The likes of Arsenal, Everton, Leicester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham all saw the majority of their players return to the training ground for the start of preseason today. Many other sides, like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, will also begin their preparations this week.
Everton have made a lot of noise in this summer’s transfer market after signing Jordan Pickford from Sunderland for £30 million and Davy Klaasen from Ajax for £23.5, but their most exciting signing yet was confirmed today, although 20-year-old Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru won’t be appearing at Goodison Park for another year.
Mario Balotelli has extended his stay at Nice for another year. Balotelli, whose career briefly went off the rails at Liverpool, has found a productive home in France, and we're delighted that he's staying there. Mario balotelli is very fun, and he makes soccer much more entertaining when he plays.
Nice announced the new deal on Sunday.
Torsten Frings is finally getting his comeuppance, 15 years and 24 hours to the day.
The former German international became head coach of SV Darmstadt in January, around the time American Terrence Boyd joined the team.
Darmstadt was promptly relegated to 2. Bundesliga.
On Thursday, 19-year-old Texan McKinze Gaines signed with the club. One can only assume he’s planning to help finish the job Boyd started.
Why might these young Yanks be plotting revenge on a new coach of high regard who spent a couple years in MLS before retiring?
It’s not every day that you manage to sign one of Brazil’s most talented attacking players on a free transfer, but that’s exactly what Barcelona have achieved with Lucas Lima.
Hirving Lozano, who’s currently on international duty with Mexico at the FIFA Confederations Cup, has agreed to a contract with PSV Eindhoven through the 2022-23 season. After recently visiting Eindhoven in the Netherlands, PSV confirmed via their official Twitter account that Lozano had agreed to terms with the club.
Taking such a strong team to the Under-21 European Championships was meant to be a key moment in the development of Italy’s next generation of talent. Players such as Bernardeschi and Chiesa would gain experience in a tournament environment, easing them into contention for next year’s World Cup. Among the exciting array of talent, however, there was one real jewel in the crown.
When it comes to spending money, one would do well to follow the advice from the Carl Sagan-written movie Contact.
“First rule in government spending: Why build one when you can have two at twice the price?”
Everton converted that rule to the transfer market on Thursday when they spent a club-record $38.3 million on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and then added midfielder Davy Klaassen later in the day for a cool $30 million.
What a day to be an Evertonian. After years of Famine, we Feast
Manchester United announced Wednesday that they have signed Swedish defender Victor "The Ice Man" Lindelof away from Benfica. The only two things we know about Lindelof are his nickname (again, "The Ice Man") and the fact that he has earned the Zlatan seal of approval.