of the coaching staff, the intact relationship between the team and the coach, and a clear concept for the previous and future procedures. A single game cannot and must not be a yardstick for the general performance of the national team and the national coach.
"The DFB Presidium agrees: On the way to the Euro 2021, important sporting goals have already been achieved - including the Euros qualification, staying in League A of the Nations League and being in the top seeding group for World Cup qualification. Accordingly, Joachim Low continues to have the trust of the DFB Presidium.
"Together, the view is purposeful and focused on further preparations for the European Championship next year. There is a firm conviction that Joachim Low and his coaching team will deliver successful games and results despite a challenging situation for everyone.
"The national coach will take all necessary measures to play an exciting European Championship in 2021 with the team. The national coach's assessment also receives approval that subsequent tournaments - specifically the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 European Championship, which will take place in Germany - must already play a role as perspectives and sporting goals in further sporting and personal considerations at this point in time."
Watford to offer Joao Pedro new deal
Milan to sign Diaz on a permanent basis
Inter Milan in for Giroud in January
Boateng, Muller, Hummels to return to the DFB fold
Barcelona could sign young defender Bogarde
Pirlo keen on four additions to squad in January
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Hasselbaink: “Abraham has to do better”
"For me Abraham has to do better,” Reece James cannot do any more for him, he put the ball in the right space”
"Put your head against it. The other one as well, it does not matter who you are, as a striker these are brilliant crosses.
"What do you want as a striker? These moments, this is what you want. These are the moments that are counting for Abraham and he has to step up.”
“He has done ever so well last year, Half of the season he was a breath of fresh air. Second half of the season he had it difficult, but it is normal as he is a young boy.
"This season he has to step up and at times he can do better. With his stature and ability he should score more goals, and [more] important goals.
"I wonder if he watches clips of himself after games, as his movement and holding up the ball can be better. He needs to keep on improving.”
Mourinho: “Spurs dressing room not happy with result”
"A draw at Stamford Bridge is usually a positive thing and staying top of the league is also a positive thing,"
"But my dressing room isn't happy with that and that is fantastic. It's a complete change of mentality and personality.
"That was a game where we respected them and they respected us. Nobody gambled today or tried to change the direction of the game. Everybody was in a situation of one mistake wins the game, especially in the last 15 minutes."
"The game did not have many chances. It is a game where we both wanted to win. We respect each other. Nobody gambled.
"They had one shot from distance, we had more in the first half than the second. I think a big game is difficult for both teams."
Lampard: “if we are contenders for the title, Spurs are too
"It’s Jose’s call to say it as he sees it from his end, but from the outside they are top of the league, it’s very close at the top,"
"If we’re contenders then they have to be contenders. If you’ve got Harry Kane and Son in your team – Son has got nine goals, Harry’s got seven, they keep clean sheets well because of the organisation of their team – they would expect to be in the race.
"They have invested heavily – they’ve got people like Gareth Bale sitting on the bench, Dele Alli’s not here. There is a strong squad there. So, I think we are all competing, but Jose can say it as he sees it."
Arsenal preparing to ditch Pepe
Solskjaer keen on resigning Evans
Leeds want Lopetegui as next Manager
Man United scouting network hacked
City still on Martinez pursuit
Ramos switches from Nike to Adidas
Arsenal, Juve, Madrid still keeping tabs on Aouar
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Tagliafico close to signing a new deal
Barca could swoop for Haaland
Betis keen on signing Alena
Man United keen on adding another right-back.
Barca, Liverpool swooping for Garay
Juventus, Liverpool, Milan in race for Kabak
Vydra wants to leave Burnley
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Rangers favourites to sign Wilshere
Dybala & Juventus contract talks have stalled
Thauvin wants AC Milan move
Juventus keen on Van de Beek
Gladbach to extend Ginter & Elvedi deals
Chelsea mulling over Gimenez
Wijnaldum wants Barcelona move in January
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Man United to relinquish interest in Upamecano
Edouard keen on playing in a bigger league
“Petr Cech kicking himself for retiring”
“From my understanding, he was better than the Chelsea keepers – but this was before Mendy arrived at the club,"
"He was performing and training better than the Chelsea keepers."
