News. Sports. Arts & Entertainment. Politics
There was a ton of Chelsea transfer talk in the press conferences that followed Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup. Both Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte and Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane were quizzed about a few transfer rumors in the media room at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
We sort through all of the Chelsea transfer narratives, including the responses from both coaches below:
Follow paulmbanks
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been the subject of many a transfer rumor. There have been multiple reports that Costa is unhappy at Chelsea, and looking for the exit door, with a potential return to Atletico Madrid in the cards. Costa has three more years left on his current contract and a move back to Madrid could be complicated, and expensive, perhaps costing £40 million.
Back on July 19th, Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte dismissed the likelihood of Costa leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.
Today however, was a little bit of a different story.
Follow paulmbanks
Today, Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Antonio Conte and Chelsea before a crowd of 105,826. The match, held at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the second highest attended soccer game in American history. (Here’s a link to more news, nuggets, facts and fun from the match)
Here below is the full postgame press conference audio for both managers, Conte and Zidane.
Follow paulmbanks
Real Madrid totally dominated Chelsea FC in the first half today, making the entire second half essentially “garbage time.” The Blues didn’t really have many scoring opportunities and failed to bring much of a presence in the final third. Meanwhile on the other side, Madrid’s Marcelo was essentially the man of the match, scoring twice in the first half.
Yes, it was just a preseason friendly, but there are a few takeaways that we can make from this game at Michigan Stadium (The Big House) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Follow paulmbanks
German goalkeeper Loris Karius, brought over to Liverpool from Mainz in 2016 broke his hand in Wednesday night’s 1-0 friendly loss to Chelsea. In other words, the Reds lost more than a meaningless preseason exhibition to the Blues late night at the Rose Bowl. They also lost a man who could possibly be the starting #1 this season.
Karius will fly home Friday, per the Liverpool Echo. He is expected to undergo surgery on his right hand and miss 8 to 10 weeks.
Follow paulmbanks
When it comes to knowledge of the United States of America, the Chelsea FC first team is extremely lacking. Matt Miazga is the first American to ever play for Chelsea, and he has a nice long season ahead of him to get his teammates better edified on American basic history.
That’s good because there’s a ton of work that needs to be done. Check out the video the club posted on YouTube, entitled “Red, White and Blues.” You’ll have a good laugh Thibaut Courtois, Pedro, Eden Hazard and more blatantly fail the USA test.
Follow paulmbanks
Chelsea FC takes on Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It’s the second largest stadium in the world, and the biggest one outside North Korea. It’s home to Jim Harbaugh and his University of Michigan Wolverines.
Harbaugh, a local deity, will be there; probably. Here’s a link to more on that.
The last time a soccer game was played at the venue commonly referred to as “The Big House” was August of 2014 between Real Madrid and Manchester United; and that match such a new record set for American single game soccer attendance.
That definitely will not happen today. There is a lot of buzz about this match, but it doesn’t come close to matching the 2014 hype.
Follow paulmbanks
On Saturday, Chelsea FC will take on Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It’s the second largest stadium in the world, and the biggest one outside North Korea. It’s home to Jim Harbaugh and his University of Michigan Wolverines.
Harbaugh will be there; probably.
The last time a soccer game was played at the venue commonly referred to as “The Big House” was August of 2014 between Real Madrid and Manchester United; and that match such a new record set for American single game soccer attendance.
Follow paulmbanks
Now a member of Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had offers from clubs all over the world this summer. Once his Paris Saint Germain contract expired, his agent Mino Raiola was taking calls from multiple teams in multiple countries.
United is the perfect fit for him, and tomorrow night we’ll get to see him make his debut in his bright new red United shirt.
Follow paulmbanks
According to the London School of Economics, Liverpool FC are the eight most valuable football club in the whole world. Forbes ranks the Reds news as the 41st most valuable sports franchise on the planet. With such lofty status comes extremely high expectations for winning and winning with brand name players.
Or at least signing big names in the summer transfer window. Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp doesn’t see it that way however.
Follow paulmbanks
Soccer is the world’s most popular sport for, among many, one big reason in particular: it’s utterly unpredictable.
Its upsets, unexpected announcements, and gripping storylines are what makes watching and betting on soccer so fun, something that millions around the world have already discovered.
Below are five of our biggest soccer shocks from the last 10 years that supporters and punters alike will never forget.
Follow paulmbanks
Chelsea Midfielder Cesc Fabregas committed a horrific tackle on Liverpool‘s brand new defender Ragnar Klavan last night. For a preseason “friendly’ this was truly an astounding act. The straight red card level infraction turned the exhibition match very “unfriendly” in a hurry.
Things became heated, and tempers flared on both sides in the International Champions Cup Match won by Chelsea 1-0 at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, USA.
Have a look at the video below:
Follow paulmbanks
