Premier League 2020/21

[Lineker]

Quote

The American investors ALK Capital have completed their takeover of Burnley, acquiring a controlling 84% stake in the Premier League club.

Delaware-based ALK, which specialises in investments in the sport and media sectors, said its managing partner Alan Pace would take over from Mike Garlick as Burnley’s chairman.

“Garlick, alongside former shareholder John Banaszkiewicz, will remain on ALK Capital’s new board of directors at Burnley, ensuring a smooth transition to new ownership and providing valuable knowledge from his eight-year tenure as club chairman,” the company said.

Garlick, who had held just less than 50% of the shares, said the deal represented a “natural progression” for Burnley. “In Alan Pace and his team, we are welcoming committed investors to Turf Moor who will be living here in the local community and investing in the club, both on and off the football pitch, for many years to come,” Garlick said.

“My tenure as chairman has always been about ensuring Burnley is a sustainable football club, and this investment provides a long-term plan to maintain that philosophy, whilst driving evolution and innovation.”

Pace, the former CEO of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, said the takeover – completed through ALK’s sports investment arm Velocity Sports Partners – marked “the start of an exciting journey for the entire Clarets family”. “With a rich heritage, a brilliant academy, and a passionate fan base, this club has solid foundations to build upon,” he said.

Pace has a Wall Street background, having held a senior role with Citigroup after working as a managing director for Lehman Brothers.

One of ALK’s first priorities is likely to be a meeting with Sean Dyche, who can expect support in the January transfer window.

Of the 13 players Dyche used against Sheffield United on Tuesday, only the Dutchman Erik Pieters hails from outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, and one result of the change in ownership could be an expansion of the scouting and transfer network.

In August ALK invested in two London-based football technology firms, AiScout and Player LENS. Both companies are involved in data analytics and predictive assessment of players.

 

[Lineker]

 

[Gazz]

Weird game. A good performance but also a game where we could have lost 4-0 if not for poor Liverpool finishing and Yedlin being the fastest man alive.

[Colly]

That bit where Mane looked through and Yedders put the after afterburners on was wonderful. Best game he's played in ages.

[Hobo]

It was a weird game. With Thiago back we might actually be able to take some pressure off of Curtis Jones.

[Tigerstyle]

PL app just updated that the postponed United game has been moved to 4 days before they play Liverpool

[Colly]

Yeah they've confirmed both of those missed week 1 games for the same midweek.

And Cavani has a 3 match ban for that Instagram post. I had to google as I assumed it was for his chokehold...

[Lineker]

Three-match ban plus a fine for Cavani over his social media posts.

[Baddar]

Apparently our players/staff wanted the Burnley game the midweek before. Wins v Villa and then Burnley would be good ahead of the trip to Anfield. We'd either be top, or have a chance to go top, depending on how the Liverpool game with Southampton goes.

One game at a time though. Expecting Villa to be very tough.

[The Lusophone]

Tommy Docherty, formerly manager of Manchester United (where he won the FA Cup) and Chelsea, has died aged 92.

[DavidMarrio]

4 hours ago, Christmas Hobo said:

It was a weird game. With Thiago back we might actually be able to take some pressure off of Curtis Jones.

I've been really impressed with Jones this season considering he's played a lot of games when prior to the season think we all didn't expect him to be a regular starter. He does need a break though and with Thiago, Keita and Chamberlain coming back this should hopefully help 

6 hours ago, Gazz said:

Weird game. A good performance but also a game where we could have lost 4-0 if not for poor Liverpool finishing and Yedlin being the fastest man alive.

Thought Newcastle deserved the point. Defended well and had some decent attacks. Just one of them where our finishing was lacking but the rub of the green favoured Newcastle that night. Another day Darlow's tipped save into Mane's shins may have gone in. 

 

2 hours ago, Baddar said:

Apparently our players/staff wanted the Burnley game the midweek before. Wins v Villa and then Burnley would be good ahead of the trip to Anfield. We'd either be top, or have a chance to go top, depending on how the Liverpool game with Southampton goes.

One game at a time though. Expecting Villa to be very tough.

Can tell the league standard has dropped when United are 2nd

[The Lusophone]

Kyle Walker has allegedly held a party that up to 20 Premier League players allegedly attended. Jadon Sancho also allegedly flew in from Germany and attended. Willian and David Luiz were in contact with people who went to the party or allegedly attended.

This is allegedly the source for the outbreak that got the Man City and Spurs games called off.

[Baddar]

Walker hasn't really grasped this whole virus thing, has he?

[Baddar]

That'll do for HT.

Comm doing AWB a disservice trying to take away his assist as well. Probably didn't expect a half decent cross to come in.

[DavidMarrio]

THe FA wANt PEnChEstVAR UniTeD to WiN tHe LEAguE

[The Lusophone]

2nd in the league, most wins, unbeaten in 10. A long way to go but it's nice to be back.

[Jimmy]

Michael Oliver was shocking in the game - never a pen and let the United players get away with kicking lumps out of Villa without booking them until he had to at the end of the game. 

That said, United are great going forward and the scary thing is there's still quite a few moments where they're not quite clicking. Impressive if they get that sorted & an impressive turnaround overall. 

[DavidMarrio]

Reguilon, Lamela, Lanzini and Lo Celso have been pictured breaking lockdown restrictions over the Christmas period.

[Baddar]

This is my main concern regarding a 2 week "circuit break" in the PL, if it was to happen.

I genuinely think they're better off in their elite athlete bubbles than being sent home doing whatever the fuck. 

[DavidMarrio]

Doesn't help that Lo Celso and Lamela have apparently both tested positive for Covid now. 

Surprised Lamela hasn't tested positive for something else. *Sniff sniff*