Soccer Daddy (2024)

03/08/2023

Sorry Orlando City - trying to stop Lionel Messi with violence doesn't work: GOAL grades every performance from Inter Miami's new superstar in the 2023 season...

For the remainder of the campaign, GOAL's Ryan Tolmich will be evaluating the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's displays in the United States

Lionel Messi has well and truly arrived into American soccer, with the Argentine superstar having wasted no time in making his presence felt since his headline-grabbing move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami was made official in July.

Messi is undoubtedly the biggest star in MLS, and almost certainly the biggest the league has ever seen, and therefore all eyes are going to be on him as he looks to lift Miami from towards the bottom of the table into playoff contenders and, eventually, title challengers.

GOAL is here, then, to ensure you don't miss out on any of Messi's displays during his time in Miami, with United States writer Ryan Tolmich set to cast his eye and given an evaluation on how Messi fares in each of his outings with his new club.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/auJQ9

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02/08/2023

Ansu Fati shows he can deliver if Ousmane Dembele leaves: Six things we learned as Barcelona's homegrown winger grabs the winner against AC Milan..

The young winger rounded into form at the end of last season, and has shown signs that he could revive his Barca career as gaps emerge in the squad

Ansu Fati scored a classy goal and looked dangerous in 45 promising minutes, leading Barcelona to a 1-0 win over AC Milan to close out their pre-season tour of the United States. The winger's bending strike broke open an otherwise simmering contest, and suggested that the player, once assumed to be dead weight at Camp Nou, could have a role to play for this team yet.

The two sides exchanged chances in the early goings, with Jules Kounde cracking a shot off the post and Fikayo Tomori putting a free header over the bar. Rafael Leao came closest for Milan in the final minutes of the first half, evading three defenders before seeing his close-range shot denied by Inaki Pena.

Fati's introduction at half-time changed things. He broke the deadlock shortly after the break, cutting onto his right foot and releasing a lovely curled effort into the top corner, a shot Mike Maignan could only watch as it landed in the net. The winger could have made it two, too, but saw a point-blank effort turned away by a last-ditch slide tackle after a dangerous run from Alejandro Balde.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/fsIT4

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30/07/2023

Barcelona need Ousmane Dembele to stay! 5 things we learned as winger stars in fiery Real Madrid clash...

Ousmane Dembele is linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but he showed against Real Madrid that he is still immensely important for Barca

Dembele scored the opener, and should have added at least one more, as Barcelona put away Real Madrid in an intriguing preseason clash. But the 3-0 margin of Barcelona's victory didn't capture the intensity of the contest. This was a rapid matchup, one that could have swung either way.

Barcelona enjoyed the better of the play early on, and almost grabbed the lead, after new signing Oriol Romeu rattled a volley off the bar. The opener came shortly after, with Dembele lashing a shot into the bottom corner from a well-worked set piece routine. An instinctive stop from Thibaut Courtois prevented him from grabbing a second.

Madrid had their opportunities, though, and were awarded a penalty inside 20 minutes thanks to a Ronald Araujo handball. But Vinicius Jr smashed the spot kick off the bar, assuming penalty duties after Karim Benzema's departure. They came even closer just before the break, hitting the woodwork three times in the same sequence.

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11/07/2023

Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria & Man Utd's biggest flop signings of the Glazer era - ranked...

The Red Devils have done some poor business in the transfer market under their American owners - but which players stand out as the worst?

After 18 years of protests, controversy, disillusion and division, it appears the Glazer family's tenure at Manchester United is finally coming to an end. Or at least, that's what most United fans are still hoping amid an exhausting takeover saga that looks set to drag on through to the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

United had been debt-free until the Glazers invested just £270 million (£346m) of their own money into the £790m ($1 billion) deal that saw them become new owners back in 2005, with the rest borrowed against the club. And the Glazers have been accused of using the Red Devils as a cash cow to fund their business empire in the United States ever since.

