Manchester United are probably the most widely known club in soccer and were quite dominant on the pitch under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. As of recently it’s been quite the opposite.
They have struggled throughout the current season just to barely secure a Europa league spot. Spending millions to bring in top talent in hopes of getting back on their pedestal as a force to be reckoned with, but always falling short of expectations.
Precocious 20-year-old American center back Matt Miazga, who we have just realized looks exactly like he could be Dejan Lovren's little brother, made his Premier League debut for Chelsea Saturday. Chelsea took on last-place Aston Villa (featuring Miazga's international teammate Brad Guzan in goal) and walloped them accordingly, 4-0.
It was a big moment for the youngster, but he comported himself well given that in an ideal world he would have either of Chelsea's most experienced center backs, John Terry or Gary Cahill, by his side during his debut. Both were injured.
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that David De Gea was not his first choice keeper after the retirement of Edwin Van Der Sar. Instead, it was World Cup champion and Bayern Munich stalwart Manuel Neuer who caught the eye of the legendary manager.
Fabian Delph's Manchester City career is in dire need of a resurrection. Fortunately for the Englishman, he's in direct contact with those that could tell him how to best go about doing that. Speaking with the Manchester City FC's YouTube channel, Delph shocked the show's presenter, and viewing audience, with a revealing answer to a fan submitted question regarding ghosts.
When you hear Lionel Messi speak about Wayne Rooney, sometimes it’s like he is talking about himself. Of course, Messi is too humble to ever talk about himself in as glowing terms as you are about to read, but it is easy to see how his words could be founded in an appreciation of a kindred spirit.
We'll give Leicester City left back Christian Fuchs this: he's ballsy. The 29-year-old plays for the Premier League leaders, and has decided that after he retires from being a professional athlete, he wants to become a professional athlete.
Per Sky Sports, Fuchs wants to give American football a shot after his legs get too old and weary to carry him around a soccer field. He would be a kicker, obviously:
Dimitri Payet has 13 goals in all competitions this year. Five of them are on free-kicks coming off of his golden right foot. Sure, there are a lot of amazing free-kick takers out there, but I'm going to go ahead and just give Payet the title of "Free-Kick King". His right footed curling rockets have been giving goalkeepers fits since his return from an ankle injury in January and he's been key in keeping West Ham in the hunt for a top four finish. Go ahead a watch all of his golazo's from set peices this year. The best one, probably his rip from 30+ yards out against Russia.
Arsene Wenger knows his way around a youth prospect. He is the man responsible for bringing along Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Hector Bellerin, just to name a few. Most of those players are no longer at Arsenal, but it was under Wenger that they developed into the players they became. Wenger has made youth development the calling card of Arsenal, and this weekend the latest product of that was on full display.
The BBC has reported that Aston Villa have suspended Gabi Agbonlahor indefinitely. The veteran forward was pictured smoking a shisha pipe while on holiday in Dubai, and the club has suspended him from playing, pending an internal investigation. Here's the thing about that though: Does it really matter?
The NCAA Tournament will reach it’s climax this coming Saturday and Monday as the four teams who made progressed so far (North Carolina, Syracuse, Oklahoma, Villanova) square off to see who is this year’s king of hoops. Even if your bracket has been or is completely ruined, chances are you might be tuning in to see who will prevail, as this year’s field promises to bring some compelling drama.