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Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
John Lundstram and Borna Barisic facing Trabzonspor axe
The former Rangers pair joined the Turkish side on free transfers last summer but are now facing uncertain futures. Left-back Barisic has hardly featured, while midfielder Lundstram has been criticised for his performances. Reports in Turkey suggest Barisic's contract may even be terminated. Trabzonspor manager Fatih Tekke needs to cut seven players from his squad this summer due to a quota of 12 foreign players, with 14 currently in the squad and more returning from loans. The club are also planning to sign another five players in the transfer market. Read more: Russell Martin reveals he 'turned down a few jobs' before agreeing Rangers deal Rangers poised to announce Russell Martin as their new manager Barisic and the club are reportedly in discussions over cancelling his contract, while Lundstram, 31, is at risk of being moved on due to his age. Both players signed three-year deals with Trabzonspor last year, so their departures may not be straightforward. The team's disappointing European campaign, which saw them crash out of both the Europa and Conference Leagues, and a poor start to the league season have contributed to the need for a squad overhaul. However, they did manage to recover somewhat, finishing seventh in the league and reaching the final of the Turkish Cup. The team went through three permanent managers over the course of the season, with Tekke only appointed in March. Barisic's season was further disrupted by a loan move to Leganes in Spain in January, which was cut short by a serious injury in his first game. Ex-Man City star Stefan Savic, Edin Visca, and Anthony Nwakaeme are also said to be likely candidates for summer sales.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Fans poke fun at ‘best team in Europe' Arsenal as they are 12th in Uefa's rankings behind MAN UTD
FANS are laughing at Arsenal after the Uefa rankings put them behind Manchester United. The Gunners fell narrowly short of silverware for the third season in a row as the Red Devils had their worst campaign in modern history. 3 Arsenal sit 12th in Uefa's coefficient league table Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Despite a poor season, Man Utd remain ahead of them Credit: Getty After crashing out the Champions League to eventual winners PSG, Mikel Arteta claimed his team are the "best in Europe". But the coefficient league table disagrees and even has Arsenal below crisis club Man Utd. The rankings take into account each side's performance in the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues over the last five years and it is used for seeding. Arsenal sit 12th overall with 98 points and Man Utd are 11th on 102.5. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CHAMPING AT THE BIT Fergie arrives at CL final as his £2m-a-year Man Utd role ends The North Londoners' run to the Champions League semi-final this season earned them 36 points. But their score has been hindered by not appearing on the continent in 2020/21 and losing in the Europa League last-16 to Sporting Lisbon the following year. While Man Utd's performances across the five-year period have been more steady, featuring in every season. Despite victories in the Europa being less valuable than the Champions League, two runner-up finishes and a run to quarter-final is enough to prop them up just above Arsenal. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 And fans have mocked the Gunners, with one saying: "As if the best team in Europe isn't even ranked top ten." Another laughed: "Chelsea is still ahead of Arsenal despite not playing Champions League for two seasons." Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claim A third commented: "This can't be right, the best club in the world Arsenal are not there. They have been telling me all year they are the best the world has ever seen. Forget the trophies." The updated rankings have Real Madrid out on top on 143.5, narrowly ahead of Manchester City's 137.75. PSG's Champions League victory earned them 33.5 and rockets them to fifth. Chelsea got 30 from their Conference League glory and they can still count upon the 33 from Champions League success under Thomas Tuchel four years ago. Outside the top spots - Tottenham are 27th, West Ham sit 29th and Aston Villa place 46th. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Fans poke fun at ‘best team in Europe' Arsenal as they are 12th in Uefa's rankings behind MAN UTD
FANS are laughing at Arsenal after the Uefa rankings put them behind Manchester United. The Gunners fell narrowly short of silverware for the third season in a row as the Red Devils had their worst campaign in modern history. 3 Arsenal sit 12th in Uefa's coefficient league table Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Despite a poor season, Man Utd remain ahead of them Credit: Getty After crashing out the Champions League to eventual winners PSG, Mikel Arteta claimed his team are the " But the coefficient league table disagrees and even has The rankings take into account each side's performance in the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues over the last five years and it is used for seeding. Arsenal sit 12th overall with 98 points and READ MORE IN FOOTBALL The North Londoners' run to the Champions League semi-final this season earned them 36 points. But their score has been hindered by not appearing on the continent in 2020/21 and losing in the Europa League last-16 to Sporting Lisbon the following year. While Man Utd's performances across the five-year period have been more steady, featuring in every season. Despite victories in the Europa being less valuable than the Champions League, two runner-up finishes and a run to quarter-final is enough to prop them up just above Arsenal. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 And fans have mocked the Gunners, with one saying: "As if the best team in Europe isn't even ranked top ten." Another laughed: " Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claim A third commented: "This can't be right, the best club in the world Arsenal are not there. They have been telling me all year they are the best the world has ever seen. Forget the trophies." The updated rankings have Real Madrid out on top on 143.5, narrowly ahead of Chelsea got 30 from their Conference League glory and they can still count upon the 33 from Champions League success under Thomas Tuchel four years ago. Outside the top spots - Tottenham are 27th, West Ham sit 29th and Aston Villa place 46th. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
How ex-Man Utd and Arsenal flop Mkhitaryan can make history in Champions League final as Inter Milan take on PSG
HE bombed without trace at two of the Premier League's biggest clubs and he was the often-forgotten makeweight in one of most disastrous transfers in the top-flight's recent history. But at the age of 36, Henrikh Mkhitaryan can make European football history by helping Inter Milan to the Champions League crown against Paris Saint-Germain. Advertisement 4 Henrikh Mkhitaryan can become the first player to win all three European competitions Credit: Getty 4 He already has the Europa and Conference Leagues to his name Credit: Getty When Alexis Sanchez switched from Arsenal to Old Trafford in January 2018 — a move announced by an infamous social-media video of the Chilean tickling the ivories with 'Glory, Glory And while Sanchez became one of United's greatest flops, Mkhitaryan did not fare much better in north London. The Armenian midfield man was Arsene Wenger's penultimate And they were perhaps best summed up helping Unai Emery's Gunners to the 2019 Europa League final against Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Yet if Inter claim the Champions League - Mkhitaryan will become the first player to play an active role in winning the finals of all three existing European club competitions. He both lifted the Europa League and Conference League under Jose Mourinho — with United in 2017 and Roma in 2022 — even though The Special One ditched him in that Sanchez swap deal. The feeling was Mkhitaryan was too lightweight and passive for the Premier League. And while United fans enjoyed his occasional moments of flair, Mourinho took against him. Advertisement Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Yet at Inter his experience and nous make him a key member of Simone Inzaghi's side which narrowly missed out on the Scudetto as well as losing this season's Italian Cup final. They are desperate to avoid a hat-trick of runners-up medals by winning in Munich. Mkhitaryan said: 'I hope experience will count in the final. It's not just me, I have a lot of experienced team-mates.' Advertisement He is not kidding. In Serie A, they certainly value a good veteran. Mkhitaryan, his fellow former Man Utd player Matteo Darmian, keeper Yann Sommer and defender But Inter defeated Harry Kane's Bayern Munich in the quarter- finals before coming through their epic semi-final goalfest with Barcelona — 7-6 on aggregate. And the bookies are struggling to separate them from a far more youthful PSG side. Advertisement 4 Henrikh Mkhitaryan is one of many experienced Inter players Credit: Alamy For On the eve of the final, he did little to dampen down rumours of an impending, money-spinning move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal. Inzaghi, 49, said: 'I will meet the club's senior management and have a chat next week in a very relaxed manner. Advertisement 'Our decision will have the best interests of Inter at heart. 'But it's hugely exciting before a Champions League final.' The long road to the final began with a 0-0 draw against old foes City in the league stage. Inzaghi added: 'We've shown a great desire ever since matchday one in the group phase at City and against some top opposition like Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Advertisement 'Now we are just one step shy. We deserve to be here. "Two years ago we played against Pep's City — who were the best team in the world at that time — and we possibly deserved more. 'We have learned from that and we will use that experience. ' Advertisement 'But we have the most possession in Serie A this season. 'We must keep the ball and use our hard running, desire and experience if we are to bring home the trophy.' Flanked by captain Lautaro Martinez — a World Cup winner with Argentina — and Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella, Inzaghi said: 'I am here with two players who bleed black and blue. They are hugely important players. I have blind faith in both of them. 'I am asking them all for concentration and determination — but not obsession because we need cool heads and free minds. Advertisement 'We have Champions League and World Cup winners in the squad and we have learned a lot over our four years together.' Martinez, who has netted nine times in this season's Champions League, says the players will dedicate the trophy to Inzaghi if they beat PSG. The striker, 27, said: 'We're pretty relaxed about the rumour, we hear them day in and day out about our players and coach. 'We want to dedicate this trophy to the coach as well as the fans and our families who are with us every day. Advertisement 'Everything we have achieved is down to the hard work, sacrifice and humility of the team unit.' 4 Simone Inzaghi says his side have learned from final heartbreak two years ago Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fan-focused response to Villa's fixture change 'right thing to do'
Perhaps somebody will ask Unai Emery this week how much difference it really makes for their last home game, against Tottenham Hotspur, to be moved forward from Sunday to Friday at 10 days' notice. From outside, it is hard to believe that such a well-organised staff as Villa's will find that difficult. Villa played 55 first-team fixtures last season, a figure they will equal for this campaign on Saturday, so turning the squad round for a game every three or four days has become standard practice. Nevertheless, Villa made a fuss in advance about the change and have expressed their annoyance at the final decision in a smartly respectful way. Keeping grumbles out of their official communications, Damian Vidagany - Villa's director of football operations, and the jolly figure alongside Emery in almost every media appearance - issued a well-pitched missive on social media: "Fixture changed and honestly, not happy..." So? Well, even if this season ultimately ends in disappointment - and I will qualify that in a moment - it has been a season full of drama and several truly landmark occasions. No Villa fan could seriously say they were not entertained, at least. But one area in which the club has perhaps let itself down at times recently has been a careless approach to the relationship with those fans. In their understandable dash to maximise revenue, Villa's handling of some issues, most notably ticket-pricing, left a section of long-serving supporters feeling under-appreciated, banking trouble for the future. With that in mind, even if it was obvious that a change to this fixture would be of much greater inconvenience - and potentially expense - to supporters than players, it was good to see a senior figure at the club acknowledge that, and say how unhappy he was about it. Vidagany was also right to note that, on this occasion, the Premier League did have a reasonable motive: to be seen to be even-handed towards two English teams in a European final. But clearly signalling he understood why supporters would be cross and had been protesting on their behalf was the right thing to do, and a good example for the future. Let me quickly clarify what I mean by Villa's season possibly ending in disappointment. They are very likely to qualify for Europe for the third season running, and - at worst - go into a competition for which they will be the ante-post favourites, given the strong chance of English sides winning both the Europa and Conference Leagues this season. The Champions League is the preferred outcome, but the consolation prizes are not bad either. Listen to full commentary of Bournemouth v Aston Villa at 17:30 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio WM 95.6FM/DAB/Freeview Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