They haven't attempted to build any bridges with the United faithful either, rarely bothering to attend matches or push through Old Trafford expansion plans. Co-chairman Joel Glazer has overseen the business side of things for United from the comforts of his office in Washington, which serves as further proof of their status as absentee owners.
However, no one could ever accuse the Glazers of failing to invest in the first-team squad. United have spent close to £2bn ($2.6bn) on new players since their arrival, including a club-record outlay of £210m ($269m) in the 2022 summer transfer window. And, United have won 13 major trophies under the American family, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

But regular silverware has proven hard to come by for the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure as manager in 2013, with most of the club's most high-profile signings proving to be huge disappointments. Money doesn't always guarantee success, as GOAL is here to highlight with our definitive ranking of United's biggest flop signings of the Glazer era:
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/BJKU1

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10/07/2023

'Frustrating' - Lucy Bronze reveals Lionesses squad are unhappy about FA refusing to commit to World Cup bonuses as negotiations continue..

Lucy Bronze is "frustrated" a deal over performance-related bonuses for the Lionesses at this summer’s Women’s World Cup has not yet been agreed.

FA has not committed to World Cup bonuses for Lionesses
Bronze hoped to have this resolved before the tournament
World Cup in Australia and New Zealand begins later this month
WHAT HAPPENED? A FIFA rule change for the Women's World Cup will see players earn a set bonus according to performance, meaning every player from the country that wins the trophy will receive $270,000 (£210,000), and all those eliminated at the group stage will receive $30,000 (£23,000).

The Football Association (FA) and the Lionesses have been in discussions over separate performance-related bonuses for the squad at this summer’s Women’s World Cup, but The Telegraph states that as of yet, no agreement has been reached. The report adds the Professional Footballers’ Association are continuing to provide the Lionesses players with support in those talks and it is hoped a deal can be finalised with the FA.

WHAT THEY SAID: Bronze told Sky Sports ahead of the 32-team tournament, which begins on July 20: "It is frustrating but I think that’s the way the women’s game has predominantly been. As a team we’ve always been pushing in the background, it’s only been recently that it’s been made more public and people are aware of it, but it’s something we’ve always had to do as players.
"Someone like [former England captain] Steph Houghton previously is someone who did a lot of work behind the scenes that probably wasn’t reported on and people didn’t know as much about. I think we’re in a similar situation now, and I think the point of the players and everyone involved in women’s football is about taking it to the next level and pushing the ceiling, not wanting to have a ceiling put on our game, and making sure we leave the game in a better place than what we found it."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Previously in World Cups, prize money had been paid directly to individual footballing associations and it was therefore down to each individual nation's discretion to decide how much the players would be paid from the prize fund. However, that is no longer the case.

Sky Sports claims, for the first time, the English FA stands to lose money on this World Cup, no matter how well the team does; due to the costs of hotels, flights, equipment, and support staff. Conversely, the players feel aggrieved the FA is not prepared to fund these extra bonuses, rather than allowing FIFA to foot the bill.

Sky adds the Lionesses stand to earn, on average, 60% more for their appearance at this World Cup compared with the one from four years ago. Rewards for failing to reach the knockout stages are 300% higher this time compared with 2019, and 700% higher than in 2015.

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05/07/2023

Angel Gomes is proving Man Utd wrong for not giving him more opportunities - England U21s star would have fit perfectly into Erik ten Hag's new vision

The midfielder looked destined to make it at Old Trafford, but a lack of first-team games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led to him forging his own path

England's run to the semi-finals of the Under-21 European Championship has been led by many familiar Premier League faces, with Emile Smith-Rowe, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Gibbs-White and Jacob Ramsey grabbing the headlines.

But there has been an equally pivotal contribution from a player who caused a real stir in youth football, yet three years ago decided to leave the country to earn the opportunities that he was lacking but knew he deserved.

Angel Gomes was a thrilling attacking midfielder as a teenager for Manchester United's age-group sides, and made his first-team debut under Jose Mourinho aged 16. But scant opportunities under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led to him look abroad to prove himself, and he has done that after a stellar second campaign with Lille, reinventing himself as a deep-lying playmaker in the mould of Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernandez.
And he is thriving in the same role now for England. He has knitted Lee Carlsey's side's play together and dictated their moves from deep, displaying remarkable calmness on the ball even when under immense pressure and an ability to switch the play with long, pinpoint passes.

