Dribble Diaries

Croatian midfielder's player career will not be hampered by the ownership shift. Unexpected decision: Luka Modric has taken his first move into football ownership. Luka Modric, a Real Madrid legend, is set to become a new minority owner of Swansea City. The Croatian, who turns 40 in September, is acquiring a non-controlling interest in the Welsh club. Modric's stake purchase will have no impact on his playing career, as he will continue to play for Real Madrid. He is out of contract with Loc Blancos this summer, but he wants to retire with Real and may extend his stay at the Bernabeu for another year if an agreement can be reached. It comes as a surprise that he has opted to buy a minority share in Swansea, who are currently 12th in the Championship. The move shows Modric, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, is setting the groundwork for his post-playing career. Swansea's eight-year ownership by Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan ended in November when they sold their co...

Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to become Leicester City's new manager, succeeding Steve Cooper. Van Nistelrooy has agreed to take over at the King Power Stadium following Cooper's dismissal this week. Leicester are 16th in the Premier League rankings, having won only twice since their promotion back to the top division. The Foxes have now turned to Van Nistelrooy, who has been looking for work in England since leaving Manchester United. The 48-year-old returned to Manchester United this summer as Erik ten Hag's assistant. He was recruited back to work with his compatriot at Old Trafford after scoring 150 goals in 219 games for the Red Devils during his five-season playing career. Following Ten Hag's dismissal last month, Van Nistelrooy took over on an interim basis and guided the team to a four-game winning streak. His tenure as interim manager featured victories over Leicester in the Carabao Cup and Premier League. However, it was determined that he would quit his po...

Five of the most exciting football games to watch this weekend, including derbies in Sheffield, Turin, and London, as well as a major clash in Portugal. Sheffield United versus Sheffield Wednesday. Following Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League, the Steel City Derby will return to the English football calendar this season. Chris Wilder's team has recovered well from that defeat to sit second in the Championship, with automatic promotion as their goal. Sheffield Wednesday will aim to throw a spanner in the works of their fierce rivals, despite a mixed season that has included big wins and crushing defeats. Which version of Danny Rohl's side appears remains to be seen, although a stunning victory over Norwich last time out has increased optimism. The Owls will want to be hooting full-time. Juventus versus Torino The Derby della Mole continues the local grudge match tradition. Juventus are one of only three unbeaten clubs in Europe's top five leagues, but...

Arsenal fans have reason to be optimistic, as Martin Odegaard is apparently close to recovering from an injury suffered during the September international break. Arsenal has felt Odegaard's absence acutely; the playmaker is critical to the club's midfield creativity and overall performance. However, they have been cautious in his recovery, avoiding any hurried decisions that could worsen the injury. According to the Daily Mail, Odegaard's return is near, giving Arsenal fans hope that their great midfielder will be back on the pitch shortly. His upcoming return will be a big help for the Gunners, who have battled to maintain consistency without his presence in the middle of the park. The article also includes optimistic news about Arsenal's defensive lineup. Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhães, who sustained injuries during Arsenal's recent encounter against Liverpool, are expected to return to the squad shortly. Timber, who shone early in the season, and Gabriel,...

This evening's EFL Cup featured an all-Premier League match, as well as a visit to the Emirates Stadium by League One side Bolton Wanderers. Here's what happened. Arsenal's youngsters shine in destruction of Bolton. Arsenal advanced to the next round of the cup after defeating Bolton Wanderers 5-1. The Gunners' concerns were quickly alleviated when Josh Nichols' cross was diverted into the path of Declan Rice, who struck from 18 yards out and got his team off to a wonderful start with his powerful strike. Bolton kept the Premier League team at bay for the next 20 minutes, until 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scored his first goal for Arsenal, aided by Raheem Sterling's brilliant cross from the left. That must have boosted the youngster's confidence, as Rice played in Nwanieri again, and he finished from just inside the penalty box. Bolton responded, and after a rapid burst from a corner, Aaron Collins sprinted from within his own half, rounding 16-year-old goal...