Schwarzer also revealed that Petr Cech is kicking himself for retiring from professional football when he still had the legs to continue
“He just was saying that he felt so good. He said had he known that after having time off he would have felt so good, he would have only had six months off and wouldn’t have retired,"
"He actually believes he’s fit enough and strong enough and good enough still to play in the Premier League.
"I know he’s kicking the ball further than he did towards the end of his career, because the injuries he had, the problems he had with his ankle, his calf, they were hindering his kicking game.
"So apparently he has no problems with that at all anymore. He’s kicking the ball as far as he [ever] did.”
“We have to take the game to Chelsea and be aggressive”
“Chelsea are the same as most English clubs, they're going to be aggressive, the speed of the game will be high. They're doing okay in the league, but they will want to come here and they will want to really try and dominate so it's going to be tough,"
"Obviously with the injuries we've got and things like that, but for me it's just we have to fight, we have to work hard, and try not to be intimidated by them in any way, so it's a lot to do with the mentality, as well as the physicality.
"[We have to be aware] of their technical ability, also the speed and power. They have a lot of players who can individually do something out of nothing. I think the key is if we work hard, if we're aggressive, we need to concentrate for 95-96 minutes.
"We can't switch off because you'll get punished by these sort of teams. So it's almost as much mental as it's physical for this game. Don't give them respect and allow them to play, we have to be aggressive and take the game to them."
Essien: “Lampard needs time to find a winning team”
“Lampard is Chelsea, he knows the club inside out and what needs to be done,"
"He will get the help of everyone there and I think so far that he has done a good job.
"Last season was a good achievement and it isn't an easy place to manage. The fans can demand a lot so it isn't easy, and he is doing his best.
"Football is full of ups and downs, you have to understand that. Get behind the team instead of not being happy after every bad result.
"The job is not easy so you have to be patient and push the team, then hopefully they will do well. They have added good players so they will have to deliver as a lot is expected now.
"The young players are doing well but I don't know if they could play in my old team! I am joking because I like the young players, with the likes of Mason Mount, but you need to raise your game at Chelsea constantly."
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Lampard “not worried” about recent lack of goals
"I am very happy with Timo If you go back to the game before that, he scored two goals and Kai Havertz scores a goal. I am least worried about the front end of the pitch with the players that we have there.
"It is normal that it will take some time for relationships [to build]. For when we have got to put the ball in behind, the ball into feet, clearly these things are going to take time to build. The reason we brought Timo and Kai into the club is to add to the quality we already have here.
"Hakim Ziyech is looking like he is getting close to starting a game with his fitness. I have no worries about that. The last bit didn’t happen for us today. It is normal, that happens in football but I am very happy with the players."
Lampard admitted that his team are still working hard in finding the right balance between their offense and their defense after a change to their style of play in recent weeks.
“Where we have conceded more goals in certain games than we would have liked this season, it is important to address those problems You obviously address them at the back and I thought we defended the box very well today”
"Defending for me, at this level, is about concentration. Concentration is what will define defending in top players generally.
What you saw in Thiago Silva today is a defender who concentrates at every moment of the game in every minute, to not just affect things for himself but affects those around him. I think that was a big plus today.
Azpilicueta: “VAR can improve a lot”
"A good question, on the pitch I felt yes and I felt arms around my neck and shoulders,"
"The referee can make the decision, the VAR is there [to help]. In any situation, the referee takes the main decisions and the monitor is there for him to help.
"It was 50-50 so why not take 20 seconds to review it? I think VAR can improve a lot. It happens, it is football, I don't say every time there is contact there should be a penalty.
"In England, there is strong physical contact. In football and in the Premier League always we should seek improvement - it is not a criticism, we can all help together to make a better league."