Watching Gomes glide past opponents with ease while effortlessly bringing the ball out from defence and into midfield, it is difficult not to think that United failed to recognise his talents and did not nurture him as they should have. Here is a player who could have fit right into Erik ten Hag's side, taking on a similar role to Christian Eriksen but without the fitness concerns surrounding the 31-year-old, who struggles to finish matches and who faded badly in the final stretch of last season.

United spent most of last summer trying in vain to convince Frenkie de Jong to come to Old Trafford, but in Gomes they had a gem of their own who they should have been able to nurture into a top talent themselves

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05/07/2023

Arsenal have sent Man City a message after completing colossal Declan Rice coup: GOAL grades 2023's biggest summer transfers

All summer long, GOAL's Mark Doyle will be handing out grades for the biggest transfers from around the world

For some football fans, the off-season is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most, as that can only mean one thing: It's time for transfers! Over the next weeks and months, the biggest names will be linked with the biggest clubs, with speculation set to go into overdrive.

We all know that some transfers turn out well for all parties involved, but there are plenty where at least one of the clubs, or even the player, are left wondering what might have been had they made a different decision while at the negotiating table.

GOAL is here, then, to ensure you know who did the best out of every massive deal before the ink is even dry on the contracts. Throughout the summer window, we will be grading every done deal as it happens, letting you track the big winners - and losers - of transfer season.

04/07/2023

Josko Gvardiol transfer will complete Man City's defensive revolution amid Pep Guardiola's war on full-backs

Guardiola was previously renowned for using attacking full-backs, but City are likely to again line-up with four natural centre-backs next season

Back when he was coming through the ranks at boyhood club Dinamo Zagreb, Josko Gvardiol's team-mates would call him 'Little Pep' due to how similar his name sounds to Pep Guardiola's. And now, the Croatian is on the brink of linking up with the Catalan as Manchester City look to pull off a €100 million (£86m/$109m) deal with RB Leipzig, which would make him the most expensive defender of all time.

Gvardiol has all the attributes Guardiola values in a defender after the coach radically shifted how he wanted to set his team up halfway through last season, moving away from having wide, attacking full-backs and instead lining-up with four centre-backs.

Signing Gvardiol rather than a full-back to replace the departing Joao Cancelo shows that the shift is permanent, completing one of the coach's more intriguing tactical developments. And the arrival of the Croatia international, who was one of the best defenders in the 2022 World Cup and has had an outstanding two seasons in the Bundesliga, is set to make City's treble-winning defence even more formidable.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/cevyB

03/07/2023

Give Jesus Ferreira his respect! USMNT winners and losers as 'Pirate of the Caribbean' steals the show to fire back at critics and secure Gold Cup quarter-final spot

The Stars and Stripes ran out 6-0 winners over Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday as the FC Dallas striker scored his second hat-trick of the tournament

There's this weird phenomenon around Jesus Ferreira, one that has bled through from the most toxic sections of social media. If he doesn't score for the United States men's national team, he's deemed not good enough. If he scores too many, the opponents weren't good enough. There's no celebrating, no respect, no joy to any of it.

His new nickname, even, is tongue-in-cheek. 'The Pirate of the Caribbean', they're calling him due to his relentless desire to absolutely light up some of CONCACAF's smaller teams.

Ferreira did so again on Sunday night. He absolutely demolished Trinidad & Tobago, leading the U.S. to a 6-0 Gold Cup win with a second consecutive hat-trick. And, because of that, it's time to give him his flowers.
The detractors will live on, of course, but let them. Ferreira has had them for the better part of a year, and he's responded with goal after goal. For years, the U.S. has been looking for someone, anyone who can score consistently. Ferreira is now proving that he can. They could have used that in the 2018 cycle, that's for sure.

Has it come against the world's elite? No, and that's fine. At the international level, a coach needs different tools at his disposal. Maybe Folarin Balogun's the player to be used in big games, and Ferreira's is the man to be used in the moments where the U.S. is expecting to dominate. For years, the U.S. had no tools at striker; now they have a few, and that's always a good thing.

03/07/2023

England U21s player ratings vs Portugal: Levi Colwill stands tall to earn Young Lions a Euros semi-final spot after Anthony Gordon goal..