After a brief hiatus for the first international break of the season, we're back with the top picks for football fans to watch this weekend. Here are our five must-see games. Birmingham versus Wrexham Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney believes his team's Monday night clash with big-spending Birmingham City will be a 'absolute banger'. Rob McElhenney can't wait to see Tom Brady when Wrexham head to Birmingham next Monday... 👀 Who's coming out on top? 🤔 Despite their League One status, the two teams have sparked widespread attention, thanks to celebrity owners and significant investment. After recording the ownership journey of actor McElhenney and Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds, the 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries has elevated a modest Welsh town to the forefront of American attention. Tom Brady, an NFL icon, is on the Birmingham board, and the Blues have broken transfer records since their relegation last season. Birmingham spent more than £20 million ...

Sol Bamba, a former defender for Cardiff, Leeds, and Leicester, has died at the age of 39. Bamba, who appeared 46 times for Ivory Coast and scored one goal, was working for Turkish club Adanaspor when his death was reported on Saturday. "Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before yesterday's match against Manisa Football Club, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and sadly lost his battle for life," the Turkish club said in a statement. "Our condolences go out to his family and our community" . Bamba concluded his career at Middlesbrough, having previously played for Scottish clubs Dunfermline and Hibernian, Italian side Palermo, and Turkish side Trabzonspor. He retired in January 2023 and began coaching, first as an assistant manager at Cardiff before becoming technical director at Adanaspor. Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2021 but was certified cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy. Sol Bamba played ...

The games are coming thick and fast, and there are some fantastic matches on offer throughout Europe this weekend. We've handpicked five must-see games. Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt. Nuri Sahin will take over Borussia Dortmund for the first time in the Bundesliga this weekend. The former favourite has succeeded Edin Terzic, who has decided to stand down at the Westfalenstadion. Last season's Champions League finalists have entered a new chapter, with Mats Hummels and Marco Reus moving on. Recruitment has boosted enthusiasm, with Stuttgart sensation Serhou Guirassy joining Germany internationals Maximilian Beier, Pascal Gross, and Waldemar Anton. The first game could be a cracker, with Frankfurt the visitors, as the teams that placed fifth and sixth last season face off. Sunderland vs Burnley. Sunderland and Burnley, the Championship's early-season league toppers, will face off this weekend at The Stadium of Light. Each has started the season in fine style, wit...

Joao Mendes, the son of Barcelona and Brazil star Ronaldinho, has signed with EFL Championship club Burnley after leaving La Masia. Mendes joined Barcelona's youth setup in March 2023, at the age of 17, after a successful trial with the club. However, the youthful attacking midfielder was never able to establish himself in the Juvenil A squad under former boss Oscar Lopez. Indeed, the son of Barcelona legend Ronaldinho made just nine appearances for the club last season, failing to score or assist in a single game. Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez had also called up Joao Mendes to train with the first team on several occasions. However, the boy will not follow in his father's footsteps and flourish in Barcelona. Joao Mendes' contract with the Blaugrana expired on June 30, and no agreement was made to extend it, thus the 19-year-old is now moving to England. Ronaldinho had tremendous success in Spain, Italy, and France with Barcelona, AC Milan, and PSG, but he ne...

Premier League Rule Changes for 2024–25: What to expect from VAR, handball, and offside As the 2024-25 Premier League season begins, fans and commentators alike are preparing for another exciting season. Aside from the typical disputes over transfers, management sackings, and financial squabbles, there is a new set of regulation amendments that could dramatically effect how matches are played and officiated. These adjustments, particularly those involving VAR, handball, and offside, promise to spark debate throughout the season. VAR Overhaul: A Novel Approach to Controversy. Last season, the Premier League was at the center of multiple VAR disputes, with many questioning the system's efficacy. Recognizing the need for improvement, the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have proposed a six-point strategy to make VAR more transparent and less intrusive. One of the most significant modifications is the introduction of in-stadium announcements. Support...

Lesley Ugochukwu's last-minute goal against Italian champions Inter helped Chelsea complete their preseason with a 1-1 tie. Enzo Maresca's Chelsea career has had a rather uneventful start thus far. A 4-1 loss to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership plus defeats to Manchester City and Real Madrid earlier in the summer had Chelsea under pressure on their USA tour. On home ground, they did, however, manage to salvage a rather favorable outcome against Inter. The 20-year-old Ugochukwu's late equalizer tied the score, after the Serie A team had led for most of the contest. These are the four things we discovered during their last preseason encounter at Stamford Bridge. The key will be patience.   Maresca might require more time at Chelsea. Chelsea may need to trust the process and give Enzo Maresca time to become settled at Stamford Bridge if they think he's the perfect guy to take them to victory. This adage applies to the Chelsea team as well because Maresca has hinted tha...

