Premier League 2021/22

[Lineker]

Quote

The race to buy Chelsea has taken another twist after it emerged that the Ricketts family have been joined in their bid by the Rock Entertainment Group, headed by Dan Gilbert who is worth an estimated $31bn (£23.5bn). REG owns the American basketball team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The level of Gilbert’s investment has not been disclosed and there is no clarity over who will be Chelsea’s majority shareholder if this consortium sees off the other three bidders. The Ricketts family had already partnered with the billionaire hedge fund tycoon, Ken Griffin, who is yet to disclose if he would take a controlling stake.

The confusion arose following suggestions in America that the Ricketts family would not have a controlling stake in the club, raising further questions about their controversial bid for Chelsea.

The news emerged in the wake of Chelsea’s shock 4-1 defeat to Brentford, before which supporters protested against the prospect of the Ricketts as owners. Thomas Tuchel attempted to play down what was a grim afternoon, and far from the ideal way to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday. The manager insisted Chelsea did not have an eye on the first leg of their tie, and was willing to view his side’s implosion against a rampant Brentford as a one-off.

“After so many wins and so many good results, I will now refuse to make a drama out of it,” he said. “Why should we? Brentford made a lot of the 10 minutes we gave them. After the third goal we had a disallowed goal, a pressing situation against the goalkeeper and another big chance from Kai Havertz. We missed all three and there was a feeling that it wasn’t our day. So it’s a mixture of everything.

“We will dig in and try to find out why it was like this. There are some reasons which we can put on us. It’s hard to take because it’s very unusual for us. We will refocus on Monday.”

Tuchel argued his players were simply weary after the international break. “We struggled at first, but I felt we were more tired mentally. Yesterday, we were wearing gloves and it was snowing in training. Today, it was very, very warm.

“It’s more difficult for us than them to play as the underdog and be well-prepared for this match. In the context of all this I am OK with the first half. The half-time speech was a reminder to keep going and it would come with more fluidity. And it did.”

 

[Chris2K]

This is going rather nicely. Moura and Begwijn coming off the bench are such a threat.

[GoGo Yubari]

Always knew Tottenham's luck would turn around once key superstar attackers like Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, and Matt Doherty found their form.

[Colly]

I'm just annoyed that Martin Atkinson ruined my 100/1 bookings bet by inexplicably letting Royal off. It was the only reason I've watched the last half hour...

[Lineker]

 

[Lineker]

Arselol

[DavidMarrio]

It's nice of the Premier League to allow me to get excuses prepared for the weekend by announcing Manchester born referee Anthony Taylor will be the ref with Manchester born referee Paul Tierney doing VAR for the game against City

[Lineker]

13 minutes ago, DavidMarrio said:

It's nice of the Premier League to allow me to get excuses prepared for the weekend by announcing Manchester born referee Anthony Taylor will be the ref with Manchester born referee Paul Tierney doing VAR for the game against City

Lining up a reverse-Hughes, I see.

[Gazz]

15 minutes ago, DavidMarrio said:

It's nice of the Premier League to allow me to get excuses prepared for the weekend by announcing Manchester born referee Anthony Taylor will be the ref with Manchester born referee Paul Tierney doing VAR for the game against City

Everyone knows that  Man City and Man United fans don't come from Manchester.

[gunnar hendershow]

I seem to remember the joke being, at least before they became perennial winners, that people from Manchester supported City and people from London supported United.

[FLiam]

I reckon fourth spot is Tottenham’s to lose now. 

Tierney is out for the season and Partey may have picked up a semi-serious injury. We’re in a bit of a pickle now. Small squad may have backfired.

[The Lusophone]

5 hours ago, DavidMarrio said:

It's nice of the Premier League to allow me to get excuses prepared for the weekend by announcing Manchester born referee Anthony Taylor will be the ref with Manchester born referee Paul Tierney doing VAR for the game against City

 

[DavidMarrio]

1 hour ago, MadJack said:

 

Still awaiting the announcement that Noel Gallagher is one of the assistant refs

[The Lusophone]

If it makes you feel any better, of the 6 games Anthony Taylor has reffed in which a Manchester club was involved, the Manchester club has failed to win 5 of them.

[Colly]

Matt Le Tissier has "stepped aside" from his Southampton ambassadorial role so that he can separate the "work he believes in" from the club. 

[King Ellis]

5 minutes ago, Colly said:

Matt Le Tissier has "stepped aside" from his Southampton ambassadorial role so that he can separate the "work he believes in" from the club. 

"Sorry guys, it's been a fun 40 years but I've got some real important work on the secret reptilian people agenda that I need to focus my attention on."

[Adam]

I think this season has truly killed my love and enjoyment in the sport of football. Very difficult to fathom how Everton have gotten it all so, so wrong.

[FLiam]

Looking at Everton’s run in and, well. They’ll do well to avoid relegation. 

[Adam]

1 minute ago, FLiam said:

Looking at Everton’s run in and, well. They’ll do well to avoid relegation. 

2 wins and 12 defeats in the last fourteen games, I'd say it doesn't matter who Everton play in the run-in. Absolutely will be going down, the team is atrocious.

[DavidMarrio]

I don't think it's that difficult to fathom. The club have been mismanaged for so long both on/off the pitch and it's finally bitten Everton on the arse. 

- Several new managers coming in with no stability

-  Poor (putting it kindly) signings

- Badly managed financially such as having one of the highest turnover for wages in the league

- Toxic atmosphere off the pitch 

- Lack of identity. What is Everton's style? Also where are the leaders on the pitch? 

I know I'm biased being a Liverpool fan but even then it's clear to see how much of a farce Everton have been in recent seasons.

There's never such a thing as being too big to be relegated, it happened to Leeds and Newcastle and Villa and there's a strong chance it'll happen to Everton. 

I still don't get why Lampard was hired. Can you say he's had any impact? Results suggest he hasn't at all.