Lee Carsley's team held out under intense second-half pressure to seal a 1-0 win on Sunday and set up a game against Israel for a place in the final

England Under-21s booked their place in the semi-finals of the European Championship as they held on to secure a 1-0 quarter-final win over Portugal following Anthony Gordon's first-half strike.

Gordon fired home from just inside the penalty area after a fine low cross from Morgan Gibbs-White as England cut through the Portugal defence with some incisive passing and dribbling from midfield.

The goal was just reward for Lee Carsley's team, who dominated possession, though they did need James Trafford to make a fine near-post save to deny Pedro Neto at the start of the half, and an excellent block from Taylor Harwood-Bellis to keep Tiago Dantas from equalising shortly before half-time.
The tables turned after the break, however, as Portugal dominated the ball and pushed the Young Lions back. Substitute Henrique Araujo went closest to equalising as he headed against crossbar, but Chelsea's Levi Colwill led a fine resistance from the England backline to secure a meeting with Israel on Wednesday in the final four.

GOAL rates England's players from the Ramez Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi, Georgia...

21/06/2023

Todd Boehly has finally got one right with Chelsea's £53m move for Christopher Nkunku: GOAL grades 2023's biggest summer transfers..

All summer long, GOAL's Mark Doyle will be handing out grades for the biggest transfers from around the world

For some football fans, the off-season is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most, as that can only mean one thing: It's time for transfers! Over the next weeks and months, the biggest names will be linked with the biggest clubs, with speculation set to go into overdrive.

We all know that some transfers turn out well for all parties involved, but there are plenty where at least one of the clubs, or even the player, are left wondering what might have been had they made a different decision while at the negotiating table.

GOAL is here, then, to ensure you know who did the best out of every massive deal before the ink is even dry on the contracts. Throughout the summer window, we will be grading every done deal as it happens, letting you track the big winners - and losers - of transfer season.

16/06/2023

Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane? Real Madrid’s big striker decision is a no-brainer - the PSG superstar is the only man to fill Karim Benzema’s boots this summer..

Florentino Perez shouldn't even consider the England international when it comes to picking his forward of the future

Two weeks ago, Real Madrid fans were trying to rationalise the arrival of Joselu as their starting striker. And it didn't take too much work. The striker had hit double digits in each of his previous four seasons. He had played in the Bundesliga, Premier League and La Liga. Here was a seasoned veteran who could grab a goal. Those players aren't easy to find.

Then, there was the reality. Joselu is 33 and perennially offside. His highest league finish as a first-choice option was 13th. He has never scored more than 16 goals in a season. As a replacement for the outgoing Karim Benzema, it all looked a bit grim.

But things soon changed. It emerged, first, that Madrid were willing to spend big on Harry Kane. The Tottenham striker seems likely to be sold this summer as he pursues a move away in order to avoid committing himself to the purgatory of north London. Madrid were ready to pay up, according to The Athletic.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/bfDEK

15/06/2023

Arsenal's Declan Rice back at West Ham, Man City's treble party at Man Utd & the 13 Premier League fixtures you simply cannot afford to miss in 2023-24...

The Premier League fixture list has officially been released - here's a look at the matches you really don't want to miss!

Excitement is already building for the 2023-24 season following the release of the fixtures for the new campaign, with Manchester City undoubtedly having a target on their back after winning the title last season, as well as the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Arsenal will be emboldened by their impressive run in 2022-23, as they went within a whisker of pipping Pep Guardiola's men to the post, while Newcastle United and Manchester United will both have Champions League football returning to St James' Park and Old Trafford respectively in the upcoming season.

Liverpool and Chelsea, meanwhile, are in recovery mode after their disappointing campaigns last time out, while Brighton and Aston Villa will both have European campaigns to look forward to after finishing in sixth and seventh respectively.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/bdivH

15/06/2023

John Stones and Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, Luke Shaw in defence and why Gareth Southgate should copy the Premier League's top managers when England face Malta...

Gareth Southgate has a reputation for being conservative with his team selection but the trip to minnows Malta is the ideal time to try out new ideas

If England's last two European Championship qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine were not suitable for experiments, then their next fixture against Malta certainly is. Malta are ranked 172nd in the world (England are fifth) and have only won two of their last 14 competitive games.