On Monday, the six finalists for the 2024 PFA Young Player of the Year title were revealed. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, both of Manchester United, are contenders for the honor. After another outstanding season, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, who won the YPOTY award in 2022–2023, is once again up for consideration. Cole Palmer of Chelsea is also chosen, having led the Blues with 25 goals and 15 assists in the previous campaign. João Pedro of Brighton and Michael Olise, who is currently at Bayern Munich after formerly playing for Crystal Palace, complete the roster.  Young Player of the Year, PFA. 🏆 The Six Best. Select by the participants. ✇️ On August 20, there will be a ceremony to reveal the winner.

The top leagues of European football begin next week, but there's enough of football to whet the appetite this weekend for what's in store in 2024-25. The Olympics, Football League, and Community Shield are among the appetizers coming up, and we've selected five must-see games for this weekend. Wrexham Vs Wycombe Wanderers Wrexham, the EFL's version of FC Hollywood, moves up the English football pyramid this season, returning to the third tier for the first time in two decades. Wrexham's high-profile ownership by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has created a whirlwind for the club, which is entering League One following two consecutive promotions. Five of the club's six summer acquisitions have moved down a division to join The Red Dragons, who will be confident of at least retaining their status. Given competition from big-spending Birmingham City, the addition of former Charlton captain George Dobson is a coup, while Dan Scarr has promoted from this divisio...

Debut seasons do not always go as planned, as some Premier League signings from last season struggled to get off to a good start. However, a new season brings new optimism. These five faces, now more at ease in their new surroundings and having completed a season of transition, will look to improve in 2024/25. Five Premier League signings from last summer must improve in 2024/25. Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) Chelsea outbid Liverpool for Moises Caicedo from Brighton last summer, paying a British transfer record of £115 million to capture the midfielder. Caicedo underwhelmed in his first few months in West London, when he struggled to make an impact on games in the same way he had at Brighton. Caicedo, a prolific ball-winner for the Seagulls, fell short of the stats that would have put him in the Premier League's top five for tackles won and interceptions in 2022/23. However, the 22-year-old improved over the preseason and will be determined to build on that as the new season begins. ...

West Ham United are stepping up their search for a new right-back as the 2024/25 Premier League season approaches. According to the Telegraph, the Hammers are looking to sign Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier. Six new players have arrived to improve other sections of the squad, but manager Julen Lopetegui is still focused on the fullback position. West Ham had attempted to recruit Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters, but were unable to strike an agreement. Trippier has been a standout for the Magpies since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2022, helping them secure Champions League participation. However, his future at St James' Park is unknown, with Saudi Pro League clubs interested in signing him. Trippier's contract expires next summer, therefore he could start negotiating pre-contract agreements with other teams in January if he does not sign a new contract with Newcastle. Vladimir Coufal was a regular at right back ...

West Ham have signed Guido Rodríguez on a free transfer after his Real Betis contract ended. The 30-year-old Argentine international was extensively linked with Barcelona last season, but will instead join the London Stadium. Rodríguez, a defensive midfielder, started his career with River Plate and then played for Tijuana and Club América in Mexico. He joined Betis from the latter in 2020 and played 173 games for the club over four seasons, scoring nine goals. He has 30 international caps for Argentina and was a member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2022, as well as the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.

According to The Guardian, the Football Association has approved a foreign candidate to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager. The decision was made during a board meeting where CEO Mark Bullingham obtained support for a global search for the next national team manager. There was considerable internal pushback, but the FA is committed to appointing the finest candidate, regardless of nationality. Sarina Wiegman's performance with the English women's team is thought to have impacted the board's decision. Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel are early front-runners, but their salaries may be a sticking hurdle. Pochettino just left Chelsea, despite taking the club to a historic sixth place in the Premier League. He has been linked with the England position since his time with Tottenham Hotspur. Tuchel has also recently departed Bayern Munich and is open to fresh opportunities. The German's reputation in England has improved significantly as a result of his perf...