So what better opportunity for Gareth Southgate to try out some new ideas and innovate? And after seeing a number of his players thrive in different roles for their Premier League clubs, the time is ripe for the manager to follow the lead of Pep Guardiola, Erik ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp and see if he can get the same results from his players in their new positions.

Here, GOAL selects England's potential starting XI against Malta on Friday to make the most of the versatility shown by the likes of John Stones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw, as well as give Eberechi Eze the opportunity to prove himself on the international stage.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/iFRVW

14/06/2023

Jude Bellingham has the potential to be the first ever €100m+ bargain but could he come to regret Real Madrid move? GOAL grades 2023's biggest summer transfers..

All summer long, GOAL's Mark Doyle will be handing out grades for the biggest transfers from around the world

For some football fans, the off-season is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most, as that can only mean one thing: It's time for transfers! Over the next weeks and months, the biggest names will be linked with the biggest clubs, with speculation set to go into overdrive.

We all know that some transfers turn out well for all parties involved, but there are plenty where at least one of the clubs, or even the player, are left wondering what might have been had they made a different decision while at the negotiating table.

GOAL is here, then, to ensure you know who did the best out of every massive deal before the ink is even dry on the contracts. Throughout the summer window, we will be grading every done deal as it happens, letting you track the big winners - and losers - of transfer season.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/cdEJM

14/06/2023

N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount and why Chelsea's much-needed clear-out is not going as expected...

Chelsea were supposed to be hacking away their deadwood this summer, but so far things have not gone to plan.

The list of names expected to depart Chelsea this summer is endless, but as the summer transfer window officially opens, there has been little to no indication that any of their hoard of unwanted players is heading for the exit. Meanwhile, players who had been widely considered to be part of the club's long-term plans under incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino suddenly appear to be near-certainties to move on.

Speculation has been rife about the futures of N'Golo Kante, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic in recent weeks - the majority of whom can be core members of the Chelsea squad when fully fit and available, and they generally all command the respect and affection of the fanbase.

But how has it come to this, and what comes next for Chelsea? GOAL assesses the situation below...

13/06/2023

Arsenal ready to cut losses on £72m Nicolas Pepe - and could even terminate his contract if no permanent transfer can be arranged.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to cut their losses on £72 million Nicolas Pepe, with it possible that he could be released as a free agent.

Winger joined in 2019
Broke transfer record at the Emirates
Failed to live up to expectations

The Ivory Coast international winger became the Gunners’ record signing when completing a big-money transfer from Lille in the summer of 2019. He struggled to settle in English football, registering 27 goals through 112 appearances, and was allowed to spend the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Nice.

Nice will not be pursuing a permanent deal, meaning that Pepe is due back in north London this summer. He still has 12 months left to run on his contract with Arsenal and remains one of the highest earners on the club’s books.

The Telegraph reports that the Gunners now want rid of Pepe, with offers being invited from afar. The Premier League giants are willing to take a big loss on their initial outlay, with there suggestions that they may be tempted to terminate the 28-year-old’s contract if no buyer can be found.

12/06/2023

Pep Guardiola's latest masterpiece: How Man City won the treble..

City finally won the trophy they craved, the Champions League, thanks to the coach's thirst for innovation and refusal to become complacent

"Champions of Europe, we know what we are". That was the chant Manchester City fans struck up the moment they had digested their Champions League final victory over Inter. It might not have been the most convincing performance from Pep Guardiola's side, but in Istanbul they realised what the Catalan coach had repeatedly referred to as a dream.

City have been dreaming of winning the Champions League ever since the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United group, and even more so since Guardiola became the club's coach in 2016. It has taken 15 years and more than £2 billion in investment, but City are finally what they have long wanted to be and felt they should be: undisputably the best team in Europe.

Victory on Saturday not only got the Champions League monkey off City's back, it also saw them become only the second English team to complete a treble of Europe's biggest prize, the Premier League title and FA Cup. The treble was Manchester United's pride and joy, but now City have matched that achievement.
SOURCE: https://shorturl.at/ELTW